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Female migrant leaders advocate for female migrants
USA for IOM
The face of migration is changing. Over the last century, millions of people were forced to leave their countries of origin, with women following male relatives along the journey. Today, women outnumber men along most migratory routes, with many traveling alone. This makes them more vulnerable to the predatory forces along the
migration routes. This new scenario requires not only a profound reconstruction of the host societies, but also new perspectives will help provide more meaningful assistance and promote action.
To commemorate the International Migrants Day on December 18, USA for IOM held the first "Meeting of Migrant Women Leaders", during which our CEO, María Moreno, spoke with global female leaders who left their country of origin. The event, moderated by the essayist and CEO of Architects of Happiness Nora Rodríguez, included the participation of Dr. Nadia Szeinbaum, Innovation Scientist at Beyond Meat, and former NASA fellow, and Liliana Mor, Director of Strategic Alliances and Development of Pro Mujer.
Hosting conversations with female leaders who themselves migrated is key to understanding the femiznation of migration. Dr. Nadia Szeinbaum discussed ways to better integrate migrant women into the host countries. "What I know about my culture," she mentioned, "has a certain flavor, a very particular color that is Hispanic, Latin American, focused a lot on connecting with other people, on my music and my technical ability, so when I felt exposed to many cultures, I started learning from them. This allowed me to understand their codes, pay attention to details, and also learn to work from that place."
For María Liliana Mor, Director of Strategic Alliances and Development of Pro Mujer, it is urgent to launch collaborative work between the countries to incorporate means and resources that make migratory routes safer places, but also to provide human accompaniment to make creation of new roots a common goal, for example, through supporting entrepreneurship for refugee and migrant women.
Both María Liliana and Nadia recognize the importance of a global talent characterized to a considerable extent by the impact that migrating had on their lives, characterized by the social sense, the commitment to personal values to advance in decisionmaking and a great adaptability and ability to connect with truly diverse people, which is a common denominator in most people who migrate.
The essayist and CEO of Architects of Happiness Nora Rodríguez, who moderated the event, and who works as a social mentor in the USA for IOM's Entrepreneurship in Movement program, emphasized the importance of finding these skills and talents in each of the stories of women who migrate because they are the starting lines to build a new life in another place.
In closing, María Moreno urged both leaders, from their deep understanding of the fundamental values of the global community, from their own sensitivity to human and social needs, to share a message with migrant women directly. Both women agree that preserving cultural ties while working to build a new life is critical to success and mental health. "Your family is the world," says Szeinbaum. "And I say this from personal experience," adds the Director of Alliances for Pro-Mujer, "there are moments when you feel like you are someone else and you yearn for certain things. And a family doesn't necessarily have to be a biological one." Migration isn't about severing connections, but rather about building new ones.
USA for IOM Launches Entrepreneurship in Movement at Summit of the Americas
Empowering young entrepeneurs at Summit of the Americas
International Day of UN Peacekeepers: People. Peace. Progress. The Power of Partnerships
Nearly 40% of Venezuelans in the Dominican Republic are one step closer to gaining regular status.
Afghanistan Climate Change Conflict Crisis Donors Emergency Emergency Relief entrepreneurship event Events Haiti Humanitarian Aid leader migration peacekeepers Philanthropy philantrophy Poverty socioeconomic development Voices women World Humanitarian Day
Los Angeles – USA for IOM (International Organization for Migration) launched Entrepreneurship in Movement today, an innovative program aimed at expanding sustainable livelihoods and positive connections for migrants and refugees and their host communities across the Americas. The program builds on a collaboration between USA for IOM and the Citi Foundation that began in 2019 and aims to help refugees and migrants from Venezuela rebuild their lives with dignity and is currently being implemented in Ecuador and Peru, with the goal of expanding to countries in the Americas.
"Entrepreneurship should be part of the long-term solutions needed to address the consequences of large movements of displaced persons, in addition to the important measures that are put in place to cope with the immediate effects of humanitarian crises," IOM Director General António Vitorino said during the program's launch event on the margins of the Summit of the Americas.
The socioeconomic integration of migrants is integral to building a sustainable, resilient, and equitable future is the theme of this year's Summit.
The Americas are witnessing the largest refugee and migrant movements in the region's recent history. According to R4V, more than six million refugees and migrants from Venezuela have left their country of origin, with more than five million being hosted in the region. Many Venezuelans possess the skills to contribute to the local economy but struggle with access to employment. Entrepreneurship in Movement creates that access by providing training, social mentorship and coaching to help migrants create sustainable livelihoods through their businesses.
In addition, the Citi Foundation enables migrant entrepreneurs to access seed capital critical to turning their vision into reality. In Ecuador and Peru combined, nearly 700 migrant entrepreneurs have been trained, with more than 500 receiving seed capital for their businesses.
"For the past three years, the Citi Foundation has proudly supported the work of USA for IOM to empower vulnerable migrants and refugees through critical job training, education and entrepreneurship opportunities," said Florencia Spangaro, Chief Operating Officer at the Citi Foundation. "Programs like Entrepreneurship in Movement help scale entrepreneurship training within the communities that need it most, and we look forward to seeing how it will support migrants and their families in achieving financial stability."
Entrepreneurship in Movement also strengthens the local economy by launching new businesses in their host community, fostering job creation and social cohesion to fight against xenophobia and promote the shared value of diversity.
The partners of the Interagency Coordination Platform for Refugees and Migrants from Venezuela (R4V) in the Dominican Republic salute the national government for the achievements made during the first year of implementation of the Normalization Plan for Venezuelans (PNV), which seeks to guarantee access to the regularization of Venezuelans living in the country.
To date, more than 40,000 Venezuelans have registered with the PNV and 17,000 have already received their visas (the majority as temporary workers) and thousands of others continue to go through some of the three phases of the plan.
Dominican Republic is the first recipient country of the Venezuelan population in the Caribbean and the eighth in Latin America. Of the more than 5 million people who left Venezuela for neighboring countries in the region, nearly 116,000 chose to seek safety and new opportunities in the Dominican Republic.
Since the start of the PNV in April 2021, the R4V National Platform in the country, co-led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), in coordination with 15 partner organizations , has accompanied and supported the efforts of the Dominican government to facilitate the access of the Venezuelan population to regular stay, which will translate into better access to basic rights such as health, job opportunities in the formal market and education.
To facilitate the implementation of the PNV, an alliance has been consolidated with eight community organizations of Venezuelans in various cities of the country, which operate the Free Orientation Windows (Ventanillas de Orientación Gratuita), in which information and orientation about the process is provided, and where information is received. documentation of those who apply to the PNV.
Read the complete article
Press Release: New Era with a new Leadership at USA for IOM
New Era with a new Leadership at USA for IOM
USA for IOM celebrates the installation of the New Chairman of the Board Luca Dall'Oglio and USA for IOM President and CEO Maria Moreno. Luca Dall'Oglio has worked with IOM UN Migration for more than 30 years, most recently serving as Chief of Mission at IOM Washington as well as the CEO of USA for IOM. Ms. Moreno previously served as the Head of Operations of USA for IOM for the past 10 years.
We also express our deep gratitude for the service our retiring board members James N. Purcell Jr. as Chairman of the Board and Arthur "Gene" Dewey as Vice-Chair that served in our board for more than a decade. Prior to joining the board, Mr. Purcell led modern U. S. refugee and migration policy, management, and programs to other major international refugee and humanitarian organizations such as the International Organization for Migration (IOM), as director-general from 1988 to 1998. Mr. Dewey's career includes serving as of Deputy United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Geneva and Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration.
For their devotion to migrant and refugee rights, the Board voted unanimously to appoint them as Board Members Emeritus.
Joining USA for IOM as new board members are Anne C. Richard and Dominick Muracco III. Anne Richard served as Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees and Migration during the Obama Administration. She currently teaches at Georgetown University and serves as the Freedom House Distinguished Fellow and Afghanistan Coordination Lead.
Mr. Dominick Muracco III has a diverse experience as a legal and compliance professional as a federal and state prosecutor, litigator, in-house corporate attorney, and government lawyer. Currently he is the Chief Compliance Officer, Vice President and Associate General Counsel at Hertz.
For more news on our work, please follow us on:
USA for IOM Echoes Calls to Not Forget the People of Afghanistan
Emergency Relief, News
Millions of Afghans have been displaced from their homes due to decades of conflict, natural disasters, and political and economic upheaval. Over one million have been displaced just in the past year alone.
Since August 2020, IOM has organized the dignified and orderly travel of more than 60,000 Afghan evacuees from temporary housing locations in the United States to their final destination cities across the country. Many arrived to an unfamiliar place just in time for winter's freezing temperatures and with only the clothes on their backs.
Upon realizing the urgent need for more adequate gear, USA for IOM partnered with UNIQLO to deliver over 16,000 articles of winter clothing to Afghans in need. Through its "Warmer Together" philanthropic campaign, UNIQLO also matched their customers' contributions to further their support for displaced families.
This week, the humanitarian community convened to raise awareness of the particular needs inside Afghanistan. Over 24 million people – more than half the population– require lifesaving assistance, and the consequences of inaction will be swift and severe, and difficult, if not impossible, to reverse.
With over 760 staff operating across the country, IOM teams are providing critical shelter support to help the most vulnerable families survive the harsh winter season. Mobile health teams have been deployed to some of the hardest-to-reach areas in an effort to shore up the country's fragile health care system. As cross-border movements continue, IOM continues to provide assistance to returnees at key border points and IOM-managed reception centers.
As IOM's nonprofit partner, USA for IOM supports the operations of IOM globally by raising awareness and fostering philanthropic partnerships like the one with UNIQLO. USA for IOM continues to urge for solidarity with the Afghan people and calls on support from individuals, foundations and corporations interested in contributing resources reflective of their philanthropic priorities and our shared values.
To support IOM's work in Afghanistan:
IOM Blog – When belief is all that remains
IOM BLOG
Belief is all that is left
My name is Daria, and I'm a local staff with IOM Ukraine in Kharkiv. I have been both a direct witness to, and a victim of the vast human tragedies that have unfolded since conflict overwhelmed my homeland.
I joined the humanitarian field in 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea, and backed separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk. My journey in this line of work began in Mariupol, a city that rose from the ashes after the events of 2014 and has succumbed once more to the flames in 2022.
Since the outbreak of hostilities in 2022, the city has been blockaded, deprived of food, water, heating, and gas, its communications from the outside world severed. Like many Ukrainians, I have relatives who fled to Mariupol following the fall of Donetsk in 2014. Right now, I have no idea whether they are dead or alive.
The latest fragment of information I received about the city came on 1 March. A friend reported to me that Mariupol was suffering from acute food shortages, and from desperation-induced looting. Blocked from any outside supply lines, people were collecting drinking water from filthy puddles, and were under constant shelling. Two green corridors for the evacuation of civilians were the only hope for those who had remained in the city. But when people tried to leave, the shelling continued.
At 5:00 a.m. on 24 February, I received the most terrifying phone call of my life. I was told that "the offensive had begun" and Kharkiv, where I was living, was one of the cities that had been struck first. It is one of the largest cities in Ukraine, with 2 million inhabitants. The city is oriented around a vast central Liberty Square and has a rich cultural history. As of 7 March, history is all that remains.
I am certain that we will rebuild our Kharkiv and our country. In times of great despair and pain, when the lives of one's friends and family, when one's own life, may be snuffed out in an instant, belief is all that is left.
"I am certain that we will rebuild our Kharkiv and our country. In times of great despair and pain, when the lives of one's friends and family, when one's own life, may be snuffed out in an instant, belief is all that is left."
I have worked with internally displaced persons and refugees for seven years. In that time, I have encountered plenty of people for whom their home is their anchor. There are those who I have seen drown in the tempestuous waves of conflict, weighed down by their attachment to where they live. I love my parents, but I have led my own, itinerant, life for some time now. I have a responsibility not only to my family, but to others also – to my co-workers, and my friends.
On the morning of 25 February, I left in the direction of Dnipro, where my colleagues were at the time. I felt a great sense of responsibility for these people also. Half-an-hour before curfew ended, I loaded everyone I could into the car, with whatever belongings we could gather at such short notice, and drove off into the unknown. The original plan was to drive to Dnipro; on the residential road I planned to take out of the city, shelling began. Trying to pass through was futile; returning home even more so.
A spontaneous decision was made to head in the direction of Poltava and then on to Dnipro afterwards. It soon became clear, however, that there wasn't enough gas for the entire trip. I had five people in the car, one of them just five months old. I couldn't risk getting stuck on the road somewhere and, unable to find a gas station in Poltava, we decided to go to the town of Kremenchuk, hoping to find fuel for our onward journey.
The wild traffic on the road. The not knowing where or when that fateful shell will fall. The overall listless suspension of my emotional state. And the general hopelessness of everything. Due to all of these things and many more, I found myself wanting to lie and look at the ceiling for hours on end after the hard road to Kremenchuk. I did not want to try to break through to Dnipro. My colleagues were of the same mind.
And so, a new chapter of my life began, by chance, in Kremenchuk. My desire to stay a few hours in that city soon turned into a need to stay for weeks. Kremenchuk has become a hub for people who fled eastern Ukraine – a point of transit on the way to the west and away from the advancing Russians.
Since food and medical supplies are no longer delivered to Kharkiv region, people who have managed to escape are coming to Central Ukraine to catch their breath, fill up their car, and sleep for at least an hour without the piercing sound of air raid sirens. Some of those who have managed to escape stay here in Central Ukraine, with no opportunity to go further.
Ukraine is the largest country in Europe. In peacetime, the road from east to west took a day. Due to the shelling, the fuel shortages, and the heavy traffic, the same journey now takes the best part of a week.
As for Kremenchuk, I can't help but marvel at the solidarity on display in such a time of crisis. Until 24 February, the small town in central Ukraine had never seen anything like this deluge of desperate, displaced persons. Since then, more than 12,000 people have come to the town. Many more have passed through. At the time of writing, there are six sites ready to offer overnight or indefinite shelter. Locals carry clothes, food, hygiene products, mattresses, blankets, and pillows for new arrivals. Several bank accounts have been set up to raise funds for the needs of the displaced.
I know for sure that in nearby towns such as Kryvyi Rih, Oleksandria and Poltava – which have similarly become transit hubs for thousands – vast and unprompted humanitarian action is taking place. By the efforts of the concerned townsfolk, everyone's basic needs are being met and they are being offered a roof over their head. Still, everyday more people arrive.
The city continues to function, and supplies of food, medicine and gasoline are available; however, the rate of consumption has increased and now, with each new day of the war, one finds more and more empty supermarket shelves and medicines out of stock.
Defiantly, I believe we will make it through this war. Belief is all that is left.
By Daria Rumiantseva, IOM Ukraine
IOM is on the ground supporting the people from Ukraine. Join us providing humanitarian aid to the people of Ukarine.
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Statement on the Situation in Ukraine: IOM Director General António Vitorino
Geneva – We are extremely worried about the escalation of military action in Ukraine and the deteriorating humanitarian situation.
We reiterate the United Nations Secretary General António Guterres' call for an immediate cessation in hostilities and the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure.
Eight years of conflict in Ukraine have displaced over 1.4 million people who now rely on assistance to meet their daily needs. This escalation will only deepen the humanitarian needs and compound the suffering of millions of families.
IOM, alongside the United Nations and the humanitarian community, is committed to staying and delivering vital assistance to the people of Ukraine and stands ready to respond to the emerging humanitarian needs in the country and the region, in close coordination with governments and partners.
We will continue to operate in a neutral and impartial manner, prioritizing the humanitarian imperative.
Source: IOM Global website
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*USA for IOM is a registered 501(c)(3), all donations are 100% tax-deductible.
How does data science play an important role in supporting migration?
The latest special issue of the Harvard Data Science Report explores the critical part data science plays in helping understand migration while also helping displaced persons by combating misinformation surrounding migration.
This collaboration showcases the importance of data science in the more significant move to help those displaced and migrating. Members of our team participated in different articles on this issue, and we invite you to read them to explore this further:
— Our Board Director, Tolu Olubunmi, shares her immigrant story in the article When Lions Write: An American Immigrant Story. This genuinely inspiring testimony lets us fully comprehend the importance of hope as a critical factor for migrants to make a difference and create the lives they want and deserve.
— Co-Editors Liberty Vittert and Rita Ko explore integrating academic and industry exploration of multiple aspects of forced displacement and world migration in the article "How Can Data Science Revolutionize Humanitarian Crises?. With 82.4 million forcibly displaced people, new approaches to the global refugee crisis are vital to combat the hostile rhetoric around human mobility, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
— Last but not least, in the article "How can improved data and information systems be applied more universally to the growing list of life-threatening human crises we now see around the globe and those that will inevitably follow?" James N. Purcell, our board chairman, explores the role of humanitarian aid in the article The Humanitarian Journey: From Root Causes to Recovery.
Collaborations like these, in which institutions create spaces for discussion, are integral to successfully help those in greatest need and successfully build a better future for all. In this case, migration showcases the significance of human mobility both historically and now and increases awareness on how much we have to learn from people on the move in facing the challenges of the world today.
We invite you to read the complete issue here for more information!
IOM Launches Haiti Crisis Response Plan 2022-2024
Climate Change, News
Haiti's geography increases exposure to disasters such as tropical storms, hurricanes, and earthquakes. These disasters generate destruction of both infrastructure and agricultural areas. In addition to Haiti's geographic characteristics, socio-political challenges have deteriorated the nation's security and have caused both an increase in the urban population and in the irregular migration of Haitians in the region. Because of such factors, Haiti is considered the most vulnerable country in Latin America and the Caribbean, and the 18th most vulnerable country in the world (INFORM Index 2021).
On the morning of January 24, Haiti recorded two aftershocks of 5.6 and 5.4 increasing the death toll and number of those injured since the 7.2 magnitude Earthquake in August last year. Haiti is a nation deeply in need of international aid focused on sustainable recovery and disaster prevention.
IOM, together with both governmental and non-governmental partners, is committed to addressing immediate and long-term disaster and mobility-related challenges in Haiti by the root causes of irregular migration, reducing forced movement and the vulnerability of affected and at-risk population, building resilience to identified risks and mainstreaming migration in development agendas and policies.
In December 2021, IOM launched a Crisis Response Plan aiming to:
– Save lives and respond to needs through humanitarian assistance and protection
– Address the drivers and longer-term impacts of crises and displacement through investments in recovery and crisis prevention
– Strengthen preparedness and reduce disaster risk
– Contribute to an Evidence-Based and Efficient Crisis Response System
Achieving these goals and aiding the recovery of the more than 310,000 people impacted by the most recent disasters requires around USD 87 million.
USA for IOM plays a critical role in mobilizing resources from individuals and the private sector in the United States to support IOM's work around the world, and by doing so, aids thousands of vulnerable people, like Haitians, affected by disasters. You can read the full response plan HERE:
International Community Raises USD 954 million for Venezuela
Yesterday, the Canadian Ministry of International Development, alongside cohosts IOM and UNHCR, convened the third International Donors' Conference in Solidarity with Venezuelan Refugees and Migrants. This annual event marshals the international community to act on their shared responsibility to address this crisis.
Despite being the world's second-largest displacement crisis, the Response to Venezuela is severely underfunded;approximately USD 300 has been raised for each migrant
Throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, governments have maintained open borders, regularized vast numbers of Venezuelan migrants, and extended social services, including health care and education. These humanitarian policies represent an incredible investment from host countries, overextending their administrative and financial capacities- especially while facing a pandemic.
Donors answered the call to action by giving generously to strengthen the UN's Regional Interagency Coordination Platform for Refugees and Migrants from Venezuela and to bolster the assistance provided by host communities.
The conference raised USD 954 million committed by 30 countries, including 407 million from the US, and USD 600 million in concessional loans pledged by the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank.
Resources mobilized will support the implementation of agile and sustainable solutions that address the diverse and evolving needs of Venezuelan migrants and the countries receiving them.
Addressing a crisis of this magnitude demands an all-of-society response.Thanks to partnerships with the private sector and philanthropies, USA for IOM is mobilizing critical resources for the Venezuela response.
In the next half of 2021, we must strengthen these commitments to meet this humanitarian challenge with the resources it requires. More than ever, it is crucial that the private sector acts as a global leader and stands with Venezuelan migrants, refugees, and their host communities.


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4 Reasons Brands Should Use Periscope
Image credit: Periscope
Cathy Hackl
This story originally appeared on PR Daily
Where else can you see the CEO of T-Mobile jogging through Central Park, a photojournalist reporting from North Korea, author Deepak Chopra chatting from his apartment in New York or a famed UFC fighter answering their fan's questions?
The answer: Periscope.
It's only been a couple months since Periscope came out for iOS, and more recently for Android, but it's already become the latest social media craze. However, though many people are talking about it, few brands are actually walking the talk.
According to TechCrunch, 10 years of content is streamed daily on Periscope, and since its launch, roughly 380 years of content has been watched by users. Despite this, most brands have been slow to adopt Periscope or Meerkat into their marketing mix. Most have remained on the sidelines watching what others are doing, waiting to make up their minds.
Not every brand should be on Periscope, but marketing pros in industries where live streaming is gaining traction can't afford to lag behind. Building a presence and a following on Periscope will be easier in the app's early stages, giving time to perfect the brand's strategy before mass adoption.
More users are adopting live mobile broadcasting. It's the perfect time for brand managers to use this new platform to engage new and existing audiences and gain an online presence in the live streaming world.
Here are four reasons why PR and marketing pros should take Periscope seriously:
1. Periscope's numbers are increasing
With 1 million users in its first 10 days, Periscope has taken the social media world by storm. Many people haven't been this excited about social media since Twitter's debut.
Though some data shows a lack of awareness about Periscope in comparison to platforms like Vine or Snapchat, more and more users are joining. Many Periscope users have also seen a steady increase in followers, especially after Periscope for Android was available.
"More Periscopers are joining each day, and brands (small or big), that jump in now will have the advantage with the millions of users," said Robert C. Stern, a social media strategist with The Social Leader. " Smaller companies will be able to compete head-to-head now with the larger brands for little to no expense."
2. Geo tagging and sharing are a marketer's dream
Periscope's map feature, despite it's stalkerish capabilities, can be a great way to target specific audiences.
You can identify who is using Periscope in a certain market, what they are talking about and what their interests are without getting into trouble like the NSA. This feature can also aid small businesses in hyper-local promotions.
Twitter also added a feature that allows followers to share a scope with their followers on Twitter. That's where things get interesting and where brands can find great value.
"This is massive," said Mark Shaw, a U.K. Twitter and Periscope expert. "If you do a show and a person who has 3 million followers shares it on, you've hit the jackpot. I keep reminding people that integration with Twitter is the most important thing. Periscope is not a stand-alone app."
3. Brand managers that already use it are gaining confidence
Brands like Applebee's, SanDisk, Doritos, Southwest Air, Adidas, Hootsuite, UFC, & Elle Magazine are already building an audience on Periscope.
I recently did a scope asking my followers which brands they follow on Periscope and who's doing a great job. I was surprised when most everyone came up with the same list.
This is proof that brands have a chance to gain traction before the playing field gets too crowded. Plus, many brands do have Periscope accounts, but most are inactive and don't have broadcasts listed. Now is the perfect time to gain fans from these early adopters who will become the Periscope influencers and stars of tomorrow.
"By connecting with early adopters brands can show that they're savvy and real," adds Ryan Bell, founder of Periscope Community Summit and editor for The Good Men Project." You'll have the opportunity to understand the landscape and build a community before your competitors."
4. The future of the web is video
Snapchat is building its own news team, and Instagram is now selling ads. The business of visual on social media is booming. Video has been tagged as the future of social media, and live streaming apps like Periscope are the perfect place for native video to emerge.
"The future of online communities relies heavily on video to convey messages," said Portland-based trend forecaster, Jena Nesbitt. "On Periscope we are watching the birth of a compassionate social media platform filled with honest, inspiring, & raw conversation. The rise of live broadcasting empowers people from all over the world share their opinions, ideas, & lifestyles in a truly engaging way."
These are just four reasons why PR and marketing pros should be taking a closer look at their clients' and brands' Periscope strategy. It's definitely time for you to wake up and smell the live streaming.
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The Kenai Conservation Society, whose conservation activities helped establish Kenai Wilderness, on an outing to Surprise Creek Trail in 1967. (Photo by Will Troyer)
Refuge Notebook: Marge Mullen – cherished friend of the refuge for 69 years
By Candace Ward
Thursday, May 5, 2016 6:43pm
LifeOutdoors and Recreation
Marge Mullen, a delightful 95-year-old homesteader still going strong in Soldotna, has a very unique relationship with the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. She alone has known the Refuge for 69 of its 75 years of existence.
Marge first encountered the Refuge in August 1947 as she and her husband, Frank, originally from Chicago, journeyed from Anchorage to stake their homestead on Soldotna Creek by the Kenai River. They rode the train from Anchorage to Moose Pass and then hitched a ride to Mile 38 of the Seward Highway. They hiked for three days and 65 miles westward across the Chugach National Forest and Kenai National Wildlife Refuge (then known as the Kenai National Moose Range) to reach their homestead destination.
Marge was equipped with a Trapper Nelson backpack and a pair of boots that she wished had been broken in better as her blistered feet attested to. She remembers encountering the Alaska Road Commission workers as they were blasting rock to build the Sterling Highway in what today is a rock face on Skilak Lake Road overlooking Upper Ohmer Lake.
Marge was also amazed at the devastated landscape resulting from a huge wild fire that had started two months before in June— as rumor had it, from the careless toss of a cigarette by a highway construction worker. She recounts that when she reached out to grab a burnt-out tree for balance, it would come out of the ground in her hand. Fortunately, most of the flames from the 300,000-acre burn had already been snuffed out by August rains. As she related, in those days there weren't enough people or equipment to put out a fire that size.
When reaching the "Y" of the Sterling and Spur Highways, she said it looked like a "big bowl of chocolate pudding." The Mullen's staked their claims of 100 acres with coffee cans and a blaze on a tree. Over the years to follow, Marge raised her four children — Peggy, Eileen, Frank Jr. and Mary — along with digging water wells, improving the cabin, cultivating an immense vegetable garden, and rearing 800 chickens for eggs that were mostly sold at Carr's Grocery Stores in Anchorage. In 1952, when Marge was pregnant with her fourth child Mary, Frank was struck by polio, placing even greater responsibility on her. Even with all these challenges she never wanted to return to city life.
Marge was an entrepreneur who established several businesses over the years including a laundry and The Four Seasons gourmet restaurant. She has routinely volunteered in the community at Soldotna Elementary School and for any project where an extra pair of hands was needed. Even in her 90s, she still is very active with the Soldotna Historical Society and its homesteader museum next to Centennial Park.
It was while working for a local dentist, Dr. Calvin Fair, she became "enlightened" about conservation concerns on the Kenai Peninsula. Marge, along with Dr. Fair, Bill Schrier, Jim and Helen Fischer, Mary Miller, George Pollard, Will Troyer and John Hakala, formed the Kenai Conservation Society in the early 1970s.
The group took up many endeavors including stopping the flaring off of natural gas from oil operations, working to establish federal wilderness on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, and setting up wilderness outings for the public on the Refuge.
Marge fondly recalls all of the group's wilderness adventures including Fuller Lakes and Surprise Creek Trails backpacking trips, route finding on the Tustumena bench lands, and tide pooling after hiking to Grewingk Glacier across Kachemak Bay. She related that Will Troyer and Calvin Fair always shook down the group members' backpacks to make sure unnecessary gear was left behind before beginning their treks. However, she also remembers that sometimes Will would pack so light that he only had two hotdogs for food and the group would rescue him by sharing their "eats."
Marge related that Calvin Fair and Bill Schrier were always the letter writers on issues of conservation and wilderness concern for the Kenai Conservation Society. She also proudly recounts that she testified for wilderness creation on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. She remembers that she was "exceedingly red" in the face, because she is a shy person and public speaking was not an easy matter for her.
The grassroots efforts of Marge and the Kenai Conservation Society were instrumental in establishing 1.35 million acres of federal wilderness in 1980 on Kenai National Wildlife Refuge — a very special legacy of scenic beauty, wildlife, and personal challenge to be enjoyed by present and future generations. The Kenai Peninsula was developed to give people livelihoods, but she has always felt that "over the long term, wilderness is the most important treasure on the peninsula."
Candace Ward has been a park ranger at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge 32 years. Candace first met Marge and her daughter, Peggy, when they welcomed her to the community during her first year at the Refuge in 1984. Find more information at http://www.fws.gov/refuge/kenai/ or http://www.facebook.com/kenainationalwildliferefuge.
Marge Mullen – homesteader, community builder, and conservationist – in front of "Majesty of the Kenai" at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center. (Photo by Walter Ward)
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Twists and turns in the history of Cliff House — Part 1
Here, then, is the story of Cliff House, as least as I know it now.
Minister's Message: What's in a name?
The Scriptures advise, "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches."
On the strawberry patch: A 'perfect day' cake
Minister's Message: A prayer pulled from the ashes
"In that beleaguered and beautiful land, the prayer endures."
Off the Shelf: Didion's "Year of Magical Thinking" is a timely study on grief
'The last week of 2021 felt like a good time to pick up one of her books.'
A journey of healing
VanDevere mixes shape, color and dimension in emotional show
Peninsula Crime: Bad men … and dumb ones — Part 2
Here, in Part Two and gleaned from local newspapers, are a few examples of the dim and the dumb.
Minister's Message: What if Christ had not been born?
It is now time to look at the work and life of Jesus Christ.
On the strawberry patch: Tasty trial and error
Homemade gorditas present new cooking challenge.


The debate will consist of opening statements, a question, answer, and rebuttal period, and closing statements.
Please join Badger Catholic and Atheists, Humanists, & Agnostics on April 25 at 7PM in Van Vleck B130.
Badger Catholic is the Catholic Student Organization, aiming to provide spiritual resources and services. Atheists, Humanists, & Agnostics aims to educate students on issues important to the secular community.
The debate will consist of opening statements, a question, answer, and rebuttle period, and closing statements. Questions will range between morality, ethics, and faith. We may also have time for audience questions, which we encourage all to post within this event before the debate.


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Home / Arthropod / Manual of Afrotropical Diptera Vol 2
Manual of Afrotropical Diptera Vol 2
Manual of Afrotropical Diptera Vol 2 quantity
SKU: 9781928224129 Category: Arthropod
Author: Edited by: Kirk-Spriggs/Sinclair
True flies, or Diptera, constitute one of the largest orders of insects in the biosphere, with over 160,000 described species worldwide, more than 20,000 of which occur in the Afrotropical Region. They are as diverse morphologically and biologically as they are numerous and many groups have evolved spectacular structural adaptations that are commensurate with their environment and biology. During their long evolutionary history, virtually every terrestrial niche has been occupied by the Diptera, making them one of the most successful groups of organisms on Earth. Many have co-evolved in association with other organisms and become highly specialised parasites or parasitoids of a range of disparate groups of plants and animals. Whether focusing on their systematics, biology, biogeography, conservation, or the more applied aspects, the Diptera remain a fascinating and intriguing group. This four volume book, a collaboration of over 90 international experts on Diptera, is the first-ever synopsis of the 108 families of flies known from the Afrotropical Region and includes discussions on biology and immature stages, economic importance, classification, identification to the genus level, as well as a synopsis of each genus. This work provides the basics for understanding the diversity of a major order of insects in a large tropical and sub-tropical region and is the first such synopsis of its kind for any major insect order occurring in the Afrotropics. Volume 2 includes family chapters dealing with 43 of the 108 families of flies that occur in the region and covers the nematocerous Diptera and lower Brachycera (sometimes termed the lower Diptera). Each chapter includes a diagnosis of the family, sections dealing with biology and immature stages, classification and identification, an identification key to genera (if more than one) and a synopsis of the fauna section, arranged genus by genus alphabetically. The text is richly illustrated with over 2,900 illustrations, including 1,360 colour and 130 black and white images and 1,430 line drawings of flies.
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Dragonfly Biotic Index
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What happened to the semester? Time has flown by, and we have just four sessions remaining. However, with classes now regularly scheduled in PIRL, there is a positive flow and hum to the period as individual projects progress through multiple iterations, design changes, testing, and reflection.
While a few students have completed a first project and are in the midst of a second, most continue to work with a particular project, taking it through various design adjustments based on feedback from me and from peers, and from their own reflection on the process. It is clear that those with previous Creator's Studio experience can manage projects independently. They understand and value the process of iteration. Even the students new to this course, though, have learned to be patient, to take risks, to seek support when necessary.
Thank you to Reynaldo Macias for providing photos this week.


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Funding losses vex agricultural fair reps
Deerfield resident Charles Clark with his David Bradley walk-behind tractor collection at the Franklin County Fair in Greenfield in September. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ '; }
Billy Hubler, an American Boer goat judge from Oklahoma, examines goats at the Franklin County Fair in September. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ '; }
The Roundhouse, filled with juried crafts and food, at the Franklin County Fair in Greenfield in September. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ '; }
Canine in the Clouds showrunner Johnathan Offi tosses frisbees to his dog Ray during a performance at the Cummington Fair earlier this year. GAZETTE FILE PHOTO '; }
The Cummington Fair in 2021. GAZETTE FILE PHOTO '; }
By MARY BYRNE
With declining income and increased expenses, agricultural fairs across the state are feeling the impact of declining state support, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Most of our fairs teach agriculture," said Frank Di Luna, president of the Massachusetts Agricultural Fair Association, emphasizing the importance supporting the continuation of such fairs. "The further and further we become away from the farm — and we're probably four generations from the farm — the more (people) don't know what agriculture is."
Representatives from the Massachusetts Agricultural Fair Association met virtually Wednesday morning with state officials for a briefing on the impact that declining state support and the pandemic has had on the financial stability and continued existence of the 40 Massachusetts agricultural fairs.
The meeting was moderated by state Rep. Natalie Blais, D-Sunderland, who explained there are five types of fairs: major fairs, community fairs, youth fairs, livestock fairs and Grange fairs.
"I'm extremely lucky to have a high number of agricultural fairs in my district," she said.
Jessica O'Neill, president of the Heath Agricultural Society, said in the wake of the pandemic, agricultural fairs like the Heath Fair are more important than ever before.
"The importance of agricultural fairs is perhaps best expressed through its very name — agriculture," she said. "Fairs help to build the future of farming in Massachusetts."
Beyond the agricultural goal of the fairs, O'Neill noted that they also act as an economic engine to local nonprofits as a fundraising venue.
"Were it not for the Heath Fair, these organizations would not have the opportunity to raise these necessary dollars from a crowd of about 5,000 over a weekend," she said.
Kenneth Howes, a vice president on the Cummington Fair board of directors, said that because of the cancellation of the fair in 2020, followed by added health safety expenses such as Plexiglas and hand sanitizer in 2021, the fair has suffered financially.
"The fair pays about $30,000 in premiums that used to be financed through the state, which would be appreciated if it ever happens (again)," he said. "We had a financial loss of … $52,000 in 2020."
Without support previously provided by the state, Howes said the Cummington Fair is struggling to meet infrastructure challenges, noting the fairgrounds has at least one old, "dilapidated" building in need of repair.
One such program that provided financial support to fairs for infrastructure improvements was the Agricultural Fairs Improvement Program, which was established in 2007 and discontinued two years later, according to a briefing memo from the Massachusetts Agricultural Fair Association.
Additionally, in 2014 the State Assistance for Fair Premiums was repealed, according to the memo.
Although he didn't have an opportunity to speak Wednesday morning, Mike Nelson, president of the Franklin County Agricultural Society that puts on the Franklin County Fair in Greenfield, said in an interview following the briefing that he's spoken several times with Blais about potential funding sources for projects at the fairgrounds.
"One area she was optimistic about was tapping into the ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds, once they start becoming available," Nelson said. "I know she's been advocating tirelessly for funding for our agricultural fair, but also agricultural fairs across the commonwealth. She really sees the value of the fairs both as an economic incubator of the community, as well as a major tourism attraction."
Nelson said that had he spoken as part of the briefing, he would have advocated for three major ongoing and planned projects at the fairgrounds: the erosion remediation project, the repaving project slated to start this spring, and — if grant funding is awarded — upgrading the electrical system.
"When all is said and done, between those three projects, we're looking at a $210,000 max that we need to come up with," he said. "Any funding from the state Legislature will make a significant impact in the preservation of the fairgrounds."
Echoing many of the comments made by his peers across the state, Nelson said he believes the biggest challenge lies in educating state representatives in the eastern part of the state.
"Certainly, state reps who are located in the Boston area are not quite so familiar with dairy farming as we are out here," he said. "So I certainly applaud all the efforts Rep. Blais has made … to try to educate her colleagues on the importance of these sorts of projects."
Several people who spoke Wednesday morning described fairs not only as a training ground for young farmers, but an opportunity for the community to gather and celebrate the local harvest.
"The pandemic was not the first disruption we've seen in fairs in the last 100 years," said Brad Mitchell, executive director of the Massachusetts Farm Bureau, referencing the post-World War I and World War II periods. "We came together as a society and as a government to support them, and I'm hoping we can do it again now. They're a fabric of our … society as a whole."
State Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner John Lebeaux remarked on the infrastructure and operational expenses plaguing the fairs.
"I think we need to take into account that there probably isn't one single perfect solution," he said. "There's a lot to talk about. I'm glad this conversation is getting organized."
Heath Fair
Franklin County Fair
The sound of eight hands playing: Four pianists on two pianos to benefit immigrant support groups
Police raid converted Holyoke firehouse, discover trove of guns, cars, marijuana and millions of dol
EarthTalk: Emissions inequality


A Diigo alert today took me back to Jodi Harrison's post from September. In it Jodi links to an Online Universities post about augmented reality.
The School in the Park Project (San Diego) that "shifts the location of "school" from a traditional classroom setting in an inner-city school, to the resources and educational opportunities available at museums in Balboa Park". The School in the Park Project works with Qualcomm, the developers of the Vuforia augmented reality platform.
Gwynneth Jones' QR scavenger hunt post that contains a host of ideas to facilitate discovery. I like the potential of QR Voice.
Google's Project Glass (with this recent video) and through a tangental link Throwable Ball Camera.
FreshAir and Layar and the discussion of geolocation-based Augmented Reality and vision-based Augmented Reality.
Categories: Communication, Digital Media | Tags: Augmented Reality, UCNISS | Permalink.
Each Saturday morning we have a family visit to Dojo Bakery in Braidwood.
In the lane on the way to Dojo we usually see Bronwyn and Helen.
This morning I found Helen using Augmented Reality to share information about a Wynlen House course.
Helen was practicing skills she had learned at an augmented reality camp facilititated by Danny Munnerley and Rob Fitzgerald at the University of Canberra in the InSPIRE Centre. Helen is using Aurasma as her augmented reality application.
I was delighted to see Helen's innovative use of the skills she had acquired at the Camp. She exemplified for me the benefits of ubiquity and the layering of information.
I have been using Daqri as my augmented reality application. When I upgrade my phone I will be using Aurasma too.
Categories: Australia, Communication, Digital Media, Open Access | Tags: Augmented Reality, Aurasma, Helen Lynch, UCNISS, Wynlen House | Permalink.
Stephen Parker's Don Aitkin Lecture prompted me to think about exciting learning.
Stephen used two videos in his talk.
The first was a Ken Robinson video.
The total views for this video were 509 (morning of 9 December).
The second video was Live Augmented Reality for National Geographic.
The total views for this video were 48,687 (morning of 9 December).
Whilst thinking about the videos in Stephen's talk I received a link from Michael de Percy to this video.
It has received 242,053 views (morning of 9 December).
I am thinking that the downhill journey shown in the third video is a great metaphor for exciting learning and contemplating the partnerships that learners and teachers (guides) can develop.
Categories: Communication, Education, Teaching and Learning, Video | Tags: Augmented Reality, Divergent Thinking, Don Aitkin Lecture, Downhill VCA, Ken Robinson, National Geographic, Stephen Parker, UCNISS, University of Canberra | Permalink.
Thanks to friends who share their RSS feeds I have some updates to note here.
Wikipedia today introduced a program called QRPedia, a QR code creation service that lets users snap a picture of a QR code and be automatically directed to a linked mobile Wikipedia entry in whatever written language their phone uses. If there's no article in their language for the designated topic, the program directs them to the most relevant related article that is available in that language. If you don't have a QR reader on your phone, I use the Google iPhone app, myself. I dare you to find a cooler example of QR codes in action than QRPedia. Originally built at England's Derby Museum and Gallery (by the museum's Wikipedian in Residence!) the service is now available to anyone online.
I sure hope this catches on all over the place. Its adoption may be limited by the bravery required to point people to the collective consciousness, publicly editable discussion online about yourself or your organization.
A day before Marshall's post The Australian newspaper reported the progress of colleagues' work at the University of Canberra with Augmented Reality (AR). The project underway is titled 'ARstudio: creating opportunities for multimodal layered learning through augmented reality'. There is some information about the project in the Unviversity of Canberra's Monitor publication.
I have noticed Anise Smith's Augmented Reality and the Future of the Internet Scoop.it page too and from that followed a path to Greg Tran's thesis.
I have started the process of linking QR Codes and AR in my work and have used daqri as a platform.
Categories: Communication, Digital Media, Metadata, Open Access, Teaching and Learning | Tags: Alexis Lebedew, Anise Smith, AR, ARstudio creating opportunities for multimodal layered learning through augmented reality, Augmented Reality, daqri, Greg Tran, Marshall Kirkpatrick, QR Codes, QRPedia, ReadWriteWeb, UCNISS, University of Canberra | Permalink.


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J. Edgar is a 2011 American biographical drama film directed, produced and scored by Clint Eastwood.[4] Written by Dustin Lance Black, the film focuses on the career of FBI director J. Edgar Hoover from the Palmer Raids onward. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Armie Hammer, Naomi Watts, Josh Lucas, and Judi Dench. It is also the film debut of Adam Driver.
In 1919, after anarchists attempt to assassinate Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer, he puts his protegé J. Edgar Hoover in charge of a new division dedicated to purging radicals. Hoover quickly begins compiling a list of suspects. He meets Helen Gandy, a new secretary at the Justice Department, and takes her to the Library of Congress to show her the card catalog system he devised. He makes an awkward pass at her, then proposes to her. She refuses him, but agrees to become his personal secretary.


Five generals, two colonels and a major have announced their defection from Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's forces and said Libya's army was now at 20 per cent capacity.
Italian foreign ministry spokesman Maurizio Massari told reporters the officers had deserted thanks to "the careful, competent and determined work of our intelligence service".
"You have made the right choice to abandon a regime without a future," he said as he introduced the officers and representatives of Libya's rebels at a press conference.
Abdel Rahman Shalgham, a former foreign minister who served as Tripoli's representative at the United Nations before switching sides, said: "These officers are among 120 who left Gaddafi and Libya over the last few days."
"We hope more will join us and the Libyan people, and leave the side of this despot and criminal," he said.
General Salah Giuma Yahmed said the ongoing defections meant Gaddafi's forces could no longer prop up the regime.
"NATO forces are paralysing Gaddafi's troops; they are now running at about 20 per cent of their military capacity," he said.
"The situation in Tripoli is very difficult in terms of food and we are running out of gas," he said.
General Oun Ali Oun said he and his fellow officers condemned "the crimes against our own people, genocide, and everything we have seen".
"We call on all officers to join the revolution. Glory is close," he said.
Mahmoud Shammam, a spokesperson for the National Transitional Council, said the rebels had yet to receive any of the money promised to them.
"We haven't received any financing so far. We should be getting $US180 million ($A168 million) from Kuwait in the next day or so, as a gift," he said.
"We are suffering over the slowness of this operation," he said.
It was not possible to verify the identities of the officers or determine how they had left Libya.
On Friday, a group of Libyan soldiers, including several senior officers, arrived by sea in Tunisia, the Tunisian official news agency TAP reported.
According to TAP, 34 people from Libya, including civilians and soldiers, arrived in southern Tunisia aboard two boats.


NASHVILLE, Tenn., Jan. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Country music super group Lucy Angel will be featured on an upcoming episode of The Bachelor. The episode will feature a special one-on-one date where one lucky lady and the newest Bachelor, Ben Higgins, will enjoy a private concert by the trio. The episode of The Bachelor, currently celebrating its milestone 20th season, is scheduled to air Monday, January 18, 2016, at 8/7c on ABC.
Ben Higgins, the handsome software salesman who was sent home by Kaitlyn Bristowe last season on The Bachelorette, confessed to Kaitlyn that he thought he was "unlovable." Even so, he saw a great life with her, only to have his hopes dashed and his heart broken when he was left without a rose. Now, Ben is ready to open himself up again to love, but he still has lingering fears. He will attempt to put his heartbreak behind him and overcome those fears when he stars as the Bachelor and searches for his one true love. Follow Ben's search for his soul mate in the milestone 20th season of ABC's hit romance reality series The Bachelor, Mondays (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET/PT) on ABC.
Consisting of mother Kate and daughters Lindsay and Emily Anderton, the trio Lucy Angel made waves as they emerged onto the Country scene with debut single "Crazy Too." Their self-titled album made its way to Walmart and Target shelves nationwide alongside the AXS TV premiere of their 13-episode docu-series, DISCOVERING LUCY ANGEL. The upbeat and acclaimed single led them to headline shows coast to coast and open for artists including Jake Owen, Chris Young, Dustin Lynch, Kip Moore, Chris Janson, and more.
To learn more about Lucy Angel go to http://www.lucyangel.com.
On ABC's hit primetime reality series The Bachelor, one lucky man is offered the chance to find true love. A single and eligible Bachelor embarks on a romantic journey, getting to know a number of beautiful women, gradually narrowing the field as he continues his search for his soul mate. At the end of this romantic voyage, if he has found the one, will there be a proposal - and will she say yes? Hosted by Chris Harrison, The Bachelor is produced by Next Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Television.


Our new and improved B-Room.
We used this weekend to add some much needed acoustic treatments to our B-Room mixing/editing suite. This additional workstation has become crucial, as we are working towards making the record making process as efficient as possible in times of lower monetary and time budgets. The B-Room allows us to work double barrel, making edits, comps and "In The Box" mix recalls without disrupting the workflow in the A-Room.
Especially the latter requires listening conditions that allow us to make informed decisions. The burlap wrapped fiberglass panels reduce reflections and filter overrepresented frequencies from the walls, floor and ceiling so we're actually hearing what's coming from the speakers. That being said, the field of acoustics is a complex science, but it's remarkable how much of a difference even inexpensive treatments can make to improve your listening environment.
Thanks to our interns for all their help building frames, cutting burlap and drilling holes to mount these panels securely. This is all about sound, but it looks pretty cool too!
Andrew using his arts and craft skills..


So it's the third of March and we're celebrating our third birthday at A Vintage Journey and for this special challenge I have created something completely different. Our theme is called 'All Aboard' which leaves it completely open for entries and Creative Guide samples.
At the beginning of the new year I decided I wanted to do more 'art' and what I really mean is looking at my mixed media style and extending it, I needed to do some research and try to create some abstract paintings, which is where I really began my artistic learning back at teacher training college all those years ago. So I'm getting into 2017 with some abstract canvases - yes hopefully there will be some more to see how I get on - but this is the first. I'm looking to soar and fly high and enjoy this new part of my artistic journey.
- Layers of gesso applied with a palette knife and dried between each layer.
- Rub with a wet wipe and brush some thin layers of paint over the canvas and when dry brayer over white to touch the high points of the textured gesso.
- Rub some brown paint around the edges with a cloth.
- Stamp numbers randomly using permanent black ink.
- Now here's where I went 'off piste' and picked up the DecoArt chalky finish paint and using a palette knife scrape two different colours randomly on the canvas.. (I mixed the vintage rose colour using smitten, relic, whisper and cameo).
- Stamp again, this time use letters randomly and permanent black ink. In fact add some words if you like the look.
- Using the a palette knife again apply another colour still leaving previous layers showing through. I chose the cameo.
- At this point I was unhappy with the serene blue so I had another go with that colour and the palette knife - notice the straight lines appearing in these top layers and I remixed some pink too to lighten up some areas.
- Finally I mixed some whisper. and rustic to highlight a few spaces.
- When completely dry I rubbed coffee archival ink round the edges.
Here's the colour inspiration I found on my Pinterest 'colour palette' board.
So there we are, I'm not 'unhappy' with this 20 x 20 cm canvas but I can see I have lots to learn. I'm just gonna run with it and see where my muse takes me when I get a chance to experiment.
So hopefully you will be able to pop over to the AVJ challenge blog to see what else there is for your delight and certainly the Creative Guides have lined up some very magical creations and maybe you will share you art with us too. You never know you might win the £20 voucher being donated by Country View Crafts this month.
Take care and listen to your heArt.
Absolutely stunning canvas. Love the colours.
A great new step on your creative journey Brenda. as long as we keep learning we keep growing.... So many things to love about this, the different layers of texture, the palette, the interest the stamping adds, and of course a brilliant step by step like always. You are the born teacher and you have just totally inspired me to dig out those chalk paints!
Wow Brenda, this is totally inspiring and so beautiful! I love how you built up all those wonderful layers and when you added the darker rusty colour the whole piece just came to life and the stamping adds so much interest. A truly beautiful textural, abstract piece of art!
I love your abstract canvas Brenda! Great to see the progress!
Great steps on this new avenue of exploration. The layered colours are so exciting as they interact with one another - love the dynamic straight line "interference", and the weathered look still feels absolutely like "you". Looking forward to following your abstract adventures.
Wow! 3 years! Happy Birthday to AVJ. Love your abstract canvas! Beautiful mix of colors, texture and the abstract numbers floating amidst the paint.
wonderful piece - I love it!
Very brave to experiment but you have to try new things in order to progress, don't you... All I can tell you is, to me, your canvas does have visual appeal. Well worth exploring further!
Wow - what a super color inspiration and amazing abstract canvas result Brenda. You know... I love all things 'canvas' so this is a HUGE TREAT to see. Can't wait to see the next one!!! Xj.
It looks a fantastic canvas to me Brenda. I also leave many things to go back to at a future date.
Brenda, I am delighted to see your art take wings and I so enjoyed seeing how this abstract canvas came together! I think you are going to love this kind of artwork more and more! I can tell you enjoyed making it, and the end result is really gorgeous! I love the effect of the texture poking out through the layers and your colors work perfectly together! Gorgeous, and a painting I would certainly hang in my home! Hugs!
PS Thank you for the sweet intro and the opportunity to be on board at A Vintage Journey! Happy Birthday!
Its so great that you have decided to pick up the roots of your artistic learning Brenda. I am sure you will, without doubt, soar and fly high if this canvas is anything to go by. It really is fabulous. It has a wonderful simplicity amalgamating with depth , texture and detail . Just love the rough, grungy feel of it and the way the stamping between the layers of paint makes the viewing eye (well at least mine) want to delve deep to uncover whats beneath.
I share your passion to do more 'art' but unlike you I have yet to get out the starting blocks . Yay for you for doing so .
Thanks for letting me share the AVJ creative journey with you. I really do feel so lucky to be part of such a fantastic team.
Happy AVJ Birthday Brenda .
Amazing! Loved to see the process!
Awsome! Loved to see the process!
Awsome! Loved to se the whole process!


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Robot Challenge
Yarn & Rockets
WPI Mathematician Is Helping NASA Spacecraft Travel Faster and Farther
Students Compete in NASA Rocket Event
From NASA to JFK to WPI: The Science of Space Exploration
WPI Researchers Use International Space Station as Testbed for Communications Experiments with NASA
NASA-WPI Centennial Challenge
Fourteen teams to vie for prize of nearly $1.5 million
More than a dozen teams of citizen inventors from across the globe will once again compete for a purse of nearly $1.5 million on June 11-13 on the WPI campus for the 2014 NASA-WPI Sample Return Robot Challenge.
The challenge: Design and develop the next generation of robots to explore the landscapes of other worlds.
Two years ago, WPI was the first university selected as host and manager – officially designated as "Allied Organization" – for a NASA Centennial Challenge event. The Centennial Challenge program was created in 2005 by the space agency to engage citizens, students and small businesses in the development of new technological solutions for NASA and the nation.
NASA awarded $5,000 to Team Survey of Los Angeles last year for successfully completing Level 1 of the NASA-WPI Sample Return Robot Challenge. NASA expects the 2014 event will advance the progress of the competition and include new and returning competitors.
"Last year, one team collected the $5,000 prize for completing Level 1, but several teams came very close," said Sam Ortega, program manager of Centennial Challenges, which is managed at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. "This year, nearly every single team from last year is returning, as well as a handful of promising new competitors. Expectations are very high that we will see several more move past Level 1 and take a shot at the grand prize for Level 2."
Ken Stafford, director of the Robotics Resource Center, said the Challenge competition is a testament to the longstanding rapport between NASA and WPI.
"WPI and NASA have a shared vision for the future of robotics in America and we're thrilled to team up to once again host this extraordinary competition," said Stafford. "This event really showcases the innovative and creative minds from near and far."
The competing teams represent a wide range of experience and expertise from the corporate, academic, and independent arenas. Participants and spectators can expect Level 1 competition to begin on June 11 and the overall competition to continue through June 13.
The Centennial Challenges program does not award funds to competitors unless the challenge objectives have been met. This assures desired results are gained before government funds are paid.
Competing teams this year are Survey of Los Angeles; Wunderkammer Laboratory of Topanga, Calif.; Intrepid Systems of Lynnwood, Wash.; Fetch of Alexandria, Va.; Middleman of Dunedin, Fla.; UCSC Autonomous Rover Team of Santa Cruz, Calif.; Cephal of Pittsburgh, Pa.; Formicarum of Worcester, Mass.; University of West Virginia Mountaineers; Oregon State University Mars Rover Team; The Retrievers of Schenectady, N.Y.; RPI Rock Raiders of Troy, N.Y.; Stellar Automation Systems of Marietta, Ga.; and the Sourcerors of Pennsylvania.
Demo-only teams are WPI's Team AERO, Kuukulgur of Estonia, Lunambotics of Mexico, and the University of Waterloo of Canada. Inactive but attending teams are Complector of India, Cyberdyne Systems of Pasadena, Calif.; KAIST of South Korea; and Mystic Lake Robots of Texas.
The challenge begins on the WPI campus Wednesday, June 11, with awards presented Saturday, June 14, if competition objectives are met. The awards ceremony will take place during the day-long TouchTomorrow technology festival hosted by WPI. The festival will showcase the teams and robots as well as NASA and WPI exhibits in science, robotics and space technology. The TouchTomorrow festival, sponsored by National Grid with WGBH Education and PBS Learning Media serving as media partners, is open to the public.
The NASA Sample Return Robot Challenge program has three objectives:
◦ Discover innovative new technologies to advance robot navigation and sample collection without human control.
◦ Demonstrate robotic transportation over varied terrain without the aid of GPS or other Earth-based systems.
◦ Empower educators and people of all ages, by introducing robotics and how they work, where they work, and real-world applications of how robots will be used the future.
To help achieve this last objective, NASA and WPI will host a workshop on June 12 to support educators in conducting project-based activities that can be used at home and in the classroom. A student event will be held June 13.
TECHNICAL COMPETITION
The Sample Return Robot (SRR) Challenge requires the 20 registered competing teams to design and build an autonomous robotic system that will locate and collect a set of specific sample types from a large area and then return the samples to the starting zone. The roving area will include a variety of terrain and hazards. Pre-cached and other samples will be located in smaller sampling zones within the larger roving area. Teams will be given aerial/geological/topographic maps with appropriate orbital resolution, including the location of the starting position and a pre-cached sample.
The competition is conducted in two phases:
Level 1 Competition – Robots to demonstrate the ability to retrieve a sample within a 30-minute time limit ($50,000 prize purse, $5,000 max per team).
Level 2 Competition – Robots to demonstrate the ability to retrieve at least two samples within a two-hour limit. Samples are categorized as Easy, Intermediate and Hard with higher point values given for samples classified as medium or hard. Prize purse awards can range from $100,000 to the total $1.5 million purse, depending on the amount of points scored and deducting the amount of Level I prizes awarded.
NASA prize competitions seek solutions without having to choose the approach or the team that is most likely to succeed, while only paying for results. NASA prize competitions also increase the number and diversity of individuals, organizations and teams that are addressing a particular problem or challenge of national or international significance, while stimulating private sector investment that is many times greater than the cash value of the prize. Prizes also capture the public imagination and change people's perception of what is possible.
For more information about the NASA SRR Challenge, visit www.nasa.org/robot.


Robert Ancefsky, 50, of Shelton was arrested by Shelton Police on March 9 and charged with criminal attempt at burglary 3rd degree and Criminal Mischief 2nd degree. The arrest stemmed from a burglary investigation over the winter. Ancefsky posted a $1,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on March, 23.
Lisa Bartlett, 45, of Shelton was arrested by Shelton Police on March 12 and charged with failure to drive right and D.U.I. Bartlett posted a $500 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on March 23.
William Bonitati, 55, of Shelton was arrested by Shelton Police on March 12 and charged with harassment 2nd degree. Bonitati was released on a promise to appear in court on March 21.
Saul Castro, 33, of Waterbury was arrested by Shelton Police on March 8 and was charged with theft of a license plate, misuse of a plate, operating an unregistered motor vehicle, and possession of less than ½ ounce of marijuana. Castro was held on $1,000 bond and transported to court on March 9.
Grayson Garrett, 18, of Shelton was arrested by Shelton Police on March 8 and was charged with harassment 2nd degree. Garrett posted a $500 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on March 22.
Adam Kosa, 41, of Naugatuck was arrested by Shelton Police on March 8 and was charged with following too close and D.U.I. Kosa posted a $500 bond and is scheduled to appear In court on March 22.
And posted $2,500 bond. Nazario was scheduled to appear in court on March 11.
Kristopher Sharan, 32, Shelton was arrested on March 13 and was charged with disorderly conduct and assault 3rd. Sharan is scheduled to appear in court on March 14.
Jesse Story, 36, of Shelton was arrested on March 7 and was charged with D.U. I. Story posted a $500 bond and is scheduled to appear in Derby court on March 21.


eBay is encouraging sellers to begin adding descriptions of their items' condition in their listings—a new requirement that will become mandatory in certain categories by the end of July.
Listings in more than 35 categories, including Art, Baby, Books, Camera & Photo and Clothing, Shoes & Accessories, will be required to include the appropriate item condition by July 27. Good 'Til Canceled renewals have until 2011 to include this information.
An accurate description of a product's condition is critical to keeping buyers happy, eBay notes. "It sets accurate expectations and can improve buyer satisfaction with the transaction… Questions about condition are also one of the most common reasons buyers contact sellers for additional information. Additionally, items that include better quality information (such as item condition) are more readily compatible with comparison shopping sites and affiliate channels, which drive more traffic into eBay as a whole."
Sellers can see if their items will need to include item conditions by reviewing eBay's look-up table.
eBay has created several different item condition descriptions for sellers to choose from, and these vary from one category to the next. Sellers could have up to six item conditions to choose from. For electronics, item conditions include new, manufacturer refurbished, seller refurbished and used. Merchants can see all item conditions available on this eBay page.
"Clearly specified item condition is a good way to reduce buyer questions and prevent low DSRs for item as described," eBay says in its 2010 Summer Seller Update.
Even sellers who currently include the condition of their items should double check their descriptions, eBay notes. Because, although they might think they're in the clear, for the most part, "the old and new definitions are not comparable and cannot be safely carried over (or 'mapped') by eBay for you," the company explains.
Auctiva's hallmark is developing software to ease the burden of online sellers. To that end, the company is updating its software to help customers ensure their listings are in compliance with the new requirement, says Auctiva Senior Product Manager Tony Maxey.
"While eBay's change will unquestionably improve the buyer's experience, it could be a bit of a hassle for sellers," Maxey says. "We've identified some things we can do to help shield Auctiva users from most of the brunt of making this change."
Introducing a new bulk revision capability that Auctiva sellers can use to revise their saved listings and ensure that ads reposted or relisted after July 27 will also comply.
"We expect to have all this done and available for use on the Auctiva site in early June," Maxey continues. "We have more time with Good 'Til Canceled listings, as eBay is giving users until 2011 to include the new item condition information, and we're still looking into the best way to support the new requirement for these listings."
eBay anticipates the new requirement will be good for all users of the site.
"By making it mandatory, we're making the marketplace more transparent and helping to ensure smooth transactions between buyers and sellers," eBay says.
Unified Checkout Coming to eBay?
Exec hints at development of an Amazon-style shopping cart.
Selling shoes on eBay can be lucrative, if you keep these tips in mind.


Colac's Georgia Fish's impressive start to her golf career has led the 18-year-old to a spot on Metropolitan's senior pennant team and a Golf Australia internship.
Georgia Fish says she had no idea she'd end up living under the same roof as her golfing idol when the Trinity College Colac graduate set out on her gap-year in 2019.
But the Colac golfer's promising start to her career has landed her a special opportunity in the sport she has grown to love.
Fish sometimes boards at professional golfer Stacey Peters' Melbourne home after Golf Australia offered Fish an internship at Golf Australia.
Peters is one of the Colac district's greatest golfing exports.
The Cressy local enjoyed a successful junior career before bursting onto the professional scene with wins at the French and Spanish Opens in 2012 and a title at her home event, the Victorian Open, in 2013.
Fish said spending time with Peters, nee Keating, and her husband Darren was "surreal", but the enthusiastic young athlete was eager to ask 32-year-old Keating for as much golfing advice as she could.
"She was my idol, so it's surreal," she said.
"She's been awesome and her husband is amazing as well, they've been lovely.
Fish has been included in Victorian junior squads, held a spot in the Barwon Junior Sports Academy and already has a Colac senior women's club championship next to her name after following her aunt and Colac member Robyn Vesey into the sport as an 11-year-old.
The now 18-year-old, who hopes to pursue a career in golf through a university degree in sport and exercise science, said spending time in Golf Australia's Melbourne offices was an opportunity too good to pass up.


Xuan Tian Shang Di "Supreme Emperor of the Dark Heavens", also known as Xuan Wu "Mysterious Warrior", then later recognized as Zhen Wu "Perfect Warrior", is the God of the Northern Realm of the Seven Stars. He wields the power of his totem animals, the Turtle and Snake, which also represent the direction North. It is said that Zhen Wu ascended to immortality in the Wudang Mountains of China. Many temples were built in his honor during the Ming Dynasty, by the Emperor Yong Le, who believed it was the spirit of Zhen Wu that aided him in conquering his nephew and attaining the throne. One of the most active and ornate temples built at that time and devoted to Zhen Wu is located in the Wudang Mountains; it is Zi Xiao Gong "Purple Heaven Palace".
Zhen Wu is one of the highest deities in the Daoist Pantheon, existing in the dimension of the seven stars (Big Dipper), displaying great power with his chest of golden armor, upright sword in hand, often sitting in a throne with the Gui She "Turtle and Snake" beneath his feet.
How does one encounter such a deity? How does one experience a communication with a higher spirit entity? Such encounters can happen naturally of their own accord at any moment, or through the summoning of ceremony or prayer. Often encounters will occur during sitting meditation, when one elevates their energy field or when one is in a sacred place. To become part of an authentic lineage is also an access point to communication with higher knowledge.
I first experienced the spirit of Zhen Wu at the portal which exists on the Heavenly Horse Peak of Bai Ma Shan, Wudang Mountain Range. In the year 2011 was built the Jade Palace of Zhen Wu Da Di "Perfect Warrior", sometimes colloquially called Zu Shi Dian "Hall of the Ancestor". Prior to the construction of this jade and marble temple on the peak of the mountain, there was a small wooden shack with red flags flowing wildly in the wind, as there was a strong draft right there at the peak. The doors creaked and the wooden altar was rotted and dusty, often ragged red cloth draped down to cover. Plastic bottles of sesame oil offerings to the spirit lanterns were stacked under the altar along with yellow prayer paper, incense, candles; this is where we would many times find the old shed skin of a snake! Both temples, despite new or old, held the same power, and a strong sensation of being in a Portal to another dimension. Often we run the stairs to the top to catch a perfect view of the sunrise and practice morning standing meditation in this sacred site.
At the consecration of the new Jade Temple of Zhen Wu Da Di, Li Shi Fu invited a Mao Shan Pai Master to perform the Kai Guang Ceremony of "Opening the Light", essentially an empowerment of the new statue devoted to Zhen Wu and his soldiers standing by his sides. Another honorable guest invited by Li Shi Fu to perform at the consecration was the Music Master who played the electric keyboard for the ceremony. The music accompanied the Mao Shan Pai Sorcerer who began to dance, stepping upon the marble floor within the Jade Temple, and then as if floating, he did a light leaping step up onto the altar, taking first a fresh towel, never used before, he washed the face of the statue of Zhen Wu, moving in the most eccentric way, as if coiling like a dragon through his arms, shoulders and back, and hopping upon clouds. He then was handed a large calligraphy brush dipped in Red Cinnabar and proceeded to paint the eyes of the deity upon the face of the statue and upon the 3rd eye Yin Tang "Hall of Impression". He was then handed a mirror to show the face of the empowered statue to Zhen Wu within it, holding up the mirror and then hopping lightly back down to the ground off of the altar. I remember there was a transmission in the quality of his movement. His movement was other worldly, as if a different creature, weightless, wild, eccentric; like flames waving, or smoke curling. I know this to be the spirit of Zhen Wu.
I saw Zhen Wu again in the year 2017, on this most recent trip to China. This time I felt his presence through vibration and frequency. On the last 2 days of my month long trip, there was the auspicious fortune to be present for the Gao Gong Fa Shi "High Ceremony", presented by Lineage Holder Gong Lao Shi, previously of the Purple Heaven Palace. Gong Lao Shi taught many disciples the music, ceremony, talisman, hand seal and mantra practices of the Zao Wan Gong Ke "Morning and Evening Scripture" and Gao Gong Fa Shi. It was great destiny to meet her again and even have the chance to participate in the ceremony itself, as they happened to be missing one person in their group. This ceremony is over one hour long to perform, involves three main "dancers" who represent the Three Treasure Gods, or Three Stars, as well as six accompanying percussionists and singers, one drum/flute master, and two to three musicians in the band to play instruments such as the gu zheng (zither), pi pa (lute), er hu (fiddle) and more. I played one of the six percussion parts, holding the fa qi "magical instrument" of a small bell. The instruments are referred to as magical and are treated with great respect. When holding them, one feels this magic or consciousness of the instrument demanding the strict rhythm and sound to be maintained. All of the sounds, whether from flute, cymbals, wooden fish or vocals are all part of the conjuring of entities and achieving a specific vibration and frequency in the energetic field of the ceremony. The instruments and their sounds can also affect and heal the organs of observers or bystanders who are present and within the field of the ceremony. Through incantation and spell casting via various implements such as incense, water, planchette, sword, and the burning of prayer paper, the ceremony becomes like a vast equation or puzzle of elements aligning to create the possibility for higher entities to become manifest in this reality or human plane. I felt Zhen Wu arrive in the form of vibration that I could feel passing through my spine. He moved like a bee would, darting and hovering quickly through the space. That same energy or spirit which I had felt at the consecration of Zu Shi Dian, of wild eccentricity, other-worldliness, was present again.
Around this time in which Zhen Wu arrived, we were approaching the end of the ceremony and Gong Lao Shi had agreed to do a Kai Guang "Opening of the Light" on a Turtle Snake statue I had bought for the altar of my school in America. The lead dancer took the calligraphy brush, dipped in cinnabar, from the incense burner where it had been throughout the ceremony, and began to paint the eyes red on the snake and turtle, also marking with red the third eye on both animals, and the fingernails of the turtle. She also moved with a type of flitting lightness and circularity through the hands resembling the way smoke curls and unfurls. I felt the presence of Zhen Wu, that spirit, that vibration, enter into the statue and look out from those eyes of the turtle and snake.
And those are the reports of two encounters with the God of the Northern Heavens on the Heavenly Horse Peak of White Horse Mountain in Wudang, China. Da Ci Da Bei. Wu Liang Tian Zun. Great Mercy, Great Compassion. The Immeasurable Heavenly Lord.


This changes the date display for the Lessons table to match the format specified in the WordPress settings.
Since we are using a datepicker, the displayed format is probably not quite as important.
We explicitly tell our users what format should be used in the input, and it is locale-independent.
The available date format specifiers for the datepicker and the WordPress setting do not match. It seems that it would be very difficult and error-prone to try to make the displayed format (which must work with the datepicker) exactly match the WordPress format.
I'm open to coming up with a solution for this if we feel that it is important enough.
Set a specific date for a lesson to drip.
Load the Lessons table. Ensure the date is displayed in the format specified by the WordPress settings.
Change the date format in the WordPress settings and reload the Lessons table. Ensure the date format in the table updates.
Nothing that this change does actually change the format of the date that displays in the meta box as well.
re: @donnapep's comment, it seems like that also makes it so the date is no longer selected by the date picker. Doesn't seem to break on save, though.
The initial date that is displayed in the metabox is in the WP format.
As @jom said, that date is not selected in the datepicker.
When a new date is selected in the datepicker, the newly selected date displays in the Y-m-d format.


If someone respects you, you like that.If someone respects you, you reciprocate by respecting him/her. (The person concerned may be good or bad.) So, it is worth respecting people around, your respect is certainly going to be maintained.
It is a wedding event generally held far away from residences of the would-be couple.Here, the wedding is hosted in a location where guests have to travel long to reach the said wedding place... the DESTINATION.Guests are expected to stay long for the event.Places are usually grand like Palace, Resort, Beach. In India, Goa, Udaipur and some resorts near Mumbai are typically considered. It is one's imagination and choice.
This is a way of getting married... often unexpectedly... without inviting guests to the wedding.Usually, such weddings are without consent and/or knowledge of the parents.Such weddings, when informed to relatives, are often a surprise.
Praise: We are fond of being a man in the crowd of the herd, having a herd mentality, just copying and doing what others do... be it praising Sachin Tendulkar or anybody else for that matter.
We shall never find out our own Hero around us doing great social service worth appreciating and do that.
We often get impressed by someone very easily and carried away to praise, appreciate and raise above oneself. All around us follow and a big crowd of followers is created around a wrong person. By the time we realise our mistake and decide to throw them down, great social damage has already occurred.
Relation with both Love and RespectRelation, but neither Love nor Respect Relation with either of the two: Love Or RespectNow whatever one of the above three you find about any given relationship/friendship, the ideal approach is to respond all with love and respect in total.
I say, do not remove shoes outside the house!
People expecting or demanding you to remove the shoes outside their entrance must be sure of a clean and smooth walkable floor, or they should provide an alternative disposable pair of shoes/slippers to the visitor.
NOTE: This is an open event. There are no entry charges. Invite your friends to this event via Facebook.
Present generation young people talk and express their views most of the times in English. But when it comes to expressing personal emotions of love and affection, they sing Hindi songs.
Facebook activeness demands offering/sharing your views and getting the responses from your FB friends.
If you do not share anything, all you are left with is responding your friends views.
Our recent tour of Kutch landed an interesting coincidence. I (Dr Bharat Desai), my wife Dr Bhavana, and our friends Dr Vijay Desai, his wife Meena Desai, Bepsi-ben and Villoo-ben made three nights and four days plan for Kutch - Bhuj.
Creative genius Swami Vivekananda gave guidance to the youth of the world and showed the light to all. Mr A R K Sharma, a Gold medalist in Science and Electronics and Telecom Engineering, wrote this book – Out Of The Box Thinking – telling about how to become a successful person, businessman or monk by Swami Vivekananda's way.
Out-of-Box thinking is the way of solving problems by looking at them from an unexpected perspective. It implies that we think differently, unconventionally. It involves discarding the past experience, leaving behind traditional modes of thought and discarding the preconceived notions.
For those who do not learn from history, history teaches them a lesson at a great cost. We - the Indians - neither create history nor read history, and so writing the history is far from even dreaming of. Therefore, more often than not, we became silent spectators and slaves praising the people who made marks in history. History is repeated every often because we never read it and so never learn anything whatsoever. We do not have a record of history beyond 2000 years because we never found it worth writing and keeping a record of. No wonder, books of history give us their viewpoint – biased – written by either Mughals as Babarnama, British or Chinese student Hu-En-Sang. It was not before 1000 years that Indian scholar Acharya Hemchandra wrote Siddh-Hem telling a total history of the said period of Kind Siddhraj Jaisinh rule. Again, a blackout occurred.
In a lifetime, we often face a situation called PROBLEM. And facing this makes us tense and stressful. I am trying, in this article, to come out with a formula for this state of mind. I will try to be precise, but I shall expect you to be with me all the while – your full attention and total concentration is a must.