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My sprinklers ran this morning for the first time of the season as I finally enable the controller yesterday with an "As Needed" schedule. It looks like the "Smart Cycle" is not working because each zone ran for the full length all the way through. Am I not understanding something about Smart cycle?
Are all your zones on that schedule spray zones?
Yes they are all either rotor or fixed spray heads.
I do know that mixing an emitter with a spray zone causes the Iro to not do cycle/soak. Not sure if that is generally the case when you have a schedule with a mix of nozzle types.
I group all my spray nozzle zones into one schedule, and have the emitters on their own schedules.
I was considering putting my zones all on their own "As Needed" Schedules - mainly to prevent all zones from running when only 1 is calling for a watering. Maybe this would also make the Smart Cycle work. My only hesitation is not knowing the answer to this question. If I have all zones on their own schedules, is it possible that the controller may run 2 zones at once? If so, that could be a problem as i don't think i have enough water pressure to handle that.
The controller will only operate one zone at a time, so you don't need to worry about two zones running simultaneously. The one disadvantage to separate schedules is that if more than one schedule is slated to run on a given day, those schedules are stacked vs interleaved, meaning schedule one will have to run to completion with its cycle/soak intervals before schedule two kicks off. This is the dilemma a lot of us are facing who don't want all zones in a schedule to trigger just because one zone needs water, but don't want suboptimal cycle/soak with stacked schedules.
Try separating your rotor zones from your spray zones to see if that fixes your cycle/soak issue.
You can preview timings via the phone app (but not on the web app). Look at the watering schedule calendar, click on the next date with the water drop, and that should pop up explicit watering timings for the zones with Cycle Soak pauses where necessary.
That's a possibility. What are your zone characteristics? Slope/soil type/etc…
I have clay, so I get runoff fairly quickly, and Rachio knows to cycle those zones with less than 10 min watering and at least a half hour soak.
@mbaturin, I'd recommend reviewing the chart in this support article; we outline the max run times the controller will water for before triggering Smart Cycle. If you have any drip zones on the schedule, Smart Cycle is disabled.
@emil or someone - can you please comment on this issue? Flex does/did this correctly. I have 9 zones and due to the "if one needs it - they all get it" approach, I have to separate schedules. Then I have 10 min of watering and a half hour of doing nothing - even though it COULD get started on 2-3 other zones first cycle time.
@steve28, this is a limitation of As Needed schedules as mentioned in this thread:
I'd ask that we move this conversation to that thread moving forward.


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360 degree Sports Coaching received around £1000 from the Area Board to enable them to put on football fun days throughout the summer in Alderbury.
These great holiday camps have a football theme, but there will be a variety of activities for young people. Sessions are held at various venues including Junction Road in Alderbury. Book early as places tend to go fast.
Go to their website to find out more www.360degree-coaching.co.uk
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Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Arsenal inch closer to Spurs and Liverpool target Bernard
ARSENAL appear to have made a major breakthrough in their bid to land a marquee player this summer.
Reports surfacing in Brazil suggest that the Gunners have 'agreed' a £21.5m deal.
Spurs and Liverpool were also vying for the Atletico Mineiro midfielder's signature but it seems that the Gunners have won the race for him.
This is contrary to recent reports which suggested that Spurs were 'only contenders' for Bernard according to the player's agent.
Arsenal in driving seat for Bernard
The Gunners have been lining up numerous midfield targets including Everton's Marouane Fellaini though they are reluctant to meet his current release clause which stands at £23m.
Arsene Wenger has been handed a colossal £70m kitty and should they land him, it would represent a key-note signing.
Arsenal in driving seat for Bernard
The Frenchman has only brought Yaya Sanogo on a free this summer, and is keen to strengthen the squad so that he can end an eight-year trophy drought.
A Brazilian reporter intimated it is a done deal, saying: "Atletico Mineiro's Bernard is going to join Arsenal."
The 20-year-old did not feature in any of Mineiro's games last season.


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The Yorktown volleyball team's quest to repeat as National District champion took a hit on Oct. 28.
Two-time district Player of the Year Elyse Bush tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee during Yorktown's regular season finale against Washington-Lee, ending her season. The Generals went on to hand Yorktown its first National District loss since 2007.
Yorktown bounced back with a victory over winless Mount Vernon on Monday during the quarterfinals of the district tournament, but the Patriots will have to prove they can win without Bush against stronger competition.
Bush fell to the ground in pain after putting away a kill in game two against the Generals. The senior outside hitter was helped to the bench and did not return. She sat in the same spot icing her knee for the remainder of the match, even as the teams switched sides between games.
Yorktown won the first game and led 14-8 when Bush was injured. The Patriots struggled without their best player on the floor and lost 3-2 (20-25, 25-22, 25-18, 21-25, 15-10).
"The thing is, when you have an injury like this, it's not about the pain," Bush said after the match. "It's about not being able to play. Obviously, I was struggling over here because we were losing. I just wanted to get out there, help and do my part, but I couldn't, so it's frustrating."
Bush finished with nine kills in one-and-a-half games.
"Mostly, I'm sad for [Bush]," Yorktown head coach Brittanie Behar said after the match. "That's a really hard way to end your season."
After Bush's injury, Behar appeared frustrated with the Patriots' performance.
"We can beat teams like Washington-Lee without Elyse," the coach said. "We are having a confidence issue. Our mistakes are causing us to lose, not the other team is doing so much we can't (respond). … As soon as [Bush] gets off the court, the things that we do well we stop doing well, which is weird. We should be able to hit whether she's there or not."
The Patriots (13-6) snapped a three-match losing streak with Monday's 3-0 (25-12, 25-13, 25-12) victory over Mount Vernon.
Behar said the Patriots have worked on limiting hitting errors.
"We've just really been focusing on being consistent [and] putting the ball in the court — even if it's a couple tips in a row. Because, a lot of teams we play, you just keep putting the ball in, they're going to make a mistake."
Sophomore middle blocker Ashley Rock, a first-team all-district selection, led Yorktown with 10 kills. With Bush out, Rock is the Patriots' top offensive threat.
"[Setter] Libby [Kane] told me before the game if she needs to set it to somebody, she'll set it to me," Rock said. "I guess I feel some pressure. I know I need to step it up and become more of a leader on the court."
Malaika Bain-Peachey, a junior, filled in for Bush. Bain-Peachey finished with five kills and five aces.
Behar said consistency should be Bain-Peachey's main focus.
"She has a powerful swing — she has trouble controlling it," the coach said. "It's either awesome or it's all over the place."
Yorktown hosts Washington-Lee at 7 p.m. today in the semifinal round of the district tournament.


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We hope you're having a great day wherever you are and that the news we dig up for you this morning helps you navigate the day more efficiently!
It's a busy world out there, and you don't have a ton of free time to be doing Internet searches for the most important items of the day… lucky for you, we do. We drink gallons of coffee in an effort to stay awake long enough to scour the far reaches of the world wide web in an effort to bring you the most important, useful and useless information every single day.
You're welcome.
So without further ado, here's what we're reading, Thursday, March 3, 2016.
Trending: Deep Web Chat Logs Show Conspiracy to Overthrow Trump?
A pair from The Resurgent: On Tuesday night, Senator [score]Ted Cruz[/score] (R-TX) won Alaska, brining his state total to 4, and drawing him within striking distance of Donald Trump in the GOP primary. The Super Tuesday results mean that Cruz is likely the only candidate remaining who could still topple Trump – if Senator [score]Marco Rubio[/score] (R-FL) will help by dropping out.
Could there be another way for Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz to defeat Donald Trump?
Donald Trump's string of victories are proof-positive that he is successfully changing the GOP.
It seems that the Rubio exodus has already begun. In Florida, former Romney and Rubio supporters have begun shifting into the Ted Cruz camp. Even more surprising may be the recent comments from South Carolina Senator [score]Lindsey Graham[/score] (R-SC) (who once "joked" about murdering Cruz). Graham admitted on Wednesday that it may be time for the GOP to coalesce around Cruz!
While the GOP establishment was busy selling its soul and the average GOP voter was busy following Donald "the Pied Piper" Trump, Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse (R-NE) was busy becoming the "moral compass" of the Republican Party.
"Bernie" [score]Bernard Sanders[/score] (I-VT) has done well in the primary against Hillary Clinton, but you wouldn't know it by looking at the Democrat delegate count. The Democrat primary system is "rigged".
Should the Democrat Party be just as worried about 2016 as the Republican Party seems to be? A large number of Bernie voters are arguing that they won't be voting for Clinton in November.
Our nation already misses Justice Antonin Scalia.
The views expressed in this opinion article are solely those of their author and are not necessarily either shared or endorsed by EagleRising.com


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funny dogs
Posts tagged with: funny dogs
Funny Dogs Who Don't Believe in Personal Space1) "We got each other's back. Literally." 2) "Really? Really?!" 3) "Mmm, your head smells good." 4) "I told you I wanted to sit by the window...more
Video of the Day - Dogs being vacuumedvia Crazy Funny Stuff more


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Gapers Block published from April 22, 2003 to Jan. 1, 2016. The site will remain up in archive form. Please visit Third Coast Review, a new site by several GB alumni.
✶ Thank you for your readership and contributions. ✶
Tuesday, October 27
Chicago continued to rank third in the US for traffic congestion on INRIX's annual National Traffic Scorecard. Cook County has 26 of the worst 100 bottlenecks in the country. Throw in thousands of potholes, and we've got a whole lot of lousy driving.
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I ✶ Chi T-Shirts $15


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Designed by VPLP yacht design, this 60-foot trimaran belongs to the ORMA class (Ocean Racing Multihull Association). Ex-Bonduelle, GITANA 12 is emblematic of the trimarans from the start of the 21st century: very beamy, pre-impregnated carbon structure, raised beams and high volume floats…
Sail number
GITANA 12Given name
|Category ORMA60 multihull
|Loa 18,28 m
|Upwind sail area 296 m²
|Downwind sail area 472 m²
|Year of launch 2005
Built in 2000, this 18.28-metre multihull was originally Jean Le Cam's Bonduelle. Purchased by the Gitana Team in 2005, she became GITANA 12 and underwent a thorough rejuvenation before joining Baron Benjamin de Rothschild's fleet: revised deck layout, larger cockpit, revamped interior (electricity, electronics, hydraulics…), altered daggerboard casings and rig and a new set of rudders. Like one of her predecessors, Gitana X, the boat is used to train up a crew of young talent by participating in the Multi Cup events and the Route du Rhum in late 2006. She is skippered by Thierry Duprey du Vorsent.


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WASHINGTON, April 16, 2016 – The New York Metropolitan Opera confirmed late last week what opera lovers had long suspected: After serving a remarkable 40 years as the music director of the Met, Maestro James Levine, 72, is retiring at the end of the company's current season.
Beginning with an accidental onstage tumble in 2006 after the conclusion of a Boston Symphony Orchestra performance he'd just conducted—which resulted in a rotator cuff tear in the right shoulder and subsequent surgery and rehabilitation—Mr. Levine has suffered from a litany of medical problems, including a malignant kidney tumor (successfully removed), at least two corrective spinal surgeries and, more recently, the admission that he has been suffering from some level of Parkinson's disease for years.
These health issues led to a number of breaks in service with the Met as well as Mr. Levine's resignation from his additional position as music director for the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 2011, when it became obvious he could not continue there. He had previously withdrawn temporarily from all conducting duties with the Met in May of that year, beginning a two-year hiatus during which he underwent extensive physical therapy in an effort to resume his career.
He returned to the podium on a limited basis starting with the 2013-2014 season, conducting from a specially-designed, motorized wheelchair. But during the current 2015-2016 season, he was forced, again by health problems, to withdraw from some scheduled appearances with the company, including a complete withdrawal from all performances of the Met's much-anticipated fall performances of Alban Berg's "Lulu," a unique 20th century opera that had became one of his signature specialties.
In many ways, it's sad that Mr. Levine's storied conducting career should have ended in so painful a manner. Quite by accident, I first encountered his work very early in his career at a time when he was already being hailed as something of a conducting wunderkind in his home state of Ohio.
Born in Cincinnati in 1943 to a musical family, young James Levine continued in that tradition as a child, studying piano and making his first solo concert appearance at the age of 10, performing Mendelssohn's Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Cincinnati Orchestra.
Studying further at Juilliard, beginning in 1961, he also participated in 1964 in the American Conductors project, which at the time was affiliated with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Already attracting considerable attention as a 21-year old conductor, he was recruited back to Ohio, where he served initially as an apprentice conductor (1964-1965) for the Cleveland Orchestra under the legendary George Szell, which is where I first saw him conduct.
Immediately winning popular favor with the Cleveland Orchestra audience, 21-year old "Jimmy" Levine was promoted to be the orchestra's assistant conductor the following season, a position he held until 1970, serving alongside Szell (1897-1970) and associate conductors Louis Lane (1923-2016) and highly respected choral and symphonic conductor Robert Shaw (1916-1999), who went on to become the longtime music director of the Atlanta Symphony. It was a heady start to a brilliant conducting career.
After leaving the Cleveland Orchestra, Mr. Levine was much in demand as a guest conductor. It was during this period that he was first invited to conduct at the Met, leading the orchestra in a 1971 performance of Puccini's "Tosca."
Perhaps due in part to his tutelage by George Szell—music director and chief conductor of the Met during the 1940s before his surprise move to Cleveland—as well as his own impressive Met debut, Mr. Levine was appointed principal conductor of the Met in 1972 before being elevated to the company's top musical slot in 1976, an astonishing rise to the top for the then 33-year-old conductor. It was the beginning of an almost mythical opera career that is now drawing to its somewhat anti-climactic close.
New Yorkers and musical cognoscenti alike are well known for their ability to grouse about music and musicians. But aside from his last few health-problem-laden years with the Met, Maestro Levine succeeded in bringing this already world-renowned opera company to the pinnacle of quality and success with performances that are often innovative and exciting and which always include the world's top operatic stars, many of whom have essentially become part of the Met's "house company" of artists over the years.
While rumors and buzz abound, it's not clear yet who will succeed Mr. Levine at the Met's musical helm. It's been confirmed that Maestro Levine will be returning to the Met next season as music director emeritus to conduct performances of four operas and to work with the company's Lindemann young artists program, but beyond that, nothing is set in stone.
Italian conductor Gianandrea Noseda, who served for many years as a principal guest conductor for the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, impressed many during his appearances with the Met, including a recent turn as conductor for the company's well-received production of Bizet's "Pearl Fishers." But, as most in Washington, D.C., now know, he was recently snatched up by the National Symphony Orchestra to serve as their new music director here to replace the retiring music director, Christoph Eschenbach.


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After a disappointing loss to Illinois State last weekend, Penn gymnastics is back on the road, this time for its first Ivy League matchup of the season.
While the Quakers have had a tough start, finishing fourth at the George Washington (GW) Invitational and narrowly falling to the Redbirds, the team has improved from week to week.
But despite their improvement since the beginning of the season, the Red and Blue are still young and facing problems.
Sophomore Elyse Shenberger, Penn's top all-around gymnast, remains injured and out of the lineup. Additionally, the Quakers are hurting collectively as the graduation of its 2013 seniors and a delayed start to the opening of the team's new facilities didn't do the Quakers any favors in getting ready for the season
Last weekend's matchup with Illinois State marked the first home meet in Penn's newly renovated gymnastics facility. Because of delays in construction, the Red and Blue didn't have the opportunity to get any advantage by training on the building's new equipment well in advance.
As a result, Penn's limited amount of time working in its new facility ultimately cost the team. Unable to spend extra hours training in a freshly renovated arena, the Quakers were forced to use older equipment while training.
Led by senior Diana Moock, the only all-around gymnast for the Red and Blue against Illinois State, as well as sophomore Carissa Lim and freshman Kelly Tan, Penn kept the matchup close. Thanks to the energy given to them by the friendly home crowd, the home opener could provide a much needed lift and some momentum for the team as it moves forward.
Additionally, the departure of the Penn gymnastics' graduating class of 2013 has had deeper ramifications than most thought it might throughout the early portion of the season.
That class, highlighted by Dana Bonincontri, Kirsten Strausbaugh and Megan Milavec, was an integral part of coach John Ceralde's lineup over the past several seasons.
Without players like Bonincontri, Penn has a new, sometimes inconsistent identity. A younger team than in years past, the Quakers have struggled in several places while competing, most evidently on the uneven bars, a position where Bonincontri was a staple throughout her four seasons.
Moreover, a lack of experience and consistency, plus less veteran leadership available to younger players than in previous seasons have combined to cause a rough start to the 2013-14 campaign.
Entering this weekend, there is much left for Penn to accomplish.
Saturday's matchup marks the home opener for Yale. The Bulldogs have competed only once so far this season, finishing fourth in the New Hampshire Invitational last weekend.
Having only competed in two meets themselves, the Quakers could easily turn their season around with a few quick victories.
After last week's close loss, the Quakers have all the tools and some momentum at their disposal to make waves as the season progresses.
And if Penn can get off to a quick start on Saturday and steal a win from the Bulldogs, there's no limit to how far the team could go down the road.
Penn gymnastics falls in official return to Hutchinson Gymnasium
Penn gymnastics has new equipment, looking for new results
Penn gymnastics shows off at Philadelphia Jamboree
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Sem (pseudonym for Georges Goursat). Sem au Bois (title stamped in gilt on front cover). N.p. (Paris?) ca. 1908. Signed and dated 29/4/08 in pencil on the last plate; 6 other plates with the artist's printed insignia. [45958]
A jewel in the crown of Baron Haussmann's modernized Paris, the Bois de Boulogne opened as a park in 1852. Funded by Napolean III — who's said to have been taken with London's Hyde Park during his exile there in the 1830s — the "Boulogne Woods" offered the social elite of Belle Époque Paris an ideal grounds for the public display of their accumulating wealth. In 1908, Georges Goursat, who was known at the time by his moniker "Sem," caricatured the ensuing parade of bourgeois vanity in a spectacular yet little-known accordion-format panoramic album entitled Sem au Bois.
Nearly 30 feet in length when fully revealed, the work shows a procession of carriages with men in top-hats, women in their finery, and even one horse decked out in high heeled shoes. It is possible (though we cannot confirm it), that the procession is circular and that the final image is meant to connect to the first. And although they're unfamiliar to us, the figures depicted are clearly recognizable individuals, many of them likely social celebrities in their day.
Readers who've seen Gigi may find the images familiar, as the film's opening credits play out against a montage of Sem's illustrations for fashionable magazines of the era. Cecil Beaton — hired by producer Vincente Minnelli as general production designer and visual stylist — is reported to have drawn inspiration for many of the film's costumes and set dressings directly from Sem's caricatures, among other sources. After the Sem-inspired credits set the tone, Gigi opens with an extended view of the pageantry on display in the Bois de Boulogne (with Maurice Chevalier as your guide), including a parade of horse drawn carriages that bear a striking similarity to the ones in Sem au Bois.
(Sorry for the German-language YouTube link, it's the only one I could locate with footage of the carriage procession…)
Is it likely that Beaton was aware of Sem au Bois and meant to reference it directly? Quite possibly. What's more, the seamless panorama format of Sem au Bois almost seems itself a clever nod to the emerging art of cinema, innovated by the Lumière brothers in 1895 and still very much in its infancy in 1908. It may also simply be that the film and the album are mutually resonant because they each celebrate and gently mock the follies and exuberant stylings of fashionable society in turn-of-the-century Paris.
The first 12 panels of the album appear below in stitched scans depicting 3 panels each. Click away for high-res images. And if you happen to be an historian of Belle Epoque Paris (clever you) and recognize anyone among the caricatures, please let us know in the comments field…


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The Rebirth
I was standing in the middle of a field with all the dogs from my life
as the dewdrops danced gently on the flowers…
As the sun began to rise, to envelop us all,
kissing us with its light, peace slid around us to endower,
The feeling of being one, with nature and beast,
those running pieces of my heart on four paws began to surround me,
Their happy yips of joy, their yodels and cries,
I gazed in sheer amazement and wonder to watch as they ran free….
Look here mom, look at me, see me again so full of glee,
running, twirling so swiftly in a dance,
They were healthy and whole, and no longer sick or old,
their youthly beauty had me quite entranced.
They all focused on my wet eyes to see if I looked,
saying "watch me as I show off for you"…
And it was like days of old as I threw that stick high,
and my laughter would sound as they flew…
Across those verdant pastures we traveled as one,
to see them all together for the first time was bliss,
I savored each second of companionship I'd lost, my heart was mending,
For in an instant I had regained all those I had missed.
Next we saw a sparkling lake of azure blue…
with a mountain nearby where we heard the cry of an eagle..
Swooping and soaring, patrolling his avian kingdom,
an unfurling of wings that was almost unbearably regal.
There were creatures of every single shape and size,
each one of God's creations was happily represented,
They lived together, no sadness, no fear, and no hunger,
in peace and harmony forever extended.
I roared with laughter as my furkids ushered me to the area
where there were angels stationed,
For their one single purpose (and they did it with love)
was to play fetch with the dogs of this heavenly nation.
For God had provided perfection for all His beloved creatures from earth,
He'd promised the faithful and true an afterlife extending,
This heavenly existence, this peaceful paradise, for each and every beast,
included happiness that was never ending.
When they left us on earth, we weren't completely alone,
for they would leave behind a piece of their loyal heart that is true,
And they would take with them a piece of ours
as a payment for a lifetime of love given as their due.
Our dearest friends were provided for,
as they waited for the completion of their hearts again.
For although they may wait for us for days, months, even years to be reunited,
they wait because Man is a Dog's Best Friend.
This exchange of love when their old lives were fading,
Once broken hearts are even now beginning to perfectly mend,
For now we are together, our hearts are complete,
to spend forever in this paradise that never ends.
By Cheryl Goede
Views: 55
thank you Lynn for sharing the poem. So Beautiful! We are all connected>To think we will have our pets for eternity is such a comfort. Love it. I will share this poem with a friend of mine who just lost her dog. God Bless all of us, human and furbabies! Barb
This poem was so GREAT, and so SWEET! I truly believe this is how it will be when it is my time to leave this earth! Now, while I miss all my past dogs so much--especially Phoebe as she was my husband's and my first dog of our own--I hope it's quite some time down the line before I meet back up with them all! ;o) Thanks for posting this Lynn, it was truly BEAUTIFUL!
Totally made the waterworks start! Thanks Lynn <3


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Joseph Delves - How best to save the dairy industry
I am a third generation dairy farmer from East Sussex. We are currently running 210 cows and 160 followers, i have moved the business away from high yields and long calving periods. I am aiming to achieve a twelve week autumn calving block by 2014. I have a wife called Becky and two gorgeous daughters, Faith who is three and Evie who is one. Our goal as a family is to demonstrate that dairy farming can be sustainable, profitable and fun!!
How best to save/promote the dairy industry (UK)
My main reason for wanting to study this topic, was to see if there was some way of linking up exiting farmers and new entrants in the dairy industry. Hoping that this would help to combat the decreasing number of farmers and the ever increasing average age of the dairy farmer. In between these two issues you have other factors such as subsidies, taxation and a lack of long term business planning. I have spent the past months travelling the UK looking at farms and talking to farmers young and old. There is a clear lack of career path for young people, they also lack those farming hero's to aspire too. We have lost a lot of our pioneer spirit in the UK which I think is the effect of farmers becoming heavily reliant on subsidy. Through my Nuffield Scholarship i hope to reinvigorate the UK dairy industry.
Joe Delves
Burnt House Farm
East Sussex


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Puget Sound Veterinary Group PC, was originally formed in 2006 as a large animal ambulatory practice, focusing on camelids (alpacas, llamas, and camels), cattle (dairy and beef) and other small ruminants (goats and sheep).
Through the years the practice has grown to include companion animal care. We now enjoy providing services to dogs, cats, birds and other exotic animals.
Ambulatory services are still a routine part of our practice – for both the large animals and the companion animals. Our hospital facility, located in south Mount Vernon, was established in 2009 and is capable of providing complete medical and surgical services to large animals and companion animals.


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Central African Republic-Making the Mission Work
International Crisis Group
25 February 2014
By failing to engage when Crisis Group and others warned that the Central African Republic had become a phantom state, the international community has now had to become much more heavily involved, at much greater expense, after horrifying loss of life and massive displacement, with much greater odds of failure.
The new CAR government (the third in one in a year) looks promising and the capital, Bangui, enjoys slightly more security. Yet the international response continues to be riven by divisions, most notoriously between the African Union and the UN.
CAR's new president has called for a UN peacekeeping mission and Chad, an important regional player which initially opposed this option, now agrees. The Security Council has itself approved a European Union mission, soon to be deployed. But peacekeepers (EU and otherwise) must be guided by a stabilisation strategy that is coherent, comprehensive and meets the needs of CAR not just in the short-term but over the long haul.
From the capital to the provinces
Since the end of January, the conflict has spread from the capital, Bangui, to the provinces. In Bangui, the anti-balaka groups have replaced the Seleka fighters - the majority of the victims of violence in the capital are no longer Christians but Muslims. Confessional violence and crime is now the norm and revenge is a dominant impulse in the country. In the provinces, militias are establishing territorial control: most of western CAR has fallen to anti-balaka militia who are pushing away Muslim communities, while Seleka fighters control the northeast. There is an exodus of Muslims to safe areas, including Chad, Cameroon and the eastern part of the country. All this risks a de-facto division of the country along religious lines and between armed groups, with new groups likely to emerge soon.
The arrival of the new president, Catherine Samba-Panza, and her government is a welcome development, particularly given that her ministers are more technocratic than they are tied to militias (whether ex-Seleka or anti-balaka). Her comments recently on the importance of justice to reconciliation are welcome too, particularly given currents elsewhere on the continent.
Some steps toward law and order have been taken in Bangui, including arrests of some anti-balaka by peacekeepers. However, as mob violence increases in Bangui (last Saturday afternoon, three Muslims were lynched there), peacekeepers need more policing and crowd management capacity - something that the French Operation Sangaris (with 1,600 troops deployed in and around Bangui and 400 more on the way) and the 5,000 African-led troops in the International Support Mission in CAR (MISCA) still do not have. Such policing resources need to be deployed urgently, even before questions of ultimate mandate - whether AU or UN-led - are resolved.
French and MISCA forces also need to deploy in key towns outside of Bangui before the rainy season begins in April. This, too, cannot wait for a final decision on whether the mission is AU or UN. International forces need to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid into the hinterland, to free provincial capitals from militias and thus to enable the transitional government to establish its authority, and its credibility, throughout CAR. MISCA and French troops have indeed been escorting trucks, including ones bearing humanitarian aid, along the main trade road between Bangui and Cameroon. But for the most part the country outside the capital is lawless. Both anti-balaka and Seleka fighters prey on civilians; they should be disarmed and brought into a far better reintegration program than those in the past (five by our count).
An incoherent international response
In the last few months, there has been considerable focus on troop deployment to end the violence and the humanitarian disaster. But the CAR effort, like others in the continent's conflict zones, is falling victim to bureaucratic wrangles, capacity deficits and struggles over turf between its international partners. MISCA is short of troops and resources; re-hatting some forces to the UN would be difficult given concerns over some of their human rights records, apparent bias and high level of unpopularity. Meanwhile, mobilising the small European mission has been difficult, and the spat between the AU and UN on who should be responsible for peacekeeping in CAR - when both need to work together to define responsibilities - merely distracts attention from securing the country's recovery.
Some anti-Balaka militias are allegedly linked to former president François Bozizé and his entourage in Cameroon and France. Ties between the anti-balaka and Bozizé should be investigated and, if proved, appropriate action should be taken, including consideration of criminal investigation.
It is essential that as CAR security forces are gradually reconstituted, they are vetted fully and monitored - particularly given reports that some former soldiers have joined the anti-balaka ranks and been involved in attacks on Muslims - and that they include in all ranks individuals from all groups and regions. Competent international police monitors should patrol jointly with national police but, given the past record of state security forces, their reconstitution requires significant and long-term training and capacity building by international actors.
Security sector reform must be high on the agenda, but only after careful analysis of previously failed efforts.
Read the full article here


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Public relations person proposed at board meeting
(Local News ~ 04/27/16)
A position proposed within Spencer Community Schools would assist in the district public relations and communications needs, superintendent Terry Hemann noted at the board meeting Tuesday afternoon. "Essential functions may require this person to generate the news content for our website, Facebook and Twitter pages," Hemann said. "This person would also attend all newsworthy school events and be visible and approachable to all stakeholders."...
New veteran dedications sought for Avenue of Flags
(Local News ~ 04/27/16)
Anyone wishing to have a veteran's flag dedicated into The Avenue of Flags on Memorial Day has until May 18 to submit the necessary form to dedicate the flag. The organization needs the veteran's name, date of birth and death, and branch of service or war served. Families have the option of using the burial flag or purchasing a flag from the Avenue of Flags. Flags can be delivered to Melissa Girard at Farmers Bank, 125 W. Fourth St. in Spencer during business hours. Those wishing to deliver a flag are asked to contact her in advance at 262-3340. After hours, contact Girard at 363-9924 or Barb Dean at 262-1710. (File photo)
Gearing up to share the road
(Local News ~ 04/27/16)
"It's important to get the message out right away. With the warmer weather, motorcycles will be out there, and motorists should be expecting them on the roadway," Vince Kurtz, Iowa state trooper and regional safety education officer, said. With that in mind, some motorcyclists are gearing up for training...
Hy-Noon Kiwanis donates SHS Fine Arts Center
(Local News ~ 04/27/16)
Representatives of Spencer Hy-Noon Kiwanis presented the Spencer Community School Board with a $9,000 donation at the school board meeting Tuesday afternoon. The donation is earmarked for a curtain for the Fine Arts Center under construction at Spencer High School, and is a part of the service group's efforts to benefit a large portion of the community. (Photo by Kate Padilla)
6 local events receive tourism grant support
(Local News ~ 04/27/16)
Wednesday evening, in a small ceremony at the Clay County Heritage Center, Clay County Convention and Visitor's Bureau Director Jill Toft and members of the CCCVB Tourism Grant Committee presented six Clay County events with funding for the coming year...
Tiger girls win 2 more
(High School Sports ~ 04/27/16)
Spencer's golf girls followed up a pair of Lakes Conference victories from last Friday with two more Tuesday night at Spencer Golf and Country Club. The Tigers carded a team score of 204 to edge Spirit Lake by four strokes and Le Mars by 16. Spirit Lake's Abby Dulin finished as the meet medalist with a 45. Spencer's Abbie VerSteeg claimed the runner-up medal with a round of 48...
Meyer medals in triangular triumph
(High School Sports ~ 04/27/16)
LE MARS -- After finishing second at the Spirit Lake Invitational this past Saturday at Brooks National Golf Club with an 18-hole team score of 333 (Estherville Lincoln Central won with a 304), Spencer's golf boys continued to regain their footing from a stumble in Cherokee last week with a Lakes Conference triangular victory over Le Mars and Spirit Lake Tuesday night...
Tennis girls dropped by Le Mars
(High School Sports ~ 04/27/16)
Le Mars reigning co-conference champion girls tennis team paid a visit to Riverview Park Tuesday night to square off against a Spencer team that hasn't tasted victory yet this season. It was not a day for the underdog as the Tigers fell 9-0. "Tonight's matches are simple. ...
Iowa Crops and Weather Report
(Local News ~ 04/27/16)
DES MOINES -- Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey commented on the Iowa Crops and Weather report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistical Service. The report is released weekly from April through October. "The weather continues to be ideal in much of the state and farmers were able to get forty percent of the state's anticipated corn acres planted before getting stalled by rains last week," Northey said. ...
Ambassadors celebrate 50 years with Winther Stave
(Local News ~ 04/27/16)
The Spencer Ambassadors visited Winther Stave & Co. in Spencer Tuesday morning to help the local accounting firm celebrate 50 years in business. The business started in 1966 when Merlyn Winther, an accountant with another firm, decided to start his own firm. Today, the business has grown to include four partners and 19 CPAs, serving clients in 35 states and concentrated in Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota and Nebraska. Winther is a retired partner, with other business partners Gary Peters, who joined the firm in 1978, D. Jeffrey Crew, John Toale and Arvin Druvenga. The business bought its first computer in 1983, operating a paper system exclusively to that time. In 1984, a fire at the downtown office location forced Winther Stave to move to its current location at 1316 W. 18th St. Currently, the firm prepares more than 4,000 tax returns for its clients, which represents just a third of its business. They also offer audit, review and compilation services; business valuation and litigation; business consulting; mergers, acquisitions and sales; and wealth preservation and succession. Sixteen of its employees have more than 15 years with the company. In 1993, Winther Stave added its Milford office and has acquired three practices since. (Photo by Randy M. Cauthron)
Spencer's girls win 12th straight meet
(High School Sports ~ 04/27/16)
CHEROKEE -- The depth of Spencer's girls track and field team was on full display Tuesday night as the Tigers needed just five event titles to win the Cherokee Coed Relays by over 30 points and claim their 12th straight meet title dating back to last year's Sheldon Relays -- a runner-up performance. The Tiger boys finished the meet in fifth place, having sent some of their resources to Emmetsburg to run in the Clint Stille Relays...
Betty Engelke
(Other Record ~ 04/27/16)
Services for Mrs. Betty Engelke, 66 of Sutherland, will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 30, 2016 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Sutherland. Rev. Leroy Riemer will officiate the service. Visitation will be conducted beginning 3 p.m. Friday, with the family present from 5-7 p.m., at Warner Funeral Home in Sutherland...
The new guy in town
(Column ~ 04/27/16)
I tell you, I think the hardest part of starting an opinion column is creating a name. It should be catchy. It should mean something. It can't be too specific. There's a lot of pressure involved. You may ask why, and I would say for the same reason you ask new parents, "Is it a boy or a girl?" It's the first thing you know about a new person. It helps add depth to identity...
Todd Gates
(Obituary ~ 04/27/16)
Services for Todd Lee Gates, 46, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, formerly of Spencer, will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 1, 2016, at Oneota Lodge in Spencer. Rev. John Syvertson will officiate the service. Refreshments will be provided. Gates passed away Monday, Feb. 8, 2016, in Colorado Springs...
Reetz. Buchan to wed June 25
(Engagement ~ 04/27/16)
Jeff and Lisa Buchan, of Spencer, announce the engagement of their son, Peter Buchan, of Manson, to Jaimie Reetz, of Manson, daughter of LaVern and DeAnn Reetz, of Denison. Jaimie is a 2010 graduate from Hawkeye Community College with a nursing degree and is employed at Unity Point Home Health in Fort Dodge...
Melinda's Garden
(Column ~ 04/27/16)
Raise your garden to new heights for easier access and greater productivity. Raised beds allow you to overcome poor soil by creating the ideal growing mix, plus make gardening time more comfortable thanks to less bending and kneeling. Whether you purchase a kit or build your own, there are a few things to consider when creating a raised bed garden...
'Dogs hand Tiger boys 1st defeat
(High School Sports ~ 04/27/16)
LE MARS -- Spencer's boys endured their first blemish of the season Tuesday night, falling to defending conference champions and returning state qualifiers Le Mars 9-0 on the tennis court. "Despite the lopsided score, I actually thought we played very well. ...
Stories from Wednesday, April 27, 2016
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About Danville Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
Welcome to Danville Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics! We would like to extend a warm welcome to you and your family! Our office is committed to providing excellent preventative care for children in a warm, positive, and compassionate environment.
We specialize in comprehensive dental care for children of all ages with an emphasis on prevention and health. Baby teeth play a critical role in a child's long-term dental health and we truly believe the cornerstone for a lifetime of good oral health is laid down in childhood. As your child grows, we are able to provide comprehensive orthodontic care for children and teens. This is to help create and maintain a healthy smile into adulthood. We will do so by providing excellent treatment at the right time for the right reason with integrity, honesty and a caring heart.
Your child's smile is our top priority. We are committed to making it the happiest, healthiest and straightest smile possible. After all, nothing is more beautiful than your child's smile!
Dr. Ozzie's Favorite Products!


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Fitness Tips I Learned from my Dogs: Have Fun
The fitness industry is huge. As reported on USNews.com, MarketData Enterprises estimates that Americans spend over $60 billion each year trying to lose weight and stay in shape. It seems that people are constantly looking for help when it comes to getting or staying fit. Many of us will consult with experts or hire personal trainers to help us get more consistent with our training or to help us break through plateaus.
Even though I know a lot about fitness from my many years of training, researching, and experimenting, I am always ready and willing to learn new techniques and approaches that can help me stay fit. Recently, I realized that I can actually learn many valuable fitness tips and lessons simply by observing my dogs. Every dog that I have had during my adult life has been a workout partner and each of them has, perhaps unwittingly, provided me with fitness advice via their actions.
Well, it is about time that I start to take advantage of this doggy wisdom! Starting today, I am beginning a short series that will highlight some of the fantastic fitness tips that I have learned from my dogs over the years. These tips can help both humans and canines improve their overall fitness and very likely make it easier to stick with a regular fitness program. Who would have thought that your dog can also be your own personal trainer?
Fitness Tips I Learned from my Dogs: #1 Have Fun
The first tip that I have learned from my dogs is that one of the easiest ways to be consistent with your workouts is to make sure that you are having fun while exercising. For exercise-a-holics like me, this is often not an issue. But many people dread their workouts and think of them as if they are a chore, which increases the chances of skipping a workout or simply going through the motions.
Yet, my dogs have always been "ready and raring to go" when it comes to doing physical activities with their humans and they inevitably seem to have lots of fun while doing it! Our Sweet Sally Brown was a great example of this. She turned virtually every workout into a game, whether it meant incorporating chase, hide and seek, or "I am going to run away and find dead animal carcasses to eat", she always had fun while we were exercising together.
Here are some tips to help make your workouts more fun:
- Workout with your dog. Doh! This goes without saying, but any workout is more fun when you do it with your dog.
- Use intermittent games to reduce the monotony. This was Sally's specialty. Make it yours when exercising with your dog or by yourself. Introduce little games into the mix and you will find that the time will just fly by.
- Workout with friends. This was another strategy of Sally's. She absolutely loved running with her friends and seemed to tolerate our longer runs more easily when she was running with her "pack". Try the same thing for yourself by joining a running group or a bootcamp. The camaraderie will help you push through the workout and the interactions with your friends during the workout can help dull the 'pain'.
Of course, having fun is a part of our theme for K9Kamp Backyard Fitness Games. In fact, it is really the entire point of K9Kamp: workout with your dog in any way you can think of, given your physical or space limitations. And have lots of fun while keeping yourself and your pets in shape.
26 Comments
Happy Fourth of July! Bailie and Mom are going running, and later this morning we will practice our nose work, then relax for the rest of the day except for our normal walks. Great tips, fun is the key, no fun, no go!
Emma recently posted…Furry Fourth of July Wishes!
Having fun is definitely #. Dogs always want to please and are always happy to do something with you. They don't care at all that it is exercise, they think of it as attention and spending time with someone and playing. Have a great 4th.
Sand Spring Chesapeakes recently posted…FitDog Friday on 4th Of July
This is so true! I\\\'ve always been much more of a bookworm than an athlete, so working out was never fun for me (at least not once I outgrew my Barbie workout VHS!), but Barley has definitely shown me that being active can be fun.Happy 4th of July!
I enjoy long walks with my dog on the rail trail. I volunteer at an animal shelter, so I walk as many as 6 dogs on a day and each one is treated as if they are my own special dog. One even comes home with me for socialization visits.
YES! Amen! And Yahoo!
I used to feel really bad that I couldn't force myself to use a stationary bike in the house years ago. It was so tedious. I still don't understand how people can pedal for an hour at a gym watching television.
Now I bike every day and it's so much more fun to see other people, feel the breeze, and enjoy the changing scenery. And with potholes and traffic, it's much more challenging.
I think dogs play the way children do. When they want to run, they run. When they want to jump, they jump. When do grown ups get so boring about moving our bodies?
Pamela recently posted…Honey Declares Her Independence
Happy 4th of July!
This is such a great message. Working out should be fun, for both of you. Plus you are more likely to stick with it that way.
We can learn so much from our dogs! Have a wonderful Fourth of July!
M. K. Clinton recently posted…ILeesh Review
Hi Y'all!
Have a great holiday weekend and stay safe and cool!
Y'all come by now,
Hawk aka BrownDog
Hawk aka BrownDog recently posted…Happy Birthday U.S.A.
Great tips!!!!! It is my dogs who inspire me to get out and be active, so I agree!
And, well, lets face it…with 3 huskies, you have no choice but to be active!!
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
Jenna,Mark "HuskyCrazed" Drady recently posted…Get inside my brain on the Pet Parade!
At the club where I work out, I almost never see a smile. So sad.
Have a happy and dog-friendly 4th from the Poodle (and dog) blog
jan recently posted…How it began…
Just seeing the dogs' joy and excitement when I get out a leash, harness, or ball, tells me how much they enjoy exercising….and that makes it fun for me too, and is also the motivation I sometimes need.
Jan K recently posted…Summer Pet Safety & Happy 4th of July
My two favorite tips are having fun and workout with friends. Without those two exercise becomes work instead of play. Have a safe and happy 4th.
Mark at DBDT recently posted…Hiking with Ava at Sterling Forest
Its true. The dogs always seem to love any activity! Happy 4th!
2 brown dawgs recently posted…Backyard Fun On The 4th
#2 and #3 work wonders for humans. Well, they work wonders for keeping me going back to the gym (now that my new gym just opened… yeah. Feeling the pain of 6 month absence but sure reminded that #2 and #3 are key!)
Now if only my gym was dog-friendly, and my dogs wouldn't be terrified of my lack of coordination in Zumba and U-Jam and Step, I could incorporate #1 too!
But for serious, they are all so true. It's partly why I miss my old neighborhood because it's hard to get all three where we live – it's very limiting where we are without driving, bound between two freeways in a very urban spot with no yard and no off-leash spots, but we do our best with urban games and maybe we'll meet some new dog friends one day.
Jen recently posted…Surf's up! Our Active Dog Instagram faves for Wordless Wednesday
I couldn't agree more. #1 is do something you love to do and have fun!!!!!
Happy 4th to you!
KB recently posted…Happy Independence Day
One of the reasons the fitness industry is so huge is probably because it does cover such a wide range of options.
The great thing is that you don't just have to run the same route everyday or use weights to build muscle.Doing something different can be a great way to see some amazing results and keep yourself motivated at the same time.
Although there's no shortage of 'dog on a treadmill' videos online, I certainly take your point about the importance of enjoying fitness 🙂
Jess recently posted…FreeMotion 620 BE Power Cage


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TORONTO: Edelman has bolstered its public affairs services in Canada by acquiring the Devon Group, effective Wednesday.
The firm has been folded into Edelman Canada.
Staffers at the agency will be absorbed by Edelman Canada's public affairs team, which offers services in health, energy, infrastructure, market access, real estate, and industry associations, among other areas.
Bob Richardson, former president of the Devon Group, has joined Edelman as EVP and national practice lead for public affairs for Edelman Canada, while principal Gordon Ashworth will be an independent consultant.
John Clinton, CEO of Edelman Canada, said the acquisition will help the agency build its national presence because it is "not just a Toronto play." He said that adding the Devon Group allows Edelman to become a serious contender in the Canadian public affairs space.
Clinton added that Richardson and his team will fit well at the firm because they approach business similarly. He also praised their ability to "straddle political lines."
Devon Group's staff will move into Edelman's Toronto offices, expanding the team there by nine, said Richardson.
He added that the deal will allow the firm to compete for national clients and business and expand the services it can provide to clients. Richardson pointed to Edelman's digital services, which could be complimentary to its work in the public affairs space.
"There are big issues coming in terms of pipelines and railways that will require a lot of public consultation, public debate, and public interaction," he explained.
In 2013, Edelman achieved global revenue of $740.9 million, including $450.3 million in the US.


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Goldman's gambit, of buying Facebook shares before they go public, values the social network at a hefty $50 billion
By Mathew Ingram
More than a decade has passed since Time Warner (TWX) and America Online (AOL) merged in a $180 billion deal, marking the peak of the Internet bubble and beginning a long drought for technology stocks—a drought that has arguably been broken only by Apple (AAPL) and Google (GOOG). Now Facebook seems to be taking the lead in the next wave of tech-stock enthusiasm, with Goldman Sachs (GS) reportedly investing $450 million in the social network, giving the company a theoretical market value of $50 billion and positioning it for what seems like an inevitable initial public offering. That may be good for Facebook and Goldman, but will it be good for investors?
Although it's leading the charge, Facebook isn't the only company generating interest in tech stocks that have yet to go public. Zynga has been pouring gasoline on that fire as well, with investments by Mail.ru, formerly known as Digital Sky Technologies (also an investor in Facebook, including in the latest round with Goldman) and others. Groupon is also a player in this growing frenzy, raising money privately after turning down a reported $6 billion acquisition offer from Google. And Twitter is another star of the private investment market, with funds set up specifically to invest in shares of it and other tech startups via the secondary market for its privately held shares.
All these deals reinforce the notion that the current tech-investing bubble—if there is one—is different from the one that popped so spectacularly in the late 1990s, because the current version exists (for the moment, at least) in the private sector. Apart from Google and a couple of other companies, most of the activity is occurring in secondary markets such as SecondMarket.com, or through private investment funds and financing rounds such as the one Twitter recently closed, which valued the company at almost $4 billion. There have been no moon-shot public IPOs that flamed out within days or weeks, no Pets.com or similar issues to raise warning flags.
In other words, the only ones who would arguably suffer from the popping of a tech bubble are the so-called "sophisticated investors" who take part in secondary-market trades—the kind who will be invited to join the special vehicle that Goldman Sachs is setting up to invest in Facebook, a vehicle it says will be restricted to high net-worth individuals and could raise as much as $1.5 billion. If nothing else, the Facebook deal is likely to increase the SEC's interest in looking at the behavior of such private investment vehicles.
While the action in Facebook and others is focused on private and secondary markets right now, Goldman's involvement virtually guarantees this will soon spill out into the public markets—if not this year, then in 2012, when Facebook is expected to do an IPO. Will Facebook be the new star of the technology sector, as Google has been for the past half a decade or so? Or will it become a symbol of how overinflated expectations have become for social networking? The company has annual revenue estimated to be in the $2 billion range, but $50 billion is still a hefty valuation to try to live up to—and going public would only increase that pressure.
Also from GigaOM:
Four NewNet Companies That Made Headlines in 2010 (subscription required)
Vizio's Consumer Trifecta: TVs, Tablets, & Smartphones
M2M Networks Are Ready to Monitor You (and Make Millions)
Cord Cutters Survival Stories: It's All About Value
Apple Holds Smartphone Lead, But Android Is Gaining
Provided by GigaOm—


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Sept. 21, 2016
Angela Amaniampong (above: second from left) is a second year student in the College of Osteopathic Medicine who recently spent time caring for patients in Peru as part of an outreach program.
Spending the past three weeks in Peru on the Peru Global Outreach program was one of the most eye-opening experiences I have ever had. I was fortunate enough to help provide free medical attention to patients who had never seen doctors before and, unfortunately, could not afford proper health care.
It was very heartwarming to see how grateful the Peruvians were for our help and for all the medication we were able to provide for them. Whether it was something as simple as handing out extra vitamins and a toothbrush to a family of six with four malnourished kids and rotting teeth, or acetaminophen and ibuprofen to a patient who had been suffering from chronic pain for years, or one who had just been bitten by a rattlesnake and was in severe pain — whatever we were able to give them, they were forever grateful.
Throughout the trip, I saw a lot of patients who came in complaining of stomach pain, headaches, rashes, diarrhea, changes in bowel habits, no appetite, weight loss and poor nutrition. A lot of the patients came in already knowing what they needed — mebendazole for the parasites that had infested their child's GI tract. This problem is quite common in areas such as Peru where there is lack of a clean water supply, improperly cooked food and lack of proper sanitation. Thanks to the medications that were donated to us at a reduced rate, we were able to treat these precious children so they can live healthier lives.
On the last day of clinic, a 35-year-old mother came in carrying her two-year-old child who was very limp, underweight and malnourished. She was in tears as she begged us to help her child. She explained to one of the pediatricians that the government had recently threatened to take her child away from her because he was severely underweight and malnourished. Seeing the overwhelming amount of joy, relief and gratefulness across the mother's face as we gave her medical advice and extra vitamins for her child was heartwarming.
Because of all the medications that were donated to us, including all the vitamins, toothbrushes, toothpastes etc., we were able to provide patients such as this mother with hope and encouragement that she could take care of her child and make sure that he continues to grow and is well nourished. Additionally, thanks to the donation of anesthetics and other medications, we were able to carry out procedures such as removing basal cell carcinomas that patients had been living with for months, even years.
On behalf of Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine and the Peru Global Outreach Program, I would like to extend a big thank you for making this trip possible for us to provide patients in Peru with the proper medication, treatment and the health care they need in order to begin living happier, healthier lives.


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Alex Salmond once referred to Scotland under the SNP as a progressive beacon. Now we are being referred to the United Nations by our very own human rights commission.
The Commission are frustrated that despite raising concerns about the excessive use of non statutory stop and search by the police nothing seems to have changed.
In a report to the UN, the Scottish Human Rights Commission underlined the need for stop-and-search to take place within the legal framework set out by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
You can read more here:
Just last year I gave Alex Salmond, when he was still First Minister, the opportunity to say he was uncomfortable with the excessive use of police stop and search on children. He declined my invitation. In fact he went onto defend the policy.
You can read our exchange at FMQs here:
If this is the sort of progressive beacon he had in mind I just hope it does not burn too bright.


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man, we were born 3 days apart, have known each other as long as however many years we've both been a part of ninja...and when it went away for a spell we ended up gathering the remnants of the community we could grab up and huddled up in a TV & Movie fb group until the boards were born again ...we're so nerdy we could talk D&D...you're every bit of a brotha from anotha mutha.
not to mention, when you tell me to watch something, i always do. and you KNOW i can't say that about many people!
i'm about to gif the hellsyeah out of this op...but i wanted to get this out there as fast as possible and get the pawdy stawded


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Special Care with Hogenkamp Funeral Home
The death of a family member or close loved one can be emotionally draining. Most of us have experienced the range of difficult emotions often felt in the hours and days immediately following a death. And in that same critical time when we're focused on supporting our family and friends we must also make important… Read More


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Career Advising
Are you unsure about your major? Are you wondering what kind of job you could have with your degree? Are you looking for a job that will fit your specific needs? All of these questions involve Career Advising. TRIO SSS has invested heavily in providing excellent tools to help students answer these kinds of questions.
TRIO SSS partners with Academic Enrichment and Career Success (AECS) to provide career counseling, job searching, and career assessments as recommended by the Career Coach. Assessments with fees are paid by TRIO SSS.
Advising Tools
- Montana Career Information System - MTCIS, a program used to assess major and career goals ant interests. Call the TRIO SSS office to obtain more information, or to schedule an appointment, 243-5032.
- Confidential, personalized self-assessment: Darlene Samson is trained and authorized as a career advisor to help administer several self-assessments. Students answer a battery of questions and receive feedback from national career centers. These are helpful in narrowing the scope of career possibilities.
Find out if you're eligible for TRIO Student Support Services.


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If you live, work and ride in the Energy Corridor area of Houston, we highly encourage you to sign up for the 2016 West Houston Bike Challenge. This is a free and fun way to encourage co-workers to ride, and a reward for daily bike commuters. You'll only need to ride for 10 minutes to be entered into raffle drawings for free BW kits, massages, and even a dream vacation!
Click the button below to get more information, register, see a complete prize list or view the FAQ. The challenge begins on the October first, and runs through the end of the month.


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American actress and author
Lead role in the 1990s NBC sitcom Blossom
Emmy-nominated actress on CBS's The Big Bang Theory
Mayim Bialik is best known for her lead role in the 1990s NBC sitcom Blossom, as well as for her portrayal of the young Bette Midler in Beaches. She has also appeared in Woody Allen's Don't Drink the Water and HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Mayim has guest starred on some of the most beloved TV shows of the 1980s and 1990s including MacGyver, The Facts of Life, and Webster. She has appeared numerous times on The Tonight Show, the Arsenio Hall Show, and on Conan O'Brien and Jon Stewart's early forays into late-night.
Mayim is the co-founder and chair of the youth branch of the Jewish Free Loan Association (Genesis) and enjoys speaking on a variety of topics, including her journey to embracing traditional Jewish values. She studies Jewish texts weekly with two study partners.
Recent appearances include recurring roles on Secret Life of the American Teenager and FOX's "Til Death. She portrayed 1960's activist Nancy Kurshan in Chicago 8, and she appears regularly on CBS's The Big Bang Theory as Sheldon's friend who is not his girlfriend, Amy Farrah Fowler. Mayim is the author of "Beyond the Sling" (Touchstone Books, 2012), a book on holistic parenting. Her most recent book is titled "Mayim's Vegan Table"(Da Capo Lifelong Books, 2014).
"Mayim speaks on a wide variety of topics, from women's issues in Judaism, to feminism in Hollywood, to neuroscience and academia. She is the celebrity spokesperson for the Holistic Moms Network, a national non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting holistic and green parenting and living."
We're here to help.
If you can't find the right speaker you need, or would like speaker ideas tailored to your event,
talk to us on the details below.
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from the horse's mouth
For all his failings, I can't stress hard enough what a relief it is to hear him signaling he's not going to let the FISA abuses go under the radar. He's very strongly indicating that this can "never happen to another president" and THAT — no matter what you think of this one — is a stone cold American FACT. If it keeps happening, we're dead.
pipe up any time....
love, nines ||| don't die an idiot | they can't control grownups


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Generally, all the income components paid to an employee is considered for ESI Gross computation. In Folklore, ESI Gross is defined by the user. User indicates which income components are to be considered for ESI Gross.
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Oxaï Roura has released something special with his new song "Afro-Himalayan 01: GanEshou". The song is totally unique with a blend of electronic music styles mixed with a more traditional international sound. The song is incredibly interesting using cool instruments and different effects. The vocals are simple and enigmatic, while the music is transcendent. You feel almost an other worldy vibe in this song, I think this would be great for a movie or video game score. Afro-Himalayan 01: GanEshou has been mastered perfectly, no overlaps in the vocals and instrumentation. I truly look forward to hearing more from this artist.
Oxaï Roura / http://www.reverbnation.com/oxaïroura


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Spiro sailor maintains undersea rescue mission readiness
A 2000 Spiro High School graduate and Spiro native is serving aboard the U. S. Navy's only capable Undersea Rescue Command at Submarine Squadron 11.
Chief Petty Officer Jarod Gray is a Navy logistics specialist submarines serving with URC.
A Navy logistics specialist submarines is responsible for submarine supply, maintenance and repair of consumables.
"We keep up to 70,000 line items of inventory in a very confined space," Gray said. "I'm the end-all and be-all for people to get equipment, so I have to be very dependable."
Gray credits success in the Navy to many lessons he learned growing up in Spiro.
"It's a very veteran-based area, being in the south," he said. "Everyone keeps their nose clean because everyone knows you. Respect goes a long way, too, and that's helped me very much in the Navy.
Submarine Squadron 11 is home to the floating auxiliary dry dock USS Arco and Undersea Rescue Command. The squadron staff is responsible for providing training, material and personnel readiness support for all units. Arco is under the operational control of Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet.
Submarine Squadron 11, commanded by Capt. Christopher Cavanaugh, also consists of five of the most capable fast-attack nuclear-powered submarines in the world; USS Pasadena, USS Alexandria, USS Scranton, USS Annapolis, and USS Hampton and are maintained by Arco.
"We go where others can't" is the motto of SUBPAC and is perhaps one-of-the-most difficult and demanding assignments in the Navy. According to Navy officials, there is not an instant during their tour as a submariner that they can relinquish their responsibility thousands of feet below the ocean's surface.
The most recent example was in early November 2017, when the URC received the call to mobilize its submarine rescue unit. For the first time in more than 15 years sailors were quickly loading equipment and systems onto military aircraft within 24 hours for a real-life rescue mission off the coast of Argentina where the ARA San Juan had lost contact.
The command constantly trains, both in the U.S. and with foreign navies, to be ready for what is a rare occurrence: the need to perform an undersea rescue. URC conducts its mission using deep submergence systems including a remotely operated underwater vehicle, submarine rescue chamber, pressurized rescue module and side scan sonar.
Submariners and their crews remain the tip of the undersea spear and supporting them is SUBPAC's primary mission and is essential to keep submarines and crew ready, effectively employed, and equipped with the best possible tools and enabling capabilities. This work is to maintain U.S. undersea superiority. The Force is truly "forged by the sea."
The legacy of the Pacific Submarine Force, established in World War II, continues today. Armed with the finest ships in the world, manned by the most professional sailors, the Pacific Submarine Force will continue to ensure America's critical access to the world's ocean trade routes, provide credible defense against any hostile maritime forces, and project power from the sea to the shore when needed.
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Gray, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Gray is honored to carry on that family tradition.
"My brother was prior Navy, and my grandfather was a retired chief," Gray said. "They had very big influence on me joining the military."
Gray's proudest accomplishment so far was making chief petty officer.
"It's made my dad very proud," he said. "I made chief three years faster than he did."
As a member of the U.S. Navy's silent service, Gray and other URC sailors know they are a part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes, one that will provide a critical component of the Navy the nation needs.
"I'm very patriotic," Gray said. "I think everyone should serve at least four years in the military. Freedom isn't free. We take for granted what we have on a daily basis."


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TNW2011 is appified!
We are happy to announce that Apple has approved our #TNW2011 conference iPhone app. Download it now from iTunes to get a taste of what's in store for you at the conference.
The app contains the complete conference schedule, a live view of all tweets surrounding the event, all the photos that are tagged TNW2011 and a map of Amsterdam showing all the spots you need to see while you are visiting Amsterdam.
Besides that you can also check the weather, see TNW movies, access our Conference Network (more on that later) and tweet from within the app where the hashtag (#TNW2011) is already pre-formatted.
The app was developed by Shoudio founder Roeland Landegent using his famous 'Koninginedag app' as a template. He uses Titanium Appcelerator for fast and easy prototyping enabling us to quickly design, change and deploy the app.
Read next: Manage Employee Goals with CreateSmartGoals


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"It'll be messy in the spirit of the Fluxists and all infantile artists," says artist and curator Nancy Van Kanegan about Saturday's Ridiculist Banquet, which will feature food-themed films, music, and performances, as well as oatmeal facials, a fruit mandala, and a mashed potato table where guests can sculpt with spuds. Van Kanegan will also show a map of Rogers Park--made entirely of edibles from that neighborhood.
"One of the great things about food is its ephemeral quality--it's either consumed or it's spoiled," says Van Kanegan, who earned a master's degree in 1993 from Columbia College's interdisciplinary arts program. She says this weekend's event was inspired by the 1932 Futurist Cookbook, which includes author F.T. Marinetti's menus for futurist banquets. "He believed that for Italy to be a force in the modern world, they had to change the modern diet," she says. "So the futurists' restaurants served no pasta, only risotto. Their conceptual banquets sometimes consisted only of fragrances, or really outrageous foods."
She and collaborator David Westling were working on a series of video pieces based on those banquets when she "decided to do a big party and make it more postmodern and have it under the heading of ridiculism."
That's the term she and a couple friends coined several years ago to identify their work. Ridiculism is "a philosophy or artistic way of thinking along the lines of surrealism and futurism and dadaism," she explains. Like the futurists, Van Kanegan, Westling, and Austin-based artist Nancy McGalliard--who recorded a sound piece of original ridiculist songs for the banquet--have written a manifesto. Among other things, it calls for adherents to "Eat what you wish and you will wish as you eat. Taste Delight when the pie flies in your face. Fast to be slow, Agree to deny. Laugh shout gargle moan and look at the world through all of your eyes."
The manifesto was passed on to the artists contributing work to the banquet, including Barrie Cole, Laura Chenault, Lynn King, Lisa Cargill, Shannon Greenrobb, Summer Kee, Nicole Garneau, Jeffrey Letterly, Janel Horvath, and Teri Vrakas. "We feel that all artists strive toward the ridiculous, whether they admit it or not," says Van Kanegan. "We scoff at the idea that all art must be created out of pain.
"One of the proposals is really ridiculous," she adds. "Nance Klehm [whom Van Kanegan met last month at a party for artists named Nancy] wants to take people around the neighborhood and look for edible plants. It's at the corner of Armitage and Western and Milwaukee. I don't know. We'll see what she can find."
The banquet takes place from 8 PM to midnight on Saturday, July 21, at the Free Flow Gallery on the second floor of 1902 N. Milwaukee. Attendees are encouraged to contribute real or "conceptual" food to the potluck table and dress in food-related costumes; prizes will be awarded "for the utterly, totally, and sublimely ridiculous." The $10 admission benefits Columbia College's Inter Arts Alumni Scholarship Fund. Reservations are recommended; call 773-743-6499.
Art accompanying story in printed newspaper (not available in this archive): photo/Katherine Klein.
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Windfall Property
Property Overview
The Windfall property consists of 29 map designated cells measuring 1,638 hectares. The majority of the acquisition lies in one block totalling 1,128 hectares, directly adjacent to the west of Osisko Mining's land position and approximately eight kilometres west of the Metanor Resources Inc. Barry gold deposit. The remaining cells mostly lie to the south, near the Osisko Mining Black Dog project. The property is easily accessible, with the larger block being traversed by a maintained road from Highway QC-113, and the smaller blocks being accessible by a network of logging roads.


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Shelter is not a place
I've been mulling over the whole topic of Fishbowl Parenting this week, in living color, as I sent my older kids off to public school. My husband and I desperately want our children to defy the statistics that indicate a disturbing number of Christian kids turn their backs on their faith when they reach college. Mary DeMuth of Pioneer Parenting poses the question of whether or not our current Christian parenting practice (which she dubs the "cult of protectionism") might be at the root of this trend.
Since our kids are still in progress here, I thought back to my own childhood, which I always considered very sheltered, only to realize we had great freedoms. In our tiny U.S. town we went to public school. We played with the neighbor kids. We watched TV (including such "horrible" shows as Scooby Doo and Bewitched!). We went to an occasional movie at the Almo theater, including seeing such blockbusters as Escape to Witch Mountain and the Poseidon Adventure. Obviously, that was before the days of Plugged In!
Later, when we were missionary kids living in Mexico City (population 18 million at the time), my mom used to let us take the city bus to school (at ages 13, 11 and 9). We participated in all kinds of school activities. I even learned to drive in that crazy city. I never had a curfew.
I sent my mom a copy of my last post on sheltering, and it was good talking about old times.
So how did my parents do it? How did they manage to raise a family who felt secure - sheltered - without being overly, outwardly protective?
Here are a few things I thought of:
1. They were the real deal, spiritually and in every other way. What you saw at church - praying for people and talking about spiritual things - was what you saw at home. They didn't have a "prayer voice." And though it embarrassed us somewhat at the time, when they met our super-rich friends' parents at the private school we attended out of the country, they were still the same, humble missionaries who asked if they had any needs they'd like to pray about.
If we had a problem, we prayed about it. Prayer was not a memorized, liturgical poem, but a living conversation with a personal God. The Bible was not a dusty collection of fairy tales, or list of religious rules to be carried out. It was the living, breathing Word of God, the foundation on which every sphere of our lives was built.
2. They loved each other openly and affectionately. One of my favorite memories of childhood is seeing my mom and dad hugging in the corner whispering what we thought were sweet nothings (we know better, now, don't we?) in each other's ears. They held hands when they were together. They laughed at each other's jokes and covered for each other's weaknesses. They were a good team.
3. They accepted us unconditionally. I never once doubted my parents' love. They were affectionate and generous with praise. As a ministry family, people would often ask my mom about parenting. I remember beaming, as if it were yesterday, when she would say of the teenage years, "It just gets better and better."
There was grace for mistakes, and joy in the moment. My dad would say often, "I just enjoy being with you!" or "You're my little girl!"
I belonged.
4. They emphasized character, not conformity. As I mentioned, we had few rules that I can recall, and yet they had high expectations for character. Not just when we were in church, but all the time. Not just because we were the preacher's kids, but because it was right.
My mom would not tolerate the slightest sass, and yet I look at some of the things I was allowed to wear (tube tops and spaghetti straps come to mind), and I realize now what she knew then: a rebellious attitude can't be hidden by even the most modest clothing. We figured out modesty by example, not preaching.
They believed in old-fashioned pain to the hindquarters administered in love, and I never once doubted their sincerity in applying it (although I was not about to let them know that I appreciated it! I do now.).
5. They pursued us with love and gentleness. I don't want you to get the idea that my parents were perfect, but I think they did a phenomenal job from their end, given what they had to work with.
I, on the other hand, was a determined, self-willed little spitfire who did not always desire the higher good. I had a very antagonistic relationship with my older brother until we were teenagers and finally started getting along. In middle school, my sister and I tried smoking. I'm sure there were many low moments in my childhood where my folks thought they were failures. But they hung in there with us.
When I was about 13, I had cultivated a nasty habit of rolling my eyes at everything my dad said. Now, my dad is a big jokester, but I was intent on letting him know in no uncertain terms that I thought his sense of humor was lame, and that his constant comedy was a complete embarrassment.
One day he went on an errand and invited me to come along. At one point the stopped the car, looked over at me and gently said, "Is there a problem between you and me?"
Of course I denied it, but I knew exactly what he was talking about.
"Well, I love you so much and I just wouldn't want anything to come between us."
That day, I believe, was a turning point in my relationship with my parents, forever emblazoned on the heart of a would-be sarcastic teenage rebel. In one day I went from thinking my dad was the stupidest man in the world, to thinking there was no one greater.
He could have forced his paternal authority over me and made me stop acting like such the defiant teenager that I was intent on becoming. Instead, he came to me with gentleness. He came to me because he loved me and valued our relationship.
He came to me in a way that represented God to me - a still small voice inviting me back into relationship with him.
So my experience is a sort of paradox: I had lots of freedoms, and yet I felt sheltered.
After I left home, I had a few years of settling the details of what I believed versus what my parents believed. But my basic faith in God was never shaken, because I had seen what serving Him looked like.
That leads me to my conclusion about the matter:
Shelter is not a place; it's a relationship.Although we need to be wise about keeping our kids safe (let's not be simplistic here), sheltering our kids from every potential evil is impossible. The world is corrupt. Hey, the youth group is corrupt!
I would love to withdraw my family from society and keep them from having to face the messiness of navigating relationships in a fallen world. But that's just not feasible. Maybe not even desirable. Besides, we have enough sin nature between all seven of us, they'd still get to see plenty of corruption!
Instead, we want to make sure our home is the safe place, the most comforting sanctuary on earth, where our kids are guaranteed acceptance, affection and genuine love. Our relationship with our kids should be a reflection of God's relationship with us - overflowing with grace and forgiveness.
And while we're doing that, we're introducing them to Jesus, and we're walking along side them, showing them how to "do life" with Christ at the helm.
We don't have to know all the answers, and heaven forbid we should try to appear perfect. I fail daily, and have to ask my kids' forgiveness all the time. But we feel strongly that the more spiritually arrogant we are, and the more we try to hide our flaws, the more likely our kids will become disillusioned with God later on.
They need to know we are the real deal.
Most importantly, and my Mom agrees, if we want our kids to have our faith, we need to be constantly showing them Who is our shelter, and where they can go to find refuge, even when there is chaos around them.
Psalm 121
I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD is your keeper;
The LORD is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
The LORD shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.
Labels: education, faith, favorites, parenting, tweens n teens