When it comes to preschool education, it is important for you to select the best one to ensure your children will be prepared for formal education once they reach primary school. While there are a number of preschools in Cebu, there are a select few that do not focus only on the academic development of your children. These preschools also work on their personal formation to give them the proper foundations while they are still very young. One of these preschools is PAREF Southdale Preschool in Banilad.
PAREF stands for Parents for Education Foundation. It is an organization established in 1976 by a group of parents with the goal of addressing the challenge during that time. Inspired by the teachings of St. Josemaria Escriva, the parents determined that the formation of the parents and teachers is necessary to give their children proper education since the parents and teachers are the most important agents in the education of their children. PAREF Woodrose was the first school established with the aim of implementing the educational philosophy of the organization. In 1979, PAREF Southridge was set up in Hillsborough Subdivision in Muntinlupa.
The first PAREF preschool was PAREF Rosemont, which was established in 1986. PAREF Preschools aim to become the second home of your children. It is a place where home-school collaboration provides a solid foundation for the academic and personal formation of your children. PAREF Preschools encourage your children to become more sociable, respectful, and kind to other people. In addition, your children will become happy, eager, and independent learners once they graduate from a PAREF Preschool. There are currently six PAREF Preschools in the country, most of which are located in Metro Manila. The PAREF Preschool located in Cebu is PAREF Southdale.
PAREF Southdale Preschool was established in 2010 with the aim of providing quality preschool education in Cebu. Similar to other PAREF preschools in the country, Southdale also encourages close collaboration between the parents and the school for the academic and personal formation of their children. The system focuses on a Home Atmosphere School where your children receive close, warm, and personalized guidance from all school personnel.
To ensure the school personnel are true professionals working for the holistic development of your children, the school also provides an integral human and spiritual formation for the management, teachers, and support staff. Due to this, the school personnel serve as the role models of your children since they spend a good part of the day in school.
Southdale ensures your children have all necessary foundations to become well-rounded and successful individuals. In addition, the preschool also ensures your children will be on the right path in becoming intellectually, spiritually, and socially responsible individuals.
Since Southdale is a Home Atmosphere School, it offers a number of fun activities where your children can learn while having fun. In addition, the mentoring system is a distinctive characteristic of all PAREF schools where parents can work with the teachers for the personal formation of their children.
PAREF Southdale Preschool offers four preschool levels: Pre-Nursery, Nursery, Preparatory, and Kindergarten. The preschool is located along Gov. M. Cuenco Avenue, Banilad, Cebu City. It is situated right beside PAREF Southcrest School , the all-girls school of PAREF in Cebu.
The high demand for PAREF education led to the establishment of PAREF Preschools in mid-80s. This demand simply shows that more parents are recognizing the importance of collaborating with the schools the academic and personal development of their children. In addition, they have also acknowledged the importance of preparing their children for formal education once they reach the first grade.
If you are interested in getting to know more about PAREF Southdale Preschool, you can get in touch with them through (032) 512-8535. You can also contact them through their website or Facebook page.
The Queen City of the South is gradually attracting the attention of visitors from all over the country. As the number of visitors to the city started to increase, more establishments opened to provide for the needs of visitors and residents of Cebu. One popular establishment to open its doors to the Cebuano market is the Tim Ho Wan Restaurant.
Tim Ho Wan Restaurant opened its first outlet in Mongkok, Hong Kong in 2009. It was a 20-seater eatery established by Chef Leung Fai Keun and Chef Mak Kwai Pui. In 2010, this hole-in-the-wall eatery earned a star in the 2010 Hong Kong and Macau Michelin guide. This is the highest accolade in the culinary world. The restaurant opened a number of outlets around Hong Kong before opening its first international location in 2013 in Singapore. It first landed on the shores of the Philippines in 2014 after it opened an outlet in Manila.
Being included in the Michelin guide is a record of sorts since during that time the list was dominated by fine dining restaurants. Tim Ho Wan is considered as the most affordable Michelin-starred restaurant in the world. Aside from being affordable, the restaurant has consistently offered great-tasting food to its customers.
While the name Tim Ho Wan means "additional good luck" in Cantonese, the place does not seem to rely on luck in its aim of offering the perfect dim sum. This perfection encompasses everything, from the placement of the dishes to the service it provides its customers. The dim sum offered at the place is handmade-to-order. They are not pre-steamed or reheated before it is served.
The outlet at the Upper Ground Floor of the Mountain Wing of SM Seaside City Cebu is the seventh in the Philippines and the first outlet outside of Metro Manila. While there restaurant has a wide selection of dishes, the main attraction is the Four Heavenly Kings. The Four Heavenly Kings are the Beancurd Skin Roll with Pork & Shrimp, Pan Fried Carrot Cake, Baked Bun with BBQ Pork, and Steamed Egg Cake. Customers are willing to line up for a good amount of time just to get their hands on the Four Heavenly Kings.
The restaurant also offers Steamed Dishes, including the Prawn Dumpling, Pork Rib with Black Bean Sauce, and Steamed Spinach Dumpling with Shrimp. Deep Fried dishes at Tim Ho Wan include the Wasabi Salad Prawn Dumpling and Spring Roll with Egg White. For those who cannot have a meal without rice, you can opt to get the Rice with Chicken, Sausage & Mushroom or the Rice with Beef & Fried Egg, among others.
The prices of the dishes at Tim Ho Wan start at PHP85 for the Steamed Egg Cake up to PHP190 for the Glutinous Rice with Lotus Leaf.
Tim Ho Wan is located on the Upper Ground Floor of the Mountain Wing of SM Seaside City Cebu. The restaurant is open from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM every day. You can get to SM Seaside City Cebu by getting on the MyBus headed for the mall. Once you reach the mall, you can ask for directions from the concierge of the mall.
When Tim Ho Wan opened in Cebu, many fans of the restaurant rejoiced since it was not necessary for them to travel to Hong Kong or Manila just to satisfy their cravings for the dim sum offered by the place. It also gave other Cebuanos the chance of tasting dishes offered by a Michelin-starred restaurant without having to leave the island.
Have you tasted the Four Heavenly Kings of Tim Ho Wan already? Tell us about your experience on the comments section below.
When you talk about heritage towns in Cebu, Carcar and Argao normally come to mind. Both Carcar and Argao have a good number of heritage structures that made them among the must-visit places for culture enthusiasts. But, the southern town of Boljoon also has its own share of heritage structures. These structures have gradually attracted the attention of local and foreign visitors. One of these heritage structures is the Balay Cirilo Sestoso.
The book, Boljoon: Cebu Heritage Frontier, indicated that the Balay Cirilo Sestoso may be the last 19th century house in Boljoon. In fact, it is probably the oldest ancestral house in Boljoon. It was built by Cirilo Sestoso in the 1880s. Sestoso was a former gobernadorcillo of Boljoon during the Spanish period.
The structure has a rectangular shape and featured a detailed ornamentation on the gutter. One description indicated that the building had a "patched geometrical outer wall" situated in between the window panels that featured "fretted ventanillas". The floor panels and posts of the house used tugas or hardwood. The staircase is also made of hardwood. The encased posts reflect the typical Spanish interior design.
The Balay Cirilo Sestoso is located close to the parish complex in Boljoon. You need to get on a bus headed for the town. Once you reach the town proper, you can simply walk to the ancestral house. But, the owners of the place are not allowing visitors to enter the house anymore since it is costly to maintain it.
The Balay Cirilo Sestoso of Boljoon is just one of the many heritage structures in the town of Boljoon. Due to this, Boljoon is considered as one of the many heritage towns located in the southern part of the island.
Have you visited the Balay Cirilo Sestoso in Boljoon already? Tell us about it on the comments section below.
Marauding pirates and Moro raiders constantly attacked the towns in southern Cebu during the Spanish period. To protect these towns from these attacks, Fr. Julian Bermejo established a coastal defense system that warned the towns of the presence of these raiders. The coastal defense system was made up of watchtowers that would monitor the areas around the town. One of these watchtowers built during the Spanish period was the Baluarte sa Fuente of Boljoon.
When Fr. Bermejo was assigned as the parish priest of Boljoon, he designed a coastal defense system to protect the town from pirates and raiders. The defense system extended from Tañong, now known as Santander, up to Sibonga and Carcar. The watchtowers or baluartes in these towns were a part of the coastal defense designed by Fr. Bermejo, who was also known as "El Padre Capitan".
The Baluarte sa Fuente is one of the watchtowers in the town of Boljoon. The structure built under the supervision of Fr. Bermejo. It was part of the coastal defense system established by the warrior priest to protect the southern towns of Cebu from marauding pirates that constantly attacked these towns.
Aside from this watchtower, Boljoon also has the El Grande Baluarte at the parish complex. Another Spanish watchtower is located at the Ili Rock. There is also a fourth watchtower situated at the Kayaongon Point. These watchtowers warned the residents of the town of the presence of Moro raiders and pirates. The Baluarte sa Fuente of Boljoon was built close to the point where the river flowed into the sea. It was located far from the parish complex of Boljoon. The watchtower also featured an octagonal shape.
While the Baluarte sa Fuente is already covered with thick vegetation, it now serves a stark reminder of the dangers the people of Boljoon and other towns in the south had to face during the time of the Spaniards.
Have you dropped by the Baluarte sa Fuente in Boljoon already? Tell us about your visit on the comments section below.
Southern Cebu can be paradise for heritage buffs with the century-old churches and heritage buildings in this part of the island. While some of these churches were restored after being destroyed for various reasons in the past, much of their façade have remained relatively the same. One of these churches is the Immaculate Conception Church of Oslob.
The Immaculate Conception Church was established on May 4, 1830. While the plans of the church were made by Bishop Santos Gomes Maranon, Fr. Julian Bermejo selected the site for the church. Bishop Maranon is the same prelate behind the construction of the kiosk protecting Magellan's Cross. Fr. Bermejo supervised the construction of the church, which was completed in 1848. Aside from the residents of Oslob, the residents of Santander, formerly Tañon, and Nueva Caceres, formerly Ivisan, helped in building the church.
In 1942, the church was burned down by Filipino guerillas before it was restored by the residents of the town. On November 7, 1955, the church was destroyed again when a fire gutted it. Nearly everything inside the church was destroyed by the fire. Only the image of the Immaculate Conception was spared. The townsfolk pitched in to rebuild the church. A third fire hit the church on March 26, 2008. Restoration efforts were completed on December 10, 2010.
The Immaculate Conception Church served to meet the religious needs of the people of Oslob. The church has a plain yet imposing façade. The interior of the church features a high ceiling. Since the Immaculate Conception Church was destroyed in the fires that gutted it in the past, much of the interior may have changed when compared to when it was originally built. The church was made of coral stones quarried from the seas and cemented using lime from seashell ashes. Its bell tower of the church stands at 30 meters and had a neo-classical style dome. An unfinished Cuartel stands in front of the church. The Cuartel was supposed to be the barracks of the Spanish guardia civil.
You can visit the Immaculate Conception Church of Oslob by getting on a bus headed for Oslob at the Cebu South Bus Terminal. Once you reach the town proper, you can simply ask for directions from locals since the church is within walking distance from the center of the town.
Even as the Immaculate Conception Church of Oslob went through a number of renovations after it was gutted in the past, it still evokes a sense of faith among local and visitors to the town. Its façade may be simple, but it is quite imposing. The bell tower itself is also nearly as wide as the façade, which makes it different from many churches in Cebu. It is also one of the places history and culture lovers should not fail to visit if they ever get to pass by the town of Oslob.
Have you visited the Immaculate Conception Church of Oslob already? Tell us about the visit on the comments section below.
After being named one of the best islands in the world in the Readers' Choice Awards of the Conde Naste Traveler magazine in 2016, Cebu has become a part of the must-visit list of travelers around the world. The beaches may be the main attractions of Cebu, but there are many other places where you can visit if you find yourself in the island. One of these places is the Salay Cave in the town of Alegria.
Alegria may be a quiet town in the southwestern part of Cebu, but it has a lot of things to offer to its visitors. It was once known as Tuburan since there was a spring or tubod in the middle of the town. The name was changed to Alegria to avoid confusion with some barangays with the same name. Aside from the Salay Cave, you can also visit other tourist spots in the town, including the Cancalanog Falls, Cambais Falls, the Baluarte, and the St. Francis Church.
The Salay Cave in Alegria has an accreditation from by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). This means tourists can enter the cave safely. It is one of the hidden treasures of Alegria that is gradually gaining the attention of spelunkers and cave enthusiast. There are instances when the local government would organize tours inside the cave for spelunking groups.
While the entrance of the cave is rather small, you can get to see a whole new world inside. It has numerous formations, but visitors are not supposed to touch them. Any dirt or oul from the hands can drastically change these formations. It may even change their colors and hinder their growth.
You can get to the Salay Cave in Alegria by getting on a bus bound for the town. Once you reach the town, you can hop on a motorcycle-for-hire to reach the village where the opening of the cave is located. It is recommended for you to get the services of a guide if you want to enter the cave since you may not find it easy to explore it without a guide.
In addition to the Salay Cave, Cebu has many other relatively-unknown places where you can stand in awe at the beauty of nature. As more tourists start to visit these natural tourist attractions, it has become important for us to do our part in protecting them for the future generations.
Have you visited the Salay Cave in Alegria already? Tell us about your experience on the comments section below.
The Aranzana Springs is a group of freshwater springs located in Barangay Aranzana, Malabuyoc. These freshwater springs flow directly into a river. The locals wash clothes and get their water supply from these springs. Some of the springs have small pools built by the locals to swim and dip in. You will know where the springs are located along the river since the water coming from the spring is colder and clearer. While it may not be what some people have in mind when they see the Aranzana Springs, it is still one of the few relatively unspoiled natural attractions in Cebu.
You have to get on a bus headed for the town of Malabuyoc at the Cebu South Bus Terminal. Make sure to tell the driver or conductor to let you off at the Western Union outlet in the town center. The road to the springs is right beside the outlet. You can also ask the locals for directions in getting to the spring, which are a few hundred meters away from the town center.
The Escuela Catolica is just one of the structures built by the Spaniards to meet the religious needs of the people of Boljoon. Since the structure was built during the time of the Americans, it had some features similar to the buildings built during that era.
The Escuela Catolica was built in 1940 by the Spanish clergy in Boljoon. The building served as a dorm for children who were about to take their first communion, according to the Cebu Heritage Frontier. The children housed in the building are those who come mainly from the upland barangays of the town. In addition, the structure was also used as the venue for religious teachings and was also used as a school at one point.
The two-level structure had a similar design as the schools built by the Americans. Rather than using a combination of stones and wood as what is used on Spanish colonial houses, wood was used for the entire structure. It featured a symmetrical façade and was rectangular in shape. The building also had a double grand staircase leading to the upper level. The base of the roof pediments of the Escuela Catolica were decorated with bas reliefs. Ornate carvings can also be found under it.
The Escuela Catolica is the only structure in the parish complex that featured a uniquely American design. It is now being used as a venue for meetings of religious groups of the parish.
To reach the Escuela Catolica you have to get on a bus headed for Boljoon. Tell the driver to let you off at the town's parish church or the Nuestra Señora del Patrocinio de Maria Parish Church. The Escuela Catolica is located a few meters from the church.
The Escuela Catolica is one of the heritage structures you can find in Boljoon. It is one of the places you should not fail to visit whenever you find yourself in this southern Cebu town.
Have you visited the Escuela Catolica already? Tell us about it on the comments section below.
The Camotes Islands is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Province of Cebu. Aside from the magnificent beaches, the place also has its share of caves where spelunkers and adventure seekers can visit. One of the caves you can find in the Camotes Islands is the Holy Crystal Cave.
The Holy Crystal Cave was discovered by Mr. Avito Formentera in 1996 while he was gathering firewood. After gathering a good amount of firewood, he decided to rest for a while. It was on this instance when he noticed a small pile of rocks in the area. He started clearing the bigger rocks while leaving the smaller ones on the ground. Mr. Formentera started digging into the ground and saw a huge crab coming out of the hole he made. He continued digging until a bigger hole was formed. He threw a rock into the hole and heard it bouncing inside the hole.
He decided to explore the hole and discovered the hidden gem of a cave. The first part of the cave was similar to the living room of a house. Mr. Formentera explored the cave and discovered numerous stalagmites and stalactites inside. He initially called the place "Holy Cave" before settling on "Holy Crystal Cave".
According to Mr. Formentera, the water from the Holy Crystal Cave has miraculous properties. It is said to cure common aches and pains, including muscle pains, skin irritation, and even fever, among others. In addition, the stalagmites inside the cave seem to look like some recognizable figures in the culture of Cebu, including the Santo Niño and the Virgin Mary. A British archeologist discovered a human bone in inside the cave that is around 5,000 years old.
The Holy Crystal Cave is gradually becoming one of the go-to places in Camotes. It is located in the Municipality of San Francisco. While there is no entrance fee when you visit the cave, donations are encouraged to maintain the place. Mr. Formentera serves as the tour guide when you explore the cave. Aside from giving the background on how the cave was discovered, he would also explain the different features of the cave. You should also make sure to follow the instructions of Mr. Formentera, especially on the things you can and cannot do while inside the Holy Crystal Cave.
The cheaper option to reach the Holy Crystal Cave in the Camotes Island is by getting on a ferry at the Danao City port. You have to hop on a bus headed for port in Danao City at the Cebu North Bus Terminal. After reaching the port, you can get on a ferry headed for Consuelo Port in the Camotes Islands. Once you reach the island, you can hire a motorcycle to bring you to the cave. You can also opt to hop on a fast craft at Pier 1 in Cebu City. The fast craft will bring you directly to Consuelo Port where you can hire a motorcycle in going to the cave.
If you've had your fill of the beautiful white sand beaches of the Camotes Islands, you try something new and check out the Holy Crystal Cave. The cave tour will not only educate you on the different features of these caves, it will also allow you to appreciate the importance of preserving these natural attractions for the future generations.
Have you visited the Holy Crystal Cave of the Camotes Islands already? Tell us about your experience on the comments section below.
Alegria may be a quiet little town in the southern part of Cebu, but it has a lot to offer to its guests. While the town is rather small, it features a number of tourist attractions that are guaranteed to pique the interest of anyone looking for something new. One of these tourist attractions is the Cambais Falls.
The Municipality of Alegria was once called Tuburan due to the presence of a good number of springs in the area. The name was later changed to Alegria to prevent confusion since there were other barangays in Cebu with the same name. On July 3, 1856, the parish of Alegria was established.
The Cambais Falls of Alegria is considered as one of the most beautiful waterfall curtains in the island. It is located in Barangay Guadalupe and features three levels with five drops. Adrenaline junkies can also test their skills at the plunge pool of the falls. The first level of the falls has a pool where you can take a dip in after trekking to the place. The second level of the falls has a height of around twenty-five meters. On the other hand, the third level features a small cavern behind the cascade.
While the place is relatively undeveloped, there is a cottage for rent in the area if you decide to stay the night. You can also rent the cottage for the day. You should bring your own food if you are planning to go to the place. Just make sure not to leave any of your trash in the area.
Your journey to the Cambais Falls starts at the Cebu South Bus Terminal where you have to hop on a bus headed for Alegria. Once you reach the town, you can hire a motorcycle to bring you to the jump-off point. You will have to trek around one kilometer from the jump-off point to the Cambais Falls.
The Cambais Falls is just one of the natural tourist attractions you can find in Cebu. Since the area around the Cambais Falls is fairly untouched, it is one place where you can commune with nature while enjoying yourself in its clear cool waters.
Have you visited the Cambais Falls already? Tell us about your experience on the comments section below.
Lola Pureza's Peanut Browas, a taste of old Cebu.
Available in leading supermarkets and pasalubong shops.


Flowers are unusual plants. If you look for a long time at the beauty of the rose petals, warm, soft colors of tulips, or the grace of lilies, it may occur to you that the flowers were brought to the Earth from some other planet. They are too unusual, sometimes even mysterious. Perhaps that's why all the women all over the world love flowers so much. And Russian girls are not an exception. Today we will figure out which flowers on the first date will be most appropriate. After all, in order to make a good impression, you can't buy the first flowers on a date in the first store on your way. It is necessary to treat the matter with taste and love. And such approach guarantees success!
At all times, flowers were a symbol of purity and beauty. In ancient times, many different tribes lived on the territory of modern Russia. They could worship different gods, engage in farming or hunting, but they all had one thing in common: a reverent attitude towards flowers. Flowers were presented to ordinary people as well as to the leaders. Each flower had a symbolic meaning and was intended for certain purposes. It was also important who gave flowers: a lover, a parent, a spouse or man looking for friendship or mutually beneficial business. Today, it is hard to imagine dating Russian women without a bouquet of fresh flowers.
Floral symbolism has almost completely disappeared nowadays. Only historians and researchers of ancient Russian culture know about it, but the tradition itself was fully preserved. These plants are extremely popular. For example, first date flowers are totally necessary if you are looking to have a good time with a Russian girl. In Russia, flowers are given on the slightest occasion and without any. It is important to know one thing: flowers are given only in the odd number. This is an ancient custom that should not be violated.
If you suddenly give a person two or four flowers, you can anger and offend him. The fact is that an even number of flowers are used in funeral rituals. A strong association with death has only intensified over the years. A gift with an incorrect number of flowers can be interpreted as an evil intention on your part. So, keep that in mind while dating Russian girls!
There is another rule of etiquette about how to give flowers on a date which you should know about. Flowers are given with the left hand and the right should be left free for greeting. If you are going to a birthday party, flowers should be left in the room where the party is held. Don't take them to the kitchen or bathroom.
Despite the fact that in Russia it is customary to give practically any kind of flowers, some of them should be discussed separately. They are especially popular as gifts for girls and they will be admired by any Russian girl.
This is probably the most popular kind of flowers in Russia. They were grown in ancient Rome for the first time. Despite the practicality of people of that era (they used their gardens only for the cultivation of useful plants that could be used for food or for other household needs), roses had become very popular. They captivated with their beauty and unique aroma. Today, there is a huge variety of roses in the world and many of them are grown in Russia. White and red roses are especially popular. If you want to express your romantic intentions and to date a Russian girl, a lush bouquet of such flowers will be a great way to do that. It is simple but effective way to impress your lady among other gift ideas for girls.
This kind of flowers is most often used as a gift for personal or family holidays. But many Russians like to take a carnation gift as a special sign of attention. It is worth noting that this kind of flowers is especially liked by adult ladies. Think a few times, before giving the carnations to the young lady. So buy these flowers if you want to date a Russian woman, not a girl.
Lilies occupy a special place in various cultures of the world and Russia makes no exception in this regard. These gentle flowers with the original form will be an excellent gift for a young girl if you want to express your love feelings. 16 kinds of lilies are grown in Russia, and many of them can be found in any flower boutique. Some scientists say that the aroma of these flowers helps to fight stress. Lilies will be a pleasant gift for any lady.
These inexpensive but charming flowers have been known as a gift from ancient times. Many Russian girls just lose their heads at the sight of a lush bouquet of chamomiles. They are almost scentless, but they retain their simple and attractive beauty for days. Just take them with you if you want to date a Russian lady and conquer her heart and soul!
Flowers in the pot. This is an ancient and respected tradition to give such flowers.
A bouquet of fruits. A very unusual gift that has become popular in Russia. You can combine different fresh fruits to get an original and bright bouquet. In addition, it is delicious and healthy!
Topiary. These trees of happiness are very popular in Russia. The choice of such plants is very large, so you won`t have any problems with finding a decent gift.
There are other alternatives to conventional bouquets but these three are especially popular. Do not be afraid to be original and please your beloved girl with beautiful bouquets. Believe me, it's worth it!


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    // Resolves collisions between d and all other circles.
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      return function(d) {
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            nx1 = d.x - r,
            nx2 = d.x + r,
            ny1 = d.y - r,
            ny2 = d.y + r;
        quadtree.visit(function(quad, x1, y1, x2, y2) {
          if (quad.point && (quad.point !== d)) {
            var x = d.x - quad.point.x,
                y = d.y - quad.point.y,
                l = Math.sqrt(x * x + y * y),
                r = d.radius + quad.point.radius + (d.cluster === quad.point.cluster ? padding : clusterPadding);
            if (l < r) {
              l = (l - r) / l * alpha;
              d.x -= x *= l;
              d.y -= y *= l;
              quad.point.x += x;
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        });
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};

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


SAP Jam is a cloud-based enterprise social networking suite and collaboration app that helps users connect with employees, partners, and customers. SAP Jam can be utilized to protect company data by collaborating over a secure network. The app helps employees to find colleagues and experts to collaborate with, as well as providing a place to manage and organize projects.
SAP Jam also provides enterprise social networking features such as project collaboration tools, task management, discussions and polls, instant messaging, discussions and chat rooms, document and content sharing, microblogging, and personal profiles.
I invited the Stephen Hamrick, Vice President of Product Management at SAP onto my daily tech podcast to find out more about SAP Jam and talk about how AI in the workplace is falling short, and where it will soon be headed with key advancements made.
Stephen is fanatical about transforming software and the way people work — making it faster, more efficient, more rewarding, and more human. Unsurprisingly, Stephen enjoys focussing on enterprise collaboration and how to make everyday work both more enjoyable and more impactful. But, is also a tech geek at heart and business-minded by training and experience.
Stephen shares why he thinks that AI, machine learning and natural language processing will impact employee productivity and efficiency across the workplace. I learn how we can expect everything from scheduling meetings to setting deadline reminders is set to change significantly over the next 5 years.


You are right Chiku, sadly, the swearing at Indians has always been a feature of Fijian street discourse as well as those of the Fijian elite when they converse in private e.g. such terms are used to refer to Indians: Coolie, Carawai, Baku, Kulina, Boci, Dosi, etc etc.
The put down of the Indian in Fiji is a very sad reflection of the colonially inspired racism that lies at the root of Fijian politics. At least Frank is trying to break that racist mould. So be grateful bro.
This is the new true democracy crafted by the dictator Bainimarama and his co thugs in power.
Some of us don't expect any better from Kubuabola.
Demeanour says it all. The body language is transparent even in photographs. Our eyes are the windows of our souls. Say no more! But for the nation's sake - fix it and give credit where it is due: equitably and honourably. If we are unable to do this, several years of professional and decent diplomatic service to us all will be wasted.


Daly Rea grew up in Carrollton, Texas where she quickly grew to love Bluebell ice cream and the great summer heat. She developed a passion for art and imagery at a young age and pursued her passion at Texas A&M University through her degree in Communications and Journalism as well as New Media Art. In her spare time, she can be found drawing, traveling with friends or playing a good ol' card game.


Bar Mercado mentioned in a piece on their proper use of texture and taste (Christine Chronicles).
Bar Mercado's "Louisiana Purchase" was included in a cocktail round up.
Bar Mercado mentioned in healthy Atlanta guide.
Bar Mercado mentioned in their dining guide.
Sommier Colton Wright was quoted in Summer wine piece.
Bar Mercado's "Purple Peach" cocktail is highlighted in a roundup of cocktails that include flowers.
Bar Mercado was highlighted as a dinner spot to visit during a weekend trip to Atlanta.
Bar Mercado was highlighted as one of Atlanta's hottest cocktail destinations.
Bar Mercado's standout space was featured in an article highlighting eateries designed by Square Feet Studios.
Bar Mercado was featured in a "2018 must-taste list" of Atlanta restaurants.
Bar Mercado named "Best Tapas" in the Best of Atlanta 2017 awards.
"The Hottest Restaurants in Atlanta, Right Now."
John Castellucci is highlighted in the "5 Questions" piece, along with stunning food and interior photography.
Featured in list, "Restaurants We're Dying to Try".
Featured as one of the "Hottest Restaurants in Atlanta".
Bar Mercado's "vibrant flair" and exquisite design are featured.
Featured as one of the hottest restaurants in 15 American cities and one of the sexiest restaurants in 15 American cities.
Bar Mercado opening feature: "Meet Me in Madrid".
Featured in "hottest new brunches" roundup, in Eater Heatmap and in roundup of where to drink cocktails right now.
Bar Mercado featured in national restaurant openings roundup.
"Basquet Case" cocktail recipe feature.
Bar Mercado mentioned as one of the city's hottest new restaurants by Mara Davis.
Featured in roundup of 12 most anticipated restaurant openings.
Opening photography of Bar Mercado was featured in "Taste of Spain" preview.
Bar Mercado featured as one of the 10 most anticipated restaurant openings of 2017.


Back in June, the announcement of a forthcoming new Kip Moore album had us, along with his passionate fan base excited. Now that we've had a week to digest Slowheart, we are not disappointed. Moore continues to break the confines of Nashville's pop-country trend with his highly anticipated third studio album. He co-wrote 11 of 13 tracks (this marks the first time he's cut a song he didn't have a hand in writing) and co-produced the project.
Last fall, Moore announced that he would be taking a hiatus from the nearly constant touring schedule he and his band, The Slow Hearts, had been enduring. He dropped off the grid for a few months and used the time to travel and refocus. Upon his return, he released "More Girls Like You," which has become his fastest rising single to climb country charts.
"Bittersweet Company" is a poetic, lamenting love song rooted in self reflection while "Sunburn" finds Moore reflecting on a connection so strong he can't shake the memories (think: an evolved version of "Girl of the Summer"). "Blonde" tackles the negative aspects of social media, the way people can theoretically hide behind a screen while pretending to be something or someone they are not.
One thing is certain, Moore remains steadfast and dedicated to doing things his way. He continues to show his genuine gratitude for his rapidly growing and die-hard fan base. Fans who ordered an enhanced album package were treated to an exclusive viewing of the documentary "Journey to SLOWHEART," by PJ Brown, one of Moore's closest friends. Moore is headed back out on tour this fall for his headlining "Plead the Fifth Tour" with Drake White and Jordan Davis.


text:
Hall of Fame Jockey Mike Smith Talks Taiba, Keys to Derby Success, Relishing Big Races
In: Horse Racing News
Tagged: Big, Derby, Fame, Hall, Jockey, Keys, Mike, Races, Relishing, Smith, Success, Taiba, Talks
Tom Pedulla is interviewing prominent owners, trainers, and jockeys as they travel the Road to the 148th Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve on Saturday at Churchill Downs.
Hall of Famer Mike Smith, one of the most accomplished jockeys in the history of the sport, is featured in the final segment of this year's series. Smith is known for his ability to deliver when the stakes are highest. He rode flawlessly when Justify swept the Triple Crown in 2018.
Smith will ride Taiba, who may make up in ability what he lacks in seasoning. The $1.7 million colt, unraced at 2, created a buzz when he captured the Runhappy Santa Anita Derby in only his second career start. Smith participated in a question-and-answer session conducted on behalf of America's Best Racing:
PEDULLA: I know John Velazquez rode Taiba in his first start. How did it come about that you rode him in the Santa Anita Derby?
SMITH: I had been on him as a 2-year-old when he first came in. I had worked him before. John had come into town and was riding almost everything for Bob, so he rode him first time out. But when things changed (Taiba was moved from the barn of suspended trainer Bob Baffert to Tim Yakteen) and Mr. Zedan wanted to go ahead and try him in the Derby, they already had Messier in there and, of course, Johnny was riding Messier. When they decided to put Taiba in, I was blessed enough to be the guy who got the call.
PEDULLA: What instructions did Tim give you before that second start?
SMITH: That's the thing about riding for good trainers, they don't give you too many instructions. They let you play the race out the way it shapes up.
PEDULLA: Was Taiba very responsive to you?
SMITH: That's what I really liked about him. He was quick leaving there. He was really intelligent. He listened to everything I wanted him to do. As soon as I let him know I wanted him to sit off the top two, he was just happy to do it. But then when I called on him to stay where I wanted him to stay, he jumped right back into the bridle. That's a credit to the connections and the people who have been working with him.
PEDULLA: It looked as though he relaxed well for you.
SMITH: Very well. He relaxed very well. He showed he's not a need-the-lead type. He can sit off of it. And that's very important to have.
PEDULLA: Were you surprised that he won the Santa Anita Derby?
SMITH: I knew he had the talent. We all knew he had the ability. Messier and Richard Mandella's horse, Forbidden Kingdom, are extremely talented horses. For him to beat them the way he did, off of just one race, that was what was amazing. He felt to me the best part of his race was at the end. He was just finding another gear going a mile and an eighth and finish on out if I wanted him to. He was supposed to be on fumes going down there. But there was a lot of energy there, a lot of horse left. I would take the same race back. But can you imagine if that race moves him up?
PEDULLA: I know it is asking a lot, but does anything about this horse remind you of Justify?
SMITH: Well, the simple fact that they are beautiful chestnuts and they are both extremely, extremely talented and very intelligent at this stage of their career. Both of them did not start as a 2-year-old. So, there are a lot of similarities. He sure has a lot of shoe to fill before you can compare him to Justify. But he's got that kind of ability and he's that kind of horse. So, we'll see.
PEDULLA: What are the keys to winning the Kentucky Derby?
SMITH: Well, you've got to have a very talented horse, a horse that can get the distance, a horse that's really handy. It's always good to have a horse that has a high cruising speed but yet he can sit off of them. And that's what Taiba has. You don't have to worry about getting past 19 other horses if you are in contention right away or where you want to be as far as pace goes.
PEDULLA: What does it mean to be in the Derby? Does it still have a lot of meaning for you?
SMITH: Without a doubt, no matter what stage you are at in your career, whether you are at the beginning of it or the middle of it. But I think even more so when you are at the end of it because you understand you are not going to get many more opportunities, so you certainly want to make the most of them. There is nothing like the feeling of being in the Derby, but especially if you've been blessed enough to have won it before. There is nothing like that feeling. The only way you're going to get that feeling again is to do it again. And that's what I want.
PEDULLA: What is it about big races that seem to bring out the best in you?
SMITH: I've been fortunate enough and blessed enough to be on really talented horses. These big races, I don't know, man, they take me to another level of focus and concentration. I don't know what it is, but I just seem to thrive on them and I pray I continue to do so.
PEDULLA: What do you attribute your longevity to?
SMITH: Really taking care of my body. I started at a young age. Since 1989, I've been in the gym, working out on my days off, learning how to do it and learning more about physical fitness and hiring the right personal trainers to train me. I made it a way of life instead of taking days off and just relaxing. Mentally, I feel it gives me an edge. Whether it really does or not doesn't matter. I feel it does. I can do as much as I was able to do in my 30s. It's crazy.
PEDULLA: What would it mean if you could surpass Bill Shoemaker to become the oldest jockey to win the Derby?
SMITH: Oh, man, just to be mentioned with Bill Shoemaker's name is an honor in itself. It would be incredible. It would certainly add to the wonderful career I've been blessed to have. It would certainly add a huge feather in my cap.
PEDULLA: Does your gut tell you that you've got a big shot?
SMITH: Yeah, I'm not without a really good chance. A really good chance. If all goes well, he's got that kind of ability. We know we're asking a lot of him. But if a horse can pull it off, it's a horse of this quality.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


In case you haven't been listening, McGill has a pretty strong connection to Scotland. James McGill, who founded McGill in 1821, was born in Glasgow in 1744. The University's educational links can be traced back 200 years to the universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, where a host of McGill's early principals and builders, including James McGill himself, were educated.
Over the years, these ties have been strengthened through a shared commitment to the internationalization of education, expressed through a host of research collaborations and student exchanges.
To honour this shared history, McGill will award honorary doctorates to Professor Anton Muscatelli, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Glasgow, and to Professor Sir Timothy O'Shea, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh, during Convocation next month.
But long after the Convocation tent has been packed away for another year, these longstanding links will continue to be celebrated through the installation in James Square of three new benches made of granite that was quarried in Scotland, near Aberdeen, and prepared by Fyfe Glenrock of Aberdeen.
The design exercise of the benches starts with three simple granite blocks, 144-cm by 48-cm by 40-cm, each of which is subdivided and cut into three separate but unequal pieces. Each set of three pieces is then reassembled by Atelier Formaviva of Montreal, but in a way that develops three very different benches.
The result is a playful composition of three benches representing three universities, each made of three pieces of the same stone, all three similar, like siblings, but each unique in form and expression. The three benches will be placed on each of the three landings of the Square's stairway.
Replicas of the three Scottish stone benches, made of Quebec granite, will be placed on a 'mirror' site at Macdonald College, as a complement to the installation on the main campus.


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Ramesh Raskar to give Keynote at UNC Chapel Hill 2019 Doctoral Hooding Ceremony
Ramesh Raskar
Associate Professor of Media Arts and Sciences; NEC Career Development Professor
9:00am — 12:00pm ET
UNC Chapel Hill Dean E. Smith Center
300 Skipper Bowles Dr.
On May 11, 2019 Ramesh Raskar will be the doctoral hooding ceremony keynote speaker at UNC Chapel Hill Commencement. He will share the vision of a data-transparent society and ethical AI with Carolina graduates.
Raskar, who holds 90 patents, received his doctoral degree in computer science from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2002. In 2015, he was a keynote speaker at the 50th Anniversary Symposium of the UNC-Chapel Hill computer science department.
"Ramesh epitomizes the commitment we see in our doctoral graduates – to meaningfully contribute to the world in a way that's innovative and creative, to advance ideas beyond existing boundaries, and to connect and collaborate across disciplines to find solutions to global problems," said Hoi Ning Ngai, associate dean for student affairs within the Graduate School.
"Through his research in technology, he's been able to make the impossible possible, in a way that's accessible to the public and inspiring to the next generation of inventors."
SpaceSuits: space architecture at human scale @ MAXXI, Rome
The exhibit display reflects the unusual nature of our interdisciplinary design and engineering practice at MIT.
Saturday — Monday
October 1, 2022 —
Ariel Ekblaw · Xin Liu +3 more
MIT Media Lab Spring Meeting 2023
The Spring Meeting will be held on-site at the MIT Media Lab, with a number of sessions livestreamed.
Monday — Tuesday
April 3, 2023 —
Mirei Rioux
World Premiere of Tod Machover's Overstory Overture
Machover's Overstory Overture is a 30-minute work, for a single voice, chamber ensemble, and electronics.
Peter A. Torpey · Benjamin Bloomberg +1 more
Two Mobility Futures 0∞ at the Autostadt Museum
Two Mobility Futures 0∞ is a research project that encompasses storytelling, a democratic decision making platform, a city model, and …
Friday — Sunday
February 17, 2023 —
10:00am — 6:00pm ET
Kent Larson · Margaret Church +8 more


PERFORMANCE: A strategic health authority report said there was evidence of a "lack of trust" between GPs and trusts in outer north east London, which meant "some GPs were now approaching trust consultants directly as a result".
The report into the development of clinical commissioning groups in London looked at the relationship with providers and found a mixed picture.
The report to NHS London's board said: "In North West London the success of the relationships differed between providers; in South East London relationships and levels of understanding varied; in Outer North East London there was evidence of a lack of trust between GPs and trusts.
WORKFORCE: Alwen Williams has been appointed as the new chief executive of the Outer North East London primary care trust cluster.
FINANCE: NHS Outer North East London plan to reduce emergency admissions by 255 against 2010-11's total of 2,718 is failing to do so, a report says.
STRUCTURE: The primary care trust cluster, which consists of Waltham Forest, Barking Dagenham, Redbridge and Havering PCTs, has submitted a business plan to pilot the 111 non-emergency number in London.


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Metalworking Machine Operators - What do Metalworking Machine Operators do?
A. May clean or lubricate equipment and replace parts as required.
3. You may need previous experience as a labourer or helper.
4. With experience, you may move up the ranks to become a supervisor or a structural metal fabricator.
5. Most recent entrants have a trade/vocational certificate.
The average hourly wages for Metalworking Machine Operators is $16.42/HR, which is close to the average for occupations in the processing, manufacturing and utilities sector and are close to the average for all intermediate occupations. These wages grew at an average rate from 2002 to 2004.
2. Hourly wages ($16.42) are close to the average ($18.07), and the rate of wage growth is close to the average.
The highest concentrations (per 10,000 people) of Metalworking Machine Operators are found inOntario and Manitoba while the lowest concentrations are in Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland.
1% of Metalworking Machine Operators are employed only on a part-time basis. There were 56,700 workers employed in these occupations in 2004, an increase of 67% since 1997.
Roughly 1% of Metalworking Machine Operators are self-employed. This is considered Below average for the industry as a whole.
23% of the individuals employed as Metalworking Machine Operators are women. Compared to other industries, this is Average.


Located next to the former Versace mansion on Ocean Drive, Hotel Victor in Miami Beach is a historic 1937 property that underwent a complete renovation and expansion in 2005.
Back story: Located next to the former Versace mansion on Ocean Drive, Hotel Victor is a historic 1937 property that underwent a complete renovation and expansion in 2005. Originally designed by famed architect L. Murray Dixon, internationally renowned decorator Jacques Garcia was tapped to update the property while respecting the historical integrity. The senses are immediately engaged when one walks into the hotel. A special "Vibe Concierge" is responsible for a changing array of music, scents and color, while a three-dimensional, almost electric feel is present all around. The textiles and Asian designed ironwork, the bright purples and moon jellyfish imported from the Pacific create the illusion of entering another world. The jellyfish motif is carried throughout the hotel, from actual jellyfish to jellyfish styled lamps in the guest rooms. The clean and simple lines are still present from the Deco era, as is the beautiful landscape mural originally painted by Earl La Pan then touched up by the artist himself during the renovation.
Just for fun: Subterranean Spa V is a short elevator ride from the sizzle of Ocean Drive to serenity. Spa V handmaidens will cleanse and exfoliate your body while you luxuriate on a heated marble bed enveloped in aromatic steam. This is the Hammam experience, South Beach's first authentic Turkish ritual steam bath. "Quickie" manicure and pedicure options are available in addition to traditional services, as well as the decadent Gold Facial, featuring a 24 karat gold mask that is purported to brighten the complexion, ease fine lines and give the skin a celebrity glow.
Sleep well: Rooms are equipped with necessary South Beach amenities such as full-sized bars, wide screen plasma and LCD panel TVs, DVD/CD players, wireless Internet and an emphasis on luxurious textiles and furnishings. All white marbled bathrooms feature deep, dramatic tubs.
In your dreams: The 4,000 square foot Presidential Suite features a separate elevator, two outdoor terraces, one of which is on the rooftop and includes a generous hot tub among built-in speakers, an outdoor shower and a large seating area great for parties. There is a 360 degree view of South Beach and the Atlantic Ocean, as well as a fully equipped kitchen for your viewing and dining pleasure.
Attractions: South Beach and The Villa by Barton G are a one-minute walk away. The Bass Museum of Art is a mile away, and many upscale nightclubs, restaurants and boutiques are a two-minute walk away. The Miami Beach Golf Course is close by, as is the Miami Marina.
Celebrity cache: During a recent Miami Beach Wine and Food Festival, Rachael Ray cooked up a storm in the Presidential Suite kitchen, later watching her hubby jam downstairs while Gloria Estefan sang and Emilio played the bongos. Other celebrities who have stayed on site are Madonna, Diddy and Serena Williams.
Awards and accolades: Conde Nast traveler named the Victor "One of the Best New Hotels in the World," The World Travel Awards, "2007 North America's Leading Boutique Hotel," and Florida's Leading Boutique Hotel for the second year in a row.
Prices: Rates range from $179 to $349 per night plus tax for regular rooms to $4,000 to $10,000 a night for suites. Check http://www.hotelvictorsouthbeach.com for specials and packages.


text:
Bison Scenes
FCCLA students participate in leadership trip
Andrea Garcia
Last week members of the FCCLA organization and several students in teacher Wendy Neyland's class traveled to Huntsville for a leadership trip.
Upon arrival, the students were separated into three groups. Throughout the day they participated in different games to work with their leadership and teamwork skills.
"At first I was a bit upset that I wasn't grouped with my friends," sophomore Makayla Gilliam said. "But at the end of the day it was worth it because I interacted with different students."
The teams had to set goals for themselves and choose something they wanted to learn by the end of the day about themselves or somebody else on their team. The majority of the goals students set for their team was to excel in the games and finish them.
"Our team goal was to win, win, win," freshman Yessi Buitron said. "Also, we wanted to work together as a team without any conflict."
Neyland said she organized the trip so students could experience something they haven't before and so students could have fun and learn about leadership at the same time.
"It was a positive experience for the students," Neyland said. "I hope that they took something valuable from this trip that they can cherish forever."
According to the students, each group played different games as the others. Each game had a deeper meaning – for example, there were games where the students could not talk with one another that demonstrated the importance of communication.
"The purpose of the game was to use different means of communication besides talking," sophomore Trevor King said. "It was difficult at first, but after several tries we got it done."
Another team played a game where there were four platforms. They had to use a wooden board to transfer everyone in the team from one platform to the other.
"It was really fun," junior Olivia Kitson said. "It helped us learn how to work together as a team."
Most of the students said they enjoyed the trip and that it was essential because it taught them that leadership is very important and cooperation with one another is key to accomplishing goals.
"I really enjoyed the leadership games," sophomore Breannali Dominguez said. "It brought everyone out of their comfort zone and take the lead."
Although the trip was fun, they've all said that they took something more than just fun from the trip; they took an opportunity to grow as leaders.
"It was an amazing experience," freshman Kimberly Guevara said. "I'd love to go back."
Belles dominate competition • 22 Views
Student Spotlight: Abby Brewer • 20 Views
Nacho Libre is a classic hidden gem • 17 Views
Speech team hosts meet • 13 Views
Student Spotlight: Terrell Brooks • 12 Views


text:
Graham Dodds Returns with Elaina Kay's Cornbread and Country
The Not-So-Tragic Demise of the Opinionated Apron
Hanna Raskin | August 9, 2010 | 11:54am
There's a growing number of apron collectors who scour eBay and antique shops for pretty, frilly pinafores. But apron expert EllynAnne Geisel says there still isn't much interest in what she calls "opinionated aprons."
"I think there are too many beautiful designs out there," says Geisel, author of The Apron Book and curator of an apron exhibit that's slated to return to the DFW area next January.
Yet Geisel thinks aprons with slogans are as revealing of societal sentiments as the dainty gingham and paisley numbers that preceded them.
"One of the things about opinionated aprons is they're mass-produced," Geisel explains, "so there's safety in that. You're not standing out there alone saying 'For this, I went to college?'"
Although aprons amplifying their wearers' aggravation date back to at least the 1950s, Geisel says the 1970s are considered the heyday of opinionated aprons. In the years when the ERA seemed achievable, apron makers didn't shirk at depicting their product as an "icon of strangulation." Plus, the unisex, chef-style apron that 1970s cooks favored provided plenty of room for writing.
Geisel doesn't think opinionated aprons have much of a future: "They're on their way out," she says. But for prospective collectors who'd like to make a specialty of sloganeering aprons, City of Ate here presents five classics:
I Hate Housework Gesiel likes to wear a circa 1950s apron emblazoned with this straightforward slogan when she's lecturing. "All I can figure is someone wore it when she did housework," she says.
Why Is This Night Different From All Other Nights? Don't Ask! This apron, designed for harried home cooks readying for Passover, is representative of the ethnic apron genre that emerged in the 1970s.
Kiss the Cook Perhaps the quintessential apron slogan, the cook who wants to be kissed is just seeking appreciation.
The anatomically correct apron In addition to popular aprons that seemed to reveal what was under the apron wearer's clothes, novelty shops stocked suggestive aprons like the one in Geisel's collection that features a zipper positioned over the crotch. "It says 'open for emergency use'," Geisel says. "There are some filthy aprons out there. Of course, they're for when everyone's had a whiskey sour or two."
It's Still Work An example of the "honeymoon's over" apron, this apron implies the housewife's a prisoner in her own home. "There is a lot of negative apron speak out there," Geisel says.
Bacon Is Popping Up in Fast Food. Here's the Best Use of It.
This Weekend: Mezcal in South Dallas, Harvesting in West...
Bistro Chefs Erin Willis and Brian Luscher To Host a Dinner Event


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Group photo of Community World Service Asia project staff with the representatives of participants of the consultation meeting.
Participants engaged in a group activity on challenges of student placement for fieldwork tasks.
Participants presented their group work on the challenges faced in relation to student placement during fieldwork.
The partner representatives discussed and studied the Core Humanitarian Competency Framework (CHCF) standard and it's incorporation in the fieldwork practicum guide in the consultation meeting held in Peshawar University.
Community World Service Asia's (CWSA) Quality and Accountability team organized a consultation meeting with selected representatives and officials of the academia community of Pakistan to explore the existing practices of student engagement in field work and to initiate the process of designing a comprehensive guide on "Field Work Practicum". Field Work Practicum is part of the course work of Social Work Department of Pakistani Universities. This involves field work for practical exposure and experience for a certain period of time. The practicum enables students to connect their theoretical curriculum with practical field work. Universities in Pakistan lack guidelines about student placement, role of external and internal supervisors, ethics and norms for students to learn before going to field, scope and limitation of engaging students with organizations, gauging students' performance and allocating grades for specific subject area. CWSA will facilitate these Universities in developing guidelines which will support the Social Work Departments with well-defined parameters, roles, responsibilities and plans for student engagement and field work.
The meeting held on June 23rd was attended by eleven faculty members from three universities, including University of Sindh, Jamshoro, University of the Punjab, Lahore and University of Peshawar (UoP). The broader aim of the consultation was to identify the existing practice of field work and form a core team responsible for drafting the guideline and developing a detail plan of the "Field Work Practicum Guide Development".
Dr. Ibrar, Assistant Professor at the Social Work Department, UoP, welcomed all the participants of the meeting and shared the agenda of the day, while, Khurram Saeed, Community World Service Asia representative, facilitated the consultation and explained the process required to work on the guidelines.
The existing practices of academic field work and challenges faced by students and supervisors in its initial stages of implementation were shared by all participants. Arshad Abbasi, Lecturer at University of the Punjab and Waheed Akbar, Lecturer at University of the Sindh, Jamshoro particularly explained the informal mechanism used by their respective universities for field work and various challenges associated with students and supervisors due to informal arrangements. Some major challenges highlighted were the lack of proper plans, clear objectives and follow up mechanism for student performance, role of internal and external supervisor in coaching and mentoring of students and forms and formats for different levels (Objective setting, student plans, reporting and student assessment).
Each of the three participating universities shared their existing practices and challenges through presentations followed by a Question & Answer session. Participants further shared solutions to challenges faced in field work activities with each other and discussed steps to develop the first draft of the guidelines.
Rizwan Iqbal, Community World Service Asia staff member, explained the Core Humanitarian Competency Framework (CHCF) to the participants and how the CHCF can contribute to the development of competency-based student placement programs. In a group exercise, each participant briefly studied the core competencies and identified important features to be incorporated in the program and the practicum. The CHCF was found to be useful and applicable by most of the academia members present at the meeting.
Nominations were requested to form a core committee to begin work on the different stages and drafts of the field work practicum guide. The core committee will receive nominations from universities by the end of July.
I am quite impressed by the idea of developing the field work practicum guide as students face challenges from departments and immediate supervisors when conducting related activities. This guide will help improve the processes of field work, resulting in productive outcomes.
as this experience sharing gave them an opportunity to learn new practices to improve their field work exercises and activities. A standard document will further clarify the processes for students and relevant departments, which will allow efficient and smooth working.


text:
require 'test_helper'

class AuthorTest < MiniTest::Test
  def setup
    # Do nothing
  end

  def teardown
    # Do nothing
  end

  def test
    skip 'Not implemented'
  end

  def test_that_admin_profile_is_static
    author = 'admin'
    signup = DateTime.strptime('17-11-2016 14:18 UTC', '%d-%m-%Y %H:%M %Z')
    @author = ::Wagg.author(author)

    # admin has a fixed name... admin
    assert_equal(@author.name, 'admin')
    # admin was 'born' not so long ago...
    assert_equal(@author.signup, signup)
    # admin karma is static and 6
    assert_equal(@author.karma, 6)
    # admin does not have friends
    assert_equal(@author.friends.length, 0)
    # admin is liked by some people though
    assert_operator(@author.friends_of.length, :>=, 0)
    # admin does not have any sub community of its own
    assert_equal(@author.subs_own.length, 0)
    # admin does not follow any sub community
    assert_equal(@author.subs_follow.length, 0)
  end

  def test_that_disabled_user_is_disabled
    disabled_author = '--637844--'
    @author = ::Wagg.author(disabled_author)

    assert(@author.disabled?)
  end

  def test_get_id_author
    id_author = 'neotobarra2'
    author = ::Wagg.author(id_author)

    expected_id = 292_897
    actual_id = author.id

    assert_equal(expected_id, actual_id)
  end

  def test_get_relationships_author_page
    relationships_author = 'pinaveta'
    author = ::Wagg.author(relationships_author)

    assert_operator(author.friends.length, '>=', 20)
    assert_operator(author.friends_of.length, '>=', 25)
  end

  def test_get_subs_author_page
    subs_author = 'Condetino'
    author = ::Wagg.author(subs_author)

    assert_equal(author.subs_own.length, 0)
    assert_operator(author.subs_follow.length, '>=', 10)
  end

  def test_get_enabled_author_page
    enabled_author = 'nereira'
    author = ::Wagg.author(enabled_author)

    assert_equal(author.name, enabled_author)
    assert(!author.disabled?)
  end

  def test_get_disabled_author_page
    disabled_author = '--334312--'
    author = ::Wagg.author(disabled_author)

    assert_equal(author.name, disabled_author)
    assert(author.disabled?)
  end

  def test_to_json_from_json
    random_author = 'Gaveta'
    author = ::Wagg.author(random_author)

    expected_author_json = author.to_json

    actual_author = ::Wagg::Crawler::Author.from_json(expected_author_json)
    actual_author_json = actual_author.to_json

    assert_equal(expected_author_json, actual_author_json)
  end
end


In a setback to state-owned BSNL, the Delhi High Court has asked it to award its GSM contract only after the next hearing on 16 November 2006. State-owned BSNL had short-listed bid winners Ericsson and Nokia for award of the GSM contract. A bench comprising acting Chief Justice Vijender Jain and Justice Kailash Gambhir today passed the restraining order while hearing the petition filed by US telecom major Motorola, which was disqualified by BSNL on technical grounds from participating in the bidding.
Motorola has challenged BSNL's decision before the High Court. This is not great news for ITI because the Delhi High Court has actually put on hold the award of contract at least till November 16. So there is no way BSNL can award the contract till that date. There is no clarity yet on whether it can do it after that.
ITI was supposed to match the lowest bid in that particular contract. The contract was of 63 million GSM lines, out of which 18 million lines were reserved for ITI and 45 million lines were for the other five bidders.
Last month, BSNL opened the financial bids for the mega expansion of its GSM network adding over 45 million lines over a period of three years at an estimated cost of about Rs 200 billion. Swedish company Ericsson had emerged the lowest bidder followed by Nokia of Finland.
Eriksson and Nokia won that particular contract. Ericsson was the lowest bidder and it quoted a price of $107 per line. ITI was supposed to match that bid.
Motorola was the bidder that lost and it has challenged the entire bidding process. Now the High Court, in what seems to be a partial victory for Motorola, at least to start off with, has said that BSNL cannot go ahead and award the contract till the matter has been heard. The next hearing is on November 16.
This means that ITI will have to wait to finally get the contract that they have been talking about over the last few months.


Scottish National Party MSP for Glasgow Shettleston, John Mason, has warmly welcomed the opening of the new M74 motorway extension, which runs through his East End constituency.
The MSP, who fought much of his election campaign on the record of SNP Government investment, said he was delighted with the new motorway link, particularly as it was delivered eight months ahead of schedule and £20 million under budget.
"The new M74 extension comes in addition to the on-going M80 upgrade, the new Edinburgh Rail link and a commitment by the Government to modernise Glasgow's Subway. All of these projects will be of huge benefit to the 2014 Commonwealth Games, another capital project, which is 80% funded by the Scottish Government.
"This new M74 motorway extension will reduce congestion on the M8 and has the potential to create up to 20,000 jobs, which will be a real boost to the local economy.
"A special congratulations goes to Transport Scotland and Ministers Keith Brown and Stewart Stevenson for delivering this project both ahead of schedule and under budget.
"The successful delivery of this project shows that, when the SNP wins, Glasgow wins".


text:
Badge & bar
Dahlonega man sentenced in fatal fentanyl overdose in Gainesville
Joshua Evans appears at his committal hearing June 22, 2022, in Hall County Magistrate Court on a murder charge involving the sale of fentanyl. - photo by Shannon Casas
A Dahlonega man accused of murder in a 2022 fentanyl overdose in Gainesville had his charge reduced to involuntary manslaughter in a negotiated plea, according to court documents.
Joshua Chad Evans, 32, was sentenced Jan. 13 to 30 years with the first 10 years to serve in prison by Superior Court Judge Jason Deal. Deal allowed Evans credit for time served since April 15, 2022, and the remainder of the sentence may be served on probation.
Evans was indicted on the felony murder charge from the Feb. 12, 2022, death of Malcolm Drew Ogletree, 34, after a drug overdose.
The autopsy showed Ogletree, of Gainesville, died by intoxication from fentanyl.
Malcolm Ogletree
Gainesville Police Investigator Glenn Ewing testified at a Magistrate Court hearing about Facebook messages between the two men about a plan to meet up hours before Ogletree died.
Authorities believe the two men met near the intersection of Candler and Baker Roads, and Ogletree was found dead in his truck at the Circle K on Candler Road.
Ewing testified that an officer reviewing video from the Circle K of Ogletree in his car showed him alive with his car light on around 2 a.m. Feb. 13, a few hours after the planned exchange between Evans and Ogletree.
Evans pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and sale of fentanyl.
Defense attorney Chloe Owens said both men, who were acquaintances, had struggled with drug addiction. Calling it a good resolution to the case, Owens said there were some issues with proving the case.
"They don't know where he went after he met up with Josh, and then there's some issues too where Malcolm reached back out to Josh asking if he had more," Owens said.
Angie Hammond Ogletree, Ogletree's mother, described her son as someone with a good heart who never knew a stranger.
She said Malcolm was an addict and was working on sobriety for roughly 16 months around the time of his death.
"I think he's at peace now," she said. "He doesn't have to fight that demon anymore."
Angie Ogletree said members of Ogletree's family are trying to give forgiveness. She said the two men were friends at one time.
"I didn't want to destroy two families," Angie Ogletree said about the plea.
Ogletree's mother said she and Malcolm's friends gathered for what would have been his birthday on Sept. 29.
Calling attention to the stark increase in fatal fentanyl overdoses, Angie Ogletree said she wants the community to be aware of the dangers of the drug and the potential consequences when distributing it to others.


This year's Men's Retreat is called "Awake O Sleeper!" It is September 6th-8th, at Camp Living Waters in Luther, MI. The cost is $95 for Friday through Sunday. If you would like to stay any timeThursday and/or Monday, there is and additional $20 cost for each day, and that does not include any food. There will be a Ride-A-Thon again this year, which you can pick up an informational pamphlet at the church informational board. If you would like to go golfing, please contact Ron Carpenter at 517-726-1270 or 517-231-7443 (there is an additional cost for golfing).
Sign up to volunteer at the Easter Eggs-travaganza on April 20th. It will be located at the LECC in Woodland on the soccer fields behind the school. We need several volunteers in 5 different areas.
Kilpatrick Church is a "Host Church" for Family Promise of Barry County. Kilpatrick needs to provide meals the week families are at the church. Please sign up to provide food items!