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Alister Proctor
The Manx Baritone
Proctor, Alister NcNeil, born near Holmer, near Hereford, 10th May 1870; died Hereford 11th October 1942
Father: William, born Douglas 1829; died Feb 15th 1917, Douglas.
Mother: Christian née McNeil, born c. 1825; died 1893.
Wife: Mary Bryce née Andrew, born Edinburgh c. 1870; died Hereford 3rd January 1944.
Children: daughter: Jeanie; sons: Francis Allister; John Andrew; William Simpson; Douglas Yerburgh; Ewan Sinclair.
'No better exponent of Manx music and manners'.1
Alister Proctor was born near Hereford2 the son of William and Christian Proctor of 29 Castle Street, Douglas. His name is absent from the 1871 and 1881 Isle of Man Census records, but by 1881, aged 10 years, he was a scholar at Elmfield College, Heworth, York, a Primitive Methodist college 'for the sons of ministers and prosperous laymen'.3 How he came to be born near Hereford is something of a mystery as his father had been established in Douglas as a 'cordwainer' - a skilled shoemaker rather than a 'cobbler' who traditionally merely repaired shoes - with businesses in Douglas on Prospect Hill, Strand Street and Castle Street, and thus may be said to fit the description 'prosperous laymen' in the precepts laid down by Elmfield College.4 William Proctor had left school at the age of twelve, became 'an ardent Temperance worker' in his youth, an apprentice shoemaker in Douglas and for seventeen years a postman. He later became a prominent figure in Douglas affairs, took a keen interest in the town's improvements, filled many public offices and later became a J.P., an Alderman and a Mayor of Douglas.5
Concerning Alister Proctor's musical training we know nothing, but it is reasonable to suppose that he was blessed with an excellent singing voice as a boy and received the basics of music theory at Elmfield College. His name first appears in the Isle of Man newspapers in January 1891, after he took part in a 'popular entertainment' at the Douglas Gymnasium in aid of the Poor Children's Free Dinner Fund. That same year his name first appears in an Isle of Man Census record where he is described as a shoemaker residing with his parents at number 37 Castle Street, Douglas. In February the following year he sang a duet - Benedict's The Moon Hath Raised Her Lamp Above - at the opening of Douglas Athletic Club's new headquarters in the Victoria Hall, and later that month sang the substantial role of Saul in G. F. Root's sacred cantata David, The Shepherd Boy, in St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, a church he would enjoy a long and significant association with. In April 1893 we get the first critical appraisal of his voice from a review in the Mona's Herald of a concert in Castletown, where he sang The People Who Walked in Darkness from Handel's Messiah in a voice characterised by 'purity of intonation and great clearness of enunciation'.
'Our local favourite'.
The year 1894 was a typically busy one for the rising Douglas baritone who increasingly deserved 'his high esteem in Douglas'. In January he took part in the first of the 'Grand Concerts' at the Grand Theatre, promoted by Harry Wood and B. Bennett, and was encored after singing Bordesi's scena David Singing Before Saul; in February he led the Douglas Cantata Society in a performance of David, the Shepherd Boy and again reprised the role of Saul. Llater that month he took part in the first of many Masonic Concerts promoted by the Tynwald Lodge at the Grand Theatre, together with other fellow masons including his colleagues Harry Wood6 and F. C. Poulter.7 In June a children's choir trained by him took part in the Union Mills Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary concert; in November he sang at the annual Misses Cannell's concert where he was voted the best of the soloists in Louis Spohr's cantata God, Thou Art Great, and delighted the audience with his characterful singing of Chesham's Soldier Jim and other popular songs. Later that month he was a co-promoter of a Brass Band contest held at the Palace Ballroom and in December he was involved with three musical events: Harry Wood's Students' Concert in the Grand Theatre, a Douglas Wesleyan Temperance concert when he sang Handel's Arm, Arm Ye Brave 'in magnificent style', and finally with the Mona Quartet in the Vocal Quartette Class at the Fine Arts and Industrial Guild Music Competition, when his group attained 90 marks out of 99 and were each awarded a medal.
By 1895 Alister Proctor was well integrated into the cultural life of Douglas and furthermore had been received into the St. Trinian's Masonic Lodge. On 19th January he married Mary Bryce Andrew at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church where he was described as the 'precentor' or choir master. An action in the High Court of Justice at this time suggests that Alister Proctor was still occupied in the family business at this time: 'Executions against Thomas James Dixon for goods 'sold and delivered': Wm Proctor £3 4s 1d; Alister Proctor 15s 1d. Later that year an 'Execution without prejudice' was granted.
He continued to appear regularly at Harry Wood's Students' Concerts and Sunday Sacred Concerts, the Misses Cannell's concerts, the Guild concerts, and increasingly at the gatherings of Manx Societies in Liverpool and Manchester, where he was invariably 'warmly greeted', particularly when he introduced such popular songs as Weiss's The Village Blacksmith and The Manx Wedding, 'in a broad Manx brogue', which frequently 'brought the house down'. One can imagine him relishing this fine Manx song which refers to many other well-loved Manx songs in the text, and speaks of such characters as Karran the cornet, 'oul' Archie Cuckoo, the Castletown fiddler', Phillie the Desert and Tommy the Mate. He naturally included in his repertoire many well-loved arias, songs and ballads from popular Victorian operas and operettas such as Wallace's Maritana and the Mikado, which 'he rendered in his own irreproachable style'. On one occasion in 1896 at a Misses Cannell's concert, he introduced that tour-de-force of the lieder repertoire, Schubert's The Erl King. In December 1895 he sang a version of the Manx tune The Good Old Way for Harry Wood, who wrote it down and later used it in his Manx Airs. This version differs from the familiar version in Manx National Songs in having both 2/4 and 3/4 measures, 'and was popular from the days when John Butcher, the travelling Primitive Methodist preacher (or 'ranter'), was on the Island in the 1820s.
He continued to appear at many concerts associated with civic events both large and small, such as the dinner at the Douglas Bay Hotel in September 1896 on the completion of the Upper Douglas Cable Tramway. There were also the annual Church Bazaars at St Andrew's and St Matthew's where he was frequently referred to as 'our local favourite' who 'set the ball rolling with a couple of well-rendered songs'. In December 1897 he was best man at the wedding of his colleague J. P. Callow, the manager of the Derby Castle.
Chester's gain, but Douglas' loss.
There is little doubt that Alister Proctor was possessed of a strong voice of professional quality, in quite a different league to most of his local contemporaries, and if he had chosen a different path and studied with a renowned singing teacher, he could have enjoyed a successful career as a concert artiste. From reviews we can deduce that his was a voice with a distinctive baritonal timbre, allied to excellent diction; that he was versatile and innovative in his choice of repertoire - Manx songs, popular ballads, sacred songs, arias and songs from the world of operetta - and characterised his songs very effectively. Few other local singers of his generation were so welcome in Douglas as his appearance at a concert guaranteed 'a good song, well sung'.
In July 1899 Alister Proctor was appointed as a lay clerk - a professional singer at an Anglican cathedral employed to assist with the cathedral music - at Chester Cathedral by Dr. Bridge, the cathedral organist.8 In October he was presented with a gold purse, a gold watch and a meerschaum pipe on behalf of the congregation of St. Andrew's Church. He was never again permanently resident on the Island, but frequently visited Douglas to take part in a variety of musical events, and the Isle of Man newspapers continued to follow his career with interest. In January 1900 he appeared as a solo singer at a memorial service in connection with the Duke of Westminster in the cathedral. His singing of John Goss's Brother, Thou Art Gone Before Us displayed 'marked feeling and requisite pathos'. In April he was back in Douglas as a guest artiste in one of Harry Wood's winter concerts at the Palace, and delighted the audience with A Manx Wedding. In August 1901 he was present at Loch Promenade Church, Douglas, to witness the visit of the Reverend T. H. Hunt, and 'delighted his friends with a solo'.
In December 1901 there appeared a series of banner announcements in the local newspapers: 'Alister Proctor is Coming!' and in January 1902 he was the principal guest artiste at the Wanderer's Association Football Club Music Festival at the Grand Theatre, together with a Pupil Teachers' Choir numbering fifty local singers and his cousin May Proctor,9 another highly respected local singer. He was hailed as 'Manxland's greatest baritone', and among the songs he sang was the old drawing room ballad Bid Me to Love accompanied by the violin obbligato of Harry Wood. As the local newspapers put it: 'he was once again in his own place amongst his own people (and) he let himself go . . . he should be justly proud of his voice, but the Island is prouder still'.
In February 1902 he took the title role in Harry Wood's pantomime King Gobnegaey with the consent of the Dean of Chester Cathedral, and in April he once again took part in a Misses Cannell's concert at the Gaiety Theatre. He was back in Douglas in August to sing at one of Professor Wood's pictorial Concerts at the Grand Theatre, and in November he sang Gounod's popular sacred song Nazareth at a concert at St. Matthew's Church at which both Harry Wood and his soon-to-be famous younger brother Haydn also appeared. That same month he was granted a complimentary ('benefit') concert at the Chester Music Hall in recognition of his charity work in the town. Master Haydn Wood was a guest artiste and played a number of virtuoso violin pieces.
For the next three years he appeared several times in Douglas, principally at the Misses Cannell's concerts and Professor Wood's Pictorial concerts. In 1905 'the Manx baritone', now principal baritone at Chester Cathedral, appeared with the Lay Clerks of the Cathedral at the 10th annual Liverpool Manx Society gathering where he sang the ever popular The Manx Wedding, 'finely rendered, with a purity of tone . . . his style having wonderfully improved of late'. In April that year he was the co-organiser of a 'Big Concert' at the Gaiety Theatre where he witnessed, no doubt with considerable pride, the debut professional engagement of his cousin May Proctor.
'A fine voice and presence'.
In June 1906 he was appointed solo baritone at Hereford Cathedral in the face of considerable competition from 195 other candidates. We learn little of his career for the next few years but in August 1912 he was back in Douglas and took part in the second Great Wagner Concert at the Villa Marina, together with Herr Simon Wurm's Imperial Viennese Orchestra, who had just been engaged there as the resident band. He appeared again in the Villa Marina Gardens in August 1913 with the Comus (male voice) Quartette in a selection of part-songs and madrigals described as 'a musical treat so charming as to be beyond praise'.
On the eve of war in August 1914 he was once again in Douglas at the newly-styled Villa Marina Kursaal - a short-lived name that soon disappeared after World War I had been declared - and his 'beautiful baritone voice received a fine reception'. Before that fateful year was out his father, William, now long retired, was reported to have a son, and five grandsons, in the army or about to be, for incredibly Alister Proctor, at the age of forty-four, had enlisted in the Army Reserve (Special reservists) of Kitchener's New Army as a Private in the 6th King's Shropshire Light Infantry Labour Corps.10 We hear of him briefly in 1915, whilst undergoing training in Camberley, at the Central Hotel there where he took part in a concert in aid of the Indian Soldiers' Comfort Fund. 'The possessor of one of the most magnificent voices ever heard here he delighted the audience with the singing of 'Toreador' (possibly the famous aria from Bizet's Carmen), Do you remember long ago and Maud V. White's King Charles . . . 'a splendid voice that showed him to be in full control of his notes' lauded the Camberley News. He was briefly on leave in Douglas in 1917, but we learn next-to-nothing of his wartime experiences from the local newspapers.
'A soldier-singer in fine voice'
In August 1919 he appeared at a Sunday Concert at the Villa Marina and was described as 'at his best . . . having achieved considerable renown' in Frederick Keel's poignant Tomorrow (written whilst the composer was a prisoner of war), John Ireland's Sea Fever, W. Wand Higgs' Follow me 'ome and Edward German's rousing Glorious Devon. Encores were demanded and he sang King Charles and Sanderson's Cobblin', which no doubt brought back family memories. Throughout he sang 'with great characterisation . . . and really let himself go'. In 1925 he took part in a series of services in connection with the Centenary of St. Andrew's Church, where he was once the choir master, and was greeted as '. . . a famous Manx singer whose voice is all too rarely heard in his native town'. The following year he was amongst the 3,000 spectators at the Children's Festival at the Guild, and in November 1926 he was the adjudicator at Yn Cruinnacht and sang a new song, The Riders, with words by 'Cushag' and music by the Manx composer J. E. Quayle. 'A thoroughly Manx production with poet, composer and singer being of our own stock' enthused one local newspaper. His last two appearances in Douglas took place in 1934, at a Sunday Service at Cunningham's Holiday Camp, and in 1935, when he was amongst the guests at a 'Homecomers' reunion at the Villa Marina hosted by Richard Cain and his wife. Kelly's Directory (Hereford Commercial) of 1938 marks a final faint trace of his long career:
Alister Proctor's Male Voice Choir. Rehearsals at the Imperial Hotel. Widemarsh Street.
Alister Proctor, 'Lay Clerk, Hereford Condrine', died on 11th October 1942 aged seventy-two years, at his home, 'Ellan Vannin', 21, Moor Park Road, Hereford.
Maurice Powell, February, 2019.
1. Isle of Man Times 11.1.1902.
2. Army Service Record.
3. W. H. Balgarnie, later the inspiration for James Hilton's Mr Chips, taught there during the 1880s.
4. The business employed three men, four girls and three boys according to the 1881 Isle of Man census. At a meeting of the shareholders the Manx Boot and Shoe Company in December 1898, both Alderman William Proctor and Alister Proctor strongly advocated the investment of 'a little money' in the Company in order to secure employment for 50-100 people. The setting up of such small businesses 'was vital to avoid ''all eggs in one basket'' with the visitor industry'. Even at this date, Alister Proctor seems to have been working for the family business as a commercial traveller working on commission.
5. William Proctor retired from his shoemaking business in 1892 and built a small villa, 'Westbrook', near Quarterbridge. After the death of his wife in 1893 he moved to number 35 Derby Square. His recollections of 'Old Douglas' before the rise of the tourist industry make fascinating reading. See Isle of Man Times 10.1902.
6. The Musical Director at the Derby Castle and later the overall Musical Director of the Palace & Derby Castle Company. See Maurice Powell, Manxland's King of Music, the life and times of Harry Wood, Lily Publications, 2018.
7. See Maurice Powell, Frederick Charles Poulter, manxmusic.com/biographies.
8. According to the England Census of 1901 Alister Proctor and his wife resided at number 1 Brassey Street, Chester, together with a son, three daughters, his mother-in-law and a domestic servant.
9. May Eleanor Proctor was trained by Alister Proctor and Sir Charles Santley, the great Victorian baritone, and at the Royal Academy of Music. She was a Gold medallist at the 1905 Guild Music Competition.
10. Army Reserve (Special Reservists) one-year service no. 7528, Labour Corps. He had previously been a member of the Isle of Man Volunteers. (See Isle of Man Times, 15.4.38 for a photograph of Alister Proctor and others in their Manx Volunteer uniforms.) After training in Camberley, Surrey, he was made up to Lance Corporal, and was sent to France in July 1915. He was demobbed in February 1919 and received his Victory Medal in April 1920.
11. His estate was noted as £2962 2s 9d.


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St.Patrick's Day is coming up. Usually my husband and I celebrate with a silly tradition of watching "The Boondock Saints" and drinking Guinness and my vegan version of Baileys Irish Cream. It is possible that we mix these and drink them quite fast, but I'll never confess to such debauchery. That won't be happening this year because I'm pregnant, again. Since I hate to miss out on tradition I just had to come up with another way to celebrate, and, of course, I had to practice and share my idea with you. Simply, it is a perfectly delicious, creamy, cool, and decedent Irish Cream Ice cream. I might have tried mine over a brownie and topped with hot fudge. Don't blame me, blame the baby.
In a small saucepan heat 1/2 cup whiskey and the brown sugar over medium/low heat until simmering, stirring frequently.
Continue to simmer and stir frequently until the mixture has reduced to approximately 1/4 cup of liquid, about 10 minutes.
Remove from the heat and stir in vanilla, almond, salt, coffee, and chocolate chips stirring until the chocolate is completely melted.
Pour in the coconut milk. If it has separated in the can heat gently until just heated through, then stir until everything is uniformly combined with no chunks of floating coconut cream.
Pour the mixture into a blender and blend until light and foamy, about 45 seconds.


Sago is in Upshur County.
The latitude of Sago is 38.914N. The longitude is -80.23W.
It is in the Eastern Standard time zone. Elevation is 1,437 feet.
Sago is on the Buckhannon River.
Sago received national attention for the January 2006 deaths of 12 men trapped in a coal mine. One miner was rescued. Families' hopes had been raised earlier in the day, with false reports that 12 men had survived.
Sections below provide additional information and links about Sago travel and tourism, nearby airports, cemeteries, the Upshur County economy, education, environment, genealogy, government, historic sites, libraries, maps, museums, newspapers and other media, nonprofit groups, real estate, recreation, religion, transportation, and weather.
Upshur County supported George W. Bush in the 2004 presidential election. For more information, see our Sago political report.


MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. (Nov. 6, 2015) – The Milligan College Jazz Ensemble, directed by Associate Professor of Music Rick Simerly, presents a fall concert on Monday, Nov. 23, at 7:30 p.m. in Milligan's Mary B. Martin Auditorium located in Seeger Chapel. This event is free and open to the public.
The Milligan Jazz Ensemble consists of Milligan students as well as students and adults from throughout the region. This concert features a variety of styles of jazz as well as the vocal and piano stylings of Noel Freidline, the former house pianist at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas.
Twice he's been voted the "Best Jazz Musician" in Charlotte, North Carolina, and he was inducted into the Jacksonville (Florida) Jazz Hall of Fame. Freidline is the artistic director of the Columbia South Carolina series "Jazz on Main" and is a lecturer at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Posted by Stephen Woodward on November 6, 2015.


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Music Authority Family Newsletter for August 13, 2019
Music Authority Family Newsletter - August 13, 2019
School Year Stress, Pearl Cajons; Perfect Blend; and Bearfoot Ranch
School Year Stress
It's the start of the school year. Your daily schedule is changed, kids have to get up earlier, lunches need to get packed, and after school activities seem to move at break-neck speed. Is anyone else feeling the stress?
Music doesn't have to be stressful. As a matter of fact, music shouldn't be stressful. Too often, we take the "everything else" of life and toss it on top of whatever is happening now.
I perform every week. I have a ninety minute rehearsal every Thursday. If I don't "turn off" work when I walk into rehearsal, I don't truly get out of that rehearsal what I need. Then, when it's time to perform, I'm not truly enjoying what I love - singing - because I'm too distracted by work.
Sometimes, I need to be reminded to turn off the outside world, too.
There are over 10,000 minutes in a week. Can you take 30 of those minutes to let go of the world? Stick in your earbuds and turn on your favorite song. Try not to think about work for the entire length of the song. Difficult, isn't it?
Did you play piano as a child? Sit down, pull out an old piece of music, see how much you remember. Don't have a piano still? See if one of ours is open when your child is here for lessons. We'll let you play around for thirty minutes.
Each year, on my personal Facebook page, I write a "Back to School" post. This is mine from two years ago:
"As we all get ready to start back to school, a few thoughts...your teachers and administrators are human. Sometimes they're overwhelmed, sometimes they're tired. Some of them are dealing with life threatening illness. Some of them have children or parents who are struggling. Sometimes they'll forget something or make a mistake. They're human. And they're a human who's doing a job that's hard.
They're doing a job most of them feel is their higher calling. They love your children. Most of them will reply to emails in the middle of the night, or stay up late trying to figure out how to help your child succeed. They'll put in far more hours than any time card will show. But they're human. So give them a little leeway. Tell them you appreciate them. And try to give them the benefit of the doubt. They're human and often have inhuman things expected of them. On behalf of my teaching staff, have an incredible school year!"
Melissa A. Loggins, Owner
#MusicAuthorityFamily
#beyondthemusic
Click Here to Log In to Your Lessons Account
What is a cajon? It's a drum used frequently in open mics and acoustic gigs.
Players will use their hands, or brushes, when playing the cajon to mimic sounds made on a traditional drum set. You'll see our Showcase Bands use cajons
Available at Music Authority.
Music Authority is excited to welcome Perfect Blend to the ensemble program! Perfect Blend is a women's acapella ensemble. We can't wait to see them perform in a concert soon!
Please follow Music Authority on Facebook; on Instagram @musicauthorityinc; and join the Music Authority Roadies Facebook group for informational articles and to keep up to date with the happenings at Music Authority.
Bearfoot Ranch Service Day
Music Authority believes in being of service to your community. We try to teach our students the importance of giving back and leaving a positive mark on the world.
As part of that philosophy, the Music Authority Roadies (our parent's organization) sponsors several service opportunities each year. The Bearfoot Ranch service day allows us to help the ranch with project, cleaning up, and other needs.
Bearfoot Ranch is a 501(c)(3) non-profit equestrian center dedicated to providing therapeutic riding lessons and other riding activities in a safe, effective and compassionate environment.
More information and a sign up sheet is available at the front desk at Music Authority.
Not in Lessons at Music Authority? Sign Up Here!
Fall Show rehearsals started this week - here's a look back at the finale from "It's My Pirate Ship" last spring. (Minus the dialogue that happened in the middle of the song.) We had a blast at that show - how will we out-do ourselves this year?
Click Here to see what events are coming up at Music Authority
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August is the month where students are back in their schools that's why there students couldn't help but to feel stressed with the said idea. back when I was still a student, I don't see it as a stress. It is an opportunity to learn and gather knowledge so I can have a brighter future that's why I do't complain. There might be a bit of stress, but everything is manageable before. But I do understand those who experience it. We have different ways on dealing with stress.
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On Thursday March 15, Tinie Tempah will be stirring up an "earthquake" at MAD on Yas Island.
Tinie Tempah, is an English rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer. He has been signed to Parlophone Records since 2009, a subsidiary of Warner Music Group. He created his own record and fashion label Disturbing London Records in 2007 along with his cousin, Dumi Oburota.


text:
Adrenaline Comes to #MeToo
Group Captain Ashok K Chordia (Re-attired) Life 25th Oct 2019 4 Minutes
My day started with physical training, as usual. BBC News podcast was playing on my mobile phone by my side. The reporter was all praise for a remote village of the Indian State of Haryana where the male-female ratio had improved greatly in favour of females. The issue was being talked about as a matter of great achievement for a state that had, for years been rated low on issues concerning women.
A chirpy old woman talked of Goddess Lakshmi being born (and being 'welcomed') in their family. I appreciated her joy, although I have reservations about that welcome to Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth. I very rarely hear of a new-born being welcomed as Goddess Saraswati or Durga. My prejudice apart, the women who were spoken to, gave credit to Prime Minister, Narendra Modi's initiative: "Beti Bachao; Beti Padhao."
It's a pleasant change, yet there's a long way to go.
Then, in between the exercises, I did something which I had stopped doing after I read 'Deep Work' by Cal Newport (I very strongly recommend this book to one who wants to cram more hours in one's day; and to get better control of one's activities.). I clicked open the Whatsapp application a second time before noon. And, lo and behold, I saw a video that had gone viral. A lady officer of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) had resigned from ITBP as a deputy commandant (several months ago). The video of her interview to a media-person had gone viral. She was complaining of (sexual) harassment. She seemed to have taken up cudgels on behalf all women in uniform. She wanted to stop the rot and overhaul the system.
Enraged, I was. The emotion lasted a long minute. Then it withered away. Thoughts of similar ('similar' as different from 'identical') cases flashed past my mind wherein the accused were proved innocent. Much against my impulse to believe the lady officer, I forced myself to take a neutral view and moved on with my morning chores.
ITBP in the service of the nation
Then, with a sense of déjà vu, I saw a post in the newspaper, obviously sponsored by the ITBP: "ITBP Salutes the Nation on its 58th Raising Day."
"Forget the glorious past," I thought, "It would be a mammoth task for ITBP to undo the damage caused by the lady officer's video gone viral." Besides, whatever might be the outcome of the inquiry in this case (I wonder if it has already been done, and matter 'closed'), the incident (the viral video) will have far-reaching effect on the intake and treatment of women in the military and the paramilitary forces. On that count, I foresee knee-jerk reactions all over––within the forces, men will start maintaining an arm's distance from women. I am already hearing people saying, "Who will send their daughters to join the armed forces now?" People are passing judgement and verdict without trial, "Such men must be castrated! They must be made specimen of." "The laws must be made more stringent." "We have the laws but implementation is poor…."
There's an opinions galore, most of which suggests enactment and enforcement of stricter and more nuanced laws and deterrence by way of severer punishment as remedy for the ailment. To my mind, all these suggestions are excellent suggestions, but in some ways they recommend locking the stable door after the horse has bolted. In any case, the government and the judiciary will take care of that aspect.
If only stringent laws, severe punishments and forceful implementation could lower crime rate the world would have been a much safer place 'as of yesterday'. On the contrary, the crime rate of all sorts, including those against women, is on the rise. More important than good laws and severe punishments is the need of change in the mind-set––more of men, than of women. Sermonising and education can influence people and bring about positive behavioural changes in them but a more effective thing would be if the changes come about from within.
Just when I was wondering: "What could be the way," I received a message on the Whatsapp––it was a joke. It read: "In a competition, the challenge was to express peacefulness, happiness and calmness in a single sentence. The winning entry was: 'My wife is sleeping.'"
Had I received the same joke (say) a month ago, I would have laughed and shared it with my contacts (including women friends) on Whatsapp. It didn't happen this time. I didn't share it; deleted it. I had decided to make a conscious effort to prevent the spread of material that makes fun of, or demeans, women even if, in the smallest of ways. That would be a very small step in the positive direction; it's not too late in (my) life. Sharing material, which shows them in positive light, as persons in control of their lives and the environment around, could happen simultaneously.
I am not alone in this awakening at a late stage in life (I'll turn 60 next month). I read today, that Asterix has been inspired likewise. For the first time in its 60-year history––thanks to the duo of Jean-Yves Ferri and Didier Conrad––the magazine has got its first female hero, Adrenaline.
Adrenaline coming to #MeToo is good news.
More are welcome to jump on the slow, but steadily moving bandwagon!
Cal Newport
Deep Work
Didier Conrad
Jean-Yves Ferri
Published by Group Captain Ashok K Chordia (Re-attired)
Author - "Operation Cactus: Anatomy of one of India's Most Daring Military Operations" "OPERATION CACTUS: ONE OF INDIA'S MOST DARING MILITARY OPERATIONS" Episode Consultant: "Operation Cactus" a Discovery Channel Documentary Short Story & Film Script Writer: Short Film "The Shoeshine Boy" won Best Story and Best Actor Awards at the KIIFFA-2. "Victor One," being screened at Indian Film Festival of Ireland (IFFI-13) View all posts by Group Captain Ashok K Chordia (Re-attired)
Published 25th Oct 2019
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6 thoughts on "Adrenaline Comes to #MeToo"
DHIRAJ KUKREJA says:
25th Oct 2019 at 9:05 pm
A tender issue…which is slowly making a inroads into our society….but am afraid…it will take years and years to change the mindset…..that women are equal and need to be equally respected.
Group Captain Ashok K Chordia (Re-attired) says:
It is up to us to accelerate the process.
Good read! May it inspire!
26th Oct 2019 at 12:12 pm
🙏😊🙏
wingedream says:
As we speak a Kanda accused of abetting the suicide of a young girl and sexual harassment has won from Sirsa and accepted or welcomed in the corridors of power.While anot her has been declared innocent.We get to hear of the privileged and their struggles while the majority of the women remain denied of their stories of sustained abuse.
Ashok believes in doing,howsoever insignificant. I have no idea what I will do while enjoying my retired leisure as of right as my homemaker slogs away.
Each drop matters.


After spending his entire career in France, Issa Diop left Toulouse and made a switch to West Ham United before the start of the 2018/19 season.
The centre-back was the Hammers' club-record signing and they reportedly paid £22m to acquire his services.
Manuel Pellegrini has started him in nine Premier League fixtures this campaign and his displays for the English capital club saw him being linked with a return to Ligue 1.
It was the Daily Mail in England who reported that Paris Saint-Germain are interested in the defender and the Parc des Princes outfit could offer €50m to West Ham for Diop.
The Mail's report didn't mention if Thomas Tuchel's side were interested in taking the player in January or after the end of this term.
Since then, Diop was a guest on beIN Sports and was inevitably questioned about the recent speculation linking him with a move to PSG.
"A departure to PSG this winter? Frankly, I do not know at all, I learned the information like you, it was sent to me via social networks," Foot-Sur7 quoted Diop as saying.


text:
Employment Discrimination In California
in Discrimination, Employment Law, News
Did your employer discriminate against you, harass you, or wrongfully terminate you for any of the following reasons:
Your religion, race, color, national origin, or ancestry?
Your sex, sexual orientation, marital status, or pregnancy status?
Your age, physical or mental disability, or medical condition?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you may have suffered unlawful discrimination.
Fortunately, California protects you under its Fair Housing and Employment Act (FEHA) law, as does the federal government under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 ("Title VII"). We typically sue employers under FEHA, as it affords more protections to our clients than does Title VII.
Call Solomon, Saltsman & Jamieson for a free consultation to find out if you have a case at 855-552-2326.
Racial discrimination usually takes two forms – 1) Disparate Treatment and 2) Disparate Impact.
1) Disparate Treatment occurs when the employer deliberately discriminates against an employee based upon his or her race, ethnicity, skin color, or racial characteristics. 2) Disparate Impact occurs when an employer's policies have a discriminatory impact on employees due to their race, ethnicity, skin color, or racial characteristics. Disparate treatment is usually intentional discrimination, whereas disparate impact is usually inadvertent discrimination (although this is not always the case).
Racial discrimination may take many forms. Did your employer or co-worker:
Ask you racially-charged questions during your interview or questions which sought to determine your race?
Make offensive jokes, statements or slurs based upon your race such that your work environment is hostile?
Require you to work in a certain geographic area solely based upon your race?
Assign you to a certain type of position solely because of your race?
Retaliate against you for participating in or cooperating with an investigation or lawsuit based upon a racial discrimination allegation?
Before filing a lawsuit, one usually must file a complaint with either the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (for a federal complaint) or the applicable state or local agency (for a state complaint). In certain instances, the agency will prosecute your case for you.
National Origin Discrimination
Are you being discriminated against because of where you are from, your ethnicity, with whom you associate, or your accent and mannerisms associated with where you are from? You are entitled to the same employment opportunities and workplace treatment as anyone else, irrespective of your place of origin. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (which applies to employers with 15 or more employees) protects you from "national origin" discrimination, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ("EEOC") is the federal agency designated to enforce this law.
National origin discrimination may arise in several contexts. Has:
Your employer based employment decisions, including hiring and firing you, on your national origin?
A potential employer bypassed you just because you had an accent, even though it would not have affected your job performance?
A potential employer required you to be fluent in English and/or only speak English, even though the use of English is unnecessary to perform your job?
Your employer permitted a work environment hostile to you because of your national origin to develop or continue?
You have every right to work in a non-discriminatory environment no matter where you are from. We can help. Click on one of the areas below to learn about your rights, or call our office for a free consultation with one of our employment attorneys to find out if you have a case. (855) 552-2326.
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in Discrimination, Employment Law
Did your employer discriminate against, harass, or terminate you without cause just because you are disabled? Even if you are an at-will employee or you have not yet been terminated or otherwise punished, you may still have a valid claim.
Two laws protect victims of disability discrimination – the federal Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA"), and California's Fair Employment and Housing Act ("FEHA"). Not only does the ADA prohibit such discrimination, it also requires that employers make the workplace accessible to disabled employees. In other words, they must make "reasonable accommodations" for you. The ADA applies to employers whose work affects commerce and employs 15 or more employees. FEHA applies to employers with 5 or more employees and offers more extensive protection than the ADA.
We can evaluate your claim under both of these laws and vigorously litigate on your behalf. Click on one of the areas below to learn about your rights, or call our office for a free consultation with one of our employment attorneys to find out if you have a case. (855) 552-2326.
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62-year-old Salesperson Fired for having Leukemia is awarded $582,000 by jury
in Employment Law, News
The jury found that the defendant employer acted with malice, oppression and fraud, thus entitling him to punitive damages.
This was an employment discrimination case that also raised issues involving violations of the American Disabilities Act. It was tried by Stephen Allen Jamieson before a jury in Los Angeles Superior Court. The Honorable Ernest Williams presided over this case.
A 62-year-old gentleman was hired by a beverage company to be a route salesperson in the Los Angeles area. Three months after beginning his new job the plaintiff was diagnosed with chronic lymphatic leukemia. At that point in time, he had not yet satisfied his sales quota. He was subsequently fired.
No offer to settle was made prior to the trial. After 1 and ½ days of jury deliberation and after the judge told defendant to settle, the defendants finally made their first offer of $10,000.
The terminated employee rejected the offer. The jury returned with a verdict of $582,000. Based on the unconscionable acts of the employer shown to the jury by Mr. Jamieson throughout the trial, the jury also decided that the employer acted with malice, oppression and fraud, the necessary finding for punitive damages. The case settled the following morning in the courtroom just before the defendant was required to open up its books and records for a determination on the amount of punitive damages. The verdict was paid ten days later.
Solomon Saltsman & Jamieson are attorneys practicing in the areas of ABC law, ABC Appeals Board cases, and all related Land Use Matters such as City and County Conditional Land Use Permits, Variances, Police and Fire Permits, Entertainment Law, Gaming Law, as well as Personal Injury litigation. Solomon Saltsman & Jamieson can be contacted at 800-405-4222.
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Ex-Slidebar bouncer: I knew Kelly Thomas report was false
Originally published June 13, 2012 by Doug Irving at The Orange County Register
Michael Reeves, center, prepares to read a brief statement flanked by his attorneys, Stephen Allen Jamieson
(standing) and Stephen Warren Solomon (right). DOUG IRVING, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
An ex-bouncer who claims he heard the phone call that drew Fullerton police officers to their fatal encounter with Kelly Thomas said Wednesday that the call was bogus and he lost his job fighting it.
Michael Reeves was working the door at the Slidebar Rock-n-Roll Kitchen on the night half a dozen officers took down Thomas, an unarmed, mentally ill homeless man who frequented the area. He claims in a lawsuit that a manager at the Slidebar falsely reported that Thomas was trying to break into cars, setting in motion the events that led to his death.
Slidebar owner Jeremy Popoff confirmed this week that one of his employees did call police that night from her cell phone. He declined to say what she reported, citing the criminal investigation into Thomas' death, but said a recording of the call has been reviewed by the District Attorney's Office and other investigators.
Neither Popoff nor the manager named in Reeves' lawsuit has been charged with filing a false police report, court records show.
Reeves appeared Wednesday at a brief press conference in the Playa del Rey office of his attorneys. He read a short statement and then sat quietly as his attorneys answered questions. "I heard (the manager) report that Kelly Thomas was in the parking lot breaking into cars," he said in his statement. "I knew her report to be false."
The Slidebar fired Reeves in September; its attorney says he confronted a manager in front of customers. He claims he was fired for complaining about the police report and talking to the District Attorney's Office about it. He filed suit late last week, demanding at least $4 million for lost wages and emotional distress, and to punish the Slidebar.
Reeves says in his lawsuit that Thomas was doing nothing more than picking up cigarette butts outside the Slidebar. He claims the Slidebar had a policy of keeping homeless people like Thomas away – a claim Popoff and his attorney refuted as absurd and insulting.
Reeves' lawsuit claims that the manager who called police that night ensured a quick response by reporting that Thomas was trying to break into cars. Responding officers arrived on scene thinking there was a crime in progress, he says, not just a loitering homeless man.
"Mr. Reeves heard what he heard," said Stephen Warren Solomon, one of his attorneys. "And he was terminated for doing the right thing."
An outside investigator hired by Fullerton to look into the events leading up to Thomas' death included a recording of that initial phone call in his review. The investigator, Michael Gennaco, reported that the caller told a police dispatcher that a man she identified as "Kelly" was roaming the parking lot, looking into cars and "pulling on handles." Gennaco did not identify the caller in his initial report.
Police have said officers stopped Thomas as they investigated a car break-in report, and that he struggled when they tried to arrest him. A surveillance video captured two officers tackling and then wrestling with Thomas; four other officers join them and hold Thomas down as some officers hit him and at least one shocks him with a Taser.
Thomas died of chest and head injuries five days later. One of the officers, Manuel Ramos, has been charged with second-degree murder. Another, Jay Cicinelli, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter.
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Flood of Lawsuits by LAPD Officers Costs the City Millions
May 9, 2011 – Comment by Stephen A. Jamieson regarding the recent LA Times article about the multiplicity of lawsuits involving the LAPD.
"Interesting that the essence of the article is that the City botched the defense of the case(s), and not that the City is perhaps terrible at making sure the employees/cops are treated appropriately and
according to legal standards during their employment so as to avoid so many lawsuits from being filed in the first place."
Below is the article in the LA Times
At least 17 officers have won million-dollar-plus jury verdicts or settlements from the city in the last decade in lawsuits involving accusations of sexual harassment, racial discrimination, retaliation and other workplace injustices.
$1-million-plus LAPD payouts
LAPD clears backlog of untested DNA evidence
By Joel Rubin, Los Angeles Times May 8, 2011
Robert Hill did not join the Los Angeles Police Department to become a millionaire. And yet, that's what happened in September when city officials cut the veteran cop and his lawyer a check for nearly $4 million.
The money was compensation for the snide comments and other abuse Hill suffered at the hands of other LAPD officers after he reported that a supervisor used racial slurs and embezzled department funds.
In the last decade, at least 16 other officers have won million-dollar-plus jury verdicts or settlements from the city in lawsuits in which they leveled accusations of sexual harassment, racial discrimination, retaliation and other workplace injustices. Dozens more officers have won five- or six-figure paydays.
"These cases irk the heck out of me," said City Councilman Greig Smith, who has been a critic of the city's job-protection rules that, he said, make it too difficult to fire officers who cause workplace problems. "Somebody running a private company would never let this … stand. Why do we let it happen here? And we see the same things happening over and over again."
City records show that from 2005 to 2010, officers have sued the department over workplace issues more than 250 times. The city has paid settlements or verdicts totaling more than $18 million in about 45 of those cases and has lost several other verdicts worth several million dollars more in cases it is appealing, a review of the records shows. The city has prevailed in about 50 cases. The rest, representing tens of millions of dollars in potential liability, remain open.
Litigious officers have bedeviled Los Angeles police chiefs and city lawyers for decades, and a survey of large police departments across the country indicates that LAPD officers file suit more than others.
Los Angeles police, for example, brought an average of about three times more lawsuits a year per officer than officers in Chicago and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. And there were about a third fewer lawsuits among Boston police.
Officer-driven lawsuits have come under greater scrutiny in recent years as Los Angeles' financial problems have gotten worse. Elected officials and the LAPD's independent watchdog believe the department should be doing more to deter workplace conflict and avoid the expensive litigation.
Beyond the financial toll, the cases often amount to embarrassing, public airings of the department's dirty laundry — nasty fights that expose crude behavior by officers and a retaliatory mindset of supervisors that undermine efforts by senior officials to present the LAPD as a smoothly run operation.
The case of Patricia Fuller, who at the time was the only woman serving as a dog handler in the LAPD's canine unit, underscores how contentious and costly workplace incidents can become for the city.
Fuller had accused men in the unit of making vulgar sexual advances and comments, while also excluding her from training exercises, court records show. In 2009, city officials paid Fuller $2.25 million to settle her claims.
Then another canine officer, Donald Bender, filed a lawsuit alleging that he had been stripped of a rank and kicked out of the unit as retaliation for coming to Fuller's defense.
He was followed by Blaine Blackstone, a sergeant who supervised Fuller. Blackstone said he had been the target of retaliation by superiors after he refused their demands that he placate Fuller by changing her performance evaluation.
The city refused to settle with Bender and Blackstone, and both officers won their cases. Bender received $2.5 million and Blackstone was awarded nearly $750,000 in damages, court records show.
For Hill, who said the retaliation against him included being followed by other officers, falsely accused of misconduct and removed from a coveted assignment, knowing the large verdict he won came from taxpayers left him with mixed feelings.
"Here I was a public servant suing the city, basically suing the taxpayers who I was committed to protecting," Hill said. "What I really wanted was for the names of the people who had harmed me to be on that lawsuit. I wanted the money to come out of their pockets. I felt bad that the wrong people were paying, but it was the only recourse I had as an officer."
Large verdicts can be a financial boon for rank-and-file police officers who earn $45,000 to about $85,000, depending on the number of years they have served. Some, like Hill, choose to remain on the job, while others leave. Beyond the money, some who have been fired have successfully sued to get their jobs back.
The question of whether to settle a case or take the officer to court can be a dicey one for city and police officials. Settle too easily, the thinking goes, and the department will be seen by officers and attorneys as an easy target. Taking too hard a stand, however, carries risks as well. Employment cases are difficult to defend against, lawyers say, since they often turn on emotional issues and differing perceptions of what occurred.
"If you settle, all you're doing is encouraging other officers to file more lawsuits," said LAPD Cmdr. Stuart Maislin, who for several years ran the department's Risk Management Division. "It sends the message that the city is just giving away money — that an officer just has to make a claim and they'll walk away with some money in their pocket. The only way to stop that is to take them to court and fight them."
"When we lose," Maislin added, "we lose big."
In general, City Atty. Carman Trutanich and Gerald Chaleff, a senior advisor to LAPD Chief Charlie Beck who oversees employee lawsuits, have pursued a hard-line approach with officers in recent years, refusing to settle except in those cases where it is clear the city is likely to lose in court.
That tough stance has led to mixed results. The city has lost a handful of jury verdicts that could have been avoided if it had been willing to settle.
Attorney Matthew McNicholas, for example, represented Richard Romney, an officer who was fired after he testified about the department's overtime policy in a labor dispute; Melissa Borck, who filed a sexual harassment lawsuit; and Bender, the canine officer. McNicholas offered to settle the three cases for a total of $2 million, but police officials and city lawyers were adamant about taking all three to court and ended up losing verdicts totaling about $9.5 million.
Understaffing and a lack of lawyers with experience in workplace issues in the city attorney's office has hampered the city's ability to defend itself against such lawsuits in court, officials said. Bill Carter, Trutanich's chief deputy, said overworked attorneys have missed court-filing deadlines, failed to take important depositions and made other blunders on employment cases.
"We're creating a recipe for disaster," Carter said.
The recent high-dollar verdicts and settlements suggest that the department needs to do more to mediate workplace conflicts, said Nicole Bershon, inspector general for the Los Angeles Police Commission. That should include bringing in impartial employment experts to help resolve conflicts before they reach a courtroom, she said.
The department also has come under fire for failing to thoroughly investigate complaints of workplace problems. In a 2010 audit of LAPD investigations into employee allegations of retaliation, Bershon's office found that investigators routinely neglected to interview people accused of misconduct, or even name them in the investigations.
The way the department handles officer lawsuits has become a source of increasingly hostile fodder for the Police Protective League, the union that represents rank-and-file officers and sometimes assists officers in bringing their suits.
Emboldened by recent high-profile verdicts for officers, union officials have grown vocal at what they see as the unwillingness or inability of senior LAPD officials to deal with problems in the workplace — a charge department leaders deny.
"I've got a news flash for … the 'leaders' who are tasked with ensuring the Department treats its people fairly. Look in the mirror to find out where the problems are," Sgt. John Mumma, the union's secretary, wrote in a recent open letter published in the union's magazine. "How many more officers are going to become millionaires over the botched handling of their cases?"
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The MTA (Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority), Otherwise Known As The LACMTA, Operator Of Buses And Trains, Found Liable For Over $1,300,000 In Attorneys Fees In Addition To Compensatory Damages Of $2,247,000 For A Total Judgment In Excess Of $3,560,000
Playa Del Rey, CA. – November 10, 2008 – SOLOMON, SALTSMAN & JAMIESON – In a case where the Plaintiff is represented by Solomon, Saltsman & Jamieson, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority ("MTA") was recently held liable for over $1,300,000 in attorneys fees to be added to the jury verdict rendered by a Los Angeles Superior Court jury for damages in the amount of $2,247,000.
The MTA, therefore, was found liable in this disability discrimination wrongful termination case for a total sum of $3,567,000.
Stephen Allen Jamieson, a partner in the Los Angeles Law Firm of Solomon, Saltsman & Jamieson together with his associate Ryan Kroll, convinced the Court that the competence and skill of these lawyers was sufficiently high, and the result achieved for their Client so successful, that they merited an increase of their presently standard hourly rate by a multiplier of 2.335 for their services on this case. Multiplication factors like these are, by statute and case law, awarded to give excellent lawyers an incentive to represent disabled and other injured people on a contingency fee basis instead of an hourly basis. That is, the lawyers do not get paid unless they prevail for the client.
The jury determined that a 53-year old driver for the MTA was terminated because of minor disabilities (which he contends were caused by many years of driving for the MTA), and that the MTA did not engage in an interactive process to find a reasonable accommodation so that the driver could continue to work.
Lead trial attorney Stephen Allen Jamieson, and his lawyer partners in the Law Firm of Solomon, Saltsman & Jamieson, Stephen Warren Solomon, Ralph B. Saltsman, Bruce Evans, and their lawyer associates Michael Akopyan, Julia Sullivan, and Ryan Kroll are pleased to achieve a great result for their deserving client.
This was an exceptional result for the client. This Attorneys Fees award will help to defray the overall fees and costs of this lawsuit.
With over 100 years of combined experience among the lawyers of the Law Firm of Solomon, Saltsman & Jamieson they have also achieved many other exceptional results in many areas of the law including, but not limited to, obtaining compensation for people suffering with serious personal injuries, brain injuries, spinal injuries, broken bones, emotional distress, and loss of earnings, resulting from different types of motor vehicle accidents, construction accidents, and all types of negligence and intentional actions and omissions, caused by transportation agencies and companies, and others.
Links to Related Documents (PDF):
NOTICE OF ENTRY OF AMENDED JUDGMENT FOLLOWING RULING ON ATTORNEYS' FEES
MOTION OF PLAINTIFF SALDADOR H. MORALES FOR REASONABLE ATTORNEYS FEES AND COSTS
Stephen Allen Jamieson
SOLOMON, SALTSMAN & JAMIESON
Fax: 310/822-3512 or 310/496-3291
Website: www.ssjlaw.com
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What are 5 foods that people think are healthy (but aren't)? Any healthy alternatives for them?
We decided to take the guess work out of healthy eating! We asked registered dietitians (RD) and nutrition experts to help us identify those foods that appear to be good for us, but aren't as healthy as we may think. Don't despair — the RDs and nutrition experts provide alternatives that can help you stay on track.
Often times, seeing "low-fat" on food labels falsely leads us to believe the item must be a healthier alternative. But when it comes to low-fat peanut butter, RDs agreed – stay away from it.
Emily Miller, MPH, RD, Associate Program Officer at The Institute of Medicine, went on to explain that when fat is removed, the food manufacturer has to add something else to compensate for the texture and flavor the fat provided. What does that mean for you? "In the case of reduced-fat peanut butter, about one-fourth of the healthy (unsaturated) fats are removed, and sugar – and sometimes salt – is added; meanwhile the calorie content remains nearly the same, but the nutrient profile is less healthy," she said.
Love peanut butter? Miller suggested opting for natural peanut butter, which specifies only one ingredient on the label — peanuts. While natural peanut butter often separates, which can make it difficult to stir, she recommended storing the jar upside down for a day or so since it makes the job of stirring much easier. Having trouble adjusting to the taste? "Once you get through a jar of natural peanut butter, your taste buds will adapt and you'll probably find [conventional] peanut butter too sweet and salty," said Miller. Are you allergic to peanuts or simply want to test out something new? Consider giving sunflower seed butter or almond butter a try!
While research has found that consuming more whole grains can help reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer while also serving as a great source of vitamin E, iron and fiber, most people incorrectly assume that multigrain and seven-grain breads must do the same. Unfortunately, many of these products are often not 100% whole grain, and in some cases, they contain no whole grain whatsoever, Miller pointed out.
So what are these breads made from? The Nutrition Twins® Lyssie Lakatos, RD, and Tammy Lakatos Shames, RD, authors of "The Secret to Skinny," told us that more often than not, seven-grain and multigrain breads are made from refined, white flour with a sprinkling of other grains. "Because these breads are just as processed and refined as white bread, they are usually devoid of fiber and spike blood sugar quickly, only to create the same crash that a sugar high does when it wears off," said The Nutrition Twins. Miller mentioned that this crash can then leave you feeling hungry shortly after eating these foods.
Reading nutrition labels is key. As The Nutrition Twins® recommended, opt for wholesome whole grain breads that state that they are made from 100% whole grain or 100% whole wheat flour. To avoid picking up an imposter, Miller cautioned shoppers to avoid any products that list the words "enriched" or "refined" anywhere on the package or in the ingredient list.
To salt or not to salt? That is the question. Sea salt is often an ingredient that generates a great deal of confusion, as many of us are led to believe that because sea salt is more natural than regular table salt, it must be healthier.
However, Gina Crome, MPH, RD who is also an ACE-certified personal trainer, clarified that "sea salt and regular table salt are fairly identical nutritionally," so essentially they have the same amount of sodium. "Because sea salt crystals are bigger than table salt crystals however, the same volume of sea salt doesn't take up as much room as the table salt would, and thus, has a little less sodium," said Miller. But as Crome has seen firsthand, the false belief that sea salt is "healthier" than table salt often leads people to use it more liberally, and thereby consume more total sodium.
The bottom line is, use salt — whether sea salt or table salt — sparingly. As a general recommendation, Crome referred to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which states that people should strive to limit sodium intake to no more than 2300mg/day; or no more than 1500mg/day for those who are either over 51 years of age and those (regardless of age) who are of African-American descent or have hypertension, chronic kidney disease or diabetes. Want to add flavor to your food without the salt? Miller recommended seasoning foods with healthy, flavorful items like citrus juices, herbs, spices and flavored vinegars.
When it comes to fruit juice, 100 percent fruit juice may not be as healthy as you think. Michelle Murphy Zive, MS, RD, said "even with 'only' fruit juice, there is usually added sugar in the form of fructose (fruit sugar). "For instance, apple and grape juices – which can be the 'only' juice or added to 100% fruit punch – have higher amounts of fructose than other fruit," she said.
Zive recommended stepping away from 100% fruit juice and instead, try making your own juice with a juicer. Or simply reach for a piece of whole fruit!
Ever taken the time to read the ingredient list on a protein bar or protein shake? If so, you may have noticed a laundry list of words that look like they are more suitable in a chemistry textbook instead of a food label. The bars are usually 200 calories each with around 10-15 grams of protein, 5 grams of fat, 5 grams of fiber and 20+ grams of sugar. Julie Burks, MS, RD, CSSD, Semper Fit Dietitian and ACE Lifestyle and Weight Management Coach, stated that while the average protein bar or shake doesn't sound so bad at first glance, these products are processed and contain stabilizers, preservatives, and other ingredients that may not support health. (She cautioned that the second and third ingredients are usually some form of sugar).
While these products are certainly okay on occasion, "opt for real, fresh food that not only contains a similar number of calories, protein, fat and fiber, but also disease-fighting antioxidants and phytochemicals; and less sugar," said Burks. Think you can't eat healthy on the go? Think again! Burks offered a slew of examples of quick, healthy, ready-to-eat foods (not exhaustive): nuts, trail mix, peanut butter (not low-fat), apples, berries, raw carrots, cherry tomatoes, cottage cheese, hard-boiled eggs and 100% whole grain crackers. She mentioned that these foods can easily be mixed and matched for quick, healthy, on-the-go energy anytime!
Have an exercise, fitness or healthy living question that you've been wanting to ask? Send your questions to AskTheExpert@acefitness.org and it may be featured in our weekly blog post.
Jessica is an Exercise Physiologist for the American Council on Exercise and a media spokesperson. She is an adjunct professor at Miramar College, teaching courses in the Department of Exercise Science, Health and Nutrition. She holds a bachelor's degree in physical education teacher education from Coastal Carolina University and a master's degree in physical education from Canisius College, as well as two ACE certifications (Group Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer); she is also an experienced registered yoga teacher (E-RYT) through Yoga Alliance. Prior to her role at ACE, Matthews was the aquatics director for Conway Medical Wellness and Fitness Center, a hospital-based wellness center. She has also designed curriculum for health and physical education, grades K-12. As an ACE spokesperson and presenter, Matthews has been featured as a fitness expert on CNN and San Diego 6's "San Diego Living" show, and has been quoted in various publications including Shape, Self, and Oxygen.


Desert Highlands is an 850 acre residential golf community in North Scottsdale. This guard gated community is located on the south slope of Pinnacle Peak, one of the area's prominent natural landmarks. Golf membership must be purchased with the home, but the club membership fee is usually not included in the purchase price. Members enjoy more than just fine golf in a beautiful lush Sonoran Desert setting. There's jogging and walking trails, and tennis facilities throughout the community. Enjoy the 18 hole putting course, 7,000 square foot fitness center, and award winning clubhouse.


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To discuss how we can empower your nonprofit and help you achieve your mission, please contact the office near you.
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text:
#include "third_party/blink/renderer/core/fileapi/public_url_manager.h"

#include "base/metrics/histogram_macros.h"
#include "base/unguessable_token.h"
#include "mojo/public/cpp/bindings/pending_remote.h"
#include "third_party/blink/public/common/blob/blob_utils.h"
#include "third_party/blink/public/mojom/blob/blob_registry.mojom-blink.h"
#include "third_party/blink/public/mojom/web_feature/web_feature.mojom-blink.h"
#include "third_party/blink/renderer/core/execution_context/execution_context.h"
#include "third_party/blink/renderer/core/fileapi/url_registry.h"
#include "third_party/blink/renderer/core/frame/local_dom_window.h"
#include "third_party/blink/renderer/platform/blob/blob_data.h"
#include "third_party/blink/renderer/platform/blob/blob_url.h"
#include "third_party/blink/renderer/platform/blob/blob_url_null_origin_map.h"
#include "third_party/blink/renderer/platform/heap/persistent.h"
#include "third_party/blink/renderer/platform/network/blink_schemeful_site.h"
#include "third_party/blink/renderer/platform/scheduler/main_thread/task_type_names.h"
#include "third_party/blink/renderer/platform/weborigin/kurl.h"
#include "third_party/blink/renderer/platform/weborigin/security_origin.h"
#include "third_party/blink/renderer/platform/wtf/vector.h"

namespace blink {

namespace {

static void RemoveFromNullOriginMapIfNecessary(const KURL& blob_url) {
  DCHECK(blob_url.ProtocolIs("blob"));
  if (BlobURL::GetOrigin(blob_url) == "null")
    BlobURLNullOriginMap::GetInstance()->Remove(blob_url);
}

}  // namespace

PublicURLManager::PublicURLManager(ExecutionContext* context)
    : ExecutionContextLifecycleObserver(context),
      is_stopped_(false),
      url_store_(context) {
  BlobDataHandle::GetBlobRegistry()->URLStoreForOrigin(
      context->GetSecurityOrigin(),
      url_store_.BindNewEndpointAndPassReceiver(
          context->GetTaskRunner(TaskType::kFileReading)));
}

String PublicURLManager::RegisterURL(URLRegistrable* registrable) {
  if (is_stopped_)
    return String();

  SecurityOrigin* origin = GetExecutionContext()->GetMutableSecurityOrigin();
  const KURL& url = BlobURL::CreatePublicURL(origin);
  DCHECK(!url.IsEmpty());
  const String& url_string = url.GetString();

  if (registrable->IsMojoBlob()) {
    // Measure how much jank the following synchronous IPC introduces.
    SCOPED_UMA_HISTOGRAM_TIMER("Storage.Blob.RegisterPublicURLTime");
    mojo::PendingRemote<mojom::blink::Blob> blob_remote;
    mojo::PendingReceiver<mojom::blink::Blob> blob_receiver =
        blob_remote.InitWithNewPipeAndPassReceiver();

    // Determining the top-level site for workers is non-trivial. We assume
    // usage of blob URLs in workers is much lower than in windows, so we
    // should still get useful metrics even while ignoring workers.
    absl::optional<BlinkSchemefulSite> top_level_site;
    if (GetExecutionContext()->IsWindow()) {
      auto* window = To<LocalDOMWindow>(GetExecutionContext());
      if (window->top() && window->top()->GetFrame()) {
        top_level_site = BlinkSchemefulSite(window->top()
                                                ->GetFrame()
                                                ->GetSecurityContext()
                                                ->GetSecurityOrigin());
      }
    }
    url_store_->Register(std::move(blob_remote), url,
                         GetExecutionContext()->GetAgentClusterID(),
                         top_level_site);
    mojo_urls_.insert(url_string);
    registrable->CloneMojoBlob(std::move(blob_receiver));
  } else {
    URLRegistry* registry = &registrable->Registry();
    registry->RegisterURL(origin, url, registrable);
    url_to_registry_.insert(url_string, registry);
  }

  if (origin->SerializesAsNull())
    BlobURLNullOriginMap::GetInstance()->Add(url, origin);

  return url_string;
}

void PublicURLManager::Revoke(const KURL& url) {
  if (is_stopped_)
    return;
  // Don't bother trying to revoke URLs that can't have been registered anyway.
  if (!url.ProtocolIs("blob") || url.HasFragmentIdentifier())
    return;
  // Don't support revoking cross-origin blob URLs.
  if (!SecurityOrigin::Create(url)->IsSameOriginWith(
          GetExecutionContext()->GetSecurityOrigin()))
    return;

  url_store_->Revoke(url);
  mojo_urls_.erase(url.GetString());

  RemoveFromNullOriginMapIfNecessary(url);
  auto it = url_to_registry_.find(url.GetString());
  if (it == url_to_registry_.end())
    return;
  it->value->UnregisterURL(url);
  url_to_registry_.erase(it);
}

void PublicURLManager::Resolve(
    const KURL& url,
    mojo::PendingReceiver<network::mojom::blink::URLLoaderFactory>
        factory_receiver) {
  if (is_stopped_)
    return;

  DCHECK(url.ProtocolIs("blob"));
  url_store_->ResolveAsURLLoaderFactory(
      url, std::move(factory_receiver),
      WTF::Bind(
          [](ExecutionContext* execution_context,
             const absl::optional<base::UnguessableToken>&
                 unsafe_agent_cluster_id,
             const absl::optional<BlinkSchemefulSite>& unsafe_top_level_site) {
            if (execution_context->GetAgentClusterID() !=
                unsafe_agent_cluster_id) {
              execution_context->CountUse(
                  WebFeature::
                      kBlobStoreAccessAcrossAgentClustersInResolveAsURLLoaderFactory);
            }
            // Determining top-level site in a worker is non-trivial. Since this
            // is only used to calculate metrics it should be okay to not track
            // top-level site in that case, as long as the count for unknown
            // top-level sites ends up low enough compared to overall usage.
            absl::optional<BlinkSchemefulSite> top_level_site;
            if (execution_context->IsWindow()) {
              auto* window = To<LocalDOMWindow>(execution_context);
              if (window->top() && window->top()->GetFrame()) {
                top_level_site = BlinkSchemefulSite(window->top()
                                                        ->GetFrame()
                                                        ->GetSecurityContext()
                                                        ->GetSecurityOrigin());
              }
            }
            if ((!top_level_site || !unsafe_top_level_site) &&
                execution_context->GetAgentClusterID() !=
                    unsafe_agent_cluster_id) {
              // Either the registration or resolve happened in a context where
              // it's not easy to determine the top-level site, and agent
              // cluster doesn't match either (if agent cluster matches, by
              // definition top-level site would also match, so this only
              // records page loads where there is a chance that top-level site
              // doesn't match).
              execution_context->CountUse(
                  WebFeature::kBlobStoreAccessUnknownTopLevelSite);
            } else if (top_level_site != unsafe_top_level_site) {
              // Blob URL lookup happened with a different top-level site than
              // Blob URL registration.
              execution_context->CountUse(
                  WebFeature::kBlobStoreAccessAcrossTopLevelSite);
            }
          },
          WrapPersistent(GetExecutionContext())));
}

void PublicURLManager::Resolve(
    const KURL& url,
    mojo::PendingReceiver<mojom::blink::BlobURLToken> token_receiver) {
  if (is_stopped_)
    return;

  DCHECK(url.ProtocolIs("blob"));
  url_store_->ResolveForNavigation(
      url, std::move(token_receiver),
      WTF::Bind(
          [](ExecutionContext* execution_context,
             const absl::optional<base::UnguessableToken>&
                 unsafe_agent_cluster_id) {
            if (execution_context->GetAgentClusterID() !=
                unsafe_agent_cluster_id) {
              execution_context->CountUse(
                  WebFeature::
                      kBlobStoreAccessAcrossAgentClustersInResolveForNavigation);
            }
          },
          WrapPersistent(GetExecutionContext())));
}

void PublicURLManager::ContextDestroyed() {
  if (is_stopped_)
    return;

  is_stopped_ = true;
  for (auto& url_registry : url_to_registry_) {
    url_registry.value->UnregisterURL(KURL(url_registry.key));
    RemoveFromNullOriginMapIfNecessary(KURL(url_registry.key));
  }
  for (const auto& url : mojo_urls_)
    RemoveFromNullOriginMapIfNecessary(KURL(url));

  url_to_registry_.clear();
  mojo_urls_.clear();
}

void PublicURLManager::Trace(Visitor* visitor) const {
  visitor->Trace(url_store_);
  ExecutionContextLifecycleObserver::Trace(visitor);
}

}  // namespace blink

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Home Commentary Aliyev In a Box
Aliyev In a Box
Protest in Front of the Azerbaijani Consulate in Los Angeles
This past week, the fiercest hostilities took place on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, since the four-day war of April 2016. On July 12, after Azerbaijan's encroachment on the Armenian positions in the Tavush region was prevented, the enemy began shelling the Armenian border positions with heavy artillery and unmanned drones. The Azeris were once again mistaken in their military calculations, as the response of the Armenian side was swift, with clearly defined and planned punitive actions. Within hours, the Azerbaijani side suffered significant human, military, and positional losses.
During the battles of the last few days, the Armenian military was able to not only establish the balance in aerial warfare, but by taking the initiative into its own hands, succeeded in neutralizing the advantage thus far enjoyed by the Azeris. The Israeli-made unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones, used for the first time during the April war, were able to operate quite freely and efficiently, causing a large number of casualties. Over the past four years, Armenia has focused and succeeded in the production of local UAVs which were put into action during recent military operations, proving their effectiveness against the enemy. Moreover, the myth of the invisibility of Israeli Hermes-900 drones was shattered when the Armenian air defenses were able to successfully shoot down and destroy at least one of those devices. In total, Azerbaijan lost 13 UAVs, not all of them as sophisticated as Hermes-900.
Recent events have once again demonstrated the inability of Azerbaijani dictator Ilham Aliyev to control the events on the ground. The same dictator, who almost every day, was belligerent in his rhetoric threatening Armenia with war, to "liberate its occupied territories," is now bragging about not losing an inch of land. Aliyev is trying to present another defeat as a victory with not much success, as the casualties are mounting and strategic positions are falling under Armenian control. Even the Azeri people are beginning to show doubts about the information provided by their country's political and military leadership, and expressing its skepticism through social media posts. A government-sponsored rally, held in the capital city of Baku, with thousands of demonstrators calling for arms, turned violent and protesters attacked the Parliament building demanding the resignation of the top military leadership.
This week, it became obvious that the Azeri President is in a state of shock and despair. He sacked his longtime foreign minister and replaced him with someone who lacks experience in foreign affairs. Aliyev accused his diplomats of treasonous behavior, and criticized his people of dishonesty, stating that only 150 people out of thousands who were demonstrating in favor of war, have signed up to volunteer to go to the frontlines.
Foreign countries and international organizations were once again placing false equivalency between the two countries, calling on both sides to show restraint, ignoring the fact that Baku's actions to attack Armenian positions were unprovoked, thus forcing Yerevan to come out of its defensive positions and repel the enemy forces.
These recent border clashes have reaffirmed that both at the negotiating table and on the military front, Armenian positions are becoming stronger and stronger, and those who claim the opposite are delusional. This week, it was proven that even the large-scale military exercises held in recent months, were not able to help Azerbaijan's war machine, which remains ineffective on the actual battlefield.
In the face of all these facts, Ilham Aliyev has to come to terms with the realities on the ground and focus on resolving his country's internal problems. Dissatisfied masses of Azerbaijanis await him to resolve their deep economic crisis, as a result of falling gas prices, and the regime's internal divisions. Aliyev should stop depending on his incompetent army to win a war against democratic Armenia and its unified nation. He should start to worry about the inevitable fall of his shaky regime.
"MASSIS"
jirtu says:
Some people look like they act. Dunderhead Aliyev is a good example. We are lucky to have him.
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There has been a myriad of cult movies that weren't musicals which were turned into Broadway musicals: 9 to 5, Carrie, and Heathers, to name a few. Where those musicals tried to recreate the magic of the original movies, Evil Dead: The Musical embraces the campy nature and dark humor of all three "Evil Dead" movies.
The story is simple enough, five young adults travel to a secluded cabin in the woods. What can go wrong? Ash (Andy Ingram) brings his sister, Cheryl (Sapphire Demitro); his co-worker, Linda (Amelia Hironaka); his friend, Scotty (Christopher Fulton); and Scotty's recent lady friend, Shelley (Merritt Crews) all out to a secluded cabin which is supposedly abandoned. They discover a treasure trove of items—including the famed Necronomicon, also known as the "Book of the Dead"—which ultimately lead to them unleashing demonic forces. While each of the group ultimately meets their doom, Ash is forced to make quick decisions on how to contain the demon invasion.
Annie (Merritt Crews) arrives from Cairo with more pages from the Necronomicon. She and her boyfriend Ed (Mark Willett) make their way to the cabin with the help of good ol' reliable Jake (Jonathan Shaboo). When they arrive at the cabin, they are confronted by Ash and his gang of ghouls. Together, Annie and Ash fight the horde of the dead and ultimately use the Necronomicon to vanquish the demons—or did they?
Having seen more bad attempts at this kind of movie-to-musical transition than I can count, Evil Dead: The Musical gets the balance right. The production captures the sophisticated, shrewd humor of the original trilogy which is complemented by a hysterical musical score. While numbers like "Look Who's Evil Now," "All the Men in My Life Keep Getting Killed by Candarian Demons," and "Housewares Employee" kept the audience in stitches, it was the side-splitting performance of "Do the Necronomicon" which brought down the house. On more than one occasion, the score of this show reminded me of the score to The Rocky Horror Picture Show—deliciously devious melodies with wickedly clever lyrics. This is one soundtrack you should be dying to get.
All the cast members delivered inspiring performances—every single one. Ingram, who normally plays Ed, had to step in for Trent Mills, who was suffering from food poisoning. Those are big shoes to fill, but Ingram completely personified Ash's charm and straight-man humor. Like Ingram, Hironaka had to step up to the plate in her performance as Linda, which is normally played by Michelle Nash. Hironaka's performance was reminiscent of the comedic genius of Cheri Oteri. While her acting was fantastic, her gorgeous vocals were equally impressive. Rounding out the understudy trifecta, Mark Willett who normally plays minor characters had to fill for Ingram's Ed. All three did an exceptional job in their roles and should be commended.
As far as comedic performances go, rarely have I seen a performance as brilliant as the one turned in by Demitro. Her superb comedic timing, physical comedy, and remarkable vocals make this talented actress a triple threat. Crews, doing double duty as Shelley/Annie, was another who delivered an unforgettable performance. The statuesque actress went from playing the perfect dumb blonde to a sassy, sharp-tongued character in the blink of an eye. Her ability to deliver a bad pun effectively is demonically good. Fulton as Scotty was enjoyable in his role as the perfect testosterone-driven jerk. His performance in "Do the Necronomicon" was one of the show's many highlights. Rounding out this phenomenal cast was Shaboo as Jake. Shaboo's performance was memorable and endearing. While his vocals were admirable, it was his engaging physical performance which really shined.
The reason Evil Dead: The Musical works is because it doesn't take itself too seriously. It even highlights some of its more "convenient plot points" as it weaves all three films together. It has enough of the iconic references to the original movies such as the cellar of doom, Ash's famed boomstick, and Ash's devilish severed hand while making its own inside jokes. Bruce Campbell's (who played Ash in the trilogy) book, If Chins Could Kill: Confessions of a B Movie Actor, makes an appearance, as well as a reference to the Spider-Man franchise of which Campbell was also involved.
Where the undead are involved there is blood—lots of blood. If you want the full, 3-D experience of Evil Dead: The Musical, I highly recommend you take advantage of the "splash zone" seats. A truly unique experience, you will have an interactive experience as Ash disposes of the Deadites. Pro tip: bring a poncho.
Evil Dead: The Musical plays The Grandel Theatre through October 22nd. For show times and ticket prices please visit Metrotix.com or call 314-534-1111. To save 50% off tickets use promo code: Johnnie.