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screamingatanemptyroom · 5 years ago

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I Can’t Eat Love pt 10

Here it is guys! Here’s part 10, we’re at 23k words! I made the master post with links to the story and will just link that at the top from here on out!

Link to master post here.

Enjoy!

__________________________________

Ten months passed, faster than I could have imagined.

The store “Prosperity” took off. True to her word, Milane had improved upon my own designs, and after showcasing the dresses at a few parties, (I had reluctantly resumed my social responsibilities, reminding myself it was for the business), and the orders came in, faster than we could fill them. Expanding production, Milane hired a few more seamstresses, and even then we were stretched thin. We continued making and selling new designs, however, with plans to open up another store before the next season.

The Duchy thrived alongside my business. The officials I “retired” left without further complaint, and their replacements worked hard to gain experience and independence. Until they were completely trained however, the bulk of the work was left to Nile, Terrence and Me. We met weekly, going over accounts and day to day issues in great detail. Fortunately we worked well together and rather than resenting the hands-on approach I took, they seemed relieved.

“The Duke just always told us to do what we thought best in difficult matters.” Nile confided one day. “But with no idea of the overall financial state of the Duchy, it’s hard to make these sorts of decisions. With you in charge, things are running much smoother.”

Seeming to realize the improperness of what he had said, he panicked, waving his hands. “Not saying that the Duke is incompetent! He’s a very kind man! And as a leader… of course he…” he paused as if trying to think of something else good to say about my father.

I chuckled, trying to relieve the poor man’s misery. “It’s fine. Father’s gifts lie… in other directions. “ I had no idea as to what direction that was, but as long as he stayed out of my way, I was content.

No longer hemorrhaging money, I was able to work on improving the infrastructure of the area, improving the safety and stability of the roads, increasing the schools and preparing some previously unused land for farming.

Marile, looking ahead to our second store, convinced me to use some of our profits to open up a vocational school for seamstresses, taught by people she trusted. We charged a minimal fee, funding those who couldn’t afford it, and waited excitedly as they gained skill. I planned to hire some of the top students upon graduation, and as the number of skilled workers increased, the duchy of Armeny began gaining a reputation as the place to buy well-made clothes.

The success spread, and I was already being approached by other trades to expand the school to cover their professions as well.

__________________________________

I continued my lessons with Jim and Nate, although the assigned reading was decreased as more and more of my time was taken up with the business and the duchy. Instead, Jim had me bring practical issues and questions to the class regarding economics or governmental structure, and we worked though it together. I was often able to implement some of the answers we came up with, continuing to benefit my home.

Nate and I settled into a comfortable pace. He was the calm one in class, frequently mediating between Jim and me when we began to get too loud about a certain subject. He listened well, and when he did speak up it was with purpose, often coming up with ideas that caught me by surprise.

“You should build a place that provides food for people who are starving.” After class one day, he was escorting me back to the carriage in thoughtful silence before suddenly bursting out with that suggestion.

I stopped in my tracks. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, it’s something that you obviously care deeply about, and since you’ll manage to free up some extra funds with the changes we came up with today, I thought it might work! ” He continued as he stopped as well, gesturing excitedly with his hands. “Think about it, a place where people who are starving can come by and have a meal. You can ask for donations and volunteers to offset some of the costs, it should be doable…”

He trailed off, staring at me with an uncertain expression. “Sorry, I got excited on my own, maybe it isn’t the best idea.”

__________________________________

“Do you have any food?” A young boy pulled on my leg, the bones too prominent on his already small for his size face.

I looked down at him, already feeling lightheaded and weak. I hadn’t been able to find work. I hadn’t had a full meal since Rig’s gang had been split up most of them lost, dead or imprisoned. I had begged on the street, only managing to earn enough for some bread, hardly enough to fill my stomach. I wanted to cry, but held my tears, they wouldn’t solve anything.

The boy saw my distress and slumped, sitting down beside me, as I hung my head, feeling hopeless.

“It’s okay.” He mumbled, using a dirty hand to gently pat my head, trying to comfort me. “I’ll help you.” A small hard object was pressed into my hand. I looked down at it, surprised. It was a regular stone, a little shiny but otherwise there was nothing special about it.

“It’s my lucky stone.” He tried to smile, tried to appear brave for me. “You can have it. It will protect you.”

I thought about the bread in my pocket, it wasn’t enough to fill me, but for a child…

“Here.”

I handed him the bread, leaning back with my head against a wall, closing my eyes to keep tears from falling. I wasn’t going to last much longer. I had long given up hope for myself. But that boy... maybe he would survive.

And that was something.

__________________________________

“Lenora?” Nate called out, concerned. I shook my head, I had been silent too long, thinking of a different life, a different fate.

One I wouldn’t wish on anyone.

I smiled at him; ignoring his visible shock at I did so. “Tell me more about this idea of yours.”

__________________________________

Between running the Duchy and the business, as well as continuing lessons and socializing with the nobility to advertise our new dresses, I was busier than I had ever been before in either of my lives. But despite the long hours and the hard work, I was surprised to find I was happy.

There was still just one thing keeping me from being fully content:

The royal etiquette classes continued, despite the mastery I had displayed. Mrs. Rendler had greatly increased the speed at which we moved through topics as well as the difficulty in each lesson. The advantage I had gained over the extra three years of training in my previous life dwindled, and I reluctantly began scheduling in time to study those topics as well.

I grew more and more frustrated each week. With all the other demands on my time, why was I bothering to waste any on learning something I would never use? If I were planning on trying to continue my engagement to the prince this would be worth it, but not even the chance to tackle management on a national scale could tempt me to stand by that worthless prince’s side.

I hid it, as best I could. Mrs. Rendler tried to keep the lessons fun and varied, likely sensing my lack of enthusiasm. We learned new dances, tried exotic foods and studied different cultures. It was interesting and I appreciated the effort the older woman placed on keeping me focused, but there was still one, unavoidable problem with the lessons:

Queen Amerande.

She was present every single week, as she had been in my previous life. Smiling, cheering me on, saying silly jokes to try to make me laugh, and picking arguments with Mrs. Rendler to distract her whenever the lessons were getting too difficult for me … she was every inch the mother I wish I had.

But it was a lie, and every minute I spent next to her was pure torture.

It all came to a head around ten months after I woke up in this second life. The etiquette lesson had completed early. I was packing up my books, planning to take a walk in the gardens to waste the time before my lesson with Jim and Nate in the treasury. Before I could leave, however, Queen Amerande held out her hand, gently stopping me.

“Can we talk, Lenora?”

I nodded stiffly, disliking the thought of spending any time alone with her.

Her smile slightly sad, she gestured for me to sit down, and after I was settled continued.

“Has your mother returned home yet?” The discomfort on her face made it clear she knew this was not going to be my favorite topic.

I sighed, leaning back and shaking my head. “No, she’s still with her family staying in the southern province.”

Or so she tells us. I thought of the contents of the file Rig had brought me, the second assignment I had given him after the blackmail for the duchy officials. It had only confirmed what I already knew from my previous life, but it had hurt more than I wanted to admit to see it in writing.

“She’s been gone almost a year!” Queen Amerande muttered, looking furious for a few moments before poorly hiding her anger behind a smile, trying not to upset me. After being surrounded by expert liars like Angela and Edith, it was almost amusing to see someone who couldn’t lie well.

That’s not true though is it? She lies all the time when she says she cares about me. My brain whispered to me, but I shrugged it off, not wanting to be distracted by the topic at hand. She was already asking another question.

“Will she be back soon?”

I wish she wouldn’t. In my last life, her trip had only lasted a few months, but that had been due to limited funds and our large amount of debt. Once I had most of our debts cleared, I had sent her some money, and thankfully she had continued to extend her trip as much as possible. The servants seemed grateful for the break from her critical presence and my father… he was happier than he’d been in years. But as relieving as this time away was, it couldn’t last forever.

“She’ll be back in a few weeks, before my sixteenth birthday.” I answered, watching her eyes light up at the topic.

“So yes, about that…” Queen Amerande hesitated, “I knew your mother hadn’t been… around, and your father…”

“Forgot.”

“I’m sure he… remembers… deep down.” She looked angry again, but not at me. “But the point is, I didn’t want you to have to plan your own party, so I’ve been making some arrangements.”

“...”

“Nothing that can’t be canceled if you don’t feel up to it, but I’d really like for you to have a chance to really have fun and celebrate with friends. You’ve been working so incredibly hard lately.” She smiled. “I know I don’t say this enough but… I’m so proud of you. I heard about the work with the duchy and the vocational school and even that charity to help feed those in need, it’s so amazing. YOU are amazing.”

She turned to the side to get something from her bag. I sat there, trembling, filled with anger, barely able to contain it. My fists were clenched, so tightly that the fingernails dug into my palms, starting to tear through the skin.

“I know it’s a little early, but I want you to have this:” She pulled out a necklace. It was beautiful, thin golden chains delicately interwoven, with a small sapphire amulet hanging from the longest strand. She placed it into my hand. “My mother gave this to me when I was a girl, and although I’m not your biological mother, I think of you as my own.”

My ears were ringing, the jewelry in my hand was cold, but felt like it was burning my skin

“I love you dear, and I always will.”

I could barely breathe, it felt like knives were stabbing me in the heart, I sat there frozen, staring at the gift I had once thought meant everything, but meant nothing.

“No matter what.”

__________________________________

“I love you, and I always will.” Queen Amerande hugged me, patting my back comfortingly with one hand.

I returned the hug, unable to hold back my tears of frustration and embarrassment. After being publicly humiliated at my own birthday party, I had come into the backroom to hide, She had been planning to give me her present, but instead found me a sobbing in a corner, and immediately dropped on the floor, ignoring the creases and dust that gathered on her expensive formal gown, comforting me. Once I had calmed down, she handed me a beautiful necklace, one I had always admired as a child, and reached out, wiping a tear from my face.

“No matter what.”

__________________________________

Thud.

The necklace slipped from my hands, falling to the floor between us.

“Liar.” My voice was quiet, but in the otherwise silent room she could clearly hear me. Her face paled and she tried to reach out for my hand, only to have me pull back, avoiding it.

“Lenora, what…?

“Stop lying. Please.” I forced the words out through gritted teeth, tears gathering in my eyes. “You won’t love me like your own child, and you won’t love me NO MATTER WHAT so please. Don’t lie to me. Don’t fool me into trusting you when you don’t mean it.”

I stood up, planning to leave, but she ran after me, standing in the doorway, blocking my only exit.

“Let me out.” I ordered, throwing etiquette and caution to the wind.

She shook her head furiously, her carefully styled hair coming slightly undone with the force of the motion. “No! Not until you tell me what this is about!” She was shaking, but her hands gripped the doorframe tightly, refusing to move. “I’m not lying when I say I love you like my own daughter. I’m not!”

“Easy words to say.” I was sneering, hating that my voice broke with tears instead of sounding stronger. “But when your precious son drops me in a few years, and I’m disgraced, then you’ll forget all about this ‘daughter’ you love so much!”

“…” She stared at me, horrified. “You think he… that I… “ She was stuttering, trying to work through what I had said. “Ronan wouldn’t cast you aside. And even if he did I…”

“I’m not an idiot, Your Majesty. So don’t treat me like one.” I interrupted her, laughing, but it was an unpleasant sound. “I’m not so foolish as to believe that a boy who has absolutely no interest in me will keep this engagement the moment he finds someone he likes better.”

“…” Queen Amerande was silent for a few moments. I noticed she looked upset, saddened at my words, but she didn’t look shocked, not at all. She had seen her son’s lack of interest in me as well. She knew exactly what kind of person Ronan was, and that he was capable of doing exactly what I said. I continued onwards, not wanting to hear any excuses or explanations.

“And WHEN he casts me aside. You’ll move forward just like everyone else will, without a thought spared for me.” I clenched my fists, wanting to run. “You’ll forget all about me. So please, keep that necklace. Give it to the woman your son actually WILL marry. Or a grandchild whenever they have one. Someone you truly care about. Not a placeholder. Not me.”

Having said what I wanted to say, I pushed past the Queen, running out of the palace. I skipped my lesson with Jim, getting into the carriage. And it wasn’t until I was there, protected by the window covers and safe from prying gazes, that I finally relaxed, put my head into my hands, and cried.

#writing #i can't eat love #part 10 #second life #second chances #drama #family

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asmasheikh · 3 years ago

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How to Build “The Dream Event Planning Team”

However, we’ve all experienced working with teams that weren’t so great. You know the ones—teams, where a few people carry most of the load or one person, doesn’t pitch in. Committees where people butt heads and argue. There’s no room for that in event planning. The cornerstone of a successful event is a dream event planning team where everyone has a role to play and eagerly contributes to the success of the event.

Why Your Event Planning Team Matters

It’s impossible to put together an event on your own. Even if you had the bandwidth for everything, which you likely don’t, there’s also the huge variety of skillsets required. You can’t be in multiple places at once. Skimping on event planners means the event will skimp in other ways, too. It’s simply impossible to have one person take care of the VIPs, welcome guests, and coordinate food and activities at the same time. That’s why a team is so important.

Having a strong team also helps with problem-solving. Each person brings a unique perspective to the event that can appeal to more guests or help find creative solutions. Many hands make light work, and working with people with a variety of skills can make planning an event less stressful.

Great teams don’t just happen. It takes work and effort to find the right combination of skills and personalities. Event planning teams aren’t a one-size-fits-all approach. What works for one event might not work for another event. The key is to understand the scope of the event and put the right people in place who can get results.

Although the actual layout of each event varies, the basic requirements don’t. Here’s the ultimate guide to putting together your event planning dream team. No matter the size or type of event, sticking with these basics can help you create the perfect planning team.

Start Here: Team Captain

This person is the team lead, president of event planning, event guru, or whatever fancy title you want to give them. They will be the visionary and make sure every breath the staff makes aligns with the overall goal of the event.

The team captain is the leader. They’re the person who keeps the team moving in the right direction. They set the tone and goals and share that vision with everyone else. If you’re the team captain, everything goes through you. You can and should delegate to other committees, but ultimately, the success of the event rests on your shoulders. You take responsibility if something goes wrong. The team captain also backs up their committees and gives them the support and encouragement they need.

Before gathering the other team members, the team captain should have a basic idea of the goals and structure of the event. They should know the event budget, date, theme, and type of attendees. Start with a vision. Then, share that vision with the rest of your team. Help them see the importance of their roles. Share your excitement and be a leader. Help team members when they get stuck. Much like a team captain in sports has the job of rallying his teammates and pumping them up to win the game, an event team captain also rallies the team. You call the shots and have the overall vision, but you also need to trust your team and make sure you put the right committees in place.

Program Administrators

Handling everything from catering to scheduling activities, the program administrators organize all the fine details of the event. This is arguably one of the most important committees. The team captain may have the overall vision, but the program administrators are the ones who make it happen. They coordinate all the details and logistics of the event.

Duties include:

Estimating attendance numbers

Creating audience personas

Inviting and taking care of VIPs

Selecting a venue

Doing the site walkthrough

Choosing a caterer

Developing a menu related to how many people will attend

Creating table seating arrangements

Selecting speakers, sessions, and topics

Detailing the program of activities

Creating a schedule of events, including timing and content

Scheduling entertainment

This committee should only be two people. This allows for there to be enough work for each person without too many cooks in the kitchen. The two people on this committee can bounce ideas off of each other, get a second opinion from one another, and easily communicate with the team lead and other committees. Much of what the program administrators do is towards the beginning of the event planning process. After all, you can’t market an event without a venue, and you can’t hype an audience if you don’t have presenters or entertainment.

Creative Committee

The creative committee somewhat speaks for itself. They are your in-house ideators and implementers of the media, marketing, attendee engagement, and more. The creative committee builds the brand of your event and ensures it’s consistent throughout the entire event, from pre-event marketing to an after-event survey. They’re the creative minds that add an extra flourish to create a memorable event that gets people talking.

The creative committee does everything from making sure your attendees and target attendees have all the information they need to getting them there and allowing them to have a great time.

The creative committee should have a strong understanding of the theme and goals of the event. How you design and market a large trade show is much different than how you design and market a shareholder conference. Let this committee have some free reign to let their creative juices run wild, but make sure that there efforts still tie into the strategic goals of the event.

Duties include:

Taking pictures and video during the event

Engaging with audience and media

Documenting all sessions and program of activities

Putting together multimedia presentations for sessions

Monitoring and posting to social media, including creating an event hashtag

Developing branding, theme, and visuals

Creating handouts and printed material, including the schedule of activities and program

Designing the catering menu and seating layout

Creating the event/venue map

Designing t-shirts and uniforms for staff and attendees

Creating and updating the event website and mobile app

Designing the event logo and swag

The creative committee can have a fairly intense job. This role is vital to making the event an venue aesthetically pleasing. Many teams use contracted labor for duties such as photography and videography.

The size of committee can vary, depending on the photographers for each room or activity, how many social media platforms are being utilized, and visual techs who put together photos and videos for the main sessions and multimedia marketing. A larger event could have full-time social media managers, while a smaller event may just have one or two photographers who can capture everything. Sketch out the creative needs of the event and make sure this committee is fully staffed. Check in during the event planning process to see if more team members need to be added.

Operations Liaisons

The operations liaisons are the doers or the labor of the event. This committee can be made up of employees from your company, hired help from event companies for AV, security, and set-up, or even volunteers.

The responsibilities of the operations liaisons vary greatly depending on the type of event. For a large concert or trade show, the operations liaisons could number in the dozens and be in charge of driving attendance and building buzz around the brand and event. A smaller event like a company picnic or niche conference might only require a handful of operations liaisons who focus more on logistics.

Duties include:

Setting up chairs and tables for catering, breakout rooms, and main sessions

Cleaning up and tearing down after the event

Tech support (if not included by AV production company)

Making sure the venue and the equipment are safe and secure

Ensuring the crowd is under control

Managing lines and crowd flow throughout the venue

Handling any disturbances

Engaging with the audience and hyping the crowd

Disbursing event swag

Distributing programs to attendees and entertainers

Answer questions and supporting attendees

The number of operations liaisons depends on the amount of work that needs to be done during an event. You may only need a large group of volunteers for before and after the event. However, it’s always important to have a team of trained techs and brute-force labor to handle any physical work that needs to be done. You don’t want to underestimate how many people you need and then have to call in people from other committees and pull them away from their responsibilities.

Having a detailed schedule of the event can help you know if you need operations liaisons during the entire event or just for specific times and activities. In general, the larger the event, the more operations liaisons you’ll need. The operations liaison committee is generally a great place to use volunteers because the roles don’t require much training. As long as someone can lift heavy materials or talk to people, they can take on these responsibilities.

Treasury Committee

The treasury committee handles the money. This includes the budget, payment disbursement, and funding from sponsors and grants. Without a solid treasury committee, your event might not have the funds to reach your goals. The treasury committee should be involved in the planning process from the very beginning stages. After all, the budget dictates the scope of the event. The treasury committee should be responsible and transparent to ensure the money is protected and used properly. Ideally, you want people who will stick to the budget and find creative ways to cut costs without sacrificing quality.

Duties include:

Creating an overall event budget

Coordinating with other committees for cost estimates and quotes

Getting funding from sponsors and grants, if needed

Setting budgets for separate committees

Receiving and/or disbursing payments

Keeping accurate record of all money going in and out

Approving quotes and providing means for payment

Overall, the treasury committee is responsible for anything related to money and record keeping. In most cases, the committee only needs to consist of two people. One person can coordinate budgeting with other committees, and another person can pay expenditures and keep track of transactions. For larger events, those roles can be broken up to include an additional two people.

Dream Event Planning Team

Planning an event goes much more smoothly with a proper team in place. This basic framework can be applied to any kind of event, no matter the size or budget. Just add more people for each role for larger events, and cut the number of people for smaller events. Remember that a bigger team isn’t always better. Choose the right people for the job and make sure they have enough work to do. The goal is to find the balance of having enough people to get the work done without too many people that it gets distracting with competing opinions.

When things are organized, everyone knows their role and can work according to their skills. Instead of waiting to the last minute to throw together a team, consider carefully who you put in charge of each committee. Spending time to solve the puzzle of the perfect team can be a strong investment in getting a great event.

Work together with your team and practice strong communication. Get everyone on board with what you are trying to achieve and share the excitement. Together, you can all complete your assignments and create the event of your dreams.

Courtesy: Corporate Event Planner in Lahore

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vanessaforest · 4 years ago

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dylan38sanders · 6 years ago

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How to Build “The Dream Event Planning Team”

The phrase “two heads are better than one” first appeared in the year 1546 and has stuck around for more than 500 years.

In more modern terms, we might say that “teamwork makes the dream work” or any other number of cheesy team-building catchphrases.

No matter if they’re old and timeless or modern and cheesy, the sentiment of these sayings is true. A great team definitely makes all the difference. This is especially true when planning an event. It’s almost impossible for a single person to pull off an event on their own. You need a team you can trust.

Why Teams Matter

Start Here: Team Captain

For event planning, your team of committees may need to look something like this:

Program Administrators

Duties include:

Estimating attendance numbers

Creating audience personas

Inviting and taking care of VIPs

Selecting a venue

Doing the site walkthrough

Choosing a caterer

Developing a menu related to how many people will attend

Creating table seating arrangements

Selecting speakers, sessions, and topics

Detailing the program of activities

Creating a schedule of events, including timing and content

Scheduling entertainment

Creative Committee

The creative committee does everything from making sure your attendees and target attendees have all the information they need to getting them there and allowing them to have a great time.

Duties include:

Taking pictures and video during the event

Engaging with audience and media

Documenting all sessions and program of activities

Putting together multimedia presentations for sessions

Monitoring and posting to social media, including creating an event hashtag

Developing branding, theme, and visuals

Creating handouts and printed material, including the schedule of activities and program

Designing the catering menu and seating layout

Creating the event/venue map

Designing t-shirts and uniforms for staff and attendees

Creating and updating the event website and mobile app

Designing the event logo and swag

Operations Liaisons

Duties include:

Setting up chairs and tables for catering, breakout rooms, and main sessions

Cleaning up and tearing down after the event

Tech support (if not included by AV production company)

Making sure the venue and the equipment are safe and secure

Ensuring the crowd is under control

Managing lines and crowd flow throughout the venue

Handling any disturbances

Engaging with the audience and hyping the crowd

Disbursing event swag

Distributing programs to attendees and entertainers

Answer questions and supporting attendees

Treasury Committee

Duties include:

Creating an overall event budget

Coordinating with other committees for cost estimates and quotes

Getting funding from sponsors and grants, if needed

Setting budgets for separate committees

Receiving and/or disbursing payments

Keeping accurate record of all money going in and out

Approving quotes and providing means for payment

Event Dream Team

Editors Note: This article was originally published December 11,2014 and has been completely revamped for accuracy and current trends.

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johnvonstach · 7 years ago

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Considering Quick Tactics Of Vsp North America

Are you aware of the details regarding solar energy? Do you like the idea of using it around your home? If this is the case, you should get all the knowledge you are able to so that you can generate a plan. Keep reading to educate yourself about solar energy.

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Stay away from salespeople who put too much pressure on you. Know what you’re looking for before ever setting foot in the shop. If you make a rash purchase, it could be very costly.

There may be rebates or grants that can help you pay for your solar panel installation. It can be challenging to come up with the money need to install a solar energy unit. Just remember, help is available. Look into different programs that can help cut down on your start up costs. They can lower costs dramatically. It may be possible to get tax deductions for your costs.

When cost and square footage are of no concern, a sun-tracking system of panels is an excellent option. These systems will follow the sun as it moves during the day. Initial costs for installation will be higher than fixed panel systems, but the extra energy will be worth it.

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15, 2017, the ferry has been out of operation for 76 hours — of which 60 were volunteer dockages. He calculated that the ferry has been available for 96 percent of the time since December, but would like to get that number as close to 100 as possible. Currently, 38 percent of the Great Lakes are covered with ice according to USCG reports. Gill said that peak ice coverage is typically around March 10. He mentioned that assistance from Mother Nature could be a great help. “We start commencing ice breakout on March 12. Over the next two weeks, you’ll start to see breaker activity down by De Tour,” said Gill. “Up by the ferry crossing, the week of the fifth and twelfth we’ll have a breaker working down Six Mile and Nine Mile, and the goal is to push that ice so it has a place to go when the (Sault) harbor ice comes free.” A Canadian oil tanker will be traveling past the Sugar Island ferry dock on Saturday. Gill said the goal is disturb as little ice as possible, and has the Ice Cutter Mackinac and a tugboat accompanying the tanker. Broz and Gill said they’re constantly on the phone with EUPTA, the ferry’s governing body, to make sure the boat can safely cross. Throughout the winter both entities have upped the ante on their social media presence to alert islanders about delays. While answering audience questions, EUPTA Director Pete Paramski said it’s absolutely crucial to be cautious and conservative with the Sugar Islander’s usage. Damaging the vessel could result in significant delays before backup arrives from Drummond Island. The EUPTA head also said the organization has been researching as many options as it can to help keep the ferry docks ice-free.

For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://www.sooeveningnews.com/news/20180228/us-coast-guard-meets-with-sugar-islanders

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The Challenges For Easy Sault Ste Marie Systems

“They’re going through the stop sign. They’re not stopping for it properly and causing the collisions.” Ninety-eight collisions were reported at the downtown hot spot last year. Another 15 happened at the nearby Andrew and Albert intersection. Sault Ste. Marie Police Service saw fewer collisions at Gore and Albert in February compared to January to start 2018, but still handed out 113 tickets to motorists in the past month mostly for failing to yield or failing to stop. A traffic enforcement team spent 20.5 hours at Albert and Gore and Albert and Andrew Street in February. Traffic lights at Gore and Albert were removed in late 2016, but some drivers still tell police the light was green or no stop sign is present for eastbound traffic on Albert, Sparling told reporters on Thursday. Two stop signs are erected for eastbound vehicles travelling in the north and south lanes on Albert. Sgt. Ray Magnan, head of traffic services, suggests motorists are not familiar with the stop sign at Gore and Albert. He saw collisions climb when Carmen’s Way opened and stop signs went up for vehicles travelling east and west on Conmee Avenue. “As time went by people got used to it,” said Magnan. Ward 4 Coun. Rick Niro notes collisions usually jump when traffic lights are replaced by stops signs.

http://www.saultstar.com/2018/03/01/police-ticket-113-drivers-at-gorealbert

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Guidance On Selecting Aspects For Solar Power Sault Ste Marie

Solar energy is becoming more and more main stream. Both business and home owners can see the positive effects when using solar energy. If you’d like to know more about solar energy, read on. The information below will teach you what you need to know about solar power.

The solar panels’ density can determine their efficiency rates. Panels featuring higher levels of density typically cost more, but their expense is worthwhile, as you will have greater energy production ability. Carefully evaluate the density and efficiency of all options before making a purchase.

Don’t assume that harnessing solar power means going full scale and ripping out your roof. You can start by installing solar powered lights to illuminate your landscape. During the daytime, they will charge. At night, they will light up from the power they have stored.

Think carefully about whether solar power is a good choice for you. There are many reasons you may choose to go this route to power your home. A major reason to go with solar power is if your home is remote and the traditional power grid does not reach it. It’s also a good choice if you can afford it.

If the environment is a concern to you, consider converting to solar energy. Solar energy is a very “green” source of energy since it is 100 percent renewable. Be more environmentally responsible and use solar power instead of fossil fuels.

When you plan your home’s solar energy conversion, choose the more convenient areas to begin with. You’ll want to begin with smaller appliances so that you don’t take on too much in the beginning. Doing things gradually will make it easier to stick with.

Always check the regulations in your particular area before installing solar energy systems. Permits are required in a lot of locations. You may have to remove your solar panels if you install them without a proper permit.

If you wish to get solar panels, start checking the weather. Solar panels that are of high quality are going to create enough energy that can run your home if the panels are in the sun for about five hours a day. During the winter, if you have snow on your roof or if most of the days are overcast, you should consider other options in green energy.

Stay away from salespeople in the solar energy business that try to push you into a sale. Switching to solar energy is a large investment and one you should think about first. It should be feasible for you to let them now you will make a decision later rather than right there and then. Solar energy is only going to become more affordable in the future, so don’t jump on the first good deal you see. Decisions made under pressure can end up costing you a lot.

There are probably numerous reasons why you have decided to click on and read this article. Hopefully, you found some answers to your questions in regards to solar energy. Getting started with solar energy today can benefit you for many years to come.

To read more about vpowerenergy plug and play solar generator Sault Ste Marie visit https://www.johnvonstach.com/vs-products-inc/

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alastair-majury-blog · 7 years ago

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five Techniques to Becoming a business Analyst

You may perhaps be inquiring, “How do I turn into a business enterprise analyst?” In what follows, I’ll enable you to discover in which that you are alongside the everyday changeover route at the same time as deal with a number of the commonest exclusive situations that usually occur up from aspiring business enterprise analysts.

Prior to I forget, I would like to make sure you are aware of about my step-by-step BA occupation organizing class (it’s free of charge) that is built to assist you to, the mid-career qualified, kick-start your online business evaluation career. The class should help you dig deeper into just about every in the concepts outlined beneath. You’ll also would like to ensure to obtain the Small business Analyst Profession Roadmap because it offers you a visual manual and alternate paths via the five measures.

With that outside of just how, onward using the five measures!

Phase 1 - Study about Company Investigation and confirm Your Vocation Selection

Just like moving into any occupation, making familiarity with company examination is a crucial component of your vocation adjust. And there are various strategies to accumulate plenty of know-how to be effective. You can read the Company Analysis Human body of Knowledge®, while I recommend that those people new for the career decide on a far more accessible textual content. The BABOK is awesome, but it is not written to become available by aspiring small business analysts…it’s composed being a reference information for doing the job business enterprise analysts. The Software package Necessities Memory Jogger or my e-book, How to Start a BA Vocation, are superior possibilities.

Starting to be experienced in regards to the role of your small business analyst is simply the main move. The most significant mistake I see is the fact that a lot of aspiring BAs spend way much too substantially time right here, neglecting the realities in the next four measures. Alternatively, I see lots of professionals get over-invested in business enterprise assessment only to find out the job is not a good in good shape for them. That is why I like to recommend understanding just enough to find out if organization evaluation may be the correct job alternative for yourself.

Look at out my forty two Causes to start a company Analyst Career and the Initially five Indicators that Company Analysis could be the Profession Preference to suit your needs for a few clarity on whether or not or not you’ve identified the correct in good shape.

Even though these checklists ensure you are about the right monitor, you could possibly still not be 100% guaranteed. A 2nd plus much more concrete litmus exam is usually to follow some BA techniques to get a sense to the purpose. We’ll talk to this especially in Action 4, so hold please reading through.

Stage 2 - Recognize Your Transferable Skills and Leverage Details to Develop Your Positioning

As being a mid-career skilled, you probably qualify for a subset of BA employment currently. (Do not be pissed off by only qualifying for a subset - even probably the most experienced BAs usually do not qualify for all BA work.) A lot of pros I function with have the ability to skip correct previous entry-level BA positions by determining their transferable competencies as well as exclusive qualifications from their job backgrounds. Chances are you'll also be capable to open up up options within just a slice of business enterprise examination or in the transitional part.

Transferable expertise come from ordeals utilizing organization analysis tactics in the non-BA part. Michelle Swoboda shares a system for translating your techniques into small business evaluation. And here, I share 3 real illustrations of transferable techniques.

Regardless of whether or not you have a deep profession history in business evaluation, it’s probable that just one or even more aspects of your respective career record present you with expertise to leverage into business evaluation. No matter whether it is your knock-your-socks off communication competencies or your deep experience in the relevant field domain, there is a excellent that probable administrators are specifically hiring for.

If you're at this time employed in a very company that employs BAs, then your most beneficial leverage point quite very well may very well be familiarity with that person business, the organization model, plus the company stakeholders.

Other components can consist of:

Industry area knowledge (Read regarding how marketplace expertise can affect your work look for) Application experience (Examine regarding how method know-how aided me qualify for my to start with BA placement) Know-how within a certain procedure location, such as HR or finance Knowledge within a wide set of functional locations or possibly a wide assortment of corporations (You may be contemplating this action doesn’t apply to you personally. I’ve labored with quite a few, several mid-career specialists on their own occupation transition options and we have generally been capable of finding no less than a person transferable ability and occupation encounter. Extra frequently, we’ve found several transferable abilities and appropriate ordeals. Our BA profession preparing class walks you thru this process in additional depth. And my Quickly Keep track of to the BA Vocation system gives you the opportunity to acquire my personalized assistance with your exact job circumstance.)

Right after exploring your transferable capabilities and leverage points, this is often a fantastic time for you to update your company analyst resume to showcase how your past experience qualifies you for roles inside of or close to business investigation.

Phase three - Get Tangible Responses by Placing Out Feelers

The moment you’ve crafted up your assurance within your career preference plus your small business examination abilities, it’s the perfect time to get some genuine, tangible responses. This may mean sharing your occupation targets with all your manager and requesting a lot more options to exercise BA strategies. It'd also suggest circulating your resume to the handful of recruiters or implementing to your couple of Alastair Majury business analyst positions. (What you do within this action will count seriously on what route you take by the Roadmap.)

The purpose of the training is just not automatically to locate the chance (while if that transpires for you correct from the bat, that is a blessed bonus), but to obtain feed-back regarding how your occupation objectives are perceived by the ones that work along with you or are ready to hire you.

Chances are you'll be amazed to find out that a selected skill is amazingly marketable and may give an entryway right into a small business analyst position. Otherwise you could be specified some tips for strengthening your positioning even additional. Which potential customers us to the future stage.

Phase 4 - Method Your Function having a BA Way of thinking and Strengthen Your Positioning

As component of the assessment you probably did in action 2, you will have learned some gaps. Include these towards your skilled progress program and take a look at possibilities to fill them as a result of volunteer positions or by developing on-the-job organization analyst experiences. What we see is that one organization evaluation task tends to bring about yet another, making a virtuous cycle of new organization prospects and expanded practical experience.

Follow procedures including:

strengthening a company procedure facilitating meetings crafting use situations scoping jobs using these 5 queries eliciting details Not acquiring the reaction you had been hoping for from these workout routines? Right here are 3 items your manager demands to hear you say ahead of they’ll permit you take on new work tasks.

And if you may have doubts, examine Kimberley Heath’s results tale about how she established a BA volunteer chance for herself and what she discovered with the practical experience, or my tale regarding how I acquired seen for on-the-job possibilities by relentlessly receiving myself invited to meetings and actively taking part in any way I could.

As you a cultivate a BA mindset, you are going to see that company evaluation begets small business evaluation. Once you see your initial option, several more sprout up proper before you. Is often a virtuous circle that could direct you to a full-fledged organization analysis part, step-by-step.

Even now truly feel trapped? Verify out Adrian Reed’s 5 strategies for breaking the vicious cycle of no expertise = no BA job.

Phase 5 - Concentrate Your Attempts to uncover Your Initially BA Prospect

In time, chances are you'll qualify for just a enterprise evaluation role as part of your corporation or be in a position to propose a company analyst role in the organization. But not all occupation circumstances provide the same options. Some BAs discover on their own seeking outside their group for his or her 1st BA work. If that’s you, you are going to would like to read through more about our company analyst task lookup method.

And if your transferable expertise assessment arrived up a bit shorter, chances are you'll need to have to check out a transitional role to steer you around the route to BA. Right here we deal with what a foreseeable future BA can discover from the specialized analyst role. And Adrian Reed gives some picked roles which can result in business analyst careers.

This can be essential. As you continue ahead, it’s pretty very easy to get caught within a rut of expending quite a bit of energy in activities that are not really transferring you nearer to the intention. Do an everyday check-in versus these seven symptoms you will be building progress in direction of a BA vocation and be sure to celebrate your interim successes.

>>Plan The next step by using a Free Training course

Although this is a wide range of data, you may perhaps be questioning just what methods you could choose. We offer a free of charge step-by-step BA vocation arranging training course that could assist you to figure out the next move.

Simply click in this article to learn more regarding how to start out your BA vocation

Indeed, Buts

You would possibly be considering that these steps never apply to you personally because fill in the blank here. I’ve corresponded with numerous aspiring small business analysts as element of my virtual programs and served numerous correctly make this changeover (just test out our list of profession transition tales) and so I do know this process functions.

What follows is usually a checklist of problems that the majority of typically come up and the way to address them.

But imagine if I’m unemployed?

For anyone who is unemployed, concentration your initiatives on move two and utilize the outcomes of the analysis to update your resume and fortify your positioning for BA work opportunities. In case you are even now unable to qualify to get a modest slice of business enterprise assessment roles plus your timeline to locate a occupation is brief, refocus your task research on transitional roles. If the timeline is lengthier, you could consider buying move four for a volunteer.

But what if I just graduated from faculty which has a diploma in business analysis?

For anyone who is a the latest school grad, you are able to nevertheless use these ways. In any given site, there are actually typically a pick out couple of businesses that actively recruit the latest school graduates into BA roles. Find them. When you worked by way of faculty or actively leveraged internship chances, you'll have adequate expertise to take a position some time in step 2 and qualify your self for just a function demanding 2-3 years of knowledge. (For more data on how this works, browse Eric’s transition tale - he landed a BA career just 7 months outside of college or university.) If neither of such solutions works out for you, think about investing a number of a long time in a very transitional role working your way in the direction of a business analysis, specifically specializing in action 4 earlier mentioned, after which working your way back again by the 5 steps.

However, quite a few promises produced by faculties and universities that their degrees qualify you for business enterprise evaluation jobs correct away from faculty simply do not keep genuine. That does not suggest your education and learning isn’t beneficial - it is actually. It helps you already know what to do in action 4. But it really also usually means it could acquire you a number of years to receive into the task you actually want.

But I’m an MBA, simply cannot I skip these methods?

No. Your MBA could possibly give you an extra edge in the positioning, but it’s not a silver bullet into business enterprise assessment. For those who participated in real-world initiatives as a part of your MBA, then assess all those making use of move 2. And also ensure to greatly leverage the expert network you designed during your MBA as component of your job research in phase five.

Should you pursued your MBA right after your bachelor’s, confer with my reply above. For those who pursued your MBA mid-career, be certain to endure all five actions as it is very likely there is a lot of experience to attract from. And ask your employer for opportunities to apply your MBA and create relevant specialist experiences (see step 4).

But what about business enterprise assessment coaching?

Good issue. Schooling is actually a implies to an close. Education is suitable if it helps you obtain the outcome from one of several 5 steps. Education alone will not be likely to allow you to turn into a business enterprise analyst. Which is why all my enterprise analysis schooling courses are action-based, that means you are taking concrete methods towards your BA job goal when you engage in this system.

But how about certificates and certifications?

To start with, be sure you recognize the difference amongst certificates and certifications. If following finishing phase two, you realize you may have 2 ½+ several years of encounter or even more, pursuing an IIBA certification could help reinforce your positioning significantly, but like an MBA, a certification just isn't a silver bullet, just an extra edge. Check out Adriana Beal’s short article on regardless of whether or not the CBAP is right to suit your needs to help you make your choice. If you elect to pursue your CBAP or CCBA, here’s eight Ways towards the CBAP that could assist you prepare out your certification course of action.

In terms of a coaching company-specific certification, it’s the training driving the certification that matters most, not the certificate by itself. Make reference to my response on the past issue.

But what if I really do not have IT techniques and encounter?

You never need to have them! For anyone who is intending to be a BA on an IT task, you will want a specialized understanding. Here’s a write-up describing the difference and why we see technological abilities in BA jobs.

But let's say I never have small business area expertise?

Business enterprise domain knowledge can be a leverage level and lots of aspiring BAs are really profitable at leveraging experience in the distinct area to discover their first BA situation. However, if you don’t have skills inside a distinct domain, it does not imply you simply cannot turn into a BA, it just signifies that you choose to need to have to focus over the prospects exactly where small business area know-how just isn't these types of an essential qualification. Occasionally this can feel like looking for a needle in the haystack. But trust me, the opportunities are there. Retain performing absent at stage 4 and putting your feelers out. A chance will surface to suit your needs.

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stephaniefchase · 8 years ago

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Bajan Newscap 2/22/2017

Good Morning #realdreamchasers! Here is your daily news cap for Wednesday 22nd February 2017. Remember you can read full articles via Barbados Today (BT) or by purchasing a MidWeek Nation Newspaper (MWN).

PRIVATE SECTOR JITTERY – The business community continues to be jittery, as the economy shows no signs of recovering, according to outgoing Executive Director of the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) Lisa Gale. In her final message as head of the business grouping, Gale expressed disappointment at the snail’s pace at which Government was moving to iron out a range of private sector issues and concerns, including high debt levels “and the attendant debt servicing that is necessary”. “Equally worrisome is the declining foreign exchange cover. We continue to look forward to better fiscal consolidation, growth in investments, better business facilitation and significant boost to the foreign exchange standings,” said Gale, who demits office on March 31. “Even more recent is the discussions surrounding the fallout with the Minister of Finance [Chris Sinckler] and the Governor [of the Central Bank of Barbados Dr DeLisle Worrell]. At the collective private sector organization level our main question is, what next, given that we can all see that the managers of the economy are either not making the best or hard decisions.” The business executive suggested that there was very little comfort in the promise that several major investments in the tourism industry that were scheduled to jump-start the ailing construction sector this year would get started, pointing out that “we have been hearing of these projects for some time now”. She also expressed concern that there was still “no firm date as to when the Customs and Excise Department will be merging with the Barbados Revenue Authority”. However, Gale gave the assurance that the BCCI would continue to be a voice on behalf of the private sector in demanding answers. “Last year saw very slow resolution to several of our members’ issues. The main challenges related to facilitation and outstanding payments. We felt pressed to be constantly bombarding Government amidst little feedback received,” she said. Gale highlighted the National Social Responsibility Levy and its applicability and computation; outstanding Value Added Tax and payments for goods provided by Government; delays in processing clearance goods at the port leading to increased costs; challenges with the Customs Department; demurrage charges and the spiralling effect on the cost of imported commodities; the National Waste Management plan, challenges to duty-free sales to hotels and increased taxation as issues that remained unresolved. (BT)

VAT FILING DEADLINE EXTENDED – Taxpayers have another day to file their Value Added Tax returns. As a result of technical issues experienced earlier today, the Barbados Revenue Authority announced that the VAT filing date has been extended to tomorrow, February 22, 2017. (MWN)

STICKING TO CONSTITUTION – Bajans will definitely go to the polls sometime within the “constitutionally determined period”, says Prime Minister Freundel Stuart. And when the election date is set by the Governor General, on the recommendation of Stuart, the ruling Democratic Labour Party (DLP), in office since 2008, will be going all out to win a third term. That indication came from Stuart, who told the Midweek NATION in New York that he intended to stick to the provisions of the Constitution in setting the date for the voting. Asked if he planned to call an election within the next six months, Stuart said: “What I can assure you is that elections are going to be called within the constitutionally determined period. We are not going beyond the constitutionally determined period.” (MWN)

NOT PMS FAULT – Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Maxine McClean Tuesday sought to quell a potential firestorm over the recent “fake news” that a number of Barbadians had been detained in United States president Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown. In what appeared to be a subtle attempt to shift responsibility for the story on to the media, McClean Tuesday said Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, who last week said the Barbadians had been arrested, had not volunteered “an announcement to the world”. Seemingly believing that the information passed on to him by McClean was accurate, Stuart told reporters on the sidelines of the 28th Caribbean Community Intercessional Summit in Guyana last Thursday that during the meeting of the leaders “the Foreign Minister [McClean] showed me a text message or an email message she had just received saying that 19 Barbadians had been identified in this whole process”. The Prime Minister also said Government would investigate the report, even as he expressed surprise that Barbadians and other Caribbean nationals were being rounded up by the American authorities in keeping with Trump’s January 27 order intended to keep terrorists out of the US. “We did not see ourselves as threatened,” Stuart said at the time. Twenty-four hours later the Prime Minister backed down from his previous statement, stating through the Barbados Government Information Service that “no Barbadians are being detained under the new immigration policy being implemented by the United States”. Stuart explained that the Barbados’ Consulate General in New York had investigated the report and found it to be untrue. (BT)

SACK BOTH OF THEM – The Opposition Barbados Labour Party (BLP) has suggested that there is only one way that the current legal battle between Governor of the Central Bank of Barbados Dr DeLisle Worrell and Minister of Finance Chris Sinckler should end — that is in the firing of both men. Addressing a BLP political meeting at the weekend, Bishop Joseph Atherley, the party’s representative for St Michael West, suggested that Worrell and Sinckler should both take the fall because together they had implemented the wrong economic policies. “The Minister of Finance, Governor of the Central Bank, one was the voice, the other was the echo, both saying the same thing,” Atherley cautioned, amid the bitter squabble between the two men, which broke out two weekends ago and has so far led Worrell to the domestic law courts to obtain an injunction preventing the Minister from dismissing him. And with the court due to hear the Governor’s appeal on Thursday, Atherley called for urgent settlement of the public impasse saying, “The saga before us is a sorry one, and it portends dark days for Barbados if it is not quickly checked.” He also argued that the dispute came as a result of Worrell’s refusal to continue printing money, while telling party supporters: “Don’t allow yourself to be sucked into the narrative which is being sold to us that the Central Bank Governor must go because he can’t get along with the board [of the Central Bank], and the board members don’t want him. “That is a narrative designed to serve political ends,” the Opposition spokesman told the gathering of BLP supporters at the George Lamming Primary School on Sunday evening. He suggested that the “true narrative” was that Worrell had refused to provide money from the bank to support Government’s spending on the basis that its policies were failing. “ ‘We can’t do that no more. I am no longer with you in that. We need to stop printing money, we’re courting disaster,’” is what Atherley said he understood Worrell to be saying. He was strongly supported by the BLP’s St Michael Central candidate Arthur Holder, who said it was easy to understand what had happened. In fact, Holder termed it a “simple scenario”. (BT)

AGONY AS QEH LIFT DROPS – A pregnant woman was one of several users that apparently got a ride of their lives while in an elevator at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) on Monday. Natalie Brathwaite, 30 weeks pregnant, is claiming that when she boarded the lift on Monday afternoon at the Martindale’s Road institution, it dropped from the B floor to the ground. Speaking to the MIDWEEK NATION from her hospital bed yesterday, she said the swift drop put “fear in her heart” about the safety of her child as she was on her way to visit a friend. Recalling how things developed Brathwaite said: “After I press the button, I said that it was taking too long and I was going to walk up the stairs. Then the door open so I went in. When it stopped [at floor B] I thought it was stopping to open the door but it just jerk then sink right down and I was real, real scared,” she said. (MWN)

VIRGIN LAUNCHES HEATHROW SERVICE TO BARBADOS – Commencing Winter 2017, travellers will be able to fly directly between London Heathrow Airport and Grantley Adams International Airport, via Virgin Atlantic. The new, twice weekly service will be officially launched on December 12, 2017, with flights scheduled to go on sale from Saturday, February 25. Currently, flights between Barbados and London are only available via Gatwick Airport. Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc (BTMI) William Billy Griffith has therefore welcomed the new service, saying, “London Heathrow is the largest airport in the U.K., handling over 70 million passengers annually. The flights will operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays as part of the Winter 2017 schedule using an Airbus A330. It will bring to 11, the number of Virgin flights per week to Barbados from three U.K. airports – Gatwick, Manchester and Heathrow. Shai Weiss, chief commercial officer at Virgin Atlantic, said: “The Caribbean has always been a core market for Virgin Atlantic and so we’re excited to announce we’re offering more choice to our customers with the option of flying from Heathrow, Gatwick or Manchester direct to Barbados.” The news comes on the heels of an announcement by Minister of Tourism and International Transport Richard Sealy that Barbados recorded 6.7 per cent growth in air arrivals last year. During 2016, the UK remained the island’s primary source market, contributing 35 per cent of stay-over arrivals. (BT)

AIRBUS – As regional airline LIAT prepares to embark on its latest cost cutting exercise in another week, Minister of Tourism Richard Sealy has suggested that there can be no running away from the planned financial restructuring. In fact, while comparing the operations of the Antigua-based regional carrier to those of the state-run Transport Board, Sealy told industry officials and members of the media here on Monday that the promised cuts were inevitable. At the same, he suggested that it was going to be hard for LIAT to ever turn a profit, given its social responsibility to provide air transportation to the region. “They are asked to service a lot of routes that are just not profitable. It is really the aviation version of the Transport Board in many respects and it is not an easy challenge when, as can happen, one of your aircraft is down for routine maintenance or some unanticipated reason,” he said, while highlighting problems with the airline’s fleet. The minister of tourism also said he had “a lot of sympathy” for LIAT’s staff and management, but he emphasized that cutting, though difficult, was necessary for the carrier, in which Barbados is the major shareholder, to move forward. Earlier this month, the airline announced the first two routes that it will cut “as part of its efforts to achieve greater profitability and improved efficiency”. Back then, LIAT said it would stop servicing the United States Virgin Island from March 1, when it ends flights to St Croix. The regional carrier also plans to terminate its St Thomas service on June 14. It also intends to suspend flights between Guadeloupe and Dominica, but will introduce a return service between Antigua and the French-speaking island in the near future. In the meantime, Sealy said his Government was eager to cut its overall subsidy to airlines which fly into Barbados. He believes it will still be possible for the island to attract major air carriers even if it drastically reduces that amount, which could total as much as $30 million a year. (BT)

NO TAKE UP FOR DUTY FREE ZONES – Six months after Government announced the establishment of duty-free zones in The City and other tourism hotspots across the island, private sector interests are yet to come forward to take advantage of the programme, says Minister of Tourism Richard Sealy. Making the announcement of the planned duty-free zones in his August 2016 Financial Statement and Budgetary Proposals, Minister of Finance Chris Sinckler had said the zones would provide duty-free shopping for Barbadians and visitors alike. Provision was made for this to happen through the Duties, Taxes and Other Payments (Exemption) Act, Cap 67B, the Tourism Development Act, Cap 341 (TDA) and the Special Development Areas Act, Cap. 237A(SDA) with Sinckler promising to establish a special committee to review the initiative with a directive to report its findings and recommendations to him within three months so that a firm proposal could be brought to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Policy for review before it could be forwarded to the entire Cabinet for approval. Asked to provide an update on the programme during his media conference on Monday at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, Sealy said he had expected the private sector to “run away” with the benefits provided under the SDA, but reported that this was not the case. (BT)

PORTVALE BACK IN ACTION – Cane processing has resumed at Portvale Sugar Factory. Factory manager Raphael O’Neal said grinding resumed at 6:30 p.m. on Monday evening. That was one full week after it was reported that issues with the factory’s boilers had caused it to cease production. During the week since production stopped, canes were still being delivered to the Blowers, St James factory. On Sunday when a MIDWEEK NATION team visited the factory there were piles of cane waiting to be processed. When contacted to find out how cane producers were impacted by the work stoppage at Portvale, the lone factory processing canes, Patrick Bethell, chairman of the Barbados Sugar Industry Limited said he would have to speak to the farmers to find out. He noted that the farmers harvested canes based on the quotas they received from the factory. (MWN)

MOVE TO GET BAJANS BACK ON FARMS - Barbadians could soon be working on farms in the United States if negotiations with officials in that country are successful. Minister of Labour Dr Esther Byer Suckoo said the island was working to establish a programme similar to the Canadian Farm Labour Programme that has been in operation for almost 50 years. Addressing the Canadian Seasonal Agricultural workshop at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, Two Mile Hill, St Michael, on Monday, Byer Suckoo said: “We went to America just two weeks ago and we have gotten good interest. There are people who are interested there in hiring Barbadians so I am hopeful that this year we can have people on the ground in the United States.” She said the Ministry of Labour was looking to expand the Liaison Office Unit in the United States as well as the office in Canada. (MWN)

WORKERS GROWING WEED IN CANADA – Farm labour workers who engage in growing marijuana on farms in Canada have been put on notice. Minister of Labour Dr Esther Byer Suckoo has not only warned them about the possibility of facing criminal charges in Canada, she also said such actions had the potential to threaten the viability of the farms on which the marijuana was found. “When an employer sees something like that, he will not be sending back for you . . . nor would we be asking anybody . . . to send back for you as well. How do we know that you will not be doing the same thing again?” Byer Suckoo told potential workers in the programme during a workshop at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre on Monday. James Inniss, in the farm programmes’s Liaison Officer’s Report for 2016, said: “In September, marijuana was found growing on one of the farms. This is the second occasion that such a thing has happened and, obviously, the employer was very angry.” (BT)

CALL THE COPS – President of the Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union (BSTU) Mary Redman has added her voice to a call for a police investigation into allegations of sabotage at Combermere School in Waterford, St Michael. Redman made the comment in light of yet another disruption of classes at the school Tuesday morning following the return of the foul stench that has been a constant feature of the longstanding environmental woes plaguing the learning institution. When Barbados TODAY arrived at the school at 10:30 Tuesday morning an ambulance was seen entering the premises. Several parents had already arrived to collect their charges. Scores of children could also be seen filing onto the playing field, an obvious indicator that it was not business as usual at the school, considered one of this island’s leading educational institutions. Classes were reported to have resumed at 11:30 a.m., but one hour later students were again out of the classroom as the foul odour resurfaced. The prolonged environmental problem has been a source of frustration for students, teachers and the authorities, and the cause of much angry and often bitter exchanges involving Minister of Education Ronald Jones, Principal Vere Parris and head of the History Department Reverend Charles Morris. Among the most contentious issues are claims by both Parris and Jones that sabotage had been the cause of the problem; leading Morris to ridicule both men and insist that Jones should call the police. Redman Tuesday joined Morris in insisting that Jones should invite lawmen to prove that sabotage was the cause for the recent flare-ups. Jones told Parliament two weeks ago there appeared to be “a deliberate attempt to sabotage the work that has been taking place over the last several months”, with two natural gas pipes in one of the Science labs being left on for about 45 minutes after a class and hand towels and children’s book leaves discovered blocking a drainage pipe from a toilet. (BT)

MORE PRESSURE AT HIGH COURT – The end of the painstakingly slow preliminary inquiry while speeding up some of the serious criminal cases could lead to a crippling of sections of the justice system. At least two lawyers believe the abolition of the pre-trial process from February 1 will transfer the backlog from the lower court to a high court presided over by just two judges. In July 2016 the Magistrates’ Court (Amendment) Bill 2016 was introduced in Parliament, where it was debated with Attorney General Adriel Brathwaite insisting the move would reduce unnecessary delays in concluding matters. Queen’s Counsel Andrew Pilgrim, a well known defence attorney, anticipated “severe delays in the Supreme Court”. He said more often than not the Magistrates’ Court acted as a buffer between being charged and actual trial. (MWN)

STEALING HEALTH SUPPLEMENTS LANDS MOORE BEHIND BARS – A 42-year-old man who had no fixed place of abode will be housed at Her Majesty’s Prisons Dodds for the next 12 months. Magistrate Kristie Cuffy-Sargeant imposed the sentence on Andrew Sylvester Moore Tuesday after he confessed to stealing two jars of tablets worth $39 from Jenn’s Health and Beauty Supply. The court heard from prosecutor Sergeant Janice Ifill that the unemployed man entered the store located at Lower Broad Street, The City yesterday and was kept under observation by the security guard on duty. Moore went directly to the shelf on which the items were displayed and was seen putting them in the back pocket of the pants he was wearing. He was detained and the items recovered. Police were called in and Moore, who is known to the courts, admitted to the offence. (BT)

UWI STUDENT STABBED ON CAMPUS – A student of the Cave Hill campus of the University of the West Indies was stabbed multiple times during an altercation with another student Tuesday evening. Police say 21-year-old Akindele Licorish of Free Hill, Black Rock, St Michael, was stabbed about the body during the incident which occurred sometime around 6:45 p.m. Licorish was stabbed on his hands and his right side. He was taken to the Sandy Crest Medical Centre where he was treated and discharged. (BT)

TWO GO FREE IN SEPARATE CASES – A St Michael man has been freed of two serious charges stemming from a shooting incident five years ago. Nico Akeem Rayside of Hinds Gap, Halls Road, St Michael was accused of wounding Jabarri Jackson with intent to maim, disfigure or disable him, or do him some serious bodily harm, on January 1, 2012. The then 19-year-old was also charged with discharging a firearm recklessly or without lawful excuse in Gully Hill, a public place, in a manner that placed Jackson in danger of death or serious bodily harm. However, when Jackson appeared in court Tuesday morning, he told the No. 2 District ‘A’ Court that he was no longer interested in pursuing the matter. After he assured the court that he was not forced to make the decision and had made it of his own free will, presiding Magistrate Kristie Cuffy-Sargeant dismissed the case. However, Rayside had to pay the court $300 in costs before he could leave. Meantime, an assault case against a teacher from St Joseph was also dismissed. Angela Andreretta Hamilton of Block 1C, Lammings Housing Area was accused of assaulting Samantha Greaves, occasioning her actual bodily harm, on October 1, 2012. After the prosecutor informed the magistrate of the latest on the case, the matter was dropped “for want of prosecution”. (BT)

WARD ON BOND TO KEEP PEACE – A Bridgetown magistrate has told a 47-year-old man that he must keep the peace and be of good behaviour for the next two years if he does not want to land in jail. Magistrate Kristie Cuffy-Sargeant imposed the bond on Deighton Ward, of McClean Road, Silver Sands, Christ Church after he appeared before her on four criminal charges. Ward admitted to the unlawful possession of cannabis on February 19, and assaulting and resisting Special Constable Kerry-Ann Burnett in the execution of her duties on the same day. He was not required to plead to another charge of possession of cannabis which occurred in the District ‘B’ jurisdiction. That matter was transferred to that Magistrates’ Court where Ward is expected to appear on May 10. In the meantime, he is on $2,000 bail, which was posted by one surety. After hearing the facts from police prosecutor Sergeant Janice Ifill on the other matters, the magistrate imposed a fine of $1,000 on the general worker for the cannabis offence, which must be paid in three months or he will spend three months in prison. The 24-month bond was the sentence handed down for the offences of assault and resisting Special Constable Burnett. If he breaches the order, he must pay the court $1,500 forthwith or spend six months behind bars at HMP Dodds. (BT)

CAMERON SAYS ITS ALL UP TO BRAVO – West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) president Dave Cameron has remained vague on the future of embattled left-hander Darren Bravo, but says the ball is in the player’s court. With the career of the Trinidadian up in the air following his sending home ahead of the tri-nations series in Zimbabwe last November, Cameron refused to be drawn definitively on the player’s future, saying only “the ball is in his court”. “My understanding is that Mr Bravo has met with the executive of the WICB and the ball is in his court as to whenever he is willing to come back and play cricket,” Cameron said at a recent WICB town hall meeting. Incensed by Cameron’s criticism of his “declining” form and “poor performances”, Bravo slammed the Jamaican administrator in a Twitter outburst, labelling him a “big idiot”. The WICB promptly cancelled Bravo’s match/tour contract and sent him home from the tour but also gave him until 4 p.m. on November 11 to remove the offending tweet and issue an apology for his actions. Failure to do so, the WICB said, would result “in further disciplinary action, including referral to the WICB disciplinary committee”. Asked at the town hall meeting if he had received an apology from Bravo, Cameron again repeated: “The ball is in his court.” (MWN)

OVAL A GOLD MINE – The Barbados Government may soon compulsorily acquire Kensington Oval, known as the Mecca of West Indies cricket. The cash-strapped Freundel Stuart administration is reported to be interested in boosting its revenues through the full use of the Oval as a money-spinning multi-event facility beyond cricket. Discussions on the new plan are said to be in the “early stages”. Preliminary meetings were held in the past week between representatives of the three key Government ministries of Sport; Housing and Lands; and Finance and Economic Affairs on the acquisition of the 12.5-acre property with a view to curtailing its 103-year ownership by the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) and its forerunner, the Barbados Cricket Committee. (MWN)

BRANCKER CHAMPS AT WILLS – BRANCKER (GREEN) HOUSE emerged comfortable winners at the Wills Primary School inter-house athletics championships at Coverley Playing Field last Friday. The new champions accumulated 588 points and were well clear of second-placed Flatt (Yellow) House, who ended with 534 points. Loustic (Red) House were a distant third on 452 points with Rose (Blue) House finishing fourth with 424 points. Brancker were helped to the title through the performances two leading athletes, Reagan Gibbons and Lily Brewster. Gibbons took the victor ludorum title for students from Class 2 to 4, while Brewster was the victrix ludorum among the younger pupils. Flatt House also produced two outstanding athletes, with Jolie Phillips landing the victrix ludorum honours and Aiden Clarke emerging as the junior victor ludorum. (MWN)

SET B WINS AGAIN - SET B (Blue House) continued their reign for the second consecutive year after a 12-year dry spell at Deighton Griffith Secondary School sports yesterday. The champions amassed 1 427 points at the Kingsland, Christ Church school grounds, finishing ahead of second-placed Set D (Green House), who scored 1 326.5 points. Set A (Red House) took third place with 1 206 points, while Set C (Yellow House) were fourth after tallying 1 067.5 points. Not all houses were represented in the relays and as such the Under-17 Girls’ race was run with only two teams – Blue and Green, with Green coming out the winners. There were also only two entrants – Red and Blue – in the Under-20 Girls’ and Boys’ divisions. Blue House were victorious for the girls and Red House for the boys. (MWN)

STILL WAITING – Local athletics are still watching and waiting. The Athletics Association of Barbados (AAB) is mulling over a decision to send a team to this summer’s IAAF Under-18 Championships from July 12 to July 16 in Nairobi following the growing security concerns surrounding Kenya. President Catherine Jordan revealed the AAB is still undecided after major countries like the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom publicly pulled out from the youth championships.“We’re still watching as we haven’t come to a conclusion at this time. We’ve met as a board and decided the best thing to do was to wait as it’s still early right now and it makes no sense making a decision right now,” explained Jordan. (MWN)

LODGE WANTS PARTNERSHIP WITH JAPANESE SCHOOLS – The Lodge School in St John is keen to be part of any exchange programmes between Barbadian and Japanese schools. While no such programmes have been announced, Principal Winston Dowrich said he envisaged a mutually beneficial relationship with a similar secondary school in Japan that would lead to an exchange of students and teachers. In welcoming Japan’s Ambassador to Barbados Teruhiko Shinada who visited the Lodge School on Monday, Dowrich said Barbadian schools could learn a thing or two about the use of technology in schools from their Japanese counterparts. He said “an awareness of and an appreciation of other cultures is critical to the success of our students” in an environment in which globalization had made it possible for people to interact or even work together, while living in different parts of the world. Tokyo offers scholarships to overseas students wishing to study in Japan. Dowrich said while there was very little interaction between Barbadians and Japanese at present, this could change through cultural exchanges. In acknowledging the relationship between the Lodge School and Japan, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education Harry Husbands encouraged the students to consider a future where they would live and work in a Japanese city. “There are tremendous opportunities for you young people to broaden your horizons. Think of your future not only in terms of Barbados, but also in terms of the entire world. This visit will open your minds to all of these possibilities. I am confident that it would lead to great opportunities in the future for students,” Husbands said. (BT)

DOUBLE CELEBRATION – As if reaching 100 was not a special enough occasion for Erla Browne, the vibrant former educator shared her birthday today with her great-granddaughter, Eleanor Leach, who turned six and got the opportunity to meet Governor General Sir Elliott Belgrave. An impressed Sir Elliott listened attentively as Browne read the card he presented her to commemorate the special occasion, and the two shared light conversation before toasting. Browne is the mother of three children – Peter and David Browne (deceased) and Betty Sanders – who were each born 17 months apart. In her early days, the former teacher was a disciplinarian but loved by many. In fact, just last weekend the island’s newest centenarian was toasted and showered with gifts by former students of the St Gabriel’s School for her hard work and dedication. Browne was dedicated to children and church. Reverend John Rogers brought greetings from the St George Parish Church to the avid churchgoer. “Sister Erla attends church on both Sunday and Wednesday mornings, and she is a sure sign of God’s providence amongst us,” he said. The centenarian was born in Barbados in 1917 and moved to Britain over a decade ago. She spent most of her life here, but now resides in London. Following her visit from the Governor General, Browne celebrated her milestone with 100 of her closest family and friends at a nearby function, where she was described by many as an unsung hero and a phenomenal woman. (BT)

Well that’s all for today folks. There are 312 days left in the year Shalom! #thechasefiles #dailynewscaps Follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram for your daily news. #bajannewscaps #newscapsbystephaniefchase

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