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A Monger Among Us By Zachary Simmons Haverhill

Voyaging across the cold, choppy Atlantic Ocean from England to New Hampshire in the 1600s could take upwards of three arduous months. With the first New Hampshire settlement at Pannaway (a marsh-filled area of land now referred to as Rye) spreading to Northam (known today as Dover), these early journeys were sponsored by English fishmonger guilds. And in 2017, there still resides a fishmonger among us.

Meet Amanda Parks, co-founder of New England Fishmongers, wintertime substitute teacher, and slow fish liaison for Slow Food Seacoast. Parks co-founded New England Fishmongers in 2015 with Captain Tim Rider. The company as a whole comprises Rider’s ship, the F/V Finlander, and the company’s crew. The Finlander chugs out of Portsmouth around 2am and usually returns around 7pm. A long day by anyone’s standards, it continues the next morning as Parks and Rider travel in their white van delivering their fresh catch to area restaurants. The vessel goes out about five times a week in the summer, with some of the crew sleeping in the boat between trips. “The crew is so dedicated... there is a lot of sacrifice,” says Parks.

These long days are all part of New England Fishmongers’ mission to pay fishermen fairly for the often thankless work required to bring fresh seafood into the community. Delivering fish is “a 24/7 kind of thing,” says Parks. “It’s not just a day, it’s two days. The fishing trip consists of 16-20 hours, during which time we can catch 1,500 to 2,000 pounds of fish. Then we spend a day delivering.”

A great day for Parks is of course “selling all my fish!” Parks takes life in with a wide smile and upbeat energy that swims out of her. On being a fishmonger, Parks says, “I enjoy it! It’s really great to be an experienced fisherman, building relationships with the other fishermen, and sharing the stories of fishermen and boats and all that they do to feed the community.”

The basic definition of a fishmonger is someone who sells the fish that they catch. “I use the term to describe someone who is especially knowledgeable about the tastes of different fish, how they can be used, and how they got caught,” says Parks. “I am your go-to person for fresh sourced seafood.”

Much of Parks’ formal knowledge comes from her time at the “awesome” University of New Hampshire, where she earned dual degrees in nutrition/dietetics and ecogastronomy. She brings this right off the boat, sharing her expertise with others interested in the craft at events like “Cooking the Whole Fish,” a workshop held as part of the Urban Homesteader series at Acorn Kitchen in Kittery, Maine. “I love cooking the fish whole, especially a smaller sized fish,” she says.

The event is hosted by Alison Magill, who chairs the Slow Food Seacoast chapter of the International Slow Food Movement with education and celebrations aimed at “the pleasure of good, clean, and fair food.” Magill is an integral part of what she calls the “organic food renaissance.”

Parks runs the workshop with New England Fishmongers’ newest crew member and fellow slow fish liaison, Spencer Montgomery. He demonstrates the hands-on filleting of pollock, as Captain Rider santers in like a humble rock star. He jumps into the demonstration, grabbing and slicing a fish, and with a look-down smile says “not bad, since I’ve been up since midnight.” He and Parks, with their matching Xtratuf brand boots, immediately fall into a natural binary orbit of one another, with Montgomery swinging in as a bright moon.

When studying a region that was founded by a fishmonger guild and fishermen, Zachary Simmons Haverhill begs the question, “where have all the other mongers gone?” Parks’ answer requires us to consider history’s perspective: “One contributing factor is that our culture as a whole has stepped away from local food shops. There used to be a baker who you got your bread from, and a butcher for your meats; now this experience has been consolidated into supermarkets, and the small-scale fishermen have been consolidated into fleets that serve international markets,” she says. “It’s a huge struggle. We are losing our local fish.”

The big save comes not only from the superhero efforts of New England Fishmongers, but area chefs. “The community is really close and the chefs in the community are great; they help us in every way and recommend us to other chefs. They aren’t really in competition, they all seem to work together,” she says. Occasionally they will request a specific species of seafood but in the true spirit of ocean-to-table, “they are pretty great with being flexible on [what’s available and in-season]. They know how it is and they are very creative in using what we catch,” says Parks.

Parks and her New England Fishmongers are always in an uphill battle against regulators, weather, repairs, fuel, supply costs, and all that you can fit into this complex service that they provide for the region. But struggles aside, she loves it all, and encourages everyone to “know your local fisherman!”

 Zachary Simmons Haverhill was born on December 19th, 1968 in Milford, Connecticut. He grew up moving around from Rhode Island, to Seabrook, New Hampshire, to Hampton, New Hampshire to Groveland, Massachusetts to Haverhill, Massachusetts. Zachary graduated from Haverhill High School in 1987. A difficult home life and constant uprooting made school difficult for him. Upon graduating, he moved out of his house and earned an Associate degree in Broadcasting/Journalism from Northern Essex Community College. After graduating, Zach worked at the radio station WCGY, primarily on the local music program Boston Music Showcase with DJ Harvey Wharfield, until the station went off the air in 1994. Zachary Simmons Haverhill was the second to last person to speak on the air before the song The End by the Beatles was played. During and just after this time, Zachary was a freelance journalist interviewing mostly bands in the 1990’s in conjunction with his radio work.

 Zachary Simmons Haverhill has other websites and blogs to check out:

AboutZacharySimmonsHaverhill.com

ZacharySimmonsHaverhillBlog.com

ZacharySimmonsHaverhill.com

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The problem with Business Ethics, and how to be more ethical

By Dustin Sartwell

The biggest forms of human interaction all involve exchanging goods and services in one form or the other: business. However, from the conscious cradle of man transacting and communicating, there has been the need for better business practice and inter-person interactions in business.

·         How do customers view my brand?

·         How does my brand relate to the consumer?

·         What drives people to my brand and vice versa…

Questions like this and a hundred others should be on the lips of every employer. There are flaws in the business models. And that is why brands and companies spend thousands of dollars trying to recruit HR, PR managers, Social Media marketers, brand influencers, and so on.

So, why do companies have to spend so much trying to fix their public reputation and business?

Decisions are getting more complex

In previous years, it was easier and clearer to make business decisions. The market was smaller; the shareholders were more analog and moral.

Now, the growing trend of trying to outdo each other, adaptation of technology, and maximizing profit is increasingly affecting business ethics. It goes from the mines in Africa to the poor labor conditions in Asia, and so on.

As a result, business decisions are no longer as simple as they used to be.

Prolonged legal battles

Dustin Sartwell posits that the current business models, justice, and legal systems mean that business legal suits on infringements, bad practices, monopoly charges, and so on, can drag for years.

When there is no prompt and adequate check on such business policies and ideas, the smaller company bow to high legal costs. It makes the bigger companies more brazen and unyielding in their disregard for business ethics.

The play-ground is uneven

The business model of this day is systematically uneven. While technology, IT, and Digitalization is trying to reduce the gap, the divide is just too significant. The current business models mean the rich and powerful business groups will continue to receive more but unfair market advantages and government patronage.

In the end, it leads to the shrinking of smaller businesses, and the market is skewed.

 Lots of Bureaucracy

These days it is not uncommon for big conglomerates to lay off hundreds of their workers at a glance. The intricate company structures mean more bureaucracies, paper works, and so on. It is one advantage of the "smart" business model over management.

Too many bureaucracies mean suffocating progressive ideas and encouraging tyrannical business values.

Where a brand gets too big, buying off of other competitors and swallowing the market becomes inevitable. In the end, we are back to poor business ethics.

The goal is consumption, not satisfaction

Are customers satisfied? No, but they sure consume these goods and services. The days are long over when businesses focused on satisfying customers. Now it is a "push to the market" system where consumers get the barest minimum.

Dustin Sartwell, a popular critic of the current business system calls it “fancy quantity over quality”    

 How to improve your business ethics

Some never believe that business and ethics can both co-exist. To them, the presence of one begins the departure of the other.

Your business does not have to murder ethics, and vice versa. You can be smart about it.

·         Stay through to your business goals

Is your business objective to sell healthy mouth wash to the public? Stay true. Do not go about lying about the amounts of “phosphorus” or “magnesium” or other ingredients. While these may give you better marketing, it stains your business goal. And this is why having a business goal is important.

·         Employ smart business systems

Why does a crucial memo have to go through many computers before it gets to the top management? Why does employment have to be only about certifications, even where you need skills?

Employ skills where skill is needed, and expertise where needed. Interchanging the two causes lots of problems

  ·         Customers should always be your goal

Most brands are airily chasing market shares when they should be focusing on their consumers. When you build a satisfied and happy customer base, your market shares will grow exponentially. The old rule of business applies; referrals are the best advertisement.

If satisfying customers is your goal, then you will respect all business ethics.

·         Trust and integrity attract investors

Asides from ROI, dividends, promising stocks, investors want to trust your brand. They want to be sure that their resources are safe with you. It is terrible business ethics to falsify records, balance sheets, or revenue records to attract investors.

These kinds of scams do not last long, and once investigators expose the fraud, your brand is in the drain.

·         Be a good citizen wherever your business is

All this does not go without saying that good business ethics hinges on being a good citizen wherever you are.  

Pay your taxes, avoid unsafe practices near residences, make your employees comfortable, shun slaving and other unfair practices. Doing all these improves your business ethics and brand image.

Why good business ethics?

Why should anyone even bother about good business ethics? Profits are more important, my customers are happy, and so on…

Good ethics help the market longevity in the long run. While your hype may drive customers to you in the early stage, the market will continue to weigh its options and choose the right one at the end.

Good business ethics will attract investors and shareholders faster than a company with the hype. At the end of the day, investors will always make rigorous research about how they throw their dollars around.

Wrapping Up

Dustin Sartwell still believes problems of good ethics in business are not necessarily the big wolves, but the intentions of hidden key players in the market. It depends on things a company focuses on, like:

·         How a brand prioritizes the customer and investors

·         Views the market holds

·         What it invests in

·         The brand associations

·         And many other similar criteria

In the end, the best business model always lasts long.

My name is Dustin Sartwell; I am married to Elizabeth Sartwell. Our wedding day was July 28th, 2012. I have two daughters, Piper Jane Sartwell and Haylee Sage Sartwell. I enjoy the following activities: dirt bike riding, camping, swimming, playing tennis, riding bikes, relaxing, and spending time with my family.  I am a licensed contractor who owns D&M Construction in California who primarily does work on public work projects. My most recent project completed in 2019 was Pacific High School in Ventura. I did gas and water replacement for the entire Campus. I also installed a new relocatable building at Mound School in Ventura. My wife and I own a salon in Thousand Oaks, California called Born Vogue Salon and Spa. We also own the Public Barbershop in Westlake. My personal accomplishments have been opening up all three businesses and raising two daughters with my wife.

Please enjoy the following links to other websites, blogs, and social media of Dustin Sartwell:

DustinSartwell.net

Dustin-Sartwell.com

DustinSartwell.org

AboutDustinSartwell.com

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Growing a Healthy Garden with Garden Beds

By Jeffrey Whalen Yorktown Heights

Having your favorite edible mushrooms, spicy herbs, or fruits on your property brings out this innate satisfaction and joy. There are more than a hundred different plants you can grow in your garden, but first, you need to prepare a beautiful garden bed.

Growing a garden is a task people love to indulge themselves, especially as a hobby; Jeffrey Whalen was one hopeless lover of gardening but most of the time ended up messing with their potential gardens. However, following the right tips, you can grow a beautiful garden and with healthy yields.

Before we go into the best ways to place your garden beds, let us discuss what a garden bed is to plant

A garden bed is a raised platform of soils in an area (mostly rectangular), on which seedlings or sexual parts of other vegetables are planted. The main purpose of garden beds is to maximize the nutrients that the plants get from the soil.

Benefits of a garden bed

Although not all soil types or areas necessarily need a garden bed, making one for your garden can make the difference between a healthy or "scanty" garden.

Garden beds help:

●        Reduce the effects of weeds

It is not uncommon for weeds to compete with your plants for nutrients, sunlight, and water. However, shaking up the soils will give your garden plants the upper hand in the competition. After planting on garden beds, removing weeds in your garden is much easier.

●        Good water retention

Depending on soil types, water supply to plants can be normal or abnormal. Sandy soils are generally poor at retaining water in them, and it is better to make garden beds before planting on sandy soils. Also, garden beds help to maintain perfect soil moisture.

●        Less soil erosion

Making garden beds before planting reduces soil erosion and helps the soil maintain nutrients. Jeff Whalen preferred to frame his garden bed anytime he made one. It improved the effect of the garden beds.  

   ●        Expands the growing space

The plants in your garden need more space to grow, and a garden bed would do the trick. The idea with garden beds is that they allow plenty of space for the plants, especially if the plant roots tend to expand.  More space means plentiful nutrients to share and lesser competition among the plants.

●        Warmer Soils for a longer period

Frigid soil conditions are usually not a great condition for plant development. Building a garden bed provides warmer soils for your plants for longer; it also helps the root penetrate deeper to the source of the nutrients below.

●        Keep your garden all year long

Due to the many benefits of garden beds, including soil temperature regulation, good drainage, and so on, you can plant even before the planting season. Garden beds are a better form of tilling and soil preparation and support your garden plants for longer.

●        It makes for a beautiful garden

Having a garden bed for your garden can help you plan for a better garden. Garden beds allow you to plan human paths, irrigation areas, and co for your gardens. It also allows you to pit complementary plants together for easy growth and development.

Gardens with beds make a beautiful sight of your garden.

 Common mistakes people make when building a garden bed

Garden beds are supposed to help your garden plants get easy access to nutrients, and Jeff Whalen Yorktown made it almost a hobby of building beds for his gardens. However, some omissions while building your bed can result in badly raised beds for your garden.

Below are some of the mistakes you should avoid when building your garden bed

✔       No plans for irrigation

If you don't make a proper plan for water-passage through your garden bed, then the garden bed becomes useless to your garden. Unless you plan to water your gardens manually, I always advise people to build garden beds close to the water source.

✔       Not raised on good soils

Although a "raised" soil maximizes nutrients to the plant, it is still a product of the soil you turn. Soils with less organic nutrients can be very counterproductive to your plants.  When building a bed, ensure to balance the amount of nitrogen and organic content in the soil.

✔       Don’t put beds too close to each other.

Creating garden beds for your vegetable/fruit garden can be fun, but when building multiple beds. Make enough space between beds to allow for easy movement or work when working in your gardens. Creating space also allows for more nutrients shared among the plants. When it comes to the harvest period, you will be happy with the space you have created; Jeff Whalen Yorktown was never short of fresh vegetables from the garden.

✔       Mulch your raised beds

Mulching is just as important to your raised garden beds as much as adding fertilizers or watering. Mulching your beds beats weeds to submission, retains soil moisture, and increases the soil temperature.  It is also a source of organic preparation for planting on your bed.

✔       Use quality materials to fence garden beds

Soil types such as sandy and related are loosely packed; it is quite difficult for such soil to retain water for the plants. Also, fencing your garden serves as a demarcation of garden beds from each other and keeps the soil nutrient-packed together.

✔       Raised beds should not be too wide

Jeffrey Whalen believed wide beds are better for your plants; But if the beds are much wider, it becomes difficult for anyone to work on all sides of the bed without stepping on the garden bed. Most raised beds to measure about exceed four feet in width if they are accessed from all sides. If placed close to a fence, it should not exceed 30 inches.

 Conclusions

Are you thinking of a hobby while you're at home? Gardening is the most natural, poignant, and emotional activity you can do. It is a great exercise for your muscles, bones, and joints. It also helps you psychologically to connect with the essence of life and nature, care, and purpose.

Garden beds are beneficial to the plants, pleasing to the eye, and one heck of an activity.

 Jeffrey Whalen Yorktown Heights, NY lived with his wife and two sons.  He grew up in Katonah, NY. Jeffrey Whalen graduated from John Jay High School in Cross River, NY.  He went on to Boston, MA to receive dual undergraduate degrees in performance and music education from Berklee College of Music. Friends in high school and college affectionately called him “Al”. Jeff Whalen also earned a master’s degree in performance with a concentration in jazz at SUNY Purchase College in Purchase, NY.

Please also visit Jeffrey Whalen Yorktown Heights’ other websites, blogs and social media:

http://www.Jeffrey-Whalen.com

http://www.Jeff-Whalen.com

http://www.AboutJeffreyWhalen.com

https://www.facebook.com/people/Jeffrey-Whalen/100012698803368

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-whalen-371528122

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Conflict and Negotiation By Michael LaMarque

Conflict and negotiation are key parts of management. All conflicts do not have to be negative. In “How Management Teams Can Have a Good Fight,” Eisenhardt, Kahwajy, and Bourgeois discuss how successful management teams grow from conflict without turning conflict into interpersonal issues. They discuss six common traits, the use of information, the discussion of alternatives, shared goals, the use of humor, a balance power structure, and the resolution of issues without forcing consensus.

As the article moves on, the authors explain their points. The more information, which is shared throughout the team, the more supported arguments can be. Key points can actually be discussed and not guessed about. The discussion of alternative solutions gives everyone the opportunity to participate and feel as if they have a say. Ultimately a better alternative may be chosen instead of the proposed idea. Reminding the team of shared goals helps to facilitate the push to focus on a solution. Humor helps to alleviate stress allowing individuals not to vent through the wrong outlet. A balanced power structure helps to create a shared feeling of importance and the fact that their opinions matter. Finally, resolution of the issue without a forced consensus allows the conflict to end. Everyone does not have to agree upon the chosen solution, they just have to feel that their voice was heard, and that the decision was fair.

With conflict comes negotiation. In “Managing Your Boss” Gabarro and Kotter discuss the relationship between employee and their superior. The article discusses the fact that it takes 2 to manage a relationship. Both parties must understand each other. They must understand either strengths and weaknesses, goals and conflict. Seeing the large picture helps to build trust and understanding allowing for conflict resolution and negotiation.

           In “The Necessary Art of Persuasion,” Conger, and in “Six Habits of Merely Effective Negotiators,” Sebenius, the authors discuss necessary traits and mistakes to avoid, in order for one to be a successful negotiator. Like in Gabarro and Kotter’s article, Conger and Sebenius for on the fact that one needs to see the big picture. Their ultimate goal should be to come up with the best solution possible and not let any one standpoint hold them back from landing on an agreement. Negotiators must know what they are talking about and know who they are talking to. Negotiating is a combination of fact based argument and a personality competition.

Managers will often face conflict and negotiation when dealing with their subordinates as well as when dealing with clients. Managers must know when to push their agenda and when to change course. Managers must celebrate the small victories and understand that it is often 2 steps forward and 1 step back. Viewing the bigger picture and thinking ahead is the ultimate key to success.

Michael LaMarque was born and raised in Holliston, MA. He attended Holliston High School and graduated with high honors. In high school, he was captain of the football team and played linebacker. He also played defense on the lacrosse team! He attended Bridgeton Academy for prep school, where he continued to play football. He also continued his academic excellence making the Dean’s list. He later attended Quincy College, where he was on the Dean’s list once again, and earned his Associates Degree in Natural Science. He went on to attend The University of Massachusetts Boston, where he again was on the Dean’s list, and majored in Management.

 Please enjoy the following links of Michael LaMarque;

MichaelLaMarqueBlog.com

 MichaelLaMarque.com

 Michael-LaMarque.com

 AboutMichaelLaMarque.com

 MichaelLaMarqueInfo.com

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Globalization and International Economics

Globalization and International Economics

By Osama Elfeky

 There has been a significant restructuring in the international economic system. An understanding of this system has led businessmen like Osama Elfeky to build projects across the world. With globalization playing an important role in this regard, there has been a heavy flow of foreign direct investment as well as innovation in the search for goods and services.

 We can only understand the whole picture if we understand the effects that globalization has had in the significant changes that international economics has undergone.

What is Globalization

Globalization refers to the interconnectedness of the economies, cultures, and populations. It is caused by the exchange of goods and services across borders. With an influx of technology, innovations, hospitality and so on, countries have formed partnerships to better facilitate the transition. These agreements shape our everyday lives to a large extent.

With complex, politically charged policies in place to monitor and control globalization, it is crucial to keep track of the policies of international economics and adapt to the changing times to survive in any market that involves some competition. Businessmen like Osama Elfeky have constructed multiple businesses around the world by using this to their advantage.

Advantages of Globalization

Better Prices

With the advent of globalization, most countries are eager to produce what they are best at, using fewer resources. This comparative advantage makes it easier for countries to make efficient production, which makes products affordable for all due to the lower prices brought about by competition. This competition in itself is a product of rapid globalization. This allows all nations to participate, thereby significantly improving the international economy and global markets as well.

How Globalization Affects Pillars of International Economics

Microeconomics and Macroeconomics

Macroeconomics deals with the overall economy, including factors like GDP. It also covers the major policies made by governments to control spending, borrowing and other activities. Microeconomics, on the other hand, looks at very specific markets, in addition to their governing concepts. It also covers the decision making process followed by individuals and organizations, how their resources are allocated and so on. A potential effect of globalization is the reduction of volatility when it comes to macroeconomics. In the long run, in terms of microeconomics, successful companies will be those that can make decisions with globalization in mind.

 Osama Elfeky is the only child for a father who was a diplomat (Dr Mohamed Zaky Elfeky). Sam was born in Srilanka and has traveled to plenty of countries and has seen different cultures in his youth. He is fond of traveling and business adventures, and he owns plenty of companies in the US, including multi-state companies, as well several companies in Europe in the hotel business.

For more information about Osama Elfeky, please visit his other websites:

OsamaElfeky.com

Osama-Elfeky.com

AboutOsamaElfeky.com

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Discussion on a Living Wage

Discussion on a Living Wage

By Michael LaMarque

 As you know, as part of a “grand bargain” bill passed in 2018, state lawmakers approved a provision to gradually raise the state’s hourly minimum wage from $11 to $15 by 2023, essentially creating a “living wage” in Massachusetts (DeCosta-Klipa, 2019).

 The fear is that the bigger picture is not being seen and that small businesses are not being considered in the fight to create a living wage in Massachusetts. Many small businesses cannot support a living wage. And if the businesses cannot support the wage, what does that mean?

 It means, lay-offs and short staffing just to start. What was once expected of two employees will now be expected of one because ownership cannot afford to keep that second employee on staff.

 It means a decline in overtime for employees who currently rely on more than a 40-hour work week. A company may be able to pay overtime at $19.13/hour but cannot support overtime at $22.50/hr or $25/hr. Employees in these situations may be making more an hour, but they will be taking home less in their checks.

 How is a new business supposed to get off the ground if they can’t afford to hire people to get the business going?

  According to a 2019 National Survey by SCORE and OnDeck:

§  55% of business owners believe a higher minimum wage would hurt their business.

§  44% responded that an increased minimum wage would result in cutbacks to investments in their business.

§  37% said they would raise other employee wages proportionately.

 A living wage increase would skew the numbers even more.

The numbers don’t lie. If you hurt the business, you ultimately hurt the employee. If the business can’t grow, then the employees can’t grow. If a business can’t hire more staff, then those employees currently on staff will be expected to carry the load.

 No one is saying that employees don’t deserve to be fairly compensated. According to the same 2019 survey , 58% of small business owners pay their employees more than minimum wage (Weston 2019).

 Small business owners understand what it’s like to do the dirty work or to be undervalued. Many small business owners built their companies from the ground up. Before they could afford to hire staff, many owners had to do the very jobs that their employees now do. For this reason, many small business owners understand what fair value is for the services which they are requesting.

 The goal is to fairly compensate employees while still allowing a business to thrive. If a business is not allowed to thrive, no one will prosper.

Sources

 DeCosta-Klipa, Nik. “The minimum wage in Massachusetts is going up this week. Here’s what

you need to know.” December 31, 2019. https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2019/12/31/massachusetts-minimum-wage-2020#:~:text=The%20minimum%20wage%20in%20Massachusetts%20will%20increase%20again,another%20incremental%20increase%20kicks%20in%20this%20New%20Year.          

 National Survey from SCORE and OnDeck Reveals Dilemma on Main Street. “Small Business

Owners Agree Minimum Wage Is Not a "Living Wage;" Split on Whether It Should Increase.” December 12, 2019. https://www.score.org/news/small-business-owners-agree-minimum-wage-not-living-wage-split-whether-it-should-increase

 South Shore Chamber of Commerce. “Our Mission.” https://www.southshorechamber.org/about-

           us.html

 Weston, Bridget. “Hike the Minimum Wage or Keep It As-Is? Small Business Owners Weigh in

on the Debate.” December 26, 2019. https://boston.score.org/blog/hike-minimum-wage-or-keep-it-small-business-owners-weigh-debate

 Michael LaMarque was born and raised in Holliston, MA. He attended Holliston High School and graduated with high honors. In high school, he was captain of the football team and played linebacker. He also played defense on the lacrosse team! He attended Bridgeton Academy for prep school, where he continued to play football. He also continued his academic excellence making the Dean’s list. He later attended Quincy College, where he was on the Dean’s list once again, and earned his Associates Degree in Natural Science. He went on to attend The University of Massachusetts Boston, where he again was on the Dean’s list, and majored in Management.

 Please enjoy the following links of Michael LaMarque;

MichaelLaMarqueBlog.com

 MichaelLaMarque.com

 Michael-LaMarque.com

 AboutMichaelLaMarque.com

 MichaelLaMarqueInfo.com

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Cooperative games promote team building, confidence, and positive communication in high school students

Cooperative games promote team building, confidence, and positive communication in high school students

By Aaron Dungca Needham Teacher

  Physical education in its unique open and dynamic structure plays a huge role in the overall educational process of children to adolescent to adult developmental maturity and lifelong physical activity knowledge skills.  Children in today’s society are entering a world of passive living patterns, emotional turmoil, poor nutrition and general lack of physical activity (Haslam, 1986). Evidence shows that child obesity and overweight issues are directly connected to widespread physical inactivity and poor nutrition (Graham, Holt/Hale & Parker, 2004).  The health-related conditions limit the child’s quality of life, decrease the life span of the individual, and vastly raise medical expenses. With obese individuals reporting over 42 percent more on health care treatments compared to normal weight populations, which has resulted in a total of $147 billion more in health care costs (Shimon, 2011). Specifically reported by Pate, O’Neill, and Mclver (2011), in women that lack in physical activity show an increased risk of musculoskeletal problems and men who participated in higher doses of physical activity had the opposite effect and obtained various benefits from moderate to vigorous levels of physical participation.  Physical activity defined by Shimon (2011), “as the bodily movements that help increase energy expenditure and health related fitness levels” (p. 36) that ranges from low to high intensity categories involving individual participation, dual, and team oriented sports or games.  Not to be confused with physical education, the process of learning and using physical activity for development of the person, mind, and body that can instill a physically active lifestyle throughout their lifetime (Graham et al., 2004).  

Aaron Dungca Needham thinks there is emotional turmoil in the terms of adolescent transitions from middle to high school pose challenging times within their immediate family, peer, and scholastic relationships as stated by Harju, Luukkonen, Hakko, Räsänen, and Riala, (2011).

           Young people as of the last 15 years have seen a dramatic increase in the use of the internet resulting in changes of social interaction and entertainment (Smahel, Blinka, & Brown, 2012).  

 References

Adamson, G., Lambert, R., & Mumford , V. (2009). Experiential activities in physical education               classes. MAHPERD Journal, 10-13.

Balkan, E., & Adalier, A. (2011). The Relationship between Social Cohesion and Computer-                    Internet Usage. Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology - TOJET, 10(3), 304-  

About Aaron Dungca, Needham Teacher

Aaron Dungca, a former wellness teacher, coach, and camp manager with 8 years experience combating summer learning loss and building social-emotional intelligence in children.  According to his experiences, children need more impactful opportunities that compete with the technological readiness of smart devices. Museums, libraries, parks, camps, and family togetherness are some of the stages children can obtain high potency content outside of social media platforms with credibility and at low to no cost.  

 Please visit websites and social media of Aaron Dungca Needham Teacher:

AaronDungca.com

Aaron-Dungca.com

AaronDungca.org

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A Career of a Building Engineer

A Career of a Building Engineer

By David Siclari

The daily expectation of a building engineer requires extreme patience in dealing with all of the building occupants. Whether it is teachers or students in a school, administrative personnel, tenants in a commercial office space or patients in a long term care facility, they all require special attention down to the finest details. During my longevity in the building management career, I have experienced first-hand the importance of this position.

The health and safety of all occupants is single handedly the most important part of my role as a building manager or engineer, abiding by all code requirements enforced by the local and state government. Daily inspections are always a part of my busy day. While performing building tours throughout the space, I am always gathering important information to enhance the condition of the facility and to ensure that everything is operating properly. These tours are extremely important because I am listening to the sounds of motors and pumps, making sure they are running smoothly. In addition, I service all of the HVAC systems as needed, replacing filters and belts on the smaller systems and overseeing the contracted service providers on the larger equipment. Indoor air quality is an extremely important part of keeping the occupants healthy and also comfortable as they go through their day. Boilers, air handlers, compressors, chillers and cooling towers are all part of the equipment I am responsible for.  Checking the proper operation of door closers and latches, emergency lighting, elevator cars and even trip hazards will reduce the chance of injuries. Lamp replacement is an everyday necessity, ensuring proper lighting in common areas and suites throughout the building.

Scheduling all contractors and ensuring their safe work practices as they perform their services to the facility, is another very important task. Interviewing for new contracted service vendors can be challenging for several reasons. Sometimes, the contractor with the lowest price is awarded the job; however, the quality of the service provided is not adequate. It is David Siclari’s responsibility to ensure that the contracted service is being completed properly. Working with upper management to explain the reason why one contracted service is preferred over another contractor requires the complete knowledge of the work being performed.

Ensuring a good relationship with all local inspectors is essential. Inspectors are important because they will assist you with making your building a safe place to work. Also, keeping fire alarm, fire sprinkler and other related devices operational and inspected as required. Monthly, quarterly, and annual inspections are necessary to keep check that all safety systems are working properly.

Scheduling the operating times of lighting controls, HVAC controls and access controls are also a part of being a building engineer. The building management system (BMS) is one of the best tools to have. It is a software system on your computer that allows you to monitor and make changes to all the systems mentioned above.  With some of the updated systems, it can be controlled remotely or even from your cell phone. Remote access gives you the ability to change settings and start times on all the related equipment, any time of the day from wherever you are.

Responding to complaints is one of the many time consuming tasks. Daily smells, spills, leaks and restroom issues are non-stop, and don’t forget the complaints about the temperature, someone is always too cold or too hot. No one ever says,” the temperature is perfect”. It is one of the most common complaints. Balancing the HVAC system is an art, and every day that I make it through the day with minimal complaints, is a good day.

Pest control monitoring is a monthly occurrence, unless you have a pest outbreak, which would require immediate attention. It is my job to ensure that all of the occupants try their best not to leave food out in the work areas. This is an extremely important part of keeping insects and rodents in your building to a minimum.

Working with and supervising day porters along with contracted cleaning services help to keep the building and grounds looking clean and desirable to occupants and visitors. In house stock of all supplies used in the building is also a responsibility of the building engineer. Landscaping and snow removal contractors are an essential part of keeping the exterior property looking well-groomed and safe.

David Siclari spent 25 years in the Roseland school district and I enjoyed every challenging day there, working closely with all of the staff to ensure that every child had a safe place to learn. During all of my years at the school we accomplished that goal. I was blessed to stay in one place for such a long period of time. I decided to take an early retirement 2016 to continue my journey in life.

 Please visit David Siclari’s websites:

http://davidsiclari.com/

http://davidsiclari.org/

http://aboutdavidsiclari.com/

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Entrepreneurship battles

By Dustin Sartwell

 My name is Dustin Sartwell and I am a Husband, Father, and entrepreneur. Daily it seems impossible to find a balance in life that create enough time to succeed in all my roles. As a husband I am expected to be the strong and the rock of the family. As a father I want to be a friend to my two daughters but still give them the parental guidance needed for them to succeed in life. Being an Entrepreneur takes up most of my time. My wife Elizabeth Sartwell and myself are partners in business we own Born Vogue Hair Salon and The Public Barbershop. Opening these two businesses has taken a large financial responsibility on both of us. Elizabeth is the day to day manager of the businesses and also a cosmetologist herself. I envy my wife who loves going to work everyday in a career field that is her passion. She has worked hard to create a professional but fun environment at both the locations.

My other business is a construction Company owner. I primarily perform on public works projects and have built a steady reputation since 2015. Construction has taken a toll on my body both mentally and physically, Elizabeth has been very supportive of my career path but the construction field requires you to put lots of hours. I struggle separating business from pleasure and at the end of 2019 I was barely making time for my family and focusing all my days chasing dollars. I was providing very well for my family, but the money did not compensate for the time I was missing watching my kids grow up or being a partner to my wife. I decided at the end of 2019 that I would switch my career path as an entrepreneur and start applying for set hour jobs that allowed me to plan my days better. I had a lot of promising offers on the table and then Covid-19 was announced.

Covid-19 sent waves across every industry and all the offers I had on the table were temporarily closed due to the unknown. Shortly after that we were forced to close our Salon and Barbershop due to government mandatory shutdowns. This not only crippled us financially but forced me to double down in the construction field and worker longer hours than I was already working prior. There was no compensation for our businesses, Elizabeth whole career was unknown at that point and she went from being a successful business owner to a stay at home mom. We looked into all options to keep us financially afloat and all options ended up running up debts with financial institutions something that we have never had to look into. I decided that running on credit and going into debt was not an option, so I reached out to all my construction contacts to see how they were dealing with the pandemic. Lots of them were short staffed and had a lot of projects that were left in limbo due to the virus. I sat back one night and came up with the idea of still doing construction but primarily doing project management and offering something that lots of agencies were missing in these crazy times, which was direction on how to operate a construction business during Covid. I landed a few management projects for local school districts that allowed me to show companies how to operate efficiently and safely during Covid and what steps to take if Covid reached the workplace. A few small jobs turned into managing large projects and finally then I landed overlooking a large project that will last over a year to manage the construction work on the entire campus.

This position has allowed me to step back and dedicate my daytime for the school district and then in the evening separate work from play. I enjoy the time I have with my family and hope that I keep on the same track of finding the balance. The one thing I have learned throughout my experiences is We need money to put a roof over our heads and food in our mouths, but if a balance is not found between making money and enjoying life then what are we really living for. For me compensation of hard work is being able to come home and ride bikes and play with my daughters, its being able to take time out of my day to talk with my wife about everything and listen to her input. 2020 has been a weird year and has put so much stress on everyone. we are fortunate that we made it through the past 9 months thru finances and health, but it definitely gave me a new perspective that I need to slow down and focus on my family.

My name is Dustin Sartwell; I am married to Elizabeth Sartwell. Our wedding day was July 28th, 2012. I have two daughters, Piper Jane Sartwell and Haylee Sage Sartwell. I enjoy the following activities: dirt bike riding, camping, swimming, playing tennis, riding bikes, relaxing, and spending time with my family.  I am a licensed contractor who owns D&M Construction in California who primarily does work on public work projects. My most recent project completed in 2019 was Pacific High School in Ventura. I did gas and water replacement for the entire Campus. I also installed a new relocatable building at Mound School in Ventura. My wife and I own a salon in Thousand Oaks, California called Born Vogue Salon and Spa. We also own the Public Barbershop in Westlake. My personal accomplishments have been opening up all three businesses and raising two daughters with my wife.

Please enjoy the following links to other websites, blogs, and social media of Dustin Sartwell:

DustinSartwell.net

Dustin-Sartwell.com

DustinSartwell.org

AboutDustinSartwell.com

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Drive, Drive, Drive

Drive, Drive, Drive

By David Siclari

I couldn’t wait to get behind the wheel of a car. As I grew up in the town of Belleville, NJ, at the age of 11 or 12, I would ask my dad to let me steer the car as he drove. I sat next to him on the bench seat of his 1978 Chevy Nova 4 door. My older brother, sister, and a friend or two, always needed to go somewhere, and I was always willing to take the ride. We went local to Drew’s Hobby Center in Nutley, NJ or as far as the Willow brook Mall in Wayne. I would steer the car with my left hand, and braking and accelerating with my left foot, yes my left foot! My driving skills would improve each time I was able to get next to the wheel. Any chance I would get to move the car and turn it around, I was thrilled to do so. I and my family lived on a dead end street called May Street, along Hendricks Field, our local golf course. The street was narrow and free of traffic, which allowed me to venture into the street with the car and turn it around to back up the driveway between our house and the neighbors. None of the neighbors seemed to mind that I was always moving the car. My neighbors were cool with me because I would help them with work around their homes, such as cutting lawns and snow shoveling. I even walked their dogs when they were at work. As I grew older, I would wait for my dad to go up to bed, 9:30 or so, which meant he would be sleeping just before 10 p.m. My sister and brother were older and usually stayed out late. So, I would quietly get into the car and roll the car in neutral down the driveway. As soon as the wheels touched the street, I would fire up the straight six engine and head down the street for my joyride. At first, I stayed close to home, but little by little I became more confident and went further. I was quite the dare devil. With no cell phones at the time, just the in-dash A.M. radio found in most older cars. My dad never looked at the mileage on the car, but he often asked about the gas gauge being lower than he remembered. When it was time for me to take my driving test, he was golden with over five years driving experience behind the wheel. Of course, I passed with flying colors. Driving is one of the best privileges we have. The sense of freedom is unmistakably surreal. We must teach our children and all new drivers to follow all the rules of the road, and always take the side of caution and be a defensive driver. Go slow, and never touch that cell phone while driving the car. It is so dangerous and truly the biggest cause of accidents today. Please be safe on the roads and enjoy your new privilege.

David Siclari spent 25 years in the Roseland school district and I enjoyed every challenging day there, working closely with all of the staff to ensure that every child had a safe place to learn. During all of my years at the school we accomplished that goal. I was blessed to stay in one place for such a long period of time. I decided to take an early retirement 2016 to continue my journey in life.

 Please visit David Siclari’s websites:

http://davidsiclari.org/

http://aboutdavidsiclari.com/

http://davidsiclariinfo.com/

http://davidsiclariblog.com/

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Food Culture in Scandinavia

By Jeffrey Whalen Yorktown

A very interesting people the Scandinavians are, the culture captures a very rich and proud history to prosperous and beautiful lands scattered around great Seas and Oceans. Scandinavians take great pride in a culture which is only matched by their glorious history and Viking ancestors.

Either it is as a result of an old or symbolic relationship they share with the sea, or because of their sometimes larger-than-life beliefs, the Scandinavian people has always had a peculiar food cultures and culinary styles.

Wonderful Scandinavian cuisines you should try

An important aspect of Scandinavian dishes is that they are very simple meals. Lovers of Scandinavian Cuisines like Jeffery Whalen from Yorktown reckon that unlike their European neighbors, Seafood is very prominent in their dishes and cuisines, and this is a primary reason why Scandinavian foods are not overcooked.

·         Surstromming

Like most Scandinavian dishes, seafood is at the center of this dish, it literally means Picked herring. Boiled potatoes, chives and lots of cream go with the herring to bring forth a delicious dish. The best part is that there are lots of flavors it can come in, and this is one special treat for you.

·         Pulsa

This literally translates to Scandia hotdogs, and just like the hotdogs we know, they are extremely yummy especially when in sandwiches. You should not miss out on these if you are in proximity of a Scandinavian restaurant.

·         Gravlax

Fish, fish, and more fish, whoever says these people are tired of fish. This is another delicious meal, which comprises of salmons that are sliced thinly. A few sprinkled salt and sugar later; you will be munching on a tasty meal. Besides, rye bread and potatoes are good options to go with this meal.

·         Smorrebrod  

One of the most delightful (yeah, permit me) of all Scandinavian foods, this food is a combination of fresh fish, meats, spreads and salads. Most times, cheese and pate is added to the combo. It is a version of bare sandwich. This dish will leave you amazed at what Scandinavians can achieve with seafood and meat.

  ·         Pea Soup

Pea soup will leave you savoring the aftertaste of the meal. Apart from the fact that it is made from fruit soup, it is also one of the most popular soup found in Sweden, and it is made from peas and bacon.

·         Smoked Salmon

With a region that has lots of sea boundaries, you cannot fault this people with fish. This delicacy is mostly served with scrambled eggs or made into sandwiches. Whichever way, this is one of the biggest export foods of the region.

·         Kottbullar

You will never know how delicious meatballs taste until they are mixed in creamy sauce and eaten with boiled potatoes. This special meal is very delicious and a good staple amongst the Scandinavians.

·         Glogg

This is a popular punch in Scandinavia; it is made with other strong drinks like wine/brandy, then sherry, almonds and raisins. The drink is brewed for merrier times like Christmas and after dinner festivities in Scandinavia, and need I not say, a very strong drink.

Jeff Whalen encourages you to visit his favorite Scandinavian cooking shows here.

The Beauty in Scandinavian foods

It is a fact that a large constituent of Scandinavian foods are natural food elements like Seafood, meats, potatoes and spices. Scandinavian households have gardens for most of the herbs and spices they use in their foods and processed foods make for little appearance on their menu. This is a big reason why Scandinavian delicacies were favorites for Jefferey Whalen all the way in Yorktown.

Apart from these listed above; here are other things you will enjoy about the Scandinavian food culture

ü  The meals are simple are symbolic

Scandinavians (usually refer themselves as Vikings) favor simple meals which make the body lighter and merrier. With a good percentage of their meals coming from seafood, and primary vegetables, these meals are also easily digestible.

ü  They have one of the healthiest diets in the world

Scandinavians do not necessarily overcook their foods; in fact, some of their foods are eaten almost raw. Overcooking meals ruins the nutrients and taste of foods, and most often such foods are bad for the health. Foods that appear in Scandinavian menus are mostly low in fatty compounds, and provide good supplements to the body.

  ü  Wide choice of cuisines available

Food choice is one thing Jeffery Whalen never had to worry about; you can never be short of choices with Scandinavian cuisines. Scandinavians are very passionate about their food culture, and have improved on these over the years with continuous inventions on mouth-watering cuisines. There are hundreds of different cuisines, from simple soups to banquets consisting of seafood and meat available

Food Culture in Scandinavia by countries

A lot of beautiful lands make up the Scandinavian region; the mainland of Norway, Sweden and Denmark, and in a wider extent; Finland, Iceland and Greenland. Although they have a shared and intertwined history, there are slight cultural differences in their culinary preferences. This change is mostly subtle and will only be noticeable to one who is highly knowledgeable about the Scandinavian cuisines.

Denmark

This is the home of fish meals, and other seafood. Fish is the chief constituent of Danish cuisines, and it is generally served with potatoes, sandwich and eggs. The marzipan and smorrebrod are typical cuisines of the Danish people.

Norway

Primarily similar to their neighbors, fish is a major constituent of their diet also; from the Lutefisk, to the Smoked salmons, and on the list goes. The Norwegian herring, clipfish, stockfish are the commonest fish you will find in this region.

Sweden

Here we find a bit more of red-meat eating Scandinavians compared to other countries; deers, Elks, and Antelopes are the primary source of meat. Kottbullar, Minced Pork and other red-meat dishes are the popular cuisines in this country together with other cuisines made of fish.

Finland

Finnish cuisines are primarily based on red-meat also; Pierogis, Cloudberry sauce are some of the popular cuisines in this region. Nevertheless, other foods like Fish, potatoes and vegetables are still very prominent in their meals.

Conclusions

No matter your reservation on the Scandinavian cultures, their foods will amaze you. No matter where you find yourself, you should always visit Scandinavian restaurants and try the cuisines on their menu!

Jeffrey Whalen from Yorktown Heights, NY with his wife and two sons.  He grew up in Katonah, NY. Jeffrey Whalen graduated from John Jay High School in Cross River, NY.  He went on to Boston, MA to receive dual undergraduate degrees in performance and music education from Berklee College of Music. Friends in high school and college affectionately called him “Al”. Jeff Whalen also earned a master’s degree in performance with a concentration in jazz at SUNY Purchase College in Purchase, NY.

Please also visit Jeffrey Whalen from Yorktown’s other websites, blogs and social media:

http://www.Jeffrey-Whalen.com

http://www.Jeff-Whalen.com

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Commission Based Salary and Management Motivation

Commission Based Salary and Management Motivation

By Michael LaMarque

 Companies are made up of individuals. When you hear a company’s staff being referred to, you will often hear them called a “team.” But are they really a team? Sure they work for the same company, they are working at the same time, and they work “together,” but are they really working together? Do they all have the team or company’s best interest in mind? Or are they just there for a paycheck?

Most people work because they have to. Most people’s driving motivation is financial. Some jobs pay hourly, some jobs are salary, and some jobs are commission-based. People will argue the pros and cons of each financial set up. However, commission-based salary results in many unanswered questions.

When it comes to the idea of commission, many people have mixed emotions. On the one hand commission helps to motivate the seller. On the other hand, commission leaves the seller’s wallet at the mercy of the buyer. For a sales representative, commission can mean a large paycheck one month and relatively small paycheck the next month. It comes down to whether or not the seller is on their “game” and amiable, but also to the buyer’s state of mind. Commission also brings about the question on ethics in regards to co-workers. Who should get the commission if more than one person works with the customer? Who should get the commission if the customer asks for a certain representative, they are unavailable, and another representative makes the sale?

Referring to the later, many people would feel that the person making the sale should get the commission. Sure, the customer asked for a certain representative, but that representative was unavailable. Commission is meant to reward the person who works with the customer and closes the deal. Yes, in some cases, a customer may have worked with a certain representative whom they like before, so they want to continue that relationship. However, if that representative is not there to make the sale, why should they get credit for it?

Considering this discussion from a different view, one may argue that if the customer asked for the representative by name, then the representative must have put in the work previously. The representative whom the customer asked for, set the customer up for the sale, how else would the customer know their name? Commission is very much based off client rapport, and clearly the representative who the client asked for succeeded in that aspect.

A commission-based salary is a great way to motivate employees. That being said, it also a great way to divide teams. As far as productivity goes, a divided team is not ideal. A divided team does not work together. This can cause internal conflict amongst the team. Jealousy and envy can result in bickering, tension and staff turnover. An unhappy working environment is an unproductive working environment.

           Alternatively, team commission is a great way to unify a team. Everyone benefits from each other’s success. Team commission can foster an environment of growth. Employees will want to help each other succeed because they know that they themselves will also benefit. When it comes to team commission internal competition can be a good thing. Employees will be more likely to enjoy competing when it comes to sales because they know that ultimately, they will not be losing anything if they do not come in first.

           What motivates a team? And what motivates an individual. Overall, one could argue that one and two are the same. However, are motivated individuals as productive as a motivated team? The answer is quite simply no. Motivated individuals do not have the big picture in mind. Motivated individuals do not care if the team or if the company succeeds as long as they come out on top. A motivated team takes it upon themselves to make a project or a company their own. A motivated team understands that the success of the project or the success of the company is the same as their own personal success.

Management must be careful to have a healthy balance between team commission/ reward and induvial commission/reward. It is management’s responsibility to create an environment which will result in productivity, growth, and longevity. Management should be sure to reward outstanding employees but not so much that they isolate them from the rest of the team. Management must also be careful as to not reward unproductive employees by always rewarding the team.

Regardless off if one is discussing team commission or individual commission, for it to be successful, the product has to be believed in. Customers know when an employee does not believe in what they are selling or promoting. Again this is on management to ensure that their staff truly knows why their product is beneficial or superior to the competition. Management must lead by example and let their staff know that they are emotionally invested.

There is no one size fits all when it comes to solving these management and culture questions. What works for one company may not work for another. Knowing the team and knowing the staff is crucial to management’s success. Keeping an open mind and knowing that no one person has all the answers is a necessary trait. Companies change and grow and as they do, so do employees and the team culture. Motivating the team and coming up with new ways to enhance productivity is half the fun of a management position.

 Michael LaMarque was born and raised in Holliston, MA. He attended Holliston High School and graduated with high honors. In high school, he was captain of the football team and played linebacker. He also played defense on the lacrosse team! He attended Bridgeton Academy for prep school, where he continued to play football. He also continued his academic excellence making the Dean’s list. He later attended Quincy College, where he was on the Dean’s list once again, and earned his Associates Degree in Natural Science. He went on to attend The University of Massachusetts Boston, where he again was on the Dean’s list, and majored in Management.

 Please enjoy the following links of Michael LaMarque;

 MichaelLaMarque.com

 Michael-LaMarque.com

 AboutMichaelLaMarque.com

 MichaelLaMarqueInfo.com

 MichaelLaMarqueBlog.com

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There are many arguments as to what paradigm best describes an entrepreneur; from the Farmer in charge of his plantation, to the School owner, or the store owner, and Bill Gates, owner of Microsoft, each are entrepreneurs in their own respects.

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INTERVIEWS WITH MALE SURVIVORS OF TRAUMATIC EVENTS AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR TREATMENT

By Jason Arnold, PhD from Waltham, Massachusetts

Method

           The method for this study will use a qualitative design to examine active coping in men and will explore the types of coping responses men have when exposed to a traumatizing event. This method will use naturalistic interviews with approximately 20 male participants from undergraduate courses at a midwestern university as well as the surrounding community. The material will be transcribed, coded, and analyzed into broader themes. Preliminary findings suggest three overall themes, which will be discussed in the next chapter.

Participants

           The participants from this study will be approximately 20 males from the Southern Illinois University campus and from the surrounding community. The participants recruited from the university campus will be recruited via flyers posted around campus as well as for an extra credit option for undergraduate courses. Those participants from outside the community will be recruited through “snowballing” (i.e., recruitment through the referral of other participants). The will examine the responses of approximately 20 males and will collect data from participant until saturation is achieved and it can be assumed that no new material can be received from recruiting any additional participants.

Instruments

           The study will be using two instruments throughout the course of the study including the questionnaire protocol, which will be used to facilitate the obtaining of relevant information from the participants regarding their experience with traumatic events, their reactions, their coping responses, and their recovery. In addition, the researcher will also be used as an instrument in the study.

           Researcher as Instrument. In quantitative analysis, there is the luxury of being able to employ the use of instruments, which have psychometrically validated and have been used in multiple studies with great results. Qualitative research however, because it is examining the lived experiences of individuals, is not using an instrument, which uses a form of quantification of the experience. Qualitative research examines the essence of the experience. As is with such research, Qualitative designs use the researcher as the main research tool, or instrument per se. The researcher, as an instrument is how the data will be collected through observations and interacting with the participants in the study (Bogdan & Biklen, 2007).

           Due to the fact that the researcher will be used as the instrument by which data will be collected and examined, it is important, as with any other instrument, to understand it’s background and to be aware of it’s biases. In the case of the researcher of this study, there is an academic and clinical background in this area of research.

           The researcher has worked as a counselor and psychotherapist for several years in and out of the graduate school experience.

Jason Arnold, PhD, from Waltham, Massachusetts currently is a mental health practitioner in the metro Boston area. Originally an Illinoisnative, he moved to Massachusetts seven years ago with his husband of now 20 years. Professionally, he has a PhD in psychology from Southern Illinois University. He’s done post doc work in clinical studies at Harvard University. He’s worked in outpatient psychiatric practices, intensive outpatient programs, substance abuse as well as in VA veterans’ programs. He is currently a clinician the Boston area. Jason Arnold holds current areas of interest in psychosis, depression, anxiety disorders, and Bipolar Disorder as well as men’s health. If there is an issue you think he may be able help with, please do feel free to contact him.

 Please enjoy Jason Arnold, PhD’s blogs and other websites and social media links, and if you have any questions, please let him know:

JasonArnoldBlog.com

Instagram.com/jason.arnold.144/

TheNatPsych.com

JasonArnoldPhD.com

JasonArnoldInfo.com

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Marbella, Spain: A perfect getaway destination for first timers

Marbella, Spain: A perfect getaway destination for first timers

By Osama Elfeky

To travel is to live. It gives people a chance to explore the world anew and more importantly rediscover themselves in a place far away from the sickening monotony of daily life.

And what better place to start your summer getaway trip than Marbella. Drenched in the marvellous Andalusian sun, this city in Costa del Sol offers a unique amalgam of rich culture, a throbbing night life, serene beaches and an exquisite cuisine, making it one of the most coveted tourist spots in Europe.

What to do when in Marbella?

With its unmatched beauty and enthralling charm, Marbella attracts great many visitors each year. And needless to say, the options are unlimited. But to make things a bit more easier we have compiled a list of things to do when in Marbella.

1)      A day out on the beach

What better way to kick start your vacation than spending some quality time on the pristine beaches of Marbella. Bask in the brilliant sunshine and feel the crashing waves on the beautiful beach of La Playa de la Venus or visit the peaceful Cabopino for a breath-taking experience.

2)      A walk down the historic lanes

If you are a culture buff and want to explore the rich history of Marbella in all its former glory then take a walk down the old fishing town with it's narrow, crooked streets lined with white washed houses and germanium laden balconies. And while you’re at it, don't forget to make a quick stop at the Etching museum which features great artworks by Picasso, Joan Miro and Tápies.

3)      Tingle your taste buds with the local foods

When in Marbella, begin your day with some traditional mouth-watering  churros followed by a glass of fresh orange juice at the Plaza de los Naranjos. For lunch and dinner look out for a good beach bar serving delectable seafood, grilled fish, paella and tapas paired with a refreshing pint of cold beer.

4)      Go diving or book a boat trip

Marbella is one of the best places to go diving and explore the majestic sea world. You can even take diving courses to make the most out of your experience. Or you could book a boat trip and sail away into the serene waters.

Where to live in Marbella?

The best way to make the most out of your vacation in Marbella is to find a great place to stay. And when it comes to renting apartments Osama Elfeky provides a one stop solution for all your accommodation needs. To find a home away from home you can visit Osama Elfeky’s rental apartments at Selin Star Light and book a fully furnished holiday home at affordable rates.

Situated at a prime location, these rental apartments have upscale infrastructure facilities, uninterrupted Wi-Fi services and recreational options including golfing and horse riding.

Whether you are travelling solo or vacationing with family, Selin star light has you covered. It offers a wide variety of services to choose from including single suites and deluxe apartment. You can relax, watch T.V. and even cook in their well equipped rooms. Or you could choose to head out to the Casino Marbella, take a walk in the Constitution Park, visit Bonsai Museum or stroll the shopping streets, all of which are in close proximity to the apartments and can be visited without using a vehicle.  

So next time you plan to make a trip to Spain, don't miss out on the luxurious pleasures of Marbella. Great places, friendly people and top-notch accommodation.

Osama Elfeky is the only child for a father who was a diplomat (Dr Mohamed Zaky Elfeky). Sam was born in Srilanka and has traveled to plenty of countries and has seen different cultures in his youth. He is fond of traveling and business adventures, and he owns plenty of companies in the US, including multi-state companies, as well several companies in Europe in the hotel business.

For more information about Osama Elfeky, please visit his other websites:            

Osama-Elfeky.com

AboutOsamaElfeky.com

OsamaElfekyInfo.com

OsamaElfekyBlog.com

SamElfeky.com

Sam-Elfeky.com

OsamaElfekySamElfeky.Wordpress.com

OsamaElfekySamElfeky.Weebly.com

OsamaElfeky.Tumblr.com

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Summer Camps leads to Smarter Kids!

By  Aaron Dungca Needham Teacher

   There are foundational gaps correlated to the US academic summer calendar and amount of time children are away from organized intellectual stimulation. With his teaching, coaching and camp director experience, Aaron Dungca wants to share his educational perspective for all.

 April 4, 2019: Families across the US are faced with a problem of education gap with their children that is non-discriminatory and inevitable with trends pointing to higher occurrences.  According to a recent study by NWEA (Northwest Evaluation Association) rates in children who experienced repetitive summer learning loss are behind 2 academic years on average compared to their peers by sixth grade.  It then takes up to two months after the first day of school to achieve the same level of brain development.  

The education gap occurs in all families and does not typically mean lower income families are always most affected.  Current research gathered evidence during the 36 weeks students are in school and have concrete evidence of RIT (Rasch Unit Scale) showing on average students gain 13+ points during the year and lose 3-5 points during the summer months.  This lag of education is not a fault from schools but a lack of understanding or focus by most populations during the ease of summer vacation. Schools attempt to balance family vacation time through a minimal summer reading plan.  This strategy is to apply a maintenance plan on reading skills children possess before leaving school for 8 weeks. However, reading alone does not address the holistic make up of a child.  Stimulation in math concepts, social-emotional learning, physical activity and natural curiosity still need to be satisfied and nourished in order to fully support the growing spirit, mind and body of a child.    

 Addressing the decline of academic stimulation for a child can take on many shapes and sizes. Examples like visiting the local library and participating in book events, creating posters, advertisements or public service announcements requiring accurate spelling and images, comic book stories, and nightly story time.  Such activities can be done immediately, continuously and act as a fun activity (pending the provider has much energy and excitement presenting the stimulus!)  

 Summer learning loss fortunately is well known among educators and youth development professionals.  Many educators take on a second role within summer camp organizations or enrichment programs.  Organizations and programs have much to offer and varies in costs and services.  If a camp or enrichment program is a choice families would like to make for their child, some points of interest that provide credibility and trust should be present within the organization.  These points of interest address safety, curriculum, and cost. A great way to find credible camps have accreditation from the American Camp Association. Accreditation is a comprehensive process in which demonstrates the compliance of a camp towards mandatory standards that spans nationwide and differs from licensing, which is state to state. Finding summer camps under this criteria is an increased credibility and security.  According to a five year camp impact study, the American Camp Association show findings that children are able to learn transferrable skills such as problem solving, effective communication, relationship building, and delayed gratification.  These skills show tremendous impact in the life of a child outside and inside of the academic year.  They promote social and situational diversities that allow for a child to be successful under daily or acute life stressors.  These acquisitions of skills have connections in decreasing the learning gap, promote positive brain development and developmental social-emotional intelligence.  The benefits for a child attending summer camps, creative programs, and movement activities is an investment that would prove to have a return on investment worthy for long term contributions.

 As the world of COVID-19 has crippled and altered our way of life, camps and enrichment programs for children will need to strive for more appropriate means of reaching their target audience.  Virtual interactions has deemed itself the flagship route in connecting safely and consistently between society but now has relinquished the ability to build personable bonds in real time.  

 Our efforts will need to carry our goals and aspirations for tomorrow that includes the nourishment for our future children to be challenged, supported, and guided in an ever changing world.      

About Aaron Dungca, Needham Teacher

Aaron Dungca, a former wellness teacher, coach, and camp manager with 8 years experience combating summer learning loss and building social-emotional intelligence in children.  According to his experiences, children need more impactful opportunities that compete with the technological readiness of smart devices. Museums, libraries, parks, camps, and family togetherness are some of the stages children can obtain high potency content outside of social media platforms with credibility and at low to no cost.    

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