#ironrocks

[lisayorkarts]

60 some miles later by foot and I’m back home from the Colorado adventures. I miss it already, but it’s also good to be home with my husband and dog and slow breakfasts out of my ceramics. I have 3 piles of rocks I carried down from 3 peaks. The red granite ones are from Bierstadt Peak, the brown ones are from Quandry Peak, and the orange brown ones are from the top of 7 bridges in Cheyenne Canyon. They will be added to my rock landscaping around the front of my house. I love the stories these rocks add to my house! Can I get a double tap from my other rock lovers? . . . #rocklovers #rocksouvenirs #redgranite #ironrocks #fossilizedrocks #rockcollector #rocksarepretty #rockinspiration #rocksinspireart #coloradorocks #quandrypeak #bierstadtpeak #7bridgestrail #explorecoloradosprings #explorecoloradomountains #14erscolorado #colorado14ers #landscapewithrocks https://www.instagram.com/p/B2WpdQlgtH4/?igshid=1l3x4l1htly9l

[beingatoaster]

And the letter that Franzka wrote to her kids afterward:

To: Durtheck and/or Nalvarti Proudshovel Ironrock City, Underdark, Old Empire

From: Frantheck Proudshovel Temple of Ithax, Free City of Zauber, Alemanni Coast

---

Duri, Nala,

I'm sorry.

I put the name you know on the cover so that you could throw this away unread if you wanted to. If you're reading this, I guess you opened it, and I figured I should put the apology at the very top. I'm sorry I was such a wreck when your mom died. I'm sorry I dumped you on your uncle and ran, and I'm even sorrier for what I did while I was using the Silverpick name, if any of that ended up reflecting back on the city or that side of the family somehow.

I told myself I couldn't raise you right without her and it was better to put you in someone else's hands, but I should've tried. By the time I figured that out, it seemed like it was too late to fix. It might still be too late to fix. But whether you forgive me or not, I still owe you the apology.

I live in Zauber, now. It's all the way out of the empire and over the Shattered Ridge. There's a god called Ithax, the Zaratan, a turtle god of knowledge and libraries, and I serve in her temple here. I'm in charge of a new order for the Temple, actually, called the Illuminated, so if you ever hear of us, you know who's running it. And I got the position by helping save the city from undead.

Everyone else I was working with did more, but remember your great-grandmother's stories about the war? How if you stayed alive long enough and your side won, everyone got medals whether they'd done anything or not? Turns out it's the same here, too. And it lets me work on some things I wanted to work on anyway, so I wasn't going to say no when Master Whitetooth offered.

The people I worked on this with are all amazing. Two humans, one of them, Renae, god-blessed and working for a military temple here who was pretty maternal with the younger members of the group and real good with a dagger, one of them, Pyper, with the blood of some fire-mad old sorcerer around here with a ton of energy and a thing for fire. A private investigator named Isidor, some tall blue-skinned aquatic species, incredibly smart. And a couple of half-human brothers, teenagers, which isn't as young for part-humans as you'd think, but still kids. Ario, the one I knew better, was real dumb sometimes, the way kids are, and real brave, also kind of the way kids are, and was determined to rescue his brother, Silas, who was out of his depth once we got him back but did his best when we needed him for the undead thing.

With those two, at one point they got captured by the assholes trying to let the undead loose (it's a real long story, if you want the whole thing I'll write it out for you, but that's not the point of this letter), and I promised their mom I'd get them back and keep them safe, and I told her that I knew what kind of nightmare it was for her. And that got me thinking that, if something like that did happen to you to, the way things were, I wouldn't ever know. So that's why I wrote.

I hope you're both all right. I hope you're both well. I hope you're both happy, whatever that means for you. The only useful lesson I learned when I left is that if a place doesn't make you happy, you can leave it, so if either of you left Ironrock because that suited you better, good, and if either of you are thinking of leaving because you don't like it there, do it. If you left I guess you won't get this letter, unless someone in the family gets it and forwards it. But I'd rather you not get it and be happy than get it because you're someplace that you were unhappy.

(And if you're in Ironrock and happy and don't want to leave, I'm still glad about that, honest. Leaving made me realize how much I'd hated it there and never even known. Which still doesn't excuse leaving you. I could've taken you, or waited another ten years until you were adults, or a lot of other things that weren't ditching out like I did. But you're my kids, so do yourself a favor and take at least one trip out of the city to see if you like it better someplace not Ironrock, okay?)

That goes for writing back, too. Don't do it unless you actually want to. If you do reply, address it to Franzka Fricknarti, since I'm going by that name here. (And I'm sorry for that, too, I know it's weird.) Send the letter as far as a Temple of Ithax, and they should be able to get it to me. If you don't want to reply, that's fair. You don't have to.

I love you. Maybe I should have put that at the top of the letter. I really do love you both. I always did. I did a shitty job of showing it, you don't have to forgive me for that, and you don't have to believe me now if it makes it easier for you. But I think about you every day, and that's not stopping.

Sincerely, Franzka Fricknarti Lector of Ithax, Zauber Temple

[safarmeinsd]

New vlog video out now..Head to the #beinsd YouTube channel and check out the most wonderful waterfall of sundargarh district. • • • • • • • • • ,📸📸📸 #naturephotography #nature #odishatourism #odishaclicks #odishabuzz #odisha #wateffall #khandadhar #sundargarh #rourkela #bonaigarh #nandapani #water #springstyle #hillsongworship #ironrock #mining #odiamemas #odia #explorer #youtuber #youtube #iamablogger #iamavlogger #beingsd_odisha #beinsd #nikond5300 #nikon (at Khandadhar Falls, Sundagarh) https://www.instagram.com/beingsd_odisha/p/BvJXF2HAJ7f/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=m6fvm5eo3uim

[sleepingobsidian]

Beeing yourself

Thorn was watching as his brothers put the unconscious crew of the unity, the star destroyer orbiting coruscant, into the escape pods. Capturing the ship was fairly easy, especially with two squads of ARC-Troopers. With a wave of his hand he motions for Captain Snow to launch the escape pods. He activates his commlink, „Fox, we launched the escape pods. All personal has been removed from the ship“. „Good, the others allready commed. We are ready to leave. Head to your bunks, your company will take gamma and delta shift“, Fox answers him and with an affirmative noise Thorn ends the call. He looks at the troopers around him and grins, „You heared the commander, of to your bunks“. Cheering the troopers leave, joking with each other, playfully shoving the brother next to them, just having fun with each other. Walking next to Captain Snow they share an amused smile, rarely have they seen their brothers acting so carefree. „Snow and Blizzard Platoon take delta shift“, he says and leaves for the private quarters he had been given. The quarter right next to the admirals cabin. He quickly punches a code into the control panel and walks in his room. As the light slowly goes brighter he notices the odd shape on his bunk. „Damn you Lothal“, with a sigh he pets the Lothcat the medic had left on his bed. Quick he removes his armor, black undergarments and switches into a thick and comfy pajamas. Picking up the cat, which immediatly snuggles closer, he climbs in his bed. Under his blanket he lays the little cat down next to him on the pillow. He take the remote control and sets the temperatur for his electrical blanket. Setting his chronometer to wake him for gamma shift, he pets the cat one last time falls asleep to the purring of the animal.

With a cup of caf in his hand he watches as they drift trough space, the little Lothcat brushing against his legs. According to Jek they had made some random jumps through hyperspace in beta shift, to shake off any potential persecutors, before they ended up in the Malastare system in the Mid Rim. „Anything on the sensors?“, he asks taking a sip of his hot beverage. One of his brothers looks at the monitor before him and shakes his head, „No, sir. Nothing“. A chorus of groans errupts on the bridge. Yeah, they were safe. No one was dead and they had succesfully deserted, but they currently were bored. Clones are used to an active life, this was the opposite of that. „Is there anything nearby, even if it's just an asteroid field?“, he asks hopefully, drowning the rest of his drink. The brothers from the guard aren't used to being stuck on aship. They rarely left Coruscant and than only for missions planet side, which means that some brothers aren't used to or comfortable with space travel. „Sir, we're not far from Malastare. Only 30 klicks“; Peak answers, glad that there is anything. Anything from keeping him bored that is. A bored Peak is never a good idea. A plan forming in his head Thorn turns grinning to Jonez, „Set course for Malastare. Let's give our brothers something to do“. Nodding Jonez sets course for Malastare.

Silent the brother look at Malastare. „Well, it ain't the prettiest planet but it ain't the ugliest either“; comes it from Mist, sipping on his still steaming cup of tea. Ignoring how his brothers beverage is still hot, even if it shouldn't be, he turns to Swerve, his current communications officer, „Contact Rayboo and Tauntaun squad. Let's give those boys some time for flight training“. At the mention of their names the two Massifs raised their heads. With a little pat on the head from their handlers, they settled down again.

Over the next few hours they orbit Malastare he sents his brothers, in two gunships, through various flight drills. After their flight drill his brothers were whining and groaning, cursing his name, while walking of to the showers and than to their other various activities. „You're evil Thorn“, chuckles Flake while petting one of the Lothcats he had pulled out of the vents. Shrugging his shoulder he motions fo Swerve the lead the last squad inside. Accepting another cup of caf, Mist is offering him, he leans at the durasteel wall and looks at his brothers. Snuggles and Plates, sitting next to each other, each a Lothcat in their lap, talking and laughing. Dream and Jonez looking over the monitors before them, a Lothcat napping between their feet, and whispering to each other. Branch and Powder looking a vid on the holonet, Powders legs in Branchs lap. Mist and Flake standing before the viewport each a steaming cup in their hands, silent shoulder by shoulder. Ice had joined Crevasse and Hoth, talking animatedly and gesturing wild. Swerve silent at the comm unit Froze leaning over his shoulder and gesturing at a monito nearby. Glacier had sat down in Csillas lap, petting Tauntaun and Rayboo, while talking to Mygeeto, Csillas arm around Glaciers waist, napping against Glaciers back. „It's good to see them so relaxed“, murmurs Peak as he leans next to Thorn. Sighing Thorn takes a large sip of his caf, „On Coruscant we were unter the constant observation of the natural borns and the antagonizing and painfull looks and actions of our Brothers. This is the first time ever they can savely be themselves“. In silence the two watch as their brothers enjoy their time beeing free. He wasn't joking when he said that this was the first time they could savely be themselves. On Kamino individuality was seen as a crime and every brother who acted more like a person than some kind of flesh droid was culled. On Coruscant the natural borns just looked at them strangely when they acted even just a little bit like a sentient being. The only ones beeing accepting of the brothers beeing themselves, were some of the Jedi and a handful of Senators and the children. The children of the civillians were allways easier to get along with. Probably because children are more adaptable than adults. So watching his brothers just beeing themselves is a relief and he is so glad that Fox had decided to grab for freedom eventhough the trigger was more than repugnant. He hopes that never again something like what happend to Rys happens to any of his brothers again. Peak turns fully to him, „Sir, there is a rumor going around. About Sergeant Rys and Sergeant Slick.       How true is it, Sir?“. Cold fury runs through Thorn at the mentioning of that name. Seeing the rage in his commanders eyes Peak swallows, „I see, Sir. I'll make sure that the rumor dies down and no one speaks to Rys about it. Until he is ready to talk to one of them that it“. Sighing Thorn slides to the ground, letting the peskering cat in his lap, „Thanks, Peak“. Confused his brother looks down at him, „For what, Sir?“. Smiling Thorn looks at Peak, allways considerate Peak, the allways reliable Peak. Peak who was like an ironrock in Kaminos water. A constant caring brother. „For beeing yourself“, he mutters and drinks his caf. Looking at his brothers.

[critidiots]

Worldbuilding June day 19: Outfits of the Worlds- Kinja

The Nine Kingdoms of Kinja (Human)- 

The Humans of Kinja have similar design tastes to the civilian populace of Vet though they are more prone to implementing armors of leathers and scale into their day to day life as the threat of battle is ever looming. However each of the 9 kingdoms have adapted a color that is almost unique to them, representing a patron dragon that the king of the nation uses as his symbol. As the father of dragons, the human’s of kinja feel a strong tie to the dragons and revere them as spiritual children while fearing their wrath. The colors are spread out as follows: Malfaria- Red, Dagalm - Blue, Valanar - Gold, Marshwallow- Green, Highgardens - Brass, Hinterlands - Silver, The Bawren Archopelago- Copper, Articarea - White, Abyssum- Black.  When human’s of Kinja travel abroad to other worlds, those who can afford it at least (those who don’t wear uncolored clothes), wear platinum colored clothes in reference to the first dragon and to attempt to prevent their war spilling into other worlds. It allows them to hide their national affiliation and loyalties while clearly showing their status as individuals. 

Tieflings- The Cult of Ash 

It is standard for the Cult of Ash and it’s followers to be divided into two sects, clergy or soldiers. There is no in between. Cities and land controlled by the Cult are divided as such. Clergy are expected to wear robes of ash gray and headband of cold steel, the design where the band meets at the forehead denotes their rank within the clergy itself. The rest of their outfits is left to the individual. The soldier caste is everyone who is not directly a member of the clergy and they are rarely seen out of armor even when young. Children born into the soldier caste are raised from the age of 5 to begin studying martial arts and combat by the age of ten, once they hit their eight year their family is expected to provide for their child their first set of leathers, if they are unable to one will be provided by the church but quality varies. The Soldier cast take their charge with intense passion having been raised from birth to fit into the society like any other with a profession and personal goals all the while knowing at any moment a member of the clergy may and can show up and pull them away from their life for battle. Their armor is normally colored a dark grey if it can be afforded but soldiers are left to their own devices when it comes to adorning their gear, the ruling clergy believing that allowing their soldier caste this freedom helps make them committed to maintaining their gear and their own peek conditioning. 

Ironrock and Steelstone- Dwarves. 

The Dwarves who migrated to Kinja have divided themselves into two families, the descendants of the fifth son of Drak the dwarven hero-god. Both families have committed themselves to idealizing that original descendant and in result both dwarf mountain cities, though a world apart, have very similar fashion tastes. Both noble castes attempt to recreate their ancestor’s style with newer fabrics and design techniques as well as the man’s armor and weapons. It is a planet wide scandal whenever one particular kingdom is not as close to the ancestor’s design as possible and to slight a noble’s appearance is as much a challenge to a duel as a slap to the face. The lower castes and working castes however take much of their outfit from the ever practical human’s and dress for function and the dangers of working the underdark with little care for how they are perceived by the outside world until it begins to effect revenue. Whenever one city falls out of favor it’s economy will gradually take a hit until eventually the markets and bazaars are filled with as high quality replications as they can produced for as cheap as they can spare until the rumors are quelled. The human’s care little for this bickering between the two nations but they always take care to focus their purchases on the kingdom that is currently in favor to keep the dwarves constantly working in their cyclical nature so as they will be too busy to interfere with the human’s wars directly.  

[redhiredjobs]

New Job Opening in United States :

IronRock Security is looking to hire for an overnight position at a residential building in Newark. Bi weekly or Twice monthly.

- September 15, 2020 at 02:21AM

[lavotha]

Monaco made the podium

The 11th edition of the Monaco Optimist Team Race (MOTR) was organised by the Yacht Club of Monaco (YCM) from January 9-12, 2020, with support from FxPro, Eventica, Fon, clothing supplier SLAM and boatyard Erplast. Americans arrived in first position, followed by Sweden, with Monaco climbing to the honorable 3rd step of the podium (Photo: Prize Ceremony at YCM @Mesi BD). This competition, launched back in 2009, gave the chance to 80 young sailors (under 14 years old), grouped in 20 teams representing 19 countries, to battled under perfect weather conditions oscillating between 6-15 knots on a flat sea, during four days of racing without a pause.

USA Optimist National Team (USA)

KSSS – Royal Swedish Yacht Club (Sweden)

Yacht Club de Monaco (Monaco)

“It’s always an honour and absolute pleasure to host this regatta,” said YCM General Secretary Bernard d’Alessandri. “We are pleased to continue working on this format, the team spirit concept of which is much more advanced than at other events.”

  Racing workshop

Before racing started, teams from Germany, Ukraine, China, The Netherlands, France and Monaco attended an International Clinic run by world team race expert Chris Atkins, one of 14 world known umpires present for the event.It was the perfect warm-up for these teams who spent three intensive days working on starting procedures, race rules, communication and of course teamwork. 

Chilling suspense

Third last year and equal on points with the Swedes from KSSS, the American national team arrived determined to dominate. In the lead throughout the three-day qualifying round robin phase, they lost only two of their 19 matches, two defeats conceded against the Yacht Club Italiano, then the Ukrainians from the Odessa Black Sea Yacht Club. It was a game of musical chairs for the Monaco team, comprising Noah Garcia, Leonardo Bonelli, and Alessandro and Matteo Asscher.  At the end of the first day they were 4th behind the Finns from Helsingfors Segelklubb, then seemed to pose a threat to the top trio on Friday as they rose to 3rd in the provisional ranking, before being over-taken by the Ukrainians on day three of the qualifying phase.

The suspense was all over in a few hours on Sunday with final victory going to the United States. Leaders in the overall ranking from the start, team USA well deserved their first place against fierce competition from a committed Swedish team tailgating them. Monaco finally snatched 3rd place from the disappointed Ukrainians.

11th OptimistTeam Race, January 2020, YCM @mesi_MD

Optimist Team Race, January 2020, Monaco, YCM@mesi_BDHD

Optimist Team Race, January 2020, YCM@mesi_BD

Global exchange

Always striving to boost international relations, the YCM plays a key role in the Principality’s reputation abroad. This year an exchange between Monaco and China sees the first three teams in the Monaco Optimist Team Race 2020 heading to Sanya in August 2020 to the Visun Royal Yacht Club, which is also a member of La Belle Classe Destinations, the YCM’s label of excellence for marinas and yacht clubs. 

All three have been invited to take part in the Monaco Optimist Team Race China Regional Qualification Trail. The final regatta at the Sanya club comes after four qualifying contests held in China, and decides who will make up the Chinese team for the following year’s MOTR. This year Lu Saiya and Chen Nan (Ironrock Sailing Club – Xiamen), Chen Qiyun (Fuzhou DH Yo Sailing Club – Fuzhou) and Luo Tianxuan (Visun Royal Yacht Club – Hainan) proved the best and enabling them to come to Monaco.

Peace through sport

Above all the MOTR is an occasion for competitors to get together, as evidence by the opening ceremony when everyone brandished a White Card as a sign of peace in the world. An initiative of Peace and Sport, chaired and founded by Joël Bouzou, it is a reminder of the importance of the values sport upholds.

Coming up

Next weekend, January 16-19 will be Act III of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series, a must for J/70 and Melges 20 fleets in the run-up to the 36th Primo Cup – Trophée Credit Suisse from February 6-9, 2020.  

Today’s Quote

“A sailor is an artist whose medium is the wind.” Webb Chiles  

Team USA claimed victory at Monaco Optimist Team Race Monaco made the podium The 11th edition of the Monaco Optimist Team Race (MOTR) was organised by the Yacht Club of Monaco (YCM) from January 9-12, 2020, with support from FxPro, Eventica, Fon, clothing supplier SLAM and boatyard Erplast.

[constructionfirm]

Ironrock Capital Inc. New Snr VP Operations

Ironrock Capital Inc. is pleased to announce the hiring of Daniel Marvin as Senior Vice President of Operations.

In his new position, Daniel will head up the company’s operations to maximize efficiencies, quality and performance. He will also work with senior management to grow the company and expand its leadership position in the quarry tile and thin brick markets. Daniel will also oversee all technical issues, champion new product development efforts and assist with the company’s marketing and green initiatives.

Daniel will continue to serve on industry related committees including Tile Council of North America, American Society for Testing and Materials, American National Standards Institute, American Ceramic Society, Precast Concrete Institute, and Tilt-Up Concrete Association.

Mr. Marvin brings more than 29 years of experience in the ceramic tile industry to his new role. Most recently he has served as Director of Technical Services for Mapei Corporation where he led a department of 40+ people providing technical services including education and complaint investigation across the US. Previously, Daniel was the Director of Quality and Technical Services for Florida Tile, Inc. where he worked to develop new and innovative product lines and worked with production to address quality issues. He has a Bachelor of Science in Ceramic Engineering from Alfred University.

“I am thrilled to have Daniel join our team. His knowledge and experience are second to none, and Ironrock is lucky to have him. I look forward to working with Dan and taking Ironrock to the next level.” said Guy Renkert President and CEO of Ironrock.

About Ironrock Capital Inc. Located in Canton Ohio, Ironrock Capital, Inc. is a fifth generation family-owned company manufacturing the highest quality unglazed ceramic quarry tile, and thin brick. The company’s brands include Metropolitan Ceramics®, METROBRICK®, and Royal Thin Brick®. While each brand targets a specific need of the design community, a common thread of commitment to quality and innovation runs throughout.

Ironrock’s products are sold throughout the United States and beyond. In bringing them to market, Ironrock blends quality craftsmanship with more than 150 years of ceramic manufacturing experience.

Visit the Ironrock website @ www.ironrock.com to learn more.

[drthehonpeterphillips-blog]

YOUTH EMPLOYMENT, INNOVATION AND THE NEW ECONOMY COMMISSION

COMMISSION: YOUTH EMPLOYMENT, INNOVATION AND THE NEW ECONOMY A Necessary Context The structure of the Jamaican economy has not evolved significantly since independence (1962) with economic activity still largely focused on the provision of traditional goods and services and the absence of innovative changes in the production and delivery process. We have not replaced the traditional sectors with any new modern sectors, and we continue to rely on the declining export of raw materials. The new economy is yet to emerge. A manifestation of this reality is exemplified in the recent employment indicators which show that of 1,185,700 people employed in Jamaica, the largest numbers are in wholesale & retail repair of motor vehicles and equipment (20%), agriculture hunting forestry & fishing (17%), construction (9%) and hotel & restaurant services (8%). In 2002 only about six per cent of our exports were mid- to high- tech manufacturing and the situation has not improved (Don Robotham, 2006). Another critical deficit is the low productivity of the labour force which is directly related to the low level of education and training. Even as we increase our tertiary enrollment rates, the gap between our graduates and the labour market requirements for a modern economy widens. Even the relatively few tertiary graduates who don’t migrate have a difficult time finding employment while reports from many employers are that they have a difficult time finding suitable candidates. The challenges for young people go beyond the tertiary students experience though as the unemployment rate among young people overall remains considerably high at 31.2%, compared to the national average of 12.7%. As Jamaica struggles to match the education and skills to the current structure of the economy to drive sustainable growth, there is no indication that our education and training system or research and development within the private sector is preparing us for the future. There is little evidence that Jamaica is taking into account the role of artificial intelligence (AI) as computers increasingly replace human beings in the modern service and manufacturing economy globally. The world is going to change rapidly in a relatively short space of time. While the Economic Recovery Programme (ERP), that was led by the recent PNP Government was critical to restoring macro-economic stability and laid the foundations for equitable growth, it is not clear that the critical factors driving Jamaica’s reality for today’s youth and the prospects for the future are being effectively considered. It is imperative that the country finds innovative and more creative ways of engaging young people in capitalizing on the transformation of traditional industries as well as engaging and investing in new cutting edge industries. As we prepare ourselves to form the next government we will be launching the YOUTH EMLOYMENT, INNOVATION AND THE NEW ECONOMY COMMISSION with the following objectives: To develop the appropriate economic policy framework and New Economy Action Plan to modernize and transform globally competitive areas of the Jamaican economy in the short and medium-term that would leverage the energy and talents of Jamaica’s youth (18-35) and contribute to levels of sustained equitable economic growth required to the raise living standards of all Jamaicans. This comprehensive approach will consciously seek to develop new nodes of regional development throughout the inner countryside in contrast to the usual focus on the major coastal towns as that is urgently needed in our country. While the framework will seek to enable innovation, creativity and sound business outcomes for young people across a range of sectors, there are some sectors of focus that the Commission will examine closely to inform specific recommendations. The sectors of focus are determined based on what will likely remain globally competitive even as the world economy advances with AI as well as enable a significantly improved standard of living for Jamaicans living in the countryside and urban centres. Some of these sectors have already combined to make Brand Jamaica strong. With a focused enabling framework, an engine of dynamism and growth could be unleashed for: Music Entertainment Fashion Sports Nutraceuticals (including medical cannabis) Technology Development (animation) High Level Skills Outsourcing Services - legal, accounting etc Food/Gastronomy Tourism through AirBnB Care Services – nursing, retirement villages Distinct pathways of productive engagement in the New Economy Action Plan for the following target youth segments (18-35) will also be considered: Tertiary graduates Secondary graduates with skills Secondary graduates with low or no skills Unattached youth Identify ways to strengthen national institutions and public policy processes that promote innovation Mobilize public support and financial support for critical elements of the New Economy Action Plan This Commission, on Youth, Innovation and the New Economy, will work closely with the Education Commission (to be launched in July 2017) which will examine how to raise the quality of our education and training systems with appropriate financial support to create a more globally capable and better trained and more productive labour force which can hold its own nationally and internationally. The Education Commission will also look at the range of interventions within the education system needed to encourage youth to develop healthy social attitudes and values and to assist them to remain and advance successfully through the various stages of the education system and into the labour market. The PNP’s Land Ownership Commission (launched April 2017) which intends to map a simplified road to an effective title for over 600,000 Jamaicans will also enable the work of this Commission. For the land titling programme will facilitate the revitalization of urban and rural communities and the ownership of land, which in turn will provide access to financing for investment in their business and social enterprise ideas. REPORTING The Commission will report to the Leader of Opposition and will be required to submit a preliminary report within six (6) months of commencement. MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION Chairperson: Gary Peart – Chief Executive Officer - Mayberry Investments Limited Ryan Foster - Group Chief Executive Officer, Tastee Limited Grace Lindo – Intellectual Property and Commercial Attorney Dr. Deborah Hickling - Executive Director of Ink and Vision Ltd, a Creative Economy Development and Development Communication firm Javette Nixon - Chairman & CEO of Seaforth Holdings Limited, Point Global Marketing Kurt Boothe – General Manager and Executive Director of Medical Disposables & Supplies Limited Dr. Jennifer Bailey - Head of Entrepreneurship Unit, Babson College Miguel 'Steppa' Williams - Social Development Consultant, Lecturer Shelly-Ann Curran - CEO and Founder of John John Music Group Kimberley Thompson - Student The Commission will build on existing analysis that has been completed to inform sustainable growth in this key area and hear submissions from a range of stakeholder groups in the drive for workable solutions. They will also draw on the expertise of resource persons which will include: A recording secretary for the Commission shall be appointed by th.00000e Chairman. Technical Resource persons: Helen McIntosh (Technical Advisor, OLO); Jerron Green (Research Officer, OLO) The Opposition Spokespersons with responsibilities for Finance, Culture, Investment, Industry and Information Technology will be ex officio members. COMMISSIONERS’ PROFILES Gary Peart – Chairman Gary Peart has been the Chief Executive Officer of Mayberry Investments Limited since May, 2005 and became an Executive Director of the Board in April, 2006. Prior to joining Mayberry Investments, he held a wide range of senior positions at leading institutions in the financial industry. Mr Peart serves on the Board of Directors of Lasco Financial Services, Lasco Distributors, IronRock Insurance Company and the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission; he is Deputy Chairman of the Jamaica Stock Exchange. Mr Peart graduated from the University of the West Indies, Mona and received an EMBA from Florida International University. He is an active member of the Rotary Club of St Andrew North. Ryan Foster – Deputy Chairman Ryan is a multi-talented professional with a proven track record of delivering outstanding business results and sport successes. He holds a B.Sc. in Management and Accounts and a MSc. Accounts from UWI, Mona and serves as a board member for Jamaica Paralympic Association, Director of the Sub-Committee of the Board of Management of Wolmers Boys School, Director at Port Security Corps, Director CPTC and President of the Skateboarding Jamaica. His achievements in the business sector are enumerable and include exponential growth in corporate revenue and profitability, brand recognition and superiority, impactful operational efficiencies, high levels of employee satisfaction and loyalty and organizational transformation. In recognition of his expertise and dedication to duty, he has been the recipient of numerous awards for business ingenuity, corporate performance, organizational leadership, team management and motivation and community work. The Chief Executive Officer of Jamaica’s revered Tastee Limited and a Director on several private and public sector boards, Ryan’s commitment to the development of the youth, particularly through sport and community involvement, is exceptional and is an expression of fulfilling years of working tirelessly with them. Dr. Deborah Hickling Dr. Deborah Hickling is Executive Director of Ink and Vision Ltd, a Creative Economy Development and Development Communication firm in Jamaica. Dr. Hickling has been a cultural and creative industries practitioner, administrator and educator for over twenty years, working across the disciplines of management, broadcasting, audio-visual and events production, advertising, public relations and arts management. Deborah is a Visiting Research Fellow in Creative Economy Development at the University of the West Indies; where she lectures and supervises both business and cultural studies at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in the Mona School of Business and Management; and the Institute of Caribbean Studies. Between 2014 – 2015 she led the inter-ministerial process of crafting Jamaica’s Creative Economy Policy Framework while serving as Convener of the National Cultural and Creative Industries Commission, chaired by the Prime Minister of Jamaica; and as Chair of the Inter-ministerial Technical Working Group for Cultural and Creative Industries within the Office of the Prime Minister. Through her company, Dr Hickling continues to provide bridging services to creative professionals including VIP logistics, creative coordination, contract administration and professional development. She continues to design and deliver tertiary-level courses in cultural studies, media and communication, cultural and creative enterprise management and production. Javette O. Nixon Javette Nixon is the Founder, Chairman & CEO of Seaforth Holdings Limited a diversified investment and holding company which focuses on impact investing and the development of emerging businesses & social enterprises throughout the Caribbean region. Seaforth Holdings Limited’s portfolio companies currently include Point Global Marketing Limited (POINT), a Marketing and Brand Development firm; Esther Ventures, a Venture Capital and Private Equity firm investing in micro and small businesses; Zoombridge Solutions Limited, a Research and Data Technology firm focused on data disruption within the Caribbean and Social & Economic Alliance for Development (SEAD), a policy-oriented NGO that supports national developmental programs, advocacy, and policymaking. Javette is also a director of Vein Centers of Jamaica, a boutique medical practice that focuses on the treatment of venous diseases. Prior to forming POINT, Javette founded his first company at the age of 23, an ecommerce company that sold Jamaican products internationally. He has also worked at EdgeChem Jamaica Limited and Capital & Credit Merchant Bank. In addition, he has done extensive community work through several organizations, most notably serving as vice-chairman for the St. Thomas Association of Youth Organization (STAYO), and in his founding SEAD. Javette holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Economics from the University of the West Indies Mona. He is also an alumnus of the University of London, the Technology Innovation Centre Incubator - University of Technology, the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship in the Caribbean and a Young Leader of the Americas 2016 Professional Fellow. Javette is also the season one winner of NCB Capital Quest in 2015. Grace Lindo Grace Lindo is a commercial, technology and intellectual property attorney-at-law at the Jamaican law firm, Nunes Scholefield DeLeon & Co., where she heads the Intellectual Property practice group. Her practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, compliance/corporate regulatory, charities registration/compliance, energy, management of intellectual property portfolios for local and international companies, technology commercialization and privacy/cybersecurity. She has been ranked as one of the Caribbean’s top trademark professionals by the World Trademark Review (WTR) 100 since 2015. Grace is a graduate of the University of the West Indies’ (UWI) Mona and Cave Hill campuses from which she received a Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communications and a Bachelor of Laws respectively. She attended the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), as a Chevening Scholar, where she earned a Master of Laws (LLM) in Competition, Innovation and Trade with a focus on Technology Regulation. She is a member of the International Trademarks Association (INTA) and has served as the convener of both the Intellectual Property and Commercial committees of the Jamaica Bar Association (JAMBAR). Grace is currently a Fellow of the Internet Community for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), a Director of the Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf, a member of the Advisory Board of educational start-up, EduFocal Limited, and is a former Director of the Advisory Board of the Companies Office of Jamaica. In addition, she provides pro bono support services to start-ups under the auspices of the Technology Innovation Centre (UTech) as well as the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship and has been a contributor to the World Bank’s Doing Business survey on Jamaica since 2008. Her areas of academic research interest include digital copyright regulation, internet access rights, innovation incentives/regulation in small and developing countries, technology and financial inclusion, and data privacy. Accordingly, Grace has done several papers/presentations, including looking at “Intellectual Property in Mergers and Acquisitions” at the 2012 JAMBAR Conference and “Net Neutrality and Internet Access Rights” at the Chevening Global Ambitions Conference at the University of Birmingham in 2016. Upcoming papers include “The Regulation of Disruptive Financial Technology” at the UWI, Cave Hill’s Commercial Law Workshop in Miami, Florida in July 2017 and “Big Data and Privacy” at JAMBAR’s November 2017 conference. Kurt Anthony Boothe Kurt Anthony Boothe is the General Manager and Executive Director of Medical Disposables & Supplies Limited (MDS). Kurt holds a BSc in banking and finance and an MBA with a concentration in entrepreneurship from the Nova Southeastern University in Florida. Upon completion of his MBA from Nova Southeastern University and his years of professional experience in the financial industry at two prestigious multinational institutions while residing in Florida – American Express and Franklin Templeton Investments – Kurt Boothe made his return to the island to feed his internal appetite for local development through business. Mr. Boothe joined the MDS team where he now holds the position of General Manager. He has been instrumental in re-branding the Company, applying modern solutions to business challenges, implementing technical advances that have allowed the Company to offer the highest level of service, and has played a vital role in piloting the Company onto the Junior Stock Market. Mr. Boothe is an out-going Non-Executive Director of the Petroleum Company of Jamaica with responsibility for Marketing and volunteers for his alma mater (Wolmer’s Boys School) as mentor and as Manager of the Football team, a sport at which he excelled in his youth. Miguel ‘Steppa’ Williams Miguel Williams is a Social Development Consultant, Lecturer, Dub Poet, Resultant, Motivational Speaker and Cultural Activist. Steppa is a graduate of the UWI Mona where he holds a Bachelors Degree in History (African) and International Relations. He is currently writing for a Phd in Cultural Studies. As a Dub Poet he has featured performances on several popular shows over the years, they include; Rebel Salute, Sting, Reggae Sunsplash, Calgary Reggae Festival ‘Canada’, Pomedy, Poetry in Motion and several others. Steppa is a two time nominee for the International Reggae and World Music Awards ‘IRAWMA’ in the category of best poet. Currently he is the Director of a local Non-Governmental Organization, the Forward Step Foundation dealing with Community development and Education, Wealth Creation, Creative Therapy and Total Empowerment. He is an active force in the islands prisons and juvenile correctional facilities where he operates as a teacher/motivational speaker/cultural producer of music and events. He is the creative face of the Youth centered television show ‘Talk Up Yout’ aired on TVJ. (televsionjamaica.com/talkupyout) (talkupyout.com) Miguel Williams has received many accolades for his dedicated service to nation building including being Commonwealth Youth Worker of the year 2015 (Queens Award) and the Obama Young Leaders of the Americas Fellow (Presidential Award). Williams now serves as a Director of NCB Foundation. Shelly-Ann Curran Shelly-Ann Curran is a Jamaican music executive, grammy nominated manager, and television personality. Shelly-Ann is an expert in the areas of integrated marketing, communications, professional development, with over 12 years’ experience in building, shaping and sustaining quality brands. These were most notably tried and tested at Digicel Jamaica, where she was the company’s Senior Sponsorship & Activations Manager. Prior to that, Shelly was Digicel’s Group Sponsorship Manager – notably, the person behind the signing of Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser to Digicel. With skills spanning the range of marketing competencies including; creative development and ideation, advertising, sponsorship, activations and public relations, Shelly has set new standards in the delivery of nationally acclaimed concerts and publicity launch events. She was the mastermind behind Jamaica’s homecoming celebrations for their Olympians. Shelly-Ann Curran is the CEO and Founder of John John Music Group. She launched the company in 2014 and since then has been involved in all phases of the firm’s development. Shelly-Ann is an active philanthropist with a history of supporting education and schools. Whether in business or in philanthropy, she always attempts to tackle big problems and find transformative solutions. Kimberley Thompson Kimberley Thompson is the PNPYO Political Education Commission Chairman. Her interests lie in community development, nation building and youth empowerment. She is also a member of the Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network, a youth led organisation which focuses on policy, advocacy, youth activism and youth sexual and reproductive health and rights. Thompson is the 2017 2nd Runner up in the Miss St. Thomas Festival Queen Competition. Kimberley is the producer for the morning radio show on Hot 102 FM, JA Speaks and an International Relations student at the University of the West Indies, Mona.

[missracle-blog]

No more stainless. Thanks bro! 😢 #xrays #instapic #forthethirdtime #ironrocks #recovery (at Adventist Hospital Palawan)

[benefittinginlife-blog]

My 3 year old just found the 5 pounds of fat I lost this month. She can put it back where she found it too! My clean eating challenge group has been a huge success for almost 50 participants and well as me. I'll be continuing the group and stepping it up a notch next month. LMK if you want info on the FREE group! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ironcass/351504208321771 #fivepoundsoffat #ironmom #Ironcass #IronRocks #NPCfigure #intraining #cleaneating

[chumblanco-blog]

Had a great day & time with this best people in life. #reunited #IronRocks #groufie miss ko kagad kayo!! ☺😘😜👍 Hope to see you again soon. (at Fairview, Terraces Ayala Land)

[redhiredjobs]

New Job Opening in United States :

IronRock Security is looking to hire part time armed officers to work in the Newark area. Please only apply if you have a carry permit.

- December 16, 2019 at 10:28PM