text:
Tax and worker policies must confront the destructive 'empire of money'
People vote at a polling station in Flint, Michigan, during the presidential election Nov. 3, 2020. (CNS/Reuters/Shannon Stapleton)
by Simone Campbell
(NCR graphic/Toni-Ann Ortiz)
Editor's note: In the weeks preceding the inauguration of the country's second Catholic president, the National Catholic Reporter asked other Catholic politicians, activists and scholars to offer advice to President-elect Joe Biden in a series that takes its title from Pope Francis' encyclical Fratelli Tutti: "Building a Common Future."
In the countdown to the new Biden-Harris administration, Catholic social teaching has an important message of both content and process. Pope Francis in his most recent encyclical, Fratelli Tutti, challenges the world to engage in a new form of politics: a politics of encounter. It is this process that we at the Catholic social justice lobby Network have been engaged in over our almost 50-year history. It is best known through our seven Nuns on the Bus campaigns. What is this politics of encounter and how does it impact policy?
Francis challenges us to develop a sense of solidarity through encountering people who think differently from ourselves. This solidarity is grounded in the knowledge that we share a common concern for each other. He says:
Solidarity means much more than engaging in sporadic acts of generosity. It means thinking and acting in terms of community. It means that the lives of all are prior to the appropriation of goods by a few. It also means combatting the structural causes of poverty, inequality, the lack of work, land and housing, the denial of social and labor rights. It means confronting the destructive effects of the empire of money.
On our 2020 virtual "bus trip" in advance of the November election, we encountered many people across the country who could testify to the need for a new sense of solidarity that confronts the empire of money.
At New Labor in New Brunswick, New Jersey, we met with low-wage workers who had banded together to support one another because they were having their wages stolen by their employers. Many were day workers or dishwashers in restaurants who were not being paid at the end of the day or the end of the week. They came together to help each other demand their pay. In the process, they discovered that some of their employers had it in their business plan not to pay workers their full salaries in order to increase their profits. This is a destructive effect of the empire of money.
At St. Luke N.E.W. Life Center in Flint, Michigan, we learned of the 2014 exploitation of the people by the state government in changing the source of their drinking water in order to save a little money for the government. This resulted in high quantities of lead and contaminants to be in the tap water in the entire city. Consequently, all of the water pipes in the city (including those in private homes) need to be replaced. Additionally, children have permanent disabilities because of the lead contamination. A "destructive empire of money" caused destruction to this city's infrastructure and its people.
In Immokalee, Florida, we met with the agricultural workers in the Coalition of Immokalee Workers' Alliance for Fair Food who have banded together for years to work for just wages. The workers educated us by speaking of their efforts over many years to get the large fast food chains and grocery stores to pay them 10 cents more per bushel. A mere 10 cents made a big difference for the workers. They created a movement by sharing their goals with faith communities around the country. In the off-season (and pre-pandemic), the workers went to talk with congregations about their needs and recruited these faith communities to be part of their campaign. Through encounter, they built a momentum that is helping create change.
These three examples demonstrate that employers and governments can make choices at odds with the needs of the people. Catholic social teaching's call to solidarity challenges us to make decisions with the most vulnerable in mind. We the people are called to advocate that the new administration shape its policies from a stance of solidarity with those who are too often exploited, as well as with those who are wealthy.
I interpret this mandate as calling for policies that care for the whole. It starts with the requirement to ensure wages high enough to support families and end the need for so many low-wage workers to work two and three jobs to just survive. Wages need to be sufficient to allow workers to have a day of rest with their families as well as save for their futures.
Employers that fail to provide such wages need to change their ways, and we consumers need to make sure that they do. The new administration can work to increase wages and ensure that they are actually paid.
Governments need to have enough revenue to provide for the needs of their people. This means that tax policy is a justice issue. Many legislators, as well as ordinary people, have the mistaken impression that taxes are a bad thing. They are not evil. Taxes are the way that we express one aspect of solidarity. Catholic social teaching calls on all of us to invest in our nation to meet the needs of our society.
The Republican 2017 federal tax bill was the antithesis of a just tax bill. It gave tremendous tax cuts to the richest people and starved the U.S. treasury, thus undermining our government's capacity to meet the needs of those who are struggling in our society. This bill exacerbated the structural causes of inequality by shifting even more money to those at the top. The new administration needs to change this tax policy so that the government has the money it needs to address this time of crisis.
Finally, the new administration needs to stand with workers and organizers to ensure that large employers are paying fair wages, especially in the agricultural sector. This requires strengthening the labor laws, ensuring safety of workers and listening to the voices of those at the margins.
Such acts of solidarity must be grounded in the act of encounter. I urge the new administration to engage in a robust process of listening to the lived reality of our people around the country. Share with the nation what you hear. It is out of this listening that we can recover the sense of solidarity and commitment to the common good.
Just tax policies, just wages, just labor organizing are all the results of letting our hearts be broken open by the inequities around us. This shared brokenheartedness is the anchor for just legislation. I call on the Biden-Harris administration to ground its governance in the encounter with our people. This will create the opportunity to heal our nation.
This story appears in the Building a Common Future feature series. View the full series.
A version of this story appeared in the Jan 22-Feb 4, 2021 print issue under the headline: Tax, worker policies must engage politics of encounter.
Opinion, News
Pro-life and pro-choice Catholics should work together — with President Biden — to reduce abortion demand
ByRebecca Bratten Weiss
Watch: Dwayne David Paul and Michael Vazquez offer advice to Biden for combating racial inequity, LGBTQ discrimination
ByBrittany Wilmes
Opinion, News, Guest Voices
We must revive the heart of our nation: working families
ByLinda T. Sánchez
EarthBeat, News, Guest Voices
Protecting Mother Earth and her inhabitants should be an administration priority for Biden
ByTerry Sloan


The word "tailgate" has several different meanings including the one we're using here: the custom of picnicking before or after an athletic event, concert, or race. This type of event originated in the American South, probably with college football, more than 100 years ago. Today, it's spread to many other team sports (such as basketball and soccer) as well as popular concerts.
Tailgating is in full swing now that the college football season is upon us. The main activity at these events is eating and sharing food with fellow football fans (even those supporting rival teams). Therefore, Shelf Life Advice just had to cover this social and culinary phenomenon. We have excellent advice to keep you eating well and safely while socializing in the great outdoors. Below, you'll also find links to several sites about tailgating preparations and recipes.
Don't think tailgating is just for college students. Food scientist Dr. Catherine Cutter, a Shelf Life Advice Board member, tells us it's great fun for alumni, faculty, and staff, too. No wonder Cutter is so enthusiastic about it. Tailgating at her school, Penn State, has often been named one of the top 5 such events in the country. This fall, it was rated #3. To read some September 2015 ratings on the best colleges for tailgating, go to the recent Daily Meal article on the subject.
Parade one wrote a great piece which praised 1) the Cajun-type dishes (such as gumbo and crawfish) at Louisiana State University's tailgate parties; and 2) Auburn University in Alabama and the University of Georgia in Athens, where big screen TVs and satellite dishes are part of the scene. The article's author, Walter Scott, raved about the sights, sounds, and smells of tailgating activities, making the whole idea seem divine. (But perhaps it's a trifle less wonderful if it's raining or -5°F out there.) According to Todd Blackledge, a college football analyst and author of Taste of the Town (who is quoted in the Scott article) the best tailgating spots are in the South, where "food and football are almost inseparable." However, food scientist Dr. Joe Regenstein speaks up for Midwest tailgating. He says the best tailgate he ever attended was at the University of Michigan, and the best baseball stadium for tailgating is Miller Field in Milwaukee.
How did tailgating get its name? Wikipedia defines tailgating as "a social event held on and around the open tailgate of a vehicle." However, the custom probably predates the invention of the automobile, and having a real tailgate is certainly not mandatory for participating in a tailgating event. Food and drink is usually displayed on tables or sometimes set up in open-air tents (to offer some protection from sun, rain, or snow).
A second definition of "tailgate" is to follow another vehicle closely (often, too closely). Dictionary.com implies this meaning when it says that tailgate events "usually center around a group of people who tailgate to a football game."
Wikipedia says that in schools and communities throughout the United States tailgating events are often initiated by athletic departments and parents of student athletes (especially in schools with smaller, underfunded athletic programs). They use these events to feed the team and coaching staff after games, thereby saving the program money and helping to build "a strong core of support."
Is a tailgating meal breakfast, lunch, or dinner?
Says Dr. Cutter: "Some tailgating parties last from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m." The meal being enjoyed could be breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner, or more than one of these. It might be breakfast to reward the tailgaters who got there early to set everything up. Sometimes these events involve bringing a lot of heavy items--tables, chairs, tents, equipment to play music or play games, equipment for cooking, a hand washing station, and so on.
The shared meal might be brunch or lunch eaten before the game and/or an early dinner consumed afterward. The advantage of a post-game meal or snack is that the party-goers don't have to fight the crowd leaving the parking lot as soon as the big event ends. They chew to their heart's content and leave when the lot is mostly empty.
What meal is eaten depends upon the time the game starts. If it begins at 3 p.m., lunch is usually served before. For evening games, the meal is generally dinner, and it's served before the game.
How can I plan an almost effortless tailgating party?
Sure, you can make it simple, but even a minimalist's get-together requires some planning and some assignments for participants. One person brings a cooler full of ice, water, pop, and beer. A few others arrive early the day of the game to stake out a good location and set out tables, chairs, and blankets. Other participants arrive shortly before the game with chicken and burgers from fast-food places, supermarket coleslaw and potato salad, chips, nonperishable desserts, and fresh fruit. No one cooks; the food is unexciting but cheap and easy.
But there's still a little more to do. You also need a stash of disposable wet hand wipes or, better yet, a hand- washing station with liquid soap, water, and paper towels. Add to that, napkins, silverware (if needed) as well as recycling and/or garbage bags.
Remember that pathogens multiply rapidly when perishable food is kept in the "danger zone," 40°-140°F. Therefore, if there's no way to keep perishables either hot or cold, these items must be eaten promptly with nothing saved for a post-game nosh.
Your tailgating party will probably be more fun if more preparations are made. Therefore, let's expand the plans a bit.
Traditionally, something to grill (hot dogs, burgers, etc.) and something to drink (most commonly, beer) are on the menu. Other popular items: nonperishables such as chips and popcorn, sticky hot buns (for breakfast) casseroles (for any meal), deviled eggs, dips, and cheese with crackers for appetizers, ribs (made at home the day before and then reheated), buffalo wings, meatballs, cold sandwiches, mac and cheese, baked beans and Stromboli. (There are many recipes online for this last item.) Hot soup or chili is wonderful in cold weather especially when heated in a portable, propane crockpot.
Country Living's "Tailgating Done Right"
Martha Stewart's "Super Bowl Wings"
rachaelray.com "8 Must-Have Tailgating Snacks"
Part of the fun, says Cutter, is walking around and grazing off of other people's tailgate spreads. To reciprocate, remember to bring along some extra food to offer to friendly visitors who wander over to your site.
ŸKeep cold drinks in a separate cooler from perishable food because the drink container gets opened frequently, and raw meat or chicken needs to be kept cold until cook time.
ŸIf you've got a source of water at your location, instead of lugging heavy beer cans, you may want to try powdered beer. You can read about this product here. Since beer is 95% water, if you need to bring only the powder and a small piece of equipment for carbonation, you've significantly lightened your load. But try this beer at home first to see if it tastes as good as the manufacturer claims.
ŸAs the weather gets cooler, a tailgating group is likely to want hot drinks. Here's how Dr. Cutter handles that: "I have found that insulated water jugs work great. I boil water at home and carry it in jugs for making hot cocoa or tea. The water stays hot for several hours. We also bring room-temperature water and boil it in a metal pot or camp percolator on the camp stove." Instant coffee can also be made with powders or--yes, they exist--single-serve coffee bags.
What should I bring besides food?
For comfort: Bring tables, chairs, blankets (to sit on and, in colder months, to use as wraps), and a tent. Some hosts bring portable, propane heaters to keep the tailgaters warm.
For entertainment: Bring a radio (to follow your team's game or other games, or for music), a CD/mg3/digital player (for music to dance to), or a portable TV. Some RVs come equipped with satellite dishes that allow tailgaters to watch other athletic events during tailgating.
For cooking and eating: a grill, utensils for grilling, utensils for serving casseroles, lots of disposable plates, silverware, cups, and napkins, a few tablecloths, and coolers if the weather is warm. Add more items, depending upon what your group wants.
What kind of grill? Dr. Cutter highly recommends this one: the Camp Chef Outdoor Camp Oven with Grill. It has a 2-burner camping stove and an oven. Recently, Amazon's reduced price for this oven/grill was $199.99. With luck, you may find a used one on EBay for a lot less.
To keep food cool, use ice, blue ice, or gel packs. The FreezPak reusable ice substitute is about the size of a typical brick, is nontoxic, and is recommended for picnics. Furthermore, the product's label says that it's colder than ice.
To enjoy hot food, Dr. Cutter says, "We typically cook on a portable gas grill or the combination grill/oven or bring the food to the tailgate hot in portable, insulated carriers and eat right away. An insulated carrier works great for transporting hot casseroles."
What are tailgating safety concerns?
Food scientist Joe Regenstein says, "I worry about food safety, fire safety, and the temptation to eat too much." Shelf Life Advice can't give you will power, but we do have good advice about safe handling of food and fire.
Dr. Cutter points this out: "When alcohol gets involved, people let their guard down, and things can go wrong." And, when playing with fire, the risks and problems are greater. Cutter says that, at Penn State, charcoal grills are not allowed, only gas grills. "Tailgaters have been known to discard hot coals in the parking lot, and, in some instances, the hot charcoal would melt car tires or create fire safety issues.'' Dr. Regenstein points out that some stadiums provide for safe disposal of charcoal and, if so, these facilities should be used.
A few more tips: bring along a fire extinguisher, just in case. Have really heavy mitts for the person doing the grilling. Don't allow children to run around close to the grill. For more safety tips around grills, read the Shelf Life Advice article "How to Grill Safely." It also includes advice on how to grill without ruining the food and how to avoid contaminating food when cooking outdoors.
ŸDon't cross-contaminate! Don't put food that's not going to be cooked onsame surfacerface that held raw meat or chicken. Don't put grilled burgers on the plate that previously held the raw burgers. Well, you get the idea. Keep raw meat and poultry away from other foods.
ŸDon't violate the "temperature danger zone" rule (the temperature at which bacteria multiply rapidly). Keep perishable foods below 40°F or above 140°F. Use that food thermometer you brought.
ŸDon't leave perishable food at room temperature for more than 2 hours or 1 hour if the temperature is above 90°F.
ŸBe sure to keep raw meat and chicken in a cooler until it's time to cook.
ŸDon't be in a huge hurry to serve the food; give it time to cook thoroughly! Use a food thermometer to be sure the food you're about to serve is at the minimum safe temperature; key examples: 145°F for steaks, 160°F for ground beef, 165°F for ground turkey and chicken, and 170°F for chicken breasts.
ŸDon't forget to set up that hand-washing station and use it often. Hands should be washed before preparing or serving food and before eating. Remind the kids to wash their hands--for 20 seconds, long enough to sing all the lyrics of the "Happy Birthday" song.
What else makes a tailgate great?
Taylor Mathis' The Southern Tailgating Cookbook: A Game-Day Guide for Lovers of Food, Football and the South suggests being creative and coming up with a theme for a tailgating event: for example, apple slices that look like mummies if it's near Halloween or a mutton main dish if the Rams are the opposing team.
Mathis also says that, when he attended the University of Florida, there were tailgaters who arrived at the site at 2:30 a.m. to begin cooking an entire pig on a spit. That seems to me the ultimate display of devotion to the tailgating phenomenon. But maybe you've had a tailgating experience that tops it. Tell us about your tailgating experiences. Add a comment below.
Wikipedia.org "Tailgate" and "Tailgate party"
rachelraymhag.com "Throw a Tailgating Party"
thedailymeal.com "The 25 Best Colleges for Tailgating"


Bryan and Katie Torwalt met in 2006 at the Bethel School of Supernatural Worship in Redding, CA. Bryan is from Canada and Katie a Californian. They both led worship separately while dating long distance for 2 1/2 years. They got married in 2009. The experience of their worship together is a powerful and unique mixture of their anointing and history with God. They live to see the earth transform to Heaven's likeness and for this generation to encounter the real Jesus. They believe that in God's presence, sickness is healed, prisoners are set free, and minds are restored. Their songs carry hope and life that flow out of every note and lyric.


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West Bank court acquits Nizar Banat death protesters
Sudanese pro-democracy activists protest for third day
Arabic oud icon seeks to 'change soul' of Iraq with music
Virtual museum retraces the lost art of Arab puppetry
How Yemen's water crisis has reached new depths of despair
'Trying to find a reliable water source is like digging for gold': Yemen's crippling water shortage
Abdul Rahman Hussein
As the six-year conflict shows no signs of abating and climate change continues to impact land and families, millions in Yemen could fall deeper into what may eventually become a forgotten crisis.
"We need water! When will you help us?" These are the desperate cries of Abida.
"The situation in this camp is a disaster. We would rather die than live like this," another woman echoes.
Internally displaced at an isolated camp in the desert city of Ma'rib, Abida's home is now a tarpaulin cloth supported by a pole, which barely protects the family of seven, from the unbearable forty-degree heat. At this point, she had no access to water for five days.
Stories like these in Yemen are appallingly widespread. Already a water-scarce region, the civil war has exacerbated the situation, with over fifty percent of the population struggling to buy and find enough clean drinking water to sustain themselves and their families each day, according to the UN.
With aid cuts and inflation, intervention is vital if families in Yemen are to survive in this devastating landscape
The ongoing conflict has severely damaged crucial safe water sources, which will cost millions to rectify. With an already outdated infrastructure going back to the British colonial era, urban areas such as Ma'rib and the capital Aden were already struggling to supply piped drinking water directly to local homes. Fast forward to the present day, the population of these governates continues to surge, as those fleeing violence or leaving rural villages with water shortages, flood into the cities.
State-run water companies only provide to households that can afford the costs, and even then, the water service is only available four hours a day twice a week.
In both urban and rural locations families are forced to try and find free water from public fountains and wells, such as those located in local mosques. Unfortunately, even the mosques are turning people away because they are unable to keep up with the increase in demand. Many also rely on trucked water they buy at extortionate prices, dictated by the suppliers.
Water is heavily rationed and is only available during one-hour windows, which normally take place only three times a day [Getty]
This year international charity Muslim Hands visited a water truck point in Aden, home to over one million Yemenis. Hoards of women, children and men with their containers and donkeys in tow, take on the exhausting journey to the water truck every day.
One man told the Muslim Hands team that he has had no clean water in his home for two years. He said, "look how many people are here struggling just to get a drop of water. Many are ill and still have to carry home water containers every day. Some days I can't fetch water for my family because I faint on the way. Water scarcity has become worse in the last two years. Trying to find a reliable water source here is like digging for gold."
With aid cuts and inflation, intervention is vital if families in Yemen are to survive in this devastating landscape. Muslim Hands has pledged to spend an initial £1.5 million on nineteen water projects across Yemen, which will support roughly 3.2 million beneficiaries with safe drinking water.
The largest of these projects, currently in construction, is to rehabilitate the existing water system in the governates of Aden and Lahj. This is to increase water production and improve the water supply for 1.7 million people – more than half of these being women and children.
Famine, secession and bloodshed: Six years of Yemen war
Funds are also being raised by the charity to replicate this process in the city of Ma'rib – supporting a further 1.2 million beneficiaries. Other projects include restoring deep water wells, installing solar panelling and building new sustainable distribution points, making safe water easily accessible to all.
For decades, the Arab world's poorest country has also grappled with the impact of climate change, with mass flooding, drought and outbreak of disease amongst the obvious signs.
Ahmed, a farmer who lives in the mountains of Abyan is responsible for his family of nine. As sheep grazers, the arid lands where he lives means finding an adequate water source is extremely difficult. They are completely dependent on what they grow on the land for their sustenance and as the weather gets drier the crop quantity reduces.
"Prior to the intervention, it was difficult for me to travel to the nearest water well, which at times did not work so we were left with no water. When we did find water, my donkey found it hard to carry home because of the unsafe roads," he explains.
Those that are most impacted by water scarcity in Yemen are women and children, who make up 80 percent of those in acute need and 75 percent of internally displaced people.
Women dominate the domestic sphere as the main caregivers and are responsible for how water impacts their household. They walk miles every day to fetch water that is often unsafe, making them and their children susceptible to diseases such as cholera. Women often prioritise their family's water needs and therefore lack access to clean water to live comfortably.
Put simply, water is life and access to safe water will mean the difference between life or death
Naima from Khokha is a mother of five in her thirties. Her husband tragically passed away from a mine explosion leaving her as the head of her household. She said, "I work by knitting palm leaves. Life is very tough and I have a chronic illness. Me and my children walk for miles with our buckets and containers each day to get water from a well. I only have enough to give my children bread and tea. I am very ill, and I don't know how I will continue to provide for my children."
Muslim Hands' first water project in Yemen was the rehabilitation of a water well in the village of Bir Al-Sheikh in Abyan. The poorly functioning well meant that thousands of IDP's flocking to this area were going without sufficient water for weeks at a time.
How the UK became an accomplice in Yemen's famine
Aniqah Choudhri
Because of this, families in the area, including Fadhel's were worried that if intervention didn't take place, unsafe drinking water, as well as a poor sewage system, would continue to spread the risk of disease. He said, "we were miserable because my mother was unable to cook and there was not enough water for our family of eight to wash and clean with. Now safe water is available for all the families in the village. We have seen an increase of people settling in the village because of this water point."
As the six-year conflict shows no signs of abating and climate change continues to impact land and lives, families in Yemen have no choice but to carry on, navigating some form of normalcy.
Though their stories show sheer resilience, the harsh reality is that unless drastic intervention is taken by charities like Muslim Hands, millions in Yemen will fall deeper into what may eventually become a forgotten crisis. Put simply, water is life and access to safe water will mean the difference between life or death.
Abdul Rahman Hussein is Country Manager in Yemen for the UK Charity, Muslim Hands.
Yemeni war
Yemeni politics
Nazli Tarzi

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


This book itself is a hack it was made with a budget of less than 200 bucks and yet still it would be making us at-least couple of thousand dollars over the course of time.
We will be discussing such hacks/jobs that would make you atleast an extra thousand bucks every month without putting much effort.
Life is a Game and Money is how we keep the score.
Recipe of this book: We enlisted the most innovative ways through which you can make money and hired a best possible ghost writer we could find from an english speaking developing country.
Why a developing country? It saved us at-least a thousand dollars.
Developing countries have a less per capita income when compared to developed countries and hence meaning less pay for everything! this is the only reason why Apple makes it's IPhones in china.
Remember the goal isn't just making more money it's living life on your terms! and now you have 46 ways through which you can achieve it!
✔✔✔ KINDLE NOT REQUIRED to read this book. Read it on your PC mac smartphone or kindle device. Available for immediate reading with your Amazon virtual cloud reader.


Launching PEAK Ai – Improving Project Design, Planning and Execution - Peak Urban | We are a civil engineering and development advisory consultancy.
The engineering and construction industry is at the cusp of a new era, with new applications and tools that change how companies design, plan and execute projects.
At PEAKURBAN we are always trying to maximise the value and improve the level of service we offer to our clients. Quite often this involves developing smarter infrastructure solutions that result in more developable land and lower constructions costs. Increasingly though, value is created when 'back of house' functions are streamlined, efficient and optimised. When this happens development cost estimates are more accurate, approvals are delivered faster, projects run to schedule and budget and on maintenance achieved earlier.
To help drive greater value for our clients, we have teamed up with Blackbook Ai to create a new business named PEAK Ai – a niche business that provides AI solutions to the engineering and construction industry. PEAK Ai blends the technical capabilities of PEAKURBAN with the programming and AI capabilities of Blackbook.
The AI solutions we offer span across the four key projects areas: Due Diligence, Design, Construction and Maintenance.
Whether its freeing up the time of Authority inspectors by automating the CCTV assessment of pipelines or automating the preparation of on-maintenance packages by the Contractor or Engineer AI solutions will have an increasingly important roles to play in delivering value and creating more efficient outcomes for all.
Check out our website for further information http://www.peakai.com.au.


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Research Newsletter Issue 61: Yoga and Mental Health Book Reviews
By Amy Weintraub	Posted in	Articles, Book & Media Reviews, Research Newsletter
In this issue, we review several new books that are important in the field of yoga and mental health. Guest LifeForce Yoga Practitioner reviewers Anne Friedenheim, Ellen Campbell, and Sherry Rubin reviewed books by Rama Jyoti Vernon, the master yoga teacher, who has finally graced us with the wisdom of her many years of study and practice, Beth Gibbs, a senior teacher trainer in the Integrative Yoga Therapy Training Program, who writes two books—one for young children, and the other a manual for those who love them, and psychologist and meditation teacher Elisha Goldstein. I am honored to review the new book by Richard Miller, who despite his years of scholarship, clinical work and the depth of his study in yoga, writes an accessible meditation manual for those who have experienced trauma. Read the reviews, the books themselves, and then make time to play!
Review: The iRest Program for Healing PTSD by Richard Miller, PhD
Review: Yoga: The Practice of Myth and Sacred Geometry by Rama Jyoti Vernon
Review: Ogi Bogi, the Elephant Yogi and Wake up, Relax and Pay Attention with Yoga by Elizabeth Gibbs
Uncovering Happiness: Overcoming Depression with Mindfulness and Self-Compassion by Elisha Goldstein, PhD
News: Kula for Karma
Media Mention: Yoga Bonding: A Baby Integrated Postnatal Yoga Sequence by Lisa Bergly
Here psychologist and master yoga and meditation teacher Richard Miller shares the "open secret" of a practice that in 1970 expanded his sense of ease and at-oneness with the world as it is. From that first encounter at the end of a yoga class, Miller understood that his life would include yoga nidra. As a yoga scholar, researcher and teacher, he has blazed a trail, introducing yoga nidra, renamed Integrative Restoration (iRest) to the military and into mental health treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The iRest system adapts a practice that has been in use for 4500 years for use in the treatment of PTSD as well as a multitude of other imbalances in the body-mind.
The iRest Program for Healing PTSD is written in the first person, as though spoken directly by a non-judging, compassionate teacher to "you." The "you," of course, is anyone experiencing PTSD who may have no background or even interest in meditation.
There are 41 practice sessions, each building towards the next, and Miller suggests that readers record each guidance in their own voice and offers complete permission for the practitioner to change the words so it sounds as natural as possible.
In the excellent chapter that describes PTSD and how it develops, Miller includes a self-test for determining whether you are experiencing PTSD. The next chapter defines iRest yoga nidra, includes current research on the efficacy of the protocol and outlines a 10-step method that Miller calls the 10 tools. Each of the tools can be practiced independently to address specific conditions, like, for example, insomnia, or combined for the full effect of "experiencing your wholeness."
Miller outlines the core principles of iRest, which give the ten tools the power to heal. He suggests, for example, that practice be "little and often." Even a few minutes of iRest every day can make a difference, reducing the symptoms.
Instructions include simple tools to work with negative feelings, thoughts and beliefs, using both meditation and writing exercises. He contends, and research backs him up on this, that we begin to shift into more positive self-talk, simply by acknowledging and welcoming the negative.
For the yogin accustomed to reading about yoga nidra in the context of the kosha model and other yogic principles, you won't find such language here. Nor will the mental health professional find the language most familiar in describing treatment protocols. Rather, the text flows without jargon or complicated philosophy, so that it directly meets the reader experiencing PTSD with words that begin to connect him to his wholeness, his unsullied sense of Self, beneath the story and the mood. In Miller's words, "Joy is always present, waiting to be experienced in the midst of what is, no matter what is," even if what is happens to be the symptoms of PTSD.
Compliments to the developmental editor, poet, iRest and LifeForce Yoga Practitioner Jami Macarty, who helped make Richard Miller's elegant and sometimes esoteric concepts that are the foundation of yoga nidra, fully accessible to the reader who may not be drawn to yogic philosophy.
Although written for the person experiencing PTSD, the book is a manual of an ancient but only recently explored PTSD treatment protocol that all those who serve this population will want to read. To purchase a copy of The iRest Program for Healing PTSD, please click here.
Reviewed by Ann Friedenheim, M.S., L.P.C., RYT, LFYP-2. Ann is a psychotherapist, Kripalu Yoga teacher and practitioner of LifeForce Yoga®. She has been very fulfilled to be able to incorporate yoga into her work with children and adults in community agencies and now, in her private practice in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Yoga: The Practice of Myth and Sacred Geometry by Rama Jyoti Vernon provides an experience similar to a long yoga retreat where the kindness, technical information, philosophy, enthusiasm, experience and transmission of wisdom flows from the teacher in every interaction. Drawing from a lifetime dedicated to the study, practice, teaching and living of yoga, Jyoti Vernon, a respected and accomplished yoga pioneer, offers us a reading experience that is busting at the seams with history, philosophy, theory and practice.
The beginning of this text is divided into several chapters, leading with in-depth discussion about the meaning of yoga, the symbolism and significance of the spine, the deeper meaning of asana, the importance and approach to pranayama, and the importance of honoring one's own practice (Svadharma). While these initial chapters are only 32 pages, it is not an "easy read." Rama Joyti Vernon imbues each idea, sentence and paragraph with an integration of ancient texts, quotes from her own teachers, Sanskrit scholarship and clearly a life of committed practice. Her love of yoga lifestyle and dedication to her students shines through her writing. But this felt sense does not stand alone. Simultaneously, she meets the mark as an intellectual scholar, who has taken the time to integrate multiple forms of gathering information. This enables her to distill complex ideas with many levels of meaning and to communicate them clearly to the average reader. It's as though she's piercing through the koshas (sheaths) of existence through her writing, taking the reader deeper and deeper to the ultimate understanding of Self.
In the second part of the text, Jyoti Vernon provides a very thorough discussion and of 57 asanas. She divides this section of the book into two asana flows. For each asana she discusses a philosophical introduction, preparation for the orientation of the posture, very clear steps of execution, and psychophysiological benefits. Within this chapter is also included information about koshas, pranayama, mudras and chakras as these elements manifest within each asana.
Vernon introduces postures from a symbolic point of view so that the deeper representation of the posture is made clear. She then helps the reader understand the process of creating the posture, the key points on which to focus and the way to breath into the posture to make it a doorway into the Self. She instructs in a way that allows the student to understand that yoga is a personal process that will express itself differently from person to person and even practice to practice. She does, however, pay particular attention to the key teaching/guidance points to provide a safe and self aware practice. Her explanations and guidance of the asanas are a wonderful balance of technical instruction, philosophical background, understanding of benefits and spiritual process. Wow!
To complete the teaching included in Yoga: The Practice of myth and Sacred Geometry, Rama Jyoti Vernon provides appendices which include short chapters on topics such as: creative sequencing, as it incorporates intentionality about the nervous and endocrine systems; practicing yama and niyama; understanding the 5 koshas; the 5 pranas and the bhandas. Again Vernon provides clear discussion about complex ideas in a way that is informative and thought provoking. She invites the student and the teacher to allow the Divine to manifest through them both, and to open to the subtle bodies and felt sense of the practice.
Yoga: The Practice of Myth and Sacred Geometry is the kind of book that a yoga student and teacher will refer to again and again as a source of knowledge, creativity and inspiration. If it is possible to transmit subtle energy teachings through the written word, then this book is certainly an example. This text is a seminal work and a must have for any student or teacher serious about their study and practice. To purchase a copy of Yoga: The Practice of Myth and Sacred Geometry, click here.
Reviewed by Ellen Campbell. Ellen is a LifeForce Yoga Level I practitioner in Tucson, Arizona. She teaches yoga to children and adults and is author of the Youthful Yogis Blog.
Integrative Yoga Therapist and teacher trainer Elizabeth Gibbs is clearly an individual whose compassion and understanding of children runs deep. In her book, Ogi Bogi, the Elephant Yogi, Ms. Gibbs introduces young readers to a kindly elephant named Ogi Bogi who lives in "Innerville," a land that children can come to when they want to feel safe. Adults will recognize Innerville as a metaphor for compassionate self-awareness, but children will experience it as a magical land where their emotions and concerns are honored and accepted.
As Ogi Bogi travels through Innerville, she comes into contact with children from a variety of cultural backgrounds, each of whom are experiencing particular challenges: Bob has a quick temper and wants to get along better with his peers, Sunee from Thailand is in a wheelchair, Raheem has difficulty breathing as a result of asthma. Ogi Bogi greets each child with an open heart and offers techniques from the ancient tradition of yoga to address the specific challenges they are facing.
Ogi Bogi the Elephant Yogi is written for children in grades 3-5. While the story of the kindly elephant making her way through Innerville may resonate with a slightly younger audience, the techniques that Ms. Gibbs shares, with bold illustrations and clear and precise wording, will surely be engaging and inspiring to youngsters of all ages. The book highlights the challenges and concerns that children face everyday, and-most importantly-accepts these challenges in a sensitive, non-judgmental fashion. Ogi Bogi offers time-honored techniques to address a variety of situations: half sun salutes are described as a way to awaken energy, mudras help quiet the mind, twists and forward folds can be calming. Additionally, partner poses are introduced as a way to learn to work with others and simple breathing techniques and mantras (all in English) are offered as a way to focus the mind and to balance both sides of the brain.
Youngsters can certainly enjoy Ogi Bogi, the Elephant Yogi on their own, but Ms. Gibbs has also written a companion manual to help teachers, parents and caregivers integrate the practice of yoga into home or work settings. Wake Up, Relax and Pay Attention with Yoga expands upon the themes shared in Ogi Bogi and provides additional exercises and techniques that can be applied to a variety of classroom, after school, summer program and home settings.
The main body of Ms. Gibb's companion manual Wake Up, Relax and Pay Attention with Yoga is titled "Postures & Practice, Instructions & Illustrations." The postures and practices are divided into four sections, each with it's own theme or focus (active movement and breathing, passive movement and breathing, focus and attention, listening and cooperation.) The sections begin with an overview of the poses and practices to be discussed, and include illustrations as well as a brief verbal description of the benefits that children may receive: a seated forward fold calms the nervous system and "tall mountain pose with sun breath" energizes the body while exercising the arms and shoulders, as examples. The author has structured the manual nicely in that adults can easily look through each overview to find activities that are relevant to their particular situation or setting.
Following each overview, Ms. Gibbs offers a more detailed description of the poses and practices listed. There is enough information but not too much, and this provides a welcome respite from the information overload that most of us face on a daily basis. Ms. Gibbs thoughtfully explains the focus of every pose, activity or practice; instructions and contraindications are listed and illustrations are provided. There is also a "how did it go?" heading with follow-up questions to help enrich the adult's understanding of the activity. Finally, "yoga notes" provide readers with additional tidbits of interesting information ("…it makes sense to think of the brain as a muscle that needs regular exercise to function optimally. Developing a balance between the left and right hemispheres of the brain helps with physical balance and the improved functioning of the brain." P.79).
Wake up, Relax and Pay Attention is a wonderful resource for adults who are new to yoga, as well as for those who have been involved with the practice. The author offers suggestions for planning yoga lessons and also shares information that even experienced yogis may find illuminating. An example of this is the fact that children may be reluctant to block off their nostrils for certain breathing practices. With this insight, Ms. Gibbs provides a "left side/ right side body breathing exercise" that offers the benefits of alternate nostril breathing without touching the hands to the face (p.88).
Elizabeth Gibbs has provided us with two wonderful books. Her sensitivity towards children shines brightly in Ogi Bogi, the Elephant Yogi, where the character of a gentle elephant instructs readers in yoga while lovingly shedding light upon the concerns and emotions of daily life. The companion manual, Wake up, Relax and Pay Attention, augments the practices introduced in Ogi Bogi and provides an excellent resource for adults interested in incorporating a variety of yoga techniques into school, camp and home settings. The books can be purchased separately or as a pair. For more information about Ms. Gibb's work, and to order books, please visit her website.
Reviewed by Sherry G Rubin, LCSW, E-RYT, LFYP-II. Sherry lives in Chester County, PA where she has a private psychotherapy practice and teaches yoga classes and workshops specifically designed to reduce stress and manage moods.
Yes, mindfulness has come of age, its usefulness and validity supported by mountains of data. There's a proliferation of resources to help us practice, learn about, and utilize mindfulness, so why another book? Because this one offers a framework that synthesizes and integrates the science into an easy read and very user friendly package for the professional and the lay person; clinicians and teachers wil l want to recommend it to their clients and students.
This book contains clear findings from hundreds of academic studies, beginning with a description of the "depression loop." The reader will be able to appreciate its appearance and predictability by identifying cues and reversing the bad habits that perpetuate the depression spiral. In his framework he addresses five "natural antidepressants," the first and the one most elaborated, being mindfulness. He also writes about the importance of Self Compassion, Purpose, Play and Confidence or "Learning to Get Better and Better".
I think this last of the five "natural anti-depressants" is particularly noteworthy as Goldstein pulls together very important research in the field of motivation and mastery done by Carol Dweck from Stanford University. He uses Dweck's research to describe two types of mindsets: fixed and growth. With a fixed mindset, setbacks become expected, while with growth mindsets, a setback is used to learn and practice how to "get better and better," thereby helping ourselves through and out of depressive slides. Also noteworthy is how Goldstein summarized and applies Charles Duhigg's information about habits and how to replace those that feed the depression loop with healthier, ultimately more satisfying ones.
In addition to describing each of these aforementioned five strategies for "uncovering Happiness" by developing our natural anti-depressant brain, Goldstein gives clear and simple examples of how to identify problems, and then offers specific practices to help the reader take action. Each section offers instructions for how to identify, learn and practice what is presented. The underlying message in every part of this book is one of hope–no matter who you are, in fact, because of who you are, experience now backed by science can show you the way to Uncover Happiness. To purchase a copy of Uncovering Happiness, click here.
Kula for Karma, a nonprofit organization of volunteer yoga teachers that offers therapeutic yoga at no cost to populations that face physical and mental health challenges has received a $51,930 grant from The Healthcare Foundation of NJ (HFNJ) for 2015 programs to be launched at Barnabas Health in West Orange and Livingston, NJ. According to Executive Director, Penni Feiner, "with this grant, Kula for Karma will continue to realize our goal of 'Changing the Face of Healthcare.' Beginning in March, 2015 we will offer ten therapeutic yoga classes per week touching the lives of Cancer, Cardiac, Ms, Victims of Domestic Violence, patients, and CareGivers!" Patients will have access to therapeutic yoga and meditation classes, twice daily and free of charge. Through the use of both corporate and private funding, Kula builds unique healing yoga and meditation programs. Since its inception in 2007, Kula has launched over 300 programs in the New York area, touching the lives of over 3000 people.
We at LifeForce Yoga are proud of Penni, and Kula for Karma's founder, Geri Topfer, LifeForce Yoga Practitioners who walk their talk, serving through the wisdom and compassion of yoga. Penni's new CD, with Gratitude from My Heart to Yours, is a lovely blend of African sounds, where Penni has served, and her own lyrical interpretation of Sanskrit chants that has been accompanying my mat practice for the last month. Penni and Geri teach a program at Kripalu Center called "Finding Your Passion" in May.
For more information about Kula for Karma and to order a copy of Penni's new CD please visit their website.
A number of studies have shown that both prenatal (Bershasky, 2014; Field, 2013, Battle & Uebelacker, 2010) and antenatal yoga (Newham, 2014; MacDonald, 2013, Muziki, 2014) has significant benefits for mothers in both the prevention and treatment of depression. So when, as a new grandma, I came across Lisa Bergly's Yoga Bonding: A Baby Integrated Postnatal Yoga Sequence I gave it to my daughter Miriam Leah to use at home with Shoshana. Finding the time to play the video was difficult for her, but when she had a moment of desperation, unable to amuse her feisty 5-month old, she finally plugged it in and Shoshana settled down. The twenty minutes I had time for when my Precious Ones visited me in Tucson was fun. Both Shoshana and I got a nice warm-up and stretch and there were lots of smiles, laughter, wiggles, coos and bright eyes. In the brief time we spent on the mat with Bergly's video, I can see why in addition to moms, grandmothers and care givers, yoga teachers, early childhood education experts, physical therapists, Doulas and infant massage therapists have recommended this video. To order a copy of Yoga Bonding visit spiritofthelakeyoga.com or email Lisa Bergly.
We have many upcoming workshops and trainings, check our Calendar of Events to find one near you!
From Darkness to Light to Darkness Again: How Devotion to Guru Can Help and Harm
Live from Paradise Island in the Bahamas – LifeForce Yoga Module A!


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Q: Java playing .wav sounds though a program My current project involves playing music, and I found a useful working code to play .wav sound files, but how can I speed the sound up, raise or lower the volume, and mute the sound. Is there commands or methods I have to use? Here is what I'm currently using.
import java.io.*;
import javax.sound.sampled.*;
try {
    AudioInputStream stream;
    AudioFormat format;
    DataLine.Info info;
    Clip clip;
    File file1 = new File("C:\\Users\\Bryce\\Desktop\\DM Galaxy.wav");
    stream = AudioSystem.getAudioInputStream(file1);
    format = stream.getFormat();
    info = new DataLine.Info(Clip.class, format);
    clip = (Clip) AudioSystem.getLine(info);
    clip.open(stream);
    clip.start();
} catch (Exception e) {
    e.printStackTrace();
}

This works great, but the only problem is, it plays it at full blast, and sounds very slow comapaired to if I just play the audio file. Any sugestions?

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


IFMA believes strongly in the notion of a unified front to support the healthy development of the sport on all levels; and over the last few years have initiated rigorous efforts to unify all muaythai groups within the IFMA member countries.
The unification processes have been endeavoured with the cooperation with the government sport authorities and National Olympic Committees, in order to fulfil the interests of IFMA and more importantly the athletes so that they all have the opportunity to compete at the highest possible level.
This has proved highly successful and IFMA now has over 70 countries which are recognised at the highest level in their respective countries. Italy has become the latest member to sign this important MOU unifying the two national federations in cooperation with the National Olympic Committee, the CONI.
The signing ceremony took place in Rome in the presence of the ARISF President Raffaele Chiulli the CONI representative Anna Riccardi, FIKBMS President Donato Milano, FIMT President Mauro Bassetti and IFMA Executive Board Member Davide Carlot.
ARIFS President Raffaele Chiulli stated that IFMA is an important member in the IOC recognised sporting family and applauds IFMA's initiatives to work for the overall sport development in each country.
Over 300 gyms will now work together in Italy to ensure a unified development for the sport which benefits IFMA's most important assets, the youth and the athletes.
IFMA will continue its initiatives for unification in various countries and aims to have unified an additional six countries by the end of 2018.


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Amazon in the UK
Empowering small businesses
Amazon in the community
Diversity at Amazon
Supporting small businesses
Jobs and investment
Computer kits designed to unleash creativity
Our diverse economy needs innovative women
Mum of two self-publishes best seller
Tracy Bloom's maternity leave delivered a Kindle hit as well as a baby
By EU Amazon Stories Staff
When Tracy Bloom and her husband were expecting their first child, Tracy planned to go on maternity leave then return to her job as normal. She was working for theme parks in the UK and loved going to secret locations to test rides and new concepts. However, two weeks after giving birth to their son, Tracy's husband dropped a bombshell. "He announced that he'd been offered a job in America," Tracy recalls. "We had to take the decision that I would leave my career behind and move to Connecticut. I cried for at least two months!"
Tracy jokes about it now but at the time it was a huge transformation, and she had to work out how she would cope with a new baby in a new country with no support network around her. "I turned to writing as an escape and for survival," Tracy says. "I loved the writing parts of my old job, which were all about communicating ideas and engaging people. I'd always thought about writing a book and this seemed to be the perfect opportunity."
A book during baby naps
If you'd told me six months ago that I'd be selling hundreds of thousands of copies, I'd have told you, 'not in a million years'
Luckily for Tracy, her son was a good sleeper and there was a college nearby running a creative writing course. "I started to write No One Ever Has Sex on a Tuesday during my son's afternoon naps and then took in a chapter a week to show my U.S. classmates," Tracy explains. "I knew I'd got something when two ladies in my class were arguing about who the main character, Katy, should end up with!"
In 2009, after Tracy finished the book (and had another baby), she sent the first three chapters to literary agents. "I got a number of rejections, but then one asked me to send the rest of the book. At that point, I really thought I'd made it," Tracy remembers. "I got publishing deals in Germany, Italy, Poland, Brazil and Serbia, which was really exciting, but I couldn't get a UK deal."
By January 2013, Tracy felt that she had waited long enough for a UK deal and decided to try Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing. "I'd watched self-publishing evolving and saw that it had become a very valid way of reaching readers," she says. To build momentum for the book, she started using social media and reached out to newspapers, websites and radio stations, many of whom used the quirky title to stimulate fun debates.
Number one best seller
Within six weeks the book hit the number one slot on the Kindle top 10 and has now received over 1,000 four and five star reviews from Amazon readers. "I waited so long to find out if my book was any good, so Kindle Direct Publishing enabling me to reach my readers and them telling me that they laughed out loud is such a joy. I've even had people who have experienced serious breakups telling me I've restored their faith in romance."
Tracy has now released her second book, Single Woman Seeks Revenge, which hit the Kindle top 10 within two weeks of publication. "If you'd told me six months ago that I'd be selling hundreds of thousands of copies, I'd have told you, 'not in a million years'," says Tracy. "I try to keep celebrating milestones because having had disappointments along the way, when it does come good, you have to make the most of it. When No One Ever Has Sex on a Tuesday hit number one, I bought a bottle of bubbly, and we did a Formula One champagne spray around the garden with the kids."
With such success, life has changed dramatically for Tracy. "My youngest has just started school, and I would have been contemplating going back to work and dealing with the nightmare of childcare, but I can now write full time," Tracy says. "It's a working mum's dream job."
Amazon StoriesAuthorsKindleKindle Direct Publishing Empowerment
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Inside the Amazon Clicks & Mortar shop in Sheffield
For online business owners like Nicola, Oliver and Louise, Clicks and Mortar pop up shops backed by Amazon are an opportunity to meet customers in person and experience physical retail for the first time.
How much does Amazon love dogs? Just ask one of the 6,000 pups that "work" here.
When it comes to company culture, Amazon is barking up the right tree.
Amazon opens doors to newest corporate office in Manchester
We are opening our newest corporate office in central Manchester today, with capacity for 600 new roles, further expanding our presence in the North West.
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Unlocking rural potential
Greater digital adoption in rural areas could add tens of billions
in GVA and to rural business turnover each year.
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Tropidosteus curvatus is a large, extinct holonematid arthrodire placoderm from the Givetian-aged Crinoidenmergel stratum of Middle Devonian Rheinland, Germany.  T. curvatus is known from primarily from a slender, 42 centimeter long, arched median dorsal plate, where the two sides meet at a sixty to ninety degree angle, which would have given the live animal a humped appearance.  The median dorsal plate is very similar to the median dorsal plates of Rhenonema and Belemnacanthus, and is the primary reason for T. curvatus' placement within Holonematidae.  After stating this reason, Denison, 1978, then questions Tropidosteus' placement within the family, noting that the dorsal plate lacks ridged ornamentation, which is a key diagnostic trait of the family.  The ornamentation otherwise consists of an external covering of small tubercles.

References

Holonematidae
Placoderms of Europe

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Latest News Mentioning National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
About National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is concerned with scientific and regulatory activities around water bodies and environmental change. The NOAA issues weather forecasts and storm/natural disaster warnings; observes climate fluctuations and other planet conditions; addresses the public about its findings; and works to preserve and restore naturally occurring sites like fisheries and coastal regions. It receives an annual budget of $6.9 billion.
List of Upcoming 2023 Government Contracting Events Organized ExecutiveMosaic
Red River Technology LLC
Thales USA Inc.
NOAA Begins to Procure Satellite Weather Data From Spire, GeoOptics
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration started buying weather data from satellite companies Spire Global (NYSE: SPIR) and GeoOptics and kicked off testing data from a third company in 2022, The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday. GeoOptics and Spire were two of the three companies that secured contracts from NOAA in July to supply s...
Spire Global, 2 Other Companies to Provide Space Weather Data Under NOAA Contracts; Chuck Cash Quoted
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has awarded contracts to Spire Global (NYSE: SPIR), GeoOptics and PlanetiQ to supply space weather data under a pilot program that seeks to demonstrate the impact of commercial data on weather forecast models. The Commercial Weather Data Pilot contracts call for the three companies to provide radio...
Lynker Awarded $137M NOAA Scientific Support Task Order; Joe Linza Quoted
Lynker has received a potential five-year, $136.9 million task order to deliver scientific support services to the National Centers for Environmental Prediction within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service. The company said it will work with Science Applications International Corp. (NYSE: SAIC) and Axiom Co...
NWS Acting Director Mary Erickson: Migration to Cloud Could Be Game Changer for Forecasting
Summer Myatt
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is eyeing a cloud migration that could be transformative for the agency's National Weather Service and open up new possibilities for the future of forecasting, according to a top NWS official. Mary Erickson, acting assistant administrator for NOAA and acting director for NWS, said her organizatio...
NOAA Cites Ocean, Climate Research Accomplishments in 2021 Science Report
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has released an annual report outlining NOAA's 2021 accomplishments in research and development and one of those is the Future Seas project. The Future Seas project explored how climate change could impact West Coast fisheries using models and how fishing communities prepare for the effects of cl...
GovCon Wire Events to Host Fireside Chat With Acting National Weather Service Director Mary Erickson
GovCon Wire Events will host a fireside chat on Tuesday, April 5 with Mary Erickson, acting assistant administrator for weather services at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and acting director of the National Weather Service. Erickson will offer insights on weather and climate forecasting and how NWS works to improve satellite, ai...
Tetra Tech Acquires Axiom Data Science; Dan Batrack Quoted
Tetra Tech (Nasdaq: TTEK) has purchased Axiom Data Science for an undisclosed sum to broaden its climate data analytics platforms and will operate the acquired company as part of its government services group. Axiom is based in Anchorage, Alaska, and performs climate science modeling to help federal, academic, nongovernmental organizations and comme...
NOAA Issues RFP for ProTech 2.0 Satellite Domain IDIQ
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has released a solicitation for a 10-year recompete contract for professional, technical and scientific services focused on the satellite domain. The ProTech 2.0 Satellite Domain is a multiple-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract set aside for small businesses and has a base term...
Jennifer Felix: ASRC Federal to Help Manage NOAA Satellite Systems
An ASRC Federal subsidiary has secured a $67 million contract to engineer space and ground systems that support the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's environmental operational satellites. ASRC Federal Space and Defense will conduct satellite data collection, management and deployment efforts as part of NOAA's Engineering ...
GSA Announces Award of $2.1B NOAA Mission IT Services BPA; Laura Stanton Quoted
The General Services Administration has established a potential 10-year, $2.1 billion multiple-award blanket purchase agreement that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration can use to procure information technology products and services from small enterprises to meet mission needs. The NOAA Mission IT Services BPA is a small business set...


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Register Log In AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums News Daily news prior to today Today's Belize News: December 25, 2019
Today's Belize News: December 25, 2019 #539755
Merry Christmas, enjoy the holiday season!
FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE
Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.
Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, Reef TV, KREM, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Belize Now, Talk Ah Di Town, and other specials.
The San Pedro Sun
LIV Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Central American Integration System (SICA)
The representatives of the heads of state and government of Central American countries assembled in San Salvador, El Salvador for the LIV Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Central American Integration System (SICA). Under the Presidency of El Salvador, the representatives of the heads of state and government discussed the progress made under the region's integration agenda on areas including migration, sustainable development, regional security, social and economic development, and climate change.
U.S. Embassy Belmopan's Toys for Tots Delivery to Marla's House of Hope
The U.S. Embassy Belmopan hosted a Toys for Tots delivery to Marla's House of Hope Children's Home this afternoon to provide toys to children staying at the home, organized by the U.S. Embassy's Marine Security Detachment. The toys were provided to Marla's House of Hope, which provides safe and nurturing care to girls from infancy to 18 years who have been removed from abusive or unsafe home environments by the Department of Human Services.
BEL and Employees Gift Christmas Hampers to Families and Senior Citizens Countrywide
Employees of Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) continued an annual tradition of delivering Christmas hampers to 90 deserving families and 60 senior citizens countrywide on December 19 and 20, 2019. The hampers are valued at over $300 each and contain ingredients for a traditional Christmas dinner, groceries and toiletries. Employees and the Company donate towards the hampers throughout the year.
Anke Doehm's court trial remains unsettled; Court hearing adjourned to January 2020
Another year goes by, and the criminal court case against American National Anke Doehm, who is facing a charge of 'Cruelty to a Child,' remains pending after it was adjourned to January 16, 2020. Doehm was in court in October of this year, but no new developments came out from that hearing, and the case continues to be adjourned. She has been spotted in coffee shops in Belize City, where she moved in July 2017, following Faye's suspicious death.
Castillo's Hardware Grand Christmas Raffle
It's the season of giving and that is exactly what many businesses have been doing this Holiday Season in San Pedro. Castillo's Hardware held its grand Christmas Raffle on Monday, December 23, 2019, as a show of appreciation to their customers. The Lucky Winners of Castillo's Grand Christmas Raffle are: First Prize : Caye Management (Headline Picture). Second Prize: Chris Gorosica. Third Prize: Ernesto Gomez. Fourth Prize : Jason & Hayke Caperton. Fifth Prize: Saul Nuñez.
Mexican Embassy Posts Travel Advisory For Visitors
This Advisory includes the following sections: A. IMMIGRATION B. CUSTOMS C. VEHICLE IMPORTATION D. VEHICLE INSURANCE E. DRIVING IN MEXICO F. PERSONAL SAFETY G. CONSULAR ASSISTANCE H. BELIZEAN DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS IN MEXICO This information is published by the EMBASSY OF BELIZE in Mexico as a service to Belizeans to inform travellers as to Mexican laws and regulations so that they can adequately prepare for their travel to Mexico and avoid unnecessary difficulties.
Various Belizean Sources
Children's Day Initiative Christmas Day Get together
Great news for the kids! The San Pedro Town Council as part of the Child Friendly Initiative invites parents to bring their children on Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25th, 2019, since we will be closing the entire length of Barrier Reef Drive (front street; Esmeralda Park to Polo's Golf Cart Rentals) from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for all children to enjoy a traffic-free day to have fun with their Christmas gifts.
Northern Bus Schedule for December 25th and 26th
Merry Christmas and safe travels.
BTB Kiosks - Christmas Festivities
Esperanza Woman Fights off Would-Be Abductors
A 21 year old woman from Esperanza Village in the Cayo District has reported to San Ignacio Police that an abductor tried to take her today. It allegedly happened in Esperanza village not far from her home. She says she was walking to a nearby cousin's house when she saw a white Ford Econoline style van pulling up beside her. She thought nothing of it because her uncle has a similar van. But then, suddenly, she says two brown skinned men, one of them about five feet ten inches tall hopped out of the van and grabbed her, trying to push her into the back of the van.
Man Charged For Knocking Down And Killing Park Ranger
Christmas is anything but merry for the family of Manuel Ye tonight as they continue to mourn the father and husband lost last week to an alleged hit and run. And today, the man who allegedly ran him over, Ernesto Urbina was arraigned in Benque Viejo Magistrate's Court on 5 charges including two counts of grievous harm, manslaughter, driving without due care and attention, failure to provide a specimen, and failure to render aid. No plea was taken because it is an indictable offence.
Guinea Grass Robber Was Wanted For Murder
Viewers may remember the very senseless killing of 53-year-old Jose Hilario Diaz in July of this year. He was the clothes vendor who was shot and killed while he was at his business place in Belize City. Well, police have charged a second man with the offense of murder. The second defendant is Leroy Haulze, a 23-year-old food vendor of Gaulin Street in Ladyville, who was initially charged with conspiracy to commit murder. When he was brought to court today, that offense was withdrawn against him, and he was informed that he was now being prosecuted for the crime of murder instead. Due to the nature of the offenses, Chief Magistrate Sharon Frazer didn't take any plea from him, and she remanded him to the Belize Central Prison to a later date.
A Deadly December
There still a week left in December and the last month of the year is turning out to be one of the deadliest. So far we have reported on 17 murders this month - which is the highest number of murders recorded in any December going back to 2009. For example, December 2016, 2017, and 2018 all reported fewer than 12 murders. And so far for 2019, only June recorded more murders in a month with 19.
Bollywood Star Bringing Crocs to Belize
25,000 Belizean children are wearing brand new Crocs sandals courtesy UNICEF, Crocs, and Indian born American actress Priyanka Chopra. The actress took to Twitter to announce the good news. And Crocs vice president Heidi Cooley says that basic necessities like shoes, "will play a role in getting these kids to school."
PUC Says BEL Rates Remain At Status Quo
The Public Utilities Commission today announced that it has completed the final draft for the Belize Electricity Limited's 2019 Annual Review Proceeding. The Electricity company wants your electricity rates to remain as they currently are, and the PUC has agreed with them. In a press release from the PUC, the regulator notes that on December 10th, BEL made a submission to them that there should be no amendments to the currently-approved mean electricity rate of 41.51 cents per kilowatt-hour.
QPP Going Solar To Beat The High Bills
In 2019, electricity rates were pegged at the highest in years. And, one of the main complaints from the bill-paying public is that their bills showed that - especially during the long, hot drought. And that's part of the reason, one poultry producer has taken energy costs into their own hands. Quality Poultry Products has staked out with a plan to not only provide their own energy but to hopefully feed some of it back into the community grid. We learned more about the company's efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and cue power costs.
Whale Sharks No Show
On Friday we told you about the first reading of the comprehensive fisheries reform law at the House meeting. It is the first significant revision to the 70 year old fisheries act that covers management of protected sites, illegal fishing among many other themes. Well, if only there was a bill or law that would summon all the whale sharks at the Gladden Spit Silk Cayes Marine Reserve during March and June – now that would certainly make tour guides happy. Tour guide Brian Young Sr. from Seahorse Dive Shop in Placencia says his whale shark tour is on the brink of shutting down because the whale sharks are not coming around anymore. And no whale sharks means no tourists. First Young talks about the good ole' days when he started the tour and the tourists would be surrounded by these gentle beasts.
Will The British Gov't Apologize?
Back in September, a revealing article was published online at a site called Open Democracy. The article was named "Death of a double agent: British torture and betrayal in 1980s Belize." It details how in 1983, the British military, working secretly with the Guatemalan government — used the Belize police department to detain and interrogate an informant from the Belize side of Arenal named Pedro Barrera. He was expected to lead the British forces to a hideout on the Belize side of the border border where the Guatemalan guerrillas were stashing weapons. Those guerrillas were engaged in a civil war against the murderous Efrain Rios Montt regime which was decimating the indigenous population.
Imagine A 10k Shopping Spree On Christmas Eve
A family from Benque Viejo Town in the Cayo District got an early Christmas present this morning from both Courts, and the phone company, Smart. These two companies have decided to sponsor them with a ten-thousand-dollar shopping spree at courts for the holiday. This morning, Courts and Smart invited the press to observe that moment when they made the announcement to the family. So, we attended to find out what one buys when you suddenly have ten grand to spend as you please. Daniel Ortiz has that story: Benque resident Adita Albeño, and her family visited Courts' Belize City Headquarters today to go on a $10,000 Shopping spree. She won this opportunity in a raffle that Smart ran for its customers as a holiday promotion.
The Christmas Eve Vibe On the Alberts Is Like
The last shopping day before Christmas is almost at an end, and today shoppers scurried up and down Albert street trying to run those final errands and pick up that last great gift that will make Christmas for a loved one. Our studio is at the end of the Albert Street main drag and Cherisse Halsall went jaywalking to find out what's going on, on the Alberts.
"Windcuttaz" Kid Comes Up Again
And you can bet that the boy called "Windcuttaz" is gonna be making his rounds up until that time. Last week we showed you the awesome week that Johnathan "Windcuttaz" Coleman was having after the Channel 7 interview that made him a national sensation. Well, thing just keep looking up for the kid - and on Sunday, he secured at least one gift. He told a street camera how he came up once again.
Brokdong For The Bram Mood
To get you in the traditional Bram mood, we leave you with some good ole brokdong songs from this weekend's festival in battlefield park.Enjoy, Be safe, and be blessed.join us back here on Friday night. Good night!
UB Lecturer Bound and Stabbed to Death in Eldridgeville
Fifty-seven-year-old Anthony Brown was found dead inside his home in Eldridgeville, Toledo District on Monday. The lecturer of the University of Belize in Punta Gorda had been bound at the [...]
Leroy Haulze is Arraigned for Murder of Clothing Vendor
A second person has been arraigned for the July sixteenth, 2019 murder of clothing vendor, Jose Diaz. Leroy Haulze, who was initially charged for abetment to murder in this homicide, [...]
G.O.B. Says No Redistricting Before 2020 General Elections
The Government of Belize is the defendant in a constitutional challenge bought before the Supreme Court by the Belize Peace Movement. The pending legal matter revolves around the need for [...]
Should Chamber Have Gone the Way of FOIA?
The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry has formally requested a copy of the contract signed by Imer Hernandez who recently signed on to an agreement to pave the Coastal [...]
No Beef with Chamber, Says AG Peyrefitte
The Attorney General, despite being rather snappy when it comes to the chamber of commerce, says that it's not about purposely being confrontational but that the business organization tends to [...]
AG's Ministry Awaits Chamber Feedback on Cyber Bullying Legislation
The recent online attack aimed at Plus TV's news director Shasta Wade has once again brought into focus a need for regulations to govern the social media space. Enacting legislation [...]
Claim Against J.L.S.C. is Before the Supreme Court
The Bar Association is challenging the suspension of President Cheryl-Lyn Vidal from meetings of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission. Vidal, who is also the Director of Public Prosecutions, had [...]
Cayo Northeast Area Rep., Says Bullet Tree Road Needs Upgrading
During Friday's Sitting of the House of Representatives, Area representative for Cayo Northeast Orlando 'Landy' Habet brought up an issue regarding the Bullet Tree Road in his division. According to [...]
Works Minister Says Road Will Be Fixed
According to Habet, upgrading the portion of road leading to the San Ignacio Community Hospital should not cost local government a huge chunk of money. Minister of Works Rene Montero [...]
Ground Broken for Construction of Schools in Caye Caulker & San Pedro
In an effort to improve the quality of education in Belize, the Ministry of Education has embarked on constructing thirty-five schools across the country. Ocean Academy in Caye Caulker Village [...]
B.P.D.'s Crime Prevention Strategy during Christmas Holidays
Downtown Belize City and in all municipalities across the country, residents are out and about doing their last minute shopping in preparation for the Christmas holidays. As these shoppers go [...]
Safety Tips for Christmas Shoppers and Businesses
In the case of delivery trucks, ComPol Williams says that deliverymen can request assistance from police while doing deliveries in respective areas as an added security measure. Crime prevention, however, [...]
Christmas Messages from the PM and Opposition Leader
Annual Christmas messages from Prime Minister Dean Barrow and Leader of the Opposition John Briceño are currently being aired across the media but we take special time to focus on [...]
Belizeans on their Meaning of Xmas
A News Five crew was back on the streets of downtown Belize City to find out from shoppers just what Christmas means to them. While the holiday for some is [...]
Benque Viejo Housewife Wins $10,000 Shopping Spree
A family from Benque Viejo will be enjoying Christmas a little better this year because on Monday, Edita Albeno won a ten thousand-dollar shopping spree courtesy of Smart and Courts. [...]
Editorial December 29th 2019
While this newspaper welcomes the new Fisheries Reform Act approved last week by the National Assembly, we are disappointed that the government did not insist on a complete ban on the use of gill nets in all the waters of Belize.
How To Reduce Christmas Stress
By: Dr. Abigail Joseph - "It's the most wonderful time of the year!" – or at least that is what the song says. Christmas is often a very pleasant and memorable time for children, not so much for the adults that are busy making the time memorable for them.
Man Dies In Freak Accident
Benque Viejo resident William Orellana, 41, died over the weekend after he was involved in a freak accident at his workplace in Georgeville, Cayo. Cops say that around 9:00 p.m. on December 20th, they received a call that there had been an accident at a construction compound situated at mile 60 and 61 on the George Price Highway.
Redistricting Case to Resume in 2020
Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin issued orders last week Friday regarding the filing of additional affidavits in the redistricting case brought by the Belize Peace Movement and Vision Inspired by the People, (VIP). There are 10 claimants who need to file affidavits to show the Court how the disparity in the number of voters in the various constituencies has breached their rights to equal representation.
Police Intervention Saves Man's Life
A kidnapping operation with what sources say was murder as the intended result, was thwarted on Saturday by an anonymous tip and quick Police response which led to the successful apprehension of five suspects and the rescue of the victim near mile 3 1/2 on the George Price Highway.
Breaking Belize News
Woman almost kidnapped on Christmas Eve
Two hours ago there was an attempted abduction in Esperanza, Cayo. A woman in her early […]
Attorney General: No redistricting of divisions before 2020 general elections
"As far as I know, the Government is not intent on doing any redistricting before […]
Police investigating Anthony Brown's stabbing murder
Authorities are investigating the murder of 57-year-old Anthony Brown of Elridgeville, Toledo. According to police reports, […]
Five months later; Leroy Haulze charged for murder of Jose Diaz
On Monday, December 23, Leroy Haulze,23, was charged for the murder of Jose Hilario Diaz. […]
Christmas Cheer and Belize's culture of handouts: Over $8 Million given away in 8 years
The Government has allocated a total of $1,000,000 in the annual Christmas Cheer assistance program […]
Drink of the Bram Season – Rumpopo
Christmas is always one of the best holidays to get together with family and friends. When everyone is together, we are able to sit and reminisce of the years gone by. What better way to do this than with a Belizean holiday tradition, Rumpopo! Rumpopo or rumpope, is an eggnog like– creamy and milky– drink made with RUM. While Rumpope, as it is known in other Latin and Central American countries, is not only found in Belize, it is a welcomed drink in any household. Found in Mexico, El, Salvador, and Honduras, this tasty drink is bound to brighten up the grumpiest of Scrooge's this Christmas. Check out a recipe below for your best Rumpopo this season!
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Belize Day 10- Belize Zoo, 3min.
Holiday Message from San Pedro Mayor Daniel Guerrero, 2.5min.
Snorkeling in San Pedro, Belize - Nov, 2019, 5min.
DEPUTY MAYOR IAN CAL AND MAYOR RIGO VELLOS WISH BELIZE A MERRY CHRISTMAS, 3min.
I want to Belize 4 The Glover Files/ Glover Atoll/, 6min. This video is about our journey to Glover Atoll.
Vacation continues with snorkeling, jet skies, sharks and sea turtles in Belize!, 22min.
Zip line, Xunantunich, and Cave Tubing! 2019 Belize Vacation Trip, 6min. From San Ignacio to San Pedro, we did zip line, cave tubing, Belize Zoo, Old Belize, ATV (All-terrain Vehicle), Xunantunich, and Secret Beach (San Pedro)! We played giant Jenga, saw the national bird of Belize, Toucan, the national animal, Tapir, the jaguar, and the scarlet macaw. Cave tubing was so relaxing on the crystal clear water and it was a beautiful view from the top of the Xunantunich!
Caye Caulker, Belize, 5min. Go slow on La Isla Cariñosa, for sure a vacation you will never forget.
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Are you a business owner? If yes, then you are probably involved in major business transactions often. Before you get into any business transaction, you have to outline the details and deals. This objective is achieved through the use of letter of intent. The details are confirmed in the form of writing, on the basis of mutual understanding.
2 What is a Letter of Intent?
4 Where Can You Use Letter of Intent?
6 How to Write a Letter of Intent?
Whenever you are thinking to enter into a contract or make a business deal, letter of intent can help you outlining all the necessary details. Often, business owners hire an experienced attorney to draft a letter of intent, but nowadays letter of intent templates have made the task simpler.
Let's explore more about letter of intent and letter of intent samples in this article.
A letter of intent outlines the terms and conditions of a deal between two parties and is widely used in business transactions. It is also called as "memorandums of understanding". Generally, the letters of intent are usually considered as "agreements to agree" solidifying handshakes. The core aim of this letter is that it forms an agreement on a topic before making any negotiations. It is likely considered as a roadmap describing how things will proceed.
These letters are similar to contracts somehow that are also up for any sort of negotiations. For instance, if your dealer presents you a letter of intent and you want to negotiate on certain matters, you have all the right to make edits or alter the entire letter of intent and come up with a new one. This will ultimately secure both the parties from conflicts and disagreements. With this agreement, you can also include both, binding and non-binding provisions. Letter of intent protects all parties involved in the deal. Also, it clarifies the key elements that need to be negotiated.
Besides businesses, letter of intent is not only exclusive to the business world. These letters can also be used to outline the hopes and thoughts of parents towards their children. This means that a letter of intent can be created for the will. The court will then use this letter in form of instructions as to what will be given to the children. But they are not like legal documents.
Moreover, they are also used for government grants. In addition to this, letter of intent can help in understanding how much work will be required to be done for a particular project. These letters are also used by schools and colleges for academic reasons. Letter of intent for jobs or employment are common as well. They act like a cover letter, explaining how the employee is a good fit for the position.
Where Can You Use Letter of Intent?
Technically, the letter of intent is the binding agreement that lays out the terms and conditions of a future agreement. The two parties who are ready to get involved in a deal should highlight their expectations and hopes in this agreement. Primarily used in business transactions, a letter of intent is used in various areas. Check out some popular uses of letter of intent.
Parents worry about their children after their death. This is why parents specify how they would like their estate and property to be divided, and who should take care of their children after they die. They can draft these expectations and hopes in the letter of intent. Some common guidelines given in this letter include the financing, medical, legal, spiritual, and special care considerations. However, the letter of intent does not fulfill the purpose of a will; therefore parents can attach the letter of intent with the will.
In addition to the decisions being made in the will, letter of intent can further explain the decisions in the will. If parents wish to make changes in it, they can make amendments in it whenever they require it. Normally, the letter of intent is used as a combination with a will highlighting their parent's wish for their child. This letter is of paramount importance to the court as well as children because it serves as a decision making template for their parent's desires and hopes towards their children. Wills are carried out by executors, and the letter of intent helps ensure that the executors are following not just the specifics, but the spirit of the will as well.
As mentioned above, the letter of intent is more frequently used in businesses than anywhere else. When making a business deal, the letter of intent is used to address all the conditions of the purchase price, descriptions of the property (if acquiring a property), assumed liabilities, terms and conditions, payment method, and mentioning everything associated. On deciding everything, the letter should be approved by both the parties. Once everything is approved, the parties can then proceed to the purchase agreement.
A letter of intent can also be used by the by the party when they are acquiring the real estate property. This letter can be used by the buyer to show seriousness about their intentions to acquire the commercial or residential property. Before implementing a purchase contract, this letter can test the waters with the seller.
When the buyer presents this letter, they likely highlight their own terms and conditions. It may include inspection period, purchase price, payment plan, along with the closing date of accepting the offer. As mentioned above, these letters can be negotiated and they can also leave the room for negotiation in between the potential buyer and seller. This is why it is flexible for both the parties.
When two businesses join together for a short time period, yet remain independent in terms of functions, they are considered to be in a joint venture. This is normally done to accomplish a task or complete a project. There is no transfer of ownership in this kind of business settlement. When a party drafts a letter of intent for joint venture, they can include confidentiality details. This letter can be the first step towards the joint venture agreement. On agreement between both the parties, joint venture can take place.
Before signing a lease agreement between the landlord and tenant, letter of intent can help in negotiating the rules and regulations, rental rates, and other considerations of tenancy. This letter can help in deciding upon the policies beforehand to avoid issues in the long haul. If you do not want to write letter of intent yourself, there are several kinds of letter of intent format available online. You can simply download and edit the information required to be filled.
Letters of intent are also helpful for the sports competition. This letter specifies an agreement in exchange for financial assistance. This letter highlights the terms and conditions for financial support of the student. Though, it does not guarantee admittance into the college, still it does assure that full year financial support will be provided to the student once it is signed.
Letter of intent is also used for employment reason. This kind of letter is unlike others as it is mostly like the cover letter or letter of interest. It elaborates the reason behind the interest of the candidate in the position. Also, it highlights the skills, talents and experience the employee has relevant to the job position being offered by the company.
Constructions and building agreement are really time-consuming. This is why, it is better to draft a letter of intent in this regard. This letter can highlight liability, payment, services, and confidentiality to the contractor. This can be an element to push and begin the work.
Often students are asked to write the letter of intent when they are applying for college, graduation school or university. In this case, the letter will determine the reason of being interested to get registration in certain program. Also, it will highlight the reasons behind why is it chosen as a career for future.
Now that you know what exactly is a letter of intent and its uses, let's help you explore how you can write one. Check out the steps below that you can take in order to successfully write the letter of intent.
When you begin writing the letter of intent, you should start with an introduction. The introduction should be specific to the recipient. For instance, if you are writing a letter to a graduate school, you should write why you have chosen that specific school for your education, why you think you are suitable for that school, highlight the skills and abilities that you have that make you competent for the school etc.
Now that the first part is done, it is time to go into the details and specifics. This is why your letter of intent will actually highlight the main features. Continuing the first example, you need to sell yourself in this section. In these paragraphs, you should describe about why you are writing the letter. Also, you should explain why you are interested to learn about the job position and why you are interested to study here. You should also be explaining why you are not looking for the competitor schools.
In the next paragraph, you should be really open about yourself. You have to state your credentials. Additionally, you should give some examples of general and technical skills you pertain and explain the reader why they should consider you. Remember to highlight things that are relevant to the field. Do not forget to be specific and honest. You should flatter the reader smartly and not in a way that it feels like you are exaggerating.
Now that you have explained everything, it is time to conclude and express your desires towards the interview. In the end, you should close the letter with a positive statement that could make the reader consider you. You should make sure that you include all your contact information so that they can contact you as well.
When you are done writing, it is good to proofread your work. You should ensure to use proper spellings and grammar along with all the necessary information. Typos, spelling mistakes, or grammatical errors can leave a very bad impression on the reader; this is why it is necessary for you to look at your work at both, the micro and the macro level.
Along with this, you should also ensure that you use concise, to the point, and grammatically correct sentences that perfectly fit with the flow. Ideally, you should take some break after writing in order to proofread. This is because our mind may not be able to see the errors if we start reading it quickly after writing it. It needs some time to break up the monotony and find the small mistakes and errors.
Now that you have written and proofread the letter of intent, it is time to submit it. If you require something else to submit with the letter, you can attach that too before submitting. For instance, if you are submitting to the school or institution, you can submit it along with different documents that are required to be submitted.
Letter of intent can be really necessary for you if you want to decide upon settlements beforehand. This can help you clear the misconceptions as well as negotiate on matters in advance. If you want to save your time, you can also download the free samples of letter of intent from our main website and simply use them. Check out the variety of templates available at our site. Good luck!