Canada: The Creation Of The Expected Aboriginal Woman Drug Offender In Canada - Exploring Relations Between Victimization, Punishment, And Cultural Identity

Details

Published on Friday, 29 June 2012 22:21

This article illustrates how the Aboriginal female drug user is responded to as an expected offender based on the intersection of her gender, race, and class. Drawing on the findings of a national Canadian study documenting the lived experiences of First Nations, M?tis, and Inuit female drug users, we argue that the strengthening of cultural identity can potentially disrupt this expected status at both the individual and social system levels. Within the framework of critical victimology, the challenge then becomes to translate this understanding into praxis. In response, we suggest advancing women?s agency at the individual level in the face of disempowering images and practices related to the offender, the victim, and Aboriginality. For change at the system level, we return to Christie?s notion of the need to dismantle the stereotypical construction of the Aboriginal female drug user. We illustrate both levels of change with an innovative form of knowledge sharing, which aims to evoke transformation with respect to individual and socially constructed conceptualizations of identity.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IndigenousIssuesToday/~3/uQH8rCbJnj4/index.php

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Schott Solar to close Albuquerque plant; 250 lose jobs

NewsNM Swickard: What about the 130 million dollars the State of New Mexico gave to get them to come to New Mexico? Are we, the New Mexico taxpayers,?out the money? From KOAT-TV.com - ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Schott Solar will close down its Albuquerque plant by the end of the summer, Action 7 News has learned.? Employees told Action 7 News that the company will cease manufacturing operations as of Friday, shedding more than 200 jobs. The company will keep a small staff through the end of the summer until they close down the entire plant. Schott is offering a severance package of two months of pay and benefits, but a lot of folks leaving told Action 7 News that is far different than having a place to show up every day. When the company announced plans for a plant back in 2008, it was thought that the facility would employ 1,000 New Mexicans.? The company plans to continue operations in the U.S., but not in New Mexico. Read more

Source: http://newsnewmexico.blogspot.com/2012/06/schott-solar-to-close-albuquerque-plant.html

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Golf tournament benefits officer diagnosed with brain cancer ...

GALLATIN, Tenn. -

The Gallatin Police Department is hosting a golf tournament on Friday to benefit a fellow officer battling a rare form of brain cancer.

Officer Kevin Thomas was diagnosed with Stage IV Glioblastoma brain cancer, commonly referred to as GBM, last month.

?To hear that, [it's] malignant brain cancer Stage IV, and it?s the fastest growing kind, it?s pretty scary,? Thomas previously told Nashville?s News 2.

Friday?s tournament will be held at the Long Hollow Golf Course in Gallatin.

The tournament officially kicks off at Noon with a luncheon followed by a 1 p.m. start time.

The entry fee to participate is $220 per four person team or $55 per individual.

A silent auction will also be held in the golf course?s club house from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

All proceeds raised will help defray medical expenses not covered by insurance.

A fund has also been set up at Regions Bank to help the Thomas family with medical costs.? Donations to the Kevin Thomas Fund can be made at any branch.

Other fundraisers benefiting the Thomas family are scheduled to take place in upcoming weeks.

Officer Thomas has been a law enforcement officer for more than a decade and has worked with the Gallatin Police Department for the last two years.

Previous Stories:

Article source: http://www.wkrn.com/story/18910260/golf-tournament-benefits-officer-diagnosed-with-brain-cancer

Source: http://cancerkick.com/2012/06/29/golf-tournament-benefits-officer-diagnosed-with-brain-cancer/

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UDID Confusion Led To Pullback in App Marketing Spending Last Month, Fiksu Says

udid/">scrambled to find a replacement for UDIDs, according to Fiksu. Unique device ID numbers were a way that Apple used to tag users by their devices. This was a foolproof way to make sure networks were targeting the same users as they moved from app to app, but it raised privacy concerns because UDIDs couldn't be cleared from a device. Apple said they would deprecate them and didn't unveil a replacement until earlier this month. What that has meant is that targeting and marketing spending has become far less efficient on mobile platforms over the past few months.?Fiksu said the cost to acquire a "loyal user," or one that opens an app three times fell to $1.26 in May, from $1.46 the previous month.

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Researchers hack drones. A science project anyone?

Civilian drones will be easier to hack because most will lack the encrypted GPS carried by military drones, like the Predator shown here.

My son Benjamin once got honorable mention for his science project, which consisted of going to a firing range and seeing whether spider silk is really bulletproof, as it was purported to be. The guy at the range smiled upon hearing about what the skinny teenager was up to and said the silk would never stand up to I-forget-what-caliber of bullet.

He was right. The piece of material Benjamin brought to the range didn?t hold its lead. (The shooting range guy pulled the trigger because Benjamin didn?t have his gun license yet. He?s 26 now, and still doesn?t, but he did learn how to drive, in the meantime, but not a stick shift.)

Anyway, his offering blew away all of the volcano projects in his class at Hunter College High School. That was then. In the past 10 years, and, in fact, in the past 10 days, prospects for perversely cool science projects have gotten a lot better.

Case in point: Todd Humphreys and his team from the Radionavigation Lab at the University of Texas at Austin reportedly demonstrated last week in front of Department of Homeland Security officials that it is relatively easy to take control of an airborne drone by hacking into its GPS system. This is not jamming the signal, perhaps what happened to the U.S. drone brought down in Iran. This is ?spoofing,? in which you actually become a ground-based pilot.

The cost to convert a drone ?on the fly? into your own version of the world?s best remote-controlled hobby airplane ever: $1,000, actually, not much more than the list price for a high-end iPad. Right, guns are so nineties.

The worry, of course, is that someone co-opts the technology for something other than science projects?and I don?t mean forest fire surveillance. One drone demo took place over an Austin stadium, according to Fox News, which broke the story. And Humphreys was quoted by Fox: ?What if you could take down one of these drones delivering FedEx packages and use that as your missile? That?s the same mentality the 9-11 attackers had.?

The Department of Homeland Security is supposed to be dealing with all of this, but doesn?t seem to have? gotten very far, hence the rationale for Humphreys? commandeered flyby. Maybe a skinny high school kid can underline some of the vulnerabilities to the public and government officials better than a college professor.

Let?s see what happens from here. At the very least, though, Humphreys? demo is likely to vie with genetically modified bird flu for the top spot on the existential dread list.

Source: Wikipedia Commons

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Opinion: Boring? Winning is everything for Spain

Associated Press Sports

updated 11:09 p.m. ET June 27, 2012

(Eds: With AP Photos.)

AP Sports Columnist

DONTESK, Ukraine (AP) - Miraculously, even out here amid the belching smokestacks and coal mines on the furthermost eastern fringes of Europe, someone had the foresight to have a copy of Viva Espana cued up, ready to go. Good job, too, because they needed it.

After Cesc Fabregas' penalty bounced off the post and into the Portuguese net, after he sprinted over to be hugged and squeezed by his deliriously happy Spain teammates, and as Spanish fans screamed their delight into the inky night sky, the famous song started to boom out across the Donbass Arena.

Long live Spain, indeed.

The world and European champions have their place in the European Championship final Sunday. Win that and they will be the first nation ever to win three major soccer tournaments in a row.

And that is all that counts. The Spanish are playing for a place in soccer history. They are playing to bring joy to a country that, in the words of their captain, goalkeeper Iker Casillas, is "in a brutal crisis" - with an economy deep in recession, nearly 1 in 4 Spaniards out of work and banks that need bailing out.

All other considerations should be secondary. The Spanish are not playing to entertain. They are not playing to be pretty for the sake of it. And nor should they. All they need to do is win.

One of the stupidest theories to take hold at Euro 2012 is that the Spanish game - which hinges on them hogging the ball as much as possible - is somehow "boring."

As it has advanced, this team that contains some of the most skillful players anywhere has not only had to contend with the likes of Italy, France and now Portugal, it also has had to defend its style of play.

And it has played in front of crowds here in Donetsk that either don't appreciate or don't understand why Spain plays as it does and how difficult its game of intricate passes is to execute. No other national team plays like the Spanish - and that's mainly because they couldn't, even if they tried.

Yet both when Spain dismantled the French in the quarterfinal here and again in Wednesday's semifinal against the Portuguese, the Spanish were copiously whistled at or, almost worse, played amid a hush so deathly that you could actually hear the players bark instructions to each other on the pitch.

Never before have the Euros come this far east. By hosting them in Poland and Ukraine, UEFA has led new crowds to the waters of fine football. But, it seems, it cannot force them to drink.

It was as though the crowd was bored. Bored of watching Xavi Hernandez, one of the greatest midfielders football as ever seen. Bored of seeing Andres Iniesta, idolized in Spain for his goal that won the 2010 World Cup final. Bored of a collection of players that, come Sunday, might lay claim to being the best national side ever.

Admittedly, Spain labored to beat Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal. The score of 0-0 would have disappointed those who came hoping to see a festival of goals. Instead, they got a penalty shootout after 120 minutes of play failed to separate the Iberian neighbors. Spain won that 4-2, with Fabregas firing in the winning final spot-kick.

Still, it was far from boring.

Partly, Spain seems to be suffering from complacency. People get bored of winners. People got bored of Michael Schumacher winning so regularly in Formula One. They got bored of Pete Sampras lifting the trophy at Wimbledon year after year. And now, the Spanish appear to be on the receiving end of that jaded syndrome.

It also is because the Spanish keep the ball to themselves, passing it to each other rather than giving it away carelessly. That is a skill they have honed better than anyone. It is both how the Spanish attack and how they defend. Their opponents tire themselves out running around trying to get the ball back. As a tactic, it's wonderfully logical, and effective, too. But for Spain's critics, it is too intricate, even pointlessly so - which is a bit like saying that Pablo Picasso would have been a better painter had he not used so many colors.

In short, it's disrespectful.

But Spain is dealing with the criticism by continuing to win and with aplomb. Don't like us? Fine. You're entitled to your opinion. But we'll keep on doing our thing. That's basically how Iniesta dealt with this before this match.

"That's what makes football great, isn't it? We can't all like the same thing, we won't all agree about everything, and that's just the difference of opinion that exists. Obviously for us, our game, the way we play it, is what has brought us success and brought us titles, and that's the way we do it, there's no other way," he said.

"Every opinion deserves respect and that might be true," he added. "But anyway, this is the style that has given us so much success, the style we identify with, and the style that is changing the history of Spanish football for the better. I think that is good enough."

Good enough? It's so much more than that. The world and European champion now in another final. Boring or not, that is all that matters.

---

John Leicester is an international sports columnist for The Associated Press. Write to him at jleicester(at)ap.org or follow him at http://twitter.com/johnleicester

? 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Why You Should Consider Acupuncture As Part of Your Pain Relief ...

Posted June 27th, 2012.

Acupuncture is a great option for better health, regardless of if you are having to deal with a cold to an injury, stress to a medical condition. Acupuncture is great for boosting your immunity also, so even though you are feeling ?fine?, acupuncture can work behind the scenes to keep your body in top shape. Acupuncture involves using sterile needles, and inserting them into the skin at specific points along energy channels that run through your body.For those who deal with migraines or headaches, acupuncture is used in place of over-the-counter medications, as it stimulates the ?aspirin? hormone to relieve tension caused from headaches. Those who have sleepless nights also find that acupuncture helps to calm the body (also known as a relaxation response), helping them to achieve a good night?s sleep. In many low back conditions, acupuncture has been proven as being more effective than most pain remedies. Our Acupuncturist even treats cancer patients, as acupuncture may be used as a complementary therapy with traditional cancer treatments.Acupuncture has been used for over 3000 years throughout Asia, and has been becoming more widely used across the western hemisphere as an increasing number of people learn how it is just as, if not more, effective than many medications being prescribed. We encourage you to speak with our Acupuncturist so you can learn more about how acupuncture can treat any condition, pain, or issue you may be handling. He has been treating a wide variety of people for over 14 years with a very high success rate. Please contact us today to learn more!

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Android Jelly Bean input options include updated keyboard, offline voice dictation

On stage at Google I/O, the company is showing off its newest features for Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, which include a new keyboard with SwiftKey-like word prediction, and voice typing that works even when you're offline. From the demo on stage it worked quickly without the annoying lag of waiting for the server to process your words we've experienced from voice control so far. There's 18 new input languages including Persian and Hindi, although offline voice dictation is US English only for now. Also mentioned on stage are new audio cues for blind users, and support for Braille. Check out our Google I/O 2012 live blog for all the details.

Check out our full coverage of Google I/O 2012's opening keynote at our event hub!

Android Jelly Bean input options include updated keyboard, offline voice dictation originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Jun 2012 12:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NPD: 70% Of Consumers Now Watch TV On Non-TV Devices; PCs Reign Supreme

Some well-timed research out from NPD, just in time for Google gearing up for its I/O event, where it is announcing news about Google TV, new wireless devices and Android. The researchers say that TV consumption on devices other than TVs has more than doubled in the last year in the 14 markets that it surveys, with 70 percent of consumers now saying they watch video on devices other than TVs. The device leading the charge -- or change, as the case may be? PCs, with tablets still accounting for less than 15 percent of TV consumption. TV, meanwhile, still ranks as the single most-used device for watching television, accounting for the other 30 percent of TV viewing.

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Gut microbes battle a common set of viruses shared by global populations

ScienceDaily (June 25, 2012) ? The human gut is home to a teeming ecosystem of microbes that is intimately involved in both human health and disease. But while the gut microbiota is interacting with our body, they are also under constant attack from viruses. In a study published online in Genome Research, researchers have analyzed a bacterial immune system, revealing a common set of viruses associated with gut microbiota in global populations.

Viruses that prey on bacteria, called phages, pose a constant threat to the health of bacterial communities. In many ecological systems, viruses outnumber bacterial cells ten to one. Given the richness of bacteria in the human gut, it was not surprising that scientists have found that phages are also highly prevalent. But how can viruses targeting gut microbiota be identified? How do viral communities differ between people and global populations, and what could this tell us about human health and disease?

In this report, a team of scientists from Israel has taken advantage of information coded in a bacterial immune system to shed new light on these questions. Bacteria can "steal" small pieces of DNA from phages that attack them, and use these stolen pieces to recognize and respond to the attacker, in a manner similar to usage of antibodies by the human immune system. The stolen DNA pieces are stored in specific places in the bacterial genome called CRISPR loci (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats).

"In our study we searched for such stolen phage DNA pieces carried by bacteria living in the human gut," said Rotem Sorek of the Weizmann Institute of Science and senior author of the study. "We then used these pieces to identify DNA of phages that co-exist with the bacteria in the gut."

Sorek's team used this strategy to identify and analyze phages present in the gut microbiota of a cohort of European individuals. They found that nearly 80% of the phages are shared between two or more individuals. The team compared their data to samples previously derived from American and Japanese individuals, finding phages from their European data set also present in these geographically distant populations, a surprising result given the diversity of phages seen in other ecological niches.

Sorek explained that their findings mean that there are hundreds of types of viruses that repeatedly infect our gut microbiota. "These viruses can kill some of our gut bacteria," said Sorek. "It is therefore likely that these viruses can influence human health."

The authors note that as evidence for the beneficial roles played by bacteria in the healthy human gut continues to mount, it is critical that we understand the pressures placed upon the "good" bacteria that are vital to human health. "Our discovery of a large set of phages attacking these good bacteria in our gut opens a window for understanding how they affect human health," Sorek added. Researchers can now begin to ask how phage dynamics in the gut changes over time, and what it might tell us about diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease, and how to more effectively treat them.

Scientists from the Weizmann Institute of Science (Rehovot, Israel) and Tel Aviv University (Tel Aviv, Israel) contributed to this study.

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---

Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

---

Journal Reference:

1. Stern A, Mick E, Tirosh I, Sagy O, Sorek R. CRISPR targeting reveals a reservoir of common phages associated with the human gut microbiome. Genome Res, 2012 DOI: 10.1101/gr.138297.112

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

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Conversations with My Friends? ? Monkey Soup

Posted: June 25, 2012 | Author: Kelly | Filed under: adoption, bigotry, foster care, loss, Mea, online homies, race, ranty vent |

Last night, Monika, Danielle, Harriet, Lisa,?Sheeps Eating Me and I got into a conversation on Twitter about how some adoptive parents feel entitled to perfection because they are spending a lot of money to become parents.

There was some that conceded that some AP?s do feel entitled to demand specifically what they want in a child, do to the fact that they are spending money to grow their families. ?There were some who disagreed.

I do feel that there are some AP?s who do feel this way. ?I have come across some adoptive families who have acted superior to my family because they happened to adopt internationally or via private adoption vs. how we came to be adoptive parents via Foster Care Adoption.

There are so many things wrong with the adoption system in general. ?Coercive behaviors, coercive language, discounts to AP?s willing to adopt non-white children. ?All of these scenario?s ?just turn my stomach. ?It crosses all ways in which adoption is possible, domestic, international, and foster care adoption.

There are tactics that adoption agencies use that are unethical and demeaning to mother?s considering adoption for their unborn child.

I know that there are issues within the foster care system as well. ?I know of a few families whose adopted children via foster care were removed at birth simply because the mother had previously lost her other children. ?Rather than see if she had learned parenting skills that would allow her to keep her new baby, the baby would be removed from the mother?s care at the hospital without giving the mother a chance to prove herself. ?They would make sure that the judge presiding over the case was the same judge who had put the original TPR?s in place for the previous children. ?It was basically a done deal. ?I was specifically told by a fellow foster parent that if we wanted to adopt an infant to get to know this specific social worker, and that we would have a newborn very quickly.

I didn?t do it. ?I never called the SW. ?I never met her. ?I?ll be honest, when we were called about Mea, and she was from a different county then the one in which we resided, I was relieved. ?Even then, not knowing what I know now about adoption ethics, I just was relieved to not be dealing with anyone from our county. ?The only time during the process of our journey to adopt Mea that I had to work with a SW from our county was about a month prior to her finalization. ?They kept her case in the other county 2 hours away, and communicated long distance about where we were in the process. ?At the end, there was more that needed to be done, so a worker here was brought in. ?Her Guardian Ad Litem was from her county, her primary SW was and so was our adoption placement worker.

Now, the sad thing is that families in Mea?s original county were asked if they were interested in adopting her, and no one wanted her, there is a lot to this story, things that I will not share, but it honestly breaks my heart. ?The thing is, the majority of the reasons they weren?t interested had nothing to do with her, it had everything to do with her bio-parents. ?Even with the heartbreak, for my daughter in this situation at only a twelve month old baby, I am pretty grateful that these families didn?t want her. ?It made it possible for me to be her Momma, and for my husband to be a Daddy again.

While visiting about how children who are of color are often discounted, some to the point that agencies advertise that they are, quite honestly pissesd me off. ?I understand that some parents are very determined to have their children ?look like them.? ?As a parent to a white daughter, step-momma to three bi-racial children, and my black daughter Mea, it just offends me to no end.

To a point, I do understand why adoptive parents may put restrictions on what they are willing to happen in regards to special needs, not all parents are cut out for a special needs child. ?If you are honest enough with yourself that you cannot handle it, then that it your choice. ?However, limiting yourself to specific races of children would make me consider that you are a racist, or at least have racist tendencies. ?This is ridiculous. ?You want a child, you want to grow your family, perhaps you couldn?t get pregnant or have other things that are making you move towards adoption as a way to grow your family. ?Skin color is a not a disability.

No child is perfect. ?Although, any parent can tell you that they feel that their own child is as close to perfection as possible. ?The expectation that you will adopt a ?perfect? child is unrealistic. ?All kids are going to have some sort of issues. ?All of them. ?Every single one. ?You never going to know what you are going to get. ?Your own biological children can have issues, and your adopted children could have none. ?When prospective adoptive parent?s think that they are going to have a perfect child, they obviously have no clue as to what children are really like.

One other thing that we touched on was classes for Prospective Adoptive Parents and classes for mother?s considering adoption. ?There should be classes by adoptive parents and birth mother?s who are actually in an open adoption relationship, that is taught to actual AP?s and birth mother?s who are in an open adoption. ?This would be something that would be so valuable to both PAP?s, and to mother?s considering adoption. ?I know that when we took our PS-MAPP classes, they briefly touched on open adoption. ?Very brief. ?One of the foster mother?s who was facilitating our class had some experience, but didn?t go into much detail about what it was about. ?It also would have been really nice to have heard from a birth mother. ?We only heard one side, and it was a pretty negative view to be quite honest.

---

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British spy chief: West faces 'astonishing' cyber spy threats

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BC Discovery Fund's portfolio company, Avigilon Corporation, receives

?

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, Jun 20, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) ? British Columbia Discovery Fund (VCC) Inc. is very pleased to announce that its portfolio company Avigilon Corporation,?a leader in high-definition (HD) and megapixel video surveillance solutions, earned the prestigious ?Company of the Year? award at the recent 2012 British Columbia Technology Industry Association (?BCTIA?) Technology Impact Awards Gala. This award recognizes Avigilon for its superior business development and profitable growth, and culminates several years of outstanding development by Avigilon, having earned BCTIA awards for ?Emerging Company of the Year? in 2010 and ?Team of the Year? in 2011. This award also continues the trend that BC Discovery Fund has enjoyed since 2006, during which time its portfolio companies have been selected for ten BCTIA awards and have been finalists for many more.

A world leader in digital high definition video surveillance technology, Avigilon has achieved significant growth through its ongoing product innovation and its commitment to developing and releasing new products that improve the performance of video surveillance. Providing customers with the best evidence and return on investment is the key to Avigilon?s business. Led by Alexander Fernandes, Avigilon co-founder, President and CEO, Avigilon launched its HD surveillance system in late 2007, and the Company has experienced exponential annual growth ever since. In late 2011, Avigilon was ranked the fastest-growing software company in North America on Deloitte?s Technology Fast 500(TM) list and was one of the few companies to complete an initial public offering and listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Avigilon now employs more than 180 people, with 75% of its staff located in its Vancouver, BC global headquarters and its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Richmond, BC, and all of its components are designed and manufactured in Canada.

?Avigilon?s achievements over the last few years have been truly outstanding,? remarked Harry Jaako, President of the Fund and Lead Director of the Avigilon Board of Directors. ?Avigilon?s cumulative average sales growth has exceeded 100% annually since late 2007, and this BC-based company now has installations at over 12,000 customer sites in more than 80 countries. Avigilon is a stellar example of how critically important the BC Small Business Venture Capital program is to the development of BC?s emerging technology companies, a vital component to enhancing the economic growth of our province. We at BC Discovery Fund look forward to continued dynamic performance from Avigilon, as well as to working with the Fund?s other twelve portfolio companies to maximize shareholder value from their development as well.?

About British Columbia Discovery Fund (VCC) Inc.

British Columbia Discovery Fund (VCC) Inc. was established to make venture capital investments in a portfolio of small businesses in British Columbia that qualify under the Small Business Venture Capital Act, focusing on all of B.C.?s top internationally recognized technology clusters; information technology (software and hardware), mobile technology (wireless and networking solutions), clean technology (alternative energy and energy-saving technology solutions), new media and health and life sciences.

Established in 2002 and managed by Discovery Capital Management Corp., the Fund is focussed on making diversified investments in British Columbia with the objectives of achieving long-term capital appreciation for its shareholders and contributing to the growth in value and employment of the technology industry in British Columbia. In addition to offering a means of participating in the potential of British Columbia?s newest technology ventures, the Fund offers significant tax savings to eligible British Columbia individual and corporate investors. The Fund, which offers its shares on a continuous basis, has raised approximately $74 million to date and has investments in thirteen developing technology companies. B.C. resident investors are entitled to receive a tax credit equal to 30% of the amount invested in Class A Shares of the Fund; Class B Shares of the Fund are not eligible for tax credits. To obtain further information about the Fund, please contact a registered advisor or visit www.sedar.com or www.bcdiscoveryfund.com .

John McEwen, CEO, B.C. Discovery Fund (VCC) Inc.

Harry Jaako, President, B.C. Discovery Fund (VCC) Inc.

Marketwatch: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/bc-discovery-fund-portfolio-company-avigilon-named-company-of-the-year-by-bc-technology-industry-association-2012-06-20

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Obama criticizes Romney's 'outsourcing' jobs

President Barack Obama speaks at the Oyster River High School gym, Monday, June 25, 2012 in Durham, N.H. (AP Photo/Jim Cole)

President Barack Obama speaks at the Oyster River High School gym, Monday, June 25, 2012 in Durham, N.H. (AP Photo/Jim Cole)

President Barack Obama speaks at Oyster River High School, Monday, June 25, 2012, in Durham, N.H. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

President Barack Obama speaks at Oyster River High School, Monday, June 25, 2012, in Durham, N.H. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

President Barack Obama speaks at the Oyster River High School gym, Monday, June 25, 2012 in Durham, N.H. (AP Photo/Jim Cole)

President Barack Obama eats an ice cream sundae at the UNH Dairy Bar, Monday, June 25, 2012, in Durham, N.H. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

DURHAM, N.H. (AP) ? President Barack Obama, campaigning in Mitt Romney's backyard, criticized his Republican rival anew for what his re-election campaign says is a record of shipping American jobs overseas.

"Gov. Romney's commitment to outsourcing is not just part of his record, it's part of his overall economic vision that he and Republicans in Congress want to implement if they win this election," Obama said Monday.

The Obama campaign has seized on reports that the private equity firm Romney once ran made investments in companies that were described as "pioneers" in outsourcing jobs to China and India. The Romney campaign says the reports do not differentiate between "domestic outsourcing" and "offshoring" and don't take into account work done overseas to support U.S. exports.

During a campaign event in New Hampshire, Obama said that explanation would do little to satisfy workers who have had their jobs moved overseas.

"You don't need someone trying to explain to you the difference between outsourcing and offshoring," he said. "You need someone who's going to wake up every single day and fight for American jobs and investments here in the United States."

The president, with his suit coat off and his shirt-sleeves rolled up, wiped sweat off his face during his 30 minute remarks to a 1,200-person crowd crammed into a hot high school gymnasium.

Romney campaign spokesman Ryan Williams said Obama was resorting to "false and discredited attacks to divert attention from his abysmal economic record."

Obama's first stops on a two-day, four-state campaign trip were taking him into Romney's backyard. The presumptive Republican nominee has a vacation home in New Hampshire and served as governor of neighboring Massachusetts, where Obama was headed for an evening of campaign fundraisers.

Obama told voters in New Hampshire, expected to be a key battleground in the November election, they would have the "final say" over how Washington moves forward in solving the nation's problems. And he warned them not to buy into millions of dollars in ads from Romney and his Republican allies that Obama said would shade the truth about his record.

"Doesn't matter if it's true, they'll just keep repeating it," he said.

From New Hampshire, Obama was headed to Boston for three fundraisers that were expected to bring in at least $3.1 million for his re-election campaign. He also planned to raise money Tuesday in Atlanta and Miami.

Associated Press

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Aviva Canada: Want to make a difference in your community? Aviva Community Fund returns with a $1 million pledge

19 June, 2012

?The hard work was worth it,? said Dave Nussbaumer of insurance brokerage Farrell Agencies, and lead organizer of the Yorkton (SK) Skateboard Park initiative. ?We mobilized the students and entire community, proved that our project was worthwhile and ended up with $150,000 for a skateboard park in an area devastated by flooding.?

Nussbaumer is referring to his community?s winning of $150,000 from the 2011 Aviva Community Fund. The Yorkton Skateboard Park was one of 12 winners to share in the 2011 Aviva Community Fund?s $1 million prize. ?The community and its youth will benefit from this park for decades to come,? continued Nussbaumer.

Aviva Canada, one of the country?s leading providers of home, automobile, recreational vehicle, group and business insurance, is proud to announce that the Aviva Community Fund competition will return in the fall of 2012.

The company will once again offer $1 million to encourage Canadians to lead, empower and support community initiatives across the country. Whether it?s a project that will help get at-risk youth off the street and back into school, or other ways to extend a hand to those in need, the Aviva Community Fund enables individuals and groups to not only submit a community initiative for funding, but also become actively involved in making change happen.

Launched in the fall of 2009, the Aviva Community Fund competition has already provided over $2.5 million in funding to 31 charities and community groups including youth programs, animal shelters, public schools, camps and centres for those affected by disabilities or illness.

In the competition?s first three years, Canadians overwhelmingly answered the call proposing over 6,000 ideas and casting more than six million votes in support of causes from every province and territory.

New to the competition this year is a specific prize of up to $150,000 for Canadian community groups or charities that support homeless and at-risk youth programs. Also within the program again this year is up to $150,000 in funding for initiatives specifically supported by insurance brokers.
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Canadians are encouraged to submit their ideas on the competition?s website ? www.avivacommunityfund.org. Visitors to the site are asked to vote for their favourite ideas so they can advance through to the competition?s final round, where they will be evaluated by an independent panel of judges.

Do your local youth centres or seniors? groups need support? Are you ready to make a difference? Year four of the competition kicks off on September 24, 2012, public voting on ideas starts October 1. Visit www.avivacommunityfund.org for news, to sign up for campaign updates and to learn more about how to get involved. Also visit, and Like, the Aviva Community Fund Facebook page for additional program information.

-ends-

About Aviva Canada
Aviva Canada is one of the leading Property and Casualty insurance groups in Canada providing home, automobile, recreational vehicle, group and business insurance to more than three million customers. A wholly-owned subsidiary of UK-based Aviva plc, the world's sixth-largest insurance group, the company has more than 3,000 employees, 25 locations and 1,700 independent broker partners. Aviva Canada and its employees invest in positive change including through the Aviva Community Fund and Eva's Initiatives, its partner in Aviva's global Street to School program to help homeless and other at-risk youth reach their potential.

For more information visit AvivaCanada.com, our blog or our Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn pages.

For more information contact:
Media
Glenn Cooper
Senior Manager, Public Relations & Social Media
Aviva Canada Inc.
Mobile (416) 523-3225
Desk: (416) 288-2685
Glenn_cooper@avivacanada.com

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Parents Fire Back At K-12 Education System Implementing More ...

More parents are pulling their kids from ?traditional? K-college public school system, finally standing up to a system NOT preparing kids and leaving kids/parents in heavy debt.

?Dear Mike, my husband and I read your latest comments on K-12 education. We agree wholeheartedly. Regularly, we read and enjoy your detailed comments and articles on K-12 education. Education is very important to us. We have 3 kids, ages 8, 10 & 13. Unfortunately, we are disappointed in our local school.? To be clear, we don?t blame teachers. Our kids have caring teachers. We are so frustrated with a curriculum that emphasizes testing and memorization. We too join other concerned parents who want our kids to develop a passion for learning.? ?Brent & Cally M, Sarasota, FL

***What you see below is the long response I provided to a father of 2 boys, who indicated his wife and he are researching education alternatives for their high-school-aged son.***

This father repeats a common (and serious) concern ? today?s education policy makers mandate:

1. Rote & regurgitation (aka ?drill & kill?)
2. More (not less) TESTING
3. Memorization ? that is,? very little emphasis on higher-order thinking skills (aka ?Bloom?s Taxonomy)
4. Traditional curriculum that ignores kids? passions ? kids are bored out of their minds

Click READ MORE below now for my long response to a parent who searches for an alternative educational experience for his high-school-aged son.

WHEN TRADITIONAL K-12 SYSTEM FAILS KIDS AND PARENTS

In response to this parent, I shared the following in support of his wife?s and his decision to search for best alternative education experience for their son:

?Obviously, Tom, you know your son is not alone?nor is this ?point of contention? reserved just for your wife and you. LOTS of young people are bored out of their heads and LOTS of parents are frustrated out of their heads.

Bottom line: you can force your son to comply with traditional standards and perform to your expectations or you can search alternative education. I prefer searching for alternative education. In fact, this topic is the exact core issue that drove me out of teaching in 2002.

In mid 90s, I was part of a state delegation tasked with ?New Standards.? We were fed a line about being the pioneers who would form new (and exciting) standards allowing kids to compete globally. Sounded so damn noble.

Problem is, EVERYONE sees today exactly what is happening in K-12 education: it?s now standardized testing up the ass with corporations led by ?education reformer? Jeb Bush banging down school doors on behalf of his corporate bed-buddies in order to grab more MILLIONS in profits, i.e. more testing, more test scoring, more test prep, more test remediation, more test training, etc.

More testing is BIG $$$$$$ and the public is eating this shit up because the public (even most parents) swallowed a handful of *BLUE pills convincing them their kids have to work hard, get good grades, beat all standardized tests, get accepted to ABC Good College, grab a piece of sheepskin & live happily ever after.

*Editor?s Note: This is reference to the movie, The Matrix.

All the while kids? EXCITEMENT for learning is being stomped out, replaced with ROTE & REGURGITATION. In fact, let me challenge every parent among us: invest one week scrutinizing your kid?s (or kids?) homework.

You will be shocked to discover ~90 or more percent is frickin? rote, where they?re expected to regurgitate.WHY? Teachers? asses are on the line to TEACH to these damn tests. Government has convinced you teachers are bad and that good teachers should earn merit pay when their students perform well on these tests.

Guess what? The savvy teachers have realized they?ll sacrifice principles in order to stay off a ?bad teacher? list so their curricula has transitioned to focus on the tests.

Your (and my) kids are suffering?THEY are the victims.

Tom, what is happening to your son is NOT his fault. I?m not appeasing you ? I was IN THOSE CLASSROOMS for 16 years. No one EVER will convince me otherwise. I will stand up to millions as a lone ranger (though I?m not alone in blowing the whistle). Problem is, too many parents swallowed that handful of *blue pills ? they?re now hopeless pawns.

*Editor?s Note: This is reference to the movie, The Matrix.

So, Tom, what is a possible solution for your wife, you and son to consider? I think you already intuitively have come to the solution: you find out what your son?s passion? is. Even if he can?t make a living from his passion (perhaps at this time), he will mature, develop his learning skills & probably sneak in a bunch of math, science, reading, writing, history, et al without even realizing it.

This is the Montessori approach which I very much support. In fact, Montessori applies to the Finland education system that is poo-pooed by US policy makers as irrelevant. Irrelevant? Here?s a link for anyone who remotely is interested > http://www.smithsonianmag.com/people-places/Why-Are-Finlands-Schools-Successful.html

**Parents know their kids better than any education wonk, including me when I was there (though I admit I once was so damn brainwashed I actually thought I knew better than all of you about what was best for your kids).

**Bachelors (4 year degree) is NOT for every kid

**Confirm your son?s passions and then seek out people who are making money/living based off similar passions. Show your son he?s not alone and that it is possible to have fun LEARNING. Why do so many adults believe it?s impossible to make a living do what they love? Yeah, I know the answer > they swallowed a handful of blue pills?.

Okay, I banged out another novellla here. Sorry, I get fired up by this topic. I have 2 kids, one grade 5 son who is in ?honors? and who daily faces a Sarasota County Schools curriculum overdosing on rote & regurgitation. No Bloom?s Taxonomy off the 1st rung of the ladder.

Check out this Facebook page to discover you?re not alone and that teachers, former teachers, administrators, parents, child psychologists and others are VERY concerned about the (formal) education in America > www.facebook.com/RaceToNowhere?

How do you feel about a K-12 education system?as a whole? Throughout, I?ve considered the system, not the teachers who (mostly) are positively impact kids? lives. Please scroll down to share your thoughts, questions & concerns. I look forward to hearing from you.

My Sarasota Real Estate blog is not just real estate ? it?s the most comprehensive online source for Sarasota attractions including information about Sarasota, beaches, attractions, events & local issues. Whether you are looking for the latest sales, price trends, Sarasota foreclosures or homes for sale in Sarasota, I try to make it all available here. Browse Sarasota homes for sale; call me @ (941) 914-9980 if you or someone you know has a question or wants to buy or sell a house in the Sarasota area.

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Tagged as: finland k-12 education, montessori

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Self Improvement | Reinventing Yourself - What Do You REALLY ...

By Holly Matson

Think back to when you were a child. Did you have a special career in mind? A passion to be a police officer, or a dancer, or perhaps a painter? When you got older and entered high school, did you discover a talent for debate? For shop class? Is there something that really stuck with you? Something from those childhood joys that is with you today? For instance, did your love of debate lead you into practicing law?

When I was a child, I loved to sort ? buttons, blocks, cards. In my career, the tasks I?ve performed and most enjoyed have been, logically, those that create order. I love to clear up organizational messes, create and fine-tune procedures and processes. I enjoy making other people?s jobs easier by doing so. These same skills make me a very good process and project manager.

I was an administrative, marketing and executive assistant for over twenty years when I was laid off in 2009. I?d always worked under other people?s agendas, doing everything I could to please Corporate America and to keep my job. At the time I was laid off I had been acting as an assistant to a spiritual motivational speaker in my spare time, and in working with him I had met two other spiritual entrepreneurs who asked for my help. Over time, I found myself working for a wide variety of people in marketing and promotion, client services, proofing and editing, scheduling, and organizing. I was provided a great logo, I created a website and promo materials, and made it official: I was now the proud owner of Lightseeds Office, a virtual assistant service. It has taken some time to develop, but I am now doing the kind of work that gives me joy, with my own agenda and at my own pace.

Did you know that nearly 14 million Americans are self-employed ? 7% of labor force? 80% of people age 45+ consider changing careers; only 6% actually do. Does that mean that all the rest give up and settle for what they know, whether they enjoy it or not? I?d love to know what percentage of those that are self-employed are following their bliss, as opposed to working in whatever field they happen upon.

Whether you want to be an entrepreneur or not, let?s explore some ways to recapture the joys of your early dreams, and bring that to the present so you can act on them to create your future, whether it?s working for yourself or for someone else. Why settle, like I did for so many years? Let?s go on a journey to discover where you really want to be as you reinvent yourself.

Setting your GPS: Where are you now?

When you set out on a journey using your GPS, you can set your destination, but you won?t get far without allowing the navigator to determine where you are.

Think of your resume, your experience, training, titles, credentials, etc. What do you dislike about your current work life and your career? What do you enjoy? What of your credentials do you use? What do you not care about?

Where have you been?

In the same way, think about what you have left behind. What did you love early in your career or your youth that you don?t do now? What did you dislike you don?t want to return to? What got you where you are today? Many years ago when I was in retail I absolutely loved display and setting up new product. I can relate that to my current love of doing the same thing electronically: creating marketing materials and websites ? electronic rather than physical layout and design.

What is your destination?

Now that we?ve discovered what your past brought you to, and what your present offers, let?s set your GPS for where you want to go. Carry forward the items that please you from your past and present into your future.

What?s your bliss? What tasks give you joy? What talents give you joy? Think of those re-inventors I described earlier. Can you see yourself taking people on photography tours? Describe what your ideal day would be, whether career related or not.

I love doing workshops, making PowerPoint presentations, event planning. I love design, layout, sorting, creating order. I love building the foundations for people to live their bliss. Define your goal. ?I love gardening/decorating for Christmas/decluttering/baking/detailing cars, etc etc. I could do that for people who hate to do it.??

The Journey

You can set your GPS, but you?re getting nowhere fast unless you take action! Your GPS may tell you what turn to make, but it won?t say anything else until you actually make that first turn. Now that you?ve discovered some ways to reinvent yourself, let?s look at the tasks along the way. What do you need to do to get from your current location to your destination? What ?virtual Mapquest? will you use? Do your research ? find out how to match what people want with what you want to offer

Taking my example, I looked at the group of people I wanted to target as a virtual assistant ? motivational, spiritual, holistic workers. I asked questions and studied online: What is your biggest pain? What do you not have time for? If you had abundant finances, what is the first thing you?d hire out? Based on that, I created a match between the skills I love to use (NOT just skills I have, but those I enjoy) and what they needed. I built my offerings on those things.

Focus on the WHAT not the HOW. Keep your eye on what your goal is, and take all the steps you can to achieve that goal. Don?t try to figure out how success will happen. You don?t keep checking your car?s navigator to see how it?s taking you to your destination, you just know it is taking you there and follow the cues it gives you. Likewise faith in the outcome and taking inspired action will get you where you want to go. If you worry over the details, your focus has shifted from your goal to the ?how.? I didn?t worry about how I would become a successful Virtual Assistant. I just took action based on the signs I saw, based on what I learned, and it just happened.

As you continue on the journey to reinventing yourself, remember to stay flexible. You may have a goal in mind that, once approached, changes into something different. Keep your eye on what you want, stay flexible, and it will happen.

Holly Matson has been a talented administrative and marketing assistant for over two decades. She developed her company Lightseeds Office ( http://www.LightseedsOffice.com ) to provide a freelance administrative resource for individuals and small companies who normally could not afford the help they needed to set up and run their businesses. She has helped create marketing materials, organized online and paper filing systems, managed client services, event coordination and many other functions. Many of her clients are in the spiritual/motivational fields, Holly?s chief interest. Holly is also the co-author of ?Signs Along the Path?, a daily inspiration book by John Davis, her friend and client.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Holly_Matson
http://EzineArticles.com/?Reinventing-Yourself?What-Do-You-REALLY-Want-to-Be-When-You-Grow-Up?&id=7086718

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Rio+20 Conference Ends, With Some Progress on the Sidelines

[unable to retrieve full-text content]The meeting produced no enforceable environmental commitments, but showed the growing capacity of organizations and corporations to mold effective action without the blessing of governments.

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16-Ounce Cokes and 40 Joints a Month: When Government Dictates to Consumers

Jos? Mujica

Jos? Mujica is the Uruguayan Bloomberg.

Like the mayor of New York, the president of Uruguay is a social engineer, convinced to the core that he knows best when getting citizens to do the right thing.

Bloomberg and Mujica even have a mutual fan club going. Bloomberg donated $500,000 and called the Uruguayan leader nearly two years ago to urge him on in support of the country?s ?labeling law that requires 80 percent of the front and back of cigarette packages to be covered with health warnings, an action that provoked the ire of Philip Morris International.

Recently both Bloomberg and Mujica have upped their game: Bloomberg gave Coca-Cola? and other soft-drink companies spasms when he proposed a 16-ounce size limit on the sugary beverages in restaurants, movie theaters and the like. (Best random quote on Bloombergian food policing: ?He?s of the generation of Jewish men who feel that if they didn?t become a doctor they are a failure. Now he?s trying to become a doctor.??Fran Lebowitz in The New Yorker.)

Mujica has arguably done his friend Mike one better. He proposed earlier this week to legalize marijuana to stopper drug-related violence in his little country whose population is less than half that of New York City. Making pot more readily available would, in theory, quell demand for harder stuff like cocaine base, an intermediate in the production of the drug.

Legalize pot? So what? Isn?t everyone doing that or at least doing it and slapping on a bureaucratic moniker like decriminalization?

Details matter. Mujica?s initial proposal essentially sets out what might be called weed socialism. The plan foresees the national government becoming the source of hemp supply for all Uruguayan users.

Any interested adult would go to a consumer pot registry and, once enlisted, be entitled every month to buy up to 40 joints, or porros, as they?re called in Spanish (much better than the Anglo-Saxonism or even ?reefer?).

Okay, let me anticipate a multitude of reader comments here: What?s any of this have to do with science? First, Bloomberg: the New York mayor is big on his data-driven approach to getting citizens to behave properly. The Atlantic just ran a critique by researchers involved in the studies cited by the Bloomberg administration to justify the cap on drink size, economists who predicted that his plan may backfire. In the lab, people will over-consume when freely offered super-size portions. Having to choose among a range of sizes on their own in the real world is a different story.? There, they tend to pick what they are used to drinking, whether a large or small beverage.? Limiting consumption in that situation, the economists contend, may only prompt over-imbibing later: I was good this morning so I can splurge this afternoon.

So much for Northern Hemisphere science. There?s a long tradition of New York mayors imploding as their time in office nears a close. Now back to the southern cone. Mujica?s plan might be similarly science-challenged. Like his buddy Mike, he might be running into his own ?size matters? problem.

The minutiae of goods-rationing systems (operations research is science, right?) were a strength (maybe the wrong word) of the former Soviet bloc, but five-year plans for bread and dishwashers are a bit different than dealing recreational drugs at the state store.

The Mujica plan tentatively foresees making available for purchase no more than 40 porros a month. Researching the optimal-allotment size question is not grist for a typical PubMed search. Little more than a joint a day for regular users, though, might be viewed as a form of deprivation, which could lead to the same kind of compensatory over-indulgence engaged in by soda drinkers who expect their daily due. The extra supply would have to come from the illicit market.

For the government, the logistics might prove a touch daunting even for a country with a small population. Some reports have the national government planning to track the porros with chemical signatures and requiring users to return the roaches to the state store, presumably to ensure that the cigarettes weren?t resold after purchase. All this in the end may get worked out: as president, Mujica has often projected more the pragmatism of Brazil?s Lula than the dogmatism and hyperbole of Venezuela?s Chavez.

Anyway, one expects quirky ingenuity from newly developing countries. Uruguay is only a few hundred miles from the Bolivian border, a place where President Evo Morales has promoted the message that la hoja de la coca no es droga. And Bolivia is right next to Chile, which, at the other end of the political spectrum, once served as a social laboratory for Milton Friedman?s free-market ideas during the Pinochet years.

Nationalizing pot sales is just what you would expect from a 77-year-old former leader of the Tupamaro urban guerilla movement?and it marks a challenge to the long-time U.S. regional policy of viewing drug control as a relentless battle against suppliers. This time, though, Mujica shouldn?t count on another call and charitable offering from ?compa?ero Mike. Maybe, rather, a congratulatory tweet arriving from the outer reaches of the great beyond and signed by Abbie Hoffman.

Source: Wikipedia Commons

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How to Choose the Right Health and Healing Institute

Benefiting from alternative medicine is synonymous to choosing the right health and healing institute. After all, given the abundance of centers that offer alternative healing services, it would only be appropriate to assume that not all are capable of providing the best care possible. With this in mind, it becomes clear that choosing an institute solely based on price-competitiveness might lead to unsatisfying outcomes, after all cost should not be much of an issue in alternative medicine unlike in conventional healing approaches. The question remains, however, as to which aspects should one focus upon while searching for a reliable alternative healing center. ? ?
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Upon realizing that it is time to take advantage of alternative medicine and upon carrying out an initial search for the ideal health and healing institute, one should keep in mind that not all centers provide the same assortment of treatments.

Hence, when choosing among alternative healthcare centers, it would be best to know exactly which healing methods would suit one?s needs. Likewise, it would be best to determine beforehand which alternative healing approaches would be most acceptable: for example, even though there are those who enjoy acupuncture sessions, some would never be able to picture themselves being pierced with numerous needles.
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After finally identifying a health and healing institute that offers the right services, it would then be necessary to seek answers to a few questions regarding payment. Whether through phone or through email, it would be ideal to ask whether one?s alternative healing center of choice provides trial sessions. After all, even though many try to attain optimal health through alternative medicine, not all are able to achieve astounding results. Also, even if one has insurance that covers such unconventional treatments, it would still be wise to make sure that one?s preferred institute accepts the particular insurance brand to avoid payment issues later on.
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Once certain that a particular health and healing institute suits one?s preferences in terms of payment-related facets, it would then be most suitable to pay a visit. Upon arriving at the center, it would be best to determine whether it has a welcoming atmosphere that encourages healing. Likewise, it would also be necessary to assess the center?s staff based on their eagerness to help patients: as alternative healing approaches are more personalized and holistic than conventional methods, a doctor who offers such unorthodox means of boosting one?s health should be more than capable of paying attention to every bit of detail regarding one?s ailments. ?
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Choosing the right alternative healing center is not a simple task. As mentioned, aside from gaining sufficient knowledge regarding the services offered by centers that pique one?s interest, it is also necessary to obtain enough information regarding payment options. As also pointed out, thoroughly assessing a center based on its environment and staff, is necessary so as to determine whether one?s health would truly be taken care of, in the best possible way. Nonetheless, even though identifying a top-notch health and healing institute is time consuming, completing such a task successfully is a significant step towards better health.

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Culberson up to his old tricks (Offthekuff)

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How to Pick the Best Crowdfunding Platform

Heather R. Huhman is the founder and president of Come Recommended, a content marketing and digital PR consultancy for organizations with products that target job seekers and/or employers. You can connect with Heather and Come Recommended on Twitter and Facebook.

The recent JOBS Act has made it easier for small businesses to use the Internet to raise investments from family, friends, the community, and even complete strangers interested in their venture. The process, affectionately known as crowdfunding, helped raise $1.2 billion globally last year and the number is expected to double in 2012.

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SEE ALSO: 6 Crowdfunding Mistakes That Can Kill a Campaign

Variations of this phenomenon are flooding the internet, with new platforms being created and launched every day. As crowdfunding platforms become more prevalent, more niches are being defined. Whether you are a tech-savvy entrepreneur or a food connoisseur, there is a perfect crowdfunding website to gather support and fuel your new business.

[More from Mashable: How Big Brands Create Social Media Campaigns]

Below are six online crowdfunding platforms, each targeting different users in specific industries.

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1. Rock the Post

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Summary: Rock The Post is a business social network and crowdfunding platform for entrepreneurs looking to jump-start their start-up or small business by building a strong following and gathering funding. Entrepreneurs can post about their venture or idea and spread the word in an open forum to engage with like-minded individuals. Contributions can come in the form of pledges and/or investments.

Best Feature: The in-depth category list allows you to post your business idea specific to its industry. There are currently 36 different categories, many of which cannot be found on other crowdfunding platforms. The unique categories range from home and garden to real estate. By specifying your niche on Rock The Post, your chances of connecting will be maximized.

What To Consider: Although the site encourages collaboration and feedback on the open forum, posts require a detailed campaign with no holes or gaps, as well as a video pitch.

Ideal User: Small businesses and entrepreneurs looking to jump-start their startup by gaining the support and feedback of like-minded individuals will benefit greatly from this open-forum platform.

Cost: There is no cost for standard services.

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2. Razoo

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Summary: Razoo has helped nearly one million officially registered nonprofit organizations to crowdfund. The site allows nonprofits to accept donations on their own website or on their Facebook page. Fundraising causes are organized into categories like animals, arts, cancer, disaster relief, environmental, and more. Charities can also post their fundraising events, including memorials and walkathons.

Best Feature: Razoo allows charities to create a profile for their cause, complete with video and photos. The site offers detailed examples of fundraising ideas for nonprofits to get started, and hosts "giving days," which are 24-hour online fundraising competitions. The site also offers an iPhone app and donation widget for the organization?s website or Facebook page, which makes receiving and tracking donations a breeze. Tech-savvy individuals will like Razoo's iPhone app, which allows users to receive notifications when someone donates, and includes an option to thank each donor individually.

What To Consider: You must be an officially recognized nonprofit to use this service. Razoo includes a list of approved charities, but if yours isn?t on the list, you can email your letter of determination from the IRS directly to Razoo so they can include it. You can learn more about this here.

Ideal User: Razoo is a good choice for nonprofits looking for an easy way to manage and encourage donations via web and social media.

Cost: The site charges a flat rate of 2.9% on all donations to cover credit card processing costs. Users can set up a fundraiser for any charity with no setup fees or monthly subscription fees.

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3. Pozible

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Summary: Pozible is a crowdfunding platform for creative-minded individuals looking to raise funds, realize their aspirations, and make great ideas become a reality. Project creators are able to present their visions to a worldwide audience, as the platform recently went global.

Best Feature: Unlike some of the other crowdfunding platforms, Pozible offers a variety of resources to help their users succeed. The Pozible Handbook provided by the team includes guidelines for before you start, how to set up your campaign, what to do during your campaign, and where to go after your campaign. Furthermore, the site provides a helpful blog with crowdfunding tips as well as an advice section from previous crowdfunders.

What To Consider: Pozible has an ?all or nothing? approach. Each project owner is forced to set a funding goal and time limit (from 1-90 days) for their idea. If you are unsuccessful in raising your goal during the set time period, all pledges are canceled and the funds are not transferred. If you are able to estimate your projected funding, then this will not be an issue, but the race against time could deter you from your ultimate goal.

Ideal User: Pozible is developed for artists, musicians, filmmakers, journalists, designers, social change makers, entrepreneurs, inventors, event organizers, and software developers. The platform brings the creative-minded together.

Cost: There is a standard service fee of 5% as of June 6, 2012. Fees only apply to successful projects.

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4. FundaGeek

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Summary: FundaGeek is a crowdfunding platform focusing on technical innovation, such as commercial projects based on technology, scientific research projects at universities and research institutions, education, and more. The site focuses on seven to 90-day commercial technology or tech research projects.

Best Feature: When users submit a project, it undergoes a review to ensure it's creative, unique, and appealing to a variety of people. FundaGeek also allows the user to make a project private so donors have to log in to see the full project details.

What To Consider: The site can be a bit difficult to browse and could use a categorical feature for searching for projects. Also, because FundaGeek screens projects before adding them to the site, not every interested patron has the chance to use its services.

Ideal User: Individuals looking to fund research or projects in the technology and science sector will find FundaGeek to be a good option.

Cost: There is no charge to create a project on FundaGeek, but if a project is successfully funded, the site charges 5 to 9% depending on which marketing option you choose.

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5. Credibles

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Summary: Credibles, a service offered by Slow Money, offers crowdfunding services to small, sustainable food-related businesses. The site offers a redemption service for prepaid crowd funding, donation tracking, and more.

Best Feature: When donors prepay their favorite business, they?re repaid with edible credits, or "Credibles,? which can be redeemed at the business. These credits, worth $1, serve as an incentive for fans and customers to participate. A customer who invested in a food-related business could, for instance, be paid back for their investment in ice cream. Credibles can be given as gifts and transferred for use at partnering businesses.

What To Consider: The service is currently limited to businesses in New York City and California, so businesses in other areas will have to wait before they?re able to use the service.

Ideal User: Credibles is ideal for professionals and business owners in the food and restaurant industry.

Cost: Credibles charges a small service fee when a supporter pays via the ?pre-pay? option, though the site does not specify how much.

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6. Petridish

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Summary: Petridish is a crowdfunding platform for scientists to showcase their research to the public and for the public to show recognition and support to innovative researchers in the form of monetary payments or pledges.

Best Feature: Petridish provides you with the opportunity to gain support of the next, life-changing scientific discovery. Your ?backers? have the ability to email your project to family and friends, share your research on Twitter and Facebook, and even ?star? your findings as a favorite. With these simple links, your research has the ability to be shared and spread across the Internet quickly.

What To Consider: Projects are hand-selected, thus not everyone has a chance of showcasing their research. Also, similar to Pozible, Petridish uses an ?all or nothing? approach in which projects are only funded if they meet their goal by the set deadline.

Ideal User: Scientific experts looking to share their passions with others in order to accumulate backers and funding worldwide. Petridish is for the ?best of the best? in science, as only some projects will make the cut.

Cost: The site requires a 5% fee. Third-party credit card processing fees are also the responsibility of the researcher, which are typically 3 to 4%.

Has your business ever used a crowdfunding service? How did it work for you? Share your thoughts below.

Image courtesy of iStockphoto, Bluberries

This story originally published on Mashable here.

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