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Any workplace has the potential to expose workers to harmful substances; however, there is a significantly greater probability within a laboratory that an individual will be exposed to hazardous materials. To ensure the protection of all laboratory workers, it is the responsibility of all principal investigators and other laboratory supervisors to provide the most appropriate protective equipment to their employees. This must comply with the Control of Hazardous Substances to Health (COSHH) law.
What exactly is COSHH?
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) is a United Kingdom statutory instrument under the direction of the Health and Safety Executive which requires employers to ensure the safety of their employees who may be exposed to hazardous substances. As far as preventive safety initiatives are concerned, the COSHH needs employees to be mindful of any potential health risks that may arise from exposure to hazardous substances that can be found at work.
With this awareness, employers are expected to provide their workers for appropriate protection measures to prevent inappropriate exposure to these substances. In addition, employers are expected to periodically confirm that their employees are in good working order and are using these products appropriately.
Nearly any form of work environment can contain potentially hazardous materials that could expose employees to. Given that individuals working in laboratories typically work with chemicals and other potentially harmful agents, the requirements of COSHH must be met.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) refers to any form of safety equipment which employees may wear while working with hazardous substances. Different PPE will be needed according to the operation or mission.
A chemical fume hood, also called a laboratory fume hood, is one type of engineering control that is used to reduce laboratory workers ' exposure to potential hazards, such as flammable and/or toxic chemical agents. A ducted fume hood or a ductless fume hood are the two main types of fume hoods used in any laboratory.
Regardless of the type of chemical fume hood used, the air is pulled out of the room and poured into the cash, which separates the hood's internal compartment from the outside work area. As air is pulled into the hood, it enters the centre and pushes out into the exhaust area any harmful gases, vapours and fumes that may all be released from the chemicals being handled in the hood.
The exhaust area can have multiple slots and baffles depending on the type of chemical fume hood being used, allowing the breathing air to make its way into the associated ductwork or fume hood filters. It will gradually be released into the atmosphere as air leaves the ducted fume hood, while ductless fume hoods will filter the gathered air and then recirculate this back into the room where the hood is housed.


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Seated L-R Pete Fusz (Bob Burnes Benchwarmer Honoree), Inductees Tim Strange, Dan Flynn, Ruth Harker, George Gansner, and Vince Fassi, Chris Kenny (Jimmy Dunn High School Coach of the Year), Jack Meuse, and Jackson Miller (Bob Kehoe Future Stars Honorees).
Standing L-R Alli Klug (Keough Family Honoree), Analiese Wilmsmeyer (Bob Kehoe Future Star Honoree), Inductees Steve Sullivan, Matt McKeon, Bill McKeon, and Ted Hantak, Will Bruin (Keough Family Honoree). Luis Soffner (Grandson representing Jim Scott Family Monsignor Jimmy Johnston Honoree), Alli Palmatier (Bob Kehoe Future Star).

subset: commoncrawl


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Since Millais took up the reins at EWEA the association's communication strategy has undergone a fundamental overhaul, he says. EWEA will focus on three areas: lobbying, policy and markets. "Our strategy is not to fight lots of fires but see where we can be most effective," says Millais. Staffing levels have been expanded in recent weeks and now include a policy director and communications director as well as a project manager and director. "You don't win a war without an army and you don't win battles by talking about it. You win by engaging the industry. We have to be prepared," says Millais.
It's about jobs
"We are going into a mainstream industry of sustained growth. We have to crack open new markets, to expand outside of Spain, Germany and Denmark. The EU has been a demonstration bed, with 80% of the world wind market and 20 years experience. It's about jobs and the economy and taking a lead role. This is now. We have the technology. We can deliver."
Millais fired some well aimed shots at an audience of international oil and gas companies gathered in London last month. He told them that wind power will transform the entire energy sector and should no longer be regarded as alternative. "Wind power is a multi-billion euro business sector with a 35% annual growth in the last five years," he said. "The alternative tag for wind power should be ditched -- it is old fashioned and out of date. What happens next will be influenced by the players in [the oil and gas] sector more than ever before, and this is one reason why we need to increase our dialogue and involvement with the traditional energy sector -- because we're part of it."
The wind sector has the potential to be a EUR 25 billion annual industry in less than seven years, said Millais. "The wind turbine will have as profound an impact on the energy map as the oilrig does today." He pointed out that wind power contributes to diversification, opens new markets, provides a hedge against fuel price volatility and reduces environmental constraints. The wind sector today is actively engaged in energy markets, largely in electricity, he said.
"Wind power provides real business change, rather than superficial PR that sustains the status quo. The wind industry is a dynamic growth sector that requires significant investment, so inter-relationships with traditional energy players will become more evident."


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What an inspiring and slightly loud and raucous bunch of gals I had for supper this week. My darling beloved has gone away for apparently a well deserved break with the boys skiing! Luckily I don't apparently need a break!
Anyway what great fun was had by all. Picture the scene:
My great friend Victoria who refers to herslf as a cook. She is a fantastically brilliant cook so I always want to produce something delicious even though she wouldnt care what she ate, she comes for the fun. She is never short of a word to say and extremely funny. This is her new book which is very inspiring for girls like me who love to cook and try lots of different tastes.
Then there was her gorgeous sister who has lived in Nepal, tells the most amazing stories of her travels, works bloody hard as an incredibly good nurse and oozes loveliness.
Then there was another rare creative my friend who has the most fantastic bespoke wine shop cum bistro right here in Wincanton. Her shop is a humdrum of creative people of which she sells some of their wares or exhibits their art in the room at the back. It's worth coming to Wincanton to go there for lunch or if you don't have enough time a coffee and homemade cake.
It was lovely to invite Pippi, the new girl in town. Not our town but down the road in Bruton. She is fantastic fun, a true artist and loves everything creative. She added sparkle whilst trying to understand our English sence of humour.
Our friend Suki always gets the party started and was so insired by my Turkish salsa starter with toasted chilli pitta bread strips that she was almost going home to try out the recipe for herself. She is off to Guatamala very soon so I can't wait to here all about her adventure.
Scarlett had me in fits of laughter most of the evening. She wasn't drinking as she was driving so I probably talked a lot of nonsence to her all night. She is very well read and gave me several titles I want to read but can't now remember! I do remember discussing our husbands buying attempts at underwear! Say NO more!


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NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- Sellers maintained the upper hand on Monday as a negative call on equities from Merrill Lynch and worries that companies' earnings outlooks won't live up to expectations hampered stocks. See full story.
Shares dip; earnings season poised for Yahoo's kickoff
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) -- Yahoo and other Internet stocks retreated Monday ahead of the company's fourth-quarter earnings report due out later this week. See full story.
Rodamco sells 35 U.S. malls for $5.3 billion
NEW YORK (CBS.MW) - Australian shopping mall owner Westfield America Trust teamed up with two U.S. real estate investment trusts to buy Rodamco North America for $5.3 billion on Sunday, ending a nearly six-month battle for control of the third-biggest operator of U.S. shopping malls. See full story.
L-3 snags Raytheon unit for $1.13 billion
NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- L-3 Communications said Monday it will buy a Raytheon defense aviation electronics and communications unit for $1.13 billion cash -- its biggest acquisition to date. See full story.
Nokia skids on German mobile case maker's warning
LONDON (CBS.MW) - Shares of European mobile phone makers stumbled Monday after Balda AG, a German mobile phone parts maker, said Christmas sales didn't live up to expectations. See full story.
Gold's price rise points to commodity inflation
There are hopeful signs for gold. The metal gained about $8 last week to almost $290 an ounce, sending some gold companies' shares into a tizzy. Gold stocks, especially those of unhedged producers that refrain from forward sales of the metal, move by a multiple of three and more to each 1 percent that gold prices rise on commodity markets. See full story.
Best online brokers for your IRA
NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- With IRA season upon us, brokers are clamoring to attract your contributions. Which ones really deserve them? See full story.


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Lakes Creek Florist in North Rockhampton - Flowers and Gifts
We deliver flowers, teddies, chocolates, pamper packs and hampers all over Rockhampton and surrounding areas. We are located on Lakes Creek Road, between Berserker Street and Dean Street. As well as all the hospitals, nursing homes, retirement villages, funeral directors, cemetries, churches, schools and university, our delivery areas include Allenstown, Berserker, Capricorn Coast, City Centre Plaza, Depot Hill, Emu Park, Frenchville, Gracemere, Kalka, Kawana, Koongal, Nankin, Nerimbera, Norman Gardens, North Rockhampton, Northside Plaza, Oasis Gardens, Park Avenue, Parkhurst, Port Curtis, Rockhampton City, Rockyview, Stockland Shopping Centre, The Range, Wandal, West Rockhampton and Zilzie.
We can deliver to most hospitals in and around North Rockhampton. We will endeavour to have your hospital flowers delivered but some hospitals have strict policies about flower and gift basket deliveries. Check with the hospital before sending flowers to ensure they can be delivered. Many patients recovering from surgery, seriously ill or in ICU cannot receive flowers and gifts. Alternatively, we can arrange for delivery to the recipients home when they are discharged from hospital.
Cemeteries/Funeral Homes
Nursing Homes


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First, Advise No Harm: The Open, Closed, and Revolving Doors of Columbia's Socially Responsible Investing
March 10th, 2019
In December 2013, a Columbia administrator placed an envelope in a mailbox in Low Library. It was for a student who had left a voicemail a few days before, saying she was an urban studies student doing research and asking if she could look at Columbia's direct investments. After all, it was for her thesis on development...
How Have Local Hiring Targets Shaped Columbia's Manhattanville Construction Site?
February 6th, 2019
Until last week, Valerie Adams had never been back inside a building she had built. "I've always driven by," she says, as we stand outside the glossy glass doors of the Lenfest Center for the Arts. Completed in 2017 as the second building at Columbia's new Manhattanville campus, the building today houses an art gallery and performance spaces. It would be easy to walk in and see it for its intended purpose and nothing more: a space for the arts, culture, and academia...
Barnard No Aramark Wants a More Ethical College. Will the Administration Listen?
February 5th, 2019
Wednesday, November 14, the day of the Barnard No Aramark boycott, is very chilly. At 8 a.m., the Barnard No Aramark team sets up its table by the Barnard gates, but it is cold and members are concerned about diminished foot traffic. "We weren't even sure if people would come up," Tanisha Aggarwal, a junior at Barnard and the co-head of Barnard No Aramark, tells me. "It was just so cold out."..
My Adoption: A Self-Portrait
February 4th, 2019
You aren't able to tell from my name that I'm Chinese. The first part hints at my mom's taste in literature, the last is a small act of feminism: two long American surnames that won't fit on a hospital wristband. I do have a Chinese name, but I don't use it. It came on my adoption documents, and it's supposed to mean "bean sprout," but Google Translate doesn't agree. I type "Qimeng" into the translation engine, and it gets regurgitated in English as "to enlighten" or "to free from prejudice." I like "bean sprout" more...
A Wish, Unfulfilled
February 4th, 2019
Content Warning: This piece deals with issues of death and grief.


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The secretary of Iran-Turkey joint trade commission has announced the list of goods included in a recently signed preferential trade agreement (PTA), ISNA reported on Tuesday. Some of the goods named in this agreement include: medical supplements, health care products, tires, washing machines, ventilation systems, caviar, textile products, furniture among others, Jalal Ebrahimi said.
The official underlined that the signed PTA with Turkey can pave the way for Iran to join the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Mohammadreza Nematzadeh, minister of industry, mine and trade, and the visiting Turkish economy minister Nihat Zeybekci signed a preferential trade agreement (PTA) on December 31, decreasing the customs clearance tariffs on 265 items of good.
According to this agreement, the tariffs on 125 items of Iranian goods are decreased in Turkey's favor and those of 140 Turkish goods reduced in favor of Iran. The preferential tariff system, which compels both countries to levy lower rates of duty on imports from each other than they do on imports from other countries, is expected to further ease transaction of goods and services between Iran and other countries.
The PTA was signed on January 29, 2014 when the then Turkish Prime Minister (now President of Turkey), Recep Tayyip Erdogan, paid an official visit to Tehran. The value of trade between Iran and Turkey in the first half of 2014 stood at $6.5 billion, according to data released by the Turkish Statistical Institute.
Trade between Turkey and Iran stood at $22 billion in 2012 before dipping to $14.5 billion in the following year due to the economic sanctions imposed on Tehran by the West.
Iran is also set to sign PTA with Russia in the near future.


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March 9, 2014
What is your flat tire?
Week 1
Philippians 4:13
For I can do everything through Christ,
who gives me strength.
Time for Change
Luke 15
In order for change to take
1. We have to admit the tire is flat
2. We have to take responsibility
3. We have to live Obediently


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now browsing by category
Arrivals day, preparing to start
As we prepare for the course beginning tomorrow I was pleased to see a post from Prince Sebe Maloba who was a graduate of the #PDCUG17 course held in Kamuli last year. Permaculture is a set of strategies that really work, to restore land, build soil and fertilitity where previously it has been depleted. If we are to successfully fight the on set of climate change and build food security then I know no better way. Permaculture is the most powerful tool we have to secure a sustainable future. Follow this blog over the coming fortnight to see the progress of the course.
This land was barren due to over use of chemical fertilizer and nothing could grow beyond two feet,we decided to use permaculture techniques of fixing nitrogen in the soil using velvet beans and calindra trees as green manure and organic fertilizer after one year now the soil fertility increased, own my among my best farmer now harvest 25 bags of maize on half an acre of land.
Green manure is effective in soil restoration there is big change as crop cover control weeds, temperature, hold more water,control soil erosion, provide soil fertility ,this is one the best farmer have, maize plantation is purely organic, its the way to go. Prince Sebe Maloba
Volunteers have been on site for weeks prior to the event here at Sabina. Grace and Nina from Wales and Luigi from Uganda. Beds have been planted, compost toilets made, and enournous amounts of preparation has been underway that i cant do justice to here. I have seen all three volunteers blossom and benefit form the hard work as the benefits begin to show. The school is already transformed before the course has even begun.
PDC build up
We kick off on the 12th May. Follow the PDCUG18 here with daily posts, interviews, pictures and content from the ground breaking permaculture course and the first east Africa permaculture convergence.


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Fasting in Ramazaan is one of the five pillars of Islam as the Prophet said: "Islam is built on five pillars: testifying that there is no true god except Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger, the establishment of the prayer, the giving of zakah, the fast of Ramazaan, and the pilgrimage to Mecca." Sahih Al-Bukhari Vol.1:8
Fasting in Ramazaan is an obligation on every Muslim who has reached the age of puberty. Allah said in the Quran: "So whoever witnesses the month should fast it." Quran Surah Baqrah 2:185 Whoever does not fast during Ramazaan without a legitimate excuse commits what is considered a major sin.
Exempt people from Fasting
1. A Muslim child who has not yet reached puberty is exempt from fasting till one of the following signs of puberty appear:
(a) discharge of semen, whether by experiencing a wet dream or otherwise
(b) growth of pubic hair
(c) menstruation
(d) a person has turned 15
2. If you are traveling in Ramazaan, you have the option not to fast. If you choose not to, you must make up for the days missed at a later time before the following Ramazaan.
There are two issues to know here:
First, how sick is sick? Cough or minor headache is not serious enough not to fast, but if there is medical reason, and you know from experience, or are certain that fasting will make your illness worse or delay recovery, you do not need to fast and you should make up the days when you get better.
The chronically ill who do not foresee any chance of recovery must feed a poor person for every day of Ramazaan they miss. They do not need to fast for them on other days.
7. Those too old to fast are also exempt from fasting, and they too must feed a poor person for every day of Ramazaan they miss.
Special Regulations for Women
(1) Menstruation & Post-Natal bleeding
If the period begins before sunset, the woman's fast is invalidated and she has to make up that day. During the rest of her period she cannot fast. If she becomes pure before Fajr then she should fast, even if she does not bathe until after the time of Fajr starts. All the missed days have to be made up after Ramazaan.
(2) Pregnancy and Nursing
Both nursing and pregnant women are required to fast in Ramazaan. You should not fast if you fear harm for yourself or your child, or if it is too physically difficult. On the other hand, if fasting does not result in hardship or harm, then a pregnant or nursing mother must fast.
Opinions of Companion of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
"For the pregnant and breast-feeding women if they fear for themselves or their children or fetuses. That they have to feed the poor only, and do not have to make up the fasts. Among the Sahaabah, this was the view of 'Abd-Allaah ibn 'Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him). Ibn Qudaamah also narrated this in al-Mughni (3/37) from Ibn 'Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him).
Abu Dawood (2318) narrated from Ibn 'Abbaas and 'Ali (may Allaah be pleased with them) that this phrase – "those who can fast with difficulty" [Qur'an Surah Baqarah 2:184] was a concession granted to old men and old women who find it difficult to fast, allowing them not to fast and to feed one poor person for each day instead, and the same for pregnant and breastfeeding women if they are afraid. Abu Dawood said: i.e., for their children – they may not fast and may feed (the poor) instead. Al-Nawawi said: its isnaad is hasan.
This was also narrated by al-Bazzaar who added at the end: Ibn 'Abbaas(may Allaah be pleased with him) used to say to a cohabit of his who was pregnant: "You are like one who cannot fast, so you have to pay the fidyah but you do not have to make up the fasts." Al-Daaraqutni classed its isnaad as saheeh, as stated by al-Haafiz in al-Talkhees. Also mentioned in Tafseer ibn Kathir for tafseer of Qur'an Surah Baqarah 2:184, Vol. 1, P. 498, Eng. Translation
See also
Ramazaan; Fasting Virtues and Wisdom; Last ten nights of Ramazaan; Voluntary Fasting; Laylatul Qadr; Allah; Iftar; Things that invalidate the Fast;


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MARY MORGAN MORTON - Studio 21
Listing Details
When I start a painting I begin with an actual landscape, garden, coast-line or figures. I will choose the subject because something about it moves me in some way. It could be a garden that is romantic, a coast-line that is peaceful or a piece of countryside that just makes you glad to be alive. The figures that excite me are those that express energy and movement. Initially I will look carefully at my subject and then think about the experience. What is it that moves me? Often I can feel an emotion but it's only by getting immersed in the subject and then exploring my connection that I can translate those feelings onto the canvas or paper. That is why my work goes on a journey. A journey from sketch pad to the finished pastel, ink or oil painting. The journey can be unpredictable, it can be full of disappointments and frustrations but it is always completely absorbing and often rewarding. I will be showing a variety of paintings and prints in my studio. I also undertake commissions and as such, I am happy to talk over the phone or email about your ideas.


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Dental Phobias? With Our Sedation Options, it Doesn't Matter!
Did you know that there's a way for you to see your dentist regularly without having to face your fears head on? If you have dental phobias, we can help you overcome your concerns with one of our sedation options. Instead of avoiding important dental procedures, you can now get the treatments you need to […]Read more
5 Telling Signs You are Living with Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea, which causes the airflow to become partially blocked during sleep, can be potentially dangerous if not addressed and treated. To determine if you have this condition, you need to understand the forms of sleep apnea and the symptoms that relate to it. There are two types of this disorder — obstructive sleep apnea, […]Read more


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Christian Horner saw his Red Bull Racing drivers finish fourth and fifth at Silverstone on Sunday, but Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo had vastly different days.
Verstappen started and finished fourth, battling early on with Sebastian Vettel, including a side-by-side battle with the German through Stowe and Vale, but once the Scuderia Ferrari driver got ahead during the pit stop cycle, it was a more straightforward afternoon for the Dutch driver.
Red Bull boss Horner felt it was important that Verstappen make a late second pit stop, with the tyres obviously marginal before failing, with problems befalling both of the Ferrari drivers towards the end.
"It was a great performance from both of our drivers at Silverstone today," said Horner. "Max thankfully ran to the finish and provided a lot of entertainment in his rigorous defence in his duel with Sebastian which was firm but fair racing.
"Stopping early on a one-stop strategy we always thought the tyres would be quite marginal at the end. As soon as we saw Kimi having issues with his tyre, without being able to have track position on him, we decided to make the stop and Max did a good job in bringing the car home and seeing the chequered flag for the first time since Monte Carlo."
Horner was full of praise for Ricciardo, who climbed from nineteenth on the grid after a qualifying engine issue to finish an excellent fifth, with a number of great passes, the last of which was on Nico Hülkenberg in the final laps.
"Daniel's recovery drive today was excellent, making a lot of places in the early laps he then lost out at Luffield and had to do it all again and to go from 20th to fifth was a great turnaround from yesterday's problems," said Horner.


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We know you're searching for a home that is clean, well maintained and has a property manager that is always available to you when the need arises.
Without a doubt selling your property can be stressful, however, with our sales expertise and understanding of the local market, we aim to make it a positive experience for our sellers. When dealing with One Agency Hervey Bay, you have the comfort of knowing you're dealing with a boutique agency that is backed with outstanding systems and strict procedures that ensure the very best outcome for our clients.
It is our primary objective to provide an unbeatable service to all of our clients through our dedication, enthusiasm and pride in our profession.
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Column Fri Feb 20 2015
McFarland USA, Hot Tub Time Machine 2, The DUFF, The Last Five Years & Song of the Sea
McFarland USA
This is actually not a bad film, but if you're someone who finds themselves offended by stories about minorities told through the filter of a white leading character, you better run in the other direction. The sad truth of the movie industry is that many such stories would never get told without higher-profile white actors at the center of them, and it just so happens that a white man named Jim White (played here by Kevin Costner) was at the heart of this particular true-life story of a group of Latino high school students who become contenders in the California's cross country championship.
There's something about the way Disney does sports films (Remember the Titans, The Rookie, Secretariat, Invincible, Miracle) that almost always seems to work. I'm talking about the ones that aren't made for children, so sorry Mighty Ducks and Air Bud franchises. Granted, the titles aren't especially inspired, but they find these true stories and breathe some life into them with top-notch actors and reliable directors. In the case of McFarland USA, the unusual choice to direct is New Zealand native Niki Caro (Whale Rider, North Country), who has shown a real talent for capturing the way Americans often unfairly pre-judge and treat each other in small communities — a perfect trait for a story like this.
White was a winning high school football coach in an affluent California community, but after getting into a skirmish with a player that turned physical, he was unceremoniously let go and forced to take a job as an assistant coach in the smaller, mostly Hispanic community of McFarland. True to form, White gets into it with the lazy head coach and is booted from coaching football, so he comes up with the idea of forming a cross country team, and using his impressive coaching talents in this new competitive arena. Since many students at the school split their time between education and picking fruit with their families at nearby orchards, they have developed a tolerance and stamina for running long distances in extreme heat with inadequate footwear — all of which works to White's advantage. McFarland USA's message are worthy ones, even if the filmmakers feel the need to spell them out every 15 minutes or so. These young men are underestimated by every team they race against. That doesn't mean the McFarland team always wins, but it does mean they don't make it easy for their opponents to do so. The boys are reluctant participants at first, but as you'd expect, once they start doing better in their races, their confidence and dedication to the team increases, and the community falls in line and begins to support their team with a ferocious dedication.
But the film is also about White and his family accepting, and being accepted by, the McFarland community. When they first roll into town, White and his wife Cheryl (Maria Bello) and two kids (Morgan Saylor as Julie and Elsie Fisher as Jamie) are terrified. And the fact that the new coach's name is "White" means that people don't even have to think of a nickname for him. But as the film goes on, everybody gets to know everybody else, and racism goes away forever. Okay, maybe not, but certain layers of distrust do get pushed aside, Meanwhile, each cross country team the McFarland runners go against seems more racist than the last, so it balances out.
When the film isn't spoon feeding us civics lessons, it concentrates on the unconventional tactics that Coach White used to whip his team into shape, and therein lies the most interesting part of McFarland USA. As far as the students go, the story focuses primarily on Carlos Pratts as Thomas, the fastest of the group, and the Diaz brothers (Michael Aguero, Rafael Martinez, and Ramiro Rodriguez), who seem to inspire each other into doing better. Most of the runners are given a cursory backstory and some iota of drama to make their struggle seem more interesting, but mostly these details do little more than add minutes to the running time.
As she has shown in her previous works, director Caro has a real gift for finding the beauty in working-class environments, and in this part of California that isn't too difficult. And while the story of these young men is genuinely curious and fascinating, I wish we could have spend more than an obligatory amount of time with them and less with White and his brood. There's no debating whether this is story worth telling — it absolutely is. And all it would have taken is a slight shift away from that which is familiar and toward something less so to make McFarland USA stronger. Still, as it exists, it's utterly watchable and, at times, worthy of cheering on as it struggles to make its uphill climb.
Hot Tub Time Machine 2
There's dumb, and then there's ignorant. Welcome to ignorant. You might presume that with the same writer (Josh Heald) and director (Steve Pink) as the original Hot Tub Time Machine, the odds of the makers of Hot Tub Time Machine 2 landing a healthy percentage of the jokes would be in their favor. Nope. Nope nope nope nope. I had something of a fondness for the first film, because it focused on central characters who just wanted a second chance to correct small wrongs in their teenage years, while still making sure that not too much changed, for fear that they may severely impact the future. These were lovable losers trying to do something right, and it was all very funny.
With Hot Tub 2, the losers aren't losers any longer. Lou (Rob Corddry) has become a tech genius, or at least a guy who spouts great ideas he learned from his time travel and lets his subordinates (including one played by "Silicon Valley's" Kumail Nanjiani) invent them; his son Jacob (Clark Duke) has done a great job just being the son of a wealthy dude; and Nick (Craig Robinson) has been writing songs actually written by other people and making them his own. His version of Lisa Loeb's "Stay" is particularly moving. As for Adam (played by John Cusack in the first film), well, he seems to have vanished because even Cusack smelled trouble on this one. And let's not forget Chevy Chase's hot tub repairman/time travel guru... yeah, he shows up for one useless scene and then goes to meet Cusack for a drink, presumably.
This time around, the boys must unlock the secret to Lou's murder (cause of death: shotgun blast to the dick). To find out who killed Lou, who has become the biggest, broadest douchebag on the planet, the time machine actually sends them into the future, where they meet Adam Jr. (Adam Scott, who really shouldn't let us know he's this desperate) and his bride to be (Gillian Jacobs) on the eve of their wedding. They follow clues, meet future versions of various suspects in Lou's murder in the past, and anytime they get too off track, Lou begins to flicker as if there's a risk the murder will still happen and he'll be wiped from existence in the future.
Hot Tub 2 has a lot of running gags about mucking with the future by going back in time and screwing things up, and almost none of them will even tempt you to crack a smile. But the biggest mistake the film makes is making everyone so incredibly unlikable, either because power and fame has made them intolerable or because they'd rather knock a friend down than have them do better than them. Every scene feels like the characters are grasping for laughs that just aren't there most of the time, and it gets old unbelievably fast. Robinson fares better than his co-stars — probably because of the musical numbers he's a part of — but even he seem to suffer at the hands of this ugly screenplay.
And I'll just tell you now: no, John Cusack does not show up for a cameo; neither does Lizzy Kaplan, who added such a necessary spark to the first film. As for the new cast members, it's always incredible to me (because it seems to happen a lot) that filmmakers would hire proven comedy voices and then give them nothing funny to say. I'm not saying the jokes are bad; I mean the characters are effectively made straight men/women and literally given no funny lines. It physically hurts to watch Scott in this movie, as one joke after another, delivered by other people, fails to land.
And you don't have to look too far below the surface of Hot Tub Time Machine 2 to notice it's repulsively homophobic, sexist and vulgar with no real reason for it other than the actors are capable of saying bad words. It's as if filmmakers Heald and Pink looked at everything that made the first movie funny and charming, and they decided to murder it. So I guess my point is, if you support murder, go see Hot Tub Time Machine 2. Otherwise, I'm sure there are still a couple of Oscar-nominated films you still need to catch up on.
The DUFF
I'm sure it will be mentioned in nearly every review of the new teen comedy The DUFF, but I need to go on record as well. Under no definition of any of the words in the phase "Designated Ugly Fat Friend" is the film's star Mae Whitman ("Parenthood," Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, The Perks of Being a Wallflower) ugly or fat. In fact, the 26-year-old actress is rather adorable and unique and spirited in a completely infectious way that makes her easy to like in any role. And as much back-peddling as the film does in defining and then re-defining what a "DUFF" truly is, Whitman doesn't quite fit the bill. This is one of many inherent flaws in this weirdly dated work.
If I'm not mistaken, The DUFF is attempting to be something of a throwback to teen films of the '80s and '90s, in which the outcast is king/queen and the popular kids are the judgmental villains. Except that according to the logic of the script from Josh A. Cagan (based on the Kody Keplinger novel), these third stringers in life now serve a purpose for the first stringers — they become the friends of the pretty people to make the pretties look even prettier. Get it? They also serve as a conduit to and/or buffer between the pretty ones and the common folks who might want to get near them. It's a curious, somewhat sinister system that I'm not sure makes complete sense, but the purposes of this film, let's assume it's true in the universe of this high school.
Once Whitman's character Bianca realizes that she serves this purpose among her two best friends Casey (Bianca A. Santos) and Jess (Skyler Samuels), she does the most logical thing, which is to distance herself from them and see if she can stand on her own. She takes advice on being her own person from her charming next-door neighbor and jock among jocks Wesley (Robbie Amell of "The Flash"), much to the chagrin of Wesley's on-again/off-again girlfriend and designated mean girl Madison (Bella Thorne).
The thing I noticed immediately about pretty much every character on The DUFF is that they know nothing about how computers, social media, viral videos, high school or anything related to teenagers actually works. I spent most of the film thinking, "People don't do that or think like that or act like that." And I realize there's a level of suspension of disbelief with every film, but I got the feeling this one was trying to capture something of the teenage zeitgeist, and it just wasn't clicking even on a farcical level.
Director Ari Sandel (Vince Vaughn's Wild West Comedy Show) takes us through Bianca's disaster of a senior year with the grace of a buffalo on ice skates, and I think we pretty much know from the beginning that someone as singular and smart as Bianca is going to decide in the end that being her own unique brand of cool is the best path for her. The problem is, we're then forced to endure 100 minutes of movie to get to that point. When Whitman and Amell are alone and talking, there's a chemistry there that is absolutely captivating and charming. They aren't actually meant to be love interests for most of the film, but their pairing is a portrait of a friendship that is easy to enjoy and settle into. It's only when the most two-dimensional, colorless supporting team comes it that everything becomes muddled.
The adults in The DUFF are meant to be the comic relief, but they provide neither comedy nor relief. Actors like Romany Malco, Ken Jeong and the almost always reliable Allison Janney (as Bianca's motivational speaker mother) swoop in from time to time, do or say something idiotic, and exit having had little to no impact on the plot. It's sad at best, embarrassing at worst. Somewhere in an alternate universe, there's a better, more thoughtful version of this movie — a version where the kids are treated with respect, like flesh and blood human beings and not cliches with legs. There are just enough moments that capture the awkward relationships and feelings of high school to prove to me that someone involved in its making knew what they were doing and writing about. This could have been a stand-out piece about being and embracing who you are, instead of this fluffy attempt at a quirky humor. The film is more frustrating than terrible, because there is potential written all over it. I can't recommend it, but there are things about it worth mentioning.
The Last Five Years
I suspect you'll know within the first five minutes of The Last Five Years whether it's something you'll enjoy and embrace. Because by the time the first five minutes are done, you'll have heard Anna Kendrick sing the gut-wrenching first number "Still Hurting" though tears (yours and hers), and you'll just know. I'll admit, sitting down to watch this film, I didn't know it was a 2001 musical (which originally opened at the Northlight Theater in Skokie) or that it had been an acclaimed off-Broadway "musical play" in 2002 from the award-winning Jason Robert Brown. But I'd heard "Still Hurting" before; it's become one of those go-to audition songs, and I have no idea where I first heard it, but it still moves me deeply.
The original production was a simple, two-character show with the male and female roles alternating songs that chronicle their five-year courtship-marriage-breakup. Using only song, she chronicles their time from the end to the beginning; he remembers it from the happy beginning to the crushing end. And the only time they appear on stage together is in the middle of the show, when their timelines intersect, when he proposes to her. Set in New York City, the film follows the same dual timelines, but allows the couple — struggling actress Cathy (Kendrick) and rising-star novelist Jamie (Jeremy Jordan) — more time on screen together. And while still only one sings at a time, we actually get to see reactions to their words from the other person, which we didn't get in the stage version.
From the barely containable energy of new love to the emotional crippling of a love gone sour, The Last Five Years captures it all so beautifully, thanks in large part to some creative and ambitious staging by director-adaptor Richard LaGravenese, who has added small bits of dialogue that truly enhance the piece without altering the impact of the songs. The story captures not only a romance in all of its trials and tribulations, but also gives us quite specific issues between the couple having to do with his success versus her frustrating life as an auditioning actress forced to do summer stock in her Ohio home town just to keep working. She resents him to a degree; but he's also insensitive to her frustration. He makes it very clear that he will not resign himself to failure just because she is losing in her chosen life. It's a blunt but necessarily honest line he must draw, and it plants seeds of doubt and resentment from that point forward.
The juxtaposition of their best moments and their worst is deliberately jarring, and Kendrick plays both sides of Cathy so convincingly as an actor that you almost forget that she's also a damn fine singer. As much as you might have enjoyed her pipes in Pitch Perfect or Into the Woods, The Last Five Years is an exquisite showcase for what is undoubtedly the best singing work she's ever done on film. To my knowledge, I've never been exposed to Jordan's work anywhere before this, and his delivery is a bit more broadly theatrical, which under any other circumstances would work just fine, but next to Kendrick, he looks like he's overdoing pretty much every aspect of his performance. But it all somehow still works, if only because the character of Jamie has more in his life to be excited about. In the context of their story, Jordan's mannerisms make sense.
I've seen The Last Five Years a couple of times now, and I'm desperate to drag a couple of friends with me so I have an excuse to go see it again. It's really quite good, if you're prepared to have your heart ripped out several times over during the course of the film. You're ready to burst with excitement when things are going well because two people have never been this in love (they literally have to sing about it); and when they start to act like jerks to each other about petty things, you want to throttle one or both of them. Emotions will run high on both sides of the screen. Any small misgivings I might have about the film — and even a couple of the songs (I will never like "The Schmuel Song") — are erased when Kendrick sings, without a doubt. But even some of the small choices she makes in her acting make all the difference to telling us so much about Cathy and her flaws.
As with the stage version, the film doesn't choose sides, but I'm guessing that won't stop audience members from bringing in their emotion baggage and picking one side over the other. And any choice you might make with regards to that may change over the course of the film. That's not only a sign of a great work, but it also means you've become invested in this small but wonderful story of love and loss. The Last Five Years is about the person we fell in love with right before we became the person we are today, but the only way we could have gotten there is by losing them. It's a great experience that is unlike most musicals you'll see on the big screen. Seek it out. The film opens today in Chicago exclusively at the Logan Theater.
To read my exclusive interview with The Last Five Years screenwriter-director Richard LaGravenese, go to Ain't It Cool News.
Song of the Sea
From director Tomm Moore, maker of the Oscar-nominated animated work The Secret of the Kells, comes his next distinctly Irish fare based on legend and mythology, Song of the Sea. Using a more modern-art visual style, Moore gives us the story of young Ben and his little sister Saoirse, whose mother died when Saoirse was born, but under very unusual circumstances. Since this brother and sister live in a lighthouse with their father (voiced by Brendan Gleeson), much of their lives and legends revolve around the sea, including the eventual discovery that the non-speaking Saoirse is actually a Selky — a part human, part seal creature — much like their mother.
When the children are eventually taken away from the sea by their crotchety grandmother, they immediately begin a journey to get back to their father by the sea, where Saoirse has a coat that makes it possible for her to finally transform into her Selky form and finally talk. Song of the Sea is loaded with tall tales that it mixes and matches to make a fairly delightful film. It's as much a tribute to the dying belief in these ancient myths as it is a showcase for many of the creatures that spring forth from those stories. There are fairies who have been turned to stone by marauding owls who suck out their souls; there's a magical, musical conch shell given to Ben by his mother. But when Saorise plays it, all sorts of great things happen.
You may not be aware, but Song of the Sea is one of the films nominated for Best Animated Feature this year (you know, that category that doesn't feature The Lego Movie), and it absolutely earns its place among the other nominees. With music by Irish band Kíla and composer Bruno Coulais (who are reunited after working together on The Secret of the Kells), this new film keeps things simple but doesn't forget to unleash its darker, more dramatic side every so often. It's a film younger kids will enjoy, but there is plenty of complexity and artistry to draw in older ones and adults. It's a melancholy story peppered with magic, thrills, mysticism and a whole lot of Irish accents. A must see for Oscar completists, but even if you're not, I think you'll still find Song of the Sea rather enchanting. The film opens today in Chicago at the Music Box Theatre.


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Do I Really Need HR Software to Become Fully ACA-Compliant?
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is several years old, but it's still causing problems for some businesses. Failure to comply with the strict rules of the ACA has resulted in significant penalties to employers around the country. Most businesses put their human resources (HR) execs in charge of ACA compliance. With so much on their plates already, however, HR staff may feel overwhelmed by the sheer weight of this responsibility. The solution? ACA compliance software.
Get the Facts on ACA Compliance
When President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law, he gave employers several years to meet its complicated requirements. Unfortunately, the deadline came too soon for many employers across multiple industries. These employers are now facing penalties such as thousands of dollars in fines. The ACA mandates strict rules, regarding healthcare affordability, employee benefits, IRS tax filing, and more. Any given employer has to fill out stacks of paperwork to comply.
If you're one of many businesses still struggling to implement ACA compliance into your HR department, don't panic. Over the years, innovative software companies have developed simple solutions to help employers address each and every ACA requirement. You no longer have to recruit and train special employees just to handle ACA compliance, or expose yourself to hefty penalties. HR software can achieve the same amount of work and more at a fraction of the time and expense of performing these tasks internally.
The Benefits of Using HR Software for ACA Compliance
Minimum policy standards, employee health benefits, Medicaid and Medicare…the list of elements involved in ACA compliance is enormous. The ACA significantly impacts almost every aspect of HR decision-making. Instead of tackling these issues on your own, shift the burden to proven ACA compliance software solutions. The right HR software can provide attractive benefits such as:
- Customized ACA compliance solutions
- Data analysis and reporting capabilities
- Fulfillment of extensive ACA reporting requirements
- Navigate tax codes and IRS laws
- Account for a number of small and large details
- Seamless integration of ACA compliance into HR tasks
- Additional HR services, such as payroll and labor management
Software systems like the InfinityHR suite and the Sage HRMS platform can ensure ACA compliance within your institution. They can also help your human resources team improve recruitment, onboarding, training, and other procedures with tailored HR services.
Transform Your Workforce Today
InfinityHR provides exceptional workforce management solutions in the field of human capital management, automating HR and benefits processes. Sage HRMS manages key HR and payroll challenges while providing ACA compliance solutions designed specifically for midsized companies. These are two excellent software choices that have transformed hundreds of businesses around the country.
If you're still on the fence about implementing ACA compliance software, consider the many benefits this solution can bring your company. You can meet the special needs of your business and fulfill the lengthy requirements of the Affordable Care Act simultaneously. The ACA might feel like an imposition on your team, but this doesn't have to be the case. Make a change with a simple software solution.
InfinityHR, Sage HRMS, and other software systems can take the stress out of ACA compliance and complex HR tasks. Make choosing your HR software a breeze with this comparison guide!


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Need washer and dryer repair in Norco CA? Trust the pros at American Appliance Repair.Discovering that your washing machine won't turn on or your dryer won't dry can be a huge inconvenience, especially if you are down to your last clean pair of socks and really need to do laundry. Fortunately, you don't necessarily have to invest in all new appliances in order to get your laundry done. Instead, you can:
Call American Appliance Repair for Washer and Dryer Repair in Norco CA
American Appliance Repair is an established and respected company with over 35 years of experience in washer and dryer repair in Norco CA. You can rely on our highly trained technicians to fix your appliances correctly the first time at a fair and competitive price.
We Do Same Day Repairs
When you need washer and dryer repair in Norco CA, you don't want to wait any longer than absolutely necessary.American Appliance Repair won't keep you waiting. Instead, we will respond the same day you call. Our technicians drive fully-stocked service vehicles that have all kinds of replacement parts commonly required for washer and dryer repair. Some parts we often work on include:
- Thermostats
- Temperature switches
- Pressure switches
- Timers
- Heating coils
- Motors
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- And more
The quality of the parts used for washer and dryer repair in Norco CA plays a big part in the success of the repair. At American Appliance Repair, we use factory certified parts whenever possible. This is part of the reason our technicians are able to deliver such reliable and long-lasting repairs.
We Fix All Makes and Models
Most appliance repairmen are generalists who know a little bit about all kinds of appliances. At American Appliance Repairs, we have specialists who have chosen to focus their careers on washer and dryer repair in Norco CA. We encourage our technicians to complete ongoing training and education so that they can stay completely up to date with all the latest technology and understand exactly how to repair it. This is why we can repair any make or model of washer or dryer, including:
- Front loaders
- Top loaders
- High efficiency washers
- Gas dryers
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Although we do work on all brands, we have special expertise in Amana, Maytag, and Whirlpool appliances. We are authorized to provide warranty repairs on these brands of washers and dryers.
Don't Wait Until It Breaks
Does your washing machine drain way too slowly? Does your dryer make an awful racket when you turn it on? These problems won't keep you from doing the laundry. But they are definitely signs of something amiss with your appliances. At American Appliance Repair, we are happy to come help solve these kinds of small problems for you before they can turn into emergency needs for washer and dryer repair in Norco CA.
Call Now to Schedule Service
For fast and effective washer and dryer repair in Norco CA,call 800-640-9934. Before we begin work, we will explain the problem to you and provide a reliable estimate for the cost of the repair.
Call Us:
Toll-Free: (800) 640-9934
Phone: (909) 944-1300
Hours of Operation:
Monday thru Friday: 8AM - 5PM
Saturday: 8AM - 12PM


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I created this spread with the notebook kit and the summer stamp set. Neither of the pages are "summer" themed per se, but I used pieces of the set that weren't summer themed. I loved the "movie night" stamp and used it to accent some of our ticket stubs from movies we've seen in June. TFL! :)
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One Night Only Mist
For an instant airbrushed effect tan with no commitment. This Bronzing Mist delivers a natural-looking, light, medium, or dark tan that lasts for up to 24 hours. With 360 degree spray for flawless application, this tanning top-up for a golden tan washes off easily with soap and water.


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This week was a really chill week in terms of running. I took an extra rest day, ran some easy miles, fit in a lot of cross training, and am actually feeling better about running than before.
Sometimes it can be hard to stray from the training plan, but I've learned the importance of listening to my body these past few years and never regret the times that I choose to adjust.
This week was a pretty slow, sluggish week, so I adjusted my training accordingly. I added an extra strength workout and some daily walks and am still feeling prepared for race day!
>>Download the 25k Training Plan here!<<
With just a week to go, I'm enjoying these shorter runs during taper and mentally preparing myself for race day. Despite a few adjusted long runs along the way, I feel confident and prepared for the race.
Check out my 25k training recap for week 14!
25k Training Recap: Week 14
Monday, 4/22 – Yoga
This yoga sequence has been a staple in my training plan for any marathon or long distance race. Regardless of the training plan, I will always incorporate this yoga routine on a weekly basis. Since I began including it regularly into my training, I have yet to become injured (knock on wood). It targets all of the most needed areas for runners and really helps me mentally prepare for the week ahead!
My body really loved yoga this week. I could feel my muscles lengthening and stretching with each pose, which was awesome. This yoga routine has definitely helped increase my strength and balance since I've began incorporating it in my training on a regular basis. I love how this strength translates to running both mentally and physically!
Check out the yoga poses here!
Tuesday, 4/23 – 3 miles
This was the first time running outside in shorts since last fall and boy did it feel great! I wasn't very motivated to get ready, but as soon as I got started I was so glad to be running. The sunshine and warmth brought such a welcomed change after a long winter running season. These miles were slow but it was a great taper run! It may not look pretty yet, but spring is definitely here.
Wednesday, 4/24 – Strength Workout
This strength workout is another one of my favorites. I love how these exercises target the most neglected and injury prone areas of the body, and have found a great deal of pain free success since I began completing this workout on a regular basis.
My body felt so much stronger this week than last. The pain in my knee was completely gone and my hips are feeling much looser. I love seeing the improvements and strength gains each week with this workout.
Check out the strength workout here!?
Thursday, 4/25 – Cross training
A mix of cold weather, rain and a busy day had me feeling sluggish and unmotivated all day long. I decided to swap out my short run with a cross training workout to gain some strength and it ended up being a great challenge.
I completed a mix of bodyweight exercises that alternated between cardio, legs and arm and boy were my muscles burning by the end! It's been a while since I've done any dumbbell exercises, so my arms were definitely feeling it the next day. This was a great workout!
Friday, 4/26 – 5 miles
My final "long run" of this training plan was not a long run at all! I love that last weekend before a race when the long run is so much shorter than you are used to. The run ended up feeling surprisingly good and I finished knowing that I definitely could have run further. The chilly weather was back for this run, but overall it still felt great.
Saturday, 4/27 – Rest
We had a busy day filled with a bridal shower and having people over to our house, so I was glad I opted to complete my run on Friday. I decided to take Saturday as a complete rest day and just enjoy the company!
Sunday, 4/28 – Rest
My favorite thing about running races for fun is the low-stress levels leading up to race day. We are officially just one week away from the race and I am excited and not feeling anxious at all!
This race week will be different than most, especially since I have run this race before. I plan to enjoy the last couple taper runs and take things easy this week. Here's to running for fun and enjoying every second!
Previous Running Recaps:
- 25k Training Recap: Week 13
- Martian Half Marathon + 25k Training Recap: Week 12
- 25k Training Recap: Week 11 in Hawaii!
- 25k Training Recap: Week 10
- 25k Training Recap: Week 9
- Bayshore Marathon Training Recap: Week 1 – 8


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If you step into an elevator and overhear two healthcare professionals discussing confidential patient information, you would quickly know that a patient's privacy had been breached. However, in today's healthcare climate of electronic data and other highly technologically savvy health information management practices, determining if a breach has occurred can sometimes be a bit tricky. Not only can you not always tell if your information was leaked, but you also have to trust that those in charge at your doctor's office, hospital, and other healthcare facilities will do the right thing and report any errors as soon as they happen.
As a health consumer, you need to be concerned about the information your providers store, along with all of the health-related data that you probably generate yourself. Each time you download your wearable fitness tracker or enter information into a health app, you're putting information about yourself out into cyberspace that could get into the hands of the wrong people. Some people are even willing to share their personal health information with researchers and companies who create and sell wearable technology.
Wearable tech is an excellent way for patients who have chronic illnesses like diabetes to track symptoms and can also help achieve goals like weight loss. This information can be used to track and trend health-related decisions about hundreds of thousands of people into what's called big data. All of this information is useful to researchers. However, this type of data comes with security threats because hackers can gain access to personal data like your emails, the routes you travel each day, and even which ATMs you use regularly.
While this might feel a bit scary, it's essential that you know how to keep your information safe and what responsibilities lie squarely on your provider's shoulders.
Patient Privacy 101
Before we go too far, it's critical that you have a thorough understanding of patient privacy and security. Your privacy should be a top priority for you and your care providers, but it must also be a viewed as a critical part of a healthcare administrator's role. These professionals aren't responsible for your physical care, but their job is just as essential to patient privacy. They're responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your health and financial records and should respond promptly to any concerns or complaints you have.
State and federal governments also play a vital role in confidentiality. In 1996, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, also known as HIPAA, was passed by Congress. This law protects your health information from being given to people or companies without your consent and also provides you with specific rights to your own data. HIPAA applies to electronic, written, and verbal information. It also provides a framework in which your data must be protected through physical, technical, and administrative safeguards. Your state may also have rules about healthcare information that your providers must follow too.
How Your Information is Protected
Because health information technology has become a complex and sophisticated endeavor, care providers are held to strict standards when it comes to health records. Here are a few ways your providers must comply.
Proper Use and Disclosure
HIPAA allows doctors to share your healthcare information with other providers so that you can receive the best care and most accurate diagnoses. It also offers provisions to share your information with your health insurance company so that bills can be paid. These are both essential data touchpoints, but every time your data is transmitted electronically, there is a risk for a breach. Your providers and health plans must follow HIPAA in terms of uses and disclosures, meaning that they can't sell or give your information away without your permission unless it's for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations. They are required to follow the privacy rule and any additional requests you authorize in writing.
De-identifying and Cybersecurity
Health information management (HIM) professionals play an integral role in protecting your data. They manage the flow of information in and out of the facility and ensure that sensitive information is de-identified before being sent. HIM professionals also protect your data from outside threats in the form of cyberattacks, which costs the industry about $5.6 billion each year.
These attacks come in many forms, like malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks. Hackers are sophisticated and know how to penetrate electronic systems at their weakest point — the people who use it. HIM professionals must work to protect data by educating workers to recognize cyberattacks and respond to them correctly. They also work strategically and proactively to influence best practices and laws to keep health-related information safe today and in the future.
How to Protect Your Health Information
All of this talk about privacy might have you wondering if there are any strategies you can take to protect your health information from landing in the wrong hands. Here are a few ways to keep your data safe:
Think Before You Share
While many people are comfortable sharing information, it's critical to know that some entities aren't covered by HIPAA. This means that nothing is keeping them from sharing your health-related data with others, or even selling it. Wearable technology is a gray area when it comes to being covered by privacy laws. An excellent rule to follow to keep your data safe is never to share information online that you don't want made public.
Verify the Source
Scams are everywhere. So, before you give your social security number or other private information to anyone over the phone or computer, verify who they are and why they need these details. You also need to make sure they are a covered entity under HIPAA before you provide any information. It's also a good idea to shred any old documents like insurance forms or physician's statements to keep you safe.
Set up Your Own Protection
It's hard never to share information online. However, you must be sure to set up passwords for any sites that store your health details. Be sure to change your password frequently, never use the same one twice, and create a password that isn't easy to guess.
Keeping You Safe
You probably go to your doctor with full faith that they can give you a diagnosis and treatment to keep you well. But, it's crucial to remember that one visit can generate electronic information that can put your personal and financial history and future in jeopardy. You must know your rights and responsibilities and take an active role in keeping your data safe.
Adrian Johansen writes in the health and wellness fields, trying to combat the spread of misinformation and psuedoscience. You can find more of her writing at contently or on twitter.


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Presently, over 80% of the approximately 3.6 million retail establishments and specialty stores in the United States are small business with a dozen locations or less.
There are millions more of these types of establishments globally, and a growing number of connected customer-facing self service solutions including ATMs, automated parking attendants, gas pumps and a variety of other customer touch points that present an enormous opportunity for advertisers to engage with consumers.
AD2POS is focused is on this considerable yet often overlooked market segment which represents the vast majority of retail commerce globally.
The intelligent AD2POS platform is the first of its kind to combine the power and flexibility of RTB (Real-Time Bidding) with the physical and virtual inventory being creating at an expanding array of display partners worldwide.


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I spent this morning watching trailers for a zillion movies and TV shows. I did it because a certain transforming robot movie trailer intrigued me. I've been pretty public about my dislike for the "Transformers" films. Please don't get mad. If you love them — and clearly a whole heck of a lot of you do — that's totally cool. I love things that lots of other people don't.
But today I wanted to talk about trailers.
I remember staying up all night for the "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" trailer and unabashedly crying when I saw it. Same for the one they showed at the fan convention Star Wars Celebration. It grabbed me, it gave me a reason to care and it didn't give away the plot.
We used to get one trailer, with a cheesy voice-over. Now we have trailer announcements, video trailers for a trailer, teaser trailers and several actual trailers, along with featurettes and more. It's too much. I mean, sometimes they're great. Sometimes they suck. Mostly they give away too much of the film. I'm looking at you, "Terminator Genisys." I get that you were trying to hook us with the best stuff in the film, but if I've pretty much seen it all in the trailer, why should I give you my money?
RELATED: Geek Girl in Hollywood: In praise of revivals, like "Gilmore Girls"
Though "Suicide Squad" wasn't my jam, the trailers for the film totally hooked me. I got an intriguing look at the characters and the imagery, without the story being given away. I feel the same way about the trailer for the TV show adaptation of the Neil Gaiman book "American Gods." I have a pretty strong feeling that I'm going to love that show, but what I got from the trailer didn't give anything away. It let me know that I'm going to see important moments from the book, it showed me that the diversity of casting was pretty darn cool and it revealed that the actors would be compelling. It teased and it did that well.
Here's what I want in my trailers: I want to know why I should care about the people I'm about to spend time with. I want to know how the film is going to look and feel. I want to get an idea of the film's genre. I want to be teased with a story. What I do not want is the big reveal, the entire plot, whether or not the main leads hook up or anything that tells me how it's all going to go down.
There is an art to teasing. Give us a wink, not a big, sloppy kiss.


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Swedish - A Second Language
7.5 ECTS credits
The course gives a general introduction to linguistic theory. The focus is on the structure of the Swedish language from a linguistic-typlogical and contrastive perspective, with special emphasis on linguistic areas of particular difficulty for learners of Swedish as a second language. Students learn to analyse the linguistic production of second-language learners and practise grammatical and phonological exercises in various forms.
Progressive specialisation: G1N (has only upper‐secondary level entry requirements)
Education level: Undergraduate level
Admission requirements: General admission requirements.
Selection is usually based on your grade point average from upper secondary school or the number of credit points from previous university studies, or both.
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Campus, 50% Options
- Start Autumn 2020
- Mode of study Campus
- Language Swedish
- Course code S2GA04
- Application code KAU-35676
- Study pace 50% (Evening)
- Study period week 46–2
- Schedule Show
- Introductory Information Show


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Lawsuit Alleges Rep. Jordan of Not Taking Action in Sexual Misconduct Case
A new lawsuit filed by a college wrestling referee has accused the school and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) of not taking action in his sexual misconduct complaint against Dr. Richard Strauss in 1994.
The referee who has been identified in the court documents as "John Doe 42" alleged Jordan, who was then an assistant Ohio State wrestling coach and Russ Hellickson, then OSU head coach, of not taking any action when he went to complain against Strauss for masturbating in front of him, the CNN reported.
The suit said that the university's "ingrained culture of institutional indifference" led Strauss to sexually abuse and harass hundreds of students.
"I wish Jim, and Russ, too, would stand up and do the right thing and admit they knew what Strauss was doing, because everybody knew what he was doing to the wrestlers," the referee was quoted by NBC News.
Last year, more than 100 former students, including members of the men's wrestling team, reported firsthand accounts of sexual misconduct committed by Strauss.
This prompted the university to hire the services of the independent investigators at Perkins Coie LLP, who further confirmed that university officials had information about Strauss' misconduct as early in 1979, but did not investigate his actions and failed to report his misconduct to law enforcement.
Meanwhile, Rep. Jordon has rebuffed the referee claims and termed them "ridiculous".
"The idea I'm not going to defend our athletes when I think they're being harmed is ridiculous," Jordan told The Lima News. "This is just, this is someone making a false statement."
In May, 37 former students, mostly football players and wrestlers, filed a lawsuit, the fourth one in the last two years against the university over its response to sexual assault complaints against the former doctor. It alleged that university officials "aided, abetted and actively concealed" complaints of sexual misconduct against Strauss.


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Where's the good news?
In the wake of the food safety travails of romaine lettuce in recent weeks — and industry navel-gazing about whether federal health authorities overreacted to the foodborne disease threat — I ask this question: What about the good news?
When the world was awash in stories about retailers pulling romaine from the grocery produce departments and published criticisms of the Trump administration's purported lax approach to food safety enforcement, where was the consumer press coverage of the study that reported men who eat lots of fruits and vegetables have less memory loss?
To borrow from George H.W. Bush, there are a thousand points of light that shine on fresh produce.
Here is one: According to an online report in Medical News Today, researchers at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, Mass., found that leafy greens and red and orange vegetables correlated with reduced memory loss. The study followed 27,842 men for 26 years — from an average age of about 50 to their mid- to late 70s. The study period was 1986 to 2012.
The analysis showed that consuming higher amounts of certain foods and drinks — notably leafy greens, red and dark orange vegetables, berry fruits and orange juice — was linked to lower risk of decline in memory and thinking skills.
Specifically, the study said that the men who ate the most vegetables were 34% less likely to report having experienced a reduction in memory function.
While the authors say cannot prove "cause and effect," they said the results definitely support the notion of eating "lots" of fruits and veggies to help avoid memory decline.
Eating many servings of leafy greens is good. Eating a corn dog instead of a romaine salad is not a great choice, but I'll bet some men justified the choice because of food safety worries.
Changing the conversation from the perils of food safety outbreaks to the benefits of fruits and vegetables simply can't be done in the midst of a crisis.
It doesn't particularly help to observe, according to one writer's calculations, that a consumer could eat a salad a day for more than 50,000 years and only be hospitalized for E. coli once.
It is avoiding the outbreaks all together that is the answer.
Tom Grumbly recently wrote an opinion piece for The Hill. In that column he said: "It's time to inoculate our dinners against food poisoning. And scientists are trying."
He argues that more research efforts are needed to accomplish that goal.
What is the answer to create more public faith in the safety of fresh produce, particularly leafy greens? Is it tougher rules on testing irrigation water? Is it added requirements for finished product testing? "Inoculating" leafy greens by irradiation seems drastic, but is that what it will take? Does the industry need a consistent marketing message to consumers?
Perhaps all of those, and more, are needed to change the conversation from food safety worries to the thousand points of light that illuminate the benefits of fruit and vegetable consumption.
Tom Karst is The Packer's editor. E-mail him at [email protected].


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Every year, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) releases a list of the top 12 produce items with the most pesticide residue (The Dirty Dozen) and a list of the 15 produce items with the least pesticide residue (The Clean Fifteen).
Per the EWG, nearly 70 percent of the produce sold in the U.S. comes with pesticide residues, according to their analysis of test data from the Department of Agriculture for the 2019 Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce™.
Overall, the USDA found 225 different pesticides and pesticide breakdown products on popular fruits and vegetables Americans eat every day. Before testing, all produce was washed and peeled, just as people would prepare food for themselves, which shows that simple washing does not remove all pesticides.
I would recommend eating all of the Clean Fifteen that you want to save on your budget – these are not organic but low in pesticides. Then, try to save yourself 90% of pesticide exposure by eating organic versions of the Dirty Dozen.
Below are the 2019 EWG Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen lists for your review. To read the entire EWG report, CLICK HERE.
- Strawberries
- Spinach
- Kale
- Nectarines
- Apples
- Grapes
- Peaches
- Cherries
- Pears
- Tomatoes
- Celery
- Potatoes
Each of these foods tested positive for a number of different pesticide residues and contained higher concentrations of pesticides than other produce. You may have seen the news about Kale making the dirty dozen. Organic Kale is very healthy and good for you. Non-organic kale is very heavily laden with pesticides. Try to buy organic kale when you can.
- Avocados
- Sweet corn
- Pineapples
- Frozen sweet peas
- Onions
- Papayas
- Eggplants
- Asparagus
- Kiwis
- Cabbages
- Cauliflower
- Cantaloupes
- Broccoli
- Mushrooms
- Honeydew melons
Relatively few pesticides were detected on these foods, and tests found low total concentrations of pesticide residues.


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The Kansas native XV, felt the Christmas spirit and got together with DJ Tech-Neek to flip a smooth soulful Chaka Khan sample and let it loose for the masses. Not sure if this is set to be on any future projects of XV's, but regardless, enjoy. Rumored is though, that he will be dropping a project before the year end, so keep a eye out for that. Check It Out And Enjoy. Follow me @Ebonicss
Chaka Shao Khan
Tags:Chaka Shao Khan · xv


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**Please note that the rate for this role is £35 ltd per hour**
The Role:Experience in the design of Telecom systems within the Oil and Gas industry Educated to HNC/HND level in either Telecommunications or Electrical and Electronic Engineering (or similar). Must be computer literate, able to maintain spreadsheets, communicate via e-mail, etc… To be able to work to procedures in a continually audited environment Must be able to work on own initiative Must be able to work as part of a team as well as on their own Must be flexible in the working hours to support projects in different time zonesThe Company:The client is a leader within the Automation and Control Systems field with operations in 100 countries worldwide. They specialise in providing integrated solutions to the Transmission and Distribution and Oil & Gas industry with projects offshore and overseas.Essential Skills / Qualifications:LAN/WAN design and installation support Structured cabling design and installation support PAGA design and installation support UHF Tetra Radio design and installation support CCTV design and installation support Access Control design and installation support Intruder Detection design and installation supportAbout Fircroft:Fircroft has been placing people in specialist technical industries for approaching half a century, focusing on mid to senior level engineers for contract and permanent roles worldwide. By applying for this job you give consent for Fircroft to contact you, via email & telephone, to discuss your application along with future positions and Fircroft's services.
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Does anyone know the youngest age a human player character could realistically be? I don't mean how old you think they look, I'm well aware some people dismiss 1/2 the available faces as "anime teenager". I mean how young could they be whilst still being allowed to do all the things they do - fight centaurs, get recruited to help the seraph, join an Order, kill a dragon and so on without anyone asking if they're old enough or if their parents/guardians are ok with it or running into the human equivalent of Taimi's problems with her guardians.
Based on real-life I'm thinking the oldest possible answer is 21 (the oldest limit I know of for someone being considered a fully independent adult) and the youngest would be about 14 - this used to be the minimum legal school leavers age in the UK: meaning you could graduate and get a full time job at 14.
I realise it's deliberately left open, as far as I remember you're never even told your character is considered young. But if I did want to make a character who has only just reached adulthood as defined in Kryta how old do you think they'd be?
Danielle Aurorel, Desolation EU. Mini Collector
"You can run like a river, Till you end up in the sea
And you run till night is black, And keep on going in your dreams
And you know all the long while, It's the journey that you seek
It's the miles of moving forward, With the wind beneath your wings"
I think the character is about 18-19, which would be 23-24 now. Make them as young as possible but still an adult, so you can go as long as possible without them getting old
I'd rather keep going.. wherever the wind takes us
I might bump it down as low as 16 (21 by PoF), if you're okay with a teenager being one of the most skilled adventurers in the world. Legal adulthood doesn't seem to be as important in Tyria as it is in the modern world, but there's still the matter of being old enough to be able to physically do what our characters do (and to have had the training and understanding to know how to do it).
R.I.P., Old Man of Auld Red Wharf. Gone but never forgotten.
Well, I suppose it depends on your story.
If you're a streetrat, you've been fighting and sparring with your 'colleagues', a farmhand would've been fending off bandits all his life,
and the rich guy would probably have had a sparring tutor or combat master.
As for age.. well.. I guess you can make a character as young or old as you like, pick the right physical build, and face, and you RP any age you like.. well.. obviously not a kid.
Similarly, it's also possible to play as an asura that looks like a progeny. Although an asura needs the makeover kit to access more kiddy-looking faces
To defeat the dragons, see the good in them.
Zhaitan reunites lost ones, primordus creates fertile land, mordremoth spreads the green, and jormag..
..jormag? Who's that?


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Signature 24-inch Dual-zone Outdoor Refrigerator / Wine Chiller
Signature 24-inch Dual-zone Outdoor Refrigerator / Wine ChillerStarting at $5,175 USD
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