Lunch

Lunch today was a free bowl of soup at an Information Fair that I was working at. It might have been made from a packet :-(<br /><br />I'm now having a coffee in Starbucks with an extra shot of espresso and then it is back to work for me.<br /><br />When I get home I need to google how to wind thread on to the bobbin for my sewing machine. It's been that long since I've used my sewing machine!!! <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirIEpkJDOqzHUTiNnV8tMeHR0LtycoNI-wz8ke_WhlXlJCFD6PxTyld_VnBNOlmDm6ZBGBNpMns1_yniaCh2EMHGCpplW3GATtSUiRkkfKZlA0AUtgeZXmP1UC2Juf1vmxyXxs06XILxlj/s640/blogger-image-1649177547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirIEpkJDOqzHUTiNnV8tMeHR0LtycoNI-wz8ke_WhlXlJCFD6PxTyld_VnBNOlmDm6ZBGBNpMns1_yniaCh2EMHGCpplW3GATtSUiRkkfKZlA0AUtgeZXmP1UC2Juf1vmxyXxs06XILxlj/s640/blogger-image-1649177547.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJCG_gs7KcQEcDFEmEZmI6Qgaa2VwQyVkZjdyRb4rlN65-sfEP74bzIA9A2_dKNdiM2x_N839qNhWETgl2a_6wxE5VSumv7963jd9UD2HuZ2GP2gP3Ci4yVSb1Nm_eufhx_eYqEdkNfuo/s640/blogger-image-290120801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJCG_gs7KcQEcDFEmEZmI6Qgaa2VwQyVkZjdyRb4rlN65-sfEP74bzIA9A2_dKNdiM2x_N839qNhWETgl2a_6wxE5VSumv7963jd9UD2HuZ2GP2gP3Ci4yVSb1Nm_eufhx_eYqEdkNfuo/s640/blogger-image-290120801.jpg" /></a></div>

Lunch

Lunch today was a free bowl of soup at an Information Fair that I was working at. It might have been made from a packet :-( I'm now hav...

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setting the table

Last week <a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2013/04/party-at-my-table.html" target="_blank">I mentioned</a> that I was lucky enough to help a great local shop, <a href="http://stlservicebureau.com/index.html" target="_blank">The Service Bureau</a>, with their table at the annual Table Tops Spring Fundraiser for <a href="https://www.stlouischildrens.org/classes-events/table-tops-annual-spring-event" target="_blank">St. Louis Children's Hospital</a>. It is a great event for an even better cause and I was thrilled to participate.<br /><br />The Service Bureau wanted to go with a 'Nantucket on the Fourth of July' theme and I was totally on board. You say Nantucket and I say oh yeah baby. (read that in your best deep voice). Prep for the event was such a chore - I <i>had</i> to shop the store for items to include on the table that would best showcase what their store has to offer. Good times people. Good times. It was so much fun to say, 'I'll take two of those, and can we have four of these'? It was all very Pretty Woman, but without the snotty sales girls.<br /><br />One disclaimer before we get to the pictures - in all the chaos I neglected to bring my 'real' camera, so these are iPhone pictures in a room that isn't well lit to begin with. So when you look at these pictures imagine them looking better in real life. And if you follow me on Instagram (<a href="http://instagram.com/littleblackdoor/" target="_blank">@littleblackdoor</a>) you've already seen some of these. (I guess that's two disclaimers)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4pUH4je2s54EopTAnemx5Tcuy-Ah8fwuLbG-KSIMnzDKDXLEyKTqx_oF_10Z8p6-IuOcnEdAI1JSLacM60s0pZzOzkQqWss7cSgeI81ckKjzhUY2nW3zo6Lng75VBZQpC72-Rn5X2ulE_/s1600/WideInstagram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4pUH4je2s54EopTAnemx5Tcuy-Ah8fwuLbG-KSIMnzDKDXLEyKTqx_oF_10Z8p6-IuOcnEdAI1JSLacM60s0pZzOzkQqWss7cSgeI81ckKjzhUY2nW3zo6Lng75VBZQpC72-Rn5X2ulE_/s400/WideInstagram.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Although we certainly used red, white and blue through out, we made a point not to make it too 'themey'. Themey, it could be a word.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95WnZcXL6oOwGumn8jq42i7TVruom_G0DfNNebIBc5uXhCsAO3aJUyUevISWPUZTUigj0ses_FS_9IUHZ7B75dhPl5A2AMQxZPB_3cmv1PIcEiyG-20_xIowpRSW4faPfCGXufazrrj3m/s1600/PartyTableMaybe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95WnZcXL6oOwGumn8jq42i7TVruom_G0DfNNebIBc5uXhCsAO3aJUyUevISWPUZTUigj0ses_FS_9IUHZ7B75dhPl5A2AMQxZPB_3cmv1PIcEiyG-20_xIowpRSW4faPfCGXufazrrj3m/s400/PartyTableMaybe.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><br />We used picture frames from the store to display the menu and put a personalized invitation at each plate. A great way to show off all the wonderful stationary they sell.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUztgxaD8crdgnqEJj0QASW9WbkegTXx7qQu3cK-fWqxtdsa0YXS6bsA7YQ4OjnlHNXmEZLYvNOwZr-0MOkfiKN2AkBsjrhz3hFB1Y8KHH06OERwT_9DZNeZaJ3tkaVk7hYAAHIo3ypkng/s1600/TableTopsParty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUztgxaD8crdgnqEJj0QASW9WbkegTXx7qQu3cK-fWqxtdsa0YXS6bsA7YQ4OjnlHNXmEZLYvNOwZr-0MOkfiKN2AkBsjrhz3hFB1Y8KHH06OERwT_9DZNeZaJ3tkaVk7hYAAHIo3ypkng/s400/TableTopsParty.jpg" width="295" /></a></div><br />I loved the lanterns they had in the store, but since it was a daytime event I thought candles would be a bit boring. So instead I decided to use the lanterns as vases and put a beautiful nosegay of flowers in each one. The striped ribbon coordinates with the stripes on the seats.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZ2Q1nZIxG1TOmizVBWC-lZ6u0WA18tXs_29qxC8LufylBvshLevuapv_OanuAXUxj7mkKgHKYFhrCLZRgMDUXwcKh01VnsvUzkSokkZSIpomcOmfOAdPb7FEooiOb6-t7WJtuW3iLyAl/s1600/TableTop3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZ2Q1nZIxG1TOmizVBWC-lZ6u0WA18tXs_29qxC8LufylBvshLevuapv_OanuAXUxj7mkKgHKYFhrCLZRgMDUXwcKh01VnsvUzkSokkZSIpomcOmfOAdPb7FEooiOb6-t7WJtuW3iLyAl/s400/TableTop3.jpg" width="326" /></a></div><br />The craft paper placemats are so fun and I love that the little crab legs stick out behind the chargers.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyEOuTbTzRqf0h-nqnSaljVvu-4H_d2one7DhS7rb-sa8ybhJZKvWhr3YltU-mUqEQbuswipq-mtX51Cf08pBn9rv8A95oz0kvE09EMoGyvcAcbeczpmkCTSxpsmHs0njS62qXawQ9xFde/s1600/TableTopChair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyEOuTbTzRqf0h-nqnSaljVvu-4H_d2one7DhS7rb-sa8ybhJZKvWhr3YltU-mUqEQbuswipq-mtX51Cf08pBn9rv8A95oz0kvE09EMoGyvcAcbeczpmkCTSxpsmHs0njS62qXawQ9xFde/s400/TableTopChair.jpg" width="287" /></a></div><br />The chairs were finished off with alternating red and blue scarves from the store along with sea grass ribbon.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG34rDPBq8x13aRzzLycw-aAClnHrEqcArFerfFdkp1uxvzhxkT4XUNwr4PdxyFaobwMqKDz0dCnJ-VTtMA5kX8UotH9Kjua0dwCzQ3XJigoIPoiK13FsCVAcu3avk_zpOCeF8Qo_6qoHZ/s1600/WideShotPossible.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG34rDPBq8x13aRzzLycw-aAClnHrEqcArFerfFdkp1uxvzhxkT4XUNwr4PdxyFaobwMqKDz0dCnJ-VTtMA5kX8UotH9Kjua0dwCzQ3XJigoIPoiK13FsCVAcu3avk_zpOCeF8Qo_6qoHZ/s400/WideShotPossible.jpg" width="375" /></a></div><br />After we finished our table, we walked around to see what everyone else had up their sleeve.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicP7WTgCaW7qH82oEqmULDPSdVXr1JAxWy7djf9uuqM5atFRHuAEuB2-zNPPnCw7jDMNNYvSpRTJmOGhGj7Qfi98i84zhssStvfyO9VRnaVQXJqRLMaaagqRMtIGJ5FxQvfOzJQCiopS32/s1600/IMG_1340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicP7WTgCaW7qH82oEqmULDPSdVXr1JAxWy7djf9uuqM5atFRHuAEuB2-zNPPnCw7jDMNNYvSpRTJmOGhGj7Qfi98i84zhssStvfyO9VRnaVQXJqRLMaaagqRMtIGJ5FxQvfOzJQCiopS32/s400/IMG_1340.JPG" width="296" /></a></div>My friends at <a href="http://indiemats.squarespace.com/" target="_blank">Indie Mats</a> did a great job on their table.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGdZFIz_dz949JBBt7h9fukVN-51UijLqkkSPXQR3D-kI4k3PMDRG7XZ3UsJwIaHlyN6KRQON60doVkqdrYExCy6EUo6w4DeMlezwCp0XQ7Krj-ral1bh2_BAEgRofrrweYACWcdD8j_Z-/s1600/IMG_1344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGdZFIz_dz949JBBt7h9fukVN-51UijLqkkSPXQR3D-kI4k3PMDRG7XZ3UsJwIaHlyN6KRQON60doVkqdrYExCy6EUo6w4DeMlezwCp0XQ7Krj-ral1bh2_BAEgRofrrweYACWcdD8j_Z-/s400/IMG_1344.JPG" width="296" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipLCwnhw_hBAumTQlvYXr_40gPf0XaU7mREWek9Rt02HYD2XCDG6CWEniav6M77H9v5hwuglQKS2_gC6VzuCj57uC1V6KNdp0bhVtRH3a0k9BngyAjW0kXjYr2_fI5GDyK-zqXHBV9kJtk/s1600/IMG_1345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipLCwnhw_hBAumTQlvYXr_40gPf0XaU7mREWek9Rt02HYD2XCDG6CWEniav6M77H9v5hwuglQKS2_gC6VzuCj57uC1V6KNdp0bhVtRH3a0k9BngyAjW0kXjYr2_fI5GDyK-zqXHBV9kJtk/s400/IMG_1345.JPG" width="296" /></a></div><br />This was a bakery that made their entire tablecloth out of paper cupcake holder things. Crazy time commitment.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdUggu896WSTHiWsC1294trG-Nxs82mZx8ICBbvPVzGOGvxnB9uPYpQKpLPdu5-iJR3CkjaBB76qWcgqfBmhnWpKD4L-pdnmjs2w8d7cOLAkhjxY1fvp5Ar4dyQb1xS1GbT2OUqwRUW8gJ/s1600/IMG_1346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdUggu896WSTHiWsC1294trG-Nxs82mZx8ICBbvPVzGOGvxnB9uPYpQKpLPdu5-iJR3CkjaBB76qWcgqfBmhnWpKD4L-pdnmjs2w8d7cOLAkhjxY1fvp5Ar4dyQb1xS1GbT2OUqwRUW8gJ/s400/IMG_1346.JPG" width="296" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlL7hM6DVR-BeHuXYL_XU3lJYlqLcFAUOhGiBcWrsMPospqx5BdSCeblidlX9txcCgh9T81D7F20Mm9SeS1ezm1w-IRGj6yPe9Lkbnp87xcVsU9PLMIYfdQvOCIy-NkKpfo8oZ2R1IUVhn/s1600/IMG_1347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlL7hM6DVR-BeHuXYL_XU3lJYlqLcFAUOhGiBcWrsMPospqx5BdSCeblidlX9txcCgh9T81D7F20Mm9SeS1ezm1w-IRGj6yPe9Lkbnp87xcVsU9PLMIYfdQvOCIy-NkKpfo8oZ2R1IUVhn/s400/IMG_1347.JPG" width="296" /></a></div><br />Very similar to one of the inspiration pics I had in my<a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2013/04/party-at-my-table.html" target="_blank"> post last week</a>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0JhDZ86jVWsbBoh6hK6enmRUZNF_55WWfqn-fAuIU1RqhxNWyieKRBKW99jHqBxUnlJL_HHl5oLOvELpiAsNyJn7Bg7Ijy7Qf4z70pBtLUUy9lgdcLgW7peFkeDQewbaeQxYjDjkb2vOY/s1600/IMG_1350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0JhDZ86jVWsbBoh6hK6enmRUZNF_55WWfqn-fAuIU1RqhxNWyieKRBKW99jHqBxUnlJL_HHl5oLOvELpiAsNyJn7Bg7Ijy7Qf4z70pBtLUUy9lgdcLgW7peFkeDQewbaeQxYjDjkb2vOY/s400/IMG_1350.JPG" width="296" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiKqvcqeSAKL9aFLAzAtOE3ryL0zBC_dwEFJ6baaZoTOfUcRhh7ZL74816D8RlbbP8qVQl0stPRHJroBmxp3aI3HUq7hsiRMwgt0nbUK6-NGRH2KAOmiEoFTKOIFLW8t4vsbn3PG0MRgtl/s1600/IMG_1351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiKqvcqeSAKL9aFLAzAtOE3ryL0zBC_dwEFJ6baaZoTOfUcRhh7ZL74816D8RlbbP8qVQl0stPRHJroBmxp3aI3HUq7hsiRMwgt0nbUK6-NGRH2KAOmiEoFTKOIFLW8t4vsbn3PG0MRgtl/s400/IMG_1351.JPG" width="296" /></a></div><br />It was a very lovely event and a great time for me. A big thank you to Becca for including me, <a href="http://stlservicebureau.com/index.html" target="_blank">The Service Bureau</a> and <a href="http://www.bloominbuckets.com/" target="_blank">Bloomin' Buckets</a>.<br /><br />Been to any great parties lately? Need help planning for one? <a href="mailto:news-these-days@gmail.com" target="_blank">Let me know</a>, I can help you out!

setting the table

Last week  I mentioned that I was lucky enough to help a great local shop, The Service Bureau , with their table at the annual Table Tops S...

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Daily Education and Technology News for Schools 04/24/2013

<ul class="diigo-linkroll"> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://www.bamradionetwork.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1052:jackstreet54&catid=91:every-classroom-matters&Itemid=259">Gearing Up for Common Core in Math</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">Great conversation with Darren Burris about Common Core math in the classroom and how to adjust your curriculum. Another Every Classroom Matters show.</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/News">News</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/common core">common core</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/math">math</a></p> </li> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2013/04/22/microsoft-launches-free-consumer-privacy-toolx/2104571/">USA TODAY: Latest World and US News - USATODAY.com</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">The free tool, called Your Privacy Type, requires you to take a brief quiz. Microsoft uses your answers to categorize how much you may, or may not, be concerned about online privacy. The supporting website supplies guidance on how to more proactively gain some measure of privacy.</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/microsoft">microsoft</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/privacy">privacy</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/techintegrator">techintegrator</a></p> </li> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2013/04/23/ben-affleck-to-live-on-150-a-day/2106553/">USA TODAY: Latest World and US News - USATODAY.com</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">This might be a good time to talk about poverty as superstars are living on just a little. I don't know how they count this because the heating and air on their homes would exceed $1.50 a day. $1.50 a day is the global figure that defines extreme poverty. "Ben Affleck, Josh Groban, Sophia Bush and Debi Mazar are among the celebs who have committed to take the 2013 Live Below the Line challenge issue by The Global Poverty Project. They will live on $1.50 of food and drink a day (no Starbucks for him!) April 29-May 3 to raise awareness about extreme poverty."</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/poverty">poverty</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/hunger">hunger</a></p> </li> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/white-house-science-fair/2013/04/23/ec6525a8-ab87-11e2-b6fd-ba6f5f26d70e_gallery.html#photo=1">White House Science Fair - The Washington Post</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">Photo =gallery from the science fair at the White House. Science teachers should peruse these. I wish every student had to do a science fair project and we'd elevate project based activities to the "status" of doing well on an SAT or other test. I think these require a  lot more higher order thinking and problem solving. "President Obama hosts the White House Science Fair to celebrate the student winners of a broad range of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) competitions from across the country. He met students in the East Garden of the White House, and they explained their science projects and experiments to him. Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post"</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/stem">stem</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/edu_news">edu_news</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/science">science</a></p> </li> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/22/business/comedy-central-to-host-comedy-festival-on-twitter.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0">Comedy Central to Host Comedy Festival on Twitter - NYTimes.com</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">Next week, you can attend a 5 day comedy show. The hashtag is #comedyfest and it is being cohosted with Comedy Central and Twitter. Here's the New York times article on this event. Will be a neat follow for your personal life.</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/social">social</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/media">media</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/twitter">twitter</a></p> </li> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/21/education/texas-legislators-seek-to-pare-standardized-tests.html?src=recg">Texas Legislators Seek to Pare Standardized Tests - NYTimes.com</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">Texas is going to cut down testing. This is a wise move for many reasons. Some states are cutting out teachers and the same time increasing spending on test taking. Such decisions harm learning no matter what test you take. "“Testing companies are in the business of making a profit, but let’s not confuse their mission — their mission is to create as many tests as they can and then grade them at as little cost as possible,” the chairman of the Senate Education Committee, Dan Patrick, Republican of Houston, said Tuesday at a hearing on a comprehensive education bill that would reduce the number of high-stakes tests students must pass to graduate."</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/testing">testing</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/pearson">pearson</a></p> </li> </ul><p class="diigo-ps">Posted from <a href='https://www.diigo.com'>Diigo</a>. The rest of my favorite links are <a href='https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher'>here</a>.</p>

Daily Education and Technology News for Schools 04/24/2013

Gearing Up for Common Core in Math Great conversation with Darren Burris about Common Core math in t...

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You Never Forget Your First Time

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><div class="MsoNormal">It was the middle of the night and I was nervous as I had ever been. I had come close to this before, but something always happened to ruin the moment. This time though, it was GOING to happen. I lingered there in the darkness sweating in fear even though it was a cool evening with so many thoughts swirling in my head. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I had dreamed of this moment. Suddenly I started wondering if it would be like my dreams. Would it feel as good as I imagined? Would it be as satisfying? Would I feel like bragging? <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">And what about the consequences? Have I really thought this all the way through? Some people have all kinds of emotional problems after their first time. It’s especially a problem if you aren’t ready. But, I was pretty sure I was ready. I’ve been readying myself for this moment for a long time. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">So, I settled my mind to make sure I could perform and not embarrass myself. I made sure I was ready and … <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I POUNDED ON THE CEILDING OF MY APARTMENT WITH A BROOM HANDLE! <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">OOOOOOOH YEAH! IT WAS FANTASTIC!!! <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">And as soon as I pounded the ceiling my neighbors who had been playing their shitty music incredibly loud and had been running and jumping and knocking furniture over at 1 am suddenly stopped. Just like that it was all quiet. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">OMG! SO SATISFYING! EVEN MORE THAN I EVER DREAMED IT WOULD BE! <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyvD2UnnDS01Y-cUMm108_dEj5lsoTZRdHrRN6ymhEAhaHxIJ97C3atgQMlztf9qfkFZOd9V8ntZD1TDwB7vKXYulva_z7X-SzbLvEMU7CNCQSWa08vARezGr0wSh14qVBWNE8yCx8p04/s1600/the-graduate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyvD2UnnDS01Y-cUMm108_dEj5lsoTZRdHrRN6ymhEAhaHxIJ97C3atgQMlztf9qfkFZOd9V8ntZD1TDwB7vKXYulva_z7X-SzbLvEMU7CNCQSWa08vARezGr0wSh14qVBWNE8yCx8p04/s320/the-graduate.jpg" width="320" /></a>Sure, it was over quickly. Four, maybe five thrusts is all it took. But, I didn’t care cause it felt so damn good.<o:p></o:p></div>And let me tell ya, I was feeling like the King of the World this morning. Hell, I knocked on the ceiling of my car just after I pulled out this morning. I was just celebrating a bit. Braggin’. Letting everyone know that I had done some poundin’ last night. <br /> <div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">People noticed it too. They could tell. I had that glow about me. The really cute blond at Dollar General almost blushed when I stepped up to the counter. She could sense the pounding vibe coming off me. Men in the store were giving me that knowing head nod as they looked at me and suddenly thought about the last time they pounded something. Hell, even the little old lady with the blue hair who waived at me to go first at the four-way stop giggled as I aggressively through the intersection while flashing a confident grin. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I plan on doing this again really soon. Hell, I’ll do it every day if I can. I’ll pound that ceiling in the morning, in the afternoon and anytime during the night. I’ll pound that bitch in the kitchen, the living room, the bathroom and most definitely in the bedroom. Now that I’ve discovered pounding the ceiling, I can’t get enough of it. I know I might never achieve that same amazing feeling as last night, but I knew that was one of the consequences and I’m fine with that.  <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">If you’ve never pounded before, be sure to make sure you’re ready. I know it sounds incredible, and it is, but if you’re not ready things could go horribly wrong. Also, the person on the receiving end of the pounding might get angry and feel violated. I took my time and made sure that I wasn’t getting the wrong signals or moving too fast. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">When done right, pounding something is the greatest feeling in the world. And you’ll most definitely never forget your first time. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:Jayman3768@gmail.com">Jayman3768@gmail.com</a><br /><a href="http://facebook.com/Jayman68" target="_blank">Facebook.com/Jayman68</a><br /><a href="http://www.twitter.com/jayman_iws" target="_blank">@Jayman_IWS</a><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div></div>

You Never Forget Your First Time

It was the middle of the night and I was nervous as I had ever been. I had come close to this before, but something always happened to ruin ...

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New Firefox OS Besed phone

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong>FireFox OS</strong></span><br /><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></strong><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTAc2McGh10SSogx3ihtzKAvR0bjcnWN48GZ4KRdWa-V2CwlZr9WDnM08JqU2UG9_mvRAfgQ76ssTKGb3cY8yXs_MwOMrXCZQ2sSRvUAYFiOcEfoVAhMTaCuLxHFewkavqd9lnsnphQA/s1600/firefox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTAc2McGh10SSogx3ihtzKAvR0bjcnWN48GZ4KRdWa-V2CwlZr9WDnM08JqU2UG9_mvRAfgQ76ssTKGb3cY8yXs_MwOMrXCZQ2sSRvUAYFiOcEfoVAhMTaCuLxHFewkavqd9lnsnphQA/s640/firefox.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> The first <strong>Firefox OS</strong> based phone manufactured by <strong>Spanish manufacturer</strong> for developer . Two phone one name as <strong>Keon</strong> and second one is <strong>Peak</strong> are launched . The company shipping this phone wordwide.<br /><br />The <strong>Keon</strong> Phone operate at <strong>1.2 GHZ</strong> Processor speed with <strong>512MB</strong> RAM . It has available in $119 . I am not sure that this phone available in stock or not. Because its high demandable phone in the world so every one  needy of this device. Actually this phone unveiled in January<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Device core specification at a glance</strong></span><br /><strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br /><ul><li>Qualcomm Snapdragon 1Ghz processor</li><li>3MP Camera with High quality capture</li><li>4GB internal storage.</li><li>3.5 Inch HVGA multi-Touch Display screen</li><li>1580 mAh Battery Capacity</li></ul>Also the <strong>Peak phone</strong> is on  high demand. It has Available in $194 with high quality feature . Those people are very happy who is using Firefox. It is powered by 1.2GHZ Dual core processor with 512MB RAM. <br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Device core specification at a glance</span></strong><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">4.3-inch qHD IPS multitouch display </span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;">1.2Ghz dual-core processor </span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;">8-megapixel rear camera, 2-megapixel front camera </span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;">4GB ROM and 512 RAM </span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;">1800 mAh battery</span></li></span><li></li></ul><br /><ul></ul></div>Published by <br /><a href="https://plus.google.com/109838201058606610638" rel="author">Narendra Saini</a></div>

jacob news New Firefox OS Besed phone

FireFox OS  The first Firefox OS based phone manufactured by Spanish manufacturer for developer . Two phone one name as Keon and second o...

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BRAZIL AND ARGENTINA - ALLEGATIONS OF BRIBERY.

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mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style><![endif]--> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI3f7FUiFMsz2l1IDDZPNLUf5SlK0rfFFmCZUzhbineYC0nFukdnMwebgBc3h5i6OIMbpaLBfut08Kw94AojFYpJMPmIyvQvLI5V9KKYxw81or_wwLrfP9egtpUFVPUrq5Bl9nZyGb8_Dr/s1600/austral-e190-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI3f7FUiFMsz2l1IDDZPNLUf5SlK0rfFFmCZUzhbineYC0nFukdnMwebgBc3h5i6OIMbpaLBfut08Kw94AojFYpJMPmIyvQvLI5V9KKYxw81or_wwLrfP9egtpUFVPUrq5Bl9nZyGb8_Dr/s400/austral-e190-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">BRAZIL INVESTIGATING SALE OF 20 EMBRAER E-190 TO AEROLÍNEAS ARGENTINAS, FEARING SURCHARGES</span></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 1;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><br /></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 1;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">Background Information</span></u></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">: See</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 1;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: blue;">CRIME AND CORRUPTION ARE TWO OF THE WORLD'S LARGEST MULTINATIONAL INDUSTRIES </span>at:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/09/crime-corruption-and-political-system.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/09/crime-corruption-and-political-system.html</a></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">and</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: blue;">ARGENTINA, BARELY 30 YEARS OF DEMOCRACY, A YOUNG NATION TRYING TO FIND IT’S BEARING</span> at:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/11/argentine-evolution.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/11/argentine-evolution.html</a></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 1;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: blue;">ARGENTINA HAS NO LIABLE POLITICAL OPPOSITION, OTHER THAN SELF SEEKING INDIVIDUALS FROM WITHIN THE PERONIST MOVEMENT </span>at: </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/04/argentina-country-without-visible.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/04/argentina-country-without-visible.html</a></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: blue;">IF A COUNTRY NEGLECTS TO IMPROVE ITS INFRASTRUCTURE</span> at:</span></b><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/09/if-country-neglects-to-improve-its.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/09/if-country-neglects-to-improve-its.html</a></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 1;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">Via Mercopress</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 1;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">BRAZIL’ aircraft manufacturer Embrear is again resurfacing suspicions regarding the sale of commercial planes to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Aerolineas Argentinas</b> involving several million dollars in surcharges. The company informed the US Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, that it is investigating companies from five different countries to which it sold aircraft allegedly in transactions suspicious of irregularities.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2009 LIST PRICE FOR E-190 AMOUNTED TO 27.85 MILLION; ARGENTINA ALLEGEDLY PURCHASED THE BRAZILIAN AIRPLANE FOR 34.9 MILLION US DOLLARS PER UNIT</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaDm2a0B2Q8pWqTqrya_saaFHeInZGOb5a6GfXG5g_h2gQxyK4UGPhj-kLYm0tOXhC_3MQd8AtRJANOvMSunG885WI4dLBq1m56eaiwx1hZbjB9Qbj8f-1Tweb6ENm-lvJCdSbg8wLYWi/s1600/embraer-190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaDm2a0B2Q8pWqTqrya_saaFHeInZGOb5a6GfXG5g_h2gQxyK4UGPhj-kLYm0tOXhC_3MQd8AtRJANOvMSunG885WI4dLBq1m56eaiwx1hZbjB9Qbj8f-1Tweb6ENm-lvJCdSbg8wLYWi/s320/embraer-190.jpg" width="320" /></a></b></div><br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In 2009 ARGENTINA signed an agreement for the purchase of 20 Embraer E-190 aircraft for government controlled <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Austral</b>, an operation apparently involving 698 million dollars with a unit price of 34.9 million dollars. The E-190 is considered a mid range aircraft highly competitive and with a capacity of 100 to 115 pax.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">However this sum is considered excessive by analysts if compared with what the going market price was at the time. The operation 80% financed by the BRAZILIAN Economic and Social development bank, BNDES, was signed by <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Federal Planning minister Julio De Vido</b>; then <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Transport Secretary Ricardo Jaime</b> and then <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Aerolineas Argentinas</b> president and currently <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Justice minister Julio Alak</b>.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ARGENTINE GOVERNMENT HAD PAID 5 TO 6 MILLION DOLLARS IN EXCESS FOR EACH AIRCRAFT</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Magistrate Sergio Torres opened an investigation on suspicion that the ARGENTINE government had paid 5 to 6 million dollars in excess for each aircraft, which would add up to 100/120 million dollars. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Aerolineas Argentinas</b>and the government rejected the claims arguing that in effect the original price was 30.6 million for each unit and the additional 4.3 million was the result of spare parts and pilot training.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The situation set off alarm bells in the aircraft industry and a warning from UNITED STATES SEC office to which the BRAZILIAN government responded by opening an internal investigation.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And last month Embraer sent an update report to SEC on investigations so far: “We received a summons from SEC in September 2010 requesting about certain operations relative to overseas sale of aircraft. In reply and to consultations over possible breach of US legislation on foreign corrupt practices, we contracted a foreign solicitor for an internal investigation into transactions with three specific countries”.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">COMMON AVIATION INDUSTRY PRACTICE IS TO GIVE CONSIDERABLE REBATES WHEN LARGE AIRCRAFT DEALS ARE SIGNED</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Likewise Embrear says it is willing to expand the area of investigation and has done so including two additional countries and in close cooperation with the US Secretary of Justice and SEC. “In case authorities decide on measures against us or the sides involved reach an agreement to solve the issue, we could be obliged to pay strong fines or incur in other sanctions”.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The case not only refers to market prices of the time but to the fact that when a big number of aircraft are involved, they usually are benefited with additional rebates.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">According to the specialized magazine <i>Aircraft Commerce</i>, in November 2008, an E-190 was sold to Aeroméxico for 29 million dollars and in July 2009, TACA airlines paid 30.5 million dollars for an E-195. Air Europa in 2009 paid 31 million dollars, also confirmed by the Airline Fleet Management magazine. Finally Ascend Aviation Insight said that in 2009, the E-190 had a going price of 27.85 million. </span></b></div>

BRAZIL AND ARGENTINA - ALLEGATIONS OF BRIBERY.

BRAZIL INVESTIGATING SALE OF 20 EMBRAER E-190 TO AEROLÍNEAS ARGENTINAS, FEARING SURCHARGES Background Information : See CRIME AND CORRUPTIO...

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Tuesday, Tuesday

<span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.archidose.org/wp/">A Weekly Dose of Architecture</a> Updates:</span><br /><br />This week's dose features <a href="http://archidose.org/wp/2013/04/23/dead-garden/">Dead Garden</a> in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, by Vasio S/A:<br /><a href="http://archidose.org/wp/2013/04/23/dead-garden/"><img alt="this week's dose" src="http://archidose.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Apr13-22.jpg" title="This week's dose" width="640" /></a><br /><br />The featured past dose is <a href="http://archidose.org/wp/2011/07/18/285-montevideo/">285 Montevideo</a> in Belo Horizonte, Brazil by Vazio S/A:<br /><a href="http://archidose.org/wp/2011/07/18/285-montevideo/"><img alt="this week's dose" src="http://archidose.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Jul11-18.jpg" title="featured past dose" width="640" /></a><br /><br />This week's book review is <a href="http://archidose.org/wp/2013/04/23/entre/"><i>Entre: Architecture from the Performing Arts</i></a> by Carlos M. Teixeira:<br /><a href="http://archidose.org/wp/2013/04/23/entre/"><img alt="this week's book review" src="http://archidose.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/entre.jpg" title="This week's book review" width="500" /></a><br /><br />: : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">American-Architects <a href="http://www.american-architects.com/en/pages/50x50">Building of the Week</a>:</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.american-architects.com/en/projects/project-current-review/40868_roth_trailhead">Roth Trailhead</a> in Lawrence, Kansas, by Dirt Works Studio:<br /><a href="http://www.american-architects.com/en/projects/project-current-review/40868_roth_trailhead"><img alt="this week's Building of the Week" src="http://c214210.r10.cf3.rackcdn.com/files/projects/40868/images/900:w/rothtrailhead1.jpg" title="Current Building of the Week on american-architects.com" width="640" /></a>

Tuesday, Tuesday

A Weekly Dose of Architecture Updates: This week's dose features Dead Garden in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, by Vasio S/A: The featured pas...

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Starting my quilt

When I've made quilts in the past I used to just make it up as I went along. For this quilt I decided I would do it right. I've just bought some kit that one of the books said was essential.<br /><br />The green board is a cutting mat and there also is a special ruler. The yellow tool is a rotary cutter which seems a bit scary because I've only ever used a scissors a before.<br /><br />Wish me luck! <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Cf0fhdObgextCiEXgz07qdCag_MhqTSJ9K6B81PODEr-0FESwAff8-vJGXYgbiTzjDor8d1uJwk1vNgLkZHD5oyMbYTjcNuIn6kBrt4luUKNR1sV46I8OLOeuC4DVzNM0SfRq1F3Ho8P/s640/blogger-image--2058332627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Cf0fhdObgextCiEXgz07qdCag_MhqTSJ9K6B81PODEr-0FESwAff8-vJGXYgbiTzjDor8d1uJwk1vNgLkZHD5oyMbYTjcNuIn6kBrt4luUKNR1sV46I8OLOeuC4DVzNM0SfRq1F3Ho8P/s640/blogger-image--2058332627.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFLb8BhjjxcheV62POuMa8vH-1v4ooUZd2aYNMtEijNyI2b3TSJEdPVbfdZvYXXuN-ElFBr6VxLUFHiWT4xS8Ud7_wbys6RxaQ-C-ruE9xp58BMItjtzmmWe9qD5TlWpMNZNRjlk8wl4A/s640/blogger-image--185317265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFLb8BhjjxcheV62POuMa8vH-1v4ooUZd2aYNMtEijNyI2b3TSJEdPVbfdZvYXXuN-ElFBr6VxLUFHiWT4xS8Ud7_wbys6RxaQ-C-ruE9xp58BMItjtzmmWe9qD5TlWpMNZNRjlk8wl4A/s640/blogger-image--185317265.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXyxIkLhyhzVohdWZ35hxYsYo92Qv7JQC93NVpc7pqm0JSZmeut0GHkWxihnfPbRMN6a8ySLhfXvl-L5jVP7aYSPrV2LLGNPMdHu5rkT8Ig-hCX7yg3HekyiMikPH7kVcMloV1i61Zmzpr/s640/blogger-image-466850294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXyxIkLhyhzVohdWZ35hxYsYo92Qv7JQC93NVpc7pqm0JSZmeut0GHkWxihnfPbRMN6a8ySLhfXvl-L5jVP7aYSPrV2LLGNPMdHu5rkT8Ig-hCX7yg3HekyiMikPH7kVcMloV1i61Zmzpr/s640/blogger-image-466850294.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1HFENW_2f4Lx8H0PdLy9h0g8utUsLp2WmMAmZX7BSTpbzZFc8FjYKyL8KPNOiW4BIcQ8jRkD3jkkQ-pYo4C6F7bP440m7HcKPXcOuTUpX9CDWChlSPwqsDykxGKddj27WHIoGSYttrWmH/s640/blogger-image-1985708011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1HFENW_2f4Lx8H0PdLy9h0g8utUsLp2WmMAmZX7BSTpbzZFc8FjYKyL8KPNOiW4BIcQ8jRkD3jkkQ-pYo4C6F7bP440m7HcKPXcOuTUpX9CDWChlSPwqsDykxGKddj27WHIoGSYttrWmH/s640/blogger-image-1985708011.jpg" /></a></div>

Starting my quilt

When I've made quilts in the past I used to just make it up as I went along. For this quilt I decided I would do it right. I've ju...

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Viral Voices

Last May was the <a href="http://archidose.blogspot.com/2012/05/going-viral.html">Going Viral</a> panel discussion, which "explore[d] the impact that social media, technology and device culture are having on our design process, and ultimately the way we practice." This year it's <a href="http://cfa.aiany.org/index.php?section=calendar&evtid=5700&rsvid=64733&msg=">Viral Voices</a>, a continuation of last year's discussion, with many of the same "voices" (Morpholio, GSAPP, ArchDaily).<br /><br /><img alt="ViralVoices.jpg" src="http://www.archidose.org/Blog/ViralVoices.jpg" title="Viral Voices" /><br /><blockquote><a href="http://cfa.aiany.org/index.php?section=calendar&evtid=5700&rsvid=64733&msg="><b>Viral Voices: Global Dialogues</b></a><br /><br /><b>When:</b> Thursday, May2, 6:30-10pm<br /><b>Where:</b> Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place, New York, NY<br /><b>Cost:</b> Free (<a href="http://cfa.aiany.org/index.php?section=calendar&evtid=5700&rsvid=64733&msg=">RSVP required</a>)<br /><br /><b>Viral Voices: Global Discussions</b> will explore the impact that social media, technology and device culture are having on our design process, and ultimately the way we practice. How do we shape a global conversation? How are we changing the relationships between academia and the profession? What is the impact of hyper information sharing and critique? Throughout the evening, the topics of communication, research, collaboration, and data distribution will be addressed and debated.<br /><br /><b>Mark Wigley</b>, Dean of the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation (GSAPP) at Columbia University and <b>David Basulto</b> with <b>David Assael</b> of ArchDaily will come together for an evening discussing how these technologies affect the relationships between academia and profession. Following their talks, <b>Carlo Aiello</b> from eVolo, <b>David Fano</b> from CASE, <b>Jill Fehrenbacher</b> from Inhabitat, <b>Toru Hasegawa</b> from The Morpholio Project/the GSAPP Cloud Lab, <b>Tim Maly</b> from Wired magazine and <b>Cliff Kuang</b> from Fast Company will join the speakers for a panel discussion addressing the impact that social media, technology and device culture are having on our design process, and ultimately the way we participate in a global discussion. </blockquote>

Viral Voices

Last May was the Going Viral panel discussion, which "explore[d] the impact that social media, technology and device culture are hav...

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I have cancer

I had my total abdominal hysterectomy on April 11. After the surgery my oncologist surgeon told me everything looked good. She was sure I didn't have cancer. Since there was less than 1% chance that my fibroid was cancerous I felt confident that everything was good. <br /><br />The surgery went well, although the pain after the surgery was hideous. I have a six inch vertical cut from my belly button down to right above my pelvic bone. It's not pretty but it was necessary to remove my uterus and the fibroid intact. <br /><br />When I came out of the recovery room my three best friends were there waiting for me. I'm really lucky to have such great friends that care for me. I don't know how I'd get through this without them.<br /><br />My body parts, uterus, fibroid, cervix and one ovary (one was left inside of me) were all sent to the lab to be biopsied. On April 17th I received a phone call from my surgeon's associate (my doctor was on vacation) that I have Uterine Leiomyosarcoma. She told me it was an extremely rare and aggressive cancer. The conversation was short since I had a followup visit with my surgeon on April 24.<br /><br />After researching Uterine Leimyosarcoma (ULMS) online, I was very upset. This isn't the good uterine cancer, the one with a 90% five-year survival rate. This one is different. It's so rare that there isn't much known about it. It affects six in one million women.<br /><br />I called my doctor's associate back last Thursday and asked several questions. I'm in Stage 1B which sounds good, but even at this stage it only has a 50% five-year survival rate. Those aren't very good odds. Also, the larger the tumor is over 5 cm (mine was 12 cm) the more likely it will reoccur even if all of it was removed during surgery. I'm thankful I'm not in Stage II since that stage only has a survival rate of 0 - 20%. <br /><br />I stumbled across a blog by a woman that was diagnosed four and half years ago with Stage II ULMS. She's still going strong, but she had to completely change her life. From removing stress factors to changing her diet to all organic, natural foods and no sugar. Cancer feeds off of sugar.<br /><br />Cancer also feeds off of estrogen, which is why I have to have my second ovary removed as soon as possible. Even though I'm postmenopausal it's still producing a minute amount of estrogen.<br /><br />Fat also produces estrogen, so I'm on a diet. Not a crazy, starve myself type of diet, but a whole foods, healthy diet. <br /><br />Other than the cancer, the criminal trial is on schedule for June 11 and the divorce in November. Very stressful events that I'm trying to handle without making myself crazy. I can't wait for this to all be over. <br /><br />I will fight this cancer as hard as I can, and I'll do the best to change my life. It's not going to be easy, but it'll be worth it. <br /><br /><br /><br />

I have cancer

I had my total abdominal hysterectomy on April 11. After the surgery my oncologist surgeon told me everything looked good. She was sure I di...

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Physician-Assisted Suicide — NEJM

<div class="section case-vignette" style="margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); outline: 0px; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 16px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><h3 id="articleCase Vignette" style="margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; font-size: 0.875em; vertical-align: baseline; text-transform: uppercase; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;">CASE VIGNETTE</h3><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 0.813em; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; ">John Wallace is a 72-year-old man with metastatic pancreatic cancer. At time of diagnosis, the cancer was metastatic to his regional lymph nodes and liver. He was treated with palliative chemotherapy, but the disease continued to progress. Recently he has become jaundiced, and he has very little appetite. He has been seeing a palliative care physician and a social worker on an ongoing basis. His abdominal pain is now well controlled with high-dose narcotics, but the narcotics have caused constipation. In addition to seeing the social worker, he has also been seeing a psychologist to help him to cope with his illness.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 0.813em; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; ">Mr. Wallace has been married to his wife, Joyce, for 51 years, and they have three children and six grandchildren. He and his wife have lived in Salem, Oregon, for the past 23 years, and most of his family lives nearby. He understands the prognosis of the disease, and he does not wish to spend his last days suffering or in an unresponsive state. He discusses his desire for euthanasia with his wife and family members, and they offer him their support. The next day, he calls his physician and asks for information about physician-assisted suicide.</div></div><div class="section" style="margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 16px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"></div><div class="section treatment-options" style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 16px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><h3 id="articleRecommendations" style="margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; font-size: 0.875em; vertical-align: baseline; text-transform: uppercase; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: arial;">TREATMENT OPTIONS</h3><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 0.813em; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; ">Do you believe that Mr. Wallace should be able to receive life-terminating drugs from his physician? Which one of the following approaches to the broader issue do you find appropriate? Base your choice on the published literature, your own experience, and other sources of information.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 0.813em; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; ">To aid in your decision making, each of these approaches is defended in the following short essays by experts in the field. Given your knowledge of the patient and the points made by the experts, which option would you choose? Make your choice and offer your comments at <a href="http://NEJM.org">NEJM.org</a>.</div></div><ul class="treatment-options-list" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 16px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><li class="firstChild" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 5px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 0.7em; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: baseline;">Option 1</strong>: Physician-Assisted Suicide Should Not Be Permitted</li><li class="lastChild" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 5px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 0.7em; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: baseline;">Option 2</strong>: Physician-Assisted Suicide Should Be Permitted</li></ul><br><a href="http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMclde1302615#t=cldeOpt2">http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMclde1302615#t=cldeOpt2</a>

Physician-Assisted Suicide — NEJM

CASE VIGNETTE John Wallace is a 72-year-old man with metastatic pancreatic cancer. At time of diagnosis, the cancer was metastatic to his re...

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Doctors describe "death with dignity" program for cancer patients - latimes.com

<p style="margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px;">A majority of Americans support the idea of allowing terminally ill patients to end their lives with the help of their doctors. For instance, 55% of people questioned for the <a class="taxInlineTagLink" id="ORNPR0000040" title="NPR" href="http://www.latimes.com/topic/economy-business-finance/media-industry/radio-industry/npr-ORNPR0000040.topic" style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); text-decoration: none; ">NPR</a><a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/12/27/168150886/americans-support-physician-assisted-suicide-for-terminally-ill" style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(34, 98, 204); text-decoration: none; ">-Truven Health Analytics Health Poll</a> last  year said they were in favor of legalizing physician-assisted suicide. A <a class="taxInlineTagLink" id="ORCRP001723173" title="BBC" href="http://www.latimes.com/topic/economy-business-finance/media-industry/bbc-ORCRP001723173.topic" style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); text-decoration: none; ">BBC</a><a href="http://www.harrisinteractive.com/NewsRoom/HarrisPolls/tabid/447/mid/1508/articleId/677/ctl/ReadCustom%20Default/Default.aspx" style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(34, 98, 204); text-decoration: none; "> World News America/Harris Poll</a> from the year before found that 58% believed that physician-assisted suicide should be a legal option for patients who request it.</p><div class="p402_premium" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">It's one thing to endorse physician-assisted suicide in principle. But how should it be implemented in practice? That's a difficult question that doctors, social workers and public health experts in Seattle have grappled with as they set up the Death with Dignity Program at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, or SCCA. They describe their program in Thursday's edition of the New England Journal of Medicine.</p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Washington and Oregon are the only states that allow physician-assisted suicide (though Pennsylvania, Vermont and Hawaii are currently considering it), and cancer patients are among those most likely to seek it. The SCCA -- which serves cancer patients being treated at the <a class="taxInlineTagLink" id="ORNPR000145" title="Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center" href="http://www.latimes.com/topic/health/health-organizations/fred-hutchinson-cancer-research-center-ORNPR000145.topic" style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); text-decoration: none;">Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center</a>, the University of Washington and Seattle Children's -- is the only federally recognized comprehensive cancer center serving those states.</p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">So it was natural for leaders there to consider a death with dignity program after the <a class="taxInlineTagLink" id="ORGOVV0000221" title="Washington Legislature" href="http://www.latimes.com/topic/politics/government/washington-legislature-ORGOVV0000221.topic" style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); text-decoration: none;">Washington Legislature</a> passed the Washington Death with Dignity Act in November 2008.</p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">The first step was to poll doctors to see if enough of them would be willing to help patients who wanted to end their lives. Among the 81 who responded to the survey, 50 said they would be comfortable consulting in such cases; among them, 29 were also willing to write the prescriptions for lethal medications. That was enough for the planners to move forward.</p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">After much discussion and debate, the planners set up the following rules:</p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">* Nobody who works at SCCA is required to participate in the Death with Dignity Program.</p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">* The program is only available to patients under the care of the SCCA, and patients may not begin treatment at SCCA just to gain access to the program.</p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">* SCCA does not advertise the program, even in its own buildings.</p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">* Patients are eligible only if they are terminally ill and have no more than six months to live.</p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">* They must pass a psychological assessment to insure they are competent to make a decision of this magnitude.</p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">* All patients who request a lethal prescription are told that <a class="taxInlineTagLink" id="HETHT00000018" title="Palliative Care" href="http://www.latimes.com/topic/health/health-treatments/palliative-care-HETHT00000018.topic" style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); text-decoration: none;">palliative care</a> and hospice treatment are available to them (although 54% of Death with Dignity patients are already in hospice care at the time they make their inquiries).</p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">* Patients must agree that if they do take their lethal prescriptions, they do so only in a private place and in a private manner. (One patient was dropped from consideration for failing to agree to this requirement.)</p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">* After patients have met all the requirements, they must wait at least 15 days before getting a prescription for a lethal dose of <a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a682386.html" style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(34, 98, 204); text-decoration: none;">secobarbital</a>, a barbiturate.</p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Between March 5, 2009, and Dec. 31, 2011, 114 SCCA patients made at least initial inquiries about the Death with Dignity Program, according to the report. Among them, 44 -- or 39% -- went no further and 30 -- or 26% -- began working with a social worker but either changed their mind or died before they received a prescription.</p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">That leaves 40 patients who did get a prescription. All of them have died, but only 24 did so as a result of taking secobarbital.</p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">For some patients, simply having the medication on hand and knowing it was available was enough.</p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">"Both patients and families frequently express gratitude after the patient receives the prescription, regardless of whether it is ever filled or ingested, typically referencing an important sense of control in an uncertain situation," according to the report.</p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">There have been a few <a class="taxInlineTagLink" id="HEISY000026" title="Hiccups" href="http://www.latimes.com/topic/health/symptoms/hiccups-HEISY000026.topic" style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); text-decoration: none;">hiccups</a> here and there, including one patient who remained alive overnight after taking secobarbital. Considering that the drug is usually lethal in about 35 minutes, the patient's family became quite distressed. (It kicked in eventually.)</p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Another hiccup is that 11 patients wound up living for longer than the six months they were expected to have left. In these cases, social workers have opted not to inform physicians out of fear that the doctors will wait until their patients are closer to death before they have a frank conversation about their prognosis.</p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Most of the patients who wound up receiving prescriptions for secobarbital were white men who had graduated from college. They were also more likely than Washingtonians in general to have jobs.</p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">When asked why they entered the Death with Dignity Program, 97% of patients surveyed said they feared the "loss of autonomy" that was sure to come as they deteriorated. In addition, 89% cited an "inability to engage in enjoyable activities" and 75% were concerned about "loss of dignity." Actual pain and fear of future pain were mentioned only 22% of the time, according to the report.</p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); position: static; z-index: auto; ">You can read the study, <a href="http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMsa1213398?query=featured_home#t=article" style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(34, 98, 204); text-decoration: none;">Implementing a Death with Dignity Program at a Comprehensive Cancer Center</a>, on the New England Journal of Medicine website. In addition, two doctors debate the merits of allowing a hypothetical 72-year-old man with metastatic <a class="taxInlineTagLink" id="HEDAI0000033" title="Prostate Cancer" href="http://www.latimes.com/topic/health/diseases-illnesses/prostate-cancer-HEDAI0000033.topic" style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); text-decoration: none;">prostate cancer</a> to end his life with the help of his physician on the website <a href="http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMclde1302615" style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(34, 98, 204); text-decoration: none;">here</a>.</p></div><br><a href="http://www.latimes.com/health/boostershots/la-heb-death-with-dignity-seattle-20130410,0,7934455.story">http://www.latimes.com/health/boostershots/la-heb-death-with-dignity-seattle-20130410,0,7934455.story</a>

Doctors describe "death with dignity" program for cancer patients - latimes.com

A majority of Americans support the idea of allowing terminally ill patients to end their lives with the help of their doctors. For instance...

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