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The Sizzling Candace Smith
Candace Smith is a force too hot to be messed with. Being a Daytona native, Candace is an American lawyer, actress, model, and beauty queen. Candace was a contestant on Survivor: Tocantins so she's already has the brawn power to back up her timeless beauty. Candace won the title of Miss Ohio USA 2003 in Portsmouth, Ohio. Then she went on to represent Ohio in the Miss USA 2003 in San Antonio, Texas.
Breaking into acting and displaying her beauty Candace was one of "Barker's Beauties" on The Price Is Right game show. She went on to play roles on Fox's Method & Red, HBO's Entourage and NBC's Joey, Broken Lizard comedy Beerfest, The Slammin' Salmon and The Babymakers. She also appeared in David Ayer's End of Watch, as a distressed mother who receives help from Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña. In her most recent film, Candace plays the lead female role in "My Father, Die" written and directed by Sean Brosnan and produced by Pierce Brosnan.
Candace attended the University of Dayton on a full academic scholarship and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Communications, I mean can't expect nothing less from Miss Ohio herself. Candace attended law school at Northwestern University School of Law in Chicago. After passing the Ohio Bar exam in 2002, Candace began practicing commercial real estate law at the largest law firm in Ohio which was actually the same time she won the title of Miss Ohio USA.
Having a Bachelor's in Psychology its only right that she goes in the matchmaker business right? In 2014, Candace joined Bravo's 8th season of "The Millionaire Matchmaker" as the Director of Recruiting working with Patti Stanger. The premiere episode of the 8th season was the most watched in the history of the series with 1.5 million viewers. So Dopeness caught up with Candace to pick her brain and get the scoop about her life, career and well whatever else she wants to tell us, we promise you that you'll love it, read on.
STYLING BY Evolution Fashion Studio
INTERVIEW BY Sharif King
PHOTOGRAPHY BY Annette Navarro
How you start your days throughout the week? okay, every morning I start off with a glass of lemon water, I really do. And then I take the time to look over my schedule; I am a big list maker, I'm old school, I write everything down. I have a schedule book and I have lists everywhere, so I go over the daily list, it's very unusual, if I can complete 75% of the tasks that I give it an effort every day. Then after I look at how hectic my day is going to be is when I turn my phone off and I have prayer time and I usually try to do it, it's like my meditation prayer-time, like 15 minutes to 30 minutes a day. I hate when I'm rushing and I miss it because it's just so important for me to take the time and focus on everything that I have to be grateful for, because it can be overwhelming with everything I'm juggling between acting, producing, Millionaire Matchmaker, and then so many other goals I have in the future. So it can be overwhelming and so focusing in on what I have to be grateful for is very important to the beginning of my day. And then I like to get a workout in, I love to work out outside seeing that's the whole purpose of living in LA is I get to be outside versus a gym. So I run, I'm a runner so I usually try to get in a quick run.I get a good workout in and then I go. My days are always packed even weekends because if it's not something that I already have in place professionally then there is something I want to accomplish; whether it's developing a new show, whether it's updating my reel, whether it's me trying to develop and create my own project. I always have something that I want to do like a goal I want to achieve. So my days are packed. Lately it has been a lot of talk shows, interviews. I just got back from filming a movie so it's like I was in Hanna the movie Zanna for 30 days by myself. If you want to talk about going crazy go to Hanna, Louisiana in a small town, stay in a haunted bed and breakfast and be the lead female in an action film that's like emotionally and physically draining and film 16 hours a day. When I came back I was not normal...this is an amazing opportunity for me to be the lead female and it's a gritty independence produced by Pierce Brosnan it's called 'My father, Die'. And I've always been cast as the pretty girl next door and no one got the opportunity to see my layers and to see who I really am, where I come from. I'm from Dayton, Ohio and I rep my city and who I am, and there's a lot of colours to that and so to get that opportunity was absolutely amazing. Do you feel like you're overlooked a little bit? Do you feel like this is your one chance to do something that you may not get to do again because you've been overlooked in your roles? oh yeah, I mean I was hungry for that reason. I was a beast about it for that reason because first of all there aren't that many roles out there like that and then in this city it's like the same actresses are on rotation and it's been like that for me for 11 years, where I come close to really big projects and then it's the same people you always see, all the time. So this film was amazing and it was demanding being the lead female and the lead male is deaf and mute. So the material it was all really demanding and challenging physically too; I had a lot of stunts but I definitely I am so grateful for the opportunity to finally show what I can do. What do you feel like was the hardest thing in terms of stepping your game up and becoming the lead actress, like what do you think you had to change? I think for me it was finally feeling comfortable to reveal the true essence of Candace and allow her to be always present, unfiltered versus being watered down and diluted by what I felt I should be and what other people felt I should be because I'm Miss Ohio, USA 2003, because I have a law degree, because I'm educated and I look like a pretty little black Barbie. What I was supposed to be is setting that all aside and really allowing Candace to shine. Now, Candace is a lawyer, she's an actress, she's a model, she's a connector and you're now on TV. Did you ever feel that this was going to all exist together at one time? hahaha, no, not at all, I did not see any of this coming. If you had talked to me last year and you told me "Candace you're going to be a new matchmaker on Bravo's Millionaire Matchmaker," I would say get out of here, like what are you even talking about. I've been a life coach since college. I graduated with a psychology degree. It's always been just natural to me to connect with people and I'm a giver and I understand people. I consider myself to be pretty intuitive and I love people and matchmaking was always a part of my life coaching, but never did I see that intertwining with the entertainment world and me working with Patti Stanger. When the opportunity first came to me I didn't believe it. I don't think I believed it until like after I worked with Patti for like a full week and I was like this is really happening, this is real. And when the filming of the show started and we're on camera doing this and matchmaking people it was like it was surreal, so no. And then to have that airing while a show that I'm a producer on, on We TV, the Black Batchelor show match made in heaven is on TV. And then while all those shows are on TV, I auditioned a few times and got the lead female role for 'My father, Die' and go down to Louisiana, I had a two day notice and go down there for 30 days while my shows are on. While your shows are on TV, so you're not even thinking about what's on TV, now your focus is just on I need to land this role; I need to get this role for so many different reasons, that's crazy! right, yeah.You know honestly I didn't feel any pressure to land the role and that's probably why I did land it. I think that part of what I was saying earlier as far as how I was able to get to this place where I could go in and feel confident and feel good and audition and get a lead female role was the fact that I was finally in a good place and comfortable with myself. So when it came to the audition I went in there really confident and felt good about who I am and what I bring to the table. So I didn't have like unnecessary pressure on me. So that's what makes a better role for Candace, you would say is if there's no pressure it's just a relaxed situation then you can just get right to it? Yeah you're in a good space. Okay let's just start off here. You went to school for Media and Communications and Law. It's not everyday somebody gets to go through two different interests. What made you mesh the two together? well to be honest when I started college I was on a full academics and being I'm the first person in my family to go to college I was told to either be a doctor or a lawyer. So I never really felt the freedom to take my time to explore what it is I was really passionate about, what I really wanted to do. So I was kind of like on cruise control. And originally I was pre-med and then after organic chemistry I was like I'm not doing this that was like in my second year. was pre-med boring for you, what was that about? Yeah I just wasn't feeling it. I wasn't into it. And so then I was like maybe I should explore being a lawyer well I already have these pre-med credits what can I do that makes sense and then that's when I decided to go into psychology. So actually my degree is a Bachelor in Psychology but I have a minor in Media and Communications. I actually did a program at the University of London for Media and Communications too. So it was a matter of me starting off pre-med, not feeling it and trying to figure out okay what is it that I'm interested in and it was psychology. And then I thought okay well I can get a psychology degree and I can go a couple of different routes including law school, which is what I ultimately decided to do. Now you mentioned London is that where you got bit by the acting bug, is that where it all started for you in terms of wanting to be on TV? oh my soul. You know the bug bit me when I was a little girl I mean I was a natural born... from dance class to my local date and playhouse. I mean I was in theatre camp and I was like 5, I was born dramatic really. But being in London, the theatre there is so amazing like on the west end and off the west end...and then like when you're a student it's like you get student discount to all the plays and musicals. And then you go to a matinee and it's even cheaper. So it's like all my free time was at the theatre in London and I really started to feel the acting bug then, but I was still kind of torn because my family wanted me to get my education and it was like "Oh but that's what I really want to do." But even while I was in Chicago in law school I studied there at Atlas Studios, I had an agent and I did little things then even while I was a lawyer, well in law school. Now being a lawyer it's more on the serious end, do you find it hard to get back to the fun when you're doing entertainment projects or you're acting on television? no my life is all fun now. I mean that's why I left law, it wasn't fun I was just doing contracts every day. And let's not get it twisted this profession is not easy; the entertainment profession is not easy at all. I had a talk with somebody today, like what you have to go through, like the rejection you deal with on a daily basis, like you have to be built for this and even if you are built for it and you see it happen it's like so many amazing people that have been in this industry and been so successful for decades and it can get the best of you. Because I don't think people who aren't in this industry can quite grasp how much someone invest in something of their heart, their soul and who they are and you see very little return on that investment. If you think about how many auditions and meetings that someone goes to, in a 10 year periodic that I went on before I got a lead female role, the number of no's I've received, the number of negative critiques that said, "Why would she even try to act, she's just a pageant girl, she just does reality- like she's not a real actress," I mean to overcome that it's not easy. So my whole take on life nowadays and with my career in life is it has to be fun. If I can't find the humour in it like I laugh all day long, that's why when people watch Millionaire Matchmaker it's like my laugh is very distinct and you hear it in every episode. Because even when things are the most tense and Patti like giving it like she's on one, I'm laughing because it's like at the end of the day like I have to be having fun because it's not easy. So I have fun all the time even like filming that intense film in Louisiana, I mean every little moment I could find some comedy I would find it. I have fun; I have a lot of fun. I'm glad you have a lot of fun, let's back up a little bit. When the idea came about for you to enter the pageant in 2003 to actually get this thing going, to represent Ohio what was going through your mind? You know I honestly did not anticipate winning Ms. Ohio. It was kind of like I took off for a weekend, I was practicing law full and went to Portsmouth and competed. And I remember when I left from the office like that Friday and I said, "I'm going to compete for Ms. Ohio I'll see you guys on Monday," everybody had jokes, they laughed at me. People have been laughing at me for a long time. But I was like okay and that's just my whole thing about allowing other people to create limitations on yourself professionally and personally. Most of the limitations we have are from other people like it's been engrained in us by society, culture, our family, our close friends that you believe you cannot do something and it's just a matter of changing or shifting the way you view things. But I was like well I'm open to the possibilities. So I went and I won and then I came back Monday and everybody was like, "Oh how did you do?" I was "I won, I'm Miss Ohio," and they're like "What!" I'm like "Yeah, I got to go Miss USA and compete in a couple weeks so I got to wrap up some cases." And it was like what are you talking about. Like the partners at the law firm were like this can't be real. I want to know how do you look at society when touching on different projects, when you're going on to do other things and people are saying, "Oh well she's a model, oh well she's an actress why does she want to do so many different things." How do you deal with that? I think the biggest thing for me is just blocking it out. Number one, the key in this business is not seeking outside affirmation; I think that's important in life period. So you have to have it on your own, it can't be how many followers you have or what somebody tells you like day to day, because it can change. So you have to have that affirmation like within yourself and my faith plays a big part in that. But I'm a little bit of a rebel, I grew up like this tomboy beast, I grew up in Dayton Ohio, like if you know you know, if you don't you don't. Like some people meet me and they know "Oh," and I'm like "Yeah you know." it's crazy because your voice doesn't match what I was looking at. Like I was seeing this soft little girl, just chill. You seem like you like to have fun, you like to turn up, you like to just live life and this is what it's about, it's about learning different people and different parts of their life. Yeah and I love people and I'm going to tell you right now being in this business can be so fake. And it's like I have to keep it real, like I'm the happiest I've been since I really like let everything go and I say the things everyone else is thinking that they will not say. I call people out I'm like; "Yow that's super whack, you cannot do that," and people are like "Wow, she did not just say that." There's a lot of moments on the show where I say things and people are like "I can't believe she said that." It's like well I got to be true to me. So the way I deal with people, and their opinions, their judgment, on what I want to explore next is I block it out. It's like people say "Oh if you're on reality TV you can't be a good actress or you can't be taken seriously as a good actress." Well there's a lot of people on reality TV that can't act but I'm not one of them. But who said I can't to do both, who said it and why do they say it and why am I supposed to believe it? I am one of those people that questions authority and questions everything, I always have since I was a little girl. That's what we like about you,you go against the grains and you're not afraid to do what you want to do. Yeah it's something I got from practicing law and moving to LA, I mean that was extreme. Well you know what you've lived a bunch of lifestyles; I mean carrying different hats and doing different things, you've probably seeing a million plus things that a regular person wouldn't get to see wearing one hat. Just being Miss Ohio, USA that's a giant accolade and people must treat you a certain way or expect you to act a certain way, talk a little bit about that. yeah definitely. Being Miss Ohio, USA I've always had expectations of how I'm supposed to conduct myself; the way I talk, the way I act, the way I dress, who I'm friends with, what I do, what I say and that's been really difficult for me over the years, and this has been happening over time for the last 12 years. I won. And that's the way to be. You make me feel so good talking to you because I really felt like it was just going to be a one-dimensional conversation, this just shows me how many different dimensions a person can have and I'm excited. Now you spoke about wine a little bit, what's your favorite wine? You know what I love a good Sauvignon Blanc and some of the best is in New Zealand. And I went to New Zealand like three or four years ago for the Rugby Cup and I did like a whole road trip from the top down to Wellington and I went to a wine country there and I had some of the best food and best wine I've ever had in my life in New Zealand. I tend to like red; so I like a good French Bordeaux or Pinot Noir, but if I can get Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, I'm really happy. But I'm also like a bourbon girl and I like beer, but I don't drink sweet or fruity drinks or anything like that. You're a beast, you've been travelling the world for a long time now. How old are you like 25/26? I'm 38, hahahaha. Well you don't even look it. Thank you. Nothing done on my face. You know it's so funny I still get carded like I have dinner tonight I didn't have make up on or nothing and I ordered a Sake and they're like, "Can we see your ID?" I'm like sure. I celebrated my birthday while I was filming the movie, like I don't even think about birthday, or age or anything I feel the best I've ever felt in my life, like I just keep getting better so it doesn't even affect me.
The Irresistible Kristen DeLuca
Kristen DeLuca is a prolific actress, rapper and stuntwoman in Hollywood. She is preparing for her lead role in the Edgar Allen Poe story "Ligeia," where she plays the title character 'Ligeia.' Kristen stars in the horror film "Gold Rush, which will be in theaters this Fall, in time for Halloween. She is also a series regular on Will Ferrell's 'Funny or Die' online series, "Space Spring Break." Later this year, Kristen makes her foray as a female rapper. She releases her first single in April 2015, collaborating with several known rappers on this initial release. Outside of acting, she showcases her entrepreneurial aspirations. Kristen is in the process of creating a brain cancer foundation in loving memory of her mother who passed away in 2008 from the disease. She is big advocate for several pitbull societies and rescues, with both her pitbull and Kristen featured in the "Hounds and Heroes" celebrity campaign.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY Brian B Hayes
How did you get started, what was your first big break in the entertainment industry? Well, technically I got started in Entertainment/In the Spotlight when I was around 3 years old in gymnastics, ballet, then competitive all-star cheerleading on ESPN, beauty pageants, etc. My first "modeling" work began during college when I worked at Hooters. I was in their calendar 4 years and then won the international title of "Calendar Girl of the Year" in 2006. That timeframe is when I started posing for Playboy too. After graduation from the University of South Florida, I moved out to Los Angeles to pursue my dreams in Acting. How did you get into Acting? I didn't know a single person in LA when I first moved out here, but I quickly mingled, networked my butt off and knocked on every door of opportunity imaginable. Luckily for me, I have a very persistent attitude and because of my modeling background and the name I had already created for myself from many magazine publications, people were quick to want to include me in their projects. It was all a snowball effect from there, and the work just kept coming in. I was very blessed, and never took that for granted. You were a gymnast, cheerleader and dancer. It never cross your mind to turn one of these talents into a full fledge profession? No, honestly it never did. Mainly because of the fact that since I started at such a young age and continued through to college, my body was shot! The damage on my joints, bones, back and knees has been horrible. I had to stop before it was too late. Which is why I did not cheer in college like I was supposed to :( I love it all, but athletic careers have a very short shelf life, and I always had to look at the bigger picture. What's your favorite character played on your list of roles? My favorite roles are always the dark, creepy, mysterious roles. My specialty is horror films. I love the feeling it gives me to play a crazy lunatic killer, or a ghost haunting a house. It's such a "high" to make people scared of you, haha You were in a new horror movie "gold rush", what can we expect to see from your character? Gold Rush has an anticipated Release Date later this year! I'm very excited about it especially because I'm a Lead character in it, and I got to work alongside 2 of my best friends. I can't reveal too much about it, but I will say that it's honestly my favorite horror role that I have ever portrayed. My character has so many different sides to her, and the audience gets to witness her subtle changes throughout the film. I'm addicted to the dark & sinister roles and this movie definitely fulfilled that addiction for me. The movie premieres right around Halloween, how special is that for the cast? If everything goes as planned, it should be coming out right around the spookiest time of year. For any actor who is in a horror film, that is the ultimate gratification right there. Halloween (my favorite holiday ever!!!) and a scary flick that you Star in being released at the same time is like getting a million dollar bill put into your candy bag while trick-or-treating in your costume that night! You were involved in projects like "live nude girls" and 'Fast & Furious 4", No 'Fast & Furious 7"? I;m sure you were asked to be a part of the sequel after 4, no? Well, something many people don't know about me is that 99% of every role, project, red carpet I've walked on, modeling gig, promotion, interviews, etc have all come from ME getting the work/exposure for myself. I've had a few agents and managers throughout the years, which have all been such wonderful people. But, I can honestly say that projects I've actually BOOKED because of them getting me the actual audition would literally be about 2 or 3 things on my resume (IMDB page). Because of that, I decided to not have any Representation for a while now. It has suited me better. Less stress and drama too. But, on the flipside it's more difficult for legitimate people to get in touch with me to work on projects since that "middle man" doesn't exist anymore. So, many things have fallen through the cracks because of that, but everything happens for a reason in my mind and where I'm at today is where I'm supposed to be (even though that means not being a part of FF7). You also work with "Funny Or Die", what's it like working with Will Ferrell? Well, I have been lucky to work with his company "Funny Or Die" for many years now. I've Starred in numerous Exclusive sketch comedy skits with celebrities, and was a series regular in their web-series "Space Spring Break". Will Ferrell himself has not been involved as an actor in any of the projects I worked on YET, but hopefully down the road I will get to act alongside my comedy idol!!!! In less that a week or so, you will be presented to the world as an artist, you excited or what? With every aspect of Entertainment, there is always the possibility of timeframe changes (haha! story of my life!). My first single got pushed back a bit for its release, but it won't be much longer....and YES I am excited beyond belief!!! Finally my words will be heard by everyone (I write all of my own songs, which have much deep meaning behind them) and I will be able to show everyone that I still got my sexy hip-hop dance moves :) You're not just an artist, you're rapping, let's talk about your first single? Rap has always been a huge influence in my life ever since I was in grade school. I went to private catholic school and I used to rap all the snoop dogg songs to my girlfriends during recess. They all thought I was crazy, but I'll never forget that. I wouldn't have imagined that I could become like someone I've always looked up to (Tupac, Biggie, Snoop, etc). But, opportunities presented themselves and here I am today with several songs were written, music videos about to be filmed and more recording time in the studio soon.
My first single talks a lot about how men view women, especially women who are independent and successful on their own terms and have never needed a man to financially take care of them. Also, it focuses on the women who don't sleep around and are true to themselves and the men they date. I want Hip-Hop to be viewed in a better light, and my songs will hopefully start to make that happen. The single is off of your new project, what's the name of it, any features? Is there a certain artist or actor that you want to work with before 2015 is wrapped? The album is currently untitled. To be honest, I'm very good with words and I love to write. But, when I have to choose ONE word to describe an entire song, let alone an entire album it's like pulling teeth for me! haha, I become such a procrastinator about it because I get too indecisive. So, I have a few chosen titles and I'm gonna leave it up to the guys I'm working with, to narrow it down and make that decision.
There are many many many people I want to work with in the future. My goals for Rap would be Lil Wayne, Drake, Big Sean, 2 Chainz, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj and Wiz Khalifa. What are you listening to in your car on your way to work besides yourself of course? Haha funny you say that because when I'm driving I do put some of my stuff on so that I can practice more with "myself" and it inspires me with more ideas or to make some changes on current things before they're finalized. Aside from that, I constantly listen to hiphop on the radio, and I pop in some oldschool CD's with Ludacris, Cash Money Millionaires, Tupac, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Eazy E, Too Short, Nappy Roots, Ja Rule, The Game, and alot of DirtySouth type artists too. Besides being an actress & an artist, you're also an entrepreneur. Do you enjoy having multi-facets to push to the world? I've never been one to not be busy. For me, I'm such an over-achiever that it literally is physically exhausting many days. But I wouldn't want it to be any other way :) My mind is constantly going creating ideas and thinking of ways to help other people or incorporate certain projects with others. There's never enough hours in the day for me. Sometimes I feel guilty for taking a break or enjoying a "day off". But I'm learning to have more balance in my life, we all need that! You own a cleaning service in LA. how did that come about? I started doing some cleaning work for a company about 6 years ago, in between acting roles for additional income because I didn't want to have to get a "job" in the restaurant business again. By doing cleaning, it's on my own time and usually on my own schedule. Very flexible which helped me accelerate even more in my career. From there I decided to create my own little company which has been ME doing all the work, sometimes I bring in a girlfriend or 2 to help out. Every client is referral based only, and word of mouth. I won't work with anyone I don't personally know, or it has to be someone who comes highly recommended from a close friend of mine. Being a woman in LA can be dangerous, so I would never put myself in a situation where I could be too vulnerable. It's not a full-time gig by any means, and I haven't really had time to for a while now to even do much of it. But, if someone contacts me I do try to help them out when I can :) (cleaning is very therapeutic, especially when you're a girl with OCD! haha) So, LA is home right now? Yes, I've lived in LA for about 9 years already. It's definitely "home", but I'm lucky to have a 2nd place to go to a lot in Florida and also in Ohio where my family is. When's the last time you payed a visit to Ohio or Florida? I literally just got back from Miami a few days ago from a photo shoot. I was in Ohio during November, under horrible circumstances though because my Father Passed Away :( Your Mom battled Brain Cancer which inspired you to create a foundation. I want to say RIP to your Mom. Talk more about your foundation and what you look to offer with the creation of it? Thank you very much for your kind words. The foundation that I've been working on will be dedicated in her name "Sherri DeLuca" and the emphasis of it is to help with diagnosing other people of specific brain tumors as soon as possible from symptom detection, and offering more knowledge and information to people (especially ones who cannot afford the horrendous healthcare financial obligations that result from Cancer Treatment). There are so many different treatments available, and each person should be able to choose what is right for them. It will be to raise money for families who need help and also for more intense research to be done to find cures and better replacements to doing chemotherapy. You're also an advocate of pit bull society. How long have you been infatuated with pit bulls? pit bulls are the most misunderstood and negatively bashed breed out there. It breaks my heart because these dogs are the most docile, loving and caring creatures of all. They used to be known as "nanny dogs" back in the day because they literally would watch over infants and cuddle with them. NOT violent beasts, but nurturing and caring creatures. I had a Pit when I lived in Florida named Cookie, and I have one here in LA named Nestle (like the chocolates). I adopted them both. I plan to adopt several more of them at some point down the road once I have a home with a fenced in yard. It's all about how you raise an animal, that is where the temperament stems from. They are not biologically destined to be killers or violent devils, like the world makes them out to be!!! What's the name of your pit bull? Nestle's Crunch DeLuca :) Let's talk about Hounds and Heroes celeb campaign that you and your dog were featured in. Hounds and Heroes are truly amazing. My friend Bonnie-Jill Laughlin is the Founder of the this nonprofit that is dedicated to basically lift the spirits of active/wounded/veteran military troops worldwide, and also to create awareness/education about the cruelty to animals and helps teach about options for rescue/foster/adoption. I was honored to be a part of their organization with my dog, especially because my grandfather fought in WW2 so for me this was a tribute to him while also honoring my rescue Pit at the same time. Let's rewind time for a sec, you graduated top of your class cum laude at USF with a BS in criminology, do you ever feel like your degree was a waste being that doing everything other that that? Nope, not at all because I intentionally went to college to get a degree for the sole purpose of proving my knowledge, being taken more seriously in LA having an education, and to make me a more well-rounded person and gaining maturity during those years. I never anticipated using a degree for anything because I already knew I would be in Entertainment. But, I also knew that it wouldn't be smart to move to LA right after high school as an 18-year young girl. I have no regrets, and I know I did it exactly how I was supposed to. Plus, my degree has helped me a lot with certain roles I've played as a lawyer and with many of the horror movies too. I specialized in learning about the minds of Serial Killers and what turns people to live a life of crime and murder. It's very interesting to say the least. The only regret I have is paying "out of state tuition" for 5 years!!!!! Student Loans haunt me in my sleep, hahaha If you weren't doing acting and the artist thing, what would you be doing? I'm actually getting involved in becoming a Motivational Speaker and a Spiritual Life Coach. Something that has been on my mind a lot and many people have suggested I get into it, so I started that journey now too. No matter what, in some way/shape or form my life will be involved around something Entertainment related, especially when it comes to me being able to help other people reach their goals in this industry. I hear you're kickboxing these days in your spare time. How is the certification coming along? I love kickboxing! It's my favorite cardio and full body workout. My goal is to become a certified instructor before the end of this summer!
The Enchanting Ashley Alexiss
Ashley Alexiss is a curvy, bright, professional model. She may only stand at 5'4, but that hasn't stopped her from being an internationally published glamour model with social media numbers to really show how savvy this woman is. Ashley has worked with many companies such as Playboy, American Curves, Maxim, and American Honey whiskey. Her curvy physique is what sets her apart from others in the industry. Alexiss has also used her social media numbers for a better cause with the creation of Cleavage for the CURE; a breast cancer campaign she created in October 2012. Although she has accomplished many great things, she's still climbing the ladder to success and plans to be a well known role model for men and women everywhere to never give up on their dreams no matter what obstacles stand in their way.
INTERVIEW BY Christine Davis
PHOTOGRAPHY BY DonBg
Your body is phenomenal. Walk us through how you keep your body in tiptop shape? Honestly, it's all about moderation and exercise, but keeping it fun. I don't deprive myself of anything – truth is, I love sweets too much haha But I do make sure to eat more good than bad and exercise a little more on the days I indulge a little more. Cleavage for the Cure, What inspired you to start this breast cancer campaign? My Nanna was my inspiration for this incredible campaign. It's my baby. Two things that you would never think to go together, is what created it. My Nanna being diagnosed with cancer and me getting a breast augmentation. Keep reading, I promise it'll make sense haha When my Nanna passed of cancer, I had to clean out some of my drawers to make room for the things I'd be receiving from the cleaning of her apartment and I came across an entire dresser of all my photoshoot clothes, bras, all that fun stuff that you couldn't pay my chest to fit into ever again after being enhanced. The majority of the bras were new, some even still had tags, so I autographed them & auctioned them off on eBay and donated the proceeds to breast cancer foundations. What other projects are you working on? What are some of your career goals? Right now I'm working on my swimwear line, ALEXISS. It's a line dedicated to larger chested women because apparently they're the unicorns to the fashion world and aren't catered towards. I wanted to create a line that not only supported a woman's curves, but also brought out their confidence to show them off. alexisswimwear.com We hear the word glamour! What does being a Glamour girl mean to you? Ultimately, it means confidence. You cannot be sexy without confidence. You have to love every single little bit of you and to me, that's what being a glamour girl is all about. What do you want your fans to learn from you? What do you want people to aspire to be? I want them to learn that people can say what they want, but it comes down to how you feel about yourself. I aspire to just be a role model of some sort. I want to be a reason someone doesn't give up on their dreams just because they don't fit the stereotype. I know you have a huge following, how often do you interact with your friends on the your social pages? Every-Single-Day. Some people have 9-5's, I have a 24-7 haha Take a look at your career, is there anything you would change? Absolutely not. Everything that's happened has lead me to right where I am and I'm pretty proud of it because I've done it alone, no management, no agent, and against all odds. It's pretty special and everyday I realize how lucky I am to have the determination and thick skin to keep pushing on.
The Beautiful Raquel Rischard
Raquel is a Southern California native born near the beautiful beaches of LA County. From a young age she has found herself drawn to the beauty and glamor of the preforming arts and the high paced world of the fashion and entertainment industries in Hollywood.The modeling industry quickly took notice of raquel early on shooting consistently in both print and catalogue ads. Chosen to be in the Playboys 50th anniversary lingerie cover model in 2004. modeling for mens magazines such as playboy maxim , fhm ,and esquire.
It is from these years that she found her true calling not by being in front of the camera but behind working with the industries leaders as a model she was always learning and further developing her eye for the true hollywood glamor look.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY Kenny Rowland
Many say that you're the one who should always be in front of the camera because you're absolutely gorgeous, but what makes you so passionate about being behind the camera? I like being able to make the magic happen, and be in charge of the whole shoot situation. I have I ideas that I want to see through, and shooting is the way to make them happen. Among your works, which one is your favorite and why? All of my work is different while still maintaining me in all of them, it's hard to choose a favorite because, I like each of them for a different reason. Some of them bring back a certain memory, or moment that I am particularly found, or where just a show my growth as a photographer. But I would have to say ...., Catalina island ; shooting for guess .. We had the whole island at are dispense .. We could shoot anywear ..., it was amazing ! Whose work has influenced you the most? I would say, all the Guess campaigns, that's why it's still so surreal that I'm shooting for them now . Describe your own style of photography. I would describe it was sexy, real and powerful. What is one thing you wish you knew when you started taking photos? I always just knew I had fun with it !! I wish I knew how much I loved it, and how much power it gave me to create what I want, because if I would have known, I would have started sooner. Actually I started shooting at age 8 with my lil 80"s Polaroid . Haha What drew you to start photography? The Sex-appeal of it. I think that I have always had a natural interest in photography, that I wasn't even aware of. I think once I realized that I had such an appreciation for the art, I decided that I was going to be apart of it. What do you want viewers/models you shoot to take away from your work? I want them to be able to see through my eyes, to see the beauty is everywhere. I want my work to evoke some sort of emotion. I know Marilyn Monroe is one of your inspirations. What about her inspires you? And how does that tie into your career? Marilyn is timeless, through her photographs you are able to see who she was. You can see how playful, sexy, and real she was. Can you describe how you felt when you were chosen to be in the Playboys 50th anniversary lingerie cover model back in 2004? I was excited, being in such a well known magazine, and especially for their 50th anniversary is such a privilege.
But I never wanted to be naked (laughs). Even though I adore shooting naked woman, I just knew my dad would flip out if I was naked anywhere.
Check Out Our Cover Stories
Copyright ©2014-2015 Dopeness Magazine LLC


Were You on a College Golf Team? How Well Did Your Team Do?
I took up the game of golf when I was 13, while I was still playing baseball and basketball.
By the time I reached my junior year in High School, I gave up both other sports competitively and concentrated completely on golf.
In my junior year in High School, playing in the number three position, our golf team won the Tennessee State Championship, and my dedication to golf grew tremendously.
While we didn't repeat as champions in my senior year, I played in the number one position and was captain of the team.
Passing up two golf scholarship opportunities at large universities, I decided to attend Southwestern at Memphis College with a total enrollment of around 1,200 students.
As a member of the College Athletic Conference, we played an aggressive schedule my first two years, but did not win our Conference Championship.
In my junior year, I was captain of the golf team, and our record heading into the Conference Championship was impressive, plus, we were hosting the event at a local golf course.
We led the field after day one, and I was a couple of strokes behind the individual leader.
On the second and final day, I played an inspired brand of golf and had the individual lead going to the last hole.
Also, our team maintained it overall lead, but only by a slim margin.
On the last hole of the tournament, the competitor chasing me holed his third shot out of the bunker for a birdie, and, at the time, was tied with me.
I had a 30-foot downhill hard-breaking right-to-left putt for birdie and the win.
Just like in the movies, I told myself that if my fellow competitor could hole it out of the bunker for birdie, then I could make this difficult putt on top of him.
Low and behold, I hit the perfect putt and watched as it tracked into the middle of the cup, claiming victory for myself and my team.
This was definitely the highlight of my college career and brings back very fond memories each time I think about it.
If you enjoyed this golf info, here's how you can get even more. Contact Keiser University College of Golf about the first steps to a career in golf.


Delbert Meyer begins his oral history with a description of his family life as a youth in Maynard, Iowa. He was uncertain of his future career choice and served for two years in the U. S. Navy. Influential professors at Wartburg College and later at the University of Iowa fueled his interest in chemistry. Meyer spent thirty-nine years with Amoco, beginning as an exploratory researcher for Standard Oil Company in 1953 and, later, becoming a research consultant at Amoco in 1992. During his career at Amoco Corporation, Meyer developed a faster and more economical method for producing purified terephthalic acid (PTA), the major material used to make polyester. He eventually moved into research management and product development. Meyer concluded with a discussion scientific innovation as a result of need for products in the marketplace, speculation on the future of research and development management in the chemical sciences, and reflections on winning the 1995 Perkin Medal.
Parents' farm in Maynard, Iowa. High school years.
Difficulty finding a job in chemical field after receiving Bachelor's Degree. Marriage. Graduate school at the University of Iowa. Search for work in industrial field.
Beginnings in exploratory research. Work on aromatic carboxylic acids. Research and development. Initial work on terephthalic acid.
Development of Amoco process for making dimethyl terephthalate (DMT). Amoco's beginnings in polyester feedstock. Development of process for purifying terephthalic acid (TA).
Refinement of PTA (purified terephthalic acid) process. Process patent. Development of commercially acceptable way to produce PTA. First commercial PTA plant. Development strategies.
Managing PTA technical service group. Customer working relationships. Product development. Process to make paramethyl styrene. William M. Burton Award. National Medal of Technology. Taking risks to succeed in the marketplace.
Views on the future of research and development. Thoughts on new technological breakthroughs. Retirement. Winning Perkin Medal.


Every weekday 300,000-plus passengers use the Long Island Rail Road, mostly to travel between their homes in suburbia and their jobs in New York City. That has been its raison d'etre ever since 1910, when the first trains of electric multiple-unit (EMU) cars rolled under the East River to reach the newly opened Pennsylvania Station on Manhattan's West Side.
Over the decades, the villages and hamlets along the LIRR right-of-way swelled as developers erected tract homes, strip malls and schools on what was once farmland. Today, Long Island's eastern counties, Nassau and Suffolk, are home to nearly three million people. Yet much of the LIRR's infrastructure is essentially unchanged from a century ago.
If all goes according to plan, by 2023 the LIRR will be a transformed carrier, less vulnerable to disruptions and better able to handle large traffic flows in both directions during rush hour. Projects underway or in the pipeline represent the largest capital investment in the railroad's history, approximately $14 billion. Among them, a new station beneath Grand Central Terminal (GCT), a third track between Floral Park and Hicksville, a second track from Farmingdale to Ronkonkoma, improvements at Jamaica and an expanded Penn Station.
MTA Capital Construction, a unit of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the LIRR's parent, is managing most of the projects.
Chartered in 1834, the Long Island Rail Road is the oldest U.S. railroad still operating under its original name, and the busiest. [See PTJ 2010–4 and 2011–1 for map and a complete history of the railroad.—Ed.] Its original main line, running from the Brooklyn waterfront to Greenport, some 90 miles east, was part of a land-water route between New York and Boston that failed when an all-rail line opened in the 1850s. The LIRR was left with a straight, flat route that served a sparsely populated area. To survive, it built branches to coastal communities and acquired smaller rivals.
In 1900, the Pennsylvania Railroad acquired the LIRR in order to gain rights to build tunnels to Manhattan and a new station. When Pennsylvania Station opened in 1910, the LIRR became a tenant and its passenger traffic began to soar. Ultimately, by the 1960s, the Pennsy soured on the passenger business and demolished Penn Station. Office towers and a new Madison Square Garden rose in its place, with a smaller station below street level to serve the remaining trains.
However, PRR managers failed to foresee a series of developments that, over the next three decades, would strain the capacity of the station and the six tunnels funneling traffic to and from Long Island and New Jersey. Electrification of the Long Island's Huntington and Ronkonkoma lines, Amtrak's Northeast Corridor improvements, and NJ Transit's connection to its Morris & Essex lines brought hundreds of more trains and tens of thousands of additional passengers into the cramped facility.
Read the rest of this article in the 2017-1 issue of Passenger Train Journal!


text:
using System;
using System.Linq;
using System.Linq.Expressions;
using EFSqlTranslator.Translation.DbObjects;
using EFSqlTranslator.Translation.Extensions;

namespace EFSqlTranslator.Translation.MethodTranslators
{
    /// <summary> Translator for DistinctCount aggregate function </summary>
    public class DistinctCountTranslator : AggregationTranslatorBase
    {
        /// <summary> ctor </summary>
        public DistinctCountTranslator(IModelInfoProvider infoProvider, IDbObjectFactory dbFactory)
            : base(infoProvider, dbFactory)
        {
        }

        /// <inheritdoc />
        public override void Register(TranslationPlugIns plugIns)
        {
            plugIns.RegisterMethodTranslator("DistinctCount", this);
        }

        /// <summary> Translate to SQL </summary>
        public override void Translate(
            MethodCallExpression m, TranslationState state, UniqueNameGenerator nameGenerator)
        {
            var dbExpression = GetAggregationTarget(m, state);

            IDbSelect childSelect = null;
            if (!m.GetCaller().Type.IsGrouping())
                childSelect = state.ResultStack.Pop() as IDbSelect;

            // if the aggregation does not have expression, it means
            // the caller of the aggregation method must be a Select method call
            // In this case, the actual expression that we need to aggregate on,
            // will be inside the child select statement
            if (dbExpression == null && childSelect != null)
            {
                // to get the actual expression, we need to first unwrap the child select
                // because the translation of Select call always wrap the actual select
                childSelect = (IDbSelect)childSelect.From.Referee;

                dbExpression = childSelect.Selection.Last(
                    s => string.IsNullOrEmpty(s.Alias) ||
                         !s.Alias.EndsWith(TranslationConstants.JoinKeySuffix));

                childSelect.Selection.Remove(dbExpression);
                childSelect.GroupBys.Remove(dbExpression);
            }

            if (dbExpression == null)
                throw new NotSupportedException("Can not aggregate.");

            if (!(dbExpression is IDistinctable))
            {
                throw new NotSupportedException("Expression must be Distinctable");
            }

            var distinctable = (IDistinctable)dbExpression;
            distinctable.IsDistinct = true;

            var dbFunc = _dbFactory.BuildFunc("count", true, m.Method.ReturnType, dbExpression);

            CreateAggregation(m, state, nameGenerator, childSelect, dbFunc);
        }
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Within minutes from the renowned Hyundai Plant, Montgomery Regional Airport, Maxwell Air Force Base, Interstate- 65, and Downtown Montgomery, this lush sloping land and greenery across the road boast over 10 acres to custom build your dream home. Additionally, you will have privacy that you long for. So, bring your plans and let's began the process!
3.41 +/- acre vacant lot with 363' of frontage on Hwy 31 / Mobile Hwy. Property has Sewer, level terrain, and Zoned M-1. Priced to sell!! Owner is motivated to sell!! May possibly OWNER FINANCE with acceptable down payment!!


So who got it and who got out in the waiting list or requested to shoot with staff on Friday?
I got in. First time going, hear good things.
Saturday filled in under 3 minutes.
It is a great match for SS/Prod....probably the best in the country.
This will be my 3rd year shooting BITB and looking forward to it!


text:
Which court is the highest?
Asked by: Cara Kovacek | Last update: February 19, 2022
The Supreme Court of the United States
539 (1842), was a United States Supreme Court case in which the court held that the Fugitive Slave Act of 1793 precluded a Pennsylvania state law that prohibited blacks from being taken out of the free state of Pennsylvania into slavery. The Court overturned the conviction of slavecatcher Edward Prigg as a result.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Prigg_v._Pennsylvania
Prigg v. Pennsylvania - Wikipedia
is the highest court in the land and the only part of the federal judiciary specifically required by the Constitution. The Constitution does not stipulate the number of Supreme Court Justices; the number is set instead by Congress.
What is the highest order of court?
A supreme court is the highest court within the hierarchy of courts in many legal jurisdictions. Other descriptions for such courts include court of last resort, apex court, and high (or final) court of appeal. Broadly speaking, the decisions of a supreme court are not subject to further review by any other court.
Which is the highest court Supreme or High Court?
Supreme Court of India stands at the topmost rank and is the final court of appeal. High Court is the primary judicial body at the state or union territory level.
Which court is highest in India?
Supreme Court: It is the Apex court of the country and was constituted on 28th January 1950. It is the highest court of appeal and enjoys both original suits and appeals of High Court judgments. The Supreme Court is comprised of the Chief Justice of India and 25 other judges.
What is the highest state court called?
The Constitution and laws of each state establish the state courts. A court of last resort, often known as a Supreme Court, is usually the highest court. Some states also have an intermediate Court of Appeals. Below these appeals courts are the state trial courts.
UK Supreme Court: The Highest Court in the Land - Documentary
What is the highest court in the land?
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the land and the only part of the federal judiciary specifically required by the Constitution. The Constitution does not stipulate the number of Supreme Court Justices; the number is set instead by Congress.
Which is the highest civil court in a district?
The court of the district judges is the highest civil court in a district.
Which is the first High Court of India?
The first high court in India, 'The High Court of Judicature at Fort William', now called the 'High Court of Calcutta', was brought into existence by the Letters Patent dated 14 May 1862, issued under the Indian High Courts Act, 1861 and was formally opened on 1 July 1862.
Which is the last High Court in India?
There are 25 High Courts in India. The Calcutta High Court, established in 1862, is the oldest High Court in India. The Bombay and Madras High Courts were also established in the same year. The newest High Courts are the Telangana Court and Andhra Pradesh High Court, both established in the year 2019.
Why Supreme Court is the highest court?
First, as the highest court in the land, it is the court of last resort for those looking for justice. Second, due to its power of judicial review, it plays an essential role in ensuring that each branch of government recognizes the limits of its own power.
Is Supreme Court and High Court same?
The Supreme Court and the High Court are the Judicial bodies established in India according to the Indian Constitution. The Supreme Court of India is the highest court in the country and the ultimate court of appeal. The state or union territory's chief judicial body is the High Court.
Who controls the Supreme Court?
Article III, Section 1. Section 1 establishes the Supreme Court of the United States. It gives Congress the power to organize the Supreme Court and to establish lower courts.
Where is our Supreme Court?
Supreme Court of India came into existence on 26th January, 1950 and is located on Tilak Marg, New Delhi.
What do you call the highest court in the Philippines?
The Supreme Court (Filipino: Kataas-taasang Hukuman; colloquially referred to as the Korte Suprema) is the highest court in the Philippines. The Supreme Court was established by the Second Philippine Commission on June 11, 1901 through the enactment of its Act No.
Who is Judge of Supreme Court?
His Lordship took oath as The Chief Justice of High Court of Karnataka on 10th May 2019 and His Lordship took oath as Judge of Supreme Court of India on 31st August 2021. Justice Vikram Nath was born on 24 September 1962.
Where is India's 25 high court?
Andhra Pradesh High Court will be the 25th High Court in the country. The Hyderabad High Court has been functioning as common high court till now after the bifurcation of undivided Andhra Pradesh.
What is the full form of PIL?
Public interest litigation is the use of the law to advance human rights and equality, or raise issues of broad public concern. It helps advance the cause of minority or disadvantaged groups or individuals.
Which is the highest criminal court of district?
The highest criminal court of the district is the Court of District and Sessions Judge. 2. The District Judges are appointed by the Governor in consultation with the High Courts.
Which is the highest criminal court in a state?
The session court is the highest criminal court at the district level. The district court is known as a session court when it administers its jurisdiction on criminal matters under the code of criminal procedure. The court is established by the state government.
Which is the oldest high court?
The Calcutta High Court is the oldest High Court in India. It has jurisdiction over the State of West Bengal and the Union Territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
What's on top of the Supreme Court?
The bronze flagpole bases are crested with symbolic designs of the scales and sword, the book, the mask and torch, the pen and mace, and the four elements: air, earth, fire, and water. On either side of the main steps are seated marble figures. These large statues are the work of sculptor James Earle Fraser.
What are the 3 powers of the Supreme Court?
The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the United States, and Treaties made, or which shall be made, under their Authority;--to all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public ministers and Consuls;--to all Cases of admiralty and maritime Jurisdiction ...
32Who was CJI when PIL was introduced?
22What is the significance of Marbury v Madison?
37What is not contempt of court?
34Can a state Supreme Court decision be appealed?
36Can a person be held guilty for contempt of court for criticizing the personal Behaviour of a judge?
44Which is the lowest court that deals with criminal cases?
21What is the difference between court and Supreme Court?
23What is significant about the Court case Gibbons v. Ogden why did the Supreme Court feel this was not a legal precedent in the United States v Lopez?
40What is the difference between stare decisis and precedent quizlet?
43How is judge selected?
41Is Concord law school legitimate?
28How has the Supreme Court interpreted the 6th amendment guarantee of a speedy trial quizlet?
16Why did the court find the prior restraint unconstitutional?
24What are the pros and cons to representing yourself VS having an attorney?
24What is the final required element of a negligence action?
22What is common law vs civil law?
28What does certiorari mean in legal terms?
21Can I go to law school while working full time?
21Who gets paid the most in a class action lawsuit?
30What is lower than a lawyer?

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Senator Mary Moran, Seanad Spokesperson for Disability and Equality, outlines her focus regarding the concerns and requirements of people with intellectual disabilities.
During my five years as a Senator I have raised a whole host of issues concerning disability including access to mental health services; access to pre-school and early education, etc.
Equal opportunity in education and employment for all is a point I talk about every day with the government.
My son turned eighteen in October, which means he now leaves children's disability services and goes into adult disability services. Like many parents, I fight for my child and work to see that he receives everything he needs. Change is never easy.
Since entering Seanad Éireann in 2011, I have committed myself to raising the concerns and highlighting the issues expressed by individuals and groups advocating on behalf of those with an intellectual disability and their families.
During my five years as a Senator I have raised a whole host of issues concerning disability including access to mental health services; access to pre-school and early education; transition from children's services to adult services; residential care; respite care; continuity of care; advocacy services; appropriate funding and resources; equal employment opportunities; and not least of all upholding the respect and dignity of people with an intellectual disability within our legislation and in all settings and situations.
The ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is a long-standing issue often discussed in the area of disability. Over the last five years, I have worked to progress the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Bill, which is a major and complex piece of legislation that will assist in Ireland's ratification of the convention. I was delighted to take part in the historic debate on the Bill in the Seanad in recent weeks. The Bill moves away from the archaic notions held in the past and finally brings forward words and actions that ensure equality and dignity.
The Bill will complete all stages prior to the dissolution of this Government and represents a major step forward.
Once the Bill is enacted our focus needs to shift to the swift and efficient implementation on the ground. We need to ensure that the legislation works not just in theory but also in practice. The monitoring of this legislation, once enacted, will be a significant priority for me and parallel to this, the early ratification of the UN Convention will be something I will continue to vigorously pursue.
Equal opportunity in education and employment for all citizens is a point I raise on a daily basis with Ministers and service providers, in the Education Committee and the Seanad. I worked in conjunction with the Department of Justice and Equality, service providers and representative groups in seeing the Comprehensive Employment Strategy introduced in early October 2015.
The barriers to meaningful education, training and employment for people with intellectual disabilities have been flagged for some time. The Comprehensive Employment Strategy sets real goals and targets to increase accessibility in the workforce and society overall. Now that the strategy has been launched, I am committed to continuing engagement with the Department and various stakeholders so that people with a disability see tangible results going forward.
At a local level, I am acutely aware of the difficulties which exist for people with an intellectual disability. My son turned eighteen in October, which means he now transitions out of the children's disability services and into the local adult disability services. My son is no different now then he was the day before his eighteenth birthday. He still requires the same level of service received at seventeen years but it's as though a switch has been flipped and everything is now different. Truthfully, as a parent of a child with an intellectual disability, I worry for his future.
Like many parents, I fight for my child and work to see that he receives everything he needs. We need to ensure that the transition from children's services to adult services is seamless – not a fight. This transition will always be somewhat difficult as change is never easy.
In my work as Seanad Spokesperson for Disability and Equality I have been working locally and with the Minister, to see that this transition is as easy as it can be and that a path and plan are in place for each individual long before the significant eighteenth birthday is celebrated.
Similarly, I have worked continuously to ensure that children with additional needs receive equal access to pre-school and early school education.
My work in these areas is ongoing and foremost in my mind. While change is often not easy, however, since entering politics I have learnt that unfortunately it is often slow also. I am willing and ready to pursue improvements in the lives of people with a disability, and to continually keep striving for improvements in every aspect of their lives. As a candidate standing in the next General Election, I once again stand on the platform of advocating on behalf of people with a disability and their families.
Senator Mary Moran, Seanad Éireann.


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text:
Book Reviews / History
London's Triumph by Stephen Alford
★★★★☆ "The Elizabethan and Jacobean mind was brilliantly elastic." "Thinking a project achievable somehow made it so." In London's Triumph, Stephen Alford succinctly captures the expanding worldview of an insular nation that grew from...
Book Reviews / History / Nonfiction
The Templars by Dan Jones
★★★★☆ The Templars have been transported through the dust of history to occupy a place in our consciousness that transcends who they really were and what they actually did. Hundreds of books and numerous...
Fallen Glory by James Crawford
★★★★☆ Like Rome, no buildings were ever built in a day; however, they can disappear in a day or through the slow accretion of time. In the thoughtful and provocative Fallen Glory, James Crawford...
Biography & Memoir / Book Reviews / History
The Book Thieves by Anders Rydell
★★★★★ Anders Rydell illustrates the myriad ways in which the Nazis made book disappear: they were stolen, burned, or locked away in their private libraries to be studied in order to turn their truths...
The Murderous History of Bible Translations by Harry Freedman
★★★★★ It is highly likely that more people have been persecuted or killed in the name of religion than in all the wars in history. The Murderous History of Bible Translations examines one particular...
Shakespeare in Swahililand: Adventures with the Ever-Living Poet by Edward Wilson-Lee
★★★★☆ Shakespeare in Swahililand is a valuable addition to one's Shakespeare collection, for it reveals in a delightful and insightful manner the global reach of Shakespeare's work. Like the worlds Shakespeare created, "Swahililand" does...
Bellevue: Three Centuries of Medicine and Mayhem at America's Most Storied Hospital by David Oshinsky
★★★★☆ Bellevue Hospital in New York City is nearly synonymous with mental illness, but it is so much more: One of the earliest medical facilities in the Colonies, it began as an almshouse, a...
The General vs. The President by H.W. Brands
★★★★☆ Harry S. Truman was a reluctant Vice President for less than three months when Franklin Roosevelt died. He was President for less than four months when he had to make the decision to...
True Believer: Stalin's Last American Spy by Kati Marton
★★★★☆ Yellow Dog Democrat. Rabid Republican. True Believer. Each term conveys an assumption that one's beliefs supersede any and all facts. There is no reasoning — no recognition that a viewpoint other than one's...


text:
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U.S. Supreme Court Will Not Hear Case Concerning Medical Care for Transgender Woman in Prison
The U.S. Supreme Court declined today to hear an appeal on behalf of Michelle Kosilek, a transgender woman who has been denied essential health care while serving a prison sentence in the custody of the Massachusetts Department of Correction (DOC). The denial marks the end of the road legally in Kosilek's lengthy struggle to receive appropriate care while in prison.
"This is a terrible and inhumane result for Michelle," said Jennifer Levi, director of the Transgender Rights Project for GLAD. "But it is just a matter of time before some prison somewhere is required to provide essential surgery, meeting the minimal Constitutional obligations of adequate medical care for transgender people in prison."
GLAD, attorney Joseph L. Sulman, and Goodwin Procter LLP filed a petition for certiorari in March after an en banc decision by the First Circuit Court of Appeals to reverse two lower court decisions in Kosilek's favor. The petition asserted that the First Circuit Court of Appeals overstepped its role with its December 2014 en banc ruling that retried the facts of a 2012 trial, and applied the wrong standard of legal review. The petition can be read here. Goodwin Procter attorneys working on the case Abigail K. Hemani, Michele E. Connolly, James P. Devendorf, Jaime A. Santos, and Christine Dieter.
"The treatment of Michelle has been cruel and unusual, according to two lengthy, thoughtful, and closely reasoned judgements," said Sulman. "The DOC's behavior has been abominable as they have repeatedly defied their own experts in their eagerness to deny her desperately needed medical attention."
The cert denial is the culmination of over 20 years of litigation on whether DOC officials have violated Kosilek's 8th Amendment rights by failing to provide adequate care for her severe gender identity disorder (GID), a condition that all parties agree is a "serious medical need." As a result of being denied treatment, Kosilek has self-mutilated and has attempted suicide twice.
The district court decision, written by Judge Mark L. Wolf, found that the DOC engaged in a pattern of "pretense, pretext, and prevarication" to deny her treatment. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts appealed, and on January 17, 2014, a three-judge panel of the Court of Appeals upheld Judge Wolf. The Commonwealth requested and was granted a rehearing of the appeal before the full bench, which then overturned Judge Wolf on December 16, 2014 by a vote of 3-2.
tags: National/Federal Transgender Rights
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Mysterious Silver Monolith Disappears From Utah Desert
Sunday, November 29th 2020, 6:10 pm
SALT LAKE CITY -
A mysterious silver monolith that was placed in the Utah desert has disappeared less than 10 days after it was spotted by wildlife biologists performing a helicopter survey of bighorn sheep, federal officials and witnesses said.
"We have received credible reports that the illegally installed structure, referred to as the 'monolith' has been removed from Bureau of Land Management public lands by an unknown party," on Nov. 27, BLM spokesperson Kimberly Finch said in a statement. The agency did not remove the structure, she said.
The Utah Department of Public Safety said biologists spotted the monolith on Nov. 18, a report that garnered international attention. It was about 11 feet (3.4 meters) tall with sides that appeared to be made of stainless steel.
While Utah officials did not say specifically where the monolith was located, people soon found it on satellite images dating back to 2016 and determined its GPS coordinates, prompting people to hike into the area.
Reporters with The Salt Lake Tribune hiked to the spot on Saturday and confirmed that it was gone.
Spencer Owen of Salt Lake City said he saw the monolith Friday afternoon and camped in the region overnight, but as he hiked to the area again on Saturday people passing him on the trail warned him it was gone, the Tribune reported. When he arrived at the spot, all that was left was a triangular piece of metal covering a triangular-shaped hole in the rocks.
"I was really bummed," said Owen, who posted a video on his Instagram. "It was so pretty and shiny. I wanted to go see it again."
Riccardo Marino and his girlfriend Sierra Van Meter were traveling from Colorado to California on Friday and decided to stop and see the object after finding the GPS coordinates online.
"This was just a once-in-a-lifetime experience that we couldn't miss out," Marino told KUTV.
On the way, they passed a long-bed truck with a large object in the back and he said he joked "oh look, there's the Utah monolith right there," he said.
When they arrived at the spot, it was gone.
Steve Adams said he left Helper, in central Utah, at 7 a.m. Saturday to drive to the area. When he arrived and asked someone for directions he was told the tower was gone. He and some friends made the hike anyway.
"It was pretty disappointing," he told the Tribune. "We were really excited to go down and have an adventure to see it. It feels like it was everybody's and then it was nobody's. It's gone."
Associated Press A mysterious silver monolith that was placed in the Utah desert has disappeared less than 10 days after it was spotted by wildlife biologists performing a helicopter survey of bighorn sheep, federal officials and witnesses said.
Elon Musk Tops Jeff Bezos As The World's Richest Person
CBS News Tesla chief executive Elon Musk on Thursday surpassed Amazon.com founder Jeffrey Bezos as the world's richest person.
Capitol Police Officer Dies After Sustaining Injuries During Pro-Trump Riot At U.S. Capitol
CBS News A U.S. Capitol Police officer has died after sustaining injuries at the pro-Trump riot in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, Capitol police said Thursday night. At least four civilians also died, including three people who police said suffered medical emergencies and one woman who was fatally shot by police.
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President-Elect Biden Picks Connecticut Schools Chief As Education Secretary
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Virginia Removes Robert E. Lee Statue From US Capitol After 111 Years
CBS News Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced Monday that a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee has been removed from the U.S. Capitol building after representing the state there for 111 years.


0%66°46°Night - Mostly cloudy. Winds variable. The overnight low will be 47 °F (8.3 °C).Mostly cloudy with a high of 56 °F (13.3 °C). Winds variable at 4 to 6 mph (6.4 to 9.7 kph).
10%64°39°Mostly cloudy today with a high of 64 °F (17.8 °C) and a low of 39 °F (3.9 °C).
25%72°44°Rain today with a high of 72 °F (22.2 °C) and a low of 44 °F (6.7 °C). There is a 25% chance of precipitation.
15%62°46°Mostly sunny today with a high of 62 °F (16.7 °C) and a low of 46 °F (7.8 °C).
55%58°41°Showers today with a high of 58 °F (14.4 °C) and a low of 41 °F (5.0 °C). There is a 55% chance of precipitation.
70%58°43°Scattered thunderstorms today with a high of 58 °F (14.4 °C) and a low of 43 °F (6.1 °C). There is a 70% chance of precipitation.
70%60°51°Showers today with a high of 60 °F (15.6 °C) and a low of 51 °F (10.6 °C). There is a 70% chance of precipitation.
Tonight - Mostly cloudy. Winds variable. The overnight low will be 47 °F (8.3 °C).
Today - Mostly cloudy with a high of 56 °F (13.3 °C). Winds variable at 4 to 6 mph (6.4 to 9.7 kph).


It is vital that you provide dental treatments in a hygienic, ergonomically sound and effective clinical environment.
When you prepare to treat a patient all the necessary material and equipment should be within easy reach to ensure a safe and effective work-flow and working environment, free from unnecessary risks.
Similarly, at the end of the operation, the contaminated material and equipment should be swiftly placed in decontamination baths before being moved to the safety of the sterilisation room for treatment.
To meet these requirements, a number of the S_elect easy to manoeuvre trolleys are made from materials (stainless steel, steel protected from corrosion by Bonderite technology) which can easily be made germ-free, so you can use them for certain medical equipment, particularly instruments for invasive treatments or even to collect such equipment in decontamination tanks thereby facilitating the effective clean up and preparation of treatment rooms in between patients.


Jeremy L. Regina, PT, MSPT, graduated from Misericordia University with a Master of Science in Physical Therapy. He has special interest in shoulder rehabilitation.
In his free time, Jeremy enjoys landscaping, golf, quoits and spending time with his wife and two sons. His past experience as a patient influenced his decision to become a physical therapist.


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Home / Featured Content / Period, Women, and Our Future
Period, Women, and Our Future
A true story from far-west Nepal.
November 29, 2020 by Upen Singh Leave a Comment
Another dark, cold, and lonely night for 14-year old Maya*…
She is scared but she is slowly getting used to this. She has to spend her nights in a dingy cowshed. In a few days, as she stops menstruating, it will be all over.
And next month, she has to go through this again as her period starts.
She understands her fate — as a menstruating woman, she is impure. As part of the social norm, she has to spend her menstruating days and nights isolated from the community in a separate hut, like a cowshed.
Maya is one of the many women in the villages of far-west Nepal where the belief that menstruating women are impure has materialized into an oppressive norm.
They are forced to live in a separately constructed tiny hut, with walls made of mud/rocks that are located outside the house. Often, they live in cowsheds if a separate hut is unavailable.
This practice, also known as "Chhaupadi" (Chhau = untouchable, Padi = being, in a local dialect) has been going on for generations. Despite this practice being outlawed by the government since 2005, much needs to be understood and done towards eradicating it.
Such oppressive culture concerning menstruation is prevalent not only in predominant Hindu societies like those in western Nepal, but also in Islam and Judaism where such taboos are rooted in religion, culture, and tradition. These roots are then manifest in forms of different practices.
In far western Nepal, the extreme practice of Chhaupadi has led to many cases of abuse (rape) and deaths (suffocation, snake bites). Some recent examples include Gauri Kumari Bayak who died of smoke inhalation and Tulasi Shahi who died from snakebite.
According to the 2010 State Department Human Rights Report, 50 percent of women in western regions of Nepal practice Chhaupadi.
Although this practice has been outlawed and criminalized, social norms have proven to be more powerful, as women still suffer.
My father was born and raised in the same village where Maya lives. I visited this place with my partner(she is from Thailand) two years back, and since then we have been visiting the village every year.
Developing living standards in the villages of far-west Nepal has been a major focus for me. While it has not been easy, I have come to the understanding that women being able to practice their rights by being fully involved in decision-making is at the core of any community's progress.
For any community to progress, women have to play a leadership role.
This has been the finding of many studies, all over the world, time and time again. The data is crystal clear. And it is important to understand that menstrual health is central to women's well being.
So how does improving menstrual health get rid of the oppressive social norm that discriminates against menstruating women?
Women in the village have said that when they are able to use comfortable, quality sanitary products during menstruation they feel good and healthy. It boosts their self-respect and confidence.
Being able to move with comfort is crucial, especially when you are already mentally handicapped by the "impure" belief.
While changing the entire oppressive social norm will take time and persistence, we have started something small, practical, and effective. We started a non-profit, Metta Valley, with its first project geared to put an end to "period poverty" in the village.
What is Period Poverty?
Period poverty is defined as being unable to access sanitary products and having poor knowledge of menstruation often due to financial and social constraints.
We believe, there can be an end to this.
Villages in far-western Nepal have little or no access to menstrual products.
Due to a lack of access to healthy sanitary products, women use unclean fabrics during menstruation. This makes them unable to live normally, hence exacerbating the prejudice that already exists.
Due to the period poverty and the stigma around it, women suffer during menstruation physically, emotionally, and socially.
Women and girls are disempowered when they live in communities with social norms that stigmatize women for their very nature that makes them women (menstruation). They should not have to be embarrassed about something that is natural and biological.
After all, the human race would not be "birthed" without the women's reproductive system.
In a recent survey done by our non-profit in 4 communities in far-western Nepal, girls between 13–19 years of age have reported they get sick and feel mistreated by their own families that due to period poverty and stigma.
For instance, they are expected to eat only after everybody else in the family has eaten, often leaving them with very little food to eat. Also, they aren't given normal nutritious food like yogurt during menstruation.
Stigmatize a girl once she reaches puberty, and you shatter her entire womanhood!
The stigma needs to be fought, shattered, and won. If governments and agencies can provide free condoms, they should be able to provide hygienic products for menstruation as well. Menstrual justice is a right.
The PADS Project — A Small Step…
Our current project is focused on women's menstrual health in the village. There are 173 women residents and they do not have access to menstrual pads.
We recently provided 150 reusable, eco-friendly menstrual pads to 50 women in the village to see if this would significantly impact their lives.
If this brings about the change we are seeking, then our goal is to provide at least 5 pads to all of the 173 women in the village by March 2021.
Then we will work to make this model sustainable — through awareness, behavior changes, and support network.
…and the Future?
My village is quite exotic in that people live with supernatural beliefs, oppressive norms, but there is also a lot of love.
Yes, it will take time and persistence to dismantle the "menstruating women are impure" belief but it will quickly go away once women feel their own power, I believe.
When this power is realized and comes to fruition, the progress will be easy and meaningful.
And Maya and all the other women will not only have to not worry about sleeping in cowsheds but also fully enjoy their womanhood.
And the entire community will grow like never before.
Previously published on medium
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Photo credit: by Mesh on Unsplash
Filed Under: Ethics & Values, Featured Content Tagged With: human rights, life, menstruation, Nepal, women
About Upen Singh
People & Progress | World Traveler | Developmental Economist | Animals | Entrepreneur | Empath | Story Teller
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The simplicity and basic functionality of the GSA were strong selling points when it was introduced. Though it never achieved the dominance in large, enterprise-wide search deployments, it was a welcome way to provide basic document search for the traditional SMB market. Google's decision to abandon the cheerful yellow 'Google' box for cloud-based delivery is all about competing with a rejuvenated Microsoft in the market for cloud-resident office productivity suites. You needn't join that battle.
Unaccustomed to paying a premium for more agile, scalable solutions, many GSA customers now perceive their only alternative to cloud-migration is to embrace low/no-cost open source search to maintain search services. Good news! There's an affordable option – one which costs less than the resources you'd need to hire to support an OSS – an option that keeps your information and the search solutions you develop behind your firewall – where you wanted them in the first place – on a modern, extensible software platform.
Large organizations that adopted GSA eventually learned of its enterprise-scaling challenges – and it's shortcomings when it comes to systematically enriching the content it catalogs for search. Cisco Systems replaced the GSA, a technology that once drove multiple mission-critical applications, with Attivio.
In less than four months, it's application developers had a more agile, scalable, and powerful platform … one they now call a platform form innovation. The case study accompanying this post spells out the challenges and how Attivio met them all – providing Cisco with an upgrade, not just a migration. Before you choose between the two alternatives – check out the 'third way'.


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Military/Veteran driver's license and vehicle services
The Iowa Department of Transportation offers several services to assist current and former military members.
Veteran designation: By requesting a "veteran" designation on a driver's license or ID card, a former military member can eliminate the need to carry official military papers for veteran identification purposes.
Military extension of an Iowa driver's license: An extension of operating privileges may be given to military personnel who cannot return to Iowa to renew their driver's license in person and do not meet eligibility requirements to renew online. The extension is valid until six months following separation from active duty.
Iowa military service license plates: Iowa offers several license plate options for our current and former military members.
Military commercial driver's license (CDL) waiver: If you have recent experience driving large trucks in the military, you may be eligible to obtain an Iowa CDL without taking the drive skills test that is normally required. To be eligible for the waiver, you must have legally operated the same type of commercial motor vehicle that you expect to operate as a civilian for at least two years immediately prior to applying for a CDL.
Reduced registration fees for specially equipped vehicles: Persons with disabilities may be eligible for a reduced registration fee for specially equipped vehicles.
Motorcycle license waiver: Military personnel may have the knowledge and skills tests waived by successfully completing a rider education course and presenting a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) card.
© Iowa DOT


My daughter's step-mother is parenting in ways I think don't approve of.
My husband and I divorced four years ago. Now he is remarried, and his new wife allows my 10-year-old daughter to watch movies, wear clothes, etc. that I don't approve of. What is the best way to handle this? I don't want my daughter to feel caught in the middle.
One of the many painful and difficult consequences of divorce is that parents no longer have 100% influence in their child's life. We're sad to say that this is a loss you will continue to grapple with, grieve over and need to ask God's wisdom in coping with. We wish there was a "best" way to handle your concerns but given the uniqueness of all the parties involved what has been helpful in one situation isn't always helpful in another.
The best starting place is for you to set up a meeting with both your former husband and the new step mom and try to get on the same page for parenting. We've seen some situations where this is worked well and others where it hasn't. A lot depends on the existing relationship between the three of you. Given the nature of your relationship it may be necessary to bring in a third party. Are there any friends at your church that both you and your ex-husband would trust to be objective? Do you know of anyone who has gone through the Peacemaker program and has training in this kind of situation? Would your pastor be willing to help?
If you are able to meet, the issues you addressed in your question should be discussed and perhaps those can be resolved. It will be important for you to come with a prioritized list of concerns rather than a laundry list and to ask them to do the same. This shows respect for their concerns and will make them more open to respecting your concerns.
Before you meet we strongly encourage you to immerse this time in prayer. Ask some of your close women friends to convene with you to pray before, during and after you meet. James 5:16 tells us that, "The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results." We've seen some situations that seemed "impossible" turn around and those involved attribute the changes to the power of prayer.
The bigger issue will be to find ways to deal with the inevitable differences that will emerge in the years ahead. If they refuse to meet with you and/or with a third party you might try writing a letter explaining your specific concerns, what you'd like to see happen, your desire to work together in the best interest of your daughter and invite them to share their perspective. Some parents have found this to be helpful but be sure to have a couple of friends read your letter before to you send it to make sure the wording is gracious and honoring.
Another option that others have found helpful is to seek out a mature and Christ-like high school girl in your church who might be willing to meet with your daughter for friendship and discipleship. In addition to this ask God to help you discern teachable moments when you can help her (not lecture her) think through some of the consequences of certain lifestyle choices.
In the spirit of Philippians 4:8 you will be wise to spend more time talking about what is healthy and less time warning her about what is unhealthy. Don't put your ex-husband or her step mom down and thus put her in the middle of what is for her an already difficult situation. Expose her to friends of your own who are good examples of how Jesus Christ can make a difference in a life.
One of the most important developmental steps is for a young person to learn how to make wise choices around morals. If over time what she hears from you and sees in you is a consistent reflection of our Lord it is much more likely that she will get the message and choose to live her life the same way.