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Criminal gang faces trial

SLOVAKIA's Special Court has on its hands one of the most serious criminal cases of the year, if not in the whole history of Slovak judiciary: the case of the acid-bath gang (kyselinári).

SLOVAKIA's Special Court has on its hands one of the most serious criminal cases of the year, if not in the whole history of Slovak judiciary: the case of the acid-bath gang (kyselinári).

Thirty men are suspected of defrauding the state out of a total Sk179 million (€4.6 million) through VAT tax returns, and several of them are charged in connection with the murder of four of their fellow gang members.

The men are facing a senate led by Special Court Judge Ján Hrubala, who in the past served as head of the cabinet's anti-corruption unit.

What is attracting immense attention from the media is the particularly brutal way the gang disposed of the bodies of their victims: they dismembered the corpses and then dissolved them in acid before pouring them into a cesspool. In addition to the four known murders, other people are still missing.

The alleged gang members stand accused of 14 crimes and the trial is taking place under the strictest security measures.

Council for the defence for one of the accused men is former boss of the Slovak Intelligence Service Vladimír Mitro.

Mitro told the press that he is not burdened by any bias due to his previous position and he believes that his client will be freed.

The story of the acid-bath gang started back in 2000 when František Miker, along with 13 other people established a network of 50 firms in Slovakia, Ukraine, Croatia and the Czech Republic, for trading worthless software.

The software was in fact a useless collection of laws from the 1990s, freely accessible on the Internet. After exporting the software, the group claimed a tax return on VAT.

In 2000, gang members murdered Marek Novotný who represented one of the firms, and had become inconvenient for the gang. Gang founder Miker suffered the same fate because his fellow-criminals felt he was not dividing the gains equally.

The bodies of Marián Cibíček and Ladislav Sihelník also ended up in acid.

The prosecution claims that the murders were committed by Rastislav Š., Jozef K. and Dusan P., while Peter L. allegedly assisted them. The accused men deny the charges of murder.

The Special Court also started a trial on the Devín banka fraud, yet another bulky criminal case that has been subject to long delays.

An organized gang is suspected of three murders. In total, the bank lost Sk57 million (€1.4 million) as a result of the criminal activities and eight people are currently being held in pre-trial custody.

In early 2002, two bankruptcy trustees (together with seven other people) transferred approximately Sk22 million (€545,000) to another company, Slovdrev, whose three executive agents, dubbed "white horses", later became a liability to the gang.

Later on, the money was transferred to several other accounts that the bankruptcy trustees used for their personal purposes. Slovdrev's agent, Anton Bujňák, was murdered on August 11, 2002, Zoltán Nyitrai was murdered in April 2002, and, finally, Štefan Holub was murdered in the autumn of 2002.

However, the Devín banka case is not directly linked to the collapse of the bank or people from its management on which the Movement for a Democratic Slovakia and the Party of Democratic Left had an influence.

The Special Court started operations in a former army barracks in Pezinok, close to Bratislava, on July 1.

The state has put Sk185 million (€4.8 million) into the project, which includes special security measures that make the new court "one of the four best protected buildings in the country", according to Ján Packa, the head of Slovakia's institute for the protection of top officials.

- Beata Balogová

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The Stew’s winter meetings tracker: Tuesday

It's that time of the year again. Baseball executives, agents, players looking for new teams and media members have gathered in Orlando this week for baseball's annual Winter Meetings.

Given how the offseason has gone thus far, things are sure to be busy and unpredictable. We've already seen Roy Halladay declare his retirement, what's going to happen on Day 2?

The Stew is here to help you stay up to date with the latest news and rumors. We've set up his handy tracker for you to follow all the second-day wonder.

The box above will stream tweets from the Yahoo Sports crew on the scene in Orlando as well as some of baseball's most plugged-in insiders. We'll have chat sessions to keep things lively too. We won't necessarily be chatting around the clock, but we'll jump in from time to time, so watch out for that.

If you'd like to directly follow our guys on the ground in Orlando, you can find them at @TBrownYahoo, @jeffpassan and @answerdave.

- - - - - - -

Mike Oz is an editor for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at or follow him on Twitter!

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Episode 18: Jay Onrait, TSN “Jay & Dan’s SportsCentre”

Jay spoke candidly, and thoughtfully about his time at FS1 and about his return to TSN. Jay also shared his insight on how highlight shows should, look, feel and work in terms of providing an experience for the viewer at home.

Topics covered:

— I noted how well I perceived Jay and Dan O’Toole handled what was going on at FS1 and asked Jay how he handle it so well

— I asked Jay what was going on around the time of his interview on the Dan Patrick show in February 2016?

— I asked Jay when he looks back on FS1 how much of what happened would he chalk up to management versus launching a new show, on a new network that didn’t have a lot of sports rights

— What Jay will miss about Los Angeles

— On being back at TSN and being back in Canada

— Differences between how Canadian and U.S. viewers feel about highlight shows?

— What a typical work day looks like

Jay & Dan’s podcast  (returns on September 7)

You can follow Jay on Twitter via @JayOnrait

We can’t get the TV Show in the U.S. but “Tim Horton’s Jay and Dan’s SportsCentre” premieres on TSN on Monday, September 4.

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Australia, Bafana Share The Spoils

International Friendly: South Africa 1 - 1 Australia

International Friendly: South Africa 1 – 1 Australia

Ayanda Patosi’s first half strike helped Bafana Bafana secure a 1-1 draw with Australia in a international friendly at the ANZ Stadium.

Patosi’s early strike was cancelled out by Tim Cahill seconds later, as nothing could separate the two sides in the second half.

Australia attacked Bafana right from the word go,as Senzo Meyiwa was forced into a early saves from midfielder Tommy Oar.

However, it was Gordon Igesund’s men that went ahead, as Ayanda Patosi’s neat finish in the 12th minute gave Bafana the lead against the run of play.

Unfortunately, the lead did not last that long, as seconds after the opener, Socceroos captain, Tim Cahill out-jumped Meyiwa to head home the equaliser.

The tempo of the first half dies down after Cahill’s equaliser, with both sides wasteful in possession as the half drew to a close.

Patosi came close to restoring Bafana’s lead two minutes after the restart, but his powerful strike from 20-yards out flew just wide of the upright.

The second half proved to be the opposite of the opening 45 minutes, with Bafana content with sitting back, hoping to catch the Australians on the counter.

Neither side could find the breakthrough in the closing stages of the second, as Bafana hold on for the draw.

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Stray Cat

21 Nov

There is a black and white stray kitty living in my yard. think she has kittens but I’m not sure. I saw her the other day walking past my window with something furry in her mouth at first I thought it might be a mouse but then I noticed she had that belly they get after they have kittens. So I watched her and she went from where this old kids playhouse is to under my shed. And that seems to be where she is staying. I feel bad because it’s so cold out now and I can’t get to them under there but I went out and got some cat food and have been feeding her I have to put the cat bowl almost all the way under the shed for her to eat it because she won’t leave there. I’ve also been giving her warm water because it is so cold out there I am hoping to make it last a bit longer before it freezes. Dunno if it helps or not though. I even tried to give her an old towel to make a bed with but I can’t really get it under the shed and don’t know if cats are capable of dragging things like that around. Well anyway I hope I am helping her and her possible babies with what little I can do.

And what is it about my yard that animals seem to like? I have bunnies living in it all Spring and Summer and I also had a robin who built her nest on top of the back porch light this past summer. That was fun because I went out everyday and peeked in at them so I could watch them grow. So cute.

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Posted by on November 21, 2008 in Life, Pets

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Archive for alcoholic

KILL THE DEAD By Richard Kadrey – Reviewed

Posted in Reviews, Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 9, 2013 by stanleyriiks

It’s not often that a book comes along that excites me. It’s not often that anything excites me. In fact, it’s a very rare occasion that anything wakes me from the tortured stupor that is my day to day life. I read almost constantly to escape the dull oblivion that is my pitiful existence.

And then a book like this comes along…

James Stark (demon fighter and part-Angel celebrity) is dragged into LA’s zombie while being Lucifer’s bodyguard. And that’s barely scraping the surface of this story, but I don’t want to ruin the surprises in store for you.

This is the second book in the Sandman Slim series, and if I haven’t read the first book then go read it. Go now. What are you waiting? Go, just go. No, don’t read any further, get it now! Right now I tell you!

You could probably pick this book up and struggle along to catch up, but don’t. The first book is a hell of a story (literally), and there’s far too much you’ll have missed out on if you start the series with book two. Although this is pretty much a stand-alone story, this is very much the second part of a series, and there’s a ton of background (and it’s really fun background!) that you’ll miss out on if you skip the first book. Do not skip the first book! DO NOT!

Stark is a serious piece of work, an alcoholic, chain-smoking, demon assassin, murderer, kick-ass detective; just the kind of dude Lucifer wants as a bodyguard. Our hellish anti-hero is a brilliantly humorous, angry young man, killing vampires and zombies with witty asides, and inventive techniques.

Kadrey has produced an LA dripping with monster filth, which works so well. This is a city bound-up with demons and hellions, drowning in Sub-Rosa (magical families), and is an antidote to those good folks in the Harry Potter novels. These magicians would cook up Harry and his pals for breakfast and then shit them out as zombies. This is hardcore witchcraft, terror and death.

This book is demented genius. Kadrey raised the bar for urban fantasy with Sandman Slim, and the expectations were high for the second book in the series. Not only does Kadrey gives us another exciting episode, but he continues to explore one of the most fascinating and engaging narrators/creatures in modern genre literature.

Sandman Slim is dead. Long live Sandman Slim!


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The Feeding of the 5,000

St Barnabas and St Michael’s 12th September 2010

Reading – John 6:1-15

OK, so here’s the plan. We’re going to hold the largest picnic Plymouth has ever seen in Central Park. We’re going to invite all the people who live in the parishes of St Michael’s and St Barnabas. We’re going to invite the local schools, and all our families and friends and work colleagues. We’re going to have a top class speaker and lots of entertainment. And at the end of the day we’ll be providing an enormous picnic for everybody. But don’t worry too much about the catering. We won’t plan anything in advance. We’ll just feed everyone with the food we happen to have on the day. Are you up for it?

Well, if you think that’s a hare-brained, impossible kind of scheme, imagine how the disciples must have felt in our passage today. All day long the crowds had been streaming in to hear Jesus teach, wave after wave of men, women and children. We often call this passage the feeding of the five thousand, but if you look closely, you’ll see that was only the number of men there. The crowd was presumably an awful lot bigger. But however many exactly were present on that day in Galilee, try to place yourself in the disciples’ shoes when Jesus turned to them and said Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat? Can you possibly imagine what they thought when He asked this question?

It’s not really surprising that the first disciple Jesus asked objected to the question. After all, Philip was a smart guy and he could do the maths. Eight months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite! Just as indeed eight months of our church collection would be insufficient to feed everyone at our picnic in Central Park. Looking at Jesus’ question in purely financial terms, it was a non-starter. Even supposing they could find a place that would be able to cater for so many people, they just simply didn’t have the money. And why indeed should they be expected to feed all these people anyway?

Now of course in hindsight it is easy to criticise Philip, to say Philip should have known that Jesus was going to do something miraculous. But if we had been there, if we’d been one of those first disciples, would we have said anything different? I guess there are few of us who haven’t at one time or another doubted God’s provision, wondered whether Jesus really has the power to change the situation we’re in.

But there was one disciple who just possibly sensed Jesus was about to perform a miraculous feat. At least that’s one explanation as to why Andrew offered the five loaves and the two small fish. It might be that he simply thought he was being helpful, like the person who offers you a small sticking plaster when you need a bandage, or it could be he was pointing out how hopeless was the situation. After all, if you have five loaves, and five thousand people, how much of a loaf does each person receive? OK, so let’s take a bread roll and perform a little experiment…on second thoughts, maybe not. And of course if you are really clever at maths you can work out the situation with the fish was even more hopeless.

Yet for whatever reason Andrew didn’t object. Rather he offered what little he had. And to his surprise Jesus received his donation. Not with a shrug of the shoulders, or a despairing sigh. But with the confidence that in His hands five ordinary barley loaves and two wee fish could become very special indeed. And I guess it is at this point that the disciples suddenly realised they were about to witness something extra special. So that when Jesus said Make the people sit down, they didn’t argue. They obeyed.

And you only imagine their amazement as Jesus began handing out the bread and fish to them to distribute. Because the food just kept coming. Every time they thought it had run out, there was still more. In fact there was so much food that in the end they had enough left-overs to fill twelve baskets. Everyone came away that day not just fed, but satisfied, unable to eat any more, replete. And in an age where people often went hungry for days or weeks on end, that must have been some feeling. There were no rumbling tummies in Galilee for quite some time that year.

So how does this story speak to us today?

First of all, it reminds us that we need to have a Big view of Jesus. After all, the reason why Jesus fed 5000 people wasn’t simply to show he could provide for so many. It was to show that He is the very Son of God able to do far more than we can ever ask and imagine. Now I guess we kind of know this in theory, but how much do we really believe in this practice? If you’re anything like me, then all too often you pray little, hesitant prayers, as if God couldn’t really give big, surprising answers. If we are to be really effective followers of Jesus, then we need to learn big, bold prayers.

At harvest time we remember the work of Shekinah Mission. It’s a charity that does a tremendous job of accommodating, training and feeding those who have nothing, and it has a national reputation. But where did this charity come from? From just a few Christians who had a big vision, and a big confidence in Jesus’ ability to provide for their needs. They had a big view of Jesus, and Jesus has abundantly blessed their work.

Secondly, we need to be Ready to do whatever Jesus asks of us. Now I guess there are few of us who are called to set up a large project to feed the homeless, or go overseas to help others in need – although wouldn’t it be tremendously encouraging if just one person this morning received such a call? But for most of us Jesus calls us to be faithful in all kinds of other ways, to give generously whatever we have, to be a quiet, but constant witness at work, to spend time with a neighbour in the need. The only trouble is, there is probably more of Philip in us than we care to admit. We might have this sense that Jesus is calling us, but we then think of 101 reasons why we couldn’t do what He wants. I couldn’t possibly increase my giving, not in the current financial climate. I couldn’t possibly spend time with that difficult old man, even if he needs help. I couldn’t make a stand at work, I want to fit in. We maybe lose sight of the fact that Jesus doesn’t call us to where He cannot keep us. Paul reminds us the one who calls you is faithful and he will do it (1 Thess 5:24). Do we really believe this?

Thirdly, we should Expect Jesus to take and use whatever it is we are able to offer Him, even if it seems very little. You see, we all have a part to play in God’s kingdom. Christian service isn’t only something for other people who are obviously more gifted than me, or for grown-ups, or just for young people. We are all part of the body of Christ. We need to encourage our children to discover and to use their gifts, to value and recognise the contribution everyone makes, no matter how small it is. Because it is when we all play our part, then this church is seen to be part of God’s kingdom where ordinary people perhaps doing very ordinary things show something of the extraordinary power of Jesus to change lives.

And fourthly, we need to remember Jesus’ promise in John 14:14: You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. For although Jesus isn’t physically with us, in the way that He was with the first disciples, His presence is still as real to us today as it was for them. And He longs that we get used to recognising the presence of His Holy Spirit with us, that we find out what He wants for our lives, and that as we step out in faith, we are willing to ask in His name. There are many theories as to why there were twelve baskets of food left over after the feeding of the 5000. But surely one reason is that when we ask, Jesus gives far generously and far more abundantly than we ever realise. After all, we worship a good God, don’t we? And when we pray in Jesus’ name, our Heavenly Father wants us to give us good things. Yet for whatever reason we seem so slow to learn this lesson. Jesus tells again in Matthew 7:7: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Let’s really learn to take Jesus at His word.

And finally, don’t forget to give Jesus the credit for what you do. I wonder how you answer when someone asks you, for example, why you are so involved in the local church. “Well, I enjoy meeting people”, “It’s a good place to make friends” “I happen to be the vicar”. They’re all perfectly good answers, but they miss the main point. We should whenever we have the opportunity to gently, lovingly point to Jesus and show that He is the reason that we do what we do. It is Peter in his first letter who tells us to always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have (1 Pet 3:15) and it’s a verse that well worth taking to heart. Somehow despite our fears and our awkwardness we need to learn not to give an embarrassed cough, or go off on a preach, but simply and gently point to the one who has called us and saved us – Jesus Christ.

We need a big view of Jesus

We need to be ready to serve Him.

We should expect Him to use us.

We should ask in His name

And don’t forget to give Him the credit.

So what do these five points spell? The answer, of course, is bread. The feeding of the 5000 leads to a big long discussion with the crowd where Jesus makes the claim I am the bread of life. We’ll be thinking in a couple of weeks’ time what that means. But for now, the point of this passage, the reason why Jesus tested Philip all those years ago, is to ask just what our faith means to us. Is it a passive faith, a matter of our own private prayers, and dutiful attendance at church? Or is it an active faith, where we feed off Jesus day by day, as we step out in faith, as we look for Jesus to work in us and through and as we seek to glorify His name?

As we celebrate Harvest it seems to me that Jesus wants us to offer far more than just a few tins from the back of the larder, or some packets we remembered to buy yesterday from the supermarket. He wants us to think what it means to offer ourselves in His service. So that those vast numbers of people around us in our parish discover that their deepest hunger, their deepest longing is met only in Jesus, who is indeed the bread of life, who was willing to be broken for you and for them upon the cross, so that we could indeed have life in all its fullness.

Rev Tim

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To Not To Read Book Tag

I was tagged for this To Not To Read tag by Deanna over at A Novel Glimpse. Thanks Deanna! All the answers have to be books you DNF-ed. I used to never DNF anything (book OR series), but over the last few years I’ve learned how to put down books I don’t think will be worth my time. Feel free to tag yourself if you’d like.

What book would you be willing to finish?

Tiny Pretty Things. I only read a couple chapters before I gave up and I’ve read many positive reviews on it, so it might have just been my mood when I tried it. And I still love the cover.

A dystopian book that you put down.

Landry Park. I didn’t make any notes on this on to how far I got or why I stopped, so I don’t quite remember what made me put it down. I think I didn’t like the main character, though, and by the time this came out I was pretty over dystopian.

A book that you just didn’t want to finish at all.

Passenger. I read a little more than half and I just didn’t care.

A sequel.

The Queen of Zombie Hearts. While I originally shipped the main romance, by this book I simply could not take the two of them anymore. And I didn’t like the supporting characters.

A book you’ll never again pick up.

Anatomy of a Player. New Adult is not at all my genre, but I liked the first book in this series so I decided to give this one a try and it was just a big NOPE for me.

A book with too much hype.

A Study in Charlotte. I saw some rave reviews on this, but I just didn’t care about it at all. I stopped reading in the middle of a chapter.

A haunting read.

The City, maybe? None of the books on my DNF list really fall under this category, but this might be the closest.

A contemporary.

The Replacement Crush. I had no patience at all for the main character.

A book you were unsure of.

The Flood Girls. At the beginning of the e-ARC I had for this there was a letter from both the author AND the publisher. The fact that I needed a letter explaining the book and then another letter about how great the book is before I even started really turned me off.

8 thoughts on “To Not To Read Book Tag

  1. Pingback: The To Not To Read Tag | Much Ado About Books

  2. I just put two books into my DNF pile. I like to give a book a fair shake before banishing it, but I’ve grown to realize that life is too short (and there are too many books) to waste time on something you don’t like.

  3. Pingback: June 2017 Recap | Stephanie's Book Reviews

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In the name of God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. AMEN.
Coming to know God and eternal life includes getting acquainted with death. Coming to know the story of Jesus includes getting acquainted with the knowledge that there is nothing he has not suffered.
Our first acquaintance with death usually comes when we learn about the death of the mortal body, and sooner or later we come to know that is not the whole story.
The death experience is one we will have many times before we actually die.
Going through painful little deaths of loss and betrayal teaches us in our bodies what we can not learn with our minds. Death is something we can’t know in our head. It is not an academic subject we can learn about in a book or a lecture. We learn about the death experience in our bodies by the physical experience of grief and weeping.
Usually only when we are as grieved as Jesus was on the cross, do we find ourselves off balance, out of control, terrified, full enough of pain, that we let go of every last illusion we are in control or can be self-reliant. This desperate place, where we think all is lost, is where we can be found open enough to be confronted with the mystery of God. “Take the mercy, accept the help” (Hebrews 4:16).
God is at work in the midst of death transforming lives. New life is being born while dying is taking place. People are being saved from their own wretchedness.
The near-death and then new-life cycle is repeated throughout Holy Scripture. Joseph was thrown into the well by his brothers and left to die. Jonah was swallowed up into the belly of a giant fish; Daniel in the lion’s den; Job on the dung heap …
Each of these stories, and many more – including our own – is wrapped up and personified by Jesus on the cross. Once we understand the cross, we understand how to live life.
Death is part of the resurrection cycle. A requirement. The precursor to new life.
Define death as sin, trauma, grief, pain, loneliness or shame. The very thing we fear will kill us is the very thing that brings us to the place where we can be transformed. In the moment of wavering on the edge of death, we find out who really sustains us in the well, on the dung heap, in the hospital, in the jail cell, unable to pay bills or hold a marriage together. Your deepest pain is your cross.
When you stand in that place, you know who God is for you. The one who sustains you – and everything has meaning – even the painful, sinful, tragic and incoherent are transformed by God.
The crucified Christ is no stranger to our souls. Go through hatred, betrayal, rejection. When we have looked at pain, grieved losses, and mourned wounds, then (and only then) can we be healed and transformed.
It is suffering which pushes us to the edge.
Teetering there, we let go, rely on God, and find out what really living really is.


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March 2012

Monday, March 26 – Friday, May 11, 2012

Students who return their overdue books to either the Queens or Staten Island Circulation Desks between March 26 and May 11, 2012 with donations of non-perishable food items will have their fines waived (see Suggested Food Items below).

One food item will erase one overdue fine regardless of the fine amount (multiple fines will be waived from lowest to highest amount).

Pre-existing overdue fines are also eligible.

Fines and fees resulting from lost or damaged library materials are NOT eligible for the Food for Fines program.

All food collected will go to Our Saviour Lutheran Food Pantry (Queens) and Project Hospitality (Staten Island)

Suggested Food Items:

Cereals, canned soup, instant potatoes, Jell-O, canned juice, canned vegetables, evaporated milk, canned fruit, peanut butter, canned meat, canned fish, rice, pasta, canned spaghetti sauce, stuffing mix, etc.

Pet food and baby food will also be accepted.

No item past the expiration date or dented cans will be accepted.

Date: March 16, 2012

Time: 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM

Location: Chin Ying Asian Library

At Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall

Chinese Paper Cutting, also known as Jianzhi (剪纸) in Chinese, is a unique folk art form and has a long history since the Han Dynasty (206 B.C. – 220 A.D.). Originally, it was only popular among the nobility since paper was highly precious at that time. Later, the art spread among the ordinary people and became a part of everyday life of Chinese.

Usually, paper cuttings are used in Chinese Spring Festivals. People like to put them at the entrance gates in the hope of bringing good luck for the family, or stick them to windows as decorations.

Chinese New Year began on January 19th, and it is the year of the Dragon. We have invited Mrs. Esther Cheng (鄭繼芳), one of the local paper cutting artists, and several other artists – Tang Hua, Qi Hong, Hsin Ping, Judy Lin, Mary Lin, and Joyce Wells –to come to the library for a demonstration of the art.

Mrs. Cheng began practicing paper cutting while she was a college student in Taiwan more than 20 years ago. She was a teacher for the paper cutting classes organized by Yeh Ying Chi International Benevolent Foundation (葉穎基國際慈善基金會) in Flushing in recent years. At this demonstration, you will learn some basic and advanced paper cutting skills and have the opportunity to practice these skills as well.

Please bring your own scissors if you can.

Everyone is welcome!  If you would like to attend the workshop, please contact: Tian Zhang via  phone (718) 990-5082  or email:


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Home Community Environment UVI and VI Sea Turtle Project Document Their 100th Turtle

UVI and VI Sea Turtle Project Document Their 100th Turtle

Members of the VI Sea Turtle Project at UVI

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Center for Marine and Environmental Science and the VI Sea Turtle Project (VISTP) documented their 100th sea turtle in April, hitting a major milestone for marine research.

“When we started tagging and documenting sea turtles in the fall of 2014, Dr. Paul Jobsis and I estimated the number of turtles using Brewers Bay and Hawksbill Cove to be around 40-50 turtles, at most,” said Scott Eanes, UVI alumnus and founder of VI Sea Turtle Project. “The estimation was based [on] previous research by Dr. Jobsis and Kemit Amon Lewis, but, almost three years later, we were really wrong and we couldn’t be happier.”

Eanes is best known for naming the bay Hawksbill Cove, which is south of the runway. He and Jobsis started tagging turtles in 2014 as part of Eanes’ Masters of Arts in Marine and Environment Science thesis, and they haven’t look back.

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“This has been a long diﬃcult road only accomplished through a lot of hard work and teamwork. Scott’s passion and commitment to understanding and protecting sea turtles has been crucial to our success,” said Dr. Paul Jobsis, director of the UVI Center for Marine and Environmental Studies.

“Every turtle we document is measured and weighed and receives a series of identification tags, and a small genetic sample is taken,” Jobsis said. “This allows us to know how fast our turtles are growing, how many we have, how they are using the bays, and possibly, where our turtles are from in the Caribbean. It also means that when these turtles reach adulthood and leave the U.S.V.I., they have a greater chance of being identified, wherever they go next.”

The U.S. Virgin Islands has two year-round, resident sea turtle species that use the numerous bays and inlets: the threatened green sea turtle and the critically endangered hawksbill sea turtle. St. Croix has the bulk of nesting activity with St. Thomas and St. John recording very few nesting female turtles.

This means the juvenile turtles most frequently seen by tourist, snorkelers and divers around St. Thomas and St. John more than likely originate from other Caribbean islands, Central America, Florida and possibly Brazil. One of the joint research project goals is to discover the origin of the turtles using Brewers Bay and Hawksbill Cove.

“We need to find out where our turtles are coming from because each week we are out there we see untagged turtles, and it would be great to know where our turtles come from so we can make sure they get home to nest, ensuring the next generation of turtles in the U.S.V.I.,” Eanes said.

“And as we see more turtles we still haven’t documented, it makes you wonder just how many turtles call these two bays home. If you love sea turtles this is really an exciting location to study.”

The research team from UVI and the VI Sea Turtle Project remind the public that this research is permitted through the National Marine Fisheries Services, and it is against the law to harass, touch or retain sea turtles without the required permits. UVI and the VISTP plan to continue their research through 2019.

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Home > C.E. Hours > LCSWs

Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs)

Each course meets the qualifications for the specified number of hours of continuing education credit for LCSWs, LEPs, LPCCs, and MFTs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.

• Psycho-Legal Associates, Inc. is an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP) and may offer NBCC-approved clock hours for events that meet NBCC requirements. The ACEP solely is responsible for all aspects of the program. (NBCC Provider #: 5815).

Psycho-Legal Associates, Inc. is approved by the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners to provide continuing education activities for social workers (Provider #: 6448).

C.E. Details

In California, LCSWs must complete 36 hours of continuing education within the preceding two years of their license renewal date, and are required to complete six hours of law and ethics training with every renewal. The six-hour clinical supervision training requirement is only necessary if you supervise.

As an LCSW you do not have to complete any of your 36 hours in person. But, there are a couple of caveats.

You may obtain all of your hours through what the BBS calls "interactive, electronic means" which includes online, teleconferencing and videotape viewing.

You can obtain up to 18 hours via "self-study courses" from board-approved providers which the BBS defines as coursework (i.e., books, booklets, audio programs) you do at your residence, office, or other private location.

As for required courses, all licensees have to complete at least six hours of law/ethics each licensing cycle.

The BBS' Continuing Education and License Renewal Information Brochure is a helpful publication for keeping licensees informed of new continuing education requirements.

California BBS Statutes And Regulations For LCSWs (2013 Edition)

Here's a link to the 2015 version of the California Board of Behavioral Science's (BBS) Statutes and Regulations Relating to the Practice of Professional Clinical Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Educational Psychology, and Clinical Social Work. This booklet contains various California Business and Professions Code statutes and California Code of Regulations sections and reflects changes made through January 1, 2013.


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This is a character stamp of "BUG (they are the comics under updating at the homepage of saco)." Since I am preparing various expression, I am glad if it uses.

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19th Nov, 2017

Successful partnership between Heart of England Co-operative Society and Guide Dogs extended

Ian Hughes 20th Apr, 2017

A CORPORATE partnership between the Heart of England Co-operative Society and Guide Dogs has proven so successful the it is being extended for another year.

The £25,000 raised in the first 12 months of the partnership came from a range of events organised across by staff across the society’s food and funeral divisions – including a football tournament and a car wash.

It also came from customer purchases of 5p carrier bags – a new charge imposed as part of the government scheme to reduce consumption of the single-use bags.

Ali Kurji, Chief Executive of the Heart of England Co-operative Society, said: “We are delighted to support Guide Dogs for another year.

“Over the course of the past 12 months we have built an excellent relationship with the charity. We have come to learn more about the important work of its staff and volunteers who between them make a real difference to people, allowing them to continue living their lives independently with confidence.”

The money will be used towards the support of a guide dog partnership which starts from the birth of the pup. Specifically it will go towards the rearing and training of a puppy – which mount to £5,000 in the first year – as well as the food, vets’ bills and other associated costs for the lifetime of the animal.

Over the course of a lifetime these costs can mount to £50,000 per dog.

Liz Gilbert, of Guide Dogs, said: “The money raised by the Heart of England Co-operative Society will go towards a guide dog puppy which will make a real difference and help change the life of a person living with sight loss.

“We can’t thank the staff and customers enough for their enthusiasm, dedication and generosity in supporting us and look forward to our next year working together in the local community.”

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“But Lord, You said….”

Over the years the Lord has put my faith to some really big tests. When I first became a Christian He knew I was used to being told what to do, not asked if I would kindly do something. Because of His grace He speaks to us in the ways we are used to.

In 1998 a big test was put before me. “Sell your home and move where I’m sending you.” He didn’t bother to tell me exactly where that was until shortly before I was to hop in the car and cross the country.

That started what I call the “five year odyssey.” As I drove across the country He finally notified me that I would be there for eighteen months. Don’t you just love it when the Lord only tells you what you need to know for that moment and nothing more? He kept telling me, “Trust Me.” It got very frustrating!

I was there for eighteen months and then the surprise came for the next location. “You’ll be here a year.” I thanked Him. It was only at each step that He would tell me what I was to do while I was at each of these locations.

I was learning to trust Him and to be obedient without question. Believe me that was not an easy journey! I learned distrust from a very early age and to just say, “Trust Me” wasn’t flying very well with all I had learned for years.

More moves came about. The third move He said I would be there for two years but suddenly told me I would be moving again. “What? You said I’d be here two years. This is six months early?” “Trust Me.” More hard lessons were learned.

On the fourth move I find myself leaving boxes packed because I have no idea where He will send me next. “You don’t have to move any more” the Lord said as I stood trying to decide which boxes to unpack. When I’d hesitate to hang a picture He’d tell me the same until finally I unpacked everything and set up my “nest.”

Five years later –

“I want you to move to…” came the familiar voice. I couldn’t believe it! “But You said I didn’t have to move any more!” I screamed. I was devastated! Satan quickly slithered in and convinced me that Christ was a liar. That I couldn’t trust Him and I needed to walk away from Him. The enemy had me convinced that God Almighty had betrayed my trust. I confess, I listened. Not to the Lord but to the father of lies. I came within a hair of turning my back on my heavenly Father who loves me, accepts me, and wants me to be all He created me to be.

I rejected the prayers of others. I didn’t want to hear them in my hurt and anger. I cried. I stomped in a fit of rage. I refused to listen to or speak to my Creator. Oh Satan was doing a really good number on me. He had a hold on me that was firm and he was determined not to let go.

Remember the verse that says we are in God’s hands? That nothing will separate us from His love? I don’t remember how long I was in the grips of the enemy. I felt deeply hurt and that God had betrayed my trust. I was hurt, angry, and confused but I had a choice to make. Was I going to be obedient or stay put? I started packing.

Did God change His mind? Did I hear wrong when He said I don’t have to move any more? No, I heard right. He said, “You don’t HAVE to move any more.” He said, “I WANT you to move to…” In other words, I had a choice. I didn’t have to obey His request. I could sit back comfortably (oh right!) and stay in my nice nest or I could go through the rigors of packing up and leaving to who knew where for reasons only Christ knew.

There have been three more moves since then. In another move He said I’d be there two years but had me move in a year and half. Did He change His mind again? Does He change His mind? In Exodus 32:14, Moses was pleading with God to not pour out His wrath on the people. “So the Lord relented from the harm which He said He would do to His people.” It sounds like a change of mind to me. What do you think? Does God change His mind?

If we are true followers of Christ we are to trust Him completely. If we trust Him we will be obedient no matter what He calls us to do. The enemy, Satan, has one goal; to rob, steal, and kill. He will rob you of your joy, he will steal your faith, and kill all hope……………….if you let him.

Published 2008  Learn the whole story.

You may order my autobiography at: http://www.elahministries.com with PayPal. $13.95 + postage

Like me at http://www.facebook.com/elahministries

Blessings to you.

12 thoughts on ““But Lord, You said….”

  1. Sometimes, we wonder if God realizes how hard it is to physically pack up and move. And all the logistics of paperwork afterwards…at least we don’t need to travel with packs of donkeys and camels today. Ah friend, I hear you. It is hard to lay down one’s life so that He be glorified, no matter what it looks like to other people. All that we need to be is obedient. Did you find out why He required you to move so many times and what the purpose(s) was/were in each place? 🙂

    • Hi Adeline: Praise God for motor homes and cars! I’d still be on the road if it was a donkey or camel. lol
      All the moves were to teach me to trust Him and to put me in positions where I had to rely on Him in all circumstances. I think you would really enjoy my autobiography, “Laying Down my Net-A Walk of Faith.” It gives the real, very transparent, journey. Hard lessons but they brought me to where I am now. Trusting Him!
      Thank you for reading my story and blessings to you.

  2. Hi Sue.
    You are really inspire me in how you have been obedient to God…..Your walk with Him is unique and its for a purpose! Your level of obedience to God has really challenged me!

  3. Hi Rolain: The Lord has a purpose for each one of us and in order to accomplish that purpose He “deals with” each of us in different ways. Because I trusted no-one He had to take me out of my comfort zones and put me in situations where I absolutely had to trust Him. I don’t know how unique that is but it worked. 🙂 Hopefully He won’t have to go to quite those extremes with you. lol I think you would enjoy my book, “Laying Down my Net – A Walk of Faith.” It tells the whole story. Thank you for your comments and trust Him in all things. He’s faithful to do what He says He will.

  4. Wow – what a story. I am so glad you take the effort to listen, and choose to obey.

  5. My wife and I move just 3 months ago and we no it is not the last! In the past 21 years we have moved 11 times from the west coast to the east. We abut are now working are way from south to north, but someday we say move up to My home. Guess what I am all packed and ready to go!

    • Hi James. 7 times in 16 years for me. Yes, I’m ready for the move to my heavenly home, too. And I won’t have to pack! Thank you for your comment. Have a great week-end.

  6. Hi Ben: It all boils down to making that choice. I had to choose whom I would believe and what I was going to do about it. Every Christian has that choice. Thank you for your comment and yes, I choose to obey, even when I don’t understand what the Lord is doing or why. Thanks for reading and have a great week-end.

  7. I absolutely loved it! So glad that the Lord loves us enough to have the Holy Spirit lead us where He wants, (like to this blog for instance!) a great read and so looking for more, am following for sure!

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'Sample REST Services' packaged application not working in Exadata Express Service

(Doc ID 2322640.1)

Last updated on NOVEMBER 13, 2017

Applies to:

Oracle Database Exadata Express Cloud Service - Version N/A and later
Information in this document applies to any platform.

When using sample package application 'Sample REST Services', error is displayed:

Installed 'Sample REST Services' packaged application from:

Exadata Express : Service Instance URL
Develop -> Productivity Apps -> Install 'Sample REST Services'

Used instructions in the warning message to 'Reset Sample Data' and sample URL:

https://supportexaexpress-<domain ID>.db.us2.oraclecloudapps.com/apex/<workspace>/hr/version/

 Still Sample REST Service Application is displaying same error message.

 Installed 'Sample REST Services' packaged application

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Release of Jenkins XL Deploy plugin 3.9.7

XebiaLabs Support -

Dear XebiaLabs community,

We are pleased to announce the release of Jenkins XL Deploy plugin 3.9.7. This is a minor release with official support for XL Deploy 4.0.0.

The release notes are available on the documentation site.

Please note that this version of the plugin does not require the Jenkins server to be run using Java 7.

The plugin is available for download from the following link or the Jenkins Update Center:

Kind regards,

The XebiaLabs Team.

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French Open 2011: Streak Ends for Novak Djokovic!

The Biggest Upset of 2011: Blaming someone is for losers and it’s inappropriate to blame Roger Federer for ending Novak Djokovic’s 47-match winning streak since December 2010 [6-7(5), 3-6, 6-3, 6-7(5)]. In French Open 2011 semifinals, Federer was just playing an exceptional tennis of his life. His service was constantly hard to read (18 aces in entire match), he’s also pressuring Djokovic with his forehand crosscourt groundstrokes and he managed to stay calm in every point. Djokovic, on the other hand, allowed his nerves to control him in the most important times (41 unforced errors in entire match). He has his chances. He could have win the fourth set and would have pushed the match into a final set if only he held his service at 5-4.

The Biggest Win of an Asian: She’s the first Chinese to win a Tennis Grand Slam in singles, defeating the defending champion in French Open 2011 (6-4, 7-6(0). She showed the world how an Asian should play tennis and the secret success is: Consistency. In her match with Francesca Schiavone, she made sure the placement of her groundstrokes were deep and un-returnable (31 winners in the match). A number of her aggressive shots were out of control but she did not give up. She kept on fighting and was not losing confidence during long rallies. Her name is Na Li and she also become the first person to defeat three consecutive Top-10 contenders in a clay slam (Victoria Azarenka- QF, Maria Sharapova-SF, Francesca Shiavone-F). She made me feel proud to be an Asian!

The Unexpected:

  1. Daniela Hantuchova thrashed World No. 1 (Caroline Wozniacki) in the third round 6-1, 6-3
  2. Another clay-dominant contender from Spain by the name of Nicolas Almagro was upset in the first round.
  3. Gisela Dulko, who’s responsible for the eviction of Maria Sharapova and Ana Ivanovic in 2009 Wimbledon and 2010 Australian Open respectively, stunned Samantha Stosur in three sets during the third round.
  4. No American in both singles’ draw made the quarterfinals.

(Photo courtesy of: AP)


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Sunday, January 15, 2017

NPP pans ‘rushing’ of labor amendments

NPP pans ‘rushing’ of labor amendments

By Yang Chun-hui  /  Staff reporter

New Power Party lawmakers yesterday in Taipei present the results of an opinion poll about proposed labor law amendments.

Photo: Huang Yao-cheng, Taipei Times

The New Power Party (NPP) yesterday urged the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to “think twice” before rushing proposed amendments to the Labor Standards Act (勞動基準法) through the legislature.
Speaking at a news conference in Taipei yesterday morning, NPP caucus convener Hsu Yung-ming (徐永明) asked the DPP government to think clearly and reconsider its decision to push the amendments through the legislature.
Urging the DPP caucus to refrain from “abducting public opinion” by threatening to subject DPP members who fail to toe the party line to disciplinary measures, Hsu questioned the rationale behind the party’s decisions to shelve draft bills on marriage equality while passing the amendments to the act in a rush.
“Whose interests is the DPP safeguarding?” Hsu asked.
NPP Executive Chairman Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) blasted the DPP caucus’ move to initiate a motion to remove an article in the planned amendments that proposes heavy fines for large corporations that violate the act.
“I cannot believe the ruling party, which had repeatedly vowed to protect workers’ rights, initiated a motion today to delete the proposed Article 78-1 aimed at bolstering punishments that took us a lot of effort to put it on the version passed during previous legislative committee reviews,” Huang said on Facebook.
Huang said the removal of the proposed clause could see employees who violate the act get away with a mere NT$20,000 fine, and urged the DPP caucus to revoke the motion and respect the consensus reached during committee review.
According to the proposed addendum of Article 78-1, companies that violate the act would face fines that are proportional to their size, with the maximum amount being set at NT$5 million (US$156,484) for a company with more than 500 employees.
However, the DPP caucus is leaning toward dealing with violators through the proposed version of Article 79 of the act, which carries a fine of no less than NT$20,000 and not more than NT$1 million.
DPP spokesman Yang Chia-liang (楊家俍) urged Huang not to “pretend to understand things he does not,” saying that Huang’s inaccurate interpretations of the content of the proposed amendments shows his inability to review draft bills.
“The proposed changes to Article 79 ... also allow government agencies to increase the fine up to NT$1.5 million, after considering the corporate size, number of violators and the severity of violations,” Yang said.
Yang said the amended act would have a more comprehensive deterrent effect on employers.

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Transferring to Yale with low HS score?

QueenOfDiamondsQueenOfDiamonds Registered User Posts: 12 New Member
edited August 31 in Yale University
I am an international student so we don't have GPAs. I had high grade 9, 10 and 11 scores (the scores were not inflated -- the tenth grade exam was held and graded by the government). However, my grade 12 scores dropped quite significantly in maths and chemistry. I had applied to and was wait listed at NYU and UChicago but withdrew my application soon after seeing my horrifying scores.

Now, I am a freshman at one of the top institutions of my country (ranked second) with an acceptance rate of 2%. It's super competitive, consisting of toppers from all over the nation. So, if I managed to get a high GPA here, will I be able to make up for my high school scores and have a fair shot at getting into Yale?

As for why my grades dipped, I was in a situation that I don't expect anyone who hasn't studied in my school to understand. I would also like to note that my school is not exactly a wonderfully performing school. I'm the first student from here to get into this college. Most students from here go to tier 2 or 3 colleges. I spent my eleventh and twelfth grade here.

And, of course, I get it if I can't get in. I am at the verge of giving up. I had to fight for everything I have now and I honestly can't go through round two of it. I am currently living the dream of a significant part of my country. So, I might as well drag myself through it.

Thanks for your time!

Replies to: Transferring to Yale with low HS score?

  • tdy123tdy123 Registered User Posts: 330 Member
    Yale lays out the odds pretty clearly on their transfer pages:

    "As competitive as the admissions process is for freshmen, the transfer process is even more so. Yale receives more than 1,000 transfer applications each year, with spaces for only 20 to 30 students. Given the competitive nature of the transfer admissions process, candidates should have compelling reasons for attending Yale and should think carefully about whether Yale is the right fit for them.

    The Admissions Committee gives serious consideration to a transfer applicant’s motivation, curiosity, energy, leadership ability, and distinctive talents. The personal essays and evaluations from college faculty members, deans and advisers can provide a great deal of insight into these qualities. Yale seeks students who have made significant contributions to their college and local communities. Diversity within the student body is important, and the Admissions Committee works to select a class of contributing individuals from as broad a range of backgrounds as possible.

    The 2-3% transfer admission rate reflects space limitations at Yale and means that the Admissions Committee must deny admission to most qualified applicants. Transfer candidates should explain in their application essays how studying at Yale would give them an educational opportunity particular to their interests that could be experienced nowhere else. A desire to leave one’s current school is not a compelling reason for admission to Yale." - https://admissions.yale.edu/transfer-details

    When you also consider that International students typically make up about 10% of Yale admits, the numbers become even less favorable, with 3 or fewer slots for international transfer students each year.

    You'd need to be one of the two or three top international students - not just at your university, or in your country, but in the entire world - applying for transfer admissions; and also clearly show how your educational needs are not being met at your current institution and couldn't be met anywhere else in the world other than Yale.

  • MYOS1634MYOS1634 Registered User Posts: 31,457 Senior Member
    What country are you from?
    What's your parents' income?
    Can you imagine yourself at another university than Yale, IE, would you be willing to leave your top2 national institution for a college in the us that isn't known in your country (as long as the university is good)?
  • sherpasherpa Registered User Posts: 4,038 Senior Member
    If I were you I wouldn't pursue the idea of transferring to Yale. The overwhelming likelihood would be disappointment.
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The Good You Can!

In a series of simple cute videos less than a minute each called The Good You Can, we learn simple ways of reducing our power bills by 90% by switching to LED and how it can help light up a complete set of homes giving hope, light, and happiness to people who otherwise don’t have access to power as we consume everything. The Good You Can is an initiative by 100 Pipers who have taken it upon themselves to create simple content rich videos to share a social message in a nice way.
One of the videos is titled ‘Save Between Strokes’ and mentions how much water gets wasted every day when we keep tap running for three minutes every time we brush, we lose about 15,00,000 liters of water which is what an entire village consumes in a year! Yes. In a year! That is just simply too much water down the drain. Another thought provoking video talks about not idling the car in traffic jams by which you spend around 20 mins with the engine idling on. This is apparently so large that it takes an entire forest to clear up in one year. The figures shared are mindboggling and beg for remedial action which is so easily available with a little bit of conscious attention.

Every day we end up wasting so much food that we don’t realize how much we can save! The ‘Finish what you started’ video explains just that. On an average from breakfast, lunch, and dinner, considering we waste 300 grams of good, we are throwing about seven tons of food in a lifetime which in turn would be enough to feed 3500 people for an entire day, that is three meals in total. Let me say that again. 3500 people in a day. I don’t have words for that! All I can say, I will take less and finish what I started off. No more wasting of the food. One step further would be to pack food that is left out and give away to someone who can have it which would be one less person going to bed hungry.

This series has many more videos coming up and has a positive message which would help clear problems we face every day by taking a simple forward-looking step by a minor change in our lifestyle. Let use watch these videos, share the message with friends and family and help them bring out the Good You Can!
#TheGoodYouCan #PositivePsychology #ShareandCare

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If you were watching on Twitter or Facebook and saw me drawing ships and sea-monsters, this is why!

The mastermind behind Kinds of Blue has created a new anthology, this time for children. It’s all drawn, and we are currently running a campaign on Pozible to take pre-orders, print it and get it out into the world:

There are stacks of rewards, including the chance to get a poster of my map of monsters. And broccoli. Also some Scots. And a really big mosquito.

Here Be Dragons

5 thoughts on “Monsters!

  1. So delightful!

    I want to support the project, but I don’t need any of the rewards (and don’t want to pay extra for shipping). At the moment, I can only give A$5 for that. Is there a way to add a category of “give what you want, no reward” to the Pozible page?

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Top set of links above are external links, second set are pages local to the blog.

Monday, 22 July 2013

Blogger Book Fair: Eileen Sharp - Horror Writing – Or Writing About Happy Families in Fiction

Today I'd like to welcome Eileen Sharp to my blog as part of the Blogger Book Fair. Once you've read her ideas about writing families, don't forget to check out her books and her blog, all linked at the bottom of the post.

Horror Writing – Or Writing About Happy Families in Fiction

You’ve seen it a hundred times. It’s a fantasy about an extraordinary protagonist who is an orphan and has no siblings, cousins or family--a lonely figure that makes his or her way alone in the world.

Yet ask any average person who has influenced them the most and you’re most likely to get the answer that it’s someone in their family. The truth is that at our core we deeply identify with the people we grew up with and in most cases, share DNA. It’s an elemental bond.

So why do authors choose to leave that goldmine of complexity and emotion to make orphans?

There are several. The first is that it immediately gives the reader a reason to sympathize with the character. If we all already have the common denominator of being connected with our families, then we instinctively know that being without them would have a certain emptiness, a suffering that is easy to understand.

Another reason is that it makes it easier for the writer to move along with the plot if they don’t have to deal with a parent who says “No, you cannot go out at midnight to meet your vampire boyfriend.” Parents create all kinds of sticky plot problems.

So it’s just easier. Healthy families also have the potential for the worst sin of all: being boring.

They are all good reasons and many a fine yarn has been spun because of them.

However, that being said, I relish the challenge of digging into that goldmine. I’m not talking perfect families--those are about as real as unicorns. Real families do have drama, because love inherently makes you care and therefore raises the stakes.

So here’s to the trick of writing about parents who are alive, siblings that actually care about each other and families that stick together, in fiction and life. It's a challenge either way, and well worth it.

About the Author:

Eileen is a YA writer from Pennsylvania and she is dedicated to writing positive fantasy. She enjoys giving her readers a good vibe when they read her books and is always writing in many genres.

Eileen's Blog

Ren can see the future through ghosts that speak to him. He's okay knowing more than anyone else, until he meets the girl he's supposed to fall in love with. As he's drawn into her life, he is forced to keep a tragic event from her. Desperate to help, he wonders if the future is something he can share. From the author of Certainty comes a fantasy set against the ticking clock of magic's end. The Unspeller and the Book of Days is an extraordinary fantasy about a powerful family and an ungifted child. Aesa Jereward finds himself the center of suspicion and fear, a possible sign of the foretold End of magic. Being part of a rich bloodline with deep magic only increases his misery. With the help of his extraordinary siblings and a dragon of mysterious origins, Aesa must find his own path in the destiny of magic.
by Eileen Sharp
The Unspeller and the Book of Days
by Eileen Sharp

1 comment:

  1. LOL - I can see how a parent could get in the way when the protagonist wants to head out at all hours of the night! :)

    I agree, though, there is no reason why a happy, non-perfect family can't be interesting when they're written right. It comes down to an author being able to find the tension of their story outside the 'orphan' set up. Personally, one of the things I like about Midsomer Murders is that I don't have to worry about DCI Barnaby's home life, no divorces, or familial deaths, his family just stays there in the background, providing comic relief and/or the odd bit of drama, but mostly I can concentrate on the main plot, the murders.

    If things in a family are too perfect, though, I'd be looking for the Stepford Wives plot.

Thank you so much for reading. I love to hear from people. Please leave your comments below.


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Thursday, June 14, 2012

EduBlogger Survey

I saw this post on Hack Education this week and thought I'd take a moment to participate.  It's a survey about blogging for education.

What do you blog about?  Special Education with a focus on using technology to reach all learners.
Are you paid to blog? No, but there are ads on my feed and blog site.
What do you do professionally (other than blog)?  I'm a special education teacher in a small school district in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago.  I also do trainings and presentations about technology, special education and iDevices.
How long have you been blogging at this site? since July of 2008
Do you write in other platforms? (e.g. in a print magazine?) No
Can you remember why you started blogging? I felt like I had things to share and no other way to get it out.  I just wanted to share my perspective and ideas on teaching leaners with more significant needs and didn't see many others doing that.  I also have found it a great place to reflect on what I'm doing in the classroom.
What keeps you blogging?  The connections I've made, just a small comment is enough to keep me going, but I've made some many connections with other educators and teachers that have enriched my teaching.
Do you have any idea of the size or character if your audience? How?  According to Google Feedburner I have 1124 subscribers to my blog, and about 4400 pageviews a month.  I also have about 1500 followers on Twitter (although that's the first time in over 4 years I've actually looked that number).
What’s your attitude to/ relationship with people who comment on your blog?  Positive so far.  I don't think I typically write anything to controversial, but it could happen.  I have not had the occasion to have to censor comments (unless they are obviously spam), I hope that continues.
Do you feel as if you fit into any particular community, network or genre of blogging? (e.g. schools, science, education, museums, technology) - Assistive Technology
If so, what does that community give you?  Ideas and encouragement!
What do you think are the advantages of blogging? What are its disadvantages/ limitations?  Not sure I have an answer for this question.
Do you tell people you know offline that you’re a blogger? (e.g. your grandmother, your boss) Yes, I have no issue letting people know that I do this on the side.
Is there anything else you want to tell me about I haven’t asked? nope!
Probably nothing too surprising in this post, but it was an interesting reflection for me!

Photo courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons - Saad.Akhtar

Share this
Do you know somebody else who would find this post interesting or useful? Please forward it to them. Did somebody forward this post to you? Visit Teaching All Students and subscribe to receive posts for free. If you need a tutorial please visit this post: RSS Readers.


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A Student Multimedia Research Project

The video above is an example of a completed student multimedia project. You can use either iMovie or MovieMaker to construct your project. If you don’t have access to either, use WeVideo at WeVideo.com. Once you sign up for a free account, you can access and view instructional videos that will walk you through the process of  navigating the WeVideo video editor.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Annotated Bibliography Tips

grumpy cat

The annotated bibliography you submit on the day that you present your Prezi must do three things:

  1. Present at least six credible sources. Two of which should be multimedia sources.
  2. Be correctly formatted per MLA guidelines.
  3. Present an annotation that contains all of the information highlighted on the assignment sheet.

For further guidance, click this link for an example of MLA formatted Annotated Bibliography entry. You can also view  this Youtube video to get an overview of what an annotated bibliography is.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Example of Student Research Proposal Prezi

Click the link below to view an example of what your Prezi should look like. The questions are slightly different from yours, but you should follow the same basic format.

Sample Student Prezi

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The Psychology of Blogging : When Me Becomes We

allabout me

In The Psychology of Blogging, Laura Gurak takes on the “social-psychological features of computer-mediated communication (66).

Guraks seems to suggest that blogging represents a blurring of the lines between one’s private and public persona. “…(A)lthough ‘the first person narrative…can make us feel that we are partaking in a one-on-one exchange,’ blogging also promotes a high level of self-exposure to the audience often largely unknown to the author” (64).

Gurak also suggest that blogs are constructed both individually (the blogger) and collectively (the commenters). “Through the use of blogroll, links, and comment features, and through development of communal norms, the blogger reveals and creates his or her group identity” (64).

So now there are two dichotomies at work within the psychology of blogging. “Being at the same time private and public, individual and collective, Weblogs invoke the notion of a contradictory genre and activity, with “you,” “me” and everyone in between being brought into a single, semiprivate or semipublic space and experience” (64).

What do you think?

Gurak, Larura. “The Psychology of Blogging: You, Me and Everyone in Between.” American Behavioral Scientist 52. (2008): 60-69. Print.

Posted in Uncategorized | 29 Comments

Counterhegemonic Discourses and the Internet

In their article Counterhegemonic Discourses and the Internet, Warf and Grimes focus on the power of the Internet (Big I) to produce counterhegemonic discourses right along side the well-known , and often ignored, hegemonic discourse.  Arguing that by sheer size and reach the Internet, though often not commonly viewed as,  is a tool of the educated and powerful. They actually put together some convincing numbers to back up their case. “Access to the skills, equipment, and software necessary to gain entree to the electronic highway threatens to create a large-predominantly minority-underclass that is substantially disenfranchised from the benefits of cyberspace” (262). Their numbers however are about 15 years old, and thus should be subject to a bit of well-earned scrutiny.

That aside, they also posit that the Internet can and does still work for the good of the traditionally disenfranchised. “The Internet can also sustain counterhegemonic discourses, challenging established systems of domination and legitimating and publicizing political claims by the powerless and marginalized” (260). This is  because the “(i)increasingly easy access to e-mail and the World Wide Web allows many politically disenfranchised groups to communicate with like-minded or sympathetic audiences, publicizing causes often overlooked by the mainstream media and offering perspectives frequently stifled by the conservative corporate ownership of newspapers, television, and other media outlets” (260). Jump to 15 years later and add even greater cyberspace access through social media and blogs.

But Warf and Grimes are quick to point out that this access serves both  progressive and conservative groups. “Counterhegemonic is anything but synonymous with progressive: Right-wing groups have harnessed the Internet as readily as anyone on the political left…” (260). So if all sides benefit equally who wins and who loses?

“The Internet obviously does not guarantee the emergence of counter hegemonic discourses, but it does facilitate the opening of discursive spaces within which they may be formulated and conveyed” (270).

Works Cited

Warf, Barney and John Grimes. (1997). Counterhegemonic Discourses and the Internet. Geographical Review, 87, 259-274.

Posted in Uncategorized | 27 Comments

The Political Power of Social Media

Wordle: Power of Social Media

In Clay Shirky’s essay “The Political Power of Social Media,” he seems to be suggesting that social media has the power to change the face of political movements around the globe. He seems less sure whether this power will ultimately enhance democracy or reaffirm authoritarian governments. But he does pose a counterargument to what he calls the “instrumental” approach to Internet freedom which focuses on full internet access. “The instrumental view is politically appealing, action-oriented, and almost certainly wrong” (Shirky 3). He uses Haystack and Freegate as examples of how the instrumental approach proposed by Secretary Clinton won’t work.

Shirky argues that we should instead be more concerned with private or social uses of digital media. “New media conducive to fostering participation can indeed increase the freedoms Clinton outlined, just as the printing press, postal service, the telegraph, and the telephone did before”(Shirky 3).

Shirky sees the internet as a tool that allows individuals within a particular civil society to offer an alternative view from the state.

“The more promising way to think about social media is as long-term tools that can strengthen civil society and the public sphere. In contrast to the instrumental view of Internet freedom, this can be called the “environmental” view. According to this conception, positive change in the life of a country, including pro-democratic regime change, follow, rather than precede, the development of a strong public sphere” (Shirky 3).

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | 38 Comments

Is Google Making Us Stupid?

In the article “Is Google Making Us Stupid,” Nicholas Carr poses an argument that educators have pondered in  smoked-filled teacher’s lounges for decades.  Is all the double-clicking and surfing and tweeting and FBing making our students stupid? Or politically-corrected, how has our society’s growing reliance on the internet affected the ways in which we learn?

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 19 Comments


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Southwestern Historical Quarterly - 1 Matching Results

Search Results

The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 68, July 1964 - April, 1965
The Texas State Historical Association Quarterly Report includes "Papers read at the meetings of the Association, and such other contributions as may be accepted by the Committee" (volume 1, number 1). These include historical sketches, biographical material, personal accounts, and other research. Index is located at the end of the volume starting on page 549.


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The V-State Club

Join the donor network that supports the VSU Blazers!

Membership in the V-State Club is only $200 per year and is the only way to enjoy benefits such as e-news letters from the VSU Athletic Department and invitations to exclusive events with members of the Blazer family.  V-State Club members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets to monthly (during the academic year) members-only dinners featuring remarks from VSU head coaches and student-athletes.  Each V-State Club member will receive a distinctive automobile window decal and will have the opportunity to purchase exclusive V-State Club merchandise not available anywhere else.

Click Here to Become a Member!

Click Here to Register for Dinner!

Dinners will be located at the University Center Magnolia Room.

Primary Contact:
Whit Chappell
Director, Athletic Advancement
Phone: 229-249-2631


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About us

Rich in authenticity, The Twisted String is themed around the
textile mills of the early 1800’s and the local history of South Bend Indiana’s Singer Sewing Machine Cabinet factory. Located just a few miles from the old Singer building, the brick and mortar boutique's decor is a refreshing step back into something worth remembering and the clothing is a welcome collection of unique, edgy styles that will have you stealing the show wherever you go. A mural of a young lady working in a textile mill graces the wall behind the checkout desk. The theme is carried throughout the store with fixtures made from original antique factory carts, tables made from 100-yr old barn siding, rusty corrugated metal from old barn roofs, singer sewing machines and a black and white silent film projected on the wall above the dressing rooms. If you get the chance, stop in and experience The Twisted String, where big-city brands and hometown history combine to make this locally owned boutique one of a kind and a must see shopping destination! Not in our neck of the woods? No problem! Enjoy access to our amazing styles right here on our website. We guarantee you'll love our quality and hope you appreciate our unique character.


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Twitter_logo_blueTwitter welcomed another VIT (Very Important Tweeter) today when the POTUS himself got his very own account (aptly named, @POTUS).

If you’re thinking this is old news, President Obama has had a Twitter account for years, he even signs his tweets “BO.” Well then, you would be correct.

Barack Obama (@BarackObama) does already have a Twitter account; however, this new account is for the Office not the person, as the President explained in his third tweet:

Good to know, right?

The POTUS Twitter handle will only be used by the current President of the United States, and any tweets made from that account are presumed to be from the man (or possibly woman…someday) himself. It’s a nice thought, and makes the Office seem more accessible and human.

Just don’t think about the fact that @POTUS has been online for less than 24 hours, and has had time to tweet three times already. Hopefully, we can chalk up the number of tweets to first day Twitter jitters.

Welcome to Twitter, @POTUS!

More on the Story: CNN

…just for fun:

Posted on May 18, 2015, in News, Opinion, Randomness and tagged , , , . Bookmark the permalink. 2 Comments.

  1. I kind of wish our President was too busy to tweet…

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My Life In Paradise... and Beyond

Hi guys! I'm back after a long absence. I'm an author, a media guest, and a lover of life, good food, travel, and of course – the written word! Come with me on a journey of life, here in the US and abroad…

Month: August 2012

1 Post


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Monday, June 4, 2012

Kid-Friendly Ice Cream in a Bag & Homemade Magic Shell Ice Cream Topping

Two of my granddaughters, Charlie & Chloe, who live only minutes away, and I love to spend days crafting and cooking in the kitchen together
whenever we can.

Here's two recipes we've had fun making....these dishes will cool you down in the heat of the summer.  We made them on different days...guess you can tell they love their ice cream huh???

They're easy and definitely KID-FRIENDLY recipes!  Both ready in just minutes too!!!

1 c. light cream (I used half vanilla flavored creamer) MM!
3 Tb. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
qt. size ziplock freezer bag
2 gallon size ziploc freezer bags
crushed ice
rock salt

Mix first 3 ingredients together and pour into the qt. bag. Squeeze the air out and place it into a gallon bag (for safety sake). Squeeze out the air and seal. In the bottom of the second gallon bag, place some ice cubes and rock salt.  Place the other bags on top, then fill in the sides with more layers of ice cubes and rock salt so that it is higher than the level of cream. Then this is what you do...(it took us about 10+ minutes)

Another time together we quickly made some Peanut Butter "Magic" Shell Ice Cream Topping. I found the recipe at Chocolate Covered Katie....to 'top off' their day.

(Katie has a Healthy Dessert Blog that I follow!!!)

All you do is stir together peanut butter, melted coconut oil, and sweetener of choice (we used liquid stevia) to make this delicious treat.

We were all pretty impressed at how simple - AND DELICIOUS! - it was.

2-3 tsp peanut butter
1 tablespoon virgin coconut oil
sweetener of choice, to taste (stevia drops, maple syrup, agave, etc.)

Combine all ingredients and stir until it makes a thin liquid. (Warm the coconut oil first if it’s solid when you open the jar.) Pour over ice cream, and watch it harden into Magic Shell! (Or stick the covered ice cream the freezer for just a minute or two, if you want it completely hard.)


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Sunday, March 24, 2013

Oatmeal Cinnamon Chip Cookies

These cookies are a very special treat.

I had cinnamon chips in the freezer after snatching them up over the holidays. These cookies were sent off in 'goodie boxes' at church. Our ladies missionary group packs boxes of homemade goodies every February to send to our college kids and military.

I favor an oatmeal cookie anyway, but add these yummy chips and you've got a real winner!

This recipe was on the back of the bag of cinnamon chips & since I love nutmeg I adapted it by adding a little bit of nutmeg...gave it a more of an intense spice flavor.

1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
1 c. packed light brown sugar
1/3 c. granulated sugar
2 eggs
1-1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1-1/2 c. all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
2-1/2 c. quick-cooking oats
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1-2/3 c. (10 ozs. pkg) cinnamon chips
3/4 c. raisins, optional

Preheat oven to 350.

In large bowl, beat butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well.  Combine flour and baking soda; add to butter mixture, beating well. Stir in oats, nutmeg, cinnamon chips and raisins. (I stirred those ingredients in by hand). Batter will be stiff.

Drop by heaping teaspoonsful onto ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake 10 - 12 minutes or until lightly browned.  Cool 1 minute; move from cookie sheet to wire rack to cool.

Yield: 3-4 dozen

May press into a lightly greased 9" X 13" baking pan. Bake for 25 - 30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool; cut into bars.

Linked to Whatcha Whipped Up Wednesday
Weekend Potluck


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Obama Ad Tries to Answer: Are You Better Off Than Four Years Ago?

A new ad from President Obama confronts head on one of the most potentially damaging questions lingering over his re-election hopes: Are you better off than you were four years ago?

Recent polls have shown that more Americans feel that they are not better off. But Mr. Obama is telling them that they are.

“Here’s where we were in 2008,” an announcer says in the ad, which is running in seven battleground states, including some of the hardest hit by the recession, like Nevada and Florida.

“The worst financial collapse since the Great Depression,” a newscaster says. On the screen flashes “4.4 million jobs lost.”

The ad then pivots to 2012 to make the argument that has been at the heart of Mr. Obama’s case for re-election: that the country is moving in the right direction, albeit slowly. “We’re not there yet, but the real question is, ‘Whose plan is better for you?’”

Mr. Obama has been arguing not just that his plan to economic prosperity is moving in the right direction – forward, as his campaign slogan says – but that Mitt Romney’s policies would take the country back.

This ad doubles down on that argument, pointing to Mr. Obama’s plans to ask the wealthy to pay higher taxes and Mr. Romney’s support for less business regulation. The ad also raises again a claim made in a study that Mr. Romney’s campaign has disputed, saying that his tax plan would actually raise taxes on middle class families by $2,000.

But the Romney campaign called the ad false and misleading. “Americans are not better off since President Obama took office,” said Ryan Williams, a spokesman for the Romney campaign. “Twenty-three million Americans are struggling for work, our national debt has hit a record-breaking $16 trillion and more Americans are in poverty and on food stamps than ever before. Mitt Romney’s economic plan would lead to a more prosperous future for middle class families spurring growth and job creation, and ensuring that the next four years are better than the last four.”


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Tuesday, December 3, 2013

A Bag of Marbles by Joseph Joffo, adapted by Kris, illustrated by Vincent Bailly and translated by Edward Gauvin

After fleeing Russia because of the pogroms there,  Joseph Joffo grandfather and his family settled in Paris and quickly assimilated.  The family grew and prospered.  Jo's father became a successful barber, married and had 4 sons.  But, in 1941, it looks like things are going to get bad in Paris now that the Nazis have taken over the city.

Jo, 10, and his older brother Maurice are forced to wear yellow stars to school, as is every Jew in Paris.  Jo resents it and when a friend offers to trade a bag of marbles for the star, Jo jumps at the chance.  But even without the star, the fact that he and Maurice are Jewish causes a fight in the schoolyard.  Arriving home, bloodied and bruised, their father makes the decision to send the boys to Vichy France, the southern free zone to stay with their older brothers.

Armed with 5,000 francs and the addresses of safe places to find help, the boys are sent on a dangerous journey through occupied France by themselves.  Using only their wits, and sometimes making poor judgements, they travel by train, bus and foot, all the while having to evade the Nazis and occasionally finding a kind person willing to help them.

Yes, they make it to Menton, but the story doesn't end there.  Remember, they left their parents in Paris, who promised they would shortly follow them to Menton.  But, word comes one day that they were picked up by the Nazis and re in an internment camp.  And the boys are themselves picked by the Nazis when they unknowingly enter a resistance center during a raid.  Arrested, they are questioned by the Gestapo and must convince them that they are not Jews despite being circumcised.

Will they succeed and will they be reunited with their parents and be a family once again?

I really wanted to love this graphic story, particularly since there are not that many good ones for kids about WW2, fiction or nonfiction (exceptions are Carla Jablonski's Resistance trilogy, Miné Okubo's early work Citizen 13660, and Lily Renée, Escape Artist by Trina Robbins, to name a few reviewed here).  But I just didn't love it, I only liked it.

And what made me like it was really the artwork.  Graphics don't have a lot of time and space to tell a story, so the reader must rely on the illustrations to help carry it along.  And Vincent Bailly's colorful, detailed watercolor illustrations really do just that, and along the way they impart exactly what the characters are feeling at any given point - happiness, sadness, fear, anger, pleasure.  A quick, simple facial expression says so much here.  Bailly's illustrations are brilliant.

But alas, at times the story was just dull.  It lacked some of the poignancy you might expect from a story about two young boys sent out into a very dangerous world on a long journey towards safety.  Though I could read what the boys felt by the look on their faces, I never felt those same feelings.  In fact, I never felt any emotional pull in the story and never really connected with Jo and his brother.  I can't help but wonder what the original memoir written by Joseph Joffo back in 1974 was like.  That was a book written for an adult audience, and this version of A Bag of Marbles was rewritten for a younger reader.  Perhaps sometimes was lost in the shuffle.

I kept waiting for the titular bag of marbles to make another appearance in the story but the only part it played was the schoolyard trade and I am still scratching my head over why an obviously not Jewish boy would want the star that Jo was wearing.

On the plus side, there is a very nice map showing the route Jo and Maurice took to safety and their modes of transportation.  There is also a glossary of French words used.  Interestingly, when German is used, the translation is at the bottom of the page.  And there is a nice Afterward that explains what France was like under German occupation.

A Bag of Marbles is a nice book for readers who are really interested in the various experiences of Jews during WW2.  It would be a nice supplemental text for teaching the Holocaust, as well.  It will really appeal to all the kids sitting on the floor in Barnes & Noble across the country after school reading graphic books with their friends (and I don't say to be snarky - those knowledgeable kids have helped me find something I wanted on more than one occasion).

This book is recommended for readers age 12+
This book was purchased for my personal library

Sequential Highway has a very interesting interview with the illustrator Vincent Bailly about working on comics in general and on A Bag of Marbles in particular.

  1. Hi Alex, reading the first part of your review had me reaching for the 'buy now' button, but I'm glad I read on. What a shame, I was sure you were going to say how much you loved this, never mind I have a lot to read so will give this one a miss.
    I’m just back from my holiday and catching up with all my favourite blogs. Barbara

    1. Hi Barbara, I am glad to see you back and I hope you had a wonderful holiday. I was very disappointed in this book, but I think something got lost in the translation.

  2. Sounds like an interesting book, the first part of your review had me interested as well.

    1. I know, but it just didn't cut it in the end, though other might feel differently.