text:
GMOs, Roundup, and Sunscreen Linked with Diminished Brain Resiliency
Monday, October 13, 2014
Linda J. Dobberstein, Chiropractor, Board Certified in Clinical Nutrition
Our brains are not bouncing back like they used to. Neurological injury and disease are on the rise. We are experiencing a marked increase in the incidence of sports related concussions despite decreased participation in these sports. Minor concussions or repetitive subconcussive impacts that used to heal in 3-7 days now wreak havoc for weeks and months. Researchers delving into this complex topic have determined that many with slow recovery from concussions had other depleting factors prior to the event. They have coined this deficit– Diminished Brain Resiliency Syndrome.
W. A. Morley and S. Seneff in the June 2014 journal Surgery Neurological International wrote a powerful, expose describing the link with modern day poor brain health and increased susceptibility to concussion, mild brain trauma, and consequential neurodegeneration. The researchers pointed out several factors that show a compelling parallel trend with the disproportionate increase in concussions and neurological disorders compared to 10 years ago. These factors demonstrate an insidious role in reducing brain health and resiliency. The concepts presented by the authors are eye opening and must not be dismissed.
Monsanto and GMOs
One of the biggest factors is genetically modified foods (GMOs) and the use of pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides. These chemical exposures activate our brain’s microglial cells into a state of heightened awareness. The priming causes a hyper-vigilant response to subsequent brain insults even if it is a very mild trigger. This creates the down hill cascade of increased brain injury and decreased resiliency.
The most problematic concern is with Monsanto’s Roundup and its active ingredient glyphosate. Roundup use has increased by an unbelievable 6504% from 1991 to 2010. Foods that contain this compound are GMO corn, soy, alfalfa, canola oil, sugar beets, cottonseed oil, and crops such as wheat and sugar cane that are desiccated prior to harvest. This also pertains to food animals that consume these products.
A significant reason why this problem occurs is because glyphosate changes healthy, human gut bacteria function. It drastically alters the gut microbiome and predisposes towards non-beneficial bacteria, e.g. Clostridium and Salmonella and yeast overgrowth. In addition, glyphosate strip the plants of nutrients, i.e. nutrients that we need to function and survive. Researchers have identified several nutrients that are markedly reduced in plants treated with Monsanto’s Roundup. These include tryptophan, tyrosine, phenylalanine, serine, glycine, methionine, calcium, magnesium, iron, and manganese. These nutrients are heavily involved with neurotransmitter formation, immune function, inflammation regulation, detoxification, thyroid, bone health, and more.
Glyphosate also disrupts the liver’s ability to detoxify which allows toxins such as formaldehyde, and aluminum to disrupt and cross the blood brain barrier and further intrude on brain health. Roundup containing foods lack nutrients for glutathione synthesis, which compounds poor detoxification with consequential problems elsewhere. Glutathione is the most important antioxidant needed for clearing neurological excitotoxins and reducing neuroimmune inflammation associated with injury. Sensitive limbic system structures cannot be protected by GMO nutrient depletions, glutathione disruption and imbalanced gut microbiomes.
The omega 3 fish oil, DHA, is clearly the most important fat for the brain and is essential to nerve cell membranes and synapses. It is paramount for reducing excitoxicity in the brain and quenching glutamate and other inflammatory compounds. Researchers showed that adequate DHA in the brain prior to injury reduced nerve damage. DHA improves the ability to quench excitatory chemicals released after trauma and prevent cell death. This has powerful implications for those who do not consume fatty fish or fish oil supplements, especially for teenagers who often forego these foods. Anyone who lacks DHA in their diet is priming the brain for poor development and consequential breakdown or neurodegeneration.
The ratios of omega 6 to omega 3 in the diet also relate to the amount of inflammation in the brain. The higher the omega 6 along with processed, pesticide laden foods leads to a pro-inflammatory status within brain. This imbalance leads to the decreased resiliency to minor traumas and even day to day stimulation.
Zinc and Magnesium
Zinc is the most abundant trace mineral in the brain. Inadequate zinc is definitively linked with neurodegeneration especially Alzheimer’s disease. Intake of zinc is generally quite low in the diet, especially in highly processed foods and foods grown with Roundup. Youth going through growth spurts need adequate zinc for growth. Perspiration also causes increased loss of zinc. Zinc deficiency leads to an increased production of free radicals in the brain along with impairment in the brain’s structure.
It is estimated that at least 90% of athletes are deficient in magnesium. Plants treated with Roundup have a marked reduction in magnesium leading to decreased intake through the food supply. Physical activity causes loss of magnesium through sweat and urine. This leads to a devastating combination of increased need and reduced intake. Without magnesium, inflammation levels increase in the brain and the body, driving up TNFa and excitatory glutamate, and reducing anti-inflammatory glutathione.
Sunscreen and Vitamin D
Vitamin D and cholesterol are needed to protect the gel-like nature of the brain and allow proper electrical activity. These compounds are activated into sulfate forms from sunshine exposure. Sunscreen stops this process of activating vitamin D and cholesterol. This leads to increased weakness in brain structure and higher vulnerability to sudden and repetitive impact.
Think of how many children have grown up with sunscreen use from infancy that now play sports and have neurological concerns. Add in the exposure to the weed-control chemicals put on lawns and playground. All which prime the microglial cells to hyperactivity. Combine that with subconcussive hits from playing soccer and you wonder what is wrong with your child or you.
Read More: Bone Health News, Brain Health News, Cholesterol News, Detoxification News, Digestive Health News, Immune Health News, Inflammation News, Nerves News, Thyroid News Antioxidants News, Brain Health News, Inflammation News, Pain News, Sports Nutrition News Blood Pressure News, Brain Health News, Cancer News, Immune Health News, Pain News, Sleep News Blood Pressure News, Blood Sugar News, Brain Health News, Diabetes News Adrenal Function News, Brain Health News, Depression News, Energy/ Fatigue News, Inflammation News, Thyroid News
More Health News
Loading content...View All Health News Archives


Why driverless cars could ease London’s housing crisis
LSL Property Services and Acadata reported that the price increases were driven by London as values in the capital rose £24,636 in the past year – equal to 75% of an average Londoner’s salary.
According to the Office of National Statistics, the average London home now costs £495,000, 83% higher than a decade earlier. Median house price are 12 times median income. If the forecasts of a 10 million population for London are even remotely accurate, it’s reasonable to talk of a housing crisis.
Clearly prices are set to rise for some time to come with London outstripping the rest of the country. This isn’t surprising as London, for a large group of UK nationals and internationals, is the place in which to live and work.
Right under our noses?
Much has been written in the press about how to address London’s housing shortage. Columns have been devoted to utilising green belt as well as brownfield sites. There’s definitely merit in the latter approach as indicated by London’s new Land Commission compiling a list of brownfield sites on which construction can commence by the end of 2015. All well and good, but perhaps another solution could be right under our noses.
I’m talking about existing infrastructure: offices, shops, and especially garages ripe for conversion into living accommodation. The Department of Communities and Local Government recently reported a 65% increase in the number of new homes delivered by converting offices and shops. That’s a positive step but so much more could be accomplished.
But let’s focus on garages for a moment. Some 3,750 empty garages are owned by just 10 housing associations across the capital. That’s equivalent to roughly 20 football pitches. Converting some of these would provide much needed affordable space. Specifically, this proposal involves housing associations investing in their garages and assessing if they are suitable for housing. Or simply knock them down and redevelop them as housing: the space they occupy would accommodate about 400 homes.
Of course, there are instances in which this is already happening: Islington Council has converted 60 disused garages into high-spec council flats. On Holloway’s Westbourne Estate, the garages have become 15 one-bedroom flats, a four-bedroom house and a five-bedroom house. A great use of space.
Disrupting the car ownership market
The other element to factor into this equation is the impact of technology on motoring. At present, few garage owners in London are actually using their garage to house a car. The rise of car sharing schemes in London such as Zipcar and City Car Club is already reducing the need to own a vehicle. But the advent of driverless and semi-autonomous vehicles promises a revolution in car ownership and usage.
This summer, underwriters at Lloyd’s of London gathered to hear experts explain how, by 2045, it will be possible to summon a driverless car using an app on a mobile device. This type of technology will undoubtedly disrupt current models of car ownership. Why own a vehicle at all when one is available 24-hours-a-day from a pool of hundreds or thousands circulating on the local road network? The UK insurance industry’s motor research centre at Thatcham is already predicting ‘high penetration’ of fully-autonomous cars onto UK roads in 30 years.
Of course various considerations need to be taken into account – notwithstanding the costs involved, planning permissions etc – but these initiatives to convert garages, offices and shops must be encouraged.
The age of the garage in inner cities is coming to a close. Housing should always trump storage space in terms of importance, and with its fate all but sealed, the time to start converting that garage is now.
Tony Ward is CEO and president of consultancy firm, Clayton Euro Risk


text:
DIY Boho Chic Bedroom Makeover
Today I have a stunning rental friendly bedroom makeover which requires minimal material and is a temporary makeover idea if you are someone like me who likes to switch up their decor every now and then.
I decided to transform one of the bedrooms in my house and the theme for it was a Boho chic look incorporating the gorgeous Arch Walls that I have been seeing everywhere. The only difference is that I did not paint my Arch design directly onto the wall. And if you read down below you will know what was my little trick.
Here is how the bedroom looked before. Just a dull, lifeless room that desperately needed color and attention.
So to make the Arch Walls what I used was Ram Board which you can easily purchase from Home Depot. It is a roll of Cardboard material. I painted my panels in gorgeous deep Teal color.
To attach the Ram Board onto the wall I used double-sided tape. This tape is really strong and does not damage the wall at all.
After that just attach the Arch panels onto the Wall.
The Headboard was also a DIY and it was only for $12 as this was an Ikea Ivar Cabinet Hack.
I simply just stapled a boho pattern I had at home all around the three square panels to make the headboard which I hanged onto the wall using mounting hooks.
The nightstands were a thrift find which I painted Coral to go with the teal color of the Wall.
Lastly to add some more Boho elements in the room I painted some Ikea mirrors in a beautiful Terra Cotta Paint color.
And here is the final result. So fresh and fun.
The rest of the decor items like the curtain, rugs, etc I repurposed from my home.
What do you guys think? The makeover looks like I must have spent a lot but in reality, this was really budget-friendly.
Enjoyed the project?
Resources for this project:See all materials
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
Join the conversation
Happy Days Hometalker on Jan 12, 2023
The room pulled together beautifully.
Did you send down the nightstand?
I really love the look! I have plaster walls so the double sided tape would ruin them; any other ideas to put things on the walls besides the tape and Command strips? I used to use Command strips for a lot of my pic etc. but now they are sooo expensive to use when your walls are full of family pics and treasures. I'm on an extremely tight fixed budget.
What did you suggest for alternative to double backed tape (that could ruin plaster walls).

domain: design


Combined with the measurement components from PRFTECHNIK including a Bluetooth module, the tab@lign app composes a wireless laser shaft alignment system for tablets and smart phones. The app is dedicated to standard shaft alignment including quick alignment checks on machines such as a motor-pump combination.
Equipped with the PRFTECHNIK patented single-laser technology, and offering a high system dependability, tab@lign delivers accurate and repeatable measurement results.
Key features include:
3 steps to alignment
Enter dimensions, rotate shafts and display measurement result.
The PRFTECHNIK measurement equipment provides high-accuracy measurement data to the Android device through the Bluetooth module for a convenient data transmission.
Active Clock measurement
During shaft rotation, measurements are automatically taken at 3 sensor positions. A shaft rotation of only as little as 70 is required. The activated electronic inclinometer eliminates possible user error for intelligent and precise alignment.
Result and Live Move
Both horizontal and vertical coupling and foot results are automatically calculated and displayed. The graphics show the machine position and the arrows the necessary feet corrections. During Live Move, tab@lign monitors the horizontal changes live on the screen, continuously updating the adjustments.
Measure, correct and save soft foot results.
Measurement results can be immediately shared via email in a clear single-page graphical report to facilitate and shorten the alignment cycle time.
In Demo mode, the app can simulate measurement scenarios using the mobile devices position sensor.
This app requires the measurement components from PRFTECHNIK. They can be purchased separately at: http://www.pruftechnik.com/tabalign
For more information and technical specifications, please visit: www.pruftechnik.com/tabalign
Shop your favorite products and we’ll find the best deal with a single click. Designed to make shopping easier.


Bill to ban wildlife, coyote-killing contests dies in Nevada legislature
For the fifth time in almost as many years, Nevada officials have failed to act on a proposal to eliminate wildlife killing contests in the state.
A proposal introduced to the Nevada Legislature by Assemblyman Howard Watts (D-Las Vegas) and Senator Melanie Scheible (D-Las Vegas) to ban the contests failed to move out of the Assembly Committee to Natural Resources by the April 14 deadline.
Bills that did not move out of their committee by midnight on April 14 are no longer able to be passed during the Legislature's 2023 session.
Assembly Bill 102, which “prohibits certain competitions in which certain animals are taken,” was last heard by the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources more than a month ago. The committee never moved the bill along.
It is the second time the Legislature has failed to act on a proposal to outlaw the contests — it also took no action on the matter in 2019.
Interspersed with the Legislature’s inaction are three votes by the Nevada Wildlife Commission (last November, as well as in 2015 and 2016) to continue allowing the contests.
The Nevada Wildlife Commission is a nine-member board appointed by the governor, comprised of five sportsmen, one conservationist, one farmer, one rancher and one member of the public. The commission sets state regulations that are enforced by the Nevada Department of Wildlife.
When asked to comment on the failure of Assembly Bill 102 to move forward, a spokesperson for NDOW said the agency is “neutral” on the matter.
Coyotes are 'unprotected' in Nevada
AB102 would have prohibited “a person from organizing, sponsoring, promoting, conducting or participating in any type of competition in which certain animals are taken for prizes or other inducements …”
Those animals include beavers, bobcats, foxes, mink, muskrats, otters, rabbits, coyotes, skunks and weasels; coyote contests are the most popular in Nevada.
Coyotes are considered “unprotected” in Nevada. There is no season set on coyotes and no license is required to hunt them.
In 2022, the Clark County commission and Reno City Council both passed resolutions supporting a ban on the competitions, while the Elko County Board of Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution supporting the continuation of the contests.
Elko’s resolution in favor of the contests stated that eliminating them could eventually threaten “wholesome family events like fishing derbies.”
Elko previously rotated with other western states to host the World Championship Coyote Calling Contest, but the other states participating in the contest — Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico — have since banned the contests.
If the bill had passed, anyone caught organizing a competition could have been fined between $5,000 and $30,000 and anyone caught participating could have been fined between $50 and $1,000.
Amy Alonzo covers the outdoors, recreation and environment for Nevada and Lake Tahoe. Reach her firstname.lastname@example.org.


ST. GEORGE – In light of recent kidnapping charges brought against three male juveniles for abducting a female jogger, also a juvenile, in Santa Clara on April 30, considerable and contradictory messages are coursing through community chatter, social media commentary and media. Opinions and speculation range from those who see the incident as a mere prank to those who see the youths deserving of being drawn and quartered.
If emotions can be set aside, some perspective on the Washington County Juvenile Court process and the interplay of the Washington County School District’s disciplinary role will inform the discussion.
The Justice System
Unlike a criminal prosecution against an adult offender, where the Washington County Attorney’s office brings an action on behalf of the people of the county against the offender, actions against juveniles are petitions made “in the interest of” the named juvenile offender. You do not see a case title “People v. Johnny,” you do see “In the interest of Johnny.”
The charging papers will analogize to an adult offense; in this case, the charging papers indicate that if it were an adult case the charges would rate a second-degree felony. But these are not criminal charges. The analogy to a felony does, however, trigger mandatory action by the public school district as will be discussed below.
“They are considered juveniles not criminals,” said Brock Belnap, Washington County Attorney. “The focus is on accountability and rehabilitation. In juvenile court, the judge’s goal is what is in the best interest of the kid, what will best help him to normalize, adjust, will be most likely to succeed.”
Belnap said there may be counseling, interviews, parental involvement, all kinds of things taken into consideration that may emerge and be ordered within the juvenile court’s process.
The maximum penalty in juvenile cases would be Secure Confinement until the offender reaches age 21. But Belnap said that kids that receive maximum detention are only the most incorrigible where the system has lost hope of helping them.
Unwilling to predict what penalty might be imposed on the three offenders charged in the pending Santa Clara kidnapping case if found culpable, Belnap said, “It’s too early to tell with these kids.”
“I think the reason our office sees it as serious,” Belnap said, “is because of the impact it had on the victim. Just because something is a prank doesn’t mean it can’t be criminal.”
Belnap gave the example of putting a bomb in a mailbox as a prank that might be criminal.
“We’re trying to get the balance right,” he said. “Nobody wants to hurt anyone that’s involved. We’re trying to sort it out, take into consideration what the underlying factors were.”
The Public Education System
Although the Santa Clara kidnapping incident did not occur on school grounds or during school hours, the public school system is involved by mandate of Utah law.
Utah Code §53A-11-904(2)(a)(ii) requires public schools to suspend or expel a student “for the commission of an act involving the use of force or the threatened use of force which if committed by an adult would be a felony or class A misdemeanor.”
The statute is not equivocal. When and where the causal event occurred is irrelevant. Once charges are filed against a student that would constitute a felony if the student was an adult, the school is mandated to either suspend or expel the student. The County Attorney’s office and law enforcement authorities notify the school district of these kinds of incidents as a matter of course.
Suspension is removal from school for 10 days or less, and suspension is subject to certain due process rights including oral or written notice of the charges brought against the student. These rights were upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1975 in its decision in Goss v. Lopez, 419 U.S. 454.
Therefore, for acts that are not committed on school property, but may be subject to the state’s mandate that disciplinary action be taken, the school district’s action may not be instantaneous; it will likely hinge on the school receiving notice that charges have been brought, and then the administration will follow due process. (The speediest removal action would of course come into play in instances where there is a serious and immediate threat to the safety of other students.)
Expulsion denies the student further public education.
Craig Hammer, Executive Director of Secondary Schools in Washington County School District, said that the WCSD does not expel kids. It implements a process called Temporary Disciplinary Transfer or TDT if action more severe than 10 days suspension is appropriate.
“It doesn’t mean we can’t expel,” said Hammer,” but a student would have to do something pretty serious …; we have found out that when you expel a student for a year, that’s pretty much a death sentence for a student, they’re not going to graduate. So you have to weigh that. TDT provides some type of education, it can’t be in our buildings on our grounds but it helps parents and it keeps (the student) on track and they can still graduate.”
Provisions of the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act protect the privacy of student records in educational matters and serve to restrict public school administrators from speaking specifically on action taken against any particular student. As a result, Hammer was constrained from specifically speaking to the Santa Clara kidnapping incident and from discussing anything pertaining to the students involved.
It is nonetheless reasonable to infer that reports of students being expelled are unfounded as expulsion is not the current practice of the WCSD in these kinds of matters.
It is equally reasonable to infer that the students will be subjected to some disciplinary process, which may include suspension, TDT, or other action suitable to the students’ needs.
In the interest of kids
Hammer summed it up well in a statement that similarly echoed the goals of the County Attorney’s office expressed by Belnap:
“We are in the business of helping save kids,” Hammer said, “we are not in the business of getting rid of kids.”
email: [email protected]
Copyright 2012 St. George News.


text:
Today, we introduce another great organization that could use your spare change. Prison Performing Arts fuses creativity and service in a way that reaches beyond individual creativity towards a larger sense of wisdom and love.
Prison Performing Arts is a 21-year-old, multi-discipline, literacy and performing arts program that serves incarcerated adults and children. In Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.A, Prison Performing Arts works with incarcerated people to write poems, perform Shakespeare and much more.
The work of Prison Performing Arts is the embodiment of creativity infused with service, community and spirit. But don’t take our word for it. Below you will find the poem of Marcia, which was taken from the inspiring Prison Performing Arts blog, and tomorrow Dr. Margot Sempreora will share her journey working as a teacher with Prison Performing Arts. Financial donations can be made through the Prison Performing Arts website or by mail and you can contact them directly to become involved in person if you live in the Saint Louis area.
Follow your arrow
wherever it points
Sing your heart out
Love who you love
no matter what
Do what the hell you want to do
since everyone will have their
opinion either way.
Push the envelope
all the way to the addressee
Don’t let judgmental people
or your own inhibitions
throw you off track
Make lots of noise
Kiss lots of boys
or kiss lots of girls if that’s what you like
but love yourself
because it’s better to be hated for
who you are than loved for who you are not.
Pingback: If you love me, hold not off. | Searching Sophia's Pockets

domain: artistic


Council’s first meeting of the sessional year took place on Wednesday 28 September by videoconference. We welcomed the new Council members elected at the June AGM to their first formal Council meeting.
As this was the first meeting of the sessional year, we took time to discuss how we would work together this year and what we would focus on. We also considered the results of our annual effectiveness review for 2021–22 and what we could learn from it.
Council received its regular updates from the chief executive and the chair of the Management Board, and noted the work undertaken to rearrange planned activities around the mourning period for the late Queen Elizabeth II. Many activities are underway to improve the member experience and the way you engage with us, and we hope you will see the benefit of these in the coming months.
During the past year, we have been carrying out work to develop and implement a revised risk management framework for the IFoA, to enable us to better identify and oversee threats and opportunities to the profession. At this meeting, Council gave feedback on the latest drafts of some of the key materials underpinning this work, including risk appetites and a new strategic risk register. We look forward to reviewing a revised iteration of the framework at our November meeting.
As part of our strategic commitment to a modern regulatory regime, Council received an update from its Regulatory Strategy Steering Group on the UK government’s review of actuarial regulation, and the proposed introduction of a new statutory regulator (the Audit and Governance Authority) to replace the non-statutory Financial Reporting Council. While no major policy announcements have been made since our June meeting, we are keeping a close eye on wider developments to ensure we are appropriately informed and positioned to represent the profession’s best interests.
Council considered the nominations of Stuart McDonald MBE and Sundeep Raichura for receipt of the IFoA’s Finlaison Medal, and emphatically approved them – we extend our congratulations to both!
We then discussed our Nominations Committee’s recommendation on how future nominees for Honorary Fellowship of the IFoA should be identified and scrutinised. This discussion was scheduled before the recent member vote on proposed changes to the process, but was given greater emphasis after members decided not to support the proposal. Council agreed with the Nominations Committee’s recommendations to strengthen the robustness of our internal scrutiny of nominees, and to ensure nominees are aligned to and able to contribute to the IFoA’s strategic aims.
Council also agreed proposed changes to the IFoA’s Regulations, which are intended to better reflect its responsibilities as a controller of members’ data. Formal notice of these proposed changes will be posted on our website shortly.
Council’s next meeting will take place in person in London on 30 November 2022. The minutes of our meetings are available at bit.ly/2u1gmx9 and you can contact us at [email protected]


Former Massachusetts Democratic congressman Barney Frank said Friday that he would like Gov. Deval L. Patrick (D) to appoint him to the U.S. Senate on an interim basis if Sen. John F. Kerry (D) is confirmed as secretary of state.
“I’ve told the governor that I would now like, frankly, to do that,” Frank said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.”
The recently retired congressman said legislators’ “fiscal cliff” deal makes the next few months a crucial economic period in which he wants to be involved.
Patrick will appoint a replacement for Kerry if he is confirmed, and a special election will decide who will serve the rest of his term. Frank said he’s not interested in running in the special election.
Patrick responded by saying Frank would “be a great senator,” according to the Boston Globe but added that he hasn’t made up his mind. “I have a lot of factors I’m considering, and he’s definitely on the list,” Patrick said.


text:
We do not use traditional 'speed dating' offerings such as bells, whistles and name-tags.
She also owns an e-commerce business that sends her to Europe for months at a time. “I’ll smile and look, and look away, and flirt, and he’ll never approach me. Also like Teleky, they are lust winners overseas but love losers here. Statistically speaking, Vancouver’s never-married, separated, divorced, and widowed folk represent 58 percent of the population, or 293,320 people, according to Statistics Canada.It would seem that after the age of 50 they've decided we are no longer on the radar of life.I also explored a 'speed dating' group on Meetup.com, the top age there was 50.But the South American men easily coaxed out her inner vixen.“They’re fabulous,” she gushed. I don’t have that.”The city isn’t the problem, according to Diederik Wolsak, the founder of the Choose Again Center for Attitudinal Healing.“They have no problem telling you how they feel and if they want you and what they want to do with you.” At first, she admitted, the aggressiveness turned her off. Instead, it’s that so many singles look outside themselves for what’s missing inside.“There’s six billion victims on the planet,” Wolsak told the .When time is up, the coordinator will ring a bell, blow a whistle, or clink a glass, at which point the participants switch seats to meet the next person.

domain: news


text:
Pretty cool look at HIV Campaigns through the years, by Healthline.com. -josh
Check it out:
Since the discovery of HIV AIDS in the early 1980s, medical organizations have launched outreach campaigns in an effort to educate the public about the disease and how to prevent it. View posters over time.

domain: medical


text:
Guild Wars - Chapter 868
Councilor Damon scoffed. "So what if you did? I only need a few seconds to deal with you both!"
Without allowing the duo to retort and further waste time, Councilor Damon acted. He burst out with raw Knight Energy and used one of the sword techniques unique to the Arthurian sub-Lineage, the Sword Wave!
This medium range attack allowed him to display the full power of his sword techniques without suffering the weakness of a typical sword user, which was the need to get close. Seeing this attack, Walter glowed with 3rd Order Energy as he thrust his lance forward, also using the Chulainn sub-Lineage's special ability, Spear Shadow.
The spear shadow collided with the sword wave, yet it was instantly crushed by it due to the sheer difference in power. A genius was a person able to grow faster than his/her peers at the same level, one who usually displayed power greater than them. Unfortunately, when faced against a member of the older generation, especially with such a high power gap, all matter of tricks were useless.
Nevertheless, the sword wave was definitely weakened, losing about half of its full power. The remaining half was dangerous enough though, yet Juno suddenly punched out with her full ability, creating a fist made of energy.
"Empyrean Juno Fist!"
Her fist collided with the sword wave, both vanishing as a result. Juno posed confidently, feeling quite smug. Baby Kiran's eyes sparkled and he laughed happily while waving his arms.
As for Councilor Damon, he simply glanced at Walter with a '?' expression. Walter's face was red, but he arrogantly raised his head pretending that there was absolutely nothing wrong with his wife's chunnibyou antics.
Councilor Damon decided not to comment and resumed the fight. Walter paired up with Juno were just enough to match him in overall power, but it was clear that the duo were unable to hold out for too long.
Still, he knew that these brats reinforcements would be coming soon, so he had to end things quickly. As such, an evil light flashed in his eyes as he feigned an attack against Juno.
"You wench, it's all your fault we are in this situation! Die!"
He then used his strongest attack to slash at Juno who manifested her best possible defense, while Walter rushed over to assist. However, this was what Councilor Damon had aimed for, as he suddenly switched targets to the baby in Walter's hands!
Seeing the change, the faces of both parents changed in horror. Walter immediately manifested his defense hastily, but his Knight's Ward was broke through easily. Before he could let Kiran be harmed, he resolutely turned his back to the strike and let the sword slash at his back, tearing the flesh open and revealing bones.
Walter spat out a mouthful of blood and fell to his knees, still holding Kiran gently. He was definitely out of commission for the fight, and this made Juno furious.
She roared and exploded with all her energy, rushing towards Councilor Damon and throwing her most powerful punch. However, her opponent simply allowed it to strike his ward, which only caused cracks but couldn't shatter it.
With a sneer, Councilor Damon plunged his sword right into Juno's gut, making sure to rip it to the side and out of her body as he kicked her to the ground, where she landed right beside Walter.
Walter was horrified by this, and despite his injuries, crawled over to his beloved and cradled her as best as he could.
"Juno! Hey, Juno! Don't close your eyes!" Walter shouted in a panic.
Because of his voice and the weirdness of the scene, baby Kiran went from happy to sad, and began crying loudly. Hearing his wails, Juno weakly opened her eyes as blood flowed down the side the her mouth.
"Now look… at what you've… done… handsome…" She muttered weakly.
She reached out a hand and cupped her son;s face, gently caressing the baby. "There, there my love… Mommy is with you…"
Juno's breathed stilled as she muttered her last words weakly. "Mommy will always be with you…"
Walter was stunned. How could this have happened? One moment they were celebrating a bright future together and the next, disaster occurred.
The Buddha Lineage's Clan Head, who was half dead, was forced to do nothing but watch the death of his daughter and wept where he lay impotently. Had he not been ambushed and severely dealt with, he could have stopped this.
Witnessing the outcome of everything, he severely regretted his actions. Why had he taken such an offensive stance? Would it not have been good if he dimply came over to acknowledge his grandson instead?
He could have even used this chance while Juno was in a good mood to patch up their father-daughter relationship that had gone astray. Instead, his interference had led to her death.
He hated himself more than anyone else right now. He wondered what had clouded his mind to do such things, but realized that it was mostly his own upbrinding and the constant whispering of the Elders.
After all, Juno was not their own daughter, so it was easy for them harper about how 'she has defiled the clan's reputation' or 'she should be dragged back for punishment'.
Glancing at the injured Elders who lay around him, the Clan Head solemnly swore internally that the Lineage would go through some serious cleansing when he got back… assuming he would get the chance to.
Right now, the Clan Head knew that he had to rectify things before they reached the deep end. As such, he forcibly suppressed his injuries and walked over to where Juno lay, glaring at Councilor Damon who stopped his attack with hesitation after seeing the Clan Head rise.
After all, the man had earned his position. Were it not for the initial sneak attack, this fight would never have been so smooth. Even if he was injured now, a lean camel was still stronger than a horse.
The Clan Head knelt beside Juno and touched her body. He then chanted some Buddhist mantras as Juno's corpse began to glow in a lovely golden color, shrinking rapidly as it turned into a small golden marble with Sanskrit writings all over it.
Walter was shocked by this and glared at the Clan Head with hatred. "It's all your fault! After causing her to die, now you have even ruined her corpse!"
The Clan Head shook his head. "You're right, I am responsible for her death, and unfortunately I can't heal her. I have condensed Juno's remaining essence and soul into this sarira. I heard her final words, that she will always be with her son, and as her father, it is my duty to make her wishes come true."
The Clan Head then took the sarira and placed it on baby Kiran's chest. A mirage of a smaller sarira manifested which was taken over by Juno's own, making the crying Kiran suddenly laugh and feel comforted.
Walter saw this and was silent. "Thank you."
The Clan Head shook his head. "It is too early to thank me. That fellow is only holding back because he fears my final retaliation, but that means I'll have to take your son away and protect him in our Lineage. You should understand why."
Walter's brows furrowed greatly, but he loosened them. "Please… father-in-law… I'm counting on you."
The Clan Head gazed at Walter with a complicated look and sighed. He then took Kiran in his arms and gathered the fainted Buddha Elders. He then left while carrying them all using the sheer force of his own power.
Councilor Damon's eyes flashed many times as he watched them leave, but ultimately decided to do nothing. Looking down and seeing Walter there glaring at him with abject hatred, he sneered and prepared to cripple or kill the fellow to weed out the roots.
However, at this time, he felt the aura of Sebastian and Julian, two fellow Councilors, nearby. The next moment, a relatively young looking Sebastian appeared with his typical buff body that looked like The Rock along with his bald head, and a mature looking man who had handsome features and a gallant look even as he wore plate armor in public.
He was Councilor Julian, the father of the current Councilor David. The two of them saw the scene on the beach and their faces changed greatly.
"Damon, what have you done?!" Julian roared as he lifted his saber in readiness to cut Damon in half.
"Julian, stop!" Sebastian roared, making the other councilor pause in surprise.
"But Sebastian, you see what I see, don't you? How are we supposed to explain to Lady Scathach?" Julian asked with confusion.
Sebastian glanced at Julian with a smile. "We'll let her decide by bringing him back to her."
Sebastian then turned to Damon and glared coldly. "Are you going to come peacefully, or do we have to make this ugly?"
Damon's expression was severe as he considered his options. Seeing that he was not submitting in the first instance, Sebastian smiled coldly.
"If you run or make things difficult, we'll have to present your precious son Damien to Scathach instead. Do you want that to happen?"
Damon trembled at the thought and gritted his teeth. Eventually, he lowered his head and submitted, allowing the two Councilors to chain him and take him away along with the four injured youths.
"This is rubbish! How can the Council overlook such crimes? Are you planning to become accomplices to the act?!" Misery roared as he pointed at the fellows before him.
Of the 9 Councilors, only Sebastian was still present in the current era. The previous roster - which were current in this flashback - were the parents or uncles of the current ones.
Meridia, the mother of Meredith, frowned and spoke coldly. "Watch your tongue, fledgling! You speak to the Council of Elders!"
"I speak to the Council of your father! Rather than think about your goddamn ego, take a moment to consider how the rest of the Lineage will view the Council if you go through with this!" Misery was unrelenting.
His words made most of the Councilors become grave. It was not due to the youth's impudence, but due to logic within that they all subconsciously acknowledged.
However, what could they do? There was an external party influencing the outcome.
"I am the one who pushed for the decision. Rather than impudently insult your Elders, I dare you to take your issues to me face to face." Stated a cold voice as a young man the same age as Misery emerged from the entrance of the council room, his hands behind his back.
It was a fellow with bronze skin and a well built frame, standing at around 6"2. He was not very handsome - if at all - with hard ridges on his face and messy black hair, but his brown eyes were filled with disdain and malice to all things.
Misery turned to see who it was and then turned back to the Council.
"Who is this retard?"
The various Councilors were aged, but they almost couldn't stifle their laughter. The fellow being referred to as a retard immediately became furious and his body exploded with bloodline power.
"How dare you?! Die!!"
Without caring for the fact that he was in someone else's home, he directly roared and tried to murder Misery on the spot. His 'victim' was so shocked by this level of callousness and arrogance, that his response was delayed by a few seconds.
However, despite this, no one in the room panicked. That was because, silently seated in the purple chair at the end was an existence that none of them dared to ignore, even though they also refused to acknowledge her.
"How insolent, daring to attack my grandson in front of me." A majestic voice that radiated endless power and allure spoke.
A single finger was pointed at the external party and a huge shockwave was released, hitting the assailant in the chest and making him spit blood as he flew back and crashed into the wall, denting it.
Before he could get up, the finger pointed many more times at him, sending out continuous shockwave crashing into the body of the assailant, making him scream in agony while all watched quietly.

domain: literature


CHICAGO – Like the awesome Engine Who Could, the mighty Nothing Without a Company stage crafters have constructed another triumph at their new home in Berger Mansion on Chicago’s north side. “The Kid Thing” – written by Sarah Gubbins – is a terse, convincing and emotional play about fear, identity and breeding, and it is performed by its cast of five with utter authenticity. The show has a Thursday-Sunday run at the Berger North Mansion through April 15th, 2017. Click here for more details, including ticket information.
CHICAGO – Story-wise, there is not much difference in “The Hateful Eight” – regarding themes and violence – that writer/director Quentin Tarantino hasn’t explored before. But it is also an outrageous and big western tale, and it’s presented in some theaters in a huge 70mm screen format.
CHICAGO – The classic rock song “Stuck in the Middle with You” was never the same again after Michael Madsen danced to it in a memorable sequence from Quentin Tarantino’s “Reservoir Dogs.” Madsen is at the Hollywood Blvd Cinema in Woodridge, Illinois, on Sunday, Sept. 23rd to introduce that film and meet fans.
CHICAGO – The DC Universe brand of straight-to-DVD titles has worked its way through Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and the Justice League and settled on Green Lantern, never a favorite character of this old school superhero fan and the first real misfire in the DC Universe line.


text:
The perfect gluten-free Halloween gift! Tate’s Bake Shop’s Gluten-Free Basket is brimming with three, 8-oz. bags of our gluten-free chocolate chip cookies – it’s our signature, thin, chocolate chip cookie, but gluten-free - made with rice flour and the same all-natural ingredients used in all of our gourmet baked goods. We’ve also included three of our dense, dark, gluten-free brownies, made with almond flour, and just like our original brownies recipe, made with dark chocolate and pure AA butter.
*Baskets are subject to change based on availability Celiac Sprue Association® Recognition Seal Program

domain: food


text:
Westfield Southlake Mall
HOBART | The Southlake Mall in Hobart officially has a new owner who is looking to bring fresh ideas to its expanding portfolio of shopping centers.
HOBART | Hobart police recovered more human bones Saturday during a second, daytime search of a wooded area behind a strip mall where homeless people often camp out.
Northwest Indiana residents will have to turn elsewhere to find pleated khakis and crewneck sweaters, if they used to shop at the Gap store in the Westfield Southlake Mall.
Chicago Blackhawks fever continues to rage at local sporting goods stores where team merchandise from T-shirts and jerseys to signs and flags is “flying off the shelves,” according to one retailer.
INDIANAPOLIS | Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller's office filed suit Monday against a former Westfield Southlake Mall furniture store, alleging the business bilked customers out of more than $22,000.
PORTAGE | Two Hammond men were arrested Sunday after police said they broke into a Portage home.
Regular exercise after pregnancy can promote weight loss, improve cardiovascular fitness, boost mom's energy and mood and relieve stress.
Business owners and managers are welcome at an upcoming seminar that aims to help develop a Social Media Plan for businesses. Attendees will learn techniques and approaches to building and engaging an audience and transforming "likes" and "followers" to customers.
Crown Point's Mayor’s Office of Special Events is hosting its annual Grand Finale New Year’s Eve Pizza Party for children on Dec. 31 at the First United Methodist Church, 352 S. East St., Crown Point.
HOBART | A 50-year-old Chicago man stole cash from two local stores and a heart monitor from a local hospital, police said.
Hobart police squad cars line up at the back of Westfield Southlake Mall near the entrance of the department's substation.
Hobart police and security officers patrol at Westfield Southlake Mall on Saturday night.
Hobart police canine officers Mike Webber and Ryan Snedecor patrol the mall with canine dog Fax.
Hobart police officers and security patrol the mall Saturday night.
HOBART | Police presence was everywhere at Westfield Southlake Mall at the start of the holiday season this past weekend.
HOBART | Four people were arrested at Westfield Southlake mall Sunday after three friends of a shoplifting suspect fought with police and security officers, police said.
Back at a time when Plymouth was still building Barracudas, there was a reason to fear going to school or to the mall.
Follow The Times
On October 17th we'll put a spell on you! Enjoy this Halloween…
Jelly Bean the Clown has been clowning since 1977 and has an e…
Jack & Vernon's Septic Service does residential and commer…
Welch's Open Flame Grill catering offer great BBQ without the …
Why do you think President Obama's plane landed in Gary?


text:
We are all, regardless of background, part of an unending legacy, stretching back generations. In some cases, those legacies are so intertwined with a specific place that they never branch out, never travel. But, in other cases, those legacies spread across the globe. Anyone from an immigrant family can attest to this feeling, of belonging to a culture or people that did not originate wherever you live. For some immigrants, they try to hold onto this legacy and culture wherever they move, creating distinct communities within communities. Others, however, prefer to do their best to assimilate—a process we call Americanization in this country—and allow their children to grow up as full members of their new nation. But that does not erase the legacy that follows those children of immigrants, sometimes resulting in a situation where the children feel out of place everywhere they go.
Black Water Sister is the latest novel by Zen Cho, and is very interested in examining how the newer generation are affected by the will of those who have come before. In crafting this new novel, Cho has brought fantasy in the modern-day world, and into a setting we normally do not see in Western literature: Penang, Malaysia. Born and raised in Malaysia, Cho now lives in the U.K., but it seems clear from this book that she has not left that previous life behind. Black Water Sister follows our heroine, Jessamyn “Jess” Teoh, as she moves back from the United States to Penang with her parents, rejoining the rest of their family. In Malaysia, Jess feels out of place—she does not speak the languages well, and is a closeted lesbian in a homophobic family. If it were just about the family drama and culture clash of being the lone American in a Chinese-Malaysian family, that would be fascinating enough, but Cho introduces the fantasy wrinkle early on. Jess is being haunted by the spirit of her deceased grandmother. Ah Ma has unfinished business with the living, and has unilaterally decided that Jess will be the tool finish that business.
Some of the best novels are those where the setting is just a major a character as the living characters, and Cho follows closely in that legacy. Every time Jess ventures out of the house and into the streets of the city, Black Water Sister easily crafts the mental imagery of Penang for readers. It is simple to close your eyes and see the tight alleys, to feel the humidity and heat sticking to your skin, to smell the aroma of food being cooked at the various stalls, and to hear the cool mixture of multiple languages being used interchangeably. But the book does not push Jess, or readers, into the outside world all at once. During the first few chapters, Jess spends most of her time at her aunt’s house, where her family is staying, representing her relationship to Malaysia as a whole. She is an outsider, and does not get to experience what it is really like to live there. At the start of the novel, it is made clear that while Jess was born in Malaysia, she has spent her entire life since the age of four in the United States. However, as the book progresses, Jess spends more and more time out of the house experiencing Penang, until she reaches a level of comfort navigating the place alone. But, even then, she never sees herself as a permanent resident. Even after adapting, there will always be an element of otherness to her.
Jess herself is a great character choice to follow for this novel, and she already has enough conflict in her life without the supernatural elements for Cho to ensure that she truly is a well-rounded character. She is the only daughter in a Chinese family, and has lived her life with all of their expectations placed upon her, up to enrolling and graduating from Harvard. Even once she is back in Malaysia, not having been able to find a job in the months since graduating from college, her extended family still maintains that pressure, even if they may not be doing it intentionally. Consequently, it is clear from the outset to both the reader and Jess’ girlfriend, Sharanya, that Jess has developed a complex over this; a feeling that she “owes” her parents an unpayable debt for what they have sacrificed for her. On top of that, Jess is very much still in the closet, not having told anyone in her family that she is gay, causing tension with her girlfriend, already under strain due to the long-distance nature of their relationship. To her family, she is obedient, and she leans into that once Ah Ma, her grandmother, begins haunting her and demanding her help. However, as the novel progresses, it becomes increasingly clear that her behavior is a defense mechanism, a deflection. As she gains more and more control of her life, and the plot, and as she allows herself to actually feel her repressed emotions, this obedience fades away. I could not imagine this novel with any other main character.
There are a few important side characters—such as the main villain, Ng Chee Hin, his son, Ng Shreng Hin, Jess’ uncle, whom she calls Ah Ku, and Jess’ grandmother, whom everyone calls Ah Ma—but arguably none is quite as important as the titular Black Water Sister. A god, or powerful spirit, it is her present that drives the supernatural plot forward, and allows Jess to learn to take control of her mundane life. The sister is a vengeful god, apparently seeking blood and willingly helping those who seek the blood of evil men. In her life, Ah Ma was the medium of the god, a person capable of channeling the power of the god and enacting their will in the mortal realm. While it initially appears that the Black Water Sister is not going to be a major player in the plot—she is initially introduced as an antagonistic force to be dealt with—that changes once we, and Jess, learn more about her origins and domain. The first half of the book presents itself in almost a buddy-cop format, with Jess and Ah Ma working together to look into a gangster who wants to demolish the temple which houses Black Water Sister’s shrine. But, mid-way through the novel, a new inciting incident occurs and drastically changes the landscape of the plot and the god’s role in it.
If there is one point of criticism is an otherwise excellent book, it would be that we do not see too much of Jess’ life outside of her family. We learn early on that she is a lesbian in a relationship, but there are very few scenes actually featuring her girlfriend, and the few we do get see the two of them talking via video call. It is clear that the plot of Black Water Sister does create a distraction as Jess spends less time talking to Sharanya, but we do not see very much of them to begin with. Their relationship could have been more effective had she a larger role in the book, and it would have strengthened Jess’ motivations to figure things out. And, while there is certainly already tension with her family, it would have been amazing to have a scene where Sharanya visits and they have to hide their relationship in front of everyone. However, one excellent point of tension Cho does provide is that, while Jess is still closeted, Sharanya is not, and is actively pushing for Jess to come out as well. This push-and-pull is likely familiar to anyone within the lgbt+ community. Luckily, the characterization in Black Water Sister is already so strong that the book does not really suffer or experience a set-back due to Sharanya’s reduced presence.
Overall, Black Water Sister is a fantastic read featuring an incredibly interesting cast of characters, and an intricate yet easy to understand plot that is sure to hook any reader. While it is unmistakably a fantasy novel, the supernatural serves more as a vehicle to examine Jess’ character and her relationship with herself and her family. Add to that the setting of Penang and Malaysia, and Cho has created the type of novel we do not see too often in the United States, but which we definitely need more of. While it would have been great to see more of Jess’ love life, or meet other lgbt+ characters in Penang, the characterization of the people we do meet is incredibly strong. This a novel I can easily recommend to anyone looking for a good book, fantasy or otherwise.
Black Water Sister is available in store, online, or wherever books are sold
Total Read Time: 8 days
Next on the List: Realm Breaker, by Victoria Aveyard


Bullhorn Partnership Announcement Blog
NOVEMBER 3, 2021
Hiretual is excited to announce the beginning of a very successful partnership with Bullhorn. . For the past two decades, Bullhorn has been the global leader in recruitment software for the staffing industry. Sync Real-Time Data Between Bullhorn and Hiretual. 3 min read.


text:
Donald Davis (born 1944) is an American storyteller, author and minister. Davis had a twenty-year career as a minister before he became a professional storyteller. He has recorded over 25 storytelling albums and written several books based on those stories. His long career as a teller and his promotion of the cultural importance of storytelling through seminars and master classes has led to Davis being dubbed the "dean of storytelling".
Donald Davis was born in Waynesville, North Carolina, a small town in the mountainous region of Western North Carolina. As a child, storytelling was a daily part of his family life. "My grandmother did lots of telling," Davis recalled to the Winston-Salem Journal. "I remember hearing those stories, and I remember by the time I was in the second grade telling other kids in school stories I'd heard my grandmother tell."
Davis performed in Britain from 1950 to 1953. In 1953, with his brother and sister Barbara Chilcott, he founded the Crest Theatre in Toronto, which operated until 1966. Davis also performed at the Stratford Festival and on radio and television.

domain: library


text:
Recently I had been on a trip to Coral islands with my husband, my sister and her husband. From Bangkok, we hired a cab that took us to the ever so appealing and enthusiastic city of Pattaya. From there on, we took a ferry (a means of water transport that has a capacity to carry hundreds of passengers, depending on it’s size. The one we took could accommodate nearly 200-250 people.) that dropped us to the Coral Islands in around thirty five – forty minutes. It was a calm, peaceful and soothing ride. You must be wondering why have i called it as ‘peppy music of sea waves’ when it was a calm ride? Then, my dear friends, the adventure has just begun. While experiencing it, even we weren’t expecting such an experience.
Once we reached there, according to our plan, we made bookings for the famous water-sports (adventure sports activities) for which we had come. The next course of action we took was to keep the baggage into the lockers, change and get ready and be prepared (both physically and mentally) for the fun that lied ahead. After completing all the formalities, we arrived at the shore along with our coach who showed us the boat in which we were to go for our first activity centre i.e. the boat paragliding base.
The boat that took us to the base was a ‘speed boat’ with a man in mid-twenties driving at full speed crashing against the sea waves from the opposite direction and letting us experience the thrill of being amidst the sea. Finally we reached at the base. The crew members helped us wear the life jackets and instructed as to what we had to do and what was really going to happen. One by one we went for our rides, which was truly a amazingly amazing lifetime experience. Once we all completed our rides, we went back to the shore through the same speed boat & at the same speed (or probably even more). Honestly, the ride on the boat was more scary and deadly than the activity we had actually paid for, we had come here for. Hence, I say, ‘peppy music of sea waves’.
We experienced the same thrashing and crashing of the boat and the waves again while on the way to our second activity. This time we all were a bit relaxed (not really) but probably because we were better prepared unlike the first time when we had just the ferry experience and moreover our excitement levels surpassed the fear we felt since it was the ‘underwater sea-walk’ that we were to do next.
On reaching yet another base from wherein they initiate the underwater walk we were again given the life jackets and this time more instructions and cautionary guidelines, since it was riskier. The coach guided us some of the signs of the sign language they use underwater. As one cannot hear or speak underneath sings were a better option or say the only option to let them know if we needed any help. It difficult to accommodate underwater, more so for the non-swimmers like us. Finally, it was our turn and we all went down one after the other along with our guides who showed us the coral reefs, rocks and beautiful fishes beneath. They gave us the food that we could feed the fishes and also it helped us to have a closer view of the sea-life as the fragrance of the food attracted them. After staying there for around half-an-hour we made our way back with our guides. It was indeed a fantastically fantastico feeling being able to complete it successfully and being a witness to such a wonderful world down there. The same boat dropped us back to the shore from where we took another speed boat that took us to Pattaya, where our cab was waiting for us. Yes, we took a speed boat instead of a ferry. This only shows how much we loved the ‘peppy music’ of the waves and how fantastic was the experience throughout our navigation. And, my writing of this post only shows, how deep impact has this left on me.
P.S. – It was my husband’s idea to connect the five words “Fantastico, Imapct, Peppy, Music and Navigation’ through this travel experience. I have just given words to this. I was thinking what and how to write connecting these words, just when he popped in and said, ‘Dear, why don’t you try your hands on the trip we just had, it probably would cover all the 5 words together’ and after writing this I am like ‘This post is the impact of having a fantastico husband who loves peppy music and navigating from one place to another’. Dear Hubby, I wish you notice that I have used all the 5 words to describe you in a line.

domain: travel


text:
Handmade Hammered Circles of Sterling Silver dangle from long ear wires as a pendulum. Very lightweight and easy to wear, these earrings are great for everyday.
***Silver Oxidized is sterling silver with a black surface finish.***
Listing is for a pair.
Measurements: 25mm long
Packaged in a brown kraft box.


text:
Looking for countries where you can live and work as an immigrant, here are the top 5 countries where it’s easier to get living or working visa
It might not be your typical work abroad destination but working in China can be both very affordable and very lucrative at the same time. Salaries here are higher than in many other Asian countries and the economy is booming, which means that there are plenty of jobs to choose from. Of course, the big cities like Shanghai and Beijing will come with a higher price tag, but salaries will also be significantly higher. China is an incredible country to explore and many work-abroad programs will host events and even throw in free Mandarin classes, so you might even end up learning a whole new language while there. Teaching English is the most popular job for expats in China, but Au Pair jobs can also be found easily.
Cost of living: The cost of living in China can be surprisingly low if you avoid the biggest cities. Rent for a 1-bed apartment starts at $300, a meal in a local restaurant cost around $3.
If your heart is set on working and living in one of the cheapest countries to live in Europe, Poland is another fantastic and affordable option. Much less known than its neighbor Germany, Poland is slowly becoming a hotspot for international travelers and expats. The big cities of Warsaw and Krakow are very modern and have all the Western amenities you could need, but at half the price you’d spend in Germany. Teaching is an option, but there are also a whole set of professional service job opportunities to be found that can pay very well.
For those wanting to live and work in an exotic place, but not pay a fortune, Vietnam is any budget travelers dream. It’s one of the best and cheapest countries to live in for expats. Although Vietnam is still a bit of an insider tip when it comes to cheap countries in which to live and travel, there’s plenty to see and do. Vietnam has stunning landscapes to explore, delicious local cuisine for foodies and is also somewhat of an adventure travel destination.
The currency, Vietnamese Dong, is currently worth around VND23,000 to $1 and is one of the currencies that has weakened relative to the dollar in recent years. The most popular job for foreigners in Vietnam is teaching English. There are many opportunities for English teachers, with average monthly salaries ranging from $1,100 to $1,700 USD, which is higher than in many neighboring countries.
Cost of living: The cost of living in Vietnam depends on the city or region you choose. A small apartment can be rented for around $250 a month while eating out costs are around $1–3 per meal if you stick to local restaurants or street food, and around $10 at Western-style restaurants. Transportation is very cheap, with local public transport starting at around $0.30 and taxis from just $0.50 per kilometer.
Mexico has something to offer everyone. Think Mayan ruins in the jungle, turquoise Caribbean waters and laid-back beach towns on the Pacific Ocean. Oh, and the food… From tacos to tamales, ceviche to aguas frescas, the food isn’t only drool-worthy, but also super cheap. If you avoid exotic places like Cancun or Playa del Carmen and opt for more local destinations like Merida or Guanajuato, living costs can be a fraction of those in Western cities. Tourism, Teaching English, Au Pair, and Sales positions are the popular jobs.
Cost of living: A one-bedroom apartment costs $200-$500 per month, street food starts from $1 per meal, and a monthly pass for local transportation starts at $16.
5. South Korea
South Korea isn’t the cheapest country to work and live in, but it made this list because the salaries are very competitive, and programs often include free accommodation, which reduces the cost of living significantly. Teaching English is the obvious work choice, as South Korea has made a name for itself as one of the best destinations in the world for teaching English as a foreign language. Korea’s modern cities rival those in the US and Europe, the countryside is stunning and diverse, the food is incredible, and the people are friendly, making it a great destination to work, save money, and travel. Teaching English, and Sales are the most popular jobs.
Cost of living: While higher than in Southeast Asian countries, South Korea is still affordable, with rents for 1-bed apartments starting at around $375 and restaurant meals starting from $6.


text:
- Jack Rising
- 1:16:01 hour(s):minute(s):second(s)
- United States (Eugene)
The fastest half marathon dressed as a vegetable was 1 hr 16 min 1 sec, and was achieved by Jack Rising (USA) at the Eugene Holiday Half Marathon in Eugene, Oregon, USA on 16 December 2017.
Jack, who is diabetic, made his record-breaking attempt to raise money and awareness for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and inspire other people with diabetes to participate in athletics.

domain: health


text:
This budget-priced twofer features the master of the laid-back croon in a variety of musical settings, from the big band sound of "Who Was That Lady?" to the softly romantic "Love Me My Love." Apart from Martin's unchallenged mastery of the middle-of-the-road ballad, his understated vocal technique is also deceptively authoritative, as evidenced on the rollicking blues number "Cheatin' on Me," where he sounds both unperturbed and obviously in command.
13026GDean Martin - The Lush Years / Relaxin' (CD)http://oldies.s3.amazonaws.com/i/boxart/w340/06/07/617742060720.jpg13.9814.38USDOutOfStockCollector's ChoiceCDVocals-MusicDean-Martin2006-10-11
To place an order or for customer service, call toll-free 1-800-336-4627 or outside the United States, call 1-610-649-7565
Open Monday-Friday: 8am-10pm,
Se habla Español!
Spanish-speaking representatives available,
Monday-Friday: 9am-4pm (Eastern Time)
4th of July: 10am-6pm

domain: entertainment


text:
Taken on 07/09/2016
© Geoff Eyles
Hand held (heavy).
Canon 5D III 500mm L USM II + 1,4 Ext III.
View all sightings
* Bird News Pro and Bird News Ultimate subscribers receive full sighting details.
Have you seen something interesting? Click Submit to share your rare bird sightings via our simple form.

domain: biology


text:
The NCAA Football Rules Committee has recommended a rules change barring offenses from snapping the ball until the play clock reaches 29 seconds or less in order to give defenses time to substitute within the first 10 seconds of the 40-second play clock.
When you snap the ball has always been a fundamental edge for the offense- what's next-- 3 downs like Canada?#LetsGetBoring-- Rich Rodriguez (@CoachRodAZ) February 12, 2014
Fundamental advantage for defense- pre snap movement- maybe that should be reviewed? #WhoMakesTheseRules-- Rich Rodriguez (@CoachRodAZ) February 12, 2014
Rodriguez was also quoted earlier Wednesday.
None of the coaches I've talked to knew about the new rule proposal regarding waiting ten seconds to snap the ball --wondering#HiddenAgenda?-- Rich Rodriguez (@CoachRodAZ) February 13, 2014
"It's ridiculous," said Arizona's Rich Rodriguez.
"What's next? You can only have three downs? If you play that extra down you have more chance of injury."

domain: game


Advice NI Consultation Response: Cuts to the Discretionary Support Scheme Draft Equality Impact Assessment
Due to an inadequate budget allocation, creating a Departmental budget shortfall of £111.2m, the Department for Communities has, as part of a range of measures, scaled back funding for the Discretionary Support scheme which provides emergency grants and loans for people on a low income who are in an extreme, exceptional or crisis situation.
Advice NI notes with deep concern that the Department of Communities is faced with unprecedented funding challenges and cuts in 2023-24
Advice NI calls on the Department to ensure that the work and impact of the independent advice network is explicitly included within the DfC Equality Action Plan (in addition to the reference to the ‘Fundamental Refresh’).
This guide summarises the procedures for requesting a discretionary waiver of an overpayment from Debt Management, which is the part of the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) (in Great Britain) and the Department for Communities (DfC) (in Northern Ireland) that manages recovery of benefit overpayments (as well as other benefit debt, such as benefit advances and Social Fund or Discretionary Support loans).
This report which sets out the findings of research conducted by the Advice NI Policy & Information Team. It highlights views, concerns and ideas relating to the ‘Move to Universal Credit’ which will see the managed migration of around 250,000 ‘legacy’ benefit claims in NI to Universal Credit.
Due to the expiry of transitional arrangements related to the introduction of the New State Pension in 2016, we are seeing an increasing number of queries about whether it is worthwhile buying missing National Insurance contributions.
The Framework for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in the Advice Sector was developed and agreed as part of the Northern Ireland Advice Quality Standard (NIAQS) in 2016. This is the latest version of the framework which reflects sector changes and training developments, and support information for advisers.
Our latest Policy and Information Briefing provides an update to the Energy Bills Support Scheme and Alternative Fuels Payment, and answers frequently asked questions about the schemes.
The FRA is a Northern Ireland Housing Association (NIHE) project to implement the proposals for change to the housing allocation service.
Find out about our work in 2021/22.
This briefing provides an updated introduction to the support provided by the government to address the cost of living crisis, sharing as much information as is currently available
This is our next publication in a series of Advice NI Social Policy Briefing Papers focussing on ‘Move to Universal Credit’. The aim of the series is to clarify the issues relating to Northern Ireland and above all to put benefit claimants at the heart of the process.
Given the time of year, we can expect an increase in enquiries from students on a range of issues, including entitlement to benefit. In the following briefing we lay out the rules that apply for students seeking to make a claim for Universal Credit, which is the main low-income benefit for claimants of working age.
This paper contains information to help inform the UN Committee Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Committee’s questions or recommendations as they monitor the UK’s compliance with the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
In 2019, the Consumer Council commissioned Advice NI to explore the human side of illegal money lending activity in Northern Ireland (NI). Then, the Consumer Council commissioned Advice NI to carry out a follow up report to assess if Covid-19 has had an impact on illegal lending. We were also asked to consider how Covid-19 has affected our debt services and what impact it has had on our clients.
Advice NI has launched a campaign to lobby for action from the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in respect of the overpayment recovery waiver system.


Showing all 2 results
- $0.00 Read more
- $0.00 Read more
Radial Fan Assemblies
Radial fan assemblies, also known as centrifugal fan assemblies, are a type of mechanical equipment used for moving air or gas in various industrial and commercial applications. These assemblies consist of a radial fan, an electric motor, and a housing that encloses and supports the fan and motor components.
The primary function of a radial fan assembly is to generate a high-pressure airflow by converting the rotational energy from the motor into kinetic energy. This is achieved through the radial design of the fan blades, which draw air in axially and then propel it outward in a radial direction. The resulting airflow is highly efficient and capable of overcoming resistance, making radial fan assemblies suitable for applications where moderate to high static pressures are required.
Radial fan assemblies find wide application across different industries, including HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning), industrial ventilation, dust collection systems, process cooling, pneumatic conveying, and more. They are commonly used for tasks such as air circulation, exhaust ventilation, fume extraction, cooling of equipment or processes, and maintaining optimal air quality in enclosed spaces.
These fan assemblies are available in a range of sizes, configurations, and materials to meet specific application requirements. The fan blades can have various shapes and arrangements, such as forward-curved, backward-curved, or straight blades, each offering different performance characteristics in terms of airflow volume, pressure generation, and energy efficiency.
Features and options commonly found in radial fan assemblies include adjustable speed controls, dampers or louvers for airflow regulation, sound attenuation measures, corrosion-resistant coatings, and spark-resistant construction for hazardous environments. The assemblies may also incorporate additional components like inlet or outlet cones, diffusers, or plenums to optimize airflow patterns and enhance performance.
When selecting a radial fan assembly, factors such as airflow requirements, pressure needs, noise levels, power consumption, and the surrounding environment should be considered. Proper installation, maintenance, and periodic inspections are crucial to ensure optimal performance, reliability, and longevity of the fan assembly.
In summary, radial fan assemblies are essential equipment for moving air or gas efficiently in industrial and commercial settings. Their ability to generate high-pressure airflow makes them versatile and valuable across various applications, contributing to improved ventilation, temperature control, and air quality in diverse environments.


SANTA CLARITA, Calif. — After a last-ditch effort to prevent their 6-year-old foster daughter from being taken away and placed with the child”s relatives in Utah, a Southern California family now says it will comply with a court order to remove the girl.
Rusty and Summer Page had claimed that the girl, Lexi, woud be “ripped away from the only family that she has ever known.” The reason, they say, is that Lexi is part Choctaw and under the federal Indian Child Welfare Law, she is being moved to Utah to live with “non-blood-related” members of her biological father”s extended family.
“We”ve received word that the county has every intention of taking Lexi today, and we will with very heavy hearts comply with the order,” a tearful Rusty Page told reporters Monday outside his home, in Los Angeles County. “We”ll be waiting here for them to come take her.”
The Page family has launched a Change.org petition that has attracted more than 37,000 signatures from around the world. Scores of friends and supporters of the Page family, including fellow members of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, were outside their home on Monday morning carrying signs of support.
But Leslie Heimov of the Children”s Law Center of California, which is representing Lexi, said that the court has decided the girl should be placed with the biological father”s relatives in Utah, including the girl”s sister who is living with the Utah couple. Another sister of the girl will be living down the street, she said.
“This has become a legal issue but it”s also a family reunification issue and sibling issue,” Heimov said. “The law is very clear that siblings should be kept together whenever they can be and they should be placed together even if they were not initially together.”
The girl has visited the Utah family regularly over the past three years, she said. They have come to Santa Clarita about once a month and they Skype about once a week.
“She has a loving relationship with them,” she said. “They are not strangers in any way, shape or form….The law defines family based on marriage, affinity or blood.”
At 17 months, the girl was removed from the custody of her birth mother, who had substance abuse problems and had lost custody of at least six other children, and the birth father, who has an extensive criminal history and lost custody of one other child, according to court documents filed with the Los Angeles-based 2nd District Court of Appeal. The father is an enrolled member of an Indian tribe, and the girl is considered an Indian child under the Indian Child Welfare Law.
The tribe agreed to place the girl with a non-Indian foster family “to facilitate efforts to reunify the girl with her father.”
At the age of 2, she was placed with the Page family, where she bonded and thrived, according to the court documents. After efforts to reunify the family failed, the father, the tribe and the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services recommended the girl be placed in Utah with a non-Indian couple who are extended family of the father. The court agreed, finding that the Page family “had not proven by clear and convincing evidence that it was a certainty the child would suffer emotional harm by the transfer.”
The foster parents unsuccessfully tried to appeal the decision three times and a March 18 court order affirmed that the child was to be placed with the Utah couple, Heimov said.
Philip Browning, director of the LA County Department of Children and Family Services, said the law does not allow him to comment on details regarding specific children receiving the agency”s services.
“I want to assure the public that my Department will continue to act in the best interest of the children we serve and remain in compliance with the court orders and laws governing our work,” he said in a written statement. “I am also aware that sometimes the court must make orders that involve resolving competing priorities and interests. Often there are no easy solutions, but when a court makes an order, we must follow it.”
Photographer David Crane contributed to this report.