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Home » More... » Education » Hope underway for persons with learning disabilities, as Aleph debuts
Hope underway for persons with learning disabilities, as Aleph debuts
By Josephine Agbonkhese
Though a recent report by the World Bank and the Global Partnership for Education revealed an increase in literacy among children with learning disabilities, findings have repeatedly shown that they lag way behind their peers, and eventually suffer social exclusion as they grow into adulthood.
Therefore, for children with disabilities in Nigeria, access to quality education that will translate to total societal inclusion, has remained scarce.
It was to address this anomaly that six international professionals, specialists in special need education and care, have jointly established a non-profit, Aleph Educational and Empowerment Foundation, to cater to the education and empowerment of persons with learning disabilities.
Announcing the organisation's debut at a recent media launch (via Webinar), Dare Daniel, Chairman and Coordinator, Aleph, said Aleph was established with the aim of empowering educationally and building the capacity of persons with learning difficulty, and to improve the standard of special education teachers by providing qualitative training.
Daniel said only a society built on diversity and inclusion could guarantee an enabling environment and an enriched life for children and young adults with learning disabilities irrespective of class, religion, sex or age.
According to him, the organisation was conceived shortly after the 2015 International Conference on Disabilities in Lagos, Nigeria—a conference initiated by Professor Paul Ajuwon in collaboration with the International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, IASSIDD, headquartered in Toronto, Canada.
Daniel disclosed that the goal behind Aleph Education and Empowerment Foundation, Nigeria, was to complement the effort of the Nigerian government in creating an enabling environment for persons with learning disabilities across the country.
He disclosed that the organisation would be kicking off with its maiden webinar themed "Impact of COVID-19 on Persons With Learning Difficulty", coming up August 4.
ALSO READ: Reopening for WASSCE: Lagos to sanction schools without Quality Assurance clearance
Also speaking at the webinar, Air Vice Marshal, Felix Olufemi Gbadebo, Executive Director, Benola Cerebral Palsy Initiative, said: "At this initial stage, what we want parents to know is that there is an organisation called Aleph looking out for them and working on how their children can get better educational opportunities.
"The main target is to leverage on practitioners, school managers, examination agencies, and more.
"This is because, part of what we have noticed is that a lot of schools claim to be inclusive, but lack standardisation due to lack of quality training on how best to handle children with learning disabilities.
"That is what Aleph is poised to address. Among our co-Founders and Directors are Mr. Daniel the Chairman, myself; Mrs. Delphine Misan Arenyekan, Executive Director, Startrite Mayton and Company Nigeria Ltd; Mrs. Dotun Akande, Founder, Patrick Speech and Languages Centre; Mrs. Peju Namme of Pitanga (SEND) Resource and Learning Centre, Angola, Lagos & UK; and Mrs. Bemigho Elijah of Bemigho Obeitan & Co. Nigeria."
Also speaking at the webinar, Akande, one of the aforementioned Directors of the organisation, revealed that Aleph, in partnership with Beacon College, the first accredited institution to award degrees exclusively to students with learning disabilities in the US, and with the University of Lagos, "is pioneering appropriate further education to train young adults in higher education."
She said: "The idea is to start off with the training and sensitisation of parents and families, then go on to training of teachers, and so on.
"Actually, a strong reason behind our drive is that we saw that there is a gap: when children with learning disabilities come out of secondary school, what next?
"It is at that point that Aleph is interested in empowering them. If they cannot go to university, there must be something in them that we can sharpen.
"Our goal is to help them reach their full potential. We are focusing on intellectual disabilities only, and are not physical, hearing or visually impaired disabilities."
Reiterating that the main idea behind the foundation was to bring empowerment to the society in general, Namme said: "Beginning with our upcoming webinar, we hope to organise monthly webinars to share with the society ideas that will bring about empowerment for persons with learning disabilities.
"Once that is finished, we will veer unto hosting series of interactive workshops and cocktails where we can have people meet with us in person, on a more informal basis.
"We are currently trying to work with the Lagos State government which is already very aware of the foundation.
"But because of the pandemic, we have been unable to move forward with the agenda that we have with the Commissioner for Education. Once the lockdown is totally eased, we will be able to continue.
"We are also planning a National Conference which will bring in our partners from Beacon College, to talk about what they do in Beacon College and what they will be offering Aleph.
"In the middle of all that, we are also looking at other engaging projects that will help teachers, parents and other support carers who support persons with learning disabilities; including associated cohort disability groups.
"We will start with Lagos, of course, and hopefully, from there, we will reach the federal level."
In the long run, Namme said, the vision is to "enable children with learning disabilities to move forward after their secondary education, go on to university and be able to have jobs.
"As professionals in our various fields and establishments, we work with these children daily and we know what they direly need is the right kind of education that will enable them to become members of society like everyone else."


Hrithik Roshan and Sussanne Khan to get married again?
2017 witnessed a number of celebrity breakups/divorces but looks like the new year might bring one couple together after an ugly divorce. Yes, we are talking about a once favourite couple, Hrithik Roshan and Sussanne Khan.
However, a member of the Roshan family rubbished these patch up rumours and was quoted: "They are done with one another — to even suggest that they can be a couple again is ridiculous. They've agreed to meet and spend time together for their children's sake whenever they feel like it. Beyond their obligation as parents, both Hrithik and Susanne have their own separate lives."
Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan and his schooltime-sweetheart Sussanne Khan parted ways in 2013 but remained cordial.
They have been spotted in the past spending quality time with their sons, Hrehaan and Hridhaan. In fact, the couple recently took a vacation abroad with their sons and were spotted having a good time together.
There is no allegation or a sad evil plot that can have the weight to triumph over a good soul. #mafamilia #powerofthetruth ????#pureheart ????????


Vertical borehole heatexchanger (BHE) wellfields can be used virtually regardless of the geology and groundwater conditions. Allthough thermal properties vary with strata and have their influence on borehole spacing and wellfield geometry, factors such as building energy requirements and heating and cooling cycles are of equal importance when designing heatexchanger systems.
Groenholland exclusively do BHE wellfields and through experience found them to provide efficient and maintenance free longterm service. Well designed, using the right materials and the right implementation, wellfields should have a life span of at least 50 years.
The vertical heatexchanger, the connecting horizontal pipework and the system headers, form the complete groundsource heatexchanger assembly. Circulating through the pipework is the energy transfer medium, usually a water based antifreeze such as monopropylene glycol.
Using groundsource energy can be done through an open (well type) loop or with a closed loop (PE loop type BHE.
Open wells extract and re-inject groundwater and use the pumped water for heating or cooling. To avoid thermal short circuiting, extraction and injection wells need horizontal or vertical separation.
Both quantity and quality of the groundwater are key issues.
BHE systems do not pump groundwater, but exchange energy only. The wellfield, that can even be installed under a building, provides both heating and cooling, is very compact and has a limited thermal extent in de ground.


Just as going for a regular dental check-up is a priority, getting your yearly mammogram is vitally important to your health and well-being.
Early detection of breast cancer is key to saving lives, and mammograms are a simple way to find a problem and start treatment before it becomes life-threatening. Adventist Hinsdale Hospital and Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospitals are designated as Breast Imaging Centers of Excellence by the American College of Radiology, the gold standard in medical imaging.
All of our locations offer flexible hours, including same- and next-day appointments. To schedule an appointment at any of the network's locations, please call 630-856-7070.
Try to schedule the test for one week after your period, when your breasts are less tender.
Make sure the mammography department gets your previous mammograms if they were done somewhere else. This lets the radiologist compare the old images with the new images.
On the morning of your test, shower or wash your breasts and underarms, but don't use deodorant, powder or perfume. There are materials in these products that can mimic calcifications or other breast pathology on the mammogram film.
Wear a top that you can remove easily.
You will be asked to undress from the waist up and put on a gown.
ach of your breasts will be compressed. This helps get the most complete image.
Let the technologist know if you're pregnant or think you may be, have breast implants, have scars or moles on or near your breast, have had a breast biopsy or surgery, or if you're breastfeeding.
More images are sometimes needed. You'll be contacted to schedule them.
You should be notified of your test results in writing. Feel free to contact your physician to discuss the results.
Have mammograms as often as your healthcare provider recommends. Also be sure to do regular monthly breast self-exams.


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Q: Wrapping cstrings (const char*) to be able to store them into a STL container I need to store some various types of variables into an stl container (std::map in this case). Although, when it occurs that this variable is a string, I cannot afford to use std::string because memory usage is critical.
Hence, I need to find a way to store all my strings as cstrings (const char*) into that map. So I tryed to code make some kind of class to hold the value:
template<class T>
class ValueHolder {
private:
    T value;
public:
    ValueHolder(const T &argValue) :
        value(argValue) {
    }
    const T& getValue() {
        return value;
    }
    ~ValueHolder() {}
};

template<>
class ValueHolder<const char*> {
private:
    char* value;

public:
    ValueHolder(const char* argValue) {
        value = strdup(argValue);
        std::cout << "constructing ValueHolder(const char*) " << value << std::endl;
    }
    ValueHolder(const ValueHolder<const char*> &argExtension) {
        value = strdup(argExtension.value);
    }
    const char* getValue() const {
        std::cout << "returning ValueHolder(const char*) " << value << std::endl;
        return value;
    }
    ~ValueHolder() {
        if(value != NULL)
            free(value);
    }
};

Then, I declared the std::map
std::map<ValueType::Type, boost::any> extensions_;

And here are the functions which allow to set and retrieve it (using boost::any):
template<class Type>
Type getExtension(const ValueType::Type &argValueType) const {
    std::map<ValueType::Type, boost::any>::const_iterator it = extensions_.find(argValueType);
    if(it != extensions_.end()) {
        switch(argValueType) {
        case ValueType::VAL_INT:
            if(boost::is_same<EnumFooType::Type, Type>::value) {
                return (boost::any_cast<ValueHolder<Type> >((*it).second)).getValue();
            } else {
                std::cout << "Wrong type for this value" << std::endl;
            }
            break;
        case ValueType::VAL_STR_1:
        case ValueType::VAL_STR_2:
            if(boost::is_same<const char *, typename boost::decay<Type>::type>::value) {
                return (boost::any_cast<ValueHolder<Type> >((*it).second)).getValue();
            } else {
                std::cout << "Wrong type value for this Holder" << std::endl;
            }
            break;
        default:
            std::cout << "Unhandled type of value, skipping..." << std::endl;
            break;
        }

    }
    throw ValueNotFoundException("Could not find a value for this subscriber extension");
}

template<class T>
void setExtension(const ValueType::Type &argExtensionType , T argExtensionValue) {
    boost::any any_value;
    switch(argExtensionType) {
    case ValueType::VAL_INT:
        if(boost::is_same<EnumFooType::Type, T>::value) {
            any_value = ValueHolder<T>(argExtensionValue);
            extensions_[argExtensionType] = any_value;
        } else {
            std::cout << "Wrong type value for Billing subscriber extension" << std::endl;
        }
        break;
    case ValueType::VAL_STR_1:
    case ValueType::VAL_STR_2:
        if(boost::is_same<const char *, typename boost::decay<T>::type>::value) {
            any_value = ValueHolder<T>(argExtensionValue);
            extensions_[argExtensionType] = any_value;
        } else {
            std::cout << "Wrong type for this value, it should be a cstring!" << std::endl;
        }
        break;
    default:
        std::cout << "Unhandled value type, skipping..." << std::endl;
        break;
    }
}

The problem is that the value returned when the specified type is a cstring (const char*) is not right, here is my test program output:

constructing ValueHolder(const char*) FR
Good enum value :)
returning ValueHolder(const char*) FR
!!!ERROR!!! Value is �� instead of FR

I'll provide an online test program later if needed, but both liveworkspace and coliru are down at the moment.
Any help is appreciated, thanks in advance!
EDIT: Here is a test program: http://codepad.org/zbLQDAiS
EDIT2: Here the program I used to measure the memory usage with const char* and std::string: http://coliru.stacked-crooked.com/view?id=3b3c4d7ce1d8d1400e3f6e45f75040dc-9294698a18feab30c803b17d837ba467
I simply made it a daemon and took a look at the process memory usage using top.
EDIT3: Here is an interesting article which shows about the same result: http://jovislab.com/blog/?p=76

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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Royal Mail Wicket the Ewok Framed Stamp Artwork signed by Warwick Davis
Regular price £140.00 £140.00 Sale
Strictly limited to just 500, this highly collectible framed display features Royal Mail's new Wicket Warrick stamp artwork and has been personally endorsed and signed by Warwick Davis, who played the much-loved Ewok in Return of the Jedi.
The Ewok stamp has been reproduced using a precision photographic printing process to give a stunning level of detail to the artwork.
The hyper-realistic montage stamp features Wicket Warrick in his forested home on Endor along with the iconic moment he first meets Princess Leia.
Completing this stunning collector's piece is a poignant behind-the-scenes photograph of a young Warwick with Carrie Fisher shot in 1982 during the filming of Return of the Jedi.
Handmade for Royal Mail, the framed souvenir measures 420mm x 297mm and includes a certificate of authenticity.
Only 500 collectors in the world can own this fantastic piece of Star Wars memorabilia – don't miss your chance to be one of them!
Strictly limited to just 500, this highly collectible framed display features Royal Mail's new Wicket W. Warrick stamp artwork signed by Warwick Davis, who played the much-loved Ewok in Return of the Jedi.
An enlargement of the Ewok stamp has been reproduced using a precision photographic printing process to show a stunning level of detail in the artwork.
The hyper-realistic montage stamp features Wicket W. Warrick on the forest moon of Endor and captures the iconic moment he first meets Princess Leia.
This item comes with a uniquely numbered Signature Shop holographic sticker affixed and matching Certificate of Authenticity.
The frame is already signed by Warwick Davis but personalisation can be added to the back. Please enter the dedication you would like in the box below:

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Q: Sound cut and poor quality I tested an audio and video conversation over the webRTC, using Chrome on 2 computers from two different networks. The quality of the video is perfect and does not crash, but the sound hangs all the time,  can hear my own voice and does not have quality.
How can I improve?
Code:
var haveGum = navigator.mediaDevices.getUserMedia({fake:true, video:true})
  .then(stream => streams[1] = stream)
  .then(() => navigator.mediaDevices.getUserMedia({ video: true, audio: true }))
  .then(stream => v1.srcObject = streams[0] = stream)

I found this answer from 2014, the audio was very good. But still with cuts and sometimes the voice becomes "robotic" and it is not possible to understand what is spoken.


text:
Q: Generate C# classes from json schema with heterogeneous array I have a json schemas in a project and want to add build step to generate classes from them, on of these schemas contains an array of objects and strings, simplified example below:

{
    "$schema": "http://json-schema.org/draft-04/schema#",
    "title": "testSchema",
    "type": "object",
    "properties": {
        "array": {
            "type": "array",
            "items": {
                "anyOf": [
                    {
                        "type": "string"
                    },
                    {
                        "type": "object",
                        "properties": {
                            "name": {
                                "type": "string"
                            }
                        }
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    }
}

I'm using NJsonSchema to generate C# code from this schema. As a result I'm getting the following output:
//----------------------
// <auto-generated>
//     Generated using the NJsonSchema v8.32.6319.16936 (http://NJsonSchema.org)
// </auto-generated>
//----------------------

namespace TestSchema
{
#pragma warning disable // Disable all warnings

[System.CodeDom.Compiler.GeneratedCode("NJsonSchema", "8.32.6319.16936")]
public partial class TestSchema : System.ComponentModel.INotifyPropertyChanged
{
    private System.Collections.ObjectModel.ObservableCollection<Anonymous> _array = new System.Collections.ObjectModel.ObservableCollection<Anonymous>();

    [Newtonsoft.Json.JsonProperty("array", Required = Newtonsoft.Json.Required.DisallowNull, NullValueHandling = Newtonsoft.Json.NullValueHandling.Ignore)]
    public System.Collections.ObjectModel.ObservableCollection<Anonymous> Array
    {
        get { return _array; }
        set
        {
            if (_array != value)
            {
                _array = value;
                RaisePropertyChanged();
            }
        }
    }

    public event System.ComponentModel.PropertyChangedEventHandler PropertyChanged;

    public string ToJson()
    {
        return Newtonsoft.Json.JsonConvert.SerializeObject(this);
    }

    public static TestSchema FromJson(string data)
    {
        return Newtonsoft.Json.JsonConvert.DeserializeObject<TestSchema>(data);
    }

    protected virtual void RaisePropertyChanged([System.Runtime.CompilerServices.CallerMemberName] string propertyName = null)
    {
        var handler = PropertyChanged;
        if (handler != null)
            handler(this, new System.ComponentModel.PropertyChangedEventArgs(propertyName));
    }
}

[System.CodeDom.Compiler.GeneratedCode("NJsonSchema", "8.32.6319.16936")]
public partial class Anonymous : System.ComponentModel.INotifyPropertyChanged
{

    public event System.ComponentModel.PropertyChangedEventHandler PropertyChanged;

    public string ToJson()
    {
        return Newtonsoft.Json.JsonConvert.SerializeObject(this);
    }

    public static Anonymous FromJson(string data)
    {
        return Newtonsoft.Json.JsonConvert.DeserializeObject<Anonymous>(data);
    }

    protected virtual void RaisePropertyChanged([System.Runtime.CompilerServices.CallerMemberName] string propertyName = null)
    {
        var handler = PropertyChanged;
        if (handler != null)
            handler(this, new System.ComponentModel.PropertyChangedEventArgs(propertyName));
    }
}
}

As a result I have this strange Anonymous class and if I try to deserialise a json file below I get an error: string can't be converted into Anonymous. To deserialise I use the following generated method:
TestSchema.FromJson

Is that possible to adjust code generation to have as a result a collection of object instead and to get deserialised objects with correct types in it?
{
    "array": [
        "stringItem1",
        {
            "name": "complexObj1"
        }
    ]
}

A: Finally I achieved what I needed.
The idea is to pass custom CSharpTypeResolver into CSharpGenerator:

    new CSharpGenerator(jsonSchema4, settings, new CustomCSharpTypeResolver(settings, jsonSchema4), null);
Looks like it wasn't intended by NJsonSchema author.
In CustomCSharpTypeResolver I override Resolve method to add the following behaviour:
if (schema.AnyOf.Count > 0)
    return "object";

As a result for simplified example I have the following model:
//----------------------
// <auto-generated>
//     Generated using the NJsonSchema v8.32.6319.16936 (http://NJsonSchema.org)
// </auto-generated>
//----------------------

namespace JsonSchemaClassGenerator.TestSchema
{
#pragma warning disable // Disable all warnings

[System.CodeDom.Compiler.GeneratedCode("NJsonSchema", "8.32.6319.16936")]
public partial class TestSchema : System.ComponentModel.INotifyPropertyChanged
{
    private System.Collections.ObjectModel.ObservableCollection<object> _array = new System.Collections.ObjectModel.ObservableCollection<object>();

    [Newtonsoft.Json.JsonProperty("array", Required = Newtonsoft.Json.Required.DisallowNull, NullValueHandling = Newtonsoft.Json.NullValueHandling.Ignore)]
    public System.Collections.ObjectModel.ObservableCollection<object> Array
    {
        get { return _array; }
        set
        {
            if (_array != value)
            {
                _array = value;
                RaisePropertyChanged();
            }
        }
    }

    public event System.ComponentModel.PropertyChangedEventHandler PropertyChanged;

    public string ToJson()
    {
        return Newtonsoft.Json.JsonConvert.SerializeObject(this);
    }

    public static TestSchema FromJson(string data)
    {
        return Newtonsoft.Json.JsonConvert.DeserializeObject<TestSchema>(data);
    }

    protected virtual void RaisePropertyChanged([System.Runtime.CompilerServices.CallerMemberName] string propertyName = null)
    {
        var handler = PropertyChanged;
        if (handler != null)
            handler(this, new System.ComponentModel.PropertyChangedEventArgs(propertyName));
    }
}

[System.CodeDom.Compiler.GeneratedCode("NJsonSchema", "8.32.6319.16936")]
public partial class Object : System.ComponentModel.INotifyPropertyChanged
{
    private string _name;

    [Newtonsoft.Json.JsonProperty("name", Required = Newtonsoft.Json.Required.DisallowNull, NullValueHandling = Newtonsoft.Json.NullValueHandling.Ignore)]
    public string Name
    {
        get { return _name; }
        set
        {
            if (_name != value)
            {
                _name = value;
                RaisePropertyChanged();
            }
        }
    }

    public event System.ComponentModel.PropertyChangedEventHandler PropertyChanged;

    public string ToJson()
    {
        return Newtonsoft.Json.JsonConvert.SerializeObject(this);
    }

    public static Object FromJson(string data)
    {
        return Newtonsoft.Json.JsonConvert.DeserializeObject<Object>(data);
    }

    protected virtual void RaisePropertyChanged([System.Runtime.CompilerServices.CallerMemberName] string propertyName = null)
    {
        var handler = PropertyChanged;
        if (handler != null)
            handler(this, new System.ComponentModel.PropertyChangedEventArgs(propertyName));
    }
}
}

Deserialisation works fine. I can cast objects as I want. There is only one problem: objects are being saved as JObject instances so I need to implement explicit or implicit operator to convert it into generated model.
namespace JsonSchemaClassGenerator.TestSchema
{
    public partial class Object
    {
        public static implicit operator Object(JObject json)
        {
            return FromJson(json.ToString());
        }
    }
}

After that it will be possible to convert JObject into generated model (Object is not a System.Object it just was generated with such a name):
Object a = config.Entries[1] as JObject;

It is the simplest solution I found. I think it is also possible to implement custom CSharpTypeResolver to have something more type-safe. But not sure if I will try since for me it looks like it would be better to make NJsonSchema more flexible first.


text:
Chad Thompson
A pilot program being administered by Iowa Central Community College, which allows inmates to earn a college education, could be one solution to Iowa's workforce challenges, according to Gov. Kim Reynolds.
"That's the number one concern I hear when I talk to business and industry — that they need people," Reynolds said Monday during a tour of the North Central Correctional Facility in Rockwell City. "So this is an opportunity to address that."
But the impact of the program, called Second Chance Pell, won't be known until inmates who used it re-enter the workforce.
"We will be collecting data," Beth Skinner, director of the Iowa Department of Corrections, said. "What type of job they get into, what wage they are making."
Second Chance Pell was introduced in 2016. The program enables inmates who are within five years of release and who meet financial requirements to apply for federal Pell Grants. Those grants are then used to pay for classes offered by Iowa Central.
Iowa Central is one of 65 colleges in the United States participating in the program.
Inmates who qualify take two courses every seven weeks, according to Neale Adams, dean of business and industrial technology for Iowa Central Community College.
The Fort Dodge Correctional Facility and North Central Correctional Facility will have its first Associate of Arts degree graduates in a matter of weeks.
"We will have our first Associate of Arts graduates at the end of the fall 2019 semester,"Adams said.
Adams said the college has served 531 inmates since the Second Chance Pell began.
One of those inmates is Glenn Dickerson, who is serving time for burglary-related offenses. Dickerson was busy Monday working on an introduction to computers class.
Iowa Central began delivering its online program for the Second Chance Pell in August 2018.
"It's a great opportunity to do something productive with my time," Dickerson said.
He plans to transfer his credits to Kirkwood Community College when he is released at the end of August.
CFR builds for the future; expansive new building for all services should be open in May
Chad Thompson When Edward Jones financial advisor Gabe Pettit was looking for a place for his Fort Dodge office, he saw great potential in a historic downtown building on the west end of Central Avenue that overlooks City Square Park. The first thing he noticed when he looked at the building, locate...Continue Reading
Educational Opportunities in Fort Dodge Take Students from Pre-K through College
Families seeking the best possible education for their children should consider moving to Fort Dodge, Iowa. The community places a great emphasis on a quality education, beginning in preschool. In fact, Fort Dodge is one of the few communities in the country offering free preschool to every four-year-old. With researc...Continue Reading
Chad Thompson When Leah Glasgo took over as president and CEO of UnityPoint Health — Trinity Regional Medical Center, she was immediately confronted with financial challenges. In 2018, the Fort Dodge hospital ended the year with a $6.8 million deficit, she said. Glasgo assumed her new role with UnityPoint in late January. I...Continue Reading


text:
January /
Peter Macedo named director of Distance Learning and Summer Sessions at Virginia Tech /
Crime Alert: Strong arm robbery near Chipotle
Crime Alert: Blacksburg Police respond to call of a suspicious person
Leadership Institute students from College of Natural Resources and Environment take weeklong run with top officials
'HPCWire' magazine names Wu Feng to its 'People to Watch List' for second time
Weather Advisory: Northern Virginia Center closed Thursday, Jan. 27
Engineering students to debut new cars for the blind at Daytona racetrack
'International Journal of ePortfolio' begins publication at Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech creative writing program climbs national rankings
Virginia Tech's Doug Bowman, Wu Feng named distinguished scientists
Northern Virginia Center, Falls Church, to open at 11 a.m.
Virginia Tech's Gary Downey receives commonwealth's highest faculty honor
Schiffert Health Center issues campus flu update
Virginia Tech, community volunteers to come together for annual Martin Luther King Daycare Facelift Project Saturday, additional volunteers still needed
Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine professor named journal's reviewer of the year
In memoriam: Charles Parry, emeritus professor of mathematics
Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine announces formation of Center for Veterinary Regenerative Medicine
Kiplinger's cites Virginia Tech as best value in public higher education
Virginia Tech associate professor, roboticist Dennis Hong to speak at TED2011
Weather Advisory: Northern Virginia Center in Falls Church to close at 4 p.m. today
Director of Housing and Dining Services Rick Johnson takes new role at Duke University
Key information about breast cancer risk and development is found in 'junk' DNA
U.S. Department of Defense supports study of brain, eye injuries in military personnel
Extension hosts 8th Annual Woods and Wildlife Conference
Workshops help small businesses reach customers using GPS technology
Virginia Tech acknowledges reaffirmation of accreditation by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Mechanisms of juvenile hormone action in insects could help fine tune pesticides
A young architect works to transform his hometown in Saudi Arabia
Virginia Tech celebrates Black History Month with cultural events, speakers
New Virginia Tech scholarship available for students from Cheasapeake
Engineer's passion for research earns Virginia Outstanding Scientist Award
The last 'ism' in American society featured in 'Virginia Tech Research' magazine
UPS supports engineering program for 15th year with $40,000 donation
Haitians earn degrees through Virginia Tech internship
USDA supports beginning farmer education at Virginia Tech
The Center for the Arts at Virginia Tech presents the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra virtuosi group Feb. 12
Online course offered for Virginia forest landowners
Leading researcher to head new Center for Substance Abuse at Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute
Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine students participate in community service learning projects
Early investigations by Virginia Tech engineers show promise for detecting metastatic breast cancer cells
Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets alumnus Phil Millett named Orange Bowl Hokie Hero
Virginia Tech engineer identifies pollution as a new concern for antibiotic resistance
World-renowned child development researchers join Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute
Current page: Peter Macedo named director of Distance Learning and Summer Sessions at Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech's CIA Officer-in-Residence arrives on campus
Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute researcher receives young investigator grant for mental health research
Hassan Aref of Virginia Tech receives the G.I. Taylor Medal for research activities
Deadline is Feb. 8 for transportation equipment manufacturing companies to seek grant money
Virginia Tech diversity program wins national honors
Marc Edwards to head $450,000 study to identify lead risks in drinking water
Crime Alert: Virginia Tech Police investigating abduction and forcible fondling incidents
Barry Goodell named head of Virginia Tech Department of Wood Science and Forest Products
Crime Alert: Forcible fondling incident
Virginia Tech students sponsor food drive on Martin Luther King Jr. Day to help local food pantries
Tyler Walters named dean of University Libraries
The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets to honor graduating seniors during 68th annual Senior Banquet and Military Ball
Virginia Tech's U Car Share introduces cutting-edge car sharing technology
Cynda Ann Johnson recognized by Association of American Medical Colleges
Virginia Tech engineers work with InterDigital to increase the speed and accessibility of future wireless systems
Chamber orchestra tour blends young musicians from China, Virginia
Panhellenic Council sorority recruitment numbers increase by 17 percent
As earthquakes take their toll, Virginia Tech engineers look at enhancing building designs
Center for the Arts interior designs revealed
Virginia Tech Applied Research Corporation CEO hired
Assessing the seismic hazard of the central-Eastern United States
Peter Macedo named director of Distance Learning and Summer Sessions at Virginia Tech
Peter Macedo
Peter Macedo, the associate director for the Institute for Distance and Distributed Learning at Virginia Tech, has been named director of distance learning and summer sessions.
Macedo will report to Daniel Wubah, vice president and dean for undergraduate education. He will serve as a member of the executive staff responsible for the coordination of the university's distance learning activities, including university-wide program planning, course development and delivery, eLearning systems development and integration, student and faculty support services, as well as course and program assessment.
In addition, Macedo will promote quality synchronous and asynchronous teaching and learning experiences and provide collaborative leadership in the development of new and scalable models of distance and distributed learning. In cooperation with the university's distance and distributed learning advisory board, he will recommend policies and seek resolution of distance and distributed learning barriers and issues.
"We are very pleased that Peter will assume this leadership position in distance learning and summer sessions," said Wubah. "Given his more than 15 years of experience in online learning environments and familiarity with Virginia Tech, he is uniquely poised to further enhance the university's role in distance education and summer sessions on the national stage."
Macedo, who joined the institute in 2003, led efforts to develop an online instructor certificate program to increase the level of professional development opportunities, including the formation of an eLearning faculty community. Since 2009, more than 100 faculty members have received certifications. Macedo is an active participant at the national conference level, serving as both a reviewer for the annual Distance Teaching and Learning conference at the University of Wisconsin, as well as the United States Distance Learning Association conference.
Prior to his tenure with the Institute for Distance and Distributed Learning, Macedo worked for eight years in the kindergarten through 12th grade and university environments with a focus in online instruction. He is an active member of the Blacksburg community, having recently completed the Blacksburg Citizens Institute. He will also begin the Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardener program in 2011.
Macedo has received two degrees from Virginia Tech, a bachelor's degree in physics and master's degree in education curriculum and instruction.
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech takes a hands-on, engaging approach to education, preparing scholars to be leaders in their fields and communities. As the commonwealth's most comprehensive university and its leading research institution, Virginia Tech offers 240 undergraduate and graduate degree programs to more than 31,000 students and manages a research portfolio of $513 million. The university fulfills its land-grant mission of transforming knowledge to practice through technological leadership and by fueling economic growth and job creation locally, regionally, and across Virginia.
Faculty awarded distance learning research fellowships
Jenise L. Jacques
College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences


Vinny Byrne was one of the most active and deadly members of the Dublin Brigade. He was out from the age of 14 and involved in practically all major operations. He first became active during the Easter Rising. In his statement to the Bureau of Military History he includes the following: "On Easter Monday I met Lieutenant James Shields who asked me where I was going. I told him I was going on Parade and that I was mobilised for Stephens Green. He told me I had better go home. I started to cry because I was being sent home. I met section commander Mick Colgan on my way down Grafton St and he ask me what was wrong with me. I told him what Lt. Shields had said to me. He told me not to mind him". Vinny went to Jacobs and took part in the Rising. He was encouraged to escape arrest at the Surrender and got away from Jacobs but his house was raided about a week later. He was arrested and held but was released after a short period of detention. One of the DMP men who questioned him was Johnny Barton. He was later shot dead by the Squad in 1919.
Vinny states the first Squad was really unofficial. He was made part of that unit in November 1919. He related he was in Mick McDonnell's house & also present were Tom Kehoe and Jimmy Slattery. At the meeting there was a discussion about shooting Detective Johnny Barton. Vinny said he was be happy to help out as Barton was the man that raided his home. Slattery and Vinny worked together and had arranged to meet Mick McDonnell and Tom Kehoe at College Green. Slattery and Vinny walked up Grafton St when they spotted Barton. They followed him for a short period but temporally lost him. When they spotted him again Paddy O'Daly, Joe Leonard and Ben Barrett had joined the hunt. Barton was shot and fell to the ground shouting "Oh, God what did I do to deserve this?" Vinny never revealed who fired the fatal shot.
He played a full part in the many operations carried out by the Squad for the rest of the war.
Michael McDonnell, Tom Kehoe, Vinny Byrne, Paddy Daly and Jim Slattery.
Vinny was immortalised in the Michael Collins film and a quick search for him on YouTube will introduce you to this legend of Ireland's fight for freedom. In the clip Commandant Byrne describes in great detail his role in the execution of two British officers.
The main focus here is on his role at the burning of the Custom House and a small piece about his resignation from the Free State Army after the 1924 Mutiny.
"The Squad had a sort of roving commission that day. I entered the building along with Tom Kehoe and Jimmy Slattery. As we entered the hall, we met Tom Ennis who said he was short of a couple of men. He asked Tom would he mind 'if I took Vincent to burn some of the offices on the second floor?' Kehoe gave the OK. I got a tin of petrol and proceeded to the second floor. I opened the office door and sitting inside were a lady and gentleman, having tea. I requested them to leave stating I was going to set fire to the office. The gentleman stood up and said 'oh you can't do that'. I showed him my gun and told him I was serious. He got very worried about the whole thing. I said to him 'you had better get out at once unless you want to be burned alive.' The lady then asked me could she get her coat and I replied 'Miss, you'll be lucky if you get out with your life.' They then left".
When he made his way out Vinny saw the Auxies on the Quay, so made his way back into the hall. He decided to make a dash for it but the Auxies appeared at the door. He opened fire and ducked back. Having got back to the hall, the next thing he saw was a whippet armoured car. It fired a burst into the hall and Vinny flung himself down on the floor. He was protected by some sandbags that were lying around. After a few more near misses, Vinny thought that his time was up. As he had no bullets left, he walked out and as he came to the door he heard a shout "Hands up!". He raised his hands and found himself covered by an Auxy with a rifle who shouted at him "Come over here!" He was struck in the face with the rifle and ordered to walk in front of the officer. They met another Auxy and Byrne was again struck a few more times. He was asked what was he doing in the building he said he was on a message for his boss.
The two Auxies left him to approach the body of a dead civilian. Vinny claims they lifted the man by the hair, searched his pockets and let his body fall to the ground. Vinny could see the captured Squad men and members of the 2nd Battalion standing under the middle arch (of the Loopline Bridge). He said he made sure he did not show any sign of knowing them for as to do so would have led to his capture. He slowly edged his way over to a group of civilians who were standing close by. An Auxy officer was also standing near them. Vinny smartly reckoned his hands must smell of paraffin, so took a few cigarettes from his pocket, crushed them and rubbed the loose tobacco to hide the smell.
When he approached the officer he asked was he able to leave. The Auxy glared at Byrne and asked what he was doing there. Vinny replied he was on his way to buy some timber for his boss. The officer searched him and discovered a carpenter's rule and a few bits of paper with different measurements. This convinced him and Vinny was allowed go. Once again Vinny Byrne had luck or God on his side.
Vinny remained active until the Truce and he joined the new Dublin Guard but after the Civil War he, along with many of the Squad and ASU members who fought for the Free State, resigned after the Mutiny.
Vinny remained a committed republican and was involved in many old comrade groups and attended numerous events to commemorate the various actions during the War of Independence.
I came across this profile from a grand nephew of Vinny's which gives an insight to his life after the wars were over. I highlight the work that he embarked on to try to heal the wounds of the Civil War.
The 1916-1921 Club was founded in the 1940s in an effort to heal the divisions of the Civil War. Leaders on both sides were invited to join. The Association of the Old Dublin Brigade Óglaigh na hÉireann was open to surviving members of the War of Independence. The Club incorporated the Association in the early 1980s as their membership declined. Membership of the Club is open to all Irish citizens who subscribe to the objectives and accept the documents upon which it bases its charter.
To honour and remember the dead who fought for Irish Freedom and all those who worked for its achievement.
To cultivate in our time the spirit of Nationality and Unity that marked the 1916-1921 period.
To contribute to the cause of an Ireland united, independent and sovereign.
To work for the reconciliation of all Irish people in the context of a united nation, in the belief that it is only such a united people who can affect a lasting and real peace with the British.
To promote Irish traditions and cultures.
I met with Vinnie on two occasions when I was on a DFB ambulance and we removed him from St. Nessan's Nursing Home in Howth to Beaumont Hospital. He had been living just off the Harmonstown Rd. I recall that there was a painted portrait of him in the hallway of the house.
Also in the picture of the 'Guards' are, all front row, 2nd left, Ed Breslin, 3rd left, Bill Corri (possibly) 4th left Joe Leonard, 5th left Paddy Daly, 2nd right Padraig O'Connor. How about naming more of the group?
A question for you re. one of the Flood brothers. I was reading Ed Floods pension file and in it it mentioned Sean Flood as being a prisoner in jail in Scotland.This was I think in 1926 OR LATER. aNY COMMENT oN THIS. sorry ABOUT THE PRINT. mY TABLETS GONE CRAZY.
Hi Vincent, your in luck. I found a listing on our facebook group.
Back Row, Gerry Gaffney. W Nolan. Mick Kerrigan. Ned Breslin. J Golden. Paddy Dalton. T. Drumm.
Middle. Billy McClean. Patrick Lawson. Jim McGuinness. Mick Stapleton. Tom Flood. Frank Thornton. J Dempsey. J Cranny.
Front. Vinny Byrne. Mick Dunne. B Houlihan, Joe Leonard. Paddy Daly. J Dunne. T Fitzgerald. Paddy O'Connor. and Tom McKenna.
You"'re a gentleman. I appreciate that information.
A late answer on Sean, one of the many active Flood brothers.
He was among 15 IRA arrested by RUC at Enniskillen on 8 Feb 1922.
Convicted of possession of arms, he got 10 years penal servitude, being locked up in Derry Jail before a transfer to Peterhead Prison in Scotland.
He endured severe beatings and bad conditions which badly damaged his health.
Sean was released on 26 Jan 1926 under an amnesty forced on the northern administration.
On his return to Dublin his health progressively declined.
Sean Flood died on 29 Nov 1929 in Baggot St hospital aged 35.
PS – Sean was sentenced on 14 Mar 1922. The anniversary of his brother Frank's hanging in the Joy….
You omitted one name in the back row!! Any chance of getting it?
Hi Vincent, I noticed when I posted that reply,that there was a name missing. It was missing on the listing I had,I can`t promise I can find out to be honest.


I love a good banana bread. Usually, in the past, I have eaten others' banana breads. I decided it was time to make my own! There are tons of banana bread recipes that I want to make and have bookmarked from other blogs. But I decided to start with this one because I love butterscotch!
Sugar Plum has some amazing photos of her bread! Next time I would definitely take a picture of the banana bread sliced. I don't know why I didn't do that this time! Silly me. I'm slowly learning to take pictures of everything. A million pictures. From a million different views. And that way there has to be at least a couple of good shots right?
Go ahead and preheat that oven before you forget! Spray the loaf pan with cooking spray. In a small pot, melt the butter over medium heat and cook for 3 minutes. Keep whisking often and cook until the butter foams and turns golden. The point is to get a nice browned (not burnt!) butter. Then add in the banana and cook for 2 minutes, whisking until smooth. Already sounding delicious!
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder & soda, salt, and cinnamon. We will call this the flour mixture.
Now, in a separate large mixing bowl, whisk together the butter-banana mixture and brown sugar until well combined. Then whisk in the eggs and vanilla until combined.
Then sift the dry flour mixture into the wet banana mixture and fold in, mixing well into a batter.
This is the part I kinda sucked at. I wanted it to turn out oh-so-pretty and swirly. I wanted you to be able to see the swirl once baked. I guess I need to master this skill a bit better next time. Anyways, swirl the melted butterscotch into the batter using a knife (or whatever handy tool you have. If you have better suggestions than a knife, let me know!).
Then bake for 40 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. Cool before slicing.
Oh this was so yummy! I wanted a little bit more of a butterscotch flavor though. That's just me, the recipe is great as is. I love butterscotch, so I just wanted more, and so if you are like me then do the same. If not then stick to the recipe, because it's damn good! I think next time I would try it with 1/2 cup butterscotch chips instead of 1/3 cup. I'm not even sure if that would make a difference at all. But next time I think I will try that. I have modified the recipe below to include that minor change.
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9-inch loaf pan with cooking spray.
In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat and cook 3 minutes, whisking frequently until butter foams and turns golden brown. Whisk in mashed banana and cook for 2 minutes, stirring until creamy.
In a medium mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. In a separate large mixing bowl, whisk together the butter-banana mixture and brown sugar until combined. Then whisk in the eggs and vanilla until combined.
Sift the dry flour mixture into the wet banana mixture, folding in and combining until well mixed, like a batter.
Pour batter into greased pan. Swirl the melted butterscotch into the batter using a knife or any other appropriate utensil. Bake 40 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. A toothpick should come out clean when inserted into the loaf. Cool completely before slicing.
Can't wait to make this again! And many more banana bread recipes, for that matter. Do you guys like banana bread as much as I do?
So I missed menu planning last Monday. I was soooo close to missing it again this week, because I am uber busy and don't really have time to post this. But I figured I really should since I didn't last week. Plus, all of last week felt disorganized because I didn't menu plan. And we ended up eating out like 5 days last week. That's just awful. So back to meal planning I go. Time to get our butts back in check!
Wanna know the even-more-embarrassing part? I still have some recipes leftover to make from previous menu plans, that never got made. Like this and this. Hey, just because I plan it doesn't always mean I make it!
Doing my usual link-up to Menu Plan Monday over at I'm An Organizing Junkie.
*Notice that we have scallops alot? My dad loves to dump loads of frozen sea scallops on me when I come over. No complaints here. Can't beat free seafood.
**Did I mention how much I LOVE Jungle Jims?! I have been living in Cincinnati all of my life and this past Saturday was the second time I have been there... the first being last Sunday! I get so overwhelmingly ecstatic in that place. It's sad how happy a grocery store can make me.
So let's pretend it is still February. Let's pretend it is yesterday, k? Fine by you guys? Good!
I wanted to share this tasty potato recipe with all of you in honor of POTATO LOVERS MONTH. It actually doesn't have any kind of potato in it, so technically it isn't really a potato dip. The name kinda implies that there would be some kind of potato in the actual recipe. But no. This recipe is called Loaded Baked Potato Dip because it is a combination of all delish ingredients you would use to top your baked potato. Cheese, check. Bacon, check. Sour cream, check. Chives, check.
It can be a dip. It can be a topping. Or it can be eaten straight from the spoon if you want! It is fit for any potato lover, that's for sure. This would work great as a dip at any party, or to top your side items at dinner time. However you decide to eat it, I'm sure you will be eating it with a smile.
We were planning on making this dip for the Super Bowl, but didn't get around to it. So it ended up on our menu plan and we cooked up some Alexia waffle fries and served them with this dip. Oh my word. Deliciousness! The only thing I would change would be to add more bacon (SHOCKER, right?!). You guys know I am the bacon queen. So of course I would want more bacon. There just wasn't enough bacon for me (there never is). Next time I make it (and there will be a next time) I will definitely up the bacon count : ) Maybe to a half pound? The recipe below reflects my bacon modification.
I'd bet that we didn't let this chill for at least an hour. Around these parts, food gets eaten quickly. No time for chilling, unless absolutely necessary! But if you have more patience than us, do let it chill first. We also used green onions because that's what we had at the time, and Peej had been on a green onion kick. But chives have more of a loaded potato feel. But use whichever you like.
Cook bacon in a skillet. Drain fat, and crumble when finished cooking. Set aside a couple pieces for garnish. Also set aside a bit of the chopped chives for garnish.
Put the remaining ingredients in a large bowl or container and mix well. Let chill for at least 1 hour and up to 24 hours.
Garnish with the reserved bacon and chives. Serve with waffle fries or potato chips.
This makes plenty. Too much for the two of us to eat. We had some for leftovers/lunch the next few days. This is a good amount for a crowd or if you are having a small party or going to a potluck.
Any other potato kinda gurls or guys out there?
I'm a breakfast kinda gurl, so when I saw this Banana Stuffed French Toast over at Mangoes and Chutney, I couldn't wait for a lazy Sunday morning so I could make this sweet breakfast treat for the man and me.
Always loving anything buffalo-related. So these Buffalo Chicken Nachos from The Girl Who Ate Everything would be devoured in no time.
Anyone who knows me knows that I love bacon. So much. Maybe a little too much. I am always intrigued by strange desserts that include bacon. Hey, I love chocolate, I love peanut butter, and I love bacon. I really don't see how it could go wrong? I will definitely be making these Bacon Peanut Butter Cups from Blog is the New Black.
I am a seafood lover. Gimme scallops, crab, lobster ANYDAY of the week! I can't wait to try Krista's Crab-Filled Crescent Wontons!
I swear Jocelyn always has the BEST desserts! These Reeses Banana Brownie Cups are super cute and I can't wait to have a good occasion to make them!
I love finding recipes that I have never seen before. Sometimes that can be hard to find in the bloggy world. Many times we see the same recipes showing up on blog after blog! So I will definitely be trying these original Ice Cream Cupcakes from Better Than Burgers.
Oh, and one more cupcake recipe that I want to try (because my thighs can really use all those calories!) are these delightful Cookies n' Cream Cupcakes from Apples and Twinkies.
I didn't want to post their pictures on here, so go check out their blogs to see those yummy recipes that I know you guys also wanna try!
Wonder when I will get around to making all of these?!?
Here's another simple, basic side item recipe for you to enjoy. Just cook your green beans however you like. Some people like to blanch them in boiling salted water for about 5 minutes. Others may steam their green beans by placing them in a steam basket over a saucepan with about an inch of boiling water in it. Heck you can even microwave them! But I went with the sauteed method.
I started with half of a small pack of pre-rinsed and pre-cut green beans. We didn't need much because, as always, it was only for the two of us. You may need to rinse the green beans off yourself, and cut off the ends. I sauteed the green beans with olive oil and garlic for about 7-10 minutes (depending how crisp you like them). While they were sauteing in the skillet, I seasoned them with salt and pepper and stirred to coat evenly.
Meanwhile, in a separate skillet, I was sauteeing up those mushrooms and onions. First, I rinsed and sliced my mushrooms - enough to make about 1 cup. You can use more of course, that's just the amount I had. Then I thinly sliced an onion. I melted about 2 tablespoons of butter in that skillet and added the mushrooms and onions, seasoned them with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, and continued cooking until tender and caramelized.
If you don't want to have to clean another skillet, I'm sure you could saute everything in a single skillet if you have a large one. Or you could saute the mushrooms and onions first and then add the green beans later, or vice versa. I just wanted it to be quick so I cooked everything at once in two separate skillets.
Yep. It's that easy. No rocket science here.
In a skillet, saute green beans in olive oil and garlic on medium heat for 7-10 minutes, depending how crisp you want them. Stir occasionally.
Meanwhile, in a separate skillet, add butter until melted. Then add the mushrooms and onions. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Serve mushrooms and onions over green beans.
Linky time! Check out all of the linky love!
Melt in your Mouth Monday, Tuesdays at the Table, Tasty Tuesday @ 33 Shades of Green, Totally Tasty Tuesday, Tasty Tuesday @ Beauty and Bedlam, Real Food Wednesday, What's Cooking Wednesday, What's On Your Plate, Recipe Swap Thursday, Tasty Traditions, Full Plate Thursday, GCC Recipe Swap, Ultimate Recipe Swap, Cooking Thursday, Simple Lives Thursday, and Frugal Food Thursday.
Don't you just love simple, basic recipes? I do! There's no denying, we all need them at some point.
It's been awhile since I have reviewed a restaurant. Truthfully, I don't get too excited about it anymore. My blog originally started as a place to review restaurants, but then I fell in love with the whole food blogging world and it has developed into more of a cooking blog, with reviews on the side. That's fine by me! But I'm not completely giving up the reviews, I still love to venture out and try new restaurants and report back to all of you.
J & J Restaurant is nestled in a little strip mall near the new Kroger on Glenway. It is a chili and double decker kinda place, and though I do appreciate that, I'm all about places that offer breakfast! Any place that serves breakfast at all hours of the day is my kinda place. On this particular day however, I didn't get breakfast. Wonder what had gotten into me that day. But I definitely will go back to try more of their breakfast menu.
PJ isn't a breakfast freak like me, so he got a cheeseburger platter, with all the fixins on his burger... nothing special. They serve the thick cut crinkly fries. He also got a side of applesauce with his meal. Random, I know. And yes that is PJ's shirt behind that cheeseburger.
Though I didn't get a breakfast item, I did get a double decker with bacon... which is a breakfast food, right?! I had mine with some mayo and hard boiled eggs and lettuce. It was yummy, but you can't really go wrong with a bacon and egg sandwich, well maybe if the bacon is microwaved. Then it is just all sorts of wrong.
I did have a side of home fries, which is also breakfast-related. But I need to get back there to try some sausage, eggs, omelets, hot cakes, and more! Here are my home fries.... they were kind of bland and I had to pour so much salt and pepper on them to give them flavor. I would prefer some kind of breakfast potatoes, the ones that are diced and crispy. Oh, and that's PJ's applesauce trying to get all in the picture.
So my double decker was tasty, but the home fries not so much. PJ enjoyed his burger and fries. And they serve Dr. Pepper, which is always a plus. Overall it wasn't the best food we've ever eaten, but for a quick and convenient place to eat it works. Plus they offer a wide selection, from breakfast food to double deckers to chili and coneys and 3-ways. I think they don't take credit card, but they have an ATM inside the restaurant for you to get yo cash out (for a fee, of course).
So if you're in the Western Hills/Westwood/Cheviot (whatever the heck that area is called!) area then stop by. Try some of that breakfast for me and let me know how it is, will ya?
What happens when there is barely any food in the house, AND no motivation to change that?
.... I end up coming up with some lame and boring, but quick and easy meal made of whatever we have in the house! Kinda like PJ's dad's ninja stew?!?!
PJ brought them home from work awhile back. Gotta love fiancees who work in the food industry.
So we thawed them and cut those bad boys up into small chunks. (Really, we cut them smaller than pictured here).
And then back to the fridge to see what else lingered inside, waiting to be eaten. Onions. And green onions. And leftover mashed potatoes. So that is what we used!
We sauteed the sausages and sliced onions in the skillet first with some olive oil. After both were browned to our likings, we added in some green onions. Didn't wanna overcook them... they shrivel up and wilt and shrink.
Had some of Giada's leftover mashed potatoes (um, yum!) so we served the sausages and onions over the leftover mashed potatoes. Pretty delish for a spur-of-the-moment meal.
Sure wish I had some glare-be-gone. This picture was taken back when I didn't know not to use a flash for food photography. Months ago. That is how behind I am on posting recipes!
There really is no recipe. You just need smoked sausages, onions, green onions, and mashed potatoes. You can add whatever else to it that you like. I'm sure we would have added much more to it if we had more ingredients in the house at the time. Peppers would work great. I am a huge fan of mushrooms so they would work well here, but then again I think mushrooms go well with everything. Let your imagination wander. Or, like me, just use whatever you've got lying around the house begging to be eaten.
"In my heart of hearts...."
Why? I know what it's supposed to mean, but really do we need to say it twice? I think it'd be safe to say that you could just say "In my heart..." and it would make perfect sense. No "of hearts" needed.
Sorry, I think I heard someone say that on The Bachelor last night. Yeah, I said it. I watch that crap. And love it :) And I think it was the ever so sweet and beautiful Emily, who I want to win, and since I don't think I or anyone could ever hate or be bothered by that girl, I'll let it slide this time.
But if it had come from anybody else, "In my heart" [see!] I'd be so very annoyed.
Just a quick rant. That's all for now!
Hope everyone had a love-filled Valentine's day yesterday!!
So, no cooking tonight. But we will be doing our usual cooking the rest of the week. But first, a quick synopsis of what we enjoyed (or didn't) from last week's menu plan. We loved the honey chipotle pork tenderloin, and had leftover tenderloin so we made that another night last week. So that bumped out one of the meals we were originally planning to have. I liked the black bean soup enough, but wasn't jumping up and down for it. I liked the flavors, and it was pretty good for being a meatless meal. But PJ didn't really like it, it reminded him of his dad's "ninja stew." Ninja stew is a concoction of whatever he had in his pantry that could be made into a soup. Don't ask me why it's called ninja. Maybe giving it a cool (?) name was the only way to get PJ to eat it? Not sure. But anyways, so PJ wasn't a fan. So I doubt we will be having that again. We made that late one night after PJ got home from work late, so we didn't make the cornbread and just served it with crackers instead. We did have some scallops, and as always they were delish. And we didn't get to the sloppy joe squares, so they are going on this week's menu.
Linking up to Menu Plan Monday at I'm An Organizing Junkie. Won't you join me?
*And on a side note, here's an update for the photo hunt challenge... we are mid-way through February and I haven't taken one photo from the scavenger hunt list. Not lookin promising.... Just sayin.
Super Bowl Recipes for you, from me!


text:
GeoBanks
Electronic signature system - innovation in banking
The FINANCIAL -- Thanks to an initiative by the National Bank of Georgia, a new service is now available in the Georgian banking system: the electronic signature.
ProCredit Bank, which joined the new initiative at an early stage of the project, contributed significantly to its development and was the first to introduce this innovation through active co-operation with the National Bank. ProCredit Bank clients can now sign an electronic signature pad for certain banking transactions rather than actual paper documents.
Not only is the electronic signature an easier and more convenient way to do banking. It also reflects ProCredit Bank's commitment to social responsibility: this enhanced technology enables us to reduce the daily consumption of paper, which ultimately has a positive impact on the environment.
The first ProCredit branch to implement the new system was the freshly renovated Agmashenebeli Branch in Tbilisi, where the first banking transaction with an electronic signature was performed by the president of the National Bank, George Kadagidze. "Banking innovations and infrastructure reforms are an irreversible and permanent process. We can say with certainty that today Georgian financial institutions offer customers the most advanced products and services, which is demonstrated by the electronic signature service currently offered by the bank. A similar service is available at banks in Germany, Italy, Spain and the US. This system provides a simple, fast and safe procedure" said George Kadagidze.
This innovative service will be introduced at ProCredit Bank's other branches step-by-step.
Electronic signature is an alternative to signing paper documents. Based on the model agreed with the National Bank, an electronic signature has the same legal effect as a signature on paper documents, conferring identical rights and obligations on the bank and its clients. ProCredit Bank's electronic signature system is automatically able to identify the author of a signature and thus verify its authenticity.
As with signatures on paper documents, clients have to come to the bank's offices to sign documents electronically, using a special device called a SignPad. The advantage of this system over a normal signature on paper is that, by entering a unique code, clients can download original copies of documents free of charge through the web portal of ProCredit Bank on http://edocs.procreditbank.ge within 30 days of electronic signature and save the electronic documents wherever they wish.
The National Bank works with LLEP (legal entity under public law) State Services Development Agency and LLEP Levan Samkharauli National Forensics Bureau to ensure a safe and secure environment. The safety of transactions is also guaranteed by verifying that documents are intact and unchanged. Any changes made to a document and/or its content after signature render the signature invalid. Electronic signature is used only on documents which are directly certified by the person signing them.
ProCredit Bank's electronic signature system ensures that the client's personal signature data are safe and that they cannot be used on any other document.
A high degree of protection against forgery is very important. According to international statistics, cases where a secure electronic signature has been forged are very rare. If necessary, electronic signatures can also be examined by a forensic expert.
Thanks to all the benefits of electronic signature, ProCredit Bank's clients will be able to use a modern, secure and flexible system for their banking activities.
In developing this project, the National Bank of Georgia as a regulatory body was guided by relevant decrees of the European Parliament and European Council and recommendations of the European Electronic Signature Standardisation Initiative.
Electronic signature is a significant step forward, contributing to both the short-term and the long-term development of the Georgian banking sector.
"The electronic signature system is an innovation for the Georgian banking sector. We have implemented it in active co-operation with the National Bank, and are very pleased that ProCredit Bank's clients will be the first to use this new service. The project is also important in terms of its environmental impact. As you know, a huge amount of paper is used every day for signing bank documents, and that has a harmful effect on forests. Signed receipts often become useless after the services have been provided. By introducing the electronic signature system, we will use less paper and that will help to protect the environment. In their turn, customers will not have to keep signed receipts, because an original electronic copy of their documents is available to them at any time," Sascha Ternes, General Director of ProCredit Bank said.
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