Children are truly our future, which is why a Saint Mary’s club held an event last night to discuss the education of migrant children. The College club La Fuerza concluded its annual “Week of Action” Thursday with a discussion titled ‘Migrant Children and Their Education.’ Elizabeth Dennie, who recently completed her Master’s degree in Education Leadership at Saint May’s, led the discussion.  First-year student Fallon Brandis said she appreciated the chance to learn about migration from a new perspective. “I just think this is a really pertinent topic, especially in politics, and it’s so interesting to learn about the other side of migration,” Brandis said. Dennie told the group about her thesis for the Master’s program and her continued research titled ‘The Migrant Experience: Not Leaving Migrant Students Behind.’ She said she struggled to find information on this topic because there is relatively little available. Dennie shared several stories about her work with children and stressed the importance of dialogue between teachers, administrators and families to better the education of migrant children. She said the most important thing she learned in the process of obtaining her Master’s degree was to allow children to enjoy their youth.  “It sounds so stupid, but it’s so profound – kids are kids,” she said. “Let them be kids. If you look around society, everything is pushing kids to be older. They don’t know how to have fellowship.” Several education majors asked Dennie how to approach educating migrant students in their future careers. Dennie said it was important to develop relationships with the students in order to foster a love of learning that will bring with it academic success. Dennie also said it is important to see past possible ethnic differences when educating migrant children.  “A lot of times we let so much divide us when we are so similar,” Dennie said. read more

Tags: data analysis, data science, douglas twisselmann, Netflix Caitlyn Jordan | The Observer Douglas Twisselmann, expert in Data Science at Netflix, spoke on Wednesday in Little Theatre at Saint Mary’s.Saint Mary’s hosted senior data scientist Douglas Twisselmann on Wednesday night in Little Moreau Theatre. Twisselmann is a member of the science and algorithms group at Netflix and works with the branch dealing with the media content Netflix provides for its viewers. Twisselmann’s talk focused on Netflix’s goals of identifying characteristics of an “ideal” content library, predicting demand for content that Netflix does not have and divining the next Netflix original series.Twisselmann works with the Netflix content team to license, purchase and develop the movies and television shows that will be featured on the streaming service. Netflix has more than 60 million viewers across more than 40 different countries, and it falls to the content team to predict the material viewers want to watch and create a content library to fit that criteria.“We always want to keep the viewers happy,” Twisselmann said.All aspects of data science are modeled around consumer science testing, which allows Netflix to have personalized content libraries for all of its viewers, Twisselmann said. Netflix does not base its suggested libraries based on gender or age but on the content that one watches, Twisselmann said. This way, Netflix can send users personal updates and messages about one’s favorite shows or potential options that they may enjoy, Twisselmann said.“With a lot of our content acquisition, because we tend to buy for long periods of time, we’re less concerned if someone is going to watch it tomorrow; we’re more interested, on average, who is going to watch it,” Twisselmann said.“Our home pages are very personalized based on what people watch,” Twisselmann said. “We’re one of the few companies that doesn’t ask background information. If we don’t know a lot about the individuals, then we can’t make assumptions about them.”When looking for content to add to a Netflix library, the data scientists have to determine what the ideal consumer catalog would look like, the span of the content and the depth of the content, Twisselmann said. The content cannot be too repetitive and it must be worth the cost, Twisselmann said. He said the value of each potential program is not based on revenue but the number of viewers and how much the viewers want to watch over a certain period of time.The key to predicting is to analyze data categories such as how well the program did in the theaters, what the program was rated, the time since it has been released and the actors and actresses performing in it, Twisselmann said. To be able to do so quickly, Netflix has created a linear predictive system called “The Crystal Ball,” based on a simple y=mx+b formula, Twisselmann said.“It’s pretty straightforward in actually doing it,” said Twisselmann. “It’s interpreting [the data], that’s the hard part.”Netflix’s goal is to eventually perfect the system to work globally, Twisselmann said.There a certain culture attributed to Netflix — one that involves freedom, hard work and high performance.“I love working there,” Twisselmann said. “It’s a culture with freedom and responsibility — freedom to do what’s right and the responsibility to do what we know is right.”With all of that freedom, there is a certain level of standard within the company, as well, Twisselmann said.“We spend most of our time in meetings to make sure everybody is in line and on the same page, and then we go off and do our own thing,” Twisselmann said. “However, we have a high performance culture where trying isn’t good enough — it is very demanding.”Twisselmann encouraged students to consider data science as a career.“Everybody’s hiring in data science — Netflix, Facebook, Google, Yelp! — you name it,” Twisselmann said. “It’s a young business.” read more

Related Shows The cast will also include Gilbert Cruz, Dashiell Eaves, Maurice Jones, Chris Myers, Carra Patterson, Crystal Lucas-Perry and Carl Hendrick Louis. Tickets are now on sale for the world premiere of Jeff Augustin’s Little Children Dream of God, starring Deirdre O’Connell. Directed by Giovanna Sardelli, the play, which launches Roundabout Underground’s eighth season, will begin previews off-Broadway on January 24, 2015 and run through April 5. Opening night is set for February 17 at the Black Box Theatre at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre. View Comments Show Closed This production ended its run on April 5, 2015 On a balmy night in Miami, a soon-to-be mother, Sula, floats ashore on a car tire. Having braved a perilous journey to escape her native Haiti, Sula is determined to forge a better life in America for her unborn son. She soon finds safety in an apartment building that shelters refugees in need, joining a diverse community of immigrants, each with their own unique dreams and dilemmas. But even though the life she has hoped for seems within reach, Sula knows she can’t outrun her demons forever. Little Children Dream of God read more

By Sharon OmahenUniversity of GeorgiaAs you cover plants and water pipes in preparation for freezing temperatures, remember to protect outdoor animals against the cold, too.”No matter what, you’ve got to provide your outdoor animals with shelter from the wind,” said Wes Smith, a University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agent in Upson County.Personally, Smith doesn’t favor bringing small animals indoors when the temperatures drop outside.”Growing up on a farm in Huntsville, Ala., we made sure the outdoor dogs were warm inside their dog hut,” he said. “Now, I won’t let my wife bring the cat inside, so she puts a hot water bottle under its blanket, and we provide an area to sleep away from the wind.” A shelter would be ideal for cattle and other large animals, but it’s not feasible for most cattlemen.”When you’ve gotten 100-plus mama cows, you realistically don’t have a barn large enough to hold them all,” he said. “I’ve even locked some of my show cows out of the shelter during snow because it helps them grow a thicker coat. And the animals know how to compensate for the cold.” Feed cattle more, not lessCattle, he said, eat more feed during cold weather to create internal energy. For this reason, he tells farmers to feed cattle 50 percent more than normal. “Even if they don’t eat it,” he tells them, “make sure it’s accessible.”Cattle and other livestock have to have water, too. “You wouldn’t want to go all day without drinking, and you shouldn’t make them do it,” he said.Of course, they can’t drink ice.”I have a 50-gallon water trough, and I’ve always been able to bust up the ice with an axe in the morning,” Smith said. “Most of the time it may be frozen or have a layer of ice in the morning, but it has melted by the afternoon.”You can break through the ice layer, too, by pouring hot water over the top.”A smaller trough will freeze quicker than a larger trough,” he said. “If you don’t like the idea of using an axe, there are water heaters available from area feed-and-seed stores.” More harm than goodSmith says bringing your outdoor animals inside your home can actually do more harm than good.”It’s a lot like when we get sick when the temperature is 70 one day and 30 the next,” he said. “The drastic change in temperature can make them sick, too — especially when they go from 30 degrees outside to 70 or even 80 degrees inside your house.”Overall, Smith says to use common sense when protecting your outdoor animals from freezing temperatures.”If it drops to zero outside, you are going to have to provide a way for them to stay warm,” he said.For farmers, he said, “If you have cattle, it’s best that your pasture has a wooded area where they can go to seek shelter.”Surprisingly, he said, when snow falls on cattle’s backs, it can help keep them warm. “When a snow pack forms on their backs, it creates a form of insulation,” he said. read more

By Claudia Sánchez-Bustamante/Diálogo March 07, 2017 Major María Tejada Quintana is not just the first female fighter pilot in her country or in the Dominican Air Force (FAD, per its Spanish acronym); she is also in the first class of female cadets to graduate in the Dominican Republic, and the first Dominican flight instructor at the Inter-American Air Forces Academy (IAAFA) in San Antonio, Texas. However, flying was not always her dream. As a girl, she dreamed of becoming a doctor. “Back then, I wasn’t dreaming of becoming a soldier, because women were still not being admitted to the academy,” Maj. Tejada told Diálogo. But after watching her older brother during his Air Force training, she fell in love with aviation and the dream of a new career grew in her. “My brother was the inspiration for me to become who I am now. He’s also an Air Force pilot. He was the one who urged me to come this far,” Maj. Tejada said. “The example he set was the most valuable thing for me. I saw what he did, I saw the discipline that this profession entails, I saw how beautiful aviation is, and I fell in love with it. So when I entered the military academy, I decided to become a pilot,” she explained. “When I decided to enter the academy, I said, wow, I’m joining the Air Force and I’m going to be a pilot.” Maj. Tejada began her military career in 2002 as a cadet. After four years of training at “Batalla de las Carreras” Military Academy, while still a fourth-year cadet, she attended the Dominican Republic’s flight school, where she studied for approximately three more years to graduate as a pilot. After finishing basic training, she enlisted for the combat squadron, where she became the country’s first female fighter pilot. “It was a huge challenge for me — very tough — because it’s an enormous responsibility to be the first woman, to be a pioneer,” she said, now with more than 500 flight hours under her belt. “You have to set an example and you’ve got to give it your best, so that other young women might be inspired and might learn the best from you.” Maj. Tejada’s example has been groundbreaking for the Dominican Air Force, for the country at large, and for Dominican women. “When I joined the military, I had no role model to follow, because there weren’t any women. So I had to blaze my own trail as a woman,” Maj. Tejada explained from the classroom where she teaches instrument flying at IAAFA. “Because even though my brother gave me a lot of career support in a general sense, I couldn’t visualize what a female fighter pilot would look like, a point of reference for what it was that I should be doing, how to do it, or how hard it would be… so the fact that I chose this path has been good for other women because they now know what they’re in for.” Maj. Tejada explains that when she is back in her country, many female flight candidates and young cadets seek her advice and she counsels them on their future military careers. “When we talk, I’m honest with them. I tell them the good and the bad,” she says candidly. “These women see how far I’ve come, and that it’s not impossible because here I am.” Today, there are about seven female pilots in the FAD. However, no other woman has yet to join the combat squadron that Maj. Tejada belongs to. “I understand that there is now another class in flight school that has not yet graduated,” she says with pride. “Among those female students is one pilot who wants to join the squadron, but she hasn’t finished her training yet. Let’s hope that she does and that things go well for her and that she follows in my footsteps.” As might be expected, the female fighter pilot candidate confided in Maj. Tejada that she had decided to enter the military academy in order to follow in her footsteps. “On one occasion, she told me that she entered the academy basically because she had seen me in some interviews, in some of the newspaper articles there, and according to what she told me, that was her inspiration. She saw my story and that’s why she chose to go to flight school.” Maj. Tejada is aware that being a role model carries with it some responsibility. “It’s a huge challenge because, as a woman and as a pioneer — and even if you’re not a pioneer in something — as a woman, you know that you are always being watched to see how well or how poorly you do things. So for me, this is a huge challenge and a great responsibility to have chosen this, and I have taken it on as such.” Even though Maj. Tejada had to adapt to life in an almost entirely male environment, that environment has also adapted to her, and to the new reality of coexisting in a military where women and men develop equally, according to their professional abilities. “The men have also had to learn how to coexist with me in the squadron, because all this time they’ve been used to being among men, and suddenly I come in and… They also had to adapt to the change, changing many things.” But given our adaptability as human beings, this process ran its course and soon her peers began to see her for who she was, just another colleague in the squadron. “I think it’s also been a huge challenge for the men, but thank God I’ve had their support,” she says. “I haven’t felt any discrimination for being a woman, not at all. My peers have always supported me in whatever I’ve needed, so I think we’ve been overcoming this situation in the best way.” Since her graduation and commission as a FAD officer, Maj. Tejada has continued specializing in her field and developing in her career through courses taught in her country and internationally. She has also shared her knowledge with others as an instructor. For example, she is an instructor specialized in the airplane that she graduated from flight school on, the T-35B Pillán. She is also the first Dominican woman to pilot the A-29 Súper Tucano, a light attack fighter that is in high demand in Latin America and other regions for its ease of use in air patrols. In the Dominican Republic, the Súper Tucano is instrumental in Air Force programs for defending sovereign air space and interdiction. That was how one day Maj. Tejada got the news that after an arduous selection and qualification process based on her knowledge, experience, and rank, she had been chosen from among three finalists to report to IAAFA’s 318th Training Squadron as a guest instructor for two years – 2015 to 2017. “This really feels like the most wonderful experience I’ve had in my career. I’m learning a lot. I’ve been here for seven months now, and trust me, I feel like a completely different person than when I arrived, both personally and professionally,” she told Diálogo in May 2016 during our visit to IAAFA. “I have grown personally, as I’ve had to be independent and look after myself since I live alone. Coming to a country that’s not your own, with the language barrier, hasn’t been easy. But I’ve found support from people — and from my colleagues as well, thank God. They’ve really supported me here.” In addition to her presence at the academy serving to foster the inclusion of women and their role in armed forces throughout the Americas, Maj. Tejada also teaches a course on instrument flight procedures to students from several nations across the two continents. “When we’re in the classroom, we see how in one country they use a procedure that is slightly different from what they use in another country. So all of this knowledge blends together and you reach a level of perfection in a given area. It’s important that we learn from other countries.” Under her command, the students learn, for instance, how to fly a plane using only their instruments in the event that a storm does not allow them to fly as they normally would, with a clear view of the environment around them — a practice that requires a far more demanding skill level than in regular flights. For her role at IAAFA, Maj. Tejada earned the Partner Nation Instructor of the Class Award for August-December 2016. “The award recognizes the partner nation instructor and their stellar teaching skills,” U.S. Air Force Colonel Monica Partridge, IAAFA commandant, told Diálogo. “Maj. Tejada has been a vital addition to our instructor cadre,” she highlighted. “[She] continues to help improve our course content and the level of flying instruction the academy provides to our partner nation students.” This cultural and international exchange is also instrumental in developing shared learning. “When you teach, you also learn by exchanging knowledge from different countries. I’m delighted to be teaching students from different countries in Latin America, and it’s an exchange of knowledge, both with the students and with my fellow instructors — between where I’m from and the culture of the United States itself. That’s why I think this has been, without a doubt, the most wonderful experience that I’ve had in my military career.” Maj. Tejada’s experience as an IAAFA guest instructor is not only a goal post in her own military career, but it is also seen as an important precedent for future female pilots in the Dominican Republican and throughout the world. “I think [this experience] is going to change me in a positive way, from the growth that I feel on a professional and personal level. I know that this knowledge that I am learning here at IAAFA is something that I will transmit to others in my country. I’m going to be able to be a communicator of what I’ve learned, and it’s not only going to help me, but it will also help my peers back home and future generations whom it will be up to me to teach when I return to my country.” When her IAAFA assignment ends towards the end of 2017, Maj. Tejada will return to the Dominican Republic with an array of lessons learned through this opportunity. She will continue her career as an instructor, a vocation through which she will be able to impart new knowledge to new generations of Dominican pilots. “Before I came here, I was already an instructor. But now I’m leaving with new knowledge. My hope is to continue learning and to continue teaching as well.” read more

Rules for using senior judges as mediators Rules for using senior judges as mediators The Committee on Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules and Policy has submitted to the Supreme Court the committee’s final report on senior judges as mediators. The report addresses whether senior judges should be allowed to serve as mediators, and if so, under what conditions. The report also contains proposed amendments to the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration, the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure, the Florida Rules for Certified and Court-Appointed Mediators, the Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, and the Code of Judicial Conduct that the committee believes will be needed if the recommendations contained in the report are approved by the court. The court invites all interested persons to comment on the committee’s proposals. The proposed amendments are reproduced below, as well as online, along with the full report, at www.floridasupremecourt.org/decisions/proposed.shtml. An original and nine paper copies of all comments must be filed with the court on or before March 17, with a certificate of service verifying that a copy has been served on the committee chair, Judge Shawn Lee Briese, 125 East Orange Avenue, Suite 106, Daytona Beach 32114-4420, as well as a separate request for oral argument if the person filing the comment wishes to participate in oral argument, which may be scheduled in this case. Electronic copies of all comments also must be filed in accordance with the court’s administrative order In Re: Mandatory Submission of Electronic Copies of Documents, Fla. Admin. Order No. AOSC04-84 (Sept. 13, 2004). Please label envelope to avoid erasure. IN THE SUPREME COURT OF FLORIDA IN RE: REPORT OF THE ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION RULES AND POLICY COMMITTEE ON SENIOR JUDGES AS MEDIATORS, CASE NO. SC04-2482 Florida Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 1.720. Mediation Procedures (a) – (e) [No change] (f) Appointment of the Mediator. (1) Within 10 days of the order of referral, the parties may agree upon a stipulation with the court designating: (A) a certified mediator; or (B) a mediator , other than a senior judge, who does not meet the certification requirements of these rules is not certified as a mediator but who, in the opinion of the parties and upon review by the presiding judge, is otherwise qualified by training or experience to mediate all or some of the issues in the particular case. (2) – (3) [No change] (g) [No change] Florida Rules of Judicial Administration Rule 2.030 The Supreme Court (a) Internal Government. (1) –(2) [No change] (3) Administration. (A) The chief justice may, either upon request or when otherwise necessary for the prompt dispatch of business in the courts of this state, temporarily assign justices of the supreme court, judges of the district courts of appeal, circuit judges, and judges of county courts to any court for which they are qualified to serve. Any consenting retired justice or judge may be assigned to judicial service and receive compensation as provided by law. (B) For the purpose of judicial administration, a “retired judge” is defined as a judge not engaged in the practice of law who has been a judicial officer of this state. A retired judge shall comply with all requirements that the supreme court deems necessary relating to the recall of retired judges. (C) When a judge who is eligible to draw retirement compensation has entered the private practice of law, the judge may be eligible for recall to judicial service upon cessation of the private practice of law and approval of the judge’s application to the court. The application shall state the period of time the judge has not engaged in the practice of law, and must be approved by the court before the judge shall be eligible for recall to judicial service. (D) A “senior judge” is a retired judge certified by the Supreme Court as eligible to serve serving on assignment to temporary judicial duty may be referred to as a “senior judge.”. This designation is honorary and has no effect on the responsibilities or conduct of the retired judge. (4) [No change] (b) – (g) [No change] Rule 2.150 Continuing Judicial Education (a) [No change] (b) Education Requirements. (1) Applicability. All Florida county, circuit, and appellate judges and Florida supreme court justices shall comply with these judicial education requirements. Retired judges who have been approved by the supreme court to be assigned to temporary active duty as authorized by section 25.073, Florida Statutes (1991), shall also comply with the judicial education requirement. (2) Minimum Requirements. Each judge and justice shall complete a minimum of 30 credit hours of approved judicial education programs every 3 years. Two must be in the area of judicial ethics. In addition to the 30-hour requirement, every judge new to a level of trial court must complete the Florida Judicial College program in that judge’s first year of judicial service following selection to that level of court; every new appellate court judge or justice must, within 2 years following selection to that level of court, complete an approved appellate-judge program. Credit for teaching a course for which mandatory judicial education credit is available will be allowed on the basis of 2 ½ hours’ credit for each instructional hour taught, up to a maximum of 5 hours per year. (3) Mediation Training . Prior to conducting any mediation, a senior judge shall have completed a minimum of one judicial education course offered by the Florida Court Education Council. The course shall specifically focus on the areas where the Code of Judicial Conduct or the Florida Rules for Certified and Court-Appointed Mediators could be violated. [Note: Revision to rule 2.105(3) should have an effective date 2 years from the adoption of the rule.] (c) – (e) [No change] Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure Rule 8.290. Dependency Mediation (a) – (d) [No change] (e) Appointment of the Mediator. (1) Court Appointment. The court, in the order of referral to mediation, shall appoint a certified mediator selected by rotation or by such other procedures as may be adopted by administrative order of the chief judge in the circuit in which the action is pending. (2) Party Stipulation. Within 10 days of the filing of the order of referral to mediation, the parties may agree upon a stipulation with the court designating: (A) another certified mediator of dependency matters to replace the one selected by the judge; or (B) a mediator , other than a senior judge, who does not meet the certification requirements of these rules is not certified as a mediator but who, in the opinion of the parties and upon review by the presiding judge, is otherwise qualified by training or experience to mediate all or some of the issues in the particular case. (f) – (q) [No change] Committee Notes [No change] Florida Rules for Certified and Court-Appointed Mediators Rule 10.100 General Qualifications (a) – (d) [No change] (e) Senior Judges Serving as Mediators . A senior judge may serve as a mediator in a court-ordered mediation only if certified by the Florida Supreme Court as a mediator for that type of mediation. (e) (f) Referral for Discipline. If the certification or licensure necessary for any person to be certified as a family or circuit mediator is suspended or revoked, or if the mediator holding such certification or licensure is in any other manner disciplined, such matter shall be referred to the Mediator Qualifications Board for appropriate action pursuant to rule 10.800. (f) (g) Special Conditions. Mediators who have been duly certified as circuit court or family mediators before July 1, 1990, shall be deemed qualified as circuit court or family mediators pursuant to these rules. Certified family mediators who have mediated a minimum of 4 dependency cases prior to July 1, 1997, shall be granted temporary certification and may continue to mediate dependency matters for no more than 1 year from the time that a training program pursuant to subdivision (d)(1)(B) is certified by the supreme court. Such mediators shall be deemed qualified to apply for certification as dependency mediators upon successful completion of the requirements of subdivision (d)(1)(B) and (d)(5) of this rule. Rule 10.340 Conflicts of Interest (a) – (d) [No change] (e) Senior Judge. If a mediator who is a senior judge has presided over a case involving any party, attorney, or law firm in the mediation, the mediator shall disclose such fact prior to mediation. A mediator shall not serve as a mediator in any case in which s/he is currently presiding as a senior judge. Absent express consent of the parties, a mediator shall not serve as a senior judge over any case involving any party, attorney, or law firm that is utilizing or has utilized the judge as a mediator within the previous three years. Family Law Rules of Procedure Rule 12.741(b) (a) [No change] (b) General Procedures. (1) – (5) [No change] (6) Appointment of the Mediator. (A) Within 10 days of the order of referral, the parties may agree upon a stipulation with the court designating: (i) a certified mediator; or (ii) a mediator , other than a senior judge, who does not meet the certification requirements of these rules is not certified as a mediator but who, in the opinion of the parties and upon review by the presiding judge, is otherwise qualified by training or experience to mediate all or some of the issues in the particular case. (B) – (C) [No change] Commentary [No change] Code of Judicial Conduct Canon 5 A Judge Shall Regulate Extrajudicial Activities to Minimize the Risk of Conflict With Judicial Duties A – E [No change] F. Service as Arbitrator or Mediator. (1) A judge shall not act as an arbitrator or mediator or otherwise perform judicial functions in a private capacity unless expressly authorized by law or Court rule. A judge may, however, take the necessary educational and training courses required to be a qualified and certified arbitrator or mediator, and may fulfill the requirements of observing and conducting actual arbitration or mediation proceedings as part of the certification process, provided such program does not, in any way, interfere with the performance of the judge’s judicial duties. (2) A senior judge may serve as a mediator in any case in which the senior judge is not presiding, only if the senior judge is certified pursuant to rule 10.100, Florida Rules for Certified and Court-Appointed Mediators. Such senior judge may be associated with entities that are solely engaged in offering mediation or other alternative dispute resolution services but that are not otherwise engaged in the practice of law. However, such senior judge may in no other way advertise, solicit business, associate with a law firm, or participate in any other activity that directly or indirectly promotes his or her mediation services. A senior judge shall disclose if the judge is being utilized or has been utilized as a mediator by any party, attorney, or law firm involved in the case pending before the senior judge. Absent express consent of all parties, a senior judge is prohibited from presiding over any case involving any party, attorney, or law firm that is utilizing or has utilized the judge as a mediator within the previous three years. A senior judge shall not serve as a mediator in any case in which the judge is currently presiding. A senior judge shall disclose any negotiations or agreements for the provision of mediation services between the senior judge and any of the parties or counsel to the case. G. [No change] COMMENTARY Canon 5A. [No change] Canon 5B. [No change] Canon 5C(1). [No change] Canon 5C(2). [No change] Canon 5C(3). [No change] Canon 5C(3)(a). [No change] Canon 5C(3)(b). [No change] Canon 5D(1). [No change] Canon 5D(2). [No change] Canon 5D(3). [No change] Canon 5D(5). [No change] Canon 5D(5)(a). [No change] Canon 5D(5)(d). [No change] Canon 5D(5)(h). [No change] Canon 5E(3). [No change] Canon 5F (1) . Section 5F (1) does not prohibit a judge from participating in arbitration, mediation or settlement conferences performed as part of judicial duties. An active judge may take the necessary education and training programs to be certified or qualified as a mediator or arbitrator, but this shall not be a part of the judge’s judicial duties. While such a course will allow a judge to have a better understanding of the arbitration and mediation process, the certification and qualification of a judge as a mediator or arbitrator is primarily for the judge’s personal benefit. While actually participating in the mediation and arbitration training activities, care must be taken in the selection of both cases and locations so as to guarantee that there is no interference or conflict between the training and the judge’s judicial responsibilities. Indeed, the training should be conducted in such a manner as to avoid the involvement of persons likely to appear before the judge in legal proceedings. Canon 5F(2). The purpose of these admonitions is to ensure that the senior judge’s impartiality is not subject to question. Although a senior judge may act as a mediator or arbitrator, attention must be given to relationships with lawyers and law firms which may require disclosure or disqualification. These provisions are intended to prohibit a senior judge from soliciting lawyers to use his or her mediation services when those lawyers are or may be before the judge in proceedings where the senior judge is acting in a judicial capacity. Canon 5G. [No change] Application Section This Code applies to justices of the Supreme Court and judges of the District Courts of Appeal, Circuit Courts, and County Courts. Anyone, whether or not a lawyer, who performs judicial functions, including but not limited to a magistrate, court commissioner, special master, general master, domestic relations commissioner, child support hearing officer, or judge of compensation claims, shall, while performing judicial functions, conform with Canons 1, 2A, and 3, and such other provisions of this Code that might reasonably be applicable depending on the nature of the judicial function performed. Any judge responsible for a person who performs a judicial function should require compliance with the applicable provisions of this Code. If the hiring or appointing authority for persons who perform a judicial function is not a judge then that authority should adopt the applicable provisions of this Code. A. Traffic Magistrate [No change] B. Retired/Senior Judge (1) A retired judge certified by the Supreme Court of Florida as eligible to serve on assignment to temporary judicial duty, hereinafter referred to as “senior judge,” shall who has retired from judicial service and who has complied with the procedures established by the Supreme Court of Florida so as to be eligible for recall to judicial service, should comply with all the provisions of this Code except Sections 5C(2), 5E, 5F (1), and 6A. A senior judge retired judge who is subject to recall shall not practice law and shall refrain from accepting any assignment in any cause in which the judge’s present financial business dealings, investments, or other extra-judicial activities might be directly or indirectly affected. A retired judge who is subject to recall may serve as a mediator, may place his or her name on the mediator master list maintained by the chief judge, and may be associated with entities that are solely engaged in offering mediation or other alternative dispute resolution services but that are not otherwise engaged in the practice of law. However, such judge may in no other way advertise, solicit business, associate with a law firm, or participate in any other activity that directly or indirectly promotes his or her mediation services. A retired judge assigned to adjudicate a case shall disclose any negotiations or agreements for the provision of mediation services between the judge and any of the parties or counsel to the case. The purpose of these admonitions is to ensure that the senior judge’s impartiality is not subject to question. (2) If a retired justice or judge does not desire to be assigned to judicial service, such justice or judge who is a member of The Florida Bar may engage in the practice of law and still be entitled to receive retirement compensation. The justice or judge shall then be entitled to all the rights of an attorney-at-law and no longer be subject to this Code. Commentary Section A. [No change] Section B. Although a retired judge subject to recall may act as a mediator or arbitrator, attention must be given to relationships with lawyers and law firms which may require disclosure or disqualification. See Canon 5D(1). This provision is intended to prohibit a senior judge from soliciting lawyers to use his or her mediation services when those lawyers are or may be before the judge in proceedings where the senior judge is acting in a judicial capacity. If a senior judge is rendering mediation services for compensation in civil personal injury matters, he or she should not accept a judicial assignment for that type of case in the same court where the senior judge is mediating those cases. On the other hand, the senior judge could be assigned judicial duties in other jurisdictions of that same court, e.g., criminal, family law, or probate matters, or be assigned as a senior judge in other geographic areas in which the judge does not conduct mediation proceedings. February 15, 2005 Regular News read more

Juventus and Italy defender Daniele Rugani tested positive for the COVID-19 virus on Wednesday, although the club said he was not exhibiting any symptoms.”The players, members of staff and all those who came into contact (with Rugani) are in voluntary isolation. Ronaldo… is in Madeira and is staying there until further notice,” the Serie A club told AFP.Ronaldo travelled to his home town of Madeira last week to visit his mother who suffered a stroke.”The player visited his mother because the health services were able to guarantee all the safety conditions, for him but also for everyone who has been in contact with him,” said Ramos.Portugal on Wednesday suspended flights to and from Italy until March 24 due to the coronavirus pandemic.Portuguese health authorities on Thursday reported a total of 78 infections in the country.Topics : Cristiano Ronaldo has been in quarantine in Madeira for several days but is not showing any symptoms of the coronavirus contracted by a Juventus team-mate, local authorities in Portugal said Thursday.”Ronaldo left Italy a few days ago and his isolation hasn’t just started now,” said Pedro Ramos, a member of the Madeira regional government in charge of health.”Both the athlete and his family are symptomless,” he added during a news conference. read more

Danny Murphy rates Manchester United and Arsenal’s top-four chances ahead of Premier League restart Advertisement Metro Sport ReporterSunday 14 Jun 2020 9:51 amShare this article via facebookShare this article via twitterShare this article via messengerShare this with Share this article via emailShare this article via flipboardCopy link934Shares Danny Murphy has rated Man United and Arsenal’s top-four chances (Picture: Getty)‘As the best possession team in Europe, they’ll have no problem rediscovering their rhythm.‘When Kevin De Bruyne is on the ball I just wait to be wowed but Pep Guardiola has gifted, technical players all over the pitch.‘The top four looks beyond Mikel Arteta’s side and while he will have inside knowledge on how Guardiola prepares, the gap looks too great for Arsenal to cause an upset.’Manchester United and Arsenal finished sixth and fifth respectively in the Premier League last season.More: FootballRio Ferdinand urges Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to drop Manchester United starChelsea defender Fikayo Tomori reveals why he made U-turn over transfer deadline day moveMikel Arteta rates Thomas Partey’s chances of making his Arsenal debut vs Man CityFollow Metro Sport across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.For more stories like this, check our sport page.MORE: Manchester United clear path for Chelsea to secure Kai Havertz transferMORE: Ex-Arsenal star Aaron Ramsey offered to rivals Tottenham in shock loan move Man Utd and Arsenal are bidding to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League (Picture: Getty)Danny Murphy has backed Manchester United to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League when the season resumes but says the Champions League places are likely ‘beyond’ Arsenal.The 2019-20 season will resume on Wednesday night following a lengthy break due to the coronavirus pandemic, with relegation-battlers Aston Villa facing Sheffield United and Arsenal visiting defending champions Manchester City.Mikel Arteta’s Gunners are currently ninth in the English top-flight and will need to overtake Tottenham, Sheffield United, Wolves, Manchester United and Chelsea to qualify for next season’s Champions League.United have endured another mixed season under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but are just three points behind fourth-placed Chelsea and have been backed to enjoy a productive run when the Premier League resumes.AdvertisementAdvertisementADVERTISEMENT‘[Manchester United forward] Marcus Rashford is the player I am most excited to see and I believe could make the biggest difference,’ Murphy wrote in a column for MailSport.‘If he hits the form he showed before injuring his back in January, Manchester United can qualify for the Champions League. He was in the best form of his life.’Looking ahead to Arsenal’s trip to Manchester City on Wednesday, Murphy added: ‘If City slip up, Liverpool could win the title at Everton on Sunday.  But I can’t see it. Advertisement Comment read more

Metro Sport ReporterFriday 19 Jun 2020 6:57 pmShare this article via facebookShare this article via twitterShare this article via messengerShare this with Share this article via emailShare this article via flipboardCopy link12.9kShares Advertisement Arsenal complete £14m deal to sign Pablo Mari permanently Comment Mari has played just three times for Arsenal (Picture: Getty)The Spaniard could be one of a select few of summer signings with Arsenal chiefs telling Arteta the coronavirus pandemic will have a big effect on their spending power.Despite the signing of Mari, Arsenal are facing an injury crisis in defence after David Luiz was sent off during the defeat to City.Luiz replaced Mari in the game, but last just 25 minutes before he was shown a straight red card for giving away a penalty.MORE: Pablo Mari ruled out of Arsenal’s season with ankle injuryMORE: Charlie Nicholas urges Mikel Arteta to sell ten Arsenal stars including Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang & David LuizFollow Metro Sport across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Mari will miss the rest of the season (Picture: Getty)Arsenal have signed Pablo Mari on a permanent transfer from Flamengo, according to reports.The centre-back was signed on loan from the Brazilian side in January as cover in defence, but has featured just three times for the Gunners.Mari started against Manchester City on Wednesday night, but lasted just 24 minutes before hobbling off with an ankle injury.The defender will miss the rest of the rescheduled 2019/20 season due to the injury, but reports in Brazil claim Arsenal have taken up the option to sign Mari permanently.ADVERTISEMENTColuna Do Fla say the deal is completely and will cost the Gunners up to £14m.AdvertisementAdvertisementArsenal have already paid Flamengo a £4.5m loan fee and decided in January they would make the deal permanent in the summer.Mari is Arteta’s first permanent signing after being reduced to loan deals last January. Advertisement read more

Governor Wolf, First Lady Frances Wolf, Lt. Gov. Fetterman Light the Capitol Christmas Tree Holidays,  Press Release Governor Tom Wolf, First Lady Frances Wolf and Lt. Gov. John Fetterman and his family joined hundreds of people in the state Capitol Rotunda today to celebrate the holidays with the 2019 Capitol Tree Lighting Ceremony.“The Capitol Christmas tree stands as a symbol of hope and the holiday spirit and will be enjoyed by thousands of visitors for weeks to come,” said Governor Wolf. “This is a wonderful time of year to come together with family and friends to celebrate the season. Let us reflect on our blessings and everything the holidays have to offer.”The tree is an 18-foot Douglas fir from Crystal Spring Tree Farm in Lehighton, Carbon County. It is decorated with more than 900 LED lights and more than 1,600 handmade ornaments donated by students and seniors throughout the commonwealth coordinated by Pre-K for PA and the Department of Aging.The governor was joined by Department of General Services Secretary Curt Topper and Bishop Audrey Scanlan of the Central Pennsylvania Episcopal Diocese. The Bishop McDevitt Chorale performed several Christmas carols and Santa Claus made an appearance. Dozens of preschool children from Crispus Attucks Early Learning Center and the Bank Street Center of Capital Area Head Start and Keystone Human Services joined in the holiday celebration.“Early childhood education helps Pennsylvania parents maximize the impact of the first five years of life when 90 percent of a child’s brain development occurs,” said Jen DeBell, acting Executive Director, Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children. “While access to pre-k has increased dramatically under the leadership of Governor Tom Wolf, tens of thousands of young children still do not have access to these high-quality early learning opportunities. Our holiday wish remains that even more children gain access in the coming years.”In addition to the Rotunda Tree, there is a 20-foot Douglas fir on the Capitol steps and a 15-foot Douglas fir in Soldiers’ Grove.The Rotunda tree will be lit daily from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., while the Capitol steps and Soldiers’ Grove trees will be lit daily from 5:00 p.m. to midnight. All trees will be lit daily through the week of January 6, 2020. December 09, 2019 SHARE Email Facebook Twitter read more