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Advances in Treating Type 1 Diabetes: Drugs Show Promise for Preserving Body's Ability to Produce Insulin
Researchers Continue to Assess Dosage, Side Effects and Timing of Treatment after Diagnosis – Not All Studies Had Positive Effect
About Advances in Treating Type 1 Diabetes: Drugs Show Promise for Preserving Body's Ability to Produce Insulin
San Diego, CA June 28, 2011
The progression of type 1 diabetes may be slowed in those newly diagnosed, through the use of promising new medications currently under development, according to data presented by researchers at the American Diabetes Association's 71st Scientific Sessions®. Researchers believe these findings could eventually lead to the development of drugs to prevent or treat type 1 diabetes, since current work focuses on preserving beta cell function and prolonging the body's ability to produce its own insulin.
A total of eight studies of therapies in various stages of clinical development will be presented at symposia here Monday and Tuesday. They represent a mix of trials funded by government agencies and those sponsored by biotechnology and pharmaceutical developers. All of the studies look at the potential for preventing the slow loss of insulin production that occurs within the first several months following the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes.
"Presenting the findings together gives researchers an opportunity to discuss what worked in this approach to treating type 1 diabetes, what didn't, and why," said Kevan Herold, MD, co-chair of the Tuesday symposium and Professor of Immunobiology at Yale University . "We can see that some drugs are successful in slowing the progression of this disease, but thus far we have not been able to prolong that effect permanently. Others are not as effective and some have not been effective at all outside the laboratory setting. Hopefully this discussion will help us to determine the best way to move forward as we continue to explore this promising direction of preserving beta cell function, which is critical to ultimately finding a cure."
The drug, DiaPep277, a potential vaccine for type 1 diabetes, was developed with the goal of preventing beta cell destruction. During the development of type 1 diabetes, it is believed that an increase in a protein in the beta cell called "heat shock" protein causes beta cell destruction through activation of destructive T-cells. However, part of this protein has the ability to change the destructive T-cells into protective T-cells.
Researchers therefore removed 24 of 500 amino acids from the "heat shock" protein, to see if doing so would protect beta cells from attack by the T-cells, a hypothesis that had previously held true in studies conducted in laboratory mice with a form of diabetes similar to human type 1 diabetes.
In this phase two study, the altered "heat shock" protein (known as DiaPep277) – administered subcutaneously to 100 patients newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes – succeeded in protecting the beta cells, replicating in humans the findings in laboratory mice. "The drug works by increasing protective T-cells that secrete cytokine, which prevents the destruction of beta cells from immune attack," said lead researcher Itamar Raz, MD, Professor of Medicine and Head of the Hadassah Diabetic Center in Jerusalem, Hadassah Hebrew University Hospital.
Administering this vaccine also allowed beta cells to continue to secrete insulin for up to two years following a type 1 diagnosis, he said, a promising result that points toward the potential for prevention. "This shows that the vaccine protects the beta cell function over time," Raz said.
The drug is currently undergoing phase three trials in which beta cell function, insulin use and glucose control are being monitored as key outcomes.
Previous trials of teplizumab found that giving a 14-day course of this drug to people ages 8-30 years who were newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes preserved beta cell function for 12 months or longer, but that the effects of the drug began to wane about a year after receiving it. This phase two study looked at whether giving a second course of the drug intravenously a year after it was first administered could prolong its effects.
While it was unclear as to whether the second course of the drug provided any additional benefit, the study did confirm that those who were given teplizumab, an anti-CD3 medication (which modulates T-cells), did continue to show improved beta cell function even two years after diagnosis, over those not given any medication, said lead researcher Kevan Herold, MD. Researchers are continuing to analyze data that will help them compare the benefit of receiving one course of the drug with that of two courses.
The data showed that those who received teplizumab experienced a 45 percent decrease in beta cell function over two years, compared to a 77 percent decrease for those in the untreated group, he said. In addition, at 24 months, the untreated group used 57 percent greater amounts of insulin, on average, than the group that received medication.
"The effect seemed to be most pronounced from the first course of the drug," Herold said. "It also seemed to be effective in younger subjects, age 8-12."
In summary, Herold said, the study answered the question: "Can your body make more insulin as a result of having had this treatment? Yes, it can."
In this phase three trial of an anti-CD3 drug, researchers administered substantially lower doses of the medication (one-sixteenth the dose administered in previous trials, where significant side effects were seen) to see if reducing the dose would reduce side effects while maintaining a benefit in insulin production. Previous investigations have shown that maintaining a certain level of C-peptide can reduce future complications, prevent hypoglycemia and improve A1C levels.
Though previous trials did find that otelixizumab was effective in preserving C-peptide, it was not effective in doing so at the lower dose, said Peter Gottlieb, MD, co-investigator of the study, which examined the effect of otelixizumab on those newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes between the ages of 12 and 44 years.
"The dose that was chosen was clearly too low," Gottlieb said. "Future trials using a dose between the two previous ones may be useful in reaching the desired therapeutic goal."
This phase three, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multinational study of the anti-CD3 drug teplizumab had a combined goal of reducing A1C to less than 6.5 percent for those newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and reducing the amount of insulin needed to less than 0.5 units per kg of body weight per day. Though the study did not achieve this combined goal, it did have some positive results, according to lead researcher Nicole Sherry, MD, Director of the Diabetes Center at the Massachusetts General Hospital for Children in Boston.
Five percent of participants who received treatment no longer needed insulin at the end of one year, compared to none of those who received a placebo, she said. In post-hoc analysis, 40 percent of those who received a 14-day regimen of the drug experienced a preservation of or increase in C-peptide levels, compared to 28 percent of those in the placebo group.
"We found an especially potent effect in certain subgroups," Sherry said, "namely children, participants in the United States and those who were treated within six weeks of their diagnosis."
CTLA4Ig/Abatacept (Orencia)
This phase two, randomized clinical study compared the effects of the drug abatacept to placebo in people newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, ages 6 to 45 years. It found that those who received the drug experienced a 59 percent higher level of C-peptide at the end of two years, compared to those who received placebo. The drug was first given to people within three months of diagnosis. The study showed that on average it preserved beta cell function for an additional 9.6 months.
Jay Skyler, MD, chairman of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet study group, which conducted the study, said while the results were positive, it is only a step in the right direction.
"The problem is, in spite of giving the drug for two years we only had a 9.6-month delay," he said. "That means that the effect over time may have been lost. It may have had an effect early on that created the delay and then may have lost further effect as time went on."
The medication, he added, was noted to be less convenient to administer as it need to be given in 27 separate intravenous infusions over a two-year period of time. The company is currently working on a subcutaneous (under the skin) form of the medication that would be easier to administer, he added.
In this TrialNet study of 145 people newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as young as age 3 (and as old as age 45), participants were randomized into one of three groups: those given an injection of the GAD65 vaccine plus two boosters; those given an injection, one booster and one placebo; and those given all placebos.
However, all three groups experienced identical effects, said Skyler. That is, there was no benefit at all from taking the medication. The positive news was that there did not appear to be any side effects either, he said.
"What we don't know is whether in a different dosage or on a different dosage schedule, we would have seen an effect," he said. "When you don't see something, you're not sure if it's because of giving the wrong amounts or if it just doesn't work."
The medication has worked well in previous animal studies, he noted.
Interleukin-2 in Combination with Rapamycin (Sirolimus)
In this phase one safety trial of nine people previously diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (who had lived with the disease for up to four years), researchers tested the safety of combining two Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs that are currently being used to treat other diseases.
Previous studies in laboratory animals had suggested that these drugs (Interleukin-2, used to treat cancer, and Rapamycin, which is used in organ transplantation), when used together, could turn off the immune attack on the beta cells. However, when tested in humans, the same effect did not occur. But, there were positive changes to the immune system that suggested that this approach could still be useful, said Carla Greenbaum, MD, lead investigator on the study. Researchers are continuing to analyze data to better understand these findings.
Source: http://www.diabetes.org/for-media/2011/advances-in-treating-type-1-sci-sessions-2011.html
Calories, Not Protein or Carbs, Are Key to Weight Loss: Study
Diabetics gained similar benefits from low-fat diet emphasizing either proteins or carbohydrates
About Calories, Not Protein or Carbs, Are Key to Weight Loss: Study
SUNDAY, June 26 (HealthDay News) -- Curbing calories is the key ingredient for diabetics seeking to lose weight, and low-fat diets that are either high in protein or high in carbs are equally effective, researchers say.
"I think there are two key messages from this study," said study lead author Jeremy D. Krebs, a senior lecturer with the school of medicine and health sciences at the University of Otago in Wellington, New Zealand. "The first is that no matter what diet we prescribe, people find it extremely difficult to sustain the changes from their habitual diet over a long time. But if they are able to follow either a high-protein diet or a high-carbohydrate diet, they can achieve modest weight loss."
Krebs said this first message conveys flexibility and allows people to choose the approach that best suits them and "even to swap between dietary approaches when they get bored."
The second point "is that for people with diabetes, if they can adhere to either diet and achieve weight loss, then they do get benefits in terms of their diabetes control and cardiovascular risk," he added.
Krebs and his colleagues are scheduled to report their findings Sunday in San Diego at the American Diabetes Association meeting.
To compare the potential benefits of two popular dietetic approaches, the authors tracked nearly 300 overweight men and women between the ages of 35 and 75 who were on a new, two-year nutritional program.
To start, all the participants had a body mass index greater than 27, meaning they were moderately overweight, and all had type 2 diabetes.
The researchers randomly assigned the participants to one of two groups: a low-fat/high-protein group or a low-fat/high-carb group.
For the first half year, all attended twice-weekly group sessions led by a dietitian; for the following six months, sessions took place monthly.
Weight and waist circumference were measured at six months, one year, and two years. Kidney function and lipid (blood fats) profiles were also assessed throughout.
Food diaries indicated that total calorie intake went down in both groups. Ultimately, both groups lost a similar amount of weight and reduced their waist size in similar measure, the investigators found. And by the end of the two-year period, both groups had similar blood fat profiles.
Krebs and his colleagues concluded that their "real-world" experiment demonstrated that both approaches afford similar benefits, with the principal driving factor behind sustained weight loss being calorie reduction rather than either high-carb or high-protein consumption.
Lona Sandon, a registered dietitian and assistant professor of clinical nutrition at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, said the observations were "not at all surprising."
"This is pretty consistent with other research out there that has conducted other long-term comparisons in the general population," she said. "In the first six months you might see a little better benefit from a high-protein approach. But long-term, the initial benefits from a high-protein diet seem to diminish over time, and the two diets end up being essentially equivalent," Sandon explained.
"The bottom-line is that the issue for weight loss is calories," Sandon added. "Not where those calories come from. You need to create an energy deficit to lead to weight loss, and that happens by decreasing those calories. That's just been shown again and again."
Experts note that research presented at medical meetings is considered preliminary because it has not been subjected to the rigorous scrutiny required for publication in a peer-reviewed medical journal.
SOURCES: Jeremy D. Krebs, senior lecturer, school of medicine and health sciences, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand; Lona Sandon, R.D., assistant professor, clinical nutrition, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas; June 24-28, 2011, American Diabetes Association annual meeting, San Diego
Source: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_113667.html
After Diabetes Diagnosis, Concentrate on Dietary Changes, Study Says
Exercise made little difference in first year of treatment, researchers found
About After Diabetes Diagnosis, Concentrate on Dietary Changes, Study Says
SATURDAY, June 25 (HealthDay News) -- Dietary changes alone can yield the same benefits as changes in both diet and exercise in the first year after a person is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, a new study contends.
English researchers found that patients who were encouraged to lose weight by modifying their diet with the help of a dietician had the same improvements in blood sugar (glycemic) control, weight loss, cholesterol and triglyceride levels as those who changed both their diet and physical activity levels (30 minutes of brisk walking five times a week).
Both groups achieved about a 10 percent improvement in blood sugar control, cholesterol and triglyceride levels compared to patients who received routine care. The two intervention groups also lost an average of 4 percent of their body weight, while those in a routine care group had little or no weight loss.
Patients in the routine care group were also three times more likely than those in the intervention groups to start on diabetes medication before the end of the study.
"Getting people to exercise is quite difficult, and can be expensive," lead researcher Rob Andrews, a senior lecturer at the University of Bristol, said in an American Diabetes Association news release. "What this study tells us is that if you only have a limited amount of money, in that first year of diagnosis, you should focus on getting the diet right."
He pointed out, however, that the study participants with type 2 diabetes preferred to engage in both exercise and dietary changes. "They found diet alone quite negative," he said. One reason they might not have seen an additional benefit from exercise, he added, "is because people often make a trade. That is, if they go to the gym, then they feel as if they can have a treat. That could be why we saw no difference in the weight loss for the diet plus exercise group."
Andrews suggested that future research focus on determining whether adding exercise at a later time would make more of a difference.
"[Blood glucose] control gets worse over time. In the early stages, people tend to make rapid improvements and then it stays the same for a while. Adding exercise later might provide another boost in control whereas it wouldn't early on," Andrews said.
The study results were slated to be reported June 24 at a symposium run by the ADA and The Lancet at the ADA's Scientific Sessions meeting in San Diego.
A second study to be presented at the symposium found that intensive treatment of type 2 diabetes led to a slight reduction in cardiovascular disease risk factors.
For that study, nearly half a million people in Denmark, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom were screened for diabetes. The 3,057 people who were found to have the disease were assigned to receive either intensive treatment or routine care.
Intensive treatment included lifestyle changes (quitting smoking, healthier eating, more physical activity), aspirin treatment, and intensive medication treatment for blood pressure, blood sugar and lipids (blood fats). Those assigned to routine care were instructed to use national guidelines for advice on lifestyle and medical treatment.
Patients in the intensive treatment group showed clinically significant reductions in blood pressure and cholesterol and small decreases in weight and blood sugar levels maintained over a five-year period. The differences were greatest in the reducing the risk of heart attack and smallest in reducing the risk of stroke.
There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in rates of heart attack, stroke, cardiovascular deaths or revascularization, according to the news release.
Experts noted that research presented at medical meetings is considered preliminary because it has not been subjected to the rigorous scrutiny required for publication in a medical journal.
SOURCE: American Diabetes Association, news release, June 25, 2011
Source: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_113651.html


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VCA Turco Animal Hospital
VCA Turco Animal Hospital
VCA Turco Animal Hospital
We're committed to keeping clients and staff safe during COVID-19 with NEW admittance and check-out processes. Learn more.
We provide veterinary services for every stage in your pet's life, from her first shots to a lifetime of preventive care, to keep her happy and healthy. VCA Careclub is an amazing program that provides you with five visits to your vet every year, all vaccines, even spay/neuters and dental care, depending on the package you choose. And the best part, Careclub is available in low monthly payments for your convenience.
Our services don't end at our hospital doors. As a member of the VCA family, our veterinarians have access to extensive medical resources, not the least of which is the VCA knowledge base, which allows our doctors to tap into the collected knowledge of over 4,000 VCA veterinarians.
And if your pet ever needs truly advanced veterinary care, VCA Specialty Hospitals are ready to help. These clinics provide state-of-the-art care in orthopedic surgery, physical therapy, advanced oncology, and even such cutting-edge treatments as stem cell therapy.
Holistic veterinary medicine looks at all aspects of the entire animal with emphasis on both conventional and alternative therapies as... More

subset: commoncrawl


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Classes are held at Reconnect Yoga - a nurturing haven, away from the hustle, in Brunswick West.
Since opening in 2010, Reconnect Yoga has grown into a soulful hub, providing supportive and accessible yoga and movement classes designed to suit the needs of every body.
Each our yoga classes combines elements of yoga breathing (pranayama), yoga postures (asana) and deep relaxation (savasana) techniques, to create more stability, ease and flow on the mat and in your day-to-day life.
We teach with a sense of fun and curiosity – blending nurturing practices, like a snug savasana, with laughter and a deep respect for each other and ourselves.
Our teachers have experienced the benefits of yoga and movement first-hand, during all phases of fitness, health and flexibility. It's why we offer a range of classes designed for different purposes, and a variety of teachers, workshops and events year round.
Hatha yoga
Gentle pace yoga
Pre & Post pregnancy yoga
Kids yoga
Restorative yoga
Yoga nidra
Pain-Free Somatics
We're committed to helping you take the benefits of your practice off the mat and into your everyday interactions with loved ones, colleagues and the community.


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Vote for this product, until August 23rd, 2019 (see category A, company Bernstein)
Machine areas that continue running after switching off are often part of automated production processes. If one thinks, for example, of a large flywheel mass or slowly running down saw blades, it is absolutely essential that the machine operator is prevented from accessing them with the help of a safety guard until the dangerous movement has come to a complete standstill. Safety interlocking devices with guard locking such as the new SLC ensure that protective guards, safety doors and other covers stay closed as long as a dangerous condition exists.


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Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today:
1. DEMOCRATS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE FEEL URGENCY Under pressure to perform now that voting has begun, the Democratic Party's strongest seven candidates will hold a debate just four days before the state's primary election.
2. DEMOCRATS FACE STARK REALITY AFTER ACQUITTAL Now they must figure out how the impeachment ordeal will affect the legislative and political landscape for the rest of this election year.
3. CRUISE SHIP TURNED AWAY AS VIRUS ALARM DOCTOR DIES IN CHINA Japan reports 41 new cases of a virus on a quarantined cruise ship and turns away another luxury liner while the death toll in China rises to 636, including a whistleblower doctor.
4. 'THEY WANT MORE LAND AND LESS ARABS' Israel's Arab citizens view the Trump administration's plan for a future Palestinian state as a forced transfer, comparing it to the segregation of apartheid-era South Africa.
5. SERBIA STRUGGLES WITH POPULATION DECLINE The Balkan nation and other countries in the region are facing a similar problem where shrinking villages are undermining economic growth and development.
6. HIGH WATER LEVELS WREAK HAVOC IN GREAT LAKES The five inland seas are bursting at the seams during the region's wettest period in more than a century, which scientists say is likely connected to the warming climate.
7. TRUMP: US OPERATION KILLED AL-QAIDA LEADER IN YEMEN Qassim al-Rimi claimed responsibility for last year's shooting at Naval Air Station Pensacola, where a Saudi aviation trainee killed three American sailors.
8. BAD WEATHER HEADS NORTH AFTER RAKING US SOUTHEAST Forecasters say that a storm system that killed four in the southeastern U.S. is expected to strengthen in the mid-Atlantic region, bringing snow, ice and rain.
9. WHAT TO EXPECT FROM JOBS REPORT With China's viral outbreak disrupting trade and Boeing's troubles weighing on American factories, it may provide evidence of the U.S. economy's enduring health.
10. WARRIORS, TIMBERWOLVES MAKE BIG TRADE Andrew Wiggins is going from Minnesota to Golden State, allowing D'Angelo Russell to team up with his good friend, Wolves star Karl-Anthony Towns.


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Farewell My Dear Friend
God's decree surpasses all human's planning. Thus, many times your life takes a sudden turning without forewarning. Death is one of His many decrees that nobody can predict.
What do you do when death summons someone you love? Your life suddenly changes. You turn to your left. You turn to your right. Everyone and everything do not interest you. Your body feels so light, almost like you are floating. You do not feel the ground beneath your feet. You feel a little confused. Your mind does not want to think. It stops at that one thought – has that person really gone and never coming back? Your brain does not want to process this piece of information. You get stuck in that hollow space and time stands still. Even walking in a crowded place, you just do not feel a thing. Total shock engulfs you. Then, a voice in your heart speaks, "That person did not leave, but only returned to the Creator." Your Imaan wakes you up. You remember. Every living being belongs to Allah…body and soul. Innalillahi wainna ilaihi roji'un…indeed to Allah we belong and to Him we return.
La hawla wala quwwata illa billahi…there is neither power nor ability save by Allah. You start to feel the surrounding. Your brain has finally registered the loss. You have finally accepted the death. Learn to live with it. Redha. A string of events you last shared with that person floods your mind. Tears have arrived and perhaps they will stay with you for some time. You cry, cry and cry. You are not alone. Allah is with you. Cry and let the person go. Let him or her go with absolute sincerity – ikhlas. Allah will never leave you alone for He loves you more than you know.
Tears become your companion. Islam says three days only to grieve but do tears know when to stop? No matter how hard you hold them in, they will fill your eyes… blocking your sight. Relenting, you close your eyes to let all the tears stream down. They flow from both corners of your eyes warming your cheeks. At no prescribed time, no prescribed place, the smallest thing can trigger your mind to that person. Your brain automatically retrieves pieces of your shared moments with him or her. Again, you cry. Remember! You are not alone. Allah is with you for always. Turn to Him. Being a Muslim, part of our faith is to believe that a Believer is never let to live his or her life without tests from Allah. Redha and sabr are the pills to take at times like this. You need loads of them to persevere. Keep yourself close to Allah and ask for strength from Him to proceed with your life. No matter how hard it is for you, your life must go on. How do you cope with living without someone whom Allah has sent into your life to act as a pillar of hope, giving you moral support in things you do? Someone who has been there for you all this while? Someone who said to you, "I'm so blessed to have you as my friend"? To others, the world is short of one person now. But, that person is more than a part that completes the whole. Allah knows what's in your heart. He knows your pain. He knows the loss you feel. Allah brings two hearts together to show his Greatness. He is the One that makes that person touch your life. Allah loaned this person to you and He has taken that person back. He owns you and that person. Thank Allah. Say 'alhamdulillah' for the blessing of knowing that person, even for a short time. Be strong. Do not drown yourself in sadness. Fight to live! Take the Quran. Read, read and read. Keep it close to you. Remember you still have to complete this long journey. Please Allah and have faith in Him. Obey Him. Do not displease Him. Seek His help to live with Imaan and be steadfast until He calls you to return to Him. Always say this du'a:
Allahummakhtim lana bi husnil khotimah!
One who yearns to meet Allah, Allah yearns to meet him or her. Keep the moments you have shared with that person, the good and the bad. The moments that made you laugh with him, angry at him, cry because of him, smile at his silly acts, worry for his well-being or scared for his life. Remember not to live in those moments now. They are your past with him. The past that Allah has bestowed upon you. Those past moments are for kept. May Allah reunite you with your loved ones in Jannah. Aameen, ya Rabb al 'alamin.
To my dear sahabah (r.a), thank you for that final moment, visiting me with Allah's permission. Alhamdulillah! Allah made me understand it later that you actually came. I will forever remember that precious moment. I will never see you again in this life. Insha Allah, Allah will allow us to meet again in the next life just like He did when He placed us in a true friendship for more than a year. Rest in peace my dear sahabah.
"O' Allah, forgive my sahabah. Make him among the guided ones, raise his rank among those who are rightly guided, and be the Caretaker of his grieving loved ones. O' Sustainer of the universe, forgive us and him and make his grave spacious for him and grant him light in it." Aameen!
Hit: 15 Laman Asal


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…120 Days Until Race Day
How ironic and poetic that day 55 falls on the day that we are setting up for the Snowdrop Ultra 55 Hour Race & Relay?
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and since I'll never be able to imitate Joe Fejes through my running, I guess the next best thing is to steal his "race predictions" and toss out my personal opinions about this weekend's race the same way Joe does for significant timed races.
The 4th Annual Snowdrop Ultra 55 Hour Race & Relay starts tomorrow (December 30) morning at 7:00 (CST). The weather forecast is for warm temps, high humidity and rain.
Please understand that my predictions below are my personal opinion only and certainly do not represent the views of anyone else. I am also biased as I am participating in the event.
I also acknowledge fully that I have only predicted categories and runners that I'm familiar with and if your name isn't on this list, it means ABSOLUTELY nothing in the whole grand scheme of things.
Legalese aside, below are my predictions for the top spots for the men and women:
Most Donuts Eaten: Brian Anderson followed by Deborah Scharpff Sexton…neither has ever passed up a free donut or dozen
Most Profanities Used: Patty Shadowens Godfrey…NOT…EVEN…CLOSE
Most Overworked: Kevin Godfrey…hands down
Most Underrated: Trish Snider Kline…as she is every day
Most likely to GRUNT about the weather: Traci Duck
And now for the actual race predictions.
Joe Fejes Defending champion. Only runner in Snowdrop history to reach 250 miles. 100 miles at last year's race in 15:56. 55 Hour favorite if he decides to race the entire event. May use first 24 hours for US National qualifying attempt. Runs much better in cooler temps and is still in honeymoon phase after recent nuptials.
Jered Mansell Previous Champion. Hit 228.5 miles last year. Finished 100 miles just one minute behind Fejes. Great pacer and coach in Super Steve Maliszewski. Also in honeymoon phase after recent nuptials.
Whoever's less "whipped" from their honeymoons should pull out the victory.
One the ladies side, it's a pretty deep field.
Connie Gardner 3rd overall last year. Defending women's champion with 200 miles. 14-time USATF record holder. May attempt a 24-hour team qualification like Joe Fejes. Even so, has major incentive to return and is my outright pick to run the MOST MILES.
Kelley Hanna Fejes Finished 2nd female last year with 168 miles but that was with a different last name. Does she still have honeymoon hangover or is she just hungover from too many pre-race IPA's?
Linda Truong Previous women's champion. 7th overall last year and 3rd female with 165.8 miles. 3rd in October 24 The Hard Way in OKC. No honeymoon hangover there as she had just returned from a globetrotting excursion after marrying Jered Mansell earlier this year. It's bragging rights time for the Fejes/Mansell households.
Jean Hofschulte 5th female last year with 150.1 miles. Won 12-hour races at 24-The Hard Way and Jackalope Jam. Is looking for and is capable of some big miles. Been married for many years and is grateful to have the 55-hour marriage respite.
Becky Cunningham 4th place female last year with 151.6 miles. 2nd place female at 24-the Hard Way with 97.97 miles. Steady runner who will always be near the top. Mentally as tough as they come. Will have entire family crewing for her, minus her beautiful Gabby, who's at doggy camp.
Gina Fioroni Rookie to the ULTRA 55 but strong running pedigree. However, recently got engaged and may not be as Sharp as she'd like to be.
Obviously I'm just having fun with this because the REAL winners are the kids fighting cancer that this race funds support.
Let's get ready to run friends.
#Snowdrop175AcrossItaly #UMS17 #ABC13 #Evamor #TheNew93Q


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Lucy Orta, Modular Architecture - The Unit x 10, 1999
Foto: Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth.
Lucy Orta
2003, 144 pages, 200 color and b/w illustrations, 26 x 20 cm.
Preis: 20,00 €
n a body of work spanning more than a decade, Orta has created a unique genre that transcends the boundaries of fashion, architecture, and traditional art practice. She debates and rethinks the traditional principles of social structures, introducing new ideas that have a profound engagement with society, urban planning, cultural heritage, and political and ecological policies. Her work reveals the extent to which perceptions of space play a crucial role in the construction of urban identity, whether it is condensed and compressed to serve individual needs or expanded to encompass the whole of society.
"... this book is as widely accessible, due to the beautiful photography on every page, as the artist is herself. This is a full and impressive look into an amazing body of work. And - being everywhere as Lucy Orta is right now - it's worth the effort." (Henrietta Thompson, Blueprint, no. 217, March 2004)
Lucy Orta, lebt und arbeitet in Paris und London.


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Hey everyone!
I'm your mod for Outdoor Weddings. I'm on Eastern time, but feel free to tag me in a thread or send a PM whenever you need me.
A little about me: I love mac and cheese, the great outdoors, good wine and updating our new house. I got married on a downtown pedestrian bridge and had a ton of fun planning my outdoor wedding!
Have fun and Knot on, my friends!


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18 February 2009
The initial test programme will be based around a single 750 kW Pelamis P2 device from Pelamis Wave Power Ltd currently being built in Edinburgh, Scotland, and which will be installed and tested at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney. EMEC is the only grid-connected marine test facility in Europe.
The Pelamis device is expected to become fully operational in 2010. The first year of testing will be an extended commissioning period, with the next two years designed to improve the device's working capabilities.
Amaan Lafayette, Marine Development Manager at E.ON, says: "We recognise that much work has to follow before we can be certain that marine energy will fulfil its potential but the success of this device will give us the confidence to move to the next phase of commercialisation which is larger arrays around the UK coastline.
"It's only by actually getting devices in the water that we can test the potential for wave power in the UK, which is why this is such an important step."
The Pelamis P2 device will be 180 m long, around 50 m longer than the existing Pelamis P1, and is designed to be "considerably more efficient than the first generation device."
This article is featured in:
Wave and tidal energy


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Talk about southern comfort. The studio and one-bedroom extended stay suites at Sonesta ES Suites Gwinnett Place Atlanta are spacious, stylish and accommodating. They're also among the most flexible rooms you'll find in the Atlanta area. Business travelers enjoy a lot of room to spread out and be productive. And families need ample space to…well…have their own space.
Enjoy all the amenities you'd expect to find at home, in a casual and relaxed atmosphere. Our fully equipped kitchens help you stay on budget. Free Wi-Fi helps you stay connected. And when you're ready to head out to explore or to grab a meal, you'll find a complete guide to the area's attractions and restaurants in your room.
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Staying a while on business? Enjoy a living/meeting area apart from a private bedroom. The perks of a small apartment are here. A pull-out sofa bed allows for a couple traveling with a child.


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is to their uncommon zeal that the world owes the Gaelic Poems, if they have any merit.
It was at first intended to make a general collection of all the ancient pieces of genius to be found in the Gaelic language ; but the translator had his reasons for confining himself to the remains of the works of Ossian. The action of the poem that stands the first was not the greatest or most celebrated of the exploits of Fingal. His wars were very numerous, and each of them afforded a theme which employed the genius of his son. But, excepting the present poems, those pieces are irrecoverably lost, and there only remain a few fragments in the hands of the translator. Tradition has still preserved, in many places, the story of the poems, and many now living have heard them in their youth repeated.
The complete work now printed, would, in a short time, have shared the fate of the rest. The genius of the Highlanders has suffered a great change within these few years. The communication with the rest of the island is open, and the introduction of trade and manufactures has distroyed that leisure which was formerly dedicated to hearing and repeating the poems of ancient times. Many have now learned to leave their mountains, and seek their fortunes in a milder climate ; and though a certain amor patriæ may sometimes bring them back, they have, during their absence, imbibed enough of foreign manners to dispise the customs of their ancestors. Bards have been long disused, and the spirit of genealogy has greatly subsided. Men begin to be less devoted to their chiefs, and consanguinity is not so much regarded. When property is established, the human mind confines its views to the pleasure it procures. It does not go back to antiquity, or look forward to succeeding ages. The cares of life increase, and the actions of other times no longer amuse. Hence it is, that the taste for ancient poetry is at a low ebb among the Highlanders. They have not, however, thrown off the good qualities of their ancestors Hospitality still subsists, and an uncommon civili:
to strangers. Friendship is inviolable, and revenge less blindly followed than formerly. ! To say any thing concerning the poetical merit of the poems, would be an inticipation of the judgment of the public. The poem which stands first in the collection is truly epic. The characters are strongly marked, and the sentiments breathe heroism. The subject of it is an invasion of Ireland by Swaran king of Lochlin, which is the name of Scandinavia in the Gaelic language. Cuthullin, general of the Irish tribes, in the minority of Cormic king of Ireland, upon intelligence of the invasion, assembled his forces near Tura, a castle on the coast of Ulster. The poem opens with the landing of Swaran; councils are held, battles fought, and Cuthullin is at last totally defeated. In the mean time, Fingal, king of Scotland, whose aid was solicited before the enemy landed, arrived and expelled them from the country. This war, which continued but six days and as many nights, is, including the episodes, the whole story of the poem. The scene is the heath of Lena, near a mountain called Cromleach, in Ulster.
All that can be said of the translation is, that it is literal, and that simplicity is studied. The arrangement of the words in the original is imitated, and the inver. sions of the style observed. As the translator claims no merit from his version, he hopes for the indul. gence of the public where be fails. He wishes that the imperfect semblance he draws, may not prejudise the world against an original, which contains what is beautiful in simplicity, and grand in the sublime.
merit ar Haying
THE history of those nations which originally posIsessed the north of Europe, is little known. Destitute of the use of letters, they themselves had not the means of transmitting their great actions to remote posterity. Foreign writers saw them only at a distance, and therefore their accounts are partial and indistinct. The vanity of the Romans induced them to consider the nations beyond the pale of their empire as barbaFans; and, consequently, their history unworthy of being investigated. Some men, otherwise of great merit among ourselves, give into this confined opinion. Having carly imbibed their idea of exalted manners
om the Greek and Roman writers, they scarcely ever afterwards have the fortitude to allow any dignity of character to any other ancient people. without derogating from the fame of Greece and
we may consider antiquity beyond the pale of
empire worthy of some attention. The nobler passions of the mind never shoot forth more free and
restrained than in these times we call barbarous. Inai irregular manner of life and those manly pursuits
which barbarity takes its name, are highly favoura
ble to å strength of mind unknown in polished ames. In advanced society the characters of men are
te uniform and disguised. The human passions lie, m some degree, concealed behind forms and artificial manners; and the powers of the soul, without an op
of exerting them. lose their vigour. The
regular government and polished manners are therefore to be wished for by the feeble al mind. An unsettled state, and
Wished for by the feeble and weak in
, unsettled state, and those convulsions which attend it, is the proper hela
it, is the proper field for an exalted cha
times of regular government and
racter, and the exertion of great parts. Merit there rises always superior ; no fortuitous event can raisthe timid and mean into power. To those who look upon antiquity in this light, it is an agreeable prospect; and they alone can have real pleasure in tracing nations to their source.
The establishment of the Celtic states in the north of Europe, is beyond the reach of their written annals. The traditions and songs to which they trusted their history, were lost, or altogether corrupted in their revolutions and migrations, which were so frequent and universal, that no kingdom in Europe is now possessed by its original inhabitants. Societies were formed, and kingdoms erected, from a mixture of nations, who, in process of time, lost all knowledge of their own ori. gin.
If tradition could be depended upon, it is only among a people, from all time free of intermixture with foreigners. We are to look for these among the mountains and inaccessible parts of a country; places, on account of their barrenness, uninviting to an enemy, or whose natural strength enabled the natives to repel invasions. Such are the inhabitants of the mountains of Scotland. We accordingly find, that they differ materially from those who possess the low and more fertile part of the kingdom. Their language is pure and original, and their manners are those of an ancient and unmixed race of men. Conscious of their own antiquity, they long dispised others, as a new and mixed people. As they lived in a country only fit for pasture, they were free of that toil and business which engross the attention of a commercial people. Their amusement consisted in hearing or repeating their songs and traditions, and these entirely turned on the antiquity of their nation, and the exploits of their fore. fathers. It is no wonder, therefore, that there are more remains of antiquity among them, than among any other people in Europe. Traditions, however, concerning remote periods, are only to be regarded, in so far as they coincide with cotemporary writers of undoubted credit and veracity.
No writers began their accounts from a more early period than the historians of the Scots nation. With. out records, or even tradition itself, they give a long list of ancient kings, and a detail of their transactions, with a scrupulous exactness. One might naturally suppose, that when they had no authentic annals, they should, at least, have recourse to the traditions of their country, and have reduced them into a regular system of history. Of both they seem to have been equally destitute. Born in the low country, and strangers to the ancient language of their nation, they contented themselves with copying from one another, and retail. ing the same fictions in a new colour and dress.
John Fordun was the first who collected those fragments of the Scots history, which had escaped the bru. tal policy of Edward I. and reduced them into order. His accounts, in so far as they concerned recent transactions, deserved credit : beyond a certain period, they were fabulous and unsatisfactory. Some time before Fordun wrote, the king of England, in a letter to the Pope, had run up the antiquity of his nation to a very remote era. Fordun, possessed of all the national prejudice of the age, was unwilling that his country should yield, in point of antiquity, to a people, then its rivals and enemies. Distitute of annals in Scotland, he had recourse to Ireland, which, according to the vulgar errors of the times, was reckoned the first habitation of the Scots. He found there, that the Irish bards had carried their pretensions to antiquity as high, if not beyond, any nation in Europe. It was from them he took those improbable fictions which form the first part of his history.
The writers that succeeded Fordun implicitly fol. lowed his system, though they sometimes varied from him in their relations of particular transactions, and the order of succession of their kings. As they had no new lights, and were, equally with him, unacquainted with the traditions of their country, their histories cum


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The Fango's handmade 300 TPI Super Poly casing is lightweight and supple, providing responsive handling and a smooth ride-quality. It was built using a hand-glued, pre-stretched construction, with a tread that delivers a low rolling-resistance. And although the Fango is a very lightweight tire, Challenge sandwiched its proprietary fabric between the tread and casing in order to increase its ability to thwart punctures. Called the PPS (Puncture Protection System), this durable layer of material provides that added bit of protection to your race-day tire setup.
And while a tire's casing provides much of the ride comfort, Challenge also knows that its tread is equally important to the overall handling. Unlike most treads that have blocks of different sizes and spacing to accommodate a certain type of terrain, the Fangos have a center aisle of knobs that have been scooped out like a corn chip. The center scoop knob provides a greater number of contact points, while also effectively shedding mud. Meanwhile, the 33mm width provides you with ample grip, giving you the extra traction needed to launch that last minute attack.
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Drama at Oak Grove
Drama students at Oak Grove are encouraged to participate in regular opportunities to perform in front of an audience. This may be to other year groups, staff, selected students, or in an assembly or Performance Evening.
The Curriculum
Year 7
Students will be introduced to Drama in Year 7 through the development of Story telling and team building skills. These include Warm up games, Still image, Tableaux, Role play, Story Sequencing, and the opportunity to build friendships, trust and group dynamics. These skills are used to explore Character and Role play using Props and Costumes, with Verbal and non verbal communication. Basic skills and techniques continue to be developed throughout the year as we introduce Facial expression work, Improvisation skills, Status and Hot Seating. Working together is one of the main areas of focus during Year 7 and through scripted texts and devised work students learn to use eye contact and confidence to show emotion when performing. Traditional stories, Fairy tales, Scriptwriting and Reading are used to develop student's ability to interpret and create theatre. Building on these skills, students will then consider the use of Chorus and Unison as used in Greek Theatre. Mime, working in Unison, gesture and mask work all contribute to students being able to work as a group as well as individually.
Year 8
This year gives students the opportunity to develop their basic drama skills through different genre and themes. Also students are introduced to different historical and cultural forms of theatre to broaden their understanding of what Theatre can be. Victorian theatre is explored through the theme of Silent movies. Melodrama, Stock characters, Victorian Music Hall, Duologues, Simple story lines, Asides and Confidence are all a focus in this unit. Physical Theatre using the body as a way to create set, props, atmosphere and tension is covered using Theatre Practitioners such as Brecht to support this learning. The 'Magic If' theory by Stanislavski is used to examine and create plots using improvisation and imagination. Realism, using facts and testimonies to create spontaneous improvisations allows students to stretch their acting skills and work together. Status, developing a role and split scene are used to enrich the theatre created by students. An introduction to Shakespeare using relevant and dynamic techniques and exercises, allows students to explore the Theatre of Elizabethan times. Modern improvisations based on Shakespeare's texts gives the students ownership of their work and the confidence to try other classic texts. The importance of evaluation is built on throughout this year, both for their own work, and that of their classmates. Tribal dancing, rhythm, belonging and slavery/injustice are used to learn about African Theatre, Folk stories, chants and cultural stories are used as starting points for improvised drama and group discussion.
Year 9
Year 9 is an opportunity to build on all the skills and progress made in previous learning. Students are encouraged to make decisions and become responsible for their work and progress, through group projects and peer and self assessment. Monologues, flashbacks, split scenes, character work and stimulus based improvisations are used to extend skills. Dramatic pauses and Tension is studied in order to build the shape of scenes and of the journey of the character. Soap Operas are often used as a way to explore relationships, characters and plot development. Shakespeare is revisited and trust, listening and movement are explored through the themes of family, conflict and love. Tension and suspense are further developed through the use of character building, whole group improvisations and use of lighting and set to create atmosphere. Students are supported to use their feedback and evaluation skills to decide what their next area for improvement should be.
Accreditation Years 10, 11 and 6th Form
Year 10 & 11
Students can gain accreditation by taking an NCFE qualification in Performing Arts. The units covered in this course include Identifying and developing appropriate skills needed for Performance, and offers students the opportunity to explore and develop appropriate ideas for performing arts work. Working collaboratively and being able to allocate roles whilst also identifying individual responsibilities are some of the skills developed on this course. Being able to reflect on their own work, to find strengths and weaknesses is very much a part of this course. Alongside developing the ability to be a reliable, positive and respectful member of the group, students are able to create and perform theatre. Being able to perform this material to an audience and to celebrate their successes and build on their areas of weakness, develops the students ability to constructively reflect on their work and develop it even further. During the course students, as well as learning about the theatre, will also learn much about themselves and how to work successfully with others. The emphasis is on team work, confidence building, presentation of self and developing work ethos and skills.
This is a largely practical course, although each student is expected to keep a journal and may be required to do homework sometimes. Students are given the opportunity to take part in school productions and performances and this is an integral part of the course.
As students move into KS4 they will be supported in becoming more responsible for their own work, through devised drama, performance evenings and recording and assessing their own progress.
Year 12
Students choosing Drama in Year 12 are offered the opportunity to take a BTEC over the course of the year. Students are expected to take part in our College Performance evenings and to lead in terms of being role models to the rest of the school. This course is an opportunity for students to develop independent, resourceful and professional skills within theatre making and has a focus on being student led. Many students go on to study Drama at a higher level and this course aims to prepare students for this transition.
The Drama Teacher is Juliette van Noorden


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For one critical access hospital, process makes perfect by Coleen Goulet
"Facing shrinking resources and increasing competition, hospitals considering process or equipment changes need to evaluate their options, to ensure they bring both clinical and financial benfits.
It's what we did at Sunnyside Community Hospital, a 25 bed critical access hospital in central Washington State, where I manage the breast imaging center. In early 2010, the center considered transitioning from film to digital. To make sure it worked, administration and clinicians first identified four primary areas that needed to be addressed when getting the new equipment: image quality and productivity; training on the new system; redesigning the reading room; and promoting new technology in our rural Washington community…"
Radiologists at Sunnyside read on average 2,500 mammogram studies per year. Since going live with the new system, Sunnyside Community Hospital's Breast Imaging Center has increased its imaging volume by 10 percent.
To read more, click here


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Recently here in Austin, we received enough rain to raise Lake Travis by two feet, which sounds like a lot! Unfortunately, the lake is still about 30 feet low. Not a huge impact, but Austin will take what it can get! As far as our real estate market goes, we continue to see a strong sellers market with multiple offer situations happening throughout the metro. Austin-area home prices hit an all-time high this April, while home sales trends continue to keep pace with last year.
The Austin Board of Realtors (ABOR) recently released their market data for April. According to the report, Austin-area home sales increased 1% to 2,479 single-family homes sold. Monthly housing inventory decreased .4 (half a month) year-over-year to 2.3 months in April. Homes in the area continued to sell at an accelerated rate, spending an average of 45 days on the market, and 5 days fewer than April 2013.
The median price for single-family homes rose 6% year over year to $239,900, whereas the average price remained unchanged since April 2014 at $308,752. Over $765 million dollars worth of single-family properties sold last month, that's 1% more than last April.
On another note, interest rates show conventional loan rates around 4.25% and FHA loan rates around 4%. Interest rates have not been this low in almost a year!


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Kids Cook Monday Recipe: Smoothies
Rate This Recipe
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Cooking With Kids
Kids relish the opportunity to make choices. They love to experiment and be hands-on. Smoothies are a quick and healthy treat that gives your child all three. Smoothies are great for moms and dads on the go, as well.
The following is more of a guideline than a traditional recipe since smoothies are a more relaxed food. The point of this article is to add "eaze" to the making of smoothies.
Your Child(ren)'s Participation
This recipe is simple enough that your child can make it with little-to-no adult involvement, especially if using pre-cut fruit.
The great thing about this recipe is that measurements don't matter and just about anything goes (even veggies!!). The basics foundation of a smoothie is generally banana, however there are other solid fruit or veggies that can be used. Next, you need juice to help the ingredients blend and act as a sweetener. There are also things you can add if you want add some creaminess.
The secret to making a good smoothie is to experiment until you find combos that work for you. Here are some ideas:
Basic Foundations
- Banana
- Peaches
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Chick Peas, (adds fibre and substance without lending a distinct flavour)
Subtle Sweeteners
- Pear juice
- Peach juice
- Fruit punch
Bold Sweeteners
- Pineapple juice
- Orange juice
Ingredients to add creaminess:
- Milk (almond, rice or regular)
- Yogurt (with or without fruit)
- Peanut Butter
Ingredients to avoid:
- Coconut (the milk is okay, but not the meat)
- Pears (gives a gritty texture)
- Fruit seeds and pits
- Fruit skin from grapes, cherries, apples, etc.
Look around your kitchen and see what you have handy.
Kitchen Rules
- Keep hands and fingers away from the blades of the blender/smoothie machine.
- Knives point away from people.
For more safety information when cooking with children, read Setting Kitchen Rules.
Bringing it Together
→ Cut any ingredients that need to be into small chunks;
→ Add your ingredients to a blender or smoothie maker;
→ Blend until creamy;
→ Pour into a glass and enjoy.
Post your favourite combination below!
This series was created to help parents bond with their kids while teaching them valuable skills. It includes tips, ideas and recipes.
Learn more about how you can participate in The Kids Cook Monday campaign!
Other Recipes You Might Enjoy
- Easy Cheesy Nachos
- Banana Boats
- Peanut Butter Cookies (Gluten Free)
- Crêpes (Gluten Free)
- Hawaiian Dreams
- Easy Cheesecake
- Banana Bread
- Hearty Cottage Pie
© 2012 Rosa Marchisella


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Why not just break them up?
We find ourselves in a bit of a pickle.
The government basically poured heaps and heaps of cash into the financial system in order to keep it from imploding, which was almost certainly the right call, but this has had the annoying side effect of subsidizing the financial sector, in particular Goldman Sachs, which is now basically a government-supported cash machine which is making billions off of taxpayer subsidies .
It's terribly distasteful, as Ezra Klein and Megan McArdle and others have pointed out. It's also very bad policy, since there basically isn't much of a free market in finance anymore.
As Howard Lindzon joked, who cares if Goldman gets its secret quant sauce stolen since it's in the business of running the government?
But the thing is, there isn't much we can do about it.
Or is there?
Here's my modest proposal: why not just break up the banks?
All of the big ones: Goldman, Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan, Bank of America, Citigroup… Too big to fail is too big to exist, right?
EDIT: As I've tried to explain in the comments, the reason would basically be moral hazard: "If you screw up the global economy, ok, we're not going to let you fail, because you're systemically important, but we are going to break you up after the smoke clears because, hey, come on."
But mostly it's about culture: the financial markets are still incredibly skittish, because they don't know if/when the financial crisis is ending, and they don't know if/when/how the government will step in. Meanwhile a vast majority of people are angry, ANGRY (not unjustifiably so) at the bankers. This would provide national and even global cathartic closure and allow us to move on.
It's hard to see why the bits of Goldman Sachs that underwrite bond issues can't operate independently from the bits that account for most of the high-frequency trading on the NYSE and Nasdaq. You have boutique M&A shops and hedge funds that do each of those things without doing the other stuff, and do quite well. You might have some synergies in there but between how over-hyped corporate synergies are and regulatory China walls, I'm not sure how big they truly are.
Unlike a terra incognita Lehman-style bankruptcy, there are well-established legal frameworks for doing this: banks routinely spin off, sell and buy bits of each other, without creating counterparty risk and widespread panic. Goldman would simply spin itself off bit by bit and the remaining shell would return its symbolic assets (an $80,000 commode and Hank Paulson's hair, perhaps) to shareholders and shut down.
There are not the ethical or legal problems that you have in a nationalization. Corporations do not have rights as such, and only exist insofar as they are a very efficient way of pooling together financial and human resources and providing products and services to the market. Shareholders would not be expropriated as such, they would only hold, say, a share of Goldman Sachs Private Equity, a share of Goldman Sachs M&A and a share of Goldman Sachs Hedge Fund for every three shares of Goldman Sachs Inc. (Actually, an unwritten agreement to jettison the brand "Goldman Sachs" for a few decades might not be such a bad thing either.) Again, legally and financially, this is very easy to do.
And politically, I suspect not much political capital would be lost by Congress in appearing to be tough on Goldman Sachs.
This would leave aside the difficult question of whether to reinstate Glass-Steagall and whether putting together commercial and investment banking is what destroyed us (or saved us, since standalone investment banks were the first to go under). No messy nationalizations with no exit strategies either.
Right after the banks are broken up, we might see a wave of consolidation and the emergence of new financial behemoths. But that wouldn't be so bad as watching the old ones rake in billions off of taxpayer subsidies, would it? And more crucially, these smaller entities would have much less in the way of implicit government guarantees so we might actually see a little free market going on. More competition for M&A and wealth management where Goldman and JPMorgan respectively are picking up the pieces of all their fallen competitors. New entities that wouldn't be in the business of government arbitrage so much as in the business of, you know, business.
And also, it must not be discounted, it would provide a big cathartic moment for everyone, voters, consumers and investors alike, to put the financial crisis truly behind us and start again on a sound footing.
So: why not?
I'm genuinely asking. I mean: I might be wrong about this, but why is it not even talked about and seriously considered except for the odd fringe loony? What am I missing?
Why not just break them up?


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Isn't the internet a fascinating thing? It shares information so quickly, succinctly, and sometimes startlingly. I am torn between being overwhelmed, bewildered, and in awe of everything available so quickly.
As Christians, this is a special time when the Word of God can be spread very rapidly. Just as Christ was born when he was for very specific reasons: a time when it would be easy for the gospel to go viral in an Old Testement kind of way. We can use the internet to help rescue more people, bring them to Christ, show them the light and love of our God, and how following his teachings can lead them to a better life.
We are here to rescue other people, to love them. We must remember that.
Another verse that has been popping up everywhere I go is 1 Corinthians 8:1…knowledge puffs up while love builds up. I just looked up this verse online and apparently this seems to bring with it a fair amount of debate. I see it as very straight forward: we need to learn, but it is what we DO with that knowledge that is important. Do we use it to build or condescend? Do we remember the knowledge is from God and not ourselves? Do we carry it with pride or humility?
When we are confronted with wave after wave of information we must find sure footing and decide what is going to help us spread the gospel of Jesus' love. Share the gospel with an open heart, a kind tongue, and hands stretched open to receive grace and offer it.


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Car Raffle Fundraiser
Description: Event style fundraiser geared toward selling tickets for a chance to win a car. Prize and price should encourage multi-unit participation by each buyer.
Best Suited For: Very large and motivated groups
Prospective Customers: All
Comments: Get Auto dealer to buy in as sponsor. A flyer should be left with all buyers to including coupons for car service to promote dealer's service business. Must sell A LOT of tickets!
Feel Good Rating: Four stars
Car Raffle Fundraiser Ratings
Financial Aspects (1 – 10 scale): Profitability Ranking 8 Average Unit Price 7 Dollar Volume Per Participant 8 Percentage to Organization 7 Total Dollars to Organization 8 Subtotal (maximum of 50)
Pros & Cons (1 – 5 scale): Community Impression 5 Organizational Impact 3 Quality of Deliverables 5 Risks 4 Hidden Costs (freight, etc.) 5 Subtotal (maximum of 25)
Commitment Required (1 – 5 scale): Preparation Time 4 Selling Effort 4 Collecting Funds 4 Processing Orders 5 Delivering Goods 5 Subtotal (maximum of 25)
Overall Ranking:
(On a scale of 1 to 100)
Related Pages
Car Raffle Fundraiser Suppliers – Contact information for fundraising suppliers.
Fundraiser Ratings Explained – Complete description of how the ratings are calculated and examples given.
Fund Raisers – Profiles of 400+ suppliers of fund-raisers with complete details on various fundraising ideas.
Fundraiser A – C: Fundraiser Ratings for Americana through CD's (37 categories)
Fundraiser C – D: Fundraiser Ratings for Cheesecake through Donor Walls (37 categories)
Fundraiser: D – L: Fundraiser Ratings for Doughnuts through Lollipops (36 categories)
Fundraiser: M – R: Fundraiser Ratings for Magazines through Recycling (37 categories)
Fundraiser: R – Z: Fundraiser Ratings for Religious through Wreaths (36 categories)
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Youth Sports Fundraiser


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Solid Waste
For solid waste questions, please see the solid waste webpage.
Q: What permits do you offer, and do I need one?
A: The Benton County Road Department has permits for road approaches (driveways), oversized loads, and utilities. More information about these can be found here.
Q: Can I get a picture of my property?
A: If your property is located within a short plat (a subdivision of 4 or fewer lots), a plat (a subdivision of greater than 4 lots - streets are paved), or has a survey recorded with the County, the County Auditor's Office can provide you with a copy of this information. You can also visit the County Assessor's Office website and use their property search engine.
Q: What are the requirements on fences?
A: You may put a fence anywhere on your own property. You are responsible for ensuring that your fence is not built on adjacent property or within the County's right-of-way. Benton County Road Department staff can stake the road right-of-way in front of your property; they will not stake your property frontage. Contact the Benton County Building Department at (509) 735-3500 to determine if you will need a building permit for your project. Please consider how your fence may impact vehicular traffic and sight distances, particularly at intersections, driveways, etc.
Q: Will you tell me where my property lines are?
A: We cannot provide this service. Please contact a private land surveying company to locate your property lines . Please bear in mind that a professional land surveyor is a licensed position in the State of Washington; only work completed by or under the direction of a professional land surveyor will be considered valid with respect to Washington state law.
Q: Where is the County classified as open range?
A: Small portions of northern and southern Benton County are classified as open range. For exact locations, please contact our office (509) 786-5611 or (509) 736-3084. The Benton County Public Works Web Map (with the "LiveStockRestricted" layer turned on) will also show you the restricted zones.
Q: How do I find out what a piece of property is zoned?
A: Please contact the Benton County Planning Department or use the Benton County Web Map (with the zoning layer turned on).
Q: What is a flood plain? Is my property in it?
A: A flood plain is any land that is likely to be flooded if flood stage is reached, usually any property abutting a body of water (such as the Yakima River) would be included. To find out if your property is in the flood plain, please contact the Benton County Planning Department at (509) 786-5612 or (509) 736-3086.
Q: I want to build a house or subdivide my property. Where do I start?
A: If your property is within the city limits of one of Benton County's municipalities (Benton City, Kennewick, Prosser, Richland, or West Richland), please contact your city's respective Planning Department. If the property is NOT within City limits, please contact the Benton County Planning Department.
Q: Why can't my gravel road be paved?
A: In the past, Benton County budgeted an amount each year to pave gravel roads. This program was contingent on funding and dedicated right-of-way from adjacent landowners. With budgets being reduced around the state, this program is no longer active. However, you can ask about entering into a County Road Improvement District (CRID). A CRID allows for a section of road to be improved at the expense of those owning property adjacent. For more information, please contact our office (509) 786-5611 or (509) 736-3084.
Q: Can I buy gravel from the County?
A: No, Benton County purchases gravel and rock supplies with public funds, and we may not sell it to private parties or companies.
Q: Why doesn't my road get plowed (or plowed more often)?
A: The Benton County Road Department has, through its snow and ice policy, classified and prioritized the roads in the county road system in order to optimize resources to provide the greatest utility. The policy is updated on a regular basis. Input can be provided by contacting the Road Department office.
Q: Where do I get an addressing post (white signs with red numbers)?
A: Contact Benton County Building Department at (509) 735-3500. The first installation of the sign is made by the Building Department; replacements are the responsibility of the property owner.
Q: What is the difference between the green road name signs and the white road name signs?
A: The white road name signs designate a private road. To receive a name and a sign, a private road must serve five (5) or more residences. Green road name signs designate County roads. Both private and County road name signs are installed and maintained by the County Road Department.
Q: Where do I report a missing or damaged road sign?
A: A missing stop sign or warning sign should be reported immediately. Between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. call the County Road Department at (509) 786-5611 or (509) 736-3084. Outside those hours, call non-emergency dispatch (509) 628-0333. Missing or damaged street name signs or informational signs should be reported to the County Road Department at the numbers above - leave a message if after hours.
Q: Will you put up a stop sign on my private road?
A: Benton County does not install warning or informational signs, other than road name signs, on private roads. Please contact a private sign company (see the yellow pages under "Signs").


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Once in a while as an art dealer you get lucky - you find an artist of outstanding talent who is not currently represented. In the summer of 2017 we got lucky.
We had first met Olga's husband, Simon, more than 20 years ago at a friend's wedding. The same friend reintroduced us last year, and we visited the home of Olga and Simon Geoghegan in North London, where they have lived for two decades. We found it full of wonderful canvases, and as we looked through them, we could scarcely believe they were in her studio and not on walls in museums or other people's homes. Like many female artists, Olga had effectively taken a career break from showing her work to raise her two boys, who are the inspiration for the children in many of her paintings.
This is Olga's first show for some years, and we are absolutely thrilled to be hosting it. Her work is, to coin a phrase from the late Martin Regan, "proper". This exhibition showcases more than 30 paintings, spanning nearly 20 years, and we hope it will be the first of many with us. In an art scene in the North seemingly inescapably trapped in a time-loop of flat caps, dogs and chimneys, Olga's work is the real deal.
We chose the exhibition title, Out of Place, for many reasons. It reflects the story of Olga's life, the narrative of her paintings, but perhaps most of all because her outstanding technical mastery of paint, the effects it creates and her classical style seem somehow out of place compared with most art at the moment, particularly in the North. But, to understand the nature of Olga's work, one needs to understand her background.
She was born in 1965 in the city of Ukhta in the far North of Russia - Ukhta was founded in the 1930's as the administrative centre for Stalin's Northern prison camps, but paradoxically, this was a fortuitous place for a budding artist to be born. Whole cultural institutions had been deported from the political centres of Moscow and Leningrad to these prison towns, and in Ukhta's case the entire Maly Opera and Ballet Theatre was exiled to the city. As a result, Ukhta was home to a thriving art scene and Olga was taught from the age of six by graduates of the Leningrad (now St Petersburg) Academy of Arts.
At the age of ten she was accepted into the Special Secondary Artistic boarding school in Leningrad attached to the Academy. And thus from being taught by those who were Out of Place, she became so herself, moving - as a ten year old child - more than 1,000 miles from home. Olga studied at this school until she was eighteen was subsequently offered a place at the Leningrad Academy, probably Russia's most prestigious art institution, founded in 1764 by Catherine the Great and situated across the River Neva from the world famous Hermitage museum.
Art is one of the few areas where the label "self-taught" is worn with pride - this has always surprised us. You would look questioningly on a self-taught surgeon or a self-taught pilot, but somehow being self taught as an artist confers a sort of status. Olga could not be further away from this - the Leningrad Academy of Arts takes an unashamedly academic approach to the business of mastering the skills and acquiring the knowledge and discipline necessary to become an artist. Students learn to master all media in an enormously rigorous course that puts UK institutions to shame - learning how to be an artist was a serious business, with ten hour days of tuition being the norm.
It is no surprise then that her pedigree is impeccable. In the early 90s, soon after the collapse of the Iron Curtain, she was one of the first Russian painters to be invited to exhibit in Western Europe with successful exhibitions taking place in London and Vienna. She has subsequently exhibited on more than ten further occasions in London (including at the Royal Drawing School and Messums) as well as in Scotland, Spain, USA and, of course, Russia. Some of her work is included in one of the standard drawing textbooks for art students in Russia and her work is found in collections all over the world.
Olga is, however, surprisingly reluctant to talk about the stories behind her paintings - one of her favourite expressions is: "you want literature? Go and read a book. Paintings aren't about anything, they're just paintings".
Elizabeth Simoneau of the International Association of Art Critics wrote of Olga's work in 2010: "On one level, she's right. Olga's paintings are about painting; about its very substance, about the process, and even about paint itself. The four walls of the canvas enclose a world sustained by its own integrity, with its unique language and reference points; her complex overlaying of rich colours and textures draw one into a sensual world of abstract beauty where the activities of the figures seem to matter little. Here one feels the hand and eye of an artist for whom, schooled by masters since she was a child, composition and the manipulation of colour have become close to pure instinct."
It is hard to see Olga's figures in context, because they are not placed in context in the painting itself - the lack of background, other than the rich texture and colour of the paint, masterfully applied, give the paintings a haunting and ethereal feel, perhaps a sense of being Out of Place, and they invite you to engage emotionally with the picture, rather than spoon-feeding you the content. Simoneau wrote further: " there emerge on her canvases myriad characters. They scramble through the layers of paint like ghosts until they find a means to be seen. The Russian maidens meet the howling infants. Misshaped goddesses mingle among the shamanic sorcerers. The wild musicians try to catch the ear of the pensive fisher boys. Michelangelo said that what he did was to cut away the unnecessary to find the form waiting inside the stone. Perhaps this is what the creative process is for Olga Geoghegan, She manipulates the paint on her canvases to reveal the subject trapped within"
But if you spend more time with Olga and dig a little deeper, it is clear that her paintings are infused with rich stories. They are united by the sense of dislocation and exile, and by their effects.
For example, My Father Back from the Front , is directly biographical and portrays Olga's father, who survived being shot in the head by a sniper during WWII. Conscripted at just 17, she says he spoke very little of his wartime experiences in the Caucasus, but did describe how outgunned, literally, his unit was in comparison to the crack Austrian alpine regiment they faced.
"My father said they had one gun for three soldiers and so they had to take turns to shoot it. The other two had crude wooden paddles and were told to slap them together to make shooting noises. Small boys playing soldiers. They didn't stand a chance. My father was very lucky to survive," she says.
A series of paintings called The Small Business Cycle introduces us to a community of street traders. Amongst their number are The Baguette Seller and The Chicken Seller, two hard-working women flanked by their respective wares. No indication is given of the time or place they have set up their stalls, but we are aware of their steely determination to earn a living.
"I paint collective feelings and emotions," she says. "I don't share many first-hand stories with my audience - that wouldn't feel right - but I do bare how I have felt about the things that have happened to me.
"People have very different life experiences," she says, "but their humanity is constant, wherever they are from and whatever era they have lived through."
The best Northern art is characterised by people remaining stoic and going about their business against a backdrop of harsh conditions in a declining post-industrial region. Olga's work shows that these themes are not confined to the North of England, they are universal. Although Olga's own story inspired the title of the exhibition, Out of Place, her work most definitely finds its place as some of the best to be seen in the Gallery, and we would go as far as to say it is some of the best to have been seen in the region for a long time.


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Western Sydney Wanderers (AUS) vs Ulsan Hyundai (KOR)
8 of 39
Date: 26 Feb 2014
Photographer: Lagardere Sports
Copyright: © 2014 Lagardere Sports. All rights reserved.
Dimensions: 1500x1000 / 176.7KB
Western Sydney Wanderers (AUS) vs Ulsan Hyundai (KOR) during the 2014 AFC Champions League Match Day 1 Group H match on 26 February 2014 at Parramatta Stadium, Sydney, Australia. Photo by Stringer / Lagardere Sports
Western Sydney Wanderers, Australia, Ulsan Hyundai, South Korea, AFC Champions League 2014, Group Stage, Match Day 1, Group H, Parramatta Stadium, Sydney, 2014 AFC Champions League, AFC, 2014 Champions League, soccer, football, 26 February 2014, action, team, sports, Asia


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New York City, NY, United States, 2013-12-10 — /travelprnews.com/ — "The Port Authority is working with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to move immediately toward implementing a program to trap and relocate snowy owls that pose a threat to aircraft at JFK and LaGuardia airports. The Port Authority's goal is to strike a balance in humanely controlling bird populations at and around the agency's airports to safeguard passengers on thousands of aircrafts each day. Over the past two weeks, five planes at JFK, Newark Liberty and LaGuardia airports were struck by snowy owls that have been migrating to our region in far higher than typical numbers this year."
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Founded in 1921, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey builds, operates, and maintains many of the most important transportation and trade infrastructure assets in the country. The agency's network of aviation, ground, rail, and seaport facilities is among the busiest in the country, supports more than 550,000 regional jobs, and generates more than $23 billion in annual wages and $80 billion in annual economic activity. The Port Authority also owns and manages the 16-acre World Trade Center site, where construction crews are building the iconic One World Trade Center, which is now the tallest skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere. The Port Authority receives no tax revenue from either the State of New York or New Jersey or from the City of New York. The agency raises the necessary funds for the improvement, construction or acquisition of its facilities primarily on its own credit. For more information, please visit http://www.panynj.gov.


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Becoming a Scuba Diving Instructor is a serious decision as it is often the start of a new career which will ultimately be the start of a new life. It is often the case that people choose the career as a lifestyle choice by becoming a teacher, a mentor, a leader and ultimately a friend to student divers and of course gaining the rewards and satisfaction that come with it.
Gili Islands, Indonesia -- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/21/2015 --The PADI IDC in the Gili Islands takes training extremely seriously, but also makes learning fun, by providing the perfect balance and keeping candidates engaged.
The program is conducted by renowned Platinum PADI Course Director Holly Macleod who has reputation for excellence having received multiple awards from PADI for achievements to Instructor Development and a distinctive commitment to the diving industry, has worked in a range of countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, Australia, Philippines, and Indonesia and is able to advise instructor graduates of what to expect from certain areas. Holly has also worked in a variety of roles within many different shops so has experienced most situations new instructors may meet when embarking on a new career in a particular area. Having worked with instructor candidates in some of the largest and most successful PADI 5 Star Career Development Centers (CDC) in Koh Tao, Bali and the Gili Islands; Holly has developed the best possible combination of fun and serious education.
About The Instructor Development Course
The Instructor Development Course (IDC) runs each and every month and is based at the only current PADI 5 Star Career Development Center (CDC) in Gili Trawangan. The dive center was also the first center to be awarded the PADI CDC status in the Gili Islands and in fact the entire Lombok region, so students are safe in the knowledge that the facilities exceed that that is required to run the program.
As well as the PADI Instructor Development Course (CDC), the entire range of instructor continuing education programs are available including the Master Scuba Diver Trainer Preparation Course, the PADI IDC Staff Instructor Course and assistance with gaining the Master Instructor rating. In fact in 2015 we have seen many PADI Staff Instructors working alongside the course to gain the necessary credit towards sitting the Course Director Training Course (CDTC).
Justin Time
The Gili Islands IDC
+62 (0)821-4785-0413


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The Parent Teacher Association is a committee of parents and staff, which supports the work of the school by providing:
- activities which will foster and develop relationships between staff, parents, governors and others associated with the school
- and supporting educational and social activities for children in order to enrich and extend the opportunities which can be made available
- funds for a range of additional resources
The committee meets once every half term. We have some formal positions – Chair, Secretary and Treasurer – as well as any other interested parents.
The current committee is:
|Kaitlin Krull Dominiak
|Katrina Thornley
|Liz Llewellyn
|Committee Members:
|Kerry Walpole
|Jeni Prettyman
|Alex Vecchio
|June Stevenson
|Shizuka Pye
|Raj Banerjee
|Fleur McLennan
|Rox Kindersley
All the meetings are open to any parent who wants to attend. We re-elect the PTA committee each autumn, and are always interested in recruiting new members. It is a great way for parents to get involved in the school in a very positive way, as well as being very sociable. Information can be obtained from any of the committee members.
Fundraising events we organise include:
- Summer fair on Jesus Green
- Cake sales
- Ice lolly sales after-school in the summer
- Quiz night
- Advent and Easter teas with craft activities, raffles and sales
Non-profit events we organise include:
- Welcome tea for new parents during the Autumn term
- Supporting school sports day by providing refreshments for the children
If you do any shopping on-line please use the Schoolfunds website and you can earn points for our school! You will also receive exclusive discounts not even available on the retailer's own websites. You simply need to go to the website, which will choose Park Street as your school of choice and then select your chosen retailer's website. There are over 500 retailers including Tesco, Early Learning Centre, Amazon, e-bay and John Lewis.


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Short explanation about Pilot Level Specialties
short explanation about professional level specialties
APPI PPG runs Instructor Workshops designed to qualify APPI PPG Assistant Instructors and APPI PPG Instructors. Applicants can either book one of the courses below or arrange a course in their own country. To book an APPI PPG Instructor course please contact us.
APPI PPG Instructor Courses (...)
Choose from a wide range of APPI paragliding certification courses with many study options to accommodate your busy schedule.
Paragliding courses for beginners and experienced pilots.
Popular specialty courses receive special offers!
Professional level courses to become a paragliding master, master instructor and further your professional leadership career.
Technical courses .
As an APPI pilot, you carry an important credential in the world.
These workshops are intended for tandem pilots and instructors who are already working as professionals and not to those who want to become.
Participation in the Pro workshop leads to a certification that will be dated, exposed on the profile, and will certify that the tandem pilot or APPI (...)


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EHS & sustainability solutions for the power & utilities industry - Energy - Energy Utilities
Helping power and utilities industry decision-makers navigate government regulations and develop successful strategies through information and insight. For decades, the EHS and sustainability professionals at IHS have been serving organizations of all kinds and sizes worldwide. We were pioneers in the development of many sustainability information management solutions and continue to lead the way today with new innovations.


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Uhh yeah I can't
Ok so I was looking up character development for my writing and it said that I had to love the character so much that I would hate for anything to happen to them. Well I tried and I found out that, I can't love. Well I know I love my family and a few close friends but, I don't know it kind of seems impossible for me to do like how could I love something that I can't see? It just really frustrates me because it feels like my characters are never real enough to me. They don't have their own voice. It really bums me out :(