Is our life open and willing to do the Master's will?
In today's world it is easy to get distracted and move away from what our Master wants for our life. We have our own ideas of what career path we want to follow, how we want to appear to other people, and in doing so live a life that may hide who we really are and who God want us to be.
It can be incredibly difficult to be ourselves, to be who God made us to be. We may hide our true colours because it has caused us pain in the past. Naturally we want to protect ourselves from being hurt again. The movement away from dishonoring God's creation and accepting His true version of us as He saw us before we were born, is a journey of courage, self acceptance, and freedom. It will strip away the layers and make us holy and ready for every good work.
God made us all for a purpose. It is our duty as followers of Christ to find out what that purpose is. Only then can we be a vessel for honorable use. The clutter that we have filled our temples with can only be thrown out through the power of the Holy Spirit as it is only He who can delve into the secrets of our hidden rooms and bring healing and peace to us and ultimately make us holy.
We must all want to be useful to the Master. He is our creator, and as a writer plans out his/her story, so the Master has planned out our own unique page turner. We are hero's and heroine's who have an important role to play in this world. When we follow our own story line and disregard the Master's plot we move away from the glorious future that God has for us. Each moment or step that we take away from God's design for us takes us away from holiness and our own special calling.
God made us right down to the colour of our hair. He did not make a mistake when he formed us. Every little detail was thought out carefully so that it could be used for His honour and glory.
So do we rejoice at the way we look or do we hide it? Do we celebrate our differences or do we reject them? Do we thank God for his vision of us or do we shrink away unhappy with what we see in the mirror?
If we do then we dishonor His creation. In our rejection of ourselves we open the door to other grievances. We ask God why did he do this, or why did he do that? We look at the physical instead of the spiritual. We block the path of the Master who already sees us as perfect.
Therefore before we can become useful to the Master we need healing. To be set free of our perception of what is beautiful and to see through the eyes of the greatest Potter who formed us.
When we are cleansed of our judgement which has been molded by the world and its hurts, we can move into the Love of the Father who can then restore us and use us for His works.
His beauty will then shine through us and there is nothing more beautiful than the Love of Christ expressing itself through one of His creations.
So my prayer today is that we embrace who we are in our naked form with no adornments or alterations. That we empty ourselves completely and desire only to be filled up with God's perception of who we are. That we relinquish our dishonorable, misguided and self filled goals and ask God what His plan is for our life, so that we can be honorable and useful to the Master.
And lastly, that we celebrate the person that God made, because in his making of us he carefully chose the colours and tones to make YOU. Be proud of who God made.
When I got married and had three children I did not know that this scripture reading would be so important. I thought it was about the world and did not realize that in fact it would impact upon my home, the place where I felt safe and secure. The place where I could be myself and have some peace from the demands of the day. This was a naive assumption as over the years the 'battlefield' has become routed in my home. The mighty powers and evil rulers of the unseen world have edged their way through my front door attaching themselves to comments, prejudices, actions, teen attitudes and friendships. Not only that the TV and other media sources have invaded my belief systems and been a source of battles as my teenagers try to grapple with the world and all its lures. Schools with their political correctness have tried to water down religion, morals and parental values through weak religious education. Indeed I found out recently that my youngest is going to be taught 'Religion' by an atheist!
Two of my children no longer take what I believe in as something they want to follow. They would prefer to be free of religion and just be like all of their friends who do not go to church. They do not see the value of a belief system as it appears to get in the way of what they want to do. Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil.
I am standing my ground, and showing through my love and actions that God is the most important authority in my life. I pray constantly for my family, asking the Holy Spirit to take authority over their life. I pray into their friendships, asking God to bring faithful servants of His Kingdom to walk along side them. I have handed over my children to God's loving care as the battle against unseen forces continues to rage in my house. I read scripture and put on every piece my armor daily. And I love till it hurts, knowing that I am not alone in this battle.
Being a parent has never been easy, but with respect and a disrespect for authority being at an all time low, it is even more important to put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.
With teenage girls not believing that they need to respect their own bodies and thinking that sleeping around is 'okay' as it doesn't hurt anyone, I fear for the consequences of this attitude. This lack of respect for ones own temple is very sad and plays into the hands of unseen forces.
I am so grateful that we already have the Victory in Christ Jesus and no matter what, He, will remain faithful to all my family. However I shall never stop loving or praying for them that their eyes will be opened to the freedom that God offers them. God's spirit is within them and He will never let them go. Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
John 17:23 I am in them as you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.
Wow, wow, wow. Jesus is praying for us so that we may know that we are loved as much by the Father as Jesus is. Jesus' own words. That the world (being you and me) will know that you (God) love them as much as you love me (Jesus).
We are loved by God as much as Jesus is.
That is one awesome statement. I am loved as much as Jesus is.
Me, broken, a sinner, who has issues with trust, love, authority, commitment, low self esteem, who has made little of my life, is loved as much as Jesus is. Jesus who is God's own son, Heir, Prince, of Royal Blood, Saviour, Beloved of God. This is mind blowing.
This is the God of my life, my Father in Heaven, Lover of all mankind. He loves me no more or less than he loves His own son.
Praise God. This is life changing stuff. If this knowledge does not change your life then what can? This fact repeated over and over and drawn into your heart and soul and ruminated on will bring about miracles in your everyday situations.
Mark 11:24 I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you've received it, it will be yours.
John 14:13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.
That promise means us. We are sons and daughters of God. When our spirit is in alignment with God's we can expect miracles, answers to prayer to be a daily occurrence.


In I. Quarter Liberated Solutions had stockholder deficit.
Within Healthcare Facilities industry Liberated Solutions, Inc. achieved lowest Total Debt to Equity. While total ranking remained unchanged compare to previous quarter at no. .
Where is LIBE most successful ?


You Are Here features immersive art installations by 14 contemporary artists, including large-scale light works, sound installations, video works, mixed-media room-size environments, and site-specific projects. Some are delightfully low-tech, transforming ordinary materials into awe-inspiring visuals, while others make use of experimental new media, fusing art and technology in interactive works that change in response to the viewer. The artists in this exhibition employ a diversity of media to create intriguing experiences that engage the senses, activate the imagination, and provide connections between the viewer and the work of art.
You Are Here presents pioneering video, light, and sound installations by Bill Viola, James Turrell, Janet Cardiff, Olafur Eliasson, and Ragnar Kjartansson. Works by Rafael Lozano Hemmer, Jim Campbell, and Theo Eshetu use experimental, cutting-edge technology; custom electronics; and digital media. Mixed-media installations by Anila Quayyum Agha, Soo Sunny Park, Mickalene Thomas, and Heather Gordon use low-tech, nontraditional materials. You Are Here also takes visitors outdoors in the Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park to explore projects by OMAi/Markus Doringer, Sam Falls, and others.
The artists featured in this exhibition create immersive, participatory, responsive, and dynamic works of art. Investigating perception, perspective, and interaction, they create engaging and transformative experiences for the viewer, encouraging visitors to roam— physically, visually, intellectually, emotionally, and metaphorically.
This exhibition takes over an entire floor of the NCMA's temporary exhibition galleries and also transforms the landscape in the Museum Park, creating a campus-wide presentation of contemporary experiential art.
The Museum Park is open daily, including holidays, dawn to dusk. The Museum is closed on some holidays.


text:
news, national,
In the lead up to World AIDS Day on December 1, residents at risk of contracting HIV across NSW are encouraged to get tested. As Australia opens up, now is a good time for the community to speak to a healthcare professional about HIV testing and prevention options available to them. NSW Health Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said the state had made great progress in the virtual elimination of the virus however testing rates are down from last year, driven by the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic. "We've come a long way over the last 40 years and have many new tools to help prevent HIV transmission including effective HIV treatment, condoms, sterile injecting equipment, and prevention medication - PrEP," Dr Chant said. "Early testing and diagnosis linked to treatment prevents transmission and enables people living with HIV to enjoy a long and healthy life." IN OTHER NEWS: From January to September 2021, 141 NSW residents were diagnosed with HIV, a decrease of 31 per cent compared to the average for the last five years. This decline was likely driven by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and restricted movement, as people remained at home. HIV and Related Programs (HARP) Manager Alison Nikitas said appointments at sexual health services in Queanbeyan, Goulburn, Eurobodalla and Bega could be made by calling 1800 999 880. "As we start to open up, it is essential that at risk people get tested now. People can get tested easily and confidentially at their local GP or sexual health service," she said. "Online and home-based testing options include Dried Blood Spot test, a free finger prick test which is mailed to you, and ATOMO self-test kits will be available in pharmacies soon." The NSW HIV Strategy 2021-2025 aims to achieve a 90 per cent reduction in the rate of preventable HIV infection to achieve the virtual elimination of HIV transmission in NSW. In 2021-22 the NSW Government is investing $23.7 million in services to strengthen HIV testing, treatment, and prevention.
/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/C5T5utnEbuCCVHhsQW5GNd/29bc33f7-3643-45c2-8db1-11825562bd67.jpg/r2_80_916_596_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg
Prevention, testing and treatment: The key to HIV elimination
In the lead up to World AIDS Day on December 1, residents at risk of contracting HIV across NSW are encouraged to get tested.
As Australia opens up, now is a good time for the community to speak to a healthcare professional about HIV testing and prevention options available to them.
NSW Health Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said the state had made great progress in the virtual elimination of the virus however testing rates are down from last year, driven by the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We've come a long way over the last 40 years and have many new tools to help prevent HIV transmission including effective HIV treatment, condoms, sterile injecting equipment, and prevention medication - PrEP," Dr Chant said.
"Early testing and diagnosis linked to treatment prevents transmission and enables people living with HIV to enjoy a long and healthy life."
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Why genetic carrier screening is essential
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From January to September 2021, 141 NSW residents were diagnosed with HIV, a decrease of 31 per cent compared to the average for the last five years.
This decline was likely driven by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and restricted movement, as people remained at home.
HIV and Related Programs (HARP) Manager Alison Nikitas said appointments at sexual health services in Queanbeyan, Goulburn, Eurobodalla and Bega could be made by calling 1800 999 880.
"As we start to open up, it is essential that at risk people get tested now. People can get tested easily and confidentially at their local GP or sexual health service," she said.
"Online and home-based testing options include Dried Blood Spot test, a free finger prick test which is mailed to you, and ATOMO self-test kits will be available in pharmacies soon."
The NSW HIV Strategy 2021-2025 aims to achieve a 90 per cent reduction in the rate of preventable HIV infection to achieve the virtual elimination of HIV transmission in NSW.
In 2021-22 the NSW Government is investing $23.7 million in services to strengthen HIV testing, treatment, and prevention.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


It is all know that Indian mid-size sedan segment was driven Honda City few years ago but after launching a lot of fuel efficient and premium same segment cars in India, the popular beast will soon lose its charm. The major drawback of the vehicle is that there no diesel version option, meanwhile, due to rising petrol prices Indian customers are going for fuel economical diesel cars.
The second point of Honda City's charm lose it is that the company has hiked its prices at unexpected level. It is fully wrong that after Union Budget the company has hiked the City prices twice time and the beast got a price increase of up to 20K which is fully unacceptable.
Overall, due to draw back of diesel model and high increase in price, customer are going for Nissan Sunny, Volkswagen Vento, New Maruti Swift Dzire, Hyundai Verna etc. new models which are reliable and offer fuel economical diesel engine option at very competitive price range.
Honda City mileage is poor compare than newly launching sedans.


The new 2017 Kia Forte comes with a cutting edge design and offers a lot of values. Its appeal is further enhanced by its features of vertigo, like an extended warranty coverage, a spacious interior for both coupe and sedan, easy to use controls, many standard features, and powerful engines both 2017 Kia Forte SX and EX versions. The 2017 Kia Forte release date should be scheduled later in the first half of 2017, at least according to various industry reports and the media. 2017 Kia Forte has long been the preferred choice for many people looking to accelerate full of life, a comfortable cabin, quality materials, and contemporary looks, all included in an attractive design package that requires no break bank or draw on funds from the education of their children. His versatility is also something to give credit as it comes in three iterations: sedan, coupe and sedan.
The new sedan has a stylish exterior inspired by his sister's 2016 Kia Optima. Like its sister hatch, the 2017 Kia Forte sedan will feature a barbecue tiger nose was stretched to touch the edges of the headlights. LED spotlights contact tower section between the front fenders flanking. The result of these changes is an aspect before more fluid. The new look 2017 Kia Forte and joined Optima in terms of design language. At the rear, the taillights characteristics of vehicles with optional LED lighting for LX and S ornaments but LED is standard on the EX trim. The new S Series features a sport-tuned suspension, LED DRL, chrome exhaust tip and rear spoiler. The LX and S MIC mounted on alloy wheels of 16 inches, while the EX overlaps alloy wheels of 17 inches. The EX also adds lighting perimeter approach and lighting pocket door.
LX levels and finish S will feature improved cloth upholstery on the seats. The S adjustment will have exclusive black fabric with white contrast stitching on the seats. Wheel speed change and adjustment direction S are wrapped in leather. The top finishing EX cab is the most luxurious leather seats, heated front seats, power adjustable driver's seat 10 so that also includes the setting storing two positions, power button with smart key system climate control, two rear zones and vents. Both the S and EX trims have a color infotainment telematics system UVO3 series touch 7.0 inch screen. The system integrates the functionality of smart phone via Apple and Android TM Automatic carplay. These platforms provide the most comfortable driver to access streaming music, send text messages and use the navigation system. The vehicle also comes standard with a driver selection mode that allows the driver to change the driving experience. Three driving modes are Normal and Eco Sport. For safety, 2017 Kia Forte features a reinforced air bag, traction control and stability package and a number of driving aids, such as Forward Collision Alert, ABS, belt shot help, lane change warning, detection, blind spot alert and rear cross traffic.
Generating 145 horsepower and 130 lbs. ft. Torque is the 2017 Kia Forte LX 1.8L adjustment. A choice of manual transmission or six-speed automatic six-speed transmission sends power to the front wheels. More power can be had with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder that comes under the model of hood 2017 Kia Forte EX. The output power is here at a decent 173 horsepower and 154 lb-ft. Of torque. Finally, more major is offered by the 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft. generation torque 1.6L turbocharged four-cylinder offers for the 2017 Kia Forte SX release. Regarding fuel economy, expect four-cylinder with a check-in 22 / 30.25 miles per gallon city / highway / combined automatic. 2017 Kia Forte 0-60 mph in 8.1 seconds with EX trim models, and 6.9 seconds with the Forte 5 SX.
During the Detroit debut, the automaker is silent on official prices 2017 Kia Forte and release date. We understand that the production starts in the first half of this year, so expect sales to begin in the second half. As for the price, we do not expect to change significantly from the current model. The current LX Manual MSRP starts at $ 15,990, while the upper finishing EX is priced at $ 19,990.


text:
Professor Contributes to Japanese Educational Project
Project to improve collaboration between Japan and U.S. pharmacists
January 21, 2014 by Erin Garrett
UM clinical assistant professor Scott Malinowski (left) visits with Makoto Kajizono, a clinical pharmacist at Okayama University Hospital in Japan.
OXFORD, Miss. – Scott Malinowski, clinical assistant professor of pharmacy practice at the University of Mississippi, traveled to Japan in December to visit Okayama University School of Pharmacy as part of an educational project that may lead to deeper future partnerships.
The project was designed to foster collaboration on research and idea sharing between American and Japanese pharmacy faculty.
"The main benefit of sharing ideas with pharmacists in other cultures and countries is that it creates the potential to influence change and progress regarding the practice of pharmacy and patient care in a different part of the world," Malinowski said. "It also is an incredible opportunity to forge new collaborations, experience different cultures and develop new friendships."
Malinowski was selected for the "Collaborative Development of Advanced Practical Education Program to Train Pharmacists with Leadership" project based on the diversity and nature of his work experiences and responsibilities.
"In Japan, pharmacy leaders are trying to advance and expand the role of the pharmacist, using the progressiveness of American pharmacy as a model," Malinowski said. "The candidate needed to be someone who trained in, and worked in, a progressive pharmacy setting."Malinowski's visit allowed him to meet with faculty, undergraduate students and graduate research students at the pharmacy school. He was given a tour of Okayama University Hospital, where he interacted with pharmacists and staff, learned about their central pharmacy's medication preparation and distribution systems, and visited the outpatient pharmacy.
While visiting Okayama, Malinowski presented a lecture on "Interprofessional Collaboration: Working as a Team" to describe the benefits of interacting with other health care professionals.
Leigh Ann Ross, the UM School of Pharmacy's associate dean for clinical affairs and chair of the Department of Pharmacy Practice, said she was thrilled that Malinowski was able to share his experience in Japan.
"Global engagement is vitally important to advancing pharmacy practice and to fostering innovations in health care delivery," Ross said. "Partnerships and exchanges with international colleagues also allow us to share ideas that will elevate the education of our health care workforce and research enterprises."
Malinowski's visit to Japan was the result of a pharmacy practice exchange program.
"Several years ago under the leadership of (former department chair) Dr. Joseph Byrd, we established an exchange program and a number of pharmacy practice faculty have been fortunate to travel to different areas of Japan to share our practice and education innovations," she said. "We also have hosted pharmacists and educators from Japan, many of whom remain in contact as our colleagues and friends."
The exchange allowed Malinowski to make several meaningful connections.
"I made many new contacts and was surprised to learn that we share many clinical and research areas of interest, particularly in regards to incorporating active learning techniques, expanding the role of the pharmacist and preparing pharmacy students to be confident and competent pharmacists," he said.
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'June Protest Stands; No Turning Back'
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House to Grill First Cabinet Minister in Open Session
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Flawed Communication Strategies by Officials May Undermine the Government
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Any Wonder Why the Proposed June 7 Protest Appears To Be…
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LPRC Oilers Extend First Division Lead Over LISCR, BYC
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Demolition Exercise Hits SKD Boulevard
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Ma Yanneh Traub Keller Dies at 105
Vehicle Smuggling Deal at Border Backfires
LIPO Promises to Intensify Fight against Piracy
Home LIB Life Short Story Criminal Lawyer Jason Doe Solves: The Case of the Deceptive Promise (2)
Criminal Lawyer Jason Doe Solves: The Case of the Deceptive Promise (2)
Tete Bropleh
Characters in this story:
Jason Doe——-Criminal defense counselor who was willing to hear the case
Janet Love—Cllr. Doe's private secretary
Sam Dennis—-Private Detective
Clarisa Jay—-one of several women recently returned from Lebanon and seeking justice
Helen Joe—-Another woman also seeking justice
Criminal lawyer Jason Doe could understand the need for justice when he saw one and the case he had heard and previously read about the local dailies and its conclusion in Tubmanburg, Bomi County, intrigued him. His interest has risen after one of the victims, Clarisa Jay, sought his help to get justice.
Counselor Doe knew that an accused could not be tried twice on the same charges after he is acquitted from the case and from all indications the case about the Lebanese businessman who reportedly 'misled' more than ten Liberian young women with the good things of life, took them to Beirut, Lebanon only to turn them into house-helps and the case thrown out, is one.
After he held an hour's conference with Ms. Clarisa Jay, he chose to make a presentation at the Supreme Court and seek some accommodation.
As a disciple of the law, Jason Doe knew he must defend justice and if the law, after a lengthy trial concluded that an accused was not guilty of the crime, then of course he is not guilty. However, he also knew that the law could be blind since he was convinced of Ms. Clarisa Jay and her friends' emotional suffering when they were encouraged to travel to Lebanon for hope that was never there.
Though he told Ms. Claisa Jay the law seemed to have ganged out against her and her friends, he assured her that he would fight for her, a promise that elicited a smile on her sad face that she could not help but made some comments about the lawyer's growing reputation.
"Your love for justice is remarkable, Mr. Doe," Clarisa Jay said, smiling, despite her pain.
The lawyer's smile was radiant, as he nodded his head, saying, "I'm convinced that though a man cannot be tried twice on the same crime, there is much circumstantial evidence to work in your interest and to give you a sense of closure."
The young woman could not help but extend her right hand to that of the lawyer's and pumped it vigorously. And she was full of smiles when she left the lawyer's office.
Three days afterwards, Jason Doe sat in a conference with Judge Joshua Dunbar. Also presence were Mr. Isaac Debone, the Lebanese businessman who was exonerated from his role in the case, Ms. Clarisa Jay, Private Detective Sam Dennis, Ms. Helen Joe and a lawyer, Willie Guy, who was representing Mr. Debone. The occasion was possible because of the insistence of Counselor Doe and Judge Dunbar had agreed to make an experiment of the case.
Judge Dunbar said to the gathering, "It would seem an unusual meeting here after the particular case in question is done with and I want to make it clear that this gathering does not suggest any attempt to go against the principle of the case since it was concluded.
"It is however instructive to take note that when another human being claims she or he is abused on a venture that had had a positive intent from the beginning, as this case suggested to me, then we have the right to do proper investigation and be able to say I'm sorry."
Judge Dunbar's statement was supported by Counselor Doe who also stated that the Liberian society lack many advantages that it is too easy for anyone with an amount of cash and connections to get the most vulnerable part of the society to make compromises that would shock those who are strangers to the things that are done in Liberia.
"I share Judge Dunbar's position that when a situation is about human dignity and those who were hurt made it clear to the rest of society; it is then incumbent on all of us to ensure that we recall the part of our humanity that makes us all one human family.
"Hence we must have the decency to admit what we may have done that did not turn out as expected and hurt the dignity of others."
Private Detective Sam Dennis said after years of investigating events that affect human beings, particularly as they relate to those who believe that the bread is always buttered in the next house, available evidence speaks clearly of the truthfulness of Ms. Clarisa Jay and her
friends' claim of inhuman treatment in Lebanon.
Dennis lifting his huge frame from the swivel chair, moved about as he made his points, drumming the message home that the young Liberian women whose future hung in a balance in a strange land, where there were not way out of their predicaments, deserved every sympathy.
He concluded his statement and regarded Mr. Debone, who lowered his head to avoid that of the detective. Observing it, Councilor Doe made an attempt to speak but Judge Dunbar raised his right hand to calm him down and said, "I have examined the entire case involving the young Liberian girls and as a father I am ashamed that the Liberian judicial system failed to take into account the fact that these women had no reason to lie or make such wanton allegations against anyone."
After the judge's statement, Ms. Helen Joe, dressed in a fitting pair of jeans trousers, and matched with a blue blouse that opened in the front, pulled her attachment away from her face and with a grin, lifted herself from her chair.
As if she had rehearsed it, she pulled her back closer to her side, and turned swiftly to face Mr. Debone. Four standing fans located various locations in the large office of Judge Dunbar hummed and echoes of vehicles filled the room from a distance.
When she was permitted to speak, Ms. Joe said, "I want to say from the outset that Mr. Debone cannot look at us and say what we are saying is not true.
"Coming from a poor family I jumped on the claim of a better life outside Liberia and we know that Lebanon is one of the countries in the Middle East that could provide educational and working opportunities for anyone who is ambitious.
"How did I come up with what I just said," she said, and swept her away across the room, "it was Mr. Debone who told me and my friends about that country."
Jason Doe's eyes stared at the young woman, as she continued, "It is true that coming different cultures it is true that being business people they are well to do in many aspects than most of our people.
"So when Mr. Debone came up with a suggestion for us to travel to Lebanon to prepare for a better future that we could not get in our country, we thought it was a good idea to run for it. All we wanted were opportunities to be able to get ourselves prepared for the job market and also to educate ourselves so that afterwards we would return home and contribute to our country and our family."
Judge Dunbar listened with his hands folded in front of him. Jason Doe's face registered a sense of concern and it was clear there was much going on in his mind. He kept folding his hands as if he was about to pounce on somebody who had forced him to put up a defense, since the first law of nature is self-preservation.
He imagined the agony and expectation of the young woman, and countless others like her in the Liberian society, whose parents could not afford to get them to realize their dreams. In his mind's eye he could see those who seemed to be in advantageous positions making entreaties that suggest hope for such vulnerable group and concluding with the same results that Ms. Joe and others went through. It was then that he heard the distant voice of Ms. Joe, with regret under it, "when we got to Beirut, we were instead carried to live with people that we later realized we had to work for to earn our bread."
Jason Doe suddenly cut in with a question, "Ms. Joe from the reports and even from sources the issue of being used as a sex slave was not fully established and I'm wondering if you can give us an idea of that experience."
The young woman's smile was radiant when she said, "In all fairness we were treated like we were not human beings but the issue of using sex as a weapon against us was subtly done.
"For example, if one of us refuses to do what a madam suggests, the madam will call the boss that took the person to that madam and on your way to the area that was engaged to house us, the driver would stop the car on the highway and threatened you with knife for you to succumb to his desire to rape you," she explained, and pulled a handkerchief from her black bag to mop her face.
"How often did that happen?"
"It happened to several of the girls but not to everyone."
"Did you have any way of reporting to someone about such a treatment?" the lawyer said.
"There was no one we could turn to," Ms. Joe said. The lawyer grimaced and began to drum his fingers on the shoulder of the chair he was sitting on, his face hard and his heart throbbing. Then Judge Dunbar's voice echoed from his seat.
"Gentlemen and ladies," he said, "this is an unusual case and it is regrettable that the issue of double jeopardy has come in, making it difficult for the case to be resurrected.
"It seems that we are stuck and our hands are tied on the issue of double jeopardy but let me deliberate more on this subject so that our young ladies can understand the situation as it is right now.
"In general, in countries observing the rule of double jeopardy, a person cannot be tried twice for the same crime based on the same conduct," he said, as the two women and the group listened in rapt attention. "If a person robs a bank, that individual cannot twice be tried for robbery for the same offense. Nor can one be tried for two different crimes based upon the same conduct unless the two crimes are defined so as to prohibit conduct of significantly different kinds."
Judge Dunbar said as a result "one cannot be tried for both murder and manslaughter for the same killing but can be tried for both murder and robbery if the murder arose out of the robbery.
"The defense of double jeopardy also prevents the state from retrying a person for the same crime after he has been acquitted as it is in this case or can the state voluntarily dismiss a case after trial has begun in order to start over."
Broadening the issue, Judge Dunbar said in the United States law, "jeopardy does not attach until the jury is sworn in a jury trial or until the first witness is sworn in a bench trial. Actions before jeopardy attaches will not bar a subsequent prosecution."
Detective Sam Dennis then asked, "What if a judge dismisses a prosecution at a preliminary hearing for lack of evidence?"
Judge Dunbar hesitated and then said, "That determination to dismiss does not bar the government from initiating new charges for the same offense, since jeopardy will not have attached at that point which is not in this case. Also under U.S. law, conviction or acquittal in one state or nation does not always bar trial for the same criminal act in another."
He consoled the women and said perhaps the injustice in the case could give Liberian lawyers a chance to be wary about a similar situation in the future. The meeting ended with Jason Doe saying he would seek another avenue to get justice for his client.
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CONCERNED LIBERIAN on Pres. Weah Dialogues to 'Abort' June 7 Protest
Wenahready on Pres. Weah Dialogues to 'Abort' June 7 Protest
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F. Hney on Pres. Weah Dialogues to 'Abort' June 7 Protest
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Gender&Computing: Disappearing Women – North-West ICT
This blog is linked to the Disappearing Women: North-West ICT project, based at The University of Salford. The idea of the blog is to generate discussion about why women leave the ICT sector (particularly in the North West of England), vowing never to return. This blog is open for comments from anyone who is interested in this issue. We would especially like to hear from women who have left the ICT industry and would like to tell us about their experiences.
15-minute writing exercise closes the gender gap in university level physics
Think about the things that are important to you. Perhaps you care about creativity, family relationships, your career, or having a sense of humour. Pick two or three of these values and write a few sentences about why they are important to you. You have fifteen minutes. It could change your life.
Gender gap in maths driven by social factors, not biological differences
History has had no shortage of outstanding female mathematicians, from Hypatia of Alexandria to Ada Lovelace, and yet no woman has ever won the Fields medal – the Nobel prize of the maths world. The fact that men outnumber women in the highest echelons of mathematics (as in science, technology and engineering) has always been controversial, particularly for the persistent notion that this disparity is down to an innate biological advantage.
Mind your words – how stereotypes affect female performance at maths
President of Harvard University Lawrence Summers spoke of the reasons behind the disproportionate lack of women in top-end science and engineering jobs. Avoiding suggestions of discrimination, he offered two explanations – unwillingness to commit to the 80-hour weeks needed for top level positions and, more controversially, a lower "intrinsic aptitude" for the fields. According to Summers, research showed that genetic differences between the sexes led to a "different availability of aptitude at the high end".
Beyond the leaky pipeline – Challenges for research on gender and science
Press release about the conference "Beyond the leaky pipeline. Challenges for research on gender and science", that took place in Brussels on 19th-20th October 2010.
Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing Career Fair Draws More Than 1,000 Attendees, Kicking off the Largest Gathering of Technical Women in the World
The Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology (ABI) announced a turnout of 1,071 attendees for the first Career Fair at the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing. The Grace Hopper Celebration Career Fair was underwritten by the National Security Agency and Raytheon. The world's largest gathering of women in computing in industry, academia, and government, the Grace Hopper Celebration (GHC) was a five-day technical conference designed to bring the research and career interests of women in computing to the forefront. The conference, themed "Collaborating Across Boundaries," was held in Atlanta, Georgia from September 28 - October 2, 2010.
In a More Balanced Computer Science Environment, Similarity is the Difference and Computer Science is the Winner
An article by Lenore Blum and Carol Frieze; Gender differences in computer science tend to dissolve – that is, the spectrum of interests, motivation, and personality types of men and of women becomes more alike than different – as the computing environment becomes more balanced. This finding is emerging from our ongoing studies of the evolving culture of computing at Carnegie Mellon as our undergraduate computer science (CS) environment becomes more balanced in three critical domains: gender, the mix of students and breadth of their interests, and the professional experiences afforded all students.
Student wins women in computing award
Student wins 'women in computing' award; Defying the stereotype that the fields of math and computer science are heavily male-dominated, Emily Jones '11 recently saw success while competing at the Regional Celebration of Women in Computing (or "MinneWIC"). Jones's research won the undergraduate best poster prize -- a trip to the Grace Murray Hopper Women in Computing conference in Atlanta next fall.
Only the Developed World Lacks Women in Computing
A link to the Mark Guzdial article about women in computing.
ACM-W Council Women in Computing News Blog
News from women in computing around the world.


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CNN/Money Web
Personal Finance > The Good Life
After boom, will lobster crack?
If steaming shellfish on a summer's night is your idea of heaven, here's some hellish news.
September 3, 2004: 2:10 PM EDT
By Gordon T. Anderson, CNN/Money staff writer
NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - A wise man defined the good life as a crisp Sauvignon Blanc on a warm summer's night, with a dish of drawn butter and a steaming lobster to dip in it.
If that menu sounds tempting, you'll have to hurry to enjoy it -- and not just because it's September. America's bountiful lobster catch may soon dwindle. If the scariest forecasts come true, it could eventually decline by as much as 50 percent.
It's a best-of-times, worst-of-times scenario. For the past few years, the lobster industry has experienced a roaring boom in some places, simultaneous with a staggering decline elsewhere.
In the southern parts of its natural habitat, the lobster (Homarus americanus) has been disappearing rapidly.
But up north, along Maine's famously craggy coast, harvests have been far more robust than ever seemed possible. And despite annual pessimistic yield predictions, they're still pulling up full traps.
Casual sophistication
No food defines casual sophistication quite like lobster, at least since the Kennedys served them in the White House. Back then, Maine lobstermen caught about 20 million pounds a year.
The catch rose steadily, though incrementally, until the 1990s. Then suddenly, harvests began getting much, much larger.
"Over the last 10 years, the lobster catch has tripled," notes Robert Bayer, executive director of the Lobster Institute at the University of Maine. "Nobody really knows why. It could be the demise of predators like cod and haddock, or because of variations in water temperature."
In 2002, more than 63 million pounds were pulled out of Maine waters, worth about $211 million at the wholesale level. The yield fell back a bit in 2003, but remained historically huge.
"Maine still has a very healthy stock," says Bayer.
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Lobstering is no carefree business, even in heady times. A big, fully loaded lobster boat can cost $150,000 or more to outfit, and as much as $200 a day to operate. A single trap costs about $75, including the rope and buoy.
Besides the expense, it's physically grueling, sometimes dangerous work. But an experienced lobsterman owning his own boat can gross $100,000 or more during a 9-month season.
There are about 7,500 holders of commercial lobster licenses in Maine, who maintain more than 3 million traps, according to the state's Department of Marine Resources. And younger people are reportedly entering the business, causing small but noticeable population spikes in formerly desolate regions.
Everybody's making money in the boom, from the guy packing coolers for tourists to the big food processors in Canada, who buy some 60 percent of the harvest at prices of $3 to $4 a pound.
Feeling flush? Not so fast
Flush with cash, you might think these are easy, happy days for Mainers. It's more complicated than that.
That's because other, smaller lobstering regions -- Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Long Island -- are facing a crisis.
"The catch everywhere south of Cape Cod has encountered extreme difficulty," says Lewis Incze, senior scientist at the University of Southern Maine.
Since 1999, New York's catch is off 75 percent, while both Connecticut's and Rhode Island's have been more than cut in half. Statewide figures from Massachusetts haven't been quite that bad, though certain areas have shown equally alarming dropoff rates.
No single factor explains the decline, but sickness and ecological change are among the culprits.
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A mysterious bacterial shell disease began in New York five years ago, then spread northward, decimating populations. As a further threat, slightly warmer waters seemed to bring new predators into lobster habitats.
Water temperatures may be cold enough to keep the shell epidemic out of Maine. But biologists are studying another problem: a stark drop in the number of larvae, the "baby" crustaceans that eventually grow up to be the next generation of lobsters.
"We're seeing a definite decline in settlement rates," says Incze, whose research shows a consistent downward trend since the 1990s. "But we don't know how it will pan out in the fishery."
So far, the anticipated dropoff in adult lobsters has not come to pass. Why not? There are so many factors involved that no single theory -- or prediction -- can explain matters precisely.
"What matters most is that we're learning," says Incze.
Though this year's catch is still months from completion, nothing yet suggests that it will be anything but strong.
"We've been hearing doom-and-gloom forecasts for years," says the Lobster Institute's Bayer. "All the while, we've maintained a very high catch rate."
Still, there are reasons for anxiety. And a hungry nation may soon wonder where its next claw is coming from.
The Good Life is a weekly column that chronicles products, people and trends in luxury consumer goods, travel, and fine food and drink. Write to: goodlife@money.com.
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Here is a great opportunity to add to your farming operations! This parcel in the process of subdivision is raw land ready to be broke and turned into aradable / seedable acres. Land is currently a balance of pasture and bush with approx 135 acres being offered.


Anyone who has previously implemented digital signage systems knows how difficult it is to integrate it into an advertising campaign. However, the benefits of digital signage systems outweigh the difficulties associated with its implementation. Digital signage systems are an excellent choice to attract the attention of your customers and potential customers and keep them engaged for a definitive period.
First and foremost, you need to define your objectives and goals of setting up digital signage systems for your business. Answer questions like whether you want to provide information to the viewer, whether you want to interact with your customers or whether you simply want to promote your brand in a more attractive manner. By finding the answer to these questions, you will be able to determine what kind of digital signage systems you need to make use of.
Now that you have a fair idea of what you want to achieve with the help of digital signage systems, it is time for you to create content that suits your purposes and helps to achieve your goals. If you want to provide information of your brand, you can do it by using large and bold text along with your company logo, on the other hand, if you want to interact with your customers through the digital signage systems you can use a touch display or a mobile application. For visibility purposes, you can make your digital display brighter and increase its size so that it can be seen from a greater distance.
After creating your content, you need to choose an appropriate location for displaying it. Digital signage systems can be used indoor as well as outdoor. The location should be such that captures the attention of the maximum people from your target audience. The visibility, the position, space and the exposure are some of the things you need to consider. Depending upon the location, you need to choose digital signage that will last long in the chosen environs.
After choosing the location, you need to select a medium for displaying it. While doing so, you need to consider the size of the signage, the space it will occupy, its brightness, its resolution, its pixel pitch among many other things. You need to take care of software aspects as well; the amount of the time the advertisement will be displayed, the time between the transition of two advertisements, and if it is interactive signage, the method of interaction.
Once you have listed down all your requirements, it is time to select a digital signage solutions provider like Bitsy Displays. Involve your IT team in communicating with the digital signage solutions provider. Communicate your needs clearly and concisely to get the best results!


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/ CA
Charles Webster BELL, Congress, CA (1857-1927)
BELL, Charles Webster, a Representative from California; born in Albany, N.Y., June 11, 1857; attended the public schools; moved to California in 1877 and settled in Pasadena, Los Angeles County; engaged in fruit growing and the real estate business; county clerk of Los Angeles County 1899-1903; member of the State senate 1907-1912; elected as a Progressive Republican to the Sixty-third Congress (March 4, 1913-March 3, 1915); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1914 to the Sixty-fourth Congress; resumed his former business pursuits in Pasadena, Calif.; served as secretary of the Pasadena Mercantile Finance Corporation; died in Pasadena, Calif., April 19, 1927; interment in Mountain View Cemetery.
Profile of California


A fifth grade teacher at Crow Agency Elementary School has been selected as a finalist for one of the U.S. government's highest education-related honors, the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching. As one of four K-12 teachers in the running for a Presidential award statewide, Connie Michael will travel to Helena on Aug. 8 for the presentation.
She will be one of two Montana finalists in the science category; two other teachers were selected for math.
School Principal Jason Cummins, in a message to the News, stated he was "thrilled" to see Michael selected.
The award's application process, Michael said, was not easy and required most of the school year to complete.
For the application's video portion, Michael chose to record a lesson on astronomy that incorporated Crow traditional knowledge into the material. Though she isn't Crow tribal member, teaching those of a different culture isn't new to Michael – before her three years in Crow Agency, she spent more than 25 educating migrant workers in Washington State.
Stars within the European constellation of Orion, for example, can be connected to approximate a picture of a wrist, thumb and index finger that Crows call The Hand Star.
Winners of the Presidential award, Matthews stated, receive a certificate signed by the U.S. president, a trip to Washington, D.C. for recognition events and professional development opportunities, a chance to meet with colleagues across the nation, and $10,000 from the National Science Foundation.
The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching were established by Congress in 1983 and the nation's president may recognize up to 108 teachers per year.


Sep 15, 2015 | By CENS | CHYN FUH ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
Chyn Fuh Enterprise Co., established in 1993 in southern Taiwan, manufactures knock-down (K/D) office furniture and modular furniture, with a particular focus on office and computer desks.
The company is promoting a beveled-edge mobile cabinet series for computer desks and office desks. The cabinets feature top drawers with beveled edge, exterior design perfectly compatible with office and household furniture and other furniture, with optional wooden or metal material for the top panel.
The cabinets are sold with the company's "Rainbow" brand.
Along with the company's other furniture products, the cabinets have also been shipped to more than 50 countries, including the U.S., Japan, Germany, and Italy. Chyn Fuh currently exports 70 percent of its total output. The company's domestic sales are handled mainly by Aurora Furniture, a member of the Aurora Group, on an OEM basis.
The company moved rapidly to establish an integrated production facility in Taiwan in its early years, when many of its local competitors still relied on subcontractors. By doing so, the company has been able to keep costs down and fully control the quality of its products and delivery schedule.
So far, the company has won at least 25 patents in Taiwan, Japan, mainland China, the U.S. and Germany, thanks to its six-person design team. In addition, it has been certified ISO-9002.
The company's products are finished with static-electricity powder coating processes and go through a nine-step rust-proofing process. Also, it uses environment-friendly, fire retardant, and noise insulating materials in its products.
Chyn Fuh's mobile cabinet with beveled-edge.


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A New And Better Way To Buy, Sell, Or Collect Fine Watches
Larry Olmsted
I am an award winning travel journalist & bestselling author. Follow me on Instagram travelfoodguy or Twitter @travelfoodguy
Rolex is always one of the most popular brands with watch fans and collectors, and because of the... [+] savings they offer, Crown & Caliber does a brisk business in classic models like the Explorer II. Photo: Crown & Caliber
I'll probably never buy a new car again. Why? Because I have a friend who runs a quality used car service, specializing in BMW, Audi and Mercedes. He locates specific vehicles for buyers at auction, checks them out at his full-service center, and delivers amazing savings with reliable quality. I've bought my last three vehicles from him, saved a lot of money and been very happy. Cars depreciate - by many thousands of dollars - the second you drive them off the lot, and unless you are ordering a rare or heavily customized model, there is little economic sense in buying new, even for higher end models. Other friends have used my dealer for Porsches and Range Rovers, and I've had acquaintances drive 250 miles to do business with an honest used car salesman. The main reason not to buy used is because you don't feel comfortable in the quality, you don't want some hidden damage or someone else's problem, which is why in the past two decades the industry has shifted heavily towards much more reputable resale, through manufacturers' own certified pre-owned programs, verification services like CarFax, and modernized, specialized retailers like CarMax.
It's the same for watches, except most watches have never been smashed up in accidents. On the other hand, the used car market is not flooded with counterfeit fakes. Watches typically depreciate substantially when you take them out of the box (or store), but whether you wear it for a week or someone else does, it's going to be the same watch - only a lot cheaper. If there was an efficient model for evaluating, certifying and transparently marketing used watches, a company that could check out the inner workings, quality, verify authenticity and guarantee your purchase, all for a great deal, it would be a home run for watch buyers. That company now exists, and it is called Crown & Caliber. I have not used the service nor received anything from them, but I've been researching it and spoke to the owner and some watch loving friends, and I will almost certainly buy my next watch here.
But the thing is, unlike the used car business, where dealers are incentivized to buy as cheaply as possible, Crown & Caliber also offers a big win for those selling watches, especially regular individual owners. If you have a very rare watch or one with special provenance, maybe owned by Neil Armstrong and worn on the moon, an auction is still the best way to go. But if you have your father's Patek Phillippe in a drawer and your style runs more Breitling, unloading the watch that is collecting dust is surprisingly tricky and costly.
Private equity firm manager Hamilton Powell bought a Rolex online and it turned out to be a fake. But the tipping point for him came when a friend sold a Patek Philippe to a local jewelry and watch dealer for $5,200, and the dealer turned around and flipped it for over $12,000. So three years ago he launched Crown & Caliber, because, as he told me, "He got screwed, and I've been there. The watch market is just like the car market was in the Seventies, it's just starting to mature in terms of preowned. We're doing what CarMax did, allowing people to shop confidently in the pre-owned market. The only good reason not to buy pre-owned has been because the industry was shaky." The supply is certainly out there: Powell told another interviewer that he thinks there's around $100 billion in Rolexes, Breitlings, and Omegas in people's closets - in the U.S. alone. He saw a $7 billion annual luxury watch market in this country with no scientific or management effort applied to the aftermarket and decided to professionalize it.
TAG Heuer is another top selling brand at Crown & Caliber, which offers lots of different models.... [+] Photo: Crown & Caliber
Today the Atlanta-based company has 40 employees, including half a dozen full-time Swiss-trained repair specialists. An article last month in United's in-flight Rhapsody magazine said that they typically offer about 4,000 models at any time and that 2016 saw a 300% increase in sales. When a watch comes in, it goes through a 45 point inspection process, undergoes any needed repair or cleaning, is professionally photographed and listed for sale online, with a detailed description that incudes any alterations. "We don't sell any watches that have fake parts. But some owners accessorize, maybe swap the bezel on their Rolex to another genuine Rolex one that's not standard for that model, so we note that in detail. We are very careful to make sure the movement, the hands, all those things are original."
I adore watches, have visited Swiss factories to see how they are made, and I've gazed lovingly at vintage watches in jewelry and antique store windows from London to Louisville, but never made a move because of the same concern - I can't tell if it is real. With this model, buyers know that the watches are authentic, that they have been through the 45-point inspection process, that they have a one year full-return satisfaction warranty, and that they are saving significantly over retail. How significantly? Up to 90% on less demanded watches, such as "Chopard, Hublot, and women's watches that are gold and diamond encrusted, not watches per se so much as ticking jewelry. Our top three brands in terms of value retention are Rolex, Patek Phillippe and Jaeger-LeCoultre, and out most popular are Rolex, Breitling, Panerai, IWC, and Omega. You typically can save fifty percent or more on these." They offer many other desirable brands as well, including Cartier, TAG Heuer, Audemars Piguet, A. Langhe & Sohne, Bell & Ross, Breguet, Baume & Mercier, Blancpain, Vacheron Constantin and many more. Powell told me that interest in Tudor is rapidly heating up.
Thanks to the substantial savings, simplicity of the process, warranty, and large selection, it is pretty easy to see the appeal to buyers. But the appeal to sellers is even more compelling because they are looking to make money, not just save some.
"We don't really have competitors on the buying side. Our biggest competitor is complacency: someone has a watch in their closet and they don't know they can sell it. For watches that are not one-offs, auctions don't make any sense. They owner is paying a buyer and seller fee, usually over 30%. It's like me paying my lawyer to mow to my lawn. If you take it to jeweler, you're selling it 'as is.' We add value by helping realize the full potential. We take out scratches, clean it, tune the movement, and most of the time there is no fee for that. We are doing the inspection anyway, we have polishing machines."
The process is straightforward: you go the company's website and click on Sell My Watch. You fill out details about the brand and model, and they offer an estimated valuation. "No one really knows what watches are worth for the most part, but we have a database of over 100,000 data points, and one of our biggest strengths is that we have real expertise in value, actual selling prices, whether we sold it or it was sold at Christie's. We're like the Kelly Blue Book of watch values. So one of our staffers will call you and say, okay, we can sell your watch for $10,000. If that sounds good to you, we send a FedEx box, do the evaluation, list it, and 90% of the watches we list sell within 60 days." It helps that the company has an email list of 300,000 subscribers worldwide who have voluntarily opted in so they can see new watch listings. "Lots of our watches leave the country, and likewise, we just got 30 watches sent in by a collector in the UK. Europe, Asia, the Middle East, they all have this same problem with the pre-owned market."
If the watch is damaged or needs substantial repair, they will give an estimate and let the customer decide whether to move forward, but the routine clean up, including scratches and tuning, is usually included in their fee, which is 19.5% of a higher price than you can typically get elsewhere. They do not sell any watches for less than $1,500 and to date, the highest sale at Crown & Caliber was a Jaeger minute repeater for around $300,000. They also get a lot of trade-ins, for which they offer a premium over the sales price against new purchases. "We have a lot of customers who don't want to tell their wife they bought another watch, so they trade up," said Powell. Looking through the current mouthwatering selection online, it is easy to see why.
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Ne Plus Ultra (pronounced neh ploos oooltrah) is a private, "BY APPOINTMENT ONLY" boutique salon that is passionate about promoting healthy hair; offering an array of beauty services for all; from cuts to color, relaxers to smoothing treatments and mostly noted for specializing in natural hair care and the safe installation, maintenance and removal of all hair extension techniques. The overall goal is that every client reaches their desired look as well as the feeling of inner and outer beauty.
To deliver the highest degree of quality services, products and education available. I strive to provide a relaxing, positive and motivational atmosphere in an intimate, boutique style environment. An environment where beauty, comfort and personalized attention combine to create a truly memorable and rejuvenating experience.
Born and raised in Northern California. I have over 10 years of experience in the hair industry. I decided to relocate to the Atlanta-Metro area in 2006 with a vision to follow my dreams and open a salon with a "drama free"environment where clients can feel comfortable while receiving personal "one on one" attention. My number one goal is for my clients to be confident and satisfied with their hairstyle. I also believe you can never stop learning in this industry so I continue to educate and challenge myself, keeping up with the latest techniques and trends; taking continuing education classes so that I am able to cater to my wide range of clientele from all walks of life. I have a passion for natural, healthy hair and although I am an expert in all aspects of hair design and a certified eyelash extensionist, my strong love for hair extensions is what I specialize in.


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Can yu defend your land from the invasion of enemy troops? Yes, you can! use your defensive towers. each tower has three figh..
Shoot sufficient number of game blocks to advance to the next round. the better you do, the more stars you get. with stars, y..
As a lone sniper, save the island from terrorists. the more hostages you rescue, the better. lots of interesting weapons and ..
Mobile and desktop jumping game called hop hop animals is very cute and fun to play. your task is to get your animal up by co..
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Call of spring is retro looking arcade game, where you as a crazy squirrel jump through the trees and shoot enemies. to get ..
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Wellington has been chosen as the location for our 2020 Conference. It will be held 15-17 April 2020 (Wednesday to Friday). These are the days following Easter Weekend, in the first week of the holidays. Get them into your advance calendar.
These have been finalised by the Council, after two surveys of members and attendees of Conference 2018.
NEWZATS Council are very happy to announce the election of Calvin Baker as the association's new Vice President.
We are so impressed by his fresh and proactive approach. He has already committed so much time to our projects, even while studying and writing theses for his Masters in Studio Pedagogy.
We also thank our outgoing Vice President Erica Sim for all her hard work (also as President before that). These are productive times for NEWZATS with a growing membership and exciting plans for the next two years.
At the 2018 AGM in Auckland, four new Council members were elected. Arlie McCormick, Cindy Jonker, Claire Barton and Jo Fitzgerald were very keen to get more involved in the association and help to build on our work.
With a first prize of $20,000, The McCormick Opera Award is a new competition open to singers aged 18 - 32.
It has been made possible by a generous bequest and is presented by Perpetual Guardian and Auckland Opera Studio. The judges are Graham Pushee and Rosamund Illing.
Entries are now open, closing on 20 July. Entrants are required to submit a list of six (6) pieces from which their performances will be chosen.
Auditions will be held on 28th and 29th August, with the final as a public concert performance on the 30th August at Mercury Theatre.
For more information, read the Entry Form document.
Four of our members have been chosen to present their research on the voice and voice teaching at NEWZATS Conference (July 9-11 2018).
Council would like to announce the latest addition to the July 2018 NEWZATS conference lineup of speakers in Auckland.
Lisa Tui will be our Barbara Nicholls speaker and will be giving advice and resources for Maori waiata suitable for young people but most importantly, NCEA Levels 1, 2 & 3.
Our President, Lisa Rangi, has travelled throughout New Zealand this year and had several interesting discussions with members about this topic and the need for direction for those unfamiliar with this increasingly important genre. Therefore, Council are confident that Lisa Tui will offer practical guidance to help delegates feel more competent in teaching their pupils.
Nick Hollamby will be our contemporary speaker at the NEWZATS National conference July 9-11. More details about conference will be announced before Christmas.
He is an established vocalist, music director and leading contemporary voice specialist. Nick is a lecturer at the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art (NASDA) and regular presenter at numerous workshops throughout Australasia. Previous positions include Coordinator of Contemporary Voice, University of Otago, Sessional Lecturer in Contemporary Voice at the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University and Artistic Director for the Youth Performing Arts Company, Queensland. Nick is a graduate of the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University holding a Master of Music, Graduate Certificate of Music Studies (Performance) and a Bachelor of Music. Past students include international touring performers, successful recording artists and TV/ Film personalities.
Congratulations to Natasha Wilson, long-time pupil of NEWZATS member Morag Atchison who won the Dame Malvina Major Dunedin Aria this weekend. The competition is a feature of The Dunedin Performing Arts Competitions Society's Senior Vocal festival, led by Susanne Chambers and her committee. Many of our members were involved in the event including Gina Sanders as judge.
Kathryn Harries is a very well known British singing teacher who is here to taking masterclasses at Auckland Uni.
She will be interviewed by Kim Hill on RNZ National, Saturday 15 July from 11.05-11.40am.
We have been incredibly fortunate to secure David Jones from New York, USA, as our main speaker!
For those of you who have sat under his teaching or follow his Facebook page, you will realise how special this is going to be.
When: Monday 9 July-Wednesday 11 July 2018.
5 scholarships valued at up to $2,500 each.
The Scholarships were established in 1991, in memory of George Turner Wilson, to assist students in the development of their musical talent and education at the School of Music the University of Auckland.
Jane Keller presents "Let Us Entertain You"
"Jane Keller is a terrific performer with comic timing to die for"
Please take the time to read the March issue of the NEWZATS newsletter.
Youth Opera classes for ages 8 to 18.
Opera Factory's Youth Opera programme is a great opportunity to try something new – extend your repertoire, knowledge, confidence and passion for singing!
Weekly classes will run on Thursdays from 4-6pm and cover singing, performance and creative projects themed around the world of opera, musicals and classical song. Any skill level is accepted but those taking singing lessons and an ability to read music is a plus!
Enrolment is for Term 1 & 2 and they will be working towards a showcase or production at the end of Term 2. Fees $280 per term.
Classes will be held at the Opera Factory studio, St Marks Parish Centre, 95 Remuera Road, Newmarket.
Download the flyer and enrolment form below.
Wellington's Gilbert and Sullivan Light Opera are producing Iolanthe with performances June/July 2017.
Auditions will be held on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 February 2017 for all Roles, Chorus and Covers. A cast of 40 singers is required. Recalls, as required, on Saturday 18 Feb.
St. Cecilia's refreshing approach to music assessment and performance has attracted the attention of Italy's educational authorities. As a result, our work in Italy will now be expanded into the school education system. Examiner training will take place throughout February and March in order to cater for the large numbers of students who will be preparing for our Concert Certificate examinations throughout the year. Of particular interest to the teachers in Italy is the availability for singers to choose an entirely contemporary repertoire in addition to the more formal classical choices.
Whilst the academic year is now commencing in Europe and Asia for St. Cecilia, our Australian and New Zealand teachers and students are embarking on their end of year examinations. St. Cecilia has experienced a healthy increase in candidature over the past two years with particular growth in the Certificate of Music Teaching and Associate and Licentiate performing and teaching diplomas. Our Concert and Recital Certificate examinations as well as the new Certificate of Performing Arts are appealing to teachers whose studios reflect a very creative and broad learning experience for their students.
2017 will see more exciting innovations introduced. To keep up to date, we invite interested teachers to request our 2017 Information Pack.
Best wishes for a happy holiday break!
Gabrielle Barr, one of Taranaki's most significant educators of music passed away on Sunday June 7th. While in recent years the relentless schedule Gabrielle maintained throughout a long career in music and education had slowly begun to taper, it's hard to imagine a Taranaki vocal and choral scene without the glorious force that was, Mrs Barr.
Gabrielle wasn't the first singing teacher my Mum approached back when I was twelve. The first she called felt that for a boy, Gabrielle Barr would be a better fit as she had 'a lot more energy'. It was exactly this energy that powered Gabrielle to touch the lives of hundreds, if not thousands of students through her work in high schools, as director and coach of multiple choirs, and through her own very successful private studio.
From the ages of twelve to sixteen, Gabrielle had almost weekly performances lined up for her students, a number of which were even paid. I remember meeting the beautifully voiced singers in my first year at Victoria University, and being a little surprised as to comparatively how little performance experience some of them had. The opportunity to perform at venues like The Bowl of Brooklands (capacity 36,000), Yarrows Stadium, the New Plymouth Opera House and in town halls across the region on a fairly regular basis were simply a given when you had Mrs Barr as your teacher.
I would later learn that such frequent performance opportunities provided by one teacher were an enormous gift, and not the norm. This way of nurturing students spoke to a very kiwi part of Gabrielle, recognising that if we are to enjoy opportunities, we must first roll our sleeves up, and make them.
It wasn't just the years of performance experience that Gabriel's guidance had afforded; it was also her education, the result of her fearlessly inquisitive mind. What stood her apart, was the audacity she had to ask that most important of questions. Why.
While some show fear of research that illustrates our evolving understanding of voice, Gabrielle believed that knowledge is power; little time was given for such prejudice. As far back as the 90's, I can recall asking her the benefits of smiling while singing. Her answer came from a pedigree of bel canto while illuminating the role of the false vocal folds. A testament of her knowledge was her ability to explain the complex in the most simple of terms. Gabrielle celebrated the artistry and heritage of the beautiful voice, while embracing exciting new insights into how we voice.
I think what encapsulates Mrs Barr, could best be compared to an analogy the tenor, Peter Baillie used to describe Pavarotti's voice. Baillie once told me what made Pavarotti's voice so special, was that he sang with the joy of a child who had just discovered how to tie their shoelaces.
I think that's the way Gabrielle taught, and I think that's the way she lived.
ABRSM is the exam board of the Royal Schools of Music, delivering over 650,000 exams and assessments every year in 93 countries. ABRSM is committed to supporting high-quality music-making, learning and development throughout the world, and to producing the best possible resources for music teachers and students.
Every year Trinity College London offers international assessments across a wide spectrum including popular, jazz, contemporary and classical music. Our graded examinations and diplomas span performing, teaching, music theory and composing, with the candidate at the heart of our focus.
Trinity's new 2015-2017 Singing syllabus will be available in July and the repertoire lists (which include NZ songs) will remain largely the same, allowing candidates to choose from an extensive and varied list of pieces. Trinity have introduced accompanied sight reading at all grades.
NEWZATS Conference's consistently feature a stellar cast of international and national guest speakers delivering inspiration and relevant information. Trinity College London is proud to support 'Scaling New Heights' and wishes NEWZATS a successful and happy Conference. Kia ora from all of us at Trinity!
NEWZATS is a progressive organisation with which St. Cecilia Examinations can confidently and proudly identify, and we are pleased to continue regular sponsorship support for NEWZATS conferences.
St. Cecilia constantly explores new ways to develop and promote musicians, including Singers, at all levels – student, amateur and professional. Singers need a structured course to follow from an early age and we believe that our examination syllabus for singers, with its wide choice of repertoire without compromising standards, is ideal for all singers from Beginners to Diploma candidates.
St. Cecilia Examinations is the examining system which has emerged in conjunction with St. Cecilia School of Music, established in Launceston, Tasmania forty years ago, and now operates throughout Australia, New Zealand, India, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia and Italy. New Zealand sessions are held throughout the country up to four times per year, with a steady growth in the number of candidates entered, as more and more teachers decide to "give St. Cecilia a try." The popular option of Concert Certificate examinations at all levels is an ideal examination experience for pupils who take performance music as an NCEA subject.
Auckland NEWZATS member Elaine Segrove passed away earlier this year. The following piece has been written by her good friend (and membership referee!) Betty Noffke and her husband Peter Segrove.
I first met Elaine Segrove approximately fifteen years ago, through the West Auckland Performing Arts Competitions. She joined our committee and took over the role of convener for the vocal section. I was impressed with her teaching of a small choir she had trained and I later took my granddaughter to her for singing lessons. Elaine taught piano and singing, her vocal students did very well in the competitions and in their exams.
In 2013 when Elaine was undergoing treatment for her illness she prepared a Grade 8 piano student and two students for Grade 7 and one for Grade 8 singing, all passed with good marks.
Elaine produced a lovely clear sound with her vocal students, she was meticulous with diction, stance, and not singing at the back of ones throat. Elaine also studied dance and could demonstrate to her students how to move in the Song and Costume items.
Elaine had a bubbly and likeable personality and was very devoted to her teaching. Elaine passed away in January 2014.
Elaine's first teacher and her love of singing came from her mother who was also a teacher of piano and singing. Her mother had high hopes for Elaine to become a concert pianist but Elaine found the pressure too much and left school early to work in a shoe shop.
Elaine continued with her singing and obtained her LTCL in 1985. In the 1980s Elaine started to teach she taught in schools but mostly from home. In 2009 she completed her Bachelor of Music degree at Auckland University.
Elaine particularly enjoyed performing - first as a singer as Elaine Leach in her first husband's band.
She sang Gilbert and Sullivan, Light Opera and Musical Comedy. With the Auckland Bach Society as a soloist and as part of the choir. She was a member of Savoy Singers – a small semi –professional group who presented concert production songs from musical comedy and Gilbert and Sullivan.
Elaine was devoted to her family of three adult children and grandchildren who, with Peter her husband, miss her very much.
The soloists are Olivia Sheat and Olivia Marshall, students from NZ School of Music at Victoria University. The pianist is the composer himself, David Griffiths.
The recording was recorded and mixed by Bob Bickerton at the Suter Art Gallery, Nelson, July 19 2014 as part of the NEWZATS 23rd Professional Development Conference.
The International Congress of Voice Teachers (ICVT), held from 11 – 15 July 2013, was a great event guaranteed to reinvigorate your teaching.
NEWZATS are very proud that NZ had over 40 delegates attending the Congress in Brisbane. Most were members and we had wonderful time learning, sharing and reacquainting ourselves.
Absent: Lisa Rangi, Flora Edwards and Gina Sanders.
NEWZATS were fortunate to receive funding from Creative NZ to commission a song for voice and piano, as well as a two part version. David Griffiths, an eminent NZ Composer and NEWZATS member composed Summer, Pelorus Sound.
The presentation at ICVT was well received with approximately 60 people present. A group of about 14 NEWZATS members were conducted by Peter Watts and accompanied by Josh Clark as they sang Summer, Pelorus Sound.
Your Voice: An Inside View is the premiere multimedia resource for voice pedagogy and entry-level voice science instruction. The book and its accompanying computer program are currently used in voice pedagogy and music education programs at well over 100 colleges and universities around the globe.
NEWZATS members can purchase this book at a discount by logging in to the members area.
To purchase or find out more, please go to Scott McCoy's website.
Our Congratulations to Professor Elisabeth (Judy) Bellingham who has been made a Member of the Order ( MNZM) for services to classical singing in the Queen's Birthday Honours 2016.
NEWZATS Mentoring Scheme is finally up and running!
NEWZATS has been offered a Creative NZ Quick Response Grant!
The grant to commission of a song for voice and piano by renowned NZ composer David Griffiths. The chosen poem for the song is Dennis Glover's Summer, Pelorus Sound. A uniquely NZ subject.
David is a long time member of NEWZATS and we are thrilled to be able to commission the song. Premiere performance will be at ICVT (Brisbane) in July 2013.