text:
OCEAN CITY — As it turns out, Worcester G.O.L.D. is a model philanthropic group in more ways than one. At last week's annual fashion show fundraised, the group was honored with a renewal of their status as a non-profit that meets the Standards of Excellence, a set of guidelines established by Maryland Non-Profits, an independent oversight group
Amy Coates Madsen, the program director for Standards of Excellence, said that the guidelines were established as a "Model for how the most effective non-profit organizations are run."
The 55 standards cover everything from how board meetings are conducted to how paid employees of a non-profit should be treated to how the accumulation and distribution of funds should be accounted for.
In order to be considered for the certification, Worcester G.O.L.D. must submit an application delineating every detail of their operations. The submitted packet is then reviewed by Maryland Non-Profits staff, a peer review committee and the Ethics Standards Committee.
"It's a pretty extensive and comprehensive list," Madsen said.
This is the second time Worcester G.O.L.D. has been awarded the Standards of Excellence garnering the acknowledgment for the first time in 2009. With this latest certification, the group will not have to reapply for five years.
In is, in part, because they have been able to run an efficient organization that Worcester G.O.L.D. has succeeded in doing so many of the good works it accomplishes each year.
In 2011 Worcester G.O.L.D. provided:
170 Worcester County Families with food
222 families with utility assistance
102 families with housing assistance
841 families with emergency services
24 at-risk children with summer camp
182 children with Easter baskets
More than 530 children with school supplies and
946 people with Christmas help.
Since its incorporation as a non-profit organization in 1997, Worcester G.O.L.D. has more than tripled the opportunities for provide assistance.
The fashion show, this year titled "Colors of Spring Fashion Show and Luncheon" is one of the largest events Worcester G.O.L.D. holds during the year.
Louise Reardon, an owner of CraZy LadyZ, one of the event sponsors, said she is constantly amazed by the work the group is able to accomplish. She was on hand to help coordinate the volunteer models wearing the fashions her shop provided.
The event held at another sponsor, Bayside Skillet, which closed their doors to accommodate all the attendees, drew women and men alike from all over the County to participate.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
From CruisersWiki
An online cruising guide for yachts sailing around Australia.
| |
Capital | Canberra |
Language | English |
Currency | Australian Dollar (AUD) |
Time zone | UTC+8 to UTC+10 DST observed except for Queensland and Western Australia. |
Calling code | +61 |
Australia is both a continent and the world's largest island, with a landmass of 7,617,930 km2 (2,941,300 mi2). Surrounded by the Indian and Pacific oceans, Australia is separated from Asia by the Arafura and Timor seas. Australia has 34,218 km (21,262 mi) of coastline (excluding all offshore islands) and claims an extensive exclusive economic zone of 8,148,250 km2 (3,146,060 mi2) including some areas of the north-west continental shelf disputed by Indonesia. This exclusive economic zone does not include the Australian Antarctic Territory. The Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef, lies a short distance off the north-east coast and extends for over 2,000 km (1,240 mi). Mount Augustus, claimed to be the world's largest monolith, is located in Western Australia. At 2,228 m (7,310 ft), Mount Kosciuszko on the Great Dividing Range is the highest mountain on the Australian mainland, although Mawson Peak on the remote Australian territory of Heard Island is taller at 2,745 m (9,006 ft).
Although boat ownership is widespread, most Australians don't travel much further than their local waterways, and marinas are often clogged with moored craft that haven't been moved in years. Added to this the tendency for local government to frown on living aboard and we have an environment that isn't really conducive to cruising. Considering the size and beauty of Australia's coastline this is tragic. On the other hand the Australian people are warm and friendly to travelers, and mostly disagree with the restrictions imposed, so you'll find assistance anywhere you go.
The main route for visiting cruisers lies between Sydney on the east coast and Darwin in the north, from where a jump to Asia is usual. The Whitsundays in Queensland are a favoured destination, with protected reefs and islands abounding and very picturesque marine life. Those wishing to circumnavigate usually go anticlockwise, and provisioning on the west coast can be difficult. Fortunately this unspoiled area is teeming with fish and the many natural wonders make the journey more than worthwhile.
An option often overlooked is to go south from Sydney to Melbourne and then on to the island state of Tasmania or — for the adventurous — going direct by following the path of the famous Sydney to Hobart yacht race held annually on Boxing Day (Dec 26th). From there a direct jump back to New Zealand's south island would be possible. Although best done in summer, Australia's winters aren't as severe as the northern hemisphere so even starting from Sydney in early autumn (fall) is a viable option. With 334 offshore islands, Tasmania could take years to see in its entirety.
- Australian Hydrographic Service
- AUS4060 Australasia and adjacent waters (1:10000000)
- AU160150 Australia - South East Approaches (1:3500000)
- AU130150 Australia - North East Approaches (1:3500000)
- AU130120 Australia - Northern Approaches (1:3500000)
- AU130090 Australia - North West Approaches (1:3500000)
- AU160090 Australia - South West Approaches (1:3500000)
- AU160120 Australia - Southern Approaches (1:3500000)
As a large continent a wide variation of climates are found across Australia. Coastal regions are the most populous since large parts of Central Australia are virtually uninhabitable desert. The north is hot and tropical, while Melbourne has a much cooler Mediterranean temperate climate. Western Tasmania has a climate similar to England, although Tasmania's capital Hobart is the second driest Australian capital. Temperatures in some southern regions can drop below freezing in winter.
As Australia is in the southern hemisphere, the timing of the seasons is reversed with respect to Europe and North America. In other words, June-September is winter in Australia while December-March is summer. So Christmas actually falls in the summer in Australia, instead of in winter like in North America or Europe.
See the various regions for local climate details.
Weather links
- Weather Forecasts and Warnings Bureau of Meteorology - Weather
- Tide Predictions Bureau of Meteorology - Tides
- Climate averages Bureau of Meteorology - Climate (eg. average temperatures, wind rose for each month) for hundreds of locations. eg. Hamilton Island - near the Great Barrier Reef
- Ocean currents and ocean temperatures Bureau of Meteorology - "BlueLink". It covers all the coast around Australia, plus Australian territories (Norfolk Island, Cocos & Keeling Islands, etc). The area covered extends from the Solomon Islands to Java in Indonesia.
- Seebreeze A funky site that gives graphic presentations of the predicted wind direction & strength, wave height & direction, and tides and moon phases hour by hour for the coming 7 days. eg. Sunshine Coast (N of Brisbane) - is designed for windsurfers and kite surfers, but who cares.
- Australia to New Zealand
- New Zealand to Australia
- Trans-Pacific Passage — Americas to Australia
- Trans-Pacific Passage — Australia to Americas
- Coral Sea Passage — Cairns to New Guinea/Louisiades
- Darwin to Thailand Passage
- Indian Ocean Passage — Fremantle to Bali
- Southern Ocean Passage — Australia to South America
- Trans Pacific ("Puddle-Jump")
See also Indian Ocean Passages.
- East Coast
- South Coast
- West Coast
- North Coast
See also East Australian Current
- Also see World Cruiser's Nets
- Ham Radio
- 0100 - 21.185MHz - Controllers in WA, SA. Relays in WA, VIC, QLD, NT, Philippines, PNG and NZ.
- 0200 - 14.116MHz - Travellers Net - Based in Western Australia. Relays in NSW, VIC, SA, WA and TAS.
- Callback time 0300. Net controller: VK6BO Roy.
- 0300 - 14.300MHz - Pacific Seafarer's Net - Covers small boat sailors in the Pacific.
- Collects position and weather reports daily at 0325 UTC after informal 'warm-up' session.
- 1000 - 14.315MHz - Robby's Net
- 2040 - 7.087MHz - Comedy Net - Australia to Southwest Pacific.
- Very informal, multi-purpose with position reports, Wx reports and local inter-yacht traffic. Net control rotates amongst members and has many shore-based regulars who help with local knowledge.
- 2100 - 14.316MHz - Tony's Net - South Pacific, Aust & NZ.
- 2200 - 21.412MHz - Pacific Maritime Mobile Service Net - Pacific/Worldwide.
- Also 2130 'early-bird' session.
- 2300 - 14.315MHz - Robby's Net
- Useful Tools
- Coast Guard
Australia's Volunteer Coast Guard and affiliated organizations monitor the following frequencies for emergencies:- HF band 2182kHz (AM)
- VHF Channel 16 (156.8MHz NFM Simplex)
- 27 MHz Channel 88 (27.88MHz AM)
- Emergency Networks
WICEN (Wireless Citizens' Emergency Network) operates on the following amateur frequencies:
- 80M band: 3.6MHz
- 40M band: 7.175MHz
- 30M band: 10.115MHz
- 20M band: 14.125MHz
- 17M band: 18.15MHz
- 15M band: 21.19MHz
- 12M band: 24.95MHz
- 10M band: 28.45MHz
- 6M band: 53.15MHz
- 2M band: 145.2MHz
VKS737 (The Australian HF Radio Network) operates on the following licensed subscriber frequencies:
- Ch. 1 - 5455 kHz - secondary sked channel
- Ch. 2 - 8022 kHz - primary sked channel
- Ch. 3 - 11612 kHz - general and telephone use
- Ch. 4 - 14977 kHz - general and telephone use
- Ch. 5 - 3995 kHz - general and telephone use
- Ch. 6 - 6796 kHz - general and telephone use
- Ch. 7 - 10180 kHz - general and telephone use
The VKS737 network is primarily designed as a safety and emergency network for remote travelers (4WD and so on) but the first two channels should be noted as they are useful as a direct link to the Royal Flying Doctor Service in a medical emergency, especially where regular marine channels are not eliciting a response.
See also Bush Telegraph
See also Royal Flying Doctor Service
- Marine Emergency Radio Devices (MERDE)
Regardless of the above, the cruising yacht should always carry a 406 MHz digital EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) and this is now mandatory for any yacht sailing further than 2NM offshore. Older devices on 121.5MHz are no longer monitored.
Also see World Cruiser's Nets.
Any navigation notes here. If this section does not apply remove it.
The following information was provided by Australian Customs regarding arrivals.
"The Master of a vessel arriving in Australia is required by law to give notice of impending arrival NOT LATER than 96 hours before arrival. Customs does realise that not all vessels are fitted with the latest communication equipment. For these vessel this requirement seems to cause confusion as people interpret it as notification must be given 96 hours prior to arrival. This is not the case. This is the minimum requirement. I'll explain this with an example below.
Example: A vessel is travelling from USA to Australia. The time frame is one month. The Master could report his impending arrival to Australia prior to departing USA. This would mean that he gives 1 months notice which meets the above criteria. Other alternatives is the Master could report his impending arrival from one of the ports he stops at on his way to Australia or prior to his departure from his last port before arriving in Australia. This may even be a week prior to his arrival, as long as the estimated sailing time is a minimum of 96 hours. Again this meets the above criteria for reporting to Customs."
Be warned that the 96 hour advance notification rule IS enforced. Yacht owners have been prosecuted for not complying, resulting in a criminal conviction, a fine, legal expenses and delays.
96 hours notice may be given by either:
- Sending an email to [email protected]
- Sending a fax to: +61 2 6275 6331
- Phoning the Australian Customs National Communications Centre +61 3 9244 8973
- You will need to provide the following information:-
- The name of your craft
- Your intended first port of arrival
- Your estimated arrival time
- Your last four (4) ports of call
- The details of all people aboard incl. name, date of birth, nationality and passport number.
- Details of any illnesses or disease recently encountered.
- If you have any animals on board.
- If you have any firearms on board.
Customs does not have access to SSB/HF radio communications. The preferred radio communication is through VHF.
Full details of requirements and contact information can be located on the Customs web site. Foreign vessels MUST make landfall at an Official Port of Entry
If by chance the vessel arrives prior to lapsing of the 96 hours of arrival it can wait out the time anywhere it is safe to do so. If due to dangerous seas or a medical emergency landing earlier is necessary, then the vessel is able to progress to a safe haven or the Boarding Station. All that is required is that Customs is informed at the first possible opportunity. The 'Q' flag should be raised upon entry into the port. Customs, Quarantine and Immigration clearance must be completed prior to going ashore.
Please stay on board. No persons other than a Quarantine or Customs officer is allowed to board your craft, nor can any person, animal or article leave the craft until you have been given full clearance. Depending on your arrival time, Customs and Quarantine may require all persons to remain on board overnight before clearing you the following day.
- Don't throw any waste or foodstuffs overboard while you're in Australian waters or while you are moored. Use designated quarantine disposal points.
- Keep all food and animals secure until your vessel has been inspected by Quarantine officers.
- Don't trade foodstuffs with other overseas vessels.
- Keep your vessel free of insects.
- To go ashore without prior clearance is an offence. Contact with other vessels in port prior to clearance is also prohibited."
Vessels arriving in Australia or sailing within Australian waters should be aware that Customs aircraft (commonly known as Coastwatch) may overfly at low levels and query their identity on VHF channel 16, and therefore this channel should be monitored.
Customs and Immigration
Checking In Procedure
Australian Customs have the reputation of being one of the most difficult customs agencies to deal with world-wide, and recent media attention appears to indicate that there is some justification for that.
A good place to start reading is the information for pleasure craft travelling to australia page, following all of the links from that page. The salient points being as follows:
- Advance notification of arrival is required up to 96 hours before arrival in Australian waters. See this page for further information. Notification can be supplied up to 90 days in advance. Notification can be supplied via email, fax, or telephone (*and not by either VHF or HF radio*). Notification requirements include:
- The name of your craft
- Craft's Country and Port of Registration
- Your intended first port of arrival
- Your estimated arrival time
- Your last four ports
- The details of people on board including name, date of birth, nationality and passport number
- Details of any illness or disease recently encountered
- If you have any animals on board
- If you have any firearms on board
- Visas are generally not available on arrival, for either the vessel or its crew. See the Immigration and Visas section above for more information.
- Depending on the port of entry, customs/quarantine officers are likely to want to board and inspect the vessel before it ties up to any berth. Phone the customs officials at the port of entry to request directions (once again, most of these officials are not available on either VHF or HF, although Marine Rescue or the equivalent other state organisation can potentially provide some information).
- Extensive and expensive fines and other action, potentially including deportation, can be meted out for failure to meet all of the checking in requirements.
Checking Out Procedure
The basic procedures are, as relayed to me by a customs official via telephone:
- Notify the customs office of your intended port of departure at least a few days before intended departure. Often the best way to do this is to attend the customs office in person. This will be required of all crew members, to present passports and fill out the necessary paperwork.
- On the day of departure or the day before, notify customs again and they will visit the vessel to provide outbound clearance.
- This page can provide some guidance.
Arriving in Australia with Pets
If you have animals aboard you may ONLY anchor out (not allowed to tie up at a marina or dock), and the animal must be kept on board and confined (in a cage or below decks) at all times. Quarantine must be notified of your intention to change mooring at least 48 hours prior to moving, as well as the proposed itinerary in Australian waters. Permission to go to a dock to take fuel or water must be obtained in advance. While at the dock, the animal must be locked below. Permission must also be obtained before sailing to another area. The boat must be locked up whenever the crew is away. If embarking animals in Australia, they must have a health certificate issued by a veterinarian. Regular inspections are carried out at the yacht owner's expense (very costly) and moving the animal ashore into quarantine is also a very costly and difficult experience.
(Note: Delatbabel 10:51, 30 September 2013 (BST) -- I no longer believe the above to be correct provided tha the animal has a valid vaccination certificate or PETS passport. This is as a reminder to myself to check the above details with customs at some point).
Tourist visas allows people to visit Australia for holiday, sightseeing, social or recreational reasons, to visit relatives, friends or for other short-term non-work purpose. Tourist visas are available for a stay of three, six or 12 months. Once in Australia, visas of three months or less can be extended to a maximum of six months.
Visas are also available for working holidays (18 to 30 age group only), retirement (over 55 only) and for people traveling to Australia for medical treatment. There are also special visas for professional visits (cultural, social or research), students and workers with specific skills. Citizens of Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu who have been invited by an Approved Employer may enter as Pacific seasonal workers.
Special category visas are available on arrival to holders of a New Zealand passport. In most other cases a Visa or Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) must be obtained before entering Australia. For further information see the Dept of Immigration and Citizenship website.
Only the following passport holders are eligible to use the ETA system:
- Brunei, Canada, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, United States of America.
- European (including UK - British Citizen) passport holders should use the eVisitor service instead.
- Holders of UK British National (Overseas) (GBN) passports are not eligible to use either ETA or eVisitor systems and should contact their local Australian Embassy.
Both the ETA and eVisitor systems limit the duration of stay within Australia to three months, although they do allow multiple visits and are valid for 12 months from the date of issue. For longer periods either apply for a regular Visa from outside Australia, or apply for an extension (to six months maximum) after entry.
IMPORTANT: Electronic entry is for tourists only. If you intend to work you will need to apply for the visa at an Australian Embassy.
Fees and Charges
Health and Security
Australia's life expectancy continues to increase according to the 2010 health report of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Women are expected to live up to age 84 while men are expected to reach age 79. Despite the high life expectancy, Australians still suffer from major diseases like cancer and heart problems. Fortunately, Australia has effective health care systems, both public and private. The public health care system is paid for by taxes and is run by the government through Medicare. The private health care system consists of the private hospitals, other health providers like dentists, health insurance companies, etc.
Unlike the USA, Australians are not permitted to own guns except for sporting purposes, and the conditions of ownership are very strict. They must be kept locked at all times when not in use, and ammunition stored separately. In country areas this is somewhat relaxed, and twenty-two gauge rifles for rabbit shooting are the most likely seen, although this also is becoming rarer.
Since the New York 9/11 tragedy Australia's security measures at airports have been stepped up severely, and due to the constant arrival of asylum seekers (aka "boat people") Customs have increased coastal surveillance to nearly Orwellian proportions, with local craft often queried and boarded in Australian waters for no good reason. Such is the price of security.
Although there are venomous snakes and spiders in Australia, the only land-based predator to man is the crocodile which can be found in some northern regions. Oh yeah, and the water buffalo up north can be a bit grumpy, but they're an introduced species and mostly docile.
Examples of terrorist activity have also been extremely rare. In general, Australia is a safe country in which to travel.
External Territories
Also see External Territories.
- Ashmore and Cartier Islands — uninhabited. The Ashmore Reef is overseen by a resident warden under the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1975, and permission to land must be sought by radio from the caretaker vessel. Private vessels are ordinarily permitted to anchor and obtain fresh water from the pump on West Island. Commercial vessels must be in possession of a Commercial Permit at a cost of $2000 per annum (1997 prices). They are also required to be under Australian Marine Safety Authority (AMSA) survey. Cruising yachts should not attempt to land on Cartier Island due to unexploded ordnance left over from WWII. Indonesian fishermen are commonly seen in the area, which is a traditional fishing ground.
- Australian Antarctic Territory — not exactly a cruising destination.
- Christmas Island
- Cocos (Keeling) Islands
- Coral Sea Islands — only Willis Island is inhabited (by a small weather station).
- Heard Island and McDonald Islands — subantarctic, uninhabited. Some volcanic activity.
- Lord Howe Island
- Macquarie Island — subantarctic research station, part of Tasmania.
- Norfolk Island
- Northern Territory
- Queensland
- New South Wales
- Victoria
- South Australia
- Western Australia
- Tasmania
- Australian Capital Territory
- Jervis Bay Territory
For offshore islands and state protectorates, see individual regions.
See each region.
Also see each port.
Facilities | |
Water | Australia's water quality is very good
Fluoridated supplies in major cities, tank water in country regions |
Electricity | 240 volts, 50 Hz, 10A power
Australia uses a 3-pin bayonet plug similar to Argentina. Details |
Supplies | |
Fuel | Unleaded petrol, LPG cylinders and diesel are available in most places
Much cheaper than Europe, but more expensive than the USA |
Bottled gas | BCF General purpose hardware, also refill LPG bottles |
Chandlers |
Services | |
Internet | Australia has good broadband internet in all major cities, and plans are in progress to implement a home gigabit speed fibre-optic system in the near future. Open wireless networks should be readily found near to shore at major cities, and many cafes have wireless hot-spots available. While ashore you can also use the free facilities—including hardware—at public libraries, even in small towns. |
Mobile connectivity | Strong 3G and in places 4G in most inhabited area |
List transportation to other countries, etc.
See each region.
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
- Penalties for not adhering to yacht entry rules (on CruiserLog)
- Australia Sailing and Cruising Discussions (on Cruisers Forum)
- Australia at the Wikipedia
- Australia at the Wikivoyage
- sv Ocelot (Cruising Australia page)
- Australian Marinas Guide
- The Coastal Passage (cruising magazine)
- Australian Hydrographic Service - Chart Agents list
- Australian Embassies
- Warwick Clay, South Pacific Anchorages 2nd edition, Imray, ISBN 0852884826
- Jeff Toghill, Circumnavigating Australia's Coastline: A Yachtsman's Manual, Reed, ISBN 073010186X
- Buy particularly volume 2 Ports and Anchorages.
- Alan Lucas, Cruising the Coral Coast, Alan Lucas Cruising Guides, ISBN 9780958176804
- Covers Queensland.
- Alan Lucas, Cruising the New South Wales Coast, Alan Lucas Cruising Guides, ISBN 9780958176828
- David Colfelt, 100 Magic Miles, Windward Publications, ISBN 0958698902
- This is the authoritative guide to the Whitsunday Islands, a popular cruising and chartering area in Queensland.
- Leslie P Richards, A Guide to Cruising Northern Australia, Lulu.com, ISBN 184753077X
(The above are available over the net from Boat Books in Sydney (except Jeff Toghill's), or from Whitworths or Bias Boating (chandlers))
- AFLOAT Magazine One of Australia's leading boating publications, and is often read by the cruising and racing yachting fraternities here. It is available for free from most boating outlets, book shops, and marinas.
A free downloadable pdf titled "Western Australian Cruising Guide" published by the Fremantle Sailing Club is available at https://fsc.com.au/cruising-section/wa-cruising-guide/. This lengthy document covers the full Western Australian coast and is periodically updated.
We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit.
- Australian television system is now DVB-T with analog VHF and UHF transmissions due to cease in most areas of the country. Capital cities usually have twenty (20) Freeview stations available. --Haiqu 05:50, 26 May 2011 (BST)
Verified by
Date of member's last visit to Australia and this page's details validated:
This is a usable page of the cruising guide. However, please contribute if you can to help it grow further. Click on Comments to add your personal notes on this page or to discuss its contents. Alternatively, if you feel confident to edit the page, click on the edit tab at the top and enter your changes directly. |
Contributors to this page
Names: Lighthouse, Delatbabel, Sightseer, Haiqu |


text:
Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–April 16, 2013. The U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced they will invest the majority of the 2013 Race to the Top funds for a second Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge competition. About $370 million will be available this year for states to develop new approaches to increase high-quality early learning opportunities and close the school readiness gap. Today's announcement furthers the Administration's work to expand access to high-quality early learning programs for all children, especially those in disadvantaged communities.
"Expanding access to high-quality early learning opportunities is simply one of the best investments we can make in our country, and these funds can help states develop and strengthen programs that serve America's youngest learners," said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. "Getting our children off to a strong start not only increases their individual chances for lifelong success, it helps create the conditions for a thriving middle class that will forge the path into a bright future for our entire country."
"As any parent knows, the first few years of a child's life are critical," said U.S. Health and Human Service Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "Kids who attend high-quality early learning and pre-school programs are more likely to do well in school. They're more likely to secure a good job down the road. And they're more likely to maintain successful careers long-term."
The Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge is a key part of the Obama Administration's comprehensive early learning agenda. The program is jointly administered by the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the two agencies are continuing to work closely together on new initiatives to expand and improve services for children from birth through age 5.
Last week, President Obama detailed his FY 2014 budget proposal, which would invest $75 billion over 10 years in fully offset funding to create new partnerships with states and provide high-quality preschool to more communities, helping ensure that all children enter kindergarten ready to learn. In addition, the 2014 education budget provides $750 million in complementary discretionary funds to help states strengthen their early learning systems and prepare to expand access to high-quality preschool. The President's budget also invests $1.4 billion in HHS's proposed Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Initiative to increase effective early care and education for infants through age three. To ensure that our most vulnerable Americans are on track from birth, the budget also seeks to expand the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program by providing a long-term $15 billion investment beginning in FY 2015.
Race to the Top, an education reform initiative announced by President Obama in 2009, has been a catalyst for advancing state-led efforts to improve education. The bulk of the 2013 Race to the Top funding will go toward the Race to the Top- Early Learning Challenge for both a new competition and to provide supplemental awards for six state grantees – California, Colorado, Illinois, New Mexico, Oregon and Wisconsin – who had only received 50 percent of their initial request.
About $120 million of the 2013 funds will be used for a second round of the Race to the Top-District competition, which supports locally developed plans to personalize and deepen student learning, directly improve student achievement and educator effectiveness, close achievement gaps, and prepare students to succeed in college and their careers. In the first round, the Department awarded $383 million to 16 Race to the Top-District grantees representing 55 districts. In a Federal Register notice today, Department proposed a set of priorities for this year's competition, which will again support bold, innovative reform at the local level. The Department will collect public comment on the proposed priorities for 30 days.
More information about the Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge and the Race to the Top-District competition, including current grantees, is available on the Department's website. Additional details about both programs will be announced in the coming months.
Source: ed.gov


text:
On April 23, 2012, the editorial board of the Washington Post proclaimed that the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan was "non-catastrophic." The writers eagerly promoted nuclear power while omitting inconvenient deal-breakers such as cost, waste, safety, health risks and human rights. The board taunted Germany and Japan – and the anti-nuclear movement – for looking to renewables but misrepresented Germany's successes. They showed a shocking disregard for the suffering in Japan due to a very real catastrophe that is by no means over. And they utterly ignored those who have already paid the price for the nuclear fuel chain, like indigenous uranium miners, and its newest victims, the children of Japan whose future has been stolen.
The following rebuttal can also be found, with more detail, on the Beyond Nuclear website.
Washington Post (WP): Nuclear "is the only proven source of low-emissions 'baseload' power."
FACT: Renewable technologies can and do deliver baseload power. In many regions, peak wind and solar production match up well with peak electricity demand. Numerous case studies, including by theIntergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, predict that 80%-100% of the world's energy supply could be met by renewables by mid-century.
WP: Germany and Japan are "giving up all of that guaranteed, low-carbon electricity generation in an anti-nuclear frenzy."
FACT: Nuclear energy is "guaranteed" only as long as the electrical grid is reliable and when natural disaster struck in Japan, nuclear energy wasn't so "guaranteed" but instead worsened the crisis. In Germany, renewable energy is revitalizing home-grown industries like steel and more people there work in the renewable sector (370,000 and growing) than in the nuclear (30,000) and coal industries (20,000) combined. No "frenzy" necessary.
WP: Nuclear power is "low-carbon electricity".
FACT: This common nuclear industry propaganda line conveniently ignores the significant carbon emissions caused all along the nuclear fuel chain by uranium mining; milling; processing; enrichment; the transport of fuel; the construction of nuclear plants; electricity generation (which releases radioactive carbon dioxide); and the still inadequate permanent management of waste.
WP: "With all but one reactor offline, [Japan's] consumption of crude and heavy fuel oil for power generation has roughly tripled."
FACT: Japan has long been the third largest oil consumer in the world, but, unlike the US, Japan is looking at a rapid and meaningful deployment of conservation, energy efficiency and renewable energy immediately and may introduce a feed-in tariff to speed it along.
WP: Germany's "electricity sector emits more carbon than it must after eight reactors shut down last year."
FACT: In fact, the opposite is happening. Germany reduced its carbon emissions in 2011 by 2.1 percent despite the nuclear phaseout. In addition, the EU emissions trading system caps all emissions from the power sector. While eight nuclear power plants were shut down, solar power output increased by 60 percent.
WP: With Germany and Japan "making the paths to their emissions goals more difficult, anti-nuclear activists justify this mess by insisting that renewable energy sources will pick up the slack. But that raises major questions of feasibility and cost."
FACT: Japan recognizes that rewnewables can be deployed fast, cheaply, reliably, cleanly and, above all, safely and is looking to implement a feed-in tariff to encourage development. Germany's home-grown small-town energy revolution is underway, with more than 100 rural communities becoming 100% renewable. At least 50% of renewable energy on the German grid is provided by individuals and farmers. As to cost, a 1,000 MW reactor costs up to $15 billion to build while a 1,000 MW deepwater wind farm is priced at $6 billion with no fuel costs, disaster recovery fund or long-lived toxic waste liability. When nuclear disaster strikes, the fiscal cost is also catastrophic, with Japan's current "clean-up" cost estimated at $257 billion.
WP: "Japan could still reduce carbon emissions by 25 percent of its 1990 levels by 2030 without nuclear power. Yet even if that's true, it's hardly a reason to let all of that existing nuclear infrastructure and know-how go to waste."
FACT: Since December 2, 1942, when a team of scientists created the world's first self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction, the industry's entire infrastructure has gone precisely there – to waste: 67,000 metric tons of irradiated nuclear fuel – and at least another 10,000 metric tons of radioactive waste from nuclear weapons – with nowhere to go.
WP: Germany "will instead rely on electricity imports from neighbors running old, reliable coal, gas and, yes, nuclear plants for years to come."
FACT: Even after shutting its eight oldest nuclear power plants, Germany is still a net exporter of electricity. In 2011, Germany exported 6 TWh more than it imported. Additionally, German electricity exports to Europe's nuclear power house France increased throughout 2011.
WP: The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster was "scary but ultimately non-catastrophic."
FACT: The Post is writing in the past tense about an accident that is not over. The extent of radioactive contamination is still unknown and growing. Unit 4 at Fukushima Daiichi remains precarious and could cause further, and greater, harm, with its high-level radioactive waste pool on the brink of potential collapse.
To the existing human suffering in Japan will be added, over time, countless people who will sicken and die prematurely as a result of their exposure to the Fukushima radiation. In addition to cancer, likely negative health effects can include birth defects, spontaneous abortions, brain tumors, diabetes, heart disease, and genetic and teratogenic mutations. Emotional suffering should not be dismissed. The Post writers would do well to imagine their own children forbidden to play outside; evacuated hundreds of miles away; or shamed into consuming radioactively contaminated food and milk. In Japan, stress, grief and guilt have split families and entire communities apart. Farmers and fishermen have lost their livelihoods due to radiological contamination of land and sea. Thousands are being forced to accept permanent exile from their homes, jobs, friends, land and everything they once knew. With a 20km (12.4 mile) area around the stricken reactors a "dead zone" for a minimum of decades and potentially centuries, it is hard to know what more the Post editorial writers need to qualify as "catastrophic."
WP: "Maintaining existing reactors — and, we would argue, including next-generation nuclear technology as a component in forward-looking anti-carbon policies — doesn't rule out a promising future for renewables, too."
FACT: Actually, it does and has. In 1953, the Eisenhower Administration scrapped the last three years of the Truman Administration's Paley Commission energy policy work and its recommendation to develop the nation's energy independence through solar power. Instead, Eisenhower, listening to a different set of policy advisers, launched the Atomic Energy Act and the myth of the "Peaceful Atom." The lion's share of energy subsidies and research and development dollars have gone to the US nuclear sector in the past 60-plus years, stunting growth in the renewables sector and critically retarding their deployment now when they are most needed for climate change.
In order to address global carbon emissions, a new reactor would have to be built somewhere in the world every two weeks, an economically unrealistic, in fact impossible, proposition. According to a 2003 MIT study, "The Future of Nuclear Power," such an unprecedented industrial ramping up would also mean opening a new Yucca Mountain-size nuclear waste dump somewhere in the world "every three to four years," a task still unaccomplished even once in the 70 years of the industry's existence.
The lessons of Fukushima demonstrate that, in a crisis, nuclear power can fail, dramatically compounding, rather than alleviating, a national emergency. The destruction of human and animal lives and the environment is too high a price to justify continued use, when quicker, safer, cheaper, non-carbon emitting alternatives are ready and available.
Like many in Congress who are lavished with campaign contributions and lobbying dollars by the coal, oil and nuclear industries, the Post refuses to let go of 20th century thinking and the unwieldy, expensive and polluting energy technologies that forward-looking countries have chosen to phase out. Germany sees a bright business future and a revitalized economy in renewable energy investment. The Post argues that the US should continue to languish behind, clinging to dinosaur technologies that have no place in a modern world where global survival now hangs in the balance.
The editors urge that we build more reactors, and continue to use our existing, aging and vulnerable ones, thereby risking another Fukushima – or worse – in the US or anywhere in the world. The newspaper makes this case simply to prop up a failed, dangerous and expensive industry. It is an unacceptable argument from every perspective; financial, climatological, environmental, moral, ethical, technological and practical.
Linda Pentz Gunter is a founder of Beyond Nuclear and its international specialist. For more, see www.beyondnuclear.org.


text:
Malaria researchers identify new mosquito virus
Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health's Malaria Research Institute have identified a previously unknown virus that is infectious to Anopheles gambiae—the mosquito primarily responsible for transmitting malaria. According to the researchers, the discovered virus could one day be used to pass on new genetic information to An. gambiae mosquitoes as part of a strategy to control malaria, which kills over one million people worldwide each year. The study was published August 22 online in the peer-reviewed open access journal PLoS Pathogens.
The virus, AgDNV, is a densonucleosis virus or "densovirus," which are common to mosquitoes and other insects, but do not infect vertebrate animals such as humans. Although the virus does not appear to harm the mosquitoes, the researchers determined it is highly infectious to mosquito larvae and is easily passed on to the adults.
According to Jason Rasgon, PhD, senior author of the study, the discovery came about serendipitously while the research team was conducting experiments to determine whether Wolbachia bacteria could be used to infect An. gambiae mosquito cells. During the analysis, Xiaoxia Ren, a postdoctoral fellow with Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, noticed an "artifact," that appeared as a prominent band in the gel used to detect the bacteria.
"Finding artifacts such as this one during experiments is not uncommon, but we decided to investigate this one further since we kept observing it over and over. When we sequenced it we were surprised to learn that we had found a new virus," explained Rasgon, an assistant professor with the Bloomberg School's W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology.
According to Rasgon, the virus could be potentially altered to kill the mosquito or make An. gambiae incapable of transmitting malaria. To test the concept, the research team successfully used altered AgDNV to express harmless green fluorescent protein in the adult mosquitoes which could be easily spotted under the microscope.
"In theory, we could use this virus to produce a lethal toxin in the mosquito or instruct the mosquito to die after 10 days, which is before it can transmit the malaria parasite to humans. However, these concepts are many years away," said Rasgon.
Source: Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health


text:
We have owned a Minka Aire ceiling fan for about 4 years and it has been great overall; running for 24hrs a day.
It has 3 settings and when we initially purchased the fan; the speed was noticeable and the air movement was as well. It now seems as though the highest setting is not much different then the middle setting.
What would cause this and how can I get it back to where it was in terms of performance?
It comes with a lifetime warranty on the motor; however I am not certain that the motor is failing here. In researching this it appears the cause could be the need to oil the motor; however I want to get verification from the community before I take on that effort.
Manual rotation produces no shaking or wobbling, they move very smoothly. If you are not familiar with these fans they are fairly heavy duty, not in any way unstable as would a typical $49.99 fan be that was picked up from a local Home Depot.
On occasion there is a humming that occurs, it is not consistent by any means and is fairly rare. In addition it will sometimes make a noise as though it is off kilter slightly, hard to describe. If I move back down to the medium setting, the noise subsides. Sometimes I will wait 10 - 15 minutes, turn it back to the highest setting and it functions as expected again, minus the overall speed. This is rare and will happen maybe once or twice a month. Keep in mind the fan runs non-stop, 24hrs a day.
This issue still exists. It now appears that the fan operates at roughly the same speed across all three settings. The instances where it sounded as though it was slightly of kilter have not happened in many months. Any ideas what could be causing this? There is a lifetime warranty on the motor however the motor sounds fine, it's the actual speed that appears to be the issue. Should I simply replace it and move on or is there something I could to to potentially fix this myself?


text:
Common Lisp the Language, 2nd Edition
When a condition is signaled, the system tries to locate the most appropriate
handler for the condition and to invoke that handler.
Handlers are established dynamically using handler-bind or abstractions built on handler-bind.
If an appropriate handler is found, it is called. In some circumstances, the handler may decline simply by returning without performing a non-local transfer of control. In such cases, the search for an appropriate handler is picked up where it left off, as if the called handler had never been present.
If no handler is found, or if all handlers that were found decline, signal returns nil.
Although it follows from the description above, it is perhaps worth noting
explicitly that the lookup procedure described here will prefer a general
but more (dynamically) local handler over a specific but less (dynamically)
local handler. Experience with existing condition systems suggests that
this is a reasonable approach and works adequately in most situations.
Some care should be taken when binding handlers for very general kinds of
conditions, such as is done in ignore-errors. Often, binding for a more
specific condition type than error is more appropriate.


text:
HarperTeen has generously given Holly enough copies of DBaW to do a prize per day of the tour! There will be one book given per day, drawn weekly. Everything entered by Saturday night will be put into a drawing on Sunday. The points do accumulate, meaning entries put in for week one are still going to count for the drawings in weeks 2 and 3. This giveaway is open to all addresses provided that The Book Depository delivers to your country. Please check with The Book Depository for more details. Want to enter? Simply complete this form and follow it's requirements. Giveaway ends 1 AM EST on Saturday, January 14th. Good luck!
Now that I got all the information out of the way, let's return our attention to Holly. I found these secrets about the book really interesting and I hope you do too. Thank you Holly for stopping by my blog. It's all yours!
Thanks again for stopping by, Holly. If you would like more information about Holly and her book, be sure to check out these websites:
- Holly's website
- Holly on Twitter and Facebook
- Don't Breathe a Word Official Website which includes a preview of the book.
- Don't Breathe a Word on Goodreads
Joy Delamere is suffocating...
From asthma, which has nearly claimed her life. From her parents, who will do anything to keep that from happening. From delectably dangerous Asher, who is smothering her from the inside out.
Joy can take his words - tender words, cruel words - until the night they go too far.
Now, Joy will leave everything behind to find the one who has offered his help, a homeless boy called Creed. She will become someone else. She will learn to survive. She will breathe... if only she can get to Creed before it's too late.
Set against the gritty backdrop of Seattle's streets and a cast of characters with secrets of their own, Holly Cupala's powerful new novel explores the subtleties of abuse, the meaning of love, and how far a girl will go to discover her own strength.


text:
Today, on September 15th, the episode finally went on-god-damned-line.
It's been funny watching the relevance of this episode languish, as the opening weekend passed, and then the movie slipped from first place, and then from the top ten movies in the country, and is now well on its way to DVD. I could almost record a podcast about how doomed this podcast was.
Now, I don't want to point fingers (lies, I really do), but this is finally out of the archives. Spoiler-heavy, an in-depth discussion of one of the summer's biggest movies and a retrospective on Nolan's revival of the Batman franchise. You can download the episode totally free right here.


text:
FRIDAY, Oct. 11 (HealthDay News) — Neti pots and other nasal-rinsing devices are generally safe and useful products, but they must be used and cleaned properly to reduce the risk of infection, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
These products are used to rinse the nasal passages with a salt-based solution and are a popular treatment for congested sinuses, colds and allergies, and for moistening nasal passages exposed to dry indoor air.
The most important factor in the safe use of nasal-rinsing devices is the water source. Tap water that is not filtered, treated or processed in specific ways is unsafe because it may contain bacteria or other organisms that can cause infections.
In 2011, two people in Louisiana died of a rare brain infection that may have been caused by improper use of neti pots, the FDA said in a consumer update reviewed by the agency last month.
Water that is safe to use in nasal-rinsing devices includes distilled or sterile water, which can be bought in stores. Or you can boil tap water for three to five minutes and then allow it to cool until it is lukewarm. You can store previously boiled water in a clean, closed container for use within 24 hours.
Another option is to pass water through a filter with an absolute pore size of 1 micron or smaller, which traps potentially infectious organisms. You can buy these filters online or at hardware stores. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has information about choosing a filter.
Wash and dry your hands before using a nasal-rinsing device, and check that it is clean and completely dry. Follow the manufacturer's directions for use. When you're done, wash the device with distilled, sterile or boiled and cooled tap water, and then dry the inside with a paper towel or let it air dry, the FDA recommends.
If a doctor recommends it, nasal-rinsing devices can be used on children as young as age 2, according to the agency. Very young children, however, might not tolerate the procedure as well.
Before using a nasal-rinsing device, talk to your doctor to determine if it will be safe and effective for your condition. If your symptoms worsen or do not improve, go back to your doctor, especially if you experience fever, nosebleed or headache while using a nasal-rinsing device, the FDA advised.
More information
The American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head & Neck Surgery has more about sinus problems.
Copyright © 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


text:
Cultivating a Habit of Spiritually Grounded Activism By Lisa Anderson, Auburn Theological Seminary
< back to Inspiration & Practice
In honor of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (November 25), and in an attempt to infuse a new relevance into my usual observance of the Advent season I marked a portion of the four weeks that open the Christian liturgical year with the following blog entrees. During that time I committed to either begin or end each day with the discipline of not just thinking about or wishing for an end to violence against women, but I set out to compile a storehouse of resources to equip myself -- and others – with the kind of spiritual, intellectual and practical information required to act on behalf of a violence free world for women and girls. While the process yielded many concrete pieces of advice, it was actually the habit of daily research and writing – of fixing my body, mind and spirit – on a discrete action for women, and anchoring that action within my own faith tradition that was as significant as the blog the resources themselves. As you read through these entrees I hope you take advantage of whatever particular bit of content that is relevant to you. But I also hope you will consider where the disciplines and practices of your own spiritual lives meet a wider world of feminist action for social change.
While the process yielded many concrete pieces of advice, it was actually the habit of daily research and writing – of fixing my body, mind and spirit – on a discrete action for women, and anchoring that action within my own faith tradition that was as significant as the blog the resources themselves.
As you read through these entrees I hope you take advantage of whatever particular bit of content that is relevant to you. But I also hope you will consider where the disciplines and practices of your own spiritual lives meet a wider world of feminist action for social change.
Scroll to see Auburn's 16-day toolkit--one resource for each day from 11/25-12/10--to commemorate the women in your faith community. We invite you to share your comments, including resources and insights from your own tradition or perspective.
Thursday, November 25th, is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1999, this day marks the beginning of sixteen days of activism against gender violence across the globe. It will culminate in the observance of Human Rights Day on December 10, 2010.
As a U.S. born Christian religious leader, the proximity of this day to Thanksgiving and its overlap into the Advent season is not lost on me. In fact, I am challenged by where this global commemoration sits in relation the so-called 'holiday season.' Is my ability to combat gender injustice as fine tuned as my ability to observe the rites and rituals of the season?' How does my faith inform my activism on behalf of the elimination of violence against women? And what are some of the faith-based and other resources I can rely on in this effort?
From November 25th to December 10th I will interrupt the usual pre-occupations of the season with a response to these questions. For sixteen days I will begin to build up a store-house of scriptural references, prayers, links, or other resources designed to equip religious leaders with some of the basic tools they need in order to make the elimination of violence against women a reality.
December 8 Day 14 – Social Media and Social Change No matter how many times it is said these days the importance of social media to our justice work cannot be stressed often enough. Similarly, recalling the pivotal role students and younger activists -- those in their teens and 20's – play as thought-leaders and opinion-makers on the global scene today must never be far from the strategic and imaginative consciousness of activists of earlier generations. When I visit Web sites like STANDnow.org I am reminded of these facts. STAND is the student-led division of the Genocide Intervention Network. Their mission is to envision and work for a world in which the international community protects civilians from genocidal violence. STAND empowers individuals and communities with the tools to prevent and stop genocide.
Click here to learn more about Stand's phenomenal work. Learn more about Auburn's investment in and reliance on emerging leaders through our leadership development program, Face to Face/Faith to Faith. Find Auburn on Facebook and Twitter.
December 7, 2010 Day 12 – Recalling the Source of Our Strength I have always loved writing and sharing prayers in community, and for three weeks this Fall I had the opportunity to do so for a film screening and discussion series I led at three local Manhattan churches. Tell Me A Story: Women's Experience as a Resource for Social Change explored the connection between women's experiences of the divine and social justice. In particular the series focused on the role the rituals of religious life -- singing, praying and preaching -- play in transforming systems of injustice and oppression.
On this 12th day of activism for gender justice I offer one of the series three to the activist tool kit -- a reminder of the essential spiritual grounding our petitions, praises and intercessions provide for our social change work. Merciful God, you hold us all in your loving arms, and see us all at once in the fullness of your being. Open us up to even a small measure of that expansive and embracing love. Help us to bridge the gaps of disconnection and unknowing that keep us apart and that block our vision of how richly and intimately interconnected we are with one another. Sometimes we look too high God, for a vision of that interconnectedness. Teach us to venture into the low and small places – recalling for us that it is always by You, and through You, and in You that the great good we long to effect in the world is born. Guide our feet Lord, in the work of love and justice, one small act at a time. Amen. Learn more about the films in the series A Small Act Pray the Devil Back to Hell Pushing the Elephant
December 6 , 2010 Day 12- Creating Sustainable Global Women's Movement! In 2007 Auburn Seminary honored Zainab Salbi at our Lives of Commitment Breakfast, Auburn's annual signature event celebrating the activism of women of faith across traditions and generations. Zainab's work as the founder of Women to Women International made her an obvious choice and marks her as a key leader in the battle for gender justice. The mission of Women to Women International is to provide women survivors of war, civil strife and other conflicts with the tools and resources to move from crisis and poverty to stability and self-sufficiency. While the issues confronting women in situations of conflict and crisis require myriad approaches and solutions, according to Zainab, the attainment of true and lasting economic empowerment at all levels, is what binds all of the issues impacting women's lives together.
Hear Zainab reflect the economics of gender justice at the 2010 Women Moving Millions conference.
Click here to learn more about the work of Women Moving Millions.
December 5 Day 11- Staying in the Loop Staying informed about the realities of women's lives on a small and grand scale is essential in the fight for gender justice. Women's eNews is an essential source for access to the kind of substantive reporting needed for equipping leaders of intellectual rigor and spiritual depth – two of the qualities Auburn believes 21st century change agents must possess in abundance. The religion page of Women's eNews is especially noteworthy. Click here to explore the site.
Other Web sites worth adding to the favorites column on your toolbar -
National Council for Research on Women
Women of Color Policy Forum
December 4 Day 10 – Feminist Theology and Gender Justice Although often unknown outside of the academy feminist theologians and ethicists have long been at the forefront of the fight for gender justice. The uniqueness of their contribution rests not only in the powerful ways in which they allow women's experience to inform their critique of traditions, but in how they enliven and renew those traditions for individuals and communities.
Learn about the remarkable scholarship and activism of some of Auburn's 'favorite feminists.'
Rev. Dr. Traci West Dr. Anne Joh Rabbi Amy Kalmanofsky Dr.Jamillah Karim
December 3 Day 9 – Everyday Holiness A woman to watch in the fight for gender justice is Rabbi Sharon Brous. Rabbi Brous is the founder of Ikar, a Jewish spiritual community that stands at the intersection of spirituality and social justice. Based in Los Angeles, the uniqueness of Ikar's mission, like the impact of Rabbi Brous, pivots around what she calls a commitment to 'everyday holiness.' How we pray, work, play and engage each in life's most mundane moments is as critical to creating communities of lasting healing and wholeness in the world as our grandest, most heroic gestures. Read Rabbi Brous's Hanukkah reflections on the necessity of cultivating everyday activism.
Rabbi Brous participated in the 2010 Auburn program, How Women Will Change the World in the 21st Century. She has also been featured as an Auburn Religious Leader of the week.
December 2 Day 8 – Reflecting on Love at the Mid-point Sometimes, what 'women are up against' in the world can feel overwhelming – the statistics that accompany a clear-eyed understanding of what violence against women actually involves often rendering one speechless. And yet the hope and the joy, the beauty and the commitment to loving and being loved women have embodied throughout the ages renders the temptation to despair untenable. Eight days into the sixteen days of activism against gender violence reminds me that achieving gender justice is as much about celebrating what 2010 Lives of Commitment honoree, Nurah Amat'ullah described 'the pleasure' of being a [Muslim] woman, as it is about railing against the myriad ways in which that pleasure would go unnoticed by the world! And so in that spirit here are but a few resources to infuse our passion for justice for women with the witness of women embracing beauty, wonder and goodness! Hear about and then subscribe to Aziazh Magazine, the quarterly celebrating the leadership and beauty of Muslim women.
Support the beauty and capacity of an emerging young woman leader.
December 1 Day 7- World AIDS Day Today is World AIDS Day, and the theme of this year's international time of awareness and activism against the global pandemic is 'universal access and human rights.' This means global leaders across the spectrum are committing themselves to making education and resources dedicated to the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS a basic human right for all. For women, global action in this direction translates into more deliberate efforts to combat the underlying abuses against the rights of women that have long made them an especially vulnerable population. A religious leader currently on the forefront of such efforts is Bishop Yvette Flunder. A long-time activist for LGBT communities of color, Bishop Flunder is the founder of Hazard-Ashley House and Walker House in Oakland and Restoration House in San Francisco. Both facilities are run through the Ark of Refuge, Inc., a non-profit agency which provides housing, direct services, education and training for persons affected by HIV/AIDS in the Bay Area, throughout the USA and in three countries in Africa. Restoration House is a dual-diagnosis residential facility for African-American women and the first of its kind in San Francisco. Walker House serves persons in recovery and living with HIV in Oakland, CA. The Ark provides HIV/AIDS education and prevention services targeting the African American and African faith community.
To learn more about Bishop Flunder and her multifaceted, radically inclusive AIDS outreach work click here.
Meet Bishop Flunder at the upcoming Auburn event, The Calling on Tuesday, December 7, 2010. Click here to register.
November 30 Day 6 – Poverty Breeds Violence; Poverty IS Violence!
The connections between ending violence against women and the implementation of just economic policy is an obvious one, but as the debates rage on in the US over extending the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest American's while also ending unemployment benefits for the poor – the point cannot be made often enough.
According to UNIFEM (United Nations Development Fund for Women), women make up 70% of the world's poor. And 'gender-based violence not only violates human rights, but also hampers productivity, reduces human capital and undermines economic growth.
In the face of such stark realities religious leaders from across the country, including Auburn's president, the Rev. Dr. Katharine Henderson -- are taking a stand.
Click here to sign onto the letter to President Obama opposing tax cuts for the wealthy, and to share it with your networks via Facebook and Twitter.
Hear honorees from the 2010 Lives of Commitment Breakfast reflect on Women, God and Money
November 29 Day 5 – An Activist Profile This morning as I headed into work after the long holiday weekend I thought about the many inspiring women out there working for the kind of systemic change necessary to end violence against women the world over. The inspiration such women provide is one of the prime motivators of my own work – the realization that the community of committed and impassioned activists is always on the move – keeping me focused for the long-haul that is social justice work.
Alisa Del Tufo is one such motivating woman. A social justice entrepreneur of long-standing, Alisa has changed the debate on family violence and other deep social challenges by shifting attention and resources to root causes. She is committed to the development of community engagement strategies, prevention and participant driven solutions rather than services and crisis intervention. As the founder of Threshold Collaborative she is helping others learn to solve their challenges by using these methods. Threshold's mission is to build a more caring, just and engaged society. Using narrative, opinion gathering and civic engagement, Threshold seeks to enhance empathy and action, helping to make individuals and communities more peaceful, strong and healthy.
After founding Sanctuary for Families in 1983 she began using narrative and constituent focused, social change strategies in 1992. Del Tufo founded CONNECT (1993) to end family and gender violence by transforming the beliefs that fuel abusive behavior, and empowering those closest to the problem to come together to find solutions. CONNECT supports men and boys as well as women, and encourages self and community empowerment to break the cycle of violence. She has continued to refine and develop community engagement approaches to serious social challenges through Threshold Collaborative, which has addressed issues as diverse as school failure, teen pregnancy, substance abuse, economic disparity and child abuse.
To learn more about Threshold Collaborative click here.
Watch for Alisa's contributions to Auburn's ongoing work in the Women's Multifaith Program in the coming months.November 30
November 28 Day 4 – Longing for Peaceful Families During this Advent Season Today is the first Sunday of Advent and alongside of my weekly candle-lighting ritual I mark this period of longing and preparation for birth of the Christ child and the end of violence against women by celebrating the work of the Peaceful Families Project.
PFP is a national organization devoted to ending domestic violence in Muslim families. Founded in 2000 by anti-violence pioneer, Sharifa Alkhateeb, (1946-2004), PFP facilitates awareness workshops for Muslim leaders and communities, provides cultural sensitivity trainings for professionals, conducts research, and develops a wide range of resources and tools usable within and outside of Muslim communities.
PFP offers many ways for individuals and communities to become involved in their work. One of the most exciting is their Take a Stand Video Campaign. Spearheaded by Sharifa's daughter, photographer, author, and PFP co-director, Maha Alkhateeb, the campaign provides a platform for folks of all ages, backgrounds and perspectives within the Muslim community to 'speak, sing, act and pray' for an end to domestic violence.
To learn more about Peaceful Families Project, including how you can become a part of the video campaign, click here.
November 27, 2010 Day Three – Your Silence Will Not Protect You In her ground-breaking essay, The Transformation of Silence into Language and Action, the late poet Audre Lorde wrote, 'I have come to believe over and over again that what is most important to me must be spoken, made verbal and shared…' These words leap to mind as on day three of the sixteen days of activism against gender violence, I recall the recent launch of the Voices of Our Future Speaking and Media Tour sponsored by World Pulse.
World Pulse is a global media and communication network devoted to bringing women a global voice. Through broadcasts, blogs, citizen journalism, a magazine and numerous other action projects, World Pulse unites women's voices from around the world into a powerful force for social change. The Voices of Our Future Speaking and Media Tour highlights the citizen journalism of spokeswomen from the Philippines, Nepal and Bolivia.
To learn more about World Pulse, including how you can become a part of the movement to amplify the voices of women committed to social change, click here.
The full text of Audre Lorde's essay appears in her book, Sister Outsider.
November 26, 2010 Day Two – Activism in Daily Life Day two of the sixteen and an important post-Thanksgiving Day activity will include watching and discussing the film, Pushing the Elephant with family and friends. Pushing the Elephant chronicles the story of Rose Mapendo and how she escaped the ethnic violence of the Democratic Republic of Congo to become a vital voice for healing and reconciliation. The mother of ten children, Rose's story is of particular significance in this countdown to Human Rights Day, as the intimate and tender nature of her account puts flesh on the bones of the suffering of literally millions of men, women and children in this war-torn region.
I am inspired to share this film with the people closest to me during a time of ordinary celebration because one of the things that makes Pushing the Elephant so powerful is how seamlessly Rose's commitment to end rape and repression in the Congo is woven into the life she now leads with her family in Arizona. 'Activism demystified,' is how I like to think of it.
To learn more about Pushing the Elephant and Mapendo International click here. Stay tuned for prayers and study questions about the film series developed for the Women's Multifaith Program entitled Tell Me A Story.
November 25, 2010 Day One – Recalling an Early Feminist Mentor Day one of the blog series inspired by the sixteen days of activism against gender violence puts me in mind of a choice bit of essential reading from my seminary days. Texts of Terror, written by feminist biblical scholar, Dr. Phyllis Trible is an excellent resource for religious leaders interested in exploring how the story of violence against women is rendered in sacred texts.
In it Trible interrogates some of the most unsettling stories of female suffering in Hebrew and Christian scripture, recalling the stories of Hagar (Genesis 4:21-5:1), Tamar (Genesis 38), the Unnamed Woman in the book of Judges (Judges 19:1-30) and the story of Jephthath's daughter (Judges11:1-12:7). Alongside of her piercing analysis Trible challenges readers to wrestle with the place such stories can and should occupy within our faith communities.
Written more than two decades ago her insights continue to enlighten and compel a new generation of theological thinkers and activists.
To read an excerpt from Texts of Terror click here.
Phyllis Trible is Professor of Biblical Studies at Wake Forest University. In 2009 she was a part of the teaching team for Auburn's first Seminarian Program on Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.
Lisa Anderson is Associate Director of Educational Programs and Director of the Women's Multifaith Program at Auburn Theological Seminary. As an institute for religious leadership, Auburn equips bold and resilient leaders with the tools and resources they need to bridge religious divides, build community, pursue justice, and heal the world. Lisa's work with the Women's Multifaith Program focuses on identifying the specific ways in which this broad vision can address the particular leadership needs and challenges women face. A trained theologian, Lisa holds a Masters of Divinity and Masters of Philosophy degree from Union Theological Seminary. Currently, she is a Union Ph.D candidate in systematic theology specializing in Christian doctrines and liberation theologies. Lisa has taught courses in Black, Womanist, LGBT theologies, Christian ethics and liturgy, and designed and led seminars on the connection between faith and social justice. Her dissertation, entitled, On Love, Liberation and Original Sin: A Black Queer Meditation explores how LGBT communities of color can critically interrogate and radically integrate classical conceptions of sin and grace into an emerging perspective informed by the particularity of their encounter with the Divine.
Auburn Theological Seminary is an institute for religious leadership that faces the challenges of our fragmented, complex, and violent time. We envision religion as a catalyst and resource for a new world—one in which difference is celebrated, abundance is shared, and people are hopeful, working for a future that is better than today.
Auburn equips bold and resilient leaders—religious and secular, women and men, adults and teens—with the tools and resources they need for our multifaith world.We provide them with education, research, support, and media savvy, so that they can bridge religious divides, build community, pursue justice, and heal the world.
To learn more about Auburn, visit our Web site at www.AuburnSeminary.org.
Click below to e-mail this article to a friend or to post a link on your favorite sites. Thank you!
Home | About Us | Features | Ask Our Team | Inspiration & Practice | Women of Vision | Resources Copyright 2011 Feminist.com. All rights reserved.


text:
Time to close a bunch of open tabs again and pass along some of the latest Disney news and links.
Is an IMAX Theater coming to Downtown Disney's Pleasure Island 24 movie multiplex? According to the AMC website there is. Click on the 'coming soon' button at the bottom of this page. Alas, the date is TBD. The current thought is that it would either be expanded into the parking lot or into the space of the Virgin Megastore that's closing soon. Of course an Apple Store and ESPN Zone have also been rumored for that space.
It's not Halloween, but FoxxFur has the spooky tale of George, the ghost who inhabits the Magic Kingdom's Pirates Of The Caribbean Attraction.
Six Flags isn't the only theme park company facing debt restructuring issues right now. The Orlando Sentinel has the details on Universal Orlando's problems. They're looking at having to pay down $1.5 billion if they can't get everything in line. That could mean in park cutbacks or even being forced to sell some properties.
Iron Chef Cat Cora, who will soon be opening a new restaurant at Walt Disney World, welcomed a new baby to the family last week. Cat's wife, Jennifer, gave birth to a son. Cat is also pregnant and expecting this July.
Time to add another band to the banned list from Disneyland's Downtown Disney House of Blues. The hardcore heavy metal band Daath was kicked for inappropriate content, no chance of appeal. I think Disney's actually more concerned with keeping the peace at its open air mall than inappropriate content on stage.
A couple of Disney blogs to add to your list if you haven't already. DisneyShawn smartly reveals the details and backstory behind Disney World's theme parks. Meanwhile TouringPlans.com, the website of the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, has started a blog as well.
Finally, I'd like to introduce you to the Disney Fan Review video podcast. It's a new series that looks at the creative efforts of Disney fans across youtube. Sort of like a TV station for Disney fans. I've embedded one of his recent episodes below the cut:


text:
*************************************************** S2-S4 marketing SLOTS HOST NAME :-> lenldtaexpr1p03.jcpenney.com SERVER NAME :-> :-> Thu Jan 26 07:49:29 CST 2017 JVM :-> dtexppr1l1j3_03 ***************************************************
Shoulder Bags Keep Busy Moms Organized
Purses are a woman's lifeline. Good shoulder bags can carry everything you need, and maybe even the kitchen sink. Busy moms need big shoulder bags to tackle the challenge of staying organized and prepared. You've felt exasperation on more than one occasion when you realized you couldn't fit all the things you need for your kids inside of your purse. Try as you might, that one favorite toy just won't fit. Snacks slip to the bottom of the bag and get smooshed, becoming unrecognizable. With hair bows, tissues, toys, snacks, and an assortment of other odds and ends to carry around, a small shoulder bag won't cut it. You're going to need something heavy duty. Browse our collection of deep and wide shoulder bags that can handle the demands motherhood puts on your purse. Over the shoulder bags with multiple compartments keep your purse clean and organized. Put snacks, tablets, band aids, and more into their own secure compartments, while still leaving plenty of room for your cell phone, make up, and wallet. If you want to make your life even easier, select a purse with easy to clean fabrics. These fabrics require a warm cloth to clean or can be tossed into the washing machine. Keep your life organized with mom-friendly shoulder bags in the women's department.
Stylish Over the Shoulder Bags Just for Mom
Now that you've picked out the perfect mommy purse, it's time to shop for stylish over the shoulder bags for casual wear and nights out on the town. If there is one type of over the shoulder bag you must get, it's the bucket bag. Bucket bags come in casual and dressy styles. Sure, the construction is reminiscent of your mommy bag, big and roomy. Trust us, there's only enough room just for your necessities. The malleable construction of a bucket bag makes it easy to slip odd shaped objects into it that wouldn't normally fit in a structured rectangular bag, such as those flats you like to slip into when your heels begin to hurt your feet. It's oversized without looking like luggage. The shape of the bucket bag isn't visually appealing to everyone. A hobo bag is an excellent alternative. Hobo bags have the same shape-shifting quality of bucket bags but come in the classic rectangular shape associated with purses.


text:
Direct Inward Dialing: +1 408 916 9393
In today's world of Information Technology, Active Directory functions as the beehive of all organizational activities. As a consequence, one wrong move could spark off a domino-fall-sequence of disasters that might result in a total collapse of the organization's functions.
TIn order to avoid such adversities the Active Directory management team should take safety measures and ensure that all actions performed in AD are supervised or double-checked.
Administrators will agree that this function is not so easy, especially when using conventional options like the native AD tools, PowerShell, etc., because of the complexity, exhaustive man-hours and other resources that go in to securing Active Directory. To combat these shortcomings, ManageEngine ADManager Plus brings you Workflow - a workflow management, Active Directory ticketing and Compliance system, right within ADManager Plus itself!!
Workflow is much like a repository for Active Directory task requests or tickets, which also allows the administrator to define the approval workflow to specify how management tasks like account creation, modification, Active Directory cleanup, etc. should be executed.
ADManager Plus workflow is efficient like a system of its own, but still compact that it resides inside the comprehensive Active Directory Management tool! It acts as both as an Active Directory ticketing software and as a compliance software!!
Make your everyday Active Directory management tasks easy and light with ADManager Plus's AD Management features. Create, modify and delete users in a few clicks!
Manage your Active Directory Security Groups. Create, Delete and Modify Groups...all in a few clicks. Configure Exchange attributes of AD Groups and effect bulk group changes to your AD security groups.
Granular reporting on your AD Computer objects to the minutest detail. Monitor...and modify computer attributes right within the report. Reports on Inactive Computers and operating systems.
Unload some of your workload without losing your hold. Secure & non-invasive helpdesk delegation and management from ADManager Plus! Delegate powers for technician on specific tasks in specific OUs.
Get rid of the inactive, obsolete and unwanted objects in your Active Directory to make it more secure and efficient...assisted by ADManager Plus's AD Cleanup capabilities.
A complete automation of AD critical tasks such as user provisioning, inactive-user clean up etc. Also lets you sequence and execute follow-up tasks and blends with workflow to offer a brilliant controlled-automation.


text:
Note: This product has been discontinued.
FUN Code: 125.0074.532
Fiji opens up the design potential for undermounting granite bowls into a wide range of worksurface materials. With it's choice of beautifully neutral tones and contemporary shapes, Fiji offers an appealing alternative to stainless steel. Shown with Henley Chrome Tap.
NB: Product Discontinued March 2023
Sink Details
Unit Dimensions
Bowl Dimensions
Second Bowl Dimensions
Cut-Out Dimensions
© 2024 Carron Phoenix. All Rights Reserved
Website By Platform81


text: It's just amazing how dirty things can get in the shower! Dima got lucky with two rampant hotties and the shower was the nearest place where they could indulge their desire. After fiery foreplay, both girls amused Dima with some nasty lesbian action, slamming huge toys in their moist twats and tight buttholes. This fascinating performance was aimed to prepare the guy for the best blowjob in his life, as these two lustful babes are the real champions of slurping on a throbbing meat pole!


text:
Brownie Box cameras USA Canada
Brownie Box cameras USA Canada
Brownie No.2A USA model C green
Brownie No.2A USA model C green
MANUFACTURER: Eastman Kodak Company
PLACE MANUFACTURED: US, NY, Rochester
TEXT ON STRAP: Brownie STRAP COLOR: green.
INTRODUCTION DATE: Apr. 1924
FILM TYPE: 116 rollfilm IMAGE SIZE: 2½ x 4¼ inch.
STANDARD LENSES/SHUTTERS: meniscus lens, rotary shutter.
Apr. 1924: Model C; aluminum body; tripod sockets; hinged back with spring catch; finer grain leatherette covering, Also manufactured in Canada by Canadian Kodak Co. ltd.
Kodak hired Walter Dorwin Teague as Industrial Design Consultant the first changes he made was the introduction of the No. 2 and No. 2A cameras in five new colors.
Apr. 1929-1933: US models available in five colours – red, gray, green, brown, or blue – as well as black.
Camera value € 65
with original box € 250


text:
Beyuna Power consists of a combination of Boswellia serrata, ashwagandha and Siberian Ginseng. Ashwagandha helps improve stamina* and is good for extra energy when suffering from fatigue.* Siberian ginseng helps recovery after physical exertion* and boswellia serrata is good for maintaining supple joints.*
Beyuna Power is designed to support athletes, nevertheless it is a product that is excellent for everyone.
Contains: 60 capsules
*Health claim pending European approval.
Recommended daily amount for adults 2 capsules.
Ingredients |
Eleutherococcus Senticosus Extract, |
Withania Somnifera Extract (Ashwagandha), |
Boswelia Extract 65%, |
Pineapple powder, enzyme active |
Two tablets contain: | |
Eleutherococcus Senticosus Extract | 225.0 mg |
Withania Somnifera Extract | 210.0 mg |
Boswelia Extract 65% | 180.0 mg |
Pineapple powder, enzyme active | 21.0 mg |
Capsule: vegetable
Boswellia Serrata |
For maintaining flexible joints* |
Withania Somnifera - Ashwagandha |
For extra energy when suffering from fatigue* |
Has a beneficial effect on endurance* |
Eleutherococcus Senticosus - Siberian Ginseng |
For recovery after physical exertion* |
Supports the immune system* |
*Health claim pending European approval.
Take 2 capsules per day with water, preferably half an hour before your workout/competition. |
Do not exceed the recommended daily dosage. |
Nutritional supplements are not a substitute for a balanced diet. |
A healthy lifestyle and a varied, balanced diet is vital to maintaining good health. |
Dark, sealed, cool and out of the reach of young children. |
Not to be used under 18 years of age, during pregnancy or while breast-feeding. |
According to EC Directives 2000/13, 2003/89, 2005/26, 2005/63, 2006/142, 2007/68 and updates.
Allergens | Yes/No |
Cereals containing gluten and products thereof | No |
Crustaceans and products thereof | No |
Eggs and products thereof | No |
Fish and products thereof | No |
Peanuts and products thereof | No |
Soy/ Soyderivatives | No |
Milk and products thereof, including lactose | No |
Nuts and products thereof | No |
Celery and products thereof | No |
Mustard and products thereof | No |
Sesame seeds and products thereof | No |
Sulphur dioxide and sulphites at concentrations of more than 10 mg/l, expressed as SO | No |
Lupin and products thereof | No |
Molluscs and products thereof | No |
European legislation was adopted in 2012 relating to nutrition and health claims made on foods (the Commission Regulation). The Commission Regulation is a European Regulation (432/2012) which sets out what information may be provided regarding the effect of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients on products (on packaging, labels, websites, advertisements, in brochures, books and on social media).
Only approved health claims may be made. These claims provide information about the effect a particular ingredient has on health. Approved health claims are recommended by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). For many years, it was possible for companies to submit health claims, but unfortunately very few of them were approved. Because many of the claims submitted were rejected, some nutrients have no approved claims which relate to them.
Food supplements are not a medication and may only promote health. This means medical claims can never be made in relation to supplements.
We all enjoy free speech, and it is possible to make claims about the effect of certain nutrients in articles and brochures and on websites, but in this case there should be no advertising of a specific product or any reference made to it.
The Inspection Board for the Promotion of Health Products
Public advertising of self-care medicines, medical (self-care) aids or health products is in the interest of public health, though it does require clear regulations. Industry, the media and advertisers recognise their social responsibilities, and have created rules with which public advertising must comply.
These rules are drawn up by the Dutch Foundation for Monitoring Medicinal Product Advertising (KOAG) and the Dutch Foundation for the Promotion of Health Products (KAG). On behalf of the KOAG and KAG, the Inspection Board monitors the public advertising of medicines, medical (self-care) aids and health products.
Companies can have their claims verified by KOAG KAG. If a claim is verified and permitted, the company is given an approval number. This can be found on claims made in, e.g., brochures.
There are no reviews yet, log in and write the first!
Please sign in to write a review.


text:
Metal / Sports Water Bottle Mockup
Metal / sports water bottle mockup to showcase your branding packaging design in a photorealistic style. Simple edit with smart layers. Free for personal use only. More ultra high-quality mockups…
- Format: 1 PSD file
- Dimensions: 4000 x 4000 px
- Size: 26 Mb


text:
WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–April 17, 2013. As part of the Obama Administration's commitment to lowering energy bills for U.S. businesses, the Energy Department today recognized Nissan's participation in the Better Buildings, Better Plants Challenge and its showcase project at the company's new energy efficient paint plant in Smyrna, Tennessee. Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy David Danielson joined officials from Tennessee and Nissan on a tour of the Smyrna paint plant, which opened in January and is expected to cut energy use by almost a third compared to its predecessor.
"Partners in the Better Plants Challenge are leading by example, showing firsthand how energy efficiency improvements save money by saving energy," said Assistant Secretary Danielson. "The investments made through the Better Plants Challenge are helping cut energy waste while saving businesses millions in energy costs, creating American jobs, and helping to increase the competitiveness of the U.S. manufacturing sector."
Each year, the U.S. spends about $200 billion just to power commercial buildings – and another $200 billion to power industrial facilities. Together, commercial and industrial buildings account for roughly half of the nation's energy use and more than 40 percent of our carbon emissions. The Better Buildings, Better Plants Challenge serves as the industrial component of President Obama's broader Better Buildings Challenge which was launched in December 2011 to help America's commercial and industrial buildings become at least 20 percent more efficient over the next decade.
"Nissan is committed to increasing energy efficiency as we reduce the environmental impact of manufacturing high quality vehicles sold in North America," said Susan Brennan, Nissan's vice president of manufacturing in Smyrna. "These efforts align with our global commitment to zero emission vehicle leadership and corporate social responsibility to employees, stakeholders and our customers."
As a partner in the Better Buildings, Better Plants Challenge, Nissan North America has committed to reducing energy use in its three U.S. plants 25 percent by 2020, affecting 12 million square feet of plant space. According to Nissan's projections, the new 250,000 square- foot footprint Smyrna paint plant is capable of reducing energy use and carbon emissions by 30 percent.
The Better Buildings, Better Plants Challenge helps more than 11 industrial building owners cut energy waste and save money on their utility bills through a range of energy efficiency measures, such as whole facility energy system improvements, compressed air updates, submetering initiatives and energy efficient facility construction. Participating organizations receive technical assistance from the Department and share best practices on industrial energy efficiency with other Challenge partners.
For more information please visit the Better Buildings, Better Plants Challenge website.
Source: energy.gov


text:
This article is more than 1 year old
Dubya to speak his mind at Facebook event
'A leadership is someone who brings people together'
The ex-US president of all our hearts, George W Bush, will be hanging out at Facebook's Silicon Valley headquarters to field questions from the social network's stalkers later today.
However, the Mark Zuckerberg-run company has already yanked the page advertising the event following what we at Vulture Central can only assume has been unprecedented demand for people wanting to speak with Dubya.
Bush, who has been part of Facebook's 500 million-strong throng of users since June this year, will be talking to fans about his pretzel-bruising memoir Decision Points.
But within 30 minutes of Facebook announcing the event, the page was besieged with questions.
At time of writing, it is displaying the following message: "The page you requested cannot be displayed at the moment. It may be temporarily unavailable, the link you clicked on may have expired, or you may not have permission to view this page."
Bush junior awaits
Stalkers' Question Time
Presumably Facebook has taken the page down because it has quite enough questions to direct at Bush now, thank you very much.
Of course given that Bush – who was the 43rd pres of the US – almost certainly won more haters than admirers around the world during his presidency, we can't help but suspect the page was bombarded with its fair share of abuse, too.
People who claim to "like" Bush through the power of Facebook are still being pretty outspoken about the verbally-challenged former president, however.
"Go back into your hole, no one give [sic] a shit about your book you Skull and Bones faggot," wrote one non-fan on the book of face earlier today. ®


text:
Good Morning! Happy Tuesday. We've got a brand new sketch up on the TMS blog and it's the Judged Challenge week, so the added twist is THANK YOU cards.
This week is sponsored by There She Goes Stamps, my card features Fabulous and You're a Hoot, two of my favorite sets....
Please head on over to TMS to see some really fabulous creations by the design team! Have a great day.
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
5 Encouraging Thoughts:
- Jenée said...
Great card. I do believe I like that sketch better turned the way you've done. Very sweet card, Melissa!
- November 12, 2013 at 12:38 PM
- Grandma Bonnie said...
That is an interesting die..i don't know that one..it makes your card very fun..and the owl..is a "hoot" :0)
- November 12, 2013 at 9:52 PM
- Debbie said...
This is really cute!! I love that die!!
- November 13, 2013 at 11:37 AM
- Jessi Fogan said...
I love that owl! Just fabulous :)
- November 17, 2013 at 9:10 AM
- Carol L said...
That's such a whimsical and cute owl, and I love that punched border too! NJ
- November 17, 2013 at 8:19 PM
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)


text:
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, June 11, 2008: Lessons from the poor
By Cal Thomas
Tribune Media Services
Listening to Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton repeat stories they claim to have been told by the poor and the unemployed, who are unable to pay for food and medicine and feel miserable about it, is enough to make one think we are living in a Third World dictatorship and not the United States of America. But victimhood and a "can't do" spirit is what the Democratic Party has mostly been about since the Great Depression.
A more positive narrative comes from a new book, Lessons from the Poor: Triumph of the Entrepreneurial Spirit, edited by Alvaro Vargas Llosa and published by the Independent Institute.
The book is an optimistic triumph and a lesson about the unlimited capacity of the human spirit, properly inspired and unencumbered.
In the introduction, Llosa writes, "Entrepreneurial ability and energy are present almost everywhere. But in those countries that still languish in backwardness, the labyrinth intervention of the state and the absence of adequate institutions have kept that ability and energy from translating into full development."
He writes of nations that used to be poor but are no longer, detailing how their people climbed out of poverty. He blames political, legal (and I would add, in some cases, religious) systems for stifling prosperity.
Llosa is about creating wealth, and his inspirational stories about real people and how they did it ought to be read in every school and in every home that has accepted inevitable failure.
In 1988, the Ananos family of Ayacucho, Peru — the cradle of the Maoist terrorist organization known as Shining Path — founded Kola Real.Coca Cola and Pepsi had pulled out because of the unstable political situation.
In just 20 years the Ananos family has transformed a mom-and-pop operation into the biggest transnational manufacturer of nonalcoholic beverages in Latin America. They now have subsidiaries in Mexico, Venezuela, Ecuador, four Central American countries and Thailand. By 2005, they had more than 8 million customers and employed 8,000 workers. Their sales totaled $1 billion.
The Ananos family overcame years of socialist and populist experiments that hurt Peru's economy. They demonstrate what can be done when obstacles are overcome by the power of optimism.
Aquilino Flores is another Peruvian who started out washing cars 40 years ago. He had no capital. Today, Flores is the most important textile businessman in Peru, heading a company called Topy Top with annual sales of more than $100 million. As Daniel Cordova writes in his contribution to the book, "… the story of the Flores family and Topy Top is one of tenacity, determination and intuition."
Didn't we used to teach such things in American schools before class warfare, envy and penalizing the successful?
The story behind Nakumatt, Kenya's largest supermarket chain, could have been written in America. Google Nakumatt for details.
In Nigeria, a clothing design industry has been created to produce and sell adire attire, traditional in the Yoruba culture. There are thousands of adire workers, most of them women with little or no education, but they have "an entrepreneurial drive to make a living and create wealth where there was previously only misery," writes Thompson Ayodele in his essay. "These entrepreneurs receive no government aid. In fact, through action or omission, the government has placed and continues to place many obstacles in their way. Yet they have been able to combat poverty much more effectively than foreign aid and official poverty-reduction programs."
Please re-read that last sentence. Government aid impedes success and creates dependence, while entrepreneurs create success and independence.
In countries with far less capital and opportunity than America, people haven't sung songs about overcoming. They have overcome through tenacity, risk-taking and self-reliance.
During the presidential campaign, each time Barack Obama focuses on misery and the need for more government spending, John McCain should trot out American stories of the formerly poor and let them tell how they made it so that others can too.
Llosa says Spain is "particularly interesting and instructive for those who think that certain nations are doomed forever by virtue of their culture. In the past two decades, Spain, whose culture was once inimical to notions such as self-reliance and individual initiative, has experienced an economic and social transformation."
If Spain and the poor in Peru and Africa can do it, what's stopping America and poor Americans?