text:
The Consequences of Budget Cuts
Did you know that a petition has been filed to defund the fire department by eliminating a significant portion of the fire department's sales tax revenue?
A group created a petition and collected signatures calling for an election to reduce our sales tax revenue.
If their efforts are successful, this would remove $10-15 million from the fire department budget per year, severely reducing the quality of emergency services in our community. This could result in:
Higher property taxes to replace the sales tax
Closed fire stations and firefighter layoffs
Longer response times to an emergency
Let's look a little closer into each of these three potential consequences.
Higher Property Taxes
Right now, the Pflugerville Fire Department handles a majority of your emergency services, responding to all types of emergency calls- fire, medical emergencies, car accidents, water rescues and more. This is paid for by two kinds of tax dollars- property tax and sales tax.
This year, the amount collected from your property taxes to fund the fire department went up by only two dollars for the average Pflugerville household, despite record inflation. How are we keeping your costs so low? Two ways.
The first is we run an efficient operation. Pflugerville Fire Department is larger and covers more area than just the city of Pflugerville so city residents benefit from economies of scale provided by a larger, more robust fire department than the city of Pflugerville alone could fund.
The second way is we use sales tax as a source of revenue. The state of Texas collects 6.25% percent in sales tax. The remaining 2% is available for other government entities to allocate to important local services. In most of Pflugerville, a small fraction of that (one-half of one-penny per dollar) is allocated to the fire department to fund emergency services. Instead of charging you the max property tax rate we can, we use sales tax to help supplement and keep your property taxes lower.
If the campaign to take away our sales tax revenue is successful, that means we have to get the money from somewhere else - property taxes. Even charging the max property tax rate of 10 cents will not be enough to fully replace the funding the fire department would lose. So even though your property taxes may go up, the level of your services will go down.
Closing Fire Stations and Firefighter Layoffs
As our district grows and new roads, businesses, buildings, and neighborhoods are built, we are constantly evaluating how long it takes us to get a crew from the nearest fire station to you when an emergency occurs.
Because response times are crucial in an emergency, we have strategically placed fire stations throughout the community. Staffing multiple fire stations 24/7, 365 days a year is expensive. Losing revenue means losing the ability to maintain a presence at all fire stations.
District Staff conducted an analysis to determine the impact of losing between $10M-15M in sales tax revenue and has determined that at least two fire stations would have to close, and the staff at those locations would have to be laid off. The stations at risk of closing are Station 3 (Kelly Lane) and Station 4 (Pflugerville Parkway).
Closing two stations and laying off firefighters means it could take us longer to get to you during an emergency.
Longer Response Times: From 8 minutes to 20 minutes
A fire can double in size every 30 seconds it burns. During cardiac arrest, every minute without CPR increases the likelihood of death by 10 percent. In an emergency, every second matters.
As our city has grown, we have strategically placed fire stations throughout the community in a way that allows us to get to you quickly. Right now, it takes us approximately 8 minutes to arrive at the scene of an emergency.
If we lose the petitioned portion of the sales tax revenue we will have to close at least two fire stations and lay off firefighters. This will affect our ability to respond quickly.
Fire Chief Nicholas Perkins conducted an analysis to determine the impact of losing between $10M-15M in sales tax revenue and has determined that response times throughout our district would become significantly longer- up to 20 minutes. That means it will take us, on average, 12 minutes longer to get to you during an emergency.
When every second matters, 12 minutes can be critical.
A special interest group is making incorrect statements about Travis County Emergency Services District No.2, the Pflugerville Fire Department
Below, we have provided the correct information and facts of the matter.
Incorrect Statement 1: The city of Pflugerville is the largest city in Texas without control of its own fire and emergency services.
Many cities of Pflugerville's general size and population and larger do not fund and manage their own emergency medical services (Waco, Temple, Fort Worth to name a few).
Kyle, Texas is comparable in population and size with the city of Pflugerville with a difference of only approximately 10,000 people. Both receive fire department services from an Emergency Services District and Kyle receives emergency medical services from an Emergency Services District. The communities of Spring and Atascocita have identical or greater populations as Pflugerville and receive fire department services from Emergency Services Districts.
It does not appear to make financial or operational sense for the city of Pflugerville to stand up their own fire department, since they would lose the benefit from the services provided by Travis County Emergency Services District No. 2 and the economies of scale provided by a larger more robust fire department than the City of Pflugerville alone could fund. The city certainly could stand up their own fire department, but it would cost more, and likely be less capable in terms of resources and services.
In terms of "control" of the fire department, Emergency Service District No. 2 is governed by a five-member board of commissioners comprised of citizens of the District, including City of Pflugerville residents who are appointed by the County Commissioners Court. The board holds monthly meetings that are open to the public.
In addition to the opportunity for public input at the District board meetings, Travis County Commissioners, who are elected, provide an additional level of accountability since they make the District board appointments.
Incorrect Statement 2: The city of Pflugerville has been getting its emergency services from ESD2, until January 1st, 2022. ESD2 also serves areas outside the city limits of Pflugerville.
The city of Pflugerville and the surrounding communities have been receiving fire and EMS first response from Travis County ESD 2, which is the Pflugerville Fire Department, since the District was created in 1987 and has received services from the District's predecessor service provider, the Pflugerville Volunteer Fire Department since 1955. The District has a long tradition of serving the community and currently responds to fires, water rescue, a full range of medical calls, including low priority back pain all the way to cardiac arrest, collisions, trench rescue, confined space, hazardous material calls, and others.
Incorrect Statement 3 : On January 1, 2022, ESD2 stopped providing advanced life support services and ambulance transport services to the city of Pflugerville, yet ESD2 continues to collect property taxes and sales taxes from city residents.
Voters in the city of Pflugerville approved the collection of sales tax in 2000 to fund fire and first response services. We continue to collect property tax and sales tax because we still provide these services.
In 2014, voters approved a sales tax increase OUTSIDE OF THE CITY OF PFLUGERVILLE to provide additional funding for the fire department and to begin training firefighters to become paramedics. The areas where this sales tax is collected that are outside the city of Pflugerville currently receive advanced life support and ambulance transport services from ESD 2.
Two designated Advanced Life Support (ALS) fire stations are located within the city limits of Pflugerville and those first response units are fully outfitted with ALS medical gear and advanced cardiac monitors. While ESD 2 is not the ambulance provider inside the City of Pflugerville, ESD 2 firefighter paramedics do respond to calls in the city when resources allow. There have also been a number of times that ESD 2 ambulances have had to assist the for profit ambulance provider inside the City of Pflugerville as well.
ALS personnel are at these stations every day, all day, and whenever a Travis County Emergency Services District 2 firefighter/paramedic is on scene when one of these first response units responds within the city of Pflugerville, full ALS care is provided to all medical patients in need or services on those calls.
ESD 2 is an ALS EMS system, operating under a Texas Emergency Medical Services Provider license, number 1000964. This means all EMS personnel, regardless of certification level, are accustomed to working on and around ambulances, ALS equipment, advanced care, have extensive training, and operate at an advanced level of knowledge and experience when compared to a fire department with a Texas EMS First Responder license.
Incorrect Statement 4: In May of 2014, ESD2 held an election to start collecting more sales taxes to support advanced life support services.
As stated above, the 2014 election was to collect additional sales taxes OUTSIDE OF THE CITY OF PFLUGERVILLE. The areas where this sales tax is collected that are outside the city of Pflugerville currently receive advanced life support services from ESD 2.
Incorrect Statement 5: Since ESD2 stopped ambulance services, the city of Pflugerville has had to seek alternative providers for our ambulance services since January 1, 2022.
ESD 2 was forced to stop providing ambulance services within the city of Pflugerville. The City of Pflugerville imposed a franchise requirement in order to provide those services and chose not to contract with the District.
In 2013, there was a three-way plan agreed upon between ESD 2, the city of Pflugerville, and Travis County to all contribute to ALS services within our district. Travis County followed through and is now directly funding ambulance services in the unincorporated portion of our district.
The city of Pflugerville has chosen not to provide funding for ALS and ambulance services, instead pushing the total cost of the service to the individual patients by contracting with a private for-profit provider.
The city of Pflugerville had the opportunity to work with ESD 2 but chose instead to contract with a private for-profit ambulance company with a documented record of poor performance. This provider ultimately resigned from the contract within 6 weeks.
When selecting another provider, the city of Pflugerville chose again to contract with a private for-profit ambulance company instead of pursuing a partnership with ESD 2.
Learn About the Issue and Stay Informed
Here are four things you can do.
Sign up to receive email or text updates on this issue as it evolves
Talk to your friends and neighbors and encourage them to learn more
Contact your Pflugerville City Council members and your Travis County Commisioners to let them know how you feel about this issue
Get your information straight from the source by emailing questions to [email protected]
Thank you! Your involvement makes a difference.


text:
Q: SalesForce: Classic to Lighting Apologies if my question my be so dumb but my programming skills are really limited and I'm on a hurry for a PoC.
I have the apex class below which was developed for Classic. I would like to make it work with lighting and I'm not sure if the only thing I need to replace are the url's. I have created a developer account for my PoC and everytime I launch the class I'm redirected to Classic.
public class LookupByUrlParamController {

    String accountName;
    String accountNumber;
    String phone;
    String website;
    String email;
    String socialhandle;

    public LookupByUrlParamController () { }

    public String redirectToAccount() {

        Account account;

        Map<String,String> params = ApexPages.currentPage().getParameters();
        if(params.size() > 0) {
            accountName = params.get('account_name');
            accountNumber = params.get('account_number');
            phone = params.get('phone');
            website =  params.get('website');
            email =  params.get('email');
            socialhandle =  params.get('SocialHandle');
        }

        try {
            if(accountName != null) {
                account = [select ID from Account where name = :accountName limit 1];
            }
        } catch (System.queryException e) {//no entry found for lookup item, display empty account page
            return 'https://na7.salesforce.com/001/e';
        }

        try {
            if(accountNumber != null) {
                account = [select ID from Account where AccountNumber = :accountNumber limit 1];
            }
         } catch (System.queryException e) {//no entry found for lookup item, display empty account page
            return 'https://na7.salesforce.com/001/e';
         }

        try {
             if(phone != null) {

                String npa;
                String nnx;
                String extension;

                //  Added logic for NA phone numbers

                if (phone.length() == 10) {
                    npa = phone.substring(0,3);
                    nnx = phone.substring(3,6);
                    extension = phone.substring(6,10);
                    phone = '(' + npa + ') ' + nnx + '-' + extension;
                }

                account = [select ID from Account where phone = :phone limit 1];
             }
        } catch (System.queryException e) {//no entry found for lookup item, display empty account page
            return 'https://na7.salesforce.com/001/e';
        }

        try {
             if(website != null) {
                account = [select ID from Account where website = :website limit 1];
             }
         } catch (System.queryException e) {//no entry found for lookup item, display empty account page
            return 'https://na7.salesforce.com/001/e';
         }

         try {
              if(email != null) {
                account = [select ID from Account where email__c = :email limit 1];
              }
         } catch (System.queryException e) {//no entry found for lookup item, display empty account page
             return 'https://na7.salesforce.com/001/e';
         }

         try {
              if(socialhandle != null) {
                account = [select ID from Account where SocialHandle__c = :socialhandle limit 1];
              }
         } catch (System.queryException e) {//no entry found for twitter handle lookup item, display empty account page
             return 'https://na7.salesforce.com/001/e';
         }

        String accountUrl;
        if(account != null) {
            accountUrl = '/' + account.Id;
        } else {
            accountUrl = '/';
        }

        return accountUrl;
    }

    public static testMethod void testLookupByUrlParamAccount() {
        LookupByUrlParamController controller = new LookupByUrlParamController();
        controller.accountName = 'Avaya';
        String redirectUrl = controller.redirectToAccount();
        System.assertEquals(redirectUrl, '/001A0000007UkkFIAS');
    }

    public static testMethod void testLookupByUrlParamInvalidAccount() {
        LookupByUrlParamController controller = new LookupByUrlParamController();
        controller.accountName = '';
        String redirectUrl = controller.redirectToAccount();
        System.assertEquals(redirectUrl, 'https://na7.salesforce.com/001/e');
    }

    public static testMethod void testLookupByUrlParamPhone() {
        LookupByUrlParamController controller = new LookupByUrlParamController();
        controller.phone = '1234';
        String redirectUrl = controller.redirectToAccount();
        System.assertEquals(redirectUrl, '/001A0000007UkkFIAS');
    }

     public static testMethod void testLookupByUrlParamWherePhoneNumberIs10Chars() {
        LookupByUrlParamController controller = new LookupByUrlParamController();
        controller.phone = '1234567891';
        String redirectUrl = controller.redirectToAccount();
        System.assertEquals(redirectUrl, 'https://na7.salesforce.com/001/e');//no record found

    }

    public static testMethod void testLookupByUrlParamInvalidPhoneNumber() {
        LookupByUrlParamController controller = new LookupByUrlParamController();
        controller.phone = '';
        String redirectUrl = controller.redirectToAccount();
        System.assertEquals(redirectUrl, '/001A0000015EKVPIA4');

    }

    public static testMethod void testLookupByUrlParamAccountNumber() {
        LookupByUrlParamController controller = new LookupByUrlParamController();
        controller.accountNumber = '4321';
        String redirectUrl = controller.redirectToAccount();
        System.assertEquals(redirectUrl, '/001A0000007UkkFIAS');
    }

    public static testMethod void testLookupByUrlParam() {
        LookupByUrlParamController controller = new LookupByUrlParamController();
        String redirectUrl = controller.redirectToAccount();
        System.assertEquals(redirectUrl, '/');
    }

}

In addition if anyone can tell where to being looking in the documentation to simply launch to new customer record form, or what are the redirect URLS?

A: It's not quite clear what you mean by

everytime I launch the class I'm redirected to Classic

However, this code appears not to have been touched in quite a number of years and there's several things you ought to change.

*

*You are hard-coding non-My Domain Salesforce instance URLs (na7.salesforce.com). You should instead use URL.getSalesforceBaseUrl().toExternalForm(), and you'll need to turn on My Domain sooner or later.

*You are using Classic-format URLs, which still work but will result in additional redirects. The Lightning equivalent for the "Create new Account" URL is lightning/o/Account/new and for a specific record is lightning/r/Account/<Id>/view. When you build Lightning components, you can use the navigation service to get these URLs dynamically.

*You have inline test methods, which haven't been allowed since an API version well before I started on the platform. Break those out into a separate test class.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
The Ignea Mortis
"Shine that light over here, Hemlut" whispered the Blacksmith in his gravely voice. Helmut did so, allowing his compatriots to find where the ground was softest; indicating a newly laid body. "I can never tell when he's angry with that voice of his" though Helmut as he did so. "This one's brand new, that crazy ol' loon'll pay good coin for this one," the masked man said in hushed tones. "Dig him up, boys, we've gots works to do!"
The purpose of my Ottersricht project is to tell stories, not follow rules. And as such, it makes sense that a crazy old necromancer is not likely capable of digging up bodies and dragging them to his lair on his own. Now, he could use animated corpses to do so, but that requires corpses in the first place. Plus corpses are unlikely to be very good at evading suspicion; being walking skeletons and all.
So this is where the Ignea Mortis come in. They are a band of outlaws who sell their service to the highest bidder. I envision them as something equivalent to the modern outlaw biker gang. They are led by the Blacksmith, who wears a steel mask. He never speaks of why he wears this mask; was it punishment from some long escaped prison or did he fashion it himself as some form of penance? The Blacksmith runs the gang with a literal iron glove and wields the tools of his trade. The blacks came out a bit sloppy, but but other than that I am happy with him. I even added a crying skull back-patch (like I said, they're analogous to a biker gang!). The skull was a Nurgle 40k decal that I painted over and added the bloody tear. I might go back and attempt to add a highlight, but I'm not sure. It looks a little flat, but it's also really small in real life!
The Blacksmith
The first member of the gang is Helmut Feuer. He's built from an Empire free company sprue with a Bretonian head. I also replaced the bow in his left hand with a torch from the flagellant sprue. He's holding the light while others in the gang do the digging. I also sculpted a backpack on, which came out really well for someone as bad at sculpting as I am (that is another goal of this project, to get better at sculpting!). I added a shovel with some mud still stuck to it to the pack as well to show he does his own share of digging. The buckle is the only part I'm not happy with, but that's how you get better. To the side of the pack I also attempted to do a little bit of sloppy OSL from the torch on him, as I wanted to add a reminder that these models are working at night. He, like his boss, is also heavily weathered to emphasize that they are doing dirty work. Grave robbing isn't clean after all.
Helmut Feuer
Labels: AOS28, Ottersricht
Michal DwarfCrypt October 11, 2017 at 1:44 PM
oh! Perfect work Andrew! Flame is awesome :)
Thanks, I still have problems wrapping my head around the way flames are supposed to be painted, I really want to paint them in reverse!
Anthony Bo October 11, 2017 at 9:31 PM
Great attention to detail. I particularly like the mud on the boots. Story makes me want to play Mordheim
Thanks, the plan is to double these up for mordheim as well as dark age of sigmar.
Sean October 15, 2017 at 9:57 AM
Good back story and good looking figures. The nice thing about plastics is the ease of converting them. I like the backpack you sculpted too.
Andrew October 15, 2017 at 10:00 AM
Yes, definitely. I even hunted down a few extra sprues as these guys are so versatile.
Orktober 2017
The Immaterium Sargassum
I'm not dead yet!

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Identification and characterization of a novel beta chemokine containing six conserved cysteines.
J A Hedrick and A Zlotnik
J Immunol August 15, 1997, 159 (4) 1589-1593;
J A Hedrick
A Zlotnik
The chemokines are emerging as a diverse and expanding family of cytokines. In this study, we report the identification of a novel beta (CC) chemokine that exhibits an unusual pattern of six conserved cysteines and was thus designated 6Ckine. The primary amino acid sequence of 6Ckine is highly conserved in humans, mice, and pigs and contains the expected four cysteines characteristic of the beta chemokine family plus two additional carboxyl-terminal cysteines. Expression of human 6Ckine appears to be restricted to lymphoid organs, particularly lymph node, spleen, and appendix, while murine 6Ckine has a broader tissue distribution with the highest mRNA levels found in spleen and lung. Recombinant murine 6Ckine was chemotactic in vitro for thymocytes and activated T cells, but not for B cells, macrophages, or neutrophils. Together these data demonstrate that 6Ckine is a novel member of the chemokine superfamily.
Copyright © 1997 by American Association of Immunologists
You are going to email the following Identification and characterization of a novel beta chemokine containing six conserved cysteines.
J A Hedrick, A Zlotnik
The Journal of Immunology August 15, 1997, 159 (4) 1589-1593;


text:
Delta Outlines Plans for Slimming Down
Delta Air Lines Inc. unveiled highlights of its turnaround plan Thursday, announcing its intention to lay off nearly one-fifth of its work force and cut its domestic operations in hopes of shrinking its way to profitability. Industry sources expect Delta, which filed for bankruptcy Sept. 14, to try in the months ahead to terminate its three pension plans, which are underfunded by nearly $10 billion, according to some estimates.
By Lou Whiteman | Updated on September 26, 2005
Delta Air Lines Inc. unveiled highlights of its turnaround plan Thursday announcing its intention to lay off nearly one-fifth of its work force and cut its domestic operations in hopes of shrinking its way to profitability.
The Atlanta-based carrier, which filed for bankruptcy Sept. 14, said that it aims to produce an annual $3 billion in cost cuts and revenue enhancements by the end of 2007. Delta has already secured about $5 billion in savings from a company-wide overhaul undertaken last year without assistance from the courts.


text:
The 1998 Cornell Big Red football team was an American football team that represented Cornell University during the 1998 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Cornell tied for second-to-last in the Ivy League.

In its first season under head coach Pete Mangurian, the team compiled a 4–6 record and was outscored 200 to 159. John Hanson and Mike Hood were team captains.

Cornell's 1–6 conference record tied for seventh place in the Ivy League standings. The Big Red were outscored 147 to 96 by Ivy opponents.

Cornell played its home games at Schoellkopf Field in Ithaca, New York.

Schedule

References

Cornell
Cornell Big Red football seasons
Cornell Big Red football

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Analysts discovered not long eons ago that infer the most real researches of web – based drug – stores could be affirmatively disclosed on domainlocators.net, the finding titles of a lifelong collaboration among its creators come from Allada (Benin) and eleven followers. It is rather than remarkable that different chemist's shops full of the well – known enterprises, from which selfcontrol is Lake erie medical and surgical supply, producing drugs like Cymbalta, Lorazepam, Lyrica, Omeprazole, Xanax are shown us on that site. This is well – known, that desired new users, specifically taken in Greenland or Liechtenstein, like to be poured exactly in the middle decades of the action. Each investigator's strategy may differ, a coupling of all methods could be determined in that canadapharmacymedonline.com review, that was mature by colleagues Lachapelle and Gaskaquite recently. Reviewers could say in discussed canadapharmacymedonline.com review that the web – based apothecary offers me this preparation together employees with many other medicines combating such fragile health problems correctly as Neoplasm, Palindromic rheumatism, Pilia, Rubella, Scarlet fever, Stevens – Johnson syndrome, Synovitis, Tetanus, Ulcerative colitis, Varicose veins. Every medication card contains instruction about side actions such as faint red, irritated eyes and sometime abdominal vein or stomach pain and last but d not least shortness instead of breath and improper food combinations, for example, in collision case you apply nevirapine never use lapatinib.
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text:
Home In The News UK's Antitrust Regulator Suffers 150 Data Breaches In Two Years
UK's Antitrust Regulator Suffers 150 Data Breaches In Two Years
The UK government's antitrust regulator was hit by 150 personal data breaches in the last two years, as hackers targeted its trove of sensitive business information, reported Bloomberg.
The Competition and Markets Authority found 81 cases of unauthorized disclosure of information and 40 devices were lost or stolen — two of them unencrypted — according to freedom of information documents.
The watchdog handles internal business reports, copies of emails and other internal data. Leaks could potentially allow interested parties to profit from such data or even attempt to influence the outcome of a takeover, although there was no evidence that the CMA's investigations were compromised.
The number of breaches was higher than the 145 recorded in the previous two-year period from 2017 to 2018. They also included two hacks and four cases of malicious software. There were 11 successful phishing attempts, in which fraudsters pose as legitimate counter-parties to access sensitive information.
Tesla Investors Want Musk Repay $13B For SolarCity Deal
Facebook & Google Accused Of 'Secret Deal' Causing Unfair Competition Edge
Major League Wrestling Files Antitrust Case World Wrestling Entertainment


An extensive survey of residents, commuters and businesses has shown rising public support for hard-hitting measures to tackle congestion in Cambridge.
People responding to the Greater Cambridge Partnership's 'Big Conversation' said they would be willing to get out of their cars – but only with significant investment up front in a fit-for-purpose public transport network.
The Partnership is currently analysing more than 10,000 responses generated during its call for public feedback on the Greater Cambridge growth story – how it affects them and what future investment might help them.
Transport and access to affordable housing ranked as the biggest challenges by people living and working here.
The Partnership has the potential to spend over £500 million on Greater Cambridge priorities, to grow and share prosperity and improve quality of life in what is now the UK's fastest growing city region by addressing key barriers to growth.
Between September and November, public feedback was sought on people's current challenges, hopes and ideas for the future, to help inform and prioritise the Partnership's long-term investment plans - which focus on improving the transport network, delivery of new homes and jobs, and the harnessing of Smart technologies to benefit local communities and businesses.
More people are now commuting by car/van in and around the city since 2011 – from 32% in 2011 to 37% in 2017 for Cambridge residents, and an even bigger jump, from 64% to 75%, for people travelling from South Cambridgeshire – with the vast majority travelling for work purposes and during peak hours.
Traffic congestion is ranked the biggest transport challenge (64.6%) – with lack of adequate and reliable public transport key issues (both 42%).
There is public appetite and opportunity to get out of the car and onto other forms of transport – with over half (56%) of regular car users saying they would be willing to travel by alternate means – with speed and reliability the top incentives.
Top five on the public's wish list are (in order): the introduction of new public transport routes; improving reliability of public transport; making public transport cheaper; improving the frequency on public transport; and introducing free parking at Park & Ride – the Partnership has recently agreed to jointly fund, with Cambridgeshire County Council, removal of the £1 charge later this year.
The surveys found support for the principles of the Partnership's transport strategy – improving public transport, cycling and walking journeys, managing down general traffic in the city, and encouraging a switch from car to other modes through the introduction of a series of 'carrots and sticks'.
There was general acceptance that car travel needs to be disincentivised and a number of options to achieve this were tested, including a form of 'intelligent road charging' – where the cost changes according to levels of congestion - and a Workplace Parking Levy (WPL) for businesses.
Both of these could raise millions of pounds in extra revenue each year to be reinvested in an ever-improving public transport system. Pollution charging as part of a clean air zone was also put forward.
A representative survey of residents found similar levels of support for a form of road charging and pollution charging and higher support for both than for WPL by itself, and this was also reflected in feedback from businesses.
However, commentary suggested this would only be viable if people had access to good alternatives first – the carrots before the sticks - and that any charge was applied in a fair way.
All the findings are set to be discussed at the Partnership's Joint Assembly committee meeting on January 18 and Executive Board committee meeting on February 8 respectively.
Cllr Francis Burkitt, Chairman of the Executive Board said: "It's fantastic that so many people took the time to share their views during Our Big Conversation and, on a personal level, I'm very pleased that the vast majority of residents and businesses confirmed that we're on the right track with our strategy to help develop a truly world-class public transport, cycling and walking network that is fit for our cutting-edge city region.
The full interim report is set to be published on Monday January 8.
The final report will be published in February as part of the evidence base to support proposals for the Partnership's future investment strategy.


(Albany, NY) The Senate Democratic Conference today announced plans to force the Senate Republican Majority to vote on the Comprehensive Contraception Coverage Act and the Reproductive Health Act. Both women's rights bills have major support among New York voters, yet have been repeatedly blocked from becoming law by the Senate Republican Majority. Additionally, the Senate Democratic Conference issued a report, Pricy Predicament: Access To Affordable Emergency Contraception, which outlined the need for better contraceptive care to be provided to New York women by health insurance companies.


With high cliffs looming in the background Nice unforgettably faces the crytal blue Mediterranean Sea. As one of the oldest cities in the world, Nice is historically fascinating and has a thriving art and culture scene to rival its beach loving ways. Expect French Riviera smooth pebble beaches, a chic nightlife, amidst a charming Old Town full of narrow cobblestone streets and markets. Regardless of the time of year, this fun sun-loving city of the rich and famous has entertainment 365 days a year such as world reknown Nice Carnival in February and Nice's Jazz Festival in JUly.
The coastline is an attraction in itself, offering visitors to Nice 7km of post card perfect beach and sea. Stroll along the Promenade des Anglais which runs along the Bay of Angels. The celebrated Promenade des Anglais ("Promenade of the English") is chalk full of trendy eateries and bars. Travelers can also enjoy views of the luxurious Hotel Negresco, Nice's most famous hotel.
Just off the Promenade des Anglais tourists can enjoy a serene pedestrian zone. Here you will find a very good selection of restuarants specialising in Nicoise cuisine as well as Mediterranean dishes and foreign food. Perfect for people watching or picking up souvenirs. Two minutes away is Place Massena, the main square of the city. This busy palm tree lined square is used for concerts and festivals such as the unmissable Nice Carnival Parade.
Visitors in Nice should also head to nearby Old Town. Here you will find traditional Provence goods and shops. Wander down the charming streets and take in remarkable squares such as Place Garibaldi or Place Rossetti. Cours Saleys is always a favourite with its famous daily flower market. The Old Town is a great place to enjoy an afternoon ice creamor explore a Russian Cathedral. The area comes alive at night providing travelers in Nice exclusive clubs and bars.
For a change of scenery hike the Chateau Hill.
Nice is a remarkable French city, with a unique joie de vive. Visitors will quickly learn there is more to Nice than first meets the eye (breathtaking scenery) as the city is home to ancient ruins, devoted art museums, jazz greats, ochre coloured streets of the Belle Epoque style and the Nicois language Nissart. Nice offers something for everyone.


text:
AGM season
Nine forecasts first-half rebound, flags $230m cost-cutting drive
Max MasonSenior reporter
Nov 12, 2020 – 10.55am
Nine chief executive Hugh Marks says the local advertising market is returning faster than expected following the crash at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic and, along with continued growth in subscriptions for its major news brands and Stan, is forecast to deliver the media company a 30 per cent earnings lift this half.
Despite the encouraging trend, the $4 billion media giant said it could not confidently predict the strength of the advertising market in the new year, flagged a $230 million cost-cutting drive by 2024 – already identifying 80 per cent of the reductions – and declined to give full-year financial guidance. Nine closed at more than two-year highs, up 4 per cent to $2.46 and the highest level since the 2018 merger with Fairfax Media.
Nine chairman Peter Costello and chief executive Hugh Marks. Peter Braig.
Mr Marks said the advertising market improvement and the new timing of the rugby league State of Origin and NRL grand final were adding to the strong recovery.
"It seems that it's pretty broad-based, meaning that a lot of companies have increased their marketing budgets to position themselves coming out of COVID," Mr Marks said.
"I think it's a big return to five-year planning, it's a big return to brand marketing, it's a big return to 'what does my brand mean to consumers these days and how am I going to get that message out there?' and a little bit of a shift away from short-term performance marketing."
As the COVID-19 pandemic took hold in March, advertisers pulled back their spending, which forced media businesses such as Nine to abandon their financial guidance. Since then, however, on-demand video service Stan and Nine's mastheads, including The Australian Financial Review, have attracted new subscribers, which partly offset the advertising slump.
In August, at Nine's full-year results, the company estimated free-to-air revenue would fall about 15 per cent for the three months ended September, which the business said on Thursday was broadly correct.
"Nine's December quarter is now expected to show growth in metro FTA [free-to-air] advertising revenue of around 15 per cent."
Increase in costs
Mr Marks said the new forecast meant metro TV ad revenues in the December half would be broadly flat compared with the same time last year, and revenue for 9Now – Nine's broadcast video on-demand service – would rise about 25 per cent.
Nine's first-half free-to-air costs are expected to fall by double-digit percentage points, while second-half costs are expected to increase compared with the prior year due to the shutdown of the NRL season in March and reinvestment in programming to stimulate ad markets. Overall, FTA costs are expected to fall about 4 per cent on the last financial year.
I'm excited by Stan's move into sport, adding further strength to Australia's leading streaming service.
— Bruce Gordon, WIN Corp owner
"As a result, at this stage, Nine's first half EBITDA [earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation, before specific items] is currently expected to be up by around 30 per cent, compared to $251 million on a post AASB 16, pre specific items basis for continuing businesses, in the previous corresponding period," Mr Marks said.
"We are certainly trading more positively than we would have anticipated just three months ago and are very pleased with the operating performance and trends in each of our business units. Despite this, given our limited visibility on the second half advertising market, we do not believe we are in a position to provide guidance on earnings for the full year. We expect to be in a better position to address this at our half-year results in February."
Strategy commended
On Monday, Nine announced Stan's entry into sports broadcasting with the launch of Stan Sport following the signing of a three-year $100 million deal with Rugby Australia. On Thursday Nine and Stan announced they had secured rights to the French Open and Wimbledon, foreshadowed by the Financial Review on Monday.
Nine's largest shareholder and WIN Corp owner Bruce Gordon commended the company's recent strategy.
"Hugh, Peter and their team are doing a great job with Nine. The outlook for Nine as Australia's leading diversified media company is extremely positive and should give all shareholders confidence," Mr Gordon said.
"I'm excited by Stan's move into sport, adding further strength to Australia's leading streaming service."
Mr Marks said Nine's short-term opportunities were largely operational.
"We have made much progress already, but there is more to do. Firstly, we aim to reduce the cost base of our legacy broadcast and publishing assets by around $230 million, ensuring they are fit for purpose," he said.
"We now have a detailed blueprint to reach this target by 2024. Already, we have initiatives in place that will deliver around 80 per cent of this cost out target.
"Secondly, through growth in our digital assets, we aim to source at least 60 per cent of our group EBITDA from digital sources – Stan, 9Now, as well as the digital components of Domain and publishing. With the recovery in free-to-air markets occurring more quickly and steeply than we previously expected, it is possible this will retrace somewhat in the current year from the near 50 per cent we reported in FY20. However, this longer-term goal remains intact."
The company is also aiming to have 35 per cent of its group revenues coming from subscriptions – such as Stan, publishing and parts of Domain – to reduce exposure to the ad market.
"And finally, we are targeting around 30 per cent of group revenues from VOD . So that's SVOD [subscription video on demand] through Stan, already a $1.5 billion market, and BVOD [broadcaster video-on-demand] through 9Now, which at this stage is a relatively small subset of the broader $1.2 billion digital video market."
Max Mason is an award-winning senior reporter at The Australian Financial Review. He is a former media editor at the masthead and has previously worked at The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Fox Sports Australia and news.com.au. Connect with Max on Twitter. Email Max at max.mason@afr.com
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2302 Middle Street, LLC is a privately-held company located in Charleston, SC, led by principals Patrick W. Marr, Steven G. Kleiman, and David C. Stern. The principals have a combined 75 years of experience in residential and commercial real estate development, investment and construction across the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions. Over the past 10 years the principals of 2302 Middle Street, LLC have been involved in the acquisition, development, and/or ownership of over $150 million of real estate product in the greater Charleston area, including the development and historic renovation of over 30 single-family homes in Downtown Charleston.
The Middleton Group, formed in 2007, is an award-winning architecture firm that has completed many historic renovation projects in the Charleston area. Laura Middleton is leading the design effort for 2302 Middle Street and brings experience from several historic renovation projects including the Gadsden House, an 8,000 square foot historic property built circa 1798.
Arnett Custom Homes is a full service general contractor serving Downtown Charleston and the sea islands for 10 years. Arnett's experience with historic renovation, commercial properties, and new homes forges a skill set rooted in true artistry that few builders can match.
Kelly D. Messier Landscape Architecture & Planning, LLC has been creating timeless gardens and customized outdoor living spaces for upscale residences and luxury resorts in the Lowcountry for over 30 years. Whether designing classic Charleston courtyards, tropical paradises, or clean modern spaces, the firm succeeds in satisfying each client's lifestyle. Unique swimming pool and spa configurations are designed to blend seamlessly with outdoor fireplaces or fire pits, lounging areas, and outdoor kitchens. Plant materials are selected to provide visual and sensory experiences while accentuating the home and the natural environment.
Carol Lund Interiors is a full-service interiors design firm located in Mt. Pleasant, SC. For over 25 years Carol Lund has built a reputation as one of the top high-end designers in the Charleston area. Mrs. Lund's philosophy and keen eye enable her to create unique spaces for each client.
Dunes Properties of Charleston is the premier boutique real estate firm in Charleston County with a 29-year heritage on the Charleston Coast including five offices and 75 specialized agents with extensive experience marketing new developments and communities. Exclusive listing agent Tim Reese is one of the top Sullivan's Island real estate agents and a current City Councilman. He and his wife Frannie and their children, have been residents of Sullivan's Island for more than 20 years.


Kuhner's 9 Vocabulary Strategies: Not for Establishing Meaning | Magister P.
Clearly, #9 is the least creative option. It still is, however, the most efficient way to establish meaning of new words/phrases/structures, but that might be for a different goal, for example, when not necessarily explicitly TEACHING vocabulary, but instead using it for some other purpose. Nevertheless, at the workshop I was a participant in a group that used strategies #3, 4, 7, and 8 to show others what ambāgēs (= a roundabout way) meant. Each group was to present their word using as many strategies as they chose and/or made sense to use.
The process was super interactive. My only reservation is that while my group had a strong sense of ambāgēs during the activity, other groups had their own completely different words. When it came time to share with each other, we heard from 4 out of 10 groups. If you include our brainstorming time (which was mostly in English), the activity was a solid 10-15min. Admins would see this as high engagement and observable evidence of student learning, but what were we learning? After 10-15min. the whole class heard 4 new words, roughly ~3x each during the presentation (and not all in the context of a complete message). Even though it's tough to put a minimum number on how many times we need to hear something in context before we acquire it (has anyone else heard the number 75+?), it's safe to say that ~3x is quite low for most of us. Were we learning these words? I'm not so sure. My preference would've been to establish meaning using #9 (and maybe an additional visual like #1, or #3), and use only one or two (three?) words many times via Personalized Questions & Answers (PQA), or in Storyasking, etc., and get to the other words later. This preference reflects my slow pace when teaching with CI to Novices, and what I would expect in a short time. Goals will vary.
So, I don't think this activity leads to acquisition, at least with Novices, especially given the few understandable messages heard amongst shorter, individual words (i.e. all of them but #s 7 & 8). Remember, Latin teachers NEED these kinds of activities at immersion events in order to activate their passive knowledge of Latin, but our students lack that prior knowledge.
I do, however, find value in these 9 strategies, and I will use these them in Jim Tripp's Bingo reboot, or in a small group activity, especially when being observed, to have students show the meaning of words we've already established meaning of. The process would be to explain the 9 strategies to the class, and instruct groups to use as many as they can and/or make sense to use in order to show what words X, Y, and Z (e.g. from the Word Wall, or reading).
I wonder if there is not another distinction that needs to be made here. You were involved in a group of Latin teachers who are already deeply invested in the Latin language, already speaking and reading it to some degree. That's why immersion weekends and weeks are great for personal experience but not great for models for teaching.
Pingback: Jim Tripp's BINGO 2.0 + & Kuhner's 9 | Magister P.
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In a well curated life, we draw and create rituals from our outer and inner inspiration.
A few Novembers ago, I thought my world was falling apart. My relationship was on a swift decline. A sexual harassment incident at work made me feel as though my safe, creative space was gone. My life and I were playing emotional bumper cars that ended in deep green highlights, teary mascara stains down my cheeks, and the fear I was trapped in my life rather than living it. Just in time for that November's Beaver Moon, I discovered the ritual that shifted my perception.
I went down to the water with some friends. We each wrote on three slips of paper whatever it was we wanted to release from our lives. As the little slips of paper floated into the bay, my anxiety drifted right along with them. A few months later I realized the ritual actually worked. Not only could I remember the words scribbled on my three pieces of paper, but I could fully admit they no longer affected me.
A few months later I realized the ritual actually worked. Not only could I remember the words scribbled on my three pieces of paper, but I could fully admit they no longer affected me.
The power of letting go frees the mind and calms the physical body. Less clutter means more space to think, breathe, and create. If we are left dwelling on relationships, petty beliefs, and painful memories, we have less space to grow and collect new memories. Letting go can improve our health physically, emotionally, and energetically. Plus, it's a surefire way to live a more mindful life.
Now, every November full moon, I celebrate the magical ritual of letting go. Drawn from rituals in paganism, the November full moon is the perfect time to reflect on the year so far. With holiday stress and a new year right around the corner, I love taking the time to recognize the people, places, and things that no longer serve me, and casting them into the nearest body of water to bid them adeiu.
Do you have any rituals you absolutely love? How about tricks for letting go of old worries and beliefs? Tell me about them in the comments!


text:
Le lac Segozero (en , nommé d'après son émissaire, la rivière Segueja) est un lac d'eau douce de la république de Carélie, dans le nord-ouest de la Russie.

Annexes

Articles connexes
 Liste de lacs d'Europe

Liens externes

Lac dans la République de Carélie

Raïon de Medvejegorsk


Today's health care environment is changing rapidly as hospitals and health systems continue to transform, and new entrants look for opportunities to disrupt health care delivery. You have urged us to think boldly and provide assistance with innovation and transformation through broader field engagement. And we have listened.
Our agenda for innovation and transformation involves the resources and talent of the entire association and our membership to help you both navigate today's challenges and seize tomorrow's opportunities.
The new AHA Center for Health Innovation harnesses the work of Health Forum, the Health Research & Educational Trust, AHA's Data Center and The Value Initiative to drive high-impact innovation and transformation with market intelligence, key insights, targeted education, actionable data and tools addressing your unique situation as you work to advance health. It tackles today's priority issues, including affordability and value, advancing clinical quality, population health, new delivery models, emerging issues and building innovation capacity. For more, visit www.aha.org/center.
We've also enhanced our long-term policy development process and are expanding our advocacy agenda to embrace new public policy ideas that better reflect the directions our members are heading and to identify and offer solutions to long-term challenges.
In addition, we're focused on leveling the regulatory playing field with new entrants to ensure that they are held to the highest standards and that hospitals and health systems are not hamstrung in their ability to compete by outdated and unnecessary red tape.


Kenzie just needs a friend on this week's episode of Lost Girl!
Well, I say Kenzie, but what I mean is Faux!Kenzie. Bo drags the protesting doppelganger down to the Dal, but once Faux!Kenzie says that Bo's killing again, it's the succubus who winds up in the Dal's holding cell. I'd ask why a bar has a holding cell, but frankly, it kind of makes sense.
Not one of our intrepid heroes is buying Bo's story, not even her girlfriend. Lauren's investigations lead her and Trick to an important, if unrelated, discovery about what's been going on with Bo. While they're trying to keep Bo imprisoned, Tamsin notices Faux!Kenzie acting, as it's put later in the episode, cray-cray. She lets Bo out and agrees to help her find the real Kenzie. Tam recognizes Bo's description of the Kenzie demon as a kitsune, who evidently congregate in Canadian sorority houses. Faux!Kenzie is a particularly Carrie-esque young kitsune named Inari, and she only wants a friend (in a Misery kind of way).
A friend, and a piece of Dyson's Kit-Kat bar, as it were. Dyson's big moment of revelation comes around the time that a half-naked Inari straddles him and licks his face. When he finds himself on the business end of his own gun, he accidentally kills the still-disguised Inari. He calls Lauren in to make certain that what he killed is neither Kenzie nor still alive, leading to Lauren's understanding that Bo was right all along.
Tam, Dyson, and Bo all head to Inari's hideout, where Kenzie has been kept leashed for three days. The rescue team gets her back to the Dal, where Trick is waiting with information about Bo's current state of mind. The blackouts and kills are signs that Bo is starting to go through The Dawning, a fae rite of passage. Bo should have had 200 years to prepare for this, but something's triggered it early. If she doesn't pass, she'll devolve into an animalistic under-fae.
Some time ago, we were lucky enough to be in on a conference call with the cast of Lost Girl. They mentioned that this episode was definitely one of the their favorites this season, and I can see why. It's always fun to see one actor playing two different versions of the same character. On top of that, Bo's relationships with the entire gang (minus the still conspicuously absent Hale) get challenged, making for some good drama.
I know Team Dyson fans had to be cheering left, right, and center over Bo's "I will never forgive you for this." That was still a pretty warm smile at episode's end, though. Never may not be quite as long as some fans might hope. On the other hand, now Bo knows that Kenzie went to the Norn. I'm sure she'll be asking for an explanation once her BFF is conscious again.
So no repercussions at all for the two dead fae? It's all good now that we know Bo's going through The Dawning?
For that matter, it looked to me like Tamsin whammied the little coma fae to death and the Morrigan knew it. Nothing happening there, either?
My two whole semesters of college Japanese left me with the understanding that, ye gods and little fishes, "kitsune" has three syllables!
great episode. i can't believe it took everyone so long to catch on to the fact that was a fake kenzi.. at least Bo knew the truth!! so now does the real kenzi have light fae powers now?
Y'know, I wasn't sure about that. The kitsune made it sound like she took her powers back, but I guess we'll find out soon!
i know she was going after kenzi because she was the one that spilled the bottle that had her powers locked in it. but i wasn't sure if she actually got them back or not..


This newly revised Universal Module will be a 4 hour course but will be split into two sessions of 2 hours. There is a practical task which participants are asked to complete between the two sessions. Completing a practical task between sessions is integral to each module.


CoinLion is one of the Blockchain Startups to Watch in 2018, An Interview with the CEO Joshua W. DeWitt.
CoinLion is a game changing digital asset exchange and management platform for the cryptocurrency market. In a chat with Joshua W. DeWitt CEO of Coinlion, he explains that CoinLion is like a traditional asset trading platform, but for cryptocurrency.
Joshua W. DeWitt CEO and Co-Founder of CoinLion has Masters of Security Analysis Portfolio Management from Creighton University. He Worked collectively on a team managing over 300 million at Merrill Lynch. An has 8 years in the finance industry with a history of trading various instruments including debt, equities, derivatives, FX and more. Expertise in portfolio construction and analysis. Early cryptocurrency miner, trader, and adopter.
1) What inspired you to launch CoinLion?
Joshua : When I got into crypto I was spending much of my time trying to figure out how to efficiently manage portfolios, but found the lack of professional tools to be frustrating. There were no platforms available that had the tools needed to properly manage portfolios of digital assets.
There were also no platforms that incentivized users to share information and strategies related to the management of digital assets. This social aspect is something that is valuable not only to professional traders, but casual investors as well.
2) What is unique about CoinLion exchange platform compared to some established players in the industry?
The CoinLion platform consists of three main components working together to maximize the user's trading experience.
A crypto exchange focused on giving users the best trading experience possible.
A portfolio management tool that allows for the easy creation and management of cryptocurrency portfolios.
A social component that rewards users who create and share portfolios, strategies, and information with other users.
CoinLion will be the most complete platform as it integrates all of these components to deliver an incredible user experience that not only allows for the trading and management of digital assets, but actually helps educate users to assist them in building solid portfolios that implement controlled disciplined investment processes.
3) CoinLion is a cryptocurrency exchange & portfolio management platform that rewards users for sharing information related to the management of digital assets. How do you actually reward the users?
Joshua: LION is a native token that interacts within the platform helping users learn, build, and grow. LION will create an economy within the platform that rewards and incentivizes users to share and create portfolios, strategies and research related to the management of digital assets. Within the platform users can spend and earn LION. Users are also rewarded with the LION token for top performance, writing research, and building a following.
4) How much are you planning to raise in your ICO and what will it be used for?
Joshua: We have a minimum goal of 2000 ether. Right now this is about $2.4 million. As of the time of this writing we are at 1750 ether and should reach our goal by the end of this week! We have a max of $18 Million and will stop the sale if we reach that number. The funds will be used primarily for the development of the platform, as well as legal, customer service, and marketing.
5) Please tell us about your background and a little bit about the team. Why should someone believe in your team?
Joshua: My background is in the financial industry. My passion is in portfolio management and construction. Before starting CoinLion, I was with Merrill Lynch working on a team managing traditional assets.
I actually first got into cryptocurrency through mining. I was fascinated with the technology and the ability to send transactions almost instantly very low costs. I enjoy both the hardware and software aspect of mining.
When it comes to crypto what really drew me to it was the mathematics driving the blockchain and all of the advantages that it provides.
Someone should believe in our team because we are well-balanced and have a proven track record of success in multiple industries.
6) What does the future of cryptocurrencies look like?
Joshua : Our investment philosophy revolves around efficient, controlled, disciplined portfolio management and construction. We consider ourselves long-term investors. We have seen incredible growth in the last year and this is the reason we believe proper portfolio construction will be critical for investors going forward. As more digital assets enter the marketplace, it will be important to understand what you are owning and how it fits into your overall portfolio. That being said, we think we will continue to see steady increases in the overall market over the next 3–5 years and beyond. Pending any debilitating regulation, ICOs will continue to increase in volume throughout 2018 and 2019. It is an incredibly powerful funding mechanism and makes a lot of sense for many companies — we won't see ICOs going away anytime soon. Overall, we see the cryptocurrency market expanding into the trillions of dollars in the next five years and continuing to take market share from traditional assets and currencies.
7) For people who might not know how to participate in the CoinLion Token Sale, give a step-by-step guide on how to participate in the crowdsale.
8) Tell us about the future plans for CoinLion Exchange?
Joshua: CoinLion is being developed as we speak. The demo is now up and we will have live data coming in soon. We plan to launch the platform in various stages. The token sale ends February 25 and we plan to have something special to reveal on that date. We expect to be fully operational during Q3 of 2018. As we move forward we will continually enhance the platform and will be looking to the community for feedback on the features that users want to see within the platform in addition to what we are already building.
9) Is there any other important message you would like to pass across to readers?
Joshua: When it comes to asset management it is important to have transparency, immutability, and accuracy and that is what the blockchain provides. When you are tracking performance you need to have unbiased data to have 100% accuracy and many times in traditional assets you have individuals who want to skew or twist the numbers in their favor; with the blockchain this doesn't happen. We wanted to create a system that is fully immutable when it comes to tracking performance and other data, that is why we chose to work with blockchain.
My challenge for new entrants into the crypto currency space is to not be intimidated by the technology. Test it out on a small scale and see how it works. I think most are surprised how easy it is to interact with the technology and then quickly realize the advantages that it offers.


text:
Aerts, Jef
Bigger Than a Dream
40 pp. | Levine Querido | November, 2020 | Trade ISBN 978-1-64614-020-6 $17.99 | Ebook ISBN 978-1-64614-059-6 $9.99
(2) K-3 Translated by David Colmer. Illustrated by Marit Törnqvist. This gentle, moving (and very beautifully illustrated) Dutch import opens as a young boy sits alone at an enormous but almost empty table, placed across the double-page spread at an uneasy angle. "The first time I heard her I was sitting at the table eating some marzipan." The child, as directed, covers his ears and hears his deceased sister. Later that night, the narrator's sister, glowing brightly against the dark bedroom, tugs her brother out of bed and on a journey to visit the hospital where she died and the cemetery where she is buried. The boy is able, as part of the nighttime visit, to give his sister her first taste of marzipan, and she, through their matter-of-fact conversation, gives him the knowledge that she is not in pain. Both the sadness and the deep love the child carries for his sister are conveyed in Törnqvist's mixed-media art. The colors are soft and inviting: the sky is streaked with blue and purple, the churchyard is a vibrant green hillside. Flocks of birds fly across many pages. In spite of the fundamentally sad subject, this is a story about healing. The final spread shows the narrator sitting at the same enormous table, but this time it is covered with a tablecloth and delicious foods. He no longer feels quite so alone.
Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2020
Emotions--Grief
Family--Siblings
Angeli, May
The Bear and the Duck
32 pp. | Eerdmans | October, 2020 | Trade ISBN 978-0-8028-5555-8 $17.99
(2) PS It is the end of winter. With a running start, Duck attempts to take flight but crashes and injures himself. This racket wakes Bear from hibernation; Bear gently carries Duck to his den and feeds him. As Duck heals, the two spend time together, Bear admiring Duck's stories of life out in the world. When Duck is able to fly again, he leaves, promising to return. Bear mourns his friend's absence, saying to himself, "I guess that's life, as they say when sad things happen." The next year, after Bear wakes from a long winter's sleep, a happy reunion occurs: "Get up, old Bear!" says Duck. 'I'm back!" This French import is an intergenerational story, albeit a furry and feathery kind: Bear describes himself as "far too old," and Duck has the vim and vigor of a youngster. The text is filled with sensory delights ("The first buds were bursting, and from the last patches of snow, the violets' perfume filled the air") as well as moments of humor ("Come any closer and I'll break your head!" Duck threatens Bear when they first meet). The wood engravings that adorn each page are intricate and deliciously textured. The colors both brighten and soften as spring comes and the friendship between Bear and Duck deepens; this subtle shift in palette heightens the book's emotional impact. An affectionate story of an unexpected friendship.
Reviewer: Julie Danielson | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2020
Intergenerational friendship
Animals--Bears
Animals--Ducks
Argaman, Iris
Bear and Fred: A World War II Story
48 pp. | Amazon Crossing Kids | March, 2020 | Trade ISBN 978-1-5420-1821-0 $17.99
(2) K-3 Translated by Annette Appel. Illustrated by Avi Ofer. A teddy bear on display in Yad Vashem, Israel's Holocaust museum, narrates this picture book based on a true story from the Holocaust. The stuffed bear recalls his journey with young owner Fred from their home in Delft, Holland, to Fred's grandfather's house in Amsterdam--the family has been warned that "people would come and force us to leave"--and eventually to a stranger's home for the duration of the war. Short lines of text are surrounded by plenty of white space. The loose-lined, digital illustrations are similarly spare, though the light brown of the visibly well-loved Bear and the yellow of the stars sewn onto Jewish characters' clothing stand out. That the events are seen through innocent eyes allows for the posing of basic questions: "Why did we have to hide?" and "Why couldn't [Fred] tell anyone who he was? Did he do something bad?" A historical note at the front provides more specific information about the Holocaust, making the book useful as a discussion starter for those new to this part of history. Back matter includes an author's note and a letter from "Fred's Bear" (complete with photo), establishing both title characters as real figures.
Reviewer: Shoshana Flax | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2020
History, Modern--Holocaust
History, Modern--World War II
Billet, Julia
Catherine's War
168 pp. | HarperCollins/Harper | January, 2020 | Trade ISBN 978-0-06-291560-3 $21.99 | Paper ISBN 978-0-06-291559-7 | Ebook ISBN 978-0-06-291561-0
(2) 4-6 Translated by Ivanka Hahnenberger. Illustrated by Claire Fauvel. This graphic novel (adapted from a novel by Billet and inspired by her mother's life) follows teenage Rachel Cohen from one place to another in WWII France. By changing her name to Catherine Colin and hiding her Jewish identity, she is able to live at schools and an orphanage as well as with families throughout the occupied and free zones, moving whenever Nazi suspicion encroaches--and always documenting her experiences with her Rolleiflex camera. Though the story covers Rachel/Catherine's adolescence, the smoothly translated text is clear enough, and gentle enough in its explanations of the Holocaust, to be comprehensible to readers younger than the character. Themes of self-expression--Catherine's photography is a rare constant in a life overwhelmed by change--will likely resonate with a wide variety of readers. The back matter is pitched to explain this story's context to young people with little or no background knowledge about WWII or the Holocaust, though readers familiar with the basics may learn something new about this specific setting. Fauvel's borderless, color-saturated panels shift in palette by location, with red-and-black darkroom scenes standing out, particularly against the black-and-white photos produced in them.
Brusa, Mariasole
40 pp. | NubeOcho | August, 2020 | Trade ISBN 978-8-41767-360-4 $16.95
(2) K-3 Translated by Cecilia Ross. Illustrated by Marta Sevilla. The copyright page says this story was the winner of a contest that "aims to spread equality in literature that promotes respect for identity and battles against stereotypes." Though its mission is clear, this isn't a didactic tract; our introduction to the grouchy blue-haired witch protagonist is: "Oh, for the love of STINKING SKUNK FARTS!" She didn't mean to turn her hair blue--though in Sevilla's illustrations, it's a beautiful balayage--and she decides to bolster her self-esteem by snatching a child. As it turns out, the boy is an amateur beautician, and his hair artistry turns the witch's frown upside-down. Bold-hued illustrations with eye-catching patterns and details enhance the enchanting tale, whose message is worn with style.
Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2020
Witches and witchcraft
Human body--Hair
Dargent, Nathalie
The Christmas Feast
32 pp. | Eerdmans | August, 2020 | Trade ISBN 978-0-8028-5537-4 $17.99
(2) K-3 Illustrated by Magali Le Huche. Fox, Weasel, and Wolf decide to steal a turkey for their Christmas feast--but things don't turn out as planned. Turkey scolds and bullies her "captors" into straightening up the burrow, wiping their paws before they enter, gathering materials for Christmas decorations, etc. Meanwhile, though the hapless trio claims they are waiting to fatten her up before they turn her into dinner, she's cooking delicious meals and making their house into a home--which, it turns out, they enjoy. While decidedly not a new story, this one is notable for the liveliness of its telling and the humor (particularly in the body language of bossy Turkey and cowed trio) and child-pleasing detail in its illustrations.
Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2020
Holidays--Christmas
David, Gauthier
Letters from Bear
56 pp. | Eerdmans | March, 2020 | Trade ISBN 978-0-8028-5536-7 $17.99
(2) K-3 Translated by Sarah Ardizzone. Illustrated by Marie Caudry. In a picture book told entirely in letters, Bear misses good friend Bird, who has migrated south for the winter, so much that Bear decides first to write to Bird every day and then to skip hibernating and come "find you on the other side of the world." The book then traces Bear's fraught journey--sometimes perilous, sometimes exhilarating, sometimes quite surreal. Arriving to find that Bird had decided to head back north to spend the winter with Bear is a temporary disappointment, but Bird's friends devise a way to expeditiously return Bear home. Bear's letters are certainly enough to hold readers' attentions ("Dear Bird, I'm writing to you from the top of a volcano. The earth is the color of night here, and the stones are scalding hot"), but it's the paintings that will keep them riveted. Whether depicting a dark forest in whose shadows huge trolls and alligator-like creatures lurk; or the chaos and noise and destruction of war; or whales blending and merging with ocean waves--the paintings tell captivating stories all on their own. (Information on the copyright page informs us that Caudry made the paintings first, and they later inspired David to write the text.) A unique picture book about friendship, adventure, and the wonders of the world.
Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2020
Animals--Birds
Menezes, Sueli
One Boy's Choice
32 pp. | Minedition | September, 2020 | Trade ISBN 978-988-8342-01-3 $17.99
(2) K-3 Translated by Kathryn Bishop. Illustrated by Annika Siems. On the title page, a boy boasts to his friends that he is going fishing with his grandad: "We'll catch a big fish, and I'll pull it out of the water all by myself!" The friends are unimpressed and laugh at him ("as usual"). Nevertheless, grandfather and grandson set off in their canoe, paddling through giant water lily pads, and begin fishing. Siems's painterly illustrations fill each spread, showing the scenes underwater and in the boat, using muted browns, blues, greens, and grays. One especially effective spread provides an overhead view of the lily pads and the boy's finger creating concentric circles in the water, capturing the luminous natural beauty. When they finally net a big fish, Grandad shows the boy the babies inside the creature's mouth, explaining that it's a father fish who will carry them for a month. He offers the child a choice--taking the fish to show to his friends, or allowing it to live with its children in peace. The understated story allows readers to see a community living close to the natural world (although the setting is unspecified in the text, the back-cover copy describes "a little boy of the Amazon"), and they will appreciate a tale in which a young person has an important decision to make.
Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2020
Amazon River region
Animals--Fish
Family--Grandfathers
Sports--Fishing
Miyakoshi, Akiko
I Dream of a Journey
40 pp. | Kids Can | March, 2020 | Trade ISBN 978-1-5253-0478-1 $16.99
(2) K-3 Translated by Cathy Hirano. An innkeeping badger, dapper in his bow tie and vest, invites the reader to admire his hotel ("small but cozy. It's my pride and joy") and to share his appreciation of the guests who have traveled from afar to stay there. But as much as the innkeeper loves his work, his dreams are full of the journey he will one day take to see the friends he's made among his visitors and explore the world for himself. Adult readers may feel a sense of melancholy, but the closing line--"I bet everyone will be surprised"--speaks directly to children who may also dream of possibilities for their own futures. Miyakoshi (The Storm, rev. 5/16; The Way Home in the Night, rev. 7/17) uses textured layers of black and white to illustrate the innkeeper's day-to-day life. Her use of light and shadow is particularly successful; on one spread sunlight streams in through the hotel's dining room windows, illuminating the innkeeper and his guests, so that the small scene is both intimate and full of wonder. When the innkeeper talks about his dreams, Miyakoshi shifts to color to illustrate his imaginings. Small anthropomorphized mammals sit around a table loaded with food, their faces lit by sunlight, surrounded by warm blue shadows. From the endpapers, which recall a sunrise or sunset seen from an airplane window, to the final view of the hotel, when the reader looks down as if flying off with a flock of birds, this is a beautiful picture book about hope for the future.
Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2020
Dreams and dreaming
Animals--Badgers
Nilsson, Ulf
All the Dear Little Animals
60 pp. | Gecko | March, 2020 | Trade ISBN 978-1-776572-89-2 $17.99
(2) 1-3 Translated by Julia Marshall. Illustrated by Eva Eriksson. "One day we had nothing to do. We wanted some fun. Then Esther found a bumblebee." This illustrated early chapter book is a darkly comedic exploration of life and death. Three bored children begin holding funerals for dead animals they happen upon, beginning with the bumblebee. Flowers, poetry, tears, and a cigar-box coffin make the first funeral such a success that they start a business, Funerals Ltd. Among other creatures, that day they bury a pet hamster, a rooster, and three dead fish Esther finds in the fridge. Busy and self-righteous in their work ("We were very kind and good, looking after the dead animals. We were the nicest people in the world"), they enjoy great satisfaction and become greedy for larger creatures to bury. Then, at dusk, a blackbird flies into a window and dies before their eyes. The suddenness of the transition unsettles the three children, and this final funeral, though still melodramatic, feels more personal and less like a game. "The next day we found something else to do. Something completely different." Honest and uncomfortable humor within the soft, pale vignettes and full-page and double-page-spread art captures the book's spirit, with a final spread showing the graveyard the trio created, with wooden crosses and stones labeled with names (including "A fish," "One more fish," and "One more fish") commemorating all the creatures whose lives were honored that day.
Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2020
Saito, Maki
Animals Brag About Their Bottoms
32 pp. | Greystone Kids | September, 2020 | Trade ISBN 978-1-77164-710-6 $16.95 | Ebook ISBN 978-1-77164-711-3 $16.95
(2) PS Translated by Brian Bergstrom. A concept book (of sorts) about shapes, sizes, patterns, and animal traits is mostly an entertaining excuse to show a series of animal tushies--beautifully illustrated in Saito's pencil collage, stenciled paintings, and dyed paper art. The double-page spreads feature plenty of white space and no background details--the bottoms are front and center. Beginning with a bunny's petite derriere ("My bottom is such a round bottom--and so cute, don't you think?"), viewers see a wide variety of creatures' backsides (Hippo's reply to Bunny: "I have a round bottom too. So round--and so-o-o big!"). We see stripy butts (tiger, zebra, okapi), "heart-shaped bottoms" (deer), colorful creatures whose "bottoms are the same color as [their] faces" (Japanese macaque, mandrill), and more; a list at the end identifies the animals. The text is light, conversational, and funny; and the painterly patoots are lovely in their texture and shading. The grays especially are multi-toned and incorporate blends of blues, purples, reds, and pinks. A positive-body-image reading of the story isn't too much of a stretch; by the end (ha!) we've learned a little about these remarkable creatures, as the text concludes: "Everyone's proud of their bottoms! Such wonderful bottoms--each and every one!"
Concept books--Patterns
Concept books--Shapes and sizes
Tallec, Olivier
I Always Wanted One
32 pp. | Quarto/Words & Pictures | August, 2020 | Trade ISBN 978-0-7112-5529-6 $18.95
(2) PS "I always wanted one," says the narrator, as a little boy and a beagle-ish dog face each other with wide eyes. Tellingly, it is the boy positioned under the Christmas tree (with the presents) in the illustration, and we quickly catch on that the narrator is actually the dog. The dog describes how its new companion "was so shy at first. We had to get to know each other. It's often like that with new friends." The funny twist of the animal being in charge is made even funnier when the canine perspective is what defines "normal." The narrator finds it difficult to teach the boy to eat on the floor, "like everybody else"; and the game of fetch "gets boring after a while" but they play it for hours. The words are placed above each picture, set against white backgrounds that make both text and illustrations pop. Tallec creates an appealingly bright world with sunshine yellow walls, neon green grass, an aqua sky, and delicate rakish lines giving each object and character personality. He gets the details just right, like the dog sitting on the couch with its paw tenderly resting atop the curled-up boy's head, emphasizing their closeness. Sweet but not sappy, this story gives kids a humorous introduction to the give-and-take of a dog/human relationship.
Terlouw, Jan
220 pp. | NYRB | February, 2020 | Paper ISBN 978-1-68137-426-0 $12.99 | Ebook ISBN 978-1-68137-427-7 $9.99
New ed. (1976, McGraw-Hill)
(2) 4-6 Translated by Laura Watkinson. In a village in the Netherlands, in the winter of 1944–45, teen Michiel van Beusekom becomes involved in anti-Nazi resistance activities--hiding and feeding a wounded British airman, smuggling two Jewish men out of the area--all the while knowing that someone in the village is betraying the cause. The pace is fast; the action is riveting; the mystery of the traitor's identity is compelling. But this is no "adventure novel": it's about war and fear and deprivation, told from personal experience (the book is based on the author's own boyhood). As such, it has a strong anti-war message: "Don't be fooled, Michiel, by the romance of war, heroism, sacrifice, excitement, adventure. War means injuries, grief, torture, imprisonment, hunger, hardship, injustice. There's nothing romantic about it." First published in 1973, this Dutch classic has been in print in Holland continuously since its publication--and deservedly so.
Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2020
48 pp. | Phaidon | September, 2020 | Trade ISBN 978-1-8386-6159-5 $16.95
(2) K-3 This posthumous work by iconoclastic picture-book creator Ungerer is austere and puzzling, yet ultimately hopeful. Left behind on a lifeless dystopian planet ("Birds, butterflies, and rats were gone. Grass and leaves had withered. Flowers had turned into memories...Everyone had gone to the moon"), a man named Vasco roams adrift from one harrowing scenario to the next. Adhering to an idiosyncratic sense of logic, physics, and time, he is literally guided through the narrative by his sentient shadow, which consistently saves him "JUST IN TIME!" At one point, charged with delivering a letter to the wife of a tentacled green creature named Nothing, Vasco survives a flood of biblical proportions to make the delivery. At the request of Nothing's ailing wife, Vasco adopts the couple's green child, Poco, and together they continue the journey. The pair endures pits of "gargling" magma, globs of lilac gelatin, and brigades of tanks, ultimately arriving at a cake-shaped refuge in the middle of a desert. An afterword reveals that the two "are still aging there, sheltered in peace." The surreal landscapes are dominated by simplified geometric forms, bold shadows, and strong horizon lines. Each illustration is singular, intriguing, and diffused with peculiar colors. This disorientating tale references several well-worn stories of adventure, exodus, and environmental turmoil; however, its greatest strength is found in its heroes' resilience against all odds.
Reviewer: Patrick Gall | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2020
Waechter, Philip
Jacob's Fantastic Flight
32 pp. | Blue Dot Kids | October, 2020 | Trade ISBN 978-1-7331212-6-2 $17.99
(2) K-3 Translated by Elisabeth Lauffer. Jacob could fly before he could crawl--an abnormal feat for a human child. Once his parents got over the initial shock, they began to enjoy the many benefits of having a son who could fly. When the family decides to take a Mediterranean vacation, they're able to save on airfare, as Jacob insists on flying there himself. Along the way, he encounters fifteen cows, has a bite to eat with thirty-one squirrels, and joins a flock of eighty-three birds. When one of the birds is caught by a bird-catcher, Jacob comes up with a plan to rescue his new friend. Disguising himself with feathers and a tied-on beak, Jacob is able to fool the bird-catcher into believing he is the rarest of birds. The man quickly grabs his net and runs outside just as the remaining eighty-two birds swoop into the house to set free each and every feathered friend in the man's collection. After a small celebration, Jacob finally arrives at his destination, where his parents have been patiently awaiting him. The book's illustrations, rendered in Japanese ink, crayon, and inkpen, are charmingly old-fashioned and playful. Jacob's adventure is exciting, and the story is filled with child-pleasing details (for instance, the contents of Jacob's backpack: "cheese sandwiches, water, and a compass--just in case").
Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2020
Wernicke, María
48 pp. | Amazon Crossing Kids | November, 2020 | Trade ISBN 978-1-5420-2251-4 $17.99 | Ebook ISBN 978-1-5420-2249-1 $4.99
(2) K-3 Translated by Lawrence Schimel. In this economical, poignant picture book, a girl tells her mother about a passageway in their yard that leads to a place on "the other side" where there is "no danger" and "nothing, nothing at all, can happen to you." The illustrations tell more--in this place, the girl gets a ride on the shoulders of a large man (possibly her father) who makes her feel safe. The child explains that the passageway is not always there, and her mother replies with the comforting words: "Although we may not always see it, we can always go looking for it." The text's few words are accompanied by beautiful, equally spare illustrations. Wernicke uses color (especially red, associated with love) and shape to add layers of meaning. Mother and child, comfortably curved shapes from gray and black acrylic paint, are surrounded by white space. Large expanses of red--sheets hanging on a clothesline--create the possible entry into the child's safe world where the man, wearing a red coat, stands out against the otherwise gray-and-white scene. As the mother comforts her child with hope, it is the mother who is now wearing red, symbolizing the family's connection and never-ending love. First published in Argentina, Wernicke's emotive picture book expresses a child's strong feelings about longing and safety.
Family--Parent and child
de Panafieu, Jean-Baptiste
History of the World in Comics
80 pp. | Holiday | December, 2020 | Trade ISBN 978-0-8234-4578-3 $22.99 | Paper ISBN 978-0-8234-4583-7 $12.99
(3) 4-6 Translated by George Newman. Illustrated by Adrienne Barman. From the Big Bang through the "Time of the Humans," this breakneck ride through Earth's history is divided into six major epochs (e.g., "The Paleozoic," "The Cenozoic"). Each double-page spread focuses generally on one or two geological or evolutionary developments, with a chatty paleontologist, "a storyteller," and two kids providing information and banter. The comic-panel illustrations are relatively uncluttered and easy to follow. Because humans are such a recent presence (evolutionarily speaking), most of the book's discussion focuses on events from 4.6 billion to twelve thousand years ago--giving readers a good sense of the scale of time (a "geologic time scale" is helpful). A glossary and index are appended.
Reviewer: Kitty Flynn
Fischer, Hans, Illustrator
In Fairyland: The Finest of Tales by the Brothers Grimm
152 pp. | NorthSouth | March, 2019 | Trade ISBN 978-0-7358-4339-4 $30.00
(3) K-3 Translated by David Henry Wilson. In this handsome volume, Swiss artist Fischer's sprightly line-and-wash illustrations accompany well-translated Grimms' tales. "The Musicians of Bremen," "Riff-Raff," and "Puss in Boots" (the Grimm version of the Perrault classic) are fully illustrated; "Rum-Pum-Pum" is a section filled with drawings from several stories; the last six tales each sport a single full-page illustration that highlights the whole story's actions. A short biography of Fischer is appended.
Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt
Folktales/Myths/and Legends
Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm
Folklore--Germany
Vafaeian, Marjan, Reteller
The Parrot and the Merchant: A Tale by Rumi
32 pp. | Tiny Owl | May, 2019 | Trade ISBN 978-1-910328-03-3 $16.99
(2) K-3 Translated by Azita Rassi. Illustrated by Marjan Vafaeian. Persian merchant Mah Jahan collects birds and keeps them "in cages...so that they couldn't...leave her." When her favorite, a parrot, asks her to visit its former colony in India, she does and is shocked when one of the wild birds drops dead. Back home, Mah Jahan tells her parrot what happened--and it drops dead. But it's a ruse: the parrot's friends sent "a story...to teach me how to escape." A thought-provoking, visually striking retelling originally published in Tehran.
Reviewer: Julie Hakim Azzam | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2019
Animals--Parrots
Emotions--Love
Folklore--Iran
Alemagna, Beatrice
Harold Snipperpot's Best Disaster Ever
| HarperCollins/Harper | February, 2019 | Trade ISBN 978-0-06-249882-3 $18.99
(4) K-3 Translated by Edward Gauvin. A boy describes the day when his party-loathing parents finally throw him a birthday bash. They enlist the help of neighborhood problem-solver Mr. Ponzio, who lets things get somewhat out of hand (think hippo in the bathtub). The book's narrative arc is overcrowded (like the Snipperpots' house), but the retro-flavored mixed-media art is enchanting.
Reviewer: Nell Beram


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Chenu Alexis
Isabel Marant launches menswear with Barnabé Hardy
During Isabel Marant's Spring/Summer 2018 runway show in Paris last week, the brand's first menswear collection was presented. In total, eight models hit the runway to the sound of beating drums, including star models Kaia Gerber and Gigi Hadid.
© PixelFormula
The women's brand's first menswear collection, which is decisively sportswear and 90's, has been entrusted to designer Barnabé Hardy who announced the news of his arrival at Isabel Marant on his Instagram.
The former Carven creative director (for menswear) succeeded Guillaume Henry in January 2015 before being thanked for the company's restructuring one year later. He was first a longtime collaborator of Nicolas Ghesquière (at Callaghan and then Balenciaga) and launched in 2001 a line of sweatshirts before taking an interest in leather under his own name.
See catwalk
One of the first menswear looks presented by Isabel Marant during theSpring/Summer 2018 runway show in Paris. - © PixelFormula
He joins the Isabel Marant team with the launch of the first men's capsule collection, which is expected to expand in coming seasons.
This marks a new stage in the development of the Isabel Marant brand, now under the control of French investment fund Montefiore (which holds 51% of the equity capital since July 2016) and whose current turnover is estimated at over 150 million euros.
TommyXRomeo debut: A Brooklyn hipster meets a Manhattan megabrand


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Home / Work of the Church / News / Archived News /
Archpastoral Message of His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman for Sanctity of Life Sunday
To the Very Reverend and Reverend Clergy, Venerable Monastics and Faithful of The Orthodox Church in America
For over three decades, hundreds of thousands of marchers have gathered annually in Washington, DC in mid-January to proclaim the sanctity of human life, to decry the tragedy of abortion, and to pray for its victims. Since the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision made abortion on demand the law of the land, millions of innocent children have died, their lives snuffed out while still in their mothers' wombs. There are those who have defended this practice on a variety of grounds, politicizing what is, in essence, a moral, ethical and spiritual issue. Endless debates as to whether the fetus is human life or merely "potential" human life, whether a woman has the "right" to determine what happens to "her body," and whether abortion is a humanitarian act or simply murder have, over the last three decades, polarized the citizens of the United States and have affected everything from political campaigns to interfaith dialogues and relations.
Abortion, together with the other issues which challenge the fact that all creation is a sacred gift from God, cannot be separated from stewardship — the wise management of that which is freely given to us, yet which does not belong to us. We recognize this principle — or, more appropriately, this reality — at every Divine Liturgy, as we proclaim, "Thine own of Thine own, we offer unto Thee, in behalf of all and for all." Of course, for those who deny God or who reject Him as "Maker of all things, visible and invisible," stewardship has no place in the ongoing debate. For those whose worldview eliminates the very need for a Creator or who see the universe's origins as a matter of chance or process, there is no "gift," for there is no "giver." Hence, there is nothing to steward, nothing to manage wisely. All that exists is simply "inherited" for our personal use, employed according to our individual wills and whims, and enjoyed or rejected according to our personal assessment of what is "good" for us. Accountability to God does not exist in this worldview; as such, any responsibility for life, for the environment, or for our time, talents, and treasures rests solely with the creature, not with the Creator.
As Orthodox Christians, our concern for proclaiming and protecting human life cannot be separated from our call to stewardship of all creation. Human life, like the air we breathe and the water we drink and the natural resources we rely upon daily, is not only a gift from the Creator, but the very crown of His creation. The fact that we have been created "in the image and likeness of God" in order to become "partakers of His divine nature" reveals the sacred nature of life and demands our unswerving commitment to be stewards of this most precious gift. But as Orthodox Christians it is insufficient to simply protest the evils of abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment, and other denials of life's sacred character. We must, above all, proclaim — and in many instances convince others of — the very presence of a loving Creator, without Whom life cannot be properly called a "sacred gift." We must struggle to share a worldview which sees all creation, including human life from conception to the moment of natural death, as something worth saving and worthy of glorifying its Creator. And we must strive to become truly wise stewards of all that we have been given. In other words, while witnessing to the evils of abortion, we must never forget the more important and fundamental task of witnessing to "the Giver of Life."
And so, brothers and sisters, abortion is indeed more than a political concern or a "contemporary social issue." It challenges the very foundation of our faith and the very nature of creation and its divine Creator. If the world is to hear and learn the truth, it must hear it from us, as people of faith. And if the world is to understand that all life — that all creation, in fact — is a sacred gift, it will only do so if we, as wise and faithful stewards, share the Good News which has been entrusted to us.
While praying for those millions of innocent children who have lost their lives through abortion, let us pray also that those who have yet to see the sanctity of life will be open to the Spirit of Truth and acknowledge the call to stewardship of "God's varied gifts," that in all things He alone might be glorified.
+ HERMAN
Archbishop of Washington
Metropolitan of All America and Canada
January 24 is Sanctity of Life Sunday