This directory is provided as a service to encourage networking and the support of alumni-owned and affiliated businesses. Several alumni have also extended discounts on their products and services. If you are a graduate of the University of Baltimore and would like your company to appear in the Alumni Business Directory, please submit your information here.
Providing small businesses with HR and accounting support, back office organization, creation of policies and procedures, and special projects.
Corporate, partnership, estate, trust, non-profit tax preparation, IRS audit and representation.
Discount: cost excludes administration fees only.
Regional Certified Public Accounting Firm- When you work with Gross Mendelsohn, you will work with people dedicated to finding every available opportunity for you to improve profitability and preserve wealth.
Individual, business, corporate, and estate tax work and accounting services.
Weyrich, Cronin & Sorra, Chtd.
Regional full service accounting, tax and business consulting firm.
We are a Social & Digital Media Marketing Agency that offers strategic services and solutions to increase your business's online presence. Our services include Social Media Management & Advising, Content Creation, Lead Generation, Blog Writing, Monthly Reports, and more. Visit hickoryridgemedia.weebly.com for more information, or to receive a free customized consultation.
Local Marketing Muscle provides SEO, lead generation and political marketing services to small and medium-sized businesses in the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. metropolitan areas.
m design is a Baltimore-based graphic design and information architecture firm.
NETWEBOMNI is a strategic marketing and stakeholder relations enterprise with years of retail, service, manufacturing, direct marketing, mail order distribution, publishing, and investment experience. These areas are viewed through the lens of a Founder/Entrepreneur mindset, aware of capital and other resource constraints. We are THE Client Advocate(c).
The home of same day business cards. Most printing can be turned around in 24 hours or less.
Promo Excitement is a leading provider of custom products and promotional products, personalized to allow your company brand or logo to rise to the top!
Provides graphic design, digital printing, custom unique gift baskets and award certificates.
Skylight Creative Ideas, Inc. offers over 800,000 imprinted business gifts, awards and corporate apparel to promote your business, thank your clients and reward your staff.
Superior Designs specializes in various types of business and promotional products, invitations, and accessories. Our top selling products are business cards, banners, brochures, envelopes, letterhead, newsletters, flyers, postcards, and posters.
Sweetie Beads uses digital elements and vintage ephemera to design graphic artwork for jewelry and accessories as well as offers customized marketing materials and printed products for business or personal use.
AAubreyBodine.com presents the work of photojournalist, A. Aubrey Bodine. Original photographs for sale.
Amazing Photo Letters offers over 1,000 photographic letters of the alphabet for people to use the variety of art to create a story about a person, family or activity in a word.
Shelby is an entrepreneur, songwriter, singer and event specialist, from Linthicum, MD, who shows even brain surgeries can't get her down. She is an international chart topping artist who has played alongside national acts such as Pentatonix, James Arthur and Howie Day. Shelby provides innovative and creative approaches to every song she creates, event she plays, or business she consults while performing all the background logistics from beginning to end. She can perform original music for house shows or national venues, play cover songs for parties or store grand opening events, or orchestrate interactive experiences for children's hopitals or nursing homes.
Simple and Sylvan creates Mountain Inspired Art that is inspired by the hues of the hills. Layered wood stained with vibrant colors reflective of the rocky mountain west.
Reveal your beauty and love the skin you're in. We want to photograph you so that you own the best photo that you've ever seen of yourself.
We are an award-winning, innovative entertainment television, video, film and commercial production company, not limited to development, pre-production, production and post-production. We provide business consulting and branding through our network database to help your business achieve it's goals. We also own copyrights and trademarks for our entertainment products distributed through various platforms. Our mission is "Do More Today & Less Tomorrow."
JS Edwards carries the finest of men's clothing from unique lines such as Robert Talbott, Canali, Zanella Robert Graham, and Peter Millard. Voted Best Men's Store by Baltimore Magazine for 12 consecutive years. Located in the Festival at Woodholme Shopping Center in Pikesville.
Tobbs specializes is custom t-shirts and hoodies for sports teams, leagues, schools and family reunions.
April Force Pardoe Interiors offers full-service interior design from concept to completion, including space planning, furniture selection, kitchen and bath design, material and paint color selections, purchase management and one-day installation of full rooms and homes. We strive to create spaces that match our clients' aspirational lifestyles, reflecting who they are and making a lasting impression. Award-winning and AKBD certified, April Force Pardoe Interiors serves homeowners in the Baltimore Metro area.
After years of experience in the construction industry, we've come together to make your deck improvement process faster, more cost-effective, and hassle-free. We use only the highest quality products to ensure the highest quality results. You can trust our team to get the job done right in a timely manner, and to make the repair process clear every step of the way.
Provides conflict resolution training, self-publishing, professional, small business and workforce development coaching and consulting services.
Career Image Solutions is a Baltimore-based HR Consulting company that offers career coaching, resume development, review and critique, business consulting, and more. We also proudly protect individuals, families and businesses with legal services and identity theft protection and restoration.
Confidential advisors to high profile politicians, executives and companies. Providing psychology-based insights and research and understanding of life purpose to help high achievers achieve greater success. We help politicians win elections, executives remove hidden success barriers, and companies to increase their impact and outcomes.
CEO Space Maryland is a business and entrepreneurial accelerator bringing together business leaders, investors and entrepreneurs to create a networking environment that allows for a steady pace of business growth.
IPICD, Inc. is dedicated to providing interested parties with objective, timely, accurate, qualitative, and quantitative information, training, and operational guidance for the prevention and management of sudden- and in-custody deaths.
Leading Logic helps companies grow profits while reducing headaches. We help founders and executives master crucial vision, planning, process and leadership skills needed for creating their ideal future and achieving essential balance.
A performance and learning consulting firm offering human resources and learning and development solutions.
BlueRio's main purpose is to transform lives through innovative personal and professional development. It also aims to make a social impact effort through research & development, low-fee and free services to community partners and individuals in need. We will continue our work in leadership and resilience and will offer services that fall under the categories of: Transformation Through Coaching, Transformations Through Training, Transformations Through Workshop, Retreats and Speaking Engagements, Transformation Through Thought-Leadership and Research, and Social Impact Projects and Community-Type Transformations.
We encourage everyone to read more books by writing children's books and salsa instructional books, wearing reading-themed t-shirts, telling stories, attending book club parties, visiting schools, leading discussions, and participating in Career Day.
Aspire Wealth Planners is a premier resource for comprehensive financial services committed to helping clients improve their long-term financial success through relationship building.
Mindset Financial Coaching strives to educate and empower clients to navigate successfully through the wealth of financial information and tools available today. Their focus is to assist with establishing positive habits for effective, long-term personal financial management. Services include but are not limited to: debt management, budgeting, saving and retirement coaching, and credit repair strategies.
Financial planning, insurance, annuities and related products.
Raskin Global is firm of financial professionals and investment advisory representatives serving clients in 23 states. With over 100 years of combined experience, we assist individuals and business owners in protecting, growing, enjoying and transferring their wealth.
Bello Counseling offers counseling services for individual adults, couples and groups, as well as Imago Relationship Therapy, Anger Management, and depression and anxiety support groups.
At Gateway, we know and understand your time is valuable so we created a one-stop-shop agency, with access to multiple insurance carriers and their products. We will do the leg work for you and compare quotes to provide you with the best pricing along with the right amount of coverage for your needs. Most importantly, we explain the policy in a way that is easily understood to give you peace of mind.
Global Commercial Credit (GCC) provides clients with access to the most creative, cost effective solutions for domestic and international credit risk issues and related trade finance activities. GCC provides a complete range of innovative credit risk management tools and resources to help clients reach their business objectives safely. GCC has experience, expertise and underwriting relationships to assure companies the optimum solution for your unique needs.
A construction, business and litigation law firm serving Maryland and Washington, D.C.
General practice with a concentration on personal injury matters such as slip and fall, car accident, and worker's compensation.
De Novo Attorney Services, Inc.
We proudly serve local and national civil, tax lien, foreclosure, and collection process.
General practice law firm, including Real Estate Transactions, Bankruptcy, Wills, and Business Transactions.
Full service law firm concentrating on personal injury and wrongful death cases, as well as insurance bad faith.
A family-owned law practice focused on estate planning, estate administration, real estate, small business, and litigation.
Marshall Dennehey is a litigation defense law firm comprised of 500 lawyers based out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
After amassing more than twenty years as a decorated personal injury and criminal defense trial attorney, Thomas Pyles set out to open his own practice found on the principles of honesty, integrity, passion and experience. Since it's inception in 2010, the Law Office of Thomas E. Pyles, P.A., has been providing clients with superior, straightforward legal defense.
Timmerman, Beaulieu, Hinkle & Esworthy, LLC is a full-service civil and criminal litigation law firm that provides legal services throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. The attorneys at TBH&E are licensed to practice in the state and federal courts of Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
Through our network of 40 affiliated communities across 12 states, we recruit, train and hire individuals passionate about working in the senior living space. It's through our people and programs that we make a difference in the lives of our residents, their families and our stakeholders.
Life Revisions Counseling is a mental health therapy practice that works with individuals struggling with relationship commitment, anxiety, school anxiety, gender identification, and general life stressors. We also complete assessments for LGBTQ+ clients and clients seeking asylum.
Love and Happiness Home Health Care offers a unique combination of premier Residential Health Care in Maryland. Patients are referred by other health care professionals when they need residential services.
Provides services to help offenders successfully transition from prison to productive life in the community.
Juli helps buyers and sellers make good financial decisions about residential and commercial real estate.
Residential real estate in DC, Maryland and Virginia.
The Breeden Group of Re/Max Sails is a full-service real estate team servicing the Baltimore Metro area. We specialize in buying, selling and investing.
DEVOO is a Greek Deli and Specialty Market. Stop in for lunch or to purchase olive oil, olives, vinegar, and other Greek and local products.
Golf practice range and learning center. Lessons and full stocked pro shop. Need promotional pieces for your tournament or outing? Give us a call.
The Avon product line includes color cosmetics, skincare, fragrance, fashion and home products, and much more.
Made from the finest Jamaican sugar cane, distilled by J. Wray and Nephew, makers of Appleton Estate Rum, Blackwell Fine Jamaican Rum is 40% Alcohol by Vol. With a smooth taste, Blackwell Rum captures the essence of the Jamaica flavor.
Online retail of authentic Jamaican products: hot sauces, seasonings, beverages, etc.
The Sheller is the first ever flat, stainless steel, multi-function mallet, knife and bottle opener; made in the USA. Developed by songwriter, singer and entrepreneur Shelby Blondell.
A premium watch company offering high end custom designed watches at affordable prices. Established and designed in Baltimore.
WineShop At Home is a licensed, bonded California winery in Napa Valley. Independent wine consultants throughout the country present in-home wine tastings where guests can learn about the wine and buy directly from the winery.
Let us give you "a hand" with your next event! Beck-n-Call Event Services, LLC is a Baltimore-based event staffing company. We provide servers and bartenders for private, in-home parties and events as well as additional staff for caterers and large functions. Be a guest at your own party! Our professional staff will be happy to assist you in setting up your event, light prep in the kitchen, serving, and cleaning up. We are fully insured and have been named "Best of Baltimore" (Baltimore Magazine, 2008).
CENTERPOINT protects government, corporate and personal information, assests, and infrastructure from intrusion to safeguard our national interests and way of life.
Discount: Based on size of engagement. Contact for more details.
We are a full scale digital agency that helps our clients develop website and mobile apps.
My Court Calendar is a software program designed to assist emergency service agencies with efficiently managing court dates for their personnel. It streamlines the process of accepting litigation papers and docketing court dates by quickly analyzing work related schedules.
Sandglass Systems provides website development, maintenance, and managed hosting, and specializes in using the Drupal Content Management System.
Waident acts as a full service IT department for small to mid sized business.
Telecommunications, products and services, including but not limited to phone systems, dial tone, VoIP, SIP, Internet, cabling, etc.
Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative, has a tremendous reputation for quality and service, and competitive pricing for all of your travel needs. Cruise Planners travel advisors will help you discover exciting adventures around the world. From cruises to land tours and completely packaged vacations, we specialize in all types of travel and will create an unforgettable vacation just for you.
Discount: Please call for more details.
Providing transport, logistics and compliance services to importers and exporters since 1917.
Mythic World Tours is an award-winning high-end international tour company specializing in customized Bucket List holidays for discerning international travelers.
Zippy Tours offers dynamic tours for individuals and groups that take in the wide sweep of Baltimore's history.
Amazing Perspective is a private members community offering a prestigious network and a strong support system + resources and curated for individuals who want to better their personal and professional lives.
This is a franchise of JaniKing of Baltimore, a commercial cleaning company that is specialized in cleaning medical facilities and is certified to clean operation rooms and ER's.
We are a small cleaning company that does mostly residential work and some small offices. We are proud of our attention to detail, excellent customer service and professionalism.
Empire Tower, 1 S. Sathorn Rd.
Serve, LLC is an organization aimed to teach others to Seek Excellence Respect Value Everyday (SERVE). We provide workshops, training, consultation and partner with others in the community to educate on key issues.
akinoga press is a Baltimore-based micro-press that specializes in small editions of hand-bound chapbooks.
Author and freelance copyeditor/graphic designer. Author of and the floor was always lava and Notes From My Phone.
Tracy Dimond is a poet and essayist with experience writing freelance holiday cards and poems. A 2016 Baker Artist Award finalist, she is the author of I WANT YOUR TAN (Ink Press 2015), Grind My Bones Into Glitter, Then Swim Through the Shimmer (NAP 2014) and Sorry I Wrote So Many Sad Poems Today (Ink Press 2013).
Disclaimer: The information contained in this directory was provided to the University of Baltimore by alumni business owners and employees, not legally affiliated with the University. A business directory listing is not an endorsement, and the University of Baltimore bears no responsibility for the practices, positions, or conduct of any business contained within.


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Khap Panchayat wants Aamir's show to go off-air
First the Rajasthan government showed their annoyance then the perfectionist had to face the irk of doctors for showing them in the bad light and now the Khap Panchayat turned against Aamir Khan for twisted representations of their statements. On 3rd June episode of 'Satyamev Jayate', Aamir Khan highlighted the bizarre diktats and illogical rules in Haryana.
The fifth episode of the show threw light on honour killing in Haryana. On the very episode, Aamir Khan lodged a barrage of questions at members of a Khap Panchayat. In their defense, the Khap Panchayat said, "We are trying to safeguard social customs and traditions which are the backbone of any society," said Randhir Singh, president of Meham Chaubisi khap panchayat to a leading daily.
"Such marriages are avoided in most societies across the world as their ill effects have been scientifically proven," he added.
The Khap Panchayat is highly angry with Aamir Khan and demanded the show to fo off air but Aamir and his team did not react to the Khaps demand.
Aamir Khan's show 'Satyamev Jayate' highlighted the wrong and the evil practices prevailing in the society. Despite not liking by some section of the society, his show is highly praised and it serves as an eye opener.
Many issue like female feticide, dowry, illegal medical practices, child abuse and many such unethical practices that exist in the society was highlighted on the show.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Wright County Iowa. Client was charged with operating while intoxicated first offense and a review of the video showed that she had not been given an adequate opportunity to speak with one of her family members who also happened to be a member of the Iowa State Patrol. As a result, a motion to suppress was filed challenging the admissibility of the breath test and the court ultimately agreed and threw the breath test result out. The State ultimately amended the charge to reckless driving and the DOT was forced to return her driver's license.


text:
package org.gradle.test.performance.mediummonolithicjavaproject.p398;

public class Production7978 {

    private Production7975 property0;

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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Welcome to the Drouin Golf and Country Club Member Portal.
Your login is your Member Number and your password is your Date of Birth in DDMM format - eg - if your Date of Birth is 1st January, your password is 0101.
For any membership enquiries, please contact the office on (03) 5625 1330.
Or for direct booking enquiries; the Pro Shop on (03) 5625 4985.


For most of us, our home in Puerto Morelos is one of, if not our most, significant and valuable asset. It represents an investment of significant cash resources, time and energy. Just as you thought about your investment carefully before buying, and have carefully nurtured it over the years, when the time comes to sell your home, you need to proceed just as carefully in order to maximize the return on your investment. It is vital to work closely with a trusted advisor who not only knows the Puerto Morelos real estate market, but also has the expertise to guide you every step of the way – from setting a listing price, preparing the home for sale, preparing the documentation of your home for sale, addressing capital gains issues and navigating the closing process.
We live here. We work here. We are involved in the community. Our focus is on Puerto Morelos real estate, period. We are intimately involved in the Puerto Morelos market on a daily basis — as soon as the housing market quivers, we know about it; and so will you. As an exclusive listing client you get the benefit of our knowledge and experience, as well as our commitment to walk step-by-step with you throughout the selling process. In short, when you give us an exclusive listing, we work for you.
Working with an exclusive agent gives you a trusted point of contact. This is important in all real estate transactions, but particularly important in a market like Puerto Morelos, where you may not be here while your home is for sale. You can be assured that your agent is present at all showings – not only to provide valuable information about your property to potential buyers, but also to be accountable for who is in your home. We will coordinate showings with other agents, and with your renters, if necessary. We understand that many of our clients have a rental business, and will always be sensitive to that – giving renters advance notice of showings and working around their needs at all times. And you can expect regular feedback on showings and market conditions.
Our mission is simple: to get you the best price possible within the realities of the current market. In a typical residential real estate market in the USA or Canada, market information is available to all – comparable sales information is readily available and it's easy (for both sellers and buyers) to get an idea of what your property is worth. Here in Puerto Morelos? Not so much. Property information is private and sales information is not publicly available. The only way to truly know what properties are selling for is to be involved in the transaction. That's where we come in. We have been involved in the majority of the sales transactions in and around Puerto Morelos for years – we know what properties actually sold for, not what the rumor mill speculates they sold for. Leveraging this information, Run Away Realty can help you sell your home without selling out. We'll ensure that you compete aggressively by carefully evaluating other properties similar to yours, and by creatively positioning your home to attract the most qualified buyers.
Guidance in navigating the sales process.
Selling your property is a big undertaking. We know this and are here to help you through every step of the process. We can help you pull together your paperwork, fill in any missing blanks, figure out your capital gains exposure and get your property on the market at the right price. We will bring buyers to you, and once we get an offer, we can guide you through the often cloudy legal process to closing and work closely with any other professionals (lawyers and accountants, primarily) who make up your advisory team to ensure a seamless transaction.
The challenge of trying to sell real estate in a market with no multi-list system (MLS) is real! Not only do we need to market your home to buyers that we work with directly, we need to maximize the exposure of your home by marketing it to other real estate professionals working in the Riviera Maya, so that they may promote your home to their buyers as well. Luckily, we are up to the challenge!
Marketing directly to buyers is done via combination of listing on our website (good professional photos are an absolute must!), Point2Homes, social media and blog exposure, a weekly open house/Q&A session (during high season) wherein we offer information on buying in Mexico, as well as living, working and retiring here, signage, Open Houses, special event sponsorship, Property Information Sheets and more.
We maintain outstanding relationships within the local real estate community – Puerto Morelos and the Riviera Maya – and within our real estate associations (AMPI in Mexico, National Association of Realtors in the US) that allow us to showcase our listings to agents up and down the Riviera Maya and in the US and Canada. We are often the first call out of town agents make when they have clients looking for property in Puerto Morelos or when they are looking for a specific type of property that they can't find anywhere else on the coast.
Our exclusive listing clients pay the same commission as open listing clients – typically 6% – but receive much more service for their money. With an exclusive listing, it's our job to sell your home. All of our resources and attention go into marketing your home, walking you through the listing and sales process until we finally culminate in a completed sale. You get the benefit of our market experience and knowledge and we handle the dirty work – we schedule and attend showings, market your property to other agents and coordinate showings with other agents, make sure your advertising is consistent across all formats (inconsistent or incorrect information in the marketplace can destroy the marketability of a property – buyers are already nervous about buying in a foreign country – any hint of something sketchy and they are out) and, once we've sold the property, we coordinate everything for the closing.


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How the industry is reacting to Trump's MACRA changes
Industry stakeholders generally praised the Trump administration's proposal to scale back some MACRA requirements, but some groups, such as the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) raised concerns about how the proposed changes would affect payment calculations.
CMS in June released a proposed rule that would reduce the number of clinicians who would be subject to MACRA's requirements for the 2018 reporting year, which would affect the payments providers will receive in 2020.
Tomorrow: Learn about upcoming changes to hospital inpatient payments in FY 2018
Under MACRA's Quality Payment Program (QPP), which took effect in 2017, eligible professionals can choose from two payment tracks:
The Advanced Alternative Payment Model (APM) track, for clinicians who take on a significant portfolio of Advanced APMs, which include risk-based ACO models; or
The Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), for providers who are reimbursed largely through fee-for-service.
CMS in the rule proposed increasing the eligibility threshold for MIPS to providers who bill Medicare Part B for more than $90,000 or who care for more than 200 unique Medicare Part B beneficiaries annually. The eligibility threshold for 2017 was billing at least $30,000 in Medicare Part B revenue or treating more than 100 Medicare Part B beneficiaries annually.
5 things everyone should know about MACRA (no matter what happens with ACA repeal)
CMS also proposed implementing a MIPS reporting option that would allow eligible hospital-based providers to use results from their hospital's value-based purchasing measures.
CMS under the proposed rule also would extend the option for a 90-day reporting period for MIPS' advancing care information category in 2018, and would allow eligible providers to use 2014 certified electronic health record (EHR) systems without being penalized. CMS said those who use 2015 certified systems could qualify for bonus payments.
In addition, CMS under the proposed rule would give eligible providers the option of creating "virtual groups" in 2018. The option would allow small practices or solo providers that meet the MIPS eligibility requirements to pool their quality data and be evaluated under MIPS as one entity.
CMS also extended the "pick your pace" option, which allows eligible providers to submit partial data and still avoid penalties under the program.
The public comment period for the proposed rule ended Aug. 21.
Stakeholders weigh in
While industry stakeholders generally praised CMS' proposed changes some raised concerns about the methodology for calculating MIPS payment adjustments.
For instance, ACR wrote that it "appreciates many components of the proposed rule," but "continues to be highly concerned about the nature of Medicare Part B payments that are subject to MIPS payment adjustments."
ACR urged "CMS to exclude Part B medication costs from the cost performance category or include both Part D and Part B costs for a fair comparison," writing that the "calculation of resource use (i.e., costs) as currently proposed includes medication costs from Part B, but not Part D, which would result in inaccurate MIPS scoring." Further, ACR wrote that CMS should "increase incentives for physicians to participate in clinical data registries by providing full (Advancing Care Information) credit for participation."
AMA also raised concerns with the proposed methodology for MIPS payment, particularly CMS' plans to establish improvement scoring. AMA wrote, "CMS has not even collected this information yet and seems to be putting the cart before the horse by proposing methodologies for the cost category, which was not scored in 2017, is proposed to remain at zero for 2018, and will be undergoing significant measure modifications over the next few years." The group concluded, "This additional scoring consideration will add complexity to an already complicated program and require physicians to factor in additional considerations when they are just trying to learn the program."
In a state of reform: Profiles of state-level health care transformation
Others were divided on CMS' proposal to raise the eligibility threshold. For instance, the American Medical Group Association wrote that the proposal, which CMS estimated would exclude about two-thirds of Medicare Part B clinicians from MIPS, "undermines MACRA's intent." The group wrote, "Because MIPS is a zero sum game, exempting two-thirds of MIPS eligible clinicians effectively collapses the MIPS Composite Performance Score distribution curve" and "does not meet Congress' goal to transform Medicare into a value-based purchaser of care."
The American Hospital Association (AHA) wrote that it "agrees that CMS' proposal to raise the [eligibility] threshold … would provide needed relief and additional time to transition into the MIPS for small and rural providers." But AHA added that in order for CMS "to provide additional transitional flexibility," the agency should "retain a continuous 90-day reporting period for the quality category for [calendar year] 2018, while allowing groups to report up to a full year if they are ready to do so."
Other groups addressed CMS' proposal for virtual group participation. For instance, the American College of Cardiology (ACC) wrote, "With the timing of the final rule, groups would only have one or two months to navigate and execute this process; it is expected that for the initial performance year, groups may need additional time to understand the virtual group structure and requirements and to discuss this option with their colleagues before electing." ACC recommended that CMS "begin releasing guidance on virtual group reporting as early as possible so groups and solo clinicians have ample time to make an informed decision about this option and consult with those who will be part of their group."
The Association of American Medical Colleges also outlined recommendations for virtual groups, saying CMS should "add a distinct subgroup identifier under MIPS, similar to the identifiers used for virtual groups or for Advanced Payment Models" that "would allow a subset of physicians within a large (tax identification number) to form their own group for reporting and to select measures that are most appropriate for them."
Russell Branzell and Liz Johnson in a comment from the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives praised CMS' "flexibility" in allowing providers to use 2014-certified EHRs without being penalized. "As recently as the start of August we have members reporting that they are not sure when they expect to receive their 2015 Edition CEHRT," they wrote.
However, some groups, including AHA and the American Health Information Management Association, called on CMS to better align the incentives for MIPS' advancing care information requirements and the meaningful use program (Beaulieu, HealthLeaders Media, 8/21; Frieden, MedPage Today, 8/21; Arndt, Modern Healthcare, 8/22).
Register for our webconference on the proposed rule
On August 15, 2017 CMS announced a proposal that would cancel three mandatory bundled payment programs for cardiac and orthopedic episodes and make significant changes to the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (CJR) program.
Join our experts this afternoon at 3 pm ET to learn about CMS's proposed changes to CJR and cancellation of the EPM models.
Join the Webconference
Around the nation: Ascension is set to acquire Presence Health
Did the eclipse damage your eyes? Here's how to tell.
Margins are getting tighter in the not-for-profit hospital sector, Moody's says
Severe food allergy reactions shot up 377 percent in the last decade, analysis finds
Why this health system CEO says independence 'is not a strategy'
Current ArticleHow the industry is reacting to Trump's MACRA changes
Having a pet makes kids healthier, right? Not so fast, study says.
This gap in nurse education may be putting new moms in danger
macra-proposal-reaction


2018 CHTHONIC [Battlefields of Asura] Treasures Box Pre-order START!
One of a kind Taiwanese heavy metal band CHTHONIC has finally come out with its new album, Battlefields of Asura. Over the past five years, the five members of the band have turned new pages of their lives, with the lead vocalist having organized a new political party and being successfully elected to a seat in the Taiwanese parliament. Nonetheless, they never forgot their promise to their fans to deliver a new album. This time, they even invited the Hong Kong diva Denise Ho to work with them in order to produce a uniquely Taiwanese style of heavy metal.
COPYRIGHT © 2017 CIONGZO CO., LTD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.


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Robbi Handy Holmes (Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Vermont Realty Group)
Waterworks Food + Drink
April 20, 2016 News + Opinion » Letters to the Editor
Letters to the Editor (4/20/16)
By Seven Days Readers
He's a Hero
I am writing to voice my opinion about Tom Murphy's battle against bullying ["The Good Fight," March 30]. It's wonderful that he is willing to help with such a big problem in America. Some people may feel that he is merely doing this for publicity or money, but I believe that is far from the case. Murphy visited students at Williston Middle School and openly admitted to all the children that he "hates fighting." He's a very big role model to many kids, and his words are very influential. That he is willing to help find a resolution to such an enormous issue makes him a hero in my eyes.
Tara Ouimette
Counting Teachers
[Re "Dean's Wish List," March 30]: In your article about Dr. William Falls, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Vermont, I was quoted in my role as president of United Academics saying that there has been a 12 percent decrease in the number of part-time faculty teaching this year and a 30 percent reduction in the number of credits taught by part-time faculty. The article then states: "[UVM Provost David] Rosowsky disagrees with the United Academics numbers on reductions in part-time faculty."
This is confounding. United Academics arrived at its numbers by simply counting the number of part-time faculty teaching each semester, summing the number of credits they teach, and calculating an average between the fall and spring academic semesters. (Under the university's so-called incentive-based budgeting model, there are built-in incentives to hire fewer part-time faculty in the fall than in the spring.) The data we used are compiled by UVM itself and transmitted to the union each semester as required by the collective bargaining agreement we have negotiated together.
We look forward to working with Provost Rosowsky and other members of the UVM administration to ensure that part-time lecturers continue to make their contributions to the university — and to ensure that students continue to have access to the often specialized and unique courses these colleagues teach.
Thank you for your interest in these issues.
Felicia Kornbluh
Kornbluh is a UVM professor and president of the executive council of United Academics, the decision-making body of the UVM faculty union.
[Re "Not Your Grandpa's Birding," April 13]: I'm excited about a new generation of birders — I'm a 34-year-old one — but I'm disappointed that your article doesn't recognize elders and ancestors. My favorite birding friend is twice my age, and we inspire each other to learn more through our trips and stories. As far as ancestors, don't we owe a thing or two to people like John James Audubon, Roger Tory Peterson and countless others who transmitted their love of the avian world so that we could have a leg up on our own wondrous journeys?
Technology was pumped up a great deal in the article, but there was no mention of ethical use. In the world of new apps, for example, there's a whole new generation of birders who don't know that playing audio files of birdsong from their iPhones can cause birds a great deal of stress. I would like to encourage new birders to consult the American Birding Association's code of ethics.
For me, birding's significance isn't about growing the "life list" of birds I've seen; it's about connections — intergenerational and interspecies. Young and old should approach this practice with deep respect and reverence.
Barry Wyman
Discriminating Against Mormons?
The article "Wealthy Mormon Buys Up Vermont Land for Massive Settlement" [April 5] is troubling, not because of the plan of "wealthy Mormon" David Hall (an American citizen with deep Vermont roots) to buy central Vermont property, but because of the reactionary response to it.
Seven Days reporter Alicia Freese ominously refers to Hall's "under-the-radar acquisitions" of land, law professor John Echeverria describes Hall's plan as "uniquely worrying," and state Rep. Sarah Buxton frets that "no one is in charge of monitoring land purchases to identify these types of trends." Their concerns reveal totalitarian and bigoted tendencies.
Vermont already has restrictive land-use laws. These xenophobes now want to control not only how private property is used but who can own it. They want to bar Mormons, at least wealthy ones, and presumably people of other unapproved faiths, from legally buying property in Vermont. Sounds unconstitutional.
If the same anxiety were expressed about just about any other religious, racial or ethnic minority, there would be a justifiable outcry. What is there to worry about with Mormons? Stereotypes, even positive ones, can be dangerous, but based on my admittedly limited personal experience, Mormons are successful and productive citizens. A quick web search produces several articles on the successes Mormons have achieved. The only genuine worry is that they might vote the town dry.
As Vermont's recent history shows, with the 1960s to 1970s left-wing invasion and takeover of the state, local cultures can change quickly. Isn't change what progressivism is all about?
Sheldon M. Katz
Don't Sensationalize Springfield
Hannah Palmer Egan did a complete job of describing the details, benefits and challenges of raising animals as a business ["Pigs of a Feather," March 30]. However, her introductory paragraph was absolutely unnecessary! Did she have to open her story with such a dismal description — a cheap shot of a town, among many Vermont towns, that has had its challenges? We live, work and volunteer in this community, and our children went to school here. Is the story about rusted buildings and suicide? Should one open a story about Burlington with a reference to police shootings, to "junkies" walking past the lovely shops with their pants falling down? Thefts on Church Street? Of course not. Life is complicated enough! Stick to your subject, don't sensationalize and don't disparage our community.
Diane Kemble
Birding Is Not Your Grandpa's Pastime Anymore
by Meghan Oliver
Wealthy Mormon Buys Up Vermont Land for Massive Settlement
by Alicia Freese
Former Ultimate Fighter Tom Murphy Has New Foe: Bullying
by Ken Picard
New UVM Dean Says Liberal Arts Need More Love
by Molly Walsh
Cavendish Game Birds of Vermont Adds Pigs
by Hannah Palmer Egan
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Letters to the Editor (12/30/20)
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1. Scott to Quarantine After Potential COVID-19 Exposure at Press Conference Off Message
2. Dieng Wants Voters to Weigh In on Burlington Police Staffing Levels Off Message
3. Wild West Pawlet: Shooting Range's Neighbors Plead for Government Help — and Get None Fair Game
4. College Students Return to Vermont Amid Soaring COVID-19 Case Counts Off Message
5. Scott Signs Bill Enabling Mail-In Voting for Town Meeting Day Off Message
6. Debate: Burlington's Mayoral Matchup, February 5 7D Promo Politics
7. Plenty of Police, but No Protesters, Turn Out at Vermont Statehouse on Sunday Off Message
1. 'Maybe I'm Brainwashed': How the NXIVM Cult Followed Damon Brink to Vermont News
2. After Early Uncertainty, Vermont Plans to Vaccinate the Elderly Next Coronavirus
3. After Riots at the Capitol, Busload of Vermont Trump Supporters Returns From D.C. Off Message
4. Racial Justice Advocates Want Representation in Vermont's Pot Industry Politics
5. Thom Terrific: Burlington Man Turns His Small Food Pantry Into a Neighborhood Staple 802 Much
6. Grand Old Parting? Riot at U.S. Capitol Exposes Rifts in the VTGOP Fair Game
7. Turning the Mic Around on Jane Lindholm, VPR's Most Recognizable Voice Media


Jeunesse is a global skincare company that is working towards changing people's lives with the world-renowned brand. Randy and Wendy are the founders of Jeunesse who rose out of retirement with the idea to launch Jeunesse. The company was officially founded in September of 2009 where they have revolutionized the skincare world with youth enhancement products. In addition to creating exceptional products, they have also produced a reward winning compensation plans for those in the direct selling industry affiliated with Jeunesse products. Since 2009, they have been working to continue to create a company that helps to empower others to reach their full potential while creating enhanced products to promote youthful skin.
Instantly Ageless is a revolutionary product that is proven to work within 2 minutes. It instantly reduces the appearance of bags under the eyes, erases fine lines, wrinkles and pores. The results tend to last within 6 to 9 hours.
Luminesce is another collection of products created by Jeunesse Global. The products were manufactured to help restore youthful vitality and promote skin that is radiant. The skin care line is proven to help restore a youthful appearance with radiant skin. The collection works to reduce the appearance of fine lines and reveal fresh, glowing skin. The team from Jeunesse have worked with well-known dermatologists who have helped to develop the formulas with hydrating technology which includes APT-200. The enhanced products work to maintain younger, softer and smoother looking skin.
They offer many other types of products besides skin care products. They developed a supplement product called AM and PM Essentials. The AM Essentials is a daily supplement that contains essential minerals and vitamins that are needed for our bodies to function properly. The PM Essentials is a nighttime formula that works to restore what our bodies have lost throughout the day. It contains necessary nutrients with an exotic blend of proprietary elements.
Jeunesse Global continues to revolutionize the healthcare and skincare industries by offering award-winning products and continuously working to provide new innovative products. Their success in the industry along with their advanced products make them one of the most world-renowned health and skincare companies with direct sales promotions.


1) Remember that shyness is normal. In fact, each and one of us felt uncomfortable or anxious in a social situation. Some people deal with this better than others. Some experience this more often than others. But everybody can be shy.
2) Shyness can depend on culture. While Western cultures focus on the ability to speak up for yourself and be assertive and in Asian cultures it is a desired trait to have. So while shyness is normal and everybody has it, culture can intensify or ignore this trait. We someetimes overlook the shy and timid- and try to "cure" children who are shy. Even though there are many benefits to this approach (for example if it isn't shyness that is the problem but an underlying disorder), we can learn from other cultures on how to approach shyness.
4) Is it shyness or is it something else? "Shy" is a word that can apply to many children with different characters and personalities. Children can be shy for a variety of reasons. Some are born this way. Others have become shy. Yet others aren't really "shy", they're just introverts and get their energy from being alone. Yet others are highly sensitive or have Sensory Processing Disorder which makes them avoid social events. Depending on which one it is, there is a lot you can do. Sometimes, all you need is to talk to your child. Sometimes, therapy may be needed (but not for shyness, but rather for sensory issues, anxiety- and only if the child seems bothered by his or her problems.
6) What kind of parent are you? Shy people often end up having shy children. The upside of this is that a shy parent will understand what is going on in a child's head. However, the parent could be very anxious about being shy. A friend told me that both she and her husband are shy so they wouldn't want it for their child because of all the problems they had as shy children. However, I would encourage you to think of all the positive things that happened because of your shyness. Find these things and tell them to your child when she complains about being shy. If however, you didn't like your shyness, show your child how to deal with it. On the other hand, a parent who isn't shy wouldn't always understand their child, but they may encourage their little ones to reach out more and take more risks. I mention this because I am a shy parent to a very energetic, social little girl and she makes me get out of my comfort zone all the time. It has the effect that I try more new things because of her and mostly find myself enjoying them. A social parent could have the same effect on their child. I believe my message here is: know when to help your child by giving them a little push, and when to retreat and try again next time- or not at all.
I sincerely hope that you found these tips helpful. If I missed something, please let me know in the comments!
Olga Mecking is a Polish woman living with her German husband in the Netherlands. Together, they're raising three children with Polish, German and Dutch. Olga is a translator, trainer in intercultural communication and blogger at the European Mama where she writes about multilingualism, raising children abroad and her expat life. You can also find Olga on Facebook or followe her on Twitter.
Thank you, Olga, for writing about this very important topic. I am, myself, an introvert person and when I was a child, people did constantly say that I was shy ("timida" in italian doesn't sound as categorising as in English and German, "schüchtern"). I was not shy and, as you can imagine, I ended up being upset many times. – What I really can't understand is when grown ups force shy children to become more active, to come out of their comfort zone, in public. I observed this at a school, where a teacher (!) did ridiculise the shyness of a girl in front of the whole class. It was so inappropriate! – I will try to read the books you recommend and hope that many teachers of preschoolers and primary school children will do too!
Great post! I agree with Ute, too often shy kids are ridiculed or forced to be more extroverted. I love all of these tips, especially taking the time to understand what is behind your child's shyness and whether it bothers him. My son can be very social but at the same time extremely shy in certain situations. We mainly focus on making him feel safe and that it's okay to not want to be in large groups if he doesn't want to be. My real worry is how this is going to play out once he starts school and will be forced to be in situations that will be uncomfortable for him – without us there to help him sort it out.
thank you! In this post I basically put together all I knew and experienced about shyness. Glad my advice proved useful to you! And it is amazing how different children are!
I agree, Ute! Pushing a shy child to be more vocal will have the totally contrary effect! JUst let them be and when they're ready, they'll say something. Or not. That's OK, too.
I think my daughter is alittle like your son- sometimes shy, sometimes extremely social. But you are right, I also worry about her a little because I know how bad it is to speak in front of the whole class!


This November's bi-election has all the makings for a Republican wave. The president's popularity is down. Most Americans think the country is on the wrong track; nearly half think we are still in a recession. Wages are stagnant; good jobs are scarce. The sixth year election in any presidency tends to favor the opposition party. The Democratic base is less likely to get out and vote.
But the polls show the key races for the Senate remain virtually neck and neck. Even the cheerleaders at the Wall Street Journal editorial page find little to applaud. The president is unpopular but Republicans in the Congress are setting new disapproval records.
The Journal editors recommend caution, nothing so bold as the old Gingrich Contract with America. Rather they suggest a handful of "smallish ideas" that might unite their ranks – if that is possible – without completely alienating moderates. The Journal doesn't claim to know what these should be but offers up a few suggestions. First, an option to opt out of Obamacare requirements for health care plans, enabling insurance companies to market cheaper plans that don't offer minimal protections. That increases "freedom" at the cost of forcing other taxpayers to ante up when someone gets sick and can't afford needed health care.
Second, the Journal wants a promise to repeal "too big to fail" protections. Essentially, this is a call to weaken financial regulation, and move back towards the deregulated world that brought us the financial collapse.
Third the Journal wants to go beyond the Keystone XL pipeline, and have the GOP commit to a rapid expansion of fossil fuel production and exports. In complete denial of catastrophic climate change, and ignoring how much Obama has already done in this regard, this would be the centerpiece of a GOP jobs agenda. Indeed, it might well produce thousands of jobs as billions are spent repairing the destruction wrought by rising seas and catastrophic climate events.
Five years into the so-called recovery, this economy doesn't work for working families. Inequality has reached new extremes, as the middle class keeps losing ground. Americans believe something fundamental has changed for the worse in the economy. They are losing faith that their children will fare better than they have. They are looking for fundamental change.
The Journal's solution: run hard a few small bad ideas that aren't likely to address this reality. Nor will they cover up what the GOP really represents.
The GOP is against raising the minimum wage, against pay equity for women, against paid family leave and paid sick days for workers. The Republican caucus has voted against every jobs program, even the rebuilding of an increasingly decrepit public infrastructure.
The Republican caucus votes lockstep for lowering taxes on the rich; for protecting offshore corporate tax dodges; and for cutting investment in education, research and development. Its members have voted repeatedly for repealing health care reforms, with nothing to replace them. Its leaders would cut Social Security and turn Medicare into a voucher program of declining value. Its members stand with big money in our politics and oppose efforts to make voting and registration more accessible to all. Its caucus opposes immigration reform, opposes universal pre-K education, opposes making college more affordable, and opposes allowing those with college debt to refinance at today's lower interest rates.
The Wall Street Journal's agenda — three "smallish ideas" that can unify the party – show just how out of step it is. Health care reform that burdens taxpayers; fossil fuel commitment that denies science; financial deregulation that frees up the big banks. That may unify the corrupted GOP caucus, more attuned to the deep pocket lobbies than to their voters, but it surely won't do much to inspire support for GOP candidates.
No wonder the Republicans run solely on their opposition to all things Obama. Their agenda won't sell. They are left with obstructing Obama's agenda, and then railing at him for failing.


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From both Icelands to Skittles' sweet response - 11 examples of PR mastery in 2016
December 15, 2016 by Robert Smith
It may have been a bit of a shocker for some, but 2016 has seen some PR masterclasses from brands and individuals across the spectrum. PRWeek UK looks at 11 of the best...
Skittles' sweet response to Trump Jnr's refugee analogy
Confectionary brand Skittles was unexpectedly thrust in the eye of a political storm during October when Donald Trump Jnr used Skittles as an analogy for refugees.
However, at a time when many brands have faced criticism for their crass, opportunistic responses to world events – think Crocs' David Bowie tribute or Homebase's #RIPPrince tweet - Skittles showed that sometimes an understated approach is the most effective when dealing with a genuinely difficult comms challenge, albeit one not of its own making.
Its response read:
"Skittles are candy. Refugees are people. We don't feel it's an appropriate analogy. We will respectfully refrain from further commentary as anything we say could be misinterpreted as marketing."
Skittles maintained the moral high ground and avoided appearing to milk the publicity. At the same time, it made clear its opposition to Trump Jnr's much-derided analogy in a concise way, which is important for a brand that has associations with racial harmony. Sweet.
Mental health sheds the taboo mindset
Many taboos around mental health appear to have been shaken off this year, with the topic becoming a big talking point. This is not so much the work of a single brand or individual, but of several strong campaigns, frank discussion and a serious push by celebrity ambassadors and charities.
To give one of several prominent examples, Rizzle Kicks' Jordan Stephens starred in a music video for #IAMWHOLE (below), an NHS anti-stigma campaign launched to co-incide with World Mental Health Day (10 October). Run in partnership with the YMCA, the earned media campaign is backed by a host of celebrities, including James Corden, Ed Sheeran and Dermot O'Leary, have been using their considerable influence on social to spread the message.
Meanwhile, October also saw the launch of a mental health initiative that provides young public affairs practitioners with initial access to professional support. It's good to see the comms industry taking a stand.
Vote Leave delivers comms masterclass
Like it or loath it, the hard-fought campaign over Britain's membership of the EU was dominated - and won - by Vote Leave.
Speaking at a PRWeek seminar in London last month, Gabe Winn, formerly director of external relations and senior business advisor for the Stronger In campaign, said the Vote Leave slogan 'Take Back Control' was far more emotive than Remain's tagline, which he summed up as: "Britain is stronger, safer and better off inside the EU than it is outside."
Whatever the outcome, it's been an incredible campaign. Thank you to everyone who was a part of this! #ProjectHopehttps://t.co/lN0iGriheJ
— Vote Leave (@vote_leave) 23 June 2016
Vote Leave's campaign was multi-faceted, data-driven, strong on social, firm on rhetoric, and unafraid to push boundaries (too far at times, admittedly). It also hit different audiences with different messages and was blessed with a key ingredient – passion.
Nigel Farage delivers political masterclass
Nigel Farage has taken the political world by storm this year. He is considered by many as the architect of Brexit and has dominated the right-wing political rhetoric in the UK for some time now.
Just spoke in the European Parliament, they were pleased to see me as you can tell.https://t.co/7TRJlBXLJl
— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) June 28, 2016
However, not content with victory over the EU, Farage also stood alongside Donald Trump as he campaigned – successfully – for the US presidency.
He may not be everyone's cup of tea (or pint of frothing bitter) but he's had an absolutely stellar year on the global political circuit. Cheers, Nige.
Stop Funding Hate shows its strength
The campaign group Stop Funding Hate demonstrated the power of a simple message delivered via social media this year. Beginning on 8 August in the wake of the EU referendum result, the group released a video (see below) on its Facebook page in response to a surge in hate crime following the Brexit vote.
The film explained that newspapers such as the Daily Mail, The Sun and Daily Express were profiting from stories and headlines that distort the truth about immigrants, and that advertising revenue was a means by which these media outlets could be brought to heel.
It called on brands to divest their advertising spend from media outlets which, it believes, promote prejudice.
The campaign's first major victory came when Lego announced in November that it had no plans to continue a promotional tie-up with the Daily Mail. However, attempts to get Virgin and Walkers crisps to withdraw advertising have, so far, gone unheeded.
Since its launch, the campaign has grown into a grass roots phenomenon, with more than 210,000 likes for its Facebook page and in excess of 65,000 followers on Twitter. Cap doffed.
Iceland (and Iceland) play a blinder
The England football team were (unsurprisingly) awful at Euro 2016 and were spectacularly knocked out of the competition by minnows Iceland (the football team).
In response, Iceland (the supermarket) generated plenty of goodwill thanks to the witty interactions of its social media team.
Unexpected result in the bagging area...
— Iceland Foods ?? (@IcelandFoods) June 27, 2016
Though Iceland (the supermarket) sponsored Iceland (the football team) during the Euros, the two were embroiled in a potential legal battle over rights to the name 'Iceland' in September.
The supermarket has traded under it for 45 years, but a PRWeek source familiar with the matter suggests that the country has been around a bit longer.
If Carlsberg did PR campaigns...
Carlsberg's supply of eye-catching PR stunts and campaigns seems bottomless. During March, Carlsberg unveiled a pop-up bar made entirely from chocolate, in a stunt called 'If Carlsberg Did Chocolate Bars', which launched ahead of the Easter bank holiday weekend.
The bar was fixed to the wall of the Truman Brewery in Shoreditch, and replicated a traditional British pub with features including a chocolate dartboard, chocolate bar stools and a chocolate television screen, showcasing one of England's greatest World Cup moments.
Then in May, the lager brand announced it was going to let London commuters 'substitute' their work shirt for a replica 1966 England shirt using a giant vending machine (above) ahead of the start of Euro 2016.
It formed part of the brand's 'If Carlsberg Did Substitutions' campaign, which aims to substitute ordinary experiences for the extraordinary for England fans.
PRWeek can drink to that.
Ground control to Major Tim
For Major Tim Peake, 2016 has been, you've guessed it, out of this world. The European Space Agency astronaut spent 186 days working on the International Space Station (ISS) for Expedition 46/47, before landing back on Earth on 18 June.
While on the ISS, the British spaceman delivered a New Year message broadcast by the BBC to celebrate 2016, remotely participated in the London Marathon via a treadmill on the space station, becoming the first man to run a marathon from space (below) and also presented Adele with a Brit Award.
What a star. PRWeek salutes you.
Get up and Pokémon Go
It might not have maintained its extraordinary early momentum, but Pokémon Go was absolutely huge during the summer.
Everywhere you turned, kids (and many adults) were nose-to-screen, frantically searching the streets for augmented reality Pokémon.
Niantic, the company behind Pokémon Go, tapped into a sense of nostalgia and delivered a game that was different from anything that had been seen before.
Just two days after its release in the US, almost one million people had posted on social media about the game, according to data compiled by analytics firm Crimson Hexagon. It's not clear how much of this success was actually due to PR or marketing, but someone was clearly doing something right.
In an effort to try and reinvigorate the game this Christmas, Niantic has released an update in which players can catch a Christmas hat-wearing Pikachu. Cute.
The PR stars of 2016
In true 'saving the best 'til last' fashion, we must honour all the winners at this year's PRWeek Awards.
From consultancy of the year Unity, to MHP's campaign of the year, Missing Type, those who have won awards for outstanding work are some of the brightest stars of 2016.
PRWeek would like to thank each and every one of you and cannot wait for more outstanding contribution to the comms industry in 2017. Pip pip.
Consumer PR
The Big Issue: a digital makeover amid the pandemic
Five Campaigns We Liked in May: your winner revealed
TBWA\RAAD launches social media service for business leaders
Watch: Taika Waititi and international stars read Roald Dahl classic
EU will continue to call shots, new EACA president warns UK agencies


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Guidance & Strategy
Action and Investment to defeat Malaria 2016-2030 (AIM)
Action and Investment to defeat Malaria 2016-2030. For a Malaria-Free World
Developed by the Roll Back Malaria Partnership (RBM), the first Global Malaria Action Plan (GMAP) – for a malaria-free world 2008-2015 was endorsed by world leaders and the malaria community during the Millennium Development Goals Malaria Summit, held in New York in 2008. GMAP became a valuable advocacy tool that provided the malaria community with a roadmap for progress, and an evidence-based strategy for delivering effective prevention and treatment. It also provided estimates of the annual funding required to reach the global targets of universal coverage through preventive interventions and universal access to effective treatment. Since 2008, the world has become increasingly interconnected and complex. As countries have moved to further reduce and eliminate malaria, the disease has become more heterogeneous. This led WHO to initiate the development of the Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016-2030, which was endorsed by the World Health Assembly in May 2015. At the same time, RBM confirmed its commitment to global partnership, and the RBM Board decided to prepare a second-generation GMAP as a reference point for stakeholders in all sectors that are engaged in the fight against malaria.
Action and Investment to defeat Malaria 2016-2030 (AIM) – for a malaria-free world and the WHO Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016-2030 have been developed in a coordinated and simultaneous process. Both documents share the 2016-2030 timeline of the Sustainable Development Goals, and provide direction towards the 2030 malaria goals. The development of this document was informed by an extensive and wide-reaching consultative process that spanned countries with differing levels of transmission across all malaria-affected regions of the world. In particular, the process engaged non-health sectors at all levels, as well as those who live and work in remote, fragile or high-burden communities.
This publication is available in French
RBM Partnership to End Malaria Vision
Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016–2030
2022 Mar - 2024 Apr | $160k
Evaluation of process and impact of implementing district-based mosquito larviciding intervention for Malaria control in Tanzania
Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Switzerland, Ifakara Health Institute (IHI), Tanzania | Prosper Chaki | Tanzania
2020 May - 2024 Apr | $5.98M | 1 subproject
Towards Elimination of Malaria in Tanzania (TEMT)
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Switzerland | Christian Lengeler | Tanzania, Switzerland
Challenges in Elimination
Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Partnership


February is Darwin Day month. Darwin Day is an international celebration of science and reason held on or around Feb. 12, the birthday anniversary of the English naturalist Charles Darwin. This year marks the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth.
Take a look at our recommended reading collection by the elevator on 2nd floor. Read some quotes from Charles himself. We also have a display of cartoons to lighten up your quarter. "Evolutionary Humor" at its best! The Library Exhibit Committee created a Charles Darwin display too, on 4th floor. Check out the real skulls!
Intelligent thought : science versus the intelligent design movement / edited by John Brockman.
Evolution-creation struggle / Michael Ruse.
Why Darwin matters : the case against intelligent design / Michael Shermer.
Moral animal : evolutionary psychology and everyday life / Robert Wright.
Voyage of the Beagle / Charles Darwin.
Life and letters of Charles Darwin; including an autobiographical chapter. Edited by his son, Francis Darwin. New York, D. Appleton, 1896.
Structure and distribution of coral reefs. With an appendix by T.G. Bonney.
Darwin was wrong : a study in probabilities / I.L. Cohen.
On natural selection / Charles Darwin.
Darwin and his critics; the reception of Darwin's theory of evolution by the scientific community [by] David L. Hull.
Apes, angels, and Victorians; Darwin, Huxley, and evolution.
Darwin : a very short introduction / Jonathan Howard.
Darwin / Adrian Desmond & James Moore.
Taking Darwin seriously : a naturalistic approach to philosophy / Michael Ruse.
Autobiography of Charles Darwin, and selected letters / edited by Francis Darwin.
Charles Darwin; evolution by natural selection.
Darwin and the novelists : patterns of science in Victorian fiction / George Levine.
D.H. Lawrence and survival [electronic resource] : Darwinism in the fiction of the transitional period / Ronald Granofsky.
Darwin and archaeology [electronic resource] : a handbook of key concepts / edited by John P. Hart and John Edward Terrell ; foreword by Gary M. Feinman.
Darwinian paradigm [electronic resource] : essays on its history, philosophy, and religious implications / Michael Ruse.
Darwin's fishes [electronic resource] : an encyclopedia of ichthyology, ecology, and evolution / Daniel Pauly.
Darwin's gift to science and religion [electronic resource] / by Francisco J. Ayala.
Darwin's plots [electronic resource] : evolutionary narrative in Darwin, George Eliot, and nineteenth-century fiction / Gillian Beer.
Origin of species [electronic resource] : descent of a text, with modification / David Quammen.
Origins of genius [electronic resource] : Darwinian perspectives on creativity / Dean Keith Simonton.
Intelligent design vs. evolution [videorecording] / ABC News Productions.
One voice in the cosmic fugue [videorecording] / writer and host, Carl Sagan.
Beyond Genesis: Origin of species by Charles Darwin / a presentation of Discovery Productions.
Origin of species [videorecording] Discovery Communications.
Charles Darwin [videorecording] : evolution's voice / written and produced by Noah Morowitz ; a presentation of Hearst Entertainment.
"On this website you can find all sorts of information about Charles Darwin and the Darwin Day Celebration. The Darwin Day Celebration promotes public education about science and encourages the celebration of Science and Humanity throughout the global community." This site includes links to podcasts about Darwin and Evolution. Introduces the subjects of Natural Selection, the role of Inheritance, and DNA and Genetic Mutations, a history of Darwin's life.
This a wonderful site that gives you access to everything that Darwin has written. All his works have been digitized and are available here. The images are great.
A site "dedicated to the Life and Times of Charles Darwin." This is a work in progress that introduces Charles Darwin. It includes a timeline of Darwin's life, a list of all books written by Darwin, and a list of people who influenced Darwin.
This website bills itself as "your one-stop source for information on evolution." "This site is here to help you understand what evolution is, how it works, how it factors into your life, how research in evolutionary biology is performed, and how ideas in this area have changed over time." It is from the University of California Museum of Paleontology.
A searchable multimedia library with assets organized along lines that correspond with curriculum topics often taught in high school biology. This collection includes assets from other sources as well as from this site.
Professional development resources to help science educators develop effective, yet sensitive ways to teach these topics amid the intense debate about the validity of evolutionary theory.


more than the minister leading it. There are lectors and chalice bearers, choir and organist, vergers, and acolytes.
Our acolytes are serve as ministers of the word and sacrament. They literally lead us into worship and throughout the service are instrumental in pointing the way to Christ through Word and Sacrament.
We are blest to have a strong group of boys and girls that serve our parish as acolytes. Their presence enhances and enriches our worship service. The Acolyte Ministry is open to boys and girls ages 7 through 18. Each member of the acolytes normally serves one Sunday every 5 to 6 weeks. If you have a child who is interested in becoming an acolyte during the coming year contact our Acolyte Verger, Walter Fugler. He is always seeking out new members and will be holding training classes in the fall.
Walter Fugler is the Acolyte Verger for Trinity Episcopal Church. He schedules and does the training for the Acolytes.


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February 27, 2020 by
Check out the reptiles and amphibians of today while looking out over prehistoric reptiles that existed millions of years ago.
The Daniel G. & Carole L. Kamin T. rex Overlook is home to the museum's main herpetology displays, which feature toads, frogs, salamanders, snakes, lizards, and turtles of Pennsylvania. Learn about what makes these creatures unique, and enjoy a bird's-eye view of an exciting scene in Dinosaurs in Their Time, where two T. rexes are frozen in battle while a giant pterosaur flies above.
Though Pennsylvania has a temperate climate, it is home to representatives of most reptile and amphibian groups. Four dioramas exhibit examples of animals from our state, including an eastern box turtle, a northern leopard frog, and the venomous copperhead snake.
Meet our Herpetologists
Jennifer Sheridan, Ph.D.
Assistant Curator of Amphibians and Reptiles
Stevie Kennedy-Gold, M.S.
Collection Manager of Amphibians and Reptiles
Learn about the Amphibians & Reptiles (Herpetology) Collection at the Museum
The Section of Herpetology maintains a collection of more than 230,000 specimens and ranks at about the ninth largest amphibian and reptile collection in the United States.
Learn about the Section of Amphibians & Reptiles (Herpetology)
Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: dinos, dinosaurs, dinosaurs in their time
Cretaceous Seaway
Step into an underwater world in Cretaceous Seaway, a unique exhibition hall that features gentle giants and fierce predators that lived underwater during the Age of Dinosaurs.
The hall brings to life the Western Interior Seaway, a shallow ocean that existed in the Midwestern United States 80 million years ago. Hanging over the entry, a massive Manitoba pliosaur closes in on its potential prey, a juvenile of the plesiosaur Libonectes morgani. The juvenile plesiosaur Libonectes is the only one of its kind, replica or otherwise, on display anywhere in the world.
Visitors can also examine the fossils of a giant turtle and a newly restored Tylosaurus mosasaur fossil skull. See a dramatic chase scene where a plesiosaur is in pursuit of a prehistoric diving bird. Look up, and see the king of the seaway—a 40-foot mosasaur swimming above. Two replica fossil fishes hang nearby.
Adjacent to Dinosaurs in Their Time, Cretaceous Seaway is an extension of our blockbuster core exhibition that shows the diversity of life during the Cretaceous Period.
Meet our Invertebrate Paleontologist
Albert Kollar, M.S.
Collection Manager of Invertebrate Paleontology
Learn about the Invertebrate Paleontology Collection at the Museum
Invertebrate Paleontology's collection contains several noteworthy phyla, including Paleozoic trilobites, Mesozoic and Cenozoic crustaceans, lower Carboniferous brachiopods, Paleozoic gastropods, Paleozoic cephalopods, Paleozoic ophiuroids, and Pennsylvanian age eurypterids. The section also has more than 12,000 primary types and figured specimens.
Learn about the Section of Invertebrate Paleontology
Art of the Diorama
Discover the craft and artistry behind Carnegie Museum of Natural History's famous nature dioramas. Art of the Diorama is an exhibition designed to look like a turn of the century museum with mahogany furniture, a chandelier, and seven classic dioramas that were created in the 1920s and 1930s.
The dioramas feature wildlife like blue geese and aurora trout in stunning replications of scenes from nature. The dioramas were created at the height of the craft and feature detailed, hand-painted backgrounds, expert taxidermy, and scientifically accurate flora and fauna. The exhibition also features two antique "bubble-glass" commercial taxidermy pieces that were once popular in homes and parlors.
Art of the Diorama gives visitors a deeper appreciation for the museum's dioramas and shows how museum dioramas have changed and grown alongside the conservation movement.
Meet our Conservator
Gretchen Anderson
Collection Care and Conservation
Learn about the Collection Care and Conservation at the Museum
The entirety of our collection–not just the collection we have on display like these very old dioramas–must be cared for and maintained to ensure they aren't damaged by moisture, oils, pests, and other deteriorating agents.
Learn about Collection Care Strategies
Polar World: Wyckoff Hall of Arctic Life
Traversing 4,500 years of Inuit history, learn about the Canadian Inuit and how they've adapted to the environmental challenges of life in the Arctic. View Inuit sculptures and prints, full-sized dioramas, and Arctic wildlife like Polar Bears, Caribou, and Walruses. Realistic dioramas and a replica igloo transport you to the arctic in this immersive hall. The hall includes an exhibit on the impact of the whaling industry in the 1930s and 1940s that includes original artifacts from whaling ships.
This exhibit was created in the early 1980s. Its purpose was to explore 4500 years of First Nations (this is the preferred term for indigenous people in Canada) history in the Arctic. Because of its age, it now contains both scientific and cultural information that is outdated. We are working to improve the language and content to better reflect the current values of the museum and the scientific advancements and knowledge we have today.
This exhibit promotes systems of oppression by focusing on a colonialist point of view. It insinuates that Europeans made things better for the people they encountered in the Arctic. European colonizers displaced Indigenous communities in North America, exploiting people and land. They violently established themselves as the dominant power and voice. Indigenous people continue to thrive in the Arctic and deserve to tell their own stories. Using the phrase, "Yesterday's People" to describe the people of the Arctic does not convey this message. The colonizers should not be referred to as "visitors." This downplays the violent means by which they established and maintained dominance.
Another source of out of date information in the gallery are the maps that refer to the United Soviet Socialist Republic, which had dissolved by 1991. The tables of climate data and the maps that depict the extent of Arctic ice are also out of date. Arctic temperatures have warmed dramatically (almost twice as fast as the global average), and ice has drastically declined in association with ongoing human-caused climate change. These extreme climate changes are putting tremendous stress on the people and wildlife.
We realize that there is also problematic language used to describe the people represented in the exhibit. The term "Eskimo" is used throughout the hall to refer to those First Nations individuals encountered by the colonizers. While this is a term used in Alaska to self-designate by some people, it is most often used as a derogatory term. The preferred term in Canada is Inuit, which refers specifically to those who make their homes in the Arctic and subarctic regions of North America and Siberia.
Meet our Anthropologist and Archaeologist
Deborah Harding, M.A.
Collection Manager of Anthropology
Amy Covell-Murthy, M.A.
Collection Manager of Archaeology
Learn about the Anthropology and Archaeology Collection at the Museum
The anthropology collection, the Section of Anthropology and Archaeology, contains major research collections of over 100,000 ethnological and historical specimens and over 1.5 million archaeological artifacts.
Learn about the Section of Anthropology and Archaeology
Blogs about the Arctic Region
Arctic Message
By Patrick McShea What happens in the Arctic effects all of us. The frozen seas of the northern hemisphere's remotest territory influence …
Are Santa's Reindeer Real Mammals?
by Suzanne B. McLaren Yes! Reindeer are real mammals. In fact, reindeer are the same species as caribou (Rangifer tarandus). The species is …
Face to face with a polar bear
Come face to face with a polar bear in Polar World: Wyckoff Hall of Arctic Life at Carnegie Museum of Natural History.
What's This: a spoon, a tongue depressor or a sled shoe? Sled shoes were made of bone or ivory and pegged to …
February 3, 2020 by
Benedum Hall of Geology
What shaped the Earth's surface? How are fossils formed? What did western Pennsylvania look like millions of years ago when giant lizards roamed through our once-tropical forests? Learn the answers to these questions and more when you explore the ever-changing nature of our planet in Benedum Hall of Geology.
Three Earth-like domes highlight geological time and dating, fossils, shaping the Earth, and Pittsburgh geology. A fourth dome explores the origin, location, and economic development of coal, oil, and gas. A strong emphasis is placed on the geological processes that shaped Pennsylvania and its neighbors, Ohio and West Virginia. The Stratavator offers a simulated-elevator ride deep into the Earth.
The Section of Invertebrate Paleontology has close to three-quarters of a million fossils in its collection. Because of the special interest in the Paleozoic Era fossils by the section's four curators and the central location of Carnegie Museum Natural History within the Appalachian Basin, the Paleozoic Era fossils make up almost half the collection.
Blogs about Benedum Hall of Geology
Carnegie's Cactus: Carnegie gigantea
by Patrick McShea Diplodocus carnegii, a sauropod star of Dinosaurs in Their Time, is not the only large organism exhibited at Carnegie …
Collected on this Day 105 years ago
So long, leaves. Autumn has fallen. This specimen of red maple (Acer rubrum) was collected on November 13, 1915 by Otto Jennings …
Collected on this Day in 1966: Santa Clauses
Christmas in July…"Santa Claus" floating in the air. (Or I guess, technically Boxing Day in July, if that's a thing.) Make a …
Finding Resilience Through Plant Love
Feeling a little extra thankful for spring blooms? Taking extra care of your house plants? Urge to garden a little stronger than usual? …
Hall of Botany
Investigate the incredibly diverse plant life of North America and Western Pennsylvania in Hall of Botany. Get lost in beautiful dioramas that depict wildly different biomes from all four corners of the United States. Learn about how animals and humans depend on plants for foods, shelter, medicine, and clothing. Discover how temperature and water affect plants by comparing a Florida everglade, an Alpine meadow on Mt. Rainier, an Arizona desert, and a wooded Pennsylvania valley. Identify herbs by their smells, and learn about photosynthesis and the food chain.
The hall also has several dioramas to show the plants and diverse habitats present in Western Pennsylvania. Local habitats like Lake Erie's Presque Isle during the summer, a Warren County bog in the fall, and the Allegheny National Forest in the spring are all represented in Hall of Botany.
A video in the entryway showcases scientists collecting specimens in the field, preserving them, and ultimately digitizing them so the data can be used by researchers all over the world.
Labels and graphics were created in the museum's Print Shop using green printing techniques: fiberboard composed of 100% recycled material and a new type of vinyl which contains no Polyvinyl Chlorides (PVCs).
Meet our Botanists
Mason Heberling, Ph.D.
Assistant Curator of Botany
Bonnie Isaac, M.S.
Collection Manager of Botany
Learn about the Botany Collection at the Museum
Carnegie Museum's Herbarium (CM) is the major botanical facility in the Upper Ohio Valley region and ranks among the top 25 herbaria in North America.
Learn about the Section of Plants (Botany)
Blogs about Botany


ContractJobHunter powered by Contract Employment Weekly - Quality Leader / direct hire FL - 7183 Quality Leader / direct hire Jacksonville FL Develops, modifies, applies, and maintains quality standards and evaluation methods for products and processes. Provides moder..
Develops, modifies, applies, and maintains quality standards and evaluation methods for products and processes. Provides moderately complex statistical information for quality improvement by determining and applying testing methods and criteria. Coordinates and guides technical evaluations, analysis, and related data acquisition processes to ensure division quality objectives are achieved.
1. Assesses quality performance (or cost-of-quality) using statistical and analytical methods. Devises and implements methods and procedures for inspecting, testing, and evaluating the precision, reliability, and accuracy of products, processes, and production equipment.
2. Develops and establishes quality systems and procedures, inspection plans, quality performance trends, statistical plans cost estimates, and technical quality plans for proposals. Ensures that project and/or process control documentation is compliant with requirements and/or contract.
3. Assesses the cost of, and determines the responsibility for, products or materials that do not meet required standards and specifications by performing statistical analyses. May establish statistical confidence by identifying sample size and acceptable error and determining levels of confidence.
4. Assures the timely processing of nonconforming materials and assists in the disposition process by participating in failure analysis and corrective action investigations as a member of the Material Review Board.
5. Coordinates with customers and suppliers relating to quality performance, trends and corrective action. Verifies compliance and effectiveness of the quality system by performing supplier audits and surveys. May initiate programs to improve supplier performance.
6. May design or specify inspection and testing mechanisms and equipment, and conduct quality assurance tests. Develops experiments by applying factorial or other techniques as appropriate for product or process.
7. Participates on product development teams to review engineering releases and changes, manufacturing methods, planning, and process specifications as it relates to product quality.
8. Develops sampling plans by applying attribute, variable, and sequential sampling methods. Devises sampling procedures and designs and develops forms and instructions for recording, evaluating, and reporting quality data.
9. Develops statistical process controls by applying and maintaining applicable control charts. Analyzes data and trends by completing hypothesis, normal distribution, and process capability analysis tests.
10. Refines and enhances products and processes by applying continuous improvement and key lean manufacturing/production principles and techniques to areas of production.
11. Prepares reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing data and making recommendations. Compiles and writes training material and conducts training sessions on quality control activities.
12. Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing publications, establishing industry networks, benchmarking state-of-the-art practices, maintaining American Society for Quality certification, and/or participating in professional associations.
13. Complies with federal, state, and local legal requirements by studying existing and new legislation, enforcing adherence to requirements, and advising management on needed actions. Provides information and develops corrective action measures by interfacing with customers and regulatory agencies and assisting in internal and external audits.
14. Shares specialized knowledge with others. Represents Company on specific projects. Mentors new employees. Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed. Work assignments may include cross-functional or project team responsibilities (e.g. continuous improvement).
Bachelor's degree (BS) in Engineering or a related technical discipline. Demonstrated ability to perform the essential functions of the job typically acquired through two or more years of related experience. American Society for Quality certification desired.
Candidate must have an Engineering degree. Aerospace specific experience is now a requirement. Must have minimum of 5 years Leadership experience. Manager will also reject anyone who bounces around every two or less years.
This position is responsible for providing leadership and management of the quality function in accordance with all applicable company, regulatory and U.S. Government regulations, policies, and procedures, as well as for ensuring that quality program policies, plans, standards and requirements are met. Direct daily Quality staff functions such as Receiving Inspection, QE, MRB, Inspection & Testing to support location production. Functional management representative responsible for compliance of products and processes used by the location internally (& possibly externally) in the production of aerospace products. Act as the Voice of the Customer within the location. A functional leadership role in product and process compliance to ensure safe and reliable products. The candidate will be a key internal consultant to site leadership on all Quality matters.
•	Assure all quality requirements are adequately defined at all functional levels to permit appropriate quality planning and verification of compliance. Coordinate Quality activities at the site.
•	Identify, develop and implement new methods of quality management and systems, and audit of existing systems to meet division initiatives, AS9100/ISO9001, Nadcap and other customer requirements.
•	Train and coach team members and other employees in all aspects of Quality Control, Assurance and Improvement.
•	Provide quality-oriented leadership in achieving facility and divisional quality objectives. Interfaces with internal and external customers to provide comprehensive responses and technical assistance regarding quality systems and/or products.
•	Develop, implement, and maintain quality assurance activities for all purchased material, equipment, parts, and processing.
•	Utilize automated systems where available to proactively plan, implement and track quality systems and processes.
•	Maintain the highest degree of customer service, throughput, quality, cost reduction and people productivity.
•	Bachelor's Degree in Engineering.
•	Demonstrated ability to perform the essential functions of the job - five plus years applicable experience in a world-class manufacturing environment is preferred.
•	Effective written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills for effective interface with all internal and external contacts. Effective facilitation and coaching skills.
•	Managerial experience, with demonstrated ability to provide leadership and motivation to employees.
•	20% travel will be required.
•	Lead plant in Zero-Defect, mistake-proofing and detection improvement initiatives.
•	Lead plant in APQP process including PFMEA and control plan development, review, and sustainment.
•	Champion and sponsor Six Sigma, problem solving, and continuous improvement projects.
•	Coach plant teams in effective customer complaint, problem solving, and verification activities.
•	Lead plants in process stability and capability planning, analysis, and improvement.
•	Support, promote and participate on Lean implementation in throughout the plants value streams.


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BridgeAbroad
Intensive Spanish Language in San Jose, Costa Rica
Course Hours: 20 hours per week Credits: Students who take at least four weeks of Spanish language classes will be eligible to receive 3-4 course credits, depending on the language level, for an additional fee. Language of Instruction: Spanish Minimum
Spanish language skills are in high demand. And as a global leader in foreign language instruction for over 25 years, Bridge knows how to help you build maximum fluency in minimum time! No matter your Spanish level, Bridge's Intensive Spanish Language program will help you elevate your Spanish to the next level, not by memorizing grammar rules but by immersing yourself firsthand in Costa Rica's language and culture.
Course Hours: 20 hours per week Credits: Students who take at least four weeks of Spanish language classes will be eligible to receive 3-4 course credits, depending on the language level, for an additional fee. Language of Instruction: Spanish Minimum Spanish Proficiency Required: Beginner. Before you arrive on-site, you'll complete Bridge's Online Spanish Placement test to determine your proficiency level and match you with the class that's right for you. BridgeVirtual: All BridgeAbroad programs include access to three BridgeVirtual language sessions prior to departure. Each session lasts 2 hours and includes online private face-to-face language instruction with a certified native speaking teacher, as well as pre- and post-class online activities. Students are welcome to continue with more lessons at an additional cost.
Bridge was founded in 1983 and continues to be a world leader in the field, dedicated to providing innovative services in language, education, and travel. Every year, Bridge's centers provide quality language instruction, teacher training, and professional development to thousands of people across the globe.
Why Study in San Jose? Costa Rica literally means 'the rich coast', and it is indeed a tropical paradise. Pristine rainforests lead to white sand beaches, and the "pura vida" (pure life) pace of life is relaxed. Costa Rica is a great place to begin your adventure: located in Central America and bordering Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south. A chain of volcanoes and mountains—part of the Andean-Sierra Madre chain—runs the length of the country and separates the Caribbean Sea on the east coast from the Pacific Ocean on the west coast. In addition, Costa Rica has over 1,000 miles of gorgeous white-and-black sand beaches, copious amounts of sunshine, world-class sport fishing, snorkeling and surfing! San José is the capital city of Costa Rica and is the gateway to both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts as well as Costa Rica's rainforests. The city is located in the Central Valley and has a population of 1.2 million people. Situated at 1,150 meters (3,773 feet) above sea level
Cost vary yearly, dependent on program length and excursions added to the program.
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