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Ohhhh…what a rough week. Life is all about balance, yes? This week, after several weeks of "soon" and "almost", circumstances finally resolved themselves such that I am now able to work from home. This led to an absolute quantum leap in productivity, but at some personal cost. Combined with the recent intense gym workouts, I found myself getting sucked toward the event horizon of the productivity wormhole. That's when I get attached to my own accomplishments, and start letting my sense of personal self-worth get mixed up in there.
Let's review: what gives a person their worth and meaning? Answer (trick question!): nothing. Worth is inherent. It's a function of just being alive. I suppose some people just… know this, but for me, well…I tend to forget it, particularly in the midst of Great Bursts of Accomplishment. Paradoxically, I have had to work quite hard to not…work so hard. To let go of trying. To just allow. This is why I stopped working for two years. It's why I do Reiki. And it's why I do so much photography.
But this week, as I observed myself getting closer and closer to the whirlpool of doom, I kept making excuses for not going out with the camera. "Oh, the light's crappy." "Oh, I don't have time." Blah blah blah. Letting myself just be still, letting myself feel that I am part of the gorgeous, divine universe – in the hard moments, those words become meaningless syllables. Finally, this morning, I did a Very Brave Thing. I walked away from a sink full of dirty dishes, grabbed the camera, and dragged myself outside.
And….exhale. Here's some miterwort (Mitella diphylla).
This is self-heal (Prunella vulgaris). It's your basic lawn weed around here. This is fine with me, as it results in a purple lawn, which is what I aspire to.
Here's a syrphid fly getting acquainted with the naughty bits of a particularly ambitious type of grass – it's already flowering. The rest of the lawn grass is still bitching about how we never rake the leaves out of it. "Get over it," I want to tell the grass. Or, as my wonderful optometrist told me two days ago, when I freaked at hearing that I need progressive lenses (apparently my arms won't be getting any longer), "use your vast resources of personal flexibility".
Flowers don't freak out about life. They just get on with the business of living. This here is Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum sp.)
Here's one of only a couple of flowering Canada Mayflowers (Maianthemum canadense) I've seen so far. I've seen veritable boatloads of just the one jaunty leaf – those won't have any flowers. Hopefully I'll remember where this guy was so I can go back and visit it as the flowers develop.
Speaking of plants who need more than one year to get it together enough to flower, here's a jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema atrorubens). You can see at its base, a wee little one as well that's probably another couple of years away from producing the flowering structure. Want a close-up? Sure you do.
Jacks are very happifying flowers, don't you think? Although this one almost looks scorched. Perhaps jack was preaching a little too much hellfire and brimstone.
Onwards to trillium (Trillium erectum): many of them are past their prime, which only means that the cool seed formation part is starting now.
A very cool symmetrically balanced seed is being formed even as we speak. The google borg informs me that ants are involved in dispersing trillium seeds, but don't quote me.
Love it.
As with the Canada Mayflower, I've seen a bunch of starflowers (Trientalis borealis) this year, but this is the only one with a flower forming. It was while I was lying on the ground getting this shot that I idly wondered how many ticks were crawling into my clothing.
Blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides) flowers never cease to amaze me.
The leaves have gone green by now, no more space-alien purple leaves:
The ferns – probably cinnamon ferns – are coming along nicely, but are still at the stage where they look like they're composed of tiny bubbles welded together.
Oh! Oh! Oh! For some reason, I'm irrationally fond of white baneberry (Actaea pachypoda).
Maybe because the berries are very distinctive, and I've only ever seen two to three examples of it on our property, so I have tended to really bond with individual plants. Above and below are this year's babies. Yay!
Just one of the truckloads of sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis) we've got cooking this spring.
We have maidenhair fern in various stages. I'll show you the newest one. My 9 year old niece and I agree:
Kinda wormy.
Remember willow? Their crazy flowers have been pollinated, and now they're cooking up seeds.
Will they all go red? Or that a function of subspecies? Dunno. One more thing to pay attention to.
We noticed that the frogs start singing a few hours later than they used to. Maybe that's because many of 'em have gotten lucky:
Actually, I can't quite tell what kind of eggs these are, but thanks to other nature geeks and the miracle of the internet, I'm starting to wrap my mind around this.


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The Influence of the State on Sustainable Human Development
The report reviews the issues of social and economic reform, analyzes positive and negative trends in the development of the economy and considers the role of the state in managing the reforms.
Principal Contributors: D. Bayramov - Director (National Institute of Statistics and Forecasting)K. AmanekovL. AmanniysovaM. AtaevT. MamedovaV. ShlychkovaM. Khaitov
Role of State

subset: commoncrawl


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Polylang allows you to create a bilingual or multilingual WordPress site. You write posts, pages and create categories and post tags as usual, and then define the language for each of them. The translation of a post, whether it is in the default language or not, is optional.
- You can use as many languages as you want. RTL language scripts are supported. WordPress languages packs are automatically downloaded and updated.
- You can translate posts, pages, media, categories, post tags, menus, widgets…
- Custom post types, custom taxonomies, sticky posts and post formats, RSS feeds and all default WordPress widgets are supported.
- The language is either set by the content or by the language code in url, or you can use one different subdomain or domain per language
- Categories, post tags as well as some other metas are automatically copied when adding a new post or page translation
- A customizable language switcher is provided as a widget or in the nav menu
The author does not provide support on the wordpress.org forum. Support and extra features are available to Polylang Pro users.
If you wish to migrate from WPML, you can use the plugin WPML to Polylang
If you wish to use a professional or automatic translation service, you can install Lingotek Translation, as an addon of Polylang. Lingotek offers a complete translation management system which provides services such as translation memory or semi-automated translation processes (e.g. machine translation > human translation > legal review).
Thanks a lot to all translators who help translating Polylang.
Thanks a lot to Alex Lopez for the design of the logo.
Most of the flags included with Polylang are coming from famfamfam and are public domain.
Wherever third party code has been used, credit has been given in the code's comments.
Do you like Polylang?
Don't hesitate to give your feedback.
Ekrano nuotraukos
- Make sure you are using WordPress 4.9 or later and that your server is running PHP 5.6 or later (same requirement as WordPress itself)
- If you tried other multilingual plugins, deactivate them before activating Polylang, otherwise, you may get unexpected results!
- Install and activate the plugin as usual from the 'Plugins' menu in WordPress.
- Go to the languages settings page and create the languages you need
- Add the 'language switcher' widget to let your visitors switch the language.
- Take care that your theme must come with the corresponding .mo files (Polylang automatically downloads them when they are available for themes and plugins in this repository). If your theme is not internationalized yet, please refer to the Theme Handbook or ask the theme author to internationalize it.
- Where to find help ?
- First time users should read Polylang – Getting started, which explains the basics with a lot of screenshots.
- Read the documentation. It includes a FAQ and the documentation for developers.
- Search the community support forum. You will probably find your answer here.
- Read the sticky posts in the community support forum.
- If you still have a problem, open a new thread in the community support forum.
- Polylang Pro users have access to our helpdesk.
- Is Polylang compatible with WooCommerce?
- You need a separate addon to make Polylang and WooCommerce work together. A Premium addon is available.
- Do you need translation services?
- If you want to use professional or automatic translation services, install and activate the Lingotek Translation plugin.
Programuotojai ir komandos nariai
"Polylang" yra atviro kodo programa. Prie jos sukūrimo prisidėję žmonės surašyti toliau.Autoriai
Įskiepis "Polylang" išverstas į 37 kalbas. Dėkojame vertėjams už jų darbą.
Išverskite "Polylang" į savo kalbą.
Interested in development?
Browse the code, check out the SVN repository, or subscribe to the development log by RSS.
Pakeitimų istorija
2.7 (2020-04-06)
- Minimum WordPress version is now 4.9
- Pro: Strings translations can now be exported and imported (in PO format)
- Pro: Allow to decide individually which ACF fields to copy or synchronize
- Pro: Add action pll_inactive_language_requested
- Pro; Fix fatal error in The Events Calendar compatibility when no language is defined yet
- Pro: Fix bulk translate when a post has no language
- Pro: Fix reusable block saved without language
- Pro: Fix post requested by slug not filtered in REST API, when the slug is shared
- Add a setup wizard
- Add Swahili, Upper Sorbian, Sindhi and Spanish from Uruguay to the list of predefined languages
- Add flags in the predefined list of languages
- Allow to hide the metaboxes from the screen options
- The deletion of the plugin's data at uninstall is now controlled by a PHP constant instead of an option #456
- Add parent in ajax response when selecting a term in autocomplete field #328
- Add Vary: Accept-Language http header in home page redirect. Props @chesio #452
- Improve performance to register/unregister WPML strings
- Add support for the action wpml_switch_language
- Add post_status to the list of accepted args of pll_count_posts()
- Apply the filter pll_preferred_language in wp-login.php
- Use filtered wrappers to create meta when creating media translations #231
- Allow to translate the Twenty Seventeen header video Youtube url #460
- Notices are now dismissed per site instead of per user #478
- Fix terms not visible in the quick edit when only one language is defined and teh admin language filter is active
- Fix post state not displayed for translations of the privacy policy page #395
- Fix wildcards not correctly interpreted in wpml-config.xml
- Fix product categories with special characters duplicated when importing WooCommerce products #474
2.6.10 (2020-02-19)
- Pro: Fix sticky posts not filtered in REST API (introduced in 2.6.9)
- Fix wrong language detected if a child page uses the slug of another language
- Fix a PHP notice with PHP 7.4. #438
- Fix lang-item-first class in language switcher when the current language is hidden. #445
- Fix partially a conflict with Fusion Builder (the other part of the conflict being in Fusion Builder).
2.6.9 (2020-01-15)
- Pro: Use 'parse_query' rather than 'rest_{$type}_query' to filter REST requests.
- Pro: Filter the comments REST endpoint.
- Pro: Fix duplication of terms without language.
- Pro: Fix fatal error when Admin Columns is activated and no language is defined yet.
- Fix shortlink when using one subdomain or domain per language
2.6.8 (2019-12-11)
- Pro: Fix conflict with JetThemesCore from Crocoblock
- Fix: better detection of REST requests when using plain permalinks
- Fix usage of deprecated action wpmu_new_blog in WP 5.1+
- Fix PHP notices with PHP 7.4
2.6.7 (2019-11-14)
- Require PHP 5.6
- Fix PHP warning in WP 5.3
2.6.6 (2019-11-12)
- Pro: Fix wrong ajax url when using one domain per language
- Pro: Fix conflict with user switching plugin when using multiple domains
- Pro: Fix latest posts block in WP 5.3
- Fix database error when attempting to sync an untranslated page parent
- Fix a conflict with the theme Neptune by Osetin
2.6.5 (2019-10-09)
- Pro: Require ACF 5.7.11+ to activate the compatibility to avoid fatal errors with older versions
- Pro: Avoid translating empty front slug (could cause a wrong redirect to /wp-admin)
- Pro: Fix filter wp_unique_term_slug not always correctly applied.
- Pro: Fix a conflict with Divi causing post synchronization buttons to be displayed multiple times
- Avoid notice in WP CLI context
2.6.4 (2019-08-27)
- Pro: Fix a conflict preventing meta synchronization when ACF is active
- Pro: Fix post metas not correctly copied when translating a Beaver Builder page
- Pro: Fix a fatal error when posts made with Elementor are synchronized
- Pro: Fix Prewiew button not working correctly when using one domain per language
- Pro: Fix post synchronization not available for WP CRON and WP CLI
- Fix future posts not available in the autocomplete input field of the languages metabox
- Fix translations files not loaded on REST requests
- Fix deleted term parent not synchronized
2.6.3 (2019-08-06)
- Pro: Fix fatal error when updating an ACF field from frontend
- Pro: Add action 'pll_post_synchronized'
- Allow to get the current or default language object using the API. Props Jory Hogeveen. #359
- Fix empty span in languages switcher widget when showing only flags
- Fix wpml_register_single_string when updating the original string
2.6.2 (2019-07-16)
- Pro: Fix slow admin in case the translations update server can't be reached
- Pro: Fix value not correctly translated for ACF clone fields in repeater
- Fix strings translations mixed when registered via the WPML compatibility. #381
2.6.1 (2019-07-03)
- Pro: Fix Yoast SEO sitemap for inactive languages when using subdomains or multiple domains
- Fix fatal error in combination with Yoast SEO and Social Warfare
- Fix post type archive url in Yoast SEO sitemap
2.6 (2019-06-26)
- Pro: Remove all languages files. All translations are now maintained on TranslationsPress
- Pro: Move the languages metabox to a block editor plugin
- Pro: Better management of user capabilities when synchronizing posts
- Pro: Separate REST requests from the frontend
- Pro: Copy the post slug when duplicating a post
- Pro: Duplicate ACF term metas when terms are automatically duplicated when creating a new post translation
- Pro: Fix hierarchy lost when duplicating terms
- Pro: Fix page shared slugs with special characters
- Pro: Fix synchronized posts sharing their slug when the language is set from the content
- Pro: Fix PHP warning with ACF Pro 5.8.1
- Pro: Fix ACF clone fields not translated in repeaters
- Better management of user capablities when synchronizing taxonomies terms and custom fields
- Extend string translations search to translated strings #207
- Update plugin updater to 1.6.18
- Honor the filter
pll_flagwhen performing the flag validation when creating a new language
- Modify the title and the label for the language switcher menu items #307
- Add support for international domain names
- Add a title to the link icon used to add a translation #325
- Add a notice when a static front page is not translated in a language
- Add support for custom term fields in wpml-config.xml
- Add filter
pll_admin_languages_filterfor the list of items the admin bar language filter
- Add compatibility with WP Offload Media Lite. Props Daniel Berkman
- Yoast SEO: Add post type archive url in all languages to the sitemap
- Fix www. not redirected to not www. for the home page in multiple domains #311
- Fix cropped images not being synchronized
- Fix auto added page to menus when the page is created with the block editor
- Fix embed of translated static front page #318
- Fix a possible infinite redirect if the static front page is not translated
- Fix incorrect behavior of action 'wpml_register_single_string' when updating the string source
- Fix fatal error with Jetpack when no languages has been defined yet #330
- Fix a conflict with Laravel Valet. Props @chesio. #250
- Fix a conflict with Thesis.
- Fix a conflict with Pods in the block editor. Props Jory Hogeveen. #369
- Fix fatal error with Twenty Fourteen introduced in version 2.5.4. #374
See changelog.txt for older changelog


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Positions available in all Star Multi Care locations – Long Island, New York and surrounding NYC Boroughs, Mansfield, Ohio and surrounding counties; Lancaster, Allentown, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and in South Florida.
Star Multi Care, a leading in-home healthcare service provider, offers competitive salary/benefits, a team incentive bonus, congenial co-workers and a work environment where employees are respected and a job well done is appreciated. Whether you are interested in working part-time or full-time, we would like to hear from you.
Essential duties of a Physical Therapist.
- Assess and screen patients' daily living/working skills and develop a therapeutic retraining program with measurable objectives.
- Administer and interpret diagnostic and prognostic tests of function to patients in their homes or other settings to assist in evaluating the patient's level of function.
- Confer with the patients' physicians and other healthcare team members and participate in development/revision of the plan of care.
- Provide therapeutic treatment and instruction to patients in accordance with physician orders to improve/restore strength, coordination, range-of-motion and function or teach compensation measures.
- Review and expand retraining programs in a manner consistent with the behavioral goals of patient and within the guidelines of the rehabilitation program as a whole.
- Carry out other duties that may be assigned.
Bachelors Degree in Physical Therapy; and a minimum of one year experience as a Physical Therapist.
Current license/certification in the state of practice and current CPR certification.
Interested in Star Multi Care
Please fill out the interest form below and send in your application for employment


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5 Wallpapers That Will Look Perfect On Your iPhone #6
We've started a new post series in which every week we'll share 5 new wallpapers that we think would look perfect on your phone. If you missed last week's you can check that out here.
Want some exclusive content? Join the UltraLinx mailing list here.


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Bathroom Accessories - White - TPE
Sometimes, it's the little things that count the most. Whether it's preventing water from splashing onto the floor, preventing buildup on your glass shower door or simply finding a way to add a few precious inches of bath water without compromising on safety, SlipX Solutions® is here to help. Shop our line of bathroom accessories below—all designed to make your life a little bit easier.
2 Item(s)
2 Item(s)


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Red Abstract Check Textile Seamless PatternOur mats are heat resistant and are durable to withstand heat from dishes, bowls and even hot plates. Backed with a neoprene rubber to prevent slipping on the table, not only is this dining accessory good to look at, but it's certainly practical too. Machine washable. Measures approximately 18"(w) x 12"(h).
If you order more than 50 pcs items (can be combined), please click here to contact us for whole price quotation, please include the SKU# and the quantity you want for each of them. For order less than 50 pcs, please order directly from our website.


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Jack Skille has 2010 Stanley Cup ring with Blackhawks, but his name is not engraved on Cup
Following Tuesday's practice, Avalanche coach Patrick Roy talked about scoring 10 goals with a 4-of-6 power play in two games and the 0-3 Boston Bruins, who visit the Pepsi Center on Wednesday:
Jack Skille had a dreamy amateur hockey career, but his path changed in the pros when he tried breaking in to the stacked Chicago Blackhawks forwards corps from 2007-10 during his NHL entry-level contract. That story ran Tuesday.
Here is Tuesday's practice report, looking at the slight lineup change for Wednesday's game against Boston.
Wednesday's gameday advance package looks at 20-year-old defenseman Nikita Zadorov, who is now partnered with Tyson Barrie on the second pairing.
Back to Skille. He has a 2010 Stanley Cup ring with the Chicago Blackhawks, but his name is not engraved on the Cup, or in the history books. He touched the Cup — "John Madden made me" — despite not playing in any NHL playoff games that year. Skille played in six regular-season games for Chicago in 2009-10, during the last year of his three-year entry-level contract. It's considered taboo to touch the Cup if you haven't won it, but Skille was definitely along for the ride with that great 'Hawks '10 team.
"I don't regret it," Skille said of touching the Cup. "I'm not very superstitious."
Skille, of course, made the Avs off the professional tryout contract he took into training camp. The team pays for a PTO guy's hotel when camp starts. But Skille began skating in Denver two weeks before camp. He lived with former DU Pioneers forward Angelo Ricci, the triple-A Colorado Thunderbirds director and U16 national coach.
"The two weeks before camp you're on your own. Angelo said, 'Don't do that. Just come stay at might place.' Made me feel right at home," Skille said. "He's been awesome, a good friend. He's definitely helped me out a lot."
Kyle Keefe brings a little something extra to the press room. Nothing could ever match his on-air, name-reference error a couple years ago, but he keeps it refreshingly light here with Erik Johnson on Tuesday:
@6ErikJohnson is a beauty….Dumb and Dumber style. pic.twitter.com/NLeUtnggfD
— Kyle Keefe (@kylekeefetv) October 13, 2015
Kyle Keefe went around the room with a nursery-rhymes skit. This one is with tough-guy Cody McLeod, who has two young daughters. This clip doesn't show it as much, but McLeod completed most of the rhymes before I began shooting. Keefe's piece will air on Altitude next week or so:


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50 Things Every Woman Should Do in Her Lifetime
What do you want to accomplish before you die? No doubt the answer to this question is different for almost every woman in America. Some women aspire to start businesses or be on television. Other women aspire to raise successful children or give back to a charitable cause. Now more than in decades past, women have access to the full range of life experiences. That's why you won't find outdated must-do's for women, like "get married" and "have children" on this list - though those are amazing experiences, many people consider them optional now. Of course, there are many things about women's experiences that could still improve - but why not make the best of what we've got?
You're obviously free to figure out your own bucket list. But these experiences were chosen because of the positive effects they can have on your life. Some are rewarding because of the thrill, such as riding a motorcycle or staying out till dawn. Others are rewarding because they'll bring you more value from your relationships. And there are items on this list that are just likely to make you feel fantastic.
There are a few experiences on popular bucket lists that are kind of niche - skydiving, for instance, or trying a kickboxing class. You won't find these on this list. Some people might live for those experiences, while others could really do without. This list is more focused on universal experiences - ones that we think everyone should get at least once. These bucket list items are rewarding and relatively accessible, though some are a little pricey. But every woman should try to experience these 50 unforgettable things.istockphoto.com
Build a Piece of Furniture
It might not be fun. But accomplishing the task of building your very own piece of furniture is so worth it. Just picture yourself, standing triumphantly beside your new set of drawers, hammer in hand. Now that's victory. And hey, even if it sucks, you'll probably appreciate that piece of furniture like no other.istockphoto.com
Travel Alone
This is one millennial cliché that's actually as great as people say it is. You get to travel your way. Your destination, your itinerary, and on your time. It's OK to be a little selfish every once in a while! Plus, nothing helps you find yourself like complete self-imposed isolation - but don't worry. You're bound to meet all kinds of interesting people along the way. Not sure where to go? These destinations are ideal for first-time solo travelers.istockphoto.com
Find Exercise You Enjoy
In addition to all the physical health benefits you'll get from it, your mental and emotional health can improve, too. But that might not be true if you're miserably slaving away on an elliptical or doing some other exercise you hate. Life is short. Don't waste it in self-punishment. There are all kinds of enjoyable ways to stay active - try swimming, joining a sports team, or going for more walks. You just need to try things out to see what's right for you!istockphoto.com
Go Skinny Dipping
However cliché it sounds, it's true: You only live once. Don't let this experience slip by! It's like anything in life you're scared of. You can either tiptoe on the shore or dive in headfirst.istockphoto.com
Call a Senator
Pick up the phone! Your voice really can make a difference. And calling makes more of an impact than an email or a letter because it shows you're committed. Politics impact your life - whether you like it or not. But you have a better shot at having a say in what happens if you take action. The contact information for current senators can be found on the Senate website. A legislative representative will answer the phone and write down exactly the concern you called about.istockphoto.com
Volunteer for a Cause You Believe In
Speaking of making a difference, volunteering is one of the best ways to do so. Do you believe in animal rights? Volunteer at a shelter! Do you believe in education equity? Become a volunteer tutor! Volunteering for a cause can be incredibly rewarding for you, as well as the people you're helping. If you've found the right cause, you'll feel uplifted and purposeful - and you might even meet some like-minded people while you're at it!istockphoto.com
Make Peace With Your Body
Like it or not, this is the body you're stuck with. And before you try to "fix" your body with a diet or workout plan, keep in mind that studies show trying to change your body won't make you feel any better about how it looks. So why not decide to just feel great about how you look right now? Make peace with your body and learn to treat it with care, regardless of how others may judge your appearance. These simple steps to body acceptance are a great place to start!istockphoto.com
Do Something Rebellious
Just because your parents, your boss, or your best friend doesn't think something is a good idea doesn't mean they're right. Defy expectations every once in a while. Trust your instincts. Get the tattoo, recklessly spend on that plane ticket (or responsibly use these money-saving hacks), get a nose piercing. Be a rebel.istockphoto.com
Learn to Say No
It's easy to get caught up in saying yes to everything. But doing so can leave you feeling overworked, resentful, and tired. Stop being a people pleaser - it's OK to say no to people! Before agreeing to do something, make sure your reasoning is solid. Are there consequences to saying no? What good is coming from this decision? Do you realistically have the bandwidth to accomplish the task you're agreeing to?istockphoto.com
Give a Speech
Make a big presentation at work. Give a toast at your friend's wedding. Whatever the scenario, a little public speaking never hurt anybody! And you just might feel fantastic when you're done.istockphoto.com
Write a Personal Essay or Blog
Get your thoughts and feelings out there. You never know who could benefit from reading them! Plus, writing can be hugely therapeutic. Even if you don't think you're any good at it, why not give it a try? You might find you really enjoy it - or find that it's rewarding to share your story.istockphoto.com
Ask for a Promotion
Good things don't always come to those who wait. Sometimes, you have to ask for what you want. Women don't ask for promotions or raises as often as men do - partly because they're socialized not to think they're allowed. Don't sell yourself short! Read "Lean In" or something to psych yourself up if you need to. But your instincts are probably correct: You deserve that promotion.istockphoto.com
Forgive Your Parents
No parent-child relationship is perfect - and some are messier than others. But no matter your relationship with your parents, take a look at the things about them that make you angry and decide whether you're ready to forgive. Reestablishing a relationship with the parental figures in your life can end up resulting in a really valuable relationship. And forgiving whatever it is your parents did wrong can help you savor the time you have left with them while they're still around.istockphoto.com
Find a Job You Like
There are few things more fulfilling than an enjoyable career. How many hours of your lifetime do you spend at work? More than you think. Make as many of those hours enjoyable as you can. Plus, if you're pursuing a career you like, it's more likely that you'll work alongside individuals with similar passions. You'll be privy to more intellectually stimulating conversations and likely make better friends with your coworkers.istockphoto.com
Quit a Job You Hate
The prospect of being unemployed is scary; but if you're stuck in a job you hate, there's a point when you should really just quit (so long as you have some money saved to keep you afloat while you seek other employment). If you were still at that job, sitting at that desk, for another year of your life, how would you feel? If the answer is "miserable," start looking elsewhere. Sometimes, that means taking a leap of faith and quitting your current job before another option arises. Life is too short to waste time being miserable!istockphoto.com
Eat Alone at a Restaurant
It might feel awkward at first. All of our social instincts tell us that you need company to eat a nice restaurant meal. But stick with it and give it a shot! Take yourself to eat wherever sounds good. Bring a couple of things to do with you - besides your cell phone. You might find that the experience is actually really great. (Believe it or not, you're pretty great company.)istockphoto.com
Eat Whatever You Want
You know what sounds like the worst thing ever? Turning 80 years old and refusing to eat birthday cake because it has too many carbs. You have other, more important things to spend your time on! Like your hobbies, your loved ones, your passions... Think of how much time throughout your life you've wasted on dieting. Don't waste another second.istockphoto.com
Make a Grand Gesture for Someone You Care About
Large displays of affection or appreciation can be nerve-wracking. What if you spend hours planning something and it doesn't go well? But you should try it - put yourself out there! More likely is that the person you care about will be able to tell how much thought and effort you put into the gesture and appreciate the heck out of it.istockphoto.com
See a Therapist
It's time to shove the stigma of mental health aside. Everyone - yes, everyone - could benefit from seeing the right therapist. It doesn't mean there's anything wrong with you or that your life is a mess. It just means you're taking some time to take care of yourself mentally and emotionally, as well as physically. Mental health is just as important! And who knows? You might have the chance to talk through some shifts in perspective that could end up really helping you.istockphoto.com
Speak Up for Yourself
If something's bugging you, speak up. Many women hold back for fear of offending people or being too confrontational. But you might find people aren't as offended as you'd think. And staying silent is often interpreted as approval. By not speaking up when things get to you, you're actually giving the message that those things are OK! You're allowed to have opinions and you're allowed to defend yourself. Change is much less likely to happen if you don't ask for it.istockphoto.com
Apply to Your Dream Job
Even if you're not qualified. People get jobs they're underqualified for all the time. You truly have nothing to lose - and just think of how much there is to gain! You could land the job you've been dreaming of.istockphoto.com
Learn to Make Her Favorite Dish
Food tastes better when you're proud to have prepared it yourself. Do you love risotto? Plan a night to yourself to learn to cook it. You might find it's easier than you think - and that your favorite meal could actually come from your own kitchen.istockphoto.com
Learn Another Language
New language, new perspective. Learning a language is easier than ever these days with free apps like Duolingo and the internet's reservoir of language tools. Just think of all the new people you can communicate with and places you'll want to travel!istockphoto.com
Thank a Female Role Model
The influential female role model in your life probably doesn't get told enough how much of a difference she makes. Who in your life has made an impact on you? Given you confidence, helped you find your way... It could be a teacher, your mom, a good friend, or someone you've never even met. Take a minute from your day to tell her how much she means to you. A little appreciation goes a long way!istockphoto.com
Do Something You Never Thought Possible
Prove your doubts wrong. Tackle a challenge you never dreamed you'd accomplish - and see it through till the end. Write a book. Run a marathon. Doesn't matter what it is, so long as you think it's extraordinary. Because you are extraordinary!istockphoto.com
Live Alone
Is it you or your roommate who's really messy? Only one way to find out: Live alone for a while. But that's not all you'll discover about yourself. With the freedom to do and decorate and live literally however you want, you'll find out what lifestyle truly works for you. Plus, you can hang out naked. Watch what you want on TV. Take your time to do the dishes. What a life.istockphoto.com
Fall In Love
They say fairytales aren't real, but finding at least one love in a lifetime is an essential experience. Finding comfort and happiness with another person can help you to become a better woman. We're not saying you have to get married or fall in love forever, because heartbreak is an important part of life too.istockphoto.com
Make Valuable Friendships
The Beatles said it best: You get by with a little help from your friends. Value quality over quantity when it comes to friendships and you'll end up with some of the most rewarding relationships of your life.istockphoto.com
Learn How to Budget
No one said all of these would be fun. But budgeting is super useful, and a necessary skill if you're going to be a #strongindependentwoman. Try doing things a week at a time. There are free apps now that will calculate your spending for you. Find out how much you're spending on food, how much you have left for bills, how much of your budget it going towards alcohol... The results might surprise you.istockphoto.com
Take a Class in Something New
It could be anything! Take a dance class, try a poetry seminar, or learn a new language. These classes can be relatively cheap and can be a great way to meet new people! These life-changing courses, for instance, are completely free.istockphoto.com
Take a Mental Health Day
What, you can take a sick day when you have a stuffy nose, but an existential crisis doesn't warrant a day at home? Mental health is just as valid as physical health. It's important to take care of both! Call in sick and indulge in a little self-care. Bake a batch of cookies, draw yourself a bath, or walk around your neighborhood for a while.istockphoto.com
Go Out Without Makeup
It can be fun wearing makeup every now and then, but sometimes it's a real chore. Don't let the patriarchy bully you into getting dolled up every time you have to leave the house. Try it once and see what happens - go out without any makeup. You might be surprised to see that it makes literally no difference in your day-to-day or how people treat you. And if it does, those people suck anyway.istockphoto.com
End a Toxic Relationship
Life is too short to spend it with people who bring you down. It's not easy to cut the cord, but you'll be relieved once you do. You'll free up more space in your life for people who make you feel amazing instead!istockphoto.com
Be Single for a While
Get to know yourself. Learn to enjoy your own company. Doing so could actually make you a better partner in future relationships.istockphoto.com
Get Rid of Negative Influences
Things you don't have time for: Friends who bring out the worst in you and influences that do nothing but hold you back. Cleanse your life of naysayers and social media that makes you feel like trash. You're not trash. You're wonderful. Get rid of anything and anyone that doesn't make you feel that way.istockphoto.com
Find a Favorite Book
Step one of this worthwhile pursuit is to read more books. Then do a little self-reflection. Which do you enjoy? Which did you find boring? Books can serve as a useful highway for self-discovery. Plus, people are going to ask you that question a lot. Ice-breakers, first dates, job interviews... Can't hurt to have an answer ready.istockphoto.com
Try an Extreme Sport
What, free-falling through the atmosphere with a parachute strapped to your back doesn't sound like fun? How would you know until you try?! Add a little thrill to your life. Sign up for an extreme sport and let your adrenaline run wild.istockphoto.com
Learn How to Talk to Your Doctors
The doctor's office can be overwhelming as heck - and they have a tendency to make you feel really invalidated. Women especially struggle with talking to their doctors. Women's issues are often not openly talked about, which can lead patients to either stay silent or be misunderstood. Learn how to be direct at the doctor's office. Doctors work for you, remember that.istockphoto.com
Stay Out Till Dawn
They say nothing good ever happens after 2 a.m. - and for the most part, that's probably true. But come on, live a little! On a good night when you have lots of fun things to do, stay out and see where the night takes you. Bonus points if you see a beautiful sunrise. Just make sure you don't have anywhere important to be the next day.istockphoto.com
Make the First Move
It's the 21st century, ladies! You no longer have to sit around and wait for an amiable beau to ask you to dance. Isn't gender equality cool? Approach that guy or gal at the bar. Flirt a little. Put yourself out there. What do you have to lose?istockphoto.com
Learn How to Drink Responsibly
Stumbling home in heels might have been acceptable in college, but there's an age when it's not cute anymore. Learn how many shots are too many. Figure out how it feels to have a couple drinks with dinner - like, without getting drunk. Drinking is a useful skill for everything from professional events to first dates.istockphoto.com
Learn a Useless Skill
"Useless" meaning with no end goal in mind. Do it for yourself. Take the pressure off completely. Learn to play piano just because. Learn to knit for no reason at all. Take up juggling - which actually makes a great party trick!istockphoto.com
Learn How to Handle Rejection
Life happens. Rejection happens. If you curl up into a ball of despair every time someone doesn't like you, you're never going to get anywhere. You don't have to let the fear of rejection hold you back. Rejection is an unavoidable human experience; let yourself be uncomfortable, process those emotions, and overcome it. You'll be stronger for it!istockphoto.com
Learn About Social Issues
Whether it's by reading the news on your morning commute or chatting with coworkers about current events, you should be keeping up with modern social issues. These issues affect you; don't forget, knowledge is power!istockphoto.com
Stop Over-Apologizing
Stop saying sorry already. And before you start, stop saying sorry for saying sorry! Women are constantly apologizing. It's a self-defeating social habit that's unfortunately been ingrained since birth. Nip inequality in the bud and break this habit for good. You only really need to say sorry when you've done something wrong.istockphoto.com
Okay, you should probably do this more than once. Ideally, every time you're able to after the age of 18. Let your voice be heard - it does make a difference!istockphoto.com
Own a Pet
Dog person, cat person, fish person - doesn't matter. Doing a nice deed by giving an animal a home can do more than improve that animal's life. It can actually make you into a better person. You'll learn a lot about responsibility and companionship - and your pet will shower you with unconditional love in return!istockphoto.com
Get a Drastic Haircut
It sounds silly. But you'd be surprised how powerful a haircut can be. Just make sure you're in a relatively stable mental and emotional state before taking the leap. You don't want a hair-triggered midlife crisis on your hands.istockphoto.com
Ride a Motorcycle
Scenic views, the wind in your hair... Sure it's a little dangerous, but most fun things in life are. Find a road without much traffic if you're nervous. Oh, and don't be nervous. That's the key.istockphoto.com
Break the Rules
Being an adult is hard. It's like, you get older and suddenly there are all these rules! Pay your bills on time. Get eight hours of sleep a night. Avoid processed food. Sure, some of these rules are there for a reason. But other etiquette and general life rules are totally outdated. Here are 50 rules you should throw out by the time you turn 50 - or before.istockphoto.com


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Flowers taking new stance on offensive game
White Sox catcher says he's healthy, feeling good about strong start
KANSAS CITY -- The 2014 version of Tyler Flowers bears little resemblance to the '13 version of the White Sox starting catcher.
And that change has nothing to do with an alteration in physical appearance.
"I feel entirely different as far as pretty much every aspect," said Flowers, when talking about his overall game, which includes a .500 average after going 1-for-4 with a two-run single in Sunday's 5-1 win over the Royals in the series finale at Kauffman Stadium. "My shoulder really doesn't hurt, so that's one aspect that's gone.
"My stance is completely different. I feel like my swing is a whole lot different. All and all, I feel like almost a different player."
Flowers played much of last year with that sore throwing shoulder, which was surgically repaired last September. He struggled through a .195 performance, but he never lost the confidence of his pitching staff, something that hasn't changed during this current campaign.
As for last year, Flowers has a similar view as most of his teammates in that it's done and over, and past history is not to be revisited. He had a streak of seven straight at-bats with hits end in his last trip to the plate on Friday and believes he is doing things to sustain that offensive success.
"Right now, I feel pretty good. I'm keeping everything pretty simple," Flowers said. "I'm probably not going to continue to go 7-for-8, so I don't know yet. Like I said before, the big thing I'm trying to do is be as consistent as I can and put together quality at-bats.
"In the first two games, I didn't really do that as well as I would like. But since then, I feel like I've had quality at-bats. A lot of them have resulted in some hits, but that's not really the point. It's more about seeing pitches and swinging at strikes and taking balls, and putting together quality at-bats. Continue to pile those together game in and game out, day in and day out.
"I'm doing a lot of things that I'm really comfortable with, which I think will be good over the long haul," Flowers said. "I don't need to prove anything as far as vs. last season or anything like that. The big objective is try to feel healthy and, for the most part, I feel pretty good and have all spring."


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Facilitating the spread of knowledge and innovation in professional software development
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Alex Blewitt presents the microarchitecture of modern CPUs, showing how misaligned data can cause cache line false sharing, how branch prediction works and when it fails, and how to read CPU specific performance monitoring counters and use that in conjunction with tools like perf and toplev to discover where bottlenecks in CPU heavy code live.
Wes Reisz talks with Peter Bourgon, a distributed system engineer working on Fastly. The two engineers talk about the space of Conflict-Free Replicated Data Types (CRDTs) specifically in the context of edge compute. Topics covered on the podcast include Edge compute, CRDTs, CAP Theorem, and challenges around building distributed system
Janet Bastiman describes how turning an AI proof of concept into a production ready, deployable system can be a world of pain, especially if different parts of the puzzle are fulfilled by different teams, going into technical details.
Portia Tung discusses the power of play, explaining how play can convert resistance to change into joyful anticipation of growth instead, leading the listeners into experiencing the benefits of play.
Rod Cope discusses a continuous testing approach that fits into the DevOps pipeline, providing a formula for mobile app testing.
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The 29th of September 2008 marks the beginning of the Hindu festival of the Goddess. Navaratri is celebrated in the Hindu month of Ashvina (September/October) for nine nights and ends on the tenth day, Vijayadashami the day of victory. It is one of the most celebrated festivals in Hinduism though its variations are as colorful and unique as the Hindu religion itself.
The festival honors the power of the Goddess in three forms and her victory over the demon Mahishasura. The legend of Navaratri originates from the Markandeya Purana, an ancient Indian text, and tells of a fierce and patient demon names Mahishasura. The demon was so dedicated to his practice that he earned a boon from Lord Shiva that he could not be defeated by any man or God. Then, he proceeded to torment the earth and the heavens. Discouraged by the fact that no God could stop Mahishasura, the Goddesses Lakshmi, Saraswati and Parvati joined hands in meditation and created the Goddess Durga. Durga and Mahishasura fought for nine nights and on the tenth day, Durga triumphed over the demon sending dangerous ignorance into nonexistence.
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The Goddesses Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati are each honored during Navaratri. Durga, the destroyer of demons and obstacles, is revered for the first three days. On the second three days, the Goddess Lakshmi is honored, with the emphasis on wealth and prosperity. On the last three days of the Navaratri, Sri Saraswati is paid homage. She symbolizes creativity, inspiration and knowledge. On the tenth day, Vijayadashami, the day of victory, the defeat of the demon by the Goddess Durga is celebrated.
Some variations in this structure exist with Kali being recognized in the first three days and Paravati in the last three days of the festival. But without question, Navaratri is the honoring of the feminine divinity in all of us. The festival calls on us to honor and venerate the feminine energy, a practice which is somewhat unique to the Hindu tradition. Women are not only viewed as mothers and nurturers but as warriors and powerful Goddesses, the embodiment of supreme compassion and ruthless strength.
When we observe Navaratri, we choose to honor the Goddess in every woman. We direct our attention for nine days on reverence of the fierce strength, the bounty, and the inspiration that our feminine manifestation offers. We can slow down and recognize the intense hold that our ignorance and illusions can have over us, but with awareness of our own inner strength as represented by the three Goddesses, we too can celebrate victory and annihilation of our demons. As one author states, "The killing of a demon by a deity is not mere physical annihilation, but rather liberation, a manifestation of divine grace."
So even if we aren't Hindu, Navaratri can be an invitation to step into the awareness of the feminine aspect in all things. As you move through the "nine nights" take note of the way that our feminine aspects create strength, compassion, wealth, and wisdom in our lives everyday. If you are a woman, honor yourself, and if you aren't, take a moment to honor a woman in your life.


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How to encourage cycling at schools with anti-cycling policies
How to encourage cycling at schools with anti-cycling policies
There is plenty of information available on how to promote cycling at schools that already have a positive outlook (you can learn more about this in the 'Working with the Willing' section below). This campaigning kit, however, is primarily to help people who are trying to change the attitudes of obstructive schools.
Cycling allows children to travel quickly and independently through their local areas, providing not just autonomy and a learning experience, but a daily sense of achievement. We hope that this kit helps you work with your child (or children) to make cycling a part of their everyday life. Although many of the suggested actions need to be led by adults, the issue remains essentially about children, so we strongly encourage anyone using this kit to work closely with the affected child(ren) at every step of the process.
The following pages set out some of the evidence and techniques that might come in useful when challenging bans imposed by schools.
See also Cycling UK's policy briefing on cycling to school.
Why cycle to school?
We believe all children should have the opportunity to cycle to school. It contributes to the NHS-recommended 60 minutes of moderate exercise for 5-18 year-olds each day, tackles weight problems and improves concentration in the classroom.
Cycling also gives children autonomy and the opportunity to learn how to explore and navigate their environment safely on their own – both of which are vital life skills. What's more, it's inexpensive, good for the environment, and can help cut down on the congestion caused by the 29% of trips between 8 and 9am in Great Britain caused by the school run.
The NHS says that to maintain a basic level of health, children and young people aged 5-18 need to do:
- at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day – this should range from moderate activity, such as cycling and playground activities, to vigorous activity, such as running and tennis
- on three days a week, these activities should involve exercises for strong muscles, such as push-ups, and exercises for strong bones, such as jumping and running
There are so many reasons for children to cycle to school, yet currently only 1% of primary and 2% of secondary school children in Britain do so, as opposed to half of children in the Netherlands.
However, over half of UK children of primary age say they would rather cycle to school than be driven. On the other hand, there are also many reasons that schools and parents give for not allowing children to cycle. These are mostly grounded in fear – fear that children will not cycle safely, that drivers will drive dangerously, or that children alone in public are at risk. These fears simply do not reflect real experience, as discussed below:
- Children can learn to ride safely through Bikeability. Based on the Government-backed national standard, Bikeability offers three levels of progressive training for real-world conditions, teaching children techniques to protect themselves, e.g. by looking and anticipating the movements of drivers and other road users. Children can also learn safe cycling by riding regularly with their parents or other skilled adult cyclists.
- It's true that cycling has more inherent dangers than staying indoors wrapped in cotton wool. However, the health benefits of cycling - in terms of greater cardiovascular fitness, reduced levels of some cancers and obesity - far outweigh the risk of being hurt in a traffic crash.
- For children, cycling is a particularly good way of doing two things at the same time: transporting themselves about and keeping fit. A study of 6,000 school pupils in eastern England showed that 10-16 year old boys who regularly cycled to school were 30% more likely to meet recommended fitness levels, while girls who cycled were seven times more likely to do so.
- The media greatly exaggerate the risk presented by 'stranger danger'. Since 1985 there has been no increase in the numbers of children killed by strangers. Allowing children to navigate their environments starting with short journeys – which is what many home-to-school trips are – helps prepare them well for further travel later in life.
The evidence clearly shows that cycling is a safe and healthy way to get to school. For more, read our policy briefings on health and on cycling to school
The law - what schools can and cannot do about cycling to school
- Cycling 'bans'
Schools do not have any legal right to ban cycling to and from their premises.
However, schools can discourage cycling through letters to parents or anti-cycling statements at assemblies and in policies and newsletters etc.. Schools can also ban bicycles from school grounds or refuse to supply cycle parking, which in many cases creates a de facto ban.
- Liability
Some schools will make incorrect claims (either knowingly or out of ignorance) about their liability for students and/or their bicycles in order to justify a ban on cycles/cycle parking on school grounds.
However, schools are not liable for students travelling independently to or from the premises (school buses are a different matter). Equally, schools are not liable for theft or damage caused to bicycles on school grounds, just as schools are not liable for theft or damage to a student's coat left in a cloakroom.
School Travel Plans & sustainable travel
School Travel Plans (STPs) look at the journeys that schools generate and how to make them more sustainable. They should be based on consultation with the whole school community and present clear targets, specific interventions and agreed monitoring criteria to shift journeys that are currently made by car to more environmentally-friendly means of travel – such as cycling.
In 1999 the Government issued guidance calling for all schools to complete an STP. A follow-up in 2003 made it clear that both schools and local authorities should promote sustainable transportation through STPs.
While schools do not have a legal duty to produce a travel plan, though, the Education and Inspections Act 2006 s.76 gives local education authorities (LEAs) in England a general duty to promote the use of sustainable travel and transport. STPs are an ideal way of fulfilling this duty.
STPs can be an important tool for encouraging your child's school to listen to your concerns. They usually include a survey of pupils asking them not only how they currently travel to school, but also how they'd like to travel to school. Many children want to cycle, and this can provide motivation for the school to examine the issue. Many local authorities have school travel co-ordinators, who can prove useful champions for your cause.
Further reading:
- Guidance from the Department for Education
- Tackling the School Run published by the Scottish Government
- Developing a School Travel Plan: information for parents and schools - a short and accessible introduction to the topic from Sustrans
Your local authority might also have its own guidance. Try searching for the name of your local authority plus + 'school travel plan' on the web.
How to convince your child's school to allow cycling (part one)
- Is there a problem? Does your child's school discourage cycling in its prospectus and/or official announcements? Do they ban it outright? Do they ban cycles from school grounds? If your child is discouraged or not allowed to cycle to school, try to find out exactly what the problem is and – if possible – the reasons. You might find that writing to them and asking for a written answer is the only way of finding out for sure.
- Discuss the situation with your child. What does your child want to do? Does he or she have any ideas about how to change things? Is your child worried about being an 'odd one out' if they cycle, or if you make a fuss about it? Find out what they want, how they feel about what you're doing, and involve them in any actions you take.
- Get other families involved. Identify other parents at your child's school who would like their children to be allowed to cycle there. Ask them to help you approach the school. The more families requesting a change in policy, the more difficult it becomes for the school to dismiss your request.
- Be prepared to talk to parents who don't support cycling to school. Listen, be respectful and try to address their concerns - but be ready to concede that there are some people who just aren't interested in changing their minds. Don't waste your energy on skirmishes that won't help your cause.
- Talk to the head teacher. You can begin the dialogue either in a face-to-face meeting or on the phone. It is possible that the school's policy on cycling is out-dated or has not been well-considered. Politely ask the head teacher why the school has the policy it does. Try to find out who made the decision, when, and if there was a specific incident or reason that prompted it.Try to understand the head teacher's position, and respond gently and sensitively to his or her concerns. Even if you think they are being silly or dismissive, do your best to maintain a dialogue – not a confrontation. Remember that this policy may not be the head teacher's decision - they may even be an ally, underneath it all!
How to convince your child's school to allow cycling (part two): what are the objections?
Whether or not you think the head teacher's concerns make sense, they are real to him or her. You need to provide solutions. Some objections we have heard include:
- Children lack safe cycling skills – suggest that all pupils at the school are offered Bikeability cycle training. Parents can also teach children safe cycling on the journey to school itself - for those who want to refresh their own skills, a course of adult cycle training might be in order. For children under the age of 10, or who have not had Bikeability level 2 (or in cases where schools are surrounded by very busy roads, level 3), cycling with them is a reassuring thing to do anyway. Parents are usually in a good position to know how advanced their children are and how much support they need.
- No cycle parking/not enough space for cycle parking – ask the council to install parking (some cycle-commuting teachers may back you up on this request). Many local authorities have cycle parking budgets, and appreciate suggestions from the general public. Alternatively, cycle parking is surprisingly inexpensive and you can buy it direct from many manufacturers. Designs exist for small bicycles. For information on cycle parking best practice, see: www.camcycle.org.uk/resources/cycleparking/guide
- The school is concerned about its liability – schools simply are not liable for a child travelling independently to school or for a child's property left on school grounds. See section 2 above.
- The roads surrounding the school are too dangerous – this can be one of the most difficult objections to overcome. Due to years of car-oriented planning, unpleasant and high-speed roads are difficult to avoid in many areas. Your council may be able to help you decide the best approach to take by carrying out a risk assessment of the area for you. At least you'll then have an official perspective on what the hazards may or may not be, and some ideas on what could be done about them – e.g. introducing a new crossing point or 20 mph limits.
Remember also to think about measures that would help discourage people from driving their children to school, e.g. no-stopping zones around schools and reducing nearby car parking.
Keep pushing the idea that more children cycling to school will mean fewer people driving, and that this will make the roads safer, as well as reducing school run congestion on roads in the school's neighbourhood.
Stress that you want the whole of the local community to benefit, not just you and the school!
- The children will run over other children and/or neighbours and there will be chaos. This is very unlikely to happen. In any case cycles do far less damage than cars, so third parties are much more likely to benefit than otherwise.
You can try recommending that all children at the school are offered cycle training, but be wary of moves to make it a compulsory prerequisite to cycling. Primary schools often only arrange instruction at the end of the last year, which means younger pupils are 'banned' from cycling unless their parents have organised training for them outside of school. If making training a prerequisite remains a sticking point, you might want to suggest that children who cycle must be registered with the school. This is not an ideal solution, however, as it gives the impression that cycling is somehow not an everyday activity and needs to be regulated.
- The children don't want to cycle to school. Around half of all children in the UK want to cycle to school. This is a figure that comes up over and over again in school travel surveys. In order to submit a School Travel Plan, each school has to measure how children currently travel to school, and how they wish they did travel. If your child's school has not already collected this information, ask them to do so.
How to convince your child's school to allow cycling (part three) - next steps:
- Present the solutions to the head teacher. Write to the head explaining that cycling is a healthy and relatively safe way for children to travel to school, and address any concerns the head teacher gave in your initial discussion. Suggest your solutions and a date by which you would like a response. Continue trying to discuss the issue with the head teacher, even if they do not respond positively to your letter. Make it clear that you don't want to make a fuss, but that you will be forced to go down that route if the school's cycling policy does not change.
- Take the discussion to the Board of Governors. If the head teacher does not respond positively to your letter, try to attend a meeting of the Board of Governors. At the least, the AGM should be open to everyone and you should be able to submit a question for discussion beforehand. Ask for a written response, if possible. A good outcome would be for the Board to agree to delegate a steering group/committee to look into cycling (or cycling and walking) to the school and to report back. Ideally, you should be invited to sit on it. You may also find it useful to become a parent governor yourself, but you will need to stand for election first.
- Involve the local authority. Since all local authorities are required to promote sustainable school travel (as part of School Travel Plan requirements), your local authority should be broadly supportive of your campaign. All local authorities are organised differently, but yours is likely to have teams or departments focused on sustainability, transport or road safety. Look in these teams for people who are particularly excited about your campaign. They don't need to be the heads of those departments, but they must want you to succeed. If your local authority has a cycling officer or school travel plan officer, contact them. They should be able to help you navigate local bureaucracy and policies.
- Use policy and the political system. Write to your MP and to local councillors, explaining your plight. Ask them to visit the school. Look up the school's Travel Plan. It will be based on a survey, which you should be able to see. If you don't like the questions on it, ask the school to issue a new survey. Your contacts within the local authority should be able to help you with this.
- Complain to the school's line manager. Many schools are managed by Local Education Authorities. They have very strict rules about how they get involved in disputes between parents and schools. You will need to do your research, and it is likely that you will have to present evidence that the school is failing to meet a mandated requirement, such as promoting sustainable school travel. Once again, your contacts within the local authority may be able to help with this. If your child attends a religious school, write to the local head of the church/institution.
- Get the local media involved. This is really a tactic of last resort, as it will probably anger the head teacher and Board of Governors. But it is worth doing if other methods have not worked and, of course, if your child isn't troubled by the prospect. The local media tend to be quite interested in cycling to school stories!
- Don't give up hope! Overturning a school cycle ban can be a long and complicated process. Your child may not even be there long enough for you to see any changes - but it is worth trying. We have heard of several instances where one family has campaigned unsuccessfully, but managed to pave the way for another family to pick up where they left off - and win!
Working with the willing
Over the past decade, a number of effective interventions at individual schools have encouraged more children to cycle. These programmes can help you promote cycling once you have successfully overturned the school's cycle ban, thus beginning the process of transforming an anti-cycling school into a pro-cycling school.
- Bikeability – updated National Standards Cycle Training for the 21st century, with a focus on providing training on-road in real traffic conditions
- Sustrans' Getting Young People Active projects
- Cycling Scotland's Cycle Friendly School Award schemes (with resources, case studies and tips)
Finally, good luck from Cycling UK!
Draft letter to schools with anti-cycling policies
Our draft letter will help you challenge anti-cycling policies such as cycle bans or obligatory helmet policies.
Please note: because schools have implemented these policies on an ad hoc basis, you will need to edit and add to this outline to ensure it is as relevant as possible to your local area, the school in question, the school travel plan, and most importantly the details of the proposed policy.
In the pdf below the letter you will also find links to child health and physical activity statistics, which we recommend you use to emphasise the importance of cycling to your part of the UK or your local area.
Finally, make sure to discuss your letter with other parents first to try to get them on board - a letter sent by a group of parents (and pupils if appropriate) will be much more effective than a lone parent, especially considering that other parents may be supportive of the anti-cycling policy.


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Social Policy for Organizations
While the University's role is to assist students to develop satisfying lifestyles to equip them for a better quality of life, it cannot and should not stand in the place of a parent. University students, as citizens of the community, of the state and of the nation are, like any other adults, expected to be aware of and to abide by pertinent laws and University regulations. The University expects students to conduct themselves at all times as responsible adults, and to realize that they may be subject to civil or criminal liability resulting from violation of alcohol and controlled substance laws. Such liability may exist independently of any disciplinary action taken by the University for violation of its regulations.
The following regulations regarding planned social functions held off campus and on the University of North Alabama campus or on property controlled, owned, or operated by the University shall apply to all student organizations, whether social, academic, honorary or otherwise, recognized by the University and all UNA Greek-letter social organizations, whether or not housed on university property:
Guests List
All social functions where alcoholic beverages shall be served or permitted to be consumed shall be by individual invitation only. Parties or other social functions where alcoholic beverages are served or permitted to be consumed cannot be open to non- members without a specific individual invitation. A typed guest list must be compiled prior to the event and be made available upon request by a university official. The guest list must be turned in to the Office of Student Life by noon on the next business day following the function. Open parties are prohibited.
- The sale of alcoholic beverages is prohibited. This restriction applies to all of the various methods of charging for drinks, including charging admission to parties, selling drink tickets, asking for donations, charging for food or other items while providing drinks free, or otherwise obtaining payment or reimbursement of any kind for alcoholic beverages.
- Alternative beverages such as soft drinks, nonalcoholic punches and the like must be readily available at all times during parties or social functions at which alcoholic beverages are being consumed.
- Ample quantities of snack foods, such as meats, brownies, cookies, cheeses, fruits, sandwiches and raw vegetables or hors d'oeuvres must be readily available in several locations at all times during a party at which alcoholic beverages may be consumed.
- Glass container will be prohibited at all social events with alcohol.
- No common source of alcohol should be provided such as but not limited to hunch punch, keg, etc.
- Hard liquor should be prohibited from all "Bring Your Own Beverage" social events.
- In the event that alcoholic beverages become present at a function that originated as a non-alcoholic function, it is the responsibility of the organization's executive officers to see that all rules governing functions where alcoholic beverages are involved be enforced.
No publicity on or off-campus concerning parties or social functions sponsored by a University-recognized organization shall include any reference, by words or pictures, to alcoholic beverages. Violation of this policy will result in an automatic fine of $150.00.
Risk Management Team
A group of not less than six (6) members of the organization will be responsible for monitoring the event. At least two members of the risk management team must be executive officers. At least two members of the risk management team must be 21 years of age. These individuals monitoring the event will not be allowed to consume any alcohol prior or during the event. Their duties will include:
- Checking identification of members and guests.
- Distributing wristbands to the individuals of drinking age.
- Coordinating the transportation of members and guests leaving the event intoxicated.
- Wearing distinctive clothing, such as brightly colored shirts or hats, to identify themselves at all times.
- Introducing themselves to the Public Safety officer(s), if the event is held on campus and requiring Public Safety.
Registering the Event
To better ensure that organizations implement appropriate risk-management measures, any function sponsored by a student organization, at which alcohol is served or permitted to be consumed must be registered on the Student Organization Activity Registration form with the Office of Student Life no later than 12 noon five (5) business days prior to the function.
Activities held on or off campus, sponsored by a recognized University student organization, must be concluded no later than 12 midnight, except on Friday and Saturday when events may go on until 3 a.m., and must have the approval of the person(s) in charge of the facility where the function is to be held. On-campus activities will be limited to six hours.
No event is permitted without the knowledge and approval of the faculty/staff advisor of the sponsoring organization.
Each organization assumes full responsibility for the activities and behavior of all persons in attendance at its events. If situations should arise that prove damaging or embarrassing to person(s) in attendance, to the organization itself, or to the University, disciplinary procedures against the organization will be instituted by the appropriate judicial board or by the appropriate administrative officers of the University.
Organizations shall not sponsor or co-sponsor any function with any beverage distributor or brewing company or lend the organization's name to any such activity at which beverage alcohol is available, with or without charge or donation. This restriction applies to all activities, including, but not limited to, functions conducted for the benefit of charities and like causes.


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Doodlebug necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 153 diseños de 37 diseñadores freelance.
Merkuro is a business start up and will be providing both online and off line marketing expertise for three target markets (see 'Target Audience') .
Our USP is that we are not a typical consultancy and have therefore deliberately left the word 'consulting/consultancy' out of the name. We excel in delivering sound strategy.... and prove it by working on the delivery for our clients too.
(Please submit concepts from early on so that we can give constructive feedback to ensure that we are able to identify any lack of clarity in the brief from the start).
Merkuro is the Esperanto word for Mercury. Mercury was the god of travel which reflects our international ambitions as does the choice of Esperanto as the language. We don't expect people to know it's Esperanto, it was really chosen to make the word indefinable and therefore cross culture/country.
Mercury is also used to measure (temperature) and our ethos is all about delivering measurable results.
The target markets are:
1. Non UK Small and Medium sized businesses who may be looking to expand into the UK
2. Non UK creative agencies who may have clients that want strategic advice on international expansion
3. UK businesses who want standard marketing products/services
The logo needs to be suitable for business stationary, online and offline media and be reproducible in B&W as well as full colour. (there is no obligation to create a four colour logo, I'd consider grayscale or B&W as the main logo, but if full colour then please bear in mind it may be reproduced in B&W (for example in press ads).
There is no previous logo for this company so there are no requirements in terms of fitting with an existing look.
Generally, I would prefer a font that is sans serif.
The logo should try and be authoritative without being overbearing or patronising
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