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The Secret Beyond Matter
Our Messengers Say
The Prophet Nuh (As)
You are the descendants of those We carried in the Ark with Nuh. He was a truly grateful servant. (Surat al-Isra', 3)
Nuh called out to Us, his prayers were graciously answered. We rescued him and his family from the terrible plight and made his descendants the sole survivors; and We bestowed on him the praise of later generations. Peace be upon Nuh among all beings! (Surat as-Saffat, 75-79)
Allah chose Adam and Nuh and the family of Ibrahim and the family of 'Imran over all other beings. (Surah Al 'Imran, 33)
We sent Nuh to his people: "Warn your people before a painful punishment comes to them." (Surah Nuh, 1)
Allah sent the Prophet Nuh (as) to his people as a messenger. In order to make the Prophet Nuh (as) and those who obeyed him swerve from the true path, the ruling circle of those of his people who disbelieved plotted against them, tried to defame 15 them through aspersions and dared to mock at them. In return for what they did, Allah punished this people in the life of this world and sent a raging flood upon them.
The Prophet Nuh (as) Declared To His People That He Was AMessenger Worthy Of Trust
Those who do not fear Allah do not trust each other in the true sense. This is because in a society of such people, one can possibly be harmed even by whom one considers to be the closest to oneself. In such a society, its members always act guardedly, trying not to show any of their weaknesses to others. This is why people mostly want to have real friends upon whom they can rely.
Messengers, on the other hand, go in fear of Allah and are thus utterly reliable people. The recognition of messengers' trustworthiness is of great importance, for which reason the messengers particularly stress this quality while communicating Allah's message to others:
The people of Nuh denied the Messengers. Their brother Nuh said to them, "Will you not guard against evil? I am a Messenger to you worthy of all trust. So fear Allah and obey me." (Surat ash-Shu'ara', 105-108)
Concerns like greed for leadership, longing for wealth and property, and expectation of esteem hold people back from trusting others—to such an extent that people do not expect others to do another a favour unless a personal interest is in question. The prophets, however, expect their recompense from Allah alone and stress that they do not demand anything from people. As the Prophet Nuh (as) said to his people:
"I do not ask you for any wage for it. My wage is the responsibility of no one but the Lord of all the worlds." (Surat ash-Shu'ara', 109)
"If you turn your backs, I have not asked you for any wage. My wage is the responsibility of Allah alone. I am commanded to be one of the Muslims." (Surah Yunus, 72)
The Prophet Nuh (as) Called His People To Worship Allah Alone
The Prophet Nuh (as) invited his people to abandon the falsehood in which they had been mired and to worship Allah. He reminded them that there was no god besides Allah and warned them that if they failed to grasp this fact in the world, they would meet a terrible punishment in the future. Thus he admonished them and provided various explanations in order for them to believe. Some of the relevant verses are as follows:
We sent Nuh to his people and he said, "My people, worship Allah. You have no god other than Him. So will you not guard against evil?" (Surat al-Muminun, 23)
We sent Nuh to his people: "I am a clear warner to you. Worship none but Allah. I fear for you the punishment of a painful day." (Surah Hud, 25-26)
The Prophet Nuh's advice to his people is also stated by our Prophet (saas) in one of his hadiths: "When the death of Nuh, the Messenger of Allah, approached, he admonished his tribe: 'Indeed I would give you far reaching advice, commanding you to do two things, and warning you against doing two things as well. I charge you to be- The Prophet Nuh (as) lieve that there is no god but Allah and that if the seven heavens and the seven earths were put on one side of a scale and the words "there is no god but Allah" were put on the other, the latter would outweigh the former.
I warn you against associating partners with Allah and against pride.'" (Sahih al-Bukhari)
The Prophet Nuh (as) Called His People To Turn To Allah And To Ask For Forgiveness From Him
After reminding them that Allah is the one and only god, the Prophet Nuh (as) urged his people to ask for the forgiveness of Allah, and gave them the good news of the blessings that Allah would bestow upon them if they turned to Him:
[Nuh said, "My Lord,] I said, 'Ask forgiveness of your Lord. Truly He is Endlessly Forgiving. He will send down abundant rain from the sky for you and bestow upon you more wealth and sons, and grant you gardens with running brooks.'" (Surah Nuh, 10-12)
In many verses of the Qur'an, Allah promises that He will grant those who believe a beautiful life. Therefore, while calling their people to turn to Allah, the messengers have also related that Allah would grant them blessings. They have also given detailed accounts and Allah's blessings with a view to enable people to grasp His magnanimity and to realise Allah's favour and compassion for them. The Prophet Nuh (as) addressed his people as follows:
[Nuh said, "My Lord, I said to my people,] 'What is the matter with you that you do not hope for honour from Allah, when He created you by successive stages? Do you not see how He created seven heavens in layers, and placed the moon as a light in them and made the sun a blazing lamp? Allah caused you to grow from the earth like a plant, and to the earth He will restore you. Then He will bring you back afresh. Allah has spread the earth out as a carpet for you so that you could use its wide valleys as roadways.'" (Surah Nuh, 13-20)
What the believers should do is to give thanks to Allah and to urge other people to be thankful too by remembering Allah's blessings as the prophets did.
In Reply To The Aspersions Cast Upon Him, The Prophet Nuh (as) Provided The Most Rational Answers By Reminding His People Of Allah
Throughout the world's history, all messengers of Allah have been slandered in similar ways. This is an immutable command of Allah that all messengers have experienced throughout the ages. The people of the Prophet Nuh (as) also refused to obey their prophet and cast numerous aspersions upon him to intimidate him in their own way. One of their aspersions was to call him erroneous: The ruling circle of his people said, "We see you in flagrant error." (Surat al-A'raf, 60)
One of the distinctive characteristics of the messengers is their unending perseverance, firm resolution and adherence to high moral standards, regardless of the circumstances. In the face of the accusations and the difficulties they encountered, they acted ma- turely and put their trust in Allah. How the Prophet Nuh responded to this aspersion by his people is a good example for all believers:
He [Nuh] said, "My people, I am not in error at all but rather am a Messenger from the Lord of all the worlds, transmitting my Lord's Message to you and giving you good counsel, and I know from Allah what you do not know." (Surat al-A'raf, 61-62)
The Prophet Nuh (as) responded to those who accused him of being a liar as follows:
The ruling circle of those of his people who disbelieved said, "We do not see you as anything but a human being like ourselves. We do not see anyone following you but the lowest of us, who are rash and undiscerning. We do not see you as superior to us. On the contrary, we consider you to be a liar." He [Nuh] said, "My people! What do you think? If I were to have clear evidence from my Lord and He had bestowed upon me His grace, but you were blind to it, could we force it on you if you were unwilling? My people! I do not ask you for any recompense for this; for none but Allah can reward me. Nor will I chase away those who believe, for they are surely going to meet their Lord. However, I can see that you are ignorant people." (Surah Hud, 27-29)
The Prophet Nuh (as) Pointed Up The Insincerity Of Those Who Asked For Miracles As ACondition For Believing
Throughout history, those who disbelieved made up various pretexts to avoid obeying their messengers. They claimed that the messengers should have possessed more wealth than themselves or should have worked miracles. They even claimed that the messengers should not have been human beings, but angels. The Prophet Nuh (as) responded to such expectations as follows:
"I do not say to you that I possess Allah's treasures; nor do I know the Unseen; nor do I say that I am an angel; nor do I say to those who are vile in your eyes that Allah will not be bountiful to them—Allah knows best what is in their hearts. If I did, I would certainly become a wrongdoer." (Surah Hud, 31)
It is typical of the unbelievers to expect the messengers to be wealthy, and to be able to perform miracles. However, what the messengers are superior in is piety and fear for Allah. They are superior to other people because they turn to Allah in every deed and at every instant of their lives; they are submissive to Allah, put their trust in Him and never fail in perseverance and steadfastness. Allah may give wealth, properties, highly regarded positions, knowledge and all other worldly values to many people. These are not, however, a measure of superiority but only a means of trial. Only those who have distanced themselves from the religion consider such worldly values as a sign of superiority in the eyes of Allah.
Has news not reached you of those who came before you, the peoples of Nuh and 'Ad and Thamud, and those who came after them? Allah alone knows their number. Their messengers came to them with clear signs, but they put their hands to their mouths saying, "We reject your message. We have grave doubts about the faith to which you are calling us to." Their messengers answered, "Is there any doubt about Allah, the Bringer into Being of the heavens and the Earth? He summons you to forgive you for your wrong actions and to reprieve you until your appointed time." They said, "You are nothing but human beings like ourselves, who want to turn us away from the goals our fathers worshipped; so bring us a clear proof." Their messengers replied, "We are indeed nothing but human beings like yourselves. But Allah shows favour to any of His servants He wills. It is not for us to bring you proof except by Allah's permission. So let the believers put their trust in Allah." (Surah Ibrahim, 9-11)
The Prophet Nuh (as) Employed Every Possible Way To Spread Allah's Message
Like all messengers, the Prophet Nuh (as) tried all courses to make his people believe. As well as summoning them openly to the religion, he also tried to approach them in different ways. Despite his efforts, however, his people insisted on disbelief and insolence. The Prophet Nuh (as) has related this obstinate conduct of his people as follows:
He [Nuh] said, "My Lord, I have pleaded with my people night and day, but my pleas have only added to their aversion. Indeed, every time I called on them to ask Your forgiveness, they put their fingers in their ears, wrapped themselves up in their cloaks, persisting in sin, and were overweeningly arrogant. Then I called upon them openly. Then I appealed to them in public and in private." (Surah Nuh, 5-9)
As can be understood by the above words of the Prophet Nuh (as), the Prophets have unceasingly called people to Allah's path and employed various methods to arouse people's conscience. It is an important responsibility of the true believers, as well as of the prophets, to be resolute in face of all the reactions of the people and to strictly obey the command of Allah He formulates as "commanding the right and forbidding the wrong":
Let there be a community among you who call for righteousness, enjoin justice, and forbid evil. They are the ones who will have success. (Surah Al 'Imran, 104)
Those who repent, those who worship, those who praise, those who fast, those who bow, those who prostrate themselves, those who command the right, those who forbid the wrong, those who observe the commandments of Allah shall be richly rewarded: give the good news to the believers. (Surat at-Tawba, 112)
The Firm Resolution Of The Prophet Nuh (as) Towards His People
Being aware of the fact that the possessor of everything on the face of the Earth is Allah and that nobody is able to harm or benefit them except with Allah's permission, the messengers have never been daunted by the threats of their people. In face of the difficulties they encountered, they have always put their trust in Allah, just like the Prophet Nuh (as), who carried on a dauntless struggle with the ruling circle of the unbelievers and insisted that he would never be disheartened by their slanders and assaults:
[Recount to them the story of Nuh when he said to his peo- ple,] "My people, if my standing here and reminding you of Allah's Signs has become too much for you to bear, know that I have put my trust in Allah. So decide, you and your gods, on what you want to do and be open about it. Do with me whatever you decide and do not keep me waiting." (Surah Yunus, 71)
In like manner, the believers who take the prophets as their models, are also steadfast in the face of difficulties and never yield to their enemies. They know that Allah's help is with them and that absolute victory always comes to those who believe. This is guaranteed in the Qur'an as follows:
Do not give up and do not be downhearted. You shall be uppermost if you are believers. (Surah Al 'Imran, 139)
… Allah will not let the disbelievers triumph over the believers. (Surat an-Nisa', 141)
The Prophet Nuh (as) Warned His People Against A Dreadful Punishment
Many nations have been destroyed with punishments that Allah has sent down on them in retribution for their opposition to the messengers and the struggle they waged against those who believed. The messengers warned their people before the punishment and summoned them to follow Allah's path, as the Prophet Nuh (as) warned his people:
[We sent Nuh to his people and he said,] "My people, worship Allah! You have no other god than Him. I fear for you the punishment of a dreadful Day." (Surat al-A'raf, 59)
The Answer That The Prophet Nuh (as) Gave To His People Who Mocked At The Believers
In numerous verses of the Qur'an, Allah makes mention of those who try to ridicule the believers. However, throughout history, Allah has made a mockery of those who dared to heap scorn on the believers. The humiliation of these people will be much worse in the Hereafter. Allah has related in the Qur'an that, believers lodged in Paradise will be mocking these people while they are being exposed to punishment in Hell. (Surat al-Mutaffifin, 34)
When his people jeered at him and the believers, the Prophet Nuh (as) replied to them as follows:
… "Though you ridicule us now, we will certainly ridicule you as you do us. You will soon know who will receive a punishment which disgraces him and find unleashed against himself an everlasting punishment." (Surah Hud, 38-39)
The Prophet Nuh (as) Asked For Allah's Help When His People Persisted In Disbelief
As we have seen in the quoted verses of the Qur'an so far, the Prophet Nuh (as) warned his people all his lifetime about Allah's punishment. When his people who were lured into error persisted in disbelieving, despite all his efforts, he prayed to Allah as follows:
Nuh said, "My Lord! Do not leave a single one of the disbelievers on Earth! If You leave any they will misguide Your servants and spawn nothing but more dissolute disbelievers." (Surah Nuh, 26-27)
This is what the believers who follow the example of the messengers should do: communicate the message of the religion by every means—in verbal or written form—, demonstrate the signs of Allah's existence and spread awareness of the closeness of the Day of Judgement, of Paradise and of Hell... Should there be people who still refuse to believe, the believers pray that Allah will requite them justly both in this world and in the Hereafter.
The Prophet Nuh's (as) Son Was Among Those Who Disbelieved
Allah sent down a great calamity on the people of Nuh (as) who well deserved punishment in retribution for their disbelief, mockery and assaults. Thus those who denied the messenger perished, whereas the believers who adhered to the Prophet Nuh (as) boarded the Ark and were saved from punishment. Among those who were destroyed was the Prophet Nuh's (as) son; being the son of a prophet did not save him from punishment.
Today certain people take pride in the piety of their relatives, although they themselves are not devout. One man's father may be a pilgrim or another's grandfather may have been a scholar in religion. Yet, man will be held responsible in the Hereafter only for his own actions and how he has discharged his religious duties. The merits and devoutness of his relatives will not be of any help to him. This is related in the Qur'an as follows:
Allah has set an example for those who disbelieve in the wife of Nuh and the wife of Lut. They were married to two of Our servants who were righteous, but they betrayed them and were not helped at all [by their husbands] against Allah. They were told, "Enter the Fire along with all who enter it." (Surat at-Tahrim, 10)
The Prophet Nuh (as) warned his son until the last moment against being one of the disbelievers, but his warnings were of no avail.
It [the Ark] sailed with them through mountainous waves, and Nuh called out to his son, who had kept himself apart, "My son! Come on board with us. Do not stay with the disbelievers!" He said, "I will take refuge on a mountain; it will protect me from the flood." He said, "There is no protector from Allah's command today but He Who has mercy." The waves surged in between them and he was among the drowned. (Surah Hud, 42-43)
The Prophet Nuh (as) Prayed For Those Who Believed
The Prophet Nuh (as) also prayed for forgiveness of the believers' sins:
[Nuh said,] "My Lord! Forgive me and my parents and all who enter my house as believers, and all the men and women of the believers, and hasten the destruction of the wrongdoers!" (Surah Nuh, 28)
This prayer of the prophet is another example that all believers should follow. Those who believe in Allah are each other's sole friends and helpers. Therefore, it is a sign of their faith to pray for one another's well-being in the Hereafter.


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Patient Presentation
A 4-year-old female came to clinic with a history of not passing stools for 6 days. She had been traveling and her mother said she refused to use the toilet because she was afraid she was going to fall into it. Her appetite had decreased in the past 48 hours and she complained of more generalized abdominal pain. Her mother had tried to give her a suppository, but said, "That didn't go very well." The past medical history was positive for intermittent constipation that normally resolved with increased fluids and prunes. The family history was non-contributory.
The pertinent physical exam showed a healthy appearing female with normal vital signs and growth parameters.
Her abdominal examination revealed a moderately distended abdomen with increased abdominal sounds and palpable stool. Her genitourinary, spine and neurological examinations were normal. The diagnosis of constipation was made. As the child and parent were reluctant to use any rectal medication, MiralaxTM at ~2 mg/kg/day was ordered for 3-4 days to produce diarrhea. Then the mother was instructed to decrease the amount to ~ 1 mg/kg/day for the next 3 days and further instructions to titrate the medication off. One week later the patient returned to clinic for upper respiratory symptoms and the mother said the Miralax had resolved the constipation.
Constipation generally is defined as infrequent or painful defecation. Constipation can be very disturbing to the patient and family who believe the stools are too infrequent, too hard or too difficult to pass. Most children develop constipation after the child begins to associate pain (e.g. a hard bowel movement) with defecation. The child then begins to withhold the stools trying to decrease the defecation discomfort. As stool withholding continues, the rectum dilates and gradually accommodates with the normal defecation urge disappearing. Passing large hard stools infrequently reinforces the defecation pain. The cycle continues. If the cycling is severe enough, worsening stool retention and more abnormal defecation dynamics occurs. Chronic rectal distension results in both loss of rectal sensitivity, and loss of urge to defecate, which can lead to encopresis.
Treatment basics include:
- Evacuate the colon – a clean out by enemas or oral medication
- Stop painful defecation – by using laxatives in a maintenance regimen so patients have a soft stool daily
- Establish regular bowel habits – through toilet sitting
A balanced diet is important and increasing dietary fiber may also help.
Medications include osmotic laxatives, stimulant laxatives, stool softeners and lubricants.
MiraLaxTM is polyethylene glycol, is an osmotic laxative, and pool research studies show that it may be superior to placebo, milk of magnesia or lactulose. It is usually used as a maintenance medication in a dose of 0.5 -1 gram/kg/day divided BID. The dose can be titrated to have one soft stool per day.
Usually primary care providers can successfully treat constipation.
A pediatric gastroenterology consultation may be considered for treatment failure, complex disease management or concerns for organic disease as the etiology.
Learning Point
The differential diagnosis of constipation includes:
- Nonorganic (most common)
- Situational – poor toilet training techniques (coercive, excessive, etc.), toilet phobia, school/public bathroom avoidance including travel,
sexual abuse
- Abnormal stool dryness and/or volume – dehydration, decreased dietary fiber, eating disorders, malnutrition or underfeeding,
- Constitutional – colonic inertia, genetic predisposition
- Depression or other psychiatric conditions
- Developmental – attention or cognitive disorders
- Situational – poor toilet training techniques (coercive, excessive, etc.), toilet phobia, school/public bathroom avoidance including travel,
- Organic
- Anatomic malformations – anal abnormalities (i.e. stenosis, imperforate, anteriorly displaced)
- Gastrointestinal or metabolic problems – hypothyroidism, hypercalcemia, hypokalemia, Crohn's disease, cystic fibrosis, diabetes mellitus, multiple endocrine neoplasia, gluten enteropathy
- Central nervous system – spinal cord (i.e. anomalies, trauma, and tethered cord), encephalopathy, Hirschsprung disease, intestinal neuronal dysplasias, neurofibromatosis, visceral myopathies or neuropathies
- Abdominal musculature abnormalities – Down syndrome, gastroschisis, prune belly
- Connective tissue disease – Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus
- Drugs – opiates, antacids, anticholinergics, antidepressants, antihypertensives, phenobarbital, sucralfate, sympatomimetics
- Skin abnormalities – Group A streptococcus perianal skin infection, Lichen sclerosis et atrophicus
- Tumor – pelvic or other abdominal tumor
- Other – Botulism, Cow's mild protein intolerance, lead and heavy metal toxicity, Vitamin D intoxication
Questions for Further Discussion
1. What physical examination findings should be highlighted during an evaluation for constipation?
2. What history questions should be highlighted during an evaluation for constipation?
3. What are indications for surgical consultation in a child with constipation?
Related Cases
- Disease
- Symptom/Presentation
- Age
To Learn More
To view pediatric review articles on this topic from the past year check PubMed.
Evidence-based medicine information on this topic can be found at SearchingPediatrics.com, the National Guideline Clearinghouse and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
Information prescriptions for patients can be found at MedlinePlus for this topic: Constipation.
To view current news articles on this topic check Google News.
To view images related to this topic check Google Images.
Constipation Guideline Committee of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. Evaluation and treatment of constipation in infants and children: recommendations of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2006;43(3):e1-e13.
Burgers R, Di Lorenzo C. Diagnostic testing in constipation: is it necessary? J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2011 Dec;53 Suppl 2:S49-51.
Gordon M, Naidoo K, Akobeng AK, Thomas AG. Osmotic and stimulant laxatives for the management of childhood constipation. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012 Jul 11;7:CD009118.
ACGME Competencies Highlighted by Case
1. When interacting with patients and their families, the health care professional communicates effectively and demonstrates caring and respectful behaviors.
2. Essential and accurate information about the patients' is gathered.
4. Patient management plans are developed and carried out.
5. Patients and their families are counseled and educated.
10. An investigatory and analytic thinking approach to the clinical situation is demonstrated.
11. Basic and clinically supportive sciences appropriate to their discipline are known and applied.
23. Differing types of medical practice and delivery systems including methods of controlling health care costs and allocating resources are known.
24. Cost-effective health care and resource allocation that does not compromise quality of care is practiced.
Donna M. D'Alessandro, MD
Professor of Pediatrics, University of Iowa Children's Hospital

subset: commoncrawl


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While it seems winter is bearing down on the Northern Hemisphere, things are looking up here in South Florida. The oppressive heat is abating and I have been madly renovating my screen porch furniture in preparation for our gardening season. All new cushion covers and some new (to me) vintage Rattan furniture for lounging. Temperatures are hovering in the 80's (Fahrenheit, Centigrade confounds me) so it is becoming very pleasant.
I am always looking for signs of Fall here and the pickings aren't as slim as I once thought. It is your perception that must change. I associate the Royal Ponciana tree with the beginning of Summer. Their cousin of a different genus, Dwarf or Cuban Ponciana start blooming in earnest in October. The harbinger of Fall:
These trees are smaller than but similar to the Royal Poinciana, and varieties are available with yellow and coral flowers as well as the red mixed which is most commonly seen. Other things I am now considering fall color are certain Bromeliad flowers (Aechmea blanchetiana) and Bird of Paradise. The tropical Golden Rain Tree (Koelrueteria bipinnatus) is just starting to flower here. In December the pods on the Raintree give us a little more Autumnal feeling.
Tropic Florida does have some more typical fall fruiting plants. The Beautyberry, Callicarpa americana, native to a large part of the Eastern United States is common here as well. The red berries are from our native shrub, Wild Coffee, Psychotria nervosa. I have seen Beautyberry Jelly but never consumed any and supposedly the Wild Coffee has psychedelic effects so coffee brewed with something other than the Wild Coffee berries is a better idea. Blueberry Scones and Starbucks coffee are more in my line of thinking for breakfast fare.
I know that if I wait long enough, I will spy a Red Maple with some dull purple Fall color, usually in December and in a swamp somewhere. But with all these other Fall beauties I am not missing the Maples – Much.


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Zombies seem to be the hot thing in literature these days, and though I haven't been bitten by the vampire bug, I do enjoy stories about werewolves and fairies, so I thought the next logical step would be to try my hand at reading a zombie book. I chose this one because I was intensely curious about its premise and because it seemed Halloween would be the perfect time to read it. It wasn't really a scary book per se, but there were some stomach-turning descriptions that might make a sensitive reader uncomfortable. I had a lot of fun with this book and speculated on how it would turn out the whole way through. It's funny to be saying this, but this book, though it dealt with the undead, was very human and in some ways very touching.
When we first meet R, he's only subtly aware that he's slightly different than the other zombies he cohabitates with. There's an underpinning of humanity still left in R and he questions the things about himself and the others that he can't understand. Life is pretty grim for the zombies. They can't really think, read or communicate, and one of the things I loved about this book was the way Marion could create deft and nuanced conversations between creatures who couldn't speak more than four short words at a time. There was a curiosity in R that made him question himself and that enabled him to see the differences between him and the others, but it wasn't until he consumed Perry that his spark seemed to genuinely ignite into some sort of cohesive awareness.
When R eats Perry, he basically seems to ingest the boy's soul. That soul is not willing to give up and become food, but worms its way into the consciousness of his attacker and morphs him into something different. I got the impression that Perry had a mission and that he wouldn't let death circumvent him from completing it. In an instant, R becomes aware of Julie and an overwhelming desire to protect her forms within him. Julie, of course, takes some time to warm up to R, and there are some touching scenes of two very different types of creatures trying to bridge the distance between them. It's a huge feat for an author to make a zombie lovable and empathetic, because, let's face it, he's stinky, gory and undead, but Marion manages to make his readers care for R and Julie and their budding relationship. As they both begin to understand their predicament and try to bridge the gap between dead and undead, there are numerous moments of clarity interspersed with moments of danger.
It's not as simple as it sounds, for Julie is one of only a few thousand survivors who've been trained to kill a zombie on sight, and when she decides to take him to her encampment, neither zombies nor humans are happy. But R and Julie know that something is changing, and amidst the danger and prejudice, they need to let both sides know. Soon they are being pursued by three separate groups: the zombies who are in the midst of changing like themselves, the humans, and the overseers of the undead; and each group has a different agenda. Meanwhile, R's consciousness is blooming to life and he's beginning to assimilate even further. What Marion does with this story and with its characters is amazing, for he crafts the kind of tale that keeps his reader marvelling at the strange similarities between two very different tribes of creatures and imbues even his mentally and physically challenged characters with a strange effervescence. There's danger lurking around every corner, and R and Julie must dismantle it all and give these changing races a second chance.
Though this wasn't exactly the story I had been expecting in my first foray into zombie literature, it did keep me entertained and invested. I grew strangely enamored of R, despite his obvious limitations and my initial off-putting reaction to him. The book wasn't overly graphic but there were some scenes that could sour a stomach to a degree. I would have to say this was a pretty good read for me and it left me with feelings that I hadn't been anticipating when it was all said and done. A very solid and strangely endearing debut. Perfect for this time of year.


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LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Almost 46 million people are living as slaves globally with the greatest number in India but the highest prevalence in North Korea, according to the third Global Slavery Index launched on Tuesday with Australian actor Russell Crowe.
The index, by Australia-based human rights group Walk Free Foundation, increased its estimate of people born into servitude, trafficked for sex work, or trapped in debt bondage or forced labor to 45.8 million from 35.8 million in 2014.
Andrew Forrest, founder of Walk Free, said the rise of nearly 30 percent was due to better data collection, although he feared the situation was getting worse with global displacement and migration increasing vulnerability to all forms of slavery.
Forrest, an Australian mining billionaire and philanthropist, urged businesses to check their supply chains for worker exploitation, saying he found thousands of people trapped in slavery making goods for his company Fortescue Metals Group.
"But I've had some of some biggest entrepreneurs in the world look me in the eye and say I will not look for slavery in case I find it," he said at the launch of the index in London.
Crowe, who played Roman emperor-turned-slave Maximus in the 2000 movie "Gladiator", described the plight of people "in our communities who are stuck, utterly helpless and trapped in a cycle of despair and degradation with no choice and no hope."
"As an actor, my role is often to portray raw human emotion, but nothing compares with the people's lives reflected in the report published today," he said.
Incidences of slavery were found in all 167 countries in the index, with India home to the largest total number with an estimated 18.4 million slaves among its 1.3 billion population.
But Forrest said India deserved credit for starting to address this problem with the government this week unveiling a draft of its first comprehensive anti-human trafficking law to treat survivors as victims rather than criminals.
North Korea ranked as worst in terms of concentration with one in every 20 people - or 4.4 percent of its 25 million population - in slavery and its government doing the least to end this with reports of state-sanctioned forced labor.
"We need to make it clear we're not going to tolerate slavery and when there is slavery in a regime we should not trade with them," Forrest told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.
Numbers criticized
Forrest acknowledged the latest data was likely to attract criticism with some researchers accusing the index of flawed methodology by extrapolating on-the-ground surveys in some countries to estimate numbers for other nations.
The 2016 index was based on interviews with about 42,000 people by pollster Gallup in 53 languages in 25 countries.
But Forrest said a lack of hard data on slavery in the past had held back efforts to tackle this hidden crime and it was important to draw a "sand in the line" measurement to drive action. He challenged critics to produce an alternative.
The United Nation's International Labour Organization estimates 21 million people globally are victims of forced labor but this does not take into account all forms of slavery.
"Without measurement you don't have effective management and there's no way to lead the world away from slavery," he said.
Forrest said the Global Slavery Index aims to measure the prevalence of slavery in the 167 most populous countries as well as the level of vulnerability of people to enslavement and strength of government efforts to combat this.
The 2016 index again found Asia, which provides low-skilled labor in global supply chains producing clothing, food and technology, accounted for two-thirds of the people in slavery.
About 58 percent of people living in slavery are in five countries - India, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Uzbekistan.
However the countries with the highest proportion of their population enslaved were North Korea, Uzbekistan, and Cambodia.
The governments taking the least action to tackle slavery were listed as North Korea, Iran, Eritrea, Equatorial Guinea, and Hong Kong.
By contrast the governments taking most action were the Netherlands, the United States, Britain, Sweden and Australia.
Forrest said a reason for launching the index in Britain was to acknowledge the lead set by the UK government which last year brought in the 2015 Modern Slavery Act.
While Europe has the lowest regional prevalence of slavery, Walk Free said it was a source and destination for forced labor and sexual exploitation. The impact of a mass influx of migrants and refugees fleeing conflicts and poverty has yet to be seen.
Crowe said slavery was a problem that was not going away.
"I think all of us should keep focused on it until we get to that point ... where it just gets pushed over the edge and it's finished," he said.


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Community service brings recognition at Chamber event
The late Raymond Dresser and David Locey were honored Thursday at the annual Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce dinner, held at Sturges-Young Auditorium.
Mike Wilson created a video to honor Dresser — photos set to the University of Michigan fight song. Dinner guests, especially Michigan fans, clapped along.
"Teach the Children Well," a song selected for Locey's video along with family photos, inspired raw emotion for both his family and community. The audience stood to honor Locey's memory as the photos and music faded.
Tom Duke, sports director of WBET, served as master of ceremonies for the event, along with Cathi Garn Abbs, executive director of the Chamber.
Chamber members gathered for a sports themed dinner and the list of those honored for service to Sturgis 2013 was long.
Mariah Donmyer, 21, became perhaps the youngest community member to receive the Outstanding Community Service Award.
Donmyer came to the Chamber's attention for her fundraising efforts on behalf of the family of 6-year old Lily Strang, who was facing a year- long medical procedure. Donmyer helped bring in $10,000 for the family.
Other awards presented Thursday:
- Chamber board members Gwen Donmyer and Joe Haas have reached term limits and are leaving the board.
- Chamber participation went to Dresser, Dresser Haas and Caywood.
- Special recognition for their efforts during Sturgis Fest went to Mike Liston, director of Doyle Community Center, and to Gene Curnow and Andrew Kuk.
- Eric Eishen received recognition for his six years of service on the board of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce.
- The Phoenix Award, which goes to a business that was improved during the year, went Sturgis Medical Commons II. Sturgis Hospital CEO Rob LaBarge accepted the award, calling it a big recycling project — giving an existing building a new purpose.
- Outstanding Customer Service went to Paul and Jared Smith, co-owners of Great Lakes Chocolates and Coffee Company.
- Ray Sterling earned two awards — Outgoing Ambassador Chair and the Ambassador of the Year.


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Rule 901:3-23-05 | Corrective Actions.
(A) Whenever a deviation from a critical limit occurs, a processor shall take corrective action either by:
(1) Following a corrective action plan that is appropriate for the particular deviation, or
(2) Following the procedures in paragraph (C) of this rule.
(B) If a written corrective action plan is developed, it shall become part of the HACCP plans in accordance with rule 901:3-23-04(B)(5) of the Adminstrative Code, by which they predetermine the corrective actions that they will take whenever there is a deviation form a critical limit. A corrective action plan shall ensure that:
(1) No product enters commerce that is either injurious to health or is otherwise adulterated as a result of the deviation; and
(2) The cause of the deviation is corrected.
(C) When a deviation from a critical limit occurs and the processor does not have a corrective action plan that is appropriate for that deviation, the processor shall:
(1) Segregate and hold the affected product, at least until the requirements of paragraphs (C)(2) and (C)(3) of this rule are met;
(2) Perform or obtain a review to determine the acceptability of the affected product for distribution;
(3) Take corrective action, when necessary, with respect to the affected product to ensure that no product enters commerce that is either injurious to health or is otherwise adulterated as a result of the deviation;
(4) Take corrective action, when necessary, to correct the cause of the deviation;
(5) Perform or obtain timely reassessment by an individual or individuals who have been trained in accordance with rule 901:3-23-08 of the Administrative Code, to determine whether the HACCP plan needs to be modified to reduce the risk of recurrence of the deviation, and modify the HACCP plan an necessary.
(D) All corrective actions taken in accordance with this rule shall be fully documented in records that are subject to verification in accordance with rule 901:3-23-06 of the Administrative Code and the record keeping requirements of rule 901:3-23-07 of the Administrative Code.


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There are many reasons why you may be considering looking to hire a Nanny. Perhaps you are going back to work, or you don't have a family member for a helping hand or maybe you just want a little well deserved TLC!
Deciding to employ a Nanny and have them around your precious bean is a massive step. There are very little of you that don't feel somewhat anxious during this time and it's only natural, this little munchkin is your world!
I have been a Nanny for a long time now and I understand what it is like to be on both sides
There are many things to consider and decide on before jumping right in and I'm here to cut the faff and make your job a little easier, woho!
What's the meaning of this?
Before beginning your lovely search, it's important to know the terms of each job listing so you get exactly what you are looking for!
There are a fair few different meanings but I will do my best not to overwhelm you. Simply knowing this will absolutely make this process a little clearer for you!
While a babysitter will still care for your children, they usually are employed to help out during date nights and day's here and there. A babysitter is an awesome choice if you feel you and your loved one just need a little time every once in a while.
A Nanny normally involves more hours and typically a longer term of employment. Nannies normally work with 1 or 2 families long term. They work in partnership with the family and provide care, safety and education for their children.
Employed vs Self-employed
If a Nanny is self-employed, this means they have a little more control over when they work and how long they take off. Of course, within reason, make sure there is a contract where a decent notice time is communicated! Self-employed Nannies will have to handle their taxes themselves.
Employing a Nanny basically means you will be their boss. You will have to handle the Nanny's tax for as long as the Nanny is needed!
After- school Nanny
Hint, the clue is in the title! The Nanny will work with you during after school hours!
Registered childminder
This means the childminder will care for your children in their own home. Much like a nursery, you will drop off the kiddos and pick them up again. Make sure to check if the childminder is registered. This basically means they are qualified and had all the safety checks on their home.
Au Pair
An au pair lives in your home! This means a room free of charge, meals and will be given time off for personal use. Although an Au pair lives with you, they should still be given detailed working hours. This is a great choice for you if your family travels a lot! Normally Au pairs travel with their families.
Mother's help
Normally this job is for Mothers who have recently given birth, and need some extra help to feed and care for the baby while the Mother can work or rest!
Where to find this mythical creature
Okay, so now you know a good amount of variations in childcare it's about time to find out where we can find these people!
First off, online is a minefield of childcare workers!
If you have access to the internet, check out childcare.co.uk
Care.com and Nanny babysitter
Word of Mouth
Ask other families/ library/afterschool clubs/ school parents/ friends if they know any child carers. It's a simple one but often someone who is experienced in your area will naturally have worked with a few families!
This will also give you immense comfort to know your carer has worked with other families, therefore, upping their credibility and put your worries at ease a little.
Check out some magazines
Magazines are a great way to go! Not only will they advertise childcarers, but they will also give you tips and tricks to boss this parenthood stuff! Check out nursery world
and this one.
Community notice boards
Check out your local town's notice board or pop into libraries to see what is advertised. You never know you might just find your next carer!
Find someone who matches your style
Each Nanny you talk to will have a different personality and style with children. Make sure this person has a little in common with you. This will make the whole process easier as you'll be keeping your caregiving styles fluid and it will be less confusing for the kiddos.
Of course, don't go mad and look for your twin. However, all I'm saying is to find someone who will fit into your family rhythm!
This is one of the most vital things to include, I can't recommend having contract enough!
A contract is just fab for keeping everything fair, legal and safe. They also ensure you and your worker are on the same page with everything from their role to payment and days.
What to include
- Payment- Make sure you make it clear how much your carer will be paid, as well as what days (weekly/monthly) and how (bank transfer/ cash in hand)
- Carer's role. Outline exactly what their role is! If there are any extra duties such as cleaning make this clear.
- Days and the hour's carer will be needed! This keeps things simple and has it in writing to be safe.
- 24-hour cancellation notice policy. Unless something major has happened, including this is a great protection for the Nanny.
- Medication/allergies/ any support needs of the child. Including this again is an extra safety net for both parties and ensures the needs of your child is outlined clearly!
Take it slow
Like any relationship, if you are a little anxious then take it entirely at your pace. Perhaps have a few days out or playdates with the Nanny then trust your gut and do what your heart is telling you what do.
Don't jump into anything you aren't comfortable with, this is your kiddos and any good childcarer will understand that!
It's is also important to take the carer's role into account! Make sure everything is clear on the contract and keep it simple! Also, ensure you are just as fair to your carer as you are your family.
Be honest and upfront with the Nanny and tell them your feeling, they will for sure appreciate this and then understand the process of how you wish to take things!
I thank you so much for reading another blog post!
As always please contact me for anything. It is my mission to support and spread some of my Nanny love around this world!
Please comment and like to show your support to small business (small for now with your help)
How did this post help you?
Nanny M x


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Childhood memories of potato chip cookies lead local moms to new cookie business
Heather Pietsch (pictured left) kept hearing about these cookies, baked by another mom who was involved with MPPC's Mothers Together group. "Have you tried Dani's cookies? They're great!" was the buzz.
The other mom was Dani Muto, who was baking a cookie with a "secret" ingredient based on her grandmother Vonnie's recipe. "I loved my grandmother's potato chip cookies and had her recipe," Dani explained while we munched the cookie that's named appropriately The Vonnie. "But when I first started making them, they didn't quite measure up to my childhood memory. So I tweaked the recipe, although the key ingredients remain — potato chips [always Lay's to be exact], oatmeal, white chocolate chips and pecans."
Heather, who'd worked at SalesForce in its early years in marketing, was looking for something new to do and joined Dani in her new venture, Grandma Vonnie's Cookies, earlier this year.
The duo — both mothers of young children — are finding launching a home-based business fits their schedules well. (Note: the cookies are baked in a professional kitchen, Studio Cakes in Menlo Park.) Rather than traditional retail, they're focusing on corporate subscription sales and special events. "We've also donated cookies to organizations like My New Red Shoes," said Heather, "and will be providing cookies for the Junior League's holiday home tour."
Individuals can order cookies online via the website, where The Vonnie and seven other cookies flavors are offered.
As Alzheimer's Disease has touched both Dani's and Heather's family, including grandmother Vonnie, they are donating 10% of their profits to the Alzheimer's Association.
"One of the key reasons I wanted to start this company was to be able to give back," said Dani. Added Heather: "Guess you can say we're making a difference one cookie at a time."
Photos by Laura Hamilton


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SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Amazon.com Inc has launched a Kindle store for China, the company said on Thursday, selling Chinese electronic books for the mobile Kindle application, in a move that could soon see the device launched in China.
The launch of the store could pave the way for a roll-out of Amazon's Kindle device that has already received authorization from China's radio regulator. Amazon's spokesman, Billy Huang, declined to comment on when the Kindle device would be sold in China.
China's e-reader market is dominated by Hanwang Technology e-readers and Shanda Cloudary's Bambook, but many Chinese people buy Kindles from overseas.
"It seems like there is pent-up demand for Amazon's Kindle," said Mark Natkin, managing director of Beijing-based technology firm Marbridge Consulting.
"Amazon is a well-regarded brand both in terms of quality of its products and in terms of its service," Natkin said.
Amazon's Kindle store will compete with E-commerce China Dangdang Inc and 360buy, both of which have platforms to sell e-books.
In June, four Kindle models, including the Kindle Touch and Kindle Fire and as well as one Kindle keyboard, received approval from the State Radio Regulation of China, the regulatory body for radio and wireless products.
Amazon's former China chief told Reuters this year that the company was in talks with Chinese publishers on content deals and hoped to launch the Kindle within two years.
(Reporting by Melanie Lee)


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Autumn 2012 Documentary series
Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at 7:00pm
Acadia Cinema's Al Whittle Theatre
450 Main Street, Wolfville, NS
Directed by Kevin Macdonald
Starring Jimmy Cliff, Ziggy Marley, and Bob Marley
Rated PG ·
2h 24m
Bob Marley's universal appeal, impact on music history and role as a social and political prophet is both unique and unparalleled. Marley is the definitive life story of the musician, revolutionary, legend and the man, from his early days to his rise to international superstardom. Made with the support of the Marley family, the film features rare footage, never before seen performances, previously unreleased music, and revelatory interviews with the people that knew him best.
"A thorn in the side of the Jamaican reggae superstar Bob Marley was his lack of a black audience in the United States even at the height of his career. But in September 1980, eight months before his death at 36, that began to change with a triumphant engagement at Madison Square Garden, where he and his band, the Wailers, opened for the Commodores. The next day, according to Marley, a riveting two-and-a-half-hour documentary biography directed by Kevin Macdonald, he collapsed while running in Central Park. When examined, he was found to have inoperable, late-stage cancer.
Three years earlier Marley had chosen to ignore the danger signs when a malignant melanoma was discovered in one of his toes. He refused to have it treated — it probably would have meant an amputation — because he would no longer be able to dance onstage.
That stubbornness says a lot about Marley, whose obsessive drive seems only to have accelerated the more famous he became. He was so immersed in writing that he was said to sleep only four hours a night. Even when gravely ill he displayed a superhuman energy and willpower. Two of his children — David, a.k.a Ziggy, now 43, and Cedella, now 44 — remember him as a disciplinarian who was hypercompetitive when they played games. All together he had 11 children from 7 relationships.
His wife, Rita, who performed with his backup singers, the "I Threes", made her peace with his womanizing and acted as his doorkeeper. Marley was not an aggressive sexual predator. A shy man, he was besieged with female adoration; women simply fell into his lap.
Though made with the cooperation of the Marley family, the film is far from a hagiography; and while stocked with musical sequences, it is not a concert film. Few if any of his songs are heard all the way through. Marley is a detailed, finely edited character study whose theme — Marley's bid to reconcile his divided racial legacy — defined his music and his life.
The opening scene, on the coast of Ghana, shows what is called "the door of no return," through which countless Africans passed on their way to slavery. When he became a star, Marley passionately embraced his African roots, performing in Gabon (although it was a dictatorship) and at the ceremonies in which Rhodesia became Zimbabwe.
Born in an impoverished village in the Jamaican hills, Marley was brought up in a tin-roofed shack. He was the son of a young black woman, Cedella Marley Booker, who had a passing relationship with the much older Norval Marley, a British Army man of mixed race who was considered a white Jamaican. (He is seen in the film on horseback in a photograph.)
Because of his racially mixed parentage Bob Marley found himself a social outcast. At 12 he moved to the seething, poor Trench Town district of Kingston, where he soaked up music on the radio, learned the guitar and found a father figure in Clement Dodd, a record producer known as Sir Coxsone, who owned a recording studio. Marley was 16 in 1962, when his first single, "Judge Not," set a righteous tone for what was to come.
The movie does a fascinating job of showing how, almost by accident, reggae evolved out of ska, Jamaica's popular dance music of the time. American pop-soul, especially the music of groups like the Temptations, was also a major influence. Marley and the Wailers' ska rendition of "A Teenager in Love" from Dion and the Belmonts is heard. Another hybrid, fraught with even more significance, is "Selassie Is the Chapel," a rewritten version of the Elvis Presley hit "Crying in the Chapel." This version praised Marley's ultimate father figure, Haile Selassie, the Ethiopian emperor whom Rastafarians regarded as a deity. Mortimer Planno, a drummer and Rastafari elder, was also an important mentor.
Once he embraced Rastafarianism, Marley and his inner circle maintained a self-disciplined regimen of exercise, training and abstemiousness, except for marijuana, which was considered a sacrament.
Chris Blackwell, the British record executive who signed and groomed Marley and the Wailers, comes across as a cool cookie who promoted them as "a black rock act" and created discord after they weren't paid for their work on a grueling promotional tour. Two members quit, including Neville Livingston, known as Bunny Wailer, the movie's most frequent commentator. (He would change his mind and rejoin the group.)
At this point the film becomes more of a career biography in which Marley, in spreading his global message of "one love, one heart," exhibits a messianic sense of himself. His symbolic importance put him at risk, and he narrowly avoided an assassination attempt in 1976. The culmination of his drive to be a peacemaker was his April 1978 One Love Peace concert, since called the Third World Woodstock, at a Kingston stadium. There he joined the hands of the rival political leaders Michael Manley and Edward Seaga.
His music has only grown in importance since his death. Bob Marley and the Wailers' 1984 anthology, "Legend," has sold 25 million copies worldwide, and his music and image proliferated at Arab Spring demonstrations. You have only to listen to him or see a filmed performance to understand the potency of a voice synonymous with fervent hope." (Stephen Holden, The New York Times)


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City administrator outlines projected $16.7 million fiscal 2015 budget gap at joint council, school board meeting
FALL RIVER — The city is facing a gap of more than $16.7 million heading into the fiscal 2015 budget.
That was the news delivered by City Administrator Cathy Ann Viveiros during a joint meeting of the City Council and School Committee on Monday night before a packed crowd of city workers and residents in the atrium at Government Center.
"I can't stress enough we felt very strongly that we needed to come to you as a City Council and School Committee earlier rather than later," Viveiros said.
The budget numbers are still being developed, Viveiros said, but she said the administration didn't think it fair to wait for the budget report required on June 1 to start a conversation.
Outlining what she called "budget busters," Viveiros pointed to the school department's projected fiscal 2014 deficit at $1.4 million; the school department's proposed increase in its fiscal 2015 budget of over $3.5 million; a police department budget increase of over $1.4 million; increased retirement cost of $2.1 million; fire department increase of $1.4 million; health care costs rising by $1 million; lost landfill host revenue of $1.03 million; snow and ice removal costs carried over from 2014; and other operating expenses increasing by $1.2 million.
Viveiros called the budget "unsustainable."
"We're hoping, going forward, everyone tries to do their best and get creative," Viveiros said, "and looking at different ways we can address the services and save ourselves some money."
While state aid of Chapter 70 reimbursement to the schools would increase by $2.6 million and charter school reimbursement would increase to $2.6 million for a total of $5.2 million, those funds are eaten up by the charter school assessment of more than $4.9 million, leaving only an increase in funding to the school department of $309,746, Viveiros said.
The administration offered a number of options, both from the revenue side of the budget and reduction in expenditures. Topping the list are plans to maximize the tax levy to 2.5 percent — which would result in an increase of over $2 million — and to transfer $3 million from the $3.6 million stabilization fund.
The latter, said Viveiros, was a likely option.
Moving city workers' health care plans to the GIC (Group Insurance Commission) could save $2.8 million in the first half of the budget, Viveiros said, but the city could see a $7 million to $9 million savings annually.
Implementing minimum net school spending obligations could result in a $2.6 million savings. But, because of an unanticipated increase in transportation during the middle of fiscal 2014 and transferred money from general operating budget, the city is obligated to fund the $1.4 million shortfall during the next budget, Superintendent Meg-Mayo Brown said.
Anther option, Viveiros said, was to decrease expenditures in the general operations budgets, including forgoing funding for five police officer openings at the Fall River Police Department.
Later, City Councilor Raymond Mitchell said he was disturbed that the administration was considering that option, which would save only $350,000.
"Having said that, I'm appalled with the fact that we may be losing 60 firemen, and I'm hoping the administration is doing something to correct that," Mitchell said.
If the city chooses to privatize the solid waste disposal program, it could see a $1.2 million savings from health and pension with the dismissal of about 30 Community Maintenance Department workers.
But Mayor Will Flanagan made it public that he was leaning toward a program designed by Director of Community Maintenance Kenneth Pacheco that would allow the city to construct its own transfer and recycling center.
Flanagan said one reason was to prevent layoffs of the Teamster DPW workers.
As part of his budget plan, Flanagan intends to lay off 60 firefighters after the $14.4 million SAFER grant expires.


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M.T. WALLETTE, our retailing correspondent, on the latest piece of almost good news for Croydon town centre, as the chairman of one department store talks of the 'existential threat' to business on the High Street
Croydon's House of Fraser, the town centre's last remaining West End-style department store, was given a reprieve this morning when it was not listed for closure as part of its parent company's attempts to stay in business.
But the Croydon store's future is by no means secure, and much will depend on what deals can be cut over rents with its landlords at Centrale, and the outcome of a crucial vote by creditors on June 22.
House of Fraser announced this morning that it is to close 31 stores, including its flagship Oxford Street store, as part of a desperate rescue plan. In total, around 6,000 jobs will go under the proposal. The 31 outlets will close by early next year under a company voluntary arrangement, or CVA, a form of insolvency that enables a business to rearrange deals with landlords. Creditors are set to vote on the deal, which includes reducing rents by 25 per cent, in a fortnight's time.
"The retail industry is undergoing fundamental change and House of Fraser urgently needs to adapt to this fast-changing landscape in order to give it a future and allow it to thrive," said Frank Slevin, House of Fraser's chairman.
Slevin's remarks will send a chill down the spines of Croydon's Glee Club, whose glasses of Waitrose prosecco might still have a slight fizz following last week's announcement that John Lewis will, eventually, be opening a store in the long-talked-about £1.4billion Hammersfield redevelopment of the town centre, which includes Centrale.
But that won't be for at least another five years. The reality on the High Street today is far bleaker, as Slevin said: "Our legacy store estate has created an unsustainable cost base, which, without restructuring, presents an existential threat to the business."
In Croydon, John Lewis is understood to have been offered five years rent-free to move into the planned Westfield on the site of the old Whitgift Centre.
Marks and Spencer – who are also in the midst of a series of store closures elsewhere in the country – are said to have been given especially generous terms when they agreed to sell their current North End store and move into a new building proposed under the Hammersfield scheme. House of Fraser may expect – and need – similarly generous terms if they are to remain in Croydon.
The House of Fraser rescue package needs approval by a majority of the company's landlords – including Hammerson, owners of Centrale, and Westfield's Croydon "partners". But that is by no means a foregone conclusion.
ITV's business correspondent, Joel Hills, was reporting this morning: "Not so long ago House of Fraser was busy flogging its department stores on 'sale and leaseback' deals to the same landlords it now wants to accept heavy losses.
"There's anger out there. One landlord has told me they'll vote against CVA and 'take my chances in administration'."
If House of Fraser cannot get the CVA deal past their creditors later this month, it could be that all the stores, including Croydon's, will have to close. The loss of the House of Fraser would rip the guts out of Centrale, with more than a year to go before even the prospect of work starting on the rebuild of Croydon's town centre.
Business analyst Richard Lim, of Retail Economics, responded to the House of Fraser move today by saying, "Department stores are incredibly expensive to operate and the last few years have seen costs spiraling upwards from business rates, rents and National Living Wage. These traditional retail business models that hold huge fixed costs are simply becoming unsustainable for some retailers.
"The announcement to close such a significant number of stores highlights the unyielding shift towards online shopping and the over-capacity concerns faced by a significant proportion of the market. The retailer will need to push forward right-sizing initiatives and utilise any excess space to sweat assets more effectively in a move to become fit-for-purpose in today's digital age."
Remarks which will hardly inspire confidence in the future of the long-awaited Croydon Westfield, with or without John Lewis.
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Our people make the difference
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VATICAN CITY – For the first time in history, the Vatican is home to a pope and a retired pope.
Pope Francis welcomed his predecessor, retired Pope Benedict XVI, to the Vatican May 2 outside the convent remodeled for the 86-year-old retired pontiff and five aides.
Pope Francis and Pope Benedict entered the convent's chapel together "for a brief moment of prayer," said Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman.
Pope Benedict had been staying at the papal summer villa in Castel Gandolfo since retiring Feb. 28.
In response to suggestions that Pope Benedict seemed to be much frailer than he was two months ago, Lombardi told reporters, "He's an elderly man, weakened by age, but he is not suffering from any illness."
Pope Francis continues to live in the Domus Sanctae Marthae, the Vatican guesthouse just south of St. Peter's Basilica where the cardinals stayed during the conclave; the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery where Pope Benedict is living is just to the north of the basilica.
Arriving in Castel Gandolfo a couple of hours before his retirement became official, Pope Benedict reaffirmed his plans to spend his retirement in a "hidden life" of prayer and study.
The retired pope will live in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery with Archbishop Georg Ganswein, his secretary, who also serves Pope Francis as prefect of the papal household; and with four consecrated laywomen.


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If extremes hate pension bill, it's probably a good one
The pension reform bill that passed Tuesday in the Illinois Legislature is unpopular with lots of folks:
Liberal government employee unions hate it. Illinois Federation of Teachers President Dan Montgomery called the bill "unfair, unconstitutional pension theft" and he vowed to fight it, along with other unions.
Conservative opinion makers say the bill is a sellout to the same unions that call it theft!
"Under this plan, the unfunded liability remains at crisis levels: The bill reportedly only drops the unfunded liability to 2011 levels that had already thrown Illinois into crisis. ... And the remaining $80 billion pension shortfall will continue to cripple the state," said the conservative Illinois Policy Institute.
The far right Rockford Tea Party called the bill "smoke and mirrors" on Facebook. "This Democrat offer with Republican complicity is not fixing this issue."
This perplexity caused Sen. Dave Syverson, R- Rockford, who voted for the bill, to remark on Facebook that in 20 years as a state senator, he had "never seen the politics on a piece of legislation like this pension reform bill. On one hand you have almost every conservative talk show host, columnist, and Tea Party leader opposing the bill, saying it's a give away, just minor cuts, and does not fix the problem. Then you have educators and state employees opposing the bill for the exact opposite reason. At least this bill has brought the Tea Party and AFSCME (a government employee union) together on a issue. Who'd have thought?"
One thing I've learned from covering politics is that when neither extreme likes a bill that attempts to solve a controversial and complicated problem, it's probably a reasonable compromise.
Briefly, the bill, which Gov. Pat Quinn will sign, reduces the 3 percent annual compounded pension increases according to a formula; raises the retirement age; and reduces employee pension contributions.
"The bill is estimated to save $160 billion over 30 years and achieve a 100 percent funding ratio no later than the end of FY2044, says the Illinois Municipal League. "The bill is estimated to reduce the unfunded liability by 20 percent and is estimated to reduce the FY2015 pension payment by $1 billion."
Besides Syverson, Sen. Steve Stadelman, D-Rockford, also voted yes. All other Rockford area lawmakers voted no.
But as Stadelman told me Wednesday, "Doing nothing was not an option. We needed to force movement on this issue. Let's start the process of a court challenge and see what's constitutional."
Stadelman was lobbied "intensely and persistently" by both sides.
Still not addressed is the need to reform police and fire pensions paid at the local level. But Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey said the General Assembly's movement on state pension reform, coupled with a federal judge's approval of Detroit's municipal bankruptcy plan on the same day, is potentially good news for local governments as it may spur legislative action on fire and police pension reform.
"From Rockford's standpoint, our pensions are much better funded than the state's; we're in the 65-plus percent range. But pension payments are taking more and more of our budgets. That hinders the ability to provide adequate police protection when the retirement system is so expensive," the mayor said.
Morrissey said the funding problem dated to the 1990s when pensions were sweetened with such things as the 3 percent annual compounded raises, regardless of the inflation rate.
"Nobody anticipated this. In 1998, we had been doing well, stocks were doing well, and during all the euphoria a bunch of pension enhancements were passed, including the 3 percent adjustments, earlier retirement, and your spouse continues to get the adjustments after you die. (Employees) did not pay for all that," Morrissey said.
"I applaud Stadelman and Syverson for supporting this."
Chuck Sweeny: 815-987-1366; email@example.com; @chucksweeny


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(visited by Didier Vercruysse, Malcolm MacGregor, Michel Tahon, Guido Vanherpe, Filip Vanherpe, Ben Lambrecht and Kurt Decaluwe)
29-Oct-2004 -- We were 8 friends driving on a motorcycle trip through Mauritania and hoping to prepare Paris-Dakar that we might experience one day. We've had a rough 8-day trip from Nouakchott to Atar through the desert. Among some of our drawbacks were that we lost a friend who had to go back to Belgium on a plane because he broke 2 ribs and his collarbone. The next day we found out that we did not bring our repairs, so sacrificed one bike for spare part. The other next day we broke one of our assistance vehicles and had to wait in the desert for 1½ days in 50°C heat for a repair to come back to the RV point somewhere in the dunes.
All this did not set us back, and the camp fire at night and the great exhilarating driving in the desert gave us still the thrills that we longed for during our 2-year preparation.
We knew that there were 89 confluence points still to explore in Mauritania. We had logged them all in our GPS receivers, and on our way to Atar even came to 75 m close to one of them, but were so tired and thirsty that we didn't stop and just continued. However, on our way back from Atar to Nouakchott we decided to go for one of them. 20N 14W is only at 5 km from the tarmac road between these two cities. We headed for them and logged the point on our GPS. There isn't a lot to see on 20N 14W but we felt historic to be on a non-explored confluence point. Next trip we'll just make a confluence trip and log the other 88.


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Brave New Worlds
After 4 days of production preparation, taking in the sights of Northeastern Sardinia, and of course, drinking with a whole pile of Melges sailors, I can say in all honesty that there is truly something special going on here. And that thing is, of course, the first ever Melges 32 World Championship. There are 30 boats registered and likely 29 will be on the line, and they represent some of the best monohull teams on the planet. But of course it is an owner/driver class, which means the helmsman are NOT the best on the planet, and that changes the game in unexpected ways. In the Farr 40 Class, it lent an exclusivity to the class that made it somewhat uninteresting to me (reverse snob that I am), plus the Farr 40 is not a particularly exhilarating ride. As one former Farr 40 owner told me yesterday, "this is the first owner/driver class with a really cool boat, and that's why I am here."
And of course that owner vibe flows downhill, meaning the crews – as competitive and professional as many of them are – are here to have fun. And it shows. There are a lot of young people, quite a few extremely hot chicks, and even the old guys are a blast. There's a solid mix of the best dinghy, sportboat, multihull and big boat crews, ready to get wet, bashed up, and to go really fast in one of the truly special boats of this decade.
But this is also the story of one of my favorite people in all of sailing, a young man who has already become a legend like the man who mentored him in his early career, Georgio Zuccoli. The dude is not even 40 yet, and he is one of only a tiny handful of people to win three Melges 24 World Championships – the first of them with Zuccoli in 2000 just before Georgio succumbed to cancer, and the second and third these past two years. He is of course Federico Michetti, and he is easily as much of an asshole as I am – perhaps that's why we get along so well.
Federico is the CEO and President of Melges Europe, one of the few success stories in sailing today. While the US operation struggles to sell boats and the North American 20, 24, and 32 events continue to see disappointing numbers, Michetti's operation continues to steamroll past other classes and builders during an economic period that makes selling sleek toys all but impossible for anyone else. Remember folks – there are thirty of these things here, and it's probably the single most expensive place to attend a regatta on Earth. Someone is kicking some ass right now, and all roads lead to our pal Freddie.
Now of course it's not all Federico's success; a group of people have worked their asses off to help the 20,24, and 32 become as successful as they are, and we'll be talking to all of them this week. The first is Luisa Bambozzi, Michetti's right-hand woman, whose sugary sweet smile belies some serious brains and aggressiveness, on the race course and off. Another big factor has been the support of Audi (for the 20 and 32) and Volvo (for the 24) – there is no denying that they spice up these events and turn them into "must do" regattas. And of course Harry Melges has strongly supported the growth of the European class all along.
But guys like Onorato don't buy into a class unless they believe in the people behind it. And the vision for the Euro class and this massive event is all Michetti.
And for the most important week in his life, we have the honor and privilege of being here to cover it all. We have some truly special stuff planned for this special week, and we are quite sure that you will all enjoy some of the most exciting sailboat racing there is. Check back for links in the morning – the racing begins Wednesday.
A huge thanks to Melges Europe, Melges Performance Sailboats and the International Melges 32 Class for bringing On-The-Water Anarchy to Porto Cervo, and to Tom Carruthers at Point Loma Outfitting for once again being our official apparel provider for this great event.


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Bloomberg calls for universal background checks
- Mayor Bloomberg opens two-day conference on gun control
- Outspoken mayor%27s comments come on eve of White House plan
- Mayor also calls for public health research into gun violence
BALTIMORE — New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg brought his campaign for tougher gun laws here Monday, calling for the White House and Congress to support universal background checks for all firearms sales, stiffer penalties for gun traffickers and limits on the sales of assault weapons with high capacity ammunition clips.
"Enough is enough,'' Bloomberg said. "It is time for Congress to put public health above special interests and politics.''
Bloomberg, co-chairman of Mayors Against Illegal Guns and one of the most vocal advocates for gun control, made his remarks to open a two-day meeting on gun policy at Johns Hopkins University. His comments come just as the White House prepares to release its recommendations on new gun legislation in wake of last month's massacre at a Connecticut elementary school.
Daniel Webster, director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research, said representatives of the National Rifle Association were not invited to the summit. Webster said he did not believe the group was interested in a "meaningful" discussion.
"They are interested in putting armed guards in schools," Webster said. "I think the problem is bigger than that."
The NRA did no respond to a request for comment.
Bloomberg said the deadly shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School were "the straw that has broken the camel's back'' in the long debate over gun rights in America.
"It is clear that we meet today at a critical and hopeful moment,'' said Bloomberg, speaking at the university's School of Public Health named for the New York mayor and Johns Hopkins graduate.
In addition to legislative action, Bloomberg called on President Obama to take executive action that would install a director at the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, which has been without permanent leadership for six years; prosecute criminals who lie on background check applications for firearms purchases at licensed gun dealers; and free up some firearms tracking information now shielded by federal law.
The mayor also called on the federal government to fund and support public health research into gun violence, saying that study has been successfully thwarted by the gun rights lobby.
Bloomberg said the package of proposals falls "within the bounds of the Second Amendment'' and the right to gun ownership.
"This is not a constitutional question,'' he said. "This is a question of courage… There is no debate here. It's common sense.''
Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, who introduced Bloomberg, said he was preparing a separate set of state legislative proposals that would ban military-style assault weapons, limit the size of ammunition magazines, provide additional funding for school security and create a state center that would help identify people with serious mental illness.
O'Malley said the proposals were not meant to "ban guns.''
"There is a sickness in our country and that sickness is gun violence,'' O'Malley said. "We're putting in place common sense things that can prevent lives being taken from us.
"There may not be, perhaps there is no way to prevent the next Newtown tragedy,'' O'Malley said. "But perhaps there is.''


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Nov. 16, 2010 -- At the end of a day of often emotional testimony, an FDA advisory panel overwhelmingly voted to recommend the approval of a new drug for the treatment of systemic lupus.
If the FDA follows the panel's advice, the drug, belimumab, will be the first drug approved in more than 50 years for the chronic and debilitating autoimmune disease.
Despite the 13-2 vote in favor of approval, no member of the Arthritis Advisory Committee considered belimumab -- to be marketed as Benlysta -- a wonder drug.
"It has a weak effect, but they made the case," panelist Matthew Liang, MD, MPH, a professor of medicine at Harvard, said of the data supplied by the drug's manufacturer, Human Genome Sciences.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) causes the body's immune system to attack healthy cells and tissues. Over time, it can damage the kidneys, heart, lungs, and other organs. Among its most common symptoms are extreme fatigue and swollen, painful joints.
Ninety percent of those with lupus are women, who are most often diagnosed during childbearing years. The CDC estimates that more than a million people in the U.S. may have the disease.
Several of the panelists expressed concern that the supporting studies submitted by the drugmaker demonstrated that the drug did not appear to help African-Americans, a population with a high risk for developing the disease.
"The lack of efficacy in African-Americans and people of African heritage needs to be studied," said Christy Sandborg, MD, chief of pediatric rheumatology at Stanford University School of Medicine.
Overall, only 30% of those taking the drug benefited from it, one of the reasons for the panelists' lukewarm response. That response, however, was not shared by the 30 members of the public who addressed them during the hearing, many of them choking back tears as they spoke.
Patients Testify
Erica Corcoran, a participant in one of the studies, was a junior in college when she was diagnosed with lupus in 2004. The disease effectively ended life as she had known it. Unable to continue school or maintain any social life, her thoughts turned occasionally to suicide, she told the panel, until she began taking belimumab.
"It has been a wonder drug," she said. "Since I have been on it, I have run a marathon and finished graduate school."
Many others talked of the devastating effects of the disease, as well as the devastating side effects of the medications commonly prescribed to treat it.
According to Michelle Petri, MD, a professor of rheumatology at Johns Hopkins University and director of the Hopkins Lupus Cohort, corticosteroids such as prednisone, which are commonly prescribed for lupus, do more organ damage over the long term than the disease itself.
"Over 90% of my SLE patients remain on steroids," said Petri, who spoke on behalf of HGS. "And [steroids] increase permanent organ damage."
Belimumab, by comparison, comes with few safety concerns. In fact, the new drug may allow patients to reduce the amount of steroids that they take.
"It looks remarkably good compared to the other drugs that we are using," said panelist R. John Looney, MD, a professor of medicine at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. "It seems like it is going to be significant in terms of what we are going to be using [with our patients]."


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But, as of 22:15, these bloody ties are blessedly done!! Champagne, anyone? Anyone?
I've been pinch hitting in our media office this past week while we're cripplingly short staffed. No time like an economic crisis to remind your bosses of your many talents, eh? So, I've had very little time to sew.
Which means I don't think I'm going to get my MTP dress done. We're supposed to go by his parents after work tomorrow and again on Thursday. Literally, no time. But, I saved a bundle in this gift.
It took me a long time to finesse these in to the box. Sooo, that's where they are being photographed from. The ties are beautiful and I'm very proud of them. My friend Andy tried a few one over the weekend and told me they looked and felt as good as an expensive department store tie.
The one thing that is decidedly not RTW is my closing. I had neither the time nor patience to do the invisible slipstitch. In the DPC tie book he suggests using a felling stitch as a closing alternative to beginners — something I learned about at West Coast PR Weekend from Susan Khalje.
I called Marji from Joann Fabric on Sunday when I couldn't find silk thread (umm, yeah. I saw that in New York City. NOT Parkville, Maryland). She suggested rayon as it would have the same sheen as the silk. Gutterman's rayon thread was 50 percent off too!
I don't love my handwork, but it's barely noticeable and the only people looking at the back will be the ones who don't believe I made them for him. I would definitely do these again. Just not five at once.
Good grief. I have to wrap this don't I? CVS better have something fitting 🙂