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As a dynamic and creative public relations agency, Weber Shandwick is always looking for the best and brightest, but where do our future bright stars come from and how are they educated? Is a college degree the currency in our labor market that it once was or are other learning programs and real-life experience challenging our traditional higher education model? When we talk of the value of higher education, the added layer is the cost. There is more student loan debt than credit card debt in the U.S. With public funding being slashed for universities and tuition rates on the rise, are students and businesses getting the best rate of return from higher ed?
These questions and more are being raised through a collaborative series of events, "Hacking Edu: From Tower to Town Square," presented by Four Peaks and powered by UW's MCDM this April (Disclosure: Weber Shandwick is a proud sponsor). The goal of Hacking Edu is to boldly re-imagine higher education through a month-long crowdsourced response.
I had the pleasure of attending the kick-off of Hacking Edu last week with a crowd-sourcing of ideas and a conversation between John Cook, co-founder of Geekwire, and Ben Huh, head of Cheezburger Inc. Both appropriately raised more questions than they answered as they discussed their personal experience and attitudes on what makes higher education valuable and how it currently serves or underserves our economy.
So what is the value of college and how can we change the system to create more value? The conversation between Cook and Huh highlighted the social value of the college experience, the networks that it provides, and the social glue that a collective experience can offer. But in our super "social" world, do we need to take out student loans in order to build a network? I think not.
I know my stellar network has come from my professional experience and determination, not from my alumni network, but that doesn't mean my college education isn't valuable. A college degree is still a critical social signal for businesses. I know my master's degree has opened up doors for me, even if I don't use my extensive knowledge of Russian intellectual history in my day-to-day work at Weber Shandwick. If the conversation at Hacking Edu was any indication, the value of the college degree is waning for businesses who are demanding new approaches and practical experience and, for students, who are creating their own learning opportunities and crafting careers beyond the normal path of a high-priced four-year degree.
Hacking Edu is a vital community conversation with an ambitious goal – sourcing one great idea to improve higher education and garnering the support to make it happen. I look forward to the rest of the series. Interested? Get engaged on Thursday, April 19 for Hacking Edu on Four Peaks TV and the culmination event on Thursday, April 25 with Peter Diamandis, CEO of X PRIZE.


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This session takes place from 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM. Registration begins at 8:00 AM.
Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT):
This one-day training is a type of behavioral intervention that introduces the client's Concerned Significant Other (CSO) into therapy. A CSO can be a loved one that is concerned about the client's using behavior. It is intended to provide an alternative to nagging, pleading, or threatening the client into treatment. It teaches the CSO how to use behavioral tools to encourage the client to seek treatment. This training equips trainees with the knowledge and skills necessary to facilitate this behavioral intervention. *Please Note: This training does NOT fulfill the requirement for ASAM Criteria Skill Building. This training is meant to be taken as a supplemental course.
To register for the CRAFT training please click February 04, 2020

subset: commoncrawl


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A while back I wrote a blog post explaining the difference between NoOps and DevOps - with a slant from the Information Security perspective.
If you haven't checked it out yet, I encourage you to do so as a primer to this post, and to get a more grounded understanding of where my head's at when it comes to addressing the NoOps movement.
The most important thing to remember is that I'm centering the idea of NoOps not around the disappearance of the operations team, but rather on the extreme level of automation that is required in a NoOps type of approach to application lifecycle management.
I'm actually quite excited about the notion of NoOps and what it could mean for the security posture of applications... but I'm not delusional and also understand there are plenty of opportunities to get it just as wrong as we are now across the board. Automation is never a bad thing, since it minimizes the error rates introduces by humans.
Any time we can remove additional opportunities for error is a good thing for security, you have to admit. On that premise alone we can start to at least be a teencie bit happy knowing automation could take care of some of the common issues we have with human beings missing patches, configuration issues, and introducing bugs as a result of oversight.
Automation is all well and good though, but you have to ask yourself how much automation you can introduce into a system like a software development and release cycle before you hit the limits of automation. Security tends to be one of those areas where we hit that automation glass ceiling relatively quickly and while technology continues to mature - we're still going to need manual labor in the equation to get security right.
More to my point - you can't test your code secure (without human interaction), even with the best automation in the known universe.
What can we expect from a NoOps-based approach to software development and release, when it comes to security? Let's look at the areas where I think Information Security can continue to have an impact, and what I think the resultant processes will be.
- pre-development - Before code is written generally there is some sort of formal requirement gathering loop which is different depending on the type of development methodology used, but always has some sort of starting point. Security should absolutely continue to influence and be visible in this stage of software development, through tools that enable the pull-along of security-based best-practice, requirements, and components.
- development - Without thinking twice I can surely tell you that information security has a dual role to play in the development stages of a NoOps strategy. In this type of release methodology, odds are you're following some sort of rapid-release cycle which means that development windows are relatively small compared to the standard waterfall approach... going from months or weeks to days or hours. If information security has any hope of reducing the number of net-new introduced security-based defects in this very critical stage we need a dual approach - education and automation. You'll need to have developers baseline educated in at least high-level security issue identification and remediation - and then you're going to have to equip those developers with amazing tools that integrate into their workstreams so they can get the code written with as few bugs as possible. I really feel that it is in this type of high-pressure, short-timeline environment that massively parallel scan farms will provide tremendous value, cutting scan times of code down from hours to possibly minutes. The feedback loop back to the developer has to be pin-point precise too, giving as little false-positive information as possible while providing tested and verified advice on where, how, and when to fix the issues identified.
- build/deploy- Without a doubt this stage is at the hear of NoOps, and security here is critical. Utilizing a modern mix of white box tools, tight build integration with the existing environment, and the power of the cloud (think PaaS environments pre-built with security templates!) the developer has a snowball's chance of getting code into the pre-production stages with minimal net-new risk introduced! Perhaps I'll expand on this in a future post...
- testing - While there may or may not be a formal step in the NoOps cycle for actual testing - some organizations let their users be their guinnea pigs, after all - there is always an opportunity to perform some security testing. You have two options here, depending on your situation. If your organization is utilizing a dev/test > production environment separation using something like a cloud platform (private or public cloud) then security testing has a chance to be run in the dev/test environment during any type of regular testing, time permitting. Even if there is no time, the beauty of cloud computing allows us to clone off an entire application for security testing in a non-volatile, non-critical environment that is disposable once we're done testing. In the second option you can even leverage hybrid testing to gain additional insight into the application's defects and source code connections.
- monitoring - Lest we forget, the release cycle doesn't end after that application or piece of code goes live. Even if you've simply managed to improve a search function, moved a text box, or added some new AJAX calls... you're going to want to make sure you monitor that release to make sure that you're not running up against environmental constraints, hitting bugs in the code, or getting attacked/hacked. Utilizing strong monitoring with hooks built directly into the application and advanced logging we can track attacks from network, to security appliance, to application server to database where the SQL Injection was executed... and potentially stop it before it leaves the network!
All in all, the NoOps approach to software release provides a fantastic opportunity to tightly integrate security principles and best-practices... but we've got to get it right. If you're in a position to implement security during one of these cycles, spend time analyzing how the workstreams will flow, and what tools will be used to standardize and automate - then hook into those as best you can.
Leverage cloud computing environments and pre-defined, pre-secured 'templated' (or as we say "Cloud mapped") PaaS environments where the developer is presented with a pre-configured virtual system every time which has been set up for minimal risk and exposure through the build process and the security team's involvement.
Leverage tools and automation, coupled with policy to make sure you're tightly integrated with the developer's IDE, build processes, and deployment tools/scripts - otherwise we'll be right back to where we started, on the outside looking in and trying to bolt security on.
I think once every few years we have a defined shift in the way technology delivers business value. I believe right now is one of those times as cloud computing pulls along things like the DevOps and NoOps movements through extreme levels of tool and process maturity and automation/standardization. Let's take a deep breath, and roll up our sleeves.
Less complaining about how poor the state of information security is in the applications being deployed, and more working with the right people to make sure we're making security as automated, standardized, and workstream-integrated as possible.
Cross-posted from Following the White Rabbit


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Reviewed By Matthew L (Poughkeepsie, NY) Reviewed for a 2008 Chevy Silverado —8/17/2010 4:34 PM
This cover is made of a soft, yet durable fabric that repels water. Completely covers our full-size diesel pick-up. Priced much lower than competitors for the same item. Quick delivery. Will purchase from AutoAnything again!


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Will Tim Tebow pull off another miracle, this time in Boston? That's the question heading into the NFL's Divisional Playoff weekend. Brady vs. Tebow II headlines this week's games. Here is the complete Canadian TV schedule.
Saturday January 7
4:30pm, New Orleans Saints @ San Francisco 49ers – CTV, FOX, RDS2
Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston & Tony Siragusa
8:00pm, Denver Broncos @ New England Patriots – CTV, CBS, RDS2
Jim Nantz & Phil Simms
Sunday January 8
1:00pm, Houston Texans @ Baltimore Ravens – CTV, CBS, RDS
Greg Gumble & Dan Dierdorf
4:30pm, New York Giants @ Green Bay Packers – TSN, FOX, RDS2
Joe Buck & Troy Aikman


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Key market plays for 2015?
Contact centre agent productivity – consultant engagement. Security consulting – both audit and compliance all the way through to security strategy. Eliminating competition within our existing customer base. Market segmentation and cutting down on the number of the types of customers that we're trying to serve in terms of customer size and vertical markets. Backend cost optimisation and making sure we've got an efficient engine and that every employee is not only 100 per cent utilised, but is efficiently challenged because they love their job. The cost in downtime in terms of employees leaving is a significant cost. We want our good people to stay with us.
Key technology trends for 2015?
We see a big growth in the security environment. The number of high profile hacks that have occurred in the past few months is causing organisations to say 'beyond compliance, what else do we have to do to ensure the integrity of customer data.'
Key message to the market for 2015?
There's no substitute for excellent customer service. You can have the best technology but it won't work well if you have a poor experience around it either from an ongoing support perspective or bad implementation.
Key warning in the market?
It's not all about the Cloud. In 2015, it's about so many other things too.
Key strategy for AGC Networks this year?
Increasing consulting as a percentage of our revenue and also increasing annuity services around managed services.


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OIED Publishes Spring 2013 Signature Events Calendar
• Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Campus Commemoration
Monday, January 14, 2013, 6:00-8:00 pm, McKimmon Center. Featuring Iyanla Vanzant, author of Peace from Broken Pieces.
This spring, on Tuesdays, 3:00 - 5:45 pm, a new course (USC 298, Section 004: Leadership and Coalition Building in Diverse Communities) will be offered.
This course explores U.S. diversity and effective leadership practices using the National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI) model as a foundation. NCBI is an international non-profit leadership development network that works to eliminate prejudice and intergroup conflict in communities throughout the world.
In this course, you will be introduced to the NCBI model, which involves a great deal of self-discovery, active listening and dialogue. You will participate in interactive activities that establish leadership strategies, which can be applied in various contexts. Specific skill training will focus on conflict resolution, creating inclusive environments, strategies for effective listening/ communication, and personal growth and development. This course is open to sophomores, juniors and seniors. All majors are welcome! Please see the flyer for more information.
This course is offered on Mondays, 1:30-4:15 pm. Course registration is through the Women's Center. Interested students may email course instructor and Assistant Director for IPV Services, Jenn Scott, for more information.
After successful completion of this 3-credit course, which includes a component on peer education, leadership, and program facilitation, students may interview to become a paid peer educator in The Movement. See the Women's Center website for more information.
An evening with Iyanla Vanzant: Celebrating the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Campus Commemoration – January 14, 2013
The African American Cultural Center at NC State will present An Evening with Iyanla Vanzant: Celebrating the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King on Monday January 14, 2013 from 6:00-8:00PM at the McKimmon Center. The event is part of the NC State celebration of the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Tickets are available at NC State's Ticket Central; please see the Ticket Central website for hours. For additional event information, please see the African American Cultural Center website.
Iyanla Vanzant is an author and lecturer and currently hosts her own program, Iyanla, Fix My Life on the OWN network. She has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, The View, The Tom Joyner Morning Show, The Michael Baisden Show and The Steve Harvey Morning Show. Vanzant holds a juris doctorate, a master's degree in Spiritual Psychology from the University of Santa Monica, two honorary doctorates, an Emmy, and an NAACP Image Award. She has been hailed as one of Halle Berry's five "Sheroes" (Glamour Magazine 2006); one of the country's most influential African Americans (Ebony Magazine, 2004); among the country's most 100 Influential Women (Women's Day Magazine 2003); and one of the "most dynamic speakers in the United States" (Emerge Magazine 2000).
Iyanla Vanzant is the founder and director of the Institute for Spiritual Development. Several of Iyanla Vanzant's books, including her most recent, Peace from Broken Pieces, will be available for purchase and signing following her presentation.
Nominations are currently being sought for Graduate School Diversity Enhancement Recruiting Fellowships. Students who will be entering graduate programs in 2013-14 are eligible.
Directors of graduate programs may apply for fellowship awards up to a maximum of $3000 per student. Eligibility is limited to graduate students entering in the 2013-14 academic year who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Priority will be given to nominations submitted by March 20, 2013. Generally, an award decision will be made within 24 hours of receiving a nomination. The online application form is available on the Graduate School's website. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click "Graduate School Diversity Enhancement Recruiting Fellowships." If you have any questions, please contact Dave Shafer at firstname.lastname@example.com or 919-515-4462.


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Situated close to Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, the Tirreno is the ideal base for exploring this world-famous cultural city.
The rooms of the Tirreno Hotel are extremely welcoming and equipped with every comfort.You can choose a bathroom with either a bath or a shower (please specify when booking).
In the fascinating breakfast room, a plentiful and tasty continental breakfast is served every morning.
The hotel has a beautiful garden/solarium with deck chairs and an American bar where you can enjoy coffee and various drinks.
The staff can help you arrange guided tours to discover the beauties of Rome, can reserve tickets for special events, and provide shuttle bus or a private car with driver for various transfers.
Upon departure, a free-of-charge baggage store room is available throughout the day.
Rooms: 44


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Medications can lose their effectiveness when they are subject to heat, moisture, light and time. Steamy bathrooms or the inside of a car on a hot day are examples of bad places to keep medicine. Store your medications in a cool, dark place. Keep your medications in their original container. This will not only protect your medications, but keep them properly labeled and child-proofed to protect you and those around.
Use A Pillbox
Do not risk losing or damaging your entire supply of medication by carrying it with you. Store your daily or weekly medications in a pillbox. Pillboxes come in a variety of shapes and sizes. If you have trouble remembering to take your medication at the right time, try using a pillbox that has a built-in alarm.
Destroy Expired And Left-Over Medications Properly
Finish all medications as directed. If for some reason you have a medication you are no longer taking or a medication that has expired, dispose of them properly. Your local pharmacy, physician's office or hospital is the best place to return unused medications. Unused medications are medical waste. Do not contaminate landfills by discarding them with your normal household waste. Do not put unused medications down your drain or in your toilet where they can contaminate our water supply. To protect your privacy, destroy any labels on the containers before you discard them.
Don't Share Medications
Prescriptions are written to treat ailments diagnosed by a doctor. You may share symptoms with others, but that is never a guarantee the same treatment is appropriate. The risk of seriously harming someone with someone else's medication, or preventing their proper treatment, outweighs the small amount of time and money saved by sharing medications.
Ask Your Doctor Before You Add Something
Notify your doctor or pharmacist of everything you are using and before you add something new to the mix. Some over-the-counter products are known to interact harmfully with certain prescription drugs. Antacids, dietary supplements, vitamins and even some foods and beverages can cause problems with your medications. Every time you add one more product the chance of unwanted side effects increases. Make sure you know what to avoid and if you have any doubt, ask your doctor.
Use The Right Tools
If you take a liquid medication ask your pharmacist to recommend the best device to measure each dose. A spoon from your table, or the measuring spoons you cook with, might not always provide the right dose. Also ask your pharmacist how to properly measure out each dose and what precautions you should take to clean and store the tool in-between doses.
Please Read
This information is provided to assist you and your doctor, not to replace your good judgment or their training. We can not guarantee or warranty the safety of any individual medication or combination of medications obtained or not obtained as a result of using this information or your USA Rx Plan Card. The information and resources that are referred to in this site are intended to encourage you to take a greater roll in managing your own health. However, it is still critical that you consult a licensed medical professional for all matters concerning your personal health.
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text: The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) is planning a competitive renewal for the Production Assistance for Cellular Therapies (PACT) program for the production and testing of novel somatic (biological) cell therapies. This program will fund up to six geographically dispersed Cell Processing Facilities (CPFs) and one Coordinating Center (CC) in the U.S. with the capacity to provide consulting, manufacturing, preclinical study and early phase clinical trial study design, and administrative and regulatory expertise necessary for the development of novel cellular therapies in the area of heart, lung and blood cellular therapy research. The CC will be the monitor and coordinator for organizational and regulatory aspects of the PACT Program. The PACT CPFs will be established to serve investigators as performance centers for translational research related to cellular therapies and manufacturers of cellular therapy products. These CPFs will evaluate and prioritize requests for service based on their ability to fulfill the request. PACT CPFs will receive funding from the NHLBI to manufacture cellular therapy products for investigators from academia and industry needing manufacturing support. Product requests for clinical grade products and translational research will be received, evaluated, and, if approved, assigned to a CPF for manufacture. The cellular products are primarily intended for clinical use within the U.S. Products may be released by the CPF for clinical use only under an Investigational New Drug (IND).


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PRP Facial in Denver
Platelet Rich Plasma is a new innovative way to restore lost volume and rejuvenate the skin naturally using your own blood. Whereas other skin rejuvenation treatments work by stimulating skin repair from the outside, the PRP facial in Denver is unique in that it utilizes the bodies natural repair resources to heal the skin and other deeper tissues from the inside. PRP is gaining popularity because of its organic nature and because it works. The possibility of side effects is practically nonexistent because the body is unlikely to reject its own blood.
OMNI Core Recovery Complex
A one of a kind serum for mature skin that is the purest form of human growth factors. Omni Core Recovery Complex can be used with micro needling and laser treatments and promotes quicker healing (cuts recovery time).
PRP and OMNI Core Recovery Complex AT A GLANCE
When you arrive, a small vial of blood is drawn. The blood is then spun to separate the growth factors, platelets and stem cells from the rest of the blood. Once completed, this unique formulation will be applied to the targeted areas.
Our PRP facial in Denver, combined with laser skin rejuvenation and microneedling, allows the skin to heal faster post treatment while promoting:
- Collagen growth
- Minimizing fine lines and wrinkles
- Improvement of acne scarring and stretch marks
- Improving skin texture
- Minimizing wrinkles and lines around the mouth
Total healing time depends on the depth of the treatment, skin type, and skin condition. A noticeable improvement in skin texture will be seen during the first month. Maximum collagen regeneration occurs around 3 months after initial treatment.
The possibility of side effects is practically nonexistent because the body is unlikely to reject its own blood.
To achieve the best results, most patients receive 3 treatments spaced at 6 to 8 week intervals.
Request an in-person consultation and we will look forward to getting in touch with you.


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Plumbing Services in MN and WI
Full Service Plumbing and Repair
Up Front Pricing. Guaranteed Service!
Aquarius Water Conditioning is a full service plumbing company serving the Northern Twin Cities metro area and Western Wisconsin with 6 locations and over a dozen fully stocked service trucks.
We offer firm, fair and honest flat rate pricing. We don't charge by the hour. We charge by the job so you know the price before we begin the work. We guarantee our material, products and labor with the best warranties in the business.
Our professional master plumbers and plumbing technicians are experts at trouble shooting and repairing all types of leaks and problem plumbing situations. We also offer a water leak detection system: Water Cop. An automatic water shut-off system which provides your home with indoor flood protection.
We service and repair all makes and models of water softening equipment.
In addition we can install toilets, faucets, traditional water heaters, tankless water heaters, sump pumps, drain and sewer pipes, garbage disposals, gas lines and much more.
Be sure to check out our plumbing coupons!
Aquarius Water Conditioning Plumbing Services Include:
- Sinks
- Toilets
- Bath Tubs
- Faucets
- Kitchen and Bath Fixtures
- Garbage Disposals
- Water Lines / Piping Work
- Leak Detection with Water Cop
- Gas Piping / Gas Appliances / Gas Leak Detection
- Water Heaters / Gas and Electric Including Tankless
- Home Maintenance Inspections
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- Sewer Lines / Sump Pumps
- Gas Vents
Looking for a trusted home service company? Look no further. Aquarius Home Services has got you covered! Visit us at Aquarius Home Services; our sister website.
We Take Training Seriously
Our entire organization subscribes to the Nexstar Network's Customer Service Excellence training programs' beliefs and methodology, with ongoing training opportunities throughout the year and indepth customer service training for every new service professional.
In addition to Master and Licensed Journeymen plumbers our service team members are licensed through the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry as Licensed Water Conditioning professionals.
We also have employees who have earned their Water Quality Professional Certifications as Certified Water Specialist and Certified Installers. The Water Quality Association is a not-for-profit international trade association representing the residential commercial water treatment industry.
Yes! We offer maintenance programs!
For a worry-free experience and peace of mind at home, Aquarius Water Conditioning offers customer maintenance plans. Just a small monthly charge and your plumbing is covered! Contact us today to get started!
Aquarius Water Conditioning and Plumbing is registered with the MN Secretary of State.


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The official state stone of Michigan is on display in a unique way in a Mt. Pleasant artist's home.
A lifelong love of rock collecting led Laurie Wright to collect enough Petoskey stones to create a mosaic of the fossilized stones covering the walls of the kitchen in her home.
"They're amazing stones," said Wright, who is employed at the U.S. Post Office in Mt. Pleasant.
Petoskey stones, or Hexagonaria percarinata, are fossilized coral from 350 billion years ago, consisting of tightly packed, six-sided living coral. According to the Wikipedia and http://www.petoskeyarea.com, the coral was scraped and deposited by glaciers two million years ago, which spread the fossils across the northern Lower Peninsula, depositing major concentrations in the Petoskey area.
With such a high prevalence of the stones in northern Michigan, Petoskey stones became the official state stone in 1965, and are a favorite fossil for visitors to northern Michigan to look for while at the beach.
The history of the stones is what Wright loves about them. "They're fossils and the Michigan state stone; I love the colors - the brown and grays and cream," said Wright. "I just always loved Petoskey stones, I think they're beautiful."
Wright said it took her years to collect enough of the stones to begin the project in her kitchen. "Some I have found, and some are from friend's rock shop that has tons of Petoskey stones," said Wright.
The process of getting the stones from their natural state to the glossy, perfectly-fitting mosaic of fossils took some time for Wright to complete.
To prepare the rocks, Wright said she has a stonecutter friend who helped her cut the stones to have a flat side, and said she has plans to purchase her own stone cutting machine. "Stone-cutting takes hours - it has to be wet cut, like a tile cutter; it's very time consuming. You can't do it fast," she said.
After the stones were ready, Wright installed cement board on the walls and applied the stones using adhesive caulk, placing the stones where they fit and using a hammer to break stones to fit into the mosaic.
"Like a puzzle," said Wright.
After the stones were in place, Wright grouted the stones, cleaned them and then used a glossy sealing finish on the project.
"It took three hours to put them up, four hours to grout, and two hours to clean it," said Wright.
While Petoskey stones hold a special place in Wright's heart, she has been a fan of many types of rocks since she was a child.
"When I was a little kid, I used to take them out of the driveway and put them in a glass Coke bottle to look at them wet, I just always liked them," said Wright.
Wright said a lot of her friends are into hunting and identifying rocks, and "since I started doing this, I met a lot more people who are," she said.
Outside of her kitchen project, Wright creates many different pieces of art with stone mosaics, from photo frames to hanging wall mosaics to tables. "I did my wall outside with Lake Superior stones," as well Wright said, and also a stone firepit in her backyard.
One of Wright's favorite projects is a large table with a map of Michigan created with Petoskey stones and stained glasses inlaid in the top, and Petoskey stones inlaid along the legs of the table. Called the Great Lakes Gathering, Wright said "I've got a lot of hours of time in it."
Wright said she can identify "quite a few" rocks, especially Michigan rocks, and sometimes will look something she finds up online if she's not sure.
"I like to go to the U.P. to look for stones, Grand Marais and Grand Marquette," said Wright. "And Petoskey stones between Petoskey and Charlevoix."
"Michigan has a lot of lot of really cool stones," she said.
"When I'm walking beaches, I can't be by the water and not pick up rocks," said Wright. "It's crazy. I have like, a rock fetish, you know."
Wright's art is currently for sale at Absolute Gallery in Lansing's Old Town district, and for local sales she can be reached at email@example.com.


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"Sometimes we all need a little help finding the light."
Hello and thank you for visiting Beacon Healing Arts!
My name is Roseann Pascale, Clinical Director of Beacon Healing Arts. I have made it my life's work to assist others in creating the lives they want for themselves. I approach relationships from a holistic perspective, which takes into account the primary aspects of what makes us a human/being:
Through the use of traditional talk therapy & hypnotherapy, combined with mindfulness practices, creative expression and conscious movement, my clients are able to clear the path to reach their goals. Sometimes that means letting go of things, other times its embracing them.
Specializing in marriage and family therapy, I seek to create a safe emotional space, where partners become willing to be vulnerable and honest with each other. Using methods that have been proven effective, I guide my clients toward new ways of communicating that help them to avoid negative patterns of interaction and make decisions based on both individual and common goals.
If you are looking for an approach that incorporates traditional therapeutic models as well as holistic and progressive modalities, please fill out the contact form below so we can make a connection!
I invite you to also check out my blog posts and resources page, which offer topics and ideas relevant to living healthy, fulfilling lives, in mind, body and spirit.
Roseann Pascale, MS, MFT Intern #1946


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Steve Watson
Aug 14, 2012
Recently released FAA documents have raised yet more questions surrounding the opening up of US skies to unmanned surveillance drones.
Thousands of pages of FAA experimental drone flight records that were obtained by the Center for Investigative Reporting (CIR) detail just how complicated it would be to operate thousands of unmanned arial vehicles safely without spending billions of dollars.
The documents, received by CIR through the Freedom of Information Act, discuss at length the fact that drones do not have sophisticated collision-avoidance systems and pose more of a threat to other aircraft because their pilots are on the ground with limited visual contact.
Experienced California mechanic and pilot Mel Beckman, tells CIR that drone aircraft are problematic because pilots are required to "see and avoid," – in other words, literally keep an eye out for other aircraft.
"There's no way for a drone pilot to do that," Beckman said. "He's on the ground, and he's looking through a small aperture. Yes, the camera can swivel a little bit, but it's nothing like the panoramic view the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) envisioned when they expected pilots to maintain their own visual surveillance."
"There's a big disconnect between ground pilots and the aircraft they're flying," pilot Beckman said. "The regulations currently don't accommodate that."
The FAA documents estimate that an outlay of $2 billion is needed in order to begin development of a satisfactory safety program for drones. In a document dated 2008, the Government Accountability Office estimated that such a program would not be ready before 2020.
The documents also cover numerous instances of companies testing drones. The FAA strictly confined the testing to areas of space where there was no other aircraft, precisely because the drones have no capabilities to avoid collisions. In numerous tests the drones STILL crashed into other objects.
"Without the ability to see and avoid, manufacturers rely on "chase planes" with a human pilot or ground observers who can visually track the drone" writes CIR Homeland Security reporter G.W. Schulz.
Over heavily built up areas with restricted airspace, the margin of safety for operation of drones is even narrower.
"By the time you avoid all of those areas and try to thread the needle, you're limiting aircraft operations into a very narrow airspace, and you're also compressing traffic into a very narrow corridor," said Heidi Williams, vice president of air traffic services and modernization for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. "That reduces the margin of safety for many operators." she added, noting that the technology will need to be "as reliable as the human eye" in order to be safe.
Despite such warnings, FAA Acting Administrator Michael Huerta noted last week during the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International conference in Las Vegas, that over the next three years drones will begin rolling out. He added that "building human consensus … is an equally important task and unbelievably complicated."
Huerta's comments attracted criticism from some experts in the field, including Paul Schultz, CEO of Hawaiya Technologies in Aiea, Hawaii and a UAV manufacturer.
"This is all just happy talk. There are so many complex issues, like safety, related to implementation of UAVs that they haven't even touched yet, like how anyone will pay for this." Schultz said.
"Unmanned drones operating with airliners?" Schultz questioned. "Do you know how easy it is right now for some crazy person to take control of a drone through its GPS system? We'll need to add coding to GPS to prevent such actions. Sure the technology exists, but to implement it nationwide is a huge problem."
As Schultz notes, sophistictaed drones can also be "spoofed" using relatively basic components, meaning anyone could potentially take full control of the vehicle.
University of Texas Professor Todd Humphreys recently testified to Congress on this very matter.
Manufacturers of drones, almost exclusively defense contractors, have spent $2.3 million so far on lobbying Congress to open up US airspace.
Steve Watson is the London based writer and editor for Alex Jones' Infowars.com, and Prisonplanet.com. He has a Masters Degree in International Relations from the School of Politics at The University of Nottingham in England.
This article was posted: Tuesday, August 14, 2012 at 9:31 am


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Personal Injury Lawyers in Charlottesville
At Buck, Toscano & Tereskerz in Charlottesville, our attorneys represent persons who have been injured, or the families of persons who have lost their lives, as a result of the negligence or misconduct of another in motor vehicle accidents, in a slip and fall on dangerous or unsafe property, or due to a defective or unsafe product. Our firm's experienced trial attorneys are with you from the very start, from the investigation of the accident through negotiations and settlement with the insurance company, or trial if necessary.
Virginia Personal Injury Law
When you have been injured due to the negligence or wrongful conduct of another, you may have rights under the law to recover compensation from the responsible party for your legal damages, including medical expenses and rehabilitation, lost wages for time missed from work or if you became disabled, and pain and suffering. In order to obtain the full amount of compensation, however, it is often necessary to institute litigation against the other party or their insurance company. Insurance companies and their defense lawyers do what they can to settle as cheaply as possible or to deny that their insured is liable at all. A favorite trick of theirs is to claim that you were responsible for causing the accident, at least in part. If they can convince a jury that you were at all to blame and contributed to the accident, you can be barred from recovering any compensation at all.
Our injury attorneys fight back against insurance company defense tactics and lowball offers. We work to make sure you are not unfairly assigned any fault in the accident and that you achieve all of the compensation you need and deserve. Our comprehensive personal injury practice includes all of the following types of injuries and accidents, among others:
Motor Vehicle Accidents – Car accidents, ATV accidents, truck accidents and motorcycle accidents, as well as pedestrian and bicycle accidents. We also help with railroad crossing accidents. Each one of these have unique aspects which must be evaluated by knowledgeable and experienced attorneys to prove the negligent defendant's liability and obtain the maximum compensation.
Products Liability – When manufacturers allow a defective product to be sold, they can be held strictly liable for the damages caused. We hold product makers accountable for design defects, manufacturing defects, and failure to warn defects on automobiles, household appliances, industrial machinery, consumer goods and more.
Premises Liability – Property owners owe a duty to people on their land to keep them safe from dangerous conditions on the premises. The scope of the duty depends on the status of the injured victim; for instance, a higher duty is owed to people invited on the property, such as customers, than to people who enter for their own business purposes, such as delivery persons or salespeople. We represent injury victims in slip and fall, trip and fall, and falling object accidents in grocery stores, restaurants, retail and department stores and other places of business where a dangerous condition was allowed to exist for an unreasonable amount of time.
Dog Bites – Dog bites and animal attacks can cause serious, painful injuries, often with lasting physical and psychological consequences. Sadly, young children are frequently the victims of dog bites and may suffer more than adults. Virginia law requires dog owners to use care in preventing these kinds of attacks from happening. Our lawyers hold dog owners liable when their negligence allows a dangerous animal to attack and injure a person.
Wrongful Death – When the negligence or wrongful conduct of another goes beyond serious personal injury and causes death, Virginia law allows the personal representative of the deceased to bring a wrongful death action for the benefit of the surviving spouse, children and other family members. A judge or jury can award any damages that are considered fair and just, including compensation for funeral and burial expenses as well as the loss of income, support, companionship, comfort and guidance the deceased would have provided. Our attorneys hold responsible parties accountable for the full amount of appropriate compensation, including seeking punitive damages where applicable.
Get Help Today with Your Charlottesville Personal Injury Claim
The attorneys at Buck, Toscano & Tereskerz are experienced, successful litigators who fight hard for injury victims and their families. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car or truck accident or other personal injury caused by the negligence of another, contact our office for a free consultation.
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The flag of Europe consists of a circle of 12 golden (yellow) stars on an azure background. It is the flag and emblem of the Council of Europe (CoE) and the European Union (EU).[3] It is also often used to indicate eurozone countries, and, more loosely, to represent the continent of Europe or the countries of Europe independent of any of these institutions. The number of stars does not vary according to the members of either organisation as they are intended to represent all the peoples of Europe, even those outside the EU, but inside the CoE.[4]
The flag was designed by Arsène Heitz and Paul M. G. Lévy in 1955 for the CoE as its symbol, and the CoE urged it to be adopted by other organisations. In 1985 the EU, which was then the European Economic Community (EEC), adopted it as its own flag (having had no flag of its own before) at the initiative of the European Parliament. The flag is not mentioned in the EU's treaties, its incorporation being dropped along with the European Constitution, but it is formally adopted in law.
Despite its being the flag of two separate organisations, it is often more associated with the EU due to the EU's higher profile and heavy usage of the emblem. The flag has also been used to represent Europe in sporting events and as a pro-democracy banner outside the Union.[5][6] It has partly inspired other flags, such as those of other European organisations and those of states where the EU has been heavily involved (such as Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo).
The search for a symbol began in 1950 when a committee was set up in order to look into the question of a European flag. There were numerous proposals but a clear theme for stars and circles emerged.[7] Count Richard Nikolaus von Coudenhove-Kalergi proposed that they adopt the flag of his International Paneuropean Union, which was a blue field, with a red cross inside an orange circle at the centre, which he had himself recently adopted for the European Parliamentary Union.[8] Due to the cross symbolism, this was rejected by Turkey (a member of the Council of Europe since 1949).[9] Kalergi then suggested adding a crescent to the cross design, to overcome the Muslim objections.[10] Another organisation's flag was the European Movement, which had a large green E on a white background.[11][12] A further design was one based on the Olympic rings: eight silver rings on a blue background. It was rejected due to the rings' similarity with "dial", "chain" and "zeros". One proposal had a large yellow star on a blue background, but it was rejected due to its similarity with the so-called Burnet flag and the flag of the Belgian Congo.[9]
The Consultative Assembly narrowed their choice to two designs. One was by Salvador de Madariaga, the founder of the College of Europe, who suggested a constellation of stars on a blue background[13] (positioned according to capital cities, with a large star for Strasbourg, the seat of the Council). He had circulated his flag round many European capitals and the concept had found favour.[14] The second was a variant on this by Arsène Heitz,[13] who worked at the Council's postal service and had submitted dozens of designs;[15] the design of his that was accepted by the assembly was similar to Salvador de Madariaga's, but rather than a constellation, the stars were arranged in a circle.[13] The Consultative Assembly favoured Heitz's design, however the flag the Assembly chose had fifteen stars, reflecting the number of states of the Council of Europe. The Consultative Assembly chose this flag and recommended that the Council adopt it.[16]
The Committee of Ministers (the Council's main decision making body) agreed with the Assembly that the flag should be a circle of stars, but the number thirteen was a source of contention (see "Number of stars" below).[7] The number twelve was chosen and Paul M. G. Lévy drew up the exact design of the new flag as it is today.[7] The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe approved it on 25 October 1955. Adopted on 8 December 1955, it was unveiled at the Château de la Muette in Paris on 13 December 1955.[2][13]
Following Expo '58 in Brussels, the flag caught on and the Council of Europe lobbied for other European organisations to adopt the flag as a sign of European unity.[13] The European Parliament took the initiative in seeking a flag to be adopted by the European Communities. Shortly after the first direct elections in 1979 a draft resolution was put forward on the issue. The resolution proposed that the Communities' flag should be that of the Council of Europe[2] and it was adopted by the Parliament on 11 April 1983.[13]
The June 1984 European Council (the Communities' leaders) summit in Fontainebleau stressed the importance of promoting a European image and identity to citizens and the world. The following year, meeting in Milan, the 28–29 June European Council approved a proposal from the Committee on a People's Europe (Adonnino Committee) in favour of the flag and adopted it. Following the permission of the Council of Europe,[2] the Communities began to use it from 1986, with it being raised outside the Berlaymont building (the seat of the European Commission) for the first time on 29 May 1986.[17] The European Union, which was established by the Maastricht Treaty in 1992 to replace the EC and encompass its
functions, also adopted the flag. Since then the use of the flag has been controlled jointly by the Council of Europe and the European Union.[2]
Prior to development of political institutions, flags representing Europe were limited to unification movements. The most popular were the European Movement's large green 'E' on a white background, and the "Pan European flag" (see "Creation" below).[13] With the development of institutions, aside from the Council of Europe, came other emblems and flags. None were intended to represent wider Europe and have since been replaced by the current flag of Europe.
The first major organisation to adopt one was the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), which merged into the European Communities. The ECSC was created in 1952 and the flag of the ECSC was unveiled in 1958 Expo in Brussels.[18]
The flag had two stripes, blue at the top, black at the bottom with six gold (silver after 1973) stars, three on each stripe. Blue was for steel, black for coal and the stars were the six member-states. The stars increased with the members until 1986 when they were fixed at twelve. When the ECSC treaty expired in 2002, the flag was lowered outside the European Commission in Brussels and replaced with the European flag.[18][19][20]
The European Parliament also used its own flag from 1973, but never formally adopted it. It fell out of use with the adoption of the twelve star flag by the Parliament in 1983. The flag followed the yellow and blue colour scheme however instead of twelve stars there were the letters EP and PE (initials of the European Parliament in the then six community languages) surrounded by a wreath.[21]
In 2002, Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas and his architecture firm Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) designed a new flag in response to Commission President Romano Prodi's request to find ways of rebranding the Union in a way that represents Europe's "diversity and unity". The proposed new design was dubbed the "barcode", as it displays the colors of every European flag (of the then 15 members) as vertical stripes. As well as the barcode comparison, it had been compared unfavourably to wallpaper, a TV test card, and deckchair fabric. Unlike the current flag, it would change to reflect the member states.[22]
It was never officially adopted by the EU or any organisation; however, it was used as the logo of the Austrian EU Presidency in 2006. It had been updated with the colours of the 10 members who had joined since the proposal, and was designed by Koolhaas's firm. Its described aim is "to portray Europe as the common effort of different nations, with each retaining its own unique cultural identity".[23] There were initially some complaints, as the stripes of the flag of Estonia were displayed incorrectly.
In April 2004, the flag was flown in space for the first time by European Space Agency astronaut André Kuipers while on board the International Space Station.[24]
Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Spain, Italy, Cyprus, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Hungary, Malta, Austria, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia and the Slovak Republic declare that the flag with a circle of twelve golden stars on a blue background, the anthem based on the 'Ode to Joy' from the Ninth Symphony by Ludwig van Beethoven, the motto 'United in diversity', the euro as the currency of the European Union and Europe Day on 9 May will for them continue as symbols to express the sense of community of the people in the European Union and their allegiance to it.
The flag was to have been given a formal status in the proposed European Constitution. However since the ratification of that failed, the leaders removed the state-like elements such as the flag from the replacement Treaty of Lisbon. The European Parliament however had supported the inclusion of symbols, and in response backed a proposal to use the symbols, such as the flag more often in the Parliament. Jo Leinen MEP suggesting that the Parliament should again take the avant-garde in their use.[26] Later, in September 2008, Parliament's Committee on Constitutional Affairs proposed a formal change in the institution's rules of procedure to make better use of the symbols. Specifically, the flag would be present in all meeting rooms (not just the hemicycle) and at all official events.[27] The proposal was passed on 8 October 2008 by 503 votes to 96 (15 abstentions).[28]
Additionally, a declaration by sixteen Member States on the symbols, including the flag, was included in the final act of the Treaty of Lisbon stating that the flag, the anthem, the motto and the currency and Europe Day "will for them continue as symbols to express the sense of community of the people in the European Union and their allegiance to it."[25]
The flag was originally designed by the Council of Europe,[2] and as such the CoE holds the copyright for the flag. However, the Council of Europe agreed that the European Communities could use the flag and it had promoted its use by other regional organisations since it was created. The Council of Europe now shares responsibility with the European Commission for ensuring that use of the symbol respects the dignity of the flag—taking measures to prevent misuse of it.[2]
Besides using the flag, the Council also uses a defaced version of the flag as its emblem: it is the existing design with a stylised, green "e" over the stars.[2]
The flag symbolises the EU as a whole.[29] All EU institutions, bodies and agencies have their own logo or emblem, albeit often inspired by the flag's design and colours.[30] As part of the EU's usage, the flag appears on the euro banknotes.[31] Euro coins also display the twelve stars of the flag on both the national and common sides[32] and the flag is sometimes used as an indication of the currency or the eurozone (a collective name for those countries that use the Euro). The flag appears also on many driving licences and vehicle registration plates issued in the Union.[33]
It is mandatory for the flag to be used in every official speech made by the President of the European Council and it is often used at official meetings between the leaders of an EU state and a non-EU state (the national flag and European flag appearing together).[33] While normally the national flag takes precedence over the European flag in the national context, meetings between EU leaders sometimes differ. For example the Italian flag code expressly replaces the Italian flag for the European flag in precedence when dignitaries from other EU countries visit – for example the EU flag would be in the middle of a group of three flags rather than the Italian flag.[34]
The flag is usually flown by the government of the country holding the rotating presidency Council of Ministers, though in 2009 the Czech President, a eurosceptic, refused to fly the flag from his castle. In response, Greenpeace projected an image of the flag onto the castle and attempted to fly the flag from the building themselves.[35]
Some members also have their own rules regarding the use of the flag alongside their national flag on domestic occasions, for example the obligatory use alongside national flags outside police stations or local government buildings. As an example according to the Italian laws it is mandatory for most public offices and buildings to hoist the European Flag alongside the Italian national Flag (Law 22/2000 and Presidential Decree 121/2000). Outside official use, the flag may not be used for aims incompatible with European values.[33]
In national usage, national protocol usually demands the national flag takes precedence over the European flag (which is usually displayed to the right of the national flag from the observer's perspective). On occasions where the European flag is flown alongside all national flags (for example, at a European Council meeting), the national flags are placed in alphabetical order (according to their name in the main language of that state) with the European flag either at the head, or the far right, of the order of flags.[36][37]
Extraordinary flying of the flag is common on the EU's flag day, known as Europe Day, which is celebrated annually on 9 May.[38][39][40] On Europe Day 2008, the flag was flown for the first time above the German Reichstag.[41]
In addition to the flags use by the government and people, the flag is also used in EU military operations;[42] however, it is not used as a civil ensign. In 2003, a member of the European Parliament tabled a proposal in a temporary committee of the European Parliament that national civil ensigns be defaced with the European flag. This proposal was rejected by Parliament in 2004, and hence the European flag is not used as a European civil ensign.[43]
Despite not having a civil ensign, the EU's Fishery Inspection teams display a blue and yellow pennant. The pennant is flown by inspection vessels in EU waters. The flag is triangular and quartered blue and yellow and was adopted according to EEC Regulation #1382/87 on 20 May 1978.[44] There are no other variants or alternative flags used by the EU (in contrast to countries which have presidential, naval and military variants).
The flag has been intended to represent Europe in its wider sense. The Council of Europe covers all but three European countries, thereby representing much of Europe.[2]
In particular the flag has become a banner for pro-Europeanism outside the Union, for example in Georgia, where the flag is on most government buildings since the coming to power of Mikhail Saakashvili,[45] who used it during his inauguration,[46] stating: "[the European] flag is Georgia's flag as well, as far as it embodies our civilisation, our culture, the essence of our history and perspective, and our vision for the future of Georgia."[47] It was later used in 2008 by pro-western Serbian voters ahead of an election.[48]
It is also used as a pro-democracy emblem in countries such as Belarus, where it has been used on protest marches alongside the banned former national flag and flags of opposition movements.[5][49] The flag was used widely in a 2007 European March in Minsk as protesters rallied in support of democracy and accession to the EU.[50]
The flag, or features of it, are often used in the logos of organisations of companies which stress a pan-European element, for example European lobbyist groups or transnational shipping companies.
The flag is also used in certain sports arrangements where a unified Team Europe is represented as in the Ryder Cup and the Mosconi Cup.
Following the 2004 Summer Olympics, President Romano Prodi pointed out that the combined medal total of the European Union was far greater than that of any other country and called for EU athletes to fly the European flag at the following games alongside their own as a sign of solidarity (which did not happen).[51]
The design of the European flag was displayed on the Eiffel Tower in Paris to celebrate the French presidency of the EU Council in the second half of 2008.
The flag is rectangular with 2:3 proportions: its fly (width) is one and a half times the length of its hoist (height). Twelve gold (or yellow) stars are centered in a circle (the radius of which is a third of the length of the hoist) upon a blue background. All the stars are upright (one point straight up), have five points and are spaced equally according to the hour positions on the face of a clock. Each star radius is equal to one-eighteenth of the height of the hoist.[52][53]
The heraldic description given by the EU is: "On an azure field a circle of twelve golden mullets, their points not touching."[54] The Council of Europe gives the flag a symbolic description in the following terms;
Against the blue sky of the Western world, the stars represent the peoples of Europe in a circle, a symbol of unity. Their number shall be invariably set at twelve, the symbol of completeness and perfection.—Council of Europe. Paris, 7–9 December 1955[55]
Just like the twelve signs of the zodiac represent the whole universe, the twelve gold stars stand for all peoples of Europe – including those who cannot as yet take part.
The base colour of the flag is a dark blue (reflex blue, a mix of cyan and magenta), while the golden stars are portrayed in Yellow. The colours are regulated according to the Pantone colouring system (see table for specifications).
A large number of designs[13] were proposed for the flag before the current flag was agreed. The rejected proposals are preserved in the Council of Europe Archives. One of these consists of a design of white stars on a light blue field, as a gesture to the peace and internationalism of the United Nations.[9] An official website makes a reference to blue and gold being the original colours of Count Richard Nikolaus von Coudenhove-Kalergi, who proposed a Pan European Union in 1923, and was an active proponent of the early Community.[18][56]
The number of stars on the flag is fixed at 12, and is not related to the number of member states of the EU (although the EU did have 12 member states from 1986 to 1994). This is because it originally was the flag of the Council of Europe, and does not have a relationship with the EU.[29] In 1953, the Council of Europe had 15 members; it was proposed that the future flag should have one star for each member, and would not change based on future members. West Germany objected to this as one of the members was the disputed area of Saarland, and to have its own star would imply sovereignty for the region.[14] Twelve was eventually adopted as a number with no political connotations and as a symbol of perfection and completeness.[29]
While 12 is the correct number of stars, sometimes flags or emblems can be found that incorrectly show 15 (as of the rejected proposal) or 25 (as suggested by some after the expansion to 25 member states in 2004).[57][58]
One interesting aspect of the flag is the likeness to the twelve-star halo of the
A myth has evolved around Paul M. G. Lévy, a Belgian of Jewish descent, who vowed that if he should survive the war, he would convert to Christianity. He duly survived and became a Catholic. When the Council of Europe was established, Lévy became Chief of its Department of Culture. In 1952, when the idea of a European flag was being discussed, Lévy backed the flag of the Pan European Movement. However, the cross element in its design was rejected by Socialists and Turks as too Christian. Allegedly, Lévy one day passed a statue of the Virgin Mary with a halo of stars and was struck by the way the stars, reflecting the sun, glowed against the blue of the sky. Lévy later visited Count Benvenuti, a Venetian Christian democrat and then Secretary General of the Council of Europe, and suggested that he should propose twelve golden stars on a blue ground as motif for the flag of Europe. However, the idea for the flag's design came from Arsène Heitz, not Lévy, and Lévy has stated that he was only informed of the connection to the Book of Revelation after it was chosen.[7] Official authorities of the European Union disregard the biblical interpretation as myth.[62]
Despite the formal rejection of biblical references, on 21 October 1956 the Council of Europe presented the city of Strasbourg, its official seat, with a stained glass window for Strasbourg Cathedral by the Parisian master Max Ingrand. It shows a blessing Madonna underneath a circle of 12 stars on dark blue ground.[60] The overall design of the Madonna is inspired by the banner of the cathedral's Congrégation Mariale des Hommes, and the twelve stars are found on the statue venerated by this congregation inside the cathedral (twelve is also the number of members of the congregation's council).[63]
The design of the European flag has been used in a variation, such as that of the Council of Europe mentioned above, and also to a greater extent such as the flag of the Western European Union (WEU), which uses the same colours and the stars but has a number of stars based on membership and in a semicircle rather than a circle. It is also defaced with the initials of the Western European Union in two languages.[64]
The flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina does not have such a strong connection as the WEU flag, but was partly inspired by the European involvement in, and aspirations of, Bosnia and Herzegovina. It uses the same blue and yellow colours and the stars, although of a different number and colour, are a direct reference to those of the European flag.[65]
Likewise, the Republic of Kosovo uses blue, yellow and stars in its flag in reference to the European flag, symbolising its European ambitions (membership of the European Union). Kosovo has, like Bosnia and Herzegovina, seen heavy European involvement in its affairs, with the European Union assuming a supervisory role after its declared independence in 2008.[66][67]
Other labels take reference to the European flag such as the EU organic food label that uses the twelve stars but reorders them into the shape of a leaf on a green background. The original logo of the European Broadcasting Union used the twelve stars on a blue background adding ray beams to connect the countries.


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