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Random effects IRT
Mplus Discussion
Categorical Data Modeling
Yaacov Petscher
posted on Thursday, May 30, 2013 - 3:53 am
Is it currently possible to specify a random effects IRT such that thresholds, loadings, and theta are random? For scale identification I have been able to fix one of the three and the other two are estimated, but was curious as to whether a loading could be fixed to 1 and the variances could be estimated. Because the data structure is univariate for the random IRT model, I was less certain if this was possible. Thanks for any input.
Bengt O. Muthen
posted on Thursday, May 30, 2013 - 6:07 am
Yes, see UG ex 9.26.
Yaacov Petscher
posted on Thursday, May 30, 2013 - 7:47 am
Thanks, Bengt. I've been using that as a guide, but I'm actually interested in running something in the vein of:
s | f BY u;
%BETWEEN item%
u; [u$1];
s; [s];
so that f is estimated instead of fixed. Is there a way to identify the model so that f, u, and s variances can be estimated. Perhaps by fixing the means of the slopes to 1?
Bengt O. Muthen
posted on Thursday, May 30, 2013 - 9:53 am
You should think of the random loadings in line with group-varying loadings in which case you cannot also identify the factor variance. So you don't want to free the factor variance. It wouldn't be identified and it would not carry any extra information. The unit factor variance is standard in IRT.
If you are willing to say that one loading is fixed instead of random you can free the factor variance, but that would seem unrealistic. Fixing the means of the slopes doesn't help I think - it is the fact that they have variances that's the key.
Yaacov Petscher
posted on Thursday, May 30, 2013 - 11:51 am
Do you think if it is mechanically possible to actually fix a loading? With the code of "f by u; " designating that the structure of the data is univariate rather than multivariate (which would, by contrast, carry a "f by u1-u10" as in traditional IRT), is it possible to fix
in the "f by u" case in the random IRT?
Bengt O. Muthen
posted on Thursday, May 30, 2013 - 1:14 pm
An answer to your question will come shortly, but I don't see why you want the factor variance free.
Tihomir Asparouhov
posted on Thursday, May 30, 2013 - 1:22 pm
You can try this trick. Add a new between item variable: the observed loading L. In the data file add 999 (missing value) for those that are not observed.
S on
; or
where S is the random loading.
Yaacov Petscher
posted on Thursday, May 30, 2013 - 5:07 pm
Thank you both! Part of the reason we want to explore the student variance is that our previous published work has decomposed variances in item responses due to individuals and item thresholds via glimmix models. Often the largest source of variance is due to individual as opposed to threshold differences. I replicated that model in Mplus (one I was doing at M3 when we were chatting!) where loading variances were fixed and individual/threshold variances were estimated as in my paper, and found similar estimates and intraclass correlations. It may be theoretically interesting to extend that work to see how the variance components change when moving from a Rasch based model to the 2pl context, and to evaluate not only the threshold variance changes by estimating the loading variance, but also the individual variance as well. In the glimmix application via SAS a substantial portion of the student variance was captured by individual and individual by item interactions. Seeing how the same item covariates from our old paper differentially explain threshold and loading variance could shed like that has instructional implications for certain reading assessments.
Yaacov Petscher
posted on Friday, September 27, 2013 - 7:17 am
As a follow-up to this line of inquiry, a colleague of mine and I are running the random items IRT with random thresholds and loadings via:
model: %within%
%between id%
fload| f by ln;
%between letter%
ln*; [ln$1];
fload*; [fload*1];
savedata: file is yay.dat;
FACTORS=ln fload;
In the output file we the inclusion of FLOAD with the 50 values associated with the imputations, and the mean of the the random loading effects across items (1.73) corresponds well to the mean in the Model Results section (1.77). As it pertains to the intercepts, we're unclear about what the B2a_LN and B2b_LN values represent. The average of B2b_LN was .025, which was not close to the mean threshold (-2.60), nor the variances. Do the intercepts vary automatically when the loadings vary, does this need to be specified in the model, or is it not possible to obtain the specific item intercepts? Thank you!
Bengt O. Muthen
posted on Friday, September 27, 2013 - 10:11 am
It depends on the order in your cluster command:
clusters = level2b level2a;
The B2b value refers to level2b scores and the B2a value to level2a scores.
Yaacov Petscher
posted on Friday, September 27, 2013 - 10:39 am
In this model we have clusters = item id so it makes sense why b2a has 0 and b2b has information. Is it the case, that the b2b_ln average intercept effects should be added to the mean of -2.60 in order to calculate the actual thresholds for each item? Otherwise, we're having difficulty resolving the -2.60 with the b2b_ln average of .025.
Tihomir Asparouhov
posted on Friday, September 27, 2013 - 3:00 pm
ln_b2b is just the random part and it does not include the threshold value [ln$1]. To get the threshold for each item you have to subtract the factor score value for ln_b2b from the threshold value [ln$1]. By default ln_b2b is an item specific random effect with mean zero across items but for specific items it will not be zero.
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The tactic of linking U.S. gun purchases to Mexican drug kingpins came to be known derisively as "gun-walking." It was born of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' frustration over laws that in effect confined investigations to low-level "straw purchasers" and the cartel-connected middlemen for whom they bought guns.
Enter Operation Fast and Furious.
Instead of arresting straw purchasers who bought military-style weapons in gun stores, Phoenix-based ATF agents followed instructions to let buyers go so weapons could be tracked to Mexican kingpins.
As a result, 2,000 or more weapons were smuggled into Mexico while ATF agents watched. Two of those weapons were found at the site in southern Arizona in December 2010 where Border Patrol agent Brian Terry was shot and killed.
ATF supervisors in Phoenix denied letting guns "walk," but the damage was done.
Beneath the overheated rhetoric and finger-pointing is a cautionary tale of ATF enforcing gun laws with a bull's-eye on its back — a favorite target of the 4.3 million-member National Rifle Association, and numerous Republican (and some Democratic) lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
A unit of the Justice Department, ATF hasn't had a permanent director since 2006. It fields a force of almost 2,500 agents — about the same number as in 1972.
ATF is responsible for policing a legally sold commodity backed by a ready army of enthusiasts quick to pounce over any hint of overzealous enforcement. Without a firearms trafficking statute that enables agents to build complex cases, ATF is limited to investigating straw purchasers for what amounts to paperwork violations and middlemen for dealing firearms without a license, also a wrist-slap.
Nevertheless, Justice Department officials exerted pressure on ATF to pursue bigger investigations to take down entire trafficking organizations, not just bit players.
Lanny Breuer, the assistant attorney general in charge of the criminal division, dispatched a prosecutor to Phoenix to dust off dormant gun cases from the Bush administration that the U.S. attorney's office had shelved because they involved gun-walking.
Congressional investigators probing Fast and Furious theorize that renewed interest from Washington might have sent a signal to ATF's Phoenix agent in charge, Bill Newell, that President Barack Obama's Justice Department approved letting guns "walk" to see where they end up in Mexico.
By December 2009, agents had pinpointed 15 buyers supplying the notorious Sinaloa cartel led by Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman Loera.
In January 2010, Newell wrote that ATF's strategy in the case was to "allow the transfer of firearms to continue" so agents could identify the entire trafficking network.
A few weeks later, Fast and Furious won a coveted Justice Department designation as an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.
An ATF supervisor, David Voth, described the investigative architecture as "the biggest tool in our law enforcement tool box" and "the pinnacle of U.S. law enforcement techniques."
While Newell, Voth and other ATF supervisors exulted in the prospect of linking weapons purchases to Mexican drug lords, some street agents feared they were enabling mayhem in Mexico.
Ultimately the whistle-blowers' complaints landed in the office of Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa.
They testified before Congress that Voth and other ATF supervisors ordered them not to stop individuals under surveillance who were ferrying weapons to Mexico. Rather, agents were to record gun serial numbers in a database and then match the numbers to those off weapons recovered by Mexican authorities at crime scenes.
Newell has insisted that he never instructed agents to let weapons "walk." Agents seized guns when there was sufficient evidence that the purchasers were illegally buying guns for cartel middlemen rather than legally for themselves, Newell has said.
In the face of a high legal threshold imposed by an "unusually conservative" U.S. attorney's office in Phoenix, Fast and Furious agents seized 375 guns in 2010, Newell said.
But emails turned over to Congress show a Phoenix-area firearms dealer anxious about selling to suspected straw purchasers.
ATF operated "as if cartels have a chief gun procurement officer and he orders 4,000 AKs (AK-47 rifles) from gun stores in Phoenix," said one congressional investigator, who spoke on condition he not be identified. "That's not how it works. These are ad hoc networks of people who arise, come together and come apart in order to feed a market."
As a result, the investigator said, ATF ended up focused on nonexistent trafficking structures when it should have concentrated on the deterrent effect of going after straw purchasers.
Ultimately, in January 2011, prosecutors unsealed indictments against 20 Fast and Furious defendants, none of them major players. ATF had targeted two cartel-connected associates, but they turned out to be "unindictable" FBI informants.
No kingpins were arrested.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Listen to Buku Money Feat. Slim Thug [Explicit], the new track by French Montana, which was dropped on Monday, February 14th, 2011. French Montana's odds keep getting better with each new leak, and Buku Money Feat. Slim Thug [Explicit] will undoubtedly improve his chances of winning. It's a worthy addition to a respectable catalogue that has seen a lot of growth since French Montana debuted in this game. We're looking forward to the follow-up.
Hear more of French Montana on Give It To Em (Remix). If you're down, make sure to visit French Montana's profile page for the newest info, news, songs, and mixtapes.
How do you feel about the production here?


text:
|"Is this all real? Or has this been happening inside my head?"
The topic of this article is of a real-life subject that has been mentioned "in-universe" in a canon source. The Harry Potter Wiki is written from the perspective that all information presented in canon is true (e.g., Hogwarts really exists), and, as such, details contained in this article may differ from real world facts.
Nanchang is a city in China, the capital of the province of Jiangxi.[1] The Daily Prophet once reported in its section on international weather that it would be cloudy and 12° in Nanchang.[2]
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film) (Mentioned in newspaper)
- The Making of Harry Potter (Mentioned only)
Notes and references
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Nanchang on Wikipedia
- ↑ The Making of Harry Potter - See this image.


text:
Browsing Working Papers (FI) by Title
Previous Page
Now showing items 17-36 of 68Next Page
Raahauge, Peter (København, 2001)[More information][Less information]
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/7136
Files in this item: 1raahauge_empirical.pdf (395.9Kb)
Raahauge, Peter (København, 2003)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: Rational expectations models make stringent assumptions on the agent's knowledge about the true model. This paper introduces a model in which the rational agent realizes that using a given model involves approximation errors, and adjusts behavior accordingly. If the researcher accounts for this empirical rationality on part of the agent, the resulting empirical model assigns likelihood to the data actually observed, unlike in the unmodified rational expectations case. A Lucas (1978)-type asset pricing model which incorporates empirical rationality is constructed and estimated using U.S. stock data. The equilibrium asset pricing function is seriously affected by the existence of approximation errors and the descriptive properties and normative implications of the model are significantly improved. This suggests that investors do not | and should not | ignore approximation errors. Keywords: Approximation errors, model uncertainty, estimation of structural models, rational expectations, asset pricing. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/7139
Files in this item: 1wp-141.pdf (347.7Kb)
Lyse Hansen, Thomas; Astrup Jensen, Bjarne (København, 2004)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: It is a delicate matter to trade spot products and financial derivatives in energy markets. Op- posite to bond and stock markets, the underlying assets are real products and a significant part of the demand for them represents a real need for the products, which can only be substituted away with some difficulties or, in some cases, only in a prohibitively costly manner. This is particularly true in the spot market, where the demand is almost always met, but where the spot price processes can be quite different from the spot price processes conventionally used in the pricing of derivatives. This pattern of real demand is also the main reason for the existence of the well-known convenience yield in energy markets. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/7185
Files in this item: 1endeligt_wp__2004_10_.pdf (365.3Kb)
Gormsen, Niels Joachim Christfort (Frederiksberg, 2018)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: This thesis concerns the empirical relation between risk and return in equities. It studies why the expected return on stocks as a whole varies over time and why there are predictable cross-sectional di↵erences in the return on individual stocks. The thesis consists of three chapters which can be read independently. The first chapter addresses why the expected return on the market portfolio varies over time. The market portfolio is a claim to all future cash flows earned by the firms in the stock market. I study the expected return to these future cash flows individually. I find that the expected return to the distant-future cash flows increases by more in bad times than the expected return to near-future cash flows does. This new stylized fact is important for understanding why the expected return on the market portfolio as a whole varies over time. In addition, it has strong implications for which economic model that drives the return to stocks. Indeed, I find that none of the canonical asset pricing models can explain this new stylized fact while also explaining the previously documented facts about stock returns. The second chapter, called Conditional Risk, studies how the expected return on individual stocks is influenced by the fact that their riskiness varies over time. We introduce a new "conditional-risk factor", which is a simple method for determining how much of the expected return to individual stocks that can be explained by time variation in their market risk, i.e. market betas. Using this new factor, we find that around 20% of the cross-sectional variation in expected stock returns worldwide can be explained by such time variation in market betas. The third chapter studies why stocks with low market betas have high risk-adjusted returns. To shed light on this low-risk e↵ect, we decompose all stocks' market betas into their volatility and their correlation with the market portfolio. We find that both stocks with lower volatility and stocks with lower correlation have higher risk-adjusted returns. The last fact, that stocks with low correlation have high risk-adjusted returns, is particularly important because it helps distinguish between competing theories of the low-risk e↵ect. Indeed, the high risk-adjusted returns to low-correlation stocks are consistent with leverage based theories of the low-risk e↵ect, but it is not immediately implied by competing behavioral theories we consider in the paper. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/9636
Files in this item: 1Niels Gormsen.pdf (5.568Mb)
short sales, price pressure, and the stock price response to convertible bond callsBechmann, Ken L. (København, 2001)[More information][Less information]
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/7180
Files in this item: 1bechmann_evidence.pdf (503.6Kb)
Lessons from the UKMallin, Chris; Mullineux, Andy; Wihlborg, Clas (København, 2004)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: In 1992 the Cadbury Committee report on the financial aspects of corporate governance was published. The Committee had been established following the failures of a number of high profile businesses in the UK which had shaken confidence in the market. Some nine years later, in 2001, the collapse of Enron sent shockwaves through the US market. As a result of the Enron collapse and various other high profile scandals in the years since its occurrence, the US is examining its own corporate governance structures and provisions to determine how these might be improved and help avoid another Enron. The EU similarly is developing principles and legislation to improve corporate governance, and scandals such as Royal Ahold and Parmalat have helped drive further governance reforms. In this paper we detail the development of corporate governance codes in the UK and the adaptation of similar codes in the EU. We discuss the role of the financial sector in corporate governance and how principles for regulation and supervision of the financial sector complement codes of conduct and legislation in the area of corporate governance. JEL Classification numbers: G34, G28, G22, G23 Keywords: corporate governance, financial sector; institutional investors. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/6789
Files in this item: 1wplefic062004.pdf (171.8Kb)
Østrup, Finn (København, 2005)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: The article analyses how government spending is determined under different exchange rate regimes in the context of a small open economy. Assuming nominal wage contracts which last for one period and assuming a benevolent government which determines government spending to optimise a representative individual's utility, it is demonstrated that there are differences between exchange rate regimes with respect to the level of government spending. These differences arise first because a rise in government spending affects macroeconomic variables differently under different exchange rate regimes, and second because the government's inclination to expand government spending is affected by inflation which depends on the exchange rate regime. At low rates of inflation, the government is inclined to set a higher level of government spending under a fixed exchange rate regime than under a floating exchange rate regime in which the monetary authority optimises preferences which include an employment target and an inflation target. As government spending affects the representative individual's utility, the choice of exchange rate regime has an impact on welfare. Keywords: exchange rate regimes; fiscal policy; monetary union; inflation targeting. JEL classicification: E42, E61, E62, F33. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/7140
Files in this item: 1endeligt_wp_2005-1.pdf (290.0Kb)
do companies need owners?Thomsen, Steen; Rose, Caspar (København, 2002)[More information][Less information]
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/7198
Files in this item: 1thomsen_rose.pdf (94.29Kb)
Raahauge, Peter (København, 2004)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: Kinks and jumps in the payoff function of option contracts prevent an effective implementation of higher-order numerical approximation methods. Moreover, the derivatives (the greeks) are not easily determined around such singularities, even with standard lower-order methods. This paper suggests a transformation to turn the original ill-conditioned pricing problem into a well-behaved numerical problem. For a standard test case, both vanilla- and binary call price functions are approximated with (tensor) B-splines of up to 10'th order. Polynomial convergence rates of orders up to approximately 10 are obtained for prices as well as for first and second order derivatives (delta and gamma). Unlike similar studies, numerical approximation errors are measured both as weighted averages and in the supnorm over a state space including time-to-maturities down to a split second. KEYWORDS: Numerical option pricing, Transformed state spaces, Higher-order B-splines. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/7157
Files in this item: 12004_5.pdf (467.4Kb)
Lunde, Jens (København, 2008)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: Housing markets in several countries are suffering. The prolonged and strong housing price rises of recent years have turned around. Historical records suggest that housing price drops may happen slowly but be large. Housing prices continue to fall because capital losses have substituted capital gains, housing equities are falling, and housing price expectations have become negative. Household debt had increased to the same degree as housing prices or even more in some countries. Access to mortgage and credit had improved and lenders used "cruise control" when financing still higher housing market prices. Now, housing demand is further weakened because access to credit has been tightened. During a downturn, owner-occupiers' housing price risk is increased and a growing number of owners have negative equity and payment troubles. Under these conditions, arrears and foreclosures will be widespread in owner-occupation. The effects on the wider economy of a housing price downturn are discussed. Not only does the lenders' increased credit risk lead to tightened credit access, losses threaten the banks and can create financial crises. Falling housing prices clearly depress the housing market and housing construction activities and thereby the contribution of residential investments to economic growth, while it is less obvious that average housing consumption and residential investments over the whole cycle are affected. The reduction of non-housing consumption as a result of a wealth effect is a reality for years for depressed owner-occupiers but in the aggregate, the housing wealth effect is more dubious. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/7141
Files in this item: 1wp 2008-1 jens lunde.pdf (199.0Kb)
Gangopadhyay, Shubhashis; Wihlborg, Clas (København, 2001)[More information][Less information]
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/7162
Files in this item: 1wihlborg_impact.pdf (98.86Kb)
presentations on share prices, insider trading and securities regulationRose, Caspar (København, 2001)[More information][Less information]
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/7182
Files in this item: 1wp2001-3.pdf (90.91Kb)
Rose, Caspar (København, 2002)[More information][Less information]
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/7172
Files in this item: 1rose_impact.pdf (95.53Kb)
Lunde, Jens (København, 2004)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: Abstract. In Denmark, taxation of residential property returns varies considerably with the type of ownership and type of tenure in terms of the way income is calculated, the types of taxes applied and tax rates, which range from 0 % to above 60 %. Together with other housing subsidies this disparity in taxation contributes to the pronounced lack of tenure neutrality in the Danish housing market. The paper illustrates how tax rules alone create distortions and imbalances in the housing and residential property markets and discusses as well the magnitude of the imbalances. The method used is the application of a set of return and user cost equations. The tax aspects of the long-standing rather unequal treatment of private rental dwellings, social rental dwellings, owner-occupied dwellings and private co-operative dwellings, which have drawn decisive tracks in the markets, are discussed. The lowering of the tax rate for the return of institutional pension savings to 15 % which came into effect in 2001 has created a substantial advantage for pension funds compared with private investors with regard to investments in rental residential properties. The owner-occupiers' user costs and subsidization are shown to depend on their capital structure and to a large extent they depend on whether the owners' most obvious savings alternatives are either personal investments with heavily taxed returns or institutional pension savings with lightly taxed returns. Also private co-operative associations are tax exempted, and this fact in combination with the prospects of improved legal conditions for raising loans to finance the individual apartments will almost certainly lead to this form of tenure – as "tax free ownership" – capturing part of the market for owner occupation. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/7154
Files in this item: 12004_3.pdf (276.5Kb)
Christensen, Bent Jesper; Raahauge, Peter (København, 2004)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: We consider a random utility extension of the fundamental Lucas (1978) equilibrium asset pricing model. The resulting structural model leads naturally to a likelihood function. We estimate the model using U.S. asset market data from 1871 to 2000, using both dividends and earnings as state variables. We find that current dividends do not forecast future utility shocks, whereas current utility shocks do forecast future dividends. The estimated structural model produces a sequence of predicted utility shocks which provide better forecasts of future long-horizon stock market returns than the classical dividend-price ratio. KEYWORDS: Randomutility, asset pricing, maximumlikelihood, structuralmodel, return predictability URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/7135
Files in this item: 1endeligt_wp_peter_raahauge_2004_7.pdf (270.6Kb)
Møller, Michael; Rose, Caspar (København, 2001)[More information][Less information]
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/7191
Files in this item: 1moeller_rose_legal.pdf (56.42Kb)
Løchte Jørgensen, Peter (København, 2006)[More information][Less information]
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/7142
Files in this item: 1f_2006_09.pdf (430.9Kb)
a review of some portfolio selection criteria of Elton, Gruber and PadbergAstrup Jensen, Bjarne (København, 2001)[More information][Less information]
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/7186
Files in this item: 1astrup_wp2001-2.pdf (373.8Kb)
Holst, Anders; Nalholm, Morten (København, 2004)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: In this paper an investigation of the pricing of callable annuities with interest-only (I-O) optionality is conducted. First the I-O optionality feature of callable annuities is introduced. Next an algorithm for pricing callable annuities with I-O optionality using the finite difference methodology, is formulated. This is then used to investigate optimal strategies of I-O bonds and impacts on prices from the I-O optionality. It is found that the I-O feature necessitates a simultaneous valuation of all elements of the callable I-O bond. Following this, the Greeks of the I-O bond are investigated. It is found that they are affected by the I-O feature, but only to a limited extent. Finally, a model of heterogenous prepayment decisions is incorporated into the framework. The model is extended to model heterogeneity in the I-O exercise decisions. The incorporation of heterogeneity in borrower decisions is found to lead to reasonable causalities. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/7149
Files in this item: 1
Florentsen, Bjarne; Møller, Michael; Nielsen, Niels Chr. (København, 1999)[More information][Less information]
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/7147
Files in this item: 1florentsen_wp998.pdf (150.9Kb)
Previous Page
Now showing items 17-36 of 68Next Page


text:
Someday, I'll get sick of that joke. Probably not any time soon, though.
Check this out, from the International Herald Tribune:
Hirsch answered his original question – the subjects' fat cells had shrunk and were now normal in size. And everyone, including Hirsch, assumed that the subjects would leave the hospital permanently thinner.
That did not happen. Instead, Hirsch says, "they all regained." He was horrified. The study subjects certainly wanted to be thin, so what went wrong? Maybe, he thought, they had some deep-seated psychological need to be fat.
So Hirsch and his colleagues, including Rudolph Leibel, who is now at Columbia University, repeated the experiment and repeated it again. Every time the result was the same. The weight, so painstakingly lost, came right back. But since this was a research study, the investigators were also measuring metabolic changes, psychiatric conditions, body temperature and pulse. And that led them to a surprising conclusion: fat people who lost large amounts of weight might look like someone who was never fat, but they were very different. In fact, by every metabolic measurement, they seemed like people who were starving.
The Rockefeller researchers explained their observations in one of their papers: "It is entirely possible that weight reduction, instead of resulting in a normal state for obese patients, results in an abnormal state resembling that of starved nonobese individuals."
Emphasis mine.
Kolata goes on to discuss a later study that demonstrated it was just as hard to gain a significant amount of weight and keep it on. Male prisoners agreed to do this weight-gain experiment, and it turned out they had to eat a ridiculous amount of food–literally up to 10,000 calories a day–to increase their weight by 20-25 percent. Once they did that, their metabolisms went apeshit trying to get them back down to their normal weights. As soon as the study was over, the weight fell off.
It's almost like everybody's got a weight range their body will do damn near anything to stay within.
And it's almost like that weight range is determined by genes or something.
Huh. Weird. Who could have seen that coming?
Go read the whole thing, and then go buy Kolata's book.


text:
PLUG RACE liners are designed to work in tight fitting, low volume race shells. These liners provide a high performance fit, with a lace up tongue and stiff injection shin and cuff reinforcements. Featuring a 2mm Strobel sole with removable 7mm foam insoles for maximum volume adjustment underfoot.
The Plug Race is a low volume liner and works best with a shell fit* of One finger (1/2") or less
If your shell is a half size, round down for this model.
For best results we recommend having these liners heat molded at a shop by a professional bootfitter. Stiffer models require more attention when heated, while others can be easily molded by using the home fit kit.
*Checking Shell Fit
In order to determine the right thickness of liner for you, start by checking your shell fit. To do this, pull the existing liner out of the shell. Stand with your bare foot inside the bare shell, and move your foot all the way forward so that your toes are touching the end. Bend your knee and flex forward a bit so that you can slide your hand or even a pencil into the shell behind your leg. How many fingers can you fit between your heel and the shell?


text:
French software testing specialist Sogeti has launched TMap Life Cycle, a free app for iOS and Android designed to provide structured risk-based software testing. Devoted to the importance of "lifecycle" as a defining process, TMap provides its framework functionality with "just a few clicks" on the smartphone or tablet application being examined/analyzed.
TMap's Paris-based development team says that its software aims to guide software testers through the software testing lifecycle from the planning stage, through infrastructure considerations, and onward to subsequent control phases and all other critical paths. As well as the more predictable claims of "earlier identification of defects", TMap sticks its neck out and promises consistent reduction of timelines by at least 30 percent.
Compatible with Android mobile devices as well as Apple's iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPads, TMap Life Cycle support includes free checklist and template downloads. There are also videos explaining test design techniques, product risk analysis, and methods to determine test strategy, as well as links to software testing resources such as eBooks and white papers.
"TMap is a sophisticated, proven, and trusted software test management methodology, relied upon by tens of thousands of software testers across the globe for structured risk-based testing. At Sogeti we want to make structured software testing and quality assurance methods easily available to professional testers, so it was a logical extension for us to build and share this free app," said Nijs Blokland, VP of global service line testing for Sogeti.


text:
In his latest book, "The Future: Six Drivers of Global Change," or how changing climate, corrupt lawmakers and unscrupulous multinational corporate interests are transforming the world, mostly for the worse, Al Gore insists he has no plans to run for office again.
"I am a recovering politician and the chances of a relapse have been diminishing long enough to increase my confidence that I will not succumb to the temptation again," the former vice president, US senator, congressman and Nobel Peace Prize winner writes in the introduction.
Although the author of "The Assault on Reason," Our Choice" and "Earth in the Balance" says he doesn't want to sound like an alarmist, either, much as he was accused of being with "An Inconvenient Truth," the Harvard-educated onetime investigative reporter nevertheless does just that. In "The Future," Gore describes a world controlled by megalithic corporate interests, where Internet users are being spied upon by their own government and "stalked" by rapacious businesses ready to steal and then sell their most intimate information to the highest bidder. In this reality, much like the present, more and more jobs are being outsourced and "robosourced" while the distribution of wealth only grows further out of balance.
"I didn't want to be a scaremonger. This book isn't anything like that," Gore tried to assure a crowd of more than 200 gathered Sunday afternoon at the Pasadena Convention Center. The little-noticed event, sponsored by Vroman's Bookstore, was open only to those who bought a book and a ticket for $40. The press was not invited and no cameras or audio recorders were allowed. All questions were written down in advance, with a moderator weeding through each index card at the end of Gore's 30-minute presentation, skipping anything to do with recent controversies regarding Gore's sale of his Current TV to Al-Jazeera, owned by the oil-producing country of Qatar.
But while Gore insists he is a recovering politician and not one just lying low for the moment — just as he maintains he's not an ecological doomsayer — he used his fieriest rhetoric of the afternoon on his former colleagues in Congress, mostly for not only selling out their constituents, but also conducting what Gore called "government by crisis."
"As I was writing this book, I felt very strongly that our democracy has been hacked," he said. "And you know what hacked means; it's a computer term where the operating system of a computer is taken over and made to do things you don't want it to do," he explained.
"Well, our democracy is supposed to serve the public interest, but at the present time the role of big money in our politics is taking over the role of Congress, and it's not working well," he said.
"We seem to go from one crisis to the next," Gore continued. "I have cliff fatigue. This government by crisis has gone way too far. One of the reasons for this is large contributions by wealthy individuals. They have their own agenda. They are going to do what is profitable, what is good for them … and get Congress to do what they want. That is not how Congress is supposed to operate."
For the most part, Gore said he wrote the book as a way to encourage people to be agents of change, but also so they would be aware that "these forces of change are so powerful that they may sweep us along in a way that we may not like."
As Gore writes, "Human civilization has reached a fork in the road we have long traveled. One of two paths must be chosen. Both lead us into the unknown. But one leads to the destruction of the climate balance on which we depend, the depletion of irreplaceable resources that sustain us, the degradation of uniquely human values, and the possibility that civilization as we know it would come to an end. The other leads to the future."
One person attending the event was energized by what Gore had to say. "Stalker economy, democracy hacked by Big Money, the wisdom of community, the hope of the Internet to connect us in meaningful ways — those are the ideas I jotted down as he spoke today," retired city of Pasadena spokeswoman Linda Centell wrote in an email shortly after the event. "I thought he was a first-rate speaker, genuine in his desire to share his message. I felt he encouraged us to think deeply about the issues affecting our future, on a global scale, and to be personal agents of change."


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Today's giveaway is courtesy of Accessorize, who is offering one of my lucky readers an array of spring accessories, hand picked by me! The winner will receive a stack of bangles, four rings and two necklaces.
To enter, simply visit Accessorize and enter your email to join their mailing list (at the bottom of the page). Come back here and leave a comment to notify me, and you're entered!
Bonus entries:
Like Accessorize on facebook
Follow Accessorize on Twitter.
Entries will be accepted until 9 pm EST Saturday, March 26th. A winner will be chosen at random and announced in this post. Good luck!
The winner is Nicole SAUCY BABY. Congratulations!


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Strabismus is a misalignment of one or both eyes. It prevents both eyes from focusing on the same point at the same time. Prompt treatment is needed to avoid vision problems, including blindness.
The names associated with strabismus are based on the type, and direction and appearance of the eye.
Strabismus can be:
- Constant—the eye turns all the time
- Intermittent—the eye turns only some of the time, like in times of stress, illness, concentration, or when tired
Direction of the eye:
- Hyper—eye turns upward
- Hypo—eye turns downward
- Exo—eye turns outward (away from the nose)
- Eso—eye turns inward (toward the nose)
Appearance of the eye:
- Tropia—can be seen when both eyes are open
- Phoria—can be seen only when one eye is covered
Eye movement is a coordination of muscles and nerves that support the eye. Strabismus is normal in infants (up to about 4 months of age) until the eyes straighten out. It can be present at birth or develop during the course of childhood. Some causes of strabismus include:
- Visual problems with the eyes, like cataracts or farsightedness
- Problems with the muscles and/or nerves that support the eyes
- Trauma (more likely in adults)
- Tumors (rarely)
In most cases, the cause of strabismus is unknown.
Risk Factors
Strabismus is most common in children, but it may occur in adults. Other factors that may increase the chances of strabismus:
- Family members with strabismus
- Diabetes
- Thyroid disorders
- Retinopathy of prematurity
- Vision impairment in one eye—the affected eye will often turn in or out
Strabismus may cause:
- Crossed eyes
- Eyes that do not align properly
- Uncoordinated eye movements
- Double vision
- Problems with depth perception
- Eye strain, which may cause headaches or blurred vision
- Squinting
- Favoring a certain head position
Many aspects of strabismus are noticed by other people.
The doctor will ask about any symptoms, and medical and family history. A physical exam will be done. In general, misalignments of the eye can be seen. An eye specialist will test the eyesight and look for other abnormalities. A neurological exam can help rule out other causes.
Treatment may include:
Glasses or contact lenses may be prescribed for the eye with weaker vision. The prescription lens improves the ability to focus and helps with poor vision. Better eyesight may help with improving strabismus. For some conditions, special prism lenses can be placed in the glasses. The prism will help to reduce double vision that may occur.
In children, an eye that is not properly aligned may not mature properly. If this is not corrected, permanent vision loss can occur. In some cases, a patch is applied over the unaffected eye. This forces the child to fixate and use the affected eye. This will help the visual development in that eye. The length of time the patch is worn depends on the severity of the condition and the age of the child.
Eye drops or ointment may be put in the good eye to temporarily blur the vision. This also forces the affected eye to fixate properly. These drops may be used as a substitute for patching.
Injections of botulinum toxin may also be used to treat strabismus caused by muscle imbalances. The injections are used to partially paralyze the muscle pulling the eye in the wrong direction.
Surgery may be used to straighten the eyes if nonsurgical means are not successful. The surgery may shorten certain eye muscles of move some of them into a new location. This may improve the ability of the eye muscles to keep the eyeball in its proper place.
There are no current guidelines to prevent strabismus. If you notice that you or your child's eyes are not properly aligned, visit their eye doctor right away.
Revision Information
- Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review Board Marcie L. Sidman, MD
- Review Date: 03/2018 -
- Update Date: 03/21/2016 -


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"Beat SC Week" (or "Troy Week," depending on your affiliation) started off with a bang, but the game would have ended with a whimper — had Rick Neuheisel and Pete Carroll not acted like petulant brats, nearly precipitating a brawl.
Let's set the scene. The week started off with a bang, as the Bruin Statue got a cardinal and gold paint job. Fearing retribution, Tommy Trojan received a round-the-clock guard.
The game was uneventful as usual, until the Trojans kneeled with 54 seconds left to run out the clock. That's when Neuheisel inexplicably called a time out. Pete Caroll could have been the bigger man, and simply kneeled again. But no one has ever accused Pete Carroll of having the moral high ground. The next play:
The Trojans
celebrated taunted vigorously, and the Bruins sideline cleared. Who says LA needs the NFL? They've already got fans wholly devoted to immature players and asshole coaches.


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Sterling Silver Spinner Ring Crafted in India, "Exciting Garden"
Ships Fast from the U.S.
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This item is available for backorder and will ship within 2 to 4 weeks. Read more
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This item is available for pre-order and will ship within 2 to 4 weeks. Read more
Circling the finger with a sterling silver band, this spinner ring is designed by Indian artisan Neetu Barathi. She adds spinning segments of copper, brass, and sterling silver. The sterling spinner is accentuated by floral motifs in relief.
- 8 grams
- 0.28 oz
- Band width: 10 mm
- Band width: 10 mm
- View ring size chart
- 925 sterling silver, copper, brass
- Combination finish
- For rings of this width, we recommend ordering one size larger than usual to ensure a comfortable fit
- Free Jewelry Packaging? No
- Premium Jewelry Gift Box? Yes
- Made in India.
- Ships fast from USA.
This artist uses traditional techniques handed down through the generations and/or creates culturally significant items, helping keep these traditions alive.
This artist positively impacts their community through job creation and provides jobs for 2 or more people.
The Women's Empowerment badge is awarded to female artisans or artisan groups that are led by women.
This artist has dramatically improved their livelihood by working with NOVICA.
Neetu Barathi has received a $2850 microcredit loan with 0% interest.
This artist supports children under the age of 18.
Meet the Artist
Neetu Barathi
Handcrafted sterling silver and gemstone jewelry
Gift Collection
Cause Badges
Neetu Barathi Handcrafted sterling silver and gemstone jewelry
"What I like best about this craft is how it takes my mind in different directions to come up with new designs... I hope to keep going until I touch the sky!"
"When I started, I knew nothing about this art. I signed up for some classes and, with hard work and determination, I learned. And it has given me the ability to prove myself and has boosted my confidence in succeeding in life.
"I began designing sterling silver jewelry and, with my brother's valuable advice, I was able to establish myself in this field. I work beside my brother who looks after the crafting processes while I design new pieces. A team of skilled artisans collaborate with us to give shape to my designs.
"My jewelry is both traditional and modern, and we create new designs everyday. We begin with raw silver and transform it into beautiful wearable art with colorful gemstones.
"What I like best about this craft is how it takes my mind in different directions to come up with new designs. I get my inspiration from family and friends, and my workshop helps provide job opportunities in the community. I hope to keep going until I touch the sky!"
More from this Artist
Trifold AllureIndian Sterling Silver Band Ring
US Ring Size: 7,11


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Alright I'm really confused, supposedly there will be stargate and Battlestar Galactia items shipping with the Titanium line. I thought they were going to be with the Wal-Mart Titanium series because most of them are vehichles, but there is also a Cylon figure in there. Here's the story from Gateworld.
Wouldn't it be great for Hasbro to produce a Battestar Galactic 3 and 3/4 inch line? I mean, wouldn't this following wave be great?How about Starbuck, Apollo, and Adama in both their 2004 and 1978 versions as well as the 1978 and 2004 versions of the Cylon Raider and Colonial Viper. I don't know about you guys, but I love both versions of the show and this initial wave of figures would be something I'd enjoy a great deal.
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2 pairs of Nitrile beekeeping gloves - latex free. These are made for the dairy industry, thinner than latex gloves but are tough and 3 times thicker than usual nitrile gloves with a longer cuff, ideal for beekeeping. Cheap enough to be disposable as a disease barrier but they can be reused.


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Tips to help ensure air bags are ready to do their job
Air bags can save your life, but they can cause injury, so read these air bag safety tips.
Start Of Main Content
Air bags can save your life, but they can cause injury, so read these air bag safety tips.
The information in this article was obtained from various sources not associated with State Farm®. While we believe it to be reliable and accurate, we do not warrant the accuracy or reliability of the information. These suggestions are not a complete list of every loss control measure. The information is not intended to replace manuals or instructions provided by the manufacturer or the advice of a qualified professional. Nor is it intended to effect coverage under our policy. State Farm makes no guarantees of results from use of this information.
State Farm® (including State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates) is not responsible for, and does not endorse or approve, either implicitly or explicitly, the content of any third party sites hyperlinked from this page. State Farm has no discretion to alter, update, or control the content on the hyperlinked, third party site. Access to third party sites is at the user's own risk, is being provided for informational purposes only and is not a solicitation to buy or sell any of the products which may be referenced on such third party sites.
Being behind the wheel of a rain-splattered windshield doesn't have to be stressful.
Texting is one of the most dangerous driving distractions, but here are 7 others.
How to react if malfunctions or external interferences cause unintended acceleration.
Before letting your teenager get behind the wheel, go over this driver skills checklist.
Car fires don't happen frequently, but when they do, they're a potentially deadly emergency. Learn what to do when you experience a vehicle fire.


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Search our database of handpicked sites
Looking for a great physics site? We've tracked down the very best and checked them for accuracy. Just fill out the fields below and we'll do the rest.
You searched for "mars", type: Website
We found 8 results on physics.org and 46 results in our database of sites
(of which 46 are Websites, 0 are Videos, and 0 are Experiments)
Search results on physics.org
NASA - Mars
Information on the red planet and NASA's Mars exploration programme, including missions such as Phoenix, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Spiirt and Opportunity rovers and more.
Mars Exploration Fun zone
A fun site about Mars exploration, with activities and games. Pack your bags for space travel, find out how much you weigh on Mars, or make a map of the red planet.
Mars Pathfinder
Mars Pathfinder web site, giving information on the 1997 mission to Mars.
Why is Mars so red?
Some great video talks, images and screensavers from the European Space Agency on why Mars is red.
Mars Exploration Rover Mission
Lots of information and images from the Spirit and Opportunity Mars rovers.
How Mars Works
All about Mars: its origins, composition, atmosphere etc. This page is part of Marshall Brain's HowStuffWorks.com.
How to put a human on Mars
An interactive looking at six different challenges of getting to Mars and back.
Mars exploration program
Details latest exploration plans for Mars, includes photo gallery, videos and fun stuff.
Mars retrograde animation
A simple but clear animation showing why Mars seems to travel one direction across the sky and move back the other way.
Field Trip on Mars
A profile of what it's like to be doing field science and examining rocks on Mars using NASA's Curiosity rover.


text: Located in vibrant Shanghai's cosmopolitan area, Twelve at Hengshan is surrounded by restaurants, cafés, boutiques, galleries and restored art-deco buildings. Experience a haven of urban chic on the renowned tree-lined Hengshan Road. Traditional Chinese hospitality melds with contemporary amenities. Work out in our state-of-the-art health club, enjoy a refreshing swim in the heated indoor pool, be pampered in the spa and savor authentic Cantonese and Western cuisines.From intimate accommodations to the lavish Presidential Suite, 171 exquisitely furnished guest rooms-some with balconies-offer a retreat from Shanghai's bustle. Stylish design and thoughtful touches create an atmosphere of distinguished opulence.Show More


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How to use this site: At the top of the page you will see a list of upcoming speaking events that are highlighted in red. Directly underneath this is the daily Blog Post. Scrolling down is the complete list of all Speaking Engagements, with dates and links. The last section is, In Other News, this is where I post seven stories that I believe are pertinent to prophecy and the birth pains that we are currently in.
June 8-10: Cornerstone Fellowship Maryland! L. A. returns!
Cornerstone Fellowship Center : Conferences
Commentary & Analysis
L. A. Marzulli
(Photo courtesy of A place of my own: Time crunch! )
I believe that we are headed toward an orchestrated climax, that has been set in motion thousands of years ago by dark Luciferian forces. Here's why.
We are now linked together as never before as the world is wired together. We see and hear news at the speed of live thus, we are bombarded as never before, with a complex barrage of information. With that in mind we are able to track what Jesus warns us will be the birth pains in ways that were not able to do it let's say a hundred years ago. Who could have imagined telecommunications network that would bounce news off of satellites orbiting our planet; so that what happens in Japan is seen live half a world away in real-time? With that in mind here are some thoughts:
1. The Middle East is the game changer and it is primed to erupt. More than likely this will happen in July or September of this year. When it does it may escalate rapidly into WWIII. Look for soaring oil prices and a sharp rise in commodities when it does.
2. The war in the Middle East may prompt either a real terrorist event in the USA or a false flag event that might lead to martial law. We may see our freeway and Intestate highways close down as well as the issuing of some kind of national I.D. card if this happens. Anarchy and lawlessness will erupt in the cities and food and water will be scarce, as the trucks hauling our food and water as well as our infrastructure that we take for granted, will be compromised.
3. Fukishima is perhaps the ultimate game changer as there enough Cesium to create a nuclear holocaust if it leaks into the Pacific Ocean. The US has already reported a spike in radioactivity in the Tuna that is caught off California. There are rumors that the Japanese government has plans to evacuate the entire nation of Japan.
4. Weather patterns seem to be disrupted as we see record cold and heat in countries all over the globe. For the last several years, bizarre, record-breaking weather events have been recorded all across the globe. This continues to affect the global commodities market.
5. Volcanic activity seems to be on the upswing as we saw volcanos in Iceland and South AMerica close the air space due to volcanic ash. What happens if a super volcano blows?
6. Greece is on the verge of financial collapse as well as Spain, Portugal and Ireland, how will this affect the EU, and will it have repercussions with the US dollar? Please remember that we are over 16 TRILLION in debt and counting every second. This can not go on forever, at some point the house of cards is going to collapse and when it does it may create a world-wide depression.
7. The possibilities of a Coronal Mass Ejection from our sun that would knock out or electric grid is a real one. Essentially this would put us back to pre-industrial revolution days, where life as we now know it would be nonexistent.
8. Lawlessness and what I would consider to be direct manifestations of the demonic realm – I blogged about this for the last two days – are increasing. We are not in Kansas anymore are we? If a depression hits and food is scarce, lawlessness will be rampant and the cities will be war zones.
9. The supernatural i.e. UFOs are being seen by more people than ever before and the Disclosure movement as well as others are calling for the US to admit that we are not alone. When this happens it will have serious consequences for the church, as people will fall away from the faith and believe the lie that ET created us.
10. New strains of disease are cause for alarm as the possibility of a pandemic is of real concern. Why would our CDC issue a warning about the Zombie Apocalypse? What are they trying to tell us?
In closing todays post. When we go through the list here it is alarming to say the least, however where am I going wrong? I don't think I can stress this enough as every point that I made above is happening now in real-time. We may be on the verge of what I would consider an orchestrated collapse of our financial system as well as the eruption of WWIII in the Middle East. We are living in unprecedented times and it would appear that this glimpse of what our future may hold for us is grim.
So we need to remember that Jesus warned us what would happen before His return. Why would He tell us these dire warnings, as they are unpleasant at best? It is to warn us so that when we see these things we will NOT be frightened or troubled but we will look up and realize that the words in our our Bibles are true and that He is coming back, perhaps sooner than we all think. In the meantime, let's be smart and put oil in our lamps. Let's get food and water and create a network of like minded people and talk to others about what is coming.
The L. A. Marzulli Lecture Series is Available Now!
Go to www.lamarzulli.net
Save $10.00 by buying the whole series! Only $50.00 + s&h
Conferences are wonderful but many people can't attend for a variety of reasons. Sam Miller teamed up with me and produced The Lecture Series. There are over nine hours of information, complete with Power Point presentations that are taken directly from my books. These are a great resource and will arm you and your loved ones with the facts that you need to understand the times in which we are living. L. A.
Sign up now as I will be speaking on December 21, 2012 at the Mayan Temple!
L. A. Marzulli will be speaking: "Exploring the meaning and relevance of two myths and their relevance in this time of transition in 2012; the stories of the "watcher gods" in the first century text, "The Gospel of Enoch", and the prophecy of the return of Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent-god of the Aztecs. We will be examining correlations between these two in light of our contemporary times."
L.A. Marzulli Speaking Engagements!
June 8-10: Cornerstone Fellowship Maryland! L. A. returns!
In Other News: Tracking the Birth Pains!
Interview: Edward Klein on 'The Amateur,' Obama's Faith
Interview: Edward Klein on 'The Amateur,' Obama's Faith
500 evacuated in volcano alert
500 evacuated in volcano alert – News, Frontpage – Herald.ie
Powerful "Flame" cyber weapon found in Iran
Powerful Flame cyber weapon found in Iran | Reuters
Deadly blasts rock Baghdad
Deadly blasts rock Baghdad – Middle East – Al Jazeera English
Anticipating US Intervention in Syria, Israel, Iran, Prepare for Clash
Russia will not change stance on Syria: Putin aide
PressTV – Russia will not change stance on Syria: Putin aide
Supervolcanoes 'can grow in just hundreds of years'
BBC News – Supervolcanoes 'can grow in just hundreds of years'


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Read the original story here in the Portland Tribune.
The morning after winning the Portland mayoral race by a 2-to-1 margin, Charlie Hales gave much of the credit for his victory to his wife of eight years, Nancy Hales.
"She is my rock, my friend, my partner in all things," the mayor-elect wrote to supporters Nov. 7. "This win is in large part due to her love of people, and her inspiring spirit."
His words make Nancy Hales blush.
"We're soul mates," she told the Portland Tribune in an interview a week after the big win.
Having been a near-constant presence on the campaign trail, Nancy Hales has signaled that when her husband takes office Jan. 1, residents of Portland won't just have a new mayor — they'll have a First Lady, a seat that's been largely vacant or invisible to the public for most of the past two decades.
Just what kind of a First Lady will she be? "I think Portland and I are going to have to figure that out; all suggestions welcome," says 57-year-old Hales, who just returned Nov. 28 from a week-long trip to Brazil as part of her work at First Stop Portland.
Since the program began at PSU in 2009, it's been Nancy's job as director to organize "study tours" for national and international visitors who want to learn about a slice of Portland's esteemed culture: everything from her beloved husband's streetcar system to watersheds and eco districts, bike infrastructure, arts and culture and green buildings.
She's no stranger to those policy issues which are shaped in City Hall each day. But she insists she's "not a political person."
"I don't really know that much about politics, quite honestly," she says. "I guess I look at (First Stop's study tour topics) as causes, requiring good thinking and good strategy."
When she was in the philanthropic sector, as president and chief executive officer of Vancouver, Wash.'s Southwest Community Foundation in the 17 years before her move to Portland in 2009, Hales says she thought of the issues yet another way: what was a good investment.
"I probably still carry that lens today," she says. "I look at how this will ultimately make Portland a better place to live."
That isn't to say Nancy is blind to any of the controversy that is intertwined with the often heated political issues.
Earlier this month, she arranged a tour for 20 students and faculty members from a university in Melbourne, Australia, that included stops at the South Waterfront, a ride on the tram, a walk on the pedestrian bridge, trips on the streetcar, MAX and bus, and exploration of North Mississippi. It wasn't just a sightseeing tour, Nancy says, but a real discussion of the successes and challenges of each project.
"People expect openness and honesty about this stuff," she says. "You can't discuss the South Waterfront without discussing the controversy."
In fact, she says, some of the study tours actually focus on the city's "disconnects," like one that starts in the Pearl District and goes out to what her office started calling the Jade District, around 82nd Avenue.
"There's so much excitement about the transit mall, and yet there's so many people without homes," Nancy says. "Visitors see this disconnect; you can't ignore it. We have challenges with our whole city, being part of an effective network."
Visitors often have ideas about what steps Portland should take, which they discuss during the debrief, and Nancy posts to her weekly blog. City officials involved in the talks also absorb the feedback.
More informally, Nancy admits, word gets back to Charlie as well. "Do I grab Hales by the lapel when I get home and say, 'Oh gosh, guess what?' " she says. "Yes, sometimes."
In fact, it's spillover from her work at PSU that might have helped influence Charlie to run for office, she says. Over the years, they've hosted students at their home for Thanksgiving dinner and other meals, just to be hospitable. Inevitably talk turns to the city's future.
"I'd have a lot of students who came to dinner say, 'Why don't we (the city) have this; why isn't it this way,' " Nancy says. "I think they, to some degree, are responsible for this decision (to run for office). I think (Charlie) clocked back to the city he loves."
Focusing on city business
By now, voters have heard Charlie Hales profess his love for his wife countless times. It was the reason he gave for living in Stevenson, Wash., for five years while he worked at HDR Inc., doing streetcar work around the country.
Hales told the media countless times he didn't move across the river to evade Oregon's income taxes; he moved to live with his wife between 2004 and 2009, when she left her work at the Southwest Community Foundation and they bought a home in Eastmoreland together.
His brood — Katelyn (now 25), Gavin (now 28) and Andy (now 31) — joined her brood — Rob (now 25) and Carolyn (now 28) — for a Brady Bunch-style blended family.
Moving to Portland wasn't an option for Nancy while she worked at the foundation, she says: "I couldn't leave. The foundation was geography-based. I made the commitment I would live in the community I served."
She was so committed to staying at her home to raise her children, where they went to high school across the street, that she never thought twice about the hour-long commute to work from Stevenson (along the Columbia River, just north of Cascade Locks) to Vancouver each day.
She thinks she might've even set a world record for most mileage on a Honda. "It was a '93 Honda, 425,000 miles," she says. "I took a picture of the odometer and sent it to the Honda guys."
Her foundation work wasn't such a stretch from the work she does at First Stop now. She brought partners together to fund projects like student scholarships, homeless shelters, food banks and front porches for people's homes. One of the signature projects was renovating Vancouver's downtrodden Esther Short Park in 1998 with $2 million from the late Burgerville founder George Propstra and his wife, Carolyn, who wanted to model it after Portland's Pioneer Courthouse Square.
Nancy was still in Stevenson, raising her kids after an amicable divorce from her husband of 20 years, Bob Sourek. She'd met Sourek when they worked for the U.S. Forest Service, in the tiny town of Carson, Wash. She moved there after landing in Yakima, where she served as a community organizing volunteer for the AmeriCorps VISTA program. She'd moved west from her native New Jersey at 22. (She had a bittersweet election night, watching news coverage of Hurricane Sandy, with part of her hometown under water.)
At 25, Nancy married Sourek and they started a company, Bear Mountain Forest Products, that makes pellets and sawdust "logs" for woodburning stoves. Sourek still runs the company.
With a high-profile position in Skamania County, Nancy was asked to represent the county on the Columbia River Gorge Commission. In 1986, the commission adopted the country's first National Scenic Area Management Plan, an accomplishment she holds dear to her heart.
Nancy also represented her county on a regional arts board, while Charlie represented the city of Portland on the same board. They ran into each other at arts events, she says, and realized they recognized each other from their graduate studies at Lewis & Clark College.
"Our paths just crossed a couple of times, and he said let me show you some of the cool stuff in Portland," Nancy says.
On their first date, he took her to Peninsula Park — not to relax, but to learn about the city's park system founders. "It was like a history lesson," she laughs.
Their second date: pulling ivy at Forest Park.
Something clicked. Soon after Charlie took her on a city trip to China, and proposed at sunset on the wall of the ancient city of Xian. They married in 2004 in Portland's Chinese Garden.
When Charlie traveled for HDR, Nancy says she would sometimes visit him at one of the cities he was in, and he'd revel in telling her all about the city's street grid, the transit system and infrastructure.
"He's very tactile, lives in the physical world; he wants to understand how it works," she says. "I could care less about that. I want to pick up the phone and have someone fix it."
They have other differences in art, books, cooking styles. But they find common ground in the outdoors: they love to canoe, bike and sail.
Portland doesn't have a lot of First Ladies with political chops.
In the 1980s, former Mayor Bud Clark's wife, Sigrid, was a violinist with the Oregon Symphony. Mayor Vera Katz, in office for 12 years, was not married. Former Mayor Tom Potter's wife, Karin Hansen, was a high school teacher who did some youth advocacy work during her husband's term but largely stayed out of the spotlight.
And Peter Zuckerman, domestic partner of Mayor Sam Adams, who is on his way out as Portland's "First Gentleman," is a writer who admits it's unavoidable that city business comes up as a topic of conversation around the house.
"Sam and I ask each other hard questions, we clarify each other's thoughts, we get excited about fresh ideas, we email each other news articles," Zuckerman says. "I think political spouses have some influence. But we're one influence among many, and we can also have careers and lives of our own."
First Stop's mission blends public, private efforts
Portland's soon-to-be First Lady Nancy Hales' trip to Brazil this past week was a follow-up to a summer visit by a dozen Brazilian textile leaders to Portland.
First Stop had led them on tours of and talks with representatives from Nike, Pendleton, Wieden + Kennedy, Ziba Design and Oregon College of Arts and Crafts, as well as emerging garment factories in various neighborhoods.
It was the start of an ongoing relationship, Nancy says: a couple weeks after the late-August visit, the Brazilian delegation asked Portlanders to come and bring their expertise to Senai University, the national apprenticeship agency. The school is working to boost the industries in a country where just 11 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds pursue higher education.
Senai paid for Nancy's trip costs and most of Charlie's. Accompanying the Hales were Metro Councilor Rex Burkholder and Scott Hamlin, cofounder of Portland's Looptworks, a clothing company that uses upcycled materials.
During their tours of Brazil's textile mills, Nancy says the biggest surprise was "the big disconnect seemed to be these very sophisticated facilities still using infrastructure that seemed not up to the task. ... The relationship between the private and public sector is a challenge."
Nancy spoke on a panel at the conference as well as Burkholder and Hamlin; at the last minute Charlie was asked to say a few words as well. He spoke about the city's sustainability hub, specifically a topic he talks about a lot: the significance of finding good partners.
The Brazil delegation plans to return to Portland in the spring. Nancy is excited about the recruitment possibilities for PSU, as well as the new knowledge exchange — the ultimate goal for every study tour First Stop leads.
"Brazil is an emerging market," she says. "It's very important for our region."
It wasn't the city's first official trip to Brazil.
Mayor Sam Adams took a June 2011 trip to the country, which led to the signing of a memorandum of understanding in 2012 with
Sustainable Hub, a São Paulo, Brazil-based clean tech consulting firm, to establish partnerships between clean tech firms in Portland and those in São Paulo.
A report issued this week by the Brookings Institution identifies the Brazilian partnership as part of the "We Build Green Cities" brand initiative led by Greater Portland Inc., a public-private economic development organization.
"The Brazil market, while certainly potentially lucrative, is complex enough to require a permanent partner in São Paulo," the report states. "A local presence will effectively leverage
Sustainable Hub's on-the-ground knowledge and
local contacts and better assist Portland firms trying to crack the Brazilian market."
The memorandum also highlights the academic exchange between PSU and Senai.
Supporters kick in
First Stop has its origins in 2009, when developer Dike Dame approached PSU with an idea, says Larry Wallack, dean of PSU's College of Urban and Public Affairs.
Dame served on the college's advisory board and was Homer Williams' partner on the Pearl District and South Waterfront developments. Wallack recalls that Dame said something to the effect of, "We get calls from people all over the world; they want to come and visit and see all about the sustainability. Would you be interested if we could help you raise money, then we can send these people to you and work with you?"
First Stop Portland was born, and Dame and Williams hosted a couple of lunches to bring business people on board.
The university created, listed and posted the position of director, and 100 people applied, Wallack says. Nancy's skills more than made the cut, he says: "If we'd had 1,000 or 2,000 applications, we couldn't have ended up with someone better than Nancy Hales."
In addition to her 35 years in public service, Hales holds a bachelors degree in economics from the University of Vermont and a masters in public administration, with honors, from Lewis & Clark College.
Last year, First Stop ran on a budget of $201,201, its biggest chunk being $74,000 in cash contributions from a dozen local business and development donors — most of Portland's biggest hitters. They include GBD Architects; Melvin Mark Capital Group; Williams & Dame; Howard S. Wright Constructors; Russell Development; Gerding Edlen Development Co.; Alta Planning & Design; Hoffman Construction; THA Architects; Davis, Hibbitts & Midgdall Inc.; JE Dunn; Atelier Drieseitl + PLACE; and Walker Macy.
HDR Inc., Charlie's former company, is not one of the contributors; the firm gave in-kind support to produce color brochures for tours at First Stop's startup. HDR hasn't been a contributor, in-kind or in cash, since then, Nancy says.
First Stop's other funding comes from Metro ($15,000), the city of Portland ($25,000), PSU ($38,000); and the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation, which supports many projects at PSU ($49,000).
PSU also supports the indirect costs, including office space and students and faculty who help; Nancy has just one paid part-time assistant to run the program.
The city's donation of $25,000 last year included a one-time grant from the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability. Nancy says she'd requested it to cover a larger-than-anticipated amount of interest from students, who required training and part-time work-study payment.
Before last year, the city's annual contribution to First Stop had been $12,000.
Wallack says he doesn't anticipate any change in funding in January just because Nancy's husband will be in charge of the city budget.
"We hope the same level of funding and same level of scrutiny will continue," Wallack says.
Reached by phone this week, Charlie Hales told the Tribune that First Stop won't get any favoritism.
"It's a budget decision like every other financial commitment for the following year that hasn't been made yet," he says. "I don't know if we'll be contributing the city's contribution to that program or not."
If the city does continue its funding support of First Stop, he says, he'd avoid any potential conflict of interest in the process by following the city charter guidelines, recusing himself from the vote.
That would likely be done by breaking that part of the budget out as a special appropriation, he says.
On another money matter, the mayor-elect is defending the appropriateness of his Dec. 4 fundraising reception at the Gilt Club, a way to pay back his campaign debt. His self-imposed $600 limit on campaign contributions is over now that the campaign has ended, he says: "It wasn't a lifetime commitment."
When he was criticized by some in October for amending his limit to allow large contributions from unions — reasoning that they represented many individual contributions from union members — Hales says that was an unwarranted attack as well.
Imposing a campaign limitation "is a blessing and a curse," he says. "It does make a point, to change the game, but at the same time opens the door" to scrutiny. "We were trying something new," he adds. "This was a noble experiment; it worked. That's not saying it'll be the same the next time around."


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Adam and Eve were given the Garden of Eden. Their job was to manage it and mind the boundaries.
Israel was given the Promised land, VERY conditionally. If they remained faithful to the plan, they could keep it. If not, they would lose it.
In essence, both parties were homesteaders.
The basic rule is:
1) Get land/property for free.
2) Prove it up.
3) Protect it.
4) Keep it.
Mess it up, and you lose it.
The art of life, basically speaking, is continuous homesteading, in the broadest sense of the term.
We start with little things. Take care of these fish. Take care of this pet. Take care of your toys and your room. Jesus says that if we are faithful in little things, we will be given bigger responsibilities.
Jesus also, in his parables, talks about doubling the value of what was given us (the Parable of the Talents).
In essence, we are all gardeners.
So how is your garden growing?
Is your life a garden or a junkyard?
I talked with a doctor yesterday, interviewing him for our radio show. Dr. David Steenblock may well win a Nobel Prize someday. He talked about the bodies he treats being junkyards or gardens. It's almost impossible to plant seeds (i.e. "do medicine") in a junkyard body.
"Garden" bodies take daily care. Are you working on your flexibility, muscle strength, bodyfat percentage, respiratory capacity, and energy level? The more you work on these things, the more your body produces stem cells, which lead to fresh tissue repair, which works against aging.
I turned 50 recently and started doing lots of strenuous Pilates work with a trainer. First time I almost cried like a little girl. After a few months, I am doing things I never thought possible and my core strength is surpassing that which I had playing football in college.
Am also working on my breathing. Most Americans get lazy with breathing and their respiratory system atrophies. Being overweight multiplies this and many of us don't get nearly enough oxygen.
Another expert here in California, Dr. Tony Ganem (fatburning247.com) has taught me that:
1) Eating between meals
2) Sweet and diet sodas
3) Drinking liquid during meals
can add bodyfat. Look up his work to find the reasons for this…
Is your living space de-cluttered, clean, and balanced? Is disrepair piling up? Do doors squeak and are knobs coming loose?
We were given our homes with the "homesteading" mentality. Leave things better than you found them and you get to upgrade.
My theme for my home is "nothing missing, nothing broken."
You may need help with this, and it may cost money. But it's worth it. Too much time is spent in front of screens while we should be "proving up" our homestead.
Is your desk clear? Is your home organized? Are your windows and carpets cleaned on a regular basis? Are your media and books in order and accessible?
Are you getting rid of the "stuff" you don't really need? Reduce, reuse, recycle!
How does your lawn, garden, plants look? Remember. You are a gardner by birthright.
Do you have clear vocational objectives? Is your workplace cleaned up? Is your place of work "upgrading" because you are on the team?
Are you working against "wear and tear" in the workspace?
The easiest way to promotion is to exceed expectations at your current "status" and have an impeccable workspace. Chip in to buy new carpet at the office. Offer to paint and decorate.
How are you cultivating your soul and spirit? Are you scheduling time for serious, intentional prayer and meditation?
Are you attending your church or spiritual community regularly? Forming community around your highest values and the "better angels of your nature?"
Is entertainment the core of your spiritual life? If so, a yellow warning light should be blinking.
What is your spiritual growing edge?
1) Cultivating an experiential and personal relationship with the Creator?
2) Letting go of material anxiety?
3) Learning not to hold bitterness toward others?
4) Working on getting rid of the "dark sectors" on your spiritual hard-drive?
All property ownership started with homesteading. Long ago, someone found an unused piece of land or a valuable object.
You, according to Natural Law, are entitled to "own" it as long as you care for it and "prove it up" on an ongoing basis. Let it unravel or rot, and you lose it.
If you claim too much land or property to handle, others around you will hold you accountable.
It's like at the 4th of July parade in Huntington Beach, which goes right by our house.
Days ahead, people start to stake out, with chalk, their "spot" from which to watch the parade. If they take more space than they need, those around them "veto" it. If they choose someone's front yard (a place someone else has been "proving up" all year), then that also will be pushed back.
We do the same deciding where to put our towels on the beach. Or where to put the BBQ outside the stadium during the tailgate party.
First come, first served, and you only get as much space as you can "prove up."
We don't need police or deeds to enforce this. It's in our human social instinct.
In fact, the right to defend one's self and property against aggression is the number one human right according to natural law.
Right now, all of our property is tied up in government registered deeds and mortgages.
But the Federal Reserve/Property Taxation/Mortgage Banking system is breaking down. The cronyism in this "junta" is set up to put pressure on those who are rightfully homesteading. If you don't pay your property tax, guess what happens to your property? Property tax is an affront on Natural Law and its corollary, homesteading.
And the banks are currently just an arm of the Federal Reserve, whereby bank profits are kept by execs and shareholders, but losses are "socialized" by government bailouts.
As that whole system collapses, be ready for a return to homesteading.
There's plenty of land for everyone. Most of America is empty.
You start with less valuable land. Prove it up, and trade up.
Property "owners" in the rust belt who have let their buildings decay, are no longer rightful owners of that property. Anyone should be able to move in, make a claim, improve the property, and get to stay there.
Anyone should be able to occupy an abandoned building for free, as long as they prove it up.
Let a building crumble, and you lose it. Simple as that.
It's a whole new world coming. We're seeing thru the "stacked cards" of the current "ownership" society where the banks and the government really own all we have.
Are you ready to homestead?
It's what we were all made to do.
Visit Robinwood Church on Sundays at 9:30am in Southern California
Worldwide Podcast of the Sermons on iTunes
Listen to my radio show, THE BOTTOM LINE, Monday-Friday 3-5pm Pacific. am740 KBRT.
THE BOTTOM LINE is available live worldwide at http://kbrt740.com 11pm/2300 UTC/GMT.


text: This chapter focuses explicitly on parents' discussions of ethnic diversity. These are put in the context of policies around multiculturalism and integration in which schools have been a key policy site. Parents were more likely to consider diversity as something related to race or ethnicity rather than class. The chapter contends that we lack a differentiated vocabulary for discussing diversity and 'mix'. Furthermore, there are distinct discourses around ethnic diversity circulating in the different areas, with parents in the area with the least ethnic diversity, in particular, expressing reservations and fears about increasing diversity. Parents of BME children have a particular stake in seeking out schools with an ethnic mix as they see those schools as potentially offering their children security against the racism and racialised othering which they might face in more white schools (and which the parents themselves may have experienced in their own schooling in Britain). Thus the book argues that it is critical that we consider questions of both class and race when understanding parents' views about school choice, but that we should also be attentive to ways in which ideas and imaginations of place frame parents approaches to schooling and education.


text:
Some Maryland leaders decry taxes in Chesapeake Bay cleanup plan
Leaders cite pollution coming from Pennsylvania, New York
On the heels of Hurricane Sandy, some state and local leaders who have linked pollution in the Chesapeake Bay to the Conowingo Dam and sediment from up river decry state laws and taxes that they said don't address the mess.
Some Maryland legislators said Thursday flood waters coming through the Conowingo Dam affect the bay's health downstream.
"They want us to basically drain the pollutants out of the Chesapeake Bay with a teaspoon while we've got millions of gallons of water coming over the dam here, which is the primary source of pollutants in the Chesapeake Bay," said Richard Rothschild, a Republican and vice president of the Board of County Commissioners in Carroll County.
State and county elected officials said Maryland laws are putting a financial burden on residents to clean up the bay, but that the laws do nothing about the pollution from New York and Pennsylvania coming down the Susquehanna River.
"It's all coming down from Pennsylvania and New York, at this point, and for us to punish our citizens by imposing these new taxes is not a good thing," said Harford County Executive David Craig, a Republican.
"As we stand here today, the state of Maryland is actively requiring the counties to spend billions of dollars to clean up the lower part of the bay, but they're not addressing what's going on here," said Eastern Shore Sen. E.J. Pipkin, R-District 36.
"What we're seeing here today is one of the biggest sources that's adding to the sediment, the nutrients and that's not being addressed. It's not being addressed in any of the legislation that's being passed," said Eastern Shore Delegate Stephen Hershey Jr., R-District 36.
A representative from a watermen's association said the sediment and pollution is killing the bay.
"Conowingo, the runoff from this flood will devastate the upper part of the bay again. Last spring, we had no rockfish hatch. Could it have come from water quality from (Hurricane) Lee? The worst-ever striped bass hatch," said Don Pierce, a waterman.
Beth McGee, a senior scientist with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, disagrees.
"There's a problem with the sediments behind the dam. In fact, we need to address that, and there's a study going on right now to look at what some of the options are. But to use that as an excuse to not implement the cleanup plans that Maryland has developed, we think is a complete distraction," she said.
In 2011, Hurricane Lee muddied the Chesapeake Bay as seen in a satellite photograph that depicted brown and murky water the length of the bay.


text:
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The normal reaction to a bee sting is a bit of temporary pain at the location of the sting, some itching and some swelling. Some parts of the body are more sensitive than others and swelling is most noticeable on the face.
The allergic reaction to an insect sting varies from person to person.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction can include itching, hives, flushing of the skin, tingling or itching inside the mouth, and nausea or vomiting. The most serious symptoms include difficulty breathing or swallowing, hoarseness, swelling of the tongue, dizziness, and fainting. These types of reactions usually occur within minutes of the sting but have been known to be delayed for up to 24 hours.
If the victim is allergic to bee stings...
The victim must be treated to prevent shock. If you have been stung by a bee and are experiencing some ofthe more serious symptoms listed above, get medical care immediately.


text:
Love this song…
10. Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there. Will Rogers
9. Your thoughts, words and deeds are painting the world around you. Jewell Diamond Taylor
8. Wherever a man turns he can find someone who needs him. Albert Schweitzer
7. We must become the change we want to see in the world. Ghandi
6. I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do. Helen Keller
5. It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance. Robert F Kennedy
4. It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do little – do what you can. Sydney Smith
3. We can do no great things – only small things with great love. Mother Teresa
2. You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand. Woodrow Wilson
1. We must not, in trying to think about how we can make a big difference, ignore the small daily differences we can make which, over time, add up to big differences that we often cannot foresee. Marian Wright Edelman


text:
09 April 2008
Frasers Part 2: Dr. William Fraser
Thanks to this man I was able to extend one of my Fraser lines several generations into the Perthshire area of Scotland. Both parents of great-grandmother Catherine Fraser were un-connected Frasers. My serendipitous moment was finding a newspaper death notice for Catherine's mother (Nancy). Among other pieces of identifying information, the notice stated that Nancy was the sister-in-law of Dr. William Fraser of Montreal. Nancy Fraser's husband John Fraser, who died young, was William's brother. Almost nothing is known about John Fraser other than he was a blacksmith at St Andrews East, Quebec, and he fathered four children. Exploring sources for a public figure like a doctor made it possible to learn more about the origins of the two brothers in Perthshire, Scotland.
Notman Photographic Archives, Musée McCord Museum,
Montreal; negative no. 18406 (1864-1866).
William Fraser received his medical licence in 1834 from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Glasgow, Scotland.(1) His brother John the blacksmith was already living in St Andrews East, married, and starting a family. That year, William decided to emigrate to Canada and was appointed Apothecary at Montreal General Hospital.(2) After continuing studies, he graduated as an M.D. from McGill University in 1836.(3) Thus began his long association with both the hospital and the university. On 4 August 1840 William married in Montreal Miranda R. Charles, daughter of the late John Charles and Lucille Lebrun.(4) For almost 25 years he held the chair of Institutes of Medicine at McGill. He died 24 July 1872 in Montreal.(5) When his widow Miranda died in 1891, there is some unconfirmed hearsay that she bequeathed her Charles family residence to the university.(6) Their large monument in Mount Royal Cemetery records his birthplace as Killin, Perthshire.
Preliminary research using the International Genealogical Index (IGI) for the Old Parochial Registers of Scotland was encouraging. William Fraser was baptized 23 March 1810 in the parish of Killin, son of Duncan Fraser and Catherine Robertson. His brother John was the oldest child, baptized 12 April 1808. They had other siblings: Robert (1812), Margaret (1815), Duncan (1817), and Donald (1819). The parents Duncan and Catherine married in Killin on 18 July 1807. Duncan's baptism also occurred there on 24 January 1783, son of John Fraser and Janet Buchanan. This last John Fraser may be the son baptized in 1751 to Duncan Fraser and Margaret McKerchar. Not a bad beginning for pedigree drafting! Correspondents tell me that many Frasers migrated to Perthshire from the Highlands after the rebellions of 1715 and 1745.
Photo: McGill Faculty of Medicine, Brief History of Medicine at McGill (http://www.medicine.mcgill.ca/history : accessed 9 April 2008); first McGill Medical School c1872.
Of Dr. Fraser, it was said "He began life as a very poor man, but by sheer doggedness he eventually built up a most prosperous practice, starting with a small drugstore on McGill Street. Plain in manner and with no pretence at any oratorical ability, he greatly impressed his students with his earnestness and common sense."(7)
(1) H.E. Macdermot, A History of The Montreal General Hospital (Montreal: The Montreal General Hospital, 1950), p. 62.
(2) Canada Medical and Surgical Journal, Vol. 1 (August 1878), pp. 92-93.
(3) Ibid.
(4) Fraser-Charles marriage (1840), Christ Church Anglican Cathedral, Montreal.
(5) Montreal Gazette, 25 July 1872. Gravestone in Mount Royal Cemetery, Montreal.
(6) Correspondence to author from Elizabeth Stevenson O'Neill, 29 October 1987.
(7) A History of The Montreal General Hospital, p. 62.
3 comments:
- Lizzie said...
Brenda, I stumbled across your webpage about Dr William Fraser and was so excited. He was my great-great-grandfather Donald Fraser's brother! Donald married in Stirling, lived elsewhere in the county then returned to Stirling where he lived until he died on 10 June 1880, aged 62. I have always wondered about his brothers. Of the three sisters I know of, I have researched Margaret, who also married and lived in Stirling, and the youngest daughter Janet born c1828/9 who lived and died in Killin in 1902. Although found nothing about Elizabeth born 24 April 1821.
I knew nothing of Donald's brothers John, William,Robert (except he also was a blacksmith), Duncan until I read what you wrote about Dr William Fraser. Always wondered if they emigrated. Their father Duncan Fraser's blacksmith business became that of his son-in-law, a blacksmith who married Janet Fraser.
I have found nothing of my g.g.g.grandmother Katharine/Catherine Robertson, she was not on 1941 census, presumably dead by then. Possibly after birth of Janet, about 7/8 years younger than Elizabeth born 1821. Nor have I found anything about g.g.g.g.grandparents John Fraser and Janet Buchanan other than six children.
I had also wondered a if Duncan Fraser and Margaret McKerchar "may be" this John's parents...
I have done a lot of research on the Fraser's but harder with the earlier ones. Have always wondered if further back in time they came from Inverness=shire or Ross-shire.
You may know that Donald was a teacher, then some years later a railway clerk, was the father of John Fraser who was my paternal grandmother's father - she was Jane (Jeanie) Fraser. I had always thought he was born in Stirling then discovered elsewhere in Stirlingshire although spent msot of his life in Stirling.
My father was named John Fraser Mitchell, his brother William Fraser Mitchell, and my brother Ian Fraser Mitchell. William named a son Fraser Mitchell but he died just before his 3rd birthday.
To see the familiar names appear as I read what you wrote was so exciting, and to see a photo of William was a bonus! I have no Fraser family photos. My father and his mother told me nothing of the Fraser family, all I knew was my grandfather's name, John Fraser. Nor did I know their roots were in Killin, although out of the mists of time have a memory of my father mention a Killin connection.
I am blethering. Sorry. Would love to hear from you.
A Guid New Year to you.
- Wednesday, 31 December, 2008
- BDM said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- Friday, 02 January, 2009
- BDM said...
It's OK! Lizzie and I connected! The year 2008 was good!
- Friday, 02 January, 2009


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