text:
Graded Care Profile - Evidence, impact and evaluation At a glance
We've evaluated Graded Care Profile (GCP), a tool to evaluate family strengths and weaknesses, to see if it can help in the identification of neglect.
Graded Care Profile 2 (GCP2) is the only authorised update of the tool. We've worked with the original author of GCP, Dr Srivastava, to make sure it is true to the original model but more user-friendly and comprehensive.
How neglect affects children
Neglect is the most common form of child abuse and the most common reason for taking child protection action in the UK. It can have long-lasting effects including mental health problems; poor physical, emotional and social development; behavioural problems; and low self-esteem.
It can be challenging for professionals to identify, measure and monitor neglect (Gardner, 2008). This can make it hard for decisions to be made about a child's future care.
Deliver this service through Scale-up
If you want to deliver this service, we offer implementation support package through our Scale-up unit
If you want to deliver GCP2, we'll provide:
- a training course to support local delivery (minimum of 2 delegates)
- support and advice to effectively implement the tool in your local area
- access to over 25 documents to support practice, which can be tailored for local use.
- a licence to use GCP2 in the agreed geographical area which allows you to use the tool and train staff
- free annual events to come together and meet other authorities using the tool.
Get in touch if you'd like to discuss running this service in your local area.
How Graded Care Profile 2 is helping protect children
The right assessment tools can support practitioners to measure the quality of care being given to a child, and spot when they are at risk of harm.
The information from the assessment can then be used to ensure parents get the support and help they need to improve the level of care the child receives.
How we evaluated this service
Although the original Graded Care Profile (GCP) is being used by others, we've carried out the first UK-wide evaluation of this tool. We looked at how it is used and how effective it is in helping children and young people.
We then used what we learnt in this evaluation to develop Graded Care Profile 2 (GCP2).
Our evaluation took place in two stages.
1st stage
- obtained feedback from practitioners, managers and service users
- identified facilitators and barriers to effective use of the tool and in what contexts it can be used most effectively
- explored perceptions of the tool's effects on child neglect practice – the quality of processes, outputs and interagency practice
- explored perceptions of effectiveness of the GCP in helping practitioners to identify potential and actual neglect and assess the care of children
- explored implementation of the GCP by Local Safeguarding Children Boards (LSCBs), local authorities and other agencies.
This stage had two components:
- quantitative data from GCP scores for 137 cases, additional case information and practitioners' views about using GCP. Information was collected at two time points to consider changes over time.
- qualitative data from interviews with practitioners, managers, local authoritiers and a small number of parents.
Interim findings and development of version 2
Interim findings showed that people found the GCP:
- was helpful
- could promote parental awareness of professionals' concerns
- helped to target plans
- presented challenges with some of the language used within the tool.
We amended and updated the tool on the basis of this evidence to create version 2 of the GCP.
2nd stage
We tested the reliability and validity of version 2 of the Graded Care Profile (GCP2).
4 pairs of NSPCC practitioners used the GCP2 with families. We looked at:
- inter-rater reliability by comparing the GCP2 scores between each practitioner in a pair to see how similar or different they are
- concurrent validity by comparing GCP2 scores to scores from another tool filled in by the same practitioner.
- face validity through interviews with practitioners to ascertain the extent to which they feel version 2 adequately assesses neglect and quality of care.
Our stage 1 objectives had an emphasis on measuring the effect of the original GCP on practice. The design was to compare the use of the GCP to 'business as usual' by collecting information on cases where the GCP was used and comparator cases where it wasn't used.
It proved difficult to obtain the required number of cases, particularly comparator cases, so we had to change our approach. It was decided to collect only GCP cases, and to have more of a focus on perceptions of effectiveness.
This work was carried out internally by the NSPCC evaluation department.
Contact Robyn Johnson for more information.
What we've learned
The original Graded Care Profile (GCP) can help professionals identify risks and potential harm more effectively. Practitioners said that the tool promotes a child-centred approach and helps make neglect more visible.
GCP supports practitioners to develop a constructive working relationship with the family. It does this by identifying parenting strengths as well as weaknesses and by helping parents to understand the practioner's concerns.
Practitioners rated the usefulness of GCP highly. On a 5 point scale it was rated as 4 or 5 in over two thirds of cases.
Read the evaluation reports for GCP and Graded Care Profile 2 (GCP2).
What we're doing next
We're currently supporting 53 partner organisations to deliver GCP2 to the families they work with. As part of this, we have been evaluating how they are implementing the updated tool - and we've made some improvements to the scale-up process as a result.
Read the scale-up evaluation for GCP2.
How you can deliver this service
If you want to deliver Graded Care Profile 2 (GCP2), we will provide:
- a training course to support local delivery (minimum of 2 delegates)
- support and advice to effectively implement the tool in your local area
- access to over 25 documents to support practice, which can be tailored for local use.
- a licence to use GCP2 in the agreed geographical area which allows you to use the tool and train staff
- free annual events to come together and meet other authorities using the tool.
Get in touch if you'd like to discuss running this service in your local area.
Impact and evidence
Find out how we evaluate and research the impact we're making in protecting children, get tips and tools for researchers and access resources.
Donate now
In the average primary school class, at least 2 children have suffered abuse or neglect. Donate now and help protect children today and prevent abuse from happening tomorrow.
Supporting services to better identify neglect
We're looking for partners to join us for the third phase of our Graded Care Profile version 2 trial.
Evidence Based Decisions
Evidence, impact and evaluation of our service
Graded Care Profile 2
Evidence, impact and evaluation of our service
Evidence, impact and evaluation of our service
Improving parenting, improving practice
Evidence, impact and evaluation of our service
Gardner, R. (2008) Developing an effective response to neglect and emotional harm to children (PDF). London: University of East Anglia and NSPCC.


text:
- A few weeks ago I predicted that the "new god" that will emerge in Europe is called Allah. Yesterday the British papers reported that the number of British converts to Islam has almost doubled in 10 years, to 1000,000.
- Last week I asked who in the Knesset and the media knew about Katsav's sexual misdemeanours before he was voted in as Israel's president. Since then, Shas has been accused of being fully in the know, with former leader Arieh Deri actually warning the party's spiritual mentor, Rav Ovadiah Yossef, not to vote for him for this reason. They obviously reject the charge.In addition, Avraham Burg, who was then Knesset speaker, claims that a Peres aide told him about allegations against Katsav and asked him to persuade Katsav to drop out of the race "for the sake of his own dignity and that of the knesset". Burg refused, claiming it was not part of his job description, and told them to go to the police if the allegations were of criminal nature.Granted, it was Shas who effectively stabbed Peres in the back by not voting the way they said they would; but I'm not sure why they are being picked on here. Katsav was the Likud candidate and it stands to reason that if anyone knew - and clearly, many people did - it would be those in his own party. It feels like the Likud is being let off the hook.
- I wondered about the meaning of a strange line in the rabbinic ban on Charedi news site Vos Iz Naies, which attacked the site for writing "against ministers and politicians under whose protection we [live], in order to ruin their reputations, and the desecration of God's name is absolutely terrible". Many now think that was the key to the whole thing.
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
As I was saying...
Some updates on stories I've written about recently:
Posted by Miriam at 8:41 PM
No comments:
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Here's the Blurb:
With Kira injured and dying, Octavion's last hope is to plead with the king of Panthera for a cure. But King Ramla's magic isn't free. The price he asks Octavion to pay goes against everything he's fought so hard to protect and could destroy his bond with Kira. Will Octavion trade his crown and swear allegiance to a kingdom feared by all, or will he sacrifice the woman he loves to remain faithful to his father and Xantara? Find out when BROKEN takes you on a journey into the savage and unpredictable world of Ophera.
Add it to your TBR list on Goodreads!


text: Arbroath Smokies are one of those treasures of Scottish regional food. Hot smoked small haddock from the East coast of Scotland. Anthony Sargeant has flaked the meat from the bone and skin and layered it with Potato Dauphinois (for recipe see the excellent book by Rick Stein 'Seafood lovers guide' page 93). Here served with a green salad and a few spicy stuffed peppers from Macedonia.


text:
Intan Paramaditha is an Indonesian fiction author and a lecturer in media and film studies at Macquarie University, Sydney. She received her Ph.D from New York University (2014). Both her fiction and academic works explore the intersection between gender and sexuality, culture, and politics.
She is the author of the novel Gentayangan: Pilih Sendiri Petualangan Sepatu Merahmu (The Wandering: Choose Your Own Red-Shoes Adventure, 2017) and two collections of short stories: Sihir Perempuan (Black Magic Woman, 2005) and Kumpulan Budak Setan (The Devil's Slaves Club, 2010, with Eka Kurniawan and Ugoran Prasad). Apple and Knife (translated by Stephen J. Epstein), an anthology based on her two story collections, was published by Brow Books (Australia, March 2018). Harvill Secker (Vintage/ Penguin Random House) will be publishing Apple and Knife (UK, December 2018) and Gentayangan/ The Wandering (2020).
Intan Paramaditha received the 2013 Kompas Best Short Story Award and 2017 Tempo Best Literary Work for Prose Fiction for the novel Gentayangan. Her story collection Sihir Perempuan was shortlisted for the 2005 Khatulistiwa Literary Award. In 2011-2012 she collaborated with Teater Garasi in adapting her short story, "Goyang Penasaran" (Obsessive Twist), for a stage play.
Prior to joining the Department of Media, Music, Communication & Cultural Studies at Macquarie University, she taught at the University of Indonesia and Sarah Lawrence College. She received the 2014 Jay Leyda Award for Academic Excellence from New York University, and her doctoral dissertation (awarded distinction) was supported by fellowships from the Social Science Research Council IDRF, American Council of Learned Societies/ Mellon Dissertation Completion Fellowship, and American Association of University Women. She has been an invited speaker at universities and literary/ film festivals, and her articles appear in journals including Film Quarterly, Jump Cut, Inter-Asia Cultural Studies, and Visual Anthropology as well as edited volumes such as Southeast Asian Independent Cinema and Encyclopedia of Women and Islamic Cultures. Her research focuses on media, cultural activism, and sexual politics in the convergence and tension between national and cosmopolitan trajectories.


text:
Facebook is removing the messaging service from the web app and is forcing its users to move to Messenger app. The reason behind this is that Facebook wants to provide the best messaging experience to its user via the messenger app.
Facebook has recently announced that they are going to eliminate the messaging option from their web app. Facebook wants its users to use Facebook Messenger instead of their web app, which is soon going to close.
According to facebook, they want users to provide the best messaging experience with Messenger app.
Some are experiencing this error via Web app "Your Conservations are Moving to Messenger" and is eventually redirecting users to Google Play store to download Messenger app.
Facebook Messenger app also allows users to chat freely, and use stickers. You can make the voice call as well as video calls too with the help of Facebook's messenger app. So moving to a messenger app would be a right choice.
I would strongly suggest you download the Facebook messenger application because Facebook is forcing users to Download it. It's better to be on the safer side.
Download the Facebook messenger application
Facebook Forcing Android Users to Download its Messenger App Reviewed by Joseph Chikeleze on June 09, 2016 Rating:


text:
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Flesh Colored?
Wow. I saw this a month or so ago and haven't had a chance to post about it. I'm tempted to write the Lukas people to ask if they had missed the fact that it is now officially a new millennium. Crayola figured it out in 1962.
at 3:30 PM


text:
I tweaked the anthology links on my stories page. I have now posted my Fish story from Fablewood in it's entirety! The Flight stories also now link to the preview pages of those stories on Flight's website and I've put up two preview pages for Above, a story found in the yet-to-be (but soon will be!) released Parable anthology.
I don't intend to do Fablewood a disservice by posting my whole story. So please go check out this really great anthology of short stories. You can find it here on Amazon.
Also! After some thought about the logistics of posting my Wellington Division roughs, I've decided I'll post a new sequence (usually about seven-ten pages) every Monday. If you've read the story so far and you find it somewhat charming, and you are often bored on Mondays, and you have friends that might also find it somewhat charming and be bored on Mondays, spread the word! :)


text:
New Delhi: Describing as a "milestone" the India visit of President Barack Obama, government on Friday welcomed the US decision to ease export controls on dual-use
items and removal of certain Indian companies from the Entity List.
Making a suo moto statement on Obama`s visit in the Lok Sabha, External Affairs Minister SM Krishna said the visit was successful in strengthening mutual understanding on regional and global issues, accelerating the momentum of bilateral cooperation and creating a long-term framework to elevate the strategic partnership to a new level.
A number of initiatives were announced during the three-day visit from November 6 in various areas including security, science and technology and healthcare, he said.
"India-US relations have matured over the years. We conduct this relationship in a spirit of mutual respect and as equal partners," Krishna said.
Talking in the context of Obama`s visit, he said it was a "milestone in the process of strengthening the strategic partnership between the world`s two largest democracies and in bringing two peoples closer."
He underlined that the India-US relationship stands on its own merits and is not directed against any other country.
"It is a relationship that is based on shared values and growing opportunities for mutually-beneficial bilateral cooperation and a global partnership. It is an important
factor for peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world," Krishna said.
He welcomed the US decisions announced during Obama`s visit to ease export controls on dual-use items, removal of Indian entities from the "so-called Entity List" of the US,
realignment of India in US export control regulations as well as the intention of the US to support India`s full membership in the multilateral export control regimes.
In a statement on the Prime Minister`s visit to Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam and South Korea recently, Krishna said the government will re-double efforts and take the relationship
with East Asian countries to new heights.


text:
Inflammatory Bowel Conditions Permanently Healing
If you have an inflammatory bowel condition the good news is that with the proper treatment you can permanently repair your gastrointestinal tract. The means is to replace the mucosal lining which protects the tissue of the intestinal wall. This tissue is made up of skin- fat and muscle. Without the mucosal lining our stomach acid erodes the wall and over time will create the symptoms of IBD.


text:
Bachmann 81258 Spectrum PRR F7 AB Diesels LN/Box
Sold for:
Start Free Trial
or Sign In to see what it's worth.
- Sold Date:
- Source: eBay
This is an N Scale Bachmann Pennsylvania F-7 Diesel Locomotive Set. Included is an A unit and a B unit. Features include plastic construction, plastic trucks, hook type couplers, metal wheels and axles. The A unit is powered.
This item has been graded per TCA standards C-8: Like New. Overall condition is Like New.
Condition: Like New ( C-8 )
Operational Status: Functional
Original Box: Yes ( P-8 )
Popularity: Unknown
Manufacturer: Bachmann
Model Number: 81258
Road Name: Pennsylvania
Original MSRP: $105.00
Scale/Era: N Scale
Model Type: Diesel Loco
Availability: Ships in 1 Business Day!
The Trainz SKU for this item is 3884942.
Track: 3884942 - 165 (Row L) TH/??/mB - 001 - TrainzAuctionGroup006 - TDID14416
Pay using PayPal or pay us directly using... read more


text:
Oh my gosh I finally did this.
I have wanted to make a 101 in 1001 list for a very long time. However, I never sat down long enough to think up 101 things to do. and let me tell you, it was a pretty hard list to make! I've split my list up into different categories just so I can easily see what I want to do. I'm excited about this new journey and can't wait to get started!
Confused? It's ok. Check out Mackenzie's blog for more information!
Below you will find the my list. If you want updates on my progress make sure to check back on the 101 in 1001 page at the top of the screen! That's where I'll be keeping it updated. Or, join the WYT mailing list for behind the scenes fun on this crazy journey!
So I'm starting on July 14, 2016 in 1001 days it will be April 11, 2019. Crazy. Let's do this!
1. Create a blog schedule
2. Learn Illustrator
3. Write a guest post
4. Buy a DSLR camera
5. Attend a blog conference
6. Reach 5k Instagram followers
7. Get 100k pageviews
8. Create a new About Me page
9. Meet a blog friend in person
10. Start a WYT Youtube channel
11. Do a sponsored post
12. Create 10 free printables
13. Make free blog planner part 2
give back
14. Treat the person behind me in line at Starbucks
15. Donate blood 5 times
16. Leave a 100% tip
17. Volunteer 100 hours of service
18. Donate my hair to Locks of Love
19. Go to Disney World with friends
20. Go on a road trip!
21. Head out west
22. Go Shopping in Chicago
23. Celebrate a holiday with a friend's family
24. Skydive
25. Sleep under the stars
26. Spend all day in Charleston
27. Be a tourist in your hometown
28. Whitewater rafting
29. Go to a National Park
30. Go back to DC
31. Take a yoga class
32. Workout once a day for a month
33. Complete the Whole30
34. Run a 30 minute 5k
35. Do a Color Run
36. Learn how to do a handstand
37. Do a half marathon
38. Go to Zumba
39. Drink 8 glasses of water everyday for a week
40. Complete a juice cleanse
41. Write a letter to my future self
42. Buy myself fresh flowers
43. Journal for a month
44. Buy a new planner
45. Read 15 books
46. Start bible journaling
47. Vote
48. Go a whole day unplugged
49. Find my go to Starbucks drink
50. Move in
51. Go to all the football games
52. Get an internship
53. Explore downtown
54. Become close with a professor
55. Join a sorority
56. Leave dorm room door open when there
57. Find a study spot on Campus
58. Join 5 clubs
59. Play an intramural
60. Get a tour of the President's house
61. Send 50 letters through the mail
62. Give flowers to 5 friends
63. Visit friends at college
64. Send 25 postcards to friends
65. Surprise a new friend by doing something special once a month
66. Try 10 Pinterest Recipes
67. Open an Etsy shop
68. Decorate my dorm for the holidays
69. Carve a Pumpkin
70. Decorate a Christmas Tree
71. Make a photo "yearbook" on Shutterfly
72. Learn to sew
73. Learn to make macarons
74. Make homemade ice cream
75. Go through an entire cookbook cover to cover
76. Make Europe memory book
just for fun
77. Document 5 adventures by video
78. Get a massage
79. Take a calligraphy class
80. Throw a surprise party
81. Go to brunch with friends
82. Go to 5 concerts
83. Go sailing
84. Have a tea party!
85. Get a blowout at Drybar
86. Go movie theater hopping
87. Watch the sunrise and sunset
88. Start a finish a series on Netflix
89. Go to a wedding
90. Go to a restaurant and eat dessert first
91. Be the only ones in a movie theater
92. Go to a drive-in movie
93. Get up and go to bed early
94. Karaoke!
95. Host a hot chocolate bar party
96. Go to a Carnival
97. Have a Lemonade Stand... donate the money
98. Buy a Lilly dress
99. Go fruit picking
100. Have a photoshoot (friends included!)
101. Eat ice cream for dinner
14 July 2016
13 July 2016
A Year Later
Hey all! Remember me?
My oh my. Where has time even gone. It's been nearly a year since my last post. And so much has changed during that year! Thinking back it seems like I was blogging just yesterday, but it's hard to believe it's been a year!
There's not much to say as to why I took a break. Honestly, I don't even know why I stopped. I have always loved blogging and using this space as a creative outlet. Life just caught up with me back in July 2015 and I spent a lot of time enjoying the time I had with the people I care about. I spent my senior year of high school just living. In saying that, there is so much to update for the past year, and so many exciting things to look forward to in the years to come!
My oh my. Where has time even gone. It's been nearly a year since my last post. And so much has changed during that year! Thinking back it seems like I was blogging just yesterday, but it's hard to believe it's been a year!
There's not much to say as to why I took a break. Honestly, I don't even know why I stopped. I have always loved blogging and using this space as a creative outlet. Life just caught up with me back in July 2015 and I spent a lot of time enjoying the time I had with the people I care about. I spent my senior year of high school just living. In saying that, there is so much to update for the past year, and so many exciting things to look forward to in the years to come!
So what happened in July 2015?
- I had a very blogger worthy picnic with one of my favorites! Catch up on this fun over at Meg's blog! Still dreaming about those perfect bow cookies. yum!
- I also spent a week in Washington, DC visiting and nannying close family friends. I have always been in love with DC and this trip really made me wish I lived there! From exploring Georgetown to riding the metro into Downtown, it was an amazing trip.
August 2015
- For my senior year, I was one of the captains of our school's Dance Team. It's a team of 75 girls! I've done it all four years of high school. There were 6 of us- here we all are!
- Things got crazy when I decided to go cliff jumping.... Check out a video here! EEP!
- My friends and I tried to soak up the last bit of summer we had left, so we went camping of course! (In our friends backyard shhhhh)
- Cross Country started back up and I went to my third and final full team sleepover. It's tradition to TP all the senior boys, and we did a killer job.
September 2015
- I was in a flashmob!
- Labor day proved to be quite a good one in 2015. Every Labor Day my high school puts on a festival with food, rides, and entertainment. And this year we had quite a high flying time
- Cross Country was too much fun in September. Every weekend was spent with some of my favorite people. DOing one of my least favorite things- running. Did I mention I did cross country with Meg!?
- And I ended the month with a life changing retreat. My school requires all seniors to go on a retreat called Kairos their senior year. And it was hands down one of the best memories of high school.
October 2015
- October brought colder weather, and a very rainy Homecomign football game.
- My senior Homecoming dance was an amazing time!
- October is also when I said goodbye to running cross country. And celebrated after our last race with ice cream!
- I had senior night for the dance team.
- And got to pet a goat at fall Turnabout. (Girl ask guy event at a local farm!)
November 2015
- Remember Kairos from September? Well in November I was planning the next Kairos event for my classmates because I was chosen to be a leader. Our theme was Dr. Seuss books and my small groups theme was the Lorax. I spent most of November preparing for the retreat.
- Thanksgiving 2015. Yum.
- Friendsgiving 2015. Fun.
December 2015
- The time finally came to go on my second Kairos retreat as a leader! What an absolutely incredible time. Love my bergabuds!
- Squadsmas 2015 was so much fun. I came home that night with a new robe and a giant pink unicorn.
- The dance team preformed our Christmas routine at a college basketball halftime! It was infront of 10,000 people. Amazing.
- We spent our actual Christmas in Naples, Florida visiting our Grandpa.
- Don't worry we didn't fully escape the Midwest winter by going to Florida, we had plenty of ice cream to keep us cold.
January 2016
(Happy 2016!!!)
- Rang in the New Year with friends.
- I was supposed to go to Washington, DC to march in the annual March for Life again this year (Remember when I went last year) Sadly, the trip was cancelled due to snowy weather. We didn't let that stop us. Our senior class pulled together and rallied schools across our area to participate in what we were calling a mini-march!
- I got to emcee our schools talent show! Talk about a crazy fun time on stage.
February 2016
- Dance team came to a close, but we celebrated by thanking someone who made our year special. I chose my sister :)
- I went ice skating for the second time since I was like 5!
- I made super fun cakepops for a friend in college
March 2016
- I went on yet another retreat. This one was called Worlds Greatest and it was with a bunch of kids from different schools from across the state.
- I was in my last musical. It was Aida at my high school. I was a nubian!
- At the end of March I left to go on my senior spring break in Siesta Key!
April 2016
- As we got closer to graduation, we started planning our graduation party!
- I went to our spring Turnabout dance. The theme was Hawaiian
- I got asked to Prom!
- I decided where I was going to go to college next year. See you soon Clemson!
May 2016
- I had a great time at my senior Prom!
- My senior class went crazy with our senior prank.... and we got in big trouble
- I graduated high school!!
- The day after graduating I turned 18 and my friends threw me a surprise party- oh what fun!
- I went to far too many graduation parties and ate way too much cake (if there is such a thing as way too much cake)
- Summertime and the living is easy!
- I got my first job for the summer
- Soaking up the time I have left with friends as I prepared to say goodbye to them far too soon. This means going to many bonfires and staying out far past midnight
And that brings us to currently.....
I just got my wisdom teeth out and I can't believe I'm moving to college in exactly a month. I'm trying to make the best of this summer, like I said earlier. I've realized how much I've missed this little blog and decided to come back, even if it's just for a little bit.
So that's been my life. I'm glad I took this break to really enjoy my senior year. It really all went far too quick! I can't believe I graduated. I can't wait for the next chapter and to bring you guys along too!
Labels: life
06 July 2015
Labels: motivation
01 July 2015
Monthly Makeover link is Live!
Remember that exciting news I shared with you all on Friday? Well, guess what! The link is officially live!
The application for August and September will only be available until July 15 so don't forget about it!
I will be in contact with the gals no later than July 22 so make sure you check your emails for updates!
Thanks for all your support in this exciting time! I can't wait to see what happens!


text:
For years taking a ferry to Mackinac Island was a matter of preference. There were the Shepler people and the Arnold people and for us locals it was a also a matter of knowing both of the families who ran those organizations.
On the Shepler side, it was Bill Shepler and his children, on the Arnold, the Brown family of St. Ignace with parts from the Petoskey area.
But now it seems there's change in the air.
Jim Wynn of Petoskey bought Arnold and there's nothing wrong with that.
But shortly thereafter the city of Mackinac Island started talking about buying a dock on the island -- from an Arnold subsidiary -- and seeking proposals to serve the island from Arnold, Shepler's and Star Line. The lines' franchise agreement with the island comes up for renewal next year.
And then when the council met to discuss the issues, Arnold announced a plan to merge with Star. That all came after Shepler's filed suit in federal court. Named as defendants in the antitrust lawsuit filed Oct. 4, are Wynn, owner of Arnold Transit Company, a competing ferry operator; Arnold Transit Company; Union Terminal Piers, Inc., which is owned by Arnold; and the city of Mackinac Island.
For Chris Shepler, son of Shepler's owner Bill Shepler, the question is whether or not his 150 seasonal employees will have a job to come back to next summer. It's a legitimate question and not only to Mackinac Island but also to Mackinaw City where Shepler's ferries depart for the island. Which is why the Mackinaw City village council has weighed in wondering what is going on with the island ferry services.
As an island Mackinac Island certainly has a vested interest in the ferries that service it on an ongoing basis. Arnold has historically done the freight hauling to the island which is why it runs later in the season and earlier in the spring. You CAN fly stuff to the island, but it's expensive and impractical with items that are bulky or in large quantities.
The island also has costs directly related to the numbers of tourists the ferry services bring over each year. Everything from supplies, to recycling and landfill space to water and sewer systems are all different because of the tourist trade to the island. If there were no ferries bringing hundreds of thousands of visitors a year to the island, the island infrastructure would be very different indeed.
For years the ferries have operated as competitive entities and have been franchised by the island. At this point one has to ask, if it isn't broken why fix it?
Certainly the island should review its franchise agreements and do what is best for the 550 or so souls who call the island their permanent residence, but this review of the franchises is starting to turn ugly.
When one ferry service sues another and the island, you know not all is right in vacationland. Stay tuned to what will surely be an issue that will be getting messier before it gets better.
Roads roads and more roads
First comes a plan for extending Atkins Road through to Sheridan Street, which has been on the back burner forever (and remember the fire department training center flap for part of the land at North Central Michigan College in that same area?).
And the Michigan Department of Transportation is looking at improvements along U.S 31 which is always good for chit and chat.
The most intriguing part of MDOT's plan is a proposed roundabout at the intersection with M-119, still in its very preliminary stages.
Now that's something I'd like to see!
I'm a fan of roundabouts be they big or small. They slow down traffic in some ways and speed it up in others - those unfamiliar with roundabouts approach them slowly and carefully, while those who are in the roundabout know zip in, drive around to their exit point and move on with nary a stop sign or traffic signal to slow the process.
More and more roundabouts are popping up, especially where new road construction or reconstruction is taking place or where traffic is forcing local officials to figure out ways to move more cars down a set stretch of road. There were several where we spent the winter last year in Arizona, making travel on some roads a must faster experience.
Certainly the U.S. 31/M-119 intersection could use some creative efforts to move traffic, especially in the summer months.
Yeah, I know, it's only a problem a few months a year, but as a former city manager of Harbor Springs said of the parking problems downtown in the summer there, it's a two-month problem in a two-month town. You solve the problem for the time it's a problem, not in the off times when it's not.
As the population of the area continues to grow, it will become more imperative that something be done with that intersection, and in my book a roundabout is an intriguing and worthwhile avenue to explore.
Kendall P. Stanley is retired editor of the Petoskey News-Review. He can be contacted at email@example.com.


text: Under no circumstances should one be rolling up their sleeves or shorts in an effort to somehow diminish one's tan lines. Sleeveless jerseys are under no circumstances to be employed. Tan lines are a mark of a true cyclist, so get used to them. You'll be proud of them soon enough!


text:
How does a healthy food business stay open east of the Anacostia river? Southeast DC has witnessed a fair share of healthy eateries to come and go. But one man defies all the broken promises on health. Coy Dunston, owner of Secrets of Nature, has humbly maintained his vegan food eatery in Southeast DC for 15 years.
|Coy Dunston, owner of Secrets of Nature Health Food Store
Photo by Patricia Durham
|Secrets of Nature 3923 S. Capitol Street SW
|Mixed rice, veggie salmon and raw kale (with vita coco to drink)
"make the numbers work".
He sought a location that affords him the stability and the longevity to provide a much needed service to the community. He provides food that residents enjoy. A simple equation for a successful health business in our hood.
|Secrets of Nature, the only vegan health food store east of the Anacostia River.
Secrets of Nature
3923 S. Capitol Street SW
Washington, DC


text:
Today was my first follow up appointment with the doctor. I was really looking forward to it because they were going to remove the contact bandages in my eyes. I was ready to get them out! I was doing great. In fact, I even drove to the appointment.
After they took the contacts out, my up close vision improved drastically. Much clearer. Long distance was still blurry but mostly just my left eye. During the eye test, I saw 20/20 out of my right eye but have double vision out of my left eye. The doctor says that's normal and it will improve in the coming weeks.
My next post will be the one month check up. Talk to ya around March 12!


text:
Keiser Report: Gold Price Nice for Crooks
Watch the full 83rd episode of Keiser Report on Tuesday! This week, Max Keiser and co-host, Stacy Herbert, look at Central Banks causing gold spikes, moaning savers and cement mixers driving into the Irish Parliament. In the second half of the show, Max goes to Chile to talk to author, filmmaker and blogger, Gonzalo Lira, about hyperinflation.


text:
Google Adwords Management
Google AdWords is a notoriously complicated platform which is why you need someone experienced ready to take full advantage of every available feature.
Our Approach to Google AdWords Management
Google is by far the largest search engine covering approximately 90% of all UK searches and its auction-based online advertising program is a great way of capturing your audience when they search for phrases or browse websites with themes relevant to your business.
To take advantage of such a valuable tool you need experience and expertise. Our Google AdWords Qualified professionals have both, creating successful paid search campaigns for clients from all different industry backgrounds.
When you come to Absolute Digital Media we assign you your own dedicated account manager most suited to your business, who will structure your campaign based on your individual requirements.
Successful Google AdWords Techniques
Throughout every campaign we work with the goal of improving your return on investment.
One way we do this is by taking advantage of the different features available. Google AdWords is always introducing and developing new features, particularly over the past year or so, which is why our Qualified experts explore and utilising these, taking care to follow best practice at all times.
Because Google AdWords marketing can also be used to reinforce other marketing channels, both online and offline, our paid search specialists work closely with all other departments to make sure the work they carry out complements your other services.
Our priority lies in improving the performance of your Google AdWords account month per month. As well as conducting text ad split testing on a regular basis, we continue to adjust your CPCs to make sure your ads appear in the most profitable positions.
The first step with any new account is to research potential keywords, using industry insights and competitor analysis to select potential search terms before confirming these with you.
Account Structure
Following extensive research as well as several discussions with the client we get to work defining daily budgets for clicks, configuring campaign settings such as location targeting and ad scheduling before creating relevant text ads for each group. At this stage we also think about creating and applying relevant ad extensions.
Remarketing Campaigns
Put simply, remarketing is about targeting those who have already visited your site so we advise you on things like adding remarketing script to your website, configuring Google Remarketing lists and setting up Google Display Remarketing campaigns.
Call 01245 287 864 or
Click here to email us direct
today for a no obligation discussion
Absolute Testimonials
I'm really glad we made the switch to Absolute Digital Media. Within a relatively short time the team were able to double the amount of leads.
The team understood exactly what we hoped to achieve with our campaign. They also spent time getting to know our brand and our competitors allowing them to target our customers far better.
They doubled the number of leads generated and halved the cost. We were extremely pleased and are now using Absolute Digital Media for a number of other projects.


text:
I grew up, with the desire of wanting to be the very best. However, as I got older, I realized that life is not about being the best, it is about giving your best whenever you can, whatever you do. I am learning and growing every day, I make mistakes, I say the wrong things, and often times I act before I think. I am proud of who I am becoming, because right now I am finding myself. Every day I get out of my comfort zone, I try new things, I embarrass myself, and I live. I laugh, I cry, I am having fun and I am having down times, but all of that – I know it is worth it.
sharing my thoughts


text:
Biomimetic and neuro-robotics
Biomimetic robotics research combines our curiosity of how biological systems work with our desire to solve hard engineering problems. Through the development of embodied physical models of biological sensori-motor systems, that can be embedded into physical environments, we can test current hypotheses of biological functionality and evaluate possible directions for technical exploitation. Similarly, neuro-robotics refers to biomimetic robotic systems developed for revealing or exploiting the computational principals of neural systems.
Current Projects
Bella, Bio-inspired control of electro-active polymers for next generation soft robots (2012-2015)
To develop an adaptive control algorithm based on proposed functionality of cerebellum applied to next generation, EAP based, soft-bodied robotics.
De-Mine, Tactile sensing applied to underwater autonomous vehicles for near shore survey and de-mining (2012-2016)
To investigate the use of biomimetic whisker sensors for underwater mine counter measures.
Completed Projects
BIOmimetic Technology for vibrissal ACtive Touch (2009-2011)
New technologies inspired by the whisker morphology and neural processing systems of the Norwegian rat and the Etruscan shrew.
ICEA: SCRATCHbot (2006-2009)
Artificial touch technologies for robots that also help us understand how the brain controls the movement of the sensory systems.
Whiskerbot (2003-2006)
An artificial whisker system which could provide a novel form of robot tactile sensor.
Theme Leader
- Dr Martin
Tel: +44 (0) 117 32 86321
Project partner
All the robots described were designed in close collaboration with neuroscientists from:
Visit the Active Touch Laboratory at the University of Sheffield


text:
For iPhone 4 users, a few online sites may offer you enough money to pay for the iPhone 5, depending on what Apple will be charging for the devices.
In the past, both new and existing customers eligible for upgrades have paid about $200 for the base model of each iteration of the iPhone since the iPhone 3G, as long as they agreed to a new two-year service contract from AT&T, Sprint or Verizon.
IPhone 4S users typically aren't eligible for upgrades yet, though they easily could sell their phones at numerous websites for at least $200. But it's a bit trickier to do with the older 4, which launched in 2010.
Those users might be able to do much better at one of the websites here:
At Glyde.com you can sell your iPhone 4 for more than $200 in most cases, as long as your phone works and has few scratches, its charger and no engravings.


text:
Wednesday, 6 October 2010
Sustainable Soap Boxes?
Designed by Studio Plastac. This is quite a nice idea of sustainability in the way that the packaging is turned into something else rather than just thrown away. While it doesn't serve another purpose in it's second form, it is kept rather than just thrown away.
Posted by Haych Jay at 09:25
Labels: ougd301, sustainability, the body shop
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
Posts filed under 'What pissed me off now ….'
Rant of the day: Yo! Columbo. Just give me my %^$#&#@! change.
I was in a Rite-Aid recently and gave the cashier a crisp new $20 bill. I was purchasing a bottle of Bayer aspirin.
The cashier took the $20 bill, looked at it and then held it up to the light. Then she looked at me and repeated observing the $20 bill, raising it up to the light again.
My first thought was, "When did they train Rite-Aid cashiers in forensic science? What is she, Dick Tracy?"
But it became more than annoying when she did it a third time. Although the process took about 30 seconds, it felt like forever when the line grew to two customers behind me. Then the "customers in line peer pressure" kicked in and all of a sudden I'm self conscious after realizing I'm now grouped in with that high-maintenance, jackass-in-line who insists on carrying on a conversation with the cashier after getting the receipt or pays by check but doesn't decide to even begin writing it until after the cashier hands her the receipt.
Look. This isn't CSI. I'm not Pablo Escobar trying to launder millions of Columbian drug money $13.21 at a time. (That's my change after the bottle of Bayer.)
I'm done with the TV show House ……
I can no longer watch the TV show "House" with Hugh Laurie. I can overlook this is a one-trick pony show with the nature of the bizarre illnesses. But are doctors really this friggin' knowledgable? In one episode, House solves a man mysterious illness by figuring out he was not in Bolivia as House had been told, but was actually in Brazil. And brazilian nuts have selenium and that's what cause his illness. Where'd House intern – Planters? And can I get him on my PPO? Hey, House, if you are that friggin' smart why not set your sights on Herpes or Male Pattern Baldness, something the would benefit the common man. Jackass.


text:
I have heard and seen it in videos is it true?
I am talking about Leafgreen.
Nope. Pressing buttons doesn't increase the chances of catching a Pokemon.
Source: Experience
As Mew said, there aren't any ones that are real.
The creators of the game just made that up as a joke.
Everything about that is completely fake.
One I heard about was that you can press A and B while the pokeballs shakes.
Supposibly that would have given a higher catch rate.
But then I looked it up and it was fake also it didnt really work.
So, all in all, it is fake.
Hope I helped!
>Some people claim to have discovered button combinations that increase a Pokémon's catch rate; this is merely idle thought, as there is no method to improve catch rates...
Source: Bulbapedia/ Catch Rate
This is here as a concrete online source.


text:
This flies in the face of advertisements that extol the virtues of the 1991 Ranger being 'Ford Tough,'
Riverside, CA (PRWEB) August 31, 2009
The California personal injury attorneys of BISNAR | CHASE (http://www.BestAttorney.com) have filed a products liability wrongful death lawsuit against Ford Motor Corporation, Bridgestone Tire Corporation and TRW Vehicle Safety Systems.
The suit alleges that the 1991 Ford Ranger SUV manufactured by Ford failed to properly protect Milton Perry Jr. during an April 2009 rollover crash that caused his ejection and death. The action was brought against the defendants by plaintiffs Pamela Perry and Gwendolyn Scott, Milton Perry's sole surviving adult children.
Loss of Control and Rollover Follow Tire Separation and Blowout
In the legal action against the defendants, plaintiffs allege that Perry Jr. was driving his Ford Ranger at a legal speed on Interstate 10 in Riverside County. When one of the SUV's Bridgestone tires separated and blew out, Perry lost control of the SUV and it rolled over several times before coming to rest and bursting into flames. Although Perry was ejected during the rollover, the injuries he sustained were fatal, resulting in the wrongful death claim.
"We're alleging that Bridgestone knew these tires were unsafe," said Brian Chase of the BISNAR | CHASE auto defects law firm. "Bridgestone did recall some tires but failed to recall the tire models found on Mr. Perry's SUV, which had similar design and manufacturing defects that Bridgestone knew could cause premature, sudden and catastrophic tread separations."
Poor Lateral Stability, Unsafe Restraint Systems and Defective Roof Alleged
The plaintiffs allege that the 1991 Ford Ranger lacked sufficient lateral and roll stability to keep the SUV upright during cornering and handling by an ordinary driver during foreseeable road and traffic conditions.
The plaintiffs further contend that the Ford Ranger's restraint system manufactured by TRW Vehicle Safety Systems was also unsafe. This includes the seat buckles, seat belts, shoulder belts and retractors. Allegations that the restraint system's geometry was unsafe, and that it lacked pre-tensioners were also leveled against TRW. The Plaintiffs contend that the defendants knew these parts and systems would fail to restrain an occupant in the event of a rollover accident.
In addition, the plaintiffs also allege that when the Ford Ranger rolled over, its A and B pillars, windshield headers and roof rails lacked the strength and structural integrity to withstand the SUV's roof crush forces during foreseeable rollovers. "This flies in the face of advertisements that extol the virtues of the 1991 Ranger being 'Ford Tough,'" said Brian Chase.
Plaintiffs Insist Unsafe Side Windows Also Contributed to Fatality
The plaintiffs also blame the Ford Ranger's defective and unsafe window system. "These windows did not comply with Federal Vehicle Safety Standard 205 in that they failed to
contain Mr. Perry during the rollover," noted Brian Chase. "It's our position that Ford knew that laminated glass supported by a substantial metal framework could have prevented the total shattering of the side window during this rollover, and that Mr. Perry's death could have been prevented had this readily available technology been used in this SUV."
The plaintiffs believe that since 1970, the defendants knew that the use of tempered side and rear window glass was contributing to serious occupant ejection problems in side impact and rollover accidents. Published reports by Ford engineers and tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Organization confirmed the efficacy of these improvements, with NHTSA citing an 86 percent reduction in rollover fatalities for drivers of vehicles with improved side window glazing.
This wrongful death products liability case is pending in the Superior Court of California, County of Riverside, case number BLCOO4822.
About BISNAR | CHASE
BISNAR | CHASE Auto Defect Attorneys represent people throughout the country who have been very seriously injured or lost a family member due to motor vehicle defects. The law firm has won a variety of challenging auto defect cases against General Motors, Ford Motor Co., Chrysler and many of the foreign manufacturers. For more information, read "Still Unsafe At Any Speed: Auto Defects That Cause Wrongful Deaths and Catastrophic Injuries" by Brian Chase and see http://www.AutoProductLiabilityLawyers.com.


text:
- Home
- A-Z Publications
- Acta Juridica
- Issue Home
Acta Juridica - latest Issue
Volume 2015, Issue 1, January 2015
PrefaceSource: Acta Juridica 2015, pp XI –XIX (2015)More Less
'Pius Langa was a remarkable man.' He achieved so much in his life and touched many people with his quiet dignity, his generosity and his sparkling humour. As a lawyer, he had a profound impact on the establishment of our new democracy and the adoption of our cherished Constitution. Through his work on the Constitutional Court, he charted a path for us all to follow to reach what he called the 'vision of the Constitution'. And as a man, he served as an example to all of us: he was strong, committed, empathetic, thoughtful and kind.
Personal tribute to former Chief Justice Pius Langa : part I : personal tributesAuthor Dikgang MosenekeSource: Acta Juridica 2015, pp 3 –9 (2015)More Less
I am grateful for this invitation to pay a personal tribute to the departed Chief Justice. Those who loved and revered Pius Langa owe a debt of gratitude to the University of Cape Town Law Faculty which has made this occasion possible. I am deeply proud of Michael Bishop and Alistair Price who did much to get me and others here. I admire the way they have kept the faith. Both were nurtured in that inimitable crucible of our hard worn democracy - the Constitutional Court. They are cast in the mould of our celebrant Pius Langa, at whose feet they sat as his law clerks and researchers. I am just as grateful to all who took time to reflect, in thoughtful papers, on the jurisprudence of Pius Langa.
Tribute to Pius Langa : part I : personal tributesAuthor Albie SachsSource: Acta Juridica 2015, pp 10 –20 (2015)More Less
A large number of dignitaries from the United Nations and the United States were craning forward to see Arthur Chaskalson and Pius Langa. It was in a stately hall at the United Nations, and Arthur and Pius were about to respond to being declared as laureates of the prestigious Peter and Patricia Gruber Annual Prize for Justice. Arthur spoke first. Graciously and sonorously, he said very little about himself and a lot about Pius. Then Pius came to the podium. We awaited a typically correct and worthy UN-type oration. Pius opened: 'Twinkle, twinkle little star.'
Tribute to Chief Justice Pius Langa : part I : personal tributesAuthor Marumo MoeraneSource: Acta Juridica 2015, pp 21 –23 (2015)More Less
I met Nkonzo - I call him Nkonzo, his second name - during the 1970s. I actually knew his brother, Sam, before I knew Pius. At the time I met him he was a magistrate at the small district court of Ndwedwe north of Durban and he was the person whom I eventually came to know. He didn't change in the course of 40 years. From the first time I met him he had a wonderful sense of humour. On the occasion of his funeral I described him as follows: as a comrade, a patriot, and a distinguished member of our South African society.
Working with Justice Langa on press freedom : part I : personal tributesAuthor Anshal BodasingSource: Acta Juridica 2015, pp 24 –29 (2015)More Less
The Press Freedom Commission (PFC) was officially formed in July 2011 and completed its work on 25 April 2012, when its Chairperson, former Chief Justice Pius Langa, released its findings. I was very privileged, over this short period, to serve on the PFC under the leadership of Judge Langa and alongside some very highly respected members of civil society, namely: Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, Santie Botha, Futhi Mtoba, Dr Phil Mtimkulu, Kobus van Rooyen SC, Derick Elbrecht and Professor Kwame Karikari. This tribute is my own recollection of the Commission's work and of the experience of working alongside Justice Langa as well as his impact on our efforts over the nine-month period.
The Langa Court : its distinctive character and legacy : part II : reflections on Justice Langa's court and philosophyAuthor Theunis RouxSource: Acta Juridica 2015, pp 33 –74 (2015)More Less
The composition of the South African Constitutional Court under its second Chief Justice, Pius Langa, was virtually identical to that of the post-2004 Chaskalson Court. Despite that, this tribute to the late Chief Justice argues, the two courts were different in several respects. For one, there was a marked increase in the dissent rate on the Langa Court, which may be explained in several ways, but which at the very least suggests that the judges were less concerned than they had previously been about presenting a united front. The Langa Court was also responsible for several doctrinal innovations, including the expansion of the court's 'meaningful engagement' approach to socioeconomic rights. Most of all, however, the Langa Court will be remembered for its deft handling of the Zuma-Thint corruption cases. In case after case, the court successfully resisted being drawn into the political leadership struggle that dominated Langa's term as Chief Justice. If there is still some uncertainty over the Langa Court's legacy, this has to do with the judges' decision to lodge a complaint against Cape High Court Judge John Hlophe for alleged interference in their processes. Pending the full hearing of that complaint, questions remain over the manner in which it was brought and the strategic wisdom of starting a procedure whose impact on the court's independence was likely to be profound and yet at the same time difficult to control.
The people, the court and Langa constitutionalism : part II : reflections on Justice Langa's court and philosophyAuthor James FowkesSource: Acta Juridica 2015, pp 75 –87 (2015)More Less
The extra-curial writings of the late Chief Justice Langa contain several brief but suggestive references to the role of the People in South African constitutionalism - references that go beyond the standard court-centric picture in which the people, having underwritten the Constitution as popular sovereigns, are thereafter confined to supporting roles: bringing cases, complying with orders, supporting the courts to defend their independence. The writings of the late Chief Justice should encourage us to consider the more active and positive role that the people can play as constitutional agents, including as an ongoing source of interpretative activity. This constitutes an important qualifier to the dominant tendency in current writing on South African constitutionalism to see political forces as threats and public opinion as an obstacle. It is also more than an attractive but hypothetical possibility: I argue that it will assist us to see how much of the South African Constitutional Court's activity since 1994, including all of its most globally-celebrated bold cases, are constructed to a significant extent on pre-existing public foundations built by forces both inside and outside the ANC government - an important rebuttal to prevailing court-centric accounts.
Humility, dissent and community : exploring Chief Justice Langa's political and judicial philosophy : part II : reflections on Justice Langa's court and philosophyAuthor David BilchitzSource: Acta Juridica 2015, pp 88 –119 (2015)More Less
This paper explores key features of Justice Langa's political and judicial philosophy through examining the important value he placed on disagreement and dissent. I begin by considering the controversy which erupted surrounding the comments made by the President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma about the practice of judicial dissent. Underlying these comments are specific assumptions concerning the law, adjudication and, in particular, the nature of a political community. I seek to draw from the writings of Justice Langa concerning dissent and constitutional democracy more generally for responses to these comments, which in turn outline a political community and the judiciary's role within it that has deep roots in African philosophy. Langa emphasised the need for humility in the face of human fallibility: in light of this, he argued for the importance of respecting and preserving diverse voices in law and society that would be in a continuing conversation over time about how to improve society. I then consider some of the key themes on which Justice Langa felt impelled to write dissenting judgments. These include an emphasis on the history of South Africa, substantive equality, the regulation of private power and the accountability and fairness of public power. This analysis helps us to understand in more detail the kind of polity Langa believed we should be forming. South Africa should be a community that provides a space for diverse individual identities to flourish. Dissent will be a vital part of such a society, being recognised not as a problem but as part of the richness of our diversity which emphasises the need for openness and flexibility in our joint quest - across many conversations - to attain a more just society.
The importance of dissent : two judgments in administrative law : part II : reflections on Justice Langa's court and philosophyAuthor Cora HoexterSource: Acta Juridica 2015, pp 120 –140 (2015)More Less
In a Bram Fischer lecture, Chief Justice Pius Langa spoke eloquently about the value and importance of dissent in society and more specifically in the courts. This article draws attention to two judgments in which he himself disagreed with the majority in the context of administrative law. Both judgments are characteristic of Chief Justice Langa and show him at his best, if not at his most popular. Both are remarkably clear-sighted and well-reasoned opinions. Both demonstrate his strong sense of constitutionalism and his profound respect for the design of our democratic Constitution and the institutional roles set out in it. Most tellingly of all, both are based on principle rather than pragmatism, and both eschew expediency. While only one of these judgments has found vindication in the Constitutional Court's subsequent jurisprudence, both opinions illustrate the qualities of scrupulousness and courage that distinguished the work of Chief Justice Langa; for in both instances he faithfully followed the advice he gave at the end of his Bram Fischer lecture: 'Tell the truth about the emperor's robes, no matter the consequences.'
Transformative constitutionalism - guiding light or empty slogan? : part II : reflections on Justice Langa's court and philosophyAuthors: Jason Brickhill and Yana Van LeeveSource: Acta Juridica 2015, pp 141 –171 (2015)More Less
We engage afresh with the notion of transformative constitutionalism as envisaged by Justice Langa. We respond to the charge that it is an empty slogan, which can mean anything and therefore means nothing. It includes at least two components: economic change and change in legal culture. The economic change must include, at the very least, the entitlement to the material conditions necessary for a dignified life, as represented in the Bill of Rights.We then consider progress, since Justice Langa spoke in 2006, against five challenges that he recognised - both at the level of the jurisprudence during that period and political developments within the legal profession and more broadly. Recent developments suggest that, despite progress, we have been diverted from the path of transformative constitutionalism that Justice Langa proposed, both in relation to economic change and legal culture.
Legal transformation and legal education : congruence or conflict? : part II : reflections on Justice Langa's court and philosophyAuthor Dennis DavisSource: Acta Juridica 2015, pp 172 –188 (2015)More Less
This contribution canvasses the extent to which the legal academy has responded to the ambition of the Constitution in the manner in which legal education is provided in tertiary institutions. In order to answer this question the paper sets out a definition of the concept of legal transformation which is divined from a holistic reading of the Constitution. In particular, the demands which the Constitution places upon the development of the common law is emphasised. Following upon this analysis, the paper examines key textbooks which are used in teaching, particularly of contract and delict, in order to determine the nature of teaching in critical subjects. The analysis reveals that key areas of law are taught as if the Constitution has little or any influence to play in the study of or the development of South African private law. Further, there appears to be a regrettable absence of any engagement with a legal method which might have emerged in order to meet the transformative legal challenges as outlined in this paper.
Bridging the gap between people and the law : transformative constitutionalism and the right to constitutional literacy : part II : reflections on Justice Langa's court and philosophyAuthor Tim Fish HodgsonSource: Acta Juridica 2015, pp 189 –212 (2015)More Less
Only 46 per cent of people in South Africa have heard of the existence of either the Bill of Rights or the Constitution. Only 10 per cent of people have ever read the Constitution or had it read to them. For transformative constitutionalism to be meaningful it must take into account this context and acknowledge that the success of the constitutional project requires the creation of a societal culture shaped by law and a legal culture shaped by society. This paper builds on the work of Chief Justice Langa and others who have written on transformative constitutionalism. It frames the philosophy of transformative constitutionalism as people-focused and acknowledges the need to bridge the gap between people and the law in South Africa. It discusses the historical and systemic reasons for this gap and argues that knowledge and understanding of rights - constitutional literacy - is itself a right. This argument is grounded in the state's duty to promote the rights in the Bill of Rights and the rights to access to courts, dignity and basic education. Empowered by full knowledge of our rights, we have the right to make the many decisions of which our lives are composed, participate fully, meaningfully and effectively in society, and make decisions about when and whether to approach courts to protect our rights.
Customary succession and the development of customary law : the Bhe legacy : part III : reflections on themes in Justice Langa's judgmentsAuthor Sindiso Mnisi WeeksSource: Acta Juridica 2015, pp 215 –255 (2015)More Less
The Bhe decision was an important intervention in customary succession and women's ability to inherit under official customary law. It also had significant implications for the development of legislated customary law and the jurisprudence pertaining to it. This article explores the Constitutional Court's findings in light of literature and empirical evidence of women's rights to inherit under customary law both before and after the judgment with the goal of celebrating the legal successes that the judgment symbolises and critiquing it on its limited benefit to remotely placed, rural women on the ground. The article draws on a detailed empirical study of how Bhe minimally impacted the dispute resolution of rural traditional courts around women's inheritance, substantially - but not entirely positively - impacted a rural magistrates' court in Mpumalanga and, in turn, impacted the women who rely on these forums for access to justice. It also draws on data from the Community Agency for Social Enquiry's 2010 survey on women, land and customary law to reflect the trends in inheritance practices that have emerged in customary communities from pre- to post-1994. The article is, in part, a commentary on the narrow interaction between formal and informal legal institutions as well as the need to review the tools possessed by the formal courts to develop vernacular (that is, living customary) law. The article concludes with suggestions on what further developments are needed if rural women are to be served by the law as it stands.
Bhe v Magistrate, Khayelitsha : a cultural conundrum, Fanonian alienation and an elusive constitutional oneness : part III : reflections on themes in Justice Langa's judgmentsAuthor Sanele SibandaSource: Acta Juridica 2015, pp 256 –280 (2015)More Less
With reference to Bhe v Magistrate, Khayelitsha, this article critically examines the interplay between customary and common law under the Constitution. More precisely, it questions the implications of judicial and legislative approaches that conceptualise customary law in cultural terms, whilst treating the common law as immune from similar characterisation. The article argues that such an approach results not only in the further entrenchment of misplaced notions of the cultural ascendancy of the common law over customary law, but also further cements a Fanonesque alienation of the adherents of both systems of law from each other and indeed themselves. This outcome, it is argued, has serious implications for the forging of a constitutionally inclusive citizenship.
Contractual obligation and the journey from natural law to constitutional law : part III : reflections on themes in Justice Langa's judgmentsAuthors: Francois Du Bois and Francois Du BoisSource: Acta Juridica 2015, pp 281 –312 (2015)More Less
The bold promise of the Constitutional Court's first foray into the field of contract law during Langa CJ's leadership remains unfulfilled. This paper takes issue with both the Supreme Court of Appeal's reticent reaction to Barkhuizen v Napier and commentators' criticism of the CC's preference for indirect horizontal application of the Bill of Rights. Proposing an expansive understanding of the reach and force of indirect horizontal application, it argues that the Bill of Rights requires a new, constitutionally-informed, conception of the normative foundations of contractual obligation in place of the natural law approach of the Roman-Dutch tradition as articulated by Grotius. Such a conception does not treat the enforcement of contracts as tantamount to enforcing a duty to keep one's word, a duty of virtue, but as supporting the consensual creation and vindication of interpersonal rights when it is in the public interest to do so. The SCA's continued rejection of good faith, fairness and reasonableness as principles on which parties and courts can rely directly, as opposed to abstract values underlying operational rules and principles, are shown to rest on a conception of contractual obligation that is incompatible with the constitutionalisation of South African law.
State liability and accountability : part III s on themes in Justice Langa's judgmentsSource: Acta Juridica 2015, pp 313 –335 (2015)More Less
This contribution examines the relationship between two intersecting themes in Chief Justice Langa's judgments: the need to hold the state accountable for its wrongdoing and the need to hold the state liable to pay a monetary sum to a victim of its wrongdoing. I argue that accountability is promoted by requiring the state to explain or to justify its actions and by holding it responsible for its actions. Responsibility for wrongdoing may and should take a variety of forms, both legal and political. Legal liability to pay money is but one of these. There are at least four distinct grounds to hold the state liable in South African law. Our courts have relied most heavily on one of these routes, namely the law of delict. Although in principle this is welcome, in future further attention should be given to the possibility that awarding 'public law' compensation as an alternative, whether constitutional damages or an award grounded in administrative law, may on occasion be a better means to hold the state accountable for failures to perform its distinctive obligations.
S v Williams : a springboard for further debate about corporal punishment : part III : reflections on themes in Justice Langa's judgmentsAuthor Ann SkeltonSource: Acta Juridica 2015, pp 336 –359 (2015)More Less
In an early judgment of the Constitutional Court, S v Williams, Justice Langa found that judicial whippings were unconstitutional because they violated young offenders' rights to dignity and humane treatment. Former Chief Justice Langa was also a member of the unanimous court that found the law prohibiting corporal punishment in schools to be a reasonable and justifiable infringement of their parents' right to religious freedom. However, s 12 of the South African Constitution guarantees everyone the right to be protected from all forms of violence, either from public or private sources. This contribution considers how the court might deal with a challenge to the constitutionality of the common-law defence of reasonable chastisement, which permits corporal punishment of children by their parents in their own homes.
Can we discard the doctrine of legal guilt? : part III s on themes in Justice Langa's judgmentsAuthor Pamela-Jane SchwikkardSource: Acta Juridica 2015, pp 360 –373 (2015)More Less
The doctrine of legal guilt enjoys little popular support and there are systemic breaches of this doctrine in the criminal justice system. These breaches only occasionally attract public approbation and due process is frequently blamed in both popular and political discourse for the government's inability significantly to reduce South Africa's high crime rate. I argue that despite the unpopularity of the doctrine it would be dangerous and futile to discard it for short-term political gains.
On the reciprocal relationship between the rule of law and civil society : part III : reflections on themes in Justice Langa's judgmentsAuthor Stu WoolmanSource: Acta Juridica 2015, pp 374 –406 (2015)More Less
The reciprocal relationship between a robust rule of law culture and a truly civil, civil society is much like the relationship between the characters in this song. Neither can subsist, meaningfully, without the other. When it works, the bond is bold. When the connection falters, no easy rapprochement exists. How to create both - and the union between them - ab initio? That's a big ask. But it's a complex endeavour worth undertaking. The success of South Africa's democratic project rests upon its realisation. Fail: and into that darkness, we shall disappear.
Constitutional protection of the right to privacy : the contribution of Chief Justice Langa to the law of search and seizure : part III : reflections on themes in Justice Langa's judgmentsAuthor Chuks OkpalubaSource: Acta Juridica 2015, pp 407 –429 (2015)More Less
The right to privacy in s 14 of the Constitution includes the right not to have one's person or home searched, one's property searched, one's possessions seized, or the privacy of one's communications infringed. Chief Justice Langa wrote two landmark judgments of the Constitutional Court concerning constitutional protection of privacy in the context of search and seizure operations: Investigating Directorate: Serious Economic Offences v Hyundai Motors Distributors (Pty) Ltd concerning the constitutional validity of statutory provisions authorising the issue of search warrants to investigate serious crimes, and Thint (Pty) Ltd v National Director of Public Prosecutions; Zuma and Another v National Director of Public Prosecutions, concerning the constitutional validity of applications for search warrants, their terms, and the manner of their execution. This contribution explains the significance of these judgments, placing them in the context of the common law and the Constitution's protection of privacy more generally. In the final analysis, it becomes clear that Chief Justice Langa's contributions to this branch of the law were enormous and his erudition epitomised clarity.


text:
Event Information
Date and Time
Metro Manila
Insular Life Makati Building Ayala Ave.
Multi-function Hall, Level 12
Makati, NCR
The Greatest Business Opportunity with Unilever of All Time!!
Have YOU been looking for a suitable and satisfying job and finding it challenging?
Do YOU find your salary too low and want to increase it?
Have YOU been looking for a professional opportunity to grow your business/ career and still exploring?
Are YOU working aimlessly and would like to have your family and friends to have good opportunities in Philippines as well?
Do YOU want to improve the standard of living for people in Philippines?
Do YOU want to be partnering with UNILEVER to run a successful online business in LAZADA Platform?
This is the great opportunity for YOU to start NOW!
NEW Omni-Channel partnering with UNILEVER AND LAZADA!!
This is for the new division of company. Leading and Established International UK MNC in FMCG industry. One of the fortune 500 companies with history of 137 years and offices in 200 countries. Yearly revenue of 52 billion euro and 2 billion consumers every day benefiting from the 400 brands.
In recent years, the rise of the gig economy has created opportunities in many ways. Gig workers, including on-demand workers, contingent workers who work on a project basis and freelancers, prefer to work in a manner that encapsulates freedom, autonomy, flexibility and ownership.
Global trends also show that the numbers of on-demand workers are on the rise in developed countries as digital platforms create new marketplaces that facilitate connections between gig workers and businesses. Online sales are growing 10x faster than offline sales. 70% of B2B buying process happens online. The line between physical and digital commerce is becoming increasingly blurred and winners will undoubtedly be those who do business/ work through Omni channel.
Our mission is to empower individuals, working executives, SME business owners, stay-at-home mums and not forgetting retirees, to start their own e-commerce business.
In this case, individuals can decide how much, when and what they want to work on to supplement their household income, develop skills or pursue a passion. Those who do not want conventional 9 to 5 jobs would find this opportunity suitable while they can realize their entrepreneurial aspirations and create a business venture internationally through this new luxury division.
* Individuals who want to start an e-commerce business
* Individuals who want to change from having a 9-5 job to owning an e-commerce business
* Individuals who want to start a part-time e-commerce business
* SME Business owners who want to diversify their income with a new e-commerce business
* Individuals who cares about family health and beauty
* Participate in company's Initiative in bringing sustainable living, environment, business and employment for more people in the society
- Entrepreneurs wanting to explore Multi-million-dollar investment opportunity
- Retailers looking at growing another business without leaving your retail shop
- Individuals looking to start a new business opportunity with no high overhead cost
- Wholesalers / Distributors across FMCG industry
- Product & brand development teams looking for new tie-ups
- Agents looking at new partners & funding opportunities
- Consultants and Property Advisors
- Senior professionals heading Operations/ Marketing/ Channel Development
- Individuals seeking full time, part time, freelancing career opportunities
* How to start your own online business without having to buy stocks or ship products;
* What are the latest trends that's proven to make money
* The potential to build a 5 figure revenue online business with company paying for your people
* The platform and technology ready for the business expansion internationally
* How do you partnering with UNILEVER to develop an e-commerce business in LAZADA's largest marketplace.
* The opportunities and trend in LAZADA E-commerce when you are partnering with UNILEVER.
* How YOU can co-own an E-commerce business in LAZADA's marketplace and generate income!!
Be part of the Unilever Network Official Launch Event in Philippines.
Date and Time
Metro Manila
Insular Life Makati Building Ayala Ave.
Multi-function Hall, Level 12
Makati, NCR


text:
He's crying upstairs. I can hear the quiet snuffles between the echoing thuds of his footsteps on the bare boards – newly stripped of their carpet.
I could go to him, try to comfort him, but there's been a lot of tears and a lot of hugs this weekend and, I guess, now that we are at the end of things he might need this moment alone. Besides, down in the hallway I'm furiously blinking back my own tears as I look into the stripped kitchen.
'Must not cry, must stay strong. For him.'
It's a daft idea, not only because I'm utterly failing to stay dry-eyed but also, because he knows I'm sad, that this is hard for me too.
Clump, clump, clump on the naked stairs, he's coming down. The only items left to remove are Rufus and Moriarty. They have been his constant companions these past few days – more than St F and I – but now they too must leave.
'Shall I take the cats outside and give you a minute?' I ask. He raises his gaze to mine, his brown eyes soft with unembarrassed grief.
'No, I'm good,' he whispers. 'Let's go.'
Stooping, we grab a cat each and step outside. Rufus under one arm, he fumbles the keys from his pocket to lock the door behind us. Uncertain of how to be at this momentously awful moment I say, 'I bet that's the wrong key.' I'm right, it is.
'That's the backdoor key he,' smiles, holding it up for me to inspect. Unfortunately it's near-enough identical to the other key on the ring and I know, from experience it's always that one that comes to hand first. shifting Rufus' weight slightly, he turns back, inserts the second key in the lock. And turns it. He is now locked out of his childhood home, the place where his mother raised him and his sister.
'You'll be here when I get back?' he asks, placing Rufus on the ground before turning for the gate. I nod. He strides to his car, head up, shoulders squared and gets in and drives away. Rufus immediately takes up station on the doorstep. He wants to go back into the house but he can't. The keys are on their way back to the council offices. Rufus, Moriarty and I are technically trespassers now.
I try to persuade the old cat to come home to St F's, next door, but he won't, he won't leave the doorstep of the house that he's visited almost every day for the last fourteen years. Moriarty won't leave Rufus so I am forced to leave alone.
Keys returned, he comes back and I make coffee. Strong, black, with an entire plantation's worth of sugar in it. We swap stories – he talks about the RAF and I tell salty sea stories. We laugh and joke until St F comes home from work. There's a pause after we hear her car pull up, turns out she's spotted Rufus on next-door's step and gone to get him. Rufus isn't happy about this but he deigns to be enfolded into the arms of our guest and spreads ginger fur across the man's trousers, shirt, chin … Moriarty sits on the windowsill outside, occasionally glancing in at us but, mostly, he's casing the garden for mischief, for some furry or feathered creature to come within range. Thankfully the local wildlife has got wise to him and he remains on the windowsill.
Back in next-door's garden – Betty's garden – humans and cats take a last tour, a last look at view across the valley.
'Goodbye, old friend,' he murmurs into Rufus' ear after hugging St F and I and thanking us for our help and then he's gone. His family's last link with this village, broken. His car stuffed to the roof with salvaged belongings. He's gone. His sister has gone. Their childhood is cast adrift from its moorings and now exists only in their memories. ST F and I stay in the garden a little longer and face up to the fact that Betty too has finally left us. Completely and irrevocably. Only Rufus is not convinced. He sits on the steps and miaows.


text:
The main reason that the Danger Point Peninsula area has become a premier nature destination is the fact that conservation of both the marine- and land-based nature has been embraced by all layers of society. Conservation in this area is not restricted to the several public nature reserves. Many private landowners have embarked on extensive alien-vegetation clearing operations as well as the restoration of indigenous vegetation and reforestation. By means of these programs, several red data species have been saved from immediate extinction. Thousands of hectares of private land have been brought into conservancies, the oldest and the largest of which is the Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy, which stretches from Stanford in the North to Grootbos and Flower Valley in the South. To read about this project of landowners who are determined to ensure the preservation of the natural splendour of the Walker Bay region, see www.fynbos.co.za
Flower Valley Conservation Trust has with partners driven a fresh approach to support and encourage the sustainable use of natural resources. Through the Sustainable Harvesting Programme – the only assurance programme of its kind globally – fynbos landscapes are actively being protected. Fynbos is picked according to strict standards, and social and labour compliance is met in the fynbos sector.
The Lomond vineyards at the Kraaiboschdam has been the first vineyard that worked purely on the basis of organic fertilisers and sound-guns, instead of real guns, are used to chase antelopes away that aim for the fresh shoots of the vines. The population in Masakhane cherishes the old milkwoods that line the streets of the townships and locals of De Kelders embark on weekend missions to clear the coastal vegetation of invasive alien trees. The project to tar the road from Gansbaai to Elim is a project that goes beyond a pure engineering feat. As a unique feature in the Western Cape, the whole project has a clear nature conservation aspect to it. In the process, the original waterflows of swamps and rivers have been restored and both sides of the road have been cleared from invasive vegetation for a minimum of 50 meters.
The whale boat operators work closely together with marine biologists and strictly obey the prescribed 300 meter distance from any whales (the whales could not care less about this rule and come up to a few centimetres of the stationary boats). The local boat operators and their employees are furthermore strongly involved in the protection of African penguins and other seabirds and immediately come into action in case news comes in of yet another "oilspill of unknown origin". With the establishment of the Agulhas National Park, as the core of the activities of the first phase of the Agulhas Biodiversity Initiative (2003 – 2010), an ambitious programme has been set into motion to protect the immense biodiversity of the region between Stanford and the De Hoop Nature Reserve. This includes the reintroduction of game that once occurred here. Already game such as buffalo and hippo have been reintroduced to the Nuwejaars Wetland Special Management Area (a 45,000 hectare area around Elim) – the first time these animals are back in the Agulhas Plain in around 200 years.
The conservation efforts as described above are immediately visible for the tourists and other guests to the area of Gansbaai. Marine biologists on board of the whale watching boats will passionately explain about the threats to the marine life and the measures taken to protect it. Most of the nature reserves and fynbos estates are open to the public, either for day-visits or -trails or for residential guests in top-of-the-bill lodges or rural self catering cottages. Guides will show the enormous efforts put into the restoration of indigenous vegetation and the safe-guarding of the vast tracts of natural land. The lodges and retreats in the hinterland work as a rule on the basis of eco-friendly techniques: water is recycled and waste-management is strictly applied.
Various education- and upliftment- programs are organised and funded by nature lodges and -notably Grootbos private nature reserve- has obtained national and international acclaim for their successful efforts in this respect.


text:
I want to take this chance to thank my gorgeous hubby and my wonderful Mum for being so supportive as I traveled this road to publication. Thank you for listening, for cleaning, for babysitting and for simply putting up with me when my mind was elsewhere lost in a book. Without you guys, I couldn't do it!
Thanks to my three little heroes in training for putting up with me too.
Also thanks to my fabulous CPs and writing friends who actually come to quite a massive number.
To Bec, Jackie, Melissa, Janette, Cathryn and Joanne - who have been CPs and friends to me almost from the beginning of me pursuing this road and joining RWA Oz.
To Leah Ashton from Perth who absolutely rocks and talks almost as fast as me. Thanks also for your support.
To Fiona Lowe who actually read this book in its entirety between revisions and re-subbing to Carina Press. Without you, I might not have done it!
To Suz, Julie-Anne, Rosalie and Tracey who really were with me from the beginning. We may not crit or chat much anymore but you guys are all fabulous too!!
To Scarlet Wilson a recent addition to my plethora of writing friends - thanks for your enthusiasm and support.
To the Sassy Sisters for taking me on recently and accepting me as one of your own :)
And to Rachel Bailey, Anna Cleary, Nikki Logan and Robyn Grady who have all at some stage or another read some of my chaps and offered wise advice.
And also to Helen Lacey, Lacey Devlin, Anita Joy and Coleen Kwan who've been happy to help in the release celebrations.
See there was NO WAY I could thank you all in the actual book, so I refrained from mentioning anyone in particular, but you are all special to me and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me get to where I am today.
On this special day, I'm also blogging on three other fabulous blogs and at each one there's an opportunity to win a copy of One Perfect Night. For details follow the links below (some of the links may not go live till US time):


text:
$650,000 | 2 Bed, 2 Bath
Sophisticated, upscale condo in Miracle Mile/ LACMA
Sophisticated, 2 bed/2 bath updated condo located in the heart of LA's finest dining, entertainment and museums, all just moments from your doorstep. This spacious and bright condo includes granite counter tops, wood floors, and tasteful updates throughout. Entertainer's living room includes wet bar, and wrap around balcony. With ample closet/storage space, in-unit laundry, and gated side-by-side parking, this is truly a rare opportunity.


text:
"So, let me get this straight: you came all the way to Australia to kiss guys?" Lucas gave her a sidelong glance.
Cassidy came back to the conversation at hand. She heard the incredulity in his voice and was glad it was dark, because pink was not a good color on her, and right now she was covered in a huge blush head to toe. "I told you it was stupid."
Why had she told him anything about the IKC at all? She blamed that damn dimple--it was like Kryptonite; she was powerless against it. He could charm anything out of her when that little divot made an appearance.
He slouched a little in his seat. "So, how many points do you have so far?" For the first time since she'd met him, Lucas didn't sound so surfer-Zen-go-lucky.
"Me? Oh, well...you see...actually..." she fiddled with the zipper on her sweater as she practically glowed red. She should make up some number. What did it matter? He'd never know. God, if he were playing this game, he would probably have twice the points she did in just the time it took to drive over here.
"Tell me. It's a lot, right?"
She sighed. This was so embarrassing. "Three. I have three points."
"So...you've kissed three guys since you've been here," he said, his tone deflated. "Are you still seeing them, the other guys?"
What? No. Wait...what was that? If she was better at reading guys, she'd say he sounded pouty and a little bit jealous.
She'd never had a guy be jealous over her before. Cassidy didn't know how to take this development at first, but then she considered it. It was way sexy.
The idea that he didn't like the thought of her kissing other guys gave her off-court confidence a supercharged injection. She scooted toward him and in gesture a complete one-eighty from her usual reserved self, she did something she'd been dying to do since that day at the airport: she touched his dimple with the tip of her finger.
Cassidy let it linger there before trailing it down his cheek to his chin to turn his head toward her.
"No. The rules of the International Kissing Club state that I get three points for an amazing, earth-stopping epic kiss," she said with all the matter-of-fact seriousness she could muster.
It took a moment for what she was saying to sink in, but then a grin broke out across Lucas's bronzed face, crooked and just a little cocky. Her insided turned molten. Oh. God. If he kissed her again now she wouldn't be much more than a puddle of mush on the vinyl seat.
"Epic, yeah?" His hand stole around the back of her neck and he nudged her nose with his. "I can live with that," he whispered against her lips. Cassidy closed her eyes and melted.
The International Kissing Club was Piper's Best. Idea. Ever.


text:
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Chocolate Steel Cut Oatmeal
I love chocolate. I don't really understand people who don't. Than again I hate coffee and coffee flavored things. I imagine those who love coffee don't understand me. Coffee just tastes so bitter to me that I don't see the point. No amount of sugar and/or cream can mask that flavor.
Chocolate I understand and love. Well, sort of. I remember sneaking into my Mom's baking cabinet and snitching a piece of her Baker's Chocolate. I unwrapped that yummy smelling morsel and took a huge bite out of it. Boy did I regret doing that! It was so bitter it made my eyes water and I couldn't spit it out fast enough. I learned my lesson that's for sure!
Chocolate for breakfast just sounds so indulgent. My Dad would make us chocolate Cream of Wheat for breakfast on the weekends to eat while watching Ren & Stimpy as a family. He would just make plain Cream of Wheat and add in Nestle Quick chocolate milk powder and god only knows how much sugar. I still love to add chocolate to my cream of wheat and occasionally I can find the stuff with the chocolate already in it. I omit all that sugar and use a packet of Splenda now.
Cream of Wheat isn't very filling to me though. I recently acquired a love for steel cut oats and discovered that they are very filling! Chocolate oatmeal just doesn't sound good to me for some reason. I'm glad that I decided to try it oat anyways. So good!
There are a lot of recipes out there but the one I found from iheartwellness looked simple. Unfortunately, I didn't have any berries or rice milk. No worries! I just used what I had and it came out wonderfully. I do like my oatmeal a little sweeter so I added an extra packet of Splenda. I'm pretty sure if I had some berries I wouldn't have needed it.
Chocolate Steel Cut Oatmeal
adapted from iheartwellness.com
1/2 cup Steel-Cut Oats
1 1/2 Cup Water
1 heaping TBSP Cocoa Powder
2 pkts Splenda (or other low calorie sweetener)
1/3 Cup Milk
a dollop of lite Cool-Whip for garnish (optional)
Bring water and oats to a boil. Cook oats, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes. Add cocoa, milk and sweetener. Stir well. Serve with dollop of whipped cream. Makes 2 servings.
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
Seahawk Awards Ceremony at Bazarsky Lecture Hall (Fri., May 4)May 04, 2018NEWPORT, R.I. - Salve Regina University director of athletics Jody Mooradian bestowed dozens of awards to student-athletes and staff on Friday evening, including the department's female and male athletes of the year - senior Amber Cody (Pawling, N.Y.) of field hockey, and junior Blake Wojtala (Trenton, Mich.) of men's ice hockey.
Grey, Linder qualify for IHSA nationalsApril 08, 2018SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. - Salve Regina University sophomore Lara Linder (Schwabach, Germany) topped a field of 10 at the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) Zone Championships, hosted by Mount Holyoke College on Saturday, to secure her spot in the national finals.
Free multi-sport clinic at Salve Regina's Rodgers Recreation Center on Friday, April 6, 2018 (5:30 - 8 p.m.)March 20, 2018NEWPORT, R.I. - Bring your daughter (Grades 2-8) to Salve Regina University for its 10th annual multi-sport clinic at the Rodgers Recreation Center on Friday, April 6.
20 sports, one goal: Help OthersNovember 21, 2017NEWPORT, R.I. - Salve Regina University's 20 varsity sports programs worked together to collected the most donated non-perishable items during a week-long Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Food Drive.
Grey, Rooney pace Seahawks with first-place ribbonsNovember 04, 2017PORTSMOUTH, R.I. - Salve Regina University equestrian team hosted its first show since returning to varsity status.


text: Two speed racers. Buck Miller and his 10-year-old son, Jackson, of Granger, participated in the National Standard Race (NASTAR) in Steamboat Springs, Colo., this spring. NASTAR has a handicapped system that allows recreational skiers and snowboarders to compete against each other across various states. The Millers qualified at Crystal Mountain in Michigan. Jackson and dad participate in ski programs at Swiss Valley. Jackson was in the bronze class and won a gold medal. Dad participated in the silver class and won a silver medal. Jackson also participated in the King of the Mountain race, which was reserved for all the gold medalists. "He was pretty excited. It was hard for him to come down from all the excitement," Dad said. Jackson's fastest run was his last run and finished No.1 in his division. Buck posted the fastest run of the age group in a Saturday race and that raised him to a second-place finish. For their success, the Miller boys were featured on a billboard on Mishawaka Avenue. *** The Rev. Michael Heintz of St. Matthew Cathedral will receive his doctoral degree in theology Saturday during commencement ceremonies from the University of Notre Dame. He said he has been working on it for the past eight years while he has been at St. Matt's. He was ordained in 1993 and came to South Bend as an assistant at St. Matt's in 1998. He became the pastor in 2001. Father Mike said he is thankful Bishop John D'Arcy allowed him to work on the degree and that Notre Dame worked with him. In addition to parish work, he will continue to teach theology part time at Notre Dame. He added that the "Dr." label is nice, but he already has the best title, "Father Mike." *** The Michigan Historic Preservation Network presented a number of awards for preserving buildings. Alan Robandt, of Buchanan, received one of the Citizen Awards for his work at saving the Civil War-era Union Block building at 114 E. Front St. Alan grew up in the Chicago area but has relatives in the St. Joseph area. His fondness for the area goes back to school days when he "was dropped off every summer in St. Joe and got picked up in the fall." Spending time with relatives was a great part of growing up. He found this three-story, 11,000-square-foot building and he decided to save it. The building most recently had been a "Protestant youth punk rock club." Alan is an optimist and saw the potential. "There had to be a pony in here somewhere." Alan had an antique shop in Chicago called Alan Robandt and Co. That one closed and the Front Street shop will open later this spring in the renovated building. "Buchanan is such a wonderful town with such wonderful possibilities," he said. The building is now on the National Register of Historic Places. Alan's work has inspired others in the area. If you have news about people or an interesting tidbit, send it to the South Bend Tribune, Kathy Borlik, 225 W. Colfax Ave., South Bend, IN 46626; or e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com; or phone (574) 235-6233.


text:
Hello You All ! (São Paulo)
Hello to everyone! I'm new to Internations, can't believe I never knew about this. I lived in New York for many years , Australia for a bit and France too, and moved back to Brazil which is really my home country, but I miss my world friends a lot.. it's been an interesting transition. Can't wait to meet everyone and participate on the events. I saw there are book clubs, and happy hours. I always wondered where the many expats in Brazil were. So I just wanted to introduce myself and say hello, hopefully we will meet soon in person. Hey, if anyone needs any help with tips or bureaucracy or getting around here.. I will be more than happy to help, I totally understand and have been in this situation many times around the globe.
Beijos to all,