text:
Healing Faith
Deans Books
The Surgeon's Sin
Thirteen Miracles–A Neurosurgeon Meets Jesus
Connect With Dean
Dean Lohse
Our Salvation is Near
And do this, understanding the hour as already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. Romans 13:11
Our Salvation is Nearer Now
When I arrived in Davao City with Len back in 1998, I expected to maybe go with teams on "practical training" as part of the EE course, carry the first aid kit, and maintain a low profile. But then, on the first jet-lagged night there, our host, Pastor Nick, asked each of us team members to speak in front of his church in the morning.
"Me?" I asked, surprised.
"Especially you," Pastor Nick said. "People will want to know why an American neurosurgeon came all the way to the Philippines for an evangelism mission."
I wrestled with the question through the night, and the Holy Spirit gave me two stories to tell.
In the first, I was just starting for home one afternoon when I got a call from the St. Luke's ER about a woman with a head injury. Already in the car, I was there in only a few minutes.
The patient was a thirty-year-old woman on her way home from work at Publix. A car ran a red light and hit her broadside. Initially awake at the scene, she had become drowsy and then comatose. By the time I arrived her examination showed a right-sided dilated pupil and deep coma and the CT scan demonstrated a large blood clot on the surface of her brain.
I called the operating room to prepare for an emergency operation. To save critical time, I shaved her head in the ER while waiting for the OR to be ready. The surgery was tense, but ultimately successful, the clot removed, any bleeding points controlled, and by the time she reached the recovery room she was in stable condition, no longer needing a ventilator. I stayed with her for a while, talked over her brush with death with her mother and husband, then eventually went home after she had been transferred, awake and talking, to the ICU.
In the morning she was comfortable and happy to be alive. Her husband and mother were with her. I felt like a hero, a savior so to speak; this was one who had surely been snatched back from the jaws of death.
Then I decided to changed her bandage. I cut off the large turban-like dressing and was about to put on a lighter, more comfortable wound covering. Before I could do that though, she asked for a mirror. When she saw the wound and her missing hair, she wailed uncontrollably. She couldn't celebrate her salvation without her hair. The effect was not brief, either. Although her neurologic recovery was immediate and her wound healed quickly and her hair grew back, she suffered from depression and PTSD.
A few months later, I was called to Brooks Rehab to see a patient who had suffered paralysis due to a gunshot wound to the thoracic spine several weeks before, treated at another hospital and subsequently transferred to the Brooks. The question on the consult was whether or not she needed to continue to wear a brace now six weeks after her injury. I looked at the x-rays on my way to Brooks and had already determined that the brace was no longer necessary, and furthermore the question could have been resolved by a phone call to the original treating surgeon. I was irritated about wasting an hour of my precious life filling out a consult so that the the rehab staff didn't have to spend five minutes making a phone call. But complaining would take more effort than finishing the job. All I had to do was talk to the patient, do a brief exam, and write a note explaining what I already knew. I sighed, quite aware that I could nothing for her, before finding the patient in her room.
"Can you tell me what happened?" I said.
"The best thing in my whole life," she replied.
I stared at her, a thirty-something year-old woman who looked way older than her stated age. Her face was sallow and wrinkled, her hair prematurely gray, disheveled and greasy from too many weeks in the hospital. She must have misunderstood me.
"No, no," I said. "I meant about the spinal cord injury, the gunshot wound."
"Yes, of course," she said. "The best thing that ever happened to me."
I realized then that this would not be a normal conversation. She was probably insane.
"Okay, I'll bite," I said. "I've seen lots of people with spinal cord injuries. Some adjust better than others, some adjust quicker, some slower, but I have never heard anybody say it was the best thing that ever happened to them."
She smiled. "It was for me. I was an addict working as a prostitute to support my habit," she said. "A family of Christians lived in my neighborhood. They knew what I was doing. Every day I would walk by their house, and these little children would say something like, 'Miss JoAnn, won't you come in?' or 'Miss JoAnn, Jesus loves you.' The last time it was the little boy. He said, 'Miss JoAnn, Jesus loves you and we are praying for you.'
"I remember thinking I'd come and visit the next day, after one more high. But that's what I told myself every day. A couple hours later I got shot in a drug deal gone bad. I woke up three days later in the hospital unable to move my legs."
She paused, collecting her thoughts and trying to form an explanation.
"But three great things happened to me that day. The first: I was delivered from 20 years of addiction to crack cocaine. The second: I was delivered from 18 years of prostitution. The third: I found Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I have joy in my heart for the first time since I was a child. So if I never walk again, it's a pretty good trade."
Now I have to ask you: The first patient, I performed an operation that snatched her back from the jaws of death, and she was miserable. The second patient, I did nothing for, and she gained eternal life and joy.
You all know by now that I like to be the hero in my own story. Don't we all? But I'm holding up a couple of little boys who told a drug-addicted prostitute that God loved her. They woke from their precious little slumbers every day and acted with the "Do This" of Romans 13:11. The "Do This," to fulfill the commandments of God by loving their neighbor. Maybe their salvation was nearer now than when they first believed…I don't know…but JoAnn's certainly was.
Time's up. Some things can't wait. If you're a doctor, you wake up to treat a medical emergency.
If you're a Christian, you wake up to:
1.) "Do this," by which he means love your neighbor,
2.) "understanding present time:" by which he meant we understand the reality of The Kingdom of God and the illusion of the Kingdom of the World.
3.) "the hour has come for you to awake from you slumber,"meaning that God has put opportunities before you this very moment, to feed the hungry, to heal the sick, to clothe the naked, to visit those in prison, and, most importantly, to tell them that God loves them, would never leave them, has sent His son for them and He is here right now, and if you turn around and reach out, He will hold you forever.
4.) "because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed," meaning that our salvation is the salvation of the world, it is the Kingdom Come, and it started for each of us the moment we first believed, and it will never end.
We are about to meet our Maker. The Kingdom is right here, sometimes behind the thin screen between Here and There, between Now and Then, maybe a step through the mysterious Higgs field to the place where physicists tell us comes all matter. We are about to slough off the material world and the constraints of time, and return to the ultimate and original reality.
What is beyond the Higgs field is uncertain. But the certainty of that meeting with our Maker is absolute. We will see clearly then, as we are now looking as through a foggy mirror. That is not in question. But what will we see?
I feel like we will see every moment in our life, each opportunity taken and each opportunity missed, and the consequences of every decision we have ever made in this life in the context of the complete physical and spiritual universe–heaven and earth if you will. This is something like the Nirvana that Buddhists work toward and ultimate awareness that Hindus and other Eastern meditation disciplines work towards.
But it is not great.
With our inevitable human weakness so exposed and compared to the beauty of the true universe, we will see clearly each and every one of our failures, the evils of our hearts, the lies we told, and the betrayals we made, and the opportunities we missed. We will wail inconsolably. This is the fulfillment of ultimate awareness, and it will never end. And it is Hell.
Unless you know Jesus.
That will be the moment when unconditional love and forgiveness of sins becomes real. That's when you can let go of all the opportunities missed and celebrate the few opportunities taken. That's when Esther gets to be glad she took Uncle Mordecai's advice: "And who knows that you have come to royal position for just such a time as this?"
Our salvation is near. The moment of ultimate awareness and ultimate forgiveness is here. And we have been put in a royal place for such a time, The Present Times, as we are living right now. Our salvation is near.
An email you'll always want to open.
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Image Galleries » TMC Chase
@tmc-chase 4 years ago
Race preview from June 25, 1948 edition of The Daily Tar Heel:
Stock Car Racing Opens Sunday at Hillsboro Track
Ranking stock car drivers of the country will be competing for a $4,000 purse at the new Occoneechee Speedway, located two miles east of Hillsboro on the old Durham highway, Sunday afternoon when this famous one-mile dirt track is officially opened.
Time trials will start Saturday afternoon, being slated for 1 o'clock. All cars not qualified Saturday afternoon will start at 1 o'clock Sunday afternoon. The 15-lap consolation race will start at 2:45 o'clock Sunday with the 100-lap feature starting at 3:30 o'clock.
Promoter Bill France, the genial pioneer of the stock car racing business, is anticipating a record field of entries for the national championship event, sanctioned by the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. Thirty drivers will be allowed to compete for the main purse in the 100-mile feature event, these being selected on the basis of their qualifying times Saturday and Sunday.
The new banked track is one of the most beautiful racing plants in America, being constructed on the famous horse racing track that attracted race fans from all sections of the south to the famous Occoneechee farm for many years.
With 100 acres of land available for parking space, plenty of parking areas are provided to accommodate the huge crowd expected to attend this national championship event in the 100-mile class.
All three of the Flock brothers, rated as Atlanta's gift to racedom, will compete in this big race. Fonty Flock, the 1947 national champion, regained his position as the No. 1 man for the national championship race this season by winning the feature at Birmingham last Sunday, while brothers Bob and Tim made it a clean sweep for the Flock family by winning feature races at Columbus, Ga., and Greensboro in other important events last Sunday.
@dave-fulton 4 years ago
Either the Associated Press or the Spartanburg paper relocated Red Byron's Anniston, Alabama hometown to Louisiana. Anniston is where most of the racing crowd traditionally stayed during Talladega races. It is also where one of my all-time favorite drivers - Al Grinnan drove his first race while stationed at the Anniston Army base during the Korean war. And, on the dark side, Anniston is also where the Greyhound bus carrying Freedom Riders was torched in the early 60s.
Not your father's Oldsmobile
S. Huggins
johnny ratliff
John Calvaresi2
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The Loudonville Post Office is located in the state of Ohio within Ashland County. This location serves 5,436 Loudonville residents with a median income of $45,017. It's estimated that approximately 8,676 packages pass through this post office each year.


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What we do/ Our Projects/ Master Shipwright's House
Advising on the former Master Shipwright's House part of Henry VIII's great naval expansion programme in the 16th century
Master Shipwright's House
Planning and Heritage
The Grade II* house is the only remaining above ground structure at the Royal Dockyard. With a large development approved next door – Convoys Wharf, the owners wanted to understand the feasibility, constraints and opportunities of their site and how it might be linked to the new development.
Instructed as heritage consultants, we completed a Significance Assessment of the site. With its' location on the River Thames and many historical assets close by, we studied the contribution the site makes to the setting of the local historical assets and the riverscape. We assessed the views and the sensitivity of the them and understood how the immediate setting had changed over time.
Dividing up the site into different character areas, we evaluated the potential benefits and constraints of each area on the site, making clear where the opportunities were to enhance the significance of the assets and to highlight benefits.
Completing a design framework assisted the architects to understand the site better and what we would be looking for from a heritage perspective. Negotiations were completed with Historic England discussing the potential for the site, and a pre-application was submitted to Lewisham Council.
An extremely important and prominent site on the riverscape and with close community connections. Our advice enabled the owner to have a sound basis on which to make their decision, to fully understand the constraints of the site and where they could look to enhance it to integrate with Convoy Wharf.
Kate Hannelly-Brown
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text:
SEX PREDATOR LAW: Law could force Kitsap, other counties to site halfway houses
— Mar 22nd, 2002
OLYMPIA (AP) - A bill that could ultimately force six more counties to house sex predators was signed into law Thursday by Gov. Gary Locke.
Senate Bill 6594 would allow the state to suspend land-use laws in Kitsap, King, Thurston, Snohomish, Clark and Spokane counties if the counties didn't change their laws and zoning to allow the siting of halfway houses for sex predators.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Don Carlson, R-Vancouver, fulfills a commitment made to Pierce County when lawmakers forced placement of a 24-person halfway house on McNeil Island last year.
The state is under court order to find transitional housing for sex offenders released from the Special Commitment Center - also on McNeil Island. Predictably, neighborhoods across the state have strongly resisted having former sex offenders move in.
So far, only one sex predator has been moved from the Special Commitment Center, which houses more than 150 sex predators, into the halfway house.
In 1990, the state Legislature passed the Community Protection Act, which allows the state to civilly commit sexually violent predators after they've served their prison time.
A federal court ruled in 1994 that the state can't use the Special Commitment Center to lock up sex predators indefinitely; it must provide treatment, including the chance for offenders to live in less restrictive housing in the community.
KITSAP COUNTY: Locals asked to plan for return of sex predators
* Kitsap must have a facility that can house three sex predators on conditional release. Local government officials made it clear Tuesday that they're not eager to begin planning to house violent sex predators here. Especially when there's no state money yet to help. ... [Read More...]
THE 2002 LEGISLATURE: HOUSE AND SENATE WRAPUP
HOUSE ROUNDUP On the last day for the Legislature to consider non-budget bills, the House passed measures on nurse overtime, the Seattle monorail, car theft and sick leave. * Nurses could no longer be forced to work overtime under the bill passed 82-14 in ... [Read More...]
Seattle site chosen for sex offender halfway house
OLYMPIA (AP) -- A new halfway house for violent sex offenders will be located in south Seattle, state officials announced Wednesday. The two-story warehouse at 132 South Spokane St., in a mostly industrial area, was selected over suburban sites in Auburn and south Seattle ... [Read More...]
SEX PREDATORS: Judge tells state to build more halfway houses
TACOMA (AP) - A federal judge says the state needs to build more halfway houses for sex predators released from the Special Commitment Center on McNeil Island. U.S. District Judge Barbara Rothstein praised the state, however, for making progress in how it ... [Read More...]
LEGISLATURE: McNeil halfway house clears committee
OLYMPIA (AP) - A proposed 36-bed halfway house for sex offenders on McNeil Island passed a House committee Friday, setting up a vote on the House floor. Gov. Gary Locke proposed the $5 million project earlier this month as a way to cope with ... [Read More...]


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Eclectic Chair 46 #Podcast & #Playlist 9 August 2015
Susie Blue & The Lonesome Cowboys
(Solitaire Miles) who says to
Hang Your Head In Shame,
Circe Link experiences
The Kindness Of Strangers on
Bird's Amazing Odyssey & The Meaning of Tea,
Tokyo Rosenthal misses The Cold War
with an Afterlife,
Ani DiFranco pumps Fuel
from her Little Plastic Castle,
Eric Bannan has A Better Look at Life
with A Box Full of Happiness
when he's Stumbling Towards The Light,
Jeff Yantz remains Mr. Happy who
does indeed Dance In The Rain,
Alden Sawyer & The El Coyote House Band
are Walkin' On Water
Come Monday In Radio Contact,
The Western Shore tell Lazarus
You Can't Make Old Friends
in a Thunderstorm,
Alden Sawyer spots a Dead Head
on a Train with a Higher Education
of Everything Bud,
Alden Sawyer has Hard Times
escorting us into Hour Two with his
Midlife Crisis Sunrise at The Joshua Tree,
Circe Link & Christian Nesmith are Getting Old
together thanks to Dumb Luck,
Barrence Whitfield and The Savages
serve Incarceration Casserole
smelling Bad News Perfume
Under The Savage Sky,
Buddy Guy was Born To Play Guitar
sharing Whiskey, Beer & Wine,
The Bar Brawl III (Chris Rhodes,
Matt Thomas & Victor Ziolkowski)
I Fought The Bottle because You Only Love Me
When You're Drunk on The Bar Brawl 3,
Tokyo Rosenthal brings The Pearl from Afterlife,
Leroy Powell and The Messengers
know Time Flies for The Overlords of the
Cosmic Revelation and
a final podcast within
our podcast returns with
The Lazy Person's Book Club Presents
Blame It On Hoboken
by Sharon Glassman:
The Podcast Chapter Nine Bowled Over
and will be finished via Studio 2B or not 2B
links to be shared here weekly
as Trish is addicted too!
Finally, Harpeth Rising returns
The Eclectic Chair back upside down
on the table asking
to Dance Me to the End of Love
from Shifted.
Take Your Seat!
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChbs7Pdh5R9HPFeiIDUz7KA
The Review: http://www.newreviewsite.com/index.php
1. Susie Blue & The Lonesome Cowboys (Solitaire Miles) "Hang Your Head In Shame" Susie Blue & The Lonesome Cowboys 2015 Seraphic Records http://www.susiebluelonesomefellas.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/susiebluelonesomefellas or https://twitter.com/solitairemiles
2. Circe Link "The Kindness Of Strangers" Bird's Amazing Odyssey & The Meaning of Tea 2015 Blackwings Multi Media http://www.circelink.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/circe.link or https://twitter.com/circelink
3. Tokyo Rosenthal "The Cold War" Afterlife 2015 Rock & Socks Records http://www.tokyorosenthal.com/ or https://www.reverbnation.com/tokyorosenthal or https://www.youtube.com/user/lovewonout8 or https://www.facebook.com/pages/TOKYO-ROSENTHAL/101207418654
4. Tokyo Rosenthal "Afterlife" Afterlife 2015 Rock & Socks Records http://www.tokyorosenthal.com/ or https://www.reverbnation.com/tokyorosenthal or https://www.youtube.com/user/lovewonout8 or https://www.facebook.com/pages/TOKYO-ROSENTHAL/101207418654
5. Ani DiFranco "Fuel" Little Plastic Castle 1998 Righteous Babe Records http://www.righteousbabe.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/anidifranco or https://twitter.com/anidifranco
6. Eric Bannan "A Better Look at Life" Stumbling Towards The Light 2015 Self http://wp2015.ericbannan.com/ or https://www.reverbnation.com/ericbannan or https://www.facebook.com/EricBfromNC
7. Eric Bannan "A Box Full of Happiness" Stumbling Towards The Light 2015 Self http://wp2015.ericbannan.com/ or https://www.reverbnation.com/ericbannan or https://www.facebook.com/EricBfromNC
8. Jeff Yantz "Mr. Happy" Dance In The Rain 2011 Big Forehead Music Publishing LLC
9. Alden Sawyer & The El Coyote House Band "Walkin' On Water" In Radio Contact 2013 Homecoming Records http://www.aldenspond.com/ or https://www.youtube.com/user/aldenspond
10. Alden Sawyer & The El Coyote House Band "Come Monday" In Radio Contact 2013 Homecoming Records http://www.aldenspond.com/ or https://www.youtube.com/user/aldenspond
11. The Western Shore "Lazarus" Thunderstorm 2015 Self http://thewesternshore.bandcamp.com/releases or https://www.facebook.com/thewesternshore
12. The Western Shore "You Can't Make Old Friends" Thunderstorm 2015 Self http://thewesternshore.bandcamp.com/releases or https://www.facebook.com/thewesternshore
13. Alden Sawyer "Dead Head on a Train" Everything Bud 2012 Homecoming Records http://www.aldenspond.com/ or https://www.youtube.com/user/aldenspond
14. Alden Sawyer "Higher Education" Everything Bud 2012 Homecoming Records http://www.aldenspond.com/ or https://www.youtube.com/user/aldenspond
15. Alden Sawyer "Hard Times" Sunrise at The Joshua Tree 2012 Homecoming Records http://www.aldenspond.com/ or https://www.youtube.com/user/aldenspond
16. Alden Sawyer "Midlife Crisis" Sunrise at The Joshua Tree 2012 Homecoming Records http://www.aldenspond.com/ or https://www.youtube.com/user/aldenspond
17. Circe Link "Getting Old" Dumb Luck 2013 Blackwings Multimedia http://www.circelink.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/circe.link or https://www.facebook.com/christian.nesmith.5 or https://twitter.com/circelink
18. Barrence Whitfield and The Savages "Incarceration Casserole" Under The Savage Sky 2015 Bloodshot Records https://www.bloodshotrecords.com/ or http://barrencewhitfieldsavages.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/BarrenceWhitfieldSavages
19. Barrence Whitfield and The Savages "Bad News Perfume" Under The Savage Sky 2015 Bloodshot Records https://www.bloodshotrecords.com/ or http://barrencewhitfieldsavages.com/
20. Buddy Guy "Born To Play Guitar" Born To Play Guitar 2015 Silvertone/RCA Records http://www.rcarecords.com/home or http://www.buddyguy.net/ or https://www.facebook.com/therealbuddyguy
21. Buddy Guy "Whiskey, Beer & Wine" Born To Play Guitar 2015 Silvertone/RCA Records http://www.rcarecords.com/home or http://www.buddyguy.net/
22. The Bar Brawl III (Chris Rhodes) "I Fought The Bottle" The Bar Brawl 3 2015 Self https://www.barbrawl3.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/TheBarBrawl or https://www.reverbnation.com/thebarbrawl3
23. The Bar Brawl III (Chris Rhodes) "You Only Love Me When You're Drunk" The Bar Brawl 3 2015 Self https://www.barbrawl3.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/TheBarBrawl or https://www.reverbnation.com/thebarbrawl3
24. Tokyo Rosenthal "The Pearl" Afterlife 2015 Rock & Socks Records http://www.tokyorosenthal.com/ or https://www.reverbnation.com/tokyorosenthal or https://www.youtube.com/user/lovewonout8 or https://www.facebook.com/pages/TOKYO-ROSENTHAL/101207418654
25. Leroy Powell and The Messengers "Time Flies" The Overlords of the Cosmic Revelation 2015 Cleopatra Records http://cleorecs.com/ or http://lp.leroypowell.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/leroywpowell or https://www.reverbnation.com/leroypowell
26. Leroy Powell and The Messengers "The Overlords of the Cosmic Revelation" The Overlords of the Cosmic Revelation 2015 Cleopatra Records http://cleorecs.com/ or http://lp.leroypowell.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/leroywpowell or https://www.reverbnation.com/leroypowell
27. The Lazy Person's Book Club Presents Blame It On Hoboken by Sharon Glassman: The Podcast Chapter Nine "Bowled Over" 2015 Self http://sharonglassmanlive.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/SharonGlassmanLive or https://www.youtube.com/user/SharonGlassmanLive or https://twitter.com/ClassicQuirkySG
28. Harpeth Rising "Dance Me to the End of Love" Shifted 2015 Grimm Rising http://www.harpethrising.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/harpethrising or https://twitter.com/harpethrising


text:
Home MMA News Chael Sonnen Chael Sonnen: Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier will never be discussed again...
Chael Sonnen: Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier will never be discussed again following UFC 241
Fernando Quiles
Chael Sonnen believes a third fight between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier is now out of the question.
This past Saturday night (Aug. 17), Cormier and Stipe Miocic collided in a rematch for the UFC heavyweight title at UFC 241. While Cormier knocked out Miocic back in July 2018, the Cleveland native got his revenge. Miocic stopped Cormier in the fourth round via TKO to reclaim the heavyweight gold. Miocic became just the second man to defeat Cormier in MMA competition.
One key takeaway that Sonnen has from the conclusion of the bout is that fight fans can rule out seeing Jones vs. Cormier III.
"That fight cost Jon Jones $8 million," Sonnen said in a video on his YouTube channel. "Put it that way. That's how much it just changed the future. Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier will never even be discussed again. Let alone happen again. It will never even come up again. The only way you're gonna get Daniel back, I can all but assure you guys you are gonna get Daniel back, but let me play along. The only way you're gonna get Daniel back now is Daniel vs. Stipe."
Sonnen went on to say that he feels that Miocic vs. Cormier III makes more sense than Jones vs. Cormier III at this point.
"One of the things that was important for most of us, if Daniel was to fight Jon again they do it at heavyweight," Sonnen continued. "They gotta change the weight class. That's simply just not gonna happen. Now Daniel has a true trilogy fight. A true one. Jon wasn't really a trilogy fight, don't forget. Yes it was the third fight, but a trilogy by colloquial is supposed to mean two guys fight, one guy won and the other guy won so now we go and settle it in the best two of three. That's not what happened."
Do you think all hope is lost for a third bout between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier?
This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 8/19/2019.


There is a rising amount of data generated every day – pieces of information generated from basically every human interaction. As we carry our smartphones, tablets, laptops and fitness trackers, among other connected devices, with us, all the transactions, purchases, searches, page visits and app usage generate huge volumes of data.
We generate data when we drive our cars and when we travel – basically every footstep we take generates data. To this we can add all the data generated from billions of sensors, industrial machinery and complex systems such as an industrial production line, a logistic system or a public transportation system. A single jet engine can generate 1 TB of data in one flight, and 58 Petabytes of data are transferred on mobile networks globally every day.
Thanks to new analytical and algorithmic tools, these rising amounts of data can now be analyzed across networks to enable new forms of collective reasoning for improved decision-making and automated tasks. Organizations can gather and synthesize this data – whether it's their own, shared or open data – dynamically and in real time, giving them a new resource to deliver insights that were never before possible. However, without trust in the privacy and security of data used in these applications, the potential benefits in these areas will be severely limited.
Mikael is Senior Lead Designer at Ericsson UX Lab and an Ericsson Evangelist. He was previously Director at the Networked Society Lab. His specialty is in understanding how consumer behavior, emerging technologies and new industry logics are shaping the future society and in the intersection of these areas build great user experiences. Mikael believes that with the ongoing digital transformation we have a great opportunity to shape a better world. Mikael joined Ericsson in 1998 and is based in Stockholm. You can engage with him on Twitter at: @mikaeleb or at LinkedIn.


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The Best Restaurants on Chicago's North Side
© Westend61 / Getty Images
After a long day of shopping and sightseeing in Chicago, settle in for a slap up feast at one of our favourite North Side eateries.
Restaurant, Bar, Steakhouse, $$$
Located in the center of a major shopping district, Gibsons is a great place to settle in for a drink, appetizer or full meal after a day of trying on clothes. Better still, Gibsons lies next to its sister restaurant, the seafood-focused Hugo's Frog and Fish House. Customers at either location are welcome to order from both menus.
1028 North Rush Street, Rush & Division, Chicago, Illinois, 60611, USA
Restaurant, Steakhouse, $$$
Maple and Ash is a steakhouse with an innovative spin | Courtesy of Maple and Ash
Your meal at this upscale steakhouse is in the expert hands of chef Danny Grant, who has two Michelin stars. In 2016, Maple and Ash was also recognized as one of America's Best Wine Restaurants. Not only is the restaurant known for its outstanding customer service but also for its dedication to ensuring that its customers have a good time. If you're looking for a fun and festive night out, Maple and Ash is the place for you.
8 West Maple Street, Rush & Division, Chicago, Illinois, 60610, USA
Bar, Hotel Restaurant, American, $$$
Located inside The Drake Hotel, this seductive bar and restaurant was the second establishment to receive a liquor license in Chicago in post-Prohibition 1933 (see The Berghoff Restaurant above for the first!). Every weekend, patrons are treated to live piano music at Coq D'Or, a name that means "young rooster." Coq D'Or has partnered with FEW Spirits, a distillery nearby, to create a delectable rye whiskey; you could even join the bar's Whiskey Business club that offers members exclusive invitations to tastings throughout the year. Another perk? Philadelphia's Bookbinder restaurant, which has been in business since 1865, has allowed Coq D'Or to serve its incredible red snapper soup since 1930. A perfect blend of tomato, roux, and fish, the soup was voted best in the city. This is certainly a swanky, classic Chicago spot for expertly mixed cocktails and a taste of the city's history.
140 E Walton Place, Gold Coast, Chicago, Illinois, 60611, USA
Gourmet, Nightlife, Fine Dining
Bar, Pub, Restaurant, American, Irish, $$$
The Green Door Tavern is a neighborhood favorite with a long history | © The Green Door Tavern
It's impossible not to notice the distinct lean of The Green Door Tavern. Built in 1872, right after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, this is one of the only wooden commercial structures still standing in downtown Chicago. Just after being built, the building settled, resulting in its signature tilt. In 1921, the establishment transitioned from a grocery store into a restaurant and bar. The iconic pub got its name because its front door was painted green during Prohibition, an indication liquor could be found somewhere inside. Today, the restaurant serves delicious food and patrons can sit at the bar on some of the stools original to the 1921 establishment. The walls—and ceilings—are also covered in memorabilia from years past, effectively creating three dimensional wallpaper along every wooden panel. For those with a taste for adventure, head to the basement and into The Drifter, a tiny speakeasy space reminiscent of the 1920s. Who knows what you might find inside…
678 North Orleans Street, River North, Chicago, Illinois, 60654, USA
Brunch, Lunch, Dinner
Casual, Loud, Cosy, Speakeasy
Restaurant, Mexican, Fast Food, $$$
As the sign outside says, Velvet Taco is open really late, but that's not the only reason to head to this Gold Coast hotspot. Its range of exotic and unusual tacos features such exciting options as spicy tikka chicken, Nashville hot tofu, fried paneer, shrimp and grits and fish n' chips. Don't forget to accompany them with tater tots, a slab of red velvet cake and a margarita.
1110 North State Street, Rush & Division, Chicago, Illinois, 60610, USA
Restaurant, Halal, Middle Eastern
For something a bit hotter, Chicago has two The Halal Guys locations, with the Gold Coast restaurant your best option for late-night eats as it stays open until 4 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Evolving from a single hot dog stand in N.Y.C., this chain has since spread across the U.S. and Asia, selling sandwiches and platters of beef gyro, falafel and chicken, accompanied by hummus, baba ganouj and its famous white and hot sauce.
172 North Wabash Avenue, Chicago Loop, Chicago, Illinois, 60601, USA
Bar, American, $$$
I | O Godfrey | © Kailley Lindman
I|O Godfrey is not as high up as some of the other rooftops in the city, but it's a swanky spot to hang with your friends where you can still feel the pulse of the city. This rooftop is open year round, and we recommend ordering the lobster Benedict, vegetable spring rolls or the charcoal grilled octopus.
127 West Huron Street, River North, Chicago, Illinois, 60654, USA
Restaurant, American
It's with good reason that Portillo's has long been a cheap-eats staple in Chicago; the beloved Chicago-style hotdogs are no more than $4 and piled high with mustard, relish, celery salt, chopped onions, tomatoes, a kosher pickle and sport peppers. The rest of the fast-food-centric menu is just as wallet-friendly, peppered with the likes of a char-broiled chicken sandwich ($5.29), an Italian beef sandwich ($6.29), crinkle-cut fries ($2.69) and a chocolate cake shake ($4.29), which is actually blitzed with ice cream and a slice of chocolate cake.
100 West Ontario Street, River North, Chicago, Illinois, 60654, USA
Courtesy of the Drake / Expedia
Inside The Drake Hotel, lies an extraordinary restaurant called Palm Court. Palm Court is known for having the most beautiful afternoon tea experience and The Drake has been hosting tea for about a century. History has been made here because of visitors like Princess Diana and Queen Elizabeth. With over 17 different options of tea and accommodating dietary options, this is an enjoyable affair for any occasion. Finally, you can expect a live harp to be playing in the Palm Court everyday except Monday and Tuesday.
Bar, Restaurant, American, $$$
This bar and restaurant mixes up the typical nightlife scene in Chicago's River North neighborhood. Patrons can eat delicious pub food (or amazing brunch options on the weekends) while playing one of 65 vintage arcade games. Plus, the Bloody Marys are insane. Along with pickled veggies like green beans and asparagus, the skewer sticking out of the glass includes meat, cheese, and a full White Castle slider. It's called the Slip 'n Slider. A word of warning: Don't stop at the skewer! The basil and garlic-infused vodka mixed with a homemade tomato concoction with lashings of Sriracha and horseradish is just as tasty – if not more so – as that slider.
213 W Institute Place, River North, Chicago, Illinois, 60610, USA
Brunch, Dinner
Casual, Loud, Nightlife
Gastropub, American, Pub Grub, Cocktails, Wine, Beer, Belgian, $$$
This gastropub on the Near North Side has just opened inside a stunningly refurbished 129-year-old building, and the signs are good for Belgian fans. It has two levels and 56 taps, with an exciting selection of Belgians and Wilds, and a decent bottle and can list. The chef has come from Hopleaf, and knows a thing or two about pairing food and beer.
733 North LaSalle Drive, River North, Chicago, Illinois, 60654, USA
Everything Rolls | © Anjali Pinto
The unsung heroes at Pacific Standard Time are the kitchen's wood-burning hearths. Soft, pull-apart milk rolls peppered with every bagel spice are yanked out of the fire, golden brown and prepped to be slathered with whipped cream cheese. The breakfast pizza and wood-fired pita, too, are blistered and charred in the oven, delicately crispy and hot. The rest of the menu leans into west coast cooking: bright, citrus salad, okonomiyaki (a Japanese pancake) with kimchi and scallions, and dreamy seven-spice beer bacon.
141 West Erie Street, River North, Chicago, Illinois, 60654, USA
Bar, Restaurant, Irish, $$$
Since 1961 Butch McGuire's has been serving up a healthy dose of Christmas spirit on the Gold Coast. All year round they're a fantastic Irish bar with delicious food and a friendly atmosphere, but the winter is something special. Every year they decorate the bar with 'a stunning array of lights, garland, quirky mobiles, and two double-decker trains that run throughout the main bar and antique room,' in what has become a definitive Chicago Christmas tradition. Don't miss it.
20 West Division Street, Gold Coast, Chicago, Illinois, 60610, USA
Casual, Cosy
Restaurant, American, Vegan, Vegetarian, $$$
True Food Kitchen's inside-out quinoa burger is both vegetarian and gluten-free | © True Food Kitchen
True Food Kitchen caters to a wealth of people, including carnivores, vegetarians and those who are dairy- or gluten-free. The expansive sit-down restaurant serves up elevated café fare such as a cauliflower polenta bowl rife with asparagus and snap peas; an inside-out quinoa burger swiped with hummus and tzatziki; and a spaghetti squash casserole layered with tomatoes, zucchini and mozzarella. Each dish is marked with a 'v,' 'gf,' or 'veg,' so you'll know exactly what you can order.
1 West Erie Street, River North, Chicago, Illinois, 60654, USA
Restaurant, American, Vegetarian, $$$
The avocado toast is one veggie highlight at Beatrix | © Jeff Marini
Now with three locations, Beatrix continues to serve the Chicago community with vegetable-centric fare. Whether you come for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner, there's always something for non-meat eaters. For brunch, plates of quinoa cakes crowned with poached eggs fly out of the kitchen, and at dinner, you'll want to snack on soft local burrata prepped with oven-dried tomatoes and a vegan eggplant steak showered with breadcrumbs tinged with garlic. On your way out, stop by the coffee and pastry bar, where you can pick up sweets like honey-butter cinnamon rolls, candied orange scones and butterscotch oatmeal cookies.
519 North Clark Street, River North, Chicago, Illinois, 60654, USA


I'm going to come straight out and say it. I LOVE the Buffer scheduler. I have used it since I lost the will to learn about more complicated schedulers on top of learning about social media itself. So I guess that means I have now used it for 7 years.
It allows you to simply manage all your profiles, it has a clever little browser widget which allows you to share the link and headline of any article you wish to share without typing a thing. It has more clever little add ons than you could imagine and, most importantly, it allows you to quickly and easily share other people's posts to all your own social media accounts.
Yes, yes I GET it as users we don't want businesses to keep popping up on our timeline. As the owner of a marketing consultancy, however, I am watching my clients on Facebook tear their hair out as they battle with a rapidly diminished reach since the algorithm changed in January this year. Some larger organisations are publishing a drop of some 90% - yikes!
Why is it necessary to manually enter a message for Facebook when using the Browser Extension?
Buffer's Browser Extension automatically grabs the page title and the link, which you can use to customize your post for Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, Pinterest and Instagram. So why doesn't it pull it in for Facebook? Great question!
Facebook rules stipulate that third party apps, such as Buffer, cannot auto-fill the text update for a post on behalf of users, which means users need to directly input what they'd like to share. We're so sorry about this limitation. We're keeping a close eye on Facebook's guidelines to see if this changes in the future.
Go to your Facebook Page and click on the "Write a post" box as usual. Paste the link and you will the post you want to share in the box.
Select the time you want to share it and click on the blue button which says schedule. When you do that the "Share now" button will change from "Share now" to "Schedule Post" It's important to click on that button too.


text:
Honours and Awards to Women - The Military Medal
Despite the mass of books written in recent years about the service of men during the Great War, the contribution of women has never proved popular as a subject of serious study. This new book by Norman Gooding is a most welcome addition and a complement to his previous volume 'Honours and Awards to Women to 1914' (2007).
The introduction outlines the background to the award, and includes details of the ensuing controversy around the wishes of the Canadian authorities that their nurses were entitled to rather more in the way of awards than those of other nations. There is a thorough biography of every woman attached to the British and Dominion Forces who received the Military Medal, most with photographs and all with citations and background detail. This is followed by a section on those awards that were not announced in the London Gazette, mainly to foreign nationals, and lastly a section on awards of the Military Medal made in the years following the end of the Great War.
The book is meticulously researched and brings together at last the mass of scattered information which has previously been so difficult to gather in one place. It will prove a most useful and complete reference guide for anyone researching women's service during the Great War and a fitting tribute to the contribution they made.
Norman G. Gooding
Savannah Publications, 2013
Labels: A nurse's life, Books, France and Belgium, honours and awards, Military Medal, QAIMNS, Research, St. John Ambulance Brigade, Territorial Force Nursing Service, TFNS, VADs, women's work, WW1


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The abbreviation of the journal title "ACS catalysis" is "ACS Catal.". It is the recommended abbreviation to be used for abstracting, indexing and referencing purposes and meets all criteria of the ISO 4 standard for abbreviating names of scientific journals.
catalysis Catal. matches the stem "catalys-"


text:
//
// Copyright (C) 2014, 2015 Ableton AG, Berlin. All rights reserved.
//
// Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a
// copy of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"),
// to deal in the Software without restriction, including without limitation
// the rights to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense,
// and/or sell copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the
// Software is furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:
//
// The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in
// all copies or substantial portions of the Software.
//
// THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR
// IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY,
// FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL
// THE AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER
// LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING
// FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER
// DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
//

/*!
 * @file
 */

#pragma once

#include <atria/xform/transducer_impl.hpp>
#include <atria/xform/state_wrapper.hpp>
#include <atria/xform/with_state.hpp>
#include <atria/xform/skip.hpp>
#include <atria/prelude/tuplify.hpp>
#include <atria/estd/type_traits.hpp>

namespace atria {
namespace xform {

namespace detail {

struct dedupe_rf_gen
{
  template <typename ReducingFnT>
  struct apply
  {
    ReducingFnT step;

    template <typename StateT, typename ...InputTs>
    auto operator() (StateT&& s, InputTs&& ...is)
      -> decltype(wrap_state(step(state_unwrap(s), is...), tuplify(is...)))
    {
      using result_t   = decltype(wrap_state(step(state_unwrap(s), is...), tuplify(is...)));
      using complete_t = decltype(state_complete(s));

      using wrapped_t   = meta::copy_decay_t<StateT, estd::decay_t<result_t>>;
      using unwrapped_t = meta::copy_decay_t<StateT, estd::decay_t<complete_t>>;

      return with_state(
        std::forward<StateT>(s),
        [&] (unwrapped_t&& st) {
          auto last = tuplify(is...);
          return wrap_state(
            step(state_unwrap(std::forward<unwrapped_t>(st)),
                 std::forward<InputTs>(is)...),
            std::move(last));
        },
        [&] (wrapped_t&& st) {
          auto next = tuplify(is...);
          auto dupe = next == state_wrapper_data(st);
          return dupe
            ? std::forward<wrapped_t>(st)
            : wrap_state(
              step(state_unwrap(std::forward<wrapped_t>(st)),
                   std::forward<InputTs>(is)...),
              std::move(next));
        });
    }
  };
};

} // namespace detail

using dedupe_t = transducer_impl<detail::dedupe_rf_gen>;

/*!
 * Equivalent to clojure/dedupe$0
 */
constexpr dedupe_t dedupe {};

} // namespace xform
} // namespace atria


text:
Thornless Roses and the Krider World's Fair Garden of Middlebury
By Mary Giorgio
Nestled in the community of Middlebury, Indiana, sits Krider World's Fair Garden, a park featuring display and botanic gardens originally conceived for the 1933 Chicago World's Fair. The garden was the brainchild of Vernon Krider, owner of a wholesale and mail-order nursery. Following the end of the fair, Krider transported his display to Middlebury, where it has remained for the past 85 years.
VERNON KRIDER
Vernon Krider began his nursery in 1894. That year, his father gifted him with two acres of land following his high school graduation. Krider planted small berry plants on the land, letting them grow, and cultivating cuttings to begin his nursery. He made his first sale in 1896: $25 for 5,000 raspberry plants. Over time, Krider purchased more land and expanded his offerings. While his business originally began as a wholesale nursery, Krider eventually expanded into mail-order sales. In fact, Krider ran one of the earliest mail-order nurseries in the United States.
The 1933 World's Fair came at the perfect time for the business. Krider saw the display garden as an opportunity to expand the national market for his mail-order nursery.
The 1933 Chicago World's Fair, also known as the "Century of Progress International Exposition", commemorated the 100th anniversary of the founding of the City of Chicago. The hottest technology of its day dominated displays, including the famed diesel-powered Zephyr and an extravagant $1.4 million passenger car. Every aspect of the fair was designed to promote feelings of optimism and wonder at what the future might hold (sadly, World War II would erupt six years later).
Although the country was in the midst of the worst economic crisis in memory, the fair was tremendously successful. Originally scheduled to last just one year, organizers decided to continue the fair through 1934 in response to great demand. It is estimated that over 48 million people visited the exhibits between 1933 and 1934.
Krider's decision to participate in the fair turned out to be a savvy business move. He spent over $10,000 on plants and decorations for his display garden. "Krider's Diversified Garden" became a popular stop for fairgoers. By the time the fair ended in 1934, he had collected a whopping 250,000 names and addresses of potential customers for his mail-order business.
Krider's nursery flourished during the next few decades. At its peak, its grounds covered 420 acres and had over 100 employees. It became the largest employer in town with orders so numerous the Middlebury Post Office had to expand to meet the demand.
In 1945, Krider patented the Festival, the first thornless rose in the United States. Roses thereafter became a big business for the nursery. Krider roses were so popular that in 1971, President Nixon's daughter Tricia Nixon used them for her wedding ceremony.
Beginning in the 1980s, big-box chains began to take business from local operations like Krider Nursery. The business was sold in 1986 amid slumping sales and eventually closed. In 1993, the Krider family donated the 2.4-acre World's Fair Garden to the town of Middlebury.
Today, visitors can still see the original waterwheel, windmill, and the giant toadstool that were on display at the Chicago World's Fair in 1933. The enchanting garden also features walking paths and a giant quilt garden, with flowers planted in a unique quilt pattern. It is a favorite spot among locals and tourists alike.
Browse this original guide "The Krider Nurseries" given to visitors at the 1933-34 Chicago World's Fair, describing the business, exhibit, and items for sale.
The Middlebury Parks Department provided a simple but elegant interactive tour of the Krider World's Fair Garden HERE, complete with satellite imagery and a virtual tour guide.
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Hampton Court Palace Golf Club assistant pro John Powell is on course to realise his ambition of becoming a head PGA professional.
The 27-year-old, whose love for the game was cemented with an ace at a tiny par three course at the age of just 11, has got off to the almost perfect start in his three-year PGA foundation degree studies by finishing runner up in the Titleist rookie of the year awards.
Powell initially had thoughts of being a stockbroker on leaving school, but his love of golf stayed with him.
"I'm a little older than many of the other assistants, but this is definitely the career I want so I made sure when I started that I would give it my best shot," said Powell, who spent three years getting his handicap low enough to turn pro.
"The whole course gives you a much broader understanding of the different roles of a PGA professional and has opened my eyes to the range of different careers within golf.
Powell has had a further two holes in one during his career, but admits the memories of the first one remains.
"I can remember the buzz and excitement of that hole in one as if it was yesterday and it really made me fall in love with golf," he added.
"Although it was a bit of an horrific ace because I fatted a seven iron, which rolled up a bank and then down into the hole.


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Sophie Holcombe has a commercial chancery practice, with a particular focus on contentious domestic and offshore trusts and civil fraud. Sophie's work is often multi-jurisdictional and involves issues of private international law.
Sophie previously acted in the BTA v Ablyazov enforcement proceedings, in Gudavadze v Anisimov, a claim for over $1.5bn relating to the Russian mining company Metalloinvest, and ECO Quest v GFI Consultants, a fraud claim concerning an investment in Brazilian teak plantations. Since 2016 Sophie has acted on behalf of a Georgian billionaire in a dispute against Credit Suisse for losses over mismanagement of an investment portfolio said to be worth over USD 1 billion. Proceedings have been commenced in Singapore, New Zealand and Bermuda (Ivanishvili v Credit Suisse).
Sophie has extensive experience of traditional and commercial chancery matters and is regularly instructed in domestic and offshore trust disputes, company and insolvency litigation, and claims involving intellectual property rights or confidential information. Sophie also advises in relation to charities and contentious probate matters.
Harcus Sinclair v Your Lawyers  EWHC 2900: Acted for the Defendant in an expedited trial (led by Richard Coleman QC), successfully obtaining an injunction to prevent Harcus Sinclair from acting for approximately 45,000 clients in the VW Emissions Litigation following breach of a solicitors' undertaking given in a non-disclosure agreement.
Advised directors whether a multi-million pound dividend distribution could be set aside under the rule in Hastings-Bass due to unexpected tax consequences.
Bidzina Ivanishvili v Credit Suisse Life (Bermuda) Limited  SC (Bda) 67 Civ: Instructed as junior counsel by Signature Litigation to recover losses suffered by two unit-linked life insurance policies. Proceedings are ongoing in Bermuda.
Z Trusts  JRC 214;  JRC 031; and  JRC 196C: Instructed by Voisin Law in litigation involving consideration of the appropriate procedure for winding down a Jersey Trust in circumstances where the net liabilities of the trust exceed its net assets; issues of priority between former and current trustees' liens over trust assets; and the proper exercise of fiduciary powers.
Advised a charity as to the validity of testimony gifts, including the applicability of the cy près doctrine.
Hendrick v Knight  ETMR 58: Successfully defended an appeal against the decision of the hearing officer in a trade mark dispute. The decision considered the possibility of a pro bono costs order before the Appointed Person.
Sophie is regularly instructed in civil fraud matters, including claims against fraudulent directors, agents and trustees and claims involving fraudulent investment schemes. Sophie's matters often include proceedings for injunctive relief, such as obtaining and resisting search orders, freezing injunctions and Norwich Pharmacal orders, both in the UK and in various offshore jurisdictions.
ECO Quest Plc v GFI Consultants Ltd (2017): Acted with David Casement QC for Ecoquest, a company that specialises in ethical investments, to recover £2.2 million of losses arising from a fraudulent scheme perpetrated by the Defendants (Mr Bowers and Mr Skeene) which offered investment in Brazilian teak plantations.
Ivanishvili v Credit Suisse: Acting as junior counsel on behalf of the beneficiaries of two trusts which suffered multi-million dollar losses as a result of fraud and mismanagement of a major investment portfolio. Litigation is anticipated and/or ongoing in multiple jurisdictions.
Advising the victim of a Ponzi scheme in relation to knowing receipt claims threatened by other victims of the scheme (2016).
BTA v Ablyazov (2013): Acted as junior counsel (led by John Machell QC) for a Norwich Pharmacal respondent in the enforcement proceedings on the instructions of Boodle Hatfield LLP. Successfully secured the return of the respondent's passports delivered up pursuant to a passport order preventing the non-party leaving the jurisdiction until compliance with the disclosure order.
Sophie acts in a wide range of contractual and commercial disputes, and has considerable experience of acting in jurisdiction disputes and advising on conflict of law issues.
In 2017, led by Jonathan Adkin QC, Sophie acted for a multinational mining conglomerate, in a claim for breach of fiduciary duty against two individuals who held management positions within the group pursuant to advisory contracts. The breaches alleged against the defendants included fraudulently passing funds out of the group and negligently entering into un-commercial agreements with third parties.
Grupo Ozarow SA v Clean Energy Trading Ltd  EWHC 2322: Led by Stephen Houseman QC and Jonathan Harris QC (Hons), successfully discharged a proprietary injunction granted in support of proceedings in Poland. The injunction had the effect of freezing the business of Clean Energy Trading which trades in European Union Carbon Credits.
Kupeli v Sirketi (t/a Cyprus Turkish Airlines)  EWHC 930: Acted for a Turkish airline (led by Jonathan Adkin QC) defending claims arising from a failed takeover of the Northern Cyprus national airline. At the end of the Part 1 Trial 95% of the 838 pleaded claims were dismissed.
Gudavadze v Anisimov (2014): Instructed by Signature Litigation as part of a team led by Paul Girolami QC and Jonathan Adkin QC for the Claimants in a claim for over $1.5bn concerning the Russian mining company Metalloinvest.
SC DG Petrol SRL v Vitol Broking Ltd  EWHC 3920: Acted for the Third Defendant successfully resisting an application for relief from sanctions in circumstances where the claim stood struck out.
Acted as junior counsel in a breach of warranty and misrepresentation claim worth over £6 million arising out of the acquisition of a well-known UK water business.
Charles Lissack v Manhattan Loft Corporation Limited: Acted as part of team led by Alan Boyle QC in relation to interim proceedings in a claim arising out of the St Pancras development.
Sophie regularly advises on company disputes including unfair prejudice petitions, derivative actions, shareholder disputes and claims for breach of director's duties.
Acting in a shareholder dispute arising from the attempted division of a company specialising in commissioning and computer aided design. Successfully defended claims for a contribution against one of the shareholders personally.
Advising directors whether a multi-million pound dividend distribution could be set aside under the rule in Hastings-Bass due to unexpected tax consequences.
Advising liquidators of a charitable company and its trading subsidiary as to potential breach of duty claims against the former directors.
Access Bank v Akingbola  EWHC 2148 (Comm): Instructed by Peters & Peters to assist Paul Chaisty QC defend a claim against the former group chief executive of a Nigerian bank for breach of trust and duty arising from an alleged share support scheme causing the bank to purchase its own shares.
Sophie has experience of advising liquidators of companies, LLPs and charities. Sophie's work frequently involves claims against directors and shadow directors of companies in liquidation following suspected fraud or breach of duty, including claims for misfeasance and actions challenging transactions at an undervalue and preferences.
Webinvest v Prokofyeva: Instructed by Fieldfisher (led by Hugh Norbury QC) on behalf of Ms Prokofyeva defending dishonest assistance claims and claims under the Insolvency Act. The claims were connected to the ongoing Shlosberg litigation (e.g. ShloIsberg v Avonwick Holdings Ltd  EWCA Civ 1138) in which it is alleged that Mr Shlosberg (Ms Prokofyeva's husband) unlawfully diverted a receivable said to be worth in excess of US$170m.
Advised liquidators of an LLP in relation to the recovery of overdrawn loan accounts from former members, and the availability of a defence of set-off arising from payments made by the members on behalf of the LLP pursuant to personal guarantees.
Acted on behalf of a former director of a company in liquidation to defend a contribution claim brought by a fellow director arising out of the company's purchase of its own shares.
At the end of 2012 Sophie worked at Conyers Dill and Pearman, Cayman Islands, for three months, providing insolvency advice in relation to liquidation of hedge funds and resisting an injunction to prevent a debenture holder from enforcing its security by conducting the highest value property auction in the Cayman Islands to date.
Sophie advises and acts on contentious domestic and offshore trust and probate matters, often involving multiple jurisdictions and complex corporate structures.
Bidzina Ivanishvili v Credit Suisse: Instructed by Signature Litigation on behalf of a Georgian billionaire and his family, as beneficiaries of a Singapore and New Zealand Trust, in relation to a dispute against the trustees and their agents for losses over mismanagement of an investment portfolio said to be worth over USD 1 billion. Criminal proceedings took place in Switzerland, and civil proceedings have been commenced in New Zealand, Singapore and Bermuda.
Advised on trustee's duties to intervene in the management of an international group of companies operating in the offshore oil and gas industry to prevent default bond worth over USD 400 million secured against the companies' assets. Concerned novel issues of trustee's duties in circumstances where the settlor of the trust has reserved powers to himself in the trust deed.
Acted for the trustee of an Employment Benefit Trust in relation to a dispute regarding the Trust's interest in a Limited Partnership.
Z Trusts  JRC 214;  JRC 031; and  JRC 196C: Instructed by Voisin Law in the Z Trusts I to VIII litigation in Jersey during 2014 and 2015. The litigation involved consideration of the appropriate procedure for winding down a Jersey Trust in circumstances where the net liabilities of the trust exceed its net assets; issues of priority between former and current trustees' liens over trust assets; and the proper exercise of fiduciary powers, namely the power to appoint additional trustees.
Advised trustees on potential enforcement of orders in French succession proceedings over assets situated in London owned by a trust governed by Jersey law in advance of Beddoe application in Jersey.
Acted as junior counsel (led by Richard Harrison QC) for a Jersey trust in private English matrimonial proceedings regarding London situated property.
Volaw Trustee Limited v Trustcorp (Jersey) Limited  JRC 028: Instructed as junior counsel in relation to breach of trust claims against former trustees and obtained disclosure, including Norwich Pharmacal relief in Guernsey, for the purpose of investigating the same.
Sophie's recent probate matters include advising on the domicile of a testator for the purposes of determining the validity of his will and advising on the construction of will trusts and the obligations of trustees in relation to the same.
Bidzina Ivanishvili v Credit Suisse (ongoing): Instructed as junior counsel on behalf of beneficiaries of a Singapore and New Zealand Trust in a dispute against Credit Suisse for losses over mismanagement of an investment portfolio said to be worth over USD 1 billion. Proceedings have been commenced in Singapore, New Zealand and Bermuda.
Grupo Ozarow SA v Clean Energy Trading Ltd  EWHC 2322: Acted for the defendant company trading in Carbon Credits in successfully discharging an ex parte injunction obtained in support of Polish proceedings on the basis, inter alia, that the relevant EU jurisdiction rules were arguably infringed.
Z Trusts  JRC 031;  JRC 214; and  JRC 196C: This litigation involved consideration of the appropriate procedure for winding down a Jersey Trust in circumstances where the net liabilities of the trust exceed its net assets; issues of priority between former and current trustees' liens over trust assets; and the proper exercise of fiduciary powers, namely the power to appoint additional trustees.
Gudavadze v Anisimov (2014): Instructed as part of a team led by Paul Girolami QC and Jonathan Adkin QC for the Claimants in a claim for over $1.5bn concerning the Russian mining company Metalloinvest.
BTA v Ablyazov (2013): Acted as junior counsel (led by John Machell QC) for a Norwich Pharmacal respondent in the enforcement proceedings. Successfully secured the return of the respondent's passports delivered up pursuant to a passport order preventing the non-party leaving the jurisdiction until compliance with the disclosure order.
Uncovering trustees' reasons, Trusts and Estates Law & Tax Journal, May 2018.
Circumventing Schmidt v Rosewood: a beneficiary's right to disclosure under Data Protection legislation, Trusts & Trustees, Vol. 23, No. 7, September 2017, pp. 770–778.
PLC Charity litigation: role of the Attorney General.
Previously worked at Clyde & Co in the insurance and reinsurance department.


Members of one of two casts in the West Moon Theatre production of Next to Normal.
There is a reason Next to Normal won the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. With a potent sense of honesty, this Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey penned rock musical not only reveals the humanity in mental illness, but has the power to shake an audience.
Directed by Chris Lam, the West Moon Theatre production, currently playing at Studio 16 in Vancouver, does not disappoint. With its cast of talented singers, storytellers, and musicians, they all come together to do a phenomenal job in performing its songs. You will move in your seat and, in turn, the story and songs will move you.
Next to Normal centres on Diana, a mother struggling with bipolar disorder, and her family's journey with her illness. Brought into the family's complicated life, the musical explores the effects of grief, mental illness, and the ethics of mental health treatment. There is also a major plot reveal that flips the story, complicating matters for the family even more.
At times though, the story feels overly dramatic and unrealistic, especially as Diana loses much of her memory after receiving electroconvulsive therapy, and can no longer remember her daughter's name.
While the opening song of the second act feels chaotic and in need of more rehearsal, the rest of the show carries through. The second half does drag somewhat, but the length is a good metaphor for the endless struggle of mental illness. As her doctor reveals her mental illness as chronic, we are reminded that sometimes things are not perfect, and happy endings do not come wrapped in a tight bow.
Next to Normal pulls many heart strings, but one of the final scenes between Diana and her daughter Natalie is enough to create goosebumps. The song that accompanies, "Maybe (Next to Normal)", pulls it all together.
With the exception of a single role, the production features two casts in different performances. On the night of this review, there were many standouts.
As Diana, Marie West faced the challenge of this demanding role with grace and heart. Her portrayal of a woman struggling with bipolar disorder and grief is gut-wrenching. There are several explosive moments that create ripples through the crowd.
As daughter Natalie, Karina Teitz steals many scenes, with a sweet and strong voice. She portrays this struggling teenager in an honest way that we cannot help but connect.
The show features a talented band of six musicians, who are onstage during the entire show. With music at its centre, they are a pivotal piece to this production.
Next to Normal is an important story reminding us that mental health is real, human, but in the end, there can be light.
Next to Normal, book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt. Directed by Chris Lam. A West Moon Theatre Production. On stage at Studio 16 (1555 West 7 Ave, Vancouver) until February 17. Tickets are available online at Brown Paper Tickets.


ICOE (The International Conference on Ocean Energy) is the global venue for exchange of information and building relationships, in order to grow a world-wide renewable ocean energy delivery.
The event maintains an identity as the "International Conference on Ocean Energy" but is delivered by a host organization supported by an international committee of leading ocean energy influencers.
Delivery is expected to continue to expand industry- to- industry linkages and where possible, the event will include a trade exhibition and an INORE event. OES will archive materials associated with these outreach efforts where possible.
OES supports ICOE by development and maintenance of a website, including the knowledge library, which contains more than 400 documents from ICOE conferences.


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text:
Tasmania Together: Impressive Project, Uncertain Future
March 06, 2012 22:18 EDT
An overview of Tasmania's ambitious project to formulate and implement its goals for the future.
Ten years ago, Tasmania's Labour Premier Jim Bacon came up with a vision to align priorities of politicians with economic and social priorities. In 1999, three political conflicts plagued Tasmania.  Parliamentary seats were reduced from 35 to 25, enraging the emerging Greens who were the primary losers.  Gambling in hotels and bars in the form of gaming machines divided Tasmanians.  Finally, the clear-cutting of rain forests was an emotive issue.  Mr. Bacon sought inspiration from the US where Governor Neil Goldschmidt had launched the project "Oregon shines" to develop common goals and resolve conflicts over clear-cutting of the rain forests.  Mr. Bacon then launched "Tasmania Together" to bring together Tasmanians and resolve issues that were deeply divisive.
Tasmania Together's first vision for the year 2020 was formulated in  October 2000.
It was a grand declaration for the island state of 500,000 citizens, "Together we will make Tasmania an icon for the rest of the world by creating a proud and confident society, where our people live in harmony and prosperity". The goal was to achieve for Tasmanians a  reasonable standard of living in a safe environment, where they feel encouraged to learn and develop new skills, maintain a healthy lifestyle and enjoy coordinated health services. A key goal was to acknowledge and respect Tasmania's multicultural heritage, value its diversity and treat everyone including the Aboriginal Community with compassion and respect. The government welcomed people's viewpoints and started using them in decision-making.
A Community Leaders Group was created in May 1999 to develop a vision for Tasmania in 2020. This group represented social and regional groups of Tasmania. The project was financed through the state budget. The Community Leaders Group invited 60 individuals to a three-day conference in July 1999, where the first draft of "Our vision, our future" was compiled. At the end of 1999, the draft was sent to many citizens and organizations for feedback which was followed by many public meetings. Consultations with many organizations of the civil society ensued and feedback was gathered either through websites or through the postcards sent to each household. The general vision and the 24 goals backed by 212 indicators or benchmarks and corresponding targets for the year 2020 were first published in the year 2000. Since 2001, work on the vision, goals and indicators is coordinated and undertaken by nine members (appointed by the Premier) of a Progress Board, supported by a small secretariat who monitor Tasmania's progress towards achieving the vision and report to the parliament every second year. Details are regulated by the Tasmania Together Progress Board Act 2001 wherein the vision must be reviewed every five years. The feedback from citizens regarding any changes in their priorities is taken into consideration. Other Australian federal states such as New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia have also launched similar projects.
In short, Tasmania Together is a remarkably open and consultative process, and a new form of democratic process.
However, even a project as transparent and indicator-based as "Tasmania Together" has opponents. Interest groups whose activities are restrained, such as operators of gaming machines, tobacco and the timber industries, are major opponents. The big test for "Tasmania Together" is yet to come when it ends in 2020. No one has any idea as to what will take its place. Will it be back to business as usual or will there be a renewed effort to come up with an alternative which incorporates the lessons of this impressive project?
*[This article is adapted from the report originally published by Center for Societal Progress.]
Joseph Conrad's The Secret Agent: Herald of Contemporary Terrorism? (Part 1/2)
Matthew Feldman, April 10, 2014
Kindred Spirits? Canada and the US in a Comparative Lens
James Blake Wiener, April 7, 2014
The Contentious Affordable Care Act
Origins: Current Events in Historical Perspective, March 31, 2014


Romelia Flores is Latina, female, and one of IBM's top worldwide technologists. She holds 38 patents, including several "high-value patents" that have impacted IBM's revenue stream, and she has 30 more pending. Flores works with clients to help design products and solutions to their problems in imaginative and innovative ways.
IBM has named Flores an IBM master inventor and she is extremely proud of that title. One of her favorite inventions is an email tone checker. Flores said that email is often impersonal and brutal, so her tone analyzer. She designed it after she was criticized for being too blunt in her communications.
The rest of the article is an empowering puff piece about an extremely intelligent female and minority engineer at IBM. It makes you wonder if this piece was written to demonstrate how progressive IBM is. Is Flores an anomaly at IBM? Let's ask Watson? Well, Watson seems to be a male. Is that an issue?
"Well, Watson seems to be a male. Is that an issue?" – Not at all… I do not know why would anyone focus on this fact… I do not hear concerns with "Alexa" or "Siri" being female.. do you? Actually the fact that you focused on this fact and asked the question is the issue. There is already great division in our communities and your attempt to stir the pot further down this road is concerning. Bad choice.
Now, in regard to Romelia Flores, yes she is a great, intelligent and very down-to-earth person. I have had the opportunity to work with her and it was a pleasure. But I would not consider her an anomaly. Not inside IBM or outside IBM. There are many, many intelligent women doing great things today in many different contexts. She is just an amazing human being that we are very lucky to have contributing to IBM's mission.


There is no matzah ball soup and no gefilte fish at a Moroccan Seder. However, unlike many other members of Sephardic and Mizrahi Jewish communities, Leah Avraham did not grow up eating rice during the Passover Seder, just like the vast majority of Ashkenazi Jews.
Instead, at her Seder, she recalls that her mother would prepare 15 to 20 different kinds of salad, a potato dish with meat inside known as pastallim, pashtida (which is similar to kugal), lamb served with dried fruits, Moroccan fish, a special soup with Middle Eastern cooked broad beans (ful), tongue, an expensive variety of mushroom known as truffle (it cost 1,000 NIS per kilo), and numerous other vegetables. All of the most expensive foods were served during Passover, according to Leah.
Any one who is familiar with the Moroccan kitchen will be able to explain how tasty and special the Moroccan salads are. They include beet salad, fried eggplant salad, baked eggplant salad (which is usually served with tahina), spicy pepper salad, spicy tomato salad, preserved olives, green cabbage salad, purple cabbage salad, potato with olives salad, cucumber salad, egg salad, etc. Leah claimed that no one would walk away from her family's Seders hungry. The various meats, vegetables and salads were so filling that no one felt that they actually needed chametz (bread products).
In addition to the meal, Moroccan Jews would also eat marror (bitter herbs) and charotzet (sweet paste to recall bricks and mortar). However, their charotzet was different from Iraqi Jews in the sense that they served date paste balls rather than date paste by itself. Each person at a Moroccan Seder would eat one of these charotzet balls. However, their marror was lettuce, just like many other Sephardic and Mizrahi Jewish communities. Wonderful matzah would be served as well, which Leah claimed that Leah's mother made themselves from scratch with the help of relatives. Back in Morocco, Leah had a relative whose job was to make matzah and sell it to other members of the Jewish community.
Leah describes how beautiful the Moroccan Seder table was in her family. Her mother always covered the table with a gorgeous tablecloth and used the best china dishes, which were reserved only for Passover. Seders in her family included about 10 people, eight children plus two parents. They did not include the extended family at their Seders, since their family was enormous and they wanted to be able to do the Seder exquisitely, a task harder to accomplish if there are too many people. The salads and other foods would be arranged nicely onto the table.
The Seder ceremony itself in Leah's family would be read in a mixture of French and Hebrew. Even though they were from Morocco, the Seder was not read in Moroccan Arabic, thus demonstrating how heavily Moroccan Jews of Leah's era was influenced by French culture. Like other Mizrahi and Sephardic Seders, no one searched for the hidden afokomin. Yet, the Moroccan Jews possess a unique tradition of taking a Seder plate full of eggs, lamb shanks, marror, charotzet and other items, and spinning it over the Seder participants heads, while proclaiming, "In a hurry we left from Egypt." The women of the Seder would then shout the traditional Middle Eastern coo la loo. Additionally, Leah asserted that Moroccan Jewish women would have a tradition of taking a young girl at the Seder who hasn't found a lover yet to spill the leftover wine outside that wasn't utilized for the Ten Plagues ritual, which was viewed as a blessing that would help her get married.
Why is there no Ma' abarot Day?


Do energy efficient features increase a home's selling price?
Does a green-certified home really pay off?
A recent UCLA study considered homes sold in California from 2007 through early 2012. Of the 1.6 million homes sampled, 4,321 sold with Energy Star, LEED or GreenPoint ratings and certifications. Controlling for factors such as location, when the home was sold and its amenities, the study found these energy-efficient, green-certified homes sold for 9% more than non-certified homes.
The payoff was greater in areas where green efforts were already supported by community members (measured by the number of registered hybrid vehicles)and in warmer areas (where energy use adds up quickly due to the constant necessity for air conditioning), such as the Central Valley.
Despite the small number of green-certified homes identified in the study, some relish the idea of a mandatory, industry-wide rating scale for energy efficiency. The National Association of Home Builders encourages such a mandatory system, since full disclosure of energy ratings would benefit new homes, as newly constructed homes are required to be more energy efficient.
Should seller's agents be mandated to disclose a home's energy rating, as encouraged by the National Association of Home Builders?
No. While seller's agents have a duty to disclose all known facts which may have an adverse effect on the value of the listed property, a property's energy rating does not (and should not) make the list of mandatory disclosures. To the contrary, the disclosure a property has no energy rating would be the appropriate adverse effect disclosure.
On the other hand, a mandatory disclosure of home operating costs(which is readily available from the positive equity seller) would be most practical and informative for comparative home shopping purposes. A home's operating costs directly indicate how much money the buyer will spend heating and cooling the property over the long haul.
A green rating sticker, which mostly reflects the social value of buying green, discloses little about monthly costs to heat and cool a property.
Only 0.3% of the homes surveyed in the UCLA study actually had green certifications, so the value of these certifications applies to very few agents. It's likely the certified homes selling for 9% more were either bought (already updated) at a higher price than comparables or updated to be energy efficient at the home seller's expense (and massive government subsidies) and reflect their greater investment.
Buyer's agents interested in providing the best service for their green-minded clients might well advise their buyers to make an acceptable energy audit contingency in the purchase on the property they have under contract.
The energy audit is a cost-efficient way for a seller's agent to provide concrete information to buyers on a home's operating costs, without having to meet strict requirements for green certifications. This is a demand market, the supply of listed housing answering to the drummer with the cash.
Energy audits – good for the buyer, better for the seller?


Yeo Workshop is pleased to participate in ART13 London with exhibiting artists: Ella Finer, Chris Jones, Edward Clydesdale Thomson and Jarek Piotrowski.
Please visit us at the London First Galleries section, booth LF7.
Part of Artist Projects for Art13, Ella Finer's 'Public Address System,' a work commissioned for the fair, will play at three intervals over the course of each day.
Partnering artist Feiko Beckers has also taken time out from his residency at the Palais de Tokyo to perform a retelling his account, "Accident with Red Car" on Friday, March 1 at 2pm.
ART13 will bring a unique global dynamic to the capital's art world. Launching in Spring 2013, this new modern and contemporary art fair will feature over 120 leading UK and international galleries from over 30 countries from across the globe. Created by the team behind the ground-breaking Art HK, it presents an exceptional opportunity in London for both seasoned and new collectors to discover modern and contemporary art from the Americas, Europe, Asia and South Africa.
Please e-mail audrey@yeoworkshop.com for sales inquiries, press or additional information.


Meeting opened at 7.20pm with prayer.
The notes taken at the Parish Gathering on 7th December 2016 were taken as agreed having been published on the website and reported by Canon Anthony in the Newsletter at that time.
Fr Daniel – who has just had his first year with us as assistant parish priest – for all the energy and commitment he is showing to his placement here.
pilgrim groups from different countries as well as the UK.
Baptisms; we are trying a new arrangement whereby the parents are seen in groups rather than singly and the ceremony is incorporated in the body of the Mass. This aims to incorporate the parents and family into the Parish by meeting other people in a similar situation.
The Narthex: meetings have been held and Fr Daniel's ideas of reorganising the sacred space to make what is available more welcoming and more accommodating. Mike Lilford (chartered surveyor parishioner) has promised a design and costings in the next two weeks. Ideas include the installation of automatic doors, re-framing the confessionals to allow for F2F and non-F2F confession but both in privacy, re-allocating storage space more effectively. Request was made to allow kneeling in confession – this would be looked at.
Altar Serving; Fr Daniel said it was proving very difficult to secure people to give a reliable service and he was not sure what he could do. Fergal Clancy had given great and sterling service but has now gone to University and will only be home outside term time. There are 4 "grown up" men being inducted as MC (Master of ceremonies) servers. During the week the Syro-Malabar young people give devout service but often go to Ramsgate at weekends. Discussion mentioned at a certain age, young people may be embarrassed as you are very much "on show" on the altar. Overall we need to try and recruit new servers.
In addition, a further circa £7.5k was received as non-specific donations likely to be in response to the roof appeal.
Ordinary receipts were down just over £1k with new income from fund raising activity being offset by a reduction in income from votive candles and repository sales however after an appeal on Finance Sunday November 2016, weekly income from both loose plate and Gift aid has increased (thank you); a new trial for votive offerings to be voluntary is being tried at present and details of this will be given in due course.
Weekly collections have been steady at c70% non-Gift Aid and c30% Gift Aid; our new Gift Aid Officer (Sam Harmison) will be launching a communication programme to encourage more people to sign up. The new donations envelopes have helped with this.
Utility contracts have been reviewed and credits recovered in respect of prior years. On-going tariffs will remain under review.
Diocesan payments represent assessments made by the Diocese – the largest of which is levied with reference to the Parishes mass attendances. These levies account for around one fifth of ordinary receipts.
Given the age of the church and presbytery we should aim to have an on-going maintenance programme rather than purely reacting on a crisis basis. Although we currently have sufficient funds to repay the loan from the Diocese a programme of works is being drawn up so that these can be prioritised versus available funds.
As the advice we have received is that the current organ is beyond repair and needs replacing we probably need to re-life the organ fund. There is currently circa £11.5k held in a Barclays reserve account in respect of monies previously collected for the organ fund.
Post year end there has been an investment on a grand piano to assist with fund raising activity.
This year has seen the main sitting room and dining room decorated and those of you who have seen the end result know how much of a considerable improvement this has been; we had a live infestation in the carpet and the lack of repair over 30 years had taken its toll. Total costs for this were £3675.
The garage doors have also had to be mended – this will happen later in October at a cost of £2900 (incl of VAT).
Unfortunately there are still major issues with repairs needed for the Presbytery – much caused by water & general damp coming through the roof and other areas of the building fabric. The Finance Committee has commissioned a full report of all that does need doing in order to prioritise the spend that has to happen in 2018.
this would be a very good thing to do but we need people to form a group to get it going and follow it through…….
Canon law says we have to have a Finance Committee but the role of a Parish Pastoral Council is set out in Canon 536 of the code of Canon Law. If, after consulting the council of priests, the diocesan Bishop considers it opportune, a pastoral council is to be established in each parish. In this council, which is presided over by the Parish Priest, Christ's faithful, together with those who by virtue of their office are engaged in pastoral care in the parish; give their help in fostering pastoral action. The pastoral council has only a consultative vote, and it is regulated by the norms laid down by the diocesan bishop.
tea & coffee after the 9.30am Sunday Mass had successfully brought mass groupings together – could this work for other Masses?
The meeting ended in prayer at 9.00pm.
2pm till 5pm with tea and cakes provided.
The diocesan Vocations Centre in Whitstable is hosting a weekend for men over forty to give them the chance to learn more about a vocation to the diocesan priesthood.
It will take place from the evening of Friday 23rd and will end with lunch on Sunday 25th January. Places are limited and it is essential that those participating book beforehand.
To book a place or for more information please contact the Vocations Director on info@southwarkvocations.com.


Is Karaoke still around? You bet it is! At one time, I dove into the scene and used my connections to set up my Karaoke singing machine in bar/grills & hotel lounges. At first, I coped just fine.
Although I was more of a musician & performer, I tolerated the "not so sober" novices who wanted to sing in public (but shouldn't).
Yes, that's my personal story I just have to live with. I'm happily un-involved with setting up in at the clubs.
But, I still use my Karaoke singing machine at home – just to keep in vocal shape. You can too!
Can a Karaoke Singing Machine Help You Sing Better?
Why Would I Want to Own a Karaoke Singing Machine?
One benefit of a karaoke singing machine is that it gives you the ability to sing along with music to your songs of choice.
The machine plays the music without an accompanying singer, so you can practice as if you were the lead singer of the song.
Some songs even include backup or harmony singing as you sing the lead part.
You might have seen or heard about "karaoke nights" at local nightclubs and restaurants.
It's easy and affordable to get your very own karaoke equipment to use at your home.
So, Why Buy a Karaoke Machine?
First, Karaoke machines work great for practicing various styles of singing as well as different keys and pitches.
If you want to increase your vocal range, then pick songs that are generally too high for your voice. Then, start practicing those songs with exercises to move your voice to the next octave.
Perhaps you want to master certain keys that your singing voice works well with… karaoke equipment can help!
It's easy to use karaoke as a practice tool since the music has already been created and the words appear on a monitor or some sort of screen.
Therefore, you can just select a song and read the lyrics while the music plays.
You'll find you use almost no effort to use a microphone to sing along and hear how your voice would sound to an audience.
You can also record yourself singing along with the karaoke singing machine.
So as you can see, there are a number of benefits to owning one of these amazing machines!
Use the web to research various brands of singing machines for karaoke and to find out what's available.
They have different features, making each one unique.
Some feature CDs or DVDs while others are computerized and have the songs built into the system.
Some machines don't come with a monitor, but can easily be hooked into a TV screen or computer monitor.
Others have a built-in screen. Most machines can rate your singing voice for various songs.
Whether comparing karaoke machines for singing lessons or parties, look for features such as: the ability to change the video graphics for the song backgrounds; the ability to upgrade the song database as new songs are released; and the ability to connect the machine to amplifiers.
Also, compare the customer ratings online to make sure the machine is durable for long-term use and has the accessories you need.
Perhaps you have already launched a singing career or your current job requires frequent travel.
If you need a portable machine for traveling, then consider the size and weight of it, and how easy it is to set up and pack away.
Read all the features, pros/cons, etc. before buying a karaoke singing machine.
Compare pricing as well, but keep in mind that this can be a terrific investment to improve your singing voice.
These can make practicing your favorite songs for voice lessons easier than ever…and you will never have to buy individual CDs again!
One product to consider is getting the tunes online. The site I suggest is Singing Superstar.
You can see it at the Singing Superstar review page which leads to the official website along with features.
The vocal system saves you tons of money because of the sheer numbers of songs available, And, it comes with a 100% money back guarantee when you order through clicking the link below..
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Now, it's time to learn more about singing. I've put together a free gift and a singing newsletter series to help you move faster in your singing abilities.
I'll offer the program for a limited time so don't wait to get yours. Just click the link below..
You may have heard of vocal trills and runs. But, do you use them as a singing tool? Did you know that you can improve your singing warmups by incorporating these musical riffs into your daily practice? Well, check out Joyce DiDonato as she demonstrates a trill for you.
Ever Dreamed About Writing Your Own Song?
Yes, you can write songs! Actually, it's a piece of cake – when you learn how. So, now is the time to take your music from ordinary to extraordinary. Even as a beginner, you can write a signature song all your own.
Check this powerhouse method to write your own songs – and publish them!
Can I Sing With Allergies?
Yes, especially during the Spring & Fall months, this becomes the common question. And, there is no simple answer. However, it is possible to do something about it. Solutions range from home remedies to seeking professional help. So, read the post to see if you find the right answers to your vocal situation.
Over 30,000 People Use This..


FortiVoice is Fortinet's on-premise business VoIP solution that caters to small and midsize businesses across various industry verticals. Features include voicemail, auto attendants, dial-by-name directory, ring groups and more.
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Additionally, FortiVoice offers multiple call routing possibilities for various extensions. Users can route calls according to a number of rings and whether or not the extension is busy. Users can also screen calls or set an extension to "Do Not Disturb".


The genesis of the University of Missouri–Columbia's Special Collections, Archives, and Rare Books Division began with a humble collection of rare books housed in the office of the University Librarian. Since then, the Rare Book collection in Ellis Library has grown both by design and through donations, boasting over 35,000 volumes. The Rare Book collection is particularly strong in the history of printing and the book arts, English political and religious history, emblemata, Ovid's Metamorphoses, and private press editions. There are an additional 55,000+ volumes in our diverse and rich collections; collections of philosophy, short stories, early American best sellers, and early common school textbooks have enriched the holdings of the division. The Comic Art Collection also contains numerous important gifts, such as the Mort Walker Beetle Bailey collection and the V. T. Hamlin Alley Oop series. The Comic Art Collection is also strong in graphic novels and underground comic books. The University Archives maintains the official records and publications of the university. More recent collection acquisitions include the Mary Lago collection, which is strong in E. M. Forster and Rabindranath Tagore materials; the Weinberg Journalists in Fiction collection containing over 3,000 novels about journalists; and the Donald Sanders collection from the Senate Watergate Committee.
In addition to the wide variety of print collections, University of Missouri also holds one of the largest microform collections in North America, between 7 and 8 million items. The collection includes materials such as FBI files, women's diaries, historic newspapers, early English books, and American periodicals.


If you're like me and only have cheat days on a certain day or whether you don't have a routine for when you have cheats, sometimes you may want an unhealthy snack instead of a full meal. I find that baking something can help you gain knowledge about food and is a good way to distract yourself from binging out on unhealthy food. Remember to wash your hands and tie your hair back before starting to make the recipe. Heres my favourite recipe for chocolate chip cookies which I often eat on my cheat days. Enjoy!
Weigh 100g of butter and pour out your sugar measurements.
Mix the butter and sugar together until the mixture is creamy.
Add an egg and the baking powder measurements.
Mix together until the mixture is smooth.
Add plain flour to the bowl in small amounts, stirring each time.
Add in milk choc chips and mix together until the mixture has a sticky texture.
Place some baking sheets on your tray and scoop out tablespoon sized portions.
Make sure the portions are spread out as they will grow and may stick together.
Place your baking tray in the oven at 180 C (350 F) for 12- 15 minutes.
When your cookies are ready, place them on a cooling rack before eating.
I hope you enjoyed my recipe (if you tried it out) and I hope you feel encouraged to bake more often on your cheat days. In the end, they taste fantastic and are honestly better than store bought cookies. There are many different ways you can make alternative treats if you have any allergies or want a more healthier option as the sugar content isn't exactly the image of health. Even if you don't wish to eat them yourself, perhaps baking for other people could become a great distraction for you from unhealthy snacks.