AD is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that is associated with the accumulation of two different insoluble protein aggregates, Aβ plaques and hyperphosphorylated tau. This study aimed to investigate the optimal acquisition and quantification of [18F]AV45 and [18F]AV1451 to image Aβ and tau, respectively, in subjects with AD.
Fifteen subjects with early stage AD underwent a T1-weighted structural MRI and two dynamic PET scans to image Aβ (60 min, [18F]AV45) and tau (120 min, [18F]AV1451). Both dynamic BPND and static SUVR outcome measures were calculated and compared for 12 out of 15 subjects who completed 60 min of the Aβ PET scan and at least 110 min of the tau PET scan. The SRTM and reference Logan graphical analysis were applied to the dynamic data to estimate regional BPND values and SUVR ratios from the static data. Optimal acquisition windows were explored for both the dynamic and static acquisitions. In addition, the spatial correlation between regional Aβ and tau signals was explored.
Both the SRTM and graphical analysis methods showed a good fit to the dynamic data for both Aβ and tau dynamic PET scans. Mean regional BPND estimates became stable 30 min p.i. for [18F]AV45 and 80 min p.i. for [18F]AV1451.
Time stability analysis of static SUVR data showed that the outcome measure starts to become stable for scan windows of 30–50 min p.i. for [18F]AV45 and 80–100 min p.i. for [18F]AV1451. The results from these time windows correlated well with the results from the full dynamic analysis for both tracers (R2 = 0.74 for [18F]AV45 and R2 = 0.88 for [18F]AV1451). There was a high correlation between amyloid uptake estimate using both dynamic analysis methods in thalamus and tau uptake in thalamus, hippocampus and amygdala.
Short static PET scans at appropriate time windows provided SUVR values which were in reasonable agreement with BPND values calculated from dynamic scans using SRTM and reference Logan. These simplified methods may be appropriate for classification and intervention studies, although caution should be employed when considering interventional studies where blood flow and extraction could change.
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that is associated with the accumulation of two different insoluble protein aggregates, amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) consisting of hyperphosphorylated tau protein. Evidence suggests that both Aβ and NFTs have known involvement in AD together with other less explored contributors . The pathophysiological process of AD begins years before the clinical symptoms appear [2–4] and this preclinical phase provides an opportunity for therapeutic intervention. Molecular imaging of Aβ and tau could provide important tools for stratifying subjects in this preclinical phase and assessing the impact of novel drug therapies [5, 6].
Positron emission tomography (PET) radioligands are now available to image both insoluble Aβ plaques and tau neurofibrillary tangles relevant for AD . Aβ imaging has been feasible since 2004  following the introduction of [11C]PiB and a number of fluorinated Aβ radiotracers (Florbetapir ([18F]AV45), [18F]Florbetaben, [18F]Flutemetamol) that have been approved by European medicines agency (EMA) as well as food and drug agency (FDA). These tracers are being used in clinical trials for stratification and to assess Aβ levels pre and post therapy [6, 9]. More recently, efforts have focused on developing tracers suitable for imaging tau .
Initial studies have demonstrated that there are radiotracers that bind to tau and provide signals that are consistent with postmortem data [11–13]. One of the first generation tau tracers that has demonstrated such signals is [18F]AV1451 ([18F]T807) with evident in vivo differences between healthy controls and AD subjects that generally reflect the expected spatial distribution of tau in AD .
The data presented here, involving [18F]AV45 and [18F]AV1451, were acquired as part of the pilot phase of the UK medical research council-sponsored (MRC) deep and frequent phenotyping study which aims to identify stratification markers and markers of change in the pre-clinical phase of AD subjects. The pilot phase aimed to determine participants' acceptability of extensive and repeated phenotyping, the practicality of this procedure and to establish an optimal protocol for the main study.
This paper aims to assess the PET imaging data acquired as part of the pilot study, including dynamic Aβ and tau scans, to provide better understanding of the data and working towards designing an efficient protocol for the main study. Different acquisition (dynamic vs static) and analysis procedures will impact on the outcome measures derived and were investigated with this data set. Full kinetic analysis of the dynamic PET scans was performed using quantitative reference tissue approaches including the simplified reference tissue model (SRTM) [15, 16] and reference Logan graphical analysis  to derive the non-displaceable binding potential (BPND). Additionally, the simpler static measure of standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR) was obtained from these data at various time windows and compared against the full dynamic quantification to assess outcome measure stability and bias. Finally, the spatial relationship between Aβ and tau was investigated across the subjects that had been scanned.
Fifteen subjects were included in the analysis, with a diagnosis of mild AD (with no AD pathophysiological evidence) according to national institute of aging-Alzheimer's association (NIA-AA) criteria [18–21], aged between 54 and 83 years, with a mini mental state examination (MMSE) score of 21–29 and a modified Hachinski ischemic score (HIS) of less than 4 . All subjects underwent a series of assessments including clinical, cognitive, gait and ophthalmological assessments, as well as molecular markers in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), blood, urine, PET imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetoencephalography (MEG) and electroencephalography (EEG). The study was approved by the institutional review board and all subjects signed an informed consent form (ICF).
All subjects underwent a 3D T1-weighted structural MRI and two dynamic PET scans to image Aβ and tau on separate days. Acquisitions were conducted in accordance with the international conference on harmonisation (ICH) guideline for good clinical practice (GCP) and the ethical principles that have their origins in the declaration of Helsinki. The institutional review board/ethics committee reviewed and approved the protocol and ICFs as well as any advertising and subject materials before any subjects were enrolled. A written, signed and dated ICF was provided before any protocol was performed.
The MRI scan was performed on a Siemens 3T Tim Trio with a 32-channel phased array head coil. A 1 mm isotropic whole-brain structural 3D T1-weighted MPRAGE  was acquired using TI = 880 ms, TR = 2000 ms and FA = 8° with a parallel imaging factor of 2 in 4 m: 54 s. For the PET scans, subjects were positioned in the PET scanner after the insertion of a venous cannula in an antecubital or forearm vein, and a head-fixation device was used to minimize head movement during data acquisition. The PET scans were acquired on two Siemens PET/CT (computed tomography) scanners (Hi-Rez Biograph 6 and Biograph 6 TruePoint with TrueV, Siemens Healthcare, Erlangen, Germany), though for consistency each subject had both of their PET scans on the same scanner. A low-dose CT scan was performed immediately before each PET scan in order to estimate attenuation. Each subject received a single intravenous bolus of [18F]AV45 (150 ± 24 MBq) for a 60 min Aβ PET scan and [18F]AV1451 (163 ± 10 MBq) for a 120 min tau scan. The dynamic images were reconstructed using a 2D filtered back projection (FBP) algorithm resulting in a 128 × 128 matrix with 2 mm isotropic voxels. Corrections were applied for attenuation, randoms, scatter and radioactive decay.
Two different classes of image analysis approaches were investigated in this study: static and dynamic. In both approaches, the T1-weighted MRI scan was used to obtain anatomical information for each subject. Each subject's whole brain was extracted using the Oxford centre for functional MRI of the brain (FMRIB) software library (FSL)  brain extraction tool (BET)  and the corresponding grey matter probability maps were created using statistical parametric mapping (SPM5) software . A template MRI (ICBM152 ) was then nonlinearly warped to subject's MRI using SPM5 and the resulting deformation was applied to a brain anatomical atlas  consisting of 119 brain regions to obtain the brain region boundaries for each subject. This individualized atlas was used at a later stage to derive regional tissue time activity data from the dynamic PET images.
The dynamic PET images (2 × 2 × 2 mm) were initially motion corrected by rigidly registering each frame to a reference frame (13–15 min p.i.) using mutual information and subsequently rigidly transformed into alignment with the MRI and individualized atlas. The chosen reference frame contains both information on delivery and uptake allowing for both early and late frames to be aligned effectively. Finally, to be able to calculate different parameters, the atlas in the individualized Montreal neurological institute (MNI) space is down-sampled to match PET voxel size.
Regional time activity curves (TACs) were generated using the atlas and dynamic PET images. The SRTM and reference Logan graphical analysis with cerebellum grey matter as reference region were applied to the regional TACs to estimate the BPND, used to quantify the amount of tracer binding to the target proteins. Parametric images for both measures were also created by applying the models to each voxel .
where CT(t) is the activity concentration in the target tissue, CR(t) is the activity in reference tissue, k2 is the efflux rate constant from target tissue, R1 is the ratio of the delivery in target region to reference region. R1, k2 and BPND are estimated for each region.
where BPND is the binding potential, 'int' is the regression intercept and t* is the equilibrium time.
The distribution of estimated regional BPND values using the two reference tissue analysis methods from tau and Aβ PET scans over all subjects was compared to assess the performance of each method.
For the static analysis, SUVR values (Eq. 3) were calculated using cerebellum grey matter as the reference region. Regional average SUVR values were calculated for 20 min time windows for a range of different start times post injection (p.i.) (between 0 and 60 min for [18F]AV45 and between 0 and 120 for [18F]AV1451) from static images created by averaging the frames in each time window.
where SUVTarget is the SUV of the target region and SUVReference is the SUV of the reference region.
Additionally, the time stability of both dynamic (BPND) and static (SUVR) outcome measures and their relationship were investigated. The BPND values were calculated for several scan durations by reducing the scan duration with steps of 10 min and the SUVR values were calculated for 20 min time windows created by splitting the scan period into 20 min time windows. The relation between these two measures was assessed by performing a regression analysis. Additionally, the correlation between regional Aβ and tau signals was explored.
All the above mentioned analysis was performed using molecular imaging and kinetic analysis toolbox (MIAKAT™, version 4.0.2, http://www.miakat.org/MIAKAT2/index.html).
All subjects successfully completed the 60 min Aβ PET scans and 12 out of 15 completed at least 110 min of the tau PET scan—these 12 subjects were included in the analysis that is presented here. The included subjects had an average age of 71.4 ± 10.1, modified HIS score of 0.8 ± 1.0, mild cognitive impairment with MMSE score of 24.3 ± 2.1 and Alzheimer's disease assessment scale-cognitive (ADAS-Cog) score of 15.5 ± 7.1. Mean symptom duration was 3.5 ± 2.1 years and mean time since the initial diagnosis was 1.3 ± 2.1 years which was confirmed as an inclusion criteria at the time of the PET scan.
TACs and SRTM (Eq. 1) kinetic fits were successfully generated for all 119 atlas regions of interest (ROIs) for both Aβ and tau dynamic PET scans for all subjects. The SRTM with cerebellum grey as reference region was fitted to the TACs for each region (Fig. 1a, b) and the three parameters (R1, k2 and BPND) were estimated per region. The TACs show that the tau signal from [18F]AV1451 has slower kinetics and less regional distinction in comparison to the Aβ signal from [18F]AV45. Similarly, reference Logan graphical analysis (Eq. 2) with cerebellum grey as reference tissue was fitted to the TACs (Fig. 1c, d) and the two parameters (BPND and int) were estimated per atlas region for each subject. Both models showed a good fit to the data for both Aβ and tau dynamic PET scans.
To investigate the approximate time at which regional BPND values stabilize, the mean regional BPND values derived using SRTM averaged over all subjects was plotted against scan duration for both Aβ and tau dynamic PET scans (Fig. 2a, b). Mean regional BPND estimates become stable after 30 min p.i. for [18F]AV45 and after 80 min p.i. for [18F]AV1451 for all regions. Similar analysis was performed to the same PET scans using reference Logan graphical analysis model with cerebellum grey as reference region and mean regional BPND values were estimated for all subjects using a range of starting time points (t*) for the regression analysis (Fig. 2c, d). For t* values of over 30 min, the BPND values are stable for Aβ scans, whereas stability occurs at t* greater than 70 min for tau. The estimated regional BPND values using the two dynamic models were compared over all subjects for Aβ and tau dynamic PET scans (Fig. 3). Similar regional BPND values were estimated by both dynamic models but overall, the regional BPND values estimated by SRTM were higher on average with larger variation across subjects.
The static analysis involved the calculation of regional SUVR values for 20 min scan windows spanning the full scan duration using Eq. 3 with the grey matter cerebellum as the reference region. The time stability of mean regional SUVR was assessed for several regions for all subjects (Fig. 4) for Aβ and tau PET scans which showed that the values became stable for scan windows of ~ 30–50 min p.i. for [18F]AV45 and ~ 80–100 min p.i. for [18F]AV1451.
To investigate the relationship between the dynamic and static measures, the coefficient of determination (R2) was calculated for all atlas regions across all subjects between BPND values, obtained from SRTM and reference Logan graphical analysis methods, and SUVR values of several 20 min time windows. The relationship between these two outcome measures started to stabilize from scan windows of ~ 40–60 min p.i. for [18F]AV45 and ~ 80–100 min p.i. for [18F]AV1451. The linear regression analysis of the regional BPND and SUVR values for the above mentioned time windows showed a high correlation between the two measures using both dynamic methods for both Aβ (SUVR40 − 60 = 0.97 × BPND_SRTM − 1.2, R2SRTM = 0.75; SUVR40 − 60 = 1.11 × BPND_Logan − 1.3, R2Logan = 0.7; p < 0.01) and tau (SUVR80 − 100 = 1.028 × BPND_SRTM − 1.13; R2SRTM = 0.88; SUVR80 − 100 = 1.27 × BPND_Logan − 1.25; R2Logan = 0.71; p < 0.01) PET scans.
The correlation between estimated regional Aβ and tau tracer signals using each of SRTM, reference Logan graphical analysis and SUVR was explored. Twelve different atlas regions with potential of having high Aβ and tau uptake were selected based on the literature and R2 was calculated for each outcome measure (BPND or SUVR) for all selected region pairs (Fig. 5). In particular, for the quantitative dynamic analysis methods (SRTM and reference Logan), Aβ signal in the thalamus was highly correlated with tau signal in thalamus (R2SRTM = 0.76, R2RefLogan = 0.84, p < 0.05), hippocampus (R2SRTM = 0.74, R2RefLogan = 0.73, p < 0.05) and amygdala (R2SRTM = 0.56, R2RefLogan = 0.55, p < 0.05). For SUVR, whilst the overall pattern of correlations was similar, R2 was reduced (hippocampus: R2SUVR = 0.58, thalamus: R2SUVR = 0.46 and amygdala: R2SUVR = 0.57). The tracer uptake pattern in whole brain, for both [18F]AV45 and [18F]AV1451, are shown in Fig. 6 for all 12 subjects who completed full 60 min of the Aβ PET scan and at least 110 min of the tau PET scan. Overall, the tau signal was very low in all subjects but there was a strong signal observed in the striatal areas. Amyloid signal on the other hand was strong in all brain regions and was not directly related to MMSE scores (R2 = 0.006).
In this paper, we assessed the dynamic behaviour of [18F]AV45 and [18F]AV1451 targeting Aβ and tau proteins respectively in early AD subjects by estimating regional BPND values from dynamic PET scans using SRTM and reference Logan graphical analysis models with cerebellum grey as the reference region.
For the data presented here, arterial input functions were not available and therefore we considered SRTM results from full dynamic data as the reference standard based on previous studies [29, 30]. Comparison of the two dynamic analysis methods (SRTM and reference Logan graphical analysis) showed that they produced similar results with reference Logan graphical analysis slightly underestimating the BPND values.
Time stability analysis of both tracers demonstrated that stable estimates of the dynamic acquisition outcome parameter BPND could be obtained with a minimum acquisition time of 30 min for [18F]AV45 and 80 min for [18F]AV1451. Time stability analysis of the SUVR ratio for static acquisition scenarios indicated that the ratio became reasonably constant in scanning windows of 30–50 min p.i. for [18F]AV45 and 80–100 min p.i. for [18F]AV1451 and were well correlated with the full dynamic SRTM results across regions and subjects (R2 = 0.74 and R2 = 0.88, respectively) [31, 32]. These results are consistent with the faster kinetics of [18F]AV45 as compared to [18F]AV1451.
These results demonstrate that short static acquisitions, whilst reducing subject time in the scanner and improving compliance and feasibility, can derive semi-quantitative outcome measures that can be used for classification of subjects. Their use in longitudinal and intervention studies requires a little more caution as SUVR is not completely independent of blood flow changes .
Given the regional binding values for both tracers ([18F]AV45 and [18F]AV1451) in all subjects using SRTM, it was possible to explore the correlations between [18F]AV45 and [18F]AV1451 uptake in different brain regions. In this pilot data set, there was a high correlation between [18F]AV45 uptake in thalamus and [18F]AV1451 uptake in hippocampus. A degree of caution should be taken in interpreting these results given the low level of amyloid in the thalamus and issues with [18F]AV1451 due to off-target binding and possible spillover from the choroid plexus into the hippocampus. Nevertheless, from a biological stand point, the neuropathology literature  shows that dual amyloid and tau changes in the thalamus mirror those in the hippocampus. In addition, the changes in the thalamus affect preferentially those nuclei with hippocampal connections. Therefore, the current results, while speculative and potentially accounted for by off-target binding, suggest that linked thalamus-hippocampus dual pathology reported in neuropathology studies may be demonstrable using PET scans. Thus, it would be important to replicate these results with an improved tau tracer and in a larger cohort of subjects.
Whilst, [18F]AV45 and other EMA- and FDA-approved radiotracers have been shown to be highly selective for amyloid, the first generation of tau tracers, including [18F]AV1451, have demonstrated some off-target binding. Much of the off-target binding of putative tau agents has focused on monoamine oxidase (MAO) with [18F]AV1451 demonstrating some clear subcortical signals due to its binding to MAO-A [35, 36]. Thus, the interpretation of any subcortical [18F]AV1451 signal should be treated with a degree of caution. Other first generation tau tracers, such as [18F]THK5351 ([18F]GE216) [37, 38], have shown even more substantial problems with a large amount of off-target binding to MAO-B that also compromises the interpretation of cortical regions . Second generation tau tracers are now just appearing with [18F]GTP1 , [18F]RO6958948  and [18F]MK6240  all demonstrating cleaner signals with increased selectivity for tau.
Based on the data presented, short (20 min) static PET scans at appropriate time windows provide SUVR values which are in reasonable agreement with BPND values calculated from dynamic scans using SRTM. Appropriate scan window choices for [18F]AV45 are 30–50 or 40–60 min p.i., and for [18F]AV1451 are 80–100 or 90–110 min p.i. based on the desired accuracy and logistics. Care should be taken to determine whether this outcome measure is optimal in interventional studies.
The deep and frequent phenotyping study is funded by MRC and national institute for health research (NIHR) as part of the dementias platform UK (DPUK). AF was funded by GlaxoSmithKline, DPUK and Medical Research Council UK. We thank all participants and their families, the PET technicians and radiochemists, the MRI radiographers, and clinical staff at Imanova Ltd. along with the clinical research nurses at participating clinical research facilities for their cooperation and support to this study. We thank Avid radiopharmaceuticals for the provision of [18F]AV1451 precursor and [18F]AV45 doses.
AF was funded by GlaxoSmithKline, Dementia Platform UK and Medical Research Council UK.
The datasets generated and/or analysed in the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
AF, AW and GS carried out the experiments and analysed the data. AF, AW, GS, IK and RG interpreted the data and analysed results. RG, SL and GZ contributed in the study design and data acquisition. AF drafted the manuscript and all authors revised and approved the final manuscript to be published.
All subjects participating in this study have signed an informed consent form.
The manuscript has been seen and approved by all authors for submission to EJNMMI Research.


Finnish micro-influencer platform Boksi has raised $1 million in funding.
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Boksi implements technology to analyse posts from micro-influencers on Instagram allowing users to spot trends and preferences among different demographics. The company launched in the summer of last year.
"Marketers are paying to reach the followers of the influencers, not the influencers themselves," said Boski CEO Lasse Laaksonen.


text:
Q: Converting from "foo" to "const foo" - C++ I have a function like (please don't care about returning temporary by reference. This is just an example to explain the problem),
const foo<const int>& get_const()
{
    foo<int> f;
    return f;
}

This obviously won't compile. I am looking for a way to ensure callers won't change the T of foo. How can I ensure that?
I have seen the similar behavior for boost::shared_ptr. shared_ptr<T> is convertible to const shared_ptr<const T>. I couldn't figure out how it is doing this.
Any help would be great.

A: The compiler sees foo<T> and foo<const T> as two completely different and unrelated types, so the foo class needs to support this explicitly just as with any other conversion. If you have control over the foo class, you need to provide a copy constructor or an implicit conversion operator (or both).
template<typename T>
class foo
{
 public:

   // Regular constructor
   foo(T t) : t(t) {}

   // Copy constructor (works for any type S convertable to T, in particular S = non-const T if T is const)
   // Remember that foo<T> and foo<S> are unrelated, so the accessor method must be used here
   template<typename S> foo (const foo<S>& copy) : t(copy.getT()) {}

   // Accessor
   T getT() const { return t; }

   // Conversion operator
   operator foo<const T> () const { return foo<const T>(t); }

 private:

   T t;
};

A: Assuming that Foo is defined something like this:
template<typename T> class Foo
{
public:
    Foo(const T& value) : m_value(value) { }
    const T& getValue() const { return m_value; }
    void setValue(const T& value) { m_value = value; }
private:
    T m_value;
};

Then, in order to ensure that clients of Foo do not modify m_value (I assume that this is what is meant by "I am looking for a way to ensure callers won't change the T  of foo"), you need to const-qualify the Foo object rather than its template parameter, i.e.
Foo<int> x(1);
x.setValue(2); // OK
const Foo<int> y(1);
y.setValue(2); // does not compile

Therefore, your get_foo function should return a const Foo<T>&, not a const Foo<const T>&.
Here's a complete, compilable example:
#include <iostream>

template<typename T> class Foo
{
public:
    Foo(const T& value) : m_value(value) { }
    const T& getValue() const { return m_value; }
    void setValue(const T& value) { m_value = value; }
private:
    T m_value;
};

template<class T> class Owner
{
public:
    Owner(const T& value) : m_foo(value) { }
    Foo<T>& getFoo() { return m_foo; }
    const Foo<T>& getConstFoo() const { return m_foo; }

private:
    Foo<T> m_foo;
};

int main(int argc, char** argv)
{
    Owner<int> x(1);
    x.getFoo().setValue(2);
    // x.getConstFoo().setValue(3); // will not compile
}

A: If I'm not mistaken, the boost::shared_ptr implementation has a non-explicit constructor that takes a const T& reference as an argument and then uses a const_cast on the RHS's pointer to remove the const, allowing implicit conversions between them.
Something like this:
shared_ptr(const shared_ptr<const T>& r) : ptr(const_cast<T*>(r.ptr)) {}

Is that what you're looking for?

A: First of all, you're returning a local object by reference...that's not good.
foo and foo are two different types so you'll have to write code (conversion constructors) to explicitly convert them.
To get what you wanted, consider this:
template <typename T>
struct foo {T* t;};

const foo<int>& get_const(const foo<int>& f) {
    return f;
}

foo<int> f;
const foo<int>& cf = get_const(f);
f.t = 0; // ok, f is not const
*cf.t = 0; // ok because cf.t is const but what cf.t points to is not
cf.t = 0; // compiler error cf.t is const and cannot be lvalue

foo<int>& cf = get_const(f); // compiler error, cannot convert non-const to const without const_cast

If you done your encapsulation correctly and only access members with const getter and non-const setters, this should be good enough for you. Remember if people really want to change your object, they can always const_cast. Const-correctness is only to catch unintentional mistakes.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


LUXMAN has just released a new flagship AB class integrated amplifier L-509X.
Featuring the performance of Pre / power amplifiers in a single unit, this was their ideal goal.
They have poured all their experience and technology gained from years of developing amplifiers into this model the L-509X.
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Circuit board wiring adheres to our non-angled pattern design for smooth current and delicate audio signal transmission.
They have employed custom designed components including capacitors and resistors suitable for high-end products.
Equipped with a built-in phono stage compatible with MM & MC cartridges for high quality vinyl playback.
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Equipped with a volume-linked loudness function that matches human hearing characteristics (ON/OFF only on remote control).
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Highly responsive needle type analog meters with new white LED illumination.
A loopless chassis structure with independent construction reduces ground impedance generated by chassis current.
Left and right speaker terminals (A & B lines) are configured in-line with identical characteristics, for banana plugs and Y-connectors allowing for easy connection using thick speaker cables.
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text:
Catalyst Biosciences, Inc. (CBIO)
NasdaqCM - NasdaqCM Real Time Price. Currency in USD
0.7900 +0.01 (+0.69%)
Catalyst Biosciences, Inc. (CBIO) Upgraded to Buy: Here's What You Should Know
Catalyst Biosciences, Inc. (CBIO) might move higher on growing optimism about its earnings prospects, which is reflected by its upgrade to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Catalyst Biosciences to Present at the Piper Sandler 33rd Annual Virtual Healthcare Conference
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Nov. 22, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Catalyst Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: CBIO) today announced that members of its executive management team will participate in a fireside chat at the Piper Sandler 33rd Annual Virtual Healthcare Conference, being held November 29-December 2, 2021. The fireside chat will be available on-demand for registered attendees via the Piper Sandler conference site beginning Monday, November 22, 2021 at 10:00 am ET until the end of the conference
Catalyst Biosciences Down 40% After Announcing MarzAA Development Halt
By Sam Boughedda

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Here is the last chapter of the series for Silverlight Custom Control. In this article, we will learn how to access the template parts from code behind to do various operations in the UI front.
Hope, you read the previous three articles and familiar with the Custom control as of now. This article will help you to understand accessibility of the template parts from the code. So, let's start discussing now. Appreciate your feedback as always.
Once you are familiar with the previous code, lets start with this one. We will use the same example here which will give you better visualization on the sample code.
In our previous article, we discussed about template parts. These are the UI elements available in your style of the custom control. Generally, we prefix their name with "PART_". In the control's class, we initialize them with the attribute called "TemplatePart" as shown below. This is to make sure that, the meta data of the class shows them properly and your user can easily understand which UI elements you used there. Also, this is beneficial for you to easily access the parts in the file.
Once you marked the template parts in the class, you can declare the member variables to store the instance of those parts, so that, you can access them easily. Remember that, only get the instance whenever require. If you need them in multiple times, better declare them as member variable and use throughout the life of the control.
Always make sure that, you are declaring them as Private member. Never declare as Public because, it will make your control vulnerable. Declaring as public will give your user direct access to the template part and thus your control will never be secure.
It's time for us to get the instance of the part, so that, we can do whatever we need with them. Try to get the instance locally whenever require but if you are accessing them from multiple place inside your control, it is recommended to load them at the beginning or at the time of first access.
To make you familiar with it, we will use it at the first load. Before describing more, I want to tell you one thing: "Don't get the instance in the constructor. In constructor, you may get them as null if they are not already loaded in memory."
So what to do? There is overridable method named "OnApplyTemplate()". This is part of the base class "Control". You can get the instance of the parts there. This method gets call automatically when you apply a template to your custom control. So, whenever the template applied, you have to refresh the instances.
Inside the OnApplyTemplate() method, you can call GetTemplateChild(...) method to get the instance of the template part.
You have to specify the name of the template part i.e. child name there. The method will search for the named template part and fetches the instance of the same.
For our example, we will get all the three template child instance and will store them in the declared member variables to use them later.
It is always recommended to check whether the retrieved instance of the template part is available or null, before doing any operation. Because, it may change or remove in future from XAML mistakenly. Hence, just check for null instance and throw a NullReferenceException to the user.
This null check is require only once if you place them in the OnApplyTemplate() method. Now you will be able to use them in the code whenever you require them. I am not going to discuss that here.
It's the time again to tell you "What's Next?". Hope all the chapters of the series helped you a lot to understand the Custom Control. Once we are done with our demonstration, you will be able to create your custom controls very easily. Do let me know, if you need more information on the same or want some help.
Don't forget to provide your feedback at the end of the page. This will help me to energies more to serve you better in future with more detailed articles.
I am going to post the next and last part of the series soon, where we will discuss on External Custom Library and how to use them in your project. Till then, read my other articles and give your feedback. Happy Coding.
If you have come this far, it means that you liked what you are reading (How to access Control Template parts from Code Behind?).


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Federer to play on clay at Madrid Open
Pic: Reuters
Roger Federer's comeback on clay will feature a return to the Madrid Open for the first time since 2015, it was confirmed on Wednesday.
For the last two years, the 37-year-old has chosen to skip the clay-court season completely to preserve energy for tournaments on his preferred surfaces of grass and hard.
But Federer indicated in January that he would play at the French Open this year while the Madrid Open has announced he will be among those competing at the Caja Magica too.
"Federer is one of the best players in history, it's no secret," said Feliciano Lopez, the Madrid Open's tournament director.
"We are happy because his return to Madrid is a gift for the tournament but above all for the fans, because they will be able to see a player that is unique and unparallelled."
Federer has won the Madrid Open three times, in 2006, 2009 and 2012, but his last appearance was in 2015, when he lost his opening match to Nick Kyrgios.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion was beaten in the fourth round at the Australian Open in January, one year after he had claimed his last major title there.
Clay has been Federer's least favourite surface. He has won the French Open only once and not gone past the quarter-finals in Paris since 2012.
"I am in a moment where I want to have fun," Federer said, when asked last month about returning to Roland Garros. "It's a personal desire. I feel like I don't need to take a big break again."


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L'uomo duplicato è un romanzo dello scrittore portoghese José Saramago, pubblicato nel 2002 tradotto da Rita Desti in lingua italiana per la casa editrice Einaudi.

Trama
Tertuliano Máximo Afonso è un professore di storia nelle scuole medie piuttosto depresso anche a causa di un matrimonio fallito alle spalle. Dietro consiglio di un proprio collega noleggia un film dal titolo Chi cerca trova. Mentre guarda la pellicola, l'uomo si accorge che uno dei personaggi secondari, che ha il ruolo di receptionist di un hotel, è interpretato da un uomo identico a lui. Tertuliano si reca al negozio di videonoleggio per prelevare sei film della stessa casa di produzione del film e passa le notti a controllare se compare il suo sosia e a trascrivere i nomi degli interpreti secondari per identificarlo.

In una di queste giornate passa a trovarlo Maria da Paz, la sua amante, con la quale il professore vorrebbe troncare la relazione, ma non riesce a trovare il coraggio per farlo. Tertuliano sfrutta l'amore della ragazza per farsi aiutare a scoprire l'identità del suo sosia mantenendo l'anonimato. Scoperto il nome d'arte del suo sosia, Daniel Santa-Clara, durante la visione del film La dea del palcoscenico e riuscendo poi a risalire alla vera identità dell'attore (Antonio Claro), finisce per telefonargli e stabilire un contatto. I due si incontrano, si rendono conto di essere effettivamente identici in tutto e le loro vite non saranno più le stesse, anzi diventeranno quasi una vita sola.

I problemi iniziano quando i due si trovano faccia a faccia, cosa che sconvolge la vita di tutte le persone coinvolte affettivamente con i due. Rientrato a casa inquieto dopo l'incontro con Tertuliano, Antonio racconta alla moglie dello strano caso e la donna non riesce quasi più a dormire. Tertuliano invece non fa cenno della questione né alla madre né a Maria da Paz. Turbato dalla reazione della moglie, Antonio ne incolpa il professore e decide di vendicarsi umiliandolo: sfruttando la loro incredibile somiglianza, egli passa una notte d'amore con l'amante di Tertuliano, certo che questi non potrà far altro che assecondarlo. Recatosi, camuffato, alla casa del professore, lo costringe quindi a dargli i suoi vestiti, la sua auto e i suoi documenti; quindi passa a prendere Maria e la porta nella propria casa di campagna, proprio dove si era incontrato la prima volta con il professore. Tertuliano, spintosi ormai troppo in là con la segretezza, non osa dire nulla né a sua madre né all'amata e lascia che il sosia approfitti della donna. Mentre rimugina sulle vicende che stanno accadendogli escogita però un piano: va a casa di Antonio presentandosi alla moglie come il marito. Così, per una notte i due uomini si scambiano le rispettive donne. Tertuliano, una volta tanto, mostra del coraggio e attende in casa di Antonio che il rientro dell'attore faccia scoppiare lo scandalo, ma Antonio non si presenta.

Solo più tardi viene a sapere il motivo: nella notte d'amore Maria si era accorta dell'impronta lasciata dalla fede sul dito dell'uomo di fianco a lei e aveva realizzato di non essere lì col suo amato ma con un truffatore. Nel burrascoso rientro a casa con l'utilitaria di Tertuliano, litigando, hanno un incidente e muoiono scontrandosi con un tir. La polizia identifica i corpi, dai documenti, come quelli di Maria da Paz e del suo fidanzato Tertuliano Maximo Afonso.

Tertuliano riesce a far sapere a sua madre che in verità non è lui a essere morto e la moglie del defunto gli fa un'ultima proposta: mantenere per sempre l'usurpata identità di Antonio e restare a vivere con lei, sperando che nel futuro possa nascere un sentimento tra i due: Tertuliano accetta.

Trasposizioni
Il romanzo è stato liberamente adattato nel 2013 con il film Enemy, diretto da Denis Villeneuve e interpretato da Jake Gyllenhaal.

Edizioni italiane

Romanzi del 2002
Romanzi di José Saramago

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Still Life 2
Figurative 2
Nudes 1
Alfred Maurer was an important early Modernist who studied at both the NAD in 1884 and Acadamie Julian in 1897. He worked in Paris for 14 years and was the first American painter to abruptly drop the Impressionistic style to adopt a Fauvist style. In 1914 Maurer returned to America with a style that combined abstraction with Expressionism. He exhibited his work in NYC at Alfred Stieglitz's gallery and in the 1913 Armory Show. Throughout the 1920s Maurer created intense Cubist style portraits. His retrospective was held in 1973 at the National Museum of American Art. Maurer committed suicide in 1932. Unfortunately, much of his European work has been lost.
Biography courtesy of The Caldwell Gallery, www.antiquesandfineart.com/caldwell
See More about this Artist
Alfred Henry Maurer Two Girls H 26 in W 18 in Request Price
Debra Force Fine Art
Alfred Henry Maurer Still Life, n.d. H 22 in W 13 in Request Price
Brock & Co.
Alfred Henry Maurer Flowers in a White Pitcher H 17 in W 18 in Request Price
Alfred Henry Maurer Standing Female Nude (double-sided), c.1925 H 21 in W 18 in Request Price


For our final Hardware Software Integration (CprE 483) project at Iowa State University, we contacted the SSCL (Space Systems and Controls Laboratory) in search of a project that might be useful to them.
SSCL frequently launches high altitude balloons with payloads that transmit data to the ground station using HAM radio. This data is ASCII text in AX.25 packets from the on-board sensor packages. The data is transmitted using the Bell 202 standard. The ground station HAM radio system has a sound jack, like that used on personal computers and stereo equipment. Our Modem project's goal is to connect to this jack, sample the analog sound data, convert that data to binary and output the data as ASCII text to a serial port where it can be logged on a personal computer.


Virginia allows gun owners to carry concealed firearms as long as they have a permit. Everytown, its affiliated grassroots group, Moms Demand Action, and Northam are opposed to "constitutional carry", or the right to carry concealed guns without a permit. Northam also favors a ban on assault weapons, expanded background checks and wants to restore a state law that limited handgun purchases to one each month, among other measures.
Everytown pilloried the deal "as a gift to the gun lobby", criticism that McAuliffe shrugged off.
"They stand with the majority of Virginians who know that our Second Amendment rights come with responsibilities to keep guns out of dangerous hands," said Amy McPike, a Loudoun County volunteer for the group.
On the other side of the gun debate, the National Rifle Association – headquartered in Virginia – has endorsed all three Republicans running for statewide office.
The organization's political arm funded an ad in support of GOP attorney general nominee John Adams that also accused Herring of taking "away the rights of gun owners to protect themselves." This is a reference to Herring's decision to stop recognizing out-of-state concealed carry permits, since reversed by McAuliffe's gun deal.
Virginia's gubernatorial contest is the nation's marquee race this year. That status, plus lax campaign finance laws, has attracted a blizzard of outside spending.
Political arms of Planned Parenthood, the Virginia League of Conservation Voters, a Democratic redistricting group backed by former President Barack Obama and California billionaire Tom Steyer's NextGen American have commited to spend more than $8 million to support Northam and other Democrats.
The same groups, along with Priorities USA – which spent more than $200 million on behalf of Hillary Clinton and Democrats running for the Senate in 2016 – announced Thursday they will spend $2 million to coordinate with Northam on a digital ad campaign. Virginia's campaign finance laws allows candidates to coordinate with outside spending groups.
That campaign, designed to reach more than 1.2 million voters before Election Day, will mark the first time that Democratic groups are pooling resources and data to reach voters online, organizers said. They described their coordinated campaign as "first of its kind" for Democratic groups in the way they are pooling resources and data to reach voters online.
On the Republican side, the Republican Governors' Association has put in $8 million behind Gillespie and the Koch-funded Americans for Prosperity has launched an ad campaign against Northam worth at least $1.4 million.


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President Trump stops Broadcom takeover of Qualcomm
(Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump issued an order on Monday prohibiting semiconductor maker Broadcom Ltd's (AVGO.O) proposed takeover of Qualcomm Inc(QCOM.O) on grounds of national security, bringing an end to what would have been the technology industry's biggest deal ever.
FILE PHOTO: A sign to the campus offices of chip maker Broadcom Ltd, who announced on Monday an unsolicited bid to buy peer Qualcomm Inc for $103 billion, is shown in Irvine, California, U.S., November 6, 2017. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File photo
Qualcomm had rebuffed Broadcom's $117 billion takeover bid, which was under investigation by the U.S. Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), a multi-agency panel led by the U.S. Treasury Department that reviews the national security implications of acquisitions of U.S. corporations by foreign companies.
"The proposed takeover of Qualcomm by the Purchaser (Broadcom) is prohibited, and any substantially equivalent merger, acquisition, or takeover, whether effected directly or indirectly, is also prohibited," the presidential order released on Monday said.
The order issued by the White House cited"credible evidence" that led Trump to believe that Broadcom taking control of Qualcomm"might take action that threatens to impair the national security of the United States."
This is the fifth time ever a U.S. President has blocked a deal based on CFIUS objections and the second deal Trump has stopped since assuming office.
Trump's move accelerated a decision that appeared likely after CFIUS told Broadcom in a letter on Sunday that its investigation"so far confirmed the national security concerns."
The U.S. Treasury Department letter was"obviously a poison pill," Jim Lewis, a CFIUS expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said before the Trump order. He described the CFIUS communication to Broadcom as"unprecedented."
The semiconductor industry is racing to develop chips that power so-called 5G wireless technology, allowing the transmission of data at faster speeds.
San Diego-based Qualcomm has emerged as one of the biggest competitors to Chinese companies vying for market share in the sector, such as Huawei Technologies Co, making it a prized asset.
A source familiar with CFIUS' thinking had said that if the deal was completed, the U.S. military was concerned that within 10 years,"there would essentially be a dominant player in all of these technologies and that's essentially Huawei, and then the American carriers would have no choice. They would just have to buy Huawei (equipment)."
Broadcom had struggled to complete its proposed deal to buy Qualcomm which had cited several concerns including the price offered and potential antitrust hurdles.
Reporting by Diane Bartz and Chris Sanders in Washington; Supantha Mukherjee and Pushkala Aripaka in Bengaluru; Greg Roumeliotis in New York; Editing by Peter Henderson
Author Maria McMurrayPosted on March 12, 2018 Categories Cloud Computing, Cloud Hosting
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Wind Horse Picture Gallery - Barrett Adventures the Real Jamaican Adventures.
The Master Suite is truly luxurious.
The aft berth is also comfy for two persons and has closet and drawer space, too. Guests do not have to feel second best to the friends who got the master suite.


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Tag: Christmas memories
So this is Christmas…2020
Well, 2020 has been a strange one, to say the least. A year where we saw Irish politics altered in a government formed of consonants and contrarians that was just missing a Big Brother/Love Island narrator. A pandemic that saw us hit pause in our schedules but 'Continue Watching' on our streaming services. We fell in love with Connell & Marianne, out of love with Zoom Calls and quizzes; but knowing that we never needed to hear the words "fancy a cuppa & a chat" more than ever before. We found new addictions like The Last Dance or The Nobody Zone, became masters of banana bread baking while the election turmoil in the United States appeared to offer a reprieve (from general monotony) before the real fare of the All-Ireland championship gave us Liam Cahill dancing a jig on the Croke Park side-line that would have made Michael Flatley blush.
This year ranged from Shakespearian tragedy to screwball farce (golfgate & Rudy Giuliani to name but two) while our frontline services and their heroic endeavours surpass Arthurian legend. It was the strangest and toughest of years, but we've been here before. Could the words of Charles Dickens (the man who invented Christmas) ever be more applicable than from A Tale of Two Cities – 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…'
From the Pharisees to Faithlegg: St. Ita
One could argue that Waterford has had a connection to Christmas from the start of the story itself. As Mary and Joseph travelled to Bethlehem where Jesus was born in a stable, the tale has a Waterford connection. St. Ita of Killeedy born in Faithlegg, County Waterford around 480 and known as the foster mother of the saints of Erin, was devoted to the Christ child with the poem Ísucán (cited in The martyrology of Óengus) depicting her nursing the infant Jesus. The reason for which was a logical way to fill the void of replacing her pet beetle. Yes, you have read that correctly. An unusual connection between the Pharisees and Faithlegg! Though Jenny Bledsoe concludes that "St. Ita's tradition manifests a variety of forms of spiritual motherhood". It's not what Ita may or may not have done but rather that what she represents that is important.
St Ita
Eleanor McEvoy on stage
She was seen to embody the 'Six Gifts of Irish womanhood' in the Celtic tradition; wisdom, purity, beauty, music, sweet speech and embroidery. It seems that Eleanor McEvoy's A Woman's Heart was for her – "as only a woman's heart can know". And just in case you'd like to mark your 2021 calendar, don't forget Ita's feast day is the 15th January. Even if you're not religious like myself it would be nice to note the strength of the women in our lives on a more regular basis. Maybe the whole Woman's Heart album might be played that day. Mary O'Neill and Ollie Carroll get the vinyl ready!
Caring is Sharing & the Gift is in the Giving: Waterford Toy Shops
As families rush to gather gifts for Christmas this year, spare a thought for C.V. K. of the Munster Express when he noted (in 1948) the toy shops Waterford could boast back in the early 1920s:
In the district of Waterford in which I grew up, we had – as it were – our own parochial toy shop, where all the year round we bought, at appropriate seasons, our marbles, hoops, tops, fishing nets, squibs, etc. That shop was…in Patrick Street and was owned in those days by Mrs. Manahan…her stock was always well stocked with the right kind of seasonal fare, and we seldom took our custom elsewhere, except perhaps a little farther down Patrick Street to Misses Nolan's shop…
As we got bigger and ventured further afield down to Broad Street, we found that J.G. McCaul's…shop had many more pretentious offerings in the line of toys, and here it was that many of us saw, for the first time, such modern wonders as trains on tracks, air rifles, Meccano sets, chemistry sets for the manufacture amongst other things of "stink bombs"…
In these pre-Woolworth days, the cheaper and less elaborate type of toy could always be purchased at Messrs. Power's bookshop in Michael Street, and if we left our purchasing until as late as possible on Christmas Eve, we were always sure of a bargain in the drive to sell out Christmas stock before it went out of season…
…The shop of the late Mrs. Katie Dawson on The Quay, was another Christmas rendezvous of Waterford boys of my time, and here one could purchase cowboy suits…
This year will see the new Play Station top the Christmas list of many, while the cowboys of yesteryear such as Roy Rogers and John Wayne have been replaced by the Mandalorian and Stranger Things (if you pardon the pun). Air rifles now seem quaint to the capabilities of the new smart phone where likes on Instagram are akin to the games of Christmases gone bye. Still, it's hard to beat the refrain of Shakin' Stevens: 'children playing, having fun'.
Driving Home for Christmas
In keeping with a musical vein, many will be listening to Chris Rea's Driving Home for Christmas with some hope of the holiday ahead. But many will be filled with a bittersweetness such as for those who can't make it home; from wherever green is worn like the United States, Australia and New Zealand. Though we will echo the thoughts of drive safely wherever you are.
Redmond Bridge – Waterford
For instance on the 23rd December 1929, a motor lorry driven by T. Baldwin of Passage East, lost control of his vehicle and crashed into the iron railings of the Redmond Bridge. It was believed that the steering gear went and with carrying a large load, the lorry began to slip back on the slight incline and crashed. Luckily for Baldwin he was uninjured though the bridge had seen better days. Apparently, the city engineer wasn't happy to inspect the damage on Christmas Eve, but he was just told to build a bridge and get over it. I should be writing the jokes for the crackers with that one.
The festive season can be a very difficult time for many. We only need to look at the story of Larry Griffin, the Missing Postman of Stradbally, whose family never saw him again after Christmas Day 1929. Over 90 years later his descendants still look for answers of what occurred in a small rural community. Though in tough times, we as a people can display our greatest character. We see Christmas as a time of giving, such as to charity.
Even with the pandemic of 2020 we still see the issue of homelessness still rife in a country that purports to be one of the most modern and diverse in the western world. Sadly homelessness is not a new tale around Christmas time. We have the story of the death of Patrick Kennedy of Lissellan, Tramore on the 26th December 1932. Kennedy aged 49 was stated to have died as the result of "heart failure" due to "starvation and want of proper care." Ireland was a bleak place economically for large parts of the 20th century as the Great Depression worldwide and the economic war with Britain led to many being unemployed and destitute in the 1930s.
Kennedy had no work and was living for a time with his mother. His wife Bridget and two children stayed with their aunt but as Kennedy was earning no wage there was no financial support. While he lived with his mother and brother Martin, they survived on her pension of 10 shillings a week. The labourers cabin had two bedrooms, a kitchen, an earthen floor which was moist and muddy, no beds while the roof was as porous as a cullender. Such cramped confines led Patrick to look and beg for other quarters to reside in. So stark were Kennedy's circumstances he lived in a shed for three months where his only warmth came from wearing two overcoats. They never complained nor sought help. Was it pride of a family or neglect of a society? Nevertheless, it cost Martin Kennedy his life that Christmas 1932.
Christmas gives us a chance to pause and look back at our year or even life. Nostalgia is a plenty and hope is ever eternal. As we enter the period of completing endeavours and creating resolutions, remember the story of the author Morley Roberts. Roberts spent Christmas 1937 awaiting the publication of his book Bio-Politics which had taken him 50 years to write. At 80 years of age, he had already published over 70 books; mostly novels but had an affection for Waterford. A friend of Edmund Downey (novelist and owner of the Waterford News), Roberts had written a short story and poem about Waterford published in the Green & Gold magazine. Such was his interest in Waterford (which he visited two or three times) it was noted by the editor of the Waterford News that Roberts had 'once wrote a letter to us in which he proposed a novel remedy for partition – a remedy too drastic for publication.' And we wonder where Boris Johnson got his theories from?
Turkeys loaded in carts on the quay of Waterford – early 1900's
The lesson would appear to be that no matter how far we come, be it from the beginning to end of a year, one Christmas to the next, completing education or starting a new job; there is always the hope and thirst for more. For many in the UK and Ireland, Christmas was made by Val Doonican whose rocking chair style and festive cardigan wear was compulsory viewing. His album Val Doonican Rocks, But Gently managed to knock The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper off the top of the charts in December 1967. In fact, it was harder to get the Waterford man's LP in his hometown then it was in England, not because of it's popularity but due to a distribution problem as a result of foot and mouth. I for one know my father will have Val on in the car this Christmas. Before I use to raise my eyes upon hearing the album playing but now I can't imagine the festive season without it.
As you can see Christmas has seen difficult times before. Though it may not mirror that of EastEnders I think many will be glad for 2020 to be ending. Though we've had wonderful moments too such as Adam King (whose dad Dave hails from Dungarvan) who captured the hearts of a nation and reminded us no matter what obstacles, hugs can be given and dreams are there for us all. Some will dream of a White Christmas a la Bing Crosby. Others will not stop believing like Journey in the quest for Liam McCarthy. But Adam reminded me of a song that always comes to mind with Val Doonican, I can sing a rainbow. May we see brighter days ahead and all the colours of the rainbow.
So if you're spending your Christmas in Ballyhack or Ballybeg, reading the excellent Waterford Harbour: Tides and Tales by Andrew Doherty or listening to Val, have a very happy Christmas.
Thanks to Cian Manning for this wonderful reflection on a year that we will all want to forget. If you want to experience more of Cians work you will find him on Twitter where he regularly promotes his blogs on his twin interests of Waterfords history and sport. He is also the author of the excellent Waterford City, A History. Currently available in the Book Centre Waterford
Christmas in Aylwardstown
The last guest blog of 2018 comes from the River Barrow and brings us back to simpler times in the company of the Connollys of Aylwardstown via the pen of Brian Forristal. The area of Aylwardstown is beside the river Barrow close to Glenmore on the Kilkenny side and Tommy was well known in Cheekpoint as a builder and repairer of the distinctive local boat the Prong. Brian like myself was raised around the river and has a deep appreciation of it and the people who lived upon it. I loved this account and I believe you will too.
Tommy realised as he looked to the north east that there was snow on the wind and it was blowing savagely down an angry River Barrow. He knew that there was a lot of work to be done before Christmas arrived and the last thing he needed was a blizzard of snow to delay him.
That Christmas tree he had seen last week in Graiguenakill, softly nestled in a grove of larch wood needed chopping before anyone else cast their eye on it. A splendid specimen, not too tall so as to fit into the kitchen of the cottage nicely, and not too broad as to impinge on the tight space near the dresser. He had better go soon and cut it down for he had to drag it back to Aylwardstown across the fields as he did not want anyone else to see him take it out of the larch wood.
That was one of the pre Christmas jobs to be done, another was to kill the goose he kept on the commons and had been fattening for the previous months. Extra kindling had to be brought in, in case the weather took a turn for the worst, which meant dragging it from the cutting shed situated just north of the cottage on the river bank. Country cottages were always adorned with holly and ivy for the festive season and gave a natural feel of the outdoors, indoors; this had to be gathered from the surrounding fields.
The late Tommy Connolly, Photo by Brian Forristal
He dallied about which to do first and after much soul searching decided to go after the tree, that was the one that could not wait, all the rest would still be here when he got back.
He informed Molly that he was heading for Graiguenakill to cut the Christmas tree and would be gone for a few hours. She asked him would he be back for his dinner at 11 o'clock and he said he would, seeing it was only 8am, he thought he had plenty of time to get there and back.
Gathering an axe from his shed he headed along the road as far as the railway tracks and cut into the fields that ran behind kelly's big house, then veering right in the direction of Carrigcloney until he met the road that ran back to the river. Moving on north west from here he cut across the large stubble field behind Killivory/Kilmokevoge ruined church, he was now in sight of the glen where the larch wood was. He crossed the stream at the end of the gorge and climbed the winding lane that led through the larch wood. About half way up this lane and in behind the first few lines of larch stood the tree that Tommy had eyed up weeks before. Taking off the rope that he had carried around his shoulder, he firmly gripped the axe with both hands and began to chop at the butt of the tree. While it did not take long to cut through the stump, by the time he had felled it he had worked up a good sweat, which kept the biting cold at bay. He proceeded to tie the rope around the butt and then headed for home making his way more or less back along the same route taken previously towing the tree behind him.
When he got to the ditch at the far end of the stubble field, just as he was about to push the tree over onto the road, a voice bellowed to him from the roadside, it was Dermoy Ryan from Killivory just along the road.
"I see the Christmas tree is free again this year Connolly?" he shouted
"As every other year" he retorted back.
"You must be frozen to the bone crossing that 5o acres of stubble, come up to the house and we will have a Christmas drink to put the heat in you"
Tommy tied the tree to a fence post on the inside of the ditch, out of sight from anyone using the road. Both of them headed to Dermoy's cottage along the roadway and went inside, Tommy sitting in beside the fire to feel the warmth of the glow. Dermoy handed him a full glass of whiskey and then joined him by the fire.
Both men talked and drank for ages and those reminisces of years ago entered their conversation with laughter and good banter. One glass led to another and before long Tommy had forgotten about the time and the dinner, when something tweaked his memory he jumped up suddenly and bade Dermoy farewell and a happy Christmas and sprang out the door to look for his tree. Luckily his tree was in the same spot so he untied it and headed for home, even though as a much slower pace that he had left that morning.
It was now around 1 o'clock and he still had a number of jobs to do around the cottage. Getting back to Aylwardstown he was met by the wiry comment from Molly that a liquid lunch must have been provided by the fairies considering the state he was in. He shook off the verbal onslaught and brought the tree into the cottage and sat down and had his dinner before tackling the other jobs on the list.
Molly said she would look after the tree and decorate it while Tommy finished his dinner and got on with the other jobs. Having soaked up much of the whiskey he set about killing the goose for the Christmas table and was glad he had a few that morning to steady his nerves. The kill was swift and humane and the bird did not suffer, the prized goose was prepared for the pot and left to hang until the flesh was ready for the pot in the days to come.
A bustling South St. New Ross pre 1940's
Courtesy of Myles Courtney, New Ross Street Focus
By now a few flakes had started to fall and gathering in the holly and ivy was now paramount before the real cold spell arrived. Two fields over towards Carrigcloney lay a grove of hazel and hawthorn trees which had a good covering of ivy and would be easy enough to pull from the trees. Having arrived and pulled the long strips from the bark he rolled them into circles and tied them down, now they were handy to throw over the shoulder for the short journey home.
For the holly he would travel up the lane and over the railway tracks to the Phelan's land. On the boundary ditches lay some good specimens of holly which always supplied a good crop of berries; without the berries the spirit of Christmas would not sit in the cottage, this was his way of thinking.
With all that collected and left in the yard, Molly worked away at making it into shapes that were accessible inside the cottage. The list was dwindling and now all that was left was to get the train into New Ross and gather the groceries to tie them over the festive spell. A little extra would be bought in the event the weather turned bad and they were unable to get out of Aylwardstwon over the coming weeks. Shopping completed Tommy would head into the local pub to catch up on the news with old friends and acquaintances, while Molly would head over town to do the last few bits and pieces. When fishermen get together there is no stopping the talk and the time passes quickly, half one after half one soon disappear and merriment ensues.
As dusk begins to fall and Molly returns to collect Tommy, they both head across the bridge to catch the returning train. Weighed down with several bags they would be glad to see the sight of the cottage and the flowing river, home they would be, tired but happy that they got through the necessity of the festive shop and they could now relax and enjoy it all together.
Glenmore railway station. Photo via Paul Grant.
Christmas morning brought a late dawn with grey skies and a bitter cold feel to it. Tommy had a blazing fire going early on to keep the bitter cold out and the crackling of the blocks sent slivers of red hot wood out into the centre of the cottage room. Dinner was prepared early as they usually had theirs at about 11 o'clock in the morning. At that time Molloy and himself sat at the little table that looked out over the yard and out to the river and rejoiced in the little feast that lay before them.
The shortness of the winter light soon caught up upon the Barrow valley and Molloy drew the curtains and settled down to the evening. The television was put on first to see if there was anything of interest to watch, failing that the radio was engaged and some traditional Irish music would sooth the evening away. Tommy was often tempted to take down the fiddle and join in with the music, but he preferred a few people to play to than rather an almost empty room.
Both of them sat in on the fire and watched the embers glow and talked of the day, what tomorrow might bring and past Christmas's had went. The clock chimed on the wall and the night was still, crackling logs the only intruder into the stillness.
About 8 o'clock when all was quiet a faint knock appeared on the front door, slightly startled Tommy shouted to know who was there.
"Tis Seán Óg Kennedy from Rathinure"
Tommy opened the door and the dark shadow of Seán entered the cottage spouting seasonal greetings to them both.
On been asked what brought him out on a dark and cold night, he said he could not put up with listening to his brothers bickering any longer in the house, even on Christmas night they argued about the price of cattle, what field to sow potatoes in next spring, who's turn it was to feed the calves in the morning. He had enough and strolled to the river to find a bit of solace and a quiet corner to sit in.
Shuffling in on the floor he warmed his hands and then Tommy handed him a glass of whiskey and the chat ensued. They talked well into the night and the sign of sleep never set upon any of them. As the clock chimed midnight Seán decided he had taken up enough of their time and decided to head for home. Tommy offered him a spare bed in the back room if he did not fancy going out. Declining, he faded into the darkness of the night with the words of Tommy ringing in his ears not to go home by Kilcolumn graveyard as the dead would still be about celebrating the festive night and he might get caught up with them. If he felt any fear at walking home at that hour it was the last thing he wanted to hear then.
The cottage door was bolted and the two elderly people made their way to their bed. Another Christmas night had passed and now they looked forward to the New Year and the coming spring, when the haggard would take all his attention to get ready for another growing season. The spirit of Christmas had for another year settled on the cottage by the Barrow and gave it its blessing, all was quite there again.
©Brian Forristal
My thanks to Brian Forristal for bringing that slice of life from the River Barrow at Christmas, even if you did not know the people I'm sure the characters depicted would be familiar to you. A neighbour of the Connollys on the Wexford side of the Barrow was John Seymore, known as the god father of self sufficiency who I have written about before. Guest blogs are published on the last Friday of the month and if you have a story to share about the three rivers or the harbour area please submit it to tidesntales@gmail.com
If you are interested in getting my blog each week to your email inbox you can now subscribe via feedburner just add your email address to the subscription bar on the website, which generates a request to your email. Subscription is free and you can unsubscribe anytime. You can also email tidesntales@gmail.com and I can add you
Christmas fowl-up
It was Christmas eve morning 1985. Home, a small council house in the Mount Avenue, Cheekpoint, a mad house. Our father and mother, Bob and Mary looked on with mild amusement as we readied ourselves for a trip to town. Young adults with thoughts of friends, drinks and a few last minute presents. My brother Robert and I were to head in on the Suir Way bus, our sisters, Kathleen and Eileen, had other transport arrangements. Our baby brother Chris ran amongst us, caught up in the excitement, on top of his little world as he had already opened his birthday presents that morning, and could look forward to many more the next day. As Robert and I headed out the door, our mother called after us to remind us to collect the turkey. As it was the umpteenth reminder we waved her away as we headed up the Avenue, to await the bus at Elliott's.
The morning was dry, mild but cloudy and we were dressed in our best; runners, levis jeans and sports tops. The plan was simple, alight the bus outside Kelly's on the Quay, stroll around for the gifts, maybe meet the lads for a few pints and get home again on the 3 o'clock bus if possible and ready ourselves for the long night ahead. The plan worked to perfection until Robert bumped into some mates from the place he worked, AIPB in Christendom. They dragged him away for a pint in Egans, leaving me to my own devices around the town
At 2.30 I was standing outside Phelan's Butchers in Georges St, waiting on Robert to arrive. As mobile phones were decades away I had little choice but either wait patiently or walk the town in search of him. Standing there the evening became darker, a drizzle started to fall and the lights and decorations that lit up the street gave a golden glow to the last minutes shoppers struggling by with bags from the likes of Darrers MrHipps or Mork from Ork!!
Ten minutes later I gave up waiting, and perceiving a lull in the activity I pushed in the door and joined the queue. I never liked the smell of the butchers I have to admit and in those days when much of the butchering was done on the premises the smell was more intense. Sawdust was strewn across the floor and behind the counter a large timber cutting block, immaculately clean on the day, was often the scene of pigs being cleaved apart as we stood on the floor as children with my mother. On this occasion the shop was a scene of organised chaos as a well oiled machine of a family run business processed pre-orders with a military precision.
The counter ran from the right of the shop around in an L shape. A gap allowed for access and egress to the shop floor. A glass front allowed visibility of all the wares and meat hooks hung down from the ceiling, bare today, but regularly holding up sides of beef or pig, heads and all. Tom Phelan himself was the master of operations and he greeted his customers with a familiarity and fondness that seemed genuine and heartfelt.
I didn't even have to open my mouth for once my turn came the call went out for Mr's Dohertys Turkey, which was handed over the counter and with a Happy Christmas from the man himself I was on my way.
The Jolly Sailor at Christmas time , Tommy Fardey on guitar. Photo Bridgid Power
Boarding the bus down on the quay, I searched in vain for Robert and presumed he had made his own way home. But once I got there he was nowhere in sight. I left for my grandmothers not long after, leaving my mother busy with the preparations, my brother Chris lying on the couch with my father watching TV.
All seemed well in the world, but what I didn't realise was that while I was strolling for the bus with the turkey in my fist, Robert realising the time, had burst out of pub and headed for the turkey himself. Running up Barronstrand Street he crossed over to Georges St, into O'Flynns butchers and joined the surge of customers inside. He searched in vain for me, and in his mind he guessed I had hit the town and forgotten all about the errand.
O'Flynns of course was also well known to the young Doherty's. My mother had a countrywoman's habit of going to different butchers for different cuts of meat. One week it would be O'Flynns for the ham, chucks or skirt, Phelan's for the tripe, sausages, etc. The following week she might switch shops and although there was undoubtedly a method to it, we could never grasp it.
So when Robert's turn finally came in O'Flynns he too was recognised. But on asking for his mother's turkey rather than eliciting an instant command it created a bit of a stir. Now of course this only created confusion in Robert and a fair bit of panic. Where in the hell was the turkey, and how could he go home without it. The fact that he was six foot four inches and almost as broad across the chest as the proverbial bus perhaps played a part. They didn't call him Rambo for nothing or give him a job bouncing on the door of the Ardree disco at 17 either!. There again it might also have been the queue of customers backing out the door. But certainly his earnestness in thinking that our mother had ordered and paid for a turkey and that he was supposed to bring it home could not be questioned by the staff in the shop. Relenting, a turkey was found and handed over and Robert left the shop, contented that he had saved Christmas. Realising he had missed the 3 o'clock bus he went back to the pub.
Meanwhile I was relaxing in my grandmothers reflecting on what had been a good day so far; I had the presents I needed, the turkey I delivered was being prepped for the Christmas day dinner and now I could look forward to a good night out in the local pub, Tynan's Jolly Sailor. Returning to my mothers at about 7pm I walked in on a very different scene. The calm and peace I had left was now in tatters. My mother was furious, my father had gone to the pub and Chris had retired to the safety of the girls room, who had returned from town with Robert on the 6pm bus.
My mother, the most calm and good natured woman in Cheekpoint, had almost fainted when Robert had walked through the door. On hearing his account she had rushed out without a word. She had run to the Cross Roads, where from the phone box she had tried unsuccessfully to ring the shop to apologise for the mistake. The O'Flynns had closed and now my mother was custodian over a turkey that she could ill afford, did not need and couldn't fit in her tiny freezer.
Robert and myself decided to make ourselves scarce as we couldn't stop laughing. When we got to the pub Robert got a great cheer, my father had already put a spin on the story and the way he had told it made it sound like Robert had jumped through the window with the bird under his arm. The gauntlet had to be run of course. First was my fathers mates, fishermen and sailors alike like Robert Ferguson, Martin Mahon, Paddy Duffin, Tom Sullivan and Ned Heffernan. The story had to be told, with my fathers interjections, and they roared with laughter as the scenes unfolded. Next was our own mates stuck in the far corner, Mossy Moran, Paul Duffin, Neil Elliott, Ger Doherty, Michael Duffin, all shouting at once, laughing and blackguarding. As each new group came into the pub the story was told and retold.
Visitors to the house on Christmas morning had already heard the account at that stage and their questions and reactions put a smile on our mother's face and lightened her mood.
All those Robert met over Christmas wanted to hear the story from the horses mouth and from The Jolly sailor, the Suir Inn, Jack Meade's and into town the story grew legs and his infamy grew.
Our mother eventually decided that she would have to cook the second turkey, for it wouldn't keep and to waste good food was a sin in her eyes.
Her biggest fear of course was that it was someone else's turkey and that their Christmas was ruined, and try as she might that thought dwelt at the back of her mind that whole Christmas. The first opportunity she got to get into town, she was away to O'Flynns with her purse and her apologies. Bernard O'Flynn at least managed to put her mind at rest about another family's Christmas being ruined, as he had several on reserve and no one went hungry. It was as if Christ himself had answered her prayers and she was a much less troubled woman when she finally arrived home. But from that year on neither Robert nor I was ever asked to get the turkey again.
Previous Christmas blogs
Sailors Christmas wish as a village of sailors the one thing they and their family wanted was to have them home for Christmas
2016 – An Emigrants Christmas Wish with emigration so rife in the country, the letters or cards they sent home were often filled with longing.
2015 – Robin Red Breast
2015 – A Herring fisherman's Christmas – This became a chapter in my book
2014 – The Faithlegg Crib
I have to acknowledge the assistance of Frank Murphy in helping me title today's blog. Frank is one of the many background team I have who help me on a regular basis
I'd like to wish all my readers a wonderful Christmas, where ever you are and whatever you are doing and look forward to further interactions in 2019.
Next week we have more Christmas tidings, this time from upriver on the River Barrow, a guest blog by Brian Forristal; Christmas at Aylwardstown


I am so glad you ventured onto my site and that I can share my passion for photography with you, I have two adorable children and one very supportive husband. We love our Sundays together and live for days spent riding horses together. I started photographing them with film a few years back and those images are all across our walls, I love that the images of my children match mine from my childhood!
Seeing these photos of my family has really showed me the craziness of life and the promises of today, which is what I want to share with you.
Native michigander. huge fan of lazy sundays and spending time in the saddle.
My philosophy is simple. To capture those "imperfect moments." The genuine smiles, silly looks and interactions between you and those you love. Those in between moments, because those moments matter.
Capturing someone's wedding day is truly an honor, for your comfort, there will be two photographers at your wedding covering the day. We work hard to capture the moments in between and help to make the atmosphere a fun and relaxed one. We are there to help in any way so the day runs smoothly. I will work closely to create a timeline and smooth out every detail so things are clear before the day begins.
If you are looking for a photographer that truly cares about you, please contact me below.
We aren't promised tomorrow, so make the most of today! That's the saying, right? Capturing portraits of the whole family is so important because those are the things that will pass down through the generations, your children don't just want photos of themselves to see when they're grown - they want you in there too! So be present with them, and let's capture these beautiful moments as they happen.
I would be honored to capture that for you, contact me below for more information.
Oh to be young again! Hearing the plans for the future from the seniors I photograph is one of my happiest times for me, the excitement they experience when it comes to graduating and moving forward with their lives is just the best! Being able to relive a bit of that joy makes photographing seniors an absolute blast for me!
Each of my senior sessions is different from the next, I bring out what makes you YOU. On location, we will have quite the adventure and laugh as much as possible, so let's have fun!
Kyleen Olson is a traveling Shields Valley Montana Wedding and Portrait Photographer that specializes in capturing the imperfect moments of life. She loves helping her clients to find the authentic moments and spending her Sundays hanging with her family.


The Avada Flyout menu type is a full screen menu which overlays the main page content, activated by clicking a link/icon in the header area (see example below).
The Flyout Menu is only available when using Header 6 in the Top Header position, or with the Mobile (Responsive) Menu. It's automatic with Header 6, but with the Mobile Menu, you have to select Flyout in the Theme Options: Avada > Theme Options > Menu > Mobile Menu > Mobile Menu Design Style.
Detailed information regarding the various Avada header layouts to choose from is available here.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Any Child Level menu items will not be displayed on the Flyout menu. Mega Menu features are also disabled on this layout.
Flyout Menu options are found in two places. The main one is found at Avada > Theme Options > Menu > Flyout Menu, while relevant Mobile Menu options for the Flyout Menu are found at Avada > Theme Options > Menu > Mobile Menu when Flyout is selected.
Let's look at the Flyout Menu Theme Options.
Flyout Menu Icon Padding - This controls the right padding (left on RTL sites) for flyout menu icons.
Flyout Menu Icon Color - This controls the color of the flyout menu icons.
Flyout Menu Background Color - Here you can control both the color and the opacity of the flyout menu background.
Flyout Menu Direction - Here you can control the direction the flyout menu comes from. Choose from Fade, Left, Right, Bottom, or Top.
Flyout Menu Item Padding - This is a new option in Avada 5.8. Here you can control the padding between the flyout menu items.


General membership is welcome to attend. Now is a great time to turn in your 2016 membership application, if you have not already done so.
Please mark your calendars – the 2016 meeting and networking event schedule is here.
2016 Membership – it's time to renew!
The Forest Park South Business Association WANTS YOU!
As a member organization, you'll receive two (2) complimentary tickets to each quarterly networking event (3 luncheons and 1 holiday party) plus perks program cards for each employee to enjoy discounts at participating locations. Luncheons include informational speakers, news from fellow members and a catered lunch all while showcasing a local venue.
Don't miss out in 2016! New members who join now are invited to enjoy the 2015 Holiday Celebration on December 3rd – that's 5 networking events for the price of four.
The luncheon scheduled for tomorrow, 10/14, has been postponed until next week, Wednesday 10/21.
Invitations will arrive via email – keep an eye on your inbox this week.
Our featured speaker will be John Achillea, Store Manager for the new IKEA.
The next meeting for the Forest Park South Business Association is Wednesday, May 13th at 8:30am in Park Central's office at 4512 Manchester Ave.
Why did you decide to establish your business in this neighborhood?
The Grove is changing, growing, and becoming an up and coming neighborhood, we wanted to be a part of The Grove's renaissance!
What is your favorite aspect of the business community in Forest Park South?
Diversity. With the array of restaurants, bars, shops, and venues, the business community in Forest Park South seemed the perfect spot for something fun and different like a Tiki bar.
How long have you had your business here?
We have been open for one year.
To Provide St. Louis with a fun, relaxing atmosphere, delicious drinks, friendly service all with a Tiki Twist!
Honestly, we wanted to have some fun!
To create a fun and relaxing environment, and Island Paradise right here in Missouri, and to provide our guests with an experience that will leave them excited to come back!
What would you like others to know about your business?
We feel privileged to be a part of this neighborhood, and we're excited to grow and move forward as a part of the Forest Park South Business community.
Our Skewers paired with a Mai Tai or Zombie! Always hits the spot!
What would surprise people most about your business?
That we are a TWISTED Tiki bar! Not just Tiki, not just a bar… a twisted blend of both! There's something here for everyone!
A diverse blend of awesome people!


Checkbox question: limit max number of choices based on value in previous question?
in a checkbox question, i would like to limit the number of boxes checked.
I can do this automatically in the question set-up itself if the number is fixed.
However, I would like to have this depend on the value entererd in a previous question.


Apple users are reporting of problems using Mail in Mac OS X Mavericks: missing messages, the Mail app doesn't quit and problems between Mavericks and Gmail are all being reported.
In this feature we'll take a look at Mavericks Mail and offer some fixes for common problems. These can be used to help fix Mail in Mavericks. There are other problems and solutions surfacing, so please add any other notes in the comments.
One General fix that you can try to fix an unruly Mail is to rebuild the Mailbox. This helps fix and general problems with a Mailbox you might have. Follow these steps to rebuild a mailbox.
This should rebuild the Mailbox and ensure that it has the correct structure.
OS X Mavericks review: Masses of new features - and it's free!
Restart your Mac (make sure that Reopen windows when logging back in is not ticked).
Click on System Preferences and choose Internet Accounts.
Click on the first account in the sidebar and click Remove (the '-' in the bottom). and choose Delete From Mac.
Now delete all the other accounts using the same process.
Now reactivate all accounts by clicking on each icon in the main window (iCloud, Google and so on) and entering your User ID and Password.
Note! If you have a POP email account you will remove and lose older emails.
See: What are the best alternatives to Mail on a Mac?
Several users have mentioned getting blank messages in Mavericks after upgrading.
Head to user/Library/Mail/V2 and you should see folders for all your Mail accounts.
Choose Apple Mail > Continue.
It should import the mail in to new folder called Import in Mail. You can then rename this folder or click and drag the messages into the folder you want.
Gmail appears to be causing special problem for Mavericks users. Google has implemented a range of new features into Gmail, such as improved message search and tabs. This has caused problems with some of the new features in Mavericks.
Mavericks is especially wary of Google's All Mail setting, which may cause a Gmail account to download multiple emails.
Either way we believe that currently Gmail has issues with Mavericks, including slow performance. Some users report emails taking days to arrive. Apple is reported to be working on a fix and our advice is to use the Gmail web browser for a short while, or switch to iCloud or another server for your primary email. We think Apple and Google will issue a fix for this shortly.


Boo! Happy Halloween! November is here! Whoopee!
November 1st can be really scary if your giving numbers or metrics are not where they "should" be. Are you reaching for the excuses? Too many competing drives in the community…not enough staff….need more people in the pipeline…the new tax laws.
Let's stop the blame game and embrace this generous time of year! It's a great time to be raising money. The economy is strong and people are feeling comfortable with their resources! They are interested and willing to invest in causes important to them.
Set your intentions for success and let's go!
Whatever you intended to do before now, forget it. Just start today. Don't freeze over what isn't done. Adjust to what makes sense now and implement what you select to do with gusto.
BIG donors want BIG VISIONS! Meeting your budget short-fall is hardly inspiring. You can certainly ask for operations support, but tell that story in terms of what each dollar will do for the trees, cats, babies, students, elderly, abused person, gifted student, water quality… You must see a big, bold future for your organization and inspire your donors to see it too.
3. Decide on the biggest gift YOU are going to give!
Give with JOY! Be clear on why you give and be prepared to tell your own story! Stay excited and positive about giving and your organization.
4. Use partners and small groups.
The holidays are a perfect time to connect people. Bring along a board member (not to ask), another donor, another staff member. Make it fun! Talk about what others are doing to wrap up the giving year on a high note.
5. Reach out NOW to reconnect.
These folks need a sincere reminder. You are probably part of their giving plans they just need prompting. Use this call to sort out who is considering a gift from the rest. "Hi, Marcy here. Just checking in to see if investing with us again this year is something you are considering." Or "I want to be sure I am available to help you accomplish your year-end giving plans with us." They will most likely say, "Yes, need to get thinking about this" or "No, I am not planning a gift this year." This lets you focus on the folks who want to give. Narrow the list.
7. Say "Thanks" with NO ASK.
'Thank you' with your hand out for more is a big turnoff for all donors.
"Giving thanks for you today!" Be genuinely grateful for the gift THEY choose to make.
8. Identify 3 key messages that clearly describe your organization.
What do you want anyone to immediately think when they hear your organization's name? Use your year-end visits to give everyone the vocabulary to talk about what you do. Say these phrases in every call, every time. Whatever happens this year, you are setting up a strong mental link for enhanced future giving. Keep the focus on the heart. Donors give with their hearts and justify it with facts…later.
'Have you ever experienced this?' 'Remember when you were such and such?' 'You are important to the kids living in the shelter'. All YOU!! Not 'we' and 'I'. Remember it's your donor's timeline, interests and values you are connecting for good this holiday. Your words are containers of power.
10. ASK your BEST year-end MAJOR donors.
These are high in your "best guess" rating for Capacity, Interest and Readiness based on what you know. Remember, in response to surveys DONORS ranked, "I was asked" as the second highest reason they gave. The first was belief in your mission and wanting to make a difference. Use my 3-sentence ask! No judgment about the size or purpose or if they say it is not a fit.
GET OUT AND TALK TO PEOPLE! Don't get distracted with year-end giving gimmicks and if you are a small staff, pick a few things….year-end letter, Giving Tuesday and 3 emails that last few days of the year. Do those well.
Invite others to invest! Be light-hearted, upbeat, fun and positive. Leave any snarkiness, politics, and whining out of your calls. Be someone others WANT to see! This is true even if your cause is more solemn.
There is still plenty of time to see your most IMPORTANT folks and artfully ask them to join you in doing your good work. Sometimes instead of running from something scary in your life it's easier to learn not to be scared of it! Set you mind to success. Choose energy! Choose joy! Choose fun! I know you can do it!
Next post: Thankful for You!