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Driving Soccer Moms
by Linda Baker
The Wheel Deal
Sprawl: Soccer moms' public enemy No. 1
I HATE TO DRIVE. I'm also the mother of two young children, ages 3 and 5. A few years ago, if you'd asked me what the former had to do with the latter, I'd probably have responded, grumpily, that I wasn't looking forward to shuttling my kids to music lessons, soccer practice, and friends' houses five days a week. Only recently have I realized how inextricably connected driving and motherhood really are. And in the process, something personal–chauffeuring my kids around town–has become something political: understanding the deleterious effects of an automobile-centered society on women, children, and the institutions that sustain them.
According to a study released last year by the Washington, D.C.-based Surface Transportation Policy Project, spread-out development caused mothers with school-aged children to spend more than an hour a day driving. Whether they work or not, women with kids now make as many as five car trips a day, 20 percent more than the average for all women and 21 percent more than the average man.
"Women drive more because they do the bulk of household production tasks such as shopping for groceries and dropping kids off at day care–what we call 'trip chaining,' " says Catherine Lawson, a researcher at Portland State University who studies gender and transportation patterns. It's not that fathers never perform family driving tasks; it's just that mothers, by and large, do more.
And what mothers do has changed over the years as more and more drive their kids away from neighborhood schools to high-performing public and private institutions. That daily exodus coupled with the sprawl that often puts families miles away from the essentials–supermarkets, laundromats, hardware stores, and the like–have conspired to create an unlikely situation. The simple act of walking–to school, to the store– increasingly belongs to the affluent.
As a work-at-home mother, I find it impossible to avoid driving my kids: to the doctor's office, to the dentist, to friends' houses, to swimming pools, to indoor play parks, and to children's museums located only in far-flung areas. Like many women with children, I spend a good portion of every week strapping my kids in and out of car seats, negotiating back-seat squabbles while changing lanes, and scooping up wayward preschoolers as they skip dangerously through one of an infinite number of parking lots. It's as if automobile access has become a necessary adjunct to child rearing, on a par with caring parents, health care, and a good education.
The specter of mothers haunting the streets creates several problems. First of all, the stress women incur from driving their kids around town is tremendous, if not yet quantifiable. Ask any mother; road rage is a tame descriptor when you're stuck in traffic with a screaming child in the back seat.
A far more complex issue is the connection between mothers' increased drive time and the erosion of urban institutions. This enormously complicated set of relations between land use and transportation patterns, between suburban development and inner-city decline, became clear to me this year when my husband and I enrolled our son in our neighborhood school. As it turns out, we are part of a dying breed. Concerned about deteriorating quality in the public school system, most of our friends and acquaintances now forgo the neighborhood school and instead enroll their children in the best magnet program or private institution they can find.
"There are six kids on our block, and all of them are going to different schools," one mother recently told me. The majority of these travelers, you guessed it, are driven to school by mom.
SENDING your child to the best school you can find–or afford–carries with it an infallible logic. But what happens to the community school when half the parents send their kids to institutions outside of the neighborhood? How has inadequate funding for urban school systems led to an increase in the number of cars on the road . . . and the number of mothers who drive them? And what happens to the neighborhood when no one is walking to school?
The health of a community, says urban social critic Ray Oldenberg, can be measured by the number of amenities located within walking distance. By this standard, the community is far from well. Largely because walking has become both unpleasant and dangerous, the number of adults and children walking to school and to work has declined dramatically since the 1970s, according to Sprawl Watch Clearinghouse. Although it used to be the most common way of getting around in cities and towns, today only 5.5 percent of all trips are on foot.
Interviews with department of transportation officials in 10 states reveal that kids are walking to school less than in the past, mostly owing to parental concerns for safety and to siting of new schools in outlying areas where lack of sidewalks makes it difficult to walk. It's no surprise, perhaps, that a study released last year by the Centers for Disease Control links increasing childhood obesity rates to automobile-centered lifestyles.
The connection between gender, sprawl, and transportation first drew national attention under welfare reform, when state officials found that the lack of affordable child care, inner-city employment, and suburban mass transit prevented many single mothers from keeping new jobs.
Today, traffic congestion has added a startling new dimension to class-based travel problems. Reversing a decades-old trend, walking, not driving, is becoming a privilege of wealth. Compare the rising poverty rates in the nation's older "carburbs" with upscale New Urbanist communities like Seaside in Florida or award-winning Orenco Station in Portland. Or consider the gentrification that is claiming inner cities across the country, replacing affordable housing with premium-price condos located only a stone's throw from work, shopping, and entertainment.
THE LOGIC is simple. When gridlock takes over, cars are no longer synonymous with mobility. And as Lawson puts it, "Single mothers . . . who have the greatest need for mobility have the greatest problems when their mobility is limited."
With the advent of new light-rail systems, U.S. metropolitan areas plan more family-friendly transit projects, such as putting dry cleaning businesses and day-care centers along rail stations. The Metro rail system in the Washington, D.C., region has child-care facilities at two of its train stops. In San Jose, the Tamien Child Care Center is located at a light-rail stop and offers family dinners to go, dry cleaning, and hair cutting for the children.
But these developments alone won't get mothers out of their cars. As the link between driving and out-of-favor public schools suggests, strong educational institutions are essential for thriving–and sustainable–communities. Good urban planning can't solve all social problems. But it can certainly put communities back on the map and–don't forget–give mothers some of their time back.
From the January 4-10, 2001 issue of the Northern California Bohemian.
© Metro Publishing Inc.
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I would like to wish my husband a Happy Father's Day. Even during the planning stage of starting our family Ray took to fatherhood with extreme ease. He started researching products, reading up on baby literature, and looked into college funds. Now over the past 35 weeks he has shown such passion for his child that I am in awe of the man he has become since knowing of Emma's existence.
Ray is always there for me and his child, he never misses an appointment, and has been involved in all areas of this pregnancy, from making decisions about the nursery decor, researching safety ratings for her car seat, to being selective about what she will wear.
Some say that fatherhood, like motherhood, does not begin until the birth of your child, I disagree. Since before conception we have been planning and saving for our child. While pregnant over these past 35 weeks we have had to make decisions for our child to guarantee as much as possible that she has a safe, healthy, and happy life that only her parents can give her. Ray has seen to every detail of our health and happiness with the utmost care.
So to my husband, you are and will continue to be one of the greatest fathers of all time. I look forward to growing with you in our roles as parents to help guide, love, and nurture our daughter.


http://graftonchildcare.wordpress.com/ it would be lovely if as many parents and friends of Grafton Childcare could follow our new blog, just click on the link above and then on the bottom right hand side of the screen you will see a follow link, click on this and enter your email address and you will be automatically informed when Grafton's Blog is updated, neat don't you think!
We decided to start our blog to keep in touch with all of our parents about what we have been up to here at Grafton. We are not sure how often we will post, hopefully at least weekly giving you all an account of what we have been up to here during the previous week and any plans we might have for the future. We hope that parents will pop along to our blog often to keep up to date with what has or is happening.


With any engine, the X3 is paired with a responsive and quick-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission, which includes an Eco Pro mode that helps improve fuel economy by optimizing heating and air conditioning use, softening accelerator response and tweaking shift points. All models also have Auto Start/Stop, which shuts off the engine when waiting at stoplight — tarting quickly when the brake is released; and Brake Energy Regeneration essentially saves fuel by optimizing alternator use. Fuel economy ratings are 22 mpg city, 29 highway with the xDrive30i, or 20 mpg city, 27 highway with the M40i. Both models of the X3 offer the xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system, which works together with the dynamic stability control electronics to intelligently send power to the wheels for confident traction and handling in all road conditions.
The xDrive30i as a luxury crossover SUV comes with a host of desirable standard features. Exterior features include run-flat tires on 18-inch wheels, LED headlights and fog lights, power liftgate, power-folding heated side mirrors and the iconic BMW "kidney" grille with active grille shutters. Inside the X3 owners will be impressed with the BMW iDrive 6.0 infotainment system, synthetic leather power front seats with seat memory, reclining rear seats, multi-zone climate control, rear view camera, leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters, keyless ignition and ample cargo space. The new 2018 X3 sees updated interior trim to add to the luxurious feel.
The options list is long and includes both stand-alone options and grouped packages that BMW labels as "tiers". The Convenience tier adds adaptive LED headlights, 4-way lumbar support, keyless entry and a panoramic sunroof. The Premium tier adds to this with a head-up display, heated front seats and steering wheel and navigation. The Executive tier encompasses the aforementioned options, plus includes an all-digital instrument cluster, parking assistance, surround view and BMW Gesture Control, which allows drivers to control certain features with only a hand motion. There is also a Driving Assistance Plus package that provides a suite of driver assistance options such as adaptive cruise control, blind spot detection, lane keeping assist, and collision warning.
BMW rolls out its third-generation X3 with a full redesign for 2018. The exterior design sees only minor changes, making it larger overall, with a longer wheelbase and taller glass. This provides for a roomier interior for passengers and more cargo space when needed. New available options, including a tow package, are also available on 2018 models. 2018 also introduces the first M Performance model of the X3, the M40i. This new model offers a more powerful V6 engine as part of it BMW M series performance model.


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Iran in 2018: On the March
5th January 2018 in
Corporate Intelligence Services, Intelligence Gathering, Know your customer, Market entry research
The New Year in Iran has not been a particularly happy one. Extensive unrest at government corruption and practice has escalated into a full-blown protest movement, the largest in Iran since 2009 and one which could – given time, publicity and momentum – threaten the social order of the Revolutionary Guard like nothing in recent memory. Will this moment be a sea change for Iran or will the 'Isfahan Spring' be nothing more than a brief flowering?
The violence in 2009 was explicitly directed against newly re-elected President Ahmadinejad and his particular rule. This time, grievances are broader. The protests started off in opposition to the price of food and the worsening domestic economic situation but soon widened to encompass the wider political situation and the seeming intransigence of the leadership to solve the crises at home before committing to entanglement in problems abroad. Threats of a crackdown, and police response so far (in which 22 have died) have not been enough to quell the protests rising.
One cannot underestimate the potential for this to be the most seismic event in Iran in a generation. Bigger than the election of Rouhani and his talk of a 'new direction', bigger than the ongoing sanctions drama played out each month – bigger even than the nuclear question. Rouhani has promised much and delivered little. The sanctions war remains in a state of deep-freeze despite Donald Trump's best efforts otherwise. And the issue of nuclear supremacy can never be fully answered while the above two problems remain (although a full discussion of this issue would take a far longer piece).
Domestic unrest, however – this is one of the regime's (and indeed any autocracy's) biggest fears. Any authoritarian regime relies on the suppression of the domestic majority in order to see their power untrammeled and in the case of the Revolutionary Guard, there is a vast amount of power for the unwashed masses to trammel. This is how the Arab Spring started; it is how the governments of Tunisia, Egypt and Yemen were toppled. It may yet be the ending in Iran – but such is the tripartite nature of the powerbrokers, even this might not be enough.
Hassan Rouhani will certainly be watching on with no small measure of concern. While the protests have not singled him out for personal criticism (yet), their discontent could yet be used as a smokescreen by the Supreme Leader and his coterie for the removal of Rouhani. That the President and the Ayatollah do not work together in perfect harmony is well known and, dependent on how serious the violence becomes and what specific demands may be made, he may be held up (and accepted) as an acceptable scapegoat to appease the protestors.
However, this time, a sacrificial lamb may not suffice, particularly when so much power and influence would remain concentrated in the hands of the Supreme Leader and the Revolutionary Guard. That the anger on the streets has been directed against the general concepts of corruption, the failing economy and the living standards within Iran rather than against any particular individuals indicates that this is a fight for not just Iran's present, but its future.
This then leaves Iran in a curious state going into 2018. By the end of January, President Trump must decide whether or not to re-introduce the sanctions, but if the home front remains restless this issue could get pushed down the agenda. Not quite that a house divided cannot stand, but a house where the tenants on the ground floor are not quietly accepting the loud music being played by those above cannot continue 'as is'. One can expect the crackdowns to increase in scope and intensity the longer the unrest continues. It is unlikely that serious concessions will be made. So whether this is enough to trigger a wave of 'sedition' big enough to enforce meaningful change could be a bigger hot button story than anything else in store for Iran in 2018.
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There are two sorts of individuals on the planet – the ones who love winters, and the ones that tremor with dread when told 'Winter is coming.' But on the off chance that you in a place where winters run solid for 3-6 months per year, there's no decision yet to give in and grasp it. A few spots allow you to doll up while others, tragically, solidify your life structures on the off chance that you are not all around arranged. On the off chance that you haven't effectively acknowledged where this is going, everything begins with a winter coat. The thought is to put resources into a decent one that is practical and goes on for quite a while. It is safe to say that you are searching for a winter coat? Would you like to know what your choices are? We have this! Here's a rundown of the best winter coats in the market at the present time. Here we have few top jacket styles to wear this winter.
The expression "coat" may appear to be clear, yet it really envelops an immense wide range of styles and plans. All things considered, picking the correct coat for each event and excursion can be dubious, particularly in case you're new to the distinctive sorts. Gratefully, we're here help ensure your outerwear is on point each time you exit the entryway. Here are the best men's coat styles each gent should know and claim.
Now is the right time. Winter is unavoidable, and as opposed to battling it, it's a great opportunity to lean in. Begin by outfitting yourself with a munitions stockpile of coats that will direct you through each level of chill – from solidifying mornings to critical gatherings amidst a tempest. In addition, it's still sufficiently early in the season that you'll have a decent shot at getting the coat in the size and shade based on your personal preference. Presently the main inquiry is: What to purchase? Check them out.
Otherwise called a flight coat, a plane coat is a short, tough coat with a zippered front and fitted or flexible midsection and sleeves. The style begins from the US Air Force, where it was worn by flight group individuals. Today, be that as it may, the aircraft coat is darling by men all things considered. Ideal for a scope of easygoing outfits, this coat is agreeable and very adaptable. While conventional plane coats are calfskin, the style now additionally generally shows up in nylon and different materials.
For the individuals who don't have the foggiest idea about, the trucker coat is a kind of catch front coat that highlights twofold front pockets. The style is ordinarily short and fitted and regularly made of blue denim. Be that as it may, different adaptations are additionally accessible, including calfskin styles, shearling-trimmed plans and choices in various hues, for example, dark colored and dark. In general, the trucker coat is an ageless plan that is ideal for the end of the week.
On the off chance that you don't officially claim something like one denim coat, it's an ideal opportunity to contribute. This adaptable outerwear choice looks superb with endless easygoing and keen easygoing outfits. It's additionally ideal for whenever of the year. Wear one on summer evenings with a white, team neck T-shirt and winter days over a dark, turtleneck sweater and beneath a camel jacket.
Regardless of whether you're running laps around the recreation center or having espresso with companions, a track coat can make an incredible alternative. This agreeable, lightweight style commonly includes a zip front alongside ribbed sleeves and belt. Its lively stylish settles on it an ideal decision for athleisure outfits. All you have to choose is whether you need to include coordinating track pants or settle on pants.
Jackets arrive in a wide range of structures and styles. What they all share practically speaking is that they're long and warm and intended to be worn over indoor dress. Lift one up in an immortal style you adore, and you'll generally be secured for those winter drives to work, suppers, beverages and the sky is the limit from there.
A parka is a hip-length coat intended for cool climate. The style is commonly loaded down with down or manufactured fiber and regularly includes a hide lined hood. On account of their warm plans and easygoing style, parkas are ideal for casual winter trips, for example, going to a wearing match.
A peacoat is a short-length coat that highlights wide lapels and a twofold breasted front. The outerwear style is generally produced using substantial fleece in a naval force shading and regularly includes huge catches and vertical or askew pockets. The piece of clothing was initially worn by mariners, yet now settles on a shrewd decision for a wide range of men.
A waterproof shell is made to withstand wet climate and is a basic thing for all gentlemen. To pick the correct one for you, you ought to think about a few variables, for example, the style, creation and length. Additionally, it's essential to note whether it's a waterproof coat or a water-safe one and regardless of whether it includes a hood.
On the off chance that you need to look great while remaining warm in winter, you can't go past a shearling coat. Ideal for battling the cool in style, these coats highlight comfortable sheep's fleece, which can be genuine or manufactured. While a conventional shearling coat has a wooly inward and a softened cowhide external, there are numerous different choices accessible today. These alternatives incorporate cowhide styles alongside structures that just component shearling on the neckline or lapel.
Albeit numerous individuals get confounded among anoraks and parkas, they are diverse articles of clothing. While a parka is a hip-length coat that is commonly stuffed and includes a hide lined hood, an anorak is a water-safe, hooded, pull-over coat. Anoraks additionally now and then element drawstrings at the abdomen and sleeves and in addition a half-zip opening.
Entirely, a Crombie coat is a coat from the British brand Crombie. Notwithstanding, after some time, the name has come to speak to any structure that looks like Crombie's famous three-quarter length jackets. Normally made of fleece and frequently including a velvet neckline in a differentiating shading, these coats seem savvy and sleek. Thusly, they make an astounding alternative for both business and formal events.


Penn is the most sought-after Ivy among graduate employers, according to new research.
10,000 Ivy League resumes were collected from hiring site Indeed.com to determine whether a specific Ivy degree leads to graduate students getting a job callback or not.
Penn graduates who posted their resumes on Indeed.com got 30.6 percent more job callbacks than the average.
Yale is close behind UPenn receiving 30.4 percent more job callbacks than average, followed by Columbia with 20.8 percent more, Harvard with 12.3 percent and Cornell with 0.54 percent.
On the other side of the spectrum, Princeton had the least amount of callbacks with 48.3 percent less than average, followed by Brown with 26.4 percent less, and Dartmouth with 20.1 percent.
Can someone, please, tell me how to go back in time and be a 20yo from an Ivy League school!?!? So I can get an academic job!
Indeed.com can't specify why Penn grads tend to thrive within the job market the most.
But it's important to note that the Wharton School of Business has an excellent reputation worldwide, along with its Annenberg School of Communication.
However, don't go celebrating yet, because callbacks don't automatically lead to employment.
When measuring Ivy League success by actual employment, Penn doesn't take the lead. Harvard actually beat out Penn for employment rates and post-graduation earnings. And all in all, Ivy League graduates tend to make more than their non-Ivy League friends.
Does this mean that you should worry if you weren't blessed enough to go to an Ivy?
Not quite. MIT graduates actually have the highest post-graduation earning out of an other university, both Ivy and non-Ivy.
But let's be honest, MIT is basically an Ivy so are any of us really surprised?
Well, don't start filling out your college transfer forms yet because the majority of CEOs in America's largest companies don't have an Ivy League degree or a degree from an equally prestigious university.


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Budding florist blooms in Turlock
Since starting her floral business Heidi Hearts Flowers in April 2018, Turlock resident Heidi Williams has taken to creating visual masterpieces at weddings and other events (Photo by MKL Photography).
ANGELINA MARTIN
Turlock Journal
Name of business: Heidi Hearts Flowers
Type of business: Florist
Location: @heidiheartsflowers on Instagram
Hours: By appointment
Contact information: heidiheartsflowers@gmail.com
Specialty: Weddings
History of business:
If you ask Turlock resident Heidi Williams about her job, she'll tell you she never intended on becoming a small business owner. But all it took was one simple request from a friend who needed flowers for her wedding for Williams to step into the world of floriculture and never look back.
Williams started Heidi Hearts Flowers soon after that wedding in April 2018, providing floral services for local weddings, events and even home deliveries on occasion. Since then, she's been kept busy ensuring some of the most important days of her clients' lives are just as beautiful.
"After helping with that initial friend's wedding, playing with flowers honestly became a means of creative therapy for me," Williams said.
Dreams of creating floral masterpieces for the community first began for Williams soon after she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in late 2017, she said. In the midst of a three-month period during which she was unable to work due to the condition, Williams began to write down some dreams for the future out of her frustration — one of which was floriculture.
Soon, she was handing out floral arrangements to her friends.
"It brought me so much joy to create and share them with others, and to spread that joy around," Williams said.
For the different events she decorates, Williams tries to purchase flowers from local flower farmers like Blumen 209, Flower Leigh Farms, Kelley Flower Farm and RAM Farms, Inc. Sometimes, bigger venues require her to travel to the San Francisco Flower Mart. No matter where she picks her flowers, however, some favorites of the florist include ranunculus, peonies and garden roses.
The flowers used in weddings and other events usually depend on the season, Williams added, and floral decor trends are ever-changing.
"Right now, especially in wedding arrangements, my clients are leaning towards bold, moody and romantic florals with lots of greenery, texture and jewel tones," she said. "It's really common to see some large statement arrangements such as a show-stopping arbor, a large head table piece or even some type of hanging installation."
When Williams meets with a potential client, they usually come with ideas and colors in mind. The website Pinterest serves as inspiration for many arrangements, she said, and from the first initial meeting, Williams takes her clients' vision and "puts her own spin on it."
"Adding flowers to an event brings life and vibrancy to a space, and has a unique ability to create a vibe that reflects the person or couple being celebrated," she said. "It can make a space warm and inviting, or moody, romantic and whimsical."
Since beginning her business just eight months ago, Williams has already amassed nearly 1,500 Instagram followers. Social media has been a valuable tool in building Heidi Hearts Flowers, she said, and the platform has allowed her to not only connect with clients, but also with other local business owners. The past year has allowed her to build many relationships — her favorite part about the job.
"I have had such a positive experience with all my clients and am incredibly thankful for their support. It's also been incredibly fun meeting other vendors and creatives and getting to celebrate their work and journey as well," she said.
Council approves cannabis spending policy


I'm going to move Cal to the lock category after its Leon Powe-fueled double-OT win over Oregon to get to the Pac-10 finals. Bears finished ahead of Arizona and went farther in the tournament -- that should be enough, especially when you have a player capable of dropping 41 points in a huge spot, like Powe did on the Ducks. The Pac-10 will get four in.
I think the bid was already locked up after the USC win, but it's nice to read this. I have a feeling that these endless field projections have a real effect on the selection committee.
P.S. I realize that this is the first year of my blog in which the Bears have been actively involved in discussion of the NCAA tournament. I've written about basketball a good deal, but this month is showing just how fixated I can be. My apologies to all of you who do not share my interest. Actually, screw that. I'm too excited to apologize.
Actually, screw that. I'm too excited to apologize.
It's my new power mode! I knew they were going to lose today to UCLA, being so exhausted and all, but I'm still happy with the results of the tournament. On to the NCAAs. . .
A 7 seed - pretty good!
The NCAA basketball tournament is my favorite sporting event. Usually by this time of the year, even during those brief few years when I didn't follow ball much at all, I am on pins and needles anticipating the tournament. But it's amazing how far away this all feels when you're in China. I haven't watched a single college basketball game all year. I've followed it a little (mostly just the Cats) by way of Yahoo! Sports but when I fill out my brackets I will have no scoops on any of the teams. It will boil down to guessing -- but as we all know, when it comes to the brackets, you often do just as well when you have no clue what you're doing.
I think I might still get the China sports channel (I haven't turned on my tv in about 2 months) so hopefully I'll be able to catch a few games. It's also possible they won't even show it tho, or maybe they'll just show the championship or something. I hope it's popular in South America.
Hi, it's Diane in Louisville again...I have her new album as well and I can't stop listening to it. I think she might be one of those artists who makes a deal with the devil to subliminally implant their music into your head so you are forced to keep listening to it. I was just reading an article about her in the new Harp magazine and was surprised to find out that she is in Tucson, and that the album was recorded there, but maybe you already knew that?
Great to hear from you again! I'm typing this from a Starbucks in the center of Hollywood, right on the Walk of Fame. I love the new Neko Case too. Not only did I know she's in Tucson, I actually got to hang out at her house back in 2003 when I was interviewing the New Pornographers. It was a highlight of my post-Arizona existence. Send me an e-mail -- cbertsch at gmail dot com -- and I'll pass on a link to the article I wrote about that night.


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Acupuncture For COVID-19 Loss Of Smell And Taste
Acupuncture demonstrates clinical efficacy for postviral recovery from the loss of the sense of smell. COVID-19 (coronavirus) patients often experience diminished olfaction, with a median return of the senses of taste and smell within eight days. However, long-term impacts on both gustation (tasting) and olfaction have been reported in COVID-19 cases. Research on acupuncture's ability to benefit the restoration of olfaction indicates that it is a potentially effective treatment modality for the relief of anosmia, dysosmia, parosmia, hyposmia, dysgeusia, and ageusia in postviral recovery.
COVID-19 presents challenges because the completion of most current research is pending. Looking at prior investigations, a controlled clinical trial published in the Journal of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery finds acupuncture effective for restoring olfaction in patients with dysosmia (sense of smell dysfunction) due to viral infections. [1] Notably, patients that recovered with the use of acupuncture were non-responders to conventional pharmacologic therapy. The results indicate that additional studies are warranted.
The study employed the use of an expert acupuncturist. Acupuncture treatments lasted for 30 minutes and the acupuncture points used were the following:
GV16 (Fengfu)
GV20 (Baihui)
LI20 (Yingxiang)
LU7 (Lieque)
LU9 (Taiyuang)
All patients received several acupuncture treatments over a 10 week period. A statistical analysis reveals a significant improvement in the patients receiving acupuncture versus the control group. At HealthCMi, we would like to see inclusion of GV24 (Shenting) included in future acupoint selections in research, given the important of scalp acupuncture for neurologic conditions impacting olfaction and the brain.
In another investigation of postviral olfactory dysfunction, traditional Chinese acupuncture "significantly improved olfactory function outcomes in patients who underwent acupuncture compared with the observation group." [2] Results were confirmed using the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT). The treatment process was supervised by a professor of acupuncture with over 50 years of experience. Acupuncture points used in the investigation included LI20 (Yingxiang) and M-HN-14 (Bitong).
It will take time for the new wave of research to confirm the aforementioned results. We do know, however; that acupuncture has been proven effective in preventing damage to cells and glands of the head and neck. For example, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston) and Fudan University Cancer Center (Shanghai) researchers conclude that acupuncture "resulted in significantly fewer and less severe RIX [radiation-induced xerostomia] symptoms 1 year after treatment vs SCC [standard care control]." [3] The blinded investigation of acupuncture's effects on head and neck cancer patients receiving radiation therapy demonstrates groundbreaking results.
Salivary glands may be permanently damaged by radiation therapy and there is a high-incidence of resultant RIX, with complications including difficult or painful swallowing, impairment of the sense of taste (dysgeusia), dental problems, insomnia, and difficulty speaking.
Outcome measures were based on a questionnaire, salivary flow, incidence of xerostomia, salivary contents, and quality of life scores. One year after completion of all acupuncture treatments, the acupuncture group maintained significantly higher successful patient outcome rates over standard care and sham-control groups. All acupuncture treatments were provided by licensed acupuncturists trained at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. The acupuncture points used were the following:
Auricular: Shenmen, Point Zero, Salivary Gland 2 Prime, Larynx
Body-style acupuncture needles were 0.25 mm × 40 mm and auricular acupuncture needles were 0.16 mm × 15 mm. Acupuncture treatments were provided at a rate of 3 times per week for the duration of the 6–7 week radiation treatment period. The researchers conclude that acupuncture "should be considered for the prevention of radiation-induced xerostomia." [4]
COVID-19 reporting is now citing the term long-haulers in reference to patients with lasting adverse effects associated with the illness. A diminished sense of taste, smell, and chronic fatigue are frequently cited. This underscores the need for effective treatments for COVID-19 patients.
Preliminary results in modern research for acupuncture will be reviewed by the HealthCMi news department as the research is completed. Regarding traditional Chinese herbal medicine, there are already several studies that have been completed. In a study of 662 patients, Chinese herbal medicine significantly reduced COVID-19 mortality rates. [5]
In another investigation of COVID-19 patients with pneumonia, researchers conclude that the addition of Chinese medicine to conventional care improves clinical efficacy. The researchers note that Chinese medicine "significantly increased viral nucleic acid negative conversion rate." They add that Chinese medicine "prominently reduced pulmonary inflammation," "improved host immune function," and Chinese medicine "exhibited superior performance" for improving the "clinical effective rate, viral nucleic acid negative conversion rate, remission rate of pulmonary inflammation, and biochemical markers." [6]
Laboratory results indicate that Chinese herbal medicine is effective. Research demonstrates that the Chinese herbal patent medicine Lianhua Qingwen Capsules decreases the number of virus particles in SARS-CoV-2 infected cells. Transmission electron microscopy confirms that virus particles at cell membrane surfaces, in cytoplasm, and in plasma vesicles decreases in cells treated with Lianhua Qingwen Capsules. [7] In a clinical trial, researchers conclude that Lianhua Qingwen Capsules improve the recovery rate from COVID-19 symptoms, shortens the time from initial symptoms to recovery, and improves morphological recovery from chest radiologic abnormalities. [8]
[1] Vent, Julia, Djin-Wue Wang, and Michael Damm. "Effects of traditional Chinese acupuncture in post-viral olfactory dysfunction." Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery 142, no. 4 (2010): 505-509.
[2] Dai, Qi, Zhihui Pang, and Hongmeng Yu. "Recovery of olfactory function in postviral olfactory dysfunction patients after acupuncture treatment." Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2016 (2016).
[3] Garcia, M.K., Meng, Z., Rosenthal, D.I., Shen, Y., Chambers, M., Yang, P., Wei, Q., Hu, C., Wu, C., Bei, W. and Prinsloo, S., 2019. Effect of True and Sham Acupuncture on Radiation-Induced Xerostomia Among Patients With Head and Neck Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Network Open, 2(12), pp.e1916910-e1916910.
[5] Chen, Guohua, Wen Su, Jiayao Yang, Dan Luo, Ping Xia, Wen Jia, Xiuyang Li et al. "Chinese herbal medicine reduces mortality in patients with severe and critical Coronavirus disease 2019: a retrospective cohort study." Frontiers of medicine (2020): 1-8.
[6] Sun, Chun-Yang, Ya-Lei Sun, and Xin-Min Li. "The role of Chinese medicine in COVID-19 pneumonia: A systematic review and meta-analysis." The American Journal of Emergency Medicine (2020).
[7] Runfeng, Li, Hou Yunlong, Huang Jicheng, Pan Weiqi, Ma Qinhai, Shi Yongxia, Li Chufang et al. "Lianhuaqingwen exerts anti-viral and anti-inflammatory activity against novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2)." Pharmacological research (2020): 104761.
[8] Hu, Ke, Wei-jie Guan, Ying Bi, Wei Zhang, Lanjuan Li, Boli Zhang, Qingquan Liu et al. "Efficacy and Safety of Lianhuaqingwen Capsules, a repurposed Chinese Herb, in Patients with Coronavirus disease 2019: A multicenter, prospective, randomized controlled trial." Phytomedicine (2020): 153242.


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GREVIO publishes 1st General Activity Report
The Council of Europe (CoE) Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention) is the most far-reaching and legally binding international treaty to tackle this serious violation of human rights. The Convention is based on the understanding that violence against women is a gender-based violence that is committed against women solely because they are women and that it derives from a global culture of discrimination which denies women equal rights with men.
The Convention claims the implementation of measures to fulfill its core issues: prevention, protection and prosecution.
A crucial part of the Istanbul Convention plays the monitoring mechanism which assesses how well its requirements and provisions are put into practice by States Parties to the Convention.
The monitoring process consists of two pillars: The Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO), an independent expert body, and the Committee of the Parties, a political body composed of official representatives of the States Parties to the Convention. Their findings and recommendations will help to ensure states' compliance with the convention and guarantee its long-term effectiveness. An important source of information for GREVIO in the process of monitoring are civil society organizations.
GREVIO has published its 1st General Activity Report, covering the period from September 2015 to May 2019.
This report is the first to present the trends and challenges related to the implementation of the Istanbul Convention. By explaining GREVIO's mandate, composition and working methods, the report demonstrates how, as an independent monitoring body, GREVIO has joined the ranks of other international and regional women's rights monitoring bodies. It has thus become an important voice in the fields of preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence.
In the period under review, GREVIO has published first baseline evaluation reports on Albania, Austria, Denmark, Monaco, Montenegro, Portugal, Sweden and Turkey. On-site evaluations of Finland, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Serbia have also been carried out.
Click here to read more about the report.


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Q: Json response based on parameter in webapi My API controller method is
public IQueryable<Team> GetTeam([FromUri] string include = "")
{
     return from c in db.Team select new Team { id = c.TeamID, name = c.teamName, logo = "", social = new Map.Social { facebook = "", twitter = "" } };
}

the response from the above method is
[{"id":1,"name":"example","logo":"","social":{"twitter":"","facebook":""}}]

The issue is that the above response should be created if the method accepts "social" as the include parameter.
If the include parameter is null the response should be
[{"id":1,"name":"example","logo":""}]

How should I change the code above to make that happen?
The classes used:
public class Team
{
   public int id { get; set; }
   public string name { get; set; }
   public string logo { get; set; }
   public Social social { get; set; }
}

public class Social
{
   public string twitter { get; set; }
   public string facebook { get; set; }
}

A: The wording of your question explains what needs to be programmed.
A simplified example would be
public IQueryable<Team> GetTeam([FromUri] string include = "") {

    //If the include parameter is null the response should be
    if(String.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(include) {
        return from c in db.Team select new Team { id = c.TeamID, name = c.teamName, logo = ""};
    }

     return from c in db.Team select new Team { id = c.TeamID, name = c.teamName, logo = "", social = new Map.Social { facebook = "", twitter = "" } };
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Llandudno rapist on the run after jail sentence
The court heard that the sex offences were committed when Keith Jones was around 15 years old
Elwyn Roberts
Mold Crown Court
A "bully" who subjected a vulnerable young girl to a humiliating rape has been jailed for the crime more than 45 years after it happened.
Peter Keith Jones carried out the heinous sex attack when he was around 15 years old and living in the Llandudno area.
The court heard Jones, now aged 64, had been convicted during a previous hearing of two charges of rape and one charge of indecently assaulting the girl, who was under the age of 13 at the time.
At Mold Crown Court today, Judge Niclas Parry sentenced him to serve four and a half years in prison.
Rhyl teenager stamped on disabled man, hit him with radiator and smashed his head through window
But Jones, whose current address was listed as Wood Green, in London, did not attend the hearing - meaning he was sentenced in his absence.
In addition to the prison sentence, which he will start to serve once he is arrested, he was ordered to register with the police as a sex offender for life.
The court heard today that the offences were historic and were reported to the police in 2004.
It was only after extensive efforts by the police that the defendant was eventually arrested 12 years later in London in 2016.
Despite a warrant for Jones's arrest being issued when he did not attend his trial at the start of May, Jones remains at large.
At the time the offences were committed, the judge said that Jones was a bully who singled out his victim.
He made sexual comments about her, and had raped her twice on two separate occasions.
One of the rapes was committed in front of Jones's male friend.
After the rape was finished, the defendant asked the friend if he "wanted a go" but mercifully the friend declined.
Judge Parry said that the presence of another individual at the scene added to the humiliation caused to the victim and was an aggravating feature.
Flintshire pervert who repeatedly put false profiles of women on swingers' websites is jailed
The judge said that he had to take into account the defendant's age at the time.
He said that the defendant himself was a child and immature when the offences occurred and if he had been prosecuted at the time then he may have been given help and not punishment.
The judge added that these were serious offences which caused harm to the victim and a custodial sentence was inevitable.
AberystwythFour-star hotel planned as part of major redevelopment of historic seafront buildingThe ambitious project will see a 'major cultural and creative centre' created at the site
UK NewsAdvice for all dog owners on the best way to avoid huge vet billsPet owners can often land massive charges if they are unprepared


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Grassfed restructure stakeholder reaction
First published 17 Jan. Updated 2pm 18 Jan
Published below are the media releases issued by Cattle Council of Australia, the Cattle Australia Implementation Committee and the Australian Beef Association following CCA's resignation from the CAIC in Brisbane yesterday:
Joint Cattle Council of Australia/State Farm Organisations media release – 17 Jan 2017:
Renewed strong support for Cattle Council
State farmer organisations have this week united to throw their full support behind the enhancement of Cattle Council of Australia's directly elected model, to ensure the beef industry has a strong national representative body.
Cattle Council President Howard Smith said the move demonstrated a direct commitment to progressing the interests of beef producers across Australia.
"The state farmer organisations clearly recognise the vital role played by Cattle Council in levy oversight, policy development and producer engagement, and I thank them for their support," he said.
"Decisions made by Cattle Council members affect the entire industry and the founding members continue to support independent levy payers having their voice heard."
The founding members of Cattle Council include NSW Farmers Association, Victorian Farmers Federation, Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association, Western Australia Farmers Federation, Pastoralists and Graziers' Association, Livestock SA, AgForce Queensland and the Northern Territory Cattlemen's Association.
The state farmer organisations met in Sydney this week with Cattle Council executives to review the Council's restructure priorities including the move to re-engage levy payers not affiliated with a state body.
The founding members collectively represent a significant proportion of beef producers across Australia and acknowledged the need for Cattle Council to represent not only existing state farmer organisation members but the beef industry as a whole.
Mr Smith said the meeting in Sydney this week, which was attended by State Presidents, Chief Executive Officers and Livestock Board Chairs, acknowledged the restructure work undertaken by Cattle Council since the 2015 Senate Inquiry into the grass-fed levy.
"There has been significant constitutional change for Cattle Council, and while there is more work to be done, we are getting on with the job of restructuring the organisation to ensure we deliver for the entire industry" he said.
"This is about shoring up the future of the beef industry as a whole. There is recognition of the need for a new model, and that state farming organisations are key to that model and driving it forward."
AgForce General President Grant Maudsley said "with Queensland producing almost half of the country's beef, the state's producers were eager to have a well-organised and efficient national peak body providing strong leadership and strategic direction for the industry".
"We are delighted to see all the state farming organisations agreeing to work together to support Cattle Council through the restructure process during what are exciting times for the beef industry" he said.
President of the Northern Territory Cattleman's Association (NTCA) Tom Stockwell said "NTCA is committed to supporting Cattle Council through the restructure process and ensuring that grass fed cattle producers have strong national leadership. The NTCA, as a founding member of Cattle Council, continues to fully support it as Australia's peak national body for grass fed producers".
NSW Farmers Association President Derek Schoen said "the enhancement of Cattle Council's model recognises that structural reforms are required, to improve producer engagement and enable better industry coordination".
Victorian Farmers President David Jochinke said "as Victoria's peak industry body for beef and dairy producers we have a long term commitment to Cattle Council. We see the value in a strong, sustainable national body carrying the southern policy priorities at the federal level and into the international arena and we look forward to continuing to support Cattle Council into the future".
Western Australia Farmers' Federation President Tony York said "to achieve the best outcomes for our beef producer members and tap into the national agenda, we are proud to align ourselves with the national body. We are supportive of the goals of Cattle Council and look forward to working together to create a stronger and more vibrant future for the Australian beef industry".
Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association President Wayne Johnston said "we need a national peak body for cattle, and Cattle Council is clearly that body. It's good to see that this proposal has State support right across the board".
Pastoralists and Graziers of Association of WA, Livestock Chairman Chris Patmore said "yesterday's meeting was a step in the right direction, with Cattle Council actively seeking member's views on the core functions and priorities of the organisation going forward. All members play a pivotal role in the effective functioning of Cattle Council and it is absolutely vital that they are considered front and centre with respect on any restructure process".
Livestock SA President Joe Keynes said "Livestock SA strongly supports a peak body that meets the needs of a modern beef industry. We look forward to working together to ensure strong leadership in the interest of South Australian beef producers".
"This recommitment by the founding members has reenergised the restructure process and we look forward to working closely with our members and industry around next steps for progressing the representation model" said Mr Smith.
Todays announcement brings to a close Cattle Councils involvement in the Implementation Committee which was established post the 2015 Senate Inquiry and included independent members from across the industry. The Committee met regularly over the past few years to work through options for restructuring the industry and seek out sustainable funding avenues for a full direct elect model.
Independent Chair of the Implementation Committee, Troy Setter welcomed the renewed focus on developing the representative model to engage more grass fed producers.
"The Implementation Committee was given a difficult task by the Former Minister for Agriculture in assisting in the development of a new representative model for the industry. Its members have committed considerable amounts of their own time and energy to achieving this goal. Whilst considerable progress was achieved through this process, confirmation that access to a portion of the levy would not be an option was a hurdle."
Cattle Australia Implementation Committee media release – 17 Jan 2017:
At the Cattle Australia Implementation Committee meeting held in Brisbane today, the Cattle Council of Australia resigned from the Committee at the behest of the State Farm Organizations, citing that the SFO's wanting greater involvement and influence in the grassfed cattle Peak Council than was being proposed in the Cattle Australia model.
The Cattle Australia Implementation Committee was formed at the direction of the then Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce, in the wake of two Senate Inquiries. The Committee was charged with setting up a democratic, directly elected cattle body.
The newly elected Chairman of the committee, Paul Wright, said that the Cattle Australia Implementation Committee is committed to giving every grass fed levy payer automatic membership and voting rights, as per the Senate Inquiry recommendation No 1
Former Chair, Troy Setter, resigned due to work commitments. Troy Setter welcomed the continued focus on developing the representative model to engage more grass fed producers.
Australian Beef Association media statement – 18 Jan 2017:
The ABA is committed to the establishment of a truly representative grassfed body to represent the interests of our industry.
The 'Cattle Australia' Implementation Committee (CAIC) is moving forward with the original plans established by former Agricultural Minister Barnaby Joyce to develop a democratically elected grassfed cattlemen's national organisation.
The Australian Beef Association (ABA), strongly backs the continuation of the CAIC, saying it is an ideal opportunity offered to us by Minister Joyce. ABA wishes to reinforce their support of the remaining members of the CAIC to continue to develop the new producer owned organisation.
Senate recommendations, which were delivered following 2 Senate Inquiries (which had also been facilitated by Minister Barnaby Joyce), stated in Recommendation 1: …"that a producer owned body be established …….." , and the CAIC, originally called the Implementation Committee, was well down the path of achieving this when CCA disappointingly resigned yesterday.
In a 2012 CCA-funded report delivered by a well-respected consulting firm, Innovact, it was noted that the existing Boards and the Peak Council were basically non-representative of the grass cattle industry, and that change was necessary.
Recently the CCA received a Federal grant of $500,000 on behalf of the CAIC (which Minister Joyce encouraged the IC to apply for).
Australian Meat Producers Group media statement – 18 Jan 2017:
CCA Renegs on Cattle Australia restructure, thumbs its nose at democracy
Yesterday the Cattle Council of Australia advised a meeting of the Cattle Australia Implementation Committee that the CCA members of that committee had been directed by the State Farm Organisations (SFO's) to resign from the Cattle Australia Implementation Committee.
In doing so Cattle Council of Australia (CCA) and State Farming Organisations (SFO's) have thumbed their noses at the recommendations of the 2014 and 2017 Senate Committee Inquiry recommendations for the formation of a truly representative grass fed cattle producer body to replace CCA.
CCA and the SFO's have also ignored the advice contained in the 2012 Innovact Consulting Report that CCA attached to its submission to the 2013 Senate Inquiry into grass fed cattle systems and structures that as a consequence of falling SFO membership and the convoluted SFO/CCA structure CCA no longer truly represented Australia's grass fed cattle producers . The Cattle Australia Implementation Committee was set up at the behest of former Federal Agriculture minister Barnaby Joyce in 2015 to establish a new truly representative grass fed cattle producer Peak Council to replace CCA.
As Barnaby Joyce stated there was:- "…a strong desire from all sectors in the industry to see the creation of a directly elected representative organisation, whereby if you can earn the endorsement of your peers within your region or 'electorate' then you can represent them on the national level, no matter which group you support, CCA CCP, ABA, AMPG, USA and the list goes on. We must see the creation of that body but to get here we must have a mechanism through which levy payers can have their say and vote accordingly on the election of representatives…"
Despite Barnaby Joyce's express views on representative democracy and CCA's previous agreement to the establishment of Cattle Australia CCA advised the Cattle Australia Implementation Committee yesterday that the SFO's were not prepared to walk away from direct SFO representation on the grass fed cattle producers representative Peak Council in favour of a model based on a board directly elected by grass fed transaction levy payers.
Consequently CCA proposed to continue to represent Australia's grass fed cattle producers through a board comprising 8 SFO appointed directors and two directly elected board members with a proposal for two more directly elected board members if CCA can drum up another 500 direct members. In other words the SFO' are also thumbing their noses at Australia's grass fed cattle producers suggesting by necessary implication that grass fed producers cannot be trusted to directly elect their own advocacy representatives and that responsibility should remain with the SFO's .
The Australian Meat Producers Group (AMPG) remains firmly committed to replacing CCA with the Cattle Australia grass fed cattle representative body. This Cattle Australia Peak Council model includes a board directly elected by grass fed cattle transaction levy payers and was agreed to by the AMPG , CCA, Australian Beef Association (ABA) and the Northern Pastoral Group with the support of then Federal Minister for Agriculture in February 2015. The AMPG will continue to work with the Cattle Australia Implementation Committee and the new Federal Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud to bring that about as soon as possible.
Brad Bellinger, 20/01/2018
Well said Vince , and good comments on NSW Country Hour on Friday.
If the CCA is to be the minion of the SFOs then let it be such. The dividend from the levy reserve fund should not be given to an undemocratic CCA .Why should the investment return on past compulsory levies controlled by RMAC be given SFOs ,surely this is compulsory unionism. A policy I thought the National party was opposed to.
David Hill, 20/01/2018
Vince, I didn't mention SFO's in my reply, please read what I stated. I would also suggest you check the facts of your so-called cattle industry grant of $500K. As an independent on the board I was supportive of the model that was being proposed, as stated it was the agreed model the IC was pursuing.
My reply was more about the sand pit analogy, and the fact that we run the the risk of losing focus on the big decisions. My concern for the near future is the critical decisions we will be a part of, last year at the MLA AGM Michael Crowley in his presentation suggested that dentition overriding eating quality was potentially costing the Australia beef industry $46.5M. The beef language white paper has delivered amongst other things the EQG cipher, we know this has support from processors, but they are having trouble getting customers to accept that dentition has no effect on eating quality. CCA reps have played their part in these areas, and will need do so again in the near future. As a producer this is one of the priorities for myself as a CCA rep on industry committees, as industry hopefully moves into an era of value based marketing we need to rid ourselves of the old paradyms that led to the decades of returns based on an averaging system. Vince, I am involved in this for no other reason than to be part of the change to a more sustainable industry, because like others involved in this discussion, at the end of the day I am a beef cattle producer first.
Vince Ptolemy, 19/01/2018
8 or 9 SFO appointed directors and 2 directly elected CCA board members does not make a democracy make.Nor will a board comprising 8 or 9 SFO directors and 4 directors elected board members a democracy make.
The AMPG media statement that you refer to points out that the CCA's own consultant's report found that -as a consequence of falling memberships and CCA' convoluted SFO structure -CCA had ceased to be a truly representative cattle producer body. The AMPG media statement also states that the CCA members of the Cattle Australia Implementation Committee advised that the SFO's were pulling out of the process to form a new representative cattle producer body because they are not prepared to lose their current right to appoint directors to the grass fed cattle producer Peak Council.
Your argument that the SFO's and CCA is supportive of the truly democratic directly elected cattle producer representative Peak Council model but had to walk away because the Government is not fronting up with sufficient funds to get it off the ground does not stack up .The Government has provided the cattle industry with a Grant of $500K to set the new democratic representative body up. So whilst everyone knows that the CCA is strapped for cash,if the new democratic directly elected grass fed cattle producer representative Peak Council received the same income as CCA currently receives cattle producers would have the benefit of a truly democratic representative body with almost the same financial operational resources as the CCA currently has . The only difference would be the $350k annual contribution to CCA from SFO's and that difference could quickly met by charging the 100,000 plus Australian transaction levy payers a $5 membership fee to belong to the new democratic Peak Council .
I would like to take issue with the AMPG heading to their media statement that reads 'CCA Renegs on Cattle Australia restructure, thumbs its nose at democracy.'
CCA has made it quite clear that they were supportive of the move to a directly elected grass fed cattle producer representative Peak Council. There is the issue of the future funding mechanism, everyone seems to be forgetting that among other things the Senate Inquiry recommended that a portion of the CTL was to be made available to adequately fund this new structure, this has not been forthcoming. While it would be desirable for a representative organisation that had all levy payers as members, this doesn't seem likely in the near future.
Whilst I am happy to cop the critisicm of the Eion John McAllister's and Alf Collins Snr's of this industry, people must remember that there is another sandpit at play. That sandpit is the Industry Committee sandpit, as someone that has been turning up to the industry negotiating table as a CCA representative on several of those committees I would suggest that it is no easy task. Grassfed producers must understand that there are changes at foot that will have long lasting ramifications for this industry, CCA is currently the prescribed body, we have a duty to ensure that what is put in place will have a positive effect on the long term sustainability of this industry. Last year a responder to this website referred to people such as myself as dimwits, I responded that I was happy enough to stay at home and let the professionals take over. I would now challenge the likes of Eion John McAllister and Alf Collins Snr to do as I have done. My role as an Independent Director on the CCA Board will be up for re-election this year, I was not an SFO member when I was elected, so that would allow those that don't want to be an SFO member the opportunity to be on the board. I to have a quote, it is not from from someone such as Albert Einstein, but it says " if you are not on the bus, you run the risk of being under it", I would say the industry bus is moving, and someone from the production sector must be on it, the door is open for others to be part of the larger discussion, it is going to be in all our best interests to have the best people on the bus.
Northern Independent Director
Cattle Council of Australia Board.
Alf Collins Sr, 19/01/2018
Same porridge. More to be pitied than pilloried.
I refer to Albert Einstein quotes.
"No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it."
The reason for change was triggered by plummeting support for state farming organisations and poor value for compulsory taxation (levies).
Now watch what happens when siege mentality swamps those reps who have retreated to their old trenches, shoulder to shoulder, SFO's to the end.
Einstein again: "Life is like a bicycle, To keep your balance, you must keep moving".
Press on Paul Wright, and concerned cattle producers. Might is not always right, and history has a canny way of illustrating "Right finally prevails".
Eion John McAllister, 19/01/2018
This is like preschoolers in the sandpit, I'm not going to play because I don't like how the game is going and I can't set the rules, so I'm going. Actions like this confirm the dysfunctional nature of this sorry excuse for a peak representative body, its elitist and controlling philosophical focus and further cements in many peoples minds the view that CCA is a problem and not the solution it says it can be. I find no incentive to be a member of a SFO and choose not to support them and I know many who feel similarly. It is blithley stated in many quarters that SFO's are the voice of producers and represent the views and needs of "all " producers. This "assumed" mantle of representational fidelity for all is not really credible, it is one of those things that when repeated often enough can assume the ring of authenticity to those who promote that message. Claiming that CCA is superior in its capacity to bring about a renewed, revitalised, representational and relevant industry body is not actually delivering such an outcome. I am sure there will be more in this saga, Joyce has not had the guts to do what should have been done and left it to the "Sandpit Solution" where all the kiddies were to play nicely and get along. Well it is clear that has worked really well. Now we have two Sandpits and the squabble over the sand continues.
Thanks for your comment, Eion. As always, Beef Central is happy to take reader comment from all perspectives on industry issues, provided they meet our comment policy. Are there others in support of CCA's decision? If so, let's hear from you. Editor
Arthur David Thomas Dingle, 18/01/2018
Congratulations to all States to come together and be able to work jointly, a huge benefit.
Grass fed Cattle are here to stay.


text:
About Plus Minus
Have A Plant® Brand Guidelines
Produce For Better Health Foundation Teams Up With Kroger Health, American Egg Board & Naturipe Farms For Back-To-School Promotion
Katie Calligaro, Marketing & Communications Director
Powerful Produce Pairings Inspire Easy Ways To Eat & Enjoy More Fruits & Veggies
August 9, 2021 – The Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) has teamed up with Kroger Health to bring together two nutrient-rich foods – berries and eggs – for better health and happiness this fall. In partnership with the American Egg Board's Egg Nutrition Center (ENC) and Naturipe Farms, PBH continues its Powerful Produce Pairings program through omni-channel retail promotions this August.
"This fall, kids are heading back to school, which often means 'back to busy' for many parents. To ensure the return isn't overshadowed by worry, parents can proactively take key steps to ensure the safety and health of their children by tapping into the emotional connection kids can have with produce," said Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak, MS, RDN, President & CEO of PBH. "Plant foods, like fruits and vegetables, provide important nutrients that help kids do their best in the classroom, whether it's helping to support their immune system or giving them the needed energy for all their favorite activities. PBH encourages families to have a plan and Have A Plant® this fall with this berry eggcellent promotion!"
While the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) recommend 2.5 cups of vegetables and 2 cups of fruit each day for kids aged 2 to 8 years old, nine out of ten Americans aren't getting enough fruits and vegetables. In addition, PBH's State of the Plate research indicates that Americans' fruit and vegetable habits continue to decline.
An easy way to get kids to eat fruits and vegetables more frequently and enjoy the beneficial role they play in a happier, healthier lifestyle is by pairing them with other nutrient-dense foods. Not only does pairing with kids' favorite foods increase the consumption of produce, but there are also nutrition synergies. Eggs and blueberries are a powerful nutrition combination, with nutrients supporting brain health, immune health, bone health and eye health.
PBH is thrilled to bring Powerful Produce Pairings to life through this Kroger Health promotion. Kroger Health, the healthcare arm of The Kroger Co., is one of America's leading retail healthcare organizations, with more than 2,300 pharmacies and 11 specialty pharmacies nationwide, and 200 clinics. Their team of 22,000 healthcare professionals – from pharmacists and nurse practitioners to dietitians and technicians – serves more than 13 million customers. Specifically, this promotion is in partnership with Kroger Health's registered dietitian teams and includes:
PBH Have A Plant® Cook Along on PBH's Facebook Channel @FruitsandVeggies, Wednesday, August 11th at 5:30 p.m. ET. Join Kroger's Ashley Martinez, MFN, RD, LD for a lesson in batch cooking to help followers prep kids' lunches using creative recipes from both Egg Nutrition Center and Naturipe Farms.
A PBH Have A Plant® for Back-To-School Nutrition Booklet distributed to more than 60,000 Kroger and Little Clinic customers, showcasing like eggs and blueberries to support cognition, tips on building DIY lunch packing stations and batch cooking for back to school.
An opportunity for all partners to present to Kroger's team of dietitians in a small group setting, offering them new nutrition information and the science behind the benefits of berries and eggs for cognitive health – all culminating at a time when these benefits will be top of mind as kids head back to school in the fall.
Social media promotions throughout the month of August will provide tips and tricks to shoppers and PBH followers on how to ensure school lunches offer the good nutrition parents demand and delicious food that kids will request over and over in their lunches.
"Our philosophy is to bring our shoppers science-based, real-life, simple ways to enjoy delicious food that helps them feel great," said Bridget Wojciak, Director of Nutrition, Kroger Health. "We believe nutrition for better health does not mean dreading what's on your plate, and so we're thrilled to show how great memories can be shared over meals featuring produce."
For more information about how to partner with PBH on Powerful Produce Pairings or other retail promotions, contact Katie Calligaro, Marketing & Communications Director of PBH.


× The park is the third largest in Thailand. It covers an area of 300 square kilometers, including tropical seasonal forests and grasslands. Its altitude mostly ranges from 400–1,000 m above sea level. There are 3,000 species of plants, 320 species of birds, and 67 species of mammals, recording in this, Thailand's most famous National Park.
A couple of days ago the TV news showed a man being carried into an ambulance after a Gaur had attacked and seriously injured him in Khao Yai national park.
We heard that the man is still in hospital in critical condition, but I can't confirm if that's true.
Apparently the injured man is a hornbill researcher that was showing a group of students around in the park.
I was wondering if anybody has heard about this, and hopefully with some more details about the incident. Even though I've heard Gaur can be dangerous, my experience is that you never get close enough to the animals for them to even consider an attack. They always bolt as soon as they pick up your scent, or hear/ see you.
I guess the park authorities are afraid to see a drop in tourist numbers. Though, on the other hand they are often using 'their dangerous' crocodile to promote the park, haha.
Just this evening I saw a herd of Gaur in the park. Came a bit as a surprise. I had been specifically looking for them, and was expecting them to show up in this season, but I gave up the search because I heard poachers cutting some small trees in the forest nearby. I expected the noise would have chased the Gaurs off if these animals would have been in the area. But maybe they are not always that shy after all. On the way back when darkness had fallen they appeared from the forest.
It is indeed a sobering thought to be mangled whilst out in the forest, I hope this man gets better and at least he had others with him whom I presume were able to send for help..
The last information I've heard is that the man is recovering from his injuries.
It did not happen in the 'tourist' part of KY.
And seems like the man was not with a group of students, but just with another researcher. But anyway at least there was somebody to help him/ get help.
Still haven't heard about the exact incident, how it happened, but good to hear he is recovering.
It must have been a very intimidating and fearful moment for him being attacted in the jungle by such a huge and powerful creature.


The Peddlers of Asia is a 13-part real-life documentary about food peddlers of Asia , their untold stories, their secret recipe, their culture and their lifestyle. Food peddlers are a common sight in Asia.
Every peddler has a unique human interest story to tell. Stories that reflect their culture, their economy, their lifestyle, principles and beliefs. Behind every wooden cart, is a colourful personality. Why do they choose to peddle food? What is the future for these food peddlers? Are we seeing the last generation of these food peddlers? What are their struggles?
This documentary is a gut, honest insight of food peddlers. This documentary brings the camera into the local markets, villages, untrodden paths and even the back alleys of Asian countries to track down these food peddlers and document their life stories. The documentary unveils the personal lives and struggles, human interest stories of these peddlers. Where do they live? How much do they earn? What are their families like? Is it a family tradition to peddle food? Behind every peddler, is a host of stories just waiting to be told.
Meet the undiscovered Chefs in The Peddlers of Asia!


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Fire breaks out on WCU campus
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UPDATE: 2:45 p.m. - Jackson County Fire Marshal Michael Forbis told The Herald the fire is out at Western Carolina University, and that the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation will begin work to determine the cause. That process could take days, Emergency Management Director Todd Dillard said. The county fire marshal does not have jurisdiction to investigate fires with state-owned buildings, so the SBI was called in, Forbis said. Crews from five counties - Swain, Haywood, Macon, Jackson and Buncombe -- responded to the blaze, he said.
Shortly after 9 a.m. a fire broke out at the Subway Restaurant located along Centennial Drive on Western Carolina University's campus.
As of 12:30 p.m. the fire was about 90 percent contained, WCU spokesman Bill Studenc said.
No injuries have been reported as a result of the fire, he said.
Three businesses - Subway, Rolling Stone and Mad Batter - suffered "extensive" damage, Studenc said. The roof on the complex collapsed.
Officials do not yet know the cause of the fire or where, specifically, it started.
WCU is operating on a normal schedule and all classroom buildings, residence halls and dining facilities are open. Students, faculty and staff are advised to use their own discretion in completing the instructional day.
The last fire at WCU was in December 2009 when theatrical lighting in Hoey Auditorium overheated.
Several Jackson County fire departments responded to the call, along with EMS and other emergency personnel. Neighboring counties also sent units to the scene as well.
WCU public relations issued a statement asking students to avoid the area.
Traffic has been diverted around Centennial Drive.
Students took to Twitter and Instagram to share images and video of the fire.
Story provided by: www.thesylvaherald.com
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Life, these days, comes in the few square feet of space we call home. Everything we have, everything we treasure, own and care about is fitted into this little space. Even if you regularly clean it up, it somehow has the ability to get dirty and cluttered.
We ourselves contribute to this phenomenon too. Some suffer an affliction in which they're unable to let go of things which may come in handy 'someday'! That bag you bought 3 years ago but never used, or an old pair of shoes swamped beneath your clutter pile… All these little things are taking up big space in your home.
Home reorganizing is a periodic must-do to accommodate the new things we buy and declutter our house from the old. It's a therapy to keep your soul happy and home young. The difficult question is where do you start? Have a look at our space-saving tricks and storage ideas below!
Your house—the one you've been living in for years—is sure to have a few places you've left unutilized. These spaces are easy to overlook day-to-day, but when you set off with a storage-detective mindset, there are quite a few treasures you'll find!
Utilize space behind doors to hang caps, ties, scarves, towels and even shoes. The good part is this is 'invisible' storage only open when the door shuts. Round kitchen storage jars can take up a lot of space. Instead, shift to tall rectangle containers. Utilize space above doors. Cabinets and shelves above doors can be used to store those once-in-a-while items. The side of a desk is often overlooked but can be a handy place to hang a purse.
Storage ideas come in all sizes. Most parents are always on the look out for space-saving solutions in their children's room. You can free up floor space and hang a couple of triangular nets on the wall to catch soft toys and balls. You can save space at home by utilizing awkward corners to store books, magazines, and stationery topped with an attractive plant or lamp. Hooks make a great storage hack. You can use them almost anywhere – inside closets, behind doors, below shelves and more to instantly create storage. The space below the sink can be used not just cleaning items but all your spare toiletries you got when you splurged on the buy-one-get-one-free sale.
Do away with vanity mirrors in the bathroom and replace them with mirror cabinets that do dual duty for you. Install additional curtain rods in the bathroom to catch small baskets that can hold toys. Create overhead shelves for plants. Always buy dual-purpose furniture – a sofa that converts into a bed, a table that hides the seating beneath it, a bookshelf that doubles up as a study, a painting that doubles up as a table and more.
Anything above the height of 11 feet (3.5 metres) and below your ceiling can qualify to be mezzanine storage. If you have mezzanine space, it can be used for anything from an extra bed to an intimate living area to a small study. Space below the stairs can be used to recreate Harry Potter's bedroom which your children can be super thrilled about.
Mezzanines are great to create a small home office taking away the need to dedicate a room or a corner to it. Mezzanines can also be used to create an illusion of space. They need not be full rooms but just a corridor that leads to the room above or the terrace. You can use reinforced glass walls to cover your mezzanine room. This will ensure that lots of light reaches the compact space without leaving your main room overpowered.
A garage can be a great place to hide away a lot of outdoor items and keep your tools organized. Some cool space saving tricks for the garage include having storage on the ceiling (create wooden rails that can hold boxes), hanging your bike on the wall and using PVC pipes to double up as your tool holder. You can utilize the entire wall space to hang your other sports utilities from rackets to ball baskets. You can also choose a corner for a foldable garage workbench on which to take on your favourite projects.
This ingenious garage reorganization idea is from the house of J-Style Garage Co. Ltd. in Japan.
A common problem with kitchen shelves is that they are too tall. You can use the old microwave or oven stands to form a double shelf and slowly phase out your current jars with uniform jars that look good and take up fixed space. Other space-saving solutions for kitchens include creating a hidden cutting table within the storage shelf that can be pulled out and converting the inside of a cabinet door into a blackboard on which to write your grocery list!
You can create a vertical wall for your herb garden and use the small vertical space between cabinets to stack jars and condiments. Mount a metal sheet with holes in varying sizes and put up hooks to catch everything from towels to ladles! Kitchens can be done up in so many ways that this is one place where you will never run out of ideas.
A bold and interesting home reorganizing trick is to convert your space into an open plan room. This is among the most sought-after ideas as not many interior designers can make it really come together. An open plan is said to bring the family closer by combining the actions of entertaining, cooking and eating in one large space instead of different rooms. Open plans tend to eliminate doors and doorways and widen passages giving a sense of spaciousness even if you have a relatively small space.
Closed cabinets can leave a lot to the imagination. Replacing your wooden cabinet doors with glass doors can give depth and dimension. You can save space at home by organizing your cabinets neatly (you'll be forced to do it as the contents are now visible). Display cabinets also allow light to reach the inside corners preventing your rooms from looking compact.
For more great space-saving tips, try our ideabook 5 easy space saving tips for your home!