text:
The deadline for players and teams to exchange arbitration figures has come and gone, and there have been dozens of agreements broken throughout the league today. So many, in fact, that I've split the list up into a pair of league-specific posts to avoid having 100-something names in this list. You can see all the NL players here, and both of these will be updated as quickly as we're able.
Many teams use the arbitration exchange as a hard deadline for negotiations on one-year deals — a "file and trial" approach which effectively means that once figures are exchanged, the only option they'll pursue before a hearing is a multi-year deal. (The Mets and Orioles are both adopting that approach this year, and other teams to use that strategy in the past include Astros, Blue Jays, Braves, Marlins, Rays, White Sox, Pirates, Reds and Nationals.)
The most significant arb agreements of the day have been snapped off into their own posts already. We'll continue adding the smaller-scale agreements from the American League right here (all projections referenced are courtesy of MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz, and all arbitration agreements and filings can be monitored in MLBTR's 2017 Arbitration Tracker)…
- The Rangers have announced agreement on a deal to avoid arbitration with lefty Jake Diekman. With today's deadline having passed, the sides did exchange figures — $3.1MM versus $1.9MM — but obviously were already nearing a number. The high-powered southpaw projected at $2.6MM, and will receive $2.55MM, per Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (via Twitter).
- The Mariners announced that they've avoided arb with all eight of their eligible players, which includes Jean Segura (reported last night), Danny Valencia, Jarrod Dyson, Leonys Martin, Drew Smyly, James Paxton, Evan Scribner, Nick Vincent. Numbers aren't all in yet, but Valencia took home $5.55MM, per FanRag's Robert Murray (on Twitter). Martin will earn $4.85MM, per Heyman. They were projected at $5.3MM and $6.3MM, respectively. Meanwhile, Dyson gets $2.8MM, Heyman tweets, which lands just over his $2.5MM projection. Smyly will receive $6.85MM — right at his $6.9MM projection — while Scribner gets $907,500, per MLB.com's Greg Johns (via Twitter). Meanwhile, Paxton will land at $2.35MM and Vincent will receive $1.325MM, per Bob Dutton of the Tacoma News Tribune (via Twitter), both of which fall shy of their respective projections ($2.7MM and $1.5MM).
- Catcher Martin Maldonado will receive $1.725MM from the Angels, per Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register (via Twitter). That's just over his $1.6MM projection.
- The Tigers announced that they settled with third baseman Nick Castellanos. He projected at $2.8MM, but will receive $3MM, per Jon Heyman of Fan Rag (via Twitter).
- Jeremy Jeffress and Jurickson Profar have each avoided arbitration with the Rangers, per Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegarm (via Twitter). Jeffress receives $2.1MM, while Profar will receive $1.005MM. Also of note, the Jeffress deal includes incentives that can add up to $250K in incentives, per Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (via Twitter). He'll get $50K apiece upon reaching 55, 60, 65, and 70 innings. He had projected for a $2.9MM salary, but his legal issues late last year certainly dented his bargaining power.
- The Athletics have avoided arbitration with catcher/DH Stephen Vogt, ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick reports on Twitter. Vogt will receive $2.965MM, falling shy of his $3.7MM projection. Oakland has also reached agreement with starter Sonny Gray for $3.575MM, per Jon Heyman of Fan Rag (via Twitter), which is just shy of his $3.7MM projection. Also, reliever Liam Hendriks has agreed to terms, per John Hickey of the Mercury News. He'll get $1.1MM, per Heyman (via Twitter).
- Righty Adam Warren will get $2.29MM from the Yankees, per Baseball America's Josh Norris (via Twitter). That's just a shade under his $2.3MM projection. New York also announced deals with shortstop outfielder Aaron Hicks and lefty Tommy Layne, among other players whose arrangements were previously reported. Layne receives $1.075MM, per MLB.com's Bryan Hoch (via Twitter).
- The Orioles have avoided arbitration with second baseman Jonathan Schoop, per Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com (Twitter links). He'll receive $3.475MM, just over his projection of $3.4MM.
- Adding to their previously reported deals, the Red Sox have announced agreement with all but two of their arb-eligible players. Salaries were reported by MLB.com's Ian Browne for the players avoiding arb: shortstop Xander Bogaerts gets $4.5MM ($5.7MM projection), utilityman Brock Holt receives $1.95MM ($1.7MM projection), righty Joe Kelly will earn $2.8MM ($2.6MM projection), catcher Sandy Leon takes home $1.3MM (the same as his projection), lefty Robbie Ross gets $1.825MM (just $25K over his projection), and new righty Tyler Thornburg will earn $2.05MM (just under his $2.2MM projection).
- Two moreplayers have avoided arbitration with the White Sox, per Dan Hayes of CSN Chicago (via Twitter). Among those not previously reported, starter Miguel Gonzalez gets $5.9MM and reliever Zach Putnam receives $1.175MM. That clearly indicates that Gonzalez and the Sox utilized his prior-years' arb starting points, rather than his much lower earnings with the team last year. Putnam, meanwhile, had projected for $975K.
Earlier Updates


text:
I have countlessly read the Programming 12 challenge and cannot figure out the wording.
In this challenge, you will be given a string. Take all the numbers from the string and classify them as composite numbers or prime numbers. You should assume all numbers are one digit, and neither number 1 nor number 0 counts.
Find the sum of every composite number, then find the sum of every prime number. Multiply these sums together. Then, take the first 25 non-numeric characters of the given string and increment their ASCII value by one (for example, # becomes $). Take these 25 characters and concatenate the product to them. This is your answer.
Your answer should look like this: oc{lujxdpb%jvqrt{luruudtx140224
The part I get is in red, what I don't get is in blue. I really am lost!

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Asia Regional
- History
- Our Work
- Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI)
- Newsroom
- Reports and Publications
- Transforming Lives
- Careers
- Partnership Opportunities
- Business Opportunities
The United States Agency for International Development's Mekong-Building Climate Resilient Asian Cities program is working to address the effects of climate change in four medium-sized cities in Thailand and Vietnam, two countries that are experiencing rapid urbanization and population growth.
The cities of Phuket and Udon Thani in Thailand and Hue and Lao Cai in Vietnam are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Much of the critical urbanization and industrialization is happening in river basins, deltas and coastal areas that are particularly exposed. Urbanization creates dependency on critical municipal systems such as water supplies and utilities that can have enormous implications for people who are already poor and for many more who are at risk of becoming poor.
Mekong-Building Climate Resilient Asian Cities promotes equitable social development and ensures effective participation of vulnerable and marginalized groups, paying particular attention to issues of ethnicity and gender.
The program promotes learning dialogue among city stakeholders that leads to locally-owned resilience strategies to address the impacts of climate change. It also strengthens stakeholder knowledge and awareness of urban climate change vulnerabilities and resilience to enhance capacity to plan for and take action to address climate change and tests and refines methods, tools and training guidelines to expand and scale up the programs.
The Climate Resilience Framework seeks to assess vulnerabilities and risks, identify resilience strategies, and create an open, inclusive learning process to identify specific measures to address the uncertainties of climate change.
The framework supports a collaborative planning process based on the core components of the resilience framework (systems, agents, institutions), and their characteristics. The resilience planning process includes three main activities: a vulnerability assessment, the implementation of interventions, and an iterative shared learning approach to guide the entire process.
For additional information, visit www.i-s-e-t.org/projects-and-programs/resilience-to-climate-change
Institute for Social and Environmental Transition, Thailand Environment Institute and National Institute for Science and Technology Policy and Strategy Studies. The program is also co-funded by The Rockefeller Foundation.
Last updated: February 20, 2014


text:
cselley necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 116 diseños de 24 diseñadores freelance.
We are a start up organization that is creating an online jukebox for cafe's, restaurants, and bars. The iJukebox works the same way as a traditional jukebox does, except that it's sitting on the internet, not in the restaurant. When iJukebox users arrive in the restaurant, they can download the iJukebox app. When they open up the app, the iJukebox logo will be the first thing they see. Users then browse, choose, and pay for their requests on their smartphone. Their requests then play in the restaurant. Up until now all our focus has been on building the technology, and we have not thought about the look and feel.
Our target audience is:
Early adaptors
Music lovers
Smart phone users
Social Networkers
As for requirements, hate to say it, but we don't have any. Our firm has the technology aspect of this all set, but we don't have any ideas when it comes to the look and feel of the app logo, and subsequently, the app itself. Please be as creative as you'd like. We're not big fans of the look and feel of the traditional brightly colored and often tacky looking Jukeboxes. We are looking to re-define the not only the existing tacky jukebox market, but the background music market in general by putting the power of requests into the users hands.
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


text:
View Our Brochure
If you are interested in purchasing a Mercury range cooker or any of our complementary products and would like to find out more, you can view our latest brochure below.
If you would to like download a PDF copy to your PC or request a free copy of the brochure to be delivered to your home, please click here.
Alternatively, if you would like to speak to a customer advisor please call: 0800 8046261 or 0370 789 5107. Our opening hours are: Mon - Thurs: 8am - 6pm, Fri: 8am - 5pm, Sat: 9am - 1pm


text:
Kyrie Irving scored 20 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 105-100 win over the New Orleans Hornets on Wednesday night.
Irving was coming off an impressive showing at All-Star weekend in Houston and scored 11 consecutive points for the Cavaliers as they broke away from an 83-all tie in the final 4:23. His performance brought the crowd at Quicken Loans Arena to its feet during the final minutes and had Irving pumping his fist on several occasions.
The game featured a matchup between the past two No. 1 overall draft picks - Irving and Hornets center Anthony Davis. Irving made 13 of 22 shots and all seven of his free throws while having seven assists. Davis had 12 points and four rebounds.
The Cavaliers placed five players in double figures in snapping a three-game losing streak, but the night belonged to Irving. After his fall-away jumper gave Cleveland a two-point lead, he hit a 3-pointer from a couple of steps behind the arc to put the Cavaliers ahead 88-83. That basket forced New Orleans to call a timeout, but Irving was just getting going.
New Orleans missed again on its ensuing possession and Irving converted a layup between two defenders on a fast break for a 90-83 lead. He added another basket after driving the lane and two free throws.
Irving drew national attention with his performance during the weekend. He scored 15 points in his first All-Star game, won the 3-point contest and put up 32 points in the Rising Stars Challenge.
Dion Waiters scored 16 points for the Cavaliers while C.J. Miles added 11.
Brian Roberts led New Orleans with 17 points. Robin Lopez scored 15 points before fouling out, while Greivis Vasquez added 13.
Irving had his worst performance of the season in the final game before the break against San Antonio with six points on 2-of-15 shooting. Cleveland played the finale of a seven-game homestand, which began with three wins. The Cavaliers then lost the last three games before the break.
New Orleans lost at home to Chicago on Tuesday and then made the trip to Cleveland for an unusual back-to-back set.
Hornets guard Eric Gordon didn't play for precautionary reasons as he continues to recover from knee surgery. He has yet to play on back-to-back nights on orders of the team's medical staff. Gordon, who is averaging 16.6 points, missed the final game before the All-Star break with a sprained right hand, but scored 20 points Tuesday in a 96-87 loss to Chicago.
Rookie Austin Rivers started in Gordon's place and scored 11 points. Ryan Anderson, who leads New Orleans in scoring with a 16.9 average, was held to seven points.
Cleveland led 43-41 at halftime, but Irving and Waiters each scored six points to help the Cavaliers build a 10-point lead midway through the third quarter. Irving hit a jumper, drove the lane for a basket and added a dunk off a fast break, but the Hornets regrouped and went ahead on Vazquez's two free throws. Vazquez scored eight points in the period and New Orleans led 69-68 going into the fourth quarter.
NOTES: New Orleans F Al-Fasrouq Aminu had 10 rebounds in 36 minutes. ... Gordon has appeared in 19 games, but it's unclear when he'll be able to play on consecutive nights. "I wish that (policy) was over, but we don't see it ending anytime soon," New Orleans coach Monty Williams said. "For whatever reason, the doctors feel that's best for Eric. But he's healthy, so it's tough." ... Cavaliers coach Byron Scott will attend the funeral services for Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss on Thursday in Los Angeles. Scott played for the Lakers for 11 seasons and remained close to Buss over the years. "I'm trying to remember how great he was as a person and how great he was as an owner," Scott said. ... Assistant coach Paul Pressey will run Thursday's practice and Scott will return for Friday's session.


text:
Magnum Bass Blanks
The experts at Rogue Rods design and make our own blanks in our own factory located in Oregon, and they have become the cornerstone of our company. We use a perfected materials system that will optimize weight and strength and achieve the correct action.
There are five dimensions to blank design that must be perfectly calculated to create the right blank for the job. We call it our "5/D Blank Design" and it consists of: Length, Diameter, Taper, Wall Thickness, and Material. If you change one, it affects all the rest. Not one of the 5/D's is more important than the other, and a higher modulus alone does not make the best rod. Sensitivity and power in a rod are determined by its weight, action and balance, not just material, and we've got it down to a science.
When it comes to graphite, we use the proper type, grade, strength and modulus that best suits the intended application—no hype, no fancy names or diagrams so that you have to be a tubular composites engineer to make a buying decision —our expert builders and designers have already done that for you!
Showing all 7 results


text:
Indicative Rate * AU$150 to AU$550
Perched on the hilltop at Noosa Heads, Noosa International Resort offers family-friendly accommodation just minutes from Hastings Street, Noosa's Main Beach and National Park.
Set amongst two acres of lush tropical gardens, the resort offers one and two-bedroom apartments which are ideal for families or couples seeking a holiday setting close to the action, but far enough away to relax and unwind. All apartments include a full kitchen and laundry facilities, cable television, complimentary wi-fi and a private balcony.
The resort is a destination within itself with a host of recreational facilities including a network of lagoon-style swimming pools, spas, sauna, steam room and in-house massage. The popular Hastings Street restaurants and cafes are just a 600 metre stroll away.
Check out the cosmopolitan cafe and boutique society of Hastings Street, dine at one of the many cafes or restaurants along Noosaville's Gympie Terrace or enjoy an ale at the Noosa Reef Hotel. When you're not in the pool or at Hastings Street, book a tour to see Australia Zoo, Fraser Island, Underwater World or Eumundi Markets, these are just some of the famous attractions on the Sunshine Coast.
Due to current health advice on social distancing, please contact the business for the most up to date information regarding opening times and services.
Ideal for two people with a queen bed, the one bedroom apartments are the same as the two bedroom apartments but have one of the bedrooms locked off.
Decked out with air conditioning, full kitchen and laundry, Austar and a balcony, bedding includes one queen bed and two single beds.
All apartments include a cable television and a private balcony. The Resort is a destination within itself with a host of recreational facilities including a lagoon-style swimming pool, spas, sauna and steam room.
Note: Information on listed products and services are provided by the operator and were correct at the time of publishing. Rates are indicative based on the minimum and maximum available prices of products and services. Please visit the operator's website for further information. All prices quoted are in Australian dollars (AUD).


text:
검색어와 일치하는 결과가 없습니다
원하시는 정보를 찾는 데 도움이 되도록 다음을 시도해 보십시오.
인기 질문
Get a long-term view into project portfolio health and performance. Enhance visibility into project information, including pipeline, budgets, and capital spend needs. Ensure alignment of project portfolios with corporate goals.
A holistic view lets you prioritize projects and maximize return on investment.
Gain full visibility to evaluate portfolio health and performance throughout the project lifecycle.
Streamline project portfolio management in the cloud to optimize investment mix and maximize return.
Engage a Sales Expert


text:
Backup Power To Go For Your Smartphone, Tablet And More From Duracell Powermat
Description: It's a powerful combination: Duracell Powermat and its new series of GoPower portable batteries. GoPower portable batteries keep your smartphone, tablet and other USB devices charged up and ready to go when you are. You'll have instant power whether you're traveling across town or around the country…whenever you need it. The batteries, which recharge wirelessly and via USB, are available in three models: the Day Trip (one full extra charge); the Overnighter (full day of power); and the Long Haul (four full extra charges). Prices range from $60-$130 and are available at www.duracellpowermat.com
Price: $60.00 to $130.00


text:
- This event has passed.
Coffee, Cake, and True Islam
May 7, 2019 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Coffee, Cake & Islam is a weekly get together to build bridges of understanding & friendship within our local communites. We meet every Tuesday evening for a very casual discussion about whatever is on your mind. We invite all those who are interested for some free coffee & cake! Bring your questions!


text:
Cleanup from this month's tornadoes continues in Granbury.
Volunteers are spending Memorial Day cleaning up debris. Habitat for Humanity built many of the damaged homes, and now the charity is asking for help picking up the pieces.
Recovery volunteers must be at least 16-years-old and should wear long pants and closed-toe shoes if they want to help.
U.S. & World
The day's top national and international news.
Those wishing to lend a hand can get more information, and register, at the Trinity Habitat for Humanity of Texas website.


text: Just because you're in between Alpine treks doesn't mean you can't enjoy the scent of the wild. Inspired by the forest, this masculine fragrance (from the famed makers of the Swiss Army knife) is equal parts woodsy and refreshing. The ruggedly elegant bottle has a base and cap made from wood milled in the Swiss valley of Schwyz.


text:
by Timothy Beneke
Geoff Lees, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Microcontrollers, at Freescale Semiconductor, got things rolling Thursday morning at the Java Community Keynote to a packed, standing-room-only crowd. Lees presented a precise and thoughtful vision of how the coming Internet of Things (IoT) might become a reality.
"The microcontroller community is rapidly moving to adopt Java and we need your help," said Lees. He described a picture of the IoT that, for him, changes daily with ever-increasing speed. Current network developers often have a conception of edge node devices that consist of X86 processors with large scale OS, or multicore mobile processors with mobile OS. He spoke of an alternative picture in which edge node devices are everywhere in our environment, monitoring local climate conditions, monitoring mechanical factors like stress loading, and traffic data, and making smart roads happen. He sees node devices dealing with our busiest highways, offering road tolling and other measures to even out traffic flow. Or in agriculture, the IoT might monitor climate, humidity, weather conditions, and local microclimates. He spoke of smart homes where existing home networks are coming together to conjoin future personal networks and even body networks. He spoke of the IoT in aiding fitness and health tracking.
Lees elaborated a vision in which local autonomous data intelligence is gathered through local command control, and data sets are passed onto the cloud for higher level analytics. He explained that the IoT is changing the way the semiconductor industry is thinking about technology, in terms of processing node transitions, greater utilization of advanced sensor technologies, integration of those technologies, ever rapid adoption of low power technologies both from processing as well as design techniques. Advances in signal analog integration and the IoT are bringing these things closer.
"Instead of the next few years, we're thinking about how to do all of this in the next few months," said Lees.
In addition, a new class of products is arriving where connectivity underpins all product development. "Over the last decade," commented Lees, "the microcontroller industry has shipped 150 billion devices into the market, the vast majority of which were not interconnected -- they were single, local points of intelligence. Today, the plans for those products are becoming ubiquitously part of another network. Networking technology needs to be built in with the capability to run advanced communication stacks present." All of this will require more memory, more technology, and higher gate density.
He spoke of software becoming the big differentiator in the microcontroller community. "Today," he explained, "in the embedded microcontroller community, our customers spend approximately 60% of their R&D on software as compared with hardware development. In the next 3 years that is forecast to become 70%. We need to see the software enablers as underpinning these system solution products. All of this comes together with a wide range of networking protocols, low-power communication protocols, and stacks. And the Holy Grail would be to have IPV 6 readily available from the cloud to networking, all the way to the edge node. Until that becomes enabled by cost, by process technology, by miniaturization and power reduction, we will have a wide range of sub-net protocols."
He spoke of a move towards universal MEMS devices and technology for sensors, followed by the integration of universal MEMS within microcontrollers and embedded processors. "All of this," he insisted "will come together as part of the ecosystem with all of these smart services. And these smart services depend on available local service providers and service models that we, the consumer, want to pay for, or that health insurers want to pay for. Providing this service and platform for secured services is a key for the adoption of the IoT."
He expanded on his vision of a landscape for IoT, which would extend all the way from the cloud, down through processing nodes, local connectivity networks, and on to edge or sensor nodes, where the sensor, the MCU, and local connectivity come together. The challenge today, according to Lees, is that this diversity uses a huge range of technologies, different developmental environments, different software ecosystems, and different partner networks. There exist different security classes and considerations -- even down to the current edge node devices which offer no appreciable security. This clearly is not a landscape that will provide the kind of secured service delivery that the IoT needs.
The key to creating this secure IoT lies with Java developers. Edge nodes offered through Java and Java ME offer the potential to have secure encryption and authentication services throughout the network. Developing those in other environments will be locally difficult, will not be global, and will not reach the tipping point required for the IoT to develop. "Edge nodes is a category encompassing thousands and thousands of applications -- it's billions of devices, most of which will include some form of MCU or embedded MPU technology," Lees explained. "Sensors and actuators, integrated connectivity and an energy source, whether that's energy harvesting or ultra low power battery technology and long life power generation – these nodes will need to be installed in remote places with battery life spans of 10 years or more – clearly out of the range of today's processor technologies. And many will need to be industrial or automotive grade technologies."
He spoke of a challenge to bring performance and cost requirements so as to harness and secure larger memory stacks which will require more software in the next 2-3 years.
After offering considerably more technical detail, he spoke of how IoT could benefit humans, focusing on home tele-health and the home health hub, something Freescale has invested in recently. The availability of a wide range of personal biometrics and health analytics in the home health hub could benefit our health enormously, according to Lees. Until now, the technology has been limited by the absence of open standard secured service across the network to complete the link onto the health provider, and medical insurance providers. The new model offers a huge adoption of preventive health as opposed to diagnostic clinical health. Consumers, health insurers and the medical industry all favor it.
"Measuring heart rate, blood pressure, and blood glucose continually every day through changing conditions offers an immense picture of our personal health with diagnostic insights into the development of progressive disease and chronic disease management," observed Lees. "At the local hub level the installation of analytics will offer feedback and guidance on lifestyle, on the management of conditions and offer the personal feedback needed for us to all manage our own health. The data can also be sent in datasets for further analysis in the network and cloud so the next time you visit your health practitioner, all of that data is available."
He reported that Freescale and Oracle have announced a new agreement collaborating on engineering to develop a platform for software and hardware models for both edge nodes and a wide variety of gateway solutions. "We're working on optimizing Java together and bringing Java functionality further into the network. We're even envisaging what Java might look like on a transmit-only Bluetooth low-energy node in the field for 25 years, a concept today that is unthinkable for a Java model. The key is to provide a secure service delivery for our customers and for service providers across the industry."
The rest of the keynote consisted of a variety of informative and entertaining presentations.
Donald Smith, Senior Director, Product Management, at Oracle's Java Platform Group, took the stage and commented on recent developments in recent JavaOnes. JavaOne 2011 was about moving Java forward and rebooting the infrastructure after the Java SE 7 launch. Last year, the theme was innovation and showing Java's role in major tech segments like the cloud, big data, IoT and open source.
"This year," he said, "we take one step beyond all that, and celebrate the 'End User' and 'Application Developers'. We want to go beyond the typical 'ISV' that appears at JavaOne keynotes and show some inspiring applications being built thanks to the hard work of the Java ecosystem."
After some rousing appreciation of the Raspberry Pi Challenge, the Codegarten and other JavaOne matters by Tori Wieldt of the Oracle Technology Network, a series of creative contributors to Java took the stage, hosted by Henrik Stahl, Vice President, Product Management, Java Platform Group at Oracle.
-- Java Champion Stephan Janssen, founder of BeJUG, Devoxx(4kids), Parleys & playpass.be talked about "Devoxx for Kids," a one-day event he organized in response to his 11-year-old son's desire to learn to program.
-- Oracle Academy Vice President, Alison Derbenwick Miller, described the Academy's important work impacting 2.5 million students in 102 countries.
-- Aditya Gupta, an impressive 10-year-old Minecraft hacker, entertained the audience with his hacking demo where he showed off some video explosions.
-- Two Duke Segway robots appeared on stage and strutted around under the guidance of Java Champion, Stephen Chin.
-- A video was shown of Java Champion Paul Perrone's Java-powered cars.
-- Drew Hylbert, VP, Technology and Infrastructure at Opower, came onstage and shared how Java technology is used to enable consumers to save energy.
-- Mike Marzo, a Technology Fellow at Goldman Sachs, discussed the value of the 100 million lines of Java code that Goldman's developers have written over the years.
--Sean Phillips, Senior Software Engineer at a.i. solutions, presented a video that explained uses of Java in NASA MMS mission operations software.
-- Finally "father of Java" and Chief Software Architect at Liquid Robotics, James Gosling appeared and remarked that Aditya Gupta made him feel that he too should be a Minecraft hacker. He showed the view from the water looking at Hawaii from one of the Liquid Robotics nodes and explained in detail how it all worked.
The Community Keynote offered a strong sense of renewal and pride at what Java has accomplished and where it may be headed.
Watch Keynote and Session Highlights on Demand


text:
Ahead of receiving the Woman of the Year award at Billboard's Women in Music event, Ariana Grande looks back at childhood photographs and shares advice for her younger self.
#ArianaGrande #ThankUNext #Billboard #WomenInMusic
Subscribe for The Latest Hot 100 Charts & ALL Music News! ►► bitly.com/BillboardSub
Billboard News: New Channel, Same Awesome ►► bit.ly/DailyMusicNews
5 dic 2018


text:
LITTLE ROCK — Biased by a friendship with John Thompson, how about the long-time defensive coach for a spot on Bret Bielema's staff?
More than likely, Bielema has somebody in mind and I'm spitting into the wind by reciting highlights of Thompson's resume. In the business more than 30 years, Thompson is an Arkansan with ties throughout the state and he's been around the SEC while at Arkansas, Ole Miss, Florida, and South Carolina so the speed of the players and the passion of the fans would be no surprise.
The coup de grace is the exemplary character he displayed at Arkansas State University, putting the football team ahead of self. Two years in a row, ASU's head coach moved up the ladder — Gus Malzahn to Auburn and Bryan Harsin to Boise State — and Thompson was named interim head coach for ASU's bowl game.
With Thompson in charge, ASU was 2-0. This year, Thompson knew he was not going to be promoted, but deflected talk about his future and put the players first in preparation for the GoDaddy Bowl. Compare that to the disarray at Arkansas when Houston Nutt left for Ole Miss and the Razorbacks were embarrassed by Missouri in the Cotton Bowl.
When Blake Anderson succeeded Harsin and hired his own defensive coordinator, Thompson — the recipient of an emotional standing ovation at a fan-favorite restaurant in Mobile — was out.
Not that it matters to anybody outside the business, but Thompson is extremely cooperative with the media. I dealt with him while he was at Arkansas and after he became athletic director at the University of Central Arkansas. In that capacity, he had a news conference in Little Rock and noticed an uncomfortable reporter in the back of the room.
Questioned by Thompson, the man with the notebook said he had shingles.
Sorry, Thompson said.
Months later, the reporter answered a phone call from the representative of a roofing company.
"Thompson roofing, just wanted to check on your shingles," he said.
The quick read on Chris Ash's move from Arkansas to Ohio State is that he believes he has a much better chance to succeed in Columbus than in Fayetteville.
If Ash is like most assistants, he wants to be a head coach. Another bad year by the Arkansas defense would besmirch his credentials and could set him up to be a scapegoat. Also know that after Everett Withers left Urban Meyer's staff to become the head coach at James Madison, Meyer said he needed to make a "home run" hire to replace Withers.
The co-defensive coordinator label is no knock on Ash; he held the same title in 2011 when he worked for Bielema at Wisconsin.
The loss of Ash and defensive line coach Charlie Partridge is not likely to have an impact on the recruits currently committed to Arkansas although Partridge was an elite recruiter with strong ties to South Florida. Ash's strength was following up with athletes.
Rather than risk revocation of my curmudgeon card, I point out that Arkansas' euphoria-producing victory over Kentucky will rank as a homecourt anomaly unless the Razorbacks beat Georgia today in Athens or Tennessee next week in Knoxville. Although unlikely, a sweep would put Arkansas at 3-2 in the SEC — the record cited earlier as a sign that the Razorbacks were on track to finish 12-6 or better in the league.
The recipe for winning on the road is the same as for beating Kentucky — compete until the final buzzer, get extra possessions via turnovers, and make critical shots. Rehashing the overtime victory, the talk is about Michael Qualls's spectacular dunk. His play meant something because Rashad Madden made a 3 for 70-70, Alandaise Harris beat the shot clock with a three-point play for 74-71, and Qualls, Harris, and Bobby Portis made 7-of-8 free throws in OT.
Harry King is sports columnist for Stephens Media's Arkansas News Bureau.


text:
Less than a week after we saw it unexpectedly pop up in the FCC database, the MeeGo-powered Nokia N9 (N950?) has appeared in a professional-looking teaser commercial (clip embedded below), further suggesting that not only is this handset still destined for release, but that a launch may actually be imminent. The latest report pegs next month as the likely window for an official debut; however, this is a phone which seems to have been fully-baked since the fall of last year, so we wouldn't take anything for granted here.
Final specs on the N9/N950 are as nebulous as its release date: various sources have both Intel and Qualcomm supplying the processor, wildly varying display resolutions (at least the simulated screens in the embedded ad look fine), and a main camera ranging from five to twelve megapixels. With Nokia reportedly being courted by Microsoft, giving up control of Symbian, and of course preparing its initial Windows Phone 7-powered handsets, the N9 certainly couldn't come at a more turbulent time for the company, so hopefully it packs enough surprises to stand out amid the drama.
Update: A number of people are pointing out that Symbian screen elements are being used here, so we may be looking at Anna and not MeeGo, but nothing is clear at this point.
Update 2: Observant viewers here and over at YouTube noticed that the camera is indeed 12-megapixel, which alone sparks our interest, considering how well the
eight-megapixel fellow 12MP N8 captures a photo.
Update 3: The official MeeGo Facebook page has all but confirmed that its OS is running here (posting screenshots of the video on its wall), meaning that the Symbian-flavored bits of the interface are probably just an attempt to create a tangible bridge between the two platforms.
Video has been removed at the request of Nokia Corporation


text:
Tour - MLS Number TXKRNZ
It's a lifestyle - Friday morning and I grab my iPad to choose the music for this morning's workout. I take the elevator downstairs to the gym and after exercising, I enjoy a sauna or maybe a steam. Then into the theater to watch the morning news. Great day, so off to the Vineyard on my boat tied at my dock. Back to Osterville for a quick swim in the infinity pool (set in granite). Head to my private office on the third level to answer emails. What a view. Guests are arriving to spend the evening in two of the five bedroom suites. We will enjoy cocktails at the bar in the great room and dinner by candlelight in the formal dining room. After dinner, a game of pool and a fire in one of the five fireplaces. And, when it is time to retire, just one touch on the iPad and all the lights will dim. It's a lifestyle not to be surpassed. Spectacular.


text:
AT&T recently announced the powerful Pantech Discover smartphone. It is the first AT&T smartphone pre-loaded with the AT&T DriveMode, an app designed to help prevent texting while driving. This powerful yet affordable device packs a 4.8 inch HD display, 1.5 GHz dual-core processor, 4G LTE and a 12.6 megapixel camera for just $50 on contract.
Pantech Discover will be shipped with the Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) Operating System, however the device will be upgraded to the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean soon after the launch. The pre-loaded AT&T DriveMode app can be extremely useful while driving. The app can be set-up to automatically send a customizable reply to incoming messages once a vehicle starts moving at a speed of more than 25 mph.
Jeff Bradley, senior vice president- Devices, AT&T, said:
"The Pantech Discover combines a feature-packed experience – complete with a 12.6-megapixel camera and HD display – with a cost-effective price point, giving AT&T customers yet another strong option in our 4G LTE portfolio. AT&T is dedicated to educating customers about the dangers of texting while driving and providing real solutions to help prevent the behavior. With DriveMode pre-loaded on the Discover, we hope that users will be less likely to text and drive."
Pantech Discover features a 4.8 inch HD display, sporting a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels, 1.5 GHz dual-core Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 Pro, Android 4.0 OS, 12.6 megapixel rear camera with 4X zoom, full HD (1080p) video recording and playback, Near Field Communication (NFC), 4G LTE Connectivity, 16 GB internal memory, MicroSD card slot, 32 GB expandable memory and a 2100 mAh battery.
Pantech Discover comes with full VPN and EAS support, plus device encryption for secure access to corporate email and intranets. This handset will so on sale from January 11 in the US. Pantech Discover can be purchased for just $49.99 with a two year service agreement.


text:
Stop now, what's that sound? It may just be the stampede of new books hitting comic stores tomorrow - As we get closer to San Diego Comic-Con, publishers are stepping up their game, and tomorrow's haul includes first issues, final issues, deaths and resurrections and all manner of exciting things to make your hump day worthwhile. Join us under the jump, why don't you?
It really is an embarrassment of riches in this week's new releases. Take, for example, the vampire lover. Usually, they're stuck with some randomly generic goth-lite indie book to feed their fetishes, but this week, they can choose from the Brian K. Vaughan-written Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 8: No Future For You (It's the Faith-centric arc, and very good it is, too, first issue of a brand new sequel to The Lost Boys (no, really), The Lost Boys: Reign of Frogs, or Jessica Abel (and friends)'s slice-of-life take on the genre in the graphic novel Life Sucks. How often does that happen?
It's also time to catch up on a lot of books we've featured here in the past:
- Matt Fraction's Casanova finishes its current run with #14,
- Chris Claremont's "Children of the X-Men" series GeNext launches,
- you can fulfill your Tony Stark-isms with The All-New Iron Manual,
- Bruce Wayne meets his end (possibly) in Batman #676 (the first chapter of Grant Morrison's Batman R.I.P., and you can also pick up a hardcover slab of Bat-foreshadowing with Batman: The Resurrection of Ras Al Ghul, collecting an earlier Morrison storyline),
- Geoff Johns' Booster Gold has its first issues collected in the new 52 Pick-Up hardcover,
- and you can see whether Marvel Comics are afraid of nipples or not in the first issue of Euro-import Sky Doll.
But, surprisingly, that's not all there is to pick up!
For example, you could get your Ed Norton on in advance of next month's movie with the special edition Giant Size Incredible Hulk, which brings you up to speed on the recent history of the jade giant before everyone starts talking, once again, about how they just can't make a good movie out of his comic. If that doesn't satisfy your appetite for greens, then there are also collections of two recent mini-series, World War Hulk: Gamma Corps and World War Hulk: X-Men to show you big green men being scary. Or maybe the first issue of space-bound superheroes Guardians of The Galaxy would be your thing? Remember, they have a talking raccoon. With guns.
Best value for money this week, though, is probably Vertigo: First Cut, a $4.99 collection of the first issues of a number of series published by DC Comics' "mature" imprint, including Western Loveless, New York-dystopic love letter DMZ and M*A*S*H for the 21st Century, Army@Love. If that's not enough for you, then there's also a sneak preview of Air, an upcoming new series from the imprint, included. What more could you want for (slightly, just) less than $5, as long as you don't think about tax?
Just like every other week, you can find the full shipping list to stores here, and then find out where to find the damn stores to shop in here. Just remember that $5 can't barely buy you a Happy Meal these days, is all I'm saying.


text:
Free Edition
Basic Edition
Our Free Edition offers you a powerful suite of 30 commands, interactive development environment and script debugger that allows you to solve many common parsing challenges.
The Basic Edition of Parse-O-Matic lets you access advanced scripting capabilities that aren't available in our Free Edition. These additional features allow you to handle tougher file conversion needs with access to additional script commands and features.
Read more..
Read more..
A terrific solution for businesses that need to handle conversions of files up to 1 TB in size, Parse-O-Matic Business adds binary command support, ability for automation as a scheduled task or command-line. Also included is database connectivity and more.
Our most advanced version of Parse-O-Matic, Enterprise, offers all the features of Parse-O-Matic Business, plus has the ability to deploy an unlimited number of stand-alone solutions thoughout your organization. You can tackle even the largest and most complex data conversion projects with confidence and ease.
Read more..
Read more..
Do you have a data file that contains information you need ... but it's not in a format you can use?
That's where we come in. We're the experts in data conversion. We can either supply you with a programming tool that is designed for data conversion, or, we can write a conversion utility for you.
Parse-O-Matic Free Edition, Parse-O-Matic Basic, Parse-O-Matic Business and Parse-O-Matic Enterprise are our data file parsing tools.
We can create a custom
conversion application
for you, or ...
If you're a programmer, you can use our
Parse-O-Matic Free Edition
The choice is yours!
Are you a developer or programmer? Write your own parsing scripts with
Parse-O-Matic Free
, Basic, Business or Enterprise.
I want to buy a
Copyright © 1986-2017 National Data Parsing Canada Corporation All rights reserved.


text:
Shayne Nyce - Whole Lotta Soldiers (Prod. By Hungree) [Unsigned Atist]
"Off THE EULOGY Album - for FREE DOWNLOAD at ShayneNyce.com @ShayneNyce | @hungree_mon
*UPDATE: Durham Police raid Shayne Nyce's residence attempting to silence him for the messages in this video: http://shaynenyce.com/?page_id=59
For bookings / features please email firstname.lastname@example.com"
Please click the "Report" button below if the video on this page is not working properly.
Comments will only be displayed by verified emails. No Spamming or Racism.


text:
Hello out there
I'm a self taught sculptor; and as of late I've been kind of wandering how my work compares to other AA figurative sculptors.
I'm looking for a list of African American sculptors, preferably figurative and/or contemporary. I've been all over the net looking for this list but haven't had any luck. Any suggestions, guidance, or direction would be extremely appreciated.


text:
Hope For Hair Restoration?
(Hair loss victims have always hoped the "solution").
Research scientists may have stumbled onto the answer to something that has frustrated mankind for centuries.
Their discovery was made while applying a synthetically formulated compound, Copper Peptide, to severe wound areas on several patients. During this process something unusual happened. Not only did the wounds heal about 30 percent faster, but a significant stimulation of the follicular cells occurred. As a side effect, these tripeptide complexes actually grew hair around the wound area.
The discovery was so startling that they then applied the same Copper Peptide complex to a female patient who had suffered roughly 90 percent alopecia—hair loss—for years. After about six months of use, she had recovered almost 100 percent of her hair.
Tests were then conducted with chemotherapy patients and recent hair transplant recipients, all with great success in stimulating newer and stronger hair follicles. The implications of such a startling discovery have gotten the attention of several large companies. Neutrogena, Johnson & Johnson, Proctor & Gamble, and Dow Chemical are just a few of the big companies that have shown interest in copper peptides.
The discovery could have major implications in the somewhat shady area of the hair growth industry. There are many products that promise amazing results but they usually fail to deliver. Most have some sort of DHT inhibitor with traces of Minoxidil so they can claim Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. There is one company that has been able to take advantage of this and manufacture for the public – Everest R&D Labs, located in California's Simi Valley.
Incredible advancements in the manufacturing process of Copper Peptide technology is brining even better results in hair re-growth than the original tests. Some people providing the company with feedback are offering amazing stories, with positive side effects that include the reduction of acne and psoriases. There have been many reports from both men and women. Reports from women include statements that their graying hair is regaining some of its original pigmentation.
This product has been integrated into a therapeutic shampoo and conditioner called Follipro (http://follipro.com). As more and more corroborating evidence from research universities around the country become available, the possibilities for this new technology could be far reaching.
To subscribe to New York's favorite Pan-African weekly investigative newspaper please click on "subscribe" on the homepage or call (212) 481-7745. For advertisements or to send us a news tip contact firstname.lastname@example.com "Speaking Truth To Empower," is our motto.
Latest comments
Ann GarrisonFebruary 22,2018 @ 08:03 PM
I think you have "Filtered HTML" turned on here. If you switch to "Full HTML," it will probably...


text:
Inviting design
High-society wedding gowns and ballet stage sets are just two of the fields in which Jasper Conran has tirelessly demonstrated his talents – and now he's opened a hotel. The aptly named L'Hôtel Marrakech in the medina has been extensively refurbished and boasts five exclusive suites. If you can't stay there, you can at least enjoy the ambience of the adjoining restaurant (photo). Prior booking is a must!


text:
psychotherapy, treatment of mental and emotional disorders using psychological methods. Psychotherapy, thus, does not include physiological interventions, such as drug therapy or electroconvulsive therapy, although it may be used in combination with such methods. This type of treatment has been used in one form or another through the ages in many societies, but it was not until the late 19th cent. that it received scientific impetus, primarily under the leadership of Sigmund Freud. Although Freud's theoretical formulations have come sharply into question, his treatment method involving individualized client-psychologist sessions has been used in modified forms for years (see psychoanalysis).
Behavior therapy aims to help the patient eliminate undesirable habits or irrational fears through conditioning. Techniques include systematic desensitization, particularly for the treatment of clients with irrational anxieties or fears, and aversive conditioning, which uses negative stimuli to end bad habits. Humanistic therapy tends to be more optimistic, basing its treatment on the theory that individuals have a natural inclination to strive toward self-fulfillment. Therapists such as Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow used a highly interactive client-therapist relationship, compelling clients to realize exactly what they are saying or how they are behaving, in order to foster a sense of self-awareness. Cognitive therapies try to show the client that certain, usually negative, thoughts are irrational, with the goal of restructuring such thoughts into positive, constructive ideas. Such methods include Albert Ellis's rational-emotive therapy, where the therapist argues with the client about his negative ideas; and Aaron Beck's cognitive restructuring therapy, in which the therapist works with the client to set attainable goals. Other forms of therapy stress helping patients to examine their own ideas about themselves.
Psychotherapy may be brief, lasting just a few sessions, or it may extend over many years. More than one client may be involved, as in marriage or family counseling, or a number of individuals, as in group psychotherapy.
See S. L. Garfield and A. E. Bergin, ed., Handbook of Psychotherapy and Behavior Change (4th ed. 1993); A. Roth et al., What Works for Whom?: A Critical Review of Psychotherapy Research (1996); W. Gaylin, Talk Is Not Enough: How Psychotherapy Really Works (2000).


text:
Award-Winning Weight-Loss Program in New York's Niagara Region
Since 2004, tens of millions of viewers have tuned into the hit reality show The Biggest Loser to watch contestants shed pounds and revamp their eating habits during an intense weight-loss competition. Season winners emerge up to 150 pounds lighter with completely reshaped physiques. The show's focus on strict exercise and nutrition regimens is also at the core of The Biggest Loser Resort Niagara, which as of May 2012 became the newest member of the brand's award-winning weight-loss resorts. With this deal, you can act on a New Year's resolution to be healthier with a weeklong program at the resort that includes nutritious meals, fitness classes, and lifestyle seminars.
Work out amid 300 acres of woods, lakes, and fitness facilities
The Niagara campus follows the same results-driven weight-loss model as the other The Biggest Loser Resorts, incorporating exercise, healthy meals, and lifestyle seminars into an action-packed daily schedule. The year-round facility features a fitness village as well as an indoor aquatic center. Certified personal trainers jump-start mornings with hikes through the resort's 300-acre property and past its private lakes. This unique location allows guests to add seasonal activities to their workout regimens.
Onsite chefs and nutrition training
Breakfast helps provide energy for exercises throughout the day, which may include water aerobics, kickboxing, or yoga. Between workouts, groups attend lectures on weight training and nutrition, including food-label reading and body-workout recovery. For lunch and dinner, you can celebrate a productive day with chef-created, low-calorie meals such as turkey-and-avocado wraps and mahi-mahi with vegetables.
Spa treatments
The full-service onsite Spa Alexis at Niagara is a nice reward after a workout; indulge in massages, facials, and salon treatments (not included with this Groupon).
Learn to maintain a healthy lifestyle in a supportive atmosphere
One of the hallmarks of the program is its supportive team environment, as each person encourages other members of the team to push further than they thought they could go. At the end of the week, trainers record guests' weights and measurements and note their progress. But the program doesn't necessarily have to end there, as the experience should help guests stick with healthier lifestyles long after their stays.


text:
Revolutionise the way you manage your business and pay for technology. Improvements to security, scalability and cost efficiencies are just some of the benefits that come with the cloud.Find out more about the cloud
We offer a range of services to provide you with the perfect opportunity to offload your day-to-day management of your security, maintenance and networking requirements.View our services
Fred IT solutions
Our next generation cloud solution managing all aspects of your pharmacy – dispense, point of sale, professional services and retail operations.See Fred NXT
Australia's leading dispense solution. Dispensing the way it's meant to be – simple, fast, reliable and flexible.See Fred Dispense
Customisable back office solution, allowing you to manage both Dispensary and Front of Shop from one application.See Fred Office
Increase your businesses productivity and profits with Fred POS, built on the powerful Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System (RMS).See Fred POS
Why Fred?
What our clients say?
"We have found Fred products very easy to work with and great at providing us with the relevant information we need to run our business"
Chris Thompson, Geelong Pharmacist
Easy Fred support
Our customer support team is dedicated to helping you succeed with all your Fred IT solutions and applications. We offer multichannel service and support via the web, email and phone to meet your business requirements.Visit our support area
The Fred Academy offers self-paced e-learning courses that can be completed from the comfort of your office or home, at a time that's convenient for you. Our courses are designed to pass on our expertise to you and your staff, ensuring increased productivity and efficiency.Visit the Fred Academy
The Fred Community is a support community and technical support forum that allows our customers to discuss ideas with each other and provide answers through knowledge sharing.Coming Soon


text:
On raising a son on the autism spectrum, progressive politics, pop culture, and coffee addiction.
Friday, March 24, 2006
Choosing my words
I had no idea what they were talking about, but I could tell from the way they were talking about it that "stimming" was a terrible, terrible thing and I was very glad that Bud did not do it.
It honestly took me a long time to realize that when they talked about "stimming" they were talking about many of the things Bud did all the time: flapping his hands, humming, or running laps around the house when he was excited; repeating phrases and quoting videos; listening to clips from a song, then skipping back to hear the clip again and again and again; rewinding videos to watch favorite scenes, or segments, or moments, over and over.
So I was confused. Why were they being so negative about it?
A lot of time has passed since then, and I now understand the challenges of perseverative behavior better than I did then. Some of the self-stimulatory behavior that Bud exhibited along the way included hitting himself in the head or knocking his head against a wall when he was frustrated, and forcefully kicking the wall when he had trouble sleeping. So I understand why some of the behaviors are of concern. But, I have to say, I still don't like the word "stim."
Last semester I taught a class in Interpersonal Communication, and one of the concepts we discussed was word choice. I did an exercise with the class in which I divided them into three groups and handed each group one of three sentences:
Sheila is careful with her belongings.
Sheila is meticulous with her belongings.
Sheila is fussy with her belongings.
"What is your impression of Sheila?" I asked each group. The people who knew Sheila to be careful had a mostly positive view of her. Those who thought she was meticulous had mixed views. Those who saw her as fussy had a very negative view.
We tried some other examples:
The youthful Senator took the stage.
The young Senator took the stage.
The inexperienced Senator took the stage.
Robert is economical with his money.
Robert is thrifty with his money.
Robert is cheap with his money.
The point of the exercise was to illustrate that words have two types of meanings. They have denotative meanings - the dictionary definitions; but they also has connotative meanings - the associations with the word that evoke emotional - even visceral - reactions in us, and that create a context in our minds when we hear the word.
Examples of the effects of connotative meaning are everywhere. Watch a few minutes of Fox News, then switch over to CNN and listen to the words they use to report on the very same stories. Then turn on NPR to hear what they're saying. The differences in word choice are fascinating.
So the issues I have with discussions about "stimming" are not about the behaviors being discussed; they are about the word itself. To me, the word "stim" has a powerful connotative meaning: "stim" says unusual, disconcerting, abnormal, dangerous.
But Bud's behaviors are none of those things. I think about his proclivity to rewind. Since he learned to master the TiVo remote, he sometimes engages in sheer festivals of rewinding and rewatching. Just this morning he was watching (and rewatching and rewatching) a 1 or 2-second clip from It's a Big, Big World in which a character said "Sure!" in a funny voice.
Then Bud added his own dialogue. He said to the screen: "Do you want to play?"
"Do you want to go upstairs?"
"Do you want some breakfast?"
And on it went.
Was it stimming?
But it was also pretend play.
And it was practice. It was a predictable conversation that allowed him to try a variety of permutations to see how they sounded. It was a safe way to test the waters of interaction. It was really very cool. And it makes me wonder: when he was rewinding before he had expressive language, what was going on in his mind?
Or I think about 2-year-old Bud and his fascination with the CD player. He would listen to the introduction of a song, and then just as the singer was about to sing the first note of the lyrics he would click back to the start of the song. Again and again and again. I never really thought of it as strange. Bud loves music. He loves music. So he was learning the songs - and he was learning them the way he wanted to know them. He was learning the bass lines, and the drum beats, and the pauses, and the piano riffs. Some people walk in the park and hear the birds singing. Others hear the robins, and the cardinals, and the blue jays, and the sparrows. It's about having interests. It's about having passions.
I've read a lot of wonderful posts by other bloggers that have contributed to my thinking on this. And more than once I've posted a comment that said something like "I don't really like the language of stim." It was the connotative meaning of "stim" that I was talking about in those comments - the way that the word somehow pathologizes the behaviors. Because the thing is, sometimes Bud's behaviors are disruptive and unhealthy for him; but sometimes they keep him in balance. And isn't that true for most of us? Isn't my morning coffee one of the things that keeps me alert and focused? And don't I get jumpy, irritable, and easily distracted if I've had too much?
The thing I keep coming back to in my mind is this: The words we use matter. Words shape our perception. And perception shapes reality.
So Bud will continue to flap, he will continue to perseverate, he will continue to rewind, repeat, and recite.
He will also attend to details, pursue his passions, hone his strengths, explore his interests, and perfect his talents as he learns to self-regulate.
He will have behaviors that enhance his life and behaviors that become problematic for him.
But he will not "stim" - not to my eye and not in my mind.
And, definitely, not on this blog.
16 comments:
- kristina said...
You've got me thinking about the Sapir-Whorf theory of how the language one uses can, may, shape our thinking.
"Stim" is a kind of short hand for us (like "meat in a box") to describe various things Charlie does and especially that end with him in behavior squall mode. And while the word oozes with negative associations, I hope that by using it in different contexts (as you do here, too), we might change the meaning of it; change its charge from negative to positive.
Just as "disability" need not be a negative word, if we try to change its meaning----I'm thinking here of how ethnic and racial minorities take racialized slurs or terms and use them themselves to "take back" the terms they are talked in, as rap groups like NWA, or in the writings of Frank Chin (in his The Chickencoop Chinaman and The Year of the Dragon).
Back to my coffee!
- March 24, 2006 9:15 AM
- Wendy said...
Great post! I thought about the three different sentences and how I felt about the person (before I read your students perceptions) and I agreed with them 100%. It is amazing how synonyms can be so different.
Even though I hate the word "stim" I find myself using it a lot because C's ABA team uses it. Every once in awhile my husband and I will say "C seems particularly stimmy today". I think we need to find a new word.
- March 24, 2006 9:26 AM
- gretchen said...
As always, I really appreciate your thoughtful reactions to everything Bud does. The things you write here really do make me think.
Every time I see you use the word "dysregulated", for example, I think to myself "I need to make that word a part of my vocabulary instead of 'stimmy' or 'extra-autistic' or other inappropriate words I might use to describe Henry's behavior."
But most days I am not making a conscious-enough effort.
I do have to add, though, that sometimes I DO feel negative about Henry's perseverative behaviors. As I wrote last week, when he seemed "extra stimmy" and only wanted to talk about Lady and the Tramp 24/7.
Those very dysregulated times make me uneasy, because Henry is not quite being "himself". Or the Henry that I can relate to, anyway. He seems lost in a world of Disney images and snippets of song or dialogue.
I don't like it- I feel negative about it. But, maybe the language I use can help change my own emotional reaction. I guess it's worth trying.
- March 24, 2006 9:39 AM
- Jannalou said...
I talk about stimming all the time. Mostly because I do it.
I stim off my guinea pigs, I stim off my fibre-optic lamp, I stim off all these blogs I keep reading, I stim off my jewellry, I stim off books, I stim off music, I stim off... well... anything that appeals to my visual, auditory, or tactile processing. I experience it as a lot of fun, most of the time. Though sometimes I can tell that it's a reaction to stress, and I'm just doing it to keep myself from exploding (or imploding, as the case may be).
If I stim and enjoy it, if it keeps me centred and relaxed, why should I stop?
- March 24, 2006 11:29 AM
- ballastexistenz said...
gretchen: I think the word dysregulated is far worse and more clinical than stim. My issue with stim is that it is simply not accurate. Dysregulated is worse than inaccurate, it gives a value judgement. I am not "dysregulated" when I do repetitive things or any number of other common autistic things. I don't like the implication that I am "regulated wrong" when I am doing things others do not understand. Dysregulated was one word that prompted me to write my recent entry Episodes, and other clinical terms. Hate that word, if I had grown up hearing "dysregulated" I probably would have hit someone after awhile the way I did with "episode".
- March 24, 2006 12:34 PM
You changed my use of the word "stim" a while back when I read a comment you left on another blog. Since reading that comment, I stopped using the word on my blog. I have also tried to refrain from using the word at all. I can understand how it gives a negative connotation. I also must say that I look at the things that my son does repeatedly very differently than I have in the past.
- March 24, 2006 12:43 PM
- The Jedi Family of Blogs said...
I really resonate to the idea of "de-clinicalising" our language for/about our kids. I didn't really understand that "stim" is shorthand for perseverative behaviour until you defined it, but I will say that I have always had a viscerally negative reaction to the word "stim" when I read it. To be honest, I also find "dysregulated" to be too clinical for my tastes, too... sorry :)
Perhaps we are fortunate that the main part of the assistance our son has received for autism (speech, OT, PT, etc...) has been in a non-clinical setting, so we haven't picked-up on the clinical descriptive words for his behaviours. My negative connotations for using clinical-speak to describe a child comes from long before my son was born, back when I worked with developmentally disabled children in school & summer camp settings in the 70's. My sense was that these kids spent so much of their time in "treatment" that they needed a vacation from this perspective on their lives at every opportunity. I spent a lot of time holding popsicles for kids who couldn't control their arms & hands, & swinging on swings with kids who couldn't sit up by themselves because many of them didn't have these experiences on a regular basis. This led me to develop what I call my "bread & roses" philosophy- that you can't just nourish & care for the body... the spirit needs to be fed, too. Using exclusively clinical language for my kid has never fit into that philosophy. However, we are teaching him the scientific words for his behaviours & diagnoses as part of the process of helping him learn to understand himself. But it's his choice whether he uses them, or calls them "Fred" (knowing my kid, Fred would win... :)
Either way, I really appreciated what you had to say on this topic!!
- March 24, 2006 12:56 PM
- not my blg said...
Words only have the power you give them. While others may view "stim" as a negative, I view it as an affectionate term to describe some of the things my child does. My view is more closely aligned to Kristina's. However, I find it very offensive when someone outside the community uses it because of the objectification of my child in that context. In my local group of autism parents, we affectionately talk about our children and their unique and common stims. The word stim can be empowering as well as derogatory. I also don't find dysregulation objectionable. I feel dysregulated every single day and feel free to label me that way as well when I deserve it.
- March 24, 2006 8:36 PM
- Alana said...
This is an interesting idea to me. The word "stim" was made up to describe repetitive behaviors and I have found it useful to betterr describe what someone is doing, but have never necessarily thought of it as negative. I do thin it has acquired a negative connotation, as people tend to think of the behavior as negative. I always remember a workshop I went to with Bryna Seigel and she said she wasn't certain that the word "Stim" was accurate, as whe "stim' meant was "self-stimulatory behavior" and the idea was that the behavior stimulated a part of the mind, yet she often found the behavior to serve a calming or regulatory purpose. I think that (insert word here) serves multiple purposes...I don't see the purposes as negative, so the word doesn't seem like a negative one to me, although I can see how they could.
Of course I love your point about words and I agree. I always try to use the word with the more positive conotation when possible. The other night, a parent e-mailed me to say that her son's speech therapist said that he is quite stubborn and wanted to know my thougts, and I shared that I see him as being determined and strong willed which is the reason why he is fighting so hard to learn. I think the speech therapist and I were saying the same thing, but I see his will as a very positive rather than negative thing.
- March 25, 2006 12:55 AM
- MothersVox said...
Such a great post! Thank you MOM-NOS!
Before I started reading the autism parenting and autistic rights blogs I didn't know the language of "stims" or "dysregulation."
I wonder if the language of "stims" isn't a lot like the language of "dyke" was in the lesbian feminist communities or "faggot" was in gay activitist communnities -- a term of oppression reappropriated as a term of affection or self-acceptance.
The tricky part here is that lesbian and gay activists I have known would probably not have been terrifically comfortable with their parents calling them "my little dyke" or "my little faggot."
Would the autistic folks out there -- who speak of themselves as stimming -- have been comfortable hearing that language from their parents? I don't know the answer to this question. It's a real question, not a rhetorical one, that I'm throwing out to others.
When I was struggling with what to call Sweet M's meltdowns, I adopted the language of dysregulation that I read here. I found it neutral and descriptive, but now I can see that it can also have a clinical and "othering" tone.
As that philosopher of language, and some think, autistic genius, Ludwig Wittgenstein said, "Words are deeds."
- March 25, 2006 10:12 AM
- MothersVox said...
P.S. I tracked back to your post on RDI and found it equally wonderful. I didn't know about this approach. So thank you for that as well.
- March 25, 2006 10:19 AM
- ballastexistenz said...
But the thing is, you may be able to apply dysregulated to yourself, any of you, but that is not the same as saying it of someone else. The power structure is entirely different and you're ignoring that at the peril of the person you call that.
Saying that words only have the power we give them is kind of like saying that being punched in the face only hurts if you let it. It's true that words can be modified in their power, but when you're talking about someone with very little power in comparison to you to begin with, you're the one putting the power into the words and they're the one bearing the brunt of it.
- March 25, 2006 11:53 AM
- not my blg said...
"But the thing is, you may be able to apply dysregulated to yourself, any of you, but that is not the same as saying it of someone else." The assumption behind this statement is one of victim and abuser. If you assume that the person applying dysregulated to their child is an abuser, that argument may make some sense. However, I think it is a leap of logic to assume that anyone, let alone a parent who loves their child to the deepest part of their soul means anything beyond an affectionate way to recognize when their child is not feeling well. To attach a negative meaning to this term is to objectify the parent and their intentions. The power structure between parent and child is static whether the child is NT or Autistic.
"Saying that words only have the power we give them is kind of like saying that being punched in the face only hurts if you let it. " Sorry to disagree but this statement is non-sense. To equate a parent's affectionate term to physical violence is out of bounds and illogical.
"It's true that words can be modified in their power, but when you're talking about someone with very little power in comparison to you to begin with, you're the one putting the power into the words and they're the one bearing the brunt of it. " I would tend to agree if our words are meant to disparage or objectify. Intentions mean everything and only with age and wisdom can we discriminate between the two. There is an assumption to your agrument that the intention behind the words are suspect, which in of itself lies an assumption which is based on one's own perceptions.
Also, assuming that we should treat our Autistic children any differently than we treat our NT children is and of itself discriminatory and is a form of bigotry of low expectations. To assume that our Autistic children can't possibly understand affectionate lables from perjorative labels is to say that our children simply don't have the cognitive ability to discriminate which I reject.
- March 25, 2006 12:50 PM
Having read the previous posts, I've had to take some time to really assess what I believe to be true. My learning curve on autism has been greatly heightened this year with all I have read, listened to, and experienced. I too have listened to specialists in the special education field, as well as a variety of parents refer to types of perseverative behaviors as "stimming", and finally found myself for the first time this year asking a trusted colleague what, exactly, did that mean. She too gave the explanations you have all given. I have to admit, I too did not care for the use or connotation of the word. I think I don't like it because it classifies a behavior particular to a considered "disability", as well as having a sense of uncontrolled permanence. It also doesn't really explain the what or the why of the behavior. This is what is critical for me to try to understand so that I can better plan, guide, and just comprehend on a daily basis. When you say that a person is dysregulated, however, it leads to the thought that it is a temporary behavioral condition, which may, in fact, apply to any population - teachers have been known to have a dyregulated day or two. Regulated days, or even moments, are expected, as well as anticipated. It's a "glass is half full" attitude.
What's in a name? Plenty. This summer, a member of our special education team brought up the idea that perhaps we should no longer call or "label" kids as "sped" kids, or teachers as "sped" teachers. She has found that throughout the years, this shorthand word, has begun to carry a very negative connotation to both those inside and outside the profession. Mostly, it's the kids. All it takes is for one child in the class to call someone a "Sped". You can just feel that can't you?
As we say in kindergarten - "Words can hurt." So, eventhough it may be a term of endearment for you and your family, we do need to be aware that as these words enter the mainstream, their meanings will evolve.
I heard a colleague use the term "self soothing" the other day, in place of perhaps "stimming". It clearly explained the behavior, and it's purpose, at that moment, very well. No labels, No connotations. Just calling it like it is. I watch all the kids, and their behaviors each day. All children will have a regulated day, hour, or minute. All of them will have dysregulated ones as well. They are who they are. May you all have a regulated evening. Mrs.H.
- March 27, 2006 9:37 PM
- ballastexistenz said...
Victim and abuser? I don't recall saying anything remotely like that.
Actually, I would say person with certain amount of (power, privilege, something along those lines) and person without certain amount of (power, privilege, something along those lines).
An adult with a certain degree of communication ability and power in their life can define themselves more or less however they want to. They can even use terminology that would be highly offensive when applied to anyone else.
A child with a communication impairment (actually either a child or someone with a communication impairment or an adult with less power than most adults have in some areas) has much less ability to define themselves and has more often to accept whatever definitions are put on them by others.
Which means that an adult applying something like that to a child has much more responsibility to deal with in applying it than an adult applying something like that to themselves.
I don't even see where abuse comes into it. You don't have to be an abuser in the traditional sense to wield great power over someone with the way you talk about and to them. And power structures are not determined entirely by love, you can love someone as much as you could possibly love anyone and still wield enormous amounts of power over them.
I find it bizarre and frankly unsettling that you view power, love, and abuse in the way that you do. All parents who are actually raising their children have a lot of power over their children (which means that bad things will happen whether they love them or not, abuse them or not). Many abusers love their children and many people who do not love their children do not abuse their children.
Love may be (in most families) utterly unaffected by disability, but power is not. If I am taking care of two people, and one of them has much more ability to be independent of me in certain ways, and also to say certain things (or say anything at all in language), then I have more power over the person who depends on me for more and can communicate less clearly to me.
I have immense amounts of power over my cat and my dog, in fact I have the ability to control nearly anything about their lives that I want to. I understand my dog less than I understand my cat (I can read cats better than I can read dogs) so my potential for inadvertently abusing power is greater with my dog than my cat. To fail to acknowledge this because of how much I love them would be the fastest recipe for abuse of power (which need not be intentional, and in fact is often not intentional), even though I am not an animal abuser.
I am only one of many, many people I know who lacked enough of a communication system during certain parts of childhood to even contemplate explaining to our parents what we thought of certain words they used. You are assuming that we all had abusive, unloving parents, and that this is where I am drawing all of my conclusions from. Nothing could be further from the truth. It is not objectifying parents to point out that they have more power over their own lives and self-definitions than their children do, it's just plain honest.
The idea that I was talking about abuse when I talked about the power of words does not make a lot of sense either. Some words can hurt even when used by people who love you. Some words hurt even more when used by people who love you than by people who don't. Imagine growing up and having your loving but totally uncomprehending mother or father explain to people, with all the good will in the world, that you have the mind of a two-year-old child. Do you think that has no power, when you can't talk back, when you know it's not true, and why it's not true?
Hitting need not be abusive in nature. I used to hit people because I had myoclonic seizures that caused my arms to fling out at random. I've, while unable to move on my own, had my wheelchair parked by others next to a guy who also couldn't move his chair, who had cerebral palsy and therefore an arm that kept bashing me in the face every few seconds. It would have been ridiculous to claim it didn't hurt, and it would have been equally ridiculous to claim that he or I had any malice for anyone we hit through involuntary movements.
In a setting such as this, online with time to type about it, I have more power to choose what words I do and do not use on myself, than anyone has who has less of a communication system than this, and than myself at some other times or in some other settings.
If I were to have children, I would think much more carefully about what words I used on them. And it is doubtless that there are words I would use on myself (I even know what some of them are) that I would never use on a child, especially a child I was raising. Some of them are downright offensive in most contexts, and some of them are ones I have accepted as a compromise in my life but would be unwilling to apply to a child, unwilling to force my own compromises on someone else. (There are some words I will use on myself but on nobody else for that reason.)
You are telling me that I am the one incapable of discerning between what was meant well and what was meant not-well. That if I have a problem with something, it means that I think it was meant not-well. I know, though, that the road to hell is paved with good intentions and that it's possible to do good while trying to do something bad, and to do bad while trying to do something good. There have been people literally intent on killing me who have unintentionally done me and others a lot of good in the process, and there have been people totally intent on loving and helping me who have hurt me. Acknowledging this does not objectify anybody nor does acknowledging harm mean acknowledging lack of love or good intent.
I spend part of my time, as an adult, unable to type. My best friend does her best to translate for me when this happens. Sometimes she screws up. It's unavoidable. If I were never able to type, I would not be able to call her on it afterwards. She sometimes uses descriptions or behavior towards me that I find insulting, even though I know she doesn't mean it. Because I can type some of the time, I can tell her so, and we can talk about it.
This is the person I have the closest relationship with at the moment, a person who knows me better than anyone but I do. It is fortunate for both of us that she does not feel objectified or like she's having her intentions or ability to love insulted when I bring up power differences in certain aspects of our friendship, power differences brought about in part by disability (they happen to run both ways in different respects, doesn't mean they're not there).
At any rate, I've lived on a whole spectrum of ability to counter certain viewpoints in ways others understood (and both being a child and being autistic make it harder to do so), and that in itself constitutes a huge difference in power that is not and cannot be fully mitigated by love, good intentions, or anything else. I don't think it's bigoted or unperceptive to say so, nor to note that you have to take age and disability into account, among many other things, when considering power (which, while I'm busy shattering weird assumptions about my posts, is not an evil thing, it's something that exists and no amount of wishful thinking and love can get rid of it, I have to think about it just as much as you or anyone else does in order to be responsible).
- March 27, 2006 11:17 PM
- unashamed said...
I stim a lot and I don't consider that OR the word to be or mean anything bad. I saw a psych nurse last week and she told me that anything that I didn't consider to be a problem is not a problem for me. I mean that has its limits but I consider it to include stimming. She was saying that it was ok if I wanted to count parking meters or stroke fabrics pretty much. I think it is too. I think I have a really good view of things usually. And as it were I see my life as generally good.
- May 13, 2007 10:06 PM


text:
This is the blog of Dr. Curt Bonk, Professor at Indiana University and President of CourseShare (there are NO Guest Blogs and NO advertisements permitted).
Then I added, "
Dean Gonzalez here in the IU School of Education informed me University Business is offering a discount on their UB Tech 2012 conference at the Mirage in Las Vegas next month (Note: This conference used to be called "EduComm"). More specifically, a discount of $200 will be given to anyone who enters their online competition, "Will edX Improve Higher Education?" They are collecting responses to one question (300 words max) on or before May 11th. They also note that: "One grand prize winner will be selected from all
responses to win free airfare to UBTech 2012 (up to a $400 value) and 3 nights
lodging at the Mirage in Las Vegas." I think you all should enter! Why not...?
So, they ask: "What's your opinion? Do you believe edX will truly improve education for everyone?" Do you agree that "
Everything we know about higher education is being
changed by technology?" If you have an opinion, you might give it a stab at it. The Mirage is fabulous. Great pools of cool water and plenty of sun outside to escape any gambling inclinations inside. More importantly, the Beatles Love show is still playing (now celebrating its 5 year anniversary). It's my favorite Vegas show. And UB Tech 2012 looks to have some great speakers, including Temple Grandin who "has been the subject of numerous profiles, books, magazines and radio and television specials." See above link and read why she is so famous and popular. I can also recommend this conference since I keynoted it two years ago when at the Mirage and had a grand time in a lovely corner suite. EduComm (i.e., UB Tech) people know how to run a conference packed with information as well as entertainment.
The Multimedia MOOC: Part 2 (My Personal Contribution)
As I started reflecting on the events for the past week or 2, I realized that I have been contributing to the Multimedia Mooc monster. No, not just with with my 54 page monster emerging learning technologies syllabus, but with various interviews and videos. There are articles to read, videos to watch, and audio files to listen to.
#1 Read. For instance, I told my dean that there are many benefits to all this open education stuff. In fact, back in 2009, I wrote an article for eLearn Magazine with 30 reasons why it is an interesting and important trend, "The World is Open for a Reason: Make that 30 Reasons!." (see also PDF of that article). Among the 30 are
Labels: All Tech Considered, augmented reality, Blackboard, Coursera, CourseSites, Delta Airlines, edX, Harvard, massive open online course, MIT, MOOC, multimedia, open education, R2D2, TEC-VARIETY, UB Tech 2012, Udacity
Labels: Blackboard, Blackboard MOOC, CourseSites, MOOC, open courseware, open education, Open educational resources, open-access articles, the Chronicle of Higher Education
See my complete profile
Click here for information about my recent book, The World is Open: How Web Technology Is Revolutionizing Education.
Visit the Indiana University Home Page of E-Learning Expert Curtis J. Bonk.


text:
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The weather conditions were cool in Nashville on Saturday, but the action was hot on the track as the Lipscomb track and field teams competed in the Vanderbilt Black and Gold Invitational.
The two-day meet concluded with the final 32 events after Friday night consisted of 10 events.
"We had a great day in a lot of events," Bill Taylor, director of cross country and track and field, said. "It was a real solid meet overall, especially coming off spring break."
Tucker Peabody had a strong day for the Bisons winning the 200-meter dash and the finishing third in the 100-meter dash. The junior won the 200 in 21.32 seconds, just in front of Timothy Faust of Ohio State. Claiming the bronze in the 100, Peabody clocked in at 10.73 seconds, behind Faust and Tahir Walsh who was running unattached.
"Tucker won the 200 in a meet-record time," Taylor said. "He finished well in the 100 and ran a strong leg in the 4X4 relay. It was a strong weekend for him."
Katie Bunker finished just outside of the medals in a fourth place finish in the 1500-meter run. She crossed the finish line in 4:33.46, just 13 hundredths of a second behind Laura Bess of Miami (Ohio).
Brenna Thompson crossed the finish line in seventh place in the 400-meter dash in 57.11 seconds.
"Katie had a PR in the 1500 and finished fourth," Taylor said. "That was awesome. Brenna PR'd in the 400 and Dani set the school-record in the 1500 invite last night. They all had great meets."
The field events also had a strong day with personal records being set.
Earning a bronze medal in the javelin throw, Taylor Mason set a personal record with a toss of 38.93 meters.
Gemikal Prude, who topped the seven-foot mark last week, finished in a tie for first place and top overall collegiate jumper with a leap of 2.09 meters in the high jump. Prude tied with Peter Stefanski who was competing unattached at the meet.
Kevin Floyd had a vault of 4.66 meters to finished fifth in the pole vault, an event that featured 20 competitors.
"It wasn't a real big meet but it was very good competition," Taylor said, referring to Michigan, Ohio State, Vanderbilt, Miami (Ohio) and Loyola (Ill.) as some of the schools competing. "It certainly pushed us. As I think back over our meets, this was the strongest to date.
"We hope to build off of this next weekend as we send the top runners to the Raleigh Relays and the secondary group to Southern Illinois."


text:
Our 1st "Greedy Girl Weekend" of this season
Forum Erotici Viaggi e divertimento Viaggi e Vacanze
lunedì 12 marzo 2018
From 28.04. to 01.05.2018 we organize an awesome weekend for all those who favor more than one man and want to live out their lust excessively. Selected men with the appropriate empathy and the necessary standing power pamper the demanding lady to total ecstasy. In addition to style and class, charm and esprit we lay value on a neat appearance.
For additional questions, specific inquiries and appointment scheduling we are always at your disposal by e-mail, phone or in directly in our info-chat on our website. You find detailed information on our website: www.erotic-holidays.com


text:
Casting call will be held Saturday in Lancaster for background extras to work in the movie which will be filming the week of July 7 in Kern and Antelope Valley areas.
Rich King Casting Company is holding an Open Casting Call this Saturday, in Lancaster for Background Extras to work in the movie 'Fast & Furious 7' which will be filming the week of July 7th in the Kern and Antelope Valley areas.
Date: Saturday June 21, 2014
Time: 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Location: Main Event Banquet Hall
731 W. Lancaster Blvd
Lancaster, CA 93534
They are seeking men and women ages 18 to 30 years old, "all shapes, sizes and races" for (non-union) background extras. While working there will be pay, food and fun (as noted on the casting-call sheet released by the casting company.)
If you are interested in being considered, please bring a 3x5 photo of yourself, a pen and good attitude to the Casting Call.
'Fast & Furious 7', a Universal Pictures production, is due to be released April 2015.
Casting email contact: email@example.com


text:
Calendar of Events
Visual Impairment Service Team (VIST) Education and Support Group
Date: February 25, 2021 10:00:00 to 11:30
Education and Support group hosted by the Visual Impairment Services Team at VA Maine: 4th Thursday of the month from 10-11:30am (except Nov. and Dec. when it occurs the 3rd Thursday). This is a closed group for veterans enrolled in the VA Maine Visual Impairment Services Team (VIST) program. Contact Amy Tague at 1-877-421-8263, ext. 5944 for more information on how to participate.
Related Calendar of Events Links
Save the Date
2020 White Cane Walk for Independence
Click Here for more information on the 2020 White Cane Walk for Independence


text:
When searching for a youth program for their child, many parents choose Scout Programs. But whether parents choose a Scout Program or not, there are certain criteria every parents should look for in a youth program.
While there are many characteristics that make up a good youth program, generally good programs include the following:
* A priority on safety and health policies.* Opportunities to broaden the child or youth's horizon.* Adult leaders who make good role models.* Effective ratios of youth members to adult leaders.
Parents can also pay to attention to:
* Whether the staff and helpful and seem knowledgeable. * If youth are encouraged to be independent and solve problems when appropriate.* Is the atmosphere respectful of both staff and youth?* Are the facilities accessible and welcoming to everyone?* Do the youth appear happy and having FUN?
The Scout Programs of Adventure Scouts USA
The Scout Programs of Adventure Scouts USA have a first priority on the health and safety of our Scouts and Members. If there is any uncertainty with regard to safety during one of our activities the activity ceases or an alternative is found. We have developed and use standards of youth and member protection that exceed those of other Scout and youth programs or organizations.
Our Scout Programs broaden the horizon of our Scouts by enhancing in them a sense of wonder and purpose to their life. We encourage self-esteem within our Scouts and develop in them an appreciation for life long adventure and learning through activities that they choose, organize and lead.
Our Counselors are adults who are positive role models and encourage in our Scouts the value that character does count. Our Counselors embrace the identical principles of our Scout Promise, Scout Code, Scout Spirit, and the philosophy of the Scout Movement as our Scouts do. It is a requirement of the Scout Programs of Adventure Scouts USA that all Counselors receive diversity, disability, and program training as a part of our normal leadership training. Our Counselors also voluntarily participate in additional leadership training to further enhance their skills and talents.
During team meetings, programs, and activities, our guidelines require adult leadership in appropriate ratios of youth to adults.
The safety, well-being, and FUN of our Scouts are our top priorities.


text:
Candice Parsons (left) and Chloe McIntosh (right)
For two Liberty Lady Flames lacrosse players, the end of the season marks the end of an era. Chloe McIntosh and Candice Parsons are the only remaining individuals from Liberty's inaugural lacrosse team of 2010. Neither senior came to Liberty to play lacrosse. However, once they arrived, they became part of something very special. McIntosh, who was tabbed as a captain for the fourth year in a row, grew up playing basketball in her hometown of Dallas, Texas. The senior tried out for Liberty's women's basketball team her sophomore season, but did not make the team. However, McIntosh caught the eye of her future coach, Regan Denham. "She invited me to join the new lacrosse team, and I accepted, becoming the third member on the inaugural team," commented McIntosh. "I knew the Lord had a special plan for my life, but I just never imagined it would involve playing a sport at the Division I level that I had never heard of before." The career leader in ground balls and games started, McIntosh is also second all-time in program history with 58 caused turnovers and games played. Parsons, a Deerfield Beach, Florida native, planned to compete for the cross country team at Liberty before moving on to lacrosse. Parsons came to the decision to forgo playing sports upon her arrival in Lynchburg. However, after a couple of months, the senior missed being a student-athlete and decided to try out for the first-year lacrosse program. "I wanted to play a sport, and after a couple days of tryouts, I knew that I wanted to be a part of the team and be surrounded by such a great group of girls," stated Parsons. "Everyone was so welcoming." The career leader in games played, Parsons is second all-time in games started with 59. The senior is also in the top 10 in draw controls, caused turnovers and goals among other areas. When asked what it has been like building the program, both seniors stated it has been challenging at times, but very rewarding above anything else. "The first year of the program, a lot of us had never played before, so it was hard dealing with having a losing season. But looking back and seeing the obstacles our team has overcome is amazing," said Parsons. McIntosh stated, "It truly is amazing what God can and will do in your life when you follow him. I have developed friendships with teammates who will be lifelong friends, and I have made memories I would not trade for anything." The opportunity for the athletes to integrate their faith into their sport is something both have welcomed and cherish. "I think the most rewarding aspect of being a part of the program is the ability to integrate my faith with lacrosse" said McIntosh. "My faith is my top priority, so it is very rewarding to be able to mix it in with my love of lacrosse." "For me the most rewarding thing has been how I have grown spiritually," Parsons said. "Lacrosse has made me want to work harder on and off the field. The support we receive from administration and coaches is something some people might take for granted, but I would never be where I am now without it." When asked what differences she sees in her team since the inaugural season, Parsons said, "When the program first started, we were all just so focused on trying to become lacrosse players. But throughout the years we have become a family and year-by-year we just became closer and closer." McIntosh added, "We spent most of the first year learning the basics and fundamentals of lacrosse. We have made so much progress since then. Our program is much more competitive and we demand respect from other programs within the sport." The Lady Flames are in the midst of their winningest season in program history, posting an 8-9 overall record. Liberty's eight wins eclipses the previous school record of six victories, set in 2011. The Lady Flames notched a 4-3 record during conference action, securing the No. 4 seed for this weekend's inaugural Big South Lacrosse Championship. Both seniors are on track to graduate in May. McIntosh will be graduating with her Master of Science degree in Sport Management – Sport Administration. Upon graduation, the captain will be attending physical therapy school at nearby Lynchburg College. Parsons will be graduating with her Bachelor's degree in sport management. After a summer internship, the senior is planning to start her master's program, also in sport management. Once completing her master's degree Parsons will pursue a career in college athletics. Written by Danny Smith, an intern in the Liberty University Athletics Communications office.
Like Us on Facebook
Follow Us on Twitter
Follow Us on Instagram