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We're literally buzzing here in the Openhand camp, because our Facilitator Summer School begins today, with 15 of us gathering once more near Avebury, UK, in what can only be described as 'crop circle grand central'. Openhand facilitation is all about learning to support consciousness expansions within people through the earth's Great 5D Shift. The shift is influencing all our lives, in our careers, relationships and general living circumstances. So by coming together and intuiting what stage the movement of energy is heading through, helps us be much more effective as facilitators.
So what's involved in Openhand Spiritual Facilitation and what will the week be about? As always, we'll be running a daily journal so you may join in the energy...
Building Bridges in the 5D Shift
Openhand Facilitation goes much deeper than simply coaching. What we're working to do is connect with soul frequencies, through different densities, and to resonate them so as to create bridges into higher conscious awareness. If you can feel your higher self frequencies, then you get the chance to embody them, to your great benefit in daily life - you feel more connected to the source and the guiding flow helps make sense of twists and turns on the path as your life circumstances change and evolve.
- People in the Openhand community will know that from the beginning of 2017, I've been working to establish an Openhand base, and a higher dimensional bridge, on the Island of La Palma in the Canaries (see our intrepid facilitator group Jan 2017...La Palma Pioneers)
Well just before I departed for Avebury last week, I had one of the most miraculous of encounters...
- I was at a Sunday fresh veg market on the north west of the island, just chilling and minding my own business, when out of nowhere, a 'shiny eyed' guy approached me saying "You're Open aren't you? We called you here." It turns out he's living with a group of 3 Pleiadian star souls, holding a key energy centre at the apex of one of the valley's, and, wait for it... building an energy bridge for the Great 5D Shift. They'd come across the Openhand work and wanted to collaborate. It's a very small world indeed!
Connecting starsoul groups into the bridge is of key importance to Openhand. What does that mean and why is it important?
Many souls are from the stars
Many people who are drawn to this work, whether they fully know it or not, originate (as souls) from other constellations in the galaxy. Yes, we're embodied in human form, but in the nature of your soul (your 'soul ray harmonic'), you carry special frequencies that can support the shift for others and assist in the realignment of the surrounding energy field as Gaia shifts into the New 5D Paradigm.
- The point is, if you can activate these very special frequencies of your soul, then you're going to feel much more connected to your soul family and your true home in the cosmos. You'll unveil profound gifts of beingness you never imagined possible and then be able to help others feel, and embody, their own soul frequencies - it's just like striking a tuning fork, which then resonates in other people. You could be sitting minding your own business in a tea shop, and yet having a profoundly beneficial affect on the field, which others there might well begin to resonate with!
Souls have come here from many constellations such as the Pleiadies (all humans contain an element of Pleiadian DNA), Sirius, Orion, Andromeda and Arcturus (to name only a few). This last one is interesting, because the universe has been hinting to me about activating the Arcturus connection within the Openhand work - thus far, they've been quite a mystery to me, but I can already feel my soul intrigued by refamiliaristion.
Crop circle grand central
So what have the crop circles got to do with it all? Of course there's been much speculation (and even ridicule) about how the crop circles are created - "a bunch of guys with sticks and strings stealing through the fields in the dead of night". But if you've ever visited one, an authentic one, the notion is just a ridiculous as building pyramids with basic hand tools!
- The patterns are amazingly intricate, the geometry astoundingly precise, the crops carefully folded over and interwoven. They appear breathtakingly suddenly, and the energy in them is literally off the scale. So what are they?
To me, they communicate messages through intuitive feeling. For example, a few years back, I was guided by the heart-felt pull to a place where the one in the photo had appeared, just as we had been remastering the 5GATEWAYS 5D Shift Movie. To me, it intuitively depicts traveling up from the base of a pyramid (representing the matrix in which we live), across a chequered path of black and white choices (representing the path), through 4 gateways into the Fifth Density. It activated in me an amazing sense of accomplishment and an acknowledging feedback loop from the universe. It warmed my heart!
Facilitation Work Grounded in the Here and Now
So yes, we'll be having plenty of cosmic experiences, of that I'm sure. But we'll also be very grounded in the here and now. People who come seeking support and help from the Openhand Facilitator Network have very earthly challenges to deal with - in relationships, careers and general living circumstances (like financially for example). At the end of the day, it's all about embodying beingness through self-realisation. So we're mastering our skills of intuitive questioning to get to the nub of the issue - of course the answers all lie within, and as facilitators, we're working to help people pinpoint and uncover those.
So do join us for the week - through the ether. Even if you don't consider yourself a facilitator in the shift yet (we all are!), you're sure to pick up some priceless gems and resonances.
It's wonderful to see you.
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Summer school is happening!3 July, 2017 - 20:03 — Trinity
Oh my goodness, what delight to be here - so exciting! Everyone arrived from the far corners of the world this afternoon... a very welcomed reunion of kindred spirits really committed to the spiritual journey.
It's all off to a fabulous start here in Wiltshire, with beautiful connections, inspiring sharing, food, laughter.
We are ready!!!
A little snap shot of most of the group on the lawn before dinner, sharing stories...
School in the sky!5 July, 2017 - 02:21 — divinespark
"Look at the stars
Look how they shine for you
And everything you do
They were all yellow..."
Do let us know what 'crops' up and where the energy is at so we can hop aboard the shifts!
Lotsa love to all the starry souls at the school in the sky in Avebury and elsewhere in the cosmos!
Crop circles and leylines5 July, 2017 - 14:21 — Heire
Lovely photos - and people - and energies. (I totally understand the cows). Thanks for sharing those glimpses.
If you have a view, do share - oh, wow, this is going to push all kinds of buttons, but I'll do it. (Hmm, wonder what will happen with those buttons pushed...)
First thing I noticed when looking at the photo of the crop circle was the small pattern on the left. It reminded me of a scythe, and the thought flashed through my mind of "Time's running out." Nothing else came for a while, until I stopped thinking about crosses and symbols and felt into the image. Then it all came at once, kind of - the big pattern with the five whole circles the 5D; the small pattern with the circles cut in half the 3D. Halfway there? Half a life?
Time is running out for the 3D, but there is a connection to the 5D - through the scythe, which can be a symbol of death - something people are afraid of - and we must go through our fear to get to the 5D.
Sounds a bit grim, maybe, but the feeling I get is gentle and encouraging. A reminder: This is how you do it.
Also, the 5D is a lot bigger and more glorious and harmonious than the 3D, which is a very useful thought - and image - when I'm trying to not let myself get sucked into the distractions of the matrix.
The leylines I found particularly interesting, how they work, what OC did to control them, how to realign energies. There was definitely a resonance there on reading that bit, pretty deep inside, though when I feel into it now... wow, that's strong. Seems like something I should maybe start paying attention to...
Hmm, I think I feel the energy... checking to see if I'm not actually floating two inches off the ground...
The crop circle says5 July, 2017 - 14:52 — FT
The crop circle says something to me about looking (or putting attention) backwards. My mind says this is just a human construct in my mind as we in the West associate moving to the right as being moving on or forwards, but the funny semi circle shape is located to the left. This intuitively says to me that something hasn't finished and needs attention before moving on.
About the star soul guys on La Palma5 July, 2017 - 15:06 — FT
I just wanted to share something that happened a little while back. I had planned a holiday with my family to La Gomera, and just before we went there Open-you announced you were moving to La Palma. I was wandering if it would be easy to catch a ferry over there to have a look because it looked so interesting! I messaged you to see if you would be around if you remember. Around that time I was working away reading a report for work, and I had one of those funny moments when you just know the universe is speaking to you. So I was reading this report, and my mind was wandering about holidays and La Palma, and how exciting it was that there might be retreats happening there. This thought happened just at the same split second as I read in my report these words " Location of the Energy Centre". It was one of those lightning bolt moments that you know mean something because of how you feel in yourself. The whole thing isn't even that relevant to me and my little life over here in Yorkshire! But it seemed to mean something. These days I trust myself and my intuition when it happens like that. So after reading your post above, I thought I would share this. I guess you are going to have an exciting time on La Palma! I hope to visit one day
Grounding5 July, 2017 - 15:40 — FT
Speaking of realignment with Gaia-I watched a fascinating documentary the other day all about the health benefits (that science/medicine) can't explain yet, from connection to the earth. We have managed to insulate ourselves from the earths surface with rubber shoes, car tyres and damp proofing in houses. People are now finding ways to connect again with amazing results! So simple but apparently so effective! Lets get some of that crop circle energy! Here's the link if you are interested;
Being free5 July, 2017 - 19:46 — divinespark
There are several images in the crop circle that speak to how I'm feeling these days. When connected with a line, the four outer circles feel like a box to me. That's how I feel. Boxed in by the matrix: physically, mentally, and emotionally. Each of these four circles has a smaller circle in the center. They feel like nails to me, crucifying me on a cross whenever I push against the inequity and injustice of the matrix and pay the price.
In the center of the four-sided box is another circle. Five circles in all. That's the way out of the box. Through the heart center. Processing and transcending 4D karma to 5D. I know this but it's so not easy to keep going at times.
The halo symbol on the left speaks to me of the Merkaba, the spirit-light-body of the 8th chakra above the crown of a human body lying sideways and flat: head, trunk, two outstretched arms, legs/feet together, hard to move. The seven semi-circles in the Merkaba remind me of the seven chakras, our way to wholeness, our way to coming full circle when we ascend to 5D by infusing the light of our souls through the blockages in the chakras. Getting up off the ground. Standing tall. Speaking our truth no matter what the outcome. Rising up. Being free souls to help liberate others. Shining the light to 5D.
So I'm reminded by the imagery in the crop circle to continually go inwards, surrender and accept, let go, and infuse the light of my soul through my bodymind, finding the light beyond, transcending the 3D box, ascending to 5D. Where all life is served equally with unconditional love, compassion, honesty, and respect. How I long for that!
Although battered and bruised, I am a relentless renegade, when all is said and done. Aware of the need to balance surrender and will, yet often struggling to do so. I take heart from the message of our starry friends. "We're here for you."
x Cathy
What do I see immediately in the crop circle6 July, 2017 - 07:03 — sandrajaneenah
This is what I feel in looking at this crop circle....The progressions of the human race up to and including the present day. All the circles emanate from the center, which is the Divine Source. Beginning at the top is the 1st Dimension and moving clockwise, the 2nd and the 3rd. The 4th is the transitional field between the lower the Dimensions and the higher fields beginning with the 5th. Called by many names, including the Astral Plane, it is the place of karma confrontation and processing, recognizing blockages and constrictions and releasing them....at least for those who are working their way forward on the Path. And it is bumpy that is for sure aptly depicted by the bumpy shape attached to it. This is the collapse of everything 3rd Dimensional and where the 6th Mass Extinction of Earth and its inhabitants is taking place...a breaking apart of everything, and I do mean everything! calling into question all that we think/thought was real and eternally fixed. I feel that the Solar System itself mirrors this reality. Life of Earth seems to most of humanity to be in peril as the 6th M.E. progresses, throwing many into collapse ...in other words, rather than looking inwardly for answers (most have no idea how to do that) humanity shakes a collective fist towards a god of its own making...(Lots of 'golden calves' are in the process of melting down), and/or scape-goating 'blame' onto something/someone else. Violence is rampant...it will get worse. Fear and anger fuel much of the ''msm'' and the population as the negative opposition feeds on the last bits of energies available to them. Those who know that 'salvation' is inward and not an outward remedy, are moving into the 4th Dimension...the Asteroid Field in the Solar System...and are dealing with the karma of themselves, as well as the planet...always the two are tightly intertwined. Many of us are there now we are being banged about for sure but we are also accompanied by our twin flames' intercessions, and myriads of souls who have gone before us and who are happy to be asked to reach back with helping hands. We are NOT alone, although at times it certainly feels like it. From there we are ''extinct'' by design for a while we receive a much needed transitional rest and move into ''Mars''...the god of war, which is the last ''train-stop''. Other than renouncing all war-like tendencies remaining, there is nothing about this planet that can threaten us anymore. As we release all Mars wa natures within us, the planet Mars itself experiences release. Even now, certain beginning natural life forms are beginning to appear, along with a vapor of moisture to sustain it. We are vital in bringing all this about, as co-creators of the re-creation process. Lovely and peaceful really...and on the horizon is the unimaginable beauty and life of the 5th Dimension, awaiting our presence. It makes me joyful and full of Love and Light, this entire process. This is what I see in this crop-circle...I will be eager to experience other insights from all of you. Much Divine Love and Light to all of you. Sandrajaneenah ('Dancing White Buffalo Woman)
Lovely to get a feel of the6 July, 2017 - 15:37 — Aspasia
Lovely to get a feel of the work you are all involved in the school! Very intriguing!
First, let me say that I had only heard about crop circles and had come across these in a book I read many years ago called The Bermuda Triangle. Many moons on, the discussion of crop circles came up again with Rich, who explained more to me about these circles and shared with me some resources. Truly fascinating!
So, this crop circle, which is SO beautiful, speaks to me of the interwoven multiple cyclical layers of consciousness. The background yellow circle that encompasses all the others is pure/spirit/cosmic consciousness. The 4 smaller ones are a) Earth/sense/elemental consciousness, b) Heart consciousness, c) Mind consciousness and d) Soul awakening consciousness. The one on the centre is separation consciousness/karmic conditioning, which is the key force spinning all the other 4 smaller circles. The pairs of smaller circles are gateways – one goes in and out depending.
"Everything is of Consciousness", indeed. Consciousness is everywhere, it is universal and All life is sentient – this is called Panpsychism in Greek ancient religious and philosophical practice (panpsixismos). When I get asked: "Where is your consciousness?" I'm usually taken by surprise… 'which one of them' me thinks?! In Buddhism/s there are many meanings and types of consciousness, so some types are sense related, some are karmic related, others are related to meditative absorptions and others to enlightenment and the universe (Source). But all are interdependent. So, pure universal consciousness has an experience of conditioned sense individual consciousness or it arises as Earth tree consciousness or manifests as an out-of-body experience consciousness and so on. Very interesting.
I find the following very intriguing:
"So yesterday we were developing skills of creating vortices, by feeling the field inside of ourselves, then unleashing blocked energy within it. It allows the energy to naturally spiral through the dimensions. It creates ascending and descending channels - ascending to support the 5D Shift; descending to clear convoluted energy, which is then 'composted' through the galactic core."
"supporting an area to reclaim the alignment, involves connecting with the energy of these sites, feeling it within you, and allowing a natural alignment to return, simply by embodying and expressing your own soul consciousness - because at the highest levels, everything is aligned and interconnected."
Again, I need to translate most of these words to my vocabulary, experience and understanding…it can be frustrating to do this so often and there are also gaps. And I am aware of the feeling of being an outsider arising! Well, well, nothing new there, so I find compartmentalisation works well when engaging with self-discovery within groups and approaches.
In light of this, I have been pondering for some time what 'type of soul' may I be, mostly out of curiosity and adventure rather than a strong belief. Personally, I am not keen on categorisations of any kind, unless they fully empower the individual and also encourage one to ultimately deconstruct identities, particularly the spiritual identity.
In my search I came across various approaches to categorising someone according to soul origin/type. Two of them stood out for me but to keep this short, will refer to one of them. So, this one talked about how a person can be part of multiple planetary Soul groups not just one. Upon reading the characteristics of the soul groups mentioned and although I can see parts of myself in all, these 4 stood out more in my consciousness: the Alpha Centarian, Mission Realm, Polaris and Mintakan.
Mmmmm...The process of categorising myself is very interesting and an opportunity to inquire for sure! Does it serve and how? When to drop it? What matters most? Etc etc.
Great thread. Some familiar faces in the photos. Superb! Blessings to all.
Nice!7 July, 2017 - 00:42 — Wyndè
Your experience with the star souls and then seeing portals/gateways in the crop circles is just amazing!! I cannot wait to see what unfolds next
I love seeing this happen to other people, thank you for sharing that because it makes me just smile.
Immediately what I saw in the new crop circle was a reflection of what I am learning at the moment. I once did a little circle piece with calligraphy and within the circle I wrote a quote from some unknown person from times past.
It reads: The nature of God is a circle of which the center is everywhere and the circumference is nowhere.
Basically it emphasizes my realization of "I am an infinite being, just having a human experience."
Also, it looks like all of you are having such an amazing experience!!! Yayyy for you!
Open, thank you for such a7 July, 2017 - 09:42 — Aspasia
Open, thank you for such a thoughtful response.
Particularly for receiving my questions with such openness and understanding because at times people meet my questioning inquiry with defence, which is then expressed in a fight, flight or freeze response. And it can be painful at times. Though I have learnt a lot indeed!
I would like to clarify to everyone that if I did not appreciate the openhand work, well, trust me, I wouldn't be here. But I am. Also, the energy of my inquiries comes from a yearning to know the Truth. I don't go with blind devotion and until I have clear direct experience of a phenomenon, I question it, so as to know it. I don't reject it nor do I accept it, I research it and I am open/free enough to allow a somatic experiencing of it to arise – if it does. So, on this note, I find the work you are all doing in the facilitator course intriguing and exciting
Open, you acknowledge the 'risk' associated with 'soul categorising', which offers - to me - a well-rounded/inclusive and grounded approach to this. I also very much appreciate the benefits you listed so eloquently and most of all, I care about and embrace your personal experience with being a star soul yourself (as I understand) and also working with other star souls. I work with people who don't fit in and want to commit suicide all the time…and I love being with them for as long as it is.
This caught the attention of my heart consciousness:
"finding those soul frequencies, and integrating them, here and now, on earth - you bring home to you. A dormant aspect of you comes alive again. You no longer feel out of place. What's more, you become able to call on that energy in support, any time, any where, any place. Wherever I am, I never feel alone or unsupported (at least not now)."
Thanks and will certainly keep pondering. In fact, I am off driving to Glastonbury in a couple of hours and guess who I am going to ponder with! A star soul who runs a local retreat centre and talks to her soul family (in their language) every day up at the Tor!
Star soul blessings to all. x
Love feeling the collective7 July, 2017 - 16:21 — erica r
Love feeling the collective energy through the photos. When I looked at the crop circle I saw one energy portal folded in on itself that gave the physical appearance of separation yet the energy is moving continuously through it. The dots look like charging ports to accelerate the energy through a perceived barrier that is truly just a density manifested within the physical construct! It looks like the four circles are folded in yet if the circles flip into a higher dimension the energy moves freely. I'm looking at the underside of the circle and the impression it leaves here in the physical form...how the consciousness of Gaia feels having been touched and reminded of all that is above yet touching her so gently.
Much love
Shout out to Amy!!! I love you, thank you for being such a deeply reflective, insightful, strong, wise soul and sharing all of you with me last week when I so needed to see my reflection in you!!!
Mitakuye Oyasin7 July, 2017 - 17:08 — divinespark
Further reflections on the first crop circle you posted, Open. The crucifixion imagery continues to stand out for me. The Merkaba symbol on the far left morphs into a crown of thorns above the body of Christ crucified on the cross. Complete surrendering of ego and identity. Transfigured. Resurrected. I'm feeling the energy of Christ consciousness emanating from this crop circle. Unconditional love.
The second crop circle appears fairly straightforward. A journey through the five gateways, which are very narrow, indeed. One must drop all the baggage, all the attachments and identities to finally step though the 5th gateway. I'm reminded, once again, of this Bible verse, Matthew 19:24. "And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."
What really grabs my attention in the second crop circle are the labyrinths and the swirling, spiraling energy that jumps out. Two streams of consciousness: walking the path from separation consciousness to unity consciousness. This quote from Morpheus comes to mind. "Neo, sooner or later you're going to realize just as I did that there's a difference between knowing the path and walking the path." Note to self.
Aspasia and Open, I appreciate the discussion around exploring and connecting with one's star soul group. These days I'm feeling a strong resonance with the blue ray Pleiadians. The blue light beings in the film "Avatar" feel like family to me. I was on a serious shopping mission this week. I simply had to have blue bed-sheets! I made a bee line for a particular store and there they were waiting for me. I can't express how comforting it is to luxuriate in that colour frequency. The comfort of home.
As I was free-wheeling on the Internet yesterday, I found this 2003 animated film, "Interstella 5555: The Story of the Secret Star System." Music by Daft Punk. Blue light beings, rock musicians, are kidnapped by a raptor record producer who disguises them as humans and programs them to forget their true identity. The group makes it big playing soulless corporate pop. Eventually the humans break free and return home to the light beings they are. Sound like a familiar story?!
For the past week or so, a particular song has totally captivated my being. For me it's a celebration of our connection to all the star souls and light beings here on earth and out there far and wide throughout the cosmos. The song is so full of joy and love. It makes my heart sing and sing some more! It's by Brulé and is called "The Star People, A Message for All of Humanity". Mitakuye Oyasin. We are all related. One heart and one mind and one body.
x Cathy
Deep Bow8 July, 2017 - 17:45 — divinespark
It's incredibly moving and inspiring to read about the realigning work you all are doing in Avebury. Deep bow and much gratitude.
x Cathy
BEST retreat ever9 July, 2017 - 15:14 — Trinity
Oh my goodness - that was THE best retreat EVER!!!
I've got tonnes of amazing pictures coming over the next couple of days, so stay tuned.
Working in Avebury9 July, 2017 - 21:07 — Michelle Boyle
I have felt my soul calling to travel over to Avebury and the surrounding areas each day this last week.
Amongst other guided 'assignments', I was working at one of the sites Open mentions above over a couple of days; separately from the group but it seems tuned into the same energies.
I first parked the car which was immediately swathed in a swarm of black flies and an ambulance flew past with sirens blaring, a warning and a calling. It felt ominous.
Dark oppressive energy hit me; and I felt like I was walking into a pit of snakes. But was receiving detailed guidance with where and how to work. Connecting with the reptilian/draconian energies and also the guardians of the land, the natural energy lines and grids, trees and stones.
I could feel the attack that I was under at points and also the manipulation in trying to draw me into visions and distractions but was able to clock it quickly with the help of guides. And on the second day felt the body of an enormous snake removed from underground and release.
It is lovely to hear the feedback that you guys felt something similar at that site and to feel the energies releasing and re-connecting / flowing to other sites.
On the way home I felt blessed to cross paths with an English equivalent of a White Buffalo and an English equivalent of an Eagle flying alongside the car, amongst other streaming synchroncities; beautifully tuned into the language of the universe, tears of 'rightness' and gratitude flowed and also a feeling of sadness for being alone (although of course I wasn't, never am).
Working solo (in a physical sense), was playing into the awareness of separation consciousness, at the same time as flowing with unity consciousness and expansion of all.
It felt like a long and rewarding week, full of connection and flow and has been lovely hearing about the group activities from Amy today.
With deep love and connection.
Michelle xxx
More photos from the week!10 July, 2017 - 10:36 — Trinity
Sharing another wave of photos.
A bunch of us started spontaneously doing a 'soul motion - yoga - soul expression fusion session' together in the mornings. A fab way to unleash the soul before the first formal sessions of the day began. Inspired by the moment (big thanks to Marije for grabbing my camera to capture the shots of the movements).
Inhale - exhale and here we go...
Apparently a bit of upside down-ness helps too - as demo'd by Jane...
Kim wins the 'who can be the best frog' yoga competition...
Rich has got the whole 'Bear Yoga' routine sorted! Nothing like a bit of bear energy to set you up for the day...
Elizabeth doing an excellent job of reaching for the stars...
Great idea - let's start off the morning by standing in a line and massaging shoulders of the person in front (ha ha ha - totally my idea!!!!)
Emilia feeling the energy flowing between movements...
Starfish movement - a gorgeous releasing, twist for the spine...
Here's Kim having a conversation with the cosmos (i think). I wonder what she's saying... "Dear Universe... OK, we got this!"
Just me laughing along with the awesomeness of the moment...
Emilia & September shining like the sun...
Rhonda & Amy - I am just loving all of your smiling faces!!!
OK - will share more tomorrow. Big heart full of love to you all. Feeling you all in spirit, but missing you in person.
speechless10 July, 2017 - 11:18 — jdoran
except for WOW!!
fantastic10 July, 2017 - 12:38 — Cynthia Sham Rang
I agree - a full inhalation and a long exhalation of WOW!!!!
The most wonderful week of my life10 July, 2017 - 14:03 — Richard W
Well, how can I possibly sum up this week which has been easily the most touching, powerful, empowering, emotive and transformative week of my life. I'll write some personal highlights, though they can only give a basic idea of everything:
- Releasing so much anger at being left here on Earth, and reconnecting with the soul family and guides. Feeling the boundless, unconditional love!
- The banter, light-heartedness and joy that permeated the week, along with the deep, deep work - lets take life seriously without being serious!
- Trinity's wonderful cooking (but especially the deserts!)
- Sweet Child O' Mine on the bridge.
- Pool, wordplay and Sardines! Wonderful inner child expressions with all my brothers and sisters.
- All the signs and synchronicities. Getting followed by a massive paper dragon while free wheeling.
- Watching the personal, group, energetic and global 'story' unfold during the week.
- The amazing team work at each of the energetic sites - all working individually, yet enhancing each other.
- Standing up at the rock field, to discover that all the rocks I'd been connecting with has flowers on them that perfectly represented my soul configuration and origins.
- The crop circle! Reuniting with all my star soul origins (it turns out I'm a bit of a nomad) but especially with the wonderfully beautiful Andromedans! It blew me away to be an anchor for that energy coming in, although I felt really 'spacy' afterwards - thanks guys!
- Last, but definitely not least - being with the Openhand soul family.
Words cannot express how much you guys mean to me - each and every one of you holds a special place in my heart. If I could make these words jump off the page as you read them and embrace you all in a big bear hug, I would.
Finally, a special thanks to Open and Trinity. Open, you hold so much energy for us, supporting and yet catalysing, answering our bombardment of questions, even when you're exhausted - most of all shining a light for us to expand and empower ourselves. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Trinity, your angelic presence is so nurturing. You nurture us with you soul enhancing food and with your soul supporting energy. It was also a great pleasure have so much fun with you this week, brining so much life!
Much love to all, always.
"Sweet Child of Mine" - Openhand style10 July, 2017 - 17:20 — Trinity
OK - now for Sweet Child O Mine on that bridge Openhand Style
A totally un-edited video. For anyone not there, here's what happened:
we pulled over our Openhand car convoy on the bridge (doing a "Crazy Ivan" pause on en-route to the crop circle), Amy turned up the volume and we had a fabulous dancing session in the street. Awesome, spontaneous, soul-unleashing fun!
Your sharing really touched my soul Rich. Thank you so so much for sharing.
Michelle it's so beautiful to feel you tuning in.
Big love to Cynthia, Joann, Cathy and everyone being part of this through the ether.
sweet openhand10 July, 2017 - 17:30 — jdoran
rocking the earth...xoxox
Looks and sounds just10 July, 2017 - 18:00 — Rich
Looks and sounds just fantastic, my friends.
How wonderful that all sounds.
And those circles ... truly fabulous!
Sending love to all,
Boogie on!10 July, 2017 - 19:05 — divinespark
Sweet children of the universe! Let's all hold hands with the trees and the stars, and boogie on!
And Viggo, baby! What can I say?! I've had a mad crush on you since Lord of the Rings! Into the forest we go! You lead. I'll follow!
x Cathy
Thank you, all, for such a11 July, 2017 - 06:45 — tonya
Thank you, all, for such a wonderful week. I learnt so much. And the journey and learnings that came from following the flow continued for me after I left...
After dropping Jean-Michel off in Devizes, and before dropping Fiona at her destination campsite in Glastonbury for the night (the Pleadeians quite clearly guided us there), Fiona and I were treated to a wonderful dance of synchronicities between the divine feminine and masculine (the masculine was clearly shifting and changing to 'meet' us - lovely!) As I dropped her at her campsite, I sensed there was more to do before returning to Castle Cary myself for the night.
The weave took me to a place called Pilton and I was led around by dragonflies and little shrews, chance meetings and symbology in the landscape until the universe could get two people in the right place at the right time for a meeting that the whole merry dance seemed to be all about.
The church clock chimed three and I turned into a lane and became aware of two motorbikers ahead of me. The field was indicating that they were my next step. They called out to me, 'Do you know the way to the tithe barn?' Ha ha. I did. I hadn't been there - I had walked towards it earlier and felt a pull, but then the pull took me away again. So I directed them there and thought my job was done.
But then as I returned to my car I felt a strong pull to walk to the tithe barn myself. Aware that they might feel that I was 'interested' in them (there was a definite energetic thing going on between myself and the younger man) I tuned in again and then followed what I knew to be an authentic pull to the barn.
Having picked up some wonderful clues (a Land Girls monument at the barn and some symbology between two trees which meant a lot for my personal journey) I then was led to these two men again and a story unfolded.
They were a father and son team on a year-long outward-bound field trip. The task? To find hidden landmarks in the environment (!) - from Scotland to Lands End - over a year-long challenge (which they did at weekends). I was all the time aware of this attraction in the field between the son and me - he had a wonderful Pleadeian energy and big sparkling alive eyes - but didn't feel that that was what this meeting was about - and so focused on reading the signs and ensuring that what needed to be achieved was achieved.
Anyway, by synchronicity, our journey ended with the two buying me a drink and the three of us sitting in a sunny spot outside a local pub and then what the meeting was about unfolded. The younger man, it seemed, was in charge of educational training in the army (aha!) (and had connections with the Warminster military bases, where our group were doing some of our energetic work the other day).
I questioned him and it seemed that the way that the army were recruiting and training people was changing (this was key! - and perhaps, Open, 'confirmation' that the energetic work we were doing in the group had been effective?) - and that where they still needed focus (divine masculine characteristics, I logged) and people who were prepared to follow orders, both he and they were more and more aware of the necessity for the intuitive qualities of the divine feminine - and for initiative, autonomy and individual character to be valued, rather than just being able to follow orders, and this was very much honoured now when they were recruiting... Bulls eye! I knew that we were getting on to what the meeting was about.
When they left, I offered my hand to them both and the younger man said no, let me give you a hug! - and his father followed suit (again, indicating to me that the weave of energies in the army were changing - and there was perhaps a shift and healing taking place between the divine feminine and masculine too). Smiling, I looked down at my glass and in plain letters on the back (I had specifically asked for a 'girlie glass' for my beverage at the pub, as I would enjoy my drink better in that) was 'Cornish brewed and made' (or something like that). I had my next step! Looks like I may be seeing you, Rhonda and September, in Cornwall next week after all!
Love and blessings to each one of you - and gratitude for a very wonderful week! <3
Gorgeous! Thank you, Open.11 July, 2017 - 08:08 — tonya
Gorgeous! Thank you, Open.
Adventure of a lifetime11 July, 2017 - 16:16 — .Jen
What an incredible week...It was the greatest gift to be with you all...time was both fast and so incredibly full. I felt so completely at home being with you all - sharing physical space, enjoying amazing meals, deep, powerful work, so much play and lightness, open-heartedness, adventure!!
Coming into the course I felt strongly to get all new tires on my car before I set out on the journey...what a feeling that was - a perfect mirror of feeling a greater confidence in my vehicle as it meets, the ground, the road...navigating the potholes and the flooded places with a sense of being anchored within myself. This is very new to me...and it was spectacular to witness the beingness that comes naturally when I am rooted inside myself...how simple that is...to know and feel me while in relation to others. It's very exciting for me and I feel massive excitement about how this is unfolding and bringing me into a joyful expression of the energy here in a physical way.
I see things lining up before me...areas that have challenged me such as frustration at perceiving that I must bear the effects of others lack of taking ownership, hearing and sharing impact without blame, and allowing feelings like anger and judgement to be felt inside without needing to project...to focus on my own self-realization in the moment and then right action will come from there...these are the thorny areas for me right now that I am seeing and experiencing the way through...synchronistically after we dispersed I stepped into a 2 cm thorn that went right into the side of my right foot at the base of the big toe.
On our last day we spent some amazing time connecting to our soul guides/groups and then set off for some free wheeling time in town. The word bell kept spiking as we headed into town. I had exactly 5 pounds in my pocket, (I had left my wallet behind and Kim graciously lent me some cash in case something came up). Almost immediately, I saw a sign for a place called bow bell and it caught my attention...but it was literally a sign for a place further up the road...so I continued on, sure that I was going into this place to connect to something as yet unknown. Just as I arrive at the front of the shop, Tonya (aka Truly as I felt to call her =)), tells me "have you seen this place, I feel like there is something in there for you" lol!! Just in case I missed everything else, here she was expressing the flow - thank you!
So, I walked in and was immediately drawn to a tall glass full of ceramic white feathers dipped in silver on the ends. I picked one up and felt waves of warmth and connection through my heart center radiating out. It felt like a gift, but the cost of 5.75 so I stayed with the feeling a bit longer and thanked for the connection and went to leave the store. Just as I stepped out though I felt strongly guided to go back in, that it was meant for me and to ask how much they were. Turned out they were half off and I could cover it quite well with my 5 pounds. I love it...a beautiful reminder of the connections that were made,
What beautiful souls you all are and I feel so incredibly lucky to have been in this hallowed space with you all...it was truly timeless and I will carry it with me in always.
Open and Trinity - thank you for a magical, heartwarming adventure.
Sending love to you all!
Pure Divine Magic12 July, 2017 - 07:19 — Amy
Oh wow. A combination of my blessed morning coffee and reading this thread has me on the ceiling in sheer joy. I feel so blessed to have experienced a truly amazing week with you guys, present, near and distant the word collaborative was shown to me on arriving home and I've learned so much form working in a group of such diversity yet all with the unifying thread of divine service.
Some where up there in the thread Open when talking about star souls you said you bring home to you, a dormant aspect of you comes alive again... I've felt it and I'm still feeling it. It's so freakin' AWESOME.
And yes Cathy, Viggo baby! Big love back to Erica and Shell and big love to you all - heart warming to meet in person new openhanders and connect on another level. Thanks for holding and facilitating the space Open and doing your best to herd the cats and thanks Trinity for the delicious food and the reflection I needed at the perfect time.
Lovely sharings, Jen and Amy12 July, 2017 - 07:29 — tonya
Lovely sharings, Jen and Amy - thank you! And thanks so much for the validation in your story, Jen... these little magical moments that come as a result of following and acting on all those precious little nudges inside are so awesome, aren't they? All love and blessings - and biggest hugs. <3
Unity in diversity12 July, 2017 - 20:43 — Marye
Wow, what an amazing week! I had to pinch myself a few times during the week to know whether it was really real or just a dream. What to say? There is so much and yet so little to say. So let me just share something about what stood out for me most, namely the power of unity in diversity. Or as Open nicely put it earlier 'sovereign, yet blending together like the colours of the rainbow', which is exactly how I experienced the group dynamics throughout the week. A group of unique individual souls with very diverse qualities and energies blending together into a powerful, yet playful, force of nature.
How different this is from the typical push for uniformity and conformity from the matrix through politics, culture, religion, spiritual mainstream, the media, etc., which makes it so much easier to control and disempower people! Not surprising that mavericks are tyically condemned by the matrix for not fitting in, because they are beyond its control and thus a potential threat for its existence. What an amazing feeling it therefore was to spend a week in a high energy environment surrounded by fellow mavericks, without the need to comply or conform to anything other than my own uniqueness! It made me realise how much internal conditioning I still have around this and despite always having been a maverick at heart, how much I still tend to compare myself to others and how much shame, guilt and fear there is about 'not fitting in' and therefore 'not being good enough'. And how in that way I give away my unique power and become more easy to influence and control. For example, when the 'spiritual mainstream' lady in the crop circle was calling us to all come together to join hands and kept on beckoning us 'come in, come in', I will admit that I did feel a certain pressure to give into her persistence, even though I didn't feel like doing what she proposed. How liberating and empowering it then felt when our group just went its own way, with each of us doing their own unique thing within the crop circle!
So much gratitude to all my fellow rainbow mavericks, looking forward to further strengthen our contrasting unity along the path! And special gratitude to the Openhand energy for making it all possible!
With all my love!
P.S. Love the unedited Openhand style video! Particularly the very beginning with Jane searching for a spot to leave her DNA on the weak bridge ;).
Conscious Foodies on Retreat14 July, 2017 - 10:53 — Trinity
Didn't get heaps of foodie photos on retreat this time around (too busy having so much fun with you guys!!!) but I snapped a couple of little reminders of our high vibe deliciousness. Here we go!
The sandwich crew (missing from this picture is Rhonda, who helped heaps too). Gladly and delightfully joined by sandwich making maestros Kim & Jen. Best team ever! I would Team Sandwich with these guys any day. Made with local spelt bread, nicey-spicy pepper hummus and salad. Perfect for a field trip...
Got sandwiches?
Cardamom Inspired Raw Chocolate Covered Slice - yes please!
Triple Layered Superfood Energy Bars!
Best ever vegan mango ice cream bars, covered with healthy coconut chocolate...
Love you guys!!!14 July, 2017 - 10:55 — Trinity
Marije, Tonya, Amy, Jen. Just wanted to say thank you for your personal sharings here.
It's making my heart burst!!!
Big heart full of love to you all.
Crop Circle Energy Working Crew14 July, 2017 - 11:18 — Trinity
Amazing to see the photo of the crop circle from above!
Some fascinating 'communications' happening to say the least. After my own energy work experiences concluded, I sprung to my feet, to see what else was going on. A lot of energy moving and experiences happening for different people in our group. Difficult to capture the essence of it all really, but I reclaimed my camera from the crops and snapped a few photos to remind us...
Feeling it with Open & Rich W...
Massive energies moving for Amy. Welcome home gorgeous woman!
Rhonda feeling the energy after a rather active and wild guided exploration of the circles...
Open working with energies...
Wood sabres at the ready! Breaking up stagnant energies - having fun - or both
Marije sinking right into the earth...
Jane - you've got it...
A mixture of Individual and collective experiences. An amazing time had by all...
Magical week <315 July, 2017 - 18:32 — Emilia
What a week it was! It just seems to get better and better, the more OH courses and retreats I participate. This was my absolute favourite so far! The group was just amazing, such a different each and every one of us yet our energies dancing together in such a great harmony. That alone felt powerful and refreshing to me.
It was a beautiful balance of digging deep, holding the space, expressing and exploring inner and outer fields, sharing, playing and so much more. Thank you Open, Trinity and everyone of you who were there, I feel blessed.
It was made sure that wouldn't leave without really knowing that the cosmic connection is here in 3D within my reach at any time. No we don't walk around holding signs saying "I'm Arcturian", "I'm Plejadian" or "I'm from the 8th dimension" or anything like that but make no mistake; w e a r e h e r e. Read the signs, ask for help and my favourite: ask "show me" and watch what happens. Magic does happen and it is cosmic and it is real. It is just as real as me wearing this human suit.
I enjoyed greatly of everything that we did but if I had to choose a favorite, the last full day would be it. The signs were speaking in volumes right from the morning.
The rocks we visited was powerful. I felt the pull to walk to a corner that felt nice. I heard the cows going little bit restless behind me and calling out for each others. When I reached the corner and looked back the cows had followed me and were staring at me like "what are you up to next?". I didn't know if they were dangerous to be close to when they has babies so I left the space for them and found a new spot for myself. When I returned to others, I witnessed a breathtaking view of so many Starsouls standing tall on their own rocks, apart from each others but still connected to each others and to Home, communicating in silence. It reminded me of the similar scenery in the Wim Wenders movie called "Der Himmel uber Berlin". The City of Angels is Hollywood version of that. The movie (original version) left me speechless when I first saw it at the time way before internet.
In Marlborough (was that it?) I stepped in a time capsule, literately. There was a puppet show in the church and at the doorway there was a tile on the floor that read Time Capsule on golden letters. There was I standing on it feeling it out if I should enter or not (I felt not to.) But what a metaphor, huh?!
It was so wonderful to finally experience a crop circle, perfect ending for all the field work we had done during the week. Also it was good reflection to witness how different spiritual generations know how to work with energies. I know Open often says this what we do is advanced work but what is natural to you doesn't feel that out of ordinary until you get something (possibly) ordinary to reflect it upon.
Sweet Child O'Mine was playing in my head for weeks before the retreat, this version did beat the version playing in my head, easily! <3
Much love to you all! xxx
awesome , simplyawesome18 July, 2017 - 12:57 — jeff
Incredible pictures and awe inspiring work being done .. love those crop circles, I've been reading about those lately .. can't wait to experience one in the flesh.. love the sweet child of mine video too !
nice to see some familiar faces there too ! I've been feeling the pull back to OH meditation and work the last couple of weeks, maybe picking up on all your vibrations ...
sending much love
Web of Light28 July, 2017 - 05:26 — auntyangel
An amazing record of a totally off the scale experience. Since then I have felt like Frodo returning to The Shire.
Integration challenging like reentry to gravity. lets keep connecting through the web of light around and through Gaia - that feels right. Much Love brave Souls x


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Date: Sunday, August 3, 2014
Kickoff: 7 p.m. (Pacific)
Location: Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Forecast: Sunny, 90 degrees
Referee: Katja Koroleva
Assistant Referees: Eduardo Mariscal, Farhad Dadkho
Fourth Official: J.J. Blodgett
National Television: ESPN2
Broadcast Team: Adrian Healey and Julie Foudy
Thorns FC and the Houston Dash meet for the third, and final, time this season on Sunday at 7 p.m. (Pacific) It is the only meeting between the two teams at Providence Park this season.
Portland is in the hunt for one of four NWSL playoff spots. Thorns FC currently sit in fourth place with 30 points, one point behind third place Washington and seven points behind second-place FC Kansas City, heading into Saturday's NWSL matches.
Portland is in the hunt for one of four NWSL playoff spots. Thorns FC currently sit in fourth place with 30 points, one point behind third place Washington and seven points behind second-place FC Kansas City, heading into Saturday's NWSL matches.
Thorns FC come into Sunday's match with back-to-back wins at Providence Park, having outscored their opponents 13-4 in those two matches, including a 7-1 win on July 13 against FC Kansas City and a 6-3 win against Boston on July 20.
Portland is 2-0-0 all-time against Houston, winning both of the previous meetings in Houston by a score of 1-0.
Goalkeeper Nadine Angerer made a season-high seven saves, including a key stop on a second-half penalty kick, and forward Jessica McDonald scored the game-winning goal as Thorns FC earned a 1-0 victory against the Houston Dash on May 14 at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas. McDonald tallied the game-winning goal in the 57th minute, connecting on a well-placed cross from midfielder Angie Kerr. Angerer made the stop on midfielder Kaylyn Kyle's penalty kick in the 48th minute after Portland was whislted for a handball in the box. Angerer dove to her right, smothering the effort before helping guide the rebound out for a goal kick. The German international kept a clean sheet in the match also making critical saves on midfielder Jordan Jackson in the 16th and 42nd minutes and stopped forward Kealia Ohai's attempt in the 77th minute.
The Dash enter Sunday's match coming off a 4-1 loss against Seattle Reign FC on Wednesday at BBVA Compass Stadium. Houston has just five wins this season, but has found success on the road with a record of 3-3-2. The Dash rank at the bottom of the league in goals scored (21), scoring multiple goals in just five matches this season. The Dash are missing several key players due to injury, including Canadian international Lauren Sesselmann, Mexican international Teresa Noyola as well as midfielder Brittany Bock. However the team has been bolstered with the addition U.S. Women's National Team defenders Whitney Engen and Meghan Klingenberg, who joined the team midseason. The second overall pick in the 2014 NWSL College Draft, forward Kealia Ohai has recorded four goals and one assist in 18 matches (16 starts) this season. Forward Ella Masar has also tallied three goals and an assist. Goalkeeper and Canadian international Erin McLeod ranks second in the league in saves (70).
Playing their home matches at downtown Portland's iconic Providence Park, Thorns FC drew an average crowd of 13,320 fans per game during the inaugural 2013 National Women's Soccer League season. Through 10 home games in 2014, Thorns FC has averaged 12,411 fans at Providence Park. Portland's tallied an NWSL record 17,619 fans at the team's 2013 regular-season, home finale against FC Kansas City on Aug. 4, 2013.
Portland continued its record-breaking ways in a 6-3 victory against the Boston Breakers on July 20. Thorns FC and Boston set a NWSL record for most combined goals in a match (9), breaking the previous record set back on July 13 as Portland and FC Kansas City combined for eight goals at Providence Park. As a team, Portland has set single-season records for goals (37) and assists (27), breaking the previous record of 32 goals and 25 assists set in 2013. Midfielder Verónica Boquete's six assists this season set a new Thorns FC single-season record. The previous record was five assists by forward Alex Morgan during the 2013 season. Other notable records set by Portland this season include the fastest goal in NWSL history scored 33 seconds into a match by forward Jessica McDonald on July 17 at Chicago. Back on July 4 against Chicago at Providence Park, McDonald tallied her ninth goal of the season, setting a single-season record for goals, breaking the previous record of eight goals scored by Morgan and Sinclair during the 2013 season. Thorns FC also recorded the largest margin of victory (6) and most goals scored (7) in a 7-1 win against FC Kansas City on July 13.
Thorns FC signed forward Hanna Terry for the remainder of the season on July 25, while defenders Courtney Niemiec and Kat Tarr were placed on the disabled list for the remainder of the season. Terry, 23, is a former standout at Northeastern University (2011-13), while she was named to the Sweden U-23 Women's National Team roster for the 2013 Four Nations Tournament in La Manga, Spain, from Feb. 28-March 4, 2013. At two-time first team All-Colonial Athletic Conference selection, Terry helped lead the Huskies to a NCAA tournament berth as well as a CAA title in 2013.
Portland has found a spark offensively over the last 11 matches, scoring 27 goals after recording 10 goals through the first 10 matches of the season. Thorns FC lead the league in assists (27), shots (317), shots on goal (148) and corner kicks (136) and ranks second in goals (37). Portland has scored six or more goals in a match three times this season: June 21 at Washington (6), July 13 against FC Kansas City (7) and July 20 against Boston (6).
Forward Jessica McDonald remains in the hunt for the NWSL Golden Boot with 11 goals, tied for second most in the NWSL. McDonald has scored eight of her 11 goals as a starter. Thorns FC are unbeaten (6-0-3) when McDonald scores a goal. At Providence Park, Thorns FC are 4-0-1 when McDonald scores.
McDonald ranks among the league leaders in goals as does midfielder Allie Long ranks fifth (9) and forward Christine Sinclair is among the league leaders with seven goals. Midfielder Verónica Boquete is tied for the NWSL lead in assists (6). Forward Christine Sinclair leads the league in shots (62) and is tied for the lead in shots on goal (31). Goalkeeper Nadine Angerer ranks fourth in the NWSL in saves (59).
Five different players have registered a brace for Thorns FC in the club's history: Christine Sinclair, Alex Morgan, Jessica McDonald (2), Allie Long and Verónica Boquete. Thorns FC players have tallied five braces alone this season: McDonald twice (April 26, June 21), Morgan (June 21), Boquete (July 13) and Long (July 13).
Thorns FC have tallied double-digit shot attempts in all 10 matches at Providence Park this season, including three games with 20 or more shots. Portland is averaging 15.1 shots per match, while averaging 18 shots in home matches.

subset: commoncrawl


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Source - Link
Kyle (san antonio)
how about richard jefferson for chris bosh? or can spurs or should spurs trade manu ginobili or should they get someone like gerald wallace or corey of the warriors
David Thorpe (12:14 PM)
Kyle, Bosh is a top 10 player in the league. Maybe top 6. Think about that.Will (Bristol UK)
you'd put Bosh above Duncan, dirk, howard, durant, garnett D-will and others im sure im forgetting (as you said top 6)
David Thorpe (12:22 PM)
Pretty much, yepCoach (NYC)
Bosh over pau?
David Thorpe (12:27 PM)
Yep.Richard (TX)
Come on, coach. Bosh doesn't belong above many of those guys you said you'd rank him higher than, unless you only care about offensive numbers. The guy is a sieve on defense, isn't a legit #1 guy despite the numbers, and his lack of defensive impact is a big reason Toronto has always been a loser with him as the main guy. He's a perfect #2 in the mold of a Pau Gasol, but he should NEVER be ranked higher than any legit #1. Period. It's not just about numbers, it's about impact leading to winning. It's not as though Toronto hasn't had talent around him, either. He's just not a #1.
David Thorpe (12:40 PM)
I don't like the "#1" stuff. Before Pau, what good was Kobe'sTerry (Madison)
"Bosh is a top 10 player in the league. Maybe top 6" LBJ, Kobe, Duncan, Dirk, Wade, D Howard, Melo, Durant, CP3, Nash. Thats was pretty easy to come up with 10 players better than Bosh.
David Thorpe (12:36 PM)
Let's agree to disagree. I'm not sure how official these top 10 lists are anywayKenan (Toronto)
Why is Demar Derozen not on the rookie team? Considering James Harden has played worse this year.
David Thorpe (12:34 PM)
Harden is better, and is playing better.


text:
THE MP for Thirsk and Malton is pressing for a change in the law which bans pensioners from contributing towards bus services.
Tory Anne McIntosh has applied for a House of Commons debate over the Concessionary Bus Travel Act.
North Yorkshire County Council leader Councillor John Weighell has estimated that tens of thousands of pensioners in the county want to contribute towards fares to make 150 threatened services financially viable for bus operators.
The authority, which is mid-way through cutting its budget by £168 million, decided to cut its bus subsidies by £2 million last week, despite warnings over the loss of services to sheltered housing estates and doctors' surgeries.
A Department for Transport spokeswoman said the Government was focusing its efforts in making the bus concession more efficient, rather than by cutting back on the entitlement offered to older and disabled people.


text:
"We really appreciate this recognition from AutoWeek readers," said John Mendel, senior vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "We know them to be true enthusiasts and a pretty discriminating bunch, which makes it that much more special for us."
The all-new Odyssey, completely re-engineered for 2005, has also been recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency as the minivan segment leader for fuel economy - achieving 20/28 mpg city/highway. Additionally, the Odyssey has earned a "Best Pick" from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), earning a "Good" designation in all tested categories.
Since the Odyssey was originally introduced in 1995, the minivan has been well received by consumers. The vehicle's popularity has been reflected in its sales, posting a year over year increase for the last six consecutive years. As of June 2005, the Odyssey has sold a total of 87,845 units, a 16.3 percent increase over the same period last year. Class leading levels of performance, safety and interior comfort along with a long list of innovative features have helped elevate the Odyssey as the benchmark in the minivan segment.
# # #
For more information or downloadable high-resolution images of the Odyssey and other Honda vehicles, please visit www.hondanews.com. Consumer information is available at www.hondacars.com.


text:
The stuff kids really need for high school
Here are some easy tips to help you upgrade your childs supplies for high school. more
Madeleine Tully lives in Cambridge, England, the World – a city of spires, Isaac Newton and Auntie's Tea Shop.
Elliot Baranski lives in Bonfire, the Farms, the Kingdom of Cello – where seasons roam, the Butterfly Child sleeps in a glass jar, and bells warn of attacks from dangerous Colours.
They are worlds apart – until a crack opens up between them; a corner of white – the slim seam of a letter.
Madeleine Tully turned fourteen yesterday, but today she did not turn anything.
Oh, wait. She turned a page.
She was sitting on the sloping roof of her attic flat and she was reading a book. Only, she was not concentrating on the book. She was listening to her mother who was just inside.
Madeleine's mother was sewing and watching the quiz show. And she was answering every single question. Snap, snap, snap! She was shooting out the answers like a popcorn machine. She was answering before the host even finished asking.
'What is the capital of Ecuador?'
'From the French, what six-letter word—'
Each time Madeleine's mother answered, a contestant on the television also answered, but a moment later. The contestants' voices sounded calm and quiet.
An ad break came on. The sewing machine stopped. Madeleine's mother climbed out through the window and sat on the roof beside Madeleine. The spires of Cambridge University traced themselves against the sky behind them.
'Tonight,' said Madeleine's mother, 'we'll have supper out here on the roof.'
Madeleine closed her book.
'We'll be cold,' her mother continued. 'I'll bring blankets.'
Madeleine nodded.
'We'll eat your leftover birthday cake. It doesn't always have to be beans for supper, you know.'
'No,' Madeleine agreed.
'And we'll stay out here and watch the stars until we fall asleep amongst the blankets.'
Madeleine and her mother sat side by side, and sighed.
They were thinking the same thing.
They would not eat supper on the roof tonight.
Madeleine's mother would keep sewing until midnight and would only stop to flex her aching fingers.
They sighed again.
They were remembering the same thing.
Supper tonight would be beans. They had eaten the whole birthday cake yesterday.
If only they had saved some.
'Right then,' said Madeleine's mother. She climbed back through the window. The sewing machine started up.
The sewing machine was a Harlsbury Deluxe Model 37B. Madeleine's mother had won it in London many years before. She had won it on the quiz show. One day, soon, she planned to compete on that show again.
Only this time she would not just win the sewing machine. This time she would also win the plasma TV, the luxury towel set, the holiday, the barbecue, and the car!!!! (That was how the quiz-show host—and Madeleine's mother—referred to the car: italics and three exclamation marks.)
So, each morning, Madeleine's mother phoned the TV station to 'register her interest' in competing on the show.
Once a fortnight, she mailed in an application to compete.
Every month or so, she took a bus to London, walked to the TV station's offices and had a friendly chat with the receptionist. (You never knew who might be influential.)
And every night, she watched the show and answered every question.
Bang, bang, bang! She shouted out the answers like a fireworks display.
And every night she got every single question wrong.
(The capital of Ecuador is Quito. Frisson doesn't even have six letters.)
We have FIVE copies of A Corner of White to giveaway - find out how you could win one now.


text:
I have used travelocity for many, many trips (not sure why my gf loves them, I prefer to direct book with the airlines) but after 2 hours on the phone, and explaining a BASIC freaking situation (flight to ATL was canceled on Sunday, I purchased a one way ticket for the passender to go from Point A to Point B and skip ATL, but the airline gave me a "make up" flgiht for today) I finally have a refund.
I had just pulled the BBB form up after being told travelocity was too busy and I needed to call back later, and decided to call back one last time. Turns out customer service rep number 5 was nicer then 1-4, and actually HELPED me. Sadly I was tol the partial refund will take 7-8 weeks.
All I can do is to keep me from


text:
Young Aficionados
Cigar Smoking Is Hot with the Twentysomething Crowd, Which Agrees: It Is More Than a Fad
(continued from page 2)
Fogler, 24, is in her second year of law school at Northwestern University in Chicago. She is bright, energetic and, like many young people today, extremely health-conscious. She eats carefully, never smokes cigarettes and works out regularly, both at the health club and in the ring, sparring a few rounds with men who share her enthusiasm for muay-Thai, an Asian form of boxing. After a grueling final exam, though, or after a stressful session preparing for the Illinois bar, what Fogler enjoys most is a fine cigar.
"For me, at the most basic level, it's an easy way to relax and unwind," Fogler says. "After finals, I always have a cigar evening. I treat it as a sort of retreat. That's my time to sit and unwind, or to have a great conversation."
Is Tammy Fogler some sort of rebel, a swaggering iconoclast out to jam a stogie in the eye of Chicago's legal establishment? Hardly. Today, with fine cigars enjoying a wave of popularity across America, Fogler is just one of a growing legion of young aficionados who are sweeping away the notion that cigar smoking is a pleasure confined to middle-aged men in stuffy clubs or disreputable saloons. Indeed, from Northwestern to Dartmouth, from Yale to UCLA, fine cigars and cigar clubs have become the rage on many American campuses. Likewise, among many young, twentysomething professionals from Manhattan to San Francisco, fine cigars have become high chic, an emblem of sophistication, good taste and an independent spirit.
"Cigars are on a huge upswing," says John Rucci, the beverage manager at the elegant Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. "Young people in Beverly Hills, and in Los Angeles in general, are very attuned to what's hip and what's trendy, and cigars have become very big. The trend now is young people and women. Women are smoking a lot of cigars today, good cigars. In fact, I'd say that for many young people, cigars have become the social accessory of the '90s."
For the young today, cigar smoking surely is wrapped up with what's hip and trendy. But in scores of interviews with young cigar smokers and observations at the establishments they frequent, the phenomenon apparently has deeper, more complicated roots.
"It seems that for many people of my generation, cigars have become a kind of counterculture thing," says Markus Funk, one of the founders of the Cigar Aficionados Club (no connection with this magazine) at Northwestern University School of Law. "In a place like law school, cigars can be a real ice-breaker, socially, and cigar clubs enable people with an individualized taste to get together and do something they like."
Fogler's experience with cigars is in many ways typical. She did not grow up in some fashionable corner of Manhattan or Los Angeles. She grew up in Middle America, in the quiet, conservative town of Bloomington-Normal, in central Illinois. Her grandfather smoked a pipe, and an uncle and an aunt smoked cigars. Fogler never took to smoking, either in high school or in her first years at Illinois Wesleyan. Senior year in college, though, she found herself drawn to cigars. "What drew me was the smell," she says. "The smell of the tobacco gave me good feelings and associations." After a long day of classes and studying, she would often go onto a dormitory roof at night and smoke a cigar: "I found it very calming, very peaceful."
During her first year of law school, Fogler met Funk when he was starting the cigar club. Members of the club would gather at a bar or restaurant near the campus, smoke cigars and talk about the law, what they planned to do with their lives, or just about the Chicago Cubs or Bears. The club had no political or social agenda, though some of its members shared a common antagonism toward political correctness on campus. "Generally, it was just a very nice mingling of people," Fogler says, and when word of the club spread around the law school, many other women eagerly joined.
"People make the assumption that cigars mean white guys sitting around in fancy clubs with overstuffed chairs," says Funk. "But the Aficionados Club is not at all like that. It's whites, blacks, men, women, liberals, conservatives, whatever. It's really a hodgepodge. It's one of the [few] nonpolitical clubs on campus."
Across the country cigars are enjoying a vogue on many other college campuses. In the East, at Dartmouth, cigars have become an integral part of the weekend party scene. According to Gabriel Schlumberger, a junior studying film and political science, the pinnacle of undergraduate chic today is ordering fine cigars by the box from high-quality specialists like the Owl Shop in New Haven, Connecticut. "I see it at Dartmouth and many other campuses on the East Coast," he says. "And this summer I saw it at the University of Texas in Austin. Everyone there seems to be into cigars."
Catherine St. John, owner of the Owl Shop, confirms the trend. "Young people, and especially women, are now smoking fine cigars," she says. "We get a lot of students from Yale and a lot of faculty." Students from other universities, she says, order boxes of cigars by mail or by phone, and they are not ordering cheap cigars. "Even students are buying $4 and $5 cigars," says St. John, who has been at the Owl Shop for 62 years. "There has definitely been a change in mores."
Mark Grossich, the co-owner of Bar and Books, a group of upscale cigar lounges in New York City, agrees, and he says the shift in mores is quite visible among young professionals in their 20s. "Our clientele tends to be people in their late 20s and up, but the crowds are getting younger and younger," Grossich says. "And we are seeing more and more young women smoking cigars. We had 125 women at a smoker in June." At his cigar lounges, such as The Cigar Bar at Beekman Bar and Books, Grossich offers 14 brands of high-quality cigars, along with a selection of fine Ports, Cognacs and single malt whiskeys. Like Funk at Northwestern, Grossich sees a diverse group, all drawn together by their common interest in fine cigars. "We see young, old, male, female. What we're seeing is people all enjoying cigars for pretty much the same reasons."
Adam Cohen is a typical case. Cohen, 26, works at Q104.3 FM, a hard rock music station in New York City. Like many of his friends at the station and in the music world, he was drawn to cigar smoking because it was trendy. "In the beginning, cigars were the nouveau, 'in' thing to do," he says. "Now, six months later, I'm an avid smoker simply because I enjoy it. The more I learn about cigars, the more I enjoy tasting different makes and varieties, trying to see what's bigger and better. In that sense, cigar smoking is a lot like wine drinking."
Whoa, now. Cohen belongs to a generation that is extremely savvy about health, nutrition and exercise, a generation that for years has been bombarded with warnings, from President Clinton on down, about the dangers of smoking cigarettes. Cohen, furthermore, lives in a city where smoking is not just frowned upon, but banned in many public places. As Cohen and every other cigar smoker knows, antismoking sentiment in New York runs so high that if you light up anywhere in public--even at Yankee Stadium or strolling through Central Park--you may well be accosted by strangers demanding you stop at once. So what gives here? Is Adam Cohen an angry rebel? Or self-destructive?
Hardly. "I would never consider smoking a cigarette," Cohen says. But few of his friends balk when he lights up a cigar; they find the ethos, ethics and smell of cigar smoking by no means offensive. Most of the women he dates do not complain either: "I'm going out now with women who light up themselves and are eager to try a fine cigar."
Young smokers like Cohen translate into good business for Manhattan cigar shops like Arnold's Tobacco Shop on Madison Avenue. "We sell a lot of cigars to the twenties group," says owner Bruce Goldstein, whose grandfather started the business in 1911. "That's our future. These young people are joining the market, they like it, and they're interested in quality cigars. Five years ago, the trend didn't exist."
According to Goldstein, today's young aficionados are well-educated about cigars and usually buy individual cigars, so they can experiment and broaden their knowledge. "They'll buy 10, 15, even 20 cigars at a time. Different brands, different sizes, different shades of wrapper," Goldstein says. "They're experimenting and they're not as set in their ways as cigar smokers used to be. They're the future of our business. You're planting the seed for the next five or 10 years."
San Francisco may be on the other side of the continent, but the attitudes driving young cigar aficionados there are remarkably similar to those on the East Coast. Michael Pelusi, manager of the Alfred Dunhill shop just off Union Square, is seeing the same cigar boom among young people, especially young professional women. Last August, Pelusi sponsored a "Women Only" smoker in his shop to help raise money for a local shelter for battered women, and he drew 35 professional women, many of them lawyers and many of them avid cigar smokers. San Francisco, like New York, has placed heavy restrictions on smoking in restaurants. Additionally, there is an aggressive antismoking strain running through many sectors of San Francisco society. But you'd never know it from that night at Dunhill's.
"These people have clearly made their decisions in life," Pelusi observes, as the women eagerly sampled Macanudos and Temple Hall No. 3 Trumps. "They've decided what makes them happy and they are not going to give up the pleasure of smoking cigars because of any antismoking legislation or attitudes."
The Dunhill smoker attracted several twentysomething women, and they were warmly welcomed by more experienced smokers like Tanya Neiman, a San Francisco attorney. "Face it: there are certain things women have traditionally been excluded from, and cigars is one of them. This," Neiman says, waving her Macanudo, "is very liberating for women."
Jennifer Hernandez, a local attorney who helped organize the smoker, agrees, and she is delighted that young women today can smoke a cigar without arousing shock or facing social stigma. It was hardly that way when she began smoking cigars a few years ago. "I began smoking cigars when I was working for a firm that represented Playboy and Penthouse," she recalls. "One day I walked into a big meeting with a cigar in my mouth. The men were shocked. It was a good career move."
Jeanette Etheredge applauds the current cigar vogue among young people and women--but for a very different reason. Etheredge owns and runs a celebrated San Francisco institution called Tosca's, an adamantly antichic watering hole that, over the years, has been a second home to Francis Ford Coppola, Lawrence Ferlinghetti and many other artists, poets and musicians who hang out in the city's North Beach section. Etheredge, who is as colorful and iconoclastic an institution as Tosca's, has never catered to the antismoking crowd. And she is not about to start.
"Since the restaurants stopped allowing smoking, my business has gone up 20 percent," Etheredge says. "Instead of staying out at a restaurant for an extra coffee, people come here. And older people who want to smoke come here before dinner so they can smoke and then they come by again after dinner." Over the past year, young people smoking cigars have become an important part of her business. So now, Etheredge keeps a well-stocked humidor right on the bar. Throughout the week, young people also crowd into her back room to smoke cigars and play pool under a formidable array of old movie posters.
On one recent night, Cheré Burnett, a twentysomething interior designer, was one of the women joining the men at the pool table, cigar in hand. "In the beginning, I thought cigars were a man's thing and I felt so intimidated," Burnett says. "I also thought it was gross to kiss a guy who's smoked a cigar." Soon, though, she developed a taste for cigars--and for men who smoke them. She now attends the many cigar dinners being sponsored by San Francisco's premier hotels, restaurants and cigar shops. In recent months, these smokers have become quite the rage in San Francisco; in one week in August, there were at least four high-profile smokers around town.
Cigar smoking, in fact, has become a prominent part of the young social scene in many parts of San Francisco society. Rich Peterson, 27, president of an informal group called The Bachelor's Club, says that he and many of his friends in the club have become avid cigar smokers, either at parties or on the golf course. "I think cigars, by their nature, stimulate conversation and camaraderie," he says. "It's a way to bring people together. It relaxes people and I think adds a touch of style."
Like many young men around the country, Peterson says that smoking cigars, at least in his case, is not a way of making any political or social statement; it is just a pleasure he enjoys, especially among friends. "Some people think cigar smoking projects snootiness or your class," he says. "I think if you want to read that into it, that's unfortunate. [It] is just a way to have fun."
The Bachelor's Club has become so serious about its cigar fun that it maintains a locker at Dunhill's. Cigars were also prominent at the club's annual black-tie ball. Were young women at the ball put off by cigars? Quite the contrary, says Peterson, who develops new business for Dryer's and Edy's Grand Ice Cream. "One very lovely young woman actually came up to me and asked for a puff of my cigar," he says. "It broke the ice--and very quickly!"
San Francisco now offers a wide array of places catering to young cigar smokers. Stars, long a popular Bay Area restaurant, organizes cigar dinners and other events through a private club it founded, the Stellar Cigar Society. The Cypress Club was another favorite meeting place for aficionados--before smoking was banned in the city's restaurants. Since then, the club has closed its humidor, but it remains cigar friendly (you can still smoke at Cypress' bar). "We've had cigar dinners ever since we opened," says John Lancaster, the club's sommelier and bar manager, "but they were never as popular as they have become in recent months. In a time when some rights are being taken away, cigars have become immensely fashionable."
The Occidental Grill is another San Francisco gathering place that has made cigars a prime attraction. After a long day at the nearby Pacific Stock Exchange, young stock and bond traders gather at The Occidental to smoke, eat and unwind. To keep up with demand, co-owners Curtis Post and Don Helton keep a large supply of cigars on hand, and every so often they organize a fabulous gourmet dinner, specially conceived for aficionados. One recent dinner opened with the house special, an Absolut Blue Martini, followed by seared wild salmon, warm rabbit loin salad, smoked quail with black currant sauce, a veal chop grilled over mesquite, and ci-gars between courses--all for $105.
For the ultimate in cigar chic, young San Francisco aficionados with the means to splurge gather at the bar of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, on the slope up to Nob Hill. Judy Rowcliffe, head of public relations for the hotel, says the cigar boom has doubled, and in some months tripled, the bar's revenues from sales of cigars and drinks. "It's just gone crazy," Rowcliffe says. This past April was typical. With the bar crowded with cigar smokers nearly every night, the hotel registered $3,190 in cigar sales and $14,550 in beverage sales. During the summer, the boom hit a snag: Diners in the hotel's adjacent gourmet dining room complained about the cigar smoke, and the hotel temporarily halted smoking in the bar. With so much revenue at stake, though, the Ritz-Carlton management is planning to outfit the bar with a new ventilation system, hoping to appease the dinner crowd without giving up the lucrative cigar trade in the bar.
In Los Angeles, too, cigars are now high chic, especially among young men and women, and cigar clubs and lounges are sprouting up everywhere to cater to young aficionados--and to cash in on the trend.
To get a fix on the L.A. cigar scene, an appropriate place to start is at the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Little Santa Monica, an intersection dominated by the artful building I.M. Pei created for Creative Artists Agency, the most powerful talent agency in Hollywood. Two blocks north of Wilshire, on Little Santa Monica, two chic spots cater to young cigar aficionados: Hamilton's, a refined wine and cigar lounge co-hosted by actor George Hamilton and Dennis Overstreet, and Philip Dane's Cigar Lounge, a bright, cheerful new place designed expressly for the twentysomething crowd.
With its exposed wood beams, rustic furniture and stacks of old magazines, Philip Dane's is designed to feel like a cozy lodge, a lodge that just happens to sport a big walk-in humidor, an antique Coke machine, and a flashy new espresso machine. The humidor offers a wonderful selection of cigars: Dunhills, Paul Garmirians, Avos and a wide assortment of other fine cigars from the Dominican Republic, Honduras and farther afield.
Dane, 28, clearly knows his cigars and his target clientele. He has made his lounge comfortable and inviting, and with an eye toward novice smokers who might feel intimidated buying cigars, Dane has lovely young women advising customers. He has put them through cigar seminars and had them read Richard Carleton Hacker's authoritative guide, The Ultimate Cigar Book. The effort has paid off: His young saleswomen know their stuff. But they do not use the often imposing vocabulary you hear in the more traditional cigar shops. One saleswoman, recently guiding a hesitant customer through the humidor, pointed to an Aliados Piramides and opined: "This is one honker cigar. It takes so long to smoke!"
Three blocks south on the other side of Wilshire is The Peninsula Hotel, one of the most fashionable spots for young aficionados to gather. Late in the afternoon, especially on Thursdays, the bar fills with young smokers: agents, producers, music and video sharpsters obviously on the make, eager to be seen with a $20 cigar jammed in their lips. Still, the Peninsula is a joy, an island of taste and refinement in a town not otherwise known for subtlety or grace. For anyone interested in high chic, impressing a date, or in just taking time out to enjoy a fine cigar, this is the place.
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Bob Casale, a Kent native who was a founding member of the band Devo, died Monday, Feb. 17, 2014. He was 61.
Born July 14, 1952, he was reared in Kent, where he attended St. Patrick School and was a 1970 graduate of Theodore Roosevelt High School.
A guitarist, Bob Casale, his brother, Gerald, and Mark Mothersbaugh were among the founding members of Devo, which formed in Kent in 1972. The band scored a Billboard hit with "Whip It" in 1980, and the video became one of the first hit videos on MTV.
Gerald Casale released this statement on his brother's death on the Devo website:
"As an original member of Devo, Bob Casale was there in the trenches with me from the beginning.
He was my level-headed brother, a solid performer and talented audio engineer, always giving more than he got.
He was excited about the possibility of Mark Mothersbaugh allowing Devo to play shows again.
His sudden death from conditions that lead to heart failure came as a total shock to us all".


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Headlines (News Releases)
Lazaridis School of Business & Economics
Former Procter & Gamble president to speak at Laurier
Communications, Public Affairs & Marketing
May 13/13| For Immediate Release
Kate Tippin, Manager of Communications
Kevin Crowley, Director, Communications and Public Affairs
WATERLOO Wilfrid Laurier University alumnus Tim Penner (BBA 78), former president of Procter & Gamble Canada, will deliver a keynote address as the Laurier CEO-in-Residence Monday, May 27.
As the former president of Procter & Gamble Canada, Tim was part of one of the worlds leading consumer product companies universally recognized for its capabilities in marketing, branding and new product innovation, said Micheál J. Kelly, dean of Lauriers School of Business & Economics. The company is a source of numerous business-school cases and executives around the world have sought to learn from its approaches to strategy, marketing and product development. Our students can learn much from Tims many years of experience.
After graduating from Laurier, Penner joined Procter & Gamble (P&G) and worked in various marketing roles in Canada, advancing to the position of General Manager of Health Care products. From 1993 to 1996, Penner was the vice-president of Health and Beauty Care in the UK and Ireland, and from 1996 to 1999 he was vice-president of the N.A. Paper business, located in Cincinnati, Ohio. He returned to Toronto as president of P&G Canada in 1999 and held that role for 12 years before retiring in 2011, after 33 years with the company.
Outside of work, Penner has served for 10 years on the Ontario Task Force on Competitiveness, Productivity and Economic Progress. He is vice-chair and leads the fundraising committee for the YMCA of Toronto. He also serves as a trustee of Sick Kids Hospital. He is on the Board of Intact Insurance, the largest property and casualty insurance company in Canada.
Penners talk, titled My Path to Leadership (And Some Tips For Yours), begins at 10:30 a.m. in the Senate and Board Chamber on Lauriers Waterloo campus.
The Laurier CEO-in-Residence is an appointed honour by the dean of Lauriers School of Business & Economics, and has been developed to deliver a perspective to students beyond their studies and research in the classroom.
This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Patrycja Gadomski-Cebo at firstname.lastname@example.com or at 519-884-0710 ext. 3280.
View all Lazaridis School of Business & Economics news
View all Laurier news


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Reaching management level in business won't guarantee big bucks, a corner office or even a really nice chair. The hours are long and the pressure rises with increased responsibilities and expectations.
However, good leaders can make or break a team, and it's the mix of risk, visibility and impact that makes it compelling to those who are driven to pursue management or executive level positions.
It does have some downsides. For instance, there's no assurance of more money, and technical or sales people can see their pay goes down with their first promotion.
"If you just want to go into management because you just think, well, I'll have more status or power, that's really not a good motivation," says Marshall Goldsmith, executive consultant and author of "What Got You Here Won't Get You There."
"You want to go into management because you really enjoy the process of leading people. If you don't know, do you think you'll enjoy the process of leading people?" he says.
Just as star athletes may not make the best coaches, the top employees don't always make the best managers.
To help employees succeed, stellar interpersonal skills are vital. Managers must be able to effectively coach people and communicate their ideas.
"It's a big transition from being a great achiever to leading. You may be technically gifted, you may be an athlete in any number of different fields, but you have to transition to a role where your job is no longer to be the star but to help others be a star," says Goldsmith.
But that doesn't mean only the glib smooth-talkers can climb into the executive ranks. Communication skills can be learned.
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NetWellness is a global, community service providing quality, unbiased health information from our partner university faculty. NetWellness is commercial-free and does not accept advertising.
Sunday, September 24, 2017
Cardiac Rehabilitation
Water in the Lungs After Heart Surgery
My dad, a 77 year old, had an open heart bypassed surgery at the beginning of this year (8 months ago). He did the daily breathing excercise prescibed by his doctor and was feeling good for about 1 month after the surgery; but things stopped improving after that. He was diagnosed later with having excessive water (fluid) in the lungs. This weekend he is checking in the hospital for the third times to get the fluid drained. The first two times they drained liters of water each time. Please advise me on the following questions: 1/. This must be a rare case in open heart surgery recovery. Have you seen similar cases in the past and what are the causes? 2/. What would be your best advices for a remedy to this problem? 3/. We live in Southern California, I would like to know where can I seek the best help for this problem? I appreciate a recommendation or referral from you for a second opinion to this problem.
Best Regards.
Listed below is some general information about fluid in the lungs after surgery.
Postoperative pleural effusions (abnormal accumulation of fluid) are common in patients who undergo cardiac surgery. Most of these effusions develop as a consequence of the surgical procedure itself ("nonspecific pleural effusions") and follow a generally benign course. Most effusions represent nonspecific pleural effusions, and require only observation. On the other hand, symptomatic, large, or progressive pleural effusions require thoracentesis with pleural fluid analysis, and, in some instances, further evaluation with lung scan, echocardiography, and/or chest CT. Postoperative pleural effusions can also be caused by heart failure, pulmonary embolism, hemothorax, pneumonia, and other problems including mediastinitis, or chylothorax
Small, usually left-sided, pleural effusions are common in the early postoperative course following CABG procedures. One study of 47 patients noted that 89 percent had pleural effusions on the sixth postoperative day. A study of late effusions noted that 63 percent of patients had a pleural effusion at 30 days after a CABG, and 45 percent had an effusion after valve replacement surgery. In contrast to early nonspecific effusions, late effusion can be large, and ten percent of the patients in the series described above had an effusion that occupied more than 25 percent of a hemithorax.
Causes - Several potential causative factors have been suggested for early and late effusions, but their relative roles and importance have not been completely defined:
- Topical cardiac cooling with ice
- Surgical interruption of mediastinal lymphatic channels may interfere with drainage of pleural fluid
- Pleurotomy may contribute to the late onset of nonspecific post-cardiac surgery effusions
- Large (>25 percent of the hemothorax), bloody effusions probably result from bleeding into the pleural space
- Pericarditis
- Atelectasis
- Congestive heart failure
Only symptomatic pleural effusions, predominately right-sided effusions, or effusions larger than 25 percent of the hemithorax require thoracentesis for relief of symptoms or pursuit of alternate diagnoses. Although most effusions resolve spontaneously, 73 percent of patients with an IMA CABG and 29 percent with an SV CABG have persistent ultrasonographic evidence of pleural effusion 30 days after surgery, and effusions may take 2 to 20 months to clear completely. The large majority of these effusions are small and asymptomatic. Large, non-bloody effusions that persist with symptoms may require serial thoracenteses and oral NSAIDs. Prednisone may be indicated for patients who fail therapy, although no evidence of efficacy exists. Chest tube drainage or pleurodesis is rarely required; when necessary, thoracoscopy with pleurodesis appears to be effective.
Karen Kutoloski, DO
Assistant Professor of Medicine
School of Medicine
Case Western Reserve University


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