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If a fire breaks out in your building, are you confident your sprinkler system will kick into gear? And when firefighters arrive, are you certain the indoor stand pipes and outdoor hydrant will supply the water needed to douse the fire with hoses? Sprinklers and hydrants require a properly functioning fire main to connect to the municipal water supply. If something goes wrong with the piping, you need underground fire main repair as fast as possible to avoid putting your building at risk.
Count on Kauffman Co. to repair your underground fire main. We offer 24/7 fire protection services for your convenience and peace of mind. To schedule an appointment, please call Kauffman Co. at 713-893-1090.
(713) 893-1090
Water is the go-to fire extinguishing agent in typical buildings. This means fire sprinklers, hydrants, and standpipes are fundamental fire-fighting tools for your business. Automatic sprinkler systems stand guard 24/7, ready to put out a blaze the moment they detect intense heat from a fire below. This protection makes your building unlikely to sustain significant damage in a fire. Then, fire hydrants and standpipes provide a place for firefighters to connect their hoses, maximizing fire-extinguishing power with high-pressure water hoses.
Fire sprinklers, hydrants, and standpipes all rely on the same thing to work properly: an underground fire main. This is why repairing problems with your fire main is so critical to your building's fire protection efforts.
The fire main is easy to forget about. It's hidden underground and only goes to work in the rare case of a fire. However, it's vital to schedule fire main testing and maintenance to ensure proper functionality and pinpoint any problems with the system. If we uncover any malfunctions during maintenance, we can perform repairs on the spot. You can also schedule repair services between visits if you ever notice something wrong.
We can handle any fire main repair you require, including:
Regardless of the problem with your underground fire main, you can trust Kauffman Co. to deliver the timely repair you need. Death or serious injury could occur if you attempt to fix a leaky joint while the pipe still under pressure. For your safety, we strongly encourage you to leave the repair work to a professional.
Our experienced crew understands the repair process and the importance of treating pressurized fire mains cautiously. Plus, 24-hour services help limit property damage from a leaking fire main and ensure your building isn't left vulnerable to fires for long.
Over the past 35 years in the fire protection industry, Kauffman Co. has earned a reputation as one of the most reliable fire protection companies in Houston, TX. Choose us for all your fire safety needs, including underground fire main repair. We will leave you with peace of mind, knowing your building, customers, employees, and inventory are safe.
To schedule underground fire main repair in Houston, please contact us online or call 713-893-1090.
Fall can be a great time of year in the Houston area. Most of the heat of summer is gone,…
A fire at a commercial property can create devastating losses for the business owners, as well as uncertainty for employees…


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Arthur De Sousa called William Todd's girlfriend Charlotte Morgan, pictured, at swanky Knightsbridge restaurant San Lorenzo on the night of Saturday, February 17, looking for the 37-year-old.
Miss Morgan told the murder trial jury on Friday that Mr De Sousa "said he was looking for Will and needed to get some money off him".
Miss Morgan told Mr De Sousa to try Todd's mobile and then she rang him herself. Mr De Sousa's friend Alexander El-Hachadi also called Miss Morgan while she was in the restaurant.
Soon after Mr El-Hachadi - also known as Alex Griffin - lay dead and Mr De Sousa was seriously injured after both were shot at the home of Todd's former girlfriend Nicola Dixon and his two daughters in Pangbourne Mews. Todd denies murdering Mr El-Hachadi and attempting to murder Mr De Sousa.
Miss Morgan said she had first received a call from Mr El-Hachadi - who she revealed had
previously claimed he had links to the Russian Mafia and was moving to Mexico to mass-produce ecstasy - and that the 27-year-old tried to disguise who he was. She hung up but then Mr De Sousa, who she said she knew used drugs, called and sounded nervous and like he was on crack cocaine, she said.
Todd told Miss Morgan he knew the pair were going to his former home and he was also headed there. It had been planned Todd would meet Miss Morgan after the family meal but she only saw him later at her home in Hurricane Way, Woodley, hours after the shooting took place.
Over the following days, Todd travelled with her to business appointments across the South and West Country and when they returned to the Reading area they stayed at the Wee Waif Hotel near Woodley for a night, instead of returning to Hurricane Way. Miss Morgan said it was only on the Thursday after the shooting that she learned it had occurred in Pangbourne.
Asked if Todd told her anything about the shooting, she replied: "He told me he had been there at the end and had spoken to the police. "I think he was a witness." Prompted again by prosecutor Charles Miskin, QC, she added: "He told me not to ask any questions."
Miss Morgan then cut contact with Todd, because "I did not want to get involved."
However he contacted her a couple of times and was then arrested at her home on March 16 after she asked him to come around the previous day.
Emily Sampson, the Woodley woman threatened with prison by Mr Justice Ouseley on Thursday after she refused to testify, appeared to give evidence on Friday. She is the girlfriend of Richard Engelman, who prosecutors say was at the shooting at 9.15pm. Miss Sampson admitted Mr Engelman left her at The Swan pub in Pangbourne that night while he went to see somebody but that was about an hour before the killing.
She testified he was with her either in Abingdon or at a McDonald's drive-through in Benson at the crucial time.
The trial continues.

subset: commoncrawl


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Video of the Day
Snakes are present in all 50 U.S. states in great variety and diversity of species. There are several ways to differentiate one type of snake from another, but many display stripes as a prominent feature. Understanding how stripes can help you identify a snake -- and when they are an indicator of possible danger -- can help make the process a bit easier.
The most important reason for determining what species a snake may be is often the need to know if it's venomous or not. In the United States, there are several species of venomous snake that have vertical stripes or bands that help make them more easily identifiable. The coral snake has continuous rings of red, yellow and black along its body. The water moccasin or cottonmouth sometimes -- but not always -- has yellow bands of color stretching across a mostly brown or black body. The timber rattler also has an orange stripe down its back intermixed with the classic diamond pattern of the rattlesnake.
The color, number, size, location and length of stripes are all clues used to identify snakes by their stripes. For example, the rainbow snake has three red stripes that run the length of its back, while the striped crayfish snake has two lightly colored stripes that run down its upper sides and a third yellow stripe that runs down its lower side. Another example of subtle differences can be found among the eastern black-neck garter, checkered garter, Texas brown and Texas lined snakes. All have a white or light-colored stripe running down the center of their backs, but differences in the surrounding patterns and stripe shades can help identify them from one another.
If the snake has stripes along its underside, the process of identification becomes far easier. There are only seven snakes in North America that have stripes on their undersides, the most dangerous being the southern copperhead, which is poisonous. The others are the banded water snake, mangrove salt marsh snake, plain blackhead snake, western blackhead snake, queen snake and lined snake.
A traditional saying can help you identify dangerous striped coral snakes in a pinch when the adrenaline of an encounter eliminates your ability to recall all the facts you've learned. For example, try repeating "Red touches black, no worries for Jack. Red touches yellow, dangerous fellow." If the pattern on the snake's back has red rings touching yellow, avoid it at all costs.
References (6)
Photo Credits
- Ryan McVay/Digital Vision/Getty Images


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Week 22 ~ The Museum (Home Sweet Home)Posted: May 21, 2012 Filed under: Family, Home Sweet Home, Joy, The Family, The Museum, Treasures of life, What's Important in Life 2 Comments
We built our house a little over 40 years ago and with 40 years of living, there are a lot of things, like everywhere! It can't be called junk because a lot of it are things that came from our mothers and grandmothers! Really considered antique, but not your 'worth a fortune', fancy, 'do not touch' antiques! Actually they are 'well used, mean something to family' antiques! My husband is also very into trains and always has been, so he turned our daughter's room into a fabulous HO gauge train layout ~ wall to wall to wall to wall! You have to crawl under and come up in the middle to see it! It is also now used for storage! 🙂
Now the garage definitely could use come 'dejunking'! Paul was a builder and now is into home repair. He also is great at working on our cars, etc. Needless to say, he has every tool he has ever bought, plus screws, nails and anything similar you could ever imagine! Let's put it this way…we have a 2 car garage with one car snuggly in on one side and on the other side a narrow path to the kitchen door! Oh, and we also have an attic full of 'who knows what all' that we definitely need to go through! We keep talking, or rather I keep talking about going through the attic and cleaning it out! Who knows there may actually be treasures up there! Hehehe!
I am thankful that what was originally a 'parlor' in our 1300 sq. ft. home, is my office and I can dejunk it whenever I feel like it! 🙂 Oh, and I did my kitchen last year! Of course there are a lot of 'antiques' in it too! Ex: Grandma Stroh's, my husband's grandmother who would be around 129 years old, she was 99 when she died, wooden 'one piece' rolling pin, knives, and other kitchen utensils from my mother and grandmother that you can find in antique stores and our electric kitchen stove, which is 'Harvest Gold' and the original stove put in when we built our home! It also still works! 🙂 This is why I call our home 'The Museum'! 🙂
Our home, The Museum, is cozy, warm and full of love! You can't eat off our floors, but who would want to anyway? You will find dust, but then it is a Museum! When it comes down to it…I wouldn't trade it for the biggest, grandest mansion there is! It is home ~ full of love, wonderful happy memories, a little dust and…IT'S PAID FOR!!!
Neither one of these is our 'Museum', but somewhere in the middle! 🙂
Have a Blessed, Happy, Memory Making Day!
Love and Blessings Always,
~ Judy ♡ ~
Week 21 ~ My Own TreePosted: May 18, 2012 Filed under: Clark Gardens ~ A Love Story, Daddy's Girl, Encouragement, Family, Getting to Know Him, God's Little Bit of Heaven in Texas, Hope, Joy, Refreshing, The Family, There's Always Beauty to Be Found, Treasures of life, Trees, Uncategorized 2 Comments
Everyone is so busy these days! Busy with work that has to be done, office or home; busy with making sure that children all get to their various activities; busy with obligations! In other words busy! What does busy mean? Well… having a great deal to do; occupied with or concentrating on a particular activity or object of attention; full of activity or excessively detailed or decorated; fussy! Actually the last one usually has to do with something such as a scene, wallpaper, pattern, etc, but it can also apply to our lives!
Sadly most, if not all of us, get so busy with our lives that we forget to live! We have become a society of 'have to haves', and 'I need…'! Our children all have to have an extra curricular activity! Therefore parents are running around from work, home, etc to take Johnny and/or Jane here and there! What ever happened to the extra curricular activity of playing outside with family and friends??? Whatever happened to using the creative, imaginative genes that God gave us?
Technology is wonderful! Progress is great! Unfortunately, because of the great technology and progress, parents are having to work harder, longer and usually both of them working, to keep up with Jones-es! Now our lives are more about things than they are about living! Families are so busy they usually don't even have time to eat together unless it's at a fast food place or on the run! And how often now do you see families just playing together or sitting in a park having a picnic and enjoying each others company?
Years and years ago I had a friend tell me that everyone needs their own tree…a place, real or imaginary, where they can go, be quiet, listen to the sounds of life around them and just think and appreciate how blessed they are by God! We also need to take the time to enjoy and spend time with those we love! And most important of all ~ we need to slow down, take the time to look around us at what our Daddy aka God has done for us and just talk to Him and listen to what He has to say to us! Your world will not crumble if you slow down sometimes and find your own tree!
Here are some pictures of my tree! This is one place where I can spend the entire day listening and fellowshipping with my Daddy! Here there is total peace, tranquility and God's beauty all around me and the rest of the world is put on hold! 🙂
Have a blessed day and go find your own tree! ♡
Love and Blessings,
~ Judy ♡ ~
Week 20 ~ Have You Noticed?Posted: May 7, 2012 Filed under: About Me, Believing, Child of God, Daddy's Girl, Don't be Deceived, Encouragement, Family, Getting to Know Him, Hope, Joy, Make a Difference, Prayers Answered, Stand Strong, Taking Our Nation Back, The Family, The Word, Today, Treasures of life, True Love, Trusting, Unconditional Love 4 Comments
Have you noticed that when someone has a need for a loved one or themselves, people respond with, 'sending healing vibes your way', positive thoughts for you and …..', 'our wishes for an answer are with you', 'sending you our energy' and the list goes on and on! Recently on a site I follow of a little girl with cancer who was having tests, several people posted 'keeping our fingers crossed'! People…it's not crossing fingers, sending positive vibes or thoughts or wishes that does any thing!!! IT IS PRAYER!!! There is nothing as or more powerful than PRAYER! Oh, on the little girl's site I commented "not crossing fingers, Praying!"
What has happened to us? Have you ever noticed someone making a comment and using 'G_d'! What is this? It seems that people have become so afraid of offending someone that they have become little creepy, meek hypocrites! I am not sorry, but I don't care if I offend you, I am NOT going to offend my Heavenly Father, my Daddy, my GOD!
I am not ashamed of who I am in Christ Jesus! I am not ashamed that I am a Child of God, made in His image and loved unconditionally by Him! He is my Daddy and I am proud to say I AM MY DADDY'S GIRL!
If you don't know Him and would like to, please contact me and I will introduce you to the One Who will never leave you, Who will love you unconditionally, Who has plans for you that are far greater than any thing you could even begin to imagine and Who's will is blessings, goodness, divine health, prosperity and long life for you! He will not only walk every step with you, He will carry you when you are too weary to take a step! He is not about 'religion', He is about the Truth in God's Word, not man's made up theology and traditions! He meets our every need, even before we know we have it! All He asks in return is our love, trust and faith in Him and to develop a close personal relationship with Him and not be ashamed!
Oh, there will be trials and tribulations, but you know what? He is always there, protecting, guiding, leading us and bringing us through to the other side full of blessings flowing abundantly! Through trials and tribulations we learn to trust Him and the rewards are beyond comprehension! You truly learn the meaning of 'peace that passes all understanding'! I love my Daddy! I have faith in my Daddy and I trust my Daddy! My life is full, my life is rich, my life is full to overflowing with daily blessings!
We are a very happy, fulfilled, full of joy, peace and love family and we would love to welcome anyone who wants to join us, into our family for all eternity!
Have a truly blessed day!
Love and Blessings,
~ Judy ♡ ~
Week 17 ~ Beautiful Blooms BloomingPosted: April 20, 2012 Filed under: Believing, Daddy's Girl, Encouragement, God's Little Bit of Heaven in Texas, Hope, Joy, Nature, Spring is Springing, TheFathersCreations, There's Always Beauty to Be Found, Treasures of life, True Beauty | Tags: Azaleas, Beauty, Flowers, Irises, Poppies 1 Comment
How can anyone look at these beautiful creations of our Daddy and not believe in Him? When you look at the intricate detail of each bloom, how can you not recognize His handiwork? I am so thankful that my Daddy loves me so much that He surrounds me with His beauty in everything!
Have a wonderful day and remember to stop and smell the flowers! 🙂
Love and Blessings,
~ Judy ♡ ~
Week 16 1/2 ~ What is a Christian?Posted: April 10, 2012 Filed under: Believing, Child of God, Don't be Deceived, Encouragement, Family, Getting to Know Him, Hope, Joy, Knowledge, Make a Difference, Stand Strong, The Family, The Word, Today, Treasures of life, True Love, Trusting, Unconditional Love 1 Comment
What is a Christian? Well, you can find all different definitions for what a Christian is, but what truly is a Christian?
First, if you have to go around telling people that you are a Christian, then you are not living like a Christian! A Christian is someone who loves Jesus with all their heart, soul, spirit and mind! Someone who wants to live their life being as much like Jesus as is humanly possible! Someone who can love people in spite of themselves; pray for them; forgive them and show them the way to an eternal life with Jesus. Oh, they're not perfect and they know that, but they strive to be obedient to the Word of God and live accordingly! They are not ashamed of who they are in Christ Jesus. They are bold and stand up for God and His ways. And most importantly they walk in humility and love ~ not judging, not condemning but sharing!
A Christian is a servant, who loves to serve and help others without expecting anything in return! They are not seeking 'recognition', 'praise' or 'glory' for what they do. All the Glory belongs to God! They will stay in the background, praying for you, loving you and serving you without you having any knowledge of it. A Christian doesn't have to tell anyone they are a Christian; it shows in the way they live their lives; the way they treat others; their words and what they stand for ~ in other words the fruit of their lives! A Christian doesn't preach at you, they share what they have found through their faith and trust in God and help you to find it too! There is no jealousy or envy, but love and joy in your success to living a prosperous life in The Lord.
This is what a Christian really is! They are full of joy, a peace that passes all understanding, compassion, wisdom/discernment to know the difference between truth and deceit and a love for life and others that is sincere and unfailing! A personal, intimate relationship with The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. There is no worry or fear in a Christian. They know that God and God alone is their source and that He never leaves them or forsakes them! And the greatest thing of all is that they love you and want you to join their family and spend eternity with them in Heaven sitting at the Father's feet! What a glorious day that will be!
Be blessed today and everyday abundantly by God!
Love and Blessings,
~ Judy ♡ ~
Week 10 ~ A Very Close, Personal FriendshipPosted: March 5, 2012 Filed under: Believing, Child of God, Daddy's Girl, Encouragement, Getting to Know Him, Hope, Joy, The Word, Treasures of life, Trusting | Tags: daily walk with Jesus, getting to know God, personal relationship Leave a comment
As God Sees, So Are We To See
"…If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." Matthew 17:20 "For with God nothing shall be impossible." Luke 1:37
Notice that God speaks of us the same way that He speaks about Himself: nothing shall be impossible. The "faith potential" for us is the same as it is for God. Meditate on these Scriptures and see how the Holy Spirit speaks to you about your situations in life.
Scripture reading: Hebrews 11:6 (Pastor Nick's Daily Dose)
Can I Really Know God?
"And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, Whom Thou hast sent." John 17:3
The Bible teaches us in both testaments that God wants to be known by His children. How is it that so many of us as God's people have missed that. We have been told and said things like, "You never know what God's gonna do." And really my brothers and sisters, that is just not the truth. In the above Scripture, Jesus gives us the Father's definition of eternal life: that we might know Him and Jesus Whom He sent. We can know God in the same way that we can know any one else who is alive. The same way in which we would get to know another person is the same way that we go about getting to know Almighty God.
Scripture reading: Philippians 3:10; Hosea 6:3; Hebrews 8:10-11 (Pastor Nick's Daily Dose)
Stop, think and take in these 2 scriptures! Sometimes we depend too much on God to do the impossible FOR us! That is not what the Word of God says! It is saying that with faith WE can do the impossible WITH Him! This is why we need to get to know Him personally, first name basis, best friend relationship! Jesus/God/Holy Spirit dwells IN us…24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year! He's not 'way off' somewhere…He knows every thing we think, every thing we do, every thing we say! He has plans for us and none of them include defeat!
We all need our regular 'prayer time' ~ a certain time set aside to pray to our Father, but what we really need to do is to talk to Him all day long! No formal prayers, but just plain, everyday talk as you do with a very close friend! You don't even have to pick up a phone or send an email or text…just open your mouth! This is what He wants from us! He loves us enough to have sacrificed His life for us!
Today, start talking to Him and listening to what He tells you! Why, He even speaks Texan! When you find this relationship with your Daddy, you will walk in the 'peace that passes all understanding' and you will find that 'when you speak to the mountain it will move' and 'that nothing is impossible'!
Have an abundantly blessed day talking to Your Best Friend ~ Jesus!
Love and Blessings,
~ Judy ♡ ~
Fall Is In The Air!Posted: September 29, 2011 Filed under: Fall, God's Little Bit of Heaven in Texas, Joy, Nature, Non Scarecrows, Pumpkins, Refreshing, Smile 3 Comments
I am so happy…Fall is in the Air! There are more and more signs every day! Hallelujah! I am going to share some of those signs with you that I captured at Clark Gardens last Tuesday! Now these 'children' are called Scarecrows, but these guys are definitely not scare anything! They are cute, friendly and happy go lucky! Enjoy… I did! 🙂
Love and Blessings,
Joy!Posted: September 3, 2011 Filed under: Believing, Joy, The Word, Trusting Leave a comment
What is joy? Well, the dictionary's translation of joy is:"joy |joi| noun, a feeling of great pleasure and happiness : tears of joy | the joy of being alive. • a thing that causes joy : the joys of Manhattan." Now what is your definition of joy?
Remember when you were a child and you got your first puppy or kitten? Your first bicycle? Something that you were really wanting and how happy it made you feel? This was a 'material' joy and the memory still gives you a happy feeling! What joy is to me is not 'material' but a deeper, more intense, fulfilling joy! Something that comes from deep within and radiates throughout your entire being!
We all have trials, challenges, tribulations in our lives. The Word of God tells us that we will have these, but it also tells us how to handle them! James 1:2-4 tells us "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." Now, you may say, 'Oh, right…the bank account is -$ balance; the bills are due; there is no gas and we need food! I'm supposed to have joy and be patient?'
Let me ask you something, what does worrying do for us? Does it put food on our table, gas in our car, pay the bills? No, it causes us to to feel horrible, can even make us sick! Do we know God…not know of Him but really know Him! He is our Provider! He is our Source! He is our Father! He never leaves us or forsakes us! When we are going through bad times what is coming out of our mouth? Words of lack, doubt, dispair? The Bible also tells us that we will have whatsoever we say! It doesn't say whatsoever we say that is good…it says WHATSOEVER WE SAY!
God and His angels only can work with the Word of God! They don't and can't operate with words of fear, worry, disbelief, doubt, lack, etc. We need to get out our Bible, pray for understanding and start reading what our Daddy says concerning our needs! (Oh, it also says that He meets (takes care of) our every need!) Then we are responsible to talk what the Word of God says over our lives and situations…not what we see with our natural eyes, but what we see with our spiritual, God believing, God trusting eyes! Then we will be filled with the true joy of the Lord! Hallelujah!


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Andrew England
May 11, 2010
More than 100 people were killed in a series of car bombings and drive-by shootings yesterday in the worst day of violence Iraq has suffered this year.
The bloodiest incident took place in the town of Hilla, 100 miles south of Baghdad, where 45 people died when two car bombs exploded at a textile factory as workers ended their shift. There were reports of a third explosion as rescuers tried to help victims.
Another suicide bomber killed more than a dozen people in a market in a town south-east of Baghdad, while earlier in the day gunmen using silencers attacked checkpoints in the capital, killing Iraqi soldiers and police.
Scores have died since Iraq's hotly contested parliamentary election on March 7. No party gained a majority, setting off weeks of hard bargaining to create a coalition government.
The Emergency Election Sale is now live! Get 30% to 60% off our most popular products today!


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Aria Health views excellence as an ongoing pursuit that evolves with the needs of our patients and the communities we serve. To ensure that each new employee shares our commitment to exceptional care, we ask that you read our vision, mission and values before you explore employment opportunities. Check the ACCEPT box at the bottom of this page to begin your own pursuit of excellence at Aria Health.
To provide exceptional patient care and customer service to members of the communities served by the Hospitals, and to recognize a patient's right to considerate and respectful care, regardless of ability to pay.
- Be the premier integrated health care delivery system serving Northeast Philadelphia and nearby Bucks and Montgomery counties. Be recognized for high quality, commitment to service and caring behavior by all members of the hospital family.
- To be committed to constantly seeking improvements in service to our patients, our community and to each other.
- To be the organization to which people, businesses, and insurers first turn to provide or arrange for the provision of health-related services.
- To be the standard by which hospital and other health-related services provided by others are measured.
To our patients and communities is foremost in our thoughts and actions
Continuously earning the trust of those we serve and with whom we work
By maintaining high standards of health care while continuously striving to improve QTOPS (Quality is TOPS at Aria)
Compassion and Dignity
By caring, both physically and emotionally, for those we serve and by treating others as we ourselves would like to be treated
By valuing error prevention, identification, reduction and our response to sentinel events and awareness or identification of potential or actual errors
- I will think about the patient's experience while I do my work
- I will be empathic in all I do
- I will make it a priority to involve, interact and connect with the patient and family
- I will complete my work safely, accurately and with great care
- I will look for ways to reduce waste and increase efficiency in my work area
- I will take responsibility for my actions
- I will reflect and resolve
- I will ask for help when I need it
- I will be respectful and caring in my communications
- I will speak up and be a patient advocate
- I will provide a timely, clear and complete information to coworkers using SBARQ
- I will ask questions and offer solutions
- I will think about others' feelings before I act or speak
- I will "put myself in someone else's shoes" when considering a next step using STAR
- I will treat patients and others in need as I would want to be treated
- I will commit to having a "whatever it takes" attitude to make my team successful
- I will help my coworkers inside and outside of my shift/department
- I will be a positive influence for my team
- I will speak up for safety using CATCH
- I will do the right thing, even in difficult situations


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House Shoes's horizons are broadening with each new release, and Dirt / Jeedo Interlude is no exception. It's a worthy addition to a catalogue that has seen much growth since House Shoes stepped foot in the rap game. We're looking forward to hearing more.
Hit up our mixtape section to stream and/or download by House Shoes's new Let It Go project, dropped on Wednesday, June 19th, 2013. Check out House Shoes's profile page for the most recent info, news, songs, and mixtapes. Follow House Shoes on Facebook and Twitter, if you aren't already.
How's the chemistry here? How do you feel about the production here?


text: When I first started using waterstones I purchased a Norton flattening stone along with them. I've been using it for years and I naively just assumed that the flattening stone has remained flat. I tested its flatness tonight by rubbing it on a piece of 220 grit sandpaper that was adhered to a flat granite surface plate. Well, you can see by the picture below that it was not flat. There are high spots on two outside corners and a hollow in the center. After realizing this, I've decided to abandon flattening my waterstones using this method. Instead, I plan on flattening my waterstones directly on a piece of 220 grit sandpaper (with the granite surface plate). The alternative would be to flatten the flattening stone on the sandpaper, but I thought that it would make more sense to cut out the middleman.


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My last afternoon in Santiago. I've left my luggage at the hotel while I have one final meal at Akarana, a place Liz recommended for their oysters. Plus I thought I might finally be able to get a terremoto cocktail.
Well, that's a mistake. When I order a terremoto from my waiter, Emiliano, he goes off and gets the owner of the restaurant. Who turns out to be a spunky little gal from New Zealand named Dell Taylor.
"We don't make drinks like that here," she says rather severely.
"Definitely not."
What is it about this terremoto cocktail that so disgusts everyone? Is it the rot-gut wine, pipeño, that they use? Or the pineapple ice cream? I'll tell you, I've been in at least twenty different restaurants and bars in Santiago and not a single place would make me a terremoto cocktail. So now I'm practically desperate for one. Just to see if it's possibly as bad as you would think.
Although Dell won't make me a terremoto, she offers to personally make me a pisco sour which she says is the best in all of Santiago. Well, as far as I'm concerned, that's not saying much. I've yet to have one that comes even close to a poorly made margarita. But what the hell. It's my last day here. Might as well have a pisco sour.
A few minutes later she's back with my drink. And then she stands there, at my table, watching me take a sip.
"Well?" she says.
You know what? She's right. This is the best damn pisco sour I've had. And I tell her so.
She looks smug. "What'd I tell you?" she says.
Then she sits down at my table and tells me how all the pisco sours in Santiago are crap because everyone uses some god awful mix at the bar. "Got to make it with fresh lemon juice. And a decent pisco. Doesn't have to be the best pisco but it's got to be fairly good, doesn't it?"
I'm impressed enough with Dell's pisco sour that I order a second, to go with my oysters on the half-shell and a dish of chargrilled marinated octopus, and then ask her for her recipe. For the drink. And here it is: The best damn pisco sour in Santiago.
Akarana Pisco Sour
In a cocktail shaker with four ice cubes, add:
–1 1/2 ounces of good pisco (she likes Aba)
–3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice
–spoon full of sugar (taste drink for sweetness)
–"a knob of egg white" (about 1/3 of an egg white)
Shake it up good in the cocktail shaker, pour into a tall flute, and add a drop of Angostura bitters on the top. "Just a dot—no more."
5 comments
Pingback from Party Finger Food Recipes on Friday, July 3, 2009 at 12:24 pm
Way to go Dell! Akarana is great all around!
I know you've already left Santiago, but you'll have to come back and go to a "picada" for your terremoto (and for real down-home diner-type food)… There are plenty of places in town that make them- not that you're missing much, other than the experience… and the headache that comes free with your order!
It looks like I am too late, but I had a Terremoto at "La Piojera" next to the Mercado Central in Santiago. It is a famous place and the terremoto was really good!
so is it made with pineapple sherbert or pineapple ice cream?
Comments are now closed.


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More and more new and innovative business models reach the electronic communication market and the demand for mobile data communication and additional frequency resources continues to grow.
Compared to other economic sectors, electronic communication is developing very fast all over the world. Mobile devices are becoming more and more common and as a consequence, the importance of mobile data communication is growing – by the end of the third quarter of 2014, there were 390,000 users of mobile data communication in Estonia.
In the near future, we can expect toughening competition among communication operators in the sphere of data communication services, characterised by high speeds, as it is possible to communicate both video and audio materials as data communication packages. The integration of services and development of services to meet specific needs of customer groups is becoming more and more important. Electronic communication also plays a big role in other economic sectors as information, its electronic processing and communication have become a strategic resource, just like natural resources, labour and financial capital.
- The use of the 694–790 MHz ('700 MHz') frequency band »
National roadmap
Goals of the area
The goals of electronic communication that are set for the coming years aim at the establishment of free and secure common market, matching the information society requirements.
These goals are also set in the Digital Agenda 2020 for Estonia.
- By 2020, data communication services with the minimum speed of 30 Mbit/s will be available to all the inhabitants of Estonia.
- 60% of users of direct Internet connection can access data communication with the minimum speed of 100 Mbit/s in six years.
- By 2020, Estonia is among the five countries of the world that will enjoy the highest level of Internet freedom.
Entering the electronic communication market
Radio frequencies
Radio frequencies represent a limited natural resources, characterised by increasing demand in the information society. The management of radio frequencies is used to ensure the purposeful, objective and transparent management of radio frequencies and efficient use of the frequencies available, which will be determined by the Estonian Radio Frequency Allocation Plan. The frequency permit that is required to use the radio frequencies will be granted by the Technical Regulatory Authority.
- Numeration
Numeration will be required to provide electronic communication services and the surveillance over this sphere will be organised in accordance with the Numerating Plan of Estonia. The plan will set out the requirements for the numbers, short codes, identification codes and prefixes, required for the provision of electronic communication services. The numeration permit required to use the numeration will be granted by the Technical Regulatory Authority.
- Access to electronic communication networks and interconnection
When electronic communications undertaking lacks the network infrastructure required for the provision of electronic communication services to final customers, access to communication network will be used, as a general rule.
Interconnection represents a special form for the access to electronic communication networks, involving the technical and logical connection of networks by a method that will allow for the provision of services to final customers of interconnected electronic communication networks.
- Provision of electronic communication services
Provision of electronic communication services to final customers will take place under a communication service contract. The undertaking will be required to offer the consumer an opportunity to conclude the electronic communication contract for a period of one year. The initial minimum term of a fixed term contract concluded with consumers must not exceed two years.
Undertakings that wish to provide electronic communication services must be registered in the Commercial register and submit a written notice to the Technical Regulatory Authority before commencing with business.
- State Fees Act »
Electronic communication, numeration and radio frequencies
Digital Signature Act »
Riigi Teataja
International organisations
Conférence Européenne des Administrations des Postes et des Télécommunications (CEPT)
The members of CEPT can be administrations of those postal and telecommunication administrations of European countries that are the members of the Universal Postal Union, or UPU for short, or International Telecommunication Union, or ITU for short.
Conférence Européenne des Administrations des Postes et des Télécommunications (CEPT) »
Goals of CEPT:
- Strengthening the relations between member states to promote co-operation in the area of European postal and electronic communication
- Development of common positions for priorities and development of the European postal and electronic communication sector
- Representation of the interests of the sector at global level, including at the Universal Postal Union and International Telecommunication Union
- Harmonisation of the use of radio broadcasting frequencies in Europe
CEPT and Estonia
The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications has been a member of CEPT since August 1993. The Republic of Estonia is represented at CEPT by the Estonian Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, the Estonian Technical Regulatory Authority and the Estonian Competition Authority.
Organisation of the work of CEPT
CEPT is run by an assembly that comes together twice a year. Two committees operate at CEPT:
- Electronic Communications Committee, or ECC for short
- Comité européen des régulateurs postaux, or CERP for short
The committees are involved in harmonisation, working in working groups and project teams.
European Communications Office and Telecommunications Standards Institute
The managing board and committees of CEPT are advised and assisted by the European Communications Office (ECO), which is a centre of specialist knowledge on postal and electronic communications.
European Communications Office (ECO) »
In 1988, CEPT established the European Telecommunications Standardisation Institute (ETSI), that covers all the activities, related to the standardisation of the sector of telecommunications.
European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) »
International Telecommunications Satellite Organisation (ITSO)
International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (ITSO) »
In 2001, ITSO was divided into two units: ITSO and Intelsat Ltd. Until then, ITSO was known under the name of INTELSAT.
Goals of the ITSO:
- Development of international telecommunication services and ensure their availability in every country and territory
- Conduct of surveillance over the activities of Intelsat Ltd., mostly involved in the operation of satellite systems, and that the ITSO transferred its satellite system to, complete with orbital positions
ITSO and Estonia
The Republic of Estonia has been a member of the ITSO since 10 April 2007 and Estonia is represented at the ITSO by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications.
Organisation of work at the ITSO
ITSO is headquartered in Washington D.C. and run by an Assembly of Parties that currently consists of 148 member states. Meetings take place at least once per every two years.
The decisions of the organisation will be adopted by majority vote, with every member state having one vote.
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
The International Telecommunication Union is an international organisation working at the United Nations, its members being the governments and private sector representatives of 192 countries.
Regulators, network operators, manufacturers of equipment and devices, hardware and software developers, local standardisation organisations and financial institutions are involved in the activities of the ITU.
The International Telecommunication Union co-ordinates the global development of telecommunication, use of networks and services, gives recommendations for the implementation of uniform standards and assists developing countries in the area of electronic communication.
International Telecommunications Union (ITU) »
The ITU pursues the following goals:
Extending the international co-operation with the purpose of improving electronic communication
Offering assistance to developing countries in the area of telecommunication and facilitates the pooling of resources for the improved availability of telecommunication services
Contribution to improving the efficiency of telecommunication services and their availability all over the world
Promotion of telecommunication services for the purpose of extending peace-orientated relations
The ITU and Estonia
Estonia has been a member of the ITU since 24 April 1992 and Estonia is represented at the ITU by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, Technical Regulatory Authority and the Estonian Competition Authority.
Organisation of work at the ITU
Every four years, the Plenipotentiary Conference of the ITU will take place to elect the leaders, agree upon further areas of interest and specify the foundation documents.
The operating areas of the ITU are divided into three categories, which are co-ordinated, respectively:
- The Radio Communications Bureau
- The Telecommunications Standardisation Bureau
- The Telecommunications Development Bureau
The work done by the bureaus is supported by research groups that consist of experts and develop recommendations, mostly of a technical nature. All the recommendations given by the ITU are voluntary; however, most countries observe these recommendations. This will ensure the compatibility of both equipment and services, which will help in using the products of different manufacturers without making any additional expenses.


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This version develops, elaborates on, and offers resources and examples for strategies summarized in the shorter , Don't Just Sit There. Do Something (Short and to the Point Version).
Your camp is getting ready for their first field-trip to a swimming pool. Obviously, it is critical that they know how to behave safely. Before you line up for the bus, you need to go over some ground rules. You sit them down in a circle, emphasizing that it is very important that they pay attention. Within two minutes, Samantha and Lucinda are whispering to each other, and Devin is spinning around in circles. Within five minutes, Chloe is filing her nails, Lane is playing the drum on the floor with a pencil, and Carlton is doing everything in his power to crack-up Damon and Hwei Nyi. A few minutes later, you notice that D'Treena is staring out the window, while Antwan and Gavin are finger-kicking a paper football.
What is going on? You are not asking them to sit through a lecture on quantum physics. All you are asking of them is to listen to a few minutes of critical instructions. How will you respond? Yell? Deduct points from a reward system? Use time-out? Cancel the field trip? Ignore the behaviors and plow through the instructions anyway? Adjust your method of covering this essential information?
I am hoping you will consider the latter before resorting to any of the former strategies.
"But I am only asking them for a few minutes of their attention," you are thinking. "What is so hard about paying attention for a few minutes?" Apparently a great deal.
In a study of children who were developing typically and children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Mark Rapport et al found that the ability of typically developing children to remain focused on-task was no more than 7 minutes, while the attention of children with ADHD ranged from 2 to 5 minutes, depending on whether they had been diagnosed with or without the attention deficit component of ADHD (Rapport, M. et al, 2009).
If you had asked the children to levitate in the air while listening to your directions, and they had not complied, do you think they could have done a better job if you had rewarded them? Punished them? Told them they were not trying hard enough?
Think about it. Sustaining attention is difficult for most people. When was the last time you sat through a drawn-out presentation or sermon, sat on hold, or watched someone explain how to operate a piece of equipment? How long were you able to focus? Whatever your capacity to focus, a child's capacity is less. Whatever your capacity to PRETEND to focus, a child's capacity is less.
In June, Deb Shapiro, my colleague from Camping for All, and I led a workshop on "Just Sit Time" for the summer camp staff of Charlottesville Parks and Recreation. Knowing that there were many years of experience and many outstanding camp leaders in the room, we decided the group could help us write this post. What follows is drawn from their observations and ideas as well as some additional observations and ideas offered by Ms. Shapiro and myself.
Danger Zones
We asked the 66 participants in our workshop to identify times that behavior tends to unravel.
l. These are there activities that they identified as most likely to be problematic:
- Waiting
- waiting for the bus.
- waiting to go into a site they are visiting on a field trip (for example, arriving at a pool that is not yet open).
- waiting for other children to finish an activity.
- Watching while one student does something (for example, a child and adult are in front of the group doing a science experiment while the other children are expected to watch).
- Listening to instructions.
- Transitioning from one activity to another.
- Large Group Times such as morning meeting, circle time, and lunch.
Keeping children's attention focused during these times usually requires some level of support from adults. We asked our participants to consider how they might help their campers stay focused and appropriate during these particularly challenging times.
Great Expectations
- We've got rules here. In their small group discussion, staff emphasized setting clear expectations, and I agree that this is extremely important. Expectations can be set up as rules at the beginning of the year, but they also sometimes need to be emergent and specific to particular circumstances. For example, I watched a site director explain to her camp exactly how they were to get up from their tables at lunch, with details about how to push the chair back. The latter she also demonstrated. Reviewing these expectations frequently during the first several days of a program can set a high standard.
- How would you rate that? A technique I have sometimes employed with success is asking children to evaluate themselves on how well they met expectations.
"You were expected to leave the cafeteria quietly and calmly, and we talked about how that would look and sound. If 1 was a great job, 2, a so so job, and 3 was a poor job, how well would you say you did?"
Accept their votes with no comment. I can only base this on my own anecdotal experience, but I found that my students' self-awareness increased rapidly with this technique and that they quickly rose to the expectations.
- You tell me. In the example of leaving the lunchroom, the expectations were set by staff. Sometimes before beginning an activity, leaders may like to ask students, "What could go wrong here? Let's list maybe five ideas for helping this activity go smoothly." Following the activity, evaluate using the above procedure.
- I know what you mean. Just because you have tried to explain something doesn't mean that your students or campers actually understand what you want. Using concrete examples can help increase understanding. "Listen to your counselor when she is talking," is not especially concrete. Consider asking your campers how people look when they are listening (they are looking at the speaker, their bodies are still), how they sound (mostly quiet but sometimes they might murmur agreement or ask questions). Time invested in clarifying expectations will save you time spent explaining and disciplining later.
- Show me. Some children need visual cues. General rules, posted where everyone can see them, can help with this. But you may also want to write expectations for specific activities on chart paper or dry erase boards. Images accompanying written rules , even simple stick figures, will help visual learners, struggling readers, and English Language Learners read and remember the written rules.
Describing and demonstrating. Using details. Writing things on a chart. Drawing pictures. Having students act out correct and incorrect behaviors. All these actions can help make expectations clear. Review and evaluate them frequently, especially at the beginning. And above all, make sure your expectations are reasonable.
Please. Let Me Explain.
Whether you are explaining your expectations, explaining directions, or explaining what is about to happen next, a certain amount of time is spent getting information across to your campers. I have watched groups devolve while leaders stood in front of them explaining and explaining. Invariably, the leaders become frustrated with the children as their behavior deteriorates. In some cases, I have seen them abandon the activity all together, because the kids "wouldn't listen to the directions." I totally get the adults' frustration, but I don't think the outcome was inevitable. It is possible to convey information without loosing your audience.
- For openers, be concise. In their time-honored book on writing and grammar, Skrunk and White encourage readers to "omit needless words." As important as that advice may be to a writer, it is far more important to a speaker. You risk loosing your listener in a sea of language if you ask your campers to endure a verbose set of instructions.
How much verbiage could be cut here?
Okay guys, listen up. We are going to do an art activity now, and it's going to be really fun, we're going to paint the mural we sketched yesterday, but it's important that you listen to the directions because if you don't listen to the directions you will not know what we are going to do. I know yesterday, some of you were not listening before we played Capture the Flag, and you remember how confusing that was…right? So this time, pay attention when I explain. We are going to be painting the wall, and we don't want the paints going all over everything and we are going to have a mess if everyone crowds the wall at once. And the last time we painted, when we did our self-portraits, no one cleaned up, did you? So, we are going to need to talk about this whole process, starting with selecting our paints. 'Cause I know some of you are going to have certain paints you really want to use and others are going to want the same paints and I don't want everyone to be arguing about what color they get to use first. You'll all get the colors you want eventually,,,,,
and on and one and one she goes from picking colors to cleaning-up. Tell the truth: did you make it all the way through that speech? Imagine listening it it.
While the details are made-up in this example, the amount of extemporaneous verbiage unfortunately is not. How many children are still listening when she is finished? How many have stayed out of trouble? How many have been able to differentiate her main ideas in this tide of words rolling in?
Let's try this again:
Okay guys, I need your attention for a minute. We are about ready to start painting our mural, but before we do, there a few directions and ground rules we are going to need to go over. Raise your hand if you have ever painted a mural before.
- Tempting as it is to explain why they need the directions, and what happened last time, this verbiage is adding "just-sit time" and probably confusing your students. Keep it concise and:
- Break it up. In the alternate passage, above, the speaker has not launched into a full explanation at once. She is going to break it down into small bites that her campers can digest. She is employing several other devises to keep her campers' focus. She has opened with an
- Attention grabber. An attention grabber alerts the student that they really need to listen now. It can be perfectly straight forward, as in "I need your attention for a moment" or it can be intriguing. "Hey guys, did your parents ever tell you not to draw on the walls? Well, today you are going to draw on the walls."
- Audience Involvement. After a very short introduction, the speaker has asked the students if they have ever painted a mural. By asking a question, she has engaged them, she has changed an expectation from listening to doing (raising hands if they have painted a mural), and she has made the information relevant by connecting it to prior experience. At this point, she should allow one or two students to comment, but not all, or again the rest will be lost in a sea of words, just not her words. She should also look for questions that will engage the students who have NOT painted a mural. (Have you seen a mural? Is a mural the same thing as graffiti?")
- Let someone else talk. Look at the example paragraph above. How much of the information conveyed by the teacher could actually have been drawn out of the group? Not only does letting the students contribute engage them, it breaks up the monotony of listening to the same voice going on and on.
- Get silly. Another great way to grab and keep attention is to clown around just a bit. "We're going to be painting a mural today, so I want everyone to crowd all around the wall and all of you try to paint the same thing at the same time, because that way you won't just be painting the walls, you'll be painting each other. Won't Madison look good with a pink nose? No? Okay, well, how do you think we should go about this?" Don't take this so far that you get your group wound up. A little humor goes a long way.
- Engage their eyes. Don't just say it. Show it. Walk over to the paint table and pick up the paints as you talk about the colors they will be using.
- Engage their bodies. Likewise, get your students moving, even as you go through the instructions. "Okay, now everyone stand up, spread out a little, and pretend to paint on a mural. How far apart is everyone? Good." Not only are you teaching to the active learners, you are keeping everyone's attention by keeping them moving and changing things up. Do you want them moving because you invited them to move or because the fidgets have set in?
- Save some for later. Maybe you don't have to explain it all at once. Can you begin an activity and stop after 10 minutes to explain the next step? Let's say you are introducing a new, and rather complicated game. Consider breaking the game into segments the first time, then when the children have mastered the instructions for each component of the game, let them play it all the way through. You should tell them from the onset that they will have a chance to play it all the way through, but it is complicated so you are going to break it into three parts first.
- Repeat after me. Asking students to repeat back instructions helps you check for understanding and gives them a chance to talk (and hear a different voice). It also alerts them to the fact that they need to listen, because they are going to be asked to repeat your instructions.
Keep it in sight.
- Divide and conquer. How you group students plays into managing their behavior during challenging times. Whether it's sitting in group time or waiting in line, you want to keep apart children who trigger one another's challenging behaviors. If Carlton and Hwei Nyi wind each other up, move one to the back of the line and one to the front. If Samantha has been known to antagonize Shelby to the snapping point, why would they be seated at the same table?
- Get in there! Effective classroom teachers don't stand in front of a classroom talking, they move about. Why should it be any different in an afterschool or summer program? The setting may be different. Maybe your group is on a golf course, maybe they are at various stations in a wildlife center, but you can still mingle. In a large group situation, walk through the group, making frequent eye contact and patting the occasional shoulder. Where groups are scattered around the setting, move from group to group. Spread your staff among your students. The very presence of an adult nearby can have a settling effect. If you know certain students' behaviors can be particularly challenging, you want to make sure that those students are near an adult or that you are circling back to them often. But please, don't do this in an obvious way that flags them as troublemakers.
- Case the joint. Physical environment has a powerful influence on behavior. You can allow the environment to work against you, or manipulate it to work for you. Look around the environment of your program. What blocks your view of a section of the space? A bookshelf, a hedge? Can the items be moved? Trimmed back? Is it possible that by standing in a slightly different spot you can see more kids?
If you are visiting a site, give the place a quick once over. Your students are standing in line for a ride an amusement park. One section of the queue runs behind a broad post: a great place for behaviors to devolve. Try stationing a staff member there, or make it a point to stroll over to that area often.
Find something to do. There are many opportunities for students and campers to find themselves with too much time on their hands. Maybe they are waiting for a bus that is delayed. Maybe one or two students are always the first to finish an activity, and their behavior begins to decay as they wait for the rest of the group to catch up. Be prepared to keep students occupied during these periods of otherwise unstructured time.
- Have a game plan. When the whole group is unoccupied, games can be played on the spot with little or no equipment. Keep a small juggling ball or scarf on hand and use it for a game of catch. Play charades and guessing games. Circle games are great. Younger kids may enjoy games like "Duck Duck, Goose", while older students will enjoy more complex games, such as "Human Knot." For this and other appropriate activities, see http://www.ultimatecampresource.com/site/camp-activity/human-knot.html and Making Fun Out of Nothing at All, Burcher and Burcher (available through ACA Bookstore: https://www.acabookstore.org/p-5625-making-fun-out-of-nothing-at-all-101-great-games-that-need-no-props-second-edition.aspx).
- A bag of tricks. In Enrichment Alliance programs, we have found it extremely helpful to keep a set of simple but engaging materials with us when traveling by car or bus. When behavior in the car was deteriorating severely, one of our drivers began traveling with a set of colorful pipe-cleaners in her car, which her passengers shaped into flowers and butterflies. Behavioral problems ceased entirely. One spring our students made lanyards while waiting for and riding on the bus. Decks of cards, games, books, finger-puppets, simple art supplies — these things can be thrown in a fanny-pack or day-pack and carried along on any trip away from site. Make sure items are not messy and do not have a lot of components. Also make sure they are cheap and expendable; they may get left on the bus. Maintain interest by changing things up from time to time.
- Up to More Tricks. At your permanent site, a box or shelf of tricks can be just as helpful. These can be made available for the inevitable students and campers who get ahead of the group. Keep high interest materials in a box that you can bring to a child's seat, or direct the child to a well-stocked shelf. Getting back to expectations above, your students should already know what to do when finished early. A child milling around looking for something to do is a potential problem, but this is a situation that is easily avoided in a well-prepared environment.
- Can You Lend Me a Hand? Remember the study sited above which found that children with ADHD often cannot attend to a task longer than two minutes. Imagine what happens to a child challenged at this level when asked to sit at a table while materials are being passed out. To many adults who work with children regularly the solution is obvious: let these children be the ones who are passing the materials out. Look for other situations or times of day that certain children tend to become restless and assign them chores suited to their high level of energy.
- There's Something in This for Everyone. The best science programs I have seen do not have one child up in front doing an activity while the other children watch; they have multiple stations in which children, who understand expectations for cooperative learning, complete the assigned activity in small groups. This should hold true for other activities, such as cooking. You can have multiple groups doing the same thing (everyone is constructing a simple electrical circuit) or stations with specific tasks (chopping, measuring, blending). It is not active learning if one or two students are active while the rest watch!
Change is Hard. During our workshop, staff identified transition times as among the most difficult times of their programs. There are numerous reasons for this, so I want to devote space to this topic, reviewing the ideas already discussed above as well as introducing some additional strategies. First, let's consider all the reason transitions are so hard.
- Children may not want to quit the activity they are currently engaged in.
- The time and space covered in the shift from one activity to the next may lack structure and focus.
- Moving from one set of demands to the next requires a mental shift that is harder for some children than others, especially children with neurological challenges. A child who is in the mindset of playing soccer may find it exceedingly difficult to move into the mindset of cleaning-up the playground, even though this is an automatic transition for the majority of the group.
Behavior problems may arise out of the various challenges that transitions produce. Leaders who understand and anticipate these challenges can stay ahead of the game. We have already talked about several strategies than will be helpful here:
- Set and review clear expectations.
- Look for ways to keep students occupied physically and mentally during the transition.
- Mix adults throughout the crowd.
- Strategically arrange children who have difficulty with transitions close to adults and far from their most distracting peers.
There are additional strategies that can be particularly helpful with transitions.
- Advance warning systems. Transitions are hard. Abrupt transitions are very hard. Actually, children are no different than adults in this regard. Anyone will respond with frustration, inwardly or outwardly, on being commanded to stop one activity and shift abruptly to another, especially if the former is a preferred activity. Giving five minute warnings before ending an activity can prepare your children mentally and physically for the coming change. A verbal reminder may be enough, but for visual learners, I like to hold up five fingers. Various types of timers can be used as added visual cues.
- Rites of Passage. I know a camp that has an intriguing system of getting their campers into the dining hall smoothly. When the campers enter the building, they raise their arms over their heads and begin to chant "Ohhhhhhhhhhh…." as they take their places around their tables. Once the entire camp is gathered in the dining hall, they burst into an extremely lively rendition of The Johnny Appleseed Blessing complete with stamping and dosidos. With their hands and voices fully engaged while the dining hall filled, no one has had the opportunity to be disruptive, but the whole experience feels playful, not regimented like many other camp transitions I have observed. Moreover, this beloved ritual clearly signals a transition to a new activity, and the raucous singing shakes out the fidgets before the group settles down to eat. In other settings I have seen leaders use singing as a way to physically move from one place to another. Often these leaders will also look for ways to keep hands appropriately engaged. I know one who tells her group a different thing to do with their hands each day, such as making elephant trunks and tails.
- Be Prepared. Quick, efficient transitions are bound to go better than slow, confusing ones. Unfortunately, I have seen teachers delay an activity and drastically reduce adult supervision as they hustle from room to room gathering materials for the next activity. Needless to say, the situation in the room rapidly deteriorates. To the extent that you possibly can, prepare and collect your materials in advance. And as you set out materials, engage your students in this task as much as possible, especially those easily distracted children we discussed above.
From Danger Zones to Safe Zones
Failure to adapt activities to a child's predictably short attention span has potential to result in disruptive behavior. This is true for all children, but more so for children with unusually short attention spans. Fortunately, there are many strategies that be employed to turn those "dangerous zones" into "safe zones." Define expectations clearly, and review them often. Develop strategies that reduce the amount of time children are expected to sit doing nothing at all but listen, watch, and/or wait. Mix adults in with children. Prepare for transitions.
What are some of your favorite strategies for turning danger zones into safe zones? Please reply to share your success stories.
Rapport, M. et al (2009). Variability of Attention Process in ADHD: Observations in the Classroom. Journal of Attention Deficit Disorders, 12. 563-573.


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Kirkham Grammar School has ties with Graeme College dating back to 2007 when they played Graeme College on their South Africa tour. Subsequently the schools 1st team coach, Aled Trenhaile and Pierre Jacobs from Graeme College established a rugby player exchange programme between the two schools.
Mr James Walker is the driving force behind Kirkham Grammar Schools support of the Scholarship Foundation as well as the master-mind behind the benefit match. Kirkham Grammar Schools support has allowed 1st team captain and centre Gordon-Wayne Plaatjes to spend 2013 in Grant House
Former Tonbridge School 1st team rugby coach and Housemaster of Judde House has ties with Graeme College when he coached Graeme College 1st team rugby coach, Pierre Jacobs, in 1997 during his year in South Africa on teacher exchange programme.
Mr Graeme Gales and the men of Judde House at Tonbridge School have raised a significant amount in support of the Scholarship Foundation which has afforded 1st team prop Siyasanga Mthathi the opportunity to spend 2013 and 2014 in Grant House.
Mr Sean Krige, a friend of Pierre Jacobs, an incredibly compassionate man, made an extremely generous private donation to the Scholarship Foundation which allowed 1st team flank, Ethan September to spend 2013 in Grant House.
This match is testament to unique bond shared between rugby players, coaches and supporters worldwide.
"We at Graeme College would like to express our sincerest appreciation and heartfelt gratitude to Kirkham Grammar School and Tonbridge School in the UK for planning to play this benefit rugby match in support of our Scholarship Foundation.
The Graeme College Scholarship Foundation was born out of a concern for the well-being of specifically the 1st rugby team when it was discovered that many of the players face difficult challenges in their daily lives that we often take for granted.
The mission and aims of the Graeme College Scholarship Foundation is to create a sustainable foundation fund that will allow us to cover the expenses of learners, identified with talent and potential, who find themselves in difficult circumstances, the opportunity to stay in the schools boarding establishment, Grant House, where the learners' basic needs such as food, shelter, safety, security and a sense of belonging will be met. We aim to retain potential or aspiring 1st XV rugby players who have the potential to play rugby at a higher level after school. We aim to assist players in becoming positive role models in society and their own communities through rugby. We aim to give players a platform, through rugby, to better their circumstances and also to ensure that should the player not be able to pursue a career in rugby he will have the minimum academic requirements to further his studies at a tertiary institution.
Although these scholarships will be performance based and reviewed by the Scholarship Foundation Board on a yearly basis the major factor when considering a scholarship is a genuine care for the player.
The Scholarship Foundation will not be possible without the support of caring and compassionate individuals and businesses such as Tonbridge School and Kirkham Grammar School as well as Mr Sean Krige, who share our vision. In saying this, we do not neglect the academic and cultural aspects of these learners.
The criteria to help the Board of this Scholarship Foundation to determine which rugby players qualify for assistance from the Foundation are rugby players who have talent to play rugby at a higher level. The players overall contribution to school life. The players' background, home circumstances (living conditions, safety, security, basic needs, distance from school etc.) and his family's financial needs (socio-economic needs) are considered as well as the learners discipline record.
The players who received scholarships from the Scholarship Foundation all represented Eastern Province Country Districts in 2013. Gordon-Wayne Plaatjes was selected for the Craven Week team whilst Siyasanga Mthathi and Ethan September were selected for the Academy Week team."
"I am hugely excited by the Tonbridge fixture. Firstly, because it is being played for a great cause and secondly, because it should be a great spectacle for all spectators.
Lastly, Tonbridge deserve great credit for agreeing to this fixture and for volunteering to make the long journey to Kirkham for the first of two fixtures. We look forward to visiting Tonbridge in 2014."
October 16th will see a unique fixture taking place in north Lancashire. Kirkham Grammar School will be taking on Tonbridge School from Kent. Clearly this is a huge North vs South fixture which is an unusual and exciting fixture in the sporting calendar, the match does however have a dual purpose.
The fixture itself will be a unique clash of strong schools teams from the North and South of England, it is very rare for schools of this nature to meet outside of the sevens circuit. Tonbridge have started their season well with a huge win over Eastbourne College, Kirkham have also started with promise beating Sandbach school by a large margin. Both schools have fantastic rugby pedigrees with Tonbridge's background going as far as having two old boys playing in the first ever international match in 1871, more recently they recorded three unbeaten seasons from 2004 to 2007. Notable recent old boy rugby players include Tom May (England, Newcastle, Toulon, Northampton), Luke Wallace (Harlequins) and James Short (Saracens). Kirkhams time as a rugby power is shorter starting under Brian Gornall in the 1980's, from there Kirkham won the All England Festival in 1985 before reaching the final of the Daily Mail Cup in 1997 and recording back to back unbeaten seasons in 1999/00 and 2000/01. Notable old boys include Pat Sanderson (England Capt 2006), Alex Sanderson (England, Sale, Saracens), Richard Wigglesworth (England, Saracens, Sale), Kieran Brookes (England Saxons, Leicester, Newcastle), Kieran Marmion (Ireland, Connacht), Richard De Carpentier (England 7's, Worcester) and Dan Bibby (England 7's).
"We are very pleased to be welcoming Tonbridge to Kirkham on the 16th October in a benefit game for the Graeme College scholarship fund. Tonbridge have a fantastic sporting reputation and we look forward to what should be an exciting game.
We are also pleased to be supporting the Graeme College Scholarship which is a fantastic initiative thought up by Mr. Pierre Jacobs 1st XV coach at Graeme. Several of the rugby coaches at Kirkham and I have visited Graeme and we are all well aware of the unique opportunities the school provides to youngsters who haven't always had the easiest start in life.
Lastly as a school we have a long affiliation with South Africa having toured there in 1997, 2007 and 2012. We have experienced the euphoria of winning at SACS in 2012 and the unique atmosphere that South African schoolboy rugby provides. I very much hope that we can enhance our links with South Africa in coming seasons and with the scholarship initiative."
I spent a year on a teacher exchange programme in South Africa and visited on rugby tours with the Tonbridge School rugby teams and therefore have insight into schoolboy rugby in the country.
I coached Pierre Jacobs at a school level, who has established the Scholarship Foundation at Graeme College. When Pierre told me of the circumstances of some of his 1st team rugby players, in particular Siyasanga, I spoke to the boys of Judde House and we immediately started fundraising to support Siyasanga. The Judde House boys and their parents have been very supportive of this initiative and deserve to be commended for their extraordinary efforts. We look forward to the benefit match between Tonbridge School and Kirkham Grammar School 1st XV's as we believe it is for a worthy cause.
I recently had the good fortune of reuniting with Pierre Jacobs, an old school friend of mine, when he contacted me surrounding some of the work he was undertaking on behalf of certain of his 1st team rugby players at Graeme College - in particular those living in financial and relational poverty. I was very touched by Pierre's genuine concern for the well-being of his students, and in particular the lengths he was going to assist them with all the resources at his disposal. To now be made aware of a fund-raising initiative by 2 prestigious British schools, in the sole interests of the Scholarship Foundation, is no less special, and particularly humbling as a fellow South African. As someone who was raised and schooled in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, I am well aware of the needs that beset many informal settlements and communities there, and so for the Scholarship Foundation to be a recipient of such foreign generosity and concern, is indeed cause for applause! My hope then, is that this particular fund raising event would flourish and grow to bear much fruit not only for the current generation, but as a result, for many generations to come. My congratulations and commendations to all parties involved!
Personally I feel that what the two UK schools, Kirkham Grammar and Tonbridge School, as well as all the people behind the scenes are doing and have done for the Graeme College Scholarship Foundation is absolutely amazing. For schools and individuals to sponsor boys whom they have never met but only heard of their difficulties and struggles is very humbling and proves that there is hope and sport can bridge that gap.
We are extremely grateful and humbled by receiving the bursaries from the Scholarship Foundation. To know that there are people willing to make our situation better is heartwarming and brings us great joy and also encourages us to be the best at whatever we do because we have been blessed with amazing opportunities. Being in the boarding house allows us to focus on our academics because of the extra time we now have. It also gives us time to focus on our rugby and allows us to work harder at becoming better rugby players.
The benefit match between Kirkham Grammar and Tonbridge School is an awesome initiative from the two schools as they are going out of their way to play a match over and above their normal fixtures in order to raise funds for us. We would like to wish both the schools 1st rugby teams all the very best for the match and thank them for their generosity.
Rugby is a game that brings people together in a very unique and special
way. The lessons that emerge from playing the game with full commitment and
passion apply to life, and not just to the sport. Any club or school that
consistently creates this kind of environment for its rugby players should
be applauded and supported, Graeme College is one of these schools. The
Graeme College Scholarship Fund is an exciting and meaningful imitative
created by Mr. Pierre Jacobs the Graeme College 1st XV coach. Its aim is to
help deserving young men to play AND live in a more supportive and nurturing
environment that may not be possible for them due to their circumstances.
The scholarship fund provides hope for hard working and talented rugby
players to rise up and achieve at higher levels, thereby inspiring and
leading others to do the same. A warm congratulations and thank you to all
involved in making a difference to these special young men.


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Innovative Touch-Screen Device Delivers Easy-to-Use and Fully Customizable GPS Mapping to Outdoor Enthusiasts
Tulsa, Okla. Lowrance, a world-leading brand in marine electronics and GPS navigational systems since 1957, announced today the Out&Back, its next generation, touch-screen, easy-to-use handheld GPS. The highly adaptable, cost-effective GPS product in Lowrance's new Endura handheld line up*, the Out&Back provides extensive expansion capabilities for the outdoor enthusiast. Preloaded with a sophisticated base map and offering multiple mounting choices and downloadable mapping options, as well as support for shared web community content and plug-and-play micro SD cards, the Out&Back offers an economical, yet completely scalable, solution for adventure sport-minded individuals.
Smartly designed for easy, out-of-the-box use, the Out&Back's straightforward menu makes navigation simple. Its large color transflective touch-screen allows for easy viewing and operation, and its pre-loaded mapping content with detailed hill shading, topographic contours, primary roads and key Points of Interest (POI) provides accurate and realistic situational awareness. Out&Back is also easy to customize, including a recording option that saves trails and routes allowing quick recall or sharing, a geocaching application compatible with Geocaching.com and power standby to conserve battery life as well as provide ultra-fast startup. The Out&Back supports Lowrance's full range of optional mapping content including Fishing Hot Spots® and Lakemaster® charts, as well as national and international maps, and sport-specific content. Like all Endura handhelds, the Out&Back accepts public domain files and community-based content such as GPX trails, routes and general outdoor POIs.
"The Out&Back handheld GPS provides outdoor enthusiasts with a savvy, comprehensive navigation tool at an affordable price," said Jens-Thomas Pietralla, president and CEO of Navico. "With its tremendous expansion capabilities and access to community content, the Out&Back is fully customizable to provide enthusiasts the exact support they need whatever and wherever their outdoor adventures take them."
The Out&Back GPS handheld's compact yellow housing with rubberized armoring provides a comfortable grip. Its user interface is optimized for ease-of-use and features both touch screen and keypad functionality. The device measures 5.1-inch high x 2.3-inch wide x 1.1-inch deep (130mm x 60mm x 31mm) and weighs a scant 5.8 ounces (165 grams) without two AA batteries. The handheld device includes a high-resolution 2.7-inch color touch screen display, micro SD slot with up to an additional 32GB of storage for mapping cards, mini-USB port for power and data cables (USB-to-mini USB cable included), cigarette lighter adapter and a reinforced attachment loop. The Out&Back and all Endura systems are protected by a one-year limited warranty.
Price & Availability: The Lowrance Out&Back GPS has an MSRP of $229.99 U.S. and will be available for purchase in May 2009 through authorized Lowrance dealers and distributors. For more information on the Out&Back, the complete Endura line and compatible mapping products, visit www.lowrance.com/Endura, or call 1.800.324.1356 in the USA or 1.800.661.3983 in Canada.
* The Lowrance Endura line consists of three innovative touch-screen GPS handhelds for the outdoor market: the flagship Sierra the most powerful and complete out-of-box GPS experience available, the Safari the most versatile navigator for any outdoor experience, and the Outback setting a new standard in affordability and ease of use.
AccuTerra is a GPS mapping product provided by Intermap Technologies
About Navico and Lowrance:The Lowrance® brand is wholly owned by Navico Holding AS, a privately held, international electronics company. A leader in outdoor recreational GPS electronics and currently the world's largest marine electronics manufacturer, Navico is the parent company to five well-established brands: B&G®, Eagle®, Lowrance®, Northstar® and Simrad®. www.navico.com - www.lowrance.com


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Latin Percussion Jam Block - Guiro
Latin Percussion Jam Block - Guiro
Latin Percussion are world renowned experts on delivering professional world percussion instruments. The range of Jam Blocks are crafted from LP's exclusive Jenigor formulation plastic, providing these instruments with a strong, durable material to withstand even the hardest hitters!
A must have in your bag if you need to add percussion to your sound!
Image is for illustrative purposes only.


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Nautical Door Stopper - Crazy Fun
We have run out of stock for this item.
Aesthetically pleasing and durable door stoppers are among Whimsicality's most popular items. Easily transport them with the clever, intentionally frayed, jute rope handle.
- Moderately sized w/ a solid 2 lb (0.91 kg) weight
- Fun squishy top half, w/ a beanbag style bottom half
- Eye-catching decor for your home, garage, or favorite room
- Weighs approximately 2 pounds
- Made of 5% linen and 95% polyester with a jute rope handle
- Measures - 5 L x 4 W x 6 H


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I mentioned in my Drinking Water Storage: 55 Gallon Barrels vs Sure Water Tank post that I really want need to store enough potable water in the event some prolonged calamity disrupts our domestic water supply. Redundancy is the mantra in SHTF preparedness, so having hundreds of gallons of water stored in my basement is one thing, but it's important to have another layer of water security. Water is life.
I live within walking distance of a good sized river that offers easily accessible H2O 9 months out of the year (12 months if I chipped through ice), so that offers a layer of security to some extent, but my property does not border the river and it'd be an uphill climb from the river to my house which would make hauling water a real chore …. maybe I should buy a bucket yoke before I need one …. better yet, maybe I should buy one for the kids.
Assuming the catastrophic event was one that still allowed me to walk freely about, the river itself is a "redundant" water supply. What happens when I get it back to my house, however? How do I make sure it's potable and the family won't get sick with Giardia? I could boil it, but that would require precious fuel. In my opinion, a gravity fed water purification unit like the Berkey Products is ideal. You just pour the water into the top and wait for it to come out clean on the bottom. No electricity or heating fuel is required.
This post is, in part, a sponsored review. I say in part, because Directive21 gave me a discount on the unit in exchange for writing this post. Would I have spent the full $250 on the Big Berkey if I hadn't received the discount? I don't know. I've wanted one for a long time, but money is always tight. What ultimately sealed the deal for me (besides the discount) was knowing that we would get use out of this product now, not just when/if SHTF.
We have municipal tap water. Its quality is closely monitored, but though I wouldn't look like it if you passed me on the street, I have some granola/hippie tendencies. Specifically, I know that fluoride is great for preventing cavities, but …. fluoride added to my drinking water? Fluoride in toothpaste is great, it's in direct contact with my teeth. I brush and spit it out. It just seems, and I'm sure there is data that proves otherwise, that adding it to drinking water is a bit much.
It's actually not that I'm too concerned about it impacting me, I'm thinking more about my kids. We buy a lot of organic juice for the kids to drink, which is a bit more pricey than alternatives, but it's not loaded with nasty corn syrup and food coloring. In order to both stretch our dollar and prevent them from drinking too much juice, we usually dilute the juice with water. Now, with the Big Berkey on hand, we can filter out the fluoride, arsenic, and a whole pile of other stuff from the water we add to their juice. Directive21 offers some of the best deals around, with a variety of free products to choose from for your Berkey product. I opted for the Big Berkey with the fluoride filters and a Sport Berkey.
My first thought upon receiving the product was "THIS is a 'Big' Berkey?" It packages very small, see here:
It packages small, because the 2 parts store inside one another to reduce the storage size by 50%. If you wanted one on hand to have in your SHTF storage supply room, the Big Berkey won't take up much space. Here it is fully assembled, sitting all shiny and pretty under the Christmas tree:
Note the Baroness figure (G.I. Joe's sexiest character) sitting atop the unit for size comparison. The Sport Berkey, sitting next to it, is a great addition to any bug out bag.
It is possible to make your own Berkey filter for less money. You can go to Directive21 and buy just replacement filters for $99. Then you get few food grade buckets to sit atop each other (like the Berkey), buy a spigot, drill holes in the buckets so the filters will fit between the two and a hole for the spigot. Gravity takes care of the rest. You would have to pay extra if you wanted the fluoride/arsenic reduction elements and Sport Berkey, however.
Had I just been looking for a SHTF water purifier, I would have strongly considered building my own, but like I said, when I spend good money on a preparedness product, I like it to be something I can use every day, not just in a tough situation. The Big Berkey, as you can see, is attractive and looks nice sitting on your kitchen counter.
Two purification elements will 6,000 gallons of water! Granted if you dump a bunch of swamp water in the top it's going to clog up much faster, but in a situation like that, you'd want to screen the water as much as possible first. The fluoride (and arsenic) reduction elements that I chose for this unit are good for 1,000 gallons.
THAT is why I bought a Big Berkey – to remove what I believe is unnecessary fluoride in our drinking water AND to further secure the equipment needed to ensure a potable water supply during difficult times. I can also easily pack the unit for camping trips in remote areas. What's not to love?
– Ranger Man
BTW: U.S. rethinks pushing nuclear attack survival advice.


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Mom-Minder #57 Lilly DressesRead Now
July 17, 2009
When she was younger, my mom wore Lilly Pulitzer dresses. They were quite the fashion around the Wausaukee Club, where she went during the summer with her family. I love looking at photographs of all the bright, bold patterns everyone wore. Today I wore one of the Lilly dresses my mom got for me.
July 17, 2015
I recently let go of this dress, but I still have a few other Lilly dresses in my closet. My favorite is the dress that my mom wore at her rehearsal dinner for her wedding.
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I completed this photo project from May 2009 to May 2010. Six years later, I'm reposting the series with additional thoughts. Here's what I wrote about it when I started.


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I like to consider YouTube like an old friend. Reliable and constant, I have always been able to fall back on YouTube at any time of the day for a few minutes away. The site holds a special place in my little millennial heart, because I grew up having YouTube in my life. I recall…Read More
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The Era of the Makeup Celebrity
A roaring crowd of fans. Hundreds in line, head to toe in merchandise, holding products in the hopes of an autograph or waving their iPhones about for a coveted snap of the star. Sounds like a pop star exiting their concert venue, doesn't it? Or perhaps an Oscar nominee walking the red carpet? Nothing of…Read More
KimYe: From Villains to Vigilante Justice
Late Sunday night, eerily resembling a repeat episode from an ID channel murder mystery, the world watched Kim Kardashian's snapchat story, where she revealed grainy footage of Kanye West speaking to Taylor Swift on the phone. The rest is history… and internet hysteria. The feud between the Wests and Taylor Swift has opened old wounds…Read More


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Holy Cow Yoga, Chesterfield*
As you've probably noticed from my recent blog posts and Instagram pics, I've been trying to find more exercise that I actually enjoy and I much prefer going to classes with my friends to slogging it in the gym so I was really excited when I got invited to try out Holy Cow Yoga, a brand new yoga studio in the centre of Chesterfield.
The studio itself is really beautiful, you can really tell when someone loves what they do and puts their heart and soul into the business and that's exactly what it's like here – there are loads of little personal touches everywhere. There's a tranquil, relaxed and friendly feeling, you leave your shoes downstairs and then everyone congregates in the waiting room area before going through to the studio. There are changing rooms here so it's perfect for an after work class too.
We tried out the Hot Vinyasa Flow class. This is intended to be a warm class, so the room isn't heated to 37 degrees like the Hotpod Yoga that I recently tried out, but the room is kept really warm and we were definitely sweating by the end of the class. Vinyasa is one of the most popular types of yoga as there is a constant movement and flow between each pose and each movement is synchronised to a breath.
To say the least, it was pretty challenging and maybe slightly advanced for my ability but we really enjoyed the class and definitely felt like we'd worked hard, which I think can be a bit of a problem with some yoga classes which I find too easy. There's also a lovely relaxation and massage bit at the end which is definitely my favourite bit of any yoga class – sometimes I like to drift off and have a little nap!
The teacher, Taran, was simply amazing! You can tell that she lives and breathes yoga (picture someone running a yoga retreat in Bali and you won't be far wrong!) and her body is out of this world! I was simply in awe of how gracefully and controlled she was as she moved into each pose and she was also great at getting the best out of the students in the class. She was constantly giving us pointers and helping us stretch to reach deeper poses.
We loved our class at Holy Cow Yoga and we're really looking forward to visiting again.
Find out more about Holy Cow Yoga and book your next class here.
We were invited to try out a complimentary class at Holy Cow Yoga in Chesterfield but all opinions, as always, are my own.