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We are excited to share that McAuliffe teachers will be hosting three student travel opportunities during the 2017-18 school year!
- Marine Conservation in the Dominican Republic (Feb Break)
- Bonjour, Québec (April Break)
- Bell' Italia (April Break)
Below is some basic information about each trip including the date and time of the upcoming information session that trip leaders are hosting. Please RSVP to any information session that you plan to attend!
A note about trip costs: We want to be transparent with families about the trip costs and so are including the information in this preliminary communication. HOWEVER, please do not let the trip cost keep you from learning about the opportunity. All of the trips are run through EF Education Tours which provides a variety of payment options and insurance. In the past, families earning a wide range of income have supported their scholars to participate in the travel opportunities. Families may also engage in cooperative fundraising to help decrease some of the cost.
Marine Conservation in the Dominican Republic
Dates: February Break 2018
Trip Leaders: Vickie Cavanaugh and Michaela Rupp
Estimated Cost: $3005 (8 days, all inclusive)
Summary: Through the lens of marine conservation, scholars will explore questions of sustainability, both in terms of the natural environment and community growth and development. Scholars will examine the awesomeness of Caribbean marine life firsthand by snorkeling and boating. Then, scholars will hear locals' accounts of the effects of overfishing, tourism, and climate change on coral reef and marine life. Finally, scholars will work with community members and scientists to collect naturally broken fragments of coral and transplant them back on the reefs in an effort to help preserve the critical ecosystem. By spending time in a few select communities (highlands, coastal, and urban), scholars will be exposed to not only a wide array of wildlife, but also a diverse range of Dominican social groups and classes. Thus, scholars will ponder not only the effects on natural ecosystems, but also the societal consequences of shifting from former livelihoods to ecotourism. Scholars will think critically about the differences in growth and development both among natural ecosystems and human communities. Ultimately, scholars will be invited to synthesize their group's experiences in a project to be implemented Stateside upon their return.
Link to More Information: EF Tours Marine Conservation in the Dominican Republic
Information Session Dates/Times:
Info session 1: Tuesday, May 9 at 6 pm in Room 102
Info session 2: Monday, May 15 at 6pm in Room 102
Click here to RSVP for the info session or contact us
Bonjour, Québec
Dates: April Break 2018
Trip Leaders: Karim Dao and Tammie Richards
Estimated Cost: $2,386, for 20 – 24 students (All inclusive)
Bonjour! Mrs Richards and Mr. Dao are excited to announce a trip to Québec and Montreal this upcoming 2018 spring break. All scholars are welcome to join. It will be a great opportunity for French scholars and non-French Scholars to experience the French and English Culture of Canada. For scholars of French, they will be able to use and improve their language skills in a familiar immersive environment. We will be visiting historical sites, the original settlements for both cities which have a European feel, and some contemporary museums as well. Being close to home and offering the same opportunities as European destinations, Canada is the ideal destination considering the current world circumstances.
We are looking forward to seeing you!
Link to More Information: EF Tours Québec 2018 information
Information Session Dates/Times:
Info session 1: Wednesday, May 10 at 6 pm in the Cafe
Info session 2: Tuesday, May 16 at 6 pm in the Cafe
Click here to RSVP for the info session or contact us
Bell' Italia
Dates: April Break 2018
Trip Leaders: Antonella Osorio and Teresa Carr
Estimated Cost: Price before 12/31: $3,085 Price after 12/31: $3,285
During this amazing trip, our scholars in companion with Sra. Osorio and Miss Carr will have the opportunity to experience all that Italy has to offer by visiting Venice, Florence, Rome, Assisi, Sorrento and Pompeii. We will enter into Venice, where we'll find cars and roads give way to gondolas and canals, redefining what a city can be. Venice, the capital of northern Italy's Veneto region, is built on more than 100 small islands in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea. It has no roads, just canals – including the Grand Canal thoroughfare – lined with Renaissance and Gothic palaces. The central square, Piazza San Marco, contains St. Mark's Basilica, which is tiled with Byzantine mosaics, and the Campanile bell tower offering views of the city's red roofs. We will visit the world's best collection of Renaissance art in Florence. Florence, capital of Italy's Tuscany region, is home to many masterpieces of Renaissance art and architecture. Florence is the birthplace of the Italian language, opera and the Renaissance, and where works of art like Michelangelo's statue of David and Botticelli's The Birth of Venus still reside today. We will stroll through the Piazza della Signoria, see the domed cap of the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, better known as the Duomo, and look for the bronze doors of Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise at the Baptistry. We will walk across the Ponte Vecchio, a Medieval bridge where many of Florence's famed leather and gold artisans keep shop and explore the city shops, learning about the culture along the way. In Rome, we will explore Vatican City, which is actually considered to be a separate country. We will behold Michelangelo's take on creation at the Sistine Chapel and retrace the footsteps of ancient Romans at the Colosseum. We will also visit Pompeii, St. Peter's Basilica, the Roman Forum, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, Piazza Navona and the Spanish Steps.
Link to More Information: EF Bell' Italia Trip 2018
Information Session Dates/Times:
Info Session 1: Wednesday, May 10 at 6:00 pm in Room 105
Info Session 2: Monday, May 15 at 6:00 pm in Room 105
Click here to RSVP for the info session or contact us


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Reporter's Notebook: The specter of Blankenship
We're all waiting with anticipation, for as soon as tomorrow U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin might decide to hang up his congressional hat and try for a third term as governor of the great State of West Virginia. But Manchin's decision might trigger the entrance of an unlikely candidate in the May 2020 Democratic primary:
Former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship.
But wait, you're asking. Isn't Don Blankenship a life-long conservative more closely associated with the Republican Party? Wasn't he one of the largest party benefactors during the first decade of the 2000s, even buying the party a headquarters at one point?
First of all, don't forget that Blankenship, after losing the Republican Primary for U.S. Senate in 2018 to state Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, became the Constitution Party candidate for U.S. Senate in the general election (until the courts ruled he was in violation of the state's Sore Loser law that prevents a loser for one party's primary from jumping parties to keep running).
Still, you can at least argue that the Constitution Party has conservative leanings. While there are such things as conservative Democrats in West Virginia, most of your party stalwarts lean moderate to liberal. If you were to put state Democratic Party leaders and Blankenship in a room, I imagine Blankenship would be in a corner nursing a drink and ignored by the other party attendees.
But Blankenship did switch his registration to Democrat on April 23 according to the Secretary of State's Office. To make things more interesting, Brad McElhinny of WV MetroNews was able to figure out that April 23 was the same day Manchin went on Talkline with Hoppy Kercheval and hinted of a possible run for governor. I can't tell you how soon he will get in, but I can safely assume it will be sometime after Manchin says yes.
Why on Earth would he do this again? First, if Blankenship is Ahab, then Manchin is the white whale. I don't know if Blankenship thinks he can win a Democratic primary, but if he can hurt Manchin, take votes from Manchin, or make Manchin spend more, that's probably enough. They've been political adversaries for well over 15 years, but it's only been in the last two year that Blankenship has stepped out from behind the curtain.
The second reason: Blankenship is still trying to clear his name after his misdemeanor conviction for violating federal mine safety regulations. At the end of August, a federal magistrate recommended that the conviction — that caused him to spend one year in prison — be thrown out since federal prosecutors didn't share all of their documents during discovery. It takes U.S. District Judge Irene Berger to agree and if she doesn't, you best believe he will appeal.
So, with that potentially good news for Blankenship, why would running for office clear his name? It won't, but he thinks much of what has happened to him — from his conviction to his primary loss in the U.S. Senate race — has been a conspiracy. Some of it may well have been. It was apparent that bias played a role in his prosecution. It was the case that was supposed to propel former U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin to the governor's desk. It didn't.
But Blankenship also holds President Donald Trump and his family, as well as U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for his loss. Blankenship believes that they conspired to make the voting public think he was convicted of a felony, which turned the public against him closer to the election.
I'm here to tell you Don, you didn't have the best reputation with the public before your misdemeanor conviction or your indictment. The public at large didn't have the best perception of Blankenship even before 29 miners died in the preventable Upper Big Branch Explosion (Blankenship thinks it was an act of God that destroyed the mine. That doesn't explain the lack of rock dusting, or dull bits on the continuous miner or clogged water sprayers).
As near as I can tell, before UBB Blankenship cultivated a bad boy image. He was the guy unafraid to stand up to unions or environmentalists. One could say he was trolling long before that became the go-to name for people who purposely provoke others via the internet. Blankenship was a proto-Trump.
Blankenship only carried 20 percent of the vote in the Republican U.S. Senate primary in 2018, compared to Morrisey's 35 percent and former U.S. Rep. Evan Jenkins (now a state supreme court justice) with 29 percent. Blankenship only won four counties, including his native Mingo County.
Could Blankenship give Manchin a run for his money? Maybe. He could also be no more than an annoyance. There is a third option: some of the anti-Justice Republican operatives could be pushing Blankenship to run.
That's a bit conspiratorial, but it's possible a Democratic primary for governor between Manchin and Blankenship could see unaffiliated and independent voters choose a Democratic ballot over a Republican ballot. With a Republican primary with few unaffiliated voters, it could translate into fewer votes for Gov. Jim Justice.
If Blankenship jumps in the race, what will his version of Karl Rove — Greg Thomas — do? The long-time Republican operative has been a Blankenship friend and advisor for years. He is now on the Kanawha County Republican Executive Committee (and behind their resolution of no confidence in Gov. Justice). He runs the West Virginia Senate's Republican political action committee. He also ran Blankenship's U.S. Senate race (at least until Blankenship switched to Constitution Party).
I'm also told he advises former Commerce Department secretary Woody Thrasher's Republican primary challenge against Justice. Will he also provide behind-the-scenes advice to Blankenship? And what if all these efforts to siphon votes away from Justice cause Democrats to take the governor's seat and possibly even the state Senate?
Steven Allen Adams can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com

subset: commoncrawl


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Overview of the NIBP (New Issue Bond Program)
The New Issue Bond Program (NIBP) is a federal program designed to provide temporary financing to state and local housing finance agencies throughout the United States. The program was implemented February 18, 2009 as part of the Obama administration's Homeowners Affordability and Stability Plan, a federal effort to combat the effects of the collapse of the housing bubble. The NIBP provides funds that allow housing finance agencies to issue new mortgage revenue bonds. The agencies can then sell those bonds and use the resulting funds to create mortgages. As mentioned earlier, the funding is temporary: unless the program is renewed, it will terminate at the end of 2010.
Background to the New Issue Bond Program
Housing finance agencies are state and local government agencies that fund affordable housing programs for low-income residents. Among other things, they offer mortgages for first-time home buyers. Those mortgages are funded using profits generated from the sale of bonds that the house financing agencies issue each year.
When the housing bubble collapsed, mortgage lenders tightened their requirements, which made it harder for first-time home buyers to obtain mortgages. This was especially true for working-class home buyers. As a result, more and more first-time buyers turned to housing finance agencies. However, the housing finance agencies did not have enough funds to keep up with demand. As a result, home sales dropped off even further than they already had, and the housing market continued to flounder.
In February 18, 2009, the Obama administration set out to reinvigorate the housing market by launching the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan. Among other things, the plan included the New Issue Bond Program. This program gave housing finance agencies funding to issue more bonds than what they could afford to issue in the current housing market conditions. The profits generated from the sale of the bonds would then be used to provide affordable mortgages for first-time home buyers, as well as to allow responsible homeowners at risk of default to refinance on their existing mortgages.
How the New Issue Bond Program Works
All state and local housing finance agencies can apply for the NIBP. Each agency must develop a plan that describes how they will use those funds. Their plans must comply with the rules set by the Federal Housing Administration. The available funding is capped based on the federal limits set under the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008. The agencies have the right to borrow below those limits, but if they agree to borrow less, they will not be able to borrow any more for the rest of the year.
Once the housing finance agencies receive the funds, they can start issuing bonds. However, the profits they earn from selling the bonds will be held in escrow until they sell at least 40 percent of the bonds to private market buyers. After that threshold is achieved, they can start using the funds to create affordable mortgages.
Housing finances agencies can issue bonds to finance one mortgage or to finance several mortgages at once. However, bonds for the latter are capped at the federal level. In both cases, the bonds must be approved and guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or the Federal Housing Administration.
The interest rates are set based on the interest rates of securities issued by the U.S. Treasury. While the proceeds from the sales of the bonds are held in escrow, the bonds' interest rates must be equal to the interest rates of short-term U.S. Treasury Bills. Those rates will remain in place for 30 days after the funds are used to finance mortgages. After that point, the rates increase or decrease to match the interest rates for 10-year U.S. Treasury Notes.


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With gamescom 2018 kicking off in Cologne, Germany, the next few days will be filled with all sorts of game announcements. Ubisoft has gotten a jump start on things, however. Ahead of the event, a twenty-four minute Assassin's Creed Odyssey gameplay video has been released, showing off what might be a legendary showdown.
In the lengthy Assassin's Creed Odyssey video, you'll see Kassandra engaging in combat, exploring, and fighting a boss battle versus the mythological Gorgon, Medusa.
This Assassin's Creed Odyssey gameplay video opens with Kassandra trying to stop a fight between a mob leader and a woman named Bryce. Apparently, Bryce stands accused of sacrificing her lover to a malevolent creature in the woods. Kassandra promises to help and is warned not to head into the petrified temple. In agreeing to take the quest, we see dialogue options that allow Kassandra to either learn more about the creature or leave immediately.
Kassandra spends the bulk of her time fighting mercenaries and slinking through areas in the Petrified Valley. When she finally reaches the Petrified Temple, all hell breaks loose. Assassin's Creed Origins was the first main line game in the series to feature boss battles with mythical creatures of yore, and that continues in Assassin's Creed Odyssey.
As expected, Medusa seems to be a formidable foe. Her petrification abilities can slow Kassandra to a crawl. Should the effect carry on for too long, Medusa can presumably stop the assassin dead in her tracks. This boss battle is evidently a tough one, which begs the question of whether or not other figures from Greek mythology will appear in a similar fashion.
Gameplay Shows Off Assassins Creed Odyssey Boss Fight With Medusa
We'll know for certain what Assassin's Creed Odyssey has to offer when it comes to the PlayStation 4 on October 5, 2018.


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Services Provided
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We understand the importance of picking the right company that's experienced, dependable and affordable. With this service and our many others, we have the tools and experience to get the job done with the highest standards and at the best price. Let us know how we can help with your needs
Unique Concrete has loads of experience with this service, using respected equipment brands and trusted material providers. We offer professional and experienced help with your projects, helping to match your unique needs and budget. We strive to provide great customer service and clear communication so you can understand the progress of your job at every phase.
What We Offer
Concrete Slabs
With different sizes and styles available to choose from, creating a uniquely personalized pattern has never been easier! We specialize in designing and building high quality slabs for a variety of areas. we provide very high quality product with an affordable price. We make slabs on regular basis Let us know what you need, and we'll make it happen.
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Super Amazing Bontel A9 Walkie-Talkie 10 kilometers you can use at the Hotel, Building site and security personnel. Big Audible Speaker, Big Battery 10000 mAh, 60 days long standby, Side key Open Flash, Super wide angle flash light, picture Quality standard, Toughened Glass. it Also Emission power from 2 Watt, Cover Distance 5 KM.p
Imagine without Airtime on your phone you can still communicate and get connected to your friends and families.The phone than the previous generation intercom telephone conversations more far distance, up to 10 km, and modelling more round, the protection of the antenna design more prolong service life, and add new function Bontel cloud, as long as you registered cloud account, and can be done in the mobile client login account number cell phone remote operation, strengthen the function of mobile phone of guard against theft, and through the cloud account can each other between mobile phones and photos.Buy this good phone in Jumia.


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WebMD doesn't present medical advice, diagnosis or remedy. Without the benefits of a public well being education, most individuals could really feel wholesome sufficient and not discover the need to go for a general test-up. Very rarely do folks, other than these concerned in the medical subject, hassle to search out out anything much about different diseases and problems, till any individual shut is stricken by them.
Jiang, M. H. et al. Characterization of nestin-optimistic stem leydig cells as a potential supply for the treatment of testicular leydig cell dysfunction. Josh Axe, a physician of pure medication and medical nutritionist, says his preferred method of keto cycling is a two-day-on, one-day-off pattern.
Testosterone synthesized by LCs is essential for the physiological features of the male reproductive system 6 , 7 Male hypogonadism is a symptomatic scientific syndrome attributable to testosterone deficiency, which is characterized by mood disturbance and fatigue, sexual dysfunction, decreased muscle mass and strength, decreased lean body mass and bone mineral density, and increased visceral fats eight , 9 , 10 These adjustments will be partially overcome by exogenous testosterone alternative therapy 11 , 12 Nonetheless, it disrupts the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis, and may increase the risks of cardiovascular disorders and prostate tumorigenesis 13 , 14 As well as, as physiological necessities of testosterone differ in people 15 , it's troublesome for exogenous testosterone supplementation to satisfy the requirements of individualized remedy.
Therapeutic massage affects the body as a whole. With roughly 1.7 million people identified with most cancers every year, Walgreens piloted the program, dubbed "Feel Extra Like You" at four hundred stores in 2018. Svechnikov, Ok. et al. Origin, improvement and regulation of human leydig cells. Ye, L., Li, X., Li, L., Chen, H. & Ge, R. S. Insights into the event of the adult leydig cell lineage from stem leydig cells.
Takahashi, K. et al. Induction of pluripotent stem cells from grownup human fibroblasts by defined components. The data and supplies contained on this website are not intended to constitute a complete guide regarding all points of the remedy, product or remedy described on the web site.
The population in query might be as small as a handful of people or as giant as all of the inhabitants of a number of continents (for instance, in the case of a pandemic ). Public well being has many sub-fields, but typically consists of the interdisciplinary categories of epidemiology , biostatistics and well being providers Environmental health , community health , behavioral health , and occupational well being are also important areas of public health.
LH signaling is critical to both LC differentiation and proliferation 33 Retinoic acid (RA) is well known to influence stem cell differentiation forty five and steroidogenesis 46 , 47 RA additionally stimulates testosterone secretion from human fetal testis organ culture over a short time period forty eight cAMP, as a second messenger, is understood to induce steroidogenesis in a number of steroidogenic cell strains 23 The transcriptional activity of SF-1 may be dramatically upregulated by the cAMP protein kinase A sign pathway forty nine eight-bromoadenosine three′, 5′-cyclic monophosphate (8-Br-cAMP) is a membrane-permeable cAMP analog.
As of late, individuals are becoming more and more well being aware. Shan, L. X., Zhu, L. J., Bardin, C. W. & Hardy, M. P. Quantitative evaluation of androgen receptor messenger ribonucleic acid in developing leydig cells and sertoli cells by in situ hybridization. It can be difficult to follow a fully vegetarian weight-reduction plan and stay wholesome.
Though a number of research have attempted to distinguish stem cells, similar to mesenchymal stem cells 18 , 19 , embryonic stem cells (ESCs) 20 , 21 , 22 , and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) 23 into steroid-producing cells by exogenous gene transfection, it is not so secure for additional clinical software.
Wholesome food will taste higher. Wang, G. M., 'Shaughnessy, P. J., Chubb, C., Robaire, B. & Hardy, M. P. Effects of insulin-like growth issue i on steroidogenic enzyme expression ranges in mouse leydig cells. In an effort to help folks battling cancer and survivors really feel good on the surface as they heal, Walgreens is expanding a program that pairs its magnificence departments with its pharmacies to more than three,000 shops on Monday.
LC transplantation is a perfect physiological and long-acting system for the testosterone delivery 16 Nonetheless, LCs account for under ~ 2-4% of the whole testicular cell population in adult human testes 17 Furthermore, LCs are terminally differentiated cells with a limited capability to proliferate four , thereby limiting the efficacy of LC transplantation therapy.
Well being News And Advice For Wholesome Residing
The remedy for cancer is still a way off however it's one thing that science expects to happen presumably inside the next few many years; medical research continues to advance in it's warfare with this disease that plagues humanity. Feeling capable and efficient ; being able to handle regular levels of stress , have good friends and family, and lead an unbiased life; and having the ability to "bounce again," or get better from hardships, are all signs of psychological health.
At 14 or 21 days after exposure to EDS, the CYP11A1-constructive staining cells were noticed in each teams, and the numbers of CYP11A1-optimistic staining cells in iPSC-LC transplantation group were greater than those of PBS injection group (Fig. Obstetricians and gynecologists, who concentrate on being pregnant, childbirth, and diseases of the female reproductive system, often serve as primary-care physicians to girls.
Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia
Well being benefits of dates may be derived by eating a handful on a regular basis, both fresh or as dried fruits, whole or chopped, as a snack or part of a meal.
As of late, persons are turning into increasingly more health acutely aware. These outcomes additional illuminated that this technique primarily based on molecular compounds may differentiate partial iPSCs into Leydig-like cells. Rather than be an imposing and daunting challenge to grasp, the end result will be growth of danger administration methods to information the supply of well being care.
Here's a compilation of articles with information about all points of dental well being, right from oral care, dental implants, gum diseases, and rather more. On this study, we report a novel protocol, to our information, which is the first to display that iPSCs have been in a position to be differentiated into testosterone-producing Leydig-like cells by few outlined molecular compounds.
Stem cells are gaining attentions in the regenerative drugs particularly after the establishment of human ESCs in 1998 31 and human iPSCs in 2007 32 Human iPSCs are thought of to possess similar traits to human ESCs 32 As iPSCs can deal with the immunological and ethical problems associated with human ESCs, they symbolize doubtlessly efficient approach to cell transplantation-based regenerative medicine.
Authorities bureaucrats simply cant react quick enough to know how many specialists to rent or where essential medical gear needs to go. If there is a life or dying state of affairs there is cause why foreigners come to the USA when things are dire and they're rich.
Men's Health
Massage affects the body as an entire. Probably the most carefully planned weight-reduction plan is partly wasted if blood vessels are not developed an open in order that diet can attain the cells. A doctor of osteopathy (DO) emphasizes manipulation of the body to treat symptoms. Little habits like washing fingers and bathing, exercising frequently and following a wholesome weight-reduction plan go a great distance in sustaining health.
Obviously, when the ailment is life – threatening, such as cancers, extreme organ points (akin to pneumonia, liver issues, etc), they want rapid, dramatic treatment, whereas, at other times, it would make extra sense, to use, an alternative method.
Well being Advantages Of Desert Residing
What we contemplate, the traditional approach, to well being, within the United States, differs, in many ways, from the way in which, most of the remainder of the world, considers, and approaches, this idea. People on a ketogenic weight loss program consume 50 grams or fewer of carbohydrates per day and instead eat increased-than-normal quantities of fat and protein. Ge, R. S. & Hardy, M. P. Decreased cyclin a2 and increased cyclin g1 levels coincide with loss of proliferative capacity in rat leydig cells throughout pubertal growth.
The federal government regards any sort of incentive for a referral as a potential violation of this law as a result of the opportunity to reap monetary benefits could tempt suppliers to make referrals that aren't medically necessary, thereby driving up healthcare prices and potentially putting affected person's health at risk.
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Not solely is desert dwelling a leisured and cheaper alternative to metropolis life, it has some superb well being benefits too. It is vital to like your self and maintain your thoughts and physique so as to maintain a state of well being and wellness. Eat breakfast A light, healthy breakfast is adequate sufficient to reap the benefits of eating early. Ask your physician, pharmacist or allied health skilled when you have got medical questions.


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Michael's story
The rapid response of the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance helped save the life of Michael Worth after his arm was practically severed whilst chainsawing.
In October 2003, Michael was trimming a tree in his garden at Carlton Scroop when he lost his balance and slipped. His arm caught the chainsaw blade, cutting straight through his main artery and two of the three nerves in his left arm. His friend Terry Buckle was with him at the time, who took off his belt, applied a tourniquet and called the emergency services.
Within 15 minutes of the emergency services being called, the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance had landed directly on Michael's lawn at home. He was treated and stabilized by the highly-skilled team on board the Ambucopter before he was airlifted to Queens Medical Centre in Nottingham in a matter of minutes.
The team at the Queens Medical Centre, headed by a vascular surgeon, Mr Tennant, and a plastic surgeon, were on standby ready for Michael, who went straight into the operating theatre.
Michael recalls: "One never knows when one is going to have an accident, but that is what happened to me, a genuine unfortunate incident.
"I cannot describe how fearful I was about the possibility of losing my arm. Initially, I felt guilty that I had put the medical teams to so much trouble, but – as the years have gone by – I continue to be grateful to the crew at Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance and the staff at Queens Medical Centre for giving me the opportunity to carry on with a normal life working, driving a car and playing golf one armed.
"The Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance is a vital part of the emergency services team. Had it not been for the speed of the airlift, skill and professionalism of the crew on that day in October 2003 and the staff at the Queens Medical Centre, I do not think that I would have been able to live my life, as I still do today, aged 81."
patient story
Emma's story
In March 2017, Emma was out horse riding through some woods when she was involved in a serious accident. Whist
patient story
Ian's story
It was a day like any other when Ian Barrett, from Sleaford, decided to ride his motorbike on the A52.


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Probably the best thing about 2012 was the fact that we were able to
share some truly amazing, historic, and rare guitars with a much wider
audience than ever before. Our first project was recording the CD
Valseana, which was released in 2010 and features Marc Teicholz playing
18 historic guitars built between 1867 and 2004. This was the first time
anyone had been able to hear a Torres, a Fleta, a Hauser, a Rodriguez and
lots more in one sitting played by the same great virtuoso, and recorded
in a way that made the tonal qualities of each instrument stand out as
distinct from each other as would be noticed in a live, acoustic setting.
It was as close as you could get to hearing the world's greatest guitar
collection in person.
Early this year Marc was brave enough to recreate the Valseana concept in
a live setting at the GSI showroom – playing eight very different guitars
in one concert (from Torres to Blochinger) which we filmed live. I say
brave because it is no mean feat to switch between guitars of such
difference sizes and temperaments. Thanks to Jon Connoly of Avid (the
guys who make Pro Tools) we got a fantastic audio recording, and Jurgen
Reisch shot the video part of concert beautifully. As a result, not only
those in attendance but anyone anywhere could really see and hear these
amazing guitars. At last count Marc's videos from the concert had about
110,000 YouTube views.
Our next chance to share a historic guitar was when German guitarist Eva
Beneke fell in love with a 1952 Hauser I – possibly the very last guitar
ever made by this influential maker. We spoke with the eventual buyer of
the guitar and he agreed to have us hold the guitar long enough for Eva
to record her CD with the guitar. For the video we shot in the showroom
Eva had played a German Christmas song, "Es ist ein Ros 'entsprungen",
and the response was so positive (just shy of 25,000 YouTube views to
date) that Eva decided to traditional German and English Christmas music
as the repertoire for the project. The result was the recently released
In Dulci Jubilo, which I've written plenty about on this blog – it
included several other artists, including Scott Tennant on several of the
tracks. Recording the CD was a blast (big shout out to the folks at
Apogee for lending us their flagship Symphony converters and preamps),
and Eva has received quite a bit of accolade as a result, including her
interview with Minnesota Public Radio's 'Performance Today' being aired
nation-wide on Christmas Eve, just last week!
We were also very happy to become a sponsor of Scott Wolf's highly
entertaining and informative new podcast All Strings Considered, in
which he interviews some great guitarists as well as some non-guitar
musicians. So far he's interviewed Scott Tennant, Adam del Monte, Martha
Masters, Roland Dyens, Connie Sheu and the leaderless string ensemble "A
Far Cry". This week's release will be an interview with GFA competition
winner Vladimir Gorbach. These podcasts are in-depth and candid
interviews that treat these artists as the people they are, not just the
artists we know (or haven't met yet). Scott is doing a great job and
we're very happy to be a part of it.
We also launched our new website this year, and we think it does a much
better job of handling all of the media we're producing – Felix Salazar's
great product photos and the videos, as well as creating a more seamless,
up-close and personal experience of viewing guitars and other products.
We will continue to make it a great source of information via the blog,
forum and other areas where anyone on the web can join in and contribute
to the discussions and news items that we publish.
We've added some fantastic new luthiers to our roster this year as well,
including Ethan Deutsch, Graciliano Perez, Woon Sun Lee, Richard Reynoso,
Juan Miguel Carmona, Lorenzo Frignani, and Jean-Noel Rohe. Vicente Amigo
just recorded four tracks of his new CD with a Graciliano Perez flamenco,
and both Erez Perelman and Pepe Romero Jr. have built guitars for Paco De
Lucia in the past year.
And of course week-in and week-out we get to share the great guitars that
come into our inventory with top players who generously come in to our
showroom to film videos, and I'd like to personally thank all of the
artists who have shared their talents with us in 2012:
Kassandra Kocoshis
Sofia Gleeson
Scott Morris
Olivia Chiang
Scott Wolf
Julius Reder Carlson
Billy Arcila
Connie Sheu
Duo Partido – Dario Griffin and Alicia Ramirez
Agnew McAllister Duo – Matthew McAllister and Aisling Agnew
Duo Fado – Melinda Becker and Thomas Walsh
Marc Teicholz
Adam Kossler
Ricardo Escobar
Silviu Ciulei
Scott Tennant
Alberta Khoury
Alec Holcomb
Mak Grgic
Tariq Harb
Tom Farrell
Jose Gutierrez
Jan Pequeno
Erick Barrientos
Ricardo Giuffrida
We wish all of you the happiest of new years, and we hope that all of us
can continue sharing our love for music and the guitar for many years to
Both comments and pings are currently closed.
2 Responses to "2012 – The Year in Guitars"
Happy New Year to all; and, thank you for all the great music videos. As a Level 1 (pushing on 2) guitarists, I have really benefitted from watching "you all" play. Thank you, again, and may the New Year bring lots of ornamentation for all.
What is the significance of the picture of an FE08 replica? An oncoming offering by GSI? by whom? Brian Cohen?


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Our homemade Frosty tastes just like the real deal and is easier than going to a drive-thru. It's soft and super creamy with the super small ice crystals that put the Frosty in an entirely different category than ice cream or milkshakes. Serve it to the kids for a treat or at your next backyard cookout.
How to Make It
Step 1
Stir together sweetened condensed milk and whipped topping in a large bowl. Gradually whisk in chocolate milk until well blended.
Step 2
Pour half of mixture into an ice cream maker, and freeze according to manufacturer's instructions. Refrigerate remaining mixture until first batch is complete or up to 1 week.
Step 3
Serve first batch immediately with a straw and a spoon. Repeat freezing process when ready to prepare remaining frosty mixture.


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Investments risks
It is well-known that investments come with risks. Risk is a deviation from the expected outcome of the investment, which may result in not achieving investment targets. Any investor should evaluate and understand risks before making an investment, because it is very important in measuring future results.
Whereas traditional bank deposits are not often subject to various risks, investments on the contrary have tendency for both positive and negative outcome that can sometimes lead to loss of original assets. No one can ever guarantee the total value of investment, including primary assets and returns, since they can drastically change over time or because of certain circumstances. An investor should not rely on historical performance of certain investments, since their similar performance in the future cannot be guaranteed.
Each investor should clearly understand that all possible losses and risks, related to the investment, are carried by the investor solely. That is why it is very important to evaluate all potential risks connected with an investment to decide whether you can tolerate it. To help with the risk evaluation process, there are professional investment advisors as well as portfolio
Market risk
Market risk is the possibility of an investor experiencing losses due to factors that affect the overall performance of the financial markets in which he or she is involved. It is also known as a systematic risk. Sources of market risk include recessions, political turmoil, changes in interest rates, natural disasters, unforeseen actions of other investors, or other external happenings. These factors have an impact on the overall performance on the financial markets and can be reduced by using long-term investment perspective together with diversification of asset allocation.
Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk refers to a situation on the market when there is no sufficient demand for the investment being sold. There almost always are certain assets that are liquid, but certain investments can face a situation when either there are no buyers, or the price at time of withdrawal is lower than expected. Periods of illiquidity may cause a prolonged exit from the investment.
Another problem caused by the liquidity risk is when the exit from the investment cannot be prolonged, and the investor is obliged to withdraw an investment at a specific moment. This can result in decrease in returns or even partial loss of primary assets. In addition, other
expenses, such as increased sales commissions, extra advertising, investment valuation, etc. also might take place because of that.
Inflation risk
Inflation risk materializes when the inflation rate is greater that real rate of return which can lead to direct losses.
Currency risk
Investors or companies that have assets across national borders are exposed to currency risk that may create unpredictable profits and losses.
Political risk
Political instability, civil disorder, and other similar actions in the local environment can significantly drop the value of an investment.
Regulatory risk
Local government and regulatory bodies have significant impact on economic environment which can lead to regulatory, or legal risks. For example, a change in laws or regulations made by a regulatory body can increase operating costs, reduce the attractiveness of an investment, or change the competitive landscape. Unstable social and economic environment worsens investment climate in the region which directly affects investment activities.
Interest rate risk
Interest rate risk arises from fluctuating interest rates which cause prices of certain assets to go up or down.
Specific risk
Specific risk is a risk associated with a certain company, asset, field of activity or place. The upside is that this type of risk can be almost fully eliminated by diversification of investments.
Project risks
Monethera's analytical team carefully studies each investment opportunity presented on the platform from financial, legal, technical, marketing and other perspectives, thus making the process and result detailed and unbiased.
Operational risks
Since Monethera is a company, its operation is correlated with certain risks that may lead to company liquidation. In case that happens, certain operational and legal actions will be carried out in order to preserve Monethera participants' investments.
Minimizing and mitigating investment risks
Monethera specialists suggest conducting the process of evaluation and mitigation of risks independently or with help of a professional third-party investment advisor before making any investments.
Since the information about investment risks comes from various third-party sources, Monethera cannot ensure its accuracy, reliability and completeness. This information should not be treated as a professional investment advice. We strongly suggest consulting with professional investment advisors before making any investment decisions.


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Acts 3:19-20
Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah.
We all need spiritual revival or renewal. The world seems to be so
busy and we are engrossed by everyday activities, but is God present
in those activities? We need to constantly check ourselves and do
self-introspection. This is the time we looked inside ourselves and
asked if we are still walking with God.
James 4: 7- 9 says, "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the
devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come
near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you
double-minded. NIV
As Revelations 2: 5 would say, "Remember therefore from where you have
fallen; repent and do the first works…" NKJV
Tips to get back on track:
1) Repent (Acts 3: 19 and 2 Chronicles 7: 14)
2) Read his Word (Psalms 119: 9, 11, and 27)
3) Meditative on the word (Joshua 1 8, Psalms 1: 2)
4) Pray (1 Thessalonians 5: 17, 2 Chronicles 7: 14)
5) Fellowship with other Christians
You remember the story of the prodigal son when he realised that he
was far from the Father? (Luke 15: 11- 32). He came to himself and
returned to the Father. Come, Come to the Father!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I come to you acknowledging that I sinned and
lost my first love. Forgive and wash me clean from all my sins. I
thank you for your undying love in Jesus Name. Amen.
Submitted by Jonah Nyoni


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Middle School Cooking Classes
Posted by tinako on January 16, 2011
My son has to do some home cooking for his Home & Careers class. Initially he did not bring home the project sheet and just said he had to make a cookbook, so I didn't object when he chose four cookies and a cake for his booklet. Whatever, he's eleven. When I found out he was supposed to cook them all asap, I had to object, even over the Christmas season. We were not just going to make batch after batch of cookies for his homework. He was more or less going to have to go along with what our family was going to eat. So it ended up being, 2 cookies, a cake, muffins, and a soup. He just finished the last of them this weekend.
With my assistance he made: Lentil Soup and Mint Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies, Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cake, Cinnamon Sugar Muffins, and then today, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies. He got to make the executive decision to put chocolate chips in only half the cookies, and then find out that everyone including himself preferred them with.
This entry was posted on January 16, 2011 at 11:46 pm and is filed under Menus, Schools. Tagged: vegan, vegetarian. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.


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2018 MLS Cup Final
In front of 73,000 fans all cheering for the home team, Atlanta United won their first ever MLS Cup and beat Timbers 2-0. It was a fantastic season for the club in its second season as MLS members.
All season-long Tata Martino's men showed grit and strength to overcome any difficult situation when they lost the Supporters' Shield to NYRB for example. But Atlanta United have the best goal scorer in the league in Martinez. He concluded a phenomenal season with another goal to launch his team at the 39th minute.
In the second half Atlanta did not slow down and then added q quick second goal from Escobar at the 54th. The Portland Timbers did all they could but had no chance for a comeback.
Reactions from Atlanta United side:
Club President Darren Eales.
"Tonight, this is going to resonate around the world. because you had 73,000 creating an amazing atmosphere, seeing a team that's exciting and dynamic to watch, and that's great for the sport in this country."
Captain Parkhurst on a very special night:
"I've dreamed of what it felt like to be in the locker room with the champagne. I've heard it before from the other locker room. It was worth the wait. It was special to be in there. I can't wait to party tonight. I think Atlanta took everybody by surprise a little bit
You never know exactly the type of success any team is going to have. But when you've got an owner committed like Arthur and the resources he has put into this team, it's a recipe for success. It was a perfect time for Atlanta to get a soccer team. It's a melting pot city and people have just gravitated toward us. And it's because of the atmosphere here tonight. People love being a part of it."
According to Nielsen media research, Saturday's MLS Cup broadcast by FOX drew a 1.2 metered market rating, the highest number for the game since 1998.


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It is pretty fancy to talk about the differences between emerging economies (EE) and developed economies (DE). We often get to hear the speeches from policymakers of emerging markets talking about how certain frameworks don't apply/need to be modified to their countries. However, with the recent crisis, one wonders whether any of the differences still apply?
I came across this speech from Dr Bandid Nijathaworn, Deputy Governor of the Bank of Thailand. He says there are two differences between DE and EE.
For emerging markets, there are two stylized facts that are unique to its policy setting. The first is the greater income and consumption volatility that have been observed in emerging markets, both in terms of the level and in terms of growth relative to developed economies. And the second is the fact that economic agents in emerging markets face greater limitations in the ability to smooth consumption in response to shocks.
These two factors lead to different policies. Then he goes on to talk about the different policies needed to manage these two shocks in emerging economies. You can easily replace the problems he associates with emerging economies as problems in developed economies and ask what is this comparison all about?
This point is well taken. I agree EE and DE are different. However, it can't really be said that the institutions and frameworks in DE are superior to EE as recent crisis has shown. The policymakers have found to be short on every aspect – financial supervision, monetary policy etc. Some might say, the crisis could have been worse if the institutions in DE were like EE. I wonder how much worse? The policies have created a global tremor and it is being seen as the worst crisis since Great Depression in 1929.
I would think it is best to have policies which suit your own country/economy and not ape or compare with the other developed economies.


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CumEatingCuckolds.com: Rococo Royalle - Found A Man (1920 x 1080p 1.25 Gb)
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text:
Series 20, Episode 37 airs Tuesday 11th September at 20:00 on BBC One.
Frieda is back and taking no prisoners. Tensions run high when Jac puts her to the test, is Darwin big enough for the both of them?
Roxanna makes a devastating discovery, but will it be enough to persuade Gaskell to see sense?
Meena finds herself friendless and in need of help – how much can one junior doctor take?
Check out our Competition on our Twitter & Facebook page.


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Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 Psalm 1 1 John 5:9-13 John 17:6-19
We walk up the steps into an adequate room: walls of stone, a courtyard below. It is warm in settling heat of early evening; the night-time's cooling air has not yet reached this place. The room is filled our friends, the ones we've been travelling with. Our feet are dusty, our souls a bit weary; we're not exactly sure what's going on around us. Jesus is here, too. It's festival time and the streets are crowded; we're thankful for a few minutes away from the chaos and the noise, heard faintly now from this upper room. Our supper is on the table: bread, wine, and seasonal food. We smell, then taste and share what is given us as we recline . Something is not quite right …
Foot washing (tell about it)
Judas received a piece of dipped bread and then he leaves. The nighttime's darkness now surrounds us, settling into the darkening room.
Jesus tells us to love one another "as I have loved you."
Jesus says that Peter will deny him three times before the cock crows.
What are we to do about this meal? About this evening?
Jesus talks to us, says he's going away, and then he looks away from us; he looks toward the nighttime sky.
We are privileged, you and I, to be witnesses to Jesus' prayer to God. Have you ever listened to a child say his/her bedtime prayers? That is the closest thing that I can envision to the way in which we are witnesses to Jesus' nighttime prayer. We have had our feet washed, shared bread that was broken and wine that was poured … heard words of leaving and not knowing, of being given gifts that we do not understand, and now this. Listen (can you hear him?):
Jesus is praying for us:
God, I have made your name known to my friends in this room; you gave them to me, God, and they have kept your word. (Can you imagine such devotion to one's friends – to us? Oh, how Jesus loves us, how he loves what God entrusted to him!) I am asking on their behalf, because you gave them to me:
Protect them in your name that you have given me, that they may be one as we (God and Jesus) are one. Protect them.
Give them my joy, the joy of Jesus, in themselves. Let them be complete in their joy. Give them that Father, for I have guarded them, and we lost only one in fulfillment of the scripture. He, too, is yours; you love him even when the world could not.
The world has hated my friends, God, because we do not belong to the world but to you. How precious is the gift of life from you, created for your pleasure, responding in service to you, in joy that the world does not understand. You understand, God. Protect my friends. Protect my friends from the evil one; make them holy in you.
We know this prayer: our Father, who art in heaven, holy/hallowed be your name. … Deliver us from evil.
This is Jesus' prayer for us as we go out into the night with him and desert him. Imagine that amount of love. Let go of the guilt of our involvement, of our lack of understanding, of our betrayals, of our abandonment. Jesus prays this for us.
We might imagine that God responds to our prayer. God speaks to us, blesses us, as described by Margaret Silf ("God's blessing," with my adaptations):
I bless the poverty in your heart,
That knows its own emptiness,
Because that gives me space to grow my kingdom there.
I bless that in you that touches others gently,
Because everyone responds to gentleness,
And gentleness can capture even hardened hearts.
I bless that in you which grieves and aches
For all that is lost or can never be,
Because that is my opportunity
To comfort you with my much greater love.
I bless that in you which longs and strives
After your own deepest truth
And after truth for the world,
Because even as you pray I am constantly satisfying
These deep unspoken longings.
I bless you every time you show mercy and forgiveness,
Because that is like a little window in your heart,
Setting you free from resentment
And opening up a space for met o enter and heal.
I bless the purity of your heart,
Because that is the elusive center
Where your deepest desire meets mine.
That is where we meet face to face.
I bless the peacemaker in you –
That in your soul which seeks
The peace that passes understanding
Even at great cost.
I bless even those things in your experience
Of journeying with me
That feel like persecution and misunderstanding
Because they are the proof that your faith is no illusion.
How does it feel to be blessed by God?
We might have a response.
We have heard Jesus' prayer for us to God;
We have participated in the ways that God blesses us;
We are called to respond in thanksgiving, joy, humility, and obedience for these abundant gifts.
One response:
From Hymn 655:
O Jesus, I have promised to serve thee to the end; be thou forever near me, my Master and my friend; I shall not fear the battle, if thou art by my side, nor wander from the pathway, if though wilt be my guide.
O let me hear thee speaking in accents clear and still,
Above the storms of passion, the murmurs of self-will; O speak to reassure me, to hasten or control; O speak, and make me listen, thou guardian of my soul.
O Jesus, thou has promised to all who follow thee, that where thou art in glory there shall thy servant be; and, Jesus I have promised to serve thee to the end; O give me grace to follow, my Master and my friend.


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Live Review: I Love The 90s Tour - Trusts Arena, Auckland (+ Photos)
Having been born in the 90s, my introduction to artists such as Vanilla Ice, Salt-N-Pepa, Tone Loc and Young MC came via the medium of PlayStation's SingStar. Despite having butchered all of the aforementioned performers' best-known tracks more times then I care to remember, I look back at all of them with great fondness. What a treat it was to be given the chance to see these songs as they were intended to be.
Upon arriving at Trusts Arena, I noted that the number on my allocated ticket was numbered 3000. This caused my companion to suffer through my subpar attempts at quoting, verbatim, the intro skit from the music video for Outkast's 'Hey Ya'. Y'know, to properly get in the spirit of things... even if that particular tune did fall a few years outside of the distinct decade which was being celebrated on this particular night.
Inside, Young MC's 'Bust A Move' ticked all the boxes in the early evening, inciting exactly what the hook suggests a thousand times over for the sea of Canadian tuxedo-clad attendees. Color Me Badd's 'All For Love' set the swoony vibes in motion and there was Beatles-esque pandemonium when smooth banger 'I Wanna Sex You Up' was pulled out. The group did great justice to Blackstreet's 'No Diggity', delivering a glorious onset of musical decadence of Dionysian proportions that had me humming along.
Coolio's super-animated stage presence was an inferno of energy and his set out-hyped MCs half his age while his mind-bogglingly tight live band held down the west coast style accompaniments like nobody's business. The Compton MC had a good chunk of west Auckland spending their Saturday night living in the obligatory 'Gangsta's Paradise'. His tribute to Prince, complete with a projection of the late-great artist's signature purple hieroglyph, was also another set highlight.
The trio of Salt-N-Pepa bought the lady power and were arguably the audience's favourite of the evening. In between ageless hits like 'None Of Your Business', 'Gitty Up' and career cornerstone 'Let's Talk About Sex', the two vocalists bantered happily with audience members. Meanwhile DJ Spinderella pumped out a slew of big tunes, some, such as 'Push It' being synonymous with group and others, such as Nirvana's 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' not so much.
Though the throng of audience members toward the front of the standing section made it fairly challenging to get close enough to the stage to get an amazing view, having a solid chunk of personal space was a wonderfully rejuvenating contrast to other experiences I've had at gatherings of similar sizes. The atmosphere of the arena was a sublime balance between hectic partying and friendly, respectful vibes.
To close out the evening, Vanilla Ice took the stage and bought with him an excellent rendition of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles theme song and a slew of hilarious stage props. Knowing I had ticked off the bucket list item of seeing 'Ice Ice Baby' in the flesh, I decided to call it an evening rather then risk any following material being overshadowed by the sub-zero themed hit.
The event as a whole was not messing around about it's namesake. As well as all the killer artists on the line up, we were treated to tastes of Eminem's 'The Real Slim Shady' and the opening riff to Guns N' Roses' 'Sweet Child O' Mine', among many other classics - and although it wasn't quite the same as seeing the original performers of those tunes in the flesh, the attention to thematic detail of the concert's organisers did a spectacular job of capturing and maintaining the zeitgeist of the 90s.
This show was a wonderful reminder that hip hop and it's surrounding culture is capable of having a bit of good, clean fun: a stark contrast to much of the genre's more modern, grimy image and lyricism. Needless to say, today was a good day.
Check out the stellar shots of the evening below, courtesy of Ngamihi Pawa
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As I mentioned before, I wrote a paper on Jewish Liturgical music for a class I was taking last semester. I found the topic very fascinating and had some interesting experiences while researching! The paper was quite long, so I thought it might be interesting to post a few re-vamped excerpts. Enjoy!
Judaism is complex because it is not only a religion but a nationality as well. It is an identity the Jew feels the weight of wherever he goes, and this affects every aspect of his daily life. The life of an observant Jew is centered around his religion, which is highly based on liturgy, ritual and tradition not only in the synagogue itself but in the everyday rhythm and schedule of the daily prayers. The music of the liturgy is based primarily in the synagogue and so this is where one must start when looking at the development of this particular art form.
Music has played a role in the Jewish worship service since Biblical times, and so this liturgical development begins in the Middle East where we see the first origins of Jewish music.[1] Much of what we see in Jewish music today stems originally from its surrounding countries and has changed and developed along with the history and cultures of those countries.[2] The music we see and hear today is based on what Jewish music scholar Abraham Idelsohn describes as "semitic-oriental."[3] Idelsohn was one of the first notable authorities on Jewish music still referenced today, and because of his extensive research, collecting, and documentation of topics pertaining to Jewish music study we have a starting point for what we know today. In his writings he gives us some basic characteristics of this musical style. This music is characterized by modes which are made up of motives, giving 16 basic modes which he says are popular in the Near East,[4] and other characteristics he references are, absence of rhythm, focus on ornamentation, basis on quarter-tones, an absence of harmony, and a highly improvisational style.[5] The modes historically have been mainly vocal, orally transmitted, and have traditionally excluded women.[6] With this type of music the minor is not considered sad, but the "moods are rather expressed by the rhythmical construction of the motives."[7]
The Jewish Talmud states that "…the Bible should be read in public and made understood to the hearers in a musical, sweet tune."[8] In the synagogue we see the use of what is known as cantillation. Miriam-Webster defines this as "to recite with musical tones."[9] In his book Concepts of Jewish Music and Prayer, which is a compilation of essays based upon his extensive research and expertise as scholar and teacher, Macy Nulman, who has lectured and taught in musical capacities at both Yeshiva University and Brooklyn College highlights the necessity of this idea when he states that "Biblical Cantillation, the oldest source of Jewish music, is required for anyone who reads the Scriptures without a tune shows disregard for them and their laws," and "Moreover, it is through the medium of melody and song that the Sabbath brings joy and peace, enriching the mind and gladdening the soul."[10]
Traditionally, there are specific modes which are used for specific parts of the liturgy, and there are Biblical modes for chanting the books of the Bible while there are also prayer modes for the specific prayers of the liturgy.[11] Even inside of these different modes one sees further differentiations inside the Torah as well as different styles based on different countries and regions.[12] Ismar Elbogen, a prominent Jewish scholar of the late 19th century authored a detailed history of the Jewish liturgy which is still referenced today and gives considerable insight into both the musical and nonmusical aspects of the liturgy. His book, Jewish Liturgy: A Comprehensive History, has been called "…the most exhaustive compendium of factual information about the Jewish liturgy."[13] This work, while first published in the early 20th century, remains an authority on the subject, and its relevance to music scholarship today is clearly seen with its extensive historical information as well descriptions and examples. Raymond P. Scheindlin, who translated the work in the late 1990s, describes it as "…a work of pure scholarship, yet at the same time it is a contribution to the urgent debate on the future of Jewish religious life."[14] Elbogen speaks to the modal differentiations in saying that the Torah is chanted differently from the books of the Prophets, and books such as Lamentations and Esther are different as well, along with even further variations depending on specific passages and days.[15] There are significant markings in the text which indicate the manner in which it is to be sung and many prayers and special Sabbath and festival portions have relegated melodies and modes.[16]
The Jewish liturgy itself is a complex body made up of many different parts whose development and codification has taken a tremendous amount of time and does not remain static today. There is not one specific word for the whole liturgy, but the different parts are each labeled according to their function and meaning.[17] There are "benedictions and prayers (berakhot and tefilot) established, according to the tradition…" and they "…designate prayers of every type."[18] These are contained in the Siddur, or prayer book. There is not one universal prayer book, but countless translations and editions, and these also vary from denomination to denomination. A Siddur used by an Orthodox Jew will be different from one seen in a Conservative or Reformed synagogue. There is, however, an official and prescribed order of liturgy and statutory prayers which are largely universally similar with the biggest changes being seen in the service of the Reform movement."[19]
The poetry of the liturgy is known as piyyut, which can broadly refer to the entire genre itself while some of the poetry has more specific terms depending on different criterion.[20] Elbogen says that the word piyyut could denote "…every type of sacred poetry" but it has come to refer to "poems of hymnic character, poems containing praise and thanksgiving, whether of general content or dealing with nature or history."[21] The term seliha is used for "elegies, penitential prayers, confessions of sin, and lamentations, together with the petitions and expressions of hope attached to them."[22] While there is some controversy surrounding the development of piyyut [23] the "Period of Piyyut" is thought to have begun around 550.[24] At this time, while the statutory prayers were being codified and there was a rise in written prayer books, the piyyut continued to develop.[25] The rise of piyyut was deeply impacted by the growth of Islam and one can see heavy Arabic influence in the poetic styles and forms.[26] Since poetry is an art form, one of the complaints with its addition into the liturgy was that it sometimes overshadowed the prayers and this was seen as a problem which at times resulted in conflict.[27] However, the importance of the poetry in the liturgy was growing and had many anonymous contributors which scholars have now divided up into distinct poetical eras.[28]
[1] AZ Idelsohn, Jewish Music in its Historical Development (NY: Tudor Publishing Company, 1944), 3.
[2] Idelsohn, Jewish Music, 3.
[3] Idelsohn, Jewish Music, 24.
[4] Idelsohn, Jewish Music, 24.
[5] Idelsohn, Jewish Music, 24-28.
[6] Idelsohn, Jewish Music. 28.
[7] Idelsohn, Jewish Music, 28.
[8] Idelsohn, Jewish Music, 35.
[9] Cantillate." Merriam-Webster.com. Accessed December 14, 2017. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cantillate.
[10] Nulman, Concepts of Jewish Music and Prayer, 11.
[11] Ismar Elbogen, Jewish Liturgy: A Comprehensive History (Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society, 1993), 382.
[12] Elbogen, Jewish Liturgy, 382.
[13] Elbogen, Jewish Liturgy, xi.
[14] Elbogen, Jewish Liturgy, xii.
[15] Elbogen, Jewish Liturgy, 382.
[16] Elbogen, Jewish Liturgy, 382-283.
[17] Elbogen, Jewish Liturgy, 5.
[18] Elbogen, Jewish Liturgy, 6.
[19] Elbogen, Jewish Liturgy, 165.
[20] Elbogen, Jewish liturgy, 167.
[21] Elbogen, Jewish liturgy, 167.
[22] Elbogen, Jewish Liturgy, 177.
[23] Elbogen, Jewish Liturgy, 233.
[24] Elbogen, Jewish Liturgy, 219.
[25] Elbogen, Jewish Liturgy, 219.
[26] Elbogen, Jewish Liturgy, 224.
[27] Elbogen, Jewish Liturgy, 234.
[28] Elbogen, Jewish Liturgy, 239.


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What are you all doing in preparation for the New *2017* Year that's about to roll in.
Winter has me shoveling.
Killing time til spring.
That's a happy looking owl, Laura.
I hope that your snow goes away soon.
Best wishes, Pete.
Pete, this cute little owl makes me smile from ear to ear.. I hope it will provide smiles for many too. I wish I could say the snow will go away soon, but that's not the case..right now even the arches in my feet hurt from blowing the snow yesterday. But, it tells you that you're working parts of the body that normally don't see any action.. So, I suppose that's a good thing.. I just hope the Tylenol works soon.. 🙂 Take care my friend, Laura
The "tile 'n all" won't help your aching feet. Tile is very hard. I suggest a plush rug.
I believe that owl did eat the last chicken wing. On Wednesday, I fed our two pigeons a bit of cooked chicken. Normally, I feed them bread and lentils. The female pigeon has a new approach to begging for food. She sits in the windowsill, and flaps her wings, rests, flaps her wings, rests…and then scratches the glass with her foot! Of course, we get the message. She and her mate have been living in our back yard since late summer. They keep the other pigeons away, and fend off the grackles that want to steal their food.
As for New Year's, we have no plans. Normally, we just stay home. I'll be working on the outline for Chapter 6 in my first detective book. I finished Chapter 5 yesterday, but have to do a wee bit of doctoring today before I call it a wrap.
Happy New Year 2017, Laura. I look forward to reading your blog in the coming months!
Hello there David, as you can see I've been away since Christmas. The snow here has kept me so darn busy and wears me out this year for some odd reason. The snow fall has been laden with moisture, I know that sounds odd.. But, there is fluffy snow and wet snow as I'm sure you're aware. Anyway it is kicking my southern regions and all other joints and the like. I suppose I should give in to nearing 60 but I refuse to tell my brain I'm no longer in my forties.. wink..
The review is posted on Amazon.ca for Pope on the Dole, it said it's in processing now…I'm not sure if it goes to Amazon.com as well, so you might have to check both to find it. I've never written a review for a book before, and I'm happy your book was my first.. 5 Stars without a single doubt and I wholeheartedly await your Detective Novels when they are released..
I've been a little busy on YouTube I must admit as my subscriber numbers are rising.. Well, to me they are huge,,, I went from 5 subscribers back in Sept, to 122 as of today and they are more than eager to comment. If, it were not for you and Pete commenting so graciously I would have left word press for the second time.
I'll share a little something with you… When I wrote my 5 novels, at first I wanted them to become published.. I looked into the pay as you go presses.. (I like to call them) but funds here were too precious and I needed to pay bills and taxes instead.. I tried for 4 years off and on submitting my wears to publishing houses, they were all very kind with their standard rejection letters.. Strange thing kept occurring though… I didn't mind the rejection letters and have saved them all as little gifts sent to me via the postal mail. My son asked why I don't just burn them, and my response was they make me better… They are my bandage to fix something that's just not finished yet, healing so to speak.. Alright, you now know one of my little secrets ~I'm an odd bird… wink…
Anyway, YouTube has been the outlet that I was all this time searching for, to have a voice and someone reads it, or listens… I am no longer that fallen tree in the forest where no one is around to see…
I love your comments to me and your wit strung between your words and I'll return back here soon with more content, just for you and Pete who both have become special in my eyes… Happy New Year my friend and check out my YouTube channel if you're wanting a giggle or two.. Perhaps, you'll find them there…
Take care, Laura 🙂
Laura, I just read the review on Amazon's Canada web site. THANK YOU! It's a very kind review, and I very much appreciate it. I sent "Pope on the Dole" inquiries to over thirty literary agents back in 2013, and no one was interested (probably didn't care for the subject matter, and didn't bother to read the submission), so I published it using Amazon's CreateSpace, which is a free "print on demand" publishing platform. In the future, I'll just go the same route. In any event, since I am my own editor, self-publishing allows me to write exactly what I want.
I enjoy your WordPress blog and look forward to following it "religiously"—as I do Pete's. I'd noticed you were away from the blog for a little while, and figured that the snow had something to do with it. It's good to have the snowblower, but I know you also shovel—so be careful, especially with the back, as you can easily pull a muscle. Here in Las Vegas, the snow is courteous enough to just fall on the mountaintops. I haven't been up there this winter to see what kind of snow it is (wet—good for making a snowman, or powder—good for skiing). But it's white, and I suspect it's cold…
Again, thank you for your very kind review of "Pope on the Dole." The two detective novels will be out sometime in 2018. I will, of course, still be reading your blog, so I'll let you know when they "hit" the Amazon bookshelf.
David, I hope that by me mentioning that I'm a good Catholic girl might just get attention for your novel.. There are too few folks who travel in the middle of the road like I do. So, I hope the people that read the review will broaden their own horizons and give it a look. You just need them to read the jacket and they will be hooked. Life, of course is a serious thing, but many take it too seriously most times. Rigid in thought causes many wonderful opportunities to be missed.. I dearly hope my words will touch people to give your delightful novel a go…I was wondering if you would mind if I blogged about it here on Word Press and perhaps add a meal that might tie into the book as well.. Sort of a combo to draw attention to your novel.. if you like this idea what food would you say depicts it best and I'll share with you what I was thinking too..
Perhaps, I can pick your brain about CreateSpace because free is right down my ally… I tried reading up on it but would rather ask a few questions from someone who has published in this way… Anyway, that's it for now.. I'm happy you were pleased with my review.. Take care both you and your lovely wife.. Laura 🙂
Laura, there are a number of foods in "Pope on the Dole." All sushi aside, the main meal is the one featured in Chapter 20: canapés, cantaloupe balls bathed in port wine, truite en papillotte (trout cooked in parchment paper), and crème Chantilly aux fruits rouges (strawberries & raspberries dipped in whipped cream), However, this meal is prepared by Francine. As much as Niccolò di Montachiesa ("Nic") enjoyed that meal, if you asked him to name a food item dear to his heart, he might say, "A Jésuite."
"I grew up eating Jésuites. It's an almond cream pastry. So, yes, I like almonds. Thank you." (p. 44)
Niccolò takes a bite. "It's heaven!" (p. 50)
Since Niccolò is a Jesuit pope, and since he thinks the pastry is "heaven," one might conclude that the food item that best depicts the book's main character is the Jésuite.
David, this is a fabulous idea for the food section to the review of Pope on the Dole. I actually have all of the ingredients already in the house, win, win, chicken dinner as I like to say… when all goes smoothly… wink… Perfect, perfect, perfect.. Thank you for your input and the plan is set .. Ready, set, go….
Take care, Laura
Of course, I would be honored if you were to blog about "Pope on the Dole." As you know, it's hard to get noticed out there in the publishing world. So anything you wish to do that would help others find the book would be of great benefit, and would be very much appreciated. Let me say again that I'm thrilled you enjoyed the book so much!
"I've always been a good Catholic girl…" Yes, I think that was a great thing to say, as I think some Catholics might be reluctant to read a satire that addresses their religion (even though other religions are not spared in the book). As for CreateSpace, it was pretty easy back in 2013, and it may be even easier now. As for my brain, it's easy pickings!
David, Thank you for agreeing to my request, to pick your brain about CreateSpace. I know a lot of Catholics who are devout, yet try to run over in their cars upon leaving the parking lot after mass. This makes me shake my head and ponder long and hard.. I hope that line in my review grabs their attention… Take care, Laura


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Three play areas at Felixstowe receiving major revamp for toddlers to teens
PUBLISHED: 16:30 20 May 2019
Work is under way on a £265,000 project to upgrade three popular play areas in Felixstowe to modernise and improve the experience for youngsters.
Felixstowe Town Council, East Suffolk Council and Suffolk Coastal Norse are working together to address the resort's play needs and have identified the three playparks as a high priority for investment.
The project started yesterday and is expected to be completed by the end of June.
Gosford Way and Allenby Park will be fully refurbished with a range of items suitable for toddlers, juniors and teenagers. Cavendish Park will gain a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) aimed at teenagers.
Gosford Way will have all the play equipment replaced with 14 new pieces. In Allenby Park, the surface area of the 5-a-side will be replaced and widened, the play area will get five new pieces of equipment as well as multi-unit offering eight different activities.
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The MUGA being installed in Cavendish Park offers a range of leisure activities such as five-a-side football and basketball.
Kerry Blair, head of operations at East Suffolk Council, said: "We are really pleased that work has started to improve these play areas in Felixstowe.
"Not only will these improvements make the play areas more attractive to visitors, they will also become a valuable and exciting asset for the local community just in time for summer."
Funding for the project has included £80,000 from Suffolk Coastal, £27,000 from Felixstowe Town Council, £2,000 from Felixstowe Youth Forum, £137,000 from CIL and other developer funds allocated for play/sport, plus money from councillors' enabling and locality budgets.
Mayor of Felixstowe, Graham Newman said: "Securing upgrades to our play areas was identified as a priority for the Town Council so I'm delighted that this project has been so well supported.
"Once these three areas have been improved we will continue to work in partnership with the Council to plan for further upgrades to other play areas in the town."
Community leaders say the revamp of the play areas will be the first in a series of projects and have stressed that other areas of the resort have not been forgotten and say they are committed to raising the bar in terms of quality and the standard of play.
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Here's a little something I'm quite excited about. On October 31st, which as you all know is Halloween, there's going to be a little horror-fest at Dymocks Southland bookstore.
A bunch of us dark writer folk are going to be doing a group book signing there in celebration of all things… well, dark. It's a great idea and I'm honoured to have been asked. I'll be sharing the signing table with some truly notable writers. Joining in on the day will be Bob Franklin, Kirstyn McDermott, Jason Nahrung and Bruce Kaplan (as well as little old me).
You'll remember Kirstyn McDermott from this post the other day where I was talking about her new book, Madigan Mine.
Jason Nahrung is the author author of The Darkness Within and numerous short stories.
Bruce Kaplan is the author of the YA paranormal novel Jenny's Dance.
Bob Franklin is primarily recognised as a comedian that you'll probably know better from TV than from his writing. He's stared in show's like the ABC's The Librarians or guest appearing on Thank God You're Here. However, he's also the author of Under Stones, a collection of "tales of unease".
So as you can see, I'm in some stellar company. It should be a good laugh, so if you're anywhere near Melbourne come along and join in the fun. Here are the party invite details:
12 noon 'til 1pm on Sunday 31st October
Dymocks Southland
Shop 3067/8, Westfield Southland
1239 Nepean Highway
Cheltenham, VIC 3192
Ph: 03 9584 1245


text: It was hot today as I walked around downtown Boston looking for something to photograph. This guy was out like a light in the Government Center area. Why he chose that particular spot is beyond me. It's nothing but bricks and concrete. The only thing it had going for it was that the plaza was practically deserted.


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Good Pub Guide Recommended
Friendly, well run real ale pub with bargain lunches and over a dozen varied beers
Knowledgeable, enthusiastic staff in this bustling tavern keep their 13 real ales in tip top condition and there's a wonderful choice of other drinks, too. From a battery of handpumps lined up on the long counter, regulars might include Hook Norton Old Hooky, Nethergate Melford Mild, Oakham Bishops Farewell and JHB and Phipps NBC India Pale Ale, with seven quickly changing guests including Dent Kamikaze, Island Yachtsmans Ale, Milestone Honey Porter, Nethergate Augustinian and Essex Border, Purity Longhorn and Pure UBU. They also stock belgian draught and bottled beers, 25 malt whiskies, 15 rums, 17 vodkas, 50 gins and Cheddar Valley and Weston's Old Rosie farm ciders; regular beer festivals. The pub is also home to quite an extensive collection of carefully chosen brewing memorabilia - look out for the rare Northampton Brewery Company star, displayed outside the pub, and some high-mounted ancient beer engines; darts, daily papers and background music. The secluded back yard is furnished with tables and chairs and a smokers' shelter; disabled facilities.
Bar food times: 12-3; 12-4 weekends
Lunchtime-only food includes doorstep sandwiches, sharing platters, filled baked potatoes, shepherd's pie, lambs liver and bacon casserole, fish or meat pies and casseroles.
Good Pub Guide Recommended
Beer Award
Price Award
Accepts Credit Cards
Meals & Snacks
Cask Ales
Background Music
Dogs at the bar
Recommended Pubs Nearby
Worth a Visit Pubs Nearby
Other Pubs Nearby
Good Pub Guide recommended
Worth a visit
Information Only
Pub Closed


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USPS Exigency Becomes a Political Toss - and a Punishing Farce
With the sole exception of Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) swinging for the United States Postal Service ratepayer (you and me), January 2014 was a dismal month for those who advocate direct mail in the marketing mix ... and in February, I'm definitely looking for some love. Will we find it?
First, there was January 26 ... the day new postal rates took effect, full-on. "The 6.0 percent postage increase—three times the rate of inflation—will not help the Postal Service shore up its financial base," said Peggy Hudson, senior vice president, government affairs, Direct Marketing Association, part of a coalition which filed a court appeal to halt the exigency portion of the rate hike, 4.3 percent. "It will simply drive mail from the system, which harms the financial viability of both the Postal Service and its business customers. It is a lose-lose proposition."
Then, there is an unpalatable compromise brewing in the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. (Compromise always deals with some distaste, or else it wouldn't be a compromise.) On our behalf, Sen. Baldwin was attempting to strip "offensive" Section 301 from the legislation, which would have abandoned the inflation consumer-price-index peg for annual postal rate increases, and replace it with a new CPI+1 percent index—adding potentially 10-percent higher rates over a decade than would happen under existing law.
Last week, one of the primary sponsors of the current postal reform bill—Committee Chairman Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE)—offered a deal: Essentially, Carper would keep the CPI index mailers crave in place but, in return, the exigency (4.3 percent hike) would be included in the baseline for future annual hikes—thereby removing the 2-year limit on the exigency imposed by the Postal Regulatory Commission in its oversight of the rate hike and making the exigency permanent. Further, the PRC's oversight role on postal rate changes would be kept intact—something the current language of the bill is attempting to strip. Sen. Baldwin asked for a mark-up delay, no doubt to consider the offer with her constituents.


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Teachers demand relief from the fundamentally flawed early learning portfolio. Legislation is moving in the House and Senate after powerful advocacy from TEA members.
The proposed amendment allows school systems to choose to keep the portfolio or adopt an alternate growth measure.
TEA is the lead organization highlighting problems and demanding action on the botched pre-k and kindergarten portfolio implementation. Those efforts and the state's inaction were on full display last week when three teachers and one superintendent showed legislators the depth of the crisis in Tennessee's pre-k and kindergarten classrooms, and articulated a dire need to fix it.
Several bills have moved through the Tennessee Legislature aimed at fixing the portfolio disaster, ranging from making it optional to eliminating it altogether. TEA supported those efforts and is eager to see the problems addressed before the legislature adjourns for the year. The final language is currently in the works ahead of an education committee vote next Tuesday, April 16.
"So far the only people who have reached out to kindergarten and pre-k teachers is the Tennessee Education Association," said Natasha Patchen, a Knox Co. teacher who has been at the forefront of sounding the alarm about the portfolio roll-out and implementation. "TEA provided a survey to gather teacher ideas, concerns and input to the portfolio process. The state department of education has not asked for our input."
Patchen pleaded with the legislators on the Curriculum, Testing and Innovation Subcommittee to "end this fiasco before we spend another tax dollar on this portfolio."
Teachers across the state responded to the TEA survey in late 2017, providing detailed accounts of the failures of the portfolio system and offering solutions. TEA shared the survey results with legislators who have made an effort to address problems. A 2019 TEA survey on TNReady showed how far the portfolio crisis had spread, with 98% of pre-k and kindergarten teachers asking to eliminate the current portfolio system or make fundamental changes with better teacher input.
Teacher input was precisely what made the pilot so attractive before the state bureaucracy came in and changed the portfolio system, according to last week's teacher testimony.
"There are many ways to measure children, but this is not it," said Candy Arwood, a teacher from Sumner County. "Knox County piloted it with 24 standards and then it morphed to 48. There is no way to go back to the drawing board and fix this mess. You're dealing with unreliable platforms. Educopia failed and we were told this was going to be glitch-proof. This is not working statewide."
Arwood said with so many other avenues to test student growth, "in my wildest imagination I do not understand why the state department of education supports this [portfolio system]."
TEA shared clips of the fiery testimony on social media, and it went viral in a matter of hours, reaching tens of thousands of viewers and generating another wave of comments and calls to end the portfolio mess.
"This does not drive my instruction," Arwood said. "This is just something I have to check off the list. If you want to see the data that supports what I'm doing in the classroom, I'll pull the data and we can sit down and look at it, and I can show you where children have gone from a pre-reader to a k-level in guided reading. I can tell you where children couldn't form a sentence at the beginning of the year, and now they are running full sentences with a strong phonics program. But this [portfolio] is a mandate and busy work for teachers, and there are other options out there, but you have the power to change this for the children."
"This portfolio is so demanding that to get good scores we focus on portfolio skills instead of making sure our children have the basic, foundational skills our students need," Patchen said. "The demands of the portfolio have drained the joy for the love of learning in our students."
"As the portfolio example has demonstrated time and again, TEA members have proven the power of collective advocacy is the only way to impact change in public education," said TEA President Beth Brown.


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Mexico this week confirmed the arrest of Ramiro Perez Ramos, known as "El Rama," a regional commander of the violent Zetas drug cartel who was reportedly trying to assume control of the organization. It's another blow to the Zetas' leadership after cartel boss Omar Treviño Morales was captured just weeks ago, but there are few expectations the recent spate of arrests will dismantle the group anytime soon.
Perez Ramos, 34, was the head of the Zetas' operations in the eastern states of Tamaulipas, Coahuila and Nuevo Leon, a statement by Mexico's navy said. Federal authorities reportedly captured him early Monday with four other accomplices as they were traveling in an SUV in the city of Nuevo Laredo. No shots were fired in the operation, local reports said.
The Zetas have gone through a rapid succession of leaders in recent years as the group has lost both territory and organizational strength. Earlier this month, authorities captured Omar Treviño Morales, who had been the head of the group since 2013; before that, his brother Miguel Angel Treviño Morales had been the Zetas leader for less than a year before being arrested by federal security forces.
Perez Ramos was reportedly angling to be the Zetas' next leader in the wake of the latest power vacuum. But a U.S. intelligence cable obtained by Mexican newspaper Reporte Indigo earlier this month named four other potential successors, including a third Treviño Morales brother, Juan Francisco Treviño Morales.
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