IIDA Campus Centers are the first point of contact interior design students have to IIDA. Each one is unique in design, programming, and initiatives, which makes for a varied student experience across chapters. We want to highlight the diversity of IIDA Student Member experiences by introducing you to a handful of campus centers. From how they run their group to what activities garner the most student interest, here is what we learned after sitting down with the IIDA Campus Center at Philadelphia University.
IIDA HQ: Tell us about your campus center – What does your Board of Directors look like? How does your campus center operate?
IIDA Philadelphia University Campus Center: Our board consists of interior design students of all grades. We have a secretary, event coordinators, a treasurer, an IIDA liaison, AIAS liaison, ASID liaison, and a social media coordinator. We hold monthly board meetings, which allow us to come together and gather our ideas and plan events. These meetings are typically held a week before our monthly campus meeting where all ideas and events are then discussed with all of our campus center members. These meetings allow us to get any feedback from all of our members on any suggestions for events we hold, as well as answering any questions they may have.
IIDA HQ: What kind of events and activities do you host at your campus center?
PU: This past semester we held Milkshake Monday to help raise money for future IIDA events. This was open to all students and faculty on campus to gain awareness of IIDA.
We also hold a mentor-mentee program within our campus in which we pair underclassman with upperclassman. This gives the underclassman an extra resource to go to for help regarding design and any other classes. We held a pizza social to introduce the mentees to their mentors. At the end of the semester we also held a potluck, which was open to all students in our interior design program – not just those who are IIDA members. This allowed everyone to come together and encouraged those who are not already members to join.
This upcoming semester we plan to hold firm and showroom visits as well as host our annual product showcase to help familiarize students with the industry.
IIDA HQ: What are your favorite or most successful events and activities that you host?
PU: Our potluck was our most successful event that we have held so far. We had a significant turnout that included not only our students but faculty as well. This event allowed everyone to get involved since it was open to all of interior design. It was also a relaxing event to have before the end of the semester.
IIDA HQ: And because we have to ask: What is the biggest benefit of being an IIDA Member and having an active campus center?
PU: The biggest benefit is that we have a constant support system. This support system is created through our mentor-mentee program. Since we do hold events that are open to all of the interior design students on campus, another benefit of being an IIDA Student Member is becoming involved with the Philadelphia Chapter through networking events and competing in competitions. There is always an opportunity for networking and meeting so many new people! Being a member also allows students to participate in the IIDA Student Mentoring Program, which is beneficial in gaining further industry knowledge.
Follow the IIDA Philadelphia University Campus Center on Facebook and Instagram. To learn more about IIDA Campus Centers, visit iida.org.
Over the last 18 months, the IIDA New England Chapter – with help from IIDA HQ – has hired a lobbying firm, actively engaged with ASID legislative leaders, reached out to the Massachusetts design community, met with lawmakers and officials, and introduced an interior design registration bill into the Massachusetts State Legislature. Undertaking an initiative of this size and scope is no small task and requires a team effort as well as strong leadership. Aimee M. Schefano, Vice President of Advocacy for the New England Chapter, has led the charge, working diligently to convey the importance of this initiative both to the Chapter board and local design leaders.
The lesson learned by IIDA New England? IIDA Chapters have power when it comes to advocacy. Board members are leaders in the design community, and as such, have an amplified voice. When those voices are conveying the same message, real change can happen. If an issue is important to the profession, it is too important to sit on the sidelines.
In addition to the amplified voice of board members, IIDA Chapters can reallocate funding to support advocacy initiatives. While there are many priorities in a Chapter's budget— from professional development initiatives to events—boards can help rearrange how funding is used, create new revenue streams, or prioritize advocacy and legislation above other initiatives. IIDA New England demonstrated this by using their chapter funds to engage with one of the preeminent lobbying firms in New England.
It has also proven important for the Chapter to work together with other associations in order to build a strong network of professionals working to advance a common goal. Schefano and Past-President Corinne Barthelemy have worked with ASID New England to create the Massachusetts Advocacy Council of ASID and IIDA, operating under the two chapters and facilitating the shared mission to advance the profession of interior design.
Through unified voices, effective funding, and organizational collaborations, IIDA New England has set a foundation that will surely lead to advocacy successes in Massachusetts.
For more on interior design advocacy, visit advocacy.iida.org.
Without neglecting history or disregarding the lessons learned along the way, design always looks forward. The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) embraces this ethos—gaining wisdom from our past as we charge toward the future of our industry and the association. As the interior design profession becomes more complex and multidisciplinary, it is our job to welcome change, adapt, and support our 15,000-plus IIDA members along the way.
In 2016, IIDA expanded its offerings to commercial interior designers, manufacturers, industry leaders, and students in an effort to fill a need for cutting-edge and worthwhile resources, programming, thought leadership, events, publications, and more. The association commissioned vital research about the industry, publishing the second installment in the acclaimed "Designed Leveraged" series, which makes the case for good workplace design with data and statistics, as well as the first-ever IIDA Compensation Survey and the Economic Impact of Interior Design report.
The findings of the IIDA Compensation Survey reveal current wages for interior designers who work for firms and manufacturers in the U.S., and will be available later this year. The Economic Impact of Interior Design report, previewed at the 2016 IIDA Advocacy Symposium, tells a compelling story about the economic and fiscal impact of the industry at the state and national levels—and is a critical tool for advocates who are making the case for interior design licensing to legislators.
What were you doing 20 years ago? IIDA Executive Vice President and CEO Cheryl S. Durst, Hon. FIIDA, LEED AP, opened Industry Roundtable 20, held January 6-8, 2017, with that simple question.
It was a fitting question to kick off the event: For two decades, Industry Roundtable has welcomed distinguished design leaders for a two-day, thought-provoking discussion about topics relevant to the Interior Design industry. This year's topic, "Design Then, Design Now, Design Next: A 20-year Retrospective," offered participants the rare opportunity to reflect on the history of the profession and assess the emerging economic, cultural, and social trends that are shaping the next generation of commercial interior design.
Eileen Jones, IIDA, SEGD, AIGA, LEED AP, principal and global practice leader, Perkins+Will, opened the event with her keynote presentation, "A 20-year Retrospective of the Commercial Interior Design Industry," which provided an overview of how technology, sustainability, and the evolving purview of design have shaped the profession.
Her message was forward-looking, setting the tone for the remainder of the event. "Standing here at the end of the Information Age, we are in a unique position to figure out what is next and how we can change the world with design," said Jones.
The group of 30 interior designers, manufacturer representatives, and thought leaders then participated in sessions focused on the future of people, place, and work, featuring speakers Julie B. Cummings, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, director of human resources, BKD, LLP; Jim Young, co-founder, Realcomm Conference Group; and Jim Ware, Ph.D., founder and executive director, Future of Work….unlimited. Much of the conversation focused on the multi-generational workforce and how to transition design leadership to younger generations.
Young and Ware, who spoke on the Future of Place and the Future of Work, respectively, echoed this sentiment during their presentations: Designing for the future will mean accommodating five generations, a growing population, and rising life expectancies while reckoning with a decrease in available space, a critical need for sustainable building practices, and ever-evolving technology.
"Design has the unique ability to bring together allied professions, solve problems from multiple points of view, and put society's well-being at the forefront. This notion of the convergence of people, place, and work, and how we think about design in the context of these things is critical to what's next for our industry," said Durst.
An executive report, to be released in March 2017, will provide a summary of key insights from IIDA Industry Roundtable 20.
Read past Industry Roundtable executive reports online at iida.org.
As a designer, finding inspiration everywhere is crucial to staying relevant, educated, and curious. Sometimes that inspiration is right outside your front door and sometimes it takes you to regions of the world you've never experienced. Today's post is written by Richard N. Pollack, FIIDA, FAIA, 1999 – 2000 IIDA International President, who had the opportunity to travel to Bologna, Italy, for Cersaie, an international ceramic tile and bathroom exhibition. Read what he learned, including the technological advances being made in the Italian ceramics industry and the big tile trends to expect in the coming year.
In September, I had the privilege of being a delegate to Cersaie (pronounced: tcher say e), the annual ceramics fair in Bologna, Italy. Although many of the exhibitors were Italian, the fair is an international showcase of ceramics. My hosts were the Italian Trade Commission and Confindustria Ceramica – the Italian Association of Ceramics.
Confindustria Ceramica represents over 260 ceramic tile, sanitary ware, tableware, and refractory materials manufacturing companies, with Cersaie focused on the first two manufacturing segments. U.S. and Canadian architects and interior designers might think that ceramic tile usually refers to bathroom and kitchen tiles and mosaics, but it encompasses many types of wall and floor covering tile and panel.
A bold black and white graphic pattern.
Overall recycling in Confindustria Ceramica factories is 99.5 percent with 100 percent of the water used in production recycled.
Italian ceramics industry is adopting LEED 4 at the end of October 2016.
Ceramics factories recycle material from other industry sectors, effectively making their recycling efforts more than 100 percent.
The products I viewed were porcelain and ceramic, with this year's technological advance being large format panels – some 1×3 meters and thinner panels – down to 3 millimeters for wall application. Although the original source material for manufacturing the tile was the red clay that came from around the city of Sassuolo, not far from Bologna,, now the raw materials such as feldspar, quartz, and others are sourced from other countries. Fabrication begins with constructing the panels, which may also have intrinsic coloring and textures added during manufacture, and are then printed with surface patterns. The printed surfaces are relatively thin, but the strength of the underlying panel and extremely hard glazes applied over the printing makes the products strong and long-wearing. Confindustria Ceramica noted that their members' tile has the best longevity of all flooring materials including carpet, wood, and marble. Panels can be used for floor, wall, indoor, outdoor, and special applications – often using the same tiles.
A unique new product is a ceramic porcelain roof tile with integrated solar panels. The solar panels are the same shape and size as adjacent roof tiles, and are installed using a plug-in grid system that then connects to the building's electrical system. Very cool!
As a delegate, I toured a factory near Sassuolo to see first-hand how the panels are manufactured. The factory building was very large to accommodate the long production lines but with relatively few people required. I saw the process from start to finish, with the panels formed, textured, printed, baked in kilns, quality checked and packed for shipment – quite impressive.
Greater focus on representing natural stone more effectively, including large-scale, book-matched marble, slate, travertine, granite, etc.
The show and its exhibits were quite striking, providing an excellent overview of Italian ceramic tile product and approach. The Italian ceramics industry produces high-quality products with a strong focus on design – and I should know – owing to all the Italian ceramic tile in my home.
Richard N. Pollack, FIIDA, FAIA, is Managing Principal of Pollack Consulting, which he created after founding and leading award-winning Pollack Architecture for 28 years. Pollack Consulting assists firms' growth and success through improved business development, winning presentation techniques, business coaching, recruiting top talent, and ownership transition implementation. You can reach him at Richard@RichardNPollack.com or 415.508.6008.
IIDA Campus Centers are the first point of contact interior design students have to IIDA. Each campus center is unique in design, programming, and initiatives, which makes for a varied student experience across chapters. Starting today, we want to highlight the diversity of IIDA student experiences by introducing you to a handful of campus centers. From how they run their group to what activities garner the most student interest, here is what we learned from IIDA Student Members Kelsey Ballast, IIDA Campus Center President, and Ashley Newton, Senior Class Representative.
Two of KCAD's most popular events encourage students and design professionals to network. "Students always want to take advantage of those opportunities and those are the things that get a high turnout and a lot of interest from our student members," said Ashley.
At monthly update meetings, working professionals from a firm or manufacturer, with a focus on Kendall alumni, are invited to speak to students. Lunch and Learns are a more formalized affair with lunch provided ("Always a popular thing to be at," said Kelsey) and professionals from the field bring samples of their work and explaining what they do to students. Representatives from Steelcase and Haworth are just some of the big names that have presented – an advantage of living in a historic furniture manufacturing center.
But the students at KCAD are also very proactive about making sure these programs and resources are available. They work with their faculty advisors that have connections with larger industries and maintain lines of communication with the larger Michigan Chapter. The reciprocal relationship is a defining characteristic between the IIDA Campus Center at KCAD and the Michigan Chapter. "This becomes a big family that you can leverage later on. You get to know most people through your time here that you never know when they're going to be able to help you out or give you input, advice, or experience with anything," says Ashley.
The IIDA Campus Center at KCAD has specific campus center board members that act as additional liaisons with Michigan Chapter leaders. This has been instrumental in forming close relationships that feel like family. "Being a freshman coming into design school, I was a little worried of not feeling that community and feeling very competitive all the time. IIDA has definitely softened that and has created a community here at our school and then a community of designers broader in our region," said Kelsey.


There have been a few false alarms with Charli XCX. Despite having moderate success with songs like "Boom Clap" and "Break the Rules" as well as collaborative credits on the 2013 mega-hit "I Love It," Charli hasn't achieved household name status. Publications and music critics have continued to claim her time was coming, but a few false starts haven't panned into too much mainstream success. Luckily, I think it's official: Charli XCX's time is coming.
Not only did she make a splash with her free mixtape Number 1 Angel, she recently captured everyone's attention with the genius music video for "Boys." It has people talking and it's also incredibly catchy. Even better, Charli directed it herself.
It's a long time coming, but Charli XCX is officially making it, in part due to her clever, fun and incredibly relevant lyrics. "Boys" is full of relatable sentiments and catchy phrases, and she specializes in stuff that almost sounds like fluff… but it's just too familiar. You've probably said more than a few of her lines to yourself. She's playful, memorable and innovative, just like the perfect Instagram photo.
Let Charli's lyrics inspire some likes with the help of these quotes that are perfect for your next Instagram caption.


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Press Releases Rep. Vruwink: Votes 'yes' on health insurance bill
Rep. Vruwink: Votes 'yes' on health insurance bill
CONTACT: Rep. Don Vruwink608-266-3790
Affordable Health Care Should Be Available to Everyone
State Rep. Don Vruwink voted today in favor of legislation that requires health insurance policies to cover individuals with pre-existing health conditions.
"I voted in favor of this bill based on principle," Vruwink said. "I fundamentally believe that everyone should have access to affordable health care. If you have a loved one with epilepsy or diabetes or asthma or cancer, or any health problem, you know their life is hard enough already without struggling to get affordable health insurance.
"The fact that someone was previously sick or continues to be sick should not exclude them from affordable health insurance. That protection was guaranteed in the Affordable Care Act. If the Affordable Care Act is repealed, I support a state law that guarantees the same protection. The bill before us today does not go far enough, but I voted in favor to express my fundamental commitment to assuring affordable health care for everyone, and especially the sick among us who are most in need."
JR Ross

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Happy Valentine's Day! This week at the multiplex, we've got got futuristic law enforcement ("RoboCop," starring Joel Kinnaman and Gary Oldman); a star-crossed romance ("Endless Love," starring Alex Pettyfer and Gabriella Wilde); a time-spanning battle between good and evil ("Winter's Tale," starring Colin Farrell and Jennifer Connelly), and the complexities of love ("About Last Night," starring Kevin Hart and Regina Hall). Find out what the critics have to say on Rotten Tomatoes.
A wicked satire disguised as a sci-fi action flick, Paul Verhoeven's "RoboCop" was one of the most brutal and subversive mainstream films of the late 1980s.


CM: You just finished a new record - how did it go for you?
that's usually the painful part.
basic drums, which is incredible.
matters, as long as you get what you're after.
would translate onto the vinyl.
very much of one mind.
together as long as it has?
factors that have kept us together for that long.
GL: We had a very pleasant expreience on _Presto_ working with Rupert.
and very quickly.  It was an efficient process.
fundamental  sense,  from  before  we  had  producer's input to after.
good shape by the time the producer comes in.
tight in  terms of  a microscopic  view, that's  not really the issue.
about tightness  to the  millisecond between  bass, drums  and guitar.
else's ability to hear the difference.
appreciate everything you're  doing regardless of  how complex it  is.
That helps cut  down a lot  of time and  wasted energy in  the studio.
last two records the job that we had already done as co-producers.
you and the rest of the band with the way you run things.
CM: And yet you've done so much.
together in a studio we want to make sure we're not wasting our  time.
gets done right and then we're out of there, onto the next thing.
We are  very much  a closed  circle -  it's just  the three of us.
can bring some fresh influence to the band.
CM: You're talking  about influences  now and  people influencing you.
always have time for those bands.
of that movement and learn from [it].  That was a big influence on us.
are affecting each one of us in our own way.
be neither, it came out to be something that is very much us.
CM: It definitely sounds like Rush.
the technology that you use?
against the technology that we kind of got locked into.
felt felt we over-reacted too much the other way.
basics, because  I don't  think we  ever do  have a  "back to  basics"
been about as a writer, and I think the band as a whole.
layering - again a more organic approach to writing.
more complex vocal stylings in a live situation?
quite a good balance between Alex and electronics helping us out.
fuss is just to avoid adding another person onstage.
to trigger it.  It has to be connected to us in some way.
talks about adding another member.
CM: Just for the tour?
that that was the main reason why we opted to try to do it  ourselves.
acceptable answer than not being a three-piece.
far as the use of animation - that's something I'm very interested in.
have a lot of fun doing.
piece of art, although you can be very artful about doing it.
it's very rare that we've used the same director twice.
the musical sphere that no-one has been able to duplicate.
this."  How do you react to something like that?
same  time  you  can't  let  it  go  beyond  that  kind of compliment.
Otherwise you start thinking of yourself in much too serious a  light.
Like, "what I'm doing affects someone's life."
You can't think  like that because  it affects the  way you write.
effect on you as a writer.
years and see if we can capture that feel".
and build your future on your past.
can do that by looking over your shoulder.
but it doesn't really change - the heart of it is still the same.
from their way of thinking.
says cheerfully.  "Lucky there's only three of us."
you wouldn't know it to talk to him on the phone.
would turn out this way."
the heap in terms of Rush's musical success.
respect and admiration of his peers and fans around the world.
the same level I left at; I just have to build up the calices again."
be, and if I want to punch up or drop out.
I please myself with structure, but realize that it doesn't matter."
to create  your own  challenge; make  it dangerous;  keep it exciting.
You can't let the excitement go away.
but we can _hope_.  That's something you can't allow to die."


text:
Farmers Market books
Sara Anderson is an award-winning designer, illustrator, writer and publisher of children's books. She opened her first design studio in the Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington after graduating from Cornell University in Design & Environmental Analysis. She has won awards from Seattle Women in Design, The New York Art Directors Club, Golden Quill, and Printing Industries of America.
In 1985 she embarked on a bicoastal life, moving to New York where she worked with The Museum of Modern Art, Crate and Barrel, UNICEF, Bloomingdales, Madison Avenue, and E.P. Dutton, while continuing to maintain her Seattle studio. She started a card company and later developed stationary products for Marcel Schurman and Recycled Paper Greetings, among others.
In 1988, a month after her first two children's books, NUMBERS and COLORS, were published, they won Parent's Choice Award. She then began designing children's products for M.o.M.A., Sur la Table, Dayton Hudson, Marshall Fields, Macys, Naj Oleari in Italy and Takashimaya in Japan. In 2001, she returned to illustrating and writing full time and has since produced 13 popular and successful children's books.
Sara's books have won Best Children's Book of the Year from Kirkus Reviews, Nick Jr. and Bank Street as well as Best Books for Babies from the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. In 2008, shortly after starting The Literacy Project, she established Sara Anderson Children's Books becoming the sole publisher of her own work.
Since then, she has collaborated with numerous non-profit literacy groups to provide families in need with high-quality hardback children's books, to create a legacy of literacy and a love of reading that will last for generations.
Email Sara
sara@saranderson.com
www.saranderson.com
Sara Anderson Children's Books


It was one week ago that a powerful 9.0 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of northern Japan. The tsunami that followed, with waves reaching as high as ten meters, swept as far as ten miles inward. In this video shot for The Guardian, we see the haunting devastation in Shintona, a small town in the Miyagi prefecture (one of the areas worst affected by the tsunami). Amidst the wreckage on the streets, it is quite stirring to peer inside some of the washed-out houses, where we observe broken china and damaged photographs, reminding us how life can be so profoundly and personally interrupted by nature's fury.
The Guardian article accompanying this video can be read here. For more videos and resources related to the earthquake in Japan, including ways you can help, see this post.
It's very sad that so many people died I can't stay calm watching these terrible videos from http://www.torrentoff.com, but the nuclear problems are completely their own fault.. why the hell would they build a nuclear plant in a known earthquake area.. this could have been prevented!!
This is a tragedy, and every time I turn on the news, it seems as if the Japanese are facing another post-earthquake issue. I traveled to Japan 2 years ago, and I was amazed at their tenacity even then. The people I met on that trip were some of the kindest and most welcoming I have ever encountered. This still proves true today even as I watch the news and read articles. Despite the dangers of the nuclear plant, extreme weather, etc, the citizens seem to really be working together to stay strong for the country and each other. I hope the international community will continue to do the same, and not just "forget" about this in a few months (as many, unfortunately, did with the case of Haiti), because these damages– both physical and emotional– will take years to heal.


text:
NASA OIG Audit: Management Of NASA's Europa Mission
NASA OIG
Filed under Europa
WHY WE PERFORMED THIS AUDIT
Scientists believe that Europa, one of Jupiter's 79 known moons, may have a large liquid ocean below its icy surface suitable to sustain life.
The National Research Council (NRC)–which publishes a decadal survey of recommended priorities that NASA uses to help plan its science exploration missions–determined in 2011 that an orbiter mission to Europa should be NASA's second highest priority large-scale planetary science mission after the Mars 2020 mission. Congress has taken a strong interest in the project and since fiscal year (FY) 2013 has appropriated about $2.04 billion to NASA for a Europa mission–$1.26 billion more than the Agency requested. The former Chairman of the House subcommittee that funds the Agency, a long-time advocate for NASA and the Europa mission in particular, was largely responsible for these substantial appropriations. Congress also directed NASA to plan two separate missions– a flyby orbiter known as Europa Clipper and a Lander mission to place scientific instruments on the moon's surface. In FYs 2017 and 2018, Congress directed NASA to use the Space Launch System (SLS), the Agency's heavy-lift rocket currently under development, as the launch vehicle for both missions and specified launch dates of no later than 2022 for the orbiter and 2024 for the Lander. In February 2019, Congress delayed those launch dates by a year to 2023 and 2025, respectively. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has overall project management responsibilities for both missions.
In this audit, we examined NASA's management of the Europa mission relative to achieving technical objectives, meeting milestones, controlling costs, and addressing congressional requirements. To complete this work, we reviewed documents, reports, schedule projections, budget allocations, costs, and risks related to the Clipper and Lander projects, as well as NASA and JPL policies, congressional mandates, and NRC reports. We also compared the Europa mission with other JPL projects and interviewed Clipper and Lander personnel, other NASA officials, and members of the scientific community.
Despite robust early-stage funding, a series of significant developmental and personnel resource challenges place the Clipper's current mission cost estimates and planned 2023 target launch at risk. Specifically, NASA's aggressive development schedule, a stringent conflict of interest process during instrument selection, and an insufficient evaluation of cost and schedule estimates has increased project integration challenges and led the Agency to accept instrument cost proposals subsequently found to be far too optimistic. Moreover, Clipper has had to compete with at least four other major JPL-managed projects for critical personnel resources, causing concern that the project may not have a sufficient workforce with the required skills at critical periods in its development cycle.
In addition, although Congress directed NASA to use the SLS to launch the Clipper, it is unlikely to be available by the congressionally mandated 2023 date and therefore the Agency continues to maintain spacecraft capabilities to accommodate both the SLS and two commercial launch vehicles, the Delta IV Heavy and Falcon Heavy. The Agency also has not incorporated associated development and launch vehicle selection risks into the Clipper's joint cost and schedule confidence level (JCL) analysis, a tool used to help determine the likelihood a project will achieve its objectives within budget and on time, thereby prolonging risks that should be resolved prior to establishing the project cost and schedule baseline. Lastly, significant funding from Congress must be maintained to avoid additional delays in the launch schedule and prevent the need to move funds from other projects in NASA's science portfolio. Significantly, FY 2020 will be the first budget cycle in which the mission's most important congressional supporter no longer chairs the House appropriations subcommittee.
Similar to Clipper, the Lander mission will likely face shortages in skilled technical staff given that it is competing with five other major projects at JPL, including Clipper, for the same resources, putting planned activities at risk. Moreover, when we compared the Lander's projected development schedule to other similar NASA robotic missions, we found the congressionally mandated 2025 launch date not feasible, with the earliest possible launch in late 2026. Further, the Lander is currently designed to launch only on the upgraded version of the SLS, a vehicle whose readiness date is highly uncertain.
We also believe that requiring the Agency to pursue a Lander mission at the same time it is developing the Clipper mission is inconsistent with the NRC's recommended science exploration priorities. Specifically, the most recent decadal survey does not include a Europa Lander mission, such a mission will not provide the most optimal science results for the money spent if launched before adequate information is obtained from Clipper, and moving forward with a Lander at the present time would negatively affect the balance and budget of other projects in the planetary science portfolio. Finally, the Lander will essentially require doubling the amount of recent increases in congressional funding the Clipper mission has received while the two projects overlap. The Agency's FY 2020 budget request includes no funding for the Lander and we believe at this point, NASA can utilize the benefits gained from the Lander's preliminary research and commit to the project when the science community makes it a priority and resources are available.
WHAT WE RECOMMENDED
For the Europa mission to achieve its technical objectives, meet milestones, and control costs, we recommended the Associate Administrator for Science Mission Directorate (1) evaluate current and future critical technical staffing requirements by project over the next 5 years; (2) reassess the Clipper JCL with launch vehicle risks for the Delta IV Heavy, Falcon Heavy, and SLS; (3) evaluate the impact to the Planetary Science Division budget portfolio if Clipper's increased funding levels were disrupted; (4) continue to implement the instrument cost control plan; (5) reassess the Lander project's timeline given resource availability; (6) evaluate the impact that starting Lander Phase-A, delaying the start date, or continuing Pre-phase A research under multiple funding scenarios would have on the entire planetary science portfolio; (7) consider requesting the NRC reexamine the Lander's priority; and (8) coordinate with Congress and other stakeholders to develop achievable project timelines and corresponding funding levels to maintain a balanced science portfolio supportive of NRC priorities. We also recommended the Associate Administrator for Science Mission Directorate, in coordination with the Office of the General Counsel, reassess the process of isolating key project personnel from instrument selection. Finally, we recommended the JPL Director evaluate current and future critical technical staffing requirements, make staffing adjustments to the Clipper project as necessary, and reassess Lander commitments.
We provided a draft of this report to NASA management who concurred with 9 of our 10 recommendations and described corrective actions it has taken or will take. We consider management's comments to all but Recommendation 2 responsive; therefore, those recommendations are resolved and will be closed upon completion and verification of the proposed corrective actions. Management did not concur with Recommendation 2 related to reassessing launch vehicle risks and this recommendation will remain unresolved pending further discussion with the Agency.
MORE FROM Europa
Assembly Of Europa Clipper Astrobiology Spacecraft's Solar Arrays
Sending Signals To Droids Through The Ice On Ocean Worlds
Whispers From The Deep Sea: The Subtle Sounds Of Hydrothermal Vents
Enabling Ice Core Science On Mars And Ocean Worlds
SwRI Delivers MAss Spectrometer for Planetary EXploration (MASPEX) For Europa Clipper


text:
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Cannabis > Cannabis News Archives > June 2008
+ 26th June 2008 | State to allow farmers to grow hemp
Source: News.com.au
NEW laws will allow New South Wales farmers to grow cannabis crops for industrial use, the state government says. But the hemp plants will not be varieties containing any significant amount of the active substance in illicit cannabis.
The Hemp Industry Bill will allow farmers to grow hemp (cannabis sativa) for use in skin care products, paint, load-bearing masonry, insulation and as an additive to wool, Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald said. Such production is already permitted in Victoria, Tasmania, Queensland, the ACT, Victoria and Western Australia.
MORE...^ TOP
+ 26th June 2008 | A growing concern (UK)
Author: Patrick Barkham
Growing your own was once the preserve of hobbyists and hippies with access to a greenhouse or remote allotment - organised crime didn't bother with marijuana plants. In the past five years, however, international drug gangs have abandoned cannabis smuggling and have started growing the drug in Britain. As a result, the UK has gone from producing 15% of its own cannabis in 2002 to up to around 90% today. What was a cottage industry is now a slick and secret network of factories and farms, many based in respectable suburbs.
This year alone, police have discovered cannabis factories in Portsmouth, Lincoln, Doncaster, Yeading, Peterborough, Swansea, Norwich, Swindon, Hertford, Hetton-le-Hole near Sunderland, Littleport in Cambridgeshire, Blackpool, Stewarton in Ayrshire and dozens of other towns and cities. After busting four operations in one day in April, Cardiff police were not surprised - they were uncovering, on average, one factory every week, they said. More than 300 cannabis were discovered in the West Midlands last year, while detectives estimated that a factory found near Scunthorpe in April contained plants worth £4m.
+ 21st June 2008 | CASA to 'ground' alcohol and drugs
Source: WAtoday.com.au
RANDOM drug and alcohol tests for aviation workers across the country are a step closer. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is on the verge of signing a three-year, $9 million deal with Symbion Health to undertake the testing, which would be a first for Australia's airports.
Tens of thousands of people working on the "air side" of an airport — including pilots, engineers and baggage handlers — will be subject to testing in a bid to stamp out substance abuse in aviation. Those caught with a blood-alcohol content of .02 or more, or anyone testing positive to a range of illicit drugs, including cocaine, cannabis and opioids, would face fines of up to $5500 and could lose their jobs.
+ 16th June 2008 | Medicines derived from cannabis: a review of adverse events
Source: Physorg.com
Researchers at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), McGill University and the University of British Columbia (UBC) determined that medical use of cannabinoids do not cause an increase in serious adverse events, but are associated with an increase in some non-serious adverse events.
Several drugs containing compounds derived from the cannabis plant, or cannibinoids, are available for medical purposes in Canada. As the use of cannabinoid medications increases, so do concerns about their potential to cause "adverse events," or negative side effects. Dr. Mark Ware, Dr. Stan Shapiro and PhD candidate Tongtong Wang of the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre and McGill University, and Dr. Jean-Paul Collet of the University of British Columbia examined the nature of these potential adverse events in a study which will be published June 16 in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ).
+ 15th June 2008 | Hemp – The Perfect Brain Health Food?
Source: PR.CannaZine.co.uk
Few natural food sources have withered as much confusion, controversy and misinformation (and lack of information) as hemp – which is unfortunate, and even ironic, given that it is one of the world's most perfect foods.
Actually, it goes far beyond food, as this super-plant has also been used for centuries as a wonderful source of fibers for clothing and accessories, soaps and oils, and much more. It's even rumored to be the world's "oldest food" consumed by modern man.
Have you been seeing more and more health foods, snacks, nutrition bars, oils, breads and other products on the shelves with the word "hemp!" on the packaging? Protein powder that "now includes hemp greens!", cereals with hemp seeds, hemp drink mixes, hemp bathing oils and soaps? Thanks to a recent explosion of legal hemp growing largely based in Canada (hemp has been legal to grow in Canada since 1998), a version of this plant – and more specifically, the seeds of the plant, has become what many believe to be the next revolution in health foods, based on its rather staggering nutritional profile.
+ 13th June 2008 | Illicit drugs: get it in the mail
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald
Author: Arjun Ramachandran
·: 7.5 tonnes of drugs seized in 2006/07
·: drugs worth about $803.8 million
·: weight of cocaine detected up 600 per cent
·: heroin seized 392 times, up from 300 in previous year
Drug traffickers are increasingly using the mail system to post illicit drugs to Australia, as the number of heroin detections at the border reached the highest on record, a national crime report shows.
Australian Crime Commission chief executive Alastair Milroy said traffickers were resorting to "scatter" importations using air cargo and postal streams, "as law enforcement bodies continue to detect large quantities of cocaine and heroin at the border".
+ 10th June 2008 | Rebadged bong to beat SA drug pipe ban
Author: Doug Robertson
AN Adelaide business is rebadging outlawed cannabis bongs to beat tough new laws making the sale of drug implements illegal. Attorney-General Michael Atkinson and a reformed cannabis addict say they saw illegal bongs on sale at Off Ya Tree in Hindley St, but they were labelled water-pourers.
"I'm advised that re-naming drug-use products does not protect a retailer from being subject to the new drug paraphernalia laws," Mr Atkinson said. He said he had alerted police to Off Ya Tree's alleged sale of illegal items.
+ 7th June 2008 | Major cannabis gang awaits charges
Source: ThanhNienNews.com
Author: Tuoi Tre
The central police have aimed to press charges against members of a ring, including five foreigners, for allegedly trafficking 8.8 tons of cannabis resin from Hai Phong to Quang Ninh Province in May.
The five alleged foreign traffickers are Ieong Chi Kai, Chak Wok Kwong, Wang Hui Lan and Ngan Chi Nen from China and Lu Minh Cheng from Indonesia.
On May 12, the police seized the drugs, with an estimated value of US$90 million, at the Mong Cai border gate in the northern province of Quang Ninh.
+ 3rd June 2008 | Study claims heavy cannabis use 'shrinks brain volume'
Source: The Herald Sun
Author: Tamara McLean
HEAVY marijuana use over many years appears to shrink parts of the brain that control emotion and memory, an Australian study shows. Brain scans on 15 men who smoked at least five joints a day for more than a decade show for the first time that they have structural brain abnormalities not seen in non-smokers.
The researchers from the University of Melbourne say their findings should settle the historic controversy over the long-term effects of cannabis use with solid proof of the damage it causes.
"These findings challenge the widespread perception of cannabis as having limited or no consequences on the brain," said study leader Dr Murat Yucel, a clinical neuropsychologist at the Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre.
+ 1st June 2008 | Regional Brain Abnormalities Associated With Long-term Heavy Cannabis Use
Source: Archives of General Psychiatry
Author: Multiple Doctors
To determine whether long-term heavy cannabis use is associated with gross anatomical abnormalities in 2 cannabinoid receptor–rich regions of the brain, the hippocampus and the amygdala.
+ NEWS HEADLINES
State to allow farmers to grow hemp
A growing concern (UK)
CASA to 'ground' alcohol and drugs
Medicines derived from cannabis
Hemp - The Perfect Brain Health Food?
Illicit drugs: get it in the mail
Rebadged bong to beat SA drug pipe ban
Major cannabis gang awaits charges
Study claims heavy cannabis use 'shrinks brain volume'
Regional Brain Abnormalities Associated With Long-term Heavy Cannabis Use
Bud Shots, News from the office, Competitions
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There's a lot of thought that goes into building a new home.
How many bedrooms? Where to put the kitchen? Sconces or recessed lighting? With all this dreaming and planning, you have enough on your mind without worrying about the loan to pay for it. At Merrimack County Savings Bank, we put as much thought into building a better loan and we've developed a hassle-free process that lets you concentrate on your house plans…while we handle the financing.
Building a new home can be more exciting and challenging than finding an existing home to move into. The financing works a little differently, too. But when it's done, you have the home of your dreams. At Merrimack County Savings Bank, we keep track of all the financing details so you can focus on all the other details that will help turn your new house into your new home.
All rates effective Wednesday, April 24, 2019 unless otherwise noted and are subject to change without notice.
Payments do not include amounts for taxes. Your actual payment obligation will be greater. Monthly Payments are calculated using a $200,000 loan amount and the maximum term unless otherwise stated.
ARM = Adjustable Rate Mortgage; APR = Annual Percentage Rate. APR may increase at adjustment period. For Adjustable rates, fully indexed rate is the 1 year treasury plus margin. All APRs assume 20% downpayment.
Caps are 2/6 on 1-year ARM and 3/1 ARM APRs for land loans reflect a $475 document prep fee, $20 flood certification fee $90 tax related service fee and $275 Underwriting fee and $625.00 Settlement Fee.
#-Rate is at a discount.
##-Rate is at a premium.
Payments do not include amounts for taxes and any insurance premiums. Your actual payment obligation will be greater.
APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Maximum loan to value calculations vary based on property type and occupancy status. All APRs assume 20% downpayment.
Construction loans include a 1% construction fee on the first $500,000 of construction funds and then 1/2% of the excess amount above $500,000, for a 6 month construction period. Modular construction loan fees will cap out at the maximum construction loan fee of $5,000. Self-Builds will have a two (2)% construction fee schedule for a 6 month construction period. (other construction periods available).
*APRs on construction loans include a 1% construction fee, $475 document prep fee, $20 flood certification fee, $90 tax related service fee, $275 underwriting fee, $625.00 Settlement Fee $150 plot plan fee and $175 lender inspection fee.
APR = Annual Percentage Rate. ARM = Adjustable Rate Mortgage; APR may increase at adjustment period. For Adjustable rates, fully indexed rate is the 1 year treasury plus margin. Maximum loan to value calculations vary based on property type and occupancy status. All APRs assume 20% downpayment.
Caps are 2/6 on 3/1 ARM, 5/1 ARM, 7/1 ARM, and 10/1 ARM.
*APRs on construction loans include a 1% construction fee, $475 document prep fee, $20 flood certification fee, $90 tax related service fee, $275 underwriting fee, $625.00 Settlement Fee, $150 plot plan fee and $175 lender inspection fee.


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Chamber 'sets sail' its first graduate
Donna Baxter
OZARK — Ted Smith, CPA, was honored with a "Set Sail" reception Friday to wish him well as the first business to graduate from the Carl G. Hefner Enterprise Center.
Together the Enterprise Center and Chamber of Commerce work as a business incubator providing support services and resources to new and fledgling businesses to help them become successful in creating new jobs, building and accelerating growth in the community as well as strengthening the local economy
"Our model is that they be able to outgrow the space in three to five years," said Dori Grinder, Chamber director. "Adding jobs, outgrowing their space and staying in Ozark are the goals."
Patrick Morrison, president of the enterprise center's board of directors, said Stewart moving into his own business space is the culmination of why the chamber and enterprise center work together to help businesses.
"At some point we expect them to move on...," said Morrison. "We want to thank Ted for being our very first tenant. He went through a lot of growing pains learning things with us."
Smith was involved with the chamber before the enterprise center. He also serves as an Ozark city alderman. He's definitely committed to Ozark, Morrison said.
Several years ago Smith had an idea the chamber needed to move toward an incubator. They were able to make it happen with good leadership and much hard work.
"I had no idea I would be the first tenant or the first to leave either," said Smith. "There have been some real cool things about being the guinea pig."
The enterprise center has become a showcase — not only for this community but for the state of Missouri, he said.
"I want to personally thank you for all this. Kudos to everyone who has been a part — from the special ideas to the hard work to making a donation. Hats off to everybody. You guys are the ones who made it happen."
Morrison thanked Smith for being a cornerstone as the first tenant and presented him with a certificate of appreciation. It wished him more success growth in future endeavors which were started on board with the Enterprise Center.
"You are now ready to 'set sail,'" it concluded.
Regarding the move, Smith said, with more desks and people, they needed more space.
"We've taken what we learned here — this model of shared space but with more floor space," he said. "We also have additional build out space so we've got some stairstep ability to grow."
His goodbye gift to the chamber — a new coffee pot.
Ted Smith, CPA, is now located on the lower level of Fremont Hills Dental Center at 5270 North Towne Center Drive, Suite 102-A, phone 417-449-4064.


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A.P. ARUL JOTHI – FOUNDER, Thiru A.P. Arul Jothi was the only son of Thiru. A.V.Palanisamy Gounder. He was a grand Landlord and also he was known for his social awareness and service at large..
Thiru A.P. ARUL JOTHI
Thiru A.P. Arul Jothi was the only son of Thiru. A.V.Palanisamy Gounder. He was a grand Landlord and also he was known for his social awareness and service at large.. He always thought of the poor and common man's upliftment. He had conducted many social dramas to educate and eradicate the social evils in the society. Thiru A.V. Palanisamy Gounder was a member of erstwhile Coimbatore District Board. Thiru A.V. Palanisamy Gounder also founded a metal worker's Co-operative society at Anupparpalayam and helped the workers to free from the Bonded Labour. After his father, A.P. Arul Jothi was elected as successive president.
Thiru. A.P. Arul Jothi was inspired by the deeds of his father and wanted everyone to remember his parents forever. So, he established a Trust in his father's name A.V.P. TRUST., and in his mother's name A.V.P. LAKSHMI AMMAL TRUST. He was the founder chairman of both the trusts. Thiru A.P. Arul Jothi was a village Munsif of Chettipalayam in his younger days. He was also elected as the President of Chettipalayam Panchayat and worked for the welfare of the people. A.V.P. TRUST started a National Matriculation Higher Secondary School in 1989. A.V.P. LAKSHMI AMMAL TRUST started school for the benefit of specially disabled children with hearing impaired and speaking impaired. Many children are benefited by this school.
In commemoration of celebration of SILVER JUBILEE of A.V.P. Trust National Matriculation School during the year 2015, Thiru. A. Karthikeyan, the only son of the Founder, established a new Trust – "A.P. ARUL JOTHI EDUCATIONAL TRUST" and started a new Arts and Science College in the name of A.V.P. COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCE at 4- Chettipalayam, Thirumuruganpoondi, in the Corporation limit of Tirupur, during the academic year 2015-2016. This college serves specially for the economically downtrodden and needy girl students.


Northeastern point guard Jess Genco was playmaker, ball-handler and scorer in Sunday afternoon's 77-68 victory against Towson at the Cabot Center.
The senior from Scranton, Pa., scored 16 points with 11 assists to notch her second double-double of the season. She dropped a pair of shots from downtown to extend her school record for made 3-pointers to 274.
"She does it all," NU head coach Kelly Cole said. "I don't know how to explain it, but she just brings a lot, and she's played a lot of minutes on the floor since her freshman year.
The Huskies (15-7, 5-6 Colonial) ended a two-game losing streak and avenged an 88-83 loss at Towson on Jan. 11. They resume league play Friday night at Delaware.
The Huskies shot 42.6 from the floor, made seven from behind the arc with 40 rebounds and 18 assists. Senior forward Gabby Giacone registered her 17th career double-double and sixth of the season with 20 points and 12 rebounds.
Giacone and Genco employed the pick-and-roll to perfection while guards Kendall Currance and Shannon Todd combined for 26 points and 10 rebounds.
The Huskies expended all their energy and focus maintaining their 10-point halftime lead. Sophomore guard Stella Clark launched a 3-ball from the corner to put NU ahead 46-34 at 4:42 of the third quarter. Todd scored seven straight points that included a trifecta from the right baseline to put NU ahead 53-39 with 1:36 to play.
Towson countered with five free throws and a layup by Nukiya Mayo (20 points) in the span of 36 seconds to cut the lead to 53-46. Giacone contained the Huskies' slide with a layup for a 55-46 lead after three.
"We were going after their ball screen defense right from the get-go," Cole said.
NU opened the fourth with a 13-6 surge and took a 68-52 lead on two from the line by Currence with 5:10 to play. Towson scored nine unanswered points and cut the lead to 68-61 on a three-point play by Qierra Murray with 2:34 to play. NU sank 9-of-10 free throws inside the final 2:22 to preserve the victory.


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Home/Community News/Signature park status sought for Waterhole
Signature park status sought for Waterhole
District Writer2014-11-11T10:12:00-06:00November 11th, 2014|Community News|
Conservancy points to prairie habitat, planned Levitt Pavilion as reasons for city to grant designation
A citizen-led effort is afoot for the 291-acre Willow Waterhole Conservation Reserve to become Houston's next signature park by summer 2016.
"Obviously it's a goal of ours. It's been a goal for a long time," said Ralph Rieger, president of the Willow Waterhole Greenspace Conservancy.
A renewed sense of volunteerism at the park, its use by area schools as a venue for music and athletic events, plans to restore remnants of Houston's coastal prairie there and the park's selection for the nation's next Levitt Pavilion are among factors that have Rieger and others more hopeful than ever.
"It could happen," Rieger said.
Hermann and Memorial park are the only city parks with "signature" status because they have "partnering organizations that provide a higher level of design and maintenance," according to Houston Parks and Recreation Department's current Parks Master Plan. Creating more signature parks is a key goal of the 2008 plan, which names Willow Waterhole among seven potential candidates. With the parks department working to update the master plan, the conservancy is busy on several fronts to achieve signature status.
"We have to provide the amenities," said Russell Schexnayder, a member of the conservancy's Greenspace Committee who has been involved with Willow Waterhole's development since the 1990s and is rallying support for the signature designation.
"My plan is to raise public awareness so that it becomes an issue in next year's mayoral election," Schexnayder said.
The conservancy was created in 2001 as part of an initiative to revitalize the Westbury area. It works with the parks department and the Harris County Flood Control District to develop the green space around six stormwater detention ponds being built by the district and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as part of the massive Project Brays flood-control project.
Construction is under way on the fourth pond, and proponents are lobbying Harris County officials to fund the final two next year, well ahead of the planned 2017 opening of the nation's eighth nonprofit Levitt Pavilion. Headed by Howard Sacks, a former conservancy president, the Friends of Levitt Pavilion Houston is raising $10 million to build an outdoor music venue for staging free concerts.
A $750,000 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department grant helped kick-start the park project in 2000, and by 2005 the conservancy was able to host its first Fun Run and Walk at the park. Since then, Willow Waterhole has become a well-known destination for bird-watchers, with 192 species sighted in monthly bird counts – the most of any Houston location and comparable to the Katy Prairie.
The park routinely hosts music and movie events, and Westbury High School's crosscountry teams use the park's trails.
A federal survey done for the flood-reduction project found remnants of Texas' coastal prairie, including the endangered Texas prairie dawn plant. The finding requires the flood control district to set aside and restore a 15-acre prairie management area, which is expected to open later this year. The conservancy board is working with parks department staff members and landscape architectural firm White Oak Studio to implement a federal $399,000 project to restore the prairie habitat and add parking, trails, signage and an outdoor classroom.
Volunteers have been busy making wildflower seedballs to use on the park's meadowlands. A seedball toss is planned for 9 a.m. Oct. 25, with registration at The Gathering Place, 5310 South Willow.
For additional information about the reserve, visit www.willowwaterhole.org.
Article Source:
chron.com
By Robin Foster


If you're a nature lover you definitely going to like this collection. There are plethora of places and scenes on this earth we must at least see for once. Nature photography tends to put a more importance on the aesthetic value of the image than other types of photography. From this stunning nature scenes we can say that waterfall is one the best one , the effect that water produce can create for us a strong sense of relaxation. So , to inspire you today we have collected 35 Breathtaking Examples Of WaterFall Photos captured by some amazing photographers.
All images are linked with their source , this will allow you to see a larger version and learn more about the photographers and buy the photo if you want.


Don't have time to clip coupons? No problem, you can still save money with a free cash back app, called Ibotta, let me show you how Ibotta works.
I get two Sunday papers each week to clip paper coupons to save money. And I also use printable coupons as well.
I've met many people in line at the grocery store who say, they don't have time to clip coupons but would love to save money.
I tell them they should use Ibotta! It's a great way to save money on groceries and more without having to clip coupons at all.
Some of the links below are my referral links. When you sign up with them I can make a little money at no extra cost to you. See my disclosure policy for more information.
What is Ibotta or What is the Ibotta app?
The Ibotta app is a cash back app. You can earn cash back on items you purchase at the store. It's like having coupons on your phone. You choose which rebates you want to redeem. Then shop and redeem them when you get home.
It's easy to use but I've made a video tutorial below to walk you through the process to get you started in just minutes.
Ibotta coupons aren't quite coupons they are rebates. Money back, real cash back on items you purchase.
The Ibotta "coupons" are right on your phone in the app. Every Thursday new rebates are released. You can look at the rebates, choose the ones you'd like to redeem. Then go to the store and shop for the items you need.
If you forget to select a rebate before you shop, no problem just add it when you get home from the store before you submit your receipt.
You also have a week to redeem your rebates. I like to redeem mine as soon as I get back from shopping so I don't forget. But if you forget and remember a day or two later, it's not too late.
Ibotta works with most of the major grocery stores in our area and I'm sure it will be the same for you. I can use the Ibotta app with Safeway, Albertsons, WinCo Foods, Rite Aid, Walgreens, Trader Joe's just to name a few.
I love that I can have one app to save at multiple stores. I shop many stores in a month and being able to use the Ibotta app at the store I'm shopping that week is so great.
Using the Ibotta app is a simple process. You download the app. Add your favorite stores. Pick the rebates you want to redeem. You can search for Ibotta rebates by the store or search by product you are looking to purchase to see if any rebates are available.
Shop and then submit your receipt. For some purchases, you must scan the product code too.
Rebates are added to your account in about 24 hours. But I've seen them show up in my account in just a few hours. So it might not take that long to see your account credited.
For some stores, you can link your loyalty card instead of submitting your receipt to get credit for your purchases.
Right now in our area, Rite Aid is the only store we can link our royalty card with but you might find more stores in your area to link to Ibotta.
To submit a purchase via your loyalty card, you load the rebates onto your account before you shop. This is important, to get the credit they need to be loaded before you swipe your loyalty card at the store.
Tap "Add Card" if the Add Card isn't displayed then linking to that card isn't currently available.
Wait for the confirmation that your royalty card has been added.
That's it, you no longer have to submit receipts. Two things to remember when using Ibotta this way. You must add your rebates before you shop. And you need to use the linked card when you shop to redeem your rebates.
Ibotta has rebates on items from grocery stores but you can also get rebates from restaurants and retail stores too.
If you are shopping at a retail store like Kohl's, JoAnn's, Lowe's, Home Depot and more you can get rebates at those stores too.
Be sure to read the terms. Some like Best Buy needs to be redeemed at the cash register and others can be redeemed with your receipt.
Also be sure to check with Ebates before using Ibotta as you might get more cash back from them. Shop around for your rebates.
While it's super convenient to use the Ibotta app to save money on groceries, you can stack your savings by using manufacturer coupons with the Ibotta rebates. That's right you can clip coupons and use them on the same item you are redeeming the Ibotta rebate on too.
When shopping at retail stores you can redeem rebates on clearance items and sale items too. So if you have a rebate for a great priced item on sale or clearance grab the Ibotta rebate too.
You may wonder if Ibotta is too good to be true or if using Ibotta will gobble up too much of your free time to use it.
That's what I used to think too. It will be too many hoops to jump through to save a few pennies. All the rebates will be for things I don't buy. It won't be worth the time.
But then I tried it. While I'm not rolling in the dough each month from Ibotta, I'm saving money each time I shop. It might only be a buck or two but it's a buck or two I wouldn't have had.
The payout threshold is $20. You can get the cash sent to you via PayPal or Venmo. Or get gift cards instead of cash so you'll have a bit of spending money when you redeem your money.
The whole process looking for rebates, adding them to my account and redeeming them through submitting my receipt takes just a few minutes. So I say using Ibotta is worth it. Especially if you take advantage of all the ways, you can save.
Get started with Ibotta! click the link, fill in your information and follow the instructions.
Download the app which you can get at the app store for Apple products or Google Play store for Android users. Then pick your rebates, shop, and redeem by scanning your receipt. It's that easy.
That's how Ibotta works. With just a few moments before and after you shop, you can save money.
While it might not be a huge amount of saving. It can save you money and you don't have to clip coupons or remember to bring them with you and then remember to hand them to the cashier. There have been so many times I've left my coupons behind when I've gone shopping.
With Ibotta you don't have to worry about it, just remember to hold onto your receipt as you'll need it.
Want to save more? Pair Ibotta with printable coupons. Print coupons with the links below.
Great tutorial, Shelly! I've used Ibotta here and there but I'd like to use it more regularly. I have $14 in my account right now. 🙂 Also, I didn't know that new rebates were released on Thursdays. Thank you for that information!!


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2008 Gatineau Loppet Reports: 19 years of Keskinada and Gatineau Loppets…Some thoughts
By: Dev Paul (2008/02/28)
It took me a week and a few days to get my thoughts wrapped up after the latest edition of the Gatineau Loppet. This was my 19th year in a row competing in the "Long Skate" event…with previous incarnations being the Gatineau 55 and a variety of variations of Keskinada. Through the years, I participated on bobsled runs in behind Meech Lake, the Legendary 1994 Noah's Ark Meech Lake crossing when we crossed the Lake in knee deep water before the back breaking climb from Blanchet Beach up Trail 40 and 24 to Champlain, the classic 1995/96 course through the biathlon range, the 1998 Ice Storm induced Parkway drag race, and many many many years of seemingly sub minus 20 wake up temperatures.
Over the past 19 years, mother nature has thrown every conceivable weather hiccup at the organizers and racers, but every year, somehow, quite magically this race comes and goes, adding a unique event to our local sporting community that serves as a winter focus…the "A" event for many locals.
The first time I entered the Gatineau 55 way back in 1990, I could barely stay up on skis compared to today. The longest ski in my life was 90 minutes. I had no idea what I was getting into. I started in the "F" wave, as there were only 2 events…the 55K and the 35K…no skate and classic differentiation…just a free for all. I barely survived the climb out of Meech Lake to Champlain and scooped up everything I could in the ensuing aid stations. Finishing back in 500th+ position in around 4.5 hours the guys in the "A" wave were veritable rock stars as far as I was concerned. These guys were on skis like they were extensions of their bodies. It was silly how easy they made the sport look.
Over the next decade I gradually started to get a bit better on skis. Thanks to Dave McMahon, who helped me "get off the ground" any semblance I have today of technique (that still needs a lot of improvement), was instilled. But I continued racing like a triathlete, just hammering harder until I blew up.
It never really occurred to me that I could get faster with less effort.
Doug Stern, a swim coach from New York City who passed away from Cancer last year, left me with many thoughts, the most impactful of which is: "STRONG WILL TAKE THE WEAK, BUT THE SMART WILL TAKE THE STRONG."
Up until 1998, I just hammered getting stronger and stronger and eventually in the year of the ice storm I made it to the "A" wave. It seemed like forever, but I did it….I made it into the rock star A wave. Now I could start in the corral a few feet behind Olympians and ski gods and goddesses. What I was doing there, I was not quite sure, and to this day, I sometimes have to pinch myself to think that I got myself from the F wave to the "A group" in the premiere mass start ski race in Canada!
But let's go back to Doug Stern's thought. By 1998, I was 33, still away from my "peak" as an endurance sport athlete. People like Carlos Lopez who won the 1984 Olympic marathon at age 37, had already proven that the peak for an endurance athlete was in his mid to late 30's. Mark Allen had won the Hawaii Ironman 1995 at the age of 37 and in 1994, Dave Scott, at the age of 40 placed 2nd overall. Not to mention in XC skiing, Maurelio deZolt (sp?) of Italy had won numerous world cups into his 40's….I still had time to improve. Seemed like a lot of hammering would make me faster!
But then age kept moving forward, and I had stagnated in the 'back of the A wave" having made no improvements in 5 years, until I remember Sheila Kealey saying, "the cool thing about XC skiing is that I can get faster, not by getting fitter, but by getting better technique"….another athlete touting the "SMART WILL TAKE THE STRONG…."
So over the last few years, I decided that I needed to learn the art of skiing and while there is still a huge learning curve, I'm not only making it into the wave with the rock star "A Wave" guys, but I'm actually racing…not just surviving and touring. I still don't really feel that I belong there, largely because people regard me as a triathlete dabbling in XC skiing. The reality is that in the winter I am a skier first and triathlete second. When you ski over 2000K per XC season, how can you be anything but a skier!!!
As an older athlete, the thought that I can get faster while my physical capabilities might decline is comforting. The last 2 years have been my fastest and most competitive races ever at age 41 and 42. This past year, I had an incredible time skiing in a pack with my friends Ian Dalling and James Young. It seemed just like a group bike ride from 15 years ago, with everyone hammering the other guy and no one wanting to give an inch even if it means death from bonking on the parkway.
From Champlain to the finish, our group of 16 eventually got pared down to 8, with only the "smartest of the strong" surviving….but I guess I was not smart enough…an ill timed attack with 2K to go, put me at the front of the pack with 1K left, but it seems like I left my legs out on the parkway…down towards the stadium and the boys all blew by me. A huge congrats to my friend of many years James Young. He's been waiting for this magical ski race and it finally happened…I finished at the back of our group in 2:46 and 38th….but what a race. The most racing fun I have had in years. And in my 'backyard' in Gatineau Park!!! I used to be the guy finishing in 500th place. Now I'm racing in the top 50! Someone pinch me and wake me up from this dream!!!
Several years ago my friend Catherine Bridges, had set a personal best at Ironman Lake Placid, and took a trip out to the BC to volunteer at Ironman Canada and sign up for the following year's race. Unfortunately, on her drive there, Catherine, a passenger in a VW van was in a head on collision. She spent several weeks in a coma and thankfully for all of us, emerged with the same will. However, she did not emerge with the same body that she had before the accident.
I've done 19 Gatineau Loppet races in a row now. There are very few things that I have prepared for and done for one day every year for the past 2 decades. Actually I don't think there is anything that meets that criteria. I know that a person like Catherine would truly love to have the health and fitness to compete like she used to and for that reason, as long as I can, you'll find me at the start line of the Gatineau Loppet…because I can…and maybe if I train and race smart, I can keep getting faster, even though age make a toll on absolute fitness.
In the last few years, I have even been able to introduce kids that I coach in the Kanata XC ski club to the Keski 5K classic, and 10K skate, so hopefully there will be another generation of skiers beating down our favourite trails…the parkways, Penguin, Ridge, Burma, 1B….oh and don't forget that killer hill on trail 5 that the organizers have thankfully moved to the first 10K….THANK YOU THANK YOU.
Finally, to the organizers, please consider adding a 10K classic and a 5K skate. I have coached many kids who would like to try a race longer than 5K classic but 16K is too big a jump. Also, many kids would be willing to try a 5K skate race, but 10K is a bit intimidating to start…the courses are already there….so what do you say? These kids are our next generation of ambassadors of this sport!
Gatineau Loppet: 2005 Keskinada Preview
Gatineau Loppet: 2006 Keskinada Report #4 - 51km Classic Report
Gatineau Loppet: 2017 Gatineau Loppet - Your Cross-country Ski Race in Canada!
Gatineau Loppet: 2008 Sportstats.ca Gatineau Loppet Results
Training: Recovery in Resting
Race Report: Coupe Skinouk
Race Report: Time Trial and a classic "Juice Head" Show Down!
Athlete Diary: More Spring Skiing: The Labrador Edition
XC Local: Ski Lessons by Natalya Kuziak, Feb. 28th & 29th, 2004
Sheila's Nutrition Digest: Sheila's Nutrition Digest Vol 15 - Superfoods for Athletes Series: Blueberries
Training Log: XC OTTAWA at USA Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, Part 1
"OWL Rafting - The Mighty Ottawa River"


Sometimes disappointment needs unwrapped to discover something so much better. Monday, I was fishing Mobile Bay in my Hobie Outback kayak. As I mentioned in the last blog entry, January is not the month I lead with the fly. So, upon a routine cast of a white soft plastic curly tail on a 1/8 oz jighead with my 7′ Medium TFO Signature Series baitcasting rod, a sudden thud rushed anticipation through my left arm and into my recently reconstructed shoulder.
The fish leaped in the air and gave a good long fight until finally brought into the kayak. When I lifted the fish out of the water, my first impression was focused on the silver colored sides and hook jaw that resembled a juvenile tarpon. Could this be my second baby tarpon caught in waters of Mobile Bay in last year and a half?
After a few pictures and release of fish, I went on fishing and was already thinking forward to a story of yet another tarpon caught and released in home waters. After arriving home later and sharing the day's events, I had some feedback that the fish didn't look quite right for a tarpon. So, after receiving input from friends, I made inquiry to the knowledgeable folks at the Alabama State Marine Resources Division. After being convinced by friends I hadn't caught a tarpon and doing some further research, I wasn't 100% sure whether I had caught a Skipjack herring, Alosa chrysochloris or an Alabama shad, Alosa alabamae. A quick reply gave definitive feedback that the fish I had caught was the Skipjack herring, Alosa chrysochloris. The first of a new species on my list of fish caught.
Upon review of the Kayak Fishing World Records, managed by YakAngler.com, it was clear that I may have an opportunity at claiming my second record. Indeed, after submitting application with accompanying photos, I received notification today that I am the new Kayak Fishing World Record Holder for the species of Skipjack herring, Alosa chrysochloris!
Today, I am thankful for a small creature that gave me a big smile and a story to tell.
This entry was posted in In the Media, Kayak Fishing World Records and tagged Aaron Rubel World Record, Alosa chrysochloris, Hobie Fishing, Kayak Fishing World Record, Maui Jim Banyans, Maui Jim Sunglasses, Psalm 104:25, Skipjack herring, Skipjack herring world record on January 23, 2014 by IcastInaYak.