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The world of financial services is undergoing fundamental change and the next decade will see a dramatic transformation in the way our industry does business.
Change is being driven primarily by three factors: the demands of customers, the expectations of communities, and the requirements of regulators.
With change comes new challenges and, for those who master the "new rules" of financial services, great opportunity.
The dramatic events of the past five years have changed what customers want from their bank. After nearly two decades of unparalleled credit growth in Australia, people have shifted their focus to saving and are increasingly looking for financial advice they can understand and trust.
Since the financial crisis we have seen savings rates in Australia double to more than 9 per cent. The experience of the financial crisis and, in particular, the events of 2008-09 have made us extremely sceptical and wary about sophisticated investment strategies and complex financial instruments.
Customers are looking for simple, reliable products and services that do what we say and provide them with the service and returns that they need in an increasingly fast-moving and uncertain world.
In some ways it's a return to old-fashioned banking, what you could label as Banking 101: a world built on customers saving funds with their bank. But it's not being delivered in an old-fashioned way. Technological change is dramatically altering banking and consumer habits.
Online and mobile banking are changing the way our customers do business with us. More than 1 million Westpac customers now do their banking through these channels and an increasing number are doing so through that channel alone. St George Bank now handles the equivalent of 220 branches' daily transactions through its market leading mobile service.
Peak mobile transaction time is between 6am and 8am: the contrast with traditional bank opening hours could not be sharper.
This is simply the start. Over the next decade customers will be looking for a lot more. What is today's leading online experience will be tomorrow's back-marker.
The best banks will provide customers with an array of online tools that analyse their needs, offer and assess alternative options and help to make decisions. The integration of mobile and online channels with traditional branch networks and call centres, underpinned by constant technology updates, will transform how customers interact with their banks.
As financial services embrace the digital age, so will payments. Over the next decade we will see a dramatic increase in near-field communication payments from mobile devices, as small and countless card payments swiftly replace cash. We will also see a steadily rising set of payments and investment flows between Australia and other Asian economies and an increasing use of payments information to understand, predict and influence the behaviour of customer purchases in a wide range of retailing situations.
We are already seeing that online buying, particularly by Australians from overseas, is transforming retailing here and abroad. Payments will become a centre of innovation, not just by the banks but also from potential new entrants. It will be one of the most intensely fought battlegrounds in the new era of financial services.
More broadly, the next decade will see fundamental shifts in the economy. Emerging markets, especially those in Asia, will become the main engine of global economic growth. Australia is well positioned to benefit. Trade, currencies and money flows between Australia and other Asian economies will continue to grow and develop. Financial institutions here will need to become increasingly Asian-focused and more able to meet the demands of Australian customers doing business across the region. Domestically, the economy is being transformed, partly as a result of the resources boom and the high Australian dollar but also because of the ageing of our population.
While uncertain investment markets may limit returns in the next few years, what in Westpac we call "Prime of Life" customers – broadly pre-retirees – will become an important driver of growth in financial services. The pool of superannuation funds is forecast to increase threefold to $4.5 trillion by 2025, making it the fourth biggest pool of funds under management in the world. Meeting customers' superannuation and retirement income needs will require a major cultural change in banks in particular. Our bankers will have to develop new skills in areas of advice and service and detailed knowledge of a new range of products.
These are the challenges facing us but, over time, these changes in the domestic and global economies will create new opportunities for growth in our industry.
I am fundamentally optimistic about the long-term future in Australia and our abilities to make the most of these opportunities.
In the short term, however, we face a major period of adjustment. The re-regulation of financial services, especially the requirements to hold higher levels of liquidity and tier one capital, is placing pressure on investor returns.
While Australia's banks are among the strongest in the world in terms of capital, increased price competition for deposits – essential for ensuring that the banks have sustainable balance sheets over the longer term – will inevitably be reflected in the pricing of loans. Implementing the array of new regulatory rules will cost hundreds of millions of dollars.
The ongoing crisis in Europe and its global consequences are dampening investment and encouraging both businesses and consumers to be increasingly wary. Those who have predicted that the global economy will be "lower, for longer" may well be proved right. In that context, banks must continue to make gains in productivity.
So what does the immediate future hold? Clearly, it will take many years before the problems of the global financial system are resolved. Europe is facing significant challenges and nobody should underestimate the impact that the region's difficulties are having on the world as a whole. But, as we are seeing with the rise of Asia and with the rapid shift to mobile banking, attention is already switching from the old to the new.
We have entered a period in which those who adapt quickly, innovate to meet swift changes in customer needs, manage their risks carefully and show great resilience will thrive. The opportunities are there to be seized.
The Australian Financial Review


text: Flamer 95 Damage Affinities Damage Dealt5 1 Resistances6 Bonus Attributes 10 1 Retrieved from "http://dungeonsofdredmor.wikia.com/wiki/Flamer?oldid=8812" Ad blocker interference detected! Wikia is a free-to-use site that makes money from advertising. We have a modified experience for viewers using ad blockers Wikia is not accessible if you've made further modifications. Remove the custom ad blocker rule(s) and the page will load as expected. Categories: Enemies Add category Cancel Save

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Two people have been injured in a plane crash in the north of the state.
A light aircraft crash landed at the Kununurra Airport.
The incident was reported to police just before 9am.
The aircraft was a six seater, with just two people on board.
Two people, a 37-year-old pilot and a 47-year-old male passenger have been taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Chief executive of the Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley Garry Gaffney said the Cessna 210 failed on take off.
He said local police were investigating the matter on behalf of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Mr Gaffney said the plane came down just beyond the perimeter of the airport.


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Fantasy's owners suing Grand Forks, East Grand Forks for blocking stores
GRAND FORKS - The owners of Fantasy's, an adult-themed store, are taking legal action against the cities of Grand Forks and East Grand Forks, saying they were illegally blocked from opening businesses in the two cities.
Owner Jim Patterson on Tuesday filed an administrative appeal in Grand Forks County District Court against the city's ordinance, passed in April, restricting where adult stores can operate. He filed a complaint against the city of East Grand Forks in U.S. District Court in Minnesota on Wednesday.
"We're going after both of the cities at the same time," Patterson said. "They pushed us into this."
He said he had to pursue legal options after the cities would not cooperate with him. "They basically told us they're not working with us."
East Grand Forks City Administrator Scott Huizenga said he received the complaint Thursday afternoon and forwarded it to the city attorney. Grand Forks City Attorney Howard Swanson could not be reached Thursday.
Patterson and his wife Kim, who owns Fantasy's in Fargo, attempted to open similar stores selling lingerie, novelties and sexual devices in Grand Forks and East Grand Forks, only to have them blocked by restrictions on where adult businesses can be located.
They planned to but were unable to open a store at 418 N. Washington St. in Grand Forks, which is about a block away from Winship Elementary School.
The Pattersons also briefly opened a store at 207 Second Ave. N.E. in East Grand Forks without telling the city, but city officials forced them to close.
Both legal actions argue that ordinances restricting the location of adult businesses are unconstitutional and inappropriately applied to the Pattersons' business.
The appeal filed in Grand Forks states that the city's ordinance regulating the sale of sexual devices violates rights of privacy.
"The overly broad and vague definition of sexual paraphernalia store unduly limits the free provision of these items and infringes upon the private sexual conduct right, without any proper bases or reasons," it states.
It also questions the ordinance's claim of harmful secondary effects by adult businesses as a justification for restricting such businesses. According to the appeal, none of the cases of harmful effects cited by the city apply to "sex paraphernalia stores," the category the city applies to Fantasy's.
The appeal also challenges the ordinance's definition of a sexual paraphernalia store as a business that "regularly advertises itself or holds itself out, in any medium, as an establishment that caters to adult sexual interests." It argues the definition violates constitutional rights to commercial speech.
The complaint against the city of East Grand Forks, which lists Fantasysrus 2 LLC as the plaintiff, makes similar arguments about the constitutionality of the city's restrictions on where sexually-oriented businesses can operate.
East Grand Forks' zoning ordinances restrict adult businesses to industrial zones.
That law applies to several kinds of sexually-oriented businesses, including bookstores, video stores, cabarets, theaters and other places. It does not apply to Fantasy's, the complaint argues, since only a small part of the shop's inventory would meet any definition of sexually oriented in the city code.
"They're trying to classify us as an adult bookstore, which we're not," Patterson said.
Patterson said he believes the administration of both cities are discriminating against him.
"I'm taking it personally. It's not the business. It's me. They don't want me in Grand Forks," he said.
Despite the setbacks to his business, he believes he will get his way.
"We're going to take it all the way, and we're going to open," he said.


text: Julie Kirk with doggie, Bernie and kitten, Maxie "Wa-Wa".[/caption] I am a wife. A mother. An animal lover. I am a business owner and (a blogger in the making). I left a corporate job in 2011 to be at home with my daughter and the 2nd one which was on the way. (Yet...Bills still need to be paid, right?) AND, I AM A CRUELTY FREE CONSUMER. In short, 2006.... Life happens and things get real, and you start looking at things differently and in a more compassionate way.... it was in the summer of this year that I decided to entirely stop using products that were tested on animals. It was hard to find these certified brands. So....Fast forward... Cruelty Free Consumer was born. Why? Because I thought that perhaps, I could provide a service for people looking for the same things. Compassionate, Cruelty free Shopping. Notebooks and million of scratch pieces of paper later....I came up with our name - Cruelty Free Consumer. Our logo was created, the blog was launched, Facebook was up and I had 20 companies ready to work with me once we launched our retail site. September 2011.... Cruelty Free Consumer.com was official. CFC was launched. We are a retail website that is dedicated to only selling Leaping Bunny certified brands. That is our niche. Our "North Star". Cruelty Free Consumer.com is my business because I believe in helping animals and helping consumers find, locate and purchase certified cruelty free (or not tested on animals) products and brands. You see, when you use/buy cruelty free products, you are helping animals. Why? It's simple. When you use/buy cruelty free brands, you are telling those brands you support what they do. How? Sales revenue. On the flip side, if you stop purchasing brand "x" who does conduct testing.... they will start to see a drop in sales and the goal is for them to take a long hard look at what their practices are. The goal is to end unnecessary animal testing. Until then, purchase from companies who don't test on animals....*** I promise you will discover some fantastic products!!!!**** I hope that as moms, dads, daughters, sons, animals lovers, gardeners, bloggers, nature enthusiasts etc. etc, etc! you will look to our company to shop for cruelty free brands. (You won't ever see graphic images). We are a local company and we are growing! We now offer over 50 National Brands and are always adding more! Join me on this journey. I look forward to helping you choose the best cruelty free products/brands for you, your children, your pets and your home! Welcome 2015. Sincerely, Julie FREESHIP on orders over $50 and 3.95SHIP on orders under. http://www.crueltyfreeconsumer.com/


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Get more out of it! Ziploc brand Twist 'n Loc Containers block out air and lock in freshness. Plus, the lids on these handy containers twist on like a jar and have a leak-resistant seal—so you don't have to worry about spills or leaks!
Plastic and Dye. SCJ Formula #35* 10582.
Use as directed in microwave, freezer and dishwasher.Always follow proper food preparation and storage guidelines.
Always refer to the actual package for the most accurate information


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Buy philosophy makeup optional 4 piece advanced skincare system
philosophy is one of my favorite skincare brands... my personal favorite is the "Makeup Optional" kit. The cleansers and the peels leave you skin all glow-y and delish. While it may not be an excuse to skip concealer you will defintely have a nice glow that LOOKS like it took a few products to acheive.


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We're available 24/7 to discuss treatment options.
March 19, 2014
Every day presents a new opportunity to quit smoking. Today, Kick Butts Day, is the perfect time to kick the habit for good. Consider this: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women, surpassing deaths due to colon, breast and prostate cancers combined. But it can be tremendously difficult to stop smoking.
Kick Butts Day started in 1996 as a movement of young people encouraging other young people to say no to cigarettes from the start and to reject tobacco advertising. We applaud the effort, which is organized by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. The message of rejecting tobacco should resonate with young people and adults alike.
Among adults, smoking rates dropped 57 percent between 1965 and 2012. Just two years ago, 18 percent of adults were smokers, compared with 42 percent in 1965.
If you're struggling to become smoke-free, it may be a matter of finding the right method for you. Here are some of the most effective ways to quit smoking:
The path to becoming smoke-free begins with your family and friends. Tell them you are quitting and the exact day you will stop smoking. Ask for their support. Then, find a program that works for you. Distract yourself by staying busy, especially on your quit day. Throughout your program, avoid people, places and situations that typically lead you to smoke. Be positive even when it's difficult. After all, Rome wasn't built in a day.
Learn more about quitting smoking through our Tobacco Cessation Program.
Fill out all of the form below and we will connect you to someone to assist you.
First Name:
Last Name:
Email Address
Who are you seeking cancer care for?
What type of insurance do you have?
Chat now


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Let us know when your receive great advice so we can thank our lawyers and point others with similar questions in the right direction.Got it!
I'd like to file suit against my employer for discrimination, but have no idea what to look for in a good and reputable attorney. I would appreciate any help.
Look for someone who is highly rated here on AVVO (7 or better) and on other rating systems like Martindale Hubble. Look for someone who advertises that they do employment discrimination cases specifically.Ask a similar question
I agree with the previous poster. You should also consider whether the attorney has handled a similar employment discrimination case before. For instance, if you feel that you have been discriminated based on your gender, ask an attorney if they have handled a gender discrimination case before. You should also hire an attorney who you feel comfortable working with. You can schedule consultations with a few attorneys and then decide which to hire. Many attorneys offer a free consultation, which will help you choose the attorney that is the best fit for you.
The above is for information purposes only and is not legal advice. It does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice, contact the Abdullah Law Firm at 206-363-0455.Ask a similar question
Post a free question on our public forum.Ask a Question
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Univariate nonlinear time series models
In this paper developments in the analysis of univariate nonlinear time series are considered. First a number of commonly used nonlinear models are presented. The next section is devoted to methods of testing linearity, which is an important part of nonlinear model building. Techniques of modelling nonlinear series within a predetermined family of models are discussed thereafter. Forecasting with nonlinear models also has its own section. A brief set of final remarks closes the chapter.
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|37 pages
|Date of creation:
|29 Mar 2005
|Publication status:
|Published in Palgrave Handbook of Econometrics, Volume 1: Econometrics, Patterson, Kerry, Mills, Terence C. (eds.), 2006, chapter 10, pages 396-424, Palgrave Macmillan.
|This paper has been prepared for Kerry Patterson and Terence C. Mills (eds.), Palgrave Handbook of Econometrics, Volume 1: Econometric Theory, Palgrave Macmillan.
|Contact details of provider:
| Postal: The Economic Research Institute, Stockholm School of Economics, P.O. Box 6501, 113 83 Stockholm, Sweden
Phone: +46-(0)8-736 90 00
Fax: +46-(0)8-31 01 57
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Jerusalem (May. 24)
A large part of the state lands which are under the control of the Palestine Government and under the provisions of the Palestine Mandate are to be used for facilitating a "close settlement on the land by the Jews" were distributed among the Bedouins, lately, sensational reports in the Palestine press declare today.
An area of 20,000 dunams was distributed by the government to the Bedouins in the vicinity of Jericho.


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Edit Article
wikiHow to Use a Colon in a Sentence
Four Parts:Colon Usage Cheat SheetWhat Is a Colon?When to use the colonWhen not to use the colonCommunity Q&A
Ah, the venerable colon. It's seen everywhere, in all the right places, introducing us to people we should know, pointing the way to the answers we seek. And yet it remains a mystery to so many. "How do I use this," they ask. The answer is simple: read this article, and learn all about it!
Colon Usage Cheat Sheet
Part 1
What Is a Colon?
1Listen to your grammar. A colon, technically speaking, is a punctuation mark consisting of two equally sized dots in a vertical configuration (see the image above). It is used to mark a major division in a sentence, to indicate that what follows is an elaboration, summation, implication, etc., of what precedes it. Think of the colon as a gate, inviting one to go on. Want to know more? Read further:
Part 2
When to use the colon
1Use the colon to punctuate the end of a sentence when a list of items follows, as follows:
- The class will expose you to the following topics: politics, history, and economics.
- This first-aid kit includes these items: a flashlight, an extra set of batteries, a space blanket, gauze, tape, and aspirin.
- You have 3 choices:
- 1. Buy the car.
- 2. Buy the ticket.
- 3. Save the money and take a nap.
2Use a colon between two sentences when the second sentence elaborates or explains the content of the first sentence.
- She had it all: looks, intelligence, wit, and charm. She also had a piercing gaze, and it was aimed at one place, and one place only: my heart.
- This I know: Do or do not. There is no try.
3The colon is the punctuation to reach for when you're writing a business or formal letter.
- Dear Mr. Jones: You know there's something happening, but you don't know what it is, do you?
4Use a colon to separate an independent clause from a quotation that the clause introduces:
- The director often used his favorite quotation from Shakespeare's The Tempest:
- As you from crimes would pardoned be,
- Let your indulgence set me free.
- The director often used his favorite quotation from Shakespeare's The Tempest:
Part 3
When not to use the colon
1Remember this: the clause that precedes the punctuation mark should be able to stand on its own as an independent clause. It should have a subject and a predicate.
2Don't use the colon in the following situations:
- When a clause includes an introductory word such as for example, or namely.
- Her recipe for cake included flour, eggs, milk, and anchovies. It was not widely appreciated. (Don't use a colon after "included.")
- His favorite cereals were hot buttered groat clusters, TastyWheat, and Frosted Chicken-Os. (No colon after "were.")
- She was a big fan of old movies. For example, The Maltese Falcon, The Tramp, and Creature From the Black Lagoon. (No colon after "example.")
- When a clause includes an introductory word such as for example, or namely.
3Remember this as well: Do not use a colon to introduce a list that is the complement of a verb or the object of a preposition.
- Incorrect: The toys we took to the sleep over were: army men, hot wheels, and Barbie dolls.(The colon separates the verb from its complement).
- Correct: We took these toys to the sleep over: army men, hot wheels, and Barbie dolls.
- Incorrect: We have vacationed in: Philippines, China, Thailand, and Hong Kong. (Colon separates the preposition from its object).
- Correct: We have taken a vacation in the following countries: Philippines, China, Thailand, and Hong Kong.
Community Q&A
Can I use a colon twice in a sentence after two or three words?It would be an extremely unusual - even awkward - sentence if it required two colons.
Can a colon be used to link several sentences related to each other?wikiHow ContributorYes, the colon is used in place of a period but acts like a period to end a sentence and to capitalize the following word. For example -- Carrots are a good source of vitamins: They promote healthy vision.
"Some of the necessary skills are: strong leadership ability, exemplary classroom management skills." Would this be a correct use?wikiHow ContributorThis is a correct use. A few pointers, however: 1. This would be an unusual and unnecessary way to write such a sentence in most contexts, since you can equally well just write the same sentence without the colon. 2. You should generally have 'and' before the last item in the series (and no comma in this case, since there are only two items). 3. 'Include' is a better word choice here than 'are'. 4. The most likely scenario for a construction exactly like the one you wrote would be a form that has been filled out. For example, a form or questionnaire can sometimes have an item ending with a colon, where the person filling it out needs to list whatever applies.
Can I end a sentence with a colon?Yes, if it introduces another sentence or a list of items.
Is this correct? "Give me: cheese, bread and butter."No colon needed.
Is a colon used inside of quotation marks?It can be.
"But the real question is: Did the police lied to the people in town?" Is this correct?Yes.
Ask a Question
200 characters leftSubmit
If this question (or a similar one) is answered twice in this section, please click here to let us know.
- If a colon is followed by a complete sentence, capitalize the first word after the colon. For example, "While in Venice, he did something he had never done before: He took a gondola ride." (Compare to this: "While in Venice, he did something he had never done before: took a gondola ride."
- When a colon follows quoted matter, the colon goes outside the quotation marks. For example, "There were three people to whom he sang "The Girl From Ipanema": his mother, his sister and his best friend."
- Remember, there is still need for an "and" before the last word you are listing, even when using a colon. For example, "There are so many things I need to purchase for the party: balloons, streamers, food, soda, gifts, and plates." However, the comma before that final "and" may not be required; read up on the "Oxford Comma" debate.
- Remember to always use a colon between the hour and the minute of a time reference.
- Do not forget to use a colon between chapter and verse of Biblical reference.
- John 3:16
- Always remember to use a colon between independent clauses when the second clause gives a fuller explanation of what is stated in the first clause.
- Family camp had an enormous effect on families: they came home with a different perspective on life and with a genuine love for each other.
Sources and Citations
- http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/marks/colon.htm
- http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/colons.asp GrammarBook.com
- http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/colon Dictionary.com
- http://www.shakespeare-online.com/plays/temp_5_1.html Shakespeare Online
Article Info
Categories: Punctuation
In other languages:
Français: utiliser les deux points dans une phrase, Español: usar el signo de dos puntos en un enunciado, Deutsch: Einen Doppelpunkt als Satzzeichen setzen
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Thursday, December 10, 2009
PBS NewsHour Hits YouTube
Jim Lehrer, the anchor of PBS NewsHour, announced along with Google's YouTube video sharing site last night that the broadcast program is launching a major initiative with YouTube, as part of a re-launch of its program and website. According to a blog post by Lehrer and YouTube Strategic Partnership Manager Obadiah Greenberg, the new PBS NewsHour Channel on YouTube will host nightly reports on the site, the same night those broadcasts air on PBS. Financial details of the initiative were not disclosed. The YouTube effort is part of a larger effort by PBS NewsHour to connect its TV and web operations, and to extend its viewership on new platforms.


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Click the "View Profile" link just under your name in the box to the left. This will take you to your profile page where you can begin the annual renewal process.
California Art League (CAL) is founded on the belief that when individual artists join together in creating their destinies, their growth and impact is multiplied in their lives and throughout the world. With visual art exhibitions, ongoing education and creative interaction, we empower artists to fulfill their highest potential.
CAL provides a variety of activities and educational programming to its members. Quarterly membership meetings are held which feature exciting demonstrations or presentations by renowned artists and art professionals. Corresponding workshops may also be offered. There are also paint outs and field trips planned to local museums a few times a year. These events give members the opportunity to meet, socialize and interact with fellow artists.
General Membership Meetings:
Our general membership meetings are held monthly (4 times a year) on the third Tuesday of selected months at the San Fernando Valley Arts & Cultural Center in Tarzana. Meetings begin at 7:00 p.m. Members and guests are welcome. The address is 18312 Oxnard Street, Tarzana 91364. Our general membership meetings begin with a very short business meeting, followed by the presentation. Details on dates can be found in our most recent newsletter and/or the "UPCOMING EVENTS" box at the top right of this page.
Suggested donation at entrance is $5 for members, $8 for guests. Non members are welcome as guests.
CAL puts on four juried art exhibits each year. All exhibiting members are invited to participate. The exhibits alternate between two strikingly different venues. Two are three-month exhibits at the Blinn House in Pasadena. The other two are 3-week exhibits at the San Fernando Valley Arts & Cultural Center in Tarzana.. Our juried exhibits have cash prizes, merchandise awards, and honorable mentions. Accepted works become available for sale and remain on exhibit at the Blinn House or the SFV Arts & Cultural Centerr for the duration of the exhibit.
CAL welcomes all levels of artists to join us whether you are a professional or a beginner. Painters, sculptors, photographers and collage artists are welcome. All genres, including abstract modern art, traditional realism, portraits, still life, landscape, cityscape, wildlife and everything in between are accepted.
Gold Medal
2nd Place


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Getaway Guide: Weekend Trip to Sanibel IslandEnjoy the fun that Sanibel Island has to offer with a weekend trip.
Getaway Guide: One-Tank Trip to LakelandTampa Bay residents may think of Lakeland as little more than a rest stop on the way to Orlando's massive attractions. However, there is so much more to this city. Pay it a visit and explore this Florida gem.


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In Japan you can walk through a bamboo grove to a temple where the fence, the water scoop for ritual purification and the flower baskets at the shrine are all made of bamboo. Like rice, another member of the grass family, bamboo has been an integral part of Japanese culture for at least two millennia. Its strength and flexibility make it a symbol of virtue. And yet, perhaps because it is ubiquitous, the material lacks cachet. As recently as 100 years ago even the finest baskets were generally made by anonymous artisans, who were treated as social outcasts.
Today, plastics are replacing bamboo in everyday life, and fewer than 100 artists struggle to make a living from the sale of masterpieces that can take months to make. Many of these artists are old and have no heirs or apprentices to learn their skills. The future of this exacting craft (it takes 10 years to master the basics and decades more to achieve a mature personal expression) is in doubt.
Happily, a few dedicated souls are stubbornly persisting. Kenichi Nagakura studied basketmaking with his grandfather as a young man and now, at age 50, enjoys wide acclaim for his bold sculptural forms. "I want to reduce the complexity of my feelings into my work as a poet does when writing a haiku," he explains in dealer and scholar Robert T. Coffland's book Contemporary Japanese Bamboo Arts. Inspired by modern Western art, including Henry Moore bronzes and the gestural freedom of Abstract Expressionism, he is equally responsive to the objects he finds in nature—a root washed onto a river bank, a fallen leaf or an insect's cocoon. Above all, he is true to the properties of his material. "Bamboo's crisp, clear energy holds at its center the highest qualities of life," he writes in a catalogue of his first solo exhibition in 1982. "I admire its natural strength and vigorous rhythms. Its ability to bend, curve and resist brings about infinite form when entangled and organized.… Constructing the whole is like orchestrating a band, with its strong and weak, straight and curved, simple and complex elements."
That eloquent tribute to craftsmanship is echoed by his peers. Kazuaki Honma was born on the island of Sado and has spent a lifetime learning how far he can push bamboo, particularly the smoke-stained remnants that are salvaged from old farmhouses and treated as a valuable resource. To express the turbulence of the ocean waves, he wets these brittle rods and bends them with heat into springlike coils that are tightly knotted together. He strives to distill his ideas to their essence. Now that his supply of sooty bamboo is exhausted, Honma must harvest his own, a task many artists perform.
Even a Living National Treasure—the most exalted of Japanese artists—personally selects bamboo from his favorite grove. There are 600 species growing in Japan, of which 10 are used for baskets. The most popular is madake, which can grow as much as four feet in a day and reaches its full height in a month. However, it takes three years to achieve the preferred consistency, consistency, and it can be felled only in November and December, when it is dormant. A long section of the trunk is wrapped to protect the surface from damage as it is carried back to the studio, where it is cut into shorter lengths and heated over a flame or boiled in a caustic soda wash to draw out the oils. It is dried for several months, then split and cut into strips of varied widths and thicknesses, which are scraped to remove the pith.
No matter how long they have been chopping, paring and weaving, these artists still feel they have fresh heights to scale. Shokosai Hayakawa V is the fifth generation in his family to bear the name of the first bamboo artist to sign his work. Now 70, he limits himself to two major pieces a year. Though he sketches every day and constantly aims for perfection in his classically symmetrical baskets, he insists, "I've not made one I'm completely satisfied with."
Self-criticism can be a spur to effort, but Japanese artists also have to contend with the conservatism of their peers. Ippo Torii began making copies of his father's baskets over 50 years ago. He was inspired to make it his life's vocation when he saw, in an exhibition of national treasures, a flower basket made for an eighthcentury emperor. Twenty years ago he decided to explore freer forms of expression and solicited the opinions of older artists on a piece he was submitting for exhibition. "They were very critical," he remembers. "They said they couldn't evaluate it because it employed a technique that I had invented."
Free spirits have found an American patron in Lloyd Cotsen, the former CEO of Neutrogena, who has long been a passionate collector. As a young Navy lieutenant, he saw his first basket on a visit to Japan in the early 1950s; he now has over 1,000, and a selection of these has been exhibited in American cities and will soon be presented in Japan. Cotsen views them as works of sculpture that strike a balance between the visual and the visceral. "I was attracted," he says, "by the tensions created by the balancing of forces: of cohesion and chaos, structure and nature, refinement and exuberance, and, ultimately, simplicity and complexity."
Cotsen invited Mary Hunt Kahlenberg, a leading authority on textiles, to curate his collection and employed Robert Coffland, her husband, to locate exceptional pieces in Japan. Coffland coordinates Cotsen's biennial prize for artists under 55. Nagakura won the first of these. Coffland and Kahlenberg established the Tai Gallery/Textile Arts in Santa Fe, and their exhibitions have drawn in other collectors. Artists who might have dropped out or become discouraged now have an appreciative audience that is eager to acquire their most original work. An ancient craft may rise to new heights.


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A Future Without Female Genital Mutilation
My Story
I remember being forced to lie down on three old mattresses: two stretched on an angareb (a wooden bed popular in Sudan); the other plied under my torso. My midwife Hajja sat on a low wooden stool. Our eyes met as she faced my naked body.
"Now you are a woman," she said. "A real woman never cries. I will remove this dirt, and you will become clean, a real Muslim."
There were several women around me during the ritual. Two took hold of my thighs, while two others firmly held my arms. Another sat behind me and put my head on her lap. With her right hand she covered my eyes. As she put her left arm on my chest, she must have felt my heart beating fast because she said, "Honor your father's name. Don't be afraid; this is not painful. You have seen your sister and your cousins. They did not cry." I didn't dare utter a sound as tears ran down my face.
"In the name of Allah Most Gracious, Most Merciful," Hajja said. She raised her fat hand, ornamented with golden bracelets, and addressed the women around her. "Open her widely," she murmured.
I felt the fingers of her left hand moving my nudity apart and then a sharp needle piercing my flesh up and down and in the middle. I cried at the top of my voice and tried to raise my torso to kick the two women who were firmly holding my thighs.
"Oh women, hold her firmly!" Hajja cried.
I was anesthetic resistant.
Suddenly, she started cutting. The pain was excruciating. I cried like a mad person. Her head was bent between my thighs, but I felt as if she was cutting in the middle of my skull. More women were called to hold me down. Some of them nicknamed me coward.
Hajja called one of the old ladies over and asked, "Does everything look okay?"
"No, no," said the old woman, "Cut this piece. Yes, this one. And remove her clitoris. What is the use of it? And, remove the dirt. Do as I tell you." It was Grandmother Amna, doing her best to establish herself as the expert in the anatomy of young girls.
Again Hajja bent between my thighs and cut me with the razor. Or perhaps it was a kitchen knife. I was sure of one thing only: She wasn't wearing gloves or covering her head. She wore only her white short dress. She was fat and stout and mowed my flesh with no mercy.
And then came the stitches: nine in all, causing me pain and panic whenever I tried to move.
I was only 6 years old—too tiny to struggle.
Between Two Atrocities
The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that in Africa about three million girls are at risk for this barbaric practice annually.
My country of Sudan ranks fifth among countries practicing female genital mutilation (FGM) worldwide. According to a UNICEF report, 89% of Sudanese women are circumcised. That's roughly 14 million women and girls.
In Sudan, there are three types of FGM practiced today: 'Sunna', removal of the hood and part of the clitoris; Clitoridectomy, removal of the clitoris and adjacent labia; and Infibulation, which consists of a complete Clitoridectomy as well as stitching of the labia, allowing only a small gap for urine and menstrual blood to pass through. In my point of view type one is the least practiced.
This past February the Sudanese government legalized the Sunna form of FGM. The Council of Ministers dropped the 13th article of the 2009 Children's Act which banned FGM to take into account the Islamic fatwa that distinguishes "harmful" circumcision—Infibulation, Clitoridectomy, from less extensive procedures like Sunna.
Ironically, this decision came just one day before the world celebrated International Day of Zero Tolerance of Female Genital Mutilation.
With this decision, my dear homeland has taken decades of work against these practices back to square one. [paging]
History of Resistance
FGM was declared illegal in Sudan in 1941, but the practice has continued with little interruption.
Successive national surveys between 1979 and 1983 recorded that 96% of women have undergone FGM. In 1991, this percentage dropped to 89%. And now, in 2009, the UNICEF World Report on Children shows a drop of only 7.3%. This gradual shift in public attitudes toward FGM has been due in large part to efforts led by nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) like Babikir Badri Scientific Studies Association on Women Studies (BBSAWS) in coordination with many other autonomous organizations and individuals. It is worth noting that BBSAWS was the first local NGO to shoulder the struggle against FGM in Sudan.
Several factors contribute to the prevalence of circumcision, including the absence of a long-term strategy against the practice, no implementation of strict measures to defend children, the concentration of NGOs in urban centers, associating circumcision with Islam, dominance of silly notions that FGM is a kind of purification and beautification, and the existence of beneficiaries who are resistant to change.
But our government's legalization of the practice is the major obstacle. Whenever FGM is legal, it destroys efforts undertaken by NGOs, turns ethnic groups into advocators, and codifies the presence of groups who are officially supported to derive their livelihood from the profession, not to mention an increase of propaganda used to promote the practice.
Stigma and Economics
In Sudan, it is the women who shoulder the biggest responsibility for excisions. They are the practitioners and the supporters, while the majority of Sudanese men consider it "women's affairs."
Mothers and grandmothers who were victims of circumcision almost always request infibulations or the "Pharaonic" type of excision. The midwives get around the laws by claiming that they only perform "Sunna," when in reality they practice only type two and three.
Midwives, like Hajaa Zeinab, never fail to honor a client's request. They work in accordance with the law of supply and demand, not the law of the land. By doing so, they pull women into a vicious cycle of circumcision, decircumcision (tasheem) and recircumcision (adlah). The latter is normally performed to tighten a woman after giving birth.
Moreover, midwives have their own means of propaganda and advertising to increase their business. Whenever such a midwife is among a large number of women, she tells stories about uncircumcised girls being always dirty even if they spend the whole day showering. Of course, circumcised girls are always described by the famous phrase, "waa halati," meaning, "what a nice girl!"
The gloomy picture reflected by my story does not deny the light at the end of the tunnel.
Change is in process. It will not happen overnight, but with persistence, proper education, and consistency, it is within reach.
I believe that in order to stop FGM in Sudan (and worldwide), civil society organizations, NGOs, artists, writers, dramatists, cartoonist, musicians, activists, media practitioners, physicians, the whole family, etc, must continue to pressure governments to not support this practice.
Continuation of personal efforts is a must. I, for one, prevented my young nieces from having to endure excision and convinced two illiterate mothers to abandon the practice.
I believe that an effective cure for this disease will have to involve personal and collective trials discussions. Men and women who don't practice female circumcision need to come in the open, and not hide in shame.
I recently received an email from a man named Mohamed Ahmed. He wrote, "As a man I didn't find it difficult to say I am married to an uncircumcised woman, and my 22-year-old daughter is not circumcised. This helped me in convincing many relatives and friends throughout more than 27 years to not practice FGM." I received his message with hope and great appreciation.
For the sake of my daughter from whose eyes beam a promising tomorrow and who brings seeds of change, I will continue to work at home and through the media to put an end to FGM.
Halima, as I read your post, my hair stood. I have no words for you dear at the moment ...I am speechless.
Who will come to the aid of the young girls? It is sad that this happens with no consent from the girls making it have an everlasting scar in their memories. Now that it happened to you,kindly raise against it, shout loud and clear that the girls dont have to suffer this way.
I will be glad also if we can be having some of your articles in our Womans Hope Magazine just to raise awareness on what is happening. Who knows,things might change for the better. Lets join hands and say no to genetal mutilation Consolata
Dear Consolata,
I apologize for responding late to your comment.I was damn busy and couldn't follow up. Thank you for your sympathy and solidarity. If it is not too late, please don't hesitate to make use of this article in your magazine. Just refer to the source.
I am glad to read from you. I have revisited the story again and I can only say that you are such a wonderful woman who has a strong voice. Kindly use it to help other girls who are suffering silently and they have no-one to run to. Womans Hope will be humbled to publish this story and get to those who are practicing FGM. This will come at a better time when we are marking 16 days of Activism. Warm Hugs, Consolata
Thank you so much for your concern and encouragement. I am glad that my article has produced such an effect! Hoping that you have already published the article and that it has reached the targeted group.
In friendship,
Hello Halima, Congratulation for bringing this issues and your amazing featuring article. I read this article with my three friends together and we all feel so sorry and my heart was so heavy after reading this article. The image of your article is also very powerful. One of my friend read the article by the impress of picture. She is shraddha, and had already joined pulse wire She said she wants to hear more about this in the future.
Yes, there is an emergency to call for the action and say no to genetal mutilation. big hugs and love
With Love and RegardsSunita Basnet
Dearest Sunnita,
You made my day! Thank you so much for this rich and emotional comment. Am so touched by the effect it had generated on your friends. Please tell your friend who has joint the World Pulse my welcoming greetings. I agree with you that women should come closer and have strong solidarity among them so as to act together against harmful practices that hinder their march towards emancipation.
With love and hugs,
Dearest Halima,
Definately, I will convey then your warm greeting.
Yes, I do agree with you, we all have to come closer to bring cjhange in our respected community and gradually to the world.
Your story is really shocking and emotional.
With Love and RegardsSunita Basnet
Dearest sister and friend Sunita,
first I apologize for my late response to your rich, nice and encouraging comment. Notification feature of new comments and replies isn't applied here, plus am damn busy and it is difficult for me to follow my posts. But I should have and will, lest to not miss such rich comments. Second: am so happy that your friend has joined WP and become one of our colleagues. By the way, it wasn't me who provided the (marvelous) image of my article. It is the WP editing team. I would like to thank them for providing the right image.
Wishing you all the best.
While I am the first to respect the traditions and cultures of other societies, when it crosses the line of physical mutilation of such a debase nature it makes my blood curdle. Has anyone ever asked why this custom started? My theory is that it was to promote the chastity of women. They could no longer enjoy sexual encounters. And, the fact that it is done by women to women demonstrates to what extent social change in the eradication of domestic abuse within our societies must reach into the very core of how we think, live and interact.
Quenby Wilcox Founder - Global Expats email@example.com www.global-xpats.com
Thank you Quenby Wilcox for your rich insightful comment. I agree with you on all you mentioned, especially future means and methods of change.
Dear Halima,
I admire your courage in sharing this painful story, and in working to rid the world of FGM. I learned recently this practice takes place in my home country, Colombia, where traditional indigenous tribes also circumcise their girls. It's surprising how cultures so different and cut off from the world could develop similar traditions. Sexism, clearly, at root of it all, since men don't get circumcised, and if they do it's for other reasons. I hope we can someday get to teach these women, who were once girls, of their worth and their value, and that there is no need of FGM for them to be pure, religious and admirable human beings.
I understand, even if I don't agree, why a mother would put her little girl through this. But I think the solution is not to make women aware, but to teach all society that there are other ways.
Best wishes, and lots of love,
Dearest Juana,
Thank you so much for passing and commenting on this article. As far as I know social and cultural practices are difficult to eradicate within a short period of time. Because in many circumstances people turn into tools serving the dominance of such practices as in my case.
I am sorry to hear that this crime is being pracised in your country ..I remember once I read that immigrants from Africa and Middle EAst and different parts of the world, have brought this harmful practice with them to the new locations and they, allegedly, are practising it as part of their social and rituals.
Lots of love,
Dear Tammy Renee,
Talking, writing and highlighting are important tools in raising awareness and bringing change. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Dear Halima,
Unfortunately, just talking, writing or raising the awareness is bringing an effective change in any of our societies.
According to Amnesty International foreign women in SPAIN in cases of domestic abuse have 1/4 of 1% chance of survival. The solution in Spain is to spend billions on politically correct rhetoric, passage of a few laws that the judicial systems spit on, and high profile publicity campaigns. In the past 2 1/2 years I have literally "run the gamit" within their judicial system and believe me it is not a pretty sight.
The social norms which maintain and perpetuate domestic violence and abuse, in all of its forms, are so ingrained in our cultures that until we start looking in, rather than looking out, none of the abuse will ever stopped. In my own story, my Spanish ex-mother in law, was perhaps the most instrumental in teaching and encouraging her sons to be abusive to me. When I told her that her son was threatening to kill me, she just responded "Que sera, que sera!" She was the one who taught her sons to have a violent temper, while their father taught them to be vicious, degenerate and cruel - All very well hidden and concealed "behind closed doors" of course. My ex-mother-in-law is a true drug-addict doped up on every kind of prescription medicine imaginable, with my ex-father-in-law, playing the concerned, "victimized" care-giver in public. I have watched this scene be played by three generations of my ex-husband's family. It is an age-old game that crosses the lines of religion and cultrue. See my articles published on this website and www.global-expats.com.
My ex-father-in-law would always tell me "Dirty laundery is washed within the family." To which I always responded "Well your problem is that you and your family just sweep your dirt under the carpet."
As with all abusors and psychopaths, they will NEVER admit or even think that their behavior is abusive. Another commonality is that they are totally convinced that their victims are responsible, and sometimes even enjoy, the pain inflicted.
I am sure that those women who commit genitial mutilation on young girls feel they are completely justified in their actions. "If it was good enough for me, it is good enough for my daughter." No amount of laws or sanctions will stop this or any other type of abuse or torture. Look at how many girls are being subjected to genetial mutilation in western societies, where it is illegal.
Until members of societies stand up and take responsibility for what is occurring in their and their neighbors own "back-yards," then abuse and all of the problems it creates will not go away. On several occassion in my life I have stood up and denounced corruption and abuses of power. I also have been ostracized (and stabbed in the back for it,) but on each occassion the "wrong" if not "righted," was at least discontinued.
Quenby Wilcox Founder - Global Expats firstname.lastname@example.com www.global-xpats.com
My dear, Womans Hope did your article. We really got so many responses and I could feel how annoyed women were. I trust you really touched so many souls. I urge you to keep on fighting this monster. If you dont mind you can be sending us your articles for publishing.
Let me know. Sister Consolata
Dear Halima, Thank you very much for sharing your story. I teach English as a second language, and have had many, many students, mostly from Somalia, who have suffered FGM. As a teacher I could never speak about this either to the girls or their parents. What I did do was talk to my boys and asked them if they would please not do this to their daughters. I was very pleased and a bit surprised at how receptive they were. They did not say "it's our culture, we must do it". They told me they would never do such a thing. One boy told me that living outside of his country had given him a wider vision about FGM, and about marriage and the daughters he would have. He thinks the other boys have had similar experiences. But your story is very much needed because so many people know nothing about it, and hearing it from you directly is very powerful.
pauli siemering
Women have gone through too much uneccessary pain just because of our gender. It is sad to see religion again used to disguise and justify such atrocities.
I thank you for your strength in telling your story.
hello, my name is Sana, Im in my early 20's and my sister and I are not circumcised. I find your article uplifting and I wish I can translate it to every language in the world so people realize what type of despicable horrific behavior is going on in some parts of the world. An injustic anywhere is an injustice everywhere was a saying from the great Martin Luther King jr. Fgm is a sick ,disgusting,horrible horrendous ignorant crime against females.The woman's body is the most beautiful. It is unthinkable how a person can chop off something as precious as the parts of a woman's privates.A woman's body should NEVER be touched with a knife, Allah (swt) created a woman's body in its beauty! its like mutilating a beautiful rose.There is nothing healthy,attractive,and beautiful about a mutilated bodypart that went throught FGM. The vagina is the main symbol of womanhood and female sexuality. Not having the parts that every woman is born with and every woman on the face of this planet has will cause someone to feel "unfeminine" "cold" "unattractive" . anyone who thinks different is sick and brainwashed by ignorant animalistic monsters!!! these women who agree with spreading the legs of a 4 year old baby girl to mutilate her privates are no better then those sick child molestors who prey on children,and the weakest in society is a little girl.Nothing justifies genital mutilation. In fact, no mutilation is allowed by Islam even in the battlefield. Not only is this procedure unjustifiable, it is brutal, inhumane and in violation of Islam
This sick practice predates Islam and Christianity, it has NO PLACE IN ISLAM. Islam is against supressing a woman's sexual desire. *FGM is known to have serious health issues to women and girls, both psychological and physical *Unhygienic,(NOT CLEAN) *NOT A PART OF ISLAM *Severe pain *sexual dysfunction and low sex drive. *During childbirth the risk of haemorrhage and infection is greatly increased
*Haemorrhage *uterus, vaginal and pelvic infections *psychological damage ..not feeling like a real woman *trauma
*Tetanus or sepsis
*Urine retention
*Ulceration of the genital region and injury to adjacent tissue
*Wound infection
*Urinary infection
*Septicaemia *late menstrual cycle in girl *Abscesses, dermoid cysts, and keloid scars *these are only some of the consequences of fgm,there is a whole huge list of more horrible things.
recent studies have shown that females who underwent FGM have difficulties in childbirth,and they gave birth to underweight babies. Alot of babies born to women who underwent FGM have died.
What does Islam say about this? This sick practice predates Islam and Christianity, it has NO PLACE IN ISLAM. Islam is against supressing a woman's sexual desire. Sheikh Omar Ahmed,along with alot of other sheiks said It is a matter of abuse and violation of the female body and is quite clearly forbidden according to Islam," he told delegates from 13 African countries, Sweden and international bodies such as the World Health Organization. The Religious Authority, Sayyed Muhammad Hussein Fadlullah, issued a Fatwa in which he considered that all what causes harm to the soul, body and the sexual abilities of the males or females, as prohibited acts Islamic law protects a woman's right to sexual enjoyment during sex with her husband,Islam cares soo much about a woman's sexual pleasure that a woman has the right to divorce on the grounds that her husband does not provide sexual satisfaction. It follows that Islamic law prohibits clitorodectomy (partial or complete removal of the clitoris) or infibulation (excision of part or all of the external genitalia and stitching/narrowing of the vaginal opening), or any genital mutilation which impairs the woman's ability to enjoy sexual relations. Islam protects the woman and her body from ignorant nonIslamic customs Allah(swt) created the clitoris for the sole purpose of generating pleasure. It has no other purpose, the clitoris' only purpose is to genreate sexual pleasure for a woman. In islam, Sexual relations between a man and his wife is highly encouraged. It is highly encouraged to satisfy your desire with your wife. How is tha tpossible with a mutilated woman? Mutilated genitalia reduce or eliminate a woman's pleasure during the act of sex. Men complain that the woman is "cold" during sex. female circumcision is NOT lawful by the Islamic Sharia, and it is NOT a part of the Sunnah of the Prophet (p.). WE NEED TO EDUCATE THE IGNORANT ,AND SPEAK UP AGAINST THIS SICK ACT. you will find some sick people who agree with FGM..these sick people still exist.THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO AGREE WITH MONSTERS(EVEN HITLER HAD SUPPORTERS,AS EVIL AS HE AND HIS POLICIES WERE). So of course there is a small amount of ignorant misguided individuals that think spreading the legs of a screaming 3 year old girl is okay. These disgusting women who agree with FGM are sooo hurt with what happened to them as children that they want some other little girl to go through what they went through and feel the same pain they did. SICK, people like that who do this to others and say that its okay deserve nothing less than torment in the hellfire.
Halima, It was very hard for me to read your article without cringing and wanting to avert my eyes from the words. It is saddening for me to imagine that everyday children have had to bear such a horrific practice. We, however, cannot bury our heads in the sand on this issue and must continue to bring it to light showing the world what is really going on. For this I congratulate you on your article and wish you good luck on your quest to help put an end to the practice.
Dear KenG,
I agree with you that we should write , give conferences, symposia and whatever we could do to stop this harmful practice and eradicate it for good. Many thanks for your encuraging words.
This article although horrifying is very educational. It brings awareness to people from other countries and parts of the world. To think that this is still happening is horrible but to know that some women have reconsidered and have taken a stand to not perform this tradition is enlightening.
Thank you, Mia
Thank you Mia. You made my day!
je suis toujours triste de lire des histoires de mutilations faites aux jeunes filles .iCI au Sénégal cette horrible chose existe toujours mais c'est les femmes elles mêmes qui ont pris en charge ce combat et elles le fond bien grâce à l'aide des autorités religieuses et traditionnelles .
I was just wondering if you are familiar with the website and FGM abolition work of Waris Dirie? If not, maybe you could check it out and network together. If there is ever anything I can do you help and assist you, I'm here for you.
love and hugs K-lee
K-lee Starland, Ph.D.
I'am a victim too,- Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a major challenge that haunts woman to the present moment regardless of their boundaries .Contrary to the ancient justifications of FGM as a religious practice, it has now come clear that this evil act has no religious backing. With no guts to question the viability of such culture-based barbaric act, women had to silently bear its ordeals ranging from having difficulties in urination, painful menstruation and consummation times and child birth complications. Indeed, a sizeable number of initiates die immediately after the cut owing to excessive lose of blood.
Every One, Every Day ,Every Way, Prevent Vi0lenCE AgainST W0men On YouR Way!
Let me commend all of the sisters for publishing their experiences. As part of the empowerment of the sisters it is essential that the ones affected are enabled to lead the campaigns wherever possible. We will support the initiatives and source support for the campaigns. Eye am privileged to have a voice on a radio programme in the UK every other Saturday 9am-12.00 midday, and every Monday from 10am-12.00 midday. This resource is a local and Global voice .The link for the broad cast is as follows: www.galaxyafiwe.com I also have an organisation entitled iletocpn web site www.unifiedsisters.wordpress.com/researchprojects also firstname.lastname@example.com when the skype are up and running Eye will post the information for you to link If you would like. Keep the stories coming and do agree for me to publish them on the radio the web sites also Facebook contact Sistar kenya iletocpn
Rise you up sisters as survivors of the violence you make us so proud
Stop FGM in the UK Now - e-petitions epetitions.direct.gov.uk
Over 66,000 women in the UK have already undergone female genital mutilation (FGM) and more than 24,000 girls are at risk. FGM is a very British problem. Despite increased activities around FGM recently, it is not enough - we are still failing to stop the abuse. The multi-agency guidelines are not s...


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EXCLUSIVE: I've learned that MTV President of Entertainment Brian Graden does not intend to renew his contract, which ends early next year. He is currently in negotiations with Viacom to remain at the company in some new role beyond the new year but the form of that relationship and the deal points have not been finalized. Graden oversees MTV, VH1, CMT and the first gay channel, Logo, which he launched. Sources close to Graden tell me that because of his frustration over Viacom's dwindling fortunes and his huge backend payout, reportedly as much as $15 million, there's no incentive for Gradon to stay. He's been with Viacom more than 13 years, surpassing Brandon Tartikoff's record 12-year run as a programmer at NBC. Graden is the guy who took MTV from all music videos to crappy reality programming. He shepherded TRL, Jackass, The Osbournes, The Hills, and America's Best Dance Crew, and led a turnaround at VH1, more than doubling that cabler's ratings over the last 5 years. He is also credited with bringing South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker to sister network Comedy Central, when he was an independent executive producer. I'm told Graden is currently doing an official "staging" of a Broadway musical he co-wrote, as well as songwriting, and penning a book about pop culture and philanthropy.
Brian Graden Exiting As MTV President
20 Comments
Someone needs to get MTV back to Music Television…
You are correct Nikke in quoting the facts as they were so obviouisly provided to you.
He also fiddled while Rome burned.
MTV lost all their male viewers AND credibility on his watch.
VH1 has painted itself into a corner with advertiser unfriendly programming.
He is not the only one to blame but for someone who was lauded as a strategic genius don't you think someone would have woken him up from the nap a little earlier? And everyone who worked for him knows that he woke up like an angry little bear.
Congrats to Brian. Regardless of how much we fogeys might miss the days when MTV showed videos, that format would have led to their demise with the coming of YouTube.
Brian saw the future and adapted before it became a problem. A brilliant guy and an inspiring story. Kudos.
LOGO is fun, cool network that serves an under-served community, but there's no good explanation (except good old-fashioned homophobia from its carrier?) why LOGO is still NOT carried in the LA area by DISH Network. How can LA – one of America's largest cities and gay meccas – not carry LOGO in 2009? I live in LA and "I WANT MY L-O-G-O!" Cancel my satellite subscription.
Brian's the rare combination of talented executive and good guy. He oversees a behemoth of a company. Maybe he isn't the best manager of an organization of that size. Or maybe an organization of that size is unmanageable? Either way, there is no question he is a superb developer. If he must take his lumps for the failures then he should also enjoy the credit for many, many massive hits. He's had a run anyone should be proud of. It's rare to leave when one's success is at it's apex, so there is fodder for detractors. But one exec raises his a glass to a class act and wishes him well.
Thank goodness. Now maybe VH1 and MTV can actually go back to being music television. The spat of "reality" television there is just sickening, and it even pervades the likes of Logo (which has some excellent documentaries and specials but little else aside that).
An overhaul for MTV, VH1, CMT and Logo is needed badly.
MTV is forever relegated to stupidity. And VH1, WELL, all that matters is the ratings, following stupid ass fools and attention whores be damn.
Love this site by the way, one of the few progressive sites about hollywood, with a BRAIN.
And the world is a far more sexually ambiguous place because of his around the clock work.
The shift from music programming began before Graden's reign. Graden arrived at MTV in 1998. REAL WORLD, BEAVIS & BUTTHEAD, ROAD RULES, TRUE LIFE, etc. all started before Graden joined MTV. He can be credited with the crap that followed but not the classics in the early 90s when reality was balanced with music programming.
Graden can also be blamed for MTV, VH1 all falling into the toilet in the past 5 years. He was obviously out of touch with viewers. It's shocking he wasn't ousted earlier.
This guy SUCKS. He destroyed MTV. Overall I think he just sucks.
Not that inventive at Logo either, which has turned out to be a network of nothing more than bad MTV reality programming.
Hopefully he'll just fail up. Brian is constantly a nice, pleasant person…but sorry, he was a failure in his MTV job (that's why I think he'll fail upward – nice, but no value added = promotion).
With that said, I'm not without sympathy for him. MTV would have ended up sucking with our without him.
The channel has moved into "dead in the water" mode. No one watches music videos…it's unnecessary for them to revamp b/c no one will ever watch music videos again. Where he failed is in grabbing shows that would stick. Other than, say, The Hills, every other say on the network is completely unwatchable (and i say that relatively speaking b/c The Hill's isn't the most watchable show ever).
I don't give a damn what MTV does here on out, but whoever is responsible for the programming on that network ought to be run out of the industry for good.
Brian was smart because he surrounded himself with some talented folks who were great developers. And he let them do just that. Develop. Say what you want- but the team that brought he Osbournes/Newlyweds/PUNK'd and yes- JACKASS- dicated pop culture and ratings for a good chunk of time. They were noisy game changing shows.
Awww…does this mean we wont get a reality show where the back-up drummer from POISON gets to ride on a bus with 50 whores??? MTV,VH1,and hell,most of Viacom in general have been nothing more than jokes for a long,long time now. Remember when they gave us MTV2 and promised it would be all videos all the time? That lasted about 15 minutes. Then they gave us VH1 classics and that lasted about 10 minutes before it became a network devoted to re-running the same crap that aired on VH1 a week before. Video may have killed the radio star,but no-talent bug eating washed up has been z-list celebrities killed the video networks.
How can you even put Graden and Tartikoff in the same sentence. It's comparing garbage to thought provoking television.
Graden's highest rating scale used to be a one night cancellation number for Tartikoff.
"I'm told Graden is currently doing an official "staging" of a Broadway musical "
Will there be any actual music in this musical or are they going to find complete strangers and give them $65K per showing to act like the cameras and audience aren't around?
It's a shame this guy's replacement won't be able to fix MTV while I am still young. The crumminess of programming on that network has got to be institutional by now with a generation thinking that MTV is where you go to find the really raunchy reality shows instead of the album seller it used to be.
Brian is one of the smartest people I've ever had the pleasure of working with. I've worked for Brian as a producer and as an executive. His vision took MTV to a new level and raised the bar for reality television everywhere. Before bashing what MTV has become, you have to remember that music videos simply don't rate. If you want to kill the network, start playing nothing but music vids and see how fast the ship will sink.
Brian, congrats on an amazing run. You are a class act and whatever you decide to do, I wish you continued success.
Good news for "Swallow Your Pride", LOGO has just been made available on the DISH NETWORK as of June 1st. Happy Pride!
MTV and VH1 reality shows are truly bottom of the barrel, and that's scraping a pretty scummy barrel. Their casting people must take 10 showers a day. MTV Cribs is truly one of the most repulsive shows in history. I once watched 15 minutes of Making the Band, and I have never seen such venal, pathetic, stupid people in my entire life, except perhaps those attending 2008 Republican National Convention.
MTV and VH1 reality shows make Survivor look like Shakespeare.
I know MTV's financial model prevents it from going back to a music video format, but gosh, back in the day, I remember when watching MTV might expose you to a new band, or a new fashion style, or even a new genre of music. There was a time, however brief, where watching MTV could be exciting, and it made you think anything was possible in life. Of course, that was back in 1985 …
Now it's just a bunch of jackasses acting like assh-les in front of video cameras.


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Helpful (9)
Relaxed method, interview is about determining if the job is a right fit for you and if Groupon is right for you, they take anyone and take lots of college students who have little sales experience
Interview Questions
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I applied online. The process took 1+ week. I interviewed at Groupon (Chicago, IL) in January 2014.
The interview process went pretty well and moved quickly. I submitted my resume Christmas Eve (I had tons of free time over the holidays) and was surprised to hear back before New Years. We scheduled a quick phone screen for the following week, and in the meantime I did my research on the company. The initial phone call went phenomenally well, my roommates made a comment about how much we got along and were laughing about things. Be prepared for a lot of questions relating to Groupon (Why do you want to work here? Why sales at Groupon? Why should people use Groupon? Etc.). They love their company and they want to make sure you do too. Before we ended the conversation, she scheduled me to come into HQ a few days later with a few copies of my resume.
Showed up for my in person interview and was greeted by the same recruiter within 5 minutes. She showed me around quickly and gave me another brief run down of the position. The weird/bad part about this tour is she used A LOT of terms that where like 'when you start' and 'when you work here' and things like that, which I don't think you should use with an interviewee. Otherwise, it was nice to get a chance to see the office. After letting me know who I'd be meeting with and seeing if I had any questions, she dropped me off in a conference room. Had to wait about 15 minutes for the first guy to come. He was wonderful and we hit it off. He had one question that caught me off guard, but otherwise, I had a really enjoyable time and I feel like it went really well with him. Between him and the second gentleman, I had about 25 minutes, which felt like an eternity. When the second guy came in, the first thing he said to me when I asked how he was was "extremely busy" as he proceeded to take out his phone and watch and set them on the table to monitor time and let me know for the second time before sitting down that we only had about half an hour. He was extremely short during the interview, which was a letdown because I'm not TOO much of a talker, and if I see you're in a hurry I know to keep my answers short and sweet, however I wasn't given much of a chance. He didn't ask too many questions and seemed like he was in WAY too much of a hurry. It was extremely unfortunate and off putting. That was on Tuesday, was told I would hear back Friday with an answer. Got the call Friday that they were moving forward with other candidates, which I wasn't too surprised with because of the second interview, and I technically don't even have sales experience...but they really liked my past work experience in general plus my personality. It's okay though, they're a great company and I'm glad I got to interview.
Interview Questions
Helpful (1)
I applied online. The process took 3 weeks. I interviewed at Groupon (Chicago, IL) in September 2012.
The interview process was long. I had a initial screening with one recruiter, then another, then 3 more face to face interviews. They all asked the same basic questions. Everyone seemed very interested in my past experience because I have plenty of outside sales experience. According to the corporate recruiter, everyone liked me, but I was not extended an offer. Why? Because inside sales are apperently more challenging than outside...they clearly had no idea what they were talking about. I was also told that my personality seemed to fit a face to face role. That could be true because one of the managers winked at me during the interview. Later in the week I was called back to start the entire process over again for a Groupon Live Inside sales position. Again, I have enough experience. However, the managers I interviewed with seemed to have made up their mind before they walked into the interview room. They wore flip flops and questions my professionalism...really! They just werent interested. Oh well, I'll go work work for a competitor.
Interview Questions
Helpful (3)
I applied through a recruiter. The process took 2 weeks. I interviewed at Groupon (Chicago, IL) in July 2012.
I was referred by a friend to a Groupon recruiter and was immediately contacted that same day to set up an initial phone screen. (Now, I had no previous sales experience so I was very surprised to hear back from the recruiter to say the least.) The initial call lasted about 15 minutes and I was the typical "tell me about your experience" and "why Groupon?" type questions. At the end of our conversation, she was pleased with my initial phone screen and wanted to set up a 30 minute phone interview for later in the week... again very surprised. This second phone interview was much more in-depth, and asked more behavioral questions and one analytical question (have a calculator handy)! My advice: DO YOUR GROUPON RESEARCH! The recruiter tested me on Groupon history, sales strategy and analytical reasoning- Thankfully I was prepared for those questions. After the interview I was told I would be contacted to set up an in-person interview within a week. I followed up exactly a week later with the recruiter and was told they were going to proceed with candidates with more sales experience...Shocking!
Interview Questions
I applied online. The process took 2 weeks. I interviewed at Groupon (Chicago, IL) in February 2012.
My experience consisted of a phone screen, phone interview and 1 in person interview with multiple managers. This was handled really well. If you can show an experience in inside sales, you will be rewarded with a chance to prove yourself.
When i interviewed they were hiring for a number of positions, so if they werent it may be more extensive.
Interview Questions
I did not negotiate as i was so excited to be extended an offer. If you wanted to you could probably refer to the information on here.
Helpful (1)
I applied through a recruiter. The process took 2 weeks. I interviewed at Groupon (Chicago, IL) in January 2012.
I had two pnone chats with Groupon. The first was a friendly meet and greet, the second a more formal interview. On the second they asked me outline all my previous work experience then asked me two math questions. They told me that they would get back to me by the end of the week and late friday afternoon I recieved an email passing on their interest to move farther with me as a candidate.
Interview Questions
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I applied through a recruiter. The process took 1 day. I interviewed at Groupon (Chicago, IL) in December 2011.
(telephone conversation) Informed the recruiter that i would be arriving in the lobby in 10 minutes. (downtown chicago) I checked in with the receptionist 15 minutes early and was told by her that the recruiter (name specified) would be along to greet me shortly. After waiting patiently to be greeted for over 35 minutes, i was finally greeted and began catching settle hints that their impression was that i was "running late" during the intro conversation had with the first of 3 of 5 HR/ decision makers. (not fully realizing until on my way home when i received a voice-mail (poor cell reception downtown Chicago skyscrapers) from the recruiter asking if i had arrived yet with a disgruntled tone.
1. HR Briefing about the structure of interview 5 minutes
2. 15 Min to compose a sales pitch for a Groupon special offer to a hypothetical restaurant owner
3. Made the Mock call to one of the HR Sales Trainers- Felt I did well; per feedback; when asked if i would have done anything differently i was quick to critique myself on things i felt i could have done better; my criticism of myself seemed well received to display sales knowledge and experience.
4. A Very Quick hello, thanks, we'll call you back and walk to the door by another HR person who seemed to have received the impression that i was tardy.
a few days later, a decline email was sent. ' moving forward with other candidates'
Aside from the receptionist/ HR notification mishap, i felt good about the interview process and felt positive about it overall. I really enjoyed it.
Helpful (1)
The process took 1 day. I interviewed at Groupon (Chicago, IL) in December 2011.
The first call back from Groupon is a 15 minute discussion. They really don't care to learn anything about you. They just wanted to know what information you already know about the company and about the industry. Be prepared to speak in industry lingo
Interview Questions
The process took 4+ weeks. I interviewed at Groupon (Chicago, IL) in December 2011.
Received a voice message after I applied saying they wanted to set up a interview. Played phone tag for a while than had phone interview and the person in HR loved Groupon but did not really care about what I had to say. Just Talked about Groupon and really did not go over my resume or qualifications. I heard that if you aska lot of questions, that they like that so I did it. However she did not answer any of questions and instead talked about how great Groupon was and why she loved working there. VERY ODD!
Interview Questions
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I applied online. The process took 2 weeks. I interviewed at Groupon (Chicago, IL) in November 2011.
After a phone interview that basically consisted of me telling them while I was interested in sales...I went into the downtown office for more interviews. I was given 20 minutes to come up with a sales pitch for a restaurant and then had to present it to two HR reps. Then I met with two inside sales supervisors, and then with a sales director. It took about 2.5 hours total...they asked a lot of questions about why I wanted to be in sales and what benefits I thought were in sales. Then they asked me in several ways if I was ready to accept an offer and ready to start right away. Seemed promising, right? I was given a brief tour, and then told I would have one more phone interview in a week with a national sales director. That guy was extremely brief and kept telling me that he didn't understand why I would want to be in sales, when my background was mostly in marketing (and some sales). The next day, I received a voicemail saying that they were going to go with someone who had a bigger background in sales. The only thing that stunk about this is that if they wanted someone with more experience in sales, why did they drag me through three interviews to tell me this? They also were upfront with the fact that the position pays $32,500 starting out.
Interview Questions
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The winner for the Wednesday stash is .................................. mara.
Please email your address at email@example.com
We are busy getting the October kit ready for shipping on October 1st and I wanted to share a few pieces of the kit.
The technique is Friendly Plastic. You are going to love all the amazing creations you will be able to create with this medium. It has been around for some time and I just now got hooked myself. I can't believe I somehow didn't realize how cool it really was.


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Senior Account Manager, Consumer PR
- Recruiter
- Fleishman-Hillard
- Location
- The heart of Covent Garden, London
- Salary
- Competitive salary with benefits package
- Posted
- 25 Mar 2014
- Closes
- 06 Apr 2014
- Sector
- Consumer, Retail / Wholesale
- Function
- Senior Account Manager
- Discipline
- International, Marketing Communications, Press / Media Relations
- Hours
- Full Time
- Contract Type
- Permanent
FleishmanHillard is one of the world's largest international communications consultancies with more than 2,000 employees in over 80 offices around the globe. FH was founded over 60 years ago and has since established a strong reputation for delivering a meaningful, positive and measurable impact on its clients' performance. We are widely recognised for excellent service and our long-term relationships with clients.
Fleishman Hillard's London team harnesses the collective power of creative, social and strategic marketing communications to produce electric, infectious and award-winning communications. With this in mind, we create provocative, inspiring solutions for big brands with stories to tell - which could be anything from a blog or social campaign to an installation, film, event or long-term movement. And while we're part of a successful global group, we have developed a 'start-up' mentality of bravery and entrepreneurialism, rooted in business-changing ideas.
We have an opportunity in our consumer team for a confident, experienced Senior Account Manager to join us as a key part of the team on a large fashion retail account. The extensive brief covers consumer brand PR and press office, social media and content marketing in the UK and some European markets, plus corporate communications for the Europe group.
This role will be split across the UK and Hub teams. Key areas of responsibility include:
- Providing proactive media counsel, creative recommendations and manage strategic partnerships.
- Proactively building relationships with key opinion leaders, media, professional associations, online influencers and other relevant third-parties.
- Support the development of client proposals and media materials: plans, presentations, reports, communications documents.
- Supporting the senior team on creative brainstorming and press release drafting.
- Managing and briefing suppliers to create engaging PR assets, i.e. photography, videography etc.
- Managing media relations.
- Logistics and organisation of client events.
- Blogger outreach.
- Inputting into European plans for seasonal fashion launches.
- Building relationships with European market leads and becoming a key go-to person for assets and information.
- Direct and mentor junior account members; provide quality control and oversee team assignments.
- Contribute strategy and solutions to new business efforts and proactively introduce new ideas to improve our offering.
- Contribute to the management of client budgets; oversee the client budget development, tracking, billing and communications.
- Previous experience working on creative B2C campaigns within a top consumer or fashion PR agency.
- Strong media relations skills and news and features contacts, particularly in fashion.
- Strong news generation/publicity experience.
- Event management experience.
- Ability to multi task, highly organised, shows grace under pressure.
- Experience working on international campaigns an advantage.
- Excellent copy writing skills.
- Fashion experience welcomed and retail or big brand experience a real plus.
- Experience developing and pitching persuasive and creative story, creative proposals and plans.
- Keen understanding of the role of digital media in integrated communications strategies.
- Strong organisational and project management skills; ability to juggle and make independent decisions.
- Effective problem solving abilities- can get things moving and keep them on track.
- Results-focused approach and commitment to go the extra mile for clients and colleagues.
- A spirit of teamwork and willing to roll up sleeves.
- Excellent presentation and interpersonal skills.
- Proficiency in PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Outlook.
- Eligibility to work in the UK is essential.
No agencies please.


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Stagger Shelf by Brave Space
This is a unique shelving unit that throws convention and symmetry out the window. It's made from renewable vertical grain bamboo, which always displays nicely. The different compartment shapes and sizes allow you to pack a variety of items on this shelf.
Cute, simple, modern and no-slip because there's no way stuff tumble out of these babies. Come in different colors so they'll organize and accent both kids and grown-up rooms.Tags: home, books, color, stylish, modern, interior design, decorate, green, home decorAdded 9 Years Ago from Calliopeboutique
This Wall Slant Shelf is the focus of any room! Anytime people walk in if it's the first thing they see they always lean to check if it's the shelf or them that's slanted! It's funny and eco-friendly!


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Confused And TornSo I have a girlfriend who's 2 years younger then me. She's a junior in H.s and I'm a freshman in college. I basically turned her gay. We met in math and she has a crush on me and we fell in love. We have been dating for more then a year. But recently I met a girl from her class on twitter and my gf hates her. My gf doesn't know we are friends but that girl started liking me and I have too. We kissed and I just like her so much more. She has a bf though and loves him. But I'm starting not to like my gf anymore and I only want that girl. But she's happy with her bf. it sucks :(
latess25 18-21 1 Response 1 Jan 25, 2013
There a way to reconnect read you and you girlfriends old messages letters anything where you told eachother how you felt your gf probably still feels the same and that's why she doesn't like the other girl bc she's afraid to lose you and would do anything to keep you