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There certainly is something special about the site of dragonflies buzzing around the yard on warm summer evenings. It can seem random when they appear, but they come out for a few simple reasons.
When properly studied, these attractants can be replicated by dragonfly-lovers who want to see more of the little buzzers around their yard. Dragonflies are often found returning to mate at the waters of their birth, but there are a few ways to bring them around the yard for easy viewing.
Follow this easy-to-use guide for all of the tips that will make the presence of dragonflies a certainty this summer.
Table of Contents
Create a Good Water Source
This is the best place one should start when trying to attract dragonflies to their yard. Dragonflies lay their eggs in water. Their whole existence depends on having easy access to ponds, lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water.
In order to see them in their yard, a dragonfly-lover should find a way to provide the dragonflies with some water. Dragonflies are typically found around water that offers them the following:
- Access to an environment that they will feel comfortable laying their eggs in
- Shade from the sun that also can protect them from predators
- Fresh clean water is the most commonly used by dragonflies
Dragonflies will lay their eggs in the shallows of the body of water that they decide to call home. If the water lacks warm shallows, they might not stop to lay their eggs.
It is imperative that dragonflies are not laying their eggs in a hazardous environment fraught with predators that will diminish chances for successful reproduction. Make sure to consider what precautions can be taken to reduce the chances of predators interfering with the flies’ comings and goings.
The vast majority of dragonflies depend on bodies of fresh water to lay their eggs. It is a good measure to regularly test the quality of water.
Avoid Stocking the Body of Water with Fish
The number one reason why people struggle to attract dragonflies to their pond is that they stock the body of water with fish. Fish will eat dragonflies with zeal and diminish any chances of seeing substantial numbers of dragonflies. If you are attempting to attract dragonflies to your pond or water source, ensure there are no predatory fish.
Stocking fish does not mean certain death, but fish certainly limit the chances for success. If a person wants to keep a pond stocked with fish and attract dragonflies as well, they might consider making a smaller auxiliary body of water that the fish cannot access. This will be the best of both worlds for those on the fence.
This way, they can have a fish pond as well as a separate pond solely for dragonflies to visit and lay eggs. These water sources will also offer a great deal of beauty and atmosphere to their environment.
Add Fountains to A Garden Setting
If you do not have a pond or in-ground water source, you can use fountains as well to attract dragonflies to your area. Dragonflies will enjoy the water in your fountain if it is the right temperature and comfort level for them.
The dragonflies will also keep pests away from the garden plants. If you do not want to use harmful or harsh pesticides in your garden, you can rely on the dragonflies buzzing around to keep the pests at bay. Dragonflies prey on many of the pesky bugs that can infest your garden plants.
Create a Comfortable Environment
Dragonflies lay their eggs in water that has good cover from predators. Plants, rocks, and man-made structures offer incredible cover and concealment for dragonfly eggs and hatched nymphs. Dragonflies will not look twice at a bare pond when they are deciding where to mate and lay their eggs. Dragonflies need cover and safety.
The best forms of cover to use will offer dragonflies and their spawn:
- Protection from the elements like harsh winds and scorching rays of sun
- Protection from predators both above and below the surface of the water
- Concealment from predators that are on the prowl
The best cover to use for attracting dragonflies will always be plants. Lily pads are excellent sources of protection for dragonflies. They cover the surface of the water, which will attract dragonflies that are searching for a safe place to lay eggs. Cat-tails will keep dragonflies safe while they lay their eggs in the shallows of the body of water.
Rocks can also offer great cover for dragonflies. They will often hang out around rocks on the edge of bodies of water. Varying the sizes of the rocks and stacking them on each other will help create a safe environment that will shelter dragonflies, their eggs, and offspring from predators and the elements that could hinder their survival.
Dragonflies can be found buzzing around docks and walkways that are on or near bodies of water that is a suitable environment for laying eggs. These structures should not overwhelm the body of water that they are on or near. A small dock on a pond with lily pads, cat-tails, and rocks would be an incredible water source for dragonflies.
Create a Sustainable Food Source
A great strategy to employ when attempting to attract dragonflies is to help create a sustainable food source for them. Dragonflies eat tons of insects. As adults, they will consume their own body weight in various species of insects every day. This is a huge advantage to having dragonflies nearby. A person can keep a bug problem at bay.
The types of bugs that dragonflies love to eat include:
- Mosquitoes that occupy and lay eggs in the same water
- Moths that live near the body of water
- Flies that lay their eggs on rocks or structures around the body of water
Consider adding plants that are excellent food sources for the species that dragonflies love to eat. Dragonflies are voracious eaters, so make sure that there is enough food on hand to feed them well!
Some people might have an existing problem with mosquitoes or other pests. Those who want to attract dragonflies should take advantage of this abundant food source. Dragonflies will consume these pests with gusto which will create a world of difference for those who are suffering from their infestation. Dragonflies are nature’s exterminator.
A person that is attempting to attract dragonflies to a body of water should take the time to do research on how to also attract good food sources as well. A person might already have a viable food source available that could save them loads of effort in the long run.


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Tony Christie is a Yorkshire lad through and through
In a few weeks time my wife Susan and I will be celebrating our golden wedding anniversary and I am so proud to have been married to such a wonderful woman for 50 years.
We’re both quiet, uncomplicated people and we just click.
I am sure we will get together with our three children and our grandchildren to celebrate but on the actual day itself I am hoping to whisk Susan off on a romantic trip to Rome.
2 THE PUB
It might be a dying institution but I love a traditional old pub.
I like somewhere that serves real ale and doesn’t have music or television blaring out from all four corners.
There are quite a few good boozers close to where I live and my friends and I like to meet in “the office”, as we call it, a couple of times a week.
I’m not a big drinker but I do enjoy the company and the chat. Going to the pub is a great way to socialise and relax.
I grew up in Sheffield and am a Yorkshire lad through and through, which is why I only ever drink Tetley tea.
I don’t make a song and dance out of my brew – a tea bag and a mug do the job for me.
On an average day I would normally get through five or six cups, with the odd industrial strength coffee thrown in too.
I find it funny that when I’m away touring or recording I can always get a decent cup of coffee but for some reason tea is another matter.
For me it is the ultimate taste of home.
Tony and wife Susan will soon be celebrating their golden wedding anniversary
The art of making music is probably in my blood as my dad played the piano and the organ and my grandfather was an absolute demon on the fiddle.
When I was a child there was always music playing in the house and by the time I was a teenager I was a fan of the big band sound and then later rock ’n’ roll.
My musical tastes have ebbed and flowed over the years but my all-time favourite is Frank Sinatra.
I never tire of hearing his beautiful voice. I have always loved Ella Fitzgerald too. I started out singing in working men’s clubs and I am proud to have recorded more than 40 albums so far.
When my 1971 song Is This The Way To Amarillo was re-released and became a huge hit in 2005 it was a nice surprise but this industry is always full of the unexpected.
I am currently recording with some younger musicians and it’s a very exciting time.
Tony likes to socialise and relax at the pub
Susan and I love Indian food and we have a takeaway every Friday. I will normally call through our order from the pub before picking it up afterwards.
I was about 16 when I had my first curry and I wasn’t sure what to expect but I remember being absolutely bowled over by this amazing chicken madras.
When I first took Susan out for an Indian meal she insisted that she didn’t like spicy food and I ordered her something really mild but then when the food arrived, she ended up digging into my meal.
Ever since, curry has been our special treat and I can’t imagine a week going by without a trip to our favourite takeaway.
Tony Christie will feature in Celebrity 5 Go Barging at 8pm on Friday on Channel 5.

domain: artistic


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Chemicals peels are an excellent, non-invasive alternative to achieve long-lasting results. They are solutions for all skin types that are more affordable than other techniques. It is a procedure, where a chemical agent of a defined strength is applied to the skin to cause a controlled destruction of the different layers of the skin. This is followed by a regeneration and a remodelling.
Chemical peels have different types of benefits such as the treatment of mild-acne, keratosis pilaris, superficial pigmented lesions, solar & senile lentigines, elastosis, acne scars and actinic keratosis.
They also have additional benefits like reducing visible skin imperfections, improving skin tone and texture, stimulating natural collagen production and promoting cells regeneration.
Chemical peels are efficient across all types of skin indications: acne-prone skin, pigment spots, signs of skin aging etc. It exists different types of chemical peels acting in different layers of the skin: from very superficial to deep peels.
Dermaceutic peels offer proven safe and efficient chemical peels for all skin types.
As all chemical peels, symptoms like redness, erythema, or burning sensation may occur, however they disappear in few hours later. These are well known and normal reactions of the skin after a chemical peel.
Our innovative very superficial to medium depth formulas act on different layers of skin for optimal results. In addition, we also provide a homecare range to accompany your peeling treatments and optimize the outcome.
• Brand – Dermaceutic
• Treatment Time – 30 - 60 minutes
• Treatments required – Varies to skin indication
• Results – Depending on skin condition, improvement can be seen after 2 days
• Downtime – Superficial 12 hours, Medium 48 hours +
Am I suitable for treatment?
During your consultation appointment with Katrina Read, Independent Nurse Prescriber, you will complete a detailed medical history and assessment of your needs and expectations to ensure this is an appropriate treatment for you.
How does it work?
A very superficial peel that will act in the upper dermis layer. This peel is suitable for oily and acne-prone skin, dilated pores, excess sebum and uneven skin tone.
A superficial peel that is indicated for the treatment of mild-acne, keratosis pilaris and superficial pigmented lesions. This peel delivers results by penetrating into the epidermis layer of the skin.
Cosmo Peel 12% & Cosmo Peel 15%:
They are both superficial peel that act in the epidermis. They are intended for the treatment of solar lentigines, superficial pigmented lesions, keratosis pilaris.
Cosmo Peel 18% & Cosmo Peel 20%:
Superficial to medium peel intended for the treatment of solar & senile lentigines, pigmented lesions and elastosis. They operate in the deeper layers of the epidermis
Cosmo Peel Forte:
A medium peel for the treatment of acne scars, senile lentigines and actinic keratosis. This is achieved by being active in the upper layer of the papillary dermis
Will it hurt?
We aim to make the treatment as pain free as possible, but you may experience some slight discomfort, warmth and tingling, which are not painful.
What conditions can be treated?
• Dull/Dehydrated/Dry Skin
Are there any possible risk & side effects?
All treatments carry a degree of risk. All risks and complications will be discussed with you at consultation and prior to any treatment being agreed. Medi facials should be safely performed by a trained professional with specialist training to ensure any complications can be managed should they arise.
There are a few common side effects associated with these include redness, mild swelling. These are temporary and usually resolve within the first few hours.
Should you experience any unexpected side effects or any that concern you, please contact the clinic.
What pre & post treatment care do I need to follow?
Pre & Post skin care is highly recommended to enhance and support in clinic treatment. These will be discussed at consultation.
It is not advisable to have treatment if you are feeling at all unwell on the day of your appointment.
You will be provided with comprehensive pre & post aftercare advice sheet to assist outcomes, minimise risks.
Most people are able to continue with normal activities. You may be a little warm/red after treatment but this will resolves. Medium strength peels will cause the skin to peel, do not pick or pull skin, strict after care advise must be followed.

domain: medical


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FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT
SIVASAGAR, Feb 20: The All Assam Civic Bodies Workers’ Federation is contemplating to launch its next phase of agitation from February 21 to February 25 to press for their long-standing demands. The workers’ body is demanding provincialization of civic body workers and employees on the basis of a 2013 cabinet decision to move a bill in this context, regularization of jobs of muster roll workers, fixed pay and contractual workers, release of un-paid salaries up to 50 months of workers and devolution of funds as per provisions of PRI Act 1992 and 1993.
According to a release signed by Hemanta Changmai and Rajiv Chetia, the president and secretary of the Sivasagar unit of the All Assam Civic Bodies Workers Federation here, the civic workers have decided to stage demonstrations in front of the Sivasagar Municipality Board office for five days demanding immediate release of their last 16 months’ salary, besides other demands. Non-release of their salary has led their families to dire straits and the workers’ body has appealed to the public to support their cause in rallies to be held on February 21.
As a part of their agitation, the workers’ body had already sent memoranda to the Chief Minister, the Fince Minister and the Minister in charge of Local Self-Governments on February 17. On February 18, the workers bodies organized regiol meetings as a campaign to raise awareness of the general public.
The federation will hold a State-level convention in Guwahati of the workers bodies’ representatives, leaders of political parties, intellectuals and workers’ unions on February 26 and in the event of non-fulfillment of their demands, the federation will resort to complete shutdown of work for an indefinite period.

domain: sociology


US govt imposes visa restrictions on Kogi, Bayelsa election offenders
The United States government has imposed visa restrictions on individuals who were responsible for the act of violence, intimidation and corruption in Kogi and Bayelsa state's 2019 election.
According to a statement by spokesperson United States Department of State, Morgan Ortagus, U.S Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, imposed the sanctions on individuals who caused the violence in the election conducted on November 2019.
Ortagus said that the US government condemns any form of violence during an election as they are supporters of Nigeria's democracy.
She also urged the stakeholders of Edo and Ondo States to make sure that they conduct a free and fair election in their upcoming election with no violence.
“We condemn the acts of violence, intimidation, or corruption that harmed Nigerians and undermined the democratic process.
"As the Edo and Ondo State off-cycle elections near, we urge all stakeholders, including the Independent National Electoral Commission, the political parties, and the security services, to uphold the tenets of democracy and facilitate genuinely free and fair elections, conducted in an appropriately transparent and non-violent manner.
“In a statement on January 24, 2019, the U.S. Government said we would consider consequences – including visa restrictions – for individuals responsible for undermining the Nigerian democratic process or for organising election-related violence.
“In July 2019, we announced the imposition of visa restrictions on Nigerians who undermined the February and March 2019 elections.
"Today, the Secretary of State is imposing additional visa restrictions on individuals for their actions surrounding the November 2019 Kogi and Bayelsa States elections and in the run-up to the September and October 2020 Edo and Ondo State elections,” Ortagus said.
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E-journals are constantly evolving and adding new features, however, scholars’ views of desired features of scholarly e-articles have not received much attention. Scholars’ opinions were studied as part of two scholarly reading surveys conducted in Finland in 2016 and internationally in 2018. Respondents were asked “What features would you like to see in e-scholarly articles in the future” and “How have your reading practices changed in the last few years and how do you expect them to change”. A qualitative thematic analysis of 588 open-ended comments to these questions was performed. Themes discussed in open ended comments concern availability and accessibility; readability, searchability, findability, and discoverability; sharing and collaboration affordances; and seamlessness between reading and writing. Respondents also discussed affordances such as more visual materials, more interactivity, easier export of references, links to original research data, open commenting, open peer review, possibility to update articles, links to authors’ social media sites, and templates for secondary and meta-analysis. Users’ discussion of affordances for finding, discovering, sharing, and handling information provide insights to publishers, libraries, and web designers.
- Jufo-taso 1
!!ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Library and Information Sciences

domain: library


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Virginia woman delivers over 400 handmade cards to nursing home residents for Valentine’s Day
It has been nearly one year now since the coronavirus pandemic locked down nursing homes. Residents are often stuck inside their rooms and their loved ones aren’t allowed to visit. That’s why one Fairfax County woman is using handmade cards to spread love and joy to seniors.
Springfield resident Sabrina Moldt has created and collected more than 400 cards from people in the community to give to the most vulnerable who have been hit the hardest during the pandemic.
On Wednesday, February 9, Moldt delivered her first batch of cards to Fairfax at Belvoir Woods senior living facility. The executive director met her outside and was so appreciative! He said they will pass out the cards to residents on Valentine’s Day!


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Landscape Study is a beautifully hued original watercolor painting on 8" x 8" handmade paper.
Created as a series of small-scale studies for our large scale landscape wallpaper, this piece blends our love of travel and nature.
An abstracted view of the topography of our favorite sea-side mountain coastline of Italy - this work draws color inspiration from the lush hillsides and sun-faded stucco buildings we love to admire there.
Natural color variation from screen to art is expected, and part of the joyful process of buying original art.
Titled and Signed by the Artist.


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Annual 1836 Fundraising Event - February 15, 2019
THANK YOU to all the attendees and donors, at our 2019 1836 Event! We appreciate your support, and ability to help us achieve, and break our prior year fundraising. As a result of your help, we look forward to pursuing the Scale House project!
What makes Lockport special?
Visitors to Lockport can enjoy the Nationally Registered Historic District which welcomes Heritage Tourism. Enjoy a neighborhood of authentically restored buildings many of which were built between 1836 and 1895 of native limestone and brick; four select museums within a museum campus along the canal; fine or casual dining at award winning restaurants; unique galleries and shops; and the I & M Canal and Donnelley Trail. The downtown sites are within walking distance of free parking.
Visit our restaurants and shops, stop to taste wine, enjoy locally made ice cream and candy, view a fine collection of art at museums and galleries.
Have a picnic lunch at the Lincoln Landing overlooking the canal. Lockport has a friendly small town atmosphere where you can expect service with a smile in the much the same way that it was offered over one hundred years ago.
Lockport was established in 1836 with plans to start construction of the Illinois & Michigan Canal. The completion of the canal in 1848 made shipping possible from Chicago to the Mississippi River. Limestone quarries, grain elevators and Bessemer Steel Companies shipped products to the east and west from Lockport. Lock One of the I & M Canal and the headquarters of the original Canal Commissioners can be seen here today.
Lockport is still a business center and transporation hub with the Metra train station, Pace Bus routes, route I-355 linking I-80 and I-55, the Des Plaines River, and the Chicago Ship Canal. Lockport is located within the Chicago Metropolitan area and is just a 45 minute drive to downtown Chicago.

domain: geography


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The Monument Manufacturing Process
Ever wondered how a Memorial is made from its raw materials into the custom everlasting commemoration of your loved one? Well the first step in this lengthy, dangerous and expensive process is to excavate the granite from the ground, or quarry as the digging site is called. These quarries are often hundreds of feet deep with jagged razor sharp edges of solid rock. Water drains into these massive holes creating a large pool at the bottom.
Different types of granite are quarried differently and in various parts of the world, but the main process is essentially the same. High magnitude explosives are placed in drilled holes in order to break apart the granite strategically so that it can be preserved for good use. These immense slabs of granite are then hauled out of the quarry and sent to the manufacturing plants where they are then cut using precision machines and diamond tipped blades.
The next stage is smoothing or polishing the stone. This process consists of buffing and grinding the stone with large machinery and water. It requires many stages before it shows the glossy shine that we see on many memorials. An unpolished (steeled) stone also needs to be taken through this process in order to smooth it down, but it would not go through as many levels of the grinding and buffing stages. The stones are then cut into the proper shape.
Next, they add the designs and engraving to the stones. A drawing needs to be made beforehand of where everything will go on the stone. This is often done on computers now, but some are still done using architectural tools. This is then approved by the customer to guarantee accuracy. The design can then be put on the stone using sandblasters, lasers or hand carving tools depending on the design. Some designs are too intricate to use sandblasters and therefore must be hand-carved by quality craftsmen. These sculptures can take many man hours depending on the intricacy of the design. For the designs that are able to be sandblasted, a rubber stencil is made of the design. This stencil is attached to the stone using a light adhesive. The letters and design parts are peeled off and a sandblaster is used to penetrate the stone and create the depth and shadowing of the letters and design.
The immense and heavy product still needs to be washed, crated, transported and delivered to the cemetery plot. Since the granite weighs hundreds and even thousands of pounds sometimes, it must be handled using cranes and dollies. Even though it is heavy, it is also delicate and needs to be handled with care. The monument is now ready to be installed, but before it can be installed, a foundation must be dug and built days in advance so that the cement is solid to eliminate sinking and tipping. This is generally done by the cemetery. It is at this point of setting the stone when porcelain portraits and any other additional features like display cases, vases and vigil lights may be installed.
This lengthy process starts with a raw material and ends in a beautiful work of art. It is also a dangerous process that includes jagged rocks, deep quarries, hazardous dust and heavy lifting. But in the end, your family and friends are left with a beautiful memorial to commemorate your loved one that will last forever.


This location has a Walk Score of 89 out of 100. This location is Very Walkable so most errands can be accomplished on foot.
This location is a six minute walk from the Dublin/Pleasanton - Daly City Daly City, the Fremont - Daly City Daly City and the Fremont - Richmond Richmond at the Lake Merritt stop.
This location is in the Civic Center neighborhood in Oakland. Nearby parks include Lake Merritt Channel Park, Frank Youell Athletic Field and Harrison Square.
Nearby schools include Lincoln Elementary School, Oasis High School and Lighthouse Community Charter School.
The closest grocery stores are Sweetheart Cafe & Tea, T & S Market and Nuherbs.
Nearby coffee shops include Cam Huong, Espresso Gourmet and Quickly. There are 168 restaurants within a 15 minute walk including Oasis Restaurant & Bar, Chatime & Music Cafe and B & M Cafe.
This location is near Clorox Headquarters, Samuel Merritt University and Patten University.
There are excellent bike lanes and the terrain is flat as a pancake. This location is very bikeable, biking is convenient for most trips.


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17th November 2011
Things we love about Ken Levine:
1. He made Bioshock and invented Art Deco.
2. He taught me that reading other people’s diaries is A-OK.
3. He taught me everything I know about stealing in Thief.
4. He understands the science behind water arrows.
5. He looks like David Duchovny.
6. He says Joe Danger is one of his favourite games.


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This 2.589 acre lot has so much to offer. It is located only a few minutes from Lake Mills and is in the Lake Mills school district. There is an area already cleared to begin building your dream home with views to the east & a sloping hill to allow for exposure or possibly a walkout. The well on the property is fairly new but a new septic will need to be added. The property includes a 54x80 pole barn as well as another structure that would be conducive to adding fencing and housing horses, which it is currently zoned for 3, according to the owner. Some photos show views and not included land.
Features Lots and Acreage
|Total Acres: 2.5||Zoning: Res|
|Present Zoning: Single family||Lot Size:|
|Lot Description: Horses Allowed, Rural - not in subdivisn||Taxes: $1,226|
|Elementary School: Call School District||Middle School: Call School District|
|High School: Lake Mills||School District: Lake Mills Area|
|Body of Water:|


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Mandy Broughton loves books. She can always be found with a book in her hand and two more in a bag. She gravitates towards mysteries but enjoys science fiction and a good historical novel as well. In libraries and bookstores, Mandy tries to stay in areas appropriate for her age. This is not always possible, as she tends to find herself with more middle grade and young adult novels upon leaving.
Mandy Broughton has a trio of middle-grade mysteries—a missing hamster, a UFO, and some absent-minded grandparents—have all found their way into her novels. She also has an adult cozy, The Cat’s Last Meow, and several short stories published in various anthologies.
When Mandy is not writing about herself in the third person, she lives in Houston with her husband and three children. They love to travel, primarily to locations with beaches and water. These beach locales offer the best opportunities for water skiing or scuba diving. She is one of the few people that enjoy the heat and will tolerate the humidity. And she will only travel to places with now if they possess a chair lift to the top of the mountain and hot chocolate at the bottom.
For the record, while it is true she has spent more money on books than groceries, it only happened once. And due to the great invention of peanut butter sandwiches, her husband did not starve that month. Visit her online at www.MandyBroughton.com or on twitter @MandyBroughton. She will talk to anyone who will listen in 140 characters or less.
Kay Kendall grew up in the bucolic Flint Hills of Kansas but dreamt of returning to her father’s ancestral home of Texas and also of becoming a latter-day Nancy Drew or John le Carré. Instead, higher education and circumstance led her down a long and winding road (footnote, the Beatles) to graduate studies in history at Harvard, to Canada, international corporate communications, work in Russia, and finally, finally, her beloved Texas.
Today Kay is an international award-winning PR executive who lives in Texas with her husband, three house rabbits, and spaniel Wills. Now she writes historical murder mysteries. Growing up during the Cold War, she recalls the drama of an ICBM (intercontinental ballistic missile) installed near her hometown in Kansas. A fan of historical mysteries and spy novels, she sets her own stories during the Vietnam War, a key conflict of last century not already overrun with novels.
Rebecca Nolen lives in Houston, TX. She wrote her first novel at the age of 16 and is happy it was not published. Her novel Deadly Thyme has won numerous awards including first place in psychological suspense with Chanticleer Reviews. She has a penchant for wrangling snakes and corralling insects so these appear in her children’s novel,
Gay Yellen began working life as an actress in theatre, film and television commercials, then moved behind the camera as the Assistant to the Director of Production at The American Film Institute. She is a former magazine editor and national journalism award winner, and was the contributing book editor for Five Minutes to Midnight (Delacorte Press), an international thriller. Her suspense novel, The Body Business, is Book #1 of the Samantha Newman Series, and a 2015 RONE Award Finalist.
Harriet, the class hamster, has been kidnapped Cece's supposed to be taking care of the precious pet, but everything goes wrong. Before Cece even gets Harriet home, the hamster goes missing. And then she gets a ransom note with a photo of Harriet in front of a snake's cage Can she save the sweet furball in time? Will she have to buy a new hamster?
The UFOs have landed At least that's what Cece's sister, Dee Dee, believes. The girls are on a new case investigating strange lights and sounds coming from the field behind their house. Dee Dee disappears for long periods of time, and Cece wants to know what's going on. Are those really aliens lights? Can Cece solve the mystery before her sister disappears for good?
Memories aren't the only thing missing in this quiet little community of blue-haired grandparents. When Cece and her sister, Dee Dee, visit Gram and Gramps for Christmas, jewelry begins to disappear. The amateur sleuths investigate the crazy cast of suspects including blue-hair busybodies, furry pets and annoying boys.
Everything looks perfect in Sugar Land, Texas. But it’s not.
In a new mystery featuring Texas minister Walker “Bear” Wells, a teen tragedy hits too close to home…
Kay Kendall's RAINY DAY WOMEN is the second book in the Austin Starr Mystery series. In 1969, during the week of the Manson murders and Woodstock, the intrepid amateur sleuth, infant in tow, flies across the continent to support a friend suspected of murdering women's liberation activists in Seattle and Vancouver. Then her former CIA trainer warns that an old enemy has contracted a hit on her. Her anxious husband demands that she give up her quest and fly back to him. How much should Austin risk when tracking the killer puts her and her baby's life in danger?
The flight to avoid the killing... It's 1968. The Cold War is hot, the Vietnam War is raging, and the women's movement is beating a far-distant drum. When Austin Starr's husband decides to protest the war by emigrating from Texas to Canada, she goes along, with the biblical dictate of "whither-thou-goest I will go" ringing in her ears. Leads to murder...
West Virginia, 1895. A deadly dry spell has left the earth parched and souls desperate. Crops are failing. Cities are starving. A missing newspaper man doesn't account for much in times so terrible, except to the twelve-year-old son he left behind. When Elliot Sweeney discovers the search for his father has been called off, he boards a train alone to find him.
What if your killer job could get you killed? Great job. Fantastic boyfriend. Samantha Newman thought she had it all. But when her best friend vanishes, doubt creeps in. Is there some ugly reality behind her firm's success? When she asks the FBI for help, they send a man with secrets of his own. How can she find her friend without getting caught in the web of deceit? Carter Chapman's on a mission. But it wasn't supposed to include a beautiful corporate executive with her own set of problems, until a terrible event puts them on the same path to discovery, and they each have to decide if some secrets are worth the price.

domain: literature


After 206 employees lost their jobs at tiskʷat mill, Powell River is looking into new ways to get it up and running.
The city said in a press release Thursday that they had done everything in their power to keep the mill running for over a decade including tax relief, securing funding and finding new owners.
Powell River mayor David Formosa says that looking in the direction of renewable energy may be an answer to getting the mill back up and running with its access to deep water, natural gas, electricity and water supplies.
“Paper Excellence, the BC Government, and Renewable Hydrogen Canada have been in extensive discussions to transition the mill into a significant hydrogen and clean fuel production
facility,” said Formosa in the release. “As I’ve said for many years, the site has excellent infrastructure to support new industry.”
Formosa says, however, there are no guarantees that the development will come into existence.
The curtailment – an indefinite restriction of operations at the mill – is a huge blow to the city, especially at this time of year, according to Formosa.
“Our thoughts are with the employees and their families who have been impacted by this move,” he said. “I can’t imagine what a blow this is to them, especially heading into the holiday season.”
Formosa says the city is working with Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons, and the provincial government to support workers during this time.


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Stop Feeling Insecure Hypnotherapy to Overcome Insecurity Hypnosis Download or CD
STOP FEELING INSECURE HYPNOSIS
This hypnosis download or CD can help you overcome feelings of insecurity and helps improve your self-confidence. The Stop Feeling Insecure Hypnosis can develop in you:
★ A great boost to your confidence
★ The ability to feel much more secure and positive
★ Rapid and noticeable results
Hypnosis works by influencing your subconscious mind and eradicating negative feelings and unhelpful thoughts so will help you to let go of self-defeating thoughts and feel more positive and secure. The Hypnosis is designed to build your confidence so that your self-esteem is strengthened and you feel good. You will notice a change in you, you become much more secure and confident, you will experience a comfortable feeling as these changes happen
Includes a single hypnosis session which will guide you into a deeply relaxed state and develop a confidence self-esteem and feeling of security. As you listen and become deeply relaxed and receptive, you absorb the hypnotic suggestions for becoming more confident more sure of yourself.
Do not use while driving, operating machinery. If you have a medical condition, schizophrenia or a heart condition, consult a physician before use.

domain: psychology


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On Last Week Tonight, John Oliver discussed Donald Trump’s family separation policy, widespread backlash to which caused the president to sign an executive order requiring that migrant families be detained together.
“We begin with President Trump, the abusive father America will be talking about in therapy for the next 40 years,” said Oliver. “This week saw continued outrage over the zero-tolerance policy causing children to be separated from their parents at the border, a policy which, you may remember, Trump repeatedly insisted last week he had no power to change.”
Oliver went on: “His hands were tied. There was nothing he could do. Well, guess what?”
The host then showed news coverage of Trump’s reversal on family separation, which followed his numerous claims that it was the “Democrats’ law” and only they could fix it.
“Yes, Trump claimed he couldn’t do a thing and then he did it,” Oliver joked, “which is a little strange because he usually claims he can do things and then doesn’t do them, like draining the swamp or locking up Hillary or attending Tiffany’s sweet 16.”
But the executive order, the host explained, has “significant issues”, because rather than separating children from their parents at the border the federal government will now detain them together as their parents await prosecution. “Under current rules, the children can’t be held in detention facilities for more than 20 days,” Oliver added. “Which means less than three weeks from now they could start splitting families up all over again.”
As for the more than 2,000 children who have already been separated from their families, Oliver asked, “What exactly is the plan to deal with them?” He then showed a news segment which explained that Trump’s executive order lacks “a clear timeline for just how long it would take and how it would get done”.
“Hold on, those are some pretty major pieces to leave out,” Oliver said. “In fact, it’s all the pieces.”
Oliver continued: “As the week went on, perhaps the most notable thing was the lengths that some Trump supporters went to defend the indefensible, from ‘their parents shouldn’t have broken the law’ to ‘the conditions aren’t that bad’. But it took Fox’s Stuart Varney to go with the bold argument of, ‘Who gives a shit?’”
In a segment on Fox & Friends, Varney decried coverage of “trade war” and “children in cages”, saying that “the real big story that affects everybody in America is the success of the president’s tax cut package.”
“That deflection technique doesn’t really work when the thing you’re deflecting from is children in cages,” replied an incredulous Oliver. “If a realtor selling a house were to say: ‘Why are we talking about children in cages? The kitchen has marble countertops,’ the only acceptable response would be: ‘Because they’re children and they’re in cages, someone needs to let them out, you fucking monster.’”

domain: politics


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Berlin’s Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation is a treasure trove of history and culture, with one of the world’s largest universal collections. This two-part documentary takes viewers inside the Foundation, with tours of the 20 museums and close-ups of the five million objects within their walls. From the Stone Age to contemporary times, the museums’ vast collection includes art, historical documents, libraries, and research institutes. The documentary features many of the stars of its gigantic collection, including the bust of Nefertiti, Hans Holbein’s portrait of the merchant Georg Gisze, and Joseph Beuys’ installation “Das Kapital.”
The Berlin museums not only exhibit phenomenal art, but also seek answers to some of the great questions of humanity. Can we open up the world and share its resources but still live in harmony with it? How can we better understand and shape reality through our rich cultural heritage? Viewers will follow museum organizers and archaeologists to China and uncover secrets of many spectacular pieces of art. Berlin’s museums reveal themselves to be a home of countless fascinating stories, as well as temples of beauty and modern research centers.


Keppel boosts Saigon Centre stake
Singapore-headquartered Keppel Corp has paid VND 845.9 billion (S$53.5 million) to boost its stake in Ho Chi Minh City’s Saigon Centre beyond 50 per cent.
Saigon Centre, a mixed-use development incorporating a shopping centre anchored by Takashimaya department store, apartments and office space, is a joint venture between Keppel and local company Watco. The first stage, a small shopping mall beneath an 11-story tower, opened in 1996. Last year the expanded 55,000 sqm mall opened, and construction continues on a second tower of approximately 40 stories above it.
The mall is trading well, 100 per cent leased, with several Japanese retailers, including Owndays, making their debut in the market. Chanel is constructing what is expected to be a make-up studio on the ground level in a prime space previously used for events and pop-ups.
Keppel now owns 53.5 per cent of the Keppel Land Watco I, II and II companies and 76.2 per cent of Keppel Land Watco IV and V.
“Keppel Land is committed to grow its commercial portfolio in key Asian cities. Vietnam, one of our key growth markets, continues to attract foreign direct investments which will drive positive demand in the property market from homes to offices and mixed-use developments,” said Keppel Land CEO Ang Wee Gee in a statement.


I recently got a chance to use my friend’s Oculus Rift, and I found it quite impressive. Though I want to get a VR headset, unfortunately, I don’t have hundreds of dollars to spend on it. I prefer something affordable that gives me tremendous immersive experience in virtual reality.
After spending hours on research, I found Samsung Gear VR. It caught my attention for its affordability and performance. In this blog post, I will be sharing all the details about Samsung Gear VR to help you make an informed decision.
Features to Consider Before Buying a VR Headset
Buying a VR headset can be a challenging process if you don’t know what you want. If you are a hardcore gaming fan, you may be eyeing a particular headset. For a VR newbie, you would want to know the options in the market before you make your decision. Let’s know more about VR headsets.
Mobile Vs. Tethered Headsets
Powered by smartphones, Mobile VR headsets are quite affordable. They use the processing power and display of the phone to deliver a classic VR experience. Samsung Gear VR is a mobile headset- that means you need a Samsung mobile for it to work.
Tethered headsets provide a decent graphical experience. They can run intensive VR apps using the computer’s processing power. Tethered headsets such as HTC Vive or Oculus Rift have inbuilt displays and need a PC.
If you are new to the world of VR, then mobile headsets can be a good option to enjoy 360-degree videos and games. But if you want high-end performance, only a top-end tethered headset will be able to deliver.
Presenting Samsung Gear VR
- Be transported to amazing new worlds, in games, video and images / Use the intuitive controller that comes in the box to drop, point, select and Drag with a Wave of your wrist
- Supported Devices: Galaxy Note9 (Additional Adapter needed), Note8, Note FE, Note5 / Galaxy S9, S9+, S8, S8+, S7, S7 Edge, S6, S6 Edge, S6 Edge+ / Galaxy A8(2018), A8+(2018), A8 star
Last update on 2019-08-23 / Source: Amazon Affiliates
Samsung Gear VR can be ideal for people who own a Samsung smartphone. It provides them an affordable way to enter the VR ecosystem. Launched first in 2015, Gear VR has seen many modifications by Samsung to make it better.
The new model comes with a wireless motion controller for easy control in apps and games. The controller is simple and like Google Daydream’s controller. Samsung has also upgraded its software which supports higher resolutions. It also provides a built-in web browser.
You can find a few new additions such as a USB-C port which Samsung advertises as a multi function port.
The model’s dimensions are a bit wider and heavier at 345 grams than the earlier version that was 318 grams. The design has also got a makeover with curved edges and has an all-black appearance.
Samsung Gear VR works with only Samsung smartphones including:
If you use the extender, a couple of earlier models like the Note 4 become compatible too.
Samsung Gear VR can be a good choice for stepping into the world of VR. It has improved motion tracking and high resolution. These features make it a decent match for the top end headsets like Oculus Rift or HTC Vive.
Features & Benefits:
Now let’s explore the characteristics of Samsung Gear VR!
The new Samsung Gear VR shares similar design features with its second version. It’s bigger than headsets like Google Daydream. The Gear’s sizing makes it suitable for all sizes and shapes of heads.
You can find a dial on the top of the headset to adjust the optics for a clear focus and picture. Samsung has also made sure that light doesn’t interfere with your VR experience. To ensure this, they have provided a back cover to sit on the front when the device is not in use.
The new Gear VR integrates a few more air vents beneath the eyes to improve ventilation. Now you don’t have to worry about heat or lens fogging up even if you use the headset for hours.
Samsung makes it easy to control your VR experience. You can use the recessed touch pad located on the right side of the headset. You can also find the back and volume buttons towards the front of the device.
The Home button which enables you to close your VR applications at the touch of a button is quite useful.
The Gear VR is bulkier than its previous versions and Daydream. Even then, it fits quite comfortably around your head. The round-the-head harnessing system is adjustable. It makes for a snug fit by matching the size of your head.
Samsung has also worked on the cushioning in the new Gear VR. The cushioning around the eyes and face area is thick and soft. If you are gaming for extended periods, you are unlikely to feel uncomfortable. You can access the controls on the headset when you are in the middle of gaming or watching videos.
VR Experience and Controller
Thanks to the Oculus chip, the Samsung Gear VR offers a smooth and accurate head-tracking.
The device has a 101-degree field of view. This feature enhances the immersive feel and provides sharper details and precise gaze.
You may notice a bit of blurring around the edges. But it soon vanishes once you fix your gaze in the direction of the blurring.
Samsung now provides a wireless handheld controller along with the Gear VR. You can also buy the controller if you already own a Gear VR.
The controller has a circular touch pad on the top which is responsive and tracks the motions of your hands. You can also find the volume, home and back buttons, like what you see on the headset.
There is a trigger at the back of the controller. This enables you to shoot zombies and play other first-person shooter games. The entire experience of using the controller is at par with Google Daydream or Rift.
The controller measures 4.2 x 1.8 x 1.5-inches and weighs 2.3 ounces. The weight of the controller is majorly due to the twin AAA batteries which powers the device. Rechargeable batteries are not provided. They could have saved battery costs if present.
Samsung provides a controller holder with Gear VR. that attaches with the head strap for convenient storage.
The Gear VR supports a wide range of Samsung phones. The performance of the Gear varies according to the model you use. A Samsung Galaxy S8 with Snapdragon 835 processor and 4GB RAM is decent for all VR applications. It will not allow any glitches.
As a rule of thumb, phones with older chip sets and low RAM can lead to overheating and frame stutters.
The resolution also depends on the phone you are using. Some Samsung smartphones released in 2015 can support resolutions of 2,560 x 1,440 pixels. For higher resolutions, you can use phones like S8 and S8+ which sports a display of 2,960 x 1,440 pixels.
The pixel density is uniform irrespective of the phone you use.
Cleaner UI and Voice Control
Oculus has upgraded the interface of Gear VR by making it cleaner, slicker and more polished. Menus now come with appealing backdrops and don’t float in a black background. The virtual lobby is like a lavish home with details like a hardwood floor. The new upgrade makes it easy to navigate through the options.
You can also explore the store in VR. For this, it may need a bit of improvement as you go back and forth sometimes to select your options.
Samsung now allows you to browse the internet in VR mode so that you don’t have to detach your smartphone. You can access built-in apps like Youtube, Facebook, CNN, Instagram, Amazon and Twitch. You can also use a browser to type in URLs.
It’s cool to access your Facebook feed within the VR and share posts and likes!
One of the best features of the new Gear VR is the ability to issue voice commands, which is still in beta stage. You can say “Hey Oculus” and give your command to browse and search apps, exit a program or recenter your view.
The voice commands are responsive and get carried out in a matter of seconds!
Audio and Camera
It looks like the companies in VR are yet to focus on the audio aspect of their headsets. The Gear VR doesn’t come with any speakers. You have to depend on your smartphone speaker to feel the sound effects.
Samsung has left the required space to plug your headphone into your smartphone’s 3.5mm jack. You also have the option of using wireless headphones to reduce wire clutter.
The Gear VR doesn’t come with a camera. So, this means you can’t move around within the VR environment or lean out to see what’s on the other side of abysses.
The Gear VR presents a pass through camera mode. It enables to see your surroundings using the smartphone camera. You can check on your surroundings or sip your favorite drink without taking off the headset.
The setup process is straightforward and takes about 15 minutes to complete. Your Samsung phone needs to have the latest firmware from your carrier and a 16GB SD card. Once you take out the headset from the box, fix your phone on the headset’s front side. Now secure it with a flexible latch.
Remove the phone now and go through the software installation process. You will see the video player and the Oculus operating system getting downloaded. Then you can hook up your phone and jump directly into VR!
Samsung also provides a tutorial on how to use Gear VR, so that you never face any problems!
Apps and Games
The Samsung VR ecosystem has grown by leaps and bounds since its start in 2015. The collaboration with Oculus gives you access to the Oculus VR content library. You can find free and paid apps in gaming, entertainment, videos, education and more.
What are People Saying about Samsung Gear VR?
I scanned many user reviews. Most of the user testimonials of Samsung Gear VR are positive, and the users seem to love it! Let me share the links with you:
Alternatives to Samsung Gear VR
If you think the Gear VR is not for you, then you can consider the following options:
HTC Vive VR System
- FREE CONTENT WITH PURCHASE - Two-month free trial of Viveport Subscription included with your purchase.
- FULLY IMMERSIVE - True-to-life movements with realistic graphics, directional audio and HD haptic feedback.
Last update on 2019-08-22 / Source: Amazon Affiliates
HTC Vive can provide one of the best virtual reality experiences if you have the budget. It’s a tethered headset, and you need a PC with high-end hardware to power the device.
The headset comes with built-in sensors to track your movements in VR. The Gear VR depends on the phone’s sensors.
The controllers are versatile and feature a touch pad and rear trigger. You have access to a wide range of high-quality content on the SteamVR interface. The headset has its audio output. It also features an integrated display which doesn’t need any smartphone.
Pansonite VR Headset with Controller
- DECOMPRESSION EQUIPMENT: The adjustable T-shaped straps reduce 30% pressure around face through balancing the stress on head. Fit for different head sizes (both adults and children). Deepened nasal bridge portion for no paining noses.
- HEAT DISSIPATION DESIGN: Excellent heat dissipation with detachable attracted-iron cover and two ventilated holes on the two sides. Soft and breathable leather pad keeps your eyes comfortable even after hours watching.
Last update on 2019-08-23 / Source: Amazon Affiliates
Pansonite VR headset is cheaper than Gear VR and is a good option if you want to test VR, before making the plunge. You can pair any Android, iOS, and Microsoft with the Pansonite. To do this, the phone size should range from 4.7 to 6-inches in size.
Good compatibility makes this headset more versatile than the Gear VR.
The headset comes with a controller like the traditional game pads. You can find the usual home, back and volume buttons and a circular touch pad to use as a joystick in games. The device also features inbuilt headphones that are not present in Samsung VR.
You can check out third-party applications for your VR content. as a dedicated store is not available.
Oculus Rift Touch VR System
- Get 6 free titles, including: Robo Recall, Luckyʼs Tale, Quill, Medium, Dead and Buried, and Toybox
- Riftʼs ultra low-latency tracking offers unparalleled immersion
Last update on 2019-08-22 / Source: Amazon Affiliates
Oculus Rift is similar in price to HTC Vive and provides an immersive VR experience. You don’t have to use any smartphone as the device has its display. But you need to have a PC with the required hardware to run the system.
The headset comes with Oculus Touch motion controllers. They let you navigate within VR and play games. But unlike Gear VR, you have two controllers for your two hands. You get many free VR games with the package and can access apps on the Oculus store.
Samsung Gear VR is ideal for you if you have a Samsung smartphone. It’s suitable for Vr enthusiasts who wish to experience VR in a budget. Its perfect if you are wanting to replace your current headset at an affordable price. You also don’t need a high-specification PC and can enjoy a wire-free experience.
With a simple setup process, you can enjoy VR at any time. Go ahead and indulge yourself with Gear VR!


All school districts must maintain a certain set of services no matter what the location, including facilities, staff, transportation and food services. It costs a small school more to provide these services. Rural schools face many challenges in acquiring the financial and human resources necessary to offer the quality of education students need. Rural school districts have a harder time attracting and retaining teachers and administrators.
Small schools are often seen as a stepping stone to suburban schools where there is better pay, possibly fewer classes to prepare for and other perks. Rural districts may have difficulty offering advanced academic or vocational courses due to finances and available personnel. Rural school districts face closing or consolidating schools due to population loss or perceived cost saving measures.
There are more organizations related to Schools in the organizations section.
Last Reviewed: 11/27/2012


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Tall And True Microfiction (eBook)
I discovered the microfiction genre when I reviewed Loopholes by Susan McCreery for Writing NSW in 2017. The microfiction in Loopholes ranges from several paragraphs on one or two pages to only three short sentences.
By definition, brevity is the key to good microfiction. There is no time for plot and character development, so every word must count. In Loopholes, McCreery plunges the reader into perfectly formed glimpses of everyday lives, with no time to settle in and catch our breath before wrenching us back to reflect on what we’ve read, what may have led to the situation, and how it might end.
The genre will not be to everyone’s taste. Some readers may consider it a modern malaise, where the pace of life has become too fast to enjoy a leisurely read. Or Twitteresque, with US Presidential pronouncements delivered in 280-character tweets. And yet, microfiction is not a recent form. For example, legend has it that in response to a challenge to write a six-word novel, Ernest Hemingway wrote: “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.”
Dabbling in Microfiction
As I wrote in my review, I started “dabbling in microfiction” after reading Loopholes. I had a short story in my writing folder, Her, written in 1992 following a dream that felt so real it reminded me of the 3rd century BC Chinese philosopher Chuang Chou.
One night, Chou dreamed he was a butterfly, “fluttering hither and thither, enjoying itself to the full of its bent”, unaware he was Chou. When Chou awoke, he was himself again but later observed, “I do not know whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly, or whether I am now a butterfly, dreaming I am a man.”
I didn’t dream I was a butterfly. Instead, I dreamed I’d bumped into someone I once knew while walking along the Promenade in Brighton, England (where I then lived). And I used elements from the dream to write a surreal short story. But at only 460 words, Her was too short for the genre. So I filed it away until 2017 when I revisited the story and shared it as microfiction.
At the same time, I revisited other short pieces in my writing folder, There Is No Need To Wake Up and And I Didn’t Even Get Convicted, which I’d written for local radio station competitions in 2000 and 2014. I also started writing shorter microfiction, like A Mona Lisa Smile and We Need to Talk, in 2018 and 2019.
COVID lockdowns provided the perfect environment for writing microfiction, such as Pandemic Fiction for Meanjin magazine, Elephant in the Room & Other 23-Word Stories, and Signs of the Second Coming in 2020 and 2021.
In recent years, challenges by Writing NSW, the Australian Writers’ Centre and the #WritingCommunity on Twitter had me writing dozens of microfiction stories. And in March 2023, I set myself the goal of writing a 61-word story to mark my 61st birthday.
Tall And True Microfiction
This anthology, drawn from the Tall And True writers’ website and other sources, features 70 examples of my microfiction. Some are Hemingway-esque six-word stories, others one to a few sentences, and there are longer pieces, like the 460-word Her. I’ve presented the stories in chronological chapters, with insight into when, why and how I wrote them.
I’ve also provided links to story prompts on social media and episodes if I’ve narrated stories for the Tall And True Short Reads storytelling podcast. And I wrote a new piece of microfiction for the final chapter, The End, 70 words long, one for each story in the anthology.
I hope you enjoy Tall And True Microfiction as much as I enjoyed creating it. Perhaps the anthology will inspire you to “dabble in the form” like Susan McCreery’s Loopholes did for me in 2017.
© 2023 Robert Fairhead
N.B. You might also be interested in my first eBook collection of short stories, Both Sides of the Story.
Welcome to the blog posts and selected writing of Robert Fairhead. A writer and editor at the Tall And True writers' website, Robert also writes and narrates episodes for the Tall And True Short Reads storytelling podcast. In addition, his book reviews and other writing have appeared in print and online media, and he's published several collections of short stories. Please contact Robert for further details.


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GenreAdventure, Crime, Drama Duration CountryUnited States
DirectorHarry O. Hoyt
Albert H. Kelley Release dateJanuary 10, 1993 (1993-01-10) DirectorsHarry O. Hoyt, Albert H. Kelley ProducersI.E. Chadwick, Arthur F. Beck CastAnita Page (Doris Evans), Charles Starrett (Gordon Wayne), Kenneth Thomson (John Franklin), Eddie Borden (Eddie Stevens), Gertrude Simpson (Laura), Jay Emmett (Jimmy) Similar moviesPirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, Blackhat, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, The Lion King, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
Jungle Bride is a 1933 American Pre-Code film directed by Harry O. Hoyt and Albert H. Kelley.


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Hi, I’m Cleo and I am an art therapist.
Over the past decade, I have supported young people with complex emotional needs using the arts in all sorts of settings including schools, youth clubs, pupil referral units and secure units.
I studied for my Art Psychotherapy Masters at Roehampton University and graduated with First Class Honours. As an art therapist in-training, I worked for three years within the NHS Adult Mental Health Psychology and Psychological Therapies Department. During this time, I worked on an acute mental health ward, worked within community adult mental health teams and facilities, and delivered art therapy with individuals and groups. My MA research project focused on the benefits of art therapy for mothers and infants experiencing perinatal depression.
At Youth Arts and Health Trust, I work as part of a team of arts therapists to support children and young people with their mental and emotional health. Since working here, I have gained a developing interest in how we best support parents while their children are attending therapy and I am helping to develop a parental support group. Additionally, having received a diagnosis of dyspraxia as an adult, I am interested in how best to support those with neurodiversity when beginning and during art therapy sessions.
Next year, I am hoping to combine my first degree in Community Arts and Environmental Education with my art therapy practice, to explore how to take art therapy sessions into nature.
Outside of work, I facilitate creative journaling workshops for wellbeing, enjoy walking and expanding my own arts practice by using found materials.


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According to Jewish tradition, the highest form of tzedakah, or charity, is giving to a central campaign or community fund. The annual Federation Campaign gives the local Jewish community the opportunity to save Jewish lives and enhance and enrich Jewish communities in Central Illinois, in Israel and in countries around the world. Through special events and entertainment, the Federation brings the Central Illinois Jewish Community together to help support Jews around the world, whether it be providing hot meals to the elderly in the Former Soviet Union or offering vital assistance to Israeli victims of terrorism and war. DONATE NOW
UPCOMING EVENT - COMMUNITY CAMPAIGN DINNER
We Gather to Make a Difference
Tuesday, October 8, 5:30 p.m., Sangamo Club. Guest Speaker Michael G. Masters, Secure Community Network, "Protecting Today - Ensuring Tomorrow." $40 per person. RSVP by Friday, September 28. Campaign soliciations will be held. 2019 Campaign chairs - Marlene Schultz 7 julie Seidman.


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A loan could also be obtained from a bank and should be either secured or unsecured. For secured loans, banks would require collateral, which can be lost if repayments don’t seem to be created. The bank can most likely want to check the business’s accounts, record and business arrange, furthermore as learning the principals’ credit histories. several smaller businesses square measure currently but turning towards different Finance suppliers, particularly within the case of smaller companies. Loans from credit unions could also be said as bank loans furthermore. Business loans from credit unions received the second highest level of satisfaction from borrowers when loans from little banks.
Local SCORE and SBDC Offices.
Especially if your business may be a start-up, you’ll wish to induce some recommendation and facilitate from old executives. If you’ve got a chapter of SCORE in your space, they’re a beautiful and free supply of recommendation and facilitate. SCORE may be a non-profit, volunteer cluster of retired business executives. If you do not have a neighborhood chapter, you’ll get on-line recommendation and online subject matter. You’ll even have a neighborhood chapter of the tiny Business Development Center (SBDC), significantly if you’ve got a close-by university. The SBDC is an element of little Business Administration (SBA) and exists to assist existing and new small businesses.
Personal Credit and Startup Loans.
Because new businesses do not have a business credit of their own, the bank has got to consider the credit of the folks that own the business. Banks typically deny startup loan requests as a result of the private credit of the recipient has issues. For example:
1. The problem is also as a very little collectively negative rating on your credit report, however, which will be all it takes for a bank to mention no.
2. Low credit ratings additionally have an effect on the power to get startup funding. These days, any score beneath 800 is suspect, thus you may have to be compelled to recognize your credit rating and work to lift it.
Your business credit profile.
Unlike your personal credit score, your business credit profile speaks on to however you meet your business obligations. Dunn, Experian, and Equifax produce profiles and scores primarily based upon however timely you pay your vendors, however current you’re together with your business Mastercard payments and the way you pay your different business-related bills. Predicting the longer term needs trying into the past. this could be problematic for brand new businesses that haven’t been around long enough to create a business credit profile. If that describes your business, you’ll begin by establishing business credit by getting workplace provides at places like Staples or Home Depot. These retailers often report back to the business credit bureaus thus your payment history there will assist you to build an honest credit profile.
Traditional Business Financing Options.
When it involves finance a business, ancient bank loans area unit far and away the foremost common kind of business loan on the market to little and midsize corporations. In 2016, loans provided by banks and ancient business lenders account for $117,000,000,000 of the total price of economic and industrial loans. Among domestic ancient lenders, the full business and industrial loan quantity outstanding is roughly $86,000,000,000, with the typical maturity being between 2-3 years. The typical loan size for ancient finance was roughly $815,000 among all business and industrial lenders, with domestic banks having a median loan size of $614,000 – though this varies greatly among risk.

domain: finance


|Home||Help||DfE Information on Computing||Contact|
Full information and documents from the DfE are published on this page.
The National Curriculum Programmes of Study for ICT at all Key Stages have been disapplied with effect from 1 September 2012 and are no longer statutory.
As of September 2014 the National Curriculum subject ICT (Information and Communication Technology) will be replaced with Computing. This name change will more accurately reflect the content in the new programmes of study.
The final version of the Computing Curriculum
There are very few changes to the last draft version, just a few clarifications.
The National Curriculum for Computing aims to ensure that all pupils:
- can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation
- can analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems
- can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems
- are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.
The purpose of study of the National Curriculum for Computing:
A high-quality computing education equips pupils to understand and change the world through logical thinking and creativity, including by making links with mathematics, science, and design and technology. The core of computing is computer science, in which pupils are taught the principles of information and computation, and how digital systems work. Computing equips pupils to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of media. It also ensures that pupils become digitally literate – able to use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through, information and communication technology – at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.
Replacing the subject of ICT with Computing (Government Response June 2013)
This confirms that after consultation the Government have decided to proceed with replacing ICT with Computing.


Brockton Area Arc, a non-profit servicing children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Brockton, Massachusetts, has partnered with Solect Energy and PowerOptions to install a 76.8-kW solar energy system on the roof of its facility. The array consists of 200 PV panels, which are projected to produce 86,000 kWh of energy annually. The Brockton Area Arc anticipates the array will generate nearly 100% of its annual electricity, for a projected yearly savings of more than $15,000.
“When Solect Energy reached out to us about pursuing a solar conversion, switching to renewable energy hadn’t been on our radar,” said John J. Lynch, Executive Director at Brockton Area Arc. “Solect made a compelling argument for the substantial benefits that we would accrue with a commitment to solar. With their proven expertise and excellent customer references, coupled with their relationship with PowerOptions we were confident we were moving forward with the right partner. We have been impressed with both organizations’ professionalism and their shared commitment to local philanthropy.”
The Brockton Area Arc serves children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. It offers family support, recreation, employment, community-based day supports and day habilitation. The yearly $15,000 in anticipated savings from the solar array will be redirected toward expanding programs and services for the Arc community.
The Brockton Area Arc was able to install the solar array with no up-front costs through PowerOptions & Solect’s Solar Program. Under the program, Solect financed, installed, and will service the solar array on their roof, while The Arc receives the power generated at a fixed rate for a period of 20 years under a PPA negotiated by PowerOptions.
“The Brockton Area Arc, although not initially seeking solar, quickly grasped the financial benefits that a solar array, especially one financed through a PPA, offered their organization,” said Chad Couture, Director of Business Development at Solect Energy. “The array will produce nearly 100 percent of their energy needs, which will mean a substantial reduction in their utility expenses. The savings of approximately $15,000 a year will translate into increased funding for the valuable programs they offer to the community.”
“At PowerOptions, our mission is to help nonprofits save time and money on energy, so more resources can be directed toward serving communities,” said PowerOptions President and CEO Cynthia Arcate. “In addition to cost predictability and savings, The Brockton Area Arc implemented their solar project without the need for any up-front costs or on-going maintenance responsibilities.”
News item from Solect


Steel Industry Must Invest $278 Billion to Eliminate Carbon Emissions by 2050: BNEF
The industry can utilize green hydrogen, recycling, and carbon capture to cancel out emissions
December 9, 2021
The global steel industry could eliminate carbon emissions by 2050 by investing $278 billion and using green hydrogen and recycling technologies, BloombergNEF (BNEF) has said in a report.
The report talks about how a combination of falling hydrogen prices, affordable clean power, and increased recycling could reduce emissions to net-zero while increasing production output.
The steel industry accounts for around 7% of greenhouse gas emissions annually and is one of the most polluting industries worldwide.
The report notes that governments and corporates are pushing the steel industry to reduce emissions by 2050. The decarbonization of steel is central to the net-zero aspirations of China, Japan, Korea, and the European Union.
BNEF said green hydrogen could be the cheapest production method for steel and capture 31% of the market by 2050. Another 45% could be produced from recycled material. The rest is from a combination of older, coal-fired plants fitted with carbon capture systems and innovation processes to refine iron ore into iron and steel.
According to the report, around 70% of steel is currently made in coal-fired blast furnaces, with 25% produced from scrap in electric furnaces and 5% in a natural gas-fired process known as direct reduced iron (DRI). The steel industry needs more DRI plants and electric furnaces to convert a significant portion of the fleet to hydrogen.
Julia Attwood, Head of sustainable materials at BNEF and lead author of the report, said, “The next ten years could see a massive expansion of steel capacities to meet demand in growing economies, such as India. Commissioning natural-gas-fired plants could set producers up to have some of the lowest-cost capacity by retrofitting them to burn hydrogen in the 2030s and 2040s. But continuing to build new coal-fired plants will leave producers with only bad options toward a net-zero future by 2050.”
The report suggests five actions for the sector to eliminate carbon emissions by 2050. It includes increasing the amount of recycled steel, especially in China, and producing clean energy for electric furnaces. The industry should blend hydrogen in existing coal-and gas-based plants to lower green hydrogen costs and design all-new manufacturing capacity to be hydrogen or carbon capture-ready. It must retrofit or close any remaining coal-fired plants by 2050.
The production of green steel from hydrogen and electric furnaces will need a significant amount of clean energy and a shift towards higher iron ore grades. Brazil and Russia have access to high-quality iron ore reserves and ample clean energy. Brazil is expected to have one of the lowest costs for hydrogen production by 2030, as per BNEF. India and South Africa also have significant iron ore reserves and the potential to generate a large amount of cheap and clean power.
However, Australia, the world’s largest iron ore producer, produces lower-grade iron ores. It could lose its number one place in the supply chain if it does not upgrade its product.
China, home to 57% of the world’s steelmaking capacity, will play a pivotal role, and its path to lower emission will set the direction for the industry. The country aims to focus first on enhancing recycling and energy efficiency before adopting hydrogen and carbon capture technologies.
BNEF said policymakers’ support for industrial decarbonization could decide for steelmakers. Subsidies for technologies like hydrogen and carbon capture tax credits in the pending Build Back Better Bill of the U.S. could help green steel to compete with fossil-fuel-based production.
The report said most of the costs to make green steel come from operations. Therefore, reducing green hydrogen costs is crucial, and BNEF expects the cost to fall over 80% by 2050 to under $1/kg in most parts of the world.
Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology predicted the price of green hydrogen to fall to $2.50/kg or less by 2030.
According to Rystad Energy research, the global pipeline of utility-scale green hydrogen developments- projects with capacities greater than 1 MW now exceeds 60 GW, with 87% of this capacity coming from gigawatt-scale projects.
Harsh Shukla is a staff reporter at Mercom India. Previously with Indian Express, he has covered general interest stories. He holds a Masters Degree in Journalism from Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune.