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Interviewing W. Michael Gear
Posted on August 27, 2014 by J.M. Northup Leave a comment
One Of My Favorite Authors!
W. Michael Gear is a humble man who loves his wife.
I think that is my favorite thing about him, but he is so much more!
Mike is an incredible intellect who has a thirst for knowledge that ignites my own educational pursuits.
He is a respected scholar in fields that entrance me, but then
he takes that to an even higher level.
How, you might ask? Mike is a brilliant writer!
Working with his amazing partner Kathleen, their talents of storytelling bring history alive with a vivid richness that changes how you look at the world around you!
Not only has w. Michael Gear and his lovely bride inspired me as a writer, they have expanded my knowledge and encouraged me to learn more.
Since becoming a published author myself, I have reached out to the Gears and their kindness and guidance has been priceless!
More so, their offered friendship has been a gift!
I can tell you that I truly loved their work, but now, getting to know them, I have such a deeper admiration for them!
They see the beauty in the world around us and they always remember to appreciate it. I respect that greatly!
To be able to interview Michael and to share it with my readers & followers is such a personal honor!
I am thrilled to present it to you!
My Interview with W. Michael Gear
I want to start by saying thank you
for taking the time to allow me this interview.
You and your wife Kathleen O'Neal Gear are my favorite authors of all time, so I am thrilled to be able to speak with you! This is one of my most treasured accomplishments!
· As I do in all of my interviews, I would like to begin by asking you to describe yourself.
o That's complicated. I guess I'd call myself unconventional. I enjoy living on the edge of the modern world, and as I write this, I'm looking out my window at essential Wyoming wilderness with not a fence or house to be seen. My preferred mode of travel is by motorcycle, and I enjoy studying and shooting large-caliber firearms. Anthropology, history, and comparative religion fascinate me. I love raising and working with bison because they're still wild and majestic animals. And everything pivots around Kathleen and our shelties.
· I know your family has had a tremendous impact on your life and career. Your parent's education must have helped to impassion your own thirst for knowledge. Who and what would you say most influenced you?
o They provided the foundations by instilling a love for knowledge, forever sticking a book under my nose, traveling endlessly, and hammering a sense of responsibility and reverence for dreamers into my hard head. From the beginning, it was understood that education, however you get it, was the measure of a man. But beyond that, that life was to be lived with passion and sense.
· Your step-dad, Joe taught tool-making and die making. Did he teach you these skills and if so, how old were you when you learned them? How do you think this knowledge has benefited you both as an archaeologist and as a writer?
o Oddly, for an educator, my step-dad Joe didn't teach me to be a machinist. He always said, "When you want to learn, go take a class." Looking back, he was wise to do so. Sometimes people in close relationships expect too much of each other. That doesn't mean that I wasn't constantly being taught. I learned early to keep various motors and pieces of equipment running. It probably comes down to learning self-reliance, which was a huge asset in my archaeological career, and of course, in running Red Canyon Ranch.
· What does physical anthropology entail exactly? What made you choose this discipline for your major and how does it affect your career? How does physical anthropology interplay with archaeology and more specifically, an archaeological dig?
o Physical anthropology is the study of human origins and evolution, genetics, and variation. I was seduced into it by a National Geographic TV show in the 1960s that documented Louis Leakey and Olduvai Gorge. When I entered college, I wanted to be the next Leakey discovering hominid fossils in Africa. Learning osteology led me to paleopathology, which is the study of ancient metabolic, degenerative, infectious, and traumatic injury to bones. And that, of course, leads to forensic anthropology, all of which were part of my training, along with genetics. At the same time I was taking cultural anthropology and archaeology courses, all of which interrelate. As I finished my Master's degree, I was offered a job as a field archaeologist at Western Wyoming College in Rock Springs, Wyoming. Somehow, one project led to another, and I never got back to tackling a PhD in physical anthro.
· I read that you had your own archaeology consulting company and that federal policy changes ultimately motivated you to sell your share in it. What brought you from owning your own company to the literary world? How did you transition from field scholar to author? Was it a difficult choice to make or did it just seem like the natural progression of your life and work?
o Yes, I was a founding partner in Pronghorn Anthropological Associates, a contract archaeological firm operating out of Casper, Wyoming. We did archaeological work for energy companies and the federal government. Like everything government gets involved in, contract archaeology was transformed from actual field work to a paper shuffle so that bureaucrats could justify their positions. I'd already written a couple of novels, and the dream to write full time wasn't a hard choice to make.
· Do you have a preferred writing genre? Do you prefer to write fiction or non-fiction? Why or why not? Is your favorite reading genre different from your preferred writing genre? Why or why not?
o Do I have a preferred genre? Unlike so many authors, I hate having to write only in one genre. This, of course, upsets the stomachs of marketing people and book buyers. Kathy and I are indeed type-cast as authors of prehistory, but we constantly write modern thriller/suspense, and I'm currently dickering with Tor/Forge for another Western-Historical novel. And I'd dearly love to write a science-fiction series that's been on the back burner for a couple of years.
· What motivated you to have a buffalo ranch? Do you raise them to sell the meat or is your ranch more like a reserve? What sort of archaeological dig site is located on your ranch and how did you discover it?
o Our motivation for the buffalo ranch came from our academic and family backgrounds. We bought Red Canyon Ranch because it's beautiful and remote and had a great archaeological site. Agricultural property must be used for agriculture, and the first year we ran cattle, we remembered why our families were always scrambling to make ends meet. The markets are controlled by the packers. Bison, however, was worth (and still is) twice as much as beef as a commodity. We just didn't anticipate how much we'd enjoy the animals. Besides which, we had the constant archaeological exposure to bison, and felt that we'd be able to learn from them. Talk about an understatement! Most of Red Canyon Ranch's bison production goes to the breeding and feeding market.
· Do you prefer to write alone or co-authoring with your wife, Kathleen O'Neal Gear? What do you like about writing solo? Do you prefer to write as a team? Why or why not?
o It doesn't matter whose name is on the cover, Kathleen has been integral to the creation of the novel. I've never written anything that she hasn't been through, and I hope I never have to.
· What advice would you give to a new writer or a budding archaeologist? What advice was given to you that has had a lasting effect?
o The advice I give budding archaeologists is to "live the dream" and don't let the bureaucrats in either government or the academy kill it with administrative paperwork.
o For writers, my advice is that tenacity is always worth more than talent. The most influential advice I ever received was "Don't throw away a perfectly good career to write books. You'll starve to death in a year." Had to prove them wrong.
· Your books have made a lasting impression on me; RAISING ABEL, DARK INHERITANCE, and PEOPLE Books specifically. What motivated these stories to be written? What are the similarities and contrasts for writing about pre-history peoples like Neanderthals or Native American cultures? Does your answer change if you are writing about them in a modern context opposed to a pre-history setting? Why or why not?
o All of our books have been motivated by some aspect of anthropology. Sometimes, like with PEOPLE OF THE MOON they've popped up full-blown while visiting an archaeological site. Sometimes, like DARK INHERITANCE they've been born of a particular session at a professional meeting such as the American Association of Physical Anthropology. Our novel THE BETRAYALresulted from a question by a Cherokee elder and friend of ours: "You do lots of books about the origins of Native religion. Have you ever thought about doing the same thing with early Christianity?" Each novel is different, but the characters are still just people. Our job is to make them intelligible and relevant to a modern reader.
· Where do you see yourself in five years?
o Where will I be in five years? How about semi-retired and only writing one novel a year with time to tour on the motorcycle, play with the dogs, do a little target shooting, and enjoy every single moment with my Kathleen?
Thank you so much for your time!
It has been a pleasure to speak with you and I know my readers will love you just as much as I do!
I wish you success and joy in all you do!
Click on the photos to be redirected to the linked website
tagged with #AuthorInterview, #HistoricalFiction, #northup, #WritersLife


1928 House Bill 1092. An Act Relative To The Establishment Of Public Playgrounds By Cities And Towns.
Title 1928 House Bill 1092. An Act Relative To The Establishment Of Public Playgrounds By Cities And Towns.


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Partnering to Save Lives through the Zinc Alliance for Child Health
Working in collaboration with government and humanitarian organizations, Teck has provided life-saving zinc treatments to more than 44 million children in Senegal, Ethiopia, Kenya, Burkina Faso and India. Since 2011, Teck, the Government of Canada, Nutrition International and UNICEF Canada have worked together through the Zinc Alliance for Child Health (ZACH) to provide zinc and oral rehydration salts (ORS), a simple and cost-effective solution to diarrhea — the second leading cause of death of children around the world.
In 2017, Teck, the Government of Canada and Nutrition International launched a renewed ZACH partnership to reach millions more children with zinc treatments to help save lives in Senegal, Ethiopia, Kenya and Bangladesh. The partnership will further increase access to zinc and ORS in rural communities and provide training to more than 60,000 community health workers.
"High impact partnerships such as ZACH, which brings together the expertise and resources of the not-for-profit, government and private sectors, are key to getting lifesaving interventions to those who need them most," said Nutrition International President and CEO Joel Spicer.
Empowering Women in the Community
ZACH has also been a platform to empower women like Anees Fatima, who lives in Uttar Pradesh, India. Every day, Anees interacts with mothers and families to help them better understand the signs of diarrhea and dehydration, and how to simply and effectively treat it with zinc and ORS.
Anees is one of 17,000 community health workers trained in 2017 within the state of Uttar Pradesh through Teck's partnership with UNICEF, under ZACH. Becoming a community health worker is a point of pride for the women and their families – they are now empowered to earn an income and help their communities be healthier.
Anees Fatima is proud of the work she does. "Working as a community mobilizer is incredible work. I help sick children be well again. Until the last day of my life, this is what I will do," she says.
ZACH now serves as a model of how to create sustainable health partnerships, engage women and increase community participation, through health workers and volunteers. It also supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, in particular SDG 3 on Good Health and Well Being and SDG 5 on Gender Equality, which aims to reduce preventable child deaths and increase gender equality.
To learn more about Teck's Zinc & Health program, visit www.zincsaveslives.com
Zinc And Health
First Published on April 06, 2018
Learn More About Community

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Q: How to check other game board diagonal I have working code that works and can check if a player has won (when the diagonal is from the upper right to lower left). However, I can't seem to figure out how to make it work for upper left to lower right diagonal.
This code works:(upper right to lower left diagonal)
for(int x = boardSize, y = 0; x > 0; x--, y++){
    playerCount = 0;
    for(int row = y, col = 0; col < x; row++, col++){
        if(gameBoard[col][row] == '_')
            playerCount = 0;
        if(gameBoard[col][row] == playerSign)
            playerCount++;
        if(playerCount == winningSize)
            return true;
    }
}

How would I need to change the code to make it work for the other diagonal (upper left to lower right). Thanks in advance

A: Your code is overly-complicated. To test the diagonal from (0,0) to (size-1,size-1), inclusive:
for (int z = 0; z < size; ++z) {
  if (board[z][z] == ' ')
    count = 0;
  else if (board[z][z] == p) {
    ++count;
    if (count == s)
      return true;
  }
}

Note that you don't need a nested (2-dimensional) loop to scan a diagonal, which is essentially a 1-dimensional thing.

A: This code will work for the second diagonal:
for (int y = 0, x = size-1; y < size; y++, x--){
        if (board[y][x] == ' '){
            count = 0;
        }else if (board[y][x] == p){
            count++;
            if (count == s)
                return true;
        }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Please enter the product folder in the distribution zip-file, run the installer (*.exe) and install or upgrade the product following the steps. Use the "Run as Admin" option of the context menu (right click).
Fig.: Considerations are being checked before installation.
Fig.: The Web Applications to deploy to must be selected.
After Installtion please use the Installation Checker to verify your configuration, e.g. services required, state of crawler etc.
Fig.: The feature can be activated and deactivated per site collection.
After activation you can add the Web Part to your pages as usual with SharePoint.
Fig.: Adding the Layer2 Web Parts to a SharePoint page as usual.
The Web Part offers very flexible options to render the content.
Fig.: Layer2 Tag Navigation Web Part settings to customize output, style and linking.
You can display terms or social tags, all or only used (assigned) ones.
You can choose a root node for the tags or terms to display.
You can configure the link target in the web part settings, e.g. link to the tag profile page, any custom page or directly to the content tagged with the current item.
Fig.: Layer2 Tag Navigation Web Part sample configuration with the SharePoint 2013 Static template, term description tooltipp, and link directly to the tagged content.


Well done for all of your efforts on the 50s while I was away. It is a bit quieter in the pool now we are into race season so please make use of the extra space and leave 5 second intervals between each other.
This week we will be doing a main set consisting of blocks of 100s off a short turnaround with some extra rest in between each block. Please try and swim these with a fast stroke rate. Use some quick breathing to help with this.


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All you need to know after plans unveiled for 'super city' combining Gloucester and Cheltenham, a new River Severn bridge and international Cotswold Airport
Six huge proposals to shape Gloucestershire in 2050 were launched at the Cheltenham Racecourse event
Conor GogartySenior Digital Reporter
Ambitious plans for the future of Gloucestershire were unveiled today including a "super city" combining Gloucester and Cheltenham.
Hundreds attended Cheltenham Racecourse for Vision 2050, the launch of six huge proposals devised by Leadership Gloucestershire, a partnership of the county's leading public sector organisations.
The initiative — which is aimed at improving Gloucestershire's tourism, quality of life and prospects for young people — has put forward the following ideas.
Fears plans for homes near Cheltenham school will add to parking 'nightmare', cause crashes and flooding
Super City - "Gloucester and Cheltenham could grow and regenerate by developing a third centre connecting the two communities to create a 'super city'."
Cyber Park - "The development of a National Cyber Security Park, dedicated to cyber-related business and education development, is integral for the super city."
Regional Parks - "The Forest of Dean and the Severn Vale are two of the county's main assets, as well as the world-renowned Cotswolds Area of Outstanding National Beauty (AONB). We think they should be designated as Regional Parks, creating a wetlands area for flood management and investing in facilities."
New River Severn bridge - "A new multi-purpose crossing between Lydney and Sharpness will create a single 'destination' with development potential for both, reflecting their individual cultures, landscapes, and heritage. "
A Cotswold Airport - "An airport that can accommodate more air travel could be central to the county's economic success – facilitating higher value tourism, enhanced transport links, or as a base for drone technology."
Cotswold Waterpark - "Cotswold Water Park could become a major tourism destination by redesigning the lake system, maintaining and expanding the range of leisure uses, and developing a 5-star hotel."
One of the people behind the ideas was Cordell Ray, of the Caring for Communities and People charity, who said he hopes they will be delivered by 2050.
He said: "The super city creates an incredible opportunity to link Gloucester, which is a beautiful, historic city with a cathedral and the docks, to Cheltenham, which is a festival town."
Mr Ray admits there would be hurdles for the super city, including the need to protect the green belt and environment, as well as the distinct identities of Gloucester and Cheltenham.
Asked about the potential for controversy over the plans, he replied: "Absolutely, that is fair enough.
"We have come up with big ideas, now people need to mull them over."
Stephen Marston, vice chancellor of the University of Gloucestershire
University of Gloucestershire vice-chancellor Stephen Marston said he is "very pleased" with how the event went.
"We attracted a lot of people here," he said. "I think the ideas are really exciting examples of the type of big transformation I do believe people are willing to undertake.
The MOT test is about to get harder to pass - here's what you need to know
"The super city is the really big one. If we could find a way to link Gloucester and Cheltenham, that could really transform the county."
Leadership Gloucestershire says the proposals are intended to create a magnet county, which is innovative, skilled, prosperous, inclusive, healthy, happy, connected and sustainable.
Gloucester city councillor Dawn Melvin (C, Westgate) slated Vision 2050 on Twitter - calling it '2050 Cheltenham.'
Max Wilkinson, Liberal Democrats candidate to be Cheltenham's MP, says getting public transport right will be key.
The crowd heard words from some of Gloucestershire's leading figures about the challenges that need to be overcome.
Peter Bungard, chief executive of Gloucestershire County Council, said: "Gloucestershire is a fantastic place to live, work and visit but we are facing some major challenges over the next 30 years.
Residents' fury over Picnic in the Park festival plans as organisers miss meeting due to Aussie flu
"We're losing 400 18-30 year olds from the county every year, while the number of people aged over 65 is set to increase by 66.8 per cent by 2039.
"We have pockets of deprivation which are quite embarrassing. And for many years we have had difficulties with housing supply and affordability.
"The six ideas will certainly generate some debate but building consensus about the right ambitions for the county in 2050 is arguably the most important part of this exercise."
Mr Bungaard added that Gloucestershire has 100,000 potential new jobs over the next 20 years, but only 7,000 young people to fill them
Oli Christie, of social enterprise Rock the Cotswolds, said: "One of the big challenges is the perception of Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds.
"Recruitment companies say nobody wants to work in the Cotswolds.
Calls for urgent work on 'dangerous' potholes after figures show hotspots for road deaths
"People think it is boring. We want to champion businesses. There are great things out there but it is a little bit hidden."
Recent University of Gloucestershire graduate Kellie Mulveen says she is looking to move to London, because she has struggled to find entry level jobs in PR and communications in the county.
She believes Gloucestershire needs to create more job opportunities, like London and Bristol.
The "Big Launch" began a six-month consultation with the public to collect ideas from residents and organisations for the future of the county.
To find out more and take part in the consultation please visit www.Glos2050.com
Gloucestershire County Council
Cheltenham Racecourse
Animals and PetsThe amazing thing a Cheltenham mum did when she found a swarm of bees on her bike saddleThe 41-year-old mum left her bike outside Wetherspoons and was faced with a difficult decision as the honey makers are a protected species
Animals and PetsThe amazing thing a Cheltenham mum did when she found a swarm of bees on her bike saddle
The 41-year-old mum left her bike outside Wetherspoons and was faced with a difficult decision as the honey makers are a protected species


When the Practice is closed please Call 111. You will speak to NHS professional staff who will help guide you on any medical issue.
See a Nurse for health related issues such as family planning, healthy living advice, blood pressure checks and travel services. The practice nurses also run clinics for long-term health conditions such as asthma or diabetes and carry out cervical smears.
We offer a full travel advice and immunisation service. If you are travelling abroad please complete and submit the travel form in plenty of time, we recommend 6-8 weeks before your journey.
We use our passion and expertise to enrich the lives of people on the autistic spectrum and those who care for them.
Cruse Bereavement Care exists to promote the well-being of bereaved people and to enable anyone suffering bereavement caused by death to understand their grief and cope with their loss.
Probate experts who will help and advise you on the grant of probate and estate administration process.
We know that pregnancy loss can be a time of confusion, isolation, what if? what next? At the Pinks N Blues, they offer peer support groups, limited 1-2-1 support via email, telephone, Skype, and/or face to face, for anyone who has experienced pregnancy loss(es) and their partners, friends and family, pre-24 weeks. Their groups offer peer support, information and guidance in a safe and supportive space with others who have experienced pregnancy loss(es). They support your emotional well-being during a time of flux and uncertainty, developing strategies in moving forward, a space to say what you really need to say without judgement but with warmth and understanding.
ThIS website outlines what happens, and things you might need to think about, after someone dies.
Government services and information all in one place – this website has lots of information and links to lots of other useful sites, including local authorities.
As part of the national Breast Screening Programme, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust provides a breast screening and follow-up assessment service for women between the ages of 50 and 70 years in South Birmingham. The mobile screening unit is currently situated at Sparkbrook Health and Community Centre, 34 Grantham Road, Sparkbrook, Birmingham B11 1LU.
The unit telephone number is Tel: 0121 623 6890.
If you have not received your regular mammogram (breast screen invitation) and are over the age of 50 then please contact the self-referral number on 0121 623 6890.
Cancer Support UK provide practical and emotional support to people with cancer, during and after the treatment period.
Forward Carers is an award winning social enterprise that prides itself on making a real difference to the lives of carers through working in partnership.
South Birmingham Care Services are a new domiciliary care agency, registered with the Care Quality Commission. We provide home care and support to individuals who wish to maintain an independent life within their own home and community.
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In partnership with a network of local centre they provide advice, information and support to carers.
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Counselling and support services for couple, families and young people.
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Information and advice on benefits and grants.
Community Paediatricians are doctors experienced in child health who offer high quality services centred on the child and family, city wide for Birmingham. These medical services are provided for both pre-school and school age children and their families and carers.
Our Children's Circumcision Service in Birmingham provides religious and cultural circumcision for boys up to the age 1 year. The procedure is performed by experienced general practitioners with over twenty years' experience in performing circumcisions.
We have set up this high standard, ethical service considering the need of the community in Birmingham and the surrounding areas. This is a private community based service based at Newport Medical Group, Stoney Lane, an easily accessible location on Stoney Lane, Balsall heath, Birmingham.
Welcome to Hall Green Child Contact Centre, which offers a safe and friendly short term meeting venue for a child to maintain contact with an absent parent, and sometimes other relatives following the break-up of a marriage or similar relationship.
We are open every Saturday afternoon between 2-4pm, and additionally fortnightly 11am-1pm.
Meetup groups you can find near Birmingham.
They provide non-emergency Patient Transport Services in the West Midlands and beyond. Patients will have a clinical need, and be unable to get to their appointment on public transport, volunteer groups, or with friends or relatives.
The Health Visitor service works to improve the health of children and families in the crucial first years of life.
They work in the community with a team offering support, advice and provide universal services to all families. Our teams include Community Nursery Nurses, Clerical Assistants, and Community Staff Nurses.
Find out if you are eligible and self-refer to the services.
ACAP manage blue badge referrals and parking bays.
They also support major adaptations/structural changes to homes.
They provide evidence based specialist support to children (0-19) with a range of specific speech, language and communication difficulties and those with difficulties swallowing, eating and drinking.
– To give confidential advice, care and support to schools, children, young people and their parents.
– To protect and promote the physical and emotional health of children and young people, to ensure that they get the most from their education.
Request clinical hazardous waste collection.
Reach Out Recovery is a free and confidential drug and alcohol service for adults and affected others in Birmingham.
At Port of Call we have access to a wide network of addiction treatment specialists, to help you to find appropriate addiction treatment in Birmingham, or further afield, if you prefer. Our addiction support advisers are here to guide you through every step of the journey to recovery.
Anawim exists to support women and their children, especially women vulnerable to exploitation including prostitution. It seeks to provide wider positive choices to help them achieve their goals and reach their full potential as part of the wider community.
The role of the Board is to make sure that safeguarding arrangements in Birmingham work well to help protect adults with care and support needs from abuse and neglect.
Providing support for South Asian women and their children who have suffered from domestic violence, forced marriage and honour based crimes. We will support South Asian women from the following countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and other South Asian countries Tibet, Mauritius,Myanmar,Iran and Burma will be assessed on case by case basis.
Providing a safe haven for female victims of domestic abuse. Domestic abuse occurs across society, regardless of age, gender, race, sexuality, wealth and geography. Children are also affected, both directly and indirectly, and there is also a strong correlation between domestic violence and child abuse.
Please note, this is not a sight test.
If you are unsure whether your symptoms can be assessed and treated by the service, please contact a participating optician who will advise you. Also, if you have a major eye condition that is being regularly monitored by your optometrist or hospital eye service, this will not be covered by this service; for example, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma.
Age UK Birmingham aims to promote the wellbeing of people in later life and their carers in any manner which is now, or hereafter, deemed as charitable.
Age Concern Birmingham is committed to tackling the challenges faced by an ageing society. Our vision is to excel in all our endeavours to meet the needs of older people and others in need.
With the highest standards of healthcare quality and safety we put mothers at the centre of their maternity care and empower them to make decisions about how they want to give birth so that your birthing experience is memorable for all the right reasons.
Our Maternity departments at Heartlands, Solihull and Good Hope hospitals provide women with care prior to and throughout pregnancy, delivery and following the birth. Care is also provided in hospital, women's homes and at surgeries.
Forward Thinking Birmingham, the city's mental health partnership for 0-25 year olds.
Birmingham Healthy Minds Walk-In Service runs across Birmingham on various days and locations. We offer confidential advice, support and treatment for people who are 16 or over.
Acacia Family Support offers Pre and Postnatal depression support services to families across Birmingham. However you are feeling and whatever you are going through, we are here to help.
Hall Green Health offers family planning advice which is free and confidential.
Long Acting Reversible Contraception is available at Hall Green Health for registered and non-registered patients. This method of contraception does not depend on you remembering to take or use them to be effective.
Appointments are available for coil (IUD/IUS) & Implant fittings and removals.
Please contact the practice for more information or to make an appointment.
Through Umbrella you can find sexual health services near you and order self-sampling STI kits. You can also find helpful information about Contraception, Sexual Abuse and HIV & AIDS.
Hall Green Health offer a friendly stop smoking service to support you in succeeding.
Your 4 times more likely to quit with NHS support.
Please contact reception to book an appointment for this service.
Quit 51 is an exceptional stop smoking service that uses the latest research, evidence and licensed medication to support you to achieve your goals.
Please follow the link below to find your nearest stop smoking services.
Download the Change4Life app to see how much salt, sugar and saturated fat is in those family favourites. Get simple swaps to help you cut back on the sugar in your food and drink.
Providing counselling in the Birmingham area to children and young people aged 18 and under, who have been sexually abused we also offer support for their families and carers.
We will support anyone under 18, living in Birmingham with a substance misuse problem or offer support to those affected by parental substance misuse.
Youth Centres are a safe place for young people to come and meet and take part in exciting opportunities.
We run over 20 youth groups across the city.
Find a Youth Centre near you.
As a team we provide lots of things for young people aged 16-25 years old. We are part of Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust.
St Basils Youth Hub helps young people ages 16-25 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.


The eagerly awaited river Close Season evidence review has been published ….and the key now is what happens when 20,000 rod licence holders get asked for what they want to happen.
The balanced review conducted by the Environment Agency together with the Angling Trust and Institute of Fisheries Management gives no clear reason to keep the Close Season.
It looks like the choice of anglers could sway for the March 14 to June 14 river shutdown to be abolished. But it's all far from certain yet.
Mark Lloyd, chief executive of the Angling Trust said: "We have been asked by the EA to lead on publicising the review.
"As a next step, the EA will be taking a snapshot of anglers' support for retaining, reforming or removing the current regulation in England which involves a random stratified survey of up 20,000 licence holders, covering all age groups.
Mark continued: "Any future decision on the Close Season will be made by Government, following a critical examination of the evidence and arguments for and against change.
"The Trust will not take any formal position in lobbying for a change in the river Close Season until we see all the evidence and the views of our members and various groups of anglers.
"We want anglers on both sides of this debate to have their voices heard and for the arguments to be tested," he concluded.
Kevin Austin, deputy director of fisheries at the EA said: "We will now be getting views from anglers up and down the country to help us decide on next steps and if indeed a review of the existing byelaws is the best option.
"Before we continue, we want to make sure a review is supported by anglers so we are inviting 20,000 fishing licence holders to take part in a short survey.
Kevin continued: "Our Fisheries work is part funded by Rod License Income and we have a responsibility to all Rod License customers to ensure their money is spent well. The work required to prepare for and analyse a full public consultation is a significant resource commitment.
"If we decide to review the byelaw, we will consult publicly, giving everyone in the angling community and others the opportunity to comment, to help develop our proposals," he added.
OUTSPOKEN John Williams, chairman of mighty Birmingham AA, believes this is the time for change.
John told Angler's Mail: "The review document is very cleverly worded and clearly the Angling Trust itself is sitting on the fence.
The comments they have produced from their member celebrity anglers suggest a bias in favour of preserving the status quo, which might be the view of their members.
"There is not a shred of hard evidence that abolishing the Close Season will harm fish in rivers.
"When the close season was abolished for stillwaters doom-mongers said fishing would suffer, and the same was repeated when it was extended to canals. But they are all full of fish giving pleasure to anglers all year round.
"The same will happen in rivers and angling would be given a real boost by abolition. It is certainly time for a change," he added.


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Q: Construction of a bump function In my "analysis on manifolds" class, I've met the lemma for the existence of bump function. I'm stuck in the proof. Below is the construction of a bump function.

Let $A$ be a closed subset of open $U\subset\mathbb{R}^n$. A smooth function $f:\mathbb{R}\to\mathbb{R}$ is defined by
$$f(t)=\begin{cases}\exp(1/t)&t<0,\\0&t\ge0.\end{cases}$$
Define $\rho:\mathbb{R}^n\to\mathbb{R}$ as $\rho(x)=f(|x|^2-1)$. By multiplying an appropriate constant, we may assume that
$$\rho\in C_c^\infty(\mathbb{R}^n),\quad\int_{\mathbb{R}^n}\rho(y)dy=1,\quad\overline{\{x:\rho(x)\neq0\}}\text{ is compact}.$$
Taking a compact neighborhood $K\subset U$ of $A$ and for $0<\varepsilon<d(K,\partial U)$, the smooth function $\psi$ defined as
$$\psi(x):=\int_{\mathbb{R}^n}\chi_K(x-\varepsilon y)\rho(y)dy=\varepsilon^{-n}\int_{\mathbb{R}^n}\chi_K(y)\rho((x-y)/\varepsilon)dy$$
satisfies $0\le\psi\le1$, $\psi\equiv 1$ on $A$, and the support of $\psi$ is a subset of $U$.

I am stuck in several parts:

*

*How to verify that $\rho$ is smooth? I guess that $f(|x|^2-1)$ works as a smooth function, but I cannot show it.

*Similarly, how to verify the smoothness of $\psi$?

*In the integral notation, I don't know why $\psi$ is a bump function. The integral becomes $$\int_{\mathbb{R}^n}\chi_K(y)\rho((x-y)/\varepsilon)dy=\int_K \rho((x-y)/\varepsilon))dy,$$
but is it immediately shown that $\psi\equiv1$ on $A$? I think the integral may become
$$\int_{B(x,\varepsilon)\cap K}\rho((x-y)/\varepsilon)dy\le\varepsilon^n$$
even if $x\in A$. What happens if $B(x,\varepsilon)\not\subset K$ for $x\in A$?


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Abteilung 502: T-34 and the IDF, the Untold Story
Combat Vehicles of World War II - Volume 1 [Abteilung502]
Diorama Project 1.1 - AFV At War
Legends of Warfare: M18 Hell-Cat
Legends of Warfare: M551 Sheridan
Legends of Warfare: Panzerkampfwagen IV
Legends of Warfare: Tigers I and II
Panzer Aces - Profiles Vol. 2
Paper Panzer, Prototypes & What-if Tanks - AK246
Spoils Of War - 1991 Gulf War Vol.2 [Abteilung502]
T-34 Colors - T-34 Tank Camouflage Patterns in WWII
WWII German Most Iconic SS Vehicles Vol.2 - AK516
WWII German Most Iconic SS Vehicles. Vol 1 - AK514
Combat Vehicles of World War II is a complete Military Vehicle Modeling Guide, where all the necessary techniques to build, paint and weather 1/35 scale models are dealt with. The work is eminently graphic, with step-by-step procedures clearly explained...
The M18 was developed in an era when the United States fought tanks not with other tanks, but with specialized tank destroyers. With a powerful aircraft-style radial engine pushing it at up to 50 miles per hour, and mounting a potent 76 mm cannon, the...
The M551 Sheridan is often referred to as a light tank, but in actuality it was an armored reconnaissance/airborne assault vehicle. The M551 was designed to be a lightweight, amphibious, air-droppable vehicle armed with a massive 152 mm gun that doubled...
The Panzerkampfwagen IV, or Panzer IV as it is more popularly known, formed the backbone of Germany's tank formations during WWII. With production totaling more than 8,500, the Panzer IV was the most plentiful German tank of the war, and the only German...
Germany's Tiger tank, whether in the form of the Tiger I or later Tiger II (King Tiger), was the most feared tank of WWII. Despite production totaling fewer than 2,000 units, its heavy armor, its power, and perhaps the even more powerful Nazi propaganda...
Some modelers are increasingly interested in exploring new fields, and al – lowing themselves some artistic license, why not? This type of vehicle is becoming increasingly important among the many brands for launching news and information on new releases...
This book is the second volume devoted to the Iraqi Army's war material captured in 1991 during the Persian Gulf War. In February 1991, the Iraqi army suffered heavy losses during the air campaign and the ground offensive launched by the coalition, but a...
The T-34 was undoubtedly one of the most famous and iconic tanks of World War II, it was the spearhead of the Soviet Army on the Eastern Front against the German troops. In this book, you will discover the wide array of camouflage schemes sported by the...
This is the second volume of the two that feature the most iconic vehicles of the Waffen SS. In this book we focus on heavy tanks such as the mithycal Tiger and King Tiger, as well as the medium ones including Panther and Panzer IV and vehicles based on...
This is the first volume of the two that will feature the most iconic vehicles of the Waffen SS.In this book we focus on medium tanks, self-propelled guns, half-tracks, armored cars and softskins.The scenes and vehicles included in this collection are...


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An election Budget that should provide a little something for most people in regional Australia
Business AdvisoryBudget
by Rachelle Nowland
Managing Partner - Business Services
See my full profile
6 ways your business can benefit from moving to the cloud
COVID-19 concessions and support for Australian businesses
Finding the success in succession
Businesses with outstanding tax debts subject to disclosure which could impact credit ratings
Proposed changes to the taxation of ESS provide avenue for cash poor businesses hiring employees
A guide to claiming home office expenses in your tax return this year
Make sure your business isn't making these common mistakes at tax time
Australian Financial Reporting and Tax Updates 2021 Webinar
This year's Federal Budget may not have contained much in terms of immediate tax implications, but it certainly delivered cash into areas where the Federal Government has received a lot of criticism, just in time for a Federal Election.
Whilst there was no significant tax reform, the outcome is some good investment in social initiatives to better support family safety, better early childhood education and care, better training and job opportunities for our youth, and more mental health support. Some of this will flow to business as incentives, some to support organisations.
The $1,080 low to middle income offset was retained for a further 12 months, cutting the tax bills for those on lower income temporarily. The big ticket Temporary Full Expensing (otherwise referred to as the instant asset write off) will be extended for another 12 months, which almost negates the immediate need to plan for these purchases to ensure delivery before 30 June next year. It's even possible this might have the opposite effect of reducing the push for capital replacements now, potentially slowing some growth.
Business owners should look out for the removal of the employer exemption from superannuation guarantee for individuals earning less than $450 in salary or wages in a calendar month, which is planned to take effect from 1 July 2022. Small employers who rely on casuals, are likely to be impacted by this so, if you're in this situation, you should seek advice and assistance quickly, as the consequences for underpaying superannuation are severe.
E-invoicing is an area that hasn't had a lot of attention yet, but we are fast reaching the time when e-invoicing will be mandated, just like Single Touch Payroll is now. This Budget provides funds to speed up the roll out of what is going to be a significant change for a lot of small to medium businesses.
There are also some quiet little gems hidden in the pages of detail, including an allowance to reduce the impact of income reconciliation for farmers that were on Farm Household Allowance through the drought, particularly to allow assessment of this according to the most current rules.
There is support for Agricultural Show guilds to reduce cost pressures, and spending allocated for agricultural training programs. Further investment will be made into helping agribusinesses expand their export capabilities and open new markets, which will be welcome news to those that have had export challenges recently. Increased investment in import biosecurity will reduce the risk of large scale damage from a quarantine blunder. All this and more feeds into building solid foundations in the agriculture sector, which drives so much of our regional economy and well-being.
The Budget also includes support for building the workforce generally, a move that will be welcomed by all businesses currently struggling to find workers and skills. Although this will have a longer-term payoff, it is likely to have broad benefit by increasing the number of future taxpayers.
Other big changes are to superannuation and first home buyer support. The Government will make superannuation contributions easier for older taxpayers by removing the Work Test for Australian's who make non-concessional (after-tax) contributions or salary sacrifice to Super. This is likely to result in more money being tucked away in early retirement. And the first home buyer support should encourage early superannuation savings by young people, knowing they can pull out amounts to assist with the purchase of their first home.
Even better for young people will be the additional support to access lending for purchasing a first home. Hopefully, this doesn't just increase the price of houses in this range by a similar amount.
Federal Budget 2021/22 is going to provide a little something for most people, whether direct or indirect. Overall, it's a Budget with a view to building long term outcomes, which should help to cement recovery from the recent recession. Whilst the projected debt levels seem eye-watering, spending money in foundational areas should improve business resilience and individual skill and capacity, which are going to contribute to solid long-term growth.
See our full Federal Budget Analysis
Our team of experts has developed insights and analysis that breaks down what the Budget means for Australian businesses and individuals.  Check out the full coverage of the Federal Budget 2021/22.
Author: Rachelle Nowland
Rachelle has been a part of the Findex business since 2002. She brings a wealth of experience and skills in working with small to medium businesses on business management and taxation issues, as well as partnering with them through their growth journey. Rachelle had expertise in conducting financial analysis, preparing financial reports and tax re ... Read more
View my full profile


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Home / News / 'I'm not a monk. I'm just a congressman': How Republican Matt Gaetz justified dating 21-year-olds in Washington after staffer begged him to ask one young woman to delete pictures of him from her racy Instagram
'I'm not a monk. I'm just a congressman': How Republican Matt Gaetz justified dating 21-year-olds in Washington after staffer begged him to ask one young woman to delete pictures of him from her racy Instagram
Matt Gaetz, a Republican congressman from Florida, rationalized engaging in a romantic relationship with young women in Washington by claiming he's not a 'monk.'
Specifically he dated a 21-year-old woman years ago who went on to become a Democratic congressional intern, according to progressive magazine Mother Jones.
Although he declined an interview on the topic, Gaetz called the outlet to beg them not to reveal the identities of the women with which he had relationships.
'I am pleading with you not to identify them,' he pleaded to bylined author Stephanie Mencimer. 'Identifying puts them at risk.'
'I'm not a monk,' he said of the relationship. 'I'm just a congressman.'
A former Gaetz staffer sent him a text message asking him to urge the 21-year-old intern to delete photos of him that were on her Instagram account.
'Don't be surprised if many of the conservatives and competitors, like Cris Dosev in Florida CD1, may frown upon her sexually explicit images, her videos showcasing her multiple capabilities to smoke weed, and her flagrant application of language as antithetical to the values of Northwest Florida,' the staffer wrote of the girl's social media page.
The staffer warned that Gaetz could lose some of his support if the images of them together were to come to more public light.
Gaetz is 37-years-old and has represented the first district of Florida since 2017.
Trump has thrown his support behind Gaetz, claiming he's 'going places' and said when endorsing him in the primary elections that he's 'one of the finest and most talented people in Congress.'
The Republican who represents Florida's 1st district, which includes the pan handle, said the girls would not be safe, citing that he gets death threats 'from the same demographic of people who shot up the Republican baseball game.'
During a June 2017 Republican practice for the annual Congressional Baseball Game in Alexandria, Virginia, a left-wing radical opened fire.
Then-House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, U.S. Capitol Police officer Crystal Griner, congressional aide Zack Barth and lobbyist Matt Mika were all shot.
Gaetz is a crusader of the Tea Party agenda and won the 2018 midterm elections with 67.1 per cent of the vote in the pan handle district.
'I'm not a monk. I'm just a congressman': How Republican Matt Gaetz justified dating 21-year-olds in Washington after staffer begged him to ask one young woman to delete pictures of him from her racy Instagram Reviewed by STATION GOSSIP on 07:28 Rating: 5


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Pacific Power grant funds lab equipment at Southwestern
Aug 9, 2021 | News
COOS BAY, OR – Pacific Power Foundation has awarded a $5,000 grant to Southwestern Oregon Community College Foundation to help purchase high-quality microscopes in the new state-of-the-art science labs in Umpqua Hall.
SWOCC Foundation added an additional $20,000 to the Science Team Energizes Micro-Biology project to purchase 24 Leica compound microscopes for students and a high-tech teaching microscope for faculty.
"With a new lab, it's important to have excellent equipment, and Leica is top of the line," Biology Professor Dr. Bob Fields said. "I am excited for our students to use these excellent microscopes and integrate the newest technology in teaching."
The majority of SWOCC's students take science classes, whether they are majoring in science fields or pursuing general associates degrees. For students starting on their pathways to medicine, dentistry, marine biology, and a variety of science fields, Umpqua Hall's new high-quality labs and specialized microscopes are essential.
"A project like this is of particular interest to Pacific Power, in part because Pacific Power's CEO is very supportive of STEM education and science-based education," said Sam Carter, the company's regional business manager. "We are looking forward to seeing students returning to college and using these microscopes in the fall."
The other important aspect is this project is the science labs now have enough microscopes for two labs. It ensures every student in a class has access to a microscope of their own. Having enough equipment for individual use gives students more time to explore the microscopic world and develop their skills. Individual scopes also will help the college comply with safety guidelines during the COVID pandemic and protect students' health. It also means instructors no longer will have scramble to move microscopes from room to room, between classes.
Instructors are pleased with the teaching scope, too. It features a digital screen, allowing an instructor to enlarge and visually isolate specimens to help students better understand what they are looking for and the fundamentals of identification.
"I can show in bigger and greater detail, "here's what you're looking for," Fields said. "Or, if a student finds something very interesting, particularly if we're doing pond or water work, then I can showcase what they've found so other students can look."
Having the ability to capture digital images also gives instructors the ability to share more with students in online classes and adapt lessons.
Purchasing equipment is the final step in the development Umpqua Hall, a $24 million project funded almost entirely by grants and community donations. Designed to inspire tomorrow's scientists, engineers, and health care professionals, Southwestern's new science, nursing and paramedicine labs open Monday, Sept. 13, with the start of fall term.
The college has scheduled an open house for the community to tour the building and talk with faculty from 2-6 p.m., on Friday, Sept. 24.
Photo from left to right: Dr. Robert Fields, Biology Professor; Sam Carter, Pacific Power Regional Business Manager; Amy Burgess, Science Lab Assistant
About the Pacific Power Foundation
The Pacific Power Foundation is one of the largest utility-endowed foundations in the United States. The foundation was created in 1988 by PacifiCorp, an electric utility serving 1.8 million customers in six Western states as Pacific Power (Oregon, Washington and California) and Rocky Mountain Power (Utah, Wyoming and Idaho). The foundation's mission, through charitable investments, is to support the growth and vitality of the communities served by Pacific Power and Rocky Mountain Power. For more information, visit www.pacificpower.net/foundation or www.rockymountainpower.net/foundation.
About the Southwestern Oregon Community College Foundation
The Southwestern Oregon Community College Foundation exists to benefit Southwestern Oregon Community College and provide adequate resources to improve every student socially, culturally, economically and educationally. For more information, visit www.socc.edu/foundation.


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Last Tuesday I flew in to have dinner with my cousin Amy, her (cute) boyfriend Ross, and her newlywed friends Sarah and Jesse. Sarah and Jesse did not realize initially what I do for a living and that part of my job benefits includes free flights, so they thought that I must be kind of a big deal to fly in for dinner and fly out the next morning. We had a great time at Billy Tse's Chinese restaurant in Boston's North End followed by a visit to Mike's Pastry, home of the most giant lobster tail (a New England cream horn basically). The filling is, from my web searches, 1/3 pastry cream, 1/3 ricotta (which I normally don't like), and 1/3 whipped cream. Soooooooooo good.