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Take On The Giants of Education Maths and Literacy, Add A Little Fun
4.12.2017 | BY JOSEPHINE LISTER
Literacy and maths – they're the giants of education. No one denies their importance and they're pretty much the two things that continue to matter all the way from the start of school to the very end. Every school wants to do well in them and every student needs good grades in them for jobs and university applications. Pretty intimidating right?
For those who are bound to strict subject guidelines never fear – we have found some invigorating ways to make even the oldest and most stubborn of subjects joyful. Take literacy for example.
Literacy is a mainstay tentpole of education and is still considered one of the key areas teachers and students should focus on. What with the internet creating a never-ending blank canvas for content – competent creative writers have never been in higher demand. However as literacy is a subject everyone is forced to take motivational issues can become a problem over time, especially with boys who are particularly at risk of disengaging from literacy and suffering from poor writing skills.
Night Zookeeper gets to the heart of motivational issues by providing a digital environment that energises literacy and makes writing a fun and colourful experience. Issues of motivation have been approached from the child's point of view and a love for writing is inspired through stories, characters and games which motivate children to produce their best writing. Work can also be published on a class blog which gives the students a sense of audience and purpose for their writing for further motivation.
Poetry is often seen as a dying art, one which isn't important or relevant anymore even though school curriculums will often keep poetry on the syllabus. However, whether your students are into rap and hip-hop or spend every spare moment on Instagram – their lives are being influenced by poetry. The rise of insta-poets, the long-standing attraction of rap music and the shortening of attention spans – meaning short-form content is actually back on the rise – means poetry has never been more relevant.
Ting Ting Poetry is reinvigorating poetry education in China by using music, art and television to create and use songs that are entertaining and appealing to students. Songs help make it easier for children to understand the meaning of a poem and by allowing students to sing and write songs with poems, and record and share these online, they're bringing the fun of music and the ease of modern technology into traditional poetry education.
The rise of insta-poets, the long-standing attraction of rap music and the shortening of attention spans – meaning short-form content is actually back on the rise – means poetry has never been more relevant.
Whereas literacy is a particularly prevalent issue for boys, maths is often equally difficult to engage girls in and can start occurring from a very early age. This creates issues later down the line where we have too few women working in the STEM industries. This may seem like a simple choice issue, but any industry that suffers from chronic underrepresentation is going to have negative knock on effects for society as a whole.
SHINE for Girls is an after-school programme founded in the US, combining formal dance training with mathematic instruction to help young girls become confident and capable mathematicians. The programme is based on the idea that every girl is good at maths – they just might not know it yet.
The girls work in teams to solve tough challenges, showing determination and setting high expectations of themselves to boost morale and self-esteem. Team problem-solving sessions are led by a mentor, who can be a female STEM university student or a school student who has graduated from the SHINE for Girls programme. The mentors help to create a sense of community and encouragement and also provide the girls with inspirational role models in the field of STEM.
Even the basics of maths can be shaken up with a bit of fun, Times Tables Rockstars is a gamified, child friendly approach that takes the boredom out of learning times tables. Children are inspired to become 'rockstars' through fun and structured daily practice. The programme is gradual and sustainable, covering a different times table each week and blending division with multiplication to strengthen mathematical understanding. The rockstar theme makes learning times tables something inspiring rather than boring and teachers can create an exciting atmosphere by wearing outrageous rock wigs, using inflatable guitar props and playing rock anthems. Of course this approach is much more engaging, exciting and fun, after all what kid doesn't want to be a rockstar?
Although education can very much seem like a David and Goliath situation – whether it be the teacher vs governing or evaluating bodies or the student vs literacy or maths, taking down those big monsters and emerging triumphant can be helped along with a little fun. So go ahead, sprinkle a little fun over those lessons and watch the joy (and learning) grow.
Night Zookeeper
A digital learning tool that inspires children to create their own characters who live in a magical
Times Tables Rock Stars creates confident and competent maths learners by securing the foundation of
SHINE for Girls
SHINE for Girls empowers young women to value their own potential and capabilities within Science, T
TingTing Poetry Education
A new way to teach traditional poetry education using music, art & television to create & use songs
Reading, A Romantic Reverie Or The Key To Unlocking A Child's Future?
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Enough With Gender Boundaries, We All Need To Learn To Cry
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How Do We Save Our Fractured Democracies? Create A Generation Of Critical Thinkers
In a world where 'expert' is a dirty word and the truth is suddenly not as meaningful as 'alternativ
Putting The Arts Back Where They Belong - At The Heart of STEM
Some still see the arts and sciences as mutually exclusive - but try telling that to geniuses like Da Vinci or Einstein. Check out these innovative practises putting arts at the centre of STEM learnin
What Do You Do When A Student Can't Write?
Reece thought he was bad at writing because he couldn't remember how to spell words and his handwriting was messy. But that's nothing to do with being a writer, writing is about imagination, passion a
Lissette Rojas: What Makes You Dance? Follow It And You Will Succeed
Lissette Rojas is the CEO and Co-Founder of Trix & Trax, a platform that discovers and develops talent through live events and social media, helping children to develop passion, confidence and life sk
The Tech Edit: 8 Ways To Introduce Worthwhile Tech Into The Classroom
Choosing which technology to incorporate into the classroom can be an overwhelming experience. Out of all the shiny products vying for your attention which should you choose to spend your precious sch


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Home Americas US & Canada Canada: Erin O'Toole elected Conservative Party leader
Canada: Erin O'Toole elected Conservative Party leader
TRENTON, Canada
Erin O'Toole was declared as the new Conservative Party of Canada leader early Monday morning after a delay caused by thousands of ballots that were damaged by vote counting machines.
O'Toole, 47, a former Royal Canadian Air Force officer, defeated Peter MacKay, who was the favorite going in and held a narrow edge in the first round of voting.
However, MacKay lost after fellow candidate Leslyn Lewis dropped out following the second ballot and directed her supporters to O'Toole who was elected on the third round of voting. Lewis was the first Black woman to run for the Conservative Party leadership.
In his first speech following the victory, O'Toole said the Conservatives needed to appeal to more Canadians if the party wanted to topple Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's ruling Liberals.
"I believe that whether you are Black, white, brown or from any race or creed, whether you are LGBT or straight, whether you are an Indigenous Canadian or have joined the Canadian family three weeks ago or three generations ago" you can find a home in the Conservative Party, he said.
O'Toole entered politics in 2012 and won election to represent the Toronto area riding of Durham, Ontario. He had left the military in 2003 and enrolled in university, specializing in corporate law and energy regulation.
After his 2012 election, he served in then-prime minister Stephen Harper's cabinet as minister of veteran Affairs.
The Conservative Party is, as the name suggests, more to the right than the governing Liberals.
O'Toole reflected that as he promised to balance a Liberal budget deficit bloated by billions of dollars due to cash infusions to counter the economic effects of the pandemic.
As well, he vowed to establish a royal commission on pandemics to ready Canada for "future threats."
On foreign policy, O'Toole pledges a hard line approach particularly when dealing with the Chinese government, where tensions have flared over the arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou at the request of the Americans and who is undergoing an extradition hearing. China struck back with the arrest of Canadians, the imposition of death penalties four others, and bans on various agriculture imports from Canada.
O'Toole ran on a more traditional conservative platform than MacKay, and promised Members of Parliament would be allowed to vote their conscience on issues like abortion. However, he said he personally was pro-choice and supported same-sex marriage.
O'Toole replaces former leader Andrew Scheer, who resigned after losing the 2019 election to Trudeau. O'Toole ran in the 2015 Conservative leadership convention but lost to Scheer.
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"…that John Marshall, the longest-serving Chief Justice of the United States (1801-35), was also the author of one of the first biographies of George Washington? "
The Maryland Historical Society Library Reading Room
The H. Furlong Baldwin Library of the Maryland Historical Society depends heavily on the generosity of history-minded donors, volunteers, and interns.
Personal or family papers
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If you have materials you like MDHS to consider accepting into its library collection, please fill out our item history form, which can be emailed to specialcollections@mdhs.org.
The library seeks more books on Maryland history and genealogy for its collection. Needed are historical and genealogical reference books and good scholarly books relating to the American Revolution, Civil War, slavery, civil rights, maritime history, and similar topics. Published family histories for families which have some tie to Maryland are also welcomed.
To donate books, please contact Francis O'Neill, senior reference librarian at 410-685-3750, ext. 359, or reference@mdhs.org.
Donate Personal or Family Papers
Historians study all kinds of topics, including family life, childhood, and other personal experiences. They are interested in people from all walks of life, rich and poor, black and white, male and female. Please consider donating your Maryland-related personal or family papers to the Maryland Historical Society.
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Due to the fact that we receive many requests for copies of the images in our collections, we ask that if you own the copyright on the images, you grant to MdHS the right to reproduce, display, publish, and sell copies of the image.
Please consider donating your Maryland-related photographs to the Maryland Historical Society.
To donate photographs, please contact the Special Collections Librarian at 410-685-3750, ext. 359, or specialcollections@mdhs.org. If we are not the right repository for your collection, we will try to help you find an appropriate institution.
Donate Genealogical Research
One resource for genealogical researchers is research done by others. People have been submitting that research to the MdHS for more than 100 years.
If you have done research on Maryland families and would like to donate copies to share with other researchers, we would be happy to accept it if you sources are documented in detail, the material is well-organized, and it relates to one or more Maryland families.
For your donation, please:
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Send a letter clearly stating that you are donating this material and giving permission to duplicate and distribute it. This will allow us to photocopy, scan, microfilm, or otherwise preserve it. It also will allow us to give other researchers the right to copy material to the extent allowed by copyright law's "Fair Use" provisions.
Include either in the above letter or on a separate piece of paper a one-paragraph description of the material, listing the related family names included in it.
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If you have home movies, videocassettes, or other unique moving images that document events in Maryland history or the lives of Marylanders, please consider donating them. We are interested in materials:
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Donate Maps, Prints, Ephemera, and
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For maps, please check our Online Map Inventory to see if we already have a copy. If we do not, please contact us to see if we would like to add your map to our collection. If we do have a copy of the map you'd like to donate, but its condition is noted in the inventory as being poor, please contact us, as we would rather have a copy that is in better shape.
For prints and broadsides, we have only a small part of our collection listed online. Please contact us to determine our interest.
For ephemera, we collect in a variety of categories. Please see How to Find Ephemera for a complete listing of the categories.
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Here are a few photos of the new Airfix Me262B in 1:72 which I built for Airfix Model World recently. This is a lovely little kit which as you can see, builds up into a pretty great looking 262. This was out-the-box save for some Eduard seatbelts and uses Eagle Cals decals for Red 10. Hope you like the photos!
I agree, it's a lovely model, the mottling is very fine and precise for such a small scale. Thanks for sharing Alan!
Vey nice Alan, I enjoyed the article as well in AMW!
Fantastic mottling. I haven't managed that soft-edged effect on any of my mottling jobs. Well done. Bought myself a better airbrush recently but it's so far untried. Maybe that's the answer.
Great Schwalbe, Alan! It looks larger than 1/72nd. I thought it was AT LEAST 1/48th. But NO! Great mottled camo, too.


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By Deron Wagner | April 23, 2008
The stock market sustained its first day of substantial losses in more than a week, as higher turnover confirmed the bearishness of yesterday's session. The major indices opened slightly lower, chopped around throughout the morning, then made another leg lower at mid-day. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.8%, the S&P 500 0.9%, and the Nasdaq Composite 1.3%. The small-cap Russell 2000 suffered a 2.0% decline, as the S&P Midcap 400 shed 1.4%. All the main stock market indexes closed in the bottom third of their intraday ranges.
Volume surged higher across the board, indicating the presence of institutional selling. Total volume in the NYSE increased 20% above the previous day's level, while volume in the Nasdaq swelled 19%. Yesterday was the first "distribution day" for both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite since April 9. A healthy market can normally absorb at least three such days of institutional selling within a four-week period, but just two to three "distribution days" could send the bulls packing when in a primary bear market (which we still are). It's positive that the broad market scored three bullish "accumulation days" last week, but remember that volume levels remained below average each time. Be on the lookout for further losses on higher volume. Such action could give us an early heads-up, ahead of the crowd, that institutions are about to send the stock market lower.
One of the few ETFs consolidating at its all-time high and positioned for a breakout is the DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund (DBC). Comprised of a diverse mix of actual commodities futures contracts, rather than individual stocks, DBC has been benefiting from the strong global demand for various commodities. The pie chart below illustrates the composition of the index that DBC mirrors:
Source: dbfunds.db.com
Next, take a look at the daily chart of DBC:
DBC corrected from its strong uptrend in mid-March, but perfectly found support at its 50-day moving average on March 20, then again on April 1 and 2. These successful tests of 50-day MA support are circled in pink on the chart above. Just a few weeks later, DBC has fully recovered back to its prior all-time highs. The consolidation of the past week has been tight, enabling the 10 and 20-day moving averages to rise up and provide support (the dashed purple line and solid beige line, respectively). If DBC breaks out convincingly above its prior high (the red dashed horizontal line), it will be buyable. Yesterday, DBC traded eight cents above its March high, but that did not count as a breakout. We require stocks and ETFs to trade at least 10 to 15 cents above key levels of price resistance before buying. This reduces the odds of getting stuck in a false breakout.
In this Monday's issue of The Wagner Daily, we illustrated how both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite had run into resistance of their prior highs from February 1. With mixed results on Tuesday and a higher volume sell-off yesterday, those levels of price resistance are proving to be formidable. Nevertheless, it's certainly too early to declare the death of the intermediate-term uptrend off the mid-March lows. Significant countertrend bounces in primary bear markets typically end only after most of the short sellers have been washed out and the general public starts to feel somewhat confident about the market again. At that time, the other shoe often drops, leading the lambs to the slaughter.
Frankly, it seems too obvious for the intermediate-term rally to end here, cleanly and precisely at resistance of the February highs in the S&P and Nasdaq. We believe a more likely scenario is for the major indices to make another leg up and test resistance of their six-month downtrend lines that we thoroughly analyzed in yesterday's commentary. A few days of closing prices above the actual downtrend lines would not even be surprising, just to suck in the bulls one last time. Obviously, we cannot rule out the possibility that last Friday's rally was indeed the absolute high of the intermediate-term rally, but we have not yet seen enough evidence to confidently begin selling short at the present time. While the market tries to figure out its next move over the next several days, cash may be the best position. We've netted solid profits over the past month, so we're satisfied with being "flat and happy" right now, preserving those realized gains.
DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund (DBC)
Shares = 300
Trigger = 39.51 (above yesterday's high)
Stop = 38.52 (below yesterday's low)
Target = new high (will trail stop)
Dividend Date = n/a
Notes = See commentary above for explanation of this setup. Note we are using a relatively tight stop, just below yesterday's low. With this setup, we want to immediately "be right or be right out." Further, our initial share size is small, limiting risk to just $300, but we plan to add to the position upon confirmation the breakout will hold. Since cash may be the best position in the market right now, any new trades will be sized with lower than usual capital risk.
INP long (200 shares from April 15 entry) – bought 67.97, sold 71.33, points = + 3.36, net P/L = + $668
INP hit our tightened stop yesterday morning, enabling us to close the trade with a solid gain. We are now "flat and happy," after having locked in substantial gains over the past month.


It is possible to apply for a visa within the Embassy. In order to do that you need to submit a filled out Visa Application Form (complete with all relevant information and a photo) to our front desk. You can get a form from the Embassy or download and print one for yourself from the attached pdf. Please glue the picture rather than stapling it. As indicated, the dates should all be written in the order of day-month-year. Once your application has been filled out, please deliver it manually to our address (indicated above), as we no longer accept e-mailed documentation. Please take to the note that if there is an issue with your application you may need to resubmit it.
1. An appropriate proof of identity (such as a personal ID or a driver's license).
2. A signed passport that is valid for at least 6 months from the date of departure.
3. You should make a copy of the biodata page of your passport, which has been signed to be identical to the original, and arrange it so that it fits vertically into the upper left half of a standard A4 Letter size paper (Keep in mind that the Embassy needs both the copy and the original of your passport in order to process them properly).
4. A letter of invitation (LOI) certified by the State Migration service of Turkmenistan, which you received from the person or company that you are visiting.
5. It's very important to note that aforementioned LOI will only be valid for 3 months from the date of certification.
6. If you are only a tourist and will not be visiting anyone in particular, then you need to contact a Travel agency and obtain the LOI from them.
7. All foreign citizens are required to be in possession of a valid visa during their stay in Turkmenistan.
8. Also required to submit a money order to the Embassy. The prices vary depending on several factors. For a complete list, please refer to the table below. All prices are in US dollars.


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TSA's gun policy: Confiscate it, Instagram it
by Katie Lobosco @KatieLobosco July 9, 2013: 4:58 PM ET
The Transportation Security Administration posts pictures of confiscated guns and knives to its new Instagram account.
Psst, wanna see some artsy photos of guns and knives? Check out a new U.S. government social media account.
On June 27, the Transportation Security Administration began posting photos on Instagram of confiscated guns, knives, fireworks and even a stun gun disguised as a pack of Marlboro cigarettes. With just 11 photos posted, the TSA has already attracted more than 40,000 followers.
TSA's blog team writes descriptions of the items. "Fireworks don't fly. (On planes)," the team wrote on a picture of confiscated fireworks a week before July 4.
Readers are chiming in, too. A photo of a firearm discovered in a carry-on bag, loaded, at the airport in Albuquerque garnered more than 800 "likes" and 100 comments.
The Instagram account is a way to engage with the traveling public, according to a TSA spokesman.
Sometimes the blog team responds to comments. In one reply, it explained how passengers who try to go through security with a firearm usually get a citation and can face a fine as high as $7,500. The exact penalties vary in each state.
It's not only guns and weapons that are prohibited in your carry-on. The TSA also prohibits more common items like some scissors, baseball bats, and, of course, liquids and gels in containers larger than 3.4 ounces. The contraband often ends up in state-run stores, where the items are heavily discounted.
Those commenting on the TSA's posts include some critics ("Maybe tagging guns as #instacool and #instagood isn't the best idea," one wrote), but the account also has fans. "Post more often, this is amazing and informative!!" one Instagram user wrote.
TSA's bloggers are social-media enthusiasts. The agency also posts videos to YouTube that offer tips on making the screening process easier and offers real-time help to travelers via Twitter.
CNNMoney (New York) First published July 9, 2013: 2:05 PM ET


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Fraser's Fun House
Lifestyle | Parenting | Family
Book Review: Getting Over Gary By Jessica Redland
October 4, 2018 January 7, 2019 Melanie Fraser
Back in June I took part in the Blog Tour Searching For Steven, the first book in the Whitsborough Bay series by Jessica Redland. Shortly after Jessica contacted me asking if I would like to read the other two books in the series and I couldn't agree fast enough. Due to a huge TBR pile it has taken me a while to get round reading them, however today i'd like to share my review of book 2; Getting Over Gary. Massive thanks to Jessica for sending me her novels.
How do you move on when life keeps throwing surprises at you?
Elise married her childhood sweetheart, Gary, straight out of college, and they've been happy together for over twelve years. Elise is now desperate to start a family, but Gary doesn't seem to share her enthusiasm anymore. Arriving home early from a party, she discovers why: Gary's been keeping a secret from her. A very big secret.
While her own marriage appears to be falling apart, being a supportive bridesmaid for her best friend, Sarah, isn't easy. Especially not when Clare, her nemesis from day one, is one of the other bridesmaids. If she's going to get through it, she needs to put her own feelings aside, find herself again, and get over Gary, fast.
Could recently-divorced Daniel be the tonic Elise needs, or is he full of secrets and lies too? Is his hostile, but strangely attractive brother, Michael, the genuine article instead? And why do the good guys like Stevie turn her down?
But then Elise discovers she has a secret of her own and getting over Gary suddenly becomes the least of her worries…
Their relationship hasn't been smooth sailing of late but when Elsie discovers Gary has been keeping a secret from her it's the final nail in the coffin. Having been best friends and childhood sweethearts they have spent the whole of their adult life as a couple and being jolted into life as a singleton isn't an easy transition for Elsie. For a start she has no idea who the 'real' Elsie is when no longer one half of a couple. Before she can begin the journey to finding herself though she meets smooth talking Daniel. Like Elsie, he too has had his heart broken, but is jumping into a rebound relationship the right thing to do?
On top of her relationship problems poor Elsie is also trying to juggle her demanding teaching job, bridesmaid duties for best friend Sarah as well as supporting her pregnant sister Jess. It's all becoming too much for her to cope with and she finds herself pushed even closer to braking point when she is forced to lie to those closest to her. Where will the web of secrets and lies end and will there be a happy ending?
This book had me hooked from the very first page! Having already read the first book in the series I was familiar with the character set up and was extremely excited that Elise was to step forward as the protagonist for this sequel – she was a character I desperately wanted to get to know better!
Despite being part of a series, this book would work equally well as a stand alone novel as there is plenty of detail and information provided in terms of back story. I did however feel by reading Searching for Steven* first it gave this story a little more depth and enriched my enjoyment somewhat.
Anyway, back to my thoughts on Getting Over Gary! This book is a thoroughly entertaining rollercoaster ride full of emotion. One moment I would be laughing the next reading through eyes blurred with tears, this story really has it all!
I found myself empathising with both Elsie and Gary as they separately worked through the heartache of their marriage breakdown and subsequent divorce, something I hadn't anticipated at the outset. In fact, I found myself heavily invested in a majority of the characters as they drew me into their lives, testament to how well-written the story is.
Jessica has an a wonderfully easy style of writing that keeps the story flowing and me wanting to read more. I finished the book in a day and can't wait to devour the next instalment from Whitsborough Bay,Dreaming About Daran* . Getting Over Gary is a fantastic chick-lit that had me on the edge of my seat right until the end wondering if Elsie would ever find her 'Happy Ever After'. A real feel-good read that left me grinning from ear to ear. Highly recommended !
Jessica had never considered writing as a career until a former manager kept telling her that her business reports read more like stories and she should write a book. She loved writing but had no plot ideas. Then something happened to her that prompted the premise for her debut novel, Searching for Steven. She put fingers to keyboard and soon realised she had a trilogy and a novella!
She lives on the stunning North Yorkshire Coast – the inspiration for the settings in her books – with her husband, daughter, cat, Sprocker Spaniel, and an ever-growing collection of collectible teddy bears. Although if the dog has her way, the collection will be reduced to a pile of stuffing and chewed limbs!
Jessica tries to balance her time – usually unsuccessfully – between being an HR tutor and writing.
To read more about Jessica you can visit her website or why not check out her social media; Twitter and Facebook
Getting Over Gary is available to purchase from Amazon*
** I was gifted a copy of his book in return for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own
book review Books Chick Lit Reading review Whitsborough Bay
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5 thoughts on "Book Review: Getting Over Gary By Jessica Redland"
Aw, thank you so much. I'm so glad you enjoyed Elise's story. This is such a lovely review and I massively appreciate you taking the time to squeeze in reading the rest of the trilogy, especially when it's not part of a blog tour. You're an absolute star and I can't wait to hear your thoughts on Clare's story, as and when you managed to fit that in as I'm sure you're probably bursting to the brim with Christmas books now! xx
Melanie Fraser says:
The pleasure is all mine Jessica, I'm so glad you enjoyed my review. I've just started reading Clare's story and I'm so excited to see what happens as she has always come across pretty aloof.
I'm so excited you've started it already! It's my favourite of the three and you will discover why Clare's the way she is 🙂
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Review: Good Stuff Drinks - Low Alcohol Drinks For The Health Conscious
Christmas Gift Guides 2018: For Kids
Festive Traditions: Blogger Edition
Book Review: The Garden Of Lost And Found By Harriet Evans
Our Tree Of Memories
Book Review: Rocket Boy By Katie Jennings & Joe Lillington
Days Out, Events & Holiday's
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text:
Q: implementing hapi-joi conditional schema I would like a schema for query wherein if id is present then any other params that might be present are ignored. However, if id is not present, then validation conditions apply wherein some params are required. In other words, something like so
query: {
    id: Joi.number()
        .description("record id. All other query params are ignored if id is provided.")
        .integer()
        .positive()
        .optional(),

    everythingElse: {
        foo: Joi.string()
            .required(),

        bar: Joi.string()
            .required(),

        baz: Joi.string()
            .optional(),

        qux: Joi.string()
            .optional()
    }
}

Is the above possible? Reading Joi syntax, it seems I will have to put a when('id', {is: Joi.number().positive().integer(), then: Joi.optional(), otherwise: Joi.required() }) clause in every the definition of every required param.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


If your vacation preferences include getting away from the hustle and bustle of city life, but you'd prefer more to do than lounge by the pool, taking a trip to a tiny town may be just what the doctor ordered. Parking's rarely a drag and crowds don't usually develop unless there's an annual festival or fair taking place. Ancient architecture, a vintage Main Street and disarming desert sunsets can be accessed in these three destinations. All of them are tiny. All have their treasures to offer travelers in search of a relaxing getaway.
Sirmione, Italy: Near the southern end of Lake Garda is the tiny picturesque gem of Sirmione. Once parked, you enter the town across a footbridge through the old castle wall. Easily strolled in a day, the islet offers a number of galleries, cafes, gelato shops and eateries along with free waterfront walking trails where you can stop to take a dip in the lake or continue on to explore the Grotte di Catullo, an extensive set of ancient Roman ruins. As you make your way back by looping through scenic streets adorned with bougainvilleas, take time to explore the tiny church on your right just prior to the exit and also spend a few minutes taking in the castle remains.
Belmont, North Carolina: A short distance from the city of Charlotte one will find the tiny town of Belmont. Blessed with a retro-style historic Main Street lined with options for classic ice cream cones, atmospheric eateries and old-school general store shopping, it's a great place for an overnight getaway or day trip. If you arrive in the morning, you can grab gourmet coffee and Wi-Fi access at Caravan Coffee on South Main across from the town park. It boasts couches for lounging and outdoor tables if you prefer your Joe al fresco. From there you can head to Belmont Abbey, which houses a Benedictine monastery, striking basilica and an outdoor prayer grotto reachable by a short walking trail. It's a free activity, and a peaceful and contemplative way to start your day.
Another must-see area attraction is the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. The $12 admission ticket will provide relaxed entertainment for the rest of the morning and part of the afternoon with access to the orchid conservatory, willow maze a number of strolling gardens and two distinct hiking loops. For an afternoon snack, be sure to hit Tastebuds, which offers more than 150 flavors of popcorn you can enjoy while taking in the rest of the town by foot.
Tubac, Arizona: An easy daytrip from the city of Tucson, the tiny artists' town of Tubac offers lazy gallery shopping with a funky desert vibe. Everything from giant clay pots and hand-forged iron furniture to custom jewelry and unique paintings can be found for sale here, as well as local cuisine and a mean margarita if one is so inclined. Attractions include the Tubac Presidio State Historic Park which lies on the location of the state's first European settlement. The park features adobe ruins, a furnished 1885 schoolhouse and other structures. A number of other historic attractions are within 30 miles of the creative colony, including the Whipple Observatory, the Titan Missile Museum and Tumacacori National Historical Park, which is home to the remains of a Spanish mission church.
Myscha Theriault is an internationally-syndicated travel contributor to Tribune News Service. Her work has appeared in publications around the world, including newspapers and magazines such as The Los Angeles Times, the Chicago Tribune and the Atlanta Journal Constitution.


text:
<?php

/*
 * This file is part of the BeSimpleSoapCommon.
 *
 * (c) Christian Kerl <christian-kerl@web.de>
 * (c) Francis Besset <francis.besset@gmail.com>
 * (c) Andreas Schamberger <mail@andreass.net>
 *
 * This source file is subject to the MIT license that is bundled
 * with this source code in the file LICENSE.
 */

namespace BeSimple\SoapServer;

use BeSimple\SoapCommon\SoapKernel as CommonSoapKernel;
use BeSimple\SoapCommon\SoapRequest;
use BeSimple\SoapCommon\SoapResponse;

/**
 * SoapKernel for Server.
 *
 * @author Andreas Schamberger <mail@andreass.net>
 */
class SoapKernel extends CommonSoapKernel
{
    /**
     * {@inheritDoc}
     */
    public function filterRequest(SoapRequest $request)
    {
        parent::filterRequest($request);

        $this->attachments = $request->getAttachments();
    }

    /**
     * {@inheritDoc}
     */
    public function filterResponse(SoapResponse $response)
    {
        $response->setAttachments($this->attachments);
        $this->attachments = array();

        parent::filterResponse($response);
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Happy to finally find the time to catch up again, even though it was only for a brief anniversary lunch. I like to call our group 'Triopreneur' because we've participated in the same exhibitions together before, and our collections can be found at the same store, Alun Alun Indonesia. It truly has been great to know that I'm not alone, and as creatives, we truly go through similar experiences. Once again I'd like to express my sincerest gratitude for all the sharing, learning and understanding. Let's keep our passion burning bright, and our creative spirit alive!
For more information about The Y Label please visit the brand's Official Blog.
New Moon in Gemini: Your soul may not be able to speak, but your actions can.
Let your soul speak through your actions.
What are we trying to say? What message are we trying to get across? Are we speaking clearly enough so that others can hear us correctly? Are we expressing ourself correctly (enough) so that others can understand us more clearly? Know that what we choose to be, shows who we are. What we choose to do, defines who we are.
There may be times in our life when it's easier to express who we are, and times when it is not so easy. This is because we may not always listen to what our soul is trying to tell us. Perhaps we are too busy to notice it, or perhaps we simply choose to ignore it. Regardless of what we choose to say, we are speaking either from the mind, or from the heart and soul. And when we speak from our soul, we express ourself more authentically. Helping others in our world to understand us better, and to connect with us in a more genuine way. As we keep in touch with our soul, we become ourself more fully - inspiring us to keep on learning, as well as to keep our heart and mind open to the mysteries, marvels and miracles of life.
Happy New Moon! The Moon is joining with Mercury, Mars and the Sun in Gemini, marking an especially dynamic and expressive New Moon in the sign of the Twins. Ruling the Third House in Astrology - or the House of Communication, Geminis are known for their restless and energetic nature, as well as their clever and witty mind. They can be extremely independent, and they refuse to be pinned down by anyone. They are also creative with words and are open to learning anything that stimulates the mind. It may take some time for them to get beyond superficialities - as they prefer to keep things light and playful, but once they do, they can have interesting thoughts and ideas. Planet Mercury is the ruling planet of Gemini, and like the winged messenger, brings to us inspiration, quick thinking, reasoning, and the ability to rationalize things. After spending around 3 weeks going retrograde in the sign, Mercury is now direct, moving our mind forward, guiding us to think more clearly and speak more creatively.
The Moon is forming a square to Neptune Rx and Chiron, and it is best to proceed with caution as we speak from the heart. If it is with a friend, speak honestly and directly. If it is with someone we really care about, speak with love behind our words. There could be moments when we feel a little overwhelmed, because it may have been a while since our last break. Try to be as free as we can with our mind, it will play an important part in helping us feel more at ease. Take the time to make our wishes known. Say it out loud to the universe, perhaps while we are standing under a starry sky. Our dreams carry good messages now, so try to take note of their hidden meanings. Remember that anything can be done when we really put our mind into it. It is also good to refuse to be sidetracked by anyone at this time. We might feel the need to avoid someone or something that could be bothering us. Our mind can be a gateway to a great escape. Even if we are just sitting on a park bench, we will have no problem with our imagination as our enthusiasm sets in once again.
With the Moon's sextile to Venus, Jupiter and Uranus, we could be learning something important from our heart. Let loose a bit, step out of our circle and allow ourself to be surprised for once. It is better to follow our true emotions and to let our relationships restructure themselves accordingly. It's a time to step things up, and to push a little until we are on the road we choose to be. Good things we do will be noticed by others. Good things we say will be picked up by many ears. We will see an opportunity to say the right thing, catching someone at the right moment. This is the time to prove to others that we mean what we say, not just for them, but also for our own sense of well being. Just like everything related to the Third House - where Gemini rules, this could be a busy energetic period, so getting enough sleep at night will be essential. New pursuits are strongly indicated for the week and someone could appear to be a source of inspiration to us. Seize this opportunity to do what we can to move forward in life. The exchange of ideas with a friend, probably from afar, can help us see things under a new light and approach things from a different angle.
Now is the perfect moment for us to act on our inspirations. The doors are open, and they say: Live on!
For more of my astro updates please visit my Facebook Page.
Full Moon in Sagittarius: Speak your truth, not to defend your truth, but to express your authentic voice.
Whenever we speak, we have the choice to speak our truth either from the mind or the heart. Still, wherever the truth may come from, its essence is always embedded within us, unaltered and enduring. Some might even say that the truth is subjective, because we have our own personal values and views about what we believe to be the truth. But where would that leave us? Nowhere, really. As the Earth has always been a place of diversity and inclusion. A place of growth and change. A place where humans, animals, and nature collaborate, coordinate and coexist. What will ultimately matter in the end is what we do with what we believe to be the truth. Whether it elevates us and others in our world, or whether it brings us more feelings of separation and fear. We now have the capacity to move beyond our past limitations and outdated beliefs, and to rise above negativity to follow our highest vision. Trust our gut.
Happy Full Strawberry Moon! The Moon in Sagittarius is opposite Mercury Rx, the Sun and Mars in Gemini, marking an especially vibrant and vigorous Full Moon in the sign of the Centaur. Ruling the 9th House in Astrology, Sagittarians seem to be in a lifelong quest for truth and meaning in their lives. They are quite energetic, adventurous, curious, and are often guided by their optimistic outlook and positive disposition. They can be pretty clumsy, blunt or insensitive at times, but they generally have good intentions, therefore have others' best interests at heart. The name Strawberry Moon comes from the peak harvesting season for strawberries in North America, which occurs in June. However, strawberries aren't native in Europe, which is why it is also known as the Rose Moon, a time when roses bloom.
With the Moon forming a square to Neptune and opposition to Mercury Rx and Mars, something has got to change, it all starts from within. Something we do or say could determine how our week unfolds. We have an instinct on moves to make so that we know when to share our thoughts. Do not hesitate to say no when it feels right to do so. Our real strength will be revealed when faced with a choice. There is an excitable energy in the air that could find us going in circles. Take a deep breath, and make our list. Once we have done that, we'll be able to bring our focus back and make the right decision. Another good way to beat those blues and confusion would be to sleep them off and wake up the next day with a new way to see. Know that sometimes it is not so important how we approach a situation, but that we put energy, action, and intention into achieving whatever it is we want to achieve.
The Moon is also forming a trine to Uranus and Jupiter, and we are reminded that one of the wonderful things about life is that we never stop learning. This is a great time to set new goals and to take control of those plans we have for the future. The Full Moon brings us the necessary boldness and initiative to make commitments in areas we are ready to start with. Our ideas will make way for more expansion and opportunities to explore new directions. Our imagination will be working at a higher speed than usual, helping us to see things from a different perspective. This brings a realization that we may have had a change of heart that has altered our way of thinking. And now we are ready for a lifestyle that will fit our new passions and interests.
of inspiration and magic along the way.


Since its launch in 2014, Honeywell's Assurance 360 services program has transformed control system maintenance and operations at industrial plants around the world. The Assurance 360 program is part of Honeywell's Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) portfolio of technologies that go beyond traditional transactional approaches to maintenance and support that prescribe quantities of materials or labor.
Through the tiered program, plants have reduced overall incidents, improving uptime and productivity, by as much as 40 percent. Assurance 360 was also designed to help facilities reduce production waste by up to 30 percent, cutting operating expenses and increasing output. These improvements help plants reduce their total cost of ownership by up to 20 percent.
The Assurance 360 program is part of Honeywell's Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) portfolio of technologies that go beyond traditional transactional approaches to maintenance and support that prescribe quantities of materials or labor.
An international network of performance experts provides on-site maintenance and support to Assurance 360 customers across the globe in industries that include refining, petrochemicals and mining. This SaaS approach enables Honeywell to provide the necessary hardware and software optimization to meet desired outcomes and achieve long-term goals—allowing manufacturers to focus on core business operations.


If you've ever ordered an Old Fashioned or a Manhattan, you've no doubt seen your bartender dash a minute helping of Angostura bitters into the glass. That little bottle, with its oversized label and bold yellow cap, is a bar staple, and a little goes a long way. At 45 percent ABV, the aromatic bitters are so intensely flavored that they're considered "non potable" in any quantity greater than a few dashes.
It turns out that a large measure of the gentian-flavored bitters also goes a long way in making a cocktail trendy—and delicious. Enter the Trinidad Sour.
In 2009, bartender extraordinaire Giuseppe González, then head bartender of Clover Club and now owner of Suffolk Arms, entered the sour (made with a hefty 1.5 ounces of Angostura bitters, supported by orgeat, lemon juice and a dash of rye) into a cocktail competition. He lost, but, ironically, his drink has outlasted the winning drink.
The Trinidad Sour still pops up on cocktail menus to this day, including the menu at Hay Merchant in Houston, as well as Split-Rail in Chicago, where bartender Michelle Szot created a nut-free version, the South Floral Park (below), using an oat orgeat.
Now, armed with bottles of aromatic bitters, bartenders across the country are driving the wonderfully weird trend forward, thanks, at least in part, to González's misfit sour. Though pouring 1.5 ounces of any kind of aromatic bitters into a cocktail shaker sounds a bit crazy—even by a craft bartender's standards—the finished concoctions are typically pretty tame, always considering balance above all else.
The same principle applies to Bolivar's Nog (pictured above; Angostura bitters, rum, Rougaroux 13 Pennies, brown sugar syrup, whole egg, cream, milk, orange bitters) at SoBou in New Orleans. Created by bar chef Laura Bellucci, the drink is as rich as it is interesting.
You're bound to get a "weird" flavor profile anytime there's over an ounce of bitters in a cocktail—and that's especially true when bartenders stray from classic bitters like Angostura and opt for funkier options. Inspired by The Bitter Truth's line of largely off-the-wall offerings, bartender Jamie Jennings of Hodges Bend in Tulsa, Oklahoma, created the Creole Colada using the brand's fruity, floral and spicy Creole Bitters.
The drink, as the name would imply, is a riff on the tropical Piña Colada, made with rum, pineapple juice and cream of coconut—but it also throws a few curveballs. For one, the drink packs in a full ounce of Creole Bitters, as well as a slightly smaller measure of Cognac, all topped off with a mint sprig and grapefruit peel for garnish. While these addenda may seem minor, they give the classic Colada a whole new coral-hued lease on life, with, Jennings says, a nod to The Big Easy.
"In order to balance the intense flavors of bitters, an additional amount of sweetener is typically required," says Jennings. "Additional flavoring, such as juices, or botanicals, help balance the bitters.
Not long before the Creole Colada appeared on its menu, Hodges Bend featured a cocktail called the Lakeside, which balances an ounce of vegetal celery bitters with equal parts gin, lemon juice and simple syrup, plus a pinch of salt (recipe below). And Jennings is already working out her next bitters balancing act in the form of a wintery flip made with The Bitter Truth Jerry Thomas' Own Decanter Bitters, which lean a little closer to the flavor profile found in the classic Angostura.
"The cinnamon and clove notes of the bitters pair well with cinnamon syrup, and the entire egg rounds out the drink," says Jennings. Finally, a cocktail trend that turns expectation on its head and works as beautifully with sours as it does with flips—seasons be damned.
Want to make your very own bitters-based cocktail? Try this celery-flecked take on a classic sour formula.


When Jack sells Pat, his beloved family cow, for magic beans, he soon discovers they open up an unexpected world of thrilling adventure.
Join Jack and dotty mum Dame Trott as they scale the Beanstalk, outwit the Giant and are reunited with Jill, the girl Jack loves.
Brought to you by the same team as last year's record-breaking Beauty and the Beast and 2016's Cinderella, this actor musician version of the popular panto tale is peppered with pop hits from across the decades, bundles of audience participation and hilarious slapstick.