Upon first glance there appeared to be a serious juxtaposition at Packrat Louie Kitchen & Bar between what they were trying to portray themselves as versus what they perhaps were in the past. Their restaurant listing on OpenTable.com described Packrat Louie Kitchen & Bar as a casual dining restaurant – confirmed to us by the brown craft paper covering all of the dining tables. However, the linen tablecloths beneath the craft paper, the menu prices and items seemed more on par with a nicer, more expensive and elaborate restaurant. Also their cutlery was obviously older and needed to be discarded as the male human received a knife with an obviously bent tip.
The humans started with an appetizer of black truffle meatballs, which they found were excessively dry, which resulted in a crumbly meatball that kept falling apart, while the mildly sweet balsamic glaze did little to add moisture to the meatballs. Mushroom was the dominant taste, but they lacked any hint of truffle. The meatballs themselves were fairly sizeable, as were the two pasta shells that accompanied the meatballs, but the humans were disappointed that an appetizer of this size and quality cost $14, as they were no better than meatballs one would find on any spaghetti dish.
The male human ordered the grilled pork chop which consisted of a 12 oz bone in Sterling Silver chop, caramelized onions, smoked bacon risotto, sautéed vegetables, demi-glace, and Guinness aged cheddar cheese. The pork itself was cooked through and was unfortunately bland, as was the demi-glace, while the cheese sauce was very mild with no Guinness flavour detectable. The risotto tasted more like plain rice as it lacked any creaminess, while the carrots were completely raw instead of sautéed.
The female human ordered the hickory rubbed ribeye, which consisted of a 14oz Sterling Silver Ribeye, gratin potato, fried hickory sticks, horseradish demi, and sautéed vegetables. Although she found the ribeye to be cooked to a proper medium rare, it lacked flavour and the marbling normally associated with a ribeye steak. The potatoes suffered from the same blandness and lack of seasoning as everything else we had experienced that evening.
When asked if we wanted to see the dessert menu, they whipped out a stamp and ink pad, and proceeded to stamp the dessert menu on the brown craft paper covering the table. I found this to be a bit baffling as having a stamp made can be quite costly, which likely meant that their dessert menu rarely changes, so why utilize a stamp instead of having real menus printed like their dinner menu? It seemed like they were using a stamp for the sake of being different, and from my perspective, felt gimmicky. Given that our entrees were disappointing, we opted not to stay for dessert.
Although the Groupon covered $40 of the meal, it wasn't even close to 50% of the total bill, which was unusual as other Groupons we'd purchased was usually priced to cover at least 50% of the total cost of dinner for two. Packrat Louie Kitchen & Bar could have valued their Groupon a bit higher to make it seem like more of a deal, as the $40 just barely covered a single entrée. If they do another Groupon, I'd suggest they re-evaluate the value of the Groupon they offer so the cost it covers for a table of two is somewhat more substantial, even if it means the Groupon costs more to begin with.
Overall we were far from impressed and were left feeling the meal was overpriced for the quality of the food, considering similar and tastier fare could be found at many other restaurants in Edmonton, at comparative prices or even lower. Packrat Louie Kitchen & Bar needs to work on the core of what should be at every restaurant, the food, and strive to improve on the quality of what they present to diners. Packrat Louie Kitchen & Bar was far from impressive from a flavour standpoint and I doubt I would return unless their food quality improves.
Sounds pretty much like the experience I had there last year. Big thumbs down!


Paris: The Qatari boss of top French soccer team PSG Nasser Al-Khelaifi has been questioned in France in connection with a corruption probe over the awarding to Doha of the World Athletics championships, a judicial source said Saturday.
At the time, Qatar was seeking to host the 2017 IAAF world championships and the two payments were made shortly before it voted. The event was awarded to London but, in 2014, Doha was awarded the 2019 IAAF games which start on 28 September.


text:
Home District-Wide Programs Emergency Preparedness
The Northeast Health District's Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response is responsible for providing coordination and support during a public health emergency.
Emergencies are handled at the local level first, and each community must have its own plan. This requires multi-agency partnerships that include local, state, federal governments, hospitals, first responders (e.g., firefighters, police, EMTs), and others. We work together with local agencies to ensure that we have plans in place for any and all emergency situations that may arise ("all hazards planning"): natural disasters, severe weather, disease outbreaks, pandemics, industrial accidents, chemical spills, and terrorist attacks. We regularly assess, update, and improve these plans by conducting emergency preparedness drills and exercises with our community partners.
Emergency Support Functions
Emergency support functions (ESFs) refer to the grouping of governmental capabilities that provide support, resources, program implementation, and services that are needed to save lives, protect property, restore essential services, and help communities return to normal during emergencies. There are 15 ESFs, and the Northeast Health District's Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response addresses the following emergency support functions:
ESF 6: Mass Care, Housing and Human Services
Mass care includes sheltering, feeding operations, emergency first aid, bulk distribution of emergency items, and collecting and providing information on victims to family members.
Housing involves providing both short-term and long-term homes for victims. This may be accomplished through rental assistance, repairs, loans, manufactured housing, and access to other sources of housing assistance.
Human services include efforts to reunite families, meeting the needs of vulnerable populations, efforts to accommodate pets and service animals, coordinating volunteers, and distributing donated goods.
ESF 8: Public Health and Medical Services
Public health and medical services include surveillance of the community for threats to the health of the public, provision of medical care personnel, equipment and supplies, provision of mental health services, mass fatality management, patient movement, and assurance of food and drug safety and security.
Strategic National Stockpile Points of Dispensing
In the event that a bioterrorist attack, pandemic, or other incident results in the need for the entire population to receive medications or vaccinations in a short time-frame, the Northeast Health District's Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response is prepared to respond. We maintain agreements with a variety of community sites – schools, churches, and other locations – that would function as points of dispensing (PODs). We also maintain specially equipped trailers that could be deployed to areas in need, serving as mobile PODs. These POD sites would then be used to dispense medicines or vaccines from the Strategic National Stockpile, with coordination provided by Public Health employees and staffing provided by community volunteers.
For a customized emergency plan that includes a detailed checklist with items specific to you and your family's needs, as well as a communications plan to help you reconnect after an emergency, visit Ready Georgia.gov and create a user profile.
Local Community Emergency Response Teams
Athens-Clarke County CERT
Barrow County CERT
Jackson County CERT
Oglethorpe County CERT
University of Georgia CERT
Walton County CERT
Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response
189 Paradise Boulevard
www.publichealthathens.com/prepare
DPH-oeprathens@dph.ga.gov
Emergency Preparedness Manager:
Last Updated on August 7, 2018

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Miruga's Spirit Garden is very deep house even by Moods & Grooves' Detroit standards. Based out of Nagano, an area perhaps better known for its Buddhist temple and hot springs than its electronic music, Yoshiki Tsuchiya has established himself as a serious adherent to the house music style, appearing on over a dozen releases in the last 7 years. These have included multiple appearances on Rawthenticity (France / South Korea), Ethereal Sound (Russia), and Rough House Rosie (Germany / Georgia).
His international appeal continues to be evident on this latest release, which will certainly appeal to fans of Patrice Scott and Alton Miller. There are twinkling keyboards, understated basslines, and even a saxaphone riff lacing the undeniable grooves here.


text:
Q: Convert string with commas to array How can I convert a string to a JavaScript array?
Look at the code:
var string = "0,1";
var array = [string];
alert(array[0]);

In this case alert shows 0,1. If it where an array, it would show 0. And if alert(array[1]) is called, it should pop-up 1
Is there any chance to convert such string into a JavaScript array?

A: For simple array members like that, you can use JSON.parse.
var array = JSON.parse("[" + string + "]");

This gives you an Array of numbers.
[0, 1]

If you use .split(), you'll end up with an Array of strings.
["0", "1"]

Just be aware that JSON.parse will limit you to the supported data types. If you need values like undefined or functions, you'd need to use eval(), or a JavaScript parser.

If you want to use .split(), but you also want an Array of Numbers, you could use Array.prototype.map, though you'd need to shim it for IE8 and lower or just write a traditional loop.
var array = string.split(",").map(Number);

A: If the string is already in list format, you can use the JSON.parse:
var a = "['a', 'b', 'c']";
a = a.replace(/'/g, '"');
a = JSON.parse(a);

A: You can use javascript Spread Syntax to convert string to an array. In the solution below, I remove the comma then convert the string to an array.
var string = "0,1"
var array = [...string.replace(',', '')]
console.log(array[0])

A: I remove the characters '[',']' and do an split with ','
let array = stringObject.replace('[','').replace(']','').split(",").map(String);

A: More "Try it Yourself" examples below.
Definition and Usage
The split() method is used to split a string into an array of substrings, and returns the new array.
Tip: If an empty string ("") is used as the separator, the string is split between each character.
Note: The split() method does not change the original string.
var res = str.split(",");

A: Convert all type of strings
var array = (new Function("return [" + str+ "];")());

var string = "0,1";

var objectstring = '{Name:"Tshirt", CatGroupName:"Clothes", Gender:"male-female"}, {Name:"Dress", CatGroupName:"Clothes", Gender:"female"}, {Name:"Belt", CatGroupName:"Leather", Gender:"child"}';

var stringArray = (new Function("return [" + string+ "];")());

var objectStringArray = (new Function("return [" + objectstring+ "];")());

JSFiddle  https://jsfiddle.net/7ne9L4Lj/1/
Result in console

Some practice doesnt support object strings
- JSON.parse("[" + string + "]"); // throw error

 - string.split(",")
// unexpected result
   ["{Name:"Tshirt"", " CatGroupName:"Clothes"", " Gender:"male-female"}", "      {Name:"Dress"", " CatGroupName:"Clothes"", " Gender:"female"}", " {Name:"Belt"",    " CatGroupName:"Leather"", " Gender:"child"}"]

A: For simple array members like that, you can use JSON.parse.
var listValues = "[{\"ComplianceTaskID\":75305,\"RequirementTypeID\":4,\"MissedRequirement\":\"Initial Photo Upload NRP\",\"TimeOverdueInMinutes\":null}]";

var array = JSON.parse("[" + listValues + "]");

This gives you an Array of numbers.
now you variable value is like array.length=1
Value output
array[0].ComplianceTaskID
array[0].RequirementTypeID
array[0].MissedRequirement
array[0].TimeOverdueInMinutes

A: You can use split
Reference:
http://www.w3schools.com/jsref/jsref_split.asp
"0,1".split(',')

A: Regexp
As more powerful alternative to split, you can use match
"0,1".match(/\d+/g)

let a = "0,1".match(/\d+/g)

console.log(a);

A: Another option using the ES6 is using Spread syntax.
var convertedArray  = [..."01234"];

var stringToConvert = "012";
var convertedArray  = [...stringToConvert];
console.log(convertedArray);

A: Split it on the , character;
var string = "0,1";
var array = string.split(",");
alert(array[0]);

A: use the built-in map function with an anonymous function, like so:
string.split(',').map(function(n) {return Number(n);});

[edit] here's how you would use it
var string = "0,1";
var array = string.split(',').map(function(n) {
    return Number(n);
});
alert( array[0] );

A: How to Convert Comma Separated String into an Array in JavaScript?
var string = 'hello, world, test, test2, rummy, words';
var arr = string.split(', '); // split string on comma space
console.log( arr );

//Output
["hello", "world", "test", "test2", "rummy", "words"]

For More Examples of convert string to array in javascript using the below ways:

*

*Split() – No Separator:

*Split() – Empty String Separator:

*Split() – Separator at Beginning/End:

*Regular Expression Separator:

*Capturing Parentheses:

*Split() with Limit Argument
check out this link
==> https://www.tutsmake.com/javascript-convert-string-to-array-javascript/

A: This is easily achieved in ES6;
You can convert strings to Arrays with Array.from('string');
Array.from("01")

will console.log
['0', '1']

Which is exactly what you're looking for.

A:

var i = "[{a:1,b:2}]",
    j = i.replace(/([a-zA-Z0-9]+?):/g, '"$1":').replace(/'/g,'"'),
    k = JSON.parse(j);

console.log(k)

// => declaring regular expression
[a-zA-Z0-9] => match all a-z, A-Z, 0-9
(): => group all matched elements
$1 => replacement string refers to the first match group in the regex.
g => global flag

A: Split (",") can convert Strings with commas into a String array, here is my code snippet.
    var input ='Hybrid App, Phone-Gap, Apache Cordova, HTML5, JavaScript, BootStrap, JQuery, CSS3, Android Wear API'
    var output = input.split(",");
    console.log(output);

["Hybrid App", " Phone-Gap", " Apache Cordova", " HTML5", "
  JavaScript", " BootStrap", " JQuery", " CSS3", " Android Wear API"]

A: Why don't you do replace , comma and split('') the string like this which will result into ['0', '1'], furthermore, you could wrap the result into parseInt() to transform element into integer type.
it('convert string to array', function () {
  expect('0,1'.replace(',', '').split('')).toEqual(['0','1'])
});

A: Example using Array.filter:
var str = 'a,b,hi,ma,n,yu';

var strArr = Array.prototype.filter.call(str, eachChar => eachChar !== ',');

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Meet and mingle at the new Harlem Garage October 10 | HarlemGal Inc.
Save the date of October 10th! That's when we are all invited to meet and mingle at the new tech space called Harlem Garage! That same evening provides an opportunity for us to meet the team behind Harlem Garage. Read past blog coverage here of Harlem Garage.
It's all happening the evening of the 10th and tickets to attend are only $10. I plan on attending! So join me in meeting up at the new Harlem Garage at 318 West 118th Street. Go here for details!
This entry was posted in Harlem and tagged Harlem, Harlem Garage. Bookmark the permalink.


The White House could make the U.S. one of only three countries to reject the historic climate deal.
The White House will decide next week on whether to remain in the Paris Agreement, the historic climate 2015 pact President Donald Trump vowed to withdraw from during his campaign last year.
In an announcement harkening to a characteristically reality TV cliffhanger, the president teased his decision in a tweet on Saturday morning during a summit with the Group of 7 industrialized nations in Italy, where the U.S. clashed with European allies over climate and trade. Trump initially delayed the decision until after the G7 meeting, which ended on Saturday.
European, Canadian and Chinese leaders have urged Trump to keep the U.S. in the accord. All but two countries ― Syria and Nicaragua ― signed the agreement committing to begin slashing planet-warming emissions.
The accord is not legally binding. And even if every country reached its promised goals, the targets set out in the agreement would not prevent the Earth from warming beyond the 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit above pre-industrial levels, after which scientists predict the most catastrophic effects of climate change would become irreversible. But the United Nations-brokered deal marked the first time the world, including the U.S. and China, the biggest polluters by far, agreed to slash emissions with the intent of halting global warming.
Still, Trump pledged to "cancel" the agreement during his openly nationalist presidential run last year, insisting multilateral deals like it were harmful to U.S. economic interests. In March, he ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to review the Clean Power Plan ― the only U.S. policy for cutting emissions from the electricity sector. Without this sweeping regulation, which puts limits on coal-fired power plants and encourages the proliferation of renewable energy, the U.S. won't even come close to meeting its emissions goals.
The White House has split over the future of the Paris Agreement. Like climate science itself, which Trump has dismissed as a "hoax", the pact has overwhelming support. Sixty-one percent of Americans said the country should remain in the deal, while just 17 percent support withdrawing and 21 percent weren't sure, according to a HuffPost/YouGov poll conducted last week. Already, more than 400 U.S. cities, 37 states, 800 universities and nearly half of all Fortune 500 companies have set clean energy and emissions targets.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Energy Secretary Rick Perry and familial advisers Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump back the deal. Big corporations, including coal, oil and gas companies, also support remaining in the agreement.
EPA administrator Scott Pruitt and White House chief strategist Steve Bannon want to pull out of the pact. Aside from the usual cadre of once-fringe climate science deniers, they are joined by a handful of House Republicans and at least three GOP senators.
World leaders have pressed President Donald Trump to keep the U.S. in the Paris climate pact.
Sources told HuffPost this month that Trump was leaning toward withdrawing. But since then, world and corporate leaders have increased pressure for the U.S. to remain in the deal. During his first visit to the Vatican this week, Pope Francis gave Trump a 184-page letter on climate change.
In the president's best-known business book The Art of the Deal, he outlines a strategy for negotiating based on making aggressive opening salvos. Vowing to withdraw could be an initial step toward reworking the Paris Agreement to get what his administration considers more favorable terms.
Pulling out of the agreement could have major economic consequences. The U.S. could lose jobs in a clean energy industry estimated to be worth $6 trillion by 2030. Countries could put a tariff on American-made imports. And investors could sour on the U.S. amid what they see as instability sown by sclerotic regulation of carbon emissions.
The diplomatic ramifications could be worse. Quitting the deal could brand the nation as a "rogue country" and a "climate pariah" as it loses its seat at the negotiating table on global climate policy. Moreover, the U.S. risks ceding global influence to rival superpower China, which has already promised to support poorer countries' efforts to adapt to climate change.


text:
A Mission burrito (also known as a San Francisco burrito or a Mission-style burrito) is a type of burrito that first became popular during the 1960s in the Mission District of San Francisco, California. It is distinguished from other burritos by its large size and inclusion of rice and other ingredients. A key method to the burritos' construction is to steam the wheat flour tortilla to increase its flexibility prior to adding the other ingredients, although that is not a requirement and burritos may be grilled instead. It has been referred to as one of three major styles of burritos in the United States, following the earlier, simple burrito consisting of beans, rice, and meat. It precedes the California burrito, which was developed in the 1980s and contains cheese and potatoes.

Many taquerías in the Mission and greater San Francisco Bay Area specialize in Mission burritos. It is typically a large flour tortilla that is wrapped and folded around a variety of ingredients, served in a piece of aluminum foil. A food critic for the San Francisco Chronicle counted hundreds of taquerias in the Bay Area, and noted that the question of which taqueria makes the best burrito can "encourage fierce loyalty and ferocious debate". New York-based writer Calvin Trillin said that the burrito in San Francisco "has been refined and embellished in much the same way that the pizza has been refined and embellished in Chicago". Since its commercial availability began in the 1960s, the style has spread widely throughout the United States and Canada.

History

Long-time residents of the Mission District trace the origins of the Mission burrito back to the 1960s. The owners of "La Cumbre" Taqueria near Valencia and 16th have been credited as the first taqueria to sell this style of burrito. The creation of the style is credited to Raul and Micaela Duran who sold burritos from their meat market, which, in 1972, they converted into the La Cumbre Taqueria. They date the birth of the San Francisco burrito to September 29, 1969.

However, like most such claims, this is debated by others who claim to remember similar burritos from earlier in the decade. If the claims of the owner of "El Faro" are true, the first San Francisco burrito was sold September 26, 1961 to a group of San Francisco firefighters, using two 6-inch tortillas in place of what later became the large single tortilla. The fact that he did not have—and had not previously considered the need for—larger tortillas suggests that the birth of the Mission burrito as we now know it did not come earlier than that time. Yet the Mission burrito does have historical forebears in burritos made elsewhere. Some assert that the original San Francisco burritos were directly inspired by burritos brought by California Central Valley farmworkers into the fields, then reproduced in the city. One restaurant consultant remembered his teen years in the fields in the 1960s this way:

Other burrito researchers trace the burrito's ancestry even further back to miners of the 19th century. The first printed references to burritos came in the 1930s; in the 1950s and 1960s, versions of the burrito spread through the American Southwest and beyond.

But while the Mexican-American burrito began as a wider regional phenomenon, most would agree that the Mission burrito emerged as a recognizable and distinct local culinary movement during the 1970s and 1980s. One writer asserts that the Mission burrito—a large, compact and quite cheap meal—played a special role for those who lived through the local economic recession of the 1980s and early 1990s.

Culture and politics

During the dot-com boom, the Mission District saw rapid gentrification, with lower paid workers forced out of the area by increasing rents. One anti-gentrification activist denounced the way that chain restaurants like Green Burrito were taking over the area, selling more expensive, "Anglo" versions of the burrito.

The rhetoric of burrito politics underscores the role of the Mission burrito in both bohemian and Chicano culture in San Francisco, as evidenced by a 1993 article published in the SF Weekly, featuring Chicano Studies professor Jose Cuellar.

Spread and influence
Though an authentic mission burrito is made in San Francisco's Mission District at family owned Mexican restaurants called "taquerias", Chipotle Mexican Grill, Qdoba Mexican Grill, Panchero's Mexican Grill, Freebirds World Burrito, Barberitos, and Taco del Mar are large national chains in North America that arguably offer versions of a San Francisco style burrito. Chipotle was started by a chef who directly acknowledges the inspiration of Mission taquerias. The New York City-based restaurant chain BurritoVille, which existed from 1992 to 2008, specialized in San Francisco-style burritos. Atlanta was home to a couple of the first San Francisco-style burrito restaurants on the East Coast, Frijoleros and Tortillas, from the mid-1980s until the early 2000s.

Some New York establishments advertise "Cal-Mex" or "San Francisco style" burritos. Two chains of Boston taquerias (Anna's Taqueria and Boca Grande Taqueria) are directly modeled after a local Bay Area chain, and other burrito businesses also cite the influence of San Francisco burritos.

Burritos made in the San Francisco style can be found in other cities across the United States.

A small chain of establishments have been appearing in the UK under the name "Mission Burrito" selling Mission-style burritos in Oxford, Reading, and Bristol and Bath.

Production

The aluminum foil wrapping, which is present whether the customer is eating in the restaurant or taking out, acts as a structural support to ensure that the burrito's tortilla "skin" does not rupture or unravel.

Eating technique

Diners eating Mission burritos customarily forgo utensils entirely and eat the burrito with their hands, tearing the foil gradually down as they eat from above, but keeping the foil on the bottom to continue to support the structure of the uneaten portion. Adding salsa to the burrito before each subsequent bite is a popular practice.

References

Further reading

Cuisine of the San Francisco Bay Area
Culture of San Francisco
Hispanic and Latino American culture in San Francisco
Mexican-American cuisine
Mexican-American culture in California
Mission District, San Francisco
Tortilla-based dishes

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


The Urban Collection Punched Metal Magazine and File Folder organizer securely displays and organizes magazines, catalogs, files and literature on your desktop. The generous front panel provides 4-sided base protection and structure to the contents so they won't fall out. High quality metal with reinforced rounded edges provide additional durability and the black color will match any décor.
Securely displays and organizes magazines, files, catalogs, literature and other documents.
Front panel provides 4-sided base protection and structure for contents.
Full Product Dimensions: 11.50" x 3.50" x 10.00"


In that same issue of Forbes ASAP, the magazine's regular "Best of The Web" feature, which selects the best sites in various categories, finds several outdoor-oriented sites in Sports Travel and Skiing: Backroads (www.backroads.com) gets the nod as best in the Sports Travel category.
In that same issue of Forbes ASAP, the magazine's regular "Best of The Web" feature, which selects the best sites in various categories, finds several outdoor-oriented sites in Sports Travel and Skiing: Backroads (www.backroads.com) gets the nod as best in the Sports Travel category. "FAQs will tell you how to train, and pop-up guides map your trip." SkiCentral (www.skicentral.com) takes top honors in the Skiing category. "You'll find extensive special-interest sections dedicated to everything from cross-country and disabled skiing to snowboarding and telemark."


text:
Jordanians protest anew despite religious edict
AMMAN (AP)– Jordanians are protesting in the streets of the capital following Friday's Muslim prayers. The marches defy an edict by the country's religious leaders not to demonstrate.
Chanting "We want to change constitution," about 150 students, independents and leftists marched.
The 10th straight week of protests saw far few numbers Friday. The demonstrators are calling for the popular election of the prime minister and other reforms inspired by the Tunisia and Egypt uprisings. King Abdullah II now appoints the prime minister.
Demonstrators said they were not put off by a fatwa issued by religious authorities instructing Jordanians not to take part in protests while the government and political parties work on reform plans.
Lavrov: There were F-35s in the air in the Iranian border when Iran downed airliner


Lise and Mike and their puppy Frank live up the street from us. They are awesome! They have known me since I was -3 months young : ) Mom and Dad talk with them any time they are outside their house. Lise gave me a book the other day. It has so many beautiful animals in it. She said that she read it to her daughter. I want my Mom to read it to me soon. At the moment I am very careful not to wrinkle the pages. I am not that good with my fingers yet.
I got a new toy today straight out of the washer : ) Thank you Djado for finding it and thank you Daddy for washing it. It is a big fat super cool penguin. I have a picture of a penguin on my wall by my bed by Napoleon V. and I know all about them. My Mom tells me the story at bedtime : ) I am sure she makes most of it up but I still like to listen to it. My new penguin friend has adorably delicious yellow feetz to match his beak. But that's not all. Daddy told my about Pingu and Baba sent me a video of many penguins : )) You need an airplane to reach the penguins. They live far far away... I am going to fly on one in two weeks. Mom bought the tickets to Bulgaria today. Hooray, right?!
There is an old lady that swallow a fly : so much fun!
I had the most delicious pear in the world today. Thanks Dad! But please that chicken paste for Mom and you.
A lot of my days are spent eating lately. Mom is trying to figure out when is the right time to eat and I guess, until she does, it will be pretty much all the time I am awake. She needs opportunities to learn, right. To give her a break - she has been pretty creative with the food. I have had spinach, peas, and yam lately... and apple which is totally cool with me. If you mix apple with carrots I will even eat the carrots : ) Today I had a whole big piece of banana and I got to munch on it. Why would I think that food is only eaten with a spoon? Delicious. I am looking forward to trying some other finger foods: bread crust, boiled carrot, and what not. Makes me hungry just thinking about it. : ) But wait this is not all I do - I discovered a bear sleeping behind the couch. When I stand up on the couch I look for it. It's cool - Mom makes it say hello to me. I have put a note in my memory book to check on it whenever I can. I am also practicing my crawling. For now I can only do it backwards ; ) I like rocking, too. Yet, my favorite remains standing up - Mom, good luck with the changing of the diaper (I know you learned to put it on upside down while I was on my tummy but what are you going to do now : )).
It was one of these days where I barely napped. Mom took me for a walk and to the swings in the afternoon and I crushed just before bedtime : ) It was worth it but I am never telling what I dreamed of.
Не ме разглезвайте. Зная много добре, че не мога да получа всичко, което искам. Аз само ви изпитвам. Не се страхувайте да сте строги с мен. Аз го предпочитам. Това ще ми позволи да разбера къде ми е мястото.


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text:
Don't read this, it's naughty!
live since May 27, 2022
If you've listened to the podcast this week, and if you haven't you really should (it's so easy to find, just head to the Podcast tab of this very blog! Or search for Mr M's Musings: The Podcast from your provider of choice!), you'll know that I am full of cold (not COVID though). So I really don't have the energy for a full post this week....
... that, and I have a lot of time-sensitive marking to do. You see, I'm fulfilling one of my career ambitions this year and am taking part in the assessment of lots and lots of Year 6 work. I'm under a non-disclosure contract, so I can't tell you what I'm doing but it will definitely form the basis of a future blog post. I'm learning a lot of about official end of Key Stage 2 comprehension, let's put it that way.
Anyway, on the subject of doing things I'm not really supposed to be doing, I thought I'd share the introduction and opening chapter of the Jubilee Celebration book that all school children will soon receive a copy of (published by DK Children). It's nice to get sneak peeks every now and again. You don't have to thank me... but a comment below telling me what you think of the tone would be greatly appreciated!
Queen Elizabeth:
A Platinum Jubilee Celebration
On a February day, 70 years ago, a young princess suddenly found out that she was now a queen. Today, she is still our reigning monarch and in 2022, we are celebrating the record-breaking platinum jubilee of Queen Elizabeth the second. During her reign, the world has changed in so many ways, but she has stayed strong and steady throughout. A calm, confident, kind presence in all our lives.
You are receiving this book to commemorate this once in a lifetime memorable moment. It will help you understand the amazing life and times of our queen and the magic of the unique, unshakable bond she shares with the people she serves. You'll discover the rich history of the UK and Commonwealth, and meet a few of the incredible achievers who have helped to make the 70 years of the Queen's reign so eventful and extraordinary.
The Platinum Jubilee not only honours her majesty's long and loyal service but also the resilient, diverse and inclusive communities that we live in. It is a time for us all to come together and celebrate.
Coronation and Commonwealth
"Isabella, Do you know anything about the Jubilee?"
Isabella Was it her great granny Joyce's house. She loved to visit every Sunday to hear her amazing stories. She had just settled down with a slice of fruit cake when great granny Joyce started talking about the jubilee. This was a new word for Isabella and she didn't have a clue what it meant.
"No, I don't, great granny Joyce," Isabella admitted through a mouthful of cake crumbs. "What is it?"
Great Granny Joyce clapped her hands together in delight and sat forward in her chair.
"It's a special celebration and lots of people will be talking about it. There will be jubilee programs on the TV and there will be so many festivities taking place across the UK with street parties and afternoon routines. All kinds of events."
Isabella smiled. "Wow. I do like having a celebration, but who is it actually for?"
By now, great granny Joyce's eyes were twinkling. They always twinkled when she was excited. Great granny Joyice opened her eyes wider.
"It's for the queen." She got up from her chair and announced: "This year, in 2022, Queen Elizabeth, the second will have reigned for 70 years, so we're going to celebrate this anniversary as the platinum jubilee. It's a milestone for her majesty."
Isabella considered this for a moment and did some quick maths in her head.
"I'm nine years old. So that means the queen reigned for 61 years before Iaws even born. Wow!"
"Wow, goodness me," agreed great granny Joyce. "I am ninety-six-years-old this year, exactly the same age as the Queen. I remember so much of her reign."
Suddenly great granny Joyce stood still and her eyes misted up.
"It takes me back to my youth. Isabella, I want to show you something very special. Wait here."
Great granny Joyce returned, carrying a big wooden box and Isabella jumped up to help. They set it down on the rug.
"You can open it now," said great granny Joyce.
With trembling fingers, Isabella opened the lid very slowly and carefully. Isabella pushed the lid of the box back as far as it would go and looked inside.
The box was packed with all kinds of things. There were souvenirs from holidays, tickets to shows, letters from friends, birthday cards, certificates, postcards, newspaper, cuttings, trinkets, kits, toys and so many photographs! Isabella didn't know what to look at first.
"My entire life's experiences are in that box," said great granny Joyce looking over Isabella's shoulder. "I started collecting things as a child, things that I've picked up here and there. Some are memories of the best days I've ever had; others are souvenirs saved for rainy days. It's all here in one place. I call it my treasures box."
Isabella started to look through the mass of memories. There was so much to take in. Then she spotted something special that caught her eye.
"Wait, who is this?" Isabella pulled out a stunning photograph of a young lady wearing a crown. Isabella, waved the photograph under her great granny Joyce's nose waiting for her to answer.
"That's the queen when she was much younger. It was taken at the coronation in the summer of 1953."
Isabella's ears picked up. Coronation? This sounded like a magical word but she couldn't quite put her finger on what it meant.
"What was the coronation, great granny Joyce?"
"The coronation was the ceremony to mark Princess Elizabeth becoming queen. It was the first coronation to be shown on TV. Not everyone had TVs back then, but those that did, or knew someone who did, tuned in to watch it."
Great granny Joyce stared at the picture for a long time.
"Can you believe it? 70 years? So long ago but I remember it like it was yesterday."
"But why do you have a picture of the coronation? Shouldn't this be in the Queen's treasures box, not yours?" Isabella asked in confusion.
Great, granny Joyce gave her great-granddaughter a hug.
"My treasures box is personal to me and our family but a lot of it is also about the royal family. I was born in the same year as the Queen, so I feel like I have grown up with her majesty.
"The coronation was for everyone to celebrate. We were all part of it. There was a new queen, and we felt so proud of her. That memory is part of my history, too. There are plenty more souvenirs of the coronation in my treasures box. Let me show you.
"I made a scrapbook of the coronation with different articles and souvenirs Look Isabella, it'll be just like you were there."
"I wish I could have been there. Imagine the things I'd have heard and seen and all the people I would have met…"
Coronation ceremony
The coronation of Queen Elizabeth the second took place on the 2nd of June 1953. Thousands of people lined the streets of London, while 11 million people all across the UK listened on the radio and about 20 million people watched on television.
The day unfolded like a fairy tale. All the staff at Buckingham Palace waited inside the grand hall to see the Queen and her husband, His Royal Highness the Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, depart for Westminster Abbey,
The couple travelled from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey in the gold state coach, which was pulled by eight horses. Crowds cheered as the royal coach made its way along the streets of London. People camped overnight all the way along the mall to get the best view of the couple as they passed. Some people even sailed all the way from Australia just to be there for the big occasion.
The queen and Prince Philip entered Westminster Abbey for the ceremony, which was led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and which lasted almost three hours.
In the congregation was the queen's eldest son Charles, who had received a hand-painted children's invitation. He was the only one of the Queen's children at the coronation because his younger sister, Anne, was a toddler and considered too young to go. Precisely 8,251 people from all over the world attended the coronation, with a total of 129 nations and territories officially represented.
The Queen was crowned in Saint Edward's chair. A special seat handcrafted in 1300 for Edward the first of England. Saint Edward's Crown, made of solid gold in 1661, was placed on the Queen's head. Her majesty became the 39th ruler to be crowned at Westminster Abbey. Since that memorable day, the Queen has worn the Coronation dress on six more occasions, including to open the Parliaments of New Zealand and Australia in 1954.
Royal gown
The Queen wore a gown of white satin, embroidered with floral designs. Before The Saint Edwards Crown was placed on the Queen's head, she wore the diamond diadem, which is the crown you see on UK postage stamps. This crown features roses, thistles and shamrocks to represent England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, as well as 1,333 diamonds and 169 pearls.
The Queen carried a bouquet of flowers. It included orchids and lilies of the valley from England, stephanotis from Scotland, orchids from Wales and carnations from Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man.
Royal titles
Queen Elizabeth the Second has been known by this name in most parts of the UK since February 1952 when she became Queen. However, in Scotland she's referred to as Her Majesty, The Queen. This is because Elizabeth the First was only Queen of England and never ruled Scotland.
Around the world, the Queen has a number of different royal titles. For example, Queen Elizabeth the Second is named Queen of Australia, in Australia; Queen of Jamaica, in Jamaica; and Duke of Normandy in the Channel Islands.
"So how do the different nations of the UK fit together?"
"Let me show you; I have a map somewhere… Isabella, the UK is made up of four nations including England where we live, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales."
"Oh, I see now. They fit like pieces of a jigsaw!"
Our nation is officially called the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, or simply the UK for short. It is made up of four parts: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Nations with history stretching back more than a thousand years. London is the capital city of both England and the UK.
Union flag
The flag of the UK is more widely known as the Union Jack. It is made up of three flags: the red cross of St. George for England, the white diagonal cross of Saint Andrew for Scotland and the red diagonal cross of Saint Patrick to represent Ireland. Although only Northern Ireland is part of the UK. Wales does not feature in the flag because the flag was created when Wales was, at that time, part of the kingdom of England
England is in the southern part of Great Britain. The geographical name for the island that is home to Scotland, England and Wales. By area, England is the largest part of the UK and home to about 84% of the UK population.
Circa 2,500 BC: A circle of megaliths (giant stones) is built at Stonehenge in
Southern England.
AD 43 to 80: The Romans invade what is now England and make it part of
their vast empire.
AD 410: People from Europe, including the Angles and Saxons, begin to
settle in England.
AD 600: Different Anglo-Saxon kingdoms control most of England.
AD 793: Vikings from Scandinavia raid the monastery on the island of
Lindisfarne.
1066: William of Normandy becomes king of England after the Battle
of Hastings.
1215: Magna Carta states that the monarch must also obey the
laws of the land.
1485: Henry Tudor becomes Henry the 7th after the wars of the
Roses.
1649: After the English civil war, the monarch, Charles the First, is
executed.
1863: The world's first underground railway opens in London.
Scotland forms the northern part of Great Britain. It is best known for the mountainous highlands and islands, and its capital is the city of Edinburgh.
AD 122: Romans build Hadrian's wall to separate the northern part of
Great Britain from the south, which was part of their empire.
Circa AD 397: Scotland's first Christian Church in Whithorn is set up by Saint
Ninian.
AD 685: The Picts win the Dun Nechtain, keeping the Northumbrian
King out of what we now call Scotland.
1314: An army led by Robert the Bruce defeats the English at the
Battle of Bannockburn.
1328: At the Treaty of Northampton, England recognises Scotland as
an independent country with Robert The Bruce as King of Scotland.
1413: The University of St. Andrews is established.
1603: James VI of Scotland becomes James I of England.
1696: Scottish Parliament decides that a school should be set up in
every parish in Scotland.
1707: Act of Union joins Scotland with England and Wales, forming
1890: The Forth Bridge, carrying the railway across the Firth of Forth,
is built.
1999: The new Scottish Parliament sits in Edinburgh.
Wales is the smallest of the nations that form Great Britain. Its capital and largest city is Cardiff. The flag of Wales features a red dragon, which is considered a symbol of power.
AD 48: The Romans invade Wales but are slowed down by resistance
led by Caradog Caratacus.
AD 550: Saint David forms a monastery, which becomes a major
shrine for Christians.
C. AD 780-790: King Offa builds a huge earth barrier (dyke) to separate his
kingdom, Mercier, from Wales.
1067 onwards: The Normans gradually gain control over much of Wales
despite strong resistance.
1284: Edward I of England conquers most of Wales and builds
strong castles.
1400: Owain Glyndŵr leads a rebellion against the English and
claims the title Prince of Wales.
1913: Peak of iron and coal production in Wales.
1951: Snowdonia National Park opens the first national park in
Wales.
1999: The National Assembly for Wales sits for the first time in
Cardiff.
2020: The National Assembly is renamed Senedd Cymru (Welsh
Parliament)
Northern Ireland is the smallest part of the UK and the only part that is not in Great Britain. Its capital, Belfast, is one of the UK's largest cities. It is home to about one-third of Northern Ireland's population.
AD 432: Saint Patrick travels from Armagh throughout Ireland to
spread Christianity.
1169: The Normans land in Ireland at the request of Dermot
MacMurrough, the former king of Leinster.
1609: James I gives land in Ulster to English and Scottish settlers as
part of the plantation of Ulster.
1690: William III defeats the supporters of ousted James II at the
Battle of the Boyne.
1801: Act of Union makes the whole island of Ireland part of the
1829: After a long campaign led by Daniel O'Connell, Catholic
emancipation is granted. Catholics are now allowed to sit in
the Westminster Parliament.
1845 to 1849: The great famine. A time of hardship and hunger leads to
the deaths of more than one million people.
1921: Northern Ireland is established and Ireland is partitioned.
1969: The Troubles, a conflict that went on for almost 30 years,
1998: The Belfast Good Friday Agreement signals an end to The
Troubles. The Northern Ireland assembly sits for the first time at Stormont.
"Your map was so helpful!" Exclaimed Isabella, as she settled down in great granny's comfy armchair. "I understand how the four nations fit together now.
"So, the queen reigns over the UK today but who ruled these four nations in the past?"
"Good question," Smiled great granny Joyce putting her arm around Isabella. "Let me tell you about some of them…"
Hywel Dda (reigned AD 910 to 927)
Hywel's name means Hywel the good in Welsh. Under his rule, most of Wales was united in a kingdom called Deheubarth. After he established peace, Hywel brought in laws that focused on fairness and justice, and these formed the basis of Welsh life for centuries
Æthelstan (reigned AD 925 to 939)
After Alfred the Great defeated the Vikings, his grandson, Æthelstan, united the country and became the first king of all England. During his reign, England was at peace. He built many churches and monasteries, and was famous throughout Europe as a wise and fair king.
Brian Baru (reigned 1002 to 1014)
Brian was king of a province called Munster. He then conquered Leinster, another provice, and defeated the Vikings. According to legend, Brian refused to fight and kill people on holy days such as Good Friday. His harp is still regarded as the symbol of the Republic of Ireland.
Macbeth (reigned 1040 to 1057)
Macbeth seized the throne of Scotland in 1040 after killing Duncan I in battle. He was an effective ruler. He changed the law so daughters and sons had equal inheritance rights. The son of Duncan I attacked Scotland in 1054 and killed Macbeth in battle in 1057.
Mary Queen of Scots (reigned 1542 to 1567)
Mary's reign over Scotland proved difficult and she was forced off the throne in 1567. She fled to England but was captured and kept in prison by Elizabeth I for many years. Later, in 1587, Mary was executed after being accused of helping an attempt to overthrow Elizabeth I.
"Amazing! Every nation has so much history."
Great granny Joyce turned to face Isabella.
"The great thing about having lots of different monarchs and separate histories of the UK nations is that we now have many different cultures."
"Wow! How can I find out more about all the different parts?"
"Here," said great granny Joyce, handing over a leaflet from the treasures box. "You can read about all the remarkable things our country has to offer.
As well as English, the UK has 10 other native languages including Scottish Gaelic and Irish Gaelic, Scots, Ulster Scots, Cornish and Welsh. Wales is bilingual, which means both English and Welsh have official status.
More than 500,000 people speak Welsh. Some children speak Welsh at home and others learn it in school. Welsh is written on road signs, in shops and on public buildings. There is a Welsh language television channel, Welsh bands that play all kinds of music, and a huge variety of Welsh language books to read and enjoy
The UK is the birthplace of many sports including football, tennis, cricket, golf, and rugby. Other traditional sports are also enjoyed such as Gaelic football, hurling, kapan simota rugby and shinty (similar to hockey).
London is the only city to have hosted the Olympic Games three times, while Edinburgh has hosted the Commonwealth Games twice. Rugby is played at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff; Gaelic games at casement park in Belfast; and Highland Games events are held across Scotland. In England, there is tennis at Wimbledon and football finals at Wembley Stadium.
Landscape and Culture
The UK has a varied landscape from the rolling hills and valleys of Wales, to Scottish glens and morelands, and from the rugged coastline of Northern Ireland, to England's lush farmland.
World heritage sites include Stonehenge in England, Edinburgh's Old and New Towns in Scotland, Ponte aqueduct and canal, in Wales, and the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland.
Each nation has its own cultural associations. You might think of afternoon tea and cricket in England; haggis and tartan in Scotland; Welsh cakes and daffodils in Wales; and soda bread and folk music in Northern Ireland.
But this is just a tiny part of the UK's truly diverse cultures and traditions.
"Look at these beautiful locks and mountains. I'd love to go on a trip around the UK, great granny Joyce."
The UK has excelled in literature and drama from the historic plays of William Shakespeare, to the more recent works of authors Kate Roberts, Julia Donaldson and Mallory Blackman. Outstanding film and television performances include those by actors John Boyega, Michelle Fairley and Ewan McGregor. Festivals, such as Eisteddfod in Wales, showcase poetic and musical talents.
The queen has seen many UK singers and musicians emerge during her reign. At the annual royal variety performance, the queen has enjoyed performances by Tom Jones, Susan Boyle, Ed Sheeran and Emily Sunday.
Isabella had learnt so much about the UK and she couldn't wait to hear more. While great. Granny juice was busy in the kitchen. Isabella made another discovery. A large piece of paper was curled up at the very bottom of the treasures box. Isabella enrolled it and using anything she could find to hold it down spread it out on the floor.
It was a map of the world. Isabella loved looking at maps and having the world laid out before her.
At that moment, great granny Joyce walked in and her eyes widened when she saw the map
"Oh, the world map. Now that's another story."
Isabella, picked up the map and sat, with her great granny on the armchair. Great granny's old ginger cat, Tiger, tried to sneak a peek too.
Isabella was keen to show great granny Joyce, what she had learnt at school. So she began pointing out the continents.
"Europe, where we live, Africa, Asia, Oceania, North America, South America and Antarctica."
"That's right," said great granny Joyce. "I love to travel and see the world. I'm a bit like the queen, really. Her majesty has been to many places. So many more than me. Her first overseas trip was a visit to southern Africa when she was 20. Since then, she has seen the elephants in India; admired the Sydney Harbour Bridge in Australia, and so much more. In fact, she's visited almost every country in the Commonwealth."
Isabella wondered about this latest mysterious word.
"What is the commonwealth? I've never heard of it."
Great granny Joyce replied, "The commonwealth is a group of countries that work together. The queen is the head of the commonwealth. She has been to many meetings of the government leaders and every March, on Commonwealth Day, she sends a message to all Commonwealth citizens."
What does the Commonwealth do?
Today, the Commonwealth is an equal group of countries. Its roots go back to the 16th century, when Britain began to expand its empire. During the 20th century, countries that had been part of the British Empire started to gain independence. Many came together to form the Commonwealth.
In 1949, all Commonwealth members were recognised as independent and equal to one another. And it was decided that other countries could be part of the Commonwealth. The modern Commonwealth of Nations was born.
This aims for a fairer future for its citizens by promoting peace, improving education and health care, helping poorer countries and by addressing global problems such as climate change. Each country has an equal voice.
In 2018, the Prince of Wales was chosen to be the next head of the Commonwealth.
The Commonwealth countries
Great granny Joyce's map shows the countries of the Commonwealth today. Membership of the modern Commonwealth is not dependent on having any historical connections to Britain. Since its creation, membership has grown to 54 countries, spread all around the world. At the start, the only members were Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa.
joined in 1947.
India is a vast country that reaches into the Himalayan mountains, wide rivers and sweeping planes as well as more than one billion people.
joined in 1947, left in 1972, rejoined in 1989.
Pakistan has a rich landscape from forested hills and some of the world's highest mountains, to wide river valleys and vast deserts.
Jamaica is the third largest island in the Caribbean, known for its white, sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, dense rainforests and towering mountains.
Trinidad and Tobago is the location of Pitch Lake, the largest natural deposit of asphalt in the world, which replenishes itself despite being emptied again and again to pave roads.
Every year, millions of animals, including wildebeest, zebras and gazelles, travel through the Maasai Mara national reserve, in Kenya, as part of the great migration.
Mozambique has a breathtaking coastline and the Zambezi River flows through its centre.
Papua New Guinea's stunning variety of plants and animals includes 20,000 species of plants, 800 species of coral, 600 species of fish and 750 species of birds.
"Like many people from the Commonwealth, I came to the UK during the 1950s, around the start of the Queen's Reign. I miss Jamaica. The feel of the hot sun on my skin and the taste of sweet mangoes picked right from the trees. I hope you visit one day, Isabella."
Commonwealth immigration
Immigration means coming to one country from another and making a new home there.
After World War 2, there were lots of job vacancies in the UK, so the government offered all commonwealth citizens free entry into the UK. Some employers paid the fares for people to come to work in the National Health Service (NHS), in factories and on railways. The first people to arrive came from the Caribbean. They are often known as the windrush generation after Empire Windrush, a ship that brought 500 people to the UK in 1948. It wasn't easy to move so far from home and many people also faced discrimination (unfair treatment) at work and in their neighbourhoods.
During the 1960s, most of the Commonwealth citizens who emigrated to the UK were from India and Pakistan.
Commonwealth campaigners
The 54 countries of the Commonwealth are home to about 2.5 billion people. Many people from these nations have changed the world for the better by campaigning for causes they believed in or fighting against injustice. Here are just a few Commonwealth campaigners who have left an unforgettable legacy.
In 2021, Nigerian-American economist Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (born 1954) became the seventh director general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), which ensures that global trade takes place fairly. She's the first woman, and the first African, to hold this role.
Learie Constantine
A world-class cricketer from Trinidad and Tobago, Learie Constantine (1901 to 1971) was also a lawyer, politician and campaigner against racial discrimination. He was made a baron and became the first black person to take his seat in the UK's House of Lords.
Kenyan environmentalist and activist, Wangari Maathai (1940 to 2011), founded the green belt movement in 1977, which led to the planting of more than 50 million trees In Kenya. In 2004, she became the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
Benazir Bhutto
Pakistani, Benazir Bhutto (1953 to 2007), was the first woman in her country to become Prime Minister. When she took charge in 1988, she was also the first Muslim woman ever to become a head of government. She served as Prime Minister twice for a total period of five years.
South African lawyer, Nelson Mandela (1918 to 2013), led efforts to end apartheid and spent 27 years in prison for going against the racist government. After his release, Mandela became the first president of the newly democratic South Africa. He went on to win the Nobel Peace Prize, as well as more than 250 other awards.
Malala, Yousafzai
Pakistani school girl and activist, Malala Yousafzai (born 1997), stood up against the Taliban, a religious military group, by demanding that girls be allowed to attend school. She survived being shot by the Taliban and then went on to graduate from Oxford University. In 2014, she became the youngest person ever to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
And that's Chapter One. There are five more chapters after this one:
Ambitions and Achievements
Charity and Care
Inspiration and Innovation
Celebration and Ceremony
I've not seen any of the illustrations beyond the ones contained in the post but I do know that the retail price is £12.99. The DfE have promised a copy for every state-school child though. That's crazy, no? £12.99 worth of book for every child in a state school in England (Scotland and Wales have to order them specially and wait until December)? I guess we'll see if it's the full book or an abridged version.
Anyway, until next time, which will be two weeks away because of the half-term, look after yourselves and remember, you can do this: you're awesome!
Email me! Tweet me! Visit my website! Listen to the Podcast!
#Platinum Jubilee reading sneak_peeks


text:
Awwwards
Comic Book: Uncanny Avengers
What This Book is About:
Captain America begins his quest to create a sanctioned Avengers unit comprised of Avengers and X-Men, humans and mutants working together
Data Sheet:
Oct 2012 to ..?
Characters most frequently found in this comic book:
In order of appearances.
(Odinson)
(James Howlett)
(Janet Van Dyne)
Plus: Havok, Sunfire, Apocalypse Twins.
Uncanny Avengers #1
(Oct 2012)
Comics Index
Total Indexed Comics: 25
Comics sorted by date. Oldest shown first. Up to 25 comics per page. Page navigator at the bottom of the page.
"New Union"
Script: Rick Remender
As an unseen figure muses on the world's growing mistrust of mutants in the wake of the coming of the Phoenix Force (see AVENGERS VS. X-MEN), he performs surgery on the mutant known as Avalanche, removing the frontal lobe of his brain and replacing it with an electronic device…. [...]
"(No title given)"
Wolverine, still brooding over Cyclops' murder of Professor X, is at the site of the crazed Avalanche's rampage (last issue) where the Avengers are aiding in rescue and clean-up. He speaks with Captain America and Thor about Avalanche, who had been rehabilitated—so what caused him to go berserk? [...]
The newly revived clone of the Red Skull stands among a crowd in New York and uses Professor Xavier's mind powers to force them to listen to and believe his harangue. [...]
As he lies on his back having suffered a concussion in the battle against the Red Skull and his S-Men, Havok has a vision of the fateful day when his parents sent him and his brother Scott to safety by parachute while they lost their lives in a plane crash…. [...]
"Let the Good Times Roll"
In Akkaba City under the North Pole Pestilence gives birth to Archangel's children, the Apocalypse Twins Uriel and Eimin, watched by the other current Horsemen of Apocalypse and Apocalypse's son Genocide.Kang is also watching from outside time. [...]
This is a story set in Thor's past, and doesn't involve any others of the Uncanny Avengers. But Kang brings his sub-plot from last issue to the foreground.In 1013 Thor is visiting some Vikings for drinking and brawling. Basically what Hercules has tended to do. He carries the axe Jarnbjorn. [...]
After the abduction of the baby Apocalypse Twins in #5, Genocide son of Apocalypse wants to be anointed as successor to his father. [...]
The Apocalypse Twins Eimin and Uriel watch from Apocalypse's Celestial ship as Thor breaks up the Peak satellite falling on Rio de Janeiro. He destroys some of the pieces, but is faced with a dilemma - smashing the last piece with Mjolnir could still cost some lives. [...]
Wolverine dreams of his son Daken lying dead by his own hand. Angel and young Genesis (Evan Sabahnur) are with him. He wakes to find himself in the Avengers team's sick bay under the care of Wonder Man. He's recovered from the nuking of Apocalypse's followers in Akkaba City last issue. [...]
Uncanny Avengers #10
Last issue the team split over their attitudes to doing whatever is necessary, triggered by revelations of some of the extreme past actions of Wolverine's Uncanny X-Force.The bad-ass bunch Rogue, Sunfire, Thor and Wolverine have tracked down Apocalypse's ex right-hand man Ozymandias in Cairo. [...]
After being kidnapped last issue by Banshee, 1 of the 4 dead Apocalypse Horsemen, Scarlet Witch wakes up facing the Apocalypse Twins Eimin and Uriel. After allowing her to discover she can't harm them, the Twins show her Tucker Creek, Montana, and how Archangel and Genocide destroyed the towm. [...]
The issue opens with a vignette of the young Apocalypse Twins in one of Red Skull's future Mutant Internment Camps, run by Ahab. They are trying to escape through a gate that Tony Stark has apparently promised them will be open. But it isn't. [...]
Last issue Banshee of the resurrected 4 Horsemen tried to stop Captain America, Havok and Wasp from invading the Apocalypse Twins' base, deafening Cap in the process. Now he continues to fight Havok until Wasp flies into his throat and destroys his vocal cords, negating his sonic super-power. [...]
"The day nor the hour"
The issue opens with a disembodied voice talking to his daughter Katie. A symbol attached to the word balloons suggests it's Havok. He says that he and his wife are going on a potentially fatal mission. And the day that the world now celebrates was really a disaster that was their fault. [...]
"Rapture"
Captain America and Havok are preparing to fight their way through more crab-mounted Pale Riders when Havok disappears in a cloud of pink bubbles - mutants are being transported to the Ark. [...]
"Yesterday didn't exist"
In the year 3193 Immortus stands ready to send his Infinity Watch to help the Avengers in the present, while the world and time crumbles around them. [...]
"Ragnarok"
We start with a prologue where an unidentified voice is talking to hisdaughter Katie. He tells her that he and her mother are going on adeadly-dangerous mission to put things right. (There was a similaropening to #14. [...]
"Avenge the Earth part one"
In the opening page we get the disembodied voice of Havok talking to his daughter Katie again. It's a message left for her 16th birthday, but she's obviously much younger than that when we see her inside the comic. We learn that she's not a mutant. [...]
"Avenge the Earth part two"
The story so far:- Eimin (and her now-dead twin Uriel) killed a Celestial with Thor's axe Jarnbjorn. In revenge the Celestials destroyed the Earth. But Eimin used Scarlet Witch (now also dead) to Rapture all mutants away to safety on Planet X. [...]
"Avenge the Earth part three"
The Apocalypse Twins' plot has succeeded. The Earth has been destroyed so that their hated 'father' Kang can't rule it. Eimin the surviving Twin has saved all mutants by taking them to Planet X. [...]
"Avenge the Earth part four"
Last issue Kang sent the consciousnesses of Havok, Sunfire, Thor, Wasp and Wolverine back from the future to their bodies in the present to stop the Apocalypse Twins' plan to destroy Earth and all humans while taking all mutants away to Planet X. [...]
"Avenge the Earth conclusion"
Several of the Avengers Unity Squad have sent their minds back in time to occupy their current bodies, and they have stopped the Apocalypse Twins from creating a future where Earth is destroyed by a Celestial and only mutants survive to populate a new planet. [...]
"Let's get well"
It's some weeks after the Ragnarok Now/Planet X story, and Wasp has been with Scarlet Witch in a remote cabin coming to terms with the loss of her daughter Katie (conceived in an alternate future that has now been wiped from all but the memories of some of the Unity Squad). [...]
"?"


text:
'use strict';

var fs = require('fs'),
    path = require('path'),
    should = require('should'),
    parallel = require('mocha.parallel'),
    nsmockup = require('../../');

const fileDir = __dirname + '/../_input-files/files';

/**
 * Test Suites
 */
describe('<Unit Test - Netsuite XML API>', function () {
    before(done => {
        nsmockup.init(done);
    });
    parallel('XML API - nlapiSelectValues:', () => {
        let xmlDoc;
        before(done => {
            let xmlPath = path.resolve(fileDir + '/help.xml'),
                xml = fs.readFileSync(xmlPath, 'utf8');
            xmlDoc = nlapiStringToXML(xml);

            should(xmlDoc).be.ok();
            return done();
        });
        it('select-values find by xpath', done => {
            let values = nlapiSelectValues(xmlDoc, '//table');

            should(values).be.ok();
            should(values.length).have.equal(3);
            return done();
        });

        it('select-values missing node', done => {
            try {
                nlapiSelectValues();
                return done('missing node');
            } catch (e) {
                should(e).have.property('code', 'SSS_NODE_ARG_REQD');
                return done();
            }
        });

        it('select-values missing xpath', done => {
            try {
                nlapiSelectValues(xmlDoc);
                return done('missing xpath');
            } catch (e) {
                should(e).have.property('code', 'SSS_XPATH_ARG_REQD');
                return done();
            }
        });
    });
    after(done => {
        nsmockup.destroy(done);
    });
});

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


In nature, naturally occurring microorganisms help to decompose organic matter and toxic waste. They work in synergy as a vital part of our total ecosystem. These are the beneficial microorganisms that ensure the healthy breakdown of organic waste; they are the foundation of a healthy and dynamic ecosystem.
The type of composting process most commonly used today was developed in Indore, India between 1924 and 1931 and was first described in North America in 1931. One of the main principles of the Indore process is compost management by turning, or aeration, to stimulate the natural microbial activity that works to break down the organic matter.
Turning the compost was considered to supply aerobic microorganisms in the compost with enough oxygen to remain in dominance, thereby eliminating pathogens. It was once believed that anaerobic composting smells bad and attracts flies and rodents. A well aerated compost pile does not smell or attract pests and delivers a valuable soil amendment at the end of the process. We now know that there are also beneficial anaerobes that break down organic matter through fermentation, and this process does not smell either.
of the need to become actively involved to protect our environment. In every home, municipality and counties, residents are concerned about reducing household, commercial and industrial waste. Citizens are aware that the run-off from wastes leaks into and contaminates our ground water and that transporting waste far from the source where it is generated creates carbon emissions that lead to climate change.
The decision to adopt composting as a method of managing green waste has already been taken in many municipalities. In larger population centers, centralized facilities are composting the green waste. The solution is usually an expensive one involving special collection, and investment in heavy equipment and facilities to sort, move and turn the waste. Households and commerce are at the beginning of the chain of responsibility, sorting their waste and recyclables.
Composting at home or school is simple and costs very little; the result is a product that we can use in our gardens, returning the healthy soil to the earth and eliminating the use of chemicals.
In order to make composting easy for everybody we at InocUsol have developed a product that is made from fermented sawdust and bran husks. Compozz is the key to easy composting. It is sprinkled directly on the waste from the kitchens and the restaurant. This means that the organic waste never has the chance to start to rot. Instead the bacteria that cause bad odours and infections are suppressed as soon as the waste is thrown into the container with the Compozz, making sure that beneficial microbes stay in dominance.
How should we organize school composting?
• We will deliver Compozz to the kitchen in containers with a scoop to sprinkle the product on the waste.
• At lunch time a container with Compozz can be placed beside the waste bin and as each child cleans off their plate a small handful of Compozz can be added by the child.
• The product is dry and simple to use.
• When the container is full it will need to be emptied on the compost pile outside.
A box needs to be built at the rear of the school building or close to the kitchen entrance to collect the compost and allow it to mature. During northern winters it will freeze but the beneficial microbes are in the pile; they survive the winter and many still are at work due to the warmth generated by the fermentation process. Of course, during the very cold months there will be less activity but things speed up as soon as spring arrives.
You will not need to turn the compost for aeration. Compozz stimulates the beneficial microbes from the environment to colonize in the compost. Both aerobic and anaerobic forms of beneficials are at work in your pile. Next spring you will be able to turn the pile and find soil to put on the gardens and nourish plants for the next year; the resulting compost is of very high quality.
InocUsol is delighted to be involved in helping schools to begin composting projects and teaching children about composting. This empowers young people to participate as stewards of the environment. We will be available to help with the organization of the composting routines and to assist in the explanation of composting to the staff and children.


text:
Home Medical Plastics News + Woman sues Bayer after contraceptive device leaves her in constant pain
Woman sues Bayer after contraceptive device leaves her in constant pain
A woman is suing medical device maker Bayer after experiencing agonising pain due to a controversial contraceptive implant.
Sandra Twigg experienced constant pain, bleeding and an allergic reaction after having Bayer's Essure device fitted in 2014.
First reported in the Daily Record, the mum of three is now the seventh Scottish woman to join a group legal action against Bayer.
Ms Twigg decided to have the procedure after giving birth to her daughter in 2014. She was told by doctors at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde that she wouldn't need an operation or anaesthetic so there was less risk.
After stating she had an allergy to nickel doctors told her there was "more nickel in a bar of chocolate".
"I was told it would cause no issue and I should not take an allergic reaction. They could not have been more wrong." Ms Twigg said.
The Essure device is a flexible spring made out of nickel and polyester. It's inserted into the fallopian tubes to form a barrier to keep sperm from reaching the eggs.
Bayer ended sales of the device in Europe last year but stated that the decision was not related to safety or product quality.
Despite being told there would be no pain Ms Twigg described the procedure as horrific.
"It was horrific. It felt as though I'd been stabbed. I had to be helped off the seat and I couldn't walk upright into the waiting room. I also couldn't get into the car unaided." She said.
The pain persisted causing Ms Twigg to miss days at work. A couple of months after having the Essure fitted her arm and leg swelled up. After going to casualty, a doctor told Ms Twigg that they thought it was an allergic reaction and she should see her gynaecologist.
Eventually Ms Twigg had the device removed and though the swelling disappeared she still suffers from constant pain.
"I'm still in horrific pain that is totally unexplained. I still get pains down my right leg and right side of my womb and heavy bleeding. What was supposed to be a quick fix has become a total nightmare." Ms Twigg said.
In response to Ms Twigg's case, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: "We're sorry Ms Twigg was unhappy with her treatment. NHSGGC stopped using Essure in June 2017. A total of 29 patients underwent the procedure and all women were given pre-procedure analgesia. Less than five have since asked for the device to be removed. All women have been followed up and the majority are happy with Essure as a means of contraception."
Essure Bayer NHS Contraceptive device


There's nothing more classic than a simple ponytail, which is why we love seeing twists on this standard style. Olivia Wilde added some pizzazz to her ponytail by creating a banded style with plenty of volume. Paired with her deep-set bangs, the look is still classy, but it has a fun, fresh quality. For ladies with long hair like Olivia's, this is a great, simple way to jazz up those long locks.
Step: Towel dry hair to damp.
Step: Separate bangs with a comb, then mist with set and style spray. Blowdry straight down for sleek, smooth bangs.
Step: Mist the rest of the hair with set and style spray, then blowdry, using your hands to create volume.
Step: Pull hair back and gather into a high ponytail. Secure with an elastic.
Step: To create the banded effect, place a clear elastic every 1 inch down the ponytail. Then gently pull out each section a bit to get more body.


The Gryphon GD4400 imager provides snappy reading performance on all common 1D and 2D codes as well as postal, stacked and composite codes like PDF417. High Density (HD) models are also available for reading smaller, condensed codes. For mobile marketing or ticketing applications, this imager also offers excellent performance when reading barcodes from mobile devices.
The Gryphon GD4400 2D omnidirectional reader eliminates the need for separate equipment with signature capture and document scanning capabilities. Its enhanced optics offer improved motion tolerance and high speed imaging to read fast moving codes.


T Style Male-Female Connector Pair with Insulating Caps. The popular T style plug and socket has been improved with the addition of clip-on insulating caps. These caps replace the need for heat shrink tubing and will accommodate up to the 10awg wire.


text:
Bahamian Invention Patented To Grow Artificial Sponges 1927
Posted On : June 18, 2018 Published By : The Bahamianologist
Back in the days when the Bahamian hotel season last only for the few winter months of the year (December 15 to March 15), sponging was more important to the national economy than tourism.
Sponging employed a hundreds directly, and supported thousands of Bahamians indirectly. From the harvesting of the sponges to the drying, trimming, cutting and packaging, the sponge business was surely good to the Bahamas… while it lasted that it is.
Disease affecting sponge beds killed off the lucrative industry for the Bahamas before worldwide tastes, and preferences for the product changed.
The demise of sponging was helped along by many problems associated with a sea industry. As more and more people took to boats to gather these sought after jewels of the sea, it became like an army marching through a rose garden every few weeks. In the early 1900s, not everyone used best practices in order to ensure the longevity of the sponge beds.
Size was a significant problem. Picking sponges that were too small or sponges which had not reached maturity began to negatively affect the industry.
Sustainability was another significant problem. The sponge trade became so profitable that it enticed South Florida fishermen, and those from other West Indian countries, as far down as Cuba, to join in. As more and more people began fishing in the same geographical area, the availability of mature sponges soon decreased.
Territorial poaching became a significant problem as the industry became more profitable. With so many Bahamians, and others casting nets for sponges, territorial encroachment was inevitable.
Poaching meant that large Bahamian suppliers were losing valuable sponge beds as well as potential profits almost overnight.
Bahamian H. C. Christie came up with an idea to protect his sponging business. The invention was ingenious, but it also changed one important thing. H. C. Christie could no longer sell any sponges grown under his new patent as natural. He would have to sell them as artificially grown sponges.
HAROLD G. CHRISTIE TALKS ABOUT HIS FATHER'S INVENTION WHILE STAYING AT THE RITZ CARLTON
In 1927, H. C. Christie, father of Harold G. Christie, Frank Christie and Percy Christie ( three brothers who sat simultaneously in the House of Assembly) was a businessman who had a profitable stake in the sponging industry on New Providence.
H. C. Christie invented and patented an apparatus which could be attached to the sponge. The apparatus was a disc. The patented sponge disc attempted to solve a number of major problems affecting the industry in 1927.
Sponges have the ability to regenerate even from the smallest piece of the original. With Christie's invention, one healthy sponge would be cut into twenty or thirty pieces. Each piece would be attached to the disc which could identify territory, owner, and date put into the sea. This noteworthy invention suddenly created a vital inventory control and growth rate measurement into something which was completely random, largely unmeasurable over the long term.
The patented invention did not hinder or aid in the sponge's growth pattern or size but as there was a man made element introduced into the natural process, any new sponges had to be labelled artificial by H. C. Christie.
The rest of the 1927 Harold G. Christie interview
(The Gazette Montreal, Thursday 4th August 1927)
Posted in: Agriculture, Archive, Bahamian Roots, Culture, Flora & Fauna, Geology, History, Movers and Shakers, Traditions & CustomsTagged : Culture,Flora & Fauna,Geology,History,Mover and Shakers
The original Bank of Bahamas was used to fund the Nazis 1939-1942
"In the hour of peril the people of the Bahamas earned the gratitude of the British nations…" 1942
"Income tax and Birth Control" so recommends a royal commission report 1942
Deputy Speaker Frank Christie Resigns Over 12 Counts of Election Bribery and Corruption 1956
600 Liquor Licences for 60,000 Nassau Population 1961


text:
Q&A with 'Caddy For a Cure' founder, Russ Holden
Caddy For A Cure is a way for you to have the PGA golf experience of a lifetime caddying for one of the world's best golfers while benefiting charities. You can caddie for a PGA Tour or LPGA Professional and help the Fanconi Anemia Research Fund, Birdies for the Brave, and many other nonprofit charities. Photo: Caddy For a Cure
Imagine peering over Rory's shoulder, seeing that 3-inch break on his 10 footer for birdie, and having him nod in agreement. He steps up, drains the putt and tips his hat to you. You did good, definitely earned that fist bump. Now you grab the bag and head to the next tee.
Who among us hasn't dreamt about carrying a bag for some of the biggest names in golf, walking between the ropes at some of golf's biggest events, having Phil or Justin or Bubba ask you for a yardage or consult on a tough shot? Sounds awesome, if not a little far-fetched for us mere mortals, right?
READ: 'Help me, help you': Advice for people taking a caddie
Well, actually….
Let me introduce you to one of the truly great organizations in golf. Caddy For a Cure is a highly-rated 501(c)(3) that offers you a chance to caddie (yes, I spell it with an "ie" – more on that later) for the biggest names in the game (and many stars from other fields as well).
Tiger Woods with Christian, a Fanconi patient. Photo: Russ Holden
And as the name implies, it does so with a mission to raise money for a number of incredibly important charities. The Caddie Network was honored to catch up with Russ Holden, the Founder and President of Caddy For a Cure, and talk to him about these incredible caddie opportunities and how people can get involved.
TCN: Hi Russ. Thanks so much for taking the time. Let's start with, what is Caddy For a Cure?
Holden: Caddy For a Cure is one of the most unique opportunities in all of professional sports. We are a way for you to have a golf experience of a lifetime, caddying for one of the world's best golfers in a practice round, or pro-am, while benefiting some incredible organizations. You can caddie for a PGA Tour or LPGA Professional, and often other celebrities as well in some events, all while benefitting the Fanconi Anemia Research Fund, Birdies for the Brave, and many other important nonprofit charities.
TCN: You started this while you were a caddie on Tour? Tell us about your caddie experience.
Holden: Yes. A little background. I was the PGA Head Professional at Woodfield Country Club in Boca Raton, Florida, and there I met Bernhard Langer. As a member, he would occasionally have me look at his swing, and our relationship just continued to develop. One day he asked if I'd come caddie for him on a part-time basis. I had aspired to play on Tour at one time myself, so the chance to to actually go out on Tour and be a part of the action was just a dream come true. And we must have done OK… he kept inviting me to fill in for his regular caddie (Pete Coleman).
READ: Caddies reveal their biggest on-course pet peeves | 23 hilarious caddie one-liners
In 2001, Bernard invited me to come out full-time as a little experiment that ended up being 6 1/2 years, and I tell you, I was having the time of my life. Golf just attracts really good people, and constantly being around the players, the other caddies, the sponsors, I was really enjoying it.
At the same time, when I came out there, I wasn't thrilled at how caddies were often treated at some of the events. It gave me a whole new appreciation for how good the caddies are, how under-appreciated they were, and how valuable a good caddie could be for a player. Things have certainly changed for the better now, but that will always be a big cause for me — appreciating the guys out there working hard for not that much recognition. It's one of the big reasons I'm so appreciative of the work you guys (The Caddie Network) are doing.
TCN: Thank you for that. And how did Caddy For a Cure come to be?
Holden: When I was still at Woodfield but occasionally out on Tour with Bernhard, back in the shop, one of my assistants had two children born with a rare bone marrow disorder called Fanconi Anemia. That really hit home and I desperately wanted to help them, and others who might be fighting this disorder. I just didn't know exactly how. But it became something burning in my mind.
At some point, while I'm rubbing shoulders out there with Tiger, Phil, Ernie and all the stars on Tour, it hit me, "How incredible would it be for golf fans to be able to have this same experience I'm having, and we could benefit Fanconi Anemia research at the same time?"
Bubba Watson taking some time for his buddies at the Masters in support of Caddy For a Cure. Photo: Russ Holden
I put together a proposal, went to the Tour and presented my idea. They cautiously approved it, honestly giving me a short leash to make sure it wasn't too disruptive, and said, "Let's see how it goes." And now, 16 years later, here we are, still caddying for a cure.
TCN: How does a person get to caddie with Caddy For a Cure?
Holden: The best way is to go to our website, caddyforacure.com and there you'll see a list of players and events where you can bid for the opportunity to take part in one of the events. It's an auction site, bids can be competitive, but most fans will find an opportunity they feel comfortable bidding on. Even more, if there is a particular player or a tournament you really want to take part in and it's not listed, you can contact us through the website and we'll do everything we can to make it happen.
TCN: As you know better than most, caddying can be a tough job. What if they have never caddied before? What will their actual duties be? Are they going to get in trouble if they don't rake a bunker properly?
Holden: No, not at all. And they'll do as much, or as little, as they want. The most important goal is for them to enjoy the day. So in 2005, we added a military component to our organization. We're now aligned with Birdies for the Brave, it's the official military outreach of the PGA Tour and now a significant part of our mission. So often, when a person makes a donation and caddies for say a Jordan Spieth, they are often escorted by the regular caddie, in this case Michael Greller, and also accompanied by a wounded military service person. So you now have a team making sure that all the caddie duties are taken care of. The regular caddie acts as a fail-safe, and still has his own tasks to get ready for competition days, but the team aspect means that our caddies can focus more on fun, rather than making sure each yardage is correct or every divot replaced. Those bags can get heavy, it's not a bad thing to take a few holes off and just walk alongside. Often, they will split up the duties, where one carries the bag, the other carries towels, etc. Most of all, it's about spending time inside the ropes and having a fun, lifetime experience. They definitely get that.
READ: The definitive guide to tipping your caddie | The unwritten rules of caddying
TCN: And the reception from the players?
Holden: Incredibly receptive. Phenomenal. It was great to get the blessing of the PGA Tour, but without the players, this can't work. They have to agree to do it. It certainly raised a few eyebrows when we first started, the player-caddie dynamic is so important and we get that. But when players started seeing how well things went, how minimally disruptive and yet still really enjoyable for everyone our presence could be, the good we were doing, the wounded military personnel taking part, they really started to get more involved. Even more, we have many celebrities and athletes that are taking place in pro-ams and such that are getting involved as well. Roger Clemens, Toby Keith, Ben Roethlisberger, just to name a few, are folks that have supported our mission and invited a fan inside the ropes to caddie for them.
One other note about the Tour players — I have to share an amazing statistic because many of the players and caddies out on Tour know it. Justin Thomas, winning at the BMW Championship recently, became our 35th player to WIN the week of, or the week after, taking part in Caddy For a Cure. So when I asked Rory McIlroy the week after if he would take part in Caddy For a Cure next year (this year he took part at Bay Hill and won THE PLAYERS the next week!), he couldn't say yes fast enough. I won't say it's a karma thing, but I hope it shows that good things can happen to good people.
Wounded military service members have worked with Caddy For a Cure through the Birdies for the Brave program. Photo: Caddy For a Cure
TCN: And I'm guessing you get good feedback from the people who have taken part as auction winners.
Holden: Very much so. We all work really hard to make it a lifetime experience, and I'm pleased to share that virtually everyone has felt that way. It's a group effort and I can't thank the Tour, the players and caddies, and our sponsors enough because they all do their part to make it great for everyone taking part. One interesting fact that I think you guys will appreciate… Virtually every participant has said this same thing in regards to their day. They love spending time talking with the players, but they were overwhelmed with gratitude and appreciation for how the professional Tour caddies treat them and take care of their needs. I think they are even a little surprised at how much they enjoy the interaction with the caddies. Often, by the end of the day, they're as big a fan of the caddies as they are of the players they bid on.
TCN: That's so great to hear. Not surprising, but really good to affirm what we know. So one final question — What's with the spelling? Caddie is "ie", not a "y".
Holden: [Laughing] Actually, Webster's doesn't really make a preference. When we had a logo designed, we really liked it, but it was too wide. So quite honestly, we were trying to save characters in the name. And it fit, and we just went with it. It's worked out pretty well so far. I don't see us changing it anytime soon.
To date, Caddy For a Cure has raised more than $2.5 million for Fanconi Anemia and Birdies for the Brave (including the 11 military organizations supported by them) and several host site charities as well, including helping young caddies via the Evans Scholar Program at the recent BMW Championship.
To learn more about the mission and how you can take part in Caddying for a Cure, visit their website at Caddyforacure.com.


The Hungarian players celebrate historic gold at the 2019 IIHF Ice Hockey Women's World Championship Division I Group A and will for the first time play in the top division of this category.
Silver makes happy if you earn promotion. Denmark will play at the top-level Women's Worlds for only the second time after 1992.
The teams enjoyed a day off on Tuesday before they were back to battle it out on Wednesday. It looked as if the day off did not help everyone as Norway, who was tied for first place, struggled to get past winless Italy with Denmark blowing a 2-0 lead and falling to Hungary 6-2. Hungary was able to turn the game around with a string second period where Fanni Gasparics scored two goals and helped set up another two. Austria needed overtime as they picked up two out of the three points against Slovakia. Through the first three games of the tournament every team had dropped points somewhere along the way. The host national of Hungary was sitting in first place with seven points with four other teams still having a chance at promotion.
The second to last match day really brought the group picture into focus as Norway shut out Slovakia 4-0 thanks to the excellent play of Nystrom in net. Like Norway Hungary also wanted to take a step towards promotion, they did this by lighting up Italy by the score of 9-0. Aniko Nemeth had the shutout while Gasparics finished the game with five points. In somewhat of a surprise Austria put eight goals past Denmark in an 8-3 win.
Heading into the final game day no team had locked up promotion. Denmark, Norway, Austria and Hungary all could have closed out the day with a top-two finish. In the first game of the day Slovakia just got past Italy by the score of 2-1. Denmark pulled off a bit of a surprise as they shut out Norway 4-0 thanks to two goals by Jakobsen and excellent play by Repstock-Romme between the pipes.
With Norway losing to Denmark that meant that Hungary was through to the top division and Norway was out for sure.
The Hungarian players celebrate after receiving the golden trophy.
Now it was down to who would be joining the host nation. If Austria won, Austria would take the gold and Hungary the silver and Denmark the bronze. If Hungary won, then it would be Hungary taking the gold, Denmark the silver and Norway the bronze. In short, depending on the result Austria could finish first or fourth, go up or stay where they were.
The final game of the tournament started out great for Hungary as Gasparics gave Hungary the lead 21 seconds into the game. Minutes later Austria also found the back of the net by a goal from Meixner. The game remained deadlocked at 1-1 until the third period when Bernadett Nemeth scored to make it 2-1. This would end up being the winning score as Hungary won promotion on home ice to the top division for the first time in history of the senior Women's World Championship.
I can't even put it into words what I feel right now. We were already all pumped up when we saw how many fans came out to see us play.
Denmark earned promotion to the Division I Group A for the first time. The country had a short stint at the top level when appearing in the first ever IIHF Ice Hockey Women's World Championship back in 1992 where it finished in seventh place. Since reappearing in international women's ice hockey in 1999, Denmark has played either at he second or third level of the program missing out on promotion by just one win in 2013.
While Gasparics won the award as best forward, Charlotte Wittich of Austria won the vote for the best defender while Norway's Ena Nystrom got the award as best goaltender.
A coaching legend in Hungary, Cortina wants to lead women's team to top level.