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Best of the decade so far (60-31)
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We're approaching the five-year anniversary of Can't Stop the Movies. Throughout our near five years here at the site we've gone through a large amount of changes in style and content. It's only in the last year that we've finally set on a style and schedule that combines long-term studies, looks at experimental film, and releases both new and DVD. With a founding date of 2010, it puts us in a unique position to take a break every few years to look at the cinematic best achievements of the last few years.
A word about format, these films are in ascending order of quality. Nothing here is sent in stone so, depending on the day, I might find myself enjoying the family insanity of Silver Linings Playbook more than the painful economic comedy of Win Win. Not all the reviews written for this section are mine and we weren't able to review everything on this list. For those films I'll include thoughts about why it's on the list instead of a quoted excerpt from the review itself. If you want to read the full review on each film you can either click on the title or the accompanying photo.
60-31 will be released today, and 30-1 tomorrow. Hope you enjoy looking back at the last for years with me!
You're Next (2013)
You're Next is just a solid entertainment through and through. There's enough creativity and zest in the slashing to keep your average horror fan engaged, and for those looking for a nuance the material is filled with nasty zings. Chekhov's gun doesn't apply just to firearms, but axes too.
Wild (2014)
So we get lost in the trail with Cheryl. We receive every reminder she does about the pain she's trying to leave behind. At any point she could fall into that open expanse and end her miserable existence. Or she could put her old pains to rest in the hopes of being reborn into something more. Wild is transformative, painful, and exhilarating. I hope it uplifts you the same way it did for me.
Take This Waltz (2012)
Those sort of complications thrill me, because I love when movie characters are found to be as weak and flawed as the rest of us. Polley shows Margot as the kind of person who will never be satisfied, but seems to find relationships that will never satisfy her.
Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
It all comes down to the love these people have for each other. Even when we meet Pat's younger brother, the "sane one", we see his life has been an obsessive pursuit of the kind of perfection that would win his brother's love. That's what makes this one of the year's best films and a perfect anathema to the horror we've witnessed lately. We're all a bit crazy, what luck that there are people in the same situation who love us all the same.
Short Term 12 (2013)
It could have ended up as a solemn slog through bad feelingsville, but director Destin Cretton (who based the material on his 2008 short film, which was based on his own experiences as a worker at a similar facility) finds humor and humanity in the characters as opposed to letting their pain become the sole focal point. The structure and length of the movie demand that a lot of conflict is crammed into perhaps too brief a period, and this hurts the film a little—it starts to seem like everything that can go wrong has gone wrong, but then again, in many of these characters' lives, it has.
Pride (2014)
But that bit of exhaustion I felt only goes to show how hard it is to make a feature-length film filled with so much optimism from start to finish. Pride is the sort of film where our heroes get bricks thrown through their windows and they see it as an opportunity to raise even more awareness for their cause. Pride's bit of glitter, sunshine, and intelligence is a rare and welcome alternative to the usual spread of dour anti-heroes.
Obvious Child (2014)
Obvious Child, through no fault of its own, will likely be ignored by the award circuit as time goes on because we still don't seem ready to deal with abortion in ways that aren't dramatically intense. But Obvious Child has already found a supportive audience for good reason. Robespierre's film is the sort we can all learn from, a feat made more impressive by how she refuses to preach to the audience. She teaches from example and we laugh, cry, and sometimes hide in giant boxes, right along with Donna.
The Impossible (2012)
There is so much to love about The Impossible that I can only list a few more lest I go on for too long. I love that Bayona did not cut between the two stories because that would still give the audience comfort that both are surviving. I love that he treated the indigenous population not as a mythical problem solving other but another group of terrified people who are also trying to find a way to survive. I love his frequent and direct approach at forcing us into the characters minds through the soundtrack. I love that this film is utterly without fantasy and reminds us every step of the way that we probably don't have what it takes to live through what we see the Bennet's go through. I love the shot of a split and rapidly decaying corpse of a dog that almost instantly answered any preemptive concern I had about this being an unrealistic fantasy.
Hanna (2011)
This movie is rife with so many different layers of subtext that much praise is due to Seth Lochhead for crafting the story and David Farr for assisting in writing the screenplay. There's the delicious psychological subtext of Hanna entering her adolescence just at the point which her father should not be the only man in her life, combined with the intensity of Marissa's hunt for her hinting at an Electra Complex in the making. Then there's the way it mixes so many cultures with some amazing used of scenery to create a palpable sense of anti-xenophobia present in many thrillers. There's so much more and the screenplay alone makes Hanna more than worthy of repeated viewings.
The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
Those looking for a return to The Royal Tenenbaums or Rushmore aren't going to find it here, but looking at Anderson's last decade as a director, it's unlikely we're going back there any time soon. I'm kind of ok with that, especially if it means the further development of the techniques and types of stories we're seeing here and in Moonrise Kingdom. My favorite of his movies is still The Life Aquatic, but I don't necessarily want more of the same—that movie felt like a fun and uninhibited embracing of his usual goofy tropes. It has the raw joy of a kid in a candy store. With The Grand Budapest Hotel he seems more confident in telling a story that has more to it than his trademark quirks. There is no way anyone could mistake this for anything but a Wes Anderson film, but it also hints at more, and that's exciting.
End of Watch (2012)
The film is so refreshing because we're watching good, flawed, people at the high points of their lives both personally and professionally. Even the crime ring they find themselves embroiled in is more a result of their day to day lives than the grinding of a plot machine. By the end I loved these characters just as much as Ayer and living right alongside them.
Boyhood (2014)
Too often we're preoccupied with that question. Even Linklater's tried to answer it with his previous films. In Boyhood, he's let go. There is no universal truth here, just a boy who grew to embrace photography, loved a girl for a time, experimented in the backseat of cars, and worried his mother. That's just the background. The erosion, the fleeting life, that's the subject, and one that only cinema, where we can watch the cautious stare of the boy at six evolves into the lens of the man at eighteen, is able to fully articulate. Those images can either be comforting vapors of a life well-lived before death, or constant reminders of how life fails to give easy meaning to anyone. How lovely it is to embrace that uncertainty, to go gently into the night, and wonder what will come next.
The Book of Eli (2010)
There's a mercurial point at which great trash becomes great art. Sometimes, in spite of a film's intentions, it starts off in one category and veers into the other. The Hughes Brothers have been without film work for nine years now, and the last movie they released was the art/trash straddling From Hell. They've returned to the film scene with The Book of Eli, a movie that is assuredly great trash and, after some developments toward the end, I'd like to say pretty good art as well.
Aziz Ansari: Buried Alive (2013) - no on-site review
Aziz Ansari has grown from the source of some nice laughs in Parks and Recreation to a stand-up artist of surprising depth. Buried Alive is the third Ansari special I've seen, but is the first where we see the depths of Ansari's curiosity into human relationships. From talking about the ephemeral nature of love to negging the audience, he brings a strong sense of warmth, sadness, and humor to his musings.
The Butler (2012)
The Butler is not a film for cowards who are afraid of grand emotions or unwilling to confront the recent truth of our country. It is dignified and powerful, ending on a note of hope but not for a second implying that the struggle ended in 2008. I loved this movie and every tear it got out of me. Films are so rarely have the potential to be as powerful a bonding experience as this and I hope you, too, find someone's hand in the end.
Winter's Bone (2010)
Many times a movie that has been relentlessly talked up and praised by critics and audiences has a way of underwhelming you when you finally see it. Winter's Bone is one of those rare movies where they hype and praise is 100% right on and deserved. This movie is worth searching out and driving if need be to see. I will not be surprised when I hear the movie, Jennifer Lawrence and John Hawkes mention often during awards seasons and with critics top ten lists. Do yourself a favor and see the movie as soon as you can, that way, when it is named to countless best of lists for the year, you can nod your head in agreement.
The Turin Horse (2011)
I am sad that I will never be writing a new review of any Bela Tarr film. Even when I started my retrospective, I was not certain Tarr would actually finish The Turin Horse. Now I'm faced with the prospect of never seeing any work from him again.
I'm satisfied with that, if only because he can go out as strong as he does with The Turin Horse. It is a pure cinema. It is a world philosophy distilled into two and a half hours of pure visual and audio philosophy, subject to whatever life experience you bring to it. Even if the films philosophy of nihilism is not one I agree with, it is one I still respond to.
Rampart (2011)
Rampart is the kind of film that gets overlooked precisely because it looks and feels too real for this time and place. When the subject of that reality is an officer ok with seducing a black woman in the dark, but can't stand to look at her in the light, and justifies his racism through the law, it's a bitter pill to take. It shouldn't be, and Rampart cuts through that pain in every disgusting second.
You know people like Dave, and that's the horrible truth of Rampart.
Only Lovers Left Alive (2014)
So what if the world decays around them? Their love does not need witnesses.
The Grey (2012)
Finally, don't go into The Grey expecting Liam Neeson to punch some wolves in the face, that is not what the film is about even though the marketing would wish you to believe that. On the other hand, don't dismiss this film because it came out in January and wolves are a crucial competent. The Grey is a superb film that tackles subjects that most films would dare not do. Although it is early in the year, I think I will be revisiting this movie in about 11 months when I do my best of list. If it's not on there, we are in for a great year of cinema because The Grey is one hell of a film.
Frank (2014)
Frank is more interesting in its flaws than a lot of movies are in their success. It undermines the myth that creativity and creative genius—music in this case—must come from tragedy and torment, and criticizes the myths we embrace to make said creativity more complex and romantic.
Cold Weather (2010)
What we have is an ingenious and loosely wound film made by smart people who wanted to show good characters solving a mystery. The "villains", because you can barely call them that, are just as smartly realized. There are no big speeches, no hero hanging by a thread moments, just the suspense of Doug thinking through a complicated situation and coming out ahead. If Doug's may not be Sherlock, but the people that caused all this are definitely not Moriarty, and weren't counting on someone as good and smart as Doug to be on the case.
Bully for you Doug and I can't wait to see what director Aaron Katz comes up with next.
Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa (2013)
Any man who prefers Wings over The Beatles should know enough to know better - lucky for us Alan doesn't.
The World's End (2013)
In this way, The World's End is terribly sad with its honesty. The only reason we survive to adulthood is because we learn the best way to lie to ourselves, and one another. Sometimes this is hilariously portrayed, like when Pierce Brosnan delivers a too-crisp rant about the importance of conforming. Other times its painful, like when we find out why King wants to finish this crawl so badly while making sure his arms stay covered up. The World's End hurts like the best comedies sometimes do, switching from hilarious moments about what pronoun to use for the invading robots, and ending with tearful revelations that the fun is over.
Win Win (2011)
Win Win is the most conventional movie that he's made in plot only. The conventions stem mostly from the middle-class surroundings that hang precipitously over a sudden decline that can come at any moment. To that end, what better person is set to encapsulate that kind of fear and protectiveness than Paul Giamatti? As Mike Flaherty, struggling lawyer and flailing wrestling coach tending to a newly born daughter, he continues to portray the kind of unique strength found in good people utilizing their situations to the best ends, even if it's not the best means.
Interstellar (2014)
Interstellar is the work of a Christopher Nolan gone absolutely mad but still could not stop taking detailed notes along the way. It's a stunning and ambitious work of science fiction that pours straight from Nolan's heart onto a desolate screen he wants to fill with images of the impossible. If I go to movies for any reason at all, it's for this. Interstellar is a miracle.
The Lords of Salem (2012)
The men that haunt Heidi's nightmares are decayed beyond recognition, the only usable part of their body left is an erect but distorted phallus. The women are worse, the slimy pus of their sore-addled bodies wielding knifes that carve into Heidi's sex organs to claw and desecrate their unholy savior. The climax of all this is a fever dream that uses a subdued version of Zombie's acid artwork and holy imagery in a way that is bold and grotesque. It's a stunning finale.
Prometheus (2012)
It's deep, gorgeous and it's not afraid to leave the big questions it asks still hanging at the end.
Terri (2011)
I felt for them, all of them, even the tormentor's (I've had my weaker moments) though it's Terri that still gets us through. Terri, with some strength we can barely grasp at, is the one who goes from telling how "This morning they asked me if I sucked on my own breast" to sweetly fondling a note from a new friend.
While the film is a reminder of how too many of those days are spent with the former, and less recalling the latter, the conclusion is the same. You're no more a monster than the next person in pain, just try to remember that you don't have to have the strength to get through all the days. Just enough.
Under the Skin (2014)
Under the Skin is seduction without the hint of release. The universe is one where being human is to endure the potential for pleasure yet finding nothing but another flesh covered machine driven by the hope and ending in darkness. There is nothing to reach for in the light, because whatever comes out does not have our best interests in mind, and the thrill of discovery is beaten down by the reality that we are just a collection of nutrients waiting to decay or for someone to have use of us.
Tomorrow, I list the remaining picks for the 30th through the 1st best films of the first half-decade.
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To make a big splash, you've got to get a product into the hands and on the heads of influential people.
How do you launch a Chinese-based company in the US market in a category with lots of skepticism?
Spire sheds light on commuters and stress on Bike to Work Day
How do you successfully bring the iconic brick to the Big Screen?
Increased overall user signups and built awareness among influential parenting bloggers by highlighting the app's unique features.
Flashpoint was charged with establishing DxO as the gold standard in professional-quality "iPhonography"
We tapped into the celebrity mom fervor with a Hollywood-worthy debut that ignited the celebri-sphere.
Roku approached Flashpoint to help establish the flagship Roku 3 player as the leading streaming media device.
A LEGO Ticket to catch up on Star Wars.
Spire Sheds Light on Commuter Stress.
A LEGO Celebration of American Innovation.
A LEGO Celebration of American Innovation
A LEGO Celebration of American Innovation.

subset: commoncrawl


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Q: I own a mid-sized company and have reason to believe that one of my employees is stealing from me by manipulating payroll. I'd like to quietly fire him before things get out of hand but I'm concerned about how his scheme may have placed my company in jeopardy and that what he did will expose the company to criminal charges. I'm not sure what to do at this point.
A: While any decision regarding firing your employees is yours to make, and certainly a decision to cut your losses and simply let him go is one option, because his scheme may have involved payroll should cause you to pause and consider the following before proceeding. While clearly you and your company would be the victims of the thefts, how the money was stolen would play a role in determining possible criminal liability and also how a prosecutor would view your company's role in the scheme.
In New York State, a corporation (and I'm assuming you are incorporated) may be found criminally liable when conduct which constitutes an offense is "engaged in, authorized, solicited, requested, commanded or recklessly tolerated by the board of directors of a high managerial agent acting within the scope of his employment and in behalf of the corporation." There are other theories of corporate liability but this would seem to be the only one to fit your situation.
If for instance, your employee generated the cash by creating phantom employees, or worse paying workers but getting them to kick back a portion of their pay to him, this would be sufficient conduct to attract a law enforcement agency's attention. Theoretically speaking, if a prosecutor believed that the conduct was committed by your employee, depending on his role in the company, he could potentially expose the company to prosecution—although the New York Penal Law requires a "high managerial agent" act, one appellate court has held that even a lowly foreman can qualify for that lofty title.


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PHILADELPHIA Rookies are supposed to be jittery in their first few professional games, noticeable for all the wrong reasons.
Tell that to the Blackhawks three new guys.
Jimmy Hayes scored his second goal in as many games and Andrew Shaw scored his first NHL goal on his first NHL shot of his first NHL game in the Blackhawks 5-4 loss to Philadelphia on Thursday night. Those two, as well as fellow rookie defenseman Dylan Olsen, had solid outings and earned good reviews from their teammates and coaches.
I liked them, I liked them all, said coach Joel Quenneville in a game he otherwise called a brutal loss. They all did a good job.
Jonathan Toews was also impressed, especially with his linemate Shaw.
Andrew went right in there and made things happen right off the bat, he said. Its natural for anyone, even the skill players when they play that first game like that, to be out of synch or have timing issues a bit. But it seems like Andrew was doing the right things, chipping pucks in the right spots.
Shaw will have a few stories out of his first NHL game. The scrappy forward started on the Blackhawks top line, and made a nifty move and backhand to record his first career score. He also did what he does best, fighting Flyers center and old Ontario Hockey League nemesis Zac Rinaldo in the first period.
He challenged me there, I dont like saying no so I decided to square off with him, said Shaw, who brandished stitches in a cut above his left eye. I knew how hed fight; he just keeps throwing. He caught me with one off the start but I got him with a few as well.
Shaw said he was nervous coming onto the ice to start tonight, but once the puck dropped its just another game of hockey. Its nice to get the first one out of the way.
Olsen, called up on Wednesday with Steve Montador on injured reserve, played a little less than 10 minutes on Thursday night. He had three shots on goal and a blocked shot.
Hayes, meanwhile, got another goal when he redirected Jamal Mayers pass to give the Blackhawks a 1-0 lead in the first period. That fourth line was applying plenty of pressure on Flyers goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov, and Hayes and Michael Frolik each had four shots on goal.
The Blackhawks have been giving a few of their Rockford players auditions. These three are the latest. Its hard to say how theyll do in their next game or so, or even how long theyll be here. But on Thursday, they were all noticeable for the right reasons.
Its great to see those young guys pushing, Toews said. The rest of us need to follow that.


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Welcome to the Kokomo Family Psychiatric Center Website - Serving Central Indiana's Mental Health Care Needs with a Smile !
Our Staff
The Facts
Business Hours
New Client
Behavioral health disorders affect millions of Americans of all ages and backgrounds
Major depression is among the most common of all clinical problems in primary care. In 65% of all case, depression is treated successfully by antidepressant medications and/or psychotherapy. The success rate is more than 80% when psychotherapy and medication are combined.
Behavioral disorders affect a full 22% of the adult population.
Approximately 5 million people suffer from severe mental health disorders, including manic depression, schizophrenia, and severe forms of depression.
Approximately 11% of children aged 9 to 17 years of age experience serious emotional disturbances with 5% to 9% of this age group experiencing "extreme" functional impairment.
Today, the highest rate of suicide is found in older males.
Behavioral health care saves lives.
Behavioral health care saves lives.
The Foundation of all Happiness is Good Mental Health


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Lemon and raspberries may seem like more of a summer treat, but these bars will add a refreshing palette cleanser among all of those other holiday sweets. Framboise is available at the taproom only, but growlers are available. Act fast if you hope to have this wonderful beer at your holiday gathering! Limited quantities remain!
Recipe by Samantha Haddow
Yields 24-28 bars
For the crust
- 2/3 cup powdered sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- pinch of salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- ¼ cup Framboise
For the filling
- 4 eggs
- ¼ cup flour
- juice and zest of 2 lemons
- ¼ cup pureed raspberries
- ½ cup Framboise
- 1 ¼ cup granulated sugar
- pinch of salt
- powdered sugar for garnish
- raspberries for garnish
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F
- Whisk together the powdered sugar, flour, and salt. Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles course crumbs. Stir in the Framboise until just combined.
- Press crust into an ungreased 9" x 13" baking dish. A pint glass works wonderfully to roll the surface into a smooth, even layer.
- Bake the crust for 25-30 minutes, or until just beginning to brown. Allow to cool to room temperature.
- Whisk together the eggs, flour, lemon juice, zest, raspberries, Framboise, sugar and salt. Pour the mixture on top of the cooled crust.
- Bake lemon bars for 20-25 minutes for until the filling is set and just slightly jiggles in the center. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly. Refrigerate for at least two hours., preferably overnight
- Before serving, cut chilled bars into 24-28 pieces. Dust generously with powdered sugar. Top each bar with a fresh raspberry.
*Recipe Prepared by Samantha Haddow & Taste-Tested by friends!


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And in short, it basically shows that the 19-year-old kid who allegedly died two weeks after being tossed off the stage by Randy Blythe during a Lamb of God show in Prague back in 2010 was acting like a fucktard the entire fucking night.
I'm not surprised in the slightest. I kind of figured from the outset this manslaughter charge was horseshit, and now, it appears the plaintiff's case is falling to shit. Bravo to Jason at The Gauntlet for tracking down the new video footage; check it here.
The footage shows all three times the fan made his way on to the stage; one scene, we've already…uhm…seen. It's the footage of Randy holding onto the kid's hair as a security guard throws him back into the audience with such force, you'd think he was trying to throw a fucking lounge chair over a ten-story building.
The first scene in the video shows the kid, named Daniel N., climbing on stage, only to be thrown backwards by a security dude. You can see the kid hits his head.
The guard bearhugs Daniel and slams him to the ground, but Randy never touched him.
In the second scene, we see the kid mount the stage again, and the band doesn't touch him. Neither does security. He jumps into the crowd from the stage, and no one catches him. He falls straight to the floor.
If this kid sustained head injuries, it certainly had not a fucking thing to do with Randy, as this video shows.
Now cut the fucking crap, Prague: FREE RANDY BLYTHE already.
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Looking for something comfortable yet stylish for those summer days and nights? Repeat Possessions has added 2 great new T-Party Racer Back Maxi dresses for the summer festivities. The racer back style shows off those sexy shoulders and keeps you cool on the summer days. The beauty of these dresses is the way it flows and keeps you cool. When the sun sets, just add a cute little scarf or jean jacket and you're good to go.
We love the feminine look and feel of these dresses.
The Horizon Tie Dye Dress
Which is your favorite? The Horizon or the Geo Dress?


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City of Shelton to farm out municipal vehicle work at set price
The city has reached an agreement with a few city service garages to do maintenance work on certain city vehicles at a fixed price. This includes an hourly rate for general work and specific rates for more routine maintenance jobs, such as oil changes and brake work.
The garages will be paid $60 a hour for the general work. Participating garages are C&C Family Automotive and Huntington Center Gulf, and to a certain extent, AJ's Service Center. All are based in Shelton, which is one of the reasons they were selected.
The garages will do work on police patrol cars, municipal staff vehicles, and Fire Department light-duty support vehicles and administrative vehicles.
In fact, the first police cars are expected to be sent to two of the vendors as early as this week. The Police Department has about 44 vehicles, according to city Public Works Director Paul DiMauro, and patrol cars can require a lot of maintenance because of their intensive use.
Aldermen approve bid waiver
The Board of Aldermen approved a bid waiver after bids initially were received for the outside maintenance work. Separate bids went out for the fire vehicles, and for the police and municipal staff cars.
City officials then went back to five of the six garages that bid and asked if they would agree to do the work at a fixed price — and some said yes and some said no.
"It was a matter of what garages wanted the work," said DiMauro, noting that what price was needed by each garage to make a profit was one of the factors considered by garage owners.
The one garage that bid but was not approached to possibly participate is located in Ansonia.
It was determined that getting garages to agree to a set pricing schedule would make more sense than giving all the work to one garage. This would mean multiple garages would be available to work on municipal vehicles — and gain experience and familiarity with those vehicles in the process.
"It's good to have more than one garage doing the work," DiMauro said.
City mechanics
The approach also is viewed as a way to free up the time of public works mechanics to work more on public works vehicles and trucks, where contracting the work out can be much more expensive than comparable work on less complicated city vehicles.
"This will help relieve our garage [operation], which is overtaxed with the growth of the vehicle fleet," DiMauro said.
In the past, city public works mechanics have done most maintenance work on city vehicles such as police patrol cars.
Mayor Mark Lauretti said he supports the new approach. "We can farm some out and get efficiencies of scale, and our mechanics can focus on heavy machinery," Lauretti said.
The Public Works Department has been purchasing more vehicles and related equipment in recent years so it can try to do more infrastructure work in-house, such as road rebuilding and paving.


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"Lynn C. Woolsey" in Women in Congress, 1917-2006. Prepared under the direction of the Committee on House Administration by the Office of History & Preservation, U. S. House of Representatives. Washington: Government Printing Office, 2006.
As a working single mother, Lynn Woolsey spent several years receiving public assistance to help make ends meet while she raised three small children. "I know what it means to have a safety net when you need help getting back on your feet," Woolsey recalled. "I can go to Washington and say, 'I've been there.'"1 Describing herself as the "first former welfare mom to serve in Congress," Representative Woolsey focused on issues facing children and families during her 20-year career in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Lynn Carol Robinson was born in Seattle, Washington, on November 3, 1937, to John Linn and Virginia Elizabeth Robinson. Lynn and her older sister Joan spent their adolescence in Seattle. A graduate of Seattle's Lincoln High School, Robinson attended the University of Washington from 1955 to 1957. She left school to marry Terry J. Critchett in 1958. Critchett's success as a stockbroker enabled the couple to settle in northern California's Marin County. They had three children—Joseph, Ed, and Amy—before they divorced in 1967. Following her divorce, Robinson found a secretarial job at a local high tech company, but was forced to accept welfare assistance to make ends meet. She eventually became a human resources manager at her company and, in 1980, opened a personnel services firm. She married David C. Woolsey in 1971 and raised another child, Michael, but that marriage also ended in divorce. Woolsey also returned to college and earned a bachelor of science degree from the University of San Francisco in 1980. Woolsey first entered elective politics in 1984, when she won a seat on the city council of Petaluma, in Sonoma County. She served on the city council until 1992, holding the post of vice mayor for the last year of her tenure.2
In 1992, when five-term incumbent Representative Barbara Boxer decided to run for the U.S. Senate, Woolsey entered the race to succeed her. The district encompassed the two counties just north of the Golden Gate Bridge—Marin and most of Sonoma—one of the nation's most affluent areas. She finished ahead of eight opponents in the Democratic primary with 26 percent of the vote (to her nearest competitor's 19 percent). In the general election against Republican Bill Filante, a California assemblyman, Woolsey ran on a platform that emphasized her experiences as a former welfare mother, businesswoman, and local council member. Woolsey held a sizeable lead throughout the race, and Filante suspended his campaign in September 1992 due to complications from a surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his brain. Woolsey won the election with 65 percent of the vote. Re-elected in 1994 with 58 percent of the vote, Woolsey was returned to office in the next seven elections by comfortable margins. In 2010, she was elected to the 112th Congress with 66 percent of the vote.3
When Woolsey claimed her seat in the House at the start of the 103rd Congress (1993–1995), she received assignments on three committees: Budget; Government Operations; and Education and Labor (later renamed Education and the Workforce). In the 104th Congress (1995–1997), she left Government Operations and, in the 106th Congress (1999–2001), was reassigned from the Budget Committee to the Science Committee. By the 108th Congress (2003–2005), she was the Ranking Member on the Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Education Reform. Woolsey served as chairman of the Education and Labor Committee's Workforce Protections Subcommittee when the Democrats took control of the House in the 110th and 111th Congresses, (2007–2011), and served as ranking Member of the subcommittee in the 112th Congress (2011–2013).4 As subcommittee chair, Woolsey's measure to provide job-protected leave for family members of injured soldiers was incorporated into the FY 2008 defense authorization bill (P.L. 110-181). Upon its inclusion, Woolsey commented, "Military families shouldn't have to risk losing their jobs in order to meet the needs of their loved ones, and with this bill, we are one step closer to fulfilling our promise to them."5
From her seat on the Education and Workforce Committee, Woolsey positioned herself as one of Congress's foremost advocates of education issues. Based on her personal experience, she was a Democratic spokesperson during the mid-1990s welfare reform debates and was sharply critical of legislation that reduced the scope of many programs and placed lifetime limits on benefits. Representative Woolsey also was a proponent of expanding childcare programs and supporting paid parental-leave programs. In the 105th Congress (1997–1999), during renewal of child-nutrition legislation, Woolsey inserted an amendment to expand school breakfast programs to all children and to make teenagers eligible for after-school snack programs. In the 106th Congress, she sponsored a measure that required the IRS to help enforce child support payments. In the 106th and 107th Congresses (1999–2003), she introduced her "Go, Girl" measure to encourage young girls to study science and math.6 In the 111th Congress, Woolsey submitted an amendment to H. R. 2020, a bill designed to increase the involvement of women and minorities in the sectors of network and information technology through the promotion of computer science programs for K-12 students. Woolsey argued that such an initiative would make "more students exposed to innovative, engaging, and rigorous computer science curriculum and the K-12 level." Also, such an initiative would enable more students to enter these fields of employment.7
A prominent member of the Out of Iraq Caucus, Woolsey publicly criticized the George W. Bush administration's prosecution of the war, voted consistently to suspend funding for the wars, and introduced a bill to redirect $60 billion of Pentagon funds toward domestic civilian programs. Woolsey sponsored the Iraq War Powers Repeal Act of 2006 (H.R. 5875), a bill designed to repeal Congress's authorization of military force in Iraq (P.L. 107-243), but the bill died in committee.8 Throughout her congressional career, Woolsey petitioned the Bush and Barack H. Obama administrations to adopt a Sensible, Multilateral American Response to Terrorism ("SMART") security strategy. Woolsey called for a withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq and Afghanistan while the United States addresses "the root causes of terrorism by engaging our international partners and humanitarian community" to rebuild Iraq and Afghanistan while containing terrorist threats to these countries and the United States. Woolsey proposed this approach in H. Con. Res. 392 in the 108th Congress (2003–2005) and reintroduced it during the 110th Congress (H. Res. 227), but both bills died in committee.9 At the start of the Obama administration, Woolsey supported the President's efforts to draw down troops and finish the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. However, she objected to President Obama's increase of troops to Afghanistan.10
Although Woolsey opposed the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, she sponsored legislation that helped military families with injuries sustained during these conflicts and their readjustment to civilian life. During the 110th Congress, she sponsored the Support for Injured Servicemembers Act (H.R. 3481) which provided six months of unpaid, job-protected leave to the relatives of service members who were injured in the line of duty. For Woolsey, the bill "sends a message to our wounded men and women that we will stand beside them as they deal with the physical and mental wounds of war, an obligation that we must honor for as long as they live."11
Woolsey also brought public attention to her causes as a co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus during the 111th Congress. One of the caucus's initiatives was the submission of the "People's Budget," an alternative budget that outlined the caucus's economic priorities. Woolsey argued that such a budget "shows that you can tame the deficit without shredding the safety net, without destroying Medicare, without giving the back of the hand treatment to the middle class."12
Throughout her congressional career, Woolsey attended to her northern California constituents' range of needs. She delivered hundreds of millions of dollars to her district for a variety of capital intensive projects, including $9 million for a Petaluma River flood control project and $52 million for a seismic retrofit of the Golden Gate Bridge.13
After 20 years of service, Woolsey announced her retirement from the House at the end of the 112th Congress.14 In her farewell speech, Woolsey answered critics who accused her of "wanting a 'perfect world.' But I consider that a compliment . . . I'm absolutely certain that if we don't work toward a perfect world, we won't ever come close to providing a safe, healthy, and secure world for our grandchildren and their grandchildren."15
1Jane Gross, "Running on Experience: On Welfare, Then Off It," 16 June 1992, New York Times: A16. See also Carolyn Lochhead, "Ex-Welfare Mom Takes Congress to Task; Lawmaker Draws on Experience," 10 March 1994, San Francisco Chronicle: A4.
2Lynn Robinson birth register, Washington State Birth Index, 1930–1939, Washington State Library, Olympia, WA: http://www.vitalsearch-ca.com (accessed 15 April 2013); Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940: Seattle, King County, Washington, Roll T627_4375, page 6B, Washington State Library, Olympia, WA http://search.ancestrylibrary.com (accessed 17 April 2013);Washington, Marriage Records, 1865–2004, Washington State Library, Olympia, WA http://search.ancestrylibrary.com; California Divorce Index, 1966–1984, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.: http://search.ancestrylibrary.com (accessed 14 August 2012); California Marriage Index, 1960–1985, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.: http://search.ancestrylibrary.com (accessed 14 August 2012); Politics in America, 2000. (Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Inc., 1999): 99; Congressional Directory, 112th Congress (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 2012): 22.
3"Election Statistics, 1920 to Present," http://history.house.gov/Institution/Election-Statistics/Election-Statistics/; California Secretary of State Debra Bowen, "Statement of Vote: Primary Election June 2, 1992"; "Politics Aside, California GOP Candidate Battles for His Life," 13 October 1992, the Associated Press.
4Congressional Directory, various editions (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1993–2013).
5Politics in America, 2010 (Washington: Congressional Quarterly Inc., 2009): 81; Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, "House Includes Woolsey Proposal to Help Military Families in Bi-Partisan SCHIP Bill," Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, http://web.archive.org/web/20071101061915/http://woolsey.house.gov/latestnews.asp?ARTICLE5110=2151542&PG5110=1 (accessed 21 February 2013).
6Almanac of American Politics, 2002 (Washington, D.C.: National Journal, Inc., 2001):175; Politics in America, 2004 (Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Inc., 2003):79.
7Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, "House Passes Woolsey Initiative to Encourage Women and Minorities to Study Computer Science," Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, http://web.archive.org/web/20090528022038/http://woolsey.house.gov/latestnews.asp?ARTICLE5110=2845148&PG5110=1 (accessed 21 February 2013).
8The bill status of H.R. 5875 is listed here: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:h.r.05875; Politics in America, 2008 (Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Inc., 2007) 83; Politics in America, 2010: 81. Woolsey supported a revocation of the Patriot Act on the grounds of the abuse of civil liberties.
9Congressional Record, House, 109th Cong., 2nd sess. (25 January 2005): H172; Lynn C. Woolsey, "It's Time for Smart Security," 1 December 2009, Politico: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1109/30008.html (accessed 25 February 2013); Woolsey introduced H. Res. 227 during the 110th Congress. See http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/thomas for more information.
10For two examples of Woolsey's opposition to the Obama administration's approach to the war effort, see Congressional Record, House, 112th Cong., 1st sess. (6 January 2011): H74; and Congressional Record, House, 112th Cong., 1st sess. (26 January 2011): H501.
11Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey,"Woolsey's Military Family Bill Signed Into Law," Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, http://web.archive.org/web/20080227221957/http://woolsey.house.gov/latestnews.asp?ARTICLE5110=2154177&PG5110=1 (accessed 21 February 2013).
12Almanac of American Politics, 2008 (Washington, D.C.: National Journal, Inc., 2007): 179; Almanac of American Politics, 2012 (Washington, D.C.,: National Journal, Inc., 2011): 147; Politics in America, 2008 (Washington, D.C.,: Congressional Quarterly Inc., 2007): 83; Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, "Woolsey Touts 'People's Budget," Says Bringing Home Troops is 'Moral Imperative' and 'Fiscal Common Sense," 4/13/2011 press release.
13Pamela J. Podger, "Woolsey Smokes Challenger in Primary," 6 March 2002, San Francisco Chronicle: A24.
14Melanie Starkey, "Woolsey to Retire After Two Decades in House," 27 June 2011, Roll Call.
15Congressional Record, House, 112th Cong., 2nd sess. (12 December 2012): H6709.
View Record in the Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress[ Top ]
"Lynn C. Woolsey" in Women in Congress, 1917-2006. Prepared under the direction of the Committee on House Administration by the Office of History & Preservation, U. S. House of Representatives. Washington: Government Printing Office, 2006.
The Honorable Lynn C. Woolsey reflects on how she prioritized which committees she sought to serve on throughout her time in Congress.
The Honorable Lynn C. Woolsey describes talking openly to her colleagues about her experiences as a single mother on welfare.


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From The East Cork Journal.
Clifford Winser was born in Carlisle, Cumberland in 1944. He visited Youghal many times on childhood holidays with his father. In 1969, as a 29 year old young man, he decided to come back for a month. He never left. "I love the history of the place, it's so rich, vivid and exciting. The easy tranquillity of Youghal is also one of favourite things about it." Tranquillity is something that is easy to come by for Cliff who, when asked if he was married, replied "Certainly not! Why buy a book when there are libraries!"
Cliff has been the Youghal Town Crier for 30 years. He has immersed himself in the history of the town and it's telling. He began by playing the role of Sir Walter Raleigh at local events. Walter Raleigh of course, was gifted 42,000 acres of land (including Youghal) by Elizabeth I for his work in quashing a rebellion by the Desmonds of Munster in 1579. His colourful life eventually led to his beheading in 1618 by order of James I and, with two chops of an axe, it was all over. Not so for Cliff, thankfully. If being an iconic figure of historical reference around the town and a representative of it further afield wasn't enough, he also served in the Coastguard for 35 years.
Along with playing the part of Walter Raleigh, Cliff decided to take on the role of Town Crier. He has been doing that now for 30 years and said "In 2014, I was invited to the World Town Criers Guild Championships in Chester. At a banquet on the Saturday evening, the awards were being announced and people had to go to the podium to receive them. Rules stipulate that you must be in full dress costume. I had no notion my name would be called and was lounging happily at my table in a waistcoat taking it all in. Next thing, I heard them announce my name as coming 2nd in the category of those up for an award for the promotion of their town. The camaraderie was great amongst the crowd and there were several attempting to dress me properly as I made my way to the stage in a daze! Within 15 minutes of the announcement, my phone was hopping with messages of enquiries about Youghal. I will continue to promote Youghal, whenever and wherever I can."
To that end, Cliff also conducts guided historical walks in the town. "I'm trying to cover 2,000 years of history in one and half hours, so no two tours are the same. There are so many anecdotes and tales to tell that it really just depends on the day, but you'd certainly not be lost for something to talk about, look at, or discover in a town like Youghal."


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Greenville, NCHome Menu
Youth Basketball
Youth Basketball leagues are offered in the winter for boys and girls ages 5-18 (age as of January 1, 2020). Registration will be taken September 9 through October 28. Skills assessments for 9-12 year olds will be held in mid-November, followed by skills assessments for 13-18 year olds at the end of November. Players in these age groups will be drafted. Players in the 5-6 and 7-8 year old age groups are randomly (by age) assigned to a team and will also begin in mid-November. Games will be played January 11 through late February at H. Boyd Lee Park, Drew Steele Center and other facilities as needed. For more information contact the Athletic Office at 252.329.4550.
For more information, contact the Athletic Office at 252-329-4550.
Basketball Skills Clinics at H. Boyd Lee Park
Clinics are offered in the fall to boys and girls between the ages of 9-12 (age as of January 1, 2019). Participants will learn and develop skills through drills and games.
Sundays November 17-December 15, 3:00 PM-5:00 PM
Registration will be taken October 20-November 17 or until the program fills. For more information, contact the Athletic Office at 252.329.4550 or email Mike Cato or Tre' Hill.
Basketball Skills Training at the Sports Connection
Fundamentals of basketball skills will be stressed using multiple drill stations. Skill areas will focus on dribbling with one hand, shooting, free throws, defense, passing and blocking out. 5 year olds must be in Kindergarten.
Ages 5-7 October 23-November 11 Tuesdays 5:45 PM-6:30 PM & Sundays 1:15 PM-2:00 PM
Ages 8-9 October 23-November 11 Tuesdays 6:45 PM-7:30 PM & Sundays 2:15 PM-3:00 PM
2013 Youth Basketball Champions
Updated on 01/11/2016 2:03 PM


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The legalization of marijuana for both medical use and recreational use is a hot topic in legal circles these days. There are many ramifications to both types of legalization, involving many different stakeholders. In terms of the legalization of medical marijuana, stakeholders could include workers' compensation claimants, carriers, and providers. The problem we are faced with currently is that there are unfortunately more questions than answers in this field, largely because the law with regard to this issue, both in PA and federally, is in a great state of flux at the moment.
Recently, the PA legislature began the process of addressing the issue of legalizing marijuana for medical purposes by passing the PA Medical Marijuana Act on April 17, 2016. As of August 1, 2018, it became legal under this Act to sell marijuana in flower form for medical use. The law does not legalize the smoking of marijuana. Initially, the use of medical marijuana was limited to treatment of neuropathies, PTSD, and severe chronic or intractable pain (as of 5/12/2018, the qualifiers "of neuropathic origin" and "in which conventional therapeutic intervention and opiate therapy is contraindicated or ineffective" were removed). Recently, the Act has been expanded to apply to "addiction substitute therapy and opioid reduction."
In order to avail oneself of the provisions of the Act, a patient has to register with the state and make an appointment with a doctor approved by the state to recommend medical marijuana. In order to become approved, the doctors must attend a four hour course. The patient must pay cash for this visit. The doctor determines whether or not the patient has a "qualifying medical condition" (as listed above) and then determines if medical marijuana would be helpful in treating the condition.
If the doctor finds that medical marijuana may be helpful in treating the patient's condition, he or she does not write a prescription. He makes a "recommendation." The patient must then obtain and pay for a medical marijuana card through the state. Once the patient has the card, he or she must take the recommendation to a state-approved dispensary. After a consultation with a pharmacist and a technician, the patient will be given the medical marijuana. The amount that the patient will be given is limited to a one month supply. The patient must again pay cash for the substance.
It should be noted that PA law does not allow patients to grow their own marijuana.
In terms of workers' compensation coverage, the Medical Marijuana Act states in Section 2102 that "Nothing in this Act shall be construed to require an insurer or health plan, whether paid for by Commonwealth funds or private funds, to provide coverage for medical marijuana." This sounds fairly straightforward, and one could be led to believe that this is the end of the analysis. This language, however, is in direct contradiction to the language of the PA Workers' Compensation Act which requires payment for all reasonable, necessary and causally-related medical treatment. In addition, the Medical Marijuana Act does not address whether the carrier can be forced to reimburse a claimant for the expenses. So far, there is no case law on the issue (although it is anticipated that there certainly will be). A carrier can agree to pay for medical marijuana. This is not prohibited in the PAMMA.
The analysis does not end with the conflict between the PAMMA and the WC Act. There are a plethora of federal law issues involved, as well. Despite various states legalizing marijuana for both medical and recreational purposes, the use of marijuana is still illegal under federal law.
What recourse does a carrier who does not wish to pay for medical marijuana do? There are several potential defenses. First, the carrier can raise the aforementioned federal law ban on marijuana. Second, the carrier can argue that claimant's condition does not meet the requirement of being a "qualified condition." (Likely a medical opinion is going to be needed for this defense). Third, the carrier can allege that the treatment was not related to the accepted injury. (Again, a medical opinion is likely necessary here). Several potential issues arise under this defense—for example, how does one define chronic intractable pain? (Pain is considered a symptom, not a diagnosis); does the chronic intractable pain have to be the result of a neuropathy or qualifying medical condition, or is the listing of the body part and diagnoses that causes the chronic pain sufficient?; with regard to opioid addiction therapy, how does one measure the effectiveness, and does the addiction need to be listed on the NCP in order to be covered? (Expect a lot of petitions to review). Fourth, the carrier can challenge the reasonableness or necessity of the treatment via the IRE process, but there are issues, here, too—for example, does the carrier waive the relatedness defense by obtaining an IRE? How does one prove reasonableness of this type of treatment? What evidence needs to be submitted in order to make this determination?
As mentioned above, there are currently more questions than answers about how to handle this issue. Other states have addressed it in diverse ways. In fact, thirty-two states plus the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico have medical marijuana laws. For example: Florida, Arizona and Illinois have decided that medical marijuana is not reimbursable under their workers' compensation acts. Other states, such as Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York have decided that medical marijuana is not reimbursable due to the federal illegality. Still other states have directed that medical marijuana be reimbursed despite the federal law (New Jersey, Connecticut and New Mexico).
Problems may also arise with the fee schedule for payment and cost–containment regulations. The PA cost-containment regulations require that the services be provided by a "health care provider" (although see massage therapy). It also requires payment for "prescription drugs and pharmaceuticals." Medical marijuana is not prescribed, it is merely "recommended." Some states have come up with creative ways to address these issues, such as creating a separate schedule for medical marijuana, and defining the amount and price (one unit = 1 gram dry weight equivalent, and each unit is worth $12.02).
Many other issues can arise under the scenario of medical marijuana use, including:
1. Does payment through the mail amount to mail fraud or money laundering?
2. Is the use of medical marijuana a reasonable accommodation under the ADA?
3. Medicare does not cover medical marijuana—how will this affect MSAs?
4. Is it good faith to offer a Claimant a job or find a job in a labor market survey that he cannot do because of his use of medical marijuana?
5. What if the patient overdoses on marijuana? Does that create liability for the death claim if the carrier has been reimbursing Claimant for the treatment?
These are issues that our clients and we will no doubt be dealing with and litigating in the next several years, unless the legislature and Congress act to change the laws, which is unlikely to happen very quickly. Perhaps we will be on the forefront of making new law in this area.


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Friends and fans, the SLN Web Store is undergoing a serious update! Not only do we have new releases hitting the pavement from Autogramm, SPELLS and Hooper but we've got new SLN shirts, band accessories, posters, classic Denver/Boulder recordings and much more. Check it out HERE and keep checking back as we continue to add more items. Thanks for your continued support!
The Staff


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Amazon.com Price: (as of 2020-10-20 15:03:17 GMT) Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Since 1846, Nardin and his descendents have produced award winning timepieces. These coveted watches are produced in extremely limited quantities. Ulysse Nardin's technical achievements are legendary. Its watches of the last thirty years have been exemplary.


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Haw bank House, Cheadle, Cheshire, SK8 1AL. Call 0161 509 1294, or use our BOOKING FORM to make an appointment.
Allergy testing is one of the popular services at Everything Skin. Allergies are very common and it's predicted they affect one in four people in the UK at some point in their lives. They are more common in children and whilst some allergies disappear as the child grows, many allergies persist life-long. Adults can also develop new allergies to products that wouldn't have affected them previously.
An allergy is a response of your immune system becoming hypersensitive to certain substances in the environment. Any substances that can cause an allergic reaction is an 'allergen'. Common allergens include:
Common allergens tested during allergy testing.
If you do not have an allergy to any of the items listed these substances would be harmless to you.
Allergies develop when the body's immune system reacts to a substance as though it's harmful. It's not clear why this happens and there isn't one definite cause, however, allergies are often placed into categories for risk factors, these are 'host' and 'environmental'
In recent years, there has been an increase in the incidence of allergic disorders that are not related to host factors alone. Environmental factors include any allergies that are the result of your surroundings. These can include, but are not limited to:
The host factors include anything that might increase the risk of developing an allergy, these include:
An allergy is a reaction produced by the body's immune system in response to a substance. However, sensitivity or intolerance are different to an allergy.
A sensitivity is the exaggeration of the normal effects of a substance, for example, people with a sensitivity to caffeine may result in exaggerated symptoms such as palpitations and trembling.
An intolerance is due to a certain substance causing unpleasant symptoms, but this doesn't involve the immune system. People can have an intolerance to certain foods, but still eat a very small amount without issues, this wouldn't be the case if it was an allergy.
People can suffer a variety of different symptoms and they usually happen quickly, within a few minutes of exposure to an allergen.
Most allergic reactions are mild and can include:
Although rare, some people can have a severe reaction called anaphylaxis, or anaphylactic shock. This is a medical emergency and will require urgent treatment.
Here at Everything skin clinic™ we offer a range of allergy testing to our patients with skin allergies. These include Patch tests and Prick tests-for patients suspected to have contact dermatitis. Blood tests-RAST tests for suspected food allergies.
Patch testing is a procedure to find out whether your skin condition is a result of substances which have come into contact with your skin. This is known as a contact allergy.
Substances that cause an allergic reaction can be from home, at work or in leisure activities. This type of allergy testing does not test for food allergies. Food allergies are tested through a blood test or prick test.
It is important to determine whether there is an allergic component contributing an eczematous reaction. Avoidance of relevant allergen(s) can be key in the management of the rash. It is possible that your patch tests will be negative, but this is helpful to your doctor as we can rule out contact allergy as a cause of your skin problem.
It involves 4 visits to the service. The first appointment is for an assessment and the three other visits all occur in the same week, usually but not always on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
The initial visit is for an assessment where we will ask specific questions to individualise the test. Please bring your medication list to this appointment. At that visit, you will have the opportunity to book the dates of the test, which we will carry out on three days of the same week.
On your first visit, we will apply each substance that needs testing to your back in special small discs (about 1cm in diameter) containers held in place by hypoallergenic tape.
The substances will remain taped in place until your second visit, where we will then remove the taping and take note of any reactions.
On the third visit, we will examine your back and we will discuss any reactions with you.
Positive reactions to a substance will include red and itchy skin around the substance area. These become more obvious by the third visit (final reading), although a reaction can occasionally take up to two weeks. Some substances may stain the skin; this is normal and will wash off after a couple of days with showering or bathing.
At Everything Skin Clinic™, we have a team of highly trained Consultant dermatologists, who have completed specialist training in Dermatology and are on the specialist register of the General Medical Council. All our consultants hold substantive contracts with the best Dermatology centres in leading NHS hospitals. Therefore, you can be certain of the highest quality private care.
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With options for the First Reading, Second Reading, and Gospel, there are various permutations of Reading arrangements. If you use the Acts passage as the Frist Reading you would use the 1 Corinthians passage as the Second Reading. If you use the Numbers passage for the First Reading you could use either the Acts reading or the 1 Corinthians passage as the Second Reading but I think the Acts passage would be the better choice. How will you decide which Gospel Reading to use?
2:1 What was the day of Pentecost before the coming of the Holy Spirit? Who are the "they"? Where might that "one place" have been?
2:2 This verse might be especially poignant in light of recent tornados and the beginning of hurricane season. What came; a sound like the rush of a mighty wind or an actual mighty wind? Does it matter?
2:3 What is a divided tongue? How does a tongue, even a tongue, as of fire, rest on someone?
2:4 What does it mean to be "filled with the Holy Spirit". Rosetta Stone, eat your heart out!
2:5 What purpose does this verse serve?
2:6 Who is in the crowd? Where did the crowd gather? Have you ever been bewildered? What bewilders you? Who was speaking?
2:7 Have you ever been amazed and astonished by a Christian spiritual experience? Who were asking the question? What Galileans were speaking?
2:8 Is this a Gospel rhetorical question?
2:9-11 Lay readers, and even some clergy, hate reading these verses. I think, however, that this list serves a very important theological purpose. Is there anything special about the area's listed, or the number?
2:11 What are God's deeds of power?
2:12 Earlier it was bewildered, amazed and astonished. Now it is amazed and perplexed. What does this mean? When was the last time you were perplexed by a Christian spiritual experience?
2:13 Who sneered? Does this verse explain at all why most PCUSA Presbyterians shun offering fermented wine at communion? Are most Presbyterians afraid of losing control and appearing to be filled with new wine? Rather than being filled with new wine, or any wine, we are filled with grape juice, a nice, safe alternative void of all power and warmth, (like the spirit in most of our congregations).
2:14 Why was Peter always the first to open his mouth? Who was Peter addressing? Where only men of Judea in Jerusalem? Where were the Judean women?
2:15 As if people are not drunk before 9:00 AM? Some people are just coming home from all night parties at that time.
2:16 One cannot go wrong by quoting from a Jewish prophet when your audience is filled with devout Jews.
2:17-21 Is this a case where a prophecy in the Hebrew Scriptures prefigures a later event, or where a prophecy is used as an apology for a later event? Should we interpret these verses in light of Pentecost or only within their context within the Hebrew Scriptures?
2:17-18 Does the Pentecost experience place us in the last days? Note the inclusive character of these verses.
2:19-20 What shall we make of these portents and signs?
2:20 What and when is "the Lord's great and glorious day"?
2:21 What does it mean to call on the name of the lord? Saved from what?
11:24 What are "the words" of the Lord? Is there anything special about the number seventy? Is there any story like this in the New Testament?
11:25 In the NRSV the "Lord", not LORD, comes down. Does this make any difference? Why did the Lord take some of the spirit that was on Moses and put it on the seventy elders? Was there not enough Spirit to go around, so it had to be rationed? What does it mean to prophesy? Why could they not prophesy again?
11:26-29 Why are these two men named when the seventy are not named? Why might they have remained in the camp? What did it mean to be registered?
11:27 Was this a young filer of complaints, a tattle-tale, or bearer of good news?
11:28 Why did Joshua want to stop Eldad and Medad from prophesying? In my mind this seems to disqualify Joshua as Moses' successor?
11:29 Indeed, would that all. We can only hope and pray that it be so. It seems Moses was not concerned about safeguarding his power or authority but will to share it.
11:30 Is the prophesying of Medad and Eldad the reason Moses and the elders returned to the camp. I want to know the rest of the story.
104:24 How could this verse serve as an interpretive lens for Numbers 11:26-29? What are the works of the LORD?
104:25 The sea kayaker and sailor in me is nodding his head.
104:26 Was this verse Thomas Hobbes' inspiration for the title of his political treatise? How do we deal with perhaps purely mythical beings when we encounter them in Scripture?
104:27-28 Ergo, all creatures depend upon the LORD.
104:29 What does it mean for God to hide God's face? What shall we make of the connection between the withdrawal of breath (spirit) and death?
104:30 I love the juxtaposition of 104"29 and 104:30, especially the imagery of breath/death and spirit/creation. How do these verses to the institutional church in light of Pentecost?
104:31 Would the LORD not rejoice in the LORD's works?
104:32 I think this verse is applying storm imagery to the LORD. How does this inform our interpretation of Acts 2:2?
104:33-35b These the concluding they could be adapted to function as a Call to Worship. For example:
One: The LORD be with you.
All: And also with you.
One: We will sing to the LORD as long as we live.
All: We will sing praise to our God while we have being.
One: May our meditation be pleasing the LORD,
All: for we rejoice in the LORD
One: Bless the LORD, O my soul.
All: Praise the LORD!
One: Let us worship the LORD!
12:3b Is this really true?
12:4-6 Why am I thinking of Isabel Briggs Myers and her book Gifts Differing? Why do we tend to reserve the reading of these verses for the Rite of Ordination? Are gifts, services, and activities synonyms?
12:7 Is every Christian given a manifestation of the Spirit?
12:8-10 Do you think that Paul meant for this list to be exhaustive? What is your gift? What service do you perform? What activity are you engaged in? What is your manifestation of the Spirit?
12:11 What does "activated" mean?
12:12 How does this analogy or metaphor help us make sense of the Pentecost experience?
12:13 Do you think Paul meant for "Jews or Greeks, slaves or free" to be exhaustive? What does it mean to be "made" to drink? Do Christians have no choice in the matter? What does it mean to "drink" of one Spirit? Is this an allusion to the Eucharist?
20:19-23 What day does this take place? How does this passage inform our understanding of the Pentecost experience? Did we not read these verses on the Second Sunday of Easter?
20:19 What is the significance of Jesus' words "Peace be with you."?
20:20 Did the disciples not recognize Jesus until after he showed them his wounds?
20:21 Why might Jesus have repeated what he said? How did the Father send Jesus?
20:22 Did the disciples receive the Holy Spirit? If so, was it Jesus words or his breathing on them, or both, that allowed them to receive it? Is this the Johannine Pentecost?
20:23 To whom was Jesus speaking? How shall we Protestants deal with this verse?
7:37 And what festival would that be? In the Christian tradition what is the difference between a feast day and a festival day, if any?
7:38 May only believers drink? What Scripture passage does Jesus quote and what is the original historical and literary context of that passage?
7:39 So Jesus had to be glorified before there was a Spirit? Did the author of the Gospel know this at the time Jesus quoted scripture, or does this comment make sense only in hind sight?
How does the Doctrine of the Holy Spirit help us understand this verse?
This coming Pentecost, June 8, 2014, I will be guest preaching at The Presbyterian Church of Cadiz, Ohio. Worship begins at 11:00 AM.


text:
by Kelli from Texarkana, TX
Papa Smurf Costume
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This homemade costume for boys entered our 2011 Halloween Costume Contest.
A word from Justine, the 'Papa Smurf' costume creator:
My 6 year old son is wearing the Papa Smurf costume. We thought that the costume being sold was cheesy and cheap looking. My father hand sewed hat and belly insert to make him fat and sewed on beard and painted him blue.
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Fresh From Naturipe
Creamy, delicious and bursting with health benefits – Naturipe® avocados are a must. At just 80 calories per serving, avocados are a source of goods fats linked to heart health and weight management. This versatile fruit makes a flavorful addition to a healthy diet.
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Serving Size = ⅓ medium avocado
80 calories
Naturally good fats
20 vitamins & minerals
0 Sugar | Sodium | Cholesterol
{ How to Select, Store, & Handle }
Storing firm in order to ripen: 68-75°f
Storing ripe: 40-42°f
Avocado ripeness is not always indicated by the fruit's color. To determine ripeness, place avocado in the palm of your hand and gently squeeze. Refrain from applying pressure with your fingertips as this can cause bruising. If the avocado gives to firm gentle pressure, then it is ripe and ready to eat.
If you follow these steps and the avocado does not give to gentle pressure, it is considered "firm" and will ripen in a couple of days.
Firm = 4-5 days to ripen at room temperature
If an avocado feels very soft and almost mushy to the touch, it may be considered overripe or unsafe to eat.
To slow down the ripening process, place ripe avocados in the refrigerator.
If you have half an avocado leftover, keep the pit attached to that side and seal in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator until later use.
Firm = 4-5 days to ripen at room temperature
Ripe = good for 3-5 days in the refrigerator
Harvesting Process
{ Naturipe Avocados }
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{ Great Avocado RECIPES }
Avocado Caprese Salad
Courtesy of Avocados from Mexico
4 servings
8 Min prep time
- 2 medium Red tomatoes cut into eight slices
- 1 bunch Fresh basil Leaves removed washed and patted dry with a paper towel
- 8 oz Fresh mozzarella Cut into eight slices
- 1 Avocado From Mexico halved pitted, peeled and sliced
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/8 tsp Freshly cracked black pepper optional
- 1/8 tsp Salt optional
- 1 On a large serving platter layer slices of tomato, larger basil leaves, mozzarella slices and avocado slices, repeating the layers fanning them out slightly on the plate until you've used all of the mozzarella, tomato and avocado.
- 2 Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle with freshly cracked black pepper and sea salt.
- 3 Finish the salad by garnishing with a few small basil leaves and serve.


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At F1F9, we talk a lot about modelling fluency. Just as I speak in English (without thinking "now I must speak in English"), so I model using FAST (without thinking "now I must model in FAST"). Modelling fluency means that I can model while watching the television.
And because I have invested the time and energy and concentration to achieve fluency, so that gives me less to think about while I model.
So what happens to all that spare thinking time? Where does it go? Answer: I spend more time thinking about what I have to model (the "conceptual model") because I don't have to think as hard about how I am to model it (the "spreadsheet engineering").
Here are nine other things that you do not have to think about if you are fluent in FAST modelling:
1. You are building a model that is designed to be subordinate to a contract. It is easy to fall into the trap that modelling is somehow real life. It isn't.
In the event of a dispute, the parties will look to the contract first and then the model. The contract always wins.
A fluent FAST modeller will work with labels that are unique. A fluent FAST modeller will make sure that their labels are also aligned – if not identical to – the definitions in the contract.
2. You are building a model that minimises visual clutter. Finance professionals do not have the best record when it comes to choosing what colours look good. Perhaps it is best that they stick to black and white.
Every colour in a FAST model is there for a reason – and if it possible to communicate meaning through just one signal, then we will use just one signal. That's why inputs have a light yellow background but keep black font – even though there is a convention that says inputs should have both light yellow background and blue font.
That's why a fluent FAST modeller does not mark their calculations in bold. You can tell it is a calculation since the row beneath the calculation will be blank (white background).
One signal is sufficient. Anything more risks being clutter.
3. You are building a model that names everything. I have had an excellent discussion recently with an Excel user whose ambition is to remove all direct cell references from his Excel models. His point is that when you type " = F13″ you have no idea what is contained in F13 and, more important, what should be contained in F13. Location is of minimal importance; meaning is of huge importance.
His solution: use Excel Names.
In a FAST model, a fluent FAST modeller will use direct cell references but will recognise their weaknesses. They do not give them meaning through using Excel Names. Instead, they use the calculation block structure that presents – as clearly as possible – the meaning attached to a particular calculation: unique labels; links to ingredients used in the calculation set out immediately above (so that audit arrows are easy to trace); units; consistent formula copied across the columns; headings, sub headings and sub sub headings; worksheet names used like chapters in a book.
4. You are building a model that will likely use a lot of rows. The consequence of "extreme modularity" is that calculations are broken down into their constituent parts. Formulae become shorter (no longer than your thumb set out against the formula bar) and the technical complexity of the model is laid out down the vertical axis.
I would much rather review 10 calculation blocks with short formulae than 1 calculation block with a long formula. It is easier on the eye; it is easier to print out and explain to a lawyer.
5. You are building a FAST engine, not a FAST car. The conventions associated with FAST are designed to make model calculations as easy to review and understand as possible. So it is important that they are applied to calculation worksheets.
There is nothing to stop a fluent FAST modeller stepping away from FAST and branding input sheets or output sheets or designing dashboards howsoever they think best. That way the end user will still recognise the car interior as belonging to their car. This can be important point in convincing senior stakeholders that the a model rebuilt to the FAST standard still belongs to them.
6. You will segregate different parts of the model according to their different purposes. A model that needs to accommodate forecast data and actuals data needs careful design. Forecast data is calculation heavy; actuals data simply needs to be called up at the appropriate place. So I do not want to review forecast calculations that also include actuals data – unless the forecast is driven off the latest actuals.
A fluent FAST modeller will segregate according to purpose. When calculating ratios, ask for what purpose they are to be calculated? If for covenants as documented in a loan agreement, then the key question becomes "when?" On what date is the ratio to be calculated? Answer: align dates with what the loan agreement says.
If ratios are to be calculated for analysis purposes then the modelling might be quite different. Here the answer to the question "when?" might be whenever it is sensible and useful to do so e.g. whenever the denominator of the ratio is greater than zero.
7. You will minimise the amount that you type. A fluent FAST modeller is a great scavenger. They are always looking for things that they have modelled previously that they can recycle. They will make heavy use of "find and replace" (ctrl + H) in order to spot and minimise spelling mistakes. If a model contains a spelling mistake, what other mistakes have been allowed to creep in undetected?
And a fluent FAST modeller will never indulge in keyboard repetition – the sort of "tap – BANG!; tap – BANG!; tap – BANG!" keyboard technique that is too often the sign of someone that needs to review their working practices.
8. You will minimise the number of counterflows in a model. A FAST model is designed to be read from top to bottom and from left to right. Counterflows are links that refer to calculations on the same worksheet but below or to calculations on a different worksheet to the right. I think of it as looking ahead in your workings and knitting an answer back into the model. It increases the risk of circularlity.
A fluent FAST modeller will recognise that counterflows are necessary – especially when using corkscrews or calculating tax. But they will know when counterflows arise and will take steps to minimise them.
9. You, the fluent FAST modeller, hold the model's intelligence. I do not expect my car engine to decide when to start. Instead, I expect the model to respond to my instruction. Hence, use macros as a last resort.
When building a model, a fluent FAST modeller will assume that the model is incorrect and needs to be checked. They will check the audit trail (Alt M P) as they put calculation blocks together; they will review calculations by charting them (F11); they will use row totals when modelling flows and flags.
They will remain in control of when numbers change. Hence, fluent FAST modellers work with calculation set to manual.
They will use the simplest functions they can find. Someone once picked me up when I commented that OFFSET was a poor function because it was too powerful. A fluent FAST modeller will build a model that uses brittle formulae – they break easily when garbage is fed into them. They show errors when the model is no longer working properly.
I described these as nine things not to think about when you are a fluent FAST modeller. However, thinking about them – in particular when you are not modelling – makes you a better modeller.