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JIRA Studio 2.2 has been launched, and it includes upgrades to several of the underlying Atlassian applications. It includes JIRA 4.1, GreenHopper 4.4, FishEye 2.2, Crucible 2.2 and Subversion 1.6.5.
JIRA Studio is a hosted software development application managed by Atlassian. The new release includes things such as:
- Enhanced side-by-side diff viewing
- Faster source browing
- Scrum project templates
- and way more.
Details at http://www.atlassian.com/hosted/studio.


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Title: Samantha - part 21
Fandom: Zeke & Casey
Rating: PG13
Author's note: AU - The boys have great future plans ...
Disclaimer: of course, not mine
previous parts: here
- twenty-one -
Casey stared after the car when Zeke and his father got in, ready to go to the child welfare service in town. He wished he could be with them, to take care of Zeke but his father had refused to let him go with them.
"No drama today, Casey, please," he had said.
"You can help Zeke much more when you stay here and have a look at Samantha when she wakes up."
He had seen the skepticism in his eyes and put a hand onto his shoulder.
"Don't worry, Zeke is a smart, young man. And I will be with him. I will make sure that he doesn't make over hasted decisions he will regret later."
Casey was not totally convinced. When Zeke was loaded with determination no one would keep him from doing so. They had talked for the rest of the night but Zeke had still looked worn out and confused this morning.
The intensity of Samantha's nightmare had scared Casey too, even if he tried to hide it. Everything had looked so normal, they had spend a great day together with her. Nothing had prepared them for a breakdown like this. Probably his mom was right, she would need more then just a home and a babysitter who would look after her when they couldn't be around.
For the first time he had to admit that maybe they wouldn't be able to give her all she needed. Last night he had felt as helpless as Zeke did, only his mother had finally been able to calm her down. Maybe it was not enough to love her. Maybe they were too young and green to take care of her. Maybe they would do her even more harm.
Zeke was fighting with equal feelings. When he had kissed him goodbye Casey had felt the tension inside him. And he knew Zeke had already made his decision. Nervously he started to bit his fingernails, an old, bad habit he had recently managed to stop. Today he didn't care. Zeke was going to make a great mistake. If he would agree to an adoption ...
All Casey wanted was to call him back. There were other possibilities, they just needed to find them. Maybe ... if he would reduce his classes at Art School he would be able to take care of Samantha when Zeke still had to learn for College. Without any question Zeke needed to graduate next year, with the prospect of the job he had worked so hard for over the last years. But he, Casey? He already had a good rep as a photographer, it wouldn't do much harm when he put Art school on hold for a while.
Casey sighed. A plan which would never work out. He knew, Zeke would never let him do this.
"Just forget it, Case," he would say and kiss him.
"Samantha is my daughter. You won't risk your lifetime dream for me!"
"Everything alright?"
Zeke shrugged and stared at the paper cup in his hands. Mr. Connor had made a short stop at a drive-in for a coffee before they finally went back to Herrington. A part of Zeke couldn't wait to be back again, another part was afraid of it. Samantha had still slept when they had left this morning and he needed to find out if she was okay. He wondered if he could go to the mall with her later. There was this small shop which sold model cars. Zeke was sure that she would like it there ...
Of course, this was not a solution her problems, he knew all too well, but if she could forget her nightmares only for one moment and be happy like a kid should be, it was worth it. And he wanted as much time as possible together with her, he wanted to get to know her better, before ... yeah, before ...
He closed his eyes, feeling exhausted, while his mind wandered back. Mr. Caviness, the guy from the welfare service had turned out to be nice. He had asked a lot of questions but didn't judge him. They had talked for what felt like hours, because he tried to find a good solution not only for Samantha but for him too. And the best of all, he had agreed to let Samantha stay in Herrington with the Connor's at least for a while.
"I guess this will be better for her than a children's home," he said.
"But I will have to find a place for her before summer is over. She should have some time to settle down before school starts. I'm sorry, Zeke, I wish I could give you more time."
"It's okay."
His voice had been low but unhesitating. He had made his decision even before he got there. She would get what she needed. A Mom who would make her breakfast in the morning and read to her in the evening. A Dad who was proud of her and visited her school events. Brothers and sisters. Grandparents who loved her, not these stupid pricks who told her that she would go to hell just because she liked astronauts more than dolls.
Where his place in her new life would be ... he didn't know it yet ... but there could be one if he wanted it. Mr. Caviness had told him about the possibilities of an open adoption, where he would be able to stay in contact with her.
"Call me, whenever you have questions," he'd said at parting.
"I can understand when are still unsure about your decision ... an adoption is a serious step. But in Samantha's interest this shouldn't end in an interminable back and forth."
Unsure about his decision? Yes, he was. He wanted to cry: 'No! I'm her father. She belongs to Casey and me.' But he had no right to act selfish. He was too young, he was still going to College ... he was gay ... not that he regretted his way of life, but it was not the right place for a little girl like Samantha. Her breakdown last night had made it quite clear to him. The only way was to let her go ...
... and not to think too much about Casey. He wouldn't understand. Without hesitation he had been ready to change his life for Samantha.
"We are her family," he had said last night.
"She needs us."
Zeke had tried hard to be the reasonable one.
"All our future plans. We wanted to travel after graduation, Europe, Asia maybe."
"She can come with us when she's a bit older. Or we will go during summer, when she joins a science camp. I bet in a few years she will love to do that. She's so smart."
"What's with the fun? Clubnights and long horror movie sessions?"
"Visiting a zoo can be fun too. Remember the baby-ducks in the park? You were falling in love with them in a flash."
"Sex. We can't even fuck anymore when she's around. You will miss that, won't you?"
"Shut up!"
Giggling. Rolling eyes.
"A bit more abstinence will do you good."
At the end even Casey was willing to admit, that there might be some problems, but as long as they were together, everything would go well, he doubt this not even for a moment. Zeke himself was angst-ridden to fail. And Samantha would have to pay the price.

subset: commoncrawl


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Make better decisions and keep your patient health data safe and secure during online healthcare questionnaires, health evaluations, and medical research surveys
Healthcare questionnaires, health evaluations, and medical research surveys are all types of health-related online surveys that are frequently administered to individual patients. They include sensitive physical health information, and are used to help identify and evaluate risk factors for certain diseases and conditions; and to collect feedback to improve business operations and to enhance the patient experience. The main goal of any health-related survey is to provide recommendations to achieve better health and to create a healthier lifestyle. Continue reading


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This excellent training resource guides you through the changes which occur during the ageing process and how you can act appropriately to promote an individual's well being and understand their personal needs during this time.
From the moment we're born, we all begin to age. This impacts everybody differently and requires comprehensive training to tackle the physical, emotional and psychological effects of ageing. Have you explored and understood how this has impacted those in your care? If not, this product will help to improve and develop your understanding.
A 'must have' for induction, refresher, management and vocational training.
Plus, every trainee receives a FREE training certificate on completion of the course!
SCTV is the only online care training provider to be accredited by the BAC as well as CPD, assuring you of best quality training and service.
This preview is a short sample of the actual course content.
As a guide, this course should take between 70 to 80 minutes. Remember, of course, different people learn at different rates for various reasons.


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Budget 2017 was announced on 11 October 2016 and the implementing Finance Bill was published on 18 October 2016. Together, they contained two pensions-related initiatives.
Benefits for Pensioners Increase
There will be a 5 per week increase in the State pension with effect from 1 March 2017. The timing of the increase will mean that schemes which operate State pension offsets based on the State pension amount in January of a given year will not see a change to the deduction until January 2018.
PRSA and Tax Planning
The Finance Bill proposes legislative amendments to provide that, where benefits are not taken by a Personal Retirement Savings Account ("PRSA") owner on or prior to his or her 75th birthday, they will be treated as being taken on that date and the PRSA will be treated as `vesting' on that date. For individuals over the age of 75 with an unvested PRSA, the PRSA will be deemed to vest on the date of the passing of the Finance Bill 2016, though transitional arrangements will apply. This is a codification of the Revenue's view that PRSAs are deemed to vest at age 75.
The effect of this provision is that such PRSAs will now be subject to the imputed distribution regime that applies to vested PRSAs (i.e. a deemed distribution of taxable income will arise at a rate of 6% of the value of the PRSA on each 30 November annually where distributions are not in excess of this amount). Further, the 75th birthday of an individual will be treated as a benefit crystallisation event for the purposes of the Standard Fund Threshold ("SFT") regime.
On 12 October 2016, the Pensions Authority (the "Authority") published the fourth and final tranche of codes of governance (the "Codes") comprising two codes. The final Codes cover guidance relating to member communications and ensuring charges borne by members provide value for money ("VFM").
The Codes are statements intended to promote best practice by supplementing the Authority's Trustee Handbook. The Authority intends that compliance with the Codes shall be made mandatory and that they (or similar codes) shall also apply to defined benefit schemes.
Value for Money
The Code states that the Authority considers the assessment and delivery of VFM to be an important part of the responsibility of trustees to act in the interests of their members. VFM is considered by the Authority to be achieved where costs provide good value in relation to the benefits and services provided when compared to other available options. Larger well-funded schemes are likely to rely on bargaining strength to ensure VFM and will have the resources to maintain and survey this. Smaller schemes where the employer has selected the provider may not necessarily have alternative options, particularly where a `bundled' solution is sourced from an insurance house/institution.
To ensure that members are provided with VFM, the Code suggests that trustees should consider the type of services provided to members, the costs of such services across a range of service providers and the performance of service providers in the context of the needs of the members. Trustees should be willing to challenge their service provider if they feel members are not receiving VFM. While this is a laudable aim, it is not necessarily within a trustees' sole power to make changes to the provider.
Member Communications
This Code supplements the existing obligations of trustees to disclose information pursuant to the Pensions Act 1990 (the "Pensions Act") and the Disclosure Regulations. The Authority stresses that the focus of trustees should be on the effectiveness of member communications rather than simply meeting their legal obligations under the Pensions Act and the Disclosure Regulations.
With this goal in mind, the Code directs Trustees to:
- consider the most effective approach for communicating with members (based on the demographic of scheme members) and consider initiatives for the promotion of member engagement;
- convey trustee communication objectives to scheme administrators and review draft communications; and
- develop a communications programme which ensures that:
- language used is clear, understandable and considers members' needs and financial literacy;
- key information is highlighted and benefit options are presented simply and clearly;
- members are regularly informed that their contribution levels can affect the overall size of their retirement fund, are encouraged to check whether they are on track to meet their retirement goals and are informed of the options available to increase their level of contributions; and
- members can understand the investment options available and costs and charges incurred by members are clearly disclosed.
In practice, the action taken by trustees will depend on the profile of the scheme and the resources available to the trustees, having regard to the obligation of trustees to ensure that members receive value for money. Trustees should review the Code and consider how to align its aspirations with the relatively limited regulatory obligations. It is important that trustees take care not to stray into the area of giving advice. The trustees have no trust or statutory duty to give advice or to promote or encourage participation in a scheme. Having said that, the significant majority of the Code's suggestions can be accommodated within statutory disclosure requirements.
The Authority has issued revised statutory guidance (with an effective date of 1 January 2017) in relation to Section 34 of the Pensions Act. Section 34 relates to a member of a funded occupational pension scheme who is entitled to a preserved benefit and who will, in certain circumstances, be entitled to a transfer payment.
The assumptions used to calculate a minimum transfer value were previously updated in 2012. The impact of the new assumptions will depend on the member's age and gender and the benefits provided by the relevant scheme. As the minimum transfer values are also often used in calculating scheme liabilities for the statutory minimum funding standard (the "MFS"), the new guidance may have funding consequences for schemes seeking to meet the MFS.
Trustee in Bankruptcy may not access/ force access of uncrystallised funds
The UK Court of Appeal in the case of Horton v Henry has confirmed that a UK trustee in bankruptcy cannot access uncrystallised funds in a bankrupt's pension arrangements or force the bankrupt to crystallise the funds so that they become available for distribution.
Although the bankrupt member was eligible to elect to draw down a lump sum and other payments, the member had made no election and, at the date of the application, the pension was not in payment. The bankrupt member also indicated that he did not intend to make any such election in the foreseeable future.
The Court held that a prospective right to a future payment of income from a pension fund is not the same as an entitlement to that income and that a bankrupt cannot be forced to take steps to turn pension rights into income. The Court compared the situation to an attempt to force a bankrupt to work or request payment from a discretionary trust to enable payments to be distributed which acts are equally impermissible.
Irish legislation similarly provides that mere interests in or entitlements under relevant pension arrangements shall generally not be treated as assets of the debtor (with certain prescribed exceptions). The decision in Horton v Henry may therefore provide valuable guidance to trustees where a member whose benefits have not yet commenced is declared bankrupt.


text:
Simple butterfly simulation based on bezier curve
I've been meaning to warm up my iOS development for awhile and finally got a chance to get back into it.
A new version of the cocos2d framework has been released since I developed "Around the world in 5 differences." So I figured the best way to get the hang of it, is to dive right back in. I don't want to turn this post into a super technical one so I'll just highlight what I ended up making:
A butterfly simulation based on bezier curves:
- Wing animation is based on simple sprite manipulation using CCActions
- Each butterfly determines a flight path using a randomly generated bezier curve. Each curve is based on a start point, two control points and an end position. like this
- Once the flight path is selected, a random time interval is picked at which the butterfly plans to complete its flight.
- After flight is completed, each butterfly 'chills' for a randomly generated amount of time, determines a new path and flies off once again.
The implementaion of the simulation is rather simple. There are no specific swarm rules and the butterflies do not interact with each other. Perhaps that's something that can be added in future iteration.
For anyone interested in the code, they can get it from here: (I believe all you need is a mac computer and xcode)


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|Colbert, Wash.
|High School:
|Mt. Spokane
2018-19: Was the 2019 UAA 149-pound champion, after winning both of his matches at the conference championships...Became just the eighth Spartan in the 149-pound weight class to earn the All-UAA honor, the first since Isaac Duke in 2011...Finished the season with 19-17 record, including a 17-15 mark at 141 pounds...Tallied six pins and three techincal falls...Won three-straight matches at the Waynesburg Invitational, including a pin (3:49) over Washington & Jefferson's Michael Nagy and a major decision victory (14-4) over Pitt.-Bradford's Neiko Kuntz...Earned UAA All-Academic recognition... Selected to the UAA Presidents Council Scholar-Athlete Team.
2017-18: Named a NWCA Scholar All-American...Was the 2018 UAA 141-pound champion, after winning both of his matches at the conference championships...Became just the third Spartan in the 141-pound weight class to earn the All-UAA honor, and the first since Clay Criss in 2009...Finised the season with a team-best 29 wins (29-14), competing exclusively at 141 pounds...Finished second on the team in pins (8) and tied for second in technical falls (2)...Received the Bob Del Rosa Most Valuable Wrestler Award for his performance throughout the year...Earned UAA All-Academic recognition.
2016-17: Finished his freshman season with a 10-21 record, competing exclusively at the 141-pound weight class...Won his first career match by technical fall, defeating Mott College's Saben Sprangler 16-0 at the 2016 Ohio Intercollegiate Open.
Personal: Earned four varsity letters in wrestling at Mt. Spokane High School...served as team co-captain during his junior and senior year...coached by Travis Hughes...born September 2...son of John and Kristine.


text:
New Land Rover Discovery for Sale in Phoenix, AZ
2 Matching Vehicles Found
MPG Disclaimer:
Based on model year EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.
New vehicle pricing includes all offers and incentives. Tax, Title and Tags not included in vehicle prices shown and must be paid by the purchaser. While great effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information on this site, errors do occur so please verify information with a customer service rep. This is easily done by calling us at (855) 559-3222 or by visiting us at the dealership.
**With approved credit. Terms may vary.
Vehicle shown is for illustrative purposes. Actual vehicle image and details may differ. Vehicle in transit.
For more offer details on the JLR Financial Group 90 Day Deferment Program, please see the full disclaimer here.
For In-Transit inventory any date of arrival is estimated. Dealer reserves the right to change the date due to conditions beyond our control. Please contact dealer for delivery details.
Searching for a luxury SUV to drive around Scottsdale, but need enough room for the whole family? Then it's time to check out the new Land Rover Discovery. With ultimate flexibility and three rows of seating, you can configure the Discovery to meet your needs. And that's not to mention compelling performance or technology. Whether you're planning to finance your Land Rover Discovery or you want to take advantage of available lease deals, Land Rover North Scottsdale has you covered! Get in touch to schedule a test drive.
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- Maximum towing capacity of 8,200 pounds
- 43.5 cubic feet for cargo behind the second row of seats and 88.3 cubic feet behind the first row
Compare the Land Rover Discovery vs. Ford Explorer to learn more about the advantages our model offers.


text:
Overnight car prowls reported in Newcastle
November 18, 2011
NEW — 10:50 p.m. Nov. 18, 2011
The Newcastle Police Department is seeking information after three cars were prowled between the evening hours of Nov. 16 and the morning of Nov. 17 in the Madison Lane and Asbury Crest neighborhoods, near SE 69 Street and 115th Place.
The culprit or culprits entered the vehicles by breaking windows. Some of the stolen items of value were left in plain sight.
Report car prowls by calling (206) 296-3311 or go online at www.reporttosheriff.org.


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Start of lazy weekend. Unwinding after a hectic week, watching shows and finally able to sink some decent hours into Reckoning. Loving it so far.
Gotta get back to settling the trip and other stuff tomorrow. Hopefully changing the mailing address for the VISA will help sort some things out.


text: Saturday 25/07/2015 Location: Mauro Pinheiro Gym – SAO PAULO (Brazil) Contact: CBKB - KickBoxing Brasil (firstname.lastname@example.com) WGP gets to its 25th edition with a belt dispute between Cesinha Almeida and Alex Pereira The event will be held at São Paulo and will have a Challenger GP, which will define the next Contender to the 71,8Kg belt. SAO PAULO/BRAZIL - The biggest kickboxing promotion of Latin America is back. On July 25th, WGP Kickboxing will hold its 25th edition featuring as its main event a fight between two of the best Brazilian kickboxers at the moment: Alex "Po Atan" Pereira and Cesar Almeida. It will be their third bout, but now they will fight for the belt of the middleweight division (85 Kg) of the organization. WGP #25 main fight is really expected by all the Brazilian fans, because of these two fighters history. Cesar Almeida and Alex "Po Atan" Pereira have faced each other twice times, with one victory for each side, both of them by the judges' decision. This time, they will fight for the belt and to end, once for all, the discussion about who is the best Kickboxer at the division. Besides its main event, WGP #25 will also have a Challenger GP, a four-man one-night tournament, at the welterweight division (71,8kg), which will put face-to-face 4 Brazilian fighters, disputing the opportunity to fight for the belt that belongs to the reigning champion, Ravy Brunow. Alex "Kangaroo" will fight Bruno Gazani, while Wallace Lopes faces Marcelo Dionísio. The winners from each seed will fight at great decision of the Challenger GP that to be the one who is going to fight for the belt against Brunow. WGP #25 will have 11 Super Fights in total, with two of them with the participation of international athletes. Tadeu San Martino, one of the biggest names of Brazilian kickboxing history, faces Albaro Gonzales, from Uruguay, and the experienced kickboxer Munil Adriano fights against Damian "El Rayito" Segovia, from Argentina. "This will be an historic edition, for sure. A Challenger GP with no favorites, all the fighters in a great moment of their careers and the most expected belt dispute of the WGP Kickboxing. Alex and Cesinha are eager to define this contest", says Paulinho Zorello, Executive Director of WGP Kickboxing. WGP #25 - Full Card Super Fight 1 K1 Rules - 60 KgFelipe Suekuni (Inside Munil Adriano) x Hector Santiago (Santiago Team / Seven Fight Team) Super Fight 2K1 Rules - 78 KgMichel Papa (UFT) x Thiago "Golden Boy" Conceição (Thailand Top Team) Super Fight 3K1 Rules – 78 KgVitor "Super Boy" Oliviera (Terrier Fighter Team) vs Rodrigo Diório (Reforce Fight) Super Fight 4 K1 Rules - 69,1 KgMaycon Oller (ABKB / Serginho Team) x Johnny "Kabeça" (TCT) Challenger GP – Semifinal 1 K1 Rules - 71,8 kgBruno Gazani (União ABC) x Alex "Kangaroo" Alves (Corinthians Kickboxing) Challenger GP – Semifinal 2 K1 Rules - 71,8 kgMarcelo "Zika" Dionísio (San Martino Team) vs Wallace "Negão" Lopes (FX Fight Team) Super Fight 5 Wallyson "Maguila" Carvalho (A2F Arena / Yoshinaga Team) vs Thiago "Beowulf" (China Team) Super Fight 6 K1 Rules - 75 KgAlvaro Gonzales (Total Gym - URU) vs Tadeu San Martino (UFT / San Martino Team) Super Fight 7 K1 Rules - 69,1 KgDamian Segovia (Segovia Team - ARG) vs Munil Adriano (Inside Munil Adriano) Challenger GP – Final K1 Rules - 71,8 kgSemifinal 1 Winner vs Semifinal 2 Winner WGP Kickboxing Title Bout K1 Rules - 85 kgCesar "Cesinha" Almeida (Super Fight) vs Alex "Po Atan" Pereira (Peso Pesado Team) WGP #25: Cesar Almeida x Alex "Po Atan" Pereira IIIDate: July 25th, 2015Location: Mauro Pinheiro Gym – SAO PAULO (Brazil)Time: 8:00 pm (BRT)Event will be available online Live Streaming at:https://www.eliteboxing.tv/en/live/wgp-25


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Rob Ruccia is the chief engineer at Chicago's Uptown Recording. He recently got a Slate Digital VIRTUAL MICROPHONE SYSTEM, and in this video, he explains why he already considers it to be one of the most versatile studio tools he's ever used.
Artist Leo Gallo sings through the FG-251 Virtual Tube Microphone, and then through the FG-76 Virtual Tube Mic Preamp. A must see performance done in one take!
The VMS has been shipping for several months, and is now in the hands of thousands of happy audio engineers. Here's a collage of real user reviews snipped right from social media and audio forums:
VMS is shipping now! And if you order before August 31st 2016, you'll get our second tube mic expansion pack CLASSIC TUBES 2 for FREE, a $300 value!
Find out more about the VMS at our VMS product page here


text:
- Over-the-road buses are buses characterized by an elevated passenger deck located over a baggage compartment. 49 CFR 37.3. Outside the context of the ADA and this regulation, over-the-road buses are also commonly referred to as "motor coaches."
- The 2007 Notice of Availability published in the Federal Register provided only notice that the Access Board's draft revised guidelines had been made available for public review and comment. The actual text of the draft revised guidelines was posted on the Access Board's website. See U.S. Access Board, [2007] Draft Revisions to the ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Buses and Vans, https://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/transportation/vehicles/update-of-the-guidelines-for-transportation-vehicles/draft-update/text-of-draft-revised-guidelines.
- As with the draft revised guidelines issued one year earlier, the 2008 Notice of Availability published in the Federal Register provided notice only that the Access Board's draft revised guidelines were available for public review and comment. The actual text of the draft revised guidelines was posted on the Access Board's website. See U.S. Access Board, [2008] Revised Draft of Updated Guidelines for Buses and Vans, https://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/transportation/vehicles/update-of-the-guidelines-for-transportation-vehicles/revised-draft-of-updated-guidelines-for-buses-and-vans.
- DOT, Deployment of Intelligent Transportation Systems: A Summary of the 2013 National Survey Results xiv, 26-27 (Aug. 2014).
- Historical data on automated stop announcement system deployments are based on the Appendix to APTA's 2015 Public Transportation Fact Book, which provides data on vehicle amenities by mode of travel from 2001 through 2014. See 2015 Public Transportation Fact Book, Appendix A: Historical Tables, Table 30 (June 2015), available at: http://www.apta.com/resources/statistics/Documents/FactBook/2015-APTA-Fact-Book-Appendix-A.pdf Data on automated atop announcement system deployments in 2015 are derived from a sample of vehicle amenity data in the 2015 APTA Public Transportation Database, which is available for purchase from APTA.
- For a detailed analysis of quantitative considerations that support promulgation of a VOMS 100 threshold (as opposed to other potential alternative VOMS thresholds for large transit agencies subject to the automated announcement systems requirement), see Final RA, Section 8 (Alternative Regulatory Approaches: Large Transit Agencies and the VOMS 100 Threshold & App. J (Key Characteristics of Transit Agencies Reporting Bus Modes of Service (2014 NTD Data)).
- For ease of reference, this section discusses requirements for running slope in terms of ramps only; however, in the final rule, such requirements apply equally to ramps and bridgeplates. For ramps and bridgeplates deployed to boarding platforms in level boarding bus systems, the 2010 NPRM proposed a maximum slope of 1:8 (12.5 percent). See 2010 NPRM, T303.8.2. In level boarding bus systems, some or all designated stops have boarding platforms, and the design of the boarding platforms and the vehicles are coordinated to provide boarding having little or no change in level between the vehicle floor and the boarding platform. At present, there are only a handful of level boarding bus systems in the United States. The Access Board received no comments on this proposed 1:8 maximum ramp slope in the context of level boarding bus systems. This requirement has been retained in the final rule, albeit with a minor change in the wording of the rule text from "station platform" to "boarding platform." See discussion infra Section IV.B (Summary of Comments and Responses on Other Aspects of the Proposed Rule – Chapter 1: Application and Administration – T103 Definitions) (discussing definition of "boarding platforms").
- See, e.g., Transp. Research Board, TCRP Synthesis 2 - Low-Floor Transit Buses: A Synthesis of Transit Practices (1994).
- See, e.g., K. Frost and G. Bertocci, Retrospective Review of Adverse Incidents Involving Passengers Seated in Wheeled Mobility Devices While Traveling in Large Accessible Transit Vehicles, 32 Medical Engineering & Physics 230-36 (2010).
- See, e.g., Transp. Research Board, Federal Transit Admin., TCRP Report 41 – New Designs and Operating Experiences with Low-Floor Buses i, 44-46 (1998)
- The Access Board also explored the feasibility of decreasing the maximum running slope for non-rail vehicle ramps in the 2007 and 2008 Draft Revised Guidelines. See supra Section II (Rulemaking History); see also 2010 NPRM, 75 FR at 43750.
- See Karen L. Frost, et al., Ramp-Related Incidents Involving Wheeled Mobility Device Users During Transit Bus Boarding/Alighting, 96 J. Physical Med. & Rehabilitation 928 - 33 (2015).
- For example, several commenters stated that the proposed additional clearances would result in a significant reduction in seating capacity. See U.S. Access Board, Discussion of [2008] Revisions, https://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/transportation/vehicles/update-of-the-guidelines-for-transportation-vehicles/revised-draft-of-updated-guidelines-for-buses-and-vans/discussion-of-revisions. Additionally, commenters submitted floor and seating plans showing that a 36-inch wide circulation path was not feasible for some vehicle models or seating layouts. Id.
- RERC-APT is a partnership between the Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon University and the Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access (IDeA Center) at the School of Architecture and Planning, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, and is funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research. Information on the RERC on Accessible Public Transportation is available at: http://www.rercapt.org/.
- Specifically, "common wheelchairs and mobility aids" is defined as follows in the Access Board's existing guidelines: "[Any device] belonging to a class of three or four wheeled devices, usable indoors, designed for and used by persons with mobility impairments which do not exceed 30 inches in width and 48 inches in length, measured 2 inches above the ground, and do not weigh more than 600 pounds when occupied." 36 CFR 1192.3.
- See, e.g., APTA, Standard Bus Procurement Guidelines RFP 2013 § TS 78-13 (May 2013) (available on APTA website)
- The Office of the Federal Register does not permit advisory materials to be published in the Code of Federal Regulations. Consequently, only the version of the proposed rule posted on the Access Board's website includes advisory text and figures. The online version of the proposed rule, as well as other materials related to this rulemaking, can be found here: https://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/transportation/vehicles/update-of-the-guidelines-for-transportation-vehicles.
- SAE Recommended Practice J2249, Wheelchair Tiedown and Occupant Restraint Systems for Use in Motor Vehicles (June 9, 1999), as noted in the 2010 NPRM, was in the process of being updated and published as a voluntary consensus standard. See 75 FR at 43753 n. 18. In 2012, this recommended practice was indeed formally published as ANSI/RESNA WC-4: 2012, Section 18 "Wheelchair tiedown and occupant restraint systems for use in motor vehicles."
- For example, under Tier I, it is assumed that the transit agency operates a fleet of 130 buses in fixed route service, while Tier III assumes a fleet of 530 vehicles in fixed route bus service. For a detailed discussion of the assumed characteristics for each of the three tiers, see Final RA, Section 5.1.1 & Appendix B.
- Arizona State Univ., Morrison Institute for Public Policy, Stuck at Home: By-Passing Transportation Roadblocks to Community Mobility and Independence 3 (2013), available at: https://morrisoninstitute.asu.edu/products/stuck-home-passing-transportation-roadblocks-community-mobility-and-independence National Council on Disability, Current State of Transportation for People with Disabilities in the United States 13-14 (June 13, 2005), available at: http://www.ncd.gov/publications/2005/current-state-transportation-people-disabilities-united-states
- See, e.g., Transportation Research Board, TCRP Synthesis 73 – AVL System for Bus Transit: Update 3, 3, 13-43, 64-66 (2008) (noting that, among other benefits, automated stop announcements enable vehicle operators to focus on safe vehicle operation, reduce customer complaints, and ensure better compliance with ADA regulations and other legal requirements); Delaware Center for Transportation, University of Delaware, Costs and Benefits of Advanced Public Transportation Systems at Dart First State 23-32 & App. A (July 2004) (general benefits of ITS deployments include: increased transit ridership and revenues from passenger fares; improved transit service; increased customer satisfaction; and, enhanced compliance with ADA requirements); DOT, ITS Joint Program Office, Evaluation of Acadia National Park ITS Field Operational Test: Final Report 4-13 – 4-17 (2003) (strong majority of visitors surveyed about automated on-board stop announcements on buses in Acadia National Park indicated that these announcements made it easier for them to get around, reduced uncertainty about bus stops, helped save them time, and played an influential role in their decision to use bus transit); see also National Council on Disability, Transportation Update: Where We've Gone and What We've Learned 39 (2015) (discussing the importance of effective stop announcements to persons with disabilities, and noting that "lack of an effective stop announcement and route identification program can force riders onto ADA paratransit").
- See Federal Transit Administration, 2014 National Transportation Database – Agency Information, http://www.ntdprogram.gov/ntdprogram/datbase/2013_database/NTDdatabase.htm (last visited Jan. 11, 2016).
- See U.S Census Bureau, 2012 NAICS Definitions (undated), available at: http://www.census.gov/eos/www/naics/2012NAICS/2012_Definition_File.pdf (last visited: Jan. 11, 2016).
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CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. - Kitchen Art, a leading supplier of residential cabinetry to homebuilders in Florida, has announced the appointment of Jeff Collamore as Chief Executive Officer and Partner, effective September 1, 2017. His appointment completes the management succession the company announced in 2015 to succeed Doug Haynes, who has served as the company's CEO since 2005. Although retiring from his day to day activities, Doug will remain an active partner in the company while serving as Chairman.
"Jeff is the right person to lead Kitchen Art in the next stage of growth," stated Doug Haynes. "During his two years at Kitchen Art, he built on his extensive industry experience to gain a thorough understanding of our customers, our core values and how we go to market."
"We all recognize and appreciate Doug's tremendous contributions to Kitchen Art and it has been a privilege to work with him over these past several years," noted Collamore. He added, "I am incredibly excited about the future of our company. As we expand across Florida, we are finding that Kitchen Art's business model is perfectly aligned with the needs of today's homebuilder. The benefits of our industry- leading upgrade program and service model, backed by our experienced management group, are resonating with builders."
Collamore joined Kitchen Art in 2015 as its Chief Business Development Officer. Under Jeff's leadership, the company expanded its service footprint by opening locations in Ft. Meyers in 2016 and Orlando in 2017.
Collamore came to Kitchen Art following four years as President, Chief Operating Officer at Primera, a multi-state supplier of cabinetry, countertops and flooring, where he was responsible for eight branch locations in five western states. Prior to joining Primera, he was the founder and CEO of Cabinetry Showcase, a Denver-based cabinetry distributorship supplying homebuilders, which was acquired by Primera in 2012. Jeff has more than twenty years of experience in the kitchen and bath industry.
Kitchen Art is one of America's largest kitchen and bathroom cabinetry design and installation companies. Founded in Coral Springs in 1989, it is a leading supplier to builders in Florida, serving many of the largest homebuilding companies in the United States.
Kitchen Art is committed to being a market leader in the supply and installation of kitchen and bath products. For more information please visit www.kitchenartdesigncenter.com.
Have something to say? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.


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Since the Give (aka Donate Now) page can be used to accept online cash donations, pledges for "athons", or orders for fixed price items, separate email templates are provided for each use case:
- Invite to Give
- Invite to Pledge
- Invite to Order
Each provides your supporters with easy access to the Give (aka Donate Now) page of your event site. The only difference between these templates: the default text provided is appropriate for the action you're inviting them to take (Give vs Pledge vs Order).
Preview/Edit Desired Template
Go to Admin > Site Settings > Communications > Email Templates, then click on the template name you want to edit/preview:


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Women devote decades to 'sacred ground'
Women tend to the graves of loved ones at Fairfield Memorial Park
Tending a grave takes a particular devotion, quiet and enduring, driven by love.
So when someone started stealing the bronze flower vases that fit into grave markers at Fairfield Memorial Park, it was more than burglary to Wanda Hanson and Ann Ventsias.
It was injury.
Wanda has cared for her husband's burial place at the Oaklawn Avenue cemetery for 37 years. Ann has looked after the graves of her parents and sister there since 1962.
The cemetery allows no headstones, only plaques set in the earth, so for decades the women have seen to it that weeds and grass do not grow over the names of their loved ones.
On birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and sometimes in between, they place flowers in the vases, which are removable so groundskeepers can mow the cemetery lawn.
"We visit and say prayers. After all, they are our parents, our family. It is something we were brought up to do," said Ann, 78. "Spring and summer are the only times you can bring fresh flowers."
But when she visited earlier this month, she discovered the vase was gone.
"It was a shock," Ann said. "I know times are tough and people are hurting for money, but don't steal from the dead."
Wanda's husband, Carl, died of a heart attack at 45, when they'd been married 22 years and had two teenage children.
She visited his grave over Fourth of July weekend and saw the vase was missing. She called police.
"The officer never got out of his car. He blew the horn and waved to me to come over," Wanda said. "He said he was the only one covering the territory from there all the way up to Long Ridge, and it was a holiday and a weekend, and there wasn't much he could do."
A call this week to the police Records Room showed that no report has been filed.
Sgt. Peter di Spagna, head of the Property Crimes Unit, said he didn't know anything about the cemetery incidents. Thieves have been stealing bronze, copper, aluminum and other metals for about two years, di Spagna said.
"They're taking it from houses, construction sites, everywhere. The market is good for this stuff now," he said. "It's out there unattended and easy to steal, unfortunately."
The woman who runs the office at Fairfield Memorial Park said the thefts have been happening for six or seven weeks. The cemetery has gates at the entrance but someone easily can hop the stone wall and get in, she said.
Recently a pile of vases was found near the wall, as if waiting to be hauled away, she said. They were brought into the garage so owners could reclaim them.
"I have no idea how many have been taken," said the woman, who would not give her name. "It's a lot."
The cemetery does not have an owner, she said.
The former owner, Phyllis Dowd, resigned in 1996 after state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal charged her with burying bodies in the wrong graves, selling the same grave multiple times, disturbing remains, inflating the price for veterans' markers and other abuses.
At the time, the court appointed Thomas "Bo" Hickey, manager of Lakeview Cemetery in New Canaan, to oversee Fairfield Memorial Park. Carl Caputo, owner of a Darien monument company, sat on a board that straightened out the problems.
About five years ago thieves drove a van into the cemetery and stole some 40 of the bronze vases, Caputo said. The families must replace the vases since they, not the cemetery, own them. But Hickey charged the families only the manufacturer's cost.
"There was no reason for the cemetery to make money off stolen property," Caputo said.
Now, though, each vase costs $200 to $300, Hickey said.
"The price isn't reasonable anymore," he said.
Grave owners may buy a much cheaper plastic vase that, from a distance, looks like bronze, Hickey said. That may be better, since real bronze likely would be stolen again, he said.
"Thefts, holdups, scams -- that's what happens in this kind of economy," Hickey said.
Wanda said a cemetery should be respected, even by thieves.
"What next? They take the plaques?" she asked.
When you've stood beside a grave on your life's most significant days, year after year for decades, the cemetery at some point must come to feel like a church.
And no place for cops and robbers.
"It's sacred ground. I go there with water and flowers," said Wanda, 81. "I think how probably no one will be around to do it after I'm gone."
Angela Carella can be reached at 203-964-2296 or email@example.com. Her column runs Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.


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Swiss Hernia Days: To discuss innovations in hernia surgery with national and international experts.
We delivered the following Services
Universitätsspital Basel is one of five university hospitals in Switzerland and the largest health centre in northwestern Switzerland.
Want to know more?
Please feel free to contact us to find out more about the conference, our client and the challenges we had to master.
Phone: +41 61 686 77 77
E-Mail: email@example.com
Related News & Industry Information
The practical part of organising a conference starts with securing a venue, lining up speakers, and streamlining your marketing campaign. When all the aspects of the event management and meeting design come together smoothly, it is time to register attendees. Conference registration and acquiring a ticket is an attendee's initial investment to the event. Therefore, […]
After organising the first digital congresses this year, we have received some feedback we would like to share. After each of our online conferences, we conducted a survey with the participants to gather their feedback. We were particularly interested in the experience from the delegate's perspective. As digital meetings and webinars began to replace physical […]
Despite the hype surrounding online conferences, many event managers still do not find them an easy replacement to live events. Online event risks are proving hard to navigate. Notwithstanding the recent spike in demand for digital conferences, many event organisers are struggling with the technicalities involved in organising the events. For instance, the technology lacks […]


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Daciano da Costa was with no doubt one of the most outstanding figures of Portuguese Design in the twentieth century second half. He worked in several design related areas and had an extensive professorship at university level. He attended the School of Decorative Arts of António Arroio and the Superior School of Fine Arts in Lisbon, leading the first degree in Design Architecture. Architect, designer, entrepreneur and pedagogue.
The volume and the cultural awareness of Daciano's lifetime work over a 50-year career places him in the world pantheon of contemporary designers.
He was considered "the pope of Portuguese design".
Daciano da Costa was one of the pioneers of industrial design in Portugal, he designed for many sectors of the national industry. From very early on, Daciano da Costa dedicated himself to the design of furniture and equipment for specific environments, working in articulation with the architectural project.
Considered by many as the most important Portuguese designer of the 20th century, Daciano da Costa's vast curriculum highlights works in areas such as interior architecture, furniture, industrial, exhibition and graphic design, as well as scenography and costumes. Daciano da Costa´s work can be seen in Portugal and worldwide in places such as MUDE-Museum of Design and Fashion (Lisbon), Centre Pompidou (Paris), CCB - Belém Cultural Center (Lisbon), Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, among others.
From 2013 The Daciano da Costa Office, is dedicated to communicate, preserve, and extend the work of Daciano da Costa.We believe that his entire work was the result of a design philosophy and process that are worth sharing in many different ways. Our work is as consistent with that philosophy as reeditions and distribution of classic ones.
Copyright 2019 - 2020 © Daciano da Costa. All rights reserved. Created by SOFTWAY.
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Amplify your style in our AMA Infinity Maxi Dress, infinite style possibilities. Wraps into 50+ styles. Looks include cap-sleeve, v-neck, strapless, one-shoulder and many more. Wrap your straps around your waist and your dress transforms to beautiful maxi-skirt. The stunning AMA print is a Kaleidoscope of colors wine, creme and seafoam.
The elastic waist allows for a perfect fit from a size 0 to 20. Go from day to evening and work to play with Video instruction guide on how to wrap different styles. Dress and fabric Made in Ghana
- Multi Wrap Straps
- Sleeveless; cut-in shoulders.
- Elastic waist
- One-Size (0-20)
- Side slip pockets
- Wide Sweep
- Cotton
- Imported
- Machine Washable
- Length from waist 48'in


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Hope you're having a great week and have some fun plans for the weekend! We start school on Monday so we have some last minute shopping to do. I remember when I was a kid, I loved school shopping. We didn't get clothes other than on Christmas and new clothes for school so it was such a treat!
I've got some news and updates for everyone!
First up... this is a friendly reminder that we are having a Design Team Call right now! We've received several fantastic submissions already. If you would like to apply, you still have time!
Second, did you see some of Kimber's sneak peeks for the September Card Kitchen kit? This is perfect for our birthday celebration (read below)...
Next, the natives have told me that we totally missed our June sketch winner!!!! I apologize for this! We were in the midst of CHA in July so it must have got lost in the chaos. My apologies to all those that worked with the sketch!
Just a reminder of what the sketch looked like:
And here's our winner! Congrats Rachel Theall!!!!
Love your take on the sketch Rachel! Thank you everyone for participating and thank you for your patience! Rachel will get to spend $50 bucks in the Jillibean retail store!
Finally, you'll want to keep up with the Bean Talk blog in September! We are planning a birthday celebration for Jillibean Soup! Jillibean turns 4!!! We'll have a birthday card competition and our retail stores can compete for a birthday party for their store!
We would not be able to celebrate 4 years without YOU! Thank you bunches for the great support this past 4 years!!!
Have a great weekend everyone!


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Growing up in Somalia, my family always opened its doors to people who needed help. If we had food to share, we shared it. If we had an extra room, we offered it. We were like a social service program of our own.
In addition to helping our community, education was always the top priority in my home. My father, who was a farmer, saved up money to send me and my siblings to a school run by Mennonite missionaries. There I learned to speak and read books in English.
My education led me to many opportunities, including going to University. Eventually I got a job with the U.S. Embassy in Mogadishu, Somalia. This was a very a good job and I learned a lot being there.
At the conclusion of the Cold War, a rapidly changing world led to disintegration of the government in Somalia. The situation gave rise to a battle for control by warlord factions, and then a civil war.
My Country Manager at the U.S. Embassy told me that Somalia was rapidly destabilizing. He recommended that we all make our preparations to leave the country. Educated, professional people were being targeted and killed. I knew I would eventually end up on someone's list.
I went home and told my wife we needed to leave Somalia. She was hesitant to agree. Then, that week a stray bullet came through the wall in my home where I was eating lunch with my children. We left immediately.
We made it to Kenya, where we spent three years in a refugee camp. The conditions were very difficult. I had $25 in my pocket when my wife and six children got our passports to fly to the U.S. It was exciting, but very scary.
We first lived in Cleveland, Ohio, where I took on my first job. It was for $5/hr working on an assembly line. I had to take three buses to get to work. And I saw snow for the first time.
We soon relocated to Minneapolis, after my sister convinced me that there were better opportunities for us here. We settled in the Cedar-Riverside community, where I still make my home today.
Twenty years ago, I walked into the Brian Coyle Center employment office because I heard they could help me get my resume copied. There I met a man named Chuck Risser, who managed the program. He asked me – with my background and language skills – why was I applying for manufacturing positions? He invited me back for a meeting the next day and three days later he offered me a job. The rest is history I guess!
I've worked for EMERGE for 20 years, and presently am Director of the Cedar Riverside Opportunity Center. Sometimes people ask me why I have worked here so long. I ask them, "Where else would I go? EMERGE is my family." For me, EMERGE holds the same values as the ones I grew up with: helping your neighbors succeed, encouraging all people to value education, and doing whatever I can to help others realize their potential.


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Unmatched Performance
Enjoy super-fast charging, sync and data transfer delivered through Aukey Braided Nylon USB 2.0 Micro USB Cable. This single cable solution is perfect for the home, office, hotel or car use, it's the only Lightning cable you'll ever need. Get it all: charge smarter, faster and safer every time.
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Perfect for long term, heavy duty use, the cable features premium copper wire core wrapped in a special woven nylon braid sleeve jacket for enhanced tensile strength and the ultimate protection. Tangle-free and durable, enjoy high speed charging and high performance data sync/transfer. With safety technology for additional level of protection, dedicated heat-resistant connectors and rigorous stress testing processes for thousands of bends, this cable handles everything.
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Compatibility is everything: this premium charge and sync cable is fully compatibility with all micro usb port devices.
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1 x AUKEY CB-AM1 Braided Nylon Micro USB Cable 1.2 meter
18 Month worry-free warranty


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The thought of losing your dream home because of foreclosure can be difficult to stomach. Many people who are in this position will grasp at straws to try to keep their home. The issue with this is that they might end up falling for a foreclosure scam that ends with them facing financial hardships and still losing the home.
Before you decide what to do about your foreclosure, you should learn about ways to spot these scams so that you can avoid them. Essentially, one of the best things you can do is to take the time to investigate any company or program you are considering.
Signs of a foreclosure prevention scam
One thing that might tip you off to a foreclosure prevention scam is that the operator of the scam contacts you without you taking steps to find out about the program. Cold calling people who are listed in the monthly foreclosure filings is a common tactic of these scammers. They prey on the fact that you might be desperate to save your home.
Another sign that a program might be a scam is that they often ask for you to sign the deed of your home over or they ask you to make your mortgage payments to them. They claim that they will work out a deal with the mortgage company. However, they don't do this. Instead, they keep the money and let your home continue down the foreclosure road.
Ultimately, you will find that you have lost all the money that you paid to the scammers and your home is still in foreclosure. In some cases, the scam has gone on so long that you don't have any options left to keep your home.
Legitimate options to halt foreclosure
There are some legitimate options for you to halt a foreclosure on your home and allow you to remain in the home. One option that might work for you is to file bankruptcy. In this case, the halt is only temporary but it does buy you some time to work things out with your lender.
The good thing about taking this step is that the bankruptcy filing can reduce your other bills, which can free up some money to put toward the mortgage. It might also be possible to work out a deal with the lender without filing bankruptcy. However, time constraints and overwhelming payments on other credit accounts might make it much more difficult to keep up with payments on a revamped mortgage.


text: Road traffic crashes are one of the world's largest public health and injury prevention problems. The problem is all the more acute because the victims are overwhelmingly healthy prior to their crashes. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than a million people are killed on the world's roads each year. I am writing this article to make you well acquainted with street safety factors and how street lights and markings will cause a relief from grief of a family. Continue reading Road Marking and Street Lighting


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Ah, now that got your attention, didn't it? Whether because of the title itself, or because you thought I'd gone mad and spelt oral wrong. I haven't, honest. I do mean aural, as evidenced by the pretty picture above.
So, what on earth am I on about? It's something new I've tried this year, and will be continuing to build on... audiobooks. They're not something I listen to myself, but I spoke to so many people that do listen and enjoy them that I started looking in to it. It quickly started making a hell of a lot of sense. People love reading, but don't always have as much time to do it as they'd like - and this is where audiobooks can come in. Folks listen to them while driving, especially if they have long commutes, they listen to them while running, on trains, while cleaning, ironing, exercising... the list goes on.
For a hybrid author such as myself, they can be a bit of a challenge, however. They're expensive and time-consuming to produce, and that's after you've gone through the often lengthy process of finding the right narrator. Narrators can make or break a project, so getting the right one is essential. Now, through a mixture of pure luck and a lot of perseverance, I've been working with a few narrators to start making my indie published titles into audiobooks, and it's been great fun. So far I have four on the market, and another five are currently in production.
I'm learning all the time about how the whole process works, who the listeners are, and so on. As always, a bit part of it is marketing. Making people aware that they're available. Which is why I wrote this blog post for you lovely folks. So, if you do indeed fancy some aural sex, check out my Audible pages:
My available audiobooks are also available directly from Amazon, and also from iTunes.
If you have any information you'd like to share about your audiobook experience, please feel free to leave a comment. I'd love to hear it (no pun intended).
Happy Listening!
Lucy x
Author Bio:
Lucy Felthouse is the award-winning author of erotic romance novels Stately Pleasures (named in the top 5 of Cliterati.co.uk's 100 Modern Erotic Classics That You've Never Heard Of, and an Amazon bestseller), Eyes Wide Open (winner of the Love Romances Café's Best Ménage Book 2015 award, and an Amazon bestseller) and The Persecution of the Wolves. Including novels, short stories and novellas, she has over 150 publications to her name. She owns Erotica For All, and is one eighth of The Brit Babes. Find out more about her writing at http://lucyfelthouse.co.uk, or on Twitter or Facebook. Sign up for automatic updates on Amazon or BookBub. You can also subscribe to her monthly newsletter at: http://eepurl.com/gMQb9


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It's not just a word.
The n-word has roots dating to a Latin word meaning black and over the years, especially in countries like the United States, it was used as an oppressive and derogatory term and perpetuated stereotypes of black people as being "lazy," "dirty," and "worthless," non-profit African American Registry notes.
These days the word is dropped in top-40 music and used interchangeably to describe terms like "family" and "friends," but it still holds the negative connotation it did many years ago.
In the video above, we speak to four black Canadians on what the n-word means to them.
In the video, they talk about when they first heard the word and how they feel when they see both black and non-black people continue to use it today.
"It's hurtful and it will always be hurtful," participant Billy Hendrickson says.


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I never knew how differently two children could learn until Madison entered high school. Everything that has worked for Logan so far has been a bust for her. Seriously makes me want to run into oncoming traffic at times. What makes this all the more confusing is that she is very visual like Logan. Despite not having autism, she most certainly thinks in pictures at times. This, however, was not the underlying issue. WriteShop I/II videos helped us turn the corner on writing.
Dance dictates that lessons be done around classes or on the one day off designated for rest. A full high school workload requires us to do lessons while eating dinner at Starbucks or while driving in the car. Writing lessons don't lend themselves to completion at either of those places. This only left rest day available. Doing a week's worth of writing lessons in one day wasn't amenable to student or teacher. Teacher aka mom aka me had loads of other things to do during her one day at home. Can anyone say laundry, dishes, or meal prep? Not to mention Logan wanted to hang out with me which left no time for teaching writing. Poor Madison had to hound me to teach the lesson or fell woefully behind. It's not that teaching took a ton of time or was hard just time consuming when your time is limited. Can anyone relate?
When Kim Kautzer of WriteShop approached me about reviewing their video lessons, I may have done a jig. Someone else teach the lessons so I only needed to grade the papers? Sign me up! Madison was understandably skeptical but willing to give it a try. Her motto was if it got it done without having to wait for me then she was willing to try. She has never been a great online learner in that she gets easily distracted without proper supervision. This has lessened as her time as diminished for things other than dance but it can still be tough to keep her on task for long lessons.
She started the lesson by the fireplace where any self respecting teenager would be which was the first thing she loved. She could watch them on her iPad anywhere. The lessons were short, concise and well spoken. The teacher spoke a bit slowly for Madison's preference but I could see it being useful for Logan who has auditory processing delays. Madison was able to watch the lesson then do the Skill Builders. She only needed me to grade her papers after they were written. This , of course, is easy to do with the teacher's checklist and grading rubric in the student workbook. I thought it was fabulous but if she didn't then it would be a no go for us.
Much to my excitement, Madison liked it enough to start it the next week on her own. She is able to watch one of the 5 short videos for each lesson in the car while I'm driving then do the written work during break. This has enabled her to get the lessons done during the dance week which has turned out much better papers. The best part is that she doesn't need to wait for me to get her lessons done. While increasing independence is not something that needs special focus with Madison, my typical child, I could see using this with Logan, my autism child. Allowing him to be in charge of watching the video would increase his feelings of independence while still making accommodations for the actual writing.
Our verdict is that WriteShop has a winner on their hands. This made teaching high school writing so much easier in our opinion. While I feel qualified to teach writing to my kids, this has freed up so much time to do other things. I could see this working for those who don't like to teach writing, those who have only so much time in their day, or those who have children who learn better from others. Why pay a hefty co-op fee when you can have it taught at home?
WriteShop I & II Video Courses
- $100 for lifetime access per level for as many children as you need to teach
- Each child will need their own workbook
- You will need a Teacher's Manual for reference
- You will need to edit and grade final papers but there is a teacher's checklist as well as grading rubric in each lesson for your use
- There is an option to have them edit and grade the papers for you for an additional fee
- Lessons are short and visual.
- You can access them online from any device.


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by Gregg Ellman
After installing the Honeywell Lyric Round thermostat (2nd generation) it instantly went on my list of gadgets I wonder how I've lived without it.
It senses that you're actually home or close by through your smartphone and geofence technology. This adjusts the temperature from your "away" temperature to your preferred "home" temperature
The Lyric is a rounded device, with a glass front touchscreen.
The installation was simple; you can do it yourself as I did or seek professional help. For the most part, after shutting off the power from the circuit breaker, just match the colored wires from your existing thermostat. I took photos showing how my old one was connected to have a reference.
The app (iOS and Android) walks you through the setup connecting the thermostat to your smartphone and WiFi network.
From there it can be controlled from anywhere. If you're on your way home, you can easily turn up the heat or AC, or if you left and forgot to turn the heat or AC off, you can do the same. All this adds up to a big energy savings.
The Lyric is so smart, it even adapts to your temperature lifestyle. Inside this 2nd Generation Lyric Thermostat is a HomeKit chip, enabling it to work with the Apple HomeKit.
The Apple HomeKit sits in the background, allowing smart home products to seamlessly work together
Check the Honeywell site for heating/AC system compatibility. A mounting bracketed and hardware is included. A level is even built into the inside plate to ensure its mounted straight.
http://yourhome.honeywell.com $249.99
The Blossom 8 smart watering controller extends your smart home into a low-maintenance smart yard.
Within the Blossom app on iOS or Android smartphone or tablets, you can control eight zones of sprinklers via Wifi.
The controller (6.93-by-6.93-by-1.55-inches) replaces your existing controller and after connecting it to your Wifi, you can set up watering schedules or run it manually.
Once all the watering zones are connected, the Blossom 8 self-programs your sprinklers based the vegetation or rainfall numbers via cloud computing through your Wifi connection.
According to Blossom, this comes from local forecasts and daily data from thousands of weather stations and satellites.
All this provides the right amount of watering for shaded areas, sunny spots, trees or grass. You can use the set programs or create your own if you think more or less water is needed. In some areas, you'll have to set up the watering schedule based on local watering restrictions.
The Blossom 8 must be positioned indoors and the installation takes about 15 minutes, assuming you have an existing system in place.
http://myblossom.com available for pre-order for $99, expected to ship in May
The wireless Nyrius smart switch outlet is so smart it even knows when you're in the room.
It has a pass-through AC outlet to connect an electronic device you want powered on or off. Then pair it via Bluetooth to your smartphone or tablet and download the free Nyrius app (iOS and Android).
What make this outlet stand out from other smart outlets is the near-field proximity control. With this you can set it up to detect when your in the room (with your smartphone or tablet), enabling a light to turn on and off automatically.
The app lets you set up a daily schedule, which I set up to turn on my coffee maker at my wakeup time, which was awesome.
You can set multiple timers. iOS devices can support up to three smart switch outlets, while Android devices can handle up to seven.
http://nyrius.com $39.99


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- Home
- Apply for Financial Aid
- Scholarships
- Federal Direct Loans
- Private Lenders
- Direct Deposit / Payment Information
- Education Tax Credits - 1098T
- Code of Conduct
- Satisfactory Academic Progress
- Forms
- Financial Literacy
- Understanding Your Financial Package
- Budget Information
- Post Graduate
- Contact Us
Financial Resources & Information
A great site to learn about Financial Planning.
You can receive a free Annual Credit Report from each of the three nationwide consumer credit reporting companies.
A interactive budget worksheet is a helpful financial tool.
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IRS Tax Information for Students
This IRS Tax Topic Index is a great resource for any tax questions you may have.
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Grant information, training opportunities, and other resources
Student Doctor Network (Grants and Scholarships)
National Health Service Corps scholarship application & loan repayment program.
You can access all of your federal loans through The National Student Loan Database. All of your loans will be deferred during medical school. The Assistant Registrar will take care of the deferment for you. She can be contacted at (423) 439-2104.
Here, you can access forms and information from the Department of Education regarding Employment Certification for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
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A good source of various information on Residencies, Fellowships and Employers.
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Station Hotel, Kiveton Park - pub details
Address: Kiveton Park Station, Kiveton Park, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S26 6NP [map] [gmap]
Tel: 0871 951 1000 (ref 34802) - calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras
Kiveton Park (0.6 miles), Kiveton Bridge (1.2 miles), Shireoaks (3.4 miles)
Are you the Licensee? Click here. ** SPECIAL Royal Summer Sizzler offer! **
> Post a comment > Mail a friend
other pubs nearby:
Saxon Hotel, Kiveton Park (1.0 miles), Loyal Trooper, South Anston (1.0 miles), Leeds Arms, South Anston (1.0 miles), Beehive, Harthill (1.3 miles), Parish Oven, Thorpe Salvin (1.4 miles) - see more nearby pubs
user reviews of Station Hotel, Kiveton Park
please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
|a traditonal brick-built pub, sat by the kiveton park railway level crossing.
the place had been getting a bit run down, and closed recently for re-furb.
it is now open as a "freehouse" and is run by the landlord from the Midland pub at Killamarsh.
the pub has a fair sized car park to the rear, with outdoor smoking area.
inside, the central bar serves a public bar and lounge.
the bar has darts, pool table & plasma tv.
the larger lounge is split into 2 areas, and used mostly for dining. seating for about 60-70.
whilst there is a low population locally, the place seems quite popular with visitors, and there were many diners on the saturday evening we called.
the menu is on nightly, with an "italian" night on saturdays.
tuesday quiz, sunday kareoke, friday disco.
there were 4 cask ales on at our visit, but I found them slightly pricey at 2.70/2.75 a pint.
scores ok for the meals and cask ale choice, but the beer is pricey.
a 7 from me.
reynard - 16 Jun 2009 17:11
|Re-opened in December, and in 2009 it just gets better & better - They do REAL food at good prices, and it is 'real' food made by a 'real' chef, particularly on Italian night, which is Saturday - easily as good as anywhere down in Sheffield, & you don't have pay for parking or come back with no stereo!
The food generally is superb; not the usual re-heated, way over-priced dross you get at most places these days, where the word 'cooked' should never ever be used; just 're-heated'!
I think it's bl***y superb - More people should try it, & support places like this that are trying to give people value for money & are not just about the profit.
They also have a good selection of real ales, which is always nice to see - Try the Red Dwarf - it is A1, & the Deuchars IPA is always good - A round of applause is in order I think.
icanhearpudding - 9 Jun 2009 14:04
|The Real Ale is back here now.
dacrlit1 - 26 Mar 2009 17:17
|re-opened just before christmas.
haven't visited to rate it yet.
reynard - 31 Dec 2008 19:00
|closed down, with builders in.
reynard - 14 Oct 2008 08:29


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I had my first 'Christmas Function' to attend last week – which must mean that the 'Silly Season' is about to hit.
I do love this time of year as it starts to get warmer (??!) the sun is out more and people's spirits in general seem lifted. However, it can also be a stressful time as end of year deadlines are due, Christmas shopping needs to be completed, events attended and children's entertainment sorted. Hopefully somewhere in there you also have the anticipation of a holiday and some well-earned rest and relaxation.
So how do you get through without falling off the wagon completely?
Firstly, don't accept that it's the holidays and therefore it's 'ok' to put on a few kilos. Yes weight is not static and tends to fluctuate but don't write off your normal healthy eating and exercise program 'just because'. The aim is still to enjoy a few treats – just not to excess, which should mean you don't see too much variation in the way that your jeans fit!
Choose your drinks wisely
Always alternate between an alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink. This will ensure you remain hydrated, are not drinking to excess and not consuming too many calories. It is also important to think about the type of drink you are regularly choosing. Cocktails every evening, whilst lovely, is likely to spike your calorie intake significantly. As are drinks that use sweet mixers such as juices and soft drinks. Spirits mixed with diet mixers are a lower energy choice, and many companies are now coming out with wines and beer that are lower in alcohol and/or carb as well.
Keep well hydrated
Not only important for when you are drinking alcohol – but important generally as well, especially with the warmer weather coming. Try drinking 1-2 cups of water before every meal. This will help to create a sense of fullness, so you are less likely to over indulge when it is time to eat. We also mis-interpret signs of hunger for thirst. So next time your stomach growls, reach for a glass of water instead of a snack!
Add nutrition wherever you can!
Make sure that every other meal, or snack is of high nutritional quality. Start the day with a solid breakfast with a good mix of protein, carbs and fats. Choose vege sticks, nuts or fruits as a snack and add more vegetables wherever you can. As long as you are eating well most of the time – the odd excursion from this plan will not have a massive impact on your goals.
Buffet eating…
This can be a situation where it is very easy to consume more than you would normally. Try and do a 'lap' of the offerings and decide what you would most like to try. Remember you don't have to have everything. Stick to one plate of food – if you don't normally eat more than one helping at dinner, why should this be any different? Try to ensure what you are choosing is mostly vegetable based with a side of lean protein and be careful with added condiments – try to stick to olive oil based vinaigrettes rather than sugary salad dressings.
Keep active!
Even if you are away, or busy at work, take a few minutes to keep active. Walk up the stairs at work, instead of emailing a colleague, go and find them. Meet a friend for a walk instead of a coffee catch up, take the kids to the park, go for a walk around the block after dinner, have a swim at the beach/ local pool. You don't have to keep your exact exercise routine, you just need to keep moving!
Enjoy yourselves and make sure you get some time to relax!


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Daughtry moves to #1, sells the bejesus out of Starr Hill
Starr Hill has announced that the April 14 homecoming of Fluvanna resident turned American Idol contestant turned rock star Chris Daughtry sold out in seven minutes when tickets went on sale this morning at 10am. By lunchtime, the Craigslist clamoring for tickets had already begun.
The enthusiastic response from Charlottesville concert-goers probably has something to do with the fact that the self-titled album from Daughtry's self-titled band just edged out the soundtrack to Jamie Foxx's new movie Dreamgirls to claim the #1 slot on the Billboard album sales charts.
2 comments
Weren't you Hook folks making fun of the Daily Progress for writing too many Daughtry stories a while back. Well, who has the last laugh now?
That's funny, as I was reading this entry I was thinking the exact same thing. But ChrisLover beat me to posting something on it.


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It's the first week of the New Year, which means that a lot of us are thinking about how we can best be productive in the coming months. And, because many of us traveled or otherwise ignored work, we're lost in a sea of emails that keeps piling up. If you, like Jason Hartman, run a website or business (or many of them) this seems unmanageable and can easily be overwhelming.
Maintaining a clean and organized inbox is the simple key to a more productive (and happy!) work life. Luckily, we've got a few tips to help you on your way!
First, organize the way you in which you check email. This might mean establishing times that are set aside for responding to email—maybe in the morning, after lunch, and before the end of work hours. You can even set your inbox to import emails only during these times. This will ensure that you aren't distracted by incoming messages, which can really cut into productivity.
Consider leaving email to a time in which your creativity is low or you otherwise feel unproductive. Responding to emails is often a simple task that can be accomplished in these times. Keep the time consistent and you'll find yourself maximizing email productivity in no time.
Next, try and abide by the two minute rule which says that if you can read and respond within two minutes, it should be taken care of that second. For emails that will require more time, schedule a time to respond by using your calendar.
Further organize your email inbox by sorting things into files according to the action being taken on them. You might also setup rules in your inbox that automatically sort emails into certain files (coworkers, incoming sales, etc.) This works well for regularly occurring emails that always have the same subject.
Finally, reduce the amount of emails you receive. You may have coworkers who cc you on important emails—automatically file these so you have them for reference but they're not clogging up your inbox. Then, encourage coworkers and friends to pick up the phone and call you instead of sending an email. Set up a Skype or instant messaging account and watch your inbox become more manageable.
Model good email behavior, and others will start to do the same. Be clear and concise, and don't be afraid to talk to people face-to-face about doing the same. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/pena2/2902093139/)
* Read more from Young Wealth
Ready or Not…Buying a House
Travel Now, Not Later
The Young Wealth Team


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Champion Energy is committed to the community and charities we support, as we work to power lives and power businesses. The Champion Scholars scholarship program was created to recognize those that feel the same way. We received over 2,000 applications, from students in Texas, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Illinois, Ohio, Massachusetts and Delaware.
Applications were evaluated based on academic performance, awards, volunteerism, and the response to this question: Being a champion is about more than winning or being number one. Sometimes being a champion is about giving back to the community, standing up for your beliefs, or supporting a cause you believe in. What makes you a champion in your school or community?
We are very proud to recognize this year's scholarship winners:
$5,000 Champion Scholars Award
Nivedhitha Selvaraj from Spring, Texas
Nivedhitha is the recipient of a $5,000 Champion Scholars award. Nivedhitha attends The Woodlands High School where she succeeds in and out of the classroom. Nivedhitha is an avid youth education advocate, and hopes to use her education to further this cause. She will be studying Computer Science at the University of Texas at Austin.
"I have firsthand experience with how incorporating technological tools can transform a student's learning experience, because I have focused over 400 hours of community service on youth education. Time and time again, I have seen how investing in the right tools can empower and encourage students to learn far better than traditional methods. I want to inspire other learners and impact the world."
$3,000 Champion Scholars Award
Rachel Dancer from Arlington, Texas
Rachel is the recipient of a $3,000 Champion Scholars award. Rachel attends Arlington High School where she excels academically. Outside of class, she founded the Full Frame Photography Project, providing free family portraits to single parent households. Rachel will be studying Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh.
"The "Full Frame Photography" project was when I began to realize that everyone has stories waiting to be brought to life, and it is my purpose as an artist and a scientist to be a part of developing them. Being a Champion in the community is about seeing need and using my talents to improve the lives of others."
$2,000 Champion Scholars Award
Aparajitha Adiraju from Vernon Hills, Illinois.
Aparajitha is the recipient of a $2,000 Champion Scholars award. Aparajitha shines academically at Vernon Hills High School. Her activities include serving as a math tutor for young children, as well as fighting child labor through Future Business Leaders of America. She will be studying Computer Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana – Champaign.
"Being a champion is not about being the highest scorer on a test or winning every accolade. It is about finding your passions and following an individual path to success: one that is defined by happiness."
Learn more about Champion Energy's commitment to community service.


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The Company
Umhlanga Tours (Pty) Ltd, trading as Swazi Trails, is the Kingdom of Swaziland's leading tour and adventure operator. The year 2012 saw the company celebrating its 25th birthday, and with more passion than ever, it pursues its goal of making a difference to tourism in Swaziland.
Owned and operated by Darron and Anita Raw since late 1996, the company has grown from staff complement of 3 to robust team of 20 individuals, all of whom contribute to the company's mission of "making it happen" in Swaziland.
Darron arrived in Swaziland in 1990, quite by accident (his brother Shane had a romantic link to a local lass) when researching a University project for his marketing and commercial degree. Whilst his brother's romance faded, Darron's own love affair with Swaziland and tourism in general had only just begun. His feasibility study on starting a white-water rafting operation so excited him that at the age of 20 years, he took the plunge, and kicked started a commercial rafting operation. This was made possible through the assistance of Swazi conservation pioneer Ted Reilly, under whose wing "the know-it-all" student was exposed to the trials and tribulations of nature conservation and the tough economic realities of sustainable tourism development. After 7 years as Marketing & Tourism Manager for Reilly's Big Game Parks organization, Darron decided to focus more specifically on pioneering new adventure activities and merged the ever-popular rafting operation with his shares in a small tour operation called Umhlanga Tours.
Re-branded as Swazi Trails, the company was joined by his future wife, Anita, who incidentally, arrived as a tourist on a rafting trip and then in her characteristic bossy way, simply took over the business - no one dared to argue. Anita now handles groups and travel trade as well as the company finances between keeping their two kids - Kei and Paige - out of trouble. Bayanda Dlamini is the face of day-to-day tour and bookings management, whilst Darron keeps himself busy growing the business and refining operational systems.
Always on the look-out for opportunities to expand business, the company had been searching for opportunities to improve its online presence. An introduction to whl.travel by development agency Technoserve, resulted in an immediate strategic fit. Whl.travel needed a local operator who knew the country intimately and Swazi Trails needed a technology partner who could help them drag local Swazi tourism out of its informational and booking "backwater".
The People
"The real fit was with the whl.travel core values," explains Darron, "as this was clearly not just another get-rich-quick internet scheme - it was rock-solid development logic with a real human touch - it's a franchise that we are very proud to be associated with, as are the many Swaziland accommodation establishments who are clambering to get onboard."
According to Sandile, a Swazi Trails guide, "Swaziland is very much a people place. Sure, it's got mountains, rivers, forests, wildlife, art, craft and history, but the enduring memory that you, the traveler, will have of this country is its people. Warm, friendly, interested, uncomplicated and full of good humour - such are the people of Swaziland."
"A purely automated booking service would never do the Swazi tourism product justice, thus we are very proud to be the human link between you and your discovery of the Kingdom", states Bayanda. "For the past 10 years, Swazi Trails has advertised itself as YOUR CONTACT IN SWAZILAND. We hope that your interaction with us will be just as warm, friendly, uncomplicated and full of interest and humor as your travels no doubt will be. We are real people, with a real interest in making sure that you get exactly what you are looking for - REALLY!"
So as your human link, picture the Swazi Trails team in their little office in Ezulwini, 50% of which comprises of huge big windows looking onto the forest outside. The reception desk is long and open, there are racks filled with brochures, a bench to sit down and relax at, and a clay water cooler - just for the thirsty traveler. The office is seldom quiet, with a constant flow of tourists popping in to book tours, accommodation or simply to ask for information and directions.
The Promise
The swazi.travel average response time for bookings sits between 2 and 4 hours on average, measured monthly across a 24 hour daily period.
"And if there is a slight delay in getting back to you picture us running with a forked stick and envelope to deliver your accommodation request to the furthest corner of the country," explains Darron, " because it's a reality that phone lines get blown down, computers get hit by lightning surges and staff get infected by traveling viruses."
"What we can assure though", confirms Anita,"is that if we can't get your request sorted out as quickly as humanly possible - there is certainly no one else who can."
"We take a pride in being more up-to-date, more in touch and more focused on the nitty-gritty than any travel publication could ever be," underlines Darron, "We research and type in the text for every establishment that is listed and we've tried to do it in a manner that brings out the subtle differences between Place A and Place B. swazi.travel is a research tool for you to make the most of - enjoy your planning, enjoy your stay and remember; we enjoy hearing from you afterwards...we want to know... how was your Swazi sojourn?"
The Passion
At Swazi Trails we believe in maximising the potential of every day and every opportunity. Swaziland is a playground for exploration and being a small country blessed with incredible natural diversity simply means that your valuable time is spent racking up experiences and not just travelling between them.
A mellow climate and the peacefulness of Africa's friendliest country allow us to follow our noses and chase our dreams. Whatever your taste, whatever your budget, Swaziland's the place to plan it, do it and enjoy it!
So what else does Swazi Trails offer?
Well, in serving travellers for the past decade, we've accumulated a fair knowledge on where to go, what to do and how best to structure travel itineraries. The "nuts and bolts" of our operation include tour vehicles, guides (some nuttier than others), a catering facility, rafts, mountain bikes, caving gear, quad/ATVs, horses, 4x4s and much more. Our base is in the Ezulwini Valley, central Swaziland, where we run a 7-days-a-week office with GREAT reservation staff.
So whether you're young or not-so-young, adventurous or reserved, discerning or totally wacky, give us a call - we'd like to help you stretch your life to the fullest. Since 1991, we've avoided waterfalls, dodged crocodiles and challenged the surging white-water of the Great Usutu River. During the mid-90s we found a way through the Gobholo Cave labyrinth without getting hopelessly lost. More recently we've perfected what is arguably the steepest walk in the world - the curved dome of Swaziland's giant Sibebe Rock and carved an exciting quad/ATV through The Devil's Cauldron.
But each day brings a fresh challenge to pioneer and the question is: Will you join us?
Pioneering and exploration is not just about risk and adrenaline, it's about knowledge and discovery too. The Kingdom of Swaziland is one of Africa's cultural treasures, having succeeded in preserving ancient traditions alongside first world modern development. Through visits to cultural ceremonies, traditional healers and every day local scenes, Swazi Trails has pioneered a way of revealing the unique features of Swazi culture - a fascinating experience for both foreigners and African visitors alike.
Today and tomorrow our pioneering challenge is to see how tourism can be employed to stimulate social development, and especially to spread the benefits of tourism to under-developed communities. We've found a way for every rafting participant to contribute towards a remote primary school in the Usutu Valley, and our activities of rafting, hiking, biking and caving all provide employment opportunities for local guides.
We're also proud to be associated with the country's various community-owned tourism facilities. We know just how hard it is to run a business and we're humbled by the effort these rural folk put into their hospitality. Please join us in finding new ways of using tourism to put a fresh smile on the warm face of Africa.
Timbiwe yinsele! "It's happening!"


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Today, I woke up. Slept longer. Tweeted. Walked to the bus. Missed the bus. Saw a cool vintage truck. Caught the next bus. Missed my stop. Arrived ten blocks too […]
Month: October 2011
cee-lo w/melanie fiona : fool for you
the sound of fall, coffee and portland
angus & julia stone | mango tree
fall picking, pun intended. click, listen.


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Wedding season planning: Why have a makeup trial?
25 Friday Jan 2013
Written by Tas Choudhury in Makeup, Weddings
Asian wedding, bridal makeup, makeup, makeup artists, MUA, trial, weddings
Share it
Why have a trial? The makeup artist's portfolio looks great, what else is there to decide? LOTS!
The makeup artists (MUA) approach to designing your wedding look should be a collaborative one. They should give you, the bride as much or as little control as you want. If you have an idea of how you want to look, the MUA can work with that look and tailor it to you. Alternatively, you may not have anything specific in mind, and they will be able to guide to by offering advice on suitable make-up colours, styles and how to make the most of your features.
Why trial?
- You can discuss your needs/ requirements, so you get the look the way you want it.
- You can have a play around with new looks to see what suits you. You may want to choose a tried & tested look for you, or you may decide that you want to go all-out glam with a look that's very new to you. A trial gives you the chance to see different looks and make an informed decision on the final look.
- You'll know what to expect from the look – the MUA should confirm the look with you, and give you a written copy of what you've agreed, or a face chart as confirmation. This protects the MUA also, the Bride will have to take responsibility for any last minute changes that don't work out the way she wants.
- A MUA's portfolio will often have airbrushed or touched up images for print. This may not be the face-to-face finish you will get on the day. Your professional photos will most likely have some touch-ups and will no doubt look amazing, but don't forget the wedding guests will be taking photos on their own point-and-shoot cameras (which probably won't be Photoshopped) so your makeup needs to look as good in person as it does on paper.
An initial consultation will last anything from an hour to two hours, and will typically consist of:
•skin analysis
•skin patch test (for foundation and/ or eyelash glue)
•discussion of preferred styles/ colours
•make-up application
•false lash application (if desired)
•hair styling (if desired)
Things to remember for the consultation/ trial
Remember to go wearing minimal make-up.
Magazine clippings of looks/ styles or photos you like of yourself at a party/ wedding. These will give the MUA an idea of your personal make-up style, and the types of looks that you are trying to achieve. The MUA can then advise you on which of these looks suit you best and can tailor the chosen looks to suit you.
Outfit/ jewellery/ dupatta
This will ensure that hair and make-up can be matched to the colour and style of the outfit and jewellery. If you have not yet chosen your outfit/ jewellery, it may be a good idea to bring pictures of the style of outfit/ jewellery that you are likely to buy.
Also it helps if you are wearing a top/ sweater the same colour as your wedding outfit. This will show how well the light reflects off the outfit colour and can help the MUA decide how much to highlight and contour and how strong the eye/ lip/ cheek colours should be. Not sure what I mean? Grab a white scarf, a black scarf and a coloured scarf. Stand by a mirror near natural light and hold each scarf up against your chest. Can you see that your makeup looks slightly different when wearing the different colours?
Preferred make-up brands/ make-up items
If there are any foundations/ other cosmetics of your own that that you would like to use, bring them with you. The MUA can work with them instead of, or in addition to their own professional make-up kit.
A friend/ sister/ cousin
They can provide an impartial second opinion. The bridal make-up trial will often make the wedding feel more 'real' and can be emotionally overwhelming. It always helps to have a good friend to keep you calm and offer advice when making all-important make-up & hair decisions.
This will enable you to take photos of your chosen look and assess whether the hair and make-up look as good on camera as it does in person. Take a digital camera if possible, so that you can take the photos away with you and consider whether you would like any changes made or a second trial.
Final thoughts
If you've had second thoughts on anything you've agreed at a trial, then arrange to have a second trial. The MUA may charge an extra fee for this, but in the end, it's worth it, as you need to be 100% happy.


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The Hyde Group of developers have published a video and website about the development in Newtown Road/Goldstone Lane – now known as New Wave Hove. Construction is expected by August 2018.
› 59 Flats
› 6 Houses
› Outright sale: 39
› Shared ownership: 18
› 8 affordable rent units
› B1 Office space
› Below ground parking
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text: Right now, as far as I can tell, when you apply the numbering function to a shape and its subsequent daughter shapes, the number always stays at the bottom of the shape (when you have two or more lines of text). This may be more of a style issue, but it looks really bad and doesn't make sense when you are reading a list to have the numbers at the bottom - I would rather have the numbers at the top or in the middle of the text (similar to how you can choose where to have an image in the shape). Is there a way to do this, or is this not a feature of this software?