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January 2013 Webinar
January 2013 Webinar "Locating the 'global' in education"
On January 16, 2013 in partnership with the CIES Globalization & Education SIG the Center for Comparative Education at Loyola University Chicago co-hosted a webinar titled Locating the 'global' in education and ethnography: conceptual considerations and practical applications for comparative education research. The aim of this 90 minute webinar was to foster an open discussion on conceptualizing the 'global' in education research, and its implications for and applications in research. Key questions included: how do we research the 'global' in education? How do we locate the 'global' in ethnographic education research? What are the implications for conceptualising a comparative education research programme/project, and what are some practical applications? The webinar began with short presentations from scholars working on these issues Liz Boner (UC Berkeley, Center for African Studies), Amy Stambach and David Mills with Zuki Karpinska (Department of Education, University of Oxford), and Gita Steiner-Khamsi (Teachers College, Columbia University). Titles and abstracts for their presentations are available below.
Tracing Global Discourses within an Educational Contact Zone: The Contributions of Discourse Analysis to Ethnographic Studies of Globalization and Education
Liz Boner (UC Berkeley, Center for African Studies)
This presentation draws from theories of discourse and social practice, which conceptualize the global and local as mutually constitutive and realized in (rather than separate from) social practice. Given the critical role of language in constituting and negotiating social practice, I discuss the potential contributions of critical discourse analysis and sociolinguistic approaches to studies of globalization and education.
Drawing from a year-long ethnographic study of efforts to build entrepreneurial capacity through global-local partnerships and participatory education in Tanzania, I'll show how I used critical discourse analysis to trace relationships between a single educational intervention in Tanzania and a larger global neo-liberal project. Rather than assume that global entrepreneurial discourses and practices were simply imposed on a complacent local, however, by considering entrepreneurial education as a contact zone and site of struggle, I'll show how discourse analysis provides a lens to examine what actually happens when real people engage with each other and their different socio-cultural and economic orientations in practice. I then show how I used sociolinguistic approaches gave to illuminate how diverse Tanzanian and American interlocutors negotiated, contested, subverted, and strategically made use of global entrepreneurial discourses according to competing logics and contradictory material interests on a micro-linguistic level. I conclude by discussing the continued importance of ethnography and attention to inequality at multiple scales to bring critical context and specificity to our understanding of local interactions and individual agency.
Theory in the Interest of Analysis: Summing Up and Moving On, With Reference to Field Research
Amy Stambach and David Mills with Zuki Karpinska (Department of Education, University of Oxford)
The classically established "Oxford Model" of comparative and international studies of education, which focuses on policy borrowing and transfer, must be expanded to account for dialectical and recursive aspects of what Halliday calls "global norm-making." This new conceptualization of education as norm-making enables analysis of aspects of education that currently remain under-theorized, including a) how people, working within institutions, embody and construct competing ideas of education; b) how context matters but not in ways that devolve infinite possibility to all cases; and c) how history is a matter of understanding temporality (including the future) within settings that must be empirically analyzed. Drawing on field research conducted in the different settings of 1990s Tanzania and the 2010s mid-western United States, Stambach examines how people create and advance transnational networks of religion, trade, and diplomacy through different yet naturalized assumptions about education. Exploring the emergence of global standards around education in emergencies (INEE standards), David Mills discusses with Zuki Karpinska the role that advocacy politics and transnational networks play in legitimating, stabilizing, and standardizing a nascent set of global institutional norms guiding educational professionals. The work highlights the highly contested knowledge politics that standardization relies upon.
Ethnography: A Method for Contextual Comparison but not Necessarily an Interpretive Framework for Understanding Globalization
Gita Steiner-Khamsi (Teachers College, Columbia University)
The presentation attempts to problematize the inflationary use of ethnography for understanding globalization processes. Ethnographical accounts—whether bottom up, top down, vertical, horizontal, or 360 degrees—are not much different from a solid case study or from contextual comparison. In fact, it is argued that other research paradigms are much better suited to focus on the analysis of a bounded system and advance theory on globalization and change. The presenter shares the focus on contextual comparison but questions whether ethnography is more than merely a method that allows for in-depth contextual comparison.
More often than not, ethnographic studies end with statements that globalization, technology, student-centered learning, or any other phenomenon mean something different and is given different meaning by different actors. Many studies also uncritically select quotes from a few actors to demonstrate authenticity of voices. What such quotes demonstrate is the situatedness of knowledge and experience. Quotes are in no means more authentic or "closer to people" than other forms of data, such as for examples numbers or statistics. The larger question is also: what are we supposed to learn about the broad conclusions and how do they help us to theorize globalization and change? In other words, ethnographies are strong on description and analysis, but weak on interpretation. To make the discussion provocative and open up a lively debate: ethnographical accounts of globalization are often "stuck" in description and analysis, and do not sufficiently help us to theorize how change occurs in educational systems.
The presenter proposes the alternative perspective of system theory (theory of self-referential systems) in which the focus is also on bounded systems but the system is not, as is the case in ethnographies, by default equated with a particular locality or community. It is argued that a system's approach is much more sensitive to discursive power and how the semantics of globalization is actively induced to shift power relations in a given system. The proposed interpretive framework is also much more dynamic in that it allows to measure how actors actively create environment ("globalization") and re-enact themselves over the course of that act of boundary setting.


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Hide Forgot
Despite the egcs-c++ package description, the shared
libstdc++ is included. It ought to be in the libstdc++
package only:
rpm -qf /usr/lib/libstdc++-2-libc6.1-1-2.9.0.so
It does include the static standard C++ library and
C++ header files; the library for dynamically linking
programs is available separately.
Due to dependencies one cannot remove the libstdc++ package,
but one can remove the egcs-c++ package (*without* --nodeps)
which in turn will remove the shared library and thus breaks
any depending programs:
rpm -e libstdc++
error: removing these packages would break dependencies:
rpm -e egcs-c++
[/usr/lib/libstdc++-2-libc6.1-1-2.9.0.so now gone]
kwm: error in loading shared libraries:
cannot open shared object file: No such file or directory
it's an RPM bug that removing one removes the shared file - it's
being worked on.
fixed in rpm-3.0.1-9, available in today's rawhide.
*** Bug 2825 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***
My solution was to uninstall all tetex* RPMs and reinstall
them. uninstall complained about not being able to delete
many files.

subset: commoncrawl


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Acrylic, Pen, Micropen, Charcoal on Paper; 23 in. by 18 in.
In today's socio-political discourse, sides often completely look past each other, find comfort in each's niche, and develop a sense of self-defined complacency. I highlight this by visually posing two figures back to back so that they literally look past each other, separated by a divide. With contrasting expressions, each utters a word bubble past the other's ear. The smug figure thinks that progress is made in "time" but the other isn't so "happy." Today, opponents of equality and civil rights often revert to the argument that "today is better than yesterday" so we should show gratitude. Even movement allies at once align themselves and may fail to realize the inherent privileges they enjoy in contrast to those whom they help.


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There have been reports, including from the BBC, that there is a glut of whale meat in Japan and that whale meat is being fed to dogs. Dr. Hiroshi Hatanaka from Japan's Institute of Cetacean Research (ICR) responded yesterday with a media … [Read more...] about No Whale Meat Glut: Hiroshi Hatanaka
Archives for February 17, 2006
Croc Hunting: NT Government Again Seeks Federal Approval
The Northern Territory Government is yet again seeking support from the federal government, this time the new Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister for crocodile safari hunting, according to ABC News Online. Last year the Federal Government rejected … [Read more...] about Croc Hunting: NT Government Again Seeks Federal Approval


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This is a great video.
To summarize:
Digital signatures are a way to verify that you wrote a message. Ordinarily I of the public private key communication as giving out the public key so that people can encode messages that I decrypt with the private key. This is the opposite. I lock up the message with the private key and people can unlock/verify it with the public key. It is difficult for people to find a way to lock up a message that will decrypt with that same public key.
Cryptographic Hash functions make a summary of a small number of bits that is difficult to find a message that makes the same summary hash.
Your bitcoin address is the public key. I think you have a wallet that can manage multiple public/private pairs. Possibly transferring money between them.
Bitcoin has the miners append a number to the end of the transaction list trying to find a hash that has a long string of zeros. Since you're just basically randomly trying numbers anyway, it doesn't hurt you to add in more transactions as they come in I think.
The blocks form kind of a funky linked list, where instead of a pointer you have the hash of the previous block. People trust the longest chain they can find, which was really hard to compute.
Miners can be incentivized to include transactions into their block. In general it seems like the protocol is a bit extendable by the consensus of the community. You can sort of vote on changes to the protocol by including your vote in the the hashed block.


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Homeless man charged for sexually assaulting 2 women in Willingboro, Mount Holly
MOUNT HOLLY — A homeless man faces charges in the sexual assault of two women by knife point, the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office announced.
Shawn Midgette, 28, who authorities say is known to stay in the Willingboro area, was charged Monday with aggravated sexual assault and robbery.
Midgette is accused of an asking an elderly woman for a ride outside a pharmacy on Springside Road in Westampton on July 24, before forcing her to drive to the Garfield East section of Willingboro, where he allegedly sexually assaulted and robbed her.
The prosecutor's office said Midgette was immediately identified as a suspect, and police departments in the area were notified. The prosecutor's office said officers also began to check local homeless shelters for Midgette.
The next day, on July 25, Midgette is accused of sexually assaulting a homeless woman by knife point in Monroe Park in Mount Holly.
The victim was acquainted with Midgette, according to the prosecutor's office.
Midgette was arrested around 4 p.m. Monday by Willingboro police at the McDonald's restaurant on Beverly Rancocas Road. He also faces weapons charges.
Authorities said the knife believed to be used during the assaults was found on him.
He is currently being held in the Burlington County Jail awaiting a detention hearing.


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[GUEST POST] Brian Staveley on Bootlegging and Manure-Spreading: The Starting of Sequels
After teaching literature, philosophy, history, and religion for more than a decide, Brian Staveley began writing epic fantasy. His first book, The Emperor's Blades (forthcoming from Tor on January 14, 2014), is the start of his series, Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne. Tor.com has been good enough to release the first seven chapters as a teaser. Brian lives on a steep dirt road in the mountains of southern Vermont, where he divides his time between fathering, writing, husbanding, splitting wood, skiing, and adventuring, not necessarily in that order. He can be found on twitter at @brianstaveley, facebook as brianstaveley, and Google+ as Brian Staveley.
When it comes to exposition, the question facing a writer at the start of a book is: "How much of this shit do I really need?" There's no right answer, of course. Too much can destroy the plot's momentum, while too little can leave the reader feeling as though she's watching a bunch of stick figures carom around inside a poorly glued up diorama. Every author makes her peace with the balance, and by the end of the novel, when that balance has generally shifted toward all-out action, the challenges of exposition are largely forgotten. Then, if you're writing a series, you start volume two, and the question becomes, "Do I really need to do all that shit again?"
After all, book one has (hopefully) laid out the various hairstyles and tattoos, explored relevant cliffs, cities, and islands, and outlined the necessary political alliances and enmities. By the end of book one, we know who's crushing on whom, why so-and-so refuses to wear dresses, and that the fearsome warrior with the menacing eye only has one testicle. The end of book one, however, is not the same thing as the start of book two.
As I kid, I did a good portion of my reading in school, a thick book balanced on my legs beneath my desk. Algebra and history, English and biology, it didn't really matter. Every color-coded block on my school schedule should have read, simply: FANTASY. Given the number of school hours per day, I was able to cruise through quite a few books a week, moving seamlessly from one to the next with almost no pause. As a result, I used to chafe at the opening chapters of sequels. "I already know all this," I'd grouse to myself. "I just read it in French class."
Now, in my mid-thirties, I have a different perspective. Between writing and parenting, home repairs and trying to keep myself in some vague semblance of physical shape, I might read a book a month. Maybe three, if I'm lucky. It could well take me years to read an entire series, and sometimes I find myself staring at the opening pages of a second (or third, or fourth) volume, squinting in perplexity, muttering, "Who?"
Unfortunately for the author of fantasy, there's no way to please both middle school and middle-aged Brian. Launch straight ahead with the plot of a second book, and my slowly atrophying brain will balk. I haven't read the final Wheel of Time book yet, for instance, because I feel like I need to study up before diving into it. However, if a sequel takes too much time reviewing crucial characters and events, my smug, twelve-year-old self will be griping that it's all just a bullshit rehash.
The best an author can do, when embarking on a sequel, is to understand her options, which are basically three:
- Screw it. This is, perhaps, the purist's approach. All the information is there in the first book (at least, it had better be), and a dedicated reader can go find it if necessary. This strategy used to be much, much riskier before the internet saved us all. Now, I can go look up chapter-by-chapter summaries of the more famous books, and even when it comes to lesser-known works, I can usually find the information I need if I petition Google politely enough. Of course, it still puts the onus on the reader, and sometimes, as a reader with a shitty memory, this irritates me.
- Last Week, on LOST… You can (and some writers do) open a sequel with a synopsis of the last book. In some ways, this is an elegant solution: readers who want it will read it, those who don't, won't. The only trouble is that the synopsis is essentially the manure of the literary world. They're necessary (for agents, editors, book buyers, book sellers, etc), but they're rarely pretty. I have yet to see an anthology of them. No one's knocking down the door to publish "Best American Synopses of 2013." Putting one at the start of a novel is sort of like making everyone smell the shit before they look at the rose growing out of it.
- Bootleg. The word comes, of course, from the old smugglers' practice of slipping bottles into their boots, and it's essentially what you've got to do if you don't like options one or two. The trick is to sneak enough repeat information in to keep the reader happy without doing so in such a way that the authorities (read: my twelve-year-old self) start sounding the alarm. This is the most popular method, but it may also be the most difficult. Every reader has a different memory of the first book, and detail that proves helpful for one will irritate another.
As I put the final touches on The Providence of Fire (the sequel to The Emperor's Blades), I find myself going back to those first chapters over and over, sticking in a reminder here, cutting out another one over there. I take the task seriously because somewhere there's a kid in algebra class with a book balanced on her knees, and I know damn well she's going to be paying attention.


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Subject: Subject: [Musical Instruments] The Amerindians
P.J. Benoit describes how Amerindians use flutes at their 'wild' dance parties. These flutes are made of reeds in which they have made holes. They blow on their flutes to produce sound. Once in a while the music is accompanied by the sound of a tambourine and a sharp sound of a kind of trumpet. This trumpet is four to five feet long. At the end of the trumpet is an ox horn attached. According to Benoit, the sound of the musical instruments, the shouting and yelling blends well with the kind of dance that is performed by them. Paintings of musical instruments are shown in 'Reis Door Suriname'.[1]
An Amerindian (Wayana tribe) is shown in a black and white photograph with a dance flute in 'Avonturen aan de Wilde Kust' [2]. The Amerindians play flute alone or in a group. The Wayana Indians use also a 'pans fluit', translated pandean flute, and while blowing on this particular flute they carry a turtle shell under their left arm to create additional sound effects. While P.J. Benoit writes about tambourines, the Wayana uses a drum to accompany the flute players at the festive parties where they dance and rarely touch each other.
------- Met dank aan Albert Buys


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Forget about the notion that Facebook lets tiny companies market on the same level as jumbo corporations. A Slate study analyzed data from the Inside Facebook tracking service to find that the brands making the best use of the social network already had their share of fans, back when Facebook was just a glimmer in Mark Zuckerberg's eye.
The companies with the best Facebook presences according to the study are massive brands whose profiles combine their own content with user uploads, rather than relying solely on one or the other. In addition, somewhat quirky brands that already had cult followings -- Chick-fil-A, Dippin' Dots, Pop Tarts and Dr. Pepper — did particularly well.
The most important factor contributing to the success of a brand's Facebook page was its pre-existing popularity with consumers. Still, interactive features can attract an additional slice of the population, as Vitaminwater discovered with its crowdsourced contest that let users design an upcoming beverage.
If all else fails, as shown by the lessons of T.G.I. Friday's and Papa John's, giving stuff away for free can attract new Facebook fans -- although they may not stick around.
The Facebook 50 study posted by Slate's The Big Money blog included company Facebook profiles with at least 200,000 fans, and evaluated them based on the frequency of their status updates, growth rates, and creativity according to a panel of outside judges (David Kirkpatrick of the New York Times, Clara Shih, author of The Facebook Era and Facebook fan page marketing expert Jeff Widman).
The official version of the list requires over 50 mouseclicks, so we posted it in an easier-to-read format here:
1. Coca-Cola
2. Starbucks
3. Disney
4. Victoria's Secret
5. Apple iTunes
6. Vitaminwater
7. YouTube
8. Chick-fil-A
9. Red Bull
10. T.G.I. Friday's
11. Skittles
12. Dunkin' Donuts
13. Best Buy
15. Adidas Originals
16. Kellog's Pop Tarts
17. Krispy Kreme
18. Mountain Dew
19. JCPenney
20. Papa John's
21. Disney/Pixar
22. National Geographic
23. McDonalds
25. Gap
26. Reese's
27. Dippin' Dots
28. Kohl's
29. Forever 21
30. Ben & Jerry's
31. Puma
32. Louis Vuitton
34. Pringles
35. Pizza Hut
36. Vogue
37. Apple Students
38. Dr. Pepper
39. Vans
40. Six Flags
42. Harley-Davidson
43. Target
44. Audi
45. Gatorade
46. Zara
47. Taco Bell
48. Buffalo Wild Wings
49. Calvin Klein
50. The Onion


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A new colorway of the Nike Air Trainer SC II has surfaced, this pair featuring a white, grey, black and orange colorway. White leather and black leather make up most of the shoes upper, with hints of orange being use on the outsole, tongue, Air unit and branding throughtout the shoe. Grey accents can also be seen, as the shoe sits on top of a white foam sole. These are set to release this upcoming September at select Nike retailers.
~ Soleless


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OAKLAND, Calif.—Health care advocates in California say the latest attempt in Congress to repeal the Affordable Care Act would cut the state's health care funding by a devastating $28 billion per year by 2028, rising to $58 billion in 2027 and beyond.
Republicans are driving for a vote on the measure by Republican Sens. Lindsay Graham, S.C., and Bill Cassidy, La., by Sept. 30 so it can be conducted under "budget reconciliation" regulations, allowing it to pass with 50 senators and a deciding vote by Vice President Mike Pence. After that, it will again be possible to filibuster the measure, making a 60-vote majority necessary for passage. At present, all Senate Democrats are solidly opposed, and several Republicans are reported to be opposed or equivocating.
In a Sept. 19 blog post, Anthony Wright, executive director of the broad Health Access coalition, said the bill "would intentionally and disproportionately" slash the state's health care spending, leaving 6.7 million more Californians uninsured, and targeting the state "for harsher and earlier cuts."
In its fact sheet about the bill, the coalition pointed out that California's cuts would constitute over a third of the rollbacks nationwide. "This cut is even more, in both dollars and in percentage, than under previous ACA repeal proposals," Health Access said. "Graham-Cassidy deliberately shifts resources from large, densely populated states that embraced and implement the ACA."
New York, Maryland, and Massachusetts are also targeted for disproportionate cuts.
Funding for Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program covering nearly 14 million low-income Californians, would be gutted. Individuals buying insurance through the Covered California exchange would lose income-based subsidies, and the mandate requiring that everyone have coverage would end.
Sarah de Guia, executive director of the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network, pointed out that a majority of Californians affected by the cuts would be people of color, who "will lose access to affordable health care, including mental health care services and preventive care." She called on the state's 14 Republican members of Congress to "denounce" the bill "and its calculated attempt to harm vulnerable Californians and destabilize our entire health care system."
The Graham-Cassidy bill would turn most federal health programs into block grants to states, starting in 2020. The states could then choose who to cover and how much, making it possible to discriminate against women, people of color, and those with pre-existing conditions.
It would also cripple community clinics caring for millions of Californians.
Health Access says the main difference between Graham-Cassidy and earlier efforts to repeal the ACA is that "insufficient" block grants would replace the present funding for tax credits, cost-sharing payments, and Medicaid expansion. The block grants would end after 2026, and then no federal dollars would be available for marketplace subsidies and Medicaid expansion.
"Federal resources to states would be redistributed to states based on criteria unrelated to actual coverage and spending needs and in ways that favor Republican states," the coalition said.
In fact, former Republican Sen. Rick Santorum—an author of the Graham-Cassidy measure—made that goal explicit in an Aug. 22 interview with Breitbart News: "What you can do is redistribute this money that has been heaped upon … ultra-blue, very wealthy states. … If California simply wants to expand Medicaid with this money, good luck. They're going to have to cut their program dramatically because they don't have the money with what they're funding now."
Protests have taken place or are planned at the offices of the state's Republican members of Congress, calling on them to reject the Graham-Cassidy bill. Several have many ACA beneficiaries among their constituents. Among them are David Valadao of Bakersfield, Jeff Denham of Turlock, and Dana Rohrabacher of Costa Mesa.
Virtually every professional health-care-related organization opposes Graham-Cassidy, along with associations of hospitals and insurance companies.
A very broad spectrum of labor-related and peoples' organizations—among them the AFL-CIO—are pressing hard for its defeat.
After months of denial, U.S. admits to running Ukraine biolabs
Jackson, Mississippi water crisis continues despite GOP governor's declaration
Oil-rich Neuquén, Argentina—site of a new U.S. military base
Capitalism's climate inequality: The rich keep cool while the poor roast


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3 Tips to Help You Save Money When Moving to a Big CitySaturday, July 23, 2016
Big cities have a lot of things going for them. From thriving job markets and a myriad of housing options to activities for every member of your family, life in a metropolis can be exciting and fulfilling. However, big cities are also infamous for their higher costs of living.
If you are considering a move to a big city and are nervous about how it will impact your wallet, take heed. With some careful planning, it is possible to live a budget-friendly life in a major metropolis.
Shop Around for Housing
While you might dream of owning a home in a big city, renting often makes more financial sense. Renting an apartment or condo is a great way for you to try out life in a big city as well as a certain neighborhood without the huge financial commitment of buying a house. Rent varies quite a bit in big cities and it's worth taking the time to shop around for the best neighborhoods and deals.
A great place to start is on a website like ForRent.com because it lets you input your budget and other requirements. For example, if you are considering a move to Chicago, the site has listings for over 1,100 rentals in the area, including pricier downtown apartments as well as those in the more budget-friendly suburbs.
Resist Eating out and Shopping for Fun
Big cities are a dream world for shopaholics, but a couple of shopping sprees can easily decimate your budget. Resist going shopping for fun and take advantage of websites like Craigslist or Freecycle for needed items instead. Since groceries and restaurant meals tend to cost more in major cities, cut back on eating out as much as you can and use the local supermarket sales ads to plan your weekly meals. Even if your usual weekly grocery budget does not stretch as far in a big city, it will still be cheaper to cook up a big pot of spaghetti and meatballs or grill chicken and potatoes than order takeout.
When you do treat your family to a restaurant meal, stick with local mom-and- pop eateries that serve famous local fare. For example, in Los Angeles look for the authentic taco shops and in New York choose a bagel bakery or pizzeria that sells by the slice.
Consider Giving up Your Car
It can be hard to fathom not having a car, but depending on which big city you are moving to, saying farewell to your vehicle can make a lot of sense. Parking can cost a huge amount of money and most large cities have incredible public transportation systems. For example, San Francisco's BART trains can get you pretty much anywhere you need to go in the Bay Area. New York also is famous for its subways, buses and ferries. Check out the MetroCard and its unlimited monthly pass that lets you go anywhere in the city with unlimited transfers.
Many big cities have neighborhoods that were designed with walking in mind. You might find that the grocery store and your kids' schools are located within minutes from your new place. For weekend trips out of town and toting home large items for your home, you can always rent a car if need be.


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By Jon Swinden
The issue from the beginning has been democracy. Real democracy vs formal democracy.
About the referendum result. 48% to 52%. A day before, a day after, before lunch or after lunch? Any statistician worth his salt would be able to warn about the dangers of making BIG decisions based on a "simple" majority. A divided nation? Quelle surprise! A real democracy would set a limit and require at least a 2/3rds majority for such an important decision.
And what about the so called "betrayal" of the people if another referendum is run? What about the betrayal of the 48% "minority" whose views are deemed irrelevant by the "brexit means brexit" faction?
A real democracy is inclusive. A real democracy gives voice to all its citizens. A real democracy recognises the importance of minorities and their need to be provided with the protections that correspond to their right to representation.
And what about those infamous "trade deals" that it is considered so important for us to be able to make without our hands being tied by those pesky Europeans? Where will democracy be as the deals are struck behind closed doors, "for reasons of commercial confidentiality".
Let's be clear free trade agreements are negotiated behind the backs of citizens. There is no space for democracy or the people. Only money and those poor investors who risk so much for the benefit of… …!
Free trade deals will generate null or minimum commercial benefits compared to those we already have with the EU, and would impose new rules and regulations that would restrict the possibility of sovereignly deciding the policies that are implemented in the country. Taking back control?
Free Trade Agreements in reality do not only refer to trade but establish guarantees for investors, that is, transnational corporations and speculators that seek to secure and increase their profits. Among these corporations are the pharmaceutical industry, information technology corporations, energy corporations, mining corporations, agro-industry not to mention investment funds, hedge funds and others that seek to obtain through this way what they do not achieve through parliament or in the courts. Chlorinated chicken? You ain't seen nothing yet.
These "free trade" treaties generally violate national sovereignty by establishing a kind of transnational corporate governance that will oversee laws and public policies, under the pretext of generating "regulatory coherence".
In the area of food the treaties impact access to seeds and healthy food, generating price hikes and scarcity putting agriculture and biodiversity at risk. They criminalise the traditions of free exchange, reproduction and conservation of seeds, in favor of the large transnational biotechnology companies creating conditions which will generate an increase rural migration and ensure the expansion of transgenic crops and plantations, with their technological package of agrochemicals, seriously affecting people's health, and contaminating food and water, as well as ecosystems.
Cancer patients and people living with HIV will find it more difficult to obtain remedies, and the viability of popular pharmaceuticals will be at risk because of rising drug prices. And let's not even mention the privatisation of the NHS by stealth at the hands of big-pharma and the need to open markets and avoid unfair competition.
Treaties tend to extend the duration of copyright preventing "intellectual property" from being used for the benefit of new cultural creations. Internet service providers will be obliged to identify in court those who evade the so-called "technological protection measures", which are the digital obstacles imposed by companies. This will also prevent access to information by independent researchers or innovators regarding transnational companies' products, since these products always have intellectual protection.
But real democracy is not just about which voting system is in favour at any one time. It's also about information and the media that supplies it. Where is the "real" media that has our backs, that strives to give us real information rather than that contaminated by the financial interests which it serves? Where was the "real" media during the referendum campaign?
Let's not get lost in the kingdom of the secondary. Let's bring the real issues to the fore, with real information and open debate. Let's have responsibility and accountability. Let's have a real democracy not a formal one. Let's have a real media at the service of information and the people. Let's put ordinary human beings at the centre of our struggle to create a better world.


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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Health and Safety Guide
ASERT has compiled resources for those with autism and those who care for people with autism relating to the current COVID-19 outbreak.
ASERT has compiled resources for those with autism and those who care for people with autism relating to the current COVID-19 outbreak.
Through public comment periods, policymakers can learn about what individuals in the community think of proposed changes to policies and programs. It is a great way for community members to get involved and note how they feel about any new initiatives. Through community participation in public comment periods, policymakers can learn what changes are important to individuals and which ones are not needed or could be improved. This feedback is valuable as policymakers develop and implement programs to serve community needs.
Your participation lets policymakers know what you think of new ideas. With your feedback, policymakers can make changes to their plans to better serve you and your needs.
Public comment periods are one of the best ways to have your opinion heard and advocate for change on issues you are passionate about!
This information was developed by the Autism Services, Education, Resources, and Training Collaborative (ASERT). For more information, please contact ASERT at 877-231-4244 or firstname.lastname@example.com. ASERT is funded by the Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations, PA Department of Human Services.


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I think I'm sophisticated
cos I'm living my life like a good homosapien
But all around me everybody's multiplying
Till they're walking round like flies man
So I'm no better than the animals sitting in their cages in the zoo man
cos compared to the flowers and the birds and the trees
I am an ape man
I don't feel safe in this world no more
I don't want to die in a nuclear war
I want to sail away to a distant shore
And make like LISLEMAN.
Do apes live a life of luxury? If you had plenty of trees, termites, bananas and no hunters looking to kill you, it would probably be very relaxing. Apes will groom their ape friends hairy bodies. How many of your friends would do that for you?
My lyrical inspiration comes from The Kinks.


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Hand-carved from a wax mold and cast in solid metal this rustic wedding band is a beautiful choice for nature-loving folks of all genders.
Band and Width: A textured band pictured in 4.5mm.
Metal: Shown here in 14k white gold and 14K yellow gold.
Sourcing note: We use 100% recycled metals refined in the USA as well as ethical, sustainably-sourced Fairmined gold. Any of our designs can also be made in hypoallergenic, nickel-free metals.
****Please be aware each ring is crafted to order--please allow 6 weeks for delivery of this special handcrafted item. This timeline may be affected by our ability to access materials please contact us if you have a specific date in mind.****
Our Commitment to Sizing Inclusivity
We can make our rings in ANY size at no additional cost! We want you to have the perfect ring and we offer every ring size. We make rings in size 1 to 17 (or higher if needed), and half and quarter sizes too! We are limited in how many options we can show on our website but just send us an email when you place your order if you need a size not listed (either outside of our listed range, or a size between) and we are happy to update your order to fit you perfectly.
Need more customization? Click the "Customize this Design" button below and we would be happy to send you a custom invoice for your perfect ring! Have an heirloom gold family ring that you would like to re-cast into something update and less traditional? This design is a great choice!


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This getting started guide article covers the processes of adding an existing form into any WordPress page or post using our shortcode system.
Get more information on Caldera Forms shortcodes by visiting our Shortcode documentation or learn more about WordPress shortcodes in the codex.
Adding A Form To A Page Or Post Using Shortcodes
Once you finish creating all of your forms, the next step is to embed the forms into your WordPress website. Our shortcode system makes this process extremely quick and easy.
Steps To Add A Form Automatically
Step 1 : Go To A Page Or Post
Add or edit your website content by clicking on Pages or Posts in the WordPress left menu. Create a new page / post, or edit an existing page / post.
Step 2 : Inserting The Caldera Forms Shortcode
Insert a form's shortcode by clicking on the Caldera Forms icon in the WordPress text editor and then
selecting a form from the list.
Under the Options section, you can choose to have your form display with a modal (pop-up) window and to do this, check the box beside Set As Modal.
Modal setting configuration has 3 options:
- Open Modal Trigger Type – This allows you to choose the element that triggers the Modal. Select either Link or Button.
- Open Modal Text – This is the text that appears in either the Link or Button.
- Modal Width – This allows you set the width of your Modal window.
Once you have selected a form and configure the options, click on Insert Form.
Steps To Add A Form Manually
Step 1 : Go To The Caldera Forms Admin Page
Starting from the WordPress Dashboard, you can navigate to the Caldera Forms Admin Page by hovering over the Caldera Forms icon and in the drop-down menu clicking on Forms.
Step 2 : Get The Form Shortcode
- Option 1:
Copy the shortcode by hovering over 1 form from the list of built forms and clicking on Get Shortcode. The shortcode for the specific form displays in the Get Shortcode section you click on and you must copy the entire shortcode string.
- Option 2 :
You can navigate to the form settings tab by clicking on Form Settings in the top Caldera Forms menu bar and copying the entire shortcode string.
Step 4 : Go To A Page Or Post
Add or edit your website content by clicking on Pages or Posts in the WordPress left menu. Create a new page / post, or edit an existing page / post.
Step 5 : Inserting The Caldera Forms Shortcode
Insert a form's shortcode by pasting the shortcode in the WordPress text editor.


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Page Description Diagrams- Facts and Opinions.
We've been thinking a lot about Page Description Diagrams lately, and how they might fit into a workflow which frequently interacts with clients. Simply put, we're fascinated with website planning, and always interested in ways to make Jumpchart better.
From our research, and conversations with those in-the-know, we've broken down the concept of a PDD to be a simple text list of items that go on a page ordered by rank of importance. Simply put, you textually describe the element, or feature and then rank it.
Back to the Primer.
Here's how we phrased it in our previous article:
To make a PDD you can choose any text editor, spreadsheet, or page layout program. You can even use the oh-so-beloved by office workers, Powerpoint if you choose.
You're shooting for something that looks roughly like this:
The columns indicate a general hierarchy level, 1 being of most importance and descending from there. You can stack as many items in a column as you like, but not everything can be a "1." You can establish your own rules, but I would try for less than three "1s" five "2s" and five "3s." If you are working on a really large or complex site, it's possible that you will have more elements, or columns in your plan.
We wanted to know: Do people use them? Have they morphed into more complex formats? Have they been integrated into regular workflows? We've talked about PDDs before, what we take away from the concept, and why we think they're useful. But we wanted to hear it not only from the creator, but from other IA professionals. So we asked Dan Brown himself- and he graciously answered. Here's how he came up with the idea for page description diagrams in the first place:
"In my original conception, they definitely were meant to replace wireframes. At the time, I positioned wireframes as doing two things:
- Showing WHAT goes on the page.
- Showing the RELATIVE PRIORITY of those things.
The layout was a device to communicate priority. The problem is that it communicates other things as well (like what the page looks like). Typography can also be used to communicate priority, but it has "downstream" implications that may cause conflicts later.
Since the job of the wireframe wasn't to show layout, but instead to show priority, the PDD was a good "pure" form of wireframe."
It was created as a way to hone in on a more specific aspect of website planning and information architecture.
The Pros and Cons.
The conversation continues: are PDDs useful? And if so, for whom?
We asked for the opinions of three additional IA professionals who have used PDDs in their workflow. Garrett Dimon, designer and developer of Sifter, D. Keith Robinson, user experience expert and designer, and Nick Finck, UX/IA professional, speaker,community cultivator and owner of Blue Flavor, all weighed in on PPDs with us.
After talking with them, we gathered what seems to be the consensus for the pros and cons of PDDs.
- They're flexible and abstract.
- They're generally simple to comprehend- anyone can make one.
- You can provide as much or as little detail as you'd like.
- They're easily used in conjunction with wireframes to add depth and context to a deliverable not otherwise easily described.
- They can be used as a stand-alone document, or as a supplement.
- They let a designer focus on interaction, content and features.
- They're a clear hierarchal prioritized way of thinking about the information and interactions and forcing those to be organized relative to each other while still leaving flexibility for a designer
- They're abstract and simple- sometimes too abstract that the client can't comprehend them.
- Sometimes it's difficult for clients to become engaged in a conversation about them.
- Can be more effective as just a brainstorming tool.
- It's easier for things to get lost in translation when handing it off to a designer unless that designer has a solid understanding of the underlying decisions and principles that guided the thought process.
- It takes a fairly experienced designer to take PDDs and really create something special from them
The Pros outweigh the Cons, but it would appear the trend is moving away from PPDs. Garrett, D. Keith, Nick and Dan all admit to using them less in their current workflow.
"Honestly, I'm not really using them any more because I'm full-time on my own application on which I'm the IA, designer, and the developer. So, while I apply a lot of similar concepts, it all happens in my head as it's a bit of overkill for me to formally put them on paper. I do a lot of sketching and note-taking, but I don't go to the trouble to formalize or explain my thinking to anyone else," said Garrett.
Keith uses them when they're appropriate… but right now he's the only creative, and he's not working with clients as much these days.
"There is little reason for me to use deliverables to communicate design decisions to anyone else. I still use PDDs as an organizational/brainstorming tool, but I don't create any kind of formal deliverable. Having said that, I used to use them all the time. I don't use them much any more, simply because my job function has changed, but have found them really helpful to my process, and more importantly, clients love them."
Why Not Use Pictures Instead?
One of the aspects of PDDs is that you use words rather than pictures to describe what's on the page. Dan argues that verbal explanation (and therefore, PDDs) isn't really necessary because pictures are generally better. In our opinion, while pictures definitely do a better job of illustration, not everyone is capable of drawing well, or illustrating changes over a period of time. Storyboards may work most effectively for those at the top of the profession, but it's possible those starting out may have a more comfortable time using PDDs to get their points across. Plus, while pictures may offer more detail, textual descriptions might be slightly less mis-leading when presented to the clients.
Moving On.
It seems that even Dan himself is moving away from them- but why? Has technology, IA and website planning evolved into something much more sophisticated? The industry has indeed changed, but there's more to it than that.
Different job titles require more or less use of PDDs based on the level of involvement, not to mention each project seems to have a mind of its own.
Garrett said, "I think PDD's can be a great tool, but as with anything, it depends on the project, makeup of the team, and the client's level of sophistication."
Nick thinks so, too.
"There is really no such thing as a normal project with a standard process. Every project is different."
Dan has more of his own reasons for moving on.
"I've been using OmniOutliner a LOT as a precursor to the design process. I love making lists and outlines are natural hierarchy communicators. A PDD is really just a bunch of lists, right? So the outline tends to serve the same purpose. There's nothing special about the outline, but it does give me more flexibility because I'm not even necessarily having to describe what goes on the page. The outline might include additional requirements that don't easily fit into a PDD."
Wrapping Up.
Like all other planning methods, PDD's have their drawbacks, and benefits. When the creator of a concept sees the concept waining in importance, it may be time to move on. But even if PDD's are obsolete, they're working towards an important goal that we as an industry need to be concentrating on; the page level description of hierarchy during the planning phase.
It's laborious to search out knowledgeable folks on this matter, but you sound like you know what you're speaking about! Thanks
[...] The post also cites a great primer on Page Description Diagrams. [...]
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U.S. Trade With Panama
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative reports the following trade facts and statistics between the U.S. and Panama:
U.S.-Panama Trade Facts
Panama is currently our 52nd largest goods trading partner with $7.255 billion in total (two way) goods trade during 2015. Goods exports totaled $7.6 billion; Goods imports totaled $408 million. The U.S. goods trade surplus with Panama was $7.1 billion in 2015. These figures reflect a decline from our trade in the years 2012-2014. For complete trade stats, visit the U.S. Trade with Panama information available through Dept. of the Census.
Panama was the United States' 32nd largest goods export market in 2011.
U.S. goods exports to Panama in 2011 were $8.3 billion, up 36.1% ($2.2 billion) from 2010, and up 413% from 2000.
The top export categories (2-digit HS) in 2011 were: Mineral Fuel (oil) ($4.0 billion), Machinery ($624 million), Aircraft ($517 million), Electrical Machinery ($478 million), and Special Other (low value shipments) ($340 million).
U.S. exports of agricultural products to Panama totaled $494 million in 2011. Leading categories include: coarse grains ($89 million), wheat ($47 million), and snack foods ($46 million).
Panama was the United States' 101st largest supplier of goods imports in 2011.
U.S. goods imports from Panama totaled $389 million in 2011, a 2.2% increase ($8 million) from 2010, and up 27% from 2000.
The five largest import categories in 2011 were: Special Other (Returns) ($128 million), Fish and Seafood ($81 million), Precious Stones (Gold) ($64 million), Sugars (Cane) ($38 million), and Edible Fruits and Nuts (bananas, pineapples) ($20 million).
To view this page at the original source, please click here.


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Did you ever stop to think how much of your life you have spent waiting for something? In fact, over the course of your lifetime you will spend at least five years waiting in lines and two years just trying to get in touch with people by telephone. You can also look forward to spending eight months opening nothing but junk mail and six whole months sitting and staring at traffic lights that refuse to turn green. In fact, if in order to get to work, your time behind the wheel or on the train averages 60 minutes a day, you will spend six 40-hour work weeks just getting yourself to and from your workplace (taken from Jeff Davidson, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Managing Time [New York: Alpha Books, 1995.]). That is a lot of waiting!
Speaking of waiting, how would you like to wait 800 years for God to fulfill His Promise in sending the Messiah? That is about how long the people to whom Isaiah wrote Isaiah 9:1-7 had to wait for Christmas, in the face of a gathering darkness over their culture because they had turned their backs on God.
In 8:21, 22, Isaiah described a nation that was experiencing emptiness and dissatisfaction (loss of meaning and hope); a nation angry and cursing their government and their God because they believed that no one cared. Does this sound like our nation? America is filled with people who have diametrically opposed political vision calling down doomsday curses on those who do not agree with them. Many spout love for country and patriotism, while on the inside they are angry and empty people living in fear and anxiety. They resemble the Hollow Men in TS Eliot's poem… "We are the hallow men, we are the stuffed men, leaning together, headpiece filled with straw, our dried voices are quiet and meaningless… we are shape without form, shade without color, paralyzed force, gesture without meaning… hollow men, stuffed men." When we (individual or nation) run from God, we run from meaning and hope and light into darkness and confusion.
Yet, it was in such a cultural context that Isaiah 9 wrote "Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan– The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned."
Matthew quoted this Scripture in Matt 4:15, 16 at the beginning of Jesus' ministry as a Messianic fulfillment. However, the Matthew text not only refers to the area of northern Galilee where the ancient tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali were once located, but also to a more specific region called "Galilee of the Gentiles." This was the region in which many non-Jews lived; those who were despised by the majority Jewish religion, and seen as having no hope and living in spiritual darkness. Thus Matthew saw the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy of Messiah coming not only to a run-away culture, but also to those most hopeless, most benighted- those "walking in the darkness," those "living in the shadow of death." It is upon these that the great light of Messiah will shine.
And so we see the Promise over against the waiting here in Isaiah 9; the gloom is not final and the darkness is not absolute. A light will shine, life will come, hollow men will become real, hungry people will be filled, and thirsty people will be satisfied. Because… A child will be born, a Son will be given. His name will be Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace and His government will never end.
Christmas was promised 800 years before it was fulfilled. Against the darkness of national tragedy and personal humiliation there was a Promise of the Coming of Jesus Christ; a light in the midst of darkness, joy in the midst of sadness, victory in the face of defeat. I love this because it is an example of the very pattern of God to show up just when we think things are beyond hope. It is in the darkness that the light shines most clearly. It is in the presence of death that we see most powerfully experience the hope of eternal life. Martin Luther saw this pattern in the crucifixion: it was at the moment of greatest darkness and despair for the disciples that God was doing his greatest work. Luther called it the "Theology of the Cross."
And so, if in this Advent season you are at the end of your rope and feel there is no hope left. "Arise, shine, for your light has come and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you… " (Isaiah 60:1-3) A child has been born, a son has been given and God may be doing a great work in your life! Remember the Cross!


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Nothing says fall like fresh mums, which is why we love this festive porch setup showcasing the autumn beauties.
Michelle Knox, the Sycamore, Illinois-based designer and DIY guru behind Ellery Designs created a gorgeous initial monogram planter and filled it with mums to display at her front entrance. The custom piece complements the other seasonal flowers and accessories on display by her front door.
Michelle updates the 4-foot-tall cedar planter with fresh blooms each season, and even plans to give it a spooktacular makeover with pumpkins and cobwebs for Halloween.
A photo of the planter has received hundreds of likes and comments on social media, including tons of requests for custom orders. While the planter is not for sale and Michelle is not currently accepting custom orders, you can learn how to make one for yourself through her tutorial on Ellery Designs.


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I posted on our Unitarian Universalist Facebook page this question: Imagine that the world never heard of Jesus or Christianity. And imagine that this December 25th is the birth of a special child destined to 'save' the world. What would you expect from this child's life? The posting had been seen at least 27 times but only one person chose to respond to the question.
While the reasons for not posting by the other 26 people are most likely many and multi-layered, I found the lack of response telling. These past few months have been rather harsh on the American psyche. What we thought true has been proved untrue. What we thought honest has been proved dishonest. What we thought valiant has been proved cowardly and dastardly.
There is much happening today to make one's heart sink with despair. Will we ever get it right? Will we ever as a nation truly embody our values of democracy, freedom, and justice for all? 2014 will go down in history as a violent year for our nation. We were confronted to see how little we value black lives in this nation. And the truth sent us scurrying to our safety net of stereotypes of the other. We were exposed to the truth of our nation committing unthinkable acts of torture to satisfy the morbid curiosity of two behavioral psychologists who wanted to discover how to impose helplessness and subservience in others. And this truth increased our use of euphemisms. Others commit torture we do enhanced interrogation techniques, EITs because even our euphemisms need euphemisms. Horrendous pills to swallow. How can we continue with all of this misery that we have inflicted on one another?
And then the unexpected happens. Members of this congregation announce the birth of their grandchild. In the midst of despair, a baby is born to bring joy. The mystery continues.
What will the generations say about this birth? Will they say it was on the darkest day of the year that a mighty wind blew a cleansing breath across the land when this child was born in the state of Georgia? Angels appeared in the lightning and thunder calling this child forth into life. And word of the child's arrival spread across the people faster than the speed of sound and all shouted Hallelujahs! For they have seen the one in swaddling clothes who will bring healing to this land. Future generations will speak of this child's birth from the perspective of knowing the whole story of their life. Just as people speak of the Christ child's birth of long ago.
Well, we don't know what their life will be as they grow in wisdom and stature. And we don't know what stories will be told about their birth decades from now. But within this newborn lies not just a hope but the very real expectation that lives will be changed because of their being in this world. Lives already have been.
And that is where our hope is restored. We tell the story of Christmas because it is a child who comes forth to teach us about loving one another. The presence of children raises the oxytocin levels in our bodies. Oxytocin is the hormone that bonds mother and child, families, tribes together. It is what makes us a gentler people to each other. The presence of children playing reduces stress. It makes us a more generous people. The celebration of Christmas is not just for the children, adults need to celebrate a child focused holiday as well.
And the basis of hope is there because we do not know how any child's life will unfold when they are born. The hope is in the potential within the coming days and weeks and years offered to this new child. What experiences will this child have that will nurture them into being loving and kind, brave and honest, ethical in their decisions? The experiences to be had are where all of us come in.
I do not believe that Jesus became the teacher and the transformer of lives by some supernatural force alone. To me stating Jesus became the teacher he was, solely because god willed it so, negates the human potential to evolve into moral and ethical creatures. Such a statement places despair right back into the picture and declares that outside supernatural forces are required to transform humanity. And my stating we each are born with the human potential to be more than we are currently, does not negate the power of faith in a person's life. The truth is Jesus had parents, and siblings, and aunts and uncles, and cousins like John the Baptist, teachers and mentors that helped shape his life's path. These lives helped give him the fortitude to stand firm and embody the belief that there was a better way to be than to debase and torture others.
So it is with us. If we are honest with ourselves we each have had someone in our lives; be it for a life time, a season, or a day, whose life example offered us a choice in being who we are today. We are the ones who must hold fast to the values inherent in the premise of loving our neighbors as ourselves and teach these values, embody these values in our daily lives to our children. Perhaps one of our children will grasp the mystery to creating peace and goodwill to all and heal our divisive land filled with racism, greed, and torture. May this season renew our expectancy for what could be and offer us the courage to work towards that vision.
Delivered at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Tuscaloosa by Rev. Fred L Hammond 24 December 2014 (c).


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Tammy Anderson, 51, and a 26-year-old man who lived at her home were busted after detectives reportedly found 20 and 25 crack rocks, pot and cocaine in her Springfield home following a Bay County Sheriff's office investigation, reports the Panama City News Herald.
In the past Anderson had also taught elementary and high school at the Bay County School District.
Also in her past: During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Anderson was arrested at least 11 times, mostly for drug possession and theft charges, according to the News Herald.
At least she knows her way around the jail.
Get the DUHtails at the Panama City News Herald.


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Browsing M.Sc. Physics by Subject "Crystals at low temperatures."
Now showing items 1-1 of 1
Specific heat of UPdâ SiâThe specific heat of single-crystal U Pd2 Si2 has been studied using both the step heating and continious heating methods for the temperature range 2 to 250 K. Successive phase transitions at Tl = 136I< and T2 = 108I< are reported, which are consistent with current publications. The transition at 40K, which was previously reported, has not been detected. Recent published elastic neutron scattering data, magnetic susceptibility and resistivity results suggest that U Pd2 Si2 may be a heavy fermion compound, however, the electronic specific heat coefficient I (= 18.97 ;~), obtained from the specific heat Cv measurements, is smaller than that of the conventional heavy fermion system. The Debye temperature of U Pd2Si2 is found to be 116.55K. The possibility is discussed that the maximum in CIT in the low-temperature range 2 to 4K corresponds to Schottky anomaly induced by localized magnetic impurities .


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Here is a teaching moment from Bill Warner on Sharia and Kafirs. In case you are unfamiliar with Political Islam, Sharia is the law of Islam and Kafir is the Islamic word for a non-Muslim unbeliever. That is the simple description for Kafir. The Islamic word is actually quite demeaning toward non-Muslims like you and I.
Sharia and Kafirs
By Bill Warner
May 5, 2016
Sharia law is the most important part of Islamic doctrine. Sharia is Islam; Islam is Sharia. Sharia includes law, but it also includes how to raise a family, theology, philosophy and every aspect of daily living. Sharia law includes pronouncements for both Muslims and non-Muslims (Kafirs). Sharia is a manual for a civilization.
Sharia does not allow free speech. It is forbidden to make a joke about Mohammed. Blasphemy is forbidden. The US is following Sharia when it allows the UN to determine that Muslim refugees come to America and not Christians.
We have Sharia compliant textbooks now in Tennessee. We hesitate to anger Muslims or criticize Islam. In Europe Islamic rape is accepted behavior.
Sharia says that our Constitution is manmade and a product of ignorance. Sharia is Allah's law and must replace all other governments. Countries that adhere to all of Sharia are Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan and Yemen. Most Islamic nations do not apply all of the Sharia, but it is there when more stringent laws are wanted.
All Kafirs are involved in the Sharia; it is just a matter of how much. We should recognize it and resist its expansion in our civilization.
VIDEO: Sharia and Kafirs
Posted by Political Islam
Published on May 5, 2016
© 2007-2016 CSPI, LLC. all rights reserved. Sales Tax Information.
What is Islam?
Islam is a cultural, religious and political system. Only the political system is of interest to kafirs (non-Muslims) since it determines how we are defined and treated. The Islamic political system is contained in the Koran, the Hadith (the traditions of Mohammed) and his biography, the Sira.
Our Mission
Political Islam has subjugated other civilizations for 1400 years. Our mission is to educate the world about political Islam, its founder Mohammed, his political doctrine and his god, Allah.
The Five Principles
Islam's Trilogy of three sacred texts is the Koran and two books about the life of Mohammed. When the Trilogy is sorted, categorized, arranged, rewritten and analyzed, it becomes apparent that five principles are the foundation of Islam.
All of Islam is based upon the Trilogy—Koran, Sira (Mohammed's biography) and Hadith (his Traditions).
Most of the Islamic doctrine is political, not religious. Islam is a political ideology.
Islam divides the world into Muslims and unbelievers, kafirs.
Political Islam always has two different ways to treat kafirs—dualistic ethics. Kafirs can be abused in the worst ways or they can be treated like a good neighbor.
Kafirs must submit to Islam in all politics and … READ THE REST


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HSA is offering scholarships and bursaries to all members and their children. Ten scholarships will be awarded for full-time studies, twenty bursaries for full-time studies and four bursaries for part-time studies. Two indigenous bursaries will be awarded to indigenous students in BC.
The criteria and details are set out on the application forms available on the HSA website.
Completed application forms and transcripts must be emailed to the HSA office no later than Thursday January 14, 2021 at 11:59 pm.
Please note: Email is the preferred method for submitting your application form and transcript, however, if this is not an option for you, your application must be post-marked Thursday January 14, 2021 at 11:59 pm.
Successful applicants will be notified by letter before the end of May, 2021.
If you have any questions, please contact the HSA Education Department at email@example.com or 604-517-0994 or 1-800-663-2017.
DEADLINE FOR HSA SCHOLARSHIP/BURSARY APPLICATIONS: January 14, 2021 by 11:59 pm.


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This same inspiration brings us together
in community.It commits us to share in the Church's mission of education
to young people and women, with a preference for the poor.
The mosaics of Anne de Xainctonge and Notre Dame's Crest were designed by our art teacher, Mr. Andy Weeks. During orientation 2007, the school community, in 2 groups of 150 students, painted over 300, 3" square pieces. The 9th and 12th grades created Anne's mosaic and the 10th and 11th grades worked on the school crest.
We had a small group meetings for our first value of the year: Respect. Our 305 students broke up into21 small groups of 16 students. The were led by 62 newly trained group leaders called: Anne's Leaders. Reports from everyone involved were very favorable. We have two books this year: Anne's Leader's Handbooks and Anne de Xainctonge's Values Curriculum Workbook.
Therefore, by our life of humble service,
as Anne de Xainctonge wished, we will not carry great torches which cast
a brilliant light in the Church, but we 'will carry little lamps which
shall enlighten young girls, servants, the poor and
women, in order to make God known
and adored through his divine Son Our Lord.'"
(Constitutions Society of St. Ursula
of Anne de Xainctonge)
Click on the building to visit the
Notre Dame School website
In the first place, we again feel moved
and called to encourage each of us to deepen our personal relationship
with Jesus Christ through a re-immersion in the spirituality of Ignatius
and Anne. For us, these words and this manner of expression and living
speak the language of the heart.
As educators in the faith, we choose
to walk the road of gospel non-violence in all the aspects in which it
touches our lives especially personal relationships, the spirituality of
the earth and issues of justice and peace.
These orientations suggest concrete
ways of proceeding over the next five years. Personal conversion, prayer,
initial and on-going formation, reading, collaboration with others, time
spent in Sabbath, communal sharing and regular consciousness examen, appropriate
corporate commitment, inter-regional projects and, above all, processes
of discernment will help point the way.
Mary Dolan, SU with Notre Dame staff


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The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has now joined the Federal Housing Finance Agency in raising the dollar limits for loans that qualify for FHA guarantees. Last week FHFA raised limits for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans to 424.100, a number which forms a basis for some of the FHA changes.
The new limits, which will be effective for loans with case numbers assigned on or after January 1, will constitute a slight increase in 2,948 U.S. counties; limits will remain at 2016 levels in 286 counties.
In so-called high cost areas, the national "ceiling" will increase to $636,150 from $625,000. The "floor" will increase to $275,665 from $271,050. The loan limit ceiling is 150 percent of the national conforming limit ($424,100) while the floor is set at 65 percent. The floor applies to those areas where 115 percent of the median home price is less than 65 percent of the national conforming loan limit. Any areas where the loan limit exceeds the "floor" is considered a high cost area.
The maximum claim amount for FHA-insured Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs), or reverse mortgages, will increase to $636,150. This amount is 150 percent of the national conforming limit.
Conforming loan limits had remained unchanged for ten years but FHA limits were adjusted several times over that period. According to Katie Jones, writing for the Congressional Research Service, when Congress enacted the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 it temporarily increased the maximum mortgage amounts to 125% of area median home prices, with a floor of $271,050 and a high-cost area ceiling of $729,750. This was done as both public and private lending standards tightened and fewer borrowers could qualify for loans without FHA insurance or other types of guarantees. The increased loan limits allowed more borrowers to qualify for FHA-insured mortgages. Those temporary limits were rolled back in 2013.
FHA calculates forward mortgage limits based on median house prices in accordance with the National Housing Act. FHA's Single Family mortgage limits are set by Metropolitan Statistical Area and county. Loan limits for reverse mortgages are also calculated but these do not vary by MSA or county; instead, a single limit applies to all mortgages in the regardless of where they are originated.
To find a complete list of FHA loan limits, areas at the FHA ceiling, areas between the floor and the ceiling, as well as a list of areas with loan limit increases, visit FHA's Loan Limits Page.


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For Cooking Mutton :
- 750 gms lamb/ mutton
- 2 tsp kashmiri red chilli powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp lime juice
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tblsp oil
For Gravy:
- 1 bay leaves
- 1/2 stick cinnamon
- 2 cloves
- 2 cardamoms
- 2 onions sliced (medium to large size)
- 1 tomato chopped
- 1 tblsp ginger - garlic paste
- 1 green chilly
- 1 tblspn kashmiri red chilli powder
- 1 tbspn cracked black pepper
- 2 tblsp coriander powder
- 1 tsp garam masala powder
- 2 tblsp yogurt
- 2 tsp kasuri methi leaves crushed
- Coriander leaves - few
Normally for mutton karahi,the mutton is cooked in a deep pan. It's little bit time consuming process.So here I have first semi cooked the mutton in pressure cooker and then placed to the pan.
Heat oil in a pressure cooker and add the mutton pieces and fry for 5 to 10 min..
After 5 min,add red chilli powder,turmeric powder,lemon juice,salt with little amount of water. Cook for 3 to 4 whistles.
In a deep pan and add whole garam masala .
Add ginger-garlic paste and saute until raw smell goes off.
Then add onions and fry until onions change their color.
To this add the tomato pieces and green chillies.
Add coriander powder,red chilli powder,garam masala powder and salt.After sauting for a min, add a little amount of water.
Now add lamb pieces and yogurt to this.Add required amount of water and cook on low to medium heat.
Finally add black pepper,coriander leaves and kasuri methi leaves and cook for another 5 min.
Take it out in a dish and garnish with coriander leaves.Serve hot with naan bread or tandoori roti.


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To create a similar effect on my nails I started off with a coat of FoA Ocean Villa (from the LUXE collection), then stamped the waves from BM-205 using FoA You Blue Me Away (from the Barbados collection). To finish the design I added Essence Walk On Air on the sides of the nail. here is the final result:
|Natural light
|Artificial light
Mateji ustvarjata
Purple Glitters
Mimi's Vanity Box
Nailing Nail Art
All Stars Could Be Brighter
Beauty By Shortylegs
Imagination In Colour
Colourful Bottle
Nail Crazy
The Nail Buff
Beauty By Suzi
Gin Shivers
Hysteria of Decay
Girl With Pink Lipstick
Nails By Tinks
Beautiful Living blog
Manicura de Fantasia


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How to be HIPAA Compliant with your EHR
Scott Munsterman, DC, FICC
CEO, Best Practices Academy
What You'll Discover
on this Webinar:
9 of the 45 HIPAA law citation standards, of which your practice must comply, must be met through your EHR system.
HIPAA places the burden for privacy and security on the clinician – who is the covered entity. As the originators of PHI with the patient, clinicians have the responsibility to keep PHI privately and securely safeguarded. Since the PHI in our practices is largely located and accessible through our EHR system, it only makes sense that the EHR system should have the capacity to perform essential functions to allow us to meet the standards of the law.
But the question is – do you have proof your EHR system is capable of these functions AND are you doing them? Learn more about your responsibility under HIPAA through your EHR system.
Watch Now


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For someone spending money on a budget Android tablet, the choice is quite wide, but there is no real clear winner on what to buy. For those amongst you who rely on benchmarks as a crucial criterion in a buying decision, the series of graphs below pitting the tablets against one another in multiple benchmarks should help.
Also, do note that certain tablets did not get any score in the Peacekeeper benchmark. The reason for that is, despite multiple attempts, the browser kept crashing during the test.
The HCL Me X1 tablet (read our review) did not get any score for LinPack, Antutu and GLBenchmark. The reason for that is simple - HCL have removed access to Android Market and their own custom app store does not have these benchmark apps available. As a rule, we download the latest versions of the benchmark before running the tests. ViewSonic Viewpad 7e (read our review) faced the same issue with GLBenchmark.
Also read, our reviews of the Reliance 3G Tab and Beetel Magiq Glide.


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No, but it may be an act of Satan or his demons. Is Satan real? Does he exist? Yes. Satan first disrupted man's life when he lied by telling Adam and Eve they would not die if they were disobedient. (Genesis 3:4) Ever since, we have lived with the painful consequences.
Satan enjoys anything contrary to God and His principles. "Satan" actually means an adversary, an opposer. God embodies everything that is right and good. "Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face." (Psalm 89:14) "For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dies, saith the Lord GOD…" (Ezekiel 18:32) On the other hand, Satan, the opposer, promotes injustice, cold-heartedness and error. The devil has a fiendish pleasure in suffering and death.
The coronavirus has brought much suffering and death to mankind. Might Satan, like scientists today, know how to reorganize RNA to make viruses? Viruses are odd things. Scientists do not consider them to be truly "living." saying, "…viruses today are thought of as being in a gray area between living and nonliving: they cannot replicate on their own but can do so in truly living cells and can also affect the behavior of their hosts profoundly." (Scientific American, August 2008) So when a human host dies, Satan doesn't care. By then, others have become infected.
Satan's power has been demonstrated in the past. When Moses challenged Pharaoh, God gave Moses the power to turn Aaron's rod into a serpent. Pharaoh's magicians were able to replicate this miracle."Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent… (then) they (Pharaoh's sorcerers) cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods." (Exodus 7:10-12, 2 Timothy 3:8) We believe the Bible's account.
Pharaoh's wise men and sorcerers also duplicated the plague of turning water into blood and of frogs overtaking the land (Exodus 7:22; 8:7) However, the remaining plagues they could not duplicate. (Exodus 8:18) They had some power over lower life forms, but at some point, God restricted this power.
Presently, Satan is so cunning at opposing God that sometimes God even gets blamed. "Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light." (2 Corinthians 11:14) Tornadoes, hurricanes or anything beyond man's control are often considered an "act of God."
Satan would like Christians to lose their faith in God. God is all-powerful, and He will eventually destroy Satan. Ezekiel 28:18-19 (NKJV), "You defiled your sanctuaries By the multitude of your iniquities, By the iniquity of your trading; Therefore I brought fire from your midst; It devoured you, And I turned you to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all who saw you. …You have become a horror, And shall be no more forever."
Any trouble that would serve no purpose, God will stop. "Surely the wrath of man (and Satan) shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain." (Psalm 76:10)
For a more in-depth study about God's permission of evil, download the free PDF: "Why God Permits Evil"


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"You have to know when to cut a man loose," as said by Gary Bertier from "Remember The Titans."
Truer words were never said in being an entrepreneur and/or a CEO. In my job of running a recruiting, staffing and culture firm, I see this with our clients all the time.
They have one of three types in the organization. Let's start with the brother-in-law, or cousin, or best friend, "Steve." Everyone else knows Steve has to go, but the CEO won't make the hard call.
Whether it's having to spend Christmas with him or he being the fishing buddy, The CEO doesn't think he's that bad.
You're lying to yourself when you say the fact that you're paying him a lot of money is the only bad thing. You tell yourself he's a good guy. All while everyone else knows he doesn't work hard, or he just doesn't get it, whether it's putting his nose into things he shouldn't, or coming in late...he's just a black cloud.
If he were a good guy, he would be working harder, learning more, and not taking your money without breaking a sweat.
Then there is Mary. Mary is the bookkeeper/accountant who has been there since day one. In family owned businesses, Mary is the one who your dad hired 30 years ago (she probably didn't graduate college).
Mary was an office manager and accountant, and knows where everything is. Except the future of your company.
She can't manage people (or be managed by anyone but you!), and her attitude is slightly below the kid who had is Xbox taken away on Christmas Day. People don't go to her for information and avoid her like the plague.
She is only polite to you, and even you know she isn't that nice. Oh yea, her son works in your shipping department or her daughter is in marketing, and they will leave if you fire her. Excuses. Mary is a lock on the elevator not letting your company go past a certain floor.
And then there is the salesperson who is a producer and a manipulator. We'll call him Jack. He manipulates his coworkers. He manipulates management. He manipulates clients. When the sales are coming in, you call him a great salesperson. When it creates personnel issues you look to say other people aren't thick-skinned enough. Some of his points are valid, and he knows business so you just let it go.
However, once you realize culture trumps everything else and you know when to cut a man loose, guess what happens? Personnel issues go away. Staff becomes happier. You realize clients love your company, not the employee. In fact, you find out how bad it really was. Harmony exists once this change is made.
You find out the issues were way deeper than you could have imagined, whether it's scenario No. 1, 2, or 3. The problems are always bigger and deeper than you imagined.
I've dealt with variations of the above and once we made the changes, sales grew faster, people were happier and management wasn't focused on the petty things (which have to be dealt with), and could focus on bigger-picture vision and operational issues.
Letting go of people who have given to your organization is difficult; however, keeping them isn't fair to everyone else, to those who bring a great attitude every day. The people who work hard to learn and grow stronger. The people who put up with the others' bad attitudes and troublesome ways.
As a manager, entrepreneur or CEO--as a leader--you have to move these people out. Only then can your company truly achieve growth and success.


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"People of almost all religions try to convince other people to follow their respective religions. Why so?" That's a significant thing to ask. You may be surprised: they are not really trying to convince others; by convincing others, they are trying to convince themselves that "We are not wrong." When they are able to convince somebody, again they feel at ease: "My religion is right, I am not wrong. Look, even somebody who never belonged to my religion is convinced." Christians go on converting people all over the world. The only reason is that THEY are not convinced of Christ yet.
The two most ancient religions in the world have been non-converting religions: the Jews and the Hindus. The Jews never converted anybody — they were so utterly convinced that there was no need to convince anybody else — the Hindus never tried to convince anybody. And these are the oldest religions in the world; in fact, all other religions are, in a sense, branches. Christianity and Islam are branches of Judaism; Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism are branches of Hinduism. The most ancient traditions have been non-converting. Why? The reason was that they were convinced; they were so ancient and they were not in need of new converts. Their very ancientness gave them enough ground to be convinced that they were right. Not that they were right, but they had this illusion of being right because of their long heritage going back into prehistoric times. They had the ancient most scriptures, and that was enough for them; that served their purpose.
But Christianity was a new religion; Christ had to start from ABC. Buddhism was new; Buddha had to start from abc. Mohammedanism was new; Mohammed had to start from ABC — he had nothing behind him to fall back upon. The only way for the Mohammedans was to convert others. They were substituting tradition by converting people and creating a great mass of followers; that was their way of convincing themselves. – Osho


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HealthDay News — In-home services such as help with household chores and caregiver respite will be available to seniors with private Medicare Advantage plans in more than 20 states next year.
A health-related reason is needed to qualify, and costs will vary depending on the plan. With some plans, there will be no added cost. There will be limits on benefits, the Associated Press reported. The number of states where the new services are available is expected to grow over time.
The new in-home services could help seniors remain in their homes longer, according to the AP. These services are similar to what people might require in long-term care, noted Howard Gleckman, a senior researcher at the nonpartisan Urban Institute think tank. "It begins to break down the wall between long-term care and Medicare, which, with very few exceptions, has never paid for long-term care," he told the AP.
It is expected that nearly 23 million Medicare beneficiaries, more than one in three, will be covered by a Medicare Advantage plan next year.


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OBS! Förorder, leverans februari-mars.
D-Cell Feed Pellets are very attractive and already sink naturally.
They also absorb water, liquids and additives to the core.
Ideal for feeding or of course for fishing because they are more durable than our 10 mm variant.
Drill a hole and you're done.
Protein: 35%
Fat: 19%
Ash: 9.5%
Fiber: 2.5%


text: Welcome news for fans of Psych is a new trailer (below) for the second movie sequel in what is expected to be a series of movies we first discussed here at borg a whole strange month ago. The movie has the quite apt and humorous title, Psych 2: Lassie Come Home, and it's expected to arrive with the general release of the free Peacock streaming service app coming your way on or shortly after July 15 (Peacock will also have a pay "premium content" version). The movie, the second of six sequels that creator/showrunner Steve Franks said he plans to make, will focus on Timothy Omundson′s character Lassiter aka Lassie. Omundson suffered a stroke in 2017 (watch a great interview with him below) and the story will in part mirror his real-life comeback.


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NeVia Portable Bottle Warmer
Nevia Portable Bottle Warmer heat up liquids quickly with no outlet needed. It can be used anywhere and anytime so perfect for on-the-go and at home too. It is beautifully designed with a modern digital display for easy temperature selection and reading. It uses slow-heat technology that works best especially for breast milk.
Product Information:
Size: 7.6 x 7.6 x 9.6 cm.
Weight: 400 g.
Battery: 8800mAh Li-Ion.
Charging time: 2A-6 hours; 3A-4 hours.
Usage: 2 - 6 warming times per full charge.
Product Inside:
1 (one) bottle warmer unit.
1 (one) silicone cap.
1 (one) USB cable.
1 (one) pouch.
Product Details:
Quick heating for 10 minutes or less.
Multiple temperature settings for breast milk or different formula milk brands: 37º(Breast milk), 40º, 45º(Enfamil) or 50º.
Compatible with most brands of baby bottles (adaptors available separately).
Heat retention up to 10 hours or more while staying at warmer.
Actual digital temperature display for modern look.
Medical Grade Stainless Steel and Food Grade Silicone Ring.
BPA free.
Product Safety:
Dry heating protection.
Overheating fuse protection.
Battery overcharge protection.
Compatible, without adaptor, with baby bottle brands:
Us Baby
Little Baby
Kuku Duckbill wide neck
Grossmimi (PPSU)
*Note: glass bottles is not compatible without adaptor.
Multiple adaptors are available (purchase separately) to make it perfect fit to your bottle.
Adaptor available:
Type 1
Pigeon, small neck (PPSU)
Dr Brown's, standard neck (PP)
Medela (PP)
Simba small / standard neck
Chuchu standard / slim neck
Nanobebe (please use Nanobebe universal adaptor to connect Nevia Adaptor Type 1)
Kuku Duckbill standard neck
Vita Flow (PP)
Type 2
Pigeon, wide neck (PPSU)
Chuchu wide neck
Simba wide neck
Baby Safe wide neck
Type 3
Dr Brown's, wide neck (PP)
Putti Atti (please remove the silicone ring inside the adaptor)
Type 4
Comotomo (Silicone)
Ola Baby
Type 5
Tommee Tippee
For Hegen Bottles, Hegen PCTO Wide Neck Adapter is needed. This adaptor can be purchased directly from Hegen.


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Located in Jonesborough, Tennessee, the Wetlands Water Park is a small, family-friendly theme park that offers various attractions and lounge areas. It could be a great option for your next birthday party too!
Slides and Attractions
The water park features several slides, including one 80-foot enclosed flume slide and two open flume slides, one at 100 feet and the other 200 feet. The height requirement for the three large slides is 48 inches. For those with children who are close to the height requirement, Wetlands Water Park advises that you should take your child to customer service for an official measurement. If they are tall enough for the large slides, they will receive a wristband that will allow them to ride the slides all day.
There are also more mild options, like the lazy river, for younger kids or those looking to relax. Other options include the zero-depth wading pool and children's otter slide, as well as water bubblers and tumble buckets. Tubes are also available for rent for $4.
The park offers lounger and deck chairs, shaded pavilions (extra cost), a covered dining area, and a full-service cafe. There is also a sand volleyball court.
Wetlands Water Park Location and Hours
Cities most convenient to the water park, outside of Jonesborough itself, are Knoxville, Tennessee, and Asheville, North Carolina. The park's website offers driving directions. Note, the directions from Asheville differ slightly from those you'll find if you enter the destination into Google Maps. The Tri-Cities Airport is also an option for those flying into the area.
The water park is only open seasonally from Memorial Day to Labor Day. They are closed the week that Washington County Schools begin in the fall, which is typically the second week of August. They suggest calling ahead to (423) 753-1553 to verify they are open if you're coming on a specific day. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.
Ticket Prices
Wetlands Water Park offers several ticket options depending on whether you want to visit for the day or visit multiple times each season.
Day Passes
Admission day pass prices are as follows.
- Adults (13 years and older): $12
- Children (4 to 12 years old): $9
- Seniors (55 years and older): $9
- Children (3 and under): Free
Admission is half price for those arriving after 3 p.m. Unfortunately, even if you don't plan to swim, everyone who is four years or older must pay admission.
Season Passes
Season passes are sold online, at the Visitors Center, and at the Water Department at Town Hall. Season pass prices are as follows.
- Adults (13 years and older): $80
- Children (4 to 12 years old): $60
- Seniors (55 years and older): $60
- Children (3 and under): Free
Group Discounts
Some groups over 10 are eligible to receive a discount, but you must give prior notice and make a reservation via phone. Non-profit groups can receive day passes with the following discounted rates:
- 10 to 19 people: 10% off
- 20 to 29 people: 20% off
- 30 or more people: 30% off
Other Discounts
When the new season opens, check for discounted offers and special events scheduled online. There were some discounts offered during the 2017 season, so it's conceivable to think they will extend similar offers in 2018 and beyond. Be sure to follow them on Facebook and Twitter for potential discounts as well.
Private Events and Birthday Parties
Those wishing to host a private party or birthday party at Wetlands Water Park are in luck. Private parties can be hosted daily from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. only. There is a two hour minimum, and the rates are as follows.
- Two hours for up to 200 people costs $600, three hours is $800.
- Additional people over 200 are $2 each.
- Additional non-swimming hours over the three hours are $100 per hour.
- There is a maximum fee of $1,650 for 1,100 people.
- Parties can be catered, or you can bring in your own food and drink.
- Lifeguards are provided at no additional charge.
- No alcohol or smoking are allowed.
- A 25% deposit is required with your mailed-in form to secure the date; dates are first come, first served.
Those wishing to book a birthday party, versus renting the entire park out for a private party, can host a special birthday party from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. daily. The minimum cost is $220 for up to 10 children, with each additional child being an additional $15. There is no outside food or drink allowed, and that includes bringing in a birthday cake. A deposit of 20% is required to hold your specific date.
Swim Lessons
Wetlands Water Park offers swim lessons for $60 each session. Watch for 2018 dates to be announced. In years past, they have offered four sessions, and all persons who complete the entire session will receive a Certificate of Completion. Sessions are Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. If weather causes a cancelation, the make-up lesson is that Friday. Those wanting to enroll their kids in swim lessons will need to fill out the application on Wetlands' website.
Park Rules
The Wetlands Water Park has general rules in place that all guests must follow. Some of these include:
- Children 12 and under must be accompanied by adult 18 years old or over.
- Proper swimming attire must be worn and infants must have swim diapers.
- No outside food, drink, coolers, glass containers, chewing gum, or alcohol will be allowed into the park. It's a smoke and alcohol-free facility.
- No horseplay will be tolerated and all guests are expected to obey lifeguards at all times.
- No refunds are given for bad weather.
Reviews and Tips
TripAdvisor reviewers generally rate the park as a great experience, with some negative comments centered around the lack of additional shaded seating and the fact that the park needs to be updated. Most agree the park is well-maintained, with plenty to do, but small enough that you don't have to worry about losing sight of your children. Reviews on the staff vary, with some people noting the lifeguards really made it an extra special experience for their kids.
One reviewer noted a large number of bees on the property when they were trying to eat, so that's something to keep in mind if you or your kids are allergic to bee stings. The lack of shaded seating is echoed throughout various reviews, so consider bringing a large brimmed hat, strong sunscreen, and a coverup.
Another important point is the no refund policy for bad weather. One reviewer noted they got there, and the weather forced the closure of the park less than an hour later and no refunds were given. Keep that in mind since rain is frequent in the area.
If you're looking for discount tickets, one person noted they received an active military discount through their local base, so inquire about military discount options if you're in the service.
A Splashing Good Time
Travelers generally find this a fun afternoon spot to beat the local heat, especially if you have kids. If you're looking to spend the day in a small water park and enjoy a few rides, this is the place for you. If you're expecting something that rivals the massive water parks found elsewhere in the United States, you're likely to be disappointed. Given that this is a neighborhood establishment that has been in business for over 20 years, spending an afternoon here is a great way to support the local economy.


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Ok you dont need to eat strawberries and cream and you can wear whatever color you choose in the comforts of your home. But if you get cable ESPN 2 has nearly all day coverage of wimbledon. Sunday (today) is off, but check it out. The surface itself is pretty cool, and now the 2nd week the grass is starting to look like a well worn football field after 4 quarters of rain. Lots of odd annoying bounces.
In other things, yea, i did a road race saturday. Nasson hill was quite unpleasant the 1st time up, but it got better by the 4th time. I think if we had gone up that hill about 4 more times my supurb slow twitch muscles would have allowed me to get the peace coffee hill prime. My teammate Morse got it tho, so super cool for her. She totally deserved it on hill 1. I just had my money on me for the hill prime on the 8th or 9th time up. Maybe some other time.
Race was fun. Verve got 1st, 3rd, 4th and 6th? and I dunno really just know that i loved the cookies and great fruit after the race and the folks doing bottle handups were awesome. Thanks so much to Birchwood and all the sponsors of the race. I will certainly come back.