Saturday, August 16, 2014

St Andrews top in UK for teaching and academic quality

The University of St Andrews is one of the top three universities in the United Kingdom for teaching and the quality of the academic experience it offers students, according to the results of the National Student Survey published today (Tuesday 12 August 2014).

St Andrews is the leading multi-faculty university in Scotland and joint top in the United Kingdom in the 2014 NSS.

It is the ninth year in succession that St Andrews has performed strongly in the annual measure of how satisfied students are with the quality of their higher education experience.

St Andrews is up one place on last year's survey and shares first place with the University of Bath and the University of Keele.

With 93% of students studying at St Andrews declaring themselves satisfied or very satisfied with the overall quality of their university education, the Fife institution is ahead of Cambridge and Oxford (joint 6th). The University of Glasgow (also joint 6th) is the only other Scottish university in the UK top ten.

Five St Andrews subjects – Computer Science, Geography, Biology, Anthropology and Divinity – achieved satisfaction levels of 100%.

The survey compilers canvassed the opinions of around 265,000 final-year students at Higher Education Institutions across the UK. Students were asked to respond to over twenty questions on topics such as teaching, personal development, assessment and feedback, learning resources and the management of their University.

St Andrews students gave the University high marks for course teaching, the organisation and management of their university and academic support.

St Andrews Vice-Principal and Proctor, Professor Lorna Milne, said: "If St Andrews students are among the most satisfied in the country, it's really down to two things: our superb staff, who work very hard to provide the best education they possibly can; and the students themselves, who clearly appreciate being challenged to achieve excellent results. I'm delighted that they have rated their University so highly once again."

Pat Mathewson, President of the St Andrews Students' Association, said: "These results stand as an ongoing testament to the sense of community we share here in St Andrews, and the extraordinary dedication of countless individuals towards enhancing the student experience.  It is these tireless efforts that make us much more than an ancient seat of leaning, but a home for our students."

The NSS 2013 also rated individual subjects at universities for student satisfaction. St Andrews was number one in the UK for Biology, Computer Science, Anthropology, Human and Social Geography, African and Middle Eastern studies and Divinity.

Medicine, Physics, Maths, International Relations, Management, French and History at St Andrews were all placed in the top 10.

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The Autry Presents Its 27th Annual Gala

 
Honoring Thomas V. McKernan, Chairman of the Board of the Automobile Club of Southern California (ACSC), and ACSC
 With the Spirit of the West® Award
Entertainment by Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion

Saturday, September 27, 2014, 6:00 p.m.

The Autry National Center of the American West will present its annual gala on September 27, 2014. A lively night honoring the best of the American West, the gala is one of the Autry's largest fundraisers of the year. The black-tie or dressy Western event will also celebrate Route 66: The Road and the Romance, an exhibition that explores the facts and fiction surrounding the most famous road in America.

The Autry's annual gala is a highly anticipated social event in Los Angeles. The evening includes the presentation of the Spirit of the West Award, a cocktail reception, silent and live auctions, an elegant dinner, and dancing under the stars at the after-party. NBC's Chuck Henry will emcee this year's event, and this year's performers are husband-and-wife musical duo Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion. The couple is a fitting choice for the event; both have family ties to the Autry's Route 66 exhibition. Guthrie is the granddaughter of legendary folk musician Woody Guthrie, whose Martin guitar is featured in the exhibition. Irion is the grandnephew of John Steinbeck, the man that coined the term "Mother Road" in reference to Route 66 in his novel The Grapes of Wrath. Many artifacts related to Steinbeck are featured in the Route 66 exhibition, including a page from his original handwritten manuscript for The Grapes of Wrath.

This year's recipients of the Spirit of the West Award are Thomas V. McKernan, Chairman of the Board of the Automobile Club of Southern California (ACSC), AAA, and Auto Club Enterprises, and ACSC. McKernan has spent nearly his entire career with ACSC. Under his leadership, ACSC has grown to be one of the largest auto and home insurers in California. Due to his efforts and expansion of the company, he has made it more convenient for residents of the West to obtain auto and travel services. McKernan and ACSC have a deep history of partnerships with the Autry and have helped support initiatives such as the current Route 66 exhibition.

Joel Burlingame will lead a spirited live auction of exquisite items, notably a round-trip excursion for two on the world-class Emirates Airline to Dubai; Desert Tranquility, a painting by renowned Masters of the American West Fine Art Exhibition and Sale® artist Logan Maxwell Hagege; a seven-night-stay travel package to a five-bedroom/seven-bathroom sanctuary in Central Mexico, among others.
Schedule of Events
6:00 p.m. Silent Auction and Reception
8:00 p.m. Dinner, Live Auction, Presentation to Honorees, and Entertainment
10:00 p.m. After-Party
Sponsorship and Tickets
For sponsorship and ticket information, please call 323.495.4331. The gala enhances awareness of the Autry's mission and secures support for a variety of exhibitions, public programs, on- and off-site educational programs, and research. The Autry's educational programs serve tens of thousands of children and their families and teachers each year.
About the Autry National Center of the American West
The Autry is a museum dedicated to exploring and sharing the stories, experiences, and perceptions of the diverse peoples of the American West, connecting the past to the present to inspire our shared future. The museum presents a wide range of exhibitions and public programs—including lectures, film, theatre, festivals, family events, and music—and performs scholarship, research, and educational outreach. The Autry's collection of more than 500,000 pieces of art and artifacts includes the Southwest Museum of the American Indian Collection, one of the largest and most significant of Native American materials in the United States.

Museum admission is $10 for adults, $6 for students and seniors 60+, $4 for children ages 3–12, and free for Autry members, veterans, and children age 2 and under. Admission is free on the second Tuesday of every month.

Hours*
Museum and Autry Store:
Tuesday–Friday, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Crossroads West Cafe:
Tuesday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
The museum, store, and cafe are closed on Mondays. Visit TheAutry.org for more information.
*Please note that the museum, store, and cafe will close at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 27.


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Every Shark has A Tale to Tell



***Shark Week Hits Biz Women Rock Head On***


August 10th officially marks the beginning of Shark Week and to celebrate, Katie Krimitsos founder of Biz Women Rock, is featuring women who have been on Shark Tank and survived.



The concept of Shark Week was to create an opportunity to spread these incredible stories of experience all across the globe. One of the goals is to create a viral meme by letting these successful business women relate to their own crafted image as it trends around the Biz Women Rock community. As we all indulge ourselves in the selfie phase of social media, what better way to align these business women than with their own successful image that tells their story.



Katie is an established business women and Founder of Biz Women Rock!, who has dedicated her craft into seeing that women in business meet their full potential. The Biz Women Rock! podcast is comprised of intimate interviews with phenomenal business women from all around the world who open up about their business journeys.



The role of a successful business owner is to master their craft, own their stake, and give back to help others be successful. Shark Tank is creates the land of opportunity to succeed and create maximum exposure for your business or brand. As we approach Shark Week, Biz Women Rock will indulge you with the live stories of women who can swim with the sharks!



About Katie Krimitsos

Katie is the Co-Owner and Chief Operating Officer of the Tampa Bay Business Owners, a very special community of business owners who come together to provide support, education and connections for one another.  She and her husband Chris have the privilege of leading this amazing community! She's a passionate writer and absolutely loves the power of words – especially their ability to connect others in authentic moments that provide the platform for transformation and connection.  She's written a book about how to find true love and is the founder of Biz Women Rock!, which is all about inspiring and educating YOU while you're on your business journey, whether you are about to launch your company, in the trenches of building your business or building your career as a professional.



For more information on Katie Krimitsos visit: http://katiekrimitsos.com/

For more information on Shark Week visit: http://bizwomenrock.com/

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© 2014 Michael Douglas Carlin. All Rights Reserved.
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Inglewood, CA Resident Competes in CMT’s New Competition series “BROKEN SKULL CHALLENGE”

CMT's most badass competition series, STEVE AUSTIN'S "BROKEN SKULL CHALLENGE" continues with an all-new episode on Sunday, August 24th at 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET/PT. The brain-child of wrestling icon Steve Austin, the 10-episode series pits elite athletes against everyday men and women in the ultimate test of strength, stamina and wit. Each episode features eight contestants in head-to-head battles, until the last man or woman standing earns the right to take on the toughest obstacle course in America created by Austin himself, the "Skullbuster," for a chance to win $10,000.
 
TAUNYA TAYLOR / INGLEWOOD, CA
 

 
Taunya, 41
5'7' 151 Lbs.
Hometown: Inglewood, CA
Occupation: Social Worker
Specialty: Bodybuilding
 
This mother of two is into Cross-Fit training and boot camps.  She also teaches Pilates and yoga.  When she's not body building she likes to live life on the edge by skydiving.  She says she is more fit now than she was in her twenties.   If Taunya wins the $10,000, she plans on taking her family on a long overdue vacation.
 
If you are interested in this opportunity to interview Taunya, please let me know and we will work with you to coordinate a date/time.
 
 For more information, "LIKE" Broken Skull Challenge on Facebook and follow @CMT and @steveaustinBSR on Twitter.
 
 
We look forward to hearing from you!
 
Thanks,
Melinda

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Ground-Breaking Film Begins Filming



*** Heart of a Champion: Story of When Bad Blood Flows From Old Wounds ***

 
Richard Fitzpatrick, CEO and President of Black Triad Entertainment are proud to announce the creation of the new ground-breaking film "Heart of a Champion."

Sixteen years ago, while still in film school, Richard Fitzpatrick of Port St. Lucie, Fla., wrote a screenplay loosely based on the life of his younger brother, Martin. He said his brother hated those in authority and yet the object of his greatest frustration became the cure as he found himself in a program directed by local law enforcement, The Police Athletic League. What he needed was to redirect that rage.

In "Heart of a Champion" Calvin Malone and Malcolm Saint are two men who have lost their way and lost sight on the values taught through the disciplines of the boxing ring. With a younger generation looking on the two are destined to set off a chain of events that through their example threaten to tear this small community apart.

With the help of an old sage, Granger, and a seasoned veteran of the ring, Big Mac, the two are asked to put the past and their differences aside and look to the future. As bad blood begins to flow from old wounds it seems the only way to bring their conflict to an end is where it began, in the squared circle.

This is the tale of a young man whose life was changed when he joined the Police Athletic League boxing team. "The events in this film run parallel to my brother's life, but there are some tweaks as well that we have added," Fitzpatrick said. "Though faith based in nature, this story is told in a most unconventional way as it provides something for all audiences raising our hopes and inspirations as we explore the very heart of the matter."

About Richard Fitzpatrick:
Richard Fitzpatrick, CEO and President of Black Triad Entertainment, has spent over 15 years working in film and entertainment. He is the writer, producer and director of "Heart of a Champion" was also the executive producer of "Love Trap" a movie that delighted audiences at film festivals all across the globe, winning awards for Best Feature Film. His experience includes being involved in such projects as "Bad Boys II," "Ali," and "The Holy Man."Having shared scenes with some of Hollywood's best and yet unable to pierce the veil his desire to succeed led to the forming of Black Triad Entertainment Group

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Assemblymember Medina Commemorates the 100th Anniversary of the Panama Canal



International Trade Changes Forever

 

Assemblymember Jose Medina (D-Riverside), Chair of the Assembly Jobs, Economic Development, and the Economy Committee hosted a reception to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the completion of the Panama Canal.
 
"Having attended high school in the Panama Canal Zone, I am honored to commemorate the centennial of the Panama Canal," said Assemblymember Jose Medina. "I recognize the integral economic impact and beneficial trade relationship that exists between California and Panama."
 
The completion of the Panama Canal spurred international trade and innovation. With the foresight of this project, there has been an increase in international trade, strengthened global goods movement network, and a rise in new investments by foreign businesses and entrepreneurs to California's economy.


Assemblymember Medina authored House Resolution 44, which acknowledges the benefits of this project and the trade relationships between California and Panama. Last month, Medina presented House Resolution 44 to the National Assembly of Panama as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Panama, during a Central American delegation of state lawmakers.


Website of Assemblymember Jose Medina: http://asmdc.org/Medina

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You don’t have to drive before you DRIVE!! Richard Petty Driving Experience to Offer Complimentary Round-Trip Transportation from the Las Vegas Strip Beginning Sept. 3




LAS VEGAS, Nev. (August 13, 2014) – Beginning Wednesday, Sept. 3, Richard Petty Driving Experience at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway will offer complimentary round-trip transportation from the famed Las Vegas Strip.  Guests who purchase any Richard Petty driving experience, including the American Muscle Car Challenge, will receive transportation to and from their choice of five casino resort destinations situated on Las Vegas Boulevard.

"As the original driving experience in Las Vegas, we are one of the most thrilling activities offered in Las Vegas, but we recognize a twenty-minute cab drive from the Strip to the Speedway is not very thrilling," explains Karl Fusco, general manager. "By providing inclusive transportation to our guests we enhance our service and guest experience by offering convenience and comfort from hotel to track and back again."

Pick up locations include the Rotunda area at Excalibur Hotel Casino Las Vegas, the North Tour Lobby at Paris Las Vegas, the Bus Loading Area at Treasure Island Hotel & Casino, the North Tour Valet at The Mirage Hotel & Casino and the Bus Depot at Harrah's Las Vegas Hotel & Casino.

The only driving experience in Las Vegas that allows drivers to let loose on the 1.5 mile tri-oval at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Richard Petty Driving Experience offers real life NASCAR racing thrills, putting drivers behind the wheel of an authentic NASCAR race car. Packages range from eight, white-knuckle laps to a heart-pounding 30-lap driving experience, with each experience providing the guests the opportunity to climb behind the wheel, press their foot on the gas and feel the power of 600 horses as they hug the corners on the same superspeedway that the NASCAR pros race on.

For visitors who prefer to try their hand at street legal cars, the American Muscle Car Challenge program is designed to demonstrate the specific performance characteristics of a Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 and Ford Mustang Shelby GT500.

Guests who participate in a driving experience at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway will also have the option to purchase photos, in-car videos and souvenirs to preserve this memory for years to come.

For more information on the complimentary round-trip transportation and to see a schedule of pick-up times and locations, guests can visit www.drivepetty.com

About Richard Petty Driving Experience

Owned and operated by Petty Holdings, LLC, RPDE is the worldwide leader in NASCAR stock car drive and ride entertainment, available at more than 20 major speedways in the U.S. It has base locations in Las Vegas, Orlando, Concord N.C. and Kansas City. RPDE also produces and facilitates auto manufacturer drive and ride programs, safe driving programs, mobile marketing events and motorsports-related production services for the television and film industry. Visit www.drivepetty.com or call 1.800.237.3889 for track locations, dates of operation, or to book an experience. On Social Media, Like Richard Petty Driving Experience on Facebook and Follow on Twitter at @DrivePetty.

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California Concealed Carry Case Peruta v. San Diego – Poised to Move or Stuck in the Mud?

It has been six months since a divided three judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals published a decision saying that a desire for self-defense constitutes "good cause" for the issuance of a permit to carry a handgun concealed in public and held that the policy of San Diego Sheriff Gore in not accepting self-defense as good cause was unconstitutional. Sheriff Gore decided not to appeal the decision. The case is Peruta v. San Diego.


Attorney General Kamala Harris quickly filed a motion to intervene in place of Sheriff Gore, concurrent with a petition for an en banc hearing of the case before eleven active judges of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. The next day, the court issued a stay of the case pending a decision in the en banc proceedings.


The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals even created a page at its website dedicated to the Peruta v. San Diego appeal with an invitation at the top of the page in big red letters to "Please check this website regularly for updates."


The website hasn't been updated in three months.


There has been but one Second Amendment case in in the 9th Circuit in which en banc petitions have been granted – Nordyke v. King, which involved an Alameda County California ordinance prohibiting gun shows on the Alameda County Fairgrounds. In the 13th year of litigation, during oral arguments of the final en banc hearing, the lawyers for the County suddenly "discovered" a gun show exemption in its municipal ordinance to its gun show ban allowing for gun shows to take place at the Fairgrounds. I kid you not. Nonetheless, the time frame for deciding on the petition in this case is worth comparing.


It took four months and seventeen days for the 9th Circuit to grant the en banc hearing petition in the Nordyke v. King case once the response to the en banc petition was filed.


On March 26, 2014 the attorneys for Peruta filed a non-opposition to the motion by AG Harris to intervene concurrent with an opposition to an en banc rehearing. It has now been four months and eighteen days since the response to the en banc petition has been filed in the Peruta case.


It took six months and five days from the time the en banc petition was filed to the date the court announced that the en banc petition had been granted in the Nordyke v. King gun show case.


We have now reached the point where there is no longer an excuse for a delay. The Nordyke case was a complex case with over 12 years of litigation behind it. The Peruta case by comparison is so simple that it bordered on there not even being a case for the courts to decide. Peruta did not offer any legal basis for him to win his case. That was actually one of the reasons Peruta lost in the district court. Senior Federal Judge Irma Gonzalez (now retired) in effect said that if Peruta had a case then she couldn't find it and it wasn't her job to make Peruta's case for him.


Ironically, that is what two of the three judges of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals eventually did. Peruta had no case and so Judges O'Scannlain and Callahan argued his case for him.


Which is reason enough for the en banc petition to be granted.


Granting the en banc petition doesn't mean the case is over. It means that en banc briefs will have to be filed by both sides, oral arguments scheduled and heard and finally the case taken under submission for a decision followed by both sides filing notices of decisions in cases from other circuits which were decided after the case had been taken under submission. In the final Nordyke en banc rehearing it took an additional six months and four days for the en banc panel to reach a final decision.


And, of course, once the en banc panel has published its final decision we still have to wait and see what the US Supreme Court has to say on the subject. If Peruta loses an en banc rehearing, and his lawyer has already said that is the likely outcome, then he will have 90 days to file a petition with the Supreme Court. A petition which will undoubtedly be denied.


In the slim to none chance that AG Harris loses the en banc hearing, it is almost certain that the Supreme Court will grant her petition in which case the Peruta decision will once again be stayed until SCOTUS has its final say. That could take another year or more.


Sadly, there is no time limit imposed on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. If the court wants to postpone consideration of the en banc petition for years to come, it can.


Charles Nichols – President of California Right To Carry
http://CaliforniaRightToCarry.org

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LA City Councilmember Paul Krekorian, Author of Original Film and TV Incentive Bill, Joins Mayor Garcetti Urging Sacramento to Expand the Credit

Congratulating LA Mayor Eric Garcetti on his initiative to get Gov. Brown's support for an expanded California film and TV production incentive, LA City Councilmember Paul Krekorian said:
 
"Passing an expanded film and TV production incentive should be our state's top priority. I applaud Mayor Garcetti for bringing city leaders to Sacramento today to help make this happen."
 
Krekorian continued, "As the author of the original 2009 incentive, I know how much an expanded incentive will do for our homegrown film industry. Since 2009, the incentive has created $4.3 billion in direct spending and supported 22,300 good California jobs. But we have to keep up with the other states and countries that are offering more generous packages and taking production away. I urge Gov. Brown to listen to Mayor Garcetti and the chorus of lawmakers and industry leaders who support this bill."
 
Krekorian's 2009 incentive granted $100 million per year for qualified productions.
 
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Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Krekorian, chairman of the Budget and Finance Committee, represents Council District 2, which includes the east San Fernando Valley. He is also one of two LA Councilmembers on the Metro Board of Directors. His website is cd2.lacity.org, where you can sign up for news updates. Visit him on Twitter (@PaulKrekorian) or Facebook.

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Legislature Passes Water Bond



After weeks of negotiations and collaborative efforts, this evening, the California State Legislature passed a water bond for the November 2014 ballot. The $7.6 billion bond (SB 866) will replace the proposed $11.1 billion bond that was slated to be brought to voters this fall.


 

Upon passage of the bond, Assemblymember Dababneh noted, "this deal is a win for the San Fernando Valley and our state. By allocating $900 million to groundwater cleanup projects, I am optimistic that the San Fernando Basin will once again become a source of clean water for our region. While water conservation and storage are essential, utilizing the water we have beneath our feet is critical to ensuring that we have an adequate water supply during future droughts."

 

"This measure will yield long-term solutions that increase the supply of drinking water, capture more stormwater, recycle water, conserve water, and help disadvantaged communities access clean water. The bond will also make available up to $100 million dollars for the LA River Restoration project, directly benefiting our community." Dababneh continued, "I am confident that voters will see the benefits of this measure and approve the bond in November."

Final details of the bond are as follows:

Groundwater Sustainability: $900 million
Clean, Safe and Reliable Drinking Water: $520 million
Protecting Rivers, Lakes, Stream, Costal Water and Watersheds: $1.495 billion
Regional Water Security, Climate and Drought Preparedness: $810 million
Statewide Water Operational Improvement and Drought Preparedness: $2.7 billion
Water Recycling: $725 million
Flood Management: $395 million
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Matt Dababneh represents the 45th Assembly District that includes the communities of Bell Canyon, Calabasas, Canoga Park, Chatsworth, Encino, Hidden Hills, Northridge, Reseda, Sherman Oaks, Tarzana, West Hills, Winnetka, and Woodland Hills. Please visit the Assemblymember's website, www.assembly.ca.gov/a45, for more information.

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