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Re: Using A Benefit Plan to Retain EmployeesTechie Aug 15, 2007 8:13 PM (in response to NetworkGuru)1 of 1 people found this helpful
Congratulations on hiring your first employee! Many small businesses with a few employees do not even offer health benefits to their employees so I think your package is very appealing. Also, offering 3 weeks of vacation during their first year is inline with a lot of corporate jobs and may even be more attractive, as some firms only give 2 weeks of vacation per year plus the standard 10 day holiday.
Re: Using A Benefit Plan to Retain Employeesmentorachild Sep 4, 2007 10:09 AM (in response to NetworkGuru)Network Guru-- That sounds pretty good! While of course the ideal situation for employees is fully paid benefits, I definately think 50% paid, including dental and optical is at or slightly above the average. I agree with Techie that 3 weeks paid vacation is generous and certainly enticing. If this is what you've decided is feasible within your budget and business plan, it should be positive for you and do what you're hoping in terms of interviewing quality employees interested in staying long term. I know some companies may also offer employees say $2,500 a year to apply wherever they like: health insurance, child care, tuition, etc. Also, just food for thought, down the line you may want to consider employee volunteer programs designed for businesses. We have partnerships with several companies where employees volunteer one hour a week. Employees--even those who don't volunteer--feel good about working for a company that cares about the community. The programs improve employee retention and enthusiasm. You may want to see what appeals to your prospective employees (in terms of non-monetary benefits) and see if it's feasible for you to offer. Thanks & good luck!1 of 1 people found this helpful
Re: Using A Benefit Plan to Retain EmployeesDrMatt Oct 15, 2007 4:49 PM (in response to NetworkGuru)I can comment on the Health, Dental and Vision part of your question.
Also, although you do not state that, I will assume that, being a small
business, you are concerned about where the money goes, so you
do want a great benefits package for your employees and at the
same time, you want the most value for your money. Also, managing
benefits is probably something you don't want to spend much time on.
Given the above assumptions, I feel the best plans to recommend
are a HSA-compatible health insurance with a modest to high
deductible. You can find plenty of selection at http://MyeHealthInsurance.info
for example. As far as dental, vision, and other, more luxury type
plans, the best value for the money is http://GroupBenefitsMadeSimple.com
This website will also talk about a medical plan that would offer you
first dollar coverage. You can combine that with your HSA-compatible
health insurance before the deductible.
Best for your business!
Re: Using A Benefit Plan to Retain EmployeesAcuity in ATL Nov 20, 2007 11:35 AM (in response to DrMatt)Are you selling leads to ehealth?
Re: Using A Benefit Plan to Retain Employeeserinoir Oct 24, 2007 11:39 AM (in response to NetworkGuru)Hello there! You are correct, benefits make a big difference. My business is health and dental plans, so that is what I am most knowledgable about - check out some of the other answers to your question for ideas about vacation time.
If you cannot incur the complete cost of health and dental plans, you could, for instance, help them for with the application fee and the first month. There are many benefit plans out there, just make sure you do your research before signing any deals.
Good luck! I am sure your employees will appreciate your committment to them!
Re: Using A Benefit Plan to Retain EmployeesLUCKIEST Nov 20, 2007 1:06 PM (in response to NetworkGuru)From an accounting point of view, how long have you been in business??
Is the business in the black?? Do you have an Accountant??
Have you prepared a CASH BUDGET showing the cost of your new employee??, payroll taxes??
and the cost of the benefit compensation??
Good luck, Happy Thanksgiving, LUCKIEST.
Re: Using A Benefit Plan to Retain Employeesioshpam Apr 10, 2008 9:23 PM (in response to NetworkGuru)Hello i own an insurance office in Pennsylvania we specialize in insurance benefits for employees, if it is convinient to you please contact me and we can come to you do 15 minutes 0% pressure to you presentation and than you can deside if you want it. I represent Allstate
email me at email@example.com
Re: Using A Benefit Plan to Retain Employeespr0fuse May 11, 2008 9:43 PM (in response to NetworkGuru)The cheapest and perhaps most used benefit plan is a legal plan. It allows employees to focus on work instead of problems and it doesn't cost the employer anything. http://www.prepaidlegalplans.ws
Re: Using A Benefit Plan to Retain EmployeesTLRInsnAcc May 12, 2008 3:59 AM (in response to pr0fuse)
If you can afford a plan that is one way to sweeten the pot of employees!
We been providing benefit solutions for about 26 years; if you like you can
contact us for more information or stop by our web site! It in the my ProFile!
Re: Using A Benefit Plan to Retain Employeescalbear81 Jun 24, 2008 7:25 AM (in response to NetworkGuru)Health and dental benefits will definitely help retain employees. Another great way is using the "golden cuffs" concept using section 162 restricted executive bonus plans. More details at securefloridian.com
Re: Using A Benefit Plan to Retain Employeessnipperred Jul 13, 2008 12:09 AM (in response to NetworkGuru)I agree with the high-deductable HSA. I would combine that with some form of flex spending account. When it comes to a small business just hiring, I would think about how much you are obligating yourself to. I recommend holding the wage slightly above the fair market value for a quality employee and then building anything else into a performance based incentive. Plan to pay that and be clear on what is going to satisfy your expectations. I also highly suggest tying in some sort of productivity measure they directly contribute to in the conduct of their role.
I've got more on vac/sic along same line if you need. Just got a call...
Re: Using A Benefit Plan to Retain Employeesnonlinear Jun 27, 2010 7:48 AM (in response to NetworkGuru)I congratulate you on moiving your business to the next level. After reading several of the posts on advising what to do, in my opinion it is not what benefits you are considering giving that are the issue, it's what you project your business can afford. Depending on your state, there are rules you need to know about with regard to benefits. If you find that out first, and then talk to a benefits specialist, between the two of you I think you can work out a plan. The reason I say talk to your state first is, some benefits specialist don't even know all the details even in their own states. I know this because I own an issurance agency and see this all the time.
It can be a very educational process and one worth learning. I have seen many a business go down over benefits because they did not properly plan out this one category of expense. Benefits can be very costly and damaging to the bottom line if you don't know what it is you are doing.
Sorry to be so blunt but I have seen the devastation of the benefit game. Just do your homework completely! Good Luck!!
Re: Using A Benefit Plan to Retain EmployeesBenefits4U Jul 5, 2010 7:51 PM (in response to NetworkGuru)With the rising cost of health care and insurance, a discount benefits program to be extremely beneficial to small business owners who find the cost of providing insurance for their staff to be a challenge.
My company is the nation's leading Discount Medical Plan Organization. We are members of the Consumer Health Alliance and National Association of Dental Plans. We've been featured in U.S. News and World Report and on the "American Medical Review" program hosted by Morley Safer of "60 Minutes" which showed us as an innovator in the field of health benefits.
Our benefits programs includes physicians, ancillary services, hospital advocacy, dental, vision, prescription drugs and chiropractic care. Unlike many insurance programs we offer a program with no waiting period, no limits on the number of visits or services, no age limits and no annual plan limitations.
It's worth looking to and utilizing to retain your employees. Even those who are PT can use our benefits.
If you want more information go to: www.affordablegroupbenefits.net or feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Good luck on everything :)
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I am about to hire my first employee. From experience, I found that the jobs I stayed at longest had decent salaries, good bosses, and an excellent benefits package. Before I start interviewing candidates, I would like to finalize my plans for budgeting, employee manuals, and what I will tell my potential employee what they will receive for benefit compensation.
What would be considered a decent benefit package these days for a small business? For example, pay 50% of the employees health, dental, vision, 3 weeks time off, etc. I would like to use these benefits to attract good people that might otherwise look at the larger corporation for work.
What would be considered a decent benefit package these days for a small business? For example, pay 50% of the employees health, dental, vision, 3 weeks time off, etc. I would like to use these benefits to attract good people that might otherwise look at the larger corporation for work.


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Fox Pest Control is the trusted name in Lafayette for residential and commercial pest control. When you call Fox Pest Control you're calling a locally owned and operated business in Lafayette. Our goal isn't to just eradicate your pests for good, it's to ensure you have a great experience working with a pest control company. We value our reputation and work hard to earn your trust. We have over 9 years' experience and have helped over 20,000 Lafayette homes and businesses exterminate and control their pest problems.
Do you have a pest problem in Lafayette? Call Fox Pest Control today for a free inspection and zero obligation estimate or get service within 4 hours.
There are many species of ant, but in total ants are the #1 pest problem not just in Lafayette but in the country. Treating them can be difficult. Most do-it-yourself remedies simply kill the ants you see, not addressing the root of the problem; the nest.
Ants can cause a variety of problems in Lafayette, depending on the kind that is bothering you. Some will chew and burrow through your home like carpenter ants, weakening your foundation like termites. Others can spread disease as they invade your kitchen and cabinets.
Our treatment plan will control your ant problem.
Bed bugs are a re-surging problem in the United States, including in Lafayette. Once thought to be all but eradicated, bed bugs are back with a vengeance. Despite popular belief, it doesn't take a dirty or unkempt home to come down with these nasty bloodsuckers. Bed bugs will hitch a ride home with you from a hotel, movie theater, or even a restaurant.
If untreated, a few bed bugs can quickly turn into a full-scale infestation, overcoming every room in your house.
Common signs of bed bugs are brown or black specks (bed bug excrement), dried blood from accidentally being squashed, and a subtle, sweet musty odor. You may also have bites on your body that resemble pimples, mosquito bites, or welts, though not everyone will exhibit signs of bed bug bites.
If you even think you may have bed bugs call today to get a free no obligation inspection in Lafayette. Put your mind at ease!
Termites will literally eat you out of your home if left untreated. They can turn once solid wood into Swiss cheese. They tricky thing about termites is it can take a long period of time before they are noticed, at which point the substantial damage has already been done.
Think you have termites in Lafayette? Call and we will conduct a free inspection to identify if you have a termite problem or not. And if you do, we will work with you to customize our treatment plan to control and eliminate the termites invading your home.
Cockroaches are more than unsightly, they are unsanitary and spread disease. Unfortunately, cockroaches are not an uncommon pest in Lafayette. And there is never just a single cockroach - there are always many more lurking behind walls and in cracks and crevices.
The best offense against cockroaches is a good defense with a preventative pest plan. But if you already got a cockroach problem don't panic, we're just a phone call away. Call for a free inspection and no obligation estimate - we can help!
Mice & rats are a common problem in Lafayette and can be a real nuisance once you've got them. These rodents chew or burrow their way into homes, apartments, and businesses seeking food and shelter. Often a rodent problem develops when a neighbor has a problem and either treats it, driving the rodents into adjacent buildings, or lets it linger so long the rodents expand their hunting grounds seeking more food.
Before we do anything we conduct a free inspection to identify the points of entry of the rodents. We then consult with you to determine what your preferred method of treatment is. We can deploy a variety of methods for capturing or controlling your rodent problem such as traps, bait, or tracking powder.
We treat a wide variety of pests in Lafayette in addition to the ones featured here. Though these are the most common problem pests in Lafayette, we also treat for Beetles, Centipedes, Crickets, Earwigs, Fleas, Millipedes, Silverfish, Spiders, Stink Bugs, Termites, Ticks and more.
If you have a pest problem call us for a free, zero obligation inspection and estimate.
Posted on November 9, 2016.
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Emergency Service Available
Fully Trained, Licensed Staff
When your doorbell rings, you can be confident that the person Fox Pest Control has sent to your home to take care of your control and extermination is a true professional. We carefully screen, background check, and conduct lengthy interviews with prospective employees. Fox Pest Control technicians also undergo extensive training, both in the classroom and on the job with a mentor, before they are allowed to work on their own. You can rest easy knowing that your problem is in good hands with Fox Pest Control.
With Fox Pest Control you'll know who is coming.
We had a wonderful experience with our technician. Weston was easy to talk to and explained everything well. Josh, who sold us the service, was very kind also. Not pushy at all. And very informative. Thank you. We look forward to working with you in the future.
My experience with Fox Pest Control has been the best experience I had with a pest control company. Technician, Harry, did a good job of going over the process thoroughly, ensure that I understood everything going on. I would recommend them to anyone looking for good, quality, fast, friendly, and affordable pest control services.
Fox Pest Control is beyond amazing, they are always there when you need them and their employees are super helpful! If we need them they come right away. They are very informative as well, they will explain everything that they are doing and why. If you need an affordable pest control service Fox is the way to go!
At Fox Pest Control our guarantee to you is 100% satisfaction. That's why we created our robust home protection plan. The barriers that we put into place to protect your home or business against pests naturally break down over time. Over the course of the year, we reapply treatments to maintain those barriers. If for whatever reason any new pest problems do arise, call us and we will take care of the problem immediately and at no additional charge. Immediately means just that, immediately – not when it's convenient for us.
Your home is your largest investment. Let Fox Pest Control protect it against pests in Lafayette!
Fox Pest Control is a Lafayette locally operated company; we take pride in servicing the community that we live in. We value your time, so when you call we'll schedule an inspection or service time that is convenient for you.
Our technicians are thoroughly screened during our interview process. We only hire professionals we would want to service our own homes. We background check all employees and make new hires go through extensive training both in the classroom and on the job before they can service a home or business alone. We also believe in and practice continuing education, ensuring our technicians are always providing the best service possible. You can rest easy knowing that when your door bell rings Fox Pest Control has sent a true professional to resolve your Lafayette pest issue.
Fox Pest Control provides a zero obligation free inspection and estimate in Lafayette. Our technicians will take the time and care to thoroughly explain the treatment options best suited for your particular problem. Our professional service is convenient as well as effective.

subset: commoncrawl


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Despite the fact that my Sonics are long gone, Nerd and I were still able to witness a Detroit/Seattle matchup this weekend. I am, of course, happy the Hawks won (What about them Seeeeeahawks?!), though sad for my beloved that his team lost. Then again, given the mood of the Hawks fans in the first quarter (and Nerd's prominently displayed Lions gear), it's probably best that things turned out as they did. I digress.
Is it just me, or is Link's Stadium Station not the best stop to use to get to Seahawks Stadium? Of course we loved having an excuse to ride Link, but, given the amount of walking (backtracking north, that is) we had to do, it would probably have made more sense for us to get off at the ID station–or just to have walked the entire way from Pioneer Square.
Regular Seahawk/Sounder Link riders, what say you?


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Stratford school
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Online Programs
Coming up at Stratford School
Virtual Potty Training Workshop - All Campuses
Virtual Kindergarten Overview - Altadena Allen Campus
Virtual Kindergarten Overview - Los Angeles
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Stratford Reopening Guidelines
For details on our reopening protocols and procedures for Fall 2020, please see our Reopening Guidelines manual by clicking the link below.
Health and Safety
The health and safety of our children and families is always our highest priority. To mitigate the risks of COVID-19 while children are in our care, we have adopted additional health and safety measures based on CDC guidelines, state and local regulations, and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
2020 Return to Campus Guide
Discover our two flexible models available to provide an outstanding educational experience for your child.
Studying Science in Your Own Backyard and Neighborhood by Creating a Nature Science Journal
With children stuck indoors more than ever before, getting outside, when it is safe to do so, is more important than ever. Combine outdoor fun and science study into one activity by creating a Nature Science Journal.
Tips for Distance Learning Success
What is distance learning? The term has been used a lot as of late, and many parents may be curious as to what it means for their child and how to set them up for success. With that in mind, we have compiled a few best practices and helpful tips so you can set your child up for distance learning success at home!
How to Improve Your Child's Creative Writing Skills
Whether it comes naturally to your child or not, creative writing is an important skill to develop. Read our latest blog for tips to help improve your child's creative writing skills.
Why Families Choose Stratford
Meet Our
Neena Bhave
""Today's children are tomorrow's future.""
Neena Bhave brings over three decades of leadership experience in the field of education to her role as Head of School at Stratford School's Palo Alto campus.
Sanny Figueroa
"Education is about leading people into the light, giving them the opportunitity to change their lives for the better."
Sanny Figueroa has over 30 years of experience in the field of education, with experience teaching elementary through high school students. Currently, Sanny is the Head of School at Stratford School's Pleasanton campus.
Benjamin Guansing
"At Stratford, I've grown more as an educator than anywhere else to date."
Benjamin Guansing teaches math and engineering at Stratford School's San Jose Middle School campus, and also serves as the curricular lead for the engineering program.
Mary Kiely
"My job is to be a humble servant to our Stratford students, employees, and families."
Mary Kiely has been a part of the Stratford School family for over a decade, a place where she feels at home. Before taking on her current role as the Director of Lower School at Stratford School's Sunnyvale Washington Park campus, Mary taught preschool through kindergarten, as well as served as a vice principal and preschool principal.
Lisa Weiss
"Every morning I wake up with a true excitement for the day's lessons."
Lisa Weiss teaches transitional kindergarten at Stratford School's Santa Clara Winchester campus. She has over 30 years of teaching experience, and currently serves as the curricular lead for Stratford School's transitional kindergarten program.
Sherrie Paregian
"I look forward to building the Stratford community in San Francisco and sharing the spirit and values of our school."
Sherrie Paregian brings to Stratford School over two decades of experience in education. Sherrie's Stratford experience includes 4 years teaching and 12 years serving as principal at Stratford School's Los Gatos, Palo Alto, and Fremont campuses. In addition to her leadership experience at Stratford, she held a Head of School position at a Bay Area private school.
Kristi Chung
"I focus on helping students learn skills and reinforce values that will be helpful in their unique futures."
Kristi Chung teaches science at Stratford School's San Jose Middle School campus, and has over a decade of experience in the field of education. She also serves as the curricular lead for the science program.
Vidya Janardhanan
"I strive to create a safe environment where my students can explore, learn, and grow."
Vidya Janardhanan teaches computer science to at Stratford School's Sunnyvale Raynor Middle School campus, and has over a decade of experience in the field of education.
George McAusland
"I try to engage my students through insightful, Socratic questions."
George McAusland has been in elementary education since 2011, and currently teaches at Stratford School's San Jose Middle School campus.
Laura Morgan
"Stratford has allowed me the opportunity to share my love of learning with students and staff."
Laura Morgan has been a part of the Stratford School family for over 18 years. Before taking on her current role as the Head of School at Stratford's Washington Park and De Anza Park campuses, Laura served as a principal, vice principal, and taught preschool and elementary grades.
Michael Rosenberg
"My personal philosophy has always matched Stratford's of high hopes."
Michael Rosenberg has been a part of the Stratford School family for 11 years. He currently teaches fourth grade, and serves as a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) lead at Stratford School's Washington Park Campus.
Mimi Tamrat
"I believe in every child's ability to become motivated and excited learner."
Mimi Tamrat brings over 30 years of top, diversified early childhood experience to her role as Director of Early Childhood Education at Stratford's new West Los Angeles campus. Before taking on her current role, Mimi taught preschool children and served as the Preschool Director at other local preschools.
Rachel Altreuter
"I aim to provide a safe space for intellectual and emotional growth."
Rachel Altreuter has been part of the Stratford School family for over nine years. Before taking on her current role as the Director of Lower School at Stratford School's San Francisco campus, Rachel taught first grade for five years, served as a first grade mentor teacher, and as a vice principal.
Aleatha Alston
"At Stratford, we foster growth for the whole child."
Aleatha Alston has been a part of the Stratford School family for four years, and has 15 years of experience in the field of education. She currently is a teacher and leader in training at Stratford School's Fremont Boulevard campus.
Asita Anand
"Students are best served when they are actively and passionately engaged in the pursuit of knowledge."
Asita Anand has been part of the Stratford School family for five years and has over ten years of experience in private elementary education. Before taking on her current role as the Director of Lower School at Stratford's Fremont Osgood campus, Asita served as the Vice Principal at Stratford School's Fremont Curtis campus.
Dalhi Sanko
"I hope to instill a love of learning in my students, as I share my own passion for learning with them."
Dalhi Sanko has over 25 years of experience in the field of education, and 12 years of experience teaching Spanish. She currently teaches Spanish to preschool students at Stratford School's Santa Clara Pomeroy campus.
Camilla Lindh
"For a future job, my aspirations include a horse trainer, an astrophysicist, a biomedical engineer, a vet, a marine biologist, or a National Geographic photographer."
If Stratford has taught Camilla Lindh anything in her eight years as a student, it is that she can accomplish amazing things with hard work and the right support. An eighth grader at our San Jose campus, Camilla's proudest moment was achieving a perfect score on the National Spanish exam – a feat not possible without her favorite teacher, Ms. Sanchez. Ms. Sanchez "makes learning extremely exciting" with her animated and fun personality and makes learning a new language more accessible. Camilla also has a passion for the arts, as she feels that she can express her creativity through a variety of mediums without a set format or formula to follow. Her diverse set of hobbies include baking, playing volleyball, making and editing videos, swimming, horseback riding, singing, and more!
Leynah Nguyen
"Without Stratford, I would have never found my true passion."
Before Stratford, Leynah Nguyen had never been on stage - an experience that has been nothing if not life-changing. In fact, the drama program at Stratford has inspired Leynah to dream of a future pursuing her passion for performing arts. Drama is not Leynah's only talent, however, as she also enjoys exploring her more logical and analytical side in Math class as well as the challenging literature concepts in Ms. Datta's Language Arts class. When she is not studying or on stage, Leynah enjoys video editing, graphic design, composing and writing songs, playing piano and ukulele, acting, and golf.
Nikki Agrawal
"I hope to become a writer or work in marketing, because I love writing and have always wanted to create my own world."
Nikki Agrawal has been a Stratford student for seven years. Nikki loves that she can explore both her creative and analytical side at Stratford. She solves complex problems in Computer Science class with Mrs. Dastur and demonstrates her creativity through art in Mrs. Vasquez's art class. Outside of school, Nikki enjoys reading, writing, and skiing. A recent project involving propoganda prompted her interest in marketing, which she sees as a potentially exciting career path.
Kyle Lou
"I aspire to develop a new type of operating system that will be more popular than Windows."
Athlete, politician, accomplished student, future entrepreneur – Kyle Lou does it all! From the moment he got to Stratford School in seventh grade, Kyle immersed himself in the community and ran for class representative. This year, he is representing the entire school as President of the Student Council. Student Council is not his only hobby, however, as Kyle is also an avid swimmer and plays on the school basketball team. In school, Kyle enjoys science and his favorite teacher is his science teacher, Ms. Braun, who makes difficult science concepts easier to understand. In the future, Kyle hopes to go to a top university and become a software engineer and entrepreneur.
Herin Kang
"At Stratford, teachers don't just teach you and leave at the end of the day - they truly care about you and your individual passion for learning."
A Stratford student since kindergarten, Herin's loves the challenging, yet caring environment at Stratford. Her favorite subject has been biology since second grade, but enjoys geometry as well. She feels an abundance of support from her teachers and mentors at Stratford, especially Mr. Guansing, Mr. Takemoto, and Ms. Chung. When Herin is not strategizing on how to solve complex world problems, she enjoys playing ukulele, reading, watching documentaries, and playing badminton. She also enjoys conducting mini experiments at home, especially when they involve looking through a microscope and collecting data to analyze. After Stratford, Herin is interested in attending a STEM school and wishes to study biomedical engineering in college. Herin plans to use her prize money to invest in a new microscope and other science equipment so that she can continue learning and exploring the world.
Ashton Liu
"I enjoy a plethora of hobbies in my spare time such as playing the piano and violin, reading, and playing badminton."
Driven and hardworking – two of the best ways to describe Ashton Liu, an eighth grader at Stratford San Jose Middle School. Ashton, who has been a student at Stratford since third grade, always has his eyes on his next goal. His favorite subject is Math, as he believes it will provide the foundational skills needed for a successful future career, and he also enjoys the challenging curriculum of Ms. Datta's language arts class because she encourages him to think critically. Overall, Ashton feels that Stratford's advanced curriculum has prepared him well for the challenges he will face in the coming years of high school. After High School, Ashton aspires to go to an excellent college so that he can continue working hard and study Computer Science or Pediatrics. Someday, he hopes to be a pediatrician or a software engineer at a major Silicon Valley company such as Google or Apple.
Twesha Ghosh
"I want to build a career in product design and chase my passion in accessibility awareness."
Twesha Ghosh is an eighth grader at Stratford's Fremont Middle School campus. History is Twesha's favorite subject in school, and naturally her favorite teacher is her history teacher, Mr. Fox. Out of her eleven years at Stratford, Twesha's best experience was when she was cast as Rafiki in Stratford's production of Lion King, Jr. She worked very hard to prepare for the production and felt proud that she was one of the only younger students cast in a major role. When she is not studying history or practicing for musicals, Twesha enjoys arts and crafts, reading, blogging, and singing. After Stratford, Twesha wants to build her career in product design and chase her passion for accessibility awareness.
Erik Rulkens
"I love science because of the fun, hands-on projects we get to do."
Erik Rulkens is an eighth grade student at Stratford's Milpitas campus. A lover of science, Erik's favorite teacher is naturally his math and science teacher, Mrs. Braun. Mrs. Braun helps bring lessons to life with fun and interactive hands-on activities. Stratford has also encouraged Erik to try new things. For instance, Erik decided to join the basketball team when he came to Stratford, even though he had never been a part of a sports team. Flashforward to this year, where he led the Stratford Milpitas basketball team to an undefeated season as captain. Not only does he love the sport, but he enjoys the expereince of being a part of a team and the strong bond of friendship that he has developed with his teammates. In the future, Erik hopes to pursue a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) career because he feels that they are fun and worthwhile careers. He also hopes to travel the world to learn more about other cultures.


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Springfield, IL -- Despite strong support for a bill banning the use of double deck trailers for hauling horses in Illinois, the legislation died earlier this week in a Senate Committee following a disingenuous lobbying effort by the Illinois Farm Bureau. H.B. 4162 was introduced following the horrific "Wadsworth Crash" of 2007 in which 59 Belgian draft horses were severely or fatally injured after the double-deck trailer they were being transported in was overturned.
It is common knowledge that transporting horses on such vehicles that are actually designed for smaller species like cattle and hogs is not only inhumane but unsafe, given their top-heavy nature. The bill died when the Illinois Farm Bureau insisted on attaching an amendment that would have exempted double-deck "horse" trailers, arguing that a humane double-decker specifically designed for horses might be built in the future.
In truth, no such vehicle could be engineered that would be both comfortable for the horses and safe for transport on U.S. roads and highways; such a vehicle would need to be at least 17' tall and in reality even higher, would be dangerously top-heavy and would exceed the clearance space in many tunnels and overpasses. Ultimately, since no regulatory definition of a "horse" trailer exists, the amendment would have had the real effect of allowing unscrupulous transporters to still put their horses on a double-decker originally designed for cattle, simply call it a "horse" trailer, and bypass the proposed law.
While the Illinois Farm Bureau attempted to present itself as reasoned and caring, it was clear to those working the inside that the organization had only one objective in this instance: to defeat any measure that would have led to the more humane transport of horses in Illinois. Often being on the opposite side of basic animal welfare measures, the Illinois Farm Bureau outdid itself this time, and was clearly out of step with the majority. The American Veterinary Medical Association, US Department of Agriculture, Illinois Department of Agriculture, Animal Welfare Institute, and many Illinois horse owners and horse transport companies all support an end to the transport of horses on double-deckers.
"The AWI commends the sponsors of H.B. 4162, Representative JoAnn Osmond, Representative Bob Molaro and Senator John Cullerton for fighting to protect horses from this cruel form of transportation," said Heyde. "Their commitment to equine welfare is commendable. We look forward to working with them and other compassionate legislators in the future to ban the transport of horses via double-deck trailers in Illinois. The fight is far from over.
Media Contact:
Chris Heyde, (202) 446-2142
For over 57 years, AWI has been the leading voice for animals across the country and on Capitol Hill. Please join us in our ongoing campaigns to reduce the sum total of pain and fear inflicted on animals by humans. Sign up for AWI eAlerts to receive the latest news on what you can do to help us protect all animals.


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Did you catch this article last week on CNN? Digital Music tops Physical Music Sales. Here's a couple of quotes from the article:
"According to a Nielsen and Billboard report, digital music purchases accounted for 50.3% of music sales in 2011. Digital sales were up 8.4% from the previous year, while physical album sales declined 5%."
"While services like Napster blazed the trail for online music consumption, offerings like Apple's 99-cents-a-song iTunes catalog as well as those from a host of startups have broken down traditional music-purchasing barriers. Most customers now prefer shopping online to buying in a store."
For that matter, you don't even have to buy music to enjoy it anymore. We finally took down our Christmas decorations last weekend. While doing that, we listened to some classic jazz via Pandora. Obviously, a radio would work here too … but not for the type of music I was listening to!
So … libraries and music. My public library has a pretty large CD collection. We also subscribe to Freegal (a library-oriented service that basically gives patrons 3 free music downloads a week). We have also seen a demo for the library version of Rdio (not impressed yet).
In five year's time, what will we be doing? How will we be collecting music? Will music still be listed for checkout in our library catalogs? Or will we point patrons to Spotify/Pandora/Rdio/etc?
I'm not sure … what do you think?
guitar pic by Bigstock


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values are constant – people just like you enjoying their careers and enjoying their lives.
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Autism (Wales) Bill – consultation response
In 2018 we responded to the Welsh Government's draft Bill for Autism. We welcome calls for increased resource to support children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and improve outcomes for children with ASD. However, we are concerned about the possible unintended consequences of this proposed legi...
Child Protection Evidence - Head and Spinal Injuries
Child Protection Evidence is a resource available for clinicians across the UK and internationally to inform clinical practice, child protection procedures and professional and expert opinion in the legal system. This systematic review evaluates the literature on abusive and non-abusive head trauma ...
Children's Cancer Services in England – consultation response
In 2019 we responded to NHS England's consultation on cancer services for children, teenagers and young adults. While we welcomed the direction of travel we identified a number of areas for improvement.
COVID-19 - talking to children and families about returning to school: guiding principles
Paediatricians may receive queries from families about the return to school. Here we provide a summary of the current policy and other guidance in the four nations.
Delivery of autism services in Wales - consultation response
In 2019 we responded to the Welsh Government's consultation on its draft code of practice on the delivery of autism services. We welcome the Welsh Government's attempts to improve services for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) but are concerned about separating ASD out of the Neurodevelop...
Disability Matters - online learning
This free, flexible learning resource helps those who work, volunteer or engage with disabled children and young people (from 0 to 25 years) and their families. It covers both physical and intellectual disabilities.
Epilepsy12 - methodology, information governance and datasets for Round 3
This page provides details of the methodology, datasets and related information governance processes for Round 3 of this clinical audit.
Epilepsy12 & OPEN UK National Conference 2018 resources
On 22 June 2018, more than 140 health professionals working in support of paediatric epilepsy services and patient organisation representatives came together at the inaugural Epilepsy12/OPEN UK National Conference with the aim of learning from each other and improving the care offered to children an...
Epilepsy12 & OPEN UK National Conference 2019 resources
On 17 June 2019, more than 150 health professionals working in support of paediatric epilepsy services and patient organisation representatives came together at the second Epilepsy12/OPEN UK National Conference with the aim of learning from each other and improving the care offered to children and y...
Epilepsy12 & OPEN UK National Conference 2020 resources
On 10 September 2020, we hosted our third annual Epilepsy12 & Organisation of Paediatric Epilepsy Networks (OPEN UK) national conference 2020: 'Working together to improve epilepsies', as a live webinar. Access resources and presentations from the event on this page.


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Ajahn Thanissaro in Bellingham: two days, non residential retreat at Bellingham Insight.
Mindfulness and Concentration: A Meditation and Study Course with Thanissaro Bhikkhu
September 11th & 12th, 2010, 9AM – 4PM
Red Cedar Dharma Hall, 1021 N. Forest St. Bellingham, WA
The Teacher: Thanissaro Bhikkhu (Geoffrey DeGraff) has been a Theravada Buddhist monk since 1976. After studying in Thailand with Ajaan Fuang Jotiko for ten years, he returned to the U.S. in 1991 to help found Metta Forest Monastery in the mountains north of San Diego where he is currently Abbot. Thanissaro Bhikkhu's writing includes The Paradox of Becoming, The Mind Like Fire Unbound, and The Wings to Awakening. He has also translated many meditation guides by Thai forest masters as well as numerous scriptural texts from the Pali canon.
The Topic: Mindfulness and concentration are two qualities essential to training the mind for the sake of release from suffering. At present they are often taught as two separate, even antithetical, practices, but the Buddha taught them as two elements in a single, unified practice. This course – through readings, discussions, talks, and meditation – will explore the Buddha's teachings on this topic and the ways that mindfulness and concentration can support each other in our own practice.
Cost: $30.00 for BIMS (Bellingham Insight Meditation Society) pledge-members/$40.00 non-members, plus an opportunity to offer dana (donation) to the Metta Forest Monastery. For information on becoming a BIMS-pledge member please visit us online at http://www.bellinghaminsight.org/
Food: There will be an hour and a half break for lunch. Feel free to bring your lunch or eat out. Tea will be provided. Please note: there will be an opportunity to offer food for the monks at mealtime. If you wish to offer dana at this time, please bring a small amount of food to share with the monks.
Early registration is suggested. Space is limited and we expect this course to be full.


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AT&T said today that it will allow any wireless customer with a tiered-data plan to use Apple's FaceTime videoconferencing app over AT&T's cellular network.
This is yet another change to AT&T's policy for this app, which when it was first introduced on the iPhone 4 was restricted to Wi-Fi networks only. In Apple's iOS 6 release of software, all FaceTime enabled iPhones were then capable of operating the app over a cellular network. Initially, AT&T still restricted usage to Wi-Fi.
In August, AT&T started to open the app to its cellular network. And it said FaceTime could be used on its cellular network if customers subscribed to the carrier's new Mobile Share billing plan. While consumers were happy that AT&T had opened the app to its network, many were outraged it was restricted to customers using AT&T's new and potentially more expensive tiered-billing offers. The Federal Communications Commission any tiered-data plan so long as the device operated over AT&T's 4G LTE network. This meant the iPhone 5 and certain iPads.
Jim Cicconi, AT&T's top executive on legislative and regulatory affairs, argued at the time in a blog post for AT&T that the company is only trying to protect its network. He said AT&T has more iPhone users than any other carrier, and the company has been concerned that its network could be overwhelmed by allowing anyone to use FaceTime over the cellular network before it's been tested.
"In this instance, with the FaceTime app already preloaded on tens of millions of AT&T customers' iPhones, there was no way for our engineers to effectively model usage, and thus to assess network impact," Cicconi explained in a blog post last year. "It is for this reason that we took a more cautious approach toward the app. To do otherwise might have risked an adverse impact on the services our customers expect -- voice quality in particular -- if usage of FaceTime exceeded expectations."
In a blog post on Wednesday to discuss the most recent policy switch, AT&T Senior Vice President Mark Collins suggested that AT&T had always intended to open the service to more customers on its network.
"When FaceTime over Cellular launched in September 2012, we explained that we wanted to roll it out gradually to ensure the service had minimal impact on the mobile experience for all of our customers," he said in the blog.
But the reality is that the FaceTime app is still not available to all AT&T customers. The company still restricts subscribers with unlimited-data plans from using FaceTime over the cellular network. For this reason, consumer advocates say they're still not satisfied. Free Press, which filed a complaint with the FCC in September about AT&T's restrictive policy, said AT&T has taken a step in the right direction. But it still hasn't gone far enough.
"As we've made clear all along, the company has no right to block the application in the first place," Free Press Policy Director Matt Wood said in a statement. "Until AT&T makes FaceTime available to all of its customers, it is still in violation of the law and the broader principles of Net Neutrality. We remain ready to bring our complaint unless AT&T finishes the job and stops blocking this application altogether."


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Invest in STEM or in Humanities? Perils of a false dichotomy
Thomas Friedman is writing in 'New Rules', a widely quoted article recently published by The New York Times "It's fascinating to read about all this while visiting Shanghai, whose public school system in 2010 beat the rest of the world in math, science and reading in the global PISA exam of 15-year-olds." Shanghai is used here as en example for America to invest more in "vocational-training classes" to follow an instrumental model where education is preparing workers to take the "new jobs". It happens that I also visited recently Shanghai, the source of fascination and admiration for so many Westerners, and the most impressive part of my experience there was the ubiquitous sense of mutual distrust and absence of civic values and behaviors in the public life.
I am a curious traveler and I take the risk to explore non-touristic areas of cities and places I visit. I seek all possible opportunities to experience what locals experience every day. I am not interested to see what a tourist in invited to see. Using public transport is an important part of Shanghai's realities and here you see how many locals have troubles to read maps and even letters. Not Western letters, of course, but Chinese. It is also surprising to see the dynamic of daily travelers who seem to be very motivated in this secret competition to take a seat in the train or bus and push each other violently to be the first. I often noticed that a pregnant woman was among the last in the train and I wasn't able to see anyone offering a seat. Civic culture is just disastrous.
Spitting – basically everywhere – making grotesque noises, pushing to make way to unknown important destinations, the complete absence of smiles or friendly conduct and the obsessive impulse to install metal bars over windows, and too many fences and padlocks in a country where crime rate is very low left me feeling that that this immense city got the worst from both systems, communism and capitalism. I also had discussions with some tourists and I remember the dull expression on the face of a European visitor saying how wonderful is this city. I guess is easy to be confused if you are the tourist interested just to take a break. It may be even easier to be confused if you are at the center of interest of those who invited you in Shanghai, knowing that you will write a nice op-ed in one of the most important newspapers in the world.
Having the benefit of a very different status and using the curse to be curious and uneasy with simple and (too) obvious answers I have a different reading of Shanghai. This may be an excellent city to study mathematics, but what I have seen is very far from the image of a new center for learning and enlightenment. I admire Chinese culture, but I wasn't able to see much left in Shanghai this year. Here is my problem: Shanghai, "whose public school system in 2010 beat the rest of the world in math, science and reading" in the new global "learning games" is not benefiting much from this admirable position in the everyday life of the city. Something is missing there, and it may be.. a genuine civic culture.
Friedman article came as I received a petition that may be very important for Australia, the place where I currently live: "On September 11 the New South Wales government announced that it would stop funding art education in TAFE (vocational education), leaving 4000 students without access to finishing their courses in 2013. TAFE Art courses are the main provider of art education in NSW, with many prominent artists getting their first 'hands on' training in TAFE. The withdrawal of funding will mean that only the wealthy will be able to afford private art education and NSW will suddenly find it no longer has emerging artists with skills coming through."
This is speaking about the current fashionable fixation to favor mathematics, engineering and sciences against liberal arts. I think this is both wrong and dangerous.
Looking at mathematics and engineering as a top priority for education is nothing new. As it is not new at all to see in an era of aggressive anti-intellectualism a hierarchy of funding where humanities have the lower places. Public investment in humanities is declining fast as the criteria of productivity, efficiency, consumer satisfaction do not serve at all the perceived waste of money in these fields. It seems that STEM are now the only key for a happy and prosperous future. STEM is the most commonly used acronym for the fields of study in the categories of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. As it seems that we live a time of simplistic solutions, the bipolar oppositions are used here to make sense of this dilemma. Therefore, this complex problem is solved in very simple terms by decision makers around the world: if STEM fields are important in education, humanities are less important and funds will be allocated to what is important. There is a very dangerous logic here and – with no intention to question the importance of STEM fields – we argue that this is presenting serious dangers for the future.
US President Obama has identified STEM education as (see President Obama's National Educational Technology Plan 2010, Transforming American Education: Learning Powered by Technology): "the key to America's economic growth and prosperity and to our ability to compete in the global economy… the path to good jobs and higher earning power for Americans, necessary for our democracy to work. It fosters the cross-border, cross-cultural collaboration required to solve the most challenging problems of our time." The problem is that we may need to admit very soon that the most challenging problems of our times are a bit more complex: science, technology, engineering and mathematics have to be completed by civic values, ethical behavior, social and ecological responsibility. Democracy is protected by intellectual energy and critical thinking, the capacity to make informed decisions about public life and the use of these technologies. The most obvious example is that of Germany in 1940's and no one can argue that their problem at that time was a lack of excellent engineering or poor schools of mathematics and sciences. But civic and human values were a disaster. President Obama should know that arts and humanities programs are getting the axe in many universities in US and this is a real and serious threat for democracy, as it is in many other parts of the world.
The risk of all sorts of fundamentalism is real and too obvious to be ignored. STEM alone cannot solve these challenges. If we take just few recent examples we can see why humanities can bring a vital contribution with their potential to cultivate and strengthen critical thinking, to bring a greater understanding of the world, of the "other", of various cultures and people, as a real panacea against hate and intolerance. The simple criteria of efficiency can be dangerously twisted. For example, The Telegraph is presenting the surprising case of Hitler's popularity in India:
"…sales of Mein Kampf, Adolf Hitler's autobiography and apologia for his anti-semitism, are soaring in India where business students regard the dictator as a management guru[…] Sales of the book over the last six months topped 10,000 in New Delhi alone, according to leading stores, who said it appeared to be becoming more popular with every year. Several said the surge in sales was due to demand from students who see it as a self-improvement and management strategy guide for aspiring business leaders, and who were happy to cite it as an inspiration […] Jaico Publishing House, one of the publishers in India, said it reprints a new edition of the book at least twice a year to meet growing demand."
The stunning rise on Neo-Nazi groups in Greece in also presented in a recent and disturbing article: "Actual fascists in actual black shirts are waving swastikas and murdering ethnic minorities in Athens". It is an unsettling story about dissolution of civic values and humanity in the heart of Europe. Socrates left as part of his invaluable legacy the need to think critically about tradition and authority, about our humanity and about what we want to stand for. This seems to be lost now in his homeland.
Why should an American politician care about those disciplines able to nurture the (almost extinct) spirit of respectful and courageous critical inquiry? One strong set of reasons is the state of civic knowledge in United States: in the the most recent National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Civics Assessment, more than two-thirds of all students in US scored below proficient and less than a fifth of high school seniors could explain how citizen participation benefits democracy.
In an excellent review of a book about the rise of far right groups in UK, The Guardian is ending an interesting article published this September by saying:
"Societies that promise equality, freedom and democracy, yet preside over massive inequalities of wealth, are breeding grounds for racism and other vicious resentments. And wherever these resentments exist, the far right will try to exploit them. The fascism of the 20s and 30s succeeded because it played on wider fears, winning the support of those who would never have thought of themselves as extremists. The Nazis used antisemitism because it already existed in German society."
Funding only marketable skills against the complex effort to educate responsible citizens, nurture critical and independent minds capable to understand what policies mean is just dangerous in a time when we see all sorts of fundamentalisms emerging violently from Norway to Middle East, from US to Australia. We already have the seeds of hate and it is the time to use STEM in a comprehensive paradigm where humanities will place their power in the context of responsible citizenship. Humanities enhance and improve our culture. This is the crucial challenge ahead.
If we have to insist on the simplistic logic currently used and economically justify liberal arts we can ignore for a moment the fact that heretics and counter-cultural poets, philosophers, dreamers and citizens pushed the entire society to progress. We can try to follow this instrumental logic of immediate efficiency. However, even this is leading to the the importance of humanities for mathematics, science and engineering. In How the Arts Unlock the Door to Learning we find the fascinating recent example Maryland's Bates Middle School. Here arts integration has helped raise student achievement:
"Since arts integration was first implemented at Bates, the percentage of students achieving or surpassing standards for reading has grown from 73 percent in 2009 to 81 percent in 2012, and from 62 percent to 77 percent for math during the same period, while disciplinary problems decreased 23 percent from 2009 to 2011"
Several evidence-based research studies reveal that arts significantly increase student engagement and achievement among youth from both low and high socioeconomic backgrounds. Data consistently shows that we improve results in STEM if we offer the intellectual background of humanities. This can be simply explained by the fact that we learn as humans, not like machines.
We all have ahead unprecedented challenges for our democracies and we are asked to imagine a sustainable future for our economies, societies and our planet. Education is changing fast and it is the time to work on new models for universities, able to properly answer these new demands. Obsolete blue-prints, artificial rankings and false oppositions inspired by the industrial revolution have to be redesigned. We just cannot afford a new historical nightmare.


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The neighborhoods surrounding Columbia—the four neighborhoods Spectator covers—are home to their own rich histories, diverse residents, and local controversies.
Morningside Heights
• Welcome to Morningside Heights, the Upper Manhattan neighborhood that Columbia calls home. While its chief claim to fame is the University, "MoHi," as the area is known, has more to it than just Columbia.
• Besides Columbia and Barnard, the neighborhood is also home to many other educational institutions, including Teachers College, Union Theological Seminary, Jewish Theological Seminary, and Manhattan School of Music.
• Morningside Heights is sandwiched between two parks: Riverside Park to the west and Morningside Park to the east. Riverside, which runs along the Hudson, is a common destination for Columbia students and locals. Morningside, despite its Frederick Law Olmstead-designed landscaping and diverse wildlife, is less popular with students. Enjoy it during the day, but avoid walking through it at night.
Columbia owns much of the neighborhood's real estate, and is the landlord of many small business owners in the area. As mom-and-pop shops like Hungarian Pastry Shop and Book Culture—local icons—compete with chains like Chipotle and Duane Reade, some business owners think the University should do more to support the little guys. Others say it's doing enough.
It's also home to two of the most magnificent churches in the city: the Episcopalian St. John the Divine—one of the largest Christian cathedrals in the world—and the interdenominational Riverside Church. Both are known for their liberal brands of religion and quirky services: St. John holds annual blessings for bicycles, as well as an over-the-top blessing for animals, complete with camels, kangaroos, monkeys, and more.
• Historic preservation is a big deal for locals. Advocates want to see the neighborhood, with its mix of architectural styles, get the protection of a historic district, which would make the city regulate changes to building exteriors. Meanwhile, a proposal to build two apartment towers on the grounds of St. John has preservationists up in arms.
• Just north of Morningside Heights, Manhattanville is a former industrial neighborhood that will be home to a new Columbia campus. The campus, currently under construction, will provide the University with 17 acres of badly needed space, but has been highly controversial among locals.
• The site will feature the Renzo Piano-designed Jerome L. Greene Science Center, the Lenfest School of the Arts, two buildings for the Columbia Business School, and a conference center. Lenfest and Greene are scheduled to open in 2016, with the other buildings to follow.
• In its early stages, the expansion plan faced legal troubles over its use of eminent domain to clear the way for the new campus. Two owners who refused to sell their properties sued the University in January 2009, and while a lower court ruled against Columbia, the New York State Court of Appeals upheld the use of eminent domain in June 2010.
• To assuage concerns surrounding the expansion, University administrators signed a Community Benefits Agreement in May 2009 promising locals $76 million in benefits and agreeing to use minority, women, and local contractors and employees for construction work. While Columbia says it is meeting the goals it set for itself, many local leaders accuse it of ducking its commitment to a diverse workforce.
• The West Harlem Development Corporation, the independent organization in charge of distributing Columbia's $76 million, got off to a slow start, with locals assailing it for mismanagement and inactivity. Earlier this year, however, the group dispensed $2 million in grants to 83 local nonprofits, and is planning another round of grants in September.
Other than Columbia's massive expansion site, the neighborhood is also home to two public housing complexes, the Grant Houses and the Manhattanville Houses. Residents there complain of a lack of services—Grant Houses had the most outstanding requests for repairs of any public housing complex in the city, according to a recent study conducted by Public Advocate Bill de Blasio. Violence between youths of the two projects is also a problem: Tayshana Murphy, a national high school basketball star who lived in Grant Houses, was shot and killed by young men in Manhattanville in September 2011.
West Harlem
• Harlem, once the heart of African-American New York, is in the midst of demographic and economic change. West Harlem, the part of the neighborhood just across Morningside Park from Columbia, is no different: More white and upper-middle-class residents are moving there, leading to gentrification.
• The New Yorkers coming uptown are looking for lower rents, but they're pushing housing prices in the area up. New luxury residential developments are sprouting, including the 22-story One Morningside Park, on 110th Street and Morningside Avenue, which is currently under construction. Condos will be priced between $610,000 and $2.2 million.
• Meanwhile, most private developments include only the minimum number of affordable housing units required for government subsidies, and some residents of public housing feel like they're being ignored by the city.
• More upscale restaurants and shops catering to newer, wealthier residents are driving up commercial rent, creating a diverse commercial sector: fine dining next to fast-food joints, bodegas next to boutique bakeries.
• Projects on 125th Street, Harlem's main thoroughfare, reflect the changing demographics of the area: A Whole Foods is opening at the corner of Lenox Avenue, the 96-year-old Victoria Theater is being renovated into a 26-story hotel and apartment building, and two new shopping centers are nearing completion on Frederick Douglass Boulevard.
The Upper West Side
• With a strong tradition of community activism, there's always something to protest on the Upper West Side, whether that's unfair labor conditions in local restaurants, controversial land development projects, school overcrowding, or bike lanes.
• One of the most politically active neighborhoods in the city, the Upper West Side will see two highly contested City Council democratic primaries next month, including one in District 7, which also contains Columbia's campus.
Small businesses are important to the character of the neighborhood, and many locals are dismayed by "mallification"—the growth of chain stores and banks, especially on Broadway. Last year, the City Council passed a rezoning plan in the neighborhood aimed at reducing storefront size and protecting smaller mom-and-pop businesses.
• While the neighborhood has a reputation for being upscale or yuppie, it is also home to a large number of homeless shelters. Community leaders objected strongly when the city opened two more shelters on 95th Street in August 2012. Opponents say the shelters were put in without local oversight and are overburdening the area.
• In the Frederick Douglass public housing complex, the city is planning to build three private apartment towers to help make up for a huge budget deficit. Frederick Douglass residents and local politicians are up in arms about the plan, saying it would waste precious open space and that officials have not been transparent. Several public meetings on the issue have turned rowdy, but the uproar has not stopped the city's housing authority from issuing a request for proposals from developers.
email@example.com | @ColumbiaSpec


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Raspberry Pi VS Arduino VS BeagleBoard VS PandaBoard VS Other Mini Computers.
Find Out Which One Is Best For You :
There Was A Time, When the Computers were as big as ROOMS or HALLS, and used to run on Vacuum Tubes (ENIAC) , but in today's time, it is hard to even find a good sized desktop, the microprocessors really did changed our world.
So the new trend is One Board Computers, Designed for true portable computing, these device are the new choice for developers, you can found them in microwaves, toaster, Remotes and in some bathrooms of Dubai's hotels.
So Lets Review all of them.
Arduino :
Well this Silicon Board started the era of One-Board Computers, Designed by Massimo Banzi, This board had everything a developer would want, Including a weak but Capable Processor, attachable shields (Gadgets) and much more. You can get this device for around 25 $ (the uno one). Arduino uses a microcontroller not an application processor, so you cannot run any operating system on it. You have to write your own code for a particular task, It could be Blinking LED's, IR Remote Controller, Device Controller ETC. You Don't get a video out port or Ethernet port on arduino, but you have access to 1200+ add ons that can be added to it to increase its functionality, like GSM Shield to receive GSM Signals, Or a 3.5 mm Jack and turn it into a MP3 Player .
This device is great for Programmers/developers specially if you are into open source hardware .
RaspBerry Pi :
You Might have heard about this device, The powerful single board computer, Capable of running Debian, Ubuntu, Mint, Backtrack, Kali Linux, And in some cases Windows (all of them are operating systems), This device is Credit Card Sized, Weights like a Nokia N95, has multiple video-out ports (you can hook it to TV's or monitor's ), Ethernet Port (For Internet Surfing), 3.5mm Jack, 512mb RAM, USB Port, SD Card Slot, This little son-of-a-bit#h is more powerful than some old desktops :) . Though this gadget might not have so much add-ons like ARDUINO, this device still kicks ass. You can get this device 25 $.
You should get this device if you programmer, You'll Not Be Disappointed !
PandaBoard :
No man, it does not have a panda inside of it.The PandaBoard ES uses a newer SoC, with a dual-core 1.2 GHz CPU and 384 MHz GPU. Primary persistent storage is via an SD Card slot allowing SDHC cards up to 32 GB (yayy) to be used. The board includes wired 10/100 Ethernet as well as wireless Ethernet and Bluetooth connectivity. The board can output video signals via DVI and HDMI interfaces. It also has 3.5 mm audio connectors. It has two USB host ports and one USB On-The-Go port, supporting USB 2.0.This one is single board too, but a bit bigger, almost like a 7-inch tablet.The most awesome thing about this board is that it is capable of WiFi/Bluetooth and Supporting 1080p Output. And the video doesn't lag.It is a bit expensive, Priced at 170-180 $ , but its a bang for its price !
A Board for people who seek multimedia entertainment, but don't want to carry their laptop.
BeagleBoard :This evil looking board is nothing but a weaker version of Pandaboard. The designers really did a great job giving it a "Red Dragon" Theme, makes it stand apart from all those blue-boards, On the specs,it has :
720 MHz ARM Cortex-A8 core processor,HD capable' TMS320C64x+ core (520 MHz up to 720p @30 fps),256 MB LPDDR RAM. The BeagleBoard-xM is a bit more powerful than the Pi, with a 1 GHz Cortex-A8 CPU, 512 MB of RAM, and more input and output ports than you have fingers. It's still low power, and has support for more modern operating systems than the Raspberry Pi due to the newer ARM chipset. It also have USB,MMC,S-Video Out etc. Pricing : BeagleBone coming in at $89 and the BeagleBoard-xM at $149.
Cotton Candy :If you're interested in the media capabilities of the Raspberry Pi, then the cstick Cotton Candy from FXI may just be the device you're looking for. The USB stick sized system is an absolute beast, with a dual core 1.2 GHz Cortex A9 CPU, and a Quad Core Mali-400MP GPU. The stick has two main connectors – a HDMI male port so you can stick it directly into a TV, and a USB 2.0 A port to connect mass storage devices and provide power.
The Cotton Candy comes with stock Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, as well as Ubuntu for ARM. It comes with built in support for all major media codecs so you can start watching media straight away, even over the network with its 802.11n wireless support. This widget is priced at 199 $.


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Table of Contents of Wedding Locations
The following lists great wedding locations which we have traveled to performing ceremonies. However, it does not include the endless residence that we have been to already to perform marriages. As traveling Wedding Ministers / Officiants we have been blessed to view numerous locations and beautiful sites.
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After School
After School Program includes:
After School Program provides Elementary school children with a stimulating and fun environment to ease their transition from school to home.
They are assisted with their homework involved in our physical program and will enjoy various supervised activities.
An afternoon snack will be provided for the children attending the "After School" program.
Transportation to and from the child's local elementary school is included in the program. We currently have transport for the following schools:
- Charter
- Manatee Bay
Some classes are offered at an additional charge; please contact the office for more information.


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Tuff-Writer Precision Press Tactical Pen, Orange Cerakote with Black DLC Hardware, KnifeCenter Exclusive - TWP-PPP-AL-KCEX
TWTWPPPALKCEX: Precision Press Series - Orange Cerakote, KnifeCenter Exclusive
Manufacturer Item #: TWP-PPP-AL-KCEX
The Tuff-Writer pen was designed to be the toughest pen out there, period. It is built to withstand blistering cold, intense heat and any kind of harsh environment an operator is bound to encounter.
The thixotropic ink in the hermetically sealed cartridge and pressurized to nearly 35 psi lasts three times longer than a standard ballpoint pen. With an estimated shelf life of 100 years, the pen writes at altitudes up to 12,500 feet where most other pens simply won't. Best of all, no matter how harsh the conditions your Tuff-Writer will work with operating temperatures from -30 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit (-35 to 120 degrees Celsius).
The Precision Press Pen is designed to be "the ultimate clicky pen". It is entirely modular with each component being easily replaceable and built to last a lifetime. The pen utilizes an all-metal body machined out of 6061-T6 Aluminum. To ensure proper balance and amazing strength the tip is machined out of 303 Stainless Steel. A clip, pressed out of spring steel and coated for durability and corrosion resistance, helps keep the pen securely fastened and close at hand. The pen also uses a spacer for allowing fitment of multiple cartridges (Fisher / Foray / Parker) and at its heart, a machined advancing mechanism with a two-piece bearing-cam design for silky smooth operation (so smooth, it doesn't even "click"). Finally, for grip and comfort, the pen body has removable contrasting black Duron o-rings which assist in maintaining a positive grip on the pen when you need it most.
The best part is that the design of this pen allows it to be operated one-handed and still fit into virtually any shirt pocket. Simple, functional and elegant all at the same time.
There are no identifying marks, no logos and no engravings on this pen.
Are these the same pens from the Ultimate Clicky Kickstarter Project?
Almost, there have been some minor revisions. The anodizing prep and anodizing is the higher grade anodizing found on our Tuff-Writer other pens. The clips are also slightly re-profiled and heat treated for strength. The tip has gone through an additional post-machine process to smooth out the inside bore and make the pen even smoother.
Isn't that a lot of work?
Yeah, but it's not easy to improve on near perfection.
- Length: 6.00 inches
- Thickness: 0.50 inches
- Weight: 1.8 oz.
- Color: Orange Cerakote
- Material: 6061-T6 Aerospace Grade Aluminum
- Clip: Cold Pressed Spring Steel with non-reflective textured cerakote finish
- Fittings: Black DLC stainless steel bolts and chemical welding
- Cartridge: Fisher SPR4 (Parker Gel Compatible)
- Mechanism: Machined Bearing-Cam Mechanism
- Props in product photos are not included
- Made in the USA


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Playboy Playmate Raquel Pomplun Cheering on Team Mexico in Booty Shorts [VIDEO]
Team Mexico Playboy Playmate Returns to Action ... In Booty Shorts
She's at it again ... Mexico's number 1 fan 2013 Playboy Playmate of the Year Raquel Pomplun -- once again vowing to go wild on video every time Mexico scores a goal.
Pomplun -- who was raised in Tijuana -- blew up on the 'net last week by live-cheering Mexico's game against Cameroon ... and clearly, she's more than happy to do it again for today's match against Brazil.
She's already uploaded a pre-game pump up video to show off her team spirit.
Hopefully, Mexico pulls through on their end.
Stay tuned ...
Waiting for your permission to load the comments.


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Once in a while we get the chance to be part of a really cool decorating or restoration project. Our most recent was in Paris California at the March Air Force Base. The Base is well over 50 years old and they had the opportunity to re-decorate the Officers Club. The Club was, well, it was tired. But it also had tons of character. You could sit in the 1950's era deep red leather lounge chairs and just think of the conversations that Officers must have had in them back in World War II. I think most of the paint and wallpaper was pretty original and the bar top – definitely. The Team in charge of the re-model kept all of the that nostalgia and just freshened it up a bit. They really maximized their budget.
DrapeStyle was awarded the bid to make all of the new custom curtains and drapes. The Design Team chose a classic sheer curtain style and roman blinds that worked really well and didn't break the bank. We've done many commercial drapery projects at DrapeStyle but this was our first time doing a Project for the Military. We really felt proud to have been selected and to have been able to make the new drapery right here in the USA. I guess at the end of the day it just made us proud to be Americans.
Thank you very much to all of those who serve.


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Delivery options available :
- Standard (3-5 working days delivery)
- Integral waterproof cover
- Front map pocket
- Easy access through hood
- Side mesh pockets
- Padded and ergonomic design
|Yellowstone Outdoor Camping
|Product Dimensions
|67 x 33 x 18cm
|400D Hidden Rip stop / 600D Nylon
|Weight capacity
|55 + 5Litre
|Delivery Type
Free standard delivery on orders over £75.
Order until 2pm Monday to Friday for same day dispatch (selected items)
On every product page, you will find the delivery options available for that product. The options are as follows and will show delivery times for UK MAINLAND depending on which warehouse our stock is located in. You will be asked to make your selection in the checkout.
- Standard (5-7 working day delivery)
- Expedited (order by 2pm for next working day delivery)
- Click and collect from our warehouse
- International
You may return most new, unopened items in original packaging within 14 days of delivery for a full refund. You should expect to receive your refund within two weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, in many cases you will receive a refund more quickly.
If you wish to exchange any items (change of size/colour/product) within 14 days of receiving your order.


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Welcome to my Stock Image catalog.
Click on an image above to go to its gallery, or follow the "Galleries" link at top to explore all gallery collections.
You can also perform a keyword search for a needed image subject or concept using the "Search" feature also at top of page.
Recently Updated


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Chess Success: Webster Players Excel in Tournaments Around the Globe
Feb. 19, 2013
Webster sophomore grandmaster Georg Meier, who is the No. 4-ranked chess player in
Germany, was invited to compete in the "super invitational" Grenke Baden Baden Classic
tournament. The opposition was mighty. Reigning World Champion Vishy Anand of India.
The top-ranked players in Germany and England. And the world's fifth-ranked Fabiano
Caruana of Italy, who just happened to start his chess career at age 5 at the Polgar
Chess Center in Queens, N.Y. It has been 88 years since Baden Baden hosted such a
prestigious invitational.
Despite being the lowest-ranked player in this powerful field, Webster's Meier finished in third place overall, and the top German player in the tournament. Even more significant, he drew both games against World Champion Anand. "No collegiate player in the United States has ever held a reigning World Champion to a draw twice in a tournament," said Paul Truong, director of marketing for the Susan Polgar Institute of Chess Excellence (SPICE) at Webster University. "This was an incredible feat!"
Webster senior and women's international master Inna Agrest of Sweden competed in the Baden Baden Open, which was held alongside the invitational. She also had a great outcome, gaining 22.4 rating points.
Two teams from Webster competed in the 2013 U.S. Amateur Team Championship in Chicago last weekend. The event is the most prestigious amateur team event in the U.S. Each team consists of four players and the average rating of the team must be under 2200, which is considered the amateur level.
The team members also must decide on a nickname for their team. Webster's two teams chose "Gorlok Express" and "Oppan Gorlok Style," based on the YouTube sensation song Oppan Gangnam Style.
At the event, Webster junior Mara Kamphorst of Brazil played the role of hero for her "Oppan Gorlok Style" team. "Her upset win against Adream Liang of Wisconsin in the final round gave her team a crucial victory for a third place tie finish out of 54 teams," Truong said.
Webster's "Gorlok Express" team finished with a 4-1 overall match score to tie for third place. Paul Truong Jr. scored one win and two draws against much-higher rated opponents to contribute to his team's success.
Another very strong event, the Illinois Blitz Championship, was held during the 2013 U.S. Amateur Team Championship in Chicago. "In a super-tough tournament with 55 individual players, including five grandmasters, Webster junior and Grandmaster Denes Boros of Hungary scored an impressive 9-1 score to finish a full point ahead of the field," Truong said. "The only loss he had was to his own Webster teammate, junior grandmaster Anatoly Bykhovsky of Israel, as they split 1-1."
Up next? Webster freshman and grandmaster Wesley So of the Philippines arrived in Reykjavik, Iceland on Sunday to compete in the prestigious Reykjavik Open. With the success from the recent Zonal Championship in the Philippines, So earned a berth in the 2013 World Cup while pushing his rating to a personal best of 2689, Truong said. "He is 11 points shy of the 2700 mark, which is considered the level of a super grandmaster. No collegiate chess player in the United States has ever come close to this mark before. Wesley will try to break this barrier while competing in Iceland."


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North Carolina Drug Intervention
When looking for help with a North Carolina Drug Intervention, making the right choice can seem confusing. With the life of your loved one at stake, it is a critical decision. The first thing to remember is there is often only one chance at getting the intervention right, ensuring the addict or alcoholic makes it into treatment.
Substance abuse and addiction are an enormous problem in North Carolina. In fact, four towns in North Carolina are in the top 20 in the country for opiate abuse. Considering that Wilmington is the worst town in the country on this list, it should be no surprise to find that a loved one may be struggling with substance abuse. Remember that even if the affected person is struggling with prescriptions or other drugs, most people using Heroin started on other substances.
Source: Castlight Health
There are major amounts of prescription drugs and heroin going around on the streets that are tainted with other drugs. Certainly all of them are dangerous, one of them is Fentanyl, 50 times stronger than Heroin. This practice has resulted in a massive increase in overdoses in North Carolina, many of them being fatal.
Our team of interventionists has the experience and methods you need to ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible. At this point, convincing your loved one they need help getting into a Residential Drug Rehab or Substance Abuse Treatment Facility will make a world of difference in helping them to achieve long lasting sobriety.
North Carolina Drug Intervention and Addiction Hotline
If you are ready to take the next step but feel unsure of how to do so, we are here for you. Also, our Addiction Hotline is available to you 24/7 if you have any questions. Being that we've made it easy to make sure getting your loved one directly into treatment, having everything set up. In fact, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and United Healthcare will usually cover 100% of the cost associated with many treatment centers. Schedule a call with us today so we can help you discover the options available to for a North Carolina Drug Intervention and Drug Treatment.
Does Drug Addiction Require A Drug Intervention?
The very nature of Drug Addiction makes it extremely difficult for those affected to accept that they have a problem. For this reason, if you suspect your loved one is struggling with substance abuse even though they refuse to acknowledge it, then a North Carolina Drug Intervention will likely be beneficial. Also, the main problem is that drug problems usually come with underlying issues. In effect, the addict cannot address these issues without clearing their head, the vicious cycle can go on forever.


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We have a number of experienced neurosurgeons in wide areas of neurological disorders including stroke/cerebrovascular diseases, brain and spine tumors, spine and peripheral nerve diseases and others.
Microlumbar Discectomy
upon request
In the Functional Neurosurgery Service of Specialized Centers of San Vicente Fundación we have highly qualified specialists, humanization in care and state-of-the-art technology.
This information is intended for general information only and should not be considered as medical advice on the part of Health-Tourism.com. Any decision on medical treatments, after-care or recovery should be done solely upon proper consultation and advice of a qualified physician.
What is Microlumbar Discectomy?
Microlumbar Discectomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure in which a compressed nerve root in the lower back due to a herniated inter-vertebral disk is decompressed. Decompression of the nerve root relieves the back and leg pain.
How is Microlumbar Discectomy Performed?
A small incision of approximately one inch is made on the patient's low back, above the compressed nerve root. An operative microscope is used to remove a crescent shaped part of the bone from the spine, which then discloses the compressed nerve root and herniated inter-vertebral disk. Then, the nerve root is decompressed by removing the disc. The disc nucleus that is degenerated is removed with a curette from the central disc space. The incision is then closed with dissolvable sutures.
How to Prepare for the Surgery?
Copyright © 2008 - 2020 Health-Tourism.com, All Rights Reserved


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Microsoft-Nokia Talks Break Down, and More
What's News: Microsoft recently held advanced talks with Nokia about buying its handset business. British prosecutors charge first person in Libor manipulation probe. James Gandolfini has died at age 51. Joanne Po reports. Photo: AP
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... the mobile market deal falls apart this is what's news at this hour I'm WS J live I'm Joann Co Texas up recently held advanced talks with Nokia about my gets his act is this ... clever sources tell the Wall Street Journal that the discussions ... faltered over pricing worries about Nokia's slumping market position ... it's not clear how much money Nokia wanted for its handset unit ... talks apparently took place as recently as this month ... but are not likely to be revised ... and British prosecutors charged Tanious with eight counts of conspiracy to defraud ... Mr. Hees is a former UBS and Citigroup trader who is accused of conspiring with at least eight other financial institutions in an attempt ... to manipulate benchmark interest rates ... he is the first person charged in connection with the U K's investigation into live or manipulation ... Mr. Hayes did not enter a plea ... it will be a preliminary hearing in this case on July fourth ... sch ... actor James Kendal Fini has died ... he was the star of the critically acclaimed ... HBO drama series The soprano is playing Mafia boss Tony soprano ... was a complicated highly vulnerable character ... it's of role that when Mr Kendall CD three Emmy Awards and Golden Globe the show was widely credited with helping to begin an era of high quality Thomas and people TV ... Mr. candles he was on holiday in Rome ... the Associated Press reports he died of cardiac arrest ... he was fifty one years old ... looking keep us anomaly business about Mr upbeat and what's his I'm WS J last ...


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Car Hire at Glasgow International Airport
Opening times
Car Hire Glasgow Airport
Glasgow International Airport is just 30 minutes from the city centre. Discover Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee or embark on a Highland adventure with Avis car hire.
Address & Contact DetailsSt Andrews Drive, Paisley, Glasgow, PA3 2TD. Tel: 03445446003
24-hour drop-off
Opening Times
|07:00 - 22:30
|07:00 - 22:30
|07:00 - 22:30
|07:00 - 22:30
|07:00 - 22:30
|07:00 - 22:30
|07:00 - 22:30
Finding Avis car hire at Glasgow AirportDomestic arrivals
On leaving the baggage reclaim the Avis rental desk is directly on your right hand side.
International arrivals
Leave the baggage reclaim, turn left, continue towards the domestic arrivals hall and turn left again.
Returning your hire car
The Avis rental station at Glasgow International Airport is conviently located directly outside, across the road from the Terminal. When returning to Glasgow airport, you will pick up signs for car rental return.
Services and optional extras
Avis Preferred: If you like the quality of our regular service, then you'll love our free customer loyalty programme. In addition to pre-prepared paperwork and our 3-Minute Promise, you can earn complimentary extras, such as vehicle upgrades, additional drivers and weekend car rental bonuses.
Out-of-hours return: With flights arriving and departing at all times of the day or night, you may find you need to return your car outside our normal opening hours. Just let us know your plans and we'll be able to help.
Breakdown assistance: In the unlikely event that you have a problem with your car, you can call for immediate roadside assistance. If the problem can't be fixed there and then, we'll give you a replacement vehicle to help you on your way.
Optional extras
Satellite navigation: The beauty of driving is the freedom it gives you to go where you want to go – provided you know where that is! To help you find those unfamiliar destinations, you can order satellite navigation as an option on all our cars.
Child seats: Adequate child seats are not only a legal requirement in the United Kingdom, they also ensure a more comfortable and enjoyable journey for all your younger passengers. If you plan to have children with you, simply let us know when booking your car.
Explore the West of Scotland with Avis car rental
Whether you're arriving by plane or returning your hire car, it's easy to find us in the Arrivals hall at the airport. On your return journey, simply follow the signs for car hire return as you approach the airport.
Glasgow city centre is just 32 miles away and can be reached easily by taking the A77 which then becomes the M77. Once a major industrial centre, the city is now a popular destination for shopping, culture and entertainment.
To the north, you'll find some of Scotland's most beautiful locations and driving routes, including the Trossachs, the West Highlands and the Western Isles. Wherever you go, you can be sure of a warm welcome – starting at the Avis desk.


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Mass murder nearly always carried out by men
It is perhaps society's most perplexing gender gap.
Aside from the terrifying sameness of brutality and indiscriminate destruction, there is another common denominator in the mass shootings in Aurora, Oak Creek, Columbine, Fort Hood, Virginia Tech and Newtown. All of the shooters were male.
"It suggests there's something about maleness. An aggrieved entitlement that's unique to men," said Hugo Schwyzer, a professor of history and gender studies at Pasadena City College, who has written frequently on the topic.
"Women do commit murder. There are women killing ex-lovers, killing rivals, killing small children. But they tend to kill people to whom they have a deep emotional tie," Schwyzer said.
"This killing, in which the killing doesn't matter, is male."
As Mother Jones magazine noted in a recent review of 62 mass shootings in the U.S. it reviewed since 1982, only one involved a female.
That was in 2006, when a 44-year-old former California postal worker, Jennifer Sanmarco, killed a neighbor, six employees at her old mail processing plant and then herself. She used a semiautomatic handgun.
The magazine apparently omitted an Oct. 30, 1985, shooting spree in which a mentally disturbed woman, Sylvia Seegrist, 25, killed two men and a 2-year-old, and wounded seven others during a rampage in a Springfield, Pa., mall.
The gender disparity is just as glaring when looking at homicides in general.
According to supplementary homicide reports for 1976 through 2005 from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, males committed 88.8 percent of homicides during those years; women committed 11.2 percent.
Looking deeper, men committed 91.3 percent of gun homicides from 1976-2005; women committed 8.7 percent. Men were responsible for 93.5 percent of homicides with multiple victims; women were responsible for 6.5 percent.
More recently, the FBI's Uniform Crime Reports for 2010 show that 6,276 men were arrested for murder and non-negligent manslaughter that year, compared to 751 women.
"There's still a huge difference in the way we raise boys and girls," said New Haven psychotherapist Linda Barone.
"Girls tend to define themselves in relation to each other. Boys often define themselves in competition with each other. Being a loner -- that isn't encouraged at all in women and girls.
"Women tend to turn their anger inward and blame themselves for things, traditionally. Boys are expected to have fist fights and to express anger physically," Barone said.
Yet other scholars contend there's also a biological factor in gender and violence.
Harvard University psychologist Steven Pinker, author of "The Better Angels of Our Nature," said that in most primates and societies, gender differences regarding violence emerge as early as toddlerhood.
"Though the exact ratios vary, in every society it is the males more than the females who play-fight, bully, fight for real, carry weapons, enjoy violent entertainment, fantasize about killing, kill for real, rape, start wars, and fight in wars," Pinker asserts in his book.
"Not only is the direction of the sex difference universal, but the first domino is almost certainly biological."
Reached by email, Pinker said the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings were a tragic example of this gender difference.
"Most rampage killings such as that in Newtown may be even more male-biased because they are triggered by the kinds of motives that especially differentiate the genders -- violence for dominance and revenge, which is largely a guy thing," Pinker said.
Other research suggests a more complex picture of emotional expression between genders.
Tara Chaplin, an assistant professor of psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine, recently was the lead author of a comprehensive analysis of every study on childhood and adolescent emotional expression in the past 30 years. The analysis gathered data from 166 studies, with 21,709 participants ranging in age from birth to 18.
The analysis yielded a nuanced set of results, with several surprises.
For example, while there were significant gender differences in processing emotion overall, those differences remained small, Chaplin said. Also, differences seemed to peak by age 12.
"There are a lot of assumptions in society about gender differences in emotional expression, but there's been no comprehensive review until now," Chaplin explained.
But here's where it gets more complicated. Chaplin found that boys' and girls' expression of anger diverges depending on their surroundings.
At home, with loved ones, both genders feel freer to show anger. But around their peers, boys show their anger more than girls do.
Likewise, when they're alone watching a movie or video, boys externalize their anger more than girls.
"We were really surprised by this, and we have no great explanation for it," Chaplin said. "There should be no social pressure to show anger when you're alone."
Also, Chaplin was quick to point out that expressing anger is not necessarily a bad thing. In moderation, it builds persistence, assertiveness and independence.
"However, there may also be risks attendant with this tendency to express externalizing emotions in young boys," Chaplin wrote in her paper.
"If anger is expressed at a high level and is expressed to the exclusion of emotions like fear or empathy, and certain stressors are present, there could be a risk for the development of conduct problems, such as aggressive behavior and disregard for rules of conduct."
That's where parents, educators, therapists and an enlightened public can help, experts said.
"A big part of this is about the way in which we deal with young men and anger. And rage. And pain," said Schwyzer.
"Women are permitted public displays of emotion that men are not. We need to find ways for men to have healthy expressions of anger."
Contact reporter Jim Shelton at 203-789-5664.


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This forum is all about supporting AAVSO members reaching out to and mentoring students and educators who want to do real astronomy. We want to present variable star science as a great way to learn and teach fundamental stellar physics with real data and the opportunity to genuinely contribute to the advancement of the same. Not only is mentoring students and educators fun, but it can set a young person's direction for life - creating the next generation of astronomers one young person at a time!
If this is what you do, would like to do better or what you would like to START to do, then this forum has you in mind.
- Do you need help finding suitable variable star projects for student/educator projects?
- Do you have a success story to share?
- What worked for you and what didn't?
- Help lighten the load: share, adapt and extend materials.
Let's encourage one another, help where we can and set students and teachers up for the sort of success that makes lifetime astronomers!
- Carl Knight.


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Happy Tuesday everyone Thank you again for stopping by!
Monday, February 21, 2011
More Spinach & Turkey are the KEY words here!
Happy Tuesday everyone Thank you again for stopping by!
14 comments:
The first one sounds absolutely delicious to me. It's meatloaf night at my house tonight but I probably won't do anything funky with it.ReplyDelete
YUM!!!! I desperately need some new healthy recipes so this is great!!!ReplyDelete
I haven't stopped by here in a long time, the place looks fantastic!!!
A Hesitant Housewife
Your boys are lucky to have a mother so interested in cooking good food for themReplyDelete
I have one child who loved spinach but I have never really cooked with it...might have to try that quiche recipe...sounds yummy! :)ReplyDelete
We are not spinach fans but the recipes sound good!ReplyDelete
Girl, you amaze me how you are still cookin up a storm!ReplyDelete
mmm love quiche xxReplyDelete
You had me at "Quiche". I love it. I am the only one who likes it here though....oh well....MORE FOR ME!!!!! LOL Blessings, JoanneReplyDelete
Tag...You're it! http://10minutes2breathe.blogspot.comReplyDelete
hi, new to the site, thanks.ReplyDelete
That first recipe sounds really good and I think it would be a hit in my house. I love finding new recipes to try. Thanks for sharing!ReplyDelete
And thanks for stopping by to check out my Easy Chicken Alfredo Pizza.
Have a wonderful day,
Omg, how YUMMY!!!!! Thanks for all this, I want to make them for my family.ReplyDelete
Everything looks very good. My favorite would be the Quiche!ReplyDelete
how was the quiche? Looks delish!ReplyDelete
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