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Christmas at the Boys and Girls Home of NC during a pandemic
December 25, 2020 By WECT
By Gabrielle Williams | December 25, 2020 at 11:43 AM EST – Updated December 25 at 11:43 AM
LAKE WACCAMAW, N.C. (WECT) – The holidays look different for everyone this year, especially the kids and teens at the Boys and Girls Home of North Carolina (BGHNC) in Lake Waccamaw.
This is Lauren Barnes's first Christmas in the home. The 17-year-old has been living there since September and likes it so far.
"I'm graduating and I got back on track with school," said Barnes.
Despite getting back on track and liking the home, she is a little sad that she's not able to spend the holidays with her family this year.
"I think Christmas will be fun," said Barnes. "I heard we get a lot of gifts and they make it as homey as they can; we eat and stuff like that. So I'm looking forward to staying positive."
It's been a tough year for the BGHNC, said Ricky Creech. Creech became the President and CEO of the home back in October. Along with starting just a few months ago, the pandemic has presented a challenge for everyone.
"The biggest being that we've had to limit family visits and kinship visits to our children because we don't want our kids to be exposed," said Creech. "Not only limiting family visits, but it's also impacted our charitable giving because we can't do the traditional fundraising and development activities that we have traditionally conducted throughout the state."
Creech said they've had to rely on their donors to help make Christmas happen at the home.
"The holiday season for our children, regardless of their previous family environment is still a sad occasion," said Creech. "Because they're not with family. And so because of the tremendous support of our donors, who rally around us and our children during the Christmas time, we're able to hopefully take that sadness and turn it into a smile by just keeping lots of love on the children in us that we have the opportunity and the privilege of serving.
This year, Creech and his family spent Christmas Eve with the boys of the home and Christmas Day with the girls. They got to eat a meal, bake cookies, open gifts, and make crafts.
Barnes hopes that those who always spend the holidays with loved ones don't take it for granted.
"Be grateful that you do get to spend time with your family," said Barnes. "Not everybody has that choice. Not everybody picks to be here. You never know what could happen to have them placed out of their family into a situation like this. So I just had to be grateful and thankful."
Now more than ever, foster families are needed to support the children in the community. To learn more about that and/or donate to the Boys and Girls Home of NC, visit their website.


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A gay "Star Wars" hero could save lives in this galaxy: Why the lip bite that launched a thousand 'ships matters
Fans are mining for clues that Poe Dameron, "Star Wars"' new hero pilot, has the hots for former Stormtrooper Finn
By Eli Keel
(Lucasfilm)
People are hailing "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" as a huge leap forward in onscreen diversity. The new protagonists include Rey, a heroine so capable that she does all the saving; Finn, a black leading man wielding blasters and lightsabers; and Poe Dameron, described as the Resistance's "best pilot." Dameron's ethnicity isn't stated in the film, but actor Oscar Isaac is a Guatemalan American. Beyond the new leads, you see women and people of color throughout "The Force Awakens": flying X-wings, commanding Stormtroopers, examining schematics, and doling out mystical advice. But one group still absent from this galaxy far, far away is the LGBT+ crowd.
Of course, a character's sexuality has to be expressed to be visible— Rey can be perceived as a woman shooting a blaster without ever saying she's a woman. Finn doesn't have to stop and give a lecture on the history of racial aggression on Coruscant to be seen as black.
And to be fair, romantic entanglements are pretty light all around in "The Force Awakens." In one brief moment Finn asks Rey if she has a boyfriend — the clearest nod toward a standard romantic plot. Other evidence is even sketchier — hugs and shrugs and knowing looks from Han Solo. This leaves a lot of room for people to read other possible romantic relationships blooming between the lines, and a legion of increasingly vocal fans believe they are seeing "Star Wars"' first onscreen LGBT+ representation in Poe Dameron, expressed by his special friendship with escaped Stormtrooper Finn.
Before we examine the evidence, let's look at the particular behaviors in fandom that create the sort of online fervor that is the Poe x Finn phenomenon.
Every ardent fan has at some point wanted to see their two favorite characters get together —the time-honored act of imagining your two favorites falling in love, or "'shipping." Many fans go even one step further into fan fiction, writing stories or creating art that depicts the love they have imagined. Fan fiction take the shape of any kind of story, but love and sex stories are probably the most popular.
The subgenre of slash fiction, which takes two presumably straight characters and imagines their homosexual love, exists for every popular franchise, too. (Go ahead and google "Spock slash Kirk.") Slash fiction has a particularly strong presence on the Internet, perhaps because LGBT+ people are still used to reading between the lines for their onscreen representation. So it didn't take long for fans, some whom are LGBT+ themselves, and some who just long for more inclusive representation of gender and sexuality, to start shipping Poe and Finn. And the slash followed soon there after. Here's a little PG taste.
But is this just fan fiction or will Poe Dameron help "Star Wars" finally explore the final frontier of gender and sexuality? (Yes. I know that's a "Star Trek" reference.)
The onscreen evidence that most fans point to is the reunion moment between Poe and Finn on the planet D'Qar. The two men had met and bonded briefly at the start of the film, when they escaped together from the First Order — Poe as a prisoner and Finn as a defecting Stormtrooper who needed a pilot. They crashed, and Poe appeared to die. Finn wore Poe's jacket until the two are reunited through the Resistance, when Poe tells him, "Hey, that's my jacket. No, no. Keep it. It suits you."
But it's all about how Oscar Isaac delivers the line. Let's examine that moment again, with blocking.
POE: Hey, that's my jacket.
FINN: (starts to take off jacket)
POE: No, no. Keep it. (Gives FINN the once over.) It suits you. (Bites lip.)
Is it getting hot in here? Let's zoom in further.
(BITES LIP.)
GIF please.
http://i.imgur.com/6AwoWpB.mp4
That lip bite is everything. It's a look that caused fans to launch a thousand 'ships, and it's pretty suggestive all by itself. But even before "The Force Awakens" was released, the stars went on a publicity tour that included a stop on Ellen, where Isaac talked about his character having a love interest in the film. "I think it's very a subtle romance that's happening. You have to just look very closely, you have to watch it a few times to see the little hints, but there was. At least, I was playing romance."
Now, Isaac is just an actor. He's not in charge of writing or directing, so he doesn't have the final say on his character's arc. And he's frequently playful with the press — in the same interview he jokes that maybe his love interest is the adorable droid BB-8. So his statement should be taken with a big grain of salt, not proclaimed as canon.
But do I need to remind you?
The lip bite/"Ellen" interview combo gives hopeful viewers just enough to get excited about. And that excitement may be helping nudge "The Force Awakens" closer to box office history, as repeat viewings are fueling the continued success of the box office juggernaut.
But even if these hopeful Poe/Finn 'shippers aren't just imagining the interaction, will the "Star Wars" brain trust do right and follow through? Or is this a big screen case of queer baiting?
While in the past coded relationships between same sex characters have sometimes been welcomed by LGBT+ audiences in the past, when they were left with the option of something being better than the usual nothing, it's a brave new world. It's become a useful market ploy for TV shows to tease LGBT+ audiences with the hope of on screen representation, often alluded to through subtext or longing glances. But the promise is often unfulfilled, and frequently characters will even back away with a quick "no homo" joke to make sure that hetero-supremacy is upheld.
LGBT+ audiences have started speaking out, demanding that studios quit cashing in on their love and give real on screen representations. Backlash over queer baiting is public and loud.
In other words, sexy lip biting isn't enough.
Until we get some more evidence, Dameron's sexuality is in flux. This saga is still being written, and that means there is still room for Poe to fly into Finn's heart, or for the "Star Wars" brain trust to write him a whole new love interest — or just drop it all together.
LGBT+ representation in "Star Wars" would be a huge victory for the continued fight for freedom and acceptance that still faces so many people. LGBT+ teens still have a much higher rate of suicide and depression. A gay character in the biggest franchise in the universe, one linked to so many childhoods and formative to what kids think of as right and wrong, wouldn't quite be the same as blowing up a Death Star, but it would be close.
A gay Poe Dameron could save lives in this galaxy.
"Star Wars" has always supposedly been about the fight for freedom. Here's hoping the Resistance's best pilot will make that fight real, and bring even more representation to a galaxy far far away.
MORE FROM Eli Keel
Aol_on Fan Fiction Lgbt Characters Oscar Isaac Star Wars Star Wars The Force Awakens

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Here is a timeline of how the mainstream US capitalist media has covered the issue of Trump's financial ties with the Russian mafia capitalist class. This timeline is significant, because it provides a clue to the thinking of the mainstream of the US capitalist class as well as how that thinking is now changing.
In April of 2017, the online web site whowhatwhy.org published the first report (that Oaklandsocialist knows of) on Trump's role as a money launderer. Oaklandsocialist reported on it, but obviously, if we were able to find and report on this story, then so were not only others on the socialist left, but also the capitalist media in general.
In July of 2017, the left liberal New Republic published an article by contributing writer Craig Unger, author of "House of Trump, House of Putin", on which he was apparently working at that time.
Also in July of 2017, the New Yorker did a piece in relation to Trump's financing of his golf club in Scotland.
On January 9, 2018, Tom Adams and Dennis Aftergut published a memorandum outlining the major evidence for Trump's money laundering role. Aftergut is a former top federal prosecutor. The memorandum was sent to US Representative Jackie Speier (D CA). This writer also sent that memorandum to US Representative Barbara Lee, who did not respond.
On December 2018, the SF Chronicle published an article by Adams and Aftergut summarizing their memo.
Around August of 2018, Craig Unger's book, "House of Trump House of Putin" was published. See oaklandsocialist's book review and summary here.
On December 15, 2018, Speier authored an article in the SF Chronicle which summarized the Adams/Aftergut memo.
On January 12, 2018, Vox.com had a story on the issue.
(update) On March 29, 2019, Craig Unger published an article in the Washington Post.
Trump with key player in his money laundering schemes, Felix Saper.
It is unfortunate that so few socialists have taken up the issue of Trump's mobster related past as a money launderer.
These stories focused on Trump's role as a money launderer for the Russian mafia capitalist class. To our knowledge, nobody else in the capitalist media – nor on the left – commented or picked up this story at that time.
In July of 2017, Trump had a private conversation with Putin outside of the G20 meeting. Nobody else was present except for Putin's interpreter. Not even Trump's interpreter was present. There was a mild flurry of comment in the capitalist media on this, but it soon died down.
The next major event in this unfolding scandal was the July, 2018 Helsinki meeting between Trump and Putin. This provoked a storm of criticism, especially when Trump sided with the representative of a rival capitalist power – Putin – vs. his own intelligence sources. However, none of the major media touched the underlying issue – Trump's role in his previous life.
In late November, when it seemed that the Mueller investigation might be killed, the Washington Post had a few articles that hinted at the issue. For example, on Nov. 29, the Post published an editorial and an opinion piece stemming from some of the testimony of Michael Cohen. But what these dealt with was Trump's interest in investing in Russia, not his getting investments from Russia.
On January 11 of 2019 – almost immediately after the holiday season had ended and everybody was back to "normal" and paying attention – the New York Times published an article that opened the floodgates. "FBI Opened Inquiry Into Whether Trump Was Secretly working on Behalf of Russia" their headline read. That Trump was financially linked with the Russian mafia capitalist class was already known (although not really discussed) by the US capitalist class as we have shown. It seems highly, highly unlikely that they hadn't known that the FBI had been investigating Trump as a "security" risk prior to this date. The article focused on Trump's interest in investing in Russia, not his role as a money launderer for the Russian capitalists.
The very next day, the Washington Post exposed a potentially even more explosive story. "Trump has concealed details of his face-to-face encounters with Putin from senior officials in administration" trumpeted the headline. The article explained that Trump has gone to extraordinary lengths to hide what he and Putin discussed in several meetings. This includes confiscating the notes of his interpreter in his Helsinki meeting. In the case of his meeting with Putin in Hamburg in July of 2017, as we pointed out, Trump couldn't confiscate his interpreter's notes because he had no interpreter there.
The same day, the Post published an opinion piece by Max Boot. The piece was entitled "18 reasons Trump could be a Russian asset." For those unfamiliar with him, Boot is a central figure on the Council on Foreign Relations, which is probably the most influential US capitalist think tank. He was a lifelong Republican until about a year ago, when he split from that party over its takeover by Trump. Again, it is not credible that Boot – who has strongly condemned Trump in the past – was not aware of Trump's connections with the Russian mafia capitalist class prior to this date.
Also on that date, the Post published another opinion piece by Anne Applebaum. "The Trump-Putin revelations tell us what we knew all along", was the title. The piece concluded, "so, yes, bring on more evidence, which will reveal more of what we already knew." In other words, from its headline to its conclusion, this was an admission that they had known of these connections for a long time.
What do these revelations amount to and why have they only come out now?
Serious as they are, all these articles discuss is his interest in investing in Russia, not his money laundering past. As we have said many times (see this article.), the main reason the US capitalist class does not want to discuss the money laundering issue is that money laundering for the drug cartels is rampant in the real estate industry. Any revelation of Trump's money laundering would threaten to reveal this fact.
Oakland Mayor Libby "Yuppie" Schaaf.
Her main campaign donors come from the real estate industry.
The City of Oakland is basically run by the real estate developers. They compose the main donors to the campaigns of its mayor, Libby "Yuppie" Schaaf, for example. Oakland is probably no exception. The question is how many of these donors have been involved in this money laundering, meaning how many city politicians (and those politicians who arose from city politics) have been getting money from money launderers for the drug cartels? Today, being linked with the drug cartels is "worse" than being linked with the Commies in the 1950s! Image the scandal that would erupt. Maybe it won't be fully revealed, but maybe it will.
More generally, such a scandal would vastly accelerate the discrediting of capitalism, especially among millions of younger people, who are already showing increased support for socialism.
This extreme political risk was only undertaken by the mainstream of the US capitalist class because Trump's unilateral decision to remove the US troops from Syria (tiny in number as they may be) convinced them that they cannot restrain this Russian capitalist class linked president, nor can they tolerate him in office for another two years. Something must be done now, however risky.
First, they are all terrified to being linked with anything that remotely sounds like US patriotism. But this has nothing to do with patriotism; it's a revelation of the deep crisis for the US capitalist class, the fact that they've largely lost control over the executive branch of their own government. It also shows the deep divisions within that class.
And that gets to the second aspect of the issue. It is not enough to simply simply raise the issues that arise from the direct class struggle – the injustices of capitalism, the struggle of workers, etc. What also has to be raised is the relations inside of the capitalist class. Simply looking at the injustices and exploitation by the capitalist class always leaves the working class looking upwards at the rulers over society. Considering what is happening within the capitalist class means regarding society with a bird's eye view, regarding it from above. From that perspective, the working class starts to see itself as the potential ruling class, instead of the class that is in perpetual struggle against the ruling class.
In other words, this is the difference between reformism, or social democracy, and revolutionary socialism. The fact that the overwhelming majority of socialists have ignored this issue does not speak well for them.
That is why it is important for socialists to take up this sort of issue and shout it from the rooftops.
Worker solidarity: We have to change the entire world!


The thing moms want the most is a special, low-key day filled with love, quality time and maybe a handmade gift or two.
Spending time with mom is a wonderful way to make her feel special. Image source: iStockPhoto.
Each mom is different. You can simply ask her, "What do you want for Mother's Day?" Or you can take a deeper look at the responses we got to that very question.
The comments varied, but a strong theme emerged. Over and over again, moms said they want a "day off" for Mother's Day! Not a day off from being Mom, but a mini-vacay—a day away from the mundane chores that seem to take over their lives the rest of the year.
Here are the top five things that you and your kids can do for Mom to make her Mother's Day super-special!
Breakfast in bed for Mom is a time-honored tradition. If Mom likes to sleep late on her annual day off, make it brunch instead!
My Kids' Adventures has a list of their favorite Mother's Day breakfasts, many of which can be made as a team effort with you and your kids.
You'll find simple ideas, like this no-bake Berry Flower Mother's Day Bagel from Krissy Sherman Bonning at B-Inspired Mama! You'll give mom flowers and breakfast in bed all in one!
Looking for a delicious breakfast you can prep the night before? Brooklyn Supper has this baked Strawberry French Toast! Also, the Overnight Fridge Berry Oatmeal by Emily on Busy-Mommy is no-cook, super-easy and something older kids can make themselves.
Whatever recipe you choose, let the kids help you prepare it. Read the recipe in advance and think about what tasks are safe and fun for your kids to do.
Moms love breakfast in bed—no matter what you serve. Image source: iStockPhoto.
Note: Mom will love your special breakfast, but don't forget to clean up afterward. Mom will not be happy if you leave piles of dishes, bowls and pots for her!
Breakfast Shortcut: Take Mom out to her favorite restaurant or one known for making delicious breakfasts!
Moms love it when their families give them a gift, collaboratively created between Dad (or other special person) and the kids.
Sure, Moms appreciate expensive gifts now and then, but a macaroni necklace really is the kind of gift they'd love. Note: Not one person we asked suggested jewelry or other high-end items.
Here are some of the types of gifts you and your kids can make for Mom.
This photo bookmark from Make and Takes is awesome because all you need to do is find a photo booth. (Or take your own pictures and create a strip effect in a program like PicMonkey or Canva). You could even hold up a sign with a personalized message—"I Love You, Mom!" or "Mom, you're the best!"—while you take the pictures.
If Mom's a book lover, this photo bookmark craft from Make & Takes is the perfect gift.
Want to get a little fancy? Laminate it, punch a hole and add a ribbon. Those additions are nice, but not required. You could also glue it on thick paper and have your kids sign the back!
Tip: If Mom's a bookworm, give her this bookmark with a new book!
If you want to send Mom a message, create photography portrait word art like the one on Frugal Upstate. Have each child hold a word or a letter in his or her picture to send your Mother's Day message. You have lots of options, so be sure to read through all of the variations.
Note: Don't be overwhelmed by the framing. Moms would like getting these wrapped up just as prints!
Gifts with handprints are always popular because they record the growth of your children from year to year. You can put handprints on a variety of items too!
Cards are easy to make. Plus, if the handprint doesn't turn out quite right, it's inexpensive to redo.
Moms love handmade gifts from their kids. Image source: iStockPhoto.
These poem cards from Activity Village are nice because they offer several poem options. You can also help your kids write their own poem for Mom.
Also consider an owl handprint card from Dandelion Moms or a handprint flower from Skip to my Lou. Both are easy and totally adorable!
Aprons, like this one from B-Inspired Mama, are perfect for the Mom who likes to cook.
A handprint apron by B-Inspired Mama is perfect for Moms who like to cook.
There are many variations you can do with an apron for Mom. You could simply do handprints and have the kids sign their names and ages. Or have them each paint a different section on the apron.
Tip: Handprints in clay or salt dough are also long-time favorites. Another option is doing just a fingerprint, which is the perfect size for a pendant.
Like handprints, crafts with your child's silhouette are also beloved. Stephanie on the Henry Happened blog created these silhouettes of her kids as her Mother's Day gift to herself. Dads, this is a memorable gift you and your kids can make for Mom with love.
This art mug craft from Fireflies and Jellybeans is easy, practical and personal. It's also a great gift for Grandma!
Help the little ones make mug art like this craft by Fireflies and Jellybeans.
Gift Shortcut: Dads, if you want to go shopping, get your wife a personalized necklace with birthstones of your children. You can also get something with their names and/or birthdates.
Although they rarely receive it, Moms love alone time! Give them some time for themselves on Mother's Day, and get a happy Mom in return! While some Moms appreciate uninterrupted time to read, others might want to spend their "timeout" working on a craft or a crossword puzzle. Almost all Moms would love a spa day!
To encourage Mom to live in the lap of luxury—for a few hours at least—here are recipes for some homemade spa gifts. Dads, you and your kids will love playing "chemist" in the kitchen.
Make spa gifts for Mom so she can enjoy a little time to herself. Image source: iStockPhoto.
If Mom only has a little time to pamper herself on Mother's Day, make sure she gets a bubble bath. These two recipes for bubble bath require only a few ingredients that can be found at most stores. Try this skin-softening homemade bubble bath from Apartment Therapy or honey bubble bath from High Plains Thrifter.
Use four easy-to-find ingredients to make this wonderful honey bubble bath from High Plains Thrifter.
Honey, which is commonly used in many do-it-yourself (DIY) home spa products, tends to separate. Remember to mix it just before you present it as a gift.
Note: DIY bubble bath doesn't contain surfactants, so there will not be many bubbles. If you want to maximize the bubble output, increase the castile soap in the recipes.
Most scrubs are salt- or sugar-based, like this easy lavender sugar scrub from Wonky Wonderful or this rose petal sugar scrub from Imperial Sugar. Sugar and salt scrubs get rave reviews because they exfoliate and leave skin feeling soft.
A sugar scrub, like this one, is simple to put together and smells great.
Tip: When using natural essential oils, be sure to use the suggested oils, unless you know a lot about them. Some essential oils are not safe to put directly on skin. However, many scrubs, like lavender and rosemary, feel great and are healthy too!
This simple foot scrub from A & B Stories uses only three ingredients that you probably already have at home. Plus, it contains a magic ingredient: baking soda!
Three-ingredient foot scrub from A & B Stories.
Another simple three-ingredient option is this honey and lemon foot bath from Babble. Both of these foot scrubs are easy to throw together at the last minute.
In fact, you could make either one of these while Mom is eating breakfast in bed. When you remove the dishes, deliver it to her with a homemade card or personalized tag from the kids.
Tip: Plan ahead and pick up a pumice stone or acrylic foot file to accompany any of these foot scrubs or baths. A new pair of socks and/or a bowl (for soaking feet) would also make a nice gift.
Customize bath bombs from Simply Designing for Mom. It gives you and your kids the opportunity to experiment with color and scents, so you can come up with the perfect combination for Mom.
Note: These fizzy bombs will need to dry several hours before they're ready to give!
Customize fizzy bath bombs for Mom from Simply Designing.
Tip: You can use different kinds of molds for your fizzy bombs: baking tins, silicone molds or plastic containers. You can also recycle cream cheese or yogurt containers, just make sure they're clean! Or if you want to invest, purchase a 60 mm 2-part plastic ball. Put the concoction in both sides of the ball and then snap them together—voilà!
Home Spa Shortcut: Take your kids to the store and let them pick out several of the above products. Wrap up Mom's spa presents in a basket with a note that she gets all morning to herself (if she wants). While Mom's relaxing at her home spa, work on idea #4 or just take the kids to the park or the movies for a couple of hours.
Note: You can also buy Mom a gift certificate for the spa or a mani-pedi at the nail salon.
By far, the number-one request from moms for Mother's Day is to have a clean house that they didn't have to clean! Since this is Mom's day off, that means you and the kids are responsible. You'll need to clean the house… and keep it clean all day long.
Granted, this can be a daunting task. Luckily, there are great expert tips at your disposal. The idea is for everyone to pitch in and enjoy themselves while working on this much-desired gift for Mom.
Education.com shares 13 ideas for getting the house clean with kids. Their first suggestion—pump up the music—is one of my favorites!
Valerie at Inner Child Fun compiled a list of 10 awesome ways to make cleaning fun. This is a list of things that have worked well at her house to get kids to pitch in. For example, one suggestion is to have kids find something they like to use, like the Swiffer, and encourage them to use that tool.
There are ways to make cleaning fun for kids. The end product: a great gift for Mom!
Tip: Give the kids a "pregame pep talk" the night before Mother's Day. Explain how much Mom does for them all year. Since this is their day to show Mom how much they appreciate her, ask them if they want to make it special. Tell them the goal of the day and be specific about what you expect of them.
If you've communicated with them in advance and get them re-psyched in the morning, you're more likely get the support you need from your kids.
Cleaning Shortcut: Hire a service. Sure, you could clean the house yourselves. However, this is another way to make sure the house sparkles and have plenty of time and energy for family bonding!
Mother's Day is the perfect day for family time. No errands, no strict schedule—just quality time as a family.
Moms want a day off from chores and cooking. A day to relax, recharge and enjoy their families. Image source: iStockPhoto.
Whether you play inside or out, there's plenty of time for family games on Mother's Day!
The games can be simple, like a jellybean toss; duck, duck, goose; button, button, who's got the button; charades or Pictionary! You can also go outside and play kick-the-can, tag, hide-and-go-seek or any other neighborhood games. Don't forget about board games or cards!
If you want to try something new, check out this glow-in-the-dark bowling by Kirsten Nelson or family game show from Susan Merrill.
Glow-in-the-dark bowling and family game show are two fun family activities from My Kids' Adventures.
Game Shortcut: Mad Libs has books, an app and downloads you can enjoy as a family. These fill-in-the-blank books are a great way to get everyone laughing!
Weather permitting, Mother's Day is the perfect time to plant a garden as a family. It's a great way to bond as a family, and it might make for a fabulous family tradition too! Plus, it leads to some other great gift ideas.
If Mom wants to mulch the soil with compost or plan the garden layout, give her a planter pot, soil and/or seeds, like Jen did at PaintCutPaste.com.
Or your kids can make a beautiful flower pot. You could gift it with flowers in it, packets of seeds and/or a new gardening tool.
Kids can make this adorable vase to go along with flowers for Mom.
Gardening Shortcut: Purchase Mom's favorite plant or flower and make it gifty: wrap it in fabric or burlap. A favorite flower could be an orchid or a beautiful hanging basket. It could also be a cypress or a two-year-old sequoia tree! And wrapping the base of the plant makes even the cheapest plastic container look chic and polished. Don't forget the homemade card and bow!
There's nothing like a cool treat to top off Mother's Day. Have you ever made ice cream? Try Melody Joy's delicious homemade ice cream recipe—no churn or rock salt required! This recipe has three variations, but you can make your own creations too. Be sure to make Mom's favorite!
Homemade ice cream is the perfect way to top off a wonderful Mother's Day.
Ice cream is the perfect afternoon snack or dessert after a wonderful afternoon of games, gardening or whatever else you choose to do for your family celebration. Note: You'll need 6 hours of freezer time, so just plan accordingly.
End the day by taking Mom out to dinner or preparing one of her favorite meals. Be sure to clean up! This day is all about Mom. Now pat yourself on the back and give the kids a big round of applause. You've just delivered a memorable Mother's Day!
This list might not be perfect for every Mom, but we hope you found some good ideas. Moms want to know they're appreciated, but every Mom likes different things. So hint around (or ask outright) to figure out what she wants most for Mother's Day.
Some Moms like you to tell them that you love them, while others just want to spend quality time together as a family. Whatever you do, we hope you have an adventure as you prepare and present gifts to Mom on her big day!
What do you think? How do you spend Mother's Day? Do you have a favorite Mother's Day gift or tradition? Moms, is there anything we missed? Please share it with us! We'd love more ideas and inspiration!
Love these ideas–I want to try a few myself…thanks!
Awesome ideas! I need all the help I can get. Thanks!
Thanks KJ! I think the moms you polled got it right. This sounds like the perfect day!
I think the moms I asked nail it! When I sat back and saw the trends, I realized it wasn't the typical response, but it was spot-on! ha ha!
Thanks, Irene! I'm glad you like the article and found a few ideas to try out!
These are some really terrific ideas, Kristin! The lavender sugar, bath bombs and bubble bath look especially appealing. And the ice cream recipe is so simple, Dad and the kids can manage it all on their own–a tasty surprise Mom will love.
Great suggestions KJ!! I love it all!
Thank you, Melody Joy! Maybe you'll get some activity ideas for all your sweet nieces?! You could do one of your awesome camps for tweens – "spa camp"!
"Spa camp," What a fabulous idea!


This is one of our best decisions EVER- to take you away to the wild and let you soak in your beautiful life, reflect on the year ahead, and make space for some deep and needed self-care. Please join us this year for so many reasons: deep, thoughtful yoga and movement classes, beautiful Ayurvedic self-care rituals, plenty of pranayama/meditation, incredible surfing (the perfect place to learn or play!), miles of unpopulated beaches to wander and allow your mind to soften and clear, invigorating waterfall hikes, restful hammock-swinging and long languid afternoons with a book, cannonballs by the pool, and all the incredible jungle life all around to stir your soul. There is a reason we come back here again and again to our south of the border family home, and we invite you into the magic of the Osa with us again this year. We love to bring our community to this wonderful healing place to unite in the spirit of yoga, sangha and the wisdom of nature.
This retreat sells out every year, so please don't wait if this is your year! A non-refundable $500 deposit will secure your space. Come and celebrate YOU at the turn of 2020 with us! Payment plans are available, just ask.
There is also a partial scholarship/ work-trade option available for a student of color; please contact us at weloveyou@thebhaktishop.com for information.
Surfing/Swimming: A private, pristine surf break is a stone's throw from your yoga deck and front porch, and Boca is a perfect place for new surfers to learn to surf as well as for more experienced surfers to enjoy long rides in perfectly warm, un-crowdeded waters. Our friends Eddie and Michelle, the surf instructors that live onsite, happily tailor your lessons to fit the high tides. There is also one large swimming pool, one small cold "chatting" pool, teeming tide pools, great nearby spots for ocean swimming, and a freshwater stream just a few yards from the ocean.
Tree Climbing and Rappel: The gigantic Strangler Fig Tree is one of the most incredible things to see down here! After an informative guided hike with a local plant guy (maybe you'll eat some termites along the way?) perhaps you will want to climb it? At the top, there's a viewing nest--nearly 450 feet over the ocean! Once you are expertly harnessed, you'll be able to jump out of the tree, hanging weightlessly like a beautiful ripe fruit. Definitely one of the biggest highlights for the adventurous!
Dolphin Watch, Boat Trip, Snorkel and Animal Wildlife Sanctuary: Always a huge highlight, the Wildlife Sanctuary is an animal rescue center accessible only by boat and is completely surrounded by Piedras Blancas National Park. It is one of the most interesting and worthwhile animal sanctuary projects in Costa Rica; a local enterprise wholly committed to providing wildlife rescue and rehabilitation for orphaned, injured and displaced animals indigenous to the southern zone. You'll travel by boat across the Golfo Dulce, where you might be surrounded by dolphins, turtles and other marine animals (once there was a whale shark!) with a few spots to swim and snorkel the reefs (if the conditions are right). For many, this intimate look into the rescue of animals has been life changing. It's possible that you'll meet rescued monkeys, sloths, toucans, macaws, kinkajous, tayras, peccaries and more.
Chocolate Growing/Making Tour and Tasting: Take an afternoon trip to tour the local Finca Kobo, a permaculture farm and organic cacao plantation, where you can learn about permaculture, chocolate-making, conservation of the rainforest and sustainable agriculture. Learn why the source of your chocolate purchases truly matters, and participate in a ceremonial cacao ritual.
Bodywork/Massage/Acupuncture: Treat yourself to an incredible massage in the private, open-air, beachfront palapa, or schedule an acupuncture session with the skilled, professional on-site practitioners of several healing modalities. You'll get to experience the calming ocean breeze and the sound of the waves crashing nearby while being cared for by high-caliber healing arts practitioners in an absolute paradise.
Outdoor Jungle Spa: Local legend Alison runs a beautiful Jungle spa, where she nurtures your hair, skin and soul with lovingly homemade local rainforest products from nature herself. She offers jungle facials, amazing body scrubs, full body wraps, hair and foot treatments, and loads of amazing souvenir products you can take home to remind you of the smells of the Osa. She uses all organic ingredients like local cacao beans, ripe papayas, local coffee, local riverbed clay, ylang ylang flowers that dangle overhead, freshly cracked coconut milk and beautiful local fruit.
Bird Watching: As an amateur birdwatcher, I am delighted and breathless over the birdlife and its abundance, as well as the ease with which the most incredible species are seen. On the Osa Penisula alone they say that there are over 400 species of birds, and even the shortest excursion produces sightings of 40-50 species sometimes. Common sightings of scarlet macaws, roadside hawks, toucans and tropical kingbirds are seen daily or even hourly, and rare birds include slaty trogons, blue-crowned mot-mots, red-legged honeycreepers and loads of tanagers and rare hummingbirds. Quick excursions and longer trips can be arranged. I carry my binoculars everywhere!
Ocean Kayaking: Take a trip into town at sunset and paddle through the mangrove forests, or leave after dark to experience the spectacular bioluminescence of the Osa.
Prices do not include taxi fare from airports, international flights and short in-country flight. These expenses, depending on airline prices, generally run around $900-$1200. Travel hints, a packing list, and other help will come via email once you decide to join us!
Due to its special nature, this retreat has its own cancellation policy. Please review!
Please note that the $500 deposit is non-refundable and secures your spot for the retreat. Full payment is due by November 15, 2019. We know that life happens and unforeseen situations and circumstances can change and impact your plans. Our cancellation/refund policy is listed below. We strongly encourage you to purchase travel insurance so that you have more travel related protection in case you need it. We regret that we are unable to give refunds or discounts for arriving late, leaving early, flight cancellations, travel delays, injury, family emergencies or illness.
Cancellation before September 1, 2019 receive a full refund less your $500 deposit.
Cancellation between Sept. 1- Nov. 15, 2019: receive a full credit less your $500 deposit and a $250 cancellation fee. The credit can be applied towards next year's Costa Rica retreat. After Nov. 15, 2019 there will be no refunds or credits possible.


lesions become, then they will flake off.
Deloria immediately after 2nd IPL treatment.
Notice how much clearing she has.
had between 1st and 2nd treatments.
Deloria after 3rd treatment of IPL on her chest.
IPL Treatments can be done on virtually any area of the body. Face, neck, chest and hands are the most common areas to be treated. Treatments last from approximately 15 minutes to an hour depending on the area to be treated.
Is the IPL treatment for men and women?
An intense pulsed light (IPL) is applied in a series of gentle pulses over the treatment area. Without damaging the skin, the light penetrates through the skin and is absorbed by the abnormally dilated vessels or pigmentation. The heat causes damage to the vessel or lesion, and the body begins its natural healing process. In most cases, the lesion will darken before it flakes off or the body absorbs it. Treatment can be given as frequently as every three weeks.
What are the risks of IPL treatments?
Side effects are rare. Immediately following treatment, the skin may appear flushed; brown pigmented spots may appear darker; and capillaries may be more visible. Pigment changes usually fade within a few days but can last longer. In rare instances, temporary swelling an/or blistering can occur.
IPL treatments can be given as frequently as every three weeks. For optimal results, a series of six treatments are recommended. If one goes out in the sun without proper sunscreen protection, new sun damage will occur. Follow-up treatments may be desired once a year to maintain your fabulous results!!!!
Treatments may vary from 15 to 35 minutes depending on the size of the area to be treated. First, the treated area is cleansed and a cool gel is applied. When the pulse of light is delivered, the sensation is similar to a snap of a rubber band. After treatment, the gel is removed, the skin cleansed, and a sunscreen is applied. Topical anesthesia can be used for maximum comfort. For sensitive skin, a cool compress is applied following treatment.
What improvements will I see ?
Patients have a high degree of satisfaction with their results. Expect to see a gradual decrease in redness, broken capillaries, flushing, irregular pigmentation, pore size, and fine lines. Your body will continue to produce collagen several months after your last treatment. Your skin will improve with each treatment feeling smoother and you will have a more even skin tone, regain elasticity and gain a more youthful look.
Our laser certified aestheticians will do all treatments under the direct supervision of Dr. Brian Kerr, our on-site physician. You can be confident that you are getting the best of treatments since we have delivered thousands of treatments since 2004.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatments are usually sold in packages of 3 to 6 treatments although one treatment can dramatically erase sun damage. Prices can range from $50 and upward depending on the area to be treated and the number of treatments.
Silk Touch Med Spa offers the IPL laser to patients in Boise, Idaho. Call today for your consultation at (208) 939-3110 or complete a Contact Form here!


The Boston Red Sox have signed shortstop Xander Bogaerts to a new contract that would guarantee him $132 million through 2025.
The sides agreed to terms on Sunday night and made it official on Monday.
A person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press that Bogaerts will earn $12 million this year under the terms of his existing deal and then $20 million for each of the next six seasons. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity before the agreement was signed.
Bogaerts hit .288 last year and set career bests with 23 homers and 103 RBIs while helping the Red Sox win a franchise-record 108 games in the regular season and a World Series championship.
Reigning AL MVP Mookie Betts is eligible for salary arbitration after this season and for free agency after 2020, when he will be just 28. He will earn $20 million this year.


text:
Q: Odd problem using addObserver:forKeypath:options:context: in init method According to Apple and numerous examples I've seen, there is no problem using KVO/KVC to observer yourself.  Also according to those same sources, it's not a problem setting this up by using addObserver:forKeypath:options:context: in an object's init method, a la:
- (id)init
{
    self = [super init];
    if (self) {
    [self addObserver:self
               forKeyPath:@"selected"
                  options:NSKeyValueObservingOptionNew
                  context:NULL];
    }
    return self;
}

Unfortunately for some reason, my observer method does not get called when I do it there.  If I move the addObserver call to another method and then invoke that method in the calling method:
MyObject *newObj = [[MyObject alloc] init];
[newObj setupObservers];

Then all is fine.  This is a subclass of NSImageView, so it's not like there's any 'awakeFromNib'-type alternative here... I'm really scratching my head here and I'm sure I'm missing something obvious - like a rule about things which will cause KVO on self to not work in init methods, but I haven't found anything in the docs which would give me any hints here.
What do I not know?

A: The problem is probably that -init is not invoked in your case, -initWithCoder: is.
Every Cocoa class has a set of init methods called its "designated initializers".  Each object, as its being instantiated, is guaranteed to go through one and only one of the designated initializers of each class in its inheritance tree.
If you're subclassing a class and have initialization to do, you must override all of the designated initializers of the superclass.
The designed initializers of NSImageView are -initWithCoder: and initWithFrame:.  Override those two, not init.

A: As for the context pointer, the preferred way is:
static void *MyPrivateObservationContext = (void*)@"MyPrivateObservationContext"; // we assume  MyPrivateObservationContext is a unique name, I use something of the form ClassNamePropertyObservationContext
then
-[obj add....... context:&MyPrivateObservationContext];

Then in
-(void)observeValueForKeyPath:....context:c;
{
    if (c == &MyPrivateObservationContext) {
        // do work
    } else {
        [super observeValueForKeyPath:...];
    }
}

A: I'm not sure whether there is such restriction or not, but even if you don't have a awakeFromNib you can create one by adding setupObservers to the run-loop in your init method:
[[NSRunLoop currentRunLoop]
  performSelector:@selector(setupObservers)
  target:self
  argument:nil
  order:1
  modes:NSDefaultRunLoopMode];

A:
This is a subclass of NSImageView, so
  it's not like there's any
  'awakeFromNib'-type alternative
  here...

I don't understand this point. Are you creating this object in a NIB or not? If a NIB is creating this object, then it will call -awakeFromNib. The first thing you should establish (using NSLog()) is whether your -init is actually running. When nothing happens, it usually means code did not run.

A: Basically you are trying to add a KVO notifications to an object that is not yet initialized (your init function add the observer before you return the self). Move the following code:
[self addObserver:self
       forKeyPath:@"selected"
          options:NSKeyValueObservingOptionNew
          context:NULL];

into the - (void)viewDidLoad instead. It's gonna be fine.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


>> didn't say and that's what Invariant sections are for.
words in the Apache Group's mouth to distribute a modified httpd.
to change and reuse, that's your choice.  It doesn't belong in Debian.
confuse users, or any other good reason.
might be able to use the remainder.
> would be a good name for sections that you're not allowed to modify.
packaging for Debian.  If the remainder is worth having, at least.
> discarded in the event of a significant fork.
discarded before becoming part of Debian.


If you suffered from a disease which might strike you down at any time; and a treatment was available, which cost six thousand dollars per year... would you be willing to scrape together that much cash for it? If the best available treatment only had a fifty percent chance of success... would you be willing to pay three thousand a year it? If the best available treatment only had a five percent chance of success... would you be willing to pay three hundred a year for it?
My own answers to all three questions are 'yes'.
After reading and researching about cryonic preservation, my best estimate of its success - that is, eventual revival - is somewhere in the neighbourhood of five percent. I have also learned that arrangements can be made for one's own cryonic preservation for around three hundred dollars per year. I have filled out the forms, signed the paperwork, sent in my first installment. (If you want to know how to sign up yourself, feel free to ask.) Put simply - I'm putting my money where my mouth is.
Medically, the procedure I have signed up for isn't "freezing", which involves ice; instead, it's "vitrification", which lowers the body's temperature in a way that avoids the creation of tissue-damaging ice crystals.
Legally, according to the "Uniform Anatomical Gift Act" of my cryonic provider's location, and the "Trillium Gift of Life Act" of my home province, what I've actually signed up to do is donate my whole body for scientific research. There's no actual guarantee that, if vitrified, I will ever be revived - though that is the goal being aimed for.
Philosophically, I have not encountered any significant evidence in support of the idea of an immortal soul. The best conclusion I've been able to reach is that minds are processes created by brains, and when the brain is sufficiently damaged, the mind ceases to exist, like a candle blown out. If it's possible to avoid dying, I'd rather avoid it; and for a number of causes of death, like getting hit by a car, there aren't really any ways to avoid them, and only a few possible ways to even potentially survive such lethal levels of damage to the body... but people keep coming up with new tricks all the time, and it's possible that whatever does end up killing me will be curable at some point in the future - and it's also possible that the vitrification process will be reversible at some point in the future. I've already mentioned my estimate of that possibility.
So... if I don't manage to live long enough for a technological Fountain of Youth to be discovered, then, if all goes well (or at least as well as possible, given that I'll be dead), my body will be transformed into a glass statue - and, like Sleeping Beauty, like Rip Van Winkle, like the various Kings Sleeping Under the Mountain... like Han Solo in carbonite, like Dave Lister, like Khan Noonien Sing, like Ellen Ripley, like Philip J. Fry, like Captain America in the iceberg, like Buck Rogers... like Rana sylvatica... I will await the possibility of my eventual awakening.
And if it doesn't work, then, worst-case scenario is that I just stay dead. Which is what would happen if I never signed up for cryo in the first place.
all good points, and i truly wish you the best success, I haven't heard much research being done in the thawing and reviving process, but then again, to be fair i haven't done any recent research on the subject, but back in the late 1970's I did, as a high school science project, cryo some guppies for three months and revived them in warm water, so in my mind the process has a "proof-of-concept" success, not so much for higher order tests... but as they say "Science marches on!"
intellectualy, i find the concept facinating and would love to discuss your choice in PM, or here if you so choose.
Here's to a brave new world, and the cryonauts who boldly go where few dare.
Thank you for your well-wishes. And I'd be happy to discuss it here, so that anyone else reading this can read it, as well.
Sounds like you've thought it out and come to a reasoned conclusion. I wish you luck in your search for immortality, or something sufficiently similar.
I wouldn't want to do it, because immortality is not something that I would want. An extended lifespan, sure, but I would eventually get tired of living.
Good luck to you, all the same!


How much does it cost to ship my PopCake?
How quickly can I get my PopCake?
The cake seems small, will an adult fit in it?
Is the cake on wheels?
Do you ship PopCakes internationally?
How big is it when it arrives?
How do I assemble my PopCake?
UPS ground shipping costs between $11-16 for locations within the Continental U.S. and takes 4-5 business days. Keep in mind that UPS ground does not deliver on Saturdays. Other shipping options are also available for $35 - $110 to suit your needs. To get an exact shipping quote add your item to the shopping cart and enter your zip code; shipping options will be displayed before you confirm your order.
Every effort is made to get your PopCake out the same day you order it, although, same day shipping is not guaranteed. Please contact us when placing a rush order to make arrangements. Our shipping options include everything from UPS Ground service to Next Day Early AM delivery. When calculating shipping options please note that UPS calculates business days beginning with the day after the order is placed and does not include weekends and holidays. (Example: If you order 3 Day Select shipping on a Wednesday morning you will receive your product by the end of the day on Monday.) UPS delivers until 7PM to residential addresses and 5PM to commercial locations.
Yes, a full size adult will fit in the cake. We have had a man as large as 6'9" (240lbs) inside one of our PopCakes. (He wouldn't have wanted to stay in there for long though.) Our cake props are approximately 3 feet wide and just over 3 feet tall. The width of the product was carefully designed to allow it to fit through doorways and hallways when fully assembled while providing the maximum space possible. The height allows the jumper to be seen from the waist up when they pop out. If you are in need of an extra large cake or one that will fit multiple people please contact us at sales@mypopcakes.com.
PopCakes, LLC is centrally located 15 miles North of Minneapolis in Ham Lake, MN. This product is only available online and easily ships to your location in less than a week.
Please contact us at sales@mypopcakes.com for information regarding shipping to your country.
The product arrives rolled up in a 10" x 10" x 20" box weighing approximately 3lbs.
Copyright . PopCakes, LLC. All rights reserved.


Do your teachers need support to teach in the range of learning areas?
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We can help to improve teachers' pedagogical content knowledge in a range of learning areas, so that they can better meet students' needs.
Our consultants have deep knowledge of the content and implications of the New Zealand Curriculum. Our director, Mary Chamberlain, led the MoE team in developing it.
Our consultants have specialised pedagogical content knowledge in a wide range of areas . We have been working with teachers to improve their teaching capabilities for many years.
We have experienced consultants who work in primary, intermediate and secondary schools. We'll be sure to find exactly the right person to meet your needs.


text:
News By Topic: Mahindra and Mahindra
Mahindra and Ford Sign Agreements on Powertrain Sharing and Connected Car Solutions Oct 17, 2018 | New Delhi, India
New Delhi, India, October 17, 2018 – Mahindra Group and Ford today strengthened their ongoing strategic alliance in India with the signing of two definitive agreements. The two definitive agreements on powertrain sharing and connected car solutions reinforce the progress made in the strategic alliance between the two	... Continue reading
Mercedes-Benz USA Announces Senior Management Appointments
ATLANTA--Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) today announced new appointments within its senior management team at its corporate headquarters in Atlanta, GA. All appointments are effective immediately.	... Continue reading
Anand Mahindra Receives Honorary Doctorate From IIT Bombay
Anand Mahindra, Chairman of the USD 16.9 billion Mahindra Group, received an honorary doctorate at the 53rd Convocation of IIT Bombay. Mr. Mahindra was conferred with the Degree of Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) for his extraordinary commitment in furthering the cause and growth of the automobile industry, and for h	... Continue reading
Anand Mahindra Appointed Chairman of the Mahindra Group
Keshub Mahindra accepts the role of Chairman Emeritus at the request of the Board Anand Mahindra, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., was appointed Chairman of the Mahindra Group, at the conclusion of the company's Board meeting which was held in Mumbai on August 8, 2012. He assumes the mantl	... Continue reading
Mahindra Automotive Australia Offers Support To Flood Affected Regions
With floods wreaking havoc across Queensland, Victoria and NSW over the last number of weeks, Mahindra Automotive Australia (MAA) has shown their support by offering a $1,000 discount off drive away prices on their 2.5 lit CRDe Mahindra Pik-Up vehicles in affected regions until April 30, 2011.	... Continue reading
Mahindra Rejects Any Attempt by Global Vehicles to Order Mahindra Vehicles as it is Invalid
Mahindra Rejects Any Attempt by Global Vehicles to Order Mahindra Vehicles as it is Invalid PR Newswire MUMBAI, India, Sept. 28 MUMBAI, India, Sept. 28 -- Mahindra and Mahindra announced that it had received and was rejecting an invalid order for pick-up trucks from former distributor Global Vehicles USA, Inc. Mahindra	... Continue reading


text:
Dokuchaievsk or Dokuchaevsk (, ; Russian: Докучаевск) is a city of regional significance in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine. The city is located on the river Sukha Volnovakha in Kalmiuske Raion, which it does not belong to. Its population is approximately

History
Starting mid-April 2014 Russian-backed separatists captured Dokuchaievsk and several other towns in Donetsk Oblast. Since then the city has been under the control by the Donetsk People's Republic.

Demographics
As of the Ukrainian Census of 2001:

Ethnicity
 Ukrainians: 66.6%
 Russians: 28.2%
 Greeks: 2.1%
 Moldovans: 1.0%
 Belarusians: 0.5%

Language
Russian: 72.1%
Ukrainian: 27.3%

Gallery

References

Cities in Donetsk Oblast
Cities of regional significance in Ukraine
Populated places established in the Russian Empire
1912 establishments in the Russian Empire
Kalmiuske Raion

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
C Squared Media
smart. strategic. content.
CC Holland
CC Holland is the CCO (chief content officer) and founder of C Squared Media. CC has specialized in digital content since 1996, when she began managing AOL chat communities for a magazine publisher. Since then she's run a wide range of content strategy, content marketing, and brand content projects for clients ranging from start-ups to Fortune 100 companies.
She started her professional life as a print journalist and has worked with a variety of notable magazines and newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times and the San Francisco Chronicle, as a reporter and editor.
She also has deep experience and expertise in marketing communications, brand development, social media, web content strategy, and user experience. Her management experience includes serving as a managing editor at CNET Networks, director of content strategy at WebEx, and SVP for brand marketing and digital media at Pacific Union.
CC has a bachelor of arts degree in journalism from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and is a member of several professional organizations, including the Society for New Communications Research and the International Association of Business Communicators.
When CC isn't knee-deep in content strategy, planning, and development, you'll probably find her on the tennis courts, at the gym, or with her nose stuck in her Kindle.
cc@c-squaredmedia.com 510.394.4577


The spirit of Yank Rachell and Johnny Young lives on Green Bay, Wisconsin bluesman Billy Flynn. The erstwhile sideman and sometime bandleader is most frequently found playing guitar on the Chicago blues circuit, but as he proves on his new release, Chicago Blues Mandolin, he's absorbed the mandolin vocabulary of Rachell and Young, and has begun to make it his own.
Billy wrote all 10 numbers on this disc (one of which appears in two different versions), sings, and evidently plays all the instruments (mandolin, guitar, resophonic slide guitar, bass, drums, and harp), except for help from Aaron Moore on piano on two cuts. All the tracks were laid in two days, which is no mean feat. Billy's e-mando, as pictured on the cover, is a Rogue—a brand name used by Musician's Friend for Asian factory-made A-style mandolins with magnetic pickups. He tunes it a half step flat, to F#C#G#D#—or a whole step above Rachell's preferred EBF#C# tuning.
Just so you know my biases, I'm not too fond of Asian factory mandolins in general. One in 50 might have some desirable tonal characteristics, but when I hear one I usually come away disappointed. Billy's Rogue sounds a bit stiff at times, and I keep wanting to hear what he could do with a better instrument. However, I might be tempted to trade one of my fancy expensive e-mandos for a Rogue if it meant I could play it like Billy. And after all, Rachell and Young both played inexpensive mandolins for most of their careers.
The first cut, the instrumental "Mandolin Special," exemplifies what I'm talking about. It's a tasty concoction of signature licks from Billy's two muses, and he plays it flawlessly, but the Rogue's a bit pinched and nasal, a tad mechanical, and not excessively expressive. Furthermore, its pickup doesn't respond evenly, so there's a slight volume drop whenever Billy ventures down on the lower strings. Billy's guitar playing is fluid and relaxed throughout the disc (witness his fine guitar solo on "Jackson Street"), and I'd like to hear him bring some more expressive tools, such as bending and vibrato, over from guitar to mandolin (yes, that is possible, at least on some mandolins).
The mandolin break on "Why Did You Go?" sounds a lot more spontaneous, and throughout the disc there's plenty of expert rhythm and backup mandolin to support Billy when he's soloing on harp or guitar, or laying down another tough-luck lyric in his world-weary baritone. The concluding instrumental, "Billy's Mandolin Boogie," is a barnburner, with lots of lower-string drones supporting the melody. Not quite as tricky as a Jethro Burns chord solo, but lots of fun nonetheless. Tonally, however, the material simply deserves a better instrument.
I have several Yank Rachell recordings, and I must confess that some of them have a few too many rough edges for me. So I appreciate Billy's professionalism on this disc: everything's tight, in tune, well rehearsed, and tastefully arranged. I am aware of a few other blues mandolinists keeping the faith for Yank and Johnny, but so far only Billy and Rich DelGrosso have delivered full-length records focused on the mandolin (at least as far as I know). This CD sets an early 21st-century milestone for the genre, and belongs in the collection of any fan (heck, it might earn the genre some new fans). You can buy it directly from Billy. I hope it's just the beginning of big things for him, and for electric blues mandolin.
Very helpful review--not just regarding the recording, but because I was thinking of buyng a Rogue ac-elec mando--thank you.


and finally, our volunteer center, Hands On Asheville-Buncombe mobilizes more than 3,000 volunteers every year.
In addition to being a part of community change, you get to join other donors at networking, social and educational events throughout the year. Learn more about our group for young leaders - Highland Circle, Women United, and our Peaks and Tocqueville Societies.
Download a pledge form and send it to us.
Many donors give through their workplace, as United Way partners with many local and national employers to hold workplace giving campaigns each year. If your employer participates with United Way, talk to your CEO or Human Resources Department and ask how to make a donation.
Gifts of appreciated securities can be deducted at their full market value from your adjusted gross income. Such gifts also avoid the liability for capital gains tax, thus providing you with a double tax benefit. Check with your tax advisor to know what your tax benefits will be. For more information, contact us at 828-255-0696.


In the mobile-first, cloud-first era, technology is changing almost every aspect of our lives at a dramatically rapid pace. Advances in healthcare, education, communication, and productivity have increased life expectancy around the globe and helped lift hundreds of millions of people out of poverty.
For many, the ability to tap into the power of mobility and cloud computing to connect to the people that they care about as well as with the information that they are looking for instantly from any location, is so commonplace that they already take it for granted.
Despite the potential of cloud computing as well as other technology trends to expand access to economic opportunity and address some of humanity's most pressing problems, their adoption is delayed by questions over security, privacy, and compliance.
The first of these adoption hurdles is security. Rightfully so, since in the past year alone there have been a staggering increase in cyber crime, including a proliferation in cyber attacks that range from theft of data through to malware, Man in the Cloud "MitC", and side channel attacks to co-ordinated spam emails or phishing attempts. Cyber crime already costs the South African economy an estimated $573 million annually and the cost of data breaches will increase to a staggering $2.1 trillion globally by 2019.
Microsoft works with individuals, companies, organisations and governments to address cyber security. In fact, each year the company invests $1 billion in cyber security, culminating in the largest anti-virus and anti-malware service in the world. Microsoft updates nearly 1 billion Windows devices worldwide each and every month and every second, the company adds hundreds of Gigabytes worth of the telemetry to its Intelligent Security Graph, including the results from 200 billion e-mails scanned for malware and phishing each month.
All this means that the company's enterprise-grade security offering with regards to cloud computing sets the standard for the industry. Achieving success in the digital world, requires companies to partner with organisations like Microsoft in order to adopt a new approach to how we deal with security threats.
This entails better protection of all endpoints from sensors and data centres to identities and SAAS applications, as well as moving faster to detect threats using the scale and intelligence of the cloud, machine learning and behavioural monitoring. This will enable organisations of all sizes to respond quickly, and empower their staff with actionable security insights whilst keeping them productive.
The next hurdle is compliance, because in a world where data breaches and government requests for access to online customer information are daily occurrences, it is essential for organisations to choose a cloud service provider that makes every effort to comply with regulations and protect customer data.
Microsoft provides legal and compliance teams with a comprehensive repository of information resources, which have been designed to help them understand and verify the compliance requirements of their organisation's cloud deployments. Moreover, the company's solutions comply with all local regulations including the Protection of Personal Information (POPI) Act 4 of 2013.
When customers utilise our business cloud services, they are entrusting us with their most valuable asset - their data. They trust that their privacy will be protected and that their data will be used only in a way that is consistent with their expectations.
Microsoft's approach to privacy is grounded in our commitment to give you control over the collection, use, and distribution of your customer data. We are transparent about the specific policies, operational practices, and technologies that help ensure the privacy of your data in Microsoft business cloud services.
* As a customer, you know how Microsoft manages your data. It uses your customer data only to provide agreed upon services, and does not mine it for marketing or advertising. If you leave the service, Microsoft follows strict standards and specific processes for removing data from its systems.
* You know where your data is located. Customers who must maintain their data in a specific geographic location, such as within the EU, can rely on Microsoft's expanding network of data centres around the world. Microsoft also complies with international data protection laws regarding transfers of customer data across borders.
* You know who can access your data and on what terms. Microsoft takes strong measures to protect your data from inappropriate access, including limits for Microsoft personnel and subcontractors. However, you can access your own customer data at any time and for any reason.
* Microsoft sets and adheres to stringent privacy standards. Strong contractual commitments back our privacy standards and best practices.
As a customer, you have visibility into Microsoft's practices. Microsoft believes that you have a right to as much information as possible about how it handles your customer data in the cloud.
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text:
Games, Grumpcade Games, Wii U Games,
Pokémon Games
Series Grumpcade
Episodes 2 (currently)
Playlist None
Run April 8th, 2016-April 9th, 2016
Status Hiatus or Quit
Grumpcade Game Guide
The Adventures of Rad Gravity next →
Pac-Man Fever
Pokkén Tournament is a Wii U game played by Ross and Barry on Grumpcade.
Casa de Pikachu
Stuff of Nightmares
Pokkén Tournament is a fighting game in which two fighters battle against each other using various Pokémon, with gameplay shifting between "Field Phase" where the Pokémon move freely around the arena, and "Duel Phase" where they move relative each other similar to the Tekken games. Unlike most arcade fighting games, which use a traditional joystick and buttons, the arcade version is played using console-style controllers, which are designed so that players who are not used to arcade sticks can get into the game more easily. The game focuses more on action, as opposed to the more technical gameplay of Tekken, allowing both hardcore and casual fans to enjoy it. As such, players can perform various techniques taken from the Pokémon series, such as special moves and Mega Evolutions (which can be built up from attacks using a "Synergy Gauge"). Players can also use Support Pokémon to give them special benefits such as buffs in attack or defense. On October 30, 2015, footage surfaced of a boss fight with a new form of Mewtwo, known as "Shadow Mewtwo"; the character was teased in an official trailer a few days later. First-print Wii U copies of the game were packaged with a Shadow Mewtwo amiibo card, which immediately unlocked the character for use. The title also features online play, where players can compete in two types of online battle modes called friendly battles and ranked battles, including matches between players with registered friend codes and players who enter the same VS Code as each other.
Retrieved from "https://gamegrumps.fandom.com/wiki/Pokkén_Tournament?oldid=84679"
Grumpcade Games