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NGO Proposes Ways to Combat Corruption During Elections

PETALING JAYA: An anti-graft NGO today proposed six recommendations to combat corrupt practices during elections, including empowering the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to investigate election offences.

The Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) suggested that the MACC be accorded powers similar to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) of Hong Kong.

The ICAC, it explained, could investigate all offences under the Hong Kong election ordinance that was similar to Malaysia’s Election Offences Act (EOA).

Meanwhile, C4 suggested that the EOA be amended to include abuse of power by a caretaker government during the election campaign period as well as address the issue of gerrymandering.

“The EOA should be amended to make the establishment of enforcement teams by the Electoral Commission (EC) to monitor and control election activities mandatory.”

Read more here.


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July 23, 2014 / 5:08 AM / in 3 years

Puerto Rico debt crisis headed for U.S.-style bankruptcy resolution

(Reuters) - Momentum is building toward a deal that would make painful losses inevitable for investors holding about $20 billion in bonds issued by Puerto Rico’s highway, water and electricity authorities even as some big U.S. mutual funds launch a legal battle to squelch a new law that authorizes a restructuring.

Puerto Rico's governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla addresses the legislature about a billion-dollar cut in public spending and his new economic initiatives, in San Juan April 29, 2014. REUTERS/Ana Martinez-Santiago

The Puerto Rican government and most of its creditors have hired U.S.-based bankruptcy experts to advise them through the Caribbean island’s efforts to solve its debt problem, and the resolution figures to look a lot like a U.S.-style bankruptcy.

The crisis came to a head late last month when Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla pushed through the Public Corporations Debt Enforcement and Recovery Act to create a bankruptcy-like process for restructuring the debt of commonwealth-run corporations. That’s caused prices on some of the bonds of the electric utility, known as PREPA, to fall to 40 cents on the dollar or below. PREPA is widely viewed to be in the weakest condition of the agencies.

Municipal bond mutual funds including Oppenheimer & Co. and Franklin Templeton sued to block the law. Some of their funds have suffered negative returns since the Recovery Act triggered the decline in Puerto Rico bonds, a long-time favorite among fund managers thanks to their triple tax-free status and fat yields. Supporting the law is a group of distressed debt investors who bought more than $3 billion of Puerto Rico’s general obligation (GO) and governmental development bank (GDB) bonds, which can’t be restructured under the law.

Padilla is trying to protect the commonwealth’s ability to make payments on about $52 billion of bonds not subject to the law by restructuring the debt of agencies like PREPA and the sewer and water authority known as PRASA, said Suzzanne Uhland, a lawyer and municipal insolvency expert at O‘Melveny & Myers in San Francisco.

“What the commonwealth is trying to signal is that they are going to let PREPA and PRASA go under but they will stand behind the GO and GDB bonds,” she said.

Late last week, the distressed debt investors who bought the GO and GDB bonds said they had formed a committee in support of the new law. The formation of such groups, which are a staple in big bankruptcy cases that involve disparate creditor factions, is an indication of a restructuring in its infancy, restructuring specialists said.

One key role for the committee in Puerto Rico, which includes Fir Tree Partners and Aurelius Capital Management, among others, could be to finance a restructuring for PREPA through a so-called debtor-in-possession, or DIP, loan.

Early projections peg a DIP for PREPA in the $1.5 billion to $2 billion range, people close to the matter have told Reuters.

With prospects that the situation will unfold like a U.S.-style bankruptcy, top turnaround experts have jumped into the fray.

Puerto Rico’s government development bank has hired Jim Millstein, who oversaw the U.S. rescue of American International Group. Lawyers at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, which has advised Greece and Argentina, teamed with Proskauer Rose’s Martin Bienenstock, the bankruptcy expert who helped structure the auto bankruptcies of 2009, to write the bulk of the new bankruptcy law.

MBIA Inc and Assured Guaranty Ltd, bond insurers with more than $10 billion in combined exposure to Puerto Rico, are being represented by financial advisers with workout expertise at The Blackstone Group and Houlihan Lokey, respectively. The three have a combined exposure of $2.4 billion to PREPA, according to Moody’s Investors Service.

Others involved include law firms Weil, Gotshal & Manges, which took Lehman Brothers through bankruptcy, Debevoise & Plimpton, which was involved with American Airlines’ Chapter 11, and Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, which has been involved in Detroit’s bankruptcy.

The restructuring efforts follow a decade during which an index of the island’s economic activity has fallen by 18 percent and the number of employed people has fallen by 11 percent.

The government runs chronic budget deficits and has a weak track record for collecting everything from sales and corporate income taxes to power and water bills. To plug the gap, the government and its agencies have turned repeatedly to the $3.7 trillion U.S. municipal bond market, eventually amassing a collective debt of $72.6 billion.

Padilla, who took office in January 2013, has been aggressive in addressing the island’s fiscal crisis, raising taxes, reforming public pensions and slashing spending.

But his move to push through the restructuring law last month shocked investors. Prices on PREPA bonds and those issued by its sister corporations plunged, with some PREPA debt falling by nearly 50 percent in a matter of days.

Credit ratings agencies, which had already cut most Puerto Rico bonds to below-investment grade earlier in the year, slashed them deeper into junk territory, saying the law raised questions about the administration’s commitment to honoring its debts.

The upshot has been a shift in ownership of Puerto Rico bonds away from risk-averse investors to hedge funds who are accustomed to uncovering ways to profit from bonds trading at deeply discounted levels.

“There’s no way any traditional investor is buying at 40 cents on the dollar,” said David Tawil of Maglan Capital, a distressed debt hedge fund.

Hedge funds buying the distressed PREPA debt may open the way to a debt-cutting deal, given that they specialize in finding “collaborative solutions that will assist in any restructuring,” said Laurence Gottlieb, the chairman and chief executive officer of Fundamental Advisors, which focuses on municipal markets.

Many hedge funds are accustomed to plowing more money into a situation if it offers a chance of boosting their returns, and due to the current dearth of big corporate bankruptcies, funds are scrambling for investment opportunities.

That could be a boon for PREPA as it needs to convert to natural gas-fueled plants but is unlikely to get financing from traditional muni investors who may now shun all things Puerto Rico. The island commonwealth also must borrow to pay for the oil it uses to fire its generators.

The power company already has had to arrange a deferral of payments on expired bank lines of credit. The grace period expires on July 31, and $696 million is owed its banks in August, unless it can negotiate new credit terms or forbearance agreements.

PREPA said it would use the grace period to “evaluate various alternatives to improve its financial position.”

Indeed, a restructuring of PREPA’s debt could provide relief for the bonds owed directly by the island’s government.

Puerto Rico has committed to repaying its general obligation bonds, a promise it never made for PREPA and the other public corporations. Treating those corporations as if they were private businesses assures investors the commonwealth government won’t tie up its limited funds with bail-outs.

Puerto Rico’s debt becomes more manageable once it cuts the debt associated with its three biggest public corporations.

Recent market activity suggests some investors believe that could well be the case. While many long-term PREPA bonds remain at prices in the mid-40s or below, the commonwealth’s general obligation bonds have rallied.

Prices on its benchmark offering of $3.5 billion of GO bonds sold in March -- the largest municipal junk bond offering in history -- have risen from as low as 83.5 cents on the dollar shortly after the law was enacted to nearly 90 cents on Tuesday.

Still, it’s clear that some investors aren’t ready to simply accept the inevitability of a restructuring.

Oppenheimer and Franklin allege in their lawsuit that the Recovery Act violates the U.S. Constitution on multiple fronts, including by allowing the commonwealth to impair contracts over the objections of certain bondholders.

“A state law may not force a municipality’s secured bondholders to accept a composition of their indebtedness merely because other holders have voted to do so,” Franklin and Oppenheimer said in their June 29 complaint.

The government responded to the lawsuit in federal court in San Juan, the island’s capital, on Monday, saying it should be dismissed as untimely because PREPA has not yet sought to use the provisions of the Recovery Act.

Indeed, the aggressive measures taken by Padilla have won some admirers among the new ilk of investors.

“The assumption that Puerto Rico is just terribly broken and needs to restructure immediately is false,” Eli Combs, whose distressed investment fund, Meehan Combs, owns Puerto Rico general obligation bonds, but not PREPA bonds.

Combs said the commonwealth bought itself breathing room earlier this year with the bond sale and circumstances would have to change drastically before a reckoning is inevitable. He said Puerto Rico “is taking real actions to fix an economy that’s existed for hundreds of years.”

Reporting by Nick Brown and Edward Krudy in New York and Tom Hals in Wilmington, Delaware. Editing by John Pickering

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September 25, 2015 / 2:10 AM / in 2 years

New pink iPhones prove popular as record weekend sales expected

SAN FRANCISCO/SYDNEY (Reuters) - The iPhone 6s and 6s Plus hit stores around the world on Friday, kicking off what is expected to be a record weekend of sales as customers scrambled to buy Apple Inc’s (AAPL.O) marquee product in pink for the first time.

A man takes pictures as Apple iPhone 6s and 6s Plus go on sale at an Apple Store in Beijing, China September 25, 2015. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

Eager buyers - joined by at least one robot - flocked to Apple stores from Sydney to New York and San Francisco, itching to get their hands on new models boasting an improved camera and a screen feature Apple calls ‘3D Touch’, which performs different functions depending on how hard a user presses.

“It’s very intuitive. I’m really excited to see what developers do with it,” Leah Bentley, a 22-year-old software developer from Emeryville, California, said inside Apple’s San Francisco store after purchasing her phone.

For all the sophisticated technology packed into the new iPhones, customers interviewed by Reuters were most excited by a more low-tech feature: the ‘rose gold’ finish, a new shade that Apple introduced with the current phone.

The novel hue - essentially sparkling pink - accounted for more than a third of early in-store sales, according to FBR Capital Markets analyst Daniel Ives, citing conversations with buyers.

Another of the hundreds gathered outside the store in downtown San Francisco was pink-haired software developer Jo Engo, 37, who has lobbied Apple leaders past and present for a phone in his favorite color.

“I have emailed not only Steve Jobs but Tim Cook,” Engo said outside the store, sporting an Apple Watch with a pink band and an iPhone 6 in a pink case. “I‘m so excited they’re finally doing it.”

Despite the crowds, the scene was less frenetic than usual at the San Francisco store, perhaps because more people now order phones online, and the release of a new device has become routine.

One store at least was buzzing, as Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook made a surprise visit to company’s store in Georgetown, Washington, to raucous cheers from employees and shoppers.

Analysts expect 12 million to 13 million phones to fly off the shelves in the first weekend, up from more than 10 million last year when the launch of the hugely successful iPhone 6 was delayed in China, the world’s biggest smartphone market.

Apple, whose shares were largely unchanged on Friday, has said pre-orders suggested sales were on pace to beat last year’s first-weekend performance. It usually announces first weekend sales on the following Monday.

Among the first to pick up the new iPhone 6s in a cold, rainy Sydney was a robot named Lucy, operated remotely by marketing executive Lucy Kelly.

“I obviously have my work and other things to attend to and can’t spend two days lining up so my boss at work suggested I take one of the robots down and use it to stand in my place,” she said, via an iPad mounted on top of the wheeled robot.

After a dramatic redesign last year, which included an enlarged screen and the addition of mobile payments, the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus - which were first unveiled by Apple two weeks ago - boast more modest improvements.

Several reviewers have said that might not be compelling enough to persuade iPhone 6 users to upgrade.

Apple has said just a fraction of its customers have upgraded to the iPhone 6 - analysts estimate less than 30 percent - suggesting there is room to grow.

Apple has sold more than 700 million iPhones since the first model of the device upended the smartphone market in 2007. Still, Apple has only about 16 percent of the global smartphone market compared to 81 percent for devices running Google Inc’s (GOOGL.O) Android system, according to tech research firm IDC’s projections for this year.

More important than customer appetite for upgrades is sales outside the United States, particularly in China, said Aaron Rakers, an analyst at Stifel Nicolaus & Co.

Repair firm iFixit, which opened up an iPhone 6s and 6s Plus on Friday, said battery capacity was down "a bit", probably to accommodate new features. Apple has said battery life is unchanged in the new phones. (

The new iPhones use chips made by, among others, Qualcomm Inc (QCOM.O), Avago Technologies Ltd (AVGO.O), Qorvo Inc’s QRVO.O TriQuint Semiconductor and RF Micro Devices, Texas Instruments Inc TXN.O and Skyworks Solutions Inc SWKS.O.

Shares of audio chipmaker Cirrus Logic Inc (CRUS.O) jumped 15 percent after iFixit’s tear-down revealed that Apple had used its chips, as it did in previous iPhones.

Lackluster offerings this year from Samsung Electronics Co Ltd (005930.KS) will help Apple stand out in the marketplace, said analyst Patrick Moorhead of Moor Insights & Strategy. He said he expected the 6s to eclipse the 6 “over the long haul.”

The 6s and 6s Plus start at $199 and $299 respectively with a two-year service-provider contract.

Reporting by Pauline Askin in Sydney, Siddharth Cavale in New York, Julia Love in San Francisco and Supriya Kurane, Lehar Maan and Anya George Tharakan in Bengaluru; Writing by Lincoln Feast and Robin Paxton; Editing by Stephen Coates, Ted Kerr and Bill Rigby

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March 7, 2016 / 2:58 PM / in 2 years

In '60 Minutes' gaffe, actress Kim Cattrall depicted as Canadian PM's mother

TORONTO (Reuters) - A gaffe by the CBS show “60 Minutes,” which mistakenly aired a photo of the actress Kim Cattrall implying she was the mother of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, was cheerfully accepted by Cattrall, who said she couldn’t be more proud.

Margaret Trudeau (L) and Kim Cattrall. REUTERS/Chris Wattie/Lucas Jackson

The episode broadcast late Sunday of the widely watched television news magazine featured a profile of Trudeau, who is due to visit Washington this week and attend a state dinner hosted by U.S. President Barack Obama.

While a reporter on the show talked about Trudeau’s father, Pierre Trudeau, who was prime minister of Canada a generation earlier, and his mother Margaret Trudeau, a black-and-white image of the elder Trudeau and Cattrall depicted together was shown on screen.

Pierre and Margaret Trudeau each dated a string of celebrities after their marriage broke up, and the sometimes high-profile relationships often made news in Canada, where the prime minister and his young sons were celebrated in the media.

The photo of Trudeau and Cattrall was snapped by a photographer of the Toronto Star newspaper in 1981, the paper said on Monday.

That was long before the Canadian actress became best known for her role in the hit HBO show, Sex and the City.

Cattrall responded to the error good naturedly, saying in a post on Twitter: “I have a son who is the Prime Minister of Canada? I couldn’t b (sic) more proud.”

The Prime Minister’s Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The gaffe made headlines across Canada, sparking jokes about Canada’s typically low profile in the United States.

Reporting by Andrea Hopkins; Editing by Bernadette Baum

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Accessible Page Links

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Play is the way!

Play is the way is a program of physically interactive games that helps to change the student, teacher relationship from one based on control and compliance to one based on guidance and self-determination.

The program:

Has been formally evaluated and proven in primary schools throughout Australia.

Is teacher and curriculum friendly.

Is simple to establish, sustainable and affordable.

Requires no expensive or extensive specialised training to be highly effective.

In facilitating the program, teachers learn the words and strategies that empower students to manage their own behaviour, improve their emotional intelligence and increase their chances of success in life. It is suitable for primary school children of all ages, abilities and ethnic backgrounds. No particular sporting or athletic ability is required to successfully participate in the program. The program is a cross curricular tool that promotes social and emotional learning.


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Moving on!

G’day everybody,

I’m finally back on the road! The last days on the farm have been rough… Not because of the work, but because of the huge amount of money, I ended up investing in my van. 743$ to be exact! The WOF was due, so I brought it into the workshop, but a backpacker’s car wouldn’t be a backpacker’s car without sudden issues, that only appear when they need to pass certain mechanical tests. This time, my van decided to wreck it’s battery first of all. But that was not it. Also, the passenger’s door played up, making it impossible to change the oil, which is located underneath the passenger seat. And if that wasn’t already enough, I ended up failing the WOF either way, due to a tiny hole of rust in the frame of my boot… It’s tiny… and in my boot… How does this affect my driving?! And why does it cost 480$ (!!) to patch up a hole?!?!

Many many hours at the mechanic and 743$ later, I eventually had everything ready to go… Well, except for the money because that was gone. So practically, I can start looking for a new job straight away. Any offers??

Just in case of emergency, Joel offered me to come back anytime, if I need work. Seems like he was quite happy with me. Apparently, I had been the best worker, he ever had! 🙂 But to be honest, I have enough of work for a while and I need a break after working straight for two and a half months without a single day off…

So, wherever the wind would carry me, I started my journey into the unknown. Just kidding, my destination was Wellington, but I wanted to make sure, that I don’t miss out on anything on the way, which is why I took an extremely windy detour and ended up in “Castlepoint”, feeling like I need to throw up. Once again…

Because Karma wouldn’t be Karma without messing with me, the weather was pretty bad, when I actually felt better to explore what Castlepoint is famous for: its lighthouse. After fighting against strong winds and massive raindrops (just kidding :P), I finally got up to the top and got instantly rewarded with impressive views, despite bad weather.

I got an amazing impression of how crowded it actually is from the top of “Mount Victoria”. It probably gives you the best views over Wellington’s harbour, stadium and airport. With it being one out of 176 windy days in Wellington, it got quite chilly up there though, which is why I also decided to take the same bus, that I took up, about 15 minutes later back again. The driver must have felt a bit sorry for me, though, as he decided to let me go for free. I don’t know, how that always happens to me, but I surely won’t say no 😛

Tuesday was then finally the day of new adventures. Around noon, I hopped on the ferry, heading towards the South Island and new adventures! Well, it didn’t go as smooth, as I hoped for… I had to wait in my car under the burning sun for about 5 hours before I could actually drive onto the ferry! “Sunburn” is a pretty nice way to describe my current skin condition! 😛 But the views, that I had been offered during the ferry ride, definitely made up for it!

Bye for now, North Island!

Always remember: Dare Yourself and Prove them wrong!

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6 reasons why you should buy that plane ticket!

G’day all!

Have you ever been debating, whether or not you should take the big step and start your adventure into the unknown? It’s okay to be scared! I will give you 6 reasons, why you should buy that plane ticket!

1. You would regret it.  Never ever reject a big opportunity. If you won’t take chances, you will regret it big time! It will happen sooner or later and who wants to grow old, thinking about the things, we didn’t do, when we had the chance?!

2. It will change you. You might not believe it, but travelling will actually change you to the goood! It might not change your character magically, turning you into the person, that you always wanted to be, but it will certainly make you a whole lot more independent and daring!

3. No Uni can teach you what you learn in a foreign country. You think you need to get far in life? Well, let me tell you a thing: No Uni can teach you, what you learn during your travels. Because it’s not the theoretical things, that you learned from books, that makes you intelligent. You learn a lot more about culture and life, that no one could teach you but yourself!

4. It’s the only ever way to get over stereotypes. If you never give new cultures and nationalities a chance, you will always keep your judgemental attitudes, giving you a hard time in life. The best way to rethink all these stereotypes, that are out there, is to make your own image of the situation!

5. You will make heaps of international friends. Number 4. goes hand in hand with number 5. The more you interact with other nationalities, the more international friends you will make. How amazing is it to know, that you know people from all over the world, that are waiting for you to visit them in their home country!

6. You’re too young to waste your life being stuck in one place. Let’s be honest. Life is not about being stuck in one place and working every day until we die. What do we save up for, if we never do something with our savings? Even if you don’t have any savings, it’s definitely possible to just go out there and live life! We were not meant to stay in one place when there is a whole world to be explored!

Buy the plane ticket!

Dare Yourself – Prove them wrong!

Little Update: My book is going great! I’m getting closer and closer to finishing the story. Other than that, we have been celebrating “Guy Fawkes”, which is an English thing, to everyone, who doesn’t know it. It was great, with fireworks, campfire and BBQ! Plus, I had to find out, that my car battery is wrecked. Great way to lose all the money, that I just saved up because it’s not only the battery, it’s also WOF, oil change and service, that needs to be done… 9 more days and I will be back on the road!

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We have all done it… **Backpacker confessions**

G’day everyone!

What’s up? Still everything as normal here on the farm. Well, to be honest, I got pretty sick (happens, when you work in the rain :P). It’s really annoying. Especially, when you work 7 days a week and getting a day off is not that simple. But not long and I’m finally free! To be honest, it’s quite tough for me here at the moment. People are going through a divorce and I’m somewhere in between. There is no happiness here in this house at the moment. It’s quite depressing.

Before I get into the article, I would like to point out, that someone actually printed one of my photos on canvas! Feels awesome to know, that someone likes my photos that much! Although it was not even one of my best photos, I’m still happy with the result:

All right, here we go! 10 things, we all must admit having done at least once:

1. Washing your clothes in the shower and drying them with a hairdryer. Yep, that’s right. It saves you a lot of money for the expensive machines, that can cost up to 5$ per wash in Australia. Unfortunately, the washing machines don’t really do a good job, which is why I would never attempt to wash white or expensive. To be honest, most of my clothes are old, full of holes or from Kmart anyway. 😛

2. Stealing clothes other people forgot in hostels. Clothes are far too expensive. Moreover, we don’t want to waste money on new clothes, if there are so many adventures, that we could spend money on instead. Luckily, the cleaning staff in hostels often forgets to check underneath the beds, which is where many people forget their clothes. It’s simple: Wash it, wear it, it’s yours! Jackpot! No one would come back to claim back an old shirt, that has been sitting underneath the bed for months!

3. Fixing thongs with duct tape. Who needs shoes, when something like thongs exists. To the inventor of the thongs: You are a genius! Unfortunately, most of them don’t last forever. Especially not the 3$ thongs, that you pulled out of the vending machine. This is where duct tape comes in handy! Never would we think of getting rid of them! No, we fix them and wear them with pride. What about the old put-an-old-bread-bag-clip-underneath-the-thong-trick, hey? You all know, what I’m talking about.

4. Sitting in front of buildings to steal wifi. If there is no library in reachable distance, most of us wouldn’t hesitate to sit in front of restaurants and buildings to get some of their free wifi. Even, if that underlines our homelessness even more. Data are fairly expensive and sometimes, you need to switch your priorities around a bit.

5. If it’s free – you take it, no matter whether you need it or not. Number one rule of backpacking! The word “free” turns into your absolute favourite word when you’re living on a tight budget!

6. Being willing to spend the night on a freezing bus/ train. It’s cheaper than a flight, plus, you save on a night’s accommodation fee. So why would we not spend the night in a super uncomfortable, freezing bus, with no chance to find any sleep? Makes total sense to me!

7. You love to experiment to find out about the best travel hacks. As a traveller, you sometimes need to get creative in order to get a through. Throughout the years, we have developed the most creative travel hacks, that should be awarded. Let me give you an example: You don’t need a stove! When the kitchen is busy, you might as well take the cattle into your room and boil your eggs in the cattle. Thank me later 😀

8. You know more mechanics than National Parks. As much as we live our home on wheels, they are usually a waste of money. They are old and have done way too many ks. Plus, the need regular oil changes. Oh, and what was that rattling noise, that recently kicked in? Mechanics become your new best friend. Whether they rip you off or not, you tend to get really dependent on them, wherever you go.

9. You regret having taken so much stuff with you. Before you leave, you can’t imagine, how you could possibly survive on “so little”, but after you arrive, you will soon realize, that you have packed WAY too much. You will start to get rid of unnecessary stuff like hair dryers and that third pair of shoes. Carrying around an over-heavy backpack is not funny, trust me!

10. You’re never gonna feel “home” again. This is what travelling is all about. We lose our hearts in a certain place and wish, that we wouldn’t have to leave the country at some point. Well, the day usually comes sooner than expected. But once we’re home, we notice, that this isn’t  “home” anymore. Our home is somewhere else, on the other side of the globe ❤

Don’t forget to smile,

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Things I’ve learnt while travelling part 2

Hey all!

Another week, another blog. Nothing has changed. I’m still working and basically braindead. I have been getting up at 5 am every day for the past month and haven’t had a day off or anything.

That’s why little cheer – ups, like the one my friend sent me from the Netherlands, are more than appreciated! She sent me an awesome “survival kit”. I never thought I’d be so happy over a notepad, a razor or a pair of socks! Super cute of her!! Shoutout to my girl Esmee! Xx

Anyway, since part 1 seemed to be quite popular, here is part 2! Five more things, that I learnt while travelling!

1. Your name is irrelevant. Literally every conversation between traveller’s starts with any question, other than “What’s your name?”. It’s not the next question either or the question after that. If the questions occur at all, it’s usually the last. (“Oh by the way, what’s your name?”) But what usually happens, is, that you end up forgetting to ask at all and after two days start wondering, whether it would be awkward to ask for the name, after you two have become good mates already…

2. Shoes aren’t necessary. Especially in Australia, many people just screw shoes. Whether you go int the mall, the grocery store or the service station, no one ever wears shoes and it is socially acceptable… Well, in most places. Other places put up signs, telling you, that entry is prohibited without shirt or shoes.. or both. I must say, it is definitely convenient to leave them off since I drive barefooted anyway. It’s just so much more comfortable!

3. Goodbyes are horrible. While travelling, you meet so many lovely people, that you have a really good time with and you never want to let go. But, since we’re all constantly on the move, goodbyes became inevitable. And they’re the cruellest part about travelling. Especially, because you have no idea, whether you will see the other person, living on the other side of the world, ever again. But, hey, travel makes the world suddenly turn into a really small place, doesn’t it??

4. Earplugs are an essential. Most travellers decide to save their money, staying in hostels. I mean, you usually can’t afford anything else anyway, when you live on a budget. Especially, because hostels are expensive enough already, considering what you actually pay for: no privacy, snoring roommates and noisy couples. If you decide to stay in hostels, earplugs are a must! Unless you have a really deep sleep…

5. Comfy clothes and sweatpants take up about 75% of your backpack. Let’s be honest, who needs to have fancy clothes, when you spend most of the time driving, hiking or trying to stay warm during cold nights in the car anyway. From all the fancy clothes, that I had with me, I haven’t kept a single piece in the end. It’s just not worth it. Your clothes will get dirty and full of holes anyway, since the washing machine over here doesn’t really fulfil its purpose. Plus, you can just wear them with anything. True travellers just don’t have space for luxury!

Let me know if you want a part 3!

Here is the link to part 1:

Stay tuned everyone,

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Expectations vs Reality: Backpacking

Hey everyone!

Since I have recently lost all my money, I had nothing else to do than working my a** off. Why? Because no one told me, you had to pay for “road user charges” here in New Zealand. I already thought, it can’t be right, when I saw the cheap diesel prices… What am I talking about? Well, all diesel cars have to get a specific license and pay for their kilometres in advance, while petrol cars have to pay a lot more at the service station. Since I had no idea, that I had to get that license, until now, I had to pay for 7000ks that I was over already, plus another 3000 to keep driving for a little while. That was 620$ and thereby all the money, I had. The payment of my first job is already overdue. Hopefully, it comes in soon..

The bloody time change also killed me a little because I basically start work at four in the morning now..

Anyway since, my week was pretty similar to last week and the only “new” thing was, that I got to meet all the neighbours, here are some stereotypical expectations, that others and I had before I started my backpacking adventure and their harsh reality! How unexpected!

1. Expectation: You’ll spend a lot of time carrying your backpack around. Before I spend my travels, I often heard, that people thought, I would walk around in the desert carrying my backpack around with no other soul around. But come on! Backpacking doesn’t automatically mean, you end up as a nomad in the Sahara desert. In reality, backpackers usually always only carry a small daypack around, leaving the backpack in the car or hostel. Unlesd you have to take on half a daytrip with your backpack to get from your hostel to the train station, looking like a humpback whale: Your backpack on your back, your dayback at the front, another bag full of food in your hand and your phone with Google Maps open in your other hand.

2. Expectation: You will lose weight from all the walking. The above expectation is the reason, why people think, you might lose weight. I thought, I would lose weight, too. But not only because of the walking, but also because I wouldn’t be able to afford food, since food would probably turn into a luxury. However, in reality, you realize quickly, that fast food and instant noodles seem to be a lot cheaper than healthy food and is actually affordable. Usually not being able to carry dairy and vegetables around with you, you soon end up in an instant – noodle – addiction. Dangerous trap.

3. Expectation: You’ll have a lot of time for yourself. We have all imagined this scenario before. Sitting on a cliffs edge all by yourself, enjoying nature and thinking about life. But that’s all half the truth. In reality, you end up spending a lot more time around others than you asked for. In fact, there is always someone around you. Wether it is your hostel – roommates, other campers or a tourist, that is trying to enjoy the same scenario, you thought you had claimed for yourself. Even, when you stay away from tourist hotspots. You barely have time on your own… oh, this includes privacy. I don’t know, what privacy is anymore.

4. Expectation: You’ll figure out what you wanna do in life. “I’ll just take a gap year after school, so there is enough time for me to figure out, what I want to do in life.” You all know, what I’m talking about and you all know, that it’s a pure lie. In reality, you learn things about yourself, that you didn’t know before, which raises more questions than answers. In the end, we have more doubt, than we had before.

5. Expectation: Backpacking is a holiday. I always hear, that people envy my life. They tell me, that they wish, they could just take a two year holiday. Okay, first of all: you can! There is no excuse. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: You can do anything, you want, if you really want it! But to be honest, backpacking is great, but certainly NOT a holiday.  There is a huge difference between vacation and travelling! In reality, we end up losing a lot of nerves organizing our life. While you don’t have to worry about anything on your vacation. You have to worry about everything during your travels. Whether it is the insurance, the accommodation or the job. Travels are not financed by mum and dad (usually). In order to be able to backpack for two years, a lot of effort is required!

Of course, these points are all based on my opinion and experiences. Don’t take it too serious!

Keep smiling!

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Posted on Updated on

I think I realized the other day that I end up making things randomly and not stuff that I always look at and think, “Man I need to try making that.”  and thus have decided to make a list.  It seems like Summer of Lists for me.

It’s weird how I enjoy cooking and baking since most people prefer one over the other.  I’d probably should make a separate list for both of them but I’m going to start off by just combining them.  In no specific order…

  1. Challah bread
  2. Cinnamon Buns/Sticky Buns/Chelsea Buns
  3. Roast beef
  4. Meat Loaf
  5. Dutch Baby Oven Pancake
  6. Ice Cream
  7. Bagels
  8. English Muffins
  9. Pretzels
  10. Coffee Cake
  11. Shepard’s Pie
  12. Gnocchi
  13. Stuffed Grape Leaves
  14. Hummus
  15. Popovers
  16. Scones
  17. Croissants
  18. Thumbprint Cookies
  19. Sponge cake
  20. Jelly roll cake
  21. Bread Pudding
  22. Mousse
  23. Chocolate Lava Cake
  24. Crepes
  25. Fudge
  26. Quinona
  27. Satay
  28. Deviled Eggs
  29. Fresh pasta
  30. Rhubarb-something
  31. Steak
  32. Beef Stroganoff
  33. Butter
  34. Mayonnaise
  35. Dumplings
  36. Bruschetta
  37. Spanish Rice
  38. Gumbo
  39. Biscuits
  40. Meringue Kisses
  41. Clafouti
  42. Amaranth
  43. Angel food cake
  44. Pizza
  45. French Onion Soup
  46. Ratatouille
  47. Corn Dogs
  48. Pannenkoek
  49. Poached Pears
  50. French Macroons

That’s all I can think of right now but I’ll keep adding to it since I can’t remember all what I would like to make in one sitting.  Let’s hear your suggestions!

4 thoughts on “List

    madeeha said:
    June 17, 2009 at 12:22 am

    please start with dumplings…and invite me!

    Mousse vs Creme de Pots? « Can I Have Some More Mum said:
    September 6, 2009 at 3:29 pm

    […] When I added in my first egg yolk, I thought I had burned my chocolate as it clumped together, even though the recipe said it would get thick.  I just didn’t think it would get that thick.  I was going to start a new batch but I just kept going.  As I was folding in the egg whites, I was praying it wouldn’t leak out and make a nasty puddle of whites later on.  I just checked the fridge and the mousse has successfully set!  I can’t wait to dive in with some fresh strawberries.  Yummm.  One more thing to cross off from my List! […]

    […] 2009 by canihavesomemoremum I’ve been focusing a little bit more on making what is on my List of things I’ve been wanting to make.  What’s the point of a list if you don’t […]

    Update « Can I Have Some More Mum said:
    October 16, 2009 at 11:48 pm

    […] night was another List featured dish where I made fresh pasta.  The recipe that I found for the pasta called for […]

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Great teamwork- it's a cause for celebration | Cape Cod LIFE July 2016

Aerial drone photograph of the Knob courtesy of Jason Michaud of • June cover photo by Tyler Fields

The June issue of Cape Cod LIFE was the 25th since we introduced our annual “Best of the Cape & Islands Readers’ Choice Awards” issue back in 1992. In my opinion it is our best “Best of” awards issue in 25 years. I would hereby like to thank the Cape Cod LIFE readers, our staff and many freelancers, the finest businesses serving the Cape & Islands who so proudly display their “Best of” awards, our distributors and retailers, and WCVB TV Channel 5’s Chronicle program, plus WMEX Radio in Boston. Together, this whole team has contributed to the great success of this issue. Thank you.

We are most fortunate to have the constant contribution, diligent and devoted effort of our very talented, year-round staff. They interface with a band of equally talented and diligent freelance photographers, writers, and artists. Plus, this year we have the generous help of 10 very capable seasonal interns. Thanks guys.

However, we would be nowhere without our loyal readers. When you take the number of Cape Cod LIFE paid readers and factor in the average pass-along readership per paid copy, you reach a total of a little more than 167,000 readers. To give you an idea of what that looks like: our average total of readers per issue would fill Gillette Stadium in Foxboro approximately two and a half times. If you prefer baseball, our readers would fill the seats of Fenway Park about four and a half times.

These wonderful readers cast a total of 65,295 votes in our 2016 “Best of” contest. Amy Masters, an executive producer for Chronicle, told me the Chronicle team particularly appreciated the fact that it is the “Cape Cod LIFE readers” who decide the award winners.

Magazine “printer extraordinaire” RR Donnelly has printed all of our magazines for years. You be the judge. Our primary wholesale distributor, Hudson RPM, increased the allotments to retailers for this year’s “Best of” issue. In particular, Hudson placed extra copies in pretty much all the major chain stores across Eastern Massachusetts. Among our subscribers whose primary homes are located in Eastern Mass., not including the Cape & Islands, 53 percent own a vacation home on Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, or Nantucket.

A member of our top-notch sales and marketing staff, Julie Wagner, worked with WCVB to make possible the resounding promotion of the “Best of” issue on Chronicle on May 23rd.  At the end of every week Chronicle chooses one of its programs from that week to be re-broadcast on Saturday evening. Chronicle re-ran the Cape Cod LIFE “Best of” program on the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend. You can’t buy that kind of publicity. Our editor, Matt Gill, was primarily the one interviewed by Chronicle. That’s his first time on TV; around the office, we have since nicknamed him “Star!”

Also, Julie and Matt were both interviewed on WMEX Radio in Boston in May, in a discussion of Cape Cod LIFE’s “Best of” issue. This summer, WMEX will be broadcasting a “Cape Cod Life Minute” every week with “Star” Gill reminding visitors headed for the Cape and Islands of events and activities taking place that coming weekend. He will call in to the show around 11:30 a.m. every Wednesday. My brother Joe and Diane McNamara host a talk show from 10 a.m. to noon on weekdays. Tune in to the “Shortsleeve and Mac” show! on WMEX at 1510 on the AM dial.

Thousands of amateur photographers annually submit captivating photos for our annual photo contest. The winning photos run as an integral part of our “Best of” report. Thank you to all who entered!  Jason Michaud, an aerial videographer, provided the aerial video of the strikingly beautiful nature trail, The Knob in Falmouth, which Chronicle showed during the show’s opening and closing moments. Chronicle staff reported to us that Jason’s video was the “most watched” video of any that Chronicle has run in the program’s 35 years of broadcasting! Learn more about Jason and his work at

Chronicle ended the half-hour program saying, “We have just scratched the surface” of what you can find in the Cape Cod LIFE “Best of” issue.” Marvelous job, everybody. Thank you.

My Best,

Brian Shortsleeve

Beach Glass Lantern

Photo by Joshua Shortsleeve

In my last column, in the June issue, I wrote about my wife Judy’s collection of “Beach Glass.” I told how I made a “Beach Glass Lantern” for her with small white lights mixed with the colorful glass. I told of her collecting this “Beach Glass” on many oceanfront beaches around the Cape & Islands.

When the issue came out I received an email from my younger brother, Kevin. He was very complimentary about the look of the “Lantern” but told me it is a “Sea Glass Lantern,” not a “Beach Glass Lantern.” He went on to explain that “Beach Glass” is found on the shores of freshwater lakes and rivers; and “Sea Glass” is found on the shores of saltwater oceans and bays.

I think because he has a Ph.D. from Oxford University in England he feels he can be persnickety. These professorial types! Let’s see if he gets a free subscription to Cape Cod LIFE any longer. Sincerely Kev, thanks for the correction.

       Love, Brian


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Biotronik announces conclusion of full-body ProMRI pacemaker study

Phase B of Biotronik’s ProMRI study has completed patient enrolment and concluded all planned scans. This phase of the study is investigating the safety of Entovis pacemakers in patients who undergo full-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, including cardiac and thoracic spinal scans.

The Biotronik ProMRI study consists of a series of ground-breaking MRI compatibility trials; all intended to increase cardiac device patients’ access to this diagnostic tool. Phase A of the trial resulted in FDA approval of Entovis pacemaker systems for MRI scans with an exclusion zone. Phase C, still ongoing, incorporates Iforia ICD and DX systems into the list of devices being investigated for full-body MRI scans.

“The majority of current pacemakers are not approved for use in the MRI environment due to safety concerns,” says Luba Frank, assistant professor of radiology, University of Michigan Medical Center, USA. “Completion of these trials will be an important milestone towards improving access to MRI scans and improving diagnosis and treatment of these patients.”

There are more than 6.5 million pacemaker patients worldwide, and more than one million are implanted each year. Until recently, patients with a pacemaker or ICD were denied MRI scans due to concern that the strong magnetic fields and radio waves created by an MRI could have a negative effect on both the implanted device and the patient. The ProMRI technology now offers a solution that will enable cardiac rhythm patients to have access to important MRI scanning.

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More Than Enough by Jay McLean – Review

So I know it’s been a while since I’ve done a post but I have a good excuse. For one I’ve been on vacation in Canada visiting Nick and then in Jersey visiting family and doing some wedding stuff so I’ve been really busy with life basically. Now that vacation is finished I can get back to work and get some content out there. If you want to keep up with what I’ve been posting on my Youtube channel you can check it out here. Other that that I’ve been busy with other stuff like reading!! I finally got the latest book from the More Than series by Jay McLean, More Than Enough, which I started reading almost an entire year ago so it took me a while to remember everything that happened in the previous books.

So first of all this new book follows a character from the previous books that hardly had any dialogue so it was like getting to know them for the first time which was such an insight in his thoughts and feelings that we never got from the previous books. We were shown some of his characteristics but never shown the why behind everything. There was hardly any information about him in the previous books.

This book felt a lot longer than the others because it was just jam packed with so many things. It didn’t follow the usual “guy meets girl, falls for her, gets in a fight, makes up and then lives happily ever after” script that some young adult romance books follow. I don’t even know if I would call this a young adult book, probably not but its not a full blown romance novel like a Nora Roberts. This book dealt with so many problems that people face but are sometimes not willing to talk about like death/suicide and the guilt that comes along with that. It shows how you can help a person get through something by simply being near them and how once you’ve gone through your own difficult time, you can help someone else get through theirs. For me this was one of the darker books of the series. It showed the darker side of all of the characters and how an event can bring that darker side out in someone even though they may try to keep it in.

Basically this book can cause you to do a lot of self reflection. It’s a great read even though its full of so many deep topics and as usual, it leaves you wanting to know more about this group of friends. As usual when it comes to this series I finished it in about 2 days. It would’ve been less but I was reading it on the plane to Canada so I was interrupted by things like landing and taking off.

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Bombs Away! The day America dropped four nukes on Spain

Usaf.Boeing_B-52 A B-52 bomber like the one which crashed at Palomares

It was January 17, 1966, and Jose Molinero was teaching class in his elementary school in the village of Palomares, on Spain’s southeast coast, when he noticed huge pieces of blazing metal falling from the sky.

A plane’s landing gear smashed into the ground just 80 yards away. He immediately ordered his pupils to stay indoors. One little girl later described how the sky was ‘raining fire’.

Others witnessed the debris, too. ‘I looked up and saw this huge ball of fire, falling through the sky. The two planes were breaking into pieces,’ local man Manolo Gonzales later told Public Radio International.

Plane crashes are rare enough, mid-air collisions even more so, but this was even rarer – and far more dangerous… this was the day an American B-52 bomber and its refuelling plane collided causing four nuclear bombs to…

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Posted in Dental Assisting, Uncategorized

Dental Assistant Salary Guide

Posted in Dental Assisting

Major Duties Of Dental Assistants

cosmetic dentistry1.jpgA dental assistant takes wide ranging duties at the dental practice. They’re involved in office and lab responsibilities, in addition to patient care. Dental assistants receive proper training at learning institutes or schools, and receive lots of hands on training while working alongside the dentist.

Here are five of the important duties of the dental assistant:

Dental assistants are involved in taking and developing the x rays needed by the dentist to help determine on teeth well-being. This requires technical knowledge for setting the x-ray machine at the right angle to shoot the pictures. An erroneously placed x-ray machine can mean poor pictures. A dental x ray permit must perform this responsibility in specific states.

Cleaning and sterilizing equipment

The dental assistant takes on the role of disease control officer by cleaning and sterilizing the wide ranging dental devices. Because the dental gear is not disposable, it’s essential to perform the cautious sterilization after each patient to prevent problems related to serious illnesses. Badly maintained equipment can lead to terrible consequences for the dental professionals and patients. A rigorous cleaning plan is certain to be in place to ensure the tools are free and clear of bacteria or germs.

Helping the dentist

A dentist relies on a variety of materials and tools to finish the treatment on a patient, including shots, drilling, root canals, fillings, etc. The dental assistant closely helps the dentist to ensure the treatment processes are completed as economically as possible. They help with passing the special tools and materials required for finishing the many dental procedures, along with to suction the extra spit through the treatment. A dependable support can expect the dentist’s needs and hands the tools in an efficient and timely fashion.

Material Groundwork

In the procedure for carrying out the day to day dental procedures, various substances and compounds are needed. A dental assistant is in charge of combining compounds to create dental impressions, adhesives for crowns and prosthetics, and amalgam for fillings. Since a few of these substances harden quickly, the helper has to work quickly and economically to ensure the fill substance does not place before used.

Additionally, it may gain if the dental assistant has great people skills to make an effort to get the patient at ease before the process begins. They should have empathy and communication abilities to listen to the patients and offer support where needed.

Posted in Dental Assisting

Schools For Dental Assistant

dental assistant imageDental assistants are the medical professionals who help the dentist and dental hygienists in their own daily job of treating dental patients. Their occupation not only entails helping the dentist in the operation but also other occupations like requiring and reading X rays and handling patient records. The dental assistants are additionally involved in briefing the patients about oral hygiene and place operatives. This is a profession that’s proving to be the new trend among young people who needs a secure and long-term career in the area of dentistry. The fundamental qualifications required to embark on a profession like dental assistant is a high school degree. There are numerous dental schools, organizations and technical colleges that are offering training programs. The programs offered by these dental schools are of distinct time span and can vary from several months to two years.

Most of the programs offered by the dental schools differ based on the standards and regulations framed by the state government. Yes, there are many states that accept on job training to begin a career as a dental assistant, but there are additionally a few that favor passing a full time program in dental assistant training to get the dental assistant permit. Also, there are specific states where someone doesn’t have to get filed or bear a legal permit of dental assistant. So the program offered by the dental schools to train dental assistants also differs. The programs were created to supply complete understanding of the profession so the program have a easy jog in the profession from the initial day of their induction at a dental practice.

The program usually contains learning the medical words, comprehensive briefing about the human anatomy as well as complete information about the gums and teeth of people. The pupils getting the dental assistant program at dental schools are also given an overview of the administrative occupations that they’ll need to perform at a dental practice. They get to learn about the care of dental records of the patients and even charging for the insurance claims. It’s required that they also have to learns about shooting Xrays and also reading the same to interpret common dental issues.

It’s critical that an individual goes through the training for the occupation as the program would give them an in depth understanding of the profession, its prospects and even the dangers entailed. Well, you need to learn a great dental school and choose for their program. Among the important advantages of choosing a full time program is that it helps to open new doors to the hierarchy in the profession as well as helps in the perpendicular motion. It’s always better to be equipped with a professional degree as the opposition is becoming tougher with every passing day.

Visit to know more about dental assistants.


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Deck Brushes

O Cedar® Polypro Deck Scrub Brush - 10"

Polypro fibers are chemical resistant and hold solutions. Natural hardwood block. Use with threaded handle. 2" trim.

Manufacturers Item #27190

Wilen® Palmyra 10" Deck Brush

This sturdy and dependable brush is ideal for hard, rugged scrubbing on rough surfaces. Removes heavy, dried dirt easily. Handles sold separately. 2" trim; Brown bristles.

Manufacturers Item #I002010


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It Is Not Always Awesome Being Awesome

From Chris Gandy

Recently I was listening to a talk-back radio program where the presenter invited listeners to ring-in and tell the audience what words and phrases that really grated on them . The presenter said she was flooded with callers and some of them that made it to air listed words such as selfie, robust, going forward, tweep etc.

“Awesome, awesome, AWESOME!!” I kept saying to the radio as the list of “offending” words grew longer. “Will someone please say ‘awesome'”.

My poor radio was saved from having something hit it when eventually someone said the magic word.  And the presenter chimed in saying it had to be her pet hate as well!

Not sure where the word sits on your “dislike meter” but I am utterly sick of it.

Hearing people describe a movie as “awesome”; a footballer in a post match interview saying the win felt “awesome”; a news presenter reporting the intensity of a fire as “awesome”. I could go on.

While all this is mildly irritating my concerns heightened when I received a thankyou letter from a not for profit I support stating that …”together we were able to offer awesome services to people in need over the past year and we will strive to continue to do so in 2014 – can we count on your support again?

Well, thanks but no thanks.

Not only did the organisation earn my ire for using THAT word but more seriously I want the organisations I support to tell me how they are delivering on their promise to me.

To receive money from governments, foundations, corporates, the general community and me, not for profits effectively enter into an agreement. We give them funding and in return they commit to deliver certain outcomes at a defined standard for their client group. Really it is not much more complicated than that.

So a little question I have for the organisation that wrote to me…

Did your ‘awesome’ service actually rehabilitate any drug dependant youth in your community as you said you would?

I guess I will never know as I asked to be taken off their mailing list.

About Chris. He is a former not for profit CEO and  Founder  of Cause & Effective – an organisation that places vetted, affordable experts within the reach of cause-based organisations. You can find a Cause & Effective expert here

About B-Cause

B-Cause is published by Cause and Effective. Our goal is to inspire, inform and encourage people doing good to do even better.

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Running Barefoot

By Attila Ovari

Yesterday I did my morning run a little differently. I ran without shoes. I had heard about barefoot running and wondered what it was all about. It was an interesting experience.

At the start it was a very strange feeling and then in a remarkably short period became quite comfortable, even relaxing. I was enjoying the run. However that relaxing feeling did not last as I developed some blisters….

There is much writing online about the pros and cons of barefoot or, as it called, minimalist running. I am not going to get into that debate as it is not my personal area of expertise, however I will say it was a new experience and it did have me running differently.

This change of routine had me thinking about many of my new life experiences.

At the start we can feel awkward and very uncomfortable. However over time we often become more at ease with the experience and eventually the new way can seem the norm.

I encourage you to explore your curiosity. A new way may be a better way. If it doesn’t prove to be at least you have satisfied your curiosity!

  • What is something you are curious about?
  • What is holding you back from exploring your curiosity?
  • What can you do this week to start your exploration?

Attila is a Cause & Effective Associate. He loves life and thrives on helping people become more effective leaders.

About B-Cause

B-Cause is published by Cause and Effective. Our goal is to inspire, inform and encourage people doing good to do even better.

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New Designees

Congratulations on earning the CPCU® designation

Discover all of the invaluable benefits now available to you through your membership with the CPCU Society, including more than $2,000 worth of technical education resources, engagement with your local chapter and much more.

New Designees of 2018
(Designation awarded between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2018)

  • Keisha Buckley Liberty Mutual
  • Simone Goodfriend Liberty Mutual
  • Jeffrey M Green Liberty Mutual
  • Michael A Sowers 21st Century Insurance
  • Ryan Weaver Ryan Weaver Insurance
  • Andrew White Liberty Mutual

New Designees of 2017
(Designation awarded between July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2017)

  • Brittany Ambs AAA Inc.
  • Dwanette Bates Farmers Group Lake Mary
  • William Cantlebary Chubb Limited
  • Christina Dahn Frontline Homeowners Insurance
  • Andrew Gorman State Farm - Florida
  • Kate Gross Public Risk Insurance Agency
  • Paul Haley American Integrity Insur Grp
  • Allison Hollamon Bristol West
  • Dorca Mckinney Liberty Mutual
  • Sara Oviedo Liberty Mutual
  • Gail Zita Pare York Claims Services Inc.
  • Maria REINA- CAMARGO Frontline Homeowners Insurance
  • Tze Mei Wright Security First Insurance


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CESN Main Page

Coastal & Estuarine Science News (CESN)

Coastal & Estuarine Science News (CESN) is an electronic publication providing brief summaries of select articles from the journal Estuaries & Coasts that emphasize

December 2009

A Decade of Eutrophication in the Skidaway River Estuary: More Small Phytoplankton, Less Oxygen, Big Food Web Changes
Passive Restoration of Former Agricultural Sites Can Bring Back Marsh Channel Networks
Nutrient Enrichment Increases Food Web Complexity in Florida Bay
Massive Tideland Reclamation Project + Monsoon Conditions = Sediment and Water Quality Impacts

A Decade of Eutrophication in the Skidaway River Estuary: More Small Phytoplankton, Less Oxygen, Big Food Web Changes

Some estuaries are lucky enough to be located near major oceanographic institutes, making them convenient sites for long-term monitoring. One example is the Skidaway River Estuary, GA, where researchers from the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography have collected a decade’s worth of data on nutrient and oxygen concentrations and phytoplankton community composition from the institute’s dock, revealing interesting patterns in food web dynamics related to eutrophication there. At approximately weekly intervals for ten years (1986-1996) , researchers collected data on nutrient concentrations, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll a, phytoplankton abundances, and other physical and biological parameters. In addition, zooplankton tows were conducted every six weeks. This extensive data set enabled the researchers to draw conclusions not only about eutrophication, but also about changes in food web dynamics.
Likely because of increasing development around the estuary, nutrient loadings and eutrophication increased over the decade of observations. The investigators found that all planktonic groups except diatoms also increased over the course of the study, including bacteria and copepods. Diatoms did not increase, despite an increase in silicate. All planktonic groups except copepods also exhibited increasing annual amplitudes in seasonal cycles of abundance, with higher peak concentrations observed each year. The relative and absolute increase of small nanoplankton abundance has significant ramifications for food webs of the estuary: food webs that support higher production of fishes typically have diatoms at their base. Eutrophication also appears to have encouraged an augmentation of microbial food webs in the system.
Considering that the development trajectory in this watershed points toward continued nutrient loading, it is highly likely that other impacts on the estuary will follow, possibly including harmful algal blooms and alterations of higher orders of the estuarine food web. Long-term examination of all components of the food web here, as in other systems, is crucial.
Source: Verity, P. G. and D. G. Borkman. 2009. A decade of change in the Skidaway River Estuary. III. Plankton. Estuaries and Coasts 32(November 2009). DOI: 10.1007/s12237-009-9208-2.

Passive Restoration of Former Agricultural Sites Can Bring Back Marsh Channel Networks

The network of channels and pools that wind through salt marsh surfaces are essential to marsh functions, providing feeding areas for fish and birds and access onto the marsh surface for many organisms. Marsh vegetation also enters the detrital food web via the physical pathways provided by marsh channels. But these winding channels and standing pools were often drained when marshes were converted to agricultural lands. In many places in the world, marsh “reclamation” projects continue, constructing dikes and adding grids of straight ditches to enable agriculture. What happens when those agricultural sites are no longer in use, and are left alone to revert to marshland?
In the Bay of Fundy, it seems that much of that structure is restored, according to a recent study. Recovering and reference marshes in the bay were mapped to determine channel densities and sinuosity, and marsh pool area. Investigators found that the former agricultural sites exhibited recovery of extensive channel networks, often incorporating old drainage ditches into the networks. Overall, channel densities (total length of channels per unit marsh area) were similar in recovering and reference marshes. Because of the inherited drainage ditches, channels in recovering marshes tended to be straighter than in reference marshes. These recovering sites were also shown to have a higher degree of densely concentrated channel rivulets compared to reference marshes. In their study of tidal pools, the researchers found a greater area of pools on the recovering marsh, providing increased benefits to wading birds and waterfowl. This study demonstrated that attempts to restore agricultural marshes have excellent prospects without the extensive investment required for creation of new marshes.
One caveat: the authors discovered that aerial photography underestimated the number of channels and pools substantially (by 50%, in the case of channels) because many of the smaller ones were overlooked. Using aerial photos that are not ground-truthed might therefore be problematic in studies of this type.
Source: MacDonald, G. K., P. E. Noel, D. van Proosdij, and G. L. Chmura. 2009. The legacy of agricultural reclamation on channel and pool networks of Bay of Fundy salt marshes. Estuaries & Coasts 32(November 2009). DOI: 10.1007/s12237-009-9222-4.

Nutrient Enrichment Increases Food Web Complexity in Florida Bay

One way to study impacts of high nutrient loadings on food webs is to compare trophic dynamics in enriched and unenriched sites, but since enriched sites typically experience additional anthropogenic impacts (fishing pressure, upland development, etc.), results gained using this approach can be difficult to interpret. Another approach is to use in situ manipulations, enriching experimental sites with nutrients and comparing the parameters of interest before and after the additions. This approach was taken by researchers in Florida Bay, who wanted to examine the impact of increased nutrient availability on food web structure. Two sites, one eutrophic and one oligotrophic, were enriched with additions of N and P. Seagrasses and benthic epifauna were collected at each site before and after enrichment, and food web structure was examined using stable isotope analysis.
The effect of the nutrient additions on food web structure depended on the prior nutrient status of the site. Changes were small at eutrophic sites, but at low-nutrient sites, crustacean epiphyte grazer abundance increased and the diets of these grazers diversified, as did diets of benthic predators. The diets of benthic grazers shifted with nutrient enrichment from green macroalgae to an opportunistic seagrass (Halodule wrightii) that occurred only in the nutrient addition treatments. Food chain length appeared to be unaffected by site or nutrient treatment, but food web complexity increased at enriched sites. In this system, control seems to be more bottom-up than top-down.
This study sheds light on how food webs in seagrass-dominated sites will respond to nutrient enrichment, and emphasizes that the outcome depends on the initial nutrient status of the site.
Source: Armitage, A. R. and J. W. Fourqurean. 2009. Stable isotopes reveal complex changes in trophic relationships following nutrient addition in a coastal marine ecosystem. Estuaries & Coasts 32 (November 2009). DOI: 10.1007/s12237-009-9219-z.

Massive Tideland Reclamation Project + Monsoon Conditions = Sediment and Water Quality Impacts

Saemangeum Lake in Korea, formed by placement of a 33 km dyke across two rivers discharging into the Yellow Sea, is one of the biggest tideland reclamation projects in the world. Designed to create 283 km2 of new land and a 118 km2 freshwater reservoir, a study of water quality in the lake before and after construction of the dyke revealed that dyke construction led to drastic changes in sediment quality. After dyke completion, tidal range decreased from 6 m to less than 1 m, even when the sluice gates are fully open. The proportion of silt and clay in surface sediments appears to have increased significantly. Given that fine sediments are often associated with higher concentrations of organic carbon, total N, and total P, the authors suggest that concentrations of these nutrients have likely increased as well. A simple mixing model demonstrated that benthic fluxes of nutrients increase during the warm, wet monsoon season, when strong salinity stratification develops and temperatures and groundwater discharge are elevated. The authors infer from these results that nutrients are being released from the sediments during times of intense stratification, perhaps because stratification facilitates anoxic conditions that promote breakdown of organic material in the sediments.
The authors conclude that the elevation of benthic fluxes is attributable to a confluence of factors that are mutually reinforcing: increased stratification, temperatures, and groundwater discharge during monsoon season, and the increase in organic-rich sediments after dyke completion. The reservoir of organic material in the lake’s sediments must be managed carefully in order to restore sediment and water quality in this system, and in such reclamation projects in general. Caution is especially warranted because a similar Korean tideland reclamation project designed to create a freshwater coastal lake failed due to severe water quality degradation after construction of the dyke. That project was abandoned, and as a result, nationwide concern has arisen over Saemangeum Lake, which is twice the size of the previous failed project.
Source: Kim, S.-H., K. Kim, M. Lee, H.-J. Jeong, W.-J. Kim, J.-G. Park and J. Yang. 2009. Enhanced benthic nutrient flux during monsoon periods in a coastal lake formed by tideland reclamation. Estuaries & Coasts 32(November 2009). DOI: 10.1007/s12237-009-9217-1.


text:
Why talking about the weather is irrelevant

It seems that people want to talk about the weather. I have never understood why this is the most common thing I hear people talk about. Do they think that they can change the temperature? They seem to have no problem with saying how “nice” the weather is whether it is hot in the summer or cold in the winter.

But it is much worse than that. People pay attention to meteorologists who think that they can predict the temperature or when a certain storm is coming. They are wrong most of the time but it doesn’t stop people from listening to them.

I think that all this is nonsense. I never make plans based on things that are unknown. When I have to work or buy groceries, I have to travel no matter what the weather does.

Author: chandlerklebs

I have unusual thoughts on almost every subject. I am as Pro-Life as I can possibly be. I am strongly opposed to violence of any type. That includes rape, war, and (obviously) abortion. Everything I think, speak, and write must be filtered by the effect it could have on the lives of others. If I am in any way promoting violence accidentally, please let me know.

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John Gough is a world famous writer of books and text books on Compilers - as well as being Professor xxx at Queensland University of Technology. He has been a part of the CLR and IL .NET project from a very early stage. One of his students, Joel Pobar, worked at Microsoft on parts of the dynamic parts of CLR/.NET added in version 2.0. Both of these esteemed gentlemen are in Brisbane, and Nick Hodge managed to interview them last week on compilers, functional and dynamic languages, history, learning, being geeks and the future of processors.

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    Great interview.  I am actually shocked to hear Joel say that the MS guys said not a lot of people were interested in compilers, if that's true, I'd like to interview some day (if I can make one myself first), because I figured it would be tough competition, like trying to join the elite game programmers out there.

    John, I am one of those IT students who had to take Modula-2 during my first two introductory CS courses in university.  Oh My! Modula-2!  Perplexed

    I had already learned BASIC long before, and a bit of Turbo Pascal from my dad, but Modula-2 was my first "pointer language", and still to this day I just wish they had of used C++, no offense.  By that time I guess I was just longing for a language I could use "anywhere" ... imagine my feeling of foolishness now for taking a COBOL language course because they said 70% of business code was written in COBOL ... *shiver*.....

    I remember that Modula-2 and Turbo Pascal were similar enough that my dad enjoyed helping me out, but I think the most advanced thing I ever did with Modula-2 was write a Tic-Tac-Toe game, as one of the exercises in the textbox suggested.

    I'm a language geek, but until I write my first compiler, what do I know ... Modula-2 wasn't bad, but the CLR ... is amazing.

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text: Comment Feed for Channel 9 - 2008 Prediction: The year of the RIA Device Discussion. Channel 9 - 2008 Prediction: The year of the RIA Device Discussion. Like most technology bloggers today, I also will take a stab at a prediction for 2008. The prediction is simple; this will be the year that we engage in discussion around devices and RIA. State of PlayDevices are getting smarter, more usable and most important of all – cheap. If you are like me, you may have a lot of devices attached to your name lying around the house or work. I myself have 2x XBOX 360’s, 1x XBOX Original, 1x iPod Touch, 1x Zune, 1x iPod Nano, Samsung BlackJack and well heaps more. I’m what many would call an “Enthusiast” when it comes to device ownership. Yet what does a lot of these have in common? They are essentially connected. The problem however is that they each require unique approaches to developing against and this is bad form and in my opinion, now becomes prime candidate for the RIA discussion to take place. RIA is still at its infancy. It’s still heavily focused today in what it can do on the desktop but when you look at the context of what RIA hints at, it's really about delivering rich connected experiences within a sandbox existence. The problem I foresee with RIA is it keeps getting pushed into inheriting desktop models, thus the sandbox boundaries start to be probed. It’s the wrong discussion, the right discussion is how to agree on a sandbox and then deploy the agreed sandbox to multiple devices. As this in turn can provide a prescribed format in which developer(s) can build once and then deliver to one or more surfaces. This isn’t happening – Yet.. In 2007, Potential was on the horizonAdobe and Apple are two power brands that are rumoured to get married soon. The rumours state that iPod Touch / iPhone and Flash Runtime are expected to be joined at the hip via some partnership of some kind between the two brands. The initial problem with this theory is that Apple and Adobe will have to agree on the terms of competition centred on QuickTime delivery vs. Flash delivery not to mention tooling such as Final Cut Pro vs. Adobe Premier. It won't stop there either, Adobe AIR could also potentially hurt Apple with its Safari compete as what AIR really hints at is “please park me on a device” given its unique sandbox positioning. Thus the waters can be considered murky if the partnership were to go ahead. However, let's assume Apple and Adobe was to become partners. This could now become a very interesting conversation to have as now the RIA debate gets hotter and stakes in the game get higher and harder. The state of play may very well change - not to mention the ripple effects associated with Apple/Adobe RIA's of tomorrow. As they now become a portable and desktop experience with a one-to-many build and delivery workflow. Where does this leave Microsoft? I have no doubt we’d deliver a proportional response to this hypothetical should it arise (we essentially have strong movement in this space today), but the point is that it’s an attractive value proposition to consider - even for a brief moment – thus I’d encourage you to Start the conversation now while the overall RIA landscape is in its infancy. The first part of the RIA on device discussion starts with UX Platform.The overarching piece to the RIA conversation is UX Platform. It comprises of not just development environments (tools, workflow etc) but also client surfaces likely to be reached. It won’t stop there, the respective brands that play a role will also need to bid, broker, barter whatever it takes to get their nominated technology onto such devices - thus it requires an early bond with strong partners. The flip side to this is that there will also need to be an attractive developer base behind it – as no developers means limited solution delivery. I firmly believe that Microsoft has the correct ingredients going forward, it’s relatively early days but the device discussion can still be influenced. The mood is right and this year is a great time to think beyond the browser and consider how our UX Platform fits in with tomorrow’s markets. Going forward, three things are clear: Brands like Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, Google, Mozilla etc all have strong stakes in this game. Audio/Video is the first hunting grounds (market channel), as its got enormous amounts of eyeballs whom are found UX wanting. Developer & Designer workflow are at both a complex and yet fragile state one wrong move by the above brands and it could hurt significantly. What’s not clear is who is likely to get 2/3 market share around devices with their nominated RIA solution (of course I’d say Microsoft has potential etc but I’m biased). This is where the next frontier will be and I predict 2008 is the year in which the discussion is going to be had. I state this as it in 2007 we saw iPod Touch / iPhone and the first thoughts around that centered on how Social Network phenomenon like Twitter, Facebook and Flickr could get a piece of that action. In short, RIA’s begging to be built, but with no SDK to match the proposed demand. en Wed, 17 Jan 2018 01:28:41 GMT Wed, 17 Jan 2018 01:28:41 GMT Rev9


text:
.NET Services: Access Control In Microsoft .NET Services

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Learn how to manage access control to the ServiceBus, Workflow, and Data Services via the Access Control Service. This session illustrates the access control capabilities of these services, and several common patterns for building your application securely using the .NET Services, access control service.
  • Justin Smith

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text:
12.99 boxed Huggies diapers at Walgreens

These diapers aren’t cheap but I love them so I’m definitely going to grab me a box at this price. Here’s how you do it. There is 3$ off printable Huggies coupon on coupons.com. Print that out and use it with a $2 off Huggies coupon in Walgreens April savings book usually located at the door or register at your local Walgreens. Then use another $2 off Huggies in their Infant Care Book found at the cosmetics register in my store. Ask if you can’t find it. They are on sale this week for 19.99 so these coupons brings your total down to 12.99.

According to other blogs the Walgreens coupon policy gives you the chance to use 2 in store coupons on a single item but keep in mind that Walgreens wants equal coupons and items in a single transaction. Their in store coupons shouldn’t count and you should be fine but if you do have issues try picking up a filler item such as the Snickers Easter egg candies or pencils that are on sale for cheap this week.

UPDATE: If you do this today you can also print off a 15% off coupon to use before you go for even cheaper diapers! Go here to print your 15% off coupon! March 31st ONLY!

UPDATE: There is a new $3.50 off printable coupon for Huggies HERE. You could pick up another box cheap or make this box 12.49 instead! I’ll be grabbing mine tomorrow. If I can grab 2 this will be the same normal price as they usually are at Walmart anyway for only 1!

About CharityAnn

I'm a small town, stay at home mom living on a shoestring budget. I spend my time working as a ChaCha guide from home, searching out internet coupons and deals, and entering sweepstakes for fun prizes we couldn't normally afford. Through ChaCha, coupons, deals, and sweepstakes I have found a way to continue staying home with my kids while still affording the things we want. I'm still learning what works and what doesn't, but I hope to share my finds with local readers so that we may all enjoy what our small town has to offer without paying big city prices.

Posted on March 31, 2011, in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink. Leave a comment.

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oh why hello there

Garden Graphics Sale!

In vero beach, Waldo's Garden on June 17, 2015 at 11:03 am

A mix of new & old prints all for sale this weekend at the Garden Graphic Sale at Waldo’s Secret Garden!  Stop by and do a little shopping while you tour the property for your next event!  There will be gift wrap, authentic hand painted cow skulls, fabrics and wall art for your home!

Processed with VSCOcam with c1 preset

crazy_cute groovy_web

Keep the wild in you, picture for the dave and cindy show

all prints made by Charlotte Anabar Designs

  1. Hey Charlotte! Do you have a variety of cow skulls? If so, is it possible to send me a pic? I love it! Thanks Sweetie! Ruth C

    Sent from my iPhone

  2. Dear Charlotte,

    I can’t come Saturday and I am sorry to miss seeing everything you have created.

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text:
Bonfire bangers

Bonfire night is close by and what is better than standing around, watching the fireworks talking with friends and family sipping a mug of vegetable soups and eating one of these delicious bangers!

serves 6 people

6 sausages or 12 chipolatas (please check your syns as per brand)

2 large onions finely sliced

6 wholemeal finger rolls (a wholemeal finger roll is your HEB depending on brand so please check!)

  1. Fry your onions in a pot over a high heat with a splash of water until extremely soft and very cooked down.
  2. lightly score your sausages on a diagonal on opposite sides of the sausages.
  3. Cook your sausages in a pan, in the oven or on a griddle pan.
  4. Slice the top of your buns (yes the top not the sides as it holds your sausages better)
  5. Top with the onions (if you choose to have them) and any sauces or relishes you want.

I make the ‘heinz soup’ found here on my blog:

Love Emily x

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text:
before he had his vacation, we are already planning to have a matching tattoos, he want's his name tattooed on me and my name on him, though he already have my name tattooed o his hand.
 his name "ERIKO REY" the artist put some femininity on it by putting a small butterfly at the end of the name.
                                                                          my stencil
his stencil

                                                             our artist OMAN DALUZ again

his finished product
I forgot my artist's name :p

it's one of our bonds together, being together for 5 years that time and having 1 son, we may don't have expensive rings, conjugal properties house and lot or shared bank account. though we know we will go through those things too. this is what we want to do right now. so lucky to have someone whom i can share my passions in life. I asked him why in the first place he wanted to have or see his name tattooed on mine, he said, I just have this feeling of having you for good. =) how about him having my name tattooed on his body twice? :p

Mon - Fri:10:00 am-8:00 pm
Sat:12:00 am-8:00 pm
Sun:12:00 am-6:00 pm

iNKCENTRIC Tattoos and Body Piercing Studio is located at 1802 Claro M. Recto Ave beside S.T.I recto

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A Chicago Schools Project

Archive for September 2011

September 28, 2011 Chicago Board of Ed Meeting

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The Chicago Board of Education meeting agenda for Wednesday, September 28, 2011, is available here. The complete public agenda, including the board reports, is available here.

  • RS6 – Resolution requests the Public Building Commission of Chicago to install
    security and surveillance cameras at 14 high schools [Clemente, Juarez, Senn, Hyde Park, Morgan Park, Orr, Marshall, Dunbar, Bogan, Wells, Tilden, Julian, Farragut, and Sullivan] at a cost not to exceed $522,472.53 per high school.
  • PO2 Rescinds 3 policies superseded by Public Act 97-0474, the Chicago Educational Facilities Task Force law, including Utilization of Physical Resources, Consolidation of Schools, and Closing of Schools policies.

Written by chicagoschoolsproject

September 26, 2011 at 11:32 am

Posted in Uncategorized

Crime Incidents at Chicago Public School Locations

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The City of Chicago Data Portal has a dataset of reported incidents of crime that occurred in Chicago from 2001 to the present. Data is also available to view by individual calendar year.

Here is a link to map and table views of Chicago crime incidents with locations “SCHOOL, PUBLIC, BUILDING” and “SCHOOL, PUBLIC, GROUNDS.”

Written by chicagoschoolsproject

September 19, 2011 at 8:54 pm

Posted in School Climate

Title I Parent Involvement Advisory Board Meeting

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Title I Parent Involvement Advisory Board Meeting

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Time: 5:30 p.m.

Chicago Public Schools Central Office
125 S. Clark Street Chicago, IL.
15th Floor, Room 1550

Call to Order/Welcome
**Jose Hernandez,Chairperson

Roll Call
**Jose Hernandez,Chairperson

New Approval Process for Title I Parent Involvement Budget Expenditures
**Valerie Prendergast, Title I Parent Involvement Manager

Proposed Revisions to PIAB Structure
**Jose Villasenor, Deputy Director, Office of LSC Relations

Public comments
**(2 min. please)

Written by chicagoschoolsproject

September 9, 2011 at 10:35 pm

Posted in Uncategorized

Chicago Public Schools Employee Rosters (Updated)

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The Chicago Public Schools (“CPS”) has quietly posted an updated employee  position roster dated August 1, 2011. The employee roster contains employee position numbers, budget categories, job titles, full time equivalents, union affiliations, gross salaries (not including employee benefits), and school or departmental units.

As before, to facilitate analysis, the CPS employee roster (PDF file) has been converted to an Excel file and posted here (Position_List_08-01-2011r – employee names omitted).

Other files created from the CPS August report:
Job_Counts_by_Title_08-01-2011.xls (revised)
Aggregate listing of job titles, associated position counts, FTEs, and gross salaries.
Jobs_by_Unit-08-01-2011.xls (revised)
Aggregate listing of positions and jobs by CPS unit (schools, areas, citywide, and central office, and etc.).

Listing of vacant positions by job title (Vacant_by_Job-08-01-2011) and by unit (Vacant_by_Unit-08-01-2011).

The CPS position information is displayed and summarized in multiple ways in additional charts posted here.

Note: The CPS employee position roster is dated August 1, 2011 and has a file creation date of 8/26/2011. I do not know yet whether the information in the report is consistent with the published 2012 budget approved by the Chicago Board of Education on August 24, 2011.

Addendum – Files compiled from the November 15, 2010 position roster for comparison:

Written by chicagoschoolsproject

September 9, 2011 at 3:00 pm

Posted in CPS Budget Info

Family and Community Engagement

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The Chicago Public Schools Family and Community Engagement (“FACE”) office has a webpage that includes links to Community Action Council (“CAC”) member lists, community dialog reports, and a description of its strategic educational planning process.

Currently, there are five CPS CACs – Austin, Bronzeville, Englewood, Humboldt Park (Orr), Humboldt Park (Clemente) covering the following schools:

Austin CAC:

Elementary Schools: Young, Lewis, Hay, Brunson, McNair, Howe, Nash, Key, Ellington, Spencer, Catalyst, Emmet, Depriest, L. Armstrong, Leland, May, Plato, G.R. Clark  High Schools: Douglass, Austin Polytech, Austin Business, VOISE, Michelle Clark

Bronzeville CAC:

Elementary Schools: Ariel, Attucks, Beasley, Beethoven, Bronzeville Lighthouse, Burke, Doolittle, Drake, Fuller, Hendricks, Mayo, Mollison, National Teachers, Overton, Pershing East, Pershing West, Perspectives – IIT Math And Science Academy, Price, Reavis, Robinson, Shabazz – Dusable, U of C – Donoghue, U of C – North Kenwood, U of C Charter – Woodson, Wells, Williams ES, Williams Middle, Woodson South.  High Schools: Ace Technical Charter Hs, Bronzeville Scholastic, Chicago Military, Dunbar, Dyett, King, Phillips AA, Phillips Hs, Williams Medicine, Youth Connections Alt Charter, Young Women’s Leadership

Englewood CAC

Englewood Elementary Schools: Altgeld, Banneker, Bass, Bond, Bontemps, Cics – Basil, Claremont, Davis Magnet, Earle, Goodlow, Guggenheim, Henderson, Hinton, Holmes, Kershaw Langford (Formerly Copernicus), Mays, Nicholson, O’Toole, Parker, Providence Englewood, Randolph, Reed, Shabazz – Sizemore, Stagg, Sherwood, Wentworth, Woods, Yale  Englewood High Schools: Harper HS, Hope, Lindblom HS, Robeson AA, Robeson HS, Team Englewood, Urban Prep

Humboldt Park CACs

Humboldt & West Humboldt Elementary Schools: Cameron, Casals, Chase, Chopin, De Diego, De Duprey, Erie Charter, Funston, Galapagos Charter, Goethe, Lafayette, Lowell, Mitchell, Moos, Morton, Otis, Polaris Charter Academy, Ryerson, Sabin, Stowe, Von Humboldt, Ward, Yates. Humboldt & West Humboldt High Schools: Aspira – Ramirez, Clemente AA, Noble – Rowe-Clark, Clemente HS, Orr Academy

Each CAC is developing a strategic educational plan. The Austin CAC plan is available here.

Written by chicagoschoolsproject

September 8, 2011 at 10:33 am