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Uncertain Future!

From Karen Women’s Organization and Karen News

The IDPs return home with dignity and safety? “We do not dare to go back because of the landmines that are planted in the fields where we make our living. If we go back, we could lose our limbs at any moment.” Currently, the Burma Army’s operations in Mutraw District violates the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement and has recently displaced more than 2,000 villagers from their homes. These displaced villagers, feel unsafe, have received threats, concerns and repression to return to their abandoned villages. They feel there is no guarantee for their safety and security and many political problems are unresolved. The displaced Karen people in Ei Tu Hta IDP camp are now facing a massive humanitarian crisis.

Please watch this video produced by KWO and Karen News about the current crisis

Uncertain Future!

KWO Supporting the Kachin Communities Worldwide Urgent Demand of the United Nations Security Council to Refer Burma to the International Criminal Court

Please click here to download the statement, English Version:

KWO Statement on Supporting the Kachin Communities Worldwide Demands to UN English Version, 2018

Please click here to download the statement, Karen Version:

KWO Statement on Supporting the Kachin Communities Worldwide Demands to UN Karen Version, 2018

SAW O MOO: Defender of Indigenous Karen Territories, the Environment and Way of Life

KWO sends our heartfelt condolences to the remaining members of Saw O Moo’s family in this very sad time after he was killed by Burma Army soldiers last month.
In his honor, we want to share his life story and achievements with our friends and colleagues all over the world. That we may learn from him and his desire to see real peace in our land.
We feel enormous gratitude to him for his work as a defender of Human Rights and Indigenous Rights, and as a protector of the environment and the Karen way of life.
Saw O Moo, you are not with us anymore but your work will be in our hearts forever. You will be always remembered as a Karen indigenous rights defender and we offer hope that your soul may rest in peace. We make a promise to you to carry on your work in defense of our lands, our identity, and our freedom.
Karen Women’s Organisation

The Nightmare Returns: Karen Hopes for Peace and Stability Dashed by Burma Army’s Actions

On March 4th, the Burma Army began the largest and most coordinated deployment of troops into Karen State’s Mutraw (Hpapun) district since 2008, breaching the terms of the NCA and provoking multiple clashes with the Karen National Liberation Army’s (KNLA) 5th Brigade. Burma Army soldiers have indiscriminately targeted civilians while more than 2,400 villagers have been forced to flee their land and homes. The majority of those displaced by the Burma Army’s current operations had only recently returned to rebuild their villages, farms, and livelihoods following decades attacks by the Burma Army and displacement in the area.

The KNU and Burma Army are both signatories to the 2015 NCA, which prohibits the expansion of military infrastructure and troop reinforcements in ceasefire areas. However, since March 4th, at least eight Burma Army battalions have entered Luthaw, without the required prior agreement  from the KNLA, and begun constructing a military operations road to connect their military bases. If the road is built, Indigenous Karen villagers may be permanently displaced from their homes and ancestral village territories.

KPSN Media Release The Nightmare Returns

The Nightmare Returns – English version

KWO Celebrates 33rd Anniversary

kwo logo

On the occasion of KWO’s 33rd anniversary, April 5, 2018, we celebrate our successes while also looking at our challenges ahead and how to overcome them. KWO will have it’s largest celebration of the anniversary in the Taw Oo District of Karen State led by the KWO Central leadership. The celebration includes a sport competition, a concert showing Karen culture, songs, and dancing. KWO will also present information on KWO’s work, the peace process and gender equality. KWO will particularly honor KWO leaders and staff who have worked full time for 10 years, 15 years, 20 years and 25 years respectively. KWO is the strong vibrant organization we have become because of their commitment and hard work.

Naw Paw GayIt is our honor to recognize Nan Paw Gay as well for her leadership and contribution to our community and to Burma. She is a member of the KWO Standing Committee and has worked in community media. Due to her talent and hard work she rose to Chief Editor of the Karen Information Center in 2008. She was also Burma News International (BNI) Executive Director.

hser hser

Additionally, we honor a KWO young leader, Naw Hser Hser, a KWO Standing Committee member and Joint General Secretary of the Women’s League of Burma. Naw Hser Hser won the P’doh Mahn Sha Young Leadership Award this year which she will receive on KWO day. KWO congratulates Naw Hser Hser on her award. Naw Hser Hser is a role model for younger women in our community through her hard work for KWO, the Karen community, and the entire ethnic community in Burma.

Both these women show the strength, vision, and hard work of Karen women and inspire all of us through their work.

In addition to all these women we also want to recognize the 80 Traditional Birth Attendants who work with KWO for their incredible contribution to the health and well being of women and children in our community.

KWO will honor 151 women and 2 men today for their positive contribution the Karen community. The list of those being recognized follows:

  • Women’s Champion in Social Work: Nan Paw Gay, Chief Editor of Karen Information Center and Executive Director of Burma News International

  • Women with over 25 years of service: P’doh Myaing Poe, P’doh Paw Day Toe, Tharmu Shwe Paw, Thramu Baw Nyaw, P’doh Naw Dah Dah,  and Naw Khin Yin

  • Women with over 10 years of service: 31 women

  • Women with over 15 years of service: 30 women

  • Women with over 5 years of service: 5 women

  • Traditional Birth Attendants: 80 people (78 women and 2 men)

Third Karen Women’s Seminar held in Karen State

KWO is excited to announce the formation of a new a new “Karen Grassroots Women’s Network” which will strengthen the voice of Karen women in advocacy efforts.   KWO gathered women from a wide variety of Karen civil society organisations for the third Karen Women’s Seminar at the end of March 2018.

The women discussed issues for two days and decided to form the new Grassroots Women’s Network.  At the conclusion of the seminar the attendees jointly endorsed the following resolutions:

  1. We call on the Burma Army to stop their military operations in all ethnic areas.
  2. We want the 2008 constitution to be abolished and call on the Burma  Government to begin a process whereby a genuine federal constitution can be drawn up.
  3. We also call on all stakeholders to stop mega development projects in all ethnic areas until there is genuine peace and a political settlement.
  4. There must be no forced repatriation of refugees.
  5. We also call on the international community and donors to continue to support
    humanitarian aid to refugees and IDPs according to international standards until peace is restored in the country

3rd Karen Women Seminar, 2018 Karen Version (1)3rd Karen Women Seminar Statement in BurmeseThird Karen Women Seminar 2018 Statement Eng Version (1)

KWO Receives Women of Change Award

KWO was awarded a Women of Change award by the United States Embassy in Rangoon.  The Women of Change Award is a U.S.Embassy initiative “to recognize Myanmar women who have made significant and lasting contributions to their communities…”

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DVB coverage Burmese

Karen news coverage – English

Irrawaddy Coverage – English

Frontier – Myanmar Coverage – English

KWO Statement on International Women’s Day

KWO Statement in Karen Version:

KWO Statement in English Version:


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Interview: Renee Fleming at Kaplan Penthouse

Q: And what is La Scala like to sing in?

A: Fabulous. Fabulous. If the house is empty, it's even better.

Renee Fleming interview at the Kaplan Penthouse (Lincoln Center) tonight. If you ever have the chance to see her in person—singing, speaking—don't think twice, just go. She's charming, ambitious, determined, hard working, modest, funny, and smart. You don't even have to love opera to love that. (Just be on the alert for ancient cranks with canes and fur coats: those people are pushy, and they would eat their own children before they'd give up a seat.)

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software: Apache Nutch 1.15 (modified, https://github.com/commoncrawl/nutch/)
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Malawi One Village One Product (OVOP) Visit

Linthipe Pottery

Malawi One Village One Product (OVOP) Visit

This article was updated on February 6th, 2018 and first published on September 9th, 2013

Kartimarket recently visited Malawi to meet with producers and officials working under the One Village One Product (OVOP) Programme.

OVOP is an initiative by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) that aims to enhance community development and incomes through business by focusing on product specialisation. It also works to improve human resources, quality control and marketing, and develop local processing capacities.

Furthermore, OVOP promotes market linkages between producing communities and markets, emphasising the demand-driven aspect of OVOP’s approach.

We were following up on some product samples made in Linthipe that we had seen on display at the JICA UK Office in London.

First stop was a ceramics training facility in Linthipe that has been receiving OVOP technical and design support.

Ceramics Malawi OVOP

Mugs made in Linthipe, Malawi

In Linthipe, a co-operative of around 22 men and women will undergo training in throwing and slip-casting ceramics over the next few months.

After discussing design specifications we agreed to make a small order to kickstart the co-operative’s activities once the members complete training.

We will arrange the testing of the ceramics to ensure that they meet UK/EU safety standards.

One Village One Product

The history of One Village One Product can be traced back to 1970s Japan, where it has been a successful approach to regional economic development.

Currently, JICA supports OVOP projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Products sold by producers in Kenya and Kyrgyzstan are already being sold overseas by Muji, the Japanese household goods chain.

The OVOP programme in Malawi was officially launched in 2003. In Malawi there are 48 producer groups receiving technical and/or market linkage support. These groups make around 35 different products. In addition to ceramics, OVOP producers in Malawi make honey, soap, crisps, rice, cooking oil, baobab jam, and cane furniture.

In Malawi, the OVOP Secretariat is staffed by members the Malawian Ministry of Industry and Trade, with support from Japanese technical experts and Japanese volunteers (for example, graphic designers and quality control experts).

Ultimately, the OVOP programme considers that the role of government is to promote networking and information sharing, while businesses should be responsible for making and marketing the products.

Baobab Tree, Malawi, OVOP

Baobab Tree on road to Linthipe, Malawi

Producers sell the majority of products domestically, however the Malawian government is keen to promote exports. This represents an opportunity for many producers; in fact some producers are already exporting honey and baobab oil to Japan.

Doing Business in Malawi

For Kartimarket, not only was it good for business to meet a potential supplier in person, but it was very interesting to see first hand a development project on economically sustainable local enterprises. Particularly one involving international donors, government, and business.

It represented a microcosm of the challenges facing private sector development.

For example, Malawi, a landlocked country, faces high costs to export as the nearest ports are in Tanzania and Mozambique (according the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business rankings in 2013 Malawi was 168th in the world and 39th in Sub-Saharan Africa when it comes to trading across borders).

linthipe ceramics OVOP

Ceramic making in Linthipe, Malawi

Additionally, for many products, in order to export to the EU it is necessary to have certification that demonstrates products and processes meet EU standards. In some more complex cases, e.g. honey, where country-specific approval is needed, they will require a more comprehensive approach (though this should be possible as OVOP honey already meets strict Japanese import standards). As a result local standards bureaus will need to ensure that local standards are consistent with international import requirements.

Other challenges include sourcing suitable local packaging.  Malawi imports most product packaging, whether for domestic sale or export, from South Africa or Kenya.

Access to credit for producers to make capital purchases and materials to fulfill orders is also difficult.

In this regard, Kartimarket, as a fair trade business, makes at least a 50% payment up front on our orders, allowing producers to purchase materials and reducing their risk.

In addition, while there we also discussed the possibility and outlined the pros and cons for fair trade affiliation. Whether through Fairtrade Mark product certification of such products as honey, or membership of organisations such as the World Fair Trade Organisation for producer groups and/or OVOP itself.

We are excited about the possibility of working with Malawian OVOP producers. Hopefully we will be able to offer some products in the UK and elsewhere in the not too distant future.

Many thanks to the JICA UK office for organising the visit, as well as the JICA and OVOP offices in Malawi for supporting us in meeting OVOP producers.

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I am Hazara

226861_579463605417135_1808531224_n The paintings The symbol

I am Hazara

Am I killed?
The question
that remains
with me
For years
is it?
of my colour
race or religion
My blood carries
the same composition
Like you,
My murderers

I want to live
With my hopes
And aspirations
Want to live
With my dreams
Then Why
I to die
I am Hazara

Carried I have
this burden
From moments of my birth
Of this persecution
Still here,
ignored and neglected
beaten blue and death
Carried I have the dead
I am Hazara.

in the corridors
of these hospitals
Blood dripping
From her clothes
The smile,
Most beautiful
And her eyes
With questions
Why I to die
I am Hazara

In between
Thousands years
of travel
And our conversations
Of peace
I am Hazara
I am Pakistan

Do not
Just ponder
Or walk away
In slumber
Support me
My brother
My existence
Not an image
Or shrapnel
Thousands years
I am Hazara

I am Hazara
not a coffin
or graveyard
Support me,
I the am the distance
Of the old civilisations
And new
Reach out
Am your brother
I am Hazara
I am you
I am Pakistan


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Maharashtra farmer ends life due to crop loss, blames PM Narendra Modi in ‘suicide note’

  • 3

MUMBAI: A debt-ridden farmer allegedly committed suicide in Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region today by consuming a poisonous chemical, apparently due to crop-loss, police said.
Shankar Chayare (50), the farmer, belonged to Yavatmal district of Vidarbha, from where a number of farmer suicides had been reported in the past.
Chayare allegedly consumed a poisonous chemical and died while he was being taken to Yavatmal city for treatment, the police said.
The loss of cotton crop due to a pest attack is suspected to be the prime reason behind the farmer taking the extreme step, the police said.
A police official said a purported suicide note was also recovered.
“The police have seized a purported suicide note. It mentions the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and holds him responsible (for the suicide), but we are yet to verify its authenticity and the actual cause of the death,” Yavatmal Superintendent of Police (SP) Raj Kumar told PTI.
sHe said the post-mortem report was awaited, following which the authenticity of the purported suicide note would be verified.
“Chayare had taken a loan of Rs 90,000 from a local credit cooperative society and borrowed Rs 3 lakh from a private money lender. He was a resident of Rajurwadi village under the Ghatanji police station limits in Yavatmal district,” the SP said.


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The ONE Strategy For Outsmarting Competition | Danny Setiawan

Danny is a UX professional with over 15 years of experience designing digital products for companies like The Economist, PwC, Yahoo!, as well as, startups, schools (CUNY, General Assembly) and VC funds. He helps companies increase their User Experience capacity to deliver business results.

Today, we’re talking about how to design to upsell existing clients and win business.

In this episode, we also talk about:

  • 3 ways you can outsmart your competition using design thinking
  • How to improve your service using customer interviews
  • 6 steps for identifying your ideal customers

Danny’s Resources:

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Sales Lessons from Knocking on 5000 Doors | Travis Chappell

Travis Chappell is a direct sales expert, successful entrepreneur, and a real estate investor. He is the creator and host of Build Your Network, a podcast dedicated to helping professionals cultivate genuine relationships, grow their inner circle, and leverage a powerful network in the right way.

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Katallyze_Lead Generation for Businesses

Katallyze is a B2B Lead Generation and Appointment Setting Agency headquartered in New York

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My Cart

Green Peking Glass | 16" Necklace

If you love green, here is a simple easy every day sort of necklace, made with beautiful Peking glass. These beads are hand made. It is easy to see this by the individuality of each bead if you examine them. There are little bubbles and a tiny differences sometimes in size. However, these are historic beads and very collectable. Never mind all that, again, if you love green, these beads were originally developed to be jade like. This necklace is 19 inches long and I made one of my "Egyptian Clasps" in Silver to keep the necklace timeless. Imagine this necklace on your own neck instead of on a black top!

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The Sims 4 is Scarily Accurate

I’ve been playing The Sims since its release in 2000. I’ve been addicted. I’ve spent hours trawling the net for furniture mods, celebrity Sims, skins, outfits, hairstyles, etc. I’ve raised generations of families of Kate-Sims, built thousands of houses and demolished them (regularly) and killed my Sims in every way possible when I got bored of them.

The Sims has progressed massively since it’s first instalment. I remember very robotic movement, no facial expressions and basically robots moving around my carefully created house. I now find that The Sims 4 is scarily accurate if you make Sims of real-life people.

There are a variety of choices with regards to different aspects of your Sims’ personality. Whilst varied, it’s not excessive. I generally make Sims of myself and people I know.

Sims1For my own Sim, I always choose traits of bookworm, geek and tidy. My Sim gets a hell of a kick from cleaning the house and gets massively annoyed when things are untidy or dirty. Anyone who knows me will realise that this is also true about myself. My boyfriend has said on numerous occasions that he can see my “fun bar” going up whenever I’m scrubbing the kitchen. My Sim also gets really sad and gets withdrawal when she doesn’t play video games for a while. Again, also true.

Now this is where it gets odd. We all know that our phones listen to our conversation so they can tailor news feeds and adverts to us. But is it possible that our computer games are also tuning in on our conversations?

My boyfriend likes to lounge around and do as little as possible, spending a good deal of time in his PJs, eating bowls of sugar-loaded cereals, in front of his PlayStation. His PJs are so well worn that they’ve seen better days and are usually covered in food stains. He also hates showering so I like to think when I look at him in real life, sat there in his food stained PJs, eating his cereal with his mouth open whilst watching the TV screen, that I can actually see green mist emanating from him in a miasma of stink. When it comes to his Sim, I can’t for love nor money train him to get dressed himself. He leaves the bed unmade and the house a mess, leaving my Sim entirely stressed out. Every aspect of his Sim is true to life.

Sims2I thought this was about as close to life as the game got, but then I made Sims of my two best friends. One of them is very serious and gets angry very quickly, loves to nap, is obsessed with noodles and gets bored extremely quickly, whilst the other is so laid back he is horizontal and spends every second he’s not at work, on his PC. I have a lot of disagreements with the first and we do a good deal of fighting. So imagine my surprise when I move their Sims into my neighbourhood and send my Sim round to introduce herself and my laid back friend comes to his door with a massive smile, cheerfully introduces himself to her, shakes her hand and then invites her in, before quickly disappearing back upstairs to plonk himself down on his PC and get back to his games. I suspect he was playing Dawn of the Dragons.

In a strange house with no one to talk to, I get my Sim to say hello to Serious Friend. She begins conversation and he immediately yawns and outright walks away from her, leaving her mid-conversation and feeling a little more than awkward. He ventures to the kitchen and prepares himself some quick food, which looks suspiciously like noodles, which he eats in silence before disappearing upstairs to lie on the bed for a nap.

Irked at being so rudely treated, my Sim follows Serious Friend upstairs, wakes him up from his nap and begins to Discuss her Interests. He flat out interrupts her by saying “blah blah blah”, pulls a disgusted face, dramatically fake yawns and goes to walk away again. By this time, I, as the player am furious at him and hurt for my Sim’s feelings and ask her to walk up to him again and Insult him. She does. She jabs and pokes at his chest for good measure. He doesn’t take it well. He doesn’t even answer, he just dives on her in a cloud of smoke and exclamation/question marks. Happy Friend is blissfully unaware of the WWE sized fight going on at his feet, still sat at his PC, still happily playing his game.Sims3

When the fight is over, both my Sim and Serious Friend can’t even bear to be in the same room and she storms home. He goes back to bed for another nap.

Now I’m fairly sure I didn’t choose “likes noodles, enjoys naps, hates Kate-Sim” as traits for Serious Friend. That is mostly because those traits don’t exist.

It was scarily accurate and I’m confused.

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Remembering…at Christmastime: A Story for My Grandchildren

When I was a little girl, the Sears & Roebuck Christmas catalogue came every October. That’s how I knew Christmas was getting close. It was a shiny, red, magical book, with Christmas tree lights, maybe a rosy-cheeked Santa, and little boys and girls in warm PJs on the cover. I’d sit on the couch and turn the pages through this “wish book” and dream of all the toys, from sleds and ice skates and bicycles and dolls—all sizes, all kinds—and doll wardrobe cases and dress-up cowboy and Indian outfits. There were microscopes, rock polishing kits, toy pianos, teddy bears, and train sets. There was much to pick from.

On Christmas morning, at barely light, the living room would be full of toys under the tree. Its red, blue, green, and yellow lights made all the presents sparkle and shine. My little sister and I, awakened by our father, barely had our eyes open, were shy at first, just standing there and looking at all Santa brought.

Oh! It was a wonderland of new perfect and pristine toys! My daddy would dive right in, laughing and picking up each toy, playing with it first. He had more fun than we did. I remember a blue bicycle the year I was seven. One Christmas, we got a merry-go-round. A pogo stick was one of my favorites. We got dolls—lots of dolls. There was the Bannister Baby, the Madame Alexander, the 36-inch doll, Chatty Cathy, and then the Barbies came along. There were pop beads, jewelry boxes (I still have mine!), pearls, roller skates, and boxed games. In our stockings were candy canes, chocolate Christmas candies, and oranges. To this day, when I see a lighted Christmas tree, I still remember those long ago Christmas mornings in my little house on Deering Street, with my mama and daddy and sister, and I still get that funny-happy feeling in my tummy.

When I got a little older, my daddy told me that when he was a little boy growing up on the family farm at Hardy Hill in Kemper County, Mississippi, all he got for Christmas every year was a toy wooden car, a handful of firecrackers, and a couple of oranges. My daddy and mama grew up during the Great Depression in the 1930s, when people didn’t have any money, some didn’t have any food, and they certainly couldn’t afford Christmas presents. Dad seemed happy, though, remembering what he got. I could picture those bright-colored oranges down in his soft red-felt stocking hanging from the fireplace mantel. Maybe oranges were rare and special back then, and it was a treat to get one, all sweet and juicy and colorful. So I carried forward the tradition. When I grew up and had two little boys, I always put an orange in their stockings.

I wonder now if my daddy’s parents, my grandma and grandpa, were so old that they were close to the old traditions and grew up with legends that I didn’t know about.

The Legend of the Oranges

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

“A Visit from Saint Nicholas”

Once upon a time in a faraway land, there was a man named Nicholas, born in a village on the Mediterranean seashore in the country we now call Turkey, 270 years after Jesus lived not too far away. Nicholas inherited a large sum of money, but spent his life giving it away to help the poor and the persecuted, and eventually became a bishop in the Christian church and a saint.

One day Saint Nicholas heard the villagers talking about a poor, widowed man who had three beautiful daughters but was having a tough time making ends meet. The father worried that he wouldn’t be able to find suitors, or husbands, for his daughters because he didn’t have money for a dowry. It was a custom in days of old for girls to give money, called a dowry, to their husbands upon their marriages. Saint Nicholas wanted to help, but he imagined the man might be too proud to accept charity. One night, he went to their house, climbed up on the roof, and tossed three bags of gold down the chimney while the family was sleeping. One of the bags of round gold coins landed in the toe of a stocking that was hanging from the mantel. The girls had washed their stockings and hung them up by the fire to dry.

When the family awakened in the morning, they found the gold, including the bag in the sock which had turned into a ball overnight—a shiny bright golden ball. Because of Saint Nicholas’s generosity, the daughters were now eligible to wed, and their father was happy.

So, Hardy and Jillie, the bright-colored oranges your great grandfather, your grandmother,  and your father got in their little-boy-and-girl stockings were a symbol of the shiny bright gold left by Saint Nicholas in those long-ago stockings hanging by the fire. Giving the orange is a way to celebrate generosity and caring for others, without thinking about a gift in return.

Today, maybe there’s a lesson for you. If you get an orange in your stocking, remember Saint Nick, the poor father, and the three beautiful girls. Remember the gold. Believe. Believe in the random kindness of others. And believe enough to let yourself be moved to show kindness to those in need. Give a hug to your grandma; give a kiss to your mama and daddy; give a smile and nice word to your friends. When you share the sections of an orange with someone, you are sharing the gift of you, sharing what you have and giving from your heart. For giving is the true Christmas spirit.

Silence Is Acceptance

I shared this on Facebook because I thought it was powerful. This is someone else’s story – not mine – but in 7th grade, I would have never spoken up at all. Would you have? Would you now?

“A few of us choked out some words . . . but were immediately squashed.”

Everybody I know has basically told me to shut up. Some of them hate what is happening in our country and are hurting and disturbed, too. Some are loving it. Some just plain have no clue and are happy to have a new Savior that can heal everything from a headache to lack of a job. Some just vote for the R Party no matter who’s running.

I keep telling them that I can’t be quiet and I can’t not say anything if I see something distressing. Something wrong. Something completely against the Bible I grew up with and the teachings of my parents and church and school. Something that makes a mockery of the way I raised my children and the stands I took as a classroom teacher.

One little thing happens. One lie is told. You sit back and let it go. Another lie, another ill-meant action, and you turn your head and pretend not to see. Another and another. It becomes easy to slide into a pattern of silence, of closing your eyes, of ignoring wrongs, of taking the position, “It doesn’t do any good to say anything.” It becomes easy to just smile and sit back and let your character melt at your feet.

I read Anne Frank’s diary several times in junior high and high school. Every time I read it, I thought: How could people let this happen? How could they hate this one group known as Jews? How could the rantings of one madman lead to so much destruction and death, when there are so many good people out there?

Now I know.

I also thought: This kind of thing could never happen in my country.

Now it is.

“Don’t ever let anyone tell you that what you see with your own eyes isn’t happening.”

I’ve climbed those narrow steps behind the swinging bookcase up to the secret annex in Anne Frank’s house in Amsterdam. I looked out the window at a tall church steeple nearby. I refuse to go back again to a place created by hate, fear, and silence, so near to God.

Should I?

I’ve been thinking about it and thinking about it, and I’m getting more serious about it. Should I? Could I?

If I’m going to, now’s the time. What would it be like to hook up my own little ultra light white and blue camper and take off for the coast? Park it right on the beach. Listen to the waves all night. Just sit there and be lulled by the waters, watching the waves come in one after the other. Just me and the dog. Getting in tune. Peace. Quiet. Nothing but the sound of waves crashing in and the softness of puppy breath.

I’m thinking I would love to go to the mountains, but I’ve done that…without a trailer. I’ve driven up a high, steep mountain, 5 mph, scared, trailing behind me a mile-long string of cars. If I can’t do it without a trailer, maybe I shouldn’t with one. Or maybe a small mountain.

I love the idea of always having a roof over my head and taking my “roof” with me. Of packing the basic necessities, and a laptop, of course. Writing on the road…

I’ve upped this dream to the top of my mind. Yes. It’s a dream. And dreams can be made to come true.

Come spring.


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Michael S. KeatingAttorney at Law
Michael Keating founded Keating Law Offices in 2008 with the mission of representing individuals and families whose lives have been affected due to the negligence of others. He leads a new generation of trial attorneys in Illinois. Mr. Keating has been named to the “40 Under 40″ list of top young trial attorneys in Illinois by the National Trial Lawyers Association and was also named a “Rising Star” in the annual editions of Illinois SuperLawyers Magazine five years in a row.

Mr. Keating represents the firm’s clients in personal injury and wrongful death litigation in state and federal courts. He is licensed to practice before the Illinois Bar, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois where he is a member of the Federal Trial Bar, and the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.

Mr. Keating is a lifelong Illinois resident and graduated from Glenbard West High School in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. He currently lives in the Chicago area with his wife and three children.

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Thomas A. Reuland
Thomas A. ReulandAttorney at Law
Tom Reuland’s entire career as an attorney has been focused on complex litigation. Tom is known for his dogged investigation and litigation skills he uses to help individuals who have been wronged by the negligence of others. Having obtained favorable verdicts and outcomes through trials, mediations, and arbitrations, Tom can be counted on to lead his clients through difficult times. He is experienced with the difficult and frequently complex legal process after someone else’s wrongdoing leads to serious and often catastrophic injuries, abuse or neglect.

Tom grew up in Aurora, Illinois, and graduated from the University of Iowa College of Law. Tom is married and lives in Chicago.

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M. Catelyn Viggiano
M. Catelyn ViggianoAttorney at Law
M. Catelyn Viggiano is Keating Law Office’s first female associate. Catelyn practices personal injury law including cases involving bicycle collisions, motor vehicle negligence, nursing home negligence and wrongful death. Catelyn is licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois and also in the State of Florida. She is an active member of the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, Illinois State Bar Association, Chicago Bar Association and American Association for Justice.

Catelyn is a Florida native that attended school in Illinois receiving her Juris Doctor at The John Marshall Law School in 2015. She currently lives downtown Chicago with her husband.

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Referring Attorneys

Keating Law Offices is often referred clients by other attorneys whose practice area is outside the areas of personal injury, wrongful death, or professional malpractice.The firm has a history of successful relationships with attorneys throughout the entire State of Illinois.The firm is privileged to have earned a reputation as a firm that referring attorneys can rely on to work for the best possible outcome for its clients. Keating Law Offices is frequently referred cases by other attorneys from some of the most well known and respected law firms in Illinois. Keating Law Offices considers all referrals a true partnership and we structure our referral fee structure accordingly. The firm offers generous and extremely competitive referral fee arrangements in accordance with Article VIII, Rule 1.5 of the Supreme Court of Illinois.

Rules of Professional Conduct, Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5 (f) – (h). The firm welcomes any level of involvement, from traditional co-counsel relationships to relationships where the referring attorney participates at critical and necessary times during the course of the case. Keating Law Offices is grateful for its referral network and works to maintain its relationships. As such, the firm is always receptive to suggestions or recommendations for referral arrangements. To discuss the details of a legal matter you are considering referring, or if you would simply like to learn more about our referral fee structures, please contact Keating Law Offices at (312) 239-6787 or email

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Keating Law Offices, P.C. Office: (312) 239-6787
111 West Washington Toll-Free: (855) 452-4535
Suite 1631 After Hours: (312) 208-7702
Chicago, IL 60602 Fax: (312) 957-6898

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Kel’s Colorful Caprese Salad

Summertime = homegrown tomatoes = love. If you’ve been following my blog, you know I’m a tomato aficionado — it’s one of my favorite foods. Back in June I had a great Insalata Caprese at the Blue Moon Bistro in Beaufort, N.C., and it’s been my go-to salad ever since. Not only is this salad simple to make, with just a few ingredients, it tastes as good as it looks. Rumored to have originated on the Isle of Capri, Insalata Caprese picks up the colors of the Italian flag with its red tomatoes, white mozzarella and green basil. Vero amore!

  • Fresh, homegrown tomatoes (1 per salad)
  • Fresh mozzarella cheese
  • Fresh sweet basil leaves (stems removed)
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Balsamic vinegar (optional)
  • Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

Cut the tomato into slices, about ¼ of an inch thick. You should have 4 or 5 slices, depending on the size of the tomato. Cut the mozzarella into slices, also about ¼ of an inch thick. You should have the same number of mozzarella and tomato slices.

Place a slice of tomato on a salad plate. Add a slice of the mozzarella cheese. Top with a couple of leaves of basil. Repeat until you use all of the tomato and mozzarella.

Drizzle some of the olive oil and balsamic vinegar on top of the salad and on the plate. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Enjoy at lunch with some nice crusty bread or at dinner before your entrée. Make this soon — the fresh tomatoes will be gone before you know it!

Bon appétit!

Eat, drink and be merry!

This entry was posted in Recipes, Vegetables/Vegetarian/Vegan and tagged , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

3 Responses to Kel’s Colorful Caprese Salad

  1. Ronda says:

    I haven’t been able to think of anything but this salad since last week. Went to Food Lion – no basil and no fresh mozzarella (what a surprise). I’ve got tomatoes from Johnston County so I will have to make a stop at the Fresh Market I guess. Thanks for the recipe Kelley!

  2. You will love this, Ronda! Simple, fresh and just yaaaaaay 😉

  3. Pingback: Restaurant Review: Krave, Raleigh, N.C. | Kel's Cafe of All Things Food

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GDPPremier MacLauchlan continually equates good economic news with an expanding Gross Domestic Product (GDP). But since the GDP only values certain types of economic activity, it presents a fundamentally distorted and dishonest picture of the economy. Unpacking what the GDP “values” and “doesn’t value” shows why we need a new model and new language to identify and describe positive economic activity if we are to properly measure and enhance the well-being of both Islanders and our environment.

The GDP always regards monetary “expenditures” as contributing positively to the economy, even when they could (and should) be avoided. If the government decided not to spend $100,000 on sanitation in Island schools, which caused an epidemic costing $10 million in health care costs, such a decision would clearly be irresponsible. But since “responding” to an epidemic requires 100 times more in expenditures than “preventing” an epidemic, GDP calculations make bad government decisions costing millions look like “good news” for the economy.

The GDP also fails to calculate the “loss of value” from pollution or the degradation and destruction of natural resources. When massive amounts of chemicals fertilizers and poisons are used to produce french-fry potatoes for Cavendish Farms, such economic activity increases the GDP; yet the long-term harm from soil degradation, groundwater contamination, or the ruination of coastal estuaries from nitrogen-rich erosion run-off is nowhere factored into the GDP equation.

Neither does the GDP give any positive value to leisure, which is essential for the health and well-being of Islanders. What’s the point of having a high GDP if Islanders are overworked and sick; or never have time to spend with their children in leisurely, recreational activities?

The GDP also discounts the value of home production and community service by considering only what can be “monetized.” Hiring someone to clean our home or cook our meals increases the GDP, even though the total amount produced is the very same as if we did those things for ourselves.

On the other hand, more Islanders growing and preserving their own organic food wouldn’t increase the GDP at all. In fact, decreased revenue from fewer sales of unhealthy processed foods at corporate food retailers would shrink the GDP, making more organic gardens in PEI, healthier diets, and increased food security look like “bad news” for the economy!

And the GDP doesn’t care how goods and services are distributed, which completely masks poverty, corruption and social injustice. Imagine two economies of equal size where everything is owned and controlled by a dozen people with economy-A, while everything is distributed equally with economy-B. In both cases, the GDP per capita will be the same, despite the majority of people suffering hardship and poverty in economy-A while a few people live in luxury.

We need government to track “concrete” indicators of poverty (not “abstract” indicators of wealth) providing quarterly data on the number of Islanders who are living below the poverty-line, lining up at soup kitchens and food banks, unable to afford suitable housing, etc. Such a shift in focus would inspire policies and programs to address economic problems and improve the well-being of all Islanders, especially the poorest.

So the next time you hear the banks, or the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council (APEC), or Premier MacLauchlan excitedly reporting an increase in PEI’s “GDP,” don’t think “Gross Domestic Product”…..think “Generating Deceptive Propaganda,” because that’s exactly what’s going on.

This entry was posted in Provincial Politics and tagged , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

  1. Anonymous says:

    Terrific article, Kevin! Thank you for enlightening us.

  2. W.Wilkins says:

    How the government measures and reports on what’s necessary and important while also being relevant, reliable and perceived as valid by the general public is a mystery – at least, to me. Perhaps one prior question is how the GDP (as presently constructed) drives political decisions that impact personal decisions. Right now, I don’t understand how the GDP metric impedes and enables my choices; I’m blind as to how it impacts my everyday life. And, in that fog of ignorance, I doubt I’m alone.

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About Me

A little about me: First and foremost, I am a believer in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. It is the greatest decision I have ever made. With that said, I am not one to shove my faith in anyone’s face. However, it is what I believe and I make no apologies about it. If you ever want to discuss, all you have to do is ask.

I am also a husband. I have been married to my wonderful wife Elaine for 25 years. We have 2 boys – Chris and Justin. Chris attends The University of Indianapolis and is studying Business and Finance. Justin attends IUPUI and also is studying Finance and Accounting. Having a wonderful wife and two wonderful boys, I know I am truly blessed!

I am a graduate of the University of Texas with a degree in Communications where I studied sound engineering. Soon after I graduated, I ended up in the student loan world where I spent 20 years working for different student loan providers. However, that came to an end when the company I was working for decided to get out of the student loan business altogether. I then tried my hand as a financial adviser for a few years before realizing that it was not a good fit for me. I currently work part-time for a small company called So-Mark. We work with small businesses and not-for-profits by providing content marketing services through email creation and sending, content curation, and social site services. The best part is I am working with a friend who started the company. It has had its challenges but I love the work. I am also looking for full-time work. My strength is working with clients making sure their needs are met.

I enjoy playing golf, racquetball, kayaking, bowling, playing online games, and playing guitar. I have also enjoyed coaching soccer. I was fortunate enough to coach both Chris and Justin when they were playing. It was one of my greatest joys to be in their lives as a coach and that continues today as a father.

I also enjoy music. Although I have my favorite musical genres that I listen to regularly, there are very few styles of music where I have not found something that I have not liked. Music can impact me in so many ways and I have come to realize just how important it is in my life.

I serve in a community called the Hamilton County Great Banquet. My wife and I went to the Great Banquet back in 2001 and we continue to serve in this community today. It gives me great joy to see the impact these weekends have on people. There is no greater joy and no greater peace than when you grow closer to Jesus Christ. To see others experience that as well is simply awesome. If you ever want to learn more about the Great Banquet or about Jesus, please just ask. I am always willing to have that conversation. If you want to learn more about the Great Banquet experience, you can go to the Hamilton County Great Banquet website to learn more. HCGB Website

Hopefully, that gives you a little insight as to who I am. As I continue my experiment by adding to my blog, you will get to know more about me. If you have something you find interesting, please send it to me and if it catches my attention, I will share it here as well (with your permission of course). It can be an article, a piece of music, or just a random thought. But please feel free to share.

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Decor for Baby Shower

Decor for Baby Shower

baby shower or bridal shower cloud and raindrops beautiful to put next to your game
best 25 baby shower decorations ideas on pinterest baby showers from Decor For Baby Shower,
pink and gold baby shower party ideas
best 25 baby shower decorations ideas on pinterest baby showers from Decor For Baby Shower,

The concept of holding baby showers has no obvious historic qualifications. It truly is a standard US design and style custom that may be becoming broadly identified in nations influenced from the American way of life.

Mainly, a baby shower serves the purpose of making a joint hard work to gather each of the necessities for your infant. It helps to reduce the financial stress to the parents-to-be, and also offers them lots of tips and useful ways to be organized for the most significant event inside their life. For sure, it is a gorgeous method to welcome the new member during the household.

Whoever organizes the get together has got to consider of distinctive and authentic ideas or themes to produce the infant shower a unforgettable event for your expectant mom. They appear for ideas that may finest match her persona or perhaps the tone of the occasion. Needless to say, the underlying concept is of celebration, merrymaking and festivity so that all who come enjoy the occasion. Getting model new suggestions which have not dropped their charm as a result of overuse is not really an uncomplicated task. You should consider of numerous issues, by far the most significant currently being the gender of the toddler maternity dresses for baby shower.

For those who know the sex with the little one it becomes lots simpler to approach the infant shower appropriately. It's the main move to arranging the newborn shower.

It can help you to definitely determine the topic of your bash, therefore you have then no problem in selecting the suitable shades and arranging the appropriate variety of games to play.

It goes without indicating that it will become challenging with the organizers to come back up with amazing suggestions should the sex of your newborn will not be known. In these kinds of situations, they've to count on the neutral colours and push their creative imagination a little tougher to consider exciting game titles to enjoy.

You could manage an excellent and engaging newborn shower, whether or not you already know the sex on the infant. Not surprisingly, you are going to have to do your homework and search for a few generalized and however amusing newborn shower thoughts. You'll find any number of suggestions floating all over that can make the get together good. Just keep the eyes and ears open to capture them and personalize them using a little bit of ingenuity.

Read Also: Baby Shower soccer theme

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Ardy is a professional writer for business industry. A man with happy life with 2 kids and beautiful wife.


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May 1, 2018 Young Adult Releases

Thank you to @kidlitexchange for the review copies of these books. All opinions are my own.

Courageous Women of the Vietnam War by Kathryn J. Atwood; forward by Diane Carlson Evans
(Chicago Review Press ~ May 1, 2018)

Women Heroes of World War 1: 16 Remarkable Resisters, Soldiers, Spies and Medics  by Kathryn J. Atwood
(Chicago Review Press ~ June 1, 2014)

Women Heroes of World War II – The Pacific Theater: 15 Stories of Resistance, Rescue, Sabotage, and Survival by Kathryn J. Atwood
(Chicago Review Press ~ March 1, 2011)

Photos and Review by Kadie M. ~ originally on Instagram @kadiehaywardmullins.

We need more stories like these, capturing the female heroes who have played important roles throughout history. Atwood’s series of wonderful works highlight the experiences and importance of women in some of the most horrific and trying times we’ve faced, not just as a nation, but globally. While the history buff may not find the stories unique or novel and may find the lack of comprehensive detail a bit frustrating, it is a superior example of how to get young readers passionate about history – and teach them some really great stories along the way! I particularly appreciate the diversity of the stories and the women themselves.

In addition to the individual stories of these intriguing women, accompanied by interesting photos, Atwood also provides a brief introduction to the historical background. These short sections ensure those just learning about the particular time period have the necessary basics to appreciate the nuances of the stories told. Often, Atwood uses direct quotes from the women in the book, from journal and diary entries to letters and interviews. These add a lovely personal element to the narrative as well. Overall, the formatting and writing style is quite strong if not a bit direct. There is no need for literary flourish; these stories stand on their own.

Overall, these are wonderful young adult and perhaps even middle grade introductions to vital historical periods worth studying. I would recommend for a history buff looking for a light read or any young(ish) reader looking to broaden their historical horizons!

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @kidlitexchange and Twitter @kidlitexchange too!

You can also follow our tags on Instagram and Twitter to see all of our reviews!

#kidlitexchange on Instagram

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Middle Grade New Releases, Week of August 28, 2018 – Part 2

Happy release week to these middle grade books making their rounds through our reviewers!

img_6623-1Elephant Secrets by Eric Walters
(August 28th 2018 ~ Clarion Books)

Photo and Review by Jo-ann ~ originally on Instagram @mrsjwalshreads

Samantha and her father run an elephant sanctuary. Ever since she was born, the herd has been her family. Samantha’s mom passed away right after her birth. A lot of new things are happening at the sanctuary. A new elephant, Burma, has come to the sanctuary. He has been abused and is considered dangerous, and must be isolated from the other elephants. One of the elephants, Daisy Mae is getting ready to give birth. Samantha is finishing up 8th grade and is also getting used to the fact that her dad is dating Joyce, a lawyer and volunteer at the sanctuary.

Once the baby, Woolly, is born, and the mystery sanctuary partner and financial backer is revealed, we also learn a big secret about the baby elephant. This secret will lead to dramatic changes at the elephant sanctuary. Will Samantha and her father be able to stay at the sanctuary, keep its integrity, and care for the elephants?

I loved this story. It was evident that the author, Eric Walters, did a great deal of research on elephants and I enjoyed learning so much about them. It was wonderful to see the relationship between the elephants in the herd, and between the elephants and humans (especially Samantha). I really like how Samantha’s feelings and attitude change toward Joyce, her dad’s girlfriend. I also love the relationship between Sam and her dad, and we see how her dad learns that he needs to be more in tune to her feelings. It was very emotional when he finally talked to her about her mother. The events of the story really cause Samantha to be mature at a very young age, and I was amazed at how much she did to help her dad run the sanctuary and care for the elephants. The only thing I wished was to find out more about what happened to Burma, the elephant in isolation.
This is a wonderful novel for middle grade students. I think children will love learning about the elephants, while also reading about the strength and bravery of Samantha. I highly recommend it!

Unpunished Murder: Massacre at Colfax and the Quest for Justiceimg_6629
by Lawrence Goldstone
(August 28th 2018 ~ Scholastic Nonfiction)

Photo and Review by Laura ~ originally on Instagram @petriespicks

Unpunished Murder is a nonfiction book by Lawrence Goldstone that informs about the massacre of about 100 black citizens at Colfax. Surprisingly, even though 9 culprits were identified, all of the white men accused of these crimes were allowed free. This book will be published on August 28, but halfway through reading it I knew I had to save it to my Amazon wishlist. What is most impressive about this nonfiction account is just how organized and clear it is. Goldstone starts off by telling the reader about this shocking event that not many American citizens know about, and then he seamlessly rewinds and takes you back to the moment where such an event can be traced back to in history: the creation of the United States Constitution, particularly the 14th and 15th amendments. All of the details, dates, and facts from this period of history have the potential to make this a very confusing book, but Goldstone lays everything out and outlines it in such a way that you can see how such a crime could go unpunished in the United States at this time well before the author delivers the explanation himself. The book includes several photos and quotes that are incorporated throughout each section. I personally feel that this book and a study of this moment in history should be included in more history curriculums. This book would make an excellent companion or recommended reading in any United States History or Civics course. Because some background knowledge of the Constitution and the events of the Civil War are helpful, as well as some of the more graphic violence that is included, I think this book would be most appropriate for middle school readers (or high schoolers/adults looking to understand more about the history of institutional racism in our country). I could definitely see the 7th/8th graders at my school being able to engage in some interesting discussions about this book using their knowledge from their Civics course.

luckyLucky Luna by Diana Lopez
(August 28th 2018 ~ Scholastic)

Photo and Review by Liz ~ originally on Instagram @authorelizabethdoylecarey

This young MG novel by Diana López tackles meddling cousins, birthmarks, school troubles, and stress management head-on, but in a sweet, age-appropriate way.

Luna Ramos has tons of primas, which are girl cousins, if you don’t already know. The primas can be sweet and fun—painting Luna’s nails and quizzing her for school—but they can also be tattletales who steal a girl’s breakfast every day!  When Luna’s most annoying cousin Claudia transfers into Luna’s class at school (and appears in Luna’s kitchen every morning before hopping on the school bus with her), Luna is ready to lose it. Claudia is a know-it-all and the other kids make fun of her, just like they do Luna, and Luna has no interest in being associated with Claudia. The story that follows packs a whopping surprise and a sweet ending, and readers will share Luna’s frustrations as much as they feel bad for Claudia at times. The overriding message of “Blood is thicker than water” is heart-warming and age-appropriate, and the cultural and Spanish lingual references peppered throughout enrich the story without weighing it down. I am looking forward to a sequel! (PS- did I mention Luna loves hats?!)

Time Jumpers #1, Stealing the Sword: A Branches Book by Wendy Mass; illustrations by Oriol Vidalimg_6626
(August 28th 2018 by Scholastic Inc.)

Photo and Review by Michelle ~ originally on Instagram @michellegoetzl

Finding good books for grades 1-3 can be challenging. That’s why I have enjoyed the books being published under the #branches umbrella at @scholasticinc. One of the newest additions is an action filled adventure series by Wendy Mass called The Time Jumpers.
Time Jumpers focuses on brother and sister Chase and Ava. One afternoon they purchase a used suitcase at the flea market. The suitcase turns out to be a time traveling device full of stolen objects.
The first book, Stealing the Sword, takes Chase and Ava to King Arthur’s court. With a little help from Merlin, the pair helps save King Arthur from a treacherous plan that didn’t really happen in history. At the same time, they get to see what medieval England was really like.
This is a fun series for kids not quite ready for the Magic Treehouse series. They get a little lesson in history and a whole lot of adventure. Three additional books are already slated over the next year and I think this is one that is going to be enjoyed by a wide range of readers.

img_6628The Collector by K.R. Alexander
(August 28th 2018 ~ Scholastic Press)

Photo and Review by Stacie ~ originally on Instagram @borenbooks

There aren’t enough stars in the scoring system to do this one justice!!!!!!!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 This middle school read was the creepiest, edge of your seat page turner I have read in years! Not scary, CREEPY. This book releases August 28, 2018 and my advice is preorder it NOW! Josie leaves her home in Chicago after her mom loses her job and her Grandma is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, so the only sensible thing is to live together. Josie and her sister Anna had three rules 1. Never leave the windows open after dark. 2. Never, Ever go by the house in the woods and 3. No dolls in the house. Seems simple enough. But in the country with no internet, no cable, and no neighbors, life gets boring and rules are made to be broken. Children begin to go missing, Josie’s grandma is acting stranger than before and now her nightmares involve more than just herself and those woods.

A Long Line of Cakes by Deborah Wilescakes
(August 28th 2018 ~ Scholastic Press)

Good Reads Summary: Emma Lane Cake has five brothers, four dogs, and a family that can’t stay put. The Cake family travels from place to place, setting up bakeries in communities that need them. Then, just when Emma feels settled in with new friends . . . they move again.

Now the Cakes have come to Aurora County, and Emma has vowed that this time she is NOT going to get attached to ANYONE or ANYTHING. Why bother, if her father’s only going to uproot her again?

But fate has different plans. And so does Ruby Lavender, who is going to show Emma Lane Cake a thing or two about making friendship last.

Look for a review soon on #kidlitexchange!

img_6627Field Tripped by Allen Woodrow
(August 28th 2018 ~ Scholastic Press)

Photo and Review by Evelyn ~ originally on Instagram @all_about_eve_reading

A fun, silly read with plenty of puns, this is an easy one for mystery fans among the young reader set. A field trip for a class of 5th graders starts off like any other – riding a bus 🚌 to a famous (but long-dead) inventor’s mansion. All the different personalities – new kid Aaron, obnoxious but secretive Eddie, cat-obsessed Jessie, shy Anna and best friends Sophie and Chloe – all seem too different and caught up in their own personal dramas to take much notice of each other. But mysterious happenings at the Minks mansion, show them what teamwork – and true friendship – is all about. Young readers who enjoy puns, jokes and slapstick silliness (think Macaulay Culkin’s Home Alone), will enjoy the physical humor of this lighthearted mystery novel. Quick chapters, told from varying points of view (with cute and helpful chapter header illustrations for easier character connections) will entice reluctant readers. They might never think of a field trip the same way ever again!

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Twitter @kidlitexchange!

You can also follow our tags on Instagram and Twitter to see all of our reviews:

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Malaysian Muslim lesbian couple caned in public punishment

September 03, 2018 - 12:36 am

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Two Malaysian Muslim women convicted under Islamic laws for attempting to have sexual intercourse have been caned in a rare public whipping that was slammed by rights activists as a "grave miscarriage of justice."

Lawyers and activists say more than 100 people witnessed the caning Monday in a Sharia court in northeast Terengganu state.

Muslim Lawyers' Association deputy president Abdul Rahim Sinwan said the women, aged 22 and 32, were given six strokes from a light rattan cane on their backs by female prison officers. He said the caning wasn't harsh and was meant to educate the women so they will repent.

But women's groups called the caning "a form of torture" and warned it could worsen discrimination against people in Malaysia's lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgendered community.


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2. The Baltic Eye and the Pike’s gut

The Baltic Eye and the Pike’s gut: are 4-5 hour Sea Kayaking tours for the Intermediate paddler or someone who has a sporty physique and stamina. We paddle through medieval natural harbours and with the sportiest groups we paddle around the Russarö fortress Island (5 Nm) and make a lifetime Kodak moment with the over 150 year old lighthouse in the background and only a few rocks between us and the Finnnish Gulf and Baltic Sea. Please bring waterbottle, windproof /rainjacket, hat, sunglasses, sunblock, personal medication and snacks. We provide all paddling- and safety gear + lunch salad. Advance payment and booking.

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Monthly Archives: November 2013

Grooming Secrets of the NBA

This may have nothing to do with the art and science of financial management, but this story struck our fancy.  It turns out that pro basketball players crave skin care, pedicures and women’s deodorant (not that there’s anything wrong with that).

DeAndre Jordan is a 6-foot-11, 265-pound pro basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers—and you’ll never guess what kind of deodorant he puts on before a game.

“I use Secret,” says Mr. Jordan. The 25-year-old Texan prefers the aerosol form of the product marketed to women because, he says, it is light and doesn’t leave behind any visible white residue. “I’m always powder-fresh during the games,” he adds. “I’m sure my opponents love that.”

For more grooming secrets, go here.

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Thanksgiving: remembering the Pilgrims

Each year the Wall Street Journal reprints the Pilgrim’s journey to the New World.

So they left that goodly and pleasant city of Leyden, which had been their resting-place for above eleven years, but they knew that they were pilgrims and strangers here below, and looked not much on these things, but lifted up their eyes to Heaven, their dearest country, where God hath prepared for them a city (Heb. XI, 16), and therein quieted their spirits.

When they came to Delfs-Haven they found the ship and all things ready, and such of their friends as could not come with them followed after them, and sundry came from Amsterdam to see them shipt, and to take their leaves of them. One night was spent with little sleep with the most, but with friendly entertainment and Christian discourse, and other real expressions of true Christian love.

The next day they went on board, and their friends with them, where truly doleful was the sight of that sad and mournful parting, to hear what sighs and sobs and prayers did sound amongst them; what tears did gush from every eye, and pithy speeches pierced each other’s heart, that sundry of the Dutch strangers that stood on the Key as spectators could not refrain from tears. But the tide (which stays for no man) calling them away, that were thus loath to depart, their Reverend Pastor, falling down on his knees, and they all with him, with watery cheeks commended them with the most fervent prayers unto the Lord and His blessing; and then with mutual embraces and many tears they took their leaves one of another, which proved to be the last leave to many of them.

Being now passed the vast ocean, and a sea of troubles before them in expectations, they had now no friends to welcome them, no inns to entertain or refresh them, no houses, or much less towns, to repair unto to seek for succour; and for the season it was winter, and they that know the winters of the country know them to be sharp and violent, subject to cruel and fierce storms, dangerous to travel to known places, much more to search unknown coasts.

Besides, what could they see but a hideous and desolate wilderness, full of wilde beasts and wilde men? and what multitudes of them there were, they then knew not: for which way soever they turned their eyes (save upward to Heaven) they could have but little solace or content in respect of any outward object; for summer being ended, all things stand in appearance with a weatherbeaten face, and the whole country, full of woods and thickets, represented a wild and savage hew.

If they looked behind them, there was a mighty ocean which they had passed, and was now as a main bar or gulph to separate them from all the civil parts of the world.

We have so much to be thankful for, let us remember those who made the road to where we are that much easier for us.

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Schwab and the 401(k) plan.

We mentioned in a previous post that Charles Schwab (full disclosure, we use Schwab as our custodian) is working to introduce an ETF 401(k).  We believe that there may be advantages for ETFs in retirement plans.  However, in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Steven Anderson, the head of Schwab’s retirement plan business made a point that cannot be over-emphasized.

“There’s been a fairly significant shift of risk from employer to employee in the past 30 years. Individuals weren’t prepared at that point, nor are they prepared today to save for retirement. Low balances put a general stress on the system, forcing people to work longer and make do with less, and education hasn’t been the tool we’ve been hoping it would be.”

The 401(k) type plan – referred to as a “defined contribution” plan has largely replaced the “defined benefit” – or pension – plan for most employees.  As these employees age, it becomes increasingly important that they make smart decision about how their money is invested.  Since most people are not sophisticated investors, being able to get professional guidance is critically important.  Providing guidance for this generation is our goal.

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The KISS Principle

We often fall so in love with the tools we have at our disposal that we feel compelled to use them.  Investors have so many choices and investment vehicles that they often overcomplicate their financial lives.  This can work very much against them.

IRAs, 401(k)s, life insurance, annuities, trusts, 529 plans, hedge funds, options – and the list goes on – all have their uses.  However they often are neither the best nor the simplest way of solving our financial problems.  They are frequently recommended by people who make fees or commissions for selling them, but can have unintended consequences for the unwary.

Before getting involved with any investment strategy or vehicle, make sure you understand it thoroughly and know both the advantages and disadvantages.  Get unbiased advice from an advisor who doesn’t have anything to sell other than his expertise.  We’re biased in favor of fee-only RIAs.

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Americans Retiring Early, Then Running Out of Money

The headline is from an article in “The Street”  which discusses why Americans are often confused about retirement.   Genworth, the insurance company, surveyed adults nearing retirement age.  Genworth reports that Americans are “retiring earlier … but underestimating retirement expenses” once they arrive — both the result of “unrealistic” expectations.

The Genworth data reveals that 52% of pre-retirees expect their living expenses to decrease in retirement, but actually, 65% of retirees saw their costs rise in retirement. Genworth says health care costs are the main culprit, along with real estate and “money spent on dependents.”

Only 12% of retirees interviewed by Genworth say they had enough money to meet those higher living expenses.

Put it all together and you have a scenario in which millions of Americans will retire not knowing they lack the necessary funds to survive in retirement — and may not have the financial means to close that money gap in their 60s, 70s and beyond.

The best way to prepare for the financial aspects of retirement is to obtain the services of a financial planner and investment advisor who has experience in guiding people in retirement.  We specialize in this area, are expert in guiding retirees, have literally written the book on this subject, and would be happy to provide the guidance you need.

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Better 401(k) plans

We have just returned from Schwab IMPACT 2013 Conference where we had an opportunity to meet our counterparts thought the country and listen to some world-famous speakers.

One of the topics was retirement plans and specifically 401(k) plans which are the primary way most people in private industry are putting money away for their retirement.

Charles Schwab Chief Executive Officer Walter Bettinger on Monday called for a transformation of the 401(k) industry by slashing fees and providing participants with objective and customized advice autonomous from the plan’s consultants.

“It’s finally time to put the interests of the average hard working American first,” Bettinger said in a speech at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

This ia an initiative which we heartily endorse.  While we leave it to plan sponsors and mutual fund suppliers to lower fees on their funds, we are doing our part.  First we have created a program that provides workers with guidance on how much each fund charges in fees, and how to construct a portfolio inside each 401(k) that meets their specific objectives.

Bettinger said the two-pronged plan would mean more jobs for investment advisors because of the greater demand for more time consuming, individualized financial plans.

Looking at target-date funds, he said they should go away because they allocate investments only on a single factor—age.

“They are better than nothing but not as good as customized advice,” he said.

For guidance on your 401(k) plan, call us at 757-638-5490 or 877-322-5490, or visit our website.

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St Regis New York Overhaul

King Cole Bar & Salon

I have not been to New York in years, but one of THE places to see and be seen is the Old King Cole bar at the St. Regis Hotel, rumored to be the birthplace of the Bloody Mary.  The St. Regis has decided that they really don’t want old duffers like me around, preferring a younger, trendier and more international clientele.  To that end they have spent about $90 million to refurbish the bar and dining room.

At the restaurant at the St. Regis New York hotel, the white tablecloths and oversize flower arrangements are gone. In their place: metal-studded chairs, zebra prints and funky topiaries.

The transformation of the hotel’s restaurant, bar and lounge into the King Cole Bar & Salon, which opened this week, is part of a $90 million renovation of the 109-year-old hotel.

The venerable King Cole Bar, opened in 1932 and said to be the birthplace of the Bloody Mary, has long been one of the city’s most popular watering holes. But the buzz tended to stop at the bar door: The adjacent restaurant, formerly dubbed “Astor Court” (named for John Jacob Astor, the hotel’s first owner), was sleepy in the evenings.  To draw more of the bar’s energy out into the lounge and restaurant, designers connected the spaces visually by yanking a central seating area and massive flower arrangement. The result: Diners now have an unobstructed view of the bar’s famed 30-foot-long  Maxfield Parrish mural, which shows Old King Cole on his throne.

King cole bar

Next time in New York, stop by, have a Bloody Mary and pretend to be French.  Bring plenty of money.

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The Five Cars the Richest Americans are Buying

According to a recent survey in the Wall Street Journal, here are the top 5 cars the super-rich are buying

  1. Tesla Model S  (popular in Silicon Valley where it’s made)
  2. Mercedes-Benz E Class (popular in New York)
  3. Jeep Grand Cherokee (popular in beach towns)
  4. BMW 3 Series (Coral Gables is filled with them)
  5. Ford F series pickups, especially the big F-250 (popular with the “ranchers” in places like Aspen)

So if you want to pretend that you’re a mega-millionaire, don’t buy a Bentley, pick yourself a more affordable car from this list.

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Working Longer May Help You

Via Mareen Hook of the HOOK LAW FIRM.

Well, science has now confirmed what intuitively we may have suspected. Working longer than the typical retirement age can benefit you, not only financially, but also with increased mental acuity. “For each additional year of work, the risk of getting dementia is reduced by 3.2%,” said Carole Dufouil, a scientist at INSERM, the French state-sponsored health research agency. The results shouldn’t surprise us. Experts have long advised older people to keep active physically and mentally. The study is particularly important, because it was a large one involving almost 1/2 million people in France. Usually, the larger the sample size of a study, the more confidence is placed in the results of a study. This is true of polling or whatever else is analyzed. France has accumulated quite a body of research on the subject, because of the interest and importance that its former president, Nicolas Sarkozy, placed on it.

The French scientists had a lot of information at their disposal, because of information that is collected by the state health system. They used the records of more than 429,000 people, most of whom were self-employed in trades such as baking and woodworking. On average, they were 74 years old and had been retired for an average of 12 years. These subjects were selected, because they had not developed dementia within 5-10 years of retirement. This meant that their results could not be attributed to the fact that those who decided to retire, did so because they were already showing signs of dementia at the time of retirement. While 3% of the subjects did have dementia, they found that, for each additional year of work, the odds of developing dementia decreased. For instance, a retiree at age 65 had approximately decreased the probability of acquiring dementia by 15%, when compared to a fellow retiree who left the work force at age 60. Quite impressive results which might have implications for mandatory retirement ages.

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The risks of performance chasing.

FINANCIAL PLANNING MAGAZINE has an interesting article on performance chasing.

One of the unfortunate habits of some investors is regret over not having invested in some hot stock, or hot fund.

Assuming a person could accurately pick each year’s winning asset class at the start of each year, and devote an entire portfolio to that asset class, that investor’s 15-year annualized return would have been an astounding 32.25%, with a standard deviation of annual returns of just under 19%.

By comparison, an investor who simply hunkered down in the S&P 500 for the entire 15-year period experienced an annualized return of 4.39% and a standard deviation of 19.1%.

As a result of this tendency some people will invest their entire portfolio in the previous year’s best-performing asset class.  By buying last year’s winning asset class:

…  the 15-year return plunged to 2.71% for an investor using this strategy during the 15-year period, while the standard deviation of annual returns increased to 23.7%.

So how would the investor who prudently created a well diversified portfolio fare?

The ending outcome of simply investing in all 12 asset classes each year (and then rebalancing at year’s end back to equal allocations) resulted in a 15-year annualized return of 7.95% and a standard deviation of 12.8% – far better than what the S&P 500 by itself generated.

Of course that diversified portfolio can’t match the “perfect” portfolio, but our crystal ball is broken, so we’ll settle for the “good” rather than the “perfect.”

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George Kamana Hunter

George Kamana Hunter, a healer of Native American descent, is the founder of Bluestone Institute for Healing Arts, a school for intuitive healers. His memoir, The Invisible Burden, demonstrates how his Bloodline Healing approach cleanses generational patterns using ceremonial contact with ancestors. His clients include Jewish Holocaust survivors, Native Americans, the homeless, veterans, physicians, actors, and high-powered entrepreneurs. Trained as an intertribal sacred singer, he is creator of the album titled, Haven. George has presented at Cornell University, the United Nations, and on NPR.


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Espeak sings

What is this?

This is a simple (but amusing) Python script that fetches song lyrics from the internet and feeds them to the speech synthesis programme espeak.

Currently Espeak Sings only supports as the lyrics provider, but support for alternate providers may come later if I decide to make changes to the lyrics fetcher (which consists of a basic URL resolver and HTML parser).

Espeak Sings requires Python 2.7 and the espeak-python library to work properly. It also makes use of urllib which is included in most Python installations.

What's new?

Initial release. Future releases probably won't happen.

The sleep timer is an ugly work around to make espeak do its thing. It results in a 5 minute silence after espeak finishes, and limits songs to 5 minutes in length.

This script is free software and is distributed under the permissive WTFPL version 2. See COPYING for more details.