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Online University: Accredited Not-for-Profit Distance Learning
Americans from all walks of life have been flocking to colleges and universities seeking higher education, and it's no wonder why—education pays. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2012, when the average unemployment rate was 6.8%, it was only 6.2% for those who held an associate's degree; furthermore, for those with bachelor's degrees, it was only 4.5% and people with master's degrees had only 3.5% unemployment.
In fact, a recent study by Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce showed that the more educated you are, the more you'll earn over a lifetime. A person with a high school diploma earns 34% more than someone who doesn't graduate, a person with an associate's degree earns 31% more than a high school graduate, and a bachelor's degree holder earns 35% more than someone with an associate's degree.While online programs are becoming more popular for their flexibility, convenience, and low cost, be careful when choosing a school. In addition to finding a program that fits your schedule, verify that the program has a good reputation and is accredited. Use this directory that follows to find the best online universities for your lifestyle and study preferences.
Use Search Tools to Find Accredited Online Colleges
In addition to the directory on this page, the following are good search tools to use to find the right school for you:
- Professional associations in various disciplines, like the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, are great resources for finding accredited, non-profit programs.
- A number of states provide an array of information on the colleges and universities within their borders on their official state higher education webpage.
- The National Research Council, an arm of the National Academies, ranks graduate programs on a wide variety of criteria, including publications, diversity, job placement, and student support.
- A list of nonprofit distance learning institutions can be found at the United States Distance Learning Association. Although it does not provide accreditation information, that information can be found at the U.S. Department of Education.
- U.S. News and World Report ranks online and campus-based colleges. This is an invaluable resource for students putting together their list of preferred programs.
Understand How Distance Education is Delivered
Online accredited programs are typically organized on an online learning platform like Blackboard. From the platform, students obtain their syllabus and assignments, along with other valuable course materials. Students and faculty keep in close contact via e-mail and the platform's message board.
For colleges and universities that have existed for hundreds of years, their online programs are structured like the school's own classroom courses. Often, the classes have a fixed-time format, forcing students to "attend" the course at set times on scheduled days. With this kind of fixed schedule, typically the lecture is streamed live.
Online schools that have no actual classrooms are the most flexible. Lectures are often recorded so students can access them whenever they want. Interaction with professors and other students occurs through the class platform, Skype, and e-mail.
Many students in blended programs feel that they have the best of both worlds. They are able to have classroom interaction with their peers and teachers for courses that are more suited to on-campus study (like labs), while still having flexibility for other courses that don't require such interaction (like writing classes).
Other blended programs incorporate in-person attendance and online learning in other ways. For example, some prominent MBA program includeresidencies, meetings that last three days to a week, typically at the beginning of the course, where students attend an intensive learning seminar similar to a professional conference. The remainder of the course is taken online.
See What It's Like to Take a Class
There is no typical online class, because programs are tailored to the unique qualities of each school and its students. For those programs with fixed-length courses, students may attend classes throughout a typical semester, turning in assignments and taking tests according to the professor's schedule. A typical semester is between 12 and 15 weeks.
With other programs, students may have a set amount of time to complete the coursework, and they turn in assignments and take tests according to their own schedules, but within the deadline (which could be anything from one semester to one year). Some programs even offer accelerated options allowing diligent students to complete a semester's worth of coursework in about eight weeks.
Assess the Pros and Cons of Distance Education Programs
There are many advantages to distance education programs, but there are a few disadvantages, as well. For instance, students in online programs miss out on the social experience that a traditional, on-campus experience provides. Online students may also have more difficulty finding study partners and making connections with university personnel.
On the other hand, online students typically have flexible school schedules; this is a boon to busy professionals seeking additional education, nontraditional students with families, and older students who prefer independent learning to studying in a classroom with young adults. Remember, students tend to get their online university degree at their own pace; this can make all the difference to someone who wouldn't be able to commit to a program with a rigid structure.
Although counterintuitive, another benefit to studying in a university online is the individualized attention students get from their instructors. Although e-mail doesn't provide face-to-face interaction, electronic communication between professors and students in online courses can service more in-depth discussions when compared with the tight office hour windows most in-person professors rely on. Many believe this is because the convenience of e-mail encourages students to ask more questions, which teachers can answer in greater depth.
Decide if Attending a University Online is Right for You
Online universities are not for everyone. Those who have always dreamed of attending university, pledging a sorority, and studying in a wood-paneled library will not necessarily enjoy the online experience. However, for a large number of people, an online education is the best option.
Students with disabilities
Despite the attempts made by brick and mortar schools to comply with ADA requirements and other laws, it remains the student's responsibility to arrange for necessary academic and physical accommodations for their disabilities. In fact, as many disabled students have learned, they often have toprove their disability by providing the results of diagnostic tests and copies of prescriptions.
With online degree programs, disabled students avoid much of this frustration. Many disabled students note that the online environment is already suited to meet their needs. They also report enjoying the flexible schedule, which allows them to spend extra time on challenging assignments. Having all course materials, including lectures, available for repeated reference is also helpful, not only for students with disabilities but for all students.
Returning from service abroad, veterans face a harsh economic reality—unemployment. In fact, although the overall unemployment rate in 2011 was 8.9%, the unemployment rate for Gulf War-era II veterans was a whopping 12%. Luckily, most veterans realize that the more education they have, the better chance they will have of finding a job. With programs like the GI Bill and the Yellow Ribbon Program, former servicemen continue to earn degrees and certificates that are in high demand.
Nontraditional students
Nontraditional, older students make up a third group thriving in online programs. With full-time jobs and families, working adults can't always fit traditional classes into their schedules. Having the flexibility to access course materials and lectures at their own pace, and from the convenience of their own homes, allows a vast group people who had once given up on their dream of attaining a college degree to realize that dream and advance their career.
Bonus: Online students – From art to biology, access free online courses from the top universities around the world!
Discover Courses from Around the World
Discover thousands of free online courses from top universities around the globe. We've compiled a list of quality online courses from more than 35 countries, allowing you to access the world's knowledge with the click of a mouse.
Our Sources
In curating this list of online courses, we've scoped out the education landscape around the globe in order to gather only the most reputable courses available. Our sources include universities from all over the globe, including Finland, Spain, and Turkey.
You'll find courses from universities in the UK, including The Open University, which was founded in 1971 and has been a pioneer in distance learning. Explore this university's vast selection of courses in the arts, history, finance, science, math, and more than eight languages.
Our sources also include top universities in Spain, which has been a leader in Europe in promoting online education. Explore courses from top universities in Madrid, Barcelona, and Salamanca. We've even found Spanish universities that provide courses in both English and Spanish, allowing you to study advanced content while also practicing your Spanish.
Online education in the Middle East is still in its beginning stages, but is expected to grow quickly. The demand for online courses in both Arabic and English is increasing, given the rising number of people, particulary women, who are gaining access to higher education. Despite the limited offer of online courses in this region, you'll find coursework from three universities in Saudi Arabia and Israel.
In order to provide a truly global perspective, we've also explored the state of online education in the East, where Taiwan and Japan are far ahead of other Asian countries in terms of the number of universities offering online content. Explore a list of quality courses from 17 universities in Taiwan and 18 in Japan. You'll even find seven schools that provide academic content in Japanese and two that offer content in both Japanese and English.
Online education in South America is being led by Columbia and Brazil. Columbia's menu of online courses includes academic content from four reputable universities, while Brazil has three universities offering online courses. These figures are expected to grow in Brazil, as the number of students at the university level continues to increase. You'll also find quality coursework from the South American countries of Chile, Ecuador, and Peru.
In North America, the United States is the clear leader in online education. We've compiled a list of courses from world-renowned universities, such as the Massachussetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Tufts University, and the University of Notre Dame. Every year top U.S. universities add to the ever-growing selection of free online courses, and some are even beginning to offer certificates of completion, which you can use to demonstrate your dedication to learning.
The schools we've chosen from around the world are high-quality research universities that offer content from their for-credit courses free of charge. By researching primary sources, we seek to provide the most reliable directory of online courses from around the globe. Use this resource to see how top universities around the world are approaching online education and increasing access for all who are interested in learning.
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Directory Listing
Add a patchset that simply covers for gnuconfig updating, that can replace both gnuconfig.eclass and econf's calls.
Replace 'Testing' with 'Applying', use ebegin/eend to give the status of patching, and make sure that if the trigger action works the patch is considered applied.
minor english cleanups
fixed up the introduction
Document patch_trigger_action function.
fixed DTD location
Fix xref.
grammar, spelling, general english and document flow cleanup, per flameeyes' request
Spelling corrections, thanks to lu_zero.
Start documenting the functions in the patchset's script.
Start writing documentation on writing patchsets.
Remove IFS reset, as the set was removed already.
Add some documentation about whitespaces in autoepatch.
Make standalone just a subsection of Introduction.
Add a paragaph about Gentoo specific software.
Add a section about requirements
Add chapter about alternate prefix.
Add a chapter on the reasons why a standalone package was chosen instead of other solutions, and start one about the way autoepatch works.
Add id value.
Commit the first draft for the documentation, only introduction for now.
Add a find() commodity function so that a particular find command can be used instead of the default one, this is needed for OpenBSD compatibility as their 'secure' version does not support the -exec {} + option.
Remove temporary files if the patch gets applied fine.
Fix typo: autepatch -> autoepatch.
Don't use xargs to start the grep command, the portable subset of find options allows -exec +, that does what we need. Also use egrep instead of fgrep.
Skip a find(1) execution, use fgrep to match a complete string, and make sure no false targets are outputted on empty commandline (can't use xargs's -r option as it's non-STANDARD).
Add patch for configure LANG settings.
Allow a patchset to specify a function to execute on the target instead of an actual patch, this way it can be used also to fix behaviours that would require a lot of patching (used already in KDE).
Use --null parameter instead of -Z as -Z is overloaded in FBSD's own grep command.
Output a warning if the patch failed to apply but it's not required.
Make the fbsd-conf patch apply everywhere, but make it required only on FreeBSD, so that it can be tested on every package beforehand, this is the same spirit that other patches should follow; to check if the patch is already applied or not, that's a task for patch_targets.
Filter the list of targets for the kde-autoconf patch: if autoconf 2.6 is already handled just skip them.
Announce the patchset first and the targets one by one later.
Handle errors from the patching subshell in different ways depending on the code.
Announce which patchset and on which target we're handling every time.
Add ability for a patchset to tell if the patch is required, and to give a specific error message in case it failed to apply.
Add COPYING with GPL-2 license.
Add first implementation of autoepatch; patches define a function to find which targets are to be patched, and autoepatch tries all the patches on them. There's a long list of TODOs to handle though.
Add a patch for KDE's admindir to show that autoepatch can be used for more than just ELT patches.
Add fbsd-conf patch from ELT-patches as a sample of elibtoolize patches.
Add patches directory
Add trunk/ directory.
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
Online and mail-order clothing retailer Boden is aiming to boost website revenue worldwide with software from Autonomy.
Boden has already trialled Autonomy Optimost software on its two largest websites in the UK and the US. The software is designed to enhance customer engagement and boost conversion rates.
The technology can perform intelligent analytics to deliver maximum business results. Boden uses Autonomy Optimost's Multivariable Testing (MVT) platform to test virtually limitless permutations of web content and layout of the Boden websites in real-time, and identify the versions which optimise customer behaviour online.
The system optimises virtually every online marketing element, including landing pages, registration pages, shopping carts, credit card pages, banner ads, email creatives, and web applications, as well as every content type within them, including headlines, copy, forms, images, and rich media.
Using the system, Boden said it had improved the bottom-line of its UK and USA sites. In one of many recent tests, said Boden, the company saw an increase of over 4.5 percent in revenue per visitor.
Boden will now use Autonomy Optimost's MVT across its entire online presence.
"Testing through Autonomy Optimost has enabled us to remove any doubt as to which online creative and navigation performs the best and delivers the biggest commercial uplift, said Mark Batty, eCommerce manager at Boden.
"Through a process of listening, testing and improving we have been able to develop a much clearer understanding of our customers' preferences and behaviour," said Batty.
Earlier this month, Waitrose was forced to apologise to customers after its newly designed website made it hard for them make orders. Waitrose also experienced serious speed and navigational problems on the site.


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In a case watched closely by banks and their commercial customers, a financial institution in Maine has agreed to reimburse a construction company $345,000 that was lost to hackers after a court ruled that the bank's security practices were "commercially unreasonable."
People's United Bank has agreed to pay Patco Construction Company all the money it lost to hackers in 2009, plus about $45,000 in interest, after intruders installed malware on Patco's computers and stole its banking credentials to siphon money from its account.
Patco had argued that the bank's authentication system was inadequate and that it failed to contact the customer after its automated system flagged the transactions as suspicious. But the bank maintained that it had done due diligence because it verified that the ID and password used for the transactions were authentic.
The case raised important questions about how much security banks and other financial institutions should be reasonably required to provide commercial customers.
Small and medium-sized businesses around the country have lost hundreds of millions of dollars in recent years to similar thefts, known as fraudulent ACH (Automated Clearing House) transfers, after their computers were infected with malware that swiped their bank account credentials. Some have been lucky to recover the money from banks that valued their business, but others, like Patco, were told by their banks that they were responsible for the loss.
Although the assets of customers with personal bank accounts are protected under federal law, commercial bank accounts are not. The only recourse such customers have when their bank refuses to assume responsibility for stolen funds is to try to pursue their money in state courts under the Uniform Commercial Code.
People's United Bank agreed to the settlement only after an appellate court indicated that the bank's security system and practices had been inadequate under the UCC.
"This case says to banks and to commercial customers ... that there are circumstances in which the bank cannot shift the risk of loss back to the customer, and we're not going to assume that security procedures are commercially reasonable just because the bank has a system that they say is state of the art," says attorney Dan Mitchell, who represented Patco.
Last year, a U.S. District Court in Maine ruled that People's United Bank wasn't responsible for the lost money, and granted the bank's motions for a summary dismissal of Patco's complaint. A magistrate agreed with the ruling saying in part that although the bank's security procedures "were not optimal," they were comparable to those offered by other banks.
But judges with the First Circuit Court of Appeals ruled last July that the bank's security system wasn't "commercially reasonable," (.pdf) and advised the two parties to try to come to a settlement, which they did about a week ago. Patco will not be reimbursed attorneys fees in the settlement.
Patco, a family-owned business in Sanford Maine, sued Ocean Bank, which is owned by People's United Bank, after discovering in May 2009 that hackers were siphoning about $100,000 per day from its online bank account. The hackers had sent a malicious e-mail to employees that allowed them to surreptitiously install the Zeus password-stealing trojan on an employee computer.
After obtaining Patco's banking credentials and waiting for its account to fill up with money, the hackers used the credentials to initiate a series of electronic money transfers over seven days. Nearly $600,000 worth of transfers were made out of the account via six transactions before Patco realized it had been hacked.
Ocean Bank, after being notified of the fraud, was able to block about $240,000 in transfers. But Patco was unable to retrieve the rest.
Patco, which had been banking with Ocean Bank for 24 years, sued the bank for failing to notice the fraudulent activity and stop it, saying that its security system was not "commercially reasonable" under the Uniform Commercial Code. Under Article 4A of the code, a bank receiving a payment order generally bears the loss of any unauthorized requests for fund transfers. The code also maintains that the "burden of making available commercially reasonable security procedures" belongs to the bank, because they "generally determine what security procedures can be used and are in the best position to evaluate the efficacy of procedures offered to customers to combat fraud."
Patco maintained that the bank's security system was inadequate and that the bank did not comply with its own security procedures.
Although the bank's security system flagged the transactions as unusually "high-risk" because the timing, value and geographical location of the transactions were inconsistent with the pattern of other transactions Patco had made, the bank didn't notice the alerts and let the transfers go through without notifying Patco.
Patco generally only made transfers once a week on Fridays, to make payroll payments, and the company made them from computers housed in its offices in Maine, which all used the same IP address. The most it ever transferred was about $36,000. Most of the fraudulent transactions were made in amounts exceeding $90,000, and they were initiated from different IP addresses. The money was also transferred to multiple people who had never received payments from Patco before. The fraudulent activity was caught only after some of the transactions were sent to bank accounts that didn't exist, causing the transfer to fail. When Patco was notified about the failed transactions, they determined the transactions had never been authorized.
Patco accused the bank of failing to implement "best" security practices, such as requiring customers to use multifactor authentication.
The bank used a system called NetTeller, made by Jack Henry & Associates, a firm that works with numerous banks. Jack Henry uses the same system for 1,300 of its 1,500 bank customers. The system offers a number of authentication options, but the bank rejected most of them, and also configured the system in a way that made it more risky for customers like Patco.
"They had a decent system, but they configured it improperly and they didn't use it properly," says Mitchell.
Although the system used challenge questions to ferret out fraudsters, the system only used three security questions, and asked one or more of them at every transaction Patco made. Because the hackers had installed keystroke logging software onto Patco's computers, they were able to record not only the user name and password for the account, but the responses to the three security questions that Patco employees set up for the account.
The appellate court ruled that the bank had substantially increased the risk of fraud by asking the security questions with every transaction and that this, in conjunction with a number of other failures, rendered the security system unreasonable.
Although the UCC places some burden on the customer to "exercise ordering care," the court found that it was unclear what obligations a customer had when the bank's security system was found to be commercially unreasonable.
Patco is not the first company to sue its bank over fraudulent money transfers. Experi-Metal sued its bank, Comerica, in 2009 after losing more than $550,000 in fraudulent wire transfers. Other cases are wending their way through courts around the country.
In 2010, the FBI disrupted a multinational cybertheft ring involving fraudulent ACH transfers. The thieves, using the Zeus malware, targeted small and medium-sized businesses, municipalities, churches and individuals. The scammers were able to steal more than $70 million from victims.


text:
Personal income increased 2.6 percent in December after increasing 1.0 percent in November. Accelerated bonus payments of $30 billion (at an annual rate) in December and $15 billion in November boosted wages and salaries. Accelerated dividend payments of $291.0 billion in December and $25.8 billion in November, made in anticipation of tax law changes, boosted personal dividend income.
Current-dollar disposable personal income (DPI), after-tax income, increased 2.7 percent in December after increasing 1.0 percent in November.
Real DPI, income adjusted for taxes and inflation, grew 2.8 percent in December after increasing 1.3 percent in November.
Real consumer spending, spending adjusted for price changes, increased 0.2 percent in December after increasing 0.6 percent in November.
PCE prices remained flat in December after decreasing 0.2 percent in November.
Personal saving rate
Personal saving as a percent of DPI was 6.5 percent in December, the highest rate since May 2009.
To learn more about personal income and outlays, read the full report.


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Hi. I'm new here. I posted this in another forum, but I think it's more appropriate here.
I'm looking to purchase MediaLab and DirectRT in order to run some subliminal priming studies. I plan to purchase a button box for precision recording, but I also need to purchase a computer.
I work at a small college so I plan to run everything on my computer, preferably a laptop. I would prefer a Macbook, but I'm not convinced, after reading and trying to understand all the comments people had to say about it here, that that is the best choice.
I am leaning toward the Lenovo laptops, but not sure which one to get. I believe a high refresh rate is something that it's important for subliminal priming studies (~5ms presentation times), but most of the websites I go to (i.e. Apple, IBM) don't seem to post refresh rate information.
Just curious to know what everyone else is using and if you can share any interesting, useful setup.


text:
Signs & Plaques
M6230 - Side Mounted Redwood Posts for CNC Routed Redwood Sign
Redwood posts, 2 x 8 inches, with the 2 in thickness facing us, were used as posts for this 1.5 in thick single-faced Redwood sign. No bottom lateral beam is needed because of the strength of the Redwood and the 5 foot span of the sign.
To see 120 other large carved & sandblasted 2.5-D, , engraved, or premium carved 3-D signs., please click on Product Line 6 - Entrance & Monument Signs . These dimensional signs are made from High-Density-Urethane (HDU) or Cedar or Redwood. They are mounted between two wood or steel posts, on a brick, stone, concrete or masonry base, masonry monument base, or on a hard-shell Extended Polystyrene (EPS) base. These dimensional monument entrance signs are good choices for municipalities, public buildings, businesses, malls, retail stores, apartments, condominiums, other residential communities, churches, farms, military bases, and wineries.
We can make a sandblasted or carved wood , HDU or EPS entrance sign of any design in any size from 3 ft to 14 ft wide. The wood or HDU panel signs can be placed on a stucco, stone or brick monument base, between iron or wood posts, or on a wall or gate. We can customize these signs with any shape, border, font style, or color scheme with carved (engraved) or raised text and art of your choice. The EPS monument signs are already integrated with the base and pillars.
For more information on design options, prices, and delivery schedules, please call us at 951-698-8484 or email us at email@example.com, and our knowledgeable and friendly customer service representatives will be happy to help you promptly.
You can visit our Home page by clicking on the dark gray tab on the left side of the header at the top of this page. Please click on one of the numbered gray boxes on the lower left margin of this page to see other Photo Galleries, or use the navigation dark gray tabs at the top, or the gray boxes on the upper left margin to see other information such as the "Prices & Design Options". "Request a Quote and Design" or "Place a New Order" forms. You can search for a specific sign type on this website by typing in key words in the Google Search bar at the top of this page.
You can return to the Gallery 6 (Entrance & Monument signs ) page by clicking on "Return to List" below right.


text:
ROCK HILL, South Carolina – January 22, 2013 - 3D Systems Corporation (NYSE: DDD) announced today that it plans to hold a conference call and simultaneous webcast to discuss its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2012 on Monday, February 25, 2013, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The company expects to release these financial results and to file its Form 10-K on February 25, 2013.
Date: Monday, February 25, 2013
Time: 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time
Listen via Internet: investor.3dsystems.com
Participate via telephone:
Within the U.S.: 1-800-295-3991
Outside the U.S.: 1-617-614-3924
Participant code: 68343877
The recorded webcast will be available beginning approximately two hours after the live presentation at investor.3dsystems.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements made in this release that are not statements of historical or current facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company to be materially different from historical results or from any future results or projections expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition to statements that explicitly describe such risks and uncertainties, readers are urged to consider statements in the conditional or future tenses or that include terms such as "believes," "belief," "expects," "estimates," "intends," "anticipates" or "plans" to be uncertain and forward-looking. Forward-looking statements may include comments as to the company's beliefs and expectations as to future events and trends affecting its business and are necessarily subject to uncertainties, many of which are outside the control of the company. The factors described under the headings "Forward-Looking Statements," "Cautionary Statements and Risk Factors," and "Risk Factors" in the company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as other factors, could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected or predicted in forward-looking statements.
About 3D Systems Corporation
3D Systems is a leading global provider of 3D content-to-print solutions including 3D printers, print materials and on-demand custom parts services for professionals and consumers alike. The company also provides CAD modeling, reverse engineering and inspection software tools and consumer 3D printers, apps and services. Its expertly integrated solutions replace and complement traditional methods and reduce the time and cost of designing and manufacturing new products. 3D Systems products and services are used to rapidly design, communicate, prototype or produce real functional parts, empowering customers to create and make with confidence.
More information on the company is available at www.3DSystems.com.


text: That was quick. Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that Jeremy Lin is headed for a stint with the Erie Bayhawks, along with Jerome Jordan. Lin apparent failed to impress the Knicks' front office with his 1.8 PPG in five appearances, and with Baron Davis' return looming, Lin looks like a long shot to return. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.


text:
The U.S. women's water polo team just took a big step toward their goal of bringing home the gold.
The U.S. beat Australia 11 to 9 in extra time in Tuesday's semifinal match.
In a bruising match between the two favorites in London, Australia's Southern Ash converted a penalty with one second left on the clock in regulation to tie the match 9-9 and force extra time.
U.S. & World
The officials awarded the penalty after U.S. coach Adam Krikorian called a time-out without his team having possession of the ball.
"Everything happened so quickly, but it was a big mistake on my part and it could have cost us the game," Krikorian said in a statement. "Sometimes the coach can let you down and the players need to pick you up. Thankfully they did that today."
Maggie Steffens, who scored four goals in the game, put the U.S. ahead in the first of two three-minute extra-time periods with a skip shot, and Kami Craig followed up with another goal to give the Americans the 11-9 win and another shot at their first gold medal in the event.
The meeting at the water polo arena in Olympic Park was a rematch of the semifinal four years ago at the Beijing Games that the Americans won 9-8 behind three goals from Brenda Villa.
"There is great rivalry with them," said Team USA's Lauren Wenger. "They bring it, we bring it. It's always going to be a great game."
And it's a game, historically, that's always been played for high stakes: The two teams have played each other at every Olympics since women's water polo debuted at the Sydney Games.
The winner will face either Hungary or Spain, who face off in the other semifinal.
When asked who the team would prefer to play, Team USA's Kami Craig said it doesn't matter.
"Don't know, don't care," she said. "We'll be ready for either of them."
Get Olympic updates: iPad App | iPhone App | Android App | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Instagram | RSS | Text Alerts | Email Alerts


text:
February 27, 2009
Jan Swoope - [email protected]
Great gospel music has been a hallmark of the Tenn-Tom Chapter of the American Red Cross fundraiser for the past seven years, and 2009 will be no exception. On Friday, March 13, the renowned Ron Blackwood and The Blackwood Quartet present their "Hope for America" tour in Trotter Convention Center at 7 p.m.
"This is our main fundraiser for the year," said Red Cross Executive Director Becky Thomas. "The proceeds will go toward our local disaster relief fund, and since we''re in tornado season now, we need to make sure funds are available if people are affected."
The Blackwood''s have long been recognized as one of the first families of gospel. Over the years, the family has won eight Grammy awards, 27 Dove Awards and five All American Music Awards.
Now, after 19 years of theater performances, veteran Ron Blackwood is hitting the road again. After a long tenure in Branson, Mo., and 11 years in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., he is touring with an all-male traditional gospel quartet he refers to as "the super group."
"I have literally taken months to hand-select the ''best of the best'' singers out there," he explained.
The men behind the voices making up Blackwood''s dream team include John Rulapaugh, of LaPlata, Md., formerly of The Dove Brothers and Palmetto State Quartet. "John is a true, classic tenor," stated Blackwood.
Known as a "singer''s singer," Josh Garner, of Fairfield, Ill., formerly of The Florida Boys, sings lead. Tracy Trent, of Asheville, N.C., sings baritone and assists with road management. Newcomer Trent Adams, of Lineville, Ala., sings bass.
Pianist Joe Cox, of Cookeville, Tenn., provides accompaniment. Blackwood himself keeps every concert moving with his signature high-energy emcee work, touching hearts with his testimony. Audiences say his baritone voice is reminiscent of his father''s, the late R.W. Blackwood Sr.
"I''m more than ready to make this move," the group''s leader said. "Singing in theaters has taken me away from my true love -- quartet singing. I''ve enjoyed doing variety shows, but it is time for a change. I''m at an age where I realize that I have to be true to my father''s legacy."
Tickets for the benefit concert, which also features regional favorites The McAdams Quartet, are $15 in advance at the Tenn-Tom Red Cross Chapter office located at 220 Fifth St. N. Admission at the door is $10. Children 12 and under will be admitted free. For more information, contact Thomas at 662-328-5710, or e-mail [email protected]
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.


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Lots of people around the country are outfitting their houses with energy-harvesting solar panels, and not just for the environment, but for government kickbacks, as well. Some companies will even foot the bill and install your panels for free, provided they can collect on the federal subsidies.
So if you're thinking about picking up a solar array for your own home, what do you do? Do you go with the zero dollar option and give up your kickbacks, or self-finance and reap the returns? And how much money can you really save by going solar, anyway?
For help answering all these questions, check out George Musser's article over at Scientific American. Musser has put together a really interesting and informative analysis of "the trials, tribulations and rewards of going solar," and it definitely warrants a read.


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Red Rising: My Frustration Abounds
Have you ever gone to see a movie with friends that was reviewed well, but when you guys showed up and sat through it, you realized something was wrong? And instead of leaving you guys figured, "Hey, instead of walking … Continue reading
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First the Olsen twins had that whole "let's decorate bags with prescription pills" thing happening and now, it's all about LEGO bricks. This time it's not an Olsen brainchild, but that of LEGO jewelry and accessories maker, Agnieszka Biernacka (say that three times fast). Biernacka is selling a limited edition LEGO-made Gucci replica on her site, Agabag, for $204 clams. The LEGO-emblazoned accessory, a.k.a the "Tribute to Gucci Clutch," follows in the footsteps of other LEGO items like her "Tribute to Hermes" black Birkin bag.
I'm all for fun in life as well as in fashion. LEGO bricks bring back nice childhood memories and render adults awestruck (I mean, how cool is the LEGO Statue of Liberty at the Toys 'R Us in NYC's Times Square?) But . . . (yes, there's a "but" in this), I think they belong in toy stores, a child's room or as non-fashion works of art, similar to sculptures that give towns a temporary dose of street spunk.
Gucci Clutch Made of LEGO Bricks: Yay or Nay?
A lovely Merlot in one hand and my LEGO Gucci in the other? Something about that is just, well, odd to me.
Kudos in the creativity department, but let's not forget that while LEGO bricks are synonymous with childhood memories, they're reminders of other things. Dogs and children drool on them, adults scream when they accidentally step barefoot on one. And then there's that $204 price tag. I'll pass.
Here then, are five affordable clutches: they're pretty, fun, practical and void of those plastic Braille-esque thingies, thank you very much.
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We're curious: What do you think of LEGO clutches?


text: Sea stars are invertebrates related to sea urchins, sea cucumbers and sand dollars, which are all echinoderms. Echinoderm means spiny skin—a reference to their hard, calcified skin, which helps to protect them from predators. Sea stars have rows of tiny tube feet extending from the grooved surface on their underside. These tube feet allow them to crawl along the ocean floor via suction created by an internal water-driven hydraulic system. These animals also have an amazing ability to regenerate arms when they are severed, or even a new body in some species. All of their vital organs are located in the arms, so a portion of an arm could potentially grow a whole new sea star. There are close to 2,000 species of sea stars in the world's oceans. Most species have five arms, but some have many more—even as many as 40! At the Aquarium, you can see 10 species of sea stars throughout the exhibits. Look closely in the Kelp Forest to spot the sun sea stars, which sport 20 arms each! Did You Know? Sea stars digest their prey outside of their bodies. Diet Sea stars are mostly carnivorous and prey on mollusks—such as clams, mussels, and oysters—which they pry open with their suction-cupped feet. At the Aquarium, we feed some of our sea stars pieces of fish and shrimp, but the majority of our sea stars feed on detritus, which helps to keep our exhibits clean. Sea stars have a peculiar way of eating. They actually digest their prey outside of their bodies by extruding their stomach out through their mouth and enveloping the prey item. When the meal is digested, the stomach is drawn back into the body. Size The smallest sea stars are less than an inch in diameter, while the largest sea stars can reach up to 3 feet in diameter. Range Sea stars live in saltwater and are found in all of the world's oceans, from warm, tropical waters to the cold seafloor. Predators Many different animals eat sea stars, including fish, sea turtles, snails, crabs, shrimp, otters, birds and even other sea stars. Though the sea star's skin is hard and bumpy, a predator can eat it whole if its mouth is large enough. Predators with smaller mouths can flip the sea star over and eat the softer underside. Back to the Top


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June 06, 2013
By KENNETH MILLER
Assistant Managing Editor
In an election that pitted Compton's past against its future, Aja Brown brought a burst of youthful energy, a USC master's degree in planning and almost a decade of experience working in cities, to the hub city's mayoral seat.
Brown, an urban planner pounded former mayor Omar Bradley with 63.7 percent compared to 36.2 percent of the vote. She captured 4,143 votes and Bradley got 2,360 votes.
The Compton city clerk office confirmed the results to the Sentinel late Tuesday evening and will certify the election results on Monday June 10.
On a relatively quiet night in the hub city where a slight breeze blew eastward on Compton Blvd., the woman who was destined to become the second female elected mayor in the history of Compton was at her noisy campaign office.
Brown, 31 posed for photographs and shook hands while her supporters wearing white Aja T-shirts made loud chatter as the voters went to the polls to decide whether they would pick someone who represented what Compton was or someone who represented what Compton can be.
It was clearly an election that hinged on the past versus the future and in the end voters made it clear that they were putting their trust in the hands of the future---Aja Brown.
"I believe that timing is everything and the city of Compton was ready for a change," said Brown.
Brown worked in Compton's planning department from 2009 to 2011 and at the height of the abyss and pending layoffs left to take a new job elsewhere.
"I was offered to stay on and even be promoted although I didn't meet the qualifications, but I decided against it because it wasn't right,' she explained.
Disappointed and hurt by the leadership of the city where she grew up, Brown went back four years ago, vowed to run for mayor and make a change at the top.
"When I look at Compton I don't think it's any different than Harlem or Brooklyn in that we have such a rich culture and people who have been successful, but they don't come back. I want to be the reason they return."
Compton is recognized as the birthplace of rap music and has produced the likes of Eazy E, Dr. Dre, The Game and also was responsible for tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams who grew up there. However, since moving to South Florida and dominating the world of women's tennis, they have yet to come back to Compton.
"If someone wanted to give back where would they give back to? There has not been a clear channel to establish an opportunity for them to give back," Brown told the Sentinel.
"I plan on focusing on basic governing. Nothing fancy. Just doing what is right to getting the city back on track. We have not had that type of infrastructure to sustain growth."
Brown realizes that the task before her over the next four years will not be easy but she believes that she is prepared for it.
"I believe that in anything that you do you are always going to have your critics. I don't live my life catering to people who criticize me, I live my life knowing that I have a purpose and everyone who wants an opportunity to join us in what we're doing here in this new vision for Compton is welcome."
Brown concluded; "The tough and hard work begins now."
In other Compton election results, Issac Galvan became the first Latino elected to City Council when he defeated incumbent Lillie Dobson 603 (60.0 percent) to 402 (40.0 percent).


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After a successful second quarter earnings report Wednesday, Town Sports International (TSI) saw its stock price skyrocket today.
TSI's stock, which is traded on NASDAQ, soared to a 52-week high of $9.88 during afternoon trading, a 29.5 percent increase from Wednesday's closing price of $7.63. Zacks Investment Research recently gave TSI shares a No. 1 rank (strong buy).
On Wednesday, the New York-based company reported its best results since the fourth quarter of 2008. TSI's revenue increased 0.7 percent in second quarter 2011 to $118.3 million compared to second quarter 2010 ($117.4 million). Comparable club revenue increased 1.5 percent and ancillary club revenue increased 11.4 percent in second quarter 2011 compared to the same period last year. Personal training revenue experienced 7.2 percent growth, TSI's highest personal training growth in more than two years.
Also, adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) was $24.3 million in second quarter 2011, a 26.3 percent increase compared to adjusted EBITDA of $19.3 million in second quarter 2010.
"We're very proud of our second quarter results, and the initiatives that are now driving our renewed growth," TSI CEO Bob Giardina told analysts during the call. Those initiatives include a student- and teacher-restricted membership program, which has produced 12,000 members since the end of first quarter 2011, and 20,000 members since the end of second quarter 2010, Giardina added.
All told, TSI gained 7,000 net new members in second quarter 2011, bringing its total to 517,000 compared to 496,000 in second quarter 2010. Giardina said that TSI has added a total of 24,000 new members in the first half of 2011. Attrition decreased slightly, from 3.3 percent per month in second quarter 2010 to 3.2 percent per month in second quarter 2011.
"What I really liked about our growth in the second quarter is that it was multifaceted," Giardina told analysts. "It came from new members, improvements in our attrition rate, nice growth in personal training, and an increase in our joining fee of more than 40 percent to $64."
The net loss for TSI in second quarter 2011 was $410,000 compared to the net loss of $815,000 in second quarter 2010.
TSI raised its expectations for third quarter 2010 to between $116 million and $117 million compared to $113.1 million for third quarter 2010.
TSI plans to open two new clubs in fourth quarter 2011, clubs that Giardina said have been in the works since 2008. The two suburban clubs—one in Garnerville, NY, and the other in Bayonne, NJ—will each be about 30,000 square feet and cost about $4 million to build, Giardina said.
"We're excited about their potential," Giardina said. "We believe after not signing a lease for a new site since 2008 that there are some pent-up great opportunities out there. With that said, any decision we make about club growth will include only modest growth and will not disrupt our plans to continue to expand our free cash flow."
The company plans to invest $29 million to $32 million in capital expenditure in 2011, an increase from $22 million in 2010. Giardina said there are currently no leases signed for 2012 but added that the company would at most open two to three clubs in the latter part of next year. Those leases likely would be for smaller clubs (about 15,000 to 20,000 square feet), cost less than $3 million to build and placed in urban markets, Giardina added.
"All areas of our business are moving in the right direction, and we did not rely on economic rebound for this to take shape," Giardina said. "To my delight, the improvements made for the business are ahead of where I thought we would be 12 months ago. So if you can't tell, we are excited about our current business momentum, our outlook for the rest of the year and next year and our ability to deliver on the goals we have previously stated."
TSI's momentum follows a refinancing of its $350 million debt earlier this year. Just a few weeks ago, Giardina and TSI were honored at NASDAQ with the ringing of the bell.
TSI operates New York Sports Clubs, Boston Sports Clubs, Philadelphia Sports Clubs and Washington Sports Clubs.


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DS Podium Chronograph 1/10 sec
Reference: C034.417.16.057.00
Diameter: 41.00 mm
A modern interpretation of a classic: This new edition of the popular DS Podium Chronograph features a Precidrive™ quartz movement, tenths of a second in real time, and an impressive 41 mm case, for even greater precision and sporting elegance.
EUR 480.- Recommended retail price (incl. VAT)
Case: DS Concept Stainless steel 316L Protected crown
Bezel: Stainless steel 316L Tachymeter
Glass: Sapphire crystal Antireflection treatment on one side
Dial: Black Index + Arabic
Movement: Swiss Made Quartz PrecidriveTM End Of Life 1/10 sec in real time Chronograph 30 min.
Water resistance: Up to a pressure of 10 bar (100m)
Bracelet: Leather Embossed cow leather alligator look alike
Lining: Synthetic
Buckle: Stainless steel 316L Butterfly clasp with 2 push-buttons


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Over near Blanco Texas, harvest is long over. The hill country fields are sunburnt and ready for cool. Today it reached almost 90F ….It is November!
So a quick run over to Dry Comal Creek Winery for a French Colombard & Jalapeno Shooter ( I know, the bottle says Sauvignon Blanc, that was wine #2, waiting for us to cool down). Hot and cold at the same time. Worth a try. Wine~Texas style. It isn't Tuscany, but it is a short break.
Out to the open air criadera where the sherry like wine is developing.
Unfortunately the Long horn steer didn't make it. This is tough country.
Double-wide country style cooling tank?


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If you're planning a short break or a weekend away in the Midlands, our experts have rounded up some of the best hotel offers so that you can grab a great deal. Our pick includes traditional inns in the Peak District, manor-house hotels in the Nottinghamshire countryside and central Birmingham boltholes.
The Midlands is home to swathes of unspoiled countryside that's dotted with pretty villages, as well as historic market towns and cosmopolitan urban hotspots such as Birmingham, which is Britain's second largest city.
Keep an eye out for deals that include perks such as meals, drinks, room upgrades or tickets to local attractions. If you can't find what you're looking for in the Midlands, take a look at the rest of our hotel deals in the UK.
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Travelzoo publishes top travel deals from hundreds of travel companies in countries around the world.


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Google is a global technology leader focused on improving the ways people connect with information. Google's innovations in web search and advertising have made its website a top Internet property and its brand one of the most recognized in the world.
Coach Your Team to Success
This informative session will share strategies you can apply immediately to start improving your effectiveness at being the very best manager of your business. Read more
40 Ideas for Social Media Content
Here are 40 content ideas to keep your social media posts fresh. They include posts about your business and industry and posts with personality.
Connect with Customers Through Video
Join this webinar for best practices for connecting with customers through video, integrate video into your online strategy and produce videos on a budget. Read more
Creating Effective Online Ads
In this webinar, you'll discover how online ads can help your business connect to new customers, promote special offers and grow brand awareness. Read more
Make Your Website Work for You
Attend this webinar and learn how to create a search-friendly site that's useful for customers and supports your business goals. Read more
How Changing Consumer Behavior Impacts Your Business
This webinar covers emerging consumer search behaviors, tips for using data to understand consumer needs and how you can position your business for success. Read more
Succeeding in a Micro-Moments World
This webinar discusses the importance of your business being present from the moment someone finds you online to the moment they become a customer. Read more


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The summer is an inviting thought for All Black hooker Keven Mealamu and also a time to re-think some of his training strategies to extend his career.
He's keen to get team physio Peter Gallagher, muscle therapist George Duncan and the Blues medics together to sort out some revised training plans to help his ageing legs and his recurring calf injuries.
As long as there's not too much swimming, Mealamu will be happy. Like many of his Polynesian buddies, he reckons he swims at a 45-degree angle to the surface. In his season with the Chiefs they did triathlon training and, when he went in the water, Mealamu reckoned he "spent most of my summer drowning".
He's far from done in his 101-test match career but is getting exasperated with the calf muscle injuries which have blighted his season. They bring him power and agility when he squirts off on one of his low-centre-of-gravity runs and anchor him in the scrum - but those pistons have not been as reliable as usual.
They interrupted his work in a wretched Blues year and last week the chunky 33-year-old was forced off the Stadio Olimpico against Italy because of a strain. Mealamu had a crack at training early this week to see if he could play Wales but afterwards when he sat down with coach Steve Hansen, it became clear what he should do. Hansen wanted Mealamu to finish the season strongly and that best chance was to have further rest and treatment to see if he could play against England.
"I did some damage earlier in the season. I'd say it is a bit of age but also the way I like to play the game. It will be something I will be looking into in the off-season to try and see if I can find some ways for prevention."
On this tour Mealamu and Andrew Hore have been watching the work of Dane Coles, plucked from Hurricanes and Wellington duty to be the third hooker in the squad.
Hore is 34, Mealamu 33, while the fresh-faced Coles turns 26 in December. There is a bit of room there to tune some areas of his game as the All Black staff, scrum guru Mike Cron and two seasoned hookers help out. At times Corey Flynn has had a run with the All Blacks, while John Afoa, Aled de Malmanche and Hika Elliot were also capped.
None lasted the distance. Now it is Coles under scrutiny while a clutch of up-and-comers at home must give themselves a chance.
"I think we are in pretty good hands with the quality and amount of hookers around," Mealamu said. "The last month I have spent with Dane, he is a real humble guy, a guy who picks up things quick and I think he is one to watch out for in the future and even now. It is not about giving him too much information. It is perhaps settling on one thing that he can go away and work on.
"With too much information, you get almost nothing out of it. I think one thing is better for him to work on then you get so much more improvement. He is a hard worker and the progress will come."
Mealamu learned a great deal from Anton Oliver in his All Black career while Mark Hammett was also great in sharing his expertise. Both Mealamu and Hore were mindful they had to give as much guidance as they could to the next batch of hookers so the All Blacks continued to keep their standards.
There are Super Rugby contenders such as Quentin MacDonald, who is heading to the Blues. Mealamu liked his game and was keen to put it under closer inspection. Another Blues man, James Parsons, had shown some grit in what was a tough ITM season for him at North Harbour. He appeared to have an all-round game, was a strong runner and had a thirst to improve.
Tack on men like Ben Funnell and Codie Taylor at the Crusaders and the list of talent was rising. "From a personal point of view, I think the rising group of hookers is something Horey and I have noticed and it will push us hard to try and stay in front.
"When the day comes when we can't compete any more, that will be it ... but we both like to think we still have a few tricks up our sleeves to keep going at All Black level."


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15 Minute Taco Rice Skillet
Ready in 15 minutes.
Servings: 4
1 pound ground beef
2 cups water
1 package taco seasoning
2 cups Minute Rice
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Coarsely crushed tortilla chips
Shredded lettuce
Chopped tomato
Sour cream
Brown meat in large skillet over medium-high heat; drain. Add water and seasoning mix to skillet; stir. Bring to boil. Stir in rice. Sprinkle with cheese, cover. Cook on low heat for 5 minutes. Top as desired with ingredients above and enjoy!


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Daily Slice: The Comet from Casanova Pizzeria, Boise, Idaho
A different slice profiled each day.
It's hard to know whether Dan Guild knew just how incredibly popular his pizzeria would be when he moved from New Haven, Connecticut to Boise, Idaho and opened Casanova. All that can be said with any certainty is that the crowds flocking here day in and day out aren't going to let up anytime soon.
Guild claims he started Casanova because he couldn't find New Haven-style pizza anywhere in the area, but the funny thing is, I don't think the pizza he's making now is strictly New Haven-style either. In fact, I'd say it's more Neapolitan-inspired, with some New Haven influence, especially on the toppings. The menu covers both bases. Margherita? Check. Clam pizza with bacon? Check.
This marriage of the two styles of pizza comes through in the best pie I had at Casanova, The Comet. The crust is made with high-protein Giusto flour and goes through a two day cold ferment before it's ready to be used. It emerges from the wood-fired oven thin in the center and puffy around the outer rim, with a good salt content, blond underside, and a slight crunch that quickly gives way to a dense, chewy interior.
The red sauce begins with a base of 6-in-1 tomatoes, which is then blended with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, dried oregano and basil, and an infusion of garlic. It's bright and sweet, but not cloyingly so. Resting on top of the bed of salty aged mozzarella are large, thin discs of pepperoni, sliced tomatoes, and as the menu states, "lots of garlic." They aren't kidding; the chopped garlic is front and center, and it is delicious.
Only the fresh tomatoes felt superfluous. Since they bring no flavor to the party, they should never have been invited in the first place. That said, they don't hurt this pie, really, and they shouldn't discourage you from ordering it. Garlic-lovers who find themselves anywhere near Boise should flock to this pizza like hipsters to a Belle & Sebastian concert.
Casanova Pizzeria
1204 South Vista Ave., Boise, ID 83705 (map) 208-331-3535; casanovapizzeria.com
All products linked here have been independently selected by our editors. We may earn a commission on purchases, as described in our affiliate policy.


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RBC.com | Français | | Contact Us
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About RBC > Media Newsroom > Speeches > Putting you first: Empowering women entrepreneurs
Charlie Coffey
Executive Vice President
Government Affairs
RBC Financial Group
Women in transition Seminar
South Calgary Community Association
Calgary, Alberta
Saturday, February 19, 2005
Judy, thanks very much for the warm introduction. In all the years I've been with RBC, this is the first time I've been introduced by a member of my extended family at an event. I'm pleased it was you Judy and I'm not just saying that because your mother - my sister Patsy - is in the audience!
You know, "always earning the right to be our clients' first choice" is more than RBC Financial Group's vision - it's the way smart organizations and people succeed in business - it's the way Judy succeeds in business. Over the last twelve years, Judy has endeavoured to make a difference in her career as a real estate professional and founder/co-owner of an inner city home building company. A commitment to excellence is her trademark with every client and with every deal. And she also makes a point of donating a portion of each sale to the Alberta Children's Hospital via the Children's Miracle Network. In the words of Christina MacWilliam (who's here today): "Judy helped my elderly parents sell their last home and move into an assisted living manor. She took the time to listen to their concerns and fears about moving, she helped them get the best value for the home they were selling and she left a lasting positive impression upon them." Needless to say, Judy leaves a lasting impression on many people, especially her two marvelous daughters, Lydia and Hannah - and certainly on me.
I so enjoy visiting Calgary and getting a sense of the "extraordinary quality of life" here. As your Mayor Dave Bronconnier said in last year's annual report: "Calgary's reputation as a leading North American city is growing." And I couldn't agree more. This is a great city for women - for mothers, executives, educators, professionals, administrators, community leaders, financial services providers, real estate agents and entrepreneurs - not to mention, for women in transition.
Although my remarks will focus on women entrepreneurs and RBC's support of this growth market, I want to assure you this seminar's theme, women in transition, hasn't been lost on me. I started asking myself some questions about our women entrepreneur clients: do we (at RBC) know if they've recently lost a mother/father or a spouse/partner? Do we know if they're caring for both children and elderly parents? Do we know if they're considering care-giving or retirement home facilities for loved ones? Do we know if they're going through separations or divorces? Chances are we don't always know. What we do know is this: there are psychological, legal and financial considerations for women in transition, women who may very well be entrepreneurs. Perhaps women in transition need to consult with a counselor, lawyer or investment adviser along the way and this begs the question: are most women prepared for transitions? In our case, what role can a financial services provider (like RBC) play, to help support smooth transitions for clients?
Let's step back a bit, to address both questions. Starting/growing/selling a business, applying for a job, taking a new class, re-locating, getting married, raising children or as US-based entrepreneur Kelly Smith says, "playing on a field previously zoned, men only" are all examples of stepping outside of the comfort zone - more examples of transitions. And to reinforce part of Geli's message from this morning: " the strength of your emotional reactions to any given situation is directly related to the strength of the charge that your emotional memory carries. By reconnecting with your feelings you can reduce the strength of these emotional memories. This allows you to move towards a place where you experience choice rather than an automatic reaction. Lightening the load of your emotional baggage is re-energizing, allowing you to move forward in new ways that you never thought possible."
And moving forward is a good thing. Effectively managing transitions involves certain mind-sets and skill-sets - tools that aren't acquired or learned overnight. There's no manual on how to handle transitions - it's often a one day at a time scenario with peaks and valleys along the journey. So for RBC, it appears an appreciation of a client's overall circumstances and psyche is key. Ensuring clients have the right information at the right time helps pave the way to better financial choices and outcomes, and helps avoid spur of the moment decisions that can adversely affect short and long term goals. It's all part of putting you first
Just this week (February 15), "international entrepreneur, author (and CEO) Laurel Delaney announced the release of Global Guru: Shaking Things Up, Making Things Happen, a manifesto which enables entrepreneurs and small businesses to expand internationally. The timing has never been better for business owners to get out of their own backyards and transition from local, regional or national firms into global players." The use of the word transition caught my immediate attention. Delaney's book goes on to describe, "12 key qualities of the spirit and intellect essential to pushing boundaries." They include:
I got to thinking that these qualities also make sense in client/banker relationships. As bankers, we can always learn more about our client's business, we can always be more flexible and innovative in our thinking, we can always focus on building stronger connections and we can always be more proactive in our approaches. We can also be more upfront about perceptions and myths. In other words, the skills we use to best serve our clients can also be honed to support women entrepreneurs in transition. Again, it's all part of putting you first
When RBC targeted the women entrepreneurs market some eleven years ago, our initial strategy was community/grassroots-based we created advisory councils. Women told us to put dollars into learning - provide education and support, break down barriers and help build networks. Knowing we had to change the culture and mind-set of our staff, we embarked on training our workforce - small business account managers - men and women across the country. The program taught gender communication but it also served to raise market awareness within our sales force.
We needed a way to sustain and spread the learning, so we created local champions - the cornerstone for delivery of our programs. The national network comprises approximately 100 women entrepreneur market champions. And we also have relationship account managers such as the outstanding team in Calgary, several of whom have joined us today: colleagues like Aileen Rycroft, Christine Miller, Pam Korniat, Marshal Cohen, Wendy Sunderland, Helene Carron and Al Block, who share a passion for "always earning the right to be our clients' first choice." I know members of our team will introduce themselves to you throughout the day if they haven't already.
RBC also wanted to make it easier for women entrepreneurs to find useful information faster, as that's what good relationship building is all about. This was on our minds when we launched the web site for women entrepreneurs (http://www.rbcroyalbank.com/sme/women/) and our Champions newsletter.
These resources provide information, association listings and news, as well as tips about access to markets, networking, financing, growing your business and much more. Copies of our newest edition of Champions are available here, so please pick one up at your convenience. It's all part of putting you first
It's no surprise there's several myths about obtaining financing for women entrepreneurs. The reality is that, when it comes to financing their businesses, women and men are both approved at the about the same rate. The size of the company, length of time in business and the type of industry are just some of the factors that influence decisions made about financing - and these are non-gender specific.
For example, a common perception is that women entrepreneurs are approved for credit less often then men. In fact, women are more conservative when they approach their financing requirements - and they borrow less. When we surveyed our customers, 68% of women-owned businesses reported they have business borrowings versus 75% of male owned businesses. This includes borrowings from RBC or any other lender whether they are company loans, lines of credit, leases, or commercial mortgages.
Women-led businesses also tend to have a more conservative capital structure with less debt. As a result, women get approved at the same or better rates than their male counterparts. In a survey, Statistics Canada found that 85% of female owned businesses were approved for credit vs. 80% for men. And a Thompson Lightstone survey found the approval rate for women to be 91% vs. 82% for men.
We realize that access to financing/expertise is essential for any business, so we created partnerships both in and outside the country to help support the development of small business. RBC also initiated and participated in trade missions and alliances with the federal government. These types of initiatives open exporting doors for many women entrepreneurs.
Prime Minister Paul Martin foresees "a Canada where the increasing number of women entrepreneurs has every opportunity to succeed and contribute a vital new dimension to our economy - a Canada where there's no glass ceiling for women entrepreneurs." Since close to 821,000 women entrepreneurs contribute $18 billion to the Canadian economy each year, women need to continue raising the bar and raising their voice.
RBC also sponsors many events, like this one, because this is where relationships are started and alliances are formed! It's also one of the reasons we established a virtual network on our web site. This is an online community that entrepreneurs can join to receive helpful resources and free publications. Community associations and organizations are also doing wonderful work in helping women to access information and facilitate networking.
Needless to say, RBC is proud to be the #1 bank for women entrepreneurs in Canada, with 22 per cent market share. We know the women entrepreneurs' market is the market of the future and the future is now: we also know that consumer spending accounts for two thirds of the economy and that women make 85% of all consumer purchasing decisions. Women entrepreneurs also account for 70% of new business start-ups.
Clearly, women are important to Canada's economy and to RBC's business. And although business interest and opportunity led RBC to pursue the women entrepreneurs' market, I saw other agendas at play - the big one being the critically and strategically important contributions that women make in advancing a civil society. This has been a common thread all along.
The countless women I've met over the years have given me insight into the intrinsic connection between the economic and social agendas of our country. And RBC's work in this market has made it crystal clear to us (call it self-enlightenment if you will), that Canada's prosperity is contingent on the key link between these two diverse agendas. The impact and influence of women on the prosperity of Canada is also undeniable
RBC still has a way to go in meeting the needs of women entrepreneurs (and women in transition), yet we're proud of our accomplishments to-date. Through our activities, initiatives and feedback from clients, we're generating more awareness about the economic power of businesswomen and women consumers. We believe very passionately in serving and supporting women entrepreneurs.
And speaking of women entrepreneurs and women in transition did you know that the China Association of Women Entrepreneurs (CAWE) projects women entrepreneurs to make up 30% of all entrepreneurs in China within three to five years? It also urges women to study strategies for managing a business as well as study skills to achieve domestic happiness. "A recent survey by the association showed that 85% of women executives look after their kids' education and 60% look after their parents." We cannot underestimate these findings (including the impact of child care), which have wider spread application.
As we head to the final stretch of my more formal remarks and into my favourite part - hearing from you, I want to focus on a few success stories of women entrepreneurs, including some RBC clients; you'll see elements of transition in each story:
Obviously Calgary (and Alberta) has more than enough women entrepreneur success stories to boast about. Here's one more that's about to enjoy increased public attention. The 10th annual Rotman Women in Management Breakfast is being held on Tuesday March 1 at the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto. Not only is RBC Capital Markets the proud presenting sponsor, we're thrilled that one of the keynote speakers is Manjit Minhas, President, Mountain Crest Liquors Inc. "Her company produces, develops and markets 90 brands of spirits, wines, beers and cordials in Alberta. These products are manufactured for the company in Kentucky, New Jersey and Wisconsin, as well as Holland and Germany. Manjit was recently named to Profit's Top Women Entrepreneurs list and Alberta Venture's Top 50 Fastest Growing Companies and was nominated for the "Top 40 under 40"in Canada." All I can say is wow!
In closing, I want to share a little "blue and pink" food for thought. It may shed some communications light on building business relationships, making the deal, gender issues and managing transitions. You may have read Wallace Immen's article in the Globe and Mail on Wednesday (February 16). It focused on author Ronna Lichtenberg's premise that the key to career success is, "understanding the contrasting styles and needs of blue and pink -- the two colours that stereotypically identify how men and women approach interactions with other people People with blue styles, according to Ms. Lichtenberg, define their identities by their credentials, achievements and where they stand in the hierarchy. Conversely, people with pink styles want to connect on a personal level before they get to the agenda once they connect, they continue to build a long-term relationship." Here's some advice (in excerpted form) from Ronna Lichtenberg (Pitch Like a Girl: How a Woman Can Be Herself and Still Succeed), for best reaching people of both colours:
"Pitching to a blue: cover one topic at a time; get to the point quickly and agree on an action before moving on; back up statements with numbers; when listening, don't react with facial expressions or verbal affirmations; stress the advantage of your proposal in performance terms; use visual illustrations, such as charts and graphs."
"Pitching to a pink: use examples to make abstract concepts more real; tie the benefit of your proposal to people; show you are listening by using facial expressions or verbal affirmation; make points with stories; appeal to senses using colour, sound or images."
In that note, special thanks to Wendy Sunderland for inviting me to speak at this wonderful event and coordinating my involvement - and of course to Judy for orchestrating this seminar.
And special thanks to everyone in this room - by putting your "blue and/or pink" self first and being here today, you made an investment in yourself and in your future! At RBC, we promise to put you first too!
Thanks very much and now let's hear from you!


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If you have credit card debt and good credit, chances are pretty high that you're wasting money on interest.Just how much you're wasting will vary tremendously based on your interest rate and average monthly balance, but here are a few numbers to reflect on:
- A person who carries an average balance of $1,000 a month on a credit card with a 12% interest rate will spend $120 a year on interest. A 12% rate on $5,000 of credit card debt costs $600 yearly. Ouch.
- If the interest rate is 16%, carrying an average monthly debt of $1,000 will cost $160 a year. And $5,000 – that will cost $800. DOUBLE OUCH!
Despite the fact that credit card debt is astoundingly costly, it is easy to overlook the big ticket headline yearly cost when interest expenses are spread around a couple of credit cards. It may only be $15 a month here or $15 a month there, but when added up and multiplied by 12 months, the expense is pretty daunting.
That's where 0% balance transfer credit cards come into play. We've all seen the offers that arrive in the mail and perhaps some believe them to be too good to be true. They are not.
0% APR balance transfers are essentially the only free lunch in the credit card world. Nevertheless, they are not a magic cure for credit card debt. Instead, they are more like an extremely powerful tool that can be used to save money on debt that cannot be repaid quickly.
Here's how you can capitalise on balance transfers.
- As a way to prevent credit card debt from growing: While this is not the optimal way to use balance transfers, simply moving debt from a high rate card to one with a 0% APR will result in interest savings. It's really that simple.
- As part of a debt reduction plan: While getting a year-long reprieve from interest expenses is obviously good for anyone's finances, the best way to approach a balance transfer is with an eye on reducing debt as much as possible during the 0% period. Because there are no monthly interest charges, every payment helps reduce outstanding debt. Thus, the $800 in interest a person with $5,000 of credit card debt at a 16% rate would pay in a year can not only be saved, but used to reduce outstanding debt by 16%.
Ultimately, it is difficult to argue against the benefits of 0% APR balance transfers. At the very least, they can be used to prevent debt from growing out of control. And, if used as part of a debt reduction plan, they can expedite the process of becoming debt free by freeing up cash that would be spent on interest that can instead be used to pay down the principle owed.
Jeffrey Weber blogs incessantly about how consumers can save money atSmartBalanceTransfers.com/blog, where he has been Editor and Chief Card Analyst since 2007.
**Make sure to do your homework before signing up to any cards – some are much better than others.
Don't miss: How one writer clawed her way out of debt to pay off her credit card >
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The health and well-being of our valued customers, associates and communities are always a top priority at Sutherlands. As we navigate the coronavirus (COVID-19) developments, we wanted to send a personal note to let you know how we are responding.
We appreciate your continued support of our family business during these challenging times.
The Sutherland Family
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Welcome to Alignment Rockford
Welcome to the Alignment Rockford home page! Alignment Rockford is a public school support organization. We employ a process to design and pilot tactical solutions in areas of greatest strategic need for Rockford Public Schools.
Our mission is to align community resources in support of public school strategies to raise student achievement, improve the health and happiness of our children, and advance the economic and social well-being of our community.
Alignment Rockford envisions all students graduating from high school with marketable employment skills and enrolling in post-secondary education and training. They are eager to live, work, learn, create and play in the Rockford Region as contributing adults.
Here on the home page you can see what's new. To view the open Invitations to ParticipateTM or to learn more about each working committee's solution design activities, visit the Committee Work page. If you'd like to discuss being more involved please contact us.
Alignment Rockford | 815 N. Church Street | Rockford, IL 61103 | Phone: 779-774-4389
© 2009-15 A Collaborative Initiative of Alignment RockfordTM
Invitation to ParticipateTM and ITPTM All rights reserved.


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Whispering Wolfgang at Kings Place
A rare performance of Mozart's music for glass harmonica at Kings Place intrigues Helen Wallace
Can it be that the more flawed the work, the more revealing? Our picture of Mozart is formed almost entirely via a stream of his operatic and symphonic masterpieces, those outpourings of inspired poetic perfection, which rush past without so much as a momentary snag or a doubting glance. Having just heard Le Nozze di Figaro (ENO) and then the Academy of St Martin in the Fields hurtling through the magnificent Prague Symphony (Kings Place), it came as something of a shock to encounter Mozart struggling, both with form and the challenge of new technology.
The Schubert Ensemble's concert at Kings Place on 16 October drew a crowd, no doubt to witness a rare performance of Mozart's two works for glass harmonica. This modest instrument, which works on the principle that the friction from a wet finger drawn around the rim of a glass creates a tone, was developed by the inventive genius Benjamin Franklin (in 1762). He arranged graded sizes of glass bowls concentrically along a pedal-driven spindle, so making it possible for the performer to make a continuous sound.
(above: Thomas Bloch plays music by Mozart on the Glass Harmonica. Source: YouTube)
And what an evocative sound…. it seemed to be the glassy, spectral last-drawn breath of the 18th century that emanated from the dripping fingers of engaging exponent, Alasdair Malloy. He gave a brief, entertaining history of the craze for 'armonicas' (Gluck was a virtuoso, even Beethoven composed for it). For a while, it was a must in every aristocratic household in Europe, taken up enthusiastically by fellow Freemason Anton Mesmer (an acquaintance of the Mozarts) as part of his 'mesmerising' cure to stimulate the seat of animal magnetism, cure illnesses and calm the insane. After hearing Malloy perform the fragile Adagio K365, which sounds like a distant fairground organ and inhabits the world of The Magic Flute, one could understand why the harmonica soon became notorious for precisely the opposite effect: far from promoting harmony, its ethereal whispering was thought to tangle with the nerves. And when Malloy launched into the rather ordinary Adagio and Rondo with string quartet (K617) where every quaver quavers on the edge of silence, and a quick-drying finger can result in an inadvertently broken chord or excruciating gasp, apprehension drew close to insanity… this was the composer's last chamber work, and began to sound to my ears like the wheezing laughter of his ghost, amused at our po-faced reverence for his little piece of kitsch.
Another odd late work in the programme was the Adagio in B minor K540, played with quiet intensity by William Howard. A fragmented, hesitant narrative of despair reveals Mozart exploring distant tonalities, aching suspensions and a condensed, almost deconstructed development redolent of late Beethoven. In that unexpected melting into the major at the end, he also seems to anticipate Schubert: there's a fascinating sense of a mind straining towards the musical future.
The remainder of the concert found Mozart on a high, with George Caird the soloist in the explosively virtuosic Oboe Quartet turning somersaults on the harmonic high-wire, while the brief but satisfying Piano Concerto K449 fuses contrapuntal acrobatics with all the drama of opera buffa.
Helen Wallace is consultant editor of BBC Music Magazine
- Article Type: | Blog |


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Venkat S. Devraj, co-founder and CTO of database and application automation software provider Stratavia and author of Oracle 24×7 Tips & Techniques (McGraw-Hill), had the following to say about the number of DBA's necessary to administer an Oracle DB environment:
Every so often, I come across IT Managers bragging that they have a ratio of "50 DB instances to 1 DBA" or "80 DBs to 1 DBA"… — Is that supposed to be good? And conversely, is a lower ratio such as "5 to 1" necessarily bad? Compared to what? In response, I get back vague assertions such as "well, the average in the database industry seems to be "20 to 1".
Venkat recommends a benchmarking approach:
The reality is, a unidimensional *and* subjective ratio, based on so-called industry best practices, never reveals the entire picture. A better method (albeit also subjective) to evaluate and improve DBA effectiveness would be to establish the current productivity level ("PL") as a baseline, initiate ways to enhance it and carry out comparisons on an ongoing basis against this baseline. Cross-industry comparisons seldom make sense, however the PL from other high-performing IT groups in similar companies/industries may serve as a decent benchmark.
Finally, Venkat recommends developing a 2X2 matrix where an "Environmental Complexity Score" is charted against a "Delivery Maturity Score". Your PL depends on where you land in the 2X2 matrix. If you picture the X-Y chart as comprising 4 quadrants (left top, left bottom, right top and right bottom), the left top is "Bad", the left bottom is "Mediocre", the right top is "Good" and the right bottom is "Excellent".
For a full description of Mr. Devraj's approach, see: Selective Deliberations on Databases, Data Center Automation & Cloud Computing


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Tyra Banks may be Larry King's new favorite interview subject -- if only for the naked talk.
Banks dished to Larry King Tuesday about how she likes to take it all off and hang in the nude, despite tabloid claims she isn't proud of her curvy figure.
"I might be doing a little TMI," Banks said when King asked her on his CNN show if she was happy with the way she looked in the mirror.
U.S. & World
"I always feel great when I don't have clothes on," said Banks, the supermodel who also hosts "America's Next Top Model" and films "The Tyra Banks Show" when she's not strutting the runway.
Banks also talked about her struggles with weight, recalling pictures of herself in an unflattering swimsuit that were splashed across national tabloid covers.
"When I told the world to kiss my fat a**, I remained that size for two years," Banks said. "I maintained it with my ice cream and my salad with ranch and dressing and croutons and bacon bits."
She said she's lost a lot of weight since those times and is happy with the way her body looks.
Banks, who kicked off this season of her talk show by revealing her weave-free, natural hair, asked King to feel her real scalp for proof she wasn't wearing any hairpieces.
"I felt it was my responsibilty to show as much of my real hair as possible," Banks said, telling King how removing her weave represented a political statement for black women.


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I have lived in Northern Ireland (NI) for nearly five years; I conducted research, and despite that I was researching the Muslim community, through some NI friends I had access to that complex society, including the complex paramilitary reality. Indeed, it was so complex that when a friend and I wanted to start a university student's netzine and selected an acronym as a name for it, we were informed that we had to think of a better name, since those few letters represented a not very well known but still active paramilitary group. The Northern Irish conflict, despite being prominently political, has religious connotations; Catholic Nationalists and Protestant Unionists have fought each other since the UK partitioned the island. This conflict became later known as "The Troubles".
History is never neutral and recent history even less so, but when I asked about how the NI Loyalist paramilitary groups started, my Protestant informants told me that they started emerging in the 1960s as vigilante groups to protect Protestant neighbourhoods from attacks. They then developed into terrorist organisations opposed to a united Ireland.
So, you might ask, what has this to do with Australia and the current terrorist threat? Continue reading


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1966 USGS Geologic Map of the Moon: Montes Apenninus RegionMoonMontesApenninus-usgs-1966
1966 USGS Geologic Map of the Moon: Montes Apenninus RegionMoonMontesApenninus-usgs-1966
1966 (dated) 31.5 x 48 in (80.01 x 121.92 cm)
This range became famous three years after this map was made, when Apollo 15 landed here and became one of the most scientifically successful missions of the Apollo program, and the most geologically diverse site of the program.
It is believed that most of the moon's craters were formed approximately 3.9 billion years ago, during a period of intense bombardment in the Inner Solar System. The cratering rate fluctuates as collisions in the asteroid belt send fragment clusters into the Inner Solar System. This map might show hypervelocity impact craters caused by the same cluster of asteroids that, 65 million years ago, caused the extinction of the dinosaurs.
As humans wouldn't land on the moon until 1969, how were we able to map its geology? The map's extraordinarily detailed metadata explains that the cartographers used photos dating back to 1960 (remember the series of Ranger missions in the mid-60's?), and observations from optical and radio telescopes, with relief created by measuring shadows, combined with an assumed sun angle and an assumed base elevation. The geology was arrived at from observing differences in, and layering of, topographical forms, and in varying albedo (amount of reflected sunlight), both of which indicate different underlying materials formed under different processes. Goals of this work included the identification of suitable moon landing locations, and sources of oxygen for possible in establishing a more permanent lunar base.
The map also includes two sectional views (from the side) of the area, detailed 'metadata' explaining the mapmaking methodologies and symbols employed, and an index map showing the area's location on the Moon.
This map series represents a breath-taking leap forward not only in selenography (the study of the moon), begun in the late 1400s, but also in the record of humankind's fearless exploration of the world(s) around and beyond us.
This map would be a great companion piece to the other maps in the Geologic Atlas of the Moon,. It would also wonderfully complement early explorers' maps, or any of the plates from Burritt's famous 1856 Atlas to Illustrate the Geography of the Heavens , one of writer H.P. Lovecraft's most prized possessions.
Created by R.J. Hackman and published as plate I-463 in the United States Geological Survey's Geological Atlas of the Moon.
The Office of the Coast Survey (later the U.S. Geodetic Survey) (1807 - present), founded in 1807 by President Thomas Jefferson and Secretary of Commerce Albert Gallatin, is the oldest scientific organization in the U.S. Federal Government. Jefferson created the "Survey of the Coast," as it was then called, in response to a need for accurate navigational charts of the new nation's coasts and harbors. The first superintendent of the Coast Survey was Swiss immigrant and West Point mathematics professor Ferdinand Hassler. Under the direction of Hassler, from 1816 to 1843, the ideological and scientific foundations for the Coast Survey were established. Hassler, and the Coast Survey under him developed a reputation for uncompromising dedication to the principles of accuracy and excellence. Hassler lead the Coast Survey until his death in 1843, at which time Alexander Dallas Bache, a great-grandson of Benjamin Franklin, took the helm. Under the leadership A. D. Bache, the Coast Survey did most of its most important work. During his Superintendence, from 1843 to 1865, Bache was steadfast advocate of American science and navigation and in fact founded the American Academy of Sciences. Bache was succeeded by Benjamin Pierce who ran the Survey from 1867 to 1874. Pierce was in turn succeeded by Carlile Pollock Patterson who was Superintendent from 1874 to 1881. In 1878, under Patterson's superintendence, the U.S. Coast Survey was reorganized as the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey (C & GS or USGS) to accommodate topographic as well as nautical surveys. Today the Coast Survey is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or NOAA.


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- User Name: kiarrens
- Member Since: Sunday, March 4, 2001, 8:49 PM
- Name: Lyndsey Luther
- Studio: Tech Girl Productions
- Location: Wethersfield, CT, USA
- Last Login: 2020-03-14 08:19:08
- Forum Info: Profile Posts (647)
- Journal: Last entry made on 2003-09-28 23:44:16
- Usefulness: 150.9 with
102 opinions
[average 119.5 of 231670 opinions; standard deviation 432.3 ]
- Profile: Wow. Just noticed that I joined the 'org ten years ago. Has it really been that long...
I love just about anything anime-related, be it AMVs, fanfiction, cosplay, manga, fandubs... you name it, I probably like it. I've been making AMVs for about 7 years now, and have been downloading them for much longer. ^^
I've been a panelist for AnimeBoston's AMV101: Dos, Dont's and Demonstrations Panel for 9 years running.
In my spare time I can either be found watching anime, firespinning (poi) or practicing contact staff, making AMVs, working on cosplay, playing video games, or even - on occasion - working.
I believe it was LadyDX's signature which said,
"Yes, I watch anime. Yes, I make AMVs. Yes, I play video games.
Yes, I am taken." ^^
AnimeBoston 2005: Best in Show/Best Drama (Atonement)
AnimeBoston 2006: Best Romance (Conter Les Heures)
AnimeBoston 2007: Judge's Choice (Roydor the Burninator)
AnimeBoston 2008: Best Romance (Ouran Day)
AAC 2008: Extreme Iron Editor Champion
AAC 2009: Extreme Iron Editor Tie (with OtakuForLife)
AAC 2010: Best in Show (Just Another Love Story)
AnimeBoston 2011: Best Action (Unlimited Lensflare Works)
AAC 2011: Extreme Iron Editor Champion (with drewaconclusion)


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CSI: NY star A.J. Buckley started out the new year with a new title: fiancé.
Buckley, 34, proposed to his girlfriend, oncology nurse Abigail Ochse, on New Year's Eve in Hawaii, Us Weekly reports.
Ever confuse Amy Adams and Isla Fisher? Check out more celebrity doppelgangers
The actor popped the question in front of his mother, Ochse's sister and a group of the couple's closest friends while on vacation in Maui. He proposed under a tree in Turtle Bay at Napili Beach where the couple had left some of his late father's ashes the year before.
The ring was designed by Dan Wexler. The couple has been dating for two years.


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