text:
package com.oltruong.teamag.service;

import com.google.common.collect.Lists;
import com.oltruong.teamag.model.AbsenceDay;
import com.oltruong.teamag.model.Member;
import com.oltruong.teamag.model.Task;
import com.oltruong.teamag.utils.CalendarUtils;
import org.joda.time.DateTime;

import javax.ejb.Schedule;
import javax.ejb.Singleton;
import javax.inject.Inject;
import java.util.List;
import java.util.function.BiPredicate;
import java.util.function.Function;

@Singleton
public class ScheduleService {

    @Inject
    MemberService memberService;

    @Inject
    EmailService emailService;

    @Inject
    AbsenceDayService absenceDayService;

    @Inject
    TaskService taskService;

    @Inject
    WorkService workService;

    @Schedule(second = "0", minute = "0", hour = "2", dayOfMonth = "1")
    public void generateWorkList() {
        memberService.findActiveMembers().forEach(this::generateWork);
    }

    private void generateWork(Member member) {
        DateTime dateTimeMonth = DateTime.now().withDayOfMonth(1).withTimeAtStartOfDay();

        List<AbsenceDay> absenceDayList = absenceDayService.findByMemberAndMonth(member.getId(), dateTimeMonth.getMonthOfYear());
        List<Task> taskList = taskService.findTasksForMember(member);
        workService.findOrCreateWorks(member, dateTimeMonth, taskList, absenceDayList);
    }

    @Schedule(second = "0", minute = "0", hour = "13")
    public void sendReminderAfternoon() {
        final DateTime now = DateTime.now();
        if (CalendarUtils.isWorkingDay(now)) {
            memberService.findActiveMembers().forEach(this::sendReminder);
        }
    }

    private void sendReminder(Member member) {
        final DateTime now = DateTime.now().withTimeAtStartOfDay();
        List<AbsenceDay> absenceDayList = absenceDayService.findByMemberAndMonth(member.getId(), now.getMonthOfYear());

        if (!sendReminderMonth(member, now, absenceDayList)) {
            sendReminderWeek(member, now, absenceDayList);
        }
    }

    private boolean sendReminderWeek(Member member, DateTime now, List<AbsenceDay> absenceDayList) {
        return sendReminderUnit(member, now, absenceDayList, CalendarUtils::isLastWorkingDayOfWeek, this::buildEmailWeek);
    }

    private boolean sendReminderMonth(Member member, DateTime now, List<AbsenceDay> absenceDayList) {
        return sendReminderUnit(member, now, absenceDayList, CalendarUtils::isLastWorkingDayOfMonth, this::buildEmailMonth);
    }

    private boolean sendReminderUnit(Member member, DateTime now, List<AbsenceDay> absenceDayList, BiPredicate<DateTime, List<DateTime>> tester, Function<Member, MailBean> emailSupplier) {

        if (isLastWorkingDay(now, absenceDayList, tester)) {
            MailBean emailBean = emailSupplier.apply(member);
            emailService.sendEmailCopyBlindAdministrator(emailBean);
            return true;
        }
        return false;
    }

    private boolean isLastWorkingDay(DateTime now, List<AbsenceDay> absenceDayList, BiPredicate<DateTime, List<DateTime>> tester) {

        List<DateTime> absenceDays = Lists.newArrayListWithExpectedSize(absenceDayList.size());
        absenceDayList.forEach(absence -> absenceDays.add(absence.getDay()));

        List<DateTime> workingDays = CalendarUtils.getWorkingDays(now);

        workingDays.removeIf(absenceDays::contains);

        return tester.test(now, workingDays);
    }

    private MailBean buildEmailWeek(Member member) {

        MailBean mail = new MailBean();
        mail.setSubject("Rappel : realise semaine");
        mail.setContent("Bonjour " + member.getName() + ".\nComme c'est le dernier jour complet travaille de la semaine, n'hesite pas a remplir ton realise si ca n'est pas deja fait.\nMerci d'avance et bon week-end !\n\n----------------\nMessage genere automatiquement");
        mail.addRecipient(member.getEmail());
        return mail;
    }

    private MailBean buildEmailMonth(Member member) {
        MailBean mail = new MailBean();
        mail.setSubject("Rappel : realise du mois");
        mail.setContent("Bonjour " + member.getName() + ".\nComme c'est le dernier jour complet travaille du mois, merci de remplir ton realise si ca n'est pas deja fait.\nMerci d'avance !\n\n----------------\nMessage genere automatiquement");
        mail.addRecipient(member.getEmail());
        return mail;
    }
}


text:
Q: CTE Rolling 3 Mo Avg output for all 3 queries
working on an assigment, below is the ask, she has directed us to use a CTE
Write SQL query code used to explore the database tables and write a query that retrieves finance amounts from "FactFinance" in the "AdventureWorksDW2016CTP3" database and returns those amounts, organized by month, and showing a 3-month rolling average
SELECT DateKey,
  month(date) as [Month],
  year(date) as [Year],
SUM ( ALL Amount) OVER (PARTITION BY Date ORDER BY Date ASC) AS Amount
FROM FactFinance

SELECT
    YEAR(Date) AS Year,
    MONTH(Date) AS Month,
    SUM(Amount) AS Amount
FROM FactFinance
GROUP BY YEAR(Date), MONTH(Date)
ORDER BY Year, Month;

WITH CTE AS (
SELECT
    DateKey AS Month,
      AVG(Amount) AS AvgAmt
  from FactFinance
  group by DateKey
  )
  SELECT
    Month,
    AvgAmt
FROM CTE

GO

oUTPUT for last query   Needing 3 month rolling average

A: First, you should know the right way to answer this.  Assuming you have data for all three months, then:
SELECT YEAR(Date) AS Year,
       MONTH(Date) AS Month,
       SUM(Amount) AS Amount,
       AVG(SUM(Amount)) OVER (ORDER BY MIN(DATE)
                              ROWS BETWEEN 2 PRECEDING AND CURRENT ROW) as rolling_3month_avg
FROM FactFinance
GROUP BY YEAR(Date), MONTH(Date)
ORDER BY Year, Month;

If I were told to use a CTE for this, I might be tempted to do:
WITH unnecessary_cte as (
      SELECT YEAR(Date) AS Year,
             MONTH(Date) AS Month,
             SUM(Amount) AS Amount,
             AVG(SUM(Amount)) OVER (ORDER BY MIN(DATE)
                                    ROWS BETWEEN 2 PRECEDING AND CURRENT ROW) as rolling_3month_avg
      FROM FactFinance
      GROUP BY YEAR(Date), MONTH(Date)
     )
SELECT *
FROM unnecessary_cte
ORDER BY YEAR, MONTH;

However, we can try to read your instructor's mind and speculate that she wants you to write something like this:
WITH ym as (
      SELECT YEAR(Date) AS Year,
             MONTH(Date) AS Month,
             SUM(Amount) AS Amount
      FROM FactFinance
      GROUP BY YEAR(Date), MONTH(Date)
     )
SELECT ym.*,
       (SELECT AVG(Amount)
        FROM ym ym2
        WHERE 12 * ym2.year + ym2.month
                  BETWEEN 12 * ym.year + ym.month - 2 AND
                          12 * ym.year + ym.month
       ) as rolling_3month_avg
FROM ym
ORDER BY YEAR, MONTH;

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Can you not feel the Christmas spirit in the air? 🙂 – And with only a week to go, next post (if my jet lag has not stopped me from baking) will mean one very Christmassy recipe!
And it is super simple too!
Well. Here we are. Two days after Valentines Day. The day filled with romance, roses and red stuff. Because you know. Valentines Day.
The day one gets so mushy and gushy (rhyme that with mushy for my sake :P), seeing couples (old, young, in that 'middle zone' where they can't decide) holding hands and walking in rhythm… sigh… what a romantic day.
The day that TV shows nothing but cartoons glowing red and giving their other half a kiss on the cheek with their hearts literally beating out of their chest, as if it would rip it apart.
My dad actually sent me the perfect email to put into this post. It's a "You know you are a 'straya' if/when you… quiz" – Let's see how much aussie blood you all really have running in you!
You think "Woolloomooloo" is a perfectly reasonable name for a place.
You're secretly proud of our killer wildlife.
You know what? I like picnics. The more the I think about it, the more I enjoy its memories, present and past. Daydream about future picnic adventures too I suppose.
Don't you love this time of the year???
Well, silly question – everyone does. Let us move on.
I am not a traditional dessert maker. Just because it is Christmas doesn't mean I make red, green and white cakes only or bake gingerbread houses. I bake what I feel like and incorporate my own Christmas spirit into it – a.k.a Love and utter enjoyment.
Personally I quite like sweetened condensed milk. It is used in cheesecakes, fudges and even ice cream. It's very versatile. Like this slice.
Lemony but sweet. Crunchy seeds in a soft and smooth texture. I like it. I like it a lot.
Unfortunately, the reason behind this slice is quite sad. No, no deaths, no rat plagues, no lack of chocolate. Procrastination. Pure and simple. A 5 minute English speech will force you to do that. 5 MINUTES!


text:
EPA Actively Evaluating Effectiveness of Its BP and Enbridge Oil Spill Response Communications
"The purpose of this review was to determine what actions the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) took to communicate oil spill risk to affected communities near the Gulf of Mexico and Michigan's Kalamazoo River. […] When a major oil spill occurs in the United States, coordinated teams of local, state, and national personnel are called upon to help contain the spill, clean it up, and ensure that damage to human health and the environment is minimized. EPA's emergency response played an integral role in two recent oil spills. On April 20, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon mobile offshore drilling unit exploded, resulting in an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, known as the BP oil spill. On July 26, 2010, the Enbridge oil spill occurred, releasing oil into Michigan's Kalamazoo River."
Adams, Laurie; Carroll, Dan; Dorsey, Jerri
Costs Claimed by the Tribal Association on Solid Waste and Emergency Response Under EPA Assistance Agreement No. CR827181-01
"The Association certified that the outlays reported on the Financial Status Report, Standard Form 269A, were correct and for the purposes set forth in the Agreement. The preparation and certification of each claim was the responsibility of the Association. Our [Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of the Inspector] responsibility is to express an opinion on the claim based on our examination. Our examination was conducted in accordance with the Government Auditing Standards, issued by the Comptroller General of the United States, and the attestation standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Accordingly, on a test basis, we examined evidence supporting the claimed costs and performed such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances (see Appendix A for details). We believe that our examination provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. As discussed in the Results of Audit section of this report, the Association's financial management system was not adequate to account for claimed costs in accordance with Federal regulations. The Association also did not comply with Federal requirements when procuring contractual services. In our opinion, because of the effects of the matter discussed in the preceding paragraph, claimed costs on the Financial Status Report do not present fairly, in all material respects, the allowable costs in accordance with the criteria set forth in the Agreement. As a result, the total costs claimed of $2,357,376, are presently unallowable for Federal participation. The following sections provide details on our examination and conclusions."
Reichard, Keith; Valliere, Richard; Ober, Juliet
EPA Lacks Internal Controls to Prevent Misuse of Emergency Drinking Water Facilities
"We conducted this evaluation to assess the ability of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and States to ensure community water systems do not distribute water from contaminated wells to their customers in violation of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). SDWA regulates the nation's public drinking water supply. Approximately 6,700 public water systems have at least one water source designated for emergency use. In 2008, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency discovered that one of its public water systems supplemented purchased surface water with contaminated water from an emergency facility without notifying the State agency."
Bond, Stacey; Brass, Ira; Dutton, Allison
Evaluation of U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board's Compliance with the Federal Information Security Management Act (Fiscal Year 2010)
"The review was performed to assess the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board's (CSB's) compliance with the Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002 (FISMA). […] FISMA requires federal agencies to develop an information security program that protects the operations and assets of the agency. An annual independent evaluation of the program must be performed by the Inspector General or an independent external auditor, who shall report the results to the Office of Management and Budget. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Inspector General, contracted with KPMG LLP to perform the fiscal year 2010 evaluation."
EPA Plans for Managing Counter Terrorism/ Emergency Response Equipment and Protecting Critical Assets Not Fully Implemented
"The Office of Inspector General (OIG) sought to determine whether the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) effectively implemented corrective actions to address findings and recommendations in our previous report, EPA Needs to Better Implement Plan for Protecting Critical Infrastructure and Key Resources Used to Respond to Terrorist Attacks and Disasters, issued in April 2006. [...] Homeland Security Presidential Directive No. 7, issued in 2003, requires Federal agencies to identify, prioritize, and protect Critical Infrastructure and Key Resources from terrorist attacks. In 2004, EPA issued its Critical Infrastructure and Key Resources Protection Plan (CIPP)."
EPA Needs to Further Improve How it Manages its Oil Pollution Prevention Program
"The Office of Inspector General received a request from the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to review the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) steps to ensure the quality and consistency of oil spill prevention and response plans, and to review how EPA tracks violators under the Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 311 program. In 1973, EPA issued the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Rule to establish procedures, methods, and equipment requirements to prevent oil discharges from non-transportation-related facilities. The SPCC Rule requires facilities to prepare plans outlining their spill prevention procedures and countermeasures to address the effects of an oil spill."
Water Sector-Specific Plan: An Annex to the National Infrastructure Protection Plan [2010]
"Water Sector infrastructure, which consists of drinking water and wastewater systems, has a long history of implementing programs to provide clean and safe water, thereby protecting public health and the environment across the Nation. For more than thirty (30) years, drinking water and wastewater utilities have been conducting routine daily, weekly, and monthly water quality monitoring under guidance of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and Clean Water Act (CWA). Researchers continue to explore ways to improve water quality testing methods. Together, the sector's public health, environmental, security, and resilience efforts form a multi-layered approach to provide clean, safe drinking water and protect public health. Homeland Security Presidential Directive 7 designates the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the Federal lead for coordinating and assisting in protecting the Nation's critical Water Sector infrastructure. It is necessary to better protect Water Sector infrastructure to safeguard public health and the economic vitality of our Nation. Malicious acts, natural disasters, and denial of service that affect the sector could result in large numbers of illnesses or casualties, as well as negative economic impacts. Critical services such as firefighting and health care (hospitals), to include other dependent and interdependent sectors such as energy, transportation, and food and agriculture, would suffer damaging effects from a denial of potable water or properly treated wastewater. The initial 'Water Sector-Specific Pla'n (Water SSP) was released in 2007. The Water SSP has been created to explain how the sector is addressing these matters."
United States. Environmental Protection Agency; United States. Department of Homeland Security
Making Better Use of Superfund Special Account Funds for Thermo Chem
"This memorandum is to inform you of Office of Inspector General (OIG) findings that require immediate action regarding Region 5's special account management of the Thermo Chem Superfund site. The OIG is conducting a review of (1) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regions' utilization of special account funds for a sample of accounts with high available balances, and (2) EPA regions' utilization of special account funds for accounts that are 10 years or older."
Risk Communication in Action: The Tools of Message Mapping
"In spite of the challenges, risk communicators have many resources that can help them create informative, balanced , and well-considered risk messages. Risk Communication is a fairly new science developed mainly by Vincent Covello and Peter Sandman. This workbook, 'Risk Communication in Action: The Tools of Message Mapping' will describe one robust and effective tool of risk communication, message mapping ."
United States. Environmental Protection Agency. Office of Research and Development
Lin, Ivy; Petersen, Dan, Dr.
EPA Has Not Fully Implemented a National Emergency Response Equipment Tracking System
"Although EPA [U.S. Environmental Protection Agency] spent $2.8 million as of October 2010 to develop and implement an EMP [Emergency Management Portal] emergency equipment tracking module, EPA has not fully implemented the module, and the module suffers from operational issues. Our review of allegations in a Hotline complaint found that: 1) EPA does not fully use the EMP equipment tracking module because no EPA office with overall authority has mandated its use. 2) EPA has made no formal effort to assess functionality and cost effectiveness due to its decision to perform such assessments only after fully implementing the EMP equipment module. 3) The EMP equipment module is cumbersome and slow, and may not be the most efficient and effective emergency equipment tracking alternative. EPA has guidance and policies that require the Agency to develop and implement a plan for a national equipment tracking system. Both the Office of Management and Budget and EPA require performance measurement of such systems. However, EPA has not fulfilled this requirement. In addition to the $2.8 million it has already spent, EPA plans to spend another $5.5 million over the next 15 years on the EMP equipment module's maintenance. Further, the regions that are using the module continue to maintain their own tracking systems, resulting in wasted resources. Because EPA has not fully implemented the EMP equipment module and the module is cumbersome and slow, EPA's ability to protect public health and the environment in the event of a nationally significant incident may be impaired."
Eyermann, Richard; Davis, Mike; Hutkoff, Jennifer
"The Office of Inspector General (OIG) is an independent office of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In support of that independence, Congress provides us with a separate line item within the agency's budget. [...] As America's steward for the environment since 1970, the EPA has endeavored to ensure that the public has air that is safe to breathe, water that is clean and safe to drink, food that is free from dangerous pesticide residues, and communities that are protected from toxic chemicals. [...] We plan our work with the goal of identifying and influencing resolution of the agency's major management challenges, reducing risk, improving practices and program operations, and saving taxpayer dollars, which can lead to positive human health and environmental impacts, and help the EPA attain its strategic goals. We carry out our mission by conducting many types of audits, evaluations and investigations for both the EPA and the CSB [U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board]. Although our strategic plan focuses on work related to the EPA, similar work may be done for the CSB when appropriate."
Evaluation of Commercial Wet Vacuums for Bacillus Spore Sampling on Surfaces
"The objective of this work was to develop and optimize a wet vacuum cleaner-based sampling method so that this widely-available commercial device could be used for sampling spores on both porous and nonporous surface types. Such a sampling device would use a liquid sampling medium that could be analyzed directly without an extraction step (spore recovery from the sampling medium) required for other surface sampling methods. This direct analysis could potentially increase recovery efficiency while reducing the sample analysis turnaround time and cost. The main objective of this project was to assess an alternative cost-effective, reliable, commercially available (or built with off-the-shelf materials) wet vacuum cleaner that could be used for sampling 'Bacillus' spores (i.e., surrogates of 'B. anthracis') on both porous and nonporous surfaces. The technical approach for this study involved bench-scale research, as part of Phase I tests, on the effectiveness of sampling liquids and operational parameters (such as elapsed time and liquid volume) to sample spores from different surfaces."
United States. Environmental Protection Agency. Homeland Security Research Program
Summary of the Transport of Cesium in the Environment
"The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Homeland Security Research Program (HSRP) is assessing strategies and methodologies for remediation of areas contaminated with radionuclides. Most of EPA's research efforts have focused on Cesium (Cs), an extremely mobile and difficult to clean up radionuclide, with the 137Cs and 134Cs being the predominant isotopes. Cs is a likely contaminant that would result from its use (probably in the form of cesium chloride [CsCl]) either in a radiological dispersal device, from its release or generation through decay processes from nuclear power plant accidents, or from its release from an improvised nuclear device. The EPA would likely be involved with remediation of areas contaminated after one of these types of radiological incidents. The resulting contamination could be potentially widespread, involving many square miles urban, agricultural, and forested areas."
EPA Consistently Implements Processes Within Its Information Security Program, but Opportunities for Improvement Exist
"The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Inspector General (OIG), conducted this audit to evaluate the EPA's compliance with the Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014 (FISMA) during fiscal year (FY) 2018."
Brevard, Rudolph M.; Campbell, Vincent; Dao, Nancy . . .
Deployment of Real-Time Analytics and Modeling at the City of Flint, Michigan Water System
"In 2014 the City of Flint, Michigan ('City') ceased drawing treated water under its agreement with the Detroit Water and Sewage Department and began treating water from its Flint River source. The change in source water and the lack of corrosion control treatment following that change allowed lead to leach into the drinking water. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that the drinking water provided by the City of Flint to its residents posed an imminent and substantial endangerment to residents' health. [...] This technical brief summarizes the deployment of the prototype RTX real-time analytics (RTX:LINK) and data integration framework technologies to the City. It presents a high-level summary of the network hydraulic model calibration and accuracy assessment that were conducted and describes the benefits to the City once the technologies are fully deployed and adopted by the City. Finally, this technical brief demonstrates that RTX and RTX:LINK technologies can enable more efficient model calibration and accuracy assessment and make it easier for water utilities to update their network model as their operations change or are updated."
Sampling, Laboratory and Data Considerations for Microbial Data Collected in the Field
"In-order to collect the data necessary to assess the efficacy of remediation efforts following a microbiological contamination incident, a well-defined and thorough sampling and analysis plan (SAP) needs to be developed and implemented. This document summarizes elements that should be considered when planning, developing and implementing a sampling and analysis plan (SAP) for microbiological contamination incidents in which the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would be responsible for supporting sampling and analysis. It is intended to be an informational companion to users of the EPA's Microbiological Sampling and Analysis Plan (MicroSAP) tool. The MicroSAP is an online tool which steps users through development of SAPs for microbiological contamination incidents for the following sampling stages; site characterization sampling, verification sampling, waste characterization sampling, and post-decontamination sampling. This document includes considerations for: lines of evidence (Section 2.0); field sampling (Section 3.0); laboratory analyses and reporting (Section 4.0); and data quality assessment and interpretation (Section 5.0)."
Silvestri, Erin; Hall, Kathy; Chambers-Velarde, Yildiz . . .
Drinking Water Treatment Source Water: Early Warning System, State of the Science Review Report
"This 118-page report evaluated several key studies conducted in the early 2000s to establish the current state-of-the-science and practice for source water early warning systems (EWSs). Contamination incidents have been caused by a wide range of sources, including industrial and transportation related spills, non-point sources and urban runoff, intentional contamination, and natural processes. The report also identifies key research areas that need to be addressed to improve EWSs."
Bartrand, Timothy A.; Grayman, W. M.; Haxton, Terra
Exposure Pathways to High-Consequence Pathogens in the Wastewater Collection and Treatment Systems
"This report describes a conceptual exposure model based upon a review of the relevant literature for fate and transport elements for pathogens when present in wastewater systems. A screening process is then presented that evaluates emerging pathogens for the presence of two characteristics: (1) the potential to exhibit high-consequence disease transmission characteristics in wastewater systems, and (2) the potential to exhibit viable exposure pathways (VEP) for human receptors who have contact with wastewater systems. The screening process is developed for use with pathogens with varying levels of available data. However, the screening process is designed to be usable with pathogens with limited data, and for the screening process to incorporate quantitative data when it is available. Furthermore, this report assists users on the selection and use of data on surrogate microorganisms in decision-making for elements of the screening process. Lastly, case studies for the EBOV [Ebola virus(es)] and the spore form of 'Bacillus anthracis' are then presented to illustrate use of the screening process to evaluate pathogens and the presence of VEP."
Chattopadhyay, Sandip; Taft, Sarah
Standing Operating Procedure (SOP) for the Development of Provisional Advisory Levels (PALs) for Hazardous Chemicals
"The U.S. EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] is responsible for managing accidental and intentional (e.g., terrorist) emergency chemical releases. Decisions following these releases are risk-risk tradeoff decisions, requiring quantitative information. Whether planning for or responding to an unanticipated chemical release, information describing the likelihood and severity (from reversible health impacts to death) of chemical-induced health impact is balanced against the resource requirements and possible unintended consequences of a response activity. EPA has identified toxic industrial chemicals and chemical threat agents that do not have, but do need advisory emergency exposure guideline values. EPA conceived Provisional Advisory Levels (PALs) that characterize risk at three levels of severity; cover both the inhalation and oral routes of exposure; and durations of 1, 30 and 90 days. This peer reviewed document describes the procedures to develop PALs by identifying health effects that increase in severity with increasing exposure, and by organizing them according to exposure durations common during and following an emergency chemical release. PALs developed according to this procedure will enable EPA On Scene Coordinators and their supporting toxicologists in EPA Programs, Offices and Regions; and in the CDC's [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry to make effective emergency response decisions."
Lipscomb, John C.
WARRP Decon-13: Subject Matter Expert (SME) Meeting Waste Screening and Waste Minimization Methodologies Project
"The WARRP [Wide Area Recovery and Resiliency Program] Decon-13 Subject Matter Expert (SME) Meeting, hosted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) National Homeland Security Research Center (NHSRC), was held in Denver, Colorado, on August 14-15, 2012, at the Denver Animal Shelter (DAS). The purpose of the SME Meeting was to (1) identify existing technologies and methodologies that may help to minimize wastes, segregate waste streams, keep higher activity wastes separate from lower activity wastes, and, thereby, minimize cleanup and disposal costs, and (2) scope out what a draft standard operational guideline (SOG) might look like to assist in the cleanup and recovery of a wide-area RDD incident. The results from the SME Meeting were used to prepare a draft SOF to focus specifically on systems for waste segregation that provide personnel with information to implement waste minimization activities as part of an RDD response. The meeting brought together 30 participants, including SMEs in government (state and federal), the military (regional), and industry."
Assessment of SHEDS Model for Air Sample Placement Based on Population Exposure Estimates Following a 'Bacillus Anthracis' Outdoor Release
From the abstract: "As part of EPA/ORD's [Environmental Protection Agency/Office of Research and Development] Homeland Security research program, there is a need to improve strategies for emergency response following a wide-area release of a biological agent. Modeling tools that simulate the dispersion of biological agents for a wide-area release may be used to prioritize air sample placement based on estimated concentrations. However, dispersion models don't account for people's behaviors and activities which could result in some populations having greater risk of exposure. Human exposure models that account for variability in population demographics, human activity patterns, and the factors influencing infiltration of outdoor air indoors have previously been developed, and could be used to better guide decontamination efforts by incorporating potential risk of exposure in air sampling strategies. To explore this, a case study application was performed to assess the utility of the Stochastic Human Exposure and Dose Simulation for Particulate Matter (SHEDS-PM) model that provides estimates of human exposures by simulating representative individuals for a specific geographic location. The individuals time series of exposure and dose are estimated using human activity pattern data matched to each individual and the concentrations for each location they spend time in such as outdoors, indoors, and in vehicles. Results from the case study highlighted the impact that demographics and other factors such as day of week have on model estimates of exposure and dose due to their influence on activity patterns, as well as the importance of accounting for population mobility. Key advantages of the SHEDS model and its output identified through this case study are summarized, as well as current limitations and options for addressing them."
Burke, Janet
Results of Technical Network Vulnerability Assessment: EPA's Region 6
"We sought to assess the security configurations of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Region 6 wireless network infrastructure. We sought to conduct network vulnerability testing of the Region 6 Local Area Network to identify resources that contained commonly known 'high-risk' and 'medium-risk' vulnerabilities. We also sought to assess the physical controls and environmental controls around critical information technology assets located in Region 6. We conducted this audit as part of the annual review of EPA's information security program as required by the Federal Information Security Management Act."
Brevard, Rudolph M.; Brooks, Warren; Sammons, Scott
EPA's Review of Applications for a Water Research Grant Did Not Follow All Review Procedures and Lacked Transparency
"Based on a request from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Assistant Administrator for the Office of Research and Development (ORD), we examined EPA's review process for Science to Achieve Results (STAR) grant Request for Applications (RFA) EPA-G2009-STAR-F1, 'Advancing Public Health Protection through Water Infrastructure Sustainability.' We sought to determine whether EPA followed applicable policies and procedures, and communicated with applicants appropriately. ORD's National Center for Environmental Research's (NCER's) STAR grant program funds research through a competitive solicitation process and independent peer review. For the RFA reviewed, NCER conducted two peer reviews. NCER voided results of a December 2009 peer review panel due to concerns over expertise and innovativeness, and completed a second peer review in June 2010. [...] NCER did not follow all applicable policies and procedures in reviewing applications submitted under RFA EPA-G2009-STAR-F1, and lacked procedures for a key aspect of its STAR grant application peer review process. [...] We recommend that the Assistant Administrator for Research and Development ensure that NCER makes the public aware of its class exception from 40 C.F.R 40.150, establishes and adheres to improved procedures and management controls for administering the STAR grant program, and improves its guidance and management controls for communicating with grant applicants. The Agency agreed with our conclusions and agreed with the intent of our recommendations. Planned corrective actions will be addressed in the Agency's 90-day response."
Beusse, Rick; Matichuk, Rebecca; Jones, Richard
EPA's Office of Environmental Information Should Improve Ariel Rios and Potomac Yard Computer Room Security Controls
"The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted this audit to assess the security posture and in-place environmental controls of the computer rooms in the EPA Ariel Rios and Potomac Yard buildings in Washington, DC, and Arlington, Virginia, respectively. This audit was conducted in support of the audit of EPA's directory service system authentication and authorization servers. [...] The security posture and in-place environmental control review of the computer rooms in the Ariel Rios and Potomac Yard buildings revealed numerous security and environmental control deficiencies. These control deficiencies greatly reduce the ability of the Office of Environmental Information (OEI) to safeguard critical information technology assets and associated data from the risk of damage and/or loss. [...] We recommended in our draft report that OEI remediate physical and environmental control deficiencies. Following the issuance of the draft report, OEI provided a corrective action plan with milestone dates to address agreed-upon recommendations. In its response, OEI agreed with recommendations 1 and 2, and stated that it had completed corrective actions for recommendation 1. OEI did not agree with recommendations 3 and 4 because it asserts that the Office of Administration and Resources Management bears responsibility for remediation for these recommendations. For recommendation 5, OEI did not agree because it stated that it is already monitoring environmental variable information which would alert it to the presence of a computer room water leakage. During the audit, the OIG requested policies and procedures that address limiting water damage to IT assets. OEI did not provide any documentation in response to this request and the OIG concluded that such policies did not exist."
Stewart, Sabrena; Goode, Michael; Brevard, Rudolph M.
FEMA Public Assistance Grant Funds Awarded to the City of Pompano Beach, Florida - Hurricane Wilma
"We audited public assistance funds awarded to the City of Pompano Beach, Florida, (City) (FIPS Code 011-58050-00). Our audit objective was to determine whether the City accounted for and expended Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant funds according to federal regulations and FEMA guidelines. […] The City generally accounted for and expended FEMA grant funds according to federal regulations and FEMA guidelines. However, we identified $29,683 of ineligible project charges for small projects that were not completed. According to 44 CFR 206.205(a), failure to complete work under a small project may require that the federal payment be refunded. In addition, FEMA's 'Public Assistance Guide' (FEMA 322, April 1999, p. 114), states that a grant recipient has 18 months from the disaster declaration date to complete work under permanent repair projects. The State may grant extensions for an additional 30 months under extenuating circumstances, and FEMA may grant extensions beyond the State's authority appropriate to the situation. It has been 76 months since Hurricane Wilma hit the City of Pompano Beach, Florida. The City received $58,375 of FEMA funding under three small projects to complete permanent repairs to damaged facilities. However, the City could not provide evidence to show that $29,683 of the items listed in the projects' scope of work had been completed."
U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board Should Improve its Recommendations Process to Further its Goal of Chemical Accident Prevention
"We initiated this audit to determine what factors impede implementation of U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) safety recommendations. CSB was created under the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 to investigate industrial chemical accidents. CSB issues recommendation reports to government agencies, companies, trade associations, labor unions, and other groups. The reports contain specific, measurable safety recommendations designed to prevent future accidents. In 2004, CSB created the Office of Recommendations to work with recipients to pursue closure of safety recommendations by recipients' taking acceptable actions. […] CSB did not consistently achieve its goals and standards, as outlined in its current strategic plan, for timely implementation of its safety recommendations. As of December 2010, CSB had issued 588 safety recommendations, of which 218 (37 percent) were open while actions were in progress to resolve them. Of the 218 recommendations, 54 (nearly 25 percent) were open for more than 5 years. Although CSB does not have enforcement authority, and implementation of some of its recommendations may face lengthy regulatory processes, CSB has not established or maintained sufficient internal controls and processes for safety recommendations. Such internal controls could include updating board orders and making full use of CSB's information management system. Without effective controls and efficient processes, there is an increased likelihood that recipients will not timely implement CSB safety recommendations and chemical accidents may not be prevented to the greatest extent possible. […] We recommend that the CSB Chairperson update board orders that establish policies for the Recommendation Program, timeliness of board votes, and coordination between Offices of Investigation and Recommendation. We also recommend that the Chairperson make full use of the TRIM (Total Records and Information Management) system and implement a formal advocacy program for safety recommendation implementation. CSB concurred with all our recommendations except one involving calendaring notation items, and we consider that recommendation unresolved and are working toward a resolution. CSB has redrafted Board Order 022, to improve the data quality of its recommendation information. CSB plans to update Board Order 040 to enhance collaboration between investigations and recommendations personnel."
Eyermann, Richard; Saunders, Gail; Grear, Anthony
EPA Should Improve Management Practices and Security Controls for Its Network Directory Service System and Related Servers
"We sought to determine to what extent the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) implemented a management control structure for its directory service infrastructure. We also sought to determine what steps EPA took to identify and disable user accounts that are no longer needed. A directory service provides a centralized location to store information about the users, computers, and other equipment on a network and provides integrated services that are used to manage network users, services, and devices. EPA uses a commercial off-the-shelf product for its directory service system (DSS). EPA implements this system using multiple servers placed in various locations on its network to provide enterprise-wide authentication and authorization. [...] The Office of Environmental information (OEI) is not managing key system management documentation, system administration functions, the granting and monitoring of privileged accounts, and the application of environmental and physical security controls associated with its DSS. OEI is not keeping management documentation associated with the DSS current and complete, and does not have an effective process for maintaining this documentation. Further, OEI is not performing user account administration practices for the DSS, and does not have a management oversight process to ensure that the regions and program offices are managing their delegated responsibilities in accordance with Agency and federal requirements. The Office of Administration and Resources Management's (OARM's) Human Resources and Contractor Management systems and processes are not linked to the user account management function. OEI is also not managing the delegation of DSS logging and monitoring processes. Lastly, OEI is not ensuring that environmental and physical security controls are applied to protect the authentication and authorization servers."
EPA Can Improve its Reporting of Dollars Leveraged from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Brownfields Program
"We conducted this audit to determine whether the results reported for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) brownfields assessment, cleanup, and revolving loan fund grants were timely and accurately reported, and the grants achieved their intended goals in terms of outputs and outcomes. The Recovery Act provided $100 million for brownfields activities. EPA awarded $87.3 million in brownfields assessment, cleanup, and revolving loan fund grants to state agencies, tribes, non-profits, local communities and commissions, and other entities. EPA anticipated assessing 500--750 properties, making 500--750 acres ready for reuse, cleaning up 30--50 properties, and leveraging $450--$600 million by 2012. […] EPA project officers verified grant recipient reported outputs and outcomes for Recovery Act brownfields assessments completed, acres ready for reuse, and cleanups completed, but did not always verify dollars leveraged. Dollars leveraged are additional non-EPA resources invested in the project as a result of the use of grant funds. EPA guidance includes requirements for grant recipients to report, and for EPA project officers to review, grant output and outcome information in its on-line data management system--the Assessment, Cleanup and Redevelopment Exchange System (ACRES). However, the guidance does not specify the documentation needed to support dollars leveraged. Recipients were unclear as to what could be counted as dollars leveraged, and some project officers were not aware of the requirement to verify reported dollars leveraged. As a result, EPA's Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization (OBLR) and others may not be able to rely on the dollars leveraged data in ACRES, which is reported to Congress and the public. OBLR may not meet its Recovery Act dollars leveraged goal. Dollars leveraged may not be realized until after grants are completed, and EPA has to rely on recipients to report this information after their grants are completed, which may be as late as the end of 2014. As a result, the dollars leveraged that EPA reports to Congress and the public may continue to change for several more years."
Kasper, Janet; Schofield, Shannon; Calderon, Andres
Technology Evaluation Report: Evaluation of Low-Tech Outdoor Decontamination Methods Following Wide Area Radiological/Nuclear Incidents
From the Executive Summary: "The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Homeland Security Research Program (HSRP) is helping to protect human health and the environment from adverse impacts resulting from intentional or unintentional releases of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) contamination. One way the HSRP helps to protect human health and the environment is by performance testing technologies for remediating CBRN contamination from various surface types and locations. The objective of the work described here is to collect information and experimental data about low-tech outdoor radiological decontamination methods available in the United States."
Archer, John; Boe, Timothy; Hall, Kathy . . .
Expert Review of EPA Chemical Accident Investigation Report, Terra Industries Inc., Nitrogen Fertilizer Facility, January 1999
"This document presents the comments and recommendations of five expert independent reviewers, with whom EPA contracted to examine an EPA Chemical Accident Investigation Report, 'Terra Industries, Inc. Nitrogen Fertilizer Facility, Port Neal, Iowa.' The EPA investigation report was written by an investigation team at its Region VII office in Kansas City and published in January 1996. […]on December 13, 1994, an explosion occurred in the ammonium nitrate plant at the Terra International, Inc., Port Neal Complex. Four persons were killed as a direct result of the explosion, and 18 were injured and required hospitalization. The explosion resulted in the release of approximately 5,700 tons of anhydrous ammonia to the air and secondary containment, approximately 25,000 gallons of nitric acid to the ground and lined chemical ditches and sumps, and a large volume of liquid ammonium nitrate solution into secondary containment. Off site ammonia releases continued for approximately six days following the explosion and drifted several miles. Chemicals released as a result of the explosion have resulted in extensive environmental contamination including groundwater under the facility. The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region VII was directed by EPA Headquarters to conduct an investigation to determine the cause of the explosion and to develop recommendations that would help prevent similar occurrences in ammonium nitrate production facilities in the future. A report released by the Agency on January 23, 1996 contains conclusions reached by the EPA chemical accident investigation team regarding the cause of the explosion at the Terra International, Inc., Port Neal Complex and recommendations for prevention of future similar occurrences." This document is a review of the original report, which is also in the HSDL collection.
United States. Environmental Protection Agency. Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response; United States. Environmental Protection Agency. Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Office

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


challenge at Addicted To CAS.
has chosen the code word - SCHOOL.
is Stamplorations and you have a chance to win a $10 store voucher.
Hope you have some fun this weekend!
Such a charming card, Doni! I love the shimmer of the gray stripes and apples and your shiny red apple if fabulous! Perfect sentiment, too!
You can't beat an apple on a school card ... especially a 'red' one.
Adorable card! Love the wonderful design!! Love that 1 red apple!!
Your card is fabulous Doni. The design is clean and simple loved it.


Level 3 Extended Diploma in Travel and Tourism students have recently completed Mandarin lessons as part of their course, helping to prepare them for the world of work.
University Centre St Helens proudly announced the introduction of two new foundation degree courses; further strengthening its partnership with the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).
Our Animal Management students undertook a hatching project and recently welcomed new Pekin chicken hatchlings - Pippin, Merry and Frodo.
We were delighted to welcome renowned top chef, Mike Bullard, and pastry chef, Amber Turner, to our award-winning restaurant, Colours, for our latest Guest Chef Dinner.
Check out these fantastic pictures from our private viewing of our Vortex Exhibition last week.
A student from University Centre St Helens is in the running to represent the UK for the Miss Universe crown.
Our art students have recently been busy organising an exhibition to celebrate a local digital roots project, a digital art program run by Mako Education in partnership with Make It Happen and St Helens Council.
Our cookery students, Abby Laycock and Paul Bugeja represented the college at this year's Association Culinaire Francaise (ACF) Commis Chef of the Year Competition.
Our students, members of the public as well as MP for St Helens North, Conor McGinn attended the Northern Logistics Academy careers fair and open day last week as part of the college's European Supply Chain Day 2017 celebrations.


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Show Starring Avenatti and Scaramucci Is Being Pitched to Television Executives
The men are fixtures on cable news — Mr. Avenatti, the lawyer for a pornographic actress suing the president, as Mr. Trump's antagonist, and Mr. Scaramucci as the president's supporter.
Walmart's Online Sales Grew by 33 Percent Amid Aggressive E-Commerce Push
Online sales in the first quarter of 2018 helped drive Walmart's revenue above analysts' expectations.
Kale, Not Jail: Urban Farming Nonprofit Helps Ex-Cons Re-enter Society
Planting Justice is a Bay Area nonprofit that combines urban farming with environmental education and job opportunities for recently released prison inmates.
Judge Rejects CBS Move to Strip Shari Redstone's Control of Company
The ruling was a victory for Ms. Redstone in her effort to merge CBS with its corporate sibling, Viacom, over the objections of Leslie Moonves, the network's chief executive.
Doing Business in Iran Is Risky. Exhibit A: The Carmaker Peugeot
For foreign companies, investing in Iran can be unpredictable. To understand the ups and downs of doing business in Iran, look no further than Peugeot. The French carmaker has had to maneuver international sanctions and politics over the past three decades.
F.D.A. Names and Shames Drug Makers to Encourage Generic Competition
In its campaign to lower drug prices, the agency posted a list of brand-name manufacturers in an effort to force them to share drug samples with their generic rivals.
China Approves Toshiba Microchip Deal, Signaling Thaw With U.S.
The decision by Chinese antitrust officials could be a significant peace offering to the Trump administration as the two countries seek to solve a trade dispute.
A Battle for Control, With Far-Reaching Consequences
No matter who wins in the fight over the proposed reunion of CBS and Viacom, both companies will be profoundly affected and the media landscape will be transformed.
Google's File on Me Was Huge. Here's Why It Wasn't as Creepy as My Facebook Data.
Google collects far more information about us than Facebook. But the Google data that our tech columnist downloaded on himself contained fewer surprises and was more easily deleted.
Accused of 'Fat Tax,' British Retailer Will Review Clothing Prices
A customer's discovery that the British retailer was charging more for larger sizes set off accusations of discrimination.


This nicely updated 2 BD, 2 BA Benson House main floor condo is ideally located within walking distance of downtown Bryn Mawr in popular Lower Merion Twp. This well-run, secure building offers concierge service 7 days a week. Gleaming wood floors and neutral paint tones make this condo move-in ready, and a quick settlement is possible. The renovated Kitchen has newer cabinets, newer white appliances, and newer counters. In addition to an expansive Living/Dining Room, this home has a brick-walled Sunroom which could be used as a separate Office. The bright Master BD has wood floors and a new walk-in closet, plus there is a Hall BD with closet and neutral wall-to-wall carpeting. The Hall BA has white tile, bathtub, cabinets, and tile flooring. The Master BA has newer cabinets, a vessel sink, white tile walls, and newer tile flooring. Laundry chores are easy with a full-size washer/dryer IN the unit. New furnace in 2016. New A/C in 2010. New Hot Water Heater in 2012. Ample extra storage space abounds, with a wide, extra-deep Entrance Hall closet, large utility closet with built-in shelving, and a storage unit downstairs that can accommodate overflow & outdoor gear. Benson House common space amenities incl. a community social room with TV and Kitchenette and Fitness Center. Ample on-site parking is available for residents AND visitors. This unit is on the main floor of the building, which minimizes the need to wait for elevators. You'll love the convenient location near shopping, playground, restaurants, Bryn Mawr Film Institute, Bryn Mawr Hospital, schools, universities, and train station in downtown Bryn Mawr. A new shopping center which includes La Columbe, Tredici Enoteca, Turning Point, and Bryn + Danes is just a 5 minute walk from this centrally-located building. Easy access to Center City, Blue Route, and Airport too. Seller has made many upgrades over the years and this unit is being sold as is.


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'From Sun Valley to Wilmington,'…
'From Sun Valley to Wilmington,' L.A. needs its own Green New Deal, City Council says
A national Green New Deal resolution sets a goal for the nation to get 100 percent of its power through renewable energy by 2030. A council motion instructs city staff to draft a policy which mirrors the "principles and priorities" of the national Green New Deal.
City Hall is reflected in LAPD's headquarters on Thursday, April 4, 2019. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
PUBLISHED: April 16, 2019 at 3:31 p.m. | UPDATED: April 16, 2019 at 3:58 p.m.
LOS ANGELES — Efforts to take more aggressive local actions on climate change through the development of a Green New Deal for Los Angeles were approved Tuesday, April 16, by the City Council, while one of its committees signed off on a plan to create an office dedicated to climate emergency mobilization.
Council members Nury Martinez, Paul Koretz, Mike Bonin, Curren Price, Marqueece Harris-Dawson and Monica Rodriguez introduced the unanimously approved motion directing the Department of Water and Power and other city departments to prepare a report on the development of a local Green New Deal.
"As a lifelong resident of the Northeast San Fernando Valley, I have spent my entire career fighting against the injustices in our community to leave our children with a cleaner environment than the one I inherited. Historically, when we have talked about green energy innovation, we have forgotten to include the very frontline communities that stand to benefit most," Martinez said. "But that was then.
Valley congressman backs Green New Deal a week after release, and push by local activists
Constituents, activists urge Valley congressman to support newly released 'Green New Deal'
Los Angeles to close 3 power plants in aggressive move toward green energy
"Today, the Los Angeles City Council voted in favor of my motion to develop a Green New Deal in Los Angeles that begins and ends with our frontline communities," she said after the 12-0 vote. "Together, we will guide Los Angeles toward a more environmentally friendly, and more equitable future. It is called environmental justice for a reason. By starting in our most burdened communities, from Sun Valley to Wilmington, we are finally living up to the name."
A national Green New Deal resolution sets a goal for the nation to get 100 percent of its power through renewable energy by 2030. The council motion instructs city staff to draft a policy which mirrors the "principles and priorities" of the Green New Deal unveiled by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio- Cortez, D-New York, and backed by many of her party's leading candidates for president, including Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif.
Last April, the Los Angeles City Council advanced a proposal to develop a Climate Emergency Mobilization Department to oversee efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions citywide and set aside $500,000 in funding in seed money for the project suggested by Koretz and Councilman Bob Blumenfield.
Koretz's office in March drafted a report which offered several recommendations, including that the department be responsible for the development of metrics to measure and track the city's greenhouse gas emissions, and develop an annual climate budget of greenhouse gasses and criteria pollutants to determine the city's allowable annual emissions, similar to how the city's financial budget determines its monetary expenditures.
"We know we need to dramatically ramp up and focus our efforts towards climate emergency mobilization, with all of society working towards the same goal, and a safe, just and equitable climate future," Koretz told fellow members of the Energy, Climate Change and Environmental Justice Committee.
Koretz said he is altering his proposal from creating a new department to creating an office that would likely fall under the purview of the Department of Public Works, adding that the consensus is that it is a "more appropriate first step, but it doesn't preclude a department later if it proves that we need one."
The committee voted to move forward with Koretz's plan for creating the office, which would include hiring a director and establishing a commission on climate emergency. Koretz said he hoped the plan would be approved by the full City Council soon, so that the proposed office could be part of the upcoming budget talks for the 2019-20 fiscal year which begins in July.
Garcetti last year set a goal for Los Angeles to be carbon neutral by 2050.
Mark Keppel's students are super at Academic Decathlon's competitive quiz


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Journey To Discovery
Problem over-analysis can create problem paralysis. Using an inspirational real-life event, this program reveals how to overcome such blocks and reconnect with our sense of purpose.
Helps people focus on solutions, not problems
Gives insights into inspiration
Enables creativity to emerge
LEADERSHIP | a CRM Release
Journey to Discovery is a lesson about how the ghosts of our past create both fear and guidance. Walking the cold streets of 19th century London, a distressed writer is under pressure to produce another novel and haunted by childhood memories. He is at a paralyzing impasse.
He comes across a boy with whom he begins to talk. The boy is working because his parents don't make enough money and, when asked for whom he works, the boy replies, '"for people like you". This chance encounter is transformative, inspiring our writer who gets back to his task with fervor. This is the true story of Charles Dickens and his classic, A Christmas Carol. It is an excellent example of how, when blocked, we tend to focus on the impasse itself, which hampers our ability to move forward.
A heartwarming tale, Journey to Discovery offers a look at how we can utilize our past and our vision of the future to get back in touch with who we are and our place in the world when faced with stressful change situations.
Journey to Discovery is part of Stephen Covey's Lessons in Leadership 4-Part Series Set. For more information on the complete series and other titles in the set, please click here.
Languages Available: English
Produced by FranklinCovey. Master-distributed by CRM Learning/Media Partners
Full Set Purchase $2,395.00


Laureen Uy also shares what kind of a tita she is to her sister Liz's son Xavi.
Nowadays, social media has become even more toxic—especially if you are someone with a strong digital presence like a vlogger and/or a blogger. As for Laureen Uy, she has already mastered the art of handling trolls on social media.
"Well, dati hindi pa talaga ako sanay. But I think it was my sister who told me na, 'You have more lovers than haters. 'Yung mga haters na 'yan balewala sila.' Ayun I just delete. Delete na lang and block. Bihira lang 'yung block. 'Pag talagang sobra na," she said in an interview with the entertainment press during the launch of OPPO's newest smartphone F11 Pro.
Having tried her luck in showbiz once, Uy said she isn't closing her doors on opportunities in the future.
"Well, hindi natin alam for sure. But I really do love what I'm doing right now. I'm not closing my doors," she stated.
"Of course, I love Xavi. He's so cute. The cutest. I'm away most of the time traveling. But when I'm here I make sure I visit," she said.


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Good books, good friends, good reads
My Stars (Reviews)
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⭐ Release Day Blitz – HERE COMES THE SUN by Marie Force ⭐
23 January 2018 22 January 2018 / aalyandthebooks
Today we are celebrating the release of HERE COMES THE SUN, a contemporary romance title that is part of the bestselling Green Mountain/Butler, Vermont series by Marie Force. Check out the buy links, and a snippet from chapter 1, below.
Here Comes the Sun by Marie Force
Wade Abbott is one and done.
One look, one conversation, one weekend, and he knows who he wants.
Except, Mia Simpson is not free to return his affection. In fact, he suspects she's in an abusive marriage, but she never confirms that, and he has no choice but to mind his own business where she's concerned.
Two years after they first met and a year after he last heard from her, Mia shows up half-frozen, bruised and beaten on his doorstep, needing something only Wade can provide.
He's determined to make it work, no matter the cost. Grab the latest in a series you will fall in love with!
Purchase Here Comes the Sun now!
Kindle US | iBooks | Nook | Kobo | Google | Kindle CA | Kindle UK | Kindle AU
Order a signed copy from Marie's store, Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Every time she'd left him, she'd done so under a veil of panic, certain this would be the time her secret friendship with Wade would be discovered by a man who would kill her before he'd let anyone else have her. But somehow, they'd gotten away with it. Other things had transpired that'd convinced her to stay away from Wade, for his safety as much as hers, but she'd never stopped thinking about him, wondering about him or wishing that things were different.
Had he thought about her, too? Or had he moved on with someone else? Was there a woman sleeping in his bedroom at this very moment? Would he hold her this way if he had someone else? If it meant saving her life, she knew for sure he would. But once her body was warm, would he leave her to join the woman he loved?
That was like a knife to her heart. Thoughts of him had kept her alive long before tonight, and all her hopes were pinned on him being willing to help her now. She wiggled even closer to him and encountered evidence that he wanted her as much as he always had.
He gasped as she rubbed against him. "Mia…"
The proof of his desire freed her to ask for what she wanted more than anything. "Will you kiss me, Wade?"
He stared at her, seeming incredulous. "Are you really here asking me to kiss you? Will I wake up tomorrow to find out I dreamed this?"
She placed her hand on his face because she'd wanted to for so long and now she could. "It's not a dream. I'm really here, and I've been dying for your kiss for as long as I've known you."
Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath and released it before opening them again. "What about your husband?"
"I don't have a husband."
A strangled sound escaped his tightly clenched jaw in the second before his lips found hers with the light of the fire and years of yearning to guide them. "I don't want to hurt you."
"I'm okay, and I really want you to kiss me."
He kissed her like a man possessed. His fingers dug into her hair and shaped her skull, making it impossible for her to escape, not that she had any wish to be anywhere but right there with him. She'd waited what felt like forever for him to kiss her, and the reality was a thousand times better than the fantasies had ever been.
To call this a kiss didn't do justice to the feelings that exploded inside her as his tongue found hers in an erotic, sensual dance that made her dizzy and weak with longing.
"Mia…" He withdrew slowly, gently kissing the uninjured side of her face, jaw and neck. "You have no idea how long I've wanted to kiss you."
"Don't stop." She sounded desperate and wanton but couldn't be bothered to care. Combing her fingers through his hair, she brought him back for more.
They kissed like they were afraid this was all they'd ever have. Perhaps it was. Perhaps he wouldn't be able to help her, and if that were the case, she'd have no choice but to leave him. For his sake, as well as hers, it would have to be all or nothing.
One kiss became two and then three, and when they came up for air, he was pressed up against her, and she wasn't cold anymore. Not even kind of.
He gazed at her, the firelight turning his hair and skin to pure gold. "Who hurt you, Mia?"
"The man I used to love."
"Why would he do this to you?" He ran his fingertips gently over the bruise on her left cheek.
"That's a very long story."
"You can't go back to him," he said fiercely. "I knew he was hurting you, but I couldn't prove it, and you'd never talk to me about him."
"Because I couldn't."
"I drove as far as I could, but my car got stuck in a drift on the way into town. I walked the rest of the way."
"That's miles from here!"
"I don't know how far it was, but it took a long time, and then when I got here and you weren't home… The last thing I remember is reaching for the door hoping you wouldn't mind."
"I wouldn't have. Of course you could've come in."
"I must've passed out before I made up my mind."
"My place isn't easy to find. You'd have to know where it is to find it, especially in this weather."
"After you gave me your address, I looked it up on a map, and I memorized the route."
"Why, Mia? Why did you memorize the way to my home?"
"Because I knew I'd come to you as soon as I could. I only hoped that I'd still be welcome after all this time."
"You're always welcome with me. You know that." He looked at her with love and joy and hope. So much hope that her heart contracted. "You still haven't told me what happened or why you came tonight, in the middle of a blizzard."
"Because…" She swallowed hard, summoning the fortitude she needed to say the words. "I need you to do something for me."
"I'd do anything for you."
His fierce words made her want to weep from the relief of knowing she hadn't misjudged him or his feelings for her.
"Tell me what you need, Mia. There's nothing you could ask of me that would be too much."
Looking up to meet his intense brown-eyed gaze, she said, "I need you to marry me."
CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE GREEN MOUNTAIN/ BUTLER, VERMONT SERIES
Welcome to Vermont and the Green Mountain and Butler Series, featuring the Abbott family, proprietors of the Green Mountain Country Store, and their Coleman cousins. Since All You Need Is Love was released in 2014, the Abbott/Stillman/Coleman clan has stolen the hearts of readers, and Fred the Moose has earned himself a cult following. Hope you enjoy Butler!
Green Mountain Series
Book 1: All You Need Is Love (Will & Cameron)
Book 2: I Want to Hold Your Hand (Nolan & Hannah)
Book 3: I Saw Her Standing There (Colton & Lucy)
Book 4: And I Love Her (Hunter & Megan)
Book 4.5: You'll Be Mine, Will and Cam's Wedding Novella
Book 5: It's Only Love (Gavin & Ella)
Book 6: Ain't She Sweet (Tyler & Charlotte)
Butler, Vermont Series (a continuation of the Green Mountain Series)
Book 1: Every Little Thing (Grayson & Emma)
Book 2: Can't Buy Me Love (Patrick & Mary)
Book 3: Here Comes the Sun (Wade & Mia)
AUTHOR INFORMATION:
M.S. Force is the erotic alter-ego of New York Times bestselling author Marie Force. All three books in her initial Quantum Trilogy were New York Times bestsellers in 2015, and the Quantum Trilogy became the Quantum Series with Rapturous and Ravenous, with more to come!
Marie Force is the New York Times bestselling author of more than 50 contemporary romances, including the Gansett Island Series, which has sold nearly 3 million books, and the Fatal Series from Harlequin Books, which has sold 1.5 million books. In addition, she is the author of the Butler, Vermont Series, the Green Mountain Series and the erotic romance Quantum Series, written under the slightly modified name of M.S. Force. All together, her books have sold more than 5.5 million copies worldwide!
Her goals in life are simple—to finish raising two happy, healthy, productive young adults, to keep writing books for as long as she possibly can and to never be on a flight that makes the news.
Join Marie's mailing list for news about new books and upcoming appearances in your area. Follow her on Twitter @marieforce and on Facebook. Join one of Marie's many reader groups. Contact Marie at marie@marieforce.com. Subscribe to her new blog to hear the latest and greatest news, including giveaways and other great prizes. Go to the blog and enter your email address on the upper right-hand side.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Newsletter | Goodreads
Join Marie's Reader Groups
HERE COMES THE SUN, InkSlinger PR, Marie Force, Release day blitz
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⭐ Cover Reveal – Three Strikes and You're Mine by R.S. Grey ⭐
⭐ COVER REVEAL: Until You by K. Bromberg ⭐
⭐ New Release – Stay Tonight by Kaylee Ryan⭐
⭐ New release – Until Willow by Aurora Rose Reynolds ⭐
⭐ New Release – Down in Flames by Kate Meader ⭐
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Aaly and The books Blog
Hi guys! Welcome to my blog, about books, books, and sometimes music! - You can find here all my reviews, especially about romance: ⭐YA ⭐NA ⭐Contemporary ⭐ Military/MMA ⭐Erotica - A song for the week each Monday! 🎵 - Each end of the month : Upcoming releases, it's just a little pick because there are so many books! - Of course, giveaways! Come here and enjoy! Xoxo, Aaly