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Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face
Marie-Françoise-Thérèse Martin b. January 2, 1873 in Alençon, France; d. September 30, 1897 in Lisieux, France.
Sister Marie Therese of Jesus talks about Therese’s message of ‘simplicity and love’
Thérèse was born to loving middle-class parents. Her mother, Zélie Guerin, came from a military family. Thérèse’s grandfather was first a soldier and then a gendarme. As a young woman, Zelie dreamed of religious life and attempted to join the Daughters of Charity but was refused admission. She took this as a sign that her vocation was to become the mother of children, whom if God willed, she would consecrate to God. Zelie then went into business as a lace-making broker, eventually employing twenty women.
Thérèse’s father Louis also came from a military family. He, too, dreamed of religious life and desired to join the Canons Regular, but learning Latin proved too difficult. Instead, he took up watchmaking and eventually opened a jewelry shop. The business prospered. When he married Zelie, Louis was earning about about11,000 francs a year or about $75,000 in 1995 US dollars. Eventually Louis sold his business and joined his wife’s presumably even more successful lace-making business.
Zelie was 27 and Louis was 35 when they married.
Thérèse was the ninth and last child born to the Martins. Four of the children died in early childhood. Mme. Martin died of breast cancer in 1877, leaving four-year-old Thérèse to the care of her father and older sisters: Marie, Pauline, Leonie, and Celine. Pauline became Thérèse’s surrogate mother, but the traumatic loss of her birth mother affected her entire childhood. Thérèse became so hypersensitive that she cried over the smallest things–and then would cry all over again because she cried.
After Zelie’s death, M. Martin moved his family to Lisieux to be near his late wife’s family. When Thérèse was eight, she enrolled in the Benedictine Abbey School as a day student.
Thérèse did not flourish at the Benedictine Abbey School and was extremely unhappy there. She would later describe these years as “the saddest of her life”. It was during these years that she had also lost her surrogate mother when Pauline entered the Carmelite monastery in Lisieux in 1882. This proved to be an enormous psychological blow that made Thérèse physically ill for a time. Finally, in 1886 she left the school and started taking private lessons.
Also in 1886, two more of her sisters left home for the convent–Leonie to the Visitandines and Marie to the Lisieux Carmel, where Pauline was already a professed sister.
During these years Thérèse was still daddy’s very little girl, still emotionally hypersensitive. She suffered terrible scruples (obsessive, inappropriate worries about sin). Then in December, 1886, she experienced a marvelous transformation which she called “the grace of leaving her childhood” and “the grace of her complete conversion”. After the midnight mass at Christmas, as her beloved father was leaving presents in her “magic Christmas shoes”, she overheard him say, “Well, fortunately this will be the last year.” She realized that he wished his now teenaged daughter to give up this childish custom. Overhearing a comment like that usually caused sensitive Thérèse to collapse in tears. This time was different. Although deeply stung by his comment, she concealed her emotions and went down to the Christmas celebration. This incident changed her forever because she had learned to transcend her inner turmoil.
A year and a half later, having gotten special permission from her bishop, Thérèse entered the Carmel of Lisieux on April 9, 1888. She was only fifteen.
Life in the Lisieux Carmel
Thérèse was at last where she had fought to be. But monastic life did not assure unalloyed spiritual joy. Soon after her entrance she lost all sense of consolation in prayer; she often fell asleep in chapel.
Family troubles added to her worries. In 1889 her seriously ill father was admitted to the mental hospital in Caen. Thérèse said that she could not have imagined a greater cross.
That same year she struggled again with a tinge of scruples, probably caused by pessimistic Jansenist preaching at the monastery. Her confessor told her to banish these doubts and believe obstinately in Jesus’ love. Relief came in1894 when her sister Celine entered the Carmel and brought with her a little notebook of scripture passages. In them Thérèse found the inspiration for her “little way.” The soul who had worried so much about her sinfulness now entrusted herself completely to God’s tender care.
In her “little way” Thérèse prescribes only two things:
1) She reminds us that God invites us to the banquet even when we are sinners. Thérèse tells us that we must desire to grow in the love of God and then entrust ourselves to God’s merciful care, for God is moved by reliance on the divine compassion.
2) Next she gives us a mandate for generosity, that is, for exercising a life of holiness in ordinary things. She writes that she has no means of proving her love for God other than that of strewing flowers: not allowing one little sacrifice to escape, not one look or even one word. In this way she can profit from all the smallest things by doing them with love.
Several years of ordinary convent life passed . Thérèse took great interest in foreign missions and hoped to go to Indochina herself. No one realized that her health was giving way.
On April 2, 1896, Thérèse woke in the night coughing up blood–she had tuberculosis. After a temporary partial recovery, she relapsed in September and continued to decline. By April 1897 she was gravely ill. The accounts from this time describe indigestion, vomiting, fever, chest pain, spitting up blood, and coughing to the point of exhaustion. In May she gave up her laundry work. On July 8th she was transferred to the monastery infirmary where she died on September 30th around 7:20 pm.
Towards the end of her life, Thérèse was asked on three different occasions to write something about her life.
In 1895 Thérèse’s sister Pauline, now known as Reverend Mother Agnes, told Thérèse, “I order you to write down all your childhood memories.” In obedience to this order, Thérèse began writing in January, 1895. This text (Manuscript A) contains reminiscences about her childhood and deals with her life in Carmel, introducing her ‘little way’ and describing her oblation to merciful love which she made in June of that year.
In 1896, Thérèse’s sister Marie, now Sister Marie of the Sacred Heart, asked for a “souvenir” of insights from Thérèse’s most recent retreat. Thérèse wrote this part of the document now known as Manuscript B on September 8. Later Sister Marie asked Thérèse to clarify some of her teachings. Thérèse complied, adding a new description of her “little way” to Manuscript B on September 13-16, 1896.
In 1897, saying she needed more information for the obituary that she would send to the Order, Mother Marie de Gonzague asked Thérèse to write more about her Carmelite life. Thérèse started this text (Manuscript C) in June, but did not finish it before she died.
When Thérèse wrote Manuscript C, she located the text for us quite clearly. First she wrote about the great saints like Teresa of Avila and then said “Alas! I have always noticed that when I compared myself to the saints, there is between them and me the same difference that exists between a mountain whose summit is lost in the clouds and the obscure grain of sand trampled underfoot by the passers-by. Instead of becoming discouraged,” she wrote, “…I must bear with myself such as I am with all my imperfections. But I want to seek out a means of going to heaven by a little way, a way that is very straight, very short, and totally new….I am too small to climb the rough stairway of perfection.”
Thérèse referred directly to Teresa and then used two metaphors (the mountain, and the stairway of perfection) that deftly combined references to John of the Cross and his Ascent of Mount Carmel and Teresa’s Way of Perfection. The work she was trying to do in this text was to articulate a spirituality as profound as that of the Carmelite founders, but much more easily accessible!
Indeed, she wrote in her text, “We are living now in an age of inventions, and we no longer have to take the trouble of climbing stairs, for, in the homes of the rich, an elevator has replaced these very successfully. I wanted to find an elevator which would raise me to Jesus.” This is another metaphor for her little way.
Before she died, Thérèse told her sisters that it was important to publish her texts, and she authorized them to edit her manuscripts freely. The nuns did edit them quite freely, putting them together in one continuous document. They also changed, omitted, and added text in the process. For example, the date of composition for Manuscript A was changed.
The most important adulteration of Thérèse’s original text is what happened to the concept of the “little way.” Sister Geneviève (Thérèse’s blood sister Pauline) tells us that Thérèse never used the term “spiritual childhood”; rather she called it “her little Way.” And so even though Thérèse herself never used the term “spiritual childhood” in any of her writing, the phrase “little way of spiritual childhood” was added to the eighth edition of The Story of a Soul in 1907. This changed the work of the text enormously.
The edition of The Story of a Soul available on the Internet contains the modified text. To know what Thérèse really said, serious students go to the critical edition which contains the text in Thérèse’s own words. The unedited version is available from Institute of Carmelite Studies (ICS Publications)
- 1898 Bishop Hugonin gives permission for Histoire d’une Ame to be published; 2000 copies printed; they sell out in a year.
- 1899 By October another 4000 copies are sold; pilgrims start to come to her grave.
- 1906 The nuns in Lisieux start work toward Thérèse’s canonization.
- 1909 The Vatican appoints an official to study the case for Thérèse’s canonization.
- 1923 Pope Pius XI beatifies Thérèse
- 1925 Pius XI canonizes Thérèse
- 1927 Pius XI declares Thérèse co-patron of the missions with St. Francis Xavier
- 1997 Pope John Paul II declares Thérèse a Doctor of the Church
Ahern, Patrick. Maurice & Thérèse NY: Doubleday, 1998. [The relationship between Thérèse and her missionary brother as seen through their correspondence]
Conrad De Meester, OCD. The Power of Confidence. Translated by Susan Conroy. NY: Alba House, 1998.
_____, editor. Saint Thérèse of Lisieux: Her Life, Times, and Teaching. WDC: ICS Publications, 1997.
St. Thérèse of Lisieux. Story of a Soul. Translated by John Clarck, OCD. WDC: ICS Publications, 1996. [The critical edition]
For further information and study on St.Thérèse a resource of study is the The Thérèse of Lisieux Gateway project.


It has been revealed that Baidu would replace Google as the standard search engine on Chinese versions of the iPhone, come the next major update.
A Baidu product manager reportedly told a group of journalists at a company event that Apple had signed an agreement to integrate Baidu as the default search service in iOS. The change will most likely go into effect when iOS 6 is released to the public later this year, in tandem with the release of Apple’s next-generation iPhone.
Apple has recorded huge revenues in the Chinese market where it made around $8 billion in profit alone in Q1 this year. Not only does Apple plan to make a splash with the next iPhone, the company is now dedicated to including specific services for major markets.
Not coincidentally, Apple is also moving away from Google Maps by implementing its own mapping service, which reportedly boasts some stunning 3D veiws, in iOS 6.


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I have been a big fan of mead (honey wine) for years. Thick and syrupy, drinking mead is like taking in a mouth full of honey. I just love to sip this beverage on a cool spring day! Now, many of you are probably scratching your head wondering why a beer blogger is writing about mead. Well for one thing, I don’t discriminate. And for another, it’s considered by many archeologists and food historians to be the ancestor of all fermented beverages.
Dating as far back as 2000 B.C. (and possibly further), mead has been enjoyed in Africa, Asia, Europe, and now the United States. I’m sure you are still wondering why this article even exists. Well, PNW brewing icon Rogue Brewing has taken on the task of creating lovely mead that is not only light and crisp, but easy for even the mead hater to enjoy.
Rogue Farms First Growth 19 Original Colonies Mead is Rogue’s interpretation of a beer drinker’s mead. All I can say is WOW! THIS IS GREAT MEAD! Ok, I’m obviously going to say more. The beautiful color is rivaled by the luscious aroma. Jasmine flowers and honey dominate the nose. Traditional mead is very thick and syrupy with no carbonation what so ever. Rogue, however, uses champagne yeast and free range coastal water creating a lovely, champagne-like carbonation so the body is clean and sparkly but still maintains the jammy qualities of traditional mead. Rogue uses their own Rogue Farms Hopyard honey along with wild flower honey and Jasmine Silver Tip Green Tea Leaves.
This mead is delightfully aromatic, crisp & clean. For a wine made with two types of honey, this mead is sweet but not sickening sweet. Jasmine flowers are prominent through the body and mellow out the honey. The green tea adds a nice, soft acidic tone and the finish is just, again, more heavenly jasmine. The ABV is only 5.2% but because this is a bit thicker than beer, I don’t suggest you drink it with food.
My husband can’t stand mead, but guess what? He couldn’t get enough of this one! Neither could I!! We actually went back to the bottle shop and bought a couple more bottles. Rogue Brewing got it right.
I have yet to try a mead but I would really like to. Rogue typically creates a good product so why not give them a try as my first mead? I really can’t think of a reason. 🙂
You won’t be disapointed! 🙂

domain: hobby


By Nicole Krahe
Marketing Communication Student Assistant, Penn State Behrend
Whether it’s a free t-shirt from Health and Wellness, a hard-earned A on an exam or simply the change in seasons, there’s plenty to smile about on campus this week.
So we asked Behrend students: What makes you happy?
Jian Riccadonna, first-year student, Plastics Engineering Technology, from Cranberry: “I would have to say that I’m looking forward to the Penguin’s game this Saturday.”
Rachel Frye, first-year student, Communication, from Pittsburgh: “Going home this weekend and spending time with my boyfriend.”
Patryk Sperka, first-year student, Mechanical Engineering, from Erie: “The weather. My brother and I climbed out onto my roof last night to hangout and it was perfect. There was a warm breeze. It was just blissful.”
Julie Guidry, first-year student, Mechanical Engineering, from Pittsburgh: “I like the smell of the pine needles that have fallen off the trees. Just fall, in general, is making me happy.”
Alexa Latshaw, sophomore, Biology, from Franklin: “I would have to say the weather. It’s been really nice and warm this week.”
Kristen Collins, junior, Communication, from Wattsburgh: “The thing that makes me the happiest is just being able to spend time with my husband.”
Robbi Kitelinger, first-year student, Division of Undergraduate Studies, from Tidioute: “The weather, hanging out with my boyfriend, and going home to see my sister soon.”
Brittany Thomas, sophomore, Wildlife and Fisheries Science, from Bethel Park: “My Theta Phi Alpha sisters, especially my “Big”, Chelsea. I’ve had a rough couple of weeks and my sisters are always there to help.”
Corey Flesik, sophomore, Industrial Engineering, from Pittsburgh: “Not having exams to study for this week makes me really happy.”
Darliny Rivera, first-year student, Nursing, from New York: “Getting my nursing final over with, and just being here. I love Behrend.”
Behrend Reacts is a regular Thursday feature at the Behrend Blog that tries to get the campus pulse on a current topic, whether it’s serious or trivial. If you have a question to suggest for Behrend Reacts, please email Nicole Krahe at firstname.lastname@example.org.
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Tweet Us: twitter.com/psbehrend
Watch Us: youtube.com/pennstatebehrend1


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New Delhi, March 4 (IANS) The BJP Monday sought to know why no case was registered in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal even after a week while the government was insisting on forming a joint parliamentary committee to look into the scam.
"This is the same government which was so hesitant in forming JPC earlier. Why are they so keen on letting a JPC probe the VVIP chopper deal," asked Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) spokesperson Sayed Shahnawaz Hussain.
"There is something fishy about the whole affair. Why has the CBI not registered an FIR in the case so far," he said.
Hussain claimed that the government thinks "a probe by JPC can be manipulated as they have done in the JPC probing the 2G spectrum allocation. They do not allow opposition members to speak".
The government has already ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the $750 million deal for 12 VVIP AgustaWestland helicopters, following the arrest, in Italy, of its parent company Finmeccanica's chief on charges of graft in the contract.

domain: news


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Featured New Home Developments
Neiman Blvd. & Cadwallader Ave., San Jose, CA 95138
Chantrea features three spacious design offering approximately 3,390 to 4,250 square feet with a combination of generous interiors and outdoor living spaces capturing California living for today's modern family. Homes will feature up to 5 bedrooms and up to 4.5 baths with first and second floor master suites on expansive homesites featuring a minimum of 10,000 square feet. Call 408.531.8881 or visit tripointehomes.com
for more information.
An enclave of distinctive homes in the Cambrian Park area of west San Jose near Los Gatos.
2133 Samaritan Drive, San Jose CA 95124
Located near Los Gatos in the Cambrian Park area of west San Jose, the Parkwood Collections by Summerhill Homes are beautiful new San Jose real estate options for the prospective homebuyer. The Garden Collection at Parkwood offers two- and three- bedroom flats and condos, and the Redwood Collection boasts striking single-family homes. These distinctive residences are built around a pleasant 1.3-acre community park, and all of them feature an array of desirable features designed to meet varying needs and tastes.
Village Square offers contemporary living in midtown San Jose
1465 W. San Carlos St., San Jose CA 95126
Village Square's new San Jose homes offer the best of urban living in a friendly neighborhood setting. Close to downtown San Jose, Santana Row, Westfield Valley Fair and Willow Glen, this new San Jose development offers spacious, new townhouse-style condos with appealing contemporary touches. Each of these distinctive new homes in San Jose features two to three bedrooms, including a master bedroom suite, along with a gourmet kitchen, laundry area and attractive architectural detailing both inside and out. With prices starting in the low $500,000s, these stylish, affordable San Jose condos will go fast.
New homes with a prime Palo Alto address
Redwood Gate by SummerHill Homes is a highly anticipated community of new homes in Palo Alto, close to downtown and schools in the acclaimed Palo Alto School District. Silicon Valley real estate at its finest, Redwood Gate offers residents a prime Palo Alto address close to Bay Area high-tech companies and attractions, with a secluded, tree-lined atmosphere. Spacious three and four bedroom homes will feature timeless architecture with modern amenities for families with active lifestyles. Built by acclaimed Bay Area new home developer SummerHill homes, each distinctive Palo Alto home will reflect the developer's signature combination of thoughtful design and prime location.
Number of Units: 127
Year Built: 2006
HOA Fees Range: $320 - $420
Builder / Developer: AGI Capitol
Welcome to a new residential community in San Jose where ownership is an easy choice.
This is no compromise. Each home offers sophisticated finishes and quality layouts, just feet away from an inspiring inner courtyard. Affordability and quality, luxury and value, Brickyard
is a homeownership dream.
Number of Units: 98
Year Built: 2004
HOA Fees Range: $330 - $450
Builder / Developer: Goldrich & Kest Industries / Trident
Downtown Condos It is careful attention to features and amenities, light and volume, contemporary designs,
dramatic elevations, and elegant floor plan that characterize these downtown San Jose Condos. Convenient location, abundance of nearby services, and easy access to commerce centers makes it a highly desirable community you'll want to be part of.
Number of Units: 74
Year Built: 2006-2007
HOA Fees Range: $300 - $350
Builder / Developer: Barry Swenson Builder
New Downtown San Jose Condos In the up-and coming Martha Gardens neighborhood one will find the distinctive and contemporary architectural styles that make up the most recent addition to the area The Works condos. These one and two bedroom condos offer a single or multi-level loft type floor plans. Walking distance to Kelley Park, Japanese Gardens and San Jose's Historical Park help to make this new development one of the most antisipated and sought after homes in the downtown market.

domain: geography


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Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Innara Health, a leader in neurodevelopmental care and neonatal oral feeding therapy and assessment technologies, today announced a joint marketing agreement with GE Healthcare. GE Healthcare is a leader in offering solutions supporting maternal and neonatal care from labor through delivery and post-delivery care. With prematurity as the leading cause of death for newborns worldwide, GE Healthcare works to provide solutions that not only help clinicians save the lives of preterm babies but also help them go home as healthy as possible. This relationship seeks to protect and support the neurodevelopment of infants, which is critical at this stage of life.
Under this Agreement, Innara Health and GE Healthcare will jointly promote the GE Healthcare perinatal solutions with the NTrainer System as an enhancement to current clinical practices used to support the development of premature and newborn infants who struggle with oral feeding. This relationship will uniquely position Innara Health to intensify efforts focused on the challenges associated with oral feeding competencies of premature infants, and the related delays in neurological development.
The American Academy of Pediatrics identifies healthy oral feeding as one of the essential competencies necessary for hospital discharge. It is estimated that over 50% of the approximately 500,000 babies born prematurely each year will struggle with oral feeding deficiencies, which prevent successful breast or bottle feeding. The NTrainer System expands healthcare system capabilities with objective therapy and assessment of nonnutritive suck (NNS), a neurologically based, oral feeding readiness skill. The NTrainer is the only FDA-cleared technology available that provides oral motor therapy clinically validated to improve oral feeding readiness.
“This relationship allows Innara Health to build on the initial success of the NTrainer System and significantly expands our market reach” stated Michael Peck, president and CEO of Innara Health. “As a leader in neonatal solutions, GE Healthcare brings deep NICU experience. This relationship extends Innara Health’s capacity to focus on the clinical improvements, cost reductions and family satisfaction goals of healthcare.”
Clinical research supports the use of the NTrainer System as part of an evidence-based approach to infant feeding in the NICU, and with the resulting improvements in transitioning to independent oral feeding, reduce the requirement for feeding tubes. The added impact of reducing length of stay (LOS) in the NICU suggests that oral stimulation – like that provided by the NTrainer System – not only enhances infants’ oral feeding but supports the developmental progression of necessary skill acquisition.
“At GE Healthcare, we are at work every day to help clinicians send moms and babies home healthy,” said Tammy Noll, General Manager of Maternal Infant Care at GE Healthcare. “This relationship is focused on newborn neurodevelopment – which is impacted by many factors in the first stage of life – to ensure a healthy development. At Maternal Infant Care, reducing death and disability, length of stay, and hospital readmissions of newborns, is our primary goal. As a company, we aim to provide holistic solutions, across the entire perinatal space, that positively impact clinical outcomes.”
“Innara Health and GE Healthcare affirm our joint commitment to advance the care of premature infants,” said Michael Peck, president and CEO of Innara Health. “Improving oral feeding skills in the NICU impacts healthcare providers, but more importantly, shortens the separation parents experience with their infant remaining in the NICU. As the healthcare industry continues to seek opportunities to improve patient outcomes, clinical efficiency and financial improvements, we are excited to work with GE Healthcare and offer solutions designed to support the challenges of caring for the most fragile patients.”
About Innara Health
Innara Health’s mission is to advance the global understanding and improvement of neonatal, pediatric and adult feeding. The company offers the FDA-cleared NTrainer System, the first neonatal technology that assesses and develops non-nutritive suck (NNS) for newborns and infants born prematurely. Neonatal clinicians use the NTrainer System in children’s hospitals, medical centers and rehabilitation hospitals. For more information, visit innarahealth.com.

domain: medical


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Sudan sentences teen to death for killing husband during rape
A 19-year-old girl in Sudan was sentenced to death by a court on Thursday for killing her husband who tried to rape her, said campaigners, calling on the president to pardon the teenager who was forced into a child marriage and had acted in self-defence.
Noura Hussein says her father made her contractually marry her cousin when she was 16, but she refused to accept the union and sought refuge with a relative for three years.
She returned to her family home on the outskirts of the capital Khartoum in April after her father said the marriage was cancelled, but found that she had been duped and preparations for her wedding ceremony were underway.
Hussein said that she refused to have sex with her husband after the ceremony, but on the sixth day, he raped her as three of his male relatives held her down to restrain her.
The following day, he attempted to rape her again and as she struggled to stop him, she stabbed him, killing him.
Central Criminal Court of Omdurman found Hussein guilty of premeditated murder last month and on Thursday officially sentenced her to death by hanging. Her lawyers have 15 days to appeal.
Hussein refused to have sex with her husband after the ceremony, but on the sixth day, he raped her as three of his male relatives held her down
Amal Habani, a women’s rights activist and journalist who witnessed the sentencing told Al Jazeera that "the husband's family received the verdict with claps of joy and cheering".
"But for Hussein's supporters at the courtroom, the news was very distressing," Habani added.
Sudan is ranked 165 out of 188 countries on the UN's Gender Inequality Index, which measures how women fare compared with men when it comes to access to health, education, political participation and employment opportunities.
UN Women says violence against women and girls is considered prevalent. The country has not signed the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and has weak policies in place to protect them.
Sudanese law allows for the marriage of a girl once she reaches puberty. It also says a 10-year-old girl can be married by their guardian with the permission of a judge. One in three Sudanese women are married before the age of 18, says UN Women.
Petitions appealing for Noura's release are being widely circulated on social media platforms and have gathered tens of thousands of signatures.
Campaign groups including Equality Now say they are writing to Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir to plead for clemency, arguing that the judgement is against the country's constitution.
"Noura is a victim, not a criminal, and should be treated as such. In many countries, victims like Noura would be provided services to ensure that they overcome the trauma of their experiences," said Equality Now's global director Yasmeen Hassan.
"Criminalisation of Noura for defending herself from assault and, in particular a death sentence, would violate her rights under the Sudanese Constitution and international law."

domain: law


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Congratulations to the “news” fakers who have now discovered that Marilyn Monroe was married to a Communist. But if the “news” fakers would read their own propaganda they would already have known this.
Arthur Miller, a playwright, was married to Marilyn Monroe. The June 22, 1956 “Books” section of the New York Times carried a report headlined, “Arthur Miller Admits Helping Communist-Front Groups in ’40s.” Allen Drury reports, in part, “Arthur Miller, playwright, disclosed today a past filled with Communist-front associations and a future filled with Marilyn Monroe.”
Now, more than 50 years later, Gabrielle Levy of UPI is shocked to report how FBI was suspicious that Marilyn Monroe might be a commie.
This Arthur Miller wrote a play dealing with the Salem witchcraft episode of the Cotton Mather times. Like the erroneous history in the new Steven Spielberg “Lincoln” movie, so too “The Crucible”, Miller’s Salem witchcraft play, is high-octane hogwash.
In the DVD I have of “The Crucible” (1996) there is an interview of Miller and Daniel Day-Lewis, who performed in the Twentieth Century Fox version of “The Crucible.” (Mr. Day-Lewis, a talented actor, also is “Old Abe” in the new “Lincoln” movie.) Arthur Miller’s erroneous “history” of the Salem witchcraft situation blames it all on some mischievous teenage girls. But, Arthur Miller added in the 1996 interview, these mischievous teenage girls were not villains but heroines who were attacking and subverting the white male power structure! To this, Daniel Day-Lewis sagely nodded as if to say, “Yes, it is so.”
Well if you can’t trust a Communist to explain to you the Salem witchcraft episode, then who can you trust?
But the true story of the Salem witchcraft episode – the non-Communist version – is contained in my book, In Praise of Cotton Mather (2011, published by Lulu.com). Contrary to wishy-washy nonsense, in fact the “Indians” (Native Americans) greeted the Pilgrims with volleys of deadly arrows. It was afterwards confessed by these Indians “that upon the arrival of the English in these parts, the Indians employed their sorcerors, whom they call pow-wows, like Balaam, to curse them, and let loose their demons upon them, to shipwreck them, to distract them, to poison them, or any way to ruin them. All the noted pow-wows in the country spent three days together in diabolical conjurations, to obtain the assistance of the devils against the settlement of these our English…”
New England was under psychic demonic attack! This was much more than a few bitchy teens subverting the white male power structure! In 1688, “surly” Indians began to be seen on the outskirts of Massachusetts settlements. There were “Indian wars.” After a defeat at Falmouth (in southern Maine) in September 1689, the Wabanakis (a Maine tribe) retreated “into the howling Desarts” and only a “few sculkin Roges (skulking rogues)” were sometimes seen.
This was the turbulent backdrop for the Salem witchcraft episode. There began to be “Remarkable Providences,” such as unusual weather, earthquakes, strange apparitions, and diabolical possessions. It seemed as if the Devil had descended upon the New Englanders! The situation was in a snarl: it was hard to separate fact from fiction. The Honorable Judges had a private room for Jehoshaphat’s Exclamation, “We know not what to do!”
In those troubled times, one man, Cotton Mather, stood firm against the tide.

domain: literature


I’m shilly-shallying over Christmas dinner. I am thinking a show-stopper perhaps –a highly spiced, marinated Indian-style leg of lamb – ‘Sabut Raan’ – spit roasted. And a whole bottle of red while you watch it cook.
An ‘ex’, bless her, would tell me just because you took the top off a bottle of wine, you didn’t have to drink it all. She could make a bottle last a week.
You could also have a glass while you decide who to on-gift all those crappy presents you just got. How many nose-hair trimmers does a man need? A manual on tantric sex – really? If it’s that interesting Aunty, you read it and report back.
Or the out-of-date joke calendar from Nana. When I pointed it out she just harrumphed and said: “Yeah, but the jokes are never out-of-date”.
Or we might go down the seafood path.
Severed and squirming
Some ‘san-nakji’ – freshly severed, and still squirming, octopus tentacles. An exciting departure from that God awful adulteration, salt and pepper squid.
San-nakji is a global gastronomic sensation – for all the wrong reasons, but it would be a hell of a conversation piece.
San-nakji got some bad press when an 82-year-old South Korean bloke had a heart attack after choking on a piece of ‘live’ tentacle. Was he choking or was he retching, or gagging, or all three? I feel a movie coming on. ‘Revenge of the Squid’...
And before we get all sniffy about strange foreign eating habits, let’s examine ourselves.
When you are next slurping back a few Bluffies, remember they’re still alive when eaten immediately after being shucked. Because raw, dead oysters can carry dangerous bacteria – vibrio vulnificus – which can have you dancing with the dunny for a couple of hours. Or worse.
But some experts say the oyster is probably dead once separated from the shell. Either way, it doesn’t wriggle and squirm like a tentacle in its death throes.
And again, before we get too judgmental, the octopus in ‘san nakji’ is technically dead because it’s decapitated before the tentacles are chopped into bite-size portions and served dripping with sesame oil, sesame seeds and ginger. ‘Masisseoyo!’ as they say in Busan and Seoul! Delicious!
It’s never as it seems because there’s compelling evidence that the neuron-packed tentacles are still alive. They still respond to stimuli – they recoil from touch or suction-attach themselves to chopsticks. Some eaters sense a ‘tight pull’ as the tentacles suction to their mouth or throat. Which would account for the 82-year-old’s last, ghastly gastronomic experience? A defiant portion of san nakji refusing to dislodge its sucker from his throat.
Perhaps some karma going down there – or nature’s forces at work. You eat me alive and I choke the life out of you.
We are not above some disgusting eating habits ourselves. Some Kiwis eat ‘mountain oysters’, more as a show of bravado I suspect. These oysters aren’t shucked, they’re castrated. They’re sheep testicles. There’s a belief they boost your masculinity.
I think I’d rather live as a compromised male. Mind you, a new friend from South America can’t understand all this food fuss. Because he started salivating as he talks about something called ‘Criadillas’. “My grandmother used to make it. Bulls’ testicles, all meat, beautiful!”
Here’s another excerpt from the weird and wonderful world of international cuisine.
Bones and feathers
It’s called balut – it’s a popular food sold by street vendors in the Philippines and Vietnam. It consists of a fertilised duck egg that has been incubated for about 18 days, which means there’s a partially developed embryo in the shell, and it’s boiled alive. It’s a slimy texture, similar to oysters, the brittle little bones crunch and the feathers brush your tongue. Lovely!
I’m told it tastes like chicken broth with egg – surprisingly delicious, rich, flavoursome and a creamy texture. I’ll take their word. I like chicken broth, I love eggs – I draw a line at embryos. Balut won’t be on my Christmas table.
The lamb please
Just one more – something called ‘svio’ from Iceland. Take a sheep’s head, once the sheep has finished with it, cut it in half, remove the brain, use your brulee micro gas torch to singe the wool, boil it for an hour or more and then slap it on the plate. Suddenly tentacles are sounding much more attractive. So is lamb, roasties, peas and gravy. Even a turkey drumstick.
A footnote to the san nakji experience. It was used as a successful alibi in the ‘octopus murder’ when a man was sentenced to life imprisonment for allegedly killing his girlfriend and blaming san nakji. He was later acquitted.
And is it too early to be thinking Christmas dinner 2024 because South Korea is planning to outlaw farming dogs for human consumption – and it’s causing a right old stink. And I’m not talking corn dogs – skewered snags deep-fried in a corn meal batter.
If you need a dressed pitbull or Rottweiler carcass for your Bosintang – literally ‘body protecting soup’ which is said to have medicinal properties – I’d probably put an order in with your friendly Korean kennel now


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Re: [Qemu-discuss] [Qemu-devel] Apple hypervisor.framework (hvf) availab
Re: [Qemu-discuss] [Qemu-devel] Apple hypervisor.framework (hvf) availability
Thu, 8 Feb 2018 11:40:33 +0100
Mozilla/5.0 (X11; Linux x86_64; rv:52.0) Gecko/20100101 Thunderbird/52.5.2
On 08/02/2018 11:21, Peter Maydell wrote:
> On 7 February 2018 at 23:05, Brendan Simon (eTRIX)
> <address@hidden> wrote:
>> There must be some qemu developers that
>> have access to Macs and may even be Mac users too (just an assumption).
> Nope, pretty much not. Almost all the QEMU developers use
> Linux -- the BSDs and Windows hosts are also not very well
> represented in the QEMU dev community.
Indeed. However, Windows at least has Wine and it can also be
virtualized if you have a legal license. If Apple wants to donate even
oldish hardware to developers, I'm sure it'd be welcome. :)
> I have a Mac, but I only really use it for doing build tests,
> so we at least keep the OSX support from bitrotting entirely.
> More developers working on and with the OSX parts of the QEMU
> code would certainly be welcome.
> -- PMM


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Massive federal “Covid Relief” spending bills allocated $2,185,882,951 (that’s billion!) to Minnesota in the past two years. How was this money distributed?
Minnesota’s State Plan for the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (PDF) uses the criteria laid out by the U.S. Department of Education. The Covid-19 Federal Funds per District Chart (PDF) itemizes how much the state allocated to each Minnesota school district.
As you review this chart, note that Column C is the current number of students in each district. Column P is the total federal money received for Covid relief in each district, and Column Q calculates the amount per pupil in each district. All of these dollars are new federal grants piled on top of the state appropriations and the federal funds schools receive through the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) annually.
Notice the huge disparity between districts in per pupil allocations! St. Paul’s total is $333+ million, and its per pupil allocation is $9,645. In contrast, East Carver County’s per pupil allocation is $644. Why the huge difference?
Criteria for the grant distribution are low-income families, children with disabilities, English learners, homelessness, and students in foster care. But one key criteria for allocating the grants is simply the number of nonwhite students, because they have been “historically underserved.”
The guidelines for how the money may be spent is loose. For example, Minnesota Democrats have focused for decades on incrementally creating “full-service schools.” They envision the schools as a hub providing students, families, and the whole community with access to social services, health care, mental health services, housing resources, food availability, career counseling, and so on. And they’ve had some success. But it’s been slow and piecemeal because those policies must pass the legislature! There is ample reason to reject this socialist plan for our schools.
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is another system eligible for federal Covid Relief funding. SEL is a vehicle for instilling the values, attitudes, and beliefs of the Left into our children. SEL creates a massive data collection system of surveys, assignments, and projects to forever store every aspect of students’ thoughts, fears, hopes, and dreams. Students are continually evaluated for “making progress.” Developing and implementing “local data collection systems and reporting strategies” is part of Minnesota’s plan to use Covid Relief funds.
These and numerous other radical leftist plans are eligible for federal Covid Relief grants. School districts can implement their plans completely bypassing the legislature. There are no hearings where public testimony is required. Federal grants funnel money directly to school districts, empowering them to implement programs with little or no community oversight. Who is asking for a detailed accounting of how districts are using this money?
Districts usually post their state mandated Safe Learning Plan online. Some of those plans commit their districts to masking and other priorities. Others commit only to recommendations. It’s worth reviewing those district plans. But these plans will not itemize how the federal money was specifically spent. Taxpayers in each district need to ask their superintendent specifically how that money was or is planning to be spent. That information is public data. If a response is not forthcoming, or if you don’t have confidence in the information provided, we urge you to file a formal data request. You have a right and a responsibility to know. A model data request is listed below.
Moving forward, MDH released guidance for year round schools and summer school on May 27, 2021 based on current CDC recommendations. LEAs [local districts] that receive ARP ESSER funds will provide their plans in MDE’s SERVS application. MDE
will maintain a focus on equity in our review of plans and our continued support of LEAs in ensuring these policies are adopted and implemented (p. 10, emphasis added).
It is important to note that the term “equity” does not mean that individual students are provided the special help they need to succeed. Equity means that outcomes are measured by identity groups, primarily racial groups, and those identity groups must have equal outcomes. Under “equity,” some individual students are deliberately denied equal opportunity because the goal is not individual success. The goal is racial or gender group outcomes. “Equity” is a violation of equal protection under the law, a fundamental constitutional principle and individual right.
Progressive nonprofits and businesses are, of course, right on hand to help steer states and school districts toward using those federal funds to push their political ideologies. For example, The Achievement Network (ANet) offers a complete Guide to ESSER (Elementary & Secondary School Emergency Relief) funding. And for them, it’s all about Equity.
“How do we cultivate, develop and utilize an equity lens to disrupt systemic inequities?” ANet will give them all the plans and programs, designed just for that district.
ANet’s statement of beliefs is centered on “systemic oppression, white supremacy culture, and unconscious biases.” Their website is riddled with critical race theory talking points. Race, they believe, is the central conflict of history, and our schools, our culture, our Republic is irredeemably racist. Their goal is “dismantling systems of oppression.” This is not about academic excellence for all. This is about a radical political agenda.
There are likely numerous other progressive entities like Anet, ready to counsel school districts for a hefty fee, all out of sight of taxpayers, parents, and lawmakers.
In the Sartell school district, inquiring parents discovered the district paid $80,000 in federal Covid Relief funds to hire Equity Alliance Minnesota to conduct an ‘equity audit’ related ‘equity’ plans for the district curriculum. Students were asked invasive and disturbing questions relating to their personal beliefs and sexual identities.
Is your district engaging with any of these outside agencies? What consultants are they engaging? What are their federal Covid Relief expenditures?
Model Data Request letter
Name of Superintendent
Dear (Name of Superintendent),
Under the Minnesota Data Practices Act 13.01 et seq., I am requesting documentation in electronic form. I am asking for a detailed list of any and all funds from your District pertaining to federal Covid-19 relief, including, but not limited to, federal Covid Relief (CRF) dollars, ESSER I, II, and III dollars, GEER dollars, Extended Summer program dollars, and any other funds received regarding Covid Relief.
I also request a detailed expenditure report of all of the above funds– including all invoices, Contracts, or contracted services documents.
I am requesting a waiver of fees in that the disclosure of the above information is in the taxpayer (public) interest and will contribute to the public’s understanding of how their schools are run and on what their tax dollars are being spent. This information is not being sought for
Please confirm that you have received this. I ask that you respond to this request in a timely manner. Much of this information is readily available from your school accountants.
Thank you for your time,

domain: finance


text:
We are thinking of buying half a pig. How many of you guys buy meat in bulk to save on groceries? Do you feel it's a saving or do you just end up eating more meat?
We don't buy meat, but we do butcher our own stock. That's also why we don't eat pork. I'm too lazy to raise pigs. We probably eat less meat than most Americans.
DS8, DD7, DS4
My parents get half a pig each year. We love it! My advice would be to meal plan at least one meal with the pig each week. We do not eat more meat by having the pig in the freezer. It really saves us $ because we buy only local and/or organic meat so bacon, ham, and pork chops would be $$$ bought on their own. I love having bacon in the freezer for BLTs in the summer and hams for the birthday brunches we throw for our boys. Brats are awesome to grill in the summer. We did get too many pork chops so this year I am giving a half dozen of them to my father-in-law for Christmas.
I purchase a whole hog in the spring and winter for our household. It amounts to 235lbs hanging weight. That is just the total carcass weight, not what is edible. We end up with a freezer full of pork chops, ham, bacon, lard, and sausage. I’ve learned I don’t like pork liver, pigs feet or pork neck bones. I’m not a huge fan of the way cheek bacon fries up but it tastes just fine. It does take us a full 6 months for 7 people (now 8 ) to eat through a hog and I usually share my lard. I find that my kids will inhale ham and pick at bacon and sausages. They do eat pork chops and pork steaks but 6 chops will easily feed the 7 of us with leftovers. My husband likes pork ribs (it’s not my favorite) so he usually cooks up the rib racks for us. I find when I bulk buy meat I have to pay attention to what is in my freezer and make a plan to use everything up. On a daily basis, I tend to be a casserole cook so I will average 1-2lbs of meat for the 7 of us. On days when meat is the main dish we do eat a bit more, but on average I don’t serve more than 3-4oz of meat per person. I like bulk buying meat. I don’t necessarily think I’m saving much money per pound by buying where I am buying from. I know my farmer, I’ve seen my animal on it’s farm, I like how it is being treated and what it is fed. I like having control over my cut sheet and how my meat is packaged. I like the processor our animal goes to and I like the way their hams and sausages are seasoned. I also know that when I buy a whole animal I will use cuts of meat I wouldn’t ordinarily purchase. Having a whole animal in my freezer forces me to be a more creative cook and expand my diet into other cuts of meat I wouldn’t pick out at the supermarket. The cost savings part is negotiable. Sure maybe it’s a cost savings on the price per pound of ribs but I also bought a lot of lard I’m not going to use up. And liver. And pork neck bones.
Mommy to Toby - 2/21/09, Lizzy - 1/28/10, Ely - 12-28-10 and Jeremy 2/25/13, Emery 3/4/15, Rebecca 1/15/18
You could go the other direction and go vegetarian. Saves money, way healthier, and way better for the planet - did you see what happened to all the pig poop in eastern North Carolina that is now floating in rivers and oceans and going to kill tons of marine life? Or how much carbon emissions are put into the atmosphere with every piece of bacon consumed?
Oh my..... Really?
DS8, DD7, DS4
I just don't use a lot of pork, so I wouldn't buy the pig. But if you do, and it comes out to be cheaper than buying small amounts at the store more often, and you have freezer space to store it, then go for it. Before Zaycon went down I bought a bunch of chicken and ground beef and stuck them in the freezer. It's so nice having that meet there and not having it in my grocery budget. A few years ago, I priced out buying half a cow from a local farm and it was significantly more expensive than the grocery store, and I would have a bunch of cuts of meat I don't ever use.
Mom to Micah, 2008
And Josiah, 2016
Buying a whole or half animal is a much more "stewardship" based approach because there is less waste and you are probably buying from someone who is not running a CAFO with ethically questionable practices. If all of the meat eaters did that we probably wouldn't have poop runoff in the water or whatever, or people too poor to move getting sick because they live near those massive poulty and pig "farms."
DS (9) DD (7) DD (5) DS (2) #5 (due April 2019!)
We grilled the bone in chops, ham steaks weren’t such good cuts so we would put them in the crock pot and have with rice and beans for dinner. The sausage we use in place of hamburger in most meals.
Old Member New ScreenName

domain: food


text:
Born and raised in Rhode Island, I grew up in Warwick and summered I Wickford. Graduated from URI where I majored in Textiles, Clothing, and Related Arts. Upon graduation I began a long career in retail management which eventually brought me north to New Hampshire where I have lived ever since. During that time, I continued to summer in Wickford. Recently my husband and I purchased a house in North Kingstown so that I could come home to where my family isI have always had a love for nature. Especially the ocean, birds and all animals. I enjoy creating items using natural items found in our surroundings. I find the beauty in simple things like shells, crabs,sea glass driftwood etc. I have been collecting beach glass since I was a little girl and my
father would take us to Dutch Island to explore. It was legal back then . Recently, I have taken up photography and love to capture the innocence of the birds and beauty of an early sunrise or the force of the surf on a stormy day.Presently my creations and photographs are featured at
the Village Faire in Wickford, on ETSY, at various arts and crafts festivals and for my first year at ArtVenture in hopes of inspiring others to open their eyes to the beauty around them.


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InSITE connects leading venture investors, technology companies, and law firms with passionate, driven graduate students at Columbia, Harvard, MIT, NYU, Stanford, Georgetown, Berkeley, U Penn, Washington University, and other top universities. Through our unique programming, strong network of alumni and partners, and competitive screening process, we create a community of top students in business, law, engineering, computer science, design, and medicine. Our 2-year Fellowship program brings students together outside the classroom and pushes them to work hard in interdisciplinary teams on projects that are rarely available on campus. We give our partners the tools to leverage this extraordinary resource, and ask that they make an annual charitable contribution to the Fellowship—our funding comes from visionary firms that see the value in developing tomorrow’s leaders and meeting the constant need for top talent in the venture and innovation markets.
Leadership Partners provide the foundation for InSITE’s national network of fellows, and receive all of the benefits of our Partner Program including: special projects and/or internships recruited in multiple geographies, invitations to join Fellows at national events like SXSW, CES, and Collision, and discounted recognition as a Presenting Sponsor at annual fundraising events.
- Special Projects — our Fellows are available to work on tailored projects for our partners, from market analysis and due diligence to lead generation and portfolio company support. A team of 1-4 Fellows will work with you for 8-10 weeks on a clear set of deliverables.
- Dedicated Intern/Project Coordinator — one of our Fellows will work with you to find the best candidates for internships, special projects, or portfolio company support.
- Resume Book — a complete listing of current Fellows across the country.
- Speaking Opportunities — we invite our partners to speak and serve as panelists at our Connect conferences, pitch nights, and industry events.
- Breakfasts — throughout the year, partners are invited to intimate breakfast meetings with small groups of Fellows who have demonstrated outstanding interest and ability.
- Recognition — partners are recognized on our website and event invitations, and often help create special events and additional programming.
- Network — access to our growing network of nearly 300 graduate student fellows and 700 alumni nationwide in startup, VC, tech, financial services, law, and related industries.
- Deal Flow — Since 1999, our Fellows have worked with companies that have raised more than $1.5 billion in venture funding with exits in excess of $750 million. every year InSITE’s consulting program receives hundreds of applications from promising seed-stage companies. Our Sourcing team meets with dozens of entrepreneurs to pick out the best.
InSITE is incorporated in the State of New York as a 501(c)3 Not-For-Profit Corporation.
For more information contact:

domain: economics


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The pandemic hasn’t slowed down dating app S’More— a minimum of according to CEO Adam Cohen-Aslatei, who stated that the app’s everyday active user count doubled in March and hasn’t decreased because.
“When individuals are working kind house, they have much more time to commit to their relationships,” Cohen-Aslatei told me.
The app (whose name is short for “something more”) released last fall and has apparently brought in nearly 50,000 users. The goal is to move beyond the superficiality of many dating apps, where you first discover another user and after that unlock visual elements (like a profile photo) as you engage.
Cohen-Aslatei said the group has likewise invested more on marketing to draw in a varied audience, both in regards to racial variety (something S’more enhances by not allowing users to filter by race) and sexual preference, with 15% of users recognizing as LGBTQ.
Obviously, dating someone new can be challenging when fulfilling up in-person postures real health risks, but Cohen-Aslatei said S’More users have actually gotten creative, like remote suppers where they buy each other takeout from their preferred dining establishments. And now that things are resuming (though a few of those reopenings are getting pulled back), users are asking, “How do we shift these virtual relationships into IRL?”
Image Credits: S’More To provide users more methods to interact, the S’More team just recently released a video calling function. But Cohen-Aslatei kept in mind,” We needed to develop it in a manner that was actually fitting for our app … Women actually don’t wish to see a man right away, when you don’t know if they’re a creep.”
In S’more’s video calling, the video is blurred for the very first two minutes, which indicates you have actually got to actually begin an intriguing discussion before you can see who you’re talking to, and prior to they see you (a principle that may be familiar to viewers of
Netflix’s dating showProgramLove is Blind “). S’More has actually also broadened geographically, launching recently in Los Angeles (it was already offered in Boston, Washington, D.C., New York and Chicago). And it recently began its a video series of its own on Instagram’s IGTV– the S’More Live Pleased Hour, where stars use dating guidance.
“There’s this unfavorable history of dating apps perpetuating unfavorable online behaviors, fake images, catfishers,” Cohen-Aslatei stated. “But now we’re entering into a brand-new period of credibility, where we’re going from very vain to very authentic. S’more is one of those apps that’s going to lead you because instructions.”
Article curated by RJ Shara from Source. RJ Shara is a Bay Area Radio Host (Radio Jockey) who talks about the startup ecosystem – entrepreneurs, investments, policies and more on her show The Silicon Dreams. The show streams on Radio Zindagi 1170AM on Mondays from 3.30 PM to 4 PM.


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Mixed ability Pilates classes
Pilates classes are a great way to strengthen postural muscles, improve posture, and increase wellbeing. My classes are suitable for all ages and abilities, are informal and full of fun!
Mixed ability classes
Classes run weekly in blocks of four (some drop in places may be available). All places must be booked in advance and new starters are encouraged to have an introductory 1 to 1 lesson with me.
Stretch and release is a virtual class run at 10am on Tuesdays via Zoom. It's an interactive class of gentle movement, stretching and self care massage using spiky massage balls and therabands. Perfect for easing aches and pains and setting you up for the rest of the week!
Wednesday - 11:00amScout hut, Collingwood Road
Wednesday - 6.00pmHythe Community Centre
Thursday - 9.30amThe Manor, Health and Wellness Centre
Thursday - 10.45amThe Manor, Health and Wellness Centre
Friday - 9.30amSt Mary's church hall, West Bergholt
Saturday - 9.30amOld Heath Community Centre
I have been a massage therapist since 2006 and qualified as a Pilates instructor in 2017. The human body and the reasons why we can end up in pain fascinate me. Trauma, illness, postural patterns, stress and anxiety can all result in acute and chronic pain. Over the years I have completed extensive training - learning different techniques for helping people get out of pain and become more mobile.Learn more about me


Cryptocurrencies came, saw, and disrupted the financial space – despite many predictions about their impending doom. They were labeled as a fad and as tools for enabling criminal activities. But in a rally led by Bitcoin, cryptocurrencies have established themselves as legitimate and a force to be reckoned with in the finance space.
However, digital assets still face criticism. One withering take was by Agustin Carstens, General Manager of the Bank of International Settlements, who called Bitcoin a combination of a bubble, a Ponzi scheme, and an environmental disaster.
While the first two indictments are flat-out untrue, the third one deserves a closer inspection. Serious questions have been raised about the impact cryptocurrencies wield on the environment.
Are cryptocurrencies power-hogging monsters, or is it a hollow indictment?
Cryptomining and More
The vast majority of cryptocurrencies have taken the model of Bitcoin, the first and the most successful cryptocurrency. Bitcoin is a decentralized token, meaning it is not controlled or regulated by any bank or government. Instead, new coins are generated via ‘mining,’ a process in which computers across the globe solve complicated mathematical puzzles and earn some coins or a fraction of the transaction fees as a reward.
The Bitcoin network is supported by blockchain technology – which includes a publicly distributed ledger that maintains a record of all transactions. Transactions are in the form of blocks, which in turn are linked together and secured using cryptography. All records on the blockchain are shared across all users on the network – no matter where they are.
Cryptocurrency proponents content that the asset provides a unique alternative to the current financial system due to its cryptographically secured and anonymized infrastructure. However, alarm bells have been ringing over the massive amounts of energy that goes into maintaining and generating new crypto coins.
In a research by Digiconomists – a cryptocurrencies analysis site, titled “Bitcoin Energy Consumption Index,” Bitcoin used 32 terawatts of energy annually. This energy could support nearly 3 million US households. Bitcoin also consumed more energy than Visa uses to process billions of transactions in a year. According to the site, the energy that Visa uses can power just 50, 000 US households.
Another concern has been that as cryptocurrencies gain more popularity, and their value increases, they require even more energy. For example, as Bitcoin increases in value, the computational puzzles become more difficult to solve, hence requiring more energy.
Cryptocurrencies and Fossil Fuels
The conversation about cryptocurrencies and the environment has taken another turn. Environmentalists are concerned that cryptocurrencies are slowing down the effort to extract ourselves from the fossil fuels rabbit hole.
The vast amount of Bitcoin mining happens in China, where mining companies have set up huge mining operations in rural areas that have low-cost land and electricity. Researchers from the University of Cambridge have called attention to the fact that much of the electricity being consumed in the mining rigs comes from abandoned coal-based power plants.
Digiconomist also noted that the energy used by one Bitcoin mine in Inner Mongolia is equivalent to the energy required to fly a Boeing 747.
If you have been paying attention to the news, you must have noticed that burning coal and other fossil fuels massively contributes to the global carbon dioxide footprint, intensifying climate change.
What Do Miners Say?
Crypto miners have taken a defensive stance in the whole debate. They argue that crypto mining’s impact on the environment is nothing compared to that of physically extracting oil and other natural resources.
Other miners have taken up more environmental-friendly strategies for their mining operations. An example is Vienna-based Hydrominer, a mining company that uses renewable hydroelectric power. The company’s co-founder, Nadine Damblon, however, thinks that the conversation is overblown. “Basically, we see an old argument here. People used to say that the streets would no longer be usable because they would be covered in horse manure -not long ago they said Google search engine would use up all the world’s energy.”
She opines that as cryptocurrency evolves and develops, so will more energy-efficient technology be discovered. For her part, she’s already taken a step to employ a more eco-friendly mining process.
What Is Our Current Environmental Impact?
It’s fair to say that the impact of cryptocurrencies on the environment have been grossly exaggerated, especially when you compare it to how the current banking system consumes energy.
In a 2014 study, Hass McCook, a bitcoin enthusiast, argued strongly for Bitcoin, stating: “Widely available public information strongly refutes claims that bitcoin is unsustainable, and shows that the social, environmental and economic impacts are a minuscule fraction of the impact that the legacy wealth and monetary system have on our society and environment.”
Right now, these are some of the biggest energy consumers in the current banking system:
- 24/7 server operations
- 24/7 office towers
- Cost of running ATM machines
- Card readers
- Data centers
- Cost of running banks such as computer costs, air conditioning, and so on
It’s worth noting that this list is by no means exhaustive. The use of a much more efficient system, cryptocurrency, would eliminate most of these and other hidden costs.
Who is Right?
Between overly conscious environmentalists and defensive miners, who is right in this debate? First of all, it’s important to note that although crypto mining gobbles up massive energy, analysts have not really arrived at a conclusion on the exact figures.
Also, some people argue that the benefits of cryptocurrencies, including operational efficiency and their deflationary nature, outweighs the environmental toll.
A thorny issue in this debate has been the difficulty involved in trying to measure the exact environmental impact. This is partly because most currencies are either anonymous or have a degree of anonymity – making it difficult to generate a reasonable estimate of the energy they actually use.
But one analyst believes that the figures bode ill. Alex de Fries, a Bitcoin analyst, suggested in January 2018 that even the most energy-efficient mining Rings would still consume about 13 terawatts in total. He said that that is the amount of energy that Slovenia uses. He painted a possible scenario where the machines in use are not as efficient as possible – in which case the energy used would be much higher – and even multiply as more miners jump into the bandwagon.
De Vries’ view on the issue is largely uncompromising, suggesting that we don’t even need Bitcoin in the first place. “We are basically consuming thousands of times more energy for something we can already do at the moment. We can already do transactions, we don’t have to use Bitcoin if we trust our current system. I don’t see how Bitcoin justifies its energy use at the moment, given that most people do have a certain level of confidence in the current system.”
Do cryptocurrencies pose a threat to the environment, or is the issue greatly exaggerated? As we have seen, the legacy banking system is not exactly as pure as snow. Cryptocurrencies present a safer, more trusted, and a faster way to conduct transactions. They are disruptive, no doubt, but that does not mean that they are evil. And as the technology continues to evolve, more energy-efficient means will most certainly be adopted.
As for now, it can be said that the whole fuss about how cryptocurrencies are harming the environment is a lot of ado about little. This doesn’t mean that the crypto industry is exempt from environmental responsibility; it will have to come up with more environmentally conscious mining processes.


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By Stephen Sweeney, John Burzichelli and Adam Taliaferro
A severe storm rolled across Western Pennsylvania and crossed the Delaware River before striking South Jersey on June 23, leaving crippling destruction to communities across the region. Fierce winds of up to 85 mph and torrential downpours caused widespread damage, toppling century-old trees onto homes, vehicles, roadways and power lines.
When the storm subsided, more than 280,000 homes and businesses were left without power. More than 250,000 of them were customers of Atlantic City Electric.
At this time of crisis, the response by ACE was abysmal. Its reaction was far too slow and its failure to provide important information to local officials and customers was disgraceful.
More than two days after the storm had passed, close to 85,000 ACE customers were still without power. It took nearly a week to get full power restored. That is irresponsible and unacceptable.
MORE: Towns must pay millions for storm recovery before FEMA acts
East Greenwich Township went more than 48 hours before ACE crews even started working in the town, and power was not fully restored until seven days after the storm. Restoration crews did not arrive in Wenonah in force until late Saturday, June 27, four days after the storm. Some borough residents did not get power until Sunday or Monday. This was an unacceptable failure to respond responsibly.
An absence of electrical power is not only disruptive to the daily lives of local residents and community businesses, it creates hazardous conditions for everyone in the area. It puts the safety of people at risk, hinders the ability of emergency responders to do their jobs, and all but cripples the ability of local governments to maintain basic services.
Making the situation even worse was Atlantic City Electric's failure to communicate. Some local officials did not hear from a company representative until late Thursday, June 25, leaving them literally in the dark for nearly two full days. Local emergency response officials couldn't get phone calls returned, and weren't even told about ACE's daily conference calls. Also, the company's official website contained inaccurate and misleading information about the severity of the damage and the expected restoration timetable.
The company relied on a single mobile phone service to communicate with its workers in the midst and aftermath of the storm but, when that phone service went down, ACE was not prepared with backup service. The company should have back-up plans in place so that a single failure doesn't cripple its ability to respond. Redundancy should be a basic part of emergency preparations.
Utilities have a responsibility to manage the supply of power and, in New Jersey, the Board of Public Utilities has a responsibility to make sure they do. Reliability is one of the most important responsibilities for a power company. In fact, customers pay specific utility bill fees to ensure the availability of service and the restoration of power as quickly as possible after emergencies.
This was not the first storm to hit New Jersey and it won't be the last. In 2012, Superstorm Sandy inflicted heavy damage and destruction in many regions of New Jersey. Sandy was the most destructive storm in state history, but the June 23 storm's impact on Atlantic City Electric's customers was greater than that of Sandy because the utility's preparation and response were far from adequate.
In 2013, the BPU approved a series of measures to ensure that utility companies are prepared to prevent the loss of power and to respond to storms, including a requirement to communicate with customers, municipal officials and the BPU on the severity of power outages and a timetable for restoration. In a preliminary report issued a month after the storm, the board found that ACE failed to communicate responsibly and bungled its response and its recovery effort.
The mistakes by ACE and the faults documented by the BPU should be lessons learned so they aren't repeated. It is not about placing blame, but about assigning responsibility. We can't prevent storms from occurring, but we can do all that we can to be better prepared to prevent the loss of power and, if it is lost, to see that it is restored as quickly as possible.
Stephen Sweeney, D-3, of West Deptford, is the state Seante president. John Burzichelli and Adam Taliaferro, also D-3, are state assemblymen seeking to return to their seats in the November election.
This article was also signed by mayors Pete Scirotto (Mantua), Dale Archer (East Greenwich), George Shivery Jr. (Greenwich) and John Dominy (Wenonah), as well as Gloucester County Freeholder Director Robert Damminger.


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SAVE THE DATE!
Wednesday, March 25
Screening and Panel Discussion (in Honor of Women's History Month) of "Daughters of the Dust"
Co-Sponsored by the Departments of Black Studies and English, and Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program
Daughters of the Dust is a 1991 film written, directed and produced by Julie Dash; it is the first feature film by an African-American woman distributed theatrically in the United States. It tells the story of three generations of Gullah women in the Peazant family on St. Helena Island in 1902, as they prepare to migrate to the North. The movie gained critical praise, for its rich language and use of song, and lyrical use of visual imagery. PANELISTS: Professor Karanja Carroll (Black Studies), Professor Heather Hewett (WGSS/English), and Professor Rachel Rigolino (English)
Historically women’s studies and the study of women in economics have developed relatively separately. Women’s studies in economics has had a strong focus on empirical research and used mathematical modeling to makes its voices heard. When Feminist Economics emerged in the 1990s, putting women and gender at the center of the analysis, a bridge between the two fields was constructed but not fully crossed: theorizing in feminist economics remained strongly focused on the debates in economics, rather than those in women’s studies. Issues of intersectionality were discussed in feminist economics but not widely addressed let alone perceived as the core to feminist economic theorizing. Theorizing in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, on the other hand, developed further in the direction of identity issues and away from a focus on economic structure and systemic change. The institutional settings of the American Universities where WGSS programs were mostly located placed WGSS scholars in separate programs while feminist economists had appointments in economic departments. These different locations strengthened differences in theoretical focus.
This conference aims to bring together, connect and further develop feminist economic thinking on intersectionality and feminist thinking on economic institutions and structure, addressing the changing conceptualizations of gender, race, class, and sexuality in the economy. Moreover, this conference will bring together communities of researchers and students in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and Feminist Economics, to develop and explore further shared interests on sex, money and power.
11:00-12:15 Registration & Buffet Lunch at the Terrace
12:30 – 1:40 Opening Plenary “Appropriating the Economy: A Dialogue”
LC 102 in conjunction with Women: Images and Realities Class
Professor Rose M. Brewer, University of Minnesota
Professor Julie A. Nelson, University of Massachusetts-Boston
Chair and Moderator, Professor Drucilla Barker, University of South Carolina
1:45-2:00 pm BREAK
2:00 – 3:30 pm Afternoon Session I: Responses from the Disciplines (Terrace)
2:00 – 2:15 Prof. Mona Ali (Economics Department, SUNY New Paltz)
2:15 – 2:30 Prof. Heather Hewett (WGSS Program, SUNY New Paltz)
2:30 – 2:45 Prof. Susan Lewis (History Department, SUNY New Paltz)
2:45 - 3:00 WGSS and Economics Student Responses (one from each)
3:00 - 3:30 Q & A and discussion
Moderator, Professor Drucilla Barker, University of South Carolina
3:30 pm Coffee Break
3:45- 5:00 pm Afternoon Session II: Collaboration on Cooperation (Terrace)
Exploration and presentation of institutes, organizations, existing cooperation, ongoing and planned academic and community projects, as well as possible future projects. CRREO and Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site presentations
5:00 Bus Departs from Terrace to Hyde Park for Dinner and Tour of Val-Kill
7:00 pm Musical Chairs Dinner at Roosevelt Estate
To register for the Conference online:

domain: sociology


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A soldier loyal to his country encounters three witches on the battlefield that tell him he will be king. Now, Macbeth and his partner in crime, Lady Macbeth, are on a bloody path of ambition, power, and betrayal. Macbeth Muet completely deconstructs this Shakespeare tragedy into a fast-paced, visceral theatre experience, using the body, objects as imagery, and a ton of fake blood. Entire scenes are reduced to a single look, as Shakespeare’s complex and beautiful poetry is rendered mute…Find out more »
PARKING : Metered street parking is available outside the centre (free after 5 PM & Sundays). One block south on Ellis Street, parking has been increased at the Library Parkade to 668 spaces, and Memorial Parkade to 519 spaces. Parkades are free after 6 PM except during special events. There is an Impark Lot at Prospera Place (access from Water or Cawston) and Impark Lot at the corner of Ellis and Cawston (access from Cawston).


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EA has sent along word that the much anticipated Conquest gametype for Battlefield Bad Company will be available on Xbox Live and PSN this thursday. The gametype is a free download and will be initially on 4 maps only. We’ll have some more on the Conquest mode later this week.
This week, your Rock Band Downloadable Tracks are: Nine Inch Nails 3-pack “Burn” “Capital G” “Last” Shinedown “Devour” “Junkies For Fame” Usual Rock Band Song Prices apply.
It was announced at the Microsoft E3 Press Conference that Resident Evil 5 will launch worldwide on Friday March 13th 2009. The game was demoed for the first time at the conference, and it was shown that co-operation between the two characters (which can both be played in online co-op) is essential to progress through […]
Sony has released PS3 firmware update 2.41. This update includes everything included in 2.4 (such as in game XMB and trophies) and fixes the bricking problems some people were experiencing. The update can be downloaded by selecting system update on the XMB.

domain: game


Design and development of doctor’s dictation kit using raspberry PI
MetadataShow full item record
Natural language processing and speech to text can make a significant improve in medical dictation (transcription, radiology report, prescription etc) in a developing country like Bangladesh. In the field of telemedicine it can play a very crucial part in the absence of qualified doctors and specialists to prescribe medicine and provide with medical support in remote and rural places. This paper is based on a real time speech detection with a standalone system to implement it in a single board computer Raspberry PI that can also work in crowded place. The recognition engine used for the system is JULIUS along with the toolkit HTK to manipulate HMM(Hidden Markov Model). The acoustic model is set to such a way that it can detect selected medicine names those are widely used in Bangladesh. The accuracy rate of our trained dictionary is 84% but a silent environment and longer string prodeces 94% accuraccy which can also be imroved with more accurate training with advanced directional microphone. The intention of implementing the system in Raspberry PI was to have a future innovation of a standalone device for medical dictation and telepharmacy.


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It’s Halloween, which means it’s a great time to do something a little different. I’m sure you have your costume already (You did get a costume… right?!?!) or you’re prepared to throw something together quickly. But why not infuse a little Halloween spirit into your manicure?
That sexy school girl costume or voluptuous cop uniform probably isn’t work appropriate but with a few coats of polish you can bring the fun of the season anywhere including to the office! No ghost or pumpkin nail art here, these are all adult manicures. Best part is you can pick up everything you need for one of these creations at your local pharmacy.
Here are our top combinations:
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri in Night Fright + Sally Hansen Insta-Dri in Pumpkin Queen = A Halloween take on a classic French manicure.
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri in OMGhost + Sally Hansen Salon Effects in Little Black Lace = Goul-ish lace nails
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Matte in Scaredy Matte + Sally Hansen Insta-Dri in OMGhost = Modern matte nails of the night
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri in Night Fright + Sally Hansen Big Glitter in Costume Glitters = Party-ready “Time Warp ” nails.
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri in Night Fright + Sally Hansen Fuzzy Coat in Fur-ankenstein = Monster accent nails!
Who knew shoes could be so versatile? Well, we did – here’s a quick and fun infographic to get you up to speed. Click for a large version.
Infographic care of http://www.fswshoes.com.au.
The holidays provide tons of opportunities for you and your family to dress up and celebrate the season. One of the most fun preparations is the family portrait photography session. This year, gather your family, and a few fun holiday props, and take a photo for a holiday greeting card that your friends and family will be sure to remember for years to come. While formal holiday portraits will always be a fun tradition, consider loosening up a bit this year and creating a less formal, more fun photograph. Select wardrobe elements for each member of your family to create holiday pictures that are sure to delight your relatives while earning a spot on your mantel as well.
Dress Dad up in a fun, and festive, holiday necktie. One that plays music, like this one, is guaranteed to elicit genuine smiles and laughs from the rest of the family as the photographer snaps away at the camera. A classic white button down shirt is the perfect backdrop for a novelty tie. Stay super casual with your favorite pair of jeans, or dress up just a bit with a pair of khaki pants. For an added bit of extra holiday flair, give Dad a fuzzy Santa Claus hat to top off his outfit.
Make Mom the merriest elf of the season with this super stylish sweater dress. Add a pair of black (or red!) tights or leggings to add a bit of warmth to the dress. Of course all elves have to wear appropriate footwear, so be sure to choose carefully. A pair of fashionable ankle boots in black are the perfect pair of shoes for an attractive elf. While elves that call the North Pole home tend to wear bells for a bit of bling, try bangle bracelets or a pair of earrings that sparkle and shine.
Let your little one’s natural cuteness and personality shine through by picking an outfit that fits with Mom and Dad. Choose a keepsake dress that your daughter will be able to remember fondly for years to come. This dress and legging combination captures the spirit of the season and fits perfectly with Mom and Dad’s ensembles. Accessorize your daughter’s outfit with a headband or small stud earrings if your little girl has her ears pierced.
A family portrait is not complete without your favorite furry friend, after all pets are members of the family as well. Find a fun costume for your puppy at retailers such as Party City. A reindeer costume is the perfect addition to your holiday photograph since somebody has to pull the sleigh!
There is no such thing as a “perfect” holiday portrait for holiday cards and greetings. However, it is entirely possible to have tons of fun while capturing pictures that are sure to become treasured family memories. A few well-chosen wardrobe pieces help you and your family create festively themed portraits that are sure to help spread joy to your relatives and loved ones this holiday season.
Breanne is a recent college graduate, blogger, and fashion aficionada. You can find her over at her blog, Proper & Pink!
If you have ever wondered why sleeping beauty was called so, here is the answer. Research has it that it is the quality of sleep that dictates how fresh and pretty you are going to look the next day. So, for some time, stop relying on your cosmetics and pay more attention to your sleep routine.
Are you getting at least 8 hours of sleep every day? That’s good. Are you losing sleep over some kind of stress? In case you are, chances are that you would have developed dark circles under your eyes. Less sleep means less rest, which in turn means that you are not giving requisite time to your skin and other organs to rejuvenate. Proper bedding makes your skin glow and hence those who sleep fine do not complain much about wrinkles or dull skin.
If you have ever woken up with a skin crease or a skin line on your face, it is time to know that the bedding that you are using is not right. What! Yes, you read that right. The bed and the pillow that you sleep on to a large extent are responsible for how your skin feels in the morning. If you sleep on regular cotton sheets, your skin tends to lose its moisture and hence looks dry and dull.
This kind of bedding also tugs with your hair and takes away its sheen. You don’t have to regret so much just because of sleeping on a regular cotton pillow or bed sheet, do you? That is why, it is highly recommended to switch to organic silk bedding as soon as it is possible. Bedding that is made out of bamboo and silk is just perfect for your health as well as for your skin.
Take the benefits of silk, for example, and you will be more than pleasantly surprised. It has been proven that sleeping on silk reduces as well as slows down wrinkles from ruining your skin. That is probably the reason why Marilyn Monroe slept on silk sheets wearing nothing but Chanel 5. That said, even for your hair, silk bedding does a lot of good.
Since silk does not tug with your hair, your beautiful tresses do not break or grow rough. It therefore makes a lot of sense to sleep on comfortable organic pillows. Those harsh regular cotton sheets and pillows are not at all worth a good night’s sleep. It is ironical how the majority of people sleep on cotton sheets.
One benefit of sleeping on silk is that it is hypoallergenic in nature and hence it prevents you from asthmatic attacks as well as from allergies of skin. If you are irritated because of dust causing you to sneeze, organic silk pillows are what you must look for.
All in all, a restful sleep requires that you not just sleep in a comfortable position but also on comfortable natural bedding.
We’re lucky to live in an age where many of the women we see in the media who are meant to serve as role models actually do that. We have women in every type of career and in every kind of office who serve as inspiration for what any one of us can achieve.
If you’re looking to emulate an inspirational woman this Halloween check out the vast selection of women’s Halloween costumes online – these are so many to choose from you won’t be able to decide! Luckily, we’re here to help with some of our favourite empowering women’s halloween costume ideas:
When you think of Audrey Hepburn it’s hard to go past the classic little black dress, bangs pushed back, Wayfarer sunglasses and big pearl necklace. Her look in Breakfast at Tiffany’s is now so iconic that you could go to any party looking like this inspirational actress and philanthropist and be instantly recognised. All you need is a killer black dress and you’re ready to take the world by storm.
Beyonce has long reigned as the Queen of Pop and R&B. She is a mogul; with five albums, 17 Grammys, two fashion lines, numerous charitable ventures and mentions on both the 2013 and 2014 in Time Magazine’s “most influential people in the world” list. A fashion chameleon, one of her most iconic looks was in Austin Powers: think big hair and a little dress.
You’d struggle to find a more empowering woman in the media today – more than just a bevy of crazy costumes, Stefani Germanotta (aka Lady Gaga) is an incredible activist and advocate for HIV/AIDS awareness with MAC cosmetics, a staunch supporter of the LGBT community and voice for marriage equality, and she runs her own charitable organisation, the Born This Way Foundation, which fosters youth empowerment. Her branding is iconic in her eclectic dress, but in terms of female empowerment – she’s a pretty good place to start!
She may be fictitious, but Daenerys Targaryen of George R.R Martin’s Game of Thrones has become such a source of inspiration and empowerment that in 2012 146 baby girls were named Khaleesi in the United States. The character Emilia Clarke plays is one of strength, power and care for her people. It’s no wonder she’s becoming such a popular example of female empowerment.
The name alone basically exudes inspiration. This heroine fights for justice, love, peace and equality: she’s a crime-fighting feminist icon! Holding her own in a “man’s world”, Wonder Woman is a great example of an empowering woman.
An unlikely candidate for some of you. Katy Perry stands for female empowerment and inspiration in her perseverance and determination to achieve her goal: becoming a successful musician. She has certainly done that, and in her success has been a voice for gay rights, working with the It Gets Better Project, with feminist campaigning and as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. Aside from that, the cool and quirky Katy Perry we all love promotes the importance of loving yourself – and what better example is that?
What better example of an iconic female is there than Marilyn? Model, actress and sex symbol: Marilyn Monroe is the historic ideal woman, and that in itself is incredibly empowering.
Wnat more inspiration for empowering women’s halloween costumes? You’ll find a vast collection for sale on Spirit Halloween, and if you want some more detail, check out this awesome PopSugar article of 30+ Fierce Feminist Halloween Costumes.
This Halloween draw some inspiration from the vast selection of empowering women out there: historic, present and fictional. We are women – hear us roar!
With Christmas just around the corner, now is the time to start putting in your jewelry orders with Saint Nick. After all, what better gift could be received than the gift of jewelry? If you are keen to be seen with some of the hottest jewelry trends going into 2015, you are in the right place. Jewelry in 2015 is going to make a big impact. Flashy, subtle, gold and silver. We’ve got it covered.
So what’s going to be hot coming into 2015? Let’s look.
Pearls are a Girl’s Best Friend
Pearls are hotly tipped for next year. They’re going to be one of the hottest trends. The key to pulling of pearls is to make sure that they are simple and small. Your pearl should encase in a simple silver droplet necklace. This is a beautiful, elegant trend. But, it hones in on the vintage trend that shows no signs of slowing down. Pearls are beautiful and feminine. But, they can also look sophisticated when teamed with a little black dress.
Slogan bracelets have been made popular by Chanel. But, according to Whiteflash jewelry store in Houston, Chanel is only the beginning. Many designers are keen to have slogan bracelets within their range. These are funky and on trend. What’s more, they break all of the fashion rules. Tarnished metal tones are the key to pulling off this look. This season, it’s all about wearing your life choices on your wrist. What could be more perfect?
Gold cuffs are the perfect accessory for any fashion-forward person, man or woman. What’s more, a drab outfit can look instantly fabulous with a gold cuff. Tarnished brass tones are popular. But, rose gold hues, and bold gold is making a big comeback. This is the perfect way to complete any outfit. It’s a cheap way to remain ahead of the curve and hit all of the right style notes. Keep it plain and simple for maximum impact – brand Miansai follows this rule swimmingly. Some designers are choosing to etch simplistic Aztec patterns into the cuff. These are positively fierce too. Needless to say, jewelry – and especially men’s fashion jewelry – is back with a bang for 2015. This time it is bigger and bolder than ever before.
Silver has always been a hotly tipped precious metal choice. For the ultimate bohemian type, silver is a mainstay. This year, however, silver has had an upgrade. Silver is going to be bold, big and fearless. Whereas gold needs to be underplayed for maximum impact, silver should be worn loud and proud. Stack silver rings, cuffs, and bracelets for the ultimate bohemian look. Add delicate silver necklaces with chunkier, harsher tones. Layering and stacking are going to be a prominent feature within silver jewelry. Remaining on trend doesn’t mean splashing the cash. It means choosing your investment pieces wisely.
The choker and the elongated chain are going to be worn together in tandem next year. Gold is the obvious choice for a striking impact. But, do as Versace does and ensure that you are mixing and matching your precious metals.

domain: artistic