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Connect Any Medical Modality to PACS
Including modified barium swallow studies (speech pathology) & endoscopy
Problem: Hospitals and imaging centers need to connect their medical modalities to PACS. Some of these are older, non-DICOM modalities such as nuclear medicine systems, C-arms, or older ultrasound devices. Or, more likely, they have fluoroscopy systems that are performing long-format modified barium swallow studies for speech pathology. Because these studies are high resolution, require 30 fps, and require synced audio, even brand new DICOM-enabled fluoroscopy systems cannot transfer these studies to PACS. Further, endoscopy systems are typically not DICOM-enabled and need to be connected to PACS.
Solution: TIMS DICOM System, the PACS Connectivity Solution. TIMS can convert any medical modality to DICOM. The resulting study can be sent to PACS, recorded to CD/DVD/USB/network, and printed to film or paper. TIMS also provides much more including labeling/annotation, extensive review & analysis, and study editing.
TIMS DICOM Review Software: TDRS is a software-only version of the TIMS system (no video acquisition hardware). TDRS can be installed on any Windows 7 computer in the speech pathology lab, endoscopy office area, or anywhere in the hospital. To speed workflow and immediately free up the modality suite for the next patient, the study can be instantly sent over the hospital network from the TIMS system in the modality suite to one or more TDRS systems throughout the hospital. Speech pathologists, endoscopy physicians, and technologists can then edit, annotate, review, and analyze the studies, free from the pressure of creating a bottleneck in the modality suite, in the comfort of their own office or lab area. After review and analysis on TDRS, studies can be sent to PACS.


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Radical Philosophy No 187 is now out
Can legal codes hold software accountable for code that kills?
– Susan Schuppli
Article: 'For all that gives rise to an inscription in general'
– Hans-Jörg Rheinberger
Article: Helen Macfarlane
Independent object
– David Black and Ben Watson
Article: The contingency of cheese
On Fredric Jameson's The Antinomies of Realism
– David Cunningham
Article: A metaphysical turn?
Bruno Latour's An Inquiry into Modes of Existence
– Patrice Maniglier
Reviews: 187 Reviews – Iain MacKenzie, Nina Power, Steve Howard, Simon Morgan Wortham, Hannah Proctor, Mark Sanders, Lucy Bond and Thomas Klikauer
Conference Report: Critical philosophy of race: here and now
5–6 June 2014, Senate House, University of London
– Harpal Singh
Obituary: Realism and moral being
Andrew Collier, 1944–2014
– Peter Osborne and William Outhwaite

subset: commoncrawl


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Figure out your strategy before your first post
It takes seconds to sign up for a social media account, so many small business owners dive right in without a plan. But, to be truly effective, you need to have a long-term strategy that truly fits your business. So, before you get ahead of yourself, take time to decide how you want to present your business and what you want to accomplish through your online presence.
Choose your networks wisely
About 65 percent of the population uses social media. While there are dozens of social media networks, only a handful have the sort of user base that make them worthwhile for businesses. You don't need to be on every one. That will over-extend your team while providing little benefit in return. Instead, focus on a few where you are most likely to find your perfect audience.
The usual suspects
Facebook – With over 1 billion active users, this is the most prevalent social media platform on the planet. Most companies should consider a page here, even if you are not in a B2C industry. Facebook allows the creation of shopping pages, message boards, and private groups; all of which render well on mobile devices.
Twitter – Twitter is a good choice for both B2B and B2C businesses. Your interactions here should include a mix of short, conversational messages, links to content on your website and a curation of insightful or useful posts that are relevant to your market.
Instagram – Instagram is a good choice for a company whose product line has a lot of visual appeal. Think restaurants, adventure guides, concert halls and others. This is also a very mobile-first audience, so it can help build your market-share with those users.
Pinterest – Another image-heavy social media platform, Pinterest boasts a heavily-female audience. If women are your target audience, this network should be at the top of your list.
LinkedIn – LinkedIn is a must for those in the B2B sphere. The platform allows you to post both short and long-form content. LinkedIn can be used to connect on a person-to-person basis with the decision-makers in your industry. If you're toying with the idea of publishing blog content on your own website, you can validate your concepts on Linkedin Pulse, a publishing platform with incredibly far reach.
No matter which platforms you choose, make sure that your profiles are completely filled out, accurate and up-to-date. This doesn't just help customers on those platforms connect with you, it also helps your opportunity to rank in Google for local SEO.
Control access
When you are getting ready to set up your social media profiles, set up a process for creating usernames and passwords. Use a tool like Meldium or Hootsuite to manage login information for multiple accounts. This way, multiple team members can get access and provide continuous coverage online.
And, make sure that there is a process in place to deal with turnover on your team. Many small and medium businesses get locked out of their old accounts due to employee turnover when either passwords get lost or disgruntled former employees delete accounts. By making sure that passwords are changed immediately, you can maintain your valuable contacts and content on social media. With a tool like Meldium or Lastpass, you can immediately revoke access to all of their accounts, without the hassle of updating every account's credentials.
Create your brand's social media voice
Before you send your first update, think about your audience and how they communicate on each network. No two networks share the same vernacular, so be prepared to craft each message uniquely, instead of auto-posting—a blanket push of content across all your channels is pretty lazy, and is obvious to your followers. As you become more comfortable on each network, develop a company stylebook to help create a cohesive voice for each channel no matter who is at the controls.
Increase your organic reach
Through careful observation and a few savvy moves, you can increase your number of fans and followers who see your posts on your social networks.
Make sure that you are posting at the right time of day for your audience. Facebook can help you with this with a tool called Insights. The graphs will show you when your audience is online and most likely to see your posts. Use this as a guide to experiment with messages scheduled at different times of the day.
Include a few relevant keywords in the hashtags on Twitter. The network's offerings are now spidered by Google, giving you SEO reach that you did not have previously.
When to use paid ads
Many small business owners bristle at the idea of using paid placement on social media. Isn't the whole point to get promotion for free? However, ads can get you the exposure you need far more quickly and with fewer personnel hours than a purely organic social media campaign.
Additionally, organic reach is not quite what it once was. Facebook has restricted the reach of business page posts, in an effort to keep the overall noise down. As a result, your fans will not always see your posts unless they interact with your page regularly. Researchers found that organic reach on Facebook pages dropped from 12 to 6 percent between 2013 and 2014. Ads or promoted posts can get messages in front of users who might not otherwise see them, and your investment can be as low as $5 per post.
Ads also allow you to target exactly the audience you want. You know your perfect customer best, so use Facebook's demographic tools to target the people who are most likely to convert to paying customers.
Blogs to follow and more
HubSpot: Their social media marketing topic provides a wealth of information about the best ways to connect on social media.
Buffer: This blog offers well-researched content for people at all skill levels in social media marketing.
John Loomer: Filled with social media experiments and examples from real life, this Facebook-focused blog can help you increase engagement and learn how to reach exactly the prospects you want.
Podcasts to listen and subscribe to
The Social Media Marketing Podcast: Social Media Examiner's Michael Stelzner provides actionable tips to help your business be more effective on social media.
The Art of Paid Traffic: Geared specifically at those who want to grow their business using social media ads.
Online Marketing Made Easy with Amy Porterfield: This podcast focuses on generating leads, growing your email marketing lists and transforming your current customers into passionate advocates for your brand.
The world of social media is continuing to develop, and it becoming more common for consumers to use these platforms as their primary online communication tools. Smart brands will continue to learn about their audiences and make sure that they are setting up the online dialogues that lead to happy and profitable relationships.


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Sign-On Letter: No Subsidies for Enhanced Oil Production
Dear Senator / Representative,
On behalf of our millions of members we write to express our opposition to the Furthering carbon capture, Utilization, Technology, Underground storage, and Reduced Emissions (FUTURE) Act (S.1535)/ Carbon Capture Act (H.R.3761) and any attempts in a tax policy package to extend or expand subsidies for enhanced oil recovery (EOR). Rather than sequestering CO2, EOR is used to increase production of climate polluting fuels. Proposals to incentivize CO2 injection for the purpose of increased oil production, including the FUTURE Act's/ Carbon Capture Act's expansion and extension of the Section 45Q tax credit for carbon capture and sequestration (CCS), would add yet another taxpayer subsidy to the more than $20 billion that the fossil fuel industry already receives every year.1
When Section 45Q was enacted as part of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, Congress recognized that oil production should not be the goal of carbon sequestration, but hoped developing carbon capture for EOR would prove to be a step towards CCS. However, a 2010 Department of Energy-commissioned analysis suggests that there is little evidence that increased CO2-EOR deployment is a necessary or beneficial step towards the commercial deployment of CCS.2
Section 45Q has been in the tax code for nearly eight years and more than half the credits have been claimed. It has become clear that CO2-EOR will not be a pathway towards CCS.
The FUTURE Act/ Carbon Capture Act proposes more than tripling (to $35 per tCO2) existing incentives for coal- and gas-fired power plants, and industrial facilities, to sell captured CO2 for enhanced oil recovery. The Department of Energy suggests that for entities capturing CO2, the market price of CO2 for EOR plus the increased tax credit will be more attractive than the proposed incentive for direct storage.3 This means that, where possible, facilities capturing CO2 would almost always prefer to use or sell it for CO2-EOR. In other words, the tax credit will do little to address the problem it was intended to correct: reducing CO2 emissions and limiting U.S. contributions to climate change.
Impact on Oil Production and Climate Pollution:
According to the Energy Department, the proposed changes to the 45Q tax credit would result in an additional 400,000 barrels per day of CO2-enhanced oil produced in the U.S. in 2035, which would directly lead to as much as 50.7 million metric tons of net CO2 emissions annually. That's equal to the annual emissions from more than 11 million cars or 12.5 coal-fired power plants.
Impact on Taxpayers:
If 45Q is expanded as proposed, just the CO2-EOR subsidy benefiting oil producers alone could cost taxpayers as much $2.8 billion each year. That would make it the single biggest subsidy to the fossil fuel industry in the United States – and does not count taxpayer dollars spent incentivizing coal and gas power plants and industrial facilities to use CCS technology. This money could instead be spent on research, development, and deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies, and programs to help workers and communities transition to a clean energy economy.
Impacts on Local Communities and Environment:
The injection of CO2 into aging oil fields to increase production has helped extend the life of some fields by more than 25 years.4 Expanding the tax credit for CO2-enhanced oil recovery (EOR) is an environmental justice issue because people of color disproportionately live by oil and gas development, where pollutants released into the soil, air and water can have severe negative health impacts.5 In California, for example, of the population living within one mile of oil and gas development and in communities identified as most vulnerable by the California Environmental Protection Agency, nearly 92 percent are people of color.6
In addition, EOR technologies (including CO2-EOR) present real threats to drinking water, yet oversight of these practices has lagged. Both federal and state regulations, part of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) Underground Injection Control (UIC) Class II program, are decades old and fall short of providing sufficient safeguards for groundwater. State and federal regulators tasked with implementing these outdated rules lack the proper funding and staffing levels for adequate oversight, and significant data and monitoring gaps impede their ability to detect problems. And the EPA does not collect comprehensive and comparable data on EOR on a national level.
The FUTURE Act/ Carbon Capture Act would encourage an increase in EOR activity, despite the inadequate protections of the current regulatory scheme. Subsidizing fossil fuel production that puts the health and drinking water of local communities at risk may not be the intent of the FUTURE Act/ Carbon Capture Act, but that would be the outcome.
In terms of the costs to American taxpayers, the climate, and communities living on the fenceline of fossil fuel infrastructure – this legislation is far too expensive.
Further subsidizing the oil industry is a step in the wrong direction. We urge you to oppose the FUTURE Act/ Carbon Capture Act and any attempts in a tax policy package to extend or expand the Section 45Q tax credit for enhanced oil recovery.
Thank you,
Alameda Interfaith Climate Action Network
Alaska Wilderness League
The Alliance for Appalachia
Amazon Watch
Bold Alliance
Catskill Mountainkeeper
Center for Biological Diversity
Chesapeake Climate Action Network
Citizens Coalition for a Safe Community
Clean Water Action
Earth Day Network
Environment America
Greenpeace USA
Hip Hop Caucus
Institute for Policy Studies Climate Justice Program
Maryland Environmental Health Network
Mount Shasta Bioregional Ecology Center
Nuclear Information & Resource Service
Oil Change International
Physicians for Social Responsibility
Power Shift Network
Public Citizen
Rainforest Action Network
Save EPA
Sierra Club
UMBC Progressives
WildEarth Guardians
1 Oil Change International, "Dirty Energy Dominance: Dependent on Denial – How the U.S. Fossil Fuel Industry Depends on Subsidies and Climate Denial," October 2017, http://bit.ly/DirtyEnergyDominance
2 Dooley, J., et al., "CO2-driven Enhanced Oil Recovery as a Stepping Stone to What?" Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, prepared for the Department of Energy, 2010. http://www.pnl.gov/main/publications/external/technical_reports/PNNL-195...
3 Department of Energy, "Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage: Climate Change, Economic Competitiveness, and Energy Security," August 2016. https://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2016/09/f33/DOE%20Issue%20Brief%20-
4 IHS Energy, "CO2 EOR Potential in North Dakota—Challenges, policy solutions, and contribution to economy and environment," June 2016. http://www.legis.nd.gov/files/committees/64-2014%20appendices/IHS%20Ener...
5 McCabe, D., et al., "Health Risks in Texas from Oil and Gas Industry Air Pollution," Clean Air Task Force and EarthWorks, June 2017. http:// www.catf.us/resources/factsheets/files/HealthEffectsTX.pdf; Johnston, J., et al., "Wastewater Disposal Wells, Fracking, and Environmental Injustice in Southern Texas," American Journal of Public Health. 2016 March; 106(3): 550–556. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/ PMC4816143/; Geraci, M., et al., "The Environmental Risks and Oversight of Enhanced Oil Recovery in the United States," Clean Water Action, August 2017. https://www.cleanwateraction.org/publications/EOR-risks
6 Srebotnjak, T., et al., "Drilling in California: Who's at risk?" National Resources Defense Council, October 2015, https://www.nrdc.org/sites/ default/files/california-fracking-risks-report.pdf


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Spatial Cognition
Brain Bases and Development
Book Description
Looking at the ways humans perceive, interpret, remember, and interact with events occurring in space, this book focuses on two aspects of spatial cognition: How does spatial cognition develop? What is the relation between spatial cognition and the brain? This book offers a unique opportunity to share the combined efforts of scientists from varied disciplines, including cognitive and developmental psychology, neuropsychology, behavioral neurology, and neurobiology in the process of interacting and exchanging ideas. Based on a conference held at the Neuroscience Conference Center of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, this book explores current scientific trends seeking a biological basis for understanding the relationships among brain, mind, and behavior.
Table of Contents
Contents: Preface. Foreword. Part I: Spatial Cognition in Adults: Introduction. L. Morrow, G. Ratcliff, The Neuropsychology of Spatial Cognition. M.J. Farah, The Neuropsychology of Mental Imagery. R.A. Andersen, The Neurobiological Basis of Spatial Cognition: Role of the Parietal Lobe. R.N. Shepard, The Role of Transformations in Spatial Cognition. M. Kritchevsky, The Elementary Spatial Functions of the Brain. Part II: The Development of Spatial Cognition: Introduction. H.L. Pick, Jr., Perceptual Aspects of Spatial Cognitive Development. L. Acredolo, Infant Mobility and Spatial Development. L.S. Liben, Conceptual Issues in the Development of Spatial Cognition. J.R. Johnston, Children's Verbal Representation of Spatial Location. A. Nicolopoulou, Interrelation of Logical and Spatial Knowledge in Preschoolers. D. Wolf, Drawing the Boundary: The Development of Distinct Systems for Spatial Representation in Young Children. Part III: Effects of Different Early Experiences: Introduction. J. Stiles-Davis, Spatial Dysfunctions in Young Children With Right Cerebral Hemisphere Injury. U. Bellugi, H. Sabo, J. Vaid, Spatial Deficits in Children With Williams Syndrome. L.A. Petitto, U. Bellugi, Spatial Cognition and Brain Organization: Clues From the Acquisition of a Language in Space. H.J. Neville, Cerebral Organization for Spatial Attention. B. Landau, The Construction and Use of Spatial Knowledge in Blind and Sighted Children. S.F. Witelson, J.A. Swallow, Neuropsychological Study of the Development of Spatial Cognition. Part IV: Discussions: Introduction. S. Zola-Morgan, M. Kritchevsky, Spatial Cognition in Adults. J.M. Mandler, The Development of Spatial Cognition: On Topological and Euclidean Representation. D. Lillo-Martin, P. Tallal, Effects of Different Early Experiences.
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"...the editors are to be commended for successfully bringing together several very different lines of research on spatial cognition. The diversity of subjects should appeal to a wide audience of readers."
—Child Development Abstracts and Bibliography


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Food and conversation conduits for connecting with society's wounded
'Doughnuts for Jesus'
Part eight in a 14-part series highlighting local Catholics who live out the corporal and spiritual works of mercy
Chris Engelmann's T-shirt summarized his Saturday afternoon: "The church has left the building. Gone out reachin."
At 2:30 p.m., the parishioner of St. Mark and Nativity of Our Lord in St. Paul, and former manager and part-owner of the Days Inn on Prior Avenue in St. Paul, pulled up in front of Sugar Rush bakery on University Avenue in Frogtown.
"This is the source of all our love: doughnuts for Jesus," he said, walking into the Nguyen family's doughnut shop, now closed for the day.
A hand extended with a doughnut rarely gets refused, so Engelmann, 57, uses the Nguyen's donation of leftover doughnuts as "bait," his reference to Jesus' instructions to be fishers of men. Along with doughnuts, he gives out friendship, encouragement, practical help and the Gospel all under the umbrella of The World Effort Foundation, his family's nonprofit.
This isn't a weekend pastime for Engelmann; it's what he does almost all day, every day, exemplifying a spiritual act of mercy: bearing wrongs patiently.
In this case, it's the wrongs many people have inflicted upon themselves, often after being wronged by others.
"I have somehow found a desire and drive to serve," he explained. "My favorite Scripture [verse] is, 'Whatever you do for the least of these you do for me.' Where do you find the least? They're not hard to find. You just have to not be afraid to go to the places where they're at."
Engelmann isn't afraid. That's why on March 1 he was at the bus station in Minneapolis at 11 p.m. doling out doughnuts, conversation and crosses. Among other travelers, he met a runaway teenager on her way home to reunite with her parents, and he blessed her journey with a Benedictine cross. Then on his way out, he offered a man standing by the door an apple fritter. The man only took one for later, increasing Engelmann's suspicions that he was under the influence of drugs. Back in his truck about to leave, Engelmann saw a woman cross in front of him and walk up to the man.
"I could tell by what she was wearing she was working the streets," he said, so he got out and approached.
His initial offer to help was refused, but he didn't give up.
"Every time you hurt yourself, you're hurting Jesus," he said to her. "Do you know Jesus?"
Mary Smith remembers that night, too. She was struggling with a cocaine addiction and wearing a little dress "trying to make some money."
"He was going around asking people if they knew Jesus. It stopped me in my tracks. I was like, 'I know Jesus, I love Jesus,'" she said.
She went back to talk, and Engelmann gave her a ride to her aunt's house where she would be safe. In the car, she told him her life's story, including her childhood abuse, and about her grandmother who tried to protect her and took her to church.
Engelmann has stayed in touch with Smith, helping her over obstacles to reorient her life. He has also become friends with her two grown daughters.
"He helped me get my life back together," she said in June, the day before she started a treatment program.
According to Tracy Williams, who works with youth escaping sex trafficking with the Minneapolis-based Family Partnership's PRIDE program, Engelmann has helped approximately 10 women get off the streets. She attributes it to his presence in just the right places.
"The places they go, he's at. They happen to run into Chris, and he's a very conversational person. He speaks the Word to them and sometimes he's able to connect with them on other areas that he's experienced in his life, and he lets them know there's a way out," Williams said.
Usually Engelmann will put them up in a hotel for the night and then contact Williams, who follows up.
In March, Engelmann also met Annie Kinzer, 31, and Tim Krolick, 32. They were in Minneapolis walking down Nicollet Avenue, high, drunk and soon-to-be homeless, on their way to spend their last $5 on cigarettes.
They were in a live-in treatment program, but had spent the night partying with a guy who had promised them and several other people apartments. Engelmann came down the street with doughnuts. He also noticed that Kinzer was wearing a pentagram charm — a satanic symbol — on her choker, and offered to buy it from her.
"I said, 'Here's the necklace.' It didn't mean much to me," she recalled.
Besides doughnuts, Engelmann gave them his phone number and promised to get them Benedictine crosses. Though they were unaware of it at the time, something changed for them in that moment.
"Taking that necklace from me, he took a weight off my shoulders. I don't know what it was. To me he was a person who actually believed in us," Kinzer said.
Two days later, their bender got them kicked out of the treatment program, and they discovered the promise of an apartment had been a lie. Luckily, Kinzer found them the last two places at another program in Coon Rapids.
A sober month later, Krolick saw the number for the "cross guy" on his phone and called. Engelmann couldn't believe it. He drove to Coon Rapids to give them the promised crosses. In June, the two were still progressing, Engelmann said.
Engelmann spends a lot of time in St. Paul, too. On a Saturday afternoon in June, his personal investment in the neighborhood was clear. Leaving Sugar Rush in his white truck, he exchanged waves with a man walking down the other side of Lexington Avenue. Near Interstate 94, a man named Brian with a homeless sign took advantage of the red light to run up to Engelmann's truck.
Even from the road, Engelmann could tell he had stopped using methamphetamines.
"Hey, how are you? Do you want a doughnut?" Engelmann asked.
Brian's eyes lit up and he nodded his head.
"I am doing good. I've gained some weight," he replied and ran off with a doughnut just before the light turned green.
When he turned on St. Anthony Avenue, Engelmann saw several adults and a couple of children standing in a driveway. He parked and got out with a box of doughnuts. Just then, another man joined the group.
"Is that Chris? How are you doing?" said Dewey Simmons, 37, reaching out his hand.
At first, Engelmann didn't recognize him, but then he remembered the day a year ago when they met at the Days Inn. Simmons was a guest at the hotel because he was in between houses, and he and his wife were in a difficult spot. He passed by Engelmann coming out of the pool. Simmons had a penny in his headband, and Engelmann noticed his despondent face.
"Every penny is an angel," Engelmann repeated a saying he had heard years ago.
It launched a long conversation.
"I've been picking them up ever since," Simmons said to Engelmann of the pennies. "You're right, though. I'm doing better."
While everyone munched on a doughnut, Engelmann passed out Sacred Heart badges he keeps in his truck.
"This is not something to be worshipped. It's a visual aid. It represents all the love of Jesus," he explained.
Engelmann offered a prayer and then played a verse of "Amazing Grace" on his harmonica. Then he was off to his next stop, Run N Fun sporting goods on Randolph Avenue.
Engelmann became friends with owners Kari and Perry Bach when he was running competitively. Now the Bachs let Engelmann have their closeout shoes for $69 a bag. Any blemished shoes they give to him. Engelmann passes them on to people in need.
The first recipient of the latest stash was Margaret, who asked that The Catholic Spirit use only her first name. On that Saturday afternoon, Engelmann also brought her a dresser to help furnish the apartment she moved into two months ago. He had already supplied the bed, television and television stand.
Engelmann met the older woman when she was living in Minneapolis at Exodus House, Catholic Charities' transitional residence for vulnerable adults. There he runs "Coffee, Doughnuts and Conversation" with Sister Joan Tuberty, a Franciscan Sister of Little Falls. It's an informal group that Sister Joan asked Engelmann to help her with about two years ago.
There residents can talk about personal issues and build community, but Sister Joan, a psychiatric mental health nurse, and Engelmann always try to integrate the faith into the discussion.
Sister Joan first met Engelmann at a Bible study at St. Olaf in Minneapolis several years ago.
"I saw he could connect with the people who are troubled because of his own personal background. He listens and relates," she said. "It's like he arrives and a conversation gets started. He's also lighthearted and playful, which is a wonderful gift to bring to work that's kind of heavy."
Born in Japan to American parents, Engelmann went to six different schools by the time he was in the eighth grade. The family settled in Minneapolis, but, fed up with his mentally ill stepfather, he left home at 14.
"I was a troubled youth," he summarized.
He was also an atheist. Then, in 1986, he had an intense experience of the love of God the Father. At 28 years old, he left his old life behind and got a job on the construction crew remodeling the Days Inn. Shortly thereafter he met his wife, Patrice, with whom he has three children — Serena, 32; Anthony, 25; and Michael, 18. In 1987, he attended his first Mass at St. Mark in Merriam Park.
He eventually worked his way up to manager and part owner of the Days Inn, as well as the former Twins Motor Inn across the street.
In 2011, his faith deepened. That year he was training for an Ironman triathlon and praying rosaries during his long workouts. He also turned off the television and radio, cutting out the sports and news that were with him almost constantly.
"I went to the desert," he explained. "I had no white noise anymore. I was seeing things clearly."
In the silence, he found the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He had been introduced to the devotion in 2011 by Father Humberto Palomino, a member of the Pro Ecclesia Sancta order and pastor of St. Mark. During the Ironman in Oklahoma, he taped a Sacred Heart badge to his arm.
Concentrating on the pain of Jesus over his own pain helped him push to the end, he said, but it brought him more than mental toughness. He increasingly felt a call to serve the least.
Working in hotels, he met many people down on their luck, and though he had always done what he could, he now concentrated more than usual on using his position to help — employee discounts for a family with a child in the hospital, free showers and laundry service for homeless people, and rides home on the hotel shuttle bus for stranded travelers. The words "all in" resonated in his heart.
Engelmann will be the first to admit he lacks balance, so when the Days Inn was sold in 2014 and he had the opportunity to dedicate himself to outreach, he did. He has been picking up doughnuts daily from Sugar Rush since then. There are three additional aspects of the ministry right now — transitional services to help people with furniture, Gifted Souls to give away shoes, and intervention services to help in difficult situations.
Deacon Don Kramer and his wife, Nancy, owners of North Dakota-based I. Keating Furniture, have connected Engelmann to furniture wholesalers in the Twin Cities who supply the furniture that he gives to people he meets in one long chain of human connections, often made on the streets.
"Chris knows that charity is not about handing somebody something. He knows it means you go to them, you look them in the eye, you try to understand their suffering and you try to bring the light of Christ to them," Deacon Kramer said. "He's doing great work with people who are really on the fringes of making it or not."
Engelmann has a number of plans to expand the ministry, but he has done a lot of good already.
With a laugh, Mary Smith, the woman he met in March, said, "Those doughnuts for Jesus really work."
Category: Featured, Year of Mercy


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Software as a Service
SoftElegance is an outsourcing company with wide experience to launch sophisticated SaaS solutions into production. The very first SaaS system for its customer SoftElegance started to developed in 2005. Since then it was successfully launched several sophisticated SaaS systems with ongoing development and support.
Sophisticated Software
Through working on hundreds of projects worldwide, SoftElegance specializes in sophisticated business software development. After more than 20 years of experience in custom software development business, the company obtained valuable expertise for development of high-level software solutions.
Business Processes Automation
SoftElegance is a custom software development company with an experience of successfully launched business processes automation software. Development of custom business processes automation software, instead of implementing modern ERP system is reasonable for totally innovative companies and the ones with the unique business processes.
Software Frameworks and APIs
There are several software engines and frameworks developed by SoftElegance to use it in business applications and software products development. Most of them are frameworks with .NET object API and SoftElegance provides consulting services to integrate or implement all the engines with customer's applications.


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Warren River, Nannup, WA
Last night on Today Tonight they ran a story with footage of large black cats. One can conclude that they do exist but at the same time remain very elusive. Just out of interest Nannup in Western Australia has reported the same sightings over the years however not much over the past few years. However my family ( wife and six children ) travelled to this area to camp at a place called the Warren River, which is about 15 Klm north of Nannup. While driving along a bush track myself and two sons saw a large black cat come onto the track in front of the 4wd, run along the track in front of the car and the turn off back into the bush. The animal was absolutely a panther-looking cat about the height of a large German Shepherd dog. Black, thick legs and tail and definitely a feline. So my account is 100% accurate and no chance it was something else. I don't know that it would still be alive today but they certainly do exist. Andrew
CFZ credit: Paul Clacher


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The Delaware Valley Accountable Care Organization (DVACO), has named Mitchell Kaminski, MD, MBA, as Chief Clinical Officer (CCO) and Jeanette Flood as Vice President of Payor Relations.
"We welcome these two outstanding health care leaders to our organization and value their experience and insight as we continue strengthening our organization's role in ensuring the health care community delivers value-based care throughout the Greater Philadelphia area to support and advance population health in our region," said Katherine Schneider, MD, MPhil, FAAFP, President and CEO, Delaware Valley ACO.
Dr. Kaminski most recently served as Medical Director, Primary Care and Medical Specialties, AtlantiCare Physician Group, and Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Health Solutions Accountable Care Organization, AtlantiCare. Prior to that, he was the Chairman, Department of Family Medicine, at Crozer-Chester Medical Center. In his new role, Dr. Kaminski will develop, deploy and champion a transformational clinical strategy for improving population health outcomes, quality and experience of care, and cost of care for the populations served by DVACO. He will lead all care management and care transformation initiatives and lead physician engagement strategies.
Dr. Kaminski's degrees include an undergraduate degree in Psychology/Zoology from University or Michigan, a medical degree from the University of Michigan School of Medicine and a Master's Degree in Business Administration, Concentration in Medical Services Management, from Johns Hopkins University School of Continuing Education. Board certified in Family Medicine, Dr. Kaminski is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians.
As Vice President of Payor Relations, Flood will be the primary contact for all DVACO's payor negotiations and relationships. In addition, she will serve as a key leader in understanding value based, population health agreements and to create an organization-wide strategic approach to current and anticipated ACO initiatives. Flood has more than 20 years of experience in managed care contracting and hospital and health plan operations, including as Assistant Vice President, Payer Contracting for Jefferson University Hospitals, Network Manager at Aetna and a Director at Cooper University Hospital. She received her Bachelor's Degree from Christian Brothers University in Memphis, TN, and a Master's Degree in Health Administration from Chapman University in Orange, CA.
About Delaware Valley Accountable Care Organization
The Delaware Valley Accountable Care Organization (DVACO) is a limited liability company that is owned by Main Line Health, Jefferson University and Hospitals, Holy Redeemer Health System, Doylestown Health, and Magee Rehab. DVACO's purpose is to enhance the quality of health care and reduce the growth rate of health care costs by acting as a convener, accelerator, and provider of the foundation needed to assist its participating members to transition from fee for service model, a business model focused on volume to a model focused on population health.
DVACO operates under the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) through an agreement with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Currently DVACO is the region's largest Medicare ACO with more than 430 primary care physicians and over 65,000 Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries. Additionally, DVACO currently holds three performance-based contracts with private payers—enhancing DVACO's total number of beneficiaries to above 100,000—a number that will likely increase in the future as DVACO participates with additional insurance payers in population health contracts.


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Archived papers reveal Thatcher secrets
By Holly Wallis
BBC News
- Published
Margaret Thatcher had a secret meeting with Rupert Murdoch at Chequers weeks before his 1981 purchase of the Times newspapers, newly released files show.
A note by her press secretary Bernard Ingham says the prime minister thanked Mr Murdoch for "keeping her posted".
But the contentious issue of whether to refer the bid to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission was not raised.
The official history of the Times had stated there was no direct contact between the pair at that stage.
The papers are being released by the Margaret Thatcher Archive Trust.
The note by Mr Ingham (who became Sir Bernard in 1990) refers to a lunch with Mr Murdoch at Chequers on 4 January 1981, "to be treated Commercial - In Confidence".
It details the News Group chairman's intention to buy the Times newspapers and its supplements from the Thomson family.
Other papers among the archive reveal a hidden rebellion among backbench MPs, Ronald Reagan's doodles, and Margaret Thatcher's letter to a girl whose parents were divorcing.
'Reduction in manning'
According to Sir Bernard, Mr Murdoch told Mrs Thatcher he wished to make the Times operation profitable by introducing new technology and "a 25% reduction in overall manning".
During the meeting, he also stressed "the inevitability of progressing gradually".
"Nor did he accept that printing outside London was an option; he was firmly of the opinion that the titles must be printed in London", wrote Sir Bernard.
The files show the key political question of whether Mr Murdoch's bid should be referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission (MMC) was not considered at the meeting.
At the time, Mr Murdoch already owned the Sun and News of the World newspapers.
The Fair Trading Act 1973 required that all significant newspaper takeovers be submitted to the MMC, unless the Secretary of State certified a paper was unprofitable and under threat of closure.
In the end, this clause enabled the purchase to go ahead without a referral because of major losses at the Times.
Redundancies had already been announced by the Thomsons, which owned the newspaper.
However, the Sunday Times had remained profitable during that period and was expected to return to financial health.
The takeover issue was first discussed in government at the cabinet economic strategy committee on 26 January 1981, chaired by Mrs Thatcher.
Recently-released minutes of the meeting show that the PM began by highlighting the exemption under the Fair Trading Act allowing Mr Murdoch's bid to avoid referral to the MMC.
Chris Collins, the only historian to have studied the papers closely having worked for Mrs Thatcher since 1992, told the BBC the meeting with Mr Murdoch at Chequers was clearly "fresh information".
"He's not setting out some great plan to absolutely transform the British newspaper industry. He's hinting at it, but he certainly doesn't go far in that direction."
Mr Collins said the meeting was "not really an attempt to do a political deal".
"His great asset, which he lays out before her, is that actually he's the only person who wants to keep the Times going... he's in a very strong position and he knows it."
'See you in New York'
Sir Bernard's note finally recalls how "the Prime Minister thanked Mr Murdoch for keeping her posted on his operations".
"She did no more than wish him well in his bid, noting the need for much improved arrangements in Fleet Street affecting manning and the introduction of new technology."
In a letter included in the archive, Mr Murdoch later wrote: "It was kind indeed of you to let me interrupt your weekend at Chequers 10 days ago and I greatly enjoyed seeing you again.
"The Times business is proceeding and the field has contracted down to only two or three of us. Thomsons will make up their mind in the next day or so.
"We hope to see you in New York on the 28 February."
Trouble in Wapping
Following his successful takeover of the Times newspapers, Mr Murdoch established the News International printing plant in Wapping, east London.
It was here in 1986 that violent protests broke out over working conditions and the dismissal of employees.
It became one of Britain's most bitter industrial disputes, lasting a year and effectively breaking the power wielded by print unions over the newspaper industry.
Along with the miners' strike of 1984-1985, the trouble in Wapping is often seen against a background of new legislation to curb the influence of the unions, brought in by Mrs Thatcher.
The revelation of the 1981 meeting between Mrs Thatcher and Mr Murdoch comes after recent evidence given to the Leveson Inquiry revealed an allegedly cosy relationship between the press and politicians in the UK.
The Leveson Inquiry was set up in July 2011 to examine relations between the press, politicians and police following the phone-hacking scandal at News International.
Mrs Thatcher's private papers are among a collection being made available to the public at the Churchill Archive Centre (CAC) in Cambridge and on the website of the Margaret Thatcher Foundation.
The meeting between Mrs Thatcher and Mr Murdoch was specifically denied in The History of The Times, Volume VII, Graham Stewart's book covering events at the newspaper between 1981 to 2002.
The publishers of the Times have not commented on the release of the files.


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Domestic Violence - National Helpline
The helpline is run in partnership between Refuge and Women's Aid. It is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for women experiencing domestic violence. All calls are confidential.
Information and support
Fully trained female workers and volunteers provide support, information and a listening ear. They can help women and children access spaces in refuges across the UK.
We also offer support and information to friends, family members, external agencies and professionals calling on behalf of a woman.
Our aim is to make a woman aware of her options so that she can make informed choices. We discuss the options available to her, empowering her to make her own decisions. We never judge her or tell her what to do.
What if the lines are busy?
- Always call 999 in an emergency
- Keep trying – our quieter periods are evenings, nights and weekends
Who to contact
- Telephone
- 0808 2000 247 Freephone 24 hour
- Website
- Refuge for women and children - Women's Aid
West Berkshire Council do not promote or endorse any of the services listed in this Directory. For more information on this please read our disclaimer.


text: ...from the NY Times..... Q. Is eating deli meats really that bad? Does it make a difference if it's organic, nitrate-free or uncured? A. Meat and poultry are excellent sources of protein, B vitamins and certain minerals, but consuming even small amounts of processed meat … [Read more...] about Deli Meats in large amounts are thought to NOT be good for you…..


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Martin Glass, CEO of EMGE, opened the conference by explaining that the paper industry was in the process of transition between its old legacy and new opportunities. This was expanded upon by main sponsor Mondi in the keynote speech given by Johannes Klumpp, Marketing and Sales Director. Klumpp told delegates that Mondi no longer describes itself as a Paper and Packaging Company, but as a Packaging and Paper Company. Packaging is now the biggest division of Mondi Europe,
In a backdrop of declining demand for woodfree paper in Western Europe, Klumpp stressed that companies in the paper industry need to focus on successfully managing the transitions taking place in the market. One of these is the opportunity of digital printing, which is expected to achieve double-digit growth over the next five years. In contrast, offset printing has declined by 40% in Western Europe over the last ten years, although part of this is due to some production moving to Eastern Europe. Despite the production challenges of digital printing, throughout the conference it was stated as an important growth area for the printing industry. Herbert Hennig, General Manager, NorService, described it as a 'Blue Oean' of opportunity for the sector.
Klumpp concluded his speech by underlining his optimism for the future of paper in the digital age, providing the product portfolio is right. To achieve this, he emphasized the importance for all the value chain, from production to resale, to work together in order to bring products that meet the needs of today's end users.
ADVEO highlights trends in the office supplies channel
The EMGE conference is a perfect forum for the paper industry to find out the latest trends at every level of the value chain. With the first morning focusing primarily on digital printing and new inkjet technology, Casper Luyten, Corporate Director of Business Development and Strategy at ADVEO, took to the floor as one of the afternoon speakers to give insights into how the office products market is evolving. Luyten explained that the market has moved from economic free-fall to recovery, even if this remains weak in some areas. He pointed to globalisation as an important trend, highlighting the first direct freight train to connect China to Madrid last December. This is particularly relevant for relatively low value goods such as office supplies because they can now be transported long distances at low cost. It was no surprise that digitalization was mentioned as another driver for change. However, despite the affects of digital technology in the office environment, Luyten revealed estimates for the French market showing that stationery and consumables will remain important. Stationery and consumables accounted for 73% of the French market in 2014 compared to 27% for other products (Equipment, Furniture, Jan San, Security, Printing and Packaging). In 2020 stationery and consumables is expected to be 60%, which is still the majority of the market. This shows that the best way forward is a combination of digital and traditional products.
Luyten was also confident in the continuing relevance of office supplies in the workplace. A questionnaire carried out November 4-19 with 1750 people who work in an office showed that 94% of those questioned considered office supplies as essential to company success and 87% believe office products contribute to the well-being of employees. Although unsurprisingly competitive prices drove buying decisions (31%), the quality of products (21%) and a wide choice (21%) were high on the list.
Traditional media remains relevant
The continuing relevance of paper and traditional media was underlined by MGA Metro Group. As a major paper user in Europe with buying volumes of €500 million, Metro is well-placed to observe trends in the market. Clemens Hadstein, CFO and Marie Elter, Head of Paper Procurement told delegates that print media remain the basis of its advertising budget with personalised campaigns gaining importance. By looking at individual buying habits, Metro is now able to print a personalised catalogue. Concerning office paper, Elter added that an important trend is taking place concerning buying habits for different grades of office paper. A-grade and C-grade paper have both seen an increase in demand, whereas B-grade is now losing relevance. She added that the quality demanded by customers is increasing.
Looking at the importance of paper quality at a European level was the theme of a thought-provoking speech given by Jean-Pierre Coene, Consultant, Itim International. He argued that culture influences the cut-size business, based on UAI (relationship to uncertainty) scores. Research into UAI in Europe has categorised countries such as Denmark, Sweden and the UK as 'Relaxed, countries' as opposed to Italy, France and Greece, which are labelled 'Anxious countries'. There are a number of differences between these groups, such as end user choice, which is driven by security in Anxious countries, but is more free in Relaxed countries. Coen argued that Relaxed countries with a lower UAI score will have a bigger 'C' segment, while Anxious countries could have a higher 'A' segment.
Not just another commodity
Thirawit Leetavorn, Senior Executive VP from Double A Paper was equally positive concerning the importance of quality in the modern workplace. He explained that Double A has invested heavily in branding, instead of selling paper as just a commodity. He showed the audience one of the Thai company's amusing advertisements on French television aimed at educating the market to show that office paper is not all the same. The results of Double A's marketing campaigns have led to an increased prompted awareness of the brand, from 3% to 32%.
Leetavorn also said that he was touched by the loyalty of French workers at the Alizay mill, which Double A acquired from Metsä Board in 2013 in order to move closer to the European market. Double A is looking to mirror the success it has achieved in Asia, where it has established itself as a leader in markets such as Korea, and a strong presence in the Middle East.
The benefits of a full waste paper basket
During a Round Table Open Forum Heidi Stockum, Procurement and Business Development, MGA Metro Group, made an interesting observation that new media does not replace existing ones, but adds to them, with examples such as television and radio. Therefore, digital media is complementing paper rather than replacing it. Professor Richard Harper, Social Shaping Research Ltd., also argued that office workers work best with paper alongside computer screens. He made an interesting observation that a full waste paper basket in the office is a good sign of productivity and that the paper industry as a whole has not argued this point strongly enough.
The declining market share of paper merchants
Martin Glass of EMGE concluded the conference with a look at distribution channels and brands, along with the trends for office paper. One important statistic, in a year involving the collapse of PaperlinX in Europe and other structural changes, is that the paper merchant channel now accounts for only 48% of sales, falling under 50% for the first time. Glass also presented statistics showing positive short term growth, but believed cyclical changes in the European economy would mean challenges further ahead.
This report has only touched on themes from a selection of speakers at the 2015 EMGE Conference. The next edition is scheduled to take place in 2017 and will have a lot to live up to following the success of the speeches and discussions this year. EMGE is also the paper industry's source for forecasts and research. Details can be found at www.emge.com.
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(Photo by © 20th Century Fox, © Buena Vista, @ Universal)
This 2017 sequel celebrates Father Christmas by doubling the number of moms in the first film. Titular bad moms Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, and Kathryn Hahn butt heads with their own mothers, played by Christine Baranski, Cheryl Hines, and Susan Sarandon, in a comedy that doesn't aspire to much more than a chance for these talented actresses to pass on a little Christmas cheer and chaos. And that they do.
The worst thing Almost Christmas has going for it is also the best thing: it's so familiar. It's a big family coming together for the holidays and they all have their own personal drama and relationships but also there's love there, and more than a few laughs. We've seen this movie before, but we keep seeing it (and studios keep making it) because it works. Like milk and cookies for Santa, comedy-dramas like Almost Christmas and the yuletide are a natural, comforting fit.
No, not the classic animated special featuring Frankenstein's Monster himself, Boris Karloff, as the narrator; that holiday gem sits at 100% on the Tomatometer. This Jim Carrey vehicle, directed by Ron Howard, translates Dr. Suess' whimsical illustrations into live-action, and the results aren't particularly good, for goodness sake. But, while the Dr. Suess-meets-Tim Burton's nightmares aesthetic is a bit unsettling, the comedy holds up — especially in a scene where the Grinch's own echo shouts "you're an idiot" at him.
You've got to appreciate a movie that gives the whole plot away in the title. One of the earliest Ernest films, Ernest Saves Christmas sees Ernest (who began life as a character in local TV commercials) helping Santa Claus as he seeks his replacement. It's kind of a proto-Santa Clause, in a weird way.
Imagine if the worst blowout your family had over a holiday meal was a movie, and also kinda charming and cathartic rather than stressful. That's The Family Stone, which stars the great Diane Keaton as a forceful matriarch and Sarah Jessica Parker as a potential (emphasis on the "potential") future daughter-in-law. Rachel McAdams as a kind of Regina George in sweatpants almost steals the show. Bring tissues.
Four Christmases understands that the holidays can be rough, especially if you're dealing with multiple families who may or may not all like each other and/or you and your partner. This 2008 film – which has developed a following over the past decade – adds some hilarious big-name actors (Vince Vaughn, Reese Witherspoon) to that reality in order to create a movie experience that's a relatable escape. Look out for a very funny turn by Katy Mixon, who would go on to star in American Housewife.
Take the Mother of Dragons and the hot guy from Crazy Rich Asians, mix them with the music of George Michael, bring in Emma Thompson to co-write the script and Paul Feig to direct, and sprinkle a bit of holiday magic over the whole thing, and you're looking at Last Christmas. Look, we get that the story is somewhat predictable — pretty much everyone figured out where it was going just from watching the trailer — and it's all a tad overly sentimental, but with this kind of pedigree, it's hard not to be charmed by its immensely likable stars and its feel-good fuzziness.
It's fair (if a little reductive) to say that The Holiday is what Love Actually would be if it only focused on two couples instead of, like, 25. Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet star as two women who swap homes for the holidays and fall in love with Jude Law and Jack Black, respectively. A little predictable, sure, but in that special way that's warm and reassuring — the Christmas rom-com equivalent of chestnuts roasting on an open fire.
There's something charmingly old-school about Kevin McCallister's second adventure. He travels to New York by mistake thanks to lax airport security regulations, enjoys a New York City that feels bygone for some vague nostalgic reason, and Donald Trump makes a cameo (that was cute, rather than controversial, at the time). But, if remembering Christmases of yesteryear isn't enough for you, Home Alone 2 is worth it if only because it's a hoot to see young Kevin inflict a possibly fatal amount of damage to the hapless Wet Bandits, once again.
If the Jim Carrey-fied live-action Grinch movie (see above) wasn't quite your bag, it's worth checking out this animated update on the iconic Dr. Seuss story. We aren't saying the original animated adaptation isn't also without its charms; it's still a holiday classic worthy of celebration. But the visual upgrade you get with 2018's The Grinch is ridiculously gorgeous, and the film's attempt to, er, "humanize" the Grinch himself — he was an orphan! He has an adorable dog! — is actually touching, even if it robs the character of some of the bite he needs to make his redemption more compelling.
The Ice Harvest is a Christmas movie in the way Die Hard is a Christmas movie: Arguably. Harold Ramis' thriller comedy is set on Christmas Eve, and there's a cool wintery vibe throughout the whole thing. It's enough to make The Ice Harvest a good Christmas watch when you want to come up for some less holly jolly air while still feeling like you're honoring the Christmas spirit.
Jingle All the Way is not just an unfairly maligned Christmas movie — it's also a pretty good Power Rangers movie in disguise. Turbo-Man is a hero for our time, as are dads like Howard Langston (Arnold Schwarzenegger) and Myron Larabee (Sinbad) who, in the true spirit of Christmas (read: capitalism), will brave crowded malls to make sure their kids get the perfect present under the tree on Christmas morn.
A typical workplace Christmas party is either underwhelming (oh, there's fake holly in the break room) or a terrible mistake (how many co-workers did I kiss?). This 2016 comedy is about the latter sort. Starring Jason Bateman, Olivia Munn, and T.J. Miller, Office Christmas Party doesn't quite go so far as to put the "X" in "X-mas," but it certainly earns its R rating, making it a rowdy change of pace for this time of year.
Robert Zemeckis' take on the classic Christmas children's book was extremely ambitious — only problem was that motion-capture technology wasn't quite there yet in 2004, so CGI Tom Hanks and Co. ride the titular train straight through the uncanny valley. You can't help but appreciate what Zemeckis was trying to do, and there's a very sweet Christmas story underneath the eerily smooth textures. In fact, there's a case to be made that the uncanny look of the movie only adds to the surreal holiday magic that propels this mighty train's engines. A case – but not an open-and-shut one.
Another action flick set at Christmastime, Reindeer Games sets itself apart from Die Hard and The Ice Harvest by making the holiday a little more than just scenery. When Ben Affleck and Co. rob a casino, they're all dressed as Santa Clauses (Santas plural, not the Tim Allen kind). Reindeer Games is a pretty thorough fusion of Christmas and kick-ass, which is no small feat.
Kris Kringle doesn't actually do much conquering in this extremely cheap-looking 1964 sci-fi comedy. Instead, Martians kidnap him in order to bring some Christmas cheer to their very boring martian children. Santa Claus Conquers the Martians is the subject of one of the best Mystery Science Theater 3000 episodes, but even without the bots' commentary, it's a hall-of-fame "so bad it's good" flick – every character acts like they're high on a mixture of sugarplums and quaaludes. Also, fun fact: This was the first time Mrs. Claus ever appeared on screen.
The Santa Clause 2 is a charming second reminder to always read the fine print – and one that's just 5% shy of Freshness on the Tomatometer. It's fun to see Tim Allen as a more confident Santa Claus in his second go-around, and the film operates in a neat space thematically. Everything is fantastical and Christmasy, while also being grounded with talk of contracts, parenting, and finding love after divorce. Let's call it "Christmas magical realism."
It doesn't take a lot of work to make the Santa Claus fable horrifying ("he knows when you are sleeping / he knows when you're awake"). So, Silent Night, Deadly Night takes the next logical step and makes an axe-murderer out of him. There are some depictions of mental health in this movie that deserve big lumps of coal, but if you're willing to just accept Silent Night, Deadly Night as a seasonally appropriate '80s slasher, you won't be disappointed.
George Lucas made a habit of going back to update or change parts of the Star Wars films he didn't like for new "special editions," but the one thing he can't do is erase this 1978 TV special from history. Sure, there was a cool cartoon that introduced Boba Fett to the far, far, away galaxy, but the actors all look miserable and/or stoned, large swaths of the dialogue are incomprehensible Wookie-speak, and at one point Chewbacca's grandpa gets noticeably horny. If you haven't seen it, it's worth tracking down this holiday season, if only to see why George hates it so much.
Imagine if Psycho was set at Christmastime and centered on a demented British lady and her mummified daughter instead of a demented American man and his mummified mother. Who Slew Auntie Roo — originally titled Whoever Slew Auntie Roo?, because, British — is excellent counter-programming for all that colorful feel-good Christmas fare.


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As the leader of a national nonprofit organization, I often think about the importance of individual giving to charitable causes. It is an exceptional and admirable characteristic of American culture, and these organizations depend on the generosity of people in order to achieve their work.
According to a report by Giving USA, $290.89 billion of total charitable giving was recorded for the 2010 year. $211.77 billion of that, or 73 percent came from individual donations. This report authenticates not only the generosity of the American individual, but the great responsibility they carry to help organizations and nonprofits sustain and grow their operations.
The holiday season is perhaps when people feel the most accountable to the act of "giving." On every street corner, the ringing bell reminds pedestrians to give to the less fortunate. At the checkout counter, holiday shoppers are asked to donate to a worthy cause. On many Christmas lists, people ask for a gift to their charity of choice in lieu of presents.
My question for the prospective donor is: how do you choose the right cause? In a nonprofit environment saturated with options, I urge everyone to perform their due diligence, and ensure their generous donation is maximizing its effectiveness, especially in a time of great societal need.
There are a couple key characteristics I suggest an organization possess, while one considers making a donation this holiday season:
1. Transparency: Make sure that you are giving to an organization that makes its records available to you. Transparency is a critical asset to ensure your generosity is being utilized for the correct purposes. Organizations bear an obligation to publish critical data.
2. Efficiency: Every organization asking for funds should have a proven history of competency in their cause and direct impact when using donations. The organization is accountable to the donor, to prove a level of professionalism via all aspects of the organization.
3. Relevancy: Is the organization representing a worthy cause? Although subject to personal opinion, it is important to consider what the organization embodies. With so many needs across our community, I urge donors to research and choose an organization which will make a measurable impact on the clients or purpose they serve.
Rebuilding Together is one such organization that fulfills the requirements above. For seven consecutive years, we have been rated as a four-star charity by Charity Navigator, for our outstanding financial stewardship and transparent organizational operations. Our obligation is not only to our mission, but also to those in support of our mission.
A majority of every dollar donated to Rebuilding Together is used for direct program expenses, helping rebuild a home for a low-income family, veteran, elderly neighbor or a community. Our responsible and efficient use of the donors' dollar is of the utmost importance. It separates us from many of our peers, and highlights our ability to maximize each and every donation, in order to focus on what matters most: the people we serve.
Rebuilding Together's core business as a safe and healthy housing organization, is perhaps, more relevant than ever. According to a recent report by the National Low Income Housing Coalition, the D.C. government cut $20 million from housing programs in the past year. This development provides us with a snapshot to the larger, national issue: funding for housing and related discretionary programs will experience further cuts in order to balance our growing national deficit.
The holidays denote family gatherings, crowded dining tables, and a roof under which to celebrate such festivities. However for many low-income Americans, the most vulnerable of our population, this is not the reality.
What is their reality? Homelessness, shelters, or a crumbling house. Affordable, clean and decent housing has become a rarity for many struggling families. The U.S. Census reports that a record number of Americans -- nearly 1 in 2 -- have fallen into poverty or their minimal earnings classify them as low-income. In a time of government cutbacks, we can hardly afford not to help families remain in their homes. Indeed, until our economy shows signs of a real turnaround, the hardship that we are observing may become the permanent reality for millions of families.
In our own ways, Rebuilding Together and many other nonprofit organizations are working diligently across thousands of communities to serve the needs of those that have suffered the most in these challenging times. For us, helping our most vulnerable homeowners, allowing them to stay in their home and invest back into their community, is both a challenge and an obligation that we fully embrace.
This holiday, let's reinvest in communities and help our fellow neighbors. Whether you donate locally or nationally through your dollars or your time, you can make a difference. To learn more about Rebuilding Together, visit www.RebuildingTogether.org and learn how you can become part of the solution to a national problem.
Let's bring our families home for the holidays.
How to vote
Register by: Varies by state
Your vote is your voice! It is your right and your responsibility. For your voice to be heard, in most states you must register before you can vote. Visit the state elections siteRegister to Vote
Vote-by-mail ballot request deadline: Varies by state
For the Nov 3 election: States are making it easier for citizens to vote absentee by mail this year due to the coronavirus. Each state has its own rules for mail-in absentee voting. Visit your state election office website to find out if you can vote by mail.Get more informationTrack ballot status
In-person early voting dates: Varies by state
Sometimes circumstances make it hard or impossible for you to vote on Election Day. But your state may let you vote during a designated early voting period. You don't need an excuse to vote early. Visit your state election office website to find out whether they offer early voting.My Election Office
General Election: Nov 3, 2020
Polling hours on Election Day: Varies by state/localityMy Polling Place


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I've said this many times, but those who know me, know that music lyrics are a big deal in my opinion.
Lyrics spark influence, give testimony, speak truth, empower communities, educate, and allows listeners to see from the perspective of the artist.
Akoben b.k.a. "Mr. Move Pencil" creates music that exudes all of these things.
Who is Akoben you ask? — He is an up and coming hip hop artist hailing from Troy, Alabama.
And yes, you read it right — I decided to virtually travel to the dirty south to ride the wave of this educated, hip-hop artist who's on a path to make change in the black community perspective with his vocal art.
Akoben — it means Vigilant in West Africa. He's a real black man. A black man who's concerned about real, black community issues and realities we all face; known and unknown; gritty or glamorous. He addresses it. In an interview with Rated Ransom, Akoben shared moments of his music journey and inspiration through vivid, candid storytelling.
— thanks Akoben. You're a rising star.
Hope you enjoy learning about his life and lessons.
Rated Ransom (RR): Who are some artists that have inspired you to rap?
Akoben: I'm sure I will show my age with this one — OutKast, Bone thugs n Harmony, Wu Tang, Bob Marley, Earth Wind and Fire, Duke Ellington, and Bob James just to name a few. And last but not least and most importantly of all, Queen Mother, My Earth, Kathy Lightfoot.
RR: When did you start your music career?
Akoben: I started at a very young age. My mother was a choir director and assistant band director at Charles Henderson High School. She also hustled [with her] music on the side by playing piano, and she sang for high profile gigs throughout the state and southeast. I played in concert and marching bands from 6th grade through college at Troy University, where I marched in The Sound of The South. I wrote my very first rhymes in the band room at Charles Henderson High School.
RR: Do you feel there is a difference between rap and hip-hop?
Akoben: KRS-One teaches us that rap is something that you do, and Hip Hop is something you live. And that is what I believe.
RR: What's your music genre brand?
Akoben: We do a southern brand of hip hop. However, ReGG and I are very well rounded students of the game, ourselves, and our culture. We have a very wide lyrical range ensuring we are never confined to any box. But make no mistake, we represent the durty!!
RR: Do you consider your music rap or hip-hop?
Akoben: We are hip hop without question. We are also damned good rappers but we get out here and do the work in our communities.
RR: In the past 10 years, who would you say the hottest mainstream rap artists have been?
Akoben: Great question. I think this one is all about personal taste. For the last 10 years only one artist has remained in my playlist and that is Big KRIT. Not one act has been more consistent and true to themselves — all while still evolving within the game. Keeping up with the sounds and waves that carry the culture. Dude is highly underrated. Much like The Nu! Breed….but we will wake them up soon.
RR: Name some artists across all genres who you'd like to work with?
Akoben: I would love to do a collab with Lizzo and Rihanna. They have the culture's short hairs right now. And the music they make transcends all demographics. I always wanted to work with Linkin Park (Rest in Power to Chester) — I can't think of another act that blended hip-hop and rock so effortlessly. I would also like to work with Flying Lotus, The Deftones, John Legend, Damian Marley, Idris Elba, Bone Thugs, Missy, Nas, and Method Man.
RR: Advice for rising artists.
Akoben: My advice would be, get out of your comfort zone. Leave your hometown and go find new faces to [showcase] your music to. Work on your craft daily. Stop focusing on image and clout — and be yourself. Learn as much of the business as you can. And most of all, Keep God First.
RR: Your plans and hope for the community and those who've been there from the beginning?
Akoben: My journey has led me to extraordinary places. From hitting stages all over the southeast region to now owning my own recording studio in my city. Growing up here, there weren't many places to grow a healthy passion for hip-hop. It is and always have been a city catering to wealthy white Dixie culture. My generation of entrepreneurs has set out to change that. I plan on continuing to show the next generation how to empower themselves through music. I hope that the city will finally embrace all of its local talent and help elevate them all to superstar status. Alabama still needs to get out of its own way at times but our musical potential is limitless. When I opened my studio I named it Akoben. The term is West African for Vigilant, and its symbol is the Warhorn. Maybe through the collective noise we make daily, we will finally kick the door in for Alabama. The difference is Akoben plans on staying because we've got something to say……#soundthawarhorn
RR: Anticipated Concerts/Performances?
Akoben: We have a major performance in Dothan Alabama at the monthly City Festival called Foster Fest. I also own a recording studio and several of my artists will be joining us.
RR: What are your upcoming projects? What's next?
Akoben: I am part of the 3x Alabama Music Award Nominated group, Nu! Breed of Alabama. And we have a project dropping in November called "R.A.O." which means Revolution Aggression Originality. My solo project entitled "For a Limited Time Only" will drop this December. In the meantime, go check out singles from the camp. You know about my hit single "DAILY ROUTINE"- MOVE PENCIL. But also grab my brother-in-rhyme's blazing track, "DON'T SPEAK" – REGG aka ASANI ASAD. And our group single "2 MANY" – NU! BREED of ALABAMA. All works can be found on all major streaming platforms.
#Akoben #Alabama #HipHop #MovePencil #NuBreed #Revolution #Community #Music
#DurtySouth #DirtySouth #Artist #influencer #rap #family #inspiration #blogger #Chicago #ratedransom #Vigilant #soundthewathorn


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Before she rocketed to stardom in the role of Katniss Everdeen in "The Hunger Games" series, Jennifer Lawrence's star was on the rise after being nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in "Winter's Bone."
In May of 2011, Jennifer sat down with "Extra" special correspondent Steve Santagati as she promoted her then upcoming movie, "X-Men: First Class," in which she played Mystique.
The two chatted about the body image pressures faced by young women in Hollywood, the pros and cons of being an actress, and what they plan on shooting with their newly bought slingshots.


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Punishment is the act of attacking an opponent while they are vulnerable, usually from using an attack with slow start-up lag at a non-opportune time or having missed an attack with high ending lag. For example, the Falcon Punch is a punishable move since it has long start-up and ending lag; if Captain Falcon uses it against an active and expecting opponent or if the move's target is able to avoid the attack, they have ample time to launch a counterattack. Characters can also be punished if their attack is shielded, such as via shield grabbing or out of shield attacks. An attack that is difficult to punish is usually known as "safe", usually due to having low ending lag and/or large hitboxes that are difficult to get around. A move's power can make punishment seem more dangerous; some players may choose to avoid the forward smashes of Ike and King Dedede rather than attempt to punish them simply because of the risk involved.
Some characters can use attacks with super armor for a unique kind of punish: for example, Warlock Punch in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U can punish a bad attacking decision (such as aledge attack) due to its small amount of super armor, while Little Mac's smash attacks all provide enough super armor for him to punish any sort of laggy attack, weak or strong, by simply plowing through it.
Characters can also be punished if they have used a move that causes helplessness, or they are in a position where their only recovery option is obvious and predictable.


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Webinar: Health Insurance in the Agricultural Sector
C-FARE-NCRCRD Webinar: Health Insurance in the Agricultural Sector
December 11 at 12 PM ET
The 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act altered incentives for how individuals and employers engage in the health care market. Two researchers will discuss how health insurance availability and coverage impacts farm households and farmer, rancher, extension workers, and technical assistant decisions. Participants will hear how health insurance influences farmers' decisions to invest, expand and grow their enterprises; contributes to workforce vitality; and impacts farm enterprises given insurance market variability across states. Some review of the impact of the law on the structure of agriculture will be discussed. This is an interactive webinar so participants will be able to raise issues and ask questions.
- Moderator: Scott Loveridge, Professor Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics Michigan State University and Director, NCRCRD
- Shoshanah Inwood, Rural Sociologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Community Development and Applied Economics, University of Vermont.
- Mary Ahearn, Senior Economist, Retired from USDA ERS; Editor of Choices Magazine for the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association; Vice-Chair for the Council on Food, Agriculture, and Resource Economics.


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Kanuhura, Maldives Honeymoon
This retreat to the tropical oasis Kanuhura, Maldives is a sublime location to celebrate your marriage.
Kanuhura in the Maldives is no ordinary destination. It's the tropical oasis that weaves its way into your wildest dreams; a destination you could never forget. At Kanuhura, topaz waters and palm-fringed beaches act as the backdrop to incredible signature experiences. These authentic moments have the power to ignite your soul and turn into treasured timeless memories.
Honeymoon Includes:
- International flights with Emirates
- Return seaplane transfers
- Stay 10 nights in a Beach Bungalow
- Bed & Breakfast
Kanuhura, Maldives Honeymoon
Melia Grand Hermitage
Bulgaria, Europe
Some oTher Hotel
With Hotel Info
Kanuhura, Maldives Honeymoon Enquiry
Solo Keith Display


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BakFlip BakBox vs. Fold-a-Cover Personal Caddy
Both the BakBox and the Personal Caddy are toolboxes that integrate with their perspective hard folding tonneau covers. The BakBox is compatible with different Bakflip products and the Personal Caddy is compatible with the G4 Elite Fold-a-Cover. The three main differences between these toolboxes are the build quality, storage capacity, and security.
The BakBox needs to be assembled when it arrives and is secured using Velcro straps. It also comes with a plastic 'pencil type' tray for additional storage. The Personal Caddy is custom fit for each application and pre-assembled with a solid aluminum frame. The Personal Caddy also has an optional built in optional aluminum sliding tray for additional space to organize smaller items.
The storage capacity of the BakBox is just over 4 cubic feet. This makes it difficult to store larger items in it while still being able to close the tonneau cover. The Personal Caddy has a capacity up to 10.3 cubic feet depending on the truck make and model. This allows for larger items to be held such as golf clubs, tools, and groceries while still being able to fully close the cover.
The BakBox offers no form of security unless the tailgate is lockable. If the tailgate is open the BakBox is completely vulnerable and accessible. The Personal Caddy, on the other hand, sits below the Fold-a-Cover's front panel giving it the ability to open and lock independently from the rest of the truck bed. You can have the rest of your truck bed unlocked and accessible while having the contents of the Personal Caddy Locked and secured.


text: May 18, 2017 Skyline Tagged: Film Film (2010). Rogue presents a Hydraulx Entertainment/Transmission Entertainment/Relativity Media production in association with Rat Entertainment. Directed by Greg and Colin Strause. Written by Joshua Cordes and Liam O'Donnel. Cast includes Eric Balfour, Brittany Daniel, Donald Faison, Scottie Thompson and David Zayas. 94 minutes. Colour. Urban counterpart to Monsters (2010), made on a comparative shoestring in and around Greg Strause's apartment building, in which Los Angeles (see California) is attacked overnight by a bolide storm of tentacled Aliens bent on hypnotizing us into compliance and eating our brains. A showcase for the Strauses' digital creature effects as much as their filmmaking, it leans on Cloverfield (2008) for its essential storyline, though here served with a tongue-in-cheek sensibility and a bizarrely unfollowable ending (talk of a sequel notwithstanding). The Strauses worked concurrently on effects for the similarly-themed but tonally very different Battle: Los Angeles (2011); legal action by Sony was eventually withdrawn. [NL] links Internet Movie Database Previous versions of this entry 10/08/2011 20/12/2011 17/02/2014 14/10/2014 21/10/2014 14/10/2014 02/04/2015 09/04/2015 16/02/2017


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I've been trying to create a csv file of all the members of an AD but since some groups have members from another trusted domain, these users are not showing up. I also tried outputting users in a text file by using:
dsquery group -name "Group Account Name" | dsget group -members -expand > C:users.txt
and failing. Does someone know if what I'm trying to do is possible?


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On today's Newsbreak, Kat Meyers brings us a weekend update of UM's latest campus fundraiser, the presidential race, and the investigation into the Panama Papers.
Newsbreak is a 90 second news update on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays that provides the University of Miami community with vital information.
Watch this show anytime online.


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Secret AppLock can lock contact, call, Privacy, photos,Security, Messenger, mail
by secretapplock
Secret AppLock is an App Locker , App Protector, privacy guard that will protect your installed applications using a password, pattern, Gesture, Pin Lock! PIP lock screen Theme
Easy to use pass code security to securing your apps. Secret AppLock - App Protector can lock your gallery, contact, call, e-mail, SMS, photo or any app in your android phone or tablet.
App Lock - Protect Photo, Video, all security apps & game
Features :
- Protects privacy installed Apps using password Pin Lock, Password, Gesture or Pattern. Size is too small as much phone memory as other applocker. Lock your SMS, Mail, Album Gallery,Contacts, Browsers Main Application. App Lock Also Lock Social Application Like IM Messenger, Video Editor, Photo Editor, Messenger, JIO Application Easily.
3D Secure Scan
- Lock Google Play to prevent buy games. Prevent harm to your device with real-time scanning of new Google Play Apps and updates. Power saving mode to save battery !
Privacy Guard Lock
No Tension to hidden anything like Secret Messages , Naughty Chat,Girlfriend talk , Secret talk because You can lock your Android all secret app Facebook, WhatsApp, Line, Messenger, SMS, Contacts, Gmail, Google+ etc...., Gallery Images, Music Player, Video Player, Casino Game with Secrete Lock or secret Password.
Easily To use app Hide/lock for Android Device
You can hide or lock your app from your android device with password protection.!
Phone Setting
Wi-Fi , Bluetooth , Mobile data and Data Sync, these are all protected. CM AppLock is a best AppLock Pro !
Photo vault and Video vault
you can hide your Dirty Images, Hot Video From Gallery from your android Mobile. Protect private memories easily.
Change Password
We support many types of lock screen Password :
Lock screen pattern
Lock screen password
Lock screen keypad
Lock screen Gesture
You can pick individual app from the list view of apps for password protection. It has keypad like iPhone
- Lock incoming and outgoing calls
Additional Feature :
- Boost Advanced Protection: Secure prevent AppLock being killed by task killer
- Unlock sound on/off
- Most Powerful Protection
- It is easy to use, beautiful also keypad like iPhone
- Protect your phone, nobody can access your phone without password
- Change background of lock screen with many beautiful wallpapers
- Support phone, tablet devices
- lock files Decrypt & encrypt file
- Intruder Selfie AppLock - security scan privacy apps and private photo to hide.
- Lock switch: WiFi, Bluetooth and 3G/4G Data
- CALL BLOCKING, SAFE BROWSING Using AppLock
- Fingerprint password, Force stopped cover coming soon
Frequently asked Questions:
1-How you can get your forgotten password?
By using forget password functionality you can get your password in valid email.
2. Why Secret AppLock not working in SAMSUNG, SONY devices run Android 5.0
- Cause Android system update so you need to allow AppLock access Usage Stats in phone, So please turn on Usage Stats by below guide: Settings app -> Security -> Usage Stats -> turn on for Secret AppLock for Android
Your apps fully protected and only you can access it!
Contact Secret AppLock :
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/secretapplock
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/secretapplock
Twitter https://twitter.com/secret_applock
Email [email protected]
Facebook Guideline https://m.facebook.com/ads/ad_choices
|retrieve running apps
|find accounts on the device
|read the contents of your USB storage
|modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
|take pictures and videos
|read phone status and identity
|view network connections
|full network access
|close other apps
|run at startup
|draw over other apps
|control vibration
|prevent device from sleeping
|modify system settings
|send package removed broadcast
|delete apps
|directly install apps
|update component usage statistics
|retrieve running apps
|modify secure system settings
|receive data from Internet


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Mike York
What was the very first record you bought?
What about audio tapes?! My first tape was SPLIFF's – 85555 or Herzlichen Glückwunsch 😉 Ok, seriously … I bought two 12"- Maxi – Singles. Billy Idol's – Flesh For Fantasy and Mike Oldfield's – To France. The Spliff tapes and the Idol 12" are still a part of my record cabinet!
What is the most expensive record have you bought?
Hmmmm, maybe the first Sisters Of Mercy 7" – Damage Done … or a 10" bootleg box by The Mission (Lim. Edition of 10) … or a testpressing of Mission's – Like A Hurricane … or the ultra rare Zimbabwe pressing of Mission's – Gods Own Medicine (Only a few were pressed for the white population and then they quickly made handbags out of it. No joke! 😉 ) … or, or or … I don't know, but it must be a Sisters or Mission record, haha! 😉
What are your 5 very favorite bands ever?
Play Dead, The Mission, Sisters of Mercy, The Cult, The Cramps … only 5 bands? Are you kidding me? 😉
Name 5 bands that have changed your life?
Spliff – they led me from a child to a teen. Sisters Of Mercy – they gave me the soundtrack to the feelings I had as a teen. Coroner – No More Color helped me through very hard times. Love Like Blood (with Marc Wheeler) – they gave me a goal as a guitarist. The Mission – love at first sting & a love that never dies, haha! 😉
Name your 3 favorite Gothic Fests?
Hm, I loved the Zillo-Festival in the 90s … but that's fucking long ago … I don't like too big festivals! These days I like smaller, more familiar festivals like the Gotham Sounds Fest, Sacrosanct … e.g.
Name your 3 favorite gigs as a musician and as fan?
The Mission – from '87 until today Fields – Cologne '88 (ever-present because I own the bootleg from the gig) Coroner – '88 … what the hell are these guys doing?! Impressive and ahead of the times!
Name the most 3 influential albums for you as an artist
Play Dead – all The Mission – The first 3-4 albums -> Hussey & Hinkler! Love Like Blood – An Irony Of Fate -> M. Wheeler
Describe yourself with 3 adjectives
Empathetic and an -extroverted introvert -. But it's better to ask my friends!
What is the most overrated gothic band?
I don't like to "diss" other artists. But I don't understand why some of the bands of these days are operating under the label "gothic" … 😉
What is the most underrated gothic band?
Play Dead – for me the holy grail, but for a much too long time they passed out of mind. Fortunately they receive a late appreciation I think.
In which band would you have liked to play live?
The Mission … Cramps … Cult … I don't know … But hey, I have the honour to play with Sweet Ermengarde, and I had an amazing time with Garden of Delight (and actually we play some shows in 2016!) … close enough! 😉
Name 3 new gothic bands that have caught your attention lately? 3
bands? Forget it! 😉 Beastmilk/Grave Pleasures, Nine Day Decline, People Of Nothing, Schonwald, Foreign Resort, Salvation AMP, Lotus Feed to name only a few (…)
Gothic Rock or Post Punk and why?
Why "or"? Both – no ifs, no buts!


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|Wed 22 May 2019, 5:15pm–6:15pm
|Wed 3 Jul 2019, 5:15pm–6:15pm
|Wed 14 Aug 2019, 5:15pm–6:15pm
|Wed 25 Sep 2019, 5:15pm–6:15pm
|Wed 6 Nov 2019, 5:15pm–6:15pm
Additional fees may apply
These classes give you, the expectant mother an opportunity to tune inwards and focus on your growing belly with a new sense of awareness.
Prenatal classes are flowing, nourishing and encourage women to tune in with and trust their intuition. Attention is given to your changing body, releasing areas of tension, and reconnecting with both yourself and baby. We build in time to pause and surrender, yet feel strong and empowered throughout the classes (and pregnancy). Classes are suitable for any stage of pregnancy, you will be led how to adapt the postures as necessary to suit your body and trimester.
You may already be familiar with some of the poses, but prior yogic knowledge is not necessary as we will be working around these classic poses with mindfulness and care to create a sense of nurturing and peace, bringing flexibility to mind and body.
This is a time for us to feel comfortable and secure in taking care of ourselves, with the motto of "what is good for mother is good for baby". (Ana Davies) Baby Bliss Yoga.
Each class will be especially suited to the various stages, levels or energy experienced during pregnancy to support your body most to enter into labour and beyond with ease. We will cover safety guidelines and benefits of pregnancy yoga over the coming weeks, with some helpful mindsets to develop during pregnancy.
Benefits of Prenatal Yoga:
- Builds strength
- Helps relieve aches and pains
- Teaches you to breathe
- Teaches balance
- Helps you open your hips for childbirth
- Relieves anxiety
- Helps you bond with your baby
- Teaches you how to rest on command
- Encourages confidence
Wednesday Evenings:
5.15pm - 6.15pm
Run on a continuous 6-week rotation. Commit for just 6 weeks or for your entire pregnancy.
6 weeks $125.
Casual $25 (if space available).
Places are limited.
Bookings and prepayment is necessary to secure your place in class. We do accept casual students in our pregnancy classes however you will need to check on availability in case the course is already full.
Your Prenatal Instructor:
Classes will be taught by Beth Ivy Buxton
Beth completed her 200hr teacher training with Ashram Yoga last year, and a specialist certificate in Fertility, Prenatal and Post Natal Yoga (including Ayurveda and yogic philosophy) earlier this year. Having started her yoga journey over 15 years ago, it wasn't until motherhood that her practice really became interwoven within her life – both on and off the mat.
Witnessing first-hand the grounding and transformative effects of yoga, and its ability to help her navigate the transitions and challenges of motherhood, Beth felt deeply called to share yoga with other mothers and mothers-to-be.
She is passionate about holding space for other women and using yogic tools and philosophies to create more ease in daily life. She has a deep interest in wellness and Ayurveda and weaves these into the class structure alongside asana (postures), breathing and relaxation.
As well as teaching yoga, Beth is a mother of two small children, a trained Arts Therapist and is currently completing further study as a Postnatal Doula.
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Nokia Lumia 2520: New Ad – For Work. For Play.December 18, 2013 No Comments
Here is an… interesting new ad by Nokia UK comparing the Lumia 2520 Windows Tablet to a mullet. Not one of my favorite ads but worth a look. Nokia Lumia 2520: For Work. For Play. Balancing business and pleasure isn't easy. Keep the mullet alive. For work. For play. For the Nokia Lumia 2520.


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Mary Poppins Returns Review
If you've ever seen Saving Mr. Banks then you know the hardship that Walt Disney went through in order to get P.L. Travers to give her blessing on Mary Poppins. Although he eventually got his wish, P.L. Travers ultimately hated the film. So Travers made the decision to never again have her precious Mary Poppins adapted on screen ever again. Therefore, it comes as a huge surprise to find out that Walt Disney Studios is once again creating another Mary Poppins film. But is Mary Poppins Returns able to bring back the magic of the original fifty years later?
In a way, it does. Mary Poppins Returns doesn't quite reach the same stratospheric height as the original but it's a musical spectacle that'll definitely delight people of all ages.
Mary Poppins Returns follows Michael Banks who is going through a really rough patch. Not only is he raising his children alone but his family home is in danger of being repossessed too. In dire need of help, a familiar face comes from the sky in order to get Michael's family back on track once again.
Needless to say, creating a sequel to a timeless classic is an extremely tall task. However, creating a sequel to a Disney timeless classic is nearly impossible to do. Although the film doesn't quite reach the same heights as the original, that doesn't make it a bad sequel. In fact, Mary Poppins Returns is quite good. The film is as magical and imaginative as the original. There's an inherent charm to the film as far as modern Disney musicals go. However, the childlike playfulness of the original seems to be missing from this version. It just goes to show you how much Walt Disney's influence is sorely missed from this film. Instead, this feels more like a run-of-the-mill flashy Hollywood musical than a Mary Poppins film.
Speaking of musical, the music in Mary Poppins Returns isn't as good as the original either. It's not really that surprising since the original had so many classics from the Sherman brothers. Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman do their very best in tapping into the spirit of the Sherman brothers' songs. While half of the original songs aren't that catchy, the other half are all gems. They include "Nowhere to Go But Up," "The Place Where Lost Things Go," "A Conversation," "(Underneath the) Lovely London Sky," and "Trip a Little Light Fantastic."
The one thing that Mary Poppins Returns gets right is with its focus on the story. The plot for the film is both sad and very heartfelt. The story takes Jane and Michael Banks into some really sad places. Of course, this sad story is the reason why Mary Poppins does come back into their lives. They need help more than ever.
But the development of the main storyline comes to a standstill when the film reaches into one of its musical numbers. As a result, the film doesn't flow as well as it should. At the same time, the musical numbers follow a similar story beat to the original film. Of course, if you're a fan, you'll recognize some of the similarities between the original and this one. In addition, there are certain side stories that never really fully develop in the film. Thus, it makes you wonder if they're saving the film for a potential third film.
Regardless, Emily Blunt does a fantastic job as the new Mary Poppins. Of course, no one can ever, ever, ever, EVER replace Dame Julie Andrews as Mary Poppins. However, she does a great job keeping the spirit of the character intact. Her mannerisms, quick wit, and subtle sarcasm are alive and well in Blunt's performance. Lin-Manuel Miranda also does a great job being a sidekick to Mary Poppins. Much like Dick Van Dyke's Bert, he's simply there to provide musical and storyline support. Regardless, he still provides an immensely better British accent than poor Dick Van Dyke.
Ben Whishaw is easily the film's biggest standout, performance wise. He provides so much emotion and heart to the film as many of the film's heartbreaking scenes come from him. Of course, our feelings toward his performance is only amplified by the fact that he's playing Michael Banks. Colin Firth gives a pleasing performance as the villain of the film. He's able to play two sides to his character, a devious one, and a kind and gentle one.
Overall, Mary Poppins Returns is an extravagant and enchanting sequel to a timeless classic. The film doesn't quite come close to the same height as the original, but then again, the film does improve on the original through the wonders of modern storytelling. It's safe to say that Mary Poppins Returns brings back magic and imagination to theaters once again. It's good to see you again, Mary.
Rating: 4/5 atoms


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Chevron Agrees To Uranium Clean Up On Navajo Nation
August 02, 2011
Chevron, USA is the latest in a series of companies asked to clean up uranium on the Navajo Nation.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its Navajo Nation counterpart have assessed hundreds of abandoned uranium mines as part of an effort to address the contamination that has left a legacy of death and disease on the reservation.
EPA spokesman Clancy Tenley said Chevron has agreed to survey and clean up the 31-acre Mariano Lake Mine site, nearby homes and water wells.
"We're working to make sure every responsible party takes steps needed to protect Navajo families from radioactive contamination," Tenley said.
Exposure to elevated levels of radium - a toxic element in uranium - over a long period of time can result in bone cancer, kidney failure, anemia, cataracts and fractured teeth.