text:
CATEGORIES: Elle Aycart, Excerpt, Exclusive, Standalone Story in Series
Rachel's upbringing was rough, but at 34, she loves the life she's built for herself. She adores her grandmother, Alden, and her job as a mechanic. Now, if her grandma and her friends would just stop getting into trouble, everything would be perfect. She's doing her best to keep them on the straight and narrow, but she spends more time arguing with the sheriff than working in her garage. Case in point the OGs' latest stunt, which got all of them, Rachel included, sentenced to community service. So now she has to keep an eye on the crazy grannies and on the street teenage thugs she's been court-ordered to teach mechanics to.
And all thanks to the sheriff and that huge, unbendable stick up his ass.
Adrian Skehan, a top-notch detective in Boston, enjoyed putting dangerous criminals and drug kingpins behind bars. He loved his fast-paced, glamorous city life, but after his estranged grandfather had a major stroke, he moved to Alden, became the sheriff and now he spends his days chasing after senior citizens and dealing with the OGs –the bane of his existence— and Rachel, their obnoxious defender.
Terrific career move, really. Way to screw up his life. And his mental wellbeing.
As if life wasn't hard enough, now the OGs have decided to work on their bucket list… meaning the granddaughter and the sheriff must join forces to survive the mayhem.
He likes his women… ivory-tower delicate. Not loud, highly opinionated and smelling of gasoline.
She likes her men… easy-going. Not arrogant know-it-alls and sticklers for rules.
Keeping these two together is a recipe for disaster. Too bad the OGs don't see it that way.
EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT: Grease Babe
Elle Aycart
Expected Release Date: 14 September 2020
Book Series: The OGs
Alden is not only home to the gorgeous Bowen brothers, but also to the OGs—three hilarious octogenarian grandmas who believe age is nothing but a number. After their success helping one grandchild find love, they've decided to move on to the next. Nothing will stop them. Not even jail. And I have the first chapter for you from Elle Aycart's hilarious new standalone in the series, out next week.
"Chief, we have a situation," came over the radio.
"Code?" Adrian Skehan, Alden's sheriff, asked, tapping on the steering wheel impatiently.
"Unclear. Old McPherson is seeing blinking lights in the wilderness," Holly, the sheriff's office dispatcher, explained. "Couldn't find a code for that."
"Stationary or moving?" he asked, without even flinching.
That was something he would have never said in his previous life as a Boston police detective.
A scoff. "Stationary, boss. Stationary. We have a code for moving lights, don't you remember?"
True. They came up with it after Mrs. Hayden got into documentaries about extraterrestrial life and believed her lapses in memory had nothing to do with her fondness for cherry liqueur but that she was actually being kidnapped by aliens.
Kids playing with a laser pointer hadn't helped at all.
CIA was the code. Cherry Induced Abduction.
How he ended up in such a crazy town, where law enforcement needed a special code list, he had no clue.
Well, he did. He just didn't want to think about it.
"He said it's coming from the old B&B. Sparkly, white-bluish lights."
"On my way."
Probably teenagers messing around.
Alden's B&B had been closed for many years, but now that it had a new owner, it was being renovated and reopening in a couple of months.
He parked the patrol car in front of the building and walked toward the swimming pool area, where, as reported, a bluish flickering light was coming from. As he approached, he heard the chatter, the clicking of glasses, and someone yelling LOLOOO.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
Dispatcher had been wrong; they did have a code for this: OG WMD. Original Grandmas Weapons of Mass Destruction. In his previous life, he'd been chasing terrorists and narcos. Now? Now he chased senior citizens. And more often than not, they managed to escape him. Not running, though, simply smiling and patting him on his arm as they faked ignorance.
The bane of his existence, Rebecca, Wilma and Greta were in the swimming pool, on the jacuzzi side, wearing very indiscreet flowery bathing caps and drinking what looked like champagne. They'd turned the lights on and the bubbles too. Music played from somewhere—one of the grannies' cells, probably.
Man, he thought that once these bunch got Mike, Rebecca's grandson, and Kyra, his first love, hooked up, they would have calmed down, but no.
The second they saw him, the grannies glanced at one another, each drawing in a big breath, and with cheeks full of air, dove into the water, looking like crazed chipmunks.
For the love of God.
He crossed his arms and stood by the pool, waiting for them to come up for air.
It took a while before those damn bathing caps resurfaced. He had to give it to them; for eighty-year-olds, they had great pulmonary capacity.
"Well?" he asked with a glare, his voice as stern as he could muster.
Silence. Then Wilma, the one with the flashy red cap, turned to her partners in crime. "Didn't work, girls. He's still here."
"Never seen this place from this point of view," Wilma said, sitting on the holding cell's bench and glancing around. "Rather inhospitable."
Rebecca and Greta, both on the bench next to her, nodded.
"You know what's missing? Curtains," Greta suggested. "Some festive theme. In red. There would be no outside view, but the bars would stay hidden. Would boost morale."
Wilma assented. "And pillows. This bench is too hard."
And now that they were on the topic, an in-depth cleaning would do this place a world of good.
"In hindsight, it was a good decision to keep the bathing suits on," Rebecca said.
Yep, it had been. Or they would have been facing charges for breaking and entering, indecent exposure, and giving an officer of the law a heart attack.
"He got mad this time," Greta murmured. "The bottle of champagne didn't help." Neither did all the run-ins they'd had with Adrian lately.
"I can't believe you arrested them," they heard Rachel yelling from the office.
"Your granddaughter is here to rescue us," Rebecca said, turning to Wilma. Then she frowned. "We didn't get a free phone call, like in the movies. Or did we get it and I spaced out?"
"I don't remember calling anyone," Greta mused, shaking her head.
Neither did she, but whoever had phoned Rachel had their best interest in mind. Rebecca's grandson, Mike, would have bailed them out but would have given them a talk and taken the sheriff's side. Greta's son, Grady, would probably pay to keep them behind bars. Rachel was the only one carrying the senior flag. She always took their side, no matter what. Even when they were in the wrong.
She'd rushed to their defense when the sheriff tried to get Wilma's driving license revoked, which, taking into consideration that they were driving twice the allowed speed and about to turn into oncoming traffic, kind of made sense. In their defense, though, Wilma hadn't had her glasses on, so she hadn't seen the speedometer. And the oncoming traffic consisted of an empty street with a couple of cars parked on it.
Rachel sounded outraged. "You can't keep eighty-year-olds in a holding cell."
"And I wouldn't have if they didn't try to convince one of my officers to release them."
"Since when is it a crime to try to conv—"
"Slipping him money," Adrian cut Rachel off.
"I told you it was a bad idea," Rebecca mumbled to her friends. "A fifty-dollar bill was too little."
"Trying to bribe an officer is illegal. Breaking and entering too," Adrian stated, his voice calm. So far.
Rachel's snort was loud. And rude. "There was nothing broken, and they didn't enter the building. They just used the outdoors facilities. You could say they were rehearsing for the opening, making sure everything worked."
Wilma looked at her friends. "Why didn't we think of that?"
The conversation outside seemed to grow louder and louder. Rebecca lifted her shoulders. "In between the champagne and the chlorine, I ended up guzzling, I was a bit fuzzy. Still am."
Greta pointed at the toilet in the far corner. "It's the smell coming from that. As soon as we get out of here, we're organizing some fundraiser to get this place in tip-top shape."
Wilma couldn't stifle the laughter. "You plan on visiting often?" At her friend's shrug, she dug into the pocket of her bathrobe and produced her cellphone. "Let's immortalize the moment. Just in case."
"You had your phone all this time?" Rebecca asked.
"I just remembered. Let's do a selfie. With the bars as the backdrop. Ladies, get your duck faces on."
"I really don't understand it," Greta said in a sigh. "All our lives being told small lips are beautiful, and look at us now. Right when we need them, they've deflated."
"Like everything else," Rebecca commiserated. "No lips, no boobs, no ass. Just shriveled-up skin."
"It's from all the time we spent in the pool, don't worry," Greta said.
Rebecca didn't seem too convinced.
"Ready?" Wilma asked, interrupting. She wasn't wearing her glasses, so she wasn't sure the shot was centered, but she stretched out her hand, took the picture and hoped for the best. "Now let's Tweet with the hashtags #campingwiththegirls #exploringnewfrontiers #nevertooOldtogetarapsheet."
"Two months," Adrian said sternly. Wilma could almost see him standing with his arms crossed on his chest. That handsome, young face of his, frowning and getting old and crinkled prematurely. What a waste. "The B&B opens in a couple of months. Couldn't they wait?"
Rachel was raising her voice, sounding exasperated. "They don't make long-term plans."
"Two months is a long-term plan?"
"What do you think? They don't even buy their bananas green," her granddaughter all but yelled, her tone aggravated. Wilma could also see her in her mind, standing as tall as possible, on tiptoe, probably, facing off with Adrian. "This is an abuse of authority."
Rebecca turned to Wilma. "I love your Rachel. You really got lucky in the grandchildren department."
Wilma knew. She'd missed her granddaughter's childhood because of the divorce, but Rachel had gotten in touch with her ten years ago, and when she decided to move to Alden, Wilma had been ecstatic.
"Like you can complain with Mike," Greta said to Rebecca. "You're both lucky. I struck out."
Greta's son was no fun. Her grandson, Connor, was a sweetheart, but he was in the military and was very seldom in the US.
"I remind you I'm already taking care of all the police cars' maintenance." Rachel's voice was getting louder by the second.
"Three cars. Do I have to remind you what the OGs did to make that happen?"
Greta and Wilma stared at Rebecca, who whispered, "What?! That was an accident. It could happen to any one of us."
"Wait a second." There was a pause, and then Rachel cursed. "You have them in their bathing suits and wet robes? What are you thinking? They're old. They could get a cold and die," Rachel reprimanded him.
Good attempt at guilt tripping. It might have worked with other police officers, but Adrian was too seasoned. The OGs knew; they'd tried it before.
Adrian snorted. "They won't. Viruses don't dare mess with them. And it's not my fault they decided to drive there in their bathing suits and without any spare clothes. Wait, how do you know…"
"They're Tweeting from their cell, that's why. You have them half-naked in there."
Oops… and Wilma thought she'd pointed the camera at their faces.
"I'm going to sue you," Rachel continued. "The whole department. This is misuse of power. Abuse of authority. Human rights violation. Whatever it's called."
From then on, Wilma couldn't make out the words, because both were screaming. After a short while, the door from the corridor opened, and Rachel marched in, followed by Adrian.
"How good to see you, dear. You're here to bail us out?" Wilma asked, as the sheriff began unlocking the cell.
Rachel had her arms crossed, her lips pursed, and was giving him the evil eye. "I'm afraid not, Grandma."
Adrian opened the cell and, to their surprise, pushed Rachel in and closed the door behind her. "She's being charged with disorderly conduct."
"Disorderly conduct, my ass," she replied. "This is contempt of cop."
The sheriff ignored Rachel. "The phone, ladies," he demanded, stretching his hand out to them.
Wilma harrumphed but gave it to him. "Don't take it out on poor Walter. He was scared of frisking me."
"Have a great evening, ladies," he said as he walked away. "See you tomorrow."
"Now what?" Greta asked when they were alone again.
The four of them sat on the bench.
Wilma sighed. "Now we wait until Mike logs on to Twitter."
The next day, Rachel stomped down the stairs of the Town Hall, the OGs in tow, Mike behind them.
"Sentenced to community service," she said, fuming. "At age eighty. For breaking and entering and attempting to bribe an officer of the law. Aren't you ashamed of yourself?"
Her grandma and the other two culprits turned to each other and shrugged. No, not ashamed at all.
"It could had been worse," Wilma admitted.
"Really? How much worse?"
"We could have been naked. Skinny dipping at our age is probably considered two offenses. Indecent exposure and attempted murder. If we got community service now, imagine what we would have had if we gave the sheriff a heart attack."
Ha-ha.
"And we had a hostile judge."
"Well, if you wouldn't have reprimanded him." Although Rachel understood her grandma. Who could look seriously at a judge when you've changed his diapers? All in all, they had been lucky. Alden only had two judges, and Greta had had an altercation during bingo with the other one, who was infamous for holding grudges.
"They have a point there," Mike admitted, trying very unsuccessfully to stifle his laugh. "The judge was a jackass."
"Not helping, Mike. You're taking this rather well."
He lifted his hands. "As they said, it could be worse."
Since hooking up with Kyra, Mike was much more relaxed. A year ago, he would have hit the roof and lectured them, too.
"I see. Our grandmothers are going through their bucket list, and the only one worried here is me."
"Oh, I'm worried," Mike interjected. "I'm worried you seem to be going through the same list too. Need I remind you that you also got arrested?"
"We appreciate all you do," Wilma said, patting Rachel on the arm, "but you have to recognize you were not too… inspired when you started a brawl with the sheriff."
"You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar," Greta offered.
True. Although she was sure a ton of honey wouldn't be enough to sweeten that sour-ass sheriff of theirs.
Disorderly conduct charges. Apparently to yell at a sheriff and threaten to cut his balls off was a punishable crime too.
"What exactly is a bucket list?" Rebecca asked, turning to her grandson.
"A to-do list before one kicks the bucket," he explained. "Get a tattoo, try bungee jumping. Shit like that."
The faces of the three ladies brightened.
"Not helping. At. All," Rachel punctuated, cutting him short.
Greta's eyes went big. "Oh, that's a great idea. Not the jumping. The list."
Both her friends nodded.
Mike seemed to have finally realized his mistake and tried to change the subject. "What were you doing at the old B&B?"
"We promised Audrey that we would go for a swim when the place reopened. She would have been so pleased to see her beloved business up and running again."
"You could have waited until it actually reopened," Mike suggested. "We would have avoided all this mess."
"Audrey would have wanted it like this, I'm sure," Wilma answered.
Rachel was sure too. Audrey had loved mayhem as much as her friends, or so she'd been told. "Well, it's not Audrey dealing with the aftermath, it's me, so no more shenanigans. Please. I'm already in the doghouse with the sheriff as it is, I don't need any more trouble with him."
Stickler for rules, the jackass.
In the first seven years she'd spent in Alden, she could count with the fingers of one hand how many times she'd talked with the old sheriff, a very accommodating, sweet man, but then her grandma and friends had decided to regress to their teens right about the same time the new sheriff had stepped in. Now, because of all their run-ins with the law, she had Adrian's number on speed dial. And he had hers. She spoke with that jerk more often than she did with her mother. Well, not so much talking like a sane, balanced thirty-four-year-old would, but more so scolding and yelling like a nut. Or begging and apologizing, or everything all at once, depending on the situation. Which always had her at a disadvantage.
"Complain all you want about Adrian, but you were lucky he called me to bring clothes for the OGs; otherwise, they would have appeared in front of the judge in their bathrobes and impressive caps. That wouldn't have helped your case either, Rach."
True. Mike was not big on Twitter or social media. There was no chance he'd have seen their message in time.
"Are you coming with us to the gym?" Mike asked. "Today is Wednesday. Self-defense class. You could take out your frustrations on the guys."
"No, thank you." There were two self-defense classes at Haddican's, the first one for seniors. She had already had enough of crazy grandmas for a day. How Mike could deal with them en masse, it was beyond her. If she'd have time, she would love to drop by Kyra's dance studio, Alden's Dance Factory, where Mike's wife and Sara, Mike's sister, held dance classes, but she was extremely busy today, not to mention, she wasn't the most feminine person in the world. Pole dancing when you smell like petrol and your nails are dirty with motor grease? Not that sensual. "The boys are waiting for me in the garage, we're swamped. Maybe another day."
Wilma shook her head reprovingly. "You spend all your time in that garage of yours."
"Cars don't repair themselves, and they don't talk back and argue, either," she said, that last part in a barely audible mutter.
Her grandma ignored her completely. "How is it going with the dating service? Did you find any interesting candidates?"
Mike turned to Rachel; his brow pinched. "What dating service?"
"They signed me up for one of those dating apps," she explained. "They faked my profile like you wouldn't believe it." By now, Mike's frown had disappeared and he was laughing. Or so she thought, because he'd covered his face and his shoulders were shaking. Either he was laughing or crying. She had a good hunch which one of those it was.
"It's what everyone does, honey," her grandma justified herself. "They all exaggerate a bit."
Rachel looked at Mike, whose face had resurfaced. Yep, laughing his ass off. "Exaggerate a bit? The only real thing on there is my name. You guys even uploaded a picture of me from ten years ago. I'm the youngest looking thirty-four-year-old in existence."
"Correction. You're twenty-nine," Rebecca explained. "We heard thirty is the tomb for dating."
Wilma assented. "Besides, what could we do? You're always in the garage, with those greasy coveralls. We can't upload a picture of you working under a car. It'll scare the candidates."
Why on earth Rachel had taught the OGs how to use their smartphones, she didn't know. One thing was clear: she had no one to blame but herself.
"Results are what matter the most," Greta decreed. "So, have there been any, honey?"
"Nothing promising yet," Rachel muttered, "so don't get your hopes up."
She could tell them about the dates from hell she'd gotten from that app, but she feared the OGs weren't ready for so much gruesome reality. Besides, they did mean well. It wasn't their fault the world of dating was a cesspool.
"Now I've got to go," she said, and, after kissing her grandmother, Rebecca, and Greta, she took off in the direction of her business, waving at Mike. "If they get into trouble, it's on you. I'm off duty."
She heard his chuckle and a 'You got it,' before turning the corner and entering the garage.
Rachel went straight to her office. She loved her grandma and the other OGs, but she was exhausted and didn't have the energy to keep up with them and their shenanigans today. Man, and she thought she'd never step foot inside another cell or courtroom. Ha. Think again, Rach.
"So, boss, how did it go? You going to prison?" Rico asked, peeking out from the door, a smirk on his smudged face.
"Worse," she said, dropping into a chair. "Community service. I have to teach mechanics to a bunch of juvenile delinquents."
Rico looked at her and burst out laughing. "Is the judge trying to put you away for murder?"
Probably. Rachel wasn't the most patient, most diplomatic person in the world. Far from it. Add a group of unruly teenagers to her garage and disaster was bound to happen. "All this is Adrian's doing, I'm sure." He was the one trying to reinsert the thugs back into society. Convicting her for murder was just an added bonus.
"The sheriff wants to keep them out of trouble," Rico said.
"Why the heck doesn't he take them in at his office to help? He's always complaining about being short-staffed." Rico gave her a duh-look and she sighed, resigned. "I know, I know. Those delinquents would burn down the police station, so we get them instead."
"Look at it this way," Rico offered. "They might not know how to repair a car, but stripping it bare and reselling the parts, they must have down pat. It's a start."
The OGs - Recommended Reading Order
BOOK REVIEW & EXCERPT: Deep Down by Elle Aycart
COVER REVEAL: Forsaken Trail by Devney Perry
NBJ WEEKLY RECAP – 8 Sep 2020
The OGs


I wonder what Frank Cheng really does, I mean, what is his job. Perhaps he was the attorney who looked over or drew up the contract?
Hi Anonymous. Thanks for the comment.
I don't know the answer to your question, but I'll speculate.
Mr. Cheng is listed as the 'Manager of Strategic Initiatives' in the LA County CEO's office. The LA County "Open data" site, lists Mr. Cheng as currently employed. He's on LinkedIN and appears he's has a IT, not a legal, background.


Freshwater or saltwater, the 215 XTS NauticBay is the perfect crossover. The wider 98" beam makes a stable fishing platform, easy to garage, and gets you in-and-out of those tight fishing spots. And with the STAR Performance System–it'll get you there fast! 3-across jump seats, 2-aerated livewells, 20 rod holders, built-in tackle storage and 2-insulated fish boxes are some of the "loaded out" features that are sure to make the 215 XTS NauticBay our most popular bay boat.
The 215 XTS is also available in a shallow bay/tunnel version: 215 XTS SB.
The elevated console features a forward facing seat with 13 Gal livewell/baitwell with 1 1/2" standpipe overflow/drain.


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Break Through to a New Future.
Seiko Astron GPS SolarA new design for
the Seiko GPS Solar
5X53 Dual-time.
Astron GPS Solar is one of the world's most advanced wristwatches. It adjusts at the touch of a button to your time zone by connecting to the GPS satellite network. It takes all the energy it needs from light alone and yet delivers the unsurpassed precision of an atomic clock. It even connects automatically up to twice a day to the satellite network to ensure its accuracy. It is the perfect timepiece for the global traveler.
The latest designs are as advanced as the technology within.
The watch is light and sits comfortably on the wrist, thanks to the robust and scratch-resistant titanium used for both the case and bracelet; it is 40% lighter than steel. Its pristine perfection is long lasting as every surface has a super-hard coating to prevent any scratches and the watch is 10 bar water resistant.
While light in weight, the case is built to last. The low centre of gravity ensures that the watch sits securely on the wrist.
The H-shaped links ensure that the bracelet wraps easily round the wrist.
The case and bracelet are made of titanium which is as strong as stainless steel and yet 40% lighter. The super-hard coating ensures that the watch is scratch-resistant.
The sapphire crystal extends to cover and protect the bezel.
The sharply cut three-dimensional markers and the long, bold hands ensure that the time can be read precisely at a glance.
The GPS Solar Astron
Calibre 5X53
SSH107
Calibre 5X53 Dual-time. Our most advanced GPS Solar calibre.
When time zone adjustment is required, all it takes is a simple push of a single button and the hands move faster than ever to the exact local time including Daylight Saving Time, thanks to the system that moves each hand independently. The wearer is also able to change the main time display instantly from home to local time and vice versa.
In addition, Calibre 5X53 Dual-time connects up to twice a day to the GPS network to maintain its precision anywhere in the world.
More about Calibre 5X53
The GPS Solar Astron 10th Anniversary
Leading the new collection is the 10th Anniversary Limited Edition. In the decade that has passed since the very first Astron GPS Solar, the range has been expanded with new calibres and designs, of which this commemorative watch is the latest.
It, too, is in titanium and presents a sleek, contemporary aspect, with its grey and silver tones, the horizontal patterning of the dial and the sapphire bezel. It is offered in a limited edition of 1,500.
10th Anniversary Limited Edition
Limited edition of 1,500 pieces
© Seiko Watch Corporation

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Drawing from generations of hunters and ranchers, loggers and miners, cowboys and cowgirls, each Two Pan Tin Cloth Vest is built to last for generations more. Topstitched and reinforced in all the right places with a large posterior game pocket, flannel-lined hand pockets, a double shoulder yolk, and a burly No. 5 YKK brass front zipper, the 12.5-oz. waterproof waxed canvas exterior is insulated with your choice of 24-oz. 100% Pendleton® wool to last as long as you, and longer.
Please note this vest entails a trip to the Pendleton Woolen Mill and giving you the choice of all the wools they have in stock. We will talk about color and pattern preferences upon ordering. If you'd like to add any extras please contact me to discuss options.
Small 34-35" 28-30" 23" 25.5"
Medium 36-38" 30-33" 25" 27"
Large 38-40" 33-35" 26" 28"
X-Large 41-43" 35-38" 27" 29.5"
Small 36-38" 34-36" 25" 26.5"
Medium 39-40" 36-38" 26" 27.5"
Large 41-43" 38-40" 27" 28"
X-Large 43-45" 40-43" 27.5" 29"


Eloping on Kauai? Elopements are a reasonable and fun way to have a wedding in Kauai!
Timing of your wedding (sometimes it's just not convenient to get others involved).
Desire for intimacy and privacy during your wedding (before and after too!).
Family relationships (this includes friend relationships too).
Combining your wedding with your honeymoon (or a vacation is planned and now is the perfect time to get married).
You've been married before and want to include the children or others later in your own way.
You've been together for years and everyone already thinks you are married.
Whatever your reasons for your decision to elope on Kauai – the point is… it's your life, it's your wedding and you get to decide how and when you arrange this very important event in your life!
What couples call elopement in today's world is really simply a decision to get married without family and friends being present… sometimes it's a secret and sometimes it's really just the two of you with a decision to get married… and it happens to be "just right" timing… and Kauai is the perfect location to get married!
Do you want support with your planning and an officiant who really cares?
Together, we can create the intimate and private ceremony that is the perfect fit for the two of you.


Squantum to Thompson Island Walk: A Boston, MA Venue.
This natural walkway is a secret until the tide is low. At that time, a sandbar appears and allows you to walk from Squantum to Thompson Island, where you can learn about the island's wildlife.


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Opinions|Poverty and Development
Iran's message to its people: If you revolt, you die
The Iranian authorities are ramping up repression. They fear mass protests now more than ever.
Saeid Golkar
Saeid Golkar is assistant professor at the Department of Political Science at the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga.
Protestors block a road after authorities raised gasoline prices, in Tehran, Iran on November 16, 2019 [File: Majid Khahi/ISNA via AP]
Since late June, 11 Iranian citizens – three in Tehran and eight in Isfahan – have been sentenced to death for taking part in mass anti-government protests in November 2019. Iranian journalist Ruhollah Zam, who was accused of fuelling anti-government protests through a popular Telegram channel in 2017, also received the death penalty during the same period.
Also in June, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) shut down Iran's biggest anti-poverty NGO, the Imam Ali Society, and arrested its founding director, Sharmin Meymandi Nejad, citing "anti-Iran activities". The independent charity had attracted the regime's fury during last year's protests by criticising government officials for "calling the poverty-stricken demonstrators rioters and agents of the enemy".
Why did Iranian authorities rapidly intensify their efforts to silence dissenting voices in the last few weeks? The short answer is "fear". Today, amid a devastating pandemic and crippling economic sanctions, the Iranian government is more concerned about the possible re-emergence of mass riots than ever before.
Today, Iranian people are fed up with the government's totalitarian desire to control all aspects of their lives and its apparent inability to address pressing environmental threats, such as air pollution and drought. Moreover, they are extremely dissatisfied with its bungling response to the COVID-19 pandemic. But above all, many Iranians from all walks of life are experiencing unprecedented, crippling economic hardship as a result of the cumulative consequences of the US sanctions, the COVID-19 pandemic and the incompetence of the Iranian government.
US President Donald Trump's 2018 decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal and embark on a "maximum pressure" policy devastated Iran's economy, which was already in dire straits due to chronic mismanagement and widespread corruption. Just over a year later, the coronavirus pandemic, and the consequent drop in global oil prices, inflicted a second deadly blow on the country's finances.
Due to US sanctions, Iran's oil revenues dropped from over $60bn in 2018 to $9bn in 2019. As the Iranian leadership tried to compensate for its oil revenue losses with gains in other sectors, the pandemic struck the service sector – which makes up more than 40 percent of Iran's economy – and sped up the country's looming economic collapse.
In the first half of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic already caused a 15 percent drop in Iran's GDP, and the country is expected to experience further losses in the second half of the year.
Adding to these concerns, Iran's economy is experiencing another period of "stagflation", a combination of recession and high inflation. The Iranian leadership's short-term remedy for its economic woes has always been to print more money, which leads to higher inflation. Earlier this year, the Iranian rial plummeted against the US dollar to the currency's lowest value ever, with one US dollar being traded for 230,000 rials. Inflation, meanwhile, reached 40 percent in 2019 and is expected to rise further this year.
Iranians have been protesting against increasing economic hardship since December 2017. Most recently in November last year, they took to the streets en masse to protest against an unexpected increase in gasoline prices. The government violently cracked down on the protests, killing up to 1,500 people and injuring many others.
Since last year's violence, the worsening economic situation – and the unrest it may trigger – has been a primary source of concern for Iran's political elites. Most recently on June 27, Ayatollah Seyyed Mohammad Mousavi Khoeiniha, one of Iran's highest-ranking and most politically influential clerics, wrote an open letter to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei and warned him that "increasing inflation and declining incomes have created back-breaking problems for the people" which threaten the stability of the country and the future of the regime.
To remedy this situation and prevent future unrest, the regime adopted a twinned strategy of offering basic material aid to the poor and intensifying oppression.
In April, as the coronavirus pandemic exacerbated the country's existing economic and social woes and increased the likelihood of a new episode of nationwide unrest, the government created an ad hoc welfare central command station called the Imam Hassan Headquarters to provide Iran's poorest and most vulnerable with basic goods and "buy" their loyalty.
The government, however, is well aware that such initiatives are akin to putting a band-aid on a bullet wound. Iran's parliamentary research centre has warned that as many as 57 million Iranians (out of a population of 82 million) may be pushed below the poverty line in 2020. The regime, whose income is already shrinking, cannot afford to provide sufficient aid to such a large section of the population for too long.
This is why the government is also using a more effective and familiar tactic to prevent mass unrest: oppression.
In June 2020, the state-appointed IRGC Brigadier General Hossein Nejat, one of Khamenei's most trusted officers, as the head of Sarallah headquarters. Sarallah is Tehran's most important security headquarters and is tasked with protecting government officials and institutions in the city against domestic threats such as riots, anti-government protests or coup attempts.
General Nejat's appointment to this role indicates not only that the regime is gearing up for more anti-government protests, but also that it is preparing to crush any revolt with force.
Prior to his appointment, Nejat made it clear that he views the urban poor as the most critical threat to the Iranian regime. In his analysis of the November 2019 uprising, for example, the general claimed that the West is using poor Iranians to topple Iran's government and described them as "illiterate people, who live in the outskirts [of major population centres] and [whose minds] are polluted in the cyberspace".
And it is not only the forces directly tied to the Sarallah headquarters that are preparing for a battle with the urban poor. The IRGC has also started to prepare a volunteer paramilitary force of government loyalists, known as Basij, for a new round of unrest. According to my sources in the militia, the Guard has introduced new anti-riot tactics and scheduled extra propaganda sessions to convince Basij forces of the necessity of cracking down on civilian protests.
Meanwhile, the IRGC propaganda machine is doing overtime and using social networks to pre-emptively brand any future protest movement as a Western attempt to topple the government.
As they work to expand their support networks, the government's forces are also simultaneously dismantling any civil society organisation and movement that could provide support for protesters during future unrest, such as the anti-poverty NGO, Imam Ali Society.
Another important element in IRGC's strategy to prevent future unrest is injecting fear into the population. This is why Iran's judiciary, which often acts as an arm of the IRGC, has sentenced youths involved in last year's protests to death. The message that was sent to the masses with these sentences was clear: There is no mercy, if you revolt, you will die.
Today, Iran's security and political elites are clearly working overtime to prevent a new round of civic unrest. It is impossible to know whether they will succeed in sedating, and scaring, the Iranian masses enough to prevent another round of nationwide protests. One thing, however, is certain: in the hopes of maintaining order, the Iranian regime is becoming more authoritarian and repressive every passing day.
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera's editorial stance.
Saeid Golkar is assistant professor at the Department of Political Science at the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga and Senior Fellow on Iran Policy at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.
A new Iran deal is unlikely regardless of who wins in November
Iran cannot 'youth-wash' its regime
There is no hope for political reform led by Iranian moderates
Is Iran on the verge of another revolution?


On December 12, users will also be treated to a two-hour Midnight Madness brand sale with discounts up to 98% off, celebrity guest hosts for Shopee Quiz, and the exclusive launch of the latest Meizu smartphones.
From 12MN to 2AM on December 12, Shopee will be holding an exclusive Midnight Madness sale featuring leading brands including Colgate-Palmolive, Maybelline, P&G, Bosch, and many more. The two-hour timed sale will feature up to 98% off storewide across all participating brands.
Celebrities Kim Atienza, K Brosas, and Luis Manzano will join the Shopee 12.12 Big Christmas Sale celebrations as guests hosts for Shopee's latest in-app game, Shopee Quiz. Happening twice daily at 12NN and 9PM from now till December 12, users can catch the celebrity guest hosts on the evening slots of December 6, 9 and 12. Specially for December 12, users can tune in to Shopee Quiz sessions with an upsized coins pool of hundreds of thousands of Shopee Coins to be won.
As an added bonus this Shopee 12.12 Big Christmas Sale, users can also look forward to the launch of Meizu's latest smartphones, the Meizu M16th and C9 happening on December 12 exclusively on Shopee.
The Meizu M16th, Meizu's flagship phone, boasts a 20mp selfie camera and a 12mp rear camera. With a super slim design that features an in-display fingerprint reader and a dual speaker system, the Meizu M16th will retail at a launch price of ₱20,399 instead of the usual ₱24,999. The Meizu C9 features a 5.45" display with HD+ resolution and up to 128GB worth of storage. It will launch at an exclusive price of just ₱3,399 instead of the usual ₱4,990. Both phones will be exclusively available on Shopee from December 12 to 31 December.
Join Shopee for the grand finale of Shopee 12.12 Big Christmas Sale. Visit http://shopee.ph/12-12 for more information.


Why do we not impose mandatory medicals for ALL divers just as I have recently experienced in the Canaries. This cost 20 Euros and was reasonably basic and last for 2 years. Surely this would be good in the UK too?
Good question! Some countries have been doing this for some time, but I don't know of any evidence that they pick up any more problems than the targetted questionnaire approach. In the absence of access to medical records (which is usually the case), both methods still rely on the honesty and trustworthiness of the candidate diver, which cannot always be assumed.
The arguments for and against medical screening of divers have raged on for decades and there is no easy answer; in my view, any change to existing procedures needs to be backed up by good quality evidence, which as I've mentioned, is currently lacking.
Thank you and as you say a lots is reliant on the honesty and trustworthiness of the diver but this is two fold; firstly the owe this much to themselves, family and oh the dive buddy. Secondly as I said originally the check up was quite basic, with BP, pulse ENT check and listening to breathing, then asked about wieght.
Well this all seems pretty straightforward and if some of these checks raised a concern with e.g. High BMI then surely a referral to a'specialist' dive medic would resolve any doubt.
I believe that most clubs/ organisations should push for this, what does anyone think???
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Today was a relaxed day in Barbuda. We ate some spice bread for breakfast made by our Captain, Kris. After breakfast, we had MTE class and practiced finding our triangulated position. Splitting into 2 groups, we tested our buoyancy control on a tough underwater obstacle course set up by Tor. Jake and Maddie had the 2 fastest times. With free time, some of us checked out the beach and Sidney and Frisby attempted wind-surfing (funny to watch, but good effort). We have an OCE class tonight then were headed for the playground for the rich and famous, St. Barths! Passage prep was completed for Ocean Star but also included the usual dashikis for the guys plus some awesome brownies courtesy of Georgia and Tor. Its an overnight passage and we hope to arrive by morning. That's it for now!


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Ceremonies, October 25, 2015, 2:00–5:00 p.m.
Oakland, CA—The Before Columbus Foundation announces the Winners of the Thirty-Sixth Annual AMERICAN BOOK AWARDS. The 2015 American Book Award winners will be formally recognized on Sunday, October 25th from 2:00-5:00 p.m. at the SF Jazz Center, Joe Henderson Lab, 201 Franklin Street (at Fell), San Francisco, CA. This event is open to the public.


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FDA Announces Sweeping Plan To Review Safety Of Surgical Staplers
Alabama Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) Issues a positive coverage policy for Minimally Invasive SI Joint Surgery
Medicare Reduces Payments to 800 Hospitals Citing Patient Safety Incidences
Published by Nikki Golden at March 28, 2019
The FDA Food and Drug Administration announced a sweeping plan on March 8, 2019, to review and address the safety of surgical staplers.
In a letter sent to health-care providers Friday, the FDA said it will convene an advisory meeting on the safety of the devices and signaled that it might reclassify surgical staplers to put them under tighter control. The agency also said it plans to issue proposed recommendations to companies that make the devices, which are used in countless surgeries.
The FDA also acknowledged in its letter that "we are aware that many more device malfunction reports during this time frame" were submitted as "summary reports," which go to the FDA but are not included in the public database known as MAUDE (the Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience). The agency said it "is conducting an analysis" of those summary reports and the results will be made available to the public.
Stapler maker Medtronic confirmed that its reporting exemption for surgical staples ended in mid-2017. FDA records show that its public reports of injuries and malfunctions soared, from about 1,000 in 2015 to 11,000 last year. Ethicon, which also makes staplers, said it has not used the reporting exemption.
Read the letter here.


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«Eternal Flame» () — песня американской группы The Bangles из альбома 1988 года Everything. В 1989 году была выпущена синглом. Песня возглавляла чарты в девяти странах, в том числе Австралии, Великобритании и американском Billboard Hot 100. Её авторами являются популярные композиторы  и , а также вокалистка группы Сюзанна Хоффс. Благодаря успеху этой песни и «Walk Like an Egyptian», Bangles стали третьим женским коллективом, чьи песни возглавляли американский чарт более одного раза (помимо The Supremes с 12-ю песнями и The Shirelles с двумя).

Позиции в хит-парадах и показатели продаж

Примечания

Синглы, возглавлявшие Billboard Hot 100
Синглы, возглавлявшие UK Singles Chart
Синглы, возглавлявшие хит-парад Австралии
Синглы, возглавлявшие хит-парад Nederlandse Top 40
Синглы, возглавлявшие хит-парад Single Top 100

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Wilderness Excursion offers so many fun facts about Nepal adventure activities, magical Mountain Flight around Mt. Everest is one the tremendously life time holiday experience to do among them. The one-hour mountain flight through various domestic airlines; from Kathmandu airport takes off daily early morning, worth great Himalayan scenery including Mt. Everest.
Mountain Flight trip is suitable for short time Nepal visitors who restricted by time from going a Himalaya Trekking can see a magical view with eagle eye-view just in an hour As the plane flies along, the mountains come closer and closer. First, visitors see Shisha Pangma (8013m) and next on the vision is Chhoba Bhamare, Dorje Lakpa, Phurbi Chakchhyu on the right which looms over Kathmandu Valley.
As the plane moves on you will see Gaurishanker, Melungtse, Chugimago, Numbur, Karyolung, Cho-Oyu, Gyachungkang, Pumori, Nuptse and, of course, Everest finally. Mountain flights are offered by several airlines in the morning from the domestic airport in Kathmandu. Flights from Kathmandu reveal the Eastern Himalaya, while flights from Pokhara take you on a bird's eye view of the Western Himalaya as well. Wilderness Excursion offers mountain flight daily in the morning with various airlines including Buddha air.
Wilderness Excursion staff will pick you from your hotel at 6:00 am and takes you to the domestic airport for your once in lifetime Everest Mountain Flight.
Everest Experience is a close-encounter mountain flight-seeing tour with Buddha Air. Indulge in the panorama and maybe, just maybe, you might realize what you have been missing, or find what you have been looking for, all this while. After all a trip to Nepal would be incomplete without truly understanding what really makes it beautiful. Nothing compares to the sheer beauty or awe, the Himalayas has to offer. Take the mother of all mountain flights, the Everest Experience where we put you, one on one with Mt. Everest, so close that you can almost touch it.
7:45am : Pick up from airport and transfer to your hotel.
Trip Note:- Free cancellation for this flight is up to 72 hours before the flight time. If cancelling less than 72 hours before the chosen start date no refund applies.
Fly over Mount Everest, the head of the world. Feel thrill and amazing drift over the Himalaya and Capture some of unbelievable scenes in your memory, Enjoy window seats for every passenger on small group tours, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and many other peaks.


HOUSTON, July 31, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Era Group Inc. (NYSE:ERA) ("Era"), one of the largest helicopter operators in the world, today announced it will release financial results for its second quarter 2018 after the market closes on Tuesday, August 7, 2018. In connection with the release, Era has scheduled a conference call for Wednesday, August 8, 2018, to begin at 10:00 a.m. ET (9:00 a.m. CT).
Investors may participate in the call by phone. Dial 877-260-1479 for domestic callers or 334-323-0522 for international callers, at least 10 minutes before the call, using the access code 8689592. A telephone replay will be available through August 22, 2018, by dialing 888-203-1112 and utilizing the access code above. The accompanying investor presentation will be available on August 8, 2018, on Era's website at www.erahelicopters.com.


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Skeptophilia
Skeptophilia (skep-to-fil-i-a) (n.) - the love of logical thought, skepticism, and thinking critically. Being an exploration of the applications of skeptical thinking to the world at large, with periodic excursions into linguistics, music, politics, cryptozoology, and why people keep seeing the face of Jesus on grilled cheese sandwiches.
Skype exorcisms
Some of my regular readers may remember that a few months ago, I posted about a trio of young and extremely Christian ladies who were invading Britain to rid the country of demons that had been brought there because so many British children read Harry Potter.
One of them is named Brynne Larson. It will come as no surprise that Ms. Larson is from an fundamentalist household; hard to imagine your believing anything that ridiculous if you didn't learn it as a very young child. Be that as it may, Ms. Larson's father is Bob Larson, an evangelical preacher, talk radio host, and general wingnut. Larson has been doing his dog-and-pony show for a while; I remember listening to him back in the 80s when I lived in Seattle. I'd turn the show on when I got stuck in traffic, which was often, because I figured that the best thing to keep you from experiencing road rage is to listen to a radio show that distracts you by making you even madder at something else.
Well, Larson is still around, and just this week announced that he's out there fighting the Evil One just as hard today as he was thirty years ago. He has, he claims, performed over 20,000 exorcisms in his life. Doesn't that seem like a lot, to you? It would imply that a good many of the people we meet on a daily basis are possessed, which I kind of doubt. I don't think I've seen anyone lately who was guided by a demon, with the exception of the woman who ran a stop sign and cut me off in a Syracuse mall parking lot last weekend during a snowstorm, and I don't think she was possessed by anything but the evil spirit Dumbassimus.
But Larson begs to differ. The demons are out there, he says; "there'll never be a shortage." There are so many, in fact, that Larson can't keep up with the requests. He receives so many that now he has to do his exorcisms...
... via Skype.
I don't know about you, but my first thought upon reading that was, "How could that work?" Here you have a wicked, dangerous minion of Satan, who has latched on to some poor unfortunate soul in Hogfoot Junction, West Virginia. And a guy shows up on Skype and says, "Get thee gone, evil spirit!" from 2,000 miles away via an internet connection, and the demon has no choice but to retreat in disarray? If I was a demon, and Larson showed up babbling at me to Return to Hell From Whence I Came, the least I would do is to flip him off and then cause his computer to experience the Blue Screen of Death.
I mean, it can't be that hard. My computer does that often enough without any demons being involved.
And it has to make you wonder what's next. Will he start distributing general exorcisms through Twitter?
Get thee behind me Satan, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord Amen #ChalkAnotherOneUpForMe #IGuessThatShowedYou
What if he doesn't finish his magical incantation before he runs into the 140-character limit?
My overall impression is that he's fighting a losing battle, trying to use the internet to fight Satan. Just considering the volume of pornography alone, out there on the 'net, I think that so far it's Larson 0, Satan 1,489,352.
Larson, of course, doesn't see it that way. When asked in an interview with ABC15 if his Skype-your-way-out-of-hell method was nothing more than a fire-and-brimstone circus act, he said, "It's real. There would be no reason to theatrically stage this for any reason. Why would anybody do that? I have no idea."
I'll pass over the fact that he used the word "reason" twice, and that his worldview isn't exactly one in which reason, in its literal sense, is the driver. But really, Reverend Larson? You can't think of any other incentives for doing what you're doing, other than the need to fight the Evil One? How about money? Notoriety? Being interviewed by a major news outlet?
But other than those, nothing, right?
Of course, right.
So that's the latest from the world of religious wingnuttery. I live in hope that most Christians recognize whackjobs like Bob Larson for what they are, but the sad fact is that there are enough people still listening to Larson that his show, Talk Back, is still being aired, and his ministry still gets followers.
And he still gets people, over Skype, who are eager for him to free them of demons -- for just a small donation to support the ministry, of course.
Posted by Gordon Bonnet at 2:24 AM
Labels: Bob Larson, demons, devil, evangelical Christianity, exorcism, exorcists, religion, Satan, Skype
SoulChakra You can see problems and the thoughts of other people too easy, also the emotions which we don't want.
Skepticism and sarcasm. Six days a week.
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Also, check out my website: http://www.gordonbonnet.com. And while you're at it, head on over to Language Arts to see the amazing art work of my wife, Carol Bloomgarden.
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New release! Book #2 of the Boundary Solution trilogy
Kerri, Aaron, and Will are heading across the country in a race against time... to achieve a goal only the mysterious Pleiadians know for sure.
Book #1 of the Boundary Solution trilogy
The Black-eyed Children have always picked off one or two people at a time. But are they planning more than that?
A catastrophe... and mythology come to life.
Who had a motive to kill the old lady in her study? Turns out... almost everyone.
A wedding reception turned deadly...
Tales of whoa!
A skeptical wildlife biologist, his ex-hippie girlfriend, and... Slender Man.
The promise of power will drive you mad.
Sometimes, the only way out is through.
Trouble on the far side of the Moon...
Two men, two pints of Guinness, and an ethical dilemma.
Take a wild ride through time...
Sometimes, they really ARE out to get you.
The oppression of the majority
I wonder what it is about the mere existence of atheists that is so terrifying to some Christians. Now, right up front, I want to emphasiz...
Gays, god, and forest fires
Many of you have undoubtedly been following the news of the horrific wildfires, last week in Colorado and this week in Arizona . Thus far...
The Cosmic Glass Pyramids of Doom
In yet another example of a fact-free, zero-evidence claim spinning its way around the internet, we now have a story about giant glass pyram...
Go away, atheists. We're tired of you.
Many of you have undoubtedly heard about the lawsuit currently making its way through the courts in Massachusetts, in which the state's ...
An open letter to religious Americans
Dear Religious People of the United States, It's finally happened. I've actually become really angry, and that takes a lot. I&#...
Siri, conspiracy theories, and the Gates of Hell
It doesn't take much, unfortunately, to get the conspiracy theorists all shook up. Take the discovery a couple of weeks ago that for ...
We found Noah's... no, listen! Wait! Where's everybody going?
Have you noticed that every few months, someone else finds Noah's Ark? Just since I've begun this blog, I've written about fou...
Science vs. indoctrination
Indoctrinate (v.) -- to teach someone to accept fully the ideas, opinions, and beliefs of a particular group, in an uncritical fashion; to ...
Builders of the lost ark
New from the "I Wish I Were Kidding" department, today we have a story that as much as $37.5 million in taxpayer-funded rebates co...
Smiting San Francisco
I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings, but if you're a reader in the San Francisco area, you're doomed. Today, in fact. I know,...
The flammable chemtrail snow vortex of doom
Eat like a werewolf
Asteroid astrology
Unreal estate
Diseased cannibal rat ship
Laser therapy redux and retraction
Retroactive prayer pay
Lunar triangle anomaly
The "flap" comes to upstate New York
Jewish dinosaur evolution hoax!
Euler's identity, and seeing the divine in mathema...
God, games, and prayers
Psychic alien Nazi spies
Homeopathy, allopathy, and the right to prescribe ...
Thoughts about the Hand of God
Canadian alien invasion conspiracy
ConCERNing Osiris
Faith, belief, and agnosticism: a guest post by au...
The polar vortex agenda
Tweets from time travelers
Hank the Bigfoot, and the minimum standard for evi...
Gordon Bonnet
I'm a fiction author and blogger who lives in the frozen wilds of Upstate New York. I am also an online writing coach/consultant -- ask if you want more details!
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Career Life
Alabama College Student Walks 20 Miles to Get to Work on Time, CEO Rewards Him With a Huge Gift
Alabama College Student Walks 20 Miles to Get to Work on Time, CEO Rewards Him With a Huge Gift	September 10, 2018
An Alabama man walked 20 miles to work so he wouldn't disappoint his new boss. But he wasn't expecting what his boss did next...
IMAGE BY: Pexels
20-year-old Walter Carr sent text messages to all the people on his contact list. It was definitely urgent. The college student's car had broken down and he needed some wheels right away.
He Needed Money
IMAGE BY: Facebook/Walter Carr
Carr had worked in fast-food restaurants in the past, but this new job of his offered more money, which he desperately needed. But life threw a wrench at him when he least expected it...
Getting Worse
He was going to start his job as a mover the following morning. But the home he had to drive to was located in Birmingham, Alabama. That was 20 miles away from his apartment. What was he to do? He had to get there somehow.
Struck Out
IMAGE BY: Facebook/Bellhops Moving
His friends were no help. None of them could drive him to work. But this was going to be his first day with the moving company. He couldn't just not show up, as he was looking forward to working with the company.
In an interview with The Washington Post, Carr shared his desperation: "I sat there and I thought, 'How can I get to my job? What streets would I walk through? How long would take me to get there?'" But Carr realized there was only one way to fix this issue.
Only Option
After giving it some careful consideration, Carr was only able to come up with one solution. He would have to walk to his destination. But he needed to figure out how to get there, and worst of all, he needed to figure out how to get there on time. After all, he had a long way to go.
He plotted the route using an online web mapping serve and estimated it would take eight hours to walk from his apartment in Homewood to the house in Pelham. But as a former cross-country runner, Carr felt he could do it in less time.
Carr was never the kind of guy who relied on others. He even told The Washington Post, "I've always been that person who figured things out on my own. I went out walking." So he knew this one the one time where he needed to shine, and he needed to shine bright.
Breakfast of Champions
At 8 p.m., Carr ate some bologna and eggs, and took a nap. Then he woke up at midnight, grabbed his phone and his wallet, and he headed out. He was on a mission.
IMAGE BY: Unsplash
Carr continued his journey in the dark. Sometimes he jogged. Sometimes he walked. But he always stayed focused.
Miles to Go
By 4 a.m., Carr had made it to Pelham, but his final destination was still hours away. He decided to walk to the highway ramp, which would be more direct. But he was burned out.
He Needed a Break
Carr walked 20 miles, but first he took a breather in a bank parking lot. Then a police officer named Mark Knighten asked him if he was OK, and Carr told him what he was up to.
He Needed a Ride
Officer Knighten offered to drive Carr somewhere where he could get something to eat. But Carr explained to the officer, "I just paid my rent. I have no cash on me at all."
Knighten offered to pay for the meal and Carr said yes. They headed to Whataburger with a couple of other cops. Carr had a chicken biscuit, but the officers insisted that he order himself another biscuit.
Afterwards, Knighten drove Carr a couple of miles closer to his job. But he had to leave him at a church because the officer's shift was over. The officer promised that another cop would pass by and check on him.
Time to Worry
Carr was worried he wouldn't make it to his job, so at around 5:30 a.m., he kept on walking. Then another officer named Scott Duffey picked Carr up and drove him the rest of the way.
Telling the Homeowner
At 6:30 a.m., Duffey knocked on homeowner Jenny Lamey's door to explain to her what Carr had gone through. Of course, Lamey's home was the one at which Carr was supposed to meet the other movers.
Tearjerker
IMAGE BY: Facebook/Jenny Lamey
Lamey told the Washington Post, "The officer told me, 'I've got this nice kid in my car. He's a great kid, he's been walking all night to get to your house.'" Lamey was practically in tears.
Ready for Action
Lamey offered Carr some food and a place to nap, but he just wanted to start working. As soon as the two other movers arrived, they started to help the Lamey family move to their new home.
Boundless Energy
Lamey admired Carr's endless amount of energy. He even took some time to play basketball with Lamey's boys, ages 11, 13 and 16. Lamey said, "I can't imagine what kept him going."
A Beautiful Friendship
Lamey hopes that her family and Carr will be able to establish a long friendship. He told her that his determination to achieve the impossible was an example of the way he was raised. But there was something at store for Carr, and he had zero idea about what was coming...
The next day, Lamey told Carr's supervisor what he'd done. Then Lamey wrote about it on Facebook. She also started a GoFundMe page to help Carr fix his vehicle. The goal was $2,000, but they ended up raising a whopping $91,849.
IMAGE BY: The Birmingham News
The moving company's chief executive, Luke Marklin, called Carr to express his gratitude. They met at a coffee shop a few days later, but Carr had to walk 20 minutes to get there. And he had no idea what awaited him as he was about to get the shock of his life.
Best Gift Ever
Marklin gave Carr his 2014 Ford Escape, which he felt would be put to better use in his employee's hands. Marklin had set a high bar for folks working at the company, but Carr went above and beyond, and he deserved the recognition.
Can-Do Attitude
IMAGE BY: Twitter/PelhamPoliceAL
The Alabama man walked 20 miles to ensure his first day on the job wasn't his last. But he had no idea that his experience would teach others that a can-do attitude can help you achieve anything you desire.
The World Was Watching
Ever since then, Carr has been featured on CNN, Fox News, BBC, NBC and many other news outlets. Now he's even received scholarship offers. You can bet you'll see great things from this committed and brilliant young man.


Subject: More Information on "6080 BEACH HOUSE"
Nestled in thevibrant community of Mid-Beach. Surrounded by green parks, marinas, public art, sustainable architecture, restaurants and retail shops. Relax in your peaceful retreat or venture a few minutes beyond to engage with the excitement nearby. Minutes away from Lincoln Road, Bal Harbour, Miami Beach Golf Course, the New World Symphony, and the convention center, which hosts many world famous events including Art Basel and the International Boat Show.
Technology features including 42" flat screen Smart Televisions, apple TV, and wall mounted ipads with music and concierge applications.
Argentinean developers and architects Alex Rakover, Flavio Rossato and Pablo Hoberman lead 6080 Collins, LLC, a joint venture by Urbis Real Estate and Domus Group. Rakover and Hoberman are co-founders of Urbis Real Estate, a brokerage firm specializing in real estate investment and management services. Rossato is the principal of Domus Group, a development and consulting company with offices in Buenos Aires and Miami.
Charles Benson is Founder and Principal of Charles H. Benson & Associates, Architects, P.A., a full service architectural, planning, interior design, and construction supervision Firm. Founded in 1996, with thirty years of experience, the solidity of the firm is reflected in its continued growth, success and savoir-faire.
Charles Benson has a passionate commitment to the integrity of each and every design, from high-rise condominiums, restoration and preservation of the splendor of the Art Deco District, to a who's who of major high-end hospitality and retail establishments.. Charles Benson and his team stand enthusiastically for their client's success.
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Home/College Profiles/University of North Dakota
University of North Dakota	Pam	2019-08-29T16:24:31+00:00
University of North Dakota Counseling and Psychology Degree Program(s) Available
The University of North Dakota appears in our ranking of the 30 Most Affordable Master's in Psychology Online Degree Programs.
The University of North Dakota offers several degree programs designed for individuals who wish to enter the field of counseling or psychology.
The Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Psychology provides students with an understanding of the intricacies of the human mind, preparing them for a career in mental health. The degree explains why people behave the way they do and how to evaluate as well as address a variety of psychological issues. Students can concentrate their studies in:
Courses required may include:
Behavior Modification and Therapy
History and Systems of Psychology
The Bachelor of Arts program requires additional foreign language requirements while the Bachelor of Science requires additional science and math coursework.
The University of South Dakota offers a Master of Arts in Counseling that utilizes a training model that is anchored in psychological science that focuses on evidence-based practices and multicultural competence. Students have the opportunity to develop hands-on skills through on-campus clinics or through community internships. The degree can be concentrated in the following areas:
Child Adolescent Counseling
Community Mental Health Counseling
Courses required for the program may include:
Couples and Family Counseling
Diagnostic and Prevention Strategies in Counseling
Dynamics of Addiction
Psychology of Women, Gender and Development
Theories of Counseling, Personality and Development
Except for the School Counseling concentration, the program is only available on campus. The School Counseling option offers online classes with two four-day on-campus visits for two consecutive summers.
The graduate certificate in Counseling with a K-12 School Counseling emphasis prepares students to promote the academic, career, personal and social development of K-12 students. The program is designed for working professionals and is available online. It prepares individuals who can help students overcome obstacles and reach their academic goals. Students attend "live" online classes in the evening with two four-day visits to the campus during the summer required. There is also a semester-long practicum and internship that can be taken close to the student's home. Courses required include:
Child and Adolescent Counseling
Educational Collaboration
School Counseling and Program Management
The Online Master's in Forensic Psychology program is designed for working professionals and can be completed in two years by students already holding an undergraduate degree in areas like social work, criminology, sociology, or psychology.
The Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology degree program helps individuals develop the clinical and research skills necessary to excel as a counseling psychologist. The program is grounded in the scientist-practitioner training model that focuses on multicultural and social justice. It prepares students for careers that enable them to have a direct change in society. Graduates are able to make a difference for individuals, families, and communities. The program integrates practice and science to prepare well-rounded professionals. Courses required may include:
Adult Cognitive and Personality Assessment
Advanced Vocational Counseling
Child and Adolescent Cognitive and Personality Assessment
Counseling Methods
Ethics: Counseling and Counseling Psychology
Group Theory and Process
History of Psychology
Research Issues in Counseling Psychology
Supervision and Consultation Theory and Practice
Survey and Test Design
Students must also complete a counseling and doctoral practicum as well as a practicum in supervision. They must also research, prepare and defend a dissertation.
About the University of North Dakota
In 1883, the University of North Dakota was established after legislation was presented to the North Dakota legislature by Grand Forks native, George Walsh. When it first began, the campus consisted of just a few acres of land and was surrounded by farmland. The school was located two miles outside of Grand Forks, requiring students to travel to class by train or using the school's horse and carriage, "Black Maria."
In 1918, a flu epidemic swept through North Dakota, killing more than 1,400, some of them students at the University. In fact, the school was the hardest hit single institution during the epidemic. Classes were suspended later that year to house soldiers who were training for battle during World War I. The Great Depression also caused financial hardship for the school. They were able to remain open by offering manual labor jobs to students in exchange for free tuition, a project that became known as "Camp Depression." The students who were working on campus were not permitted to eat from the cafeteria but could receive free leftovers. Many lived with Grand Forks residents who provided them free room and board while some students ended up living in railroad cabooses.
Enrollment grew significantly after World War II as soldiers returned to take advantage of the GI Bill. After World War II, enrollment grew significantly as soldiers returned taking advantage of the G.I. Bill. The Red River Flood damaged several campus buildings in 1997, leading to the cancellation of classes for the remainder of the year.
Today, the University of North Dakota is the state's oldest and largest university with an enrollment of 13,500. The school is ranked as one of the top 25 Most Innovative Colleges by U.S. News & World Report.
University of North Dakota Accreditation Details
The University of North Dakota is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Accreditation confirms that programs offered at the university are of the highest quality. In addition, the school undergoes periodic review to confirm that the programs continue to meet the standards set forth by the Commission. In addition to national accreditation, programs throughout the University are accredited by the following agencies:
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care
Accreditation Board for Engineering & Technology
Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education
Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education
Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education
Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant
American Music Therapy Association
Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International
Association of Technology, management and Applied Engineering
Aviation Accreditation Board International
Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Adult Health Education Programs
Review Committee for Cytotechnology
Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Committee on Professional Training & American Chemical Society
Computing Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology
Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs
Council on Social Work Education
Liaison Committee on Medical Education of the American Medical Association & Association of American Medical Colleges
National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science
National Association of Schools of Art & Design
National Association of Schools of Music
National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration
National Association of Schools of Theatre
The Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs
University of North Dakota Admission Requirements
In order to apply for the undergraduate degree in Psychology, applicants must submit official high school transcripts along with official ACT or SAT scores. Applicants that are over the age of 25 or have earned more than 24 college credits are not required to submit ACT or SAT scores.
Applicants for the Master of Arts in Counseling must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. They must have 20 semester credits of coursework in behavioral sciences at the undergraduate level. Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 in undergraduate studies and a satisfactory score on the GRE. A personal statement and letters of recommendation are also required. Applicants for the School Counseling concentration must also submit a School Counseling Supplemental Application Form.
Applicants for the Counseling: K-12 School Counseling emphasis must complete a supplemental application and provide a statement of goals.
In order to apply for the Ph.D. in Counseling, applicants must hold a master's degree or higher and must provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. They must also provide official GRE scores, a statement of goal and the supplemental application. Applicants must have an overall GPA of 3.0 and at least 18 semester credits in undergraduate psychology.
University of North Dakota Tuition and Fees
Tuition for the Master of Arts in Counseling, the School Counseling Graduate Certificate or the Ph.D. in Counseling is $439 per credit hour for North Dakota residents and $558 for Minnesota residents. Residents of other states pay $659 per credit hour for on-campus students. Online students pay $439 per credit hour regardless of residency.
Students receive more than $100 million in financial aid each year. In order to qualify, all students are asked to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Financial aid may be awarded as grants, scholarships, loans or work-study programs.
The University of North Dakota has been providing an outstanding education to students for more than 100 years. The University of North Dakota offers several counseling and psychology degree programs that are available online, on-campus or in a hybrid version.


My last post, Prejudice--Not a Wise Platform Strategy, was part one on this topic. I know this is a subject near to the hearts of many readers because of the emails I received through this blog and my website after that post and my earlier, related one on not using blogs as personal diaries.
Most writers I know are intelligent, educated, open-minded people, which is why I keep leaping onto my soapbox to address the topic of genre prejudice--it makes no sense to me and surprises me every time I see an example of it.
People who know me will tell you I'm not a preachy person, but discrimination is my hot button. I live in the South and consequently have a heightened sense of equality because I live in a society that has embraced or endured all kinds of prejudice and discrimination. I find genre discrimination offensive, just as I do racial, religious or sexual discrimination (Though not to the same extent, of course; it's not on the same level as it doesn't bring with it life and death consequences; but for me, prejudice is repulsive in any arena).
No. "Hating" a genre doesn't equate donning a white hood, but it is unwarranted and often unfounded, with the person degrading the genre and its authors sometimes having never even read a book in the genre (or at least not knowing he/she has read one. *wink*). A little tolerance and respect for other readers and writers goes a long way, especially when you're trying to build a potential fan base.
Hands down, the genre I see belittled the most is romance.
Okay. I agree romance is an easy target. The book covers alone warrant an eye roll. They are often cheesy--in fact, some are downright embarrassing (Psst: Electronic readers solve this problem and allow you to read with reckless abandon anywhere without risk of offending anyone with the naked or nearly naked people on the cover).
Kidding aside, keep in mind the potential pitfalls of alienating people who write or read this or any genre before you slam it publicly. Yes, your personal blog is yours and you can say any darn thing you want, but if you are building a writers' platform, you should still turn on your inner censor. Same with forums and loops. It is fine to be opinionated, but as with all things, is it worth shooting yourself in the foot?
Back to romance. I think the stats will help clarify my position.
RWA's 2009 Reader Survey reports 74.8 million Americans read at least one romance novel in 2008, with the core of the romance fiction market at 29 million regular readers.
The U.S. economy slid into recession in 2008, and book sales were down to $10.175 billion from $10.714 billion in 2007. Romance fiction sales were strong in 2008 at $1.37 billion.
Wow. 74.8 million people read a romance in 2008. That's a lot of readers. That's a lot of writers. Romance has a gigantic fan base. Larger than any other genre. See the RWA literature statistics page for more info.
I brought my own prejudices with me to my first RWA meeting, only to be slapped in the face by my own ignorance. My fellow chapter members blew me away. Doctors, housewives, lawyers, professors, students executives and teachers. I went even though I was not a romance writer because of the workshops that crossed over genres. I stayed because of the talent and openness of the members. I adore and admire this group of men and women and can't imagine making this trek without them.
One morning I opened a reader email that came through my website. The woman wrote to tell me that she'd had a very tough week. Both of her parents were terminally ill, and reading Would-Be Witch was the first thing that had made her happy in a while. She just wanted me to know. I sat and cried as I wrote her a reply.
Before that reader email, I had occasionally wondered if I should really be writing paranormal romantic comedy. It wasn't, after all, serious writing, right? Afterward though, I never questioned my choice again. My book eased the pain of someone who was shouldering a very heavy load. Nothing will ever mean more to me than that.
Hard to beat that for a reason to write.
Honestly, I can't think of a genre I haven't enjoyed from literary fiction to erotica. There are pitiful examples in all genres, but there are also brilliant books in all of them. I choose to read some genres more than others, but that doesn't mean the ones I don't read as often are lesser quality or not as valid.
My point? Discrimination based on genre prejudice not only offends other readers'/writers', it can negatively impact an aspiring writer's reputation and platform.
I'd love to hear from you in the comments or in a personal email.
There are days when the whole world seems to have "gone out" - or when all of one's efforts to right a wrong have been for naught. Those are the days when I'll pick up a Romance Novel (love Catherine Coulter's books) and just escape. Some days it's the only thing that works.
Another great post Mary! I read for entertainment. And I write to entertain. I read across genres from romance to historical fiction, though urban fantasy is my all time fav. A great story is great story, no matter what. Never look down your nose, especially if you haven't ventured past the front cover.
And I'm right there with you on the discrimination front. It's ugly in whatever form!
I am a little preachy about this as well. Here's my bit.
As writers we need to respect any other writers no matter our personal preference it is often the same lonesome journey. If I was a carpenter and I built Victorian homes I would be just as much a carpenter who built contemporary homes. Banding together is necessary, especially now. Great Post Mary!
Anyone who hacks on romance is a complete ninny and n00b. Romance is where the publishing industry gets its money. If you dont take it seriously, no one will be able to publish books.
I always run into the people who think fantasy is a stupid genre.
Great post! Starting in December, I'm challenging myself (and my blog readers) to explore different genres, ones I don't normally read and ones other people might not normally read. Each month is a different genre. I've barely started and I've already learned a ton. I can't wait to get to the month I've picked out for Romance (February of course)!
Wow, I just wrote a blog about this today. I'm one of the first people to admit that I don't like books such as Twilight and it's cousins, and I'm not a big fan of romance. But the idea that the existence of those types of books somehow belittles other, more "worthy" books is narrow minded.
That's not to say I won't rant about the problems with Bella Swan-esque characters from dark to dawn, but I recognize that those books just aren't for me. Not every book will apeal to everyone, and before folks start to bash an entire genre they should realize that. After all, not everyone wants to read/write literary fiction. I certainly don't.
I read for entertainment. And I write to entertain.
The other day it hit me that my style is my style. My latest WIP started off with a much more literary theme. But as I began writing my pop fiction style saturated it and any literary themes sort of lost. *shrug* I know some won't like my style, but then again, I'm not writing for them.
In a nutshell, we write for whoever likes what we write.
cup of tea, who hasn't enjoyed the happy-ever-after endings? I'm not big into sci-fi either... but hey, that's me. I don't expect everyone to like what I like. My mother couldn't live without her romance novels. My daughter and granddaughters can't live without their vampire books. Thank goodness there's a market for all of us!
What a great post! :) I've been going out of my comfort zone this year and reading books outside the scifi/fantasy genres. You know what I found out? I love great storytelling... no matter the genre!
It's amazing what we can enjoy once we try it :). Keep preachin', Mary!
The book covers alone warrant an eye roll. They are often cheesy--in fact, some are downright embarrassing (Psst: Electronic readers solve this problem and allow you to read with reckless abandon anywhere without risk of offending anyone with the naked or nearly naked people on the cover).
Isn't the above statement pretty heavily slanted against covers and assuming everyone agrees that the covers are awful? Especially since a lot of Westerns and mysteries come out with covers featuring nearly naked women in risque poses.
Ah, good point, Diana. I love romance novels too. Some covers are gorgeous and yes, some covers on fantasy, sci-fi and westerns are just as risque. The covers on all these genres affect my teen children far more than me. My kids ask me to keep my books in my purse, which is where the e-reader statement comes from. (I love my Kindle) :D Cover stigma is also a recurring theme with my published romance writer friends. Since I was focusing on prejudice aimed at the romance genre, the covers of that genre were a touch point. I can't tell you how many people criticize the genre based on the covers alone. Unfair, but true, especially in light of your valid point that other genres feature similar covers and lots of folks love the covers. The romance industry has done extensive studies concerning shelf appeal and know what they are doing without a doubt. And hey, some of those covers make me shout, "Heck yeah!"
Thanks for the fantastic comments and emails. I love this blog and the QT community.
Heheheheeh. I've had that problem with bringing a romance novel to work to read on my lunchbreak. Reading on my iphone is much more work appropriate ;). Tee hee.
Prejudice of any kind is nutty. Why do some folks want us all to be the same? And why do others want to feel so superior? I don't get it.
My kids ask me to keep my books in my purse, which is where the e-reader statement comes from.
lol, Diana. Perhaps it's both.
but, I sometimes see the opposite thing going on. Writers afraid to give an honest review of work for fear of seeming negative. I know I worry about that -- but shouldn't we be able to politely voice our opinion on a work -- give an honest critique?
I mean, in a polite and professional manner. No bashing allowed.
example: I used to follow a book rating site, but began to notice that the blogger who wrote the site 'loved' every book.
Really? That excessive love seemed to make me not trust her ratings as much. Like she was so busy being pc that she lost the vision of her rating related blogsite.
I am clear about what I like and don't like on my blog, but I don't believe I've ever treated another genre as 'stupid' or 'dumb' because of the same sorts of reasons you mention here. As a speculative fiction writer, I get tired of the eye rolls I've endured all my life when I say I read sf and fantasy. Romance gets treated even worse, and it's ridiculous, considering that the purpose of reading books is generally to be entertained.


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What Leicester can teach us about innovations in energy
Leicester's commitment to a local energy policy shows it takes more than good intentions to get results, and that challenges lie ahead.
"Dilly ding, dilly dong," famously sang Claudio Ranieri, the Leicester City manager, as his football team became champions of the UK Premier League for the 2015/16 season. But Leicester had already achieved a different type of championship status decades before: its long history of environment-friendly policies saw it named Britain's first "Environment City" and then Europe's "Sustainable City" in the 1990s, as well as numerous national and international honours since.
Professor Michael Pollitt
"Leicester has had a longstanding tradition of implementing innovative local energy policies," says Michael Pollitt, Professor of Business Economics at Cambridge Judge. "But even a leading, proactive and innovative local authority finds it problematic to have a statistically meaningful energy policy. Local councils have direct control of only a very tiny percentage of energy consumption within their area."
Professor Pollitt is the co-author of research suggesting that even the most genuinely environmentally friendly councillors face problems delivering an effective local carbon-saving framework. They found that despite numerous initiatives by local Leicester politicians, the city's per capita reduction of electricity and gas usage was similar to that in Coventry and Nottingham – two cities the study identified as "geographically close and demographically similar" to Leicester.
"We discovered that the most effective local policies were actually manifestations of national ones. There are so many players involved in local energy consumption, many of which are outside the remit of the local council, that it is very difficult for local energy policies to have a direct impact on consumption," says Pollitt.
"The council, for example, can influence how schools consume their gas and electricity; local hospitals' energy management is dictated by the Department of Health; the local prison's by the Home Office; and the city's two universities' by their own management. Hospital managers need assurance that their heating connection is of sufficient quality that it is never at risk, and therefore it's managed at a national level. But with so many different anchor users of the city's energy on so many different planning cycles, or having already made significant investments, it is extremely difficult for the local authorities to get those big anchor users to sign up to local energy policies."
This is borne out in the impact of two of the council's flagship energy schemes. Professor Pollitt and his fellow researchers found intelligent energy metering of council buildings produced savings equivalent to only 0.02 per cent of Leicester's energy consumption, while a recent district heating scheme reduced the city's carbon emissions by one per cent. "These findings reveal how small the savings in energy and emissions currently are," says Professor Pollitt.
There are positives, however. Leicester's commitment to a local energy policy has created hundreds of jobs – international energy advice and installation organisation The Mark Group is based in the city, and within Leicestershire and Lincolnshire 14,400 people are employed in the low carbon and environmental goods and services sector. Equally, finds Professor Pollitt's research, local energy partnerships between city organisations have served to give Leicester a greater sense of community and enhanced its national and international reputation.
"We also found people are more likely to reduce their carbon footprint if given energy-efficient advice when approached by someone at a local level – a neighbourhood initiative or someone from the council going door-to-door promoting loft insulation or energy-efficient lightbulbs. The take-up of these less eye-catching schemes has actually been extremely positive and has made a lot of difference to a lot of individuals. Scaled up, the impact would be extremely significant. However, the fact that the local authority has such a limited control over the city's energy consumption as a whole means that, overall, the impact is lost among the other statistics."
So what needs to change? How can Leicester's city fathers and mothers, who historically have been so genuinely, utterly committed to creating a more sustainable environment, make more of a difference – and how can other authorities be convinced their example is worth following?
"Coordinating local decision-making to make a statistical meaningful difference to energy consumption and production needs a detailed understanding of the key stakeholders in local energy production and consumption," says Professor Pollitt. "Those making the decision also need a qualitative understanding of the profile of a city – its organisations, its social structure, its level of deprivation, how the energy is used, and the knowledge of how and why that consumption changes. With greater understanding of these issues, and greater co-ordination between local and national government, then local schemes may then be able to have a more significant impact on the figures."
Visit Professor Michael Pollitt's faculty webpage
Learn more about the Economics & Policy subject group
energy Michael Pollitt
Confirming behaviour
Platforms for the people
Seven decades on


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To Characterise the drapeability of reinforcement fabrics, is one of the most sought after abilities of those designing composite processes and components. Drapeability defects are formed by the irregular rearrangement of fibres. Such a displacement can occur within the textile plane and results in fibre disorientations, undulations and wrinkles or loops. The Textechno DRAPETEST automatic drapeability tester was developed to measure such effects.


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Keynote speakers at EBACE2019 -Aerospace Innovators and Policymakers
New partnership - Alsim and F1 pilot of the Sky Mélanie Astles
Great announcement from Alsim - new partnership - with the first female Red Bull Air Race winner and French aerobatics champion Mélanie Astles. Mélanie knows her way around those pylons very well. However, together with Melanie, we at Alsim believe we can help in her tra...
Deeper knowledge - Charlotte Pedersen on Luxaviation Helicopters Charter Alliance
We've already wrote about the Luxaviation Helicopters Charter Alliance. As we are curious to find out much more and in details, we had to ask Charlotte Pedersen to reveal us some "inside information". So let's find out together..... Q. &nbs...
Aviation is in my blood - Ali Ahmed Alnaqbi
Are you sure, that if you have the opportunity to talk with an important person, you know exactly what you would ask? When I had the appointment for the interview with the Chairman of MEBAA Mr. Ali Ahmed Alnaqbi, I realized that I have so many questions and in the same time I've read a lot of what he had told already and it would be strange to ask something banal...So honestly, it wa...
Haute Couture in the Sky - Didier Wolff - Créateur on very large format
First, it was the meeting with an amazing livery design by Happy Design Studio, then I had the opportunity to meet the author - Didier Wolff. And then, more and more of his creation' discoveries. To me, he's an exceptional Créateur Haute Couture, as we say in French… Designer of Haute Couture in the Sky, creating an amazing beauty, the biggest of flying art format.&nbs...
Welcome New Managing Director of TAG Aviation Maintenance Services Centre Farnborough
We say Welcome to a New Managing Director of TAG Aviation Maintenance Services Centre Farnborough - Thierry Barré! Thierry Barré, who joins TAG's Maintenance Services Centre with immediate effect, was previously Technical Director of a Business Jet MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) company based in Europe and brings extensive customer relations expertise and strong M...
Welcome Nick Weston, new Chairman of BACA
Since 14th March 2019 BACA, The Air Charter Association, has a new Chairman. Our congratulations to Mr Nick Weston, a well knows CEO of Weston Aviation! Speaking about his appointment as Chairman, Weston said "I am delighted and honoured to be elected as the next Chairman of the Association. After being a member for nearly 25 years and having served both as Council Member a...
Way to the industry, role of data, development going forward - meet Jonathan Hardy from ADARA
Events are made to meet colleagues, new interesting people related to the industry and to make discoveries. Yes, I would say exactly that - discoveries. Just because when you have an opportunity to discuss and ask probably silly questions which help you deeper understand the issue, it's very close to a discovery. This time, during Aviation Festival Asia we had an opportunity to talk wi...
Metrojet Engineering Clark introduces New Quality Assurance Expert
Hong Kong-based Metrojet Limited (www.metrojet.com) announced that its Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) in The Philippines – Metrojet Engineering Clark – has welcomed an experienced Quality Assurance professional – Mr. John Criss – to ensure its aircraft maintenance services comply with regulatory standards. Mr. John Criss comes to Metroje...
Aviation Legend Commits to Major Gift at Exploration of Flight
Clay Lacy has piloted aircraft for over 55,000 hours, possibly more than any other human being in history. Now his legendary achievements as a pilot in commercial, business, military, racing and test flights will inspire a new generation of aerospace leaders at Wings Over the Rockies' (Wings) Exploration of Flight Campus at Centennial Airport in Englewood, Colorado. The "Clay Lacy...
New Head of Compliance and Safety at TAG Aviation UK
TAG Aviation (UK) Ltd has announced the appointment of Stuart Stevenson as Head of Compliance and Safety, to be based in Farnborough, UK. In this important role, Mr Stevenson will head up a team comprising Compliance, Safety and Flight data specialists and hold overall responsibility for overseeing TAG(UK) Ltd's regulatory compliance, as well as ensuring the promotion and effectivemanagem...
New Executive Committee members appointed by Airbus Helicopters
Alain Flourens, 61, currently Head of Engineering for Airbus Helicopters, has been appointed Head of Industry for Airbus Helicopters, following Christian Cornille's departure from Airbus. Alain will be replaced in his current position by Stefan Thomé, 47, currently Head of New Business Models & Services at Airbus Defence and Space. These management ch...
President Asia-Pacific, Airbus appointed - Jean-Marc Nasr
Based in Singapore, Jean-Marc Nasr will be responsible for Airbus' overall strategy, industrial footprint and operations in the region, as well as for advancing the company's "One Roof" policy to integrate its various business entities in key markets. The area led by Jean-Marc Nasr covers the whole Asia-Pacific region. In addition, Jean-Marc Nasr is concurrently nominate...
2019 will be a year of crossroads for aviation industry
By Gediminas Ziemelis 2018 was an interesting year for airlines. On one hand there was the introduction of the blockchain bringing greater security to aircraft maintenance data while presenting an opportunity to one day revolutionize most aspects of aviation from training to the passenger experience. But going along with the big strides that were made in technology was the harsh contrast of a g...
Soeren Stark - New Executive Board member for Technical Operations, Logistics & IT
On 1 January, Soeren Stark joined the Executive Board of Lufthansa Technik AG with responsibility for Technical Operations, Logistics & IT. He was appointed to this position in September 2018 by the company's Supervisory Board. Stark, who has a degree in business engineering, will assume responsibility immediately for fleet services, base maintenance, components, logistics, IT and quality...


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Due unità della United States Navy hanno portato il nome di USS Strong:

  - cacciatorpediniere della classe Fletcher, varato nel 1941 e affondato in azione nel 1943.
  - cacciatorpediniere della classe Allen M. Sumner, varato nel 1944 e radiato nel 1973.