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Category Archives: UAE
Arabian Peninsula, GCC, Horn of Africa, Kuwait, Oman, Persian Gulf, Saudi Arabia, UAE, United Arab Emirates, Yemen
Eyes on Aden and Oman: How the Saudis Were Outsmarted by their UAE Allies…….
May 4, 2018 Mohammed Haider Ghuloum
Tweet to https://twitter.com/
The war in Yemen has been going on for over three years. The best armed military forces in the Middle East are Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and they have been fighting and constantly bombing North Yemen and the capital Sanaa which is held by an alliance of Houthi tribal fighters and elements of the former Yemeni Army. The Arab neighbors even have had heavy involvement of American and British personnel. But the war has been a failure, so far.
Now reports indicate that the Americans are getting more directly involved against the Houthi alliance. Perhaps Mr. Trump thinks he can somehow change the course of the war. He has not learned the recent lessons of Afghanistan or the history of Yemen. But then they say he does not read (or write). A futile war so far, although the Saudi-UAE coalition have hopes that Trump will try to pull their royal nuts from that fire. Something their bought and well-paid foreign mercenaries from Africa, Australia, and Colombia have failed to do. But Donald Trump does not come cheap: it will be for a fee of many billions of dollars.
The Yemen case is complex: it involves multi-faceted wars involving various sides. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are fighting the ruling Houthi powers in the capital of Sanaa, claiming they are trying to eject Iranian influence from their border region. That would be a passable excuse, except that they have failed to show us one single Iranian or Lebanese captive from the battles in Yemen. Then there are Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and now the Saudi invasion has also expanded the domain of ISIS in Yemen.
Then there are the Southern secessionists (Hirak) who want to regain the independence of Aden and the Southern provinces.
But a major new headache for the Saudis are their current allies in the United Arab Emirates. The UAE has a citizen population just barely over one million, and it also has some 7-8 million foreign expatriate laborers and others who rotate every few years. The secret of why it is doing better than their Saudi allies is their foreign mercenaries plus better training for their own native forces. They have formed elite units of fighters from among experienced foreign mercenaries, and have outmaneuvered the Saudis out of contention for Southern Yemen. They effectively control the urban parts of Southern Yemen, and they have made hints at supporting the secession (or return to independence) of the South. Even the Saudis may have come to accept that.
So, the Saudis are stuck with facing the tough Houthis just to their south. They take their frustrations on Yemen by destroying the infrastructure with daily bombings, with reported targeting and mid-air refueling done by alleged American and British experts.
Enter the case of the GCC member country of Oman, actually a reluctant member of the Gulf Cooperation Council. Oman is an interesting case, the only Gulf state that had built a small overseas empire up to the late 19th century. Now the UAE borders the neutral Gulf country of Oman from the north. Oman always keeps away from Gulf and Arab petty disputes, preferring to face towards the Indian Ocean and Iran. You never hear or read of Oman complaining about Iranian (or Lebanese) meddling, unlike the ruling family of the Saudi satrapy of Bahrain, for example.
If the UAE rulers can control South Yemen, they would be squeezing Oman from the Southwest as well. They will be able, along with their Saudi partners in war, to wreak havoc in Oman, possibly make her face some new problems, although like Qatar, Oman has better ties with Iran and other countries. The Marxists who ruled the independent South Yemen tried to encroach into Oman in the 1970s, but failed.
The Saudis and Emiratis have tried recently, through their media and proxies, to coerce and pressure Kuwait to the north. That attempt failed spectacularly, given the political history of Kuwait and that it is a special case and shares borders with Iraq, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. The Emiratis are also reportedly creating (actually renting) bases on the impoverished Horn of Africa, not bad for a tiny Gulf country. It is unlikely the Saudis will be comfortable with Emirati (actually Abu Dhabi) influence encircling them to the south either. There are already increasing signs of Saudi discomfort that the much smaller UAE is outsmarting them in Yemen (and in Libya). You can read it in some media and in the social media comments of some top officials.
So, the Arab places to keep an eye on in the next few months and years are South Yemen and Oman.
Horn of AfricaOmanPersian GulfSaudiSouth YemenUAE
Arabian Peninsula, Middle East, Muslim Wars, Persian Gulf, U.S. Foreign Policy, UAE
War Planner Bolton Misses a Red Wedding, Bin Salman's World Conquest, Khamenei the Conqueror…….
April 7, 2018 Mohammed Haider Ghuloum
This looks deceptively like a slow news weekend, outside of Germany and the Gaza killings. But this can be deceptive; there are other bits of news in the Middle East:
Wars in Syria and Yemen grind on…..
Saudi Crown Prince MBS, officially called New Hunk in Town by female anchor women of his own media, is on the tail-end of his Tour of World Conquest. He wants to accomplish it before the old Iranian Ayatollah Khamenei takes over the world. The prince has been told by expensive lobbyists in Washington that the Hitler analogy is always popular, hence this silly breathless headline in the Atlantic. The Prince has already secured the allegiance of Britain and the USA (including media icons like Norah O'Donnell and the Empress Oprah). He also already owns much of the eastern half of the Arab world outside Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Qatar.
The eldest sons of Donald Trump (Eric and Donald Jr), attended the wedding of some Real Estate tycoon in the United Arab Emirates. The wedding of some son of a DAMAC Properties Dubai oligarch.
John Bolton (not related to the Red Wedding characters) declined the Dubai wedding because, they say, he's busy planning a couple of new Muslim wars in the Middle East.
Young Barron declined that he had better things to do (he does)……
But the weekend is just starting….
DubaiJohn BoltonKhamaneiMBSRed Wedding
Arab Politics, Arabian Peninsula, Donald Trump, Fake News, GCC, Persian Gulf, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, U.S. Foreign Policy, UAE, Yemen
Rex Tillerson Tackles the GCC War of Fake News on the Gulf….
July 11, 2017 Mohammed Haider Ghuloum
"Secretary Tillerson Participates in a Joint Press Conference in Qatar. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson participates in a joint press conference with Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Doha, Qatar on July………." US State Department
" KUWAIT CITY — The United States and Qatar signed a memo of understanding Tuesday on steps the tiny Persian Gulf nation will take to stop the funding of terrorism, U.S. officials said Tuesday. The agreement aims to encourage Qatar's neighbors to abandon their embargo on the country. The memo was announced in the Qatar capital of Doha, where Secretary of State Rex Tillerson spent the day working to resolve a regional feud that the United States fears could derail efforts to fight groups like the Islamic State and could embolden Iran……." N Y Times
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson started this trip in Kuwait, the only Gulf GCC country that could mediate, given its long experience in trying, often hopelessly, to mediate Arab disputes. Oman is another possible sane GCC member, but the Omanis have kept their distance from clashes between the ruling families of the Gulf.
From Kuwait Tillerson went to Qatar, reportedly for a tri-partite American-Qatari-Kuwait meeting. From Qatar he will fly to Saudi Arabia. Tillerson's statements seem to be quite critical of the Saudi-UAE claims and demands. Politely he seems to point out the absurdity of their demands.
But this whole project is almost like Fake News. The claims and 13 demands of Saudi Arabia and the UAE were based on a combination of elements of the real policies of Qatar and on the skillful use of Fake News by the Saudis and Emiratis. At some point all these states supported terrorist activities, especially in Iraq and Syria. The September 11 terrorist attacks of 2001 had no Qatari involvement. ISIS ranks have many Saudis and Bahrainis, but I have never seen a Qatari name.
The Saudi-UAE demands of Qatar were no doubt inspired by Donald Trump's visit to Riyadh in May and his later tweets. The heavy use of the term "terrorism" was a clever attempt to shift the topic away from the Saudi roots of Jihadism and to use two terms that resonate with American politicians. Qatar was charged with supporting "terrorism" and with moving close to "Iran": nothing makes Americans politicians salivate more than these two terms, except maybe the term "campaign money".
The Qataris and Iranians share one of the largest natural gas fields in the world, in the waters of the Persian Gulf, so they need to keep some cordial ties. Besides, Oman and Kuwait keep cordial relations with the mullahs in Iran, and nobody among the Saudi-UAE potentates has criticized them, not yet.
The whole "GCC crisis" is odd and relies heavily on Fake News. The demands presented to Qatar by the Saudi-UAE side are vague, and they are absurd to present to a sovereign country. Especially the deman of closing the AlJazeera News Network. Even though Qatar has dabbled in supporting Jihadis in Syria, so did Saudi Arabia (in Syria and Iraq), probably even more so.
And as if to add some weight to their demands, the Saudi-UAE side recruited Egypt's hapless dictator Field Marshall Al Sisi, possibly as a military muscleman. Almost laughable, given the underachieving military history of modern Egypt.
Now it seems that, in spite of Donald Trump, Tillerson may have managed to convey the real American position on this issue. Trump was no doubt moved by the accolades and the flattery he received at the Riyadh Summit in May, (did I leave the promised billions of dollars?). Now it looks like there is consensus that the Saudi-UAE attempt has failed to destabilize Qatar. This is not the first Saudi failure in Qatar, there was an attempted coup in the late 1990s.
There is another Arab state where the Saudis under King Salman and his son are facing even worse failure: perhaps Rex Tillerson can help extricate the princes from the quagmire of the Yemen war they foolishly started two and a half years ago.
Mpohammed Haider Ghuloum
GCC CrisisKuwaitQatarRex TillersonSaudi UAE
Arab Counterrevoltion, Arab Politics, Arabian Peninsula, GCC, Persian Gulf, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE
Quest for Gulf Hegemony: GCC Cyber Attacks and Media Warfare Escalate After the Trump Summit, What Next?…….
Interesting things have been happening in the Persian-American Gulf region, especially in the aftermath of President Trump's visit and his speech in the Arabian Peninsula.
The website of the "official" Qatar News Agency was hacked last week. The hackers inserted headlines that quoted the Emir of Qatar criticizing the Saudi and Emirati leaders and praising closer ties with the Iranians.
This led to some fury in the royal and princely palaces along the Persian Gulf. Followed by a flurry of visits among Gulf potentates and leaders.
Qataris claimed their official news agency website had been hacked and fake statements inserted, but the Saudis and UAE media continued a relentless barrage of attacks and threats against the Qatari regime. It is possible that the UAE and/or Saudis may have hired some hackers to create a cause for attacking Qatar, a casus belli from their point of view.
In the United States, the issue of Al Udeid Air Base in Doha, where the US Central Command has its Persian Gulf headquarters, could be under consideration again. Saudi and Emirati (UAE) surrogates among paid lobbyists, paid American journalists, and paid American Think Tank analysts are again suggesting that the regional CENTCOM HQ be moved to the UAE. My unreliable sources report that the UAE potentates have been lobbying for it furiously.
Kuwait tried to mediate by sending it foreign minister to calm things down. The Emir of Qatar visited Kuwait, which is usually neutral in inter-GCC and Gulf disputes. The goal seems to have been to get some intermediation going.
The leader of the UAE, Crown Price Mohamed Bin Zayed visited Saudi Arabia to coordinate. Bin Zayed is reputed to be close to Prince Mohammad Bin Salman, the Dauphin in Waiting of Riyadh. But the Saudi and Emirati potentates are having serious differences over the Yemen war. Egyptian media, very close to the UAE potentates since General Sisi staged his military coup, have also escalated even more against Qatar.
Then the website of the corpulent foreign minister of Bahrain Khalid Al Khalifa (effectively a satellite of Saudi Arabia) was hacked, his tweets replaced with anti-regime items and photos of unrest and repression in Bahrain.
Then GlobalLeaks started releasing emails and messages implicating UAE (Emirati) officials with gifts, bribes, to US journalists and think tanks. It published info of close ties between UAE ambassador to Washington and the pro-Israeli organization Front for the Defense of Democracies (itself an Israel right-wing front financed by Las Vegas Casino mogul Sheldon Adelson). Apparently the ambassador, known in Washington as a man-about-town and generous party-giver, is pushing for some kind of American confrontation with Iran in the Persian Gulf, the same goal of the Israeli right-wing Likud. Except that the United States and Israel are both outside interlopers, located far from the Persian Gulf.
All this turmoil and the Iranian mullahs did not have to lift a finger: all of the turmoil locally made by the Gulf GCC internal struggle for and against Saudi hegemony.
Perhaps an understandable aftermath of the ill-fated visit of Trump and his clan to the Wahhabi summit in Riyadh, in the aftermath of his famously nonsensical speech.
Then on Sunday (today) came proof that the intermediation attempts have failed. UAE and Egypt and Saudi Arabia and Bahrain severed diplomatic relations with Qatar. The controlled media of those countries escalated their campaign against the government of Qatar. There is no doubt that there will be attempts by UAE and Saudi Arabia to instigate a military coup for regime change in Doha. Oman and Kuwait usually refuse to join such inter-Gulf conflicts and have so far maintained relations with Qatar (as they did with Iran after the others broke relations).
Oddly, news agencies reported yesterday that six Qatari soldiers were wounded while "defending" the southern Saudi border against Yemeni retaliation for the Saudi-American-British bombing of their cities.
CENTCOMcyber warGCCPersian GlfQatarSaudiTrump
Arabian Peninsula, GCC, Horn of Africa, MENA, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, U.S. Foreign Policy, UAE, United Arab Emirates, Yemen
UAE-Saudi Game of Bases: from South Arabia to Horn of Africa with Temporary Love and Money….
"Somali President Mohammed Mohammed Abdullahi Farmajo request for mediation Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to persuade not to complete the establishment of a military base in "Somaliland"…….."
"Somaliland signs agreement allowing the United Arab Emirates to set up a military base in Berbera with a 25-year lease…"
An interesting and unexpected development in the Middle East in recent months. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is getting deeply into the business of foreign military bases. In one sense it has been in it for many years now. From early on, the UAE has had military bases on its territory for various counties: the United States, Britain, France, Australia, New Zealand, Netherlands, as well as Canada (canceled after a commercial dispute). All the while vigorously criticizing foreign (non-Western) bases in Iraq and Syria. Not bad for a country of a little more than 1 million citizens (plus about 6 million foreign residents).
Now the UAE, ostensibly a part-time and wary ally of Saudi Arabia, is getting into the dubious business of establishing foreign bases of its own. Basically the UAE are (for now) the strongest foreign power in the Aden area of South Yemen, having easily outsmarted and elbowed out the Saudi Wahhabis. The Saudis are closer allies to the deposed president Hadi and his corrupt old partners in misruling Yemen (the Islah, the local Muslim Brotherhood). The UAE rulers hate nothing more than the Muslim Brotherhood.
The main Saudi problem in Yemen is that they share a long border with that country. They occasionally get tempted to test these borders. Hence their fear of any perceived foreign (non-Western) influence over Yemen, be it real or imagined. The war they have been waging on Yemen for more than two years often comes back to haunt them in the form of Yemeni retaliatory attacks on their border towns and cities. As well as Yemeni rockets, reportedly local versions of Iranian and maybe Russian missiles.The rockets are a new introduction into the war, and the Yemenis in the capital Sanaa have promised more and more potent ones to come if the Saudis do not desist.
So the Saudis are stuck in a destructive but futile genocidal bombing campaign (with strong and indispensable American and British help), as well as a worrying border war. They are cornered, while the Emiratis expand their influence in South Yemen and now in the Horn of Africa. The Emiratis can better afford it than the Saudis who need to support and subsidize about 16 million citizens (there are also about 10 million foreign residents, a few million of them reportedly illegal).
To the Horn of Africa. That area seems like a favorite place for many powers to establish military bases in recent years. The Russians (Soviets) had a large base at Berbera for years under the Marxist Siad Barre military regime of Somalia. Eritrea and Djibouti have both had bases or presences of the French, Israelis, Iranians and others (including the famous pirates). Natural for an impoverished region. Now the UAE is establishing bases in Somaliland, formerly part of Somalia, which apparently still considers it part of its sphere. To the extent that Somalia can have a sphere. There have been earlier reports of a UAE base in Eritrea as well. There have been reports of a potential UAE presence in Libya as well, but that would be a foolish undertaking.
It is not clear what is the purpose of all these foreign bases and presences by a small country like the UAE. Only Oman among GCC states has had an extensive foreign presence until the 19th century, mainly in East Africa (including Zanzibar).
Oddly the Saudis don't seem interested in foreign bases, except in Bahrain. But that is a historic cultural thing: Saudis, especially the elite Najdis of Central Arabia, were historically a landlubber people never known as sea-going people, unlike others like the Emirates (or Oman and Kuwait).
There is more. The UAE often splits from the Saudis on Yemen. The two alleged allies support different outlooks for Yemen, but the UAE can afford it financially although they have limited human resources and need local groups as allies. Hence the Hirak Movement which wants South Yemen (capital Aden) to regain the independence it lost in 1990.
My educated guess is that the UAE has the upper hand over the Saudis in that southern part of Yemen. But they need to reckon with three groups that have been strengthened by the destructive Saudi-led air war on Northern Yemen: the Southern Secessionists, Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), and Islamic State (ISIS). These three groups have gained strength as the Saudis bombed their main enemies in Yemen, the Houthis.
In any case, in the end neither of these Arab allies can last in Yemen. It is already bleeding them, and will kill off many of their soldiers before they realize they have to leave. And they will leave: it has been the story of Yemen since the days of the ancient Persian and Roman empires. The rugged tribal country wears them down, and the aspiring conquerors are forced to give up and leave. A hostile foreign power cannot control Yemen, it has been the case since the days of the rule of Balqis, the Queen of Sheba.
More on this later, stay tuned.
GCCHorn of AfricaSomaliaUAEYEMEN
Arab Politics, Fatwa, GCC, Gulf states, Mercenaries, Muslim Brotherhood, Qatar, UAE
Islamic Mercenaries of the Persian Gulf: Have Quran, Will Travel………
August 16, 2016 Mohammed Haider Ghuloum
This is not a new phenomenon on the Persian Gulf: religious sheikhs (clerics) for hire.
Often they come from Egypt, Jordan, North Africa and other Arab countries/regions. They usually attach themselves to one or another among the ruling absolute oligarchies, of the Gulf, especially in the UAE or Qatar. Attracted by money and opportunity, they start issuing statements or Fatwas in favor of their benefactors and against others who displease these benefactors. They are absolutely mercenaries: clerics for hire. No different from the armed foreign mercenaries that some Gulf regimes hire to do their repression or wage their regional wars.
Here is a man with the impressive-sounding title of Deputy President of the International Union of Muslim Clerics, basically a clerical bureaucracy for hire. He is here accusing another cleric-for-hire, the Religious Adviser, whatever that be, of the top man in the UAE, Mohammed Bin Zayed (MBZ), of being among "devil worshipers". He also called him a religious traveling salesman. MBZ and the UAE are among the strongest anti-Muslim Brotherhood in the whole Middle East. This is a sore point of contention with their Saudi "allies" in the stalling war on Yemen.
Of course all this name-calling is a case of one soot-covered pot calling another pot 'black'.
The Persian Gulf GCC states are full of these hired expatriate clerics, like Al Qaradawi (in Qatar) and others, basically mercenaries, religious guns for hire. Often they are either Muslim Brothers who have found the joys of oil money (in Qatar) or others hired by the UAE potentates to blast the Muslim Brotherhood. Islamic gunslingers and mud-slingers.
All these people do their own interpretation of the Quran or Hadith to serve their masters. They are almost as bad as the Salafis, almost.
MercenariesMuslim BrothersMuslimsQatarUAE
Arab Politics, GCC, Gulf states, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE
Gulf of Confusion: from Religious Police to a Commission for Entertainment……
Saudi Commission for Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice has been notorious for restricting all kinds of freedoms. Especially the freedom to have fun, be it innocent or not. I have taken to calling it Propagation of Vice.
Now there is a new Saudi "commission": the Commission for Entertainment ( in the least entertaining city in the least entertaining country in the whole wide world). Allegedly the idea of the young influential son of King Salman. This could have been inspired by a step taken months ago by the UAE government to improve the state of 'happiness', so long as it does not involve the freedom of expression. The Saudi opposition (in exile of course) claim that the UAE potentates have a lot of influence over the new Saudi Deputy Crown Prince (MBS).
The UAE established a Ministry of Happiness. Sounds like a good idea to me. It sounds like something that defies irony, perhaps something from North Korea. But it is the thought, the intention that counts, and it seems to be good.
Could the Society for Islamic Heritage Revival back home, the intolerant Salafi group designated a terrorist supporter by UN, change its name to Society for Revival of Islamic Joy and Tolerance? Could the local Muslim Brotherhood become a Brotherhood of Joy?
Or maybe the Wahhabis are softening, becoming gentler. Maybe they want to keep up with the mullahs next door in Iran who permit street music, as this photo of urban entertainment in Iran shows:
Don't get me wrong. I believe these are all steps in the right direction. Long overdue, but better late than never.
HappinessIranReligious PoliceSalafiSaudi ArabiaUAE
Egypt, GCC, Iran, Persian Gulf, UAE, United Arab Emirates
Islands Afloat: Lebensraum from the Persian Gulf to the Red Sea……..
Speaking of Al Sisi selling two strategic Egyptian islands in the Red Sea to the Saudi ruling family (my previous post).
I must add that Generalissimo Field Marshal President Al Sisi got a better deal, financially speaking, than the potentates of what is now the UAE did a few decades ago. Rather better than some rulers of the Gulf (emirates) Sheikhdoms in 1970. At that time, many of the smaller sheikhdoms of what was called Sahel Oman (Omani Coast) on the Persian Gulf had no oil fields, and they needed cash. They usually sold colorful stamps, passports, as well as their share of the rights to some of the islands in the Persian Gulf.
That was before the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was created to join all these small tribal neighborhoods. Through a deal brokered by the British overlords of the Arab side of the Gulf, the Shah of Iran paid a few million dollars for the deal to "get the islands back", according to the Iranians. The islands are near the Strait of Hormuz. Actually the agreement was for "joint administration" of Abu Moussa. The Iranians claim the British took the islands in 1921 and put them under the jurisdiction of the sheikh of Sharjah, which was part of the British Empire. They also claim the Qasismi ruling sheikhs were at one time living on the Persian shores of the Gulf, and hence were Iranian subjects.Another convoluted complication.
Now the UAE leaders, who were not part to the deal since the UAE did not exist in 1970, would like to re-purchase the islands from Iran. Not sure why they want the islands since they have had to import 6 million foreigners to populate their own country on the mainland. It is not like they need Lebensraum.
In short: both sides in the Gulf are using any argument, whether it makes sense or not to support its case. Nobody seems in a mood to share the islands anymore: that would be too sensible for the Middle East mindset. History has been telling us this for at least 70 years.
Anyway, all this is history, but some sheikhs in the smaller Emirates of the UAE are now kicking themselves for not knowing at the time that they had so much oil under their privies and outhouses. Right under where their pet goats dropped their pellets. (FYI: I had pet goats as a kid, as well as pet birds. We also had chickens but I ate my pet eggs whenever I could).
EgyptOman CoastRed SeaSaudiStrait of Hormuz
Arab Politics, Culture, Drugs, GCC, Saudi Arabia, UAE, United Arab Emirates, Women
UAE: Ministry of Tolerance, Ministry of Happiness, Ganja, Ganja, Ganja……
"New post of Minister of State for Tolerance created to establish tolerance as a fundamental value of the UAE society. A board of Emirati scientists, researchers and academics set up to provide scientific advice and knowledge to the government. The Ministry of Cabinet Affairs has been tasked with devising future strategies and will become the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs and the Future. New post of Minister of State for Happiness created to channel policies and plans to create a happier society…………"
Good and in fact cute idea to start with. But will this happiness idea include the overwhelming majority of the people in UAE (about 90%) who are citizens of South Asia, Philippines, Nepal, among other places?
All I can say about the "happiness" bit is that Timothy Leary is dead, but still: Ganja, Ganja, Ganja……
P.S.: now the Saudis feel under pressure to try and match this. They can probably appoint their first female minister: Ministeress of Beheading and Flogging and Crucifixion. As for a ministry of Tolerance, it might work in diverse UAE, but as for Saudi Arabia: forget about it. Tolerance is a truly dirty, and often dangerous, word in Riyadh: it can get one beheaded. The clerics say so.
GanjaHappinessTimothy LearyUAEWomen
Barack Obama, GCC, Iran, nuclear Iran, Sectarian, Shi'as, UAE, United Arab Emirates
View from the UAE: Obama the Shi'a and the Jewish Nuclear Deal………
January 21, 2016 Mohammed Haider Ghuloum
Our Middle East region has truly gone crazy, sectarian crazy. That is especially true of the Persian Gulf region, which has gone apeshit (forgive mon français) sectarian. I mean people of all sects have gone sectarian, be they Sunni, Shi'a, Wahhabi, Sufi, or Haredim.
A comment on Twitter by Lieutenant General Dhahi Khalfan, the chief of the Dubai Police and a high United Arab Emirates -UAE- official with many followers attracted my attention. He is often clownish, in his deeply sectarian and primitive tribal way. As sectarian and divisive as any full-blooded Wahhabi across the Buraimi Oasis. As sectarian as someone from, say, ISIS or DAESH, can be. He is a serious man: all the nonsense he tweets he does quite seriously and he believes it all. That could be dangerous, but he has potentates above who make the real decisions. He claimed in his tweet, quite seriously, that:
"Obama, whose origins are Shi'a, was elected to move America and Iran closer, especially on the nuclear issue, and he has succeeded".
He also tweeted that
ضاحي خلفان تميم @Dhahi_Khalfan Jan 18 Dubai, United Arab Emirates
في علم طبائع البشر يدرس الإنسان كيفية درء الخطر وهذا ما فعله بني صهيون في دراسة طبع الإيرانيين. أتوا لهم بشخص جذره شيعي كيني برافو .
"Bani Sahion (Children of Zion), meaning Jews, elevated a Kenyan Shi'a (Obama) to serve their purposes…"
Khalfan did not mention if Obama was born in Kenya or Hawaii to Shi'a parents, so he is not a birther. Just a quasi-Wahhabi nut job that only our Gulf region can produce. Nor did he mention if Mr. Amano, chief of IAEA is also an East Asian Shi'a.
The odd thing, or maybe not so odd, is that many people, including some quite educated people in the Gulf region (and Arabian Peninsula) believe such nonsense. They are beginning to see Shi'as under every bed, so to speak.
On the other hand, who knows: maybe he has a point, maybe it is all true………
Dhahi KhalfanIran Nuclear DealObamaShi'asUAE


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text:
PRANAV NAIR
UX Engineering
Team: Pranav Nair, Su Fang
Tools: Procreate, Illustrator, Adobe XD, iMovie, Alexa Skill, Storyline App
Research Methods: Video editing, Prototyping, Voice User Interface design, Interaction design, Interface testing
Contributions: User research, Ideation, Interaction design, Interface testing, Video production and editing
Homework 3: Auditory User Interface
At its essence, Storyline exists to increase the immersiveness of a child's bedtime story, as told improvisationally by their parent, by providing ambient sound effects (e.g. rainfall, swords swinging, wolves howling etc.) based words or utterances spoken by the parent. Additionally, it uses natural language processing (NLP) algorithms understand the tone and context of the story being told, and presents sound effects accordingly.
Storyline also reduces cognitive load from the parent's perspective by helping them remember the story that they told the night before, and presenting this as a reminder in the 'previously on……' section. It also plays a lullaby at the end of the story to help the child go to sleep.
We felt that a voice user interface (VUI) would be an interesting match for this problem space of improvisational storytelling since the traditional means of storytelling requires individuals to solely use their voice. In contrast to many traditional VUIs, which primarily support system-to-user interaction, the purpose of our design is to further augment this existing human-to-human interaction of storytelling. For this particular assignment, we narrowed our scope to improvisational storytelling by parents, when putting their children to bed at night.
Our primary user would be a parent working with Amazon's Alexa (via an Echo device) and our app 'Storyline' to come up with an engaging and immersive story to tell their child before they put them to bed.
The secondary user of our interface would be the child/children themselves who engage with Storyline to get hyped up about the story they're about to hear during the priming phases of the experience (which we describe below as the trailer.)
DEFINING 'AUDITORY UI'
In this particular design, we've defined auditory UI as an interface where users can provide voice-based input and receive speech/non-speech output.
Based upon our initial ideation, we determined a few basic tasks our system would need to accomplish to make our experience engaging for both our primary and secondary users. These have been outlined below:
Play ambient sounds based on word triggers provided by the user. The word triggers would be provided to the user in the form of cards (an example shown below). Each card would have a set of words which subscribe to a specific theme, these cards would primarily be used for maintaining consistency and tone throughout the story.
Prime users by triggering trivia interactions to increase interest. Some early feedback we received from our colleagues led us to introducing this concept of 'priming' our user for the story that's about to take place. This feature was introduced to generate hype/excitement within the child for the story.
Remember and remind users of previous stories. While we were charting out our ideal user experience, another feature we realised we wanted to integrate was for the system to be able to remember and remind users of stories previously told to engage some form of continuity between interactions.
Understand user mood. Given the peripheral nature of interactions with our system, we wanted our system to be smart enough to understand whether the users were in the correct mood to be engaged with in the first place. (e.g. "Hey Scott, how was your day?".... System would wait for a "Good", "Not Bad" or "Okay" before proceeding with trivia/further engagement.)
Based on these tasks, we then determined the requirements that a system must fulfill:
Play audio. This functionality is necessary for an system-user interaction in an auditory user interface. Moreover, the purpose of audio is to further build on the existing aural modality of storytelling and make the experience more immersive.
Consistency. The system must play consistent sound effects, in the relevant contexts, to ensure that the story told is cohesive and most closely resembles traditional, human storytelling.
Remembers previous session. Similar to a human telling a story, the system must be able able to remember previous storytelling sessions, in order to allow for subsequent stories to build on previous ones.
Differentiate between users. The system must be able to tell who the primary and secondary users are in order to play the correct cues. Additionally, since there may be more than one parent or caregiver who is telling a story to the child, the system must be able to know who the storyteller is and which audio cues are associated with which user.
Understand context of words. Given the contextual nature of language, the system must be able to understand linguistic nuances, such as qualifying phrases which might have implications for interpreting meaning and determining user intent (e.g. "there was no snow on the ground").
Being able to recover gracefully from errors. While there are bound to be some errors or delays in interpreting user intent, the system must allow for the user to recover from such instances quickly. Additionally, the system should provide a way for the user to also recover from a mistake that they made (e.g. forgetting what took place during the previous storytelling session).
STORYLINE STORYBOARD
Based on the features and requirements we listed above, we ideated on what the ideal user experience of Storyline would look like, which we have presented in a storyboard format below. Each frame is presented with a narrative walkthrough to provide some additional context.
Using our storyboard as reference, we generated a feature list that would need to exist for Storyline to become a full-realised product in the market. The list was created with the idea that our users would be interacting implicitly with Storyline throughout the day, not just during the bedtime routine. This would enable Storyline to provide a more comprehensive user experience.
Trailers. Once parents have decided what theme they are going to use for their story, Storyline proceeds to generate hype for the child by playing ambient sounds related to the theme when the child returns home, as well as presenting the child with random bits of trivia to get the child excited for what's to come next.
Adapt to user's mood. Storyline uses questions to initially probe the child to gauge their mood, and decides how to proceed accordingly.
Remember past storylines. While brainstorming our concept, we realised our users may be interested in some form of continuity with their stories (i.e., the ability for the parent to remember and refer to past stories). Given this, we decided that it should be the system's responsibility— not the user's— to keep a record of previous stories and their associated sound effects.
Cards for consistency. One of the initial challenges we faced with our interface was the ability for it to recognize tone/context within a given story. For example, it might be more appropriate for a story with a darker tone to have more ominous sound effects.
Ambient music for sleep assist. At the end of each story, Storyline would transition from the last sound effect played to a lullaby that would assist the child in falling asleep and provide a gentle transition out of the story.
SYSTEM CONSTRAINTS
Considering how our design works with existing technologies, namely Amazon Alexa, there are a few system constraints that we wanted to acknowledge:
Location within home for interaction. Amazon Alexa is currently only accessible through Amazon Echo speakers, and as a result of the physical locality constraint of these speakers, the system, as well as all of the interaction with the system, would need to be located in multiple locations (such as the kitchen and the child's bedroom) in order for the experience that we designed to take place. It could be that there is a small Echo Dot in the child's bedroom, part of a bigger network of Echo devices, but in order to support the concept of immersion, these speakers must be available at multiple points within the home.
Limited to word sets provided by each theme. To reduce the number of interruptions that occur during the storytelling experience due to errors, we introduced the idea of 'cards' which would contain a fixed set of words our users could pull from to tell their story. This may in practice limit the scope of a story to a specific setting or theme.
Requires user to monitor system functionality at all stages. Because the system's primary means of providing feedback to the user is by playing sound effects or by simply stating that it did not understand the user's command, the user must take on the role of monitoring the system's awareness of their inputs.
System runs for a long duration. Because the experience that we have designed takes place through an extended period of time, which may range from morning until the bedtime story is actually told, the user would need to run Storyline concurrently with other apps that they use throughout the day. For example, during the trailer phase of the experience, the parent may also want to use Alexa to help provide instructions while they're cooking, and this cannot take place at the same time as the trailer.
INTERACTION FLOW
In the figure above, we present the interaction flow for Storyline. The diagram takes you through every stage during the day and how Storyline interfaces with Alexa and highlights the inputs provided by the parent and child, as well as the corresponding output provided by Alexa. The input words that trigger a reaction from Alexa have been highlighted in bold.
DIALOGUES/USER UTTERANCES
Before designing our prototype, we decided to familiarize ourselves with Amazon's VUI (Voice User Interface) developer guidelines and best practices. This assisted us in understanding the design frameworks currently in place to help Echo Devices receive input/output. We catered our design and interactions to fit within these frameworks so that we could implement a working prototype.
In the sections below, we present an example for each stage of an utterance spoken by the user (U), and the corresponding output that would be triggered by Alexa (A). The quotes in black are the ones that are incorporated in our prototype, and the ones in gray are utterances that we imagine would also trigger an analogous response in a higher-fidelity prototype.
Stage I: Trailer Setup
U: "Let's figure out what story we wanna tell Scott tonight"
A: " Sounds good, what were you thinking?"
U: "I have an idea for what I wanna tell Scott….."
A: "Sure, let's hear it."
U: "I dont really know what story to tell Scott, help figure it out"...
"Happy to help! Lets try and set a theme first….and then take it from there… you have rainforests, ice mountains, and volcanoes…."
** System now knows the them/context of the story being told. Prepares sound effects and trivia for building excitement**
Stage II: Trailer
A: "Hey Scott, how was your day?"
****trigger trivia mode*****
U: Good/ Bad/ Okay
A: (if Good): "Nice! Did you know that…."
B: (if Bad): "Oh no! Hope I can make you feel better…."
C: (if OKay):"
** System detects mood of the child through a simple interaction. Calibrates its response accordingly.**
Stage III: Story
Below, we have provided an example story that a parent might tell using Storyline. This example is presented in a Mad-Libs style, where the words inside of the brackets serve as the trigger words for the system, to tell it which sound effect to play, but could be replaced with different words if a different story were to be told. The ellipses (...) denote areas where a story might be further fleshed out by the parent. For the sake of demonstrating our design's functionality, our prototype has been built with the words currently shown within the brackets, but we imagine a fully developed system working with a much wider range of cues.
To interact with our prototype, navigate to the Alexa app store. You can read a snippet of the story and try using some of the cues.
"Once upon a time, there was a hiker in the [forest]. He had been out hunting reindeer for several days, and now he was finally on his journey home. Along the way, he heard a noise, which sounded like [an animal crying] for help. It was a dark night, the hunter could not see anything in his vicinity… he reaches in his bag for matches to [light his torch] to get a better view.
The hiker hears sound in the distance… it sounds like [a swing, creaking in the wind]. "But how could that be?" the hunter thought. It's not even a windy day, not even the trees are rustling.
Then the hiker hears a noise: it sounds like [keys jingling]... Then he sees scratch marks… and paw prints… And all this reminds him of his dog named Buddy, who he once had months ago, before he disappeared into the forest. The hiker starts feeling hopeful, and he's thinking, "It seems impossible… but maybe I'll see Buddy again one day." And he follows the nearby trail that leads him closer to [the sound]. As he moves deeper into the woods. He notices multiple claw marks and starts to worry. "Was buddy taken by a pack of [ wolves]?" He very carefully and silently hangs his reindeer bag on a tree, and suddenly hears [branches and leaves rustling behind him].
He [draws his bow] and proceeds with caution. As he moves closer he starts to hear sounds, not howls, but more like [low, playful growls]…. He must be getting close… His [heart starts beating faster] and his [breath starts to get shallower]... He isolates the nearest source of the [low growling sounds] and prepares himself to attack if he needs to… He [draws his bow taut]… he takes aim…when suddenly… he sees tiny puppy, who lets out a sharp [yap!]
A tiny puppy pokes his head out from the bushes, [snarling] at the hiker…….and then Buddy appears behind him!
… As it turns out the hiker realized that Buddy found himself a family of his own and was happily settled with them in the forest. The hunter gifts them some of the reindeer that he had hunted, said his farewells, and continued on his way home, [whistling] the same tune that he used to hum when he and Buddy used to walk home together. The end.
Stage IV: End
U: " …. And that's all for tonight Scott. Good night! Sweet Dreams"
** System transitions from last sound effect to lullaby***
PROTOTYPING THE STORY
To prototype our platform, we explored a plethora of Alexa Skill integrations. Given the timeline and scope of this project, we decided to avoid programming and instead create a minimum viable product (MVP). However, to create our MVP we still had certain requirements that our prototyping platform would need to meet:
Ability to play audio files for the background ambient sounds
Ability to detect overlapping audio input: as the story progress, the system would need to be able to adapt and update sound effects real-time
Ability to 'test' and 'share' a link to the prototype
Be able to simulate 'timed delays'
Through browsing VUI prototyping blogs, we stumbled upon Invocable: a prototyping platform that
lets you generate interactions using simple I/O flow diagrams that can be exported and tested using Alexa. It matched all the criteria we had outlined above for minimum requirements as it could play audio files, export directly to Alexa Skill, and detect overlapping audio. Since we had our design created within Alexa Skill frameworks, it did not take us very long to generate our first set of interactions. We followed an iterative design process, constantly testing our prototype by exporting it to Alexa Skill to make sure the interactions were correct and made sense when engaged in real-time.
For our video, we wanted to try to simulate what our interface might look like when running on a real Echo device. As neither of us owned an Echo, we used Echosim.io for emulating the experience. A browser-based interface to Alexa that allows developers who are working with the Alexa Skills Kit (ASK) to test skills in development.
CONSTRAINTS OF PROTOTYPING PLATFORM
While we were able to build a functioning prototype for Storyline, the prototype presented in our video does not reflect the actual user interface as we were constrained by the platforms we used to realize our idea. Some of these hurdles have been highlighted below:
Linearity of flow. Although our prototype is interactive, it is still at an early stage of development and hence fairly linear. Users currently cannot jump in and out of the 'stages' presented earlier in this document. They must complete each stage sequentially before moving to the next 'stage.'
Interactivity. The prototype is currently limited to a specific set of words that we have provided under the dialogues and utterances section. At a higher fidelity, this prototype would accommodate a broader set of words and phrases that could trigger the same interaction.
User recognition. Currently the prototype is unable to correctly recognize 'who is speaking' which is an important aspect during some stages of interaction as the user triggering Storyline changes. (e.g. "Hey Scott, how was your day?" Is answered by the child, not the parent.)
Can't actually share a link. Unfortunately, Echosim.io and Alexa Skills Kit do not allow us to share a link to our prototype. Hence, we are forced to publish the app on the Alexa Store and there is no real way for us to test its functionality as neither of us possess an Echo device.
Below we present a snapshot flow diagram we created using Invocable to design our interactive prototype:
Link to video/Prototype Demo
https://youtu.be/NL-CARcHDdI
One of the major challenges that we faced was accounting for the nuances of language, which we as humans recognize fairly intuitively, but a system may not. For example, for the problem space of improvisational storytelling, it is critical that the sounds match both the tone and the intent of the speaker, that the system differentiates between different speakers, and differentiates between voice directed towards the story versus voice input between the primary and secondary users interacting while using Storyline.
To address the issues of tone and contextual information during the storytelling experience, we created the theme cards to help guide the user towards providing input that would be easier for the system to process and to respond to the user in an appropriate manner. By doing so, we eliminated some of the potential sources for error (user-system mismatch in intent or setting). The issues of differentiating between speakers and recognizing relevant voice input, however, we did not address with this specific prototype, due to the constraints of our prototyping options and timeline.
Another major challenge we faced with designing a voice interface was the fact that every time we tested it, there was not visual confirmation of the device actually receiving out command. This uncertainty significantly increased the amount of time it took us to debug our interaction flow.
One of the biggest takeaways for us from this project was that designing for voice is deceptively difficult— although we communicate with other humans using language, ironically, it's not the modality that we're used to designing for. This prompted us to more deeply consider the nature of the problem space, the needs of the user, and how a system might solve their issue, without jumping too quickly to solutions.
Additionally, because designing for speech was relatively new territory for us, we had to spend a considerable amount of time researching the tools that we had to work with and choose them based on our specific needs. Given the scope of the project, we were looking for prototyping softwares that did not require coding, allowed us to test the prototype ourselves, and allowed us to share our design with others for evaluation.
Creating Storyline was a valuable experience in that it pushed us to design outside of our comfort zone of two-dimensional interfaces and wireframes, and it prompted us to further explore a modality which is often overlooked. Moreover, not only are VUIs often overlooked, but they are also on the rise, given the recent developments in Internet of Things (IOT) platforms and smart home devices (Google Assistant, Siri, Alexa etc.). Additionally, completing this assignment entailed more of a design sprint as opposed to going through a full product development cycle. This pushed us to focus more keenly on ideating and building, and less on need-finding and analysis. While our design could definitely be improved with input from users and further user testing, focusing on ideating and building was a valuable perspective shift. For example, in order to even build the prototype, we faced several hurdles and were forced to consider what we were trying to achieve. At the end of the day, our goal was to communicate our concept, and we did the best we could using the tools at our disposal.
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We are so happy you found us! When comparing daycare and childcare centers, it is easy to see the many differences in our approach and dedication. With a unique mix of technology-filled classrooms, highly trained educational staff, and nationally accredited curriculum; what we can offer your child sets us apart from any preschool or daycare near you. Kids 'R' Kids of Grayson is a learning academy that will give your child the educational foundation they deserve! We offer programs for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, pre-K, and before/after school care, and summer camp to select schools in the Grayson, Graystone, and Lawrenceville area.
We invite you to come to take a tour and meet our teachers so that you can have a firsthand look at how Kids 'R' Kids of Grayson is the best choice for your child in quality child care and education! Like us on Facebook!
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A personal injury can leave victims in financial ruin, but pre-settlement funding can help plaintiffs wait for justice.
All too often, plaintiffs with a legitimate claim face powerful insurance companies or large corporations with deep pockets to withstand the litigation process. On the other hand, plaintiffs have fewer resources, and if seriously injured may be faced with considerable medical expenses, lost wages, and other financial burdens. Powerful defendants know this and will purposely deny, delay, and defend a claim as a way to put extra monetary burden on plaintiffs. When this happens, plaintiffs might be influenced to settle quickly and for less than case value. Often times, pre-settlement funding can help plaintiffs obtain justice they deserve.
Pre-settlement funding is a cash advance that provides plaintiffs in the pending lawsuit emergency cash against the expected proceeds of their settlement.
Any personal injury victim who has retained an experience attorney and has filed a personal injury lawsuit can apply for pre-settlement funding.
When should a plaintiff apply for pre-settlement funding?
Typically, plaintiffs will apply for pre-settlement funding when a case is long and drawn out and there is an immediate financial need.
Why should a plaintiff apply for pre-settlement funding?
A plaintiff should consider pre-settlement funding when the case is long and drawn out, the bills are piling up, and there is no other sources of cash – savings, family, friends, etc. – to tap into.
How does the funding company determine if a plaintiff can obtain pre-settlement funding?
Once a plaintiff applies for pre-settlement funding, the funding company will contact the plaintiff's attorney for case documentation. The only requirement for approval is a case with merit. If the case is deemed to have merit, funds will be awarded based on case value. There are no credit checks or employment verifications.
How can pre-settlement funding be used?
Pre-settlement funding can be used for anything the plaintiff deems fit, but is typically used to pay the essentials – medical expenses, mortgage or rent payments, tuition, auto payments, groceries, as well other necessities.
Why can't plaintiffs apply for a traditional bank loan?
Most traditional banks will not provide a loan against a lawsuit. Additionally, banks require monthly payments, credit checks, and employment verification, as well as the promise to pay back the loan whether or not the plaintiff wins the case.
When is the funding company paid back?
Once the legal proceeding is finished and a settlement has been reached, the funding company is repaid from the proceeds of the lawsuit.
Can plaintiffs prepay the cash advance?
Plaintiffs can pay back the cash advance at any time prior to settlement without penalty.
What if the plaintiff loses the case?
Because pre-settlement funding is provided on a non-recourse basis, if the plaintiff loses the case, the lawsuit cash advance is completely waived.
With a lawsuit cash advance in hand, plaintiffs can avoid debt and jeopardizing their credit, stay financially afloat, and provide time for their attorney to obtain a larger, fairer settlement. If you are in a pending personal injury lawsuit and seeking financial assistance until your case settles, consider pre-settlement funding. Call for more details or apply online.


Highly enticing stories, not to be missed!
In 2007, Marco Conelli introduced readers to the unusual and unique Matthew Livingston. The high school senior and reluctant prodigy turned crime solver reintroduced the Young Adult genre to the world of Teen-Sleuths. At this time Marco was late into his career as a NYC Police Detective and some of his experiences were rubbing off on his writing. Certainly not unusual for someone in law enforcement to turn crime writer, but Marco was the only one doing it in the YA field. His debut Matthew Livingston and the Prison of Souls was released in May 2007 by the May Davenport Publishing Company.
After a year and a half of touring Marco had been compiling ideas for a follow up to Matthew Livingston and The Prison of Souls. In 2009 book 2 in the series was released. Matthew Livingston and the Millionaire Murder pushes the limits of suspense with an interesting plot that sees Matthew dive feverishly into an investigation that leads to him bumping heads with detectives from the local police precinct who aren't interested in changing the classification of a corpse to murder.
2010 saw Matthew Livingston and the Politics of Death hit the bookstores and run away with the Silver Falchion Award for best mystery. When a maniacal killer holds a town hostage with cryptic threats after killing a political candidate, Matthew runs headlong into a mystery where failure is not an option.
Through and through Marco Conelli has delivered a series that continues to thrill young readers while inspiring their imaginations.
In 2015 Marco was included in the 10-Code Crime Anthology. This book was a collection of short stories written by Crime Writer-Cops, with the common theme of investigating the murder of one their own. Marco introduced readers to James Paul McCormack, a NYPD Homicide Sergeant in his story Borders of Morality. McCormack would return in 2017 in Marco's crime thriller Cry For Help available now from Endeavour Press Publishers.
Filming the documentary for The International Exhibition of Sherlock Holmes.


Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 38 wins & 97 nominations.
Eight years after the Joker's reign of anarchy, the Dark Knight, with the help of the enigmatic Selina, is forced from his imposed exile to save Gotham City, now on the edge of total annihilation, from the brutal guerrilla terrorist Bane.


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text:
The Real Story Behind The Exorcist
Some of the priests documented strange occurrences that happened during the exorcism and one of them kept a diary.
I saw the movie, "The Exorcist," at Ft. Hood, Texas, in one of the nice on-post movie theaters they had there the year of the movie's release. We were encouraged to go see it by those that had already done so, but they gave fair warning that it had scared the wits out of them. I am talking about big, brave, tough, military men. Some of them had admitted having trouble getting a good night's sleep after seeing it.
I remember talking to my older sister on the phone about the experience. She lived in St. Louis, and I soon started finding newspaper clippings from her in the newsy letters she sent me. The clippings were from the St. Louis local papers, and they claimed that the fictional account was based on a true event that happened in St. Louis.
This is how it went. In January of 1949, some odd things began happening in a Maryland home. A fourteen year old boy that has been known ever since by code-names (and not a girl named Regan) began behaving in very strange ways. When he was present, items in the room also behaved in strange ways. Things flew out of the closet, a Bible levitated, one time flying right out of the book case it was in. Tables and chairs levitated and tipped over.
A priest was consulted and he advised that an exorcism definitely needed to be done and he agreed to perform it at a Georgetown hospital. The boy was strapped to a bed there for his own safety and the safety of others. After the prayers and chanting by the priest were well underway, somehow the boy extricated a bed spring from the mattress and did some serious damage to the priest. The gash on the priest's arm required over 100 stitches.
The family of the boy was distraught, the priest was injured, and the boy was still behaving oddly. At times there even appeared to be something inside him scratching messages on the inside of the boy's skin that created welts. One of the words scratched this way was "Louis." The family did not know if this was a message worth exploring or not. They did have some connections in St. Louis, however, and decided to relocate there and attempt another exorcism.
The procedure was lined-out by some Jesuit priests, and the exorcism began in a private home. It moved from the home to the campus of St. Louis University in the Alexian Brothers Hospital. It lasted over two months.
Some of the priests documented strange occurrences that happened during the exorcism and one of them kept a diary. Arms and legs flailed about, the mattress tilted and quaked and there were times of frenzy, times of calm. There were projectile "pea soup" incidents.
A group of the St. Louis University priests helped Father William S. Bowdern (pastor of St. Francis Xavier Church) pray over the boy and cast out demons. In the end, the group of priests declared the exorcism a success, and the boy grew up, married, had children, and a successful career.
The incident was the inspiration for William Peter Blatty's novel, The Exorcist, although most of the scenes are from Blatty's own imagination. He had an occasion to write one of the priests involved and the priest told him his contributions to the exorcism were confidential, but that he would vouch for one thing: "It was the real deal."
For some reason, the wing of The Alexian Brothers Hospital where most of the exorcism had been conducted was demolished in 1978. The residence used still exists. Writer Thomas Allen is skeptical of actual demonic possession, but he did write a history of the St. Louis exorcism, Possessed: The True Story of an Exorcism, based on the diary of Rev. Raymond Bishop.
Then there is the movie—it is just as scary as it ever was.
St. Francis Xavier Church is an imposing gothic structure on the campus of St. Louis University. Witnesses said that when the exorcism was completed in 1949, Saint Michael appeared in the sanctuary.
Sara Marie Hogg is the author of Curious Indeed, a collection of true stories about the unknown and unexplained. Please click HERE to purchase your copy from Amazon.
author, frightening, horror, levitation, possessed, priest, Sara Marie Hogg, scary, St. Francis Xavier Church, St. Louis, The Exorcist
It's no secret I like secrets.
Finding a mystery when you least expect it.
The Unexplained: The Case of the Missing Dinosaur Legs
The Unexplained: Mystery of the Whales
The Unexplained: What is Argentina's connection with UFOs?
The Unexplained: What was wrong with Mary?
The Unexplained: Who is the Zodiak Killer?
The Unexplained: What happened to the inventor of motion pictures?
The Writing Traveler: Picking a Winner
The Unexplained: Signals from the Stars
The Unexplained: Will it be the day the earth stands still?
The Storyteller: The World's Greatest Miser, a True Story
The Unexplained: Mysterious Booms Above Jodhpur
Joe Broadmeadow: For the Best in True Crime Writing
The Unexplained: Can you be in two places at the same time?
The Unexplained: Was it a medical assassination?
The Unexplained: Who is the Westfield Watcher?


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Roll Up, Roll Up, Clean Up – Taking Responsibility
December 5, 2020 Julieann WallaceLeave a comment
Title: Roll Up, Roll Up, Clean Up – Taking Responsibility
by: Penny Harris
illustrated by: Winnie Zhou
Publisher: Big Sky Publishing
An innovative, award-winning series helping children develop social and emotional well-being". Selected for the Victorian Department of Education and Training's School Readiness Funding Menu for 2020.
Ginnie & Pinney and their friends are discussing spring-cleaning when they notice a bad smell coming from the Koala's house. The friends have to intervene. Teaching the koalas to clean their house is a lot of fun, but when the friends leave, have the koalas learnt anything?
Author, Penny Harris, has spotlighted an important issue relevant yesterday, today and in the future – taking responsibility. The characters in the story discover a bad smell coming from the koalas' house and confront them about it. They each pass the buck dodging their responsibility. But then the friends all get together and help each other out. But is it enough?
One particular aspect that I liked about the story is how each characters' thoughts, feelings and point of view is expressed, discussed and how they decide together what the solution for the problem is, showing children how to communicate and to focus on the problem at hand together as a team.
Artist, Winnie Zhou, has used facial expressions on the characters well to show the feelings of the characters so that children can see the emotion as well as read about it.
Look inside: https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/BSP-GP-Roll-Up-9781922265791-Sample-Pages.pdf
Teacher Notes: https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/G-P-Roll-Up-Roll-Up-Clean-Up-Teachers-Notes.pdf
Purchase a copy: https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/books/ginnie-pinney-roll-up-roll-up-clean-up/
Publisher: Big Sky Publishing http://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/
Subject: Children, Learning,
This book was given to Julieann by Big Sky Publishing for review
https://www.facebook.com/julieannwallace.author/
Julieann is a multi-published author and illustrator who is continually inspired by the gift of imagination and the power of words. When she is not disappearing into her imaginary worlds as Julieann Wallace – children's author, or as Amelia Grace – fiction novelist, she is working as a secondary art teacher, editor, book designer, and book magician for other authors. Julieann is a self-confessed tea ninja and Cadbury chocoholic, has a passion for music and art, and tries not to scare her cat, Claude Monet, with her terrible cello playing.
Animals, children's fiction, Picture BooksBig Sky Publishing, caring, cleaning, friendship, helping, Penny Harris, responsibility, Winnie Zhou
Title: 10 Naughty Numbats
by: Grace Nolan
illustrated by: Nancy Bevington
Learn to count to ten with the naughty numbats and their delightful bush friends!
Author, Grace Nolan, has penned a fun counting book for children that has a great beat and rhythm that will have children chanting the words as well as counting the animals in the story – platypus, koalas, kangaroos, wombats, dingo pups, kingfishers, possums, black swans, echidnas and numbats. As I read the story, immediately I could see 10 Naughty Numbats being acted out in class.
Artist, Nancy Bevington, has portrayed the animals with a happy disposition, engaging the onlooker with a sprinkle of happiness.
As an educator, I was happy to see "Fun Learning Activities" as an added eight page bonus after the end of the story, written in a way that increases in the challenge of counting and encouraging active learning.
Purchase a copy: http://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/
Subject: Numbers, counting
Animals, Picture Books1-10, 10 Naughty Numbats, Big Sky Publishing, counting, Grace Nolan, Nancy Bevington, numbats
Rain Shaker
December 5, 2020 December 5, 2020 Julieann WallaceLeave a comment
Title: Rain Shaker
by: Elizabeth Mary Cummings
illustrated by: Cheri Hughes
When Erin finds a snow-shaker she embarks on a magical journey of possibility.
In a world of droughts and floods where water won't behave, Erin's imagination shakes things up and shows her she can help make a better world.
Author, Elizabeth Mary Cummings, has captured the summer temperature and dryness of Australia with visually descriptive words pulling you into the heat and land of thirstiness, encouraging you to join Erin on her crusade for water so her sunflowers can grow. As you turn the pages and read you discover some interesting facts about sunflowers that fill your mind with wonder before you are drawn into the decorating of a Christmas tree, the switch on of the exterior fairly lights of the house and finishing with an excited Erin doing the rain shaker dance until the heavens drop their drips of water on her. But is it enough to make her sunflowers grow?
Artist, Cheri Hughes, has cleverly used colour to complement the story creating a juxtaposition between the reality of Erin's dry and dusty world and her dream world of techni colours, keeping you grounded in the real world, and then sweeping you up in the dreamy colours of imagination.
There's an added bonus on the end pages – "Erin's Sunflower Fun Facts" and a page titled "Grow Your Own Sunflower!"
Rain Shaker is a wonderful story that will keep you turning the pages hoping that rain will come for Erin's sunflowers. I can see children everywhere wanting to grow their own sunflowers after reading this book. In fact, I think I will do just that!
Purchase a copy: https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/books/rain-shaker/
by: Elizabeth May Cummings
Subject: Global warming, nature
Julieann is a member of the Queensland Writers Centre, Write Links and Share Your Story Australia
children's fiction, Picture BooksBig Sky Publishing, Cheri Hughes, christmas, drought, Elizabeth Mary Cummings, Global Warming, nature, Rain, rain shaker, Summer, Sunflowers
Tommy Bell Bushranger Boy: The Masked Man, a book review
July 18, 2019 Julieann WallaceLeave a comment
Title: Tommy Bell Bushranger Boy: The Masked Man
by: Jane Smith
When Tommy Bell's father's car breaks down on a road trip, Tommy and Martin are stranded overnight in a motel room in a strange country town. Things get even weirder when Tommy finds himself roaming the deserted streets on a moonlit night, way back in 1869. But wait – is that an armed robbery in progress? And who is that masked man?
I love the Australian History Series, written by author, Jane Smith. The Masked Man is book 8 in the Tommy Bell Bushranger Boy Series. It brings to life a robbery that occurred on the 8th of May, 1869. Andrew George Scott (aka Captain Moonlite) robs the London Chartered Bank at Egerton near Ballarat, disguised in a mask and a cloak, and Tommy, the fictional character of the series, witnesses the robbery when he travels back in time after putting on his cabbage tree hat. But then Tommy finds himself in a spot of trouble and escapes, by returning to the present, then convinces his friend, Martin, to put on his time travelling boots to return to the scene of the crime to help the innocent men accused of the robbery.
Jane has a particularly effective writing technique where she sets the scene of the story, pulls the reader into the problem, then adds action, upon action, upon action, to keep the reader turning the pages. The fast-paced storytelling never fails to keep your attention.
I highly recommend Tommy Bell Bushranger Boy: The Masked Man, not only as an engaging way for children to learn about Australian history, but also as a high-interest chapter book for independent readers. The main characters, Tommy and his best friend, Martin, are likeable characters who insert a sense of humour and friendship into their adventures as they travel back in time to a snapshot of bushranger true stories.
As an added bonus to the story, there is a section at the back of the book titled: 'historical note'. It focusses on the historical facts of the robbery, followed by an amusing fictional 'question and answer' with Captain Moonlite.
Purchase a copy: tommy-bell-bushranger-boy-8
Author: Jane Smith
Release Date: 12/Aug/2019
Subject: Bushrangers, Adventure series, Time Travel, Australiana
Publisher: http://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/
(Dip T, B. Ed, Children's Author, Novelist, Illustrator, Tea Ninja, Cadbury Chocolate Annihilator)
Julieann is a published author and illustrator who is continually inspired by the gift of imagination and the power of words. When she is not disappearing into her imaginary worlds as Julieann Wallace – children's author, or as Amelia Grace – best selling fiction novelist, she is working as a secondary art teacher, writing mentor for primary and secondary students, book designer, and book magician for other authors. Julieann is a self-confessed tea ninja and Cadbury chocoholic, has a passion for music and art, and tries not to scare her cat, Claude Monet, with her terrible cello playing.
Chapter Books, children's fictionAustralian History, Big Sky Publishing, book review, Captain Moonlite, Jane Smith - author, The Masked Man, Tommy Bell Bushranger Boy
That Event – A Memoir
January 31, 2019 January 31, 2019 Julieann WallaceLeave a comment
That event. You know the one. It changed your life. You can never go back to being the person you once were…
Maybe it happened to you, or perhaps, you were a witness, or a first responder. It's your story alone to tell. But you've kept it inside you, even though it keeps niggling away, wanting to be told. You've heard your story repeated by others, but it's not right.
Some people never speak of it again. It's the only way they can cope. Some people journal the details and keep it private. Some people write a memoir, so the truth of the event is on record, or just to keep for themselves so they never forget the details. It's a personal choice.
That event. You know the one that was a positively magnificent experience! It enriched your life and that of others, and you want to tell your story before, during and after the event. You need to tell the story.
Memoirs can be traced back to ancient times. Julius Caesar's first memoir, Commentaries on the Gallic Wars, was written around 50 BCE. People have always been drawn to revealing milestones of their life from their own perspective. Think of it as a snapshot.
So what is a memoir?
1. a record of events written by a person having intimate knowledge of them and based on personal observation.
2. Usually memoirs:
– account of one's personal life and experiences; autobiography.
– the published record of the proceedings of a group or organization.
3. a biographical sketch.
Mémoire is French, meaning "memory." It's a type of nonfiction where an author recounts life experiences. Memoirs usually take the form of a narrative.
The popularity of memoirs has increased in recent times. People want to connect to the person behind the story. People want to know what shaped, influenced and sometimes broke the person, and how it affected them or others. Readers also want to know if there is a happy ending as they relate the story to their own lives. People are awakening to the realisation of how extraordinary each of us are, and storytelling is a powerful tool to tell a story, creating understanding and empathy, and sometimes changing lives.
Why Write a Memoir?
There are numerous reasons to write a memoir. It could be:
• About your ancestors
• Preserving a family's Legacy
• You have a secret that needs to be told
• A search for your identity
• Healing from a traumatic experience
• Help you deal with emotional angst
• Your story needs to be told
Make no mistake: writing a memoir is powerful, both for yourself and others, who read your words.
Many people think about writing a memoir, but don't, simply because they don't know how to go about it, or because the task of recording their story seems like a huge undertaking.
If you are considering writing a memoir, here's some must do's:
Read published memoirs to see how they are written.
Research how to write a memoir. There are many sites online that will guide you.
Make a plan and start writing.
Have your memoir edited so that it is the best story that it can be.
Does your story need to be significant or important to be captured in a memoir? The only answer to that is, if it's important or significant to you, then YES, your story deserves to be told. We can learn from every life lived.
Memoir and Family History Writing Weekend
Julieann Wallace
(Dip T, B. Ed, Author, Illustrator, Tea Ninja, Cadbury Chocolate Annihilator, Paper Cut Survivor)
Julieann is a published author and illustrator who is continually inspired by the gift of imagination and the power of words. She is a children's author and novelist. When she is not disappearing into her imaginary worlds, she is working as an editor, book designer, and book magician for other authors. Julieann is a self-confessed tea ninja and Cadbury chocoholic, has a passion for music and art, and tries not to scare her cat, Claude Monet, with her terrible cello playing.
Uncategorizedgreenleaf press, memoir
Eva's Imagination, a book review
November 16, 2018 November 16, 2018 Julieann WallaceLeave a comment
Title: Eva's Imagination
by: Wenda Shurety
illustrated by: Karen Erasmus
Publisher: New Frontier
Eva is bored. Soooo bored.
'What's happened to your imagination, Eva?' asks her mum.
So Eva and her faithful sidekick, Chops, set out on an adventure to find it …
'Mum, I'm BORED!' There isn't a mother on the planet who hasn't heard these words. But being bored is a very good thing. It's a chance to unleash the amazing ability of the mind to imagine anything that's possible and impossible. Where would we be without the imagination of those who have invented, found cures, explored Earth and beyond, and written stories?
Author, Wenda Shurety, has written an inspiring tale of discovery in her picture book, Eva's Imagination. Young Eva is bored. Her mum asks, "What's happened to your imagination?" But Eva doesn't know what an imagination is, so she goes looking for it with her adorable dog, Chops, tagging behind. On her journey, she encounters fantastical landscapes and creatures amongst the real-life landscapes in her home, as her imagination kicks in without her realising it.
Illustrator, Karen Erasmus, has captured Eva's imagination playfully, transforming ordinary household furniture and items into exciting places to explore. Children will enjoy looking for details in the imagination pictures like a game of 'I spy'.
Wenda Shurety has added an extra surprise into the story. It's something found in an imaginary cave that will give children and adults alike a warm fuzzy moment. When you find it, it will make your heart smile.
Eva's Imagination is a beautiful story that children will adore, while encouraging them to go on an adventure of their own, wherever they may be. This is most certainly a book to treasure.
Purchase a copy: Eva's Imagination
Subject: Imagination
Age: 3 – 6 years
Julieann is a published author and illustrator who is continually inspired by the gift of imagination and the power of words. When she is not disappearing into her imaginary worlds as Julieann Wallace – children's author, or as Amelia Grace – fiction novelist, she is working as an editor, book designer, and book magician for other authors. Julieann is a self-confessed tea ninja and Cadbury chocoholic, has a passion for music and art, and tries not to scare her cat, Claude Monet, with her terrible cello playing.
children's fiction, Picture Booksadventure, bored, Eva's Imagination, explore, I'm bored!, imagination, Karen Erasmus, New Frontier, Wenda Shurety
Dreaming Soldiers, a book review
November 6, 2018 November 6, 2018 Julieann WallaceLeave a comment
Title: Dreaming Soldiers
by: Catherine Bauer
illustrated by: Shane McGrath
Jimmy and Johnno are best mates. The two young friends do everything together, sharing adventures and growing up side by side in the dust cattle yards on an Australian Outback Station. When World War 1 strikes, the head overseas to fight on the battlefields of the western Front. Two boys from different cultures. A friendship for life.
Author, Catherine Bauer, has penned a superb picture book based on the lives of Jimmy Watson (an Indigenous Australian) and Johnno Hogan, at an Australian Outback Cattle Station in 1914. We follow the boys' carefree and fun childhood, where they solidify their friendship as they navigate waterholes, camping, horse-riding, fly swishing, listening to dreamtime stories and the forever words from Johnno's mum, 'Don't you two get into trouble!'
But as Jimmy and Johnno get older, the best friends are separated as Johnno attends 'big school', then university. However, each holiday break, Jimmy and Johnno were always reunited, returning to carefree days of friendship and fun.
One day, when Jimmy and Johnno go to town for supplies, they enlist for the Australian Army. 'Don't you two get into trouble!' a teary-eyed Mrs Hogan said. And then they were gone. As the reader turns the following pages, the reality and darkness of war sets in. And there you will see Jimmy and Johnno together, best mates, looking out for each other so they don't get into trouble.
Illustrator, Shane McGrath, has portrayed the spirit of each page with depth, reflecting the mood of the text. His artwork is divine as he captures the strength of Jimmy and Johnno's friendship.
I love stories like this one, breaking boundaries, breaking fear of the unknown because of skin colour, helping others to see each person, not by their colour, but by their kindness and empathy for others. We all matter.
Catherine Bauer has included an important information page titled, 'Indigenous Australians at War' after the last page of the story. It's an absolute must read.
Dreaming Soldiers is filled with well-chosen words, but there is one sentence in the story that is most poignant. It reads like this: But this time was special too because, for the first time, Jimmy was treated just like everyone else.
Dreaming Soldiers is most certainly in my top five Anzac Day and Remembrance Day books to read to children and students.
Teacher Notes: Dreaming Soldiers by Catherine Bauer Teacher Notes
Purchase a copy: Big Sky Publishing – Dreaming Soldiers
Publisher: Big Sky Publishing Big Sky Publishing
Subject: Children, WWII
Julieann is a published author and illustrator who is continually inspired by the gift of imagination and the power of words. When she is not disappearing into her imaginary worlds as Julieann Wallace – children's author, or as Amelia Grace – YA and fiction novelist, she is working as an editor, book designer, and book magician for other authors. Julieann is a self-confessed tea ninja and Cadbury chocoholic, has a passion for music and art, and tries not to scare her cat, Claude Monet, with her terrible cello playing.
Picture Books1914, Best Friends, Big Sky Publishing, Catherine Bauer, Dreaming Soldiers, friendship, Remembrance Day, Shane McGrath, Soldiers, war
Australia Remembers: Anzac Day, Remembrance Day & War Memorials, a review
Title: Australia Remembers – Anzac Day, Remembrance Day & War Memorials
by: Allison Paterson
AND IN THE MORNING
Every year there are special days when we remember all those who have fought in the past to keep Australia free and those who still fight today to keep us safe. On 25 April — Anzac Day — and on 11 November — Remembrance Day — we stop to think about those people and how much they have done for us. Anzac Day reminds us that, as Australians, we are proud of the Anzac spirit which has helped shape our traditions, our culture, and who we are. On Remembrance Day we honour all those who gave up so much for their country, especially those who lost their lives.
Author, Allison Paterson, has written a comprehensive and notable book about Anzac Day, Remembrance Day & War Memorials. The pages are adorned equally with factual text and full colour, absorbing images and illustrations which emphasise information on the pages, focussing young minds on the content of the page, enhancing comprehension of the text, creating a deeper understanding and connecting the reader to the human participants of war.
Allison Paterson examines in detail the origins and traditions of Anzac Day and Remembrance Day, exploring historical events, enriching knowledge, and engaging the reader by adding extra information on pages called 'Did you know?' as well as utilizing an interactive reader section on pages where the reader is asked questions, sometimes which lead the reader on a task to locate related topics on a map, or even in their local area.
Australia Remembers – Anzac Day, Remembrance Day & War Memorials has 12 chapters of essential knowledge that will lead to a better understanding of Anzac Day and Remembrance Day, as well as a brilliant world map showing where wars occurred, and their dates, plus activities such as 'Make a Poppy', 'Make Anzac Biscuits', 'Create a Poppy Wreath' and 'Creating a War Memorial'. There's also a glossary, index and bibliography.
I highly recommend Australia Remembers: Anzac Day, Remembrance Day & War Memorials. It's a powerful, exceptional resource that will have a high engagement of interest from anyone who reads it, and is a wonderful acknowledgement of past and present Australian Defence Force servicemen and women. It is because of the members of the ADF, that Australia is a safe and prosperous country.
We will remember them. Lest we forget.
Australia Remembers: Anzac Day, Remembrance Day & War Memorials is the first volume in a series, with the next volume, Australia Remembers: Customs and Traditions of the Australian Defence Force, to be released in 2019.
Teacher notes: http://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Australia-Remembers-by-Allison-Paterson-Teacher-Notes.pdf
Allison Paterson is also the author of Anzac Sons, and Anzac Sons: The Story of Five Brothers in the War to End All Wars
Purchase a copy of Australia Remembers: Big Sky Publishing – Australia Remembers
Purchase a copy of Anzac Sons: Five Brothers on the Western Front: Big Sky Publishing – Anzac Sons Kids Version
Purchase a copy of Anzac Sons: The Story of Five Brothers in the War to End All Wars: Big Sky Publishing – Anzac Sons
Category: Australian Military History for children
Julieann is a published author and illustrator who is continually inspired by the gift of imagination and the power of words. When she is not disappearing into her imaginary worlds as Julieann Wallace – children's author, or as Amelia Grace – YA and fiction novelist, she is working as an editor, book designer, and book magician for other authors. Julieann is a self-confessed tea ninja and Cadbury Chocoholic, has a passion for music and art, and tries not to scare off her cat, Claude Monet, with her terrible cello playing.
Children's Non-Fiction, non-fictionADF, Allison Marlow Paterson, Allison Paterson, Anzac, Anzac Day, Anzac Sons, Australia Remembers, Big Sky Publishing, Lest we forget, Rememberance Day, war, War Memorials
The Great Barrier THIEF, a book review
October 19, 2018 October 19, 2018 Julieann WallaceLeave a comment
Title: The Great Barrier THIEF
Written & Illustrated by: Dr Suzie Starfish
Publisher: Little Steps Publishing
'Good grief! What has happened to the Great Barrier Reef?
Did you know the coral colours are a warning sign? A global reef alarm? We all need to do what we can to keep it safe from harm.'
One day Anthia's home on the Great Barrier Reef starts getting hot, VERY hot. Soon all the colour starts disappearing from the Reef! Join Anthia and her sea creature friends as they find the Great Barrier THIEF and bring the colours back to their underwater home.
What I love about books is that they give a voice to those who cannot speak, including our living earth.
Talented author and illustrator, Dr Suzie Starfish, has created a story of significance. The Great Barrier THIEF is set in the Great Barrier Reef, off the east coast of Australia. It's one of the seven natural wonders of the world, larger than the Great Wall of China, and is the only living thing on earth visible from space.
However, being underwater, the vanishing colour of the Great Barrier Reef is all too easy to miss. It's also a serious 'the-planet-is-unhealthy-sign'. But thanks to Marine Scientist, Dr Sue Pillans aka Dr Suzie Starfish, and her great ocean passion, she is creating a focussed awareness and mindfulness through her picture book, The Great Barrier THIEF.
The main character of the story, Anthia, lives in a beautiful, colourful underwater paradise, bustling with happiness and life (it's also Nemo's home from 'Finding Nemo'). When the water starts feeling hot, Anthia becomes alarmed. And when her friend, Angela Algae leaves and the coral colours disappear, Anthia knows the problem is bigger than big, and goes in search of the cause and a solution.
Dr Suzie Starfish's illustrations are bright, colourful, and bursting with life at first, so when the Great Barrier Reef loses its colour, the reader feels a devastating loss alongside the main character, Anthia. This use of colour is an effective way to show that there are consequences for our actions. The visual representation of the effects of pollution on the Reef is confronting, creating a very real awareness of our bigger than big role in caring for the earth.
And for curious and science minds, Dr Suzie Starfish has included an information page – Underwater Wonders – explaining coral bleaching and a special algae called Zooxanthellae, that lives inside the coral. It's fascinating reading!
I highly recommend The Great Barrier THIEF. It's a story of planet love. A story of working together. A story of problem-solving; a story of earth survival. We only have one home, and we must look after it. Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.
Purchase a copy: The Great Barrier THIEF
Target Audience: 6 – 8 years
Pages: 32 pages
www.facebook.com/julieannwallace.author
www.julieannwallaceauthor.com
Picture Booksauthor, climate change, Dr Sue Pillans, Dr Suzie Starfish, earth awareness, ecologist, Finding Nemo, Global Warming, illustrator, Little Steps Publishing, marine biologist, mindfulness, ocean, recycle, reduce, reef, reuse, The Great Barrier Reef, The Great Barrier THIEF


The tiny atom (1/1 million) of bos who should not get the vaccine are those with a history of an anaphylactic acknowledgment to the vaccine or one of its components, and those with a history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome. The above is life-threatening airway abscess that requires an bang of epinephrine to reverse, and the closing is a anatomy of gesic paralysis. Aing patients with bark disorders or asthma accept apparent they accept an egg protein allergy, and most, but not all, types of flu vaccine accommodate a baby bulk of egg protein. If you are allergic, you should altercate the options with your healthcare provider.


text:
Q: Atom Editor - can't disable spell checking (as default) while simultaneously allowing spell check toggle I want to disable Atom spell checking as a default. At the same time I want to be able to toggle spell checking on and off.
To disable Atom spell checking by default you disable the core package spell-check. To allow spell check toggling you can edit your Atom keymap.cson file as such:
'atom-text-editor':
  'your-custom-key-combo': 'spell-check:toggle'

It's required you enable spell checking to use the custom toggle shown above. I want spell checking disabled by default, and I still want to be able to toggle when necessary. How do I do this?

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Kareem Rizk – New work & updated website!
I finally updated my website to include work dating from 2007-2009. A ton of updates can be found in the 'Suitcase' section and 'Digital Collage' section. I hope you enjoy browsing all the new work!
Previous story Onesidezero – New work update + win a print!!!


iPhones come with Google as the default search engine in Safari, and this is only the result of the Mountain View-based search company paying a fortune every year to Apple.
Analyst Rod Hall at Goldman Sachs claims it costs Google $9 billion every year to remain the default search engine on the iPhone, and the amount is likely to increase very soon. Google could pay no less than $12 billion next year, if the analyst forecast is accurate.
"We believe this revenue is charged ratably based on the number of searches that users on Apple's platform originate from Siri or within the Safari browser," the analyst was quoted as saying.


Usually used as a starter flavour to help along your vaping journey, tobacco flavour e-liquid vary massively in terms of quality. Sometimes they can be downright offensive. This Carabacco most certainly is not that. With a subtle hint of sweet caramel to help mellow out the tobacco notes, this is a flavour any vaper can get on board with.


Now on exhibition at Galatea Fine Art as part of "Passage . . ."
"This is my body . . ."
Resting high above the medieval village of Ennistimon, County Clare, Ireland is an abandoned convent.
These baking tins and crucifix were found in the kitchens of the convent beneath years of debris.
One can imagine the tender care that the nuns once took in generously preparing bread for their flock, funerals, celebrations and the larger community . . .


text:
What's Your Mentorship Strategy?
Blog, Inspiring Success
By Karen Keene
As the economy continues to improve, the tide has changed on the job market. Last year, CNN Money reported the U.S. economy regained nearly nine million jobs lost during the financial crisis. In addition, entrepreneurs are launching new businesses in droves. They're finding it easier to obtain small business loans to fulfill their dreams and ultimately, have greater control over their financial destiny.
So how can companies remain competitive in attracting and retaining top talent? There are a number of factors for employers to consider such as flex hours, virtual teams, creative compensation packages, and company-paid health and wellness programs. Additionally, there is a consistent theme among Millennials that they want to be engaged in mentorship programs promoting collaboration and leadership development. In 2020, Millennials will represent approximately 40 percent of the workforce. We'll see increasing trends among organizations to enhance mentoring programs as a powerful tool for accelerating performance.
Mentoring comes at various levels and at different stages in a person's career. Gone are the days where executives designed mentorships solely as a "top-down" strategy. The most effective organizations are those who cultivate a mix of strategies including reverse mentoring and virtual mentoring. It's a great opportunity to encourage open dialogue among multi-generations to learn from one another. Older workers benefit by learning new technologies and social media skills from their younger mentors, and global companies are more cohesive working both up and down the chain of relationships and leadership channels.
The most encouraging news is that women's mentoring programs are on the rise in the U.S. and in our community. This month, Orlando celebrated the grand opening of the Florida Institute of Technology Women's Business Center, now called weVENTURE – a regional hub for empowering women in S.T.E.M. In addition, enrollment is now open for ATHENA NextGen – designed as a collaborative forum for up and coming professional women to enhance their leadership skills.
ATHENA NextGen hosts eight monthly sessions facilitated by prominent women leaders who represent a spectrum of top companies in Orlando. Imagine receiving pearls of wisdom from Sandy Hostetter, Diana Bolivar, Kimberly Maki and Annetta Wilson, all in an interactive "Master's Class" setting at the UCF Executive Development Center in downtown Orlando. These dynamic women ignite thought-provoking conversations that take us on a deeper dive into ATHENA's Leadership Model.
ATHENA also works strategically with entrepreneurs. Florida has seen a 74 percent increase in the number of women-owned, small businesses in the past 15 years, ranking Florida as the sixth fastest-growing state for women entrepreneurs.
ATHENAPowerLink® – now in its 10th year in Central Florida – guides women business owners in defining and achieving tangible goals by providing them with access to a panel of business advisors. Panelists are selected to serve as mentors and advisors for a 12-month period at no charge to the woman business owner and, ultimately, strive to help the woman business owner achieve growth and profitability. Essentially, the panel performs as the entrepreneur's "board of directors," offering professional expertise in areas such as legal, accounting, lending, human resources, marketing, commercial real estate and strategic planning.
Please visit our Website at AthenaLeadershipOrlando.com to learn about how to apply. We're accepting applications for ATHENA NextGen until Friday, April 3.
Karen Keene is the Director of Marketing & Business Development at Dean Mead, a corporate law firm headquartered in Orlando with five offices throughout Florida. She is President of ATHENA Orlando Leadership, Inc. and a member of the ATHENA International Board of Directors.
Contents – March 2015
A Special Marketing Opportunity for Brevard's Legal Professionals


HDT's Nordic Air® HDR Series air and water cooled units are rugged, heavy duty industrial air conditioners designed to withstand demanding environments. Available with larger cooling capacities and additional standard features to set the HDR Series apart from the HDE Series of industrial air conditioners, the HDR Series also offers may more optional features for customers to create units specific to their particular requirements. Unlike other industrial/commercial air conditioners on the market, the HDT Nordic Air HDR has inherent design characteristics that make this unit more durable and cost effective. Just like the HDE Series, our HDR Series units maintain a key design feature of having a 10 fin per inch evaporator coil. HDR Series also include 8 fin per inch condenser coils with an epoxy corrosion resistant coating on air-cooled units.