The State College Borough Water Authority will be reconsidering Toll Brothers' request for an easement permitting construction of a sewage conveyance pipeline across deed-restricted conservation land owned by SCBWA, at the water authority's meeting Thursday July 19 at 4 p.m. at 1201 West Branch Road.
For background, please read May 1, May 7 and May 21, 2018 Bailiwick News reporting.
From G. Randolph Hudson, Architect, LEED AP, and Chair, NVEC Working Group for Whitehall Road Regional Parkn Design, via email to Ms. Kathleen Matason, Chair, Centre Region Parks & Recreation Authority (CRPRA) Board and Ms. Pamela Salokangas, Director, Centre Region Parks & Recreation (CRPR).
This is consistent with surveys from around the nation.
Yet the proposed Phase One of Whitehall Road Regional Park devotes a great deal of area, and by far the greatest tax dollars, for organized sports and its parking, rather than for what the community says it needs. A great local park, on the other hand, might more closely resemble Penn State Arboretum or Pittsburgh's Schenley Park.
The site of the proposed Whitehall Road Regional Park is one of the most stunning natural areas in Central Pennsylvania. It offers magnificent vistas of Mount Nittany, Tussey Ridge and thousands of acres of open fields and meadows. It defines the essence of the term "viewshed." I strongly encourage any stakeholder who has not walked this site to do so, while all its potential can still be imagined.
The current plan places far too much emphasis on team sports. This is not the place to emphasize those.
The Nittany Valley Environmental Coalition strongly supports the letter of March 21, 2018 to the CRPRA Board, written by Ferguson Township Manager David Pribulka on behalf of the Ferguson Township Board of Supervisors.
The Ferguson Township letter asks that the next planning and design phases adhere to the already agreed-upon principles stated in the Whitehall Road Regional Parklands Master Site Plan ("Whitehall Parklands") document created in August 2010 for the Centre Region Council of Governments. The document was the result of a comprehensive stakeholder-supported master plan process.
Encourage permeable paving for parking and roads.Encourage paved rather than gravel surfaces.
Design number of parking spaces not to perceived desires, but to code minimums.
Shade paved areas—both roads and parking–with trees to reduce heat islands. We understand that shading was originally planned, but later removed. This is contrary to all good planning practice in the last 20 years.
Refer to LEED standards for site and other facility planning. Although certification is not required, these offer realistic and proven design guidelines.
Do not "improve" undeveloped portions of park. Since there is no timetable for future phases: Request no grading; preserve natural habitat. Consider succession planting and reforestation.
Do not grade either Phase One areas labeled "Future," or Phase Two areas. Do not disturb this local birding hotspot.
As this is recent farmland, with heavy spraying, wildlife and beneficial insects have been impaired. Management plans must include cessation of herbicides and pesticides.
Consider the Wildlife Management Institute's Young Forest Guide principles, allowing areas for brush and young trees to grow up. These areas are "powerhouse" habitats for grouse, whip-poor-wills, reptiles, including turtles, and migrating birds.
Update the Parklands Master Plan for subsequent phases as Phase One is developed.
Additionally: Make this an inclusive and transparent process, with broad community input.
Green infrastructure and low impact parkland for this and subsequent phases. Consistent with 2010 planning document, through the Sustainable Sites Initiative.
Mitigate light and noise pollution. Consider screening and natural buffering with height to prevent spillover light to adjacent properties.
NVEC respectfully requests that there be no site lighting. Besides the initial and yearly expense, night lighting affects not only adjacent properties, but will be visible for miles. It disrupts views of the night sky, bird migration and human health.
Consider stargazing as a popular, free outdoor activity that is difficult in town. Ideally, consider a sky observatory to complement PSU Davies Lab.
If there is lighting, it should conform to International Dark Sky Association (IDSA) standards, with zero off-site light spillage. Security lighting, if any, should be by motion-detector only.
Noise: NVEC respectfully requests no amplification/announcement systems. Pine Grove Mills already hears both Kocher Stables and Beaver Stadium loudspeakers. Loudspeakers here would be highly disturbing to adjacent and distant residential areas.
For noise control, establish hours of operation, and standards for activities and decibel levels in accordance with local ordinances, police, and community wishes.
Plan first for the views and natural areas, then for the ballfields. Chapter One of Whitehall Parklands: The site is "exceptional in its scenic position with outstanding valley views" and has "spectacular…scenic values." Any coach will tell athletes: "Keep your eye on the ball." Views like these are vital for visitors, far less so for athletes.
Xeriscaping. 1. Plant native grass, shrub and tree species that, once established, require no watering, herbicides or pesticides. This provides tremendous yearly savings in maintenance. As a bonus, these will allow pollinator, beneficial insect, and bird populations to rebound. 2. Carry out sports turf design, and a management program, that reflects this.
Invasive-species control. Invasive plants are a growing problem in Ferguson Township and statewide. Invasives crowd out native plants, starving birds and wildlife; this cost must be included in operations budgeting.
Eight years have elapsed since the original Whitehall Parklands plan. Much has changed since then, and current planning must reflect this.
Whitehall Parklands is above and within the recharge area of the Harter and Thomas well fields providing drinking water to 75,000 State College area residents, above fragile karst limestone geology prone to sinkholes and fractures.
Construction and operation must not risk the safety of nearby State College Borough Water Authority wells and Slab Cabin Run. Accordingly, re-grade as little as possible of either Phase One or Phase Two. Do not re-grade now for future facilities.
Plan now for who is responsible if wells or stream are damaged.
Consider having the State College Borough Water Authority board certify the project as non-risk, absolving the Parks Authority and COG of liability for damages.
At every phase, the Parklands should contain the full blend of active, passive and natural areas, in similar proportions to those at completion of all phases. Phase One must, at a minimum, include the community gardens designated as "future" in the site plan.
Providing this full range will be more economical than a plan that prioritizes sports fields. It will help meet the three General Forum goals: small enough to cost $4.8 million or less; within the (Whitehall Parklands) design area and with a broad enough range of features to be accepted unanimously by municipal legislators as a "regional" park.
Are sports fields in fact necessary?
A casual drive around our region shows dozens of empty municipal and school fields everywhere, at all hours. A simple scheduling fix could eliminate or greatly reduce the need for expensive new fields.
Confirm current regional capacity and needs.
If the desire is for club tournaments, then recognize that concentrating the fields in one location may be ideal, but it is not a need.
The manufacture of artificial turf is highly energy-intensive and has severe impacts on water supplies. Surface runoff of rubber and plastic micro-particles will discharge directly into our water supply.
Consider installing natural turf only, incorporating a "resting" field to allow recovery between seasons/years of use.
If artificial turf is used, apply current best practices for sourcing the materials and managing runoff. This discipline is evolving rapidly.
Advanced Engineering for All Aspects.
Sophisticated engineering can be applied to all features of the Parklands, not only sports fields.
Consider hydro-engineering to provide water features, including water for birds and wildlife, and as viewer focal points.
Consider engineered gravel for roadways.
Incorporate outdoor learning and STEM opportunities for local students.
The proposed Parklands occupy a "hogback": a high tableland with stunning 360-degree views. No plans or studies, even Whitehall Parklands, have included slope analysis.
The best views must be reserved for the amenities that benefit from views.
The rise tilts down toward Whitehall Road, therefore fields may be highly visible. Consider this in final layout of fields vs. natural areas.
Minimize re-grading, cut and fill, and retaining walls. Consider a peer review of current site plan document. There are large potential cost savings even in Phase One.
Fill in the Skipped Steps.
Whitehall Road Regional Park was planned in 2010 by an interdisciplinary team of land planners and landscape architects, with input from a wide range of stakeholders. Fast forward to 2018. Construction documents are being drawn for a piece of that plan by a very capable firm, but one whose core business is infrastructure engineering. In my experience, when that much time has elapsed, there is a re-visit of basic programming assumptions and design response.
Considering what our community now needs and is requesting, pause and carry out program confirmation.
Before proceeding with construction drawings, hire a landscape architect firm to create schematic and preliminary landscape architecture plans that take into account views, slopes, sun; trees and other vegetation, and surface and groundwater.
Carry out programming and design in a public process.
Maintain focus on both costs of construction and of subsequent operations. Reduce cost of both, by focusing on the stated needs of the Centre Region population.
The Nittany Valley Environmental Coalition thanks you, your staff and all who have worked on this to date, and looks forward to helping to realize the fullest potential of this stunning property as true parklands for the entire community.


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A public policy ministry
The Presbyterian Office of Public Witness is the public policy information and advocacy office of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Its task is to advocate, and help the church to advocate, the social witness perspectives and policies of the Presbyterian General Assembly. The church has a long history of applying these biblically and theologically-based insights to issues that affect the public — maintaining a public policy ministry in the nation's capital since 1946.
Reformed theology teaches that because a sovereign God is at work in all the world, the church and Christian citizens should be concerned about public policy. In addition, Presbyterian forefather John Calvin wrote, "Civil magistery is a calling not only holy and legitimate, but by far the most sacred and honorable in human life."
A presence in Washington, D.C.
Ministry in Washington offers a chance to translate the church's deep convictions about justice, peace and freedom from words into reality. The political process is where decisions are made that help or harm people; decisions that help to make the kind of world God intends.
Office of Public Witness staff members visit national policy-makers and their staff, write letters, make phone calls and occasionally testify before Congress or facilitate the testimony of church leaders. This involvement helps to clarify the moral and ethical issues at stake in public policy. The goal is to make clear to people in government what the General Assembly is concerned about, why, and what can be done to respond to those concerns.
By adopting a study entitled, "Why and How the Church Makes a Social Policy Witness", the 205th General Assembly (1993) emphasized the importance of the church's social witness policies and programs. Along with affirming that God alone is Lord of the conscience, the study affirms "the responsibility and authority of the church to make a social witness policy which guides that witness. The church, if it is to remain true to its biblical roots, theological heritage, and contemporary practice, must not fall silent. It must speak faithfully, truthfully, persuasively, humbly, boldly and urgently."
Over 60 Years …
In 1936, the former United Presbyterian Church in the USA developed the Department of Social Education and Action. Presbyterians have always been known as political advocates; however this new Department created the first organized national effort. Knowing the value of Washington representation, the Department hired Fern Colborn in 1946 to maintain an office and a secretary on Eleventh St. NW in Washington, DC. This became the first Presbyterian Washington Office. Since then, the Washington Office has been led by several directors and many dedicated issue staff.
What Does Scripture Say About Justice?
Throughout the Bible, scripture reveals God's will to do justice. The Hebrew prophets continually remind God's people "…What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8). The prophets give specific warning to those who seek only their own well-being and ignore the well-being of the marginalized and oppressed. Israel's failure to be just and righteous is clearly seen as disobedient to God and the reason for national decay and destruction.
Jesus frequently witnessed to the priority of the poor in the reign of God. He challenged the rich young ruler, he sharply criticized the hard-heartedness of religious leaders, and he taught that those who reached out to marginalized persons were serving him (Luke 18:18-25, Matthew 19:16-24 and Luke 10:25-37). In addition, Christ speaks of the accountability of nations to do justice in Matthew 25 and states, "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me."
Presbyterians in the 116th Congress
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The Washington Office has compiled travel resources for individuals or groups planning a visit to Washington, D.C. Visitors may use the resources below to find accommodation, transportation and other information related to their stay.
Detailed map of National Mall, from National Parks Service
Map of the Capitol Hill area
Note: the Presbyterian Washington Office is in the Methodist Building, which is in the white triangle area at the corner of First St. and Maryland Ave. between the United States Supreme Court and Dirksen.
Transit/transportation to and around Washington, D.C.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Web site provides specific travel information and service alerts/updates.
Union Station Washington, D.C. (the train station and metro stop)
D.C. Circulator (for easy and accessible public transport around the center of D.C. and Georgetown)
Washington, D.C., offers many nationally known hotels. Use the booking Web sites below or visit your preferred hotel's Web site for reservations.
Washington, D.C., Hotels
Special Hotel Rate (from $99–169, depending on time of year) at
Comfort Inn Downtown DC/Convention Center
1201 13th St. NW, Washington, DC 20005
Link will automatically fill in discount "LPRS Rate"
Lower-cost alternatives to hotels are also plentiful in Washington, D.C. Below are some guest houses, B&Bs and hostels in the area.
Centro Maria Residence (for young women under 30 only)
650 Jackson Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20017
Email for guests and groups
Email for residence for young women
Woodley Park Guest House
2647 Woodley Road, NW, Washington, D.C. 20008
Send an email.
Kalorama Guest House at Woodley Park
2700 Cathedral Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20008
Adam's Inn Guest House
1746 Lanier Place, NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
Andrews House (Guest House of the Church of the Savior)
2708 Ontario Road, NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
International Guest House (an outreach of the Mennonite Church USA)
1441 Kennedy Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20011
Stuart Center art the Center for Educational Design and Communication (minimum group of 6)
821 Varnum Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20017
Hostelling International Washington, D.C.
Washington International AYH Youth Hostel
Dormitory style accommodations with separate quarters for males and females. Kitchen facilities are available.
1009 11th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
Toll free number (888) 464-4872
Hilltop Hostel Washington, D.C. (formerly India House Hostel)
300 Carrol Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20012
The Pilgrimage (part of Church of the Pilgrims, a PC(USA) congregation)
2201 P Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20037
Washington Seminar Center on Capitol Hill (part of Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church, a PC(USA) congregation)
201 4th Street, SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
First Trinity Lutheran
501 4th Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
Washington International Student Center
2451 18th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009
William Penn House
515 E. Capitol Street, SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
Tourism information/ guides
Washington, D.C., Convention and Tourism Corporation
Washington, D.C., Visitor's Resource Center
Cultural Tourism D.C.
A nonprofit coalition linking you to Washington's heritage and arts.
National Park Service National Mall and Memorial Parks
Visitor information about exploring Washington, D.C. icons.
The Web site for America's national educational facility provides information about 17 museums and the National Zoo in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.
Is your presbytery focusing on justice issues through public policy? The Presbyterian Office of Public Witness can help you understand proposed legislation affecting how we live together in God's world and how to bring the heart of the gospel to the heart of the nation's capital. In addition, Office of Public Witness staff can assist your congregation in its public policy ministry in other ways, including:
Internship and Summer Fellowship Programs: The Office of Public Witness believes that formation of servant leaders and advocates is vital to the public policy ministry and witness of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Find more information about our program and for application information.
Visiting Associate Program: The Office of Public Witness started its Visiting Associate Program in 1986, under which a qualified applicant (who may wish to do sabbatical or study leave) has the opportunity to negotiate working with the permanent staff in addressing public policy issues.
Special Briefings: Office of Public witness associates offer tailored briefings to youth groups and campus ministry groups who wish to call on their Members of Congress in Washington. Please contact the Office of Public Witness for more information.
Coming to Washington?
The Office of Public Witness has compiled travel resources for individuals or groups planning a visit to Washington, D.C. Visitors may use these resources to find accommodation, transportation and other information related to their stay.
Peace & Justice
A sharper focus on Presbyterian advocacy
PC(USA) Advocacy Director sees Biden as 'legitimately a man of faith'
Global partners working to help Mediterranean refugees
Stated Clerk discusses attack on the Capitol in online chat
Public Policy Advocacy	❯
Advocacy Training Weekend
Take action now! Contact Congress
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Advocacy as Discipleship: A Four-Week Devotional
Young Adult Engagement Report
Washington Report to Presbyterians
Grassroots Advocacy Teams
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Get the Presbyterian Justice and Peace newsletters
We'll send you a bi-monthly newsletter about news and the church's work on such issues as the environment, hunger and food, child advocacy, human rights, responsible investing, world peace, disaster assistance, development and grants, domestic/international public witness and social welfare.
Office of Public Witness Staff Directory
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Director | Send an email
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Associate for International Issues | Send an email
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Representative for Domestic Poverty Issues | Send an email
We Choose Welcome Action Guide
The "We Choose Welcome Action Guide" invites Presbyterians to extend biblical hospitality and stand in solidarity with our refugee neighbors. It includes background, guidance, and resources to help you and your congregation get started in welcoming refugees to our community.
2019 Gun Violence resources packet
The 2019 Gun Violence Resource packet provides congregations and mid-councils a robust package of material to help congregations put thoughts and prayers about gun violence into obedient action. The packet is a mixture of online and print resources compiled by the ministries of Compassion, Peace and Justice over the course of the last decade, but… Read more »
2019 Issue Priorities
Download the Presbyterian Office of Public Witness (OPW) domestic and international priorities brochure for 2019. It outlines OPW's focus on important issues for this calendar year.
CPJ Training Day flier
Click here to download a PDF of the flier for Compassion, Peace & Justice Training Day with all the information to sign up.

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The roof-top solar revolution
"Whilst the South African government created and then killed Feed In Tariffs, they created a new life and business environment for me and many others, and for this I am grateful, as I pursue my dream of making the world a little bit of a better place each and every day I am here."
- By David Lipschitz
In November 2008, the South African government announced Feed In Tariffs.
I was at the meeting in parliament, invited by two MPs whom I knew and who knew my interest in Renewable Energy. So I had the news first hand. I didn't have to read it in the papers. I was there!
I was ready. And I put into action a plan to install roof-top solar for homeowners and SMEs (Small and Medium Sized Enterprises). I had a friend with an electrical business and I invested in his business to bring it up to speed with rooftop solar installs.
I also spent R200 000 on my system that I had already put over 1 000 hours of time into, and I took myself off to the USA in February 2009 for a month, for an additional R80,000 cost. I went to three conferences in Phoenix and Las Vegas, and I did a week long Grid Tie PV course and I wrote the NABCEP Entry Level Exam, which I passed. The same R200 000 system is about R70 000 today, and the learning has turned out to be priceless.
PV is Photovoltaic electricity, ie solar electricity from the sun.
NABCEP is the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners.
In 2009 the electricity cost in Cape Town was about 50 cents for homeowners, but it cost about R4 per kWh to make electricity from the sun using a Grid Tie PV system, ie a solar electric system without batteries. So a Feed In Tariff was required to pay the homeowner R4 per kWh to install systems. This price was R12 per kWh in 1991 when Germany implemented Feed In Tariffs and this price had already dropped from R12 to R4 between 1991 and 2009. In the meantime City of Cape Town electricity had grown from 1 0cents per kWh to 50 cents per kWh during this time.
By July 2012, we were at "Grid Parity" with City of Cape Town electricity at R1.58 per kWh and Grid Tied PV electricity without batteries at R1.58 per kWh. From 2009 till 2015, City of Cape Town electricity costs had risen by 3.16 times, whilst renewable energy costs had come down 60 percent!
And I came back from the USA rearing to go.
April 2009 arrived and the NERSA published the rules. Systems had to be above 1MW and there was no Feed In Tariff for PV! There was also no PPA, Power Purchase Agreement. And all the rules weren't actually in place.
I put this behind me and carried on with investing and 6 months later, the government announced Feed In Tariffs of R3.96 for PV, but again above 1MW, and still no PPA.
I was devastated. My business ideas crashed and I went into a major depression.
I didn't know that governments make announcements that they have no intention of implementing. Frameworks are put into place so the government can say "We have Feed In Tariffs", but then rules are put in place to prevent the Feed In Tariff adoption. South Africa had 15 laws, 10 standards and 10 documents that had to filled in for "Feed In Tariffs." By contrast the USA had two laws, one standard and one document! In the two years that South Africa had Feed In Tariffs, not one person got them!
I only discovered that governments make announcements that they have no intention of implementing two years later when I read the German politician, Dr Hermann Scheer's book, The Solar Economy, and he said that Italy and other countries had done this. Italy and South Africa found excuses for not installing rooftop PV systems. And interestingly, Eskom benchmark themselves against Enel, the Italian Electricity Monopoly. One can see why this particular benchmark is chosen!
In 2011, the South African government said that Feed In Tariffs were a "mistake" and they introduced the Tender system. This was interesting as the UK government had the Tender system for 20 years and they had just announced that it had failed and they had changed to the Feed In Tariff system.
But an amazing thing happened to me from 2009 onwards. I was already an expert in South African Energy and Renewable Energy. I spoke at conferences all over South Africa. I spoke in parliament on behalf of the South African Alternative Energy Association (SAAEA) and they made me a lifetime honourary member for services to Renewable Energy in South Africa. I chaired conferences and debates. I wrote articles for newspapers and magazines and in 2015 I was interviewed on live TV, DSTV Channel 410, CNBCAfrica. So far I have been on their programme three times in two months.
And most recently I have been asked to write a weekly column for SA Breaking News, which I am delighted to do.
Note that as an entrepreneur I need to find the best in any situation. Whilst the South African government created and then killed Feed In Tariffs, they created a new life and business environment for me and many others, and for this I am grateful, as I pursue my dream of making the world a little bit of a better place each and every day I am here.
- David Lipschitz FSAAEA, computer scientist, mentor and energy analyst with a Bachelor of Science Honours and an MBA, has run a Software Development business since 1994 and an Energy business since 2008. David motivates people to change the way they think about their environment and shows people that it is possible to live a sustainable lifestyle with minimal impact on the earth. Keynote, conference and workshop topics include energy efficiency, load shedding, and producing electricity.
Image source: Flickr/ Global Panorama
Chris du Preez
Dr, Lipschitz surely knows what he's talking about. I am not sure why the government did this but it does not seem have the countries best interestest in mind.
I encourage people to install PV systems as I have done. Unfortunately the batteries we are now forced to use is the most expensive part of the system.
Most first world countries have a feed in system which makes the use of batteries unnecessary.
Somehow I was hoping the government would be advised to the advantages of grid tie but I don't know.
Nelson Adams link
Dr Lipschitz started 27 years too late. I would have liked to have him around when I started my solar business in 1981, selling solar and wind power to farmers in outlying areas where Eskom could not reach. At that stage I was the only supplier: Invertex manufactured square wave inverters, we managed sine-wave only in 1984.
Quite successful, a few articles in farmers magazines. If only I knew how, I would have copied and pasted a few here.
Then came dooms day for alternative energy in SA: Eskom supplied 2 Km power line free of charge to each and every farm supply point all over the country. 142,000 points were built 86-92 (yes, one hundred and forty two thousand). Those "free" lines now cost farmers R800-R1,500 per point per month. I am still convinced that this "farmer's pooling system" was one massive fraud; I fought it with whatever I could, even in Parliament, but the farmers are still paying about R2,000 Million per year for lines which they got for free. The terms of the contracts had never been explained to them.
Today I absolutely refuse to supply alternatives to anybody on Eskom. Personally I think you are misleading your client: it can never be economical to add solar to grid supply.
Solar and wind farms are also a massive fraud: Eskom has no right to pay exorbitant prices for power generated at times nobody needs it and then add that cost to my electric bill.


Lesley joined Three Rivers in November 2017 after relocating to Norwich from Surrey. Lesley has been working with primary aged children for 19 years. She has 3 grown up children, one of which has a bearded dragon and another who has a love of rodents. In her spare time Lesley likes taking long country walks, swimming and renovating her new home.


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Nourish (comm)Unity Gets a Fresh Perspective on Bronzeville
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"Bronzeville is an extraordinary community filled with precious cultural artifacts and historic locations where many of our community's best and brightest have walked, talked, laughed, and cried," read the program guide created by Bronzeville Alliance for the second event in this year's Nourish (comm)Unity series. On the afternoon of September 21st, participants on the FRESH Bronzeville environmental tour not only walked, talked, and laughed: they also biked.
As with the first event in the series, organizers in Chicago Sustainability Leaders Network partnered with Divvy Bikes to provide free rides. The bike share service brought a van full of bikes to the meeting point. As participants collected their bikes, Institute of Cultural Affairs Program Manager Samantha Sainsbury introduced the ride by asking each person to name something about their community that nourishes them. The answers— which included "unity," "friends," "culture," "historical legacy," and "getting to know people"—spoke to that richness of community described by Bronzeville Alliance.
Other answers—"youth," "trees," and "acting"—were directly connected to the Burke Elementary School Community Garden from which the ride started. Four Burke students explained that last year they worked with Bronzeville Alliance on the Burke Sustainability Project. To cap off the project, they created a series of four videos sharing what they'd learned about sustainability. In one video, two students decide to cut down the trees in the garden after they learn about the history of lynching in America. Other students intervene and explain the many ways in which trees benefit people and the environment.
Amandilo Cuzan of Bronzeville Alliance led the riders north to the Piece of Peace Garden, a project of the Bronzeville Abundance Campaign, which is working to create a block club along Calumet Ave between 51st and 54th Streets. The garden was designated in 2016 with support from 3rd Ward Alderman Pat Dowell, who greeted the tour alongside activist Dr. Sokoni Karanja and resident Santressa Harris. Each shared their perspectives on how the garden representing local placemaking and the involvement of multiple stakeholders from within Bronzeville. As Amandilo summarized, "the key to all this is residents."
The next stop, Walter H. Dyett High School Youth Farm, is the largest youth garden in Chicago. Each year, up to 25 youth work work four hours in fall and spring and 20 hours in summer tending to the produce grown there. Bronzeville Alliance is working to create a pipeline whereby the youth who work at the Burke community garden can continue their environmental education at Dyett.
Sacred Keepers Youth (SKY) Youth Garden, is another place for Bronzeville youth to deepen their knowledge about and connection to nature. Toni Anderson, founder of Sacred Keepers Sustainability Lab, explained how the SKY Garden is an homage to the monarch butterfly and other pollinators. The garden is the site of Sacred Keepers' youth monarch ecology course, which explores the symbolic resonance between the migration of the butterflies and the historic migration of black and brown folks. It is also shaped like a butterfly, which is easy to see for residents of the Luther Terrance Apartments just across the street. Toni explained that SKY Garden is both a "natural and social structure", a place that encourages residents to be at peace. "Beauty is an antidote to violence," she said.
After a long ride up Martin Luther King Drive from 48th to 38th Street, the tour stopped at Mariano's grocery store. While a large commercial grocer may seem out of place for a ride focused on community gardens, this stop examined how Bronzeville history had shaped this particular Mariano's. Urban planner Chris Devins, who was on the tour, launched the Bronzeville Legends Initiative in 2013 to "to transform the community with public art installations that highlight its identity." In 2016, the project installed 32 photo murals of notable Bronzeville residents on the store and on the fence around its parking lot. Chris emphasized to the group, particularly the youth, the importance of celebrating heritage through public art. In addition to the murals, the Bronzeville Mariano's features a large mural by Chicago artist Hebru Brantley.
From there, the tour headed west and south, stopping briefly at Wells Prep Learning Garden, which was established by teacher Lois Williams-Tandy to integrate gardening in the elementary school's science curriculum.
Nestled near the I-90 expressway is Legends Farm, a "two-plus-acre site that serves as an incubator for small farm businesses" and the largest site of Chicago Botanic Garden's Windy City Harvest program. Legends Farm was established on the former site of the Robert Taylor housing complex in 2013 through support of the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture and Brinshore-Michaels. Today, it features eight incubator plots, numerous raised beds, two hoop houses, production training farm, a large washing and packing station, and community allotment gardens. In addition to Legends, Windy City Harvest coordinates 20 community allotment plots at City Gardens in East Garfield Park and 25 at West Haven Park on the Near West Side, as well as smaller projects like the youth farm at Dyett High School.
After departing from Legends, the tour stopped at Hadiya Pendleton Park, named in memory of a 16 year old King College Prep High School student who was killed by gang violence. Just weeks earlier, Hadiya had performed as a drum majorette in President Barack Obama's second inauguration. In his 2013 State of the Union address, Obama spoke about Pendleton while calling for gun control. Amandilo asked the group to pause for a moment of silence in her honor.
Finally, the tour concluded at Bronzeville Neighborhood Farm, which has anchored Bronzeville Alliance programming for the past ten years. Bronzeville Alliance Lead Organizer Johnnie Owens and Master Gardener David Welch greeted the riders in the Farm's gathering space. David led a brief tour of the beautifully-maintained garden, pointing out that the abundance of collard greens, kale, sweet potatoes, hot peppers, and other crops were chosen in honor of the African diaspora and American slave legacy. The rows upon rows of carefully curated and lovingly cultivated plants, with roots anchored in the Earth and array of colorful leaves and fruits reaching toward the sky, felt like the perfect image on which to close the tour.
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We recently started a new series "Firmsconsulting Insiders share their thoughts" where you will meet selected FC Insiders, learn from their experiences and what they found works and does not work to ensure they make the most of FC training. In this video documentary, you will spend some time with a great client of over 4 years, Bill Graca, and his wonderful family. Bill is a management consultant at a boutique consulting firm and discusses his career journey. He talks about the way he has used Firmsconsulting content to both improve his work for clients and the community, and help his firm become more successful.
I'm Bill Graca. I am 33 years old. I'm a husband, I'm a father of three awesome kids. I work in Southeast Michigan, primarily in the Detroit area as a management consultant for a boutique consulting firm in strategy.
I had a great upbringing as a kid. I had two wonderful loving parents. Both were professionals. My mom was a physical therapist, my dad was an attorney by trade. My dad was actually first-generation college student so he taught me from a very young age that it was all about your work ethic, and actually, we had a little mantra in our family that was basically "nobody will outwork us, nobody's going to outwork a Graca". And so, from a very young age, from the age of you know four or five-six, it was really instilled in me as a core value that we were going, we as Gracas were going to work hard.
And I sort of took that to heart. When I was 14 years old I got my first job. I worked in a grocery store when I was 14, and from there I basically was able to save up to get my first car, to go to university, to pay for both of my degrees so that I left without debt, and so I was able to get from a local university, Oakland University in Rochester Hills Michigan, two degrees: I got a bachelor's degree in business administration and I got a master's degree in business administration as well. And from there I was able to kind of pursue some really unique and what I would consider cool work experiences. So I was able to kind of go into consulting and then go into various roles at large companies and now I'm back into the consulting space.
But it really all started with kind of when I was very young with my parents sort of instilling in me that's this idea that nobody was going outwork me and to really pursue unique experiences that would allow me to learn and stretch my comfort zone and do unique things in life.
I got into the Firmsconsulting content in 2013 and I really started by listening to podcasts and watching The Consulting Offer videos, the case preparation videos, and really reading articles. And honestly, I got into this fast and I was ferocious about consuming this content. And the goal was that I want to make myself a better consultant, advisor. I just want to make myself a better person, to be honest, and I also wanted to learn the tricks of the best.
And so I went into this content thinking that if it was good enough to train somebody to get into a top-tier management consulting firm, McKinsey, Bain, Boston Consulting Group, that it was certainly good enough to teach me problem-solving techniques and it was certainly good enough to teach me how to be a better advisor and to catapult my career.
And so I got into it. And I listen to podcasts. I particularly liked the ones that kind of talked about the consulting lifestyle. That talked about how to travel, how to run effective meetings, these types of things. I read the articles, every article, pretty much the day it was released. I was on it, reading it, marking it up, highlighting it, talking to my wife, and saying "Can you believe this? This is this is what this article said about my profession." Made me proud to be an advisor, to be honest.
I chose Firmsconsulting for a couple of reasons. First, I never really had any formal training in the role that I'm in. I work for a consulting firm. Never had any formal training. And part of the reason that I chose Firmsconsulting is these are partners, ex-partners of really great top-tier consulting firms and I really wanted to position myself to be able to learn from the best and so that was part of the reason I chose Firmsconsulting is really just to be able to learn from the best.
To learn how consulting really happens, and to learn how cases are really executed, and to learn how studies are really run from people who have done it before and done it for a really top-tier consulting firm.
So I saw the content as one of a kind from Firmsconsulting. I saw it as explicitly unique. That this is a group of ex-partners of major firms that are teaching people how to do this.
I saw this as an innovative set of content as well. I could not find another place, even back in 2013 when I got my first exposure to this content, I could not find another place that was this comprehensive, that was laying things out step by step, activity by activity and being so detailed, and so thorough, and so training oriented, and so user oriented. That was a lot of the motivation is that I can't find it anywhere else, it was it was just unique.
And then lastly, it was very easy to get engaged in this content. The way that the content was prepared and the way that the content was presented, it was easy for me to access it from, you know it is easy for me to access it from any device anytime no matter what I'm doing and for me this is big. I was investing in my future, I was engaging in content that was prepared by people who have been there and done that and I was able to do it wherever I was at, whether I was traveling, whether it was in the car driving around town, cutting the lawn, washing the dishes, that I had exposure to this top-notch content from top-notch partners no matter where I was at.
The quality of this content is just second to none. And as a Firmsconsulting client I really feel important. I feel like the content is actually directly for me, written for me. It's almost as if they understand kind of where I'm at that day or where I'm at in my career at this very moment. And so I found that the quality of the content is great and it just keeps getting better. I'm excited about some of the new things that have just launched recently. Being able to consume this content on my Apple TV, having us having a Strategy Training app that I can get podcasts and videos and things, and I'm excited about the amount of video that's coming: 4k high-def videos that's coming for this content.
So I find that the quality is great and the attention to detail is fantastic as well and that's important to me. In my profession, as a consultant, we have to pay close attention to detail. I am investing in my future and I am investing in this training material and for me the fact that the FC team just invests in making sure that every detail is covered off is fantastic.
And I'm learning a ton of new stuff as well. I am learning about how to run consulting engagements in ways that I've never known, I'm learning about how studies work, I'm learning about digital strategy, I'm learning about corporate strategy, I'm learning about the ins and outs of how those engagements work, and for me it just keeps getting better and I just keep getting something that, you know, I listen to a podcast or I'll watch a video on a Friday and by Monday I can find a way to apply that to the work that I'm doing that week and so to me that is a sign of great content and high-quality content.
When I started getting exposure to the Firmsconsulting content in 2013 I was part of a new boutique consulting firm. No formal training, so it was up to me to make my own training and be proactive in pursuing what I needed to be successful. So I went all in on the Firmsconsulting content and in the last four years this has really had a profound impact on me as a person, but more importantly how I work and I how I think of my profession, and how I am passionate about making a difference in the world.
And it's important to note, so as an example, I just listened to the other day a video about purpose. About your purpose and what is your purpose and how do you start to align your aspirations from a career perspective to the purpose that you have as a person. And I have to be honest that was profound for me. It caused me to sit back and it caused me to think about what is it that I want to do in this world. It helped me to reflect on what I've already done, and to be totally frank it challenged me to do more.
And when I started using this content I got extra doses of confidence. The way I conducted myself in meetings, the way I conducted myself with projects that I was working on was basically that if I knew how to solve problems like the greatest problem solvers in the world, in my opinion. You know, the people that work for top-tier firms that have been trained specifically how to solve complex problems, if I knew that same thing, man I could be… I could make a huge difference and I could solve big problems and I started to apply what I learned.
I started to apply what I learned in special projects at work, or more importantly, I pursued special projects, strategy projects, at my church. And so for me what I've gained from this has been outstanding and the confidence and the passion and the sense of purpose that has been reiterated in me and refreshed in me and sort of called out of me has been fantastic. And so that's the intangible kind of benefit that I'm getting from this material is I can make a difference, I can do great things and I can solve complex problems in the same way that the best of them can.
So what's one word that describes what the content and what I've been exposed to through Firmsconsulting means to me? For me that word is enlightening, and it's a strange word to pick but here's why I pick it: I believe that in order to be your best self, in order to really achieve your purpose, in order to just pursue your most ambitious aspirations as a person, in order to do that you have to have a light shone, and you have to have exposure to new insights and new ways of thinking and a light shone on things that you wouldn't have otherwise thought of.
And so for me that's what the Firmsconsulting content does. It's exposing me, it's enlightening me to new ways of thinking, new insights, and new opportunities. It's really helping me think differently about what my purpose is. It's helping me think differently about who I am and how I advise, and it's really causing me to look hard at, you know, purpose and look hard at opportunity and look hard at ambition.
For me it's this word enlightening. It's really about exposing things for me that I would not have otherwise thought of, and really by digging into this content and by really making it a priority and by focusing on leveraging and getting the maximum value out of your investment, it's enlightening and it allows me to think differently about things and allows me to be my best self and that's important. That's important to me, that's important to my growth as a person, that's important to me as a father and a husband, and just as an individual. So being my best self and defining and achieving purpose is what it's all about.
So I found this content really enlightening and I appreciate it for that enlightenment.
How has Firmsconsulting kind of changed the way that I've looked at my career? Well, I think one way to kind of articulate a response to that is to basically say, "I'm not done yet". And so I've certainly leveraged the content over the last four years to grow and to get proper training and to learn. But I'm not done yet. I've got some really substantial aspirations. I want to make a difference in the world. I want to be part of great change, I want to impact and influence change in the world, and so I'm not done yet.
And that's a lot of why I continue to invest and that's a lot of why I continue to engage because it's not over. It's not over for Bill Graca and I haven't achieved everything from a career perspective, and I need content like this to continue to learn, I need content like this to continue to challenge how I view problems and how I solve and frame up solutions for meaningful problems.
So I'm not done yet and from a career perspective this has been tremendously beneficial to me. Building my confidence, it's really given me the confidence to know that I can basically frame and help solve the most complex problems and I can do it as good as anybody else, maybe better, and that's key and that's critical.
So I operate with a new level of confidence and I have for the last four years since I've started to engage in this content. On a regular basis I get to go meet with people who are way more senior than I, they have much more complicated problems than I ever thought I'd be solving. And I can do it with confidence and I credit, I credit the content that Firmsconsulting has put out there and I'm excited, I'm super excited for the next round of content and the next round of programs that are coming from the organization because it's great and it has made a huge impact on me, it's made a huge impact on how I view my purpose, and it's made a huge impact on how I solve problems. And so I am very grateful for it.
I can't say that there is one moment or just one most memorable moment that I can point to in working with Firmsconsulting. But I can point to some events that have made a huge impact in my life.
So I came to realize that what was being offered to me as content through Firmsconsulting wasn't just the consulting training, wasn't just problem-solving training, it wasn't just case training but it was actually tools that were valuable to life. And I remember a specific podcast that I listened to that was talking about how to fight fatigue and it made me really think and made me really assess my life at the moment and think through how was I fighting fatigue, how was I addressing stress in my life, was I positioning myself to perform best. And I had to do an assessment after listening to the podcast and had to really think through my life in that way and I had to make some changes and had to apply what I heard in that podcast in order to make some changes in my life to better manage stress, to better manage fatigue, to take better take care of myself so that I could be my best self.
And so that's not a particularly memorable moment from Firmsconsulting perspective, but it was something that captured my attention and made me do something different with my life as a result of it. To me that's the one thing that comes to mind: captured my attention, caused me to do something different, forced me, really, to think about how to apply this in my life and how to think differently about performance, and how I sleep and how I eat and how I take care of myself, which isn't consulting training. It's about life.
I can't really point to one singular benefit that I've received as a result of working with Firmsconsulting. But I can say that it's really given me a different perspective on my career, my future, even my profession. What I've realized is that advising, consulting, solving problems, solving meaningful problems is legitimate. It's a legitimate profession, and there's room for it, and what I've also realized is that I've got the skills to be able to do it, that I've got the skills to be able to solve meaningful problems, and that there are a lot of problems out there to be solved, and so I've got some confidence today that I didn't have four years ago as a result of that.
And so for me the biggest benefit that I've really received from Firmsconsulting is this future view of the world. This is me knowing that I'm not done yet, me knowing that there are big problems out there that still need to be solved, me knowing that I can have a role in solving them, that I can make a difference. And I can make a difference for the world that my kids are going to be living in, I can make a difference for the world that I live in, I can make a difference in the companies and the individuals that I have the opportunity to serve and work with on a day to day basis.
And so for me that's been the biggest benefit of Firmsconsulting. It's helping me realize that's what I do, that's my profession, that's what I have the opportunity to wake up every morning and do. So that's the biggest benefit is that viewpoint, that line of thinking, that perspective, that confidence, that long-term vision that I now have that I really didn't have four years ago.
If somebody was going ask me why should I do business with Firmsconsulting, I'd have a pretty simple response: because you get an immediate return for your investment with Firmsconsulting. And I could think of two specific examples where I was able to benefit directly from the content that was available to me and get really immediate return in things that I was working on right at that moment.
The first is I was asked to structure my first engagement as an engagement manager. And I had no formal training. I didn't really know what to do. I didn't know how to structure an engagement. And the first thing I did was go back to the lab study that I had watched at Firmsconsulting and that allowed me to kind of learn the ins and outs, the tips and tricks, the general process, and the general line of thinking for structuring an engagement. I was able to take that content and really immediately apply it to something that I was being asked to work on as part of my role, and it yielded immediate value for me.
The other example I can think of is just recently I was starting up with a new client, an energy and utility company, and I had done a lot of work in automotive up until this point, so I understood the automotive value chain and I understood how automotive companies work, but I really wasn't clear on the utilities value chain and what were the ins and outs of energy and utility company.
So again what I did was go straight to the corporate transformation program that Firmsconsulting offered which really was cast in a utility. And I learned in that early content what the utility value chain was, what the utility model was, I learned some of the nuances of utilities by listening to that content and by looking at those videos. At the same time that I was coming up to speed with the client that I was working on, I was leveraging Firmsconsulting content that helped me understand the value chain and the business model, and the ins and outs of the industry that I was working within, which was brand-new to me at that time.
So Firmsconsulting, the benefit to me has been the immediate return that I've gotten on the investment. I really view it as an investment in me, an investment in my career, in my future and it's yielded immediate return on in my daily work, in my daily life, and it's allowed me to help others address problems, it's allowed me to address some of the tasks and some of the issues that I've been working with on a day-to-day, week-to-week basis.
The biggest piece of advice for Firmsconsulting members, a couple big pieces of advice that I can give. First, really maximize the value that you're getting out of your investment by engaging in the content. Really get serious about this. Take notes, listen to the content, follow it, engage in it, re-listen to it if it's got value to you. So really engage in the content.
It's really important to follow this content the way that it's laid out chronologically. I believe that there's a reason that things are laid out step by step and that studies are laid out step by step and The Consulting Offer content is laid out step by step and so follow it chronologically and make sure you're getting the maximum value from it by understanding how different pieces of content fit in sequence.
And the second big piece of advice that I can give is learn and think of ways to apply it to what you're doing today, now. I found great ways to apply this content to what I'm doing at work on the job, what I'm doing at church, what I'm doing for various things that I am doing in the community. So I would say apply this content. Find ways to apply what you're learning, what insights you're getting about yourself, and your career, and your profession, and how to solve problems. Apply it.
So I would say the two biggest pieces of advice that I can give to Firmsconsulting members are: engage in the content and apply the content. And I guarantee just by personal experience that the value that you get out of this will be tremendous. It will yield exponential returns in your career, in your personal life, and beyond.
In the past few years I've seen Bill become very confident in just the way that he's conducted himself professionally, the way that he's talked with his co-workers and his clients on the phone, the way that he's just interacted with them in a professional level. I've also seen just a huge amount of confidence in him when he's been at social events. Bill was a pretty strong introvert when we first started dating and in our first few years of marriage but I believe as he's become more confident in his role at his job and just with his studying and his training. He's been just able to open up more and he's been able to conduct himself in a way where he brings a lot of wisdom and knowledge, but he's also very personal.
So I've seen that when he's been working at his job or if we're in social settings at our church or just when we are around friends. He's someone that many people have turned to for wisdom and advice, I belive, because he just loves to be educated, he loves to study and always better himself, and he's just grown in so many ways that way and it's just been very exciting and encouraging to see him grow over the past few years.
So would I recommend Firmsconsulting? I think the answer is absolutely, and here's why. This is you investing in your future. This is you investing in your growth as an individual, as a human being. This is like an MBA or a doctorate of consulting, advising, problem-solving, and it's you investing in yourself. And so, would I make the investment again? Absolutely. Would I recommend anybody to make the investment in themselves? Absolutely. Am I convinced that this is the best material out there? 100%.
And I say that because although I've never really met personally the partners at Firmsconsulting, I have an inherent level of trust because of the quality of the content that's been developed, because of the way that it's delivered, because it keeps getting better and better and better.
And so to me it's hard not to trust an organization that continues to make great strides, great improvements and just puts great stuff out there. And so, would I recommend it? 100%, absolutely. I feel personally like it is my way of investing in myself, it's my way of continuously learning, it's my way of really preparing myself for the future, so it's fantastic and so its highly recommended it from my perspective.
We hope by meeting our clients and learning from their experiences, you can increase the value from our library of training programs. Another reason we are introducing this series is we hope that every FC member will be able to find an FC Insider showcased in this series with whom they can particularly relate and learn from. For many members it is difficult to emulate a partner because the gap in development (and age difference) is so high. Meeting real FC Insiders who are closer to most members' age and career development stage will hopefully help each member to find some practical advice, guidance, and inspiration that will make a material difference.
While we have an enormous amount of case interview videos, podcasts and articles, and continue to build that library, the largest part of FC & Strategytraining.com is the content for consultants, corporate managers and executives guiding them in solving complex problems to accelerate their careers and make a positive difference in the world. Clients like Bill Graca. FC content is streamed in over 150 countries around the world 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Thanks for your message. All FC email across all our websites now get sent to the support team. Our new policy is that we will collect the comments/emails and then feed them to the partners to answer in either our Case Interview & Management Consulting OR Strategy Skills podcasts versus answering them in the comments. Podcasts allow us to produce deeper answers to questions.
Now Streaming: Building a Digital Luxury Brand. Recorded over +2 years and ongoing, this program follows Tatiana as she builds a luxury brand in Europe by bending the dimensions of value in the digital space. What does it take to design the perfect dress? We begin with no designs, no plan, no strategy, no designer, no theme, no target market, no website, no distribution, no e-commerce system, no material, no sourcing and no presence in the world's fashion capitals. Tatiana has one advantage: she is the scion of a notable family.
Hi Michael. I am a new premium member. Which content should I go through and in what order to prepare for senior-level product management (PM) role in top tech companies (FAANG)? Ideally, in the next 45 days.
1) Product Design (e.g.: design a watch for blind people i.e. design x for y) : FC doesn't seem to cover this.
2) Product Strategy: FC extensively covers these.
4) Metrics & KPIs: FC doesn't cover this.
6) Behavioral: FC covers this.
I am hoping to continue building skills long-term but in the short-term would like to be well prepared for the interview type questions above to the extent FC covers those.
Absolutely. You must watch TCO I Felix, TCO II and TCO III at least to learn everything. Those teach the foundational thinking skills but TCO 4 with Assel and the Experienced Hire Programs provide a good overview before you get into the foundational content.
You will understand everything better and why/how it is needed/used if you start with Assel and the Experienced Hire Program but it need not be done in that order. Any order is fine and some clients find it more beneficial to end with Assel and Experienced Hires since it ties up all the loose ends for them.
So, I still have about 4 months to become an FC Insider and access the Experienced Hire program. In the mean time I am going through the TCO content. Do you think those would be relevant to my case at least from a problem solving foundations perspective?
Yes, there is a lot since we target different types of clients. But the experienced hire program will cover everything you need.
Thanks Michael. That was really fast. Let me explore the experienced hire program. There is so much great content out here that I lose the big picture of what is where :-).
Thanks for posting. Those are many questions and the good news is that I answered them all either in the free podcasts, articles, client testimonials and definitely in the experienced hire program. That last one is all you need as an experienced hire and the rest is just there to help you as you become an Insider. Retyping them all would take far too long so definitely go there. Everything you need is there.
Let me know if they answer all your questions!
Hi, I am posting this here so that someone else could benefit from the responses to my questions.
I am a premium subscriber and on my way to become an FC Insider. My question today is around experienced candidates, who have put in over a decade in an industry or function (Marketing, HR…). I have been wrecking my brains around this in vain and finally decided to take your help :-).
Typically, where do experienced candidates land in a elite consulting firms? Specifically, someone who has been in the IT industry in a business support function (non-technical) such as Marketing. For such candidates, what would a resume screener look for? What would Partners look for?
Understood. Thank you Michael for sharing your wisdom and personal experience.
If you go in knowing the limitations, then it is fine. See this as an opportunity to practice meeting MBB consultants/partners but given how many people will be there it will be hard to develop any meaningful connections. When I was a partner I rarely attended similar events and I must say it was hard to get to know whom I truly liked since it was almost like speed-dating. However, I did most final round interviews in the offices where I was based and I found those more useful. I sometimes even did interviews when I traveled to other offices and even then, while this is rare and there were cultural barriers, I found I built a better connection in that format versus the case competition formats.
Keep in mind that even when I was a partner, I never endorsed case competitions and never attended a single event, thought I attended similar events. Even when I was actively involved in recruiting my role was largely confined to the final round as the deciding partner interview.
Think of case competitions as an effort for consulting clubs to show support for their members and firms to advertise themselves. The one area where it may help is with someone who struggles with social skills or just does not yet know the basics of business. It will help as a crash course in those skills.
Thank you for that response Michael.
Yes I am aware of that podcast about avoiding case competitions. As I said, I wasn't exactly sure whether this event is going to be case competition or not.
After further research since posting the question to you, it seems that it sort of is.
I think I will apply to this event but will not definitely make it my highest priority since case prep is more important. The only reason I am applying is to get the networking opportunity with current MBB consultants (and hopefully partners).
What do you think? Is applying still a bad idea?
Thanks for your email. We actually do not recommend our clients take part in case competitions and we have a podcast on this. The summary of the logic is that the skills to do well in case competitions are not the skills to gain an offer in a case interview. So, while you may be able to go to the final round by winning the case competition, that does not imply you will pass the final round. Simply because you will be spending most time dedicated to mastering the skills for the case competition and less time for the skills to pass the case interview.
I would argue you may even do worse if you win because you will assume you are now ready and prepare less.
My advice is to avoid the case competition and prepare for case interviews.
I hope my email finds you both well. I had a question concerning competitions/challenges organized by MBB.
So there is a competition being organized by one of these firms. There is an application for it from my university. I am not sure whether this is a case-competition. Apparently, selected students (the high performers) from the challenge will win the opportunity to go straight to final round interviews at one of their offices.
Basically I am writing to ask, what would be your tips/advice on the matter? How should go about preparing for such a task?
Happy to help! With over 3,000 episodes of content on the site, the best way is to either scroll through each season of TCO or use the search bar on the top right corner.
Thanks for the links. I don't have access to those sections as yet. For now, it will be helpful if I can get access to cases in those two sectors.
I am new to this platform and trying to figure out the navigation. The induction emails have been very helpful.
Are there any links for start-ups or nonprofits?
Yes, the other programs are very useful but they, like Partner. BA to Director before 30, is much more advanced and not a foundation program. If you want to really become an expert in making the transition than you watch these programs. I recommended the foundation programs earlier.
Thank you so much Michael. That really helps a lot.
Recently, I have been listening to 'Partner: BA to Director before 30' series and I also gained valuable information from there too. Wanted to thank you for sharing such valuable insights from your career.
We always offer advice that is going to help you build a strong foundation of skills. We want you to truly be smart and insightful versus learning a few sound-bites to appear insightful. This takes longer, but is a more sustainable approach. This is what I recommend you follow and probably in this order as well.
Those will offer you a rapid overview of the core skills. If you want mastery of them, then go through Felix: https://strategytraining.vhx.tv/the-consulting-offer-i-felix-joins-mbb-europe but you do not need mastery, just to be good enough.
All the other programs are useful but to help with specific skills. The programs above you must cover and then, as you have interest in specific areas you can choose what to watch.
For me personally, it is developing skills (both hard and soft) that will be useful as a future management consultant.
Thanks for this question. This is entirely dependent on what you are trying to achieve. If you let me know, I can provide better guidance for you.
I hope you are doing well. Had a question to ask you.
My question is, what other FC programs, besides the TCO Series, would be most useful for people who are currently students (either undergraduates or Masters (non-MBA)/PhD students)? Programs that will be most helpful for this specific group of people.
Its better if we keep our conversation on the site so that it benefits everyone. Remember not to share sensitive information!
Hi, thank you for the response. I am considering about applying the consultant coach program, and I just sent you an email. Shall we talk in that email. Why I am thinking in that way is that it seems my output is less than another who is joined the firm as a new graduate (It might because I am the only foreigner in the team, communication with me, will be more time consuming), Which also makes me think that I need to have a strength on other skills.
Never fear. I definitely did not add much value on my study and I ended up as a partner in my 30s. Its more common than you think and its just that most people do not talk about it. These things happen. If you can be be specific about why you feel this way I am sure I can point you in the right direction.
Hi. I'm a FC insider, I am Working at BCG, Asian offices. I am now in my first case. I feel like I am not providing value to our client and not productive either. Could you give some guidance that which program that I should focus at?


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Pack Holidays started off with just one cottage – my own. I wanted to run a holiday let which catered for multi dog owners.
I am a multi dog owner….they are my family and of course, family comes first! I had trouble finding cottages that would take us (without extra doggy fees too!) when we wanted to go on holiday so what better than providing that kind of service to our lovely dog owners who want to come on holiday to Norfolk. We have so much to see, do and enjoy in Norfolk. From our smashing beaches (shhh!! keep them quiet!) to really local dog friendly establishments, to great walks all over the county…..and more often than not, pretty great weather.
So, it wasn't long until I decided to expand just a little and we currently have 19 properties to offer, from coastal, to rural countryside to the outskirts of a market town….and all very dog friendly!
And remember, I live locally, I am here for advice, information, or any issues that may arise and my contact information is available here on the website and in the cottages too.
So, what are you waiting for? Have a little look around and see what you fancy! And do ask questions….we like lots of questions!
We are committed to providing dog friendly properties for our guests, in the wonderfully dog friendly environment of Norfolk! There are no end of beaches and beautiful walks for 2 legged and 4 legged to enjoy. That doesn't take into account the dog friendly cafes and pubs that we have in abundance!
What better place to come on holiday?
If you are looking for a local, ethical and reputable company to market your holiday cottage, then do please give me a call. I would be delighted to talk to you.
At Pack Holidays we look after our clients as much as we look after our customers – everyone is individual and as such, has individual requirements. Give me a call if you would like to chat about Pack Holidays managing your property.


text:
Shale's Prudence Wins Over Debt Market With $42 Billion of Bonds
Shale drillers — some of them just emerging from bankruptcy — racked up a staggering $42 billion in new debt in the first half of the year. It's not what you think.
America's oil explorers aren't repeating the costly mistakes that landed them in hot water with investors, left them almost entirely shut out of debt markets and forced hundreds of them into insolvency over the course of five years. They're holding the line on production, boosting investor returns and are now attracting the lowest bond yields they've ever seen. And instead of using their newly found cheap credit to boom once again, they're using it to retire costlier debt.
It's true enough that borrowing costs have plunged across all industries as central banks inject liquidity into their economies. But arguably no sector has benefited from the bonanza of cheap debt more than shale, which about a year ago was on the brink of total collapse — facing a pandemic that sent fuel demand plunging and investors and creditors who, even before Covid-19, had grown weary of waiting for profits.
"We came into this year with too much debt, and we plan to pay debt down," shale explorer APA Corp.'s Chief Executive Officer John Christmann told analysts and investors last week. "The first priority has been the debt, and clearly we're on a much faster pace there than we would have envisioned at the start of the year."
It's what investors want to hear, and it was repeatedly emphasized by other top producers such as EOG Resources Inc., Pioneer Natural Resources Co. and Continental Resources Inc. in the latest round of earnings calls.
Average yields on non-investment grade energy bonds plunged to an all-time low of less than 5% last month, from almost 24% in March of last year.
The shale patch has gone from 230 bonds trading at distressed levels in April of last year to less than 15 today, according to Bloomberg Intelligence. The industry is also poised to generate more than $30 billion of cash this year, another record, thanks to a surge in crude prices.
As they push maturities back with newer bonds, energy companies face a much smaller wall of debt between now and the middle of next year, at less than $4 billion, Spencer Cutter, an analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, said.
View full article at www.bloomberg.com
Posted in: Shale OilTagged : P&P
Exxon launches U.S. shale gas sale to kick-start stalled divestitures
Peak Oil: Is This Top U.S. Refiner Ditching Oil For Batteries? | OilPrice.com


Coming Soon! PeopleSoft Interaction Hub 9.1 customers will soon be able to take advantage of selective adoption and PeopleSoft Update Manager.
Review the PeopleSoft Interaction Hub is Moving to Selective Adoption White Paper, for information about the impact to customer sites using the Interaction Hub product, and what needs to be done to prepare. This is posted to the PUM Home Page, tab Update Image Home Pages.
The White Paper is about our Interaction Hub product (previously called Enterprise Portal or Portal Solutions) release 9.1, that will soon be able to use PUM Images to apply maintenance. This process is called "Selective Adoption".
Customers currently using Interaction Hub 9.1 can prepare to use Selective Adoption by upgrading to a minimum PeopleTools release of 8.53.10 or higher, or to any patch level of PT8.54. The White Paper also lists additional requirements regarding PeopleTools releases and resolutions to be installed, depending on the PeopleTools release and if a site is English-only or Multi-Language.
To learn more about using PUM Images for applying application maintenance, please see the PUM Home Page, tab Learning About PeopleSoft Update Manager > then at left, Training and Resources > Training Links > PUM End to End training modules 1, 2, 3.


text:
Jackie Lacey's victory means continuity at D.A.'s office
Los Angeles Dist. Atty.-elect Jackie Lacey, right, is congratulated by Leticia Parks, executive assistant to Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley, the day after the election.
(Christina House / For the Los Angeles Times)
By Abby Sewell, Los Angeles Times
Nov. 7, 2012 12 AM PT
Jackie Lacey's election as district attorney is a historic moment for Los Angeles, making her the first woman and first African American selected to head the largest local prosecutorial office in the nation. But her stewardship is unlikely to represent a dramatic departure from that of her boss, current Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley, who supported her campaign.
Lacey, 55, has pledged to continue Cooley's initiatives, such as the office's focus on public corruption prosecutions. She echoed his support of reforming California's three-strikes law through Proposition 36 — the initiative's approach largely mirrored the existing policy in the Los Angeles County district attorney's office.
Cooley said he saw Lacey's win over veteran prosecutor Alan Jackson, in part, as "a referendum" on the performance of the district attorney's office in his three terms, during which Lacey played key roles in several management positions. She eventually became his second in command as chief deputy district attorney.
"She hit home runs every place she's been and is probably the most qualified person to be district attorney in recent history," Cooley said.
During the campaign, Lacey, a Democrat, touted her Republican boss' endorsement of her. Cooley appeared at her fundraisers, lent his voice to robocalls and introduced her to his supporters.
"It certainly helped that she had Cooley's endorsement, because that gave her the credibility necessary to woo independents and perhaps some Republicans," said Dan Simon, a professor of law and psychology at USC. Even though the district attorney's office is nonpartisan, Simon said Lacey might have had an advantage over her Republican opponent in any case because it was a presidential election year in a heavily Democratic county.
Indeed, her victory was decisive: She won 55% of the vote to Jackson's 45%.
Rather than seeking to chart a different course for the office when she takes over Dec. 3, Lacey said she plans to expand on programs she helped launch under Cooley.
In particular, she promised to commit more resources to alternative sentencing programs to offset some of the challenges of realignment — the shifting of responsibility for some nonviolent criminals from state prisons to counties. Such programs, she said, would ease jail overcrowding and save the county money.
"Right now, L.A. County has had the lowest crime rate in 60 years, but realignment presents a serious challenge for me as the next district attorney," she said. She called it a "huge threat to our public safety."
The county's jails currently house 5,754 inmates who would have gone to state prison before realignment took effect in Oct. 2011, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department spokesman Steve Whitmore said. That's nearly 30% of the county's inmate population.
Lacey said she would support legislation to reclassify some offenders — including identity thieves and high-level drug dealers — who are currently categorized as nonserious and nonviolent so they would be eligible for state prison time.
She has said she will also focus resources on combating identity theft and environmental crimes.
Supporters and friends have called the election of a black woman a historic achievement. Lacey's win in many ways parallels the victory of Kamala Harris — another black, female Democrat — over Cooley in the 2010 race for California attorney general.
Lacey and Cooley maintained, however, that she won because she was the most qualified of the two candidates.
"I think the significance [of my election] is that it may inspire other women and certainly African Americans and other minorities to seek a career in law enforcement," Lacey said.
Although Jackson had attacked Lacey as a bureaucrat out of touch with the needs of a modern courtroom, in a concession statement released early Wednesday he pledged to work with her.
"While she and I have serious disagreements, we share a commitment to making Los Angeles County a safer place to live," he said.
Lacey, for her part, told reporters, "Mr. Jackson is a fine trial lawyer and I intend to work with him. It will be up to him what he does with his future in terms of staying with the office."
abby.sewell@latimes.com
Abby Sewell
Abby Sewell is a former staff writer for the Los Angeles Times.


The race day has changed this year, and will take place on SUNDAY 3rd of June, 2018. The race start time is 2pm. Aidlink will have its own meeting point at St. Mary's College, Lower Rathmines Road, Dublin 6. The Aidlink group will be meeting here at 12:30 pm and parking will be available. At the College you will be able to pick up your race number and Aidlink t-shirt.
There are many ways to fundraise for the race. Start off by asking friends and family to sponsor you using our sponsorship card. You may wish to set up an online donations page. This means that you can simply email the link to friends and family, or share on your social media, and the money will be transferred to Aidlink directly, so you don't have to worry about handling cash.
You can now set up a fundraising page directly through your Facebook account, just log in to your account, visit the Aidlink page here and click "Create a Fundraiser". Staying social online about your training and preparation will keep you motivated but also remind people to donate to your cause.
Alternatively, if you don't have a Facebook account, visit our Altruism page to set up your own online fundraising page, select 'join the campaign' on this page here.
Holding events is also a great way to raise funds. Some event ideas include coffee mornings, holding a casual day at your workplace or even asking friends and family to place bets on your race time. An additional option is to check with your employer to see if they will match how much you raise. Often companies have schemes pledging to match funds raised by their staff, and it's great to be able to tell your supporters that you will double their gift!
Aidlink relies on the generosity and support of the Irish public in order to carry out our work. We are extremely grateful to all our volunteers that help fundraise on our behalf, we really cannot thank you enough. Aidlink spends 95% of its expenditure on Charitable activities and just 5% on Fundraising. Aidlink is committed to the highest standards of accountability and good governance. In fact, in 2017, Aidlink won awards at both the Carmichael Centre Good Governance Awards and the Chartered Accountants Ireland Publishes Accounts Awards.
If you have any questions or if we can help you at all, please contact call Aishling us on 01 473 6488 or email info@aidlink.ie. Make sure to also follow us on our Facebook, Twitter & Instagram for further updates. This is a great day out for all the family. Whether you walk, jog or run, you are guaranteed a smile when you cross the finish line. Achieving your own personal goals, having some fun and raising some much needed funds for charity. See you there!
For further information on the mini marathon, please click here.
For information on training and nutrition, please click here.
For further information on Aidlink and its work, please click here.


The synagogue in Kaliningrad before Kristallnacht (left) and the synagogue under construction in 2018.
One of the Jewish communities targeted that night was Königsberg, located on the Baltic Sea in between Poland and Lithuania. Amid the damage of the Nazis' wrath that night was the town's synagogue, which was burned to the ground.
By the end of World War II, Königsberg had become the domain of the Soviet Union and renamed Kaliningrad. The German people living there were forced to return to Germany and the Soviet government repopulated the periphery town of St. Petersburg with Russians. Under Soviet rule, the only sign of Judaism there that was visible for a generation was the rubble of what had been its synagogue.
Thanks to the ongoing support of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland and the diligent work of the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), Kaliningrad's Jewish community is being rebuilt. Today, more than 1,500 people are reconnecting with the heritage and traditions of Judaism that were not passed down to them.
The rebuilding of Jewish life in Kaliningrad took a significant and symbolic step forward in November 2018. On the 80th anniversary of Kristallnacht, the community commemorated the re-opening of the synagogue – built to look as it did in 1938 when the Nazis took it from their grandparents and great-grandparents. Now, when you look at the skyline of Kaliningrad, the synagogue is once again the most prominent building.
Stories like this are made possible by your support for the annual Campaign for Jewish Needs. For more information on the impact you are helping to make in St. Petersburg, Russia and its periphery cities, contact Ilanit Gerblich Kalir at ikalir@jcfcleve.org or 216-593-2815.


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From its debut at the Kilkenny Arts Festival in 1999, Camerata Kilkenny, a period instrument group specialising in Baroque music, has performed all over Ireland and Europe, together with noted guest artists. Their recordings include Bach's Musical Offering, and most recently, The Piper and the Faerie Queen, with uilleann piper David Power.
Debbie Diamond will mentor young instrumentalists learning to perform baroque music with appropriate style and interpretation, in the Festival Training Orchestra, which is open to string players (violin, viola, cello, double bass) and wind (flute, oboe, bassoon) of a suitable standard (Grade VI plus).
Music will be provided, including concertos by Corelli, Vivaldi and Telemann. Training sessions will be held over the weekend, ending with a half-hour public play-through, as part of the Festival concert programme, in The Model at 5.30 pm on Sunday 30 September.
Participants must be available for all sessions and the play-through.
Debbie Diamond, a violinist, has studied historical performance at Toronto university and the Early Music Institute at Indiana university. She is a member of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, and has performed with English Baroque Soloists and many leading early music ensembles. She is a highly experienced teacher of baroque performance style, and currently coaches the classical orchestra of the Royal Academy of Music's junior academy.
Trio Sonata in E minor, Op.2 No.
Colin Booth will give a lecture-recital on three musicians important to the culture of 18th century Dublin: Thomas Roseingrave, Thomas Arne, and Domenico Scarlatti. Their lives overlapped, and make for a fascinating study, which Colin will illustrate with works by all three, played at the harpsichord. Colin has featured at Sligo Festival of Baroque Music several times, including last year, when the audience enjoyed his lecture-recital on three musicians associated with Hamburg – Telemann, Mattheson and Handel.
Luciana Elizondo studied music at the university of Rosario, in Argentina, and began playing the viola da gamba there with the ensemble Promusica Antiqua. Having won a scholarship to continue her studies in Italy, she graduated from the Accademia Internazionale della Musica, Milan, and in 2012 was awarded a Masters in Interpretation by the Conservatory of Geneva. Luciana has played with renowned early music ensembles across Europe and South America, and has made several recordings. She teaches at the conservatories of Cosenza and Milan. In her solo concerts Luciana has revived the lost tradition of singing while playing the viola da gamba.
Rod Alston will launch the 23rd Sligo Festival of Baroque Music, Debbie Diamond will play the violin, and the German Embassy to Ireland will kindly offer refreshments to all festival sponsors, patrons, supporters and friends, before the opening concert. All festival-goers are warmly invited.
Primary and secondary school students (age 10-18) are invited to this introduction to baroque music of the 18th century, given by Debbie Diamond and members of Sligo Baroque Orchestra.
The music of Bach, Vivaldi and Handel – and less familiar composers – will be explored, with explanations and demonstrations on aspects of performance of this music that make it different from the classical period that followed it, and why it is fun to play. There will be opportunities to hear, hold and play some of the instruments of the time, and plenty of time for questions.
The session will be about one hour long. Members of the public may also attend.