PUBLISHED ON OCTOBER 25, 2007:
A Sahuarita-area development could bring 15,000 high-density homes to the desert
Southwest of Sahuarita is the perfect example of everything we love about the open space of the desert–and everything we hate about pulling up the cactus and palo verde in the name of growth and progress.
The Sahuarita Road exit off Interstate 19 is where it begins. To the left is a new commercial development for the town that still hangs on to its agricultural roots with the pecan groves further east. Also nearby is the subdivision named Rancho Sahuarita, which will help make the town into a bedroom community.
Turn right at the exit, and the mining industry is right there, along with several housing developments sitting in the shadow of active mining tailings. The mining refuse continues, along with ranch houses here and there.
At the intersection of Helmet Peak and Mission roads, however, is the biggie: a 15,000-home subdivision is proposed on 4,000 acres here that, if approved, will put as many as 24 homes per acre in the middle of what is now mostly untouched desert.
It’s one of the biggest development proposals to hit Pima County in 20 years, and critics worry the plan will be approved by the Pima County Planning and Zoning Commission on Oct. 31. If so, it could compromise the county’s current conservation guidelines and put into action planning that will cause years of regret.
When Rebecca Roberts looks across the driveway of her Curly Horn Ranch home, she sees the 4,000-acre stretch as the home to the rabbits, quail, coyotes, Gila monsters and tarantulas, animals that also wander through her neighborhood and live in her yard.
Some 23 years ago, Roberts built her home there after living in Tucson. Back then, the Pima County building codes kept density at about four acres per home. To Roberts, that seemed just right then, and it seems just right now.
Roberts said she recognizes that some may question her desire to stop the Mission Peaks development, since she herself built a home in the middle of the desert. It wasn’t until she settled in the home, she said, that she grew to appreciate the need to protect the area.
"I grew to understand it’s logical to stay in the valley and not take over more desert," Roberts said.
The Curly Horn neighborhood is not a retirement community, according to Roberts, although most of her neighbors are seniors who live in the area year-round and are often on fixed incomes. Roberts said she has asked all of them to mail comments against the proposal to the county.
"They may not understand what this could mean for our area," she said. "They may not realize their voices need to be heard."
The Mission Peaks property, owned by Henderson, Nev.-based American Nevada and Ruby Star Ranch, sits north of the Phelps-Dodge Sierrita mine complex and west of the Twin Buttes mine complex.
Two years ago, Roberts mailed a similar letter to her neighbors when American Nevada first proposed zoning amendments to the town of Sahuarita to accommodate the development and annex the area. But unbeknownst to Roberts and her neighbors, American Nevada decided to negotiate the zoning amendments needed for the development with Pima County instead after it didn’t look like Sahuarita officials and residents would approve.
"I thought it died out, but here it comes again," Roberts said.
In late 2006, American Nevada began negotiating with Pima County on two amendment proposals and conservation mitigation required by the county. If the two proposed zoning amendments are approved on Oct. 31, and are then approved by the Pima County Board of Supervisors, the view from Roberts’ driveway will change drastically.
"Right now, we coexist (with the wildlife), but when you put in this development as it is proposed, you take away their home. They die out. The area is changed forever. We’ll never get it back. I’m very much against it," Roberts said.
Roberts said she isn’t against development or seeing another subdivision created in her neighborhood. It’s the size of the project and a slew of unanswered questions that worry her–and worry neighbors and town officials from Sahuarita.
In the Curly Horn area, which consists mostly of manufactured homes, Roberts is on a well that had to be drilled 500 feet to get to water; most of her neighbors have water trucked in from Helmet Peak Resources.
When an American Nevada representative first talked to area residents two years ago, Roberts said, they never got a straight answer on water.
"It was mostly double talk. I don’t know if much has changed since then. Regardless of where they get it, it’s going to take it away from some place else," Roberts said.
The first major plan amendment submitted by American Nevada asks the county to change much of the area’s zoning from its current designation of low-intensity rural to medium-intensity urban. The changes would allow American Nevada to build from one to 24 homes per acre.
The second amendment focuses on a 632-acre parcel currently owned by the State Land Trust. The land isn’t currently up for auction, but American Nevada’s proposed amendment would allow American Nevada to develop several roads leading to the land that would eventually make the property better-suited for development–and more likely to go to auction sooner. The development company’s plan includes additional housing, at one to 24 homes per acre, to be included on this parcel, too.
Critics of the proposal include Carolyn Campbell, executive director of the Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection. Yes, one of the red flags is the fact it is one of the biggest development proposals to go through Pima County in a while, but Campbell said what concerns her most is the lack of attention paid to the county’s development guidelines in the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan, especially those that require off-site conservation, depending on the size of a development.
Campbell pointed out discrepancies in conservation planning regarding the project. In a July 24, 2006, letter from Pima County to Sahuarita (when the town was considering the project), the county commented that Mission Peaks was out of character with the surrounding area, and on-site conservation of more than 3,500 acres was needed.
Because the Mission Peaks area is home to the endangered Pima pineapple cactus and has a large number of identified riparian areas, Campbell was surprised to see the county change its tune when it began its own talks with American Nevada. The end result is a proposal that the company pay the county $13 million for off-site conservation that will purchase about 2,000 acres of open space property–not the 3,500 acres first suggested by the county to Sahuarita. If it was 3,500 acres, Campbell said, the off-site conservation costs would be more like $50 million for American Nevada.
Campbell said she is concerned about how past and future developers may look at the Mission Peaks proposal. Past development companies have worked hard to work within the guidelines of the Sonoran Desert Protection Plan, while American Nevada representatives have told her, she claimed, that they are not interested in following the guidelines. Ultimately, Campbell said this proposal may weaken the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan and negotiations with future developers.
There is also the circuitous route the plan has taken since it was first submitted to the town of Sahuarita more than two years ago. Back then, the town was asked to look at the amendments and consider annexing the property. John Neunuebel, Sahuarita’s planning director, said when concerns were raised, the plan was dropped before it went to a public hearing.
The town of Sahuarita officials officially weighed in with comments to Pima County regarding the recent proposal in a letter dated Sept. 27, 2007, from Neunuebel. The letter questions the county’s proposal to allow American Nevada to pay the $13 million for 2,000 acres of conservation land located away from the development area. The county has identified the Altar Valley as one area where the 2,000 acres may be purchased–an area not near the current development. This is odd, considering that there are 15,000 acres of property in the vicinity of Mission Peaks that could be purchased to protect open space.
"The provision of open space in a location outside the Sahuarita/Green Valley area would be of no direct benefit to local residents who would incur the loss of open space resulting from additional urban development," Neunuebel wrote.
According to Neunuebel, the development is also a departure from the area’s current development pattern that encourages growth along Interstate 19. If approved, the development would place stress on public transportation, roads and services.
Then, of course, there is water. Neunuebel said he has heard American Nevada is working to hook into existing water systems, such as the system used by the Rancho Sahuarita subdivision. The neighborhood has a 100-year water-supply certificate, but if it brings American Nevada onboard, it would have to apply for a new certificate through the Arizona Department of Water to show it can provide water for 15,000 additional homes.
Representatives from American Nevada and Rancho Sahuarita, as well Pima County administrator Chuck Huckleberry, did not return calls as of press time.
The Oct. 31 public hearing takes place at 9 a.m. in the Basement Meeting Room C of the County-City Public Works Building, 201 N. Stone Ave. For more information, call the planning department at 740-6800.


In-Plane Elastic Neutron Scattering from the Ternary Graphite Intercalation Compound K(ND3)4.38C24
In-plane elastic neutron scattering studies of K(ND3)XC24 were carried out to further test and refine the x-ray derived structural model  of the 2D K-NH3 liquid intercalant layers. Additional structural information was obtained because the neutron and x-ray scattering processes emphasize the different pair correlation functions of the K-ND3 disordered intercalant system.
KeywordsCluster Model High Frequency Component Pair Correlation Function Graphite Intercalation Compound Intercalant Layer
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.


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When you’ve envisioned what drug rehab may look like, did you imagine coming face to face with a 700-pound horse? At Hawaii Island Recovery, you’ll have the opportunity to do just that. Equine-assisted therapy is one of the many creative ways that Hawaiian Island Recovery will allow you to explore your thoughts, feelings, and beliefs in a nontraditional setting as you pursue recovery.
What is animal-assisted therapy?
Animal-assisted therapy involves you interacting with an animal as part of your therapy. While this could be with dogs, cats, and even dolphins, equine assisted therapy specifically involves working with horses.
The Addiction Recovery Guide lists a number of physical and psychological benefits of animal-assisted therapy, including:
- increased beta-endorphin levels (pain-reducing hormones);
- decreased stress levels;
- reduced feelings of anger, hostility, tension, and anxiety;
- improved social functioning;
- and increased feelings of empowerment, trust, patience, and self-esteem.
Equine assisted therapy, in particular, is used to treat a wide variety of mental and physical illnesses, and the participants at Hawaiian Island Recovery have experienced many of these listed benefits when working with
our equine assisted therapist.
Does equine-assisted therapy really work?
There are several trusted sources that support the claim that equine-assisted therapy can be a beneficial part of your drug rehab.
One study found that animal-assisted therapy with farm animals (including horses) had “positive influences on self-efficacy and coping ability among psychiatric patients with long-lasting psychiatric symptoms.” Because drug and alcohol addiction is a mental illness with long-lasting symptoms, it stands to reason that patients in drug rehab therapy could see similar benefits.
Margarita Tartakovsky, M.S. lists the potential benefits of equine-assisted therapy in her article with PsychCentral as providing insight for observation and growth, offering instant insight, fostering a healthy relationship, and building trust.
Foundations Recovery Network offers additional insight into how this
works. Because horses are pack animals, they can actually sense and mirror your feelings. As you interact with them, you can begin to recognize and describe emotions you haven’t yet identified.
Experts in drug therapy and beyond agree that there is more to equine-assisted therapy than a welcome distraction. It can provide valuable tools that are highly beneficial on the road to recovery and sobriety.
What can I expect from my equine-assisted therapy experience at Hawaiian Island Recovery?
Participants in equine-assisted therapy participate in groundwork, which involves working with the horse while standing on the ground. You may help with caretaking, leading, feeding, or grooming. The more time you spend
with these loving and happy animals, the more you may find them bringing out the very best in you.
As the horses mirror and reflect your emotions in different ways, you may
be surprised at what you learn about your own feelings. As your self-awareness increases, you may find that the experiences you have with the horses can make it easier to communicate your journey to others.
The pivotal insights that some gain during equine-assisted therapy provides ongoing inspiration for their commitment to long-term sobriety. You may also discover greater self-esteem, empowerment, improved interpersonal relationships, greater self-control, and increased happiness as a result of your equine-assisted therapy at HIR.
Contact Hawaiian Island Recovery today!
If you’d like to learn more about animal-assisted therapy at HIR, please contact us today. Creative therapy options like equine assisted therapy are one of the reasons why so many of our clients
have nothing but good things to say about their time with us
and go on to live successful lives free of addiction.

domain: medical


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Beverley Hills - A Beverly Hills police sergeant is suing the city, claiming he faced retaliation after reporting that a detective made inappropriate remarks about Whitney Houston's body at her death scene.
City News Service says Sgt. Brian Weir filed the suit on Monday in Los Angeles.
Houston was 48 when she drowned in a bathtub at the Beverly Hilton two years ago. Weir contends that Detective Sergeant Terry Nutall, kneeling by the singer's body, removed a sheet and remarked that she was “still looking good,” along with similar comments.
In his initial legal claim last year, published by the Los Angeles Times, Weir described Nutall's actions in detail.
“Nutall, for no legitimate (reason) knelt beside and leaned over the decedent (and) removed the sheet and/or other covering from the body of the decedent to an area below the pubic region of the decedent's body,” it said.
He then “came in close proximity to touching the body .. while making inappropriate comments to the effect .. that the decedent 'looked attractive for a woman of her age and current state' and 'Damn, she's still looking good, huh?'“
“Nutall... treated the dead body of the decedent in a way that Nutall knew would outrage ordinary family sensibilities,” he alleged in the lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles on September 11.
Weir alleges that he was stripped of various privileges when he raised the alleged misconduct with superiors. He claims to have been harassed, removed from the SWAT and K-9 units and denied promotions.
Weir said he responded to the Beverly Hilton Hotel - where Houston was due to attend a traditional pre-Grammys party that Saturday evening - as the senior patrol sergeant on duty at the time.
Police Lt. Lincoln Hoshino says he wasn't aware of the lawsuit but that he considers similar claims Weir made earlier to be baseless. - Sapa-AP and Sapa-AFP

domain: law


This month, Amazon launched its highly anticipated online pharmacy that allows customers to order prescription drugs to their homes. Advisory Board's Regina Lohr and Lindsay Conway outline three ways Amazon Pharmacy could impact the pharmacy industry—and three questions to measure Amazon's success.
CMS and HHS' Office of Inspector General recently finalized two new rules that will update anti-kickback physician-referral regulations. Advisory Board's Yulan Egan explains why the welcome changes likely won't significantly increase the overall number of health systems participating in value-based payment arrangements.
The federal government's plan to quickly ship out 6.4 million doses of Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine candidate, a CDC advisory committee says essential workers should receive any authorized vaccine against the novel coronavirus ahead of older adults and other high-risk people, and more.
A new study suggests recovered Covid-19 patients are "highly unlikely" to contract the new coronavirus again, a World Health Organization panel recommends against the use of remdesivir in Covid-19 patients, and more.
HHS estimates that, under the new final rule, organ procurement organizations could collect an additional 5,600 organs for transplant each year, in today's bite-sized hospital and health industry news from California, Maryland, and New Jersey.
Print All Daily Briefing Article from
Have a Question?
Ask our experts a question on any topic in health care by visiting our member portal, AskAdvisory.


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So, the tickets were purchased, the babysitter arranged (thank you, thank you, thank you dear Dianne!!!), and with dancing shoes polished and two left feet at the ready, all I had to do now was find my right foot! I decided that I would don my favourite dress, as I had only worn it a couple of times, never to a dance, and I do think it was designed to twirl in!
The band was absolutely fabulous! We sat and watched as people danced to the songs of Glen Miller, Frank Sinatra, Myles Monroe, just to name a few. My feet were itching to dance, but hubby had forgotten all he'd learnt in dance lessons before we got married, and my quick step, foxtrot and jitterbug tootsies felt a bit rusty too! However, after a few tipples we soon embarked on the dance floor, and all inhibitions flew out the window! I'm quite certain we didn't resemble Fred and Ginger...more Flop and Cringe...but we had a ball!
|Me, and of course lovely hubby|
We were joined by friends Fiona and Will. The very handsome couple...
And here's the band...(please excuse to questionable quality of the photography! It was the best my little phone could manage!)
Well, I can honestly say that we all had a super night. We have decided though that a few dance lessons won't go amiss between now and the next soiree! But, as one lovely gentleman put it on the night: 'Don't worry about what other people think! The ones that sit and watch, are sitting and watching because they themselves can't dance. And the ones that are dancing, aren't watching you! Just get up and dance, and do your own thing!' And that was what we did...eventually!

domain: artistic


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Wikileaks proves without a shadow of a doubt mass corruption in the DNC, with clear intentions on manipulating voters and the (supposedly) unbiased media.
Result: People calling for Assange to be assassinated, people blaming Russia for trying to manipulate the elections (ironically, by bringing to light the fact that the voters were being manipulated.)
Not a result: Society as a collective, aiming all that anger and blame towards the actual cause of the issues in the leaks.
Colin Kaepernick refuses to stand for the anthem because he feels black people are being oppressed in this country. Courageously uses the spotlight his athleticism has given him to address issues of people who barely get any spotlight at all.
Result: Idiots making videos of themselves burning jerseys, and memes being created insinuating that because he is a famous athlete he should just shut up (good way of implying someone is simply their job and not entitled to opinion or expression.)
Not a result: People applauding him for not giving a shit about what he stands to lose by speaking up on behalf of those who need to be heard.
Video after video of unarmed people being shot by police. Many are minorities, some are disabled and elderly.
Result: The public tries to dig up anything that seems bad about the person’s past in order to clearly make the implication that they somehow deserved it (underlying message being it is completely acceptable, as long as society deems someone to retroactively be an unsavory individual, for an officer to be a judge, jury, and executioner, instead of, say, an actual judge, jury, and executioner.)
Not a result: Society collectively coming together to dissect the institutional practices that allow for this to continue happening.
Due to a rising lack of jobs, and a lack of jobs that cover the cost of living, more and more people need food assistance or other types of assistance in order to feed themselves. For many, thanks to Clinton’s magical welfare reform, they cannot even get that much. They end up evicted, starving, sick, and homeless.
Result: Society blames poor people for not working hard enough (the implication being that if one person was lucky enough to get a good job, everyone else must have grown up in the same environment, the same privileges, the same opportunities), we jail the homeless, steal their belongings, erect stone spikes to keep them off our pretty little storefronts. People defend the companies instead of the people fighting for a rise in minimum wage, which hasn’t kept up with inflation in decades. Stories are spread like wildfire about “welfare queens” that are living in their palaces off of the public dollar (of course they do not bother actually reading any statistics on this, as the statistics would completely ruin the whole argument altogether.) People on assistance are shunned and ridiculed by the public, constantly enforcing the idea that if someone takes help, they were just too lazy to do it themselves.
Not a result: Society, as a collective whole, demands that every citizen in their country has the right to live, has the right to eat, has the right to even just the simple basics that most of the people complaining about take for granted every single day. Society as a whole demands that where there tax dollars are -actually- being abused (corporate welfare in the billions), be reigned in and eradicated.
It is proven without a doubt that the government spied on millions of its own citizens illegally.
Result: If you don’t have anything to hide, you don’t have anything to fear. Snowden is a traitor to the country.
Not a result: Snowden is a hero for putting himself in serious harm’s way in order to protect your privacy.
The pockets of people who have gone against the unfortunate status quo on these issues are commendable, but sadly lacking in numbers, comparably speaking. Racist, classist in-fighting and constant division of normal, everyday citizens is a manufactured product of the elite who know the more you pay attention to blaming your neighbor, the less you pay attention to the people who are truly taking money out of your pockets, taking education away from your kids, taking food off your tables, jobs out of existence, clean air and water for you to live in, and using your money to bomb and murder thousands of people off lands they deem profitable. Please do not let the propaganda win. We might be in the age of staggering electronic information available at any moment, but do not let that come at the price of reason and personal intellectualism. Because if we do not actually push out the propagandists now, the next war we have already started is not going to be a comfy newsreel away.

domain: news


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Family fun through art
Meet Paul Klee
- Friday, November 3, 3:30 p.m., Downtown Library
- Friday, November 10, 3:30 p.m., Weekes Branch Library
Join us for a free hands-on art lesson for families with kids age 6-12! Ruey Lin Syrop and Glen Myers will teach about the artist Paul Klee and take you through all the steps of a fun project.
All kids must be accompanied by a caregiver; all materials and supplies will be provided.
About Paul Klee:
A Swiss-born painter and printmaker, Klee was originally associated with the German Expressionist group Der Blaue Reiter, and subsequently taught at the Bauhaus. His diverse body of work cannot be categorized according to any single artistic movement, or "school." His paintings, which are at times fantastic, childlike, or otherwise witty, served as an inspiration to many other artists of the 20th century.
About the instructors:
Ruey Lin Syrop has a BA degree in Fine Art from the National Taiwan Normal University, an AS degree in Electronic Engineering at Chabot Community College and a post-baccalaureate certificate in visual art from UC Berkeley Extension. Making art is her way of expressing her ideas and connecting with others.
Glen Myers is a retired museum curator and currently exploring his own art work through drawing and painting. He is on the Board of Directors at Hayward Arts Council, and works with Ruey Syrop to create art exhibits for the public at Hayward City Hall. He likes to encourage everyone--especially children and families--to learn and enjoy making their own art.

domain: hobby


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Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood are bringing their duet “If I Didn’t Love You” to life.
The brand new music video for the epic track shows the country superstars as they head to Nashville’s iconic Schermerhorn Symphony Center to perform the track. It also captured the tension of a relationship gone wrong.
“If I didn’t love you I’d be good by now/ I’d be better than barely getting by somehow/ Yeah it would be easy not miss you/ Wonder about who’s with you/ Turn the want you off/ Whenever I want to/ If I didn’t love you,” they sing on the chorus.
“If I Didn’t Love You” is Aldean’s second single from his upcoming 10th studio album.
“Carrie was made for this song, but also for this video,” Aldean said of the clip. “I’m glad that she was down to get together to make it…it’s something that turned out a little outside of what I’d normally do, which is always cool.”
“We were pretty close to finishing up this album, but this song came in and we knew we had to record it,” he continued. “I went ahead and put my vocals down while we asked Carrie in the meantime. Luckily she loved the song and it was kind of like a rocket from there. She did her thing like only Carrie can…and I don’t know how, but she made it sound even better than what we expected. It’s a really special song to start this album.”


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Free nice Balet sports background for powerpoint presentation template. balet sports ppt with pink color 1024x768 Do you want free powerpoint backgrounds? the right place. Because freeppt site offers you the highest quality of various backgrounds. Category you want to view and backgrounds that you want to be able to download the presentation as appropriate to your project.
Date: 2013-06-13 02:18:41
Tags: balet sports
To set the picture as your computer's powerpoint project backgrounds, right-click the mouse while it's over the picture, And select the 'Set as Template' menu option, or the 'Download PPT Template' option, depending on your browser type on Balet sports PPT Templates

domain: design


text:
The landscape of Sri Lanka healthcare is undergoing a momentous transformation, with the Asiri Port City Hospital stepping into the limelight as a significant business pillar. Recognized for its strategic business importance, Asiri Port City Hospital, with its comprehensive healthcare development plan, is poised to revolutionize the nation’s medical services. Securing cabinet approval as a ‘Primary Business of Strategic Importance’ constitutes a resounding endorsement, earmarking it as a beacon in the country’s healthcare advancement.
As Sri Lanka forges ahead in enhancing its medical infrastructure, the key role of Asiri Port City Hospital cannot be understated. This monumental addition to Colombo’s skyline is not just an architectural milestone; it is the foundation of a healthier future for all Sri Lankans.
- Asiri Port City Hospital marks a strategic enhancement in Sri Lanka’s medical infrastructure.
- Cabinet endorsement underscores the hospital’s critical role in national healthcare development.
- The establishment’s planned state-of-the-art facilities exemplify a leap in quality care.
- This new hospital represents a $100 million investment in Sri Lanka’s health sector.
- As a Primary Business of Strategic Importance, Asiri Port City Hospital is set to drive healthcare advancements in the region.
Asiri Port City Hospital Designated as ‘Primary Business of Strategic Importance’
The recent acknowledgement of Asiri Port City Hospital as a Primary Business of Strategic Importance has paved the way for landmark advancements in Sri Lanka’s healthcare sector. With the steadfast backing of the Sri Lankan government, reflected in the government endorsement, the project is positioned at the forefront of healthcare investment and development within the nation.
Government’s Endorsement and Strategic Significance
A decisive initiative by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, solidifying the hospital’s recognition, accentuates the strategic importance of Asiri Port City Hospital. The subsequent announcement in an official gazette showcase the Colombo Port City’s alignment with the economic vision held by the ruling administration.
Investment and Capacity Plans for Development
Central to its commitment to bolstering the country’s healthcare capacity, Asiri Port City Hospital has embarked on a grand scale construction in the heart of Colombo Port City, with an investment promotion strategy that infuses US$ 100 million into the project. This venture is expected to culminate in a fully-operational hospital facility, replete with more than 500 beds aimed to address the increasing medical needs of the region.
Incentives and Exemptions for Asiri Port City Hospital
In light of the hospital’s strategic business exemptions, Asiri Port City Hospital is set to benefit from a series of healthcare incentives under new regulations. These incentives not only recognize the pivotal role played by the hospital in healthcare advancements but also fortify the Asiri healthcare benefits for a wider swath of the population by accelerating its development and operationalization.
Role of Asiri Port City Hospital in Sri Lanka’s Healthcare Evolution
The advent of Asiri Port City Hospital marks a transformative chapter in the ongoing healthcare evolution of Sri Lanka. The facility’s integration into the national healthcare system is set to fortify the network of Sri Lanka medical services, pushing the envelope for quality patient care and innovative treatment strategies.
Asiri Hospital Holdings PLC, a vanguard in private healthcare with a commendable track record since 1986, further solidifies its foundational role with the establishment of this hospital. The cumulative expertise of over 11 medical facilities and in excess of 800 beds is a testament to a sustained commitment that has been influential in Cyprus’s medical services domain.
Among its duties, Asiri Port City Hospital’s role is not just confined to expanding healthcare reach. It embodies a beacon of hope for elevating medical service standards, creating a synergy between advanced technology and compassionate healthcare delivery, and ensuring a scalable impact on the wellbeing of individuals across the nation.
- Enlargement of patient accessibility to exemplary medical care
- Provision of a broad spectrum of specialized healthcare services
- Incorporation of cutting-edge medical technology and practices
- Upliftment of the healthcare workforce through advanced training and development
The strategic role of the Asiri Port City Hospital within the healthcare evolution is undeniable as it stands poised to initiate a new era in the realm of Sri Lanka medical services, paving the way for a healthier and more resilient future.
Partnership with Mayo Clinic and Asiri Hospital Holdings PLC
Forging a path toward healthcare excellence, Asiri Port City Hospital Ltd has recently announced a significant milestone in global healthcare collaboration. They have entered into a strategic partnership with Mayo Clinic, renowned for its exemplary medical care, profound educational resources, and trailblazing research. This landmark alliance aligns with Asiri’s mission to adhere to global healthcare standards and provide unprecedented quality of care to the region.
This partnership serves as a testament to the strides taken by Asiri Hospital Holdings, under the leadership of Softlogic Group’s Ashok Pathirage, to enhance the healthcare ecosystem in Sri Lanka. Integrating Mayo Clinic’s expertise in strategic and operational consulting, Asiri Hospital Holdings collaborations aim to transform patient care, making it more efficient, effective, and globally benchmarked. This collaboration reflects the group’s dedication to innovation and commitment to excellence in all facets of its service delivery.
By marrying the operational excellence of Asiri Hospital with the clinical acumen of Mayo Clinic, this Mayo Clinic partnership sets a precedent for healthcare standardization in Sri Lanka. It is a pivotal step for Asiri Hospital Holdings, ensuring the continuation of its distinguished track record in providing top-tier medical services that meet rigorous international benchmarks. Through this synergy, Sri Lankan healthcare is on the precipice of entering a new era of global recognition and enhanced patient care.


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What is Miss Universe 2010 Live Broadcast Channel in NEW ZEALAND?
SKY Television New Zealand will broadcast 2010 59th Annual Miss Universe Pageant Live
Tuesday 24 August at 7.30pm Exclusive To Vibe
Catch the encore on Sunday, August 29(3 PM)
Vibe is delighted to provide same day exclusive coverage of the ultimate tribute to swimwear, beauty and world peace!
THE MISS UNIVERSE 2010 PAGEANT WILL BE BROADCASTED IN THE FOLLOWING CHANNELS LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS, U.S.A.
Representing New Zealand in Las Vegas this year is Ria van Dyke. Ria is 21, 5ft.8 and she has been awarded for academic distinction with Honours for her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology. Vibe is an entertainment channel on New Zealand’s SKY Television. It is not currently part of the Freeview service.
http://www.skytv.co.nz/vibe/ miss universe 2010 NEW ZEALAND telecast. Catch up live action of YouTube – Miss Universe 2010 Crowning. If you can not catch you TV, then watch Live streaming on internet of Miss universe 2010 at
Miss Universe 2010 Results | Miss Universe 2010 Live Broadcast;
Miss Universe 2010 Live on Vibe Channel in NEW ZEALAND;
miss universe 2010 telecast in NEW ZEALAND on Sky TV.Â
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domain: entertainment


HARRISBURG -- Against cries from Democrats to further increase funding, the state House of Representatives voted this evening to approve a $27.66 billion spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year.
The measure, which awaits a final vote in the Senate tomorrow, maintains current funding for public schools and colleges while reducing certain county welfare dollars by 10 percent and eliminating cash assistance for poor and disabled Pennsylvanians.
The House passed the spending bill on a vote of 120-81 after more than three hours of floor debate.
Meanwhile, Senate Republicans were receiving details on a tax credit for ethane-processing plants and new charter-school regulations that could be added into budget-related measures as soon as this evening.
As he left a meeting with House Majority Leader Mike Turzai, R-Bradford Woods, Senate President Pro Tem Joe Scarnati declined to give details of the ethane tax credit until his caucus members were briefed, but said the final proposal will be similar to earlier versions.
"There will be some tweaks in the language, tightening it up and making it more accountable," Mr. Scarnati said of the tax-credit deal, which would offer incentives to Shell Oil Co. and other companies that locate ethane-processing facilities in Pennsylvania.
Back on the House floor, Democrats decried the Republican-drafted spending plan as doing too little for the state's neediest residents. Rep. Joe Markosek, D-Monroeville and the ranking Democrat on the Appropriations panel, said it would "lock in" the education cuts from last year instead of expanding money for schools.
"Don't get old. Don't get sick. Don't try to educate kids, and don't be unlucky enough to be disabled," Mr. Markosek said.
Republicans praised the plan as a balanced, no-tax-increase budget that restored funding from the governor's proposal for higher education and social services.
Rep. Bill Adolph, R-Delaware, and chairman of the Appropriations Committee, pointed to dollars for state-supported universities, noting that Temple University has frozen its tuition cost for next year due to that assistance. He also said the budget as a whole would bring more jobs to the state.
"We have incentives in this budget that will bring job creators to Pennsylvania, so they can hire our friends and neighbors, so they can have good, high-paying jobs," Mr. Adolph said. "Do the job that you were sent to Harrisburg to do. Be responsible."
Harrisburg Bureau Chief Laura Olson: email@example.com or 717-787-4254. Karen Langley: firstname.lastname@example.org or 717-787-2141. First Published June 28, 2012 6:00 PM


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Shiva Fresh Fruits Private Limited was registered at Registrar of Companies Kanpur on 09 February, 2012 and is categorised as Company limited by Shares and an Non-govt company.
Shiva Fresh Fruits Private Limited's Corporate Identification Number (CIN) is U74120UP2012PTC048819 and Registeration Number is 048819.
Shiva Fresh Fruits Private Limited registered address on file is HOUSE NO. 4, RADHA ORCHID, NEAR DUKE PALACE, MASANI ROAD MATHURA UP 281003 IN, - , Uttar Pradesh, .
Shiva Fresh Fruits Private Limited currently have 2 Active Directors / Partners: Gopal Das Agarwal, Purushottam Das Agrawal, and there are no other Active Directors / Partners in the company except these 2 officials.
Shiva Fresh Fruits Private Limited is involved in Business Services Activity and currently company is in Strike Off Status.

domain: economics


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- - Fish species
|indianafishman ||12-28-2012 08:36 PM |
Can any one tell me the species of this African cichlid
|Tazman ||12-28-2012 09:09 PM |
Its looking very much like a female peacock of some sort but without a clearer picture cannot really tell for sure.
|indianafishman ||12-28-2012 09:42 PM |
Bout as clear as I could get
|indianafishman ||12-28-2012 09:45 PM |
I was wondering bout this one as well sorry not tryin to b too needy these fish were givin to me and the owner did not know what they were besides cichlids
|Tazman ||12-28-2012 11:18 PM |
Top one is a Nimbochromis venustus female who is not quite mature yet.
Bottom one is a Pseudotropheus saulosi juvenile.
|indianafishman ||12-29-2012 10:41 AM |
Thanks for the info I thought the same thing but this fish has stripes like a peacock the venustus has like blotches not stripes so I don't think it's that but I could be wrong.The second fish is not pseudotropheus either I have one of those in my tank, totally different looking fish the white fish has the same type of body and fins as the first fish I posted. Sorry not trying to b an ass hole just trying to find out what these fish really are and they very well could b a mixed breed.
|indianafishman ||12-29-2012 11:56 AM |
Might be wrong does the first fish look like a female peacock sunshine cichlid
|indianafishman ||12-29-2012 02:15 PM |
|indianafishman ||01-08-2013 06:13 PM |
well thanks for the help peeps guess you guys know as much as i do
|Tazman ||01-08-2013 09:00 PM |
Has the fish changed color in any way since you posted the pictures.
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Thursday, 14 March 2013
Creating Jewellery Components with Silver Wire
I was having a look through some of our recent earring designs that we have made at Kernowcraft and thought that I'd share these simple earrings with you.
What I like about these earrings (apart from the twinkly midnight coloured Black Spinel Briolette Beads is the wobbly silver components. These were handmade and although if you are a beginner and have never attempted soldering before you might be thinking "....eek I couldn't do that" but you would be surprised how easy it is to create something simple like this and the new creative designs you can come up with just a little new skill under your belt!
How to make...
The silver components were made with some Sterling Silver Wire (I think I used 0.8mm or 1mm diameter and you won't need that much either so it isn't going to break the bank!). The large hoop uses about 8cm of wire and the small hoop only about 3cm. Bend the wire into a rough circle and make sure that the ends of the wire line up very neatly - either cut through with a saw or file to get a flat surface. Solder using solder paste (I prefer this as it is ready fluxed and easy to use) using a small handheld gas torch like this:
Pickle using safety pickle to remove any fire stain. Before polishing I bent the large loop into a wobbly shape using round nose pliers and then hit it with the flat side of a ball pein hammer on a steel block to get some areas on it flat - which enhances the wobbly shape! To achieve the texture on the smallest loop above I hammered it using the rounded end of the ball pain hammer.
Then polish your silver loops using sand paper and polishing papers (if you don't own any polishing equipment like a Dremel Multitool). The polishing papers are great and give a great finish on this sort of project. Depending on the finish you want you might prefer to not use all of the finest polishing papers and keep a semi-matt or satin finish as opposed to a high sheen.
Thats the hard bit over! Then you simply have to put the earring together using some findings and your choice of Briolette Beads (these are my favourite at the moment as they are so sparkly!). If you haven't already got findings for making earrings in your jewellery making box, then pop over to www.kernowcraft.com to stock up!


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Top craftsmen and women from seven silk villages in Vietnam will participate in the Vietnam Silk Culture Day at Hoi An city's Silk Village centre on December 28.
|Silk products made by Duy Xuan Village artists on display (File Photo)|
The event, jointly organised by the Quang Nam Silk joint stock company and the Japanese Silk Craft Association, will feature the first and biggest performances and exhibition of crafts from several villages including Van Phuc, Phung Xa, Nha Xa in Hanoi.
It will also showcase creations from Ma Chau and Tan Chau in Quang Nam, My Nghiep – a Cham craft village in Ninh Thuan – and silk production centres in Bao Loc district in the Central Highlands' Lam Dong province.
The series of performances will include a craft demonstration, announcement of the anniversary of the founder of the Quang Nam craft, a silk-made ao dai (long dress) fashion show and dance numbers performed by the Vietnamese and Cham people.
The event is being held to celebrate the 15th year since UNESCO recognised the World Cultural Heritage status of Hoi An, as well as to commemorate the history of handicraft villages


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A United States President’s first hundred days are incredibly important. It’s a statement of intent; the world’s first glimpse as to how the winning candidate will govern as Leader of the Free World. The term was coined by FDR in the thirties and it stuck, and in 2017 we still look to an American President’s first hundred days – they are relevant, and typically the transition phase between talk and action. Will they stick to their promises? What are their priorities? President Donald J. Trump has almost certainly experienced the most high profile first-hundred days in history. You could blame that on a number of factors – in 2017, even more so than Obama in 2009, news is everywhere – it’s increasingly accessible via social media and, more than ever, interesting. It could also be blamed on the fact that he is, I would argue, the most famous man in the western world – a celebrity, and an inflammatory one even in his private-citizen days, who went on to have immense public power. His campaign trail speeches were always entertaining, be it when he went into full stand up-comedy mode to mock Marco Rubio, or when he told the masses he could shoot someone and wouldn’t lose votes. It could be his overcoming in the polls, and the fact a year ago the overwhelming masses in the media said Trump would never be president. Nevertheless, whichever reason it may be, the eyes of the world were on the White House’s new tenant.
He meant it when he called for a ‘total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States’, although his landing has been botched to say the least. The travel-ban was seemingly and attempted ‘Muslim ban’ by any other name; indeed, Team Trump disputed this label at every opportunity. The Executive Order blocked immigration from seven Muslim-majority countries for a period of 90 days – Iraq, Iran, Somalia, Libya, Sudan, Syria and Yemen – and suspended the U.S. taking in refugees for 120 days. Public outcry from vast swathes of Americans, and the international community, was immense. Protests followed, and the not-so-silent minority made their voices heard. The first travel ban was blocked by, as the President called him, a ‘so-called’ judge in Seattle, and called on the people to blame him if there was a terrorist attack while the order was blocked. A second travel ban, permitting entrance to permanent residents, while excluding all the same countries as the first ban except for Iraq, was issued. A humiliating moment for the President who, with this ruling, officially got tired of winning on February 5th 2017. This looked set to go the distance, with apparently more legitimate legal backing this time around. After the first, it was reported the German Chancellor Angela Merkel has to explain the Geneva Convention to Trump over the phone, in what was seemingly one further bid to confirm that we are, in-fact, somewhat tragically, post-satire. Therefore the next Executive Order looked set to be legally sound, if anything just to avoid further embarrassment, but it was blocked once again – this time by judges in Hawaii and Maryland (interestingly, like Washington, 2016-Democratically-voting states).
The long and the short of the travel ban is that no-one should be surprised by this. Outraged perhaps, disagree with him if you like, but surprise is not a justifiable feeling. It was one of his few tangible policies on the campaign trail – his supporters loved it, cheering wildly in the video linked above. He had a mandate from his supporters, and his Electoral College majority (yes, no matter how irked by it he may be, Hillary Clinton won the popular vote), and he was determined to act on it. While this particular policy looks destined to be thwarted at every turn – he has at least given it a go, and it would be no surprise if he tried it again, potentially with success.
The Obama ‘Wiretap’ Claims
A big deal. The current President accusing his predecessor of wiretapping him during a presidential election. This extraordinary claim has been widely refuted. Paul Ryan, majority leader in the House of Representatives, stated that ‘no such wiretap existed’. FBI Director James Comey, the man who announced a further investigation into Hillary’s email scandal just days before the election, stated before the Senate that he had ‘no information to support the tweets’ and that also he would have known about a court order like this. Devin Nunes, chairman of the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee, ‘We don’t have any evidence’. Richard Burr, Senate Intelligence Committee chairman, ‘no indications’ that Trump Tower was tapped. GCHQ, the British Intelligence Agency, said that Trump’s claims were ‘nonsense, utterly ridiculous and should be ignored’ – a big claim from an organisation that usually neither confirms nor denies. Obama’s team said that these allegations were ‘completely false’. So, pretty much, this was a lie. Trump could have found this information out for real with a few phone calls, yet he insisted on going public with a falsehood (or, if you will, an alternative fact) in order to create a media storm, which he succeeded in doing – as if this had been true it would have tarnished the Obama name, regardless of personal political leanings or feelings towards the 44th President, would have been impossible to ignore. Nixon and Obama would’ve walked hand-in-hand into the history books, but no. This was just a lie, that is the bottom line, and it has shown that Trump is openly and brazenly willing to do so in order to control the mainstream-media narrative and to deflect, albeit with great success and distinction in a manner that few can muster.
REPEAL AND REPLACE! REPEAL AND REPLACE! – has been the perennial cry from the Republicans for seven years. Oh, how they’ve loathed The Affordable Care Act, or, as it’s better known, Obamacare. The replace part of their chant has always been a little hazy, their end game unclear, but the repeal remained a constant. In their defence, in terms of political ideology, Republicans are small government to Democrats’ big. They would disagree with this on a fundamental level, and that’s okay. There should be debate. There should be opposition. That is how democracy functions (although the Republicans did seem to oppose all of Obama’s legislation, which is unhealthy). Thus, the American Healthcare Act was proposed.
Long story short of the first hundred days of Trump’s administration, they rushed the bill and couldn’t rally support in Republican-held Congress, and the bill was pulled before it reached before it reached the floor. Trump even descended to the Capitol in order to use his Art of the Deal deal-making skills in order to bolster support. Trump shifted blame (…obviously…) and Paul Ryan took the hit, calling the defeat ‘disappointing’, but it was unfortunately more. It has been a key Republican policy for years, and to not even be able to rally support amongst the Republican-held congressmen and women was a bitter blow. It didn’t go far enough for some on the right of the Republican Party (the Freedom Caucus), whilst also facing opposition from congressional Democrats (…obviously…). There were reports that the bill in its current form would leave 24 million uninsured, but would save over $300 million in the federal budget. In its early days Republicans stressed they didn’t want it called ‘Trumpcare’, and would react negatively to any name with ‘care’ in the title. We will never know the actual impact, positive or negative, from Paul Ryan’s initial American Healthcare Act. Like the Travel Ban, this will undoubtedly come back around in one form or another, but this has a certain inevitability about it. It’s been Paul Ryan’s political baby in the same way Obama’s was to close Guantanamo, the latter famously failing in that regard. In a twisted way, Democrats may see this as a positive that desire doesn’t always achieve in U.S. politics. But in Trump’s first hundred days, Healthcare was not a rip-roaring success, it better resembled Arnold Schwarzenegger’s SAD Apprentice ratings.
The scandal that just won’t go away. Worse than Ross and Rachel. Will they? Won’t they? Was the Republican nominee colluding with the Russians? Wasn’t he? DRAMA! Horrifying, corruption alleging, real-life political drama that is unfortunately longer than a 23-minute episode on NBC or Comedy Central. This is a saga. It’s Star Wars (before we even begin on the 1977 film being an allegory for the USA vs. USSR… sort of). A film, which spawns a trilogy. That’s fine, there’s a lot of story to tell. But then we get a prequel trilogy, an origins tale, the ‘why’ to the main events ‘what’. Spin offs, sequels, it’s unavoidable, it’s all encompassing, and, love it or hate it, relevant.
Trump called on Russia to hack (and release) Hillary’s emails because it would be ‘interesting’ and they would be ‘rewarded by [the American] press’. The Republican presidential nominee called on a foreign power to hack a former Secretary of State’s (often classified) emails. You don’t have to leap into the void of conspiracy theories to see why people think Trump has been involved with Russia, directly calling for aid on the campaign trail. While this happened before his tenure as President, it sowed the seeds of all that was to come.
Paul Manafort, Trump’s mid-2016 campaign manager. It was reported in late March this year that he secretly worked for a Russian billionaire to aid Putin. It also came to light that he had a $10-million-a-year contract with aluminium magnate Oleg Deripaska, which was signed in 2006. Now while it is true that Manafort was a private citizen, and entitled to work for whomever he chooses as a right of his, yet what matters is that this is who Trump has chosen to associate himself with, and closely at that. He resigned in August in the wake of reports of his lobbying efforts overseas, notably on behalf of Ukraine’s pro-Russia party, because it was becoming a distraction, not because of his actions. Manafort is likely to come under closer scrutiny as the FBI’s investigation of ties between Russia and the Trump continues.
Michael Flynn, Trump’s initial National Security Advisor. A resignation which came less than a month into the Trump administration, due to ‘a lack of trust’. It was reported that discussed U.S. sanctions with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak before Trump took the Oath of Office; it is illegal for private citizens to engage in diplomacy in the USA. He wants to testify before the Senate regarding the Russia investigation, but only if he gets immunity. As a man once said, ‘If you’re not guilty of a crime, what do you need immunity for?’
Rex Tillerson, the current Secretary of State and former CEO of Exxon Mobil. Not really a big story post-Inaugration Day, but worthy of note that he has the Order of Friendship from Russia, and Putin, for his time as the oil CEO. It is noteworthy that Trump wants to work hand-in-hand with a man with a Russian co-operation medal.
Jeff Sessions, current Attorney General and former Senator for Alabama. It has come out since the inauguration that Sessions met with Russian Ambassador Kislyak (a recurring character by now) during the campaign, despite telling the Senate under-oath during his confirmation hearings that he had ‘no communications with the Russians’. The spin was that they didn’t talk politics, but… seriously? That seems a long shot, but is the line they’ve gone with and the line they stuck with. He has since resigned from an FBI Russia probe.
Trump himself seems unsure on whether he’s met or spoken to or had any contact with the Russian President either. One minute he has met Putin, the next he hasn’t. Various (disputed) reports have come out as to the Russian government having leverage over Trump, but all have been vehemently denied by his team. The investigation looks set to carry on for quite some time, and, findings dependent, will be discussed for decades.
The Military: Syria, Islamic State and North Korea
Undoubtedly a huge surprise to the ‘Trump’s a Russian agent’ camp and indeed the world. In the wake of Bashar Al-Assad’s alleged chemical weapons attack on his own people, Trump was swayed from his non-interventionist talk on the campaign trail and fired 59 missiles at a pro-Government air base in Syria. The key phrase in his speech announcing this was his focus on the ‘beautiful little babies’ – the images across the hours of cable news that it is known Trump watches every day clearly triggered the President into action which was largely unsuccessful; there were reports that the base was up and running again within a day. This angered the Kremlin, and ties were said to be worse under Trump than Obama by those at the top. It was Trump’s first major military action as President, and as many in the U.S. said, ‘the moment be became President’. He reportedly told the Chinese President over cake, and then forgot where he sent the missiles in an interview, but for the most part reaction to the strikes in the USA was moderately positive.
The MOAB – ‘Mother of All Bombs’. Under Trump, the largest non-nuclear weapon was dropped on Islamic State fighters in Afghanistan, killing 90. Trump fumbled a question about whether or not he personally ordered this action, but the use of this weapon, devised in the early 00’s, was bold from a new President – it occurred not long after Trump’s strikes in Syria too, perhaps spurred on by the praise he received.
North Korea’s nuclear capabilities have long been debated, causing concern for American Presidents for a number of years. With intercontinental capabilities on the horizon, Kim Jong-Un – the youngest world leader – has been told he will be ‘brought to his senses’ by America. Both sides have led live-fire military drills and the North held parades in the fortnight leading up to the 100 day mark, flexing their muscles until the other falters – North Korea is a long term problem for the USA that will not go away and Trump’s policy on North Korea will be one of the most interesting and influential aspects of his tenure.
It’s widely known and documented that Trump works very closely with his family. His oldest three children, Ivanka, Donald Jr. and Eric, all hold senior roles in the Trump Organisation. Ivanka has historically been his favourite, even sometimes worryingly so, and so it seemed logical that at some point, once the heat around the inauguration had died down, a role would be found for her in the White House. It took just over two months for her to have an office in 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. She’ll have a security clearance, access to classified information, but no official title or salary. President Trump clearly didn’t care about the people’s views on, effectively, hiring his own daughter – he went and did it almost as fast as he possibly could. Even before this was confirmed, Ivanka was pictured next to Canadian PM Justin Trudeau and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Trump even wielded his presidential power to chastise Nordstrom for them no longer stocking Ivanka’s clothing line, with Kellyanne Conway giving a ‘free commercial’ from the White House in an interview. This was wildly inappropriate – the President criticising a private business for what he perceived as an assault on a family member. Nordstrom insisted that they stopped stocking her products because they weren’t selling well. Ivanka’s husband, real estate developer and newspaper owner Jared Kushner, is employed as a Senior Advisor to the President.
Trump’s inner circle is small, and apparently very loyal, and he doesn’t seem to be looking to expand it any time soon. But why on Earth would he? Look where it’s got him. The highest office in the land, yet perhaps his first on the ground floor in decades.
Trump & the Press
The White House Chief Strategist is Steve Bannon – the ex-driving force behind right-wing news outlet Breitbart. You would think, given Bannon’s media background, that he would support a free press, and all that comes with it. You would think wrong. His time as, supposedly, the puppet master has led to Trump labelling particular mainstream media outlets as ‘the enemy of the American people’. It’s extraordinarily plain that Trump, even for a politician, is particularly thin-skinned. The slightest criticism from any organisation or individual leads to a ‘fake news’ label – an insult, and crutch, gifted to Trump by the outlets he now criticises. Sure, there was a fake news problem in the run up to the election last November, but such a meal was made of it that the term ‘fake news’ has become an easy line for Trump or his associates to reel off in order to discredit unfavourable press. Labelling CNN, for example, ‘fake news’ is simply unfair and untrue, as Kellyanne Conway tried to do with Anderson Cooper.
The Trump v. Press rivalry is evolving, and developing into something quite sinister. Fox News, essentially, roasted everything Obama ever did, and POTUS #44 just took it without lashing out (as he should as an elected official), going so far as to even joke about it. The President of the United States of America shouldn’t be concerned with every bit of criticism levied his way – it’s par for the course (and Trump should know, given his retreats to his luxurious Floridian golf course which have become a regular feature already – Obama played a lot too, but took a roasting for it).
The White House seeing the press as the enemy is perhaps the worst part of his Presidency thus far. There’s a great deal of left-wing hysteria around Trump’s presidency which has descended into bouts of incoherent babble and directionless anger, but the fears around his attitudes towards the press seem justified at this early stage. Autocracies can form from relationships like this. It would be great to see a POTUS 46 too, so long as their surname isn’t Trump, Kushner, Bannon, or one of the Trump inner circle (I did feel the same about having another Clinton or Bush, pre-election for the record – political dynasties are not something to be strived for, and are inherently and ironically un-American).
Trump & the People
Protests have been prominent during Trump’s first hundred days in office. In the U.S., and globally, there was the women’s march. The day after the inauguration, 21st January, thousands descended on Washington D.C. to express their fears that women’s rights would come under threat under the new administration. Their fears were justified, after the horrifying Access Hollywood tape that was leaked, and various sexist comments from the new President over the years. This march was justified and powerful. It was demeaned somewhat by some hyperbole from Madonna, but nevertheless – once distractions like this had been abstracted from the core of the protest itself, it was moving to see so many people in support for women’s rights like this. Equality between the sexes – a cause for all to rally behind.
There was also great public dissatisfaction amongst non-Trump voters as to the Travel Ban, as mentioned above.
Some of the international protests seem a little more bizarre, however. You can read Burn FM’s coverage of the Birmingham Trump Protest here. While these protests have been prominent during Trump’s first hundred days, they seem a little misguided. All the F- Trump, Dump Trump and ‘Trump Cash Me Ousside How Bow Dah?’ banners seem sort of irrelevant internationally. Arguably a more useful protest in the U.K. would’ve been to oppose the immediacy of Theresa May offering Trump a full state visit – she is after all the British Prime Minister, and something that the British people are entitled to be indignant about and oppose if they wish. I would speculate that if the protests in Britain had been specific to that, more support would’ve been gathered.
Conclusion – Have Trump’s First 100 Days Been Successful? What Do We Know Now That We Didn’t Before?
Essentially, no, but it hasn’t been the disaster forecasted by many – but then again, does that mean we have a lower bar for Trump than, for example, Obama? Almost certainly. The bar of expectation couldn’t have been lower coming in to these first hundred days. Many apparently pleasantly surprised that nukes haven’t been used yet – what a treat. Trump has been baffled as to the limits of his executive power, and for a man with no government experience before the presidency, who has acted as the sole head of a business empire for many years, he may be surprised that he cannot just speak and have it done. He hasn’t been able to force healthcare reform through congress, the wall won’t be paid for by Mexico, it’ll be paid for by the American taxpayer, he is under intense scrutiny for his campaign’s relationship with the ambiguous (and arguably cinematic) notion of ‘the Russians’ and he’s publicly warred with the mainstream media. We know now that he did seem to genuinely mean an awful lot of his headline campaign-trail policies, and is keen to see them enshrined in law. We know that his key team looks solid around him, and, barring any seismic political revelations regarding the key players, they’re there for the duration. They haven’t been the catastrophe many feared, and things like his policies on the environment, which are disagreed with by many, particularly in Western Europe, are politics, and he was elected on the backing of such commitments. We are all still here, which given comments made by POTUS 45 on the campaign trail is greatly enjoyable, but we should still hold Trump to the tough standards that Obama endured for the remainder of his time in office.

domain: politics


I've been challenged by my dear friend DJ Larsupreme to post a supernatural song of the day, and while my time is tight today, I can't resist this challenge. You will indeed hear this wild r&b rocker tonight at the Kenton Club for my annual Halloween-themed dance party "I Put A Spell On You Again". This 45, recorded by the Philly-based Nite Riders, is representative of the sound of my recurring "Club Nitty Gritty" dance party.
The band is a bit of a "super group" comprised of established R&B journeyman like Melvin Smith, James "Doc" Starkes, Harry Van Walls, Harry Crafton, Joe Sewell, and Jimmy Johnson. These guys, together and separately, can be heard on seminal R&B records like "Looped", "Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee", "Lovey Dovey" by the Clovers, The "Chicken & the Hawk" by Big Joe Turner,"Daddy Daddy" by Ruth Brown, etc. So if you're a fan of the early Atlantic records sound, you're likely to be really into this band, as I am.
This record was recorded in 1954, one of the most exciting years in American music with key developments in rock n roll and soul. This rambunctiousness of the record fits perfectly with the feel of 54. It is quite a STOMPER and I can't wait to spin it for the Halloween dancers tonight!
Bobby Day, who was born on this day in 1930 in Fort Worth, is best known for one of the biggest hits of the early rock n roll era, "Rockin' Robin". In fact, when I was playing a wedding gig last summer I was about to spin a different Bobby Day record, when a little girl strolled up to my turntables, read the label on the record and said, "Bobby Day. He did "Rockin' Robin!" And by that measurement, I'd say Bobby Day is pretty well-known even to this day.
However, there's more to Bobby Day than "Rockin' Robin." For example, he was an original member of famous LA-based doo wop group The Hollywood Flames. As Bobby Day & the Satellites he wrote and recorded the original version of "Little Bitty Pretty One" which was an enormous smash hit for Thurston Harris. He co-wrote one of the most famous uptempo doo wop tunes "Buzz Buzz Buzz" recorded by the Hollywood Flames and he wrote and recorded the original version of "Over & Over" which is more famous by the Dave Clark 5 (I have yet to find a nice clean copy of Day's version). And if that's not enough, Day was also reportedly the first "Bob" in the famous soul duo Bob & Earl. Bobby Day is full of surprises!
My record of the day is one of those surprises. This rare 45 beautifully arranged by Jack Nitzche, is a rendition of the unofficial "cajun national anthem". The first cajun recording of this song goes back to 1929. The song gained popularity outside of the cajun community when it was adopted by country music artist Harry Choates in 1947 and it swiftly became a country music standard. An r&b guy like Bobby Day wasn't expected to record a song like this and THAT is what makes this cajun meets country meets r&b version of this song so very interesting to me. I love these vintage recordings that pushed boundaries and busted outside of boxes.
Give it a listen as you head into your holiday weekend. It's a great reminder of the beautiful things that can happen when we rebel against societal definitions of who we're supposed to be and what we're supposed to do
What was it about BB King that allowed him to float to the top of a sea of brilliant blues musicians making him the most well-known artist of the genre? I've been asking this question for many years and I always come back to the same answer- MASSIVE likability. Yes, to become a musical ambassador a person has to have qualities beyond just musical skill. BB King was a guy with a warm personality, a brand that was easily marketable to the masses, and the ability to endure. It helps that he rose to prominence during the birth of rock n roll, an era when the general record buying public was much more friendly with blues artists.
However, as the decades went on, blues went back underground. Only a very small handful of artists would remain in public consciousness. It was the BB King brand that thrived via commercials, print ads, his club for tourists in Memphis, his guest appearances on other people's records, etc. People never got tired of BB. You can't really attribute that to his music. It was the power of his celebrity. He was the go-to guy when you wanted someone to represent the blues, especially as his contemporaries went on to the next life.
The LEGEND of BB King is so huge, it's hard to imagine a world without him. He falls in that elite category of people who personify their art. There is now a gaping hole in the landscape of our American culture, much like when Ray Charles and Johnny Cash passed away. These folks are as much (if not more) a part of who we are as a nation as any political leaders.
So today I mourn the passing of an American icon. Today I will dance to what is currently my favorite BB King 45. I hope you'll do a little shuffle too. If you are someone who was introduced to the blues through BB King, I hope you'll take some time to dig a little deeper into the genre in his honor. He led you there to show you there's so much more to love.
Amos Milburn was born on this day in 1927. He was a part of a movement of Texas-born R&B musicians who migrated to Los Angeles to take part in the port-WWII West Coast R&B scene. His piano-based, Jump Blues party records are some of the best ever made!
Like this one! Milburn recorded this song a few times and I was originally only familiar with an earlier, slower version. But then, via a collection of recordings featuring the legendary drummer Earl Palmer, I was introduced to this 1950s version. It ROCKED MY SOCKS OFF! So good! This is no-holds-barred, rock-em sock-em, barrelhouse/roadhouse rhythm n blues! Give this one a listen if you want to ramp up your day!
Today Antoine "Fats" Domino Jr. superstar of R&B and Rock n Roll and enduring American icon turns 86! As you hopefully know, #FatsDomino was one of the most influential musicians of the early rock n roll era. Today he's viewed as a rather innocuous figure, however it was nearly 6 decades ago at a Fat Domino San Jose concert in 1956 that the first "rock n roll riot" occurred, sending shock waves of fear through the heart of conservative America.
The incident was described in a 1986 article in the LA Times. Here's what happened when Domino's band stepped out for an intermission, "As the hall quieted, someone near the back of the ballroom threw a beer bottle toward the stage. It crashed harmlessly onto the nearly deserted dance floor. Within a moment another bottle shattered on the floor and then a third. It seemed that a fight involving no more than five or six people was heating up. But others joined in. The overhead lights were hit and exploded, raining glass down onto the floor. Fist fights broke out. Within minutes chaos prevailed. Silvia couldn't believe his eyes. A free-for-all was taking place in his precious dance hall. People were clawing, screaming, kicking, biting, punching and beating at each other. "Boys fought boys and even girls," he remembered years later. "Girls were slugging and scratching at one another."
Of course much of the push back against rock n roll was purely born out of racism. Black musicians like Fats Domino who broke through the walls of musical segregation really did leave an enormous lasting impact on mainstream American cultural. And for that he, like his fellow birthday buddy Johnny Cash, was much more than a musician. He was a FORCE.
My selection of the day comes from Domino's foray into early soul music. It's one of the final 45s he recorded in New Orleans, produced by his long time musical partner Dave Bartholomew. Within a year he would switch record labels and under his new contract agreement, he would be required to record in Nashville with producer Bill Justice, instead of in his home town of New Orleans. His winning formula would be broken, and the hits stopped coming.
But today it's 1962 again and the twist is all the rage. Take a moment to Dance with Mr. Domino!
Tonight I'll have the pleasure of spinning some Foot Stompin' mid-century music down at Dig A Pony. I can't wait to unleash George "Wild Child" Butler on SE Portland! If your butt can't shake to this one, well there's no hope for you in this Age of the Butt.
Butler grew up in Alabama where he taught himself to play harmonica (upside down) but relocated to Chicago as part of "The Great Migration." It was there that he recorded a couple of singles for Jewel Records with legendary sidemen Willie Dixon, Jimmy Dawkins, and Cash McCall. It's been said that Butler described his own style as "swamp blues." With Willie Dixon's involvement as songwriter, possible producer, and lead vocalist on this track, I guess we can hear what happens when Chicago blues wades in the swamp. Nothing gets bogged down here! So dive into the swamp with me tonight and dance to this one. Before you know it, you'll find yourself up to your eyeballs in pure polyrhythmic hoo doo blues.
I'm getting so excited about my Foot Stompin' party (happening tomorrow night 1/29) at Dig A Pony! I'll be debuting this little treasure which I finally acquired after a lengthy hunt.
Margie Day passed away this past September after a lifetime dedicated to the arts. Her most recent years were spent acting as the Executive Director of an non-profit she established to cultivate the artistic talents of children in Norfolk, Virginia (where she grew up).
Early in her professional music career she sang vocals for legendary R&B band leaders like the Griffin Brothers, Floyd Dixon, and Paul Hucklebuck Williams before launching her own solo career in the mid-1950s. That's when this record was recorded for Atlantic's subsidiary Cat Records.
Here we have an unusual fusion of R&B and country. How often to you hear a jaw harp on an R&B record? Any time these two musical worlds come together, my heart tends to flutter a little bit. I've played the country bop cover of this at QCJ, but it took a long time to get my hands on the original. This record wasn't a hit when originally released, but I'm determined to make it a smash sensation on the dance floors of Portland starting tomorrow night!
The Buddy Johnson Orchestra is often credited as being the link between the big band era and the rhythm & blues era and he is considered by some as one of the fathers of R&B.
The band was launched by South Carolina native Buddy Johnson (born on this day in 1915) at the dawn of WWII. As the war raged on, Johnson began turning to the blues as inspiration and began to blend it with his big band sound. When the war ended, other jump band leaders paired down their bands to small 4 to 6 piece combos. Alternately, Johnson's band kept growing at one point reaching 17 members. It must have been an incredible sound to experience in person, which explains why he remained a popular live act coast to coast into the rock n roll era.
The record of the day features Buddy's little sister Ella on vocals. She is a legend as well.
Recorded on this day in 1947, "Tomorrow Night" (aka "Lonnie Johnson's them song") proved to be one of the loveliest recordings by blues/jazz pioneer Lonnie Johnson (who began recording in 1925) and served as a bridge between the original blues recording stars of the 1920s and 1950s rock n roll. Johnson's version of the song (which was written back in 1939 by Sam Coslow and Will Grosz) was number 1 on the R&B charts for 7 weeks.
The song would become a standard of the early rock 'n' roll era and became associated with Big Joe Tuner as well as LaVern Baker among others. There are also a well-known versions by young Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis. However, nothing can top this delightful duet between Lonnie Johnson's voice and his guitar. The master.
DJ Action Slacks
I'm excited to highlight some of my favorite records in a variety of genres (soul, R&B, classic country, rockabilly, oldies, garage rock, etc). These won't all necessarily be "dance" records per se. They will all be records that I believe deserve a special listen. I simply love good music, rare or not. Hopefully you will spend some time here and love music right along with me! Lets give this a shot!


Schleuniger, Inc. to Exhibit Latest Wire Processing Innovations at M-Expo
M-Expo is the premier wire processing technology exhibition in the region, primarily for those in the wire and cable processing industries. Schleuniger will be at booth #608 providing hands-on demonstrations of innovative wire processing solutions.
New this year, Schleuniger will be showcasing the MultiStrip 9480 cut and strip machine with SmartDetect, our highly innovative quality monitoring option. This sensor-controlled system monitors the complete stripping process and detects any contact between the stripping blade and the conductor ensuring 100% quality with no nicks, cuts or missing strands. This versatile, high performance automatic cut and strip machine accurately processes a wide range of wires and cables. It is available in six machine versions to cover most applications and easily fits most budgets. Add the TriStar laser marking machine, and you have a complete system to handle virtually any application.
Schleuniger will also be exhibiting the CrimpCenter 36 SP fully automatic crimping machine. Equipped with the latest high precision technology, the CrimpCenter 36 SP offers up to six processing stations, decreased set up time with its new wire straighteners and programmable gripper pressure, increased performance with higher feed rates, and refined motor synchronization. The CrimpCenter 36 SP also adds enhanced wire handling with a new deposit gripper and an automatic batch tray. Increased productivity and decreased cost per lead are guaranteed.
Additional equipment will be on display including the latest generation CoaxStrip 6580 fully programmable multi-step stripping machine for coaxial, triaxial, multi-conductor cable and single conductor wire and the UniStrip 2300 with the SmartDetect option for additional quality assurance.
Several of Schleuniger’s Sales and Technical Service experts will be on hand to discuss any and all applications and to offer feedback on Schleuniger’s complete line of wire processing solutions.
More information can be found at schleuniger.com/m-expo.


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Tradition. Traditional homes and traditional building techniques. We’ve been quite reluctant in any way to disrupt what is beautiful in terms of style (like this gorgeous Mark Finlay designed home in Connecticut) and comfortable in terms of process. Yet, in today’s world, building this home is much more expensive than in years past, if you could even find someone to build it! The cost of materials and the shortage of skilled trades has changed residential construction, driving up prices. This challenge creates opportunity for disruptors to break into the establishment. Could we be at a construction crossroads?
The trades involved in residential home building are resistant to change. “My daddy and granddaddy did it this way,” has been the mantra. New technologies are created, yet our building process hasn’t changed significantly over time.
However, in today’s economy, there are several major bottlenecks in residential building. Could this be the impetus for some of those construction alternatives to gain some traction?
The biggest issues currently in residential building relate to the cost of materials and the lack of skilled labor. Both of these issues have existed at different points in time, but having both issues simultaneously could create opportunity for disruption.
If you follow construction or residential real estate, you’ve seen the memes and cartoons. The cost of lumber is out of control.
At construction sites in the past you might have seen little scraps of wood burning in a barrel – keeping the workers warm. Burning that precious bit of wood today – no chance!
Burning timberlands have contributed to supply chain issues with lumber, but it’s not just 2×4’s. Check out OSB. Last August a sheet of OSB was $12-13/sheet. Our walls, floors and roofs are all sheathed in OSB. Current charts show OSB costs 500% greater than April 2020.
Recently the headlines have shown that after record increases in cost began mid 2020, lumber prices are coming down. That is great news for residential home builders, right? It should be, but as the National Association of Homebuilders explains, prices are “sticky.” Retailers who purchased inventory while the prices were high are reluctant to slash prices. They need to unload inventory at the higher prices. There can be a significant lag as costs are falling. Of course when prices are rising, they are quick to adjust upward.
Did you ever play the game Oregon Trail? It’s the one where you play a pioneer trying to pack your wagon to cross the Oregon Trail. You had to balance packing enough food for you and your family (and horses) for the long ride. But not so much that it weighed the wagon down. It was really a tricky balance. There is actually a game called the Wood Supply Game which simulates the balance of the Forest Products Supply chain… it is not easy to win!
In 2020, 91% of homebuilders used traditional wood framing, so they are forced to absorb the cost increases and pass them on to the consumer. A new home in 2021 is significantly more expensive than the same home just a year ago.
What are the alternatives though? Two major alternatives are concrete and steel framing. Both have previously been cost prohibitive. However, with lumber prices sky high, it is possible we could trend toward these framing techniques.
Superior walls can be used in many applications – commercial and residential. There are a lot of hurdles to make the switch to these alternative building techniques. Probably the biggest of these hurdles though is habit. Builders have always done it a certain way, and so have the skilled trades. Moving toward these building styles would mean architects and engineers, building inspectors and the trades would all have to adopt these styles. Simple things like insulation become more tricky. Large builders like KB Home and Lennar tinkered with the idea of changing. While there were many great parts about using these new construction styles, they simply couldn’t get the trades on board. Cabinet makers and roofers balked.
However, according to the NAHB, “the lack of workers in the skilled trades has reached a crisis level.” On July 13th, the NAHB, Homebuilders Institute and a panel of experts will host a panel to “answer questions and address winning strategies to tackle this issue.” One of the ways I think they will consider is training more young workers in alternative and newer technologies.
Disruption typically happens in 4 stages (Steven Sinofsky). This most frequently relates to technology, but I think it could apply here. In typical disruptions the new technologies develop, but they aren’t adopted because the incumbent (traditional building practices) is seen as satisfactory. Eventually, the disruptors begin to expand their capabilities and address their shortcomings. The incumbent doesn’t adapt. Every day we are seeing innovation in building techniques and materials. As traditional building is hampered by high costs, it seems logical that some of the other stuff might have a chance. But beyond concrete/steel framing and Superior walls, a myriad of other new technologies are finding their way into the residential building space.
What else could breakthrough soon?
Drones, Augmented Reality, Constructions Exosuits, Collaborative Robots? These futuristic sounding ideas make automated roof truss production seem old school! (https://www.bigrentz.com/blog/construction-technology). Even digital printing and Building Information Modeling is being utilized for residential construction. Imagine begin able to see a digital representation of a custom home plan before building! Change orders get pricey and if you could “see” what your home would look like during the design phase, many of those fees could be avoided.
Some of the technologies like automated roof truss systems, exosuits to provide support while lifting or to reduce repetitive motion injuries, or drones utilizing mapping technology to analyze the topography and grade change of a construction site just use existing technology in a new application. It is really amazing to consider. Streamlining processes with tech can improve safety and efficiency. Those are huge improvements with existing technology. There are other difficult to imagine implementations. Consider 3-D printing building materials like cinder blocks, or even an entire bridge! Designs are completed and tested on paper and are created with perfect accuracy. While those technologies seem far fetched, just think, those aren’t even “new” technologies. There are some that we haven’t even seen yet!
Framers and roofers who learned from their dads and granddads are increasingly rare these days. With this shortage of skilled labor, combined with sky high lumber prices, some of these technologies can be used to in place of laborers, to improve materials estimates or to supplement capacity. But also, as new folks join the workforce, perhaps they’ll be open to learning about and adopting the innovations? We all know millennials like tech. Could we see a big shift in the near future?
My very favorite book is called Traditional Construction Patterns. It covers all of the elements of proper construction, referencing perfect proportions like the Golden Ratio to make architecture aesthetically pleasing.
I wonder with all of the new tech and efficiencies if we might lose some of the beauty of traditional architecture?
I sure hope not.


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International Day of the Girl celebrated in Monaco
This past Tuesday, October 11, 2016 marked the International Day of the Girl. To celebrate this occasion, GenderHopes Monaco, founded and directed by Danish born Monaco resident Vibeke Brask Thomsen in 2011, organized an art exhibition under the fitting theme “A Confident Girl,” at the Columbus Hotel in the Principality with the objective of helping the efforts of the Akilah Institute for Women.
The charity event attracted more than 150 loyal supporters who came to admire and acquire some of the 40 art pieces, be it in the form of sculptures, paintings or photographs, with the artists giving their own unique and passionate rendition of the specially selected theme. Quite an achievement for Vibeke, specially considering that there were a plethora of other concurrent events that evening in the busy calendar of the Principality. Go girl!
Art at the service of society
Some 25 renowned local and international artists showcase their unique pieces of art that they generously donated or kindly agreed to share the profits. They are all available for purchase, with proceeds from all sales benefiting the Akilah Institute for Women, a college in East Africa that makes it possible for young women to achieve economic independence and reach leadership roles in the workplace and the community where they live. One of the important accomplishments to highlight is the fact that 88% of the institute’s alumnae have obtained gainful employment just within six months of graduation, and earn nearly 12 times the national median income, and 4 times the national average income.
List of artists as they appear on the book “A Confident Girl“
- Louise Bang & Gui Lessin
- Leonora Baumann
- Valeria Becker
- Libia Bosker
- Belinda Bussotti
- Frances Cannon
- Nick Dazinger
- Dirk de Keyzer
- Fabian Edelstam
- Karen Joubert-Cordier
- Ana Kuni
- Peter Larsen
- Indira Mersiyanova
- Elena Papernaya
- Eleonora Strano
- Jeremy Taburchi
- Blake Ward
- Alice Wilson
- Toby Wright
- Peter Wüthrich
The poster of the charity art exhibition bears the work of art by German artist Valeria Becker, entitled Africain (2016). Swedish artist Fabian Edelstam exhibits several works portraying confident women, including a portrait of Princess Grace (2015) and Queen Elizabeth (2015) among others. Russian born Monaco resident Indira Mersiyanova exposed a large painting entitled My friend (2014) and also performed a live painting session during the event, to the delight of the guests.
Monaco resident and renowned photographer, Nick Danzinger, presented an emotive photo documentary of young Mariatu, who grew up in Sierra Leone and had her arms brutally amputated at the age of 13 to prevent her from voting. The book of the exhibition that is also for sale and bears Mariatu’s portrait on the cover, features information about the Day of the Girl, the United Nations, the Akilah Institute plus a compilation of all the art pieces exposed, including a preface by Robert Zoellick, former President of the World Bank. The main purpose of the book is to increase awareness of the plight of these associations in their continuous fight to give girls and women access to a proper education, and enlist others to help them achieve their goals. Together we are more!
Education is a right!
In spite of perceived improvement, girls and women continue to suffer discrimination that prevents them access to education. More than 50 million children worldwide, out of whom 31 million are girls, do not attend school and two thirds of illiterate adults are women. Even in developing countries, adolescent girls are more likely to abandon secondary school than boys. Poverty, pregnancy, school-based violence, child marriage and discriminatory gender norms are some of the major obstacles to girls’ education worldwide.
Girls and women’s right to education is guaranteed under international law. Article 10 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) adopted in 1979 by the UN General Assembly, is the most comprehensive provision on girls and women’s right to education and sets up a plan of action to end such discrimination. This initiative is mirrored at the regional and national level in several countries.
GenderHopes has organized many fundraisings since its inception and has been relentlessly supporting concrete actions and other likeminded associations to end gender discrimination and domestic violence, working closely together with the local government, police, hospital and social services. This young association counts with the invaluable support of Ms Isabelle Bonnal, Director of Education, Youth and Sports, who was present at the exhibition and gave a presentation about Monaco’s commitment to higher education. An alumna from the Akilah Institute also shared her story as a survivor of the 1994 Rwandan genocide to becoming a student at Akilah.
“It’s all about small little steps,” Vibeke, said passionately. “And to say to young girls, and boys, that they can become anything they want.”
A girl’s future is in your hands
“A Confident Girl” exhibition runs until Sunday, October 30, 2016, at the Columbus Hotel 23 Avenue des Papalins, Monte-Carlo, Monaco. Your purchase of a work of art and the book of the exhibition will help girls become empowered women, who in turn will bring progress to their communities. You may also order the book by sending an email to email@example.com
“A confident girl is a girl who believes in herself.” Nick Danziger

domain: sociology


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The debate on Genetic Modification appears to be ignoring one vital ingredient, particularly with regard to seed crops.
That is wind.
No matter what controls are put in place to isolate genetically modified crops from those being produced in either the
normal fashion or organically, the fickle "winds of change" will scatter the seeds of genetically modified crops farther
than one thinks.
On top of that, how do you control or legislate for bird droppings?
It will take only one field of genetically modified crop to go to seed and you can kiss goodbye to being able to
guarantee or claim that any subsequent crop within a vast area remains free of genetic modification.
With many in Europe and the US already distancing themselves from either the manufacture or purchase of such food, New
Zealand is still ideally placed to capitalise on two things which are already commanding premium prices, organically
grown and genetically free foods.
I am not a "greenie" but on this issue I firmly believe we will be shooting ourselves in the foot if we continue down
this very uncertain path.

domain: agronomy


Applications of Evolutionary Computing: EvoWorkshops 2007:EvoCOMNET, EvoFIN, EvoIASP, EvoINTERACTION, EvoMUSART, EvoSTOC, and EvoTransLog, Valencia, Spain, ... (Lecture Notes in CoISBN: 3540718044;
This book constitutes the refereed joint proceedings of seven workshops on evolutionary computing, EvoWorkshops 2007, held in Valencia, Spain in April 2007. The 55 revised full papers and 24 revised short papers presented were carefully reviewed and selected from a total of 160 submissions. In accordance with the seven workshops covered, the papers are organized in topical sections on evolutionary computation in communications, networks, and connected systems, evolutionary computation in finance and economics, evolutionary computation in image analysis and signal processing, interactive evolution and humanized computational intelligence, evolutionary music and art, evolutionary algorithms in stochastic and dynamic environments, as well as evolutionary computation in transportation and logistics.
- OZON.ru 8926


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The strange thing about Ambergris Caye is that it has all the natural excitement you can find in other places like Hawaii and Bali, but without all the crowded noisy businesses to ruin your experience. Throughout the years, this place remains the undisputed star of tourism industry in Belize, yet it remains a calm place filled with simple pleasures - beaches and relaxing atmosphere.
For many visitors and real travelers, Ambergris Caye is considered the actual original tropical getaway. Development of tourism industry is inevitable indeed, especially with the tempting economic potential that comes with it. Somehow, this place can balance out the needs for fancy suits and shiny shoes with its charm and comforting environment of shirtless surfers. Crystal clear water is still here, coconut trees are everywhere to be found, and the sense of being "far away" is still strong.
There are times when the island does get busy, of course. Considering that it only has about 25 miles long and 5 miles across, the crowd can potentially overwhelm your intention to relax. Narrow streets get jammed by golf carts, and the area around the coast is now filled with a number of resorts. The outer parts of the island are, however, practically uninhabited. You can still interact with remote communities in the northern end of the island adjacent to Mexican territory where strong influence of Hispanic cultures is still prominent.
Ambergris Caye saw the first interference from modern tourism development in 1970 and it has been steadily growing until now. The most important attraction is Belize Barrier Reef, the second largest in the world after Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Beaches in the island are also major tourism destinations. The good thing about natural attractions is the fact that development cannot reach the point of over-exploitation. Popular places are still natural and they keep on attracting more visitors. The conservation-oriented scuba divers also help to keep the natural attractions away from negative effects of commercialization. The reef is a national treasure and is treated as such.
Tropic Air and Maya Island Air are two biggest airstrips in Ambergris Caye. You can also reach the island using ferry from Belize or Mexico. In parts of the island where development is practically non-existent, the landscape is comprised of mainly white sand beaches with mangrove swamp. Due to small area and narrow streets, the main transportation in Ambergris Caye is golf cart. Travelling from places to places is easy with many golf cart rentals at your service.

domain: travel


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Questions to Consider When Buying a Vacation Home
Doing your research is key before buying a vacation home.
Have A Question About This Topic?
A look at how variable rates of return impact investors over time.
Roth 401(k) plans combine features of traditional 401(k) plans with those of a Roth IRA.
This calculator can help you estimate how much you may need to save for retirement.

domain: finance