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Joseph F. Bona
Bona, Joseph F.
Father Joseph F. Bona, SJ, died July 17, 2017 in Grand Coteau, La. He was 91 years old, and a priest for 45 years. September 1 would have been his 50th jubilee as a Jesuit.
Father Joseph F. Bona, SJ, died July 17, 2017 in Grand Coteau, La. He was 91 years old, and a priest for 45 years. September 1 would have been his 50thjubilee as a Jesuit.
Remembered as patient, compassionate spiritual director, his life will be celebrated in a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 29, in the St. Charles College Chapel in Grand Coteau. Visitation will be immediately preceding the Mass, beginning at 10: 30 a.m. He will be buried in the Jesuit Cemetery at St. Charles College immediately following the funeral Mass.
He was born in Omaha, Neb., Sept. 28, 1925, one of three children of John G. Bona and Anna Domotor Bona. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother George Bona and his sister Mary Pivonka. He is survived by nieces and a nephew.
A late vocation for those times, he entered the Jesuits at St. Stanislaus Seminary in Florissant, Mo., on Sept. 1, 1967, at the age of 41. He was by far the senior member of his novitiate class. His formation moved quickly, setting a record in the former Missouri Province for the shortest time between entrance and ordination: four years and eight months. In addition to fulfilling all the requirements in philosophy and theology, he also took courses in business and accounting.
He made his first vows in 1969 and was ordained May 11, 1972 at St. Francis Xavier College Church in St. Louis. He pronounced his final vows on May 22, 1978, in the cave of St. Ignatius at Manresa in Spain.
His initial ministry was in pastoral work at two parishes named after St. Francis Xavier, first in St. Louis and then in Kansas City. He soon became interested in directed retreat ministry and became one of a group of directors in a program that concluded each year with a 30-day retreat at Manresa in Spain. He also worked with retreatants at Immacolata Retreat House in Liberty, Mo.
He went to Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, Mo., where he served as director of business and finance, house librarian and retreat director until 1983.
While at the Jesuit Spirituality Center in Grand Coteau, La., (1983-91), his contributions extended beyond retreats and spiritual direction, as he coordinated the taping of the "Morning Reflections" by the Jesuits of St. Charles College, which were broadcast locally on television.
He worked at the Jesuit Center for Spiritual Growth in Wernersville, Penn., (1991-94). From 1994 until this year, he lived at the Xavier Jesuit Center in Denver, serving in retreat, spiritual direction and pastoral ministry.
Over the years, he developed a great expertise in directing retreatants one-on-one. They appreciated his gentleness, patience, openness and acceptance. Both they and his brother Jesuits profited from his knowledge of the spiritual classics as well as contemporary authors. His good judgment, experience, and competence made him a valuable resource. He commanded the respect and gratitude of his retreatants and directees along with the esteem and affection of his peers.
He moved to the St. Alphonsus Rodriguez Pavilion this spring once more in Grand Coteau. He embraced this new mission of praying for the Church and the Society with his accustomed grace.
He attended the University of Houston (1945-47) and the University of California at Berkeley, where he earned an associate's degree in anthropology (1949). Some years later, he earned a B.A. in philosophy and English at St. Mary's University in San Antonio, TX (1952-57).
Manresa House of Retreats
Manresa House of Retreats is located on the banks of the Mississippi River in Convent, La., midway between Baton Rouge and New Orleans.


Chinese and European diplomats have warned Donald Trump against reported plans to restrict imports of steel and aluminum – a strategy that risks triggering a global trade war.
By invoking a rarely used law from the cold war era, the US president could limit imports of goods deemed critical to national defence and satisfy the "America first" elements of his support base.
But on Friday, China and the European Union (EU) both told the World Trade Organisation's (WTO) Goods Council that "section 232" tariffs could not be justified on national security grounds, while others suggested that it could provoke retaliation.
Washington is looking to reduce excess global production capacity of steel, particularly in China. Trump, backed by a small group of allies, told a meeting of top officials at the White House on Monday that he wants to impose tariffs as high as 20% on the metal, as well as potentially on other imports such as aluminum, semiconductors, paper and washing machines, according to the news website Axios.
Trump's tone was clear when he met South Korean president Moon Jae-in on Friday to renegotiate their bilateral trade agreement signed by Barack Obama, which he described as "a rough deal for the United States".
Earlier, Cohn also took a swipe at China. He said: "Much of our biggest problem on trade has to do with our economic relationship with China, and we have maintained a very large trade deficit with China, and it continues to grow.
But the EU's representative at the WTO – the arbiter of international trade rules since 1995 – warned that the EU might suffer the most from US tariffs because Chinese exports are already largely subject to US restrictions and Canada and Mexico are likely to be exempt.
The trade diplomat from Russia, which called the debate on the issue, asked for details such as the timeframe and scope of potential tariffs, and also challenged the commercial justification for further US limitations on imports of steel and aluminium, Reuters reported.
Cosette Creamer, assistant professor of political science at the University of Minnesota, also raised concerns. "I think ultimately it will depend on the remedy – if any – imposed and how the administration makes use of the investigation itself to push forward more collective responses to a very real problem: global excess capacity of steel and aluminum," she said.
Nigel Cory, trade policy analyst at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, said such tariffs need to be put in context. "Countries are allowed to raise tariffs as a trade enforcement tool to counter specific unfair trade practices, such as in anti-dumping cases where tariffs are used to counter imports of a specific product from a specific country that the importing country assesses is being sold (unfairly) below the cost of production. There are many steel cases involving such action.


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Biosciences academics named as Fellows of the Learned Society of Wales
Professor Dipak Ramji and Dr Emma Yhnell have been elected as Fellows of the prestigious organisation
Established in 2010 to promote awareness of how science, the arts, humanities, and social sciences benefit society, the Learned Society of Wales is Wales's national academy of science and letters, bringing together experts from all academic fields.
There are currently over 650 Fellows and election to the Fellowship involves a rigorous process of assessment by a relevant scrutiny committee.
Professor Ramji carried out his BSc (Hons) and PhD degrees at the University of Leeds, followed by postdoctoral research at EMBL (Heideberg) and IRBM (Rome) with fellowships from the Royal Society and the EU. He joined Cardiff University in 1992 and is currently Deputy Head of School of Biosciences and Professor of Cardiovascular Science. His research focuses on understanding how inflammation controls heart disease and how nutraceuticals mediate their beneficial effects.
Professor Ramji said: "I am delighted and honoured to have my academic achievements recognised by the Learned Society of Wales. I look forward to contributing to the Society and its work by promoting research in areas of my expertise and by inspiring learning".
Dr Yhnell has been at Cardiff University since 2009 where she studied for an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry. She then completed a PhD in behavioural neuroscience before obtaining a prestigious fellowship from Health and Care Research Wales to undertake research in the Huntington's disease patient clinic. Dr Yhnell is currently a senior lecturer within the School of Biosciences and her election to the Learned Society is based on her expertise and contributions to the public understanding of science.
On her selection to the society, Dr Yhnell said "It is a real honour to be elected to the Learned Society of Wales and I am particularly pleased that this is based on my work in science communication and public engagement. I look forward to working with the Society and other Fellows to continue to promote awareness of science and the wider benefits that it can bring to society."
Professor Hywel Thomas, President of the Learned Society, said: "The expertise of our new Fellows is outstanding. The range of research shows that Wales is well-placed to meet the environmental, technological, social, cultural, political and health challenges we face".
Biosciences staff and services recognised at Celebrating Excellence Awards
Dr Emma Yhnell shortlisted for RSB HE Bioscience Teacher of the Year 2022
Professor Dipak Ramji
Deputy Head of School
Dr Emma Yhnell
The latest from Cardiff University.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


This simple exercise depends on notes, memory, and lively thinking.
Here are some likenesses: Two friends have been going over the picture album of a two-week vacation together when they ask each other how many different places they had seen. They flip back through the pictures swiftly, recalling this town and that mountain, noting where they stopped. A summary of former prayer is like that.
Another likeness: The chairperson of a little volunteer organization wonders, while preparing for the next meeting, how many different projects the group has volunteered for during the past six months and what worked and what didn't. The leader quickly flips through notes and minutes, counting and appreciating and valuing, and then prepares what to say to the members. A summary of former prayer is like that.
A summary is also like a repetition. It differs, though, because the summary takes you back over more than just the black holes and volcanoes. In doing a summary, you peruse whatever has come up in your prayer.
So I prepare the material well before my time for prayer. I look back over all that I have prayed over during a specified period. I single out intense experiences, sharper convictions, images and ideas. I note both positive and negative elements.
When I come to pray, I do not spend too long on any single point. I try to figure out what I have gotten at during this period, perhaps seeing more simply and more clearly by moving over all of the matter. From this somewhat determined ... move through the fruits of earlier prayer, I find things to take to colloquy and petition. So when I am ready (and as soon as I am ready), I make the Triple Colloquy.


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Forward Observer on Virginia
If you have not subscribed to Forward Observer and studied under him, I encourage you to consider it. He (they) offer a quality and level of training every community should have some of. A click on the link above takes you there.
Subscribing brings e-mail dispatches like the one below on a regular basis. In this case, since I believe we all should be watching as the gunfight unfolds in Virginia, I repost it here. However, you really ought to check out the website for yourself.
Forward Observer
The Watch Report is a weekly look at political, social, and economic intelligence, and includes early warning and indications of America's volatile future.
In this Watch Report…
InFocus: Outlook on Virginia
Impeachment Watch
Biden: Only a centrist can win 2020
Leftist veteran provides combat advice
The Atlantic: How to Stop a Civil War
Rove: Democratic party fractures in 2020?
Bannon: Hillary comes back in 2020
McConnell: Confirming Trump judges to continue
'The Base' sheltering missing Canadian soldier
Yoho becomes latest House GOP retiree
Gohmert names whistleblower
Groypers planning disruption of TPUSA event
Economic/Financial Watch
InFocus: The state of Virginia remains the leading contender for an outbreak of political violence, but the risk may be lower than many perceive. Back in June of this year, I made a video about the so-called "Civil War 2," in which I stated that a regional conflict was more likely than a national-level one. (One caveat that continues to apply is the effect of a contested or "stolen" national election, perceived, real, or otherwise, that could result in nationwide violence.) Further, this conflict wouldn't resemble 1861 or any large scale domestic conflict, but that it would likely be confined to what's called "low intensity conflict" — conflict under the threshold of conventional war (tanks and bombers) but above routine, peaceful competition. While I didn't predict it would begin anywhere specifically, I made the point that a conflict would most likely begin with the cultural war spilling over into political violence over a state or regional issue. That brings us to Virginia and specifically the potential for conflict over proposed gun laws.
In January, Democrats will take over the entire state legislature, and have vowed to pass Senate Bill 16, which would outlaw the sale, possession, and transport of "assault weapons," including AR-15s. In response, over 80 counties in the state have declared themselves "gun sanctuary counties." Legally, it means very little, but these counties have voted to not use public funds for, nor support, the enforcement of proposed unconstitutional gun laws. State officials, like U.S. House Rep. Gerry Connolly (D), have criticized law enforcement officials in these counties, going so far as to say that county sheriffs should be prosecuted for not enforcing gun laws. This week, state representative Donald McEachin (D) made headlines for his conclusion that the governor might call up the National Guard in order to enforce the state laws. While that fueled considerable speculation, it is currently unlikely. The mobilization of National Guard troops to enforce gun laws, i.e., to confiscate them, would escalate the situation to war-like conditions in an election year — something the governor's office is unlikely to pursue. (In a state like Virginia, much of the mobilized national guardsmen are likely to be AR-15 owners themselves.) Furthermore, Virginia's incoming Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw (D) said that he's "not going to lock up a large part of Virginia" through the enforcement of these proposed laws. Other Democrats have admitted that Senate Bills 16, 46, and others may be watered down before coming up for a vote.
Governor Ralph Northam (D) reportedly supports a grandfather clause that would enable current owners to keep their so-called assault weapons, so long as those firearms are registered during a "grace period." That makes mass confiscation unlikely, at least until to the end of the grace period. Yet as we've seen with states in similar cases, turnout to register grandfathered firearms is expected to be weak. State officials in Virginia understand the risks associated with overt infringement on Second Amendment rights. In the words of Second Amendment advocate Ben Woods, a former active duty soldier and Marine and now a federal law enforcement officer, "People [are] talking about tar and feathering politicians in a less than joking manner." [source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jo3_ie_Cr94] This amount of negative feedback, backed up by community organizing and arms, is a recipe for an insurgent-like struggle that the state would clearly like to avoid.
The situation is still developing, but Virginia could go the way of New York, Connecticut, and other states with similar gun laws on the books. After massive backlash and a failure to register firearms, those state governments backed down on enforcement en masse and there was no widespread conflict like many feared. Law enforcement in those states continue to serve Risk Protection Orders (RPO), also referred to as "red flags," and confiscate firearms on a case by case basis. Citizens of those states continue to be charged with state felonies for firearms violations, while statewide armed conflict continues to be unlikely. This appears to be the most likely course of action pursued by the state of Virginia, but I'm willing to revisit this outlook once Virginia Democrats take over the state legislature next month. – S.C.
Priority Intelligence Requirements:
PIR1: What are the latest indicators of the Far Left's sentiments, initiatives, activities, and plans to gain and exercise political and social power?
PIR2: What are the significant indicators of disruptive political, social, or cultural conditions or events?
PIR3: When and how will the next economic or financial crisis affect America?
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) is scheduled to go ahead with a floor vote on impeachment next week, following today's resolution on the articles of impeachment. It's expected to pass the House on party lines, and then be turned over to the Senate for a January trial. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has stated on repeated occasions that Trump will not be convicted or removed. That was the central argument for some Democrats who wanted a censure instead of an impeachment vote, citing numerous instances of presidential wrongdoing that didn't result in an impeachment process.
This week, the New York Times' Carl Hulse asked if impeachment would become a "regular feature of America's weaponized politics" in the post-Trump age. He cites a slew of both Democrats and Republicans who warn of the risk that opposition parties will pursue impeachment over a low threshold. [source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/12/us/impeachment-democrats-republicans.html]
Current Democratic front-leader Joe Biden surveyed the UK's election of conservative Boris Johnson in a blowout against the Labour Party's far left Jeremy Corbin as proof positive that only a centrist can remain competitive against President Trump in the U.S. 2020 election. "Look what happens when the Labour Party moves so, so far to the left," Biden said during a fundraiser in California, drawing a comparison to what's happening in the Democratic Party. Biden went on to criticize far left ideas without naming his peer candidates. (AC: The UK can be seen as a bellwether for US politics. Before Trump 2016, there was the successful Brexit referendum, a cornerstone of the British conservative platform. In a previous report, I looked at the likelihood that the 2020 election might be decided by July's Democratic National Convention. If the conservatives' blowout win in the UK is any indication of the state of right wing populism, the nomination of a far left Democratic candidate in July might have already determined the outcome of the 2020 election.)
Members of Leftist groups criticized an alleged photograph (below) of New Jersey police officers responding to Tuesday's shooting in New Jersey, which is being linked to a black supremacist group. A member of the John Brown Gun Club, going by the name "Kosmo," criticized the police, tweeting: "This is a VERY bad take on a team door stack. First is supposed to be aiming at the door, second aiming long over the shoulder, 3rd watching flank, and 4th rear and high. It is basic team tactics that they are ROYALLY fucking up. No stack should EVER be more than 4 people LMAO." (AC: Kosmo reports to be a "veteran of wars" and likely served with socialist Kurds in Syria and/or Iraq. In previous tweets, Kosmo comments on battle drills performed by U.S. Special Forces, and provides advice for how to emulate their room clearing procedures. Kosmo is one of numerous leftists who likely have combat experience with the Kurdish Peshmerga, or socialist Kurdish resistance groups like YPG or PKK in Syria and/or Iraq. Kosmo reportedly lives in western Washington State.)
The theme of the December special issue of left wing outlet The Atlantic is "How to Stop a Civil War." The entire issue is of exceptional value to those with interest in civil conflict and the worsening divisions in American political society.
Editor Jeffrey Goldberg introduces the issue and summarizes its themes in A Nation Coming Apart. He notes that The Atlantic started publication in 1857, shortly before the American Civil War. The slavery debate gripped the intellectual life of the country at the time, and the positions of both sides gradually became irreconcilable. He sees a real danger that the forces exemplified by President Donald Trump's supporters and opponents are pushing the country in the same direction.
Yoni Applebaum, the ideas editor, writes in "How America Ends" that it is hard for a political democracy to adjust peacefully to demographic changes that displace one group from power and favor another. This is exactly the situation in America at present as non-whites become a majority. In "Civility is Overrated," Adam Serwer offers a dissent from the idea that a return to civility is urgently needed and argues that a return to "truth-telling" is more important to marginalized groups.
Rove: Democratic party fractures after 2020?
Former Bush advisor Karl Rove laid out a scenario where the Democratic Party is left 'angry and fractured' following a brokered convention next summer. Should no candidate win on the first ballot during July 2020's Democratic National Convention, so-called "superdelegates" will vote in the second round. Made up of "party insiders and elites," these superdelegates could vote for someone other than the front-runner. Rove's conclusion: "Democrats could be in for a rocky convention, featuring back-room deals and horse trades that anger and fracture the party."
Former White House advisor Steve Bannon predicted that Hillary Clinton would enter the 2020 presidential race. "Hillary Clinton is waiting for her shot to come in and say, 'I'm going to save the Democratic Party,'" Bannon told Fox News' Maria Bartiromo. "She's going to come in. This whole thing's going to come down to Super Tuesday. I don't think anybody can win it right now in the primary process." (AC: Given the excerpt from Karl Rove, it's possible that Clinton could capture the nomination during the Democratic National Convention, should none of the current top four candidates break away with a decisive lead.)
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell renewed vows to confirm as many federal judges to the bench as possible through the rest of this year. "Whatever's on the calendar, I'm going to make every effort I can to clear them all. We've already… finished up the [Circuit Courts]. So I'm going to make my best effort to clear the calendar of district judges by the end of the year.'" (Analyst Comment: The Trump administration has confirmed 50 judges to the Circuit Courts, which is just five judges shy of Obama's confirmations over the span of eight years. McConnell is looking at the confirmation process for 18 additional judges nominated to district courts.)
A neo-Nazi group called "The Base" is being accused of sheltering a missing Canadian ex-soldier. Patrik Mathews disappeared on 24 August after he was revealed as a recruiter for The Base, and Canadian authorities seized illegal weapons at his home. Mathews was a combat engineer who taught explosives and weapons skills. He is thought to have entered the U.S. illegally with the help of Base members. The group has been implicated in offenses ranging from vandalism to murder. Members communicate with a secure messaging platform, and all members must pass an extensive vetting process before getting access to their communications apps. The little that is known about the group comes mainly from a member who was arrested for defacing synagogues and whose electronics had links to The Base on them. (AC: The group chose "The Base" as their name, allegedly for similarity with al-Qaida, which translates to "The Base" in Arabic.)
Rep. Ted Yoho (R-FL) announced his retirement from the House, becoming at least the 19th member of the GOP not running for reelection in 2020. Avery Jaffe of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee said that the volume of retirements is "proof positive that GOP morale is at an all-time low." (Analyst Comment: Missed in some "news" reporting is that Yoho, when first elected, set out a four term limit for himself, which he's now reaching. But despite that minor detail, there's likely some truth to Jaffe's statement. With Republicans out of striking distance to take back the House in 2020, some Republicans have grown tired of a combination of Democratic dominance and the daily grind of advancing policies popular with the Trump base but less popular in districts with razor thin reelection margins. This isn't to say that Democrats will necessarily flip these districts, but the slate of retirements will pose both opportunities and challenges for the GOP for the next term. For one, these retirements will allow unabashedly pro-Trump candidates to test the president's popularity in their districts. As for challenges, Democrats could extend their majority in the House, setting up another four years of legislative punishment should President Trump be re-elected.)
In Wednesday night's impeachment debate, Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) rattled off a list of fact witnesses he wants to testify before the House votes on impeachment. That list of names included alleged CIA whistleblower Eric Ciaramella, making Gohmert the first lawmaker to name him publicly. In response, Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) accused Gohmert of committing "an incredible and outrageous breach." Beyer continued: "The President threatened the whistleblower with violence, and whether the person just named is the whistleblower or not they were just put in real danger. This is unacceptable and there should be consequences."
A new confrontation between the mainstream young conservative group Turning Point USA and the loosely knit coalition of alt-right youth known as "Groypers" is scheduled for December 20. Turning Point USA is having its annual Student Leadership Summit December 19-22 in West Palm Beach, FL, with a long list of conservative speakers and political figures. Nick Fuentes has called for a "Groyper Leadership Summit" in West Palm Beach for December 20, with the location to be sent to attendees before the event. The past practice of the Groypers has been to infiltrate mainstream conservative meetings to disrupt them or to ask embarrassing questions. It would be reasonable to expect such an effort in West Palm Beach.
Upcoming Event Calendar
14 December: "Trump/Pence #OutNow!" (Chicago, IL)
16-31 December: Nobody is Above the Law protest events (nationwide)
20 January: "50,000+ strong 2nd Amendment Rally" (Richmond, VA)
After Wednesday's Federal Reserve meeting, a majority of the Fed's Open Market Committee members expect no changes to interest rates in 2020. This would suggest that cuts to interest rates meant as an insurance policy against recession are working in the Fed's eyes. [12 Dec]
The canary in the coal mine: 63 percent of pension funds are considering whether to extend guaranteed benefits to new workers within the next five years. These pension funds are trying to make up for a funding shortfall, where future liabilities are higher than their expected ability to pay out. As a result, more pension plans are expected to drop defined benefits for new workers. (AC: Pension plans, on average, are predicated on 7.5 percent annual growth in order to meet future liabilities. While the stock market is up around 20 percent this year, fund managers are concerned that increasing numbers of retirees and lower growth in the coming years will threaten their ability to sustain adequate levels of funding.) [11 Dec]
The Federal Reserve is expected today to reach a decision on interest rate cuts. Fed watchers expect no cut, but they do expect the Fed to resume quantitative easing (QE) this year to solve the repo market problem. Rate spikes have caused some turmoil in overnight lending, causing the Fed to intervene and infuse banks with cash to provide liquidity. This week, the Bank of International Settlements described the problem as "structural," which lead Credit Suisse and other financial firms to expect more money printing by the Fed. [11 Dec]
Dan Fuss of financial firm Loomis Sayles remains concerned about the $1.4 trillion worth of outstanding debt in high-yield bonds. I've included numerous reports on how the corporate debt bubble, including already distressed corporate loans, could turn into a financial crisis. Some 85 percent of leveraged loans are the result of loosened lending standards, which could cause substantial financial disruption if triggered by a spate of defaults. Total corporate debt sits around $9 trillion, while the high-yield bond market, at $1.4 trillion, is larger than the subprime mortgage market in 2007. [11 Dec]
Americans' outlook on the economy is improving. According to a new Fannie Mae tracker, 57 percent of Americans say the economy is on the right track, up from 51 percent in July. Some 33 percent of Americans believe that the economy is on the wrong track, down from 40 percent in July. [10 Dec]
BlackRock, Goldman Sachs, and UBS all see gold as a hedge against geopolitical and domestic risks. Goldman expects gold to rise to $1,600 in the coming months, up from $1467 as of this morning. [10 Dec]
Bloomberg warns this morning that after 10 years of fighting against the effects of 2008, "the worry [for central banks] is the next ten years could be their most testing yet." Bank of America recently warned of "quantitative failure or monetary policy impotence," which is another way of saying that central banks might not be able to battle the effects of deflation during the next economic downturn. [09 Dec]
The information provided by Forward Observer in this report is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered financial advice. You should consult with a financial advisor to determine what may be best for your individual needs.
// END REPORT
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Home Arts & Culture
Vibrant installations illuminate Folk Fest
Festival goers treated to stunning artwork and animation
TOPICS:artcultureWinnipeg Folk Festival
Dan Dorge works on his Winnipeg Folk Festival Muisiriún Illuminé, a 10-foot-tall glowing mushroom.
By Olivia MichalczukJuly 7, 2018
Whether towering over the campground or tucked among the trees, Winnipeg Folk Festival (WFF) art and animation installations welcome festival goers and encourage a sense of community.
Coming in forms of visual art, performance and interactive animation service, the WFF provides financial support for items utilized by campground participants, information and promotional support for applicants, aiming to enhance the festival experience with artistic projects. This year's artistic works include "Aurora Borealis," "Pyramid of Greats" and "Sacred Sircus," all creating delight for festival goers.
Animator Dan Dorge set up his project days before campers arrived. While it started with an idea from 2014, he said his interest in creating the final project peaked during his first WFF in 2012 when he saw the impact of the arts and animations projects around the campground.
Animations — visual mediums that use models, drawings or objects to create lifelike motions — add to the experience of the festival.
He said he saw "what it did and how it brought people together, the amount of inspiration that flowed out of these pieces that people take home to boost their own creativity was just phenomenal."
This year, his 10-foot-tall glowing mushroom, Muisiriún Illuminé, is shining brightly through the long party-filled WFF nights.
"Pretty simple but pretty epic," described Dorge.
Jeremy Koz, also a first-time animator, created "The Village Shelter" with volunteers from the House of Koz and the Village Idiots. Supported by a fundraiser that featured local artists, his art-filled shelter allowed friends to meet, to play music and to enjoy art. The goal of "The Village Shelter" created a place of love, acceptance, safety, and imagination for festivalgoers to feel part of a community.
"I truly believe when you create a space that is welcoming and shows that a group of people put this together to give back to the spirit of Folk Fest, then magical things happen," said Koz.
Dorge said festival animations are more than simply beautification of the site. He said he strongly believes that animations bring people together and are made to inspire others.
"I think animations are important for exactly those reasons, to bring our community together and to inspire people, to bring out the very best in themselves and just to feel good around art and animation installations," said Dorge.
"Regardless of what it is I'll always feel a glow around something that was created from nothing."
Koz agreed the community aspect of the art and animations is what inspired him to create one in the first place.
"Every campground experience every year has been so unique," said Koz.
"Animators are a huge part of that because they create a lasting experience and don't ask for anything in return [from] people camping. They just want you to enjoy and be part of the community."
Just the fax
The people behind the paint
Understanding our world through the meaning of shades


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On Windows 7
Thread: On Windows 7
Ex-MSFT
%systemroot%
Paul Adams's system
Asus Maximus VIII
2x250GB SSD / 500GB SSD / 2TB HDD
nVidia GeForce GTX1080
Windows 10 x64 Pro
Philips 40" 4K
500Mbps fiber
A handful of factlets about the next version of Windows and some URLs for further info for those interested...
1. Windows 7 is not Windows NT 7.0
This may sound confusing, but "Windows 7" is the product/project name for this generation of Windows.
Quick recap for product names & NT versions:
Winodws NT 3.1
Windows NT 3.5/3.51
Windows 2000 = NT 5.0
Windows XP = NT 5.1 (workstation only)
Windows Server 2003 / Windows XP Professional x64 Edition = NT 5.2
Windows Vista / Windows Server 2008 = NT 6.0
Windows 7 / Windows Server 2008 R2 = NT 6.1
(If each "generation" incorporates a Workstation and a Server version, then Windows 7 is the 7th generation.)
2. Windows 7 will be available in 32-bit and 64-bit flavours
Windows Server 2008 R2, however, will only be released as 64-bit
Windows Server 2008 R2: Scalability and Reliability:
Windows Server 2008 R2 is the first Windows operating system to be offered for only 64-bit processors. With customers being unable to purchase a 32-bit server CPU for over two years, the performance and reliability advantages to moving to this architecture were too beneficial to ignore.
3. Windows Virtual PC can be downloaded for Professional, Ultimate and Enterprise editions
"Windows XP Mode" is a pre-built (XP SP3) virtual machine requiring no licence and runs either as a regular VM or seamless apps on the Windows 7 desktop
- only 32-bit VMs are supported, but works identically on 32-bit and 64-bit Windows 7 hosts
- requires hardware virtualization support from the CPU & BIOS
4. No in-box mail client
Vista shipped with "Windows Mail", but Windows 7 will not have a mail client present by default (Windows Live Mail can still be installed for free as a download)
5. Release date for Windows 7 announced as 22nd October 2009
Today during a keynote address at Computex 2009 in Taipei, Microsoft's OEM Division Corporate Vice President Steve Guggenheimer revealed that the company is confident with the progress made with Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2, and that as a result, Microsoft will deliver Release to Manufacturing (RTM) code to partners in the second half of July. Windows 7 will become generally available on Oct. 22, 2009, and Windows Server 2008 R2 will be broadly available at the same time.
MSDN: Combining Platform Extensions with Operating System Versions
Engineering Windows 7 Blog
What's New In Windows 7
Channel 9 Video: Mark Russinovich Inside Windows 7
Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Timelines Shared at Computex
Edits:
2009-06-03 updated to include recently accounced release schedule
Last edited by Paul Adams; 03-06-2009 at 10:08 AM.
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With the increasing popularity of social media and online marketing, it is understandable that some businesses have deemed the telephone as an outdated tool for securing prospective customers. Yet, this is far from true. Telemarketing is still one of the leading methods that businesses use to generate leads for their growing business. The reason is simple. Telemarketing works. It is one of the most powerful tools for any type of business, including beauty salons, because telemarketing offers several advantages.
Telemarketing is the most economical marketing tool besides old fashioned word-of-mouth. While telephones are a necessity for businesses, there is no additional costs associated with this method of marketing. A receptionist at a salon can be assigned dual roles, which include making outbound calls to prospective clients. Keeping sales calls in house has proven to be especially effective because no one knows a business better than those that are employed at the business. Not only does in house sales calls save dollars, but ensures that there is accuracy in the description of services or products being offered. This makes it more likely that prospective clients will develop enough trust to visit the salon or at least visit the business's website.
Social media offers large business exposure, but chances are those individuals aren't members of a business's target market. Telemarketing yields the opportunity to directly target people most likely interested. Although this requires extensive research and work, having a list of contacts most likely interested in salon services is well worth the hassle. It increases the likelihood of the calls being converted into real business.
Most other types of marketing are indirect. Commercials, mail, and online advertisement bombards a prospective customer with information. It is easy to ignore these methods. Yet, telemarketing, if conducted well, provides businesses the unique opportunity to connect with new clients and build rapport. Rapport is especially important with beauty salons. Potential clients may have several questions that they want to ask prior to visiting a salon. Telemarketing opens the door to great communication and can help a prospective customer feel more comfortable. Furthermore, telemarketing is an incredible way to stand out, especially for beauty salons. Potential clients can expect to receive mail or see a commercial from a beauty salon, but being called on the phone and personally invited to visit a salon is a great way for a salon to distinguish itself from its competitors.
So, beauty salons should not overlook the power of the telephone. Instead, they should take advantage of the one tool, the telephone, which has withstood the test of time when it comes to marketing. While other salons are getting lost in the online advertisement clutter or being tossed in the trash after an ineffective mail campaign, salons that rely on telemarketing will most likely expand their client base through this method.


Adrian Flores, the first cyclist to wear ruffles to victory, was a household name before he crossed the finish line in purple and white. With continued success, Flores (and his fully customized Scott Addict bicycle ) became synonymous with showing up daily as your fullest self. Harnessing the ability to channel what he desires in life, Adrian lives each day submerged in the outlets he enjoys the most - creative expressions, adventure, and the inner peace of fulfillment.
LifeCycle Biking had an opportunity to connect with Adrian and learn more about his biking lifecycle.
Thanks for taking the time to chat with us, Adrian! Let's get right to it- What brought you to the sport of cycling?
My cycling life has had a few different chapters. I rode a BMX bike around when I was young around the neighborhood. I re-discovered the bike during the summers in college when I was a collegiate swimmer and that's where it really took hold of me and brought me to where I am today. Cycling provided me a sense of adventure and exploration I simply couldn't do staring at lanes in the pool.
You're from Austin, TX and moved to Barcelona for some time. How have your home and travels influenced the way you ride?
Austin is where I found my legs and spent my formative years on the bicycle. I grew up in the competition and hill-country rides of that area of Texas, where brutal heat and open rolling hills slowly eat away at you over long rides. Whenever I come across a place like that in another part of the world it reminds me of home, it kind of makes me feel alive. I'm stronger in that sort of terrain and climate. Barcelona is not too dissimilar, but it was the first place I lived with climbs that lasted longer than 10-15 minutes. Moving to BCN was intended to be a growing experience and it definitely helped me learn to appreciate cycling on a deeper level than competition. I learned to ride just because I loved riding.
Speaking of the love of riding, what has been your favorite moment on the bike so far?
I've had so many life-changing moments on the bicycle but at the moment the one that sticks out to me is a 7-day long ride from Portland to San Francisco with 3 friends of mine. The fourth day of the journey I had suffered some sort of knee injury and my only option was to tough it out 129 miles of insane hills or rent a car the rest of the trip. I toughed it out and it was one of the most beautiful rides I could have hoped to do.
We admire your willingness to push your limitations. Tell us about your brand, Prince Cycling.
Where did the inspiration come from? How has His Purple Highness contributed to your cycling life?
I got a few nicknames over the years and I think Prince stuck after I dyed a cycling skin suit purple and sewed ruffles into it. For me, it represents a sort of confidence in yourself, your abilities that I like to pull from the Prince Persona. I still can't really fathom the reach this character of mine has had. I still have people walk up to me to either tell me that I look like prince or ask if I am prince cycling.
Creativity is very present in various areas in your life. How did you discover your love of creative writing and cooking? Are these interests/passions intertwined with cycling at all?
Writing was my first outlet as a young kid to express myself and it never faded. Somewhere through college I decided I should pursue that deeper and I graduated with a degree in English, creative writing. As for cooking, I've always been around it but it wasn't until I was much older that the nature of my cooking has gotten more precise. As an athlete, it's important to put good fuel (food) in your engine. As I've eased from such a strict training regimen food has become less a utility and more a passion. I feel that in all my pursuits I find a tranquil space of creativity and peace. They're all connected in that way.
As a cyclist of color in a field dominated by the majority, how would you describe your ability to ascend into pro racing and establish a presence for yourself (and subsequently other riders of color)?
I've had a very fortunate child-hood. My father is Honduran and my mom is Irish and I learned from both of them all I needed as a child to make me a natural athlete. Driven role-models and plenty of athletic outlets shepherded me through the cycling ranks quickly. The key here is that they enlisted me in every type of sport that helped me build all sorts of coordination. So now when I jump into something new it's typically just mastery that's required. I usually catch onto basic skills and aspects of a sport really easily.
Is there anything you would change in the landscape of today's cycling scene?
I personally find more joy in a lack of social pressure and a more inclusive environment. Cycling, much like society, tends to segment itself off to those who participate in the sport in different capacities. I enjoy bike races that take time to include recreational cyclists.
Patrick Newell and Benedict - have not so quietly influenced personality and style onto cycling in a way thats had a big impression on not only my own life, but hundreds of thousands of cyclists the world over. Together and separate they are a force to be reckoned with.
Tyler Hamilton - is known for an epic saga which is his pro-tour life but his after pro-tour life is much more fascinating and inspiring. He's a kind and gentle human with a passion for retribution of the self and others. He continues to hold a warm spot in my heart.
Anna Schwinn - is one of those unabashedly opinionated and objective cyclists that I look upon for the real. She's got a ton of life experience and a ton of personality. Any time I get to see her at a cycling event or tradeshow is a blessing and I hope she continues to be 100% authentically herself forever.
Kym Perfetto - She really is nonstop. And she's great. Fun to watch, fun to be around and an inspiration if I ever feel like I'm overwhelmed. I just remember, Kym is doing more.
In my life cycle, cycling has been . . .
A space for friends, an escape, a sanctuary, a place to reset, to thrive, to explore.
Cycling has been my rock.
Check out Adrian and his custom purple chariots at Prince Cycling.


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I'm a woman of many passions and even more flaws. My brain is often as cooperative as a toddler with ADD. I write to sort out the chaos in my head, document memorable moments, and [hopefully] inspire or encourage on a good day. If my snarky humor makes you smile or laugh out loud, that's even better.
* Pursuing optimum health. If you like gardening, making up recipes or cooking from scratch, we could probably swap soil tips and share recipes on preserving the harvest. I make amazing Basil Pesto, we eat our own carrots at least 7 months of the year, and our extra raspberries and kale get frozen for smoothies. Sneaky organic cooks rock!
* Running trails, hiking mountains, and obstacle racing. My husband and I have climbed 48 "14ers" (peaks above 14,000 feet) and have some epic stories of completing those mountains. We live at the base of the Rocky Mountains and take full advantage of our urban parks and expansive trail network. I'm fairly new to obstacle racing, but had some dumb luck and got to hang with the world's best in 2016.
* My cancer journey from 2006. I'm thankful to be a survivor and enjoy hearing stories from others. Perhaps my experience will help you navigate your own treatment or better understand a loved one's struggles. Might be TMI for readers who don't like details on the side effects of radiation and chemo. Consider yourself warned.
On top of Raspberry Mountain.
* Maintaining energy and vitality at any age. I've been called the "energizer bunny" for years and have no plans of slowing down. My odometer just rolled to 61 last year and I feel like I'm 30. I'll share what's working for me.


text:
Tension follows Buddhist Bhikku's death in Mumbai
Press Trust of India, Jan 7, 2008
MUMBAI, India -- Tension prevailed in various places across the city on Sunday following the alleged suicide of a Buddhist priest opposing a redevelopment project in north east Mumbai's Deonar, police said.
Sporadic incidents of arson, stone pelting and shops being forcibly shut were reported from various places in the city as the news of the suicide spread.
Impromptu and ''leaderless'' protest marches were also carried out by various groups in the city following the incident.
The situation seemed to be under control by late evening with heavy security arrangements, including the deployment of reserve forces, being made by the police.
Badant Sanghraj Thairo (75), the priest of Sandesh Buddh Vihar near Deonar slaughter-house was found dead at his residence (behind the shrine) this morning.
According to police, they found a piece of rope lying by his side, and it seemed to be suicide. They however, added that the body has been sent for a postmortem and the cause of the death will be known only when the report is made available.
However, local residents, as well as some colleagues of the priest suspected it to be a murder and filed a complaint with the police, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone VI) Niket Kaushik said.
According to Kaushik, Thairo along with other ''Bhikkus'', was opposing a Slum Rehabilitation Authority redevelopment project carried out by Lakdawala Builders in the area, while office bearers of the local Buddha Vihar Society supported it.
As the news of the death spread, some local residents burnt a warehouse of the builder situated nearby and also torched some vehicles apart from stone pelting on some government buses, police said.
Incidents of stone pelting and arson were reported from nearby Mankhurd, Pant Nagar and Chembur areas. People also held portest marches in Khar and Bhoiwada areas demanding a thorough probe into the matter.
Minor stone pelting on government buses were also reported from the sensitive suburb of Kurla wherein residents of the Buddha Nagar ventured on to the roads.
Stating that two enraged youths were detained in the Thakur village area as a preventive measure, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone XII) Shivaji Bodke said the police was able to restrict the protests due to the various initiatives like the Mohalla Committee meetings.
Multiple companies of the State Reserve Police Force have been deployed at various sensitive pockets across the city in the night, a senior police officer said.


Being 55+ is all about enjoying the best season of your life! Check out what's happening in Albany and the Capital Region, NY in the events listing below. You might also be interested in our Prestwick Chase Events Calendar!


Hope for the Hangover: It Doesn't Have to Ruin Your Day!
A hangover can be a nasty thing to wake up to after a fun night on the town. It can ruin your plans for the day, and keep you from being productive. Despite remedies ranging from a "hair of the dog" to over-the-counter drugs, a hangover is hard to get over.
The good news is that there is now a new way to quickly and effectively get rid of the symptoms of a hangover.
During an IV Hangover therapy session, a potent cocktail of water, electrolytes and micronutrients, combined with soothing nausea and headache medicine, is dripped directly into your bloodstream, to be delivered to cells throughout your body.
Hangover cocktail ingredients act quickly to rehydrate, replenish and nourish your sick and aching body, nursing you back to feeling human again over the course of about an hour.
Hangover IV therapy is so effective, it has become a booming business in Las Vegas, where hangovers abound.
If you have ever been hospitalized, you are probably familiar with IV therapy. It has been used for decades to treat a range of medical conditions. Recently, IV therapy has evolved from a strictly medical intervention to a form of health and beauty enhancement. Athletes, celebrities and anyone who wants to enjoy optimal health are flocking to IV therapy clinics to boost energy, combat fatigue, replenish nutrients and manage stress.
As a hangover cure, IV therapy works quickly to treat symptoms while getting at the source: dehydration and chemical imbalance from ingesting too much alcohol. Many clients report feeling better immediately after a session, and when followed by a nap, an IV hangover treatment may make you forget you ever had a hangover.
During your session, you can relax or even catch a nap while powerful ingredients are slowly dripped into your bloodstream. The treatment is minimally invasive, and administered by a licensed medical clinician. Think of it as a spa treatment for your brain and body.
With its many bars, restaurants and nightclubs, New York is a great place to party. If you overindulge and wind up with a hangover, relief is nearby at Advanced Cryo NYC in trendy SoHo. Schedule your session at our spa-like clinic, and relax while your hangover disappears, drip by drip.


Stay cool and breezy in classic style and updated comfort with the SKECHER Street Sunlite - Fresh Mesh shoe. Soft woven mesh fabric and smooth synthetic upper in a slip on stretch laced sporty casual jogger style sneaker with stitching and overlay accents. Air Cooled Memory Foam insole.


Our Definitive Guide to Philippine Holidays, Philippine Festivals, Philippine Fiestas, Liturgical Events, and Awesome Events!
Best Time to Climb Mt. Pinatubo and Mt. Pulag!
1 NEW YEAR'S DAY | Tuesday (Every 1st of January) | Philippines Regular Holiday.
Related Blog Post: Iloilo's Dinagyang: Hala Bira! Viva Señor Santo Niño!
I am very excited to finally share with you these restaurants that we have discovered and grown to love. These are the restaurants that can serve as a perfect backdrop to special family gatherings, a romantic date with your special someone or the perfect bonding moment with your friends.
are typically not based in the hotel or in the mall.
What's in my Blogger's Bag?
Birthday Favor: Can you answer the Annual OAP Reader Survey please?
Also, I would like to take this opportunity to ask your kind feedback on your experience with Our Awesome Planet and on my blog plans for 2013 and beyond.
Favor, can you answer the Annual OAP Survey 2012?
I would like to invite you for a special workshop on how to become a blog entrepreneur where I'll share my learnings for the past 7 years of full-time blogging. Also, I will share with you my strategies on how to succeed in blogging in 2012 and beyond.
Anton worked for the biggest multinational company in the Philippines for 12+ years, straight out of college, before becoming a full time Online Entrepreneur. He was the Chief Information Officer of Procter & Gamble Philippines when he finally quit his day job and decided to take his blog, Our Awesome Planet, to the next level in 2008.
OurAwesomePlanet.com, which he started in 2005, is the number #1 food and travel blog in the Philippines with close to 1,000,000 hits in a 1.5 months, 120,000+ followers and 10,200+ readers, and is still growing. His advocacy is to promote the "Food and Travel Secrets in the Philippines" and to inspire Filipinos that living in the Philippines is truly awesome!
Recently, he is the co-founder of the successful weekend markets called Mercato Centrale @ Bonifacio Global City, Mezza Norte @ Trinoma, Cucina Andare – the first Food Truck Market, and Levante @ Eastwood City.
Anton Diaz is the Chief Chowzter of Manila at Chowzter.com, which is given to the top food blogger in the city who curates the tastiest feast in Manila since 2013. He is also, voted as a Board Member representing Asia and the rest of the world to the prestigious Professional Travel Bloggers Association in 2014.
Our Awesome Planet is recognised as one of the Top Travel Blogs in the world — Top 50 by The Expeditioner | Top 50 by TraveloCafe.
IM-Boot Camp 2.0, DLSU Bloggers Congress and 7th Go Negosyo Book!
I would like to invite you to learn from these Internet Marketing masters in Internet Marketing Boot Camp 2.0 this coming October 13, 2011 8am-5pm at Dusit hotel, Makati.
A big thanks to all those who submitted their entries to the Blog Carnival with the theme "Your Most Awesome Road Food Trip"!
The province of Quezon is starting to be appreciated as a road food trip destination. Now, people find there's more to it than the usual Pahiyas celebration in Lucban. Three of my favorite restaurants are located in Quezon: Ugu Bigyan in Tiaong, Quezon; Jay's Kubli Springs in Dolores, Quezon, and the Crispy Pata Place in Candelaria.
Giannina of FoodStyling-Manila has a great blog series on her Quezon Road Food Adventure — from Real Quezon's Beach Side Seafood Market to Fresh Seafood BBQ at Jualian Resort in Real to Biliran Island for Picnic and to the Malunok Falls via the Real-Mauban "Coastal Highway". She certainly covered more ground beyond the traditional Lucban visit and stopover at Kamayan sa Palaisdaan. She even featured Dahilican Port, which is the jump-off point for the other remote islands in Quezon, like Polillo Island.
Quezon will be my next Road Food Trip destination in 2012, specifically because of the relaunch of Balesin (which is south of Polillo Island), the beautiful and laidback beaches of Cagbalete Islands (via Mauban Quezon) and BonPen, the new destination in the 3rd district of Quezon.
Can you share your most awesome road food trip in 2011?
1. Write a blog post about your most awesome road food trip in the Philippines in 2011.
3. Submission deadline: September 4, 2011, Sunday, 11.59pm.
4. I will publish the final blog carnival article on the week of September 5.
5. I'm looking for quality posts, so I would like to award the best ones.
…an iPod Touch2 with a Soundfreaq Sound Step for your next road food trip!
This is courtesy of our friends from Beyond the Box Manila, the latest Apple Premium Reseller that provides an Apple experience unlike any other.
Maven Secret 6.0 is a 90-day internet business coaching and mentoring program that can help you take your blog to the next level!
You are Invited to Maven Secrets 6.0!
I would like to invite you to be part of Maven Secrets 6.0, the last batch of Mavens for 2011.
Maven Secrets Program is a 90-day coaching, masterminding and mentoring program by Our Awesome Planet. It is a unique program where I personally handhold you to learn how to market online like a respected Maven.
There is NO other program like this in Manila.
Strategies to bring your offline business and new ideas to life online in 90 days.
The critical skill of internet marketing so that you don't get obsolete.


text:
Unions take pride in LGBT+ struggle
by Craig Whelan
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) is hosting a celebration of the role trade unions played in the struggle for LGBT+ equality in Ireland. The discussion takes place from 6:00pm to 7:15pm this evening (Wednesday, 26th June).
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) is hosting a celebration of the role trade unions played in the struggle for LGBT+ equality in Ireland. The event, which marks 'Pride Month,' will include a discussion of how unions can help achieve marriage equality in Northern Ireland.
A discussion panel will feature trade union activist Kieran Rose, who was among the pioneers of trade union LGBT+ activism in the Local Government and Public Service Union, which is now part of Fórsa.
The panel will be chaired by Séamus Dooley of Congress' Executive Council and will also feature Clare Moore, who is Congress equality officer in Northern Ireland. Archive material will illustrate the conversation and recount the progress from decriminalisation to marriage equality and beyond.
The event takes place in Books Upstairs, which has long supported the LGBT+ movement. For years the shop was the only to stock gay literature, and it was a vital meeting and information point for the LGBT+ community in Ireland.
The discussion takes place from 6:00pm to 7:15pm this evening (Wednesday, 26th June). Book your place by contacting Natalie Fox.
Articles A
Fórsa wins increase in bereavement leave
by Bernard Harbor
Health workers will in future be allowed 20 days bereavement leave on the death of a spouse or child after Fórsa won an important case in the Labour Court. The previous allowance was just five days.
The Court recommended that the changes should also apply in 'section 38' organisations, which are independent but directly funded by the State to deliver health services. The improvement will come into force on 1st October 2019.
The HSE had resisted the change, which was earlier introduced in the civil service, on the grounds of cost. But Fórsa official Brian Gorman told the Court that the employer's figures were wrong, and the potential costs were much lower than it had estimated.
"We are talking about people dealing with the loss of a partner, son or daughter. We made the case that everyone in these tragic circumstances experiences tremendous grief, regardless of the sector they work in," he said.
There are to be further talks on certain practical aspects of implementing the change, including dealing with backfilling where the need arises.
Unions seek WRC help in St Patrick's row
Concern over board's withdrawal from Kilkenny centre
Fórsa, Siptu and INMO unions, representing St Patrick Centre staff in Kilkenny, have sought the intervention of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) to assist with ongoing industrial relations difficulties at St Patrick's Centre and have deferred balloting members for industrial action pending developments.
Unions are concerned that the recent announcement by the board to withdraw their governance by 1st December will cause further difficulties for staffing and services.
Prior to the board's recent announcement, staff already had difficulties with proposed new rosters and staffing arrangements. The frustrations of staff with management's handling of staffing and rostering were raised at a well-attended meeting of all union members on 20th May.
Unions say the existing difficulties have been compounded by the recent announcement by the board to withdraw in a row over funding and governance.
These developments were further discussed at a general meeting of all union members on 10th June. The meeting agreed to request the intervention of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) to assist with the rostering and staffing issues and have deferred a ballot for industrial action.
Shay Clinton of Fórsa explained: "Some care staff have already resigned their posts from St Patrick's to take up opportunities elsewhere and there seems to be a difficulty retaining a HR Manager."
Liz Curran of the INMO added: "Rostering and staffing difficulties have arisen as service users and staff have moved from the St Patrick's campus into community houses.
"A row over funding between the Board and the HSE, the centre's primary funding body, doesn't help matters and increases the uncertainty for staff and service users," she said.
Dave Morris of Siptu said: "Even though the unions previously raised concerns about the proposed recruitment of part-time staff, this has now added to rostering difficulties. Also, where there is already a demand across the sector for care staff, offering part-time contracts is not the solution," he said.
Pension top-up scheme details published
by Diarmaid Mac a Bhaird and Rory Hogan
A long-awaited circular on a facility for the purchase and transfer of retirement benefits for members of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme has been released by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER).
The circular (15/2019) provides single scheme members with a facility to purchase additional amounts to top up their pensions, and transfer amounts from other Revenue-approved retirement schemes into the single scheme. The circular takes effect from 1st October 2019.
The facility is aimed at single service members whose career in the public service may be shortened due to joining mid-career, taking career breaks, other unpaid leave or who wish to transfer in pension benefits from outside employments.
The scheme is a career-average defined benefit pension scheme, meaning that each year you bank amounts towards your retirement lump sum and your retirement pension. Anyone who joined the public service on or after 1st January 2013 are members of the single scheme.
Supporting documentation relevant to the purchase and transfer scheme will be made available on the single scheme website closer to the scheme/circular's date of effect.
The circular is available HERE.
Higgins: Decent work our defining issue
The battle for decent work "is a defining battle of our times," according to Michael D Higgins. Speaking at the five-yearly congress of the European Federation of Public Service Unions earlier this month, the President applauded the role of trade unions in upholding the "hard-won rights of workers across Europe as we continue to face the challenges and obstacles to a fairer society."
The battle for decent work "is a defining battle of our times," according to Michael D Higgins. Speaking at the five-yearly congress of the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU), which took place in Dublin earlier this month, the Irish President applauded the role of trade unions in upholding the "hard-won rights of workers across Europe as we continue to face the challenges and obstacles to a fairer society."
Delegates from unions representing eight million public servants across the continent were wowed by a wide-ranging speech that covered gender equality, workers' rights, climate change and the civilising role of public services.
President Higgins said the abuse of digitalisation was helping to undermine hard-won workers' rights as staff were required to register as self-employed, which he likened to nineteenth century working practices.
"Online workers often are not covered by employment law or collective agreements and seldom have access to social security, paid leave or paid training. The co-ordination and direction of employees by an algorithm owned by a company should never be allowed to divest the employer of their responsibility any less than a bogus self-employment does," he said.
President Higgins criticised the displacement of secure jobs with precarious work in large parts of the European economy. "Workers are too often expected to demonstrate what is called flexibility, by which is meant a willingness and ability to readily respond to changing circumstances and expectations without adequate information or recompense.
"This flexibility is often not matched, however, with any security of tenure or appropriate income by employers, with the vista of zero-hour contracts now appearing ever-more prevalent," he said.
He outlined a vision of Europe with excellent public services at its core. "Good jobs in the public sector mean quality services for citizens. Your members appreciate only too well that the services they deliver are not a cost to society, but an investment in our communities. This message must be taken to the heart of Europe," he said.
The President lauded the trade union movement for its "powerful, proud tradition" on which the civil rights, anti-apartheid and equal rights movements could look to for support.
Sligo podcast takes to the air
Stronger Together is the official podcast of Fórsa's Sligo Health and Local Government branch and went live on the Anchor podcasting platform at the end of May. The podcast is presented by Sligo branch members Irene Tiernan and Rodrigo Frade.
Stronger Together is the official podcast of Fórsa's Sligo Health and Local Government branch and went live on the Anchor podcasting platform at the end of May.
The podcast is presented by Sligo branch members Irene Tiernan and Rodrigo Frade, and the first episode looks back on the previous week's Health & Welfare divisional conference which took place in Sligo.
The podcast also features a report from the Local Government and Local Services divisional conference which took place in Kilkenny in early May.
Irene says the branch plans to use the podcast to provide quick and practical answers to members' questions and to broadcast local branch news.
"We're also hoping to feature members and officials as guests on the podcast. We think it'll provide a new and very innovative way to enhance our branch communications, to get people involved in the conversation and boost the visibility of the work of our branch," she said.
Rodrigo said the branch had been planning the podcast for some time. "We are always open to finding new ways to communicate with our members.
"In recent years we developed an informal and very effective meet-and-greet style of union meeting that we call the 'huddle'. It proved to be a very successful means to recruit members and helping people to understand what the union does on behalf of members.
"The podcast has a similar objective, embracing the technology that allows us to reach beyond the workplace," he said.
The latest episode was recorded live at the Art Deco theatre in Ballymote and features an interview with Pat Fallon about the benefits of being in a trade union. You can stream or download it now from Apple podcasts, Spotify and Anchor.
Public services must lead climate response
Climate change is the biggest challenge facing public services, which will be at the centre of the national and international response to global warming in the coming years, according to Fórsa.
Speaking at an international congress of European trade unionists in Dublin earlier this month, Fórsa Senior General Secretary Designate Kevin Callinan said the private sector alone could not successfully confront "the single most catastrophic threat facing humanity."
"The public service must be at the centre of the national and international response to climate change. Of course there is an important role for private enterprise and innovation. And, as communities and individuals, we must adapt the way we eat, the way we shop, the ways we travel, how we use energy and water, the homes we live in, and the way we throw away our rubbish.
"But only the public sector – at a national and international level – has the resources, the scale of organisation, the infrastructure and the legislative and regulatory heft to meet this challenge head on in the fast-declining time available," he said.
Kevin was speaking at the opening of the tenth Congress of the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) at Dublin's RDS. Over 550 representatives of European trade unions, with a combined membership of over eight million, were meeting in Dublin at the five-yearly conference of Europe's largest trade union federation.
A week after Green parties recorded huge gains in many countries' European Parliamentary elections – and in Ireland's local elections – Kevin said that unions would become irrelevant to young people and others if they failed to prioritise climate change action.
"The industrial, technological, societal and political challenges of today have already weakened many long-established institutions, and rendered some irrelevant. Others, including trade unions, will go the same way if they fail to offer a strong and effective antidote to the challenges that workers, their families, and their communities face today. Trade unions will quickly lose any relevance they have for young people if we fail to put ourselves at the front of the fight for climate justice.
"Unions must go beyond the protection of the people we directly represent, to embrace and lead the imaginative policies and difficult actions needed to confront the single most catastrophic threat facing humanity. This is the primary challenge we face as trade unionists and as public servants. But it is also an opportunity to put collective action at the centre of our societies, along with public services and the people who deliver them," he said.
Kevin said the spirit of recent "inspirational" Global Climate Strikes – led and run by school children and college students – could also be harnessed to address the low-paid, casual and insecure employment that young people experience when they enter the modern workforce.
"In recent weeks we have had a planet-wide lesson in effective, organised collective action, in the form of the Global Climate Strikes. These same inspirational young people are experiencing, or facing into, low-paid, casual and insecure employment, which is incapable of meeting the rising costs of coming of age.
"And they live and work under the shadow of automation, with its capacity to make their precarious position even less certain. We need to adapt our organisations, and our priorities, in ways that convince them that trade unions – also rooted in organised, participative, collective democracy and action – are available and open to them in a changing world of work," he said.
In the week that US President Donald Trump visited Ireland, Kevin also pledged unions would combat populism and authoritarianism.
"Young workers also expect [trade unions] to use our strength and ingenuity in the face of a dangerous tide of racism, intolerance and authoritarianism; to confront the dishonest populists that have exploited inequality, poverty and insecurity in so many of our counties in recent times; and to insist that our national, European and international institutions adopt the interventions necessary to address the root-causes of discontent, and abandon the entrenched neo-liberal mind-set that feeds it," he said.
Domestic subsistence rates to rise
The standard domestic subsistence 'day rates' paid to civil servants who are out of the office on business are to increase by 10% from Monday (1st July). Now that the changes are officially sanctioned in the civil service, they will be rolled out to health, local authorities, education and other parts of the public sector.
The 'five hour rate' is to increase from €14.01 to €15.41, while the 'ten-hour rate' goes up from €33.61 to €36.97.
The changes come on foot of a regular union-management review of the rates, which takes account of inflation in cafes, restaurants, takeaways and fast food outlets, plus – for the overnight rate only – accommodation costs.
No increase is sanctioned if the relevant consumer price index-measured increases come in below 5%. This means there is no increase in the overnight rates because inflation in accommodation costs – which make up the lion's share of the calculation – were relatively low.
The civil service circular that gives effect to the increases was published this week. The measures will be applied across the public service in due course.
Read the civil service circular HERE.
Government rejects tips solution
A bill aimed at safeguarding employees' tips completed its second stage in Dáil Éireann this week. But the National Minimum Wage (Protection of Employee Tips) Bill, which has already completed all stages in the Seanad, will be blocked by the Government.
The Bill has been strongly supported by the ONE Galway movement, made up of Fórsa and other unions, student unions and community groups. The movement has campaigned for laws to protect tips intended for staff, and to stop the exploitation and precarious nature of work in the hospitality sector.
The legislation, which was initiated by Sinn Féin senators, would ban employers from withholding tips and other gratuities intended for staff. The proposed law would also require premises to clearly display the establishment's tipping distribution policy.
But employment minister Regina Doherty said the Government disagreed with the specifics of the bill, and said she wold bring forward another. A similar approach led to significant delays in legislating on gender pay gap reporting last year.
ONE Galway dismissed the Government's approach as being "in line with the demands from the Restaurant Association of Ireland (RAI) who want to retain access to tips, which they estimate make up approximately 10% of their revenue."
The Government has said it will use the controversial 'money message mechanism' to block the legislation.
PRSL and sick leave explained
by Rory Hogan and Hazel Gavigan
A flyer explaining public service pregnancy related sick leave (PRSL) has been produced by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in response to a request from Fórsa for further clarity on the issue.
It explains that where ordinary sick leave rules apply, workers have access to 183 days of paid leave in a rolling 4-year period. This is broken down to 92 days at full pay, and 91 days at half pay. However, on certified PRSL employees will never receive less than half pay.
If PRSL is exhausted, 'extended' PRSL would then be granted at half pay. This is not counted on sick leave record.
In circumstances where someone qualifies for Critical Illness Protocol (CIP), they would be entitled to paid sick leave of 365 days (183 days at full pay and 182 days at half pay) in a rolling 4-year period.
After maternity leave if all ordinary sick leave is exhausted and the CIP threshold is met, access to the equivalent number of days taken on PRSL subject to the 4-year sick leave threshold is granted. This does not include the 'extended' period of certified PRSL at half pay as this is not counted on your sick leave record. Once maternity leave has ended, any further sick leave will not be recorded as PRSL.
To find out more about access to PRSL, please refer to the relevant circular/administrative arrangements for your sector and/or contact your HR Unit/Manager/Department who will advise on what's available.
Fórsa supporting Pride and Trans Pride
Fórsa will be marching under the banner of Dublin City Council LGBT+ Network at the Dublin Pride parade this Saturday (29th June). The annual event has evolved from ten people protesting homophobic legislation in 1974, to over 60,000 people celebrating diversity and inclusion last year.
The union will also be supporting Dublin's second annual Trans Pride Parade, which takes place on Saturday week (6th July).
Both events begin at the Garden of Remembrance in Parnell Square at 12 noon, with the Fórsa contingent meeting in the union's Nerney's Court office at 11.30am.
A large Fórsa presence is expected at both parades, which are just two in a series of events of LGBT+ solidarity and celebration taking place across the country. These include Limerick Pride (July 5th–14th), Cork Pride (July 27th–August 4th), Galway Pride (August 12th–18th), and the inaugural pride parade in Carlow on Sunday 21st July.
See more about Dublin Pride HERE.
See more about Trans Pride HERE.
ICTU wants power-sharing restoration
by Diarmaid Mac a Bhaird
A permanent forum for social dialogue, which includes the power-sharing government, trade unions, employers and other representatives, is needed in Northern Ireland, according to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU).
This was one of a number of actions demanded by ICTU's Northern Ireland Committee as it sought the immediate restoration of a devolved assembly at Stormont.
ICTU's Northern Ireland Committee is the largest cross-community civil society body in Northern Ireland, and represents all trade unions with members in the North.
The Committee also called for action on compensation for historical abuse victims, improvements in public sector pay and reform of welfare benefits.
A statement from the Committee affirmed its commitment to the restoration of devolution to Northern Ireland "within the framework of equality and rights set out in the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement and subsequent agreements," it said.
See related HERE.
Gender targets will be missed
by Hazel Gavigan
No country in the world will achieve its gender equality commitments before an agreed target date of 2030. That's according to a new global index which examined efforts to end gender inequality in 129 countries by measuring progress using 14 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Countries were marked from zero to 100, with 100 meaning equality has been achieved.
According to the index, countries with an overall score of 90 or more are making excellent progress. However, no country succeeded in achieving a score above 90. Denmark is faring best, but is still slightly short at 89.3.
Ireland is placed ninth, with a score of 85.4. This is set to change in the next iteration of figures as that number was calculated before the 2018 repeal of the abortion ban.
The average overall score was 65.7, which is considered a poor result.
Countries that rank in the top ten – including Finland, Sweden, Norway and Slovenia – tend to have reasonably strong public services and social safety nets. Only 21 countries achieved marks of 80 or above.
Earlier this year, Fórsa became part of an alliance of over 60 civil society organisations working to ensure that Ireland keeps to its commitment to achieve SDGs at home and abroad.
The SDGs are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.
Support sought for Pieta House
Fórsa's campaigns director Joe O'Connor is undertaking a 30-kilometre sponsored walk to raise funds for Pieta House this month, in an event that aims to raise mental health awareness.
Joe is walking in memory of his best friend Fergal's late fiancée, Ann-Marie, who lost her life to suicide in January 2018. He will accompany Fergal's friends and family from Ann-Marie's final resting place in Eadestown to Djouce Mountain in Wicklow, where she got engaged.
The walk will commemorate Ann-Marie's 32nd birthday and will raise vital funds for Pieta House, which has supported Fergal through this traumatic time.
Joe has paid tribute to Fergal's determination in this difficult time. "Less than 18 months after such a tragic and life-shattering event, Fergal's courage and bravery to have the strength to organise this event has been an inspiration," he said.
More than €12,000 has been raised so far. If you want to support the initiative, you can donate online or contact Joe directly to sign his sponsorship card.


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Pilots spoke, Bose listened – launching the ProFlight headset
Last week. Bose launched its new ProFlight Aviation Headset, taking pilots' feedback on previous models into account. The technology has some unique features and incorporates 30 patents and over a decade of research and development. Glenn Burack, Director, Aviation, Military and Broadcast Headphone Division at Bose, told us what's new.
Sarah Wray: Editor, FINN
Burack said: "We've actually been in the market for quite some time with our A20 headset, and pilots for the most part have loved it, but we've heard over the years that it might actually be too good. It has too much noise cancellation and other things. So we've been talking to pilots and we've been studying them for years, and we thought we'd come up with a better solution. That's how we came up with ProFlight.
"We've been working on the underlying technology for almost a decade now," he adds.
"We started with comfort," Burack says.
Burack explains: "We've heard from pilots over the years that comfort is the most important thing and there are really three aspects of comfort."
The first is the need for headsets to be lightweight. Bose's A20 headset weighs 340 g. The new ProFlight headset is just 139g.
"It's almost a third of the weight, and so you feel that as soon as you put it on," Burack notes.
The second thing is clamping force. The ProFlight headset has side pads which the company says have substantially less clamping force than traditional headsets, including the A20.
Last but not least is the ear tips.
"Traditional ear tips really go into your ear canal," Burack explains. "And for pilots, it's very uncomfortable. These ear tips just sit on the lobe of your ears, and you can wear it for hours on end."
He adds: "What also makes this unique is we didn't want to sacrifice stability. It has to stay on your head, and so with all of that together, we still made a headset that is perfectly stable on the head. So, if [you] look at all of those features, it's really technologically unique."
Tap to talk
Another new, and unique, feature is 'tap control' for talk-through communication. Bose heard from pilots that often they have to lift one ear cup of their headphones to talk to their co-pilot. Tap control allows them to double-tap on the ear cup instead to hear what the co-pilot is saying.
"It took us years to come up with this," Burack says. "It's the culmination of decades of work, and it incorporates over 30 patents. So, we're excited by it."
The headsets will be available to buy at the end of May.
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A council has apologised to two women pensioners after a worker reprimanded them for photographing a deserted paddling pool over fears about paedophiles.
Southampton City Council said it was trying to strike a balance between protecting children who use the pool, the fear of paedophiles taking photographs and the community as a whole.
But staff would now be advised to use their discretion when seeing people taking photographs at the pool on Southampton Common, the council said today.
Betty Robinson, 82, and Brenda Bennett, 69, had taken snaps of the pool area when the female council worker ordered them to stop.
Mrs Robinson told the Southern Daily Echo: 'It's absolutely ridiculous. After asking why we couldn't take photos she told us those were the rules. It's pathetic - bureaucracy gone mad.
'I said is it because we might be paedophiles? There were no children in the pool but she pointed to a man and boys in the distance and said we could come back later at 6pm when the park was closed.
Mike Harris, head of leisure and culture at Southampton City Council, said in a statement: 'I'm sorry if we have caused any offence on this occasion. We have to walk a fine line between protecting the children who use this popular paddling pool and the interests of the community as a whole.