#if you live in alberta it's money mentors

[hookedonyonics]

and similar to how exercise helps you sleep better which means you have more energy to see people which means you might eat a nice meal together etc etc, it all builds together...

once you (a) lower as many fixed expenses as possible (b) reduce non-fixed spending you will quickly start to accumulate savings. I know it's very bootstraps to be like don't get a coffee on the way to work but like. if you saved $3/work day, in 30 years you will have saved over $22,000 (if you get a coffee every day, not just work days, you would save over $32,000). if you cut your phone bill by $20, in 30 years you will have saved over $7,000.

once you have an emergency fund saved, then you can save enough to buy a used car outright. once you own a car that isn't on payments, you can lower your insurance tier and save another $50-$150/month.

like with mental illness, there is a lot out of your control and the hardest part is the beginning. it just gets easier and easier the more you do it.

you know how indulgent, wallowing mental health messaging ("I can't just yoga my depression away") has thankfully shifted to an understanding that diet, exercise, fresh air, socializing, and productivity will lift your mood and help alleviate and manage with other symptoms?

i feel like there is a strong indulgent, wallowing message right now re: personal finance... like yeah okay the avocado toast vs buying a house thing is stupid but like. you do actually have to try. some of this is in your power. you just don't want to have to face that a lot of this problem is in your control and if you made some sacrifices you could get some relief and make some progress.

[cbsghostsmetasandtrevor]

CBS Ghosts 4x4 Live Reaction

I heard this one is about Trevor :)

So... read under the cut for spoilers.

LOL Sass watching a branch falling????

Aww poor ghosts. "We could start a rumor."

Pete walked right into that one. Love Pete's new abilities. I'd Brag too.

Sass totally deserved to made fun of!

Sam giving Isaac advice. - OMG.

OMG Trevor just announcing a job.

"MOM AND DAD"

"A great time to be a ghost job" - I love this.

"People have lives" - "You're dead".

LOL Sam and Jay weren't even mad. Just surprised. And he doesn't even ask for help????

There's already too many plots though. Three with Rumors/Isaac/Trevor all have plots.

LOL at the Rumor thing though. Thor is SPOILING EVERYTHING!

OMG Jay being Trevor. Please! I love how he's so proactive. No one has asked about his salary???

Sam is on board! She's excited for this.

LOL Alberta "What the hell is this?"

TREVOR IS OFFERING THEM MONEY! SO DIFFERENT TO ISAAC I LOVE HIM!

OMG MICHEAL JACKSON?? WHY TREVOR???

Like Trevor just wants to keep his job and is willing to help (like he always does) and Isaac just makes things worse.

I love how the FOUNTAIN is the important thing here?

Where's Flower? Have we seen her?

Why is no one really reacting the whole job thing??

Wow. They're terrible. This is terrible!

"Lock your door Dave"

Nancy with the rumor. Isaac with the freakout. Jay looking bad.

LOL Thor yelling that at Bjorn. LOL.

Isaac slapping Pete????

WTF!

Isaac this is your fault not Pete!

Sam's getting into being the lonely innkeeper.

LOL Alberta!

Oooh, Jay taking the ear piece out. OMG SAM!

Jay being the winner! and cooler... awwww. They like Jay.

Awww Trevor :(

I hate this. Why beat up on Trevor?

Can't he have a good episode??? Like All he wants is a fucking job. So sad.

This might've been more fun if Trevor possessed Jay.

Awww, Jay you are not helpful.

Poor Trevor. This hurts.

"Did you see Parade?"

Awww, Trevor. It's nice of Sam to try and help. Jay talking to him AFTER he leaves.

F OFF Jay. There's nothing wrong with that.

I like Jay feeling bad though.

"Cheesed off." "Slap them with my words!!!!" LOL

The ghosts jealousy!!!

Awww Trevor. Love the eye roll.

Awww JAY. Talking about Trevor as a mentor!

T- Money??? OMG you do??

Sam's got a twin now?

AWWWW he's a legend!!! AND THEY KNOW THE STORY ABOUT PINKUS!!!

AWWW!!! I love this!!!

He's actually REMEMBERED!! What all of the Ghosts WANT he GOT!!!

THE RUN OF FUN TO REMEMBER TREVOR!!! OMG!!!

OMG!!! This is so great!!!

Okay, the episode made up for the sad part in the middle!! Cute, Sad Trevor gets a happy ending!!!

WAIT WAIT WAIT DOES THIS MEAN THEY WORK FOR PINKUS????

PINKUS MADE SURE HE WAS REMEMBERED!!! <3 <3 <3

I love you, Pinkus. We need to see you!!!!

Love Pete was excited until finding out that she was a murderer!!! LOVE IT!

Poor Pete.

Nancy and Judy yelling!!!

LOL the rumors continue!

Flower was missing???

Overall, the ending made up for it, but there were slightly too many plots. I think we should've spent more time on Sam and Jay being like "how the fuck" with the whole "I have a job thing" and wondering what he's been doing with the money.

OTOH he's the ONLY ghost to HELP THEM GET MONEY.

This is the third time - first, the watch. second, the investing of Isaac's money. and third, giving his earned money for helping.

This is the third season that he's saved Sam's life too. He's clearly the best ghost.... JS.

I do love Jay coming up with something that made it all better, but please drop the issue with Bela. PLEASE.

Ended up loving it! <3.

[yegarts]

“I Am YEG Arts” Series: Kristi Hansen

Photo credit: Ryan Parker Photography

Kristi Hansen. If the name sounds familiar, it’s for good reason. She’s an actor, creator, and advocate for inclusivity who’s disrupting traditional leadership models to create opportunities for equity-seeking communities. Impressed? So was the Edmonton Artists’ Trust Fund committee, who recently recognized her as one of their 2020 award recipients. But that’s not the only place you might know her from. If you’re lucky, you saw her in The Silver Arrow or Woody—her one-woman show that compares and contrasts her life as an amputee to other amputees (real and imagined) around the world. But as impressive as what she does may be, her greatest accolade is who she is. A person unafraid to look deeper, feel deeper, question deeper, and present truths that aren’t always put forward.

Actor, teacher, co-conspirator, and self-proclaimed brat in the making—this week’s “I Am YEG Arts” story belongs to Kristi Hansen.

Of all the titles used to describe you and what you do, which do you use to describe yourself? Is there one you hope to add?

I have started to refer to myself as a “co-conspirator” when entering an art practice. I am always hungry for a collective process and am constantly looking for how each artistic process can create an ensemble of co-conspirators who develop a language and community agreement for how we want to work. I am drawn to other co-conspirators who are “brats” (artists who are constantly finding ways to gently subvert and find new pathways in the process). It is my greatest aspiration to be a brat. ; )

What was it about the arts that made you feel it could be your community?

I had a sneaky feeling when venturing into my life as an artist that as someone who never really had a community growing up, the arts could be my place where people weren’t afraid to look deeper, feel deeper, question deeper, and present the truths that weren’t always being put forward.

What keeps you choosing Edmonton as your place to live and work?

I came to Edmonton in 1999 to study at the Grant MacEwan Theatre Arts program without any real sense of how special a place Edmonton is. I didn’t imagine myself still being here 22 years later, and yet the more places I work outside of Edmonton, the more I can’t imagine myself calling anywhere else home. After Grant MacEwan, I went to the University of Alberta’s BFA Acting program and continued to meet folks within the Edmonton theatre and arts community who inspired me with their DIY punk attitudes. I’ve always been attracted to folks who make their own paths, and Edmonton artists seemed ripe with that resilience and subversion. I always felt like transformation, curiosity, and FUN were at the center of so much of the work in YEG. I got hitched to a really cool Edmonton artist (Sheldon Elter), I bought a very affordable house in the Alberta Avenue neighbourhood (which I love), I can bike downtown in seven  minutes, I have a great dog, and I get to work with so many different companies in so many different artistic mediums. I am truly #LivingTheDream.

Photo credit: Ryan Parker Photography

More people are wanting to build inclusive communities and spaces that don’t exist—like what you did with The Maggie Tree. Tell us about that experience and the first steps you took to make it happen.

Inspired by the Edmonton “If you are looking for an opportunity, create it yourself!” creation method I’d seen in so many other Edmonton artists and art companies, my friend Vanessa Sabourin and I saw a need for more women theatre artists to work and create together and to be IN CHARGE of their own productions and careers. We started an ad-hoc women’s theatre company, The Maggie Tree, in 2007. We had no money, but we had a community of supporters: Azimuth Theatre had a small space at the time that they rented to us for a cut of our box office. Vanessa’s dad built the set for us. Edmonton art superstars Amber Borotsik and Lori Gawryluik joined us in the process. Lori let us use the Artery (which she was running at the time) for a fundraiser. Then we did a run of a show. People came. And then we were a theatre company. It grew from there.

We learned how to write grants. We learned and continue to learn how feminism is intersectional and how to be inclusive and welcoming to gender diverse humans and other equity-seeking communities in our practice of what we want our inclusive, feminist theatre company to be. I often get to sit down with young artists who want to know “how to do it.” Honestly:

1. Find a thing you want to do.

2. Find a place where you can do it.

3. Commit to dates.

That’s the foundation. Once you have those three things, you’re off to the races. Not to simplify the other producing aspects of getting something together (all that grant writing, contract building, budgeting, policy creation, and marketing stuff is hard), but I honestly find once I have the three basics decided, I am flying.

Is there a particular piece of feedback you lean on when days are tough?

I’ve had the good fortune of working with many amazing artists who have given me GREAT advice/feedback over the years, but I want to offer a mantra that I came up with years ago (Ha! How hilariously self-congratulatory of me, but it’s honestly my go-to) that serves me well any time I enter a new artistic process: We are going to try some things: Some of them will work, some of them will not, and we are going to keep trying. This mantra keeps me going on the tough days, and keeps me brave when I want to retreat into the safety of what is already known and maybe not as interesting.

Tell us about the role funding and awards have played in your career. What doors do they open?

I first started writing grants for The Maggie Tree as an individual artist to fund our productions. I learned the art of grant writing from Vanessa Sabourin, Steve Pirot, Murray Utas, and Vern Thiessen: All brilliant artist and producers who know how to weave an undeniable narrative and craft a beautifully specific budget. The Maggie Tree started being successful in our asks for Edmonton Arts Council, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, and Canada Council for the Arts grants. This enabled us to engage more and more artists in our projects and to start moving into being able to offer equity contracts for artists and to create viable work opportunities for Edmonton artists. These grants allowed me to advance myself as an artist and producer and to be able to PAY myself for the art I was creating and/or producing. I’ve been lucky enough to receive a few awards in my career that have helped to launch my profile as an artist locally, provincially, and nationally, and I am grateful to now be known inside and outside of Edmonton artist circles.

Grants and awards offer artists the opportunity to create their own opportunities and to expand their profile so OTHER folks can offer them opportunities, as well. Before you know it there’s a career in the arts in front of you.

What excites you most about the YEG arts scene right now?

I am constantly inspired by the younger generations of YEG artists coming up. I am here for the push for a kinder, more inclusive, more transparent workplaces (cuz let’s face it: Art is WORK, and as much as we love our art, we are still workers). I am excited for new art spaces: CO*LAB, the new Roxy… I’m also pretty hyped for new performance technologies being created right here in YEG with Moment Discovery.

Photo credit: Ryan Parker Photography

Tell us about your workshops and commitment to being an educator/mentor. What do you hope people will take away?

I am pretty into the idea of educating/mentoring folks by being led by them and the artist they are. I’m not interested in people changing themselves into what they think is marketable or palatable for whoever their “audience” is. I want them to be the best and most authentic THEM they can be in their work. When I work with a group of humans, I am most interested in ensemble training and dismantling hierarchy in groups. I return to the idea of the co-conspirator and the brats: How can we work together? What agreements need to be made in order for us to do our best work together? What are the rules? And when do we know it’s time to break the rules (cue the brat)?

I had the good fortune of many wonderful mentors who taught me so many important lessons and also taught me things that no longer serve me. I hope that for any of the folks I have helped mentor that they take anything that I pass on that is useful and let go of anything that is not or that no longer serves them in their practice. We are all on our own artistic journeys, but it is as a community—or ensemble—that we grow and move forward. Ultimately, we need each other.

You’ve talked about the importance of artists generating opportunities for other artists. Can you speak to that a little more?

I truly believe this is the way it works. When you care for your community, the community cares for you and those you keep bringing into the circle. I also think it’s important to nudge people when you see opportunities that could be good for them. Let them know you’re thinking of them. They may not have the confidence to apply on their own, but that little push can go a long way. There is nothing more encouraging as an artist than to know that someone else believes in you and your work.

Who’s someone inspiring you right now?

I’m pretty inspired by Carly Neis, Cynthia Jimenez-Hicks, and Cameron Kneteman (along with producer Mac Brock) as they continue to workshop and produce their new TYA play focusing on disability, Tune to A. They are being giant brats and being kind all over the place on this one, and I couldn’t be more proud of the accessible practice model they are building in their process.

Describe your perfect day in Edmonton. How do you spend it?

Breakfast on my patio in Alberta Avenue, putzing in my garden, taking the dog on a bike ride through Dawson Park, a piece of cheesecake from Otto, seeing a show (art show, theatre show, music show), then finishing the night off with a beer and burger from the Next Act. I’m a simple creature, really. ; )

Want more YEG Arts Stories? We’ll be sharing them here all year and on social media using the hashtag #IamYegArts. Follow along!

Click here to learn more about Kristi Hansen, her workshops, and upcoming projects.

About Kristi Hansen

Kristi Hansen is a disabled theatre artist who has called Edmonton home for the past 22 years. Kristi trained as an actor at Grant MacEwan’s Theatre Arts Program from 1999-2001, and then at the University of Alberta’s Bachelor of Fine Arts Acting Program from 2001-2004.  Kristi is the co-founder and co-Artistic Director of The Maggie Tree and the former co-Artistic Producer of Azimuth Theatre in Edmonton, AB.

Acting credits include Candide (Edmonton Opera); The Silver Arrow, A Christmas Carol, and Alice Through the Looking Glass (Citadel Theatre); The Invisible: Agents of Ungentlemanly Warfare (Catalyst Theatre); Mr. Burns: a post-electric Play (You are Here Theatre/Blarney Productions); The Bad Seed, The Jazz Mother, Pith!, The Scent of Compulsion, and The Ambassador’s Wives (Teatro la Quindicina); The Hollow (Vertigo Theatre); Small Mouth Sounds, 10 out of 12, and Passion Play (Wild Side Productions); Irma Voth (Theatre Network); Christina/Philippe (Northern Light Theatre); The Sound of Music (National Arts Centre); Comedy of Errors, Hamlet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, King Lear, Romeo and Juliet and Love’s Labour’s Lost (Freewill Players); The Snow Queen and Apocalypse Prairie (Azimuth Theatre); The Supine Cobbler, Monstrosities, Age of Arousal, Hroses: An Affront to Reason, Folie à Deux, and Hunger Striking (The Maggie Tree). Her one-woman show, Woody, explores the themes of privilege and disability in a reflection of her life as a disabled human living in North America in contrast with other amputees (real and imagined) around the world.

[astroismypassion]

Hey there! I see you were having technical difficulties. I got you a coffee the other day, and I think you said you started working on my chart? Lol. Anyways, my birthday is 05/20/1993, in Edmonton Alberta, Canada at 12:22am. Ty! :)

And this is the second part! ;) 

CAREER, PROFESSIONAL LIFE, PUBLIC IMAGE 

You have Sagittarius North Node in the 11th house. This indicates your “life purpose”. You might be inclined to like to be unlimited, unrestricted and untied to anything in your life. You could very much like the idea of a boho life or a traveler's life. Never settling anywhere, always expanding new acquaintances, researching and expanding your horizons. You might like to travel and meet the locals, natives of the city or a country. You might have quite a “loner” mentality in this lifetime. You have potential to become a life coach, a mentor to others or some sort of host in your community. You might bring people together from all walks of life, from all ethnicities, countries, cities and places. You are fascinated by them as well. Because 11th house here wants to teach you how to spend time alone as well. But furthermore, how to stand up in your community, your friendship group, clubs and with your hobbies and interests. You might have very idealistic views for the future, even your hope and dreams might be quite idealistic. You have Scorpio MC. You have most of your 10th house in Scorpio, but a bit of Sagittarius there too. You have Pluto in the 10th house. Here, be careful of any coworkers trying to damage your reputation or setting you up for something. Or blame you for something you didn’t do. It can seriously damage your career and profession. life. But where there is Pluto there is also great power in your hands. You might instantly know what “the crowd” wants. Which duties and responsibilities are expected from you and what your bosses and authorities want from you. You can be very persuasive, even manipulative at times in this area. You have Aquarius Saturn in the 2nd house. You have a very wide 2nd house with Aquarius, Pisces and Aries there. You have Capricorn, Aquarius in the 1st house. With Neptune and Uranus there too. You might see yourself as a bit unconventional, odd, quirky and weird at times. You think you stick out for your looks as well. There could be body dysmorphia type of attitude that you have towards your physical appearance. You might surprise others often with a totally new style of clothing, haircut or attitude. People never know what to expect from you. This ties to the second house and your fluctuating self worth and self esteem as well.  

ADDITIONAL OBSERVATIONS 

You have Capricorn Part of Fortune in the 1st house. This represents where your natural luck and where you might experience good charm. It happens in the area of professional life, career, your duties and responsibilities. Those areas affect your personality, character, ego, self image and self esteem. They  might grow or become weaker and affected by Capricorn themes. You have Pisces Lilith in the 2nd house. You might have an unclear, confused attitude when it comes to your finance, income, money, material possessions, belongings, your self worth, self esteem and work ethic. You might think you have more or less money than you actually have. You could also make money through broadcasting a trait or a talent. You could earn your income through spirituality, healing practices, your own art, photography or videography. You might “forget” about money sometimes. Or you might feel like you are not “deserving” of it. Like you could have an attitude that money is bad or that it only brings troubles. It can easily slip through your hands as well. You might spend your money on technology, spirituality, health, healing practices, something that you value and helps you “escape” it. You might spend your money on odd or unusual, unconventional items that others might not view as a priority. You could also spend money for vacation, tarot cards or crystals. You have Leo Juno in the 7th house. This indicates your ideal spouse, a “soulmate” type of partner. This is not just a romantic partner, it can indicate what you desire from your ideal friendship as well. You like someone who is compromising, giving, generous, cooperative. Someone who is not afraid to show you attention, affection, appreciation and spend time with you. You give yourself wholeheartedly and you expect the same from others. You are generous with your time and attention with those who you truly love. But you aren’t going to waste time on those that are undeserving of your company and compassion. You like your relationship reciprocated. You have Aries Ceres in the 3rd house. This means how you like to be nurtured and how you nurture others. You might be the one who gives tough love to others or confronts them with their issues or just bluntly tells them haha. But it’s because you value honesty so much. You have Leo Chiron in the 7th house. There is a past wound, a hurt in regards to your one on one relationship. You might have often experienced being taken advantage of you, because of your good will. There seems to be a power struggle as well. When you’re on your own it’s good, but as soon as you enter a relationship conflicts, drama and arguments seem to happen. You can feel in power or completely powerless. Ahh, Chiron in the 7th house is a tough placement to have… it’s quite challenging to “heal” it too. Because it usually stems from a pattern from early life. If your parents had a lot of arguments or even legal conflicts, such as divroce, you might have been greatly affected by that. You have a lot of Cardinal Earth. You desire to be the number one in your field of choice and you are great at materializing things. Even your possessions, dream house, money, skills. You’d benefit from a vision board or a moodboard, which serves as an inspiration for your future. You have a great power to actually put your words into practice. 

CHART RULER

Your chart ruler is Saturn. The chart ruler of the 1st house is in the 2nd house. This means your personality, ego, self esteem, characters best expresses itself through 2nd house topics, such as your talents, skill set, work ethic, what you have to offer. And it goes vica versa here. Topics of the 1st house, like your personality, character might develop though you working on the 2nd house matters. Here is an additional video on this topic by an excellent fellow astrologer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNH8LM4csaw . 

HOUSE RULERS 

The ruler of the 1st house is in the 2nd house. 

The way you look depends on your self-esteem. Life is oriented to discovering personal values and creating self-esteem. Appearance is a source of security issues.

The ruler of the 2nd house is in the 1st house. 

You spend money on haircuts, manicures, facials and clothes. You earn money with your appearance. Self-esteem has an effect on your behavior and mannerisms. Your appearance makes you look wealthy.

The ruler of the 3rd house is in the 7th house.

You talk, read, write, and learn about relationships. You give relationship advice. Your communication style can be overly compromising or confrontational. You want a partner you can talk to. Your mind is oriented toward thinking about your partner. 

The ruler of the 4th house is in the 3rd house. 

Home is a place to have lively conversations. Cultural upbringing has a strong bearing on your thoughts. Feeling included or rejected by your family influences your day to day interactions.  Home is a place where people come and go. You bring your private inner self with you when you write, keep a journal or blog.

The ruler of the 5th house is in the 5th house. 

You always have time to stop and smell the roses. You like to be entertaining to attract attention. You pursue hobbies for self-satisfaction. Self-expression comes through music, art, dance and theater. You are flamboyant. Romance and fun go hand in hand. 

The ruler of the 6th house is in the 5th house. 

Your interest in health and exercise manifests through an interest in sports or dance. You want a creative work environment. Your work environment is a theater, dance studio, music hall or art studio.

The ruler of the 7th house is in the 4th house. 

Being tactful and diplomatic is part of the core of who you are. You want a partner with whom you can make a home and start a family. Your partner is your family. 

The ruler of the 8th house is in the 4th house. 

You have sex to feel emotionally secure. Death affects your family. Peak emotional experiences occur in the privacy of your own home. Shared resources add to feelings of emotional security. Inheritances help or hinder your family. 

The ruler of the 9th house is in the 3rd house. 

You write a travel blog. You pick up an accent, you incorporate foreign words into everyday conversation and you talk about faraway places. Your interest in religion compels you to write or keep a diary. You have siblings from other cultures or religious upbringings. You find meaning through writing and literature. You find meaning in the written word. 

The ruler of the 10th house is in the 10th house. 

You want to become known for what you do. Getting out in the world and making a name for yourself is important to you. You want to be known for something. Your career builds your reputation.

The ruler of the 11th house is in the 8th house.

You associate with people who are involved in the occult. Your friends have emotional baggage. You keep your group involvements hidden. You don’t talk about your long term hopes and wishes.

The ruler of the 12th house is in the 8th house. 

You get in touch with your spiritual side through sexual relationships and experiencing death. Dreams encourage you to dig deep. You want a sexual partner who desires to escape from reality as much as you do.

[bronzeiconbulldogs-blog]

When the Animal Protection Act Fails Us in Alberta.

Its time to talk about ethical breeding practices and the sub standard care the majority of Alberta breeders provide.

As I am aware that this may not be a popular post, it is an essential one. Especially for buyers, vet clinic employees, rescues and new breeders starting out.

The Alberta Animal Protection Act has been recently updated to reflect the newest ABVMA regulations and restrictions on unnecessary cosmetic surgeries with dogs, yet still lacks sufficient support to implement a breeder registry and mandatory licensing for breeders. In fact in many areas of Alberta (counties and cities), there are no restrictions at all regarding breeding dogs in your home, garage, property etc. As long as the dogs are provided with adequate shelter food and water, there is little concern to their quality of life.

This is where things get tricky and we need to examine what an appropriate quality of life looks like. Essential emotional, social and physical stimulation is required to meet the needs of any animal (humans included), yet still most breeders approach dogs as “livestock” and although you can breed ethically as a license business meeting those animals needs, most choose not too as the overhead for that additional care is not optional for them, or simply not important.

There are many types of breeding programs and set ups that can be functional with the appropriate education, employees and income - but still Alberta often functions on a sub standard level of both education and care.

When you as a buyer view dogs stacked in garages, or kennels and they clearly lack the space and interaction required for successful development, you need to walk away. So often I hear, “but I saved that puppy” - WRONG. By purchasing that dog you perpetuated the cycle and did exactly what that breeder wanted you to do. And because you paid the money asked for that dog, that person will continue to produce more puppies in those conditions.

YOU AS THE BUYER CONTROL THE MARKET. If no one buys the dogs / puppies for the price requested, then the person selling those dogs will likely reconsider the amount of dogs they produce.

It is also incredibly important that we define the difference between “breeders, and “people making dogs”.

So often a real breeder is discredited based on the actions of someone making more dogs for financial gain. So to define what a real breeder looks like let’s state a few points.

A breeder should and will:

have goals for their program

health test their dogs (DNA panelling is the basic)

have extensive knowledge regarding their breed, genetics and the political / economical industry surrounding their breed

usually have a business license and legitimate recognition of their income

provide above standard care for their dogs meeting their emotional, physical, medical and social needs

have a good relationship with one or more vet clinics

Have contracts

know their rights as well as the dogs and the buyers

Make ethical decisions regarding the dogs in their care BEFORE financial gain

Be an active member of one or more recognized, legitimate and established kennel clubs

Register their dogs and know their pedigrees

Have a lifetime return policy on their dogs

Pay taxes on their income

Encourage and mentor when appropriate and needed

Rescue and rehome dogs of the same breed even if they are not their own production

Work with buyers and manage medical issues of the dogs they produce

Practice honestly, transparency and advocacy

Have an established social media presence and reputation

Show their dogs (where applicable)

Backyard Breeders often disguise themselves as reputable breeders ruining the sanctity of dog breed conservation. To help buyers, vet / rescue/ authority personal and aspiring breeders identify what an irresponsible person creating more dogs looks like, let’s state a few facts:

Houses dogs in inadequate living conditions

Fails to meet the animals emotional, physical and medical well being

Provides the minimal standard of care -Reproductively abuses and animal by breeding it too young, too old, too many times and/or in dangerous unethical and unsanitary conditions

Allows puppies to leave their mothers at 6 weeks

Allows dogs to die while in their care due to preventable conditions

Does not have strong relationship with any vet clinic

Does not register their dogs

Does not health test their dogs

Does not belong to any recognized legitimate kennel clubs or registries

Has or has had animal cruelty/neglect charges against them

Cannot financially afford to feed or meet their dogs medical requirements

Allows the animals to live outside year round (breed specific exemptions)

Does not have references

Has no traceable social media presence

Only accepts cash

How do you identify breeders from people making more dogs? ASK QUESTIONS. And if they can’t or won’t answer them, move on.

The reality is that all breeders are going to have dogs with issues at some point in their program, that’s just genetics and the law of averages. As much as a breeder tracks their lines and health tests there are so many recessive genes that cannot be tested for and congenital birth defects  that cannot be predicted. That being said, a responsible breeder will work with a reasonable and rational buyer to find a solution and deliver the best quality of care for their dogs.

This brings me to the main point of this post. Animal abuse, neglect and blatant disregard for an animals well being and development.

Many breeders in Alberta turn a blind eye to the obvious care concerns in other “people / breeders” programs. I cannot tell you how many times I have seen breeders continue to work with individuals knowing their standard of ethics is sub par. I have seen many upsetting things, and quietly from behind the scenes advocated for those animals in need.

But now its time for everyone in this community to open their eyes.

Melissa Radis (MM Bulldogs) has been breeding for long enough to understand what is required of this breed. Without getting into slander or personal opinions, it is time to simply share some facts.

Melissa Radis currently has 15 charges of animal cruelty/ abuse and neglect against her in the city of Edmonton resulting in her dogs being seized and a ban from owning or breeding domestic animals. Yet, she continues to breed and other breeders continue to support her by studding their dogs to her.

Now to their credit most people are unaware of these charges and conditions, which is what this post is valuable. Melissa has many Co-Own families that house her dogs, which is why this post is essential.

If you have a dog from Melissa Radis (MM Bulldogs) as a pet or on a Co-own, please know that she cannot legally own  dogs based on these animal neglect and abuse charges. Please also review the pictures to know the conditions your dog is being kept in while it is in her care for breeding / whelping. YOU HAVE RIGHTS TO THAT DOG AND CAN KEEP IT FROM HER REACH. You also are that dogs ONLY ADVOCATE.

She is currently out on bail and has breeched all of her conditions. She also has new additional charges being added to her docket for this months (May 2020) court dates. If you have an active co-own dog of Melissa’s that is being bred, has recently been bred or has puppies on the ground, please contact the Edmonton Police Services and report it.

Be advised that Melissa is violent, aggressive and a methamphetamine addict who has an extensive case with the Edmonton Police Services. She is dangerous and will send criminals and other addicts to your home to try to reclaim her dogs.

CALL THE POLICE AND GET A RESTRAINING ORDER.

If you are a breeder who supports, associates or works with Melissa, my question to you is why? Why sacrifice your ethics and reputation based on her actions?

If you are a buyer love your dogs and keep it away from her. If you are a potential or future buyer, I hope this factual information is enough to dissuade you from supporting her.

It is time we started to ban unethical breeding practices as a community. If we stand together and discredit and ostracize people who are unethically breeding dogs within our community we can make an impact where the APA and Animal Control fail us, but most importantly fail these dogs.

Build better breeding practices. Lead by example.

[anthonypaulh]

JOY and PAIN - The Troubled Life and Tragic Death of Marvin Gaye

The song “Joy and Pain” forms the perfect epitaph for Marvin Gaye. Ultimately, the hugely troubled, flawed, sensitive soul lived his all too short life, somewhere between the extremes of the classic Frankie Beverley and Maze soul anthem. 

It is often said that fact is stranger than fiction, that with some events you apparently couldn’t make it up. Well, in the traumatic life of the silkiest of soul singers that is absolutely accurate. A complicated, sensitive, and passionate man, Marvin Gaye lived his life overshadowed by his violent father. 

The difficult, violent, explosive relationship with his father underpinned everything that followed in the life of Marvin Gaye. Ultimately, and tragically it would end in father shooting son after their final yet fatal bitter argument on April 1st 1984.

The contradictions of Marvin Gaye’s life started on April 2nd 1939 when he was born in Washington DC as Marvin Pentz Gay. He later added an E to his name , in the early 1960’s to ward off teasing about being Gay and also to distance himself from his father’s surname. 

His father Marvin Gay was a Reverend in a Hebrew Pentecostal church called the House of God. He imparted a very strict upbringing on Marvin junior and his 3 siblings. He was a brutal man, frequently inflicting physical violence on his children and subjecting his wife to regular beatings. Marvin junior attracted the worst of his father’s violence as he took it upon himself to protect his mother Alberta from the worst his father could do. 

Needless to say, this very violent family upbringing, left Marvin Junior scarred for life. He forever craved the love of his father who could never give him that. Despite all of his career achievements and the recognition he earned he never achieved the thing that he needed the most, his father’s love.

Nowadays we all recognise that trauma experienced by any child in their formative years is always going to lead to a troubled adulthood and in fact it is a key factor in addictive behaviour of all sorts. Hardly any wonder then that Marvin would become drug dependent and a manic depressive despite all of his fame.

It was therefore, no surprise that Marvin wanted to escape from his family as soon as possible. His first attempt to break free was in 1956 when aged 17 he enlisted in the US Air Force. But even then, the contradictions that ran through his life surfaced as he faked mental illness to extricate himself from the disciplined air force environment he hated. 

He returned to Washington DC and formed a vocal quartet called The Marquees. But after one failed single they were dropped from their recording contract with Okey records a subsidiary of Columbia. 

One of the few things that Marvin had seen as a positive from his father was the delivery style of his sermon’s in church. Marvin regularly attended and sang at the services from the tender age of 4. He drew on his father’s preaching style as he developed his own stagecraft and he readily acknowledged that it was something that played a key role in his vocal delivery.

As a singer the young Marvin was influenced by Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Ray Charles and Billy Eckstine. But success didn’t come quickly. After the initial failure of The Marquees, he continued working in Washington DC on the club circuit and started writing his own songs. 

Eventually the impresario Harvey Fuqua spotted Marvin and took him under his wing. Harvey would become the father figure that Marvin had always sought and he would shape the rest of his life and career in so many ways.

As it happens Harvey was a very good judge of talent. He had already discovered the likes of Johnny Bristol, Lamont Dozier, Junior Walker and The Spinners. Just as importantly for Marvin, his new mentor was to introduce him to the woman that would he would marry and that in itself would effectively catapult him to International fame.

In 1959 Harvey Fuqua and his group The Moonglows moved to Chicago where they recorded a few unsuccessful tracks for Chess Records. But with little sign of success the group split up and in 1960 Harvey and Marvin moved to Detroit. It would be the most important move of their lives. Hittsville USA was about to become the Sound of Young America and they would be vital cogs in that machine.

On arrival in Detroit, Marvin became a session musician, a drummer. However, his fate was about to be signed, sealed and delivered when he was invited to the home of Berry Gordy over the Holiday Season of 1960. 

Harvey Fuqua had married Gwen Gordy the sister of Berry and he distributed the first record that would become a MOTOWN hit. The record was Barrett Strong’s “Money (That’s What I Want ) and it was released on Anna Records, owned by Harvey and Gwen. Their label was later sold to Berry. Thereafter Harvey Fuqua became a song writer and executive at MOTOWN.

For Marvin, the introduction to Berry Gordy in 1960 would change his life and the history of soul music to boot. He married Anna Gordy, seventeen years his senior, in June 1963. The relationship was intense, passionate and fiery. But they were good for each other and Marvin realised that his marriage kept him close to the ear of Barry Gordy at the “Hit Factory”.

Nonetheless, Berry was always grudging in any praise of his brother in law. He recognised his talent and was especially keen to use Marvin as the leading male vocalist for MOTOWN. He saw Marvin as a cross between a matinee idol and a pop star.

Many studio workers and musicians at MOTOWN recall strenuous arguments between Marvin and Berry. They would often square up to each other in heated squabbles but Berry held the highest cards. Financially Berry called the tune and Marvin sang the songs that Berry wanted (at least to start with). What made things even worse for Marvin was that Berry owned the house that he and his wife Anna lived in. It seemed that Berry controlled his every move.

Undoubtedly, in the early part of his career, MOTOWN wanted Marvin to sing simple, pop songs. Berry Gordy wanted MOTOWN to sell records and not make political and social statements. He didn’t want to alienate the middle of the road, largely white, record buying public. 

Berry Gordy did not want to present MOTOWN as in any way threatening. In many ways he was doing with MOTOWN what Brian Epstein did with The Beatles. Keep it clean, don’t threaten, dress sensibly and get the hits. He was selling pop, upbeat, happy music. Selling was his game and money was the driver. Berry Gordy was a ruthless businessman first, second and third.

The first hits Marvin had on MOTOWN reflected the “safe” music that the company ordered. So in 1962 “Stubborn Kind of Fellow” was typical of the type of material that the business demanded. It was absolutely not the music that Marvin dreamed of making but it was successful. 

As success followed success Marvin worked with the genius in house MOTOWN production team, Holland-Dozier-Holland, and the hits kept coming. So “Can I Get A Witness”, You’re A Wonderful One” and “How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You “ hit the charts.

Firmly established as MOTOWN’s leading man, Marvin was pushed by Berry to record a series of duets with the leading ladies on the label. Against his wishes, Marvin agreed and although he didn’t really want to cooperate the recordings produced some great moments. 

Firstly he recorded with Mary Wells “What’s The Matter With You Baby ?”, then with Kim Weston “It Takes Two”, and most successfully with Tammi Terrell “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”, Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing”, and “You’re All I Need To Get By”. Later Berry forced him to record with Diana Ross although they never actually recorded anything at the same time because they despised each other.

The Prince of MOTOWN he may well have been but privately Marvin Gaye was in torment. He was deeply hurt at having to play the tunes that Berry called, and he wanted to record his own more contentious, expansive music. He felt a fraud and in fact some of the duets released under his name with Tammi Terrell were exactly that because due to illness some of her vocals were actually performed by Valerie Simpson.

Following her collapse on stage in Virginia in October 1967, Tammi Terrell was never able to perform or record again so Valerie Simpson stood in her shoes. Marvin was spun the line that he should continue recording with Valerie impersonating Tammi as sales meant money which could pay medical bills for Tammi. Marvin reluctantly went along with it out of respect and love for Tammi. When Tammi died from a brain tumour on 1970 Marvin was broken. He spiralled into depression.

By the late 60’s the relationship between Marvin and Berry could  be described as frosty, at best. Typical of the shenanigans was the saga that went on with the classic Norman Whitfield and Barratt Strong tune “ I Heard It Through The Grapevine”. It was recorded by Marvin in February 1967 but MOTOWN rejected it suggesting it be covered by Gladys Knight and The Pips. 

Only when released as an album track on Marvin’s LP “In The Groove” in August 1968 did radio stations give it the airplay that demanded it be released as a single. His classic rendition reached number 1 on the pop and RnB charts in the US and became a world wide smash hit. A victory of sorts for Marvin but the next battle of wills with Berry and “the company” was not long in coming.

In May 1969, Obie Benson of the Four Tops started work on a song he intended be recorded by the “Tops’, called “What’s Going On ?”. It was rejected by the Four Tops because it was a protest song. But their loss was to be Marvin’s gain and it would result in arguably one of the most important MOTOWN albums. 

Anna Gordy persuaded Marvin to try the song “What’s Going On ?” and it soon became clear that “What’s Going On ?” was perfect for him. From the very first run throughs it was his song, tailor made for him. But even though the studio singers, musicians and engineers were convinced he had to record and release the song, Berry Gordy was annoyed that Marvin was contemplating doing so.

As far as Berry Gordy was concerned, if the Four Tops believed the song to be inappropriate then it WAS inappropriate. It was a “protest” song and MOTOWN did not do anything that might rock any boats. Berry Gordy forbade Marvin to record the song. Effectively Marvin subsequently went on strike, refusing to record at all. 

The stand off lasted almost a year, until in June 1970 permission was granted for the single “What’s Going On ?” to be recorded by Marvin for release at an undetermined time. When it was eventually released it was done so without the knowledge or sanction of Berry Gordy. 

The strike period had actually given Marvin time to compose a series of songs he wanted to release on a concept album with “What’s Going On ?” as the title track. The contentious piece of work was to become one of the most important records ever made and certainly the most radical of anything put out by MOTOWN. Marvin openly challenged the existing social order on the album. He sang about civil rights, environmental abuse, intolerance and the record became a clarion call for anyone wanting to question the politics of the time. It was definitely NOT MOTOWN neither musically or lyrically.

As a political record, Berry Gordy did not want Marvin to continue with the album and he did not believe it would be a hit anyway. It was far too serious. MOTOWN was light hearted, fun pop. Marvin was talking about climate change before the scientists talked about it and he sang in a more jazz influenced style than RnB/pop that had proven successful for Hittsville USA. 

The seminal Marvin Gaye album “What’s Going On ?” was released in May 1971, arguably the most important year in the history of MOTOWN. The album became the biggest selling album on MOTOWN to that point and remains a key piece of work. It fused social commentary, politics, jazz , funk and soul to endure well beyond its’ time. It is still one of the most important records ever made.

Following “What’s Going On ? “ was always going to be a huge challenge but throughout the 1970′s Marvin continued to experiment with jazz, gospel, blues, soul and even more with narcotics. He managed to balance spirituality, commerciality, and experimentation with hits such as “Let’s Get It On”, “Trouble Man”, “After The Dance” and “Got To Give It Up”. He eventually divorced Anna Gordy in 1978 after what can only be described as a pained, strained marriage.

The traumatic separation inspired him to record the album “Here My Dear” and it is probably the most bitter record you will ever listen to. Marvin was leaving no doubt that he was in a deep emotional hole. His drug use fuelled terrible and dangerous mood swings as he lurched from one instability to another seeking some kind of stability and solace. 

A short lived second marriage to Janis Hunter lasted only until 1979 with divorce finalised in 1981. Marvin found himself bankrupt financially and emotionally and he attempted to take his own life.

In 1982 with the aid of old friend and mentor Harvey Fuqua,  Marvin made something of a comeback. Exiled to Britain then Belgium it was here that he released the single “Sexual Healing” on Columbia Records. The track was taken from the album “Midnight Love” which certainly had some more than decent high moments. As usual for Marvin, he fused a number of different musical influences from reggae, RnB, soul, funk and synthopop.

The success of the 1982 “comeback” allowed Marvin to clear 2 million dollars in back taxes to the US authorities. Sadly off stage, Marvin could never fend off his personal demons. All that damage that he had been caused as a child, all that trauma, all that baggage. Stage fright, paranoia, drug use and ongoing depression eventually confined the “Prince of Motown” to his Los Angeles home. It was a home that he would lose his life in.

As if somehow predestined Marvin Gaye was shot dead by his father on April 1st 1984. Yes indeed, April fools day. You couldn’t make it up could you ? In a violent argument and fight between his mother and father, Marvin tried to intervene and sadly the whole situation escalated quickly into the final, fatal act of the ultimate tragedy.

The Reverend Marvin Gay was charged with first degree murder but eventually the charge was reduced to manslaughter following the diagnosis of a brain tumour. He was sentenced to a six year suspended sentence and probation. He died in 1998 in a nursing home.

In the final analysis, Marvin Gaye will always be remembered as one of the most important voices ever to be recorded. In the pantheon of male vocal greats, he is right up there in the top echelons. He is in the same company as Frank Sinatra, Sam Cooke, Wilson Picket, Otis Redding, Donny Hathaway, Ray Charles, Nat King Cole, and now Gregory Porter.

 His work remains as relevant today as it was when it was recorded. The sentiment and messages delivered on the “What’s Going On ?” album were years ahead of their time and are probably more important today than ever.  Marvin Gaye has often been imitated but never bettered. 

Nothing in his successful music career however, could compensate him for the love and recognition he craved from his father. His whole life was a battle to achieve the acknowledgement and attachment his father didn't provide. 

In life Marvin Gaye was a restless, troubled, tragic soul. He leaves an incredible body of work and a wonderful musical legacy. Rest in peace Marvin, you will never be forgotten

[yesmahfujblog-blog]

152 New Swim Jobs You Might Love

On the off chance that you don't care for the vocation you're in, you might need to work in the swimming group and be a piece of our enormous swimming family! Go here to see 862 Swim Jobs.

HEAD AGE GROUP SWIM TEAM COACH

San Clemente Aquatics, a focused swim group of 300+, is looking for a Head Age Group Swim Coach with past understanding (either educating in an expert situation, was on a swim group, or is confirmed) to mentor year round. Must meet USA Swimming Coach prerequisites before contract.

Aide COACH

Typhoon Aquatics (CANES) is a year round focused swim program established in 2014 that is developing consistently. Contained 60+ focused swimmers and 200+ pre-aggressive swimmers. The group goes in age and capacity from amateur through post graduate/worldwide contenders and we offer an experts/marathon gathering. We are situated in Coral Gables, FL and prepare at the University of Miami.

HEAD SWIM COACH – VILLASPORT SWIM TEAM

This position works intimately with the Aquatics Director in creating, planning, and dealing with the VillaSport Competitive USA Swim Team in a protected and dependable way. This individual will be furnished with general supervision by the Aquatics Director and should be sorted out, self-roused, ingenious, and ready to effectively deal with the projects with negligible direct supervision. This is a full time position with a focused pay and advantages bundle.

VILLASPORT – AQUATICS DIRECTOR

The Aquatics Director leads and deals with the aquatics group of lifeguards and teachers, the operations of an expansive indoor and open air aquatics focus with five pools, two whirlpools, water slides and water stop play structures, and a full date-book of aquatics programming, including lessons, groups, and uncommon occasions. The Director contracts, timetables and prepares all aquatics staff, builds up a yearly spending plan and vital arrangement, and builds up the aquatics program date-book. This position is given general supervision by the General Manager and Assistant GM, and must be composed and ready to run the Aquatics Department with insignificant supervision.

VILLASPORT – COMPETITIVE SWIM COACH

This position works intimately with the Aquatics Director in creating, organizing, and dealing with the VillaSport Competitive USA Swim Team in a sheltered and mindful way. This individual will be furnished with general supervision by the Aquatics Director and should be composed, self-inspired, ingenious, and ready to effectively deal with the projects with negligible direct supervision.

NM, LOS ALAMOS-AQUATOMICS (LAA)- HEAD COACH POSITION

Los Alamos Aquatomics Swim Team ("LAA"), situated in Los Alamos, New Mexico only north of Santa Fe, is looking for a Head Coach with a demonstrated reputation to lead and direct our year-round USA Swim Program keeping in mind the end goal to take us to the following level! LAA is a USA Swimming Club.

Field USA SEEKS TEAM TECHNICAL SPECIALIST

Field is the genuine waterwear mark for competitors and genuine game darlings. Wherever there is game in the water, there is Arena. For more than 40 years Arena has prepared the world's driving swimmers and partners of watersports with hustling, preparing, and relaxation swimwear and adornments based on an establishment of top to bottom research, specialized know-how, and an unwavering sense of duty regarding quality. With U.S. central station in Portland, Ore., Arena is the restrictive supplier of the U.S. National Team, and a pleased accomplice of USA Swimming. www.arenausa.com.

Facial hair SWIM CO. SWIM INSTRUCTORS • LIFEGUARDS • SALES ASSOCIATES

At Beard Swim Co. we trust the capacity to swim is a standout amongst the most imperative endowments you can give a youngster and it is our objective to give them the capability and certainty expected to securely submerge themselves in the oceanic situations and exercises they will experience all through life.

LEAD SENIOR COACHES

The Cincinnati Marlins were established in 1961 The Marlins have created one National Title, 5 Junior National Titles, more than 80 state titles, 18 Olympians and 19 Olympic awards

HEAD AGE GROUP COACH

We are hoping to procure a qualified individual for the full-time position of Head Age Group Coach. This individual would report specifically to the Head Coach and would work with the Head Coach to coordinate our age bunch program and plan the season plan. He or she would fill in as the lead mentor for our Thunderstorm (beginner 10-under) and Tropical Storm (creating 10-under) gatherings. He/she would be relied upon to go to 2-3 meets for every month. Furthermore he or she would prepare our Masters aggregate 1-2 times each week.

Execution COACH

In association with the Edmonton Keyano Swim Club (EKSC), Swim Alberta and the University of Alberta, we are looking for a Performance Coach in Edmonton. This is a one of a kind open door for a person with a showed history of training accomplishment to join this organization. Through this organization, we are making a situation where you will have the capacity to concentrate just on instructing, tutoring and competitor improvement in the Edmonton region without the diversions of the day by day running and operations of a swim club.

FULL TIME ASSISTANT COACH – SIENNA PLANTATION AQUATICS

Sienna Plantation Aquatics (SPA) is looking for qualified candidates for the position of a Full Time Assistant Coach with astounding authority, training and relational abilities. The perfect competitor must be focused on the group's Mission Statement, Goals and Values, be sure about his or her capacity to work viably with the group guardians, training staff, and be devoted to the advancement of understudy competitors from the formative swimmer to the National Qualifier. The position is accessible to start in August, 2017.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SWIMMING OFFICE MANAGER

The Southern California Swimming office is moving to an all the more midway found spot in the LA territory (site TBD). The Office Manager of Southern California Swimming is a full-time position, in charge of all parts of Registration/Membership for 22,000+ competitors, mentors, authorities, and clubs.

HEAD MEN'S AND WOMEN'S SWIM AND DIVE COACH/AQUATICS DIRECTOR

Minstrel College, situated in Northern Dutchess County, New York, welcomes assignments and applications for a full-time Head Men's and Women's Swim and Dive Coach/Aquatics Director. Obligations extend from preparing and challenge readiness, enrollment of understudy competitors, program advancement and directing the program inside the rationalities of the Department of Athletics.

SSA LOOKING FOR ASSISTANT SWIM COACHES

Seacoast Swimming Association is hoping to contract low maintenance collaborator swim mentors starting with the flow 2017 Long Course Season. Qualified competitors ought to hope to mentor at a few levels – age gathering, junior and senior. Hopefuls ought to have no less than one year of instructing knowledge, or a foundation of focused swimming at the university level. USA Coaching affirmation is fancied yet we will work with the correct contender to get USA Swimming confirmation.

Associate COACH, MEN'S AND WOMEN'S SWIMMING TEAMS

Kalamazoo College in Kalamazoo, MI, a NCAA Division III, aesthetic sciences establishment in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association, is trying to fill a position as collaborator men's and ladies' swimming mentor. This is a full-time, 10-month authoritative arrangement.

Collaborator MEN'S AND WOMEN'S SWIM COACH

Seton Hall University is a noteworthy Catholic college situated in South Orange, New Jersey. In an assorted and community condition, it concentrates on scholarly and moral improvement. Seton Hall understudies are set up to be pioneers in their expert and group lives in a worldwide society and are tested by exceptional staff, a developing mechanically propelled setting and qualities focused educational program

Collaborator COACH – WOMEN'S SWIMMING and DIVING

The Assistant Coach, Women's Swimming and Diving, will work with the head mentor in keeping up an exceptionally aggressive Division I program to include: practice and meet training, enrollment of planned understudy competitors, consistence of NCAA and institutional standards, raising money, off season molding, and managerial undertakings.

AIKEN PACER AQUATIC CLUB SEEKS HEAD COACH

APAC Swim Team is an aggressive swim club situated in Aiken, SC. APAC formally started as a focused swim group in November of 2016, and made a noteworthy appearing at South Carolina's Short Course State Meet amid its inaugural year completing tenth out of 21 groups from crosswise over South Carolina with 18 swimmers contending. These completions included 13 State Champion Finishes and 10 – second place Finishes!

Right hand MEN'S AND WOMEN'S SWIM COACH

Franklin College (Indiana), a NCAA Division III establishment and individual from the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference, welcomes applications for an associate men's and ladies' swimming mentor understudy. The associate mentor is in charge of helping the head mentor in all parts of the swimming system, including ability advancement, selecting and different obligations alloted by the head mentor. Position starts August 1, 2017.

SWIM COACH

GILLS is an aggressive swim group offering proficient training and strategy direction for all ages and capacities. The objective of our group is to give each part a chance to enhance swimming aptitudes and make progress at his or her level of capacity, from learner to universal contender.

Partner MENS AND WOMENS SWIMMING COACHING INSTRUCTOR

The Assistant Men's and Women's Swimming Coaching Instructor works under Head Swimming and Diving Coaching Instructor offering help for the association of the program and execution of diversion and practice arranges. This incorporates, however is not restricted to correspondence with competitors, readiness of offices, conveyance and care of gear, exploring adversaries, and film breakdown. The Assistant will help with offering help for the player's scholastic achievement, and track scholarly progre

[fhamt]

People Who Take Advantage Of ADHD Coaching Calgary Alberta

By Jose Powell

An ADHD coach can help someone who suffers from this disorder in more of a practical way. It is necessary to have this type of mentorship when you have trouble staying organized and you battle to concentrate. ADHD coaching Calgary Alberta professionals may provide the person with basic exercises to do, and this is what they can benefit from. People who suffer from this disorder are more practical people by nature. They need to be given exercises to stay motivated. They need to be encouraged. They can benefit from someone who acts like a mentor who they see on a weekly basis. It is difficult for someone like this to survive in a competitive world where you have to stay focused. Someone who has been suffering with this all of their lives will have been affected mentally and emotionally. It is important that you deal with these emotions first. A therapist will help you in this regard. People often lack confidence. They may have problems with self esteem. They may have turned to other forms of escape. It is necessary to focus on practical areas to help with the treatment. In some cases, the patient will have to be referred to a psychiatrist. This can be temporary, but it may be necessary, especially when the person is working in a stressful job. It will help them to concentrate. It will help them to focus on one task at a time. The problem is that people get bored to quickly, so this is something to pay attention to. People with ADHD need to get into a routine. They are often disorganized and don't know what to do first. A therapist will help them plant their day. This will help them to develop more structure which leads to less frustration. It will also eliminate the anxiety, and someone like this will be able to sleep better. They may have to take medication in the beginning. Typically, clients benefit from shorter sessions because this is how they are able to focus. They will usually come more regular and take advantage of the short time frame. They are able to digest everything in this time, instead of sitting through an hour or two with a coach and finding that they keep on losing focus. One should be gaining something unique from every session. It is important to write this down every time. Some people just keep on going back to the sessions, not really gaining anything, wasting money at the same time. This is why it is important to take note of these sessions. Essentially, you want to evaluate every session as well. The person with ADHD is the one who has to make the appointment and do the work at the end of the day. Spouses and family members will feel frustrated. They will want to send the family member to a coach. However, the client needs to be motivated. They need to be motivated. It can, of course be helpful to find a coach who is more experienced because they will have various techniques to work with.

About the Author:

Get a list of the factors to consider when picking an ADHD coaching Calgary Alberta professional and more information about a reputable coach at http://ift.tt/2n0uUbJ now.

People Who Take Advantage Of ADHD Coaching Calgary Alberta via FHAMT http://ift.tt/2q6ZAgo

[gunboatbaylodge]

JFL NorthWest, Vancouver Comedy Fest spotlight – Ivan Decker and local comedy

Besides opening for Jim Gaffigan and Iliza at this year’s JFL NorthWest, Vancouver comic Ivan Decker will host two showcases of local talent.

This year’s JFL NorthWest is bringing a plethora of big-name comics from down south. Colin Quinn, Iliza Schlesinger, Jim Gaffigan, Trevor Noah, and Sarah Silverman are among the talented mirth-makers coming to Vancouver for the festival, which begins tonight, Feb. 16, and runs until Feb. 25.

But the festival also gives local comics a chance to shine. For example, in B-Sides with Chris Gordon (Feb. 21 at Biltmore at 9:30 p.m.), Calgary’s Gordon and top local headliners such as Graham Clark, Kyle Bottom and Efthimios Nasiopoulos will discuss a comedian’s creative process by featuring the rare and risky jokes they love to tell, then opening up to an audience Q&A.

The festival is also hosting a Best of the West series that features many of the best locally produced shows. Among them are Alicia Tobin’s Come Draw with Me, The Gentlemen Hecklers, Graham Clark’s Quiz Show, and more.

Meanwhile, one of the best-known names on the local scene, Ivan Decker, has been picked to open for both Iliza and Jim Gaffigan. Decker, whom Splitsider once named the Top Canadian Comedian Under 30 (he’s now 31), will also host the Just For Laughs Showcase at the Biltmore Cabaret on Feb. 21 (7 p.m. start, before the aforementioned B-Sides) and Yuk Yuk’s Vancouver Feb. 22 (8 p.m.). We talked to Decker about comedy festivals, scaring Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson, and his online dating profile.

Q: When you started out, what did Vancouver have by way of comedy festivals?

A: I started out in about 2008. There was not really a festival per se. There was the Vancouver Comedy Festival, which was quite small. They would just kind of do a couple of theatre shows. They didn’t really get the clubs involved, they didn’t engage the local scene much. They would just bring in a lot of comics from L.A. I remember seeing Ian Bagg, a Canadian comic who lives in L.A., and he was interviewing people in the street, asking: “Did you know there was a Vancouver comedy festival?” And they were all like, “No! The what?” Now, with Just for Laughs involved, it’s become amazing.

Q: A lot of comedy fans would probably go down to Seattle, especially to (annual festival) Bumbershoot, which has a big comedy component. Did you ever play there?

A: We did, actually. There was one year that it was the Northwest Comedy Festival, before Just for Laughs got involved, and after it was rebranded from the Vancouver Comedy Festival. And four of us performed down there, and we got to see a lot of amazing acts. I embarrassed myself by walking into a green room with like Janeane Garofalo and Paul F. Tompkins, saying, “We want to watch the show!” And they’re like, “Who are you? We’re on in five minutes, get out of here!”

Q: Now, you’re opening up for Jim Gaffigan and Iliza Schlesinger.

A: Yes. These theatre shows are so cool to get to perform on. It’s such an enormous environment and the crowds are so fun in those shows. They’re already so excited to be there. The energy is such a different level than I’ve ever seen at a club.

Q: They’re two performers with different comedy stylings. Will you tailor your set accordingly?

A: I don’t know. Hadn’t really thought about it. I think I’ll probably do their material! No, I’ll probably do the same stuff. My style is not really specific to any type of crowd, at least that’s what I’ve tried to plan it to be.

Q: You performed at the Vintage Valentines evening at the Fox Cabaret this week. How was that?

A: It was good. The mayor was there, Mayor Gregor Robertson. He seemed skittish about the fact that I was a comedian. I think he assumed I was going to talk to him but I just did my set.

It was an odd set-up. People will try to shoehorn it (stand-up) in with a variety of acts. So there was music and then a burlesque number then more music then an intermission then another song and then me. When there’s live music at a bar, rarely are people just sitting quietly watching it. Usually there are conversations going on, people are trying to pick up chicks. Especially at a Valentine’s event. It was quite funny, I had to get up onstage and be like, “Hey, anybody want to listen?” It was challenging but definitely not the first I’ve been in that situation.

Q: A couple of years ago, a Vancouver website named you one of Vancouver’s most eligible bachelors, and linked to your online dating profile on Plentyoffish.com profile, which is still up.

A: Is it? I’ve gotta get a PR person or something. I have a girlfriend now. It didn’t really work. I didn’t get any messages from that. I think I got like one or two. It was sponsored by Plentyoffish.com, they put it together. I think they forgot to ask how much money I make. Every other guy on that list was an entrepreneur, or in real estate, or a film producer. They were all millionaires, except me. I had to go to this really awkward mixer, where they were all wearing suits and talking about how much money they’re making and properties and I’m like, “I don’t like the bus.”

Video (live) – watch Ivan Decker perform Skytrain and Homelessness

Q: Did you meet your girlfriend the old-fashioned way, at a comedy show?

A: Yeah, actually. I did a fundraiser for the MS Society. MS is in my family. It’s a fundraiser I’ll do if I’m available. It’s kind of a fun show, they do it every year. She was there and messaged me afterwards.

Q: That’s perfect. You didn’t have to put in any work. You just had to do your set.

A: Yeah, all I had to was develop a great act over a decade. Spend ten years getting good at comedy, driving to northern Alberta doing jokes for oil-patch workers.

Q: Not to put you in an awkward position, but who are some of your favourite local comics who maybe deserve more attention than they’re getting?

A: I have a few people I love, I get excited when I see them on shows. I consider them to be mentors to me. Graham Clark can not be unmentioned. Charlie Demers is another, Erica Sigurdson, Katie-Ellen Humphries is also I think one of the funniest comedians in town, Kevin Banner, super-super funny. That core group. They’re all sort of the people I came up with. It’s awesome to have them around.

Q: Who is going to be in the lineup for the showcases?

A: It’s the best of the locals doing their best stuff. When you go out on an average night to comedy, you might see people working on new material or working on stuff, or people who are booked on the show because they have friends they can put in the crowd, not necessarily because they’re funny. But in a showcase, these are people handpicked by the festival and they’re being told, “Do your best seven minutes, because if it’s good we’ll bring you to Montreal and put you on television.”

For more info and tickets, visit jflnorthwest.com. 

Inside Vancouver Blog

[to-life-with-love]

THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY OF...........The Birth of an Idea and a Revolution in Education

September, 2008.  Blain Fowler, Publisher of the Camrose Booster, in Camrose, Alberta, was sitting beside Victor Jose at a “Founding Fathers” dinner of the IFPA, The Association of Independent Free Papers of America.

It was a chance meeting which was to change his life – and that of the lives of 73 Camrose Grade 3 students (after eight years the number is now nearly 500), who were destined to follow a sliding slope into being drop outs in high school.

Victor, then 86, was a clone of Blain Fowler.  He had spent his life creating new solutions to old problems as they arose.  A newspaper man and a publisher of The Graphic, his independent free paper, in Richmond, Indiana, he had been instrumental in creating the Independent Free Papers of America. Then retired as publisher, and quite by accident, he was hit over the head by what was to become an all consuming happening.

Out of nowhere, the Australian study of failing students fell onto his desk. It contained incontrovertible proof that Grade 3 was the critical point in a child’s education.  Until that point, children are taught to read. After that point, and for the rest of their lives, individuals read to learn.  If a student has not developed critical literacy skills by the end of Grade 3, that student will begin to fall behind in his other subjects.  If the situation is not corrected by Grade 5, he will be so far behind his classmates that he never will catch up.   Victor discovered that 30% of Grade 3 children in Richmond were reading below the grade level.  This meant they were doomed to eventually drop out of high school. Reading skills were the “golden ring” to success in school...and in life.  All the other skills of listening, creative thinking, communication, social interaction, were built on those skills.  If they weren’t achieved in Grade 3, they could “never” be achieved later on. 

The cost of a drop out – not only personally  -  but to the community  - support for maintenance,  addiction, mental illness, homelessness, crime etc. etc. was staggering.

Victor was galvanized into action.  When he failed to convince the school board in his Richmond Indiana to make the changes that had been made in Australia, he created his own summer remedial reading program and raised the money needed to make it happen.  His success was solid.

There were two happenings in this encounter for Blain.  The introduction to the Australian Report, and Victor’s detailed recounting to Blain of “why he failed the first time round in getting the school board on board”

Blain put the whole encounter out of his mind.  He had to get back home to the daily grind of putting out his paper.

 Until February, 2009 and Hawaii.  Unwinding by the pool, the Victor story surfaced in Blain’s mind.  The seriousness and the scope of the problem hit him like a ton of bricks. If the children in Richmond had a literacy problem, perhaps there was a problem in Camrose, Alberta too.  Blain Fowler was galvanized into action.

Blain Fowler had a lifetime in Camrose characterized by galvanizing the community into action through the Battle River Community Foundation  of which he had been the founder and the Chairman at the time.  When things that affected the community had to be done, Blain and the Foundation were there to make them happen.  His reputation in Camrose was stellar.  A man with the bearing of Benedict Cumberbatch in Sherlock, few words, but words that were well chosen and didn’t waste anybody’s time.  If he put his weight and reputation behind a project, everybody sat up and took notice.

 And this is how he galvanized action on what was to be known as Reading University.

 Blain put together three partners: The Battle River Community Foundation for funding 50%, The Battle River School Division to create the curriculum, provide teaching staff, bussing and 50% of the funding, The Augustana Campus of the University of Alberta to provide classroom space and access to their cafeteria.

One: the  Battle River Community Foundation.  He presented a plan.  It was approved. The Foundation would stand behind him.  First hurdle smooth as silk.

Two.  He approached the Superintendent of the Battle River Regional School Division. The Superintendent, Dr. Larry Payne, WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE AUSTRALIAN STUDY!  

Blain had Victor’s failure uppermost in his mind.  . . .  HIS PROPOSAL STAYED CLEAR AWAY FROM TAMPERING WITH THE EXISTING STRUCTURES.  Blain proposed a summer camp of 4 weeks during July. Details to be developed with the Deputy Superintendent, who was the person responsible for Innovative Teaching. The base of the reading  program would follow the structure of the schools. The Grade 3 teachers would choose candidates who were in the 30% group reading below grade level and the program would accordingly be offered to them.

HIS PROPOSAL CAME TESTED.  IT HAD BEEN IMPLEMENTED  BY VICTOR WITH RESOUNDING SUCCESS.  HIS FOUNDATION WOULD TAKE ON 50% OF THE COST. Second hurdle smooth as silk.

Three:  The third partner. The Augustana Campus of the University of Alberta.  Building on the participation of the School board, Dr. Roger Epp, Dean, offered the use of the classrooms in their building, use of the library and computer labs, plus breakfasts and lunches, and two daily snacks in their cafeteria, even the kitchen behind the cafeteria for the students to bake muffins!  Third hurdle smooth as silk.

The Deputy Superintendent of the School Division, Ray Bosh, was thrilled with the project.  Undertook the planning of the program, undertook the costs of the hiring of the teachers and bus drivers, the books, etc., conditional that the Battle River Community Foundation would guarantee 50% of the total cost of $60,000.  There would be absolutely no cost to the parents!

Now, about the launch money from the Foundation . . .not smooth as silk!

The market melt-down in the fall of 2008, had taken its toll.  In the spring of 2009, the earnings of the Foundation were non-existent .  There was no money was available for granting.

Time was of the essence if Reading U was to meet its start date of July 1. What to do?

For Blain, a problem exists only to be solved.

He  invited two of his friends for lunch: Joe Cramer and Norm Mayer.  After outlining the concept and advising them that the School Division and University were on-side, he broached the subject of funding the $30,000 he needed to raise to launch the program.

“To move forward to offering the program in July, we need to be able to guarantee  that the money will be there when it is needed.  I’m going out to raise the money.  But I have no idea how successful I will be.   This is an un-tried concept here.  I am prepared to guarantee a third of the shortfall up to$10,000.  Will you guys do the same?” 

“We’re in!” 

In the end, Blain was able to raise $15,000 from the community in the short time that was available.  He and his friends each took $5,000 out of their own pockets to cover the shortfall and put the show on the road.

 THE READING UNIVERSITY SHOW WAS UNDERWAY IN JULY OF 2009.  It was offered at the Augustana campus in Camrose that year, was joined by a campus in Tofield in year two, and  a campus serving Flagstaff County was launched four years after that.  These three campuses were all co-sponsored by the Battle River School Division and the Battle River Community Foundation.  With the thought that any student that was behind in Grade Three, was probably behind in Grade Two, the program was offered to the younger students in the second year.

It didn’t take long before word spread of the first year successes got around.  The Side sisters of Grande Prairie, Alberta, underwrote the entire $100K budget to launch their version of Reading University in 2010.  Since then, a fifth Reading University has been established by Red Dear College, in Red Deer, Alberta.

The Camrose / Tofield / Flagstaff  campuses of Reading University have now enjoyed eight successful summers, during which nearly 500 children have experienced success.  During that time, the Battle River Community Foundation has established an endowment fund, which now stands at $470K, to ensure sustainability of the program.

The achievement was mammoth.  In the immediate, 73 grade students have proven to the world that if you take away fixed goals in education and in its substitute create individual student improvement as an individual goal, and if you take away the ghetto walls that separate the world of learning within school world to incorporate it into the world of learning outside the school walls, you have reformed education from producing losers to producing winners – “everyone” a winner - with self-esteem, confidence, and motivation that will be applied not only to acquiring reading skills but will be transplanted TO EVERYTHING THEY UNDERTAKE.....FOR THEIR LIFETIME!

There is another fall-out from Reading University.  It showed how the regular school system could be changed to produce winners – every student a winner....WITHOUT CHANGING THE TEACHING STANDARDS AND WITHOUT ADDING ANY EXTRA COSTS. Individualized teaching and expansion of learning boundaries to include the community can be done with volunteers from the community to relieve the burden of massive classrooms on teachers.  When that happens, there is no longer any pressure to impose one set of goals – (one size fits all) –

And the mentors to lead and organize field trips can come from the members of the community who have the skills, the know-how, the knowledge, who don’t need money, but who need personal involvement and satisfaction of contributing to the well-being and future of students.

The main stream media has got it.  And the educators have long ago gotten it.  And now it’s even being proposed that learning difficulties a child experiences early on are caused not by some serious genetic or neurological problem but......difficulty in reading!

The time has come for  Reading University to go viral......around the world!