Yesterday was the official start of the National Writing Project Annual Meeting, with long sessions in the morning and shorter ones in the afternoon. Many of the workshops were centered on developing and supporting the work at our writing project sites.
I attended an always-interesting session called Writing in the Digital Age: Learning Environments and Student Writing (which I led a few years ago myself). Here, four different teachers presented various pieces of student work — podcasting, video storytelling, voicethreaded poems, and blogging connections. We broke off into smaller groups to examine the work and have a discussion around what we saw and what we could take out of it.
Later that day, I ventured into a workshop called 21st Century Literacy and the Graphic Novel. This was a fascinating look at how the use of comics and graphic novels can open the doors for some of our students. Presenters Bee Foster and Anastasia Betts gave us a lot to think about. Bee, in particular, did a fantastic job of showing us examples she uses in her classroom to support the deBois' theme of "twoness" in character and adversity, race and self.
This is the keynote address by Danielle Nicole DeVoss that got us thinking and then moving yesterday at the National Writing Project's Digital Is Conference.
It was a pretty amazing day here in Philly with the National Writing Project's Digital Is Conference — we spent the entire day discussing, debating and considering the emerging digital literacy movement that we are seeing reflected in the lives of our children and students.
The morning began with an overview of why we were here — the rationale behind talking about the influx of digital media in our classrooms and why it is part of the writing focus. We then broke off into smaller groups. I took part in a discussion called Change Writers, which focused on a project that connected eighth graders with fourth graders in California to research social injustice, discuss the issues via blogs and then move into positive social action as a result. Much of our talk focused in on what the students did, with the teacher putting on emphasis on the fact that it was not the technological tools, but the ways those tools were used. In this case, the technology of blogs and voicethreads opened up a large audience for students who are often left out of the conversation because of socio-economic issues.
"The technology is a piece of it. But it is not all about technology … Technology allowed us to take down the walls of the classroom. They were not just writing for me. They were writing for peers, for others, and getting feedback. The got to write without that 'red pen' slashing through everything. They could have conversations." — Lesley McKillop, Prairie Elementary School.
"It's not about the technology. It's about using technology to help students join communities. They were no longer confined (to their classroom)." — Gail Desler, Area 3 Writing Project.
Later, I presented some student digital work — a digital science picture book — to a group and due to our protocols for discussion, I had to sit silently while the room talked about what they saw in the project, what "worked," and what questions they had. Only then could I, the presenting teacher, grab the floor and put the project into context. It was a bit nerve-wracking, particularly when I saw former NWP Executive Director Richard Sterling sitting right in front of me with colleagues Charlie Moran and Anne Herrington. And across the room was Gail Hawisher. These folks are HUGE in the land of composition. But it was intriguing to "experience" the book through their eyes and lens.
A second afternoon session brought different folks together to talk about what they had learned and observed after viewing difference pieces of student work. I took a bunch of notes, but they would not make much sense to anyone (not even me at this point). But this Wordle nicely captures the main ideas from our discussion, which focused a lot on what we view as the new definition of Writing (not everyone agrees that this is new).
• How do adults tackle issues affecting young people that the adults have not experienced themselves?
• What is relationship between traditional forms of writing and the new forms of writing?
• Keep an eye on the haves and have-nots – Will it exasperate the difference or equalize it?
• What is "writing" these days?
• What is missing from our conversations around digital literacy: questions about rhetoric and how it works and what you need to do it well.
• Are traditional composition classes the training ground for the new media literacy?
• Are new genres developing within new literacies that are irrelevant to the traditional writing classroom?
• How does the new design – non-linear text and media – affect our views of literacy?
• Do we even know what we should be teaching when it comes to new literacies?
• How does firewall affect teaching new literacies if every step in any direction is blocked?
• Some teachers are learning along with their students – they are learning by doing it.
Finally, I attended a session down the street at the Museum of Natural History, where various kiosks of student digital work — podcasts, movies, digital stories, etc. — were on display for viewing, and then I attended an interesting forum discussion about how young people are using digital media in their lives and how are educators meeting this shift (Mostly, we are not, to be honest).
So, long day with a lot to think about and ponder.
It will be an exciting day today. I can tell. I'll be participating in the Digital Is Conference here in Philly. The Digital Is Project is a new partnership between the National Writing Project and the MacArthur Foundation to explore how students are using digital tools for writing and learning. One of the larger projects still underway is an online site that documents what teachers are doing to scaffold use of digital tools in writing.
A session I am attending this morning is called "Change Writers: Empowering Students to Write for Change." If that doesn't pique your interest, then you must not be a teacher wanting your students to become active participants in the world around them. One of the facilitators is my friend, Gail Desler, and I can't wait to hear what she and the other presenters will share out about their experiences of using digital media (podcast, etc.) to explore social action projects with their students.
Later, I am presenting some student work at a roundtable discussion. My piece is a Digital Science Picture Book and there is an entire protocol for folks to examine the work and think about it as a piece of digital composition. It's a little nerve-wracking, I guess, although there is no real reason to be nervous about it. They're all friends, right? I'm sure the conversations will be interesting and give me some outside insight into what my students are doing when they compose with these tools.
Tonight, I signed up to attend an event called The Power of Youth Voice: What Kids Learn When They Create With Digital Media. It is taking place over at The Academy of Natural Science and that, too, should provide a real interesting take on what is happening with students composing with various media, for various purposes, for a variety of audiences. Neat.
It's that time of year: the Annual Meeting of the National Writing Project. Next week, I'll be heading off to Philadelphia to join my fellow colleagues in celebrating and exploring the art of teaching writing, and the art of writing, in a variety of sessions.
My hope is to blog and tweet about my experience there, including the exciting Digital Is conference on Wednesday that comes from an incredible new partnership between the NWP and the MacArthur Foundation. The work, which I am part of, helps take a look at where writing is going in the digital age. We're in the process of developing online resources but this conference will bring together a lot of people to look at, discuss and then consider the implications of digital composition. I am presenting a piece of student work — a digital science book.
That same night, I am going to a a conference entitled: The Power of Youth Voice: What Kids Learn When They Create with Digital Media. I can't wait for that!
My only other presentation at NWP this year is on Friday, when I am joining a number of other people in roundtable discussions about how to use an online social networking site to discuss books. A friend and I are focusing on a section of the online site where we talk about graphic novels and comics. We even had an interesting online book talk about a graphic novel that was fascinating and a bit frustrating, and shows the possibilities and the drawbacks of an online discussion site.
This workshop explores the evolving nature of writing and literacy today. Participants will examine students' digital writing from a range of classrooms and consider the digital and physical environments that support such writing practices. Participants will have opportunities to discuss the implications of what they observe for their own classroom and writing project site work.
This session will focus on the prevalence and permanence of the graphic novel. We'll examine its integration of multiple literacies as well as its impact on youth culture, youth identity formation, and the development of students as readers and writers. Participants will examine the graphic novel as a format and as a specific mode of communication and written self-expression and will explore its potentialities in the classroom as a tool for fostering the developing literacy of diverse student populations. Through discussion, participants will develop rationales for the increased use of graphic novels in 21st century classrooms.
This Reading the Research session examines a research report titled Living and Learning with New Media: Summary of Findings from the Digital Youth Project. Funded by the MacArthur Foundation as part of their digital media and learning initiative, this report emerges from a three-year study carried out by researchers who explored the ways that the interaction with and use of new media impact the lives and learning of youth today. Facilitators and participants will explore implications for their local writing project work and applications for local programming.
Plus, all of the other fun stuff — like social gatherings, the big morning address to all NWP folks in attendance (a great way to see how many people are there at the conference), with guest speaker Billy Collins. (wow!) I wonder if I can get him to sponsor me with my 30Poems 30Days project. Ha!
And, to top it off, I am hoping that we can gather up a bunch of folks from my Tech Friends networking site — where NWP technology liaisons like me come together online to chat, share and connect. We usually try to convene for a dinner and face time.
I am off to Philly next week for a variety of events — including the National Writing Project Annual Meeting, a day-long conference called Digital Is that is the product of a partnership between NWP and the MacArthur Foundation, and the annual meeting of the National Conference of Teachers of English. I'll try to write more about what I am going to be up to later, but on Saturday (11/21), I am going to be with my co-editors of our book Teaching the New Writing, pen in hand and ready to sign books.
A book signing! Wow. This will be the first. And my handwriting stinks, so it will be a challenge for me.
The book signing (at booth 702 at 11 am) comes right after a session that we (co-editors Charlie Moran and Anne Herrington and fellow chapter writer Dawn Reed) are doing for NCTE called Assigning and Assessing Multimedia Writing. We'll be showing some student work (digital science books and podcasting work) and talking about ways to look at (or listen to) digital compositions from a teaching and assessment standpoint. That session takes place on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at Marriott/Franklin 4, 4th Floor.
How can we responsibly assign multimedia writing projects when state and national standards favor the five-paragraph theme? And what criteria can we use to assess this new writing in our own classrooms? This workshop will offer two models of multimedia projects, one a sixth grade digital picture book project and one a high school 'This I Believe' podcast project. The presenters will focus on the ways in which they hve assigned and scaffolded their students' work in multimedia, the criteria they have used in assessing these multimedia projects, and the ways in which they have aligned the projects with state and national testing programs. Participants will then collaborate to develop assessment criteria for another multimedia text.
At 1:15 that same day, I am one of the presenters at the Technology to Go kiosks and I will be showing people webcomics and hopefully, I will have a ToonDoo site ready for folks to get into and try out for themselves.
So, if you are there, please say hello.
I'll start out by saying that the author of this fantastic new book — The Digital Writing Workshop — is Troy Hicks, a friend of mine through the National Writing Project and one of the chapter authors in my own book, Teaching the New Writing. So, this is not a completely unbiased recommendation to go out and get this book.
But you should, particularly if you are interested in the ways that writing can use technology wisely with students in their role as composers with digital media. In this book, Troy lays out an entire realm of digital tools that are out there than can support and enhance the teaching of writing. He also touches on such ideas as Choice and Inquiry, Conferencing with students, publishing student work to a world audience, and assessing such digital work (always a tricky endeavor in my opinion).
Troy grounds his work in the foundations of the Writing Process movement — where the focus is on the writer's exploration — but examines the potential of technology for students. Wikis can be collaborative publishing spaces, collaborative word processors (like Google Docs) can show revision history, podcasting gives students a voice to the world, digital storytelling as a way to merge writing with image and more.
Troy also provides plenty of information, such as his chart that shows the traits of effective and ineffective digital writers. He also wisely lays out the various technology and projects along a spectrum called MAPS: Mode, Media, Audience, Purpose, and Situation for the writer.
If you are a teacher interested in moving towards the digital writing world with your students, this is the book to get. Troy has made a useful and engaging book about the transformation going on in some classrooms, but not enough. I will be keeping this book on my desk at school and sharing it with colleagues when I can. You should, too.
As some of you know, the way we celebrated National Day on Writing at our school was through the use of a large and expansive Comic Strip banner that asked the question: What do you like to write?
I'm still trying to figure out what to do with the thing because it is huge. It's also quite mesmerizing to look at. There are words and pictures and scribbles and notes and names all over the banner, every which way. It's sort of a dizzying experience to read. Yesterday, before parent teacher conferences, I unrolled all of the parts and zoomed in on some areas with my camera. I mostly focused on the writing that answered the question posed originally.
I then took those photos and put them into the Animoto video machine and this came out. I'm not happy with the music I chose, but it works for now, I guess. I hope it gives a flavor of the banner.
Well, the Huge Comic Strip Concept for celebrating at National Day on Writing at our school was pretty successful. It was also completely chaotic, as students rushed into the cafeteria at lunch, forgetting that they were there to eat and only wanted to write on the comic strip banner. At one point, I had to leave my own classroom just to act as traffic controller for the cafeteria staff, but it was fun to see so much energy and excitement around the act of writing and drawing.
I started with one large comic strip banner, but quickly realized that it was filling up and three times, I had to rush out, cut another strip of banner paper and add it to the original. I would turn my head and when I looked back, that one, too, would be filled with writing.
The original comic asked the question: What do you like to write? The answers ranged from stories, to poems, to plays, to comics, to tales about pets, sports stories and songs. It was pretty cool, and I had some great discussions with the younger kids about what they like to write.
I hope you were able to celebrate your own version of the National Day on Writing, too.


The City of Akron is in the process of mitigating the damage from a malicious cyber intrusion they say was financially motivated.
They first noticed the unusual criminal virus activity on city computer systems on Tuesday, just as they were trying to dig the city out from this winter's worst snow storm so far.
City officials say they called in the F.B.I. Ntaional Guard, and Ohio State Patrol to help. They've also taken some computers offline, and are limiting the use of credit card payments for some city services.
Akron, Ohio, January 25, 2019—The City of Akron is investigating and mitigating criminal virus activity on City servers, which appears to be financially-motivated. On Tuesday, January 22nd, an attempt to access City funds was successfully identified, intercepted and prevented. The City has taken swift and substantial protective action to limit the impact of this activity and protect City assets and information. The City does not have any intelligence at this time that suggests any personal information of our customers, taxpayers, or citizens was harvested. Current intelligence does not indicate any risk to public safety or any motivation to cause harm to the public. Over the coming days, a joint city, state, and federal team will work to eradicate this malicious activity and maintain operational City services.
On the afternoon of Tuesday, January 22nd, the City of Akron Office of Information Technology became aware of suspicious activity on the City's network. The Akron Police Department was notified and immediate action was taken to investigate the problem and limit proliferation of any malicious software. This swift action required the City Office of Information Technology to temporarily shut down and protect critical software and hardware systems, including the City's online 3-1-1 system.
By the morning of Wednesday, January 23rd, the City had engaged the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Ohio State Highway Patrol to assist in the investigation and interdiction efforts. Through that work, it was determined that this event merited additional resources, so the City contacted the Chief Information Security Officer for the State of the Ohio for activation of the 172nd Cyber Security Protection Team of the Ohio National Guard. This morning, at Mayor Horrigan's request, Governor Mike DeWine authorized the deployment of this elite unit to assist in bringing a swift and thorough end to the malicious activity.
Over the coming days, the joint city, state, and federal team will work together to eradicate and mitigate this activity and restore operational services. This process may require additional software and hardware system to be taken offline, which will likely impact certain city operations. The City will communicate with the public in advance if we anticipate any major disruptions to city services or public access to online systems.
Credit card payments being unavailable to the public in certain city departments, including Recreation, Building, and Tax. Credit card payments continue to be available in the Utility Billing Office for payment of water/sewer utility bills.
Certain internal City computers being relocated for forensic analysis.
In the coming weeks and months, investigators will conduct thorough forensic analysis to determine the full extent of the breach. While current intelligence suggests that no personal information of City customers or tax-paying residents was harvested, investigation and mitigation efforts are ongoing, and any meaningful change in this intelligence will be promptly communicated to the public.


Illinois has perhaps the most complex arrangement of funeral services, directors and associations in the country. One of the funerary traditions of Illinois is the offer of a pre-need trust by Illinois funeral homes, so that people can make arrangements well in advance. This ensures that not only is less financial strain placed upon relatives, but also that a person can ensure that the arrangement of their own last rides are as per their wishes. This, combined with established and highly ethical credit unions, ensures that the minimal possible financial strain is placed upon a bereaved family. In addition to these arrangements, there is also the Funeral Ethics Association, that adjudicates between Illinois funeral hoes and any member of the public that is in dispute with any of them. Despite all these safeguards, you certainly still need to be careful when making decisions as to what arrangements you wish to have in place for a funeral. However, if you are careful with this, Illinois offers some of the most reasonable funerary rates in the country. Please select a city in Illinois to browse the funeral services available.


text:
Aftermarket wheel company HRE blew our minds last year when they unveiled a set of 3D-printed concept wheels. And now they're back, with a newly revised version of their revolutionary HRE3D+ titanium wheel made using additive manufacturing.
To improve the HRE3D+ concept, HRE has once again teamed up with GE Additive, giving them access to two unique 3D printing manufacturing systems for the second generation of the HRE3D+. The first of these, Direct Metal Laser Melting, utilizes laser technology to melt ultra-fine layers of titanium powder on top of each other to gradually build complex forms with extremely fine detail. The second process, known as Electron Beam Melting, is a refinement of the process used to create the first HRE HRE3D+ and uses a beam of electrons to heat and fuse raw metal materials in a vacuum.
In addition to a new, futuristic design impossible to create with traditional manufacturing systems, the revised second-generation HRE3D+ revolutionizes the process by reducing overall materials waste in the process from 80% to 5% of raw titanium material weight.
Not only has material weight been saved in the manufacturing process, but the finished HRE3D+ wheel is also significantly lighter than ever before possible. For example, the 20 and 21-inch wheels of the first-gen HRE3D+ weighed 20 and 23 pounds respectively, while the more advanced design of the second generation allows for a total wheel weight of only 16 and 19 pounds for the same size wheels, mated to a carbon fiber barrel. The first HRE3D+ concept is comprised of 6 parts, including a center cap and lug seat section holding the spokes against the vehicle. HRE further reduced weight for the second-gen wheel by redesigning the center area to reduce the part count to 5 printed sections.
"We're proud to be breaking new ground in wheel manufacturing with the updated HRE3D+ wheels," said HRE President/CEO Alan Peltier. "Working with GE Additive has given us access to some truly cutting-edge technology, and we're exploring the future of wheel technology together with tools that will continue to evolve over the next few years. We can't wait to see what we're able to accomplish next."
This video shows you how they're made:
The HRE3D+ wheels are merely concepts for now, but they give us a glimpse into the future of wheel manufacturing.
Related Topics3D printingHRE WheelsHRE3D+ Wheelsrims
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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text:
<?php

namespace App\Jobs\Auth;

use App\Jobs\Job;
use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Mail;
use App\Storage\{
    PasswordRecoveryConfirmation\PasswordRecoveryConfirmationRepository,
    User\User
};

class SendPasswordRecoveryConfirmation extends Job
{
    protected $email;

    /**
     * Create a new job instance.
     *
     * @return void
     */
    public function __construct($email)
    {
        $this->email = $email;
    }

    /**
     * Execute the job.
     *
     * @return void
     */
    public function handle(PasswordRecoveryConfirmationRepository $tokens)
    {
        $user = User::where('email', $this->email)->first();

        if (! $user) {
            return;
        }

        $token = str_random(5);

        $tokens->store($this->email, $token);

        Mail::queue('emails.auth.password_reset_confirmation', ['email' => $this->email, 'token' => $token], function ($m) {
            $m->to($this->email)->subject('Password Reset');
        });
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Preparing women to be successful leaders in the 21st century.
9&10 News is a proud sponsor of the 2019 Michigan ATHENA Conference!
For more information about the conference, click here!
Founded in 1982 by Martha Mayhood Mertz while serving on the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, ATHENA International is a non-profit organization that seeks to support, develop and honor women leaders. The program inspires women to reach their full potential and strives to create balance in leadership worldwide. Since the program's inception, more than 7,000 awards have been presented in over 500 communities in 8 countries.
The ATHENA Leadership Model identifies eight distinct attributes that are reflective of women's contributions to leadership: living authentically, learning constantly, advocating fiercely, acting courageously, fostering collaboration, building relationships, giving back and celebrating. These personal traits that are more intuitive to women, and combined with the strongest aspects of traditional leadership – taking risks, assertiveness, hard work – prepare women to be successful leaders in the 21st century.


Nothing like spot thunderstorms and showers to make summer outings interesting, but we didn't let the weekend weather dampen our plans.
We kicked off the weekend at the Muny. I biked over and arrived at the crack of dawn 5pm to get in line for free seats. I felt a little silly when I pedaled up and saw next to no one in line, but I did achieve our goal of having a pick of the free seats, as well as a fairly shady spot to wait. I needed the shade because it was HOT, especially after biking. I'd finally started recovering from my ride when Matthew joined me, followed by a friend who'd planned the outing.
Our picnic dinner consisted of a little bit of this, and a little bit of that — leftovers that needed to be eaten and that worked well for chilled or room temperature dining.
Clockwise, from top left: fennel mozzarella bread salad, [homemade!] soba noodles with cooked greens, broccoli salad, and a summer fruit medley (served with whipped cream). It felt like a ton of food for two people (we shared some with our friend), but it was none too much over the course of the evening.
By the time the seats opened at 7pm, we'd just finished our dinner, and dark clouds were threatening. We staked our seats and went back to catch the pre-show, just a big, fat raindrops began falling.
If you're familiar with the Muny, you know there's not a lot of cover. We huddled under the roof at the top of the theatre, and waited out the storm (unfortunately, there was not cover for our bikes, and it was Roadrunner's first drenching; even though we ride in the rain, I prefer to keep the bikes dry).
The skies finally cleared about twenty minutes before show time, allowing the stage crew to make everything dry and safe for the performers. We dried our seats as best we could, and settled in for Billy Elliot. It was a great show, though, as always, it made for a very late night for us early-birds — worth it sometimes, but probably not a weekly occurrence.
Saturday was a standard Matthew at garden, me doing stuff around here day. I made big batches of bean burgers and English muffins. We're out of our homemade bread (and bread-baking is Matthew's bailiwick — it still intimidates me), but I can do English muffins!
Sunday brought the Sustainable Backyard Tour. Our garden was on the first annual tour in 2011 (mentioned briefly here — I looked a little different then!), but we skipped both 2012 and 2013. It was fun to host visitors again this year.
Of course, the weekend and tour would not have been complete without another spot rain shower. I dashed to rescue our sign-in sheets and roll up the car windows. Some guests dashed for their cars, while others huddled with Matthew under a big tree and managed to stay fairly dry that way.
We had 80 people on the official sign-in sheet, and we think out total number of visitors was probably close to 100! Most frequently asked question: "Do you eat all of that food?


text:
Events from the year 1972 in Kuwait.

Incumbents
Emir: Sabah Al-Salim Al-Sabah
Prime Minister: Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah

Events

Births

 Anas Khalid Al Saleh
 24 January - Saqer Al-Surayei.
 1 July - Samer Al Marta.

See also
Years in Jordan
Years in Syria

References

Kuwait
Kuwait
Years of the 20th century in Kuwait
1970s in Kuwait

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Despite all of this, there is some benefit to food — after all, the body depends upon it. Eat your food after you think, "Since it is not correct to rely on food just for the sake of my body's maintenance, I will conduct myself in a pure manner in dependence on my body's maintenance. Benefactors and those who actually carry out acts of charity work so hard that their skin, flesh, and blood dry up! Then they make their gifts with a wish for a special result. I will ensure that their actions have great effects." Remember as well that Santideva's Compendium of Trainings says168 to eat while reflecting that (1) you are benefiting the giver; (2) whereas now you are assembling micro-organisms in your body through the material gift of food, in the future you will gather these beings together through the teachings; and (3) you will accomplish the welfare of all living beings. Also Nagarjuna's Friendly Letter states: 169 With an understanding that food is like medicine, Eat it without hostility or attachment; Not for haughtiness, might, or robustness, but only to maintain your body.


Bunbury dropped its lineup last Thursday at an Announcement Party held at The Woodward Theater. To their credit, PromoWest had a heavy year to follow after selling out in 2018 with a stacked festival featuring Post Malone, Incubus, The Chainsmokers, and so many more incredible acts. I've seen a lot of lineups, and 2018 Bunbury was definitely one of the stand-outs of that year.
Leading up to the 2019 lineup, Bunbury teased us with Hive Hints – which Living the Fest Life covered in detail. Their comprehensive marketing and fan engagement plan culminated in the release party where you get to drink beer and discuss which bands you picked in your Bunbury fantasy league. All around great time.
Now is probably a good time to remember that, while the lineup is obviously important, it's not the only part of a festival. While I'm nervous that Bunbury 2019 might get lost in the lineup shuffle, it will still be three days of music, good vibes, and vast amounts of Island Noodles. One of the things we know about Bunbury is that it's an extraordinarily well-organized festival, with grounds that are not crowded and well laid out. It's easy to get from one stage to another, and unlike huge fests you won't miss parts of sets just because you're walking. Cincy is also a big (BIG) brewery city, so Bunbury's craft beer village is an 11/10 would recommend. Anyway, onto what you guys came here for – the lineup.
Despite their best laid plans, Bunbury had a rough week. The first pressure point came when Blink-182 backed out two days before the lineup drop. Sound familiar? That's because they also backed out last year and promised to make it up to us in 2019. Instead, they announced via Twitter that they were once again going to be absent. This is completely out of Bunbury's control, and I have to applaud the fact that they found a replacement in 48 hours, but it's still hard to swallow considering a lot of people (myself included) bought 2019 tickets early based on the promise of Blink. It did feel like sweet redemption when Bunbury subtly called them out by noting this was the second year in a row Blink had cancelled on them. Fan reaction to Blink's decision has been super negative, given that this is such a lame excuse. They could/should have planned better. Also, because they are still planning to appear at another festival months before this one, I'm high-key salty.
We pride ourselves at LTFL on ~radiating positivity~ and loving every single festival for what makes it unique. That being said, while the 2019 lineup has some great acts slotted, it is definitely being met with mixed reviews – partially due to what we know this festival has been capable of in the past.
Setting the Blink-182 issue aside, Bunbury 2019 seems like a solid…we'll call it a throwback lineup. With bands like Dashboard Confessional and Blue October coming back into the spotlight after a quiet period. Fall Out Boy's set will for sure be a trip down pop punk memory lane, but it's not necessarily what we expected. Bunbury definitely decided to follow their own path in 2019 rather than conforming to the rest of the festival circuit.
One of the comments I kept seeing in discussion boards was a general attitude of surprise that GVF was slotted as the second biggest name, and I definitely share that sentiment. Part of me thinks they may have been elevated to headliner status after Blink dropped out (that's a conspiracy theory you can discuss in the comments). GVF appears to be on a meteoric rise, selling out large concerts within minutes. The Michigan-based rock group formed in 2012, but their debut EP was only released in April of 2017 and their first full-length album didn't come along until this past October. So, while it may seem surprising to see them sharing the spotlight with a band that has been around since Y2K – their Midwest appeal and the fact that they have been selling out shows worldwide may explain their placement. Maybe Bunbury has their finger on the pulse of something we don't…we will have to wait and see.
For those of us who already bought tickets, I think we'll be taking this as an opportunity to explore bands we've never heard of and reminisce in the nostalgia of bands we haven't listened to in a long time. Who knows, maybe Eminem will crash MGK's set and we will all lose our minds.


text:
Superintendent Message (December 11): NYS Micro-Cluster Strategy & Student COVID Testing
Dec 11, 2020 | Uncategorized
The following message from District Superintendent, Suzanne Guntlow, was emailed to all Ichabod Crane families on Friday, December 11.
Please review this information carefully as it summarizes the New York State micro-cluster strategy for areas with high COVID-19 infection rates based on positive test rates and daily new cases. If a specific zip code, census tract or region is placed in a Yellow, Orange or Red zones, there will be an impact on schools.
The information is available below and as a PDF here.
Dear Families:
As COVID-19 cases rise across our region and state, we continue to meet with local superintendents and our county health department to discuss these developments and ways we can continue to keep our buildings safely open.
New York State has implemented a micro-cluster strategy to designate areas with high COVID-19 infection rates as Yellow, Orange, or Red zones, based on positivity rates and daily new cases. If a zip code, census tract or region is placed in one of those zones, there will be restrictions for schools.
While Ichabod Crane Central School District is NOT currently in one of these zones, we are working with the county and Questar III BOCES to be ready if any part of our community is labeled. Our district plans to remain open during Yellow, Orange, and Red zones if it can do so safely and comply with the state's testing requirements. Please see the chart below for the state's criteria for our county.
Geographic area (ZIP, census tract, etc.) is located within a county of 50,000 or more people. YELLOW ZONE
Geographic area has 7-day rolling average positivity above 3.5% for 10 days
Geographic area has 15 or more new daily cases per 100,000 residents on 7-day average ORANGE ZONE
Geographic area has 15 or more new daily cases per 100,000 residents on 7-day average RED ZONE
Geographic area has 15 or more new daily cases per 100,000 residents on 7-day average
In order for Ichabod Crane to remain open while in a Yellow Zone, it must commit to conducting rapid screening tests on 20 percent of the in-person students and staff over a two-week period. Students and staff members will be randomly chosen from a pool of individuals who have given consent. If Ichabod Crane enters an Orange Zone, we will need to continue to test new students and staff at a rate of 20 percent per month. If Ichabod Crane enters a Red Zone, we will need to continue to test new students and staff at a rate of 30 percent per month. The school district is preparing plans to train school nurses in the rapid-testing protocol.
Just as we have asked for your continued assistance with following the new COVID-19 protocols, we would need your permission to administer tests to your children. We will send out a test consent form in the coming days. This only applies to in-person or hybrid students. Students who are learning in a full virtual setting are not required to be tested.
The rapid test involves a non-invasive cotton swab swiping just inside the lowermost portion of the nostril. These are not the deep-sinus swab tests that are conducted at medical facilities. The test results are available within minutes. Individual test results will only be shared with families, the school nurse, and the local department of health. We will randomly choose students from a pool of individuals whose parents have consented to the test. If a student or staff member tests positive, they will be sent home and must stay at home until they are released by the county department of health.
Going Forward
We will provide an update if the state designates any part of our community as a cluster zone, including sharing additional information on our testing plan. Please continue to screen your child each morning prior to coming to school.
As always, thank you for all that you do to support our school district. We continue to be encouraged by our community's resiliency amid adversity – and flexibility and patience throughout the pandemic. We will continue to put the health and safety of our students and staff at the forefront of every decision made.
Ichabod Crane Central School District


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The discovery reinforces the theory that life on Earth arose from a mixture of RNA-DNA
Chemists at Scripps Research have made a discovery that supports a surprising new vision of how life on our planet originated.
In a study published in the Journal of Chemistry Applied Chemistry, They showed that a simple compound called diphosphate (DAP), which was reasonably present on Earth before the advent of life, could have chemically bound small DNA building blocks called deoxynucleosides into strands of primitive DNA.
The finding is the latest in a series of discoveries, over the past several years, indicating that DNA and its close chemical cousin RNA may have emerged together as products of similar chemical reactions, and that the first self-replicating molecules – the first life forms on Earth – were a mixture of the two.
The discovery may also lead to new practical applications in chemistry and biology, but its main significance is that it addresses the ancient question of how life on Earth arose for the first time. In particular, it paves the way for more comprehensive studies of how self-replicating DNA-RNA mixtures evolved and spread on primitive Earth, and ultimately implanted the more mature biology of modern organisms.
"This finding is an important step toward developing a detailed chemical model for how the first life forms on Earth arose," says lead author Ramanarayanan Krishnamurthy, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry at Scripps Research.
This discovery also pushes the field of origin of life chemistry away from the hypothesis that has dominated it in recent decades: the "RNA World" hypothesis assumes that the first complications were based on RNA, and that DNA only arose later as a product of RNA life forms.
Is RNA Too Sticky?
Krishnamurthy et al. Questioned the RNA world hypothesis in part because RNA molecules may have been simply too "viscous" to function as first self-replicating.
A strand of RNA can attract other individual building blocks of RNA, which they stick to forming a kind of mirror-image thread – each building block in the new strand attaches to the complementary building block on the original strand, the 'template'. If the new thread can separate from the die strand, and by the same process, begin to form other new strands, this means that it has achieved the achievement of self-replicating that lies beyond life.
But while RNA strands may be good at forming complementary strings, they are not good at separating from these strands. Modern organisms make enzymes that can force double strands of RNA to go separate ways, thus enabling reproduction, but it is unclear how this could be done in a world where the enzymes did not yet exist.
Chimeric solution
Krishnamurthy and colleagues have shown in recent studies that "chimeric" molecular chains that are both part of DNA and part of RNA may be able to circumvent this problem, because they can elicit complementary strands in a less viscous way that allows them to separate relatively easily.
Chemists have also shown in research papers that have been widely cited in the past few years that the simple ribonucleoside and dioxinucleoside building blocks, from RNA and DNA respectively, could have originated under very similar chemical conditions on early Earth.
Moreover, they reported in 2017 that the organic compound DAP could have played a critical role in modulating ribonucleosides and binding together in the first RNA strands. The new study shows that, under similar conditions, DAP could do the same with DNA.
"We found, to our surprise, that using DAP to interact with deoxynucleosides works best when not all dioxinucleosides are the same but are instead a mixture of different 'letters' of DNA like A and T, or G and C, like real DNA," he says. First author Eddie Jimenez, Ph.D., postdoctoral researcher in Krishnamurthy Lab.
"Now that we better understand how primitive chemistry might have made the first RNAs and DNA, we can begin to use them on a combination of the building blocks of ribonucleoside and deoxynucleoside to see which chimeric molecules are forming – and whether they can self-reproduce and evolve," Krishnamworthy says.
He notes that the work may also have wide practical applications. The artificial synthesis of DNA and RNA – for example in the "PCR" technology that underpins COVID-19 tests – is up to a world wide standard, but it relies on relatively fragile enzymes and thus has several limitations. Krishnamurthy says that powerful, enzyme-free chemical methods for making DNA and RNA may become more attractive in many contexts.
The building blocks of DNA and RNA could appear together before life on Earth begins
Ramanarayanan Krishnamurthy et al, Prebiotic Phosphoryization and Oligomerization Concomitant with Deoxynucleosides for DNA Formation, Angewandte Chemie International Edition (2020). DOI: 10.1002 / anie.202015910
Introduction of
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the quote: The discovery reinforces the theory that life on Earth arose from the combination of RNA-DNA (2020, December 28) Retrieved December 28, 2020 from https://phys.org/news/2020-12-discovery-boosts-theory-life- earth.html
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Q: Sqlite failure doing a Query Im trying to do a query on sqlite. I want to retrieve the server id of the servers that are not associated with a profile id (i have the id of the profile). The table serpro represents the n:n relationship between the tables.
This is my query (apparently it is wrong):
Select server._id, server.server
from server where server._id != ( SELECT server._id FROM server
INNER JOIN serpro ON server._id = serpro._ids
INNER JOIN profile ON profile._id = serpro._idp
where profile._id=" + idProfile;

And these are the table creation sentences:
create table server (_id integer primary key autoincrement,ip string not null, port string not null, server string not null);

create table profile (_id integer primary key autoincrement, profile string not null);

create table serpro (_ids integer not null, _idp integer not null, PRIMARY KEY (_ids, _idp), CONSTRAINT fk_idsps FOREIGN KEY (_ids) REFERENCES server(_id) ON DELETE CASCADE, CONSTRAINT fk_idspp FOREIGN KEY (_idp) REFERENCES server(_id) ON DELETE CASCADE);

Thank you for your help!

A: Just doing a cursory look at it I would say you are forgetting to close the sub query. Add a ) to the end of your query
  "Select server._id, server.server from server where server._id != " +
  " ( SELECT server._id FROM server INNER JOIN serpro ON server._id = serpro._ids " +
  "  INNER JOIN profile ON profile._id = serpro._idp " +
  "  where profile._id=" + idProfile + ")";

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
#PCCBUZZ
Brooke Thomas
Brooke Thomas, Sharon Reed, Nefertiti Jáquez, & Lori Wilson, Rarest First Look – a.lounge Opens, Jon Dorenbos' Engaged
October 23, 2016 by HughE Dillon
Philly Gossip: Brooke Thomas, Sharon Reed, & Nefertiti Jáquez, Lori Wilson, Rarest First Look, Dorenbos Engaged
Good Sunday Morning. WOW it's winter finally. I'm happy, don't get me wrong I love warm weather, until I discovered how hot it can get in one's concrete walled apartment. There's an ordinance in Philly that after October 1, all apartment buildings in Philadelphia have to provide heat to their tenants if they don't have individual units, and it can't be turned off til May 1 (meaning the AC and heater use the same HVAC system. You're either getting heat or AC.) There's no provision for global warming as the law was written in the 1940's. Councilman Greenly told my neighbor that it'd have to go before City Council to change and he just didn't see that ever happening. Any who my apartment has cooled down from the high of 85 it was maintaining for 4 days. Now I have some cool gossip for you….
Rarest (834 Chestnut Street) Chef Anthony Marini, winner of CNBC's hit show Restaurant Startup, tells me that the restaurant should be open on November 1. Marini, who I met about 3 months ago when I was at the AKA shooting the Equity movie screening party, tells me that the restaurant is going for the unpretentious, inviting vibe. The price point is on point, and people will be quite pleased with the unique menu of well prepared and curated traditional small and large plates. Plus the raw bar which will feature crudos, ceviches, and tartars as well as cured seafood, American cured hams, and artisan cheeses.
In the lobby of the AKA Washington Square is a.lounge.
There's live music four nights a week in the grand lobby, curated by Eddie Bruce. Wednesday nights highlight a pianist from 5pm – 8pm. Thursday nights feature a pianist at 5pm, and Bob Egan's Piano Bar goes on at 7:30pm to play the resident's favorite requests. Friday nights begin with a pianist at 5pm, and then the Shayne Frederick Trio perform at 7:30pm. The Ella Gahnt Quartet entertains residents on Saturday evenings from 7:30pm – 10:30pm
(I was there again on Thursday night for the opening party for the Phila Film Festival, which runs until Oct 30
On the same day Brooke Thomas was released from CBS3, she was named one of the baddest anchorbaes in the USA by Bossip. Also on the list, and serious bad baes
who once graced Philly's anchor desks – Sharon Reed, Brittney Shipp & Nefertiti Jáquez.And bad bae on air in Philly Alex Holley, Fox 29 (Bossip)
Speaking of anchorbaes, former NBC10 anchor Lori Wilson got married earlier this month, (Oct 9) to Dr. Tiy-E Muhammad "The Love Doctor". Seems the doctor counsels couples on love; he has published several books, and is an alumni of the reality TV shows The Real Housewives of Atlanta, The Real Gilligan's Island. I love Lori Wilson, miss her infectious smile, and am happy for her. Congrats you two love birds. Here's how they met according to their wedding page.
Once Upon A Time… Long, long… really long ago…
A man met a woman at a Step show on the campus of Morehouse College in Atlanta. The man and woman were attracted to each other right away. They dated. He moved out west. She moved out East. After years of not seeing each other, or even keeping in touch, one day, her best friend suggested they reconnect. She flew to see him. He flew to see her. He flew to Africa, came back to the US and proposed. She said YES! Woot-woot!
Congrats to Jon Dorenbos and Ananlise Dale on their engagement. The duo met in Las Vegas in 2015, and have been inseparable ever since. They've been engaged for about
two weeks, and haven't set a wedding date yet. Their schedules have been jam packed between Jon's appearances America's Got Talent and his job as long snapper for
the Philadelphia Eagles. Jon told me he'll be really busy on the off season as his appearance on AGT and last weeks appearance on the Ellen Show has opened up a lot of doors and stages for him. Next up though is the Malcolm Jenkin's 3rd Annual Blitz Bow Ties & Bourbon Monday, October 24, 2016
Spotted at Matt and Maries (100 N 18th St) – Phillies Ryan Howard stopped in for lunch on Friday.
The 6th Annual Monsters Ball Masquerade party will be held at The Ritz Carlton next Friday.
Ticket info here
CELEBRITY SPOTTING – William deVry from General Hospital will be at Parx Casino on
Friday Nov 4 at 1130AM to 2PM
It's a Meet & Greet as well.
About Philly Chit Chat
HughE Dillon, LLC
Hired Publicity Photographer for media placements. See About for Info to Book Us.
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Teal Butterfly is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to raise awareness about the early signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer by educating the public through community events and social media campaigns
Cancer Support Community Philadelphia
Providing a professional, comprehensive program of social and emotional support to adults and children affected by cancer.
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Kimmel Cultural Campus –
Gilda's Club of SJ
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Freeman Interiors is an award winning full-service interior design firm
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Our final full-day in Tokyo….Boo! We took it easy in the morning and packed up/cleaned our place. We had to be out of the BnB by 10am the next day and did not want to have to rush around at all! What was on our list for the day? Nothing other than shopping in Shibuya.
Once we got situated, we went to Shibuya for some last minute shopping at Village Vanguard, burgers, beers, and people watching. By time we got out there, we only had a couple hours of good weather before it started pouring! Thank goodness I had eyed a British-style pub where we could chill until the weather decided to cooperate.
Village Vanguard is a GREAT place to shop – I compare it to a huge Spencer Gifts (if you are familiar with the US store) and there is a little something for everyone! I also recommend LOFT and Tokyo Hands for all your shopping needs.
Before the rain set in, we tested out a pretty good burger place – I was ready for a little Western food. Can't go wrong with avocado on a burger!!
There's always something to see and do in Shibuya – you can even take a go-kart tour! We were sad that we didn't see this sooner, but would absolutely do it if we are ever back in Tokyo!
Not the most exciting day, but still very good considering all the rain! The next day we had to check out of the Air BnB and head to Narita to to stay in a nice hotel and get a great meal.


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The highly anticipated Orlando Cat Cafe, which is actually in Clermont, will host its grand opening this Thursday, Sept. 8.
The new coffee and tea spot, located at Cagan Crossings on U.S. 27, allows patrons to hang out with pre-screened adoptable kitties for a fee of $8 for adults and $4 for kids.
Guests can also reserve a spot for "yoga with cats" or "painting with cats."
The grand opening begins at noon. For more info, visit their site here.


Welcome Live and Livestream Attendees! We are delighted you are here. Please find all event details below. If you have any questions, please email womanhoodnowevent@marianne.com. Our customer service team is here seven days a week to assist you with whatever you need.
All registrants, both live and livestream, will have permanent access to the livestream and video replays of the event. Access details will be emailed to you closer in time to the event.
Entrances are located on W. Century Blvd. and on Airport Blvd.
A limited number of rooms have been reserved at a discounted rate of $135 per night and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations may be made directly with Marriott reservations at 800 228 9290 or 310 641 5700. Be sure to reference Marianne Williamson's Womanhood Now event. You may also reserve your room online at https://book.passkey.com/e/49704222 .
Complimentary shuttle service is provided by the Marriott both from and to the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Shuttle service is available 24/7 and runs in 20 – 25 minute intervals. Please phone the Marriott at 310 641 5700 with any questions.
Parking is available at the hotel at the following discounted rates: Self-parking: $15 (discounted from the regular rate of $42). Valet parking: $30 (discounted from the regular rate of $49).
For valet, inform the attendant upon arrival and departure that you are with the Marianne Williamson event for the discount. For self-parking, pick up a voucher at the event registration table and present when exiting for the discount. Hotel guests only will have in and out privileges.
Complimentary internet will be available in guest rooms for event attendees who lodge at the LAX Marriott hotel.
Event check-in will begin at approximately 3PM on Friday, August 17, 2018 outside the Marquis Ballroom. Details will be provided closer in time to the event. You may bring your printed ticket but it is not required. We will already have your names on the list at check-in.
The hotel has several on-site dining options. A list of other nearby options will be provided at registration.
If you need assistance of any kind, please email womanhoodnowevent@marianne.com and a Team member will assist you.


A leading thinker in innovation and sustainability, James Chin Moody is an outstanding communicator, academic and business professional - a truly motivational individual for your corporate entertainment.
James is the Chief Executive Officer of TuShare, a company with a vision of creating the world's largest community of sharers, helping things to reach their full lifespan. He is also CEO of Sendle, a delivery business that has disrupted the postal industry. He was previously Executive Director, Development at Australia's national research agency, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), one of the world's largest and most diverse global research organisations.
An engineer by training, James received his PhD in innovation theory from the Australian National University and was also a chief systems engineer for FedSat, the first Australian satellite to be launched in 30 years. Through his addresses to audiences, he shares his insights into technology, science, innovation and sustainability. He keeps crowds rapt, drawing on his wealth of experience and practical insight to create a motivational experience!


A two-day intensive course that focuses on repeating basic self defense techniques for those who daily wear a weapon for their protection follows simple self-defense scenarios to very realistic complex model situations that will be recorded on a video camera and evaluated by a lawyer.
This course will show you your limits, possibilities and above all prepare you for a potentially unpleasant life situation where the health or life of your or your loved ones will really be in danger.
Theory, basic self-defense techniques with a weapon, baton or tear spray, self defense, defense against edged weapons, defense against gun hold, simple scenarios of necessary defense, complex realistic model situations, analysis of video situations.
Sport or any civilian clothing and shoes. For the first day shoes with pale sole. Gloves to protect palms from blisters.
There will be training FX Simunition wepons available for all the participants.
DAY 2: Ex military base Bratronice nearby village Belec a Bratronice nearby Kladno.
Meeting at 08:30 – 08:45 am at the training area, the subsequent administration and preparation of equipment and materials. The beginning of class is at 09:00 and the end around 18:00.


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text:
https://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443295404577545440951791750.html
Balancing the Give and Take in GM's Chinese Partnership
GM is tweaking the design of the Cadillac to appeal to Chinese buyers.
Nelson Ching/Bloomberg
By Sharon Terlep
SHANGHAI—The next generations of General Motors Co. GM -5.19% 's Cadillacs will have softer corners, dashboards with more gadgetry and plusher rear seats. The U.S. auto maker is tweaking the iconic American brand to make it more palatable to Chinese buyers and GM's Chinese partner, even though Cadillac hasn't sold strongly here.
In a joint venture GM and SAIC, China's largest auto maker, are looking to new segments and new places to cash in on China's fast-growing auto market. WSJ's Sharon Terlep reports from Linyi, China.
The redesign speaks to the growing influence of the partner, SAIC Motor Corp. 600104 -2.91% , on GM's global strategy. Since pairing up with SAIC 15 years ago in a joint venture, GM has become the dominant foreign player in China, the world's second-biggest economy and busiest auto market. Along the way, GM helped rear SAIC into a full-fledged auto maker, with top-tier designers, engineers and marketers.
SAIC now wants to move onto the world stage, and GM must decide how much it wants to help.
Chinese law requires that foreign auto makers have local partners, and how GM manages its relationship with SAIC is crucial. The American auto maker needs SAIC to begin assembling Cadillacs in China so it can attack a luxury car market dominated by German car makers.
A successful partnership could lift GM's profits for years. But there is a risk for GM, too: SAIC could use GM expertise and technology to transform itself into a global auto powerhouse that challenges the American car maker down the road.
"Why do you rob a bank? Because that's where the money is," says GM Chief Executive Dan Akerson. "Why go to China? Because that's where the customers are." He called the SAIC partnership his company's most important relationship around the world.
This summer, SAIC opened North American headquarters in Birmingham, Mich., just 20 miles from GM's Detroit base. After years of explosive growth, China's auto market is cooling off. Yi Lu, president of SAIC USA Inc., called the growing importance of selling cars abroad a "significant factor" in the decision to go to Michigan. SAIC currently sells no cars in the U.S.
This isn't SAIC's first foray outside China. A decade ago, it took a small stake in a venture GM had in Korea. In 2010, as GM was still limping out of bankruptcy, the U.S. auto maker agreed to a joint venture with SAIC in India.
But SAIC wants more from its American friend.
SAIC's Development
The Chinese auto maker has expanded its reach over the past decade
2002: Acquires a 10% stake in newly formed GM Daewoo partnership in Korea
2004: Buys ailing South Korean automaker, Ssang Yong Motor (which went into receivership in 2009)
2007: Merges with Nanjing Auto and acquires MG Rover's U.K. factory (below)
2009: Forms joint venture with Wuling and GM, begins exporting mini commercial vehicles to South America, the Middle East and North Africa
2010: Buys a roughly 1% stake in GM as part of the auto maker's post-bailout initial public offering
2010: Teams up with GM in a 50-50 joint venture in India
2012: Opens North American headquarters in Detroit suburb of Birmingham, Mich.
The Chinese company wants to set up operations in Latin America and Europe, two markets where GM has longtime operations. And China wants access to advanced electric-car technology, which GM wants to safeguard.
GM has yet to decide how far it will go. "It's kind of like a marriage," Mr. Akerson said. "We have a good and viable relationship and partnership. But to make it work, you have to have needs on both sides of the table, not just wants."
GM, which sells some vehicles with SAIC in Latin America, is considering expanding the partnership there. Mr. Akerson has discussed with senior executives the possibility of expanding with SAIC into Southeast Asia, according to people close to the company. But GM has no plans to follow on SAIC's request for help in setting up a dealership network in Europe for one of its brands, a person close to GM said.
GM Nears Pact to Cut Hours at German Plants
A spokeswoman for SAIC in Shanghai said that the companies "have established a good and enduring relationship based on a foundation of mutual benefit." The venture, she added, "is a model for successful cooperation in China and even the world."
GM can ill afford to alienate SAIC, its main partner in a venture called Shanghai GM. General Motors Co.'s joint ventures with SAIC Motor Corp., a separate alliance between GM and FAW Group Corp., and a further alliance involving GM, SAIC and Wuling Automobile Co. together sold 2.5 million vehicles in 2011. GM posted $30 billion in revenue in China, and $3.2 billion in profit, of which GM received about $1.5 billion. GM reported profit from all its operations of $7.6 billion last year.
And GM is still waiting to get the blessing of Chinese authorities to regain control of a 1% stake in Shanghai GM that will boost its ownership back to 50%. GM used the asset to get SAIC's help in obtaining a $400 million line of credit in 2009 when GM desperately needed cash.
Other Western companies with presence in China are facing similar challenges as the powerful Chinese partners they helped create want to expand overseas after building muscles at home.
SAIC merges with Nanjing Auto and acquired MG Rover's U.K. factory in 2007.
Andrew Fox/Bloomberg News.
Siemens AG SIEGY -1.77% of Germany and Bombardier Inc. BDRBF -3.53% of Canada, which both transferred bullet-train technologies to China, are confronting Chinese rivals on overseas markets including the U.S., Saudi Arabia and Brazil. After being an apprentice to Russian and French nuclear engineering companies, China is now eying exports of nuclear reactors.
GM's first move into modern China was a dud. By the time GM decided to get into the market, in 1992, Beijing had just shut the door to new passenger-car joint ventures; Volkswagen AG VOW 0.62% and French car maker PSA Peugeot Citroën made the cut.
But China was still allowing foreigners to build trucks, so GM signed a deal with the Shenyang Jinbei Automotive Co. to build small Chevy pickups, based on the S10, in an aging northern industrial town.
No one wanted the trucks. They were too expensive for farmers to use as work vehicles. City dwellers, who looked down on their counterparts from the countryside, had no taste for pickups, says Michael Dunne, an analyst and longtime consultant to auto companies in China. Within a few years, the experiment failed.
Shanghai GM, the venture with SAIC, started in 1997. Partly owned by the Chinese government at the time, SAIC (formerly Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp.) was looking for a partner to build sedans. GM beat out Ford Motor Co. F -3.57%
GM and SAIC split the $1 billion cost to launch a venture to build large cars aimed at China's institutional and state-owned enterprises. Today, GM's share of its operations in China has a market value of $9.2 billion, Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas estimates.
GM felt it got burned early when SAIC cut a side deal in the late 1990s to build sedans with Volkswagen, according to Mr. Dunne. GM had entered the Shanghai GM venture believing it would have a monopoly in that segment, he said. The maneuver stunned then-CEO Jack Smith, but GM believes the price was ultimately worthwhile, Mr. Dunne said. GM declined to comment on the situation.
SAIC formed a joint venture with Wuling and GM in 2009.
Qilai Shen/Bloomberg
The first Shanghai GM vehicle came out in 1998, a Buick Century sedan fancier and more modern than almost anything on the road. Since then, GM's China presence has grown to include 11 joint ventures, most of them with SAIC. In 2010, GM, SAIC and Wuling Automobile Co. launched its first local brand, Baojun, a line of small, inexpensive cars for first-time buyers.
As the venture has matured, so has SAIC, which went into the partnership with big dreams but little know-how. Today, the companies operate much more like equals.
At a factory near GM's China headquarters in suburban Shanghai, Dave Gibbons, deputy executive director of manufacturing for Shanghai GM, spends most of his working hours alongside his SAIC counterpart, Wang Yongqing. They work the same hours, eat together and have adjoining offices.
SAIC managers and workers have become so adept at adapting China's manufacturing expertise to autos that their suggestions on improving factory operations are being implemented in GM's U.S. plants, Mr. Gibbons said.
"We are learning from them now," says Mr. Gibbons, noting that GM factory workers in China are college educated, and many have advanced degrees.
Chevrolet Sail built in Shanghai.
This spring, when GM officials came to China to show off future vehicles in their global lineup, SAIC executives successfully pushed for design tweaks, based on their view of what appealed to Chinese customers, according to people with direct knowledge of the meetings.
GM also has tapped SAIC's deep pockets. In 2010, the companies launched a joint venture in India, a market that GM couldn't afford to tackle alone. The venture is GM's only business in India, producing no-frills microvans with a goal of expanding into Southeast Asia and other emerging markets.
"If we would have been flush with as much cash as today, maybe we would have gone a different way," Mr. Akerson, the GM CEO, said.
SAIC has made clear it won't stop reaching. Chairman Maoyuan Hu, an economist who once ran an SAIC tractor factory, has set ambitious goals. SAIC has acquired engine technology from South Korea and designs from Britain's now-defunct Rover brand to launch its own high-end brand in China: Roewe.
But as far as SAIC has come, it remains largely reliant on more established partners for expansion outside of Asia.
Mr. Akerson sees this need as a critical bargaining chip for GM.
He and other GM executives use every opportunity to reinforce ties with SAIC. Mr. Akerson makes regular trips to China and sits on the boards of a technological university and a research institute there. Last year, he moved GM's monthly board meeting to China for the first time.
In April, ahead of the Beijing Auto Show, a jet-lagged Mr. Akerson and several of his top lieutenants patiently sat through a nearly three-hour news conference, conducted in Mandarin and formatted in the style of a reality dating show.
High on Mr. Akerson's China agenda is the high-end market, one that has so far eluded Shanghai GM. Although GM sells more cars in China than in the U.S., its profits there are smaller than in markets where it sells pricier vehicles and doesn't have to share its earnings with a partner.
GM is pinning its hopes on the Cadillac brand to pad its profit margins and go up against rivals like BMW and Mercedes, which rule the market with cars that can sell for more than $100,000. GM is targeting young and first-time luxury buyers who aren't set on a German model.
One looming challenge: The Chinese don't much like Cadillacs. Some locals refer to the cars using a term—ben zhong—that means "dumb and heavy," said Mr. Dunne, the consultant. GM sold 30,000 Cadillacs in China last year, accounting for 1.2% of its sales there. Cadillac sales were up 73% from the year before, driven largely by the new SRX sport-utility vehicle, which sells for $67,000 to $90,000. But the brand has a long way to go.
Wang Kaidi, a 22-year-old manager of a clothing store in Linyi, said his dream car is a Touareg, a Volkswagen SUV. He knows about Cadillac but says the cars aren't "cool enough" for the younger crowd.
At Liu Guilin's Cadillac dealership outside Beijing, customers are treated to chair massages, a movie in a private theater on the store's second floor and something GM couldn't legally offer in the U.S.: Cuban cigars. Business is picking up, Mr. Liu says, but Cadillac's sharp lines and American proportions still clash with Chinese tastes. "I wish they had less angles, were softer," the auto dealer said.
GM said no to a dramatic overhaul of Cadillac's look when SAIC suggested nixing the car's vertical taillights, according to people with direct knowledge of discussions between the two. But the next Caddy will have toned-down edges. And other GM models will have back seats with better sound insulation because well-to-do Chinese are often chauffeured.
Those changes will show up on vehicles sold in the U.S., as GM shifts away from country-specific models and toward a global product plan.
Having softened the edges on car design, GM is holding tight to its more valuable technology.
Beijing is eager to tap into foreign auto companies' clean-energy technologies. But GM doesn't want to share all its research with its Chinese partner, even when it is coming out of China-based laboratories.
At its newly built technological complex in Shanghai, GM researchers are tinkering with the chemical makeup of the lithium-ion batteries that power electric vehicles such as the Chevrolet Volt in an effort to make them go farther and cut the batteries' cost.
The lab taps local universities for equipment and talent, and it is largely staffed by Chinese scientists.
"We did this alone because we want 100% ownership of intellectual property of the technology we develop there," says Tim Lee, chief of GM's international operations. "It's ours."
—Benjamin Kesling
and Stefanie Qi
contributed to this article.
Write to Sharon Terlep at sharon.terlep@wsj.com
Corrections & Amplifications
GM's joint ventures with SAIC Motor Corp., a separate alliance between GM and FAW Group Corp., and a further alliance involving GM, SAIC and Wuling Automobile Co. together sold 2.5 million vehicles in 2011. An earlier version of this article incorrectly said that the sales of the GM-SAIC partnership alone were 2.5 million vehicles. In addition, GM, SAIC and Wuling together launched the Baojun brand. The earlier version omitted mention of Wuling as being part of the Baojun venture. Also, GM began selling the Buick Century in China in December 1998; the earlier version incorrectly said that GM began selling the Century there in 1999. Dave Gibbons is deputy executive director of manufacturing for Shanghai General Motors. The article incorrectly gave his title as plant manager. The earlier version also incorrectly gave the name of SAIC manager Wang Yongqing as Yong Qing Wang.


text:
Карл Юхан Фредрік Скоттсберґ (; 1 грудня 1880 - 14 червня 1963) — відомий шведський ботанік та міколог.

Біографія
Карл Скоттсберґ народився 1 грудня 1880 року у місті Карлсгамн.

Навчався в Уппсальському університеті, у 1907 році отримав ступінь доктора філософії та почав читати лекції у цьому ж університеті.

У 1899-1960 роках Карл Скоттсберґ відвідав з ботанічними експедиціями різноманітні куточки світу, зокрема Патагонію, острови Хуан-Фернандес, Вогняну Землю. У 1901-1904 роках Скоттсберґ брав участь у шведській антарктичній експедиції на кораблі «Антарктік».

У 1909-1914 роках був куратором Ботанічного Музею в Уппсалі. У 1919-1948 роках був директором ботанічного саду в Ґетеборзі. У 1950 році — президент Сьомого Міжнародного ботанічного конгресу. У 1931 році став членом Шведської королівської академії наук, у 1950 — Лондонського королівського товариства, у 1958 році нагороджений медаллю Дарвіна — Воллеса Лондонського Ліннеївського товариства, у 1959 — медаллю Ліннея.

Карл Юхан Фредрік Скоттсберґ помер 14 червня 1963 року у Ґетеборзі.

Окремі публікації
 The Wilds of Patagonia, 1911;
 Remarks on the Plant Geography of the Southern Cold Temperate Zone, 1960.

Див. також
Список ботаніків за скороченням

Примітки

Посилання
 DNB, Katalog der Deutschen Nationalbibliothek: Carl Skottsberg
 Some Biogeographers, Evolutionists and Ecologists: Chrono-Biographical Sketches: Carl Johan Fredrik Skottsberg
 1179—1180 (Nordisk familjebok / Uggleupplagan. 25. Sekt — Slöjskifling): Karl Johan Fredrik Skottsberg

Шведські ботаніки
Шведські мікологи
Дослідники Антарктики
Випускники Уппсальського університету
Члени Шведської королівської академії наук
Члени Лондонського королівського товариства
Нагороджені медаллю Дарвіна — Воллеса
Нагороджені медаллю Ліннея


text:
Thomas Mulcair wins final vote to become leader of the NDP
Gerrit De Vynck
Photos by Gerrit De Vynck
9:30 p.m. EST -- Thomas Mulcair is the new leader of the federal New Democratic Party.
Defeated leadership candidate Brian Topp (left) shakes hands with new NDP leader Thomas Mulcair (right)
The Montreal MP and former Quebec caucus leader won every round of voting this weekend, climbing from 30 per cent in the first round to 38 per cent in the second and then 44 per cent in the third to make a date with Brian Topp for the fourth and final round.
Topp narrowed the gap in the last vote, but Mulcair still won with a handy 57-per cent majority.
Even if two thirds of those who voted for Nathan Cullen in the third round voted for Topp in the fourth, Mulcair still would have won.
A Mulcair supporter celebrates seconds after the Montreal MP wins the NDP leadership election
The day was wild, swinging from highs, such as the underdog Cullen's rise to third, to lows, most notably the long delay in voting after the party's website was shut down by an alleged hacking attempt.
But the convention ended on a definite high as over 4,500 delegates shouted and cheered for their new leader. The other leadership candidates joined Mulcair on stage for his first speech as "le chef."
"All together!" shouted Mulcair in French. The crowd repeated his first statement as leader with fervour: "tous ensemble! tous ensemble!"
Then he launched into his speech, thanking his fellow candidates and talking about the challenges ahead for the NDP.
"Increasingly Canadians feel that whoever their government is there to serve, it's certainly not for them," Mulcair said.
He spoke about how young people are engaged in their communities, but not in politics. "They're so turned off by today's politics that they won't take the time to walk down the street to their local polling station and cast a ballot," said Mulcair.
He said he hopes to give Canadians a reason to trust in politics again. "You can vote for the change you want, and actually get it," said Mulcair.
Former NDP leader and party heavyweight Ed Broadbent criticized Mulcair last week saying he would move the party too far to the centre in search of more moderate supporters.
Ed Broadbent (left) speaks with defeated NDP leadership candidate Brian Topp (right) on Friday morning
Broadbent endorsed Topp and spent the weekend by the union favourite's side.
Topp made clear in his speech on Friday that he would hold the NDP to its left-of-centre roots if elected.
But Mulcair took an alternate stance on what many say was the campaign's defining issue, saying he would "reach out beyond our traditional base and rally progressives of all stripes behind the NDP."
Mulcair's election suggests NDP members support this position, or at least aren't as worried about it as Topp and Broadbent are.
For eight months the NDP was without a permanent leader. Now they have one again. On Monday, Parliament will start again and the NDP will not be grappling amongst themselves anymore.
They will be up against the Conservative majority government.
On Mar. 29, that government will release its 2012 budget, expected to include limits to Old Age Security benefits and cuts to pensions for federal workers.
There will be no grace period for Mulcair, no time to learn the ropes. His win has thrust him into the job of federal opposition leader, and millions of Canadians are counting on him to represent them.
The convention is over, but for Mulcair, the real fight is just beginning.
6:10 p.m. EST -- Results of the third vote:
Mulcair: 44 per cent
Topp 32 per cent
Cullen: 25 per cent
Cullen drops out of the race telling reporters he is very proud of this moment and very humbled by it, as he holds his son in his arms and the convention hall thunders with the sound of hundreds chanting his name.
The next leader of the federal NDP and Her Majesty's Official Opposition will be either Thomas Mulcair or Brian Topp.
Voting will close at 8:00 p.m. EST.
Results are expected at 8:30 p.m. EST.
Brian Topp
federal New Democratic Party
Martin Singh
Nathan Cullen
New Democratic Party of Canada
Niki Ashton
Paul Dewar
Peggy Nash
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Geeksdanz » Blog Archive » Spring Events!
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First, you'll need to obtain a GPS unit. There are many that are available, with different interfaces. Connecting a device that has a USB interface is very straightforward. When you plug the USB device into the BeagleBone Black, it will automatically try to recognize the new device and install the driver for it. The advantage of this approach is that it is very easy and you won't need to update any driver files. The problem with this approach is that you will need to add a powered USB hub.


Andreas Hadjipetrou is the Managing Director of Columbia Shipmanagement Ltd, with 20 years of experience within the organisation. He has held various positions within the Cyprus office, as well as spending 7 years in Columbia's Hamburg office as Finance Director.
He represents the company's interests in various boards of directors such as Tsakos Columbia Shipmanagement (TCM), Athens, Cyprus Shipping Chamber (CSC); Cyprus Marine Environment Protection Association (CYMEPA); Asia Marine Philippines. He is also a member of the board of governors of Cyprus Marine Academy.


"Repent!!! And believe in the Gospel!!!" – Mk 1:15 | ADULT CATECHESIS & CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS LITERACY IN THE ROMAN CATHOLIC TRADITION: hosting ONLY True Christians!!!, or "How to think Catholic!!"
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A book I recently read, Thank You for Being Late by Thomas Friedman, helped make sense of the crazy world we live in. I've been feeling like things are moving ever faster and finding it overwhelming at times to deal with the hectic nature of life. This book helped me understand why I am feeling this way and had some good ideas on how to deal with the world we live in.
Raising kids is expensive. By my estimate, it can cost close to $500K to raise a child, including college, in expensive parts of the country like the Bay Area. So, it's helpful to know that there are certain tax advantages to having kids. A few of the more common ones are outlined below.
If you are like the 44% of Americans who made New Year's resolutions in January, you might by now also be feeling like the 92% of people who fail to keep their resolutions. If so, you might be wondering what is the best way to stay on track? What can I do if I fall off the wagon? Or why bother setting them at all?
After a particularly divisive and negative election season, many might be craving a bit more positive energy and healing. The hectic pace and excessive consumption of the holidays can also cause stress. For these reasons, now is a particularly good time to focus on gratitude and generosity to others.
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This specification encompasses performance requirements for windows, doors and skylights including structural integrity , resistance to water penetration, air leakage and forced entry. Durability requirements include component testing and performance and life cycle testing. Products are divided into five classes for rating purposes. Because the specification is materials neutral, products made from any framing material are included in this specification. The new specification encompasses material from 101/I.S.2, CSA A440 and other performance standards for fenestration products and is intended to be a companion to 101/I.S.2 and the eventual replacement of that standard. Originally published 5/02 as NAFS-01. Revised 12/02, and published as 101/I.S.2/NAFS-02. ANSI Approval 2/03.


text:
Home Free to Play Knight Age First Impressions
Knight Age First Impressions
Kyt Dotson
In a free-to-play market where most MMORPGs all mimic the UI and design of the most popular World of Warcraft sometimes there are games that seek to stand out by presenting new gameplay elements. Knight Age by Joymax is one of those games that adds pets and mounts to a game that would be an otherwise boring MMORPG. Also: this game totally reminds me of the Dragon Warrior/Quest series in how it looks, how it plays, and what it sounds like.
The big takeaways from early game KA happen to be about the pets (pupa) and the mounts. Being able to ride around and beat down badguys from horseback (I mean donkey-back) is a very nice thing. Also it's possible to get birds, raptors, and other interesting mounts as the game goes on; but at the same time there's a lot of different pets to choose from to change gameplay and style.
Even if I only had rabbits through the entire game (although I did get one with a huge unicorn horn.)
It's a cute game and somewhat fun to play, and the maps are big, there's a lot of people and they're chatty. So let's look at what this game is like for the first few levels and how we might expect it to play later on.
Graphics and Sound: It looks a lot like the console games I used to know, but in PC form
Knight Age is cartoony from the first look with thickly drawn, but 3D, figures, environments, and textures. In fact, it has a particularly almost console-based affect to it that reminds me of Super Nintendo and PlayStation games thrust into a slightly better graphics quality. This makes the game very cute, but with a sort of Western aesthetic instead of the chibi anime-style that we've gotten used to in MMO games of this type, although it also keeps some of the same elements from those games in the drawing style.
The characters themselves feel like they're right out of cartoon in this way; as I said above, this game would not look out of place at all on a video game console instead of a PC.
The animations are okay, and everything fits together nicely, so in a way the graphics are very unoffensive and they also probably work together to lower the requirements to run this game.
Sounds are everywhere, although some subtle. Footsteps can be heard and mounts gallop, weapons swing, spells zing, and impacts can be heard. It has a lot of very cutesy-styled console-ish sound effects when weapons hit and enemies die. I even hear a horse whinny when I was wandering through the city—however, it feels pretty empty (I got spoiled by Guild Wars 2.) Otherwise, sound effects are consistent, the UI has them, there's a lot of sound-response to activity; even screenshots have a bleep-ka-chunk sound when pressing the PrtScreen button.
As you get near death there's also a thump-thump heartbeat sound to warn about impending defeat. Rather a cute effect.
The music is okay. It reminds me in a very nostalgic sort of way of playing Dragon Warrior—in fact, the music sounds almost exactly like rip off of the recent Dragon Quest music from towns and such. I'm probably biased into liking this music, therefore, because I really love that music. It does seem to be on a short loop, but I hardly noticed because it's not very loud, it's not intrusive, and it fits the cartoonish style and the light-hearted surroundings.
Gameplay: It has a lot of strong RPG elements and even a taste of the Pokemon experience with pets
First thing I notice is that the character names are not long enough to fit my normal name of "Helvetica," so I end up going with "Helvetic" instead.
There are four character classes to choose from, falling to my bête noir of gender locked classes with Knight (M), Warrior (M), Magician (F), and Archer (F). Each of the characters has their own sub-story that explains why they're gender locked that may or may not play into the game narrative; and each of them has their own weapons and skills fitting to their class. There does, however, seem to be a system by which characters who start in one class can obtain skills belonging to others (and use them if they have the proper equipment, likely that means weapon.)
Movement is accomplished with the standard WASD and click-to-move, with a standard bar of skills at the bottom—in my case, I went with an archer and she shoots arrows—and it is also possible to carry two sets of weapons and switch between them. There's also an auto-pathing system for moving between quest givers and areas where items need to be retrieved.
The game centers around two additional elements to normal play styles: pets and mounts.
Pets in the game are called "pupa" (presumably after the transitional juvenile state of insect development?), they're grown out of eggs and bonded to the player. Each pupa has a set of skills, buffs, and abilities that may assist the player in their adventures—some of them hit hard, some heal, some throw spells. The one that I started off with was a little white bunny that, in spite of its cute appearance, is quite a savage combatant. She's called a "Snow Rabby" and if you're a fox, don't get in her way.
The necessity to pick up eggs and bring them back to town to receive pupa adds an almost Pokemon "gotta catch 'em all" effect to the game. They also must be trained up and leveled in order to gain access to all their abilities—this means using them in combat and spending time with the pupa summoned. As a result, a great deal of the game is played with a pet at your side. They can also be leveled up by feeding them things (often expensive food.)
Mounts come into play a little later in the game and there's a bit of encouragement towards mounted combat. This opens up at about level 5, getting there is mostly learning how to be a player in the world and use the pet to kill stuff (and perhaps set up a dual or triple class.)
The game does permit mounted combat and mounts also have their own levels (that can be earned via feeding the mount or fighting on them.) Mounts themselves convey some extra firepower and armor, and of course, movement speed. Another interesting aspect is that when in a group, with mounts, it's possible to "form up" or move in a formation that changes how the different members of the group take damage and dish it out.
Playing I also ran into this odd thing, the "auto prevention system," it popped up 4 numbers and a number pad and required that I enter that in a set amount of time. I almost missed it (although it took up a chunk of the lower right screen.) I suspect it may have kicked me off if I had not managed to type that number into the keypad in time. I am not sure that I enjoy being poked or prodded by the system to prove that I'm human no matter how many issues that Joymax has with botters.
Freemium: Cash shop has some apparent issues and there's also limited-time expiring items
Joymax uses a microtransaction currency called Silk across all their available games and items in Knight Age can be bought using it. Looking at the store, it looks like there's quite a few aesthetic items for purchase, including outfits, and mounts, and the like.
However, some of the costume-weapon changes seem to convey an XP and a damage bonus; this edges the game a little bit closer to play-to-win (with the damage bonus, even though it's only +5.) Also, another element is that all purchases that I've seen are mostly only for 30 days total and that means that cash shop items then expire after they're bought.
In a way, that feels a little bit cheap, because if I buy something in a game, I'd really like to be able to keep it permanently; after all, I spent money on it. This is a trend in a lot of games that produce a sort of free-to-play "rent" in order to stay on top of the game by selling consumables that convey not just an XP boost but some sort of damage/armor boost as well and therefore need to be bought over and over to keep that edge.
Conclusion: Joymax has a very cute and well thought out game in Knight Age
I really enjoy the look and feel of Knight Age, although the UI seems a little bit tedious at times (the screen resolution is a little bit all over the place.) The aesthetic, atmosphere, and even the sounds remind me of JRPG games from consoles and that's quite interesting and almost nostalgic. It still suffers a little bit form some not-easy-to-read methods of receiving and turning in quests; but that's a little bit offset by the way the story is presented—via cut-screens.
I don't like how the cash shop seems to contain items that convey an edge in damage, and especially don't like cash shop items that expire (that aren't consumables.) I think that if there's a 30 day version of some item it should be extremely cheap and then have a permanent version that costs about x8 or similar (but never exceeding $20 for anything in particular.)
Getting bothered almost hourly to prove I am a human is a nuisance and a major turn off from any game that has absolutely nothing to do with the gameplay or even the graphics.
There seems to be a lot of good things going for this game and I played it up until I got three of my characters mounts. I like how although the initial class is gender locked, it's possible to grab abilities from the other classes and use their capabilities.
It's cute, it's casual, and it has people in it to paly with; this tells me that I think Knight Age will probably do well in the Western market. It's also worth checking out for the Pokemon element of the pupas and the mounts.
Joymax
Knight Age
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Supernatural September 19, 2012 at 4:46 pm
Nice review Kyt 🙂 I wanted to try it but that graphics are too childish 🙂
Supernatural did not rate this post.
djolebelevode March 13, 2016 at 5:57 pm
Interesting game with lower graphic,i don't like it,that graphic makes me feel as child,as supernatural in post above…
djolebelevode did not rate this post.
TheRedLight3 March 14, 2016 at 8:20 am
First of all I want to salute supernatural :),but let s get back on game.Knight Age First Impressions is free to play mmorpg game,and that reminds me on wow but graphic is a bit more kiddish than in wow.It is logically it reminds me on wow because this game is made on idea of World of Warcraft :).I recommend this game everybody who loves kiddish mmorpgs 🙂
TheRedLight3 did not rate this post.
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Complex Developmental Behavioural Conditions (CDBC) is a term used to describe significant difficulties that may affect an individual in multiple areas of functioning. These include learning, development, mental health, adaptive behaviour and social skills. An example of a CDBC is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). FASD is the term used to describe the range of effects caused by drinking alcohol during pregnancy. Families face many challenges trying to meet the needs of a child with CDBC or FASD.
A Touchstone FASD/CDBC Keyworker will: • Support families through the referral, assessment, and diagnostic process • Link families to appropriate community service providers • Link families to healthcare professionals • Provide education to parents, caregivers, and the general public. • Facilitate the development of a Parent Support Group. • Assist caregivers to develop a comprehensive service plan to meet the needs of the child.
There is no fee for this service. Community agencies, social workers and private individuals can request assistance.
For more information contact Cheryl McIntee.