Despite the end of the recession nearly five years ago, many of the unemployed have not found a job. The economic recovery has been marked by both a stubbornly high unemployment rate and an unprecedented increase in the duration of unemployment. Does the method of searching have a large impact on the likelihood of finding a job? Would the long-term unemployed improve their odds by changing the way they search? In this article, we delve into the methods by which job seekers look for jobs, how the methods vary in efficacy and how the distribution of methods changes over the business cycle.
We found that job seekers report using more search methods during times of recession than during economic expansion. It appears that the unemployed broaden their search when times become tough, perhaps to compensate for the negative effect of the recession on the likelihood of finding a job using any particular method.
We also found that some search methods are more effective than others, which has implications for inequality and policy. If the most effective method of finding a job were from contact with one's friends and family, the well-connected would have a significant advantage. If public employment agencies were more effective, policymakers could improve labor market conditions by encouraging their use. As we show, those who use their network connections actually find jobs at a slower rate than the average job seeker. The most effective method is to directly contact potential employers.
In addition, we found that the efficacy of job-search methods changes as the duration of unemployment increases. Previous evidence suggests that job applicants in a long unemployment spell are less likely to be invited to interview than those with shorter durations. Therefore, one might suspect that using employment services could be more effective than direct applications for the long-term unemployed. However, our evidence suggests otherwise; at long durations, the finding rates of all the methods converge on one another.
The Current Population Survey (CPS) is the main source of information on unemployment dynamics in the U.S. Because this is real-world data, it has an important limitation: An individual chooses his or her search method, rather than being randomly assigned. This means that when we observe that those choosing one type of search find jobs faster than those who choose another, it may be because one type of search is more effective, but it also may be in part because those who quickly find jobs choose one method and others choose another. With this caveat in mind, we used this dataset from 1976 to 2011 to find the frequency at which job seekers use each method, how the method affects the likelihood of finding a job and how the number of methods used changes over time.
Each month, every unemployed CPS respondent answers the question "What have you been doing in the last four weeks to find work?" The survey allows respondents to indicate one or more methods from a list of seven or, after 1994, 13. The methods are broadly categorized as either "active" or "passive." An active job search method directly brings potential employers and employees into contact and could result in a job offer without any further action from the job seeker. A passive method, such as attending a job training program or updating a resume, may eventually improve the likelihood of finding a job but does not bring job seekers and employers into direct contact. To be considered unemployed, rather than out of the labor force, respondents must use at least one active method. To analyze the data from 1976 to 2011, we reclassified responses after 1994 into the pre-1994 scheme with the new active methods appearing after 1994 reclassified as "other." New passive methods were placed into the "nothing" category, which we relabeled "passive."
SOURCES: Current Population Survey 1976-2011 and authors' calculations.
NOTE: The CPS allows job seekers to indicate multiple search methods; so the percentages do not sum to 100.
NOTE: This table shows the probability that a job seeker who used the method listed in the row also used the method listed in the column. For example, 12.6 percent of those who used a public employment agency also reported using a private employment agency. Because a single job seeker could report multiple methods, neither the rows nor the columns sum to 100 percent.
Table 1 shows the percentage of total job searches conducted over the entire period that used each method. Unsurprisingly, job seekers most commonly reported contacting potential employers directly: Nearly two-thirds of all job searches taking place from 1976 to 2011 involved direct contact. In addition to being the most common, this method was also among the most successful. Only 6.7 percent of job seekers reported using a private employment agency to find work. Those who did fared relatively poorly; this method had one of the lowest job-finding rates in the first month of unemployment, second only to using a public employment agency.
Many job seekers reported using multiple methods, some of which were more likely to be used together than others. Table 2 shows the fraction of job seekers who used the method listed in the row if they had also used the method listed in the column. For instance, among those using passive methods of search, only 46 percent also directly contacted potential employers. Thirty-four percent of those who talked to friends and family also placed or answered job ads, more often than an average searcher. Interestingly, those who reported using a public employment agency were also more likely than average to have tried a private employment agency.
The data reflect a long-observed feature of the labor market: The longer an individual is unemployed, the less likely he or she is to find a job. We also found that the longer a person is unemployed, the less it matters which method is used to search for a job: All the finding rates fall and converge with one another.
In the first month of unemployment, the job-finding rates show a fair amount of dispersion, ranging from 46 percent for those contacting an employer directly to 32 percent for those using passive search methods.
However, after a year of unemployment, the difference is only about 5 percentage points. If passive methods are excluded, the difference between the most- and least-productive job-search methods is only about 2 percentage points. Figure 1 illustrates these two features of the data: (1) that the likelihood of finding a job falls with the length of unemployment, and (2) that the method of search has little impact for the long-term unemployed.
Figure 2 shows the number of different search methods respondents reported using in the previous four weeks. As other economists have noted, this is an important statistic because it can serve as a proxy for search effort. The number of methods an individual uses increases as economic conditions worsen; the number has gradually trended up since 1994. During the prosperous late 1990s, job seekers most often reported using only one method to find a job.
However, during the recession of the early 2000s, when jobs were scarcer, the percentage of searchers who used only one method fell, while the percentage using three or more methods rose sharply. The percentage using three or more methods remained elevated through the first half of the decade, but fell slightly as economic conditions improved mid-decade. However, the fraction of respondents reporting three or more methods shot up again during the recession of the late 2000s as unemployment increased and remained elevated to the end of our sample (in the fourth quarter of 2011). Interestingly, the percentage using two methods remained quite stable over time.
SOURCES: Current Population Survey and authors' calculations.
NOTE: This figure shows the probability that an individual will find a job using a given search method as a function of the length of time that the individual has been unemployed. A higher point indicates a greater probability of finding a job. The downward sloping line indicates that the long-term unemployed are the least likely to find a job using any method.
Clark, Kim; and Summers, Lawrence. "Labor Market Dynamics and Unemployment: A Reconsideration." Brookings Papers on Economic Activity, 1979, Vol. 10, No. 1, pp. 13-72.
Kroft, Kory; Lange, Fabian; and Notowidigdo, Matthew. "Duration Dependence and Labor Market Conditions: Evidence from a Field Experiment." Quarterly Journal of Economics, Vol. 128, No. 3, August 2013, pp. 1,123-67.
Krueger, Alan; and Mueller, Andreas. "Job Search, Emotional Well-Being, and Job Finding in a Period of Mass Unemployment: Evidence from High-Frequency Longitudinal Data." Brookings Papers on Economic Activity, Spring 2011, Vol. 42, No. 1, pp. 1-81.
Shimer, Robert. "Search Intensity." Unpublished paper, 2004.


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Discover Whitewater
Top 6 Reasons to Discover Whitewater
Nestled within the trees, lakes, prairies, and hills of the Kettle Moraine State Forest in southeastern Wisconsin, is Whitewater, a city rich with opportunity and exploration.
Scenic Kettle Moraine
Whitewater is nestled in the beautiful Kettle Moraine, come join us for a hike, bike, or run.
Premier Arts Opportunities
Word class art, music, and theater are all available right on Main Street.
Elite Athletic Teams
National Championship winning UW-Whitewater athletics are not to be missed.
4th of July Festival, Whitewater Aquatic Center, Young Memorial Library, and Whitewater Makerspace are just a few of the many opportunities for people of all ages.
Walkable Community
From Downtoan to UW-Whitewater to the west side, you can walk throughout the community to take advantage of all we have here.
Enjoy the Area Lakes
Enjoy the area lakes including Whitewater Lake, Rice Lake, Cravath Lake, and Tripp Lake. There are plenty of recreational opportunities – fishing, swimming, kayaking, boating, etc.
What Our Members Are Saying
Fairhaven relies on the excellent work done by the Whitewater Area Chamber of Commerce. Many of our residents have roots in Whitewater. However, their families are often spread all over the country. When those families visit their loved one at Fairhaven they are often unfamiliar with the community. The Chamber website and Discover Whitewater community booklet are a great resource for these visitors. Each new resident receives a copy of Discover Whitewater in their Welcome to Fairhaven package.
Tim Probst
Marketing & Community Relations Director, Fairhaven Senior Services
Whitewater's History
Before Whitewater
Long before the city's official founding, the area was home to many different ancient peoples. The most recent historic Native American tribe living in the Whitewater area was the Potawatomi. The soft white clay found in Whitewater Creek gave the water a whitish appearance and the community its name: Whitewater.
Early Beginnings
Samuel Prince is credited as the first permanent white settler in the Whitewater area after he built the first log cabin home in July 1837. Many of the earliest Whitewater settlers hailed from upstate New York and came to Wisconsin in search of new economic opportunities, like farming. At this time, wheat was the top-producing crop in the state. However, local farmers needed somewhere to process their harvested wheat crops. In 1839, settlement leaders sought the assistance of Dr. James Trippe, a wealthy southeastern Wisconsin businessman, to build both a dam and grist mill on East Main Street. Whitewater was well on its way to a solid start.
A Maturing Village
It did not take long for Whitewater to blossom into a lively hub of industrial activity. The Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad (later the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad or the "Milwaukee Road") laid the first tracks through Whitewater in 1852. Additionally, in 1868, Whitewater Normal School (known today as the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater) opened its doors as a state teachers' college. Both of these developments further ensured Whitewater's permanent place on the map.
The Industrial Era
Throughout the latter half of the nineteenth century, agriculture continued to be an important component of the city's livelihood. This includes the production of agricultural equipment by the Esterly Manufacturing Company as well as plows and wagons by the Winchester & Partridge Manufacturing Company. These factories were the main employers in town, especially for the many newly arriving European immigrants to southeastern Wisconsin.
The Commercial Era
Despite the abrupt closure of both of the Esterly and Winchester & Partridge factories in the 1890s, Whitewater still maintained close ties with the agricultural industry, especially the dairy industry. Many local farmers brought their milk to local milk plants as well as the many cheese factories and creameries. Other employers included the Whitewater Canning Company and the Whitewater Raincoat Factory. These industries, as well as the continued growth of the Whitewater Normal School, helped Whitewater thrive throughout the first half of the twentieth century.
The Contemporary Era
After WWII, Whitewater saw significant growth in many different forms. With the post-war population and economic booms, shopping options expanded in many cities like Whitewater to beyond just the downtown district. In addition, the University saw a substantial increase in their offered programs and, subsequently, enrollment, spurring the construction of the first dorm buildings in the 1950s. The physical boundaries of the city grew as well, with new housing and businesses stretching the city limits to their largest proportions.
Whitewater of Today
Today, Whitewater is a bustling city full of many kinds of activity. Many companies call Whitewater's Business Park home, maintaining the area's tradition of manufacturing and production. The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater continues to be the largest employer in town, serving over 12,000 students between its Whitewater and Janesville campuses.
Visit the Discover Whitewater Office
To learn more about Whitewater's history, and for information regarding local landmarks, businesses, recreation, entertainment, and more, stop by our office at 150 W. Main Street.
150 W Main St. Whitewater, WI
info@whitewaterchamber.com
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Tradition & Innovation: with a desire for authenticity, our fragrances are inspired by progress and offering new unexpected charms.
Profusion & wealth of creativity: thanks to the originality of creations, our fragrances are still a unique olfactory adventure.
Passion & Know-How: at the heart of creative process, our raw materials are chosen worldwilde with the greatest care as an invitation to travel.
Generosity & Timeless: love of perfume combined with a "retro-chic" style reflecting the unique, timeless world of Princesse Marina de Bourbon fragrances.
The Concept: To enter the subtle elegance and sophistication that is the world of Princess Marina de Bourbon.
The Commitment: to kindle the desire to discover this refined world, its natural elegance that all women aspire to, no matter their nationality, age or cultural background.
Convey the elegant world of a french princess.
A warm invitation for all women to join me in the world I have created where they can blossom peacefully like the flowers in my garden!
ALL THIS FOR WHOM ?
Women worldwide who wish to enter the world of a French Princess, heir to 300 years of secrets.
All through the day, the sillage of my perfume "Princess Marina de Bourbon", has a reassuring effect on me, and conveys to others proof of subtle and understated sophistication.


BBC News has just published a piece in which they tackle the fact that Google has been prominently displaying Holocaust denial content.
Shockingly, they also uncover other examples such as the screenshot above (apologies for reproducing it) in which Google's knowledge graph is displaying concerning and highly offensive content.
In the BBC piece, I argue both that algorithms are not neutral, and that Google occupies a position of immense power because of the huge amount of digital content that it mediates. As such, they need to take responsibility for these results. They can't just point to the algorithm and say 'well, this wasn't our intent' (an argument that I make more directly in this recent piece: 'Let's make platform capitalism more accountable').


Each week I receive a number of emails with questions about homeschooling. Some I can answer from my own experience while others get placed in the queue for the weekly Community Question; the contributions from readers here on the Pioneer Woman's Homeschooling blog are as vast as they are valuable.
In Georgia, where I first began homeschooling my oldest, it appeared to me that families most frequently turned to homeschooling as a response to a closed door elsewhere. It did not escape me that my own family's experience biased this viewpoint, but I heard the same tale repeated over and over in my interactions with homeschooling families, which admittedly, was not anywhere near a significant enough sampling of the homeschooling population to come to such sweeping conclusions.
One year into our homeschooling venture we moved home to Texas, a state recognized for being friendly to homeschoolers, and I finally felt able to set the remainder of my homeschooling fears aside and embrace our new educational path.
It certainly has not been easy because ours is a two-income family, so, in addition to the typical questions, like "Should I incorporate grading into our homeschool? What kind of curriculum (if any) should I purchase?" and "How early do I begin building a transcript?", I also had to learn how to balance a career and homeschool.
One of my "open doors" is writing for this blog. In fact, I credit writing about homeschooling as an enormous part of our family's homeschooling success. In my opinion people tend to focus on, and develop a passion for, those areas they spend the most time investigating, thinking upon, and learning about. I personally want to work in an area where I am passionate, and homeschooling, at least in this season of my life, is that area.
Five years ago, Ree introduced me as a contributing writer in my first homeschooling post, Letter 'em Liberally, on this blog. Since that post, I have written 347 additional posts about homeschooling and education in general.
This blog was a huge, welcoming OPEN door.
What it has taught me is even bigger than the opportunity it affords me and my family. Writing for an audience who offers the level of insight, compassion, constructive criticism, and ideas that the readers here submit in the comments on a weekly basis is both humbling and challenging. Heck, my grammar alone has grown in leaps and bounds, which is important since I am responsible for teaching my own children to write.
With Thanksgiving drawing near I have joined the countless others who are jotting down all the things they are thankful for, and this blog and all of the readers here are on that list.
You are part of the opening of an enormous door; so much so that I no longer look back regretfully at the one that closed.
What closed doors are YOU thankful for because of the new opportunities they brought your way?
Heather-thank you for all your contributions over the last few years. Your blog posts have helped me in my own homeschool journey, and several of my friends as well. We are all just trying to do the best we can, and I love your honesty and candor about the good and the bad that you have faced as a homeschooling mom. Please, keep up the great work!
I have an answer to this that, to me borders on miraculous, Heather.
I'm an author. I wrote for ten years before I got my first book published and, at the end of those ten years of struggle, I had twenty finished books on my computer. I think it's fair to say, I really loved writing!
Here's the closed door that was so miraculous.
When you're a struggling author … and I was seriously pursuing publication that whole time … not just writing as a hobby … I had many disappointments and many 'close' calls with publishers and literary agents.
At one point a friend was published by a very VERY small publisher. It wasn't a good situation for her but she was struggling just like I was and had been for a long time and she was just at that point where she was desperate to hold her published book in her hands.
This wasn't what they called back then Vanity Publishing. This was a real small publisher. But no advances. Over priced books. Little if any chance of your book getting into a bookstore. But there would be a book. It would be listed on Amazon. It would exist. I could sell it myself if I wanted.
And, the best part…they pretty much published everything anyone submitted to them.
So, I decided to do it. I submitted my most recently finished book to them.
This little publisher who published EVERYTHING not only didn't publish me, they also didn't reject me.
A year later, a regular publisher bought that book. And, it was the first of a three book series. And it's hard to imagine that series working if that first book had been gone to another publisher.
It launched what's been a good career. My 29th book comes out in January, all published by traditional publishers, except for a couple of novellas I've published with friends sort of for fun.
If that door hadn't slammed in my face, my first series, my first book, which launched my career, might have been lost and buried.
It may seem strange to say that the failure of a marriage could apply as a door opening, but it did. Once I moved on, I discovered I had skills, abilities, etc. that I didn't have the confidence to explore before. After a 25 year career in business, I retired with the satisfaction of knowing the world had seen all or most of the real me, a me that might never have come to be without the closing door of divorce.
We've had several closed dorrs, but the one that saved us from unimagineable grief and heartache came about 4 years ago. We lived south of Houston and had been renting a house. We wanted to buy a home and put down firm roots. We found a modest home that would serve us well, and started the finance application process. We were firmly rejected. I was hurt, sad, insulted, and mad all at the same time. But I knew there had to be a reason and became intentional about fixing our financial situation. About a month later, around the time we would have been moving in to our new home, Hurricane Ike hit the Texas coast. We safely evacuated and came back to a house with minimal damage that our landlord fixed immediately. The house we wanted to buy? The entire roof was destroyed and several large trees were toppled in the yard. So many good things came from that experience. We obviously avoided the hurrican aftermath, but we also had the kick in the pants we needed to get our finances in order.
A looming regret that I've had for so many years and even more so now that my son is 21 is, I didn't try to homeschool him.
Door after door after DOOR were slammed in our faces within the "mainstream" school system and every time I saw my son succumb more & more to the fingerpointing & criticism. So much so that he finally just gave up & became all that he was being told he was.
I did ALL but stand on my head to get these people to SEE & understand MY SON…. some said they "saw" it & would help for a little while but when it got to a point that would actually take some more concentrated effort on their behalf, they quit.
I had toiled over the possibilty of homeschooling him too many times to count and had shed many tears, and said many prayers, while trying to decide. Each time, I came to the conclusion that it would just not work for he & I. I felt very strongly that he wouldn't have settled in due to the fact that I, his Mom, would be his teacher. I felt that he would have automatically gone in the opposite direction because it was ME in the role as his teacher.
I am more grateful than any words can ever express that I still have him here with me on this planet…there is no human explanation as to why he still is. This is called A MIRACLE. But I still wonder if he would be doing so much better out in the world had I homeschooled him.
"Missed" job opportunities at the time saddened me, but looking back, I could not have achieved what I have had I gotten a previous job. The job I have now allowed me to have my Mother move into our home because I could run home at lunch to check on her. That in itself was a blessing.
Door closed on public school for my younger children and open door to homeschooling, has allowed me to embrace my family in a whole NEW way..
A door that was closed for me was that I wasn't married but really, really wanted to be a parent. Because becoming a parent through marriage was a closed door, I decided to open the door to adoption. Now I am the mom of a fabulous Guatemalan born daughter and can't envision my life any other way. Yay for closed doors!
Heather, I am not a home school person. I wasn't home schooled and I didn't home school my two daughters. I started reading your posts a few years ago when I discovered PW. I find your work, and writing inspiring. I enjoy your perspective and your family. I've learned a lot and not just about homeschooling. On the subject of closed doors. My biggest closed door is personal in nature. Once a long time ago my fiance broke off our engagement. It was a devastating event. Later I met my husband of 30 years. I'm thankful about that.
A firm closed door has to be the end of a marriage which, in my case, opened so many other doors for myself and my children.
Staying in a bad marriage for the sake of the children and thinking you are doing what is best – may be the worst.
@Mary Connealy, I've read some of your books, and they are great!
Awww…we love you, too, Heather!
My door closed when I couldn't have a second child. However, this opened the door for me to give 110% to my only child…and she is fabulous!
It wasn't a closed door, but one our local Christian school literally slammed in our faces. I'd never really thought about homeschooling until that point, but was (and still am!) adamant that our children will NOT go to the public school, so homeschooling was our only option. How many, many, MANY times I have praised God that I have the privilege to homeschool and how many, many, MANY times our children have thanked us for it. I absolutely cannot imagine school any other way! What began as an ugly, heart-rending situation turned out to be such an amazing blessing for all of us.
We are just starting on our homeschooling journey, and I am glad that I found this blog. I appreciate the ideas but also all the wonderful experiences that everyone has shared. When our families found out that we were thinking about homeschooling. They weren't very supportive and were very hurtful in their remarks. They still aren't very supportive and continue to make those remarks in front of our children. They've been so negative that we hardly ever see them anymore. At times, I do doubt whether I am doing the right thing, but seeing my kids thrive and also reading the positive remarks on different blogs has really lifted my spirits and continue on.
I have been so grateful for your columns at Pioneer Woman. When we had to "close the door" to a horrific public school experience I found these informative columns so helpful as I ventured in the home schooling life! And what a FANTASTIC door that has been opening – each day – for our family. Loads of healing and progress for us all. And as another comment here mentioned – the door for my birthing a baby never happened (stayed shut tight!!!) so we opened the door to adoption and have a beautiful 11 year old boy now (he was 15 months when adopted from Ukraine!) You are so right that wonderful opportunities can happen when we look forward rather than backwards. We need to keep moving to receive our blessings! Happy Thanksgiving!
My husband and I were in the same career field, that is how we met. After 15 years in that line of work all the signs were clear that the doors were being shut. I spent a lot of time looking back at first very nervous. Now, we have found a new spin for a different business using all the same skills we learned over the years. I am excited to see where things will go and what new doors will continue to be opened. Things don't always go perfectly smooth, but it has been worth it. I have really enjoyed reading your blogs on homeschooling. My husband and I talked about homeschooling our son ( he was 2 at the time), however my husband was more upbeat than I at first. I was a bit daunted by the task. After spending the past 2 years reading your blogs and gathering information, I am looking forward to all the fun we can have homeschooling. I am not as daunted by the challenges I know we will face. Now our son is 4 and we are ready to start the beginning of homeschooling. Thanks for all your posts, time and effort it really does make a difference.
A great story which launched a great career, which has given me HOURS of reading pleasure. I think I have read all your books except the new one! Thank you!
The door slammed hard on me with my divorce. I LOVED my husband and I was devastated. I fought hard to reconcile but knew I could not live peacefully without trust in the marriage. I reluctantly left…but with 3 years of paid schooling and alimony to help get me back on my feet! At age 35 I went back to my state university and got a degree in Forestry!! A new door opened for me when I got hired on by the state right after graduation! I love my new career! I have even fought wildfires…something I would have never dreamed of doing….ever!!! I have now worked in the Forestry profession for 10 years in 3 different states. I LOVE my job! I love my friends! I love my life and wouldn't change it for the world!!!Oh and I started rehabbing small mammals (wildlife) right after my divorce and that too changed my life unbelievably!!! Finally, I must give much credit to Sister Mary who counselled me during the first year I left my husband. She helped unplug my anger and accept the unknowns in my marriage and husband that I would never have answers for. Thank you Sister Mary!!!! 🙂 And super special thanks to my parents and sister for supporting me in such a difficult time!! Today I am soooo happy and fulfilled!
What a great post Heather, and so true! I love reading your posts about homeschooling. I don't homeschool my kids, as right now our public school system is working for our family. But I've gained valuable learning resources and the confidence that if I needed to homeschool my kids, I could do it. Thank you for sharing your vast knowledge on this subject!
Thank you for your post! I agree!
I am so thankful for the closed door early in my daughter's little life. We had attended a family run daycare since my daughter was 6 weeks-old and we knew at 18 months old we had to find something else. The quality of care was simply not the same at that age and we felt she could be learning so much more. We prayed about it and visited other schools. During that time we had leave the daycare for various reasons and while I loved the owner and staff, it was time. We had no idea what to do. We juggled my daughter between my sister-in-law's and other close friends for a summer. Then the door opened! With my job in television production, my boss/director was shooting a video for a non-profit Montessori school and when he returned to the office he all but begged me to look at the school for my daughter. I went, knowing I could not afford a Montessori education. This school was different and I knew it as soon as I stepped into the classroom. Children with projects, pouring water into their own glasses and their friend's glasses at two years old. TWO YEARS OLD! Six,18 month to three year-olds in one room and no one was crying but all were busy. They were painting, shining their shoes, planting seeds, literally! It is the most amazing place and a dream come true for our family and so many others. The school makes Montessori affordable for all young families and infact there are 13 families on scholarship. My daughter is thriving and my heart leaps everytime I am there. Its is a true God send for so many in our community. I am taking up learning Montessori myself. So very soon another door may open and close for us and this time, I welcome it!
If you made your decision based on your feelings after praying about it, and felt strongly, it was the RIGHT decision. Don't ever second-guess yourself after prayer, there was obviously something he learned in that tough, tough situation that he needed to learn. Mom plus prayers is an unbeatable combination!
Well this is topical. Last March I got a letter from my health insurance provider saying my plan would not exist in 2014. I've been self-employed for 20+ years and am of a certain age, so the idea of going thru the application process and intrusive physical examinations (again) did not appeal. I took the plunge and got a job with benefits including health insurance! I love it. Talk about a closed door leading to an opportunity. Loved reading about others' journeys, and tho my comment is not about homeschooling (my baby graduated high school last June), I hope it will inspire others not to be afraid when a door closes.
This may sound strange, but a closed door for me was when my daughter was diagnosed with leukemia at 11 weeks of age (the week prior to my maternity leave was to end and return to work full time). Thanking God daily she has been in remission for 7 years. The open door to the situation is how that experience opened my eyes (and my husband) to the ability to be a full time stay at home mom and now a homeschooling mom. We realized through a different perspective on life and some adjustments that we didn't need 2 incomes and our daughter took precedent to all else. I'm so thankful my daughter is a survivor, and that I am able to stay home with her and be the one to teach her.


Magnetic fields are omnipresent in the Milky Way and play a crucial role in many physical processes in the interstellar medium (ISM). In order to study the interplay between the magnetic fields and the interstellar matter, the diffuse polarised synchrotron emission is one of the best tracer. Being present almost everywhere in the Galaxy, it is a powerful tracer of the magnetised turbulent non-thermal medium over a broad range of spatial scales. However to interpret the structures in such polarised emission data, we need robust analysing techniques. Stokes parameters Q and U are not invariant under arbitrary translations and rotations and choice of the local coordinate frame. Also, polarisation data are usually interpreted in terms of the amplitude or the angle of the polarisation vector separately, which leads to an incomplete analysis of the magnetic field power spectrum in the ISM.
In this presentation, I will talk about new wavelet methods that can be applied on polarisation data in order to interpret the spatial fluctuations of the Galactic magnetic field. Wavelet based formalisms allowed us recently to develop a multi-scale analysis of the gradient of linear polarisation. This technique gives us access to a unique view of the Galactic magnetic field fluctuations at different angular scales. I will also talk about the possibility of producing rotation measure (RM) maps using wavelet algorithms on multifrequency data.


Hi, I'm an engineering manager, consultant and full-stack developer with experience working in various industries including travel, transportation, film, education, social networks and non-profits. I'm currently based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
I understand both front-end, back-end and API development as well as sys admin, architecture design, DevOps and Agile; and have also managed and grown an engineering team to up to 9 developers so am the perfect person to work with or consult on for a software project.
I've spent almost 18 years as a professional web developer, and formerly worked on the AirAsia-backed Vidi, the Uber-killing ride-hailing app Grab and the online arthouse cinema, MUBI. More details on my LinkedIn.
I prefer working on projects related to arts, culture, travel, economics, social science, human rights, participatory democracy and martial arts.
Also contributing my tech skills to non-profits on a volunteer basis on weekends through a collective called Playground Tech.
I'm a part of Kedai Runcit, an experimental collective of individuals who do art, tech and communications.
Everything below is old stuff. Haven't had time to update this part of my website in 3-4 years.


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Thousands march to White House for abortion rights
Thousands gathered in the US capital on Saturday, marching through pouring rain and risking arrest to protest over the reversal of abortion rights last month
The demonstration came two weeks after the Supreme Court repealed Roe v Wade - the ruling that had guaranteed abortion access nationwide for nearly 50 years.
Chanting "we won't go back", protesters converged on the White House, with some tying themselves to the gates outside.
An estimated 10,000 people gathered from across the US, organisers said.
Lauren Pierce, 33, an attorney from Dallas, was among them, travelling some 1,300 miles (2,100km) to attend the demonstration.
"There's nothing, to me, more worth fighting for than this cause - our fundamental right to have bodily autonomy," she said. "If that means taking up space and getting arrested then I think it's worth it."
Ms Pierce's home state of Texas is among the 10 US states where abortion has already been prohibited. At least a dozen other states are expected to follow.
Anti-abortion campaigners, many of whom see abortion as "murder", have celebrated the court's decision and the opportunity to outlaw the procedure in large swathes of the country.
Ms Pierce said she had begun to hear of Texans who have found themselves suddenly without reproductive care.
The average one-way driving distance for a person in Texas seeking an abortion in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy is now 250 miles, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a pro-choice research group.
Click below to see more web stories.


We recently made the most of the summer weather and our scenic North Bay location with a summer social outing to visit two of the North Bay's many artisanal foodie destinations. First stop, lunch and cheese tasting at the Fork, the private dining room at the Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company.
Nestled in Pacific coastal farmland, the family-owned Cheese Company pioneered Original Blue, California's only classic style blue cheese. Today, their roster includes aged Gouda and a delicate, fresh Mozzarella only available at the Fork and a few Bay Area farmer's markets. These and other cheeses were enjoyed before a delicious lunch (featuring, yes, more cheese), and a tour of the farm.
For our second stop, we visited another Point Reyes artisanal standout, the Heidrun Meadery, home to fragrant honeys and Champagne-style meads derived from aromatic honey varietals, like Arizona Desert Mesquite, California Orange Blossom and Hawaiian Macadamia Nut Blossom. As team building exercises go, sharing a tasting flight in a sun-dappled Marin meadery, or sampling farm-fresh cheeses together, is pretty hard to beat. We hope you're enjoying your summer as much as we are, and finding as many delights in your part of the world as we so frequently do.


Nationals shortstop Trea Turner suffered a broken right wrist Thursday in a 5-4 loss to the Cubs, according to the Washington Post.
Turner ultimately left the game after being hit by a pitch in the seventh inning.
There is no timetable for his return, but a similar injury gave Braves slugger Freddie Freeman a 10-week return date.
Turner had been stealing bases at an alarming rate in recent weeks, but he will now be out until close to the start of the postseason.
The Nationals already lost center fielder Adam Eaton for the season with a torn ACL, and have had a myriad of bullpen injuries.
Stephen Drew may immediately start at shortstop for the Nationals, but the team could look for a cheap trade before the July 31 trade deadline.


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Q: Python openpyxl data validation along with formatting I am using openpyxl to created a .xlsx file to aggregate some data.
One of the columns is Status and needs to be data-validated to make sure it only contains one of several options. I did this part just fine:
validator = openpyxl.worksheet.datavalidation.DataValidation(type = 'list',
                                                             formula1 = ('"'
                                                                         'Option 1,'
                                                                         'Option 2,'
                                                                         'Option 3,'
                                                                         '"'))

validator.promptTitle = 'Status Selection'
validator.prompt = 'Please select a status.'

validator.errorTitle = 'Invalid Status'
validator.error = 'Your status is not in the list of accepted entries.'

worksheet.add_data_validation(validator)

validator.add('I1:I1048576')

but I also need to make the options for the data validation format the cells.

This is what the column currently looks like. What I need to do is make the bg color of the cell turn for example red if Option 1 is selected, yellow if Option 2 is selected and green if Option 3 is selected.
I have tried searching both here and on Google and spent some 1-on-1 time with the somewhat lackluster openpyxl documentation(I am coming straight from a few hours of staring at the data validation and conditional formatting sections there) and while the last example from conditional formatting came close to what I need I have no clue how to adapt it to my situation.
How exactly should I go about getting the effect I described? The bg color changing according to the value chosen from the data validation drop down list?

A: I was searching to do the exact same thing and found this topic which helped me for the first part. Here is how I solved the second part:
worksheet.conditional_formatting.add('A1:'+get_column_letter(worksheet.max_column)+str(worksheet.max_row),\
CellIsRule(operator='equal', formula=['"Option 1"'], fill=PatternFill(bgColor="FF0000")))
worksheet.conditional_formatting.add('A1:'+get_column_letter(worksheet.max_column)+str(worksheet.max_row),\
CellIsRule(operator='equal', formula=['"Option 2"'], fill=PatternFill(bgColor="FFFF00")))
worksheet.conditional_formatting.add('A1:'+get_column_letter(worksheet.max_column)+str(worksheet.max_row),\
CellIsRule(operator='equal', formula=['"Option 3"'], fill=PatternFill(bgColor="00FF00")))

(You could adjust the formatting area if you dont need the entire sheet to be conditionnal formatted)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


This article will discuss removing the old headset, installing and adjusting a new threaded headset.
Bearings on a bicycle allow the parts to rotate relative to one another. The headset allows the fork to turn smoothly while riding. Bicycles, and all two wheeled vehicles, make small self corrections in steering while traveling forward. If the headset is pitted or worn, these corrections are not made smoothly and handling suffers. Very worn headsets tend to "lock up" when the front wheel is pointing straight. Pick up the front of the bike, and gently swing the handlebars back and forth from center. Pitting in the cups will cause the headset to stick as it passes through center position. A pitted headset should be replaced. New headsets are pressed into the frame and fork.
All bearings on a bike have some friction as they rotate. This is normal and does not affect the ride. Better quality bearing surfaces are ground smoother and will have less friction and resistance to turning. Adjustable type bearing systems use two opposing races which can be moved relative to one another. If the adjustment is too tight there will be too much pressure on the bearing surfaces and balls and the system will quickly wear out. If the adjustment is too loose there will be movement or "play" between the parts. This will cause a knocking in the bearing surfaces and again they will wear out prematurely. Generally, the bearings should be adjusted as loose as possible without play or knocking in the system.
The upper and lower bearing surfaces are connected by the steering column. The two bearing surfaces need to be parallel in order to operate smoothly. If the upper and lower surfaces of the head tube are not cut parallel, the bearings will tend to bind as the fork is rotated. This can lead to premature bearing wear and a less than desired adjustment. The head tube can become deformed by welding or simply less than adequate manufacturing techniques. The base of the fork steering column should also be cut square to the fork. If it is not properly machined, the fork crown race will not sit square to the steering column and will add to the binding effect. The head tube can be machined (faced) so the surfaces are parallel by using the HTR-1 Head Tube and Racing Tool, or the HTR-1. The fork can be machined with the CRC-1 Crown Race Cutter. This process is best left to professional mechanics.
Threaded headsets consist of four bearing races, two sets of bearings, spacers and a locknut. Two bearings races are called cups and are pressed into the head tube. Generally, the more massive looking head tube cup is the lower cup of the headset. There will be one race for the fork crown. It is pressed onto the base of the steering column. The last race is threaded onto the steering column and is for bearing adjustment. This race opposes the top most head tube cup. A set of bearing is located between the adjustable race and the head tube race. Another set of bearings is located between the fork crown race and the lower head tube race. One or more spacers are placed above the threaded race and a locknut is finally threaded on top to secure the adjusting race. Threaded headsets do not rely on the stem for the bearing security or adjustment. A typical threaded headset and parts are seen below.
If possible, disconnect cables shift and brake levers. Loosen stem and remove bars and stem from steering column.
NOTE: If you are not removing bars completely, use care not to kink or damage housing when hanging bars on bike.
Hold lower threaded race with spanner. Loosen and remove top locknut by turning counter-clockwise.
Remove front wheel if still in place.
Remove any washers/spacers from steering column.
Unthread and remove threaded race. Hold fork to prevent it falling to the ground. Note orientation of bearing retainer (if any).
Install Park Tool RT-1 Race Tool with small side first upward through the bottom of the headset cups. Squeeze sides of prongs and pull tool fully into head tube. Do not press with hand on bottom of tool, as prongs will close and pinch flesh. A clicking sound will be heard as tool engages head tube cup.
Use a hammer at end of RT-1 and drive cup from head tube. Use care as cup approaches end of tube, as tool may fall to ground on last blow of the hammer.
Place RT-1 with small end first through remaining cup and remove.
Remove fork crown race from fork. Use the Park Tool CRP-2. For specific use of CRP-2 see Crown Race Removal.
An optional procedure to the above is to drive the race off using a punch and hammer. In some cases this may scar the fork and crown race.
Headset bearing races are held by an interference fit into the head tube. An interference fit occurs when parts are held together by internal and external surfaces forced together. There must be a slight diameter difference between the two pressed surfaces. Typically, the pressed headset race outside diameter should be between 0.1mm and 0.25mm larger than the head tube inside diameter. When the cups are pressed, the head tube will flex and enlarge slightly to allow the cups to press. This tension is what keeps the cups tight in the frame.
Use a caliper to measure the outside diameter of the cups. Next, measure the inside diameter of the head tube in two places, each 90 degrees from the other. Average the two reading. If the head tube more than 0.25mm smaller than the race, it may be reamed using the HTR-1 Headtube Reaming and Facing tool. If the race is between 0.01mm and 0.09mm, a different headset with a larger press race should be used. It is also possible to use a retaining compound such as Loctite® RC609. If the race is equal to or smaller than the head tube, a different race should be used. See discussion of press fit standards below.
The fork bearing race is pressed to the fork crown race seat. The fork race is smaller than the crown race seat. It is the race that expands as it is pressed. Races are commonly made of bearing steel, which tend to be very hard and brittle, and do not expand to the same tolerances as the head tube. The crown race seat should larger then the race by 0.1mm to 0.15. Much more difference may stress and crack the bearing race. When the crown race seat is too large for the fork crown race, it may be milled smaller with the CRC-1 Crown Race Cutter. If the crown race seat is only slightly larger than the race, 0.02 to 0.09mm, use a retaining compound such as Loctite® RC609. If the crown race seat is equal to or even smaller than the race, use a different race. See discussion of press fit standards below.
This discussion will assume use of the HHP-2 Headset Press and the CRS-1 Crown Race Setter.
Determine the acceptability of the headset press fit as described above.
Remove sliding press plate and install cups onto guides. Guides are used to maintain cup alignment while pressing. Cup guides fit most 1-inch and 1-1/8-inch standard headset cups. Before using cup guide, insert guide into cup. If guide appears to jam or is a tight fit, DO NOT use cup guides for that particular headset cup. Do not use cup guides #530-2 if guides press on any preinstalled cup-bearing unit (ex. Chris King® headsets). For headsets not fitting #530-2 cup guides, simply press using threaded press plate and sliding press plate. Pressure on the outer rim of aluminum head cups may visually scar the cups. If not using the guides, it can help to press one cup at at time.
Place upper headset cup on top of head tube. Hold one cup guide onto top threaded press plate and lower assembly through top headset cup.
Install second cup guide onto sliding press plate, and place lower cup onto guide.
Engage sliding press plate onto hex shaft, and push plate upward until headset cup meets head tube. Release lever. Sliding press plate lever must be engaged in one of seven hex shaft notches. Pull downward on lower press plate to test engagement.
Turn handle clockwise slowly and inspect alignment of cups as cups enter head tube. Continue and press cups fully into head tube. If threaded press plate has bottomed on threads of hex shaft, turn threaded press plate counter clockwise until it is again flush with top of threads. Re-engage sliding plate to a higher notch, and continue to press cups. NOTE: Never use a "cheater bar" to extend leverage of handles. If cups will not press using handles, other problems are present and should be addressed.
NOTE: If the head cup has preinstalled cartridge bearings, check that any guide will not press directly on the rotating bearing. For these types of cups, press only with the flat plates of the headset press. Press only one cup at a time.
Inspect for full seating where cups meet frame. A gap indicates incomplete pressing, as seen below.
Remove HHP-2 from bike. Unthread handle 1 turn, press lever of sliding press plate and remove tool from bike.
The fork crown race must be pressed to the fork crown. Determine acceptability of press fit as described above. Place race on fork crown and select most compatible CRS-1 insert. Place tool and insert over fork. Use hammer and strike top of tool until race fully seats. The sound will change as it seats. Inspect sides of race for seating.
If the headset is using bearing retainers, check the orientation of the retainers before installing. Inspect the metal cage that retains the ball bearings. The cage traps each ball with a hook. Look for the open side of the ball retaining hook. This open side of the cage should face the cone shaped race, not the cup shaped race. If in doubt, install the cage, and place the race inside and turn. If the cage is correct, it will feel smooth. If the cage is upside down, the cage retainer will rub on the race and it will feel different. Reverse the cage and test again.
It is also possible to replace retainer ball bearing with loose bearings. Grease cups to hold bearings, and place balls into cup shaped races. Leave a wide gap the size of two ball bearings, do not attempt to fully fill cup.
Grease bearing retainers and bearing race cups. NOTE: Do not grease steering column.
Install bearing retainers into cup shaped races.
Place fork through head tube.
Install adjusting race and race centering cone onto column. Press centering cone into adjusting race to help hold fork.
Install spacers and accessories as appropriate.
Install stem and snug stem bolts. Check for adequate clearance from top of column to top of stem. Add spacer under stem if necessary. Image below is view of steering column and stem. There is a gap between stem and top of column.
Threaded headsets are adjusted using a top locknut and threaded adjusting race. The stem does not have to be removed to adjust the bearings. Generally, the best bearing adjustment is as loose as possible, but without bearing play or knocking. To achieve this, the following procedure will first create play in the adjustment, and then proceed to incrementally tighten the race until play is gone.
Use a headset wrench to hold lower race (adjustable race).
Using a large adjustable wrench or the Park Tool headset wrench HW-2, turn locknut counter-clockwise to loosen. Lower race is now free to turn.
By hand, turn lower race clockwise until it contacts ball bearings.
Turn race back counter-clockwise at least 1/4 turn from this setting. Hold adjustable race with headset wrench and tighten locknut. Tighten locknut fully, see Appendix B for torque. This early setting is intended to have play.
Check for play by pulling back and forth on fork. A knocking sensation indicates play. Turn the handlebars in different directions while checking for play. There should be play at this early setting. If headset feels tight, loosen adjustment further until play is found. Use care with suspension forks, because the legs may have play in sliders. Grab upper portion of fork.
If play is present, grab front wheel between knees and hold it in line with top tube. Lower adjustable race will need to be adjusted slightly clockwise. Use a wrench to hold lower race and note orientation of wrench.
Loosen locknut and move wrench holding adjustable race clockwise 1/32nd of a turn. Front wheel must be straight to gauge adjustment.
Hold adjustable race from moving and tighten locknut fully. Check again for play, rotating fork and checking different positions.
If play is present, repeat steps "6" and "7" above until play disappears. Adjustment is finished when there is no play in any position as the fork rotates.
NOTE: Another test of play is to place the bike on the ground and grab the front brake tightly. Press downward on the handlebars and rock the bike forward and back. A knocking sensation may indicate a loose headset. In effect this does the same thing as grabbing and pulling on the fork. However, play in the brake caliper arms may also cause a knocking. Front suspension forks may also have play in the legs, which can cause a knocking. If the adjustment seems very tight after adjustment, there may be other problems in the headset. Bearing surfaces may be worn out, or the ball bearing retainers may be upside down, or a seal may be improperly aligned. If play always seems present no matter the adjustment, the threaded steering column may be too long for the locknut. Add headset washers under the locknut in this case. If this is not the problem, cups may be loose in their press fit in the frame.
Bearing surfaces are made from hardened steel. The surfaces are cut typically by grinding. Round ball bearings roll on the curved surface of the cup and cone. Even the highest quality bearing surfaces will have slight grinding marks. In the left image below is a high quality cone magnified two hundred times. Notice the parallel marks from the grinding stone. Also note a slight pit from wear. The right hand image is a bearing magnified the same amount. It does show some surface marking, but is generally smoother than the cone or cup. Bearing surface smoothness will vary between manufacturers and between models. Some bearings system will simply feel smoother because they are smoother. This is why it is difficult to adjust by using a subjective feeling of smoothness. Generally, adjust bearings for the loosest setting that has no knocking or play, regardless of this relative smoothness.
There are several standards for headsets found on bicycles. Headsets are named by the diameter of the steering column, not by the press diameter of the cups. For example, a "one-inch" headset is for bikes with one inch diameter steering columns.
There are three different headset standards using one inch forks. Two are common, the JIS and "Modern European" standard. The older BMX standard is seen less and less. The JIS and "Modern European" standard differ only in the diameter of the press fit. The two standards are NOT interchangeable, even though both use 1" x 24 TPI threading. A bicycle that was machined to the JIS standard may be reamed and cut to the "Modern European" standard. The head tube would be ream to 30.0mm ID and the fork crown seat cut down to 26.5mm. A bicycle that was made in the "Modern European" standard cannot use a JIS headset.
Below is a list of "conventional" headset standard sizing. There are now other standards and designs in use, see also Headset Standards.


With the concept of time implemented (see other correspnding post in this sub-forum), a day and night cycle might be possible. As we already discussed somewhat, a map could be replaced against an alernate version based on triggering an event (e.g. scorched lands afer a wood fire). This could be used to repalce a day map for a night map- triggering event woudl then be not entering a field, but reaching a certain time point.
Additionally/or fog of war behaviour could be different in the night. Already explored map parts could turn black again for teh night and only the field next to the palyer would remain visible.
Any ideas how to do the best/most interesting night illusion?
youngneil1 wrote: Any ideas how to do the best/most interesting night illusion?
I'd say the best and simplest way to show this is to vary the range of vision for the player's party. During the day, vision is clear as long as there are no obstructions; during the evening vision range starts to shorten (to, say, 10 tiles) around the party; as the night falls it shortens even more (to, say, 5 tiles) and so on. This requires no extra maps for differing levels of light/times of day and would still get the message across quite clearly. In addition, this same mechanism can be used in dark dungeons and other places where the range of vision is hampered by darkness, fog, magical mist, etc.
Of course, with illumination the whole Line of Sight issue comes to the fore. I'm not sure how LOS is going to be handled in IB, but what I read from the task list gives me hope. It reads as if a form of active LOS is going to be implemented. With active LOS, I mean the engine calculates LOS for each and every tile moved and for every entity (NPC, monster, etc.) separately, so that e.g. if a creature moves behind a corner it can no longer be seen as LOS to it has been broken, etc. Most roguelikes have pretty good LOS systems in place, I would recommend Jeremy take a look at them if in need of inspiration.
As to the time of day and how it could be shown, in addition to differing levels of illumination and vision range, I 'd say a simple solution would be the best here (to reduce the work load on Jeremy). I'd suggest a small "time of day indicator" in the UI, like something as simple as in Ultima 5 with a sun and moon icons moving on a short bar at the top. It can be made prettier if wanted (e.g. a sundial like thingy), but bear in mind it needs to be customizable as a sci-fi game would look pretty silly with an ancient sundial on the UI, for instance.
Showing time of day (as well as date like day, month, year) in the hud/gui would be really helpful indeed.
LoS would also be great to have - I suppose we then would need different types of non-walkable areas (e.g. pits would be non-walkable, but not block LoS). Also doors e.g. would block LoS while closed, but not while open. Much to consider then.
Shortening range of sight, even with clear LoS, when it gets darker sounds right to me. Perhaps one could even enhance the effect by laying dark blue layer (of varying degrees perhaps, depending on evening/night our) over the map (like perhaps with weather effects). So sight range would be shorter and things in sight would appear darker, too (we would have to test how such a blue/dark layer looks and feels in then end, might also feel unfitting/artifical, hard to say now).
As gimmick (and nothing more, so really not important) a party with a torch during night/in dungeon might even get a special version of the party icon, i.e. one with a torch. Just an ambience touch.
youngneil1 wrote: Perhaps one could even enhance the effect by laying dark blue layer (of varying degrees perhaps, depending on evening/night our) over the map (like perhaps with weather effects). So sight range would be shorter and things in sight would appear darker, too (we would have to test how such a blue/dark layer looks and feels in then end, might also feel unfitting/artifical, hard to say now).
Yes, that would be good. How easy that is to implement, no idea. But it would most probably look nice!
youngneil1 wrote: As gimmick (and nothing more, so really not important) a party with a torch during night/in dungeon might even get a special version of the party icon, i.e. one with a torch. Just an ambience touch.
Not just strictly for ambiance. If illumination is modelled, having a torch or a lantern should also affect the range of your vision in the dark/during the night.
It would be great if this could be implemented fairly simply (the blue layer idea). There are lots of ideas where a day/night system would be useful. Obviously atmosphere is one, but also for modules involving certain types of undead etc (done particularly in well in BGII). Didn't PoR have a day/night system as well? Not sure it actually did much (probably just shut the shops), but I think it was there.
Yeah, night could be much more than cosmetic and relevant for LoS range (as could be the weather, as Grue already pointed about, e.g. freeze, cold, etc). During night random encounter rates (in case random encounters would be activated for that map at all) could increase, certain monsters could be stronger at night, certain abilities or spells work better or even only at night, NPC schedules and shop opening hours would be affected, city gates perhaps closed, cerain herbs might only be pcikable at night, certain quests might require night time to be solvlable, special scrolls/letters only readable in moonlight... lots of potentially intruiging stuff seems possible.
AFAIK from reading "el Grande Task List of Senor Jeremy", we're going to have both in IB. Great! At least, that's the current plan.


Chimney #1 – has no cement crown or mortar wash/splay on top. The rain hits the top of the bricks and soaks in, causing wet walls inside your chimney. The normal expansion, contraction and freeze cycles cause the mortar to loosen and pop out from between the bricks. This can sometimes be repaired by tuck-pointing, but usually should be totally re-built. Also with no crown, water can seep between the flue tiles and bricks and will run down inside the chimney and deteriorate the firebox, which results in costly repairs to the damper, firebricks, ceilings, etc.
Chimney #2– has a mortar wash/splay at the top, which prevents water from seeping in through the top of the chimney (for a while). However, the water still runs down the sides of the bricks, makes them wet and eventually the faces of the bricks pop off (spalling), which can only be repaired by rebuilding the chimney. Without an expansion joint around the tile, the thermal shock (heat) usually cracks the mortar wash/splay during the first season use.
Chimney #3 – has a cement crown with expansion joints. The reason for expansion joints is to prevent the damage caused by constant freezing and thawing. The cement is angled slightly down, overhangs the bricks by at least 2" and the water runs off the crown down to the roof, never touching the sides of the bricks.
The proper way is outlined in Chimney #3.
Finish off the top of your chimney like this and it will give your chimney many extra years of life. We also suggest that a rain cover with screening be installed over the flue tile to prevent rain from pouring directly into the firebox – and to keep animals and birds out. Our rain covers are 100% stainless steel and are guaranteed for life.


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Peggy's Posts
Cross Bakery – February 2014 Edition of History & Heritage
Crackers & Milk
Welcome to February's edition of History & Heritage. Our purpose is to acquaint you with our mission to preserve the town's rich history, highlight the legacy of those who have gone before and show how our past has shaped our present. We are a non-profit with 501(c)(3) status.
On my hutch sits a very large, decorative cup and saucer with a much yellowed piece of paper dated January 8, 1984 sitting in the cup. Part of the message from my mother reads "For Peggy – This was Grandpa Johnson's 'cracker & milk' set for as long as I can remember." Inside another cupboard lives my father's plain, white porcelain bowl that was used for the same purpose. The generation bowl item ends there but I did have crackers & milk!
The beginning of the St. Johnsbury Cracker was 86 Main Street where St. Johns's Catholic Church stands today. Around 1855 the St. Johnsbury Bakery was started by John S. Carr. Ownership changed a few times until the late 1860's when William P. Fairbanks sold it to George Cross. George had learned from his father who ran a bakery and confectionery business in Montpelier. Gratefully a lot can be gleaned from this operation due to the St. Johnsbury Caledonian writing of "St. Johnsbury's Industries" in April of 1880. The writer takes us through the bakery and tells us that production of the cracker is up to thirty barrels a day. Each barrel would hold from 1100 to 1200 crackers depending on the size.
In a year, coming by train, would be 1800 to 2000 barrels of flour from Minnesota, 30,000 pounds of the "best refined lard" from Chicago. Employment in the Main Street bakery was from ten to fourteen men. The making of the crackers required the most skill, less for the bread, cakes and other items. Picture this – the oven has a large rotary, horizontal disc which is 16 feet, 6 inches in diameter! This disc is made of soapstone with an even heat provided by coal with the capacity of making two barrels of crackers at a time. The bakery purchases between 60 to 70 tons of coal a year.
The process went as follows; the sponge is set in the morning, the dough made in the afternoon, machinery run by steam mixes the dough, and it stands until the following day. The dough is put through rollers making it into sheets of equal thickness and then another machine cuts the size of the crackers and they are shoveled into the oven. The finished product bakes 15 to 17 minutes then they are removed and shoveled into baskets before being packed in barrels. Common, soda, graham, oyster and picnic crackers were the varieties made. Salesmen distributed the crackers from Newport to Springfield, Vermont, from Malone, N. Y. to Sebago Lake in Maine and as far south as parts of Concord, N.H.
Expansion in the 1890's saw a move to Railroad Street, because expansion on Main Street met with opposition. The brick building stood just south of Caplan's store, being torn down in 1957. In the 1960's the St. Johnsbury Cracker left town and crossed the river to New Hampshire. For those of you who never experienced this common cracker, I would say the taste was bland and very dry but eaten plain, or split in two and heated up with butter or broken into a bowl with milk poured over them (often on Sunday nights) – people just liked them.
The final chapter is that the recipe lives on as the Vermont Country Store bought the recipe in 1981 and makes them in Rockingham,Vermont. They are called Vermont Crackers – much smaller than the ones I was brought up with and they now come in plastic bags rather than the red and white boxes but they are still dry!!
We are located in the Summer Street School building while we seek a permanent home. We are currently raising money to purchase the former law offices of Primmer & Piper at 421 Summer St. A 250 Club has been started where you can give a thousand dollars as an individual, a family, a business, a club, group or any other creative donation you might have. We have until the end of March to achieve the goal of 250 thousand dollars. WE HAVE HIT THE HALFWAY MARK! Please check out our web site at www.stjhistory.org and our Facebook page. Our mailing address is P.O. Box 223, St. Johnsbury, Vt. 05819 and our phone number is 802-424-1090.
Peggy's Post
STJHHC Blog
Summer's Almost Gone! - History & Heritage August '22
Covid Reflections & Volunteering at its Best - April 2022 History & Heritage
Horace Carpenter – By Name and Profession! November 2021 Edition of History & Heritage
Please contact us with any questions about your upcoming visit, feedback about a past visit or any other inquiries related to the St. Johnsbury History and Heritage center. Thank you!
stjohnsburyhhc@gmail.com
© 2023 St. Johnsbury History and Heritage Center | Site developed by The Phillips Creative


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Site Maintenance Assistant (Electrician) – WFP
United Nations World Food Programme
Organization United Nations World Food Programme
Job Title Site Maintenance Assistant (Electrician) SC 4, Nyala 1 (141863)
Requisition ID 141863
Location Sudan – Nyala
Closing date 14/08/2021
WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles. The selection of staff is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity& gender balance and encourage qualified female candidates to apply.
Would you like to join WFP Sudan's Site Maintenance team and enable the delivery of professional, client-focused services? Are you ready to partner with managers to deliver effective Site Maintenance Services that will change and save the lives of the most vulnerable people in Sudan? If yes, this opportunity is for you.
At WFP, we are looking for an experienced Site Maintenance Assistant (Electrician) to be based in Nyala, Sudan, to be hired on a Service Contract at the SC 4 level.
ABOUT WFP
The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes. Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.
WFP Sudan has the potential to reach millions of food-insecure people across Sudan – with a total of 7.8 million people assisted in 2020. WFP Sudan, one of the largest and complex operations for WFP globally, is currently rolling out its five-year Country Strategic Plan (2019-2023), which aims to provide emergency assistance through a hybrid approach (Cash, food, and vouchers), along with life-changing types of programmes (Nutrition, Resilience and School Feeding).
To provide a full range of skillful site maintenance services including installation, maintenance, and repair of electrical equipment/appliances to support safe, comfortable and reliable working environment.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)
Plan, coordinate and provide full range of site maintenance and installation works of all kinds of generators and air conditioners existing in WFP premises as required ensuring a safe and reliable working environment according to the WFP electrical standards either/including the supervision of installations, ensuring well-functioning equipment.
Install, regularly maintain, and repair all kinds of electrical equipment and appliances (water heaters, water pump …etc.) including wiring and distribution systems to ensure safe and reliable working environment in compliance with WFP electrical standards and safety measures.
Ensure safety installation and repairs of the cabling system, switchgear, and distribution boards in line with the standard and measure.
Co-ordinate – through projects unit with any required external contracting, servicing or intervention needed for any installations.
Provide written requests for required electrical materials and keep detailed reports on storage and usage of these materials. Advise on disposal of damaged units enclosed with technical report.
Coordinate with the inventory unit in creating a Database for all existing and newly purchased air conditioners units. Arrange for periodic, preventive, and corrective maintenance.
ADDITIONAL KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
7. Identify any unsafe installations, or working practices associated with air conditioners and other electrical equipment and take corrective measures.
8. Keep and maintain a logbook for all generators in the area office premises as well as national grid consumption monitoring.
9. Perform regular and ad-hoc installations, repairs and maintenance of electrical systems and components ensure all installations meet established safety standards.
10. Support deployment of and provide technical supervision to external contractors to facilitate efficient and cost-effectiveness in services or intervention for any major electrical installations, maintenance, and repairs.
11. Contribute to evaluation of required installations/Repairs work, compare prices of materials. Contribute to planning of future preventive maintenance work to support efficient and cost-effectiveness of site maintenance services.
12. Assist in maintaining accurate inventory records through physical check and maintenance of lists/database and arrange disposal of identified equipment and materials, strictly following WFP assets management guidelines.
13. Compile and provide accurate reports on works undertaken, services provided, materials procured and used for installations/repairs including accurate generators fuel logbook to support accurate accounting and enable efficient planning for future works/services.
14. Perform any other related duties as required by direct supervisor, also to alternate as applicable and when need with admin staffs.
STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Completion of secondary school education. Demonstrated qualification in electricity. Completion of technical/vocational school or electrical certification is desirable.
Experience: Four or more years of progressively responsible and proven effective experience in planning and executing specialized electrical installations, maintenance and repair work, and at least one year at G3 level or equivalent.
Knowledge & Skills:
• Good knowledge of how to read and understand blue prints and technical diagrams.
• Knowledge of safety precautions.
• Ability to inspect and evaluate equipment/appliances and resolve malfunctioning quickly including ability to perform tests and use the results to diagnose problems.
• Ability to carry out installation of the equipment/appliances expertly and sometimes under difficult and awkward physical circumstances.
• Ability to use hand and power tools.
• Ability to multi-task and respond simultaneously and in a timely fashion to job requirements.
• Ability to maintain accurate and precise records.
• High sense of responsibility and punctuality.
• Honesty and integrity.
• Ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing and draft various correspondence.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment.
• Ability to work in a team and provide technical supervision to other staff.
Language: Fluency (level C) in the UN language in use at the duty station and in the duty station's language, if different.
To apply, please create a personal account and fill out the profile form with your personal information at http://www1.wfp.org/careers/job-openings. If you are an internal applicant, apply through your E-Recruitment profile.
In the application form, ensure filling the mandatory sections, attaching your CV, answering the pre-screening questions and agreeing on the legal statement before submitting your application.
Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis on account of potential and performance. All applicants will undergo a rigorous process which includes screening against job requirements, a technical test, and a panel interview.
TALENTED WOMEN ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY:
We look for applicants with the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian values. We commit to promote diversity, gender parity and equality between men and women.
WFP strives to build a work environment that is safe and respectful, and free of sexual harassment and abuse of authority. We believe in open communication, and every individual at WFP is treated with respect regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, religious and political beliefs, etc.
In this pursuit, WFP assists women to balance work exigencies with personal and family responsibilities by providing an attractive compensation package, including fully paid maternity leave for 16 weeks, breastfeeding time off, and the possibility to avail of flexible working arrangements. Also, we endeavor to provide our staff, women, and men, with training and professional career development.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS
Qualified female candidates are especially encouraged to apply
WFP does not charge any fee at any stage of its recruitment process
WFP has zero tolerance with discrimination and does not discriminate to HIV/AIDS status.
This position is open to ONLY Sudanese nationals.
WFP in Sudan
In 2019, Sudan faced a worsening economic crisis, including high inflation and rising prices for essential items such as food, medicine and other commodities. After months of civil protest, a Transitional Government was formed in September 2019. The Transitional Government is pursuing a new social contract with the people, prioritizing peace and economic reform, which can pave the way to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 2 on zero hunger and improved nutrition
However, a large number of displaced people, including refugees from neighbouring countries, a volatile economic situation, increased climate variability, environmental degradation, disease outbreaks, malnutrition, gender inequality, and the risk of relapse back into potential conflict present significant hunger challenges.
According to the Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan 2020, 9.6 million people require humanitarian support in 2020, including 6.2 million people who are food insecure. High inflation continues to reduce households' purchasing power and people are unable to meet their basic needs. An average local food basket takes up at least 75 percent of household income.
Sudan continues to face persistently high levels of acute malnutrition and stunting, which constitute a significant public health problem. National prevalence of global acute malnutrition – too thin for height – is 14.1 percent. About 2.7 million children suffer from wasting annually, with approximately 522,000 suffering from severe acute malnutrition.
Although stunting – too short for age – has slightly improved over recent years, the scale of the problem remains concerning. One out of three Sudanese children are undernourished and do not grow to their full cognitive and physical potential.
Two thirds of the population live in rural areas, and the economy is heavily dependent on agriculture. However, the sector is vulnerable to climate shocks, and the productivity is low due to inadequate farming practices and post-harvest losses.
In response to these challenges, WFP works with the Government and partners to provide life-saving food and nutrition assistance, while supporting government efforts to strengthen social protection systems.
The already dire food security situation in Sudan could worsen with the adverse economic impacts of COVID-19. Additional efforts are required to prevent already extremely vulnerable households from becoming impoverished. In an effort to protect the most vulnerable groups against hunger and the spread of COVID-19, WFP is adjusting its response in Sudan, while ensuring safety at food and cash distributions.
For jobs from United Nations World Food Programme visit : WFP Jobs Page
Security Associate (Kadugli & Kosti) – WFP
CBT Sudan Roster, Call for interest, Consultancy Positions multiple Duty Stations…


Tomorrow, a 1997 Single by James.
Following the Top 10 success of She's A Star and the Whiplash album and a sold-out UK tour, James released Tomorrow as the second single from the album, having resurrected the track from the Wah Wah album and rerecorded it with a more conventional sound. The obligatory TFI Friday performance and a Radio 1 session for Mary Ann Hobbs preceded the single release.
As with She's A Star, the single was released on three CDs. The first featured three tracks recorded live for Radio 1's Mark Radcliffe show in January. Three new tracks – All One To Me, Gone Too Far and Honest Pleasure, the pick of the b-sides from the Whiplash singles, were featured on the second CD. Rather unsuccessful remixes of the title track by Fila Brazilia, Midfield General and Archive made up the third CD. Artwork for the singles was again designed by Blue Source and photography by Davies and Davies.
The video featured the band playing the song stood in large circle with a camera spinning round at high speed above them causing them to duck and dive to avoid being hit. Whilst a relatively simple concept, the video complemented the energy of the song perfectly.
A poster campaign with the fetching slogan "Tomorrow : Coming Soon" preceded the release. The singles were once again priced at £1.99 each in attempt to boost sales. Tomorrow entered the charts at number 12, another commendable performance, although it was to fall sharply in the following weeks.
Don't write off the old ponces off just yet – this is classic latter-day James, a huge anthemic stadium sparkler, co-written by Eno and the perfect vehicle for Tim Booth's Broadway show-stopping tendencies. The extra tracks flirt with jungle, glam and even rap, but James don't really make convincing postmodern dilettantes. Tomorrow is what they're still great at; soaring sincerity, heroic emotion, wide-eyed new-aged optimism. Recently Booth has been instructing his live audience to ignore what the music press says, so here's our advice : THIS IS A FINE RECORD, GO OUT AND BUY IT. There you go – ignore that at your leisure.


20th c. Ahrend steel tape model 7421.
Figure 1: The 20th c. Ahrend steel tape model 7421.
I bought this steel tape in 2009 as it was completely intact, whereas the other steel tapes by Ahrend (model 7427) and Tibaut Desimpelaire in my collection both show multiple repairs. This tape is signed Ahrend, a Dutch office supply house founded in 1896, and differs from the other Ahrend in my collection by its width.
The tape is made of steel and wound on a steel reel (see figure 1). The difference with the Ahrend No 7427 tape in the collection is its width; this tape is 28mm wide whereas the other is 20mm in width. (see figure 9) Both are 20 metres in length and divided by brass rivets every centimetre, every fifth of which has an additional brass washer (see figure 5).
Figure 2: The signature, length and type number 'Ahrend No 7421'.
The handles bear the signature and model number "Ahrend No 7421" (see figure 2) on one side and 'NIET VOOR HANDELSDOELEINDEN' (not for trade purposes) on the other (see figure 3). They are made of brass and have grooves to fit the ground pins that would be used to stake out and measure a trajectory (see figure 4).
Figure 3: Handle showing 'NIET VOOR HANDELSDOELEINDEN' (not for trade purposes).
Steel tapes tend to break easily when not carefully used and this particular example has several repaired sections. Although special sets were available to repair steel tapes, as can be seen at the 20th c. Tibaut steel tape, this tape has been repaired by hard soldering the ends together.
Figure 5: A section of the tape showing the various rivets and a whole metre plate.
Figure 8: The tape came with its original (or at least period) bolt, there is no need for a wingnut.
Figure 9: The difference in width with the 7427 tape (top) is clearly visible.


Stretch of crumbling road with a deep pothole at the end. This hole is getting worse very quickly and needs to be repaired. Please note this is not a duplicate of a previous report/repair as there are numerous potholes along this stretch of road.


We all know that our diet is a major influence on our health. Our food choices determine whether or not we are getting adequate amounts of the nutrients our bodies need to function properly. According to research, it seems that eating home cooked meals may lead to better health outcomes than eating out frequently. This is definitely not surprising, but the extent of the benefits and some of the specific benefits may surprise you. Hopefully the following information will motivate you to make time for nutritious family dinners that are not only good for your health, but your family's health as well.
If you want to do everything you can to ensure your children's well-being, having frequent family home-cooked meals may be something you want to put near the top of the list. According to WebMD, research has shown that children who eat home-cooked meals more frequently were less likely to be overweight. Studies found family meals tend to contain more fruits and vegetables and less fried food, soda and trans fat.
A survey by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University found that teens whose families ate together frequently were less likely to use alcohol, drugs and cigarettes, something that provides myriad other benefits besides better physical and mental health. To boot, these kids tended to get better grades. Other surveys have found that children who ate frequently with their families tended to be happier with life in general.
Studies have found that eating out led to at least a 50 percent increase in calories consumed, sodium and total fat intake. When eating out occasionally, this splurge is not a big deal in the long run; but with the rapid increase in people eating in restaurants or getting take-out and delivery from said restaurants rather than cooking at home, this really adds up to significant overeating considering the serving sizes of most meals.
How many times have you stuffed yourself at a restaurant simply because the food was there? According to research conducted at Harvard University, families that ate together every day or most days had higher intake of health-promoting nutrients such as calcium, fiber, iron, vitamin B-6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin E and vitamin C; they also had less overall saturated fat intake.
With busy schedules, it can be hard to sit down to dinner as a family. But, there is a good chance you can make it work with a little effort. For many of you, you can probably swing it but are so used to eating separately, you do not even think to change the routine. Maybe you will never be able to do daily dinners, but at least make an effort to pencil in one or two, at least to start.
Planning and getting those plans written down on paper is a deceptively simple, yet incredibly powerful way to keep on track with goals. Make out a list of meals for the week and make one big trip to the store and you are all set. Get your kids involved in the preparation, maybe ask them to cut the vegetables after school. If you are more motivated to cook on the weekend, make extra and freeze it to use as one of your meals during the week. Utilize prepared foods to save some time-you can get a nice roast chicken at the supermarket and all you have to worry about is putting together some healthy sides, like some brown rice or a vegetable medley. Buy ready-made sauces. Not everything has to be made from scratch to be healthy.
Kelli Cooper is a freelance writer who specializes in health and wellness content. If you are crunched for time when it comes to preparing a healthy home-cooked meal, slow cookers can be your best friend-throw in some ingredients before work and by time you come home, you will have a delicious meal all ready to go.


text:
What Causes a Tsunami?
Posted by Tim McGarvey
Turns out this show on Tsunamis would have been just as relevant today. As Japan struggles to recover from one of the worst earthquakes and resulting tsunamis in hundreds of years we couldn't help but look back on this show we completed for CBS Eye Too Productions.
The challenge was to explain to the viewers how tectonic plates work underneath the ocean floor. It's obvious that while producers had to spend ample time explaining the concept, there would be no reason to include such complicated, factual information without visuals to help them understand. CBS has relied on TMBA's animations in many situations like this and the tsunami show was no exception.
Tsunamis are a force to be reckoned with. And that goes for creating them in 3D as well.
Waves are impossible to put into a mathematical equation, which is at the root of all 3D software. To create realistic looking 3D waves, ocean spray and mist requires "cheating" or fooling the 3D software, which not many 3D artists know how to do well. Tim McGarvey, president of TMBA, happens to be one animator who has learned how to do realistic water well, which is why CBS hired Tim and the TMBA team to re-create this great underwater depiction of tectonic action.
Produced for the Discovery Channel, TMBA took the science of tectonic plate shifts and tsunamis and used it as reference to create a realistic, colorful scene that is as eerily beautiful as it is practical. As viewers watch plates rise and shift, stall and generate energy which is then released–giving a huge shove to a massive body of water–it becomes clear how these fearful, destructive waves get their start.
A great 3D animation from TMBA does what no other visual can–takes you inside the story to the places a camera can't reach, and explains what the camera can't teach.
Read More: What Causes a Tsunami
Category : tsunami science / weather graphics
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Do you Really Need Supplemental Insurance for a Car Rental in Maui Hawaii?
Getting ready to sign a contract for a car rental in Maui Hawaii without first considering the offer of supplemental insurance? Yes, it is an extra expense that if avoided would be more money for your trip. But the question you have to ask yourself is, do you or don't you really need this insurance? This question is one that should be considered well before you drive off the lot with your rental car, because once you sign on the dotted line you're liable for the company's property.
1. Do I have insurance coverage?
2. What does my insurance policy cover?
3. Does my credit card company include car rental insurance when renting a car using their card?
4. Will the insurance coverage I have be enough in the event of an accident or theft?
If you cannot accurately answer these questions you need to first find the answers before agreeing or disagreeing to take the extra supplemental insurance.
If you are not insured at the moment because you don't have a day to day vehicle to drive you have no choice but to obtain some form of supplemental insurance for your car rental in Maui Hawaii. Having no coverage on a rental car leaves you on the hook for a lot of out of pocket expenses in the event that something happens.
For most policy holders your personal insurance provider will also cover a rental car in the event of an accident or theft. However, you must keep in mind that your insurance company will only pay expenses totaling your preselected limit for damages. So if your damages limit amount was $15,000 that is all your insurance company will pay out.
Liability Coverage – If you have liability insurance it will only cover damages to the other vehicles and property that may have been damaged in an accident. This may or may not pertain to the rental car.
Collision Coverage – full cover on your primary insurance provider means that they will cover the damage that occurred as a result of an accident. This would pertain to the rental car and the cars of anyone else (if you were at fault).
Comprehensive – for those who have comprehensive coverage it will cover all the damages that resulted on the vehicle that are not the direct result of an accident but as a result of things such as vandalism or theft.
The last question is does your insurance policy cover enough of the out of pocket expenses for you in the event of an accident or theft. If you have collision and/or comprehensive chances are the out of pocket would be minimal, whereas the liability coverage may not be enough to cover everything.
Now that you have a more informed decision on your insurance policy, you can make the decision on whether or not having extra cushion such as rental insurance for your car rental in Maui Hawaii is the best choice for you.
This entry was posted on Saturday, March 29th, 2014 at 11:17 pm	and is filed under Hawaii Car Rental. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.


Kim said that the Chinese art troupe's visit to the North "serves as a significant occasion in carrying forward and further consolidating the tradition of the two countries' ties," the Korean Central News Agency reported Tuesday.
In a sign of closer ties, a Chinese art troupe, led by Song Tao, the head of the international department at the Central Committee of the Communist Party, arrived in Pyongyang on Friday for the April Spring Friendship Art Festival.
Kim and his wife Ri Sol-ju on Monday watched a ballet choreodrama of "Red Women Company" by the Chinese art troupe, the KCNA reported. Kim Yo-jong, the North Korean leader's younger sister, Choe Ryong-hae, vice chairman of the Workers' Party Central Committee, and Ri Su-yong, the vice chairman of the ruling Workers' Party, also attended the performance.
"He (Song Tao) said Xi Jinping is attaching very great importance to the joint agreement made with Kim Jong-un, expressing the will to deepen exchanges in the cultural and art field and other various fields," the KCNA said.
Kim plans to hold a summit with South Korean President Moon Jae-in on April 27 and with US President Donald Trump in May or in early June.
Kim met Song on Saturday to exchange "deep thoughts" on international issues of concern to North Korea and China and vowed to improve bilateral relations, according to the state media.
Kim's warm welcome contrasts with Song's last visit to Pyongyang last November, when he was sent as Xi's special envoy to discuss the outcome of China's 19th Party Congress. He returned to Beijing without meeting Kim, which was seen as a sign of their strained relations.
Talks are underway about a possible visit by Xi to Pyongyang in June after the inter-Korean summit and North Korea-US summit, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported Monday, quoting Chinese and North Korean sources.
The news outlet added that China will make a final decision after observing the results of the planned US-North summit.
Kim reportedly invited Xi to North Korea during his visit to China in late March.
Their rapidly warming ties fuel concerns that the international sanctions regime against North Korea might be undermined.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un asked for China's economic assistance, as well as backing for the regime's survival and the easing of military threats, Asahi Shimbun reported Tuesday.
The Japanese media outlet speculated that possible measures by China could include supplying energy to North Korea and creating a special economic zone near the border between the two countries.
"China cannot stop imposing sanctions against North Korea due to the UN Security Council's resolution on sanctions against the country, but China can still offer assistance to North Korea in sectors irrelevant of the sanctions," an official was quoted as saying.
China, North Korea's traditional ally and biggest trading partner, has backed international sanctions against the reclusive regime over a series of nuclear and missile tests by the North, which had frayed their relations.
But the two countries have been seeking to warm ties ahead of Kim's meeting with Moon on April 27 and with Trump by June over the North's nuclear weapons program.
Kim made a surprise visit to Beijing in late March to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, which was seen as benefiting both countries. North Korea might have wanted to increase its leverage ahead of the historic summits, and China might have intended to show that it is still a major player in resolving the North's nuclear standoff.
While North Korea and China are mending ties, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe headed to the US on Tuesday to meet Trump to discuss both trade and Trump's plans for a summit with the North Korean leader.


Machine learning will be paramount in the Big Data era, but serendipitous observations also matter.
Radio astronomers met last autumn to consider how new radio observatories and techniques might change the odds. Steve Croft from the University of California at Berkeley discusses the approaches advocated at the meeting, from paying attention to serendipitous observations to machine learning – calling on both next generation observatories such as the Square Kilometre Array and smaller, all-sky observatories, to include search strategies important for SETI.