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That leaves Blue Cross, Cigna...and new entrant Oscar Health (founded by, of all people, Jared Kushner's brother, for whatever that's worth). Since Oscar is the new kid in town, they technically can't list a "rate hike" since there's no existing rates to compare against. That means it's down to BCBS and Cigna.
Cigna's filing hike request is a pretty ugly 42.1% overall...but they clearly state that a full 14.1 percentage points of this...or a solid third...is due specifically to Donald Trump and the Congressional GOP's threats to cut off the legally-owed Cost Sharing Reduction reimbursements due to the carriers. They also make a reference to Trump/Tom Price's threats not to enforce the individual mandate (by way of the increased morbidity profile expected for next year), but don't specifically break that part out. Without the CSR sabotage threat, however, they clearly state that they'd "only" be requesting a 28% increase (still ugly, but not as bad as 42%).
Our 2017 rates are allowing us to earn a margin (profit) for the first time in four years and would have enabled us to propose only a small increase for 2018 to cover expected changes in medical and operating costs.
However, we have to factor in two significant uncertainties – whether the federal government will fund cost-sharing reductions for low-income members and how the risk pool will change if the coverage mandate is not enforced.
We are requesting state approval for an average rate increase of 21 percent, but what members pay will vary based on their region, age, income level and plan type.
While the majority of Tennesseans get health insurance through their jobs, or programs like TennCare and Medicare, we cover around 78,000 residents who purchase coverage on their own. If you're one of them, you may have questions about the future of your coverage.
Today, we submitted our proposed 2018 rates to the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance for their review. We know what we charge has a real impact on our members' lives, and we want to explain why rates are rising again next year.
When we started offering Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans in 2014, we had some of the lowest-cost plans in the country because we assumed a large number of young, healthy people would sign up for coverage. Unfortunately, they didn't – and the medical services required by our new members were more expensive than we'd anticipated.
The risk pool didn't get better. In fact, we lost $400 million over the course of three years because of the gap between our rates and the costs for medical services our members needed and our costs to operate the program.
We have achieved a better balance with our 2017 rates. And for the first time since the Marketplace launched, we expect to earn a net margin (profit) on individual plans – which is necessary for the long term, even as a not-for-profit company.
Medical costs continue to rise, and we're facing additional taxes for this line of business, but our experience so far in 2017 means we would have only needed a small average rate increase.
Yes, according to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee themselves, the one-two GOP sabotage threats to CSR funding and individual mandate enforcement are directly responsible for a jaw-dropping 97% of their requested premium increases for 2018 on the individual market.
In fact, considering the 2-3% Health Insurer Tax, it seems to me that they're saying that they're doing so well in 2017 that they're even willing to eat part of that cost (since otherwise, the "no sabotage" hike would be at least 3% or so). Amazing.
The post even goes into a nice, detailed explananation of how CSRs and the individual mandate work, and even mention the ACA's 80/20 MLR rule. Very impressive.
That's a weighted average rate hike request of 31.1% including the Trump/GOP Sabotage factor, versus 13.5% without most of it (remember, Cigna's 28% figure still assumes uncertainty over mandate enforcement).


text:
1,000 Travel Advisors and Travel Industry Partners Board Norwegian Bliss for Dream Vacations, CruiseOne® and Cruises Inc. ® 2018 National Conference
Weeklong National Conference continuing education program kicks off and sets sail to the Mexican Riviera
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (October 20, 2018) – Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Cruise Line's latest and most innovative ship, buzzed with excitement as Dream Vacations, CruiseOne® and Cruises Inc.®, one of the nation's top travel agency networks as part of World Travel Holdings, kicked off its weeklong 2018 National Conference. The seven-night Mexican Riviera cruise departed today from Los Angeles, Calif., and sails to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán and Cabo San Lucas and will be home to 1,000 travel professionals as they immerse themselves in continuing their education to remain leaders in the industry.
Serving as the master of ceremonies and the host all week, General Manager of Network Engagement & Performance Drew Daly welcomed a packed house to the first general session of the week. The learning started before the ship set sail, with Camille Olivere, senior vice president of sales for Norwegian Cruise Line participating in an informative and engaging question and answer session moderated by World Travel Holdings Senior Vice President of Product & Operations David Crooks. They discussed how agents can benefit from selling Norwegian Cruise Line's Free at Sea program and deployment changes in 2019.
"National Conference is the most rewarding and important continuing education opportunity we offer each year – providing our network of travel advisors with one-of-a-kind engaging workshops and unlimited networking opportunities with our headquarters team and travel industry executives, all while experiencing first-hand one of the newest cruise ships in the industry," said Daly. "Our training and events team has perfected the art of blending fun with education so attendees can maximize their time at sea and get INSPIRED."
Every year National Conference has a charitable component benefiting World Travel Holdings' signature charity Make-A-Wish®, which grants wishes to children with critical illnesses. Emily White, Southern Florida events coordinator for Make-A-Wish, introduced attendees to the organization's powerful mission and outlined the onboard fundraising opportunities available all week. These activities include a silent auction, Zumba at Sea presented by Celebrity Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line granting attendees who make a donation exclusive access to the largest race track at sea for one night only.
The conference theme INSPIRE was selected by past conference participants and serves as motivation for attendees to take advantage of every opportunity presented to them throughout the week. The ultimate goal of a travel advisor is to inspire travel by using their knowledge to deliver a valuable service as they plan their clients dream vacation experiences, and at National Conference attendees will learn the latest industry insights on how they can inspire people to travel and see the world, while also sharing best practices and building stronger personal and professional relationships. Throughout the week, travel advisors will engage with each other, industry executives and more than 40 headquarters staff as they learn new techniques to take their business to the next level.
To follow the excitement this week aboard Norwegian Bliss, use the #InspireConference hashtag.
Those passionate about travel with an entrepreneurial spirit who would like to be part of a travel agency network that cares more about its agents and travelers should visit www.DreamVacationsFranchise.com to learn about franchising with Dream Vacations and CruiseOne, and www.SellCruises.com to learn about becoming an independent vacation specialist with business opportunity Cruises Inc.
About Dream Vacations, CruiseOne® and Cruises Inc.®
Dream Vacations, CruiseOne® and Cruises Inc.® are part of World Travel Holdings, the nation's largest cruise agency and award-winning leisure travel company. The Dream Vacations and CruiseOne franchise opportunities give entrepreneurs a choice in how they want to brand their travel business, and Cruises Inc. is an independent business opportunity. Both business models provide a work-from-home opportunity to those interested in selling all types of travel experiences whether it be a cruise, resort stay or land tour. With a mission of delivering a remarkable experience, travel agents with all three brands are given premium resources to plan and create a seamless vacation experience for the customer while offering the best value. For more information on Dream Vacations and CruiseOne, visit www.DreamVacationsFranchise.com, like the Facebook page www.facebook.com/DreamVacationsFranchise, follow on Twitter at @Dream_Franchise or watch its videos at www.youtube.com/DreamVacationsBusiness. For more information on Cruises Inc., visit www.SellCruises.com and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SellCruises.
About Norwegian Bliss
Norwegian Bliss is the third ship in Norwegian Cruise Line's Breakaway Plus class, featuring stand-out amenities, accommodations, dining and entertainment. This latest and most innovative ship is home to the Observation Lounge, a 3,500-square-foot social space which boasts 180-degree views; the largest competitive race track at sea; an open-air laser tag course; and an Aqua Park, with two multi-story waterslides, one of which extends over the edge of the ship and loops to the deck below. Norwegian Bliss also offers a variety of accommodations including luxurious suites in The Haven by Norwegian®, studio staterooms for solo travelers with virtual ocean views, and connecting staterooms ideal for large groups and families. Culinary enthusiasts can savor new exclusive specialty dining and bar concepts including the Texas smokehouse, Q, and Coco's, a chocolate and sweet treats shop. Guests seeking world-class entertainment onboard can experience the Tony Award®-winning Broadway musical, Jersey Boys; The Cavern Club where guests can enjoy their favorite songs from The Beatles; and original productions including Prohibition – The Musical and ¡Havana! To book a cruise, contact a travel professional, call 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784), or visit www.ncl.com. To connect via social channels, please use the following social handles: Twitter – @CruiseNorwegian, Instagram – norwegiancruiseline and Facebook – Norwegian Cruise Line.
Rachel Shapiro, Public Relations Manager
Cruises Inc., CruiseOne and Dream Vacations
RShapiro@wth.com

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Navasota ISD Selected for Texas Education Agency's Online College and Career Readiness Program
Navasota ISD has been selected to participate in the Texas Education Agency's Online College and Career Preparation Technical Assistance Program. The purpose of the program is to provide online college preparation assistance to students, parents, and high school counselors. Navasota ISD students will be able to utilize Collegiate Zone's TOPQUEST system which provides access to tools for college and career preparation including a personal assessment tool; SAT/ACT/THEA preparation system; complete database of majors, colleges, funding, and careers; college prep planner and tracker; and an online manager for admissions and financial aid applications.
TEA, in conjunction with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, launched the Online College and Career Preparation Technical Assistance Program as a pilot project in 2010 to help Texas students manage the complex college selection and application process. Research shows that availability of information, access to financial aid, and parental involvement and knowledge about college are strong predictors of college attendance and completion. Navasota students and parents will have access to the program beginning in the 2012-2013 school year.
Posted by Scott Powers
Session Resources
2015 Suggestion Form
HB5 Graduation Requirements
The Texas Legislature has changed high school graduation requirements for students who will enter 9th grade during the 2014-2015 school year. The change in graduation requirements allows more flexibility for high school students to pursue either higher education or a career pathway.
Engagement is the key to learning.
What is student engagement?
What is the Engage Learning Model?
Learning, READING, Succeeding
See Navasota ISD's full book shelf for professional learning. All titles are available for checkout at the Navasota Educational Learning Center. Contact Lise McNalley at 825-4279.
Scholastic Parents: Raise a Reader
NISD Google Portal
TCMPC Login
TCMPC Parent Portal
Navasota ISD YouTube Channel
Project Share
ProQuest K-12 (u:nisd, p:bigchalk)
Symposium Presenter Materials
Facilities Master Planning
Navasota ISD is updating its facilities master plan after the completion of an independent study assessing the physical condition, safety and security, and capacity of the district's facilities and a demographic analysis that shows the district will experience overcrowding as soon as 2015.
Facilities Planning Information
Archive (date)
Archive (date) Nov 2014 (1) Sep 2014 (2) Aug 2014 (1) Jul 2014 (1) Apr 2014 (3) Feb 2014 (1) Jan 2014 (4) Dec 2013 (3) Nov 2013 (3) Oct 2013 (2) Sep 2013 (2) Aug 2013 (2) Jul 2013 (2) Jun 2013 (1) May 2013 (5) Apr 2013 (5) Mar 2013 (2) Oct 2012 (1) Sep 2012 (2) Jun 2012 (1) May 2012 (1) Apr 2012 (1) Mar 2012 (6) Feb 2012 (2) Jan 2012 (1) Nov 2011 (2) Oct 2011 (5) Sep 2011 (2) Sep 2010 (1) Jun 2010 (2) Apr 2010 (2) Mar 2010 (3) Feb 2010 (2) Jan 2010 (2) Dec 2009 (2) Nov 2009 (2) Oct 2009 (5) Sep 2009 (3) Aug 2009 (8)
Libby Bailey
baileyl@navasotaisd.org
Jo Anna Moreland
Instructional Technology Specialist
morelandj@navasotaisd.org
Carol Woehler
Curriculum & Data Management Specialist
woehler@navasotaisd.org


text:
Buy F&SF • Read F&SF • Contact F&SF • Advertise In F&SF • Blog • Forum
Current Issue • Departments • Bibliography
Nequa, or, The Problem of the Ages,
by Jack Adams (1900)
NEQUA first appeared as a serial, in a newspaper published in 1900 in Topeka, Kansas. The publishers, Alcanoan O. Grigsby and Mary P. Lowe, advertised Nequa, the first in a series, as an "occult romance taking place in a science-fiction world" as described in "the theory of concentric spheres put forward by Captain John Cleves Symmes."
Reginald's Science Fiction & Fantasy Literature 1700–1974, states that Nequa was one of the first "Feminist science fiction novels." Reginald reveals that the author on the title page, Jack Adams, was a pseudonym for Grigsby, but the back page of the copy I own lists Dr. T. A. H. Lowe as the writer.
Whoever wrote it, the book describes a trip to a world inside the earth where both sexes are equal, after women have put an end to war and demanded freedom from the domination of laws made only by men.
There are airships that ride storms, a Library of Universal Knowledge with electric keyboard to order instantly delivered books, electric "carriages," and tables laden with food that appear out of the floor. There are pages of explanation on the demise of the old political way of competition and the growth of the new way of "Motherly love," and on the last two pages, Jack Adams, while "dressed in the costume which is peculiar to women in the outer world," reveals that he is a she whose name on the surface of the earth is Cassie Van Ness.
He/she reveals this secret to her lover as he leaves the center of the earth without her. Has anyone ever found volume two?
—Mark Esping
To contact us, send an email to Fantasy & Science Fiction.
Copyright © 1998–2019 Fantasy & Science Fiction All Rights Reserved Worldwide


text:
FIA remove Hamilton's Russia penalty points
Lewis Hamilton has had his two penalty points at the Russian Grand Prix rescinded by the stewards, while Mercedes have been fined. The Mercedes driver was completing a practice start ahead of the Russian Grand Prix, though cameras showed him making it well down the pit exit with several drivers swerving over the white line to avoid him as they joined the track to make their way round to the grid. Hamilton asked over team radio for confirmation that he could do this, to which Mercedes said it was fine. However, it turned out not to be fine as Hamilton was then given two five-second time penalties during the race, serving both at his only pit stop and therefore dropping out of contention for...
Stewards rescind Hamilton's Russian GP penalty points
Lewis Hamilton has returned to being on eight penalty points after...
After Hamilton a driver of both Red Bull and Renault...
It was not only Lewis Hamilton who received penalty points from the...
Lewis Hamilton Is Very Close To Getting A Race Ban...
Lewis Hamilton was awarded two five-second penalties at the Russian Grand...
Hamilton just two points away from one-event ban
Reigning World Champion Lewis Hamilton is only two points away from a...


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10,000 Dolphins Are Being Secretly Killed In France Every Year
It usually happens at night — and sometimes they'll even try to hide the bodies.
By Elizabeth Claire Alberts
In a newly released video, three men stand at the back of a fishing vessel as a machine pulls a long, narrow net out from the ocean. As the net comes in, the body of a dolphin appears inside of it — it's not clear whether the dolphin is alive or dead.
Last weekend, crew members from Sea Shepherd Global followed two fishing vessels off the coast of Royan, France, to film their fishing activities. Besides catching a lot of fish, the vessels also caught two dolphins in their nets, and one was definitely still alive, according to Lamya Essemlali, president of Sea Shepherd France. But the fishermen don't try and save the dolphins' lives — the animals are usually killed and tossed overboard as "bycatch."
A dolphin trapped in a net being pulled onto a fishing vessel off the coast of France | Sea Shepherd Global
"It was extremely hard for the crew to watch the trapped dolphins without being able to rescue them," Essemlali told The Dodo.
In a small portion of France's coastal waters (between Vendée and Charente Maritime), it's estimated that up to 10,000 dolphins are killed each winter after getting caught in fishing nets, according to Sea Shepherd Global — in comparison, Taiji, Japan's infamous dolphin hunt, usually kills less than 1,000 dolphins.
"The most outraging part is that the French government knows about this," Essemlali said, explaining that the French government seems reluctant to address the issue.
Sea Shepherd Global
But the problem isn't isolated to France. More than 650,000 marine mammals, including dolphins, whales, seals and turtles, are killed or severely injured each year after getting caught in fishing nets, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).
"You can't sustain those kinds of numbers every year, and we need to take steps to limit that kind of bycatch," Zak Smith, senior attorney with the marine mammal protection project at NRDC, told The Dodo.
Unfortunately, many modern fishing practices make it far too easy for dolphins and other animals to get caught in nets. The fishermen in the video were using a fishing practice called "trawling," which involves pulling a large net through the water between two ships. But trawling nets don't just catch their target fish species (the fishing vessels in the video were trying to catch sea bass, according to Essemlali) — they catch everything in their path.
"The nets of the trawlers are not selective enough, and when the net surrounds a group of sea bass, very often, the dolphins are among them," Essemlali said. "Once they are trapped in the net, it is impossible for them to get out."
As mammals, dolphins need to rise to the surface to get enough air to breathe, but once they're inside the fishing nets, they can't swim anywhere. And trawling nets may remain in the water for several hours, according to Essemlali.
In most cases, the dolphins will drown in the nets. If they somehow survive, the fishermen will kill them on deck, rather than release them back into the ocean.
"They cut their fins and tail to remove them from the nets in order not to damage the nets," Essemlali said. "Nets are very expensive. They prevail over the life of dolphins."
A fishing boat off the coast of France | Sea Shepherd Global
Essemlali think that this is what happened to the dolphin who was still alive in the net during last week's surveillance.
The Sea Shepherd crew did not see the fishermen dispose of the dolphins' bodies, but Essemlali believes that the fishermen would have just thrown them overboard after the cameras were gone. "They usually just toss them back," she said. "Sometimes they cut them open for them [the bodies] to drown and not wash ashore."
A dead dolphin floating off the coast of France | Sea Shepherd Global
While this bycatch problem is definitely overwhelming, there are actually straightforward solutions, according to Smith. The banning of destructive fishing nets — like gillnets and trawling nets — would be a good first step, Smith explained. Smith also believes that governments around the world need to instill better regulations and monitoring programs.
"It takes work, but we know how to solve these problems," Smith said.
Catherine Kilduff, senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity, holds a similar view.
"Deaths of whales and dolphins in fishing gear remains an unsolved problem in much of the world, including the United States," Kilduff told The Dodo. "To keep these charismatic creatures in existence for our children requires changes. Holding fisheries managers accountable for these inhumane deaths is the first step toward finding a solution."
To help dolphins from getting caught in fishing nets, you can make a donation to Sea Shepherd Global, NRDC or the Center for Biological Diversity.


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Q: How to use ionic popup? I have a button.
        <button type="button" class="button button-calm   list-inset"
        ng-click="disable()">
            Delete
        </button>

When i click this button , i need to show a popup with 2 button. Cancel and
Disable.
When i click disable the popup should hide and the first button should be disabled.
How to do that?
I simply need to disable the first button with a confirmation message,which is provided by a ionic popup.

A: You can do this in your HTML :
<button class="button button-dark button-block" ng-click="disable()" ng-disabled="ko == true">
        Delete
      </button>

and in your controller you set up the variable like this  : $scope.ko = false;
and your function in your controller to disable the button should be like this :
    var popup = $ionicPopup.show({
              title: 'disable',
              scope: $scope,
              buttons: [
                {
                  text: 'Cancel',
                  type: 'button-default',
                  onTap: function (e) {
                    return null;
                  }
                },
                {
                  text: 'OK',
                  type: 'button-dark',

   onTap: function (e) {
                return true;
              }
            }
          ]
        });

        popup.then(function (popRes) {
            if(popRes){
              $scope.ko = true;
              console.log("disable");
            }
        })

Hope it help you :). Don't forget to add the $ionicPopover in your controller

A:  <button type="button" class="button button-calm   list-inset"
        ng-click="disable()">
            Delete
        </button>

you have to put this code on your controller,
$scope.disable= function () {
        var confirmPopup = $ionicPopup.confirm({
            title: 'Delete',
            template: 'Are you sure you want to delete this?'
        });

        confirmPopup.then(function (res) {
            if (res) {
                console.log('Deleted !');
            } else {
                console.log('Deletion canceled !');
            }
        });
    };

And also inject ($scope, $ionicPopup) in your controller.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Pastors teach and counsel the members of their church on eternal, spiritual matters that make a tremendous personal difference to many of them. Becoming a pastor, due to the seriousness of this role, requires biblical training and careful consideration for most. While the office of pastor in America does not yet require a license, you will need one to perform weddings in most states. If you desire this position and feel spiritually called to do so, there are several steps to becoming a licensed pastor depending on your denomination.
Familiarize yourself with your denomination's policy on ordination. Certain denominations utilize a list of qualifications of an elder while others tend toward a symbolic or more liberal view of who can serve in this role. You likely will need the ordination of a local church in your denomination to be ordained as a pastor within it. Non-denominational churches vary in ordination procedures.
Develop a strong relationship with your local church body through faithful, sacrificial service and leadership. Seek mentors among pastors within your denomination to assist you in the process or ordination.
Study the ordinances of the church. In addition to preaching and counseling your church, you will perform baptisms, weddings, funerals and the Lord's Supper ceremony. You must understand both how to perform these ordinances and why they are done with your denominational differences in mind.
Express to your church body publicly the desire to be a pastor. Denominations such as Southern Baptists and the United Methodists have a formal process for ordination that typically requires a waiting period to investigate your calling.
Contact your denomination's headquarters to begin the process of ordination. This organization will assist your local body in certifying your position within the denomination. If you are non-denominational, consult an ordination service to purchase an ordination certificate.
Complete an ordination service if your local church uses one. Certain denominations and non-denominational churches perform a ceremony that features a prayer service, including existing leadership symbolically "laying hands" on the candidate to pray for him.
Contact your local county clerk or justice of the peace to purchase your marriage license documentation. Every state has different requirements for this task.
Look into attending a seminary to learn the Bible in detail because teaching and preaching are important roles for a pastor.
Read and understand the biblical qualifications of an elder as described in the New Testament in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. The term elder is used interchangeably with shepherd, bishop and overseer in 1 Peter 5 and Acts 20, and the qualifications mentioned in 1 Timothy and Titus generally are accepted by most denominations as a set of guidelines for a pastor. Evaluate your life in light of this list of qualifications, and make any changes necessary before becoming a pastor.
Become a pastor to a denomination in which you agree with the fundamental theology.
Contact your accountant before using your pastoral license as a tax deduction because there are specific tax codes dealing with requirements of this position.
9Marks Ministries: What Is a Church Elder?
Desiring God: What Are the Qualifications for Elders and Deacons?
How to Find Out If Someone Is a Licensed Minister?
Applegate, Mark. "How to Be a Licensed Pastor." , https://careertrend.com/licensed-pastor-8120.html. 05 July 2017.
How Do I Become a Lay Pastor?


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Home/RNJ News/News Department/Eligible workers set to receive $300 supplemental unemployment payments, NJ Labor Department says
Eligible workers set to receive $300 supplemental unemployment payments, NJ Labor Department says
4,004 2 minutes read
NEW JERSEY – The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development continued to see a post-holiday jump in new jobless claims last week, as it prepared to send $300 supplemental unemployment payments to claimants on their first week of eligibility under the expanded CARES Act.
The supplemental benefit should hit the debit cards and direct deposit accounts of eligible claimants beginning Tuesday, depending on their bank. It is for anyone collecting unemployment in any amount, and is in addition to their regular benefit payment. The first allowable week of the $300 supplemental benefit is the week ending Jan. 2, 2021.
Also under the expanded CARES Act, those currently collecting Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) will see no interruption in benefits, and should continue certifying for weekly benefits.
Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo said the fact that these additional benefits would immediately be available for hundreds of thousands of out-of-work New Jerseyans was due, in part, to staff increases and automation upgrades completed since the COVID-19 pandemic took hold 10 months ago.
"We know what a welcome relief these additional benefits will be to hundreds of thousands of unemployed residents who are struggling to find work," Asaro-Angelo said.
Anyone whose benefits expired on Dec. 26 or later will also be eligible for the 11-week extension, but there will be a lapse while NJDOL reprograms its systems to allow for the additional payments. These claimants will be notified when they can resume certifying for weekly benefits.
Initial weekly unemployment claims totaled 20,986* for the week ending Jan. 2 — an increase of 2.6 percent, or 526 claims, over the prior week — with the total number of initial claims for benefits now topping 1.9 million since mid-March. Nearly $20.7 billion in benefits has been distributed to workers in need. The average claimant has received more than $14,000 in benefits.
Here are the week-by-week totals of new unemployment claims:
*This represents the final number for the week ending Jan. 2. The number listed for New Jersey by the US Department of Labor – 19,375– is based on advanced reporting.
Here is the breakdown of weekly benefits payments to eligible New Jersey workers:
PUA and PEUC were authorized by Congress under the CARES Act through Dec. 26, then extended under the Continued Assistance to Unemployed Workers Act through March 13, 2021. The maximum eligibility for PUA is now 57 weeks. PEUC now provides up to 24 weeks of additional benefits to those who exhaust 26 weeks of state unemployment. Extended benefits (EB) adds a final 20 weeks of benefits. The renewed FPUC benefit is a $300/week unemployment supplement for anyone collecting unemployment in any amount; the original program, which provided $600/week in supplemental benefits, expired in July. Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) was funded by FEMA and provided six weeks of supplemental benefits to people unemployed Aug. 1 through Sept. 5 due to COVID.
For more information on state or federal unemployment programs, visit myunemployment.nj.gov.
Visit New Jersey's jobs portal here: jobs.covid19.nj.gov.
For national unemployment data, visit dol.gov/ui/data.pdf and for archived NJ claims data, visit oui.doleta.gov/unemploy/DataDashboard.asp.
Coronavirus COVID-19 New Jersey New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development WRNJ News
Updated quarantine advisory issued for individuals traveling to New Jersey, new total to 34 states and territories
Man charged with DWI, careless driving in Hackettstown
Morris County Freeholders introduce 2020 budget with no tax rate increase
Great Meadows man charged with endangering welfare of child
Hunterdon County Sheriff: Jail consolidation with Warren County saving costs


The Damascus rooms are 3 multifunctional, open-plan rooms located on the first floor of the Convention Centre. They have natural light and large terraces with views over the golf courses and direct access to common spaces. They are all equipped with a screen, projector and audio systems. Ideal for groups of up to 180 people, workshops and subcommittee meetings for events. What's more, the three rooms can come together as one space covering 675 m2 with capacity for up to 740 people.


text:
Q: How to use Xdummy to get GLX support on AWS I am trying to use OpenAI gym through Jupyter on AWS (running Ubuntu 14.04 LTS). When I try and use the env.render() function I get an error. The problem is that env.render() uses pyglet, but when trying to import it I get the following error: GLXInfoException: pyglet requires an X server with GLX.
I have tried

*

*using xvfb, but from what I can see it doesn't support GLX.

*using bumblebee, but since AWS is a VM I can't install it.

In /var/log/Xorg.<n>.log get the following errors:
...
[   742.810] (EE) cirrus: The PCI device 0xb8 at 00@00:02:0 has a kernel module claiming it.
[   742.810] (EE) cirrus: This driver cannot operate until it has been unloaded.
...
[   742.854] (EE) Failed to initialize GLX extension (Compatible NVIDIA X driver not found)
...

A solution using Docker is posted here. I was not able to adapt this to run directly on an AMI, which I would like.
A similar problem is described here, but I don't know how to adapt this to my case.


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Home Events Friday, June 7 At NOCCA: Plessy Day, Hosted By The Plessy & Ferguson Foundation, The NOCCA Institute, And The Crescent City Peace Alliance
Now Live: The NOCCA Institute's 2013 ART & SOUL Silent Auction!
Wood Enterprises Has Raised Over $100,000 To Support The NOCCA Institute
Friday, June 7 At NOCCA: Plessy Day, Hosted By The Plessy & Ferguson Foundation, The NOCCA Institute, And The Crescent City Peace Alliance
29 May, 2013	 31 January, 2014 Leave a comment
PLESSY DAY 2013
The Music and the Movement:
Examining the Past to Build Bridges for Our Future
Friday, June 7 at 5:30pm
Begins at Press & Royal Streets,
in New Orleans' Faubourg Marigny
The Plessy & Ferguson Foundation, The NOCCA Institute, and The Crescent City Peace Alliance are proud to come together with the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site, Students at the Center, and United Teachers for New Orleans to celebrate Plessy Day 2013, on Friday, June 7 at 5:30pm.
Plessy Day is an annual event that honors the long struggle for civil rights in Louisiana, celebrates our progress, and creates intergenerational conversations on race, class, and equity. This year's theme is "examining the past to build bridges for our future" and will be marked by a commemoration of agents of change and the music of the movement.
We will begin the event at the corner of Press and Royal Streets, the historic site of Homer Plessy's 1892 arrest. Together we will mark the sacred site, then second line with Carl LeBlanc and the Big Easy Street Band to NOCCA's campus at 2800 Chartres Street. The evening will feature a tribute to Uncle Lionel, readings from Students at the Center, and a panel discussion on the connections between music and the civil rights movement featuring civil rights activist and Freedom Rider Doratha "Dodie" Smith-Simmons and longtime activist, poet, and teacher Kalamu ya Salaam, moderated by local cultural worker Wendy O'Neil.
Light fare will be provided by Mariott New Orleans. Literature related to the event will be available for purchase from The Community Book Store.
This event is free and open to the public.


Android's stock Contacts app is pretty much, well, a stock contacts app. It stores names, addresses, phone numbers, and the like, but does it pull in each contact's latest tweets and LinkedIn updates? Does it let you see your next scheduled meeting with a contact? Or schedule a follow-up call? No, no, and no.
CallApp is a contact manager on steroids. It's not perfect, but it does give you a ton of new and useful ways to track and interact with your contacts -- ways that might just help you impress a client or close a sale.
The first time you run CallApp, it sends you an activation code via SMS. From there you'll need to sign into one or more of your social networks: Facebook, Foursquare, Google+, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
Within CallApp's main contacts screen, you can tap one of three options for any person or business. By tapping the name, you get an attractive overview of that person's info: a photo, a LinkedIn description of the person's profession, his/her latest tweet and text message, and so on. Across the top you'll find icons that can connect you with useful communication tools, like GTalk and Skype.
How much info you get is based on how many networks you and the contact are connected to.
If it's a business, you might also see options like map, Yelp, Bing Local, Web search, and Twitter -- all incredibly handy stuff to have just one tap away.
For any contact you can also tap the accompanying CallApp icon for a pop-up list of powerful options: note, reminder, set meeting, share location, and so on. Or, if you just want to call that person, simply tap the phone icon.
What's especially nice is that CallApp works its magic with incoming calls as well, displaying as much information as possible about the person on the other end.
The app could use a few improvements. For starters, it displayed the wrong photo for at least one of my contacts -- though it did give me the chance to fix that. Also, it seems to work only with contacts that have phone numbers. I don't know about you, but my address book is full of number-less contacts, and I'd welcome the option of leveraging CallApp's capabilities with them as well.
If you've found Android's standard Contacts app lacking, especially in the social-media department, CallApp is well worth a look.


Early Winter Storm in Park City, Utah!
Good news skiers and snowboarders!
The storms last week dumped feet of snow in the high country. One of our friends climbed to the top of Mt. Superior on October 27 and shot this video. Enjoy!
Despite Popular Misconceptions About Utah, Park City Has World-Class Restaurants, a Vibrant Nightlife, and a Great Music Scene.


Fracking technology is giving a new face to the oil and gas industry, says James McIlree, managing director of Dominick & Dominick. In this exclusive interview with The Energy Report, McIlree zeroes in on a small holding company, Acorn Energy Inc., whose line of fiber-optic sensors makes oil exploration faster, safer and more economic.
The Energy Report: Dominick & Dominick is looking at small high-tech companies serving energy exploration and related enterprises. Why?
James McIlree: We are looking for micro-cap firms that apply advanced technology to developing traditional sources of energy—natural gas, coal and oil. We focus on companies intent upon making fossil fuels more efficient, cleaner and cheaper to produce.
"A fiber-optic geophone is much more sensitive than the traditional geophone. . .this is advantageous in the exploration market, where greater accuracy helps determine the size of reservoirs [and] the most efficient placement of wells."
TER: What companies meet those standards?
JM: We're in print right now on a holding company called Acorn Energy Inc. (ACFN:NASDAQ). Acorn owns several subsidiaries that meet these standards. One of its holdings is U.S. Seismic Systems Inc. U.S. Seismic has developed a fiber-optic sensor with applications in oil and gas exploration, as well as in reservoir management. Its fiber-optic sensors have much greater sensitivity than traditional geophones do, and that capability can be important to the hydraulic fracturing market.
TER: How do fiber optics improve geophone technology?
JM: A traditional geophone converts seismic energy into an electrical signal, which is measured and used to create maps, or representations of geologic formations. The seismic event can be created with explosives or vibrating plates. Seismic events are also created when a well is hydraulically fractured. The seismic event creates sound waves that travel through the earth and are "heard" by the geophone. The sound wave is modified as it travels through formations.
When an energy company is looking for oil and gas, it does a seismic survey. It then interprets the data to determine whether or not there is oil and gas in the area of interest. The traditional geophone converts seismic energy to electrical signals. The advantage of a fiber-optic geophone is that it is much more sensitive than the traditional geophone; the fiber-optic geophone is capable of "hearing" more.
This is advantageous in the exploration market, where greater accuracy helps determine the size of reservoirs. And it is advantageous in the hydraulic fracturing market as well, by assisting the gas company in siting its wells in the most efficient locale.
TER: Can you be more specific about how this technology works?
JM: The fiber-optic geophone is a spring with fiber wrapped around it. Sound waves generated by a seismic event cause the spring to change shape. And when the spring changes shape, the fiber that's wrapped around it expands or contracts. The engineers shoot a "reference" light through the fiber. The light's return signature is different than the reference signature. The differences are compared and used to create a database of how the sound wave changed as it traveled through a formation. The fiber-optic geophone U.S. Seismic has developed has been shown to be much more sensitive—that is, it can hear better than a traditional geophone.
An interrogator, or the electronics of the system, is housed in a trailer some distance away. The interrogator is the electronic device that compares the reference signal and return signal and creates the database that is used by the exploration company or the oil and gas company. This is a critical aspect of the system that U.S. Seismic recently licensed from Northrop Grumman.
TER: How new is this fiber-optic technology?
JM: The technology has been pursued for many years, but Acorn has overcome some of its limitations.
TER: Is this fiber-optic geophone a proprietary product?
JM: Yes, it is proprietary; there are patents and some trade secrets surrounding it. There are two basic seismic products sold by Acorn's U.S. Seismic. The fiber-optic geophone is placed either on the ground or down a hole, and the interrogator interprets the signal changes.
TER: Acorn is engaged in a number of different types of technological ventures geared toward energy exploration. Can you talk about its scope of operations?
"U.S. Seismic's fiber-optic geophones can show that the seismic events are limited to certain areas, and generate a high degree of confidence that the fracking is not contaminating any of the water supply in that area."
JM: Acorn addresses the entire food chain of energy production—from exploration through distribution. It has a unit called GridSense, which serves the electrical utility. GridSense has developed a line of transformer monitors that help electric utilities predict where transformers are likely to fail and, based on that information, do preventative maintenance. In the United States, the transformer fleet is relatively old and, consequently, transformers are a significant point of failure. GridSense has developed a low-cost way to monitor transformers and replace them before they fail.
TER: Does Acorn have competitors in the grid-monitoring space?
JM: Of course. There is General Electric Co. (GE:NYSE), Siemens AG (SI:NYSE) and a variety of smaller competitors.
TER: Let's talk about the environmental concerns around fracking. How do these types of high-tech products address those issues?
JM: There are four major environmental concerns about fracking. The first is water supply, and to what extent fracking fluids and gas can infiltrate the water supply. The second is disposal of the fracking fluids once fracking has taken place. The third concern is earthquakes, which can occur if fracking creates a large enough seismic event. The fourth concern is greenhouse gas emissions, to which natural gas contributes. U.S. Seismic's technology targets the first and perhaps biggest cause of concern, that is, will fracking contaminate the water supply? U.S. Seismic's fiber-optic geophones can show that the seismic events are limited to certain areas, and generate a high degree of confidence that the fracking is not contaminating any of the water supply in that area. Regulators are trying to understand exactly what environmental risks are involved in fracking. U.S. Seismic's ultra-sensitive instruments can alleviate these fears.
TER: And conversely, the sensors could determine that such-and-such an area should be off limits.
"The energy industry is an international industry. But a lot of high technology is originally developed in North America, proven in North America and then sold to the rest of the world."
TER: This sounds like a growing field. Does this type of technology apply to solar, wind or geothermal energy?
JM: There are opportunities there, but we are currently focused on the traditional sources of energy, not the alternative sources.
TER: Pipeline corrosion is a problem in the aging energy grids. Who is looking at that issue?
JM: Acorn has two products applicable to that problem. One is produced by U.S. Seismic. It's a fiber-optic sensor that could be used to monitor pipelines. And Acorn recently acquired a company called OmniMetrix LLC, which also has a product used for pipeline monitoring.
TER: Let's talk about what you look for in management. What is the situation with Acorn?
JM: Acorn is a holding company. Its CEO is John Moore. John has a very good track record of identifying companies with emerging technologies in the energy industry. He invests in companies with proven management teams, such as U.S. Seismic, GridSense and OmniMetrix. Acorn offers these companies relative autonomy and financial resouces. As companies grow and mature, John Moore typically sells them. Over its history, Acorn has executed a couple of successful sales, including a company called Comverge and another called CoaLogix Inc., which does pollution-control technology for the coal-fired electric industry.
TER: What is it about the recent trajectory of Acorn's stock price that attracts you?
JM: The stock started the year close to $4-5/share and ran to about $13/share. It rose based upon expectations for good news coming out of its U.S. Seismic business. There has been increased focus on that business as oil prices have moved up. But Acorn had a rough May, like the rest of the market, and so the current $8/share level looks fairly attractive. We have a target of $14/share, and that's based upon our belief that, over time, the divisions that Acorn owns will mature and become increasingly attractive to potential buyers.
TER: Is Acorn's price tied to the ups and downs of the energy sector in general?
JM: Yes. But what we like about the Acorn stock movement is that it's not just driven by the price of oil or gas. The company's products enable energy companies to reduce their costs and to improve output. There is a viable market there, even with fluctuating resource prices. The viability is tied to the necessity of the oil and gas companies to lower costs and improve the quality of production.
TER: Does Acorn have its eyes on international business, or is it purely domestic, to the United States?
"The strategic philosophy behind Acorn's investments is that traditional energy industries are going to be with us for a very long time. Acorn is looking for companies that can help those traditional sources of energy operate more efficiently."
JM: Initially, the Acorn products will be proven in the North American markets, and then migrate to international markets. The energy industry is an international industry. But a lot of high technology is originally developed in North America, proven in North America and then sold to the rest of the world. I envision that the same type of progression will occur with Acorn's products.
TER: Do you view Acorn itself as a company that has acquisition potential down the road, or a company that will grow and maintain itself on its own steam?
JM: The reality of the small-cap market is that the successful ones have a higher likelihood of being acquired. But it would be difficult for one company to buy the whole portfolio of companies that Acorn owns. Energy service companies like Baker Hughes Inc. (BHI:NYSE), Halliburton Co. (HAL:NYSE) or FTS International (FTSI) are potential candidates to buy U.S. Seismic. Different sets of companies would be interested in GridSense and OmniMetrix.
TER: Well, Acorn is a holding company at this point, right? So companies can come and go and it can maintain its structure if it wants to.
JM: Right. And that is what has happened. Acorn sold Comverge, took the proceeds and found other companies that it thought were interesting. It sold CoaLogix, took the proceeds, and purchased companies that it thought were interesting. I think that's the more likely scenario: that somebody comes along and offers an attractive price for an Acorn property. Moore says "Sold," takes the proceeds and finds something else to develop.
TER: Do you have an approximate dollar figure that you could attach to what Acorn earned from those sales and were able to put back into their companies?
JM: Acorn's Comverge subsidiary went public in 2007 at a $250 million (M) valuation and Acorn sold its entire position later in the year for $50M. In 2011, Acorn sold CoaLogix at a $101M valuation and banked close to $60M, after taxes, for its share.
TER: Let's go back to the theme of Acorn making energy cleaner, cheaper, safer, and more reliable. Can you sum up how Acorn is approaching those goals?
JM: The strategic philosophy behind Acorn's investments is that the traditional energy industries are going to be with us for a very long period of time. Acorn is looking for companies that can help those traditional sources of energy operate more efficiently. John Moore wants firms that have already had the initial round of investments—he is not a venture capitalist. He looks at companies that are either on the verge of product development, or that have a product but need help bringing it to market. Acorn is not going to be the first investor. It will be the second or the third investor. Many companies go through a lifecycle of the venture capital where it's founders have a great idea, but they run out of cash or expertise, and that's when Acorn can assist these companies.
TER: Is Acorn returning a dividend at this time?
JM: Yes, it returns a small dividend, at an annual rate of $0.14 per share.
JM: Thank you for having me.
James McIlree has 25 years of experience in the investment business as a sell-side research analyst and buy-side analyst and portfolio manager. He focuses on emerging growth companies in the technology, telecomm, energy and defense electronics markets. Prior to joining Dominick & Dominick in October of 2011, Mr. McIlree was a managing director and research analyst at Merriman Capital covering firms at the intersection of satellite communications and defense electronics. Prior to Merriman Capital, McIlree was with Collins Stewart and its predecessor firm, C. E. Unterberg, Towbin, where he covered the defense electronics/communications sector and was director of research. McIlree holds a Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of Chicago and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Colorado. He is a CFA charter holder.
2) The following companies mentioned in the interview are sponsors of The Energy Report: Acorn Energy Inc. Streetwise Reports does not accept stock in exchange for services. Interviews are edited for clarity.
3) James McIlree: I have not, nor has my family, been compensated by any companies mentioned in this interview. Neither I, nor my family, own shares in any company mentioned in this interview. I was not paid by Streetwise Reports for participating in this story.
4) The following disclosures are applicable to Acorn Energy Inc.: The research analyst responsible for preparing reports on Acorn Energy Inc. has received compensation based upon various factors including the firm's total revenues, a portion of which is generated by investment banking activities.
Dominick & Dominick LLC expects to receive or intends to seek compensation for investment banking activities from Acorn Energy Inc. in the next three months.
Dominick & Dominick LLC has received compensation for investment banking services from Acorn Energy, Inc. in the last 12 months.


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Retrofit skills bootcamps launched to help develop energy saving technologies and skills in the West Midlands
Hundreds of people are to undergo free specialist training so they have the skills needed to retrofit the latest energy saving technologies to upgrade thousands of homes across the region.
A number of Retrofit Bootcamps are being funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to help equip existing engineers and others with the skills and knowledge to install green technologies such as heat pumps, solar panels and super-efficient insulation.
Not only will the bootcamps help people find work in the green industries of the future but the installation of retrofit products will help the West Midlands in its ambitious #WM2041 target to be a net zero region with the next two decades.
The first bootcamp, which has launched at Teach A Trade in partnership with Telford College, this bootcamp provides gas engineers heating engineers and plumbers the chance upskill and gain the essential qualification required to install, service and maintain air source heat pumps. Along side the heat pump qualification participants will complete a level 2 mental health awareness course to raise awareness and provide the increase in mental health issues within the construction industry.
Heat pumps are seen as critical technology for decarbonising heating in domestic homes but the UK's Committee on Climate Change says that by 2030 the country will need to be installing a million heat pumps every year if it is to reach its net zero targets. That will require thousands of engineers with the right skills.
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: "As the home of Britain's Green Industrial Revolution, the West Midlands is set to create tens of thousands of jobs in the coming years as we work towards our #WM2041 plan to tackle the climate emergency.
"It is therefore absolutely critical that we get local people the skills they need to develop energy saving technologies as we move towards upgrading more and more homes across the region."
Telford college has teamed up with Telford-based Teach A Trade for the 'bootcamp' project, which is being funded from the £11m the WMCA secured from Government for skills bootcamps in September.
The fully accredited course is delivered at Teach A Trades' Halesfield-based training centre by industry experts with vast practical and theoretical knowledge. Successful completion of the course leads to an LCL awards level 3 in the installation and maintenance of heat pump systems.
Beckie Bosworth, head of employer engagement at Telford College, said: "We will be training a total of 128 people over the next six months.
"This is a really exciting project that fits perfectly with the college's strategic plans for become an ethical skills eco system for the region, promoting green skills and working towards net zero.
Full Article: https://www.wmca.org.uk/news/retrofit-skills-bootcamps-launched-to-help-develop-energy-saving-technologies-and-skills-in-the-west-midlands/


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Posts for: January, 2017
Tags: x-ray
X-rays revolutionized dental care in the 20th Century. The same could happen in the 21st Century as cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) becomes a fixture beside the traditional x-ray machine.
CBCT made its debut in dental offices about a decade and a half ago. It utilizes the same invisible energy as traditional x-rays to create images of the face and jaw. But unlike traditional x-rays, which can only depict structures in the two dimensions of width and height, CBCT can create three-dimensional images in amazing detail.
The CBCT's x-ray projector rotates around a patient's head. As it emits a cone-shaped beam of x-rays, the device simultaneously collects anywhere from 150 to 599 distinct image views. It transmits these views to a computer that assembles them into three-dimensional images that can be viewed on a computer display.
From the data file of images, dentists can re-format a variety of views and angles of teeth, jaws and other facial bones at various levels of magnification. Because of this wide range of views, all in striking detail, CBCTs are highly useful among other things for diagnosis of malocclusions (bad bites), the size and location of infections, obstructions at possible implant sites, or jaw problems prior to surgery.
Because they expose a patient to higher doses of radiation than a standard x-ray machine, they're normally limited to more complex oral situations. That means you'll still undergo standard x-rays for most of your dental treatment needs. CBCT radiation levels are lower, however, than medical CT scans, which use a fan-shaped beam that can expose a patient to ten times the radiation of a CBCT. For dental care, a CBCT machine also produces greater image detail than an MRI.
Depending on your needs, CBCT may one day be a part of your dental care. With their range and accuracy, it could play a major role in helping you attain good health.
If you would like more information on cone beam diagnostics, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article "Getting the Full Picture with Cone Beam Dental Scans."
Tags: celebrity smiles oral hygiene
Can you have healthy teeth and still have gum disease? Absolutely! And if you don't believe us, just ask actor David Ramsey. The cast member of TV hits such as Dexter and Arrow said in a recent interview that up to the present day, he has never had a single cavity. Yet at a routine dental visit during his college years, Ramsey's dentist pointed out how easily his gums bled during the exam. This was an early sign of periodontal (gum) disease, the dentist told him.
"I learned that just because you don't have cavities, doesn't mean you don't have periodontal disease," Ramsey said.
Apparently, Ramsey had always been very conscientious about brushing his teeth but he never flossed them.
"This isn't just some strange phenomenon that exists just in my house — a lot of people who brush don't really floss," he noted.
Unfortunately, that's true — and we'd certainly like to change it. So why is flossing so important?
Oral diseases such as tooth decay and periodontal disease often start when dental plaque, a bacteria-laden film that collects on teeth, is allowed to build up. These sticky deposits can harden into a substance called tartar or calculus, which is irritating to the gums and must be removed during a professional teeth cleaning.
Brushing teeth is one way to remove soft plaque, but it is not effective at reaching bacteria or food debris between teeth. That's where flossing comes in. Floss can fit into spaces that your toothbrush never reaches. In fact, if you don't floss, you're leaving about a third to half of your tooth surfaces unclean — and, as David Ramsey found out, that's a path to periodontal disease.
Since then, however, Ramsey has become a meticulous flosser, and he proudly notes that the long-ago dental appointment "was the last we heard of any type of gum disease."
Let that be the same for you! Just remember to brush and floss, eat a good diet low in sugar, and come in to the dental office for regular professional cleanings.
If you would like more information on flossing or periodontal disease, please contact us today to schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article "Understanding Gum (Periodontal) Disease."


Go behind the scenes at historic Kumeu River Wines owned and operated by the Brajkovich family. Pioneers in New Zealand wine since 1944 they specialize in producing Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Gewurtztraminer and Pinot Noir only from their own locally grown Kumeu Estates. See French Burgundian barrels and how the wine is made.
Taste wine and take a delicious Ala Carte one course lunch with Tea/Coffee at Soljans Vineyard winery. They have an excellent range of regional varietals like Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling Sparkling Muscat, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Tawny Port.
Enjoy a side trip to beautiful Muriwai Beach and see the spectacular Gannet Colony.
Finally taste wine at West Brook Wines before the 35 mnute trip to Auckland.
NZWINEPRO - Vineyards Honey and Black Sand Beaches Wine Tour, 417A Tamaki Drive, St Heliers, Auckland Central, Auckland, 1071, New Zealand.


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Wounds of Womanhood: A Night of Art, Awareness, Advocacy in Huntsville
Last Monday in Huntsville, Alabama, a group of students and their professor were joined by members of their community. They gathered on the campus of Alabama A&M University for a night of art, awareness and advocacy. They called the evening's event, "Wounds of Womanhood". They were there to discuss something that is quite unfamiliar to the people of Huntsville – female genital mutilation (FGM).
In early October of this year, Global Woman P.E.A.C.E. Foundation's Executive Director, Angela Peabody was invited to visit Huntsville to speak about female genital mutilation. In addition to a speaking appearance at the University of Alabama, Peabody visited Alabama A&M University, where she lectured to Professor Helen Fischle's Diverse Populations class. She piqued the interest of the students and their professors, when she told them that the state of Alabama did not have a law against the practice of FGM. The students and Professor Fischle told Peabody in October that they wanted to do something about their state not having a law in place.
The students and their professor followed through with their promise to pursue a law in their state and to raise awareness about FGM in Alabama. Prior to Peabody's lecture in October, most of the students had not heard about FGM; and those who had heard about it were not aware of its existence here in the United States.
So when "Wounds of Womanhood" last week packed the room with approximately sixty students, two professors and many others from the community, it amazed the hosts. They did not expect such a turnout, considering it was the Monday after the Thanksgiving break, and Cyber Monday at that. The evening turned out to be a great success for raising awareness about FGM in Huntsville.
The event was organized by three student clubs of the campus of Alabama A&M University. Those clubs are the Alabama A&M Poetry Club, S.H.E. Club and the Alabama A&M Social Work Association. Joshua Baker is Club's President for their Poetry Club; Chana Johnson is the Club's President of S.H.E. and TyTeanna Porterfield is the Club's President of the Social Work Association. All three of these student club presidents are students in Professor Fischle's Diverse Populations Class.
The main speaker of the evening was the President of Global Ties Alabama, Jacquelyn Gates Shipe. Mrs. Shipe had met Angela Peabody this past July at a convention in Fort Worth, Texas. Peabody had briefed Shipe about her organization's mission and work; Shipe wasted no time in extending an invitation to the Executive Director of Global Woman P.E.A.C.E. Foundation to visit Huntsville in the fall. The Global Ties Alabama's President walked the audience through the steps of legislative advocacy. She shared with them the names of the Alabama State Legislators, whom she feels will be most supportive in their quest to establish a law against FGM in that state. She urged them to continue their awareness meetings, and to possibly meet with a couple of the Legislators, upon their return from the holiday break. It is their hope that they can meet with those Legislators, prior to when the Alabama Legislature convenes their 2018 session. Jacquelyn Shipe told Global Woman Newsletter, "It was an excellent meeting." She continued, "The audience was attentive and engaged."
In addition to Jacquelyn's presentation, the hosts played two pre-recorded videos made especially for that evening. One video showed Angela Peabody addressing the audience, as she described the work and role she and her organization play in the anti-FGM campaign. She told the audience how much she wished she could have been with them in person. The other video was with FGM survivor, F.A. Cole of Maryland. Cole graciously shared her story with the audience. She mentioned her recent FGM restorative surgery, and how she continues the healing process. Jacquelyn Shipe told Global Woman Newsletter, "Your video message and the message from the survivor were very effective."
Professor Helen Fischle told Global Woman Newsletter, "Jacquelyn Shipe did an excellent job in explaining to the students what the next steps should be, in regards to starting the process of writing to our State Legislators." Fischle added, "She has already given us some good leads."
Helen Fischle and her students are optimistic that they will be able to rally support and approval from their State Legislators to have a law passed in the state of Alabama. With what these students, along with their Professor and Jacquelyn Shipe have done in only two months, there is little doubt that a Bill against FGM will not be put forth in Alabama in 2018.
During this past Walk To End FGM, Global Woman P.E.A.C.E. Foundation made a statement about those states in the U.S. without FGM laws. They hoisted a large banner with the map of the United States. The states with laws passed in the U.S. were colored in purple, while those states remaining without FGM laws were in white. Peabody said, she hopes that at their next Walk To End FGM, there will be more states colored in purple. Could Alabama be the next state to be colored in purple? If you ask the students from the Helen Fischle's Diverse Populations class, they will tell you that their state, Alabama will be the next state to be colored in purple on that banner.
Alabama – Dr. Tony Perry Jaqui Gates-Shipe Joshua Baker Helen Fischle Chana Johnson
Global Woman P.E.A.C.E. Foundation wishes the students and their other advocates the best in getting the attention of their State Legislators. If you are reading this story and you are not sure if your state has a law against FGM, please contact Global Woman Newsletter at info@globalwomanpeacefoundation.org.
Send all comments and questions about the preceding article to info@globalwomanpeacefoundation.org or call (703) 818-3787.
Several Women Organizations came together as sponsors to raise awareness about "FGM". This was the first Annual 5K Walk to help eliminate the horrific acts of "Female Genital Mutation".
Sherelle T. Carper, President Pro Tem, MSP Club, NANBPWC