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Services & Memberships
Collaborate. Serve. Inspire. Uplifting and encouraging innovation, participation, and efficiency in California government.
Written by NxtGov member Arthur Shemitz
We choose a career in public service so that we can be of service to the public. We believe in contributing to the common good, and working hard every day to make a better California. As individuals who have dedicated our careers to bettering the world, we are leaders in our communities.
The global coronavirus pandemic, and the catastrophe it has caused, is an unprecedented call to public service. When so many are losing so much, it is time to serve and advocate for our fellow Californians, especially the most vulnerable among us.
While the pandemic has disrupted all of our lives, many of the people most affected and worried by the spread of the virus are people with disabilities. As you know, the most vulnerable groups are older people — 40% of whom have at least one disability — and those who are immunodeficient or have underlying respiratory conditions.
Here's the good news: by practicing good hand washing, socially distancing, and self-quarantining if you have symptoms of a respiratory condition, you are already helping prevent the spread of infection to the most vulnerable. But we can always do more, so we're excited to share 11 more ways to support people with disabilities during the pandemic. Each one has its own link to reference material or opportunities to get involved, so you can easily take action.
1. Call out people who dismiss the risks
We are fortunate that the majority of the population is not at significant risk of death from the novel coronavirus. However, people with compromised immune systems or underlying respiratory conditions — such as those with certain chronic illnesses, HIV-positive people, or people with asthma — are at serious risk. Despite this, you can still find public figures saying things like "it's not a big deal because most people aren't at risk." It is a big deal that members of our community are at serious risk. When you see and hear these messages, correct them and share your knowledge of the severe threat COVID-19 poses to the disability community.
Read more: "When you say coronavirus will only kill the vulnerable, you're talking about me"
2. Amplify public health directives
Because COVID-19 poses a particular threat to people with disabilities, it's important to ensure people are following directives from public health officials. This is the time to use peer pressure for good. If your friends and family members, coworkers, or members of your community organizations are not taking social distancing seriously, don't hesitate to call them out. Lives are at stake!
Read more: "How to Use Psychology to Convince People to Take Social Distancing Seriously"
3. Share information responsibly
There is so much worry and concern in the air, and so much confusion around what is still a developing pandemic. This is a ripe environment for rumors, misinformation, and conspiracy theories to circulate. Share accurate guidance from public health experts and debunk false information you see on social networking sites. Unfounded information could truly be a matter of life and death.
Read more: CDC Resources on COVID-19, CDPH Resources on COVID-19, COVID-19 Disability Community Preparedness Resources
4. Accommodate remote work, even after this ends
Many people with disabilities would have always benefited from remote work — because chronic illnesses make it painful for them to travel to the workplace, or because their workplace is not as physically accommodating as their home, or for other reasons — but were previously told it wasn't an option. The novel coronavirus has demonstrated that more work can be done remotely than we previously realized. Whenever these restrictions lift, keep these lessons in mind and work to normalize remote work in the future.
Read more: "Disabled people have worked remotely for years, and they've got advice for you and your bosses"
5. Check in with and run errands for loved ones with disabilities
This is a scary time for folks who are especially vulnerable to COVID-19. If they start to run out of food or other essential supplies, it may be terrifying to imagine going to the grocery store and potentially exposing themselves to the virus. Proactively check in on your friends and family who are at risk, and offer to do their grocery shopping or any other errands at this time.
Read more: "10 ways to help your neighbors and friends during the coronavirus crisis," "How To Check In On Friends' & Family's Mental Health During The Coronavirus Pandemic"
6. Volunteer (in a socially distant manner)
Even though most physical volunteer opportunities are cancelled, there are still plenty of ways to support the disability community through remote and in-person volunteering. Kelly Joy, our Director of Community Engagement wrote an article on this topic that explores Sacramento's opportunities for giving back to our community right now.
Volunteer: You may have a lot more time on your hands, so now is the time to give back!
Be My Eyes is an app that lets sighted volunteers provide free visual navigation and assistance to blind and low-vision people through live video.
Crisis Text Line is a free crisis intervention service available through text messaging. Individuals who experience suicidal thoughts are especially at risk during this time of isolation and disruption of normal routines, and this is a critical time to help.
Bookshare offers free or low-cost accessible ebooks to people with disabilities that make reading traditional ebooks challenging. You can volunteer online to scan books, or edit existing scans.
Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services, which disproportionately serves people with disabilities, remains open and has an urgent need for volunteers. Normal volunteer orientation requirements have been waived, and Food Bank staff ensure that all volunteers comply with social distancing requirements.
7. Donate where it is needed most
The state of the economy, and individuals' personal finances, have both changed rapidly. If you have money to give, now is a critical time to contribute to organizations and individuals in the Sacramento community and beyond. (Plus, the 2020 tax year will feature a $300 tax deduction for charitable contributions, even if you don't itemize your deductions — just another reason to give.)
Donate: Sacramento COVID-19 Mutual Aid, Donate4Sacramento COVID-19 Regional Response Fund, Disability Justice Culture Club
8. Redirect some or all of your stimulus check
As public employees in heavily unionized workplaces, we typically enjoy a level of job security that others do not — especially relative to many people with disabilities, who are often the last to be hired and the first to be let go. Because of that, if you are expecting to receive a $1,200+ stimulus payment from the federal government, your need may be less than the need of many in the disability community. (Of course, everyone's individual circumstances vary and you may have a spouse or loved ones who have lost their job, or you may otherwise be economically impacted by COVID-19.) Consider whether your stimulus payment would be more effectively used to support organizations supporting people with disabilities.
Read more: #ShareMyCheck
9. Donate blood
Our hospitals are about to be deeply strained, just as blood drives traditionally held at schools and workplaces have been canceled. If you can meet the screening criteria, donate as soon as you can.
Donate: Vitalant, American Red Cross
10. Advocate for coronavirus relief to include and prioritize people with disabilities
In times of crisis, the needs of people with disabilities are often neglected or pushed aside as too inconvenient to deal with. Speak up and amplify demands for the ongoing prioritization of the most vulnerable.
Read more: #DisabilityDemands
11. Take care of yourself
You can't be an effective advocate or support system to your friends and family if you're not prioritizing your own needs. These are stressful times, and you deserve to pay loving attention to yourself as well. If you feel overextended, take some time to care for yourself and restore your energy.
Read more: "15 ways to practice self-care in the time of coronavirus"
This is hard and scary, and it will stay hard and scary. But with just a little investment of time, you can make this a little less hard and scary for someone else. And when you do good for others, you feel better about yourself. Our community is counting on your public service, and I'm so excited for the good you will do and are already doing.
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DISCLAIMER: This is an unofficial organization that is not connected to any one government entity.
Director of Public Recruitment
Bjorn Shepard
As the Director of Public Recruitment, I help inspire and equip individuals to enter a career in California's public sector. My background is in staffing, education, and corporate recruitment, and four years ago I transitioned from the private sector to state service when I became a Talent Acquisition Specialist. When I'm not sharing details about the exciting career opportunities with the public sector, I can be found watching Manchester United soccer games, playing tennis, and volunteering with NxtGov. I truly enjoy connecting with people and discussing the variety of opportunities available with the State of California.
Christian Beltran
As Treasurer of the Board, I ensure that NxtGov maintains its tax-exempt status as a 501(c)6 organization, advise the Board on implementing a balanced budget, and collaborate with the Board on developing the organization's growth strategy. Additionally, I chair the organization's Finance Council. Outside of NxtGov, I am a Principal Program Budget Analyst with the California Department of Finance, where I develop and defend a portion of the the governor's annual budget and maintain oversight of several department and agency operational budgets. Previously, I served as a Senate Fellow with the office of state senator Steve Glazer and worked as an investment banking analyst with Ramirez & Co., Inc. in their Public Finance Division. I hold a Master's of Public Administration from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor's of Arts in Political Science and Economics from Loyola Marymount University.
Seth Yund
As the Vice-President of NxtGov, I oversee the Executive Council and help direct and provide support for all our programmatic activities. I currently work as a Program Manager at the Institute for Local Government, a non-profit that empowers local governments to navigate complex issues, increase their capacity, and build trust in their communities. I have a Masters of Public Administration, a Bachelor of Science in Biology, and a minor in Interdisciplinary Studies. In my spare time I enjoy listening to audiobooks and going on outdoor adventures.
Angelica (Angie) Quirarte
As the founder of NxtGov and President of its board, I work with our board members to support the operations and growth of our organization, which includes ensuring compliance with laws, executing our processes established by our bylaws, and building strong partnerships aligned with our organizational values. I also currently work at the Federal Partnerships Director of the Tech Talent Project where I help bring in tech executives into government. Before this, I was appointed by Governor Newsom to serve as the Assistant Secretary at the California Government Operations Agency.
Ask me about my adventures fixing the Department of Motor Vehicles or anything in the intersection of tech, policy, and operations! I have a Bachelor of Arts in History of Public Policy, and in my spare time I love to dance, walk, and travel.
Meagan Tokunaga
As Secretary of the Board, I advise on NxtGov strategy and operations, and serve as Chair of the Elections Council. During my day job, I am a Housing Finance Specialist with the California Housing Partnership, where I help non-profit developers of low-income housing utilize federal, state, and local funding. Previously, I served in state government as Special Assistant to the State Controller and Staff Finance Budget Analyst at the California Department of Finance. I working to complete a Master of Business Administration, and in my free time I enjoy board-gaming, birdwatching, and babysitting.
Membership Officer
Kelijo Boney
My role as NxtGov's Membership Officer is to build, engage, and manage the NxtGov membership base. I also oversee the Membership Council, which assists with providing membership oversight and program development to cultivate a diverse and engaged culture within NxtGov. Outside of NxtGov, I am the the Branch Chief of Career Development & Succession Planning at Caltrans. In this role, I lead a team that develops, implements, and maintains people-programs related to employee engagement, recognition, and career development. I have a Master of Business Administration, a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, and a minor in History, and when I'm not working, you can catch me hiking, watching scary movies, and gardening. I also love a good brunch spot and enjoy hosting games nights with my partner.
Jessica Lopez
Jessica Lopez is a a Senior Program Analyst for the Strategic Growth Council. She has a a B.S. in Public Policy and her Master of Public Administration from the University of Southern California. In her free time, she enjoys painting, listening to podcasts on crime and politics, hiking, re-watching TV shows, and reading books on mystery and mythology.
As the Director of Community Engagement, I organize service opportunities in the Sacramento community that leverage the many strengths and talents of NxtGov members. I am also an Air Pollution Specialist at the California Air Resources Board where my team and I develop, implement, and coordinate policies for programs that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve public health, advance equity, and support the transition to a clean and just economy. Prior to this job, I worked for several nonprofits where I provided direct technical assistance and capacity building services to local governments. I also served two terms as an AmeriCorps member for the City of Flagstaff in Arizona where I supported implementation and tracking of the municipal sustainability plan. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and a Master of Science in Environmental Policy and Management. In my free time, I enjoy hiking with my husband Nate and our two dogs.
Director of Professional Development
Samantha Blackwell
As the Director of Professional Development, I assist current and future civil servants in pursuing their personal and professional goals. I am also currently a Talent Manager with the Department of Water Resources. For over a decade I have worked in Human Resources with the State of California with the goal of making HR work for you. I have a degree in Biological Science from UC Davis and live in East Sacramento with my husband and son. On the weekends you can find me running, swimming, or hiking.
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Deputy Director of Public Recruitment
Chioma Emezi
As the Deputy Director of Public Recruitment for NxtGov, my role is to help individuals pursue jobs with the State of California by overseeing the implementation of processes that will equip and inspire individuals to enter public service. I currently work with the California Department of Housing & Community Development as a Lead Recruitment & Career Counseling Analyst where I guide and provide resources for individuals desirous of working for the State of California. I have a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria and a Masters in International Law & Diplomacy from the University of Lagos, Nigeria.
I am a passionate about helping people in any way I can and always striving to add the human part in the resources. I live in Sacramento with my family, and I love traveling, reading and putting smiles on people's faces.
Kelly Joy
As the Director of Community Engagement, I turn my passion for collaborating with others and making positive contributions to the community by organizing service opportunities in the Sacramento region. I also work as a Senior Research Specialist for the California Debt and Investment Advisory Commission, which is an extension of the State Treasurer's Office. In this role, I conduct research and data analysis on a variety of municipal debt issuance and investment-related topics. I graduated from the University of California, San Diego with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and earned a Master of Arts Applied Economics from San Diego State University. I enjoy volunteering, playing board games, trivia and spending quality time with my husband and son.


Chaos leading to generalized national panic is the latest update on refugee crisis in Greece by thousands arriving every day back to Athens from the closed Greek -FYROM border and some more thousands daily sent from the islands to Piraeus and then Athens, while the country realises that not only European solidarity is a illusion, but more dramatically, that sharing of the refugee burden has proved to be a utopia itself .
"Greece becoming a vast camp", Peter Sutherland, United Nations Special Representative for International Migration tweeted on Wednesday .
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras announced in Parliament that from now on Greece "will not assent to agreements" unless all its partners are forced to participate proportionately in the relocation and resettlement of refugees.
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said on Wednesday in an address in Parliament, and urged European Union countries to honor the bloc's decisions on sharing the burden of the crisis, warning that that if they did not, Athens would block future agreements.
"Some don't realize that the common rules either apply to all or they don't exist," he said. "Also, agreements are either implemented by all or they don't exist. It's shameful for the decisions taken by the EU heads of state to be annulled by some sub-gatherings," he said, noting Greece will demand its partners "to act responsibly".
"We will not allow Greece to become a warehouse of souls," he said.
Addressing worries that flow restrictions at the northern border could swell the number of migrants stranded in Greece, Tsipras said he would meet political party leaders to form a common stance before an early March summit of EU leaders on the migration crisis.
Migrants rescued by NATO vessels in the Aegean Sea will be returned to Turkey, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said early Thursday after the military alliance finalized an operation to monitor the smuggling networks that help people reach Greece.
"In case of rescue of persons coming via Turkey, they will be taken back to Turkey," Stoltenberg added.
NATO vessels arrived in the Aegean last week, and are carrying out reconnaissance, monitoring and surveillance activities, the NATO chief said, adding that the alliance is also establishing direct links with the European Union's border agency Frontex.
Participating NATO vessels can operate in Greek and Turkish waters, but Ankara and Athens have agreed not to send forces into each others' waters or airspace, Stoltenberg said. The two sides are embroiled in a long-running territorial dispute.
He noted that NATO is uniquely placed to facilitate the cooperation and exchange of information between Greece and Turkey, as both countries are members of the alliance, while only Greece is in the EU.
Stoltenberg's comments came hours before a meeting Thursday of EU interior ministers in Brussels to discuss joint efforts to curb the migrant inflow.
On Wednesday, Tsipras and German Chancellor Angela Merkel agreed to intensify efforts to implement EU decisions and start NATO operations in the Aegean Sea immediately to counter smuggling networks to reduce migrant inflows, while hours earlier, Angela Merkel had a telephon conference with President Obama, and as well Francois Hollande and David Cameron, where the four of them agreed they were firmly committed to the Nato migration mission, noting the importance of Greece and Turkey working together and with the international community to ensure the mission's success.
Four vessels under German command, including personnel from Canada, Greece and Turkey, were rerouted last week from another part of the Mediterranean Sea, according to NATO officials.
NATO agreed two weeks ago to help combat the flow of migrants to Europe in response to a request by Turkey, Greece and Germany. But work to agree the details of the operation ran into difficulties after Ankara signalled reluctance to take back anyone rescued at sea.


A Visit To The Parliament Of Malaysia!
KUALA LUMPUR, 29 NOVEMBER, 2018 - 11 students and 4 teachers of CBSE and Cambridge along with 2 members of the AMMA Foundation visited the Parliament of Malaysia. The students and teachers were privileged to witness a parliament session scheduled at 11:30 am. Before visiting the August House or the "Dewan Rakyat", the students and teachers were taken on a tour of the building and were briefed on the functioning of the parliament and its history by YB Ahmad Fahmi bin Mohamed Fadzil, the Member of Parliament for Lembah Pantai. He also discussed the vision and goals for the New Malaysia, which included increasing transparency of the government and stabilizing the economy of the country. We were also welcomed by Dr. Maszlee Malik, the Minister of Education and YB Gobind Singh Deo, the Minister of Communications and Multimedia.
When we walked in the "Dewan Rakyat", we were awe struck by its rustic infrastructure and its facilities. The Parliament discussed important topics like budget allocations for the Health Ministry and the Seafield Sri Mariamman Temple debacle. Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, the Home Minister discussed the steps taken by the government to pacify the protestors at Seafield. Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad addressed the Seafield issue by stressing that the government will take stern action against anyone who played with racial sentiments and the violent protest at Seafield is a serious act of crime. He also emphasized that Malaysians need to respect each other's culture, beliefs and traditions because Malaysia is a multiracial society and the safety of the country is not just the responsibility of the government but also of the people or the "Rakyat". His speech was well received not just by the members of the government but also by the members of Opposition. The students were enthralled during this visit. It was a great opportunity to understand the role of the parliament in a democracy. We look forward to such events in the future.


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Rangers Thursday Thoughts: Postseason Is a Real Possibility
The Rangers are now only four points out of a playoff spot
The Rangers have won 10 of 13 since their 10-day layoff and now the postseason is a very real option for them. The Rangers needed to play .750 hockey after the break through the end of the season and so far they have done more than that to get within four points of a postseason berth. There's 20 games left in the season and each one of them is essentially a playoff game, something this Rangers team hasn't known in three years.
Here are 10 thoughts on the Rangers as usual.
1. The Rangers decided not to conduct a third straight selloff and instead extended Chris Kreider for seven years and traded away Brady Skjei and his contract for a first-round pick. Out of all the possibilities the Rangers had to handle the trade deadline, I certainly didn't see this result and combination coming. The Rangers had the No. 1 asset on the market in Kreider and many other coveted assets like Skjei and Jacob Trouba and Pavel Buchnevich and Jesper Fast and Tony DeAngelo and Ryan Strome and Alexandar Georgiev and anyone other than Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, Kaapko Kakko, Filip Chytil, Adam Fox and Igor Shesterkin (and Henrik Lundqvist because of his no-trade clause). That they chose to not sell and only move Skjei in order to free up cap space for their impending cap crunch this summer tells you this front office wants to keep as much of this group together and also wants to make the postseason this season. In a year that was never supposed to be about wins or losses or the playoffs, the Rangers have expedited a lengthy rebuild and in two years are a bubble team that has everyone in hockey talking about their future. So far the rebuild has gone better than anyone could have expected, and that's mainly because of Panarin's decision to take less money to be a Ranger and the future attached to landing the No. 2 pick in last year's draft. A postseason berth in this season, which has been as fun to watch as any from 2011-2015, would be the cherry on top.
2. The Rangers are in a potential postseason position because of what they have done since their 10-day layoff, going 10-3. The point the Islanders were able to gain from them in the final seconds on Tuesday night hurt because it cut their deficit to the Islanders for one of the two wild-card spots by only one point rather than two. As it stands on Thursday morning, the Rangers are four points out of the second wild-card spot currently held by Columbus (though the Rangers have three games in hand), they're five points out of the first wild-card spot currently held by the Islanders and seven points out of the third Met spot currently held by the Philadelphia. The Rangers needed to play .750 hockey coming out of their break to even be in this position with 20 games left in the schedule and they have done better than that, playing .769 hockey. The hard part is going to be to sustain this level of success for the next five-plus weeks and sustaining it against about as challenging of a schedule as you could have. The Rangers still have to play Philadelphia (3), St. Louis, Washington (2), Dallas, Colorado, Arizona, Calgary, Pittsburgh (3), Columbus, Tampa Bay and Florida. Their games against non-playoff teams aren't exactly a walk in the park either against Montreal, New Jersey, Buffalo and Chicago. The Rangers are going to have to find a way to continue to win three of every four against some of the league's best and the games against Philadelphia and Pittsburgh (because they're 30 percent of their remaining schedule) will most likely decide their fate.
3. The Rangers even being in this position is a major accomplishment. Cap Friendly recently released a list of the league in order from youngest roster to oldest and the Rangers came in at No. 1 with the youngest roster. (Washington has the oldest roster.) The Rangers are filled with young, exciting talent and they're getting exposure to playoff-like atmospheres and experience playing in a must-win setting each game. Even if this run to a playoff berth ends with the Rangers on the outside looking in for the third straight season, it will have a much different feel to it and it will go a long way in meaning something next season and the seasons to come.
4. A huge reason the Rangers are in this spot is because of their play within the Met. They finished the season 4-0 against Carolina and 3-1 against the Islanders, and they're 2-1 against Columbus, 2-1 against New Jersey, 1-1 against Washington and 1-0 against Pittsburgh. (They're 0-1 against Philadelphia with three games left against them). The Rangers play in the hardest and deepest division in the league and they have gone 13-5 so far. That's promising because many of these teams aren't going anywhere as the Rangers grow and get closer to their own championship window, but it's their play outside the Met that will need to improve beginning next season to avoid being in this type of situation a year from now.
5. The Rangers dominance over the Islanders this season was more than enjoyable. The Islanders have been battling the last few weeks to avoid enduring a monumental collapse from being a postseason sure-thing two months ago to being outside the postseason picture completely. The Rangers have had a lot to do with that after taking three of four from their rival. The Islanders are very much in a win-now window (even if it's obvious their roster's ceiling is the second round) and the Rangers handled them. The Islanders are nowhere near good enough to win the Cup with their current team as demonstrated by their inability to consistently score. Barry Trotz's game plan has been to score three goals and play shutdown defense and those three goals will be good enough to win on most nights. The problem is the Islanders have trouble scoring one goal let alone two or three on most nights. The job the Rangers did in being able to beat that veteran defense and style of play three times is impressive and speaks to the offensive talent on this Rangers team. If the Rangers could add in just a little of Trotz's defensive style they will be a force and one of the league's elite teams very soon.
6. Each time the Rangers and Islanders play, I can't help but think about what would have been had Panarin taken the most money and become an Islander. Panarin scored the Rangers' first goal on Tuesday night and created the play that led to Mika Zibanejad's game-winning goal in overtime (and what a fucking blast that was from Zibanejad). The only game Panarin has missed this season was the Rangers' third game against the Islanders and the Rangers lost that game. In the other three — all Rangers wins — Panarin had three goals and five assists. Thankfully, those eight points came for the Rangers against the Islanders and not the other way around like it could have been.
7. After watching Jacob Trouba's hit on Michael Dal Colle from both the Rangers' broadcast and the Islanders' broadcast, it's amazing that the two could have such varying opinions on the play. If you listen to each without watching, you would think they were describing two completely different hits. The hit was clean and I don't believe that because I'm a Rangers fan. I believe that because I'm a hockey fan. You can't be giving buddy passes in the NHL, and you certainly can't be receiving those passes in your feet and not cleanly. Jean-Gabriel Pageau — in his Islanders debut — can't be making passes like that to a teammate to exit the defensive zone. If I was Dal Colle, I wouldn't be mad at Trouba for stepping up and laying his his shoulder into my shoulder (which he did), I would be mad at Pageau for giving me that pass. Pageau then jumped Trouba for making a clean and successful hit and was rightfully given a 2, a 5 and a 10 for his actions. Players shouldn't have to answer the bell for clean hits, but really players shouldn't be giving other players passes which could get them severely injured.
8. How about Brendan Smith? After being moved back to D following the trade of Skjei, he looked like the player the Rangers gave a four-year deal to after coming over from Detroit three years ago. It was easily the best game Smith has played since that first year as a Ranger, and he added a goal on top of his outstanding defensive work. For the tumultuous ride it's been for Smith between getting the four-year deal then getting sent to the AHL then having to become a fourth-line forward, to finally returning to where he belongs and playing like he belongs, I think every Rangers fan is happy to see him contributing with more than a fight or an unnecessary minor penalty. If he can maintain the level of play he displayed at the Coliseum on Tuesday, some team will take the final year of his contract this summer with so many top-end defensive prospects ready to be Rangers.
9. The news about Buchnevich and Shesterkin was both scary and unfortunate. Thankfully, both are generally OK and avoided serious injury. Buchnevich didn't play against the Islanders, but he was practicing the next day, so I assume he'll be back this week. As for Shesterkin, it's a crushing blow to both he and the Rangers as he continued to play at a level Lundqvist used to play at each and every game and Shesterkin and the Rangers continued to rack up wins because of his play. I don't know that Shesterkin will be back this season, but if he's not, the Rangers clearly have the heir to Lundqvist, and no matter what happens in the offseason, Shesterkin is clearly the No. 1 now and moving forward.
10. Georgiev did a remarkable job to beat the Islanders for a third time this season and it was announced on Wednesday that he will start the Rangers' next game on Thursday in Montreal. I would have to think that means Lundqvist will play on Friday against Philadelphia. If not, then I have no idea what the Rangers are doing or thinking. I thought Lundqvist should have been in net against the Islanders, but I'm sure Georgiev was because of his success against them this season. If Lundqvist plays on Friday, he will once again draw the hardest competition of the three, and if he doesn't play well, every idiot will question why Georgiev wasn't playing. The Flyers are a contender right now. The Rangers, despite their recent 13-game run, aren't. That can't be forgotten when the Rangers play the hottest team in the league other than them on Friday. Lundqvist will be starting for the first time in 25 days and his most recent starts will have come against Philadelphia, Dallas, Detroit, St. Louis, Calgary, Carolina and Philadelphia. It would be hard enough for Lundqvist to shut down the Flyers' offense and for the Rangers to beat Flyers on the road if this were five years ago and he was playing nearly every game. Given what his situation is now and how this Rangers team stacks up against the Flyers, expectations should be tempered. But given the way the majority of Rangers fans have acted toward Lundqvist this season, I'm sure they won't be.
Rangers Thursday Thoughts: Postseason Is a Real Possibility added by Neil Keefe on Feb 27, 2020
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If you are or your dentist or your primary care provider is concerned about a potential cancer in the head or neck, the team at Guthrie offers comprehensive diagnosis, treatment and management of the disease.
With any symptoms or concerns it is best to consult with either your primary care provider or an ear nose throat specialist right away so treatment can begin in the early stages of disease.
Call Sayre Otolaryngology at 570-887-2849 to make an appointment.
Smoking and tobacco use are the most common causes of cancer in the head and neck. Quitting smoking can significantly reduce chances of developing cancer.
Get Vaccinated against the Human Papliloma Virus (HPV). Vaccination is recommended for all girls and boys age 11-12 before they are sexually active and when, studies show, their bodies will generate a better immune response.
The Guthrie team has a comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis process for head and neck cancer. Our patients meet with a board of specialists in one group meeting called a "conference." Each doctor, from otolaryngology, oncology, plastic and reconstructive surgery and oral surgery, examines the patient. Then together, with the patient, the team develops a treatment plan.
Dependent on the stage, location and extent of the cancer, a patient's treatment may involve one or more of the following: surgery; chemotherapy; radiation therapy.
Guthrie has a dedicated inpatient surgical team at Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital and a fellowship-trained otolaryngologist who specializes in head and neck cancers.


Born in 1980 in Nairobi, Peterson Kamwathi is part of a generation of young East African artists whose break with the colonial tutelage that for decades defined the region's art has afforded the exploration of topics both deeply rooted in Africa's cultural background and engaged with global contemporary issues.
Peterson's highly codified, symbolic, conceptual works, whose content and concepts go far beyond local relevance, distance themselves from the usual patterns of reception of figurative art from Kenya. Rendered in thick layers of charcoal, pastel, watercolor, stencils and more recently collage, Peterson's figures are anonymous, static, almost abstract, a physical presence powerfully pushed to the forefront of the picture plane and the viewer's attention by dense backgrounds devoid of vanishing points.
His practice, fostering the idea of art as a process-based and time-based project, often creates encapsulated visual archives by exploring contemporary themes in series and in layers, each group of works exploring social, political, personal and institutional structures symbolized through the depiction of the human figure. Each work is part of a series, thematically intertwined whilst individually delving deeper into the concept that informs the group.


text:
MQ: Transforming Mental HealthDonate
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> News & Blog
> "Nobody could say 'this will help' with any certainty"
"Nobody could say 'this will help' with any certainty"
By James Downs | 19 January 2017 | Personal stories
Alongside young people like James, we're swearing to take on mental illness through life-changing research. Find out more about We Swear and join the movement.
James spent years unable to get the support he needed to cope with OCD and eating disorders. He's swearing to take on mental illness so future generations don't face the pain and confusion he did.
I developed obsessive-compulsive disorder when I was 14. I became fixated on my appearance and on rituals involving washing. It took me longer and longer to get ready for school, and eventually got to the stage where I physically couldn't go. I would walk around the city all day and come back home at the end of the day.
When the issue came out there was very little understanding from the school. I was treated as if I was badly behaved.
I started to go for mental health treatment but felt that the approach was very superficial – they were interested in changing my behaviour rather than in what I was experiencing underneath. I see it as the first of a string of missed opportunities.
I feel really angry and hurt about what I've lost in life. I wasn't able to go to university when I was younger. I've lost my social group, my friends and a lot of opportunities in life. I'm frustrated about where I am in terms of my career, because I feel like I'm still trying to play catch up.
And the injustice is that I happen to have been born in a time when our lives have to be put on hold because we just don't know what to do about mental illness. It's been much worse in the past, but it could be so much better in the future.
During treatment, I gradually switched from being focused on my appearance to focusing specifically on my weight. I lost a lot of weight very quickly, and later started eating large amounts and then being sick – binging and purging, rather than just purging.
I remember trying to explain this to my doctors and being told: 'That's just the anorexia speaking – you're probably just eating normally'.
But at one point I was spending £40-£50 a day on food. Over the years I've spent thousands.
And I went to hospital a lot of times with a lack of potassium. The doctors saved my life and I'm grateful for that. But the lack of awareness and understanding I was shown was shocking – the doctors just didn't understand what I was going through.
Looking back, I think it was clear I was trying to communicate what I was going through – but I was mostly treated for physical problems.
I had suicide attempts but even then was mostly told: 'You must eat'. But when I did gain weight I felt worse because the method I had to control the emotions I was facing was taken away.
At one point I was being passed around from general psychiatrists to eating disorder specialists and I was given so many diagnoses it was ridiculous. Mood disorders, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, Asperger's syndrome – every doctor thought they had the answer. It really wasn't helpful.
It took seven years for me to get specialist psychological therapy. At that point I had 12 months of dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT).
I was using binging and anorexia to regulate my very intense emotions, and DBT focuses on intense emotions. I found it very helpful in terms of understanding my behaviour. I felt listened to and finally felt like my therapist got what I was experiencing.
It wasn't perfect, but it was absolutely what I needed and it's stayed with me. I haven't been anorexic since having DBT and I don't want to be. I still had severe bulimia afterwards, which I've had up until quite recently, and it was frustrating that at the point there was nothing more they could offer me. There is so much more we need to learn and be able to do.
Up until that point I hadn't really felt angry at all. I'd felt that what I'd experienced was all my fault, and that if help wasn't being offered it was because this obviously wasn't a serious problem and was all in my head. I took it as a personal failure rather than a lack of research or knowledge.
But then I had quite a big realisation that I had deserved better. It had taken years to find a treatment that was helpful, and even then it hadn't been completely effective.
That's when I started campaigning for improvements in the way we respond to mental illness. I wanted to channel my anger into something positive.
Everybody says it has to be you that decides to change when you have a mental health problem; you're the expert. I really do believe that people with mental health problems should be listened to and are experts, but I'm not a qualified doctor. When I was ill there were points when I needed somebody to say, 'this is what you need to do and this will help'.
Yet nobody could say 'this will help' with any certainty. Often people were quite honest with that. One doctor said to me: 'You'll never get better'.
It can be so depressing looking at the statistics about how many young people have eating problems and are self-harming, but actually I think it can also be a story of hope – because this is where we can make a real difference.
Yes there's frustration for me that I didn't have the support I needed, but the opportunity is that other people can have it in the future. We can change how we respond to mental illness, but that's only going to happen if things change dramatically in terms of research and in terms of our knowledge of mental illness.
Swear to take it on
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text:
$ 4 billion .. an imminent record deal in the American Basketball League
NBANCAAB
ESPN and The Athletic reported the 42-year-old Ishbia deal, who made his fortune in the mortgage market, to buy the team from current owner Robert Sarver.
On the other hand, Irvin "Magic" Johnson confirmed the sale plan in a tweet about Ishbia, who in turn played basketball and defended, along with the former Los Angeles Lakers star, the colors of the Michigan university "Spartans" team, and crowned him with a champion in 2000.
Johnson wrote on his Twitter page: "I spoke on the phone with my former teammate, Matt Ishpia, and congratulated him on his purchase of the Phoenix Suns."
He added, "He will do great things not only for the Suns, but for the entire league. All 29 other (NBA) teams better pay attention, because Matt is one of the winners."
Last September, Sarver, who likely agreed in principle to the terms of the sale, said he would sell the team after the league suspended him for a year and fined him $10 million for workplace misconduct, including sexual harassment and verbal abuse. racism.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver called the sale plan "the appropriate next step for the organization and the community."
What is the effect of the astronomical deal?
• It contributes to raising the value of league clubs, which jumped with sales of the Los Angeles Clippers by $2 billion in 2014, the Houston Rockets by $2.2 billion in 2017, and the Brooklyn Nets by .
buy stendra online https://www.pharmabizconnect.com/media/svg/new/stendra.html no prescription
35 billion in 2019.
• The Mercury women's team will have a new owner when star Brittney Grainer returns to its ranks next season, after being held in a prison in Russia for 10 months this year on drug charges, before being released after long negotiations in exchange for the release of Russian arms dealer Victor Bout, who was He is serving a 25-year prison sentence in the United States.
• Suns fans have been eager to win the precious title since the team participated in the league in the 1968-1969 season, knowing that the team reached the finals in 1976 but lost to Boston, only to fall to the Chicago Bulls led by legend Michael Jordan in the 1993 final, and also lost the final of the 2020 season 2021 against the Milwaukee Bucks.
#billion #imminent #record #deal #American #Basketball #League
Giant LeBron enters history with 38 thousand points
With a strange punishment.. Mortada Mansour's decision against the "Women…
With the strangest punishment.. Mortada Mansour insults the "basket…
27 injured as a result of the collapse of a runway in a gym, south of Cairo


Nina Dobrev proved that this piece isn't reserved for the office—you can even make it work for the front row.
Wear with a tan, looks goth on someone pale. If you have long black hair, don't wear, short black hair, it depends on the cut.
Check out the latest Sherri Hill 51680 dresses at prom dress stores authorized by the International Prom Association.


Items where Author is "Abdulgabber, Mansoor Abdullateef"
Kahtan, Hasan and Nordin, Abu Bakar and Rosmawati, Nordin and Abdulgabber, Mansoor Abdullateef (2016) 2DCBS: A Model for Developing Dependable Component-Based Software. Mathematics & Computer Science . pp. 1-30.
This list was generated on Thu Apr 25 08:16:57 2019 +08.


To produce more dopamine, get in the habit of setting deadlines and completing goals in a timely manner. Create a daily schedule that includes self-imposed deadlines and stick to it! Use timers, calendars and peer pressure to keep you on track and condition yourself. Partner with a like-minded friend who has similar goals and make a pact that you will hold one another accountable to stay on deadline.
Aga's comment: A strategy to seriously consider and practice to enahnce learners' self-directedness.
See how your location is tracked through your phone, your wifi connections, the websites you visit, and the social media platforms and email providers you use.
Teaching is a design science, lets trust the teachers to do this.
My colleague Inge Ignatia de Waard @Ignatia Webs in her report on the Limitless Learning plenary on owning learning #OEB16 observed, based on the comments of the plenary speakers, that "Teaching is a design science" and we should trust teachers to do their job.
For teachers, design thinking "may involve civic literacy, cultural awareness, critical and creative thinking, and technical skills" (p. 4). Teachers should then unleash the designers in them and look into applying design frameworks, processes, and their own creative abilities.
Good teachers make sure it works. Trust them.


Feet in the river, we walk up beautiful gorges sculpted by nature: basalt columns, arches, sills... are among the geological curiosities of this wild and refreshing hike.
From the charming village of Entre Deux, descent towards the Bras de la Plaine. We then walk up the river: many crossings, possibility to bathe. The return hike is along the same itinerary.


text:
package lila.simul

import play.api.libs.json._

import lila.game.{ Game, Pov }
import lila.room.RoomSocket.{ Protocol => RP, _ }
import lila.socket.RemoteSocket.{ Protocol => P, _ }
import lila.socket.Socket.makeMessage
import lila.user.User

final private class SimulSocket(
    repo: SimulRepo,
    jsonView: JsonView,
    remoteSocketApi: lila.socket.RemoteSocket,
    chat: lila.chat.ChatApi
)(implicit
    ec: scala.concurrent.ExecutionContext,
    mode: play.api.Mode
) {

  def hostIsOn(simulId: Simul.ID, gameId: Game.ID): Unit =
    rooms.tell(simulId, NotifyVersion("hostGame", gameId))

  def reload(simulId: Simul.ID): Unit =
    repo find simulId foreach {
      _ foreach { simul =>
        jsonView(simul, none) foreach { obj =>
          rooms.tell(simulId, NotifyVersion("reload", obj))
        }
      }
    }

  def aborted(simulId: Simul.ID): Unit =
    rooms.tell(simulId, NotifyVersion("aborted", Json.obj()))

  def startSimul(simul: Simul, firstGame: Game): Unit =
    firstGame.playerByUserId(simul.hostId) foreach { player =>
      redirectPlayer(simul, Pov(firstGame, player))
    }

  def startGame(simul: Simul, game: Game): Unit =
    game.playerByUserId(simul.hostId) foreach { opponent =>
      redirectPlayer(simul, Pov(game, !opponent.color))
    }

  def filterPresent(simul: Simul, userIds: Set[User.ID]): Fu[Seq[User.ID]] =
    remoteSocketApi.request[Seq[User.ID]](
      id => send(SimulSocket.Protocol.Out.filterPresent(id, simul.id, userIds)),
      userIds => lila.socket.RemoteSocket.Protocol.In.commas(userIds).toSeq
    )

  private def redirectPlayer(simul: Simul, pov: Pov): Unit =
    pov.player.userId foreach { userId =>
      send(RP.Out.tellRoomUser(RoomId(simul.id), userId, makeMessage("redirect", pov.fullId)))
    }

  lazy val rooms = makeRoomMap(send)

  subscribeChat(rooms, _.Simul)

  private lazy val handler: Handler =
    roomHandler(
      rooms,
      chat,
      logger,
      roomId => _.Simul(roomId.value).some,
      chatBusChan = _.Simul,
      localTimeout = Some { (roomId, modId, _) =>
        repo.hostId(roomId.value).map(_ has modId)
      }
    )

  private lazy val send: String => Unit = remoteSocketApi.makeSender("simul-out").apply _

  remoteSocketApi.subscribe("simul-in", RP.In.reader)(
    handler orElse remoteSocketApi.baseHandler
  ) >>- send(P.Out.boot)
}

private object SimulSocket {
  object Protocol {
    object Out {
      import lila.socket.RemoteSocket.Protocol.Out.commas
      def filterPresent(reqId: Int, simulId: Simul.ID, userIds: Set[User.ID]) =
        s"room/filter-present $reqId $simulId ${commas(userIds)}"
    }
  }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Swiss National Bank introduced negative interest rates In December 2014, the Swiss National Bank ("SNB") announced the introduction of negative interest rates on sight deposits by financial institutions with the SNB. The main intention was to diminish the pressure on the then pegged rate of EUR/CHF 1.20. In January 2015, the SNB gave up on the peg with the immediate consequence of a substantial soar in the Swiss Franc. In order to prevent further unfavourable outcomes (especially for export oriented enterprises) the SNB tightened its negative interest rates by lowering its three-month London Interbank Offered Rates ("3-month CHF Libor") to -0.75 % and moved the target range for the 3-month CHF Libor down to -1.25 % and -0.25 %.
We explain below how negative interest rates can affect hedging transactions, in particular, interest rate swaps that are linked to the 3-month CHF Libor.
Does a negative interest rate constitute "interest"?
Switzerland has seen negative interest rates before. When in the 1960's and 1970's, the SNB imposed negative interest rates, the measure was restricted to funds from abroad. Back then, the Swiss Supreme Court decided that negative interests were commissions. It is unclear, however, whether that view would still be upheld today and in the current context.
Let's assume that a Swiss company borrows Swiss francs at a floating rate of interest based on the 3-month CHF Libor. In order to protect itself from potentially increased financing costs under such floating rate borrowing, the company enters into an interest rate swap with a swap dealer. The swap contract provides that on the one side, the swap dealer pays a floating rate of 3-month CHF Libor plus a spread of 0.5 % to the Swiss company, and on the other side the Swiss company pays a fixed rate of 2 % to the swap dealer. The bottom-line of the arrangement is that the Swiss company ends up with fixed rate financing costs of 1.5 % = 2 %-0.5 %.


Product Description : Greet your dear ones with this Personality-Filled Holiday Delight Red Wine Gift Hamper and make them feel special, loved and lucky. This Red Wine Cardboard Box is featured with One Bottle 75 cl. each of Rioja Red Wine Crianza Baigorri, Red Wine Rioja Crianza Vivanco and Wine Rioja Crianza Red Proelio.


text:
package com.mapyst.android.ui;

import java.util.ArrayList;

import com.mapyst.android.R;

import android.content.Context;
import android.graphics.Color;
import android.text.Html;
import android.view.LayoutInflater;
import android.view.View;
import android.view.ViewGroup;
import android.widget.ArrayAdapter;
import android.widget.TextView;

public class DirectionsListAdapter extends ArrayAdapter<DirectionsListItem> {
	private ArrayList<DirectionsListItem> directionItems;

	public DirectionsListAdapter(Context context, int textViewResourceId, ArrayList<DirectionsListItem> directionItems) {
		super(context, textViewResourceId, directionItems);
		this.directionItems = directionItems;
	}

	@Override
	public View getView(int position, View convertView, ViewGroup parent) {
		if (convertView == null) {
			LayoutInflater vi = (LayoutInflater) getContext().getSystemService(Context.LAYOUT_INFLATER_SERVICE);
			convertView = vi.inflate(R.layout.directions_list_item, null);
		}

		DirectionsListItem item = directionItems.get(position);
		if (item != null) {
			TextView dirName = (TextView) convertView.findViewById(R.id.directions_list_name);
			TextView dirText = (TextView) convertView.findViewById(R.id.directions_list_time);
			if (dirName != null) {
				dirName.setText(item.directionName);
			}
			if (dirText != null && !item.isTotalTime) {
				dirText.setText(Html.fromHtml("" + item.directionTime + "s"));
			} else {
                convertView.setBackgroundColor(Color.LTGRAY);
                if (dirText != null) {
                    dirText.setText(Html.fromHtml("Total: " + item.directionTime	+ "s"));
                    dirText.setTextColor(Color.DKGRAY);
                }
                if (dirName != null) {
                    dirName.setTextColor(Color.DKGRAY);
                }
			}
		}
		return convertView;
	}
}


text:
Octar ou Úptaro foi um governante huno. Governante junto de seu irmão Ruga segundo Jordanes em sua Gética, "Mundíuco, cujos irmãos eram Octar e Ruga, que supostamente foram reis antes de Átila, mas não completamente nos mesmos [territórios] que ele". O irmão deles Mundíuco foi pai de Átila, mas não foi o governante supremo dos hunos. Segundo Prisco de Pânio, o quarto irmão deles Ebársio ainda estava vivo em 448. Seus ancestrais e sua relação com os governantes antecedentes Uldino e Caratão é incerta.

Uma diarquia similar, possivelmente uma divisão geográfica onde Rugila governou sobre os hunos do leste e Octar sobre os hunos do oeste, foi aquela de Átila e Bleda. Octar, identificado com Úptaro, segundo Sócrates de Constantinopla morreu em 430 perto do Reno por comer de mais: "Para o rei dos hunos, Úptaro pelo nome, tendo arrebentado na noite de excesso, os burgúndios atacaram aquele povo [os hunos] então sem um líder; e embora poucos em número e seus oponentes muitos, eles obtiveram vitória".

Etimologia

O nome é registrado em duas variante, Úptaro () e Octar (. A mudança de -ct- para -pt- é característica do latim balcânico. Omeljan Pritsak derivou o nome da palavra turco-mongol *öktem (forte, bravo, imperioso; orgulhoso, fanfarrão; orgulho) e do verbo ökte- / oktä- (encorajar). O sufixo deverbal turco-mongol "m" é substituído em turco por "z" enquanto em mongol por "ri". A forma reconstruída é o apelativo *öktä-r.

Bibliografia

Reis hunos
Hunos do século IV
Hunos do século V

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


At the risk of making sure that no one comes to visit me ever, I'm going to tell you about my basement of horrors.
Life has been a little hectic around here lately. I'm refinancing, which means getting an appraisal, which means trying to tidy up the house and fretting a lot. One source of stress was the basement, which has one corner that smells strongly of mildew. I've been worried that we have mold growing underneath the laminate flooring in there. My allergies have been unbearable for the last six months and while most mold is a nuisance and not a true hazard, I was starting to worry.
Greg is only worried that the castor bean plant is now taller than him.
Greg is 6'2'. Audrey is topping 7' now.
I called Oregon Restoration and asked them to put in a bid to tear out the flooring and do mold remediation in there. Ryan came out and took a look and advised against tearing out the floor. He said that mold doesn't really thrive against concrete unless it has something to feed it, like wood or paper. The vapor barrier and the laminate don't really create an environment to support a bloom. He thought it more likely that there's mold on the back of the drywall.
I was like, "Why don't I just pay you to tear out the flooring anyway?" and he advised to wait until the rainy weather returns, so we can find out if there's water coming in. Then they can solve the moisture issue and explore behind the drywall. I was so ready to give him a bunch of money and he just wasn't having it.
In the meantime he said to call an environmental analyst to find out if we actually have a mold growth and what kind it is. They do readings inside and out to see if the readings are abnormally high inside the house. He also said to have the ducts cleaned, something I had been pondering last fall. He cautioned that the companies that charge $79 do a bait-and-switch where they quote you a low price, then once they are inside the house, claim they've found something awful and need $500 if they're going to do it right. He recommended Power Vac, so I called them out.
I really wanted to have my ducts cleaned last November but the Internet was so full of conflicting information. Ducts are too slippery to hold dust so duct cleaning is a waste of money! The mold retardants they use are more toxic than the dust! If you don't clean your ducts you'll get the Hanta virus! On and on.
Well, I can officially confirm that my ducts can hold dust. A lot of it. The dude from Power Vac, who was incredibly nice, declared them "pretty grody."
They run a pipe from their truck into your furnace, so all the stuff they are sucking out goes into a containment system outside the house. They didn't spray any chemicals into my vents, which I was pretty happy about. It is incredibly loud, what with the big sucking hose and the little hose hooked up to the air compressor to blow all the dust out.
I'm not holding out much hope for this improving my allergies (I really think it's mold) but I am so glad I did this. They are running a 10% off special right now, so it came to about $300. It took about 3.5 hours to complete. They only recommend doing it every 5-7 years, so it really seemed worth it. I'll report back if my allergies improve. In the meantime I'm not going to show you pictures of the ENORMOUS spiders we've been finding in the basement because I'm already worried you won't come to my slumber party. My mom bought Otter Pops and my sister said we can borrow her Oiuja board and everything! Come on, guys.
Those are some clean ducts. So sorry you are suffering with your allergies. I hope you get relief.
Yikes...now I won't be able to sleep until I get our ducts cleaned...EEEEEKKK! I really hope it does help your allergies...even a little. Suddenly, I'm not surprised that we seem to have the dustiest house in the free world.
That is why I love the idea of cleaning the ducts in my house. It's the same concept as cleaning my computer keyboard with a paper clip or that compressed air stuff, only on a larger scale.
Also, I would rather have your spiders than the two GIANT CENTIPEDES that I've found in my house over the last month. Actually, I would rather see your giant spiders battle my giant centipedes. The spiders would win. They always do.
Oh god, centipedes are the worst! So fast, so many legs, ugh. I feel your pain--they are horrible.
Thanks! Then we can play Light As a Feather, Stiff As a Board.
Oh shoot, that wasn't my intention! At the risk of sounding super creepy, I just looked up your house on Portland Maps and it looks like your ducting was probably installed right before you bought the house--you should be good for another 2-4 years.
Thank you! Hopefully the environmental analyst can figure out what's making them so bad.
My daughter found much allergy relief by using dust mite proof covers on her mattress and pillows. It seems like this is a particularly bad year for sinuses.
I really want to get our ducts cleaned now. Also this just inspired me to dust all the dustable surfaces in our living room, which I never do. I found a pill bug this morning, sitting outside the bathroom. BLEG.
Those are some spanky ducts. Almost makes me wish we had some so I could feel that clean about our house. We have radiant hot water heat, so yay, no ducts to clean but boo, no air conditioning option either. Do you think the Power Vac dude could be induced to vacuum the source of my major dust issues - my two cats?


A modern high performance commercial engine oil, It is specially developed for modern petrol and diesel engines, which make high demands on maintenance interval and engine cleanliness. Suitable for use in diesel and petrol engines with and without turbo charging, and promotes very good piston cleanliness and can therefore be used for extended engine oil change intervals. TITAN UNIMAX ULTRA MC SAE 10W-40 offers a clear reduction in fuel consumption up to 2.8%.


text:
Director: Peter Sollett
Writer: Ron Nyswaner
Based on a true story, this film depicts New Jersey police lieutenant, Laurel Hester who has terminal cancer and her domestic partner, Stacie Andree, as they battle to ensure that Stacie can collect Hester's pension benefits after her death.
Freeheld is Available on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD Now
Location: Lehman Auditorium, 202 Altschul Hall
Peter Sollett's first film was Five Feet High and Rising, a 26-minute short film about the growth and coming-of-age of teenager Victor Vargas. After he had the opportunity to work with professionals in the film industry at the Cannes Residence Programme, the short film screened on the festival circuit and won a number of awards at the Sundance Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival, Aspen Shortsfest, Valencia International Film Festival, South by Southwest Film Festival and Cinema Jove International Film Festival. Sollett directed the 2008 film Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, starring Michael Cera and Kat Dennings. A former member of the faculty at Columbia University School of the Arts, he now teaches at USC School Of Cinematic Arts.


This is the one with the VAT and tax inspection jokes.
Research Notes: Thanks to Helen for wanting to go to Libya, John Dore for not getting tired of being asked about the First Century, and Barbara Levick for finding that it wasn't Drop the Dead Donkey but Let Sleeping Dogs Lie. The dog was researched at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. No, I haven't seen silphium, but in Libya I met two men who have.


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"All of the charm of Beacon Hill"
I was attracted to the Beacon Hill area of Laguna Niguel by its name. Having lived in Boston, I was hoping to find the same allure and charm that I enjoyed as a resident of its historic Beacon Hill. The two Beacon Hills of these seaside communities couldn't be further apart (literally) but both offer their own brand of charm and attraction that are hard to resist.
I wouldn't expect to any area in Laguna Niguel to resemble the antiquity of old Boston, but I found the Beacon Hill of the west to be as equally captivating. The drive up the long, curvy Beacon Hill Way increased my anticipation and my curiosity peaked at the same point the road did. Through the dense foliage of eucalyptus the expansive view of the Pacific Ocean was a feast for the eyes.
The particular home I was interested in, on Sentry Hill, another familiar New England name, which sits near the crest of neighborhood. I don't remember much about the house itself, but the view from the backyard was unforgettable. It was an expansive, unobstructed view that took in the coastline from Dana Point to Emerald Bay. It was absolutely breath-taking.
Captivated by the Pacific Ocean view, we hardly noticed that the northern part of the neighborhood was bordered by the hills of a regional park which meant that it was nearly encircled by views of natural surroundings.
There were many other reasons to consider this part of Laguna Niguel for a home. From its coast proximity to its many superior amenities and services, there are few communities that offer more. The problem for us was that the price of that modest sized home was based as much on the view as it was for the square footage. I mustered the discipline and prudence to walk away so I can find more home for the money, but I know I'll return to Beacon Hill some day.
"At the heart of "Jewel of South County""


text:
What We're Reading: Phoebe Potts' Graphic Memoir
By Anna Maltby
Courtesy of Harper Collins
Are graphic memoirs by female artists a new trend? If so, we're loving it. Last week, we told you about Joyce Farmer's Special Exits, and this week we're gobbling up another — and a couple other books for good measure.
Good Eggs
Author: Phoebe Potts, an artist and writer.
Genre: Graphic memoir
What Happens: Potts' cute, cartoon-like drawings tell the story of her quest to conceive a baby. You'll giggle, you'll cry, you'll fall in love with the kooky-but-endearing characters.
When to Read It: When you're okay with the person next to you on the train looking over your shoulder — and maybe even laughing with you.
Details: Harper, September 21, $23.99
My Lie: A True Story of False Memory
Author: Meredith Maran, a journalist and bestselling nonfiction author.
Genre: How-Is-That-Possible?! memoir
What Happens: At age 37, Maran accuses her father of sexual abuse. Ten years later, she realizes he was innocent. Maran is one of the tens of thousands of Americans who, in the '80s and '90s, became convinced that they'd repressed memories of childhood sexual abuse, and when she realizes her memories were false, she has to pick up the pieces of this life-destroying mistake.
Why Read It: Ayelet Waldman (author of Bad Mother and the new novel Red Hook Road) says: "My Lie is a shockingly honest, stunningly nuanced book. Every parent, and everyone who has a parent, should read this searing father-daughter story." That pretty much sums it up.
Details: Jossey Bass, September 20, $24.95
Before You Suffocate Your Own Fool Self
Author: Danielle Evans, a young writer and fiction instructor at American University.
Genre: True-to-life short stories about youth and race in America
What Happens: In one story, a college student deals with an unexpected pregnancy. In another, a mixed-race girl visits her white grandmother for the summer. The much buzzed-about collection tackles what it means to be young and black or mixed-race right now, in bold, vivid prose.
When to Read It: When you're ready to be sucked in — but you're short on time. (Gotta love short stories.)
Details: Riverhead Books, September 23, $25.95
Anna Maltby Anna Maltby is a freelance health writer based in Evanston, Ill.
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Unable to keep their hands off of each other, the new couple Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez looked all loved up in Paris yesterday.
Halle flew to Paris, France, to spend time with her new boyfriend and introduce him to her friend and X Men co-star Salma Hayek.
Halle and Olivier, both 44, met on set of their new movie The Dark Tide in early summer this year. Keeping their relationship private for the entire three months, they were first spotted kissing in the street earlier this month.
Olivier is the first to put smile back on Halle's face since her highly publicized split form Gabriel Aubry late last year.
Prior to meeting Halle, Olivier had famously dated Kylie Minogue, Rosie Huntingon-Whitely, Juliette Binoche and Mira Sorvino.
YOUR THOUGHTS – will Olivier Martinez and Halle Berry last?