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Après Moi, le Déluge
If history has taught one certain lesson, it is that the less fettered an economy, the better humankind is able to do what it does best: run from trouble and run toward opportunity. In this way mistakes are quickly resolved and progress assured.
Conversely, the deeper the muck of regulation, mandates, taxes, subsidies and other bureaucratic meddling, the slower we humans are in following our natural instincts until the point that progress is slowed or even stopped.
It is said that history doesn't repeat itself, but it often rhymes. In the current circumstances, it appears that enough time has passed that current generations have completely forgotten the critical connection between the ability of humans to freely pursue their aspirations and economic progress.
You can see this ignorance in the popular demand for even more, not less, meddling in the affairs of humankind. Should this trend continue – and for reasons I will touch on momentarily, I firmly believe it will – then the aspirations of the productive minority will soon be dampened by ever higher taxes and other attempts to "level the playing field" and the global economy, already in tatters, will fall off the edge.
There is no more timely nor acute example of this growing trend than what is currently going on in France. I refer, of course, to the first round of the presidential election process, scheduled for this weekend.
In France, if no candidate attracts no better than 50% of the vote, then the two leading candidates go to a decisive runoff vote, this time around to be held on May 6.
The current president, Nicolas Sarkozy, a conservative in name only, was running at a fairly steady gait toward re-election (thanks to the head start awarded all incumbents), when leading socialist candidate Francois Hollande came out with a proposal to tax anyone with an annual income of over one million euros at a rate of 75%. He also promised to add a tax on all financial transactions and increase taxes on France's biggest companies to 35% – securing bragging rights as levying the world's third-highest corporate taxes, the US being #1. This all on top of a 25% VAT, one of the world's highest. By some calculations, the result of Hollande's new taxes is that effectively 100% of all incomes over one million euros will now be stripped away by the state.
For good measure, Hollande also promised to reverse the recent modest increase in retirement age from 60 to 62 pushed through by Sarkozy. While I am sure it is mere coincidence, I found it noteworthy that Mssr. Hollande's campaign slogan is "Change – Now!"
Remarkably, at least for those with some small understanding of economics, as a result of leaning into the microphone with these proposals Hollande has galloped ahead of all other potential contenders and is now projected to finish nose by nose with Sarkozy this weekend.
After which the also-rans will be removed from the race, freeing their supporters to share their affections elsewhere. Given that the leading contender for third place with an estimated 14% of the vote is one Jean-Luc Mélenchon – charitably categorized as "far left", a label that can be applied to most of the other candidates – it is projected that the "conservative" Mssr. Sarkozy will go down in double-digit flames come May 6.
Bringing to mind the prophetic utterance of Louis XV: "Après moi, le deluge."
The deluge in Louis' case manifested as the murderous affair commonly known as the French Revolution. In the case of Mssr. Hollande taking up residence in the Palais de l'Élysée, the deluge is likely to manifest in the form of rising interest rates as investors look to protect against an acceleration in the country's debt to GDP ratio, already projected to hit almost 90% this year, exacerbated by a flight of capital, investors, entrepreneurs and large businesses.
As is the nature of such things, because of the aforementioned predilection of humans to run from trouble, we likely won't have to wait for Mssr. Hollande to be formally enshrined in the gilded halls for the trouble to start – it will begin within days and maybe even minutes of the handicappers concluding that his ascendency is a sure thing.
Given that France is the third-largest economy in the already-troubled Eurozone, one can expect the deluge to spread, with potentially devastating consequences. That the guillotines may soon be rolled out across Europe can be better understood by taking into account that the Eurozone sovereign deadbeats are on the hook for roughly nine trillion euros in debt, some significant percentage of which has to be rolled over to ready buyers over the next couple of years. Adding weight to the problem is that, according to the latest figures out of the IMF, Europe's banks may have to sell off up to 3.8 trillion euros in assets, many of them questionable, between now and the end of next year. At least, if they want to remain solvent.
Across the pond, the United States also has aggressive funding needs, given that the "change" we experienced ourselves in the last presidential election has left the government gasping for about $1.4 trillion in additional funding each year. Then there is Japan, officially the world's largest debtor in terms of debt to GDP, where the easy availability of local funding has dried up, requiring that nation to go to the international markets for funding as well.
The phrase "an awful lot of hogs at the trough" comes to mind.
But, as I am prone to do, I drift. My point is not just that these governments are broke and are about to get a lot more broke as interest rates rise on their many debts and financings, but rather that the global trend toward a resurgence in public demand for socialism in response to a worsening crisis is a certainty.
How could it be otherwise when for decades now the schooling of children has been delegated to functionaries of the state?
For evidence, look no further than the screen swipe here. It is a quote from an essay by a college student in the United States on role the government should play:
The writer of those words was a member of a Valencia University economics class. The professor, Jack Chandliss, asked the class to write an essay on what the American dream means to them, and what they want the federal government to do to help them achieve that dream. Out of 180 students participating, only about 10% wanted the government to leave them alone and not tax them too much, but a whopping 80% wanted the government to provide pretty much the whole dream thing wrapped in a tidy bow – including free college tuition and health care, jobs, even the down payment on their future homes, money for retirement and hard cash, taken in the form of taxes from rich people.
While I run up the stairs for another shot of caffeine, take a moment to watch a worthwhile interview with the professor (with thanks to Dennis Miller for sending it along). See you in a moment…
Okay, I'm back. Pretty eye-opening, eh?
The point here is not complex, but it is important.
With the apparatus of state education over many years serving to bamboozle the populace into the hardened belief that government has a positive role to play in virtually all aspects of modern life, it should come to no surprise to anyone that, when push comes to shove, people are now trained to look to government to solve the problems – even when it was the government that created the problems in the first place.
Thus, confronted with the intractable mess they have made, these governments have to keep alive the mythology they have created about their omnipotence. Which is easier said than done, because with things now swirling fairly quickly around the drain, the mob is beginning to lose faith – and even patience.
Which puts these governments in a very tight spot, because the only way they can actually fix things is by doing exactly the opposite of what people have come to expect from their governments, which is always to do more. Put simply, the only hope now is that these governments begin to reduce their roles in their respective economies, and dramatically so. Concurrently, they have to encourage people in their aspirations to greater wealth, by lowering their taxes and unwinding the tangle of regulations they have created over the last half-century.
But if the governments actually tried to take these actions, the brainwashed masses would be positively befuddled then outraged, as it goes against everything they have been taught. Why, it would be like the Pope shuffling his way to the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica and informing the doting faithful that there isn't a god and never has been.
Riots would follow.
So it is that we find ourselves at a particularly interesting juncture in the historical record.
On the one hand you have a majority of the world's population who have been carefully schooled into believing that the institution of government holds the solution to all problems and is the source of succor to all who need it. (Even that subset of the populace who has lost confidence in their current government invariably believes as doctrine that the next and better government can change things for the better and lead the way to the shining castle on the hill.)
In this mix are the politicians and their functionaries, 99.99% of whom believe that, if for no other reason than their re-election prospects, they have to do something to meet the demands of the public.
Of course, under normal circumstances the "something" usually consists of making grand-sounding speeches and otherwise blowing smoke. Today that's just not going to cut it, for the simple reason that the crisis is real, it is spinning out of control, and it's not going to go away unless and until the markets are allowed to breathe again.
Which brings us full circle to the simple truth that the brainwashed public won't stand idly by while the politicians lower taxes and regulations on the profit makers or cut back state pensions and guarantees or otherwise reduce any of the many services the state has taken on itself to provide.
"Between a rock and a hard place" is an inadequate phrase to describe the situation.
Meanwhile, the mob has started to gather, their dark mutterings heard by the politicos who quickly don the red caps themselves, the better to be viewed as one with the people and join in expressing outrage against the capitalists who have been selected as fall guys in this unfolding drama.
When confronted by reporters about the fact that his 75% tax on high-income owners would raise nowhere enough revenue to offset France's towering debt and social obligations, Mssr. Hollande was heard to respond:
"It's not a question of return. It's a question of morality."
When coercion and theft are considered moral, anything is possible, and none of it good.
While I certainly can't say how this is all going to end, I'm pretty sure it's not going to end well.
Speaking of Theft
This week my adopted home of Argentina decided that it, rather than a private firm, should control 51% of YPF, the largest energy operator in the country. The circumstances leading to the re-nationalization of most of YPF are fairly complex, but whatever the problems the government was trying to solve could have been readily solved by encouraging free markets. Instead, for reasons touched on in the article before, the populist solution of re-nationalization was the one selected.
As one might expect, the re-nationalization has justifiably set off a round of condemnation and retaliatory threats from a wide range of sources, including officials from the US, the IMF and the EU.
Which is somewhat ironic, given that roughly 90% of the world's oil is directly owned by government-run corporations or entities that they control. In other words, any country that hasn't already nationalized its energy resources is very much the exception to the rule.
Here in the US, bastion of the free market that it is, the government is far more nuanced in its approach to the energy sector. Rather than overtly nationalize, the government blocks critical pipelines for political brownie points and attempts to solve the matter of high oil prices through regulatory action as opposed to letting the market find its natural level.
Speaking recently in the Rose Garden, President Obama stridently intoned, "We can't afford a situation where some speculators can reap millions, while millions of American families get the short end of the stick."
His plan? According to Bloomberg, it is to fund a six-fold increase for surveillance and enforcement staff at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to put 'more cops on the beat' overseeing oil markets."
Furthermore, also according to Bloomberg:
I don't have time to once again go into the important role that speculators play in commodities markets, but I can assure you that once the CFTC starts to wield its large new stick around – if for no other reason than to recoup the $52 million it's spending to implement the program – it's going to have the desired result of dampening the enthusiasm of the speculators. And that, in turn, will result in oil companies reducing the amount they spend to bring new sources of oil online. Translation: oil prices will go higher.
But according to the pandering politicians, it's not the consequences that matter; it all comes down to morality – and according to them it's immoral for anyone to make money by taking the other side of the trade when oil companies look to hedge the price of their future production.
You'll want to keep that in mind as the lights start to flicker.
Don't Believe It!
Next week we are hosting our sold out Recovery Reality Check Summit in Weston, Florida. As part of the preparations, I have been working with our own Bud Conrad and with John Williams of the always excellent Shadow Stats on their presentations.
It's been quite interesting, as both Bud and John work hard to see through the government's constant manipulations of economic data to get to a more accurate assessment of reality. The datasets and charts that they have been working on tell a substantially different story than you are hearing in the mainstream press.It was with those collaborations fresh in mind that I came across an excellent article in the Trim Tabs Money Blog of how corrupt the government's information is, and how pathetic a job the financial media does in covering that information. You can read the article – Ignorance is Bliss Regarding Economic Data – and watch the video yourself; following is an illustrative excerpt Commenting on the latest report from the Census Bureau that retail sales rose 0.8% in March, Charles Biderman, President & CEO of Trim Tabs Research wrote:
The Wall Street Journal online site reported not only that U.S. retail sales rose 0.8% in March, but also that Americans spent more on autos. ....Would you believe in this broadband world that what is reported as a hard fact by the financial media morons, is based upon a mailed, snail mail, survey to 5,000 retailers and the mailed back response?
Let's see, the US Census Bureau mails surveys to a mere 5,000 retailers and from the responses mailed back guesses at the fraction of a percent change in month to month retail activity. Wow! One would think that the Census people never heard of credit, debit and cash cards. Actual cash is much less than 10% of sales these days and I would rather have all the credit and debit card data than a survey of 5,000 outfits, wouldn't you?
Believe it or not, Master Card and Visa sell their data to the public and I am sure all would give summary data to the government, if asked. But no, the US government agencies, which also include the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Bureau of Economic Analysis, in their infinite wisdom ignore available real time data. And what is even more unbelievable is that no one in the financial media – except us that I am aware of – is saying that this data is a bad joke!
As for the purported bump in auto sales reported by the Wall Street Journal, according to Biederman the hard data – i.e., not the subsample from a mailed survey – showed that March car sales were actually off by 6% over February, as opposed to the 1.1% gain the pseudosurvey reported.
This should provide you, dear reader, with some serious food for thought. For instance, if much of the data the government is putting out is manipulated to the point of being false, then you need to find better sources for the information you rely on to make decisions about your business and your investments. And secondly, if most of the world believes in the government half-truths and outright lies, there may be real opportunities to be captured if you can uncover those truths before the masses.
I'll give you a relevant example, from our Casey Research BIG GOLD newsletter.The talking heads on cable television, along with members of officialdom, have been particularly vocal of late about their views that the gold bull market is effectively over. Yet, if gold is now so out of fashion, explain this bit of news…
VIA MAT International (VMI) gold storage limit temporarily reached:
Due to high and growing demand for its services, VMI reached its insurable limits at its vaults in Zurich, Hong Kong, and London, and cannot accept new customers. We spoke with VIA MAT and were told they are investing in new facilities at all three locations. Hong Kong is expected to be ready this May, and Zurich in June or July. No word yet on London. In the meantime, VMI is placing customers on a waiting list. – BIG GOLD, April 2012
For the record, VIA MAT is one of the world's largest providers of secure vaults for storing precious metals on behalf of central banks, large financial institutions and hedge funds. That it has run out of storage space in three of its facilities speaks volumes about actual demand.Being skeptical has rarely been more important.Before moving on, since we're on the topic of trying to separate fact from fiction, I thought the following chart, just in from Bud Conrad, was interesting. It shows that the recovery, such as it is, has been bought at a terrible cost in soaring government debt… but that per-capita income has stalled out.
The glaring conclusion you can draw from Bud's chart is that the government will not be able to squeeze struggling taxpayers for the revenues it needs to meet its obligations… which means we can expect that high levels of deficits and higher and higher levels of unpayable debts for the foreseeable future. The money-printing is far from over.Okay, sure, the government could actually slash its spending and renege on its obligations… but, per my earlier remarks, that's simply not going to happen, not with the mindless masses mulling about muttering madly.Instead, expect a continued rise in socialism at the expense of the shrinking population of the productive.
(As I was writing, an email arrived from the office, letting me know that pre-orders are now being accepted for the complete set of CDs from the Casey Research Recovery Reality Check Summit. Click here for details. )
Speaking of Gold
On the topic of gold, whereas under more typical market conditions gold stocks outperform the metal by upwards of 5:1 – because of the leverage that each $1.00 increase in the price of the metal has on the valuation of the companies sitting on millions of ounces of gold above ground and in reserve – over the last couple of years an anomaly has occurred whereby the gold stocks are lagging gold by 3.6:1. Here's a chart:
When Mr. Market finally realizes the truth about what's coming, gold is going to come surging out of its current consolidation phase… but the big gold stocks are going to do a rocket shot.
Which are the best, most undervalued gold stocks today? There's an easy way to get all the details: sign up for a risk-free trial to BIG GOLD. Click here to get details and to receive immediate access to the latest edition and all the archives.Pay Attention to the Basics
These days the single biggest challenge in trying to analyze where the economy is going and how to invest is the fact that government plays such an outsized role in everything. Thus, you could make a perfectly rational investment decision only to see it turn to ashes in your portfolio simply because of a government machination.While we are very concerned at how the current crisis will ultimately come to an end and all of the various market gyrations we are likely to experience on the way to its conclusion, it is only natural to want to earn some money on our money.
While gold and gold shares are crucial components of our portfolio, it would be the height of folly to overinvest in those segments. For most people, we recommend an allocation of no more than one-third of your portfolio – a whoppingly large allocation by historical standards.
For most people, that allocation should be closer to 20% to 25%. We also are fans of cash, as a way of reducing the very real risks of plunging markets and to maintain liquidity. But as inflation is only going to accelerate from here, that cash has to be viewed as something of a hot potato. We also like oil as a long-term holding.As for the rest, I know a lot of readers like to dabble in common equities… and for understandable reasons, starting with the fact that since the crash, the valuations of many equities have come down to quite reasonable levels.Which brings me to the following list of some of the key financial metrics we regularly screen for when making our recommendations in The Casey Report.
Most of these metrics don't apply to gold stocks, which have always marched to a different drummer, but they do apply to common equities.The general idea is that if you are going to invest in common equities, you need to first be assured you aren't overpaying. That's because if you initiate an investment position by overpaying, you are far more likely to suffer a serious loss if the markets get wiggly. By contrast, if you are able to get a great value for your money, then even if the market subsequently hits an air pocket, it is far more likely that, in time, the stock will bounce back, giving you an opportunity to eventually sell at a profit.
In any event, I thought it would be helpful for those of you who haven't made a study of financial metrics to recount some of the ones we use here. You might want to keep them at hand as a reference the next time you are considering a stock purchase.
Price/Earnings Ratio or P/E Ratio is a company's share price divided by its earnings. It measures how much investors are currently paying per dollar of earnings. High P/E ratios imply that strong future growth is already baked into the stock price. A P/E ratio below 6 suggests deep value.
Price/Book Value Ratio or P/B Ratio is a company's share price divided by its book value. Book value is the theoretical liquidation value of a company's net assets – the amount of cash that would be generated from selling all of the company's assets after fulfilling all of its liabilities. A low P/B ratio suggests a high margin of safety, and a P/B ratio below 0.75 suggests deep value.
Percent change in Earnings per Share from last year is the growth or decline in a company's earnings over the prior year. Earnings are a comprehensive measurement of bottom-line performance, and comparing them year to year helps determine whether a company is growing revenues and managing expenses. In general, 20% year-to-year growth in earnings is very good.
Debt/Equity Ratio indicates the mix of equity and debt a company is using to finance itself. A high proportion of debt indicates the company is aggressive, highly leveraged, and risky. A ratio below 3 generally indicates that a company does not employ excessive leverage, though the threshold of acceptable leverage varies significantly by industry.
Current Ratio measures a company's liquidity, or its ability to meet short-term obligations. It is calculated by dividing current assets (meaning assets that can be liquidated within one year) by current liabilities – or liabilities that are due within one year. A current ratio below one is a warning sign that a company may have trouble meeting short-term obligations, while a ratio above 1.5 is considered sufficiently safe.
Return on Equity (ROE) measures a company's profitability and represents how much profit is generated with shareholders' invested money. A ROE of above 10% indicates that the company is sufficiently profitable.
Net Margin represents how much of a company's earnings ultimately become profits. It measures how effectively a company controls its costs in relation to its earnings. Net margins vary by industry, but as a very general guideline, greater than 5% is good.A final caveat: Just because a company passes the test on some or even all of these metrics, or fails on one or more doesn't necessarily make it a good or bad investment, as there are a lot of factors involved in determining future results. But going through the process of checking the core metrics of a company is an important exercise, if for no other reason than it will give you a much better sense of the company and the effectiveness of its management.
(Of course, if you prefer to leave the securities analysis to others, the team of analysts at The Casey Report are happy to help. More on a no-risk trial here.)
As I am running late and long, I'm only going to have a single Friday Funny today – a video
While I often find the antics of my fellow humans to be tiresome and aggravating (as they probably do my own antics), there are few things I love more about humankind than its creativity.The video I am linking to here is a shining example of that creativity at its finest. It starts with the placement of a stand with a red button on it in a quiet town plaza, with a sign hanging overhead that says "Push to Add Drama"… what happens next is a creative riot.
Miscellaneous; Where in the World to Invest
As you may already be aware, we are big fans of the idea of international diversifying one's money and, if you can swing it, one's life. Which of course, begs the questions… where, and how?
Long-term friend Karim Rahemtulla, the Emerging Markets/Options Editor of Wall Street Daily, tackles those questions in his new book, Where in the World Should I Invest, in which he recounts his global quest for today's most prospective places for your money. The book is well written and well organized with an overview of countries from Russia to Singapore, Cambodia to Egypt and a dozen or so other countries in between. It's a great start in familiarizing yourself with global markets and the opportunities those markets hold for those willing to leave the beaten path. It's available in hardcover and as a Kindle download on Amazon.
Are These Trucks for What I Think They Are For?
A friend sent me these photos with the caption "Nothing to see here." Take a closer look… it sure seems like they are essentially portable jail cells. Maybe one of you dear readers actually knows their real purpose. If so, drop me a note at [email protected]. I'm just curious.
And with that, I will sign off for the day and the week by thanking you for reading and for being a Casey Research subscriber. I look forward to seeing a number of you at next week's Summit… it should be a good one.
Until next time!
David Galland


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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 21/11/2012 (1735 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Eryn Kirshenbaum is only nine years old but she made a contribution to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights that demonstrates generosity and thoughtfulness has no age requirement.
The Winnipeg youngster presented a $500 donation Wednesday to Friends of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights national campaign chairwoman Gail Asper.
Eryn has been raising money for causes she believes in since she was five years old.
The museum will be Canada's first national museum outside of the Ottawa-Gatineau region.
It is slated to open in 2014.

subset: commoncrawl


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You won't be able to dismiss this by usual means (escape or click button), but you can close it programatically based on user choices or actions.
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Analysis: How Australia fared against Chile
Our reporters in Brazil, Michael Lynch and Sebastian Hassett, take a look back at the match between the Socceroos and Chile.PT6M22S http://www.canberratimes.com.au/action/externalEmbeddedPlayer?id=d-3a45a 620 349 June 14, 2014
Cuiaba: Australia's first World Cup encounter may have ended in heroic failure, but it certainly wasn't the whitewash many assumed, or looked likely after 15 minutes.
And the language after the game suggests the Socceroos have a lot more to give. Tim Cahill clearly felt Australia should have won the game, coach Ange Postecoglou brushed off suggestions they should simply be hapy with the performance and goalkeeper Matt Ryan is clearly bullish about Thursday's clash against the Dutch.
''If we get our start right the next game I think we'll be in with a better shot," he said. ''Hopefully we come out against Holland a lot more positive and being a lot braver in the beginning.''
Brave heroics: Tim Cahill. Photo: AFP
Skipper Mile Jedinak and Cahill have also been rallying the tropps. ''Timmy and Mile have already come up to me and said to try and put it past me and move on to the next game," said Ryan.
''It will hurt but we'll do all the right things now with recovery and get ready for the biggest game of our lives against Holland.''
Australia's inexperienced team, playing with only two men who had been involved in World Cup games before, showed guts and character by the bucketload against Chile.
Tim Cahill protests against his disallowed goal. Photo: Reuters
There are plenty of lessons they can take from this experience and performance - the chief being not to be overawed by the quality and reputation of their opponents.
Austalia may lack the technical ability of group rivals Spain and the Netherlands. They may not have the guile and the gamesmanship - certainly the Chileans used all of their ''know how'' to hang on when they were under the hammer in the second period - that the big teams have. They probably won't get the rub of the refereeing green which the major powers get when they play the minnows, like Australia.
But they do seem to possess a marvellous camaraderie and spirit which ensures they will always give themselves a chance. In itself spirit is, at this level, not enough to win matches. But if the game is in the balance it will certainly take the Socceroos a long way towards their target.
World Cup 2014: Socceroos v Chile highlights
Chile's Eduardo Vargas is challenged by Australia's Alex Wilkinson. Photo: AP
In the end they came up just short, and the 3-1 scoreline in the South Americans' favour, courtesy of Jean Beausejour's stoppage time third goal, flattered the winners.
It is hard to argue with Postecoglou's assertion - and that of his players - that had they managed to build on Tim Cahill's first-half header which brought them back into the game by scoring an equaliser then the game was there to be won.
Chile looked irresistible early in this match, playing with pace, skill and verve, and when they raced to that 2-0 lead inside a quarter of an hour things looked grim for an Australian side which, Postecoglou admitted, had paid too much respect to their opponents, led by Barcelona's Alexis Sanchez.
But to their great credit Australia regained their composure and when Cahill - inevitably - struck with his head in the 35th minute to reduce the deficit the Chileans became visibly nervous and concerned. Their fluent passing game disappeared, evident only sporadically, and the weight of expectation seemed to bear down hugely for them against an opponent they were expected to beat comfortably given their respective rankings - 14 and 62.
The Socceroos shed their self effacing personality in that second period as they played all over Chile, and that is what they must do against The Netherlands in Porto Alegre.
The Dutch, who showed little respect for the world champions with their 5-1 destruction of Spain, are now full of self belief themselves so the task is huge, but Australia can take some comfort from the fact that they do have a good record against the Netherlands and probably will feel more at home taking on European opposition than Latin American.
When they eventually got going Australia's tactics proved a problem for the Chileans. The full backs, Ivan Franjic and Jason Davidson got forward and hustled their wingers (Franjic's cross provided Cahill's goal while a centre from Davidson set up Mark Bresciano's marvellous volley which came agonisingly close to producing a second-half equaliser). The impressive Matthew Leckie, with his pace, power and increasing game intelligence, proved a problem throughout while he was stationed on the right flank.
The Netherlands game is a conundrum for Postecoglou to solve. While the Chileans, largely small of stature, struggled to contain the aerial threat of Cahill the Dutch will be much more accomplished at dealing with high balls and crosses, which they handle in their domestic game and the leagues where their ''foreign'' based players operate.
Australia can persist with that strategy - as Postecoglou observed after the game, it's something they do do rather well - but run the risk that it will make them predictable to a team who are more likely to be able to cope with it.
Therefore they will have to find an alternative approach, or at least one to use in tandem with the strategy of putting the ball on Cahill's head.
Bresciano, after a quiet first half, became a figure of influence for Australia and his clever passing and ability to control the tempo and flow of his team's attacks will be crucial if Australia is to find another route to goal against the Dutch.
Tommy Oar, who plays his club football in The Netherlands, had a quiet game against Chile but he will surely be relishing the opportunity to take on defenders he faces week in and week out in the Eredivisie. He will have to show more dynamism and end product, however.
Australia's rearguard was at sixes and sevens in the opening quarter hour against the Chileans, whose mobility, close passing and fluency opened up gaps all over the attacking area of the pitch.
The Dutch will play a different sort of game, perhaps less finicky, more direct: but in a front trio consisting of Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder and Robin van Persie they have an attack far more formidable than Chile's, with the ability to play a dribbling, close passing game if they want.
Franjic's absence means the dynamics of the defence will change, with Ryan McGowan, better known as a centre back, a possible replacement. He is unlikely to get forward in the manner of Franjic.
This will be a huge test for the Socceroos, and a loss will almost certainly end their involvement in the World Cup with a game to spare.
But it is also a marvellous opportunity to build on the confidence taken from the first game by a largely wet behind the ears squad who will surely improve considerably on their first effort now they know what the pressure of World Cup football is all about.
Certainly Postecoglou will send them out believing they can get a result, and if they can overcome their nerves - let's put those against Chile down to first night fears - and play the in-your-face game that Cahill has talked of in the run up to this tournament then they can at least let the Dutch know they are in a match.
Whatever the outcome, this World Cup has already become a steep learning curve for a team in transition: they will be better for the experience, and the rewards could come in seven months time, when they host the Asian Cup.


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Click here for directions to Boathouse Row/Racecourse!
Philadelphia's Schuylkill River has long been the mecca of American rowing. Boathouse Row along Kelly Drive was originally constructed in 1858, and the race course set in Fairmount Park -- with the Art Museum and Philadelphia skyline in the background -- is among the most picturesque settings of any rowing course in the world.
The Schuylkill River is not used for power boating; the only competition on the river is rowing. The course is maintained by the "Schuylkill Navy," the oldest sporting organization still in existence. The Schuylkill is home to several prestigious rowing events including the Stotesbury Cup Regatta, the Dad Vail Regatta and the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta. Summer events include the Independence Day Regatta and the Schuylkill Navy Regatta.
Penn's Madeira Shell House is home to all three varsity intercollegiate programs -- men's heavyweight, men's lightweight, and women's. Itis the only collegiate boathouse on Boathouse Row. (Currently, there are 14 boathouses that make up the Schuylkill Navy.) Penn's boathouse was constructed in 1876 and is among one of the oldest collegiate boathouses in the country.


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Hillel welcomes students of all backgrounds and fosters an enduring commitment to Jewish life, learning and Israel. As the largest Jewish student organization in the world, Hillel builds connections with emerging adults and inspires them to direct their own Jewish journey.
You are now logged out of www.hillel.org.
If you logged in using a service such as Facebook or Google, you may still be logged in there. If this is a shared computer, you should log out of all accounts.
Hillel of San Diego/North County serves the Jewish students at CSUSM, MiraCosta College, and Palomar College. Each campus organizes programming and events on campus and the students come together for bi-weekly Shabbat dinners, retreats, community service activities, and social programming.
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Ronald McDonald Family Room opens at Stony Brook Children's Hospital
advertisement | advertise on newsday
The Ronald McDonald Family Room Program opens a retreat with many of the comforts of home for relatives and friends of patients at Stony Brook Children's Hospital. Videojournalist: Randee Daddona (Aug. 1, 2013)
Newsday.com now uses Facebook for our comment boards. Please read our guidelines and connect your Facebook account to comment.


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With all the cold weather, what a good time to have a hot bowl of soup or stew ready for a meal. Grill up some of your favorite bread in the oven; have a salad made; and you're ready for a wonderful warm meal.
Southern Tomato Veggie Soup
74 ounces canned tomatoes, roughly chopped
1 quart chicken broth
1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
1 medium Vidalia onion, chopped
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped carrot
1/3 cup chopped fresh basil
1/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 pounds stew meat
3 pounds white potatoes, peeled and diced
1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen green beans
1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels
In a large stock pot, combine tomatoes, broth, tomato sauce, onion, celery, carrots, basil, sugar, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat and simmer over medium high heat. Add meat and cook until brown. Add in tomato mixture and simmer until meat is tender approximately 1 hour. Add potatoes and simmer for 10 minutes. Add green beans and corn and simmer for 5 to 6 minutes. Serve when meat and veggies are tender. This serves 8 to 10.
All Day Meatball Stew
2 12-ounce packages frozen, fully cooked Italian meatballs
5 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 pound fresh baby carrots
1 medium onion, halved and sliced
1 4 1/2-ounce jar sliced mushrooms, drained
2 8-ounce cans tomato sauce
1 10 1/2-ounce can condensed beef broth, undiluted
3/4 cup water
3/4 cup dry red wine or beef broth
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons all purpose flour
1/2 cup cold water
Place meatballs, potatoes, carrots onions and mushrooms in a 5- or 6-quart slow cooker. Combine the tomato sauce, broth, water, wine or broth, garlic powder and pepper in a large bowl; pour over top. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or until vegetables are tender. Combine flour and water until smooth. Gradually stir into stew. Cover and cook on high for 30 minutes more or until sauce is thickened.
Butternut Squash Soup
2 tablespoons butter
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
2 large carrots, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 medium butternut squash, peeled, seeded and chopped, approximately 8 cups squash
4 cups chicken broth
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
1 teaspoon raw honey
1 cup heavy whipping cream
Garnish — olive oil, chopped fresh parsley and crushed red pepper
In a large Dutch oven or stockpot, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion, carrot and celery, and cook until onion is translucent. Add butternut squash and chicken broth. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until vegetables are very tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat and use an immersion blender to puree soup until smooth or transfer to the container of a blender to puree in batches. Add red pepper, salt and pepper, stir in honey and cream, stirring until well combined. To serve, ladle hot soup into bowls. Garnish with a drizzle of olive oil, parsley and pepper.
Beefy Bean Soup
1 29-ounce can tomato puree
1 14 1/2-ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 cup water
1 cup beef broth
4 1/2 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon dried basil
3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
3/4 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
1/2 pound ground beef
1 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 teaspoon dried minced garlic
1 16-ounce can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 15 1/2-ounce can great northern beans, rinsed and drained
In a Dutch oven, combine the first eight ingredients. Bring to a boil. Stir in macaroni. Reduce heat, simmer, uncovered, for 10 to 15 minutes or until the macaroni is tender. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook the beef, celery, onion and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink and vegetables are tender, drain. Add to the tomato mixture. Stir in beans, heat through. Serves 8.
Cheesy Chili
2 pounds ground Beef
2 sweet peppers
2 cans tomato sauce
2 cans water
2 beef bouillon cubes
1 1/2 cups instant rice
Salt and pepper to taste
Brown ground beef and drain. Add tomato sauce, water and bouillon. Bring to a boil. Add rice. Cook until rice is done about 10 to 15 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste.
Italian Shredded Pork Stew
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 cups chopped fresh kale
1 large onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 boneless pork shoulder butt roast, 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 pounds
1 14-ounce can white cannelloni beans, rinsed and drained
1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3 14 1/2-ounce cans chicken broth
Sour cream
Place sweet potatoes, kale, onion and garlic in a 5-quart slow cooker. Place roast on vegetables. Add the beans and seasonings. Pour broth over the top. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hour or until meat is tender. Remove meat, cool slightly. Skim fat from cooking juices. Shred pork with two forks and return to slow cooker. Heat through. Garnish with sour cream.
Taco Twist Soup
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons olives oil
3 cups vegetable broth or reduced sodium beef broth
1 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 14 1/2-ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 1/2 cups picante sauce
1 cup uncooked spiral pasta
1 small green pepper, chopped
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 cup shredded reduced fat cheddar cheese
3 tablespoons reduced fat sour cream
Sauté onion and garlic in oil in a large saucepan until tender. Add broth, beans, tomatoes, picante sauce, pasta, green pepper and seasonings. Bring to a boil; stirring frequently. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes or until pasta is tender, stirring occasionally. Serve with cheese and sour cream.
Potato and Leek Soup
4 cups chicken broth
3 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 1/2 cups chopped cabbage
2 medium carrots, chopped
1 medium leek (white portion only), chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 bay leaf
1/2 cup sour cream
1 pound bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
Combine first 11 ingredients in a 4- or 5-quart slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or until veggies are all tender. Before serving combine sour cream with 1 cup of soup and return all to the slow cooker. Stir in bacon and discard bay leaf.
This will give you a few soups to try. Make some croutons out of your day-old bread and rolls. If you need to reach me, you can email me at email@example.com or drop a line to my attention to the BCR, P.O. Box, 340, Princeton, IL 61356.


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Innovation in pharmaceuticals has a dramatic impact both on the health and wellness of millions of people and the bottom lines of the companies in the sector.
Our survey included 76 pharmaceuticals executives across the pharmaceutical value chain, situated in 13 countries.
We found that the Pharma industry invests more of its revenues in innovation than other sectors. And the most innovative players are growing faster than their less pioneering competitors – though well-defined innovation strategies are still far from universal. Talent remains a challenge for pharma compared to other industries but executives are putting in place measures to address this. They're also looking for inspiration outside their walls, with an emphasis on co-creation with external partners and even customers.
Pharma's innovation focus remains on products and business models, where they're up there with the top innovators. They're less engaged in innovating in other areas such as systems or services.
Explore the industry trends with Managing innovation in Pharma.


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Epiphone Limited Edition Les Paul Special Bass with Flame Maple Top Transparent Black
(Transparent Black)
Sku #516092000011000
4 String Electric Bass
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Les Paul performance at a price that can't be beat.
Les Paul lends his name to this new Limited Edition Epiphone electric bass guitar that gives you unparalleled performance, features and affordability. Starting with the classic Les Paul Special body shape it sports a solid mahogany body and neck for rock-solid performance, rich bass and clean, clear highs. Two specially designed alnico bass humbuckers with separate volume controls and master tone allow you to dial-in the perfect tone. With a 34" scale length and 1.50" nut width, the new LP Special bass has great balance and is easy to play. For its price, won't find a better performing bass anywhere!
Pickups: 442R alnico humbucker
Hardware: Black
Scale: 34"
Nut Width: 1.65"
Neck: Set
Neck Material: Mahogany
Fingerboard/Inlay: Rosewood/Dot
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Comments about Epiphone Limited Edition Les Paul Special Bass with Flame Maple Top:
I got the red one and was pleased with the fit and finish. This is a very good bass for the price. The neck is full length, slim, but solid with a nice feel. Low fret buzz. While most basses in this price range have noisy single coil pickups and bolt on necks, this one has a set neck and quiet hum-buckers. It's well balanced and comfortable to play sitting or standing. It's not neck heavy and has nice even tone. I had to set the intonation, but that's expected. I would recommend this bass to beginners, or as a knock-around for the more experienced player.


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FIREFIGHTERS dealt with a hay bale fire on a trailer in Lytchett Matravers this afternoon.
The service was called at 12.28pm to the junction of Lime Kiln Road and High Street.
In all, three crews of firefighters fought the flames – two from Poole fire station and a third from Hamworthy.
A spokesman for Dorset Fire and Rescue Service said that the blaze involved around five tonnes of hay, which were destroyed by the flames.
In all, 10 firefighters wearing breathing apparatus were needed to put out the flames and crews stayed on the scene for several hours to make sure the fire was completely extinguished.


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Did you know?
AmaZink Live is a dinner/theatre show in Kyamandi outside Stellenbosch, featuring isiXhosa hit music and township cuisine.
A decade ago, Stellenbosch restaurants had a reputation for hearty Cape food and plenty of wine to go with it. However, the region's kitchens lagged behind Cape Town and Franschhoek when it came to innovative and contemporary fine dining.
Restaurants in Stellenbosch that have remained deliciously traditional include Die Volkskombuis (the people's kitchen), which is a popular venue to sample Cape boerekos (farmers' food) staples like bobotie, waterblommetjiebredie (lamb and Cape water hawthorn stew) and chicken pie.
But these days, diners eating out in Stellenbosch are spoiled for choice. In the town of Stellenbosch itself, there are cheap and quaint student pubs; family steakhouses; seafood diners; and art gallery-cum-bistros.
The Wild Peacock food emporium stocks over 400 items of mostly local gourmet produce, and features a seasonal bistro menu and wine by the glass.
Out of town, in the famous Stellenbosch winelands, dining options abound.
Travel along Annandale Road and you'll find two of the country's most acclaimed restaurants, both voted into the Top 10 list for the 2012 Eat Out Awards. Rust en Vrede, a multi-award-winning restaurant, has a five-star reputation for its food and impeccable, friendly service. Overture restaurant sources the best local ingredients, including humble cuts of offal, and using French techniques, transforms them into award-winning plates of food.
For elegant alfresco dining under the oaks, splendid vineyard views and sublimely prepared seasonal fare, try Terroir restaurant at Kleine Zalze wine estate (another Top 10 winner). Similarly, the restaurant at Jordan winery offers panoramic views of Table Mountain, False Bay and Stellenbosch, with a daily blackboard menu to complement Jordan's acclaimed wines.
Exciting, terroir-focused cuisine can be found at Tokara wine estate, perched atop the Helshoogte Pass outside Stellenbosch. Chef Richard Carstens ought to wear a wizard's hat, so adept is he at conjuring up daily specials using seasonal ingredients that are mouth-watering and almost too beautiful to eat.
If you want fine winelands fare and postcard views, but couldn't be bothered with silver service, a gourmet 'poshnic' at Warwick wine estate will tick all the boxes.
Choose an intimate picnic 'pod', which includes an umbrella and cushions, or bring the whole family and picnic blankets, and sprawl on the lawns. There's ample space for the kids to play and not a hard-boiled egg or a soggy sandwich in sight as you munch on local charcuterie, cheeses, breads, pâtés and sip Warwick's wines.
Travel tips & Planning info
Who to contact
Die Volkskombuis
Aan de Wagen Road, Stellenbosch
Tel: +27 (0)21 887 2121
Email: email@example.com
Hidden Valley Winery, Annandale Road, Stellenbosch winelands
Tel: +27 (0)21 880 2721
Rust en Vrede wine estate
Annandale Road, Stellenbosch winelands
Tel: +27 (0)21 881 3881
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Kleine Zalze wine farm, Off R44 road, Stellenbosch winelands
Tel: +27 (0)21 880 8167
Jordan with George Jardine
Stellenboschkloof Road , Stellenbosch winelands
Tel: +27 (0)21 881 3612
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
R310 road, Helshoogte, Stellenbosch winelands
Tel: +27 (0)21 885 2550
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Warwick wine estate
On the R44 between Stellenbosch and Klapmuts
Tel: +27 (0)21 884 4410
Email: email@example.com
118a Masithandane Street, Kayamandi, Stellenbosch
Mobile: +27 (0)74 100 3122
Email: email@example.com
Stellenbosch Tourism
36 Market Street, Stellenbosch, 7600
Tel: +27 (0)21 883 3584
How to get here
It is about a 45-minute drive from the centre of Cape Town to Stellenbosch's town centre. Best options are to follow the N1 and the R304, or Settlers Way and the Polkadraai road, a slightly longer option.
Tours to do
Warwick offers a Big Five wine-tasting tour which compares the Big Five to specific wine cultivars.
Get around
From Cape Town, hire a car, tourist shuttle bus or a metered taxi to reach the town of Stellenbosch and the surrounding winelands. During the day, trains from Cape Town to Stellenbosch are an option.
What will it cost
Multi-course dinner and wine pairing prices can vary (based on the number of courses) from R400 to R850 per person. An average three-course meal is about R350 per head, excluding wine and service charges. Warwick's gourmet picnic baskets cost R350 for two. Show tickets for AmaZink are R650 each (includes a welcome drink, a three-course meal and show). You can also get a lift to and from Stellenbosch for R50 (one way).
What to pack
If you're dining outside in summer, sun protection is recommended. If picnicking on the lawns, bring sun protection and your own umbrella.
Where to stay
There are loads of accommodation options in Stellenbosch and the surrounding areas.
Best buys
Award-winning olive oil and olives from the Olive Shed deli at Tokara wine estate.


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Canape is a network testing tool for arbitrary protocols, but specifically designed for binary ones. It contains built in functionality to implement standard network proxies and provide the user the ability to capture and modify traffic to and from a server.
The core can be extended through multiple programming languages including C# and Python, to parse any protocol as required thereby creating custom proxies tailored to the testing. It works at the network application layer supporting both TCP and UDP connections through port forwarding or by implementing a SOCKS or HTTP proxy. It does not capture data at the Ethernet, IP or TCP layers directly.
Its main strength is reducing the amount of development effort usually associated with effectively testing a new protocol. By providing a common mechanism to capture and manipulate traffic, it aims to allow the security researcher to only develop the minimal amount of code for the truly bespoke aspects of a protocol.
To leave feedback on Canape please email firstname.lastname@example.com
The latest version of Canape is Version 1.3 released on 20th December 2013.
Future versions of CANAPE are released through an open source project. The source code is available at https://github.com/ctxis/canape.
By downloading Canape you agree to the End User License Agreement.


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Tagged: 'Brady Quinn'
Cincinnati Bengals Face a Depleted Denver Broncos Squad
September 16th, 2011 at 9:21 AM
Injuries are always a factor in any NFL season. Teams always have to be prepared to have the "next man up" in order to be successful. I don't think John Fox and the Denver Broncos were thinking it would be happening to this degree in week two, however. The Broncos...


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YORKSHIRE Water has apologised after two burst water mains caused traffic chaos in southern York this morning.
Driver faced long delays on the A19 from Selby to York, and on the A64 approach to the A19 junction at Fulford, where vehicles queued on the inside lane of the eastbound dual carriageway.
One motorist, David Martin of Crockey Hill, said it took him one and a half hours to drive along the A19 from Selby to Crockey Hill because of severe delays.
There were also apparent knock-on problems in Bishopthorpe Road, where inbound traffic queued as far back as the former Terry's chocolate factory.
The bursts happened on the A19 at Fulford, near the junction with Heslington Lane.
A spokesperson for Yorkshire Water said: "We would like to apologise to anyone who has been affected by the bursts in Fulford Road, York.
"Both bursts have now been repaired. Work to reinstate the road is now taking place and temporary traffic lights will assist traffic flow until the road is fully reopen."


text:
Baseboards are used to transition between a hardwood floor and a wall.
Place your order now through our web site, call 1-800-HARDWOOD to talk to one of our sales representatives, or click here to find the closest store to you.
Do you have questions about this product?
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Q:What are the dimensions
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A:5/8" thick x 3 1/4" high x 7.5 ft. long.


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The Swedish BioFINDER Study
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The present study aims at combining biochemical methods with various types of imaging techniques to identify the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The main interest is to find markers associated with the very early steps in the pathology of this disease. The investigators shall thus screen for i) molecules in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma specific for AD, and ii) brain imaging markers (e.g. MRI and PET) that correlate to detailed clinical assessments.
Biomarkers of interest would then be useful to:
- Enable accurate detection of the disease early on. Such biomarkers need to specifically reflect the very early pathophysiology of AD and distinguish it from disorders with similar symptomatology, such as other types of dementia and major depression. The sensitivity and specificity of these biomarkers in combination with clinical assessment should be of at least 90%.
- Enable prediction of the course of events of the disease, such as the disease rate in individual patients. Biomarkers that can predict the pattern of future symptoms will be extremely valuable.
- Allow monitoring of early effects of new disease-modifying therapies (so-called surrogate biomarkers). Currently clinical therapeutic trials for AD require large patient groups together with long-term treatment. Both size of the groups and treatment time will be reduced with the help of surrogate biomarkers.
- Study the pathogenesis of the disease. Biomarkers can be used to investigate in detail early alterations in AD patients. For instance, changes in the levels of certain molecules in CSF together with genetic predisposition could then be correlated to clinical signs and changes detectable by brain imaging. This can lead to identification of new therapeutic targets that could easily be monitored in future trials.
|Mild Cognitive Impairment Alzheimer's Disease Dementia With Lewy Bodies Vascular Dementia
|Study Type:
|Study Design:
|Observational Model: Cohort
Time Perspective: Prospective
|Official Title:
|The Swedish BioFINDER Study: Early Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease - a Multidisciplinary Approach
- To compare the time to conversion to clinically probable AD in MCI subjects or healthy elderly subjects with normal and abnormal biomarkers (CSF, blood, MRI, PET) [ Time Frame: Time zero equals the baseline visit. All subjects will subsequently attend follow-up visits every year for approximately 4-6 years after baseline. ]
- Rate of cognitive decline as measured by various cognitive tests, Activities of Daily Living (FAQ) and Global Deterioration Scale. [ Time Frame: Time zero equals the baseline visit. All subjects will subsequently attend follow-up visits every year for approximately 4-6 years after baseline. ]
- Group differences for imaging and wet biomarker measurements. [ Time Frame: At baseline, 1 years, 2 years, 3 years and 4 years. ]
- Rate of volume change of structural MRI measures and amyloid PET [ Time Frame: At baseline, 2 years, 4 years. ]
- Rates of change on each specified biochemical biomarker [ Time Frame: At baseline, 2 years, 4 years. ]
- Correlations between biomarkers and biomarker change [ Time Frame: At baseline, 2 years, 4 years. ]
- Subgroups analyses: Abnormal CSF biomarkers, positive amyloid imaging, APOE genotype. [ Time Frame: At baseline, 2 years, 4 years. ]
Biospecimen Retention: Samples With DNA
|Study Start Date:
|September 2010
|Estimated Study Completion Date:
|December 2022
|Estimated Primary Completion Date:
|December 2022 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)
Mild cognitive impairment
550 patients with mild cognitive impairment or subjective cognitive symptoms at baseline.
Healthy elderly subjects
400 elderly subjects, who are cognitively healthy at baseline.
Detailed Description:
Baseline investigations of patients with mild cognitive deficits
We are conducting a prospective, longitudinal study in which we consecutively include patients with mild cognitive deficits (MCI), who seek medical care at the Neuropsychiatric Clinic (Malmö, Sweden) or Unit for Cognitive Medicine (Lund, Sweden). At baseline the MCI patients undergo detailed neurological and psychiatric examination, including assessment of depressive symptoms and ADL-capacity as well as cognitive and motor tests. Patients are also genotyped for APOE. Samples of plasma, blood (for DNA and mRNA) and CSF are also collected. All patients undergo an advanced MRI scan of the brain. A subset will undergo 18F-Flutemetamol PET. We will include patients over a period of three years.
1.2 Follow-up of MCI patients
Thereafter, we follow patients for at least 4 and for a maximum of 6 years with repeated testing and clinical evaluation. During clinical follow-up we estimate how many of the patients develop any type of dementia, for instance AD. Moreover we also estimate how aggressive the progression of the disease is in those patients that develop AD with the help of repeated cognitive testing.
Baseline investigations of healthy elderly volunteers
To answer the question if new biomarkers could detect early signs of AD in healthy people, we have included 200 elderly volunteer subjects. These people are recruited from a population-based study in Malmö ("Malmö Kost Cancer") where people without memory problems or cognitive difficulties, and who performs well on cognitive tests, are offered to participate. These individuals will undergo the same baseline studies that MCI patients (see above), including cognitive tests, psychiatric assessment, lumbar puncture, blood tests and MRI scan. A subset is also examined with 18F-Flutemetamol PET.
2.1 Follow-up of elderly volunteers
This population will also be followed-up for 4-6 years with repeated cognitive tests to determine which subjects develop cognitive impairment (e.g. memory problems) over this period of time.
Analyses of CSF and plasma/blood
CSF and plasma/blood sampling is done at baseline, 2 and 4 years of follow-up. To find novel and better biomarkers to predict AD in both healthy and MCI patients, the CSF, plasma and blood will be analyzed by various biomedical techniques. We will also screen for biomarkers that can help us to predict how fast the disease will progress. We will use two different approaches, namely: a) analysis of various candidate biomarkers and b) unbiased screening using proteomics.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) MRI is done at baseline, 2 and 4 years of follow-up, using the same MRI scanner. We will evaluate the potential benefits of new MRI protocols for prediction of future AD. MRI will also be used to study the pathogenesis of AD. These new approaches include: 3D-MP RAGE, T2* GRE, DTI/DTT, ASL and MRS.
|Ages Eligible for Study:
|60 Years to 80 Years (Adult, Senior)
|Sexes Eligible for Study:
|Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
|Sampling Method:
|Probability Sample
Inclusion Criteria:
Healthy elderly subjects
- No cognitive symptoms reported by patient and/or informant
- Normal performance on cognitive tests
- General cognition and functional performance preserved such that a diagnosis of MCI or dementia cannot be made by physician at the time of the baseline visit
- Between 60 and 90 years of age
- Fluent in Swedish
- Agrees to at least one lumbar puncture, and neuropsychological testing.
Mild cognitive impairment
- Cognitive symptoms reported by patient and/or informant
- Between 60 and 80 years of age
- Mini-Mental State Exam score between 24 and 30
- General cognition and functional performance sufficiently preserved such that a diagnosis of dementia cannot be made by physician at the time of the baseline visit
- Fluent in Swedish
- Agrees to at least one lumbar puncture, and neuropsychological testing.
Exclusion Criteria (for both MCI and healthy elderly):
- Any significant neurologic disease other than dementia disorders, such as Huntington's disease, normal pressure hydrocephalus, brain tumor, seizure disorder, subdural hematoma, multiple sclerosis, or history of significant head trauma followed by persistent neurologic defaults or known structural brain abnormalities.
- Major depression as described in DSM-IV.
- History of schizophrenia or other recurrent psychotic disorder
- History of alcohol or substance abuse or dependence within the past 5 years
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01208675
|Memory Clinic, Skåne University Hospital
|Malmö, Sweden, 20502
|Memory Clinic, Hospital of Ängelholm
|Ängelholm, Sweden
|Principal Investigator:
|Oskar Hansson, MD, PhD
|Lund University
|Responsible Party:
|Oskar Hansson, Associate Professor, Skåne University Hospital
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
|NCT01208675 History of Changes
|Other Study ID Numbers:
|Study First Received:
|September 23, 2010
|Last Updated:
|May 28, 2017
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Alzheimer Disease
Cognition Disorders
Mild Cognitive Impairment
Dementia, Vascular
Lewy Body Disease
Brain Diseases
Central Nervous System Diseases
Nervous System Diseases
Neurodegenerative Diseases
Neurocognitive Disorders
Mental Disorders
Cerebrovascular Disorders
Intracranial Arteriosclerosis
Intracranial Arterial Diseases
Arterial Occlusive Diseases
Vascular Diseases
Cardiovascular Diseases
Parkinsonian Disorders
Basal Ganglia Diseases
Movement Disorders
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on August 23, 2017


text:
6 oz tin Starburst Palm Wax Candles by EskimoKissez on Etsy
Amber Romance® is a warm, alluring blend of black cherry, crème anglaise, vanilla and sandalwood.
Love Spell® is a lavishly lus...more
1 Recommendation
Sundancer16's recommendation
Four candles that smell exactly like the Victoria's Secret perfume fragrances or choose one of our many other scents available or even create you own custom blend! Amber Romance® is a warm, alluring blend of black cherry, crème anglaise, vanilla and sandalwood. Love Spell® is a lavishly lush blend of peach, cherry blossom and white jasmine. Passionate Kisses® is an irresistibly sweet, fruity and floral blend of jasmine, rose, raspberry, peach and vanilla. Sweet Temptation® is a luscious citrus floral fusion of apricot grapefruit and lily of the valley. VS Secret Garden candles are sure to put you in the mood!!! Their scent throws very well, and they burn for many, many hours. Made from starburst palm wax with a cotton core wick. Comes in a 6 oz. tin. Choose from many other scents, not just Victoria Secret! Birthday Cake Breakfast at Tiffany's Chocolate Fudge Brownie Cinnamon Cinnamon Clove Cinnamon Vanilla Clean Cotton Coconut Banana Blast Coconut Lime Verbena Cranberry Citrus French Vanilla French Vanilla and Amber Fruit Slices Georgia Peach Grape Vineyard Hyacinth Juicy Pineapple Lavender Lilac Mahogany Spice Ocean Passion Fruit and Guava Piña Colada Pineapple-Peach Red Clove Rose Bouquet Stargazer Lily Warm Spicy Peach Your Custom Blend


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Update, 1:49 p.m.: The good news is I'm pretty sure — no, make that positive — that Wade Redden isn't as bad as he's been playing so far this preseason. The problem is that when you get off to a rocky start in a city where you're only trying to make a positive impression, these things have a way of taking on a life of their own.
Not counting today, Redden has four more games to find his footing before the Rangers return to MSG for their home opener at Blackhawks. Here's hoping he does. Otherwise he risks making Marek Malik look like a crowd favorite.
Earlier: One thing that escaped me yesterday when reporting the Rangers' cuts is that four players, defensemen Maxim Kondratiev and Thomas Pock, and forwards Hugh Jessiman and P.A. Parenteau, have to go through waivers before they're officially assigned to Hartford (they're already training with the Pack). Since the cuts were made on Friday, they won't clear until noon on Monday.
Of that group, I could see Parenteau, who led Hartford last year with 81, being snagged by another team. Another possibility is Pock, although the defenseman wasn't picked up when exposed last year.
Obviously the fact that the Rangers risk losing these players says something about the team's opinion of them.


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FORMER Weymouth man Richard Dart is understood to be one of six people arrested in London over an alleged terror plot.
The 29-year-old, who is estranged from his Weymouth family, featured in a documentary last year about his sudden change to an extreme Islamist called Salahuddin.
The son of two Weymouth teachers was arrested in a west London street yesterday in a series of police raids in the capital involving armed officers.
The former Mr Dart has been outspoken about British involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.
He was shown in a TV documentary broadcast last year visiting his home town with a London-based group and preaching in the town centre. The reaction to the programme led to a march in Weymouth organised by the controversial protest group the English Defence League.
Yesterday's raids were part of a pre-planned MI5 intelligence-led operation by the Metropolitan Police counter-terror command investigating a suspected plot to attack targets in the UK.
Five men and a woman were arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism and are being held at a south-east London police station, police said.
A 21-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman were held at separate residential premises in west London.
Three brothers, aged 18, 24 and 26, were arrested in Stratford.
Police have stressed that there is no suggestion the Olympic Games was the target. Officials believe they are dealing with a plot inspired by al-Qaida ideology.
One of the six was Tasered by police during his arrest in east London, but did not require hospital treatment, a Met spokesman said.
Filmmaker Robb Leech, Mr Dart's stepbrother, showed his sudden change to a Muslim convert last year in the documentary My Brother the Islamist which was shown on BBC3.
When contacted by the Echo yesterday afternoon as events were unfolding, former tree surgeon Mr Leech said: "I am afraid I can't confirm his arrest as I am completely in the dark about it.
"At the moment we don't know that it's him, we have no communication or connection with him.
"We don't know he has been arrested. As far as I know, the rest of the family have no idea."
Mr Dart is understood to be a member of Muslims Against Crusades.
He has spoken out in objection to the money spent on the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.
Mayor's concerns over March
WEYMOUTH and Portland Mayor Margaret Leicester said she didn't wish to see another march after yesterday's arrests.
"We don't want to see this type of thing happening this close to the Olympics, it's only weeks away.
"We don't want to see anything kicking off.
"I'd like to play this down as much as possible, sometimes drawing attention to this is what gets people on the bandwagon.
"We would like to go through the Olympics looking as though we know what we are doing," she said.


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There is a wide range of holiday experiences on this exciting 12-day Relais and Châteaux adventure: blend the serenity of a private forest lodge with the drama of Big 5 game viewing and the sheer indulgence of a Seychelles beach resort.
Begin your luxury adventure close in the famous Kruger National Park before flying to the famous Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve. You will appreciate the privacy of the Londolozi Pioneer Camp after a few days at the Singita Lebombo, each offering big game action in a private concession and the Kruger National Park.
Then continue your adventure on tranquil Praslin Island in the Seychelles where you will enjoy five sun-drenched days of beautiful beaches, watersports as well as diving and snorkelling excursions off pristine coral reefs.


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The innovative curv memory foam pattern runs from side to side to help promote airflow.
Stunning comfort and affordability can now integrate into your bedroom in the shape of CURV's memory foam mattress. This durable all-foam mattress is ideal for a first time mattress as it's luxurious feel will bring you lasting pressure relief while you slumber. This model features exclusive CURV memory foam with gel, formulated for enhanced pressure relief and a fresh, soothing feel. The unique curved memory foam pattern allows air to flow through the mattress for cooler, more comfortable nights of sleep. This fabulous memory foam mattress will amazingly bring you great nights of sleep. Foundation not included.
The CURV - The Latest Thing Twin Firm Mattress with Gel Infused Memory Foam by Simmons at Becker Furniture World in the Twin Cities, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Minnesota area. Product availability may vary. Contact us for the most current availability on this product.
Say hello to CURV, the new memory foam mattress line from Simmons. CURV mattresses form to your shape, giving you the comfort and support you need to enhance your adventurous lifestyle. Exclusive CURV Memory Foam features a unique waved shape for amazing pressure relief and refreshing airflow. Select models include CURV Memory Foam with Gel for an even better, more soothing feel. Designed and built right here in the USA, each CURV mattress promises years of reliable comfort at a price that fits your budget.
The CURV - The Latest Thing collection is a great option if you are looking for Mattresses in the Twin Cities, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Minnesota area.
These images are representative of this group as a whole and may differ from this item.
Browse other items in the CURV - The Latest Thing collection from Becker Furniture World in the Twin Cities, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Minnesota area.
This item has been tagged as: Mattress Set, Mattress, Queen Mattress Set, King Mattress Set, California King Mattress Set, Full Mattress Set , Twin Mattress Set, Twin Size Set, Full Size, Set Queen Size Set, King Size Set, California King Size Set, Mattresses
Nothing on this page may be copied or reproduced without explicit permission.


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SAINT LEO, Fla. – Saint Leo University Head Swimming Coach Paul Mangen has announced Lynnette Hudnell as the Lions' second assistant coach. Hudnell will begin her duties immediately.
"I am very excited to have Lynnette on board with the Lions," said Mangen. "She has a wealth of knowledge as it pertains to aquatics life, and even more important, has the Midwest gumption to execute."
Hudnell comes to Saint Leo as the acting senior coach for the New Tampa YMCA, a USA Swimming Bronze Medal ranked program. She also gained valuable coaching experience as the assistant coach at the New Albany Country Club, as well as the Liberty Township Powell YMCA Penguins.
Hudnell, an Ohio native, will be responsible for breaststroke and IM training, as well as individual technique assessment.
A graduate of Ohio Northern University, Hudnell swam for the Polar Bears for four seasons.
"She has a skill set that will add to our success here as she has coached the various levels from the Ohio state meet finalist to the Olympic trials," Mangen continued. "Having another trained set of eyes will allow us to have a better coach to athlete ratio which is critical with multiple groups, genders, and large number of student athletes."
Hudnell resides in San Antonio, Fla. with her fiancé, Devin, and her dog, Lucy.
For more on the swimming program, visit SaintLeoLions.com. Also, be sure to 'Like' the Lions on Facebook at facebook.com/saintleolions, and 'Follow' the Lions on Twitter at Twitter.com/saintleolions.


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Para traducir está página en español, haga clic en el menú a la izquierda en la flecha al lado de "Select Language" (Seleccione Idioma) y elija "Spanish" (español).
Information about Zika Virus - Información Sobre el Virus del Zika
A listing of programs and services for women and children available through the many Public Health programs
Our public health clinics offer a variety of public health services including immunizations reproductive health care, and ongoing treatment and medical care
Information about controlling, reporting and preventing communicable diseases
Information about Napa County EMS Agency; including: EMCC agendas and meeting minutes, the Ambulance Franchise - RFP, local certification / accreditation and much more.
There are a number of AIDS and HIV Services within the County available to assist with the challenges faced by those living with HIV. Whether you are looking for housing assistance or a medical provider, we can help you with your specific needs
In this section you will find information on seasonal influenza, including what you and your family need to know to limit the spread of flu
Information on how to apply for and receive a Medical Marijuana Identification Card
Free prescription drug discount cards that offer a substantial savings off the retail price of commonly prescribed drugs
Information for the community and health providers in preparing and responding to health related emergencies
Information about Napa's no-cost collection location for sharps ONLY
Information and application instructions for obtaining Birth Certificates , Death Certificates, Burial Permits and Medical Marijuana Identification Cards
Provides nutrition education, breastfeeding support, checks for nutritious foods, and referrals to health services for eligible women, infant, and children.
Zika information for healthcare
providers: health alerts lab forms and FAQs
Protect yourself and your loved ones from the flu. Get FREE flu vaccine from Napa County Public Health!
Our goal: Improve health for everyone in Napa County. Download our 2014-2017 Community Health Improvement Plan!
Free prescription drug discount cards offer a substantial savings off the retail price of commonly prescribed drugs.


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Cheltenham Town Ladies 1 Bridgwater Town Ladies 2
OWN ladies put last week's drubbing at Frome behind them to produce their best performance of the season.
Currently in second place, Cheltenham probably thought this would be an easy victory, but Town had other ideas.
Manager Ben Norman's positional changes seem to have had a positive result.
Town took the game to Cheltenham from the start and full back, Chelsey Pitchers saw her shot come back off the bar in the 15th minute.
A corner in the 20th minute saw Town take a deserved lead. Jess Chappell's cross was headed in at the far post by Sarah Moore.
Cheltenham got back into the game, but Town went closest again in the 30th minute when a shot by Georgia Coles beat the keeper only to come back off the bar.
However, Corrinne Gillard was following up and put the rebound away from six yards, to give Town a two goal lead.
Anusia Rourke also struck the bar just before half time with a flicked shot, and there was still time for Cheltenham to have a shot cleared of the line by Amber Moule.
At the start of the second half, Cheltenham push bodies forward and started to put Town's defence under pressure but they held firm.
Rourke then shot narrowly wide for Town and the rest of the half was fairly even.
About seven minutes from the end Cheltenham pulled a goal back following a goalmouth scramble from a corner, and this set up a nervous few minutes for Town Ladies.
Just before the end a Cheltenham corner swung in and hit the bar, and from the scramble Town keeper Ami Ward kept the ball out with her face, which then hit the bar and was cleared.
Next Sunday (Easter Sunday), the Ladies are at home to league leaders St Nicholas with a 2pm kick-off at Fairfax Park.


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MOPA to Host Words Alive! Book Drive to Benefit San Diego Area Children
The Museum of Photographic Arts is excited to collaborate with Words Alive to host a book drive benefitting youth in San Diego. The collected books will be distributed to communities with limited access to quality reading materials and education supplements and will kick off on Saturday, April 9 with the start of National Library Week.
"MoPA is an institution committed to furthering the education of youths in and around our community," said Deborah Klocko, executive director, MoPA. "Our Dubois Library is a source of learning for many children and we want to expand upon that commitment by supporting literacy and a love of learning for all San Diego-area children."
MoPA will be collecting books from April 9 - May 14 and hopes to collect 350 books for San Diego children. The book drive with kick off with an event on Saturday, April 9 at MoPA and will include MoPA's monthly Family Film Day. The Princess Bride will be screened at 1:00 pm in MoPA's Joan and Irwin Jacobs Theater and is free and open to the public with a suggested book donation. Following the film, MoPA will host a storytelling time with the librarian, as well as book-related crafts for the entire family.
"Even the gift of one book can make a difference in a child's life," said Holland Kessinger, librarian, MoPA. "A love of learning begins with basic reading and comprehension skills that will benefit a child throughout the course of their life. Reading is not only meant to be educational, but also enjoyable."
The Edmund L. and Nancy K. Dubois Libraryat MoPA is a unique collection, including everything from monographs to magazines, and encyclopedias to exhibition catalogs. The Dubois Library's unique collection of rare books, fine art photography catalogs and historic reference material is available for use to MoPA members, researchers and students.
Press Opportunities:To request high resolution images, schedule interviews, or additional information, please contact Kristine Page at 619.238.7559, ext. 203 or via email (email@example.com).
MOPA Information:
The Museum of Photographic Arts (MoPA) is one of the premier institutions in the United States devoted to photography, film and video. Since its founding in 1983, MoPA has been dedicated to collecting, preserving and exhibiting the entire spectrum of the photographic medium. The Museum's endeavors consistently address cultural, historical and social issues through its exhibitions and public programs.
About Words Alive:
Founded in 1999, Words Alive is a non-profit organization that helps underserved, low-income, at-risk children, teens and adults discover how books can add meaning to their lives. Through innovative programs and initiatives, Words Alive aims to open opportunities for life success by inspiring a commitment to reading. For more information about Words Alive, its programs, volunteer opportunities, annual Authors Luncheon and giving opportunities, please contact Patrick Stewart, executive director, at (858) 274-9673, email@example.com access our website at www.wordsalive.org.
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Alex Lopez-NegretePresident and Chief Executive OfficerLopez Negrete Communications, Inc.November 30, 2007 Download Flyer (PDF) Since co-founding Lopez Negrete Communications in 1985, Alex López Negrete's has steered the firm to become the second largest independently owned Hispanic advertising and marketing firm in the country and seventh overall. He started the Houston-based communications agency with his wife Cathy. With billings exceeding $135 million in 2006 and more than 130 employees, Alex credits the success of the agency to his team of multicultural, multinational, bilingual and bicultural communications professionals who possess complementing talents and expertise. As President and CEO, Alex López Negrete and his team have created successful campaigns targeted to the Hispanic consumer for clients such as Wal-Mart Stores, Microsoft Corporation, Bank of America, Visa USA, Azteca Milling/MASECA, Shell Oil Products US, Tyson Foods, Domino's Pizza, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, ConAgra Foods, Mission Foods' Guerrero Brand and Reliant Energy Resources, among others. Prior to starting Lopez Negrete, Alex's opened the first national radio representative firm office in Houston for McGavren Guild Radio. Not long after attending the University of Houston, he became a partner with an international print firm representing the influential Grupo Novedades of Mexico and Monterrey's El Norte newspaper, among other publications. This year the Houston Association of Hispanic Professionals presented Alex with a Lifetime Achievement award. In 2006, he was recognized with the 2006 Hispanic Marketing Midwest Achievement Award and Latin Business magazine's Latin Business Spirit Award. The Houston Minority Business Council also presented Lopez Negrete Communications with their 2006 Emerging-10 Award. Alex is the immediate past Chairman of the Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies (AHAA). Currently, he is Chairman of AHAA's not-for-profit entity, the Hispanic Advertising Association Foundation (HAAF). In January 2005, he was awarded the Silver Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon any individual by the American Advertising Federation, recognizing a lifetime of service spent furthering advertising industry standards, creative excellence and the advancement of community ideals. Alex was appointed by President George W. Bush to the President's Advisory Committee on the Arts for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in March 2002. He was also awarded the 2002 Hispanic Achievement Award in the Communications category from HISPANIC Magazine. Alex holds positions on several nonprofit boards, including the Board of Trustees of the American Institute for Public Service and as Chairman Emeritus of the Houston Chamber of Commerce. He was given an Entrepreneur Award at the National Society of Hispanic MBAs 2001 Brillante Awards, as well as the prestigious 2001 Honorary Chairman's Award from the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. In 2003, the Association of Women in Radio and Television (AWRT) presented him with its first Lifetime Achievement Award for his support of advancement of women in the field of communications.


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HOUSTON - If there is anything I have learned from Tuesday night's results show it is the following:
1. Cee Lo and Kermit the Frog have SO much in common. Also Cee Lo sings. And he sings awesomely.
2. Carson Daly has both a super-late-night TV show AND a super-early radio show? When does he sleep!? That must explain why his eyes are always open so wide. They're stapled that way
3. Nicholas David's hair choices—both facial and otherwise—are simply inspired. By homeless people.
As for your results: leaving the competition are Cody Belew from Team Cee Lo and Dez Duron from Team Xtina.
Again, I am a solid 50% in touch with America. And Xtina now has zero dogs left in the fight. Will she continue to show up for tapings? Will she leave a cherry bomb in her big red swivel chair in revolt? Will she show up—gasp—BALD?! I have no reason to believe the last one will happen. I just think it'd be funny/awesome.
And with that, I give you the Top 6:
From Team Adam:
- Melanie Martinez
- Amanda Brown
From Team Cee Lo:
- Nicholas David
- Trevin Hunte
From Team Blake:
- Cassadee Pope
- Terry McDermott
From Team Xtina:
Did you miss the full episode? Not to worry, you can check out the whole shebang, including live performances from a whole slew of contestants, right here on the KPRC Prime Blog:The Voice, Top 8 Results video
Thanks for reading, and as always, thanks for watching KPRC Local 2!


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I haven't met Ernesto Prada, but I hope to someday. He's a student at Santa Fe High, and he's asking the very question we've been researching at the Academy for the Love of Learning for the last couple years: What can "school" be?
In a poem he recently delivered to a forum of some 150 adults and teenagers, including leaders from the Santa Fe Public Schools, Prada posed the question like this:
"What if we attended a dream school? / Where all the farmers could farm, and all the mathematicians can formulate, all the bakers could create, all the artists could paint, and all the readers can write, and study how to pursue the lifestyle that they obviously have a knack for."
As adults who care about education, we can respond to Prada's question in two ways. One is to give him the old "life is a game, boy" lecture from Catcher in the Rye, congratulate him on his writing talent and then remind him the real world awaits. Learn some real skills and discipline, Ernesto. Take some real tests. You can dream after college.
Or we can take Prada's question as an invitation to stop for a moment and reflect. What if we did "dream" up new models of school? What might they look like?
In my research with the Academy, I've come across several communities that have done this type of dreaming. I've reported on them in this column over the past year, from the brilliant Reggio Emilia preschools in Italy, to the interest-based Met High School in Providence, R.I., to the transformative arts programming of Pojoaque's Poeh Center, just up the road.
Now, it appears SFPS has begun to do some dreaming of its own. A team of 13 administrators and district officials has been meeting to envision new ways to "do" school in Santa Fe. They're focused on high school at this stage; their report on the superintendent's webpage sketches out some of their proposals, which include magnet schools, career academies and night programs.
I don't know enough about their ideas to weigh in, but I find it encouraging that this "dream" team exists at all. Even more encouraging is the fact that they're garnering input from students, teachers and community members by convening forums, like that at which Ernesto Prada read his poem. SFPS Superintendent Joel Boyd was in the audience that afternoon; according to a report in the New Mexican, he was impressed by the presentations, and indicated a willingness to incorporate some of the students' ideas.
I hope he does. I hope Boyd and his team find a way to incorporate Prada's dream—which I share—of schools that fuel student passions. I also hope they can incorporate the dream of Prada's inspired teacher, Tammy Harkins, who has already begun drawing up plans for a school focused on sustainability and environmental justice. And I hope they can incorporate other Santa Feans' dreams of dual language schools, art schools, mariachi schools, mentorship-based schools, schools where students farm, or cook, or explore nature.
Of course, many Santa Feans—and, it seems, many officials from the New Mexico Public Education Department—dream of schools not much different from those they attended themselves: stacks of classrooms where children study a standardized curriculum in a disciplined, orderly way. Boyd and his team must do their best to honor those dreams as well.
No small feat, then, catching all these disparate dreams, and working with teachers to translate them into reality. Boyd and his team should be commended for their willingness to give it a try. In doing so they are forging into unfamiliar territory, where conventional educational leadership models will be of little use. For this type of leadership—call it "community dreamcatching"—is not about raising scores and increasing accountability. It's not about pushing through bold reforms. It's about stepping into uncertainty; tapping the imagination, resources and passions of human beings; and reflecting deeply—in the spirit of John Dewey—on what they learn.
If SFPS' leaders do proceed in this fashion, I suspect they'll discover they're not completely sure what type of schools our community needs. Which would be the perfect place to begin.
A graduate of SFPS and a former Santa Fe educator, Seth Biderman is under contract with the Academy for the Love of Learning to research what "school" could someday be. Check out his blog.