text:
5 reasons why expats love Singapore
Choosing to live in Singapore versus other Southeast Asian countries can come at a cost.
The recent Mercer Cost of Living survey pegged Singapore as the world's eighth most expensive city to live. In Asia, it is the third most expensive city, behind Tokyo and Osaka, and ahead of Hong Kong.
So why do these long-term expats choose to stay on?
The ease of a lifestyle with the option of domestic help, the safety factor, a high level of education and multi-cultural nature seem to be common themes -- and weirdly, they all love the weather too.
CNNGo talks to five long-term expats to find out more.
1. 'Singaporeans are … very comfortable with diversity'
Victoria Great was transferred from England to Singapore for work in 2003. Here she met her Portuguese husband and has since given birth to her daughter. By coincidence her two sisters also live here, as well as much of her extended family. A year ago she decided to become a permanent resident.
"Singapore is such a civilized place to live," she says. "It's a great place for us to manage dual careers with plenty of work opportunities.
"As a working mum, I appreciate that I can have a full-time live-in helper to look after my daughter and support the running of the household. Singapore's a great place to raise a family: safe, clean, diverse, and with an excellent selection of schools.
"I find most [expatriate] people in Singapore are very friendly because so many have gone through the same experience of transferring for work and not having a strong network of friends or family.
"Singaporeans are generally very comfortable with diversity and have been very welcoming to foreigners. If you ask for directions on the street, they are always obliging.
"My gauge of friendliness is the taxi drivers, I've had some interesting conversations with them, as they often strike up a conversation and take an interest in where I come from."
iReport assignment: Do you live abroad? Share your best or worst expat experiences
2. 'Singapore is … more relaxed than Korea'
Lee Sujin and her first child came to Singapore from Korea more than three years ago when her husband, Byung Kwon, was transferred. She has since given birth to another child and they want to be here at least another five years.
"Singapore is safer and more relaxed than Korea," says Lee. "Here in Singapore my children can experience a good education and learn English and Mandarin.
"The work and life balance here is [improved for my husband] compared to Korea. In Singapore, the workload and company culture are totally different [even at the same employer].
"In Korea people get stressed from work a lot since it's very competitive and hierarchical. There, Byung Kwon used to come home from work around 10:30 p.m., so he had no time for family and himself. He now gets to spend more time with us and enjoys his own hobbies. It's so nice.
"Most Korean mums even say education in Singapore is much less stressful than in Korea."
3. 'We love that Singapore is a safer city than most'
Australian Nicole Beath has been in Singapore more than 10 years and has been a Singaporean permanent resident for nine years. She and her husband have just bought a house and their youngest of three kids was also born here. They plan to stay at least another five years.
"We love that Singapore is a safer city than most," she says.
"Given the strict drug laws, there doesn't seem to be exposure to drugs in the schools. You read about kids as young as 10 selling drugs at some Sydney schools. This is something we could not see happening here. There is a clear understanding that any child caught with drugs will be expelled and repatriated to their country of origin (a contract is often signed upon enrolling your child in an international school here).
"My 12- and 14-year-old daughters appreciate that they have more freedom here than they would in Sydney. You do hear about abductions and violent crimes occurring more frequently there.
"People often comment that there are so many strict laws in Singapore, but we see the benefits. Here, we are comfortable with our children using public transport in the evenings and staying out with friends in a shopping center even after dark."
4. 'My children don't see any difference between themselves and the local kids'
Danya Goll and her husband left Australia nine years ago. All three of their children have been born here. They don't plan to leave Singapore until their eldest is ready to start secondary school in seven years time, if at all.
"I think the standard of education for children is top class and I have been thrilled with my kids' nursery school," she says.
"My friends in Sydney only have the choice of day care for kids under three. From 18-months-old my children are learning from a curriculum rather than just being minded. My four-year-old can now do basic reading and writing in both English and Mandarin.
"It is so safe here. Our condo is full of children our kids' ages so they only have to run out the back door to find someone to play with. Crime in Sydney is much higher. There is no way you would just let your kids run around a suburban street."
"The great thing is that my children don't see any difference between themselves and the local kids that they play with."
5. 'Singapore is where I feel most at home'
In 1995 Italian Beppe De Vito left London for an assignment in Singapore. Now he is the managing director of three restaurants, is a permanent resident, and is married to a Singaporean and has two sons. He intends to stay in Singapore permanently.
"Singapore is where I feel most at home -- my wife and kids are Singaporean and I've lived here over 15 years," he says.
"Everything you might need is always easily accessible; services, creature comforts. [Unlike anywhere else in the world], here I have the assurance of safety for my family.
"Both my kids will tell you that they're Singaporeans. They also both hold Singaporean passports.
"Marco, my seven-year-old, speaks Singlish and we didn't put him in an international school. If we had the intention of moving away from Singapore, we would have enrolled him in an international school. But as Singapore is clearly our home for the long-term we felt it would be better for him to experience Singapore's school system.
"Eventually my two boys will also have to go through National Service, and it won't help if they spent their growing up years among expat kids."
"They're probably too young to be aware of it, but this is their home and they love being here. Marco, especially, is very proud of Singapore. Whenever we travel, he is always telling people he is Singaporean.
"Even during our trips to visit my family back in Italy, he identifies it as traveling away from Singapore rather than traveling 'home' to Italy."


text:
« AnteriorContinuar »
The crust and the crumb of the bread differ physically and chemically. This is due to thesudden and intense heat to which the crust is subjected. In the crust the starch is rapidly decomposed into dextrine and maltose, which are caramelized by the heat, making the crust darker and sweeter than the crumb. When bread grows stale, the moisture passes from the damper crumb to the drier crust, and it is supposed that the starch undergoes a chemical change. "The whole question of staleness is one about which little has been absolutely proved.''
Cost of Baking.—A barrel of flour will make nearly 300 loaves of bread as ordinarily baked. A 10-cent loaf weighs about 1% pounds. The consumer thus pays 8 cents a pound for bread. A pound of bread can be made from about threequarters pound of flour. At 2 cents per pound for flour, it is estimated that the cost of a pound of bread, exclusive of fuel and labor, is about 2 cents, which allows a half cent for shortening and yeast. While the fuel and labor add materially to the cost, these figures verify the statement that all the combined operations of raising wheat in Dakota, transporting it to Minneapolis, grinding it, and shipping the flour to Boston or New York cost less than to bake the flour into bread and carry it from the bakery to the home.
Macaroni in its numerous forms is a palatable and nutritious food. It is comparatively inexpensive, and is largely replacing meat dishes, which are continually becoming more costly. In food value and in use in the dietary, macaroni is very similar to bread. As a rule, the harder the wheat, that is, the more gluten it contains, the better it is suited to the manufacture of macaroni. Many wheats are used, however, which are not real macaroni wheats. The true varieties are quite widely grown, and have long figured in commerce. Algerian durum wheats are exported for this purpose, and form a standard type. Not a little macaroni wheat is grown and used in South Argentina. The wild goose wheat of Canada, rejected as a bread wheat, now finds use as a macaroni wheat, especially in France. The Japanese use home-grown wheat. The metadine wheat of France is a half-hard wheat that is being largely used, but with a mixture of durum wheat. Indian and Turkish wheats are often mixed with such wheat as the Algerian. Russia grows some of the finest macaroni wheats, chiefly known in France as Taganrog, because Taganrog is the principal point of export. Some of the wheats of Italy, the native land of macaroni, are second to none. One of the best varieties is Saragolla wheat. Even the common bread wheats have been quite extensively used, especially in the United States. Such wheat, however, does not produce a high grade macaroni, and this is one of the reasons why the quality of American macaroni has generally been below that of the imported product. Austria has also manufactured a low grade product from bread wheats.
The Macaroni Industry had its birth in Naples, and before 1875 the Italian product had not yet been equaled in any other country. The Neapolitan manufacturers gained their fame on account of the excellent quality of the native wheat. The cultivation of this has long been neglected. In the main, the spread of the macaroni industry seems to have taken place during the last quarter of a century. It developed a great wheat growing industry in Algeria and Tunis. "Semolina" or "Semoule," the coarse flour from which macaroni is manufactured, has become an article of commerce beyond mere local trade. Not only has the macaroni industry developed greatly in France and Italy during recent years, but also in the Levant and in many other foreign lands. In 1903 France produced about 330,000 pounds of pastes per day, onethird of which was exported, chiefly to the United States, but also to Austria, Germany and Belgium. Italian exports go principally to the South American nations, and to a limited extent to England and the United States. In Japan, macaroni is extensively manufactured and consumed.
In the United States, the macaroni industry began with the use of bread wheats. During 1900, it became established on a durum wheat basis in North Dakota. From 1896 to 1901, about 15 to 20 million pounds of macaroni, vermicelli and similar preparations were annually imported by the United States. These imports amounted to nearly 30,000,000 pounds and were valued at over $1,000,000 during the fiscal year of 1902-3. The very finest quality of Italian macaroni is rarely exported to America, because it retains its quality only a few months, "while the commonly exported article remains good for a year." The high quality of the best Italian macaroni is doubtless largely due to the wheat from which it is made, but it may^also be due to the action of bacteria.
Process of Manufacture of Macaroni—In the manufacture of semolina, the wheat is first cleaned, which includes washing by water. Sometimes it is then dried, and moistened a second time. The water is considered essential to the cleaning, and it also aids in decortication. Special machinery has been devised for cleaning and dampening the wheat. It is milled in much the same way that soft wheat is ground into flour. In the best quality of semolina the resultant product is from 60 to 65 per cent of semolina, from 12 to 15 per cent of flour, and from 18 to 20 per cent of bran. Some of the lower grade wheats yield only from 30 to 40 per cent of semolina of an inferior quality. The miller's object is to get as much semolina and as little flour as possible. A special machine known as a "Sausseur" is used in grading the products. Semolina is not flour, but a much coarser product. As a rule, the manufacturers of macaroni do not grind their own wheat, but obtain their semolina from millers of that product. The semolina must be mixed in order to maintain a certain standard, the same as wheat is mixed in order to obtain a uniform flour. The product which goes into the macaroni should have from 45 to 50 per cent of gluten.
Before mechanical methods came in vogue, macaroni was kneaded by means of a wooden pole, or by piling up the dough and treading it out with the feet, after which it was rolled with a heavy rolling pin. By having a fire under the vessel, it was partially baked while being reduced to tubes and strips. "Modern mechanical methods are simply enlargements of the old family process by which the housewife mixed flour and water, kneaded the batch, rolled it into sheets, cut it into strips and hung it out to dry. In the modern factory the semolina is measured into a steel pan about 8 feet in diameter, within which travels a stone wheel. Water is added, the machine is put in motion, the wheel moves slowly around the pan, thus kneading the batch until it attains proper consistency. Just ahead of the wheel is set a small steel plow, to gather and turn over the mass, so that it falls under the rim of the approaching wheel, thus guaranteeing an even kneading of the whole amount of semolina measured out.'''
There are also other mechanical methods of mixing the dough. A small quantity of saffron is added to give a yellow color. After mixing, the dough is placed in a cylinder with a perforated bottom, through which the product is forced by means of a piston. The strings of paste are cut to the proper length as they issue, and are then thrown over reed poles to dry. In two hours they will dry sufficiently in sunlight, but if the weather is unfavorable longer time is required in sheltered terraces. When slightly dry, they are cellared in damp underground vaults for at least 12 hours. By this time the dough is moist and pliable again, and the poles are carried to storehouses which are open on all sides, but shaded from above. Here the strings hang from 8 to 20 days, according to the dryness of the weather. This gives them a horn-like toughness which prevents breaking from rough handling. In winter, the drying rooms are kept at a temperature of about 70° F. Thousands of reed poles bending under the weight of the yellow strings of macaroni cover the housetops, the courtyards, the narrow streets, and the hillsides of the little suburban towns about Naples. Mats spread upon the ground are covered with many kinds of short-shaped "pastas." If the holes in the iron plate through which the dough is forced are very small, vermicelli is formed. A still smaller and finer sort is called fedelini. When the holes are larger and have a conical blade inserted, tube macaroni is formed. Paste rolled thin and cut in various shapes is called Italian paste.
In producing the various kinds of pastes, there is a very slight difference in the amount of water needed. Vermicelli requires a little less than any other form. To meet competition and changes in public taste, eggs are kneaded into the paste, rice flour, corn flour and potato flour are introduced, and the juices of carrots, turnips, cauliflower and cabbage are mixed with the paste. So much is mixed with the semolina that the macaroni consists of wheat to the extent of only 1 U. S. Dept. Agr., Bu. Plant Indus., Bui. 20, p. 25.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Dilmus Hall was one of many children in a farming and blacksmithing family living near Athens, Georgia. As a schoolboy he shaped animals from clay, and from flour mixed with sweet gum he got by "blazing" trees on his parents' land. His father did not think much of his son's art, in that he considered picking cotton a boy's most important function. His mother, however, appreciated the little sculptures that Dilmus brought her, and she encouraged him. Hall eventually left the family farm to work in a coal mine and swing a pick with a road gang. In 1917, he joined the Medical Corps of the U.S. Army and served in Europe as a stretcher bearer. European art inspired many of his later sculptures.
Hall later returned to Georgia to work as a hotel bell captain and waiter, a sorority house busboy on the local University of Georgia campus, and a fabricator of concrete blocks for a construction company. He retired in 1961. He had married Zaydie, whom he described as "a splendid woman, and I sure loved her." She died in 1973. They were unable to have children, but, as Hal said about the doctor who told them this, "Fooled him! Whooee, yes. I fooled him. He didn't know me, didn't know about die gift of my talent. 'Cause I sure did make children. I'm still making 'em, out of concrete and whatever else I can find to do with."
In the way he made art and in the way he decorated his house, Dilmus Hall is consistent with African American conjuring culture, a vernacular religion that mixes aspects of Christianity with various African traditions of empowering objects. African American yard arts can be proclamations of individual public identity, tools for remembering aspects of African American conjuring culture, storytelling devices, memorials to artists or others, signs to community members, and conscious protective systems for controlling or keeping away dangerous forces. Hall's earliest constructions, possibly fifty years old, are three personal protective charms made from roots, painted blue and nailed to the eaves of his porch. His charms are similar to central African protective devices called niiukisi, also made from twisted roots. A round cement ball in Hall's yard, decorated with two blue hands and dated 1962, refers to an African American charm called a "mojo" or "hand."
Crosses and diamonds, favored in African American vernacular religions, are associated with a central African cosmogram which represents four moments of the sun, or four stages of the soul: birth, life, death, and rebirth. Although Hall frequently used cross and diamond motifs, he was unaware of the African history associated with these symbols, but he did believe in their protective power. In the center of his living room ceiling Hall painted four red circles around a light bulb. His masterful horse painting, done by the artist in the 1940s and acknowledged by him as his first painting, features diamonds above and below the animal. Yellow cement diamonds were on four corners of his house, and blue wooden plaques with white diamonds were on three sides of al his windows, trimmed in a blue believed throughout the South and the Caribbean to be protective. A yellow wooden rising sun, with three diamond shapes below, was on the gable end of his house. Below, on the cement block wall, was a yellow cement sun and moon with eyes and smiling faces.
During the 1950s, Hall made allegorical figures of concrete over wire and wood armatures, which he placed in small groups in the front yard of his small cinderblock home. One protective tableau, titled The Devil and the Drunk Man, shows a drunkard passed out on a bed, another slumped at a table, bottle in hand, and a fearsome, red-eyed, open-mouthed devil standing over both, a rock in his upraised fist. Hall said, "Satan, he's making that old boy go on drinkin'." Hall believed that the devil was active in daily life, going to and fro, seeking ways to influence people into sinful acts, or be "whooped." His sculptures protected him from this devil.
Later, Hall drew prolifically on paper with colored pencils and crayons, producing hundreds of animated cartoonlike sketches and a series of arresting wooden crucifixions. A simple, elegant one was molded in half-relief over wood painted blue; another was the last sculpture Hall created. Two larger crucifixions, made of wood, putty and bits of rag, show Jesus nailed to the cross with a splinter in his mouth, stabbed by a Roman soldier's spear, and flanked by two thieves. Hall commented, "That's death he's crushing between his teeth."
According to Hall, he possessed creative talent all his life. "If God gives you the talent to make something that will celebrate mankind, your work will stand, do you hear me? It will testify to the goodness of life after you're done gone, yes."
Completing the two-volume set, "Souls Grown Deep, Vol. 2" takes the visual and historical presentation of the first volume to a richer level, offering an even broader array of artistic styles and media. Breaking away from the stereotypes that identity folk art and the South with rural, isolated, static and agrarian ways of life, these pages unveil an art that embodies social change and continues to flourish at the dawn of a new century.
The African American culture of the South has produced many of the twentieth century's most innovative art forms. Widely appreciated for its music—from the blues and jazz, to gospel, soul, rock 'n' roll—the region has also played host to a less visible but equally important visual art tradition.
The filming for this short began in 1987 as part of a larger project, The Mind's Eye—which started with the documentation of "Black Folk Art in America, 1930-1980," a traveling exhibition organized by the Corcoran Gallery of Art—and grew to include other folk/self-taught artists working at the time. Produced by The Foundation for Self-Taught American Artists.
This particular crucifix by Dilmus Hall includes a curiously cruciform Roman soldier with a trident for a spear, another soldier piercing Christ's side with a spear, and a third cruciform figure representing one of the thieves executed alongside Jesus. Hall's crucifixes are as much a type of "counter-violence mojo" as Bessie Harvey's Slaughter of the Innocents.
This particular crucifix by Dilmus Hall includes a curiously cruciform Roman soldier with a trident for a spear, another soldier piercing Christ's side with a spear, and a third cruciform figure representing one of the thieves executed alongside Jesus. Hall's crucifixes are as much a type of "counter-violence mojo" as Bessie Harvey's Slaughter of the Innocents. Together they represent a larger corpus of African American art, including literature, drama, and dance, that employ biblical themes within a conjurational tradition aimed to cure violence. Hall's conjure "trick" in this regard is to engage the central figure of the Afro-Christian spiritual tradition: the crucified Christ or "Suffering Servant" figure. At the core of this tradition is the correspondence or identification of African Americans with the crucified Christ. In this connection, black-religion historian Gayraud Wilmore, in his analysis of the "Black Messiah," has emphasized "the similarity of what seemed [to black people] to be their inexorable fate as a race and the Messianic vocation of suffering. . . [a] profound, if not exact, correspondence between their experience of blackness in Western civilization and the description of the Messiah." Wilmore then proceeds to quote a description of the Messiah from the "Suffering Servant" prophecy of the Hebrew scriptures, specifically the Book of the prophet Isaiah, in a passage still celebrated by Christians as a messianic prophecy that was fulfilled in the Passion of Christ (Isaiah 53:2-8):
He had no form or comeliness that we should look at him,and no beauty that we should desire him.He was despised and rejected by men;a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief;. . .and we esteemed him not.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .By oppression and judgment he was taken away;and as for his generation, who consideredthat he was cut out of the land of the living. . . .
A long tradition of African American piety, beginning in slave religion, affirms and even celebrates the correspondence between black experience and Jesus' messianic suffering. In this regard note the "formlessness" or lack of "comeliness" in Dilmus Hall's crucified figure; the artist gives us a visceral experience of a figure having "no beauty that we should desire him." Notice, too, that this representation effectively counters the conventional European Christ of blond-haired and blue-eyed beauty. But what if we see in this black messianic representation more than the self-aggrandizement of desperate victims; more than their pitiful efforts to find comfort by ennobling their suffering through comparison with the heroic suffering of Western civilization's most holy figure? What if the tradition involves more than African Americans acting out "slave ressentiment" (Nietzsche) by exploiting the sacred figure of their oppressors in order to manipulate popular sympathies? What if we see in this tradition the conjure trick that operates, in this case by hypothesis, in Dilmus Hall's crucifixes: a strategy of magical transformation comparable to the imitative (mimetic) power of a voodoo doll: what happens to the doll also happens to the person it signifies? Hall himself gives credence to this hypothesis with his comment about the curious stick or "toothpick" that adorns his Christ figure: "That's death he's crushing between his teeth." The black Messiah as the spiritual adversary of homo necans (humanity as death-dealer): that is the conjurational strategy that links Dilmus Hall's crucifix to his progenitor tradition.
© Souls Grown Deep. All Rights Reserved.
Site Design By: Constructive
Drupal Theme and Development By: Cheeky Monkey Media


text:
Sir Alex Ferguson has backed Ryan Giggs to be the next Manchester United manager, writes our man David McDonnell.
The Scot, who retired as manager last summer after 26 years, said: "I think that he [Giggs] is the one man they should go to, really.
"He's got 20-odd years of experience at Manchester United. I signed him as a kid. He's gone through the gamut of emotions at the club – he's experienced all the highs and lows.
Giggs has said he wants his players to enjoy the experience of playing for the club again.
"It's going to be my philosophy, Manchester United's philosophy, because I've been here all my career," said Giggs.
"I want the players to play with passion, tempo, be brave and show imagination, all the things I expect of a Manchester United player.
"I want them to work hard, but most of all enjoy it. As a player I know that if I'm enjoying the game, I can express myself more.
The club legend has also vowed to bring the Red Devils' swagger back before he takes charge for the first time this evening.
"There will be no prouder person than me walking out at Old Trafford," he said. "The hairs on the back of my neck will be standing up and I can't wait.
"I know the place will be rocking and I know the fans will be behind us. I want to bring back some smiles.
"I know the players can't wait, I know my staff can't wait and I can't wait."
If it all doesn't work out for Giggs the club could always go with one of these Football Manager applicants.
Despite the likes of Carlo Ancelotti, Louis Van Gaal and Antonio Conte being linked with the job, several computer savvy bosses have applied themselves.
Check out some of the most hilarious applications here.
Saturday's Manchester United stories from other newspapers and websites
Whoever the next man in the hot seat is he will surely have a hefty transfer budget to play with.
One man who that money could be used on is Luke Shaw - but he won't agree a move until he knows who the manager is.
According to the Daily Mail the 18-year-old is determined not to be railroaded into a quick decision about his future and he is happy to wait it out.
Valued at £30m the young left back has starred for Southampton this season and made his England international debut last month against Denmark.
A host of European heavyweights are keen on Shaw but first-team football remains his priority - a guarantee only a manager can give.
And the next boss will walk into a tug-of-war with noisy neighbours Manchester City over Porto defender Eliaquim Mangala - reports the Manchester Evening News .
Manuel Pellegrini came close to landing the no-nonsense stopper in January but was put off by an asking price of £37m.
And with David Moyes' replacement set to be given £200m to spend, it would be no surprise if United attempted to steal a march on City for the centre half's signature.
Mirror Sport understands Louis Van Gaal will be the next United boss and reports emanating from the Dutch press indicate the very same.
Newspaper De Telegraaf report that "the national coach late last (Friday) night reached a deal with the top British club," without citing sources.
"The man who's the absolute number one to replace axed coach David Moyes will immediately take up the job when the Dutch Eleven is knocked out of the World Cup in Brazil".
They suggest the 62-year-old has been in talks with chief executive Ed Woodward and has come to agreement on a multi-year deal with the club.
Included in the contract is a significant transfer kitty for new additions, thought to be upwards of €100m.
Fellow summer target Davide Astori has been told he can leave Cagliari - if his suitors pay £8m.
The Serie A side slapped the hefty price tag amid rumours United are keen on a move.
Tottenham and Roma are also believed to be interested in the Italian international central defender according to the Express.
While the club are resigned to losing the 27-year-old but chairman - and new Leeds owner - Massimo Cellino is determined to not let him go on the cheap.
Click here to follow the latest updates and reaction to the Louis van Gaal news in our live blog.


text:
Dr. Thomas J. Sweeney
Alpha ChapterOhio email@example.com
Excellence Paper
Advocacy Interview
Dr. Carol L. Bobby
Alpha ChapterOhio email@example.com
Dr. Samuel T. Gladding
Pi Alpha ChapterWake Forest firstname.lastname@example.com
Dr. Courtland C. Lee
Alpha Delta ChapterUniversity of firstname.lastname@example.com
Dr. Larry C. Loesch
Beta ChapterUniversity of email@example.com
Dr. Judith G. Miranti
Epsilon Upsilon ChapterXavier email@example.com
Dr. Lily Rosqueta-Rosales
Iota Phi International firstname.lastname@example.com
Dr. Don C. Locke (1943-2016)
Nu Sigma Chi ChapterNorth Carolina State University
Rho Alpha Mu ChapterPennsylvania State University
Interview with Ed Herr
Position Paper on Leadership
Upsilon Nu Chi ChapterUniversity of North Carolina-Greensboro
Dr. Thelma J. Vriend (1929-2011)
Passing of a Friend & Scholar Dr. Thelma Jones Vriend, one of only a few who have had the privilege of being designated a CSI Scholar, a retired counselor, counselor supervisor, and counselor educator has died. Her loss to those who knew and loved her is enormous. Her legacy lives on, however, through her many services to those she loved - which broadly speaking is also enormous. She was a one of kind, hands on advocate for social justice before it became a passion for other counselors. She "walked the walk and talked the talk" with forthright integrity, courage, and determination. One of Thelma's edited books was of poetry for a dying friend and counselor, Chocolate Mama Talkin' 'Bout Life. This and more is discussed in Dr. Connie Fox Moore's interview of her for The Exemplar, Fall, 2000 issue: "I am a woman of age, wisdom, and power. I am a seeker and a learner. I am healthy. I think my spirit is young. In fact, my spirit gets me in trouble with my body." This is how Thelma described herself. Read and enjoy the interview with Thelma Jones Vriend, an amazing woman who has been an important leader in shaping the counseling profession and who has been a faithful friend and servant to Chi Sigma Iota members. She is missed but gratefully her spirit lives on.
Dr. Mary Thomas Burke (1929-2002)
Dr. Mary Thomas Burke had a legacy of service to those in need and the promotion of the spiritual values she honored throughout her life. As a counselor educator and nun in the Sisters of Mercy, Mary Thomas believed in the essential role the spiritual dimension played at the core of individual lives. Her life was dedicated to promoting these values in through her professional work in ACA, ASERVIC, and the many organizations she supported in Charlotte, NC. On a personal level, Mary Thomas upheld, throughout her life, the importance of being honorable, a person of integrity, available to others, generous, and true to herself. The real meaning of counseling and spirituality are inextricably entwined as witnessed by Dr. Burke's untiring efforts on behalf of all peoples everywhere.
Dr. Nicholas Vacc (1939-2002)
Dr. Nicholas Vacc was the Joe Rosenthal Excellence Professor and past chairman of the Department of Counseling and Educational Development at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. During his tenure as chair, the department was selected as the Outstanding Counselor Education Program in 1991 and 1994. He served as president of the Association for Assessment in Counseling, editor of the "Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Development" journal, and president of Chi Sigma Iota International, the international counseling honor society.
He had served as a member of numerous technical and policy advisory boards and working groups concerned with assessment in counseling and mental health, including the Joint Committee on Testing Practices, the Test-Takers' Rights and Responsibilities Working Group, the Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification, the American Counseling Association President's Advisory Committee and the Guilford County Mental Health Board. Nicholas had more than 120 scholarly publications including 11 books or monographs, eight book chapters, and 70 referred articles. He made presentations at numerous national and international conferences and had been project director, coordinator or investigator for several externally funded grants. Recognition of Nicholas' work by his colleagues included the David K. Brooks Jr. Distinguished Mentor Award and the Arthur A. Hitchcock Award for Distinguished Professional Service, both by the American Counseling Association; the Distinguished Mentor Award by the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, the Meritorious Service Award by the Association for Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Development, the Ella Stephens Barrett Leadership Award by the North Carolina Association for Counseling and Development and being a nominee for the North Carolina Board of Governor's Award for Excellence.
The upcoming calendar is currently empty.
Click here to view past events and photos »


text:
Courtesy of Lawrence B. Platt and Mrs. Lula F. Platt.
My Father, Chief Petty Officer Rex B. Platt, was a Plank Owner on the USS Sturdy MSO 494 (he was an EM1 on the Sturdy).
I remember as a boy of 10 going to work with him while the Sturdy was in Charleston, SC, fishing and playing with the gun up on the bow. Nobody ever said anything, and I had a lot of fun.
My father passed away in 1979. My mother gave me all of his Navy things, some of which are from the Sturdy. I have the following items in my possession:
USS Sturdy belt buckle with raised ship image on it.
An invitation to the USS Sturdy commissioning .
USS Sturdy Commissioning Program dated 23 October 1957.
USS Sturdy Preliminary Acceptance Trials booklet dated October 8, 1957.
USS Sturdy Travel Log dated May 1959 (entire ship's crew is listed).
Rex B. Platt's Plank Owner plaque.
Rex B. Platt's Plank Owner card.
I am pretty sure he had a builders photo of the Sturdy, but my mother and I could not find it when I was home last time. When ya'll get your MSO Museum going, I want to donate my Dad's things to the museum in his memory.
I have already donated a lot of my Dad's things to the USS Lexington
Museum in Corpus Christi, TX, as that was his last duty station.
Thanks for your time.
I remember driving to Ft. Lauderdale with my Mother and sisters to attend the commissioning. I was only 8 years old, so I don't remember much about the ceremony.


text:
Trans Siberian Orchestra Minneapolis Tickets
Their combination of hard rock, metal and opera music has captivated millions around the world and now Trans Siberian Orchestra are on another epic tour. TSO, as they are also known, have gone on to push boundaries with their incredible blend of different genres. Over a whopping nine million fans have made their way to arenas around the country to see them live. Now that they have hit the road once again, this is your chance to add to those numbers. Grab your Trans Siberian Orchestra Minneapolis tickets and make your way to the venue to be a part of another spellbinding performance by one of the most unique bands on the planet.
While on its Lost Christmas Eve Tour, Trans-Siberian Orchestra makes its return to the city of Minneapolis with two much-anticipated live performances at Minneapolis' very own, Target Center. The show is scheduled to be staged on December 14, 2013 with a chunk of proceeds from Trans Siberian Orchestra Minneapolis tickets going for the benefit of Salvation Army. Since the time it has been to Minneapolis, fans have been waiting for the band to come perform here again. The enthusiasm is visible from the record sales of tickets in the city.
Presented by the Hallmark Channel, the Lost Christmas Eve tour is the celebration of the group's more than fifteen-year long musical journey and all of its accomplishments as a live rock act. Apart from that, the tour is also going to be the last time that the Trans Siberian Orchestra performs its multi-platinum album called The Lost Christmas Eve, live. The tour is scheduled to start off on November 13, 2013, and while on that tour Trans Siberian Orchestra will perform in 67 cities all over North America.
Over the years of its existence, the group has grown enormously. It is currently referred to as one of the biggest live rock acts in the world. The band has entertained more than 10 million fans over the course of its history and has staged more than 1,500 live concerts. TSO's live performances are a perfect example of Rock Theater. The performances feature a story driven act accompanied with lighting and audio/visual effects that play along the music. This coming season, as the group comes to perform Trans-Siberian Orchestra Minneapolis concert, the fans in the city would finally have a chance to catch the group performing live.


text:
"Never, ever have I been part of a training room with so much buzz and energy. There were cartwheels (literally), confessions, dancing and chanting! Electric atmosphere." readmoreZoe Crettenden, Sales Delivery Manager - AGL
"Trent's passion and enthusiasm for sales is truly infectious and his strategies around building deeper connections with clients are extremely valuable to our organisation." readmoreTrent Fraser, CEO - Choice Hotels Asia Pac
"BOOM! delivered an 'empowering' customised client engagement process and training program across our business." readmoreSteve Jones, CEO - Whitbread Insurance
"Each time my team have had the privilege of spending time with Trent, they are motivated and fired up to out perform." readmoreKaren Carter, National Head of Health, Small Business Banking - ANZ Bank
If you want passion, expertise and strong business acumen then Trent is your man. Game changing tools and strategies to empower your team and develop their sales and service capability. readmoreGregg Harris, State General Manager SA & Retail NT - NAB


text: The Saint Pro is a more stable verison of the popular Saint. "Pro" is the terminology used by Latitude 64 for the added stability, and not the plastic type. The Saint Pro will offer considerably more fade at the end of the throw. You can crank it into headwinds and trust that it won't turn over at all. The Latitude 64 Opto plastic is incredibly super-durable with a great clear look. Features: Stability Rating: +1.5 Awesome Opto Line Plastic


text:
Five years ago, when I was in debt and struggling to make ends meet, I had no idea how to turn my finances around. So I went on the internet for guidance. There, I found a personal finance community that has supported me and given me advice since Day One.
Here are a few of my favourite Canadian personal finance bloggers:
On Your Side: Ellen Roseman
Ellen has been one of my personal finance inspirations since I started blogging. She is a columnist with the Toronto Star and Moneyville, and has written multiple books on personal finance. I love a recent article she wrote about how an Indigo discount didn't add up. Even though the amount in question was only $1.19, she didn't give up and finally ended up getting her refund.
Follow her on Twitter @EllenRoseman
Squawk Fox
This blog offers a wide variety of personal finance topics, from resume tips, to creating frugal meals, to an entire financial planning series on How to Make a Budget. The author of Squawk Fox, Kerry Taylor, was able to pay off $17,000 of student loan debt in six months. She is now a full-time freelance writer, and also has a book out called 397 Ways to Save Money.
Find her on Twitter @SquawkFox
Money Smarts Blog
Based out of Toronto, blogger Mike Holman has worked in the Canadian financial industry for almost two decades. His blog was one of the first ones I came across during my journey out of debt. One of my favourite post of his was Why You Can't Trust Real Estate Agents. Mike is also the author of The RESP Book – The Complete Guide to Registered Education Savings Plans for Canadians.
Find him on Twitter @MoneySmartsBlog
Young and Thrifty
This is one of my favourite 20-something blogs. Young and Thrifty talks about everything from investing, to saving, to her new journey into home ownership in the pricey city of Vancouver. One of my favourite posts is one she recently wrote about comparing RRSPs to the TFSA.
Follow her on Twitter @youngandthrifty
Fabulously Broke in the City
This blogger does it all – she got herself out of over $60,000 worth of debt, has an amazing career, and travels all over the world. Oh yeah, and she lives out of a hotel and can fit all of her possessions into a few suitcases. Intrigued? She offers up advice on how to get out of debt, posts monthly snapshots of her own personal spending, and shows people that you can live life to the fullest without having to spend money on stuff you don't need.
Find her on Twitter @brokeinthecity
Million Dollar Journey
This is one of the best Canadian personal finance blogs around. Not only are the blog topics interesting and relevant, but there is also a very active forum available for readers post and respond to questions, get advice, and converse with people about all topics related to personal finance and investing.
Find him on Twitter @FrugalTrader
Canadian Dream: Free at 45
Tim Stobbs is in his 30's with two kids, and hopes to retire by the time he's 45. He lives a modest, frugal lifestyle – evident in one of my favourite posts of his, Reasons I Wanted a Tiny House. Tim has also written posts for Moneyville, his latest being: My Net Worth is up $79,000.
Find him on Twitter @CanadianDream
Gail Vaz-Oxlade
She is the host of Til Debt Do us Part and one of my new favourite television shows, Princess. I love her no-nonsense attitude towards personal finance. Some of my favourite posts include 8 Steps to Financial Success, Budget Excuses, and The Culture of Immediacy.
Find her on Twitter @GailVazOxlade
Who are your favourite personal finance bloggers?
Krystal Yee is a marketing and graphic design professional living in Vancouver. She also blogs at Give Me Back My Five Bucks.


text:
Fomantis, the Sickle Grass Pokémon. A Grass type. Fomantis sleep with their leaves spread to gather sunlight for photosynthesis. During the day, it sleeps and soaks up light. When night falls, it walks around looking for a safer place to sleep. They give off a sweet and refreshing scent. Cutiefly often gather near the tall grass where Fomantis are hiding. When the sun rises, Fomantis spreads its four leaves and bathes in the sunlight. The tip of its head has a pleasant aroma. It loves the sunshine. When it basks in the sunlight regularly, it grows up with vivid coloration.
Romantic battles by night with this buildable Pokémon figure! continue your journey to become a Pokémon trainer! the next part of your path begins when you open the Poke ball to build your very own romantic and harness your energy for a Grass-type attack! then discover even more Pokémon figures, including some of your favorites from the Aloha region, when you build all 6 in the series!
Product Details:
If for any reason you are not 100% happy with your purchase, we can provide you with a full refund or exchange if you return it to us within 7 days after you receive the goods. Conditions apply, please see our terms and conditions.


text:
We took an unobvious approach to starting a Tech company.
Sales Manager
We're searching for a Sales/Account Manager to join our team, who will sell our solutions to corporations - from mid-sized, domestic organisations to international companies. Focus of this role will be to lead our expansion. The ideal candidate is a born networker who thrives in a fast-paced, diverse and entrepreneurial environment.
What You'll Do
Identify and approach prospective customers, then negotiate and close deals;
Generate new business for the company in areas like retail, digital, travel and gaming;
Who You Are
You are a strategic negotiator and strong communicator, and able to manage time-sensitive projects with little supervision;
You have excellent project management skills, an entrepreneurial track record and a proven commercial edge;
You have high levels of energy and thrive in hands-on environments;
You have 4 years of experience in a sales role;
You are completely fluent in both English and Italian.
If you are excited about this role, apply by clicking the below link. We can't wait to meet you!


text:
Nobia AB acquires Bribus
Houthoff advised Nobia on the acquisition of Bribus Holding B.V., a Dutch kitchen supplier with annual sales of approximately EUR 65 million. Bribus was founded 90 years ago and is acquired from Bernhard ten Brinke, who remains in the company. Bribus supplies kitchens to professional customers in the Netherlands, mainly social housing providers and large-scale property investors. Kitchens are produced in a modern factory located in Dinxperlo in the eastern part of Netherlands. Bribus provides a full service offering to its customers, including installation and appliances. Revenues for 2017 were approximately EUR 65 million with an EBIT margin in line with Nobia's financial target. Bribus has around 270 employees. The purchase price consists of a consideration of EUR 60 million, on a cash and debt free basis, and a variable consideration of a maximum of EUR 5 million, conditional upon the business performance until the end of 2020.


text:
Join the TUMO team
TUMO is always looking for highly energetic people to join our team as workshop leaders, coaches and administrative staff members. We value deep expertise, dedication, people skills and a cool attitude.
Current Vacancies:
Procurement specialist
TUMO Center Manager, Stepanakert
Water Systems Coordinator
Technical support assistant
TUMO Labs, 3D Modeling and Printing Workshop Leader
Web Development Workshop Leader/Content Developer
Graphic Design Workshop Leader/ Content Developer
Photography Workshop Leader
Programming Workshop Leader
Robotics Workshop Leader
Mid/Senior Level PHP Software Engineer
Senior Front End Software Engineer (Vue.js)
Junior System Administrator
Become a student
The TUMO Center for Creative Technologies is free of charge for all local residents between the ages of 12 and 18.
To register, call or visit your local TUMO center. We'll need your name, date of birth and parent's contact number that you can also leave on our voicemail. We'll send you an SMS within a couple of weeks with you registration date.
You'll be invited to an orientation session. Don't miss it because that's where you'll find out everything about navigating the TUMO program, the cool things you get to learn and how to work with your learning coach and fellow learners.
You don't need to pick a focus area right away. We'll help you discover your hidden passions and help you become unstoppable.
+374 10 398413
+374 268 22586
+374 60 750651
+374 47 963036
Lead a lab
We're always looking for inspired professionals to volunteer as project lab leaders. Work with TUMO teens eager to soak up everything you have to teach them. Over 100 professionals from all over the world (from Japan to Brazil!) come to TUMO every year to teach across a wide range of topics in labs lasting from two weeks to as long as you want to stay with us!
We cover your travel and lodging and provide everything you need for your lab. And we'll help you explore Armenia on your downtime. You don't need teaching experience, just expertise in your field and the enthusiasm and passion to work with teens. Write to us at email@example.com. We'll help you design a learning experience. Or go to our Workshop Proposal Form and apply.


text:
A 3 Step Approach To Selecting The Right Property
- Remember there is no "Perfect" home, remember the 85% Rule
- The good homes that are price right go QUICK
- Avoid the "Second Guessing Syndrome"....I call it "Buyers Remorse", if you feel this coming on talk with your realtor
- What did I like about the property? Use a grading system--A, B, C or 1, 2, 3
- What, if anything, would I want or need to change?
- If the price were right, could I see myself owning this property? If yes, at what price?
- Your judgment as an educated/informed buyer
- The customized market analysis (CMA) prepared by your real estate agent
- The Appraisal Rider that will be attached to the contract
Don Rogers is a licensed REALTOR® in Missouri. I specialize in St. Charles County Missouri and have called O Fallon MO my home since 1993. If you are looking to buy or sell or you are relocating to the area and would like information about the St Charles County MO area do not hesitate to give me a call at 314-954-6775 or if you would prefer to send me an email.


text:
In winter, poconip fog settles into the MonoBasin, shrouding tufa towers in icy mist.Photo by Elin Ljung.
the mono lake story
natural & human history
quick facts
water conservation
mono basin research
Login to the Membership Center here.
Tufa Towers
Mono's Magnificent Monuments
These things are weird!
--Anonymous Mono Lake Visitor
Call them weird, call them bizarre, call them what you will, but the unusual rock formations that grace Mono Lake's shores are known to geologists as tufa (too'-fah). Tufa forms in a variety of ways at Mono Lake, but the most visible and remarkable formations are the towers that grace Mono's shoreline. The greatest concentration of these towers is located at the South Tufa grove just off of Hwy 120 East, at the south end of Mono Lake. Many first-time visitors to Mono Lake, unfamiliar with the geologic term "tufa" have been known to ask directions to the "tofu." Your nearest grocery store or the Mono Market is the best bet.
Tufa is essentially common limestone. What is uncommon about this limestone is the way it forms. Typically, underwater springs rich in calcium (the stuff in your bones) mix with lakewater rich in carbonates (the stuff in baking soda). As the calcium comes in contact with carbonates in the lake, a chemical reaction occurs resulting in calcium carbonate--limestone. The calcium carbonate precipitates (settles out of solution as a solid) around the spring, and over the course of decades to centuries, a tufa tower will grow. Tufa towers grow exclusively underwater, and some grow to heights of over 30 feet. The reason visitors see so much tufa around Mono Lake today is because the lake level fell dramatically after water diversions began in 1941.
Tufa towers are not the only form of tufa at Mono Lake. Calcium carbonate crystals will also precipitate out of lakewater far from springs and coat lakebottom surfaces like pumice boulders, beer cans, dead vegetation, dead birds, and anything else that might end up in the lake (instant fossils!). Another way tufa is formed is through biogenesis, the biological activity of organisms like the alkali fly. When an adult alkali fly emerges from an underwater pupae case it leaves behind a minute deposit of calcium carbonate, a waste product from its earlier life stage beneath the salty, alkaline lake. Alkali flies, on a small scale, actually contribute to the growth of underwater tufa towers!
Where else does tufa exist? The answer lies around the world and back in time, and possibly even on Mars. Tufa grows in many places where the right chemical environment exists. Some tufa even grows in the ocean off the coast of Greenland! Tufa is common at other Great Basin desert lakes, but Mono Lake has the most active formations around. Some Great Basin dry lakes in California and Nevada reveal old tufa formations that once were active when these lakes were full during the last ice age. Mono Lake has its own ice age tufa hundreds of feet above the historical level of the lake. If you think Mono Lake looks impressive now, you should have seen at the end of the last ice age when it was five times bigger than it is today!
To protect these fragile formations, at the urging of the Mono Lake Committee the California legislature established the Mono Lake Tufa State Reserve in 1981.
If you would like to make tufa at home, see the chemistry page for how to make Mono Lake water. Then, just add calcium chloride dissolved in fresh water to make tufa (although the reaction won't be as vigorous as it is in real Mono Lake water).
The Big Picture
Volcanic History
Lake Chemistry
Alkali Flies
Brine Shrimp
Bird Life
Other Wildlife
Plant Communities
Kutzadika'a People
Prospectors & Pioneers
Water History
contact us |
site map
© 2020 mono lake committee
The Mono Lake Committee is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.


text:
- Being There On Sale Here
- March 4 2013. Today I have added 17 pencil and watercolour sketches to my Paintings folio.
- Sharpe Cartoons Launched
- This is my new website. It has been constructed by Rob Armstrong of Bullseye Graphics and illustrated by myself.
- The Age article June 16 2017


text:
Business Solutions
Pathfinder OutSource Manufacturing provides solutions to high labor and facility costs that reduce a company's productivity and profit levels. Pathfinder OutSource Manufacturing provides cost effective solutions, top quality manufacturing and subcontracting services. Our vast capabilities include delivery services, skin packing, die cutting, bag sealing, vinyl heat sealing, riveting, paper cutting and folding, light manufacturing and product fulfillment.
Provide quality, on time delivery of customer products. Enable each employee/client to live productive lives through skill development in a structured business environment economically sustainable.
Pathfinder OutSource Manufacturing began with the organization in 1966 to provide revenue generation for people with disabilities. Pathfinder OutSource Manufacturing currently provides work for adults with developmental disabilities and supported by supervising staff.Our workforce includes people with varying abilities. We enable our workforce to maximize their abilities through innovative fixtures, templates, machinery, proofing, skill development, and high standard quality control. Our commercial customers benefit from this through consistent quality products, just in time delivery and cost savings.The Division's 10,000 square foot facility is equipped with a dock, central air, 440 3-Phase outside ventilation, and up-to-date manufacturing equipment.
To keep pace with today's ever changing economy, Pathfinder Outsource Manufacturing is advancing progressively towards creating more opportunities for out clients. This Progression is a part of Pathfinder Outsource Manufacturing's desire to reach out to new customers, (both local and abroad) to create more job opportunities for our clients in addition to helping our business partners reduce operating costs and become more profitable.
Contact Us
Pathfinder OutSource Manufacturing
Division of Pathfinder Services
1152 East State Street
Huntington, IN 46750
(260) 356-0500
[email protected]


text:
Portland's Digital Arts Program Brings Rick Silva, Winter 2014
The Digital Arts program in Portland at the School of Architecture and Allied Arts is a unique option for students who elect to spend a fifth year refining the genre and their BFA work. The program gives students an opportunity to connect to the thriving arts scene in Oregon's largest and most cosmopolitan metropolis and sets the stage for continued connections, exposure, and integration into an arts and culture environment with a global reputation.
Each term, the program invites a faculty member from Eugene or a guest instructor based in Portland to conduct the Portland group of students with a specific curriculum encompassing study and instruction, experience and lecture. For winter 2014, Rick Silva joined the Portland faculty and enlightened the students through a term's worth of artistic endeavor.
In the world of digital art, Silva holds a place that is new and vividly ground-breaking. He is internationally lauded for his work with the computer screen, his gifs and phenomenal 3-D animations—work that leaves the viewer clamoring for more in a thirsty visually captivating and compelling way. To view Silva's work is really to have both your intelligence and your cerebral capacity simultaneously provoked. A glance will never do. His work commands a deep, lingering stare—what you see, is not necessarily what you get as images morph, change and play with stills given electronic life by imposed motion and the brilliance of metronome-like regulated repetition. It is a fantastic world Silva creates and it is only by viewing some of his work, that you will get an idea of what was meant when he was called "a recognized pioneer in new Media Art."
I had an opportunity to interview Silva this winter and he was good enough to provide responses to questions via email. What follows are his responses to a few select questions about his time in Portland and the experience teaching in the Digital Arts program here.
Here is a quick bio to provide some background context:
Rick Silva's animations, videos, websites, performances, and video games explore landscape, remix and glitch. In his recent project enpleinair.org he is taking his laptop into the wild and creating 3D animations in response to the immediate terrain and elements.
Silva's art has shown in exhibitions and festivals worldwide, including Transmediale (Germany), Futuresonic (U.K.), and Sonar (Spain). His research has been supported through grants and commissions from places such as Rhizome and The Whitney Museum of American Art. He has performed live multimedia works in London at E:VENT Gallery, Tokyo at The Machida City Museum of Graphic Arts, and throughout North America including the Software Cinema Festival in Houston Texas. Media outlets such as The New York Times, The Guardian, The Huffington Post, and the CBS Evening News have all featured his art. Recently, the author of the bookTransmission Arts: Artists and Airwaves regarded him as "a recognized pioneer in New Media Art."
Silva received his MFA from the University of Colorado in 2007. He has previously taught at the University of Georgia and the Alberta College of Art + Design. [Source]
SP: How has teaching the Digital Arts program this term effected your work?
RS: One of the two classes I'm teaching this term is a Web Art class. Web Art, or Internet Art, is a scene I've been active in for about a decade now. I often teach Internet Art as a small section in other digital art studio classes, but I haven't had the chance to plan an entire course around it. Student's lives are often so intertwined with the internet, but very few knew about how artists have used the web as a medium in the last 20 years.
It was a great opportunity to rewind to early 90s Internet Art, to touch on some of today's varied approaches, and to share some of my own history in the scene as well. Thinking about that class, and the history of Web Art, is working itself into some of my new projects that are web based.
SP: Please comment on working in Portland and with the students in the Portland program…what opportunities are here for them?
RS: The 5th year Portland BFA option is a really unique opportunity for our UO Digital Art undergrads, and it has been good for me to experience it first hand as a professor here this term.
Students have close access to the whole Portland art, music, film, and design communities. They get a whole school year to work intensely on their creative practice, and to get weekly, even daily, feedback on their work from their peers, faculty, and community.
Students also have access to some cutting edge equipment like Formlab printers, Oculus Rifts, sound booths, laser cutters, and more. Having a big final show at The White Box gallery [space] is an awesome opportunity as well.
SP: How have the reviews with the Portland community reviewers contributed to the students' practice and development of their work and ideas?
RS: They become important markers of progress for the students as the year unfolds. The reviews make the students accountable to an audience outside of our classroom.
SP: You have had an exhibition open during this term at the PSU Anzen gallery: was that recent work? And was it influenced at all by your being in Portland? Has Portland contributed at all to your professional practice? Are there opportunities here that you have been impressed with or have contributed to your work?
RS: Yes, that was recent work. The exhibition at PSU was done in collaboration with an artist run space I'm a member of called Ditch Projects. When Ditch Projects has a members show we don't usually credit each person's work, so often each of us takes the opportunity to step outside our styles and try something new.
My work is often situated outdoors, and I hardly ever work with text in my videos, so I used this exhibition opportunity to make a 3D animation that has a a very white gallery scene with rotating white pedestals, and digitally spray painted text that spins around and reveals itself on a loop once a minute.
This work was not really influenced by Portland, more just the parameters and theme of the exhibition. I do often think about place or displacement in my art, and sometimes that comes after I've lived or visited somewhere, I'm sure something Portland-esque will find its way into a future project.
SP: What have been some of the highlights of the term in your program for this group of students?
RS: One highlight was an assignment I gave in the Web Art class, where students were asked to create real world objects influenced by internet technology or culture. One student created physical "pop ups" and put them on all the other student's projects. It was interesting how as we walked around and talked about all the projects one by one, and everyone just ignored the added "pop ups," exactly how we ignore ads on the internet in real life.
SP: Who have you brought in as guest artists or speakers?
RS: This term we've had Jeremy Rotsztain, a local digital artist that focuses on touch interface / software art. Jordan Tate, an artist and professor from Cincinnati. And Krystal South, a Portland artist/writer/designer.
SP: Have you done anything specific to being in Portland—taking or talking to the students about what is here and how they can integrate or be involved with the artistic community?
RS: Yes, on my course calendars I list as many Portland art/design happenings that I can find, and urge them to engage with the local scene.
In discussions, I bring up a lot of Portland artists, designers, galleries, and institutions as examples. It's great to point to art that is happening in the city right this moment, for example the PSU Ditch Projects show, or the 2014 Portland Biennial.
SP: Any comments you can add about your work (current) directions you are going in, influences you have in your work, or new ideas you are exploring?
RS: I've been thinking a lot about bird migration patterns this term. I saw this link from a Portland news station the other day that really resonated with me. It talks about these migrating birds that are being digitally mapped by weather radars during the night.
I'm thinking that will for sure end up in a new project somehow.
Thank you, Rick Silva!
Many thanks to student Dave Braithwaite for the images used in this post.


text:
Noordam Ship Review
Noordam Overview
The fourth and final Vista-class sister, the 1,848-passenger 2006-built Noordam (which replaced the previous Noordam that left the fleet in November 2004) and her sisters share a similar design to Carnival's Spirit-class ships. Touches of whimsy pop up here and there via bright colors and the odd funky piece of art or furniture style. Overall, though, the ships are casually elegant and very spacious.
Public Rooms & Activities On Noordam
Pleasant public rooms comprise both traditional spaces and modern ones. Lovely old-world-style rooms include the Explorer's Lounge for low-key musical performances, drinks and high tea.
The cozy Atrium Bar on the Main Deck has the feel of a romantic 1930s nightclub while the popular Ocean Bar is also a throw-back and wraps around three-deck atrium with its Waterford crystal chandelier. Funkier contemporary spaces include the piano bar, sports bar and top-of-the-ship Crow's Nest, an observation lounge during the day and nightclub/disco at night.
The Queen's Lounge puts on cabaret-style acts evenings and by day is the Culinary Arts Center for cooking demos. Among the most popular spots on the ship is the Explorations Café, a combo coffee shop and Internet center with a well-stocked library — one of the best at sea. For the little ones, the KidZone and WaveRunner children/teen centers are roomy and bright.
Visit the well-equipped gym, the outdoor basketball/volleyball court, or take a stroll around the wraparound Promenade Deck and soak up the great views. The large Greenhouse Spa boasts a thermal suite (a series of saunas and other heat-therapy rooms) and a hydrotherapy pool for relieving muscle tension. Up on deck are two swimming pools–the main one with a retractable roof–and a couple of hot tubs. The pool at the stern has great views.
Dining On Noordam
When it comes to mealtime, options include the glam two-deck main Vista Dining Room. The smaller and more intimate Pinnacle Grill, the place for steaks and fish, has lovely marble floors, gorgeous Bulgari place settings, and ornate sculpture-like chairs. For casual dining, head to the Lido buffet restaurant, which also has a new Italian section called Canaletto.
Staterooms & Suites On Noordam
Cabins are among the industry's largest, with insides and outsides ranging from 185 to 200 square feet and all of them having a small sitting area and a tub in the bathroom, plus a flatscreen TV and DVD player, makeup mirror, massage shower head, bathrobes, and super comfy bedding. The deluxe veranda suites and cabins in the stern are among the most appealing rooms because of the views and extra deep balconies. All suites guests are privy to private concierge lounge.
Holland America Line Ship ReviewsTo read a review of a particular ship, click the link under "Read the Review." If applicable, our Live Voyage Reports offer a day-by-day overview of an actual cruise onboard. In some cases, there may be more than one report, to be sure to see if your favorite destination is represented.
Avid Cruiser Posts Featuring Noordam:
- Holland America Debuts New BBC Earth Experiences, Cruises
- Day 4 – Exploring Greenhouse Spa on Noordam
- Day 3 – Exploring Palermo, Sicily on Noordam
- Day 2 – Exploring Naples, Italy on Noordam
- The Panama Canal, 100 Years On
- Doing The ABCs On Holland America Line's Noordam, Conclusion
- Doing The ABCs On Holland America Line's Noordam, Part III
- Doing The ABCs On Holland America Line's Noordam, Part II
- Doing The ABCs On Holland America Line's Noordam
- Holland America Improves on a Long Tradition
- Holland America Tour Follows Footsteps of The Godfather
- At Holland America's Le Cirque, There's No Clowning Around
- Holland America's Tour in Turkey Visits Sites Seldom Seen
- Holland America Reveals its Top 10 Most Coveted Cruises
- Ducking Out of Dubrovnik on a Holland America Tour
- Welcome Home to Holland America's Noordam
- Join Me on Noordam to the Hot Spots of the Mediterranean


text:
SGV Foundation takes another big step for education
SGV & Co. and the SGV Foundation successfully held their first charity race called First Step – The SGV Run for Learning on November 6, 2011 at the SM Mall of Asia Complex. The stormy weather did not deter the SGV & Co. partners, staff, clients and friends who gamely ran the 3-, 5- or 10-kilometer routes for a great cause.
First Step raised funds to benefit the Aklat, Gabay, Aruga Tungo sa Pangarap at Pag-asa (AGAPP) Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that aims to improve the quality of basic public school education in the Philippines through the construction of better learning facilities. The turnout of some 2000 runners contributed greatly to the goal of building two classroom-libraries for public preschool children.


text:
Gráinne Gillis is an Irish-American opera singer, VO artist and actress based in London. She is a 2018 nominee at the One Voice Awards, in the audiobook (fiction) category. In 2018, La Traviata, where she played Flora, was nominated for an Offie in the Opera category. She has a one-woman show, combining Shakespeare and opera: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n29oXdlbU44
|Accents & Dialects:
(* = native)
|American-California, American-East Coast, American-Midwest, American-New England, American-New York, American-North East, American-Southern States, American-Standard, American-West Coast, American-Western States, Belfast, Bristol, Cork, Donegal, Dublin, English-Standard, Heightened RP, Irish RP, Irish-Northern, Irish-Southern
(* = Native/Fluent)
|French, Gaelic, German, Irish, Italian
|Music & Dance:
(* = highly skilled)
|Alto*, Classical Singing*, Contralto*, Dramatic contralto*, Dramatic mezzo-soprano*, Mezzo*, Mezzo-Soprano*
|ADR-Additional Dialogue Recording, Audio Books, Audio Drama, Autocue trained/experienced, Professional Singer, Radio Presenting, Singer-Professional, Voice Acting, Voice Over
(* = highly skilled)
|Other Skills:
|Barista (experienced), Choir Conductor, Composer, Computer Literate, Drama Coach (professional), Drama Workshop Leader, LAMDA exam drama coach, Musical Theatre Workshop Leader, Narration, Reiki, Singing Teacher/Coach, TEFL Tutor, Voice Coach (professional), Writer
Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, Postgraduate Diploma in Acting, 1 year, 2001 - 2002


text:
- a) a person whose hobby is train spotting
Wikipedia foundation.
Look at other dictionaries:
trainspotter — ► NOUN Brit. 1) a person who collects locomotive numbers as a hobby. 2) often derogatory a person who obsessively studies the minutiae of any minority interest or specialized hobby. DERIVATIVES trainspotting noun … English terms dictionary
trainspotter — [[t]tre͟ɪnspɒtə(r)[/t]] trainspotters also train spotter, train spotter 1) N COUNT A trainspotter is someone who is very interested in trains and spends time going to stations and recording the numbers of the trains that they see. [BRIT] 2) N… … English dictionary
Trainspotter — Ferrovipathe Pour l œuvre Trainspotting, voir les pages consacrées au roman et au film. Ferrovipathes en bord de voie L … Wikipédia en Français
trainspotter — • a socially inept young male who records useless information about trains such as number and type. The classic trainspotter will have a spiral bound notebook, thermos flask, unfashionable shoulder bag and an anorak. Used as a term of abuse much… … Londonisms dictionary
Trainspotter — Lokfotografen beim Fotografieren Eisenbahnfans aus der Lokführerperspektive Eisenbahnfans (auch Eisenbahnfreunde) sind Personen, die sich in ihrer Freizeit mit dem Thema Eisenbahn beschäftigen und daz … Deutsch Wikipedia
trainspotter — ➡ trainspotting * * * … Universalium
trainspotter — n British an unfashionable, excessively earnest, unattractive individual. The phrase, origi nally referring to hobbyists who collect train numbers, became a vogue term as a synonym for anorak and nerd in the mid 1990s, before being used as the… … Contemporary slang
trainspotter — n. person who collects the numbers of railroad locomotives as a hobby; intelligent but boring person (Slang) … English contemporary dictionary
trainspotter — a boring person Derogatory use of those who have nonintellectual hobbies, such as watching railway operations: For years people have been going around doing the wally voice for anoraks and trainspotters. (Guardian, 7 October 1994 not… … How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms
trainspotter — noun Brit. 1》 a person who collects locomotive numbers as a hobby. 2》 often derogatory a person who obsessively studies the minutiae of any minority interest or specialized hobby. Derivatives trainspotting noun … English new terms dictionary


text:
Maiden signs up BBC 24 for news screens
The BBC will provide the content for Maiden Outdoor's Transvision news service sites at London train stations, after ITN decided not to renew its contract.
From this week, BBC News 24 will be shown on the giant screen sites at three London train stations: Victoria, Waterloo and Euston. Further giant LED screens are to be launched at Liverpool Street at the end of this month and at Charing Cross by April. Maiden is planning to launch the service regionally in Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow and Edinburgh in the second quarter of this year.
The BBC News marketing department has signed the deal in a bid to attract new viewers and to encourage take-up of its other digital services. When the Transvision sites are launched regionally, the BBC is planning a station-specific news service that will also run local news.
Transvision first launched at Victoria Station two years ago as a joint partnership between Maiden Outdoor and ITN (MW January 29, 2001). ITN originally supported Transvision to attract viewers to its ITN News Channel. The company decided not to renew the contract with Maiden after Carlton Communications and Granada took control of the channel and revamped it under the ITV brand last summer.


text:
If you have many student loans to eventually pay, and you are skilled in a particular field, then your loans could be dismissed by the government and won't have to be paid off.
These particular fields change annually, and are usually selected according to the supply and demand of professionals in that field.
For example, special education teachers are exempt from paying their loans if they are employed in that field for at least a year.
Another good example is the nursing field.
There is a very large demand for nurses these days, many more than the supply could fill.
For that matter, many different types of teachers could qualify for dismissal of their loans.
Also orderlies and nurse assistants.
The health care industry is in high demand for experts in many different fields.
To apply for getting a student loan dismissed, the applicant can get a form from their loan administrator.
The loan office will also need proof from the college and/or workplace that they indeed are pursuing the particular field.
So if you are working and still in school, you could be eligible to pay off all your loans, subsidized or not.
You need to check with your loan officers first however.
Loan providers have lists of jobs that are in demand where loans can be paid off by the government.
Those jobs such as special education teachers and nurses are of great value to the government, so they are quite willing to pay for their education.
If you feel you may be eligible for release of your loan obligations, please contact your loan office right away.
It costs nothing to check, and could be worth thousands towards your education.
How to Get Your Student Loan Dismissed
103 80
Prev Post
Leave A ReplyCancel Reply


text:
Good news for London's skaters. Recently Mayor Boris Johnson said that he supports the London Undercroft Southbank Skatepark. He still supports the development there, but only if the skatepark remains untouched. The Southbank Centre board have decided to withhold their planning application; "The Board will now undertake a final search for an alternative funding model to keep the widely supported Festival Wing redevelopment scheme alive."
When the original plans were announced, the skate community's outcry was so loud that it couldn't be ignored (see Long Live Southbank). They gave the Lambeth Council 20,000 signatures objecting.
This could be a massive win for the skateboarding community, not only in London, but worldwide.


text:
What Is A Bridging Visa?
A bridging visa is a temporary visa. It is granted to any non-citizen onshore in Australia who has an expired visa and is waiting for a new visa to be granted. It allows the holder to lawfully stay in Australia while their visa application is being processed. Bridging visas are usually valid from the time that your current visa expires until your new visa is granted or in some cases declined.
Bridging visas can be quite complex and often the terms are unclear. There are various types of bridging visas each with their own conditions. While bridging visas allow you to remain in Australia, they can be quite restrictive in terms of what you are able to do while holding this visa. Bridging visas may restrict your work or study rights in Australia.
A formal bridging visa application is usually not required if you already hold a visa at the time of making your new visa application. If you do not have a visa or you hold a current bridging visa then you will be required to lodge an application if you wish to apply for a different bridging visa. In order to be eligible for a bridging visa, you must be in Australia when applying for your new visa, meet eligibility requirements and be in Australia at the time your visa is granted.
The number of bridging visa holders in Australia has significantly increased in the last few years. As of the end of March 2019, there were 229, 242 bridging visa holders in Australia.
Generally people are put on bridging visas as a result of the backlog of visa applications to be processed. The visa approval process takes time as security and health checks need to be conducted for each application. These necessary checks add a substantial amount of time to the visa approval process. Take into account the high volume of applications to be processed and all of a sudden you have astronomical wait times and a high number of people on bridging visas.
Each visa has its own processing time which is usually calculated based on the volume of applications for that visa. Visas can be granted immediately or anywhere up to two years and possibly a little longer in the case of partner visas. If you are considering applying for a new visa it is best to check the specific processing times as you may need to be prepared to wait.
If you would like advice on bridging visas or any other aspect of migration, speak to one of the VSA team today. It is a complex subject so it is important to speak with someone in the know.


text:
Human rights lawyer Festus Keyamo (SAN) says the furore over President Muhammadu Buhari's failure to disclose his health status is needless, as Sani Abacha, former military dictator, slumped and died despite not suffering from any medical ailment.
Speaking with The Interview, Keyamo, who is the Director of Strategic Communications for the re-election of Buhari, also said the President would be re-elected in 2019 so that he can instil a different political culture in the country before he retires.
"He (Buhari) needs time to instil that culture different from what we have learnt government is all about," he said.
Asked if he would support full disclosure of the health status of all the candidates during the 2019 campaign, Keyamo said: "I agree that candidates should declare their health status. But if somebody is sick and is well and now discloses that he is well now, fine. He (Buhari) is ready to go; he is fit to go. Abacha was not sick at all, no history; yet he slumped and died."
Noing that "the PDP culture must change", he said: "Let's be honest, most young people of our generation grew up to know only the PDP system, which is — and was — only about money."
In an edition described by the MD/Editor-In-Chief of The Interview, Azu Ishiekwene, as "a loaded gun, which Buhari's opponents can only ignore at the own peril", Keyamo said said unlike the PDP "whose oxygen is money", Buhari did not need federal funds to clinch his re-election, saying his supporters would be happy to sell their possessions for his re-election.
He said Buhari also needed to consolidate his anti-corruption war and deal a final blow on insecurity, describing insinuations that the President was sponsoring herdsmen as "satanic and idiotic".
When asked why he thought Buhari deserved re-election in light of the growing poverty and the weak economy, Keyamo said: "Where does the National Bureau of Statistics get its figures from? I don't believe those statistics!"
He also spoke on the President's reference to Nigerian youth as "lazy", allegations that he abandoned the defendant in the Ozubulu church killings to join Buhari, and what he thought his former mentor and leading human rights lawyer, Gani Fawehimi (SAN), would have done with the Buhari government.


text:
By David Madden
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. (CBS) — A grand jury in Gloucester County, NJ has handed up a 14-count indictment against a suspended Washington Township police officer who pulled over a New Jersey state lawmaker last summer.
Assemblyman Paul Moriarty's story hasn't wavered from day one:
"I did nothing wrong that day. I was falsely arrested. My property was seized and my good name was tarnished" (see related story).
Now, Moriarty hopes the 14-count indictment against officer Joseph DiBuonaventura will be a step toward correcting that.
DiBuonaventura claimed that Moriarty cut him off on the Black Horse Pike, although video from the officer's cruiser fails to show that.
Moriarty was also issued a DUI citation which is being held, for now, by Gloucester County prosecutors.
DiBuonaventura faces charges of official misconduct, false swearing, and tampering with and falsifying public records.
He's on unpaid suspension from his job. His lawyer could not be reached for comment.


text:
Moderator: Frank Burgos
kusho wrote:Hi, anyone know where i can get a tutorial/guide or tips on how to accurately use a X-rite Colour Quality program when colour matching a plastic film sample? I know most of the basic but it the extra twist that i need to learn. Most of the time i look at the plot on the axis and the LAB C H figure to help me determine what need to be add into my ink. But there is time that it really confuse to understand, for example, some time the program told me that i need to add more red in order to move toward the center but in my ink formula, there only yellow cyan and black. By adding any kind of red, i know it will stuff up my colour for sure. And knowledge that anyone can share will be greatly appreciated. Brainstorm is power
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 3 guests


text:
Alitalia: promises, words but nothing done
Di Maio for July 15 the party of the definition of the carrier?
Does Luigi Di Maio have the ability to govern complex situations? Many people ask themselves this question. His promises to build a group of entrepreneurs to save Alitalia still do not bring tangible results. For next July 15 he promised to find the square. After yesterday's meeting between the government and the unions -very disappointing according to the statement of those present- concerns about the destiny of the carrier are increasing. The unions confirm the strike next July 26. The continuous reduction of the cash advises against the possibility of a fifth extension to Fs to find investors. In addition to 35% by Fs, 15% by the Mef (conversion into equity of the interest on the loan of 900 million), and 10% by Delta, the remaining 40% is to be found. The names are always the same: Claudio Lotito, who however did not provide any information on the capital he would put in; the Colombian German Efromovich who, apparently, would put cash into tax havens; the Carlo Toto Group, according to Medio Banca advisor, has a certainty of 200 million after the sale of wind farms in the USA.
The aggregation of all these subjects makes a consortium not very credible also because it could hardly reach 700-800 million of capital. If we consider that the State loan of 900 million (plus interest) is almost finished, and certainly did not heal the Alitalia company, it would be nice if someone could explain how you can restore and raise with a smaller amount. The lack of the business plan creates anxiety and certainly does not reassure. How will Di Maio succeed in giving credible answers to these doubts in 10 days? We hope that he has an ace up his sleeve and will free the table from any doubts.
The secretary of CGIL Trasporti, Fabrizio Cuscito, declared to AVIONEWS: "Yesterday's meeting was useless. We didn't hear any news. We don't see a business plan yet. We will not accept redundancies or pay cuts". Antonio Amoroso by Cub union expressed himself in the same terms, adding also a strong disappointment and great concern for the serious risk of the company downsizing.
It is easy to foresee that hard comparison times are approaching.
AVIONEWS - World Aeronautical Press Agency


text:
Why I Hate Blogs and Blogging – A Professional's Insight into the Dark Side of Blogging
I have a confession to make. I hate blogging. Though I am an online professional who makes a living out of managing and generating content for clients worldwide; I still hate blogging – at least what it has turned in to. I feel bad when I see people launching up… Read more »


text:
Multiple Teams · Baseball, Softball and Track in Action Today
It's a great day for Aggie Athletics with Baseball, Softball and Track all involved in Section play today. The Softball team will travel to Northwestern University-St. Paul to take on Concordia Academy in the section 4AA championship game today at 4:00 pm. Since the Aggies have one loss they need to win the game to


text:
Skaftafell National Park Express
Enjoy Skaftafell National Park at your own leisure.
This round trip non-guided transfer service takes you to Skaftafell National Park in
the morning and back to Reykjavík in the evening.
We leave Reykjavík at 07:30 and reach Skaftafell at around noon. On the way we
stop at a service station, which has a kiosk, a restaurant and restrooms. Where you
have enough time (about 25 minutes) to use the facilities and/or buy refreshments.
Once you reach Skaftafell National Park you have many different possibilities to
enjoy yourself. You can join a glacial hike or boat tour at the glacial lagoon
Jökulsárlón, which can both be purchased at the National Park or you can enjoy the
National Park on your own. Maps of the area are available at the National Park.
The return bus leaves Skaftafell at 18:00 with arrival in Reykjavík around 23:00. On
the way we stop at a service station, which has a kiosk, a restaurant and toilets.
Here you have enough time (about 25 minutes) to go to the toilet and/or buy a snack
or something to drink.
Trip information:
Min passangers: 1
Duration: 16,5 Hours
Operation Time: 1 June - 15 September
Price: Contact us for Price


text:
Selling a Business with the Northwest Iowa (IA) Murphy Business Professionals
Murphy Business is a leading Northwest Iowa (IA) business brokerage in affiliations with National and International Business Brokerage and Merger & Acquisition associations. These connections provide maximum exposure in selling your business yet still ensuring confidentiality.
Our experienced valuation professionals help owners realize the true value of their business to properly establish a suitable marketing plan to help promote the sale. The professionals at Murphy Business know the Northwest Iowa (IA) market and provide you access to the broadest number of qualified buyers.
Because of the attractiveness of the Iowa Great Lakes we continually get inquiries from outsiders exploring the idea of starting or purchasing a business in this area. Northwest Iowa offers many opportunities for prospective business sellers including the following:
- This is a good time for sellers to use the services of a business broker to cash in the sale of their business for several reasons
- Many former Iowans are interested in moving back to Iowa and are looking for a business to purchase
- Many buyers are sitting on substantial savings/IRA's given the solid economy and are now ready to buy
- Many buyers are attracted to Northwest Iowa because of the Iowa Great Lakes and world-renowned manufacturing plants such as Polaris and Pure Fishing and others, and there are thriving regional hubs such as Spencer, Storm Lake, and Carroll
- A good local business broker who knows the market and specializes in helping sellers of businesses can help sellers confidentially sell their business.
How to Sell a Business
The Murphy's experienced professionals will be with you each step of the way when answering the daunting questions of "how to sell a business".
- Prepare a detailed offering portfolio
- Arrange a business valuation
- Develop a marketing plan to sell the business
- Implement the plan and promote to potential buyers
- Negotiate offer to purchase or letter of intent
- Perform Due Diligence
- Finalize Closing through Financing and Funding
Partnering with the Northwest Iowa (IA) Murphy Business Broker
We provide a detailed offering portfolio above the typical one page MLS form. Going above and beyond in information gathering and presentation is just one way Murphy Business exceeds expectations to help provide information for buyers in their due diligence efforts. These efforts often provide smoother sales with speedier transaction times.
In addition, Murphy Business brokers create a customized marketing plan to attract the most suitable qualified buyer. Our local and national connections and associations create a network of thousands of brokers seeking out the correct buyer.
We provide our network of banking professionals to assist the buyer with traditional financing or SBA small business loans. While providing this service we can often minimize the amount of seller financing, if needed.
Murphy Business assists sellers through all the steps of a business sale, even through the closing. Contact your local Northwest Iowa (IA) office today to receive a business valuation.