Sven B. Schreiber This is yet another face of the ingenious "Slingshot Dakota" frontwoman Carly Comando - a joint venture with Ryan O'Donnell, supported by her husband Tom Patterson on drums. Compared to her other works, it's probably closest to early "Slingshot Dakota" (e.g. "Keener Sighs") but less rooted in folk rock, and with more wave influences. Favorite track: Up All Night.
The collaboration between Emmy Award-winning songwriter / piano instrumentalist Carly Comando and punk rocker Ryan O'Donnell may be a marriage of opposites, but the 26 solid minutes of indie-electro-pop excellence that resulted is anything but surprising given the talent behind it and the incredible chemistry shared by these two musicians. Things Get Shaky, the debut release by indie supergroup KEYSTONE KIDS, is more than an album of smart electronic pop with homages to 80's era synth lurking beneath the surface. The sheer strength of the songs, the crystal clear melodies, the playful duets and the sincere vocal performances together build to an addictive climax in nearly every song. Comando's stunning piano savvy adds moments of incredible beauty throughout, especially on the song "Falling." We're all suckers for a catchy melody...and it's here in droves. So forget what to call it and just enjoy. I love this record. And you will too.
"We wanted to write an album that we'd want to listen to all the time, an uplifting album that would get stuck in our heads. We wanted the songs to be as simple and accessible as possible, yet relatable and relaxing...so people can take away something from each song. We based the lyrics on our own experiences (in all honesty, a decent amount of our lyrics have to do with the TV show The Jersey Shore as every summer it seems 'things get shaky' between Sammi and Ronnie), but anyone can really take from them their own meaning" says Carly. She continues "the album title is taken from a line in the song 'Crumble.' It seems every year there's a point in our lives where things get a bit iffy and weird, and we all have to get through it. All of the songs on Things Get Shaky illustrate a variety of emotions we feel throughout the year, whether it's heartbreak, getting over someone, loving someone or dealing with negativity. And in the end, even when things try to shake us up, we make it through. We just want the album to make people happy." "This album means a lot to me in different ways. When Carly and I first talked about writing the album, there was a lot of discussion about how we would do it and what it would be like when we were done. But after 'Mouth' and 'Miles' which were our first two songs, I immediately felt a stronger connection to it than almost any other music I've been a part of. My main hope is that when folks that listen to Things Get Shaky they'll be walking around for the next day or so with at least one of the songs in their head - whether they wanted to or not" says Ryan.
Keystone Kids are Carly Comando (vocals, keyboards, piano) and Ryan O'Donnell (vocals, guitar, bass). Tom Patterson played drums. Things Get Shaky was produced by Dan McKinney and Keystone Kids in Dan's House Studio in Center Valley, PA. Dan also played tambourine. Carly is well known for her instrumental piano ballad "Everyday" which is the score to viral video "Noah Takes a Photo of Himself Everyday" which has been viewed 22,500,000+ times on YouTube (bit.ly/cc-everyday). "Everyday" has been featured on CBS News, Good Morning America, VH1's 40 Greatest Internet Superstars and has been licensed by the NBA, Amnesty International and the World Economic Forum among others. Carly was honored by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences with a Primetime Emmy Award for her musical contribution to The Simpson's episode "Eternal Moonshine of the Simpson Mind." Carly is also in the band Slingshot Dakota and she enjoys baking. Ryan was in the punk band Yo Man Go and is also in the band Laugh It Off. Keystone Kids reside in Lehigh Valley, PA. Carly lives in Bethlehem (home of Jesus, obviously, duh) and Ryan is from Allentown. Pennsylvania is the Keystone State, so Carly + Ryan = Keystone Kids. Their hometown, nicknamed "Steel City," is known for the Crayola Crayon factory, Sands Casino taking over Bethlehem Steel and is the true subject matter of Billy Joel's song "Allentown" (bet you didn't know that).
Our love is a predictable battle. I can't be without you, you can't be without me. others think we're crazy but I know that we're meant to. and others think we're crazy, but I know that we're meant to be. Oh, every summer things get shaky. and oh, all of this sun is making me feel dizzy. Oh, every summer things get shaky. oh, all of this sun is making me feel dizzy. 'cause everything around me is crumbling, crumbling. everything around me is crumbling. and i can't sleep at night when your'e not in my bed. and i can't ever get you out of my head. do you feel the same about me? do you feel the same? does your heart beat faster when you hear my name? oh, every summer things get shaky. and oh, all of this sun is making me feel dizzy. oh, every summer things get shaky. oh, all of this sun is making me feel dizzy. 'cause everything around me is crumbling, crumbling. everything around me is crumbling. and i'm having a hard time believing, believing. that we will make it through this. 'cause everything around me is crumbling, crumbling. everything around me is crumbling. and i'm having a hard time believing, believing. that we will make it through this.


The Kardashian's are at it again in 2017. Kim is back on social media, Rob and Chyna have just had a baby, and the youngest of the Kardashian daughters, Khloe, has been doing the rounds of media campaigns for the release of her new television show 'Revenge Body with Khloe Kardashian' on E!
In the lead up to the reality show, health experts have vocalised their concerns that Kardashian's show promotes physical appearance and weight loss as the key component to happiness. "The idea to package a 100% appearance based program in a pretty & positive bow is horrifying. Getting back at your ex with a 'revenge body' is not empowering, nor is it body positive. It can't be, it is the antithesis" – Rebecca Clyde, Dietitian and Health Coach.
Promotional ads have Kardashian's voiceover asking the participants "who do you want to get revenge on?", to which the responses include an ex-fiancé, a mother, and friends.
With Khloe showing before and after shots of her weight loss progress as a social media teaser for the show, you can't help but feel that she's promoting weight loss as a weapon for getting back on those who have done you wrong.
The show itself is a carbon copy of all the other weight loss shows that have graced our television screens – The Biggest Loser, Excess Baggage, Celebrity Overhaul, Extreme Makeover – the only difference being the host, one of the biggest celebrities on social media whose family have dominated everything from clothing and cosmetics, to workout routines and even how to assemble your cookie jar to cater to your "OCD".
What's apparent in the first episode is the same old labelling, messages and expectations in a typical weight loss show. One contestant refers to herself as the "duff" in her group of friends (an acronym for the designated, ugly, fat friend) – how awful! And then there's the expectation that weight loss will get your ex to fall in love with you again. Not only is this a very vain perception of relationships, but very unrealistic as well. With contestants working out twice daily during their "makeover", the realistic expectations of one to maintain this lifestyle when back in the real world means that many of these contestants could return to, or even gain more than their commencing weight (as studies have shown in our previous blogs).
In a nutshell, Kardashian's overall message suggests that happiness and love, whether it's from friends, family or a loved one is only earnt when you fit the Kardashian mould – fit, fabulous and flaunting everything you've got.
Whilst Kardashian provides contestants with the glitz and glam of her squad, including celebrity personal trainers and stylists, there is no footage of any interaction with a therapeutic team to work through the underlying issue that is their body image. Granted, Khloe does note that she does not refer her happiness to the number on the scales, but unlike Kardashian, these every day American's do not have the resources that she has, who let's be honest, get paid to make her look and feel good about herself.
Sadly, this show will fit into the same genre as the rest of them, following the standards of Western beauty and the desire for thinness. There is more emotion shot in the contestants meeting Kardashian for the first time than there is during the unveiling of their makeover – could it be that they're exhausted from the training, filming and dedicating their waking moments for 12 weeks to television ratings? Or is it simply a case of weight loss not always addressing the underlying issue?
As noted by The Washington Post reporter Bethonie Butler, the term "revenge body" doesn't exactly convey a search for inner-peace.
BodyMatters works with clients who are experiencing weight and body image issues. You can contact us to enquire or make an appointment.


Patient participation is crucial to find more and better answers to the perplexing questions that surround FM. Please consider whether it would be appropriate to participate in this work, and check this page often for information regarding research opportunities close to you.
Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial Of Pregabalin In Patients With Fibromyalgia.
Safety and Efficacy Study of Xyrem (Sodium Oxybate) in Subjects With Fibromyalgia.
A Safety and Efficacy Study of Xyrem (Sodium Oxybate) to Treat Fibromyalgia.


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Metallica Look Back on Fighting Napster
It's been fourteen years since Metallica went to war with Napster, and I can still remember the furor very vividly. In fact, Metallica's fanbase took a big hit from their war with Napster, and after the disaster of their album St Anger, it looked like the band was basically done for.
Metallica's doing much better these days, obviously, but the music business never recovered from file sharing, and no matter how much Metallica tried to fight it, the genie was out of the bottle. Many artists certainly agree with Metallica's stance on principle, but it was the heavy handed way the band dealt with it that cost them a lot of fans.
Funny enough, Lars Ulrich is now friends with Napster founder Sean Parker, and also attended his wedding. Ulrich realized in hindsight he could have handled things better, and as James Hetfield told Blabbermouth and Crave, "As you get older, you're able to get past certain roadblocks mentally and friendship-wise, like things with Megadeth.
"[Lars] was wanting to do something," Hetfield continued. "He had a vision and had no idea what the consequences would be. I think we've learned a lot, like from the Some Kind of Monster movie and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Seeing all these bands that can't even show up and play together because they're arguing about something that happened 20 years ago and they can't celebrate a great moment…Life's too short for stuff like that."
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TRADEMARK TROLLS: ANALYSIS AND RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
Home Blogs TRADEMARK TROLLS: ANALYSIS AND RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
INTRODUCTION TO TRADEMARK TROLLS
Trolls in a layman language is the act of posting provocative posts or message online intentionally to annoy someone .In the field of law, Trademark Trolls is the practice of frivolous filing of trademark registration applications without the slightest intention to use it .The only reasons for filing these applications are extracting of profits from large entities by either filing a lawsuit claiming infringement or to enter into negotiation for licenses. The practice of trademark trolls makes the brands owner faces some real challenges. Opportunistic Trademark registrants and Suspect trademark users are the two classes of people who have the accusation of trademark trolls.
FIRST TO FILE AND FIRST TO USE SYSTEM
There are two systems for providing trademark registration which is followed by the jurisdictions the first to file and the first to use. The First to file system for registration is used in several jurisdictions around the globe one of them being China. Article 31 of the Trademark Law of People's Republic of China, 1993 states that when there are two or more applicant applying to register similar or identical trademarks for use on similar kind of goods the trademark office after conduction of examination and announce the trademark whose registration was earlier than rest those who had applied. The disadvantage that lies in this system is trolls file for registration on a first to file basis without any intention to use it. Even a big Company like Apple had fallen prey to this practice in 2012 and had to pay a whooping amount to a Chinese company for their trademark "iPad ". This proves the importance of trademark for these big entities and the extent to which the companies are willing to go to protect their asset that is their trademark.
In a recent case in China the Supreme Court there has opted for a strong approach to counteract trademark trolling. Two companies in China had registered the mark 'UL' which was already in use by a famous clothing brand Uniqlo. The Supreme Court held that registration was done in bad faith and further stated the there will be no support for malicious litigation and the participants in the market should inculcate honesty and credibility as their baseline. The court later in its finding also mentioned that the plaintiff in the case had many trademark applications on its name. This proves its malicious intention. There arise such instances in jurisdictions which follow first to file rule.
Contrarily , US follows the first to use system for filing of applications which is procedurally better than first to file but still trademark trolls have found their way around . In US along with Section 45 of Lanham Act which lays down the importance of use of mark by a person court also reinforce the stipulation via supplementary documents. Measures such has abandonment of mark on non-usage which is also applicable to foreign holders and cancellation of registration keeps a check on these trolls from frivolously getting their mark registered. However there have still been cases of trademark trolling in US .Recently during Covid there had been surge of these trademark trolls.
POSITION AND RECENT DEVELOPMENT IN INDIA
In India the First to use system is followed and this somewhere reduces cases of trademark trolling .However trolls have found a loophole where applications are filed on proposed to be use basis . In this case if filing is done for registration of trademark and it is not in use for a continuous period of five years then it is subject to cancellation which gives time to trolls to exploit their position. Also when marks are applied for a proposed to be used basis with future use the application which was the first to be filed is given priority. These are a few procedural loopholes that prove to be a disadvantage for the legitimate users as few trademark applicants and registrants misuse and take unfair advantage of it. The Courts in India have in many recent cases acknowledged these loopholes and have given decisions in favour of the legitimate users. In the case of H&M ,Hennes and Mauritz v. HM megabrands Pvt. Ltd H & M had sued HM Megabrands for trademark infringement .The Delhi High Court in this case granted interim injunction stating that not granting of injunction would cause damage and further economic loss to the plaintiffs . This judgement emphasizes on the fact that courts would not entertain acts of trademark trolling and also that foreign marks are protected equally in the country.
In another very recent and amusing case of trademark trolling just a few months after Sony had made an announcement of its release of PS5 in class 28 , the Delhi based respondent filed for registration of mark. However the trademark application was later withdrawn by the respondent and the intention behind such a registration was abundantly clear which was extracting of money from Sony. Even though the past decisions by the court have been in favour of the legitimate users it should still be taken into consideration that that trademark applications which are filed on an proposed to be use basis, such intentions can be honest or dishonest and this allows the opportunistic trademark trolls to remain as a trademark holder for a certain time. Even after procedural safeguards existing and favourable decisions by courts, opportunistic trademark trolls can still find ways to exploit their trademark registrations. Therefore filing of trademarks registrations should be done early in India so that the rights can be asserted and their remains no room for trolls.
WAY AHEAD AND SUGGESTIONS
When goodwill and reputation is attached to a business it becomes necessary to protect the trademark. Many a times Trademark trolls use the loopholes in the law to use it against the rightful holders for extraction of money by initiating infringement suits. Some of the measures which can be taken to avoid cases of trademark trolling are:
Enhancing the procedure of registration mainly in jurisdictions where first to file system is in use .Companies should engage in vigilant search and establish watch services to identify trolls at an initial stage. Updating the search at a regular time interval will be a helpful step for the owners of the trademarks to be aware of any developments on a local level.
The fees for filing registrations should be updated on a periodical basis and necessary changes should be implemented keeping in mind the changing dynamics of business and economy so that uncontrolled registrations do not take place.
Companies or entities can track the use of its own trademark in countries which are troll friendly by saving invoices , correspondence with the people distributing and commercial documents.
Legislative developments in the field of trademark law along with a judicial support will help to combat the problem. The Courts have recently in their decisions given a reality check that application filed frivolously and with malice will not be entertained. This step also has open the door for the foreign investors who are planning to setup their identity in India.
Even though the problem of trademark trolling in India has not been as severe in jurisdiction which use the first to file system there needs to be a robust IP regime so that foreign investors find it safe to proceed with investments and domestic endeavours also sustain in the long run.
Author(s) Name: Kajal Chandra (UPES, Dehradun)
A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COMPETITION LAW AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS IN INDIA
Any discussion of the relationship between competition laws and Intellectual Property Rights must begin by an elucidation of what is meant by these two terms. Intellectual Property Rights
STAND-UP COMEDY AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS: NO JOKES THERE!
Stand-up comedy can be defined as a piece of art comprising of producing, editing, and writing comedic works by comedians who give a live performance. Comedians often complain of 'Joke Theft' and therefore, the same can be protected through copyright laws.
FASHION INDUSTRY COPYRIGHT AND DESIGN PROTECTION IN INDIA
Our country is known for its rich culture and diversity all over and there is always a festival that is being celebrated here and a lot of women look forward to buying new dresses however here comes the main problem that while some designers spend years
'M' FOR MYNTRA: THE INTERSECTION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND OBSCENITY
The e-commerce website Myntra was recently embroiled in a significant controversy over its trademark logo after an NGO claimed that the logo was vulgar and insulting to women. The Myntra logo is written in pink and orange using overlapping shapes. In December 2020, Naaz Patel of Avesta
ADR MECHANISMS – STEP AHEAD TO BETTER SOLVE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DISPUTE
To better understand the pitfalls associated with the dispute solving of intellectual property cases, we must have a glimpse at the current climate of intellectual property in India. The Global Innovation Policy Center of the United States Chamber of Commerce released the International
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COPYRIGHT AND TRADEMARK?
Have you ever wondered what the terms "abc©" or "abcTM" mean? If you find yourself asking such questions regularly, you've come to the correct place. "Copyright and trademark are two types of intellectual property rights that can be characterized as intangible assets, or creations of the mind
ROLE OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS IN BOLLYWOOD
Our existence is not enough for living a life, a life is made up with certain things that might be neglected sometimes but it is as important as the other main things in life and entertainment is one of them. Film Industries are also playing an important role and it becomes a part of our lives, not
RECENT AMENDMENTS UNDER THE COPYRIGHT RULES
Author(s) Name: Swetalika Das (Student, Amity University, Kolkata).
GOOGLE LLC v. ORACLE AMERICA, INC
This case is a legal case that was covered in the United States. This was related to computer code and copyright law. The dispute of the case deals with applications of Java programming language and other programming interfaces (APIs). There were 11,000 source codes and their lines that were
THE LINK BETWEEN COMPETITION LAW POLICY AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW
Anti-trust law seeks to promote fair competition in the market efficiently. It also protects the interests of the consumers. The primary objectives of Competition law are (i) fair competition; and (ii) to secure the interest of consumers. It also prohibits a dominant position in the market. On the


On September 17th and 24th 2012, five participants met at Venture Arts in Hulme to join in with a This Place Is workshop.
On the 17th, people largely just talked about the places they had chosen, thinking about what memories they would like most to share. On the 24th, there was a lot of drawing, colouring and sticking as participants brought the facts to life with their colourful images.


12-year-old Achiever Amantle has a lot of positive things to say about the Step Up program. She enjoys using the computers, reading, singing, dancing. The list could go on.
At home, there's a lack of peace at times between family members, which used to cause mood swings in school and occasional fights with other kids. Through specific social-emotional learning activities and a curriculum about job interviewing at Step Up, she has since learned how to manage frustrations so that she can communicate better with her parents, friends and community members.
Amantle learned from the job interviewing experience that how you interact and respond to others can really impact the type of relationships you build. She knows having positive and healthy relationships with people will help her succeed as she gets older. Amantle is working to develop the characteristics and skills to get along with others and to avoid fights at home or in school.
Another part of Step Up that teaches Amantle responsibility and the importance of planning for her future is the financial literacy program, which educates Achievers about setting goals and the power of savings. By saving what little she can for her and her family, Amantle has learned with support from Step Up staff what it takes to set and achieve long-term goals. Amantle is now sharing her experience with other Achievers and educating them on the importance of working towards a goal.
With increased confidence in her abilities, Amantle now serves as a mentor at Step Up. She suggests books other Achievers may want to read and also enjoys helping them with homework assignments.


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Image Title: White King Size Comforter Sets Best 25 Grey Ideas On Pinterest Duvet Cover 4. Filename: white-king-size-comforter-sets-best-25-grey-ideas-on-pinterest-duvet-cover-4.jpg. Image Dimension: 600 x 600 pixels. Images Format: jpg/jpeg. Publisher/Author: Olaf Durgan. Uploaded Date: Tuesday - December 12th. 2017 14:08:19 PM. Category: Architecture. Image Source: interiordesign.net.


We now know more information surrounding the 37 charges a Center Township couple is facing for allegedly stealing more than $1 million from Butler Health System. Scott and Stephanie Roskovski, 50 and 48, were taken into custody Friday.
COURT HOUSE - A Cape May County grand jury handed up 11 indictments April 16. The abbreviation CDS below stands for controlled dangerous substance. The individuals listed are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
LOCK HAVEN — The following court proceedings were held before district judges. ∫ Tera Lou Acor, of Renovo, charged with simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and criminal mischief-damage property, waived for court.


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News Hakkoda Arrives in Costa Rica to Develop Cloud Services
Hakkoda Arrives in Costa Rica to Develop Cloud Services
The company will be headquartered at Ultrapark Heredia and will hire 300 people within 24 months.
It will offer consulting services using cloud tools and platforms through Snowflake, from Costa Rica to the United States.
Heredia, Costa Rica. October 11, 2021. Startup Hakkoda announced that it will establish operations in Costa Rica, from where it will offer cloud services, including specialized services in Snowflake, data governance, automated or machine learning, and application development. Services will be provided in English, as they are destined for the U.S. market.
The company began operations last September and currently employs staff in the United States and Costa Rica, with plans to grow to 300 employees in Costa Rica.
Hakkoda was founded on the principle of identifying data importance to businesses, while at the same time supporting the need to accelerate the data value chain and extend it beyond reporting.
According to Erik Duffield, CEO y co-founder of Hakkoda: "Hakkoda's impact on our clients relies on experienced, passionate team members. Costa Rica is strategic to Hakkoda in providing skilled talent that is in the same time zone as our clients and can engage with them directly to leverage data to solve their biggest challenges."
The company seeks staff with skills in data engineering, analytics, and machine learning, as well as an ability to work with large data sets in the cloud, data integration, and SQL / Python / Scala scripting.
"We will hire everyone from college graduates to experienced professionals," added Duffield, CEO.
Andrés Valenciano, Costa Rican Minister of Foreign Trade, commented: "Costa Rica has become a key piece of the value proposition for high innovation and technology companies. We have worked diligently so that new lines of business – those specialized in Industry 4.0 – can grow and invest in a country with highly qualified human talent. We are very pleased with the opening of Hakkoda in Costa Rica, which confirms that we're on the right track. We hope that this is the beginning of a positive and influential trajectory for our country, and that Hakkoda finds, in Costa Rica, a strategic ally in their operations."
Jorge Sequeira Picado, Managing Director of CINDE, commented: "In Costa Rica, Hakkoda has found a strategic partner in developing cloud services. Specialized in digital technologies, the company helps highlight the collaborative and digital convergence environments that our country offers. These types of companies contribute significantly to our matrix of knowledge-intensive services exports, which represented 75% of all services exported by Costa Rica in the first half of this year. Likewise, these companies are a source of formal job creation for more than 12,000 Costa Ricans, as of 2020."
Those interested in applying for open positions may visit: Hakkoda.io or https://jobs.lever.co/Hakkoda
About Hakkoda
We've seen the power of data. We know that the speed and accessibility of data determines the agility and innovation of business.
Hakkoda was founded to help Snowflake customers realize the true value of their data. Whether you need help future-proofing your data structure, migrating your data to the cloud as efficiently and securely as possible, or using your data to build and monetize data-driven services, we are a partner you can trust.
AI/Machine Learning Automation Cloud Digital Technologies Hakkoda


The Estate at Creekside was purchased in 2014. It's origin dates back to 1892. At present day the property boast a 2800 square foot home in addition to a 4000 sq. ft. enchanting rustic barn, an exquisite swinging bridge, an old cellar and smokehouse, and the remains of an underground ice house.
Our venue sits on a quaint location surrounded by trees and vast farmland, complete with adequate parking. We are centrally located to surrounding areas that include Richmond, Somerset and Lexington.
Thank you for considering The Estate at Creekside where Nostalgia sets in!
Copyright © 2019 The Estate at Creekside - All Rights Reserved.


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Each work of art etches a moment in time. That said, Christon Gray's fourth full-length offering, Clear The Heir [RCA Inspiration], marks a moment of bold transformation for the Columbus, OH singer, songwriter, rapper, and producer. For as much as it showcases the progression of the artist's patented hip-hop-R-&-B hybrid, it also illustrates intense personal growth. Both of these journeys converge on the record's eleven tracks as he opens up like never before within signature deft bars and soulful crooning."You're hearing me become a man," he affirms. "I'm not just a 24-year-old making songs for the first time anymore. I'm being as honest as I've ever been. I felt the freedom to not sugarcoat who I am. It's not all perfect. It's raw. I caught up to myself and based my music on a new chapter. You're just witnessing a regular person be real."
That humble demeanor belies a growing legacy that's anything but "regular." In fact, he set the stage for such progression by quietly becoming one of hip-hop's pre-eminent Christian rappers. His last two releases–School of Roses [2014] and The Glory Album [2016]–both bowed in the Top 5 of the Billboard Top R&B Albums Chart and Top 15 of the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart. The latter yielded a crossover smash in the form of "Stop Me," which powered a trailer for the Dwayne Johnson blockbuster Rampage and featured on HBO's Ballers and FOX's Lethal Weapon, in addition to campaigns for Honda, ESPN, and The ESPY Awards. It even kicks off Madden '19 as the theme song for the game. Receiving acclaim from Jet, Essence, Billboard, and more, he ignited the stage everywhere from BET's Music Matters to Alive Fest.
However, at the top of 2017, Christon made a conscious decision to "shut down." Leaving his label, facing a divorce, and enduring a period of trials and tribulations, he took a break from social media and released "No Hesitation" independently. A bold declaration of faith and celebration of the Christian acts who paved the way for him, he turned up at the Stellar Awards with a fiery performance of the track and turned his attention towards the next body of work.
"After experiencing a divorce, seeing some highs and lows in the business and my personal life, and watching my daughter turn six, the music started to naturally develop," he admits. "In shutting down, I found that a lot of the things I was relying on, whether they be social media 'likes' or sales, didn't define me at all. I reconnected with who I was. I started to see who I was becoming as an adult. Clear The Heir is a double entendre. On one hand, I'm clearing the air and telling my core fan base where I've been these past two years. At the same time, I'm placed in a position to make personal change, hence Heir. This was an opportunity for me to let people know Christian music still exists–and it's stronger than ever."
Tracked throughout 2018 at studios in Cincinnati and Toronto, he amplified every aspect of his approach. He introduces the record with "Together Forever." Driven by slow piano and choral harmonies, his cinematic storytelling takes center stage as he recalls memories like, "Kirk hit me before he went to see Kanye. I told him don't even worry, just do what God says." The chorus illuminates the expanse of his voice as it crescendos to staggering heights.
"We had to come with a hip-hop ballad first," he says. "It describes my life up to this point. Every bar plays out like a different scene. I want to bring new listeners up to speed and give longtime fans the answers they've been looking for about my personal life, relationship with Kirk Franklin, where I've been, and how I feel things are in the Christian and mainstream spaces. I'm catching everyone up."
Something of a spiritual sequel to "Stop Me," "Time Out" hinges on high-energy, heavy, and hypnotic bars before the stadium-size hook, "I ain't never calling time out.""It highlights that being the underdog is a privilege," elaborates Christon. "We're never going to call it quits. We're going to play as if we're at the end of the game and everything is on the line. People said Christon Gray was going to be one and done. Here we are working on something epic. I can't take the credit. All I can say is we're not going to call any timeouts."
He's also got quite the team behind him this time around. Andy Hull of Manchester Orchestra lends his voice to the emotionally charged "By The Way," while Underoath guitarist Tim McTague adds robust riffs to "You & I" as longtime collaborator JGivens makes a "secret cameo." Lastly, his brother Taelor and the talented Tragic Hero join Christon to provide a deeper look at race relations in America and the role Jesus plays on the well done, "Gray".
In the end, Clear The Heir sees Christon reach a new level.
"This body of work properly represents me," he leaves off. "That's all I want people to see. I hope they walk away knowing we're human and we're loved by an invincible God who has a human quality to Him. Let me show you what that's been like for me."


Volunteers from St John Ambulance attempted to resuscitate one of the runners during today's Great Eastern Run in Peterborough.
The man is believed to have collapsed after just crossing the finishing line of the half-marathon. Eyewitnesses saw him being given oxygen and CPR.
There has been no official word yet on the man's current condition.
A Peterborough City Council spokeswoman said a person was taken to hospital during the race and that other runners were treated on-site.
Moreover, it has been reported that a person was struck by a vehicle during today's race.
The Peterborough Telegraph has also received reports of vehicles driving through roadblocks, including at the roundabout of Park Road, Dogsthorpe Road and Alexandra Road.


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Adventure, Motorcycle, Motorcycle, Overland Journal, Skills and Training, Tools, Recovery and Safety, Uncategorized
Life on the Road | Moto Proven
This article was originally published in Overland Journal's Summer 2020 issue. One of the wonderful things about adventure motorcycle travel is the simplicity, eschewing the complexities and excesses of daily life. As a rider, we can only bring so much, and the more we travel, the more we tend to leave behind. The less we…
Scott Brady / June 22nd, 2020
Adventure, Motorcycle, Uncategorized
World Record Crossing of Lake Baikal by Motorcycle
The Baikal Project, Part Two A Guinness World Record for the Longest Distance Traveled Off-road On Ice Photos courtesy of the Baikal Project and Egidijus Babbelis Imagine Russia's Lake Baikal during the dead of winter: does it freeze over entirely or just in spots? Are the frozen areas smooth like glass or chunky with plates…
Heather Lea / May 2nd, 2020
Adventure, Adventure, Motorcycle, Overland Journal
Royal Enfield to the Dig Tree
In 2015, I had some fuel buried in the Western Sahara by a Belgian couple on their way to Mauritania. A few weeks later, they sent a picture of a thorn tree with "CS" carved on the trunk. "Mark two meters north, and dig," it said. "We left you a mystery gift." I nicknamed it…
Chris Scott / April 24th, 2020
Living Legends: Interview with Elspeth Beard
Elspeth Beard tells how motorcycling around the world at a young age set her on track for a life of challenge and achievement.
Lois Pryce / April 15th, 2020
Adventure, Adventure, Motorcycle, Photography
The End of the Journey to the End of the World
Lois Pryce earns every inch of the last 600 miles of her motorcycle trip down the length of the Americas.
Prologue: In May 2003, Lois Pryce left Anchorage, Alaska, en route to Ushuaia, Argentina—a journey of nearly 17,000 miles and eight months.
Lois Pryce / March 27th, 2020
Adventure, Adventure, Adventure, Adventure, Overland Journal, Resources and Routes
Some of The Best Overland Routes In The USA
Each year, our staff members spend months exploring some of the best backroads our planet has to offer, from the red sands of the Simpson Desert to the frozen expanses of Greenland. Along the way we've discovered there's no lack of breathtaking adventures to be had, but believe it or not, some of the best…
Chris Cordes / March 3rd, 2020
Adventure, Adventure, Motorcycle, News
The Coolest Cause You'll Read About All Week: Rally For Rangers
Imagine a motorcycle rally where riders tackle rugged, challenging terrain, delivering new motorcycles to park rangers across the globe, enabling them to protect endangered species and precious cultural resources by performing their duties more efficiently and effectively. This ride exists and is called Rally for Rangers; it's making an impact across the globe "one motorcycle…
Matt Swartz / February 27th, 2020
The Baikal Project—A Freezing Cold Attempt at A Guinness World Record
Breaking a world record takes creativity, ingenuity, and—in the case of the Baikal Project—at least one Irishman with unstoppable perseverance. In February 2019, Declan McEvoy arrived at the Russian border from Estonia with his motorcycle. He had with him the necessary documents for entry: temporary vehicle import papers, passport, and visa. Friendly border patrol officers…
Heather Lea / February 17th, 2020
Where the Mountains Meet the Desert
Editor's Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal, Gear Guide 2019. It's springtime in Morocco's High Atlas mountains. The wildflowers are out, birds cheep, and there's a soft warmth in the air. My flying visit here is capping off a satisfying bout of winter travel in North Africa. A few weeks prior, I'd joined…
Chris Scott / February 6th, 2020
Adventure, Motorcycle, News, Uncategorized
Honda's Newest Midweight Adventurer
My first motorcycle was a Honda. . . and so was my second (curiously, my first car was also a Honda). It was that XR250L that opened my eyes to the fun and adventure of exploring by dirt bike, and my life-long love for adventure motorcycling. When I think back, it was the reliability and…
Scott Brady / July 31st, 2019
Where the Road Ends
Editor's Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal, Spring 2019. Photography by Jake Hamby and Alex Manne We rolled up the 20-foot-tall garage door a little bit before 3:00 a.m. The temperature inside the WWII-era steel Quonset hut plummeted as the wind forced snow and ice in around us. One by one we…
Wayne Mitchell / May 6th, 2019
Editor's Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal, Gear Guide 2018. Photography by Alfonse Palaima, Scott Brady, and Colin Evans Expedition 65 was not a tour; it did not even have a leader. While some might view that as a recipe for ending friendships, it played into a grand experiment and ultimately a…
Colin Evans / April 28th, 2019
Until the Break (of Dawn)
Editor's Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal, Spring 2018. Dusk is settling into the hills along the Sea of Cortez. The sky is a bruised purple, still streaked with veins of red and yellow, a reminder of the brilliant but difficult day behind us. Our band of friends rides west leaving the coast behind,…
S.K. Davis / April 10th, 2019
Adventure, Adventure, Featured Vehicles, Motorcycle
Mr. Xavier tries out the new BMW R nineT Scrambler and finds that as with any motorcycle, it's where it takes you that matters.
Sinuhe Xavier / December 11th, 2018
Great Plains Drifter
Editor's Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal, Winter 2017. Like all young boys, my childhood was filled with fanciful tales of soldiers clad in shining armor, new lands explored, and the quest for treasure. As a resident of Glasco, Kansas, I assumed such exploits only unfolded in places distant, if not imagined….
Christophe Noel / October 1st, 2018
Adventure, Adventure, Motorcycle
Bonafide Moto Adventure to Sani Pass
When we planned this recent adventure we had these crazy ideas and high hopes to summit Sani Pass in the middle of winter with snow all around us. Thankfully that was not the case and somehow we managed to pick the perfect weekend that gave us a nice mix of slightly warm weather in the low lying areas and some very cold moments up at the top of the pass.
Joe Fleming / September 10th, 2018
Triumph's Adventure Experience
After the first day, my arms were absolutely wrecked! The rain had been coming in sideways, stinging my face. Visibility was only 100 meters, blocking out the highly anticipated scenery. My gloves were squishy, my toes were wet, and a stream of water had infiltrated the small gap at the top of my jacket's zipper….
Brian McVickers / May 14th, 2018
The Utah Traverse
Exploring the depths of America's most captivating landscape.
Scott Brady / April 30th, 2018
In Search of Swazi Gold
A Bonafide Moto Adventure from South Africa to Swaziland.
Joe Fleming / March 12th, 2018
Five Reasons to Ride in Bolivia
If you want to get a reading on a place, it's always best to ask the people who have traveled there. What's even better, is to ask someone who has traveled there, and just about everywhere else. Someone like Antonia. She has driven a pink tuk-tuk 12,500 miles from Bangkok to Brighton, is a founding…
Antonia Bolingbroke Kent / February 28th, 2018


Itchy is a curious, loving kitten. She loves cuddles and exploring your house.
Itchy will make the perfect addition to your family. to find out more please contact Katrina on 0405 156 059 or find us on facebook "Soquilichi Rescue Ranch"


VICTORIA, BC - Victoria's real estate market had a solid start in January, re-establishing momentum after the holiday season.
otal MLS® sales in January were 342, a 16.3% increase over January 2013 when 294 units sold. January sales were close to the 355 sales reported to the Victoria Real Estate Board (VREB) in December 2013.
2014 VREB President, Tim Ayres cautioned, "While we're pleased with the number of sales this January and the percentage increases over January 2013, it's important to remember that the market last January was restrained under tightened mortgage amortization rules imposed in July 2012."
The MLS® HPI single family home benchmark price for the entire Greater Victoria region was $481,200 in January, a 1.7% decrease when compared to the January 2013 value of $489,400.
"Market activity increased as the month progressed," notes Ayres. "With REALTORS® reporting that attractively-priced and well-presented properties are moving quickly."
At the regional level, the MLS® HPI benchmark price for the single family benchmark home in the Core municipalities was $546,300, an increase of 0.6% over the previous month and a 0.5% decrease over January 2013. In Westshore, the MLS(r) HPI benchmark price for the single family benchmark home was $404,800, virtually unchanged from December 2013 and a 1.5 per cent decrease compared with January 2013. The MLS® HPI benchmark price for the single family benchmark home on the Peninsula was $497,200 for January, a decrease of 0.5% over the previous month and a 4.9% decrease year-over-year.
There were 3,489 active listings at the end of January, a 10% decrease over January 2013. "Available inventory slowly declined for most of 2013," says Ayres. "We will continue to monitor this trend and the impact on the market as 2014 unfolds."
There were 92 condominium sales in January 2014, the same as December 2013 and 81 in January 2013. The region-wide MLS® HPI benchmark price in January for condos was $276,800, down 1.7% from $281,600 from one year ago.
For townhomes, 30 sold in January compared to 32 in December 2013 and 40 in January 2013. The region-wide MLS® HPI benchmark price for townhomes was $398,000, up 0.7% from $395,400 in January 2013.
At the heart of the MLS® HPI is the concept of the "benchmark" home, a notional home that has the most common features of a typical home in a given area. The benchmark home does not represent any actual house, condominium or townhome, but merely provides an identical example to track changes in market value. There are separate benchmark houses, condominiums and townhomes in each distinct area of Greater Victoria, enabling the tracking of values on a variety of geographic levels.
For more information on the MLS® HPI benchmark prices and index values, visit www.vreb.org. Those requiring specific information on property values in their area should contact a REALTOR®. The Victoria Real Estate Board has more than 1,225 Members working in more than 80 Brokerages.


If your RV-4/6/8 Hoerner wingtips have a PAR36 landing light in them, we have a Flyleds kit for you! Order RV-4/-6/-8 LGE. Check the Wing Templates files for sizing.
The W-415 wing can be modified with a kit originally supplied by Van's. This makes an aluminium light cove with the faces at 90° to each other. The template and instructions below shows you how simple it would be to hand-craft something similar, as Van's no longer stock these parts. You could even simply place fiberglass or aluminium tabs or strips inside the wing for the boards to attach to.
Note that there was also a light bay retrofit available made from fiberglass with an 120° opening. We have had kits to suit these in the past: contact us if you want to see these again!
For those who are interested in how it all works.
A small miracle happened late last year. Australia Post performed their annual pricing revision, and some prices actually went down!
The postage charges above are what it costs us at the post office. We will email you a tracking number for your order, however your parcel is at the mercy of your local postal service once it leaves Australia. Parcels generally get across the Pacific in under three days, but delivery to your door can take another 10 days.


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Roosevelt and the New Deal >
Jerome Frank
Jerome Frank was born in New York City on 10th September, 1889. He received a degree from the University of Chicago in 1909 and obtained his law degree from the University of Chicago Law School in 1912. After leaving university he worked as a lawyer in private practice in Chicago.
In March, 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed Henry A. Wallace as Secretary of State for Agriculture in March, 1933. Felix Frankfurter suggested that Frank would be a useful addition to the department. According to William E. Leuchtenburg, the author of The FDR Years (1995), Frank had confided to Frankfurter: "I know you know Roosevelt very well. I want to get out of this Wall Street racket... This crisis seems to be the equivalent of a war and I'd like to join up for the duration." As a result, Wallace appointed Frank as general council to the Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA).
Frank worked under George N. Peek, who was the head of the AAA. John C. Culver and John C. Hyde, the authors of American Dreamer: A Life of Henry A. Wallace (2001) have argued that Peek never liked Frank and wanted to appoint his own general council: "Crusty and dogmatic, Peek still seethed with resentment over Wallace's appointment as secretary, a position he coveted... Frank was liberal, brash, and Jewish. Peek loathed everything about him. In addition, Frank surrounded himself with idealistic left-wing lawyers... whom Peek also despised." This group of left-wing idealists included Frederic C. Howe, Adlai Stevenson, Alger Hiss, Lee Pressman, Hope Hale Davis and Gardner Jackson. Peek later wrote that the "place was crawling with... fanatic-like... socialists and internationalists."
Peek's main objective was to raise agricultural prices through cooperation with processors and large agribusinesses. Other members of the Agricultural Department such as Jerome Frank were primarily concerned to promote social justice for small farmers and consumers. On 15th November, 1933, Peek demanded that Henry A. Wallace should fire Frank for insubordination. Wallace, who agreed more with Frank than Peek, refused.
John Kennedy Ohl, the author of Hugh S. Johnson and the New Deal (1985) has argued: "In order to raise prices paid to farmers, Peek was willing to give the food processors almost any type of controls they wanted; Frank and Tugwell, however, were appalled by these agreements. In their opinion the processors owed something to the government in exchange for immunity from the antitrust laws. They also believed that there should be a check on excessive prices and unreasonable profits, ideally in the form of clauses providing for quality standards and full access by the government to company books and records. Whenever possible, Frank held up approval of Peek's marketing agreements with questions about their legality, while others from Agriculture protested them in the name of the consumer."
In December 1933, Wallace accompanied President Franklin D. Roosevelt on a visit to Warm Springs. George N. Peek seized the opportunity to announce a half-million-dollar plan to subsidize the sale of butter in Europe. Peek's action was intended as a declaration of independence, but Rexford Tugwell, acting secretary in Wallace's absence, took it as insubordination. Tugwell wrote in his autobiography that "it was becoming obvious that if we did not get rid of George Peek, he would get rid of us." He said this to Roosevelt and it was agreed that Peek should be moved from the AAA.
A few days later, Wallace made a speech where he said the dairy program had been a failure. Although he did not make reference to George N. Peek, it was clearly a comment of his policy at the AAA. John Franklin Carter commented: "That is the coolest political murder that has been committed since Roosevelt came into office." Peek resigned from the AAA on 11th December, 1933. Peek was replaced by Chester R. Davis.
In June 1934 the Southern Tenant Farmers' Union (STFU) was established in response to allegations that an absentee landlord had evicted some forty tenant families in Arkansas. Led by socialists, the STFU promoted the idea that blacks and whites could work efficiently together. According to William E. Leuchtenburg, the author of Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal (1963): "It was in Arkansas that croppers and farm laborers, driven to rebellion by the hard handed tactics of the landlords and the AAA committees, established the Southern Tenant Farmers' Union in July, 1934. Under socialist leadership, the farmers, Negro and white-some of the whites had been Klansmen-organized in the region around Tyronza."
The landlords struck back with a campaign of terrorism." The journalist, Dorothy Detzer, argued: "Riding bosses hunted down union organizers like runaway slaves; union members were flogged, jailed, shot-some were murdered." Norman Thomas told a nationwide radio audience: "It will end either in the establishment of complete slavish submission to the vilest exploitation in America or in bloodshed, or in both."
Frank, Lee Pressman and Alger Hiss, decided to draw up legislation that would protect sharecroppers from their landlords. They were aware that Chester R. Davis, the head of the Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA), did not support this move. They therefore persuaded Victor Christgau, his second in command to send out details of the change in the name of Henry A. Wallace. Davis was furious when he discovered what had happened. He later recalled: "The new interpretations completely reversed the basis on which cotton contracts had been administered through the first year. If the contract had been so construed, and if the Department of Agriculture had enforced it, Henry Wallace would have been forced out of the Cabinet within a month. The effects would have been revolutionary."
In February 1935, Davis insisted that Frank and Hiss should be dismissed. Wallace was unable to protect them: "I had no doubt that Frank and Hiss were animated by the highest motives, but their lack of agricultural background exposed them to the danger of going to absurd lengths... I was convinced that from a legal point of view they had nothing to stand on and that they allowed their social preconceptions to lead them to something which was not only indefensible from a practical, agricultural point of view, but also bad law."
Chester R. Davis told Frank: "I've had a chance to watch you and I think you are an outright revolutionary, whether you realize it or not". Wallace wrote in his diary: "I indicated that I believed Frank and Hiss had been loyal to me at all times, but it was necessary to clear up an administrative situation and that I agreed with Davis". According to Sidney Baldwin, the author of Poverty and Politics: The Rise and Decline of the Farm Security Administration (1968), Wallace greeted Frank with tears in his eyes: "Jerome, you've been the best fighter I've had for my ideas, but I've had to fire you... The farm people are just too strong."
Rexford Tugwell was unhappy with Wallace's decision and thought he should have sacked Chester R. Davis instead: "He (Wallace) gave up his policy. It was more a failure of leadership than anything else. It was letting himself be pushed around by what I thought were pretty sinister forces." Raymond Gram Swing, wrote in the Nation Magazine that Wallace had shown himself unwilling to stand up to big producers and agribusiness and seize "economic power from the interests in agriculture who hold it."
Jerome Frank on the cover of Time Magazine (March, 1940)
President Franklin D. Roosevelt appreciated the ability of Frank and in 1935 he appointed him as a special counsel to the Reconstruction Finance Association. In 1937, Roosevelt named Frank as a commissioner of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). He became Chairman of the SEC in 1939. In February 1941, Roosevelt named Frank as a judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
Jerome Frank died of a heart attack in New Haven, Connecticut, on 13th January, 1957.
(1) John Kennedy Ohl, Hugh S. Johnson and the New Deal (1985)
In August 1933, Peek attempted to outflank Johnson by having Roosevelt exempt from the President's Reemployment Agreement "any industry which has to do with agriculture or any of its products." Johnson, however, effectively stymied Peek. He convinced Roosevelt that Peek's proposal was simply "a move on the part of the food chains and others who thought they would have a better chance under Agriculture." He also reminded the president that exemption of any agriculture-related industry from the blanket code would practically exempt most major industries in the nation and bring an end to the code. Even if it were possible to minimize the exemptions, Johnson added, it would not be efficacious to approve Peek's request. NRA worked at top speed, while AAA worked more deliberately; and from a psychological perspective, the first should not be geared to the latter.
During the late summer and fall of 1933, members of the Department of Agriculture attacked Johnson almost daily. Jerome Frank recalled: "All of us took a hand at it - Peek for his reason, Wallace and Tugwell and the economists for other reasons." The feud carried over to Washington social circles, always somewhat incestuous with government. One August night at a party given by columnist Drew Pearson, Johnson had "a hell of a hot discussion," which lasted for hours and took the form of a "powwow against Hugh Johnson," with Frank, Tugwell, and others from Agriculture. Though Johnson had only Robbie to back him up, he more than held his own."
On October 12, 1933, Johnson had "a fine visit" with Peek and Wallace, prompting Wallace to write to newsman Paul Anderson that "things in the official family are beginning to straighten out." Wallace, however, was too optimistic. As the NRA codes began to take effect, industrial prices climbed, forcing farmers to pay more for the products they bought. Frank, Tugwell, Mordecai Ezekiel, and others in the Department of Agriculture responded by stepping up their attacks on Johnson and NRA. Johnson retaliated by branding the farm "intellectuals" as "professors who wear the heaviest of horn-rimmed glasses." The professors hurled back such epigrams as "Johnson is a sheep in wolf's clothing."
During the last months of 1933, Johnson's feud with the Department of Agriculture centered on the marketing agreements Peek was arranging to control the quantity of commodities released for sale. In order to raise prices paid to farmers, Peek was willing to give the food processors almost any type of controls they wanted; Frank and Tugwell, however, were appalled by these agreements. In their opinion the processors owed something to the government in exchange for immunity from the antitrust laws. They also believed that there should be a check on excessive prices and unreasonable profits, ideally in the form of clauses providing for quality standards and full access by the government to company books and records. Whenever possible, Frank held up approval of Peek's marketing agreements with questions about their legality, while others from Agriculture protested them in the name of the consumer.
Recollections of the New Deal
New Deal Thought


The pressures of technological change and the need to optimize its use in business can save time AND money. That's why the CPD has created a BIZTech Series so that busy professionals, like you, can quickly acquire technical skills and master certain software and technologies for your business. Enhancing best practices means more time to do the things that drive revenue and performance.
Most modules are presented by Canisius faculty experts and are available online for easy, convenient access and self-directed learning.
This online, self-paced series is for busy professionals or individual investors who rely upon financial mathematics in their work or for managing their personal finances.
professionals responsible for accounting, finance and loan administration.
Learners will have online access to each module for 90 days. Individual modules are priced at $90 each. If you would like to purchase ten or more modules, please contact the CPD at 716-888-8490 for special pricing.
Pre-requisites are recommended for some, but not all, modules. Refunds will not be issued if a learner determines that they do not need a particular pre-requisite. If an individual is uncertain if they have the requisite knowledge to forego a pre-requisite, they are encouraged to contact Dr. Lopez at 716-888-2845. Canisius College will not be responsible for learner selection.
Learners taking any one of the CPD's online test preparation modules will require a computer on which to watch the online course and a financial calculator (ideally BA II Plus) which Dr. Lopez will reference when calculating specific solutions.
Keeping accurate accounting and financial records is essential to the success of any small business. As such, the Bookkeeper for any particular business plays one of the most important roles in the company working very closely with management in the day-to-day operation of the business. Bookkeepers that have a full understanding of the most widely-used accounting application for small businesses – QuickBooks – have a significant role to play in any business as their records underpin the files provided to any associated accounting professionals working on behalf of the business. The demand for professionals with bookkeeping skills is estimated to grow 14% through 2020. Combined with QuickBooks skills, individuals who have all fo these skills will be in high demand for years to come.
Upon successful completion of this program, students would be eligible to sit for the National Association of Certified Professional Bookkeepers (NACPB) Bookkeeper Certification Exam, the Intuit QuickBooks Certified User® Exam and the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) exam. Although there are no state approval, state registration or other state requirements for this program, students who complete this program will be prepared and are eligible to sit for these national certification exams. Students who complete this program can and do sit for these national certification exams and are qualified, eligible and prepared to do so.
how to optimize those applications for a range of professional functions.
Register for this online course by clicking on the Register button below.
How can digital storytelling be used in business? From documentaries, computer-based narratives and other digital expressions, digital storytelling can be an effective tool to have at your disposal when communicating with customers…and employees. Using WeVideo, participants will learn the basics of creating content to reach and empower their audiences, no matter where they find them. Capturing your business' value proposition has never been more interesting in a marketplace where messaging and communications have never been more important. Register for this online course by clicking on the Register button below.
Screencasts are recordings of what happens on a computer screen often accompanied by narration or a text explanation. Even if your company does not have a blogger or webmaster, you can easily use screencasting for your internal and external communications, training and marketing efforts. Whether it be your employees or your customers, the use of programs like Screen-cast-omatic and Screencastify (which this course focuses on), can make a big difference in how you and your business are perceived. Register for this online course by clicking on the Register button below.
Google Docs is a FREE digital tool that allows you to work in REAL TIME from any location. This can be a powerful, time-saving and efficient tool for your business especially in this age of remote work, travel and home-based businesses. Your business can't afford not to take advantage of Google Docs. Learn how by clicking on the Register button below.
Google Drive is a FREE service that allows you to store and share files as well as synchronize them across multiple devices. Google drive also offers apps with offline capabilities for Windows and Mac. Learn about the power of Google Drive for your business by registering for this online course. Click on the Register button below.
Bring your ideas to life with Google Slides, all free though the Google suite of programs. Learn how to create, name, navigate and use the presentation themes, fonts, embedded videos and animations in Google Slides. Register for this online course by clicking on the Register button below.
Part of Google Drive, Google forms allows you to create web-forms, surveys, tests and tie them into spreadsheets so you can track results. It's programming without the programming! Course content covers Google Forms creation, navigation, sending forms and collecting data. Register for this online course by clicking on the Register button below.
Bring your teams closer together, across different devices, and locations, seamlessly in real-time with the power of Google Hangouts. Hangouts is a free alternative to video conferencing that not only brings group video calls to life but also incorporates photos, emojis and other tools into the conversation. Learn about chat, screen sharing and how to integrate Hangouts with your Google Drive for seamless communication. Register for this online course by clicking on the Register button below.
Understanding your customers and the engagement level of your employees is critical in the fast-paced digital environment of today's business world. Using the FREE Poll Everywhere program, learners will experience polling through web, email, Facebook and Twitter applications AND learn how to incorporate multiple choice, true-false and other question and survey formats to generate effective polling results. Smart polling can make a BIG difference for your business. Lear how by clicking on the Register button below.
Six Sigma Specialists are tasked with supporting the project lead, most likely a Six Sigma Black Belt and provides a stepping stone to this advanced classification as well. Successful participants in this class will be poised to work on small, defined Six Sigma projects within an organization, requiring less oversight by the assigned manager (presumably a Six Sigma Black Belt). This ability to free up supervisory time reduces costs and increases productivity for entire projects, which presents significant value to both current and prospective employers. Whether in healthcare, finance, government, manufacturing or any other industry, Six Sigma Green Belt training is ideal for current professionals looking toward advancement in their current position as well as individuals looking to gain employment with any firm that utilizes these concepts and techniques.
The Six Sigma Specialist program helps professionals to strengthen organizations by employing the core concepts of Six Sigma geared toward enhanced problem-solving skills with an emphasis on the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control) model. The Six Sigma Specialist program presents an overview of the key concepts for the Six Sigma Green Belt Certification exam. Students will explore processes and team management, operational metrics, and key tools and techniques to achieve process excellence. This program is designed to prepare students to sit for the Six Sigma Green Belt Certification exam offered by the American Association for Quality.
The Six Sigma Green Belt certification requires 3 years of work experience in one or more areas of the Six Sigma Green Belt Body of Knowledge.
Note: Although the Microsoft Office Module is not required to successfully complete this program, students interested in pursuing free Microsoft MOS certification may want to consider completing this Microsoft Office Module at no additional cost.
Upon successful completion of this program, students would be eligible to sit for the American Society for Quality (ASQ) Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB) and the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) exams. Although there are no state approval, state registration or other state requirements for this program, students who complete this program will be prepared and are eligible to sit for this national certification exam. Students who complete this program are encouraged to complete the externship option with their program. Students who complete this program can and do sit for the MOS national certification exams and are qualified, eligible and prepared to do so.


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First Congregational Church, Westminster MA
Spiritual Growth & Practices
Educational Ministry
Generous Giving Ministry
Missions Ministries
Sermons To Go
COVID Restrictions
Sermons from October 2021
Home Sermons 2021 October
Nourished by the Bread of Life 4
Sowing God's Word 1
Are We There Yet? 3
What I Learned on My Summer Vacation 11
Thessalonians 3
Keeping In Character
Mark 12:28-34 In a church that I previously served, there was a small group of members who shared an interest in the dramatic arts. A few of them had experience performing with a local theater group. Others had no experience but a lot of interest and enthusiasm for acting. So, we decided to create a "drama ministry" in the church. The director would periodically submit scripts for me to review, and those that were a good match for a particular…
On the Way, By the Way, or In the Way?
Mark 10: 46-52 The four Gospels all tell the same story of Jesus' life and ministry, but each one tells it in its own unique style. Reading Mark's version can feel like sitting in the back seat of an Uber whose driver is careening down city streets and running red lights to get you to your destination as quickly as possible, while avoiding any small talk on the way. Jesus is portrayed as always active, always on the move. Some…
Job 38:1-7, 34-41 If life in the digital age has taught me anything, it is that I don't need to know everything. And that's OK, because there is always someone else who knows whatever I think I need to know. The place where I learned that lesson is on the "Frequently Asked Questions" pages of websites. Whether it is figuring how to reset the clock in my car twice a year or how to recover a lost password, or any…
A Naked Intent Toward God
Job 23: 1-9, 16-17 and Mark 10:17-31 There's an old story, more of a parable really, that is attributed to the philosopher Heidegger. It tells of a carpenter who owned a well-equipped workshop. The carpenter never had to worry that he might lack the right tool or the right material for any project he had to do. Until one day when the carpenter is working and his hammer breaks. Despite all the other equipment in the shop, the carpenter's work…
What's in Front, What's Behind
Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12 We have already made our silent, personal prayers of confession before God this morning. But I have a public confession to make. I'm not a big fan of preaching on the Epistle to the Hebrews. It's not the easiest reading book of the New Testament, which doesn't exactly make it "preach well." Hebrews relies on obscure Biblical characters like Melchizedek and high-churchy words like Sanctification to gets its message across. So, the challenge of making that message…
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Feb 2 Westminster Food Pantry


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Archive for Bitch Planet
Chained Heat
Bitch Planet #6
Last issue, Meiko Maki was murdered by the guards on Bitch Planet. In this issue, we learn who she was and what she did to piss off the Powers That Be. Her parents were secret rebels against Earth's male-centric corruption. Her mother is a violin teacher — but her violin lessons are just a cover so she can teach girls forbidden subjects like math. And her father is a spaceship engineer who's just made a not-so-accidental error on his latest design that would fatally sabotage a spacecraft. Unfortunately, his latest error has been caught by a colleague who plans to blackmail the family — he'll help cover up the error in exchange for having sex with his daughters. But Meiko has her own plan to save her family, even if it dooms her to an early death on Bitch Planet.
Verdict: Thumbs up. The story is really wonderful, the characterization is great. I love the violin lessons as cover for secret math class. And I must say, I'm becoming more and more amazed, happily amazed, by the devotion the series is shown by fans. Women getting the "NC" (Non-Compliant) tattoos from the comic in real life? Do you know of any other independent comic series that inspires fans like that? And I love the way the comic is now including short articles on feminism and related topics in the back pages. This comic is something special, and while I want to learn what happens next in the story, I also want to learn what happens next with the fandom.
The Totally Awesome Hulk #2
Amadeus, Maddy, She-Hulk, and Miles Morales meet up with Lady Hellbender, the Monster Queen of Seknarf Nine. She and her giant lizard mostly knock the Hulk around, mainly because Amadeus is a sexist dweeb. Maddy settles most of the problem, Amadeus loses control of his temper, Lady Hellbender reveals that she collects monsters to take them to her homeworld, and we catch a glimpse of next issue's Big Bad.
Verdict: Ehh, thumbs down. I didn't find myself particularly entertained, and I'm starting to wish this comic had Banner in it as something other than a flashback.
The Ultimates #3
Fresh off their success in evolving Galactus into a being who brings life to the universe instead of death, the Ultimates have just found out that the Shi'ar Empire is good and angry about the change in the Devourer. Meanwhile, it's been discovered that too much time travel has caused severe damage to the space-time continuum, and in order to diagnose how bad the problem may be, the team will actually have to travel outside the universe in order to get a look at time from the outside. And once they make it to the Neutral Zone, the Blue Marvel discovers an old friend waiting for them.
Verdict: Thumbs up. Outstanding superheroic sci-fi, with wonderful characterization and art.
January 11, 2016 · Filed under Bitch Planet, Hulk, Ultimates
Harrow County #5
Emmy spends most of this issue cementing her new status as the county's good witch/kind mother. She makes nice with her dad, with the skinless boy, with her friend Bernice, with the gigantic demon in the woods, with a gremlin spoiling the grain at the local silo, with the townspeople — and she even makes sure the folks in town who think they can push her around know that they really, really can't. And then they get a visitor in a fancy car, and she's wearing a very familiar face…
Verdict: Thumbs up. Even in an issue where it's mostly Emmy going around being friendly with everyone, we still get some wonderfully creepy moments — anything with the monstrous demon in the woods, the little grumbling haint in the grain silo, even Bernice's worries about whether she's human or not. And to top it all off, there's a nice supposedly-true ghost story about a movie theater ghost at the end.
Earth is eagerly awaiting the big Megaton match between the home team boys and the upstart women players from Bitch Planet. But a scrimmage game in the prison between Kamau Kogo team of prisoners and a team made up the guards makes it clear that this will be a very hard game for the women — the other team will be allowed to cheat as much as they want, and they'll never suffer any penalties for infractions, no matter how severe. Is there any hope for the Bitch Planet team?
Verdict: Thumbs up. Great story, great action — and a great illustration of how much trouble the team is going to have. They're the despised women cast off from a deeply misogynist society where everything is permitted as long as it hurts a woman. They've got a severely uphill battle ahead.
Today's Cool Links:
Spider-Man is coming to Denton, Texas next month.
This amazing live-read of "The Princess Bride" featured an all-star cast — some you'd expect, and some you wouldn't.
Never doubt the depths a dedicated censor is willing to dig to for the opportunity to ban a book.
September 16, 2015 · Filed under Bitch Planet, Harrow County
Silver Surfer #11
This is one of the best designed comics of the year, and it's a near certain bet that it'll be nominated for oh-so-many awards. Most of the story is actually set up like a Moebius strip — we follow the Surfer's story to its end, then it literally flips around, upside down, and starts over from a new perspective and new point-of-view character, then it flips around twice more. It's an astonishing feat of storytelling and graphic design.
Our plot: The Silver Surfer is escorting a makeshift fleet of billions of aliens, all of whom have lost their homeworlds, thanks to Norrin Radd guiding Galactus to their homes. But another set of aliens opposes them, fearing that they're an invasion force. And when they can't defeat the Surfer, they unleash a doomsday weapon that sticks everyone involved into a time loop. Can the Silver Surfer break free and save those he's promised to protect?
Verdict: Thumbs up. Again, an absolutely astounding comic book. It's an amazing and fun read, and y'all better get your hands on it before everyone starts giving it trophies.
Kamau Kogo has to put together a team of her fellow prisoners — all women hated and feared by the patriarchal government of Earth — to compete in the futuristic — and all-male — sport of Megaton. While she's putting together her list of potential players, she's invited to take a shower with a couple other inmates — the guards can't follow them into the showers, so they're free to warn her that the authorities are setting her team up to be murdered. Can she field a team that can win? And can she use the shower's secret peephole to snare a mole on the inside?
Verdict: Thumbs up. Great story, great art. Love the background on the Megaton game. If you're queasy about nudity and sexual situations in comics, well, this one has a heck of a lot of nudity and sexual situations. Consider this one Rated M for Mature — and then you mature readers should go read it.
Hey, looks like the Black Widow is finally getting her own movie! And SNL has the trailer…
Hayley Atwell dressed up as Agent Carter in her driver's license photo — and who can blame her?
With the cancellation of "Silent Hills," it's time to start taking a look at what made the Silent Hill games great.
There's a lot of crazy paranoia about the Jade Helm war games.
Seriously, at this point, certain Republicans are in a race to see who can be the most cruel to poor people.
May 4, 2015 · Filed under Bitch Planet, Silver Surfer
Masters and Puppets
Multiversity: Mastermen #1
Welcome to Earth-10. After the Nazis discover a crashed alien ship with a tiny superstrong baby inside, they raise him to be a good National Socialist, and he helps Germany conquer the world in 1956. Sixty years later, the Kryptonian called Overman is still alive, but his cousin Overgirl is dead, he's having nightmares about a mad haunted house stalking him, his wife hates him, and he's having terrible regrets about the extremes Hitler's madness took him to. And his fellow members of the New Reichsmen, including Leatherwing, Brunnhilde, Lightning, and Underwaterman, don't care about the bodies their empire was built on. But a group of super-powered terrorists, brought together from groups persecuted by the Nazis, are calling themselves the Freedom Fighters, and they intend to bring the Nazi utopia crashing back to Earth.
Verdict: Thumbs up. The corrupted versions of the Justice League are appropriately dislikable, with the exception of Overman — while Superman has normally been the moral center of the Justice League, I'm not sure that a Superman raised from infancy as a Nazi would have much of a moral center left. Still, it all seems to work. I also love the revised version of the Freedom Fighters — these are people who you could make a very enjoyable comic about. And while I've mostly gotten tired of the rigid, scowling formalism of Jim Lee and Scott Williams' artwork, it does seem an appropriate style for a story about Nazi supermen.
I wasn't sure about this going in — a full-issue focus on Penny Rolle didn't interest me a lot because she seemed like such a complete stereotype — the fat, angry, black woman. But this was a lot better than I'd anticipated. We get a short history of Penny, from her childhood. She was taken from her loving grandmother's home at a young age, mostly because her mother was considered unstable. She was abused in school by her whiter, more fashionable, more authority-worshipping teachers and fellow students. And later, running a muffin shop, when the irritations of Fox News bimbos, racist douchebags, dieting anorexics, and an autocratic society finally push her over the edge.
Verdict: Thumbs up. Again, loved this a lot more than I was expecting. Best thing about it is how just plain decent Penny is. Yes, she's angry and violent, but she's angry about the right things, and she's violent with the right people. She's not abusive, she's kind to those who need it, and she's proud of who she is. I want a whole comic series just about Penny now.
Lazarus #15
The thoroughly rotten Jakob Hock has chosen another family's Lazarus, Sonja Bittner, as his champion — because he knows she and Forever Carlyle are friends, and he wants to twist the knife. And for the sake of added cruelty, he demands that if Sonja wins, he gets Forever for his own, dead or alive. The battle is bloody and frantic — and Hock has even more plans for evil, whether he wins or loses.
Verdict: Thumbs up. Most of it is a long fight scene, but it's an excellent fight, and at the end, the Carlyle family is in pretty deep trouble. Gonna be interesting to see what happens next…
There's something bad wrong with an American torture chamber in Chicago, dedicated to torturing American citizens.
Why is mainstream Hollywood so threatened by superhero movies?
Interesting article on characters like Icon and the Blue Marvel, as well as Mark Waid's upcoming "Strange Fruit" series. (Love the concept, by the way, but really hate the name…)
February 25, 2015 · Filed under Bitch Planet, Lazarus, Multiversity
The Superhero's Guide to the Galaxies
The Multiversity Guidebook #1
It's Grant Morrison's long-awaited field guide to DC's latest version of the multiverse, but luckily, we get some story to go along with it. Part of the tale follows Earth-51, home of the Great Disaster, Kamandi, the Last Boy on Earth, OMAC, and the New Gods (in other words, it's Earth-Kirby), where we follow Kamandi, Ben Boxer, and Tuftan as they look for a lost friend and learn the secret history of the multiverse. But most of it focuses on Earth-42, home of the child superheroes who made their first appearance in an old issue of Superman/Batman before the reboot. They've been invaded by the League of Sivanas, and many of them have been killed — but Batman meets up with the Atomic Batman, one of the Atomic Knights from Earth-17, and he learns that he and the rest of Earth-17 hide some sort of terrible secret. What is it? And what is the threat of the Empty Hand?
Verdict: Thumbs up. If you want a guidebook with all-too-brief descriptions of a whole bunch of alternate universes, it's in here. If you want a nicely Kirbyesque story of Kamandi, it's here, too. If you want a weird team-up between armored-future Batman and adorable-kid Batman, it's in here, too. About the worst thing about this is the eight dollar price tag.
Kamau Kogo is trapped on Bitch Planet, the prison world for inconvenient and unwanted women, accused of killing a fellow prisoner, an abandoned housewife named Marian Collins. She didn't do it, of course, but the authorities don't care. However, they're willing to give her a second chance — if she'll form a megaton team — the sport of the future, generally played only by men. She initially wants nothing to do with it, figuring it's just going to be a way for the Powers That Be to humiliate them and provide a twisted object lesson in forced female compliance. But her fellow inmates convince her it could be worth doing. What's the scheme here?
Verdict: Thumbs up. The first issue just seemed like a weirdly generic space fantasy women-in-prison pastiche — but this one is developing the concept into something a lot more entertaining. I also dig the glimpses we get of life back on Earth, with the dictatorial Fathers lording their power over their cronies.
Creepy Islamophobes in San Francisco are getting their just desserts, thanks to Kamala Khan herself!
I never realized how perfectly Lovecraft's cosmic horror meshed with cute pictures of kittens.
And finally, here's the Seatbelts' "Tank!" from Cowboy Bebop performed on a bunch of floppy drives.
January 30, 2015 · Filed under Bitch Planet, Multiversity
Which Planet?
Basically, it's a women-in-prison comic — set in spaaaaace, and written by Kelly Sue DeConnick. It's the horrible future, and there's a whole planet where Earth sends women who are criminals or unpleasant or unattractive or inconvenient or no longer desired. Escape is questionable, survival is unlikely, and mercy is almost entirely impossible.
Verdict: Thumbs up. It's still way too early — we don't meet many characters — or at least we don't meet them as anything other than stereotypes. But what we're getting here is heavy focus on the setting and themes. We've got many issues to get to know the women here better, and if we know DeConnick, she'll have lots of great surprises in store for us as to these people's personalities.
Shutter #7
Kate Kristopher, her newly-discovered brother Chris, and her trusty robot cat pal are being attacked by a freakin' gigantic dragon. But luckily, they don't end up destroyed — they just get dragged off to Cambodia to meet up with another newly-discovered sibling — one with a particularly impolite method of greeting her long-lost sister.
Verdict: Thumbs up. Lots of outstanding action and weirdness. Holy shmokes, the dragon is all kinds of freaky, and Kate's sister is pretty dang weird, too.
Southern Bastards #6
More of the rotten childhood of Coach Boss, back when he was just a scrawny kid from the wrong side of the tracks who wanted desperately to play football. The coach didn't want him, the other players didn't want him, his dad didn't want him. The only person willing to give him any help at all is Coach Big, an old blind black man who knows football better than anyone in Craw County. But even as he improves enough to let him play on the team, there may still be something serious that'll keep him off the field.
Verdict: Thumbs up. More grungy Southern noir, with more emphasis on football and race in the South. And so very much more crime, seen close-up from Euless Boss's point of view. It's interesting to see the unloveable Coach Boss back when he still had a chance to be something other than a crime kingpin…
Merry Christmas from the Avengers!
For your holiday sippin', here's Ike's Eggnog.
This article about the ongoing D&D revival isn't all bad, but it has a lot of the stuff that concerns me about the whole phenomenon. Ultimately, it's not about much more than nostalgia, plus there's a lot of weird anti-tech, anti-modernity, anti-younger generation bulldada wrapped up in this stuff. Playing in-person pen-and-paper RPGs won't save the world, and the Internet won't doom the world either. Anyone who thinks the younger generation is less imaginative because they grew up with computers instead of D&D is just playing the bash-the-youngsters game, and that's one of the worst games out there.
December 12, 2014 · Filed under Bitch Planet, Shutter, Southern Bastards


text:
Arjun Singh...
Kamloops BC Canada | (250) 377-1797 | fullworld@gmail.com
LGLA app link
5 City Council campaigns, 5 campaign hockey cards...
This has been a fun tradition!
Post Trump: Where Do We Go From Here?
(Have a head cold today. Medicated but wanted to get some thoughts down inspired by Dylan's writings.)
Donald Trump is now President of the United States. As far fetched as this statement seemed 8 months ago (or even 3 months ago), this is reality today. I have been stunned and saddened by many of President Trumps actions. It's not so much that I differ from him greatly on many issues. It's more about the rise of incivility and the disrespect for people who are minorities / marginalized in society.
The global Women's March inspired a lot of thinking about takeaways post the inauguration and the march.
My thoughtful friend Dylan Houlihan recently wrote on the things he would like to do to be even more welcoming in his own life. (It's great to see Dylan is blogging). I think he has written a really good list. But, I wonder if it's enough. Dylan concentrates his list mostly on what I could call progressive issues and causes. I also support these wholeheartedly. I also wonder if we need to include an appreciation for issues and causes more associated with conservatism. Issues like government regulation and taxation, free trade, and crime / safety?
Taxes is a good example here. As Dylan notes, citizen is a much more expansive (and better, in my opinion) term than taxpayer. But people are concerned about taxes and the ability to pay. People talk to me consistently about high taxes. This is a very authentic and legitimate concern. It doesn't at all mean that these folks don't care about making the community better. It will always be a balancing act.
We don't have to agree with someone to be empathetic. A lot of people who voted for Trump were people who felt left out / disengaged from the economic and political system. In my view, its important to listen across ideologies and viewpoints and to learn from each other. To be in relationship with as many people as possible. If we are truly try to break down some of the partisan divides, we need to embrace the diversity in our communities and countries. We need to do this in a respectful manner.
So, what I would likely add to Dylan's list is the desire to show empathy, learn, and dialogue with others who have very different views.
Thoughts as we begin a very interesting year...
Hillary's Superior Platform. Third in a Video Series...
Why Hillary? Second in a Video Series...
Donald Trump and Temperament...
Why Hillary? First in a video series...
Becoming a Rotary Past President...
In July, I completed a one year term as President of my Rotary Club - the Rotary Club of Kamloops. In continuous operation since 1922, our club is one of the oldest community service / fellowship organizations in our community. I don't claim we are better than any of the other 4 Rotary Clubs in operation today in Kamloops. We all do great work. I know our club is built on a very solid foundation and tradition that we continue to try to adapt to meet the changing desires / needs of our members and our community. Often known as the old mans' club, we are no longer, and haven't been for a while.
When I started as President in July 2015, taking over from my friend Sue Porter, I was certainly nervous. I didn't want to screw anything important up. I found the key club operations have a deep and committed group of members who keep things moving, no matter who occupies the role as President. This was very comforting. I was also excited for the opportunities offered by being President. Within the stable foundations of ongoing club operations, our club gives the President quite a bit of latitude to offer direction. I decided to ask the club to focus on membership growth and also initiated our (perhaps renewed?) participation in the Rotary Club of Ottawa's Adventures in Citizenship program for Canadian youth. These initiatives were very gratifying for me and I really appreciated the support of the club.
The picture above is from one of the very best meetings of the year. It is of a membership induction ceremony at which we inducted three new members - all very dynamic and caring female leaders in Kamloops. We had quite a few of these inductions through out my year. I'm again grateful for the many members who sponsored new members into our club.
In becoming President of the Club, I followed in the footsteps of my father, who served as our President in 1997-98. My father passed away in March 2o15 and I became President in July. In some ways, the time commitment was a bit tough sometime. It, however, also kept me quite busy and gave me an added connection to my father. I grieve my father's passing every day and, in meaningful ways, being President of the Club kept me busy and kept the grief more at bay. It also allowed me another meaningful way to continue to connect to his great legacy of service.
Rotary Club Presidents typically turn into pumpkins after a one year term. We have a new President now, my friend Devon O'Toole, and he is doing a fabulous job. I want to give him all the support and freedom I can to have a great year. Being a recently minted Past President feels a bit tricky sometimes. You still want to contribute but you don't want to seem like you are stepping on the new Prez's toes. I have enjoyed a bit of a break from full on Rotary responsibility. I have been a member for almost 16 years and have always enjoyed being engaged and involved in the club. So, I am now starting to think about what that means from the vantage point of being a Past President as well as long time member. There are so many amazing opportunities to serve through Rotary.
Dealing with a huge loss...
Been a tough tough 11 months. Have functioned and had some very good times, indeed. The ever present context these days is that we lost Dad last March. It always hits me hardest on days or moments focused on love. He was an amazing loving father, husband, brother, son, and grandfather.
Invitation to a fundraising dinner and dialogue on voting and democratic engagement...
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