Thanks to Margie Buchanan-Smith and Sarah Routley, researchers and co-authors of the original report, for sharing this work with ENN and reviewing this summary.
What we know: Humanitarian agencies are investing more effort into accountability to affected people. Many channels of communication are used. International and national agencies employ different approaches.
What this article adds: Qualitative research following the Typhoon Haiyan response explored affected peoples and agencies respective perspectives and experiences around accountability efforts. Substantive collective efforts were made by agencies on AAP though there was limited engagement of government. Community consultations were common but tended to be 'one way' communication on programmes. Local people preferred face to face communication rather than technological approaches, e.g. hotlines or SMS, a reminder that dialogue and building relationships are at the heart of AAP. Beneficiary selection and providing critical feedback were both contrary to Filipino culture. Feedback rarely changed agency strategic or programme direction, but instead triggered minor adjustments to programming. Most agencies had no dedicated funding for AAP; WVI was an exception and example of excellence.
International humanitarian agencies invested more effort and energy into being "accountable to affected people" (AAP) in the Typhoon Haiyan response than ever before. A recently published case study explores how affected people experienced these accountability efforts, comparing their perspectives with the perspectives of the agencies themselves, and investigates the organisational and systemic factors that enabled some agencies to place AAP centre stage in their programming, and that inhibited others from doing so. The research was carried out between November 2014 and February 2015 using a range of predominantly qualitative research methods. It is part of the Pamati Kita project, designed to promote a more collaborative and collective approach to AAP in the Haiyan response.
As a middle-income country with one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia and a well-defined legal structure, the Philippines is a conducive context for promoting accountability and transparency. One of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, the government of the Philippines has disaster risk reduction and response policies and structures in place, although these were quickly overwhelmed by the scale of the Haiyan crisis. The United Nations (UN) declared it a Level 3 humanitarian response.
Most international agencies used a suite of mechanisms as channels of communication with affected people, including visits by agency staff, community consultations, suggestions and complaints boxes, help desks and hotlines. Technology played an important role, especially for larger agencies, including the use of smart phones for surveys for assessments, baselines and monitoring; computerised databases to record and analyse feedback; and technological links between hotlines and databases. Most agencies developed their own systems for categorising feedback (although this lack of consistency hampered collective analysis of feedback data), and recorded whether action was taken. For the larger agencies, this was a somewhat formalised system of AAP in which they struggled to capture and accommodate less formalised forms of feedback from face-to-face interactions - for example, daily contact between staff and affected people - and from community consultations.
National non-governmental organisations (NGOs) had a different approach. Those that were local to the area and/or with local staff, with a community-development orientation, felt more naturally in touch with the perspectives of local people and therefore did not see the need to set up dedicated AAP mechanisms, nor did they have the resources. But not all national NGOs fell into this category, and some spent so much time on project delivery they had less time for community consultation. The more activist national NGOs tended to engage with the concept of "accountability" as holding government to account.
There were substantial efforts to promote collective AAP in the Haiyan response. OCHA deployed AAP and Communications with Communities (CWC) coordinators from the outset, separate AAP and CWC Technical Working Groups were established (eventually merging) in five hubs, and a consortium of agencies—Plan International, International Organisation ofr Migration (IOM), and World Vision International (WVI)—came together to establish a common services project, Pamati Kita, from July 2014.
Collaborative practices and common services established included community consultations carried out by OCHA in the early response phase, which provided feedback on the overall response, the introduction of Community Feedback Forms to consolidate feedback from individual agencies, and multi-actor community consultations facilitated by the Pamati Kita project during the recovery phase.
Although WVI's database shows that feedback boxes, SMS hotlines, and help desks were the most widely used channels for affected people to feed back to the agency, consultations with local people show that they overwhelmingly preferred face-to-face communication, because of the human interaction and the opportunity for dialogue. Community consultations could be effective ways to air concerns, but local people reported that they tended to be "one-way" as agencies used them to communicate programme details, such as beneficiary selection. Hotlines were treated with scepticism because of the impression that they did not generate meaningful responses and local people did not know who was at the end of the hotline. Better use was made of SMS if the community already had a relationship with the agency.
Agencies had surprisingly little disaggregated data on who was using which AAP mechanisms. According to the research, users of SMS channels were mostly under 40 or 50 years old and female. Older people preferred direct contact. Despite some AAP initiatives targeted at young people, this group generally participated little. Overall, the perspective of affected people is that agencies were not as accessible as they may have believed themselves to be. In terms of closing the feedback loop, agencies gave greatest attention to individual redress, particularly through hotlines and SMS. Although this was generally a weak part of the AAP chain, there were some good practice examples of agencies feeding back at community level, for example to validate the findings of community consultations.
The major concern raised by affected people through these feedback mechanisms was beneficiary selection. There was deep-rooted unease with the conventional humanitarian practice of targeting according to need, which cut across Filipino culture where neighbours are regarded as extended family. Selective targeting triggered social divisiveness within communities and a deep sense of shame amongst the excluded. Although agencies discussed these concerns early in the response, they did not change their targeting practices, apart from making minor adjustments to beneficiary lists. As a result, some barangay officials chose not to receive aid at all.
There are a number of examples of how feedback triggered minor changes in programming, but very few examples of substantial changes to programming or to strategic decision-making. There are also cases of agencies not responding to issues raised and not communicating with those excluded from relief programming. Utang na loob, or debt of gratitude, is the key moral principle underpinning social relations in Filipino culture, especially to those who provide help beyond normal expectations. Assistance from international agencies falls into this category, creating an immediate disincentive for local people to express criticism. This is compounded by the patron-client culture in which humanitarian agencies are regarded as the patron in a highly unequal power relationship. There was also an underlying fear that support might decrease if communities complained. Overall, the relationship between international humanitarian agencies and affected communities was quite distant, characterised by a sense of ambivalence on the part of the latter. While agency branding (especially by international agencies) contributed to high levels of agency recognition by local people, they made a distinction between international agencies, which were seen as service providers, and some national agencies, which were seen as accompanying communities on their journey.
How agencies engaged at the barangay level was a key determinant of how residents engaged with their AAP efforts. Where agencies had a weak relationship with the community, the influence of the barangay captain as "gatekeeper" was strongest; this could hinder feedback where barangay officials discouraged residents from raising concerns, partly to "maintain face" to the outsiders. Where agencies had a strong relationship with the community, they were more likely to receive honest feedback. The barangays that expressed the most positive experiences of the relief process each had an international NGO embedded in the community, and therefore had the deepest relationship. These relationships were mostly created during the humanitarian response, not before, and positively impacted contentious practices such as beneficiary selection, as well as accountability.
The international humanitarian response is believed to have "reactivated" barangay assemblies. But the record of how international organisations worked through national NGOs and their channels of communication with affected communities is less impressive. While national NGOs were overwhelmed with the scale of the response, international agencies prioritised delivery over partnership. There was little government participation in agencies' collective AAP efforts; ongoing agency collaboration was too resource-intensive for limited government capacity and there is little evidence that agencies tried to build on existing government channels.
Most agencies had little or no dedicated funding for AAP, which was usually located within their M&E (monitoring and evaluation) departments. WVI provided a model of excellence in the way it mainstreamed AAP organisationally in its response to Typhoon Haiyan. There were five key inter-related factors. First, through early deployment (in the first week of the response) of an experienced and assertive accountability officer, the mindset of AAP was established in the programme from the outset and did not have to compete for attention later on. Staff had also been trained in advance. Second, senior programme managers were strongly committed to AAP, regarding it as a fundamental part of humanitarian programming. Under their leadership, AAP was built into management systems and they modelled decision-making based on information and feedback from communities. Third, AAP was passionately championed throughout the response, particularly by a series of dedicated AAP managers. Fourth, organisational structures and processes to support AAP were put in place, including a separate unit and dedicated staff for AAP. Fifth, there were reinforcing factors as WVI was recognised for the work it was doing in being accountable to affected people and as staff connected with this essence of humanitarian work. But this did not mean that WVI got it right on its own. Periodically checking in with communities was essential to get their perspective, to find out if the agencies' communication channels were working for them and to make adjustments accordingly. Other agencies' experience is a reminder that a rhetorical commitment to AAP, even at the most senior levels, means little if responsibility for AAP is not clearly assigned and located in management structures. Ultimately, mainstreaming AAP requires will, resources and capacity to succeed.
In the Haiyan response, there is evidence that upwards accountability to donors squeezed out downwards accountability to affected people, for example in the allocation of staff and resources to donor reporting as opposed to listening to affected people. Although few interviewees felt that donor requirements prevented them from making programme changes in response to feedback from affected communities, the time it took to secure such donor approval was itself a disincentive.
While AAP was given much greater attention as an organisational and sector-wide priority in the Haiyan response, there were limitations in the way it was done. First, feedback tended to focus on existing agency programmes: "are we doing things right?", rather than on bigger strategic issues: "are we doing the right things?" Second, local people's preference for face-to-face communication highlights that dialogue and building relationships are at the heart of AAP. This may require spending substantial time at community level - a challenge for agencies with large programmes early in the response - but actions like setting up help desks in early distributions can be a stepping stone in providing much-valued face-to-face contact. While technology should be used to support interaction between local people and agency staff, it should not become an end in itself. Third, while humanitarian agencies tend to see the aid transaction as between themselves as service providers and individual vulnerable households, the Haiyan experience demonstrates the relevance of the wider cultural and societal context. Fourth, this case study highlights the importance of working through local government structures in an informed and nuanced way, alert to power dynamics at local level.
Who's Listening Briefing Paper: A short summary of the full report, above.
Alex Jacobs, of Plan International, has been invited to be the 'focal point for accountability to affected populations and community engagement' for the secretariat of the World Humanitarian Summit. He will help shape analysis and recommendations in this area for the summit. Working documents are also available at http://www.plan-international.org/aap. Please feel free to contact him via alex.jacobs@plan-international.org with any suggestions.
1Buchanan-Smith. M et al (2015). Who's Listening – Accountability to affected people in the Haiyan Response. May 2015. Report published by Plan International, World Vision, IOM and UKAID.


* Genetics: Skunk, Northern Light, El Niño.
* Effect: Very known for its medicinal properties, it is sold in the Dutch pharmacies as prescription medicine.Relaxing and calming effect.
* Flowering Indoor: 9 weeks will guarantee the full range of cannabinoids. Commercially ready in 8 weeks. Yield up to 800 gr/sqm. Very good on SOG and ScrOG systems.
* Flowering Outdoor: Ready at the beginning of October in the Northern hemisphere and in April in the Southern one. Yield up to 1000 gr/plant.


I have a six month contract at a major Education provider to deliver an end-to-end transformation of their Wellbeing division.
Your remit will be to build holistic current and future state process architecture - understanding the way the business operates and building the new model from a process as well as systems perspective.
Due to the nature of this team's work you will be working with stakeholders across the range of social services (psychologists and counsellors etc) and you will be exposed to some unfortunate and distburbing content essential in establishing business requirements.
The successful candidate will have outstanding verbal and written communication skills, with a mature approach to stakeholder management.
This is a meaty and challenging position for an experienced Business Process Analyst.
Proven track record in AS:IS and TO:BE business process re-engineering - minimum 5 years.
Experience working within Government social services, charity, FACS, Department of Health, Department of Housing would be highly regarded.
Some experience in end-to-end Software implementation would be highly regarded - from project initiation, scoping, documenting all processes ,tasks, data, gaps right through to vendor selection, implementation and working towards development of support structure.
Some involvement with vendor selection would be beneficial.
Some experience working within Change Management would be beneficial.
Please hit APPLY or contact me directly with a brief covering email and CV.


Atlantic Record Group act, Burna Boy presents the official music video of his last project – "Killin Dem" featuring Zlatan. The song which found his way online shortly after he was named the best African act 2018 at SoundCity MVP Award held in Accra Ghana.
This video has the guest appearances of the reining Nollywood star, Zubby Micheal who always give in the best in any production he found himself. Watch and enjoy the view.


The Longwood Medical Area Child Care Center (LMACCC) provides care for 96 children from ages 2 months to 5 years. The LMACCC enrolls children of employees of participating LMA institutions – Brigham and Women's Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Harvard School of Public Health, Joslin Diabetes Center, Simmons College and MASCO. Two spots are reserved for members of the community. There is a wait list for slots. The LMACCC is an independent, self-supporting nonprofit organization.
The Bright Horizons Family Center at Landmark serves 140 children from ages 6 weeks to 6 years. MASCO Services, Inc. provides access for employees of participating members – Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston Children's Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health.


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Work with Enbridge
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Enbridge's success is built on a diverse, respectful and inclusive workplace. We seek employees who enhance our work environment, who are committed to upholding our company values and who believe a workplace should be welcoming and inclusive for everyone. We encourage diversity in our workforce because we understand that different backgrounds, abilities, and perspectives will help keep us innovative and dynamic.
Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law. Learn more.
Enbridge's commitment to diversity and inclusion means a commitment to hiring those people whose skills and abilities contribute the most to the success of the organization and who reflect the communities in which we live and work.
Through continual renewal and development of positive policies and programs, Enbridge builds a workplace that is equitable, respectful and free from harassment.
Review and apply for current opportunities at Enbridge.
Recent recognition and awards
Enbridge is proud to be recognized as a leader in diversity and inclusion.
Catalyst Award
Enbridge has been recognized by Catalyst, a global non-profit organization that helps build workplaces that work for women, for our groundbreaking initiatives in advancing opportunities for women and underrepresented groups.
HRC Foundation Corporate Equality Index (CEI)
This recognition is specifically for companies who publicly share their commitment to equality in the workplace for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people. The index tracks those companies that earn the Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality annually. This recognition further reinforces the business case for inclusion in our workplace.
Bloomberg Gender Equality Index (GEI)
The gold seal for companies around the world to publicly demonstrate their commitment to equality and advancing women in the workplace. The index tracks leading companies that demonstrate gender equality in order to fortify the business case for diversity in the workplace.
Canada's Best Diversity Employers
Recognizes employers across Canada that have exceptional workplace diversity and inclusiveness programs. This competition examines a range of diversity initiatives, including programs for five major employee groups: (a) Women; (b) Members of visible minorities; (c) Persons with disabilities; (d) Aboriginal peoples; and (e) Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) peoples.
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Aims to accelerate progress towards gender equality in the workplace data and insights on gender equality in the corporate sector. Enbridge ranked in third (3rd) place out of 60 Canadian companies. The study draws on companies' publicly available data and is based on 19 criteria encompassing, among others, gender balance from the board to the workforce, equal pay, parental leave, and career development.
National Diversity Council Top 25 Companies for Diversity in Texas
Recognizes organizations with the highest percentage of Women and Minority (Black or African American, American Indian or Alaskan Native, Asian, Pacific Islander, Hispanic or Latino, or Other) representation in Executive Leadership and Boards of Directors out of the 100 Fortune 1000 corporations in Texas.
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ERIEC recognizes mentors, networkers, and employers for their dedication and commitment to creating inclusive and diverse workplaces for the untapped pool of immigrant talent based in Edmonton.
Employment Equity Achievement Awards Recipient (Sector Distinction)
The Employment Equity Achievement Awards (EEAA) recognize employers covered by the Legislated Employment Equity Program (LEEP) and the Federal Contractors Program (FCP) who foster diverse and inclusive Canadian workplaces.
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Minya Terrorist Attack
Comprehensive Operation Sinai 2018
Alexandria Terrorist Blast
Helwan Church attack
Al Rawda Terrorist Attack
Wahat Terrorist Attack
Kawadis Attack
Arish Terrorist Attack
El Badrashin terrorist attack
Rafah Terrorist Attack
Intimidating Judges
Anti-terrorist Operations
Muslim Brotherhood Violence
Biggest spying case referred to Criminal Court
Court Reasons for Morsi lifetime sentence
Sunday، 25 March 2018 03:44 PM
- Interior Ministry announced on Saturday 24/3/2018 that a conscript were killed and another four was injured due to the explosion that took place in Rushdy district in Alexandria, which targeted the convoy of Alexandria security director.
- Health Ministry immediately announced after the incident the transfer of the death and injured with seven equipped ambulances to Moustafa Kamel Hospital.
- Prosecutor General counselor Nabil Sadek has entrusted the Supreme State Security Prosecution with starting investigations into the terrorist bombing which targeted the convoy of Alexandria security director and several people dead and wounded.
- Interior Minister Magdy Abdel Ghaffar inspected the scene of the terrorist assault. He also met with top security officials in the city. The minister gave directives to work on uncovering the circumstances of the accident and its perpetrators. He offered his sincere condolences to the families of the victims.
Local Reactions
- The Cabinet strongly condemned a terrorist attack that targeted the motorcade of Alexandria security chief in the Mediterranean city on Saturday 24/3/2018.
- Al Azhar strongly condemned the terrorist attack that targeted the motorcade of Alexandria security chief in the Mediterranean city on Saturday 24/3/2018. In a statement, Al Azhar stressed that the assault is a criminal act as it aims at intimidating innocent people and spreading chaos.
- Minister of Awqaf Mohamed Mokhtar Gomaa has condemned a terrorist attack that targeted the motorcade of Alexandria security chief in the Mediterranean city on Saturday. In a statement, the minister said that such acts will only boost our determination to uproot terrorism.
- Head of the Evangelical Church in Egypt Andrea Zaki condemned a terrorist attack that targeted the motorcade of Alexandria security chief in the Mediterranean city on Saturday. In a statement, Zaki said that such acts will never dissuade the country and its people from fighting terrorism especially as the presidential election was looming.
- The US Embassy in Cairo condemned the terrorist attack that targeted on Saturday the motorcade of Alexandria security chief in the Mediterranean city. "The U.S. reaffirms commitment to stand with Egypt in the battle against terrorism," the embassy said on its official Twitter account.
- Britain condemned Saturday's terrorist attack that targeted the motorcade of Alexandria security chief in the Mediterranean city. "The United Kingdom condemns the car bombing in Alexandria and stands by Egypt in the fight against terrorism," UK ambassador to Egypt John Casson wrote in Twitter.
- In a statement, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said that the UAE strongly condemns this cowardly and criminal act of terrorism aimed at undermining the security and stability of Egypt, adding the attack is contrary to all religious and humanitarian values and principles.
- Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Sabah al Ahmad al Jaber al Sabah sent a cable to President Abdel Fattah El Sisi expressing condemnation of the terrorist blast that occurred in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria. The Emir denounced the terrorist operation that contradicts with all covenants and humanitarian values. He expressed support for Egypt regarding any measures it opts to take to safeguard its security and stability.
- The Bahraini Foreign Ministry issued a statement extending sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wishing the injured a speedy recovery. It asserted Bahrain's solidarity with Egypt, backing all the measures to restore security and stability throughout the country.
- Italy's Embassy in Cairo condemned the blast and offered condolences to the families of the victims. It asserted Rome's commitment to combating terrorism.
- The German Embassy in Cairo has condemned the blast and asserted that there is no justification for such acts of violence at any time or under any pretext. It expressed condolences to the families of the victims, wishing speedy recovery for the injured.
- Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa sent on Sunday 25/3/2018 a cable of condolences to President Abdel Fattah El Sisi over the victims of a terrorist blast in Alexandria. The monarch expressed his strong condemnation of such terrorist acts, stressing the Kingdom's firm solidarity with Egypt in its efforts to fight terrorism and maintain its security and stability.
- Oman strongly denounced the explosion that occurred in Rushdy district in Alexandria, Egypt, on Saturday that killed and injured a number of people. and asserted solidarity with Egypt in fighting violence and terror and expressed deep condolences to the government, people and families of the victims and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
- Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Abul Gheit condemned on Sunday the blast that took place in Roushdy neighborhood of Alexandria which killed and injured a number of persons. He also offered condolences to the Egyptian government and families of the victims and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
- Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud sent on Sunday 25/3/2018 a cable to President Abdel Fattah El Sisi expressing condemnation of the terrorist blast that occurred on Saturday in Alexandria.


Post Holiday 30 Day Fitness Challenge, Get Your Healthy Body Back.
Are Bananas Good for You? Do They Worth the Calories?
What Are Antioxidants—What Do Antioxidants Do?
How Many Calories Are in a Pound of Body Fat?
Individuals who are new to the fitness world should become familiar with commonly used fitness terms or things can become pretty confusing when speaking to personal trainers or other fitness professionals.
These terms are even used in fitness magazines and by instructors in DVD workouts. By studying the following list, you can become more familiar with these terms and help your fitness journey to become easier.
1. Aerobic: Any exercise that is utilized to help improve the body's cardiovascular system. A good example of an aerobic exercise is running on a treadmill.
2. Anaerobic: An exercise designed to trigger the release of lactic acid in the muscles. Bodybuilders utilize these types of exercises in order to gain mass.
3. Metabolism: A term that is used to describe the chemical reactions responsible for maintaining the living state of the organism. The amount of energy your body requires in order to maintain all of its functions.
4. Basal metabolic rate: A basal metabolic rate (BMR) is the amount of energy your body must expend in order to maintain all of its functions while the body is at rest. The BMR is often referred to as just 'metabolism'.
5. Body composition: Body composition is the actual percentage of fat, muscle, water and bone in the human body. Because lean muscle tissue takes up much less space than bulky fat, your weight, combined with your body composition, is used to determine if you are within a healthy body weight range.
6. Cardiorespiratory: Cardiorespiratory references any action that affects both the lungs and heart; specifically, the ability of the respiratory and circulatory systems to provide oxygen to muscles during physical activity.
7. Cardio Endurance: This is the most important aspect of physical fitness. Cardio endurance is a measurement to determine the strength of the heart and its ability to sustain the body throughout various physical activities. Cardio endurance is often referred to as 'stamina'.
8. Cardiovascular: Cardiovascular refers to any part of the circulatory system, mainly the heart, and its ability to transport blood efficiently through the body. Cardiovascular exercises help to build the endurance of the heart muscle.
9. Fat-free mass: This is the measurement of your entire body mass, minus the fat. It includes skin, tendons, bones, muscle and organs. Having high levels of fat-free mass generally means you are in good physical condition. However, fat is pertinent for the body to function correctly, and an extremely high fat-free mass reading may indicate a health problem.
10. Frequency: In the physical fitness world, frequency means how often you perform a workout or exercise.
11. Glycogen: This is a stored form of a sugar called glucose. When the body produces excessive amounts of glucose that cannot be used immediately for energy, it is stored in the liver. This substance is now called glycogen. When blood sugar levels begin to fall, the liver will release the stored glycogen to bring the levels back up to a normal reading.
12. Heart rate: A heart rate refers to the amount of time your heart beats in 1 minute.
A normal resting heart rate for a healthy adult ranges from 60 to 100 beats a minute. Generally, a lower resting heart rate at rest implies more efficient heart function and better cardiovascular fitness.
13. Interval Training: Interval training is a method of exercise that combines short bursts of high intensity cardiovascular exercises with medial periods of lower intensity ones. The purpose of interval training is to burn the highest amount of calories in the shortest amount of time and build cardiovascular endurance.
14. Isotonic: Isotonic is a term used to describe an exercise where the muscle has to work against a static (set) resistance through the entire range of motion. A good example of this is bicep curls or chest presses.
15. Lactate: Blood lactation occurs when oxygen delivery to the muscle tissue is insufficient to sustain its metabolic demand, usually because of vigorous exercise. This can lead to a condition known as lactic acidosis, which can cause vomiting, anxiety and irregular heart rate.
16. Lactate Threshold: Although there is a large argument in the fitness community as to the true definition of lactate threshold, it is generally thought that this means the precise point during exercise where lactic acid begins to accumulate in the blood stream.
17. Lactic acid: Lactic acid is a byproduct of broken-down glucose. It was often thought that lactic acid is a waste product. However, scientists have proven that it is beneficial in providing the body with energy during exercise.
18. Maximal Oxygen Uptake (VO2max): V02 Max refers to the maximum amount of oxygen you use during exercise, and is usually measured while running on the treadmill. It is generally used to measure the level of physical fitness and runners.
19. Maximum heart rate: This is the highest heart rate an individual can obtain through exercise without causing detrimental effects to the heart.
20. Oxygen Consumption: Oxygen consumption is related closely to VO2 Max, and refers to the amount of oxygen your body utilizes per minute during exercise.
21. Repetitions (reps): How many times an exercise is performed. For example, when performing bicep curls, raising and then lowering the weight equals 1 rep.
22. Resistance training: Resistance training is also known as strength training, and depends on the contraction of muscles when using an item such as a hand weight in order to build strength.
23. Sets: A round of reps. For example, performing the recommended amount of reps for an exercise is called a set. If the recommended amount of bicep curls is 12 reps, and you perform those 12 reps, you have completed a set. If you performed 12 reps, rested for 30 seconds, and then performed another 12 reps, you have just completed a set.
24. Tempo: Just like in music, tempo refers to a rhythm. In the fitness world, it refers to the rhythm at which you lower and raise a weight.
25. Resting heart rate: Your resting heart rate is the rate at which your heart beats when the body is at rest, and has not performed any physical activity for at least 5 minutes.
26. Resting metabolic rate: Resting metabolic rate refers to the amount of calories and energy your body utilizes to maintain all of its vital functions while the body is at rest. Those with a low resting metabolic rate are often said to have a slow metabolism.
27. Training Volume: Training volume refers to the amount of reps and sets you can perform during a workout session. If your training volume is low and you are not experiencing weight loss or muscle gains, you may need to increase your training to perform more reps, sets or increase your weights.
28. Body mass index: Your body mass index (BMI) takes your overall weight and height into account to determine the percentage of muscle to fat on your body.
29. HIIT: An abbreviation for high intensity interval training, HIIT refers to short bursts of intense cardiovascular exercise paired with short periods of lower intensity exercise.
30. Repetition: This is the same as 'reps'. It is the number of times you perform a specific move, such as chest presses. Pressing the weight up and then lowering the weight back down equals 1 repetition.
31. Load: Load refers to the amount of weight or muscle stimulus required in order to achieve gains. For example, once your muscles adapt to a certain amount of weight utilized during a workout, you must increase the weight being used to stimulate muscle growth.
32. Rest period: The amount of time you rest between exercises or workout days.
33. Sequence: A sequence is the order in which you perform exercises. For example, a chest training sequence would include chest presses, pec flyes and push-ups.
34. Anabolic: Anabolic refers to an increase in muscle mass. For example, anabolic steroids help to increase muscle mass.
35. Catabolic: A catabolic process refers to the breaking down of a large substance into a smaller one, such as when the body must expend energy in order to break down food into usable components.
36. Static Stretching: A static stretch is performed when the muscles are at rest. For example, standing straight and then bending over to touch your toes in order to stretch the back of your legs.
37. Dynamic stretching: This is the opposite of static stretching, meaning that you are moving while stretching. For example, standing straight and then raising each leg out in front of you, one at a time.
38. Functional Exercises: Exercises designed to help the body perform everyday activities on a higher level. These exercises work to develop balance and strength, reducing the risk of injury.
39. Fat Loss: The term used to describe the process of burning more calories through exercise than you consume in order to reduce body weight.
40. CrossFit WOD: This term actually stands for CrossFit workout of the day. It refers to a daily workout utilized by cross-fitters.
41. Insulin resistance: Insulin resistance occurs when the body produces insulin, but cannot utilize it as needed. If left untreated, insulin resistance can lead to type II diabetes.
42. Insulin sensitivity: This refers to how sensitive your body is to insulin. If your insulin sensitivity is poor, your body will have difficulty digesting carbohydrates properly.
43. Strength: Strength refers to the ability of your body to perform load-bearing exercise, or ability to move an object.
44. EPOC: EPOC stands for excess post-exercise oxygen consumption, and refers to the increased intake of oxygen after a strenuous workout to help rebuild the body's oxygen level used during exercise.
45. Fasting: Depriving your body of a particular food for a pre-determined period. Many people refrain from consuming any solid foods and drink only fruit juices during a fast.
46. Metabolic Typing Diet: This diet is based on the theory that everyone has a specific metabolism that can fall into one of three categories. The types of food you crave, such as salty or sweet, determine your metabolic type.
47. Complex Carbohydrates: Complex carbohydrates are carbohydrates that provide the body with sustained energy, such as those that come from whole grains. These carbohydrates are nutrient dense and provide the body with important vitamins and minerals.
48. Simple Carbohydrates: Simple carbohydrates refer foods such as refined white sugar, white bread and cake. They have little to no nutritional value, and often provide you with a burst of energy followed by an intense sensation of tiredness a few hours afterward.
49. Stability: This is often referred to as core stability, and refers to the actual strength of your stomach and back muscles in order to keep your body in an upright position during various exercises.
50. Intermittent Fasting: Unlike a true fast, which can last for days, weeks or even months, intermittent fasting usually refers to consuming your standard diet several days per week, followed by 1 to 2 days of consuming nothing but fruit juices or another substance of choice in an attempt to reduce overall calorie consumption.
51. Organic Foods: Foods that have been grown without the use of pesticides or chemical fertilizers.
Amber Sluiter is a North Carolina based freelance writer specializing in fitness, nutrition and alternative medicine.
Having studied and educated others on these topics for over 16 years, she has gained a large following of fellow health enthusiasts. After helping hundreds of her followers to lose weight, she published a book entitled 'Smoothie Slim' which explains how to lose weight effectively through the use of healthful fresh fruit and vegetable protein smoothies.
©2017 by Fitwirr.com . All Right Reserved.


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Robert Creamer, Contributor
Why the NRA Is Becoming the 'Great Oz'
For years the NRA has struck terror into the hearts of many Members of Congress. The organization's officers and lobbyists purported to represent the interests and wishes of millions of American gun owners.
Members of Congress believed that negative NRA ratings -- and a flood of NRA money -- could sink their political careers faster than you could say "AR-15."
But the American people, and Members of Congress, are gradually awaking to the fact that -- just as with the Wizard of Oz -- there isn't much behind the NRA's magic curtain but the big booming voice of a special interest bully whose power derives more from perception than reality.
It is of course true that in politics the perception of power translates into the reality of power. The problem is that once it becomes clear that you're all hat and no cattle, the myth of power rapidly collapses into a pile of dust. That is exactly what is happening to the NRA. Here's why.
Reason #1. First and foremost, in 2012 the NRA had exactly zero effect on the outcome of the General Election -- or to be more precise, it had about .83 percent effect.
One of the big stories of the 2012 election was the failure of some of the big name right-wing PACs to win many races. The Sunlight Foundation calculated the relative effectiveness of a number of right-wing PACs and found that most of their money did not buy success.
The National Republican Congressional Committee had only a 31.8 percent percent success rate.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce only had a 6.9 percent success rate.
Karl Rove's non-profit, Crossroads GPS, did a little better, spending $70 million with a 14.43 percent success rate. But his American Crossroads Super Pac had only a 1.29 percent success rate after spending over $104 million.
The NRA's Legislative Institute had only a 10.74 percent success rate.
But the NRA main PAC wasn't just your run of the mill failure of the 2012 election year. It won the prize for the very worst performance of the entire gang. In fact of the $11.1 million it spent, only .83 percent went to winning candidates.
And to make matters worse, it didn't just have a dismal batting average; many progressive PACs spent just as much, and were much more effective.
The League of Conservation Voters raised and spent $11 million, but instead of a .83 percent success rate, they had an 83 percent success rate.
Planned Parenthood's two PACs raised and spent over $11 -- and had a 98 percent success rate.
Part of the reason for the NRA's horrible success rate is the fact that rather than back candidates that support the Second Amendment -- a goal endorsed by many of its individual members -- it has become for all practical purposes a wing of the Republican Party.
But that isn't the only disjuncture between the interests of NRA members and those of its officers and lobbyists.
Reason #2. Turns out that the officers and lobbyists of the NRA actually represent weapons manufacturers, not rank and file gun owners. That's why they refuse to support common sense restrictions on military style assault weapons, magazines that hold a hundred bullets, or background checks for anyone who buys a gun, even though most Americans -- and many gun owners -- support these measures.
A CBS News poll showed that 57 percent now support stronger laws, an 18-point increase since last April (39 percent). A USA Today/Gallup poll showed a similar trend, with 58 percent supporting stronger laws, 15 points above the level of support in October 2011 (43 percent).
In a CNN/ORC poll, the most pronounced shift was on support for a ban on assault guns like the AK-47, with 62 percent of Americans supporting such a ban, a 5-point increase from last August.
In fact, according to the CNN/ORC poll, 95 percent of all Americans think that everyone who buys a gun should have to undergo a background check. A December Washington Post poll shows this strong support for universal back ground checks extends to gun owners as well. Many people believe background checks are already required for all gun purchases, but the fact is that 40 percent of all gun sales are "private transactions" -- at gun shows or from private gun sellers where no background check is currently required. That's like having two lines in airport security -- one that checks for bombs and weapons and one that doesn't. Which one do you think would be chosen by those who seek to do us harm?
And to make matters worse, databases of many states are not maintained. Bottom line: it easy for dangerous criminals and the mentally ill to buy deadly weapons.
According to the Huffington Post, a recent bipartisan poll conducted for Mayors Against Illegal Guns found that:
"Large majorities of Americans agree with the 2008 Supreme Court ruling that the Second Amendment confers an individual right to own guns, and Americans strongly oppose efforts to ban handguns," said Bob Carpenter, vice president of American Viewpoint, the Republican polling firm that joined with Democratic firm Momentum Analysis to conduct the survey. "But Americans and gun owners feel with equal fervor that government must act to get every single record in the background-check system that belongs there and to ensure that every gun sale includes a background check. Most Americans view these goals, protecting gun rights for the law-abiding and keeping guns from criminals, as compatible."
That is directly contrary to the positions of the NRA's high command.
The goal of the officers and lobbyists of the NRA is not to protect the rights of gun owners; it is to maximize the profits of weapons manufacturers and arms dealers.
They love to frighten law-abiding gun owners with the prospect that common sense measures to reduce gun violence put America on the "slippery slope" to end the right to bear arms and to the confiscation of your hunting rifle. Their attempts to develop paranoia about confiscation -- and about government tyranny -- are good for business; it's that simple.
After the Sandy Hook tragedy, the NRA's fear-mongering caused a massive spike in the sales of semi-automatic assault weapons.
And the reason the NRA is so keen on preventing a new assault weapon ban is that its customer base is shrinking from about 50 percent of the population forty years ago, to about a third. And that base of current gun owners already owns a whopping 270 million guns. In fact, with 5 percent of the world's population, America already has about 50 percent of the world's guns. One way to continue to raise the profit margins of gun manufacturers is to sell increasingly powerful, expensive guns like the "Bushmaster" that was used to kill the children at Sandy Hook elementary school.
The problem for the NRA's officers and lobbyists, is that events like the Sandy Hook massacre make it crystal clear that there is no relationship between the NRA's defense of semi-automatic weapons that can fire off dozens of rounds in a few seconds, and the weapons everyday gun owners need for hunting or for their personal safety.
No one uses a "Bushmaster" to shoot ducks. And there are not many Americans who keep a loaded semi-automatic assault weapon under their pillow for self-defense.
And there is another reason why all the talk about "slippery slopes" increasingly rings hollow.
Reason #3. The Supreme Court's decision in District of Columbia vs. Heller made it crystal clear that the Second Amendment does in fact protect the right to own guns for hunting and self-defense. It also made clear that this right does not preclude the government from imposing common sense regulations on the sale and performance of weapons that can be marketed to the general public -- nor does it prevent the passage of laws that prevent dangerous individuals from buying a gun.
The Supreme Court decision makes the "slippery slope" argument -- the fear that the government is on the verge of confiscating their guns -- into complete hogwash.
As more and more Americans recognize that their right to own guns is not jeopardized by common sense measures to curb gun violence, it will be harder and harder for the NRA leadership to continue to frighten gun owners with the phony specter of confiscation.
Reason #4. The NRA is led by officers and lobbyists that have lost touch with the reality of the American electorate. NRA Executive VP, Wayne LaPierre's press conference immediately after Sandy Hook was completely tone-deaf. It didn't demonstrate an ounce of empathy for the six-year old children who were murdered -- or for the grief felt by their families. Instead it focused entirely on promoting the sale of more and more guns.
That might be good for short-term gun sales, but it continues to unmask the massive gulf between everyday Americans -- including the millions of everyday American gun owners on the one hand, and those on Wall Street that make hundreds of millions of dollars selling weapons like the "Bushmaster" on the other. The "Bushmaster" -- or AR-15 -- has no purpose other than killing the largest number of human beings in the shortest possible period of time.
And it turns out we haven't had to wait long to see the image of the NRA's invincibility dissolve before our eyes.
For years the NRA has had a net positive rating with the public. No longer. A recent poll from Public Policy Polling found that in the period following the Sandy Hook massacre, support for the gun advocacy organization fell from 48 percent to 42 percent, while negative views increased from 41 percent to 45 percent.
For decades, the conventional wisdom in Washington has held that if the NRA opposed a gun bill, it was doomed. But there is a new reality in America. The faces of the children and women who died at Sandy Hook -- and the faces of all of those who are dying in cities across America every day -- have transformed the debate.
Increasingly, the struggle to reduce gun violence is being seen for what it is. Instead of a fight between gun owners and the "government" -- it is becoming a battle between the rights of innocent victims of violence and the profits of weapons manufacturers.
And with every passing day, more and more politicians are beginning to realize that the NRA is nothing more than "the Great Oz."
Robert Creamer is a long-time political organizer and strategist, and author of the book: Stand Up Straight: How Progressives Can Win, available on Amazon.com. He is a partner in Democracy Partners and a Senior Strategist for Americans United for Change. Follow him on Twitter @rbcreamer.
Wayne LaPierre NRA Planned Parenthood Politics News Bushmaster Firearms


The Yokuts lived in tribes with their own villages and regions. Their homeland was the San Joaquin Valley and the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. They lived along rivers and streams, hunting and gathering food and supplies.
Yokuts basketry was made primarily with tule using twine and coil techniques.


The item An authentic narrative of the shipwreck and sufferings of Mrs. Eliza Bradley : the wife of Capt. James Bradley of Liverpool, commander of the ship Sally which was wrecked on the coast of Barbary, in June 1818, written by herself represents a specific, individual, material embodiment of a distinct intellectual or artistic creation found in University of Manitoba Libraries.
"The crew and passengers of the above ship fell into the hands of the Arabs, a few days after their shipwreck, among whom unfortunately was Mrs. Bradley, who after enduring incredible hardships during six months captivity (five of which she was separated from her husband and every other civilized being) she was fortunately redeemed out of the hands of the unmerciful barbarians by Mr. Willshire, the British Consul resident at Mogadore."


Here is a little python script for Vue Infinite and xStream to switch the mapping of all the images used in the selected objects materials to bicubic mapping. I've tested it using Vue 7 Infinite. The script is more of an experiment towards a bigger script to work with the images in Vue materials to check out how to find and then fiddle with the nodes that make up a material in Vue.


At orders@nextoneleather.co.uk you can shop for the products you want quickly and conveniently with our useful tools including shop by brand, colour and size as well as by our search facility and categories.
* On screen order summary - We recommend you print this summary for your records.
* Order Acknowledgement email - We have received your order and that it is currently being processed. Payment is taken at this point after security checks have been made.
All orders will be sent to you via Royal Mail. Your order can be free delivered to any UK address via Royal Mail. We do delivery to overseas but our courier delivery service will take longer due to volume of postal traffic. All items will be delivered in 3 working days following the receipt of your order. If we do not have your size in stock, it will be re-ordered and should arrive within 14 days.
We have a no fuss refund and exchange policy. If you decide that you are unhappy with your purchase in any way, we will refund you the price of the garment or send you a replacement. The only thing we ask is that the garment to be returned in the same condition as it was purchased, with all the original tags attached within 21 days.
Unless the item was found to be faulty or not what you ordered, any refund amount will be less the delivery charge on your order. Exchanges are subject to a delivery charge.
If you require a refund then we will try to process it on the day we receive the item from you. Please note it may take up to 10 working days for the money to appear on your statement depending on your card issuer. This returns policy does not affect your statutory rights.
You can pay using one of the following Debit or Credit cards: (MasterCard / Visa / Visa Delta / Visa Electron / Visa Debit/Maestro / Solo / Switch) via the website or by phone.
Your goods will be dispatched once your payment has been authorised. Once you have placed your order, confirmation will be sent to you via e-mail complete with Transaction and Order Reference numbers.
We're making it even easier to buy your Christmas gifts at Nextone Leather! From 17th October 2015 to 17th January 2016 items purchased in store as Christmas gifts can be exchanged for either goods or a credit to the same value.
If you'd like a refund then you still need to return the item within 28 days of purchase along with the full receipt and original method of payment, but after 28 days or if you have a gift receipt rather than the full receipt, we'll be happy to exchange the item or provide a credit to the same value any time up to 17th January 2016.


text:
Oil 57.60 -0.02 -0.03%
Updated House Democrats vote to condemn Trump's 'racist' tweets
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Origin House Announces Record Quarterly Revenue of $11.2 Million for the First Quarter of 2019; Sequential Growth of 41% from Q4 2018
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CannaRoyalty Corp., doing business as Origin House, is a diversified operator in the field of legal cannabis in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. It is focused on growing a platform of assets comprised of three business units; CR Holdings, CR Brands, and CR Advisory. The company was founded in February, 2015, and is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada. (See Full Profile)
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Simone is reviewing the best-selling Nissan car in Australia and that in it's latest, 2017 model iteration. It comes with several design novelties and a completely new diesel engine. However, Simone drove a petrol in this review. Now, Nissan is fairly popular here, so when a car is best-selling it is bound to be good at something. The X-Trail is good at many things.
Behind the wheel, the 2017 X-Trail is better than the previous one, but it is still far from a spirited ride. The steering is light, which is great for city maneuvers, but it also gives less feedback, which is something driving enthusiasts will not like. Suspension is also designed to give more comfort than sharp angles grip.
However, thinking about the type of a car that the X-Trail is, the city maneuvering and comfort perks are actually a really good choice.
The best thing is that all these new perks come for the same money or less. Nissan has just made the X-Trail even more appealing, since the best-seller now gives far more. It is also obviously aimed at comfort and practicality, with loads of room and 7-seat option in mostly 5-seat class.
If the Pathfinder is too big for you and surpasses your space needs, the X-Trail might be the perfect choice. It actually is for so many Australians.


We are asked to frame a lot of textile work such as embroidery, tapestry, cross stitch and other mixed media to name but a few. I am always in awe of the detail created by many customers and the time and patience displayed on these projects is always incredible. I have mentioned other case studies involving textiles but a recent tapestry that came into my workshop was an exceptionally amazing piece to frame and is more than worthy of a mention.
The customer came in with a section of the famous Bayeux tapestry which he had re-created from a book and a pattern that he had modified to the size he wanted. The customer was convalescing and was looking for something to do to fill the time. Tapestries was his chosen hobby. Personally I am always amazed at the detail and the images created using textiles. The amount of time taken and hence the dedication to create the images is also incredible. Here the achievement is even more amazing as the customer had never stitched before in his life. Here is the finished tapestry before framing.
Here are a couple of close up images to show the detail of the work.
The first part of the job involved stretching the tapestry over a suitable acid-free board. This was quite a time consuming task as you might imagine but the most important aspects of this part of the job are that firstly the board behind the tapestry is acid free and so will protect the material that the tapestry is stitched onto. Secondly the lacing process is totally reversible so the tapestry could be easily returned to it's original state before framing. Here is the back of the tapestry after lacing.
Once the tapestry had been laced the over mount could be added. A double mount was chosen, partly to complement two colours in the picture, partly to help keep the glass away from the tapestry.
The green was a good choice as this complemented the many uses of green in the tapestry. However there were many combinations of over mounts (especially double mounts) that worked very well with the image. The frame chosen was a walnut lacquered veneer which the gloss effect of the lacquer was slightly reduced with wire wool.
The customer kept a tally of how many hours the tapestry took to complete. The final count was 272 hours.
A customer recently came in with a digital photo frame that needed to go on display at a stately home. The idea was to show various images of the home in a way that helps attract all audience ages with the use of digital media. However, as you might imagine, the digital frame with a slik black plastic surround looked totally out of place in it's stately location.
So the customer wondered if it was possible to frame a frame so to speak. The idea of putting a frame around a frame is not that difficult but the two big issues were that the new frame had to stand up as the original digital frame does.
The digital frame measured about 10" x 8" and was pretty heavy. Hence the new strut back would need to be very sturdy to prevent the frame falling over. The frame would also need to be fairly deep to accomodate the depth of the digital frame. With this in mind the customer chose a deep ash profile rounded on the edges with a small gold slip to go into the rebate to add a slightly more antique effect. The black border of the digital photo frame was also covered with a suitable green over mount.
It was also decided that the frame should be stained a medium oak colour to blend in with it's eventual surroundings.
The next problem was how to leave the back accessible so that the memory card for the digital images could be removed to update images and replaced with ease. The best method that we came up with was to construct a partial back to the frame and utilise the four holes on the back of the digital frame that are used to screw all digital monitors to the wall. You will see a very similar standard design template on the back of your own computer flat screen monitors or flat screen televisions with four such holes. Using the correct size of metric thread bolts we screwed through the stained batten on the back to secure both the digital frame into the new frame and provide a suitably strong platform for the new strut back. This was then hinged onto the new partial backing.
So that the struct back would not slip in any way a gate hook was used to secure the strut to the partial back of the new frame. This also ensured that the digital frame was displayed at the correct angle.
The finished effect is a mixture of old world styling meeting with modern world digital technology. At the stately homes hopefully it will keep the kids happy for a while!
This job was bought in by a customer who used to play rugby whilst serving with the armed forces. He also remains a keen fan of rugby and was featured in an article at a recent international match at Twickenham. The customer wanted all four items in a hand painted frame and so the first thing to do was to decide the final layout of the four items. This can be a bit tricky with items that are distinctly different shapes as you can get some odd proportion borders. However the items seemed to fit together pretty well when arranged like this.
The shirt was folded to keep the size and ultimately the cost of the frame down as much as possible. The idea was that the shirt and the cap would be stitched onto the backing mount board and apertures would be cut for both the new programme article and the original programme for the rugby match. Conservation is a priority as with every project and so the shirt and the cap were stitched on to the card so that the process could be easily reversed if it was ever needed.
The customer requested that the frame needed to match the colour of the shirt and so we painted a deep ash moulding profile this colour. To save the customer coming down to the workshop to see if he liked the frame colour we e-mailed the above mock up with the painted frame sample next to the shirt. Once the final colour was approved we added the frame and created a box effect to keep the glass away from the items displayed.
For projects like this the finished effect does look like a display case and of course protects items in the same way. A great way to preserve items of priceless sentimental value whilst also maintaining the ability to display your memories to others.
We are often asked to frame what I would describe as 3-D art and framing a customer's sugar wedding bouquet definitely falls into the 3-D framing category. The wedding bouquet was actually in three parts and was used as decoration around the customer's wedding cake. The customer felt that it was such a shame for such a beautiful work of art to just sit in a box in a draw at her home that she wanted to display the flowers for everyone to see. This is a familiar story with many picture framing projects.
1. The depth of frame needed to keep the glass away from the bouquet.
2. To make sure the flowers could be removed again if required without harming them.
There is also the fact that the flowers are very delicate to handle so care must be taken not to crack the sugar flowers. The customer decided that a white gold frame and a wedgewood grey background were the desired framing materials and so the first stage would be to attach the sugar flower bouquet onto the backing card.
A piece of cotton was temporarily placed accross the mount board to align the flowers correctly. The flowers were simply attached with cotton so the flowers could be easily removed in the future if needed. This is also a conservation technique as the flowers can be easily returned to their original state and would have been undamamged or changed in any way by the picture framing process.
The next stage was to make the chosen frame deep enough to accomodate the flowers. The frame chosen was wide enough to use a batten to deepen the frame accordingly. Then the batten was screwed to the back of the frame.
The sides of the frame were coloured with a suitable gold tone to match the frame chosen, in this case a white gold scoop about 20mm wide. The box was slightly stepped back from the edge of the frame so it would not show when the finished framed bouquet was viewed directly from the front.
Then the mounted flowers were fitted into the frame with a suitable fillet to keep the glass away from the flowers. This fillet was the same colour as the mountboard so that the finished frame is a 3-D box effect.
There are of course many ways to frame a project like this but this is a very effective way of complementing the colours in the flowers with the frame whilst creating a contrast with the flowers with the wedgewood colour mountboard. A terrific way to protect such a delicate piece of art and to share this with your friends and family.


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IT IS an issue that many suffer with in silence, but we can't afford to ignore it. Domestic violence is happening in Tamworth and many of us probably know someone who is affected by it. It is families, it is women and it is men – in many cases there are children aswell. There are so many awareness campaigns and programs out there these days to encourage victims to speak up. But what if they are too afraid? Then it should be up to us to do it for them. The Tamworth Family Support Service is urging community members to raise their voice against domestic violence. And while the old adage might be to "mind your own business", in this case, speaking out could potentially save a life. Tuesday marks the start of Domestic Violence Prevention month and our family support service is ramping up their campaign. These tireless workers know all too well how prevalent the issue is within our community, and it takes a whole village to bring it to a stop. According the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR), rates of domestic assaults have remained steady in the Tamworth Regional Council area. There were 344 incidents reported to police in the Tamworth area in 2017, slightly up on 2016's tally of 336. This is almost one incident of domestic violence per day. But we know police attend many more callouts each day. Tamworth's rate of domestic assaults in 2017 was listed at 564 per 100,000, higher than the state average of 366.4. The city's crime manager Chief Inspector Phil O'Reilly recently urged people to report crime, even if you are not the victim. "We must stand up, speak out and act," he said. "I encourage community members to speak out when they see violence happening. If you witness violence, keep yourself safe and call triple-0 in an emergency or police." He said police now had a number of recent initiatives and tools to help reduce the violence statistics with police issued apprehended violence orders high among the list. As citizens, we have nothing to lose by speaking out and reporting domestic violence, you could be saving someone who has the potential to lose everything. Don't leave it too late.
https://nnimgt-a.akamaihd.net/transform/v1/crop/frm/v2CS7EADUXATFc4uVq3VgX/89453a7b-af8b-44e5-afcb-9fa49f6641ec.jpg/r0_124_800_576_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg
Editorial: Speak up on violence, it could save a life
IT IS an issue that many suffer with in silence, but we can't afford to ignore it.
Domestic violence is happening in Tamworth and many of us probably know someone who is affected by it.
It is families, it is women and it is men – in many cases there are children aswell.
There are so many awareness campaigns and programs out there these days to encourage victims to speak up.
But what if they are too afraid?
Then it should be up to us to do it for them.
The Tamworth Family Support Service is urging community members to raise their voice against domestic violence.
And while the old adage might be to "mind your own business", in this case, speaking out could potentially save a life.
Tuesday marks the start of Domestic Violence Prevention month and our family support service is ramping up their campaign.
These tireless workers know all too well how prevalent the issue is within our community, and it takes a whole village to bring it to a stop.
According the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR), rates of domestic assaults have remained steady in the Tamworth Regional Council area.
There were 344 incidents reported to police in the Tamworth area in 2017, slightly up on 2016's tally of 336.
This is almost one incident of domestic violence per day. But we know police attend many more callouts each day.
Tamworth's rate of domestic assaults in 2017 was listed at 564 per 100,000, higher than the state average of 366.4.
The city's crime manager Chief Inspector Phil O'Reilly recently urged people to report crime, even if you are not the victim.
"We must stand up, speak out and act," he said.
"I encourage community members to speak out when they see violence happening. If you witness violence, keep yourself safe and call triple-0 in an emergency or police."
He said police now had a number of recent initiatives and tools to help reduce the violence statistics with police issued apprehended violence orders high among the list.
As citizens, we have nothing to lose by speaking out and reporting domestic violence, you could be saving someone who has the potential to lose everything.
Don't leave it too late.
Discuss "Speak up on violence, it could save a life"


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Why is your stomach growling right now?
You're probably pretty hungry at the moment — which means your stomach is making a lot of noise. You hardly need an audio cue to let yourself know that you're hungry, so why do our bodies send us this alarm?
Image: Kate Ter Haar, on Flickr
If your family is like mine, you've skipped breakfast in order to, eventually, cram more food into your pie-hole. Depending on when you got up, and when you eventually eat, your stomach could sound like a bored cat rolling over, or a half-blocked storm drain during a rainstorm —okay or, if things are dire, like a demonically possessed wood-chipper. There are all kinds of audible variations, but why do we associate tummy-rumbling with extreme hunger?
When you look at the source of the stomach growls, it seems like we should associate it with fullness and contentment. After all, your gut does the majority of its work after you've stuffed it full of things to digest. Food moves through the body in a process called peristalsis. Muscles contract and force the food through the intestines like toothpaste through a tube. The food isn't a perfect consistency. Some things are liquid, some things are solid, and of course there is that perennial uninvited Thanksgiving guest, gas. The jostling of the three substances and the squishing of them through the intestines makes noise.
Image: Stuart Spivack on Flickr.
But peristalsis doesn't always require food. When it comes to a choice between a little extra effort and death by starvation, the body chooses the effort. The body digests available and, in a few hours, expects to be fed again. And just to make sure it didn't miss anything, it will crank up the peristalsis. The feel of muscles contracting on an empty stomach is uncomfortable, so that's a motivator to go out and rip the second leg off the turkey. Also, the fact that we're paying attention to our stomachs probably contributes to how clearly we hear hungry stomach rumbles.
There's also another straight-forward explanation. The fuller a container is, the more muffled the noises. Fill a can with pennies and shake it, and you'll hear a quiet clanging. Toss a couple of pennies in on their own, and you'll wake the house. The more food you put into your stomach the more it muffles the other food you put in there. So eat, darling, eat!
[Via Scientific American, Discovery.]
Ken_g6
Unfortunately, I read the title as "What's in your stomach growing right now?", looked at this, and thought it was some kind of intestinal worm on a biscuit. I now see that it's actually honey, but my stomach is not growling now.


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ST. PAUL'S UMC Northport, NY
and THE HUDSON GUILD THEATER, NYC
TAMMY GREEN
Rubber Chicken Theater Company is a NY-based theater group. We create, produce and direct plays that intrigue and entertain. Artistic Director Tammy Green founded RCTC in 2019. Her vision guides the two productions this year:
Lobster Pancake and El Campeón: Politics con Pollo.
Artistic Director Tammy Green is delighted to work with top talent this season. These actors are dedicated to delivering fine performances.
EL CAMPEON: POLITICS CON POLLO
Sparks fly in this thought-provoking play starring Peter Celos as Sal, Cristina Contreras as Maria, and Dante Fuoco as Paul.
LOBSTER PANCAKE
Laurie Atlas as Lobster and Wanda Owens as Pancake are a dynamic duo not to be missed.
PETER CELOS
CRISTINA CONTRERAS
DANTE FUOCO
LAURIE ATLAS
Sound and Lighting by Rose Goodman
St. Paul's United Methodist Church is located at 270 Main Street in Northport, NY. This beautiful church is the home of the annual Northport Plays Festival and the Northport Readers Theater. St. Paul's received a grant from the NY Landmarks Conservancy to help repair the historic steeple that dates back to 1873. "Lobster Pancake" was commissioned by St. Paul's to be performed as part of the NY Landmark Conservancy Sacred Sites Open House Weekend.
THE HUDSON GUILD THEATER, NYC
The Hudson Guild Theater is located at 441 W 26th St, New York, NY 10001, inside the John Lovejoy Elliott Center. The theater is the home of the NY Theater Festival Winterfest and Summerfest. "El Campeón: Politics con Pollo" will be performed in the Summerfest in August 2019.
NY Theater Festival Summerfest 2019
Elwood Public Library, Elwood, NY
The Elwood Public Library is located at 1929 Jericho Turnpike in Elwood, NY, 11731. All Writers of Elwood Workshop meets her on second Tuesday of the month from September to June.
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2011 Frozen Four Scores: Shawn Hunwick Dominates As Michigan Tops North Dakota, 2-0
By Sean Yuille Apr 7, 2011, 11:33pm EDT
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The Michigan hockey team is headed to the NCAA hockey championship game for the first time since 1998. The Wolverines downed North Dakota on Thursday night by a score of 2-0 to advance on to the championship game thanks to an amazing performance by goaltender Shawn Hunwick. He had 40 saves and was magnificent in net for Michigan, helping stave off the Fighting Sioux for all 60 minutes of action.
Michigan got off to a slow start with North Dakota dominating the play, and taking two early penalties didn't help, either. North Dakota seemed to be in complete control of the game, but that would be the theme of the entire night. The Sioux had time of possession and time on attack in their favor by a wide margin, but they were unable to get anything to show for it.
The Wolverines did get something to show for a Jon Merrill shot that rattled off the post right after the 13-minute mark of the first period. Ben Winnett collected the rebound, slowly gathered the puck and put it past North Dakota goalie Aaron Dell. The goal put Michigan on top by a 1-0 margin, which is what the score remained until there were 35.8 seconds left. At that time Michigan's Scooter Vaughan shot the puck into an empty net to give the Wolverines a 2-0 lead and to essentially seal the victory. The celebrating on the Michigan bench began, and after the final 35.8 seconds ran out the players stormed the ice to celebrate the victory with Hunwick, who played absolutely out of his mind.
The win means Michigan is one victory away from its 10th national championship in program history. The Wolverines will take on Minnesota Duluth, which beat Notre Dame earlier in the day by a score of 4-3. The puck will drop at 7 p.m. ET and ESPN will have the broadcast.
For more on the NCAA hockey tournament, check out SB Nation Detroit's StoryStream. SB Nation Detroit also has an NCAA hockey tournament bracket.
2011 Frozen Four: Minnesota Duluth Hockey Wins National Title Over Michigan In OT
Frozen Four 2011 Recap: A Look Back At An Unforgettable Tournament
2011 Frozen Four Scores: Minnesota Duluth Beats Notre Dame, 4-3


Jordan Zimmermann with the owner Mike Ilitch of the Tigers on Monday. Zimmermann, 29, signed a five-year, $110 million deal.
The Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville is a sprawling wonderland with rivers, waterfalls, plant life and glass ceilings that make you feel like a cast member in "The Truman Show," a reality series that is actually just make-believe. Next week, the subject is baseball, back for an encore presentation.
The winter meetings have been held many times at Opryland, including 1998, when the Los Angeles Dodgers signed Kevin Brown to baseball's first $100 million contract. That deal made clear that owners had untold resources to lavish on players and was a sure sign that baseball economics could never be measured against any other kind.


The $56 million project would include the construction of a 95-room hotel, 17 luxury apartment units, ground level and rooftop retail space, a "one of a kind" rooftop bar facing the state Capitol, about 200 public parking spaces and an entertainment center that would include bowling, billiards, a lounge and outdoor TV screen.
The site, 300-320 E. Washington St., is now occupied by a city-owned parking ramp and a privately-owned building now occupied by Club Station House nightclub, both of which would be razed.
Ward 5 Ald. Andrew Proctor called it a "dream project" for downtown.
That rooftop bar sounds kinda cool.
Most, if not all, of the construction work is expected to be done by local labor, with O'Shea Builders the main subcontractor on the ground. Developers have signed a letter of commitment to work with Laborers Local 477, which should create 400 to 600 construction jobs and then 130 to 150 permanent positions. The property will eventually generate sales and property taxes.
This project is poised to be the catalyst for additional development downtown. The confidence and investment by the developer and ownership group should cause others to also look at downtown for their projects. The excitement and cooperation from city officials over the project hopefully helps quash the perception that Springfield is too difficult to work with on development projects.
I'm a bit wary that this is all coming out right before a mayoral election, but I'm still hopeful.
* The Question: What other big-city amenities would you like to see in this proposed Springfield complex? Wildest dreams encouraged.
How about something ulta lux like parking meters that take a form of payment other than loose change?
Let's make the rooftop bar rotate.
It's been about 4 years since I used to park in that structure and even then you weren't allowed on the top one or two levels because of crumbling concrete so I'm excited to see anything happen there.
An indoor market with room for restaurant stands and seating.
A cool setting for local music.
Get a college downtown. Please.
A cigar bar along the lines of Shelly's Back Room in DC.
Las Vegas style roller coaster.
Move the giant slide to one edge of the roof and have it dump into s swimming pool.
Glass walkways to neighboring buildings.
Downtown Springfield is the perfect type of downtown for rooftops. Why there are none is a mystery.
This would be great for downtown Springfield! It's right there by the train stop for added convenience and also no more eyesore. I really hope this happens.
I don't think the hotel can be discussed without mentioning the $8M in public dollars used to build it. At that TIF ratio, every resident should get a free night once a year. The parking lot is as much an eyesore as any other building. I'd rather see the TIF money going to repurposing the old YMCA, or adding more brick paved streets and sidewalks to the downtown, burying powerlines downtown, or using eminent domain to take over and create more public parking downtown.
Just stop right there. The place is an abomination. And those other projects you mentioned don't have any developers behind them.
Sheesh. Some people are just so my way or the highway.
This place will supposedly have 200 public parking spaces that people won't be afraid to use because the building looks like it's gonna fall down any second.
A speakeasy inside a distillery inside a brewpub.
How about a betting window for Amtrak arrival/departure times?
Definitely a live music venue with bands every weekend. The downtown festivals during the summer just don't quite do it for me.
And it definitely needs to have a slide.
I seriously do not understand why people keep dreaming up luxury apartment developments for downtown. Give people a reason to live there first before just building. This is the Y block debacle all over again. More lack of understanding from Springfield's city government.
To the post, for my dream addition to this: I wish I had something, the actual plan is so wild and unrealistic, I really can't think of anything.
Underground tram shuttling folks between the hotel, Stratton, the Capitol, Howlett, and Boones.
A rooftop bar does sound neat, although in reality it'd only be neat for about 17 days out of the year. Not a show-stopper, but hey.
How about a roof-top ice rink in the winter?
How about some affordable housing?
What kind of rents are they expecting for the luxury apartments?
Y'all want to revitalize downtown, figure out a way to get the new generation of state workers to be able to afford to live in the vicinity.
A marketing budget along with associated creativity and energy to backup a downtown economy.
Eh, I feel like Springfield is full of affordable housing. The real problem is that downtown Springfield offers nothing except townie bars to burn out at. There's legitimately no reason to want to live near it unless it is convenient for work, which even then, you're never more than 15 minutes away from any other point in Springfield.
Because nobody sane would ever bet the under.
Actually, I'm not even joking here and this could help bring people to live downtown: an actual quality grocery store. Downtown Springfield somehow has no option for groceries or even quick items like a CVS/Walgreens. The closest grocery store is the county market on 2nd and Carpenter which is of questionable quality. The closest CVS is a mile away on South Grand. Maybe there really is no market for these stores to open downtown, but with all the talk of 'revitalization' this is a key step if you want people to live there.
An easy takeout place where you can get food after five. When I lived there downtown had some nice restaurants if you wanted to sit down and eat but if you just wanted to grab something quick and take it home your only option after 5 was Gallina's.
Think big. OK. An NFL franchise. How about the Springfield TopHats.
I think an additional place to get a horseshoe would be on messaging.
That's the key, getting people (who aren't homeless) to live downtown year-round. It can be a chicken-egg kind of thing, but it has to start somewhere.
Which comes first, the revitalization or the residents? Hard to have one without the other.
Seriously Rich?… that stuff tastes like a mud puddle on a Xmas-tree/hog farm.
3) The Italian Market on Monroe was for sale and no one was interested.
How about people in reasonably priced rentals or condos. Eateries, bar, etc. will folo the crowds.
I'm just happy to see more competition for the hotels downtown. Doesn't seem like they provide the same TLC they did a few years ago. And there prices have shot up of late.
I'm no opposed to development, I'm opposed to the use. Is it fair that one hotel gets $8M of free taxpayer dollars, plus likely no real estate taxes for a sometime while the others dont? This hotel will drive another already existing hotel out of business.
Says who? The downtown hotels aren't opposed.
Chicago Party Aunt would be proud of you.
Whole lotta Quiznos stans here today.
I'll second the grocery store - even one of the small format Targets. Gotta have reasons for people to want to live conveniently in the city center.
Also, and sorry lots of places, a seriously good coffee shop. There used to be a small one on 6th at about Adams (I forget the name); closed in 2012 or so. It was legitimately good coffee I looked forward to ordering, not just caffeine to throw down my throat.
===The closest CVS is a mile away on South Grand=== Actually there is one across from the grocery store you mentioned but I definitely agree with you. And a gas station even those are not considered great neighbors.
Moving some of the university and dorms downtown would liven up the area for sure. But that might bring LOTS OF music, art, strange food and such to the area…HAND ME MY SMELLING SALTS!
Maybe Saputo's could move into the new building.
Coffee/Cannabis bar only…build it and they will come.
It already does, doesn't it?
Well … another downtown hotel got a real sweetheart deal years ago.
So it sounds like we've landed on a spinning speakeasy/Quiznos inside the Dome, which is also spinning.
I don't know what everyone always makes it seem like urban planning is hard. We got this done in *one afternoon*.
How about just patching the pot holes.
An indoor pool with a lazy river or tidal waves. And a fancy wine bar.
You guys do know they do have a local pharmacy downtown.
So basically, outside the initial $450,000, the developers would only recoup what they generate in additional property tax revenue. And, whether they reach the full $7.65 or not, they can only collect until 2028, when the downtown TIF expires. As most could probably guess, the city-owned lot is currently generating $0 in property tax revenue.
I just think it noteworthy that this location hosts the only LGBTQ bar in Springfield. It would be nice if the replacement could have something that is LGBTQ welcoming.
Merica, read about the project. The impact (or lack thereof) on the existing hotels has been discussed in multiple SJ-R articles.
Honestly, there needs to be more draws downtown, live music venues, 1-2 screen move theater, etc. Downtown needs more residents and drawing people from the outlying areas.
More open air bar/restaurants…or more outdoor tables.
A stronger U of I presence, perhaps in the old Armory building.
I think there will be no more NEW theaters anywhere.
A year round outside Ice skating venue. I am thinking something like the one outside Rockefeller Center.
2 block drag strip with start line at 6th and Monroe making for a short run to hospital as needed.
If we are really dreaming, how about a Portillos. The rumor mill keeps saying they are coming to Springfield. Let's make it happen.
If we're thinking big, I don't know why the JRTC Water Park wouldn't be in Springfield. Aim it like an amphitheater so the tall part of the building is furthest away. Slides from 8-12, kids restaurant/entertainment on 13-14, and a speakeasy inside of a distillery (the pots are…somewhere else) inside a brewpub on 15-16, and give 16 some garage doors to open and view the capitol when weather permits. Make Scott Kennedy proud.
I always described as what I think turpentine would taste like.
Seriously Rich……..that stuff is the absolute worst.
That is known as the Club Station House block.
Corporate headquarters for Capitol Fax.
Maybe, at long last, a Trader Joe's?
Banked corners on all downtown streets. If they wont divert traffic or eliminate one-way streets, we might as well make it as interesting as a NASCAR event.


If you're one of very few beta collectors left within the Microsoft world, you'll be pleased to know that an older build of Windows 8 has leaked onto the internet. Build 8331 was compiled on April 25th 2012, meaning it's newer than the Windows 8 Consumer Preview but older than the Windows 8 Release Preview.
The build also comes with no other Modern UI apps on board other than Internet Explorer and the Store app. The Store app doesn't work anymore considering this is an old build, meaning you're pretty much stuck with the bare minimum.
This build is definitely not for anyone else but beta collectors. The last few years have been pretty dry for beta collectors, as almost no builds leaked during the Windows 8 / 8.1 days. We recently saw a few Windows 10 builds leak, and during Windows 8.1 and Windows 8.1 Update development a few builds leaked there too.
The leak surfaced a few weeks ago, but no one appears to have noticed. So, here's your alert beta collectors. We will not be posting direct links to the download as per usual.


Every year the fair comes to North Ga. We are there.
Carson is getting too tall to ride the kiddie rides. And Carly is still too short to ride the big kid rides.
She wants to ride the scary, fast big kid rides too.
See like here, she wants to ride the bull. Luckily Steph rode with her.
And the bull was gentle.
Cain is usually the one that doesn't want to do anything.
thinks its fun to play in the gravel.
don't ya just love it when they do that?
My boy in the middle of 2 girls....I'm not ready for this.
What fantastic pics! And looks like Scott is teaching him right....get right smack in the middle of the 2 girls! (hehe) Glad you guys had such a great time at the fair. And thanks for the shout out about my giveaway, too!
Thats my boy. Need to buy him a new "Ladies Man" shirt.
Your picks are awesome. A new follower of yours.