The Match for Africa 3
On April 10, 2017, Roger Federer and Andy Murray will face off against each other in the Zurich Hallenstadion to raise money for the Roger Federer Foundation.
"The Match for Africa 3", the third charity tennis event for the Roger Federer Foundation, will now be held on Monday, April 10, 2017, and not November 22, 2016, as originally planned. Roger Federer's opponent in the Zurich Hallenstadion will be none other than the three-time Grand Slam champion and two-time Olympic gold medallist Andy Murray.
«I am extremely happy that Andy – one of the best tennis players in the world – immediately agreed to come to Zurich to help raise money for my foundation. However, I'm even happier that I'll finally get to play in front of my fans again next spring,» said Roger.
Tickets for the Exhibition Night, which also offers a great entertainment program in addition to the main event, will be available on Ticketcorner from November 16, 2016.
All of the proceeds from this event will go to the Roger Federer Foundation. The Foundation provides funding to children living in poverty to help them realize their potential. It also supports education projects in seven countries in southern Africa as well as Switzerland. The foundation's programs currently support 275,000 children.
The Roger Federer Foundation supports children living in poverty and helps them to realize their potential. The foundation supports education projects in six countries in southern Africa and in Switzerland. This year it is already reaching out to 275'000 children.
Since more than 12 years the Roger Federer Foundation is engaging in education programs for children living in poverty in Africa and Switzerland. lt only works with carefully selected local organizations in long-term partnerships and seeks for systemic change and sustainable impact. The Foundation aims therefore to enable and empower the local population in question to assume their responsibility for the solution of its problems with regard to the contents, Organisation and finances. In 2016 15 programs are running in Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe and in Switzerland for around 6.5 million CHF reaching 275'000 children.
Facts and figures Roger Federer Foundation
- 2003 start of the Foundation
- 4 members of the family in the Board of Trustees
- 15 running initiatives and local partners
- 7 countries with running programs
- 275‘000 children benefitting from the current programs
- 1 million children to be reached by 2018
- 29 million CHF invested so far in total until end 2016
Date & Time
Monday, 10th April 2017, 8.00pm
|6.00pm||Door opening foyer|
|7.00pm||Door opening Arena|
|8.00pm||Start main act "The Match for Africa 3"|
|approx. 10.30pm||End of show|
The third edition of The Match for Africa will again take place at the Hallenstadion Zurich, Switzerland’s biggest multifunctional hall.
Arrival - Public transport
S-Bahn — From Zurich mainstation
Lines S2, S6, S7, S8, S9, S14, S15, S16, S19 or S24 to Bahnhof Oerlikon (travel time 7 min).
S-Bahn — From Zurich Airport
Line S2, S16 or S24 to Oerlikon train station (travel time 4 min).
Airport line to Oerlikon train station. Conncection with bus numbers 1/62/94 orTram 11 to stop Messe/Hallenstadion
Line 10/14 to stop Sternen Oerlikon. Line 11 to stop Messe/Hallenstadion.
Arrival - Individual
With the car
It is a 10 minute drive from the highway exit Opfikon, Seebach, Zürich-Hardturm and Zurich-Schwamendingen to the Messe-Parking Garage on Hagenholzstrasse.
Live transmission throughout the country
«The Match for Africa 3» will be broadcast live across Switzerland in all three national languages on Monday, April 10, 2017. For German-speaking viewers, TV24 will have an entertaining pre-match show starting at 7.30 p.m. In French-speaking Switzerland, the match will be shown on La Télé starting at 8 p.m. In Ticino, tennis fans will be able to enjoy the extravaganza on Tele Ticino, also from 8 p.m. blick.ch will be carrying the TV24 broadcast and showing The Match for Africa 3 online.
Sandra Studer and Pedro Pinto will be presenting the Exhibition Night in the studio. Sandra Studer, a popular Swiss entertainer, is well known as the presenter of various television programs and as a singer in a number of musicals. Pedro Pinto, who currently works as Managing Director of Communications at UEFA, spent nearly 15 years at CNN as a presenter where he interviewed a multitude of sports personalities, including Roger Federer and Andy Murray.
German tennis expert Matthias Stach, along with Michael Lammer, will provide the commentary on the match between Roger Federer and Andy Murray on TV24. Matthias Stach is Germany’s voice of tennis and has received numerous awards as best tennis commentator. Michael Lammer played in a total of 13 Swiss Davis Cup Team matches in his career. Today, the former professional tennis player is the head of young talents for the U14 category at Swiss Tennis. At Tele Ticino, the commentators will be Serena Bergomi and Giona Carcano.


(Bristol, Indiana, USA, Friday, March 19, 2019)
Bristol, IN -- Barletta Pontoon Boats, located in Bristol, IN, has received another early indication that the
product, and the company, is heading in the right direction. The February retail registrations report distributed
by Statistical Surveys, Inc., one of the most trusted market share data resources in the industry, places Barletta
Pontoon Boats squarely in the top 10 manufacturers at number 7.
Breaking onto the scene in January of 2018 at the Chicago Boat Show, Barletta Pontoon Boats has only been
in full production for just over a year. And, an eventful year it has been. Accomplishments over the past 13
• Assembled arguably one of the strongest dealer networks in the industry, including 20+ Top 100
Dealers according to Boating Industry Magazine.
• Awarded a 2018 Innovation Award for most innovative pontoon boat from the National Marine
Manufacturers Association (NMMA) at the Minneapolis Boat Show,
• Received a 2018 Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) Award from the NMMA, for maintaining a
satisfaction score over 90% from initial customer surveys,
• Has had their President & Co-Owner, Bill Fenech, recognized in Boating Industry’s 2018 Movers &
• Released the C-Class, Barletta’s mid-level entry into the market,
• Released the EX23Q, the industry’s first expanding pontoon boat of it’s type,
The Barletta team brings a unique customer-focused/dealer-centric approach that has been widely embraced
as a breath of “fresh air” to the marine industry.
“I can’t say enough, about the team we’ve assembled and the product and company we are building,” said Bill
Fenech, President & Co-Owner of Barletta Pontoon Boats. “There is a huge difference between believing we
could be where we are at today versus actually being here. Everyday, this team comes to work with passion,
energy, and enthusiasm - ready to ‘get after it’. Even then, we wouldn’t be here without the trust and belief of
the dealers and customers who were early adopters of the “Barletta Way.” The testimonials we get on social
media and the website are truly amazing. A big heart-felt thank you to all our Barletta “family” members.”
“This report is just a very small peek at what is the bigger picture,” Fenech continued. “Nonetheless, it is
an indication that we are doing the right things for our customers and the industry as a whole. There is no
mistaking that we still have a lot of work left to do - it’s never-ending. And because of that, I can guarantee you
that you haven’t seen the best of Barletta yet.”
About Barletta Pontoon Boats: Offering a customer-focused/dealer-centric approach, Barletta Pontoon Boats brings a unique
approach to the marine industry. Barletta is partnered with Mercury Outboards and Yamaha Outboards. To learn more about
Learn more about Barletta Pontoon Boats and make sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram.


Donnie Wahlberg, the founding member of boy band “New Kids on the Block”, has broken the Guinness World Records for most selfies in 3 minutes with his fans on board on 24 October 2016.
As per the report by the Hollywood Reporter, who also got an opportunity to capture the moment, Wahlberg clicked 122 selfies beating the former record of 119 selfies by Aruba, a digital enterprise company in Singapore that bagged the title earlier this year.
Well, this wasn’t Donnie’s first shot at the title. The actor-singer has also tried achieving the title last year on NKOTA Cruise but was unsuccessful to do so. However, this year on New Kids on the Block 8th annual cruise party, which was kicked off from New Orleans, LA to Cozumel, MX from 20th October to 24th October, cruise guests helped Donnie Walhberg set a new world selfie record. The 3000 guests cum devoted fans were requested to form a queue and were shuffled swiftly through as the actor-singer captured selfies with his smartphone.
Donnies and his fans were also accompanied by Sarah Casson, Adjudicator of Guinness World Records to certify the record.
Wahlberg isn’t the only celebrity who had a successful attempt at selfie world record, Dwayne Johnson was also entitled to Guinness selfie world record in May 2015 on the red carpet at the London Premier of his movie San Andreas by clicking a whopping 105 selfies in 3 minutes.
Donnie Wahlberg, 47, made the announcement on twitter on Monday along with a video of the moment.
— Donnie Wahlberg (@DonnieWahlberg) October 24, 2016


Once a year, Amazon hosts a global shopping event that offers exclusive deals and discounts to Amazon Prime Members. Prime Day 2018 was last Monday, July 16 and extended through the end of Tuesday, July 17.
This year, we found that the promotions from Prime Day created a ripple effect across various retailers that resulted in an online shopping environment comparable to Cyber Monday. Counter-promotion and price-matching activity from Amazon’s peers and competitors resulted in increased shopping rates of over 100% for online retailers.
Look to our infographic below to learn more about this year’s Prime Day shopping activity and how mass-market and luxury retailers alike captured increased conversions from more engaged customers.


“In the face of the global COVID-19 crisis, we have seen the world come together to protect and sustain its global population. We greatly appreciate the tireless efforts of first responders and public health workers. The Coronavirus pandemic is disrupting the world as we knew it – taking a heavy toll on human lives and economic activities. Its rapid spread is threatening to affect millions more people already made vulnerable by food insecurity, malnutrition and the effects of conflict and other disasters.
Only by working together in multi-stakeholder systems with common humility can we address global problems and minimize the impact of this epidemic. Like many other industries, ours stands ready to help through this unprecedented crisis by ensuring health workers, communities, and farmers continue to receive the supplies they need.”
– Giulia Di Tommaso, President & CEO of CropLife International
CropLife International and its members are committed to helping farmers maintain a short- and long-term stable food supply. As food security is a priority for governments around the world, our industry is working with our partners to maintain a safe and abundant food supply. We recognize that in many parts of the world, COVID-19 is an additional challenge for farmers to manage as they deal with extreme weather conditions and severe pest pressures. At this time more than ever, we are committed to providing farmers with the valuable tools they need to protect and grow their crops.
The plant science industry is prioritizing the health and wellbeing of workers, both in the field and in the healthcare system by providing and introducing physical and digital tools like personal protective equipment (PPE) or satellite imagery for virtual field inspections. These measures support farmers while respecting physical distancing and represent just a few of the important steps CropLife International members are taking to ensure that healthy and abundant crops are grown and can support other parts of the food supply chain.
Click below to learn more about how CropLife International and its members are working to keep employees and farmers safe while supporting global public health and food security efforts in communities around the world:
We have responded to the call for help from public health officials by donating PPE, hand sanitizer and disinfectant to hospitals and first responders worldwide. Production facilities have been converted to produce hand sanitizer, and materials labs are printing protective masks and face shields.
The plant science industry remains committed to the communities we work in — from donating to local food relief programs, to providing grocery and food to employees to share with less fortunate. We have partnered with other organizations to provide meals to local laborers who are temporarily unemployed and are continuing to work to ensure the well-being of different communities. In addition, we believe that fostering a passion for science remains important and are providing educational resources for children now learning at home.
In some countries, the plant science industry is making complimentary field manager tools available to farmers. Smallholders are receiving assistance with getting their crops to market and digital tools are being leveraged to help farmers grow during these difficult times.
Contributing to Public Health Efforts
As healthcare workers put their lives on the line to care for COVID-19 patients, their health, safety and wellbeing are put at risk. We are humbled by their dedication and wish to support them as they care for sick people around the world and in their own communities.
CropLife International and its member companies are doing what we can to donate, produce and distribute personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare professionals on the front lines. As of early April, FMC has donated more than 233,000 personal protective equipment supplies, including N95 masks, protective cover suits, safety glasses and face shields to hospitals and first responders in Brazil, China, Denmark, France, Korea, Puerto Rico, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the United States, and to the Red Cross in Italy. BASF has donated more than 100 million masks to the Federal Republic of Germany.
Across the industry, companies are coming together to fight in unity and develop creative solutions to problems brought about by the virus. On their St. Louis campus, Bayer employees have partnered with Stratsys, one of the leading manufacturers of 3D printers to print 400,000 protective masks which should help doctors, nurses, and first aiders protect themselves. Sumitomo Chemical is doing their part in Japan where the organization has donated 20,000 N95 surgical masks to the Japan Business Federation, which will distribute the masks to medical facilities in Japan. Sumitomo is also supplying polyethylene films, which are generally used for greenhouses, to manufacturers of medical gowns.
Ambulances, ventilators, and close to 140,000 liters of disinfectant have been given to medical facilities in need along with hand sanitizer which, through BASF’s Helping Hands campaign, has been produced and donated to hospitals in Germany and Spain. The company is expanding production from the isopropanol-based hand sanitizer manufactured to date, to production of hand sanitizer based on bioethanol. With the additional quantities of up to 100,000 liters of hand sanitizer per week, BASF will support the new nationwide Emergency Provision of Sanitizer online platform of the German Chemical Industry Association free of charge. Syngenta’s production site in Monthey, Switzerland has joined forces with Huntsman to produce and donate 50 tons of hand sanitizer to local hospitals and pharmacies. Hundreds of canisters have also been donated to now be used to store hand sanitizer and disinfectants. Additionally, Syngenta Canada's Formulations and Application Technology team stepped up to develop hand sanitizer for R&D teams in Ontario.
Bayer has mobilized every resource available to provide what they can. They have established a new testing laboratory in Berlin which supports the fight against COVID-19 resulting in an additional 1,000 SARS-CoV-2 tests per day. They are also making diagnostic devices available at its research facilities in Germany, which will increase the nationwide COVID-19 analysis capacity by several thousand tests per day. And not just focusing on response but on potential treatment, the organization has donated 8 million tablets of chloroquine (as a potential treatment) and an additional 600,000 tablets of Resochin, an anti-malarial drug discovered by Bayer in 1934, as new data from initial preclinical and evolving clinical research conducted in China, while limited, shows potential for the use of Resochin in treating patients with COVID-19 infection.
A Syngenta genotyping team in Argentina donated thermocyclers for the detection of COVID-19 to the Malbrán Institute which is studying coronavirus.
The whole industry, across the whole world has raised and donated close to $4 million for healthcare alone. This money is going to help the doctors, nurses, and others fighting for the lives affected by COVID-19.
Supporting Communities Around the World
Without a strong community, we can’t mount a strong response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ensuring food security and resources for all of us in these times of uncertainty is immensely important and an area where the plant science industry has stepped up to lend a helping hand by donating or volunteering.
Employees of Bayer’s Pharmaceuticals Division with a medical background can register to volunteer in the fight against the coronavirus. Bayer is supporting the local healthcare system by giving these employees paid leave for a period of up to 4 weeks so that they can volunteer during this time. Syngenta is supporting its employees and customers in the US through a newly launched online portal with links to videos, websites and podcasts on topics ranging from managing fear and anxiety to exercise, recipes and parenting tips.
Corteva will donate more than $1 million USD to global food security organizations around the world that are responding to help those that are good insecure during these challenging times. In the US, BASF and FMC have mobilized funding and volunteer support for the communities where they are located. BASF sponsored a virtual food drive in North Carolina and matched donations up to $100,000 while FMC launched a US employee donation campaign (with company match) to hunger relief organizations at US company sites and provide financial assistance to Philabundance, a non-profit organization focused on hunger relief in the greater Philadelphia region.
Syngenta is especially focused supporting the supply chain. In China, the company worked with a local vegetable cooperative to organize emergency transport of 13 tons of vegetables to local hospitals and police departments. In Bangladesh, Syngenta has been supporting a local organization to help connect farm goods with distributors and arrange deliveries to families in need. In a move that truly aims to bring people together, Syngenta has launched the “Flowers Feed the Soul” campaign in the Netherlands. This initiative sends flowers to customers and growers to show support. They have also joined the “Together Against Loneliness” Initiative where the floriculture sector delivered flowers to over 150,000 elderly people in Dutch nursing homes on Good Friday to help combat loneliness in the elderly. These efforts have limited the loss of food and agricultural products.
Syngenta US made a donation to the United Way of the Greater Triangle's Rapid Response Fund, allowing them to support even more local nonprofits providing residents with critical resources during the COVID19 crisis. A donation was also made to Foodbank Australia. Additionally, close to 100,000 meals have been provided by partnering with food banks across the US to help during this difficult time. Those meals include free lunches going to truck drivers as a small “thank you” for their essential work in ensuring products that still need to be shipped arrive safely and punctually to farmers around the US.
Education and creative expression are important all of the time, but especially now, while large portions of the population is at home. The plant science industry has launched several distance learning platforms including Science at Home, a weekly series to feature STEM educational resources, BASF Science Club which provides at-home science education activities, and a virtual lab. In addition, Bayer Arts & Culture is providing financial and mental support to creative individuals through the "stART Festival Special." These initiatives are geared at encouraging interest in the sciences for the next generation.
Helping Farmers Grow
The plant science industry has a long history of developing tools that make farmers' lives better as they grow the food we all need in the best of times. Now, as times get more difficult, farmers need more support which is why the CropLife International member companies have moved many tools online to cater to changing circumstances while still helping farmers grow.
For example, ‘Bayer WeGrow’, a WeChat-based farmer engagement tool, held 30 sessions of national knowledge sharing webcasts and around 1,000 sessions of local webcasts as of the end of March with the goal of increasing agronomic skills. These sessions had more than 400,000 views. In Austria, Germany, India and Switzerland, Syngenta now offers farmers virtual field inspections and advice, just in time for the start of the growing season with weekly videos available to keep customers up to date with crop protection and crop management recommendations. In China, FMC teams are streaming “FMC Talk” thrice daily for growers in 28 provinces, reaching nearly 320,000 views. Content includes discussions about sustainable crop protection practices, product support and information about COVID-19 protection measures.
BASF has made its xarvioTM Field Manager digital tool available without charge in select countries to help farmers optimize crop production and through Farmshots, a cutting-edge satellite imagery service provider, Syngenta has been able to find new ways to support and engage Italian farmers while keeping them at safe physical distances. Syngenta is also using video to allow breeders to check on their field trials remotely.
FMC is producing daily live demos, talk shows and educational programming which includes information on COVID-19 precautions and agronomic advice for farmers throughout Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, India, Pakistan and other Asia Pacific countries. Additionally, FMC teams in North America and Europe are employing extensive use of live and on-demand video programming to ensure farmers have easy access to demo trials, expert advice, technical meetings, product information and training.
Syngenta is using their network of Farmers’ Hubs to provide practical help to farmers during the pandemic. In Kenya, sensitization, aggregation, and extension are all part of the response and in Bangladesh, an Emergency Management Committee was set up to help with connections and guidance. In Indonesia, local employees are working with agriservice centers to develop and implement a farmer health awareness campaign.
These organizations are helping smallholder farmers in even more ways by helping to sell farmers’ produce and safeguard their health. During the lockdown, Syngenta has helped 327,000 smallholder farmers in 3,600 villages get vegetables from the field to farmers’ homes, provided money to those most affected, and guiding villagers to health checkups. They also launched a nationwide helpline in India to keep farmers informed about social distancing, the use of personal protective equipment, and other precautionary measures related to COVID-19.
Bayer has, through its new “Better Farms, Better Lives” initiative, made a commitment to complement its current support of smallholder farmers in key countries by donating seeds and crop protection inputs . The donations help boost food security by supporting up to two million smallholder farmers facing increased challenges as a result of the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. These farmers provide food security to tens of millions of families in vulnerable communities and the Better Life Farming Care Packages will be tailored to specific local needs and may include seeds for crops such as tomatoes, peppers, rice and corn, crop protection products, PPE, and safety and training materials.


Courtenay Recreation in partnership with the Downtown Courtenay Business Improvement Association offers a howling good time at the annual children’s Halloween Party on Thursday, October 31. This free event is for children 11 years and younger with a caregiver.
The fun starts with events on Duncan Avenue at 3:00 p.m. and continues through to trick or treating downtown and a party at the Lewis Centre.
For further information call the Courtenay Recreation Lewis Centre 250-338-5371.
More info: courtenay.ca/halloween


More lawsuits against Los Angeles County’s embattled top prosecutor from his own staff are expected in the coming weeks, an attorney who represents the plaintiffs told Fox News.
Two veteran prosecutors who worked supervisory roles filed a lawsuit this week against District Attorney George Gascon, alleging after disclosing his prosecutorial reforms violated the law.
Maria Ramirez and Victor Rodriguez both have over 30 years of service in the County District Attorney’s Office and were bureau directors before being removed from their positions, the lawsuit states.
Smith said he plans to file three more lawsuits against Gascon in the coming weeks and three more after that from employees at the DA’s office with similar allegations.
“Most of these are supervisor-level (positions),” attorney Gregory Smith told Fox News. “What they’re doing is they’re punishing them for either disclosing that some of his policies are unlawful or for refusing to follow them.”
Gascon took office in December 2020 amid nationwide calls for justice and police reform. He immediately issued a series of directives that have come under fire since, including prohibiting prosecutors from seeking the death penalty or enhancements and a blanket policy against trying juveniles in adult court.
Gascon recently backtracked on the juvenile policy amid controversy over a convicted sex offender who on a jailhouse phone call. Hannah Tubbs pleaded guilty to molesting a 10-year-old girl in 2014, weeks before she turned 18.
She received a sentence of two years at a juvenile facility after Gascon’s office declined to transfer the case to adult court.
In the case of Ramirez, she disclosed to Gascon that a policy of preventing juveniles from being charged with more than one crime despite having allegedly committed multiple crimes in one incident, her lawsuit says. Rodriguez was demoted after refusing to punish a subordinate who filed a statement in opposition to the re-sentencing of a violent inmate, the lawsuit states.
Both were demoted on Sept. 7, 2021, accordant to court documents. Gascon’s office has declined to comment on the matter, citing ongoing litigation.
The current and forthcoming lawsuits come as Gascon faces backlash from his own prosecutors, elected officials, law enforcement and some crime victims advocates. In February, nearly 98% of the Los Angeles Association of Deputy District Attorneys membership voted to support an ongoing recall attempt against their boss.
At the time, association Vice President Eric Siddall compared Gascon’s election win to a failed experiment.
“Over a year ago, Gascon began a massive social experiment by reducing prosecutorial resources away from enforcing the law while simultaneously ignoring large portions of the penal code,” he said in a statement. “The result is an emboldened criminal element that knows the DA will not hold criminals accountable. This experiment needs to end.
The public opposition from deputy district attorneys against their boss is surprising, Smith said.
“It’s because of who he is. This is a guy who’s never practiced law in his life,” he said. “He’s never done anything in a courtroom to my knowledge except maybe testified as a cop.”


Racial Equity Group
In June 2020, the EMS Strategic Leadership Team established a Racial Equity Group in the wake of the death of George Floyd and world-wide protests that provided a long overdue wake-up call to address systemic racism in our institutions and country.
The EMS group is made up of representatives from across the school to consider how we integrate racial equity into our curriculum and life together. A preamble to the group's working document states:
Eastern Mennonite School was founded in 1917 by Mennonites for Mennonite students. EMS has undoubtedly hurt people of color throughout its history, while offering benefits to people of white, and Mennonite, background. This included racial discrimination in its admission process up through 1948, when black students were first allowed admittance to EMS. [See a timeline posted by Eastern Mennonite University, which shares its early history with EMS.]
As followers of Jesus, we believe we are called to advocate for just treatment of all God’s people. The civil unrest of spring of 2020 -- in the midst of a global pandemic -- awakened us to more deliberate work to educate ourselves, engage our students, and be part of the systemic changes needed to address racial inequity in our school, local community and across the United States. The Racial Equity Group was formed by the school’s Strategic Leadership Team and held its first meeting, June 16, 2020.
Our overarching goal is to “know better, then do better” (Maya Angelo) one step a time…
Working Group members are:
- Joy Anderson, elementary music teacher
- Maria Archer, K-8 principal, co-chair
- Heidi Byler, third grade teacher and elementary team leader
- Mark Gornto, middle school English and drama teacher
- Debbie Katz, high school counselor, leadership team
- Lynette Mast, kindergarten teacher
- Shannon Roth, US history and government teacher
- Chad Seibert, PE teacher and boys varsity basketball coach
- Marsha Thomas, admissions counselor
- Gini Trotter, K-8 counselor and elementary peacebuilding teacher
- Andrea Wenger, director of advancement, co-chair
While hundreds of students have graduated from EMHS with an education that nurtured them and prepared them for the future, some students left here carrying hurts and stories of pain. We acknowledge that students of color perhaps experienced pain that has not been acknowledged. For that, we are sorry.
If you would like to share your story, we want to listen. In sharing stories, we honor those who have been hurt and hope to learn how we can do better.
Your submission on the button above will go to the chairs of the Racial Equity Group who will pass on to appropriate administrative personnel. We appreciate your vulnerability and commit to working sensitively with you.
Read the letter that Paul Leaman, head of school, shared with students grades 6-12 and the parents of students K-12, as well as faculty and staff following the death of George Floyd.
Read a June 23, 2020, article announcing the launch of the Racial Equity Working Group.
Training and professional development
June 29, July 1 and 2, 2020 -- Fifteen teachers, administrators and staff took part in a three-part training hosted by the Virginia Association of Independent Schools, Engaging in Diversity, Inclusion and Equity for Organizational Change with Dr. Liza Talusan.
February 19, 2020 -- Paul Leaman, Shannon Roth and Heidi Byler participated in Virginia Association of Independent School's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Conference
November 8-9, 2019 -- Maria Archer and Andrea Wenger participated in training hosted by Harrisonburg's Faith in Action, facilitated by the Racial Equity Institute of Greensboro, NC, Understanding Racism in its Structural Form


On June 6-7, 2015 at the Utstein Abbey near Stavanger, Norway, 36 Emergency Medical Services (EMS) leaders from throughout the world convened to address the challenge of how to increase community cardiac arrest survival and how to achieve implementation of best practices.
This resulted in the Utstein report A Call to Establish a Global Resuscitation Alliance. Prior to the European EMS2016 congress an Utstein Meeting on implementation will be held in Copenhagen with experts and representative from major international EMS systems and international organizations.
The results of the meeting is a call for the establishment of a Global Resuscitation Alliance in order to expand internationally the reach and utility of the Resuscitation Academy concept developed in King County, Seattle beginning in 2008. Such a global effort will promote best practices and offer help with implementation to countless communities.


Here's a quick run-down of our lab activities.
RAs present their work at two UC Irvine Research Symposiums (May, 2022)
The ACE Lab RAs presented the results of their independent research projects at two university research symposiums, the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program Symposium and the Working Memory Plasticity (WMP) Lab Undergraduate Research Symposium. One group of RAs studied how user comments affected how people perceived and reasoned about health-related TikToc videos. Another group studied the frequency of mobile phone use while studying and its relationship to study hours, which received 3rd place for best project at the WMP symposium.
Because our RAs are trained in R, their posters had the prettiest data visualizations. 💕
ACE Lab offers training on clickstream data processing at LAK22 (March, 2022)
Dr. Fernando Rodriguez and Dr. Hye Rin Lee led a 3 hour online training on using R to process clickstream data at the 2022 Learning Analytics and Knowledge (LAK) conference. This sold-out training was attended by graduate students, industry researchers, and faculty from across the globe.


The first was born out of necessity during Maine’s Great Ice Storm of 1998, which crippled parts of Maine for several weeks. Over half of our State lost power, some areas for more than 2 weeks. Like many Mainers faced with adversity, Mr. Harbison and his team of plumbers responded to disaster with resilience and innovation. They designed and built what would be the first Bison hand pump, which allowed people whose electric pumps were inoperable in the aftermath of the storm to access the water in their wells. Since 1998, this timely and resourceful design has gained international appeal and application.
Now a strong and growing business with 12 employees, Bison Pumps sells its polished stainless steel products around the country and all over the world. From the woods of northern Maine to the hustle and bustle of Singapore, these pumps are making a difference by allowing people to access well water without electricity. Just recently, a ministry organization bought one of the pumps, which is now helping them provide much needed clean water to people in Haiti.


In September of 2019, Australia began experiencing raging bush fires (many of them set by humans who have been taken into custody by authorities). At the time of this post going live, large rain showers have finally hit land, extinguishing all but 69 of the fires that once formed a ring around the entire land mass, blocking off access to the oceans and incinerating over 10 million hectares of land. Over 25 people have died, more than $3 billion dollars of property damage has occurred, and a staggering 500 million animals have been injured or killed.
As a Pagan, it is difficult to watch the news and see the video footage of koalas on fire, baby joeys who have lost their parents, wombats that have changed their behavior to help shepherd other species into their burrows, and so much beautiful wild land scorched by arson. Fire fighters and humanitarian aid groups have flooded into the country to provide assistance, and wildlife groups are trying desperately to heal the injured animals they've rescued. Millions of dollars have been contributed to relief funds, but there are still numerous small non-profits that have only seen a small percentage of that.
I do not own the rights to this image
So, after discussing the issue with the Greater New Orleans Pagan Pride Project (our charity recipient for the past 7 years), we are re-allocating our proceeds from ticket sales and cash bar to Australian bush fire relief. As we get closer to our event at the end of April, we will announce a specific charity recipient (once we identify where funds would be most useful at that time), and hope that you will share our event with family, friends, and coworkers who might help support the event and relief efforts.
2019 has seen more fires in the public eye than any time I can remember (California, the Amazon, Africa, Notre Dame, and now Australia). It's difficult to look forward to Beltane, knowing how much devastation our planet experienced in the previous year; yet, I hold in my mind that fire is both destructive and cleansing at times. Even the plant life of the Australian bush has begun to grow, weeks after fires have ravaged it. At the heart of Beltane is the knowledge that life finds a way, nature persists, and new growth comes from even the most burnt ash. I hope we can send some helpful funds, along with healing energy, to all those affected by Australia's fires. Thank you so much for supporting our efforts with your ticket purchase.!!


Bridgeport claimed the Div II ECAC title, posting a 192.35 to easily outdistance SCSU (186.05) and West Chester (180.125). Bridgeport's Miranda Der won the AA with a 38.55.
Link: Bridgeport Release
The NCGA event finals were held and four new champions were crowned.
VT: Justine Weyer, UW Whitewater
UB: Meghan Hargens, UW Stout
BB: Kira Oldham-Curtis, Ursinus
FX: Gaby Hooper, UW La Crosse
Link: SC Release
SUU won the WAC title with a 195.8, just edging Boise State at 195.7. Utah State was in third with a 193.675. SUU's Elise Wheeler won the AA title with a 39.375.
UC Davis posted a 194.15 to defeat SPU's 192.85 and Air Force's 192.5. Kendall McCann of UC Davis won the AA with a 38.575.
TWU captured the MIC Championships, posting a 193.275 to edge Illinois State's 193.15. SEMO was just behind in 193.1 in a "to the wire" finish. Frosh Brittany Johnson led TWU, winning the AA with a 38.85.
Link: TWU Release
UCLA posted a 197.35 to win the Pac 10 title, outpacing Stanford and Oregon State. UCLA's Vanessa Zamarripa won the AA with a 39.575. Teammate Anna Li posted a 10 on UB.
Link: UCLA Release
Florida won the SEC title with a 197.05, edging Bama's 196.875. UGA was just behind at 196.825 in a hotly contested race. Bama's Ashley Priess won the AA title with a 39.5.
Link: Results from the SECs
OU won the Big 12 title, posting a 197.175 to overcome NU (196.625), Missouri (195.9) an d Iowa State (194.85). Missouri's Sarah Shire won the AA title with a 39.5.
Link: NU Release
CMU won the MAC title with a 195.6, followed by Kent State at 195.025 and EMU at 193.625. Katie Simon of CMU won the AA with a 39.2.
Link: BGSU Release
UNC posted a 196.025 to capture the EAGL title. UNC is chasing one of the final spots at Regionals this year. NC State was 2nd at 195.7 and WVU was third at 195.075. The AA title was shared by three gymnasts: Abigail Adams of Maryland, Taylor Seaman of NC State, and Kara Wright of UNC.
Link: UNH Release


JW Marriott Maldives
Benefiting from an unparalleled location in Kaafu Atol being only 15min speed boat journey away from Velana International airport. The JW Marriott is set on a reclaimed 5.5 hectares island which will feature 80 bungalows of which 44 bungalows will be over water and 36 beach bungalows.
The project is a tripartite joint venture between Sri Lanken based Sanken construction, Hima holdings a Maldives based resort developer, and Orca holding. The resort is expected to open in 4th quarter 2022 and will be managed by Marriott International under their prestigious JW Marriott flag.


What Is BS-VI Emission Norms?
Bharat stage Emission Standards are emission standards or Norms introduced by the Government of India to regulate air pollutants coming out of vehicles as a result of Combustion engines and Spark-ignition engines. These standards are set by the Central Pollution Control Board under the Ministry of Environment and Climate change.
In October 2016, India signed the Conference of Protocol, also known as the Paris Climate Agreement. As per the agreement, in the next 12 years, India will bring down carbon footprint by 33-55% as compared to 2005. Thus in 2016, the Indian government announced that the country would skip the BS-V norms completely and adopt BS-VI norms by 2020. BS6 emission norms bring India at par with European and U.S. standards of pollution control.
Maruti Suzuki India Limited continued its trend of being an industry first and became the first OEM to bring BS6 compliant vehicles in the mass segment, much ahead of statutory timelines prescribed by the Indian government. Maruti Suzuki has upgraded 7 of their petrol cars to meet BS6 emission norms, well ahead of the deadline of 1st April 2020. Thus, half of Maruti Suzuki’s petrol range of cars are now BS6 compliant. It also means that the BS6 compliant car models offered by Maruti Suzuki currently constitute around 70% of the total petrol vehicles sold including all car manufacturers.
Which Maruti Suzuki & Nexa Cars Are BS6 Compliant?
As per their commitment to launch environment-friendly vehicles, Maruti Suzuki introduced its first BS6 compliant petrol car, Baleno in April 2019. The most recently launched Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), the new XL6 is the second BS6 compliant Nexa model by Maruti Suzuki. BS6 compliant petrol models by MSIL include industry bestsellers like:
What Are The Benefits Of BS-VI Engine?
- Technology upgrades have been made for stringent emission requirement which is ensured with extensive and rigorous field tests in actual Indian driving conditions
- BS-VI compliant vehicle engine reduces nearly 25% Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) emissions in petrol vehicles and substantial 70% on Diesel vehicles
- Upgraded engine with the technological advancement of Exhaust system ensuring a significant increase in its durability
- BS-VI norms also enforce stringent limit on Non-Methane Hydrocarbons (NMHC) emissions
- Another benefit is that On-board Diagnostics, OBD has been made mandatory for all vehicles. This helps in checking that the emission control component is working at optimum efficiency at all times. With the OBD unit,


Corps Security has launched its new jobs-focussed website, which features the ultimate user-friendly experience, with an updated approach to the security jobs application process – whereby all information regarding roles is in one central place.
Founded officially in 1859 to provide employment for ex-servicemen on return from the Crimean War, Corps Security now offers individuals temporary, permanent and contracted specialist security and general positions across the UK. These include…
Mike Bullock, CEO of Corps Security, said: “We are very excited to launch our new jobs website. The new platform has been designed to provide an improved way for those looking for careers in security to read about available positions, events within the sector and make applications. As one of the leading security providers in the UK, we are always on the lookout for the best talent, whether that’s security guards, administrative and management support, event guards, CCTV operators or receptionists. By separating our main website and our jobs portal, we provide a platform to make the process of joining our exceptional team even easier.”
The new website takes a customer-centric approach and focusses solely on potential candidates and applications. To join Corps Security’s growing team across any of the above areas, whether you are experienced or new to the security sector, take a look around the site to familiarise yourself with the roles and how you might be able to support us, and how we might be able to help you develop your career. You could become part of one of the most successful security companies in the UK. To find out more, get in touch or view our current security jobs.


Warren Ploenges from Panorama, SA
Our lucky winner of the Travel Money Oz 10th Birthday competition has won a whopping $10,000 loaded on to a Key to the World prepaid travel card, ready for their next trip. Warren and his wife Carmelina are incredibly excited to have won the 10th Birthday prize, especially since they have only gotten back from a family cruise in Asia and have caught the travel bug again!
Our 10th Birthday competition was an opportunity for customers across Australia to enter in the $10,000 draw and celebrate Travel Money Oz's 10th birthday. Keep an eye out for upcoming competitions, as you could very well be the next lucky traveller!


BARRY UNIVERSITY • SCHOOL OF HUMAN PERFORMANCE AND LEISURE SCIENCES •
With the arrival of the new NFL football season
comes more great opportunities for Barry University
students. Sport Management students in the School of
Human Performance and Leisure Sciences are sure to
be involved in this year’s NFL season, learning valuable
lessons in their field along the way. Engaging in sport’s
greatest events is becoming common for students in
HPLS programs, and this past season was no exception.
Super Bowl XLVII, held this year at the Louisiana Su-
perdome in NewOrleans, featured the two best teams in
the National Football League, along with global media
coverage, a celebrated halftime show, and week-long fes-
tivities and events. Once again, Barry University Sport
Management students were in the center of the action.
Ten Sport Management majors from Barry University’s
School of Human Performance and Leisure Sciences
attended the week’s events in New Orleans as part of
the NFL volunteers program. The group arrived in
New Orleans on the Tuesday before the game and vol-
unteered Wednesday through Friday at the NFL Fan
experience, the most exciting continuous event sur-
rounding the Super Bowl. The Fan Experience is an
interactive event offering participatory games, displays,
entertainment attractions, kid’s football clinics, free
autograph sessions, and a football memorabilia show.
Saturday, the students worked the Direct TV pre-Super
bowlVIPpartyfor aselectgroupof guestsandcelebrities.
Game Day, the group arrived at the Stadium at
8 am., to get credentialed to enter the stadium.
The group was inside the stadium, ushering fans
into seats and different events during the game.
Tristan Wierbonski, Graduate student in Sport
Management, commented on his experience,
“My experiences at the Direct TV VIP pre-game party
and the Super Bowl were once-in-a-lifetime. I learned
new things every day, such as day-to-day operations
and keeping an event as big as these two running
smoothly. Most importantly, “fans first” was the mot-
to. The whole trip was great since I have never been to
Sport Management Students Volunteer at Super Bowl XLVII
the city of New Orleans or a Super Bowl. There were
so many outstanding experiences and memories, but
I would have to say interacting with the fans and be-
ing inside the Super Bowl were the most memorable.
Super Bowl XLVII was broadcast by CBS to over
200 stations across the United States and distrib-
uted internationally by the NFL to 185 countries
worldwide. The game sold out the New Orleans’
76,468 seat Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Com-
mercial airtime reached an all-time high of nearly 4
million dollars for a single 30 second commercial.
Dr. Gayle Workman commented on the event, “The
students had a great experience. They appreciated
the opportunity to attend the Super Bowl, and also
learned what it takes to facilitate an event of this size.”
Engaging in major sporting events adds a new di-
mension to the Sport Management student’s academ-
ic experience, and with the abundance of sport op-
portunities in South Florida, students in HPLS enjoy
the benefits of a unique sport learning experience.
HPLS Students Outside the Mercedes-Benz Superdom


The new LIRR Station in Grand Central is an exciting addition to New York City’s transportation network. For years, commuters have been clamoring for easier access to Long Island and the suburbs, and this new station finally delivers. The station is sleek and modern, with state-of-the-art amenities and a prime location in the heart of Midtown Manhattan.
As someone who’s used the LIRR to commute to and from the city for years, I can’t overstate how much of a game-changer this new station is. It’s incredibly convenient to be able to arrive in the heart of Manhattan without having to transfer to another train or subway line. And the station itself is a pleasure to use, with spacious platforms, comfortable seating, and easy access to the surrounding shops and restaurants.
But the benefits of the new LIRR Station in Grand Central go beyond just convenience. The station is also a beautiful piece of architecture, with a sleek and modern design that blends seamlessly into the surrounding cityscape. The station’s glass roof allows natural light to flood the space, creating a bright and airy atmosphere that’s a welcome change from the typically cramped and dimly lit train stations of the past.
Perhaps most importantly, the new station has the potential to transform the way we think about transportation in New York City. By providing a direct link between the city and the suburbs, the station could help to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution, while also providing commuters with an easy and convenient alternative to driving. And as someone who cares deeply about the environment, I’m excited to see how this new station could help to create a more sustainable and livable city for all New Yorkers.


Battel joins Majors infield
The London Majors are pleased to announce the signing of local infielder Daniel Battel.
Battel is a natural second baseman who hit for an average of .280 with 6 RBIs and 13 runs in 15 games this past fall season with the Western Mustangs. Battel finished his Junior career last summer with the St. Thomas Tomcats baseball club. The Tomcats have a long association as a Junior affiliate team with the Majors.
The Majors continue to add local talent to the roster in their search for their third straight championship. When asked about joining the Majors Battel, the 6’1” Londoner was excited about dawning the pinstripes this summer “I’m excited for the opportunity to compete at a high level and make an impact on a winning roster full of talented and motivated guys. The Majors are a historic team in London and it’s an honour to put on the pinstripes and play at Labatt Park.”
Roop was asked about the recent signing, “Dan has a natural fluid swing from the left side. He is a young player that will add to our infield depth”
The London Majors are a member of Canada’s top baseball league, the Intercounty Baseball League. In 2021 the London Majors won the IBL Jack & Lynn Dominico Trophy. The 100-year old summer league is one of the oldest baseball leagues in the world. The league was established in 1919, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. For more information, visit www.londonmajors.com or follow the Majors on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Twitter and TikTok at @Londonmajors


Drone Video Production for Nestle Purina PetCare Pride Day
Nestlé Purina associates made a difference in the lives of St. Louis-area pets and people during PetCare Pride Day, the company’s annual day of volunteering, held May 24. Our drone team was selected again this year to help document the festivities. Below is a raw clip to view.
PetCare Pride Day is one way Nestlé Purina is making a positive impact in the community for pets and the people who love them. In 2015, the company donated $31.5 million worth of pet food, pet supplies and monetary contributions to pet-related charities and other community organizations across the country. Nestlé Purina also lends support to pet shelters by providing tools and resources to help get more pets adopted and education and networking opportunities for shelter professionals for continuing education.


Ms. Herrera is a Foreclosure Attorney with McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC. She has invaluable experience in residential foreclosure, handling both uncontested and contested foreclosure representation.
Kristy Herrera was also named as a recipient of the Negocios Now Latinos 40 under 40 – Chicago 2019. https://negociosnow.com/negocios-now-announces-its-list-of-latinos-40-under-40-class-of-2019/
- University of Illinois, 2006
- DePaul University College of Law, 2010
- Chicago Bar Association
- Chicago Cares, Volunteer


The high burden of infectious diseases in developing countries establishes a vicious circle of poverty and ill health making it difficult to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015. The situation is further aggravated by dearth of high caliber Scientists in sub Saharan African countries.
Effective strategies for endemic diseases control in sub Saharan African countries will require a stable population of researchers and leaders with innovative ideas. To address this challenge, the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), University of Ghana with funding support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has instituted a Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, to train future research leaders who will contribute to infectious diseases control efforts.
The program seeks to train young African scientists toward building a critical mass for control of poverty-related diseases, equip them to compete effectively for international funding for biomedical research in Africa, offer them international exposure, and facilitate their networking and collaboration with other institutions.
Postdoctoral fellowship schemes have been used in affluent countries to further develop research competencies in young investigators. The scheme will also provide a stable population of young researchers with innovative ideas who will undergo mentorship at the NMIMR to a mix of basic, early and late translational research, with the intention to move from basic research to at least early Phase 1 /Phase II trials with drug studies.
The scheme will conduct research into these thematic areas: Malaria, Mycobacterial Infections (Buruli Ulcer and Tuberculosis), HIV/AIDS and Neglected Tropical Diseases (Onchocerciacis, Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections and Schistosomiasis).
The main objectives are to train young African post-doctoral candidates in an African environment with a view to:
- Providing the next generation of biomedical research leaders for disease control and prevention;
- Advancing the careers of trainees in biomedical research;
- Reversing the brain drain of qualified African scientists and thereby creating a critical mass of biomedical scientists on the continent; and
- Creating a model that can be replicated by other African institutions.
The above objectives thus aims at making a significant difference in health research efforts that would meet the challenges of diseases of poverty in Africa and contribute significantly to help attain the MDGs and also reduce brain drain in Africa.


August 31, 2023
From Furry Friends to Family Members: The Growing Trend of Pet Adoption
Pets have always held a special place in our hearts, providing companionship, love, and laughter to our lives. However, in recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of people choosing to adopt pets rather than buy them from breeders or pet shops. This growing trend of pet adoption signifies a shift in our society’s mindset – pets are no longer just furry friends but beloved family members.
One of the main reasons for this surge in pet adoption is the growing awareness and understanding of the need for animal rescue. Many shelters are overcrowded, and countless loving and deserving animals are waiting for a forever home. By adopting a pet, individuals become part of the solution, saving an animal’s life and giving them a second chance.
Adopting a pet is often seen as a win-win situation. Not only do animals get a loving home, but adopters also reap the benefits of companionship and unconditional love. Numerous studies have shown that pets can have a positive impact on our mental and physical well-being. They provide a sense of purpose, reduce stress, alleviate loneliness, and even lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Another contributing factor to the rise in pet adoption is the changing societal norms and lifestyles. With more people living alone or in smaller households, pets can fulfill the role of a family member, offering comfort and emotional support. As people work longer hours and balance increasingly demanding schedules, pets provide a constant source of joy and affection, without judgment or demands for attention.
Social media has also played a significant role in promoting the idea of adoption over buying. Platforms like Instagram and Facebook are flooded with heartwarming adoption stories, showcasing the happiness and fulfillment that adopting a pet can bring. These stories not only encourage others to follow suit but also help break the stigma around shelter animals, proving that they can be just as loving and well-behaved as their purebred counterparts.
Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated the adoption trend. With lockdowns and restrictions in place, people found themselves isolated and craving companionship. Many shelters saw an increase in adoption rates, as individuals looked for loyal and loving partners to navigate these challenging times together. Pets provided comfort, entertainment, and a sense of normalcy amidst the chaos.
As the trend of pet adoption continues to grow, it is crucial to emphasize the importance of responsible pet ownership. Adopting a pet should not be taken lightly but rather be considered a long-term commitment. Prospective adopters should do thorough research on the specific needs of different breeds or species, be prepared to invest time and resources in training and healthcare, and ensure that they can provide a stable and loving home environment.
In conclusion, the increased prevalence of pet adoption is a heartwarming trend, highlighting a shift in societal attitudes towards animals. From furry friends to treasured family members, pets are finding their forever homes through adoption. By adopting rather than buying, individuals not only save lives but also experience the countless benefits that come with having a loyal and loving companion. Let this growing trend remind us of the incredible joy and love that pets can bring into our lives.


We all know that weather predictions are often inaccurate. However, the national weather service is now forecasting very substantial to historic snowfall amounts for the D.C. area Friday into Saturday night or even Sunday morning, so it’s better safe than sorry!
Their current models suggest snow is most likely to begin between late morning and early afternoon Friday January 22, although a late afternoon onset isn’t out of the question.
Accumulation predictions are very substantial, as high as 30 inches in some cases, with more plausible totals in the 12 to 20 inch range.
To stay updated on DC weather emergency reports, click here to visit the DC Department of Human Services website. And if this does turn out to be a big one and you get snowed in, click here for information from the DC Department of Public Works on snow removal.
Good luck this weekend, stay safe, and stay warm!


The Same Sex Marriage Debate… Coming To A Head
BY GEORGE M. STARK, P.A.
The times are changing, as is the composition of the American family. The last vestiges of that which might be considered the norm, “Mom, Dad and the kids” may be coming to an end.
Change came slowly at first, as we adapted to both parents in the work force and sharing in the responsibilities of parenting. In the last 10 years, a virtual tidal wave of legislative enactments and judicial judgments have repealed or invalidated state laws restricting same sex couples access to marriage and marriage recognition.
The United States Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments this week, and will rule in the near future on the legality of bans imposed by states on same sex marriage. Factually, most states, including Florida, have done away with these bans, but approximately 17 states still ban marriage of two people of the same sex.
The Supreme Court will now address two questions that will have the effect of reshaping the American family as we know it: Are states required to issue marriage licenses to same sex couples, and if so, will same sex marriages conducted in one state be enforceable in another?
Without expressing an opinion on what the Court is likely to decide, it is evident that the ruling will have a far reaching impact, as these questions are of great constitutional and societal importance. In rendering its opinion, the Court will decide if the right to equal protection under the law, as guaranteed by the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution, applies to marriage between two people of the same sex.
Those in favor of state laws that ban same sex marriages will argue that the 14th Amendment does not apply to marital rights, and that marriage is a state function and should remain so. Those in favor of finding state laws that ban same sex marriage unconstitutional will argue that same sex couples should be entitled to the identical rights and protections under state law and the Constitution of the United States, and that to deny same sex couples these rights and protections, violates the 14th Amendment’s guarantee of liberty and equality for all persons.
It is predicted that this Supreme Court decision will be recognized as having great historical importance, as it will provide definition for marriage and family relationships that will shape American society in the 21st century.
Published on: Jun 2, 2016


In late November, EU Business School (EU) announced the latest addition to its impressive list of academic partnerships. EU signed an agreement with Boston’s Fisher College that expands its international footprint and enhances its ever-growing array of options from which students can choose. Heavily slanted toward global citizenship and cross-cultural experience, the leading business school now offers students the chance to spend two semesters studying at Fisher College and graduate with a BS in Management degree in addition to their EU qualification.
Both the options on offer at EU Business School and the recognition the academic institution receives have expanded recently. Over the past year, EU has sealed similar agreements with Pace University in New York, as well as the universities of Roehampton and Derby in the United Kingdom. As such, EU students have access to first-class, government-accredited institutions around the globe.
The variety of schools that EU partners with is also noteworthy. Some are leading research hotspots, while others have world-class faculty and deliver exceptional courses. What they all have in common is that they have all received official state accreditation within their respective countries. This represents a crucial advantage for EU Business School students, who can benefit from a domestically recognized qualification if they decide to stay and work in the U.S.A. or the U.K.; or would have a strong competitive advantage in their home country’s job market. This new opportunity is available to all EU Business School students from the Geneva, Montreux, Barcelona and Munich campuses.
Fisher College was founded in 1903 and offers an extensive range of subjects to study at undergraduate and graduate levels. It is an independent, non-profit educational institution and has received a multitude of recognitions throughout its history. The school focuses on recruiting top-notch faculty members and preparing its students for the real-world application of acquired knowledge.
EU Business School, for its part, is accredited by three distinctive bodies and quality assurance organizations and was ranked in the top 35 business schools in Europe. For years now, it has been expanding its geographical reach in order to foster a truly international academic culture and enable its students to study at multiple locations. This latest partnership is a welcome addition to its network of campuses and partners, which will also allow Fisher College to gain greater international recognition and visibility.


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There are two national political parties in the US that lay claim to the title Green. As you may have noticed, neither of them can claim to have helped elect any Green candidates recently. But that doesn't stop them fighting each other, rather like the feud in the Life of Brian between the Judaean Popular Front and the Popular Front of Judaea (splitters). Now the Green-on-Green rivalry has spilled over into intellectual property law.
After stymying the trademark application of the Green Party of the United States last year, the Greens/Green Party USA has filed its own application. It would like federal recogniton for the exclusive right to use its name as a trademark. Last year's TTAB decision held that the competing parties' marks are confusingly similar.
This is not the first time the Greens/Green Party USA has filed a trademark application. In filed once in February 1992 but failed to respon to an Office Action, so the USPTO deemed the application abandoned. It tried again in August 1994, only to abandon the application again.
Third time lucky? In March 2005, the Greens/Green Party USA filed another application. Much correspondence ensued.
But then, on April 5, 2011, the United States Patent & Trademark Office issued the Notice of Publication, which started the clock running on the 30-day opposition period. Will the Green Party of the United States file timely opposition? The clock is still ticking.


Championship manager Terry Francona teams up with Covidien, APIC and Massachusetts Health Leaders for "Strike Out Infection" event at Boston's Fenway Park
BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 24, 2008--Healthcare leaders in
Massachusetts, together with championship baseball manager Terry
Francona, met today at Fenway Park to discuss ways to reduce rates of
deadly Staph infections in the state.
The discussion follows the recent launch of the Strike Out
Infection campaign - a national initiative against Staph infections
led by Francona in partnership with Covidien Ltd., a leading global
healthcare products company based in Massachusetts, and the
Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology
In 2002, Francona contracted a Staph infection after routine
surgery and became seriously ill. "Unfortunately, many people like me
don't know about these infections or that there are ways to prevent
them. That's why I'm partnering with Covidien and APIC to launch
Strike Out Infection -- to raise awareness and educate people that
there are ways to prevent infections," Francona said.
Staph infections are caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria,
which generally enter the body through a cut or wound. In the
community, these infections can be spread by a shared towel, razor or
piece of sports equipment, or through skin-to-skin contact. An
increasing number of Staph bacteria are now resistant to powerful
antibiotics, such as methicillin, which has given rise to the deadly
strain, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
The Strike Out Infection campaign features
www.strikeoutinfection.com, an online resource where people can learn
more about deadly infections, ways to prevent them and who is at risk
of becoming infected.
Today's event in Boston, which was attended by nurses, infection
control specialists, educators and athletic trainers, brings
significant awareness to this issue. In addition to Francona, the
panel of speakers at the meeting included Peter J. Koutoujian, House
Chairman of the Joint Committee on Public Health; John Auerbach, M.D.,
M.P.H., Commissioner of the Department of Public Health; Maureen
Spencer, R.N., M.Ed., CIC of APIC and Infection Control Manager, New
England Baptist Hospital; David Fink, Covidien Director of Research
and Development, Advanced Wound Care; and Alan Block, M.D., of Ohio
State University Medical Center.
A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) estimates that, in 2005, there were 94,000 cases of
invasive MRSA in the U.S. that caused nearly 19,000 deaths.(1) In
2007, APIC released results from the first nationwide MRSA prevalence
study, which showed infection rates to be eight times greater than
previous estimates. The APIC study was the first to measure rates of
both MRSA infection and colonization (patients carrying and able to
transmit MRSA) to determine MRSA prevalence more accurately.(2)
"Decreasing MRSA and other infections is a high priority in
Boston, and there is already a lot of work under way on this front,"
said Spencer. "The continued collaboration of these healthcare leaders
will be of paramount importance in fighting the spread of MRSA."
Surgeons and nurses take painstaking care preparing for surgery by
following strict infection control procedures, including washing their
hands, carefully preparing a sterile operating room environment, and
ensuring the use of sterile surgical instruments and materials. It's
important that people become informed about hospital infection
prevention measures by asking their hospital questions about these
programs and the professionals that lead them. Additionally, people
should practice good hand hygiene and talk to their doctor about how
to protect against infection, such as using antiseptic skin cleansers
and antibiotic dressings that protect areas of the skin that have been
"The Campaign to Strike-Out Infection represents an effort by
public health stakeholders to raise awareness about the growing threat
of staph infections while promoting innovative practices intended to
reduce or eliminate them," Koutoujian said. "I am proud to support
"The emergence of infections that are resistant to numerous
antibiotics has prompted researchers and infectious disease experts to
mobilize and develop new and effective ways to prevent wound
infections," said David Fink, Director of Research and Development,
Covidien. "Through this partnership, we continue our dedication to
leading the discussion about prevention of infectious disease and
raising public awareness."
For more information on the Strike Out Infection campaign,
including cities and dates for local awareness events, visit
APIC's mission is to improve health and patient safety by reducing
risks of infection and other adverse outcomes. The Association's
nearly 12,000 members have primary responsibility for infection
prevention, control and hospital epidemiology in health care settings
around the globe. APIC advances its mission through education,
research, collaboration, practice guidance, public policy, and
credentialing. Visit APIC online at www.apic.org.
ABOUT COVIDIEN LTD.
Covidien is a leading global healthcare products company that
creates innovative medical solutions for better patient outcomes and
delivers value through clinical leadership and excellence. Covidien
manufactures, distributes and services a diverse range of
industry-leading product lines in five segments: Medical Devices,
Pharmaceutical Products, Imaging Solutions, Medical Supplies and
Retail Products. With 2007 revenue of $10 billion, Covidien has more
than 43,000 employees worldwide in 57 countries, and its products are
sold in over 130 countries. Please visit www.covidien.com to learn
more about our business.
(2) Jarvis, William R., Schlosser, JoAnn, Chinn, Raymond Y.,
Tweeten, Samantha, and Jackson, Marguerite, (2007). National
prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in
inpatients at US health care facilities, 2006. American Journal of
Infection Control, 2007; 35: 631-637.
CONTACT: David Young
Media Relations Manager, Covidien
SOURCE: Covidien Ltd.


No one anticipated the onset of the coronavirus pandemic last year and how it brought massive effects to the real state market. However, the Toronto housing market proved to be resilient as it started to recover toward the end of the second quarter of 2020. There have also been noticeable changes in buyer’s preferences in terms of location and type of housing. Here is a snapshot of the market activity concerning home prices in the previous year.
Now that we are at the start of this new year, you might have wondered what is in store for the Toronto housing market in 2021? Let’s take a look at the following essential factors such as home prices, demand, immigration, condo sales as well as how the continuing pandemic might affect this year’s projections.
Buyers’ demand shifts to detached homes outside the city
It can’t be denied that the previous year has been tough and most of us experienced huge changes like never before. The students shifted to online classes, many workers now work at home, cancelled gatherings and community events as well as limitations on travels and movement for some people.
With most of their time spent inside their homes, it is no wonder if people will start to long for bigger and greener spaces. After all, there is less need now to live close within the city core given that remote work is now an option for most employees. Because of this increasing demand for detached suburban homes, this year’s housing market (other than the condo) is expected to favour sellers.
Home prices are expected to increase by 6%
As mentioned above, there has been a significant increase in buyers’ demand for homes with bigger spaces often found outside the city. Last November 2020, there has been a 13.3% increase in average selling price compared to the same month in 2019. Also, home sales jumped to 24.3% compared to the same month in 2019 and most of these sales are for detached homes.
It is expected that this trend will continue this year which will result in a shortage of home supplies and ultimately lead to increased home prices. In fact, average home prices are expected to increase by 6% to approximately $974,015 across all property types according to RE/MAX.
The condo market favours buyers
As people crave more space and outdoor opportunities outside the city, there has been a notable slowdown in condo sales. Compared to the housing market for detached homes, the condo market favours buyers. This presents a great opportunity for those who are renting and have been thinking about buying their own home for some time. With less demand, there is an abundance of condo supplies which helps keep the prices down.
However, don’t delay for too long. There are government programs and low-interest rates to help the condo market start rolling again. This year, it is expected that the condo market will start to slowly recover as immigrants and students start to arrive because of the easing restrictions. Let’s learn more about it below.
A targeted increase in immigration
Because of COVID-19, there was a drop in newcomers due to travel restrictions. However, Canada aims to welcome more than 400,000 immigrants starting this year and as high as 421,000 by 2023. This will be the highest level of immigration in its history, the previous record was in 1913 with 401,000 newcomers. The main reason for this high immigration is to balance the negative economic effects of its aging population and low birth rate.
Most of the immigrants that come into the country settle in the Toronto area. As a result, there will likely be an increased demand for housing especially for condominiums based on their affordability for first-time homebuyers as well as rentals. In fact, there are already bidding wars happening in some areas of Toronto. This multiple offers situation drives the housing market in favour of the sellers.
How the pandemic will continue to affect the housing market
The pandemic has brought drastic effects to the market, and these effects might linger for some time. It has certainly affected the way buyers make decisions in choosing the size and location of their homes and how investors consider and assess the risks in the Toronto real estate market given how the rental market and pricing were greatly affected.
There is still a continuous struggle to contain the coronavirus infection, but with the release of the vaccine and some candidates have reported favorable results, it is probable that people will begin to relax and start to resume their pre-pandemic routines. If there won’t be a third wave of the infection, it is likely that the housing market will see the usual productivity in spring.
Basically, the wild card is the Coronavirus and it is difficult to determine for sure how the market will turn out this year. However, the observable trends in buyer’s preferences and changes in lifestyle indicate how it will drive the real estate market. As mentioned earlier, the market for detached homes favours sellers as increased demand for bigger spaces resulted in a shortage of supplies and price hikes. On the other hand, the condo market favours buyers as the plentiful number of listings help steady the price for condo properties. Now might be your golden opportunity to buy or invest in the condo market.
If you have any question about Toronto housing market or need help buying your new home, contact me at 647-834-9928 or send an email to email@example.com


Morten Balle, EPA, is new managing partner in Protector from March 2016. Morten is one of the founding partners of Protector and has long experience in advising clients in IPR, and especially patent related questions.
The London Agreement is accepted in Norway and the Norwegian Patent Act is amended accordingly.
We are proud to announce the following new internal partner promotions in Protector:
Eli-Ann has for more than 15 years been working with legal and strategic consulting for Norwegian and foreign companies related to developing, establishing, managing and enforcing their intellectual property rights.
From 1st April 2013 the newly established Board of Appeal for Industrial Rights (BoA) started its work. The new BoA takes over the tasks and all pending cases from the previous Second Department of the Patent Office. The aim is to shorten the prosecution time.
We are proud to announce that Krister Mindrebøe has become an equity partner of Protector IP Consultants AS.
The international trademark publication World Trademark Review has once again ranked Protector as one of the top tier trademark firms in Norway.
The professional journal «Intellectual Asset Management» (IAM) points out Protector as a highly recommended firm in Norway within patent prosecution.
We are pleased to announce that Protector IP Consultants has achieved the highest possible ranking in Managing Intellectual Property (MIP) magazine's "Patent Survey 2012".
Protector Intellectual Property Consultants are proud to inform that we have been ranked among Norway's top firms in the World Trademark Review WTR 1000


Each year, Bloor Street United Church hosts the Craddock Lecture, a chance for a distinguished guest to take over the pulpit to speak about spiritual issues to the congregation, students and the general public. This year's Craddock lecture will be delivered on October 28th by Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish.
Dr. Abuelaish is a Palestinian medical doctor and
an Associate Professor at the Dalla Lana
School of Public Health at the University of Toronto. He has received worldwide recognition for disavowal of hatred and revenge in the face of appalling personal tragedy. He will be delivering the sermon, and answering questions after the service.
The lecture is open to all, and is free.
More on Dr Abuelaish
Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, MD, MPH, is a Palestinian medical doctor who was born and raised in Jabalia Refugee Camp in the Gaza Strip. He is a passionate and eloquent proponent of peace between Palestinians and Israelis and has dedicated his life to using health as a vehicle for peace. He has succeeded despite all odds through a great determination of spirit, a strong faith, and a stalwart belief in hope and family.
He received his elementary, preparatory and secondary education in the refugee camp schools, followed by a scholarship to study medicine in Cairo, Egypt and a diploma in Obstetrics and Gynecology from the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of London, UK. From 1997-2002, Dr. Abuelaish completed his residency in at the Soroka University hospital in Beer Sheva, Israel followed by a subspecialty in Fetal medicine in Italy and Belgium, and a Master in Public Health (Health Policy and Management) from Harvard University. He is the first Palestinian doctor to receive an appointment in Medicine at an Israeli hospital.
Through his work he has had the opportunity to experience the impacts of conflict in countries like Palestine, Egypt, Israel, Uganda, Yemen, Afghanistan, and Saudi Arabia. Working as both an insider and outsider to conflict led him to consider doctors as peace-makers by the moral doctrine of their profession. His work as both a healthcare practitioner and a peace advocate mobilizes health as a tool for peace. Dr. Abuelaish has been an important figure in Israeli-Palestinian relations for years, working in Israeli hospitals, treating Israeli and Palestinian patients with the full belief that health is an engine for the journey to peace.
Dr. Abuelaish has overcome many personal hardships, including poverty, violence, and the horrific tragedy of his three daughters’ and niece’s deaths in the 2009 Gaza War. He continues to live up to the description bestowed upon him by an Israeli colleague, as a “magical, secret bridge between Israelis and Palestinians”. He is now one of the most outspoken, prominent and beloved researchers, educators and public speakers on peace and development in the Middle East. Despite his personal losses his doctrine is that hate is not a response to war. Rather, open communication, understanding, hope and compassion are the tools to bridge the divide between Israeli and Palestinian interests.
Dr. Abuelaish’s impact on peace-seeking communities is exceptional. He has been invited to give speeches at the Canadian House of Commons, the American Congress, the Chilean Senate and Parliament, the European Parliament at Place Du Luxembourg in Brussels, Belgium, the State Department, and Forum 2000 in Prague. He has been interviewed by major media outlets and personalities in dozens of countries including interviews with Christiane Amanpour, Anderson Cooper, Sir David Frost, Zeinab Badawi on BBC News Hard Talk, Fox News Channel (FOX), Al Arabiya News, London’s The Telegraph, ABC, TVO, The Globe and Mail, The Economist, The New York Times, Vanity Fair, the Boston Globe, People Magazine, and CNN. In addition, he has given speeches all over the world in academic institutions, universities, and organizations in Canada, USA, Europe, Africa, and Austral-Asia.
For more information on Dr Abuelaish, please visit his website:http://www.daughtersforlife.com/foundation/the-founder/
His book can purchased at most book stores, and is also for sale at Bloor Street United Church, at the information table, during coffee hour after the Sunday church service.
Getting HereBloor Street United Church is located at
the corner of Bloor Street and Huron Street
just one block west of the St George Subway station.
300 Bloor Street West,
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Turkey has recently announced new rules and regulations for obtaining a residence permit in the country. These new rules will come into effect in 2023, and they aim to streamline the application process and make it easier for foreign nationals to obtain a residence permit in Turkey.
One of the most significant changes is that the residence permit will be granted for a maximum of two years instead of the previous one year. This means that foreigners will not have to renew their permits as frequently, reducing the bureaucratic burden on them. Additionally, the new rules will enable foreigners to apply for a longer-term residence permit for up to five years if they meet certain requirements.
What are the changes made to residence permit in 2023?
Another important change is that the rules will allow foreign nationals to apply for a work permit simultaneously with their residence permit application. Previously, applicants had to obtain their residence permit before applying for a work permit, causing delays and difficulties in finding employment. This change will make it easier for foreigners to start working in Turkey as soon as they arrive.
The new rules also aim to simplify the application process by introducing an online application system. Foreigners will be able to apply for their residence permit online and receive their permit by email, reducing the time and effort required for in-person applications.
What are the requirements?
The new rules will also introduce a stricter enforcement of the requirement for foreigners to have health insurance while residing in Turkey. This requirement was already in place, but the new rules will ensure that all applicants have health insurance coverage that meets certain minimum standards.
Finally, the new rules will also require foreign nationals to provide biometric data (fingerprints and a photograph) as part of their application process. This data will be stored in a central database and used to verify the identity of applicants in the future. Overall, the new rules for obtaining a residence permit in Turkey are aimed at making the process more efficient and less burdensome for foreign nationals. These changes will provide more opportunities for foreigners to work and reside in Turkey, helping to boost the country’s economy and cultural diversity.


AMD unveiled its new generation of CPUs last August 29th, 2022: the Ryzen 7000 processors that are based on the new Zen 4 architecture and are made using the TSMC 5 nm FinFET lithography process.
These CPUs use a new socket (AM5) and the 5200 MT/s DDR5 RAM standard. They will therefore require a new motherboard as well as new memory modules. AMD has announced so far four CPUs that will become available on Septembre 27th, 2022:
- Ryzen 5 7600X with 6 Cores/12 Threads and a boost frequency up to 5.3 GHz.
- Ryzen 7 7700X with 8 Cores/16 Threads and a boost frequency up to 5.4 GHz.
- Ryzen 9 7900X with 12 Cores/24 Threads and a boost frequency up to 5.6 GHz.
- Ryzen 9 7950X with 16 Cores/32 Threads and a boost frequency up to 5.7 GHz.
The new Zen 4 CPUs have twice the amount of L2 cache per core compared to the previous generation (1 MB instead of 512 KB) and the new 5 nm lithography process allows them to reach higher frequencies. AMD claims a 13% IPC (instructions per clock) gain over the previous generation and a 29% single thread performance gain. These four CPUs are part of the new Raphael family and are equipped with a Radeon RDNA 2 integrated GPU with 2 Compute Units and therefore they will not require a discrete graphic card as long as you don’t use them to play modern video games.
The post AMD has announced the new Ryzen 7000 CPUs appeared first on EatYourBytes


We are excited to announce that the EFA’s (https://www.efa-eu.com/) members have unanimously voted to accept Jellylearn as an Affiliate member to the organisation. Over the last couple of years we have been discussing how we could help the EFA achieve their goal of introducing Hazard Perception (HP) testing as part of a driving licencing system throughout Europe to improve road safety. EFA have thousands of driving school members throughout Europe, they see the introduction of HP testing as an important step in improving the driving skills of young and learner drivers. Furthermore, where classroom based training is mandated in EU countries drivers can gain valuable skills on how to spot developing hazards before they even start to drive on the roads.
EFA General Secretary Manuel Picardi commented .
“EFA is proud to be partnering with JellyLearn to try to introduce a high quality Hazard Perception(HP)test in all European Countries. HP testing is an evidence based solution for reducing road traffic accidents amongst young drivers by up to 11%. With the addition of Jelly Learns’ experience and expertise we are confident that together we can achieve this important goal in the next few years and revise Directive 2006/126 EC and improve road safety across Europe”.


In April 2017, the American Occupational Therapy Association celebrated the 100th Anniversary of Occupational Therapy and Dynamic Kids couldn’t wait to join in! Celebrating this milestone gave our Occupational Therapists the opportunity to celebrate their profession and how far they have come. Pediatric OT’s focus on self-regulation, executive function, sensory processing and motor planning all with the goal of helping children to perform everyday activities to their highest potential.
Dynamic Kids engaged in a project we called, ‘100 Hearts for 100 Years’. The project entailed having our students sew and stuff 100 heart pillows to be donated to United for the Troops, a non-profit organization dedicated to serving those who selflessly serve our country.
On April 20th, along with the pillows, children and staff members presented cards and letters of thanks and appreciation to a representative from United for the Troops. Our efforts were captured in a community column of a local weekly newspaper and we couldn’t be more proud!


America doesn’t need college football or any sport right now. What America needs above all else is to save lives by mitigating the novel coronavirus pandemic. With over 5 million positive cases and many well respected public health officials asserting the numbers are likely up to 10 times higher due to a lack of nationwide testing, and nearly 164,000 confirmed deaths as of yesterday (Wednesday, Aug. 12) morning, having sports is a luxury, not a priority.
On Tuesday, presidents of Big Ten schools voted to postpone the college football season for the fall as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Pac-12 soon followed by also delaying the start of their season until at least 2021.
“I’ve said it from the first day that I started at the Big Ten, that the health, the safety, the wellness—both physical and mental—for our student-athletes was going to be at the top of my list,” Kevin Warren, commissioner of the Big Ten, stated to the Big Ten Network after the decision by the schools’ presidents. “The Big Ten will always put the mental and physical health and safety and wellness of our student-athletes at the center.”
The Big Ten and Pac-12 are part of the Power Five conferences, the most prominent and highest revenue-generating conference in college football. The remaining Power Five conferences—the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), Big 12 and Southeastern Conference—have not yet joined the Big Ten and Pac-12 in tabling the fall season.
Not all coaches agreed with the decision, including University of Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh. “We have shown over the weeks since returning to campus that we could meet the challenge and provide our student-athletes the opportunity of a fall football season,” wrote Harbaugh in a tweet in response to the Big Ten’s determination. He went on to say, “I am extremely proud, thankful and appreciative of our team and how they have conducted and represented our program and university.”
Conversely, there are ominous examples in which coronavirus has already proved to be a vicious and relentless opponent of strict protocols. On July 25, Rutgers University, a Big Ten school, shut down all football related activities and quarantined the entire program after 10 members—players and staff—tested positive for COVID-19.
It came on the heels of another Big Ten school, Michigan State, sending its football program into quarantine on Friday, Aug. 7, after one student-athlete and one staff member tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Ohio State also shut down its voluntary offseason workouts briefly last month.


Celebration of 64th Wildlife Week
2nd October to 8th October 2018
Theme: “Big Cats – Predators Under Threat”
As part of the 64th Wildlife Week Celebration, the Nagaland State Biodiversity Board (NSBB) organised a field trip to Khonoma Village Nature Conservation and Tragopan Sanctuary with the Interns (for People’s Biodiversity Register –PBR preparation) and Khonoma BMC members on 8th October 2018. The Trekking groups were joined by the guests from Assam State Biodiversity Board.
The trip commenced towards the Village – Khonoma at 11:00 AM from the Forest Office Complex and reached the village gate at 12:45 PM. The team was met by the Khonoma BMC members at the gate and there on trekked towards Khonoma Nature Conservation & Tragopan Sanctuary. On reaching the sanctuary area, the BMC secretary deliberated on the conservation activities and issues in the area. By 3:30 PM, the team headed down to the KNCTS Hall where the 64th Wildlife Week was celebrated on the theme “Big Cats – Predators under threat” with the leaders and members of various organisation (Village Council, Women Organisation, Youth Organisation, Students’ Union, and Khonoma Village Nature Conservation & Tragopan Sanctuary Trust) of the Khonoma village. The semi-formal program was chaired by Shri. Neizokhotuo Belho, Techinal Executive cum Consultant, NSBB. A short speech was delivered by the resource person Dr. Oinam Sunanda Devi, Scientific Officer, Assam State Biodiversity Board. Mr. Khriekhoto Mor, Chairman KNCTS shared a brief history of the sanctuary. The event was sucessfully hosted by Khonoma Village Biodiversity Management Committee in collaboration with the Nagaland State Biodiversity Board (NSBB).


After 3 months of training from professional psychologists, students at a school for the deaf in Ukraine learned new methods for communicating as well as practical skills for assimilating into society after graduation--a difficult task for anyone with a disability in Ukraine, due to negative social stigma. At the end of the 3 months of training, the students attended a seminar about Volunteerism conducted by myself. Immediately after the seminar, the students participated in a Service Learning Project where they put Volunteerism into action by beautifying their schoolyard. The deaf students were joined in their beautifcation efforts by non-deaf student volunteers from a local business college, with whom the deaf students had a chance to practice their newfound communication and assimilation skills. Simultaneously, the business students learned to be more accepting of their disabled peers. The picture included shows the students during one of the training sessions.


BOP Steam Rollers compete with the best in NZ
Some of the country's best wheelchair rugby players went head-to-head this weekend for the 2019 NZ Wheelchair Rugby National Championship.
Well done to the Parafed Bay of Plenty Steam Rollers on their 4th place finish. The team fought until the end of every game giving 100% effort. A special congratulations to the Steam Rollers Australian import Cameron Whittaker for claiming the trophy of best in class for the 2.5 classification.
Thanks again to Pub Charity Ltd for making it possible for the Steam Rollers to compete in the tournament
Check out the full story here at Stuff.co.nz.


April 12, 2022
The Jackson Family’s MR340 Adventures
Claire and Steve Jackson shared their MR340 adventures on and off the river, an paddling race that spans the state of Missouri.
March 8, 2022
The Big Muddy Clean Sweep: Living on the River, for the River
Missouri River Relief’s very own Alyssa Thomas shared the story of the Big Muddy Clean Sweep for March 2022’s presentation.
February 8, 2022
Steamboat Disasters of the Lower Missouri River
Online Presentation by Historian and Author James Erwin
February 8th we were joined by author James Erwin to discuss the impressive engineering and fragile nature of steamboat travel on the Lower Missouri River.
January 11, 2022
Missouri DNR Works for Healthy Rivers
Online Presentation by Kansas City Regional Director Karen Rouse and Water Protection Director Chris Wieberg, Mo. Dept. of Natural Resources
We were joined by two directors at the Mo. Dept. of Natural Resources who discussed couple of ongoing programs that the Mo. Dept. of Natural Resources is involved in that work to solve issues faced by the Missouri River and the larger Mississippi River Watershed.


Toyota Forklifts of Atlanta Receives Toyota's Prestigious President's Award for 2014
March 12th, 2015 - Three consecutive years of high achievement for the World's #1 Forklift Manufacturer
Toyota Forklifts of Atlanta, a multi-year winner of the President's Award is proud to announce that we have once again been awarded the highly esteemed Toyota President’s Award – for the 3rd straight year!
“Toyota’s President Award represents the highest caliber of work performed on behalf of our distinguished network body,” said Jeff Rufener, president of TMHU. “We congratulate this year’s President’s Award winners for their ongoing commitment to delivering excellence in sales, customer service and aftermarket support.” In order to achieve this award, dealerships must demonstrate an un-bending commitment to the customer through superior service in all facets of dealership operations. From the signage on our buildings to the way we deliver our parts, every interaction with the customer must meet Toyota's stringent quality standards. We are all very proud to have worked so hard with our customers to earn this distinction.
Each year, Toyota Material Handling U.S.A. (TMHU) honors its top dealers with the prestigious award, in recognition of excellence in parts and equipment sales, service, customer satisfaction and overall dealership operations.