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The UN Environment Program, Influential but Lacking Power
February 13, 2015 February 5, 2015 by Helmut Volger
The United Nations Environment Program works on disaster reduction scenarios, among other prevention programs, worldwide. Here, a sandstorm sweeps Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan.
BERLIN — The history of the United Nations Environment Program is illustrative in two respects: it reflects the changing importance of environmental issues within the UN system and it demonstrates that dedicated people in a UN organization can master the difficult task of implementing an ambitious mandate without sufficient political status, funds and personnel and that competes with a large number of other UN organizations fishing in the same pond for resources.
When the UN was founded in 1945, environmental problems were of no major concern, with the term "environment" not even appearing in the UN Charter. Thus no environment-related UN agency or program was established in the ensuing two decades.
Yet in the 1960s, there was an increasing awareness that economic growth was likely to cause severe problems to the human environment. That is why the General Assembly, noting "the continuing and accelerating impairment of the quality of human environment," decided in December 1968 to convene the UN Conference on the Human Environment in June 1972.
Upon the recommendation of the conference in Stockholm, the General Assembly decided in December 1972, with Resolution 2997, to create a distinct environmental institution, the UN Environment Program, or UNEP, with the main tasks "to promote international co-operation in the field of environment"; "to provide general policy guidance for the direction and co-ordination of environmental programmes within the United Nations system"; and "to keep under review the world environmental situation."
So far, so good: the establishment of UNEP, which is based in Nairobi, constituted a pioneering venture in UN environmental protection. Yet as industrialized countries and developing countries feared that a powerful environmental institution might provoke conflicts with their own national plans on economic growth, they intentionally created a powerless agency. It was endowed with a "small secretariat," per Resolution 2997, and set up as a subsidiary organ of the General Assembly without independent political authority. Its secretariat staff was financed by the UN's regular budget. But its program activities depended on a fund of voluntary contributions from governments. All in all, this arrangement expressed the political will of the UN member states that the agency should do its work but should not become too strong.
Indeed, it was not a favorable framework for a UN program. But given its tiny resources and its weak authority, the agency nevertheless became a remarkable success in two of its main fields. It proved to be successful in promoting international cooperation in the environment arena by leading negotiations of numerous groundbreaking multilateral agreements, including the Rio conventions on biological diversity and climate change. This key role is attributed to the fact that the former and current executive directors of the agency, Klaus Topfer and Achim Steiner, respectively, were skillful diplomats and steadfast advocates of UN environmental protection.
The UN Environment Program turned out to be most effective in another main task, monitoring the state of the environment by supplying excellent data for scientists and politicians, thus providing an empirical basis for many scientific and political initiatives for improving protection of the environment.
Yet the agency turned out to be ineffective in its third main task, providing "general political guidance for the direction and co-ordination of environmental programmes within the United Nations system."
Since the agency's foundation in 1972, an increasing thicket of environmental institutions developed in the UN system. A large number of distinct legislative bodies — the conferences of parties to the various environmental conventions — have been established that created norms and standards in many different areas of environmental governance without coordination through the UN Environment Program.
In addition, most of the specialized agencies, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization, have begun their own environmental programs independent of each other and with little policy coordination between them or with the UN Environment Program. There is no clear global authority in UN environmental policy; in cases of overlap or competition, none is likely to cede responsibility to UNEP, a situation fostering inefficiency and often-contradictory policies.
To blame this unsatisfactory state of affairs on the UN Environment Program is unjust if not political camouflage: those critics want the public to overlook the fact that UN member states have intentionally not equipped the agency with the status, mandate, money and personnel it needs to manage UN environmental policy efficiently.
Attempts to improve the situation have failed so far: all coordinating bodies that have been established either within the UN system — such as the Environment Management Group, handling interagency coordination, or the Global Ministerial Environment Forum for policy coordination at the intergovernmental level — have not been successful, since they lack legal authority and political clout.
Whereas a large group of UN Environment Program experts view its coordination problems as a reflection of the diversity of UN member states' environmental interests, other experts and the majority of European and African politicians think that the agency, with an improved status, such as a specialized agency with an independent mandate and more funds, might be better equipped to manage the coordinating role.
As a result, the European Union and the African Union pushed at the 2012 Rio+20 Conference on Sustainable Development to upgrade UNEP to a specialized agency.
Their proposal, however, did not summon the necessary majority. It was opposed by the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan and some members of the Group of 77 countries, who all find the fragmentary nature of international environmental governance in their best interest, as it allows for less responsibility and the ability to selectively engage with environmental institutions with weak enforcement mechanisms. In other words, "forum shopping."
Yet the Rio+20 conference agreed on some reform: it recommended that the General Assembly enlarge the agency's governing council from 58 members to universal membership and provide more funds and more personnel. The General Assembly accepted this compromise, which represents a certain gain in political status for the UN Environment Program.
It is difficult to imagine that these minor institutional changes will really make the UN agency more effective in the bureaucratic sense of the word. But that is not what counts: with regard to effective environmental progress, the UN Environment Program has proven that dedicated people in a UN organization with a courageous and staunch director in the top position can achieve a lot in a powerless institution by taking a clear standpoint and thus influencing public opinion worldwide.
This is the last essay in a series focused on UN programs and agencies.
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Advice to António Guterres: A Leaner UN Could Be a Better UN by Stephen Browne and Thomas G. Weiss March 27, 2017
Germany Gets What's Fair: Some Top UN Jobs by Helmut Volger June 8, 2017
The Quest for Peace and Calm in the Pacific by Jayantha Dhanapala January 17, 2013
The True Strengths of the WHO by Helmut Volger April 16, 2013
Categories WORLDVIEWS Tags Achim Steiner, FAO, Klaus Töpfer, Rio+ 20, UN Charter, UN Environment Program, UNEP, WHO Leave a comment Post navigation
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by Helmut Volger, PassBlue

The UN Environment Program, Influential but Lacking Power

by Helmut Volger, PassBlue
February 5, 2015

BERLIN -- The history of the United Nations Environment Program is illustrative in two respects: it reflects the changing importance of environmental issues within the UN system and it demonstrates that dedicated people in a UN organization can master the difficult task of implementing an ambitious mandate without sufficient political status, funds and personnel and that competes with a large number of other UN organizations fishing in the same pond for resources.

When the UN was founded in 1945, environmental problems were of no major concern, with the term "environment" not even appearing in the UN Charter. Thus no environment-related UN agency or program was established in the ensuing two decades.

Yet in the 1960s, there was an increasing awareness that economic growth was likely to cause severe problems to the human environment. That is why the General Assembly, noting "the continuing and accelerating impairment of the quality of human environment," decided in December 1968 to convene the UN Conference on the Human Environment in June 1972.

Upon the recommendation of the conference in Stockholm, the General Assembly decided in December 1972, with Resolution 2997, to create a distinct environmental institution, the UN Environment Program, or UNEP, with the main tasks "to promote international co-operation in the field of environment"; "to provide general policy guidance for the direction and co-ordination of environmental programmes within the United Nations system"; and "to keep under review the world environmental situation."

So far, so good: the establishment of UNEP, which is based in Nairobi, constituted a pioneering venture in UN environmental protection. Yet as industrialized countries and developing countries feared that a powerful environmental institution might provoke conflicts with their own national plans on economic growth, they intentionally created a powerless agency. It was endowed with a "small secretariat," per Resolution 2997, and set up as a subsidiary organ of the General Assembly without independent political authority. Its secretariat staff was financed by the UN's regular budget. But its program activities depended on a fund of voluntary contributions from governments. All in all, this arrangement expressed the political will of the UN member states that the agency should do its work but should not become too strong.

Indeed, it was not a favorable framework for a UN program. But given its tiny resources and its weak authority, the agency nevertheless became a remarkable success in two of its main fields. It proved to be successful in promoting international cooperation in the environment arena by leading negotiations of numerous groundbreaking multilateral agreements, including the Rio conventions on biological diversity and climate change. This key role is attributed to the fact that the former and current executive directors of the agency, Klaus Topfer and Achim Steiner, respectively, were skillful diplomats and steadfast advocates of UN environmental protection.

The UN Environment Program turned out to be most effective in another main task, monitoring the state of the environment by supplying excellent data for scientists and politicians, thus providing an empirical basis for many scientific and political initiatives for improving protection of the environment.

Yet the agency turned out to be ineffective in its third main task, providing "general political guidance for the direction and co-ordination of environmental programmes within the United Nations system."

Since the agency's foundation in 1972, an increasing thicket of environmental institutions developed in the UN system. A large number of distinct legislative bodies -- the conferences of parties to the various environmental conventions -- have been established that created norms and standards in many different areas of environmental governance without coordination through the UN Environment Program.

In addition, most of the specialized agencies, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization, have begun their own environmental programs independent of each other and with little policy coordination between them or with the UN Environment Program. There is no clear global authority in UN environmental policy; in cases of overlap or competition, none is likely to cede responsibility to UNEP, a situation fostering inefficiency and often-contradictory policies.

To blame this unsatisfactory state of affairs on the UN Environment Program is unjust if not political camouflage: those critics want the public to overlook the fact that UN member states have intentionally not equipped the agency with the status, mandate, money and personnel it needs to manage UN environmental policy efficiently.

Attempts to improve the situation have failed so far: all coordinating bodies that have been established either within the UN system -- such as the Environment Management Group, handling interagency coordination, or the Global Ministerial Environment Forum for policy coordination at the intergovernmental level -- have not been successful, since they lack legal authority and political clout.

Whereas a large group of UN Environment Program experts view its coordination problems as a reflection of the diversity of UN member states' environmental interests, other experts and the majority of European and African politicians think that the agency, with an improved status, such as a specialized agency with an independent mandate and more funds, might be better equipped to manage the coordinating role.

As a result, the European Union and the African Union pushed at the 2012 Rio+20 Conference on Sustainable Development to upgrade UNEP to a specialized agency.

Their proposal, however, did not summon the necessary majority. It was opposed by the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan and some members of the Group of 77 countries, who all find the fragmentary nature of international environmental governance in their best interest, as it allows for less responsibility and the ability to selectively engage with environmental institutions with weak enforcement mechanisms. In other words, "forum shopping."

Yet the Rio+20 conference agreed on some reform: it recommended that the General Assembly enlarge the agency's governing council from 58 members to universal membership and provide more funds and more personnel. The General Assembly accepted this compromise, which represents a certain gain in political status for the UN Environment Program.

It is difficult to imagine that these minor institutional changes will really make the UN agency more effective in the bureaucratic sense of the word. But that is not what counts: with regard to effective environmental progress, the UN Environment Program has proven that dedicated people in a UN organization with a courageous and staunch director in the top position can achieve a lot in a powerless institution by taking a clear standpoint and thus influencing public opinion worldwide.

This is the last essay in a series focused on UN programs and agencies.

This article first appeared on PassBlue and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
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text:
Timo Keinänen, Pekka Korvenmaa, Kaarina Mikonranta, Ásdís Ólafsdóttir
Alvar Aalto e gli oggetti
-5%	€ 45,60
The first complete overview of the furniture, glassware and lamps by one of the great masters of 20th-century architecture.
[Alvar Aalto and the objects]. The first complete overview of the furniture, glassware and lamps by one of the great masters of 20th-century architecture, who also left an indelible legacy in the history of design. From the "Paimio chair" to the series of stools in bent wood, the lamps for private homes and public institutions to the famous compositions in glass, like the Savoy vase or the Aalto Flower: objects rewarded with extraordinary international success that even today, decades after their design, represent a reference point for designers and design lovers. A team of historians and experts coordinated by the Alvar Aalto Foundation and Museum starts with the wealth of documentation held by cultural institutions, museums and manufacturers, investigating the innovations introduced by Aalto in the design of form and the treatment of materials and surfaces, revealing the close ties between his activity as a designer and his work as an architect, urban planner and intellectual. In-depth study of the genesis, production and commercial success of many of Aalto's objects, with a particular focus on his relationships with companies (Artek and Littala, above all) and the significant contribution of his wife Aino, an architect and designer, and co-author of many projects. The volume also contains many supplementary sections (a catalogue of furniture and glassware with their many variants, photographic documentation on production techniques, listing of works and awards) that make it a valuable tool for documentation and research.
paperback with flaps
See all the section books
Il mondo di Poggi
Roberto Dulio, Stefano Andrea Poli, Fabio Marino
Bauhaus 100
curated by Aldo Colonetti
Museo del Design italiano
curated by Joseph Grima
Broken Nature
Paola Antonelli, Ala Tannir
certified company	www.electa.it
Bookshops and merchandising

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Pasiecznik – wieś w Polsce położona w województwie dolnośląskim, w powiecie lwóweckim, w gminie Lubomierz.

Położenie
Pasiecznik to duża wieś łańcuchowa o długości około 2,8 km, leżąca na Pogórzu Izerskim, pomiędzy Przedgórzem Rębiszowskim na południowym zachodzie i Wzniesieniami Radoniowskimi na północnym wschodzie, na wysokości około 380-435 m n.p.m. Przez miejscowość prowadzi droga krajowa nr 30.

Podział administracyjny
W latach 1975–1998 miejscowość administracyjnie należała do województwa jeleniogórskiego.

Demografia
Według Narodowego Spisu Powszechnego (III 2011 r.) Pasiecznik liczył 587 mieszkańców. Jest największą miejscowością gminy Lubomierz.

Zabytki
Do wojewódzkiego rejestru zabytków wpisane są:
 gotycki kościół filialny pw. św. Michała Archanioła, z początku XVI wieku, przebudowany w drugiej połowy XIX wieku, wewnątrz fragment tryptyku ołtarzowego i renesansowa chrzcielnica z 1602
 cmentarz przy kościele
 ogrodzenie, z XVIII wieku,
 dom pogrzebowy, z drugiej połowy XIX wieku,
 wieża-dzwonnica kościoła ewangelickiego, z początku XIX wieku.

Przypisy

Bibliografia
 Słownik geografii turystycznej Sudetów. Marek Staffa (redakcja). T. 2: Pogórze Izerskie (M-Ż). Wrocław: Wydawnictwo I-BiS, 2003, .

Lubomierz (gmina)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


A denture is a removable appliance made of acrylic and sometimes in combination with various metals.
When a patient is missing all their natural teeth, full (complete) dentures are constructed to allow chewing function as well as for a natural, beautiful smile. Our dentists have constructed many dentures for patients all over Ipswich and we only use local Ipswich dental laboratories in our denture fabrication, ensuring an extremely high quality finished product.We also construct immediate dentures which can either be full dentures or partial dentures.
An immediate denture, as the name implies, means that upon extraction of a patient's remaining teeth, the denture is inserted immediately ensuring our patients do not have to go a single day without teeth. Many of our Ipswich based patients work in jobs that are not conducive to going without teeth for any length of time and our dentists have provided this treatment to ensure you can continue with your everyday lives.
When some of your teeth are missing, a partial denture can be constructed to fill in the gaps between the remaining teeth. Partial dentures can be made of acrylic or chrome. The advantage to retaining some of your own natural teeth is that partial dentures are generally much easier to wear than full dentures as retention is obtained from existing teeth.
Our dentists have been servicing the denture needs of the Ipswich community for many years. If you or a family member has missing teeth that you would like replaced, do not hesitate to contact our friendly staff on 3202 4566 to book your denture consultation today!


The American Society of Hematology (ASH) 45th Annual Meeting and Exposition was held December 6 – 9, 2003 in San Diego. In addition to days filled with scientific education sessions, there were thousands of posters, hundreds of exhibits, and separate meetings of groups with like interests.
This version of the e-news is devoted to a few of the highlights from the ASH meeting. There is just too much to report in this venue. We will publish additional information in subsequent e-news. The Spring issue of The Platelet News, our quarterly newsletter, will feature a full-length article on the ASH meeting. See www.pdsa.org/joinus.htm to become a member and receive your copy.
The European Haematology Association (EHA) has established a working group on thrombocytopenias. The aim of the working group is to standardize and coordinate research projects worldwide. A central research focus will help reduce redundancy and facilitate comparison of research results. One of the working group's first projects will be to standardize reporting terminology such as 'complete response' and 'chronic'. Other projects include an ITP registry and genomic studies.
At our San Diego regional meeting, Dr. Drew Provan, co-chair of the EHA working group, discussed the EHA committee projects and other recent ITP research. We have an audio tape of the meeting. If you would like a copy of Dr. Provan's presentation at our regional meeting send a $12.00 check and note to PDSA, P.O. Box 61533, Potomac, MD 20859. We thank Nabi for supporting our regional meetings.
Mycophenolate-mofetil (Cellcept ®), a drug used to prevent rejection in kidney and heart transplant patients, is sometimes used to treat ITP. Dr. Drew Provan described a study done by Hou Peng and associates and reported in the European Journal of Haematology. In this study, mycophenolate-mofetil was given to 21 refractory ITP patients. Sixty-two percent of these patients had some response to the treatment including 24% who had a complete response. The response to this treatment is slow and can take a few months. It is unclear what will happen when the medication is discontinued or the long term effects of taking this treatment.
James Bussel, MD, reported on the results of a platelet growth factor (AMG531), an ITP therapy in the very early phase of testing. As in all new treatments, AMG531 was initially given to a few patients during a controlled clinical trial to assess the safety of the treatment. The results of this initial trial demonstrated that AMG531 was well-tolerated at a dose that maintained the platelet count in a normal range. Because of the positive data, a larger clinical trail is being planned.
The platelet count results from the same blood sample can vary widely, depending on the brand of machine used to analyze the sample and the time lag between taking the sample and its analysis. According to Sam Machin, MD, a consultant to several blood analysis machine manufacturers, the algorithms used to differentiate a platelet from other cells in the blood differ between manufacturers. Therefore, the same blood sample analyzed by different machines can produce very different results. Lab conditions can also cause variations in platelet count since platelets swell as they absorb the anti-coagulant mixture in the test tubes. These variations are particularly noticeable in platelet counts below 30,000.
In the corporate Friday program, "The Fifth Annual Review of Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura, James Bussel, MD, during his talk on "ITP: New Developments in Diagnosis and Clinical Management" updated the audience on several studies on the eradication of H-Pylori in ITP patients. The results of the studies continue to be mixed in that some of them report a positive response in platelet count when H-Pylori positive ITP patients are treated to eliminate H-Pylori and others show no response at all in platelet count. He and others are planning a large scale trial to determine the factors that may be responsible for the variations in results. He also emphasized the desirability of using a breath test in determining if someone is infected with H-Pylori.
Other topics presented during "The "Fifth Annual Review…" are the pathophysiology of ITP and three case presentations on childhood ITP, pregnancy, and refractory ITP. This session was sponsored by Nabi pharmaceuticals. Nabi has donated copies of the handouts from the meeting. This is a 64 page booklet that contains a summary of the presentation and copies of the slides. If you would like a copy of the booklet, please send a note and a check for $7.00 to cover postage and handling to PDSA, P.O. Box 61533, Potomac, MD 20859.
There have been many studies evaluating the effectiveness of splenectomy. The study reported by Dr. Robert McMillan is the first large scale study to look at the outcome of patients whose platelet count relapsed after splenectomy. In his study, the records of 105 patients who failed splenectomy were reported. Seventy-five patients eventually attained a stable platelet count of over 50,000. Fifty-one patients maintained their remission after stopping all therapy, while 24 patients required continued treatment. Of those studied, 36% had additional autoimmune diseases and/or had a high incidence of venous thrombosis. Nine patients developed disorders, possibly associated with ITP, years after their diagnosis.


text:
WE: Women's Entertainment Announces Third Season Of Bridezillas To Its 2006 Original Programming Slate
Signature Series Has Scored Record Ratings for the Network
New York, NY, September 28, 2005 – WE: Women's Entertainment announced today that the network has renewed its hit signature series, "Bridezillas" for a third season, which will premiere in March 2006. Twelve new episodes of the weekly reality show will take a comedic look at how brides-to-be go from sweet to certifiable while planning their big day. The rising popularity of the show has managed to bring the term "bridezillas" into mainstream pop culture as an expression for those women who have gone from engaged to enraged. Casting for season three begins October 2 in Dallas, TX.
Today's announcement comes on the heels of the season two finale of "Bridezillas" which garnered record ratings for the network. Season two's overall average HH Rtg was +195% higher over season one's. In addition, ratings grew by +69% from the premiere telecast on June 12 to the finale on July 31, demonstrating the growing popularity of the show. Season two of "Bridezillas" is currently the highest rated original series in WE's history to-date.
"We are very excited to bring back our signature series 'Bridezillas' as the anchor to WE's increasing lineup of original programming," said Kim Martin, WE's General Manager. "We listen to our viewers and are committed to providing them with quality shows that are relevant, fun and engaging. We're extremely pleased with the continued success and growing popularity of this series. It's a hit with our audience, and the broadband content that we are providing with 'Bridezillas' also offers added value to our cable operators."
"Bridezillas" follows out of control brides on their way to the altar and proves once and for all that the picture perfect wedding doesn't just happen – it's the result of screaming, manipulation, temper tantrums and long periods of out-an-out hysteria. You'll never attend a wedding with quite the same wide-eyed innocence after you've entered this strange and terrifying world. Whether it's an ill-fitting dress, an out-of-control guest list, droopy flower arrangements, the photographer no one can stand, boring hors d'oeuvres or a mother-in-law that won't keep her nose out of the proceedings, these brides-to-be are going to make sure that whatever the problem is, it will be fixed. Even if it takes a bridezilla to do it!
"Bridezillas" builds on WE's 2006 original programming slate, which will be announced in the coming weeks.
September Films produces "Bridezillas".
Source: Nielsen Media Research, Season 2 Bridezillas average based on Su 10p premiere telecasts only (6/12/05-7/31/05); Season 1 Bridezillas average based on Mo 10p premiere telecasts only (6/7/04-7/26/04); Highest rated original series in WE's history to-date (12/31/01-9/21/05).
About WE: Women's Entertainment
WE: Women's Entertainment is the only cable network dedicated to helping women connect to one another and the world around them. With quality original programming including the hit series "Bridezillas," unique movie packages like "Three Men and A Chick Flick," topical specials and its public affairs initiative WE Empowers Women, the network supports women and appeals to their interests in pop culture, relationships and personal style. WE: Women's Entertainment is a subsidiary of Rainbow Entertainment Services and is currently seen in over 55 million homes.
Contact: Heather Ross


text:
ACCEPTED

#### According to
International Plant Names Index

#### Published in
null

#### Original name
Neomammillaria capensis H.E.Gates

### Remarks
null

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Q: Activate publishing and set MasterPage on Team Site creation I have created and saved a Team Site template. When a user creates a new site using this template, I want to ensure the Parent's Master Page is inherited automatically. This is not currently happening even though I saved the template with the publishing feature enabled and the master page set.
What is the best route for activating the feature and setting the MP? If it includes an event receiver, pls show me how to create and attach to the template.

A: Write a web provisioned event receiver and set the child site master page to parent site's. This way you need not activate Publishing feature on team site
In Visual studio:
Create Event receiver. Choose event to be "Web was provisioned"

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Located within the Central Govan Conservation Area and once described as Govan's jewel in the crown, part of the restored Fairfield Offices has been refurbished to form high quality office accommodation offering a range of spaces that are now available to let.
The former drawing offices (left) once used by engineers and draughtsman have been refurbished to accommodate a mezzanine level (right).
The Fairfield Boardroom – a magnificent venue for hospitality and events – is also available for hire.


text:
Q: Plotting 3D vectors using matplotlib I followed this thread in order to implement plotting 3D vectors.
When running the code with the given examples of vectors it seems fine, but when I try to use my own vectors I'm getting vectors without direction:

I'm trying to understand what is wrong with my data.
def plot_vectors(vectors):
fig = plt.figure()
# ax = fig.gca(projection='3d')
# ax = Axes3D(fig)
ax = fig.add_subplot(111, projection='3d')

for vector in vectors:
    # v1 = np.array([vector[0], vector[1], vector[2]])
    v_length = np.linalg.norm(vector)

    x = vector[0]
    y = vector[1]
    z = vector[2]

    # Make the direction data for the arrows
    u = np.sin(np.pi * x) * np.cos(np.pi * y) * np.cos(np.pi * z)
    v = -np.cos(np.pi * x) * np.sin(np.pi * y) * np.cos(np.pi * z)
    w = (np.sqrt(2.0 / 3.0) * np.cos(np.pi * x) * np.cos(np.pi * y) * np.sin(np.pi * z))

    ax.quiver(x, y, z, u, v, w, pivot='tail', length=v_length, arrow_length_ratio=0.3 / v_length)
    # ax.quiver(vector[0], vector[1], vector[2], vector[3], vector[4], vector[5],
    #           pivot='tail', length=vlength, arrow_length_ratio=0.3 / v_length)

# ax.set_xlim([-4, 4])
# ax.set_ylim([-4, 4])
# ax.set_zlim([0, 4])
ax.set_xlabel('x')
ax.set_ylabel('y')
ax.set_zlabel('z')
plt.show()

run it with these vectors for example:
plot_vectors([[95.38065011522669, -15.867331426507993, 267.4801091009956],
          [-52.379559088282384, -1.0021180591632532, 163.80875985057938]])

A: I ran your code and looks like using .3 / v_length for the arrow_length_ratio yields a super tiny arrow head for your values of x, y, and z. I would use a different calculation here...
perhaps something like .001 * v_length will work in this case.
I would play around with it until you find something that you like and that works for all your data!


text:
Q: Why does this TypeScript mixin employing generics fail to compile? I'm using mixins/traits with TypeScript using a subclass factory pattern as described at https://mariusschulz.com/blog/mixin-classes-in-typescript.  The trait in question is called Identifiable, which imparts an id property to a class that should express the Identifiable trait.  When I attempt to use the trait with another, non-generic trait (Nameable) in a certain order, compilation fails.
class Empty {}

type ctor<T = Empty> = new(...args: any[]) => T;

function Nameable<T extends ctor = ctor<Empty>>(superclass: T = Empty as T) {
  return class extends superclass {
    public name?: string;
  };
}

function Identifiable<ID, T extends ctor = ctor<Empty>>(superclass: T = Empty as T) {
  return class extends superclass {
    public id?: ID;
  };
}

class Person1 extends Nameable(Identifiable<string>()) { // compiles
  constructor(name?: string) {
    super();
    this.name = name;
    this.id = "none";
  }
}

class Person2 extends Identifiable<string>(Nameable()) { // fails to compile
  constructor(name?: string) {
    super();
    this.name = name;
    this.id = "none";
  }
}

Compilation error is
src/test/unit/single.ts:30:10 - error TS2339: Property 'name' does not exist on type 'Person2'.

30     this.name = name;
            ~~~~

How do I get generic traits to compile correctly, regardless of the order in which they're used?
NB: public git repo for this question is at https://github.com/matthewadams/typetrait.  If you want to play with this, make sure to checkout the minimal branch.

A: The issue is very simple actually, and it is related to the fact that typescript does not have partial type argument inference. The call Identifiable<string>(...) does not mean you set ID and let the compiler infer T. It actually means use string for ID and use the default (ie Empty) for T. This is unfortunate and there is a proposal to allow partial inference but it hasn't gained much traction.
You have two options, either use function currying to do a two call approach, where the first call passes ID and the second call infers T:
class Empty { }

type ctor<T = Empty> = new (...args: any[]) => T;

function Nameable<T extends ctor = ctor<Empty>>(superclass: T = Empty as T) {
  return class extends superclass {
    public name?: string;
  };
}

function Identifiable<ID>() {
  return function <T extends ctor = ctor<Empty>>(superclass: T = Empty as T) {
    return class extends superclass {
      public id?: ID;
    };
  }
}

class Person2 extends Identifiable<string>()(Nameable()) {
  constructor(name?: string) {
    super();
    this.name = name;
    this.id = "none";
  }
}

Playground link
Or use inference on ID as well by using a dummy parameter as an inference site:
class Empty { }

type ctor<T = Empty> = new (...args: any[]) => T;

function Nameable<T extends ctor = ctor<Empty>>(superclass: T = Empty as T) {
  return class extends superclass {
    public name?: string;
  };
}

function Identifiable<ID, T extends ctor = ctor<Empty>>(type: ID, superclass: T = Empty as T) {
    return class extends superclass {
      public id?: ID;
    };
  }
}

class Person2 extends Identifiable(null! as string, Nameable()) {
  constructor(name?: string) {
    super();
    this.name = name;
    this.id = "none";
  }
}

Playground link


text:
CT VIEWPOINTS -- opinions from around Connecticut
Acknowledging childhood trauma — a growing movement in Connecticut
by Kris Noam, Ph.D.
Imagine sitting in a room with 360 other people. Now imagine that 95 percent of these people are women. Indeed, the room is filled with chatter, laughter, and anticipation. The room is in a downtown Waterbury hotel and occupied by pre-school and kindergarten teachers, home daycare providers, and administrators. The women, and the handful of men, have come to kick off an important movement in Waterbury: to make early childhood care more aware of and informed about the prevalence and impact of trauma. Specifically, how traumatic experiences influences the lives of the young children they work with.
The meeting, which took place on Tuesday, Sept. 12, was organized by Waterbury's Cradle to Career partnership organization 'Bridge to Success' (BTS). The goal of BTS is to help Waterbury children and youth succeed in school, work, and life by offering backbone support to organizations who deliver direct care.
Mental health and the awareness of young people's traumatic experiences lies at the heart of everything. Emotional wellbeing is the foundation upon which young children learn to understand their surroundings, build their sense of self, and set out to the world to learn, explore, and experience.
Post-Traumatic Stress
Th Office for Veteran's Affairs estimates that about 30 percent of the Vietnam veterans develops Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) at some point in their lives. While this number seems staggeringly high, consider this: In a recent evaluation that I conducted for the New Haven Trauma Coalition, a mental health initiative conducted by Clifford Beers Clinic in New Haven, I found that nearly half of the students in selected grades of the public schools the program scored within the clinical range of PTSD. In other words, and to repeat this astonishingly high number, nearly one in two students had already developed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and they had not even reached adulthood.
Trauma prevalence in Waterbury
Connecticut is leading the nation in bringing awareness to trauma, and rightfully so. Because, as Arielle Levin Becker's series of articles in the Connecticut Mirror ("Starting Early: A four-part series," January 20-23, 2015) already stressed two-and-a-half years ago, childhood trauma and the life-long impacts of trauma should no longer be ignored. Yet they are, time and again. People prefer to focus on things that they can grasp, that seem easier to fix, or that are beyond their control altogether. They would rather tag children who experienced trauma as having behavior problems, pump them with ADHD prescription drugs, or assign them to special learning disability programs.
After initiatives in towns such as New Haven, New Britain, Stamford, and Sandy Hook, Waterbury is the next in line to change their approach and become (more) trauma-informed. Waterbury too will take the stance that trauma should be addressed so to create opportunities for children to succeed in school, work, and life. Just as the other towns, they will no longer focus on the question: "what is wrong with you" but rather try to help the child understand connections between behavior and past experiencing, starting with the question: "what happened to you?"
While Waterbury did not yet conduct large-scale trauma screenings, the potential for children to develop trauma in the once booming brass city is large. Compared to state averages, Waterbury residents appears to struggle: more than a third of the town's children grow up in poverty; 38 percent of households are headed by single mothers; 7 percent of all births were to teenage moms; and a person has a one in 233 chance to become the victim of a violent crime.
The prevalence of trauma is recognized by the participants of the Sept. 12 symposium too. Nearly half of the 332 people who pre-registered were kindergarten or preschool teachers. At registration, BTS asked about the young children they work with and their exposure to secondary trauma is shocking: 77 percent indicated having worked with children whose parents were incarcerated; 76 percent worked with children with serious physical or mental health conditions; 75 percent worked with children experiencing or witnessing violence in the home; 71 percent worked with children witnessing or experiencing verbal/emotional abuse; and 40 percent worked with children experiencing sexual abuse or assault.
Despite trauma being seemingly prevalent, nearly half (46 percent) of the pre-school and kindergarten teachers were unable to mention many resources to which to refer their students. Half of the teachers were unable to name three resources or more. In fact, half of the teachers who did provide three resources, included Department of Children and Families (DCF) as one of the go-to places for children with trauma. DCF is, however, often seen as parents' last resort and caregivers try everything in their power to stay away from DCF out of fear their children may be taken away from them.
Interestingly, about a quarter of the teachers mentioned teachers or other school staff as a resource for children and families experiencing trauma. And indeed, teachers and school staff can be an excellent resource, especially to children who do not have other stable, caring, and knowledgeable adults in their lives.
Addressing trauma at school
One of the best ways to offset the toxicity of trauma, researchers at Harvard's Center on the Developing Child found, is by having a responsive, adequate, and loving adult.
While most parents love their children, not all are able to be responsive or present—be it physical or mental. As noted earlier, in Waterbury poverty rates are high, as are teen births. With an unemployment rate of 7.4 percent, Waterbury's is the second highest in the state.[2] Families struggle to pay for utility bills, get food on the table, and clothe their children. Providing love and mental support are secondary to fulfilling these basic needs. In fact, some may argue based on Maslow's (1943) infamous hierarchy of needs, that addressing mental wellbeing and as such enabling the child to live up to its potential is the top of the pyramid and thus lower on the parents' list of immediate priority.
For teachers, one could argue, the pyramid is reversed. It is their goal and their job to help children reach their highest potential. It is their mission to help children express their creativity and to boost their self-esteem so children can grow into confident, creative, accomplished adults. Oftentimes, teachers and school staff are with the children more hours than their parents are. This is not to remove responsibility from parents, but rather to increase the accountability among the community. Organizations such as BTS bring community partners together to strengthen teachers in their effort to help students. While the notion of supporting students' emotional wellbeing may scare some educators (they became teachers after all, not social workers), it may encourage others (they became teachers, after all, not accountants).
Waterbury Public schools and the Mayor strongly support the movement to help the city's teachers become more informed about trauma and the impact it can have on the city's youngest residents. David Morgan, Chief Executive officer at Team Inc., Darren Schwartz, Chief Academic Officer, WPS, and the Honorable Neil O'Leary, Mayor of the city of Waterbury, all welcomed the participants during the September 12 Symposium on Early Childhood & Mental Health. They offered the early childhood providers words of wisdom and gratitude. They acknowledged the importance and weight that this topic puts on the shoulders of the Waterbury teachers. But they also expressed their confidence in this being a task that teachers could tackle. The Mayor stressed that early childhood has been on the forefront of his agenda ever since he took office in 2011, and Mr. Schwartz reassured teachers that they would have his support.
Financing trauma-support at schools should be easy
Addressing childhood trauma has become and should be a major priority of many school districts in Connecticut. Addressing trauma and its impact at an early age can save the city, state, or nation billions and billions of dollars. For example, UCLA's Civil Rights Project indicates that every year, districts spend billions of dollars on suspensions (Majerowicz, 2016), as well as on learning loss, discipline, and specially designed (and priced) curricula to help children with learning disabilities –which are often misdiagnosed PTSD symptoms (McCarthy, 2001).
Moreover, youth with PTSD are more likely to drop out of high school and high school dropouts cost taxpayers an average of $292,000 over a lifetime, a study by researchers at Northeastern University found (Sum, et al 2009).
Adults with four or more Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are more likely to develop heart disease, become depressed, attempt suicide, smoke, and become overweight (Felitti, et al. 1998), thus costing the state and the country billions more.
Individual traumas and its implications can come with additional costs. For instance, according to a 2012 study by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, child abuse and neglect costs the United States $124 billion per year (Xiangming, 2012).
Why won't we rather spend all that money on PTSD treatment for students, afterschool programs, prevention mechanisms, mental and emotional support for families and teachers, and self-care of school staff? Teachers and school social workers, school nurses, school psychiatrist, administrators, bus drivers, and janitors see how children arrive at school, they know the children by name, they recognize when something is amiss. One child at the time, Mayor Neil O'Leary, put it. "By supporting one kid at the time we can make a difference."
We do not expect teachers to do it alone, we do not expect school social workers to do it alone, we do not expect daycare providers to do it alone, and we do not expect parents to do it alone. We are all in this together. It takes a village to raise a child, and, as was evident from all the chatter among the Symposium's participants, nothing less is true. We are all in this together—and we are proud of it.
Kris R. Noam, Ph.D., is the Manager of Data and Operations at Bridge to Success in Waterbury.
As a vision, perhaps we should call it CT 20/200
by Irina Comer
On an unseasonably warm Sunday, on January 12, I managed to find a room even more full of hot air than anywhere else. That room was the site of the town hall meeting with Gov. Ned Lamont, hosted by Sen. Will Haskell and Rep. Jonathan Steinberg, at which tales of tolls were spun like records at a David Solomon club party. A full recap of the town hall's ridiculousness would be beyond the scope of an op-ed, but some highlights are certainly in order.
Be glad this is the Land of Steady Habits
by Dwight Merriam
This time of year we brace for the flood of proposed legislation and wonder what among those great ideas will be the most ludicrous. There have been some doozies in the past, here and elsewhere.
A conversation with the transportation commissioner, part 2
Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Joseph Giulietti is about to finish his first year on the job and his plate is more than full. It's overflowing with controversy. Last week, in part one of an exclusive, no-holds barred interview, he spoke of his challenges in speeding up Metro-North, coping with the over-budget, behind-schedule Walk Bridge replacement and ordering new rail cars.
Border Patrol officials dodged Congress' questions about migrant children's deaths
by Robert Moore | Special to ProPublica
The Trump administration sought to "conceal information" about the death of a 16-year-old Guatemalan boy in Border Patrol custody, a House subcommittee chairwoman said at a hearing last week.
Connecticut's mistrust of government is well founded
by Bob Stefanowski
Most people have a pretty good nose for sniffing out when someone is telling them the truth and when someone is lying to them. It's hard-wired into us. We all have a gut instinct about who we can trust and who we can't. When you consider the broken campaign promises, misinformation and outright lies about Connecticut's transportation system, it's not hard to understand why Gov. Ned Lamont has struggled to pass his signature tolling plan for close to a year now. Connecticut residents have sniffed him out. They simply don't trust his administration anymore -- and for good reason.
Opinion As a vision, perhaps we should call it CT 20/200
Opinion Be glad this is the Land of Steady Habits
Opinion A conversation with the transportation commissioner, part 2
Opinion Connecticut's mistrust of government is well founded


The field is empty. My love and I walk its length hand and hand. A ritual started during our courtship. He replays the game to himself, play by play as I listen to the smooth timber of his baritone voice. Our boys the twins are playing catch on the sidelines. Both like their father play football, pee wee for now. The stands hold echoes of the memories of fans and their cheers. They are empty too but for the rubbish left behind from the throngs of people. It was just a couple of hours ago when he had been given his 100th Gatorade bathe adding another win to his impeccable record at State.
Who am I? I am the head coach's wife and I have held this title and that of assistant coach's wife in different cities and at few schools through the years. It has been eight years in the same city this time. When my coach and I first met in high school I could have never imagined that we would end up here. Our weekends from August to December are filled with team chapels, tailgates, pre-game warm ups, get to getters with other coach's ladies and two hours of nail biting, and eyes closed in deep prayer. Coordinating trips to away games, and couples' bible study teleconference calls; other times of the year as a family going to conferences, visiting family and working on projects that could not be completed before the football season started.


text:
leading without authority, women in leadership
If you want to make a difference, do these three things...
If you want to make a difference, do these three things:
know what it is that is most important to you,
take action from where you are,
and keep your focus on the most important thing, even if at first you are not successful.
Recently my partner and I were overseas on a small island off Lombok, and while struck by its beauty, we were also aware of the piles of rubbish- shoes, plastic, fishing nets, medical supplies piled up on the beaches.
I was concerned, and dived to tug a plastic bag from the coral, however that's where my rubbish removal stopped. It was not the most important thing to me.
In the Women in Leadership Forum, as we explore leadership, we are noticing what a difference it makes when we start to recognise what is important, and work out what we can do, from where we are.
Women are sharing stories of action they are taking in their field of influence. It's about attending to that internal voice, making a conscious decision to take action and moving forward, a step at a time.
The reason I told the story about my lack of intention to clear rubbish, was that I recently read the sory of Afroz Shah of Mumbai. Afroz decided that cleaning his beach of rubbish was the most important thing. He didn't wait for someone in authority to begin the work. He decided to make a difference and with an 82 yr old friend, began slowly clearing the beach by hand.
Within a month they were joined by 40 volunteers, and in 6 months a volunteer body had been formed. Then as awareness grew, civic officials provided amenities like excavator machines, trucks and workers. 4,500 tonnes of rubbish was removed over 69 weeks.
There was no authority and no plan. Afroz started with a strong intention, and a mate, and slowly he made a difference.
Like Afroz, we might start in a small way. After a while others might join us, and our power to make a difference grows.
The discipline and practice is to keep remembering the most important thing, to take action from where we are and to get out of our own way.
Tagged: decision, what is important, focus, action, make a difference, Afroz Shah, no authority, influence, leadership, personal power, discipline, practice
women in leadership, leading without authority
Discovering the stories about leadership that empower - Women in Leadership Forum.
I was watching a film on the weekend that I found compelling - 'Arrival' (2016) Paramount Pictures. The hero was a woman, Louise Banks (Amy Adams), a linguistic expert who finds herself in a potential doomsday situation, as she attempts to communicate with the aliens who have landed in 12 places around the world. Earth forces are panicking and want to attack; Louise is racing against time to show something else may be possible.
Her leadership was inspiring and totally unconventional. Brought in by the army, she had no position of authority and was under a lot of pressure from the men in uniform to conform to their way of working and thinking about the aliens as a threat. Not prepared to give the easy answers, and working in a soft yet determined way, Louise was courageous about what she considered important. She backed herself and took some risk. And from that place exerted powerful influence and humanity. The person she led primarily was herself.
I used this story to introduce the Women in Leadership Forums.
My intention in the forums is that in our discussions we start to connect to a more empowering understanding of leadership, a leadership of influence, inspiring change and enabling people to flourish. A leadership that springs from what we consider to be important.
To do that, we need to recognize the ideas of leadership that hold us back, the ones that often we have found it hard to identify with, and so have doubted our leadership capacity: the ones where we are meant to have all the answers, our title has a 'boss-like' quality, and where our followers fall in line. With those running in our heads, we can never measure up and are left feeling like imposters.
The freedom and the challenge comes with letting go these ideas, and determining what is truly important. For the women in the forum that will start by exploring key values, and choosing which to demonstrate more fully in their lives.
For many of the women it is deciding to make a difference.
By exploring and stepping more into what we value, like Amy's character, we are in a more powerful position to influence and lead- whatever our position in an organisation.
Tagged: leader, women, leadership, courage, story, values, Arrival, Amy Adams, inspiring, influence, authority


text:
Four Seasons in NY: Gems of Japanese Music Vol. 26
February 5 @ 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm EST
« POSTPONED: Guided Meditation & Spiritual Healing Clinic with Yasuko Kasaki & CRS Healers
Guided Meditation with Yasuko Kasaki in English (on Zoom) »
We invite you to celebrate the winter season with us at Four Seasons in New York: Gems of Japanese Music Vol. 26 by the acclaimed vocalist and koto and shamisen player Yoko Reikano Kimura, with special guest composer and shakuhachi player Elizabeth Brown, on Sunday, February 5, 2023 at 4pm in the award-winning White Room at CRS. This concert is presented by CRS (Center for Remembering & Sharing) and Yoko Reikano Kimura and is supported by Hogaku Journal and Mar Creation, Inc.
Tickets are $30 cash only at the door. To RSVP, email info@yokoreikanokimura.com
* Our top priority is the health and safety of the CRS audiences, artists, and staff. For this concert we ask that you wear a mask. Thank you for your kind understanding and corporation.
"…Yoko Reikano Kimura, playing the shamisen and singing, is superb…." — New York Times
"…Kimura's voice was rich and full-bodied …." — KC METROPLIS
About Four Seasons in New York – Gems of Japanese Music
New York's music scene reflects the diverse and vibrant culture of the city. Kimura, together with CRS (Center for Remembering and Sharing), began this concert series in the fall of 2015. As a Japanese instrumentalist, she hopes to introduce the brilliance of traditional Japanese music, which is still being passed on to future generations after many centuries. Starting with the 2018-19 season, the series has featured contemporary pieces composed by living composers as well. Since the first concert, about 50 works from the classical repertoire have been introduced in the concert series. Please come and experience the sounds of koto and shamisen and enjoy the taste of the four seasons here in New York!
About past performances: https://www.yokoreikanokimura.com/projects/fourseasons/
YOKO REIKANO KIMURA is a distinguished virtuoso of Japanese koto, shamisen performer and singer in both traditional and contemporary music. Kimura has concertized in about 20 countries around the world based in New York and Japan. Following her studies at the Tokyo University of the Arts, she studied at Institute of Traditional Japanese Music, an affiliate of Senzoku Gakuen College of Music in Japan. Kimura was awarded a scholarship from the Agency of Cultural Affairs of Japan. Her teachers include Kono Kameyama, Akiko Nishigata and Senko Yamabiko, a Living National Treasure. Awards include the First prize at the prestigious 10th Kenjun Memorial National Koto Competition and the First prize at the 4th Great Wall International Music Competition. Kimura performed at the Kabuki-za in Tokyo, accompanying Danjuro Ichikawa XII. Her performances have been broadcasted on NHK-FM's Hogaku no Hitotoki, NPR's Performance Today and WKCR. As a koto soloist, Kimura has performed Daron Hagen's Koto Concerto: Genji with the Wintergreen Music Festival Orchestra conducted by Mei-Ann Chen and several string quartets. As a shamisen soloist, she performed Kin'ichi Nakanoshima's Shamisen Concerto at the National Olympic Memorial Youth Center.
Her performances have been featured at many opera and theater works, such as Michi Wiancko's Murasaki's Moon at Metropolitan Museum, Piestro Mascagni's Iris by American Symphony Orchestra, Basil Twist's Dogugaeshi, Yasuko Yokoshi's Bell and many others.
Kimura is a founder of Duo YUMENO, with cellist Hikaru Tamaki. The duo received the Kyoto Aoyama Barock Saal Award in 2015, and featured at Chamber Music America's 2016 National Conference, and performed at the John F. Kennedy Center in 2017. In 2019, the duo had its ten-year anniversary recital at Carnegie Hall.
yokoreikanokimura.com | duoyumeno.com
Elizabeth Brown combines a composing career with a diverse performing life, playing flute, shakuhachi, and theremin in a wide variety of musical circles. Her chamber music, shaped by this unique group of instruments and experiences, has been called luminous, dreamlike and hallucinatory.
Brown's music has been heard in Japan, Russia, Colombia, Australia, South Africa and Vietnam as well as across the US and Europe. A Guggenheim Fellowship recipient and Juilliard graduate, she has received grants, awards and commissions from Orpheus, St. Luke's Chamber Ensemble, Newband, The Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival, Kamratōn, the Barlow Foundation, the Asian Cultural Council, the Japan/US Friendship Commission, Music from Japan, Meet the Composer, the Electronic Music Foundation, Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival, the Cary Trust, and NYFA, among others. She has two solo CDs: Elizabeth Brown: Mirage (New World) and Blue Minor: Chamber Music by Elizabeth Brown (Albany), and her music is also available on CRI, Innova, and Music and Arts. She has been Artist-in-Residence at the Hanoi National Conservatory and in Grand Canyon National Park, and a fellow at the Rockefeller Foundation's Bellagio Center in Italy and at the MacDowell Colony.
elizabethbrowncomposer.com
Concert, CRS Presents, Gems of Japanese Music
CRS (Center for Remembering & Sharing)
info@crsny.org
123 4th Ave FL3


Innisfree Malaysia turns two this December! Yes, it's been two years since Korea's no.1 brand set foot in Malaysia, and Innisfree celebrated their 'Inniversary' on ice with their loyal customers, prize winners and media friends. What an excellent way to celebrate an occasion in the Christmassy month of brrrr… December!
Innisfree is a brand dedicated to clean and pure ingredients from the island of Jeju in South Korea, and is eco-friendly. This green beauty brand turned the whole of the Royale Chulan's Ice Skating Rink into a huge Innisfree beauty park and it was really, really beginning to feel a lot like Christmas in there!
The area was divided into 4 main booths. Guests were encouraged to participate in the different events at the booths. Upon completion of each event, participants will get to take a snapshot of themselves and a stack of 2017 calendar stock cards to personalize their very own Innisfree calendars!
The first booth you should stop by would of course be the make-up booth – for your Inni-Beauty! Afterall, you wouldn't wanna look less than stellar in your personalized snapshots for your Innisfree calendar right? Using Innisfree products, guests were treated to a free makeover session.
After that, you could traipse on over to any of the other booths. I started with the Christmas card making booth. Just choose which design you prefer, get the DIY kit for that design, assemble it all together, personalize them with Innisfree stamp sets, and then mail them off to your family and friends to send them season's greetings! Yes, Innisfree delivered the cards for us! It was called the Inni-Postman.
Next, I tried my hand at making my own snow globe! Just a jar, some ornaments, star dust, water and a special epoxy substance and you're good to go! Didn't realize how easy it is to make a homemade snow globe!
You can also take a virtual trip to Jeju Island on their Jeju bikes. Just hop on one and be enchanted away to Jeju Island and see how Innisfree uses only fresh and natural items for all their beauty products!
It was truly an amazing experience celebrating their second Inniversary with them! They not only know how to make great beauty products, they also know how to throw hip parties! The guests were also entertained by amazing artistes like the acapella group, 'Colour of Voices', and were treated to ice-cold treats from a freeze-drying machine.
And since it's the Christmas season, we also had a sneak peak of their Christmas products which were on display. From a Christmas cushion case for their famous cushion foundation refills to Christmas-themed DIY musical boxes, Innisfree has a range of Christmas products which will be the perfect gift this holiday season!
So head on to your nearest Innisfree store to look at their Christmas products, especially if you're thinking really hard about what to get for your family or friends this Christmas!
A very Merry Christmas to all readers, and a great 2017 ahead!


text:
Last Updated: Tuesday, 10 May, 2005, 07:51 GMT 08:51 UK
Tunnel vision takes the biscuit
By Graeme Esson
BBC Scotland's news website
A banner was placed at the entrance to the tunnel
Would you like to smell coconut biscuits as you drive through the Clyde Tunnel in Glasgow?
Maybe you would rather see leprechauns, or favour having the inner walls lined with old CDs?
If so, you are not alone - these are just some of the suggestions received by the woman who is hoping to light up the lives of the thousands of motorists who use the tunnel every day.
Kathy Friend took matters into her own hands after becoming fed up with the "grim" look of the link.
"That run of concrete and grey buildings is a rather depressing thing to greet you," she said.
"I thought it would be improved a lot with lighting.
TUNNEL FACTS
The Clyde Tunnel is the length of seven football pitches
It cost £10.5m to build
Work started in July 1957
The construction involved a tunnel shield invented 139 years earlier by Marc Brunel
The first tunnel opened in July 1963, the second in March 1964
The tunnel is used by 65,000 vehicles every day
It is 21ft below the surface of the river
"I approached the city council and said there must be a lot of other people who have an idea of what they want it to look like.
"I pitched the idea of building a website and asking people what they thought."
The project has grown rapidly to the stage where the Partick resident, who works as a freelance lighting camerawoman, has had to set up a not-for-profit organisation to progress the plans.
The Hold Your Breath website attracted 11,000 visitors in its first two months, and 2,000 people have filled in a questionnaire.
It asks them to choose what they would like to hear and smell as they pass through the tunnel, as well as their preferences for colours and shapes.
The poll has attracted a range of suggestions, with the only consensus so far being that it should be a relaxing journey accompanied by tuneful music.
Many people have suggested an underwater theme, while others favour a mural - something which has been ruled out for fears it would be too much of a distraction for drivers.
One contributor even suggested that there should be a mirror ball in the tunnel.
"We are hoping to do something quite funky," said Kathy.
I thought there would be a lot of apathy, but people are really interested and really keen
Kathy Friend
"We are quite keen to have changing patterns because some people use it every day."
Those travelling in the 65,000 vehicles who use the tunnel each day have been pointed in the website's direction by a banner draped at the bridge's entrance.
The Hold Your Breath project took its name from a tradition which has been followed by generations of Glasgow children.
For decades youngsters have been taking a deep breath as they enter the tunnel - and trying to hold it until they come out the other side.
Travelling at the speed limit of 30mph, it should take 57 seconds to travel the tunnel's 762m length.
Kathy said there was no definitive explanation of where the tradition originated, although it was believed that children held their breath because they were going under water.
Youngsters have also been having their say on what the tunnel should look like by filling in the questionnaire and submitting their drawings - with many choosing an underwater theme.
Pupils in local schools will also have an input into what people hear as they make the journey under the Clyde.
The aim is to create a soundscape which drivers can tune into on their car radio.
An estimated 65,000 vehicles pass through the link each day
The work will also involve musicians from the Paragon Ensemble, along with adult and youth groups in the surrounding area.
The two communities linked by the tunnel, Linthouse and Whiteinch, are classed as deprived areas.
Funding has been secured to ask residents what they think could be done to improve the entrances at each end.
Kathy admitted that she had been surprised at how the project had taken off.
"I thought there would be a lot of apathy, but people are really interested and really keen," she said.
"I don't know why they are so inspired by it. I suppose that they see it as part of their heritage.
"It was quite an achievement at the time and they are enthusiastic about having something interesting and different happening."
Once the community consultation has been carried out a design team will look at the suggestions and then make its submissions to Glasgow City Council.
Work is being carried out on the bridge's lining
The local authority has supported the project so far - but that does not guarantee that it will give the green light to the designs which are produced.
Kathy estimated that it would cost about £400,000 to light the tunnel, depending on the final proposal.
Three years ago the local authority launched a £2.6m lighting strategy, which includes the illumination of individual buildings and landmarks.
The council is currently undertaking a £9m project to replace the tunnel linings, due for completion in April next year.
Kathy hopes that the lighting project could become a reality once that work is finished, hopefully in time for a proposed city of light festival in November next year.
£9m tunnel refurbishment begins
01 Apr 05 | Scotland
Row over £10m tunnel bill
13 Oct 03 | Scotland
Bright idea for city of light
12 Mar 02 | Scotland
Hold Your Breath
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Which model/brand of hard disk?
How do I configure Photoshop for best performance?
These questions are answered definitively for the Mac Pro and MacBook Pro. The performance gains for working with large files are as much as 5X, making the choice of system configuration critical to productive work with Photoshop.
This study is not about how fast Photoshop can execute Unsharp Mask or Gaussian Blur or various filters; those operations are functions of the CPU speed and memory bandwidth; it's a simple choice: buy the fastest (GHz) CPU with a premium video card, should you determine that CPU speed is your primary impediment.
When the file(s) fit into memory, performance is governed exclusively by CPU clock speed along with on-chip cache and number of cores, and main memory bandwidth (and also your operating system and/or other programs running at the same time). See Multi-core Computers and Apple Mac Pro and All About Mac Pro Memory to understand these issues better.
Don't have time to read all the details? Cut straight to the conclusions, but do not miss the important Photoshop configuration information.
When the scratch disk gets involved, CPU speed has little or no influence on performance, because the CPU will be waiting for data much of the time. In this situation, ample memory and fast hard disks exert far more influence on overall processing time. The remainder of this discussion is what happens when Photoshop does not have enough memory eg when working with very large files (many megapixel and/or many layers).
The Photoshop "scratch" volume comes into play when Photoshop utilizes as much memory as it can, but still cannot hold all its working data in memory. Then Photoshop must "swap" data to and from the hard disk, a far slower proposition than manipulating it in main memory. See Verifying your memory requirements.
When the scratch disk gets used, testing shows that it's essential to use the BiggerTiles plugin in conjunction with DisableScratchCompress plugin. See the Configuration page for details.
For users with moderate size files (a single file of up to 500MB or so), the scratch volume is used sparingly, provided that the system as as a whole has adequate RAM (eg 8GB on a Mac Pro). But when you open several files of that size, use a long history or cache levels, add many layers, etc, then the scratch disk will start to be used significantly. Figure a least 3X the memory for a file eg 1.5GB memory for a 500MB file.
A fast Photoshop scratch disk is fast mainly because of transfer rate, which means creating a striped RAID for optimal results. Please see the RAID page for details on creating a striped RAID.
Some users will never experience the need for a scratch disk; don't bother with this stuff unless Photoshop starts using it (noisy disk as the drive seeks, very slow operation, low "efficiency" in the Photoshop status readout).
Please see the Configuring Photoshop page.
You can check how much real memory a program is using with Apple's Activity Monitor How.
An Efficiency of 100% is the goal(see the Info panel below). If efficiency is at or near 100%, then only a faster computer will improve performance eg 3.2GHz instead of 2.8GHz.
Show Photoshop's Info panel, and configure it using Panel Options. The Doc, Scratch and Efficiency readouts will help you determine what's going on.
Note that Efficiency does not capture the efficiency of an entire script or action, only the last operation. This makes it useless for getting an overall picture of efficiency when pruning an action or script. Use a watch or clock to get the actual elapsed time of a long running operation.
Also, note that the values shown are prone to inaccuracy when the history palette is used to back up and go forward (a bug). Finally, the Info panel can be slow to update, sometimes taking 10 seconds or more to show current values after a big operation (another bug—it should say "calculating...").
What about a RAM disk?
See Using a RAM disk for Photoshop scratch*.
* "scratch" is what you need when contemplating the CS4 upgrade price!
What about a solid state disk (SSD)?
Please see What about a solid state drive? for an overview of solid state disks (SSDs). SSDs are preferable to STDs!
Unless you're considering a server-grade SSD, a striped RAID offers far higher transfer rates at far lower cost and far higher capacity. See the test results with the Intel X25-M SSD.
Both disk and CPU speed influence the total time for an operation to run. Reading and writing data takes time, and "crunching" it (computing) also takes time. It is the relative proportions that matter; we say that a task is CPU-bound when its time to execute is dominated by the CPU (processor) speed. We say it is IO-bound when its time to execute is dominated by the time to read and/or write date (eg "I/O" or input/output).
You can spy on what is happening by using Apple's Activity Monitor.
There can be overlap between disk I/O and computing, in fact there can be complete overlap meaning that a faster CPU won't help at all—100% of the time is spent doing I/O, even if the CPU is quite busy simultaneously. Unfortunately, this does not appear to be the case with Photoshop.
When Photoshop is using the scratch disk heavily, it is IO-bound. A fast scratch disk can cut the total time down dramatically. Without the scratch disk, Photoshop is generally CPU-bound (perhaps poorly utilizing the available CPU cores, but CPU-bound nonetheless). For example, opening and saving files can be CPU-bound because Photoshop uses only a single CPU core ("single threaded").
Get an accurate idea of how much memory is required, and how large a scratch volume to use.
Determine the largest scratch file size that Photoshop uses for your work. If you work with more than one file at a time, add the scratch file sizes for all the files together. The easiest way to do this is to look at the Info panel for each file. You may have to configure the Info panel to show the scratch size and efficiency.
Open the maximum number of files you would ever edit at once.
After opening each file, jot down its scratch file size.
For each file, perform the series of operations or actions you might typically perform. Err on the side of more operations rather than less.
For step 3, you can instead run the diglloydMedium or diglloydHuge benchmarks—see the diglloyd Actions page.
At the end of step 3, add the new scratch file size(s) from all the file(s), rounding up to the nearest gigabyte (GB). This is your ScratchFileTotal figure. Note that after a lengthy operation it can take 10-20 seconds to show the correct information in the Info panel. Go to step 2.
If you run other applications at the same time, they'll need memory also. The "2" figure is intended to account for that. If you're running Photoshop by itself (no other programs), then the extra 2GB can be omitted.
Keep in mind that memory should be installed as 4 matched modules at a time or memory performance may be impaired—see All About Mac Pro Memory.
Scratch file size is 3GB, yielding a recommendation of 5GB. Round this up—you should install 8GB of memory.
Install 16GB of memory; this will work optimally if you are running Photoshop by itself. Go to 24GB or 32GB if you run other significant programs at the same time. If you already have 2GB or 4GB, adding 4X4GB modules should suffice.
Install 32GB of memory, and still this won't be enough. When and if it's possible to install 64GB or 128GB, your work will speed up even more.


H x W: 14 in. / 15 in.
General John Pershing decorates Brigadier General Douglas MacArthur, commanding the 84th Brigade of the 42nd (Rainbow) Division and Colonel George Emerson Leach, of Minneapolis, with a Distinguished Service Cross for bravery on the Chateau Thierry Front, on September 7, 1918 in Bulligny, France.
The Battle of Château-Thierry was fought on July 18, 1918, one of the first actions of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) in World War I under the command of General Pershing. "Château-Thierry" was part of the Second Battle of the Marne, prompted by a German offensive launched on 15 July against the AEF, an expeditionary force consisting of troops from both the Army and Marine Corps, and the newest troops on the front.
On the morning of 18 July 1918, French and American forces between Fontenoy and Château-Thierry launched a counter-assault against the German positions. Allied Généralissime Ferdinand Foch directed the allied attack. This assault on a 25-mile wide front was the first in more than a year. The American army fought for the regions around Soissons and Château-Thierry, in collaboration with predominantly French forces. The allied forces had managed to keep their plans a secret, and their attack at 04:45 took the Germans by surprise when the troops went "Over the Top" without a preparatory artillery bombardment. Instead, they followed closely behind a rolling barrage which began with greatly synchronized precision. Eventually, the two opposing assaults inter-penetrated and individual American units exercised initiative and continued fighting despite being nominally behind enemy lines.


As we count down the days until the Natsu basho kicks off in Tokyo, rikishi are preparing to battle it out for the tournament's 15 days. In training we have seen alarming problems for Takayasu, who collapsed in pain during training at Tagonoura,but later seemed to recover. We have also seen Ozeki hopeful Tochinoshin confess to a right shoulder injury during the jungyo tour, that may cause him significant problems as he pushes for double digit wins.
Perpetually injured Yokozuna Kisenosato seems to be doing better, but is (in my opinion) doubtful for this tournament. In reports from Herouth, there has been some kabu shuffling as of late, which could indicate that he has owned up to the prospects of ever recovering full use of his left arm, and is seeking a dignified exit from the dohyo, and a transition into coaching, running a stable or other role within the NSK.
Meanwhile, compact powerhouse Ishi-ura became the father of a baby at 3:30 AM Japan time. Both mother and child are doing well, and we congratulate the new father on his family. Former sekitori Osunaarashi has decided to switch to mixed martial arts (MMA), and we will likely see him in battle again before too long. We wish the big Egyptian luck, but recognize the battered condition his body was in during his final tournaments, and urge him find a way to stay healthy.
You want more from today's soken? Josh and Nicola are attending, and Nicola is posting lots of great photos!
Today the #YDCsoken is on at Tokyo, and #tachiaiblog is attending! We will be posting throughout the day, so be sure to check out our #stories!!
Earlier today, a regular meeting of the NSK board took place. One of the items on the agenda was the case of Osunaarashi driving without a license.
The board decided to issue a recommendation to retire, which is the second most severe punishment for members' misconduct in the NSK's arsenal. In addition, his severance pay will be docked 30%.
Osunaarashi has already handed in his retirement documents before the board meeting. The NSK will now formally accept them.
And so ends the career of the first representative of Africa in the sumo world. Osunaarashi joined the sumo world in 2012, and by the end of 2013 was already in Makuuchi. He was the first sumo wrestler in the modern era to win kinboshi on two consecutive days.
Now appearing on the NSK web site, the official banzuke for the Kyushu basho, starting two weeks from today. Some notable elements include Terunofuji as Sekiwake 2E ("Ozekiwake"), Mitakeumi holds fast at Sekiwake 1E, Kotoshogiku returns to San'yaku in the Komusubi 1E slot, Onosho has his first try at San'yaku, and Takakeisho is at Maegashira 1.
Further down the banzuke, we have Aminishiki (aka Uncle Sumo) back in Makuuchi, Asanoyama levitating to Maegashira 11, and Ura still listed at Maegashira 16, even though I would be surprised if he shows up.
The story in Juryo is pretty interesting, Egyptian Osunaarashi somehow manages to hang onto a Juryo slot and is posted to Juryo 13, followed by Takagenji and Yao. Meanwhile Ishiura is ejected from Makuuchi, and appears as Juryo 1.
Meanwhile, as predicted, the Texas sumotori Wakaichiro is confirmed as promoted to Sandanme 85, and will fight at his highest rank ever.
Again, our forecast expert scored many direct hits in his banzuke forecast, and fans should feel free to compare them side by side. Hats off to lksumo!
The crew will likely have our banzuke podcast up before long, be ready!
Sumo fans may note that after most basho, there is a tour of regional cities by a cadre of available sumotori. They demonstrate their practice techniques, some of the culture and activities around sumo, and even sing songs! We have written on this in the past, and it's known as Jungyo, literally "Making the rounds".
Kisenosato – This guy needs surgical help. If he goes under the knife now, he could be back in fighting form in time for Aki. I really want him to be able to perform, as he would make such an awesome counterbalance to the resurgent Hakuho. The cultural counterpoint between the brash, enthusiastic Mongolian showman vs the quiet, almost bookish, but overflowing with confidence and strength Japanese master craftsman would be such a wonderful story arc.
Harumafuji – Not sure there is much that can fix his chronic undercarriage problems. He plays, perhaps, the most critical role in sumo right now. That of "the Hammer". On any given day he can wipe out even Hakuho. He is explosive, relentless and driven to succeed. No one can advance to or survive San'yaku unless they can face him on the dohyo and put up a decent fight. As such, I hope there is something that can be done to get him well. I don't see anyone in Makuuchi that might be able to take over this role.
Goeido – This guy is still not 100%, and frankly I don't know if he ever can be once he had his ankle rebuilt out of lego and superglue. I would be delighted if he never went Kadoban again.
Terunofuji – The knee-less wonder somehow managed to keep on the offensive during Hatsu, even though it was clear to everyone that each day the pain in his knees became worse. When he is healthy he is an unstoppable beast of an Ozeki, and that's very good news for sumo. Surgical knee treatment is very much hit or miss, so I don't blame Terunofuji for seeing if there is some way to avoid it.
Okinoumi – This guy has been competing in spite of a very serious personal injury that would require surgery and about 4 weeks hospitalization to resolve. Would he still be able to compete once they are done with him? I don't know. But it's brutal to watch him mount the dohyo and get pummeled daily. I can't imagine how brutal it is for him.
Tochinoshin – He's in the same boat at Terunofuji. That knee has been his bane for a while now. With it working and healthy, he fights at at least upper Maegashira level. Hurt he's day by day between upper Juryo and mid Maegashira. It would be great to see him return healthy and not face any further leg and foot problems.
Osunaarashi – I wish we could pull this guy out of sumo for a few months and let him get healthy. He's another dauntless competitor whose spirit won't give up, but his body seems to be failing him. But such a move would likely end his career effectively. But out of everyone on this list, he seems to possibly be the most in need. He has not been healthy for several basho now.
As always, we accept tips in the comments section if you read something that helps us know and share with the world how these or any rikishi are faring over the next 6 weeks before we start Nagoya basho.


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A 'war on terrorism'? No thanks. There are smarter ways to meet the threat
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper speaks at a news conference in Richmond Hill, Ontario January 30, 2015. Canada's sweeping new anti-terror legislation would make it a crime for anyone to call for attacks on Canada and gives a much larger role to the government's main spy agency. REUTERS/Mark Blinch (CANADA - Tags: POLITICS CRIME LAW)MARK BLINCH/Reuters
Terrorism is a weapon of the weak. It aims to maim and to kill, but above all it seeks to provoke a more powerful opponent. A madman with a gun on Parliament Hill, conspirators dreaming of blowing up a bridge, a lunatic turning a car into a weapon – these can take life, but they are not an existential threat to Canada. They cannot destroy democracy, the rule of law or our rights and freedoms. They cannot overthrow the Canadian government. By themselves, they cannot accomplish much beyond murder. To gain recruits, to advance their cause and to leave behind anything other than death, they need our help.
Terrorism is a tactic. It is a judo move, in which the weaker party's only hope is to use his opponent's strength against him. And compared with a lone-wolf terrorist, or even organized groups, Canadian society is infinitely stronger. Of course we have to guard against the possibility of terrorism. Of course we have to act against it. But in acting, we should not fight as our opponent would wish us to fight. We should instead play to our strengths and advantages.
What do terrorists want? Millenarian death cults and the small numbers of disaffected and confused young men who have grabbed onto them imagine a global war between West and East, Islam and Christendom, believers and infidels. It is the world as they see it, but also the world they hope to bring about.
They want us to react to them, and above all to overreact. Terrorism is designed to provoke an overreaction, which in turn causes collateral damage, leading to polarization, more reaction and overreaction, and more violence. Only in a polarized world do the radicals stand a chance of winning attention, sympathy and recruits.
To avoid setting off that cycle, the stronger party has to use his strength carefully instead of recklessly. Never bring in a steamroller for a job that calls for the surgeon's knife.
Recently, the Prime Minister and his ministers have taken to telling Canadians that the so-called Islamic State group has "declared war on Canada" – and that Canada is thus at war, against ISIS abroad and its proxies at home. The response is mistaken in two ways.
It exaggerates the power of a gang of thugs who aren't even a state. If organized criminals thousands of kilometres away put out a video announcing their intention to wage war against all of humanity, including Canada, Ottawa might take the threat seriously. But it would be put in its proper context. It would be given its due weight, and nothing more.
Here at home, lone-wolf and lost-dog terrorists dreaming of a war of civilizations should not get their wish, even rhetorically. Using the language of war dignifies their delusions and elevates their crimes. Better to meet and defeat them on our country's preferred turf: old-fashioned police work, patient intelligence gathering, meticulous legal proceedings and the fairest of trials. We know how to do this.
The government has also spoken as if helping Canada's allies to fight ISIS in Iraq, by sending fighter jets and special forces, were key to counteracting the threat of terrorism at home. That's not right either. The two objectives are distinct and largely separate.
There are good reasons for Canada to be assisting Iraq and in particular the Kurds of Northern Iraq in their fight against ISIS. Canada is helping friends and allies in a humanitarian cause against a ruthless enemy; the goal of pushing back ISIS and ending its attacks on Iraqis is limited, realistic and attainable. ISIS wants total war and a global clash of civilizations. Canada should give it nothing of the sort.
It is also important to remember that, though ISIS claims to espouse all sorts of ideas of universal revolution, it is the product of the complex and shifting politics of Iraq and Syria. It is driven in part by forces, such as a history of Sunni-Shia grievances in Iraq, that have nothing to do with terrorism in Canada. Canadian home-grown radicals have shown themselves to be as ignorant of the nuances of Mesopotamian politics as they are of Islam.
And it is important to remember that Canadian home-grown radicals, Islamist or otherwise, existed long before the recently formed ISIS. The threat, small but real, is likely to remain after ISIS is no more.
Canada's small number of terrorists thus far have been mostly self-radicalized. Think of the St-Jean-sur-Richelieu murderer Martin Couture-Rouleau or parliamentary shooter Michael Zehaf-Bibeau. Both were deeply troubled men who at some point grabbed onto ideas floating about on the Internet, and decided that the purifying appeal of violence was the answer for what ailed them. They weren't sent here by ISIS; it would be more accurate to say that they caught a virus, albeit one that the intellectual immune system of the overwhelming majority of Canadians of all faiths is thus far resistant to.
They were also self-Islamicized. Their made-up religion of endless war had little to do with the Islam encountered in Canada's mainstream mosques. Otherwise, this country might be overrun with Couture-Rouleaus and Zehaf-Bibeaus. It is not.
On the day of the Parliament Hill shooting, this newspaper editorialized "against exaggeration, hysteria and despair" and "in favour of calming the hell down."
Over the past few weeks, the Prime Minister has seemed intent on riling people up and making the most of the terrorist threat. He has exaggerated the danger of ISIS and its connection to possible terrorism in Canada. That's wrong. At a time like this, the PM should be the chief minister in charge of deflating hyperbole, putting things in perspective – and reminding Canadians that we must continue as we always have, on guard but free.


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Everyday Heroes: Turning Cards into Cures
After his parents died of cancer, Marcel Bilak opened a charity shop on eBay, donating a portion of his proceeds to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Millions of people from all around the world connect on eBay. Each time that happens, something positive happens in the world. These are the stories of everyday people on eBay making an extraordinary difference in the lives of others.
Never would Marcel Bilak have imagined that he would one day lose two of the most important people in his life to lung cancer. The passing of both of his parents left an incredible void in his life—one Marcel thought he would never be able to fill.
During this time of mourning, Marcel developed a sense of comfort in baseball. Enamored with the 2004 Dodgers team, Marcel's first baseball card purchase was one of third baseman Adrian Beltre. This purchase led to another and eventually transformed into a beloved, lifetime hobby.
"I fell in love with the hobby," said Marcel. "I fell in love with what it did for me when I was going through my difficult time."
This newfound passion combined with his recent losses ignited in Marcel the need to find a meaningful way to help fight the disease. This realization spurred Marcel to open his own brick and mortar and online shop, Legacy Sports Cards Las Vegas. Today he operates the largest sports memorabilia store in Nevada.
Soon thereafter, Marcel opened a charity shop on eBay, GivingBackToCharity, selling items from his personal collection and donating a portion of his proceeds to St. Jude.
"Cancer is cancer. Everyone suffers. The family suffers, the one who is sick suffers," said Marcel. "I'm just trying to make a difference for those who are young and don't deserve it. St. Jude is at the forefront of that battle, so I back them 100 percent."
In support of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, eBay will donate $1 to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital for every like, share and comment for Marcel's video on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, and will donate $1 for every purchase of Gifts that Give Back supporting St. Jude, up to $10K during September.
Click here for more stories of Everyday Heroes, who are using eBay to make a difference in other's lives.
Topic: Purpose
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