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National Founding Partner
#GifRespect
#GifRespect Challenge
#GifRespect Hashboard
#gifRESPECT Weekly Winners and Favorites
Show Respect
Show RESPECT Challenge
Show Respect Stories
Show RESPECT Winners
National Grand Prize Winner
Respect. Spread the Message.
Sarah Becker and Mikaela Ehrenstein
Beneficiary: Design and Architecture Senior High Film Program
Our film concept is to spread the message of respect via a letter. It started with a girl receiving it in her mail box and then it was passed around the school between friends and teachers. We did this to make it more personable and relatable and also to show that respect and kindness is needed in a school environment, as it is in every aspect of ones life. It ends with a girl finding the message in a bottle and giving her friend a hug. This signifies that something as simple as a hug can make someone's day.
Local Prize Winners
Respect for Life: A Brother's Love
Debbie Mask
Beneficiary: The Child Life Center at the University of New Mexico Hospital
"I want to be just like my big brother, Cade, when I grow up because he's so kind." Recently, on a Saturday morning, at a Young American Football League (YAFL) game in Albuquerque, NM Cade and his younger brother Carter were recognized by players and coaches. Carter who would likely be a gifted athlete fights to live his life to the fullest every minute of the day despite the frequent seizures that plague his body. Cade, age 11, plays football and is living his younger brother's dream. With pride, Cade takes Carter by the hand and walks onto the field at the beginning of the football game. As all the spectators take notice, Carter is recognized as a member of the team and his brother, Cade, their hero.
I submitted this photo because Cade is an amazing older brother who has selflessly tried to make his brother's dream of being an athlete come true. He treats him with such kindness, care and love. Cade rallied his teammates to accept Carter as a part of the team and Carter now leads the team onto the field for each game as the team's mascot.
Cheers for Our Coach
Maegan Guevara
Beneficiary: Grandview High School Volleyball
The students, faculty and coaching staff at Grandview High School in Aurora, CO wanted to show their respect and appreciation for the 18 years of hard work that Coach Childress had invested there. She has sacrificially served and invested in students and athletes alike off and on the court. She is an amazing role model and mentor that has shaped the minds of students for the good. Three Cheers for Coach Childress!
I Am No Longer a Bystander
Ceria Barnes
Beneficiary: Health Delivery
My peers and I created an open mic event to discuss sensitive topics. Many people have suffered from senseless bullying. This poem was written to encourage others to stand up against bullying. I pledge to respect all mankind.
I see you watching. I see you stare. As they spit in my face. As they pull my hair. The fear in my eyes the blankness creates a glare. You are a bystander; do you think I'm unaware? My mind starts to race when I see all the milk in my hair. Yet no one helps, no one seems to care. They rip my homework and steal my money. They knock over my lunch and laugh like it's funny. Where's the respect? I have no feelings on belonging. We can stop this if we all stop running. I know you see it; I know you can do it Showing respect isn't hard but it does start with you!
Brighter Tomorrows for Moms and Their Children!
Allison Arnold
Beneficiary: Welcome House of Northern Kentucky
My mom and I serve on the WHO (Welcome House Outreach) to help plan fundraisers for Welcome House of Northern Kentucky. Welcome House of Northern Kentucky is a Covington, Kentucky organization that provides shelter, case management, transitional housing and much more for needy families in Greater Cincinnati Northern Kentucky. Mom and I have always been blessed to have a roof over our heads and a warm meal to eat so we show respect by giving our time to plan events such as a Shower (collects household items for the women when they leave shelter) and the organizationu2019s Summer Sunday. So many members of our communities have experienced things I am blessed to never have experienced, so mom taught me to give respect by giving my time, energy, talents, and money to those less fortunate. This photo is from one of our Showers where we were collecting household donations for women leaving shelter and/or entering transitional housing. My mom and I serve on the WHO (Welcome House Outreach) to help plan fundraisers for Welcome House of Northern Kentucky. Welcome House of Northern Kentucky is a Covington, Kentucky organization that provides shelter, case management, transitional housing and much more for needy families in Greater Cincinnati Northern Kentucky. Mom and I have always been blessed to have a roof over our heads and a warm meal to eat so we show respect by giving our time to plan events such as a Shower (collects household items for the women when they leave shelter) and the organization's Summer Sunday. So many members of our communities have experienced things I am blessed to never have experienced, so mom taught me to give respect by giving my time, energy, talents, and money to those less fortunate. This photo is from one of our Showers where we were collecting household donations for women leaving shelter and/or entering transitional housing.
Listen Up and Give Respect
Lisa Bello
Beneficiary: Timilty Middle School
My students created a skit based around what some days look like in our special education classroom. They reflected on how there are days where the students get frustrated and lose focus on whats important. Also, they thought about how they need each other to remind them to stay on track and to give respect.
Hope Village Room makeover for Disabled Adults
Delynn Jenkins Halloran
Beneficiary: Foundation for Hope Village
Showing respect to those who are mentally disabled and without the care of immediate family…Kate and Allison Halloran along with several friends and donors, organized and collected furniture, accessories and bedding to surprise several residents of Hope Village with a room make-over. The residents chosen at Hope Village were those that have no immediate family interaction or contact. The girls noticed a striking difference in the quality of the rooms and decor of the residents who have close family and those who don't so they decided to take action and make over their rooms with beautiful colors, new bedding, painted walls and furniture. Their reactions are priceless. The mission was to show respect, love and encourage the Hope Village residents with a room makeover.
Hope Village is a non-profit organization with residential homes and day programs in the Houston area for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities since 1970. It is the mission of Hope Village to provide superior yet affordable residential and support services adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
A Star's Homecoming!
Kathy Gouger
Beneficiary: John F. Ward Elementary
Avelyn Moore is a 3rd grade student at Ward Elementary, home of the STARS. At the beginning of this school year, she was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. She had surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible before undergoing chemo and radiation treatments, and then suffered many setbacks and was in the hospital for weeks. Her classmates and our staff missed her and her family tremendously! The wonderful parents of our students and our surrounding community was feeling the same. So everyone came together with acts of love…food, monetary donations, visits, video messages, wearing wristbands and shirts in her honor, a message from space…and after many weeks, the day finally came when Avelyn had made enough progress that she could come home! Our school coordinated with family friends to nail down a time the family would be driving by the school on the way home. Community members tied green bows on the trees from the school to their home since green is her favorite color. When the family drove by, our students and staff and community members lined the sidewalks of our school cheering for Avelyn that she had reached this milestone! At Ward, we teach about the importance of having strong character! It is even more important than perfect grades. As a principal, watching this all happen before my eyes, I couldn't help but become overwhelmed with emotion…emotion for Avelyn's progress…emotion for Avelyn's family and friends…emotion for what we are really here for….WELCOME HOME, AVELYN! YOU ARE A SHINING STAR!!!
Destiny Johnson
Beneficiary: Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation
My mother is my biggest supporter, my best friend, and my rock all in one person. She has taught me so many things, but respect is something she has always taught my brothers and I. The beginning of the school year was really hard for my mom, my dad had to go away for a little bit, and everything was falling on her shoulders. I can't take it to see mom stressed, nor is it good for her health because she was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. I knew that she was having a hard time with everything, so I thought maybe I should do something for her to show her that I was here for her. So I used up all my savings (which was probably not the smartest idea) and took her away for a weekend, just so that she could at least sleep for a little and not have to worry about everything that was going on. So the picture I attached was from the trip and I was so excited that we did this, she was so happy and it meant a lot to me.
Friendship Self-Care Package
Darci McFarland
Beneficiary: Denton County Friends of the Family
Sometimes an act of respect can be as simple as letting a good friend know how much you love and respect them. I chose to make my friend Kat a "Self-Care Package" filled with handmade candles and bath bombs with a note attached reminding her just how much I appreciate her friendship. I gave her the gift at my house before my move out of state, and she loved it! It is so important to be thankful for the good friends you have while you have them and to show them how grateful you are for their friendship.
Respect for Dedication to Victims
Shelly Bohl
Beneficiary: Domestic Violence Crisis Center
Who in their right mind would choose a career that deals with violence every day – to know just how many tortured women and children, escaping a life of cruelty and abuse, found refuge at the emergency shelter in the past year? To see on a day to day basis, how lives are destroyed by someone who claims to love them? To know these victims have the capacity to create a life of peace for themselves and their children but are not aware of how to achieve it? That person is Dena Filler.
Dena has been the Executive Director of Domestic Violence Crisis Center (DVCC) for 25 years. She is dedicated to the mission of providing the appropriate services, support and resources to assist the victims (and children) of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking and human trafficking in north central North Dakota. Through her leadership and commitment, DVCC is providing the guidance for the ever increasing number of victims and children requiring quality assistance that will allow them to acquire and maintain a life free of violence and abuse. The staff and board members surprised Dena with a public acknowledgement and sincere thank you for her loyalty, perseverance and determined dedication to assist victims and educate the public to end the cycle of abuse. It is her drive and tenacity that inspires us to face the challenge and makes us proud to work in the fight for futures without violence. Thank you Dena Filler!
Becki Glenn
Beneficiary: Good News Center
My granddaughter's third grade class in Houston, TX surprised their teacher with an act of respect yesterday. With the Thanksgiving holiday rapidly approaching, a parent facilitated the students in a brainstorming activity while the teacher was away. The children all drafted messages of gratitude and thanksgiving for their teacher. Then, they wrote these statements about why she was special to them on paper turkeys and leaves. Later, they created a banner with their heartfelt letters of thankfulness and hung it in the teacher's room. Their teacher was very touched by the simple, yet powerful display of the class's gratitude and respect for her work among them. These young students are learning how to respect at a very early age!
A Basket of Respect
Beneficiary: Interfaith Ministry Refugee Services of Houston
Violence is headlining the news more and more these days. As many as 60-million people are displaced in the world and refugees are migrating anywhere they can to escape violence and oppression. As a community of faith, people from University Baptist Church (UBC) in Houston, TX, in partnership with Interfaith Ministries Refugee Services of Houston, wanted to show their respect and help to those resettling in Houston.
UBC families and individuals teamed up to provide welcome baskets to local refugees assigned to the Interfaith Refugee Services. Laundry baskets were filled with staple food items such as rice, canned goods, dried beans, fresh fruit and gift cards from local grocery stores. After a brief training on cultural sensitivity, the UBC volunteers were paired with each other and went out to deliver the goods to expectant refugee families from the Congo, Iraq, Syria, Somalia, Burma, Bhutan and Eritrea.
Although the baskets of food items were only a small gesture of support, it is our hope that they helped refugee families feel like they are a welcomed part of the diverse Houston community. We respect all of them for enduring such hardship, suffering and while still maintaining the hope for relief. We are better off for having them in our community!
This is how we spell RESPECT.
Cody Wendling
Beneficiary: Bay School of San Francisco
Honorable Mention Winner: Thank you to Cody and the Bay School students for their inspiring entry to help kick off the Show RESPECT! Challenge!
I and 18 fellow Bay School of San Francisco students along with my mom, my soccer coach and my Advisor spelled out respect on the lawn of the Presidio in San Francisco to inspire teens across America to give respect and accept nothing less than respect in return. I chose these people because they are shaping the person I am and the person I am becoming.
BHS Stop Harrassing
Emily Levenson
Beneficiary: Berkeley High School
Honorable Mention Winner: Thank you to Emily and the BHS Stop Harrassing students for their inspiring entry to help kick off the Show RESPECT! Challenge!
We chose to show respect to the adult advisors of our grassroots movement. They have guided us through dealing with our school district first hand, fighting against the culture of sexual harassment that once seemed inevitable. Through their hard work and support, they gave us a voice, so we gave them megaphones to return the favor. We could never have come this far without them.
Founding National Partner
All Rights Reserved © 2015 RespectChallenge.org
#GifRespect Rules
Respect Challenge Rules


Have you ever looked into buying a vehicle only to find out that you are unable to get the financing that you need to go through with the purchase? Whether you are looking for a quality SUV, minivan, car or truck, you have to be able to get a loan that will offer you flexibility at a price that you can afford. With Carson Cars, you have the ability to get quality auto loans in Snohomish County without having to ever jump through hoops.
You are invited to make your way to our dealership so that you can view all of the great used vehicles that we have in stock on the lot. From there, we encourage you to take a test drive and ask any questions that may come to mind about the vehicle that you are interested in. Once you find one that you really like, we can then have you sit down with our finance department where you are automatically guaranteed for a loan.
You got it right! We will make sure that you are guaranteed to receive the loan that you need to buy the vehicle that you fall in love with or we will actually pay you $500. By working in-house with our finance team, you have a chance to bypass a lot of paperwork and headaches that can be associated with a third party lending institution. We take care of everything on-site and you should get an answer on your loan application within minutes.
Call us today at Carson Cars at (855)583-9356 or stop by to talk with a sales team member today about a new to you vehicle. Remember that we will stop at nothing to get you the absolute best deal in auto loans in Snohomish County.


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package chapter2.animals;

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Animal animal1 = new Cat();
        Animal animal2 = new Dog();
        Animal animal3 = new Cow();

        animal1.saySomething();
        animal2.saySomething();
        animal3.saySomething();

    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Hera Group's Business Plan for period 2017-2021 period shows growing economic results achieved with strong and constant attention to the compliance with economic, financial, environmental and social sustainability logics.
In this regard, in 2016 the Group introduced shared value reporting, i.e. that part of marginality generated by projects that bring benefits for the company and, at the same time, contribute to attaining the goals of the UN 2030 Agenda (at least 10 of the 17 goals indicated). In the years of the Plan, this share will become more important thanks to the actions taken by Hera to respond to the three drivers of change (smart use of energy, efficient use of resources, innovation and contribution to development), thus reaching 40% of total marginality in 2021.
In line with the past, the Group's strategy is based on five well-established strategic levers that are shared with all Organisational Units and act as a reference for the development of the respective projects.
Agility will continue to be the response to the dynamic external context, which has become a structural feature of the competitive scene and requires the rapid transition from learning into action (agile learning organization).
Organisational units have included the key role of innovation in their planning, accelerating the contribution we expect from it. Innovation is also a factor that enables us to reach a strategy based on the opportunities of the Circular Economy and Utility 4.0, through the increasing digitalisation of processes, data collection and analysis, and the dissemination of "smart" infrastructures.
Efficiency is confirmed as being a fundamental lever to safeguard current margins and respond to tenders in regulated services, recovering productivity through particular emphasis on limiting costs, improving internal organisation and optimising operating activities. The projects already identified will make it possible to achieve a contribution of almost 80 million Euro in 2021 compared to 2016 figures.
Growth has been a key aspect in Hera's history and has always been characterised by a balanced mix of measures implemented along the company's internal and external lines. The internal growth underlying the new Business Plan will be fuelled both by typical business line activities, and by the margin linked to the tenders for gas distribution in the sectors and areas in which the company already plays a significant role. As regards external growth, the Group proposes itself, as in the past, as a natural candidate for the role of aggregator in a national context for utilities which is still very fragmented. The Business Plan envisages aggregation activities with other companies of the sector always in keeping with the Group's financial sustainability.
The 2017-2021 Business Plan was drawn up in compliance with relevant guidelines and will allow the Group to reach the goal of Euro 1,135 million in 2021, rising by almost Euro 220 million compared to the 2016, with a total of Euro 573 million of average annual investments (compared to the yearly average of Euro 353 million of the last five years) two thirds of which will focus on Shared Value projects. However, our increased financial commitment will not have any impact on the ratio between net debt and EBITDA which will always remain below 3.0x (2.9x in 2021).


Finance and Government Business Minister, Jane Hutt, will today (Thursday 22 October) announce £2 million of EU funds to test a pioneering technology that harnesses energy from ocean waves.
Led by Swansea-based Marine Power Systems (MPS), the £3 million project, which includes a £900,000 investment from MPS, will manufacture and test a 1:4 scale prototype of the WaveSub device.
The device draws upon patented technology developed by MPS which captures the high power density of waves through its unique power take-off system, and can withstand storm forces.
The Welsh Government has been working with MPS for a number of years to support the development of this technology and the WaveSub concept.
The £2 million EU funds will allow the scaled prototype to be developed and tested, paving the way for a full-scale device that will be deployed off the Pembrokeshire coast and eventually launched in the commercial market.
The funding will be formally announced during a visit by the Finance Minister to MPS to hear about the WaveSub development.
"We are committed to working with investors and businesses to boost economic growth and create highly skilled jobs, so I'm delighted that £2 million of EU funds are being invested to bring WaveSub another step closer to full-scale deployment.
"Marine renewable energy has huge potential and we are investing £80 million of EU funds in this area over the next six years – including support to enable the development of two demonstration zones off the coasts of Pembrokeshire and Anglesey.
"We are delighted to receive this EU investment which will support the next stage in the development of our WaveSub device.
Business News Wales exclusive interview with our Managing Director, Dr Gareth Stockman.


I am pleased and honoured to be tagged by Julie from Succulents by J for 8 happy facts.
I am happy when my five beautiful white and ginger cats greet me in a morning and I am particularly happy if none of the cats are missing!
I am happy when Hatty the hen looks healthy and is laying her beautiful flavoursome eggs every day.
I am happy when I have found the ground nest that my guinea fowl like to lay their eggs in and I am especially happy when this nest is not in the middle of a nettle patch and the circling magpies have not taken the eggs.
I am happy to have seen at first hand calves being born and it is a special moment when they stand and start to suckle.
I am happy that my husband decided to allow me to have my pigs (Cagney and Lacy) and that I saw my first Saddleback piglets being born.
I am happy when the eggs start to pip in the incubator and I am even happier when all the chicks have successfully hatched out.
I am happy when I see the farm wildlife merrily going about their business – it is a thrill to have seen such range of animals from the barn owl, pheasant, hare, deer, toad to the snail, mole and even the fox, as long as it keeps away from my poultry!
I am happy when I hear my guinea pig squeaking out as I walk on by the guinea pig hutch.
When tagged, you must link to the person who tagged you, then post the rules and list eight things that make you happy. At the end of the post, you must tag and link to eight other people.
If you would like to write eight happy thoughts then consider yourself tagged. I hope you have enjoyed my eight happy farm facts.
Thank you so much for your kind words.Living on a farm is a wonderful experience. I can highly recommend it as you do.I find it hard work too but very enjoyable. spending time with all my livestock is my favourite past-time. Thanks for visiting and commmenting as always.


We are back in the KOA here after spending Saturday night in Ignace. We enjoyed sun on the last two days in Crystal Lake RV park with the grand kids, since then we've had more rain (including a severe thunderstorm warning and loss of power here in TB). The fillets are out, Al is betting on good weather tomorrow!
We really enjoyed the visit and the grand kids and we look forward to better weather heading south!
Look Ma .... No Training Wheels!!
We are n Crystal Lake campground near Vermilion Bay, we brought the grand kids here for a few days to enjoy the park and the stuff it has. It's been a really wet season here in the north, the campground owner here is depressed at the weather. We put out a mat on the grass, the ground is so saturated that water came up through the mat. That said, there are sunny breaks and the grand kids got some swimming in yesterday and between the playground and the toys they have here, they are having a great time.
The corners are a little tough though!
The weather seems to be improving this afternoon, so the grand kids are changing into bathing suits as this entry is being written, here's hoping that it's a sign of better weather coming.
We are here until Saturday morning when we start the trek back home.
Camping at the Kids Place!
We are camped at the kids place on the lake near Ear Falls. We are enjoying great weather and we are trying to spoil the grand kids!. In a couple of days we will take the grand kids to Crystal Lake for a camp out and give the kids some time to themselves.
A couple of pictures along with a special treat from the kids, a late wedding anniversary gift of a flight around the lake area with Kyle, a friend, who has a Cessna 180 float plane on the lake!
The grand kids showing off their new dresses!
We are in our normal site in the Thunder Bay KOA, we got here yesterday and we've done some shopping this morning (and got the garlic cheese curds that are so delicious!), we plan to leave here tomorrow morning for Ignace. We note the KOA here put in some patio sites like in the US, we hope to try one on our way back.
No pictures other than this one taken back in Marathon, Murdoch must like the smell of Al's Crocs! Note the quantity of his treats.
We are part of the local celebrations here in Marathon. The town has been working for a few days to put stuff together and it's impressive for a small town to put together such an event, it puts our larger southern Ontario community to shame.
They will set off fireworks on the other side of the lake, we have a great view tonight!
We have been on the road for a couple of days now, Monday was spent in Serpent River and last night we were in the campground just north of Wawa. We have been enjoying the cooler temperatures up here, last night it got down to 5C! Lots of sun and virtually no bugs.
Murdoch enjoying a bone and Suzette relaxing back in Serpent River!
We are staying here in site 4 in Penn Lake park in Marathon over the long weekend as we were concerned about getting a spot in Thunder Bay. The place here is booked and we get treated to a full fireworks display across the lake on the beach on Friday night!
We are heading north, we leave tomorrow morning. Even Murdoch is looking forward to cooler weather up there, instead of lying on top of the A/C vent!


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Cerkiew św. Michała Archanioła w Tarnawce – dawna cerkiew greckokatolicka należąca do dekanatu Leżajsk, wzniesiona w 1939 w Tarnawce.

Po 1946 cerkiew przejęta i użytkowana jako rzymskokatolicki kościół parafialny parafii w Tarnawce.

Przypisy

Bibliografia

Świątynie pod wezwaniem św. Michała Archanioła
Obiekty sakralne w gminie Markowa
Cerkiew

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Love Your Path Show – 6/13/12, 6 p.m. MDT (5 p.m. PDT, 8 p.m. EDT)
Listen LIVE or access archive:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/loveyourpath/2012/06/14/your-unstoppable-life-larry-jacobson
Do you have an ultimate dream in life that you want to achieve? What are you willing to give up to achieve that goal?
How are you going to get there?
It's one thing to dream but another to make those dreams come true. When you really want something, you have to do everything and anything you can to achieve that goal. The journey to your dreams may not be easy, but it's the hardships and the battles that you have to go through that will define your will and desire to make your dream happen. Tune in to the show and listen to Larry Jacobson, author of the best-selling book The Boy Behind the Gate. Larry will discuss how he made his dream of sailing around the world come true and the valuable lessons that he picked up along the way. Take notes as he guides us on how to set goals, how to make important decisions that are life-changing, and how to get ready to keep yourself on track after meeting challenges that will attempt to derail you from your life's journey.
Aside from being a successful author, Larry is a businessman and a motivational speaker. He has taught his audiences to make the most out of any situation and to use these trying times to their own advantage. Find out more about Larry Jacobson on his website http://larryjacobson.com.
Tags:Larry JacobsonlifejourneyLoveYourPathLoveYourPathShowmake dreams come truesailingThe Boy Behind The Gate
stevebents

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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PHIL 6010
Advanced introduction to the major areas of Plato's philosophy, which may include the relationship between virtue and knowledge, the theory of recollection, the theory of forms, the nature of sensible objects, and the relationship between the individual and the state. May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
Advanced introduction to the major areas of Aristotle's philosophy, which may include early and later theories of substance, methodology, the study of nature, the soul, and ethics. May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
Topics in Ancient Philosophy
Investigation of a specific theme, philosopher, or text, such as Aristotle's ethics, the philosophy of Socrates, Plato's Republic, Stoicism, Hellenistic ethics, or Aristotle's philosophy of mind. May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
Topics in Modern Philosophy
Intensive study of works of modern philosophers such as Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz, Malebranche, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Berkeley, Hume, Reid, Kant, and Hegel. The course may be organized around the works of a single philosopher, or it may survey the development of a particular area of modern philosophy (such as moral philosophy, political philosophy, metaphysics, epistemology, or aesthetics). May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
Advanced introduction to the major areas of Hume's philosophy. Topics may include the relation between his theoretical and moral philosophy, skepticism, causation, necessity, the foundations of human knowledge, self-consciousness, personal identity, reason, will, sentiment, naturalism, and normativity. May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
Advanced introduction to the major areas of Kant's theoretical and/or practical philosophy. Topics may include: Kant's conception of the task and method of philosophical inquiry, the relation of metaphysics and epistemology to natural science, skepticism, causality, freedom, the moral law, and the religious, political, and social ramifications of Kant's moral philosophy. May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
Origin and development of central themes in the philosophy of Karl Marx, such as alienation, exploitation, and dialectical materialism, with limited reference to contemporary trends in Marxist thought. May be repeated if topic varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
Topics in 19th Century Philosophy
Investigation of a specific theme, philosopher, or text, such as Hegel Nietzsche, German Idealism, or the emergence of philosophy in America. May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
Topics in the History of Philosophy
Investigation of a specific theme, philosopher, or text, such as Scepticism in Ancient and Modern Philosophy, Anselm, or the Summa Contra Gentiles. May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
Topics in Continental Philosophy
Study of works of such authors as Husserl, Scheler, Heidegger, Sartre, Merleau-Ponty, and Ricoeur. May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
Topics in Analytic Philosophy
Study of works of such authors as Russell, Moore, Carnap, Putnam, Lewis, Feinberg, Hart, and Rawls. May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
Problems in the concept of knowledge, such as the definition of propositional knowledge, the problem of induction, the a priori, and theories of truth. May also include theories such as coherentism, reliabilism, and foundationalism. May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
An examination of philosophical problems associated with the nature, scope, and significance of the sciences. Topics may include: scientific versus non-scientific world views; explanation and its limits; confirmation; paradigms, laws, and theories; intertheoretic reductions; realism versus antirealism; science and human values. May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
Topics in Epistemology
Investigation of selected contemporary or classical topics in epistemology. May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
Topics may include personal identity and human nature; space, time, matter, and causality; freedom and determinism; teleology; and conceptions of divinity. May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
An examination of various theories of the mind-body relationship, such as dualism, identity theory, and functionalism, and of specific issues such as consciousness, mental representation, mental disorders, the emotions, artificial intelligence, personal identity, and free will. May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
Philosophy and Cognitive Science
An interdisciplinary examination of the problems, theories, and research strategies central to the study of the human mind and of other cognitive systems. Basic readings will come from a variety of disciplines, including philosophy, neuroscience, and psychology. Topics of investigation may include perception, mental representation, language, modularity, consciousness, emotions, moral psychology, action, mental disorders, folk psychology, and animal minds. May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
Topics in Metaphysics
Study of specific issues in metaphysics, such as free will, causation, time, personal identity, possible words, existence of God, realism, etc. May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
Symbolic Logic
This course will cover the fundamentals of propositional and predicate logic, and selected topics in such areas as the logic of identity and relations, modal logic, or meta-logic. Emphasis placed on construction of proofs in formal systems.
Efforts in twentieth-century philosophy to account for the unique capacities of language to represent the world and to communicate our beliefs about it. Topics may include the nature of language, theories of meaning and reference, semantic paradoxes, private language, speech acts, and non-human language. May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
Major Western theories, such as relativism, egoism, emotivism, utilitarianism, deontology, naturalism, intuitionism, virtue, ethics, existential ethics, and feminist ethics. May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
Biomedical Ethics
Major moral problems in science and medicine, including abortion, death and euthanasia, treatment of the mentally ill, experimentation with human subjects, and genetic research. May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
Topics in Ethics
Study of the works of major authors or views in normative ethics and/or metaethics. The focus will be on contemporary ethics but the course may include some study of historical figures. May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
Examination of how humans function in moral contexts and how this information may impact debates in ethical theory. Topics may include moral judgment and intuitions, moral disagreement, reason and emotion, moral agency and responsibility, character traits and virtues, altruism and egoism, and moral development. May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
Neuroethics considers how ethical theories inform neuroscientific practice and how neuroscientific discoveries inform ethical theorizing. Topics may include ethical protocols for neuroscience research, ethical and legal implications of neuroscientific research, and implication of neuroscientific research, and implications of neuroscience for debates about moral behavior and judgment. May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
Topics in Neuroethics
Study of specific issues in neuroethics, such as cognitive enhancement, neuromarketing, neurolaw, and neuroscience and free will. May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.tc.
Issues such as the definition and justification of human rights, justice, social welfare, and forms of political participation, and the debate between ideologies. Readings from classical and contemporary sources, for example, Plato, Locke, Mill, Marx, and Rawls. May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
Topics such as theories of law, feminist legal theory, the nature of legal reasoning, legal obligation, law and justice, law and morality. May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
Topics in Philosophy of Art
Historical and contemporary accounts of the nature of art, aesthetic experience, creative activity, imagination, expression, interpretation, and aesthetic evaluation. May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
Advanced Topics in Political Theory
Advanced survey of the great writings in political thought. Examines the contributions these works made to Western conceptions such as democracy, equality, human nature, citizenship, and liberty, as well as their continuing relevance for understanding contemporary moral and political dilemmas. May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
Classical and contemporary issues concerning women, such as discrimination on the basis of gender, class, race, or sexuality, whether gender is natural or constructed, and historical roots of feminist and anti-feminist perspectives.
Topics in Social and Political Philosophy
Study of selected issues in social/political philosophy. The focus will be on contemporary ethics but the course may include some study of historical figures. May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
Issues in Philosophy
Examination of selected philosopher(s) or topic(s). May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
Seminar in Philosophy
In-depth treatment of philosophical issues that are current topics of discussion among philosophers. May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
Seminar in Ancient Philosophy
Investigation of a specific theme, philosopher, or text such as Plato's Republic, Aristotle's metaphysics, Epicurus, Hellenistic ethics, or skepticism in ancient philosophy. May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
Seminar in Analytic Philosophy
Issues such as normativity, theories of truth, or contextualism. May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
Seminar in Modern Philosophy
Detailed examination of the writings of one or two of the following philosophers: Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz, Locke, Berkeley, Hume or Kant. May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
Seminar in 19th Century Philosophy
Detailed examination of a major figure, theme, or text from the long 19th century (roughly 1789-1914). May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the major.
Seminar in the History of Philosophy
Detailed examination of a major figure, theme, or text from the history of philosophy. May be repeated once if topic varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
Seminar in Continental Philosophy
Topic or figure such as deconstructionism, de Beauvoir, Sartre, Foucault, or Habermas. May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
Seminar in Epistemology
Issues such as truth, evidence, and belief; conditions of knowledge; recent discussions of the limits of scientific progress. May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
Seminar in Philosophy of Science
An in-depth examination of one or more specific topics in philosophy of science. Possible topics include: the metaphysical foundations of the scientific world view; the nature of laws and theories; the scope of the special sciences; hypothesis formation and confirmation; explanation and causation; scientific realism; a careful reading of one or more recent influential books in philosophy of science. May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
Seminar in Metaphysics
Selected topics such as free will, the nature of the mind, universals, and causation. May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
Seminar in Philosophy of Mind
An in-depth examination of one or more specific topics in the philosophy of mind. Possible topics include: the metaphysics of mind; the problem of mental causation; theories of mental content, consciousness, and intentionality; free will and action theory; theories of emotion; a careful reading of one or more recent influential books in the philosophy of mind. May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
Seminar in Philosophy and Cognitive Science
(Same as NEUR 8770.) An in-depth examination of specific issues concerned with the interdisciplinary study of mind, drawing on research from philosophy, neuroscience, psychology, anthropology, linguistics, computer science, and ethology. Topics may include: mental representation and language, sensation and perception, inference and reasoning, innateness and modularity, the emotions, learning and conceptual change, moral cognition and development, consciousness and self-consciousness, mental deficits and disorders, animal and computer models of cognition, folk psychology and reductive strategies in neurobiology; a careful reading of one or more recent influential books in philosophy or cognitive science. May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
Seminar in Philosophy of Language
Examination of issues in contemporary philosophy of language. Topics may include: truth, meaning descriptions, attitude reports. May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
Seminar in Philosophy of Religion
Topics such as proofs of the existence of God, the nature of religious belief, the relationship between religion and ethics. May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
Seminar in Ethics
Topics such as Greek ethics, Kantian ethics, utilitarianism, feminist ethics, and religious ethics. May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
Seminar in Neuroethics
In-depth seminar in neuroethics–the ethical issues raised by neuroscientific research and/or the potential of neuroscience to inform ethical theorizing.
Seminar in Biomedical Ethics
Examination of contemporary issues in bioethics. Topics may include: research ethics, for human and non-human subjects; end-of-life decision making; eugenics and The Human Genome Project; reproductive issues, such as cloning, freezing embryos, and artificial insemination; abortion, including maternal/fetal relations and embryonic stem cell research; and health care disparities by race, gender, or income. May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree."
Seminar in Moral Psychology
An in-depth examination of select topics in moral psychology, such as moral intuitions, moral disagreement, agency and responsibility, virtues, altruism, etc. May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
Seminar in Social and Political Philosophy
Examination of issues in social and political philosophy. Topics such as democracy, liberalism, liberty, civil rights, and nationalism. May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
Seminar in Philosophy of Law
Examination of issues in contemporary legal philosophy. Topics include: legal positivism, natural law theory, human rights, and international law, legal interpretation, death penalty, race and the law, freedom of expression, and the right to privacy. May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
Seminar in Political Theory
Examines the contributions these works made to Western conceptions such as democracy, equality, human nature, citizenship, and liberty, as well as their continuing relevance for understanding contemporary moral and political dilemmas. May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
Seminar in Feminist Philosophy
Philosophical topics or figures in feminist theory, such as a study of the ways feminist theory has challenged traditional philosophical thought, feminist ethics, or the thought of Andrea Dworkin. May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
Prerequisites approval of the departmental Graduate Committee
Work experience in which philosophical skills are utilized.
Directed Reading
Independent study of philosophical texts under the supervision of a faculty member. Not to be used as a substitute for topics normally covered in other graduate courses. May be repeated but only if content varies. A maximum of three credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
Research or Teaching Assistantship in Philosophy
Does not count toward degree requirements. Assisting of philosophy faculty members in their research or teaching classes of one's own under the supervision of a faculty member. Required of all graduate students receiving a stipend. May be repeated for credit.
Does not count toward degree requirements. Prerequisite for being a graduate teaching assistant. Preparation course for teaching, covering syllabus design, making up tests, grading papers, and other classroom techniques. May not be repeated for credit.
Teaching Philosophy Practicum
Does not count toward degree requirements. Apprenticeship in teaching for graduate teaching assistants. Required for all graduate teaching assistants in their first semester of teaching. May not be repeated for credit.
Advanced Teaching Philosophy Practicum
Does not count toward degree requirements. Apprenticeship in teaching for advanced graduate teaching assistants under faculty supervision. Required for all graduate teaching assistants in their second and subsequent semesters of teaching. GTAs learn how to document and collect materials for Teaching Portfolio. May be repeated for credit.
Proseminar in Neurophilosophy
Lecture-series based on research at the intersection of neuroscience and philosophy. Speakers include GSU researchers as well as philosophers and scientists from other universities. Among the fields represented are neurobiology, cognitive neuroscience, behavioral neuroscience, neuropsychology, philosophy of mind, and philosophy of science. Topics may include, among others: neural substrates of consciousness, localization of function, modularity of mind, and philosophical controversies in the empirical study of the mind/brain. Required of all graduate students in the neurophilosophy track each time it is offered. Hours earned in this course do not count toward degree requirements.
Thesis Research


A real estate agent was forced inside this Hillside Drive home at gunpoint early Wednesday evening during a home invasion robbery.
San Diego police were on the lookout Thursday for a gunman who stole jewelry and fur coats during a home invasion robbery in La Jolla and fired off three rifle shots as he fled, grazing a 76-year-old man in the face.
A female real estate agent who had shown the house in the 7400 block of Hillside Drive (at the corner of Via Sienna) to a potential buyer was locking up around 6:15 p.m. Aug. 1 when the robber demanded the female agent go back inside and show him where the jewelry was, San Diego police Officer David Stafford said.
The woman said she was only the real estate agent and didn't know where the jewelry was. He had the agent open dresser drawers, then ransacked the house, telling the real estate agent to stay inside, before leaving, Stafford said.
As he walked outside, he ran into the 76-year-old owner who was just returning with his wife. The robber went to his car, got a long rifle and pointed it at the home owner, firing two rounds into the ground. He then pointed the rifle at the victim and fired a third round that grazed the victim's face.
The owner was taken to a trauma center with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the face, Stafford said.
The suspect was described as being a white male in his late 30s, having blond hair and wearing glasses. He drove a black Porsche.
The five-bedroom, 7-bath home is listed at nearly $8 million.
Neighbor Sara Rosenbluth said she heard two gunshots shortly after 6:00 p.m.
"I thought it was fireworks. I just couldn't believe something like that would happen here," she said, though noting that the home adjacent to yesterday's crime scene, in the 2300 block of Via Sienna, was robbed on July 2, as confirmed by police reports.
Within a half mile of Wednesday's home invasion there were also residential burglaries in the 7500 block of Via Capri (July 25) and in the 7300 block of Via Capri (April 23), as well as an unspecified burglary/larceny in the 7400 block of Hillside Drive (July 3).


SALSA FUSION NIGHT at RULA BULA, EVERY SUNDAY from 8pm till late. ENTRY IS FREE and includes Bachata & Brazilian Zouk dance classes followed by partying till late with Int'l Latin Music DJ, Deejay Javed spinning the best of Salsa, Bachata, Kizomba and Forro music for your dancing, drinking, chilling out, networking and mingling pleasure.
Due to Halloween Celebrations in LKF on Monday, 31st Oct, this event is moved to TUESDAY, 1ST NOVEMBER 2016: ENTRY FREE From 8pm till late!
8:00PM: Foot tapping Latin Music for you to chill out, network, mingle and more!
8:30PM: Salsa Lesson For All Levels from absolute beginners to experienced dancers!
9:00PM: Party continues till LATE!


The theme of the exchange is " Health and wellbeing for Scots and Malawians "
To enhance the skills of both youth groups, by running their own activities, through a one-day sports leadership course (including organising and running activities).
To develop teamworking, enquiry skills, resilience, leadership, social skills, confidence etc. To inspire and challenge the perceptions of those involved in a variety of global citizenship issues.
To encourage both sets of individual to be active global citizens, understanding the effect they have on their surroundings.
To widen the aims and expectations of young people in Scotland and Malawi.


text:
Celebrating Double Digits in the Poconos
My second oldest son turned ten this weekend. Double digits is a really big deal so we decided to make a big deal out of it. Since his birthday fell on a weekend, we decided to whisk the kids off for an overnight stay in a hotel. We got a cheap – double digits indeed – room in a hotel just outside Scranton that had a swimming pool and breakfast included.
After a morning of card and gift opening, we piled into the car and headed off into the Poconos. Saturday was a grey day of drizzle and chill winds so we focused on indoor activities. First up was Country Junction, the general store we seem compelled to visit every time we are in the area. It is a bizarre and entirely bonkers place and I highly recommend that you stop by should you ever be in the area. The kids always have a blast wandering around and looking at all the weird and wonderful items of decor, popping in to watch a bit of a movie in the cinema room, pressing all the interactive buttons, collecting eggs for a treat at the end, and visiting the animals in the pet shop area – all by following the yellow brick road. An indication of the randomness of Country Junction is the contents of my shopping trolley: I bought two non-stick loaf tins, four pots of cheap pick'n'mix and a squeaky rubber pig. More indoor fun was had when we reached the hotel as the boys jumped and splashed around in the pool until they had built up an appetite for dinner. There was a restaurant next door to the hotel so we did not even have to get back in the car to go out for the birthday meal. We were all so stuffed by our main courses and salad bar visits that we did not even make it to dessert.
Sunday was thankfully much brighter and warmer so we were able to take the boys for some outdoor excursions. First up was the outdoor section of the Steamtown rail museum in Scranton, which can be accessed via the Mall. This is a collection – gathered by one man in the 1950s I believe – of steam locomotives, freight and passenger cars. Mr Pict and I had visited there in April 2014 as part of a day photographing dilapidated and decayed sites but this was the boys' first time there. They moaned that they were not allowed to clamber onto every train and that they were not allowed to wander into the carriages but they had fun nevertheless. They climbed onto trains, scrambled over piles of gravel, got grubby picking up lumps of coal, and raced each other while balancing on railway lines.
From industry to nature, our concluding excursion was to the Boulder Field at Hickory Run State Park. Mr Pict and I first went there alone but then took the kids there on Father's Day in 2014 and it is fast becoming a favourite spot. The theory is that this unique geological landscape was formed in the valley by successive freezing and thawing processes that cracked the rock and turned it into large boulders. My kids just love leaping from rock to rock and seeing how quickly they can get from the car park end of the site to the other end, quite a decent distance. I meanwhile do not feel so confident on my feet. The instability triggers the wobbliness I normally get from my fear of heights and I am frankly not as swift and nimble as my kids either. I, therefore, chose to only wander so far out into the field and then find a nice flat rock to sit on while watching my kids becoming brightly coloured dots on the horizon line.
Our weekend away was full of relaxed fun and worked well as a celebration of being ten years old.
Tagged birthday, Boulder Field, celebration, Country Junction, Hickory Run, Pennsylvania, Poconos, Scranton, state park, Steamtown, trains, travel, trip, vacation
Redneck Festival
Something Mr Pict and I have always loved during our travels around America, on our various road trips when we lived in England and Scotland, is happening upon some example of "Roadside America". It's serendipity of the bizarre, kitsch, random and weird. Often those unexpected, chance discoveries became the highlights of our holiday. For example, driving the wrong way through the drive-through liquor store owned by the sister of Jerry Lee Lewis and then ordering soft drinks has seared itself into our consciousnesses than our tour of a plantation house in Natchez on the same trip.
This past weekend, we decided to take a break from all the house moving chaos and take Mr Pict's parents on a day trip to see the Poconos. We did our traditional jaunt around Country Junction (the "world's largest general store") which never fails to delight the boys and then we headed off in the direction of Jim Thorpe as we had yet to do anything other than drive through that town. However, on the way we drove through a town named Weissport which was holding a Redneck Festival. Well forget Jim Thorpe! We had other times when we could visit Jim Thorpe. We had to stop and visit the Redneck Festival with its promise of some "Roadside America" fun.
I don't know whether this is a compliment or an insult but it was actually very difficult to tell the "fancy dress" rednecks apart from the genuine article. No matter whether authentic, faux or randomly visiting, as we were, everyone was having some good-natured (if not politcally correct) fun. There was a monster truck but there was also a flotilla of racing portaloos. I dread to imagine what those chariots use as fuel! There were raffles stalls and auctions. There were people selling redneck memorabilia and items every redneck needs. There was a hick version of a "Mr & Mrs" quiz taking place on a roughly hewn stage while the audience watched on while perching on hay bales. The participating couples were trying to win an overnight stay in a hotel. One of the questions was where they had first met each other. Two of the answers, held up on placards to see if each member of the couple responded the same way, were "At the Court House" and "In the line at Walmart". You probably could not script this stuff if you tried.
Rather randomly, there was a whole tent dedicated to zombies. It appeared to be a promotion for a forthcoming event. People were paying to have their faces painted up as zombies and I must say that the face painters were doing an incredible job with their special effects. Some folks leaving that tent looked genuinely undead. Once made-over as a zombie, the people were posing for photographs using various gruesome props. My kids, of course, being the ghoulish children of this zombie loving mother, were drawn like moths to the flame to all the grotesque props, some of which were genuinely disturbing.
Of course, we had to sample the funnel cake because you cannot go to a fair or festival without eating funnel cake. However, Mr Pict also decided to purchase some deep-fired Oreos. Yes. Oreo cookies that have been battered and deep-fried. Of course, we all had to sample them just to see what this "delicacy" was all about. I may be Scottish but I have never eaten any deep-fried confectionery. This, therefore, was m very first deep-fried cookie (or biscuit for my UK chums). It was surprisingly un-nasty. An unfried Oreo still takes the win by a country mile but I had expected the deep-fried version to be rank. It was actually OK. Not something I feel the need to repeat but certainly not in the range of horrible. What was rather appealing about it was the warmth of the interior of the cookie. If I can find a way to gently warm Oreos, they could become a worrying addiction. I might have found something to dunk in my tea!
Next time you pass a celebration of all things Redneck, I do recommend that you pull over and join in the fun.
Tagged children, day trip, family, festival, kids, Pennsylvania, Poconos, Redneck Festival, rednecks, Roadside America, travel, trip, Weissport
Country Junction and Lehigh Gorge
Wanting my parents to see a different sort of Pennsylvanian landscape, we decided to drive up to the Poconos for the day. The last time the Pict family visited the Poconos, the kids were disappointed that we arrived at Country Junction just as it was closing. It was, therefore, determined by those four that Country Junction should be our first destination for the day.
Country Junction is a general store near the town of Lehighton that proclaims itself to the be "the world's largest general store". Whether or not that claim has been verified, and it's entirely possible, I can certainly testify to it being a quirky and compelling slice of Roadside America. For Mr Pict and I, some of the fondest memories of our travels around America have arisen from those unexpected encounters, digressions and snippets of Roadside America – such epiodes of seeing a pet bison on Route 66, being given the key to Huntsville by the Mayor over breakfast, seeing the face in the window at Carrollton, Alabama, driving the wrong way through the drive-through liquor store belonging to the sister of Jerry Lee Lewis – so, on that basis, Country Junction really appeals to us. Unsurprisingly, given that our kids love all things random, it also appealed to them. Now we were exposing my parents to its wonders to see if they also fell for its strange charms. The whole place is such a marvel I am not sure that I will be capable of adequately describing it – but I shall try.
When you first enter the store proper – past a serenading scarecrow and a barrel that laughs at you – you arrive on a yellow brick road. The instruction is to follow this yellow brick road around the store which is sage advice since I am sure it is entirely possible to get utterly lost in the cavernous space and amid the higgeldy-piggeldy aisles. Related to this theme, the movie of 'The Wizard of Oz' plays on repeat at the entrance to the store. My kids were spellbound by the store in that instant. Indeed, throughout the store there are things along the way to keep kids amused and entertained, including a singing cow, to an egg treasure hunt that leads to a reward and a cinema showing animated movies in the centre of the shop. My boys all settled down on the comfy seats to watch some 'Beauty and the Beast' during our visit. Immediately at the entrance, there is a counter where some of the best fudge I have ever tasted (and I have tasted a lot) is sold. There are also pickles, pretzels and preserves, eggs pickled in a variety of hues, and varieties of meat jerky. There are small kitchen appliances and there are kitchens. There are handbags and a hardware section. In what other store could you buy – all under one roof – a taxidermy diorama, a pet stingray, pickle jars, a full scale model Bigfoot, a mop and a mirror? It is the diversity of stock that makes wandering around Country Junction such a treat as a tourist and actually I have always found something I needed while there so even I have been a customer rather than a tourist. My kids loved it because every twist of the yellow brick road brought them to a new trove of potential treasures. What I also love about Country Junction is the quirky logic that has determined where to locate items. Perhaps you want to buy a new lampshade and you think to yourself that you should head off in search of the home decor section in search of a shelf full of lampshades. But that is not how Country Junction works. Instead you have to consider whether you want your lampshade to have a rustic, farmhouse style in which case you should rummage around the farm themed area; but if a nautical style is more your thing then you should search for that lampshade between the full-scale pirates and the wooden seagulls. Every shopping trip becomes akin to a treasure hunt or magical mystery tour. It really is quite brilliant. And the fun does not even end at the checkout and the exit. No. Because opposite the store there is a small petting zoo and playground. My kids loved feeding the goats and alpacas and introducing my turkey-phobic Dad to the large turkeys. They also love playing on all the play equipment and guddling in the sand. A giant statue of a gorilla (who they think of as King Kong) is a particular favourite. Truly, the place is a marvel.
After a quick bite to eat at Country Junction, it was time to go and explore nature. We had been to Hickory Run State Park fairly recently so opted to go and check out Lehigh Gorge State Park instead. This was probably an error on our part, which we put down to inadequate research, since it is a less scenic area and is not really designed for strolling or nature rambling in. Instead it is definitely geared up to be more of a recreational area. There were scores of people white water rafting in either inflatable dinghies or canoes. As we strolled along the riverbank, catching glimpses of the people in the water through breaks in the trees, I couldn't help but have "Duelling Banjos" start playing in my head but I did resist saying "Squeal like a pig" out loud*. We decided to trek to see the waterfall, which is named Buttermilk Falls I assume because the flow of the water makes it look creamy-white to some. We had to park quite some distance from the regular car park but that was fine because it afforded my kids the chance to explore a cave we passed on the way. They were able to walk through the dark tunnel and pop out on the other side which they thought was fun. The Falls were actually just a short and easy walk from the regular car park. We tried to do some nature spotting along the way but it was too busy and the noise from the people in the water so loud that there were not many critters or birds to see. I did see some beetles, dragonflies and caterpillars along the way.
Buttermilk Falls is rather picturesque because of its double-drop and my children liked the fact they could really get quite close to the water because of the rocky plateau below. Of course, they all then took things to far because my 11 year old, who was wading in the stream, slipped and got mud up the back of his shorts and t-shirt and then the 8 and 7 year olds also had a bit of a wobble which resulted in their new toys (bought from Country Junction) getting grubby. Maybe next time they might follow my instruction to leave things in the car…
* I seem to be prone to recommending 1970s films lately, but if you have never seen 'Deliverance' then I think you should check it out. Aside from the lurid details I alluded to above, it is actually a much smarter film than you might think if al you know of it is that most notorious episode in the movie. The movie is actually an intelligent examination of machismo, primitivism, male camaraderie, and definitions of wilderness and civilization containing haunting images and disturbing ambiguities.
Tagged children, Country Junction, family, kids, Lehigh Gorge, Pennsylvania, Poconos, travel, trip
Father's Day Weekend
The Pict family had a very busy Father's Day weekend, so much so that we decided that Mr Pict should open his gifts and cards a day early because it was the only way to schedule it in. In addition to various cards and treats made at school, the boys made up a hamper of fun foods for their Daddy and also gifted him a steel coffee flask plastered in their mugshots.
Saturday afternoon was spent at a Scouting Regatta hosted at a nearby Swimming Club. While Mr Pict and I have some reservations about our family being involved in the American version of the Boy Scouts movement, as of now we are very glad that at least one of our children (the seven year old) has committed to joining an extra-curricular activity of any kind. The people in the local troop are nice and our son certainly gets a lot out of participating, both socially and in terms of experiences. It is one of those examples of treacherous waters we have to wade through as parents, setting aside our own beliefs and politics in order for our child to benefit. But I digress … The event was about bringing the families together at the end of the Scouting season, awarding the boys with the badges they had earned and having some friendly competition with racing boats in some guttering. Meanwhile, the seven year old's brothers got to benefit from his extra-curricular commitment since they were free to come along and devour barbecued munchies and play in the pool.
Yesterday, Father's Day proper, we got up bright and early (perhaps too early for our very tired children who were none too bright about it) to drive up to the Poconos for a day of hiking in the sunshine. Mr Pict and I had been to the Poconos back in April for a child-free break so had scouted out the places we thought would appeal to our kids most. We had considered going for an overnight camping trip as a way to extend our adventures. Sadly (not really – I was nothing but relieved) the busy nature of our weekends meant we could only undertake a day trip. We, therefore, decided to contain our exploration to Hickory Run State Park.
We started with the Boulder Field as we knew that was a unique landscape and that our mountain goat children would enjoy scurrying and leaping all over the rocks. Their smaller feet, of course, are better suited to finding foot holds on all shapes and sizes of rocks plus they are pretty much fearless (our five year old is emerging as an adrenalin junkie) so the kids were soon on the horizon line of the boulder field while I was still slowly, very slowly, working my way from rock to rock. As well as enjoying bounding all over large boulders, the kids also enjoyed finding various spiders basking in the sunshine. Two of my kids have arachnophobia but they are still fascinated by spiders so long as they are not taken by surprise or have to make physical contact with them. My 8 year old also saw the tail of a lizard whip off between some rocks – so the tail was presumably still attached to an unseen lizard.
We then took the kids on the Shades of Death trail, which was much more verdant and even more picturesque than when we had visited in April now that Spring has passed into Summer. The boys loved scampering over all of the tree roots and leaping over streams and bounding over rocks. The whole walk reminded them of 'Lord of the Rings'. What they especially loved about the walk, however, was all of the water since the trail follows the course of a fast-flowing stream and skirts past a weir with a roaring waterfall and then concludes with a large pond. We didn't see much in the way of wildlife on our trek. Some birds, insects and some high-speed chipmunks were all we saw on the trail and we saw deer when we were driving. My youngest sons were disappointed as they were totally up for a bear encounter. As I have shared before, however, that is not an American experience I am keen on having so I am glad the bears gave us a wide berth. What the boys did enjoy finding, however, were tadpoles teeming along the water's edge, including some godzilla-esque tadpoles that must have been bullfrog babies. The American word for a tadpole is polliwog. I like it.
We left Hickory Run State Park and detoured via the General Store called Country Junction that claims to be the world's largest general store. Mr Pict and I thought it would be a brilliant experience for the boys and sure enough they were spellbound as soon as they walked through the door, saw the yellow brick road, 'The Wizard of Oz' playing on a loop and the buckets of brightly coloured, bizarrely flavoured popcorn. They loved the place! Getting them to leave without a puppy or a pet ray might have proved a challenge but unfortunately no sooner had we arrived then a voice on the tannoy announced that the shop was closing so we had to abandon the yellow brick road, pay for our watermelon (!) popcorn and shoofly pie and return to the car – via the adjacent petting zoo that is also part of the general store. My kids are already demanding to go back to Country Junction to see the rest of the store and have an adequate amount of time to poke around its incredibly eclectic wares so I think another jaunt to the Poconos will be in order this Summer.
Tagged day trip, family, Hickory Run State Park, kids, Pennsylvania, Poconos, Shades of Death, trail, travel, trek, trip
Poconos Art Journal Page
Last week's challenge for the Documented Life Project was to create a page inspired by a favourite pair of shoes. As that was when my husband and I were enjoying our mini-break exploring the Poconos, the choice of shoes was obvious: my hiking sandals. They are quite old now but I always take them on trips with me because they are just so comfy. Although I have bought a newer, replacement pair, I always end up popping the old pair on because they have moulded perfectly to the shape of my feet. I also have fond memories of trips, hikes and explorations attached to them. Creating a page inspired by my hiking sandals also seemed like an appropriate way to document our trip in my Art Journal.
I used a mixture of peat brown ink and watercolour to paint the shoes, which I then outlined with black ink. I used leaf shaped stamps and postage stamps to give the page a bit more texture and layering and added the washi tape border for added visual interest. The quotation was borrowed from a former teaching colleague of mine as his words (and I don't know if they were original to him) always stuck in my mind because I enjoy travelling so much.
Considering I am so new to art journalling, I was pretty pleased with the outcome of this page as I felt it was unified and was my most mixed media effort to date.
Tagged art, Art Journal, Art Journaling, Documented Life Project, Pennsylvania, Poconos, shoes
Poconos Day 3 – Shades of Death
We got up early and packed up so we could fit in one more Poconos excursion before heading back to the Philadelphia suburbs and our four kiddliwinks. Since there was so much more to see and do in Hickory Run State Park, we decided to head there and do a different trail. The one we chose was called Shades of Death. Thankfully the gloomy, doom-laden name was not indicative of the trail itself.
I was initially disappointed as the trail was very close to the road, and even had us skirting along the side of the road at one point, but then the trail began to curve away from the roadside and we lost the traffic noise at the same time the walk became far more scenic. The rocky trail meandered along the banks of the Sand Spring Run. The rock formations created lots of attractive waterfalls and there was an appealing dam weir at the midway point of our hike. Logging and tanning were once undertaken in these woods and whether from that period in time or some other, we could see the remains of various stone built structures. These included a narrow flight of steps. Despite my initial reservations, it was actually a very picturesque hike.
Driving through a town named Lehighton, we came across Country Junction, "The World's Largest General Store". Well, how could we pass up the opportunity to partake of that gem of Roadside America? We parked up and entered. When we entered, there was a fudge stall on one side and a screen playing 'The Wizard of Oz'. This was my kind of place! It transpired that Oz was a theme throughout the store. The instruction was to "Follow the Yellow Brick Road" which was useful advice because I am pretty sure I could have become lost in the store amid all the amazing clutter had I not clung to the painted yellow bricks on the floor.
The store was crazy. It sold anything and everything. Hardware and DIY items, elaborate taxidermy, garden sculptures on every scale and for every taste, jewellery, hand bags, pickles and jams, toys, pets …. Anything and everything you could think of. There was even a petting zoo but we skipped that until a time when we would return with the boys. It was ludicrous, brilliant, awesome and bizarre. It was the perfect conclusion to our getaway in the Poconos.
Tagged Country Junction, general store, Hickory Run, Pennsylvania, Poconos, Shades of Death, state park, travel, trip, vacation
Poconos Day 2 – Rustbelt Decay
I started the morning with a walk along the road from the cottage to see the cemetery that crept up the hillside at the junction with the main road. The twentieth century grave markers were still legible, and seemed to largely belong to one family, but almost all of the others were too eroded for me to even be able to begin to read them despite the fact that none could be older than 1816 as that was when the cemetery was founded. What was interesting to me, as a cemetery enthusiast, was the fact that gravestones were erected upon the steep slope as well as the top of the hill and the flatter ground near the roadside. It made me wonder if the graves were dug perpendicular to or parallel with the gradient of the slope. The village, Stoddartsville, had been founded to act as the terminal of the Lehigh Canal. Mr Stoddart apparently saw this as an opportunity to make his fortune but instead he became bankrupt when the canal was terminated a few miles away and all of his investment in grist and saw mills and the like became largely redundant. That was to set the theme for the day's activities.
As a contrast to the previous day's rambles in the countryside, we decided to spend the day in a town and opted for Scranton. I am afraid to say that the name Scranton made both Mr Pict and I think of the word "scrotum" which meant we did not have high hopes but were hoping and willing for the experience to exceed expectations.
Since this area was founded on coal mining, we decided to head to the Lackawanna Mining Museum. The website had stated it was open; notices on the building declared it to be open; nevertheless it was decidedly closed. According to some men working on machines in front of the Museum entrance, it was opening on Wednesday, despite the statements on the website and building. We pondered pootling around the nearby Anthracite Heritage Museum but then Mr Pict had the genius idea that we should do some obscure stuff in the area. We are rather fond of "Roadside America" so we decided we should definitely go and seek out some more offbeat sites to visit.
First, however, we decided to head into Scranton, the county town of Lackawanna County. We had read there was a second-hand book store there and I absolutely love rummaging through old books so that was the draw for me. We parked up in the town centre and had a wander around. The County Courthouse in the centre of town was actually pretty impressive and had all sorts of memorials to veterans of various wars outside, all set in a square. The main streets were, therefore, huddled around this central square. Alas, when we arrived on the street where the book store was to be found, we learned it had closed down. No rummaging through musty vintage books for me then.
Scranton, it soon emerged, was a rather sad place. Every third store was empty and there was absolutely no buzz or energy to the place, hardly anyone milling around. Largely because we were in need of a restroom visit, we wandered into the mall. It was even more moribund. Metal barriers were more common than store fronts and either end of the mall was completely barren as the remaining shops had obviously been moved into the centre. The soulless plinky-plonk piped music echoed around the empty space. It reminded Mr Pict and me of the mall in 'Eight Legged Freaks'. Clearly what this mall needed in order to survive was an invasion of giant arachnids. I already felt like we were among the mindlessly shuffling zombies of 'Dawn of the Dead'.
However, as we emerged from the restroom, we spotted that there was a walkway from the rear of the mall out over an old train yard. We decided to investigate. It turned out that this was the rear of Steamtown National Historic Site. We did not enter the museum but spent a diverting hour wandering among the rusted carcasses of train engines, cabooses and other rolling stock, all serried along disused railway lines. I am not especially riveted by industrial history but something about the rust and decay pleased me aesthetically so I wandered around taking photographs. I am not ashamed to admit that I have a thing for rust. It felt like the whole train yard was somewhat symbolic of Scranton: the decaying remains of industry, rusting away, going nowhere.
Before we left Scranton, we popped to a mall on the outskirts of town to lunch at a Mexican restaurant called La Tonalteca. The interior was very brightly decorated with the vivid paints of South American fiesta, the furniture all painted carved wood depicting scenes of rural Mexican life. We shared nachos to start with and then my husband had the carnitas and I had chicken enchiladas with a tomatillo sauce. The food was good but it wasn't great. It lacked a bit of additional seasoning or some extra flavour kick to really make the tastebuds sing. Some lime zest and juice, for instance, would have improved my meal. We also took some amusement from the surliness of our waiter. He was efficient enough in his own grudging way but very gruff and his mouth never once twitched into even the beginnings of a smile. He appeared to be stunned when we left him a tip.
We decided that the theme of the day had been established: urban decay it was. So we headed south to Wilkes-Barre – which is apparently pronounced Wilkesbury – to see an abandoned railway station. The Lehigh-Susquehanna station was connected to the coal industry so when it declined and eventually died in the 1970s the station was abandoned. It had then been converted into a cocktail bar, with abutting Pullman cars providing additional space, but that venture failed and so the station had just fallen into dereliction. Boom and bust. As soon as I saw it, I loved it. It had clearly once been a splendid example of Italianate architecture, with scroll work wood supporting the hanging eaves and a decorative cupola on the roof. Now, however, it was all smashed glass and plant growth spreading tendrils across and into walls. We were able to clamber aboard the carriages but I could not find an obvious way into the station building itself. Probably that is a good thing. Exploring derelict buildings probably requires some sort of risk assessment. Nevertheless I enjoyed scurrying around to find new photographs to take of the station's exterior.
The next stop on our itinerary was the Huber Breaker in Ashley. It had operated for eight decades, breaking coal into the right size for domestic and business use. The company then dyed this coal blue for no other reason than to identify it as their product, a bizarre coal marketing gimmick. Apparently it could process 7000 tons of coal each day. Abandoned in the mid-1970s, it was a massive industrial hulk which a group had been trying to conserve as a memorial to those who had worked in the local coal industry but ultimately the site had been sold for its scrap value and was literally being pulled down as we watched. I, therefore, had to make do with distance shots.
Our final stop on our themed tour of the day was in the town of Nanticoke, just a short trot down the road from Ashley. We were there to see Concrete City, a ghost town. Although there was a historical marker explaining the history of the site, there was no indication of where it was to be found. Then I had the idea of looking up Google Earth on my phone and the aerial shot provided an indication of where we would find it. So Mr Pict and I wandered off into the woods, along a muddy track, and soon we could see the ruined remains of houses peeking through the trees. Twenty two-storey houses stood in a square around a plot of overgrown scrub. Each house was identical, having been built as company houses for some employees of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Coal Company in 1911. It turned out that poured concrete was not the most sound choice of building material as the houses were continually damp. It must have been pretty miserable for the residents. There was also a tragic story of a boy having drowned in the wading pool. Ultimately the houses had only been occupied for just over a decade before they were abandoned. When the Glen Alden Company took over, they didn't want to invest the money required for sewerage improvements. Attempts at demolition had failed: 100 sticks of dynamite had not even taken down a single house. And so there they remained, tucked away in the woods, while houses grew up in the land beyond the ghost town. Some were missing ceilings and floors; some had basements filled with water which, despite its murk, glinted in the sunlight pouring in through the glassless windows; all were vandalised, absolutely covered in spray paintings and graffiti and some even pock-marked by ammunition. We were amused by the fact that one vandal had corrected the grammar of another. It was a very poignant place, post-apocalyptic. We felt like we were in a scene from 'The Walking Dead'.
On the way back to our cottage at Stoddartsville, we took one final diversion when we saw a brown sign pointing to the Francis E Walter Dam. We thought we might be able to end the day with something a bit more scenic. Unfortunately the dam was just a concrete carbuncle, doing its job perfectly satisfactorily but without providing any picturesque views of the surrounding landscape.
Tagged Concrete City, decay, decline, Huber Breaker, industrial, Pennsylvania, Poconos, rust, rustbelt, Scranton, travel vacation, trip, urban decay, Wilkes Barre


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Announcing the Henry Royce Institute Technical Professional Awards
Home / News / Announcing the Henry Royce Institute Technical Professional Awards
The Henry Royce Institute has today launched two new Awards which celebrate the contribution of Technical Professionals to the success of advanced materials research.
The Henry Royce Institute Award for Innovation by a Technical Professional recognises the crucial contribution that technical professionals make in advancing our technology and understanding of the materials world. This Award will recognise an outstanding individual who has made a key contribution to a research project that has led to significant innovation in any aspect of materials science and engineering.
The Henry Royce Institute Award for Outstanding Contribution by a Technical Professional recognises the contribution of an established Technical Professional across a number of projects or activities. This Award will recognise an individual who has gone beyond the normal expectation of their role and shared best practice across their own and other organisations.
Royce Technician Commitment Committee member, Royce Technology Platform Lead, Dr Robert Deffley at Royce Partner Sheffield said:
"Technical Professionals hold a unique role in scientific and technology organisations and their expertise underpins the delivery of impactful advanced materials research. These Royce Awards send a signal that Technical Professionals make a huge contribution to solving research challenges and also support visibility and recognition of their vital work."
Nominees should be working within a UK not-for-profit materials research organisation/community, which includes national laboratories and universities and nominations can be submitted by the nominee's colleague or line manager.
The winners will receive £500 and will be invited to attend the Premier Awards Christmas Dinner on Thursday 7 December 2023 at the IOM3's 297 Euston Road London headquarters.
These Awards are administered by IOM3 on behalf of the Henry Royce Institute.
Colleagues are encouraged to make their nominations as soon as possible!
The closing date for both Awards is 28th February 2023.
Royce also signed up to the Technician Commitment earlier this year.
Poppy Robinson


Pat Thompson birdied his final hole and then won a playoff for the championship at t6he hantileer National Senior Invitational.
Pat Thompson won the Chanticleer National Senior Invitational at the Greenville Country Club's course on the first hole of a sudden death playoff.
However, it was a great approach shot on the 18th hole that tied the Asheville golfer with Eddie Hargett of Columbia and forced the playoff.
Thompson had flirted with the lead during the final round of the championship. At one point he held the top spot, but with first round leader Todd Hendley, Allen Peake and Hargett all within a shot there was no room for a mistake.
Hendley experienced some trouble on the front nine holes carding a 5-over par 41. The Thornblade Club golfer scrambled back from 4-over par to be within a shot of the lead on number 18.
Hargett and Peake, playing in front of Hendley and Thompson, had the first chance to break the tie. Peake found the water in front of the green while Hargett's approach shot took a crazy bounce off the rocks in front of the green and landed on the putting surface.
Forty feet of green was between Hargett and the hole. His putt followed a line with a three foot break and died in the cup.
The birdie gave Hargett the temporary lead with only Thompson in a position to catch the new leader.
Eddie Hargett made a 40 foot birdie putt on his final hole to make it into a playoff.
Thompson followed up a solid tee shot with a spectacular second shot that spun back to within three feet of the pin.
"I knew there was a bit of a back stop behind the pin," said Thompson. "I wanted to be aggressive so I hit it in there and it spun back close to the pin. It was the best approach shot I hit all week," he said.
Amazingly, Hendley's approach was just as good and almost in the identical spot. His shot spun back towards the pin and hit Thompson's ball or it might have gone in for an eagle to force his way into a playoff.
"I guess I should have had him mark the ball," said the defending champion. "I will know better next time," he added.
Hendley made his four foot putt and Thompson was able to get a good read on the line.
"I was able to watch Todd's putt and it helped," he said.
Thompson and Hargett finished regulation play at 1-under par and went to the first hole for the playoff.
Both golfers second shots missed the green. Hargett punched his chip to within 12 feet of the hole. Thompson was in better position and his chip landed three feet from the pin.
Defending Champion Todd Hendley finished one shot out of the playoff.
With Thompson almost a lock to make his putt Hargett had to make his to keep the playoff going. I nstead his putt slipped past the right side of the hole.
Thompson was able to roll in his short putt to win the championship.
"I've had the opportunity to play golf all over the world and I like this course as much as any course I have played. It is a fantastic test of golf," said the winner.
Hargett finished in second with Hendley scrambling back to finish even for the tournament in third place. Peake shot an even par final round to finish fourth while Walter Todd from Laurens had the best round on the final day shooting a 2-under par 70 for a fifth place finish.
"Some of my friends have played here and won and they told me I needed to get one, and I did. It feels great and I am very happy," concluded the winner.
The tournament included two other divisions. Last year's runner-up George Washburn, iII of Frederick MD shot a final round even par 71 at the Riverside course for a three day total of 218 to win the Legends Division by eight shots over John Blank.
In the Super Senior Division, John Armstrong from Frostburg, MD won a playoff over Paul Schlachter on the first extra hole to claim the title in the division.
Pat Thompson of Asheville won the 8th annual Chanticleer National Senior Invitational.
The Chanticleer National Senior Invitational began in 2011 with the idea that it would provide a superbly conditioned, very challenging course on which to present a premier invitational tournament for elite senior and super senior golfers recognized for their playing accomplishments on a national and international scale.
The CNSI was awarded 1,000 points by Golfweek and is a counting event for the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points.


Back in the days when live chat was called Instant Messaging and email was about the only form of online communication, every email signature was unique. Your signature is just that, a special sign of personality and identity to show the world with every outbound email. There were professional signatures, edgy signatures, image signatures, and some very creative ascii art signatures that became popular during the 90s and 00s. However, in the last decade and a half, things have changed significantly for business email signatures.
Businesses today are taking control of their employees' email signatures. Email signature management today includes everything from enforcing brand consistency to boosting website traffic to driving new sales. These days, teenagers and personal email addresses still have the unique art and snarky quotes of the past, but business email must do better. It typically includes some nicely organized set of contact information and branding to make it clear to clients and business partners who they are talking to and how to interact with the email. This leads us to the subject of customer service.
Brand image and etiquette matter across the company, and this is especially true when it comes to your customer service team. While your promotional campaigns, web design, and product packaging may have a large impact on bringing in new customers, your service team is there to help when something goes (or could go) wrong and make sure those customers are happy. Here is the last place you want your brand image to be murky or for any information to be confusing.
Confusion makes customers grumpy, and customers who already have a problem need extra special care. You want to be as clear and careful with them as possible, and your email signature is a big part of this. Customer service and the customers they serve trade emails constantly to solve problems, resolve issues, and answer questions -- and each outgoing email comes with a company signature. In many cases, customers returning to their ticket may rely on these signatures to get back in contact with customer service or to reach out on another issue. This means that the content and uniformity of your customer service signatures matter a great deal.
The first and most important function of a customer service email signature is to provide contact information. You may have multiple customer service channels depending on an issue, or alternate forms of contact if your customer would prefer to work in a medium other than email. However, because email often is the default communication channel for almost all business communications (i.e., even live-chat or phone service often ends in a polite email about a customer's ticket), the signature is vitally important. Customers will see it and they will expect that same information to be there for them with every other email they receive from your customer service team.
Another important issue to consider is the fact that customers will not be able to deal with the same service associate every single time they have an issue or question. Individual email signatures may be fine if well-crafted and the same associate works with customers when they return, but neither of these things can be guaranteed. When you allow customer service associates to build their own email signatures, it becomes jarringly obvious when a customer finds themselves dealing with someone new on the same ticket.
However, when all of your customer service associates have consistent signatures, this difference is not nearly so obvious or worrying to your customers. They will, in fact, learn to expect that same visual appearance of the email signature with every new customer service email.
The final consideration for unifying your customer service email signatures is the fact that your automated service emails need to appear almost identical in form to the ones sent by your live human associates. No doubt, you send a number of automated customer service emails in response to ticket updates or customer alerts, and the email signatures of the sender accounts will, of course, all match because they were made through automation. But the contrast between individual employee signatures and uniform bot-signatures will highlight to customers when they are not dealing with a human and cause some to mistakenly feel they are being pushed aside.
Uniform email signatures is not something that is just convenient for your customers, it is necessary. When they see that familiar well-designed company signature, they feel that everything is organized, under control, and that service is likely to be good. To this end, make sure your customer service team members are all using the same email signature design with up-to-date, accurate, and helpful information.
Want to learn more about how to make sure your email signatures are working for you? Let's chat.