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my little eye.
Happy birthday,
to Lochan and me.
The night before, Ashamin had gazed into the mirror and communed with a God. Prior to that, he had protected the border with a fellow herdmate. Now, despite spending most of the day at rest, all he wanted to do--all he was trying to do--was sleep.
And this night was a special one indeed. For tonight was the anniversary of Ashamin's birth: four years ago, amid an evening winter storm like this, with the snow piling onto the branches of pines, the wind whipping through the coat of the traveller and the wolves howling out into the dark, Ashamin had been born and his mother had died. In the crook of his horn his father Veril had set a stone, the one his mother had worn, and begun to die, himself.
Now, Ashamin was alone. Alive, as he stumbled out of the storm and into the safety of his cave, but alone. His sarong, once slung over his chest, blew off of his frame and into the cave before him and scattered its contents, beckoning him inside. He cast a glance to the icy scorpion as his pace quickened and his hoofbeats carried him past the threshold of his new home. In the dark, he chased the silken cloth. His findings lay at the door, rattling with the wind.
Somehow it was carried to the back of the cave, and there it had settled to rest in that lonesome, warm place, between the rock and the mirror, where he had gathered dry grasses to make a bed for the egg that, for so long now, had lain dormant against his chest. He had left the egg alone to gather tinder in his sarong, in the hopes that he might find away to set the branches alight and keep himself warm. Those branches now rested unused, just inside the entrance of the cave.
Ashamin was about to say something. He was alone, he was always, hopelessly alone, but he still waited to speak. He wanted to tell the egg that it had left him in solitude for too long; he wanted to tell the creature it contained how much he loved him, even now, before his birth. But there was no time to speak. As soon as Ashamin's black eyes settled upon the egg-shaped lump beneath the silk, it began to change.
A dark mist, potentially sinister but hopeful instead, began to slither out from under the folds of fabric. Ashamin heard a cracking sound, followed by the sight of small pieces of shells scattering out form under the fabric. Beneath the white, a form began to take shape: the form of the innocent, the one he had seen in his few scattered dreams he had had in his daytime naps.
Ashamin exhaled, and from beneath the sarong, his newborn companion emerged.
He was magnificence. Pure black with little buds of horns already upon his brow, perhaps from spending so long a time trapped in that egg, and white dapples across his back. Ashamin took note of the black smoke emanating from his brow, and watched with awe as the little Cerndyr lifted his head and opened his eyes for the very first time.
There, set between two pure white, uninterrupted orbs, was the marking of an eye. It was rendered upon him in infinite beauty, and before him, already descending into tears, Ashamin fell to his knees.
"Lochan, my little eye," he breathed, letting the name he had known in his heart fall to the small, perfectly soft and delicate ears of the gentle creature. "Happy birthday, Lochan."
And with that, the little deer pressed its brow to Ashamin's black and white nose, sealing their bond for eternity.
[[All members of the Basin are welcome to come take shelter from the storm and visit Ashamin on his and his Cerndyr's birthday! A small celebration with Haruspex/herd stories and a fire (to come) will take place. An NPC will be stopping by as well at some point! I would like to keep this thread moving as it is important to his timeline, so please keep that in mind.]]
Table by Jen, with help from Avis


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Copper to Fiber
Unmanaged and Managed Fiber Media Converters
With a broad choice of full-featured Copper to Fiber Converters, Perle has the right Unmanaged or Managed Media Converter to meet the needs of your fiber integration project.
Convert 10/100/1000 Base-T Ethernet to Fiber Optic
Extend network distances up to 160km
SC, LC and ST fiber connector options
SX, FX, LX, EX, ZX, BX fiber support
Multimode and single mode fiber
Advanced Features : Link Pass-Through, Far-End Fault, Auto-MDIX, Fiber Fault Alert, Loopback
Manage via SNMP, CLI- Telnet/SSH, Internet Browser
PoE Media Converters provide PoE PSE power injection over UTP Ethernet
Perle has over 505 models of Managed and Unmanaged Media Converters to meet every fiber conversion need. To choose the best Perle Fiber Media Converter for your project, select the platform type or network topology you require.
Platform Type
Topology Type
Ethernet To Fiber
Learn about the benefits of using a fiber to ethernet converter and why some products on the market are not created equal. Find out how to select the best fiber to ethernet media converter for your next fiber project.
The quality of Media Converter that you choose will affect the uptime of your fiber to Ethernet network.
Choose a Fiber to Ethernet Media Converter that is made with robust and reliable components.
Perle Media Converters only use high-end components from leading chip manufacturers to ensure product reliability.
Almost all Media Converters that are commonly available on the market claim to have a feature called Link-Pass Through. However, in most products, this feature is poorly implemented and does not work properly. If you choose a low-end Media Converter, the end to end connection on your network will always appear as if it is up and running, even though the fiber connection may be broken or disconnected. The end devices, such as switches, continue to see the connection as healthy and never report a problem to an enterprise network management system. Your network will be down and you won't know why or what to fix!
If you choose Perle you will get Media Converters with an onboard processor that continuously monitors the status of the links connected to its transceiver ports. These connections behave like real copper to copper connections. If there is a break or failure in the link, both end devices become aware and react accordingly. An application on a server or a switch can then take the appropriate action should a link fail. Read more about Perle's implementation of Link-Pass Through for efficient troubleshooting and less on-site maintenance.
Choose a Fiber Media Converter that works with Cisco.
Perle Media Converters are compatible with Cisco switches and routers. As key components in the reliability and stability of your network, you need dependable Media Converters from a source you can trust.
Choose a Fiber Optic Media Converter with high MTBF rates.
Most Media Converter manufacturers do not publish (or make very difficult to find) their MTBF's. Perle is proud of the reliability of all our Media Converters. The high MTBF rates can be found on the Hardware Specs for each Perle Media Converter.
Choose a Fiber Converter manufacturer with technical engineers you can speak to before you purchase. Make sure you choose the right product.
If you need a technical consultation (by phone or email) to help you choose the best Media Converter for your application, Perle is easy to reach. We have sales and technical support staff around the globe to support you when you need it.
Choose a Fiber to Ethernet Media Converter manufacturer that will give you post-sales technical support if you need help.
Perle Media Converters are extremely easy to install and configure. But, if you do get stuck, Perle will not abandon you. Our world-wide Technical Support staff can assist you with any post sales support you might need.
Choose a manufacturer that has such high confidence in their Fiber Media Converters, that they guarantee them with a Lifetime Warranty.
Perle is so confident in the quality of our Media Converters we give you a Lifetime Warranty. How is that for peace of mind?
Choose an experienced manufacturer that you can trust.
Perle has been providing reliable device connectivity solutions since 1976. That's over 30 years of experience that businesses around the globe have come to trust to deliver superior connectivity technology for mission critical applications.
Network uptime is vitally important to your success. Choose quality products. Choose Perle. Your fiber to Ethernet network will thank you. So will your boss!
Perle also offers a broad selection of Fiber-Fiber Converters to enable the extension of multimode to single mode or multimode to multimode fiber connections to distances up to 160km.

subset: commoncrawl


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When I type sysadmsh from the console prompt, it looks like this: The way it used to work is that the prompt would be in color and the lines would wrap correctly.
I've had a couple of issues with this system over the past year now, and I've been trying to migrate to something newer. A couple of months ago the 'termcap' file or something corrupted and this system hasn't worked right ever since.
Can someone please help? I've been able to recompile a termcap file from scratch and load it into an ansi terminal so that it's (somewhat) working, but I really need to be able to use sysadmsh and configure backups and such. (Oh, yeah, and the tape drive is broken too, but I'll make another post about that later)
Does anyone have any idea on how to fix this?


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Inversion for EVERYONE at Live Out Loud Yoga
Date: Saturday, January 21st, 2017
Time: 1:00pm – 2:300pm
Where: 406 Charles St, La Plata, MD 20646
This upside-down workshop will teach you everything you need to know about how to flip your yoga practice!
Inversions have many benefits on the body. They are also some of the most intimidating poses we encounter in yoga. The fear of flipping the body upside down without any support can make anyone flip out! This workshop will teach you different ways of practicing inversions while feeling supported and confident in your practice.
Everyone is invited to this workshop! Beginners will learn how to find their first upside-down pose while experienced yogi's will discover new and challenging ways to improve their inversion practice.
It'll be fun! Come play with us!
Click HERE to register
Beginners Yoga Series at Live Out Loud Yoga
Date: Saturdays, January 28th to February 18th, 2017
Time: 1:00pm – 2:15pm
Where: 406 Charles St, La Plata, MD 20646
Designed as a simple introduction to yoga, this series will provide the beginner, as well as the seasoned practitioner, a more detailed understanding of the architecture of basic yoga poses.
Students will acquire a foundation that will equip them to start sampling other classes with ease and confidence. Developing a personal practice for your home, office, or perhaps the beach, will be easily accessible with the tools and structure provided in this essential workshop.
Each class will demonstrate important yoga poses or postures slowing things down and taking time to link breath with movement and purpose. Atmosphere is light and casual, 75 min class providing time for questions.
Click HERE to register
Chakra Yoga & Meditation Series at Live Out Loud Yoga
Date: Sundays, February 5th to March 26th, 2017
Time: 6:00pm – 7:15pm
Where: 406 Charles St, La Plata, MD 20646
Through Vinyasa yoga and meditation the 8 class series will help teach students about each chakra and bring balance. Each class will focus on a specific chakra with specific asana, breathe, meditation and mudras to balance out out energy and chakra.
Click HERE to register
Advanced Asana Playground at Live Out Loud Yoga
Date: Saturday, March 11th, 2017
Time: 2:00pm – 3:30pm
Where: 406 Charles St, La Plata, MD 20646
This class will allow students of all levels, beginners to advanced, a chance to practice poses/asanas that inspire them to keep taking yoga classes!
Click HERE to register


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Lime Lip Balm
Moisturizing Lip Balm:
- Super moisturizing and healing for dry or cracked lips
- Pair them with your favorite lipstick to create a nourished, smooth surface
- Apply at bedtime for severely dry, chapped lips to let the coconut oil really absorb into the skin
- Subtly sweet and juicy Lime scent
- Suffer from cold sores? Apply at the first sign to quickly heal and prevent an embarrassing blemish from appearing -- reapply as needed or whenever it starts feeling dry
General FAQ
Are the products vegan? Yes.
Is it tested on animals? No.
Do you use fragrance oils, parabens, preservatives, phthalates or any other artificial ingredients? No.
What is the shelf life? One year.
When do orders ship? Within 24 business hours if order is placed Monday - Friday before 12:00 PM. Orders received on Friday's after 12:00 PM - Sunday, or on a Holiday will ship the following business day. Once your package ships you'll be e-mailed a tracking number for your convenience.
Refunds: All sales are final due to health and safety concerns. If you product arrives damaged please email us and we'll send a replacement at no additional charge.


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10 Cars That Last The Longest
Corner Park Garages, Swansea and Cardiff
March 22, 2017 at 2:24 PM
We have put together a list of the top ten cars that our experts feel that last the longest! Reliability is key when choosing a new car, so we have set out to help you make the right decision.
1. Volvo V40
Volvo is traditionally known for their reliability, and the V40 is no exception. It ranks high in the reliability ratings. As a bonus, the V40 is also an exceptionally safe car. Definitely a strong contender in our book!
2. Honda Civic
Honda is a company known for their reliability. Some of the highest mileage cars that are still running have been made by this premium Japanese manufacturer. The Civic remains as popular as ever and a car you won't regret buying!
3. BMW 1 Series
We love the 1 Series, and with rear wheel drive, the car gets an extra special, premium feel. Certainly, one to consider.
4. Volkswagen Beetle
The beetle has been around for decades. You can be part of one of the most famous cars on the market today. The Beetle is fun to drive and Volkswagen's quality is evident throughout.
5. Volkswagen Golf
No list would be complete without a mention of the Golf. This is Volkswagen's signature car. It just keeps getting better. A real contender for reliability, safety, residual values and economy.
6. Mercedes A Class
We love the A-Class. It is a roomy car with a very premium feel. The A-Class has come a long way from its original design. The automatic version is our favourite. Lots of fun to be had with this car!
7. Mini Cooper
Mini is a premium car made by the german manufacturer BMW. Exactly what you would expect from a front wheel drive BMW, with a lovely sporty edge. It reminds us of driving a go-cart, and we love it!
8. Ford Focus
As popular as ever, the Focus remains a great option for families. It's great to live with, economical, has plenty of room and is good to drive. Perhaps lacks the build quality of some of the other choices on this list.
9. Audi A3
Always a great choice. The A3 with its front wheel drive system could be a great alternative to the 1 Series, although not quite as good to drive.
10. Hyundai i30
Hyundai isn't perhaps one of the manufacturers that automatically springs to mind when thinking about reliability. However, Hyundai is near the top of many reliability polls. The brand is doing very well in recent years, and when it comes with a five-year warranty you must consider it!
These are our favourite top ten most reliable cars, in our opinion. Of course, there are plenty of brands that continue to top the charts that didn't make this list. Toyota, Lexus and Subaru are also extremely reliable brands worth considering!


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FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) The Atlanta Falcons are hurting at linebacker.
Deion Jones, De'Vondre Campbell and Paul Worrilow are all injured and will miss Sunday's game at Denver. Jones and Campbell are starters and Worrilow is a former starter.
What's more, linebacker Sean Weatherspoon was placed on injured reserve with an Achilles tendon injury from last week's win over Carolina. Weatherspoon started against Carolina because Campbell had an ankle injury.
LaRoy Reynolds is expected to join Philip Wheeler and Vic Beasley Jr. as starters. Reynolds has started only four games in five seasons with Jacksonville, Chicago and Atlanta. Newly signed veteran A.J. Hawk likely will be active as a backup.
Coach Dan Quinn said Reynolds, who has four tackles in four games, is ready to start at middle linebacker and call the defensive signals.
''We have great confidence in him just because he's been in it and done it and shown it,'' Quinn said. ''He's a very physical player.''
Defensive end Brooks Reed and backup strong safety Kemal Ishmael could help at outside and inside linebacker, respectively.
''We've got a good group of guys,'' Reynolds said. ''Everybody knows their position, how we're going to line up. ... Same preparation. We'll be ready.''
Jones left last week's game with an ankle injury that was initially described as a calf injury. Worrilow missed the game with a groin injury.
Jones, Campbell and Worrilow worked on the side with a trainer during Friday's practice.
Punter Matt Bosher, held out earlier in the week with a hamstring injury, had full participation.
Quinn said cornerback Jalen Collins, who completed his four-game suspension for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing drugs, will return to the roster. Quinn said he didn't know if Collins, who started two games in 2015, will be active for Sunday's game.
AP NFL websites: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/AP-NFL


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You are here: HOME > Feature Topics
Feature Topics
Re-inventing Japan Project***Read the outline of Re-Inventing Japan Project*** (Jump to the bottom of the page)
Selected Programs
Support for the Formation of Collaborative Programs with ASEAN
|Graduate Program for Fostering Frontiers of Practical Problem Solution in a Populations-Activitied-Resources-Environment (PARE) chain
|Hokkaido University
|Development of Interdisciplinary Consortium on Urban Environment and Health in Asia
|The University of Tokyo
|Inter-university Exchange Program toward Medical and Dental Networking in Southeast Asia
|Tokyo Medical and Dental University
|AUN-KU student Mobility Program toward Heman Security Development
|Kyoto University
|Education of Global Medical and Health Science Leaders in the Coming Generation in Cooperation and Collaboration with ASEAN Countries
|Kobe University, Osaka University
|Six-University Coordinative-Learning Program at the Rural Communities in Japan and Indonesia
|Ehime University, Kagawa University, Kochi University
|BUILD-UP Cooperative Education Program for Global Human Resource Development in Earth Resources Engineering
|Kyushu University, Waseda University
|University Consortium for Evidence Based Approach to the Emergent Issues in Asia
|Keio University
|Active Leaders Development Program Focusing on ASEAN-Japan Literacy
|Meiji University
|Twin College Envoys Program (TWINCLE)
|Chiba University
|Training a New Generation of Leaders in International Cooperation For the Development of the ASEAN Region
|Nagoya University
|Rediscovering Japan Through collaboration in the Open ASEAN+6 - International Human Resource Development Centering on the SEND Program
|Kyoto University
|A Spiral Model of Collaborative Education: Balancing Global and Local Values through Legal Mind
|Kyushu University
|Cyclical Educational Program for Human Resources Development through Multi-faceted Exchanges by Utilizing Japanese Language Education
|Waseda University
CAMPUS Asia Support for the Formation of a Core Center
|Beijing-Seoul-Tokyo Dual Degree Master's Program on International and Public Policy Studies (BESETO DDMP)
|The University of Tokyo
|TKT CAMPUS Asia Consortium
|Tokyo Institute of Technology
|Asia Business Leaders Program
|Hitotsubashi University
|Northeast Asian Consortium for Policy Studies
|National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies
|Training human resources for the development of an epistemic community in law and political science to promote the formation of "jus commune (common law)" in East Asia
|Nagoya University
|A Cooperative Asian Education Gateway for a Sustainable Society: Expanding the Frontiers in Science and Technology of Chemistry and Material
|○Nagoya University、Tohoku University
|Program for Careers in Risk Management Experts in East Asia
|Kobe University
|Program for Core Human Resources Development: For the Achievement of the Common Good (Bonum Commune) and a Re-evaluation of Classical Culture in East Asia
|Okayama University
|Collaborative Graduate School Program for Global Human Resources Development in Energy and Environmental Science and Technology
|Kyushu University
|A triangular program operated by partners in Japan, China and Korea, designed to foster a new generation of humanities leaders in East Asia
|Ritsumeikan University
|Consortium for International Human Resource Development for Disaster-Resilient Countries
|Kyoto University
|Peace and Human Security in Asia
|○Osaka University、Hiroshima University、Nagasaki University、Meio University
|East Asia University Institute (EAUI) for Asia Regional Integration
|Waseda University
Establishment Aid for Cooperative Education with Universities in the USA etc.
Outline: About Re-Inventing Japan Project
The Re-Inventing Japan Project is a government funding program designed to develop a world-class educational framework in Japan. The project offers financial support to university programs focusing on providing Japanese students with overseas study opportunities and accepting foreign students to study in Japan. Programs selected for funding must have shown collaborative education to be at the core of their educational strategy, and also have in place systems assuring that quality is maintained in mutual credit recognition and grade management among partner universities overseas.
Globalization has encouraged many universities throughout the world to open their gates to receive students from abroad, as today's society itself must function within the vast global market. In this context, higher education in Japan needs to look at more than just the domestic educational environment; rather, it must reach beyond conventional frameworks of national and international students to develop and provide education rooted in partnership with the rest of the world.
Japan's technology and business model has produced many well-known companies that have supported today's Japanese economy. In the educational field, also, there is a strong foundation that has produced the largest number of Nobel laureates in any Asian country. These facts have suggested that Japan has held a chance to take advantage of its strong foundation and communicated its fundamental strength to the world.
This innovative Project aims to foster the next generation of global leaders, equipped with deep knowledge and with strong global competencies. It is also designed to promote reform that will enable Japan to offer its unique and superlative educational resources to the rest of the world. The Re-Inventing Japan Project promises to revitalize Japan, thereby allowing it to make meaningful contributions to the development of the global community as a whole.
In 2011, an open call was made for applications from programs designed to construct networks in Asia or in Europe, North America or Australia. In 2012, a second open call was made for applications from programs seeking to establish collaborative networks with universities in ASEAN countries.
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT): Re-Inventing Japan Project


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My point with Moorad was not that GR was an efficient computational tool
for the solar system which is surely isn't. I was contesting his apparent
claim that there is way to be sure our mathematical systems really
represent reality. I think they do at the very least approximate it to a
high degree.
>George Murphy has already commented on this concerning the fact that,
>although GR is confirmed to experimental accuracy for all observations so
>far, the precision of that confirmation is not nearly so spectacular as for
>quantum electrodynamics (QED).
Having just gotten a new computer, my files are spread all over the place
right now. I thought I had gotten the idea that GR was the most highly
verified from Hugh Ross. I couldn't find it. Does anyone else know of Ross
saying this?
Adam, Apes and Anthropology
Foundation, Fall and Flood
& lots of creation/evolution information


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Muhammad Ali will always remain in the hearts and minds of his fans from all over the world. A professional boxer and a great personality, he continues to encourage young people to follow their dream no matter the obstacles. He was declared "Sportsman of the Century" and he won numerous titles during his career.
He started training at the age of 12, and he has been a leading figure for the Muslim community in America. He won the World Heavyweight Championship three times in a row. There was no boxer who could stand up to his strength and stamina. He proved on numerous occasions that he stood by his principles; one of the controversial moments was when he refused to join the military because of his religious beliefs.
Recently, another honor was brought to him. Sports Illustrated announced that they will dedicate the Sportsman Legacy Award to Muhammad Ali and it will be known as Sports Illustrated Muhammad Ali Legacy Award. This award is meant to be given to people who inspire the new generation through their extraordinary activities and career. Muhammad Ali accepted the honor with grace saying that Sports Illustrated played a very important role in his early years and career. He was featured on the cover of the magazine for the first time in 1963, and has been a constant presence since then.
On October 1, 2015, a ceremony took place in Louisville where the dedication became official. This is one of the many honors that Ali has received, and one of the greatest figures of America. His legacy will endure through this award.


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Apartments usually have tiny kitchens. Learn to love yours with a few simple tricks.
If you find the perfect apartment – great location, close to work, plenty of parking, great shopping, beautiful parks, walkable downtown area – and you love everything but the miniscule kitchen, go ahead. Take the plunge. Small kitchens can be loveable, too!
Lights and mirrors are a great way to make any small space feel larger. Use under-the-counter lighting and decorate with mirrors – your kitchen will instantly open up. Think outside the box when decorating your tiny kitchen and decorate with what you love best, even if you normally wouldn't consider it for a kitchen – an antique chandelier instead of the usual overhead lights, for example.
If you don't have a pantry, convert a nearby closet into one. Find a shelving unit to fit the space or install shelves. Line the shelves with bins and put seldom-used appliances on the top shelf, then use the bins to sort like items (such as all spices in one bin). A pull-out table and a shelf for the microwave can turn this closet into a mini cooking area.
Most design articles you'll find will tell you to keep the furniture small, simple, and clean. Even clear – it will disappear in a small space. But if you prefer the ornate and fancy, the best rule in decorating small spaces is – break the rules! As long as it fits and you can move around it comfortably, it will work in your kitchen space.
Hang utensils. Install a rack and keep them handy yet off the counter. A pot rack is also a great idea – suspended from the ceiling, it is focal point as well as a practical place to keep your pots and pans (freeing up valuable cabinet space).
Speaking of cabinets, carefully remove a door or two (saving all of the hardware) and tuck it away on a closet shelf. Use paint in a contrasting color or use patterned contact paper or fabric (use this great tip: spray starch will adhere fabric to the wall – it peels right off when you have to remove it, then just wash the wall clean) to decorate the inside of the cabinet, and display your favorite dishes in this space. The doors can quickly go back on when you move, and the look of open cabinets will instantly open up your small space.
Organization is very important in a small space. Once things become jumbled, you'll never find anything. It may seem like an oxymoron, but small spaces can swallow up your stuff. Use bins, baskets, and shelves and keep everything in its place. If you don't need something, throw it out. Go through the kitchen every so often and toss whatever you don't use.
If the kitchen is where you fling your keys, mail, sunglasses, and various other objects that don't belong in the kitchen, then find a new "junk" spot. A small table by the front door with a basket for keys and change, a hook for reusable grocery bags, your purse, hat, and coat, a decorative box for mail, and shelving for things like your phone charger will help free up the kitchen counter.
If you lack counter space, get rid the kitchen table and chairs – instead, get a rolling kitchen cart with a butcher-block or stainless steel top. Find one with storage underneath and perhaps a towel rack on the side. Roll it into the kitchen for prep work, such as chopping vegetables, then roll it back when you're done. Keep a couple of bar stools in the corners and convert the cart into a dining table when it is time to eat.
Don't let a small kitchen stop you from getting the apartment you want – with a little creativity, that small space can be fabulous!


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Depave Depave
Here's a sample of our volunteer opportunities:VIEW AS
Mission Statement
Depave promotes the removal of unnecessary pavement from urban areas to create community green spaces and mitigate stormwater runoff. Through community partnerships and volunteer engagement, Depave strives to overcome the social and environmental impacts of pavement with the use of action-oriented educational events, community stewardship, and advocacy to reconnect people with nature and inspire others. Depave is a nonprofit organization based in Portland, Oregon.
Depave promotes the transformation of over-paved places; engaging and inspiring communities to reconnect urban landscapes to nature. Depave is a nonprofit based in Portland, Oregon.
This information
Might be out of date
Do you work for this organization?
Request administrator status and update its information!


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Christian Counseling Certification Program: Blogs Can Be The Voice of Your MinistryBlogs have a big influence on people and the world today. If you desire to influence others, blogging is something that you should consider. Read the advice in this guide to learn various techniques that can help you become successful at blogging. In addition to this, you can incorporate Christian related aspects into the blog to help spread your ministry or help educate others about your Christian Counseling Certification program.
Avoid Ads
Ads are a key part of many blog campaigns and often bring in income. But if there are too many ads on your blog, they may turn readers off. All the ads may prompt them to seek a site that is more helpful.
When to Add Posts
Add posts often and at, or about, the same time. Your readers will learn your schedule and be waiting for new content. Readers like it when a site has structure, and they also enjoy reading new content. Have an array of topics to write about to prevent your content from seeming redundant. In regards to our particular cliche, one would write about Christian Counseling related articles that include counseling needs but also interesting theological ideals that can be used by other counselors or pastoral care givers.
Invite Other Bloggers
Invite other bloggers who have found success to write guest blog posts on your blog. These guest posts will mean better content for you and your readers. One good side effect of this strategy is that you'll probably receive a traffic bump, as many bloggers link any guest posts they make to their own blogs. Get several bloggers to do this and you are on your way to blogging fame. Incorporating other Christian ministries or theologians is a great way here to not only connect with others but to also spread the gospel.
SEO Work
Ensure that keywords have been italicized and bolded. Your readers will be able to spot them more easily, and it will also improve your search ranking. When your keywords are easy to read and they stand out, you will increase the possibility that your users will click on them. Remember that this should be your goal. Some particular reminders, if you use the word Christian Counseling, you would want to avoid over use of it. You would want to use similar words or use Christian Counseling in a larger sentence. Pay close attention to this blog as you read it and you will notice bolded words and words that tie to the site.
When adding links, you can tie the key word back to the home page or a particular page in question. It is good to be diverse if you have multiple links. The usual idea is one link per 150 to 300 words.
It is also good to curate articles from other sources. Blog Curation of related articles gives fresh outsourced content that is up to date and relevant. When curating or writng your own orignal blog, be sure to include pictures. Pictures not only make the blog more attractive but they also help with Google rankings.
Finally, announce your blog through your current social media accounts. Request that they share the link to your blog so that you are able to gain a wider variety of readers. A personal social networking account is better so that users will know that they are dealing with a real person. The more tweets or comments you receive, the more value that Google gives to the article.
The tips contained in this article should be helpful for you regardless of the purpose of your blog. Use the tips which fit your needs, and keep in mind that everything you publish online will be there for eternity, so watch what you say.
If you are interested in blogging with our site, please let us know. Again, here is our primary Christian Counseling site.
If you have any questions about our Christian Counseling Certification Program, then please let us know.


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Truss confirms McCormick for ICAO
In a most amazing turn of events, DPM Truss confirms McCormick for the ICAO position.
This is the person, McCormick, in whom the Australian Senate has no confidence, the person who was heavily involved in the Cathay Pacific #49's debacle, the person whom has harassed aviation people at Acacia Ridge in 2012.
The person whom Senators have openly complained about and the person who the aviation industry generally have no confidence in as a leader, much less on some reports, staff within CASA.
The person identified by the Australian senate as being involved as CEO in the withholding of pivotal reports, that should have been given to the ATSB in the #PelAir inquiry.
CASA chief John McCormick's ICAO nomination confirmed
- The Australian January 23, 2015 12:00AM
THE federal government has confirmed its nomination of the former Civil Aviation Safety Authority chief John McCormick for the secretary-general's position at the International Civil Aviation Organisation.
Mr McCormick finished his term last year amid controversy about the way CASA dealt with the industry and after a highly critical 2013 Senate committee report into the authority's role in an investigation of the 2009 crash of a Pel-Air air ambulance off Norfolk Island.
The Aviation Safety Regulatory Review report, chaired by industry veteran David Forsyth, called for sweeping reforms after criticising CASA for taking too hard a line and maintaining an adversarial approach to the industry, which had lost trust in the authority.
The report was ordered by Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss in response to industry criticism of CASA and concerns about the adequacy of the Australian Transport Safety Board's investigation into the Pel-Air ditching.
It accused the regulator of adopting "an across-the-board hardline philosophy, which in the panel's view is not appropriate for an advanced aviation nation such as Australia''.
The government said it would investigate 36 of the review's 37 recommendations.
Mr McCormick's nomination appears to have been revealed at an ICAO seminar last year by the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development's international standards director, Jamie Thomson.
A spokesman for Mr Truss this week confirmed the endorsement of Mr McCormick to replace Raymond Benjamin when his term expires on June 30.
"Having an Australian serve as ICAO secretary-general would present a unique opportunity to further enhance Australia's international reputation in maintaining the safety and security of aviation and for Australia to continue to influence international aviation policy development,'' the spokesman said.
"Mr McCormick has over 30 years of experience in the aviation industry as CEO of CASA, a senior pilot and airline manager, as well as experience in the RAAF. No other candidate for secretary-general of ICAO can bring the same experience and qualifications to the role.''


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Madison Coop in 360
Check out our 360 Photos!
Check out our 360 Photos!
The Madison Co-op is excited to introduce Kindergarten Enrichment, a brand-new program aimed at Kindergarten students looking to enhance their school experience. Students can spend two mornings a week enriching their kindergarten education with a play-based program that incorporates social/emotional development, sensorial learning and outdoor exploration.


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One of my personal goals for this year is to read some of the bigger books on my shelf. I never really thought about page count or anything like that (although that obviously comes into it…), it was more about the books I'd deliberately put off due to their size.
Here are the big books that I read during this year's first quarter!
I'm going to start with a couple of George Eliot novels that I read. My introduction to Eliot was with Middlemarch. Sitting at a hearty 923 pages, I was a bit intimidated to pick this book up. But I am so incredibly happy that I did. Seriously folks, there's a reason why everyone raves about this. It's character driven, complicated, dramatic, romantic… all that good stuff! It was wonderful and real and I recommend this book to everyone. Seriously. Everyone. That includes you!
Having fallen madly in love with that, I immediately went out and bought her first novel, Adam Bede. At 624 pages, it certainly wasn't the longest novel I read for this challenge, but I still think it's a fair size. A little slower than Middlemarch, I was initially disappointed with this book. But as I kept reading, I became more and more invested in the story. Although Middlemarch still inches out as the favourite, I did really enjoy Adam Bede.
As part of my Reading Chinese Classics series, I also picked up a few Chinese Classics in the past few months. I started with The Dream of the Red Chamber by Cao Xueqin. Over 2000 pages of it. Yeah, that's right. I wrote a review on it, even. But the general gist is that even though it started out a little slowly for me, by the end of it all, I really did like it a lot.
Then I picked up Romance of the Three Kingdoms by Lo Kuan-Chung. Both volumes checked in at a whooping 1370 pages combined. And yeah! I wrote a review on that too. I didn't love this quite as much, but I'm glad that I read it either way.
Overall, I didn't really read as many 'bigger' books as I'd hoped to, but I am really proud of myself for finishing both The Dream of the Red Chamber and Romance of the Three Kingdoms.


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Standardized Patient/Trainee- For the age portrayal range of 36 to 45 - req# 1333
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Job Description
Standardized Patient/Trainee
|Requisition ID
|Working Title
|Standardized Patient/Trainee- For the age portrayal range of 36 to 45
|Position Grade
|Position Summary
|This posting is currently recruiting applicants for the case portrayal range of 36 years of age to 45 years of age. This is an on-call position and not benefits eligible.
A Standardized Patient (SP) is an individual from the community who is trained to portray a simulated patient case in a standardized manner. Requirements for this on-call position include the capacity for standardizing with other SPs who are cast in the same simulated patient case. These cases are used to teach and test clinical students' patient care and communication skills. Therefore, to be standardized, SPs must have matching physical attributes for the available roles.
The capacity for standardization may be limited by certain physical characteristics or medical conditions such as surgical scars, tattoos, prosthetic limbs, muscle weakness, hearing loss, etc. SPs must be able to step up and down from an examination table, quickly change clothes, in and out of a gown, and perform physical tasks, which require full range of motion of limbs, such as raising arms overhead. SPs are required to provide ethnicity, age, gender and medical history in order to be cast in cases in a standardized manner.
Under training and close supervision in a clinical educational setting, consistently and accurately portrays specific emotions, behaviors, and physical disease symptoms while interacting with students in the health care field during simulated patient encounters designed to enable student experiential learning and/or assessment of student skills. Works varied hours on an on-call basis, as needed.
Other skills required to perform successfully as SP include being detail-oriented, and having an excellent memory and communication skills. SPs must consent to being filmed for educational purposes. After hire, photographs will be taken and confidential maintained for casting purposes.
|Conditions of Employment
|Minimum Qualifications
Less than high school; no previous experience required.
Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.
|Preferred Qualifications
1. Reliable access to e-mail is critical for timely response to communication of upcoming case portrayals.
|Additional Requirements
|1. The position will require wearing a hospital gown with or without undergarments, as needed for case portrayal. 2. The position will require the selected candidates to undergo interviews and/or multiple non-invasive physical examinations by clinical students. 3. The position will require all cases to be recorded on camera for educational purposes. 4. The selected candidates will be required to complete a medical questionnaire that will be used to better match him/her to specific cases. 5. The selected candidates must have: ability to step up and down from an exam table, movement of all extremities without difficulty, ability to quickly change from a gown to clothing.
|Health Sciences Center (HSC) - Albuquerque, NM
|Assessment & Learning (524C)
|Employment Type
|Staff Type
|Term End Date
|Benefits Eligible
|ERB Statement
|Temporary and on-call employees working an appointment percentage of 26 (.26 FTE) or greater, per quarter, will be eligible to earn retirement service credits and thus are required to make New Mexico Educational Retirement Board (NMERB) contributions. More information pertaining to your FTE and NMERB contributions can be reviewed on the NMERB Guidelines Clarified webpage.
|Background Check Required
|For Best Consideration Date
|Application Instructions
|In your cover letter, please address each of the following items: 1. Why are you interested in working as a standardized Patient? 2. Describe any experience you have that could be considered applicable to this type of work (i.e. teaching, acting, and role-playing). 3. Please describe how you feel about the medical system.


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Category Archives: oil
Standing Rock Unhappy Campers Threaten Missouri River Watershed
Standing Rock Pipeline protesters became the most immediate threat of pollution to the Missouri river they sought to protect. They had braved the North Dakota winter by camping at the construction site of the North Dakota Access Pipeline.
Standing Rock
But in the end it was trash from the humans, not oil from the pipeline, that immediately threatened the river. Gov. Doug Burgum told The New York Times that melting snow could wash their "garbage and human waste" into the river. Last week authorities forced the campers to leave.
Tom Goldtooth, executive director of the Indigenous Environmental Network, which has been active here, said in a statement that the evacuation was a "violent and unnecessary infringement on the constitutional right of water protectors to peacefully protest and exercise their freedom of speech."
Here's the story in the Washington Times.
Awesome Beautiful Presidential Power
President Obama banned oil drilling in parts of the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. His proclamation is permanent and irreversible. The president says he derives this power from the Continental Outer Shelf Land Act.
He commanded the planet to heal and the oceans to slow their rise eight years ago. So this would seem a minor extension of his mandate.
But not everyone agrees he has the power to enforce his will on future presidents and Congresses. Here's Kevin Williamson in National Review:
Legally speaking this is, as Professor Patrick Parenteau of Vermont Law School wryly put it, "uncharted waters."
Awesome Beautiful Presidential Power
David Harsanyi in The Federalist agrees the president can't have have his way with those who come after him. But he fears that future presidents may not want to overturn Obama's will. So much the better to expand their own awesome beautiful presidential power:
So Republicans could likely overturn this diktat as they can the rest of Obama's rickety legacy, predominately built on circumventing the law-making branch of the United States government. The problem is that Trump (and anyone else who comes along) has little reason not to adopt Obama's unprecedented use of the executive power.
Trump's Animal Spirits
James Fallows, in the October Atlantic, says Jane Goodall told him that Donald Trump reminds her of a chimp:
In many ways the performances of Donald Trump remind me of male chimpanzees and their dominance rituals," Jane Goodall, the anthropologist, told me shortly before Trump won the GOP nomination. "In order to impress rivals, males seeking to rise in the dominance hierarchy perform spectacular displays: stamping, slapping the ground, dragging branches, throwing rocks. The more vigorous and imaginative the display, the faster the individual is likely to rise in the hierarchy, and the longer he is likely to maintain that position."
Animal Spirits
The elite made a monkey of Trump before the election. But since then he's released the stock market's animal spirits. Oil and the dollar dig The Donald too.
Many 401-k investors are bullish because stocks have hit record highs. But Clinton Foundation investors – not so much.
Well, at least one Clinton supporter has done ok. Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway is up 8% since the election.
No Clinton Foundation Access for Benghazi Dead
An AP story says 85 of 154 meetings Hillary Clinton had regarding private interests, when she was Secretary of State, were with Clinton Foundation donors.
Clinton Foundation Access Fit For A Prince
Some of those donors represented foreign interests too. Politico reported that the crown prince of Bahrain used his Clinton Foundation connection to get a meeting with Secretary Clinton. That was after he struck out going through "normal channels. So Clinton Foundation executive Doug Band emailed Huma Abedin with the request:
"Cp of Bahrain in tomorrow to Friday[.] Asking to see her[.] Good friend of ours," Band wrote Abedin on her State Department email address on June 23, 2009.
Abedin responded the same day, a Tuesday, that the crown prince had asked to see Clinton through "normal channels" on Thursday and Friday.
"I asked and she said she doesn't want to commit to anything for thurs or fri until she knows how she will feel. Also, she says that she may want to go to ny and doesn't want to be committed to stuff in ny [sic]," Abedin wrote via her State account, following up that she meant "stuff in dc."
Band responded to the first message, "Cool."
Two days later, on June 25, 2009, Abedin wrote Band: "Offering bahrain cp 10 tomorrow for mtg [with ] hrc[.] If u see him, let him know."
"We have reached out thru official channels," Abedin added in the same message.
Band responded: "Nice[.] Abdullah is his guy[.] He's great[.]"
Crown Prince Salman had committed $32 million to scholarships through the Clinton Global initiative.
Feeling the Bern in Venezuela
Hugo Chavez used to give heating oil to poor Americans through Joe Kennedy's Citizen's Energy Corp. Now the mayor of Caracas tweets that Venezuelans are hunting cats and dogs for dinner.
Regular blackouts shut down hospital respirators for hours in Venezuela according to the NYT. Glenn Reyonolds, at USA Today, says socialism doesn't help poor people. It creates them.
The Bern in Venezuela
Bernie Sanders says he's for Denmark style socialism. Danes aren't pleased. T.D. Tuccille, in Reason, quotes Bernie Sanders giving a shoutout to Socialism's ability to make people equally poor:
"Sometimes American journalists talk about how bad a country is because people are lining up for food. That's a good thing," Sanders told interviewers in 1985. "In other countries people don't line up for food; the rich get the food and the poor starve to death."
The Venezuelan elite aren't eating their pets. Chavez's daughter is believed to have a net worth in the billions.


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Germany has long been on both Andrew and my travel bucket lists. We decided that a weekend in Berlin would be the perfect place to start.
What interested me most about visiting Germany was the chance to see how history and progress interact in a place where so much has happened in the past 100 or so years. To really experience this, you'd need weeks in Berlin to peruse all the museums and explore all the new, funky art galleries and delicious traditional and emerging restaurants. A weekend in Berlin may leave you wanting more time, but isn't that a great way to leave a place?
We tried a new way of travelling for this weekend away on the continent, departing London early Saturday morning and returning in time for work on Monday morning. Even with our early wake-up time and early flight, we were still running to make our 1:00 pm walking tour after dropping our bags at the MEININGER Hotel Berlin Mitte Humboldthaus.
The Brewer's Berlin walking tour was the perfect start to our quick weekend trip. We knocked out many of the major sites in just a few hours, all with helpful facts and anecdotes about living in Berlin from our resident tour guide.
The tour is free, all you have to pay is a tip at your discretion. Our guide was Australian, so he was a fluent English speaker, and he had lived in Berlin for over a decade. His passion for the city and its history made the tour engaging. I forget his name, unfortunately, but I recommend the tour – it is three hours long, so bring your walking shoes!
We started our tour on Museum Island, with stunning views of the Berlin Cathedral and Atles Museum. After an introduction, we headed west off the island and through a market to start taking in the sights.
The Central Memorial of the Federal Republic of Germany for the Victims of War and Dictatorship in the Neue Wache building.
The Neue Kirche Deutscher Dom in Gendarmarkt.
Checkpoint Charlie.
Discovered some art on our tour break!
We stopped near the Berlin Wall Memorial to learn more about the wall.
Our tour then wound around to the scenic parking lot that has been erected over the bunker where Hitler killed himself. There is a sign marking the spot if you really look for it.
Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe.
The memorial is powerful. Though there are hundreds of tourists milling about, when you go into these towers, suddenly you find yourself completely alone, wondering what is around the next narrow corner.
Our tour ended by the beautiful Brandenburg Gate in Pariser Platz.
At this point, the perfect next spot to check out would have been to go to to the top of the Reichstag Building and take in the views of Berlin from the glass dome. It is free, but you must book tickets in advance and we totally forgot to do that. Even though we visited in the off season in late March, it was sold out the entire weekend. Don't miss it – book your tickets here!
After our tour, we walked by the Berlin Cathedral again and toward the Berliner Fernsehturm to check out a German beer hall near Alexanderplatz.
We went to Hofbräu Berlin and quickly learned that we should save the beer halls for a trip to Münich. The one we visited was nothing special, though it was fun to get a pre-dinner drink in a lively atmosphere!
Our tour guide recommended Das Meisterstück Berlin for dinner. We hopped a cab over and the cab driver informed us it was very touristy and we should go out in East Berlin, but things wouldn't kick off until 10 pm at the earliest. While we appreciated his enthusiasm for the real Berlin, 10 pm sounded late after a 7:30 am flight from Stansted!
Though the cabbie did not approve of our dinner choice – we did! It was cool to see a modern take on a traditional German dish and it was the sort of yuppie place that speaks to yuppies like us, hehe. They had many different types of sausages and the restaurant itself was smoky from the kitchen where they were made. There were many German craft brews for Andrew to choose from and the wine I ordered was delicious.
We walked back to our hotel by the French Cathedral in Gendarmarkt, pictured above, and learned that Berlin is very beautiful by night. Walking along the Spree, we passed an adorable row of restaurants and decided we would come back there the next night for dinner.
On Sunday, we got up and headed to East Side Gallery.
East Side Gallery is a must in Berlin. It is open-air and free. Artists from around the world lend their talents to the wall, turning into a memorial for freedom.
The works are very varied and many are beautiful.
After the gallery, we walked across the Oberbaumbrücke to get some lunch.
Andrew got a recommendation to eat at Burgermeister, and it was a short walk from the Gallery. We got there at the right time – it was about to open and a line was already forming!
It was darn good. Highly recommend.
With burgers for fuel, we set out and wandered the streets of Berlin to get an idea of what the city is like. We quickly stumbled upon art, street art, and a rap concert in the back of a van.
There is lots of beautifully done street art and graffiti in Berlin.
After wandering, we visited the Jewish Museum. It was fascinating to learn about the history of Jews in Europe.
As the sun set, we headed to the banks of the Spree for a spritz. It was beautiful. After that, we walked further down the river to dinner and decided upon Ständige Vertretung.
I had to get a currywurst! I enjoyed it and I decided I quite like German food! After dinner, we headed straight back to the hotel as we had a super early Monday morning flight. We made it back to London just in time for work and I can't say we'll be doing that type of travel any time soon, but we do wish we could return to Berlin!


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Prior Authorization and Notification Process
Many service do not require pre-authorization, but before providing care we request that you confirm the prescribed service is covered under Member's benefit plan by contacting our Provider Service Center or by logging in with your provider credentials here and checking coverage in our new prior-authorization web page.
- Authorizations processed by AvMed must be requested on an Authorization Request and submitted via the web or via fax.
- Urgent and Emergent requests may be submitted via our new prior-authorization page on the provider portal, but may also be handled telephonically or via fax.
- Authorization request forms for routine/urgent pre-service and Emergency room admissions can be found under forms.
- Telephone and fax numbers are conveniently located on all authorization request forms, but we have included below a list of important phone and fax numbers.
For State of Florida Members:
Effective January 1, 2018, you will now need to obtain authorization through NIA.
Please click here to access RadMD.
The services listed below require an authorization from AvMed or a contracted Vendor:
- Inpatient Hospitalization - Acute, Observation, Elective, Newborn, Skilled nursing and Rehabilitation.
- Mental Health Services (Inpatient admissions and Outpatient treatment) must be approved through our capitated Provider.
- Outpatient and in-office complex radiological procedures – CAT Scan, MRI, MRA, Pet scan, CT Angiography, Nuclear / Cardiac imaging and Nuclear Medicine are handled by NIA for most products (access NIA via the Provider portal).
- Individual Plans are processed by AvMed and requests for these services should be submitted to AvMed.
- Outpatient surgery in an ambulatory surgery center or hospital setting except for certain CPT 4 codes.* (These surgical CPT 4 codes can be found here using your provider number and PIN.)
- Outpatient drug infusions and injections performed in an outpatient facility or infusion suite.
- In-Office Drug Administration requests may be submitted through our on-line Prior Authorization system NovoLogix. Providers must enter through the Provider portal using your provider number and Pin.
- Wound Care Center and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBO) services
- Hemodialysis services
- Transplant services
- Non-participating Provider services
- Pain management services including surgical procedures when provided in an outpatient facility (ambulatory surgery center/hospital setting).
- Ophthalmology services (see list of surgical ophthalmology codes that requires prior authorization)
- Important phone and fax numbers.
- Routine fax request 1-800-552-8633
- Urgent fax request 1-888-430-9897
- Nurse Reviewers Phone 1-800-816-5465
- Provider Service Center phone 1-800-452-8633
For complete details on authorization requirements, please see chapter 3 of AvMed's Physician's Reference guide.
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Filed under: "Mommypreneur", About "Mommy", MommyTalk | Tags: 40 years old, Milestone, new year
Happy New year!
I'm so excited about this year…not only because of all the fun projects that I know are in store for me, but also because I and many of my friends will be celebrating our 40th birthday this year. Because its a milestone birthday, lots of friends are having get togethers and parties or celebrating in some way — and it gives me an opportunity to see and catch up with old friends whom I probably wouldn't have seen it this weren't a milestone year for us.
Although for many logical reasons it shouldn't, but it does surprises me to think that I, along with a ton of my classmates from all walks of life, will be 40 this year. I don't dread it or anything, I'm actually looking forward to embracing it. It's just that 40 seems so major when you say it, but it really feels the same as any other birthday to me — well, kind of the same.
It does make me think back on my life though, my accomplishments, my legacy, and I can honestly say that I'm quite happy. Of course, I'm always striving to improve, and there are some things I would have probably done differently if given a second chance, but overall, I'm happy with what I've done with my life and I have so much to be thankful for.
So this year I'm celebrating life — all of it — family, friends, work, love — I plan to take it all in, and enjoy myself.
Party over here!!!
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As we pointed out last week, the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) which operates the .ca registry, is about to introduce some big changes to its existing WHOIS policies. The changes are largely associated with what information WHOIS databases, registrars and resellers are able to disclose about registrants.
These upcoming changes will have a pretty significant impact on some of our .CA policies. Specifically:
Our public WHOIS database, like CIRA's, will protect registrant information by default. All personal information about individual registrants will be kept private, including the name of the Registrant and the name and any contact information.
- Registrants have the ability to disable WHOIS privacy from the CIRA registrant interface if they choose to do so. It is enabled by default.
- Corporations and organizations will have the option to request similar WHOIS protection in special circumstances. It is disabled by default.
- Interested third parties will still be able to contact the registrant by using a contact form available on CIRA's website (similar to other WHOIS privacy services).
- Resellers will be required to keep registrant information confidential, revealing personal information via telephone or otherwise under very specific circumstances only.
These changes will come into effect on June 10. CIRA will begin messaging registrants about the upcoming changes this week.


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ACL Music Fest Friday Interviews
The French quartet proves timing isn't everything
By Raoul Hernandez, Fri., Oct. 2, 2009
Phoenix4:30pm, AMD stage
Global economic meltdown might not constitute the best timing to disengage from the Astralwerks space station and, in part, release your new disc.
"We thought it was a strange twist of fate – that we [were] releasing an album maybe in the worst period ever in the recording industry, plus the [global] financial crisis," readily acknowledges Phoenix guitarist Laurent Brancowitz from his home in Versailles. "We took it as a challenge."
Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, the French quartet's fourth studio album, tousles its bangs as if the Strokes' Is This It never happened. That "Lisztomania" kicks off the Mentos good time with a melody the 19th century Hungarian composer would have killed for spikes Wolfie with a historical Euro perspective.
"It wasn't a planned move but more the result of us trying to be really true to what we are. And what we are is French guys, European guys, who are a living in a very popular culture, but we've always been surrounded by European history, all these dead people, all these statues of dead people. When we were younger, we tried to explore a more heroic vision of what we are. This album, we were just confident enough to tell the truth. And the truth is exactly that, something futuristic and something very old, and dead.
"Versailles is where we were raised, and Versailles is very beautiful but very boring and very dead."
In Paris' Père-Lachaise Cemetery, one of the aforementioned statues crowns the tomb of Théodore Géricault, the French painter best known for The Raft of the Medusa and who lent his studio to Phoenix almost 200 years after his death.
"There was something very profound there, the vibe. It was very ... calm. It's a painter's studio: The light is always very beautiful and very sad because of the northern lights."


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Commercial Member Services is charged with vetting new members, building awareness of Columbus REALTORS® commercial services and expanding commercial resources. As the chair for 2018, I am excited to accept these challenges and to raise the bar a bit further. Our committee has 'seen the need, and we have taken the lead".
Commercial Member Services has established four goals for 2018. Each of these goals will help establish legitimate and hopefully, long lasting benefits for Columbus REALTORS®.
Our first goal is to take our Preferred Vendor List and expand it to include top service providers in many areas of our business and transaction process. Thanks to last year's chair, Christine Beckman, for her leadership and for increasing the list of vendors in 2017. My goal this year is to include a varied list of vendors so that many more can be added and that members will have convenient and complete access to a provider of service they need. We are further experimenting with a new web-based list of providers at different levels which will allow 'preferred vendors' the ability to more completely advertise their service through a landing page accessible off the Columbus REALTORS® site.
The new Columbus REALTORS® Commercial Real Estate Internship Program is our second goal and one that has become a passion of mine. We identified a 'need' in our industry to introduce younger and more broadly diverse leaders into commercial real estate sales. Our committee prepared a year of research and introduced the new Internship Program for commercial members.
Our program introduces college students to the many different careers in commercial real estate. Of course, sales, but also social media marketing, legal, research, administrative, property management and appraisal can all be included in an internship. Brokerages benefit by having a talented and eager student help in these tasks for an assigned time-period that can also include college credit. But beyond that, brokerages can fulfill an obligation to the future of our industry by providing opportunities to current students. These students come prepared to help from day one and we see this as being a significant benefit for our membership for years to come. Please contact me personally if you have questions about this new benefit (email@example.com).
Columbus REALTORS® offer such great educational benefits and free access to the core CE classes required. We provide Ethics, Law and Fair Housing credit at no cost for our members. Please save your money and check our online schedule to register for a class soon. Of course, we offer other classes and the best way to attend those is to purchase an EduCard Plus. The card is purchased and provides members discounts on 'Lunch and Learn' sessions and is good for unlimited number of Columbus REALTORS® Continuing Education classes for 2018. It also provides 10 percent discount on Print Shop purchases. This includes the photo shop. I will personally tell you that no one will take a better professional photo of you than George in our studio. A professional photo for less than $40! You can't beat that. The card can be purchased for only $75 starting April 1.
Finally, our ultimate goal is to grow our commercial membership. Our committee feels that by adding or expanding the benefits mentioned here, other REALTORS® will see the benefit of Columbus REALTORS® and join our ranks. Please feel free to recommend a friend or associate to join. We also welcome visitors to our meetings which are held every other month, first Tuesday at 11a.
Thanks to all Commercial Members Services Committee members and especially our vice-chair, Tim Norris, and our staff liaison, Brandi Mrugacz. Our work and successes would not be possible without their assistance and leadership.
2700 Airport Drive Columbus, Ohio 43219
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500 Free United Miles With Visa Mobile Offers Sign-up
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
It seems that every industry these days is focused on investing in mobile technology. I now do most of my banking from my iPhone and aloft hotels is piloting a program where you can get your room key automatically downloaded on your mobile phone so you can skip the front check in desk (sign- me up for that!).
United is now offering 500 free miles (registration link) for signing up with their mobile shopping platform. Once signed up, they'll send you up to three texts per week with offers that might appeal to you. I just signed up, so I'm not sure what kind of offers they will be, but it appears that there will be opportunities to earn extra United miles for spend on your Visa (note: it does not need to be a Chase United MileagePlus Explorer Card – I successfully registered my Sapphire Preferred).
Of course nothing in this world is actually free, so not only do you give them the right to text you offers, but they also get access to your personal shopping information from Visa "..I understand and agree that my Visa card's transaction history (which may include my flight itinerary information purchased with my Visa card) with United Airlines and other merchants may be used to provide me with offers and messages based on my purchase behavior, and I agree to the broader terms and conditions of participation in the MileagePlus mobile offers program. I acknowledge my name and email address and mobile number will also be collected by MileagePlus and subject to MileagePlus privacy policy (see MileagePlus website)."
So basically they will be able to understand your purchase history and then select offers targeted towards you. Is that worth it for 500 United miles (roughly $10 to me)? Only you can say, but I personally did it because I will just un-enroll once I get my miles in 6-8 weeks.
To opt-out:
(a) send a text message with the words "STOP" to 81825 or "STOP" to any text message you may receive from MileagePlus mobile offers (or such other short code that may be used in the future);
(b) visit https://rtm.visa.com/MileagePlus and unsubscribing your enrolled mobile number
Hat tip TPG reader Umut!
Terms and Conditions:
- Offer valid only for MileagePlus® members currently residing in the 50 United States (including Alaska and Hawaii).
- To receive the 500 bonus award miles, members must successfully register by entering their MileagePlus member number, eligible Visa card number and mobile number.
- Register anytime on or between May 21, 2012 and Oct. 21, 2012.
- The registration period will conclude at 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 21, 2012.
- This offer is combinable only with other combinable MileagePlus offers.
- A member can register up to three eligible Visa cards per MileagePlus member number but can only earn the 500 bonus award miles one time.
- Please allow 6-8 weeks after registration for posting of the 500 bonus award miles. The 500 bonus award miles will be posted to the MileagePlus account entered at time of registration.
- Miles accrued, awards issued and bonus offers are subject to the rules of the MileagePlus program. The MileagePlus program, including accruals, awards and bonus mile offers is subject to change without notice. United and MileagePlus are registered service marks. For complete details about the MileagePlus program, visit mileageplus.com.
- Offer subject to change without notice. Other restrictions may apply.
- Visa and United, including their respective subsidiaries, affiliates and agents are not responsible for any products and services of other participating companies and partners.
- For complete details about the MileagePlus program, visit mileageplus.com.
- Complete terms and conditions for MileagePlus mobile offers can be found here
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Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Spending Some Time with St. Paul
I've been teaching the past five weeks on the Apostle Paul, especially focusing on Romans, Philippians, Galatians, and 1 & 2 Corinthians. I've struggled with any concluding remark that might do him some measure of justice.
Well, I failed at that task, but there is one aspect of his life that struck me--that he loved to be in "partnership (Greek, koinonia) in the gospel" (Philippians 1:5) with all kinds of people--Timothy, Lydia, Epaphroditus, Luke, etc., etc. As the great New Testament commentator, F.F Bruce, put it: Paul loved the "syn" prefix in Greek, which means "with" or "co." So Paul spoke of "co-workers" and "fellow-soldiers."
I wonder: Are we, as Christians in the United States--who prize our individualism--apt to do the same?
4 comments:
- John said...
set aside the obvious politicalization of faith in the u.s. (you ~did~ specify "u.s."). and, on that level myself, i have no sense of "syn" with many others.
however, i do feel "syn" on a local scale. in a way this is individualistically driven: i hang with the people i like. and in that fellowship, i find community.
i don't know what to do about the larger national, and subsequent global forces that tend to fragment the church.
- GCootsona said...
I do think our relationship alongside other Christians ("syn") will most likely happen at the local level. I posed my question just to see if it's happening at all.
What's different about Paul is that, because of his missionary work, he had this type of "local" relationship with people all over the known world. If possible, our churches will do well to foster that kind of connectedness.
- John said...
right, i was going to point out the historicity of the phenomena...
i don't know jim wallis personally, i don't know ted haggard personally, i don't know greg boyd, and i don't know pat robertson.
they, all in a way have put up their own boundaries around their theological, social, and political turf, and command minions.
it's almost as if today's church is a meta-church, composed of huge church bodies that all have their own self-referential doctrine. i'm sure that within these groups, there is "syn". but between them, there is far less.
how did that happen? is it a natural feature of society and culture that exists on a scale far greater than that of biblical times?
with that regard, i don't really know how to contextualize the passage for then, and today.
- GCootsona said...
The scale is quite different today from 1st century house church Christianity. And, as you infer, we have the cult of the superstar, who are by nature individuals. That makes it well nigh impossible to reap what Paul sowed so easily. So perhaps my reflection is more of a lament than a call to action.
But what do you think--Could we return to a truer form of koinonia?


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Pan Seared Halibut with Pesto Quinoa and Tangy Slaw
This dish is hearty enough to keep you warm in the winter yet not weighed down in the summer and the vibrant colors of the winter vegetable slaw are sure to transform you to warmer weather. Remember, root vegetables are not the only seasonal form of nutrition: bulb vegetables tend to add color and texture, making cooking and eating fun. Tossing quinoa* in an herbaceous cilantro-mint pesto rounds out the dish in flavor and nutritional value.
Ingredients & Method (Serves 2-4, depending on appetite)
For Slaw:
- 1 green apple, julienned
- 1 large watermelon radish, julienned
- 1 fennel bulb, very thinly sliced (use a mandolin if available)
- ¼ cup picked cilantro
- ¼ cup picked mint
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 ½ tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
In a bowl, combine all ingredients. Adjust seasoning to taste and set aside.
For Cilantro-Mint Pesto Quinoa:
- 1 Cup quinoa
- 1 ½ cups water
- Pinch of Salt
- ½ cup Cilantro-Mint pesto (see recipe)
In a small pot, bring water, quinoa and salt to a hard boil. Reduce to a gentle simmer and cover. Remove from heat once all water is absorbed and quinoa is tender. Transfer to a parchment lined sheet tray or a plate and spread evenly to allow for even cooling. Once cooled, transfer to a bowl and fold in pesto until quinoa grains are evenly coated. Set aside.
For Halibut:
- 2-4 portions of halibut, skin on
- lime salt (see recipe)
- ½ tablespoon Canola or any neutral oil
Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees. Heat oil on medium- high in a heavy-bottomed pan such as cast iron. Season fish all over with lime salt. Once pan and oil are scorching hot, but not smoking, add fish to pan skin side down. Once flesh of fish begins to cook through from the bottom, transfer pan to oven for about 4-5 minutes or until desired doneness.
To serve, plate pesto quinoa, place fish on top and garnish with slaw.
* Quinoa is an ancient grain native to South America. It is high in protein, amino acids, fiber, phosphorous, magnesium and iron.
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CP sees growth at the GTH
As CP Rail maps out its plans, it sees more opportunities ahead for the Global Transportation Hub – from the traditional warehousing and distribution to an expanded role in moving value-added agricultural resources.
The key is identifying the right things and doing them the right way, according to Mike Foran, CP Rail's vice-president, market strategy and asset development.
"There is no doubt that we haven't done enough containerizations on the prairies," says Foran. "Value-added (agricultural processing) is required. It presents a great opportunity. No doubt. It just requires the right model."
In his role with CP, Foran has developed a keen sense of the needs of market and how companies involved with transportation can be successful. Those lessons are being implemented across CP's system.
"You're going to hear us talk about 'smart solutions," says Foran. "We can't be all things to all people. We're going to do things that make economic sense and efficiency sense. We're going to be innovative. I see lots of capacity and lots of capability."
The GTH has a place in CP's future plans, as the rail provider believes the inland port model is the right approach for improving efficiency in the transportation system.
"The concept, the idea, is exactly where we need to go," says Foran. "We need more facilities in Canada, in our network, that extend our customers' market reach, that simplify the supply chain, that allow us to handle more and increase our throughput."
In assessing the GTH specifically, Foran identifies three key advantages that will support the ongoing success of the partnership between the rail company and the inland port.
"First, (the GTH) has an incredible amount of very strategic land and assets that are accessible on our railroad," says Foran. "It's an advantage to have the GTH on our railway.
"Two is the on-the-ground understanding of the needs of the customers at a local level. That is critical.
"And No. 3 is the vision. The GTH is not standing still. It has very good ideas – from transloads to attracting ag or other opportunities to the facilities. They have well-thought-out, thorough and strategic plans."
C'est Bon! Investment equals opportunity for Port of MontrealMore than a century has passed since the first permanent sheds were constructed at the shipping port known today as the Port of Montreal, one of Canada's busiest intermodal hubs and a gateway to global trade.
Tony Boemi, vice president of growth and development for Port of Montreal, says investing in land and infrastructure has been and will continue to be essential for the growth of the Port and the region. He says land purchased over 30 years ago is integral to the current plans for the Port – a testament to the long-term vision and commitment of the facility.
"Everyone thought we were crazy," says Boemi, reflecting on the land acquisition. "Today, we're closing in on being full. To be able to continue to handle the growth, we need that land. The land which we purchased is currently a bulk terminal, but also has a tremendous amount if unused greenfield; it's building for the future. The projects take time, It's a long road."
Like all transportation hubs, the Port of Montreal is investing to adapt to the changing needs of large-scale transportation, whether by ship, rail or truck. That means preparing for larger ships, longer trains and new ways of meeting the needs of a trade-based economy.
"Look at the trains today, they're coming in at 12,000 feet," says Boemi. "To increase our ability to handle those trains, we need to invest in infrastructure and the objective remains that you want to maintain processes that are streamlined, and avoid congestion points in the port." According to Boemi, this is now challenged by the fact that ships are getting larger, which in itself may result in less ships being handled at the port, additional port investments, and adding additional pressures of handling increased cargo in shorter periods of time. "Arguably, it goes against the basic principles of supply chain logistics," notes Boemi.
From a port perspective, he says markets surrounding ports are fairly captive, and the real battleground to increase market share is in the inland markets including hubs. "It's fierce, and the levels of service received by the railways will be the differentiator as to how much additional market share you can gain. For the Port of Montreal, we are fortunate that customers have the choice of both Canadian class 1 railways, a clear advantage," says Boemi.
The ability to adapt to an evolving transportation system is at the heart of success for hubs. For the GTH, Boemi believes the ability to develop greenfield land with extra-wide roads designed for long-combination vehicles will be a significant competitive advantage as trucks grow in length and hauling capacity. "Add the capabilities of the CP Intermodal facility and the GTH has the right infrastructure in place for future growth," he says.
Opening doors to tradeThe 80,000 square-foot warehouse that will anchor Brightenview Developments International Inc.'s trade complex is becoming a significant physical presence at the Global Transportation Hub. More importantly, it is becoming another contributor to Saskatchewan's global presence and the continuing growth of the province.
The $45 million Global Trade and Exhibition Centre (GTEC) project will be home to Chinese wholesalers looking to market their products to North American retailers. Much like Saskatchewan provided an avenue to opportunities for immigrants a century ago, GTEC will open doors for businesses and people to fuel the ongoing economic growth and diversity of the province.
According to the most recent census, Regina is the fourth fastest-growing city in Canada – growth that is driven, in part, by the arrival of newcomers. "People have heard about Regina and they have heard about the opportunities and want to be a part of that," stated Regina Mayor Michael Fougere recently. "We're a culturally diverse city offering infinite opportunities for residents and visitors."
That welcoming business environment was a key attraction for Brightenview. Their business model will see GTEC tenants occupy condo-like spaces to showcase their products. According to Brightenview CEO Joe Zhou, his team and servicing partners work with the perspective investors to ensure business plans are a fit and regulatory requirements are understood and met.
"We pride ourselves on helping international investors establish in an unfamiliar market where language and business traditions can sometimes be a barrier," he says. "Our service includes facilitating visits to Saskatchewan by those entrepreneurs who spend a minimum of five business days meeting with relevant business contacts and ensuring GTEC is a fit for their business model."
Zhou is encouraged by the support for GTEC as all 120 units in their warehouse have been sold. The first group of tenants are anticipated this spring and will be distributors of electronics, home building materials, and general consumer goods. According to Zhou, GTEC will also house and assist North American enterprises who want to export to Asia.
For the GTH, the relationship with Brightenview aligns with the mandate of encouraging social and economic development in Saskatchewan. GTEC represents a new way to create opportunities to increase trade and to attract new small and medium-sized companies to Saskatchewan.
"This project is about growth," says Bryan Richards, President and CEO of the GTH. "Brightenview could have picked anywhere in North America. They picked Saskatchewan because it is home to people who came together from around the world to build the province and build a life. The same philosophy that attracted pioneers a century ago holds true today."
Growing organics recycling in the heart of the Canadian prairiesOne of the GTH's first original clients, Emterra Environmental is now offering an innovative green recycling option to Regina residents. Through a new subscription service, Emterra is offering organic waste collection services to homeowners and businesses. Organic recovery has a significant and positive environmental impact: it saves landfill space, reduces methane and greenhouses gases produced at the landfill, and turns the material into valuable rich compost.
"For the first time we are able to offer organics collection for homeowners and businesses throughout the year," says Tim Teeple, General Manager for Emterra Environmental in Saskatchewan. "We have been able to expand the collection to a bi-weekly service throughout the winter and we will switch to a weekly service from April to November."
The City of Regina does not offer an organics collection program for municipal customers and it is the choice of businesses if this is something they want to participate in. For Teeple, he sees how Regina has grown and believes this is something the community is ready for.
"I believe this is a service the 'New Regina' market is looking for and we are happy to help these individuals run more environmentally sustainable homes and businesses," adds Teeple.
When it comes to Canadian cities, Regina is one that is on the move. A recent Statistics Canada report states that Regina's growth rate is more than double the national average. The city's expanding population of over 235,000 brings with them diverse requirements and expectations. "Regina is no longer that city along the highway fueled by the agriculture industry," adds Teeple. "We are a modern city and Emterra is the frontrunner for responsible and sustainable waste resource recovery solutions."
"Emterra is changing the landscape of waste collection, and providing the services and opportunities for everyone to be an environmental steward, to improve their carbon footprint and to support a local green economy. I think this is exactly what those who call Regina home are looking for."
Lalli brings more "global" to GTH boardDirector sees opportunities in value-added agriculture
Dr. Sandip Lalli has spent much of her professional career exploring innovative paths to international trade. Now she is helping the GTH consider new opportunities for development, specifically in value-added agriculture.
"If you look at where we are and our access to resources, the GTH can be a connecting organization," says Lalli, who joined the GTH Board of Directors in December 2016. "We can figure out 'here are the commodities and here is the potential.' We have the land, the logistics hub, some co-location possibilities, the railway, good access to labour and a stable government. This is where we can bring together partners who can create a win."
Lalli speaks from experience, having spent more than decade with Cargill, a global leader in agriculture. She served in senior financial management and risk advisory positions in Canada, the United States and Singapore, gaining a clear view of the needs of trading partners in Asia, Europe, South America and the U.S.
With many countries seeking to improve their food supply while maintaining strict controls over food safety, Lalli believes the GTH can be an important link between Western Canada and the world. The GTH offers a unique greenfield opportunity to develop processing facilities connected to transportation – allowing for a closed-loop approach to the supply of food ingredients.
"Supply-chain security and transparency around farming practices are tremendously important," says Lalli. "Once something is produced, is it secure? Can I have traceability on the product? Can I have enough inputs to sustain the supply chain? The GTH can provide a dedicated location with rail access right there and the ability to get to port."
In addition to her international executive experience, Lalli brings insights into governance and earned her designation as a professional director through the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD). She currently serves on the boards of the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation, the Alberta Cancer Foundation and the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women in Sport.
GTH bids farewell to Captain HoustonThe GTH would like to recognize and thank Captain Gordon Houston for his many years of service on the GTH board of directors. One of the founding members of the original board, Captain Houston elected to retire with the end of this fiscal year.
An authority on port and supply chain logistics, Captain Houston is a former sea captain of more than 25 years' seagoing experience, and upon "coming ashore" was instrumental in merging the Vancouver ports, and ended his career as the President and CEO of Port Metro Vancouver, the largest and busiest sea port in Canada.
"Gordon's 40 years of experience in shipping and international trade will be much missed," said GTH board chair Doug Moen, "but equally missed will be his professionalism on the board, and his advocacy on behalf of the GTH. I know he has taken a great deal of pride watching the hub grow from canola fields, to a thriving facility with multiple clients. We wish Gordon all the very best with this next chapter in his life."


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Teachers took 45,757 days off in 2010-11, led to sub costs of $11.6 million
CLEVELAND – For a school district facing possible bankruptcy, the Cleveland Metropolitan School District was very generous with its employees during the 2010-11 school year.
For example, taxpayers may be surprised to learn they paid the pension contributions for both the district and the teachers during 2010-11. So instead of paying just the district's portion to the State Teachers Retirement System (nearly $49 million), taxpayers picked up the teachers' $35 million tab, too.
That's a nice perk for educators, but bad business for the financially troubled district.
Of course, taxpayers didn't really have a choice in the matter. That payment had already been written into the district's collective bargaining agreement with the Cleveland Teachers Union.
Education Action Group discovered the pension giveaway – and many other budget-busting provisions – during its recent analysis of CTU's collective bargaining agreement with the school district.
Under the Freedom of Information Act, EAG was able to track how some of CMSD's $995 million total budget for 2010-11 was spent. The findings were remarkable:
• CMSD paid out nearly $11.6 million in total substitute teacher costs in 2010-11. The district's 3,547 full-time teachers took a total of 45,757 days off during that school year (40,675 sick days and 5,082 personal). That averages to nearly 13 absences per teacher.
• Cleveland schools paid out just over $4 million in reimbursement for unused sick days for teachers and others covered by CTU's collective bargaining agreement in 2010-11.
• The Cleveland school district spent $3.9 million on automatic, annual "step" raises for teachers and other employees covered by the teacher union's contract in 2010-11.
• The district also paid out $116,423 for salary and benefits for the union president, who didn't teach a single day during the 2010-11 school year.
While the teachers' contract requires the union to reimburse the district for the CTU president's salary, there is no mention of reimbursement for the cost of a replacement teacher. And if no replacement teacher was hired, then the district is, in effect, loaning money to the union to pay its president that could be used to hire at least one full-time teacher.
"These are the hidden costs of an increasingly expensive government education system," said Kyle Olson, founder of EAG. "Taxpayers would be wise to scrutinize how their schools are spending dollars before turning over even more hard-earned money."
The report, "Sucking the Life Out of America's Public Schools: Part 6 – Cleveland Teachers Union Contract," is the latest in a series which includes Milwaukee, Detroit, Philadelphia, Minneapolis and Los Angeles.
All of the reports are available at EAGnews.org.


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More Famous People Are Being Seen Smoking Marijuana
Famous rapper and now very influential person, Snoop Dogg, now known as Snoop Lion, is certain that he will be smoking marijuana with some of the most important politicians and powerful men very soon. While it is widely known that Snoop Lion smokes cannabis and that he is surrounded by some of the world's most influential people, not many of them have made public their opinion on the herb, until now.
In a recent interview to WWTDD, Snoop Lion stated that he would really enjoy smoking the herb with Bill Clinton, who was once the president of the US and is still a very influential man. Snoop responded quite fast, when he was asked the question about, who he would like to smoke the herb with and this is why we know that he truly meant it.
Snoop's answer was "Bill Clinton. He is not the fucking president anymore. He can inhale." These are some strong words, but I am sure that the smoke out that these two would have, would be one to remember.
Smoking Marijuana With Other Influential People
When talking about President Obama, Snoop said that it would probably not be a good idea to smoke out with him, as he is the commander in chief right now and this would certainly not look good on him. "How would that look publicity-wise for the president to sit down, with me knowing I'm bringing this shit to the White House?"
Snoop also stated that he doesn't believe that he would have a problem to sneak some herb into the White House and that he could very likely get by security. His exact words were, "you could pat me down all the fuck you want, this shit's getting in."
Important And Influential People Are Smoking Marijuana
There are many influential and famous people who like to smoke cannabis, either for medicinal or recreational purposes and you are going to be reading more about them here at Zip 420 in the near future.
President Barack Obama once stated, "When I was a kid, I inhaled frequently. That was the point," and this proves that he doesn't see smoking marijuana as very harmful at all. (Obama's phrase can easily be found in YouTube videos and the web. It is true he said it.)
President George W. Bush stated, "I wouldn't answer the marijuana questions. You know why? Because I don't want some little kid doing what I tried." Although these presidents have said these things about marijuana, they have still not legalized it and this is something that they need to do know.
Bill Gates also tried marijuana and he has admitted to it in several interviews. He certainly is an influential man and one of the men responsible for you being able to read this right now, which means that smoking marijuana did not affect him at all.


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My latest project! This clutch encompasses everything a great DIY should have - it's easy, super cute, and looks totally unique. Plus, I love a good ikat. This one might be my favorite DIY yet!
Tutorial over at Piece of Chic!
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