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Maurice (2)
By B.R. Stateham Last updated Jan 2, 2022
The next morning, when the sartorial splendor of Maurice stepped off the elevator on the sixth floor of the courthouse, waiting for him were a throng of reporters brandishing large television cameras and a gaggle of shouting reporters.
Apparently, the murder case of Randall Cooke had become a feeding frenzy for the local paparazzi. Cameramen and reporters compressed around the stout little man, this time dressed in a light blue three-piece suit and wearing a dark black, wide brimmed fedora with one brim rakishly pulled down over his left ear. Reporters were hammering loudly at him with demanding questions on why he was representing a known killer and rapist. Or, with even louder voices, demanding to know who exactly was he and why did he only use one name to on his office door or business card.
For his part, Maurice's round face with its gigantic beaming smile painted on his thin lips, remained silent but kept nodding like a gentle Buddha as he began pushing his way through the crowd toward the courtroom. It took time but eventually the double oak doors to the courtroom were parted and uniformed security officers ushered Maurice into the courtroom first before allowing only a limited number of reporters into the hard church pews designated for the audience.
"Counselor, so good of you to show up this morning," the tall, angular configuration of a man sitting in black robes of a judge, with a mop of thick, unruly and quite shocking white hair, rumbled dryly from behind the massive desk perched high above the courtroom. "Shall we begin?
Taking his attention away from the defense counselor the judge eyed the surprisingly packed courtroom and scowled.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this is a court of inquiry designed to make judgment on whether there is enough evidence to bring the defendant, one Randall Cooke, to trail on two counts of Murder in the First Degree. He is accused of killing a nineteen-year-old girl by the name of Tammy Charles and her eight-month-old son, Randall Charles. Mister Prosecutor, are you ready?"
"I am your honor."
"Defense, are you ready?"
"Indeed so, your honor."
"Very well. Mister Prosecutor, call your first witness."
As the prosecutor rose from his seating, pushing thick glasses up his nose in the process, and clearing his throat she came sliding into the courtroom. Rolled out of the middle of the wooden floor directly in front of the court's stenographer and drifted gently straight up and came to a halt just below the courtroom's plain looking ceiling. The ghost crossed her legs into a sitting position as if she was sitting on the ground in front of a roaring campfire, her lovely young face wrinkled up in deep concentration as she waited for the first witness to be called. But she smiled quickly, lifting a hand up for a cheery little wave at the rotund young Maurice before concentrating again on the witness stand again.
And so it began. With expert chorography, the city's chief prosecutor began sending one witness after the other up to the witness chair for a shot, concise sweep of offering evidence to the court on the vile reputation of Randall Cooke. Three witnesses each testified they knew the defendant and easily affirmed the man was very capable of cold-blooded murder.
Yet interestingly, when it came time for questions from the defense, the smiling man in the smartly cut three piece light blue suit stood up politely and said, "No questions, your honor." Each time he declined to cross-examine the white haired, emaciated judge glared compressed his lips irritably into a thin white line and glared at the nattily dressed lawyer irritably over the tops of his half-moon shaped bifocals.
However, when the prosecuting attorney called up for the detective in charge of the investigation, Maurice leaned forward, rested his chin on one braced hand on the table in front of him, and listened to the questioning intensely. Above him, close to the ceiling, Tammy floated gently in courtroom's eves yet remained unanimated as the detective presented his testimony.
But Maurice's eyes seemed to be glowing with intensity as he listened to the detective describe in detail his investigation of the murder and the eventual arrest of his client. When the prosecutor half turned and told Maurice he was finished with his questions, he expected the little man to decline his turn for cross examination again. When Maurice stood up and began approaching the detective a look of mild amusement flirted across the old man's face.
"Detective, could you tell the court for us, how long have you worked as a homicide detective?"
"Ten years. Ten long years."
"In that ten year's time I would conclude you've seen just about every form of horror called murder one human being can impose on another, is that not correct?"
"True, counselor. I have."
"So in this particular homicide what set of actions told you that my client, Mr. Cooke, was unequivocally the perpetrator of this horrendous deed?"
"We found a closet full of his clothes. In the closet tucked away in an old suitcase, we found an assortment of weapons. There were fingerprints, tons of fingerprints, all over the apartment. And then, of course, there was his confession. He signed a written confession stating that he killed the girl and the child in a fit of drunken rage. That was good enough for me."
"Ah," Maurice nodded, smiling, as he looked down at the courtroom floor and walked to his left a step or two. "So, what you are saying is that, after the confession my client signed, all attempts at a further investigation came to an abrupt cessation. It that correct?"
"Objection!" roared the bespectacled, scowling prosecuting attorney as he came flying to his feet angrily. "It has been established that the defendant is a known criminal with a violent temper when in an alcoholic stupor. For the love of god, the man even confessed to the crime! I see no productive response this line of questioning can achieve, other than a determined effort on the defense's part to antagonize the witness."
A shaggy white eyebrow arched up thickly on the judge's lined forehead as ice-cold eyes turned to gaze at the smiling Maurice questioningly. In the courtroom behind him, Maurice heard a soft rumble of noise drift across the audience like an errant ocean wave.
"Your response, counselor? Or do you want me to make a summary conclusion solely on the prosecutor's theatrical vehemence?"
"Your honor, the prosecution's central argument in accusing my client of the murder lies in the threefold lines of reasoning starting with the idea my client has a history of being a violent criminal when drunk, that his fingerprints and clothing were found in the deceased's apartment, and finally, writing and signing a detailed confession when asked by the police to do so. My line of questioning is an attempt to destroy all three arguments. Especially the one concluding my client's signed confession may have been unduly forced upon him."
"Really, counselor? This sounds interesting," the angular faced, bespectacled judge growled sardonically, yet with a note of curiosity in it. "Very well, continue. But this better not be a fishing expedition, young man. In my old age I have long lost any desire to listen to extemporaneous verbal flourishes of stilted intellect."
"Thank you, your honor," the amazingly agile man in the tailored blue said as he turned back to the homicide detective and spliced the fingertips of both hands together in front of him. "Just a few more questions, detective. One comes to mind instantly. Did it occur to you or to anyone in the department to run a DNA test on both the victims and compare the results with the DNA of my client?"
The grizzled old detective blinked eyes a couple of times toward Maurice in obvious surprise before finally shaking his head.
"No. Never occurred to us. Why would we waste both our time and the department's money doing something like that? He confessed, for chrissakes!"
"To possibly find the real killer, detective. Perhaps this case is more complex than you believe."
"Objection!" shouted the prosecutor, rising to his feet and slamming a heavy fist onto the oak tabletop angrily at the same time as he arose. "The counsel for defense is indeed fishing for any possible venue that will get his client off on a technicality! DNA testing would take weeks, if not months, to get the results back. We have signed confession from the prisoner that he killed this woman and child. We have established beyond a reasonable doubt the defendant is a known violent person when drunk. Plus the man has a rap sheet that goes back more than twenty years with convictions from various felonies. Surely we have established a just and reasonable supposition enough evidence exists to take this case to trial!"
From the bench the white mop of hair for a judge exhaled a tired sigh of frustration as he bent his head down to peer over the rims of his reading glasses at the nattily attired defense counselor.
"Your honor. My client did not kill either the woman or her child. He simple could not even if, by some cataclysmic regression on his part, he fell back into the pit of drinking again. Which, I point out, he had not."
"And why is that, counselor?" The judge asked patiently.
"A year ago he found out he was a father and a grandfather. The sudden revelation dramatically changed his outlook on life. He immediately ceased his drinking habit, enrolled in programs to clean and detoxify himself, and moved in with his newfound family and accepted the role as being his new family's main breadwinner. If I may have the opportunity to continue cross examining the witness I will establish these facts clearly and succinctly to one and all."
The tired look of deep frustration left the judge's face as he rolled eyes over the rims of his spectacles and glanced at the accused. For his part, the assistant district attorney stood in silent amazement and stared at Maurice for a second or two before, suddenly angry, turning to glare at the witness on the stand.
"Proceed, counselor."
"Detective, when you apprehended my client and cuffed him, was he drunk?"
"No. He was cold stone sober."
"When you arrested my client, was he attempting to flee from this horrendous crime?"
"No. He was not."
"Where was he and what was in doing when you arrested him?
"He was . . . well . . . at work. Working on the back end of a trash truck down of Fifth and Gilmore."
"Did you question the others of this truck's crew about my client's whereabouts that day?"
"Yes . . . uh . . . we did," the detective grunted, nervously rotating his head around on his stubby neck to adjust the apparent tightness of his constricting shirt collar.
"What time did my client go to work on the morning of the crime?"
"Six a.m."
"What time did my client arrive at the refuse service's garage that morning, detective?"
"Uh . . . well . . . a couple of witnesses claim he arrived around five thirty that morning."
"This refuse yard where the many trash collection vehicles are kept and maintained, could you tell the court how long it takes for my client to travel from his place of residence to his job."
"A good hour or more. More, really, if he's driving in morning traffic."
"While interviewing his fellow workers, did you ask these witnesses if my client was covered in blood perhaps? Or perhaps acted unusual, or maybe agitated in any way?"
"Uh . . . yes. We did," the detective answered in a barely audible whisper.
"The witnesses said the accused came to work cracking jokes and ready to work. Like he usually did every morning."
"What, detective, was the estimated time of death for the two victims?"
"Well, that's kind of interesting. The ME said the murders took place somewhere between three and ten o'clock in the morning."
"Tell me, detective. What time did my client return to the apartment he shared with his daughter and grandson the night before the murders took place?"
"Around midnight."
"Why so late, detective? Was he out drinking in the bars?"
"Er . . . no. His second job ends around eleven every night. It takes him about an hour to get home".
"His second job you say? You're saying my client works two jobs? What is his second job?"
"He works as a part time counselor at a rehab center down on Troost Avenue from five in the afternoon to eleven every night."
Maurice smiled as he stood in front of the witness chair with his hands splayed against his thickening midriff. The man's round face and stout body gave everyone in the courtroom the impression of a young Buddha smiling at a recalcitrant schoolboy. Certainly, the once confident, almost cocky, detective of homicide felt as if he had been caught with his hand in the back porch beer cooler. He kept staring down at the courtroom floor in front of him, glancing nervously up at the odd-looking young Buddha reluctantly.
"So detective. My client comes home at midnight and has to leave the apartment around four in the morning to get to his main place of occupation by five thirty. The expiration from the living for the two victims in this crime has been established somewhere between three and ten o'clock in the morning. Is that correct?"
"Yes," the detective grunted, slumping in lower on the witness stand.
"But my client definitely arrived at the maintenance yards at five thirty in the morning and was constantly under observation by his fellow employees from the time of his arrival until you and several uniformed officers arrived and pulled him off the garbage collection vehicle and arresting him sometime around nine thirty in the morning. Is that correct, detective?"
"Well . . . I guess so," the detective replied, scowling and looking away from the smiling attorney.
"So the window of opportunity for my client to commit the murders was somewhere between three and four in the morning. Is that correct?"
"Yes, that's our thinking."
"Meaning, of course, that in that hour of journeying across town from the scene of the crime to his job, my client somehow had to wash his bloody hands, dispose of what had to be his blood soaked clothing, dispense with the bloody knife he used, and paint on his face a bright, cheerful mood of camaraderie. Is that correct, detective?"
"Objection!" screamed the assistant district attorney, angrily flying to his feet like a cheap Fourth of July rocket. "The defense is trying to confuse and obfuscate the detective's ability to think. Again, I must object. There is more than enough evidence presented here to warrant going to trial, your honor. I demand this charade come to a conclusion and a proper ruling be issued from the bench."
It was like the sudden discharge of a .357 magnum ramming against the walls of a small closet when the judge's wooden gavel came down and slapped against the hard wood strike plate setting on the high judge's podium in front of him. Loud, unexpected, and emphatic. Everyone in the parked courtroom visibly jumped when the crack of wood reverberated across the courtroom.
"Neither you nor anyone in this courtroom will make demands aimed at this bench, Mister Assistant District Attorney. Am I perfectly clear on this? Good. Motion denied. Proceed, counselor, your cross examination."
"I have one final question, your honor." the beaming Maurice nodded as he turned to face the witness stand. "Detective, how did your respected establishment become aware of this horrible affront on human domesticity?"
"Huh?" the man grunted, mapping a puzzled mask across his face.
"Who called in to report a crime, detective?"
"Oh. The apartment building manager. I guy by the name of Wilbur Harrows."
"Thank you, detective." the smiling Maurice answered, turning and bowing slightly to the judge. "I am finished with my cross examination, your honor."
"Call your next witness, prosecutor," the judge snapped glaring down at the assistant district attorney.
"We call Wilbur Harrows to the stand, your honor."
Still floating above the court stenographer's desk was the spectral image of the young girl, her ghostly form dipping and bobbing up and down in a slight oscillation of movement in the air, her legs crossed as if she was still sitting on a park bench, her young face intensely interested in all that had so far taken place in court. Maurice kept glancing up at the ghostly apparition waiting for something to happen which would make the pretty young girl suddenly remember a detail or incident that might help him in the proceedings. So far nothing. But when the name Wilbur Harrows was mentioned, she became very animated.
Suddenly she was standing in midair, jumping up and down excitedly as if she was standing on a street corner, waving her arms wildly around as she tried to catch the round faced lawyer's attention. On her face was the splash of intense excitement. Maurice, looking up at her, frowned and silently whispered the word What? A mistake on his part. From high up behind his bench, the white haired judge's sharp eyes caught Maurice's silent question.
"Wait a moment, please. Counsel, are you suffering an epileptic seizure in my courtroom?"
"Uh . . . no, your honor. I am not. Just a slight strain of a neck muscle which sometimes bothers me at the most inopportune times."
"Mmmmm . . . yes. Well see that you don't. I have enough paperwork to deal with as it is. Someone dying in my courtroom, thus forcing me and my staff in completing its attending paperwork, is totally unacceptable," the judge grunted unconvincingly, lifting a warning eyebrow. "Proceed with your swearing in the witness, bailiff."
Maurice glanced up at the young girl again. For some reason this apparition could not speak to him. But she could communicate by writing. Using her right forefinger, she could write short sentences in midair directly in front of her. The words glowed a bright golden yellow for a few seconds before slowly fading away. Furiously she wrote across the emptiness in front of her.
Hands! I remember giant calloused hands. And a scar! A scar that ran across the full length of the killer's right palm!
Maurice watched with interest as the new witness came to the witness chair and was sworn in. As he watched, he felt his client shift in his chain and lean slightly toward him.
"I know this guy, counselor. He's a little prick. He and his cousin both. We spent time together in prison. This guy can tell lies so convincing the Devil himself wouldn't know what the truth was and what was pure bullshit."
An eyebrow lifted curiously, as he gently set fingertips of both hand together and watched the prosecutor approach the witness stand. Now floating just to one side above the stand Randall's animated daughter began writing furiously in the air in front of her.
If he's got that raspy, whiskey voice and big scars on both hands, he's the guy who
Killed us. You can't let him get away. Please don't let him get away!
Randall Cooke sat ramrod straight in his chair beside Maurice, his face a stoic mask as he watched his old acquaintance swear The Truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the Truth. So help me god with a hand lying on the Bible in the process. But the defendant's right hand, lying on his lap, unseen from all within the court except for Maurice, kept rolling and unrolling into a hard rock of a fist time and time again in a cycle of silent rage.
It turned out Wilbur Harrows had a very raspy voice. It also turned out Wilbur was indeed a very good liar. But not an infallible one. Maurice's interest in the assistant district attorney's questioning perked up visibly when the witness' whereabouts on the night of the double murder arrived.
"Now on the morning of the murder, where were you and what were you doing?'
"I was in my apartment. Watching television and eating an early breakfast."
"What time was this?"
"Around a quarter after five."
"Five fifteen on the morning of the murders, is that correct?"
"While you were eating breakfast did anything out of the ordinary occur which caught your attention?"
"Yes sir. Upstairs. Directly above my apartment. I heard scuffling feet and dishes crashing to the floor and a man's voice. A man's angry voice."
"You said the apartment directly above yours, is that correct?"
"Who lives in the apartment directly above yours?"
"It belonged to that girl and her baby. And the guy who moved in with her last month."
"You're referring to the victims, Tammy Charles and her son. Is that correct?"
"Yeah, sure." the raspy voiced apartment manager with the big hands nodded and glancing toward the defendant.
"You said you heard scuffling of feet, dishes breaking, and a man's angry voice. What happened next?"
"I decided to go check it out. The girl upstairs was not much older than a kid herself. And this guy's voice sounded pretty angry. So I go running out into the hall and start slamming upstairs as fast as I can. 'Bout half way up, I hear her scream really loud and then just cut off. Just stop like someone flipping off a light switch."
"When you got upstairs, what did you find?" the assistant district attorney said, a frown of his lips, as he lifted a foot up to rest on the raised dais of the witness stand and then lean one elbow onto the witness stand's wooden railing.
"Her apartment door was open and she was lying on the floor not looking too good. Down at the far end of the hall I see the backside of this guy turning and disappearing down the stairs. Big guy. Fast on his feet."
"Did you recognize the killer of Tammy Charles?"
"Objection, your honor," the ever-smiling defense counselor said, rising to his feet and holding up a hand like a schoolboy, his voice soft yet very distinct and clear. "The prosecuting attorney is asking the witness to make an assumption that has yet to be proven accurate. I'm afraid our friend in the district attorney's office is trying to sway the jury of the Court of Public Opinion. Forgive me, your honor, but it is a move I must object to rather strenuously."
"Hmmm, I'm inclined to agree with you, counselor. Objection sustained. Try it again, mister prosecutor."
Behind the defense and prosecution tables a soft rumble of noise erupted from the gaggle of news reporters who had been, until now, sitting quietly and watching the proceedings in silence. Several pairs of eyes latched onto the flamboyantly dressed, but until now unknown, young defense attorney with interest. Extreme interest.
For his part the assistant district attorney flashed an angry, smoldering glare at the much younger lawyer and the smiled and shrugged as he turned back toward the person sitting in the witness stand.
"My apologies, your honor. I may have momentarily lost my normal courtroom equilibrium. I will indeed rephrase my question," he said in a contrite voice as he bowed his head apologetically to the judge before turning to face the witness again. "Let me put it another way, Mister Harrows. Did you see anyone leaving this area when you reached the second floor landing?"
"Yes, I did."
"Whom did you see?"
"I saw that guy go down the stairs so fast I thought he was going to trip over his feet and kill himself."
Wilbur Harrows lifted a hand up and with a finger pointed straight at the sitting Randall Cooke. Behind them, in the gallery, the soft hum of reporters increased audibly yet, strangely, the beaming glow of light that was radiating from Maurice's round face seemed to increase in luminosity as his smile widened.
Floating in the air above and to one side of the witness stand Tammy was beside herself with anger. She was standing now, feet apart and slightly bent over, screaming her head off at the apartment manager and shaking a fist at the man at the same time. To Maurice's immense relief he was glad this apparition was incapable of making a sound. Otherwise, the court would have heard language far more colorful in meaning and intensity than that usually reserved for a courtroom setting.
"Your honor, I have no more questions. And the prosecution's presentations of its case has come to a close."
For his part, the assistant district attorney turned to face the courtroom gallery and smiled like a cat who had just plucked a fat mouse from out of its lair and dined upon it with consummate pleasure. He knew he had the gallery of reporters clearly on his side and he could see, in his imagination, the news headlines that were soon to follow. Walking past the defense table his smug smile increased slightly as he looked the colorfully dressed Maurice and nodded.
The smiling defense waited for the strutting older man to sit down and, as the judge turned his attention toward Maurice expectantly, came to his feet and took his time to straighten his coat's lapels before stepping around the large table to approach the witness stand.
"Mister Harrows, are you comfortable with your testimony? Do you feel confident you have told this court the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?"
"Uh . . . sure. Sure I am. I saw Cooke go down the stairs as plain as I'm seeing you right now in front of me."
"Let me restate my question, Mister Harrows. Is there anything in your testimony you wish to retract, or clarify more succinctly, to this court before I begin my cross examination."
"Uh . . ." there was a note of panic in Wilbur Harrows voice as glanced quickly at the now not-so-smiling assistant district attorney. A flash of fear swept into his eyes. But he rallied. Forced the fear and hesitation out of his eyes and voice, set up in his chair, and looked directly at the defense counsel. "No. What I said is the truth."
"Then you, sir, are a despicable liar and I plan to wring the actual truth out of you like a serving wench wringing the water out of a shredded wash cloth!"
As Maurice knew would happen, sheer pandemonium erupted in the spectator gallery behind him. The cacophony of noise now at the decibel level of a thundering avalanche. Turning to face the spectators, his grin was as wide and beatific as if the Buddha himself stood before them all.
BibliophileCrimeFictionGhost WritingHistoryHome and FamilyHorrorMass MediaOp-EdPoint of View
B.R. Stateham
I am a seventy year old kid who still dreams and fantasizes like a fourteen year old. I consider myself a decent writer, but in the end, that judgement is left to others to decide.
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I decided that I will actually do releases of the MCollective yum agent, though there will likely not be many.
Because I use Github as my only remote I sometimes push broken code so I can pull it to another machine later to keep working. This could result in an end user pulling the broken code and well, being generally annoyed.
With the latest additions to add `list` as a subcommand, I figured I'd tag a release and then people can nab that instead.
The .4 I picked out of the air. I feel like I am about 2/5ths done, so .4 seemed appropriate on the way to a 1.0 release.
I am also planning to produce a RPM that I will publish in a Yum Repository. Seems like blasphemy that a yum agent doesn't have it's own repo/rpm.


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Photos: Roosevelt Rough Riders take down the…
Photos: Roosevelt Rough Riders take down the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim first-ever football state title at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderDome at CSU-Pueblo
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:The Roosevelt Rough Riders take the field before their 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:Roosevelt's Andrew Lara (0) and Roosevelt's Nolan Peterson (34) let out a scream before the Roosevelt Rough Riders 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:Roosevelt's Peyton Zikomski (25) just misses the catch during the Roosevelt Rough Riders 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:Roosevelt's Tucker Peterson (20) grabs for the ball after a botched snap for a punt during the Roosevelt Rough Riders 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:Roosevelt's Izain Palacio (13) braces for impact as Lutheran's Gabriel Curry (26) makes the stop on a kick return by Palacio during the Roosevelt Rough Riders 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:Lutheran's Trey Ciccio (3) intercepts a pass intended for Roosevelt's Tucker Peterson (20) and runs in for a touchdown during the Roosevelt Rough Riders 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:Lutheran's Trey Ciccio (3) runs in for a touchdown after intercepting a pass intended for Roosevelt's Tucker Peterson (20) during the Roosevelt Rough Riders 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:Roosevelt's Bowie Schmitz (6) breaks up a pass intended for Lutheran's Trey Ciccio (3) during the Roosevelt Rough Riders 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:Roosevelt's Elizar Valencia (33) reacts after sacking Lutheran's Ryken Daugaard (16) in the backfield during the Roosevelt Rough Riders 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:Roosevelt's Xavier Ramirez (21) runs during the Roosevelt Rough Riders 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:Roosevelt's Xavier Ramirez (21) dives for yardage on a run during the Roosevelt Rough Riders 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:Roosevelt's Xavier Ramirez (21) tries to slip away from Lutheran's Peyton Garrett (50) during the Roosevelt Rough Riders 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:Lutheran's Joe Ciccio (1) can't stop Roosevelt's Ryan Doucette (3) as Doucette stays on his feet and runs in for a touchdown during the Roosevelt Rough Riders 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:Roosevelt's Ryan Doucette (3) runs in for a touchdown during the Roosevelt Rough Riders 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:Roosevelt's Anthony Munoz (53) and Roosevelt's Bowie Schmitz (6) combine to stop Lutheran's Ryan Kenny (5) during the Roosevelt Rough Riders 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:Young fans watch the game and roll down the turf during the Roosevelt Rough Riders 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:Roosevelt's Xavier Ramirez (21) returns a kick during the Roosevelt Rough Riders 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:Roosevelt's Ryan Doucette (3) receives a handoff from Roosevelt's Bronco Hartson (8) during the Roosevelt Rough Riders 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:Lutheran's Joe Ciccio (1) leaps for but can't quite make the interception during the Roosevelt Rough Riders 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:Roosevelt's Tucker Peterson (20) fights for yardage as Lutheran's Trey Ciccio (3) latches on during the Roosevelt Rough Riders 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:Roosevelt's Bowie Schmitz (6) makes the catch as Lutheran's Sam Wisler (10) defends during the Roosevelt Rough Riders 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:Roosevelt's Tucker Peterson (20) makes a diving catch in the end zone for a touchdown under pressure from Lutheran's Trey Ciccio (3) during the Roosevelt Rough Riders 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:The Roosevelt student section reacts after a touchdown by Roosevelt's Tucker Peterson (20) late in the second quarter during the Roosevelt Rough Riders 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:Roosevelt's Bronco Hartson (8) and Roosevelt's Tucker Peterson (20) react after Peterson's touchdown catch late in the second quarter during the Roosevelt Rough Riders 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:Roosevelt's Xavier Ramirez (21) runs into the end zone for a touchdown to give the Rough Riders a 21-17 lead early in the third quarter during the Roosevelt Rough Riders 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:Roosevelt's Elizar Valencia (33) sacks Lutheran's Ryken Daugaard (16) in the backfield during the Roosevelt Rough Riders 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:Roosevelt's Tucker Peterson (20) stops Lutheran's Chace Sorenson (11) as Sorenson runs on a keeper during the Roosevelt Rough Riders 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:Roosevelt's Anthony Munoz (53), Roosevelt's Evan Cline (42) and Roosevelt's Dillon Doyon (85) combine to stop Lutheran's Ryan Kenny (5) during the Roosevelt Rough Riders 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:Roosevelt's Xavier Ramirez (21) catches before returning a kick during the Roosevelt Rough Riders 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:Roosevelt's Bronco Hartson (8) hands the ball off to Roosevelt's Ryan Doucette (3) during the Roosevelt Rough Riders 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:Roosevelt's Xavier Ramirez (21) is stopped by Lutheran's Michael Lopez (6) and Lutheran's Samuel Smolen (21) during the Roosevelt Rough Riders 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:The Roosevelt Rough Riders huddle before a play in the fourth quarter during their 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:Roosevelt's Bronco Hartson (8) runs into the end zone for a touchdown on a keeper during the Roosevelt Rough Riders 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:Roosevelt's Bronco Hartson (8) runs into the end zone for a touchdown on a keeper to give the Rough Riders a 28-24 lead in the fourth quarter during the Roosevelt Rough Riders 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:Roosevelt's Xavier Ramirez (21) fights forward into the end zone for a touchdown to give the Rough Riders a 34-24 lead late in the fourth quarter during the Roosevelt Rough Riders 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:Roosevelt head coach Lane Wasinger reacts after Roosevelt's Xavier Ramirez (21)'s touchdown gave the Rough Riders a 34-24 lead late in the fourth quarter during the Roosevelt Rough Riders 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:Roosevelt's Xavier Ramirez (21) and Roosevelt's Bronco Hartson (8) embrace as the Rough Riders react after winning their 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:Roosevelt's Jonah Masch (15) and Roosevelt's Miguel Hernandez (5) take off to celebrate after the Roosevelt Rough Riders won their 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:Roosevelt's Jonah Masch (15) and Roosevelt's Miguel Hernandez (5) react after the Roosevelt Rough Riders won their 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:Roosevelt head coach Lane Wasinger leaps to embrace Roosevelt's Bronco Hartson (8) after the Roosevelt Rough Riders won their 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:Roosevelt's Tucker Peterson (20) reacts after the Roosevelt Rough Riders won their 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:The Roosevelt Rough Riders celebrate after winning their 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:Roosevelt head coach Lane Wasinger celebrates with his team after the Roosevelt Rough Riders won their 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:The Roosevelt Rough Riders react after winning their 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:The Roosevelt Rough Riders dive toward their state title trophy after winning their 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:The Roosevelt Rough Riders receive their state title trophy after winning their 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:The Roosevelt Rough Riders pose for a photo after winning their 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:Roosevelt's Xavier Ramirez (21) is awarded MVP after the Roosevelt Rough Riders 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:Roosevelt head coach Lane Wasinger hoists the state title trophy high after the Roosevelt Rough Riders won their 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:Roosevelt's Tucker Peterson (20) and Roosevelt's Ryan Doucette (3) embrace after the Roosevelt Rough Riders won their 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
By Alex McIntyre | amcintyre@greeleytribune.com | Greeley Tribune
High School Fall Sports
Alex McIntyre | Photojournalist.
Alex McIntyre is a photojournalist for Greeley Tribune.
amcintyre@greeleytribune.com

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Complete left tusk of an ice-age Woolly Mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius) from the Siberian Arctic on the Taimyr Peninsula. Each individual discovery increases our knowledge about 'the past distribution of these Ice Age giants. © R.-D. Kahlke/ Senckenberg Weimar.
Ice Age paleontologist Prof. Dr. Ralf-Dietrich Kahlke of the Senckenberg Research Station for Quaternary Paleontology in Weimar recorded the maximum geographic distribution of the woolly mammoth during the last Ice Age and published the most accurate global map in this regard. The ice-age pachyderms populated a total area of 33,301,000 square kilometers and may thus be called the most successful large mammals of this era. The study, recently published online in the scientific journal "Quaternary International," determined that the distribution was limited by a number of climate-driven as well as climate-independent factors.


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Parkinson's Academy
Trends in drug use i...
Visit the Parkinson's Academy
See All Parkinson's Courses
Trends in drug use in the PD clinic at the RVH, Edinburgh
By Dr John Cordina, Consultant Geriatrician, Karin Grech Hospital
This audit looked at drug classes and dosing and monitoring among PD patients in 2004 and 2005.
Frequency of drug use:
We have measured a drop in proportion of patients on dopamine agonists (DA) and an increasing preference for non-ergot DA. We observed incomplete baseline tests and monitoring for ergot related side effects. Only 1 patient on DA monotherapy (71 years) and only 1 patient on Apomorphine (63 years).
Almost all patients are on L-DOPA with a diminishing trend in DA use and use of anticholinergics. Patients on DA tend to be younger (70 and 71.2 years) with subtherapeutic dosing regimens for DA employed. 50% of the patients were on ³400 mg of L-DOPA; all patients should be referred to a specialist clinic.
We need to promote the safe use of DA by increasing awareness and education. We can help achieve this by using pro formas, algorithms for use in the clinic, checklists, GP correspondence letter templates, and shared care protocols alongside GPs. We would to re-audit in the future and compare with other clinics.
More Parkinson's Academy Medication Projects
Inpatient PD Medication Management
By Dr James Gaywood, ST7 Care of the Elderly, Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust
Assessment of Rotigotine patch in Parkinson's disease patients
By Dr Shital Shah, Consultant Physician, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust
Parkinson's Disease Acute Admissions Medication Audit
By Dr James	Shaw, Specialist Registrar, Perth Royal Infirmary
'The things you can't get from the books'
Parkinson's Academy, our original and longest running Academy, houses 19 years of inspirational projects, resources, and evidence for improving outcomes for people with Parkinson's. Led by co-founder and educational director Dr Peter Fletcher, the Academy has a truly collegiate feel and prides itself on delivering 'the things you can't get from books' - a practical learning model which inspires all Neurology Academy courses.
Parkinson's: Tailored Management Course Course
On-Demand Parkinson's Advanced MasterClass Course
On-Demand Parkinson's Foundation MasterClass Course
Parkinson's Advanced MasterClass 42 – Module 1 Course


Fair Trade or Fairly Traded?
FairTrade? Fairly Traded? What is the difference?
Is your coffee a commodity crop?
Traditionally, coffee has been a commodity product almost exclusively grown in poor tropical countries. Farmers sell their crops to local cooperatives or wholesalers who then sell them on for commodity coffees. Farmers of commodity crops are usually paid poorly and their workers can be in dire economic circumstances.
The FairTrade label was developed to help commodity coffee farmers (and now farmers of many commodity agricultural products such as sugar, cocoa, cotton, spices, and grains) receive a premium price and to ensure that farm workers are paid fairly. FairTrade products are sold to a cooperative and are mixed in with crops from other local farms.
FairTrade is a great initiative. However, it is geared towards social issues and commodity coffees rather than to specialty coffees. There is no implication for the quality of the bean.
Or is your coffee a specialty crop?
What about Sparkplug Coffee and FairTrade?
As a relatively new company, Sparkplug Coffee has not been certified with FairTrade or any similar organizations. This means that when we buy beans that are FairTrade, we aren't authorized to say this or to use the FairTrade logo.
Also, our coffees are blends of several beans. Within each blend can be a mix of coffees with different certifications - FairTrade, Rainforest Alliance, Organic and others.
We make a real effort at Sparkplug Coffee to find premium coffees from growers following sustainable farming practices and fair labour practices.
And we've found great suppliers across the coffee world. Sometimes this includes FairTrade beans from co-ops that are producing very unusual and delicious coffees. Most often, it means coffees where the farmers have direct relationships with our importers here in Canada. And, of course, are producing special and delicious coffees that command a premium price because they are so good!


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Stocks Edge Lower in Year's Last Session
U.S. Parents Face Big Disparities in Access to Autism Care Services
U.S. stocks ticked lower on the last trading day of 2021, wrapping up a year of repeated records on Wall Street on low interest rates and the rollout of Covid-19 vaccines.
All three major indexes opened Friday lower. The S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average oscillated between small gains and losses as the New Year's Eve trading session wore on before falling toward the end of the day. The Dow fell 0.2%, the S&P 500 slid 0.3% and the Nasdaq Composite declined 0.6%.
Money managers described Friday's trading activity as light, and chalked up the marginal selling to last-minute tax moves and year-end portfolio positioning by fund managers. "Today is more about April than it is about Dec. 31," said
Jason Brady,
chief executive of Thornburg Investment Management, which manages nearly $50 billion in assets.
The relatively calm trading Friday juxtaposes a busy year in markets in which individual investors piled into meme stocks and the rollout of Covid-19 vaccines and low interest rates motivated investments in equities.
These factors helped the S&P 500 to close at a record 70 times this year, more than one-quarter of all trading days, according to Dow Jones Market Data. And pushed the index up 27% in 2021, its third straight year of double-digit gains and its hottest streak since 1999.
The Dow and Nasdaq did well over the past 12 months too, rising 19% and 22%, respectively.
Much of the broader market rally was also driven by a small group of massive stocks, such as
Microsoft.
Microsoft and Tesla shares have each risen more than 50% this year, while Apple has gained more than 30%.
"This is really the year of the economic recovery," said Sean Markowicz, an investment strategist at Schroders. "In 2022, I see growth cooling as the massive policy stimulus in response to the pandemic fades."
Investors are watching a number of risks heading into 2022 that could derail the market's rally. Cases of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 are surging, causing some businesses to curtail services and hours as workers call in sick. U.S. inflation reached a nearly four-decade high last month, raising questions about how many price increases Americans can absorb and if that will affect corporate earnings. The Federal Reserve has also set the stage for a series of interest-rate increases beginning next spring.
In response to some of those concerns, investors turned more defensive over December. They bought shares of utilities, consumer staples, and real-estate firms, pushing all three sectors up at least 9.4% over the month. Technology and communication stocks saw more muted gains, while shares of consumer discretionary firms were flat.
That continued to play out on Friday. Stocks across the communication services sector slipped 0.7%.
fell 2.1%, while
lost 0.9% and
retreated 1.3%.
Some meme stocks were also in the red, suggesting some investors took profits there, too. Shares of
AMC Entertainment Holdings
fell 6% Friday after rising more than tenfold this year.
GameStop,
up more than 700%, declined 4.3%.
Meanwhile, shares of vaccine makers climbed.
added 1.1% in the wake of the the U.K.'s drug regulator authorizing its Covid-19 oral antiviral pill, as well as signs that public health officials in the U.S. may approve booster shots against the virus for 12- to 15-year olds as early as next week.
climbed 1%.
Shares of
also topped the S&P 500, adding 1.5%. The car maker's stock, which has been a favorite among retail investors all year, soared nearly 140% this year, on track for its biggest annual gain since 2009.
Consumer staples added 0.6%, while real-estate firms rose 0.7%.
In bond markets, the yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note held steady at 1.514%. The yield rose 0.601 percentage point this year as of Thursday, the largest one-year yield gain since 2013, according to Dow Jones Market Data. Investors have sold out of government bonds, pushing up yields, because holding bonds that yield less than inflation means locking in a loss. Yields and prices move inversely.
Overseas, the pan-continental Stoxx Europe 600 edged almost 0.2% lower, with markets closed in Germany, Spain and Italy. The broad-market index has risen more than 20% this year.
The rapidly spreading Omicron variant is clouding the outlook for oil markets after a rapid recovery in demand pushed prices to their highest levels in years. Brent crude futures, the benchmark in global oil markets, declined 1.9% Friday to $78.02 a barrel.
Shares of Chinese internet and technology companies jumped in Hong Kong on the last day of the year, following a surge in their corresponding American depositary receipts overnight. The Hang Seng Tech Index, which tracks the 30 largest technology companies listed in the city, rose 3.6% on Friday in a holiday-shortened trading session. The broader Hang Seng Index gained 1.2%.
China's Shanghai Composite added 0.6% Friday. Markets in South Korea and Japan were closed for a holiday.
Corrections & Amplifications
The chief executive of Thornburg Asset Management is Jason Brady. An earlier version of this article incorrectly gave his surname as Thornburg. (Corrected on Dec. 31)
Write to Caitlin Ostroff at caitlin.ostroff@wsj.com and Michael Wursthorn at michael.wursthorn@wsj.com
FDIC chair to resign in February, giving Biden more say in bank regulation
These are the top 3 stocks to watch in 2022: Analyst


On the occasion of 109th anniversary of the birth of the eminent Plovdiv artist Tsanko Lavrenov, the new hall of the State Archive ? Plovdiv Department is going to host an exhibition of six of his paintings. Lavrenov?s personal items and documents are also going to be exhibited for the very first time.


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Dementia Society
The Dementia Society
Dementia Society of America®
...we know you matter.®
If you wish to have the Dementia Society of America receive donations "in lieu of flowers," please consider adding the following statement to the obituary:
"In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in memory of _____________ to the Dementia Society of America by mail to PO Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901, or online
www.DementiaSociety.org/donate.
In addition to an obituary published by the Funeral Director, you may choose to create a memorial page to remember the life of a loved one who battled Dementia.
Dementia Society of America®, in partnership with Ancestry.com® and their We Remember™ initiative, has established memorials where there are no fees, and the memorial page will remain online without the need for renewal. Together, it's our way to help pay tribute to a life well-lived.
From the We Remember memorial page, there is a link back to our donate page in order for family and friends to donate in memory or honor of your loved one. Please see an example below.
Click Here to Set Up a Memorial Page
Dementia Society of America - PO Box 600 - Doylestown, PA 18901
Dementia Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Telephone 1-800-DEMENTIA (1-800-336-3684)
© 2013 - 2021 by Dementia Society, Inc. All rights reserved.
Trademarks include but are not limited to Dementia Society of America®, Know Dementia®, We Know You Matter®,
Dementia SMART®, Dementia Answers®, STEP2RAISE®, Ginny Gives®, Raise Hope Now®,
Better Brain Nation, and Dementia QUEST®, Cure Apathy and Cure Taboo.


This top quality heavy duty Italinox professional veg prep cutter and potato slicer brings incredible value for money to everyday caterers, whatever the type of establishment you have. It is designed to give outstanding performance day after day in all circumstances. It can be used in busy food prep areas and with 4 free disks included, you will not be short of choice for the correct one to use. It's heavy duty build quality brings strong robust reliable to the market and this really is a top quality veg prep cutter and potato slicer.
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When you compare this to equivalent manual models, you will see that this model offers outstanding value for money.
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According to reports, the driver of the car hit the girl at a low speed while moving through a car park, and then stopped so his passenger could check on her condition.
But the angry crowd quickly turned on David Rivas Morales, 40, beating him before leaving him lying on the ground.
He was taken to hospital but pronounced dead soon afterwards. A preliminary autopsy listed "blunt force trauma" as the cause of death, the Associated Press reported.
The driver was able to leave the scene in his car.
"Mr Morales could have been assaulted by two to 20 folks," said Harold Piatt, from the Austin police department.
"It's that same crowd mindset of being one face in 1,000. Things get out of hand pretty quickly and people don't have the good sense to stop."


Fill in a death certificate application form Print Use this application form if the person you are applying for passed away (and their death was registered) in Queensland.... for more information on this topic and to review the instructions for Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship, and Form N-600K, Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate Under Section 322.
One Form, once, and you're set. Take applying for rental properties to another level. Create a 1form account and apply for multiple properties with the ease and speed of just one application. No need to fill out your application details over and over again. Reduce the time to apply for rental properties by filling out one simple form. Apply on the spot at a rental inspection using our mobile cour d informatique pour debutant pdf Fill in a death certificate application form Print Use this application form if the person you are applying for passed away (and their death was registered) in Queensland.
You are filling out a NSW Working With Children Check application. Application for a NSW Working With Children Check registration PLEASE NOTE! Details you provide in this section must match your proof of identity documents EXACTLY. If information differs, your proof of identity may not be accepted by the motor registry / Council Agency.


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Fairy tales and youngest sons
Brothers & Beasts: the boys who love fairy tales too
Many of you will be familiar with Kate Bernheimer's fine book Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: Women Writers Explore Their Favorite Fairy Tales, originally published in 1998, containing memorable essays by Margaret Atwood, A.S. Byatt, bell hooks, Joyce Carol Oates, Fay Weldon, Joy Williams, and many others. (Midori Snyder and I contributed essays to the second, expanded edition in 2002: "The Monkey Girl" and "Transformations.")
Less well known than Mirror, Mirror, but equally good, is Kate's follow-up volume: Brother's & Beasts: An Anthology of Men on Fairy Tales, 2007. The book has a fine roster of writers, including Gregory Maquire, Neil Gaiman, Robert Coover, Timothy Schaffaert, Christopher Barzak, Jeff VanderMeer, and Alexander Chee, plus contributions from scholars Maria Tatar and Jack Zipes, and a fascinating introduction by Kate discussing the way the project came together.
She'd originally intended to publish both men and women in Mirror, Mirror, she writes, but "several people who greatly supported that book did not support the inclusion of men. They claimed, quite adamantly, 'No one will be interested in what men have to say about fairy tales.' Worse still, they continued, 'Men wouldn't have much of interest to say about fairy tales.'
"But evidence of men's interest in fairy tales is vast and spans many centuries," Kate continues. "At the time I was very young and did not argue. Besides, I thought that a book gathering essays by women would be interesting too. Why not? But I always considered that book incomplete -- or, more precisely, because I am an emotional editor, I consider it unfair. Of all the literary traditions, the fairy-tale tradition is generous and spiteful towards boys and girls, men and women -- it does not prefer one over the other. I did not like to suggest that women more than men had a stake in these powerful stories.
"Also, I felt that the assertion that men would have nothing to say about fairy tales was reflective of a two-fold prejudice: against men and against fairy tales. There was an implicit disdain for boys drawn to stories of wonder. There was also an implied disdain for fairy tales, so strongly associated with girls and the nursery.
"Though several eloquent gender studies of fairy tales exist, one hardly encounters a popular reference to men and fairy tales -- Robert Bly's Iron John nothwithstanding. It is as if men are not allowed to have an emotional or artistic relationship to fairy tales. On the whole -- in the classroom, at conderences, or at lectures -- I find that men are not accustomed to being asked if they like fairy tales, let alone whether fairy tales have influences their emotional, intellectual, and artistic lives. "
The premise of Brothers & Beasts, Kate says, "was to reverse that poor spell."
"While I appreciate the celebration, both in scholarship and in popular culture, of the strong female characters in fairy tales," Kate adds, "I think that, first and foremost, our devotion to fairy tales is with 'the whole of the mind' and not with our gender. Phrased differently, perhaps less controversially, it is clear that in both Mirror, Mirror and Brothers & Beasts artistic fervor comes first -- a fervor begun in childhood with a fervor for reading....
"For me, there was nothing like reading fairy tales as a child. As Maria Tatar points out in her lovely forward, 'When you read a book as a child, it sends chills up your spine and produces somatic effects that rarely accompany the reading experience of adults.' Jack Zipes, in his afterword, writes, 'The fairy tale has not been partial to one sex or the other.' Reading fairy tales -- or writing about them -- is, I can assure you, one of the few ways that adults can re-create that delicious, somatic childhood chill.
"Yet men, so discouraged from speaking personally about fairy tales and their connection to them, may lose that opportunity -- which is a loss for us all. That is why I so badly wanted to do this book. I was surprised by the urgency the writers felt too. And I cherish the tenderness with which these writers talk about thimbles and flowers, myth makers and cowards, bears both little and big. It is the tenderness that strikes me, the tenderness and urgency here."
Brothers & Beasts is available from Wayne State University Press. I highly recommend it if it's not on your fairy tale shelves already.
The art today is by Maurice Sendak (1928-2012), from his two-volume fairy tale masterpiece The Juniper Tree and Other Tales from Grimm. Sendak, the child of Polish-American parents, came from a family much decimated by the Holocaust. Raised in Brooklyn, New York, he vowed to become an artist after watching Disney's Fantasia at the age of twelve. He began illustrating books in the late 1940s, then moved on to writing them as well, creating such classics as Where the Wild Things Are, In the Night Kitchen, and Outside Over There, and winning virtually every major award he could win.
"Once a little boy sent me a charming card with a little drawing on it," Sendak recalled in one interview. "I loved it. I answer all my children's letters -- sometimes very hastily -- but this one I lingered over. I sent him a card and I drew a picture of a Wild Thing on it. I wrote, 'Dear Jim: I loved your card.' Then I got a letter back from his mother and she said, 'Jim loved your card so much he ate it.' That to me was one of the highest compliments I've ever received. He didn't care that it was an original Maurice Sendak drawing or anything. He saw it, he loved it, he ate it."
Words: The passage above is from Brothers & Beasts, edited by Kate Bernheimer (Wayne State University Press, 2007); all rights reserved by the author. Pictures: Maurice Sendak's drawings are from The Juniper Tree and Other Tales from Grimm, translated by Lore Segal & Randall Jarrell (Farrar, Straus, & Giroux, revised edition 2003); titles can be found in the picture captions. All rights reserved by the Sendak estate. Photographs: Tilly in the trees.
in Books that shape us, Children, Fairy tales, Stories | Permalink | Comments (17)


text:
Doryctinus is een geslacht van vliesvleugeligen in de familie van de schildwespen (Braconidae). De wetenschappelijke naam van het geslacht werd voor het eerst geldig gepubliceerd in 1910 door A. Roman. Als typesoort gaf hij Exothecus rugulosus Cresson op, die voorkomt in Texas. Het geslacht is nauw verwant met Doryctes Haliday.

Nomenclatuur
In 1993 beschouwde Paul M. Marsh Doryctinus als een junior synoniem van Glyptocolastes Ashmead, 1900. Doryctinus bevatte toen twee soorten, Doryctinus rugulosus (Cresson, 1872) en Doryctinus marshi Greenbaum, 1975. Hij verplaatste D. marshi naar het geslacht Acrophasmus Enderlein, 1912.

In 2011 hebben Marsh en Robert R. Kula de status van Doryctinus en Glyptocolastes herzien. Ze hebben de synonymie opgeheven; Doryctinus en Glyptocolastes werden opnieuw twee afzonderlijke geslachten. Acrophasmus werd een synoniem van Doryctinus.

Soorten
Door de synonymie tussen Doryctinus en Acrophasmus kregen een aantal soorten een nieuwe combinatie toegewezen:
Doryctinus amazonicus (Roman)
Doryctinus arizonensis (Marsh)
Doryctinus atriventris (Cresson)
Doryctinus butleri (Marsh)
Doryctinus costaricensis (Marsh)
Doryctinus erugatus (Marsh)
Doryctinus exilis (Enderlein)
Doryctinus ferrugineus (Marsh)
Doryctinus gauldi (Marsh)
Doryctinus immigrans (Beardsley)
Doryctinus maeandrius (Enderlein)
Doryctinus rubronotum (Marsh)
Doryctinus scobiciae (Marsh)
Doryctinus secundus (Muesebeck en Walkley)

Daarnaast zijn er de twee eerder gekende soorten:
Doryctinus rugulosus (Cresson)
Doryctinus marshi Greenbaum

Marsh en Kula beschreven in 2011 ook een nieuwe soort, aangetroffen op de Konza Prairie in de staat Kansas:
Doryctinus zolnerowichi Kula & Marsh

Schildwespen

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Congratulations! Sopranos: Annabel H, Caroline A, Shelby S, alternate Lindsey M. Altos: Alexis P, Emily L, Kasey C, alternate Josi F. Baritones: Antonino P, Jacob T.
Each student will be given practice tracks. It is expected that students will learn and rehearse your music ON THEIR OWN!
We will also practice on Monday mornings at 8AM starting on September 10th. These practices are meant to be a "check-up" and to assist with anything that you may be struggling to learn on your own, not to be your only rehearsal time. If you have a conflict, please let Mrs. Cagle know.
Unlike in the past, the event takes place at McEachern High School. 2-3 CHAPERONES WILL BE NEEDED for transportation and to attend the event.
Please make sure that you are able to commit to all of the items listed above. Then, sign and return the attached form (front and back) to Mrs. Cagle along with your $40 (put in a school envelope, label it for Honor Chorus and put it into the black box) by WEDNSEDAY SEPTEMBER 5th.


…there are 1,000 of you.
I have been following a cheerful blog for a long time about my old 'hood somewhere in Southern California, near a beach where the sun is usually shining and people are surfing regardless of the weather. I hear about everything from the piers that soared far past the waves with their roller coasters, Ferris wheels and cotton candy, to what is happening at my high school that has been there since before my parents were born. One of the topics of late has been about a man who is special-needs, who rides around on his bicycle, wearing a helmet, and who, from all accounts, likes to make friends with everyone he meets.
Apparently, because of his "special-needs," he does not realize that staring at anything of interest to him is not always appropriate. He probably stares at the stars, or a harvest moon; one of the lovely wall paintings or at the ocean waves or at a talented musician on the boardwalk. As you might imagine, being a man, he notices when a woman who takes good care of herself is present, not unlike any other heterosexual man on this planet.
But, he is "special-needs" and "unappealing." My question, in not knowing him, is, "Was it worth publicly posting this?" Can he read? Can his family read? Will anyone who knows and loves him see this? If he doesn't live with them, he might live near them and they very-likely go to the same blog.
To those of you who posted those comments and said "perv," I can only say: For every guy like him, there are 1,000 of you who stare at a guy like my son. My son does not stare at anyone. At the park, he swings on a swing, claps his hands and talks to himself. He 19 years old and his facial hair is sometimes a bit grown-out. Either my husband or I or an aide are always near to watch him for seizures and explain to others that "he is autistic." Still, in restaurants and other public places, my son knows he is being stared at and it hurts deeply. Don't think it doesn't, just because his face shows little emotion. He says "I am happy" and "I am sad" with the same lack of expression. That is autism.
So, the next time you think that a special-needs person is looking at you inappropriately, remember the times that you may have looked at another one of them in the same way. Ask yourself, who is the person most-likely to muster-up some self-control?
Next time I blog, I will play a bit with my sense of humor. It seems to have disappeared for the moment!
This entry was posted in Anger, Boundaries, care giving, Communication, Constant Effort, Emotions, Fear, Feelings of Inadequacy, Guilt/Shame, Melissa, Self perception by caregivingstinks. Bookmark the permalink.


Co-created in 2017 by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Citi Foundation, Youth Co:Lab aims to establish a common agenda for countries in the Asia-Pacific region to empower and invest in youth, so that they can accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through leadership, social innovation and entrepreneurship. By developing young people's 21st century skills*, and by catalyzing and sustaining youth-led startups and social enterprises across the region, Youth Co:Lab is positioning young people front and center in order to solve the region's most pressing challenges. In addition to supporting youth entrepreneurship, Youth Co:Lab also works closely with multiple stakeholders, including governments, civil society and the private sector, to strengthen the entrepreneurship ecosystem and to promote policies that will support and enable young people to take the lead in finding and developing new solutions for social and environmental problems in their communities.
In its inaugural year, Youth Co:Lab convened 11 national dialogues and social innovation challenges across Asia and the Pacific which culminated with a regional summit. The initiative has helped more than 1,700 young people develop their 21st century skills, and it has launched or improved 140 social enterprises. The project has also established partnerships with over 80 key partners to strengthen the Youth Empowerment Alliance.
On the back of this success, Youth Co:Lab will be scaled to 20 countries and territories in the region, including: China, Hong Kong SAR, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Maldives, Nepal, Fiji, Bhutan, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Myanmar, Cambodia and Timor-Leste.
Stay tuned to our ever-evolving website www.youthcolab.org for blogs, videos, competitions as well as resources for your budding entrepreneurial endeavor. The Co:Lab website will not only host the outcomes and stories from these events, it will foster greater dialogue about regional issues, and provide a platform for exchange between young people, business leaders and government. In short, the site will be a one-stop-shop for knowledge on youth entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurship in the Asia Pacific region.
The initiative is managed by a dedicated team at UNDP's Regional Hub in Bangkok, Thailand. To get in touch with us please write to: [email protected] or send us a message through Facebook or Instagram.


Take a moment from the excitement of Palace West and enjoy some of the classic food from Chile Ristra! Chile Ristra 2 is the same food and snacks you've come to love at Isleta Resort & Casino, conveniently located at Palace West. Can you take the heat? Don't forget to order extra water, you're going to need it!


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Prop. 13 'split roll' looms: Karma for Chamber of Commerce?
07 Dec, 2012 by CalWatchdog Staff
By Chris Reed
For years, the California Chamber of Commerce has had a squishy aversion to confrontation and a comfort level with Sacramento's machine politicians that should inflame any small-government conservative. What has this toadying and willingness to fight against constructive state initiatives and stay mum about destructive ballot measures gotten them? Will the Democrats who now control Sacramento like the Kim family controls Pyongyang cut them any breaks?
Hardly. Instead, we're likely to see a coming bid to end the Proposition 13 protections for commercial property. The new Public Policy Institute of California poll shows the public is ready to make the change, and Sacramento certainly wants the billions in revenue it would produce. Per the PPIC:
PROPOSITION 13 — POPULARITY ENDURES
Now that Californians have approved the Proposition 30 tax initiative and Democrats have gained a two-thirds majority in the legislature, there is renewed discussion about changing Proposition 13, the 1978 initiative that limits both residential and commercial property taxes. Asked about Proposition 13, Californians remain highly positive about its overall impact. Solid majorities (60% adults, 64% likely voters) say it has been mostly a good thing for the state. Fewer (31% adults, 29% likely voters) say it has been mostly bad. Across political groups, regions, and demographic groups, majorities consider it a good thing for the state. However, Californians' views are mixed when asked about the effect of Proposition 13's tax limitations on local government services: 29 percent say the effect has been good, 25 percent say it has been bad, and 36 percent say there has been no effect.
There is support for one change to Proposition 13 — a "split roll" property tax. Majorities (57% adults, 58% likely voters) favor taxing commercial properties — now protected under Proposition 13 — according to their current market value. Most Democrats (66%) and independents (58%) favor the proposal, while Republicans are divided (47% favor, 48% oppose).
If this happens, I think it would be a bad thing for California. But it would sure feel like appropriate karma for the way the chamber and many big businesses have behaved over the years in kissing up to or acting as an extension of the Sacramento establishment.
Rex the Wonder Dog! 7 December, 2012, 08:00
I personally would like to see commercial property owners who have not had a market increase since 1978-like Disneyland- pay more, but the fact is any extra money will be diverted to pensions and other waste and black hole spending and I would rather the businesses NOT get a tax increase until the spending is curtailed.
Dyspeptic 7 December, 2012, 08:56
I would absolutely support raising property taxes sky high on news media corporations, the entertainment industry, rich entertainers and athletes, university presidents, labor bosses, ambulance chasing law firms, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Warren Buffett, The Chamber of Commerce, anyone who has ever owned Birkenstocks, people who watch that Honey Boo Boo show and registered Democrats, Greens, and Peace and Freedom Party socialists.
As tax policy goes it's something of a blunt instrument but hey, you can't say it wouldn't raise revenue.
Hondo 7 December, 2012, 15:32
Do I hear that commie prop 13 dog whistle?
Hondo..
Donkey 7 December, 2012, 17:48
I would like to see all RAGWUS members get a 30% pay cut and cap all members highest pay at no more than $90,000 a year. Cut all pensions to no more than $50,000 a year, no matter the title held. Do away with the DROP program, perks, spiking, and special rights for our government paid crooks.
Most of all I would like to no longer pay to the state to keep my property. Lets get rid of the property tax and about 80% of government!! 🙂
SeeSaw 8 December, 2012, 09:26
I don't believe that the Chambers have been kissing up to government. The local Chambers have had no problem in accepting funding from thir local government's while, at the same time, supporting/sponsoring anti-public sector initiatives.
The only voters who resent Prop. 13 are the recent purchasers of residential property. They hate the homeowners who pay 10 times less property taxes than they–completely overlooking the fact that their own current taxes are several times less than they would be if Prop.13 had never passed.
Ian Random 8 December, 2012, 14:17
I don't understand why commercial property owners have to pay education taxes? Is it the Truman Show?
Everybody must pay education taxes. Society benefits from everyone having an education.
California Chamber of CommerceChris ReedpollsPPICProp. 13Proposition 13split roll
12 Blog 5 years ago
Federal judge confuses Declaration with Constitution
You can't make this stuff up. Why do we have to live under the rule of people who don't know
VIDEO: Will battle tanks replace think tanks?
Politics is a contact sport, so is it time for think tanks to transition from academic institutions to partisan brawlers?
6 Breaking News 3 years ago
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate picks up another Republican endorsement
In her gambit to ride largely Latino and Republican support to the U.S. Senate, Democratic Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez picked up
Cracking down on ADA lawsuit abuse


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OS X El Capitan review: Everyone's an expert
Starting on September 30th, everybody will be able to install Apple's latest OS X update, El Capitan, on their Macs. El Capitan is the small one in Apple's big-then-small OS update cadence…
38 Reasons To Cross Orkney Off Your Bucket List
It were perhaps vain to surmise exactly why it was, that as respecting Starbuck, Ahab thus acted. It may have been a flash of honesty in him; or mere prudential policy which, under the circumstance, i…
Google Santa Tracker – Where's Santa?
At about 2 a.m. on Dec. 24, Santa Claus will lift off from his village in the North Pole to deliver billions of presents to children around the world within 24 hours—or at least that's Google&rs…
Microsoft's new activity tracker is the $249
A new Surface and new Lumia smartphones might be what everyone was waiting to hear about at today's Microsoft event, but the company made it clear it's still chugging along in another area…
Fun in the sun! New cruise destination opens in Dominican Republic
Amber Cove, a new port development along the north coast of the Dominican Republic, officially opened on Tuesday with the arrival of its first ship, the 2,754-passenger Carnival Victory. Development b…
Dragon Quest Heroes: The World Tree's Woe and the Blight Below
Blighted by the night, vanquishing the plight by the children of the light. No video game character conveys endearment and sadism in a single expression as well as the Blue Slimes. In Dragon Quest Her…
30 Manicure Ideas That Will Make You Mad For Matte
While you may have thought matte manicures hit their peak in 2010, the nail pros of Instagram are proving otherwise. Patterns, accents, and different nail shapes prove that this fun lacquer finish is …
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The power and portability of Apple's iPad line have been catching the attention of progressive educators; some schools have actually begun distributing the devices to students and making them a major part of the curriculum. Here are ten of the ways that the iPad is making waves in the modern classroom.
To Replace Textbooks – The lightweight iPad not only eliminates the need for heavy, bulky book bags; there are also apps that allow teachers to design and distribute their own textbooks to their students.
As a Collaborative Project Aid – Group projects and collaborations are made significantly easier by utilizing the iPad. Students can work together from home or while in the same room. Easy sharing and editing can help to foster a sense of teamwork.
Collecting and Storing Student Information – One of the iconic pieces of teacher's equipment is the grade-book; the often leatherette-covered volume required manual entry of grading information. With the iPad, teachers can manage all required student data quickly and efficiently.
Bringing the Computer Lab into Every Classroom – Instead of a trek down the hall to a dedicated computer lab, kids that attend a school with an iPad program have the power of the computer lab at their fingertips.
"Go-Green" Paper Saving Programs – Eliminating grade books, text books and many other paper-based products by distributing iPads to every student is a powerful "go-green" initiative, and has been one of the greatest sticking points for proponents.
Interactive Learning – Instead of simply reading about a subject, students can use their iPads to locate pictures, diagrams and even to watch related video content. This interactive approach to learning may help disinterested kids become more excited about learning.
Homework Planners and Scheduling – Teachers can create a syllabus, share homework assignments and classroom schedules with their students and coordinate projects, all from their iPads. This organized approach can often prove beneficial for kids that crave structure, as well as helping less orderly children keep everything in one place. Instead of several notebooks filled with information dedicated to each class, students can store all of their information in one place.
Creating a Digital Portfolio – Creating a portfolio of classroom work has never been easier than it is for kids with access to iPads. The ability to carry their work with them and to transfer it from one digital device to another is another way that the iPad is making inroads into the education system.
Taking the Classroom Home – Students participating in an iPad-based curriculum are no longer dependent on the classroom for all of their needs; even situations such as collecting homework during an illness are a snap when the work can be sent directly to the student's iPad.
Virtual Field Trips – An actual field trip to the pyramids may not be feasible for most school kids, but the iPad can often serve as the next best thing (by rodriguez). Students can immerse themselves in these virtual field trips, which all take place from the safety of the classroom.
Portability and affordability are continuing to bring technology to new levels in our education systems; a benefit for educators and students alike. As technology becomes a bigger part of our lives, education can empower kids to make it useful as well as entertaining.
The Next Billion Internet Users: What Will They Look Like?


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Ottawa – October 1, 2022 – We need high quality, accessible, and public childcare now. Send a message to your local Member of Parliament, and Canada's federal party leaders, urging them to make universal childcare a reality for all families.
Advocacy continues to make a difference in the lives of Uber drivers
Toronto – April 4, 2022 – When Uber driver Dee Verma got deactivated from her means of making a living, she felt alone, afraid, and uncertain about the future. That is until she met with UFCW Canada representatives at an Uber Greenlight Hub, where the union heard her case and acted as a support to lean on.
UFCW Canada and allies welcome Metro's commitment to phase out toxic BPA and BPS receipts
Toronto – September 9, 2021 – Following calls from UFCW Canada and advocacy partners to Ditch Toxic Receipts, Metro Inc. has made a public commitment toend the use of paper receipts coated with toxic bisphenol A (BPA) and bisphenol S (BPS) in all Metro food and pharmacy banners.
Alabama Amazon workers on the cusp of historic organizing victory
Toronto – March 18, 2021 – Nearly 6,000 warehouse workers in Bessemer, Alabama are on the cusp of a historic organizing victory to be the first to form a US-based Amazon union.
Ruling by the UK Supreme Court on Uber employment status should have ripple effects across the globe
Toronto – February 23, 2021 – The UK Supreme Court handed down its decision on Friday that rules Uber drivers are employees and not self-employed as the company has tried to argue for years before lower courts.
UFCW Canada expresses solidarity with Dutch supermarket workers in their fight for respect
Toronto – February 5, 2021 – The union for grocery and food workers, UFCW Canada, expresses their support of Dutch supermarket workers who are being undermined in negotiations by the Supermarket Employer's Association.


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Bilateral trade between Malaysia and China increased 4.4 per cent to RM240.91 billion in 2016. The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) said exports accounted for RM98.56 billion of the amount, while imports were valued at RM142.35 billion. Malaysia's main exports to China were electrical and electronics goods (43.5 per cent), chemical products (12.1 per cent), petroleum products (7.5 per cent), palm-oil based products (six per cent) and steel products (4.9 per cent), it said in a written reply to a question in Parliament.
MITI said in 2016, China invested RM4.8 billion in the manufacturing sector compared with RM1.9 billion in 2015. It said China invested in 33 projects in Malaysia 2016, with 10,147 jobs expected to be created, while in 2015, it invested in 17 projects and provided 5,127 jobs. Describing China's investments in Malaysia as very encouraging, MITI said China was Malaysia's second largest trading partner among ASEAN countries last year. "As the world's largest economic power, with a huge market of 1.3 billion people, China remains the focus of Malaysia's exports," it said.


The Black Swan Guest House is a refurbished former 18th Century coaching inn in the Lincolnshire village of Marton, 5 miles south of the market town of Gainsborough, and 12 miles away from the historic city of Lincoln. We have 9 en-suite rooms, 6 on the first floor in the main house, and a further 3 on the ground floor in a converted stable block with direct access to the courtyard car park. Freeview TV, tea and coffee making facilities and WiFi are all available in each room.
There are several pubs and restaurants within a few miles.


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