Abril! Ya es primavera, y pronto vamos a disfrutar de las merecidas vacaciones de Semana Santa.Tomaremos los primeros baños de sol, ya hay ganas!! Pero...ya tenemos la piel preparada?
Nuestro cuerpo, encerrado tras la pesada ropa del invierno, necesita un respiro y nuestro rostro está pidiendo a gritos una higiene profunda!
- peeling corporal + hidratación, para eliminar las células muertas y obtener una piel más flexible y así conseguir un bonito bronceado uniforme y más duradero.
- higiene facial profunda FluorOxgygen +C, que es un intenso tratamiento en ocho pasos que nos dejará una tez impecable: elimina el sebo, las células muertas y limpia los poros. Revitaliza la piel, la aclara e ilumina de forma inmediata. Obtenemos un aspecto fresco, saludable y rejuvenecido. Minimiza las manchas en la tez y la formación de otras nuevas ya que inhibe la producción de melanina. Gracias a la vitamina C al 30% es un buen reafirmante y detoxificante.
En Malva Make-up & Beauty Center te proporcionamos los cuidados profesionales personalizados más adecuados a cada necesidad.
Licuar durante 1 minuto el ron, el jugo de frutas, el almíbar y el hielo. Servir en vaso largo y añadir la granadina. Decorar con la naranja y las cerezas.
Blend for 1 minute the rum, fruit juice, syrup and ice. Serve in a tall glass and add grenadine. Garnish with an orange slice and cherries.
A les Panteres Grogues no tot és esport. Des del mes passat un cop al mes les panteres organitzem el Social Friday. I ¿què és? Doncs una trobada perquè es socis de diferents seccions del club es puguin conèixer i un espai perquè els més nous coneguin millor als seus companys i a l'entitat.
El Social Friday neix de la iniciativa de dos socis, el Joan de vòlei platja i el Toni de natació sincronitzada. La primera trobada es va fer el passat 14 de març al Zelig (Carme, 116) i va ser tot un èxit.
No cal ser soci de Panteres Grogues per poder assistir al Social Friday: tothom és benvingut, sobretot aquelles persones interessades en conèixer l'entitat i descobrir els esports que ofereix el club d'una manera distesa i divertida, tot prenent una copa amb diferents esportistes.
La pròxima trobada serà l'11 d'abril al Zelig a partir de les 23 h. Al Social Friday trobareu nois i noies que practiquen algun dels esports, ofertes en begudes fins a la 1 de la matinada i jocs per interactuar i engrescar-te de valent. I podreu obtenir informació del nostre club de primera mà.
Seguiu el Social Friday a Facebook per estar al dia de totes les festes i estar al dia de totes les nostres activitats. Els divendres ja no tornaran a ser el que eren!
1 | The Golden Gate Bridge, the most famous bridge in the world, manages to impress even the most experienced travelers with its stunning 1.7-mile span.The Golden Gate Bridge is said to be one of the most photographed things on Earth.
2 | Cable cars have been transporting people around San Francisco since the late 19th century.Their familiar bells can be heard ringing from blocks away. Each one-way ride will provide spectacular views of the city's celebrated hills as well as exhilarating transportation.
3 | Alcatraz, the notorious former prison, is located on an island of the same name in the middle of San Francisco Bay. Some of the United States' most notorious criminals were incarcerated there. Though several tried, no inmate ever made a successful escape from "The Rock." The prison was closed in the 1960's and stories about Alcatraz are legendary.
4| Fisherman's Wharf is also home to PIER 39, a festive waterfront marketplace that is one of the city's most popular attractions. A community of California sea lions has taken up residence on the floats to the west of the pier and visitors line the nearby railing to watch their antics.
5 | Union Square is the place for serious shoppers. Major departments stores and the most exclusive designer boutiques line streets like Post, Sutter, Geary, Grant, Stockton and Powell. The Westfield San Francisco Shopping Centre houses the largest Bloomingdale's outside of New York and the second largest Nordstrom in the U.S.
6 | North Beach, the city's Italian quarter, isn't a beach at all. It's a neighborhood of romantic European-style sidewalk cafes, restaurants and shops centered near Washington Square along Columbus and Grant avenues. The beautiful Church of Saints Peter and Paul is a beloved landmark. Coit Tower a top Telegraph Hill offers a splendid vantage point for photos of the bridges and the Bay.
7 | The entrance to Chinatown at Grant Avenue and Bush Street is called the "Dragon's Gate." Inside are 24 blocks of hustle and bustle, most of it taking place along Grant Avenue, the oldest street in San Francisco.This city within a city is best explored on foot; exotic shops, renowned restaurants, food markets, temples and small museums comprise its boundaries.
8 | Dining in San Francisco is an attraction in itself. Known as America's best restaurant city, San Francisco chefs excel at combining the freshest local ingredients, authentic international flavors and a touch of creative genius.
9 | Nightlife in San Francisco is a constantly changing scene. The "hottest" clubs currently are in the South of Market and Mission districts, with live and recorded rock and Latin music. Jazz, blues, swing and "oldies" music can be found all over town.
10 | A visit to San Francisco would not be complete without a cultural experience. The city is home to internationally recognized symphony, opera and ballet companies.The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Asian Art Museum, the de Young Museum, the Palace of the Legion of Honor and other museums and galleries are devoted to the finest of classical and contemporary arts. San Francisco is also home to the California Academy of Sciences.
Tres anys enrere la mare de Bear McKenna va desaparèixer sense deixar rastre amb el seu nou nuvi, obligant a Bear a fer-se càrrec de Tyson, el seu germà de sis anys. Han sortit endavant com han pogut, però a causa de la seva dedicació exclusiva a Tyson, Bear prou feines té oportunitat de gaudir de la vida. Fins que Otter torna a la ciutat. Otter és el germà gran del millor amic de Bear i, com han fet durant tota la seva vida, tots dos xoquen entre si de formes que cap dels dos es esperava. No obstant això, aquesta vegada no hi ha escapatòria a la intensitat de l'emoció que hi ha entre ells. Bear segueix creient que el seu lloc és el de tutor de Tyson, però no pot evitar pensar que potser la vida li té reservat alguna cosa ... o algú més.
Tres años atrás la madre de Bear McKenna desapareció sin dejar rastro con su nuevo novio, obligando a Bear a hacerse cargo de Tyson, su hermano de seis años. Han salido adelante como han podido, pero debido a su dedicación exclusiva a Tyson, Bear apenas tiene oportunidad de disfrutar de la vida. Hasta que Otter vuelve a la ciudad.
Three years ago, Bear McKenna's mother took off for parts unknown with her new boyfriend, leaving Bear to raise his six-year-old brother Tyson, aka the Kid. Somehow they've muddled through, but since he's totally devoted to the Kid, Bear isn't actually doing much living—with a few exceptions, he's retreated from the world, and he's mostly okay with that. Until Otter comes home. Otter is Bear's best friend's older brother, and as they've done for their whole lives, Bear and Otter crash and collide in ways neither expect. This time, though, there's nowhere to run from the depth of emotion between them. Bear still believes his place is as the Kid's guardian, but he can't help thinking there could be something more for him in the world... something or someone.


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SpareFoot Moving Guides » Moving to San Francisco, CA » How to Sound Like a Local When You Move to San Francisco
How to Sound Like a Local When You Move to San Francisco
by Janet Haney on April 26, 2018 April 26, 2018
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Ah, San Francisco … the diverse population includes surfers, Ivy Leaguers, techies, nonprofit folks, creative types, hippies, and a whole lot more. This international hub is teeming with more than 100 different spoken languages, and the interesting mix of inhabitants lends itself to a unique vernacular melding together the new and old.
Don't Call It Frisco
Locals refer to San Francisco as The City, not Frisco, not San Fran. We always say we live in The City if someone from around the Bay Area asks where we live. Interestingly, the Golden State Warriors NBA team, located in Oakland, even donned "The City" throwback jerseys for some games during the 2015-16 season.
The highly coveted 415 area code is another much-used nickname for San Francisco. The numbers are also plastered on t-shirts, glassware, stationery, notepads, etc. Now, The City is bursting with so many people that there's a newer area code – 628 – in circulation.
That Fool Fog(ust)
For the second morning in a row I woke up to fog so thick I couldn't see to the end of my street (See my IG Story for a photo I took looking out my bedroom window). Oddly enough – and despite feeling the effects of the time change – as soon as I looked out my bedroom window and noticed that, I ran downstairs, made a quick cup of coffee, and grabbed my camera. ☕📸 I cant remember the last time I moved that fast. I ended up in the Sunset District near 19th Avenue. As I was standing in the middle of the street photographing the fog, some guy pulled up and jokingly asked me 'Can you even see anything?' I told him 'Barely – but that's how I like it!' After a minute or so of chit-chat about the fog and photography, he asked me if I've seen the 'Fog Bridge' exhibit at the @exploratorium and I told him I hadn't. After he left I Googled it – It seems pretty cool! Happy Sunday! 😁🙋🏻♂ __________________
A post shared by Michael • San Francisco (@the415guy) on Mar 11, 2018 at 9:04am PDT
Let's be clear – summers in San Francisco aren't anything like Florida summers. June, July, and August are some of the year's foggiest and coldest months as the cool Pacific Ocean breeze meets warmer Bay Area temps. As a result, August has been dubbed Fogust. Unsuspecting tourists flock to The City in their shorts and t-shirts only to rush to Fisherman's Wharf to buy inexpensive fleece jackets. The fog layers can be so thick that often 4th of July fireworks are washed out in the thick white soup. Bundle up!
Hella Cool
This oldie, but a goodie, got it's origin across the Bay Bridge in Oakland. It's hella fun to use this term in various ways – "The Giants struck out hella times", "I'm hella excited for the party."
An instantly descriptive, dual-purpose word – cutty can be used as an adjective or a noun. Cutty might mean shady or sketchy or an area far away, like the 'burbs. "My Marina friends had a baby now they live in the cuts." "I didn't want to stay in that cutty apartment."
Let's Get Hyper
Feeling hyperactive? Then, you might be getting hyphy about something. Oakland rapper Keak da Sneak coined the term in 1994, and it's proven its got legs. Hyphy is used as a verb as well as an adjective and even has its own Wikipedia page.
In keeping with the music theme, "slaps" or "slap" refers to good tunes from the Bay Area. "Let's spin some Mac Dre slaps."
Yippy Yee
"Are you hella excited for the concert tonight?" "Yee."
"That kid was jawsin' when he said he didn't do it."
Yabba Dabba — Yadadamean
Yadadamean is a loopy word mesh that translates to: "Do you know what I mean?"
The pervasive term "420" first sparked a flame in the early 1970s when a group of teens just across the Golden Gate Bridge—in San Rafael—decided to look for a cannabis crop. They used the code phrase "4:20 Louis", referring to their meeting time. Now, of course, this got shortened to 420 and means to smoke marijuana, in general. Watch out, when April 20 at 4:20 p.m. rolls around each year, the plumes of smoke around The City can be as thick as the August fog, and most other days too.
Try and Try Again
As your mouth gets tired of moving, it's sometimes easier to just blend words together like this one: "I'm tryna find my hella cool headphones to listen to some slaps."
When You Cough, Call it 'Goff'
Gough is a major street running north to south across San Francisco, and it's pronounced like cough – plain and simple.
No-eee Valley
Noe Valley is a popular neighborhood in central San Francisco, and its distinct name can cause confusion for newcomers. The long "e" distinguishes this charming, family-friendly community.
It's Getting Fishy
fishermans wharf 🦀
~san francisco/USA🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/B3xsrgGEsf
— places to visit✨ (@PlvcesToVisit) April 6, 2017
While it's spelled Fisherman's Wharf, locals pronounce the famous tourist spot as plural — Fishermen's Wharf.
About Janet Haney
Janet Haney is a San Francisco-based writer, editor, and publicist who started out her career by getting up at the crack of dawn to work market hours as a financial reporter. Since then, she's awake during more civilized times, and she has been published in the New York Daily News, Yahoo! Finance section, Citysearch.com, Columbia University School of Engineering magazine, business-related websites, magazines, and newsletters.
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Category Archives: Legislation of Massage
Arkansas Massage Therapists: Be(a)ware
The state of Arkansas has more massage legislation going on than you can shake a stick at. Here's a quick recap of this legislative bonanza:
AB 145 would dissolve the Arkansas Board of Massage Therapy and transfer duties to the Department of Health, effective Oct. 1, 2015. This has passed both the House and the Senate and been sent to the Governor, and it's almost a 100% certainty that licensing massage therapists is going to be turned over to the DOH. It's beyond incredible to me that the current board members apparently did not protest the dissolution of their Board. However, from the mess that they seem to be in, perhaps the Board members felt it's best to just go along with the change. Unfortunately, in the past few years, the Arkansas Board has apparently been on a downhill slide with their finances.
According to past Board member Susie Byrd, the current board took power in '09 when Byrd left. At that time, there were 3550 therapists, two people running the board office, and an annual budget of $74,5000. Marilyn Graham was hired as the Executive Director in '09. As of 2014, 5 years into Graham's tenure, there are 1990 therapists, four people in the board office, and an annual budget of $248,000. According to Byrd, when she departed from the the Board, the Board had $250,000 in reserves. That $250,000 has been spent, and according to Byrd, Graham has asked for an additional $60,000 twice in the past year. The Dept of Finance and Administration told the board they had to either fire two people or raise fees, and that the legislators would not grant a fee raise. Considering that Arkansas has lost so many licensees, while doubling their staff and moving to bigger, better offices, their spending definitely seems out of control, and it's no wonder the state feels compelled to do something.
Derick Corbin, a massage therapist in Russelville, Arkansas, has used his social media pages to try and rally the troops to get in touch with their legislators to prevent the dissolving of the Board, but I am almost certain that due to the mismanagement that has been allowed to go on for the past 5 years, it will in fact be dissolved. Corbin initially brought these legislative issues to my attention. He confirms that the present Board has allowed Graham to run the agency unchecked and unmonitored and believes that has caused the insolvency. When he first contacted me about it, I suggested that the Board needed to reach out to the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards, who helps guide member Boards in situations like this. Unfortunately, this administration also saw fit to drop their membership in the Federation. Corbin states that the previous Board was comprised of honest, hardworking people. As he truthfully pointed out to me, the burden is on a Board to oversee an Executive Director, and to question it when finances (or any other executive decisions and actions) seem improper. It looks like this Board should have been asking some hard questions long ago, and didn't, or they wouldn't be in this mess right now.
I read all the minutes from Board meetings that appear on the website. Donna McGriff, a former Board member who has served three different tenures on the Board, told me that she and Byrd had repeatedly asked the Board to require a review of Board finances in the meeting once per quarter. According to McGriff, that never happened, and there is no mention of it in any meeting minutes.
AR: HB 1729 will require all boards to be subjected to a sunset review every 12 years as of 2017 by a Sunset Review Committee. The Committee will also review board finances. I'd be very interested to see a detailed accounting of the past five years myself.
AR: HB 1589 would have exempted Bowen Therapy/Technique practitioners from licensure requirements for massage therapists. This bill was defeated yesterday and is just waiting on the Governor's signature.
AR: SB 546 eliminates a former requirement of a general education development and changes the requirement to a high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma approved by the Department of Career Education and is just waiting on the Governor's signature.
AR: HB 1562 changes the requirements for CE hours for instructors to 250 CE hours, requiring the 125 hours for a master massage therapist license (only 18 are allowed to be taken online); Master Massage Therapist licensure requires 125 CE hours (with no more than 10% online); adds human trafficking, sexual misconduct, and lewd behavior to reasons for license denial and revocation; provides exemption from licensing for cosmetologists and Bowen Therapy practitioners (the Bowen exemption was defeated yesterday on a separate bill), if they are certified by a professional organization or credentialing agency; adds new sanitation requirements; requires massage schools to maintain board licensing examination pass/fail rates and includes the provision and that if a school has a pass rate of below 75%, the board can place the school on probation; requires massage therapy clinics and spas to register with the board; provides policies for probation and addresses military active duty considerations, and is just waiting on the Governor's signature .
According to Byrd, 4 schools were previously given probationary status because of low pass rates, and three of the four school owners went screaming to the legislature that the Board members had a vendetta against them. One of them only had a 50% pass rate–actually up 2% from the 48% they had a few years ago. That's pitiful, in my estimation, and I can't imagine spending my money to attend a school with that kind of record. Any school can experience a temporary setback for a number of reasons–incompetent instructors, management changes or upheaval of some sort–but a school consistently having that low a pass rate ought to be out of business altogether, if they can't get up to snuff within a probationary period. If they can make a case for why they've had a short-term lapse in pass rates, that's one thing, but just being allowed to carry on permanently with that kind of rate is beyond the pale.
I've seen it happen time after time that when some detrimental legislation gets passed–many times directly due to the failure of people to contact their legislators to express their concerns and ask them to vote the other way–within a few weeks people will start calling me or asking on social media what to do. I applaud Byrd and Corbin for trying to motivate massage therapists to take action,and applaud those therapists that did take action. I'd like to be proven wrong here, but I fear the Arkansas Board is going down the river. Those of us who have been around for awhile will recall when a previous director, now deceased, almost single-handedly bankrupted the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork. Board members–on any board–need to keep in mind that they are charged with running a board in a fiscally and ethically responsible manner, and that includes questioning the decisions of an executive director, and intervening before things deteriorate to the point they have deteriorated here. This Board is one of the oldest massage boards, formed in 1952. To see it lost in this way is a travesty, and one that could have been prevented.
This entry was posted in Ethics, Legislation of Massage, Massage Associations, Massage Therapy, Politics of Massage and tagged Arkansas Board of Massage, Derick Corbin, Donna McGriff, FSMTB, Marilyn Graham, Susie Byrd on March 31, 2015 by LauraAllenMT.
Board Certification: Just Do the Right Thing
In my last blog, I was critical of the fact that the NCBTMB's new Board Certification exam has been adopted by VA and CA for licensing purposes. I have heard through the grapevine that Oregon intends to do the same, but nothing is on their website to that effect yet.
After the blog was released, I was contacted by the NCBTMB's CEO, Steve Kirin, and Board Chair Leena Guptha, who were upset with my criticism and wanted to set the record straight. Kirin sent me a timeline of the events leading up to the acceptance of the exam by the states, stated to me that the NCBTMB had no prior knowledge that it was going to happen, and that they notified the FSMTB as soon as these developments came to their attention. I appreciate that they contacted me. I appreciate that they notified the Federation; it was the right thing to do.
They also stated to me that the NCBTMB has no control over the state boards, and that's very true; the NCBTMB is not a regulatory agency, and has never been one.
However, the NCBTMB can and should take control of this situation by putting some controls in place with Pearson Vue, the vendor that administers the exam, and I stated this directly to Kirin and Dr. Guptha during our conference call.
Board Certification was introduced as "the highest voluntary credential attainable to massage therapists and bodyworkers in the profession today. Board Certification demonstrates a much higher level of achievement beyond entry level licensure—including completing more education, hands-on experience, and a background check—that will be a differentiator for you as you advance through your career, especially in a time where health care and other pivotal third-party professions require Board Certification in order to fill stable and rewarding positions." From the NCBTMB's website, here are the qualifications:
Pass the Board Certification exam
Complete 750 hours of education*
Complete 250 hours of professional hands-on experience**
Pass a thorough national background check
Maintain a current CPR certification
Signed commitment to the NCBTMB's Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics
Signed commitment to opposing Human Trafficking
It's my opinion that the NCBTMB should put the policy in place that if a candidate wants to take the Board Certification exam, they should have to demonstrate proof that they have completed the other requirements. VA and CA both require 500 hours of education, and in fact, as is the case with the MBLEx, people can take it while still a student. That does nothing to indicate advanced practice.
I became Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork in 2000, and I have maintained it ever since. I transitioned to Board Certification when the new credential was introduced. I allowed it to expire a couple of weeks ago, after these new developments came to my attention. My own state, NC, is also a 500-hour state. The school I attended was 525 hours, and in the past 15 years, I have taken more than enough continuing education to meet the 750-hour requirement. And that's my complaint: I've met the requirements. It is just my opinion that allowing people who have not met those requirements to take the exam is minimizing this credential.
This is easily fixable. No, the NCBTMB cannot control the states. But they can control what happens to their credential, by the simple act of having applicants submit proof of meeting all the other the requirements to the NCBTMB, and then issuing them permission to test.
The NCBTMB's agreement with the FSMTB put the NCBTMB out of the licensing exam business. While I appreciate the fact that the NCBTMB had no prior knowledge of what happened with the exam (and will continue to happen, if the controls aren't put in place), I urge them not to sit on their hands. I am dismayed that this happened at all, because if the stipulations had been put in place to begin with, this situation could have been avoided. I implore the NCBTMB to just do the right thing. Seize control of your exam, if you really want it to mean anything above being an entry-level licensing exam.
This entry was posted in Education, Legislation of Massage, Massage Associations, Massage Therapy, Politics of Massage and tagged Board Certification, FSMTB, MBLEx, NCBTMB, Pearson Vue on January 25, 2015 by LauraAllenMT.
Exam Wars: The Sequel
As I reported in my blogs of October 3 and October 20, 2014, FSMTB and NCBTMB reached an agreement where "…NCBTMB will no longer provide examinations for licensure purposes and will now focus exclusively on delivering quality certification programs." That's a direct quote from the joint press release issued by both organizations.
In the wake of this news, cheers were heard 'round the profession, as it signaled an end to the ugly and costly "exam wars" between the two organizations. In case you forgot, NCBTMB darn near bankrupted itself trying to fight the FSMTB and their upstart licensing exam. The fact is that the Federation offered the better testing solution for state massage boards, and the profession has migrated to the MBLEx – leaving NCBTMB with ever-shrinking exam revenues.
With so few people taking their rebranded National Certification exams for state licensure, NCBTMB was compelled to strike a deal with the FSMTB to throw in the towel in exchange for some amount of money. And we don't know how much cash, because the terms have not been made public. As part of this agreement, NCBTMB said it was going to stop taking new applications for its National Certification Exams on November 1, 2014, and will cease administering these two tests on February 1, 2015.
Sounds like we're finally moving towards the single licensing exam solution for the massage therapy profession, doesn't it? Well, don't head for the lobby to get your tub of buttered popcorn yet, because the next installment of Exam Wars is heating up!
NCBTMB may be bringing down the curtain on the two National Certification exams, but they are now reported to be offering their Board Certification Exam for state licensure purposes. Doesn't that fly in the face of the agreement with FSMTB?
In October 2014, the Massage Therapy Advisory Committee of the Virginia Board of Nursing voted to accept NCB's Board Cert exam to meet their statutory certification requirements (in place of the sunsetting National Cert exams). On December 11, 2014, the California Massage Therapy Council voted to accept NCB's Board Cert exam, along with the MBLEx and the two NCB National Cert exams taken before 2/1/15.
If that weren't bad enough, NCBTMB is now allowing people to take the Board Cert exam BEFORE they have met all eligibility requirements for Board Certification. Since NCBTMB is touting it as the "highest voluntary credential attainable to massage therapists and bodyworkers in the profession today", this policy cheapens the credential. It's already a stretch for NCBTMB to make these claims, but their use of the Board Cert exam to stay in the state licensure game is a real howler. In fact, I think it cheapens it to the point that I will not renew mine in a few days when it expires. I don't have anything to prove. And after 15 years of practice, I am not going to spend my money to maintain a voluntary credential that is supposed to indicate you are an advanced practitioner that someone fresh out of massage school is being allowed to get. It doesn't say anything about my knowledge and years of experience at all. It's apparently turning into just another entry-level credential instead of what it was designed to be, and that truly distresses me.
Are NCB's actions in violation of their agreement with FSMTB? That may have to get worked out between the attorneys for each side. Whatever the agreement actually says, we're headed right back to the same old conflicts between FSMTB and NCBTMB. And we didn't even have to wait long for the Sequel!
This entry was posted in Legislation of Massage, Massage Associations, Massage Therapy, Politics of Massage and tagged Board Certification, FSMTB, NCBTMB on January 8, 2015 by LauraAllenMT.
Deal, or No Deal?
In my last blog, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, I reported that the only good thing that came out of the recent FSMTB Annual Meeting was the announcement that NCBTMB and FSMTB had reached an agreement on licensing exams, which promised to spell the end of the long "exam wars". FSMTB trumpeted this news in their October 3rd press release, which stated:
"FSMTB and the NCBTMB have worked cooperatively to reach an agreement that the NCBTMB will no longer provide examinations for licensure purposes and will now focus exclusively on delivering quality certification programs. This supports the common goal of the FSMTB, Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP), American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) and the Alliance for Massage Therapy Education (AFMTE), for the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) to be utilized as the sole licensure exam for the profession, thus facilitating licensure portability for therapists."
Too bad that we really can't celebrate this news because the so-called "agreement" did not include the Approved Continuing Education Provider Program operated by NCBTMB (which 27 state massage boards use in one way or another). Like rubbing salt in the wound, the FSMTB turned right around and passed a resolution to create their very own CE approval program–as if NCBTMB didn't exist.
It actually gets worse. I received word that at last week's Florida Board of Massage Therapy meeting in Orlando, it was stated publicly that there was really only a "letter of intention" between the two organizations that was signed before the FSMTB Annual Meeting, and that the details of this letter would be worked out later in a formal agreement.
Now I'm no attorney, but a letter of intention is NOT the same thing as a legally-binding agreement. It's more like putting a small deposit down on a house to get the process started, with the purchase contract and the mortgage money to come later. A lot can happen between those two steps.
So I'm confused here… is there a deal, or is it no deal? For the FSMTB to send out a national press release with the subject line "FSMTB AND NCBTMB REACH AGREEMENT" when no final document appears to have been signed, raises all kinds of red flags and ethical questions.
We never needed two competing licensing exams, and we sure as blazes don't need two competing national CE approval programs. Looks like it's time for the heads of these two organizations to get back to the negotiating table and work out the rest of this deal, for the benefit of the CE community and the profession as a whole. And don't come out until you get it settled!
This entry was posted in Education, Ethics, Legislation of Massage, Massage Associations, Massage Therapy, Politics of Massage and tagged ABMP, AFMTE, AMTA, Approved Providers, Continuing Education, FSMTB, MBLEx, NCBTMB on October 27, 2014 by LauraAllenMT.
With apologies to Clint Eastwood, I'm using the title of his classic Western to talk about three major announcements from the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards, and what they mean to the rest of the profession. This all came down at the recent FSMTB Annual Meeting, held in Tucson on October 3-4.
The Good: FSMTB and NCBTMB reach an agreement on licensing exams.
Woo hoo! Praise the Lord and pass me the MBLEx! After six years of costly and damaging "exam wars" between the two organizations, NCB was unable to keep its market share of the entry-level testing business. As FSMTB's exam revenue grew each year, NCB's declined. NCB finally saw the handwriting on the wall and agreed to stop offering its national certification exams for state licensure as of November 1, 2014 – in exchange for an unspecified amount of money.
This is a huge benefit for the profession, as we can finally move towards having a single licensing exam that is under the direct oversight of state massage boards. (Only Hawaii and New York are still hanging on to their own state exams.) It means less confusion for students and massage schools, and a boon to portability of licensure in the future. This has been a long and painful struggle between FSMTB and NCB, and I for one am thrilled to see it come to a peaceful end.
The Bad: FSMTB adopts CE standards and license renewal recommendations.
Two years ago, FSMTB proposed a radical shift to the continuing education landscape, as outlined in their Maintenance of Core Competency proposal. The MOCC was slammed by organizations, schools, CE providers and individual therapists alike – and yet, the worst of it has made its way into FSMTB's new continuing education and license renewal standards.
This is a classic case of "If it ain't broke, then don't try to fix it." Overall, our existing CE system works reasonably well, so the last thing we need is yet another organization coming in with an agenda to transform and/or grab control of it. Last year, we suffered through an attempt by NCB to do just that. After a massive grassroots effort, NCB toned down most of the unacceptable changes they were trying to force on providers and sponsors of continuing education. They've been behaving themselves since then, and their CE approval processes have been operating more smoothly, although personally some of the classes they have approved are still an issue with me. I'd like to see some sort of designation for those of us who don't practice or teach pseudoscience and don't want to be lumped in the same category as those who do.
Now we have the FSMTB trying to flex its muscles. It's like we just got King Kong calmed down, and now we have to do the same with Godzilla!
At the recent FSMTB Annual Meeting, state board reps passed a resolution from their CE Task Force to "implement a program that provides reliable, unbiased and appropriate vetting of continuing education providers and the classes offered to the consuming public." That sounds high and mighty, but there is no reference to NCB and their existing national Approved CE Provider program in the resolution, and there was no mention of NCB when this resolution and the license renewal standards were presented to the Delegate Assembly for consideration. Did they think that no one would notice this sin of omission?
The LAST thing we need is another CE approval program! FSMTB could have easily solved their delegation of authority issue by entering into a partnership agreement with NCB to use their existing program. This should have gotten rolled into the exam deal between the two organizations, so that CE approvals could be consolidated.
It's hard to believe, but the resolution was passed without any details on how FSMTB actually plans to vet CE providers and classes. Why should we trust that FSMTB can do this in an effective manner? They've been offering the MBLEx for six years now, and they still don't have an online practice exam and exam study guide for massage students. The very worst of it is that FSMTB's plan for CE and license renewal centers on "public safety", while minimizing the role of CE for "professional development". The problem is that there is no evidence that we have a widespread "public safety" crisis in our profession, so there's no factual basis for what FSMTB is trying to do. (There are a lot of specific flaws in the CE standards and license renewal recommendations FSMTB has adopted. I'll detail those in a future blog.)
What I can see from all this is a major threat to the existing CE provider and sponsor system in our field. FSMTB's proposal is so completely out-of-synch with how CE is organized and delivered, and FSMTB stands to consolidate even more money and power if this model is adopted by state massage boards. We're just coming out of a period where NCB tried to dominate the field. Now FSMTB is acting like they've picked up the NCB playbook and are trying to run with it.
The Ugly: FSMTB publishes the Model Massage Therapy Practice Act (MPA).
As I wrote about in my previous blog, the MPA was released after three years of behind-the-scenes work and two rounds of public comment. Most of its content is the kind of standard stuff found in all templates for occupational licensure. However, FSMTB really blew it in a number of key areas, and the final version contains both technical errors and some awful policy decisions. As FSMTB's leaders had final say, the responsibility for correcting these fatal flaws rests on them.
Judging from how few comments were made on the three blogs I posted about the MPA, it looks like it doesn't register as all that important. Wake up people! A model practice act is one of the bedrock components of a profession. It contains the Scope of Practice definition and other essential elements that influence both education and practice. If you haven't taken time to read our new MPA, I urge you to get familiar with it and keep up the pressure on FSMTB to fix it. Remember that it doesn't become law unless it's adopted by a state legislature.
Let's celebrate the Good, and get to work on the Bad and the Ugly!
This entry was posted in Education, Legislation of Massage, Massage Associations, Massage Therapy, Politics of Massage and tagged CE, Continuing Education, FSMTB, Massage Therapy, MOCC, Model Practice Act, NCBTMB on October 20, 2014 by LauraAllenMT.
Final Draft of Model Practice Act Released
The Model Practice Act was released in its final draft this week, after more than three years of work on it and two periods of public comment. The introduction does state that it will be an evolving document as changing times and circumstances dictate, but as of now, it still has many of the school owners on my social media pages up in arms.
The language requiring accreditation from previous drafts (Section 103(B) ) was modified to say "Approved Massage Therapy Education Program means a school or educational program that meets the criteria established in rule by the Board, at a minimum includes 625 Clock Hours, and is both authorized in the jurisdiction in which it is located and that reflects a curriculum acceptable to an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education…" While the requirement has been downgraded to a suggestion, the comment section makes it clear that the eventual goal is required accreditation for one and all.
Personally, I have some mixed feelings on this. Accreditation is a process of quality control–to a point. (Disclosure: I am a peer reviewer for COMTA). Obtaining accreditation is not cheap, it's rigorous and it's time-consuming. It sends the message that you have voluntarily gone over and above what the state requires. Other health care professions require it. And therein lies the clincher.
There are no other health professions that I am aware of accrediting programs that teach psuedoscience, and many massage school programs, including those accredited by COMTA and other accrediting bodies–and in the case of community colleges, even the regional accrediting bodies–do. So what does that really mean? Is it really a hallmark of excellence when we accredit things that have no basis in fact, just because it's tradition, and been around for a long time, even though it's been shot down by science?
I am not a school owner, but if I was, I wouldn't be hitting the panic button just yet. The FSMTB has no power of legislation and they can't lobby. In order for accreditation to become the law of the land, that's what will have to happen: it will have to become the law of the land, literally, through legislative changes. There may be some FSMTB member states who are gung-ho to see it happen, but remember, state boards can't lobby, either. That is the domain of the professional associations. In my state, our AMTA chapter has paid a lobbyist for many years. Since the chapter fees are now optional, I have heard that he volunteered to continue working at a lesser fee, but I bet some of the state chapters have lost their lobbyist altogether, if they had one to start with. The wheels of government don't turn that quickly unless they're greased.
The MPA is a template for the states. It isn't the law and it may never be. For the few unregulated states, should they finally get out of the Dark Ages and decide to regulate, this will be very time-saving for them. It isn't perfect; nothing is. Obviously a lot of work went into it. Only time will tell what effect it is really going to have.
This entry was posted in Education, Legislation of Massage, Massage Associations, Massage Therapy, Politics of Massage and tagged COMTA, FSMTB, Model Practice Act on October 10, 2014 by LauraAllenMT.
NCBTMB and FSMTB: Long-awaited Collaboration in the Works
The NCBTMB and the FSMTB made a joint announcement this morning that I have long been hoping for. Leena Guptha, Chair of the NCBTMB, confirmed to me that the NCB will sign a letter of intent to withdraw completely from licensing examinations, which will mean the MBLEx will be the only licensing exam in the US, excepting New York and Hawaii, which both have their own state exams. This change is taking place November 1.
The FSMTB will support Board Certification, according to Guptha. "We are getting back to the roots of certification," she stated, "honoring our original purpose." Further details will be forthcoming soon, but for now, Guptha expressed to me that she hopes that the other massage organizations and the profession at large will support this action. I hope they do, too.
This entry was posted in Legislation of Massage, Massage Associations on October 3, 2014 by LauraAllenMT.
FSMTB Releases Model Practice Act
The Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards released the Model Practice Act a few days ago, just after the third anniversary of the announcement they had formed a Task Force of 8 state board members to work on it. I just had the time to read it in its entirety today, and as a former state board member and former delegate to the Federation myself, I appreciate the huge amount of time and effort that went into it.
I didn't find much that surprised me. Last week when this was first released, I saw some rumblings from educators and school owners about the requirement for massage therapy programs to be 625 hours. As the publication says, it is consistent with the 625-hour recommendation of the recently-released ELAP (Entry-Level Analysis Project) that was a collaborative effort supported by all of the national massage organizations. Since there are currently more than two dozen states that still have 500 hours as their entry-level requirement, that's going to require some major changes. Many smaller schools would probably go out of business rather than comply with the change.
The document does not state the name of the NCBTMB or any other entity's exam in the context of eliminating them, but the definition of "examination" is given as a standardized test or examination of entry-level massage and bodywork knowledge, skills, and abilities that is developed and administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards. That means the MBLEx, period. About 40 states are currently accepting both the MBLEx and the NCB's licensing exams. There are also a couple of states that have their own exam–and require much more than 625 hours. I don't see that those states will want to back up and adopt this.
The MPA does seem to support portability in a good way. There are provisions for therapists participating in planned out-of-state events, temporary assignments such as with traveling sports teams, etc.,and emergency response disaster teams without requiring jumping through hoops. It would also seek to make the title of each state's act the _____Massage Therapy Practice Act, leaving the term "bodywork" and any other terminology out of it. Licensees would be designated "LMT" (Licensed Massage Therapist) uniformly across the states.
One thing that I was not crazy about was the protocol for choosing board members. The MPA states that 7 members are to be appointed by the governor. I would prefer to see that power spread around a little. I wouldn't want to see governors of any political party appointing only the people for their own party, for example. In my state, the appointees are made by the governor, the speaker of the house, and the senate pro tem. I think that or something similar is a little better balance of power, personally; even if they do randomly turn out to all have the same party affiliation.
I also wondered about the discrepancy in defining "clock hour" as 50 minutes of instruction and "contact hour" as 60 minutes of instruction. The NCBTMB has traditionally allowed 50 minutes of instruction as a contact hour for the purpose of continuing education.
The states are also still left with more autonomy than I expected. There's plenty left in their hands, so to speak, with the usual statements about how the board may adopt, amend, and repeal rules. There is also a licensure by endorsement stipulation and a grandfathering accommodation.
There are only five states left without licensing. It would certainly be to their advantage to have this right out of the gate and avoid having to reinvent the wheel. As for the other 45 states that are already regulated, I don't see that there will be a mad rush to adopt this, unless what they currently have isn't working for some reason. We have to remember that the FSMTB is not a regulatory body in and of itself, but a coalition of regulated states. They can't force the MPA on any state, nor are they trying to. It is a blueprint, a collection of suggestions for how to make the states more uniform in the regulation of massage. Too bad it didn't exist a few decades ago before most of the states got on the bandwagon.
I don't have any harsh criticisms of the document. Personally, I like the concept of raising the minimum requirement to 625 hours, but then again, I'm not a school owner that would be affected by such a thing. My final analysis: kudos to the people that worked on it. Things like this that are done by volunteers always come under a rash of criticism from people who disagree with the product.
This entry was posted in Education, Legislation of Massage, Massage Associations, Massage Therapy, Politics of Massage and tagged ELAP, FSMTB, MBLEx, Model Practice Act, NCBTMB on May 10, 2014 by LauraAllenMT.


Hip-Hop , Pop Locking, Break Dancing , Funk, 80,90,2000'sCardio Dance Fitness, Dance to the latest music and dance grooves . Dance choreography from the most trendy music videos, award shows and pop concerts . Learn new routines and steps, that you can dance, have fun and party with your friends at a special event. Feel like a Rock Star!
There are no upcoming "Old School Hip-Hop ,Popping,Breakdancing (Fundamentals)" classes on this day.
Great class! Recommend to everyone who loves to dance!!
Great class! Learn new trick every time! Love the energy of the class!
Moves are a bit complicated.
Fun class! I learned new moves. Diverse students.
For having only two people in the class, there was zero personalized attention. I stopped dancing for a minute when I got lost and the instructor didnt notice. Other than that, it was fun choreography and I like how we did a couple different routines.
Was great to learn what the basic uprock grooves are and to work on my glides.


Illuminate your space in streamlined, contemporary style with this architectural five-light shaded chandelier. Crafted of steel in a fashionable finish, this unit fixture features a circular pendant holder with five bowed strap arms. Secured from five rod posts, cylindrical white satin opal glass shades ensconce 75 W incandescent or LED equivalent bulbs (not included) to diffuse bright light throughout your space. An adjustable length of chair suspends the unit from a sloped ceiling-compatible... Number of Lights: 5 Fixture Design: Shaded Chandelier Overall Height (Hanging): 63.25 Fixture: 25.25 H x 22.25 W x 22.25 D Overall Weight: 9lb.


This is a Light Blue Jasperware Annual Christmas Mug by Wedgwood. It is the 1971 Piccadilly Circus Mug, first in the series of 15 mugs which ended in 1985. Wedgwood Christmas mugs have matching Blue Jasperware Christmas plates. Listing is for the mug only - no box.
The mug is in great shape - no chips, cracks or repairs. It is 4-3/8 inches tall, 3-1/4 inches in diameter (5 inches wide including the handle).


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No need to panic over availability of PPE: Health ministry
By Press Trust of India on 1:19 am April 10, 2020 No Comment
NEW DELHI: The Union health ministry on Thursday said there is no need to panic over the availability of Covid-19 personal protective equipment (PPE), but stressed these should be used rationally.
Joint secretary at the health ministry Lav Agarwal said at the daily briefing that 20 companies are manufacturing PPE in India and orders for 1.7 crore PPE have already been placed with them.
Since Wednesday, 540 cases of the coronavirus infection and 17 deaths due to it have been reported, he said.
The total number of Covid-19 cases in India is 5,734 and 166 people have died due to the disease, he said.
According to an ICMR official, 1,30,000 samples have been tested for Covid-19 so far in country.
"No need to believe any rumour or have any fear regarding PPE. Our guidelines state that not only PPE should be made available, but they should be used rationally," Agarwal said
"It (PPE) should be used as per requirement, and as I have told you, I can use four N95 masks within a day, or I can use just one within a day. While the central government is augmenting supplies to the states, we are also requesting them to use them rationally," he said.
Orders for 49,000 ventilators have been placed and their supply is underway, Agarwal said and informed that 10 teams of COVID-19 specialists have been sent to nines states.
The official also said that the Indian Railways has produced about 6 lakh reusable face masks and over 4,000 litres of hand sanitiser.
It has also converted 3,250 coaches into Covid-19 isolation units with beds. Total 5,000 coaches are to be converted, Agarwal said.
No need to panic over availability of PPE: Health ministry added by Press Trust of India on 1:19 am April 10, 2020
View all posts by Press Trust of India →


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GCFC at FAN EXPO Cleveland, Formerly Wizard World (05/01/2022)
We want to thank everyone who visited our booth and attended our two panels at FAN EXPO Cleveland!
It was great to see so many familiar faces and make some new friends too. Check out some of our best red carpet moments from the weekend, and a look at our panels!
GCFC PANELS:
THE MOVIE BIZ IN THE CLE: MOVIE JOBS & MOVIE MONEY
Lillian Pyles, CSA • Lillian Pyles Casting
Angela Boehm, CSA • Angela Boehm Casting
Allison Smith Newsome • Moderator
Bill Garvey • GCFC President
Just before you watched the latest Marvel post-credit scene, hundreds of names scrolled by while you patiently waited. Each of those names is a real person who makes their living working in the film industry. Join the Greater Cleveland Film Commission and guests Lillian Pyles, Angela Boehm, and moderator Allison Smith Newsome for an inside look at how the nonprofit organization's mission to bring film and TV production to Northeast Ohio is creating thousands of jobs and generating millions of dollars of economic impact right here.
Lillian Pyles, CSA • Casting Director
Her long career of casting contributions to the film and television industry include many Blockbuster movies and even an Oscar-nominated film. She has worked with an array of reputable actors like Meg Ryan, John Travolta, and Daniel Kaluuya to name a few. Directors she has worked with include the likes of Denzel Washington and Malcolm D. Lee. Major motion picture studios on her resume list Paramount Pictures Columbia, Sony, Fox Searchlight, and other top production companies with whom she's worked. NBC, HBO, Showtime, Lifetime, and Netflix (just to name a few) are broadcast networks, cable networks, and streaming services in her repertoire. Included in her professional career are also many shorts, independents, industrials, and commercials. Lillian has been voted a member of CSA (Casting Society of America), the premier organization for casting directors in film, television, theater and new media. Casting Directors affiliated with the Casting Society of America are committed to maintaining the highest levels of professionalism & ethical responsibility.
Angela Boehm, CSA • Casting Director
Angela Boehm, owner of Angela Boehm Casting, began her career by founding and fostering the growth of Olmsted Performing Arts, one of Northeast Ohio's premier arts centers. Over the years, Angela Boehm branched into the film industry, taking the best and brightest from the stage to the silver screen. Angela has worked on feature films such as Fast & Furious 8, Judas & The Black Messiah, White Noise, Cherry and Whiteboy Rick. As a trusted name in the entertainment community, Angela Boehm Casting has connections with agents in major cities throughout Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Michigan, and beyond. With a database of over 15,000 SAG and non-union actors and a strong team of individuals working from Angela Boehm Casting's own casting studio, Angela Boehm Casting is able to ensure every project receives the perfect cast.
Allison is a health, employment, and IP associate attorney at Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP and a Greater Cleveland Film Commission Board member. She has also been the host of the Solution: Community Conversation Series since 2020. A graduate of Vanderbilt University and Case Western Reserve University School of Law, Allison is a proud transplant to the Cleveland community and now warmly calls it home.
Bill Garvey, President of the Greater Cleveland Film Commission, is a former motion picture & television location manager and scout with 26 years of experience. He recently won the Location Managers Guild International Award for best period location management for his work on the academy award winning Judas & the Black Messiah (Warner Bros, starring Daniel Kaluuya). His credits include White Noise (Netflix, starring Adam Driver), Hillbilly Elegy (Netflix, starring Amy Adams & Glenn Close), Fast & Furious 8: Fate of the Furious (Universal Pictures, starring Vin Diesel & The Rock), Captain America: Winter Soldier (Marvel Studios, starring Chris Evans), The Avengers (Marvel Studios, starring Robert Downey Jr), and over 30 other feature films, over a dozen TV Shows, and dozens of national & local TV Commercials.
MOVIES: CLEVELAND TAKES THE LEADING ROLE
Mike Wendt • GCFC Production Coordinator
Why does Hollywood love to film in Northeast Ohio? Locations, locations, locations! From skyscrapers to small towns, beachfront to backwoods, Cleveland has the unique ability to transform itself into almost any location filmmakers need it to be. Join Greater Cleveland Film Commission President Bill Garvey and GCFC Production Coordinator Mike Wendt as they take you behind the scenes of some of your favorite movie locations that are right in your backyard.
Mike Wendt is an award-winning director, producer, and location manager/scout. He currently is the Production Coordinator for the GCFC. He has worked on films such as Captain America: Winter Soldier, Fate of the Furious, My Friend Dahmer, and White Boy Rick. His first feature length documentary The End Of The World As We Knew It was a selection of the 33rd Cleveland International Film Festival and his short film Goodbye, Ohio played numerous film festivals.


This study finds that money spent on experiences CAN buy happiness. So what are you waiting for?
Recent research from San Francisco State University reports that people who spend their money on experiences instead of material purchases are generally happier, and feel more satisfied with the value of their purchase.
Happiness is worth pursuing because it feels good (duh), but it can also have health impacts, like boosting your immune system and keeping stress at bay according to UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center.
Have you ever tried yoga? Probably. BUT have you tried yoga with a goat on your back?
If you're already a yogi, consider practicing in a new, unusual place. Need inspiration? Check out this article which shows hundreds of yogis practicing their up dogs on a glass-bottom deck suspected 1,300 feet in the air.
If you haven't tried yoga, start there. Many people credit yoga with inspiring sweeping positive changes like mindfulness and compassion in their lives. It could be that trying yoga changes your life. If you aren't the woke type, it will at least leave you well exercised and entertained.
Try a new spin on the original treat-yo-self, a massage.
Cupping therapy is a type of deep-tissue massage involving special cups that suction onto your skin. According to WebMD, cupping therapy dates back to ancient Egyptian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern cultures, but seems to be gaining popularity as a trend in the United States. Fans of cupping therapy say the therapy has a range of benefits, including mitigating pain, inflammation, aiding blood flow, relaxation and well-being, and as a type of deep-tissue massage.
For something a little closer to home, try Soothe — "a massage delivered to you." With Soothe's app, you can book a massage in your own living room. Choose from Swedish massages, deep tissue, sports massages, and more. Our favorite part of Soothe? The tip is included in your in-app payment, which takes out the awkward guess-work associated with classic massages.
Dine in a stranger's home.
Meet some new folks and enjoy a professional-level, home-cooked meal with EatWith. EatWith vets up-and-coming chefs who are passionate about creating unique menus and sharing their homes. EatWith is available in 200 cities around the globe.
Poke around www.eatwith.com. One event that caught our eye is hosted in San Francisco by Don, who calls himself a Professional Fishmonger Turned Chef. For $95, he'll host you in his apartment with a multi-course meal that includes oysters with champagne, a Poké bowl, braised squid, and more.
Plan a trip somewhere you've never been.
Airbnb makes finding affordable and novel lodging easier than ever. Plus, they've got some pretty outlandish lodging available if you're feeling extra wild. Check out Refindery29's roundup of the most outrageous rental properties. For instance, you can finally stay in the cocoon tent of your dreams.
Would you try traveling alone?
Have you ever tried carrying all your gear (tent, food, sleeping bag, etc) on a hiking trip in the mountains? The peace of mind and sense of accomplishment that comes with a few days in the woods can be incredibly fulfilling. It can be intimidating to get all of the gear you need in order, but a lot of the things you need can be rented from local camping stores.
Not sure where to start? Hit Yosemite. With well-maintained trails and a decent amount of foot-traffic, you'll feel a sense of community that's important for first-timers.
Well, what are you waiting for? We've helped you justify your next trip/massage/meal … go forth and conquer!


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Speeding drivers targeted by Norwich school pupils
Ben Kendall
Primary school children have joined forces with the police to warn drivers about the dangers of speeding.
Children at Lakenham Primary School took part in the latest speed checks carried out yesterday in City Road, Norwich.
Motorists caught exceeding the 30mph speed limit were stopped and offered the choice between a warning from the children or a fixed penalty ticket. Four drivers were stopped within the first 10 minutes and all opted for the warning.
It is two years since the initiative was first launched and teachers say it has had an impact on speeding in the area. Police teams across the county are considering adopting the novel approach.
Parent Kerry Beall said: "I have lived in Lakenham since I was eight years old and lived on the main Barrett Road where there is a lot of traffic and speeding drivers. This has been a real issue for me and my children.
"My son wants to walk to school on his own, but I won't let him as I am scared about the amount of traffic and those drivers who choose to speed may knock him over.
"I think it is a great idea to use children to speak to drivers as it does make drivers think and the embarrassment factor of being caught is almost being like named and shamed."
One of the pupils taking part, 11-year-old Domynyk Belcher, said: "When we stop the drivers they seem ashamed; a lot of them have red faces. One woman apologised and said she should know better because she has children of her own.
"It helps people realise they could seriously hurt one of us and that will stop them doing it again. It's nice to be able to do something to help the community."
PC Pete Davison said the checks had helped reduce speeds in the Lakenham area. "A lot of people we stop drive down this street every day and they never know when we're going to be here," he said.
"In a lot of case they may only be speeding by two or three miles an hour - but that is enough to make a difference if they hit a child.
"We have done this a number of times over the last two years and it does seem to be making a difference."
A similar event was carried out last week and pupils stopped four motorists and one motorcyclist. Members of the public have raised speeding as a key issue in the Lakenham and Tuckswood area.
Ü Are you battling speeding problems in your neighbourhood? Call reporter Ben Kendall on 01603 772423 or email ben.kendall@archant.co.uk
ben.kendall@archant.co.uk


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it is important to maximize the quantity of space that is usable. It's also advisable to consider the designs found in the rest of your property. If you want a kitchen with enough space to sit down and chat with friends or family over a cup of tea, then your kitchen should not be completely enclosed from the living room which means you can easily make the transition between your two rooms. There are many options available to you.
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Like a lot of recent graduates, in my early 20s I lived briefly in a co-op house. It was a shaky experiment. The big social and political issues of the day were submerged in the daily grind. Dirty dishes were our downfall.
Since then I've passed a major chunk of my life here at New Internationalist, a much more successful co-operative with a long track record. We've had our ups and downs but we've survived as a 'worker co-op' for almost three decades now.
We're not alone. Globally, co-operatives are thriving, a fact celebrated by this year's 'International Year of the Co-operative'. In this time of economic chaos co-operatives may be the only game in town, a human (and humane) alternative to business-as-usual.
Here at New Internationalist being a 'worker co-op' means we run the show ourselves. Simple? No, it's tricky being your own boss – satisfying, yes, but also frustrating. Hard to put the blame on someone else when you're in charge.
No doubt we come across as a group of earnest do-gooders ceaselessly thrashing out the best ways to save the world. But you'd be surprised at how little time we actually spend talking about the 'big issues'.
These days a lot of our time (meetings, meetings, meetings) is spent managing the business, figuring out how to survive in tough economic times. But we're also not above having long, intense discussions about life-altering decisions – like what colour to paint the doors.
This issue also looks at another kind of work fraught with contradictions: voluntourism. When our kids take off to spend a gap year in Malawi or Mongolia, are they just paying patrons like any other tourist?
In addition, Tam Hussein, a writer with deep roots in the Middle East, looks beyond the daily bloodshed in Syria to probe the long-simmering tensions between contending ethnic factions in that country.
Skilled and in control: an Argentine co-op member thins dough for tarts at a recovered bread factory in Buenos Aires.
Co-ops offer an alternative way of doing business where profits are enjoyed collectively, not just by a small group of shareholders. They can be small, local businesses or huge global companies.
The rituals that reinforce co-operation are under threat, says Richard Sennett.
Can co-operatives save Cuba? John Restakis travels to Havana to find out.
The current conflict has deep and tangled roots, as Tam Hussein explains.
Campaigns, resources and further reading.
Who exactly will benefit from the city's regeneration? asks Michael Pooler.
Fran Lambrick on a community determined to protect its forest.
Josie Long on putting her world view into practice.
What is self-evident for one is a mystery for others, discovers Lauri Kubuitsile.
Mohamed Sulaiman Labat from Western Sahara shares the significance of his calligraphy.


The braided rug carries memories of a simpler time when families gathered around the hearth at the end of a busy day. This traditional American craft actually originated in England and traveled to North America with the Pilgrims. Simple and sturdy, these rugs were used to warm the cold wooden floorboards in Colonial New England. The braided rug soon made its way West with the pioneers, and quickly spread throughout the country.
Women gathered in the evenings, braiding rugs from old scraps of fabric, worn coats, and discarded pieces of clothing – the ultimate in recycling. They passed the skill along to their daughters, working together while the men repaired harnesses and tools. In its earliest form, there was little attention paid to design or color. Most braided rugs had a strand of black fabric running through the entire rug, since black was the most readily available fabric culled from old black coats, pants and jackets. The black strand was braided with whatever other colors were on hand at the time. This was commonly referred to as the 'hit-or-miss' pattern.
A typical braided rug is made from three strands of fiber. Just like braiding hair, the right strand is wrapped over the center strand and then the left strand is wrapped over the center strand, in a continuous cycle of repetition. When it reaches the desired length, the braid is then sewn together into various shapes and sizes – round or oval being the simplest and originially most popular. Eventually, square and rectangular rugs were made, some even reversible.
When New England emerged as a center for wool-making in the 1800's, braided rugs became more sophisticated and complex. Skeins of wool became available, replacing the old discarded fabrics and remnants. As designs became more intricate, some women even developed their own recognizable style, much like a signature. There were borders and variations of patterns using color and shading. The humble braided rug came into its own as a treasure of American Folk Art.
Like its cousin – the antique hand-sewn quilt – heirloom braided rugs are difficult to find today and usually fetch high prices. Their age and fragility often makes them better suited for wall art than for a floor covering.
Hand-braided rugs are still made today by crafters and artisans following the time-honored tradition of the early colonial settlers. As cottage or country style furnishings have come into vogue, the braided rug is fast becoming a focal point of the new 'old' décor. Few are still hand-crafted, while most are machine made, making them more affordable. Today's rugs come in a variety of materials, including wool, cotton, nylon, chenille cotton and even polypropylene for outdoor use.
Unlike their humble ancestors, contemporary braided rugs offer endless choices – round, square, oval, rectangular in standard or custom dimensions to fit any setting. Patterns and colors range from bold stripes to subtle hues. Some braided rugs replicate the traditional patterns that date back to the 1800's when braiding was in its heyday. Others set out in a striking, creative new direction to impart a contemporary interpretation to the traditional braided rug with vertical, concentric and cross-sewn braids. Some rugs are even made using 'micro-braids' for enhanced color variation. Reversible rugs enable the homeowner to change the décor with the changing seasons. No wonder the simple braided rug is experiencing a renaissance – finding its place in homes from the seashore to the mountains, lakes, and prairies. Quite simply – the braided rug is as American as apple pie!


If you think that you 100% aware of how vetiver can and should smell, you're probably wrong. This note requires a special attitude and deserves a dignified framing. Only under such conditions a vetiver composition of timeless beauty can be born. This is especially true when it comes to the precious Indian 25-year-old vetiver oil Ruh Khus, which forms the heart of Vétiver Nocturne.
"If you think that you 100% aware of how vetiver can and should smell, you're probably wrong. This note requires a special attitude and deserves a dignified framing. Only under such conditions a vetiver composition of timeless beauty can be born. This is especially true when it comes to the precious Indian 25-year-old vetiver oil Ruh Khus, which forms the heart of Vétiver Nocturne. In order to make the start of the fragrance greener, a young Ruh Khus is used: in its distillation process it passes through the copper pipes and thus acquires green color and smell. The base of the composition consists of the oils of Indonesian Sandalwood and Oud Trat, which were distilled by the perfumer himself with the use of a special infusion technique: during the distillation process wooded materials were enriched by the oils of White Champaca and Thai Jasmine. Floral notes revealed the beauty of Sandalwood oil extracted from the roots of centuries-old Sandalwood trees, which were cut down a long time ago and nowadays only their roots, which were preserved in the ground for years, are available to give us an aromatic material of the highest quality. Only the real Mysore Sandalwood, which is also generously used in the composition, can compete with it in terms of rarity and resplendence. It's hard to imagine a better framing for the Vetiver note than this." – a note from the brand.
Vétiver Nocturne was launched in 2018. The nose behind this fragrance is Dmitry Bortnikov.