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On the Black Cat's Web site you can click on a band name on the schedule and you'll get a paragraph or two describing what to expect. For tonight's Comet Gain show, it simply says: "Awesome. Legendary. Believe it." And, really, that's all that needs to be said. If you know Comet Gain, you don't need anyone to tell you how awesome and legendary they are. And if you don't know Comet Gain, well, it might not be your thing. And that's not meant to sound snobby or iconoclastic. It's just that Comet Gain makes music for a very, very specific segment of the population. The British band covers the indie-pop spectrum, from jangly strummers to dance-night rave-ups to wistful ballads, all littered with lyrical references to mixtapes, cigarettes, French New Wave movies, obscure bands and characters whose lives are perpetually on the verge of falling into complete chaos. Do you like mixtapes, cigarettes, French New Wave movies, obscure bands and is your life hanging on by a thread? Of course, yes (unless my dad is reading), oui!, duh and good God, yes. Therefore Comet Gain is one of my favorite bands in the world. True to form, the group can rarely get its act together well enough to hit the road, so tonight's show at the Black Cat is its first D.C. appearance in eight or nine years. It will be epic. Normally openers Crystal Stilts and Cold Cave would merit more than just a passing mention -- same with the fact that We Fought the Big One DJs will be providing between set tunes -- but there's only one main attraction tonight.
--David Malitz, April 2009


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WMS Gaming Company, which often gladdens the gamblers with extraordinary and exciting video slots, has released a free slot machine named Alice and the Mad Tea Party. It is devoted, as you have already understood, to the episode of “Alice in the wonderland” by Louise Carroll. To be more exact, we are talking about the tea party with colorful characters of this fantastic story, which Alice has participated just by chance. Don’t see the sense to retell the plot of the famous epos. Better start the review of the game now.
Alice and the Mad Tea Party is a five reeled video slot developed by WMS. It has five reels, thirty instantly active paylines and three rows of symbols at the screen.
Playing Alice and the Mad Tea Party slot machine is possible by the bet for a line in range from one cent to two dollars. Moreover, the additional bonus bet is necessary here. Its size is twenty bets for a line. (For example, if you stake one dollar for a line, the main bet is thirty dollars, while the bonus one is twenty). The maximal acceptable bet for spin is one hundred dollars (sixty plus forty).
There are the special symbols, several bonus rounds, free spins and other interesting options in Alice and the Mad Tea Party video slot. A risky game by chances is not provided here.
To make the paid combination in Alice and the Mad Tea Party, it is necessary to pick two or three similar icons. It should be placed at the active line and neighbor reels, starting from the first left. The payment is calculated by the bet for a line. It is multiplied by the combination index (up to x500). The winning is charged only for the major combination of each line. The amount won in the spin is immediately transferred to the player’s account.
The theoretical refund of Alice and the Mad Tea Party video slot is 96,03%.
Of course you would see the characters of the famous fairytale “Alice in the Wonderland”, which shared this mad tea party with Alice, at the screen of Alice and the Mad Tea Party slot machine. There are also images of various subjects, connected with this story at the reels, such as a bottle with Drink Me label, a cake with Eat Me title, caps with a teapot and playing cards suits.
There are three special symbols in Alice and the Mad Tea Party: Alice, Wild and Feature. It look just like the ilk titles. Let’s describe its particularities.
Alice comes in stripes at the reels and makes the paid combinations by the general rules. Moreover, it triggers Super Mad Respin function if it covers the whole first reel. Please read about it in the next paragraph.
Wild is dropped out only at the second and fifth reels. It is not paid on its own, but can replace other icons, except of Feature.
Feature can be found only at the first, third and fifth reels. Three such icons at the screen (at three reels) trigger Mad Tea Party Free Spins round.
Here we would shortly describe all bonus games and functions, available in Alice and the Mad Tea Party video slot.
- Super Mad Respin Feature – first of all you have to choose one of three tea pots, appearing over the reels. It indicates the features of the respins (a quantity, used special symbols and etc.) The payment is charged by the end of the round.
- Mad Tea Party free Spins Feature – the player gets a right for six prize spins by the current bet, which is made by the casino instead of the player. Before the lottery begins the player also as to choose one of the teapots. It can contain additional multipliers, a right for participation in the respins, the special symbols and etc. The spins can be added.
- Alice Feature – can be triggered in any spin. One of five reels becomes absolutely “wild”.
- Cheshire Cat Feature – is also triggered randomly. From one to ten symbols at the screen turn into Wild analogue.
- Queen Feature – this function is triggered randomly as well. You have to choose the card to learn the size of the prize payment. The symbol turns into Wild at the screen.
- Caterpillar Feature – can be started in any round. It activates an additional multiplier from x2 to x10 or x15.
- Mad Hatter Feature – is started in one of the spins. Here you have to choose a cap to receive a grant (an additional multiplier or a prize payment).
The rules of all bonus rounds and prize functions are detailed described in the informational part of Alice and the Mad Tea Party slot machine.
There is no progressive jackpot in Alice and the Mad Tea Party slot machine.
The main screen of the game, where the reels are turning is unusually narrow. Alice appears and disappears above it. Sometime the other characters of the fairytale by Louise Carroll accompany her and bring liveliness to the gameplay.
The interface of Alice and the Mad Tea Party video slot is fully translated to several European languages (including the titles at the screen and in the informational line, the index table, dialog windows and an informational part). It would help to study out the particularities of the rules and functions of the buttons to those, who don’t speak English well.
Alice and the Mad Tea Party has two modes of the control panel, some user’s settings and an automatic game mode. It is not necessary to download the slot machine, because it can be launched at the websites of the casinos, offering the models by WMS.
The main advantage of Alice and the Mad Tea Party video slot is a plenty of functions. The most impressive is a variety of bonus rounds. An unusual interface of this slot machine and a convenient control panel also make a pleasant impression. And, of course, it is pleasant, that the slot machine is available in many European languages. The theoretical refund is quite high as well.
The reviewers of Casinoz were testing this slot machine without registration by the virtual bets in Unibet Casino. You can also find this video slot in other online casinos, powered by the software developed by WMS Gaming. In case you are not going to play this slot machine for the real money, you can try it in a fun mode right at Casinoz.
We are looking forward for you marks and responses about Alice and the Mad Tea Party video slot. Please share it in comments.

domain: entertainment


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I was keen to meet with charity leaders at the Stoke-on-Trent Voluntary Sector Forum at Saltbox a couple of weeks ago to listen to their concerns as organisation. Before becoming a Member of Parliament, I led social enterprises and worked with charities, so the key concerns came as no surprise to me, but they are a worry, nonetheless.
The charity sector has always had to deal with funding challenges, but this fragile situation has been made worse by the increased cost of energy when charities are responsible for building, and staffing, as increases to the living wage mean additional fixed costs.
Many charities are victims of their own success. They often deliver vital services that the public values and which are not currently (or fully) delivered through public sector bodies. The voluntary sector is often asked to do more but without the funding to match. One area I was particularly interested in is social prescribing which has become a popular concept but does not seem to have funding attached at the delivery end. The idea of social prescribing is great; it moves us away from medicalising every person’s needs and looking to help in a different, community-based way.
Examples of this include helping people with obesity by signing them up for healthy activities or addressing loneliness by promoting, for example, participation in group craft activities. But the organisations who run those activities have costs to meet, and those need to come out of the budgets of prescribers. Two basic misconceptions need to be challenged; that volunteers cost nothing and that charities can operate without core funding. Larger organisations have recognised that dependency on short term grant funding is unsustainable.
The idea that volunteers are available to call on at zero cost for a multitude of complex support roles is clearly wrong. During the pandemic, we witnessed an incredible volunteer army that helped on every street, shopping for neighbours who were shielding or helping the vaccination rollout. But volunteers who go into people’s homes and work with the most vulnerable need training and support.
Organisations using volunteers must ensure safeguarding measures are in place when dealing with their clients. Most of the vast army of individuals who came forward to help neighbours and neighbourhoods will disappear once everyone returns to their pre-covid life. However, some will continue and sign up to the many small organisations with joined forces to deliver a Dunkirk moment during the pandemic.
Just like that flotilla of small boats that collectively succeeded in the most spectacular rescue missions in British history, during covid lockdowns, voluntary and community groups and charities all stepped up like a vast community armada to look after the most vulnerable. Post pandemic, each of those small boats needs help refuelling and looking after their crew. The Shared Prosperity Fund will give local authorities the power to help them do just that.
I am keen for our local voluntary sector to articulate a strong vision of what a collective approach to this funding pot that Stoke-on-Trent City Council will administer might deliver in the city. I know everyone who works in the sector would prefer not to enter a competitive tendering process that pits organisations against each other. As the council moves to the voluntary sector to deliver more services, it is essential that the risk of service failure, which is increased on fixed contracts when overheads keep rising, should be reflected in contracts and mitigation built-in.
No one wants a service to stop because the provider can’t fulfil its obligations due to a significant rise in fixed costs. I have been assured by the minister responsible that the Shared Prosperity Fund will be much simpler to apply for via the local authority. I hope this will be the case because voluntary organisations have had to waste far too much time in the past filling in the ludicrously bureaucratic EU paperwork, and one of the benefits of Brexit must be that we can simplify the process.
I would like to see a fund specifically targeted to support small grassroots charities. We need monies to be allocated in a timely fashion and the reporting mechanisms to be as light touch as possible whilst ensuring money is going to the right places.
I suggested that the best way to influence the outcome of the use of the Shared Prosperity Fund was to come up with a collective, cohesive plan in advance of the fund being allocated. The voluntary sector is so important to our city I am sure the council would welcome a proactive plan. I look forward to helping in any way I can.

domain: sociology


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With a mix of crystal embellishments, woven leatherette and chunky wrap-around chainlink, this bebe watch is an instant way to give your daily look a pop of sparkle. Hint: It also makes a perfect gift!
I love BEBE watches and have many of them. This watch is so beautiful! I have tried many wrap around watches before and did not like them but this one takes the cake. Looks so expensive. Very glamorous and classy! Perfect combination of the gold with the rhinstones paired with the black. Just love it!
December 1, 2012

domain: design


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In the realm of sustainable practices, technology is helping lead the way.
Among numerous remarkable initiatives, Alipay created a prime example of how technology can be harnessed to mobilize millions and foster a sustainable future.
Ant Forest was launched in 2016 as a feature within Alipay, China’s popular mobile payment platform. Ant Forest encourages users to adopt low-carbon activities in their daily lives, fostering a culture of sustainability. By rewarding users with “green energy” points for eco-friendly actions such as walking, using public transport, reducing waste, and saving energy, Ant Forest empowers individuals to make a tangible difference.
From its humble beginnings, this initiative swiftly evolved into a monumental force, engaging millions of users in sustainable practices and contributing to the fight against climate change. With over 500 million Alipay users participating in the initiative as of September 2021, more than 230 million real trees have been planted collectively. This staggering achievement has resulted in the absorption of over 12 million tons of carbon dioxide, firmly establishing China as a leader in carbon sequestration efforts.
Read more about this successful program on the United Nations Climate Change website.

domain: news


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With a few hours left Tuesday in a petition drive to get Shelton Mayor Mark Lauretti on the Republican primary ballot, Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton’s campaign manager said he was “cautiously optimistic.”
Heath W. Fahle, Boughton’s campaign manager, said about 18 teams spent the day turning in petition sheets to about 88 towns. In the end the number is likely to be closer to 100 towns, since there were volunteers collecting signatures who turned in their petition sheets on their own to the town, instead of first turning them into the campaign.
“We obviously enjoy a base of support in Danbury and Shelton, but this was a statewide movement,” Fahle said.
In order to qualify for the Aug. 12 ballot as a candidate lieutenant governor Lauretti needs the signatures of 8,190 Republican voters. Fahle said the campaign has collected more than that in order to give itself a buffer in case some of the signatures are disqualified.
The Registrar of Voters in each of those towns will then have seven days to verify the signatures, according to Av Harris, a spokesman for Secretary of the State Denise Merrill. The signatures will then have to be certified by Merrill’s office “forthwith.”
For Boughton’s gubernatorial campaign the stakes in this petition drive are high. Boughton needs Lauretti’s help in raising the $250,000 in funds necessary to qualify for the Citizens’ Election Program. Lauretti, who has little name recognition outside of Shelton, was able to raise more than $100,000 in small donations in his brief run for governor.
When Lauretti didn’t receive enough support at the Republican convention to gain ballot access he decided to drop down to the lieutenant governor’s race. Now the only way he can get on the ballot is through the petition drive, which he started at the end of May.
State Rep. Penny Bacchiochi, former U.S. Comptroller David Walker, and Heather Somers, who had been unofficially teamed up with Boughton during the convention, have all secured a spot on the Aug. 12 Republican primary ballot as lieutenant governor candidates.
Boughton, who has raised about $150,000 on his own, had been counting on the money Somers raised to reach the $250,000 threshold, but after the convention Somers decided to go it alone.
Tom Foley, who Boughton ran with in 2010 after being paired with him by Republican voters, claims he raised the $250,000 he needs in order to qualify for the public financing. Sen. John McKinney teamed with Walker at the convention and the two plan on reaching the $250,000 threshold this summer.
Republican voters won’t know until some time after June 17 whether Lauretti’s name will appear on the ballot.

domain: politics


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Details of the lives of these ancient people, what they ate, how they lived, and ritual practices such as burials have been more difficult to glean from the existing methods of archaeological examination. A recent development of adding a compound microscope to the tools utilized has yielded a wealth of information about these people living almost 10,000 years ago.
Lisa Marie Shillito, currently at the University of York, has used the technique referred to as "microarchaeology" to examine deposits at high resolution and identify food remains, bone fragments, crafts, tools, pottery materials, and ash from fires. Samples were prepared by setting blocks of sediment on resin, slicing and grounding down the sections so they could be examined with a polarized microscope equipped with a digital camera and imaging software to aid in analysis.
The thin-section micromorphology technique gives a more subtle understanding of these ancient people, their routines, practices and even values. For instance, their homes were kept clean with frequent re-plastering of the walls and well maintained living quarters. The rubbish was maintained in well defined areas called middens which yielded ash and decayed organic materials including human waste which shows a diet that included cereals, seeds and meat.
Microscopic examination of the ash reveals that animal dung was used as fuel.
Ovicaprid dung pellet close up showing reed stems.
This image is a partially burnt bone from the South area. Funerary rituals are inferred by the materials found with the bones, both plant materials and the impressions made by baskets and mats that had been placed with skeletons.
You can view a video of the Ankara Museum of Anatolian civilization here.
The value of microscopy in this exciting work cannot be overestimated and will continue to yield more information in archaeology just as it does in the other fields of science and medicine. The microscope is and always has been, a tool of discovery.

domain: history


Tim Cahill scored as Melbourne City thrashed Western Sydney Wanderers 4-1 in the FFA Cup.
In a boost for the November 30 decider, children’s tickets for the match start from $5, while adult tickets start at just $25 – for a Cup Final!
And family tickets start from just $50.
No individual ticket will cost more than $70 – and that is for Category A and one of the best seats in the house.
That’s pretty good value when you consider the talent that will be on display as City and the Sky Blues fight for the season’s first piece of silverware.
City have been the Hyundai A-League’s entertainers over the early rounds of the season and have a squad choc-full of talent.
As well as Cahill and Fornaroli, there’s Caltex Socceroo Luke Brattan, speedy winger Bruce Kamau and Argentine whiz Fernando Brandan.
But the Sky Blues may just start favourites after winning every match so far this season. Graham Arnold’s side hasn’t conceded a goal on the run to the Westfield FFA Cup final either.
So what are you waiting for? Get your tickets now for what should be a thrilling Westfield FFA Cup final at AAMI Park.
Head here to get your hands on the hottest tickets in town: http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=FFACUPGF16


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Just in time for Mother’s Day, new research finds that moms with three kids are the most stressed out, but those with four or more kids are the least stressed! Over seven-thousand moms were surveyed, and 75-percent said they stress most about the pressure they put on themselves to be “perfect.” While 46-percent said their husbands/partners cause them more stress than their kids do, and 60-percent said their biggest cause of stress is lack of time to get everything done. One mom who was surveyed commented on why having four kids is less stressful than three, saying, “There’s not enough space in your head for perfectionism when you get to four or more kids.” I grew up in a family with 3 kids, so I guess I better get my mom something extra special for all the stress I put her through!
Thursday, April 23, 201504/23/2015
Google is joining in the wireless service market!
Monday, April 20, 201504/20/2015
It might just make them happier!
Wednesday, April 15, 201504/15/2015
What do you call your grandparents?
Monday, April 13, 201504/13/2015
Attending a wedding isn’t cheap these days!
Thursday, April 9, 201504/09/2015
A new E-Book company is coming!


The new IAEA report shows the clerical regime is the most significant threat to the world peace and security
“Although this report does not cover all aspects of the Iranian regime’s nuclear projects and does not include all of the information that the agency had access to, it nevertheless leaves no doubt that the Iranian regime nuclear projects have been launched with the aim of obtaining nuclear bomb.””Although this report does not cover all aspects of the Iranian regime’s nuclear projects and does not include all of the information that the agency had access to, it nevertheless leaves no doubt that the Iranian regime nuclear projects have been launched with the aim of obtaining nuclear bomb.””It is delightful that the agency did not give in to pressure from some member states that wanted to continue to cover up the clerical regime’s nuclear projects, and exposed part of the military aspects of the regime’s nuclear drive. But the bulk of the information contained in the agency’s report, had been exposed by the Iranian resistance since many years ago and made available to the IAEA who could have been published years ago”, she added.
The IAEA report in fact confirms all of the Iranian resistance disclosures including the command structure for obtaining nuclear weapons, development of detonator, strong explosion, neutron spring, and work on the nuclear warheads. Disclosures that were faced with silence and appeasement. Despite exposing the Natanz and Arak sites, as well as 80 other nuclear projects by the Iranian resistance, the western powers tried to dissuade this regime from its efforts to obtain nuclear weapons by offering massive incentives and by appeasement. They went so far ahead as to accept in 2004 to keep People’s Mojahedin (PMOI/MEK) in the European Union terrorism list in exchange of a fictitious cooperation of the regime in the nuclear front. But the mullahs used this weak and destructive policy as a springboard to advance their nuclear weapons projects, and contrary to the intelligence agencies’ reports, they never stopped it. Maryam Rajavi stressed: “The new IAEA report is an international acknowledgment of the fact that this regime is the most significant threat to the world peace and security. But containing the regime’s nuclear danger, as well as containing its libertine terrorism danger, is solely possible by a regime change by the Iranian people and the Iranian resistance. The past 9 years’ experience showed that silence in the face of flagrant human rights violations and complicity in the suppression of the Iranian people by terrorist label against the Resistance, has had no success in containing the regime’s nuclear danger and has emboldened it in advancing its nuclear projects. She added: “As the Iranian resistance has declared from the outset, the nuclear program of this inhuman regime is against the highest national interest of the Iranian people. The Iranian people are fundamentally opposed to the regime’s nuclear program that has resulted in the country’s poverty and setback, and the continuation of an inhuman dictatorship. The Iranian resistance, as has said times and again, calls for a non-nuclear Iran”. Maryam Rajavi, stressing that firmness is the only correct policy vis-à-vis the religious fascism ruling Iran, stated the following points as the necessary steps towards such policy:1- Complete detailed disclosure of the regime’s nuclear projects by the IAEA2- Boycotting the purchase of oil and gas from this regime, a stop to fueling the regime’s nuclear projects and its suppression and terrorism machine3- Arrest, punishment and expulsion of the mullahs’ Intelligence agents and the Qods Force and Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) front companies that complement the sanctions and make them more efficient. Their main task is circumventing sanctions and acting against the opposition, especially the Mojahedin and the National Council of Resistance. 4- Recognizing the right of Iranian people and resistance to change the clerical regime. As long as the great powers resort to silence and inaction against the destruction of organized opposition to the clerical regime in Camp Ashraf, and as long as the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran still remains on the US terrorism list, the Iranian regime is confident that the West has been standing with them.


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Live from Lincoln Center
This series celebrates performances by the world's distinguished artists on Lincoln Center's legendary stages, showcasing the finest in music, theater and dance. Audra McDonald hosts.
Live from Lincoln Center Previous Broadcasts
Bernstein and Gershwin (Episode #3606H)
KQED 9: Sun, Jan 1, 2012 -- 2:00 AM
The New York Philharmonic's New Year's Eve concert kicks off with Bernstein's Overture to Candide and promises to delight with more Bernstein (Symphonic Dances from West Side Story) and two Gershwin masterpieces: his Piano Concerto in F with guest artist Jean-Yves Thibaudet and Rhapsody in Blue.


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Filibustering gives disproportionate leverage to minorities in the Senate. These, in turn, lead to bills not passing or often not even getting past subcommittees. Are there any other instances of this in other democratic countries?
Northern Ireland, while not a sovereign country but a part of the UK, has a different way to ensure some minority can have their say. Under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, certain decisions (including any bill where the petition of concern was invoked) can only be passed by a so-called cross-community vote. That is, you need a majority from both Unionist and Nationalist parties.
Many countries have this kind of a mechanism, where a minority can slow down and delay the process so much, that the legislation doesn't get passed. Such countries include UK, Canada, Australia, France, Italy, and others.
Wikipedia describes some of these examples at the link below:


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Description - Life by Keith Richards
With the Rolling Stones, Keith Richards created the riffs, the lyrics and the songs that roused the world, and over four decades he lived the original rock and roll life: taking the chances he wanted, speaking his mind, and making it all work in a way that no one before him had ever done.Now, at last, the man himself tells us the story of life in the crossfire hurricane. And what a life. Creating immortal riffs such as the ones in 'Jumpin' Jack Flash' and 'Street Fighting Man' and 'Honky Tonk Women'. Falling in love with Anita Pallenberg and the death of Brian Jones. Marriage, family and the road that goes on forever.In a voice that is uniquely and intimately his own, with the disarming honesty that has always been his trademark, Keith Richards brings us the essential life story of our times.
Buy Life by Keith Richards from Australia's Online Independent Bookstore, Boomerang Books.
Format: Paperback / softback
(198mm x 133mm x 41mm)
Weidenfeld & Nicolson
Publisher: Orion Publishing Co
Country of Publication:
Other Editions - Life by Keith Richards
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Author Biography - Keith Richards
Keith Richards will be an improbable 65 in 2008, the year too of his 25th wedding anniversary. He continues to compose and play songs with the Rolling Stones.
A Preview for this title is currently not available.

domain: artistic


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Polaris Hotel/Bar owner allegedly commits tax evasion
The owner of the Polaris, a former Nome bar and liquor store, has been indicted for evading about $1.5 million in federal income taxes spread out over several years.
Tina H. Yi of Nome, who now lives in Anchorage, was the sole owner of the Polaris hotel, bar and liquor store from 2007 until October 2017. The Polaris was burned to the ground five years ago after a fire started inside a portion of the liquor store. Although an investigator with the State Fire Marshal’s office came to Nome at the time, the exact cause of the fire was never released to the public. KNOM Radio has submitted a public records request to the State to obtain that information.
Yi filed false personal tax returns and evaded $1.5 million in federal income taxes from 2014 to 2018, according to the U.S. District Attorney’s Office in Alaska. Allegedly, Yi was keeping two sets of financial accounts and records for her Polaris business. One of those books was accurate, while the other, “understated the company’s income.”
The indictment said that Yi provided fake records for her accountant to use to file her tax returns, starting in 2014. Allegedly, Yi failed to report more than $3.2 million in income to the IRS over the course of four years.
She had her initial court appearance in the U.S. District Court of Alaska the afternoon of Nov. 2. If Yi is found guilty of tax evasion and filing false tax returns, she could face up to forty years in prison.
* An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Image at top: Nome’s Polaris hotel, bar and liquor store burned down in October of 2017. Photo courtesy of John Handeland, used with permission.
Former President Trump gets protection from the Supreme Court while Tina faces 40 years in prison. Something here stinks. I will always appreciate Tina’s cooperation in helping me keep a homeless woman safely housed at the Polaris.
Trump having the FBI Illegally and Unconstitutionally raid his house over 100% Legal Paper Tender has literally and absolutely nothing to do with Tina from Alaska evading $3.5 million since 2014. Thank you for understanding.
She always help those who need an extra hand

domain: finance


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Bishop v. City of Birmingham, 260 F. Supp. 2d 1149 (N.D. Ala. 2003)
May 3, 2003
Patrick L. BISHOP, Sr., Plaintiff,
CITY OF BIRMINGHAM, Defendant.
United States District Court, N.D. Alabama, Southern Division.
C. Michael Quinn, Gordon Silberman Wiggins & Childs, Jerry D. Roberson, Christian E. Roberson, Roberson & Roberson, Birmingham, AL, for Patrick L. Bishop, Sr., plaintiff.
John M. Edens, Michael Melton, City of Birmingham-Law Department, Frederic L. Fullerton, II, City of Birmingham-Law Department, Birmingham, AL, for Birmingham, City of, defendant.
Patrick L. Bishop, Sr. ("Bishop"), a black former Birmingham police officer, filed this action against City of Birmingham ("the City"), claiming that he was terminated by the City both as an act of *1150 racial discrimination and in retaliation for his earlier complaints about racial discrimination. He invoked Title VII (42 U.S.C. § 2000e, et seq.) and 42 U.S.C. §§ 1981 and 1983. The case was assigned to Honorable H. Dean Buttram of this court. In due course, the City filed a motion for summary judgment pursuant to Rule 56, F.R.Civ.P. It asserted, inter alia:
7. The Personal [sic] Board, an independent legal entity, heard the evidence and decided the City was correct in finding that plaintiff merited firing.
In the City's reply brief in support of its Rule 56 motion, it argued:
The Personal [sic] Board of Jefferson County, Alabama ("Personnel Board"), a separate, independent legal entity, heard the same evidence given this Court. § 22 of Act 248, 1945 Acts of the Alabama Legislature (Acts), as last amended by Act 684, 1977 Alabama Legislature ("Enabling Act") and Def. Ex. 1. The Personnel Board accepted the Hearing Officers' [sic] findings of fact, and ruled that the plaintiffs misconduct was unbecoming a member of the civil service and that plaintiff did merit firing.
On April 11, 2002, Judge Buttram granted the City's Rule 56 motion as to all of Bishop's theories and claims except his Title VII claim of retaliatory discharge. The undersigned would have done the same thing if the case had then been assigned to him. Bishop conceded that his Title VII claim of retaliation was his only real claim. On May 16, 2002, Judge Buttram entered a final pretrial order in which the City's statement of position included the following:
Defendant's requirement that plaintiff provide military orders, a doctor's excuse or report for work is not a pretext for retaliation. It was necessary for the effective operation of defendant's business. It was based upon rational and lawful factors. Despite any allegedly improper factor motivating the defendant's actions, it would have taken the same action, Mt. Healthy City School District Bd. of Edue. v. Doyle, 429 U.S. 274, 97 S. Ct. 568, 576, 50 L. Ed. 2d 471 (1977). [other citations omitted]
Plaintiff appealed his firing to the Jefferson County Personnel Board, an independent legal entity established by state law. After an independent investigation, the Personnel Board upheld plaintiffs firing. The Personnel Board was the final decision-maker. Act No. 248, § 22 1945 Alabama Legislature Regular Session as last amended by Act 684 of the 1977 Alabama Legislature Regular Session ("Enabling Act"), [other citations omitted]
On August 30, 2002, after the case was reassigned to the undersigned, the court, in response to a motion in limine filed by the City, entered a somewhat prescient order that provided, inter alia:
If the Personnel Board's decision were res judicata, this case would be over.
Between November 20 and November 22, 2002, the case was tried to a jury. The "Findings of Fact, Report and Recommendations of the Hearing Officer" that became final when it was subsequently adopted by the Jefferson County Personnel Board, was received into evidence as Defendant's Exhibit 3. It was received over Bishop's objection, not for any alleged preclusive effect, but "for what it may be worth," similar to an EEOC determination. As will hereinafter appear, Defendant's Exhibit 3 has now been raised to ultimate prominence. For the reason that it recites the evidence and the contentions of the parties in this case better than this court can recite them, and because it is the focus *1151 of this opinion, it is attached hereto as an appendix.
When Bishop rested his case before the jury, the City filed a motion for judgment as a matter of law pursuant to Rule 50, F.R.Civ.P. That motion provided, inter alia:
5. The Personnel Board of Jefferson County is an independent entity. Established by state law to hear appeals of discipline brought by classified employees. § 22 of Act 248, 1945 Acts of Alabama as last amended by Act 684, 1977 Acts of Alabama.
6. Plaintiff appealed his firing to the Personnel Board which appointed an independent Hearing Officer to hear testimony and recommend whether plaintiffs firing should be upheld, modified or reversed.
7. The Personnel Board's Hearing Officer recommended to uphold plaintiffs firing and her recommendation was adopted by the Personnel Board.
The court took the City's Rule 50 motion under advisement and called upon the City to proceed with its evidence. At the conclusion of the evidence the City renewed its Rule 50 motion, and the court again took it under advisement. After closing arguments and the jury charge, the case was submitted to the jury. The jury, after lengthy deliberation, could not reach a verdict. A mistrial was declared on November 22, 2002.
On November 25, 2002, the court denied the City's Rule 50 motions, but certified its opinion pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1292(b) for immediate appeal because the court had serious doubts about the correctness of its rulings. After the City chose not to appeal, the court ordered the case set for retrial on April 21, 2003.
On March 11, 2003, the Eleventh Circuit decided Travers v. Jones, 323 F.3d 1294 (11th Cir. 2003), wherein the Eleventh Circuit held that the facts that had been found by the Georgia equivalent of the Jefferson County Personnel Board after a fair hearing must be given preclusive effect in a subsequent federal employment rights action. The case is startlingly similar to the instant case. Mr. Travers, a firefighter, had been suspended without pay for alleged "insubordination and conduct unbecoming" a public employee. He complained that his discipline was "in retaliation for his having engaged in protected union activity," and that his employer had "violated his First Amendment rights of free speech, freedom of association, and freedom of petition." The Eleventh Circuit held, inter alia:
We hold that, pursuant to the settled law concerning "fact preclusion", the facts had been found favorably to the defendants by an administrative hearing officer, and under those facts by which plaintiff was bound, their conduct did not violate Travers' constitutional rights.
* * * * * *
Those findings are binding upon the court in a ease such as this one if the employee received a full and fair opportunity to present his case in the administrative hearing. When a state agency, acting in a judicial capacity, resolves disputed issues of fact properly before it that the parties have had an adequate opportunity to litigate, federal courts must give the agency's fact finding the same preclusive effect to which it would be entitled in the State's court.
* * * * * *
Since Travers had full and fair opportunity to litigate the factual issues at the administrative hearing, this Court must give the Merit System hearing officer's fact finding preclusive effect. Travers cannot re-litigate the facts in this case.
*1152 As the date approached for the retrial of the instant case, Bishop filed a renewed motion in limine, again seeking to preclude any reference by the City to the adverse decision of the Jefferson County Personnel Board. This precipitated a reconsideration of the legal significance, if any, of the Personnel Board's findings. In turn, this led to a revisiting of this court's denials of the City's motions for judgment as a matter of law. This reexamination was occasioned by, was magnified by, and was conducted in the new light shed by, Travers.
Shortly before jury selection began on April 21, 2003, the specific issue of the possible preclusive effect of the Jefferson County Personnel Board's findings was debated. In the end, the court concluded that the intervening Travers decision requires a final disposition in favor of the City, and the court indicated that a written opinion and order would be forthcoming. There was no mention of the fact that an application for rehearing and rehearing en banc had been lodged with the Eleventh Circuit in Travers and that the application has not yet been ruled on.
During the colloquy that took place on April 21, 2003, Bishop's counsel urged on the court Ex parte Boyette, 728 So. 2d 644 (Ala.1998), for the proposition that the Jefferson County Personnel Board lacks the authority under Alabama law to rule dispositively on an employment discrimination claim arising under a federal statute and therefore cannot bind a court of competent jurisdiction in a Title VII case. With this proposition this court does not disagree. Boyette was a case in which Mr. Boyette, an employee of Jefferson County, lost his appeal before the Jefferson County Personnel Board, which did not there purport to hear any claim that Mr. Boyette's age played a part in the decision about which Mr. Boyette was complaining. Under Alabama law, the Personnel Board has the power to disagree with a public decision-maker after a de novo hearing and to substitute its judgment for that of the public decision-maker. After losing before the Personnel Board, Mr. Boyette filed an action in the state court against Jefferson County, invoking the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act ("ADEA"). Jefferson County sought to preclude Mr. Boyette's ADEA claim, arguing that the doctrine of res judicata applied. The Supreme Court of Alabama pointed out "that the Personnel Board refused to hear any claim of discrimination," held that plaintiffs "ADEA claim was not within the competence of the Board," and refused to bar the ADEA claim. Although in the present case the Personnel Board was not competent to decide the ultimate legal question of Title VII liability, it could and did decide disputed questions of fact that were clearly within its competence. This is exactly what Travers was talking about. If the facts found by a quasi-judicial factfinder lead inexorably to a final decision of a Title VII claim, then Travers governs the outcome. If Mr. Boyette had based his entire case before the Personnel Board on his age as the only motive for the adverse employment decision about which he was complaining, and if the employer had articulated to the Personnel Board a legitimate, non-age-related reason for its decision, and if the Personnel Board had thereafter expressly found that the articulated reason was the real reason and was not a pretext for age discrimination, and had upheld Jefferson County's decision, the Supreme Court of Alabama, even without Travers, would have foreclosed Mr. Boyette's ADEA claim.
In the instant case, the Personnel Board made lengthy findings of fact, agreeing with the valid reasons given by the City to explain its decision to terminate Bishop. Some of those findings were:
*1153 [T]he evidence supports that Officer Bishop misled his supervisors and misrepresented his military service by requesting uninterrupted leave and not advising his supervisors when his official duty orders were different from those reflected on the memoranda he submitted.
The witnesses presented by the department were credible and the official records submitted corroborated its position. Officer Bishop was flippant and disingenuous and did not present any corroborating evidence to dispute the specific factual allegations with the exception of the unsworn memo to his attorney. His cumulative behavior indicated that he did not want to work for the Birmingham Police Department.
The record, therefore, substantiated that Officer Bishop's conduct constituted violations of Personnel Board Rules and Regulations: Rule 6.2 Section (a); Rule 6.2 Section (i) "insubordination"; Rule 6.2 Section (k) "Neglect of Duty", Rule 6.2 Section (m) "Violation of any lawful or reasonable regulations or order made and given by superior officer"; Rule 6.2 Section (n) "Willful violation of any of the provisions of the Civil Service law of these rules"; and, Rule 6.2 Section (p) "For any other reason deemed to be in the best interest of the public service and not inconsistent with the rules and regulations arising therein; and, Birmingham Police Department Rules and Regulations: Procedure Number 107-1 Section III, Reporting For Duty, Subsection A; Section V ABSENCE WITOUT LEAVE; Procedure Number 109-3, Section II, Effort and Manner Of Members; Procedure Number 109-5, Section II, Obedience To Orders; Subsection A, Subsection C; Procedure Number 109-12, Section II, False Report or Statement to Superior Officer; Procedure Number 110-2, Section VI General Offenses: Subsection A-2, Subsection A-7, Subsection A-8, Subsection A-12, Subsection A-16, and Subsection A-36."
* * * * * *
Willful failure to report to duty for retraining as ordered; failure; failure to report for work on April 8 and 9, 2000; phoning in sick on April 15, after being denied permission to take off; and failure to provide official orders verifying military duty leave are legitimate, nondiscriminatory, business reasons justifying the department's decision. Bishop did not present sufficient credible evidence to establish that the department's articulated reasons were pretextual...
* * * * * *
[T]he employer must show that it had a legitimate, nondiscriminatory business reason for its decision. Id. The department met this standard.
There can be no question but that the City articulated legitimate reasons for terminating Bishop. In fact, the City interposed Mt. Healthy City School District Bd. of Ed. v. Doyle, 429 U.S. 274, 97 S. Ct. 568, 50 L. Ed. 2d 471 (1977), as an affirmative defense, saying that even if its decision to fire Bishop was tainted in the slightest degree by an intent to react unfavorably to Bishop's having made earlier claims of race discrimination, the City would have terminated him anyway. No one doubts that Bishop was obligated to prove that the City's articulated reasons were pretextual. If the Personnel Board's findings have any significance whatsoever, they establish as a matter of fact that the City's articulated reasons were not pretextual, and instead, were real, legitimate reasons for terminating this or any other police officer.
Bishop takes the "fallback" position that the Personnel Board's findings are the product of a conflict-of-interest by the *1154 Hearing Officer, and therefore, should be given no significance. Not only does the court find that an attorney acting as a Hearing Officer for the Personnel Board in a case involving a municipal personnel decision is not automatically disqualified by the fact that another member of her law firm earlier represented the same municipality in another matter, but in this case the Hearing Officer made known to the parties these facts, and Bishop expressly waived any right he may have had to disqualify the Hearing Officer.
Lastly, Bishop spent all of his time before the Personnel Board trying to prove that his termination was an act of race discrimination and/or was in retaliation for his earlier claims of race discrimination. His procedural situation is readily distinguishable from that of Boyette, in which Mr. Boyette did not present a claim of age discrimination to the administrative agency. There is a necessary difference between the preclusive effect of an administrative decision rendered after a particular issue was raised, and an administrative decision that expressly avoided that issue. Although the Personnel Board here may not have had the kind of jurisdiction over Bishop's Title VII claim that this court has, when, based on the same evidence, the Board found as a fact that the City's reasons for terminating Bishop were its real reasons, Travers closes out the controversy. The Eleventh Circuit's intent, manifested in Travers, is clear. It binds this court, even while there is an outstanding application for rehearing and rehearing en banc.
Based on the foregoing, the court will, by separate order, vacate the orders that denied the City's Rule 50 motions and will, instead, grant those motions and dismiss the action.APPENDIX CITY OF BIRMINGHAM POLICE DPARTMENT, v. PATRICK L. BISHOP, CASE NUMBER 1311
FINDINGS OF FACT, REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE HEARING OFFICER
On August 11, 2000, Officer Patrick Bishop, Sr. was terminated by the Birmingham Police Department (hereinafter "the department"). He filed an appeal and a hearing was held before the undersigned April 3, 2001. The undersigned advised the parties that her law firm, Sirote & Permutt, P.C., had represented officials and agents of the City of Birmingham, but that she was not personally involved in that representation. Both Officer Bishop and the department waived any possible conflict to the undersigned presiding as hearing officer.
Officer Bishop received notice of proposed disciplinary action based upon numerous allegations of violations of the Police Department's rules and regulations as well as those of the Jefferson County Personnel Board. The alleged violations were enumerated as follows:
Personnel Board Rules and Regulations: Rule 6.2 Section (a) "Absent Without Leave,"; Rule 6.2 Section (c) "Conduct unbecoming an employee in the public service,"; Rule 6.2 Section (i) "insubordination,"; Rule 6.2(k) "Neglect of Duty," Rule 6.2 Section(m) "Violation of any lawful or reasonable regulations or order made and given by a superior officer,"; Rule 6.2 Section (n) "Willful *1155 violation of any of the provisions of the Civil Service law of these rules," and, Rule 6.2 Section (p) "For any other reason deemed to be in the best interest of the public service and not inconsistent with the rules and regulations arising therein; and,"
Birmingham Police Department Rules and Regulations:
Procedure Number 107-1 Section III, Reporting For Duty, Subsection A: "Members and employees of the Department shall report for duty or lineup, roll call, briefing, and inspection at the time and place specified by their Commanding Officer; Section V ABSENCE WITHOUT LEAVE," "Absence from duty without leave or authorized permission by any member or employee of the Department shall be grounds for forfeiture of pay for the time absent and charges may be brought against said member or employee, or other action as directed by the Chief of Police;" Procedure Number 109-3, Section II, Effort and Manner Of Members: Members will direct and coordinate their efforts in carrying out the functions of the Department in such a manner as will tend to establish and maintain the highest standard of efficiency; Procedure Number 109-5, Section II, Obedience To Orders: Subsection A, "Members of the Department shall obey, and execute promptly, any lawful order emanating from any Superior Officer," Subsection C, "All officers shall obey or carry out those orders from a superior officer which are given or relayed to him by an officer of the same or lesser rank when such orders are known to be or understood to be orders from a superior officer;" Procedure Number 109-12, Section II, False Report or Statement to Superior Officer, "Members of the Department shall not make a false statement, or falsify any written or verbal report made to a Superior Officer or intentionally withhold material matter from such report or statement," Procedure Number 110-2, Section VI General Offenses: Subsection A-2, "Disobedience of, or neglect or refusal to comply with, written or oral rules or orders," Subsection A-7, Insubordination, or disrespect toward a Superior Officer, Subsection A-8, "Neglect or inattention to duty", Subsection A-12, "Being absent from duty without permission: Any member of the Department absent from duty without authorized leave will forfeit pay for the time absent, and be subject to disciplinary action," "Subsection A-16, Making a false statement, report, communication or entry into any official police record, or other official or required report or record," and Subsection A-36, "any other act or omission contrary to good order and discipline, or constituting a violation of any of the Rules and regulations of the Department, or of any Department order."
The specific reasons serving as the basis for the alleged violations were:
1. That he was AWOL on April 8 and 9;
2. That he phoned in sick on April 15 and 16 after previously requesting those days off and being advised that due to previously scheduled absences his services were needed;
3. Failure to comply with the Chiefs previous disciplinary order regarding retraining; and
4. Failing to provide orders from his military unit verifying that he was on military duty on the dates that he was absent.
WITNESSES AND EXHIBITS
The Police Department of the City of Birmingham called the following witnesses:
*1156 1. Chief W.M. Coppage. white male;
2. Sergeant C.E. Hill, black male;
3. Lieutenant Charles Raffore, white male;
4. Sergebnat Roberta Payne, black female.
The Department offered the folling Exhibits which were admitted into evidence:
1. Complaint Exhigit 1, Compilation of previous discipline and discilpinary proceeding involving Office Patrick Bishop;
2. Complainant Exhibit 2, April 16, 2000, Memo to Captain Mike Fisher, I.A.D. froim Lieutenat C. Raffoird Re: Request for Investigation of Office Patrick Bishop;
3. Complainant Exhibit 3, Memo dated April 18, 2000, to Captain Mike Fisher foirm Sergenat C.E. Hill Re: Officer Patrick Bishop;
4. Complainant Exhibit 4, Memo dated April 26, 2000 tp Sergenat R. Payne from sergenat C.E. Hill Re: Officer Patrick L. Bishop;
5. Complainant Exhibit 5, Memo dated July 10, 2000, to Chief W.M. Coppage, from Sergeant Roberta Payne Re: Case Number 2000-31D1;
6. Compolainant Exhibit 6, April 25, 2000, letter to Officer patrick L. Bishop, Sr., from W.M. Coppage Re: Request for Leave of Absence;
7. Complainant exhibit 7, Birmingham Police Department Leave and Attendance Record of Officer Partrick L. Bishop;
8. Compolainant Exhibit 8, official records from the Twenteith Special Forces G.P. (ABN) First SFRe: Military Duty Orders for Patrick L. Bioshop;
9. Complainant Exhibit 9, Request for Leave of Absence by Patrick L. Bishop, dated August 7, 2000 for the period August9, 2000 until Augusy 29, 20003;
10. Complainant Exhibiy 10, Statement pf Patrick L. Bishop in repondr to Charges; and
11. Complainant Exhibit 11, Compilation of Memoranda and Orders re: Record of Military Duty for Patrick L. bishop.
Officer Patrick L. Bishop, a black male, testified on his own behalf. He also called Officer barry Deed, a blck male. Officer Bishop introduced the following Exhibits which were admitted ihnto evcidence.
1. Respondent Exhibit A, Response to Officer Exhibit survey by Patrick L. Bishop;
2. Respondent Exhibit B, March 3,] 2000, Grievahce designated Harassment/Racis, from Officer Patrick L. Bishop;
3, Respondebt Exhibit C, March 28, 2000, letter to Commahder of West Precubct frm Patrucj L. Bishop re: Officer's Answer to Supervisor's Reply of Grievance;
4. Respondent Exhibit D, May 8, 2000, letter to Mr. Donald Burris re: Partrick Bishop from John M. Edens;
5. Respondent Exhibit E, Decision Upon Determination Hearing of Possible Disciplinary Action to offiocer Anthony McPherson form Chief W.M. Coppage, Dated April 17, 2000;
6. Respondent E, Memo from Head-quartyers, Twentieth Special Forces Group (Air4borne) dated March 2, 2000, to Comptroller form R. Kyle Hannah;
7. Respondent G. March 30, 2001, Memo from Headquarters and Headquarters Company Twentieth Special Forces Group (Airborne), *1157 First SF to Roberson & Roberson Law Office re: Voluntary Duty of Specialist Patrick L. Bishop; and
8. Respondent Exhibit H, EEOC Charge of Discrimination filed by Patrick L. Bishop dated April 18, 2000.
FINDINGS OF FACT
Officer Bishop was previously suspended for using excessive force and failing to follow the proper procedures when responding to a back-up call. Because he had been involved in a similar incident in the past, the Chief of Police, W.M. Coppage, determined that Officer Bishop should be suspended for five (5) days and then thereafter be assigned to a more senior officer in the East Precinct for retraining in the areas of his deficiency.
Officer Bishop served the suspension. But after the end of the suspension, instead of reporting to the East Precinct for retraining, Officer Bishop advised the Department that he was volunteering for military duty in Honduras until the end of March. The Department granted Bishop's leave and instructed him to provide official orders verifying his term of duty in accordance with governing rules and regulations. Officer Bishop initially supplied a Memorandum stating that he would be on active duty from February 29, 2000 until April 1, 2000. He was again asked to provide official orders. The Department subsequently received Official Orders showing that Officer Bishop was ordered for military duty from February 28, through March 31, 2000. (See Complainant, Exhibits 3, 5, 8 and Exhibit 11)
It is undisputed that departmental regulations require that official orders from the unit must be submitted to the Department in order to comply with the notice requirement. Memoranda are unacceptable. Officer Bishop was aware of this.
After Bishop's military leave expired on March 31, 2000, he did not return to work. He was contacted and represented that he was still on leave and submitted a Memorandum showing that he would be on duty from March 28, through April 7, 2000. The Department subsequently received official orders from Officer Bishop's Unit showing that Officer Bishop was on duty from April 4, 2000 through April 7, 2000. (See Complainant Exhibits 3, 5 and 8.) Bishop did not report to work on April 8 and 9, nor did he receive or seek permission to be off. On April 10, Bishop was contacted by Sergeant Al Reid, his supervisor, and asked why he did not report to work on the 8th and 9th. Officer Bishop said that he was still on military leave at that time. He also stated that he had mailed copies of his orders for that period. Sergeant Reid advised that the Department had not received verification that he was on duty on the 8th and 9th and asked him to bring a copy to the Department by Tuesday, April 11. Officer Bishop did not bring the orders on the 11th. When contacted about the orders, he said that they had not yet been printed but he would provide a copy the next day. (See Complainant Exhibits 3 and 5.)
On April 12, Lieutenant Charles Rafford contacted Officer Bishop's military unit and spoke with Sergeant Phillips, Bishop's supervisor. Sergeant Phillips told Lieutenant Rafford that the timely submission of orders for Officer Bishop to the Police Department was not a priority for the unit. Lieutenant Rafford asked Sergeant Phillips whether Officer Bishop had been on duty pursuant to military orders on April 8 and 9 and Sergeant Phillips denied same. (See Complainant, Exhibits 3 and 5) The Department later received records from the Unit verifying Bishop's duty orders which specifically stated that he was not *1158 on duty on April 8 and 9. (See Complainant Exhibit 8)
Subsequently, the Department received memoranda showing that Officer Bishop would be on military duty April 11, through 14 and April 17, through April 21, 2000. Lieutenant Rafford called Officer Bishop and advised that the Department had received his Memoranda which indicated that he would be available for police duty on April 15. Consequently, Lieutenant Rafford told Officer Bishop to report to the East Precinct on April 15, since he was not on military duty. (See Complainant Exhibits 3 and 5.) Lieutenant Rafford testified during the hearing that Officer Bishop laughed. Lieutenant Rafford asked him if he understood the directions and Officer Bishop laughed again and then said, "10-4." (See Complainant Exhibit 3) A short time later, Officer Bishop called back to request time off on April 15 and 16, Saturday and Sunday. Officer Bishop was advised by Captain Williams of the East Precinct that "the books were full," meaning that there were so many scheduled absences that the Police Department needed remaining staff to work. Sergeant Roberta Payne testified that Officer Bishop told Captain Williams that he would just call in sick on those days. Officer Bishop said he could not recall whether he said that to Captain Williams or not. Sergeant Payne also testified that Captain Williams wrote a note for the duty sergeant requesting that a memo be made if Officer Bishop requested to be off on April 15. (See Complainant Exhibits 3 and 5)
Sergeant Charles Hill was the duty sergeant on April 15. On that day, Officer Bishop phoned in sick. Sergeant Hill testified that he did not recall Bishop stating the reason why he was sick, but he requested that Bishop provide a doctor's excuse. Sergeant Hill testified that it was within his discretion as supervisor to request a doctor's excuse, particularly when he felt that the employee was lying or taking time off after previously being denied permission. He explained that there was a practice of officers phoning in sick after they had been previously advised that they could not take time off. He also said he had been advised that Officer Bishop had a pattern of not coming to work after being off duty. (See Complainant Exhibits 3, 4, and 5.) Officer Bishop never provided Sergeant Hill with a doctor's excuse.
On April 18, 2000, Officer Bishop requested military leave from April 24, through June 30. (See Complainant Exhibits 2 and 6.) The requested leave was granted based upon the condition that Officer Bishop provide official orders. (Complainant Exhibit 6)
Lieutenant Rafford subsequently requested that an investigation be done by Internal Affairs based upon what he perceived to be Officer Bishop's unwillingness to report for duty at the Eighth Precinct in accordance with Chief Coppage's previous directives; Officer Bishop's failure to provide official orders verifying his military leave; Officer Bishop's misrepresentations regarding the reasons why he did not report to work on April 8, 9; and his phoning in sick after previously being denied time off on April 15. (See Complainant Exhibit 2.)
Sergeant Roberta Payne from Internal Affairs, conducted the investigation. She checked the department's records to verify the orders that Officer Bishop had provided. She also visited Officer Bishop's unit on more than one occasion to retrieve copies of orders. She was advised by Sergeant Phillips that Officer Bishop's unit generally only worked four days a week and that Officer Bishop had not been on continuous non-stop military duty. She was also advised that an officer on military duty would *1159 not receive orders prior to an assignment if he volunteered but that the orders would be done after the time was served. Officer Bishop had been serving on a volunteer basis. Based upon her investigation, Sergeant Payne recommended that the charges serving as the basis for the investigation should be sustained. She submitted a Summary Letter of Findings showing that the evidence supported the charges. (See Complainant Exhibit 5.) This Summary was submitted to the Chief and, thereafter, Officer Bishop received notice of possible disciplinary action based upon his failure to report to work on April 8 and 9 without permission; his failure to provide orders verifying his military assignments; his failure to report for training to the Eighth Precinct in accordance with the Chiefs previous directives; and his phoning in sick on April 15 after previously being denied permission to be off on that day. Chief Coppage testified that the disciplinary hearing was rescheduled several times to accommodate Officer Bishop. At the conclusion of the hearing, Chief Coppage decided to terminate Officer Bishop based upon the stated allegations.
Officer Bishop testified that he volunteered for military duty after his suspension because the unit needed his special expertise. He did not deny, nor was it disputed, that the police department was short staffed and needed his services also. Bishop felt that being ordered to do retraining at the East Precinct was demeaning. He admitted that he did not report to the East Precinct for training as ordered until July 1, 2000. But his official orders show that there were many days when he was not on military duty between his suspension and July 1. ( See Complainant Exhibit 8.) Bishop testified that there was confusion about when his off days were with the Department. But there is no dispute that he did not receive permission to be off on April 8 and 9.
Officer Bishop continued to maintain that he was on duty on April 8 and 9 and submitted an unsworn statement dated March 30, 2001, from an officer who also claimed to be on duty those days. (See Respondent Exhibit G.) He did not call anyone from the unit to testify on his behalf or verify his account of days worked.
Officer Bishop also requested a three year leave of absence from August 2000 until August, 2003. (Complainant Exhibit 9.) During his testimony Bishop said that he was seeking leave for a specialized military operation in which was out of state. He also stated that the position he was seeking would not be filled until this September in 2001.
Officer Bishop laughed during the hearing when asked for an explanation or clarification.
Officer Bishop contends that the real reason for his termination was based upon discriminatory treatment due to his race, black, and in retaliation for filing previous complaints of racism. In support of his claims of discrimination Officer Bishop testified that he and his wife, who is also on the police force, were treated differently than white couples; that he was disciplined more severely than a white officer; and that whites received better assignments. (See Respondent Exhibits A, B and E.)
Officer Bishop claimed that he was assigned to a different shift than his wife because they were Black. The evidence showed that a white couple was also assigned to different shifts because the department thought it would lead to less disruption in the event of an emergency or other extenuating or unforeseen circumstances. Bishop admitted this on cross examination. Officer Bishop also submitted *1160 a disciplinary report showing that a white officer, Officer Anthony McPherson was suspended for two days for failing to terminate a chase. (See Respondent Exhibit E.) He did not submit any evidence to show whether the officer had previously committed a similar offense for which he had been disciplined. He was not involved in the Officer McPherson's disciplinary proceeding therefore, he could not testify about the evidence presented. Chief W.M. Coppage was presented with McPherson's disciplinary report during the hearing, but he said without more he could not testify about the specific reasons for the discipline given or whether McPherson had been disciplined for a similar infraction in the past.
Finally, Bishop submitted his response to a questionnaire/survey from the department which solicited officers' input regarding perceived problems and suggested solutions. Bishop's response questioned whether the department's decisions regarding assignments were based on race, favoritism, how officers look, or "how well they kiss butt." (See Respondent Exhibit A.) Significantly, when the undersigned asked Officer Bishop to describe and explain the incidents which supported his claim that he was treated differently because of his race, his attorney said that was not necessary because he was also claiming retaliation. Bishop, therefore declined to provide critical support for his race discrimination claim.
Officer Barry Deed was also called to testify on Officer Bishop's behalf. He testified that officers in the department were treated differently but he did not know whether it was based on race or favoritism. Officer Deed had also been disciplined and questioned the department's assignments. He complained that Lieutenant Rafford gave his beat to a white officer because of low "monthlys" and that this was racist. He then admitted that when his "monthlys" picked up Lieutenant Rafford recommended him for the task force. The Supervisor, a white female, of the task force did not want him. He admitted that this was not based on race, but rather because in the past he had been too aggressive or hot headed. Officer Deed was not involved in any of the situations related to Officer Bishop's discipline or termination.
Officer Bishop offered Respondent's Exhibits A and B as evidence in support of his retaliation claims. He also introduced a copy of his EEOC charge filed on April 18, 2000. (See, also, Respondent Exhibit H.) Chief Coppage and Sergeant Payne were aware that Officer Bishop filed an EEOC charge. They both testified that they were not aware of the internal complaints. Sergeant Hill was not aware of the internal complaints or the EEOC charge. Lieutenant Rafford was aware of the internal complaints, but not the EEOC charge.
Chief Coppage, Lieutenant Rafford, and Sergeant Payne all denied that the decision to terminate Officer Bishop was based upon his race or was in retaliation because he filed complaints claiming racism. They also testified that the reason for the action was because: he willfully failed to report to duty for retraining as ordered; he failed to report for work on April 8 and 9, 2000; he phoned in sick on April 15, after being denied permission to take off; and he failed to provide official orders verifying his military duty leave. They essentially believed Officer Bishop deliberately misled them regarding his military service to avoid reporting for duty.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATION
The overwhelming credible evidence of record supports that Officer Bishop failed to report to work for roll call on April 8 *1161 and 9; phoned in sick to avoid reporting to work on April 15, after being denied permission to take off on that day; and refused to complete his retraining as previously ordered. Although there is some question as to whether Officer Bishop's unit was responsible for the delay in the department receiving official orders verifying duty, the evidence supports that Officer Bishop misled his supervisors and misrepresented his military service by requesting uninterrupted leave and not advising his supervisors when his official duty orders were different from those reflected on the memoranda he submitted.
The witnesses presented by the department were credible and the official records submitted corroborated its position. Officer Bishop was flippant and disingenuous and did not present any corroborating evidence to dispute the specific factual allegations with the exception of an unsworn memo to his attorney. His cumulative behavior indicated that he did not want to work for the Birmingham Police Department.
The record therefore, substantiated that Officer Bishop's conduct constituted violations of Personnel Board Rules and Regulation: Rule 6.2 Section (a); Rule 6.2 Section (i) "insubordination,"; Rule 6.2(k) "Neglect of Duty," Rule 6.2 Section(m) "Violation of any lawful or reasonable regulations or order made and given by a superior officer,"; Rule 6.2 Section (n) "Willful violation of any of the provisions of the Civil Service law of these rules," and, Rule 6.2 Section (p) "For any other reason deemed to be in the best interest of the public service and not inconsistent with the rules and regulations arising therein; and, Birmingham Police Department Rules and Regulations: Procedure Number 107-1 Section III, Reporting For Duty, Subsection A; Section V ABSENCE WITHOUT LEAVE; Procedure Number 109-3, Section II, Effort and Manner Of Members; Procedure Number 109-5, Section II, Obedience To Orders: Subsection A, Subsection C; Procedure Number 109-12, Section II, False Report or Statement to Superior Officer; Procedure Number 110-2, Section VI General Offenses: Subsection A-2, Subsection A-7, Subsection A-8, Subsection A-12, Subsection A-16, and Subsection A-36."
The record evidence did not support nor did the department put in to question that Officer Bishop's performance as an officer was the reason for his termination. Therefore, there was insufficient evidence to support a violation of the following rules: Rule 6.2 Section (c) "Conduct unbecoming an employee in the public service,"; and Rule 6.2 Section (h) "incompetency or inefficiency," of the Personnel Board Rules and Regulations.
Officer Bishop challenged the department's discipline on the grounds of race discrimination and illegal retaliation. His attorney also stated that 38 U.S.C.A. § 4301, et seq. governed military leave but he did not allege any violations of that statute, therefore the undersigned will not address any issues related to that act.
Although the evidence supported the overwhelming majority of the violations serving as the basis for the termination, the department's decision to terminate Officer Bishop should not be sustained if there is merit to his allegations of race discrimination or retaliation. The credible evidence of record militates against a finding of discrimination. The evidence presented by Officer Bishop supporting race discrimination, including his testimony and that of Officer Deed, show that they gave varying reasons for the difference in treatment between police officers. Officer Bishop also did not present sufficient evidence to establish that he was similarly situated to Officer McPherson for the purposes *1162 of a valid comparison. Additionally, Officer Bishop refused to provide testimony to explain his claims of disparate treatment. Even if he had submitted sufficient evidence to lead to an inference of race discrimination, this presumption would be rebutted if the department articulated a legitimate, nondiscriminatory, business reason for its decision. McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. Green, 411 U.S. 792, 93 S. Ct. 1817, 36 L. Ed. 2d 668 (1973); Texas Dept. of Community Affairs v. Burdine, 450 U.S. 248, 253, 101 S. Ct. 1089, 67 L. Ed. 2d 207 (1981). Willful failure to report to duty for retraining as ordered; failure to report for work on April 8 and 9, 2000; phoning in sick on April 15, after being denied permission to take off; and failure to provide official orders verifying military duty leave are legitimate, nondiscriminatory, business reasons justifying the department's decision. Bishop did not present sufficient credible evidence to establish that the department's articulated reasons were pretextual and the real reason for his termination was race. McDonnell Douglas; Burdine; and St. Mary's Honor Center v. Hicks, 509 U.S. 502, 113 S. Ct. 2742, 125 L. Ed. 2d 407 (1993).
Officer Bishop easily established a case of retaliation by showing that he filed an EEOC charge and internal complaints, that he was terminated, and that there was a causal connection between the two actions based on proximity in time. Gupta v. Florida Board of Regents, 212 F.3d 571 (11th Cir., 2000). An individual can maintain an. action for retaliation even if the underlying claim of discrimination is not supported. Id. The standard for overcoming retaliation is the same as that for overcoming the presumption of race discrimination: the employer must show that it had a legitimate, nondiscriminatory, business reason for its decision. Id. The department met this standard.
Based upon the foregoing, the undersigned recommends that the department's decision to terminate Officer Bishop should be sustained.
April 16, 2001
Gaile Pugh Gratton

domain: law


Recently, the lifetime extension of nuclear power plant is rearing so it is necessary to have facility safety management and economical management.
However, when bolts in nuclear power plant are replaced and turbine overhauls for nuclear power plant are disassembled, there are lot of problems due to an occurrence of stuck bolt in clamping part. In order to solve these problems, first, hybrid vacuum chamber was designed and manufactured which can deposit Arc ion plating and Sputtering. So with the method of Arc ion plating and Sputtering, we used the machine to deposit TiN on A913 B7 bolt.
The compositions and characteristics of the bolt which are XRD and SEM and the mechanical properties of tensile strength, yield strength and elongation were analyzed and through corrosion rate test, neutral salt spray test, block test and irradiation exposure test, it was tested how long the bolt can endure various conditions in nuclear power plant. In the result of observation of SEM and XRD, the continual and even coating layer was clearly seen. In the test of corrosion characteristics of a boric acid solution, TiN coating bolt showed the least corrosion rate and had the least external transition.
Characteristics of the base material were not changed due to the coating deposition. The coating deposition does not interfere with the base material characteristics. Through the neutral salt spray test, the TiN bolt was able to endure in brine for 200 hours.
Through Irradiation exposure test, the specimen's test result was confirmed that the mechanical properties are preserved comparing to radiation gamma irradiation before. When this TiN coating bolt are used to a nuclear power plant, lifetime can be extended compared to conventional bolt, but it needs to be checked what kind of properties are required additionally.


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Thomas Apostle, DO
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
A physician at the Cedars-Sinai Spine Center and The Pain Center at Cedars-Sinai, Thomas C. Apostle, DO has dedicated his practice to the treatment of patients with spinal disorders, pain, depression and anxiety.
Dr. Apostle is a Diplomate of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. He is an active member in the North American Spine Society, the International Spinal Injection Society and the International Association for the Study of Pain. Dr. Apostle makes frequent presentations for professional and public organizations.
Dr. Apostle earned his bachelor's of science degree from Michigan State University, where he was a member of the men's varsity tennis team. He returned to East Lansing to earn his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree at the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1990. Dr. Apostle served as an intern at Boston University-affiliated Framingham Union Hospital in 1991, and completed his residency in psychiatry at Los Angeles County/USC Medical Center in 1994. Dr. Apostle remained in Los Angeles to complete a second residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at UCLA, where he served as the chief resident in 1997.

domain: medical


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A captivating tapestry of deep mustard hues awaits you in this opulent ensemble, curated to perfection with traditional Pakistani design sensibilities. The shirt is a canvas of mesmerizing patterns and intricate detailing, while the chiffon dupatta oozes sheer sophistication. Feel the elegance enveloping you, transforming your presence into an enchanting spectacle of fashion finesse.
- 1.15 meters wide width digitally printed lawn shirt
- 1.65 meters wide width dyed cambric trouser
- 2.5 meters digitally printed chiffon dupatta


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The Global Trade Show of Networking and Matchmaking South Africa 2018 (GTS2018) a leading business opportunities exhibition, is back for a second year in South Africa – bigger and better! The three-day event, which takes place from 27 to 29 July at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Johannesburg, will showcase hundreds of business opportunities to thousands of visitors.
The show includes four mini-exhibitions: Tools & Build Show (TBS) focusing on tools, hardware and building supplies, Household and Appliance 2018 (HAS) – focusing on housewares, home appliances and furniture. Food and Beverage South Africa 2018 will focus the latest trends and in food and beverages; while Smart Electronics & Security (SES) will showcase smart electronics and security products.
Business and Trade Opportunities
“GTS 2018 is far more than a trade show,” says Ben de Klerk from the African Chambers Association (ACA), one of the show partners. “It is a platform that facilitates numerous networking and matchmaking opportunities and information sharing, resulting in more business and more trade.” De Klerk believes that China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BIR) – a massive infrastructure initiative – has numerous benefits. The “One Belt, One Road” aims to link 70 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania.
The ACA recently signed an Agreement with the city of Yan’An to consult on behalf of the Yan’An government with all companies in Africa. Companies will be able to promote their products by starting a shop in the international trade complex in Yan’an city. “ACA can assist in the process of setting up factories there for African manufacturers in order to get access to the west Asia south central Asia and even eastblock countries through the BIR,” says de Klerk. “GTS 2018 serves as an important platform for growing this initiative and sharing this opportunity with businesses.”
Feedback from last year’s exhibitors was extremely positive, with many of them already signed up again for this year’s show. The inaugural show attracted 155 exhibitors from around the globe – almost half from African countries.
Exposure in Africa
“Many exhibitors are using GTS 2018 as a springboard to do business in Africa,” continues de Klerk. “The range of products and the diversity of countries participating, makes it possible to do business with many countries – in one place, at the same time!”
The event offers a one-stop show for business and trade to access the latest industry information, sources the latest best quality products, while expanding their global networks.
“China’s participation and support for local small business on the show is significant,” says Linda Blackbeard, CEO of the Randburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which is also a partner. “GTS also enables companies to source an extensive range of products from China, while learning more about how to do business with China as well as engage in a positive reciprocal offering of services and products from SA. It’s a win-win for all!”
One Event – Endless Opportunities
“The sheer variety of retail products on show makes GTS a really exciting place to be,” says Linda Blackbeard. “This includes: a massive variety of IT services for business, confectionery, bespoke shoes and clothes, refreshments, health products health candle products, organic foods, affordable solar lighting, unique recycled products, media houses covering the full selection of offerings for all industry sectors. Our show offers a one-stop shop for visitors to explore opportunities to expand their product offerings and explore new product lines to offer diversify in their business.”
Participants from around the world have confirmed their participation- from countries including Botswana, Brazil, China, Colombia, Finland, Nigeria, Russia and Sri Lanka.
BRICS Country Breakfast
Scheduled for 28 July, the BRICS Country Breakfast aims to share information about trade opportunities within the BRICS countries and beyond, develop networks, in addition to stimulating business and trade opportunities.
Participants in this year’s show can look forward to:
Famous brands and high-tech companies showcasing their latest products. These include Skyworth (television and audio-visual products, consumer electronics, security monitors, cell phones, washing machines and refrigerators), Sinotech (electronics), as well as Little Duck (washing machines and small household appliances).
Industry One-on-One Matchmaking: Open to all buyers and exhibitors, these sessions focus on: Tools & Hardware, Building Materials, Household Goods, Furniture, Home Appliance, Electronics, Security & Safety Products, Electrical Products, Food & Beverage and Machinery
Several informative workshops have been scheduled, including:
How to Explore Emerging Markets
Trade and Business in KwaZulu-Natal with TIKZN – Your Knowledge Partner in Business
E-Commerce and Digital Marketing
Extensive Stakeholder Backing
There has been a tremendous show of support and endorsements from industry bodies for this year’s show, with the following organisations on board. the Randburg Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the Fourways Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the Commonwealth Business Women’s Network, Xanopia Business Women’s Network, the Nordic-South Africa Business Association, the Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industries, as well as the Minara Chamber of Commerce.
For more information on the Global Trade Show 2018, please contact Anina Hough on +27 (0) 83 260 8131 Email: firstname.lastname@example.org http://www.gtsshow.com/


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PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. – Panama City Beach’s 27 miles of white-sand beaches and emerald-green waters have long been popular among anglers of all skill levels. As an ideal social distancing activity and with the destination’s short-term vacation rental ban lifted, now is the perfect time to visit and cast a line. Capt. Justin Leake, host of the destination’s award-winning, fishing and coastal lifestyle television show “Chasin’ the Sun,” shares his top four tips for anglers fishing on the beach, pier, boat, kayak or standup paddleboard.
“Fishing is by nature a social distancing activity and Panama City Beach’s scenery is a huge part of the overall experience. The outdoor therapy alone is worth the trip and catching fish is just a bonus,” says Capt. Leake. “For those wanting to pick up a new hobby, these fishing tips will turn any angler into a pro in no time.”
For those ready to begin their next fishing adventure in Panama City Beach, see the below tips from Capt. Leake.
- Beach Fishing Tip: You do not need live bait. One of the best baits for beach fishing is fresh shrimp, bought in the seafood section of your local grocery store. Not many people use it, but it is inexpensive, easy to find and attracts a number of fish in the surf, including pompano, whiting, redfish and black drum.
- Pier Fishing Tip: Always go to the pier with an open mind. If you fish for just one species, most of the time you are not going to be successful. Instead, check with the guys at the tackle store or walk out on the pier and ask the anglers already out there what’s biting before deciding what to target.
- Boat Fishing Tip: Whether you are fishing in the bay or in the gulf, always look for bait fish concentrations. In the bay, you can usually spot pelicans diving near schools of pilchards, which will also attract gamefish such as spotted sea trout, redfish and Spanish mackerel. In the gulf, look for concentrations of Spanish sardines or cigar minnows, and you will usually find king mackerel.
- Kayak or Standup Paddleboard Fishing Tip: Similar to fishing by boat in the bay, always check for bird activity when sight fishing the shallow grass flats. In Panama City Beach, West Bay’s shallow grass flats are the best spots for finding redfish.
For those looking for an extreme angling experience, private fishing charters can be booked for small groups of up to four or six individuals. In relation to precautionary measures due to coronavirus, Capt. Leake shares that charters and fishing guides already follow heightened cleanliness protocols due to saltwater conditions, scrubbing boats from top to bottom each day. Most fishing guides also wear a face mask or covering to protect themselves from the sun. For more information or to book a fishing charter in Panama City Beach, visit https://www.visitpanamacitybeach.com/things-to-do/fishing-charters/.
The fishing and coastal lifestyle television program showcases the diverse angling, diving and cultural opportunities found in the emerald-green waters of Panama City Beach. Season five’s sponsors of “Chasin’ The Sun” include B&W Trailer Hitches, D.O.A Fishing Lures, Dorado Custom Boats, Dulce Vida Tequila, FireDisc Cookers, Grundéns, Holiday Inn Resort, Humminbird, Minn Kota Motors, Native Eyewear and Pirates Cove Marina.
Episodes of “Chasin’ The Sun,” produced in partnership with Pinfish Media, will air weekly on Saturday mornings at 8:30 a.m. Eastern & Pacific / 7:30 a.m. Central on Discovery Channel. Discovery Channel reaches nearly 100 million U.S. households. The show is also available on demand on Amazon Prime and Vudu. For more information on “Chasin’ The Sun,” please visit www.ChasinTheSunTV.com or stay connected via Facebook (@ChasinTheSunFishingShow), Instagram (@ChasinTheSunTV) and YouTube.
For images of “Chasin’ The Sun,” visit https://bit.ly/32RMjJB. For images of Panama City Beach, visit https://bit.ly/2Qv6Zmx.
About Panama City Beach
Panama City Beach is situated on 27 miles of sugar-white sand beaches bordering clear, emerald-green waters where the Gulf of Mexico and St. Andrew Bay converge. With 320 days of sunshine annually and attractions such as St. Andrews State Park and Pier Park, the region has long been favored by travelers seeking an affordable beach vacation with year-round offerings for families, couples, groups and adventure-seekers. These include championship golf courses, spas, sporting events, award-winning dining and diverse recreational activities. In addition, Panama City Beach’s Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport offers non-stop flights on Delta Airlines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines. For more information, call 850-233-5070 or visit the official website of the Panama City Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau at http://www.visitpanamacitybeach.com. Live HD video of the world-famous beach is now available at http://www.visitpanamacitybeach.com/webcam/. Stay connected with Panama City Beach on Twitter (@Visit_PCB), Instagram (@Visit_PCB) and Facebook (@Visit_PCB).
Tori Beth Black / Rachael Moss J. Michael Brown / Lacee Rudd
Lou Hammond Group Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau
843-647-7389 / 843.628.3721 850-233-5070 / 850.233.5070

domain: travel


At Canyon State Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing, we understand the importance of truly professional air conditioning installation. Our friendly, knowledgeable air conditioning installers are dedicated to providing you the affordable, high-quality air conditioning installation service you deserve. With tailored make and model suggestions, alongside seamless installation, we’ll give your new air conditioner the best chance of success.
Every step of our air conditioning installation process is handled with precision and care centered around your unique cooling needs. For example, if you’re not sure about which make and model to choose, we’re happy to help you compare options so you can find the air conditioner that meets your needs entirely. Canyon State Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing will do everything possible to make sure you’re delighted with the results. To request a free quote for air conditioning installation, contact us at 623-584-2850 today.


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Velop their independent reading skills Secondly I feel that this story would be good to use when talking about sibling relationships especially if there is a new baby in the family We see Tam s opinion of his baby sister change throughout the story and children would most probably notice these emotions within themselves at some point in their ives Finally The Starburster would be good to use during a Literacy esson whereby children could create their own magical world or base their writing about a hero through the use of adjectives and description I am absolutely in ove with this book The writing
STYLE IS GREAT AND THE PLOT IS SUPER INTERESTING is great and the plot is super interesting would prefer this to The ittle prince anytim. Rn the changeling and win back Blue But it is a hazardous journey and Tam must keep his wits about him as he crosses the Sapphire ake does battle with the castle nightmares and finally confronts the King and ueen of the fairi. .
Free read Starburster.
Land of the fairies to
get baby Blue meanwhile having to resist temptation otherwise he will be forced to staybaby Blue meanwhile having to resist temptation otherwise he will be forced to stay the fairy and forever Tam is given a choice ose Blue forever or hand over the one thing he values the most in the world his Starburster Will Tam resist temptation Will Tam save his sisterDoherty creates a magical story through the use of description imagery The part I particularly enjoyed was Tam s determination get his sister back even if it meant he would get hurt along the way Further Doherty s illustrations helped to capture the imaginative world that we were reading about The Starburster I suggest would be perfect for children aged 9 11 who are keen to read alone and de. One terrible night Blue is stolen and an ugly fairy changeling is eft in her place With his Mum and Dad wrapped up in grief and his Great grandpa far too old for adventures it falls to Tam to venture to the and of Faery retu. Mp3 workaday YoungerA changeling baby a
into fairy 9 old tam thefairy for 9 year old Tam The written by the Carnegie Medal winning author Berlie Doherty is about a young boy called Tam who one day discovers that he is no onger an only childTam doesn t want a ittle sister He wishes she would go away Trying to cheer Tam up Great Grandpa gives him a gift a kaleidoscope also known to Tam as a Starburster He is ecstatic Tam can see all these beautiful shapes split into different forms Tam is very happy until one morning he wakes to find that his new sister Blue has been abducted and replaced by an ugly changeling a fairy child Determined to get his sister back Tam goes on an adventure to the. At first Tam isn't at all keen on his baby sister Blue All she seems to do is cry But with a ittle inventive persuasion from Great grandpa Tam changes his mind and even goes as far as to admit he might uite ike her But then.

domain: library


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This is such a refreshing, cleansing, lovely way to start the day. With everyone around me getting sick, I am taking no chances and I make sure every thing I eat supports my health positively. I am much better at preventing illness as I am healing it. This is why I decided to start my day with this delicious smoothie.
Grapefruits are high in Vitamin A (good for skin and mucus membranes), a great source of vitamin C (powerful anti-oxidant which helps fight disease) as well as lycopene(good for vision as well as UV protection). I find it to be a good colon cleanser as well, and drinking it fresh like this makes me feel like I am moving any unwanted bacteria out of my body.
I normally make this drink with flax seed oil but I don’t have any on hand at the moment and the coconut substitutions adds a really nice flavor. The coconut oil, amongst it’s endless list of benefits, helps digestion as well as speed recovery of a cold. I believe coconut oil to be a food from the gods as it can be used in such a variety of ways, internally and externally.
- 1 large pink grapefruit, peeled
- 1 medium apple
- 1 celery stick
- 1/4 tsp sea salt (the real kind, not regular “table” salt)
- 1/4 tsp cayenne
- 1 TBS coconut oil
- 2 cups water
- put everything in bonder and blend until smooth
- serve and enjoy!

domain: food


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Japan giant bean sprouts is the famous winter vegetables "Ohori Onsen moyashi", known since ancient times.
This is one of the traditional vegetables grown over 350 years by the only unique farming method in the hot spring town using only the heat of hot springs and hot spring water. Ohori Onsen's secret is incense Unique taste and crisp texture, good taste, high quality.
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Date Added: 2019-04-12
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URBAN-15’s Hidden Histories series returns with a focus on San Antonio’s sacred headwaters—in particular the stories, poems, songs, and other artistic expressions the springs have inspired for millennia among diverse peoples. Facilitated by Sister Martha Ann Kirk of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, and Isaac Cardenas, Tap Pilam Coahuiltecan elder, this discussion will explore the cultural and creative centrality of the springs to San Antonio and premiere video of URBAN-15’s performance at the Blue Hole for last year’s Global Water Dances.
As part of the city’s calendar of Tricentennial arts activities, Hidden Histories is a monthly, magazine-format video series that pursues and preserves the stories, lives, and places that make San Antonio an inspiring cultural treasure. Over the course of 2018, Hidden Histories will premiere 12 monthly screenings live in our studio, free of charge. Each screening highlights archival interviews with community leaders; significant performances by musicians, dancers and poets; interactions with working artists; lost documentaries; forgotten narrative films; and vintage discussions of important community issues. Live screenings are supplemented by interviews and discussions with participants, family members of those featured, and field experts. Following each live screening, video segments are archived online for 24/7 access.
All live and online screenings of Hidden Histories are free of charge. Live screenings take place at the URBAN-15 studio at 7 p.m. on the first Monday of the month. Online screenings can also be viewed live at http://urban15.org/live-stream. Afterwards, episodes are archived online at http://hiddenhistories.tv/watch/