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LETTER: Southwest Suburban Sewer District responds to Brett Fish's letter
[EDITOR'S NOTE: The following is a Letter to the Editor, written by a Reader. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The B-Town Blog nor its staff:]
Southwest Suburban Sewer District's Response to Brett Fish's Claims
I am writing on behalf of the Southwest Suburban Sewer District to respond to the Letter to the Editor written by Brett Fish that was published in The B-Town Blog on Monday, April 22, 2013 (read it here). The District does not intend to engage in a continuous, detailed public discussion of the entire history of this matter. However, because Brett Fish's letter does not accurately portray the events the District feels compelled to respond in a limited manner in order to avoid any false impressions people may get from reading Brett Fish's letter. From the District's perspective, the District believes it has been working in good faith to address Brett Fish's claims.
While the District is disappointed that Brett Fish has elected to air his version of the story in this public forum, the District is not surprised because Brett Fish has repeatedly threatened to go to the media in an effort to coerce the District to meet his demands. Brett Fish has made it clear through his communications with the District that the real motivation behind his current objection to the District's use of the access road is to force the District to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to repair the house on the property which was damaged by a slide that first occurred in 2003 or, alternatively, to force the District to buy the property outright for as much as $1,800,000.00, which is apparently what Brett Fish believes his property is worth. In addition, it should be noted that Brett Fish continues to hold a belief that the District is responsible for the slides that have occurred on his property. The District has advised Brett Fish on multiple occasions over at least the last six years that if he believes he has a claim against the District relating to the slide that he should submit a formal notice of claim for damages and the District would turn the claim over to its insurer. Despite these repeated instructions, Brett Fish has never filed a notice of claim with the District or provided the District with any other information, technical data or engineering reports that demonstrate that the District is responsible for the slide on his property.
Brett Fish asserts in his letter that there has been a long history of violations relating to the use of the access road to the Miller Creek Treatment Plant dating back to 1986 or 1987 which he claims were brought to the District's attention over the years. In reality, the District has been using the access road in a similar matter over the last 15-20 years without complaints or objections. In fact, the access road is actually being used less now than in prior years due to the reduction in the sale of compost. Furthermore, Brett Fish just recently brought the access road issue to the District's attention on December 11, 2012. By his own words, Brett Fish described the District's use of the access road as a "back burner" issue and he acknowledged that he has said little about this issue over the years. Instead, the two primary issues raised by Brett Fish on December 11, 2012 involved his request that the District eliminate or reduce his sewer charge given his minimal use of water and his concern that the District's landscapers had not come for about three weeks at the peak of the leaf drop season and, as a result, he was forced to clean a portion of the access road leading down to the Miller Creek Treatment Plant.
On December 12, 2012, the District acknowledged Brett Fish's concerns and began its efforts to negotiate a fair resolution of these claims. However, the initial negotiations stalled a bit when Brett Fish demanded that he be compensated for actions and activities that occurred over the last 20 to 26 years, even though he didn't come into ownership of the property until 1998. In an effort to avoid an unnecessary escalation of this dispute, the District advised Brett Fish that it would temporarily cease using the access road for general district business until the District and Brett Fish could reach a written agreement to resolve this matter. In fact, Brett Fish has previously expressed his appreciation of the District's efforts to work on resolving this matter.
On January 7, 2013, the District contacted Brett Fish to inquire whether he would like to attend the District Board of Commissioners meeting on January 8th to discuss his issues directly with the Board. Brett Fish attended the Board of Commissioners meeting on January 8th and he spoke to the Board about multiple issues, including the access road easement, landscape and maintenance issues, the slide damage and other issues relating to the failed purchase and sale transaction between Brett and Corey Fish, Cascade Land Conservancy and the City of Normandy Park back in 2009. During his statements, Brett Fish restated his belief that the District was responsible for the slide on his property and that the District needed to compensate him for his losses. During this meeting, Brett Fish and the District also discussed the access issues that had just recently been brought to the District's attention and the District assured Brett Fish that it had a desire to work with him to address his concerns. During this meeting, Brett Fish specifically stated that he was reluctant to grant the District any additional access rights until the property damage issue was resolved because he viewed the access issues as giving him some bargaining power over the District. The District advised Brett Fish that if he would submit a formal claim for damages relating to the slide condition the District would commit to working with its insurer to investigate his claim. Brett Fish concluded his comments by indicating that he would need to consider the access issue further before he could respond to the District's request for full accessibility through the access road. A copy of the Minutes from the January 8, 2013 Board meeting are available for review on the District's website: http://www.swssd.com/uploads/1/1/2/5/11251631/2013_01-08_board_meeting_minutes.pdf
Even though the District believed that it had already acquired expanded rights of use of the access road through a prescriptive easement through its historic use of the access road over the past 15-20 years, in an effort to be fair to Brett Fish, the Board authorized negotiations with Brett Fish to reach a resolution of his claims and the District has expressed its willingness to pay a fair amount for its prior use of the access road, as well as for its future use of the access road. As a result of these negotiations, on January 14, 2013, the District and Brett Fish entered into a two year temporary license agreement which immediately addressed the access issue and also allowed the parties a two year window to complete their negotiations for a permanent easement that would address an expanded right of access consistent with the District's use over the past 15-20 years. The temporary license agreement specifically authorized the District to use the access road "for all purposes associated with District business and operations" during daytime hours and not on weekends or holidays, except in cases of emergencies or sludge hauling scheduling issues. Despite Brett Fish's claim that he signed the agreement under "extreme pressure, legal intimidation and threats to condemn his property," it should be noted that the terms of the temporary license agreement were actually the terms that Brett Fish proposed to the District on January 10th. Further, in his communications with the District, Brett Fish acknowledged that for a monthly payment of $200 during the term of the temporary license agreement he was willing to sacrifice his privacy and peace and would allow the mostly unrestricted use of the access road. Therefore, the District denies the claim that Brett Fish was forced or coerced into signing the agreement.
Once the continued use of the access road was resolved, the District turned its attention to resolving Brett Fish's claims that the District had previously used the access road in a manner beyond what was authorized in the original access easement and that he had performed certain landscaping and maintenance tasks over a number of years without compensation. The District made two offers to resolve these issues with Brett Fish which it believes were extremely fair under the circumstances. Unfortunately, Brett Fish was demanding significantly more than the District believed was fair and could be justified to its ratepayers under the facts and applicable law. On March 5, 2013, the District advised Brett Fish that his final demand had been rejected by the Board. The very next day, March 6, 2013, Brett Fish sent an email to the District indicating that since the District had rejected his "most modest offer" that he was unilaterally rescinding the temporary license agreement previously agreed to in January of 2013. The District has advised Brett Fish that it believes it has the legal right to continue using the access road consistent with the terms of the temporary licensing agreement. On March 7, 2013, Brett Fish sent another email to the District stating: "I've been in contact with several media agencies who are taking great interest in this story. . .. My counter-offer stands or get good at script writing and media interviews."
Brett Fish has repeatedly made reference to an easement document dated January 14, 1987 which he claims supersedes the access easement dated January 9, 1986. Brett Fish claims that this later easement specifically provides that the access road may only be used during the time period between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The District does not have any record of such an easement ever being signed. The District has repeatedly asked Brett Fish to provide the District with a copy of this easement. Brett Fish has indicated that he can't locate this easement either, but he remembers seeing it before. The District does not believe that this easement exists. Moreover, the District has been using the access road on a consistent basis for more than 15 years during regular District business hours that are outside the 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. time period.
There are a number of legal issues relating to the claims between Brett Fish and the District that I don't intend to go into. However, from the District's perspective, I can honestly say that the District has been working with Brett Fish in good faith trying to resolve this matter. In contrast, the District believes that Brett Fish is attempting to use the access issue as a bargaining chip in an attempt to force the District to pay large sums of money to settle questionable claims and to otherwise coerce the District to repair his house or purchase his property for $1,800,000.00. While the District desires to resolve the current dispute with Brett Fish, the Board of Commissioners has a duty to do what it believes is in the best interest of all its ratepayers. The District has determined that it is unwilling to give in to Brett Fish's current demands because doing so would unfairly increase the financial burden shared by the rest of the District's ratepayers.
Ron Hall
General Manager
Southwest Suburban Sewer District
[Have an opinion or concern you'd like to share with our ~90,000+ monthly Readers? Please send us your Letter to the Editor via email. Include your full name, please remain civil and, pending our review, we'll most likely publish it.]


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"Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."(Matthew 6:33) "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."(Luke 12:34) "To live in order to please God." (1Thessalonians 4:1) "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." (1Corinthians 10:31) "FOR NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD" (Luke 1:37)
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Rules For Holy Living
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly
loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness,
humility, gentleness and patience.
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances
you may have against one another.
Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
And over all these virtues put on love,
which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,
since as members of one body you were
called to peace.
And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly
as you teach and admonish one another
with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms,
hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude
in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, whether in word
or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord
Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father
through Him."
Colossians 3: 12-17
We must strengthen one another through the singing of psalms and in all kinds of work in the different ministries for the Lord. We gently rebuke those whose paths are swerving to the left. We should encourage one another especially in moments of weakness and trials. We must forgive one another as God has freely forgiven us and must never hold on to grudges and hurts for these will open the way for the spirit of bitterness to creep into our hearts. Above all these, we must love one another as Christ loved us and gave His own life so that we can be free and enjoy the benefit of joy, peace and eternal life.
Posted by Mel Avila Alarilla at 1:06 PM
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subset: commoncrawl


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Liverpool Transfer Zone: Suarez exit on hold, Reds chasing Alderweireld, Reina future
LUIS SUAREZ's move away from Anfield is on hold. Brendan Rodgers chasing Atletico Madrid defender Toby Alderweireld. Pepe Reina talks about his future.
Luis Suarez's proposed move away from Liverpool could be put on hold following his apparent bite on Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini.
Suarez has been linked with a move to both Real Madrid and Barcelona this summer, but a move to Spain could be off the cards now after this latest biting controversy.
The Reds have opened talks with Atletico Madrid over the transfer of Belgian international Toby Alderweireld.
According to Sky Italia, the Reds have offered the La Liga champions £7m for the out of favour centre-back.
Pepe Reina has revealed that he has not held contract talks with Reds boss Brendan Rodgers.
The Spanish keeper, who spent last season on loan at Napoli, admits that he is uncertain about his future at Anfield and that he doesn't know whether the club plan to keeo him.
Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool target Divock Origi has handed the Premier League clubs a huge boost by admitting that it's his dream to play in England.
The Belgium striker, who scored the Red Devils' winner against Russia on Sunday, was watched several times by Liverpool scouts last season.


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Christchurch / Ōtautahi is a historic city in a state of flux and rebirth. It has some lovely heritage buildings, and a burst of new developments, post-quake. Set on the Avon River, the city has scenic surrounds, from the green spaces within the city, to the beautiful landscape of the Port Hills and beyond.
"The Garden City" is famed for its parks and gardens, so spend some time relaxing with a gentle stroll through the wide open space and woodlands of Hagley Park. You can appreciate the colours of the seasons with a leisurely punt along the meandering Avon River, and experience the beauty and tranquillity of the Botanic Gardens.
For a dramatic overview of the surrounds, try a scenic gondola ride, from Heathcote Valley to the top of Mt Cavendish, with vistas of Christchurch, the Canterbury Plains and Banks Peninsula.
Christchurch Redux
Christchurch was devastated by the two earthquakes of September 2010 and February 2011, and as well as the tragic loss of lives, many historical buildings, including the Christchurch Cathedral and the Arts Centre precinct, were lost or badly damaged. Now the city centre has reopened, and rebuilding is under way. Try mixing a little of the old with the new.
Post-quake Christchurch is an exciting place to visit. The rejuvenation has begun, with previously cordoned areas like the Cathedral Square now accessible, so you get to experience first-hand some of the cultural and commercial Renaissance happening all over the city and witness the brave, determined and creative spirit of the Cantabrian people.
Outside Isaac Theatre Royal. Photo credit: christchurchnz.com
The beautiful Isaac Theatre Royal is the grand old lady of Christchurch theatre, and home to many touring arts companies and shows. First opened in 1908, the precious building was lovingly restored after the quakes, with a huge restoration of the iconic ceiling dome and its ornate paintings. The theatre reopened in late 2014, and now is a wonderful venue to catch everything from comedy, to ballet, circus and live music.
Transitional 'Cardboard' Cathedral exterior at night. Photo credit: christchurchnz.com
In late June 2013, the Cathedral Square was reopened to the public, with the remains of the Christchurch Cathedral still standing, fenced off. There has been much debate as to its future. In the meantime, the Anglican Church commissioned a Transitional 'Cardboard' Cathedral, designed by Shigeru Ban. This unique and innovative building is now fully functional and a popular place to visit, situated on the site of the former St John's Latimer Square Church. The triangular window design includes images from Christchurch Cathedral's original rose window.
The Commons is located at the corner of Kilmore and Durham Streets, central Christchurch, on what used to be the site of the Crowne Plaza Hotel, which was demolished in 2012. Now the site is an evolving community space, with a food collective and other post-quake initiatives.
Big plans are afoot for many key areas of the city. Along the Avon riverfront and throughout the city, new "hubs" have evolved, such as the the Re-START Container Mall in Cashel Street and the cultural precinct of SoMo (south of Moorhouse Ave) in Addington. SoMo is where you'll find great coffee, food and theatre.
For boutique shopping, restaurants and bars, head east to the Tannery, on the Heathcote River in Woolston. This old industrial precinct has been reinvented with an eclectic mix of shops and places to eat and drink. The graceful building has ornate detailing, with tiled floors, wrought iron and a historic feel, befitting its past as a Victorian Tannery. You'll find craft beer and thin based pizzas at Cassels & Sons Brewery, or for good food and a very extensive wine list, try Gustav's Kitchen and Wine Bar, with its beautiful William Morris wallpaper, dark tiles and wood. The Tannery Atrium is open late on Thursdays.
Eat and drink and be merry in Christchurch
For fresh local produce to sample, and take back to the bach, there's the Christchurch Farmers' Market every Saturday at Riccarton House and Grounds, 16 Kahu Road.
Photo credit: C1 Espresso
For coffee, drinks generally, and an all-day breakfast menu, try C1 Espresso, on the corner of Tuam and HIgh Street. It has cool decor, and sliders delivered by pneumatic chute…
Photo credit: King of Snake
King of Snake offers fresh, zingy Southeast Asian flavours and atmosphere in a popular and darkly glamorous bar and restaurant, at 145 Victoria Street
Tequila Mockingbird is a Latin American bar and restaurant, with shared plates, open late, at 98 Victoria Street.
Try Orleans, a Cajun and Creole restaurant and bar, for Southern style food - sit on bar stools and tuck into fried chicken or po'boys, with live music sometimes too. It's at 89 Lichfield St, Christchurch Central.
Kinji Japanese Restaurant, at 279b Greers Road, does wonderful sashimi and sushi.
The food at Thai Container gets excellent reviews. It's a cheap and cheerful set up, in a caravan and painted container, phone in your order for takeaways, or eat there at shared outdoor benches, on Bealey Ave.
Certain areas are particularly good for coffee, food and drinks - have a wander around Addington or Lyttelton and you're bound to find somewhere pleasing. For interesting and very reasonably priced Moroccan food, try Mosaic by Simo, a deli and restaurant at 300 Lincoln Rd, in Addington.
Pomeroys Old Brewery Inn, a local institution, is great for craft brewed beer and a Sunday roast. It has the warm atmosphere of an old English pub, and with 31 brew taps it's a pretty outstanding place to try local craft beer. The pub is housed in the historic Wards Brewery, a heritage site, with the new Stainless Steel Brewery tucked behind, making their inhouse Four Aves and Beer Baroness Ales.
If you like burgers, beer and motorbikes, head to Smash Palace, now at 172 HIgh Street. You can sit in the middle of the quake zone, drink Canterbury beers and wines and appreciate the new Christchurch springing up, along with a bit of brilliant attitude. Irish Jam night is every Monday, and Bike Night is on Thursdays.
Photo credit: Smash Palace
Music and entertainment
The Court Theatre is one of NZ's leading theatre companies, now located in Bernard Street, off the Hagley Park end of Lincoln Road in Addington. The Court Theatre is host to everything from Shakespeare, to edgy, modern works and children's shows. Also in Addington, The Dux Live is a purpose built, music venue. Head along on Thursday nights for live music. Alternatively, Astro Lounge, at 23 Worcester Boulevard, has live music on Thursday to Sunday afternoons. You can check out what bands are playing at various Christchurch venues, on Under the Radar. The Christchurch Symphony Orchestra puts on a rich and varied programme of performances, at a range of venues. For films, Alice Cinemateque has been voted best independent cinema of NZ 2015. Set in the Old High Street Post Office, Alice's Egyptian Picture Theatre is a deliciously, red velvety art house cinema.
Looking up at Til St art Photo credit; christchurchnz.com
Art and other attractions
A flourishing street art scene emerged in post-quake Christchurch, helping to uplift the community spirit during the recovery. Walk around the city and you will find installations, happenings, graffiti, book exchanges, pop-up exhibitions and performances.
The Christchurch Art Gallery, Te Puna o Waiwhetu, has a world-class programme of international and NZ art exhibitions. The gallery is currently closed for repairs, but the exhibitions continue at a variety of Outer Spaces, until the gallery reopens for summer 2015/16.
Canterbury Museum Photo credit: christchurchnz.com
Visit the Canterbury Museum, for a greater understanding of the history of Waitaha - Canterbury, from its first settlement by Maori tribes, through the period of European colonisation, to modern times. The seven key themes of the museum's collections are Antarctica, Peoples of Waitaha/Canterbury, Iwi Tawhito: Aotearoa before European contact, Design in NZ, Our Land and Animals, Windows on the World, and Collector's Collection. The museum's lovely stone building was first opened in 1870, and today it is full of taonga - treasures of cultural and natural history.
East of the city, in Heathcote, Ferrymead Heritage Park includes an early 1900s Edwardian township, with a variety of exhibits and museums. There are steam train rides on the first Sunday of the month, and tram rides on all other days.
If you fancy penguins, a Hagglund ride and a bit of snow and ice, head to The International Antarctic Centre at the airport. It uses special technological effects to entertain and inform about Antarctic issues.
For something warmer, you could hire a bike and head out to explore the many, great mountain bike trails in the Port Hills.
Cyclists taking in the view from the Port Hills Photo credit: christchurchnz.com
Where to stay
What to do
- Spend an afternoon at Hagley Park - 150ha of inner-city parkland
- Learn about the history of Waitaha/Canterbury at the Canterbury Museum
- Eat, drink and shop a little at The Tannery
- Visit new SoMo precinct in Addington - for cafes and theatres
- Visit the Re-START Container Mall - in Cashel Street
- See the Transitional 'Cardboard' Cathedral in Latimer Square.
- Go punting on the Avon
- Try hot air ballooning over the Canterbury Plains
- Take a ride in the Christchurch gondola
More Info


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Wednesday, March 2, 2011
animal cell structure quiz
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Chevrolet like Ford, is looking to downsize on costs by introducing one model globally. First in their global range of cars is the Chevrolet Cruze, which is named so in most of the countries it is sold in. The supposed successor to the Chevrolet Optra or the Lacetti (for you Top Gear fans), bears no resemblance to the Daewoo platform the car replaces. In reality, the Cruze comes to you courtesy of GM's Delta II platform seen in the 2010 Opel Astra.
Design is courtesy of Daewoo and it looks like they have done a good job, though its not hard to get inspiration from your own model line up when it includes the Camaro SS. Nevertheless, you are treated to a front grill that makes you proud for once to own a non-American Chevrolet. The muscular face extends to the side, which is smoothened out to a more conventional look, finished off with a redesigned Optra-like posterior. Overall, it is a handsome looking thing.
Look for the full report and high-res images after the jump.
GM have livened things up on the inside too by featuring a two-tone fabric on the dashboard and around the interior. This, especially in regards to the dashboard, is very unlike other cars in this price range which choose to stick with the drab design that they are comfortable with. The word 'unique' definitely comes to mind when thinking about the Cruze's interior.
Backlight for the panels, dashboard and meters feature a light blue hue that is tasteful and matches the interior really well. I have seen many other cars featuring blue lighting, often causing an eye sore. Not the case for the Cruze. The instrument panel alone makes your feel good about the car, with it's well-positioned dials and chrome rings. A trip display is also evident in the instrument panel, nestled between the speedometer and tachometer. Settings of the car, including the radio are all displayed on an LCD screen placed on the centre dash. Apart from looking good the interior is also practical with generous compartments including those must-have cup holders. There is also a compartment that pops out on the dashboard.
In regards to the tactility of the interior, the Cruze offers a good feel, for it's segment of course. Its no BMW 7-Series but despite featuring lots of plastics, the interior does not feel cheap. Tactility from the buttons and gaps on areas such as the dashboard are acceptable. The steering wheel also feels solid and it's rim is anything but too thin. There are also enough support from the seats, it would not make you feel too tired after long hours of driving.
Sitting in the Cruze, I find that there is a respectable amount of space available for both the front and rear passengers. A simple space test was also done with yours truly (6ft 1′) and another male passenger (5ft 9'). It passed the space test satisfactorily. In the back you will get a luggage capacity of 450 litres with the rear seats up. Overall the interior hits the spot just like it's exterior.
Other features of the car include front and rear disc brakes, ABS, EBD (electronic brake force distribution) while our local model comes with just two airbags. The local-spec Cruze also sports a traction control system, something that is rare in other cars from the Cruze's price range. It has to be said that the Euro-spec Cruze managed a successful five-star Euro NCAP rating, which usually takes into account full safety equipments, including all airbags.
Lets move on to the drivetrain. The local-spec Cruze is only offered in one variant which is the 1.8 LT, fitted with the 1.8 litre Ecotec engine producing 140hp and 176Nm of torque at 3,800 RPM. The engine features a twin-cam 16-valve configuration with DCVCP (Double Continuous Variable Cam Phasing) and VIS (Variable Intake System). I had a taste of this engine in the Vauxhall Astra Sports Coupe 1.8 SRi, which felt underpowered. Unfortunately I have to say that this is the same case with the Cruze.
The car feels rather heavy with this engine, especially during heavy-footed driving. You would have to make the engine work hard during overtaking or if you are on a rush. The engine is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission with Shiftronic and to be honest, the transmission does not help improve the driving experience. At times it felt like it was taking it's own sweet time to plug into the next gear, while the engine revved away aimlessly. Basically gear changes, whether up-shifts or down-shifts were anything but snappy.
However the manual shift function is a godsend in this case as it comfortably allowed me to get into the right gear at the right time. Considering everything, the 1.8 litre does offer adequate power for everyday driving and the driving experience got better when I was cruising at higher speeds on the highway. While we are talking about high-speed cruising, I should also note that wind noise at speeds of about 110km/h is acceptable as well. Using the Cruze to commute to work, to the grocers or drive 300 kilometers up north for your occasional "balik kampung" trips isn't a problem, as long as you don't bring it to Sepang!
Lets move on to the other mechanical bits. The Cruze uses MacPherson struts for the front and a Torsion beam for the rear. This is more of an expected arrangement for a car from such a segment. I am happy to report that that the Cruze does have good bump-absorbation qualities, hence offering a respectable ride comfort. It soaked up those nasty pot holes evident on most of our local roads. There was nothing hard or stiff about it, even on the highway during high-speed cruising. The Cruze's noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels were within tolerance as well.
However to make way for a supple ride, it looks as though the handling of the Cruze has been slightly compromised. There are hints of understeer and the feeling that you are not fully connected to the road when you push the car harder. At higher speeds on the highway, say at about 160km/h, the car tends to feel a little floaty. Nevertheless, you will only feel the negative aspects in regards to the Cruze's handling when you drive closer to the car's limits but the Cruze is not a car that you would take to a time attack event.
The Cruze behaves well in it's element, meaning during normal day-to-day driving. During the test we took the Cruze on various driving environments which included sedate and throttle-happy affairs. With that in mind we recorded an average fuel economy figure of approximately 9.2 litres per 100 kilometers, which is not great yet not that bad.
Thanks to Naza and their joint venture with Chevrolet, we get the Cruze for RM98,767 OTR without insurance. This as you would probably notice is much cheaper than Japanese cars such as the Toyota Altis, Honda Civic and the Mitsubishi Lancer. It's most obvious competitor is the Kia Forte 2.0 which comes in at a slightly cheaper price of RM93,800 OTR plus insurance. Apart from the cheaper price tag, the Forte 2.0 offers more power with it's 154hp/194Nm of torque 2.0 litre engine. In my honest opinion the more potent Forte looks as good and drives slightly better, if not similar.
I must admit that the Cruze has an upper hand in the interior design department. Talking about the interior, the Cruze has 16mm less headroom at the front but 8mm more at the back as well as 26mm less leg room up front having 27mm more at the rear compared to the Forte. However the Cruze loses out in overall headroom by 24mm in front and 20mm at the back. At the end of day the Cruze may be slightly expensive and offer less power compared to it's Korean competitor but overall it still performs well as a package.
You may also read our previous report by Danny Tan.
[zenphotopress number=999 album=1454]


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The Basics
You might be thinking: No one actually gets syphilis anymore, right? Wrong. While syphilis all but disappeared in the early 2000s, it's been on the rise ever since. In fact, the number of syphilis cases in the U.S. nearly doubled from 2005 to 2013—and was even higher in 2015 (the highest since it's been since the 90s).
The good thing is syphilis can be cured if it's caught early enough. But if you don't get treated, it can cause serious health problems and even death.
How You Get It
You get syphilis by coming into contact with a syphilis sore or rash during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Though syphilis is much more common in men, particularly gay and bisexual men, women aren't immune. And because syphilis can be spread from a mother to her unborn baby, it's especially important for women to protect themselves and get tested.
What's It Like?
Syphilis has so many different symptoms that it earned the nickname the "great imitator." This, of course, makes it difficult to pin down.
Syphilis has so many different symptoms that it earned the nickname the 'great imitator.'
The primary stage usually involves a small, painless sore (called a chancre) on your vagina, anus, penis, or scrotum. Most people just get one, making it easy to miss. The sore is extremely contagious but will go away on its own after about three to six weeks. Because syphilis sores disappear, people don't always get tested.
The secondary stage is a little more obvious. Instead of a single sore, you'll get multiples—or a rough, red or brownish rash—on one or more parts of the body. Just like the primary stage, the rash will go away without treatment.
"With this stage of syphilis, the symptoms become more generalized," says Yesmean Wahdan, M.D., the associate medical director of Bayer Women's Healthcare. "Patients will have fever, swollen glands, malaise, sore throat, and visual impairment."
Once that clears up, there's the latent stage—called so because there are no symptoms, sometimes for years. But without treatment, it may return.
Late-stage syphilis, which can happen 10 to 20 years after that initial sore, is more persistent and even less pleasant—but only about 15 percent of people with syphilis actually get to this point.
This is the scary part, when the disease starts to affect your internal organs—the brain, nerves, heart, and joints—and can eventually cause paralysis, gradual blindness, dementia, and death.
How Serious Is It?
Unfortunately, this is a serious one, especially because it's easy to miss or ignore.
What Can I Do?
Talk to your partner and practice safe sex.
"Prevention is the best defense against STIs like syphilis," says Sherry Ross, M.D., a gynecologist based in Santa Monica. "Male and female condoms can help reduce your risk."
But because sores can pop up in places not covered by a condom, protection isn't 100 percent guaranteed.
Luckily, syphilis is easily treated with penicillin. Again, it's important to catch it early, since antibiotics can't reverse any of the damage already done by the disease. If you're getting treated, don't start having sex again until your sores have healed. It's also important to note that getting syphilis once doesn't make you immune; you can get it again.
The number of people infected with three major STDs, including syphilis, is at an all-time high (yikes!). We're tackling common misconceptions about STIs and STDs to help #ShattertheSTIgma. Because getting tested should be NBD.


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Jim Ovia Scholarship 2018 for Graduates & Undergraduate… An awesome opportunity is here again. Applications is current ongoing for the Jim Ovia Scholarship for graduates and undergraduates in Nigeria. If you are interested. Stay calm and read below;
Jim Ovia Scholarship 2018/2019
Jim Ovia Scholarship 2017 for Graduates & Undergraduate
IMPORTANT! Currently, Jim Ovia Scholarship 2018 is not yet available online, DISREGARD any form of advert you come across. This page will be updated immediately the form is out.
Jim Ovia Scholarship Description and Guide
With the vision to equip the future of Nigeria through the paramount avenue of Education and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and long-term goal to bridge the knowledge gap to enable our youths compete in a global economy and to incorporate ICT into the Nigerian education policy as a fourth science to ensure progressive and continuous learning, the Jim Ovia scholarship (.Formally known as the MUSTE scholarship,) aims to create financial aid to understanding Nigerian youths. Those eligible for the scholarship are supported for their undergraduate and graduate study duration of their program. This support includes tuition and maintenance allowance.
Through our various programmes, the Jim Ovia Foundation aims to equip the future of our nation by increasing the knowledge base and skills of our youths with education and Information Communication Technology (ICT). To date, the Jim Ovia Foundation has supported over 1,500 college students and entrepreneurs with over 100 million Naira in educational and entrepreneurial grants through two nationally recognized programs; the Jim Ovia Scholarship and Jim Ovia ICT Entrepreneurs Program.
Our beneficiaries excel academically in their service to their communities. Infact, most Jim Ovia Foundation beneficiaries have overcome tremendous challenges to pursue their dreams to excel. Secondary school graduates, University students and aspiring ICT Entrepreneurs who meet the eligibility requirements may apply for support to the various applicable Jim Ovia Foundation programmes.
This scheme offers an average of 100 opportunities each year for new applicants.
How To Apply
The scholarship is open to all potential students of Nigerian citizenship. Scholarship are awarded on the basis of personal intellectual ability, leadership capability and a desire to contribute to the society at large to improve lives of others.
To apply for Jim Ovia Foundation Scholarship, You must have to create an account on the portal.


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Monday, November 14, 2011
The Weekend...
7 comments:
Oh I am going to MISS YOU TO PIECES!!!! Congrats on your job, I am glad daddy is hopefully coming home today. He will be in my prayers too! You have a beautimous week too! I just told spell check to shut up - beautimous needs to be added to the dictionary ;-)ReplyDelete
Daddy is definitely going to be fine - our prayers will be with you, him and your glorious family. So happy you have Bailey with you...I'm here if you need me {always}.ReplyDelete
Love you tons and tons!
Happy Monday :)ReplyDelete
So glad to hear that your dad is going to make a full recovery. I hope you get to enjoy every moment of your daughter being home. :)ReplyDelete
Yay for your daughter coming home! I'm glad your dad is ok. He will be in my prayers.ReplyDelete
Wait - you have a kid in college? Holy cow!! You're one hot mama!ReplyDelete
Yay for a part time job. This time of year it's a must to have some extra income. Oh and a surprise visit wooohooo. I'm so glad your dad is okay and going to make a full recovery. I'm sure that was terrifying. Have a great visit & we'll catch up soon. xoxoReplyDelete


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Another year, another D.C. Council contracting battle.
The latest flashpoint in the procurement wars concerns a $12.7 million, two-year award to Huron Consulting to undertake a turnaround of United Medical Center, the District-owned, money-losing hospital on Southern Avenue SE. Huron beat out three other bidders for the contract, which now must be approved by a majority of council members.
But that process has gotten messy.
Some background: The city politics rumor mill started buzzing last week that irregularities in the procurement process — including issues with Huron's local "certified business enterprise" partner and an unusual second round of best-and-final offers — would lead to a protest of the award.
It would be an embarrassing setback for Mayor Vincent C. Gray (D), who has watched two other administration priorities — "smart" taxi meters and streetlight management — become waylaid by procurement issues.
But by last Friday, the final day of the 10-day post-award window during which an aggrieved bidder can protest to the Contract Appeals Board, none of the losing bidders had done so.
This week, questions about the contract hit the press via a pair of Washington Times articles laying out the questions about Huron's CBE partner. Long, complicated story short: The company entered the bidding process with one partner, which failed to get the necessary city certification, and later swapped that partner out for one that is, in fact, certified. The delay caused by the second round of final offers appeared to help Huron get its properly certified partner in place in time for the award.
Enter D.C. Council member Vincent B. Orange (D-At Large), who told the Times Wednesday that he planned to introduce a resolution disapproving the contract — citing his belief that Huron violated the terms of the procurement and city law by not having a CBE partner in place at the outset of its bid.
Under new council rules, it takes three council members to file a contract disapproval. Orange said Thursday he had Muriel Bowser (D-Ward 4) and Yvette Alexander (D-Ward 7) in his corner, setting the stage for a Tuesday up-or-down vote on the contract.
The drama picks up from there.
On Wednesday night, Gray's legislative affairs director, Janene Jackson, sent a text message to Orange: "CM Orange, please call me. Your disapproval changes the landscape on CBE and sound stage discussions."
Orange said Thursday that he interpreted this as a threat from the mayor: "CBE" refers to an Orange-sponsored bill reforming the certified business enterprise program — one that Gray is under pressure from business interests to veto. As for "sound stage discussions," at Orange's behest, the city is set to perform a feasibility study of building a studio facility to lure major film and TV productions to the District. Orange said he interpreted Jackson's text thusly: Approve the contract, or else.
Jackson denied making any threat. Rather, she said, she wanted to impress on Orange the importance of returning her calls. "Because he isn't talking to the mayor about what's important to him, the mayor may feel differently about what's important to the council member," she said Thursday.
The two did not meet until Thursday afternoon. And by that time, Alexander had changed her mind and decided not to join Orange's disapproval push. Rather, as the chair of the council's Health Committee, she filed an approval resolution. Orange said he was "shocked" at this development.
Alexander said Thursday she had a change of heart after hearing from various city officials who insisted it was OK for Huron to have bid without a duly certified CBE partner as long as it had one in place at the end of the award process. "I found some new information," she said.
Jackson confirmed as much: "We have a different legal interpretation" than Orange on when a CBE needs to be in place, she said.
But Orange says he isn't budging, and he'll still take the fight to the council dais on Tuesday. (Bowser said Thursday she, too, is still opposing the contract.)
"The code clearly states you need to have a CBE" when bidding, Orange said. Owners of other CBEs have contacted him, he added, "bent out of shape" by the city's position that contract bidders don't necessarily need CBEs in place when submitting initial bids.
"You may have the best team, but if you find out they've been using steroids, don't you get disqualified?" he said. "Isn't this like Lance Armstrong?"
Meanwhile, other machinations have come to light.
At least one of the three losing companies underbid Huron, a fact that could further complicate council approval. Navigant Consulting, according to three persons familiar with the final proposals, came in with a final bid of $9.6 million, almost 25 percent under Huron's eventual award. While the lowest bidder can be outscored on technical qualifications, Navigant backers also point out that the company has a significant local employment presence, unlike Chicago-based Huron.
Orange also said he'd make an issue out of Huron's past business practices — in particular, its recent settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission over an internal accounting scandal uncovered in 2009.
On the other side, officials who support the Huron award are questioning Orange's ties to Navigant via a former campaign aide, Sean Metcalf.
Metcalf said Thursday he had "an association" with a subcontractor for the company but had no direct association with Navigant. "I have no dog in the fight," he said. "I want local businesses to get work."
As for Orange, he said he's no johnny-come-lately and has been a longtime critic of procurement shenanigans: "We're talking about the integrity and the credibility of the contracting system here."


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Hello! And sorry for the brief absence from blogging :(. I think I got very caught up in my yearly love affair — with Summer ;)!
Just wanted to throw a couple of tidbits of information out there for you.
First, I'm going to run a "flash sale" on OAD this week — dropping the price from $11.99 to $6.99! Well, I have to figure out how to do it first….but once I do, it's on!!!!
Next, I have a favor to ask of you. Yes, you. :). If you have been gracious enough to read OAD, could you kindly, please, pretty please with a cherry on top, take 2 minutes to leave a review on Amazaon, B&N or Goodreads? People really do read reviews when deciding whether to buy a book. And whether it is good, bad or ugly, I would absolutely welcome it. Although, let's be honest, I would prefer a good review, obvi! :)! Just kidding, (sort of)…Anywhoo, a review of some kind would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you all for checking in, and feel free to refer a friend to pick up a copy of OAD this week while it's on sale :)! Happy Monday!


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Seahawks Insider Blog
Thomas and Polamalu – playmakers
Earl Thomas and Troy Polamalu have some things in common.
They both come from small towns, but went on to star at major college football powers – Thomas at the University of Texas and Polamalu at USC.
One is from Orange, Texas – population 19,616 in East Texas.
The other is from Tenmile, Ore. – population 9,469, about 200 miles southwest of Portland along the Oregon coast.
They are both about the same size. Thomas is a sleek 5-10, 200 pounds, while Polamalu is more powerfully put together at 5-11, 215 pounds. And both have a quiet intensity that ratchets up on game days.
Polamalu already is one of the best safeties in the league and likely headed to the Hall of Fame. At 30 years old, he's a six-time Pro Bowler with two Super Bowl rings and 27 career interceptions.
Thomas, 22 and in his second season, hopes to follow a similar path. He finished five interceptions in his rookie season and was a Pro Bowl alternate.
"Both are very gifted," said Seattle strength and conditioning coach Chris Carlisle, who worked closely with Polamalu when serving in the same capacity for Pete Carroll at USC. Carlisle said Polamalu was one of the strongest players he's ever coached. "And both are very religious young men. And so their spiritual life, they have that in line. Also, their both quiet, even though when they get in games the competition brings their intensity out.
"And then they have the hair. They both have unique hair. And so there's something there."
Carroll points to Polamalu as perfect example of the player Thomas can become.
"What Troy is so famous for is just these knifing, rocketing drives to make a tackle or to make a play on the football and the willingness to take a chance and go for it," Carroll said. "Both these guys are like that. If Earl could be so lucky somewhere down the road, six or eight years from now… You look at them and say there are a lot of similarities in what they're able to produce. I see a lot alike. … One guy's just proven it over a long period of time and he's a great player. Earl, he's emerging. We really want to do similar things (with Thomas) like we did with Troy back in college because of their nature and the style of play that they offer you."
Growing up as a running back playing high school football in Texas, Thomas looked up to another NFL player – Dallas Cowboys Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith.
But after a year in the league, Thomas is more intently focused on the elite players at his position – so much so that before the lockout he had the Seahawks send him film cut-ups of players like Polamalu and Ed Reed so he could study their play during the offseason. "I got a chance to just break those guys down and see how they think in a game," Thomas said about his film study. "Just see their drops in the middle third, and especially keying the quarterback and stuff like that.
"Polamalu, he's a great player. He's been in the league a long time, and he's been doing it well. What separates him and Ed Reed from a lot of people is they know what's coming before the play even starts. I feel like they always have a tackling plan in blitz situations, or any kind of situation."
And in the first week of the regular season you could see a change in Thomas' approach, specifically in a big hit against much bigger San Francisco tight end Vernon Davis for a loss. Thomas appeared controlled and more decisive in his approach to tackling ball carriers at the line of scrimmage.
Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin said that players like Polamalu and Thomas appear to be moving at a different speed than the rest of the players on the field.
"His initial quickness, his movement to plays, his instincts – it's unique," Tomlin said about Thomas. "I think you could maybe compare them along those lines. Maybe amount of grass that he's capable of covering and how decisive he is when he makes a decision about going after something is very impressive."
Tomlin went on to say that Polamalu's time in the league shows the evolution of the safety position from just an in-the-box defender to a more versatile player who has to cover quick receivers and play in space.
"The day of the box safety is dead," he said. "I think they have to be multi-faceted, multi-talented people. They've got to be able to play in the box and be intricate parts of the run game.
"They've also got to be able to play on the back end and play against receivers. I just think that's the evolution of today's football. Troy, of course, has been the appropriate athlete at that time, but I think it's more about what offenses do, as opposed to about the physical characteristics of the men themselves."
Seahawks receiver Mike Williams, who played with Polamalu at USC, says the two safeties are different in their personality and their play.
"They are just totally different guys," he said. "You're never going to here a word out of Troy on the field. You're just not. It doesn't matter if some guy gets up after catching the ball and he wants to talk a bunch of smack, does a dance or whatever. Troy, he's so wired in all the time. Earl's a little more outgoing, and a little more outspoken.
"As far as playing ball, they're both ball hawks and go after the ball. I think over time the more Earl plays obviously, he'll come into his own. But Troy, he's a different kind of guy – a one-of-a-kind type of guy. There won't be a Troy in my eyes to come along for quite some time."


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The Family Information Service and Early Years and Childcare Section finds itself answering the same sorts of questions to parents in Monmouthshire. In order to help you out, we've put together a handy answer sheet to our frequently asked questions.
1) How do I apply to my local School Nursery?
A nursery application form can be obtained from the local school or from the School and Student Access Unit at Innovation House, Magor ([email protected] / 01633 644508)
2) When should I submit an application form for my child's School Nursery place?
Closing dates for September nursery admissions are at the end of September the previous year. Closing dates for January and April intakes are the end of each previous October. It is rare that there are waiting lists for any of our School Nurseries so you do not need to apply more than a year in advance of the intake. More information is available here.
Please note: We do not issue nursery places on a first come first served basis. Application forms will not be processed until after each closing date.
3) When will my child be eligible for Foundation Phase Nursery (FPN) Funding?
Every child is eligible for FPN funding the term following their 3rd birthday. The start of each term dates is January 1st, April 1st and September 1st regardless of when holidays start and end. The funding available is £7 per session, up to 5 sessions a week (2 - 2 ½ hours per day up to 12 ½ hours per week ) and each session must be on a different day. The funding is only available at one of Monmouthshire's approved FPN playgroups or nurseries. Details of these FPN providers can be found here.
Please note: You may hear Foundation Phase Nursery (FPN) funding referred to as nursery vouchers, pre-school funding, 3 year old childcare, early education etc. This is all the same funding and in Monmouthshire, the correct definition is Foundation Phase Nursery funding. It exists to provide education to three and four year olds before starting school and is for the educational element only and not for childcare.
4) How do I become a registered childminder?
Read our 10 step guide to becoming a childminder here.
5) Can I receive any help towards Childcare costs?
From age 2, your child may be eligible for Flying Start Childcare if you live in an eligible area. FPN Funding is available, the term following your child's 3rd birthday at one of Monmouthshire's approved FPN providers and you may be eligible for the 30 hours childcare offer.
6) How do I know if my Childcare Provider is registered?
A Childcare Provider must be registered with Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) if they look after children under the age of 12 and plan to operate for more than two hours a day. If your Childcare Provider is registered with CIW, they will have a CIW Registration Number which they should be able to give you. Your Childcare Provider must be registered with CIW if you wish to claim the childcare element of the Working Tax Credit.
7) What should I check for when looking for childcare?
Read our guide to choosing the most suitable childcare for your child here.
8) How do I find Childcare in my area:
This website has a comprehensive list of childcare, activities and family services throughout the county. Alternatively, you can email [email protected] or ring 01633 644527 during office hours.
9) I don't live in Monmouthshire, how can I access childcare information for my area?
Every Local Authority has a Family Information Service. You can find contact details and web addresses here.
10) What do I do if I want a Childcare Provider to work in my home?
You may be able to find someone suitable by looking in our Nannies, Babysitters and Au Pairs section.
The Family Information Service and Early Years and Childcare Section finds itself answering the same sorts of questions to parents in Monmouthshire. In order to help you out, we've put together a handy answer sheet to our frequently asked questions.


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Ok, couldn't resist coming back to put a couple of these images up on the blog because I am officially addicted to the Smilebooth. The crew from The Free Wedding jumped into it at the end of the night, and 45 minutes later Joy, Ashley, and I were still jumping away…
I want one to put in my house. Is it a a bad thing to want to take funny pictures of yourself all day long?
Comments (9)
These are hilarious! I think it's fantastic to want to take funny pictures of yourself all day long! I do it too with the different effects in Photo Booth on my Macbook. Never gets old! Looks like you guys had a blast! LOVING the new look of the site!
These are darling!
Fabulous! How about some pictures of the Bride?
it is a bad thing if you DON'T have the urge to take funny pictures of yourself all night in that thing! the smilebooth is insanely addictive!
Help! What is Smilebooth? I want one! I went to their website but had a hard time finding information…
Jen, the smilebooth is a digital photobooth you can rent for a wedding, party, convention, etc from Our Labor of Love. As you can tell from the images above, it is a whole lot of fun!
such fun images! thanks for sharing!
nice and funny!! I want to try it! yeah! :)
I can't wait to see more pictures of the FreeWedding!!!


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From the moment you step on our lot until the time you drive away in your next car, your buying experience with Custom Auto Retail Sales is our number one priority. We encourage you to use the expertise and resources of our sales staff; they are here to help you find the right car at the right price. Call us today at 269-366-4550 to schedule your test drive!
With a true passion for cars, we enjoy buying the vehicles that we personally take pride in selling to our customers.
I love what I do and you will experience my passion when you walk in the door. I will ensure a positive visit while helping you to find that perfect vehicle that suits your needs.
I will ensure that your purchase at Custom Auto Retail Sales is a pleasant and rewarding experience.
I hereby consent to receive text messages from or on behalf of dealer at the mobile phone number I provided above. I understand that I am opting in to receive text messages from dealer or their employees. I include consent to receive phone calls at the mobile phone number I provided. I understand that message and data rates may apply.


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We believe that patients and their physicians are in critical need of meaningful information to help them select the best targeted treatment options, which are sometimes experimental treatments or the off-label use of FDA-approved drugs.
Foster City, CA (PRWEB) June 21, 2016
TOMA Biosciences, Inc., announced today that it has received a notice that the European Patent Office intends to grant TOMA a patent based on a European patent application titled "Methods for Stratifying and Annotating Cancer Drug Treatment Options."
The European patent application includes fundamental claims describing methods of determining cancer drug treatment options by sequencing validated and non-validated molecular markers in a subject's sample. TOMA also owns a related U.S. patent.
"Our intellectual property basically describes a comprehensive model for a personalized medicine business," said Wolfgang Daum, President and Chief Executive Officer of TOMA Biosciences. "Our methods provide an efficient way to disseminate scientific findings, regarding treatment efficacy and identified molecular markers found in patient tumors, to health care providers."
Wolfgang Daum continued, "We believe that patients and their physicians are in critical need of meaningful information to help them select the best targeted treatment options, which are sometimes experimental treatments or the off-label use of FDA-approved drugs. Peer-reviewed scientific literature provides examples where the efficacy of a cancer drug can be correlated with the status of a molecular marker. We at TOMA provide the tools to clinical laboratories to make this information easily accessible to physicians and their patients."
TOMA continues to pursue a broad and robust patent portfolio, which also includes rights to a recently issued U.S. Patent for oligonucleotide selective sequencing (OS-Seq) technology and pending applications for many aspects of the TOMA library preparation assays both in the U.S. and worldwide. This combined patent portfolio provides TOMA with an exceptionally strong intellectual property position.
For more information, attend our webinar, 'The Rapidly Evolving Cancer Genomics IP Landscape'
Or contact:
Victoria Lavi
TOMA Director of Marketing Operations
Email: victoria.lavi(at)tomabio(dot)com
Cellular: 650-281-3501
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Karibeeran Parameswaran went up to the second floor of his villa in Nagappattinam, southern India, and returned holding a framed picture.
Proudly but sadly he showed me his daughters, two round-faced, smiling girls with jasmine in their hair.
They had their arms wrapped protectively around their little brother. This is the last photograph of 12-year-old Rakshanya, nine-year-old Karunya and Kirubasan, five, taken just a few days before Christmas last year.
On 26 December, Parameswaran, an oil engineer from Nagappattinam, turned 40.
"I remember how my son came to wake me up", he said.
"He whispered 'happy birthday daddy' and began to tickle me and nibble my ear.
"Then my eldest daughter brought me a cup of tea and wished me many happy returns. For the rest of my life I will dread every one of my birthdays."
Surging tide
Parameswaran's home town took the full force of the tsunami.
This fishing community in Tamil Nadu, near the southern tip of India, was the worst affected part of the mainland. More than 6,000 people died, two-thirds of them women and children.
That fateful Sunday morning, Parameswaran, his children and seven relatives from the inland city of Bangalore had decided to go for a stroll on the beach before going to church.
The relatives of Parameswaran's wife, Choodamani, had never seen the sea before and they were thrilled to be spending their Christmas holidays in a house so close to the beach.
They were all playing a game of frisbee when they were overwhelmed by the surging tide.
Parameswaran managed to hold on to his son's hand for a few seconds and remembers the little boy crying out in terror.
Then the force of the wave ripped them apart. The distraught father managed to cling to a palm tree and when the waters retreated he searched for his children, discovering their bodies one by one.
Parameswaran realised he was the only one in his party to survive - his three children and the seven relatives all drowned.
He washed and dressed the children's bodies and then dug a grave with his own hands.
"I kissed them and poured in three handfuls of sand and asked them to forgive me for not being able to give them flowers or even to make them a proper coffin."
The children's mother sat numb with shock and for days was unable to speak.
"At first I couldn't help blaming my husband. I thought if only he hadn't gone to the beach that morning my children would still be here with me."
The couple were contemplating a suicide pact when Choodamani told her husband she had heard a voice from God offering her consolation and the hope of a new life.
At first Parameswaran accused her of being too cowardly to take her own life but then he caught sight of the picture of his three smiling children.
The children spoke to him, he said, and they told him they were with Jesus and urged him to stop grieving for them.
Parameswaran comes from a humble background - his father was an illiterate shepherd.
Parameswaran was raised as a Hindu but when he was 12, he met a Christian who converted him, helped him to get into high school and changed his life.
The tsunami has stretched this newfound faith to the limit. But instead of succumbing to despair Parameswaran and Choodamani decided to help their community.
Back in early February the government orphanage in Nagappattinam was bursting at the seams. About 250 children had lost both parents and 858 a mother or father.
Parameswaran and Choodamani had too much space. They dreaded walking into their empty, quiet house so they were glad to open their doors to some of the orphans.
The first four children arrived in early February. Twelve-year-old Juniya, her two sisters and her little brother are from a fisherman's family and lost their mother in the tsunami.
Parameswaran has not formally adopted them - it is a looser arrangement - but he says they are welcome to stay for as long as they want and he is taking full responsibility for their upkeep and their schooling.
Their father, a gaunt man called Shivshankar, admitted he was finding it hard to cope financially and emotionally.
He is glad that his children are being well cared for.
The Paramesvarans now plan to build another house next door to accommodate more children and have set up an NGO called Nambikkai (Hands of Hope).
In May former US President Bill Clinton visited the town and he spent several minutes talking to them about their project.
He said they showed "the very best of humanity".
By October, 16 children had moved into Parameswaran's home, the youngest just two years old.
They are all sons and daughters of fishermen.
The couple have been asked to take more but they are fast running out of room.
Choodamani has organised the morning routine with military precision. The oldest children cycle to lessons, the younger ones go by motorised rickshaw but one day they are hoping to buy a minibus.
Parameswaran has launched a website featuring his story and has received messages of support from all over the world.
Parameswaran says: "I often tell people that if we could recover from our trauma then anybody is capable of overcoming whatever problems life throws at them."
But at night Parameswaran still often stands on the balcony overlooking the sea and calls out his children's names.
"This beach was once a paradise for us - then it became a hell. But we will never move away from here. When I look at the waves I feel closer to my children."


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I've become a little obssessed with zombies lately, thanks to a couple of recent calls for book chapters. A colleague and I were successful in our proposal for the first one, for a book called "Zombies in the Academy: living death in higher education". We've proposed a chapter looking at VLEs and the zombification of learning and teaching in HE.
The very general thrust is that VLEs (such as Black(magic)board, and VOODLE) replace face-t0-face 'human' learning with undead digital teaching. These VLEs have rapidly spread across the sector (virally?) without being explicitly demanded by either teachers or students. The embedded pedagogy of these VLEs is restrictive and they offer a level of social control and conformity not possible with more traditional teaching practices.
In our chapter we have deliberately eschewed the Romero zombie (the brain eating hordes) and have gone back to basics, discussing the Voodoo zombie, as a cypher for racialised slavery, and in early films such as White Zombie and Plague of Zombies a critique of proletarian slavery. By doing this, and with the odd nod to the Frankfurt school's critiques of capitlism, we hope to foreground how VLEs are being used as a tool for social control by post industrial capitalism, creating one dimensional men, and women.
Anyway in preparation for this chapter i've been watching a lot of zombie films and reading a lot about zombies. In order to leverage as much as i can from this i've recently proposed a further chapter for a similiar book on Monstrous Cultures where i hope to explore how the zombie has changed over time from Voodoo to Romero, and how the this shift (in particular the removal of the 'master') is politically significant (and disempowering). Fingers crossed on that!
There are a couple of zombie related sites out there which i should mention in case i've whetted anybody's interest, and to help me keep track of them.
There's the zombies in the academy blog, the zombie research society (Romero is on the advisory board). Margaret Twohy has written quite an interesting masters thesis about the evolution of the zombie from voodoo to virus. I've just finished reading Jamie Russell's Book of the Dead, which i would thoroughly recommend to anybody interested in zombie films.


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Iceland's biggest and most active volcano, Grimsvotn, started erupting Saturday sending an ash plume 12 miles high into the sky and closing Iceland's main airport.
Iceland's Meteorological Office said that eruptions from the Grímsvötn volcano – which hasn't erupted since 2004 - began as subglacial eruptions which quickly broke its ice covering and sent smoke and ash 65,000 ft. into the air.
The ash plume is expected to..
drift east and north away from Europe, no expected impact on the European airspace for at least the first 24 hours.
University of Iceland geophysicist Magnus Tumi Gudmundsson said this was Grimsvotn's largest eruption for 100 years, "much bigger and more intensive than Eyjafjallajokull".
In April 2010, when Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull's volcano erupted it left some 10 million travelers worldwide stranded and cost airlines an estimated $1.7 billion, according to the International Air Transport Association.
On Sunday Isavia, the Icelandic company that operates all airport facilities and air navigation in the nation, shut down the nation's largest airport, Keflavik, for the day.
A no-fly zone is being enforced for 120 nautical miles in all directions of the eruption.
"A danger area has been established for all instrument flying that includes the upper approach airspace for the Keflavik and Reykjavik international airports. Visual flight rule operations are currently not affected," Isavia said in a statement.
Volcanic activity can wreak havoc on international air traffic.
Eruptions can spew a torrent of hot, tiny particles of rock, glass and sand that can be sucked into a jet engines and cause engine failure.
In 1982, a British Airways flight lost all four engines after flying through an ash cloud and got power back only after diving to a lower altitude. In 1989, Alaska's Mount Redoubt damaged a Boeing 747, but it too, was able to land safely.
The Grimsvotn volcano is not expected to cause any prolonged disruptions, but conditions may vary depending on the duration of the eruption, wind patterns, and the height the ash plume.
Grimsvotn last erupted in 2004, 1998, 1996 and 1993.
and 1993.


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Each year, for its mid-season extravaganza, the NBA and its various business partners get together and unleash a hideous set of uniforms on an unsuspecting public. After the initial shock, we grudgingly accept the garments and agree to suffer through them for an evening.
This season, the uniforms are once again sharply displeasing to the eye, but they're technologically advanced! Supposedly.
USA Today explains:
The specially made uniforms for the Feb. 15 All-Star Game in Phoenix (the starters will be announced at 7 p.m. Thursday on TNT) are the lightest and most technologically advanced to wear. They are 30% lighter than traditional uniforms. Previously, layers of twill were sewn together, making the uniforms heavier. The new ones also allow less friction because of the reduction of seams.
The Techfit PowerWeb compression-base layer, worn underneath the uniform, can improve a player's vertical jump by 4%, said Lawrence Norman, vice president of global basketball for Adidas: "This is more revolutionary than evolutionary. These products can help you play better."
A 4% increase in vertical leaping ability might not sound like a lot to you, but it's pretty considerable if said player already possesses a 40-inch vert. They might just have to raise the rims in Phoenix come February 15th.


text:
99 Homes
A recently unemployed single father struggles to get back his foreclosed home by working for the real estate broker who is the source of his frustration.
Blue Velvet
The discovery of a severed human ear found in a field leads a young man on an investigation related to a beautiful, mysterious nightclub singer and a group of psychopathic criminals who have kidnapped her child.
Bobbi Jene
A love story portraying the dilemmas and inevitable consequences of ambition. It is a film about a woman's fight for independence, trying to succeed with her own art in the extremely competitive world of dance.
After an accidental drug overdose, a talented teenage DJ goes to live with his estranged father in a small Army town, where he gets to the bottom of his own pain and learns empathy for others.
Certain Women
The lives of three women intersect in small-town America, where each is imperfectly blazing a trail.
Cold Pursuit
Nels Coxman's quiet life comes crashing down when his beloved son dies under mysterious circumstances. His search for the truth soon becomes a quest for revenge as he seeks coldblooded justice against a drug lord and his inner circle.
Everything Must Go
When an alcoholic relapses, causing him to lose his wife and his job, he holds a yard sale on his front lawn in an attempt to start over. A new neighbor might be the key to his return to form.
I Am Sam
A mentally handicapped man fights for custody of his 7-year-old daughter, and in the process teaches his cold hearted lawyer the value of love and family.
Inland Empire
As an actress starts to adopt the persona of her character in a film, her world starts to become nightmarish and surreal.
J.T. LeRoy
A young woman named Savannah Knoop spends six years pretending to be a transgender writer named JT Leroy, the made-up literary persona of her sister-in-law.
Jurassic Park III
A decidedly odd couple with ulterior motives convince Dr. Alan Grant to go to Isla Sorna (the second InGen dinosaur lab.), resulting in an unexpected landing...and unexpected new inhabitants on the island.
Jurassic Park
During a preview tour, a theme park suffers a major power breakdown that allows its cloned dinosaur exhibits to run amok.
Little Fockers
Family-patriarch Jack Byrnes wants to appoint a successor. Does his son-in-law, the male nurse Greg Focker, have what it takes?
October Sky
The true story of Homer Hickam, a coal miner's son who was inspired by the first Sputnik launch to take up rocketry against his father's wishes.
Star Wars: The Last
Rey develops her newly discovered abilities with the guidance of Luke Skywalker, who is unsettled by the strength of her powers. Meanwhile, the Resistance prepares to do battle with the First Order.
The Fault in Our Sta
Two teenage cancer patients begin a life-affirming journey to visit a reclusive author in Amsterdam.
The Founder
The true story of how Ray Kroc, a salesman from Illinois, met Mac and Dick McDonald, who were running a burger operation in 1950s Southern California. Kroc was impressed by the brothers' speedy system of making the food and saw franchise potential. He maneuvered himself into a position to be able to pull the company from the brothers and create a billion-dollar empire.
The Good Time Girls
A group of women band together as they go to war against a pack of men who have done them wrong at every turn.
The Master
A Naval veteran arrives home from war unsettled and uncertain of his future - until he is tantalized by The Cause and its charismatic leader.
The Tale
An investigation into one woman's memory as she's forced to re-examine her first sexual relationship and the stories we tell ourselves in order to survive.
We Don't Live Here A
An indiscretion between two close friends tears down their respective marriages.
When the Game Stands
The journey of legendary football coach Bob Ladouceur, who took the De La Salle High School Spartans from obscurity to a 151-game winning streak that shattered all records for any American sport.
Wild at Heart
Young lovers Sailor and Lula run from the variety of weirdos that Lula's mom has hired to kill Sailor.
A chronicle of one woman's 1,100-mile solo hike undertaken as a way to recover from a recent personal tragedy.
Year of the Dog
A secretary's life changes in unexpected ways after her dog dies.


text: Hotel Planet is a 2 stars Hotel located in the historical centre of Rome, a few minutes from Termini Station. Sight-seeing tours of the town and surrounding areas can be booked directly from the Hotel. Our staff can also arrange for transportation to the Aiports. Hotel Planet Reception Desk is open 24 hours a day during the whole year.


text:
Around the World
Impact Investing
Meet the Team
Our History
Global Connection International
"Connecting people who care, with the world's greatest needs!"
Dr. Jim Groen
A Brief History of Global Connection International
Narrative by Dr. Jim Groen
March 2013
From his very first trip to India in 1963, God began to place some of the darkest and most difficult parts of the world on Jim Groen's heart. It was also on that first trip to India, that the indigenous Youth for Christ leaders - desperately in need of training, encouragement, and empowerment, also touched his heart. These men had no cultural or language barriers, and eventually, hundreds of them attended leadership training schools in the ensuing years.
On February 20th, 2000, Jim and Dotti Groen had lunch with Jack and Pat Forney to discuss the launch of a future ministry. Jack and Pat, along with Jack's parents, JD and Rae Forney, had supported the Groens for nearly half a century, and after lunch that day, the Forneys wrote a check for $10,000.00 even though there was no 501(c)(3) to issue them a tax receipt. That was the seed money that paved the way for Global Connection International to open for business.
During this time, Jim Groen was meeting with a local, Christian attorney by the name of Cam Syke asking him to consider being a part of incorporating GCI. In the course of those early discussions, Cam offered the use of a small space available in his office suite, and on March 15, 2000, Global Connection International was incorporated as a public charity under section 501(c)(3) of the US Internal Revenue Code. As we begin the 15th year of our ministry, we can look back with joy and pride on the miracles that have taken place, and the Lord's faithful provision of the resources to meet every obligation. As the details of GCI's early ministry focus were laid out, the nation of Cuba seemed to come to the forefront. Jim Groen's heart was drawn to the island of Cuba because years before, his parents had raised enough money to build a church near the airport in Havana. It was his desire to locate and visit this Church, and since the founding of GCI, over 40 trips have been made to Cuba to train, encourage and empower the growing, enthusiastic Cuban Church.
GCI Vice President, Cam Skye developed such a passion for Cuba and other Central American countries later on; that he took it upon himself to learn the Spanish language. With a special interest in caring for the needs of some of the world's neediest children, Cam has had a tremendous impact for the cause of Christ in these countries over the ensuing 13 years, as well as being a vital part of the growth of GCI's ministry and outreach.
In 1998, Jim Groen made his first trip to Cambodia. At that time, he and his family were attending Faith Presbyterian Church in Aurora, Colorado, and this church had sponsored 14 Cambodians from a refugee camp in Thailand. They were survivors of the infamous, "Killing Fields" in Cambodia, and the leader of the group, Setan Lee, translated for his fellow countrymen at the church. He often talked with Jim about going to Cambodia with him explaining how most of the pastors and 85% of the Christians were killed by Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge, guerrilla forces. The Church remnant there was small and divided - desperately needing someone to come with help and hope for his people.
On his way to Cambodia, Jim traveled through Singapore where he met up with a businessman friend of his that he had gotten to know well during his tenure as the President of Youth for Christ International. His friend advised him not to go to Cambodia stating that it was not safe due to fighting in the streets. "However," he said, "if you do plan to go, I have built and own the Cambodiana Hotel in Phnom Penh, and you will be my guest there." He also gave Jim the phone number of Prime Minister Hun Sen, and said "If you have a problem, please call him." Although there were no ensuing safety issues of any serious consequence, Jim did call the Prime Minister and they became well-acquainted. The Prime Minister informed Jim that they didn't receive much help from the USA. Only 26 doctors remained alive after the holocaust and their medical corps and hospital facilities were in desperate need of rebuilding. Thus, GCI became actively involved in this important initiative and has continued to provide medical assistance in a variety of ways to this very day.
On Groen's next trip to Cambodia, he took heart surgeon Dr. Dan Smith and Cardiologist, Dr. Mark Sheehan along. Since that visit they have returned to Cambodia with dozens of doctors and health care workers who have, in turn, trained many Cambodian doctors. Later, they created their own ministry called, "Jeremiah's Hope," and continue to serve there on a regular basis, having earned great respect and the admiration of those around them.
On Jim's Groen's third trip to Cambodia he took Dr. Billy Kim along, and 500 church leaders, representing four different denominational groups, were brought together for leadership training. At the end of the conference, the group shared Holy Communion together. This was not only a historic event but a time of healing for the pastors with many tears and hugs. From this point in time, a revival began to take place in Cambodia. Jim Groen made numerous additional trips to Cambodia after which, current GCI President and CEO Jim Weber took the point for GCI's Cambodian ministry there - growing it into one of our most effective initiatives.
In 1998, a Tanzania student attending the Denver Seminary came to see Jim Groen, telling him of the tremendous economic needs and lack of basic training that pastors were facing in his home country. As a result of that conversation, Groen made a vision trip to Tanzania along with a team, and God began to work in wonderful ways. GCI founding board member, Dave Schlachter, went on the second trip, and he and his family have made numerous trips back over the past 15 years. He has built a strong friendship, partnership and relationship of trust with Bishop Unity Msami and his family over the past 14 years; and GCI has been instrumental in helping him establish a ministry center called "Voice of Victory" in an impoverished, Muslim community located at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Today the compound includes 5 acres of land, a church, a school and a recently-completed medical clinic. The Lord used memorial funds given in memory of Cam Syke's wife Suzie, who unexpectedly lost her life back in 2006, for construction of this beautiful, new facility, and it was equipped with medical supplies and pharmaceuticals during the past year with a grant provided by the Concordia Angel Foundation.
Dave Schlachter also introduced a long-time friend by the name of Leslie Kotwica to GCI, and she served as the administrative assistant for about ten years. Leslie also took a special interest in Tanzania, and traveled there with our teams on a couple of occasions.
In 2001, Jim Groen and Cam Syke headed to Nicaragua for the first time with Greg Dixon. At the time they really didn't know anyone, and only had the name of one pastor whose name was Arturo Castro. Since that time, Greg Dixon made over 50 trips to Central America and what has happened through God's help there has been remarkable. Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador have been touched by GCI's ministry.
A few years ago Greg helped host a youth rally at a large stadium in Managua where nearly 38,000 young people attended and hundreds became Christians. Soon after that, GCI hosted the first-ever, Presidential Prayer Dinner in Nicaragua with around 240 high-ranking, governmental officials, including then President Enrique Bolanos, in attendance. Here, these men and women heard the Gospel message clearly proclaimed via the testimony of major league baseball's Dennis Martinez who had a home in Miami, Florida as well as in Managua. The National, country leaders Greg has recruited are a wonderful group of dedicated, Godly men and women who continue to minister in a wide variety of ways.
In the year 2000, it was Jim Groen's privilege to meet Gaylord and Kathy Layton at a meeting on the Channel Island of Jersey off the coast of France and England. The meeting was hosted by their mutual friend, John Dick, who was one of the original developers of the Denver Tech Center. John had become friends with President Kagami from Rwanda where 1,000,000 people were killed in 100 days of genocide in 1994. In 2002, John Dick invited President Kagami to visit Denver and learn about the long-term development of Tech Center. He flew into Denver with his cabinet, and while he was here, Gaylord and Jim Groen had dinner with them and were subsequently invited to come to Rwanda for a tour of the country. While there, Jim and Gaylord were introduced to Bishop John and the Sonrise Orphanage which he founded in the Northern part of Rwanda, with children left homeless by parents who were killed on both sides of the war. Today there are over 1,200 orphans and boarding students in this school that is now rated #1 in the country. God laid the school on Gaylord Layton's heart, and as a result, over $700,000 has been raised to establish the finest, state of the art Computer Technology Center in all of Central Africa. Recently, Barnes and Noble donated 430 I-Pads which we shipped to the school.
A graduate of the Sonrise School recently sent an email explaining how he saw his first computer at the school and shared how it had changed his life. He said, "today I'm a student at the University of Pennsylvania. After my training, I plan to return to Rwanda and help make a difference in my country." This is another story of how the Lord has raised up "Bi-Vocational Associates" to accomplish great things for the Kingdom around the world.
Over Thirty years ago Norm and Kay Huxman were introduced to Global Connection International. Norm is the founder and bass singer for Legacy Quartet - one of the most outstanding southern gospel quartets anywhere. They have been wonderful ministry partners over these many years and have represented GCI and the Lord Jesus Christ well. It was Jim Groen's privilege to help recommend them for a trip to Australia, Cuba and six times to South Korea where they have literally become "stars" in their own right.
In 2004, we developed a relationship with Doug Ross who later became the director of our "Global Literature Connection." Jim Groen met Doug when he was director of Seattle Youth for Christ. Later he became the founding President of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association and built it into a very influential organization. Doug was able to procure thousands of dollars' worth of books and publishing materials that GCI delivered all over the world. On one occasion he received 50,000 copies of Dr. Rick Warren's book, The Purpose Driven Life in Spanish, which we shipped to Nicaragua. Also, under Doug's leadership we were able to provide 3000 sets of 10 books and a Study Bible to pastors throughout the island of Cuba, and he secured a license for GCI to distribute The Jesus Film via DVDs to Churches and homes in Cuba. In addition, Doug, raised over $400,000.00 for ministry during his tenure with GCI.
The remarkable part of GCI's story is highlighted by the fact that, in most of these countries, we have been there for ten years or more. In addition, we have been blessed with outstanding country leaders. Bishop Unity Msami in Tanzania; Dr. Victor Gonzalez and Rev. Moises Isla in Cuba; Arturo Castro, Priscilla Cisneros and Derrick Rameris in Nicaragua; Pastor Giovanni Mora in Costa Rica; Freddy Manrico in Guatemala, Margot in Honduras, Rev. Laurent Mbanda in Rwanda; and Samoeun and Robledo Intal in Cambodia, just to name a few.
A great debt of gratitude is owed to other members of our founding Board who have faithfully helped fulfill the GCI dream through the years. Dave Bandimere and his family have been passionate supporters of The Great Commission ever since any of us have known him, and he has made several trips overseas with GCI teams. Bill Shenkin, who traveled to Cuba with Cam and Jim Groen has provided much insight into our financial matters. In addition to hundreds of hours donated to helping us with our media projects, Jim Mullens has also provided countless hours of counsel and encouragement to both of our GCI Presidents over the years. Jack and Pat Forney have been among the most faithful and generous financial partners from the very beginning. Peter Chung accompanied Jim Groen to Cuba, Cambodia, and to North Korea in search of the school where his father attended. Forty-seven years ago Jim Groen met Dr. Billy Kim from South Korea, and Billy has partnered with GCI in ministry all around the world. We been privileged to have him on the GCI leadership team from day one, and thank him for his great support. All of these men have been faithful and powerful leaders.
"Do not go where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave an impressive trail."