text:
AP Angela Gramlick plans to leave Tam
December 14, 2018
Assistant principal Angela Gramlick will leave Tam on December 21, the last day of the school semester, to accept a new job as principal at Ross Elementary School. The Tam community was notified of the decision in an email sent by principal J.C. Farr on Monday, December 10. "I think quite a few a...
Crackdown: Admin introduces new attendance policies
By Max Goldberg and Charlie Rosgen
December 14, 2018
In an effort to reduce student tardiness and establish a punctual culture at Tam, the administration introduced two new tardy policies in the final months of the first semester. The first initiative was announced on December 5 via the administrative newsletter. If a student is late to the same ...
Push For No HW Weekends
By Adam Tolson and Madeline Asch and Maddie Asch
November 15, 2017
Senior and leadership member T.K. Dahlke is working on a project to designate certain days or weekends on which teachers are not allowed to assign homework. Dahlke first had the idea for this policy towards the end of last school year, and began taking action in late August of this year. "I'm thin...
EDITORIAL: Change for the Better?
By Tam News Staff
October 2, 2014
Last year, College and Career Center specialist Susan Gertman retired, leaving a vacancy that was filled at the start of the 2014-15 school year. Less than two weeks into this year, however, Principal Julie Synyard sent an email to parents announcing that the position was once again vacant. As of press...
New APs Join Tam's Administration
By James Finn
September 12, 2014
The Tamalpais Union High School District hired two new assistant principals (APs), Leah Herrera and Wendy Stratton, at Tamalpais High School prior to the start of the 2014 -2015 school year. Assistant Principal Brian Lynch, who has served as one of Tam's APs since 2012, said that the admini...
Tam Hires Third Assistant Principal
By Nic Mosher
May 18, 2014
After conducting multiple interviews on May 9, Tam has chosen Leah Herrera for a newly created third assistant principal (AP) position. Herrera will start work on July 1. Herrera currently works at the Arise Charter School in Oakland. Her work has included being a math teacher, math department teacher...
Parent Workshops Explore Project-Based Learning and New Tech
By Sarah Asch & Tandis Shoushtary
May 1, 2014
The Tam administration held a series of parent workshops on the subject of New Tech and project-based learning, on April 22 and 24. During the workshops, Assistant Superintendent of Education Michael McDowell presented a comprehensive overview of project-based learning and how it related to the New Tech...
Pending Contract with New Tech Delayed
By Sarah Asch
April 24, 2014
In an email sent to parents on April 11, the Tam administration announced that its proposed contract with the New Tech Network, that would have gone into effect next school year, will be postponed until at least spring of 2015. New Tech is a professional development company that would give teachers who...
TUHSD Board Announces New Tam Principal
By Wesley Emblidge
March 28, 2013
Dr. Julie Synyard was introduced as the new principal of Tam for the 2013-2014 school year on March 27 at a Tamalpais Union High School District (TUHSD) board meeting held at Tam. Synyard's hiring follows the departure of Thomas Drescher, who suddenly resigned as principal on January 28. Interim principal Dr. Robert Vieth will continue to pre...
UPDATED: Drescher Resigns Early
By Emma Boczek, Sophia Ellingson & Chris Henn
January 28, 2013
UPDATE 2: On January 29 the interim principal to replace former Principal Drescher was announced to be former San Marin High School principal Bob Vieth. TUHSD Superintendent Laurie Kimbrel sent out an email to the Tam community saying that "Dr. Vieth comes to us with a wealth of teaching and leadership e...
Principal Thomas Drescher Announces Resignation
By Wesley Emblidge & Justin Schmidt
November 6, 2012
On November 6, current Tam principal Thomas Drescher announced that he will be resigning as of June 30, 2013. Drescher has been the principal at Tam for the past six years, but in the spring will be completing his doctorate for education and plans to continue further with his career. "I [have] had the...


text:
To directly quote some of our reviewers, "I don't like this" and "I'm struggling to find anything positive to say about this one." The keys aren't backlit, and although they are spaced far apart and easy to find by feel, the most common keys, such as for volume and for channels, are small and difficult to read.
This was the only universal remote we tested that failed our distance test. All other remotes we tested worked up to 21 feet away from the devices they were synced with, but not this one. The GE stopped working exactly 10 feet away, so we wouldn't recommend this remote if you have an overly large living room.
This remote does have some upsides. The GE pairs with eight devices, far more than some of the others we tested like the RCA RCRN04GZ 4-Device remote. This includes your TV, Blu-ray, DVD, VCR, DVR, cable, satellite, digital converter box and streaming services. Despite this impressive capability, we just couldn't get over the look and feel of the key placement on the face of the remote.
Programming is certainly easy. You simply press the setup button and then select the key you'd like to sync with your device, such as a Blu-ray player, TV, cable box or VCR. Then, as with most remotes, you type in a code corresponding to the brand of your device until finding one that works. The instructions recommend you write down the code for future reference so you don't have to repeat the process in the future. You can also use auto search, which requires similar steps but searches the codes for you so you don't have to type in each one. Either way, setup is a cinch.
The GE requires two AAA batteries and will automatically shut off if any key is held for 8 seconds or more, which is meant to save battery life. In their hands, though, our testers thought the GE felt too lightweight and flat, especially compared to the ergonomic Inteset 4-in-1. There was also a lag if, for instance, you turn the volume way up and then immediately turned it way down. Overall, this remote didn't impress us.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
The girl-band Wonder Girls has been picked as Koreans' favorite music group for the second straight year.
According to the Korea Gallup, the Wonder Girls received 22.2 percent of the votes in a public poll that was conducted three times from June to November on 4,330 people ages 13 to 59 nationwide. The Wonder Girls have produced two big hits this year — "So Hot" and "Nobody."
They were trailed by Big Bang (21.2 percent), Chang Yun-jung (9.9 percent), Girls' Generation (7.8 percent), Lee Hyo-ri (6.5 percent) and Tae Jin-ah (6.5 percent).
The song "Nobody" was picked as the most popular song of the year. It has obtained 35 percent of votes among teenagers and people in their 20s, with its overall approval ratings reaching 11.4 percent. It was followed by Big Bang's "Day By Day" (9.3 percent), the Wonder Girls' "So Hot" (5.5 percent), Lee Hyo-ri's "U-Go-Girl" (3.6 percent) and SG Wannabe's "La La La" (3.1 percent).


text:
"A stinging loss."
That is how Elon University men's basketball head coach Matt Matheny described Thursday's game as his team fell on their home hardwood for the first time this season, dropping an OT thriller to the defending conference champion University of North Carolina at Wilmington, 80-78.
The first half was one dominated by streaks. The Phoenix came out hot, scoring 13 of the game's first 17 points; however, UNCW utilized the three ball to storm back and take a 24-15 lead, all while riding a 20-2 run. The Seahawks carried a seven-point lead into the break, 46-39.
Unsurprisingly, it was a barrage of threes in the first twenty minutes of play. The Phoenix seem to live and die by the three-pointer this season, and the first half was no exception as the conference leaders in 3 point attempts put up 23 shots from beyond the arc, connecting on just nine of them.
"We like to shoot the three," Matheny said. "We took a lot of good looks. On paper it may look like we're taking too many … but I don't split hairs. If they're good looks and we recruit shooters and we've got good shooters on our team then we've got to live with that."
The game found its pace in the second half. Elon fought back, erasing the 7-point deficit. The Phoenix stifled the UNCW offense down the stretch, using an 11-0 run to take the lead with three and a half minutes left to play. But the Seahawks weren't going down without a fight.
"I thought we did some really good things particularly we were better in the second half but we just couldn't get over the hump at the end," Matheny said.
Elon found themselves down three with just a minute remaining in regulation. Junior forward Tyler Seibring brought the Alumni Gym crowd to their feet with a game tying triple with just 30 seconds left to play. After a UNCW layup and timeout, it was Seibring once again hitting a reverse layup to level the game with two ticks left on the clock.
A UNCW travel on the ensuing inbound gave Elon a chance to win in regulation. Elon turned to Seibring once again, but his floater would not go, and to overtime the game went.
In a pretty stagnant overtime, UNCW hit a late layup to beat the shot clock giving them a two point advantage and Elon the chance to take the last shot.
"It's exactly how we drew it up in the end" UNCW head coach C.B. McGrath said of redshirt-senior forward Marcus Bryan's game winner. "We ran a play that we always run."
Junior guard Sheldon Eberhardt was fouled, but was unable to convert either free throw.
"I thought it was a good shot" Eberhardt said. "It looked like it was going in. But after the miss you've just got to keep your head up and keep playing".
The story of the night for UNCW was their star, junior forward Devontae Cacok, the nation's leading rebounder. He showed why he holds that recognition once again, pounding the glass for 17 boards.
"He's strong – that's what he does," McGrath said. "He has an appetite the rebound. You can be really physical with him but you can't move him much."
"He's a big strong guy, a veteran who's been on some very talented teams," Matheny said. "At the end of the game Cacok showed what he's capable of doing and he got some big offensive rebounds."
Matheny, in his ninth season at the helm, has the Phoenix playing well.
"You feel like we're starting to play better," he said. "I really feel like we've played pretty well and I don't feel any differently now. It's not like we played really poorly. I feel like we're a good team that is playing well and just lost a close one."
The Phoenix will look to get back on track when they host in-conference rival College of Charleston on Saturday night, Jan. 13 at 7 p.m.


text:
Raleigh-Durham International Airport
Raleigh-Durham International Airport goes first class by standardizing with 32"–65" large-format NEC displays.
- Facility: Raleigh-Durham International Airport
- Location: Central North Carolina
- Challenge: Transition from CRT and static signage to dynamic digital signage
- Solution: 32" - 65" NEC LCDs
Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) is located in central North Carolina, home to the world-renowned Research Triangle Park and leading universities and medical facilities. Ten major airlines operate from the airport's two terminals and provide daily non-stop service to 36 domestic and international destinations. More than 100,000 tons of cargo passes through the airport each year.
In fall 2008, RDU opened the first phase of its newest terminal. Terminal 2 features 19 boarding gates, 26 shops and restaurants, and three international gates. The second phase of the terminal will open in winter 2011. When completed, the $570 million terminal will be nearly one million square feet. RDU's other passenger facility, Terminal 1, features 23 boarding gates and 24 shops and restaurants.
With more than 10 million passengers traveling through its gates in 2007, RDU needed communication tools capable of constant use. From advertising to flight information display systems (FIDS), RDU had an extensive list of requirements for its 5000-acre property. Additionally, its desire to standardize on displays across all areas of the airport meant that RDU needed a manufacturer capable of providing a broad offering of products at an affordable price.
Over recent years, RDU has become a high-traffic environment with more than 400 arrivals and departures each day. With this incredibly busy setting, every indoor public place of the airport required some sort of display solution. Traditionally, RDU used static signs to display wayfinding information or advertising and utilized CRT displays for its FIDS, gate area information and baggage claim area.
"The airport signage lacked uniformity and made it difficult for us to coordinate materials throughout the large space," said Mark Posner, deputy airport director of information services for RDU and primary decision maker for this project. "With a new advertising contract, we wanted to offer our clients the ability to advertise with vibrant, active signage."
The goal in this process was to standardize the displays and rid RDU of the multiple display brands being used. The airport needed a product family that provided reliability, energy efficiency and ease of use. Another requirement of the product was to exhibit similar design and cutting-edge technology appeal as the new terminal 2 building. In this 24/7 environment, failure to effectively display crucial information was not an option as displays posted time-critical data to travelers. With multitudes of areas to cover, including FIDS, marketing, visual paging, multiple access cable television (MATV), wayfinding, gate area displays with specific flight information, baggage claim and more, Posner wanted solutions that were easy to maintain and operate.
"A key requirement for our new display provider was a company that could provide a family of feature-rich displays incorporating a variety of sizes," said Posner. "We have an abundance of areas requiring displays, with a need for monitors as small as 32" and as large as a video wall with displays in a matrix configuration."
To find out which manufacturer could best fulfill RDU's needs, the Airport Authority coordinated an in-house demonstration in which RDU evaluated multiple vendors' products. The testing included technical analysis of the displays and incorporated situational testing to see how the displays would react in certain conditions.
After the evaluation period in October of 2007, NEC was selected as the new display standard at RDU. The award-winning MultiSync® 20 Series displays gave the airport what it was looking for. The displays' low failure rate combined with NEC's superior customer service support aided in its selection, as well as the displays' ability to adjust according to the various light conditions throughout the airport. After RDU completes installations in 2010, it will have purchased 50 65" MultiSync LCD6520 units, 150 57" LCD5710s, 150 46" LCD4620-AVTs and 40 32" LCD3210s. Being in the same family, these displays offer the same features and capabilities, allowing RDU the flexibility it needs to operate a multi-functioning digital signage system.
"I have found that NEC's products are easy to use and integrate," said Posner. "I really liked the look of the sleek, non-obtrusive quality of the thin bezel in the MultiSync 20 Series displays, especially when tiled together in a video wall matrix. It really catches your attention, and that is exactly what the airport needed."
RDU operates all screens from one central location, which enables its Information Services team to centrally monitor and manage the health and status of each individual screen. The airport is able to completely control all aspects of the signage, from power functionality to content management from a single location, on the Airport Authority's content management system.
"NEC offers the three things I value most: a low total cost of ownership, a standardized look and feel, and broad offering of a variety of products to fit our needs," said Posner. "Our switch to digital was made easier by all those I worked with at NEC."


text:
Cubicle Fugitive is a full-service marketing and web development company specializing in building marketing strategies that effectively convey brand recognition and client loyalty.
Read More
Terry Fox Research Institute Website and Logo Refresh
Lax O'Sullivan Lisus Gottlieb LLP Website
Institute of Law Clerks of Ontario Website
BD&J Ads
Dunnion Law Website
SV Law Logo
SV Law Website
Bergel Magence LLP Website
By: Kalvin MacLeod
The 7 Deadly Sins of Web Development There are two undisputable truths in this world: One, every business needs a website and two, everybody has, ...
While the next post is going to actually start fleshing out Cubicle Fugitive's process and outline where we're at with design and strategy, I thoug...
So how's this for transparency: I posted the original public execution blog post more than a month ago and asked that you stay tuned. Cue th...
p: 905.635.8067 | tf: 1.800.208.6529 e: email@example.com Privacy Policy


text: Kellie Haddock's story is tragic, inspiring, and, perhaps surprisingly, overwhelmingly joyous. Few people could come through such heartbreaking circumstances with half the amount of positivity she radiates. "The Thank You Project" isn't the only thing Haddock has on her plate, either. Haddock uses her seemingly boundless energy and eagerness to share her message through music. She sings and plays instruments, both in recordings and live concert. She has put on concerts at hospitals, conferences, homeless shelters, and more. She also shares her story of healing and moving forward at these events. Whatever she's doing, it's clear Haddock has a special message to share with the world.


text:
This is the technical support forum for WPML - the multilingual WordPress plugin.
Everyone can read, but only WPML clients can post here. WPML team is replying on the forum 6 days per week, 22 hours per day.
This topic contains 34 replies, has 5 voices.
Last updated by Sumit 2 years, 8 months ago.
Assigned support staff: Sumit.
|July 14, 2017 at 6:24 am #1319330
One of the striking theme users reported a issue and i was able to replicate this.
Since wp 4.8 the shortcode executed in the translated page is not calling the translated category anymore
I have one category for my custom post type "portfolio" called "gallery" the category is translated to "gallerij" for the dutch language. They both have 3 posts attached. Each for their own language.
I have this in my english page. [portfolio category="gallery"] calling the posts from the category gallery and it is showing 3 posts.
The page is duplicated into Dutch but the shortcode is the SAME. So the dutch page also has [portfolio category="gallery"] and NOT [portfolio category="gallerij"]. So the dutch page is calling the English category.
Now in wp 4.7.x this works perfectly and the dutch page shows the dutch portfolio items.
But the moment wp 4.8 is installed the dutch page is empty and i need to set the Dutch page with the shortcode to translated independently and change the shortcode manually to [portfolio category="gallerij"] so that it is calling the dutch category called "gallerij"
What changed in the wpml code? The striking Team did not change the theme code.
I tested this 3 x times now in a clean wp install on my local host and i get similar results all the time.
If i revert to wp 4.7 there is no issue. If i activate wp 4.8 the issue occurs and the translated page is empty not showing any portfolio items.
You can see it happen here (its one of the theme users and the one reporting the issue)
This is wp 4.8 hidden link
This is wp 4.7.4 hidden link
Note : i tested this in my local host and was able to reproduce the same issue over and over again by reverting back and forth to wp 4.7.4 and 4.8.
Note : the categories are synchronized !! There is no issue in using the settings wrong or whatever.
|July 14, 2017 at 7:05 am #1319355
similar thread found here https://wpml.org/forums/topic/taxonomy-translation-id-mismatch-in-wordpress-4-8/
This code fails in wp 4.8
if($cat != ''){ $query['tax_query'] = array( array( 'taxonomy' => 'portfolio_category', 'field' => 'slug', 'terms' => explode(',', $cat) ) ); }
|July 14, 2017 at 7:37 am #1319390
in wp 4.7.x this
$term_slug='gallery'; $term_data = get_term_by( 'slug', $term_slug, 'portfolio_category' ); $term_id = (int) $term_data->term_id; echo 'term-id :'.$term_id;
returns the id of the translated category in the translated page.
in wp 4.8 and above it returns 0 for that category in the translated page but the correct id in the page with primary original language.
So there are two faillures here.
The get_term_by fails but also the query fails... see previous reply. They both return nothing when wp 4.8 is used. $cat a list of category slugnames in the original default language
$query['tax_query'] = array( array( 'taxonomy' => 'portfolio_category', 'field' => 'slug', 'terms' => explode(',', $cat) ) ); $r = new WP_Query($query);
Pls provide a fix.
|July 14, 2017 at 8:44 am #1319449
Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español ) French (Français )
Timezone: Europe/Paris (GMT+02:00)
Hello Paul ,
Welcome to WPML support forum.
Thank you very much for bringing us this detailed report. Our developers our already aware of this situation, and as you can see both comes from the fact that get_term_by() function is returning false for slug in secondary languages.
If you check the query for $term in tax_query, you will see that it also uses the get_terms() as well:
switch ( $field ) { case 'slug' : $args['slug'] = $value; break; case 'name' : $args['name'] = $value; break; case 'term_taxonomy_id' : $args['term_taxonomy_id'] = $value; unset( $args[ 'taxonomy' ] ); break; default : return false; } $terms = get_terms( $args );
As temporary workaround, could you please use the ID instead of the slug for both cases?
Best regards,
|July 14, 2017 at 12:44 pm #1319681
Hi Andrés
I already tried to work around. But we have over 15.000 striking websites with already generated shortcodes that dont work. But even adjusting the shortcode execution and grab the id of the parent category in the translated page from the correct english category name does not work as it returns me a 0 on trying to get the id. Unless i am missing something i could not resolve the issue for the moment and have to advice people to use wp 4.7.x
But it would also mean that we have to release e intermediate theme update just to fix this issue.
Please keep me posted. Thanks for any suggestion.
Best regards,
|July 14, 2017 at 2:31 pm #1319786
Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español ) French (Français )
Timezone: Europe/Paris (GMT+02:00)
I'm sorry to hear that, Paul. Have you tried something like this?
<?php $term = get_term_by( 'id','id_number, 'category' );?>
On the other hand, if I understand correctly you are a theme author, am I right? Is your theme part of our Go Global Program? It it is not, I invite to join it, in that way you will have a direct channel with our devs:
|July 18, 2017 at 1:25 pm #1321936
Hi Andrés
We are already part of that..... 🙂 https://wpml.org/theme/striking-multiflex/
Any news or progress on this issue? ETA?
Looking forward to your reply.
|July 18, 2017 at 2:32 pm #1322000
Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español ) French (Français )
Timezone: Europe/Paris (GMT+02:00)
Hello Paul,
That's great, I have already informed our compatibility team about your situation. In the meantime, we just have published the following errata about this issue:
I'll keep you informed,
|July 18, 2017 at 2:49 pm #1322011
How does this solution work when you have a shortcode in a PAGE to build a portfolio list based on a selected category?
[portfolio cat="gallery"]
The moment i am in the translated page i get NULL
Is this caused by WP?
Best regards,
|July 18, 2017 at 2:56 pm #1322018
Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español ) French (Français )
Timezone: Europe/Paris (GMT+02:00)
I'm not familiar with the code of you theme but I guess you are passing the "gallery" parameter as slug or name. I think it would be better to contact our compatibility team as at this point I couldn't tell you how to bypass with situation, or wait for the evolution of this ticket.
I'll keep you informed.
|July 18, 2017 at 2:59 pm #1322024
Yes i am passing it as a slug. It could be a array when multiple categories are selected. That shortcode can be in a page, a post, a text widget, or a portfolio item itself.
It is a real problem.... thank you for any suggestion.
|July 20, 2017 at 8:42 am #1323401
FYI : To add to this we also use ajax filtering where we use the (translated) term name to trigger the filter. So it is really necessary that we have the correct term name and or are able to retrieve that. Anyway i took the time to post this on wordpress as the issue also occurs in other multilanguage plugins. https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/41373
|July 20, 2017 at 9:29 am #1323449
Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español ) French (Français )
Timezone: Europe/Paris (GMT+02:00)
Thank you very much, Paul.
I understand the importance of your problem, I have transmitted your core ticket immediately to our developpers.
I'll keep you informed.
|July 27, 2017 at 4:02 pm #1329059
|July 28, 2017 at 7:01 am #1329388
Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español ) French (Français )
Timezone: Europe/Paris (GMT+02:00)
Hello Pau,
I'm not able to reproduce your situation and it may not be related. Please, check that you have checked the following setting:
If this does not help, please create a new ticket. 🙂


text:
Road Trip!!! Destination: somewhere in Norway. I'm sat in the passenger seat ready for my co-pilot duties and there's nothing I love more than hanging my head out of the car window feeling the wind in my fur, the fresh air on my face and the…….. WOAHHH!!! That lorry went passed a little bit too... Continue Reading →
Captain Phoenix – a husky, a canoe and an all women crew.
I like to think of myself as an explorer dog (I haven't been given the Instagram name Phoenix_the_fearless for nothing). From a young age I would read books about the Iditarod and research my hero's like Balto and Laika, daydreaming that one day I will be like them. Luckily for me I have adventurous parents,... Continue Reading →
Stavanger, do you accommodate 4 legged tourists?
Since arriving in Norway we've visited Stavanger on a pawful of occasions. Mums needed to pop to this shop or drop a visiting family member at that place. What we hadn't done is take the trip together to immerse ourselves in the sounds, smells and sights of the city, and let me tell you there... Continue Reading →
Elgbu – a place we currently call home
Hey Friends! Its me again your favourite travelling husky. Last time we spoke my family and I had left England, taken a European road trip and arrived in Norway. That was around 6 weeks ago! I know, hard to believe its been that long right? Since arriving we've been non stop exploring; hiking, sightseeing, learning... Continue Reading →


text:
3 Warning Signs of an Electrical Problem in Your House
In the world of today, there is no doubt that one of the most important commodities is that of electricity. However, a lot of people take it for granted, and often live their lives without thinking about it, or the ways it can affect their homes. It is good to know that before anything big happens, these homeowners can watch out for the warning signs, so that they can get them dealt with before problems go out of hand. Here, then, is a list of some of the biggest signs that problems are at hand, and they need to get them fixed.
The first thing that people can do if they want to be sure that their homes are safe from electrical problems is to check the temperature of the outlets around it. If the outlet feels cool to the touch, this usually means that everything is fine and safe, and it will give one relief and peace of mind to enjoy. If the outlet is warm or hot to the touch, however, one should not ignore it, but get it checked immediately, as it could be a sign of faulty wiring that could lead to a fire.
Another big warning sign that homeowners should pay attention to if they want to keep their homes safe and comfortable is that of lights that suddenly begin to flicker. This problem is often not something that is dangerous, and it sometimes only means that some soldering is loose and simply needs to undergo some kind of adjustment. However, this does not mean that you can just ignore it, as it can grow and become unmanageable – if you notice this sign, the best thing you can do is to call an electrician to check up on it.
Last but not least, a powerful warning sign that something is terribly wrong with the electrical system at home is unpleasant and strange odors. If you turn on the lights in your home and are immediately hit by the smell of something burning and sour, you should not delay in calling an electrician, as this smell indicates the overheating of wires, which can soon lead to a household fire.
If you wish to gain more info. about this topic, which is talked about by a lot of people today, all that you need to do is to click here, and you can find so much more about tips and articles that will help you discover more.


text:
Center for Rural Affairs: A lot at stake in farm bill compromise
Release Date:
Anna Johnson, policy manager, firstname.lastname@example.com, 515.215.1294; or Rhea Landholm, brand marketing and communications manager, email@example.com, 402.687.2100 ext 1025
LYONS, NEBRASKA – This morning, news of a compromise among farm bill negotiators has Center for Rural Affairs Policy Manager Anna Johnson eager to see the results. She says there's a lot at stake for rural America.
"Farmers, ranchers, and rural communities deserve a strong farm bill that provides support for our farms, ranches, and rural communities," Johnson said. "Since the 2014 farm bill expired on Sept. 30, several conservation, beginning farmer, and rural economic vitality programs have been in limbo, and we eagerly await the details of a farm bill deal."
Johnson believes several programs and policies are essential for this outcome. She said:
- "A farm bill that closes loopholes in program payments and brings greater fairness to commodity programs would allow better use of taxpayer dollars.
- Programs such as the Conservation Stewardship Program offer farmers and ranchers a path to continue responsibly taking care of their land, and bring vitality to rural economies and communities.
- Finally, programs such as the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program and the Value-Added Producer Grants Program provide pathways for farmers to develop and grow their businesses."
"We hope that Congressional leadership has found a final farm bill deal that supports and funds these needed policies and programs," Johnson said.
- Posted on 1.3.2020
- Posted on 2.20.2020
- Posted on 2.25.2020
- Posted on 2.11.2020
- Posted on 3.5.2020


text:
Decluttering the home is an ideal New Year's resolution because most homeowners tend to accumulate clutter during the holiday season. Fortunately, many solutions exist for those wishing to keep clutter at bay. Following are 10 strategies designed to help you … Continued
Give the Gift of Self Storage
It can be hard to choose a gift for family and friends when you haven't seen them for awhile and don't know what they want or especially if they seem to already have everything they need. A non-traditional gift may … Continued
How to Keep Your Home Office Organized: 5 Tips
Papers, papers everywhere. Is that what your home office looks like? Do you wish it could be more tidy, with all your papers, supplies, and items put away? By developing a solid organization routine, your dream can come true. Even … Continued
December in Houston: Holiday Happenings
Houston is the best city in the United States, so it's no wonder we have some of the best holiday happenings around. Whether you're looking for great holiday festivals, plays, or concerts, we have it all right here in Houston. … Continued


text:
WATCH: Firefighters tackle 300sgm blaze in Waxham
PUBLISHED: 16:31 23 July 2018 | UPDATED: 17:20 23 July 2018
Rosie Blamey
Footage shows firefighters attempting to tackle a blaze that covered an area of 300sqm in Waxham.
The sweltering temperatures and lack of rain have been welcomed by most, but have seen fire services across East Anglia put under severe pressure.
The fire in Waxham on Saturday took crews more than three hours to extinguish.
Fire engines from Stalham, Martham and Great Yarmouth arrived at the scene at around 6.50pm, following a 999 call.
Crews used hoses to put out the large fire on the dunes.
It was reported locally that the fire was started by a disposable barbecue.
Paul Seaman, duty group manager of Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, expects the hard work to continue across the county this week with temperatures expected to remain high, even rising further.
He said: "We are anticipating being very busy and we'd urge people to be as vigilant as possible. If they see a fire, then report it to us as quickly as possible, so we can put it out as quickly as possible."
If you value what this story gives you, please consider supporting the Great Yarmouth Mercury. Click the link in the orange box below for details.


text:
This 2 story, 4 mattress, 5 bathtub, pool dwelling sits on a hundred and five TW of land and affords 313 Sqm of open flooring plan dwelling area. We want banks to finance builders, developers, and the average Joe to keep the real estate market healthy. To schedule a private displaying, which includes a dialogue of valuation, negotiation technique, and market tendencies, call Osman at 303.746.6896.
Actual property in America, single family homes, city properties and land in Chicago and suburbs. There are different ways of actual property financing: governmental and business sources and establishments. During the last decade, Kinlin Grover is a company with the biggest market share across the entire Cape, both in unit sales and dollar-quantity sales," Azarian noted.
At Residence with Range® certification allows REALTORS® to not only apply the multi-faceted abilities and instruments they realized within the course to enterprise practices, however conveys to purchasers they're dynamic real property professionals with expertise that transcends cultural limitations.
The valuations of secondary markets are right now trending at twenty 5 to thirty p.c reductions compared to main markets, which is why the secondary market is nice for bargaining. The info referring to real estate on this website …


text:
Warnings Edit
Al-Hayat statement Edit
Someone calling themselves "Islamic Jihad Movement - Change Wing" sent a warning to London's al-Hayat newspaper the day before the attack. [1]
Beirut warning Edit
Someone calling themselves "The Movement of Islamic Jihad" and "The Jihad Wing of the Arabian Peninsula" had faxed a warning to a newspaper in Beirut. Donaldson sources this information to a Newsday.com report of July 19, 1996, and to a Reuters report of the same day that calls this "the same group that claimed responsibility for" the November 1995 bombing in Riyadh. [1]
Christopher S. Carson describes this as "the same fax" sent to al-Hayat. [2]
Israeli warning Edit
Yediot Ahronot claimed that Mossad had warned the US to expect a "sabotage or hijacking" of an aircraft. [1]
Evidence of a boat-fired missile Edit
Eyewitness testimony points to "at least two distinct missile launch positions offshore." [3]
Missile test fire Edit
William Donaldson alleges that the FBI has video of a missile being test-fired from the water several days before the crash. [4]
We are going to get into some sensational stuff that was leaked to me ... to our investigation ... by military experts that were consulted by the FBI. And they are not happy ... these military experts are not happy about whats happened here. One of the things that happened immediately before the shootdown was that four days before the event, right on Long Island a fellow was up on his roof taking video shots. He had a brand new video camera and he captured a missile shot. It was done just after dawn and was out over the ocean. Now the FBI got that video and eventually took it to a military ... I can't say which unit ... but they viewed the video and to a man I'm told, including one that saw it, that it was a missile shot that was captured. They didn't see the bright plume going up because the guy had his back to the event and as he turned around he went "oh my God!" and takes a picture of the smoke trail that was left of this missile going up ... going out on the ocean near Long Island
Christopher S. Carson, citing an FBI 302 memo released to Raymond Lahr, reports that witnesses recorded a missile test fire on July 12. [2]
Witness to missile impact Edit
Donaldson describes a female witness who saw the missile from its launch through the time it hit the aircraft. [4]
The big one is one of the reasons that witness testimony is being held secret or top secret by the FBI is that according to our military informant they have a witness ... the FBI has got a witness who was close to the shootdown, obviously on a boat, who describes a missile going up burning under power for about six seconds, bright white exhaust plume. Then the motor went out, the missile coasted for a couple of seconds and she described it hitting the left wing root of the aircraft. OK. Now that's pretty sensational and it describes because of the timing .. that's why with these two new witnesses that we talked to earlier why I wanted them to say what they told me about the time they saw a missile in flight.
... My source is a ex military officer who is an expert in the field of anti-aircraft weapons and he was consulted ... now the way the FBI did this ... they would not allow any military investigator or expert to view or read the witness form. They only way that they could convey information was by voice ... in court later I guess somebody couldn't say "I saw that document and I know there is a witness". But the account was told explicitly.
Videotape of missile impact Edit
According to Jack Cashill, the newly launched MSNBC channel obtained and broadcast a videotape of a missile hitting TWA flight 800 before the tape was seized by federal police. [5]
Although I have not seen the July 17 video, I have heard from scores, if not hundreds, of credible people who swear they saw it on television in the first hours after the crash. Some have described it to me and other independent investigators in perfect detail.
MSNBC, launched just two days prior to the disaster, seemed to have won the bidding war for the rights to the July 17 video. I say "seemed" because my source will not speak on record, nor will MSNBC follow up on queries.
What I have been told, however, is that late on the night of the crash, editors at MSNBC had the tape on their monitors when "three men in suits" came to their editing suites, removed the tape, and threatened the editors with serious consequences if they ever revealed its contents.
The threats worked all too well. Despite my repeated requests, my source, who was one of the MSNBC editors in question, will not go public, and this video too has disappeared from the official record.
Satellite imagery Edit
Cashill: [6]
On July 22, 1996, the London Times went so far as to report "that the satellite pictures show an object racing up to the TWA jet, passing it, then changing course and smashing into it."
The Times cited an earlier New York Post report about the Brookhaven National Laboratory.
Ejector can recovery Edit
According to William Donaldson: [7]
In December 1996, FBI missile team members told military experts that two separate commercial fishermen dredged up and threw back a MANPADS first stage, the missile ejector-motor can. The ejector motor, about the size of a Coke can, fires in the tube, ejecting the missile, then drops in the water when the missile 2nd stage booster ignites... When FBI agents finally came aboard in November 1996 to begin trawling and brought pictures of three objects they were looking for, it was that point the crewman told them they were too late, he had already found and discarded an ejector can!
Donaldson alleges that "the Scallop boat, Alpha Omega found and discarded overboard the first stage of a shoulder fired missile in October of 1996" [8] and that "there is a significant body of evidence" that FBI agent Stephen Bongardt found such an ejector can during a dredging operation. [3]
Radar evidence and FBI dredging operations Edit
Donaldson: [8]
The Scallop boat, Alpha Omega found and discarded overboard the first stage of a shoulder fired missile in October of 1996 two miles from Flight 800's explosion point. This is near the spot where Islip radar recorded a boat traveling away from the exploding aircraft at 30 knots. Through questions submitted for us by this committee, we forced the FBI to admit that they failed to identify that boat.
When I ascertained that fact I was dealing with special agent Steve Bongart. He has since been ordered not to answer questions or have further contact.
Donaldson released an image of ISLIPdata showing the "Radius of FBI Dredging operation. Notice that more than half of the area of the dredge was not where the wreckage was tracked." [9]
Suspicious boats Edit
A "certain" witness Edit
Cashill: [5]
At about 7:30 PM on July 17th, 1996, the night of screams and death, a certain witness, later interviewed and found credible by the FBI, was on an excursion boat off Long Island. He couldn't help but notice a small boat zipping past, draped oddly with a thick plastic cover. Something was sticking out through the cover. It just happened to be a "cylindrical tube which appeared to be as big as the boat itself." At the helm of the boat was a man with dark hair and a mustache.
Quincy Gilliam Edit
Quincy Gilliam reported seeing suspicious activity from his private yacht Aphrodite: [10]
On 16 July, the day before the crash, "he observed a high-speed radar contact (estimated at 30 knots) pass close by on radar but was unable to see the ship. It was running without lights."
On 17 July, after the crash, Gilliam saw three 25-foot boats with "non-standard dim red bow and stern lights" following him towards Hampton Roads, Virginia.
The boats stayed in close proximity to each other almost as if tethered together and remained in position less than 200 ft. from "Aphrodite" for the next six hours... nothing changed until 0300, 18 July 1996 when Dr. Gilliam picked up a loud-and-clear plain language radio transmission from nearby stating, "I'm going to need a tow." When Dr. Gilliam responded on the same frequency, "Vessel needing assistance, this is the Aphrodite, can we be of help?" The three boat's light's disappeared.
The FBI expressed little interest in interviewing Gilliam, but "Dr. Gilliam was asked not to tell anyone else about his nocturnal encounter with the mystery boats." Later, Gilliam noticed that "the boat's deck log was missing from the box of navigation gear he had taken off the boat prior to its sale."
William Donaldson suggests the three boats may have been "Navy Special Warfare boats on a point defense picket line."
Iranian transportation claim Edit
Donaldson cites a Times of London report of August 25, 1995: [1]
Senior Iranian sources close to the fundamentalist regime in Tehran claimed this weekend that TWA flight 800 was shot down last month by one of three shoulder-fired Stingers of the type used by Islamic guerrillas during the Afghanistan war. The sources said the missiles arrived in America seven months ago after being shipped from Karachi via Rotterdam and on to the Canadian port of Halifax. They claimed an Egyptian fundamentalist group backed by Iran was responsible for smuggling the weapons across the Canadian border into the United States. The group, the Gama'a al-Islamiya, comprises followers of Sheik Omar Abdel-Rahman...
Counter-evidence Edit
Richard Bott concluded, repeatedly, that there was no sign of a missile impact, finding no evidence of fragmentation from an exploding warhead and no evidence of damage opposite any potential entry holes. This rebuts the Sanders theory of a missile piercing the fuselage, leaving fuel traces on the seats, and exiting the other side. [11]
Donaldson would cite Bott's report as evidence for a missile impact. [3]
Cover-up allegations Edit
Accusations against Clinton administration Edit
Numerous authors note that Bill Clinton was running for re-election at the time and would have an incentive to avoid the appearance of weakness.
FBI director Louis Freeh would accuse Sandy Berger of having led a cover-up of Iranian involvement in the Khobar Towers bombing of June 1996. [2]
Accusations against FBI Edit
William S. Donaldson alleges that FBI agent Steven Bongardt has been ordered not to have any contact with Donaldson. [8]
Accusations against NTSB Edit
In his 1999 testimony to Congress, William S. Donaldson accused NTSB chairman James Hall of orchestrating the arrests of journalists James and Elizabeth Sanders and flight inspector Terry Stacey, and ordering the arrest of flight inspector Linda Kuntz . [8]
This rabid behavior to GET Stacey and Sanders at any cost and make an example of them, with the arrest the week before NTSB's Public Hearing, was tailored for maximum intimidation and is in stark contrast to the Justice Department's indifference in the case of Chinese espionage... This didn't happen without the tacit approval of Chairman Hall. In fact, Mr. Hall wanted Linda Kuntz, another exceptionally talented and respected TWA crash investigator arrested after she pointed out NTSB employees were changing passenger seat location data to conform to NTSB's nonsense theory.
References Edit
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 William S. Donaldson, Terrorist Warnings before and after Flight 800, http://twa800.com/pages/alhayat.htm
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Christopher S. Carson, The Cunning Passageways of TWA Flight 800: An Unauthorized History, http://www.newenglishreview.org/Christopher_S._Carson/The_Cunning_Passageways_of_TWA_Flight_800:_An_Unauthorized_History/
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 William S. Donaldson, letter to James Hall, 2000 June 19, http://twa800.com/letters/hall-6-19-00.htm
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 William S. Donaldson, interview on Art Belll radio program, 1998 December 1, http://www.thehullthread.com/bell.htm
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Jack Cashill, TWA 800 FOIA Suit Yields Smoking Gun, 2007 August 30, World Net Daily, http://www.cashill.com/twa800/twa_foia.htm
- ↑ Jack Cashill, More on the missing TWA 800 imagery, 2007 September 20, World Net Daily, http://www.cashill.com/twa800/more_on_missing.htm
- ↑ William S. Donaldson, letter to Philip M. Condit and Gerald L. Gitner, 1999 April 5, http://twa800.com/sanders/ceo.htm
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 William S. Donaldson, testimony to House committee, 1999 May 6, http://twa800.com/hearing/hearing.htm
- ↑ William S. Donaldson, Radar Data Overhead View from 20:30 - 20:50, http://twa800.com/dredge/islip_radar_45.gif
- ↑ William S. Donaldson, Aphrodite's Encounter, 1998 November 8, http://twa800.com/report/exhibit36.htm
- ↑ Richard Bott, TWA Flight 800 Missile Impact Analysis, NAWCWPNS TM 8126, 1997 December, http://twa800.com/china/china.htm


text:
As an educator, I have worked with students at the margin and become even more aware of the special plight of young African American males as they are schooled, and the expectations that are set for them.
Some facts first. Most teachers are white. according to a new study by the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE). "More than 80 percent of the bachelor's degrees in education awarded during the 2009-10 school year were to non-Latino white students, according to Three-quarters went to women, and only 4.2 percent went to Latinos".
While there is a dearth of black male teachers, one curriculum "Mastering Our Cultural Identity: African American Male Image", is taught by Black males*. In Oakland, Calif., this is "a novel and ambitious initiative by the Oakland Unified School District is to rewrite the pernicious script of racial inequality, underachievement and lack of opportunity for African-American boys".
African American students in particular are disciplined or suspended at disproportionate rates
for reasons that include lack of teacher training (in classroom management or culturally
competent practices) and racial stereotypes only contributing further to disengagement and
later dropout from school.
The main cause of dropout*** among LGBT high school students "appears to be the hostile
school climate created by continual bullying and harassment from peers due to their sexual
orientation. Nearly 9 out of 10 LGBT students (86.2%) experienced harassment at school in
the past year, three-fifths (60.8%) felt unsafe at school because of their sexual orientation,
and about a third (32.7%) skipped a day of school in the past month due to feeling unsafe".
If you wish to view cameos of this subject visit the Twitter hashtag: https://twitter.com/hashtag/blackmindsmatter and see some of the latest thoughts on this.
I leave you with a quote from the activist Malcolm X: "Without education, you are not going anywhere in this world". That is doubly true for people of color.
* http://www.ousd.org/Page/13823
** http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/07/education/edlife/in-oakland-building-boys-into-men.html?ref=edlife&_r=0
*** http://www.apa.org/pi/families/resources/school-dropout-prevention.pdf
African American students in particular are disciplined or suspended at disproportionate rates
for reasons that include lack of teacher training (in classroom management or culturally
competent practices) and racial stereotypes only contributing further to disengagement and
later dropout from school
The full-credit elective, "Mastering Our Cultural Identity: African American Male Image" (commonly referred to as the Manhood Development Program), is now in the daily curriculum at 20 schools throughout the district, tailored to age appropriateness for third to 12th graders.
While lower grades focus on the stories, legacies and images of black people, high school students take a deep dive into African-American history and culture, from ancient civilizations to the civil rights movement to contemporary media. All classes are taught by black male instructors whose own experiences and perspectives provide a multidimensional understanding of the students they mentor (in Oakland, as elsewhere, more than half the teachers are white and most are women).
Manhood Development is the flagship program of the Office of African American Male Achievement, the country's first department within a public school district that specifically addresses the needs of its most vulnerable children: black boys, who have stubbornly remained at the bottom of nearly every academic indicator, including high school graduation rates in most states, according to the Schott Foundation for Public Education.
Begun unofficially five years ago, the office kicked into high gear in 2012. That is when the district signed an agreement with the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights to improve outcomes following an investigation into grossly disproportionate suspension rates of black males — 42 percent annually, though they made up only 17 percent of the school population. A majority were for "willful defiance," nonviolent infractions like texting in class or using profanity with a teacher.
"When black children do what children do, the system reacts more harshly," said Christopher P. Chatmon, the executive director of the Office of African American Male Achievement and its turbo-powered guiding force. "The No. 1 strategy to reduce discipline issues is engaged instruction." In Manhood Development, he added, "we're talking about how to elevate their game academically through the lens of brotherhood."
In a city with a legacy of black political activism — where the unarmed Oscar Grant was fatally shot by a police officer in 2009 at the Fruitvale BART station and #blacklivesmatter was germinated — the initiative begins with the premise that the words "black male" and "achievement" go together and that a college degree can be a part of their future. The philosophy might be encapsulated in a greeting scribbled on a whiteboard at Oakland High School: "Welcome Kings!" — the somewhat grandiose title a shorthand for holding oneself to a high standard and being responsible for others.
Think of it as #blackmindsmatter.
The mission of the Office of African American Male Achievement is to support all of Oakland's black male students, which it strives to do through a variety of initiatives, including peer mentoring, a student leadership council and conferences that bring together role models and students — a sort of uber school assembly that has the cacophonous energy of a revivalist meeting.
In addition, two Afrocentric core courses have just been introduced — in English language arts and history — that meet the strict prerequisites for the University of California. And a career academy is in the works at Oakland High called the Khepera Pathway, which will steep African-American male students in entrepreneurship, social innovation and civic engagement, with help from a $750,000 grant from Google.
While the programs are too young to be assessed, in the last two years chronic absenteeism and suspensions have dropped for black males in the district (come July, defiance will no longer be a suspension infraction). Last year, more than half the 52 students who started Manhood Development classes as freshmen — the first graduating class — headed off to college with scholarships from the local nonprofit East Bay College Fund.
Perhaps most encouraging is the African American Male Achievement's honor roll for black students, male and female, with grade-point averages of 3.0 or above — an accomplishment celebrated every year at a raucous event attended by thousands at a gospel church. The percentage of young men on the roll has risen from 16 percent to 25 percent over the past three years.
Each school day, Rahsaan Smith travels the city's vast economic, social and psychic divide, leaving the flatlands of East Oakland, synonymous with violence, for a middle school perched on a steep hill fragrant with eucalyptus. He is one of the few boys in Mr. Jennings's class with both a dad and a mom at home.
Compared to a white child born in the Oakland Hills, a black child born in East Oakland is 21 times as likely to be poor and a third as likely to be reading at grade level in the fourth grade, according to the Alameda County Public Health Department.
Students listening to Ernest Jenkins III in his Manhood Development class at Oakland High School. Credit Jim Wilson/The New York Times
In a survey of 250 boys in Manhood Development classes, Vajra Watson, director of research and policy for equity at the University of California, Davis, found that half of middle school students had seen someone shot; by 10th grade, two-thirds had.
More than anything, it is the deep relationships between instructors and students, many of whom grow up with no male figure at home, that hold the key to ending the soul-numbing disenfranchisement that so many young men experience at school. Teachers will often stop by to ask Manhood Development instructors for insights about particular students.
"You have to have your hand on their pulse," said Earnest Jenkins III, who teaches the class at Oakland High, one of the city's most diverse schools.
Mr. Jenkins has seen it all — "crack epidemic grandbabies," homeless students, the student who sells snacks at school as the family's only breadwinner, "the parent who tells her son to go out and sell this weed to pay the bills." And worst of all, "the trauma that nobody cares."
"You have to erase eight or nine years of low or no expectations," Mr. Jenkins said. "You have to make them un-believe what they've been taught to believe."
Shawn A. Ginwright, a professor of education in the Africana studies department at San Francisco State University, noted that in cities like Oakland, "what shows up in the classroom is often the disinvestment outside of it." Profound, meaningful relationships with teachers "help students develop a sense of agency," he said. "Young people are not going to school just to accumulate skill sets but also to broaden the vision for their lives."
That vision was nonexistent when Mr. Chatmon was in elementary school in South San Francisco in the early 1970s. The teachers "didn't know what to do with my spirited energy," he recalled. In third grade, he was deemed so disruptive that the teacher moved his desk into the coat closet for two months, frequently shutting the door. In high school, he was told he "didn't have what it takes to get into college" (he attended San Francisco State) and probably wouldn't graduate (he would go on to earn a master's degree in education from Brown).
He vowed that, one day, he would be the best teacher ever to boys like himself rather than being "undercut, demeaned and made to feel not smart."
Mr. Chatmon's background includes a stint as the principal of an alternative high school for formerly incarcerated and truant youth. The father of three sons, he radiates a sense of urgency beneath his signature Kangol caps. "Our role is not to say, 'I caught you,'" he said. "It's to ask, 'What is our moral imperative and how does it show up in the education of our children?'"
Lamar Hancock, an instructor at Oakland Technical, the city's highest-ranking public high school, tries to retrieve the spark hidden within recalcitrant young men. "I see students with passion burning in their brains whose parents are not academic," he said. "They're looking for some kind of influence."
He stands outside the door of Room 141, shaking hands with each student as he enters class — a soft handshake or a lack of eye contact is a tip-off to something awry.
"Some teachers don't take you seriously when you raise your hand," said Morris Jackson, a junior who is active in the Black Student Union and tutors at a local elementary school. "They think you're just another ghetto black." Not so in Mr. Hancock's class. "What drew me was the unity of African-American men," Morris said. "When we disagree, we disagree respectfully. Coming to this class makes you want to stay and do better."
A recent class discussion ricocheted from Marcus Garvey to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., James Brown and X-Men comics and a vocabulary lesson set to a jazz standard by Wayne Shorter. On "business excellence Thursdays," students dress the part.
Manhood Development students are typically an academic mix, including high achievers and those needing extra help. Some sign up for a class year after year; some move on and then come back.
Continue reading
Rickey Jackson, now a senior, almost failed his freshman year, burrowing into the school basement instead of attending class. At the time, his mother was in and out of the hospital with cancer. "I gave up, so to speak," he said.
Rickey and his siblings lived on their own, and when their mother died at age 57, Rickey called Mr. Hancock, who helped him make up nearly a year of school. He now has a 3.6 G.P.A. and recently went on an airplane for the first time to visit colleges. So far, he has gotten into six Historically Black Colleges and Universities, which reviewed his transcripts at a college fair and rendered an on-site decision. "My goal for Rickey was to hear the words 'I got accepted,' " Mr. Hancock said.
Manhood Development strives to create a scaffold of resilience with a flotilla of black male professionals and college advisers who mentor high school students. It also organizes field trips to local colleges and universities.
Once a week, fellows with the U.C. Berkeley Destination College Advising Corps advise the classes. A recent session for Mr. Hancock's juniors and seniors took creative license with "Jeopardy!"
One category: "Myths About Blacks in Education."
For $100: "There are more black men where than in prison?" Answer: College.
Work to elevate young African-American males is being done not just in Oakland but also in cities around the country. The Minneapolis Public Schools recently established its own Office of Black Male Student Achievement with a curriculum developed with the University of Minnesota. Last year, New York City, the nation's largest public school system, announced plans to hire 1,000 black, Latino and Asian male teachers (black men make up just 2 percent of the nation's teaching force).
Some of the most heralded models are all-boys schools. Among them: Urban Prep Academies, a Chicago charter school with an all-black student body that famously boasts a 100 percent college acceptance rate. The school day on its three campuses runs from 8:30 to 4:30, not counting time for required extracurriculars, and students wear jackets and ties. (It's not for everyone: The school loses about a third of enrollees.)
The District of Columbia Public Schools is working with Urban Prep's founder and C.E.O., Tim King, to develop a similar all-boys school as part of its $20 million Empowering Males of Color initiative. As in Oakland, the "secret sauce" is high expectations and paying close attention, Mr. King said.
While admiring these efforts, some educators see potential pitfalls. "They've done a lot to boost the self-esteem of these kids," said Pedro Noguera, a professor of education at the University of California, Los Angeles. But he added: "What you don't want is for the other teachers to say, 'I don't have to worry about these students because the other instructor is taking care of it.'" Dr. Noguera would like to see a rigorous evaluation of the program. Understanding components that seem to be working would be beneficial to other districts grappling with equity issues, he said.
Being embedded in a district also means students may still encounter what some researchers call "the soft bigotry of low expectations."
"There has to be a focus on the cultural competence of white female teachers who work with black boys," said Shaun R. Harper, a professor in the Graduate School of Education at the University of Pennsylvania. "There's not enough focus on, dare I say, remediating schoolteachers to effectively teach diverse students."
To Shawn Dove, head of the Campaign for Black Male Achievement, a national leadership network, the new programs are a result of America's unfinished business, centuries old. "When you start to shift the culture, climate and language of an entire school district, you begin seeing changes," he said. "But it takes time. It's not Jack-in-the-beanstalk work."
At Montera Middle School, Mr. Jennings encourages his students to set goals for themselves, whether it's straight A's or simply handing in their assignments on time. He frequently tells his students that "success is addicting" and enjoins them: "Speak loud and proud!"
He writes their names on the board when they do something positive, instead of the other way around. He watches his young charges change "not just academically, but their character — what they believe about themselves and what they want people to know about them."
Anthony Johnson, an Oakland Tech senior, recently won the Confidence Award at a national event for black men in Louisville, Ky. His goal is to be a pediatric nurse.
"This is proof that what they teach us is not a myth," he said. "We are the ones who are going to set the bar."


text:
Talk about first world problems! I love my clients as people. I love the projects. I love the missions. I love working on strategy. I love nonprofit technology.
In so many ways, my professional life is a dream. But it can also be very sad, because I'm always worried about becoming the consultant's version of the overly attached girlfriend. I end up loving my clients so much that I don't want to wrap up the project.
The truth is that I love being part of a team. I love working with the same people over time, having an office that is somewhere other than my home, and having an organizational affiliation. If someone hired me to be a full-time member of team, doing the work that I currently do, I'd be in heaven. But it currently seems that being an independent consultant is my best option for doing what I love.
I'm not wrapping up any projects at the moment, but of course I'm wrapping up the year. I want to pause and tell my past and current clients how much I love them. It really is a privilege to serve them. In my mind, they'll always be my clients, now matter how brief the project is or how long ago it was finished. I also want to tell them that my separation anxiety is my problem, not theirs!
But most of all, I want to wish them a beautiful new 2013 – a year of peace, joy, prosperity, health, justice, and fulfillment of all their goals.


text:
"I Believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. All the good from the Saviour of the world is communicated to us through this book."
~Abraham Lincoln
"It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible."
~George Washington
I wonder which of our candidates would agree with these honored presidents?
Just something to think about….
God bless!
Happy at Home


text:
No. Enc: 1
Alignment: Chaotic
Movement: 90' (30')
AC: 6 or by armor type
Attacks: 1 Weapon or by mutation
Damage: by weapon type or see below.
Save: L14
Morale: 8
Hoard Class: VI, VIII, X, XIII, always one artifact weapon and armor.
This mutant originated in the radioactive ruins of the Ukraine, near the site of the nuclear power plant Chernobyl. For many years wastelands scholars have speculated why so many mutant species seemed to have originated near this location, well before the final wars destroyed the Ancient's civilization.
Speculation among the scholars have led to the conclusion that the Russian scientists at that time used the catastrophic melt-down as cover to unleash and test genetically engineered creatures upon the land, to see how these twisted beings and life-forms would fair in the radiation bathed ruins.
Out of all the humanoid mutants that were said to have originated in this location, this particular mutant was greatly reviled and feared. These creatures have the same basic shape, size and weight of normal humans, but their heads are disproportionately large for their bodies, giving them a grotesque appearance. Both males and females are bald and have no sign of body hair. For the most part they are solitary, only occasionally coming together to mate and produce offspring. The females always take care of the children borne from these infrequent meetings. The females have the same gestation period as normal humans and the children reach sexual maturity around the same time as their un-mutated distant relatives.
It has been discovered that these creatures have an unusually powerful hatred for Pure Humans and Humans (see Wisdom from the Wastelands issue 4: New Races for more information). Scholars speculate that it is in effect a racial memory of the scientists and other Ancients that created them that has caused this hatred to fester for so many centuries.
For the most part they will leave Mutant Humans alone and unmolested, but if they discover that a Pure Human or Human has entered their territory, they will go out of their way to ensure that the trespasser never leaves alive.
These creatures will always attack from a hidden location, preferring to use their mental phantasm mutation to change the surroundings in order to lead the unwary into a trap. If this proves to be too difficult a task to accomplish, or if the victim has companions, then the mutant will use its powerful and modified version of possession to wreak utter havoc. The mutant is able to tell at a single glance which members of a party have the strongest Will Power and they will always target the weakest willed. They can control up to four individuals at one time and will use these people as puppets to attack their companions or anyone who managed to resist the control.
This version of possession is far more effective on creatures that are of very low Intelligence or Will Power. The will often use local mutants such as Pripyat Rodents to attack interlopers. They can control up to


text:
- The title of this article contains the character ß. Where it is unavailable or not desired, the name may be represented as Diplomatic missions of Grossgermania.
Großgermania currently maintains forty-six embassies and other diplomatic missions in various nations around the world. Despite the large number of missions maintained by Germany and the other states that merged to form Großgermania in 2008, international instability and the emergence of numerous new nations on the international scene, specifically following the decline of the United States of America, saw Germany's international representation decline dramatically.
The Treaty of Kraków, signed between Russia, the European Union, and the Association of Germanic States, which paved the way for the formation of Großgermania, forced the closure of all of the missions of the predecessor states of Großgermania. Although several of them reopened shortly afterwards as embassies of the Imperial Government of Großgermania, the nation's diplomatic position has never fully recovered.
This article lists the diplomatic missions of Großgermania around the world, organized alphabetically by continent.
|This article contains special characters. Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols.
|Land of Egypt
|Capital: Alexandria
Land of EgyptEdit
- Conventional Short Form: Egypt
- Conventional Long Form: Land of Egypt
- Official Name: أرض مصر (ar), ⲔⲁⳉⲢⲉⲙ̀ⲛⲭⲏⲙⲓ (cop), אֶרֶץ מצרים (he)
- Location of Mission: Alexandria
- Mission type: Embassy
- Großgermanian Representative: Klaus Schönnebrun
Perhaps the world's first truly antisecular state, the Land of Egypt was formed following the collapse of the Arab Republic of Egypt following the annexation of the Western portion of the country into Italian North Africa in February 2008. While greatly incorporating religion into the country's politics, Egypt is not a theocracy; rather, it is a confederation of four religious-based communities: Egyptian Muslims, accounting for approximately 80% of the population; Copts (approximately 20%), as well as minority Bahá'í and Jewish populations. The country is ruled by a tetrarchy from Alexandria. Relations between Egypt and Großgermania began with an exchanging of ambassadors in Cairo on 5 May 2010. The Großgermanian ambassador to Egypt is Klaus Schönnebrun.
|Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic
|Capital: El Aaiún
Sahrawi Arab Democratic RepublicEdit
- Conventional Short Form: Western Sahara
- Conventional Long Form: Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic
- Official Name: الجمهورية العربية الصحراوية الديمقراطية (ar)
- Location of Mission: El Aaiún
- Mission type: High Commission
- Großgermanian Representative: Michael Arbogast
The last colonial state of Africa, Western Sahara was for nearly thirty-five years occupied by Morocco. Although independence was initially proclaimed in 1976, the territory was for decades held by Morocco, who claimed the territory as its own. Full independence from Morocco was only recognized by the United Nations in February 2009. Großgermania immediately moved to recognize the state, and opened a high Commission in the capital, El Aaiún. Negotiations have taken place between the two nations to upgrade the facility to an embassy, but nothing has yet been finalized. The Großgermanian representative to Western Sahara is Michael Arbogast.
Asia Edit
|Arabian Federation
|Capital: Riyadh
Arabian FederationEdit
- Conventional Short Form: Arabia
- Conventional Long Form: Arabian Federation
- Official Name: الاتحاد العربي (ar)
- Location of Mission: Riyadh
- Mission type: Consulate
- Großgermanian Representative: Conrad Drescher
Although largely considered by the international community to be a client state of Italy, the Arabian Federation maintains normal diplomatic relations with Großgermania, one of only three states which do so (the others being Finland and Italy itself). Großgermania maintains an embassy in Riyadh, the nation's capital, where Conrad Drescher serves as ambassador. The Federation of Arabia does not maintain any diplomatic presence in Großgermania.
|Kingdom of Bahrain
|Capital: Manama
Kingdom of BahrainEdit
- Conventional Short Form: Bahrain
- Conventional Long Form: Kingdom of Bahrain
- Official Name: مملكة البحرين (ar)
- Location of Mission: Manama
- Mission type: Embassy
- Großgermanian Representative: Walter Möller
Relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain, a small island kingdom in the Persian Gulf, and Großgermania have been strong since the establishment of a Bahraini embassy in Großgermania shortly after the Unification of Germania in December 2008. Großgermania has subsequently opened an embassy in Manama, and has began negotiations for establishment of a naval base within Bahraini waters, though nothing has been confirmed by either state regarding this.
|Kingdom of Bhutan
|Capital: Thimphu
Kingdom of BhutanEdit
- Conventional Short Form: Bhutan
- Conventional Long Form: Kingdom of Bhutan
- Official Name: འབྲུག་ཡུལ་ (dz)
- Location of Mission: Thimphu
- Mission type: Embassy
- Großgermanian Representative: Walter Gehrer
The Kingdom of Bhutan has, despite its remoteness and overall international obscurity, played a large role in Großgermanian government policy. Relations between the two countries began when Großgermania opened an embassy in Thimphu, the capital, in September 2009. Shortly thereafter, a meeting was held outside Thimphu between the countries' monarchs. During the meeting, details of Bhutan's national ideology of gross national happiness were discussed, leading to Emperor Michael von Preußen's declaration of a happiness-based economy.
|Islamic Republic of Iran
|Capital: Tehran
Islamic Republic of IranEdit
- Conventional Short Form: Iran
- Conventional Long Form: Islamic Republic of Iran
- Official Name: جمهوری اسلامی ایران (fa)
- Location of Mission: Tehran
- Mission type: Embassy
- Großgermanian Representative: Adaleiz Tabrizi
Großgermanian relations with Iran have been strong since its formation, in large part due to strained relations between Großgermania and the State of Israel, though many political analysts see the cause-and-effect situation to be reversed. Großgermania exchanged ambassadors with Iran in January 2009 at a ceremony held in Tehran, where Großgermania's embassy to Iran is located. A German-Iranian politician, Sahra Wagenknecht, was named Großgermanian Minister of the Treasury in January 2009. Großgermania's ambassador to Iran is Adaleiz Tabrizi, a German-Iranian professor who had previously taught at the University of Tehran. Tabrizi is the only woman to occupy a Großgermanian ambassadorial post.
|Greater Japanese Empire
|Capital: Kyoto
Greater Japanese EmpireEdit
- Conventional Short Form: Japan
- Conventional Long Form: Greater Japanese Empire
- Official Name: 大日本帝國 (ja)
- Location of Mission: Kyoto
- Mission type: Embassy
- Großgermanian Representative: Wilhelm V. Solf
Relations between Großgermania and the Greater Japanese Empire began on 7 September 2009 when Großgermania established an embassy in Kyoto, the new Japanese capital. Following this, Großgermania signed onto a mutual defense agreement that had previously been established between Japan and several other nations, notably the Republic of Jerna. Japan has since opened an embassy in Nordhausen. The current Großgermanian ambassador to Japan is Wilhelm V. Solf, the great-grandson of the German ambassador to Japan during the Second World War.
|Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
|Capital: Amman
Hashemite Kingdom of JordanEdit
- Conventional Short Form: Jordan
- Conventional Long Form: Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
- Official Name: المملكة الأردنية الهاشميه (ar)
- Location of Mission: Amman
- Mission type: High Commission
- Großgermanian Representative: Klaus Shönberg
Relations between Großgermania and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan began on 2 May 2009 with the appointment of Klaus Shönberg as the Großgermanian ambassador to Jordan and the announcement that Großgermania would be opening an embassy in Amman. Israel, with whom Jordan has maintained normal relations since 1994, protested the move, and, to appease its neighbor, the Jordanian government refused the request for a diplomatic permit to open an embassy. The post was then downgraded to that of a high commission, and, despite Israeli protests, Jordan granted a permit for the opening.
|Lebanese Republic
|Capital: Beirut
Lebanese RepublicEdit
- Conventional Short Form: Lebanon
- Conventional Long Form: Lebanese Republic
- Official Names: اَلْجُمْهُورِيَّة اَللُّبْنَانِيَّة (ar), République Libanaise (fr)
- Location of Mission: Beirut
- Mission type: Embassy
- Großgermanian Representative: Martin Schicklgruber
Lebanese–Großgermanian relations have, despite negative influence from Israel, been extremely strong since Großgermania's foundation. Lebanon was the first country to open an embassy in Großgermania, doing so only a week after the declaration of Großgermania's unification. Soon after, Großgermania reciprocated the move, opening an embassy in Beirut. Alsace-Lorraine, as a constituent country of Großgermania, participated in the 2009 Jeux de la Francophonie which were held in Beirut. The Großgermanian ambassador to Lebanon is Martin Schicklgruber.
|State of Palestine
|Capital: East Jerusalem
Ramallah, Gaza
State of PalestineEdit
- Conventional Short Form: Palestine
- Conventional Long Form: State of Palestine
- Official Name: ولة فلسطين (ar)
- Location of Mission: Gaza
- Mission type: High Commission
- Großgermanian Representative: Tönjes Hoekstra
Although the State of Palestine exists primarily under Israeli occupation, it is recognized as a sovereign state by the Imperial Government of Großgermania. Per the results of the 2006 Palestinian legislative election, Großgermania recognizes Hamas, and its political appointments, as the sole legitimate government of Palestine. Since April 2010, this recognition has been mutually exclusive with any possible future recognition of Israel, as an Imperial decree of 20 April recognized the State of Palestine as the sole legal successor state to those areas of the British Mandate of Palestine west of the River Jordan. Großgermania maintains a high commission in Gaza, the de facto capital of the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.
|Syrian Arab Republic
|Capital: Damascus
Syrian Arab RepublicEdit
- Conventional Short Form: Syria
- Conventional Long Form: Syrian Arab Republic
- Official Name: الجمهورية العربية السورية (ar)
- Location of Mission: Damascus
- Mission type: Permanent Mission
- Großgermanian Representative: Emmerich Zimmerman
In a symbolic move to promote the strengthening of Lebanese–Syrian relations, Großgermania opened a permanent mission in Damascus, Syria on the same day as it opened its embassy in Lebanon. As with Iran, Syrian–Germanian relations have been strengthened by Israel's unwillingness to accept Großgermania's sovereignty. The Großgermanian representative to Syria is Emmerich Zimmerman.
|Tamil Eelam
|Capital: Trincomalee
Tamil EelamEdit
- Conventional Short Form: None
- Conventional Long Form: Tamil Eelam
- Official Name: தமிழீழம் (ta)
- Location of Mission: Trincomalee
- Mission type: Embassy
- Großgermanian Representative: Aadalazhagan Pragasapuramam
Relations between Großgermania and Tamil Eelam began on 29 December 2008 when Emperor Michael von Preußen issued an Imperial Decree recognizing the sovereignty and independence of the state from Sri Lanka, decrying the government of the latter as a terrorist entity and calling for the United Nations to pursue charges of genocide against the Government of Sri Lanka for the atrocities committed against the Tamil people. Großgermania subsequently opened an embassy in Trincomalee, the Tamil capital, and appointed a native, Aadalazhagan Pragasapuramam, as ambassador. Großgermania has has also donated millions of reichsmark in military equipment and civil aid to the Tamil government to help bolster their defenses against Sinhalese aggression, and has offered unconditional refugee status to any Tamils who wish to relocate to Großgermania.
Europe Edit
|Baltic Duchy
|Capital: Riga
Baltic DuchyEdit
- Conventional Short Form: Baltica
- Conventional Long Form: Baltic Duchy
- Official Names: Balti Hertsogiriik (et), Baltijas Hercogiste (lv), Baltijos Kunigaikštystė (lt)
- Location of Mission: Riga
- Mission type: Embassy
- Großgermanian Representative: Sebastian von Pilchau
Bordering Großgermania to the east, the Baltic Duchy serves as a buffer state between Großgermania and Russia. Großgermania exchanged ambassadors with Baltica in February 2009, opening an embassy in Riga and appointing Sebastian von Pilchau as ambassador. During the Russo-Germanian War, Baltica gave permission for the crossing of Großgermanian troops loyal to Michael von Preußen through its territory, but it was deemed unnecessary due to a secret treaty between Poland and Russia that allowed crossing of troops through Poland instead.
|Republic of Finland
|Capital: Helsinki
Republic of FinlandEdit
- Conventional Short Form: Finland
- Conventional Long Form: Republic of Finland
- Official Name: Suomen Tasavalta (fi)
- Location of Mission: Helsinki
- Mission type: Embassy
- Großgermanian Representative: Ägidius Abplanalp
The Republic of Finland and Großgermania have maintained strong relations since Großgermania opened an embassy in Helsinki. A fascist nation, relations were strained under Alexandra von Nassau's left-wing government, however, they were restored following the Russo-Germanian War, which Finland provided naval support in. The Großgermanian ambassador to Finland is Ägidius Abplanalp.
|Free Hellenic Republic
|Capital: Thessalonika
Free Hellenic RepublicEdit
- Conventional Short Form: Free Greece
- Conventional Long Form: Free Hellenic Republic
- Official Name: Δωρεάν Ελληνική Δημοκρατία (el)
- Location of Mission: Thessalonika
- Mission type: Embassy
- Großgermanian Representative: Sigmund van der Hague
Relations between the Free Hellenic Republic and Großgermania began in early 2009 when Greece was granted independence from Demokratikos after a bitter struggle. In order to help secure their fragile economy, the Greek parliament passed the Debt Bondage Bill, effectively legalizing slavery. After failed negotiations with the Greek government and with the government of Italy, an ally of Greece, Großgermania instituted a full economic embargo against Greece. This move was largely seen as not being forceful enough for the situation by the Reichstag, creating tension between that body and the Emperor that eventually led to a coup d'état against the Emperor in May 2009. The Großgermanian ambassador to Free Greece is Sigmund van der Hague.
|Eyríki Jökulmær
|Capital: Reykjavík
Eyríki JökulmærEdit
- Conventional Short Form: Iceland
- Conventional Long Form: Island Realm of the Glacial Maiden
- Official Name: Eyríki Jökulmær (is)
- Location of Mission: Reykjavík
- Mission type: Embassy
- Großgermanian Representative: Detlef Rittershausen
Iceland was among the first nations outside of continental Europe where Großgermania opened an embassy, due in large part to its strategic importance in the mid-Atlantic. Its capital, Reykjavik, is a major hub of Germanialuft, Großgermania's flag carrier airline. Following the overthrow of the Republic of Iceland in January 2009, a monarchical government was formed with economic policies similar to those of National Unionism used in Großgermania. The Großgermanian ambassador to Iceland is Detlef Rittershausen.
|Republic of Ireland
|Capital: Dublin
Republic of IrelandEdit
- Conventional Short Form: Ireland
- Conventional Long Form: Republic of Ireland
- Alternate Official Name: Poblacht na hÉireann (ga)
- Locations of Mission: Dublin
- Mission type: Embassy
- Großgermanian Representative: Klaus Hartmann
Following the breakup of the United Kingdom in early 2008, the countries of Ireland and Northern Ireland officially merged to form the Republic of Ireland. Existing under a socialist economic system, the country exchanged ambassadors with Großgermania in March 2009, shortly before the signing of the Derry Accords, establishing protection of the fledgling Irish state from external aggression (specifically from Great Britain) in exchange for its adoption of democratic political reforms. The Großgermanian ambassador to Ireland is Klaus Hartmann.
|Colonial Empire of the
Italian Peninsula
|Capital: Rome
Colonial Empire of the Italian PeninsulaEdit
- Conventional Short Form: Italy
- Conventional Long Form: Colonial Empire of the Italian Peninsula
- Official Name: Coloniale Impero del Italiano Penisola (it)
- Locations of Missions: Rome, Tripoli, Addis Ababa
- Mission types: Embassy (Rome), Consulates (Tripoli and Addis Ababa)
- Großgermanian Representatives: Martin von Habenhausen (Rome), Adelinda Duerr (Tripoli), Emil Gottlieb (Addis Ababa)
Sharing Großgermania's longest border, Italy restored its monarchal government shortly before the formation of Großgermania. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Elia Giordani, the Italian Republic underwent a series of territorial expansions in the early 2000s, resuming control of the Adriatic Sea and establishing colonies in Africa. Relations between Großgermania and Italy, initially tense due to perceived communistic tendencies in the Großgermanian government, soon warmed when Großgermania joined the Council of European Fascists and attended their annual meeting in Madrid. During the coup d'état in May 2009, Rome served as the seat of Michael von Preußen's government-in-exile. After supporting Michael von Preußen's return to power, Italy opened an embassy in Nordhausen. Großgermania maintains an embassy and two consulates in Italy, with its primary ambassador being Martin von Habenhausen.
North America Edit
|Federation of Disparu
|Capital: Férin
Federation of DisparuEdit
- See also: Disparu–Großgermania relations
- Conventional Short Form: Disparu
- Conventional Long Form: Federation of Disparu
- Alternate Official Names: Fédération du Disparu (fr)
- Location of Mission: Férin
- Mission type: Embassy
- Großgermanian Representative: Wilhelm Mitchell
One of the few countries in recent years to form within the constitutional framework of a liberal democracy, Disparu and Großgermania exchanged ambassadors via a Disparuean government program on 28 August 2009. Although the two nations have followed vastly different domestic and foreign agendas, Disparu and Großgermania have maintained cordial relations, with Disparu currently being the only power recognized in the former territory of Canada (though Großgermania had previously recognized American claims to the southern Maritimes, Disparu has since annexed these territories as the department of the Gaspésie). Disparu was one of the first nations to ratify the Berlin Treaty, an environmental protection measure endorsed by the Imperial Government of Großgermania. Großgermanian cooperative Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug e.G. sold numerous military aircraft to the Disparuean Forces in early May 2010. Following Disparuean withdrawal from Labrador in June 2010, Großgermania acknowledged the loss of Disparuean sovereignty over the territory. Despite this, Großgermania did not open diplomatic relations with the newly-established Republic of Labrador occupying that territory. Maintaining an embassy at 7 rue Eszett, Férin, the Großgermanian ambassador to Disparu is Wilhelm Mitchell.
|Principality of Tartupaluk
|Capital: Suursaq
Principality of TartupalukEdit
- Conventional Short Form: Tartupaluk
- Conventional Long Form: Principality of Tartupaluk
- Alternate Official Names: ᑕᕐᑐᐸᓗᒃᒥ ᕕᕐᔅᑎᕹᕻᕕᒃ (iu)
- Location of Mission: Suursaq
- Mission type: Permanent Representation
- Großgermanian Representative: Johannes von Petersdorff
Großgermania established diplomatic relations with the Principality of Tartupaluk in August 2009, shortly after the foundation of Suursaq. Although Tartupaluk had declared sovereignty on 13 August 2006, its sustainability and independence was only ensured with the 2009 collapse of Canada. Denmark, the only other state to claim the Principality's territory, renounced extra-European claims when it became a constituent country of Großgermania in 2008. Due to land use constraints, the Government of Tartupaluk does not entertain foreign embassies on its soil. Großgermania employs a Tartupalummiut citizen living in Suursaq, Johannes von Petersdorff, as Großgermanian Permanent Representative to Tartupaluk.
Oceania Edit
|People's Democratic
Republic of Jerna
|Capital: Jerna City
People's Democratic Republic of JernaEdit
- Conventional Short Form: Jerna
- Conventional Long Form: People's Democratic Republic of Jerna
- Location of Mission: Jerna City
- Mission type: Consulate
- Großgermanian Representative: Ursula Van Praagh
Following the country's April 2009 elections, the Republic of Jerna established an embassy in Nordhausen, establishing Jernan diplomatic recognition of Großgermania. Relations between the two countries began strong, and grew in strength with Großgermanian involvement in the Jernan Civil War, declaring war on the Jernan Military Junta on 18 April. Following Großgermanian success in the campaign, with the 12 May capture of Jerna City, Großgermania opened a consulate in the Jernan capital, with Ursula Van Praagh appointed the Großgermanian representative to the Republic of Jerna.


text:
FB Mondial 250 Bialbero
When Mondial decided to retire the 125 two-shaft model that
had dominated racing during the years between 1948 and 1952, there was a
replacement waiting in the wings. The new Mondial 125 showed its derivation from
the old model. It was not that the old 125 had been outclassed by the MV Agusta
but that the resources of its engine had been poorly tapped, leaving much of its
potentiality undeveloped.
Mondial's designers and technicians concentrated on details.
The new engine that they came up with looked quite different from the old one,
but it had the same displacement (with the same bore and stroke), two-shaft
overhead bevel gear distribution, and only slightly more power—17 h.p. instead
of 15 h.p. The crankcase was different and now held the lubricating oil. The
chassis had been redesigned and now had front and rear telescopic suspension in
place of the front and rear elastic suspension that had been used on the older
The new Mondial 125 two-shaft also had a new rider in its
saddle. Tarquinio Provini replaced Carlo Ubbiali, who had switched to MV Agusta.
The new motorcycle won several races in 1954, and in 1955 it won the Italian
championship. There were epic duels that year between the Mondial and Agusta
companies in the world championship. The Mondial got better and better but
failed to win the championship despite its valiant efforts.
The engine of the Mondial 125 had not been sufficiently
modified. While it had enough horsepower it did not utilize the power well. The
problem was to get more out of the engine instead of trying to find another one
that might not be as reliable. A five-speed transmission had been installed, and
the overall fairing made the Mondial 125 look more like a record racer than a
Grand Prix racer.
In 1957 Provini, a fierce rival of Ubbiali, had a Mondial 125 that represented a
final synthesis of all the company's experiments with the engine since 1948. Now
the MV Agusta and the Mondial were on a par with one another. It was all up to
the riders.
Ubbiali won the first championship race that season. Provini
won the second, third, and fourth races of the season. Taveri, riding an MV, won
the fifth race, and Ubbiali came back at Monza to win the sixth and final race
of the championship. Mondial had won three and Agusta had won three. The
championship was given to Mondial in 1957 because its better placings in the
races it lost carried sufficient weight to break the tie in that company's
While the 125 was being developed, Mondial was also working on
a 250 model. After the 125's success in the 1955 Italian championship, the
Mondial people built a larger version of that model. But they immediately put
into the works a 250 two-cylinder, with two 125 engines. This solution provided
35 h.p. at 10,000 r.p.m. But the motorcycle was a failure. It weighed over 300
Mondial returned to the single-cylinder formula, this time with full
displacement. The new motorcycle that resulted looked like Provini's 125 on the
outside, but the engine was quite different. The bore-stroke ratio reflected a
very flat engine, and the two-shaft overhead distribution had gears instead of
the bevel gear shaft.
In 1957 the Mondial 250 single-cylinder was raced by Provini
and Ceyl Sandford. It was Sandford who rode the 250 to win his second world
championship. (He had won his first world championship in 1952 in the 125 class,
riding an MV Agusta.)
Motorcycle: Mondial 250 Manufacturer: F. B. Mondial, Milan
Type: Racing Year: 1957
Engine: Mondial single-cylinder, four-stroke, with two-shaft overhead geared
distribution. Displacement 249.1 cc. (75 mm. x 56.4 mm.)
Cooling: Air
Transmission: Five-speed, six-speed, or seven-speed block
Power: 29 h.p. at 10,800 r.p.m.
Maximum speed: Over 135 m.p.h. (with full fairing)
Chassis: Double cradle, continuous, tubular. Front and rear, telescopic
Brakes: Front, central drum, double cam; rear, central drum


text:
Surgical Technology for the Surgical Technologist: A Positive Care Approach
- Binding: Hardcover
- Author: Association of Surgical Technologists
- Publish Date: 2012-12-19
Welcome to the leading text in surgical technology - the most up-to-date, the most trusted, and the most comprehensive.SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY FOR THE SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST: A POSITIVE CARE APPROACH, Fourth Edition is your trusted source for comprehensive foundational surgical technology information. This streamlined new edition gets right to the essential topics such as equipment and supplies, operative preparation, practical and technical considerations, and postoperative considerations. With updated real-life scenarios, medical artwork, live surgery images, and numerous tools to support learning, this text is the ultimate resource for helping you anticipate the patient's and surgeon's needs before, during, and after a surgical procedure. Full coverage of essential procedures , this text provides you with the information needed to successfully apply the guidelines found in the Sixth Edition Core Curriculum for Surgical Technology, published by the Association of Surgical Technologists.


text:
Jacó Happenings
Kathleen Kidwell from the Centro Prenatal nonprofit educational and crisis pregnancy center for women in Tarcoles needs donations of anything babies use. Greatly appreciated are gently used baby clothes, toys, baby slings and baby backpacks, car seats, baby cribs and furniture. We also appreciate new clothing, bottles, diapers, pacifiers, thermometers and medications.
All donations will receive a tax deduction certificate upon request and they will pick up any donations. Please call Kathleen at 8426-4937 if you would like to assist.
Friday May 24, the Funky Fresh Trio of Josh Quinlan, Patrick McDevitt and Alejandro Castano will be joined by the Cuban Saxophonist in a performance of Jazz Funk at Teatro Jacó at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $15. Later in the month, the Spanish version of "Las Heridas Del Vento" will be at Jacó's Ttheater at 8 p.m. on May 31, June 1 and June 2. The play stars Leonardo Perucci and Arturo Campos. The play tells the story of David, a young man who seeks the true story of his father after he finds some love letters addressed to him. $10 general admission, $20 VIP. For more information, visit www.teatrojaco.com.
The Esterillos Beach Run 10K, held completely on sand, will take place just 20 minutes south of Jacó Beach, beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 25. Cost is $20 and inscriptions can be made by calling 8391-3976. It is also the Punto Surf Quarter Series Metropolitanas 2013. Inscriptions are $25. For more information, email email@example.com.
Two new spots to check out on the oceanfront in Jacó Beach: The Lowtide Lounge is now open upstairs at Bohio Bubbas, with Happy Hour from 5-6 p.m. and The Point Beach Bar and Grill is located on the south side, oceanfront. For more info, visit www.jacobeachbar.com.
–Christina Truitt
You may be interested
Costa Rica coronavirus data for July 9, 2020Alejandro Zúñiga - July 9, 2020
Costa Rica confirmed 649 new cases of the coronavirus over the past day, totaling 6,485 cumulative known cases, the Health…
Costa Rica previews new tower at Calderón Guardia HospitalAlejandro Zúñiga - July 9, 2020
Costa Rican authorities on Thursday previewed a new tower at Calderón Guardia Hospital in San José, which could be used…
News briefs: Costa Rica will handle land borders differently than airportsAlejandro Zúñiga - July 9, 2020
The coronavirus crisis has transformed life in Costa Rica, which has enacted measures to protect the capacity of its health…


text:
We are extremely proud of the fact that Davies is the first veterinary practice to have achieved accreditation from Investors in the Environment (iiE)
We were awarded iiE's top level Green accreditation in 2019, with a primary focus on improving our environmental sustainability, and we have plans to share experience and knowledge by providing 'Sustainability CPD' for our referring vets.
Our intent is to more than just improve our own sustainability; we want to help other practices navigate the steps to take to improve both environmental and social sustainability in their own practice. Below you can access information on why we chose to be audited and achieve the accreditation and why sustainability is important to us.
Below you can access our press releases, our Environmental Policy and more about our initiatives in the 'Your questions answered' section. If you are interested in attending our 'Sustainability CPD' at Davies Veterinary Specialists please contact email@example.com.
We are delighted that Ellie and our Green Group have been honoured by the iiE for their continued work to improve both our sustainability and help other practices introduce their own environmental initiatives. They were selected as 'Best Green Champion' in the medium-sized business category at the 2019 iiE awards in April. Read more in our press release below.
Keep up to Date
Davies' Green Team takes action for World Environment Day
Our enthusiastic Green Group recently celebrated World Environment Day on June 5th 2019 with a whole range of sustainability-boosting activities.
Read More
Davies grows greener with top level iiE sustainability accreditation
We're delighted to announce that Davies has achieved the highest accolade of Green level accreditation from Investors in the Environment (iiE).
Read More