; Credit: John Rabe

Dear Off-Ramp fans,

What is a blog, after all? Words and images.

And what is a radio story on the web? Words, images, and sound.

Can't they live together in harmony? We say YES.

And with that in mind, we're killing the Off-Ramp blog page.  

But don't fear; we're not cutting back on content: everything that would have found a home here - Marc Haefele's art reviews, recommendations for fun events, etc. -- will now be on the regular web page of the Off-Ramp radio show. 

All the old blog entries will continue to stay on this page as an archive, like Catherine Deneuve's fading vampire lovers in The Hunger.

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

Newly elected Senate Republican leader John Thune (R-S.D.) reiterated his openness on Wednesday to potentially allowing recess appointments to skirt around the traditional confirmation process and quickly install President-elect Trump’s […]

The 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) has unveiled its main competition lineup, with 15 features vying for the Golden Peacock award carrying an INR4 million ($47,000) prize purse, notably featuring nine films directed by women. Among the world premieres are Manijeh Hekmat and Faeze Azizkhani’s Iranian drama “Fear & Trembling,” exploring an older […]

The billionaire hedge funder sold two luxury condos for $19 million after paying about $37 million. He's going all in on Florida real estate instead.

Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong says the team can expect a difficult duel against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic. The Super Eagles will be up against their neighbours in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matchday five encounter at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan on Thursday (today). Benin Republic claimed a famous 2-1 […]

AFCON 2026Q: Benin Republic will be difficult, Super Eagles will conquer – Troost-Ekong

Auction process for private FMs to be completed soon

UK-based Marygold & Co. has...

The Princess of Wales will host her Christmas carol concert this year, reflecting on "how much we need each other, especially in the most difficult times of our lives".

Mark Morales-Smith discusses the Fantasy Football impact of the Cleveland Browns' most recent signing of QB Robert Griffin III.

Our unwillingness to have productive difficult conversations and deal with conflict is at the root of so many issues in our churches, ministries, and lives. This week on Stewardship Calling, Bill and his guest Dr. Mitch Owen will tackle these critical issues. Dr. Owen is the creator of the Elusive Leadership Model for high-performance teams. He is also professionally certified and administers many assessment instruments for professional development, executive coaching, management training, team effectiveness and organization development. Dr. Owen has decades of experience addressing conflict in non-profit organizations, helping them become more effective and collegial, and guiding their leaders to perform at higher levels of excellence. He and Bill explore how and why these issues arise, and we will share specific and helpful strategies and solutions to these challenges. Listen for Part 2 on May 5, 2021.

In Part 2 of their series on difficult conversations, Dr. Mitch Owen and Bill Marianes delve more deeply into some successful strategies and examples of how to have increasingly productive difficult conversations.

Join Michael in a discussion about prayerful and practical ways to frame our understanding in regard to our difficulties and setbacks, and deal with them in a spiritually healthy way.

Join Michael in a discussion of the difficulty of getting out of our own heads, the cultural and spiritual challenges that perpetuate this, and leaning to live our faith through our hearts and not just our minds.

Fr. Nicholas and Dr. Roxanne Louh have found that relationship issues are common to all of us and tonight they tackle the problem again. Great interaction on the phone with callers and in the chat room. You don't want to miss this episode.

Fr. John Oliver asks difficult questions in the wake of the death of Osama Bin Laden.

Dn. Michael takes a break from his "in But Not Of" series to discuss different aspects of Christian living. This week he addresses reconciliation.

Christ walking on the water is often portrayed as a demonstration of His power over creation. But Fr Thomas reminds us that even though the storms of this life are always present, Jesus uses this difficult circumstance to remind his disciples that He is always with those who love Him and that they should never fear. (Ninth Sunday after Pentecost)

On the fourth Sunday of Lent, the Church presents the Gospel reading of the healing of the demon possessed boy, and we also commemorate St John of "The Ladder." Fr Thomas teaches us that, if we want to spiritually grow, we have to be able to accept God's difficult answers to our ultimate questions.

Everyone has difficulties and problems that they face on a daily basis. Fr Thomas teaches us that in the midst of the storms of life we can experience the "peace from above" which is found only in Christ.

Dr. Daniel Fanous (Taught by God: Making Sense of the Difficult Sayings of Jesus) is Kevin's guest and he addresses the "difficult" sayings and parables of our Lord in the gospels based on his extensive study of the Torah, Mishnah, and the religious and cultural environment of first-century Palestinian Judaism and early Christianity.

Britain's Cameron Norrie will contest his first ATP final since February 2023 after a straight-set victory over Corentin Moutet at the Moselle Open.

Transport Minister Fiona Hyslop says she is pushing ferry operator CalMac to consider "all options" to maintain services.

Ruben Amorim says he is ready to face the challenge of the "difficult" job ahead at Manchester United.

Recently, IEEE 802.16 Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX for short) has provided us with low-cost, high efficiency and high bandwidth network services. However, as with the WiFi, the radio wave transmission also makes the WiMAX face the wireless transmission security problem. To solve this problem, the IEEE802.16Std during its development stage defines the Privacy Key Management (PKM for short) authentication process which offers a one-way authentication. However, using a one-way authentication, an SS may connect to a fake BS. Mutual authentication, like that developed for PKMv2, can avoid this problem. Therefore, in this paper, we propose an authentication key management approach, called Diffie-Hellman-PKDS-based authentication method (DiHam for short), which employs a secret door asymmetric one-way function, Public Key Distribution System (PKDS for short), to improve current security level of facility authentication between WiMAX's BS and SS. We further integrate the PKMv1 and the DiHam into a system, called PKM-DiHam (P-DiHam for short), in which the PKMv1 acts as the authentication process, and the DiHam is responsible for key management and delivery. By transmitting securely protected and well-defined parameters for SS and BS, the two stations can mutually authenticate each other. Messages including those conveying user data and authentication parameters can be then more securely delivered.

The Pirate Bay made its debut as a TV series on the Swedish streaming platform SVT Play earlier today. International viewers are left waiting until other services pick it up. In the meantime, some may be tempted to explore unofficial channels for pirated copies of the show. But finding a pirated copy is proving surprisingly difficult.

From: TF, for the latest news on copyright battles, piracy and more.

For the purposes of this article, I will confine my selection of violin works to the Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods of music. Once you ... Read more

The post 4 Hardest Violin Pieces Ever Written (Most Difficult Violin Pieces) appeared first on CMUSE.

Chris Sherwood says the charity’s public profile can make it feel like a ‘goldfish bowl’

The youth cancer charity's report drew praise from around the sector last year, but it left it with a challenge: how to make it even better

Bowel Cancer UK is no stranger to making fundraising asks of people in difficult circumstances. With so many potential supporters struggling financially this year, Rebecca Cooney asks how charities should handle these conversations

In Concord-native Meredith Tate’s new novel, a young woman is kidnapped after a drug deal goes badly. To summon help, she has an out-of-body experience. Her quest to give her sister clues about where she is and how she got there serves as the central action of the book, which is called The Last Confession of Autumn Casterly. Tate spoke about it with NHPR's Peter Biello.

The finale of the 2013 Americana Music Association Honors and Awards show.; Credit: Folk Alley

The 2014 Americana Music Awards are Wednesday at 5 p.m. Pacific/8 p.m. Eastern. You can watch the full show live from the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. below, including performances by Loretta Lynn, Jackson Browne, Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin and more.

Read a full list of the nominees below:

Album of the Year

• Build Me Up From Bones by Sarah Jarosz
• The Lights From The Chemical Plant by Robert Ellis
• The River And The Thread by Rosanne Cash
• Southeastern by Jason Isbell

Artist of the Year

• Rosanne Cash
• Rodney Crowell
• Robert Ellis
• Jason Isbell

Duo/Group of the Year

• The Avett Brothers
• The Devil Makes Three
• Hard Working Americans
• Lake Street Dive
• The Milk Carton Kids

Song of the Year

• "Cover Me Up" by Jason Isbell
• "A Feather's Not A Bird" by Rosanne Cash
• "Ohio" by Patty Griffin
• "Only Lies" by Robert Ellis

Emerging Act of the Year

• Hurray For The Riff Raff
• Parker Millsap
• St. Paul & The Broken Bones

Many organizations suffer from performance deviation despite their best efforts.

Griffin & Reed Eye Care began serving the Sacramento area in 1974

Jamie A. Griffith is the founder and CEO of Echelon Search Partners, an executive search and HR consulting firm for health systems, health plans and digital health organizations.

Work is challenging for lots of reasons, but most of us have probably come to realize that what makes or break a professional experience is people - and sometimes we encounter a boss, peer, or direct report that isn’t at all fun to work with. Amy Gallo is a contributing editor at HBR, and author of the book "Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone, Even Difficult People" and the HBR article “How to Navigate Conflict with a Coworker.” She shares some of the best ways to deal with these kinds of colleagues – how to identify them, engage with them, and manage yourself through the conflict.

TORONTO – The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) today released the results of a study examining the influence of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors on retail investor decision making.

"A desperate call for help interrupts holiday celebrations at the Bureau of Balance, and sends Taako, Magnus and Merle on a high-stakes mission to find and reclaim a fourth deadly relic: a powerful transmutation stone, hidden somewhere in the depths of a floating arcane laboratory that's home to the Doctors Maureen and Lucas Miller. An unknown menace has seized control of the stone, and is using it to transform the lab into a virulent pink crystal that spreads to everything it touches. It's only a matter of time before this sparkling disaster crash-lands, but in order to find the stone and save the whole planet from being King Midased, our heroes will have to fight their way through a gauntlet of rowdy robots and crystal golems, decide whether they can trust the evasive Lucas Miller, and solve the mystery of what— or who— has put them all in peril, before there's no world left to save." -- Provided by publisher

From #1 New York Times bestselling authors W.E.B. Griffin and William E. Butterworth IV comes the first Clandestine Operations novel-featuring a new kind of threat and a different breed of warrior. In the first weeks after World War II, James D. Cronley, Jr., is recruited for a new enterprise that will eventually be transformed into something called the CIA. For a new war has already begun against an enemy that is bigger, smarter, and more vicious: the Soviet Union. The Soviets have hit the ground running, and Cronley's job is to help frustrate them, harass them, and spy on them any way he can. But his first assignment might be his last. He's got only seven days to extract a vital piece of information from a Soviet agent, and he's already managed to rile up his superior officers. If he fails now, his intelligence career could be the shortest in history. Because there are enemies everywhere-and, as Cronley is about to find out, some of them wear the same uniform he does...

We experience magic in different forms. This episode is hosted by Moth director Jodi Powell.

Storytellers:

Micaela Blei becomes friends with a magician and wants something more.

Anthony Griffith navigates life with his single mom.

Emotions are running raw during the pandemic. How should we manage our difficult feelings, especially at work?

When you’re in the middle of a conflict, it’s common to automatically enter a “fight or flight” mentality, but it’s possible to interrupt this response and clear a path towards a more productive discussion.

Easy ain’t easy. Sounds like something said by cultural catchphrase artist and legendary baseball player Yogi Berra, but it sums up a conversation I had at a recent tradeshow in Atlanta.

Washington, D.C. -- David Griffin, president and CEO of Griffin Communications, has been named to the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Television Board of Directors by Television Board Chair Perry Sook in accordance with NAB by-laws. The appointment is effective immediately.

BELGRADE, 8 April 2016 - On the occasion of International Roma Day, the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia, the United Nations Country Team in Serbia, the OSCE Mission to Serbia and the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade reaffirm our strong commitment to equality and non-discrimination.

Today, the Romani community, Europe's largest ethnic minority, still experiences multiple discrimination and marginalisation in countries throughout Europe, including Serbia.  Roma remain one of the most vulnerable groups; they continue to face difficult living conditions and discrimination in access to social protection, health, employment and adequate housing, as stated in reports by both relevant international mechanisms and independent bodies of the Republic of Serbia.

Thousands of Roma represent the most vulnerable and marginalised among the population of internally displaced, still facing obstacles in accessing rights and durable solutions.

International and European human rights standards clearly provide for equality before the law and prohibit discrimination on all grounds, including ethnicity. The realisation of Roma inclusion will reinforce everyday democracy and the rule of law. It is the only way to reach a society based on the principle of equality of opportunity where everyone has the right to participate and to be heard.

On this day, we therefore call on all relevant stakeholders to pursue with determination 
Roma inclusion policies in Serbia, pursuant to the recent adoption of a new Strategy of Social Inclusion of Roma for the Period from 2015-2025 and the Action Plan for Realization of Rights of National Minorities by the Government of Serbia.

The Delegation of the European Union, the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade, the OSCE Mission to Serbia and the United Nations Country Team in Serbia remain committed to improving the lives of Roma in Serbia and  ensuring that their fundamental rights are respected, and to supporting our Serbian partners in this endeavour.

International Roma Day is celebrated annually on April 8, in commemoration of the 1971 founding of the International Romani Union, the first major international Romani civic initiative.

Statistical information on Roma in Serbia

• 90% of children in Roma settlements are growing up in poverty. The infant and under-5 mortality rate is two times higher than that of the general population, 15% of Roma children are born with low birth weights, one fifth is malnourished and only 13% are fully immunized.
• Romani children continue to face discrimination in the education system. Only 6% of children from Roma settlements attend early learning programs, only 64% finish primary school on time, and  only 22% attend secondary school (of whom only 15% are girls).
• Romani women and girls face multi-sectoral discrimination, as well as heightened barriers of access to services, including services for victims of violence.    Early, arranged marriage remains an issue in some segments of Serbia’s Romani communities, with very destructive consequences for – in particular – the child bride.

For more information & media inquiries please contact:

Aleksandra Stamenkovic, United Nations Country Team Communications Expert, email: aleksandra.stamenkovic@one.un.org, Phone +381 11 415 5314

Nadezda Dramicanin, Delegation of the EU to Serbia Communications Officer, e-mail: Nadezda.DRAMICANIN@eeas.europa.eu, Phone: +381 11 3083 200

Ivana Milatovic, OSCE National Political and Press Affairs Officer, e-mail: ppiu-serbia@osce.org, Phone +381 11 3606 151

Mona Alghaith, Council of Europe Office, Assistant to the Head of Office, e-mail: mona.alghaith@coe.int, Phone. +381 11 71 555 00

Related Stories

• EU Delegation, OSCE Mission, closely following situation in Serbia’s public service broadcasters
• We Are Here Together - European Support to Roma Inclusion
• OSCE Mission to Serbia, ODIHR and civil society partners to follow election of judges to High Judicial Council

BELGRADE, 8 April 2016 - On the occasion of International Roma Day, the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia, the United Nations Country Team in Serbia, the OSCE Mission to Serbia and the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade reaffirm our strong commitment to equality and non-discrimination.

Today, the Romani community, Europe's largest ethnic minority, still experiences multiple discrimination and marginalisation in countries throughout Europe, including Serbia.  Roma remain one of the most vulnerable groups; they continue to face difficult living conditions and discrimination in access to social protection, health, employment and adequate housing, as stated in reports by both relevant international mechanisms and independent bodies of the Republic of Serbia.

Thousands of Roma represent the most vulnerable and marginalised among the population of internally displaced, still facing obstacles in accessing rights and durable solutions.

International and European human rights standards clearly provide for equality before the law and prohibit discrimination on all grounds, including ethnicity. The realisation of Roma inclusion will reinforce everyday democracy and the rule of law. It is the only way to reach a society based on the principle of equality of opportunity where everyone has the right to participate and to be heard.

On this day, we therefore call on all relevant stakeholders to pursue with determination 
Roma inclusion policies in Serbia, pursuant to the recent adoption of a new Strategy of Social Inclusion of Roma for the Period from 2015-2025 and the Action Plan for Realization of Rights of National Minorities by the Government of Serbia.

The Delegation of the European Union, the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade, the OSCE Mission to Serbia and the United Nations Country Team in Serbia remain committed to improving the lives of Roma in Serbia and  ensuring that their fundamental rights are respected, and to supporting our Serbian partners in this endeavour.

International Roma Day is celebrated annually on April 8, in commemoration of the 1971 founding of the International Romani Union, the first major international Romani civic initiative.

Statistical information on Roma in Serbia

• 90% of children in Roma settlements are growing up in poverty. The infant and under-5 mortality rate is two times higher than that of the general population, 15% of Roma children are born with low birth weights, one fifth is malnourished and only 13% are fully immunized.
• Romani children continue to face discrimination in the education system. Only 6% of children from Roma settlements attend early learning programs, only 64% finish primary school on time, and  only 22% attend secondary school (of whom only 15% are girls).
• Romani women and girls face multi-sectoral discrimination, as well as heightened barriers of access to services, including services for victims of violence.    Early, arranged marriage remains an issue in some segments of Serbia’s Romani communities, with very destructive consequences for – in particular – the child bride.

For more information & media inquiries please contact:

Aleksandra Stamenkovic, United Nations Country Team Communications Expert, email: aleksandra.stamenkovic@one.un.org, Phone +381 11 415 5314

Nadezda Dramicanin, Delegation of the EU to Serbia Communications Officer, e-mail: Nadezda.DRAMICANIN@eeas.europa.eu, Phone: +381 11 3083 200

Ivana Milatovic, OSCE National Political and Press Affairs Officer, e-mail: ppiu-serbia@osce.org, Phone +381 11 3606 151

Mona Alghaith, Council of Europe Office, Assistant to the Head of Office, e-mail: mona.alghaith@coe.int, Phone. +381 11 71 555 00

Related Stories

• EU Delegation, OSCE Mission, closely following situation in Serbia’s public service broadcasters
• We Are Here Together - European Support to Roma Inclusion
• More than 1,000 local inspectors in Serbia successfully complete OSCE-supported online training course

Castro Roofing of Texas Chief Revenue Officer Chad Westbrook may be a Young Gun, but he brings 15 years of roofing industry experience to his leadership role.

An alarming 60% of the UK’s retail, hospitality, catering and leisure workers say they have been underpaid, according to new research by workforce management and HR services company UKG. 36% have also experienced late payments, and 23% report not receiving a payslip at all.

Rodents could be used to find illicit goods at airports and harbors in places where dogs can’t easily access.

Parents may worry about connecting with a child who is hard to comfort.

Library - Art Library, Location - LIB, Call number - N7053.H37 A4 2014