It has been a varied and interesting week in the world of social work. These are some of the top stories of the week.
from The New Social Worker Online — the professional social work careers magazine http://ift.tt/2diEPWr
Friday, September 30, 2016
Kenya's Standard Group realigns its strategy for growth
from World News Publishing Focus by WAN-IFRA - World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers http://ift.tt/2drwQFk
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Winners of Digital Media Africa Awards 2016 honoured
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Real World Clinical Blog: Quit Your Social Work Job
Let me be clear - not all social workers should quit their jobs. In fact, some of you are at perfectly stimulating and meaningful jobs. And some of you aren’t.
from The New Social Worker Online — the professional social work careers magazine http://ift.tt/2dD2bG8
from The New Social Worker Online — the professional social work careers magazine http://ift.tt/2dD2bG8
Jewel hunting in Italy: VicenzaOro 2016!
As you may know, I’ve been lucky enough to attend VicenzaOro once before, in January of 2015, and I loved it even more the second time around.
It’s always easy to get more out of an experience when parts of it are familiar: I was able to dive right in instead of needing to figure out the floorplan or determine the best approach. I also didn’t mention this in my last recap, but I was actually recovering from a concussion at VicenzaOro 2015…which did not help my jet lag.
This year, I was wholly healthy and felt fresh as a daisy by the second day. The international press was lucky enough to be hosted in a scenic Italian resort town known for its hot springs, Abano Terme. It was so fun to get a real taste of Italy where I were staying, even though I didn’t have a lot of down time to explore (but I made time for gelato, don’t worry).
So my plan of attack for VicenzaOro the 2nd was to prioritize visiting amazing brands I missed last time, followed by amazing brands I already knew, and then leaving time to wander around discovering new masterpieces.
The #1 brand I regretted missing at the last VicenzaOro was Stefan Hafner. This time, they were my first stop and hooooly moly that was a good decision. Seriously mind-blowing work.
The necklace above was the very first piece of jewelry I touched in Italy. The craftsmanship is incredible; it’s bursting with diamonds but it moves like silk.
If you’ve been with me for a bit, you’ll recognize these earrings:
So fabulous!
I featured these beauties a little while ago, when I shared photos of Stefan Hafner’s Aria collection, and I was so so so excited to finally meet them in person. The colors are magnificent.
International designers can be a little more willing to experiment with color than American designers. That may have more to do with the American consumer, but whatever the reason, I love love loved seeing more color at VicenzaOro than I normally do at shows here.
This incredibly badass ring is by Mattioli, a brand I encountered for the first time at the last VicenzaOro. I spent three days trying to get in and see their jewelry but they were so busy that I didn’t manage it the last 15 minutes of the last day – I caught them in a lull and I was able to see all the pieces I’d been stalking all at once.
This ring is just the coolest thing. The pavilion-up black diamonds, the pop of color…it makes me want to be an evil queen in a fairy tale. Click here for a video.
This Mattioli cuff is a little crazy, but it’s pulling off this pop art vibe in such a luxe way that I couldn’t help but love it. It’s just so fun, with the wood base and the bright enamel lips.
One of my favorite parts of VicenzaOro is that the brands are allowed to completely customize their booths, so walking around feels like seeing lots of tiny boutiques, rather than identical stands with different merchandise. It was so cool, especially for brands I wasn’t familiar with, to be able to experience their visual message from a distance before even seeing their jewelry.
These rings are by a new-to-me discovery, Carlo Barberis. The color of these pieces stopped me in my tracks. I went in and asked to see them, because I thought this was a really cool example of enamel and I was very intrigued by the increase in enamel detailing I’ve been seeing.
But guess what? It’s not enamel. It’s stone.
How freaking cool is that?!?! And how bold, to do a style that takes such serious skill in such wonderfully vivid colors. Here’s another example of this technique on my Instagram, with a pink tourmaline halo. It’s worth a look.
There were a lot of whimsical designs on display at VicenzaOro: flowers, butterflies, stars, dragonflies, that kind of thing. Some of it came across as too cutesy for me (none of the pieces I’m featuring here, obviously) but some of it was pure greatness.
I don’t know if we’ve talked about this before…but I almost always hate butterfly motifs. I usually find them to be too sweet. This one, though, knocked my socks off. The colors, the asymmetry of the design, and the geometric patterns in the wings are just so interesting, without sacrificing simplicity or the joyful feeling that butterflies are associated with. It’s also by new favorite Carlo Barberis.
I saw this box of dreams of Pasquale Bruni.
They’re a powerhouse brand, and they did not disappoint at VicencaOro 2016. Gorgeous, romantic designs, beautifully executed.
Obviously I had to put it all on. And someone must have been watching, because Paris Hilton has since worn these earrings and clearly she’s just trying to be more like me.
How beautiful are these floral rings from Pasquale Bruni’s Giardini Segreti collection?
I think it’s easy for floral jewelry to come off as overly sweet, but there’s something sensual about these. They’re seriously high end garden blooms.
This stunner of a necklace is by Anna E Alex, a new-to-me brand who does some incredibly cool things with unconventional jewelry materials. They were showing a lot of bright, light earrings made with fabric, and this incredible dragon necklace.
The ends of this baby are made of carved lava. CARVED LAVA. You should also know that Game of Thrones has ordered one of these for their costume department. I bet you can guess which character it’s for. I’m totally jealous – I want this, too.
This staggering statement cuff by Wendy Yue was one of the most exciting floral pieces at VicenzaOro.
Stare at it for a second. Look past the electric color scheme, the beautiful twining vine and realize what’s beneath it: a branching vine made of huge opals. It’s mind-boggling.
Also, how much do you love the touch of the little bejeweled bug? Such a fun little touch on what’s otherwise a pretty dark (but magnificent) piece.
I’ve said before that Wendy Yue’s designs feel like the a haute couture version of Dr. Seuss’s garden and I mean that as a huge compliment. Her pieces are so gorgeously over the top, in a joyful but somehow still dignified way.
This pretty, pretty ring with its dangling elements was just irresistible. So flirty and clever.
Oh, but she doesn’t just do flowers: Wendy Yue also does abstract pieces like this stunner, which felt to me like the world’s most beautiful finger armor.
Thumbs up, Wendy Yue.
The lovely folks of Wendy Yue were kind enough to just load up a play tray for me and let me go to town, so I got a LOT of pictures there. It was fantastic.
How about THIS cuff? Much brighter than the first one I showed you, but equally bold.
If you follow me on Instagram, you already know how much fun I had trying on Diva Gioielli’s starry new collection.
These pieces were so light and fun and wearable. Especially the tiara! I actually wanted to buy one right off the display, but Diva needed to keep their samples for the rest of the show. Alas.
One last piece, because it’s a beautiful example of a trend I’ve really been noticing: darkened metal. This piece is by illustrious pearl brand Yoko London. This ring features a black rhodium plated setting, which presents a dramatic foil to the piece’s light, creamy natural pearls.
That’s it for this year’s VicenzaOro recap! I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. I’ll be sharing VicenzaOro videos on my Instagram all day, so be sure you’re following me.
A huge thank you to the VicenzaOro show, the Italian Trade Commission, and Luxury Brand Group PR for making it possible for me to have this incredible experience!
The post Jewel hunting in Italy: VicenzaOro 2016! appeared first on Diamonds in the Library.
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Wednesday, September 28, 2016
The Best Dive Sites in New Zealand: North Island
While known for a wild and dramatic terrestrial landscape, New Zealand is also home to 36 marine reserves and a spectacular array of dive sites. With accessible coastlines and hundreds of offshore islands, the best dive sites in New Zealand offer divers wrecks, subtropical reefs and kelp forests, to name just a few options. With 26 ray species and 113 shark species recorded in New Zealand’s waters, you’re likely to see some of these favorites as well.
There’s so much to see, in fact, that we had to divide the best dive sites in New Zealand into two distinct regions, the North and South Islands. Each island offers sites to suit all dive preferences and abilities. Here’s a sampling of our North Island favorites.
The Best Dive Sites in New Zealand: North Island
The Rainbow Warrior
Where is it: Matauri Bay, the Bay of Islands
What makes it special: French foreign intelligence sank the Rainbow Warrior, the flagship vessel for Greenpeace, in 1985 while it was docked at the Auckland waterfront. The subsequent explosions resulted in the death of Fernando Pereira, a Portuguese-Dutch photographer. He had returned to the ship to gather his camera equipment after the first blast. After authorities refloated the ship for forensic examinations, it was relocated to Matauri Bay and scuttled as an artificial reef. It’s a popular wreck dive, offering colorful jewel anemones, John Dory, kingfish, moray eels and crayfish.
Details: The wreck lies at a maximum depth of about 88 feet (27 m) and is approximately 130 feet (40 m) long. The currents are mild and visibility is good from February through June. This dive is suitable for advanced open-water divers or equivalent. Water temperatures range from 59 F (15 C) in winter up to 72 F (22 C) in late summer. Divers will want at least 5 mm of exposure protection for the summer. Winter calls for at least 7-8 mm and a hood. As with any wreck dive, we recommend carrying a torch and dive knife.
When to go: February through June for good visibility and warmer water
The Poor Knights Islands
Where are they: Tutukaka in the Northland is the gateway to the Poor Knights Islands.
What makes them special: Jacques Cousteau once said that the Poor Knight Islands Marine Reserve was one of the world’s top five dive sites. These islands lie 14 miles (23 km) off the Tutukaka coast and offer spectacular dives with abundant and colorful marine life. Divers will see plentiful nudibranchs, large shoals of pelagic fish, archways, caves, kelp forests and annual visitors including stingrays and sharks. The islands also offer fantastic snorkeling opportunities for non-divers, making a day trip to the Poor Knights suitable for the whole family.
Details: Multiple dive sites at different depths are suitable for both novice and experienced divers. Water temperatures are similar to the Bay of Islands (see above), and divers should plan for at least 5 mm of exposure protection when waters are warmest.
When to go: Summer offers warmer water but the possibility of reduced visibility when compared to winter diving. It is possible to dive with large numbers of stingrays in late summer as they gather to mate in the area. Diving is possible year-round.
Mercury and Aldermen Islands
Where are they: Coromandel Peninsula
What makes them special: Remnants of a volcanic complex, the Aldermen Islands lie to the southeast of Mercury Bay. These rocky islands offer tunnels, pinnacles and a variety of pelagic species, including huge schools of mackerel. The dives are colorful and similar in nature to the Poor Knights, making the islands one of New Zealand’s top dive destinations. The nearby Mercury Islands offer moray eels, crayfish, abundant nudibranchs and stunning above-water scenery of white, sandy bays and rugged coastline.
Details: There are many dive sites at different depths, making these islands suitable for both novice and experienced divers. Water temperatures range from approximately 57 F (14 C) in winter to 70 F (21 C) in late summer. You’ll want at least a 5 mm wetsuit in the summer, and a 7 mm or more in the winter, depending on your cold tolerance.
When to go: There’s diving year-round. Summer offers the best water temperature and climate for exploring the popular coastline during dry days.
Goat Island
Where is it: Just north of Leigh
What makes it special: Goat Island is New Zealand’s first marine reserve and is easily accessible from Auckland. The reserve offers goatfish, snappers, abundant schooling fish, and the opportunity to see octopuses, eagle rays and stingrays. There are cliff-side and kelp forest dives, as well as swim-throughs and reefs.
Details: Dive depths vary, and tides and currents will affect the accessibility of some sites. The marine reserve offers diving for all abilities, as well as snorkeling. The water temperature is similar to that of the Coromandel Peninsula (see above), so pack a 5 to 7 mm wetsuit.
When to go: Year-round
Wellington Region
Where is it: Wellington and Kapiti Coast
What makes it special: The coastline surrounding Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, offers an interesting variety of dive sites. These include shore dives, multiple shipwrecks and the Taputeranga Marine Reserve. Whitireia Park and Titahi Bay offer dives for novices, with stingrays and seahorses to be found at just 10 feet (3 m). Wellington Harbor is known for seahorses, pipefish, starfish and schools of wrasse and the opportunity to try night diving.
Details: Dive sites suitable for all abilities sit on the doorstep of this vibrant city. Weather can be variable, however, so local knowledge is an absolute must. Water temperatures range from 50 F (10 C) in winter to 62 F (17 C) in summer, and you’ll want at least a 7 mm wetsuit.
When to go: January through June
By guest author Kathryn Hodgson
The post The Best Dive Sites in New Zealand: North Island appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.
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The Correspondent turns three, its story is more diverse
from World News Publishing Focus by WAN-IFRA - World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers http://ift.tt/2d3O1yN
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Fact-checking at the core of the first U.S. presidential debate
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Five pairs of jaw-dropping Bhagat earrings from FD Gallery.
Good morning, my dears! Did you notice I’ve been switching up the schedule a little bit? Don’t worry – I still have plenty of lovelies to share with you. I just needed to move things around a little because of all of the traveling I’ve been doing (and to make time for my new gig writing for Instore Magazine).
Today I have something fresh and glorious for you: five pairs of earrings by modern master-jeweler, Viren Bhagat.
I love Bhagat’s work because not only does it always feature raw materials of exceptional quality worked with great technical ability, it also always leaves me feeling like I’ve just seen something that had never before occurred to me. It feels so new and fresh and right.
Showing you a single example will make my point better than any amount of words can.
See what I mean? They’re magnificent. Spectacular and celestial, they burst forth from their respective center stones with complementary, asymmetric perfection. Natural pearls with white and yellow diamonds.
Here’s what they look like worn, thanks to FD Gallery’s Instagram. Pretty amazing.
Another diamond and pearl pair. So unique and slightly odd and yet absolutely perfect. Like the world’s most elegant snails.
These beauties might be my personal favorite pair – which I’m sure you’ll find understandable. They are my favorite color, after all. And so, so, so lovely. I went straight for the FD Gallery Instagram shot this time, because they come to life on this lucky ear more than they do in the product photo.
That’s 23.98 carats of old European and briolette-cut diamonds and 14.39 cararts of pink spinel.
What about two perfect blossoms made of impossibly vivid yellow diamonds? No problem.
Next, please feast your eyes upon this specimen of rose-cut diamond magnificence. Another one where I had to go straight to the Insta shot (again, via FD Gallery).
The only downside to these is that you’d have to stay near a mirror all day or you’d miss on their beauty while they were on your own ears.
Another look, because I adore them helplessly.
And last, but far from least, I’m thrilled to show you this truly wonderful pair of emerald, pearl, and diamond earrings. As much as I love every pair here, if you put a gun to my head and made me choose (and also footed the bill) I would choose these.
Who else out there swoons for Viren Bhagat’s earrings? Do you have a favorite pair? Did I include them here?
All five+ pairs (yes, I did give you a bonus pair) of these Bhagat earrings are currently for sale or were sold by FD Gallery. All images and info are thanks to FD Gallery.
The post Five pairs of jaw-dropping Bhagat earrings from FD Gallery. appeared first on Diamonds in the Library.
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Marine Species: The Mimic Octopus
The mimic octopus is quite small, only about two feet long (60 cm), including arms. They most commonly appear as striped white and brown. They’re known for remarkable camouflage abilities. Not only can they alter the shape and texture of their body, they can also take the shape and behavior of various animals in their environment. They will also imitate the behavior, speed and swimming pattern of the creature they are impersonating.
Mimicking a poisonous creature comes in handy to scare off predators, such as lionfish, sea snakes or soles. The talented and intelligent octopus will also pick the creature most likely to scare off whatever is threatening its safety in order to ensure its survival.
The mimic octopus lives on a rich, sandy bottom, where it can feed on prey like crabs, worms and small fish. It also uses its tentacles to reach in holes and corals in order to capture prey.
Like other octopus species, the male places a sac of sperm inside the female’s mantle. The males usually survive only a few weeks after this process. The female will carry the sac until the eggs are ready and will use the sperm to fertilize them. The female dies shortly after the eggs are ready to hatch, so young mimic octopus must survive on their own.
Where are they?
Scientists discovered and documented the mimic octopus less than 20 years ago. These photogenic cephalopods are common in Indonesia, but you can also find them elsewhere in the Indo-Pacific, from Egypt to Australia. Your best chance to see one is in muck diving areas in Indonesia, such as Lembeh, Sulawesi and some parts of Bali.
Why are they interesting?
If you are lucky enough to observe one in the water, you may get the chance to observe its fascinating behavior. But even if not, just watching one glide over the seafloor is a treat. As you’d imagine, mimic octopus are quite difficult to spot, although they’re not uncommon, so count yourself lucky if you see one.
The post Marine Species: The Mimic Octopus appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.
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Welcome Autumn with an Interior Update
Just as you change the types of clothing you wear every season, it’s also best to change up your interiors. You don’t need to make drastic alterations; adding one thing or two pieces, or just changing some pieces is certainly enough to change the ambiance of a room. Let the changing of leaves and crisp breeze inspire you to do some of the tips below:
Image Source: Flickr
Autumn Textures
Growing accustomed to the new season comes easy with warm cushion covers and sofa blankets. Get your indoors feeling new by updating your curtains, carpets and bed sheets with an autumn colour palette.
Choose curtain colours that showcase nature by drawing on shades of gold, burnt orange, rich browns and creamy tones. Neutrals colours and splashes of yellow can also contribute some autumn charm to your home.
Keep in mind that although it precedes winter, the autumn months have a different decorative element to winter. Remember to:
Avoid thick curtains and bed sheets that will overwhelm your interior space.
Opt for soft rugs and patterned throw cushions that will accentuate the autumn colours. Source: OneFlare
Bowls of Seasonal Fruits
A trip to the grocery store is all it takes. Load your cart up with fresh apples, pears, berries and nuts and you will have a healthy and environmentally pleasing display. Other ideas are to bring the outdoors inside. Bundle sticks and branches together and place them by the fireplace or in vases and jars. Pine cones of all shapes and sizes can look quite lovely in large glass or ceramic bowls. Autumn decor shouldn’t have to cost too much. Source: Freshome
Candles
Der! We all know candles look great any time of year but they really come into their own and create a lovely glow when the nights are drawing in. Think more wintery, spicier fragrances rather than zesty summer scents. Source: TheInteriorsAddict
For more information on window treatments and the latest trends, contact us!
Contact:
Universal Blinds
601 – 1550 W. 10th Ave
Vancouver, V6J 1Z9
Canada
Phone: (604) 559-1988
The post Welcome Autumn with an Interior Update appeared first on Universal Blinds, Shades & Shutters.
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Le Huffington Post: Thinking local to build a global media
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Monday, September 26, 2016
Harm Reduction Energy - Original Artwork
This art piece was inspired by the information from a 2016 summer graduate school class at California State University East Bay. The class was Assessment and Treatment of Substance Abuse, and it presented the harm reduction approach.
from The New Social Worker Online — the professional social work careers magazine http://ift.tt/2cxU6QM
from The New Social Worker Online — the professional social work careers magazine http://ift.tt/2cxU6QM
6 Ways Beauty Salon Owners Can Use Mobile to Boost Their Business
As a successful salon owner, you are already aware of how important mobile phones are to your business, and to your clients. If you haven't already launched a mobile app for your salon, chances are your only reason for hesitation is that you believe they're difficult - and costly - to create, or that you aren't sure of how a mobile app could boost your business. Creating a beauty salon app is now actually simpler, and more affordable, than ever before, while the following suggestions will give you a clear idea of how a mobile app can boost your business.
Mobile Appointments
The continued growth of online shopping and on-demand services such as Uber, TaskRabbit and Valet Anywhere don't suggest that people are becoming lazier, but rather that there is an increased need for convenience. And while your clients don't have too much trouble finding time to come in for treatments, remembering to call to make an appointment during business hours is probably not that easy. A mobile app would enable your customers to schedule an appointment whenever they remember or have a minute to themselves, even if this is past midnight on a weekend. And with push notifications enabled, you can automatically send appointment reminders to your customers, meaning they have one less thing to remember.
An added benefit of mobile appointment setting is that it frees you and your staff from being tied to the telephone taking appointments, allowing you to spend more time with your clients.
Mobile Loyalty Program
Loyalty programs are always a great way to not only encourage repeat business, but also to boost add-on sales. But traditional loyalty programs are also cumbersome to manage: from the extra cost of printed cards, to customers misplacing their cards. Your own mobile app can eliminate this, returning loyalty programs to being rewarding for you and your customers, and making it easy for you to quickly introduce new loyalty incentives.
Mobile Coupons & Special Offers
Like loyalty programs, coupons and limited-time special offers are another great way to boost revenue, but they usually require extra planning, from designing the coupon, to deciding how to distribute it; and then there's always the risk of it not being seen by your intended audience. A mobile app makes it easier for you to send coupons to the people you actually want to reach, and with push notifications, you can be confident that most of them will actually see it. Mobile coupons require less forward planning too, so sending out limited-time special offers during unexpectedly quiet periods is no problem.
Location Based Targeting
Geofencing is a system which allows you to "draw" a virtual barrier around a location using a global positioning system (GPS). Businesses frequently use geofencing to have their ads shown to anyone browsing the internet within a defined location, but a mobile app allows you to extend the use of geofencing to sending out push notifications to anyone with your app installed, as soon as they enter a specific area. Defining the area is quite simple, and it can then be used to notify your customers of special offers only when they are in close proximity to your business, or even let them know of any open slots you have to tempt them in for a quick treatment.
Increased Brand Exposure
Launching your own app is an opportunity for you to generate buzz and exposure in the form of a special launch event, and media coverage. While you local press might not be that excited about a small business launching an app, you might consider sending out a press release that mentions your new app, but focuses more on how small businesses are now able to more effectively use technology, benefiting the local economy and customers. Including local social media influencers and bloggers will not only extend your reach, but expose you to a younger, more technologically confident audience too. Additional ongoing exposure comes from your presence on the relevant app stores, especially if you have optimized your submission to include keywords relevant to your audience, and your location.
Top-of-Mind Awareness
Finally, your own mobile app can put your business a step closer to achieving what all businesses want: strong top-of-mind awareness amongst your customers. A branded app icon, and judicious use of push notifications, means your customers are constantly exposed to your business whenever they use their phone. Combine this with an in-app showcase of emerging trends, examples of your work, and other content marketing that is relevant to them, help extend this further. And if your app adds real value to your customers, they are more likely to discuss your business, and your app, with friends and colleagues, exposing you to new customers you may previously have struggled to reach.
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Dive Site: The Jetty, Padang Bai, Bali, Indonesia
Do you like haunted houses? Do you like being startled at every turn? Me neither. And although the Jetty, a dive site off Padang Bai, has a bit of an eerie atmosphere and gently reminds me of a haunted house, it happens to be one of my favorites in Bali.
As you enter, the sunlight trying to trickle down to you is intercepted by the jetty’s pillars, and by the schools of catfish and porcupinefish hovering above you. This dim lighting and the strange shadows it casts make for a dive unlike any other.
As you continue swimming the length of the jetty, you’ll notice debris scattered about the ocean floor and stuck to the pillars. A little off-putting at first, yes, but then you’ll also notice that on the pillars it is intermingling just fine with the soft corals and small sea fans, and that on the ground the fish have made homes out of it. So why not turn over a few pieces of trash and see what critters you can find?
If you like muck diving and collecting sightings of strange, uncommon fish, then you will love this unique brand of muck dive. Because, good news: You don’t have to search scrupulously, squinting about with your torch and your magnifying glass in tow — at The Jetty, the fish seem to creep up on you. Waiting to reveal themselves at the turn of every pillar are suspects like ornate ghost pipefish, stonefish, the elusive Rhinopias, scorpionfish, pygmy seahorses, octopus, mantis shrimp, lionfish, cuttlefish and frogfish. This haunted house has a cast of characters you won’t soon forget.
Navigation at the site is also very easy: Go one way, and when you’re at the agreed-upon turning point of the dive, do a 180-degree turn and go the other way. Come up a little shallower and marvel at the resident school of catfish as they swim together, then swim apart, only to get back together again. You can even be a hero and use your dive knife to de-tangle a struggling porcupinefish stuck in a fishing line — and take the line with you, while you’re at it.
If being pulled left and right by surge is not your idea of fun, then the best time to visit The Jetty is the two weeks before and after the full moon, when the currents are calmer and the visibility is best. Apart from being able to maintain that nice, neutral buoyancy, so that you don’t kick up too much silt, you needn’t be a very experienced diver to enjoy this site — just have a healthy appreciation for the small stuff. Happy macro hunting!
Depth: 26 to 72 feet (8 to 22 m)
Water Temperature: 66 to 77F (19 to 25 C)
Visibility: 32 to 82 feet (10 to 25 m)
Location: Padang Bai, Bali
By guest blogger Lorena Espin
The post Dive Site: The Jetty, Padang Bai, Bali, Indonesia appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.
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SeaLife’s Flex-Connect Accessories
As the number of Flex-Connect accessories from SeaLife grows, so too does the system’s compatibility with different brands of underwater lights and cameras. Flex-Connect Micro, Single, and Dual Trays are universally compatible with most brands of underwater cameras — including SeaLife, GoPro, Olympus , Fantasea, Sea&Sea, and many more using a standard ¼-20 tripod mount. Ranging from ultra-compact to more robust and feature-packed, the versatile Flex-Connect system offers an almost limitless number of underwater camera setups that can be quickly adjusted and reconfigured.
From compact to big-rig, Flex-Connect offers three trays to fit your underwater photography needs. Flex-Connect Micro, Single and Dual Trays allow users to create a setup for any diving environment by providing a platform to add grips, flex arms, mounts and powerful sea dragon lighting.
Ergonomic and easy to use, add grips and Flex-Arms (pictured) to add stability and reduce backscatter. Get creative with your underwater photography! The Flex Arms bend in a 100-degree motion, so you can easily adjust lighting in numerous ways.
Love shooting macro photography? Bring the light as close up or as far back as you need to with the adjustable Flex Arms to capture that perfect macro shot. Add your choice of photo/video light to the Flex-Connect system by mounting it with the new Flex-Connect 1-Inch Clamp and Ball Joint Adapter for Flex-Connect.
Add flexibility and stability to your camera whether it’s in a DSLR set up or SeaLife Micro 2.0. The Flex-Connect trays include the standard ¼-20” tripod screw that can be mounted to nearly all brands of underwater cameras.
Build your camera set up in seconds with a single click. SeaLife’s universal Flex-Connect system makes it easy to build your camera from ultra-compact to full-featured. Besides providing a lighting solution, another important feature of Flex-Connect is the balance and stabilization for your camera. So even if you do not need lighting for a particular shot or video, use Flex-Connect to add stability and balance to your camera.
Photos courtesy of Chase Darnell and Joseph Tepper from Dive Photo Guide.
The post SeaLife’s Flex-Connect Accessories appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.
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5 steps to improve migration reporting
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Saturday, September 24, 2016
The Weekly 5 in Social Work, 9/24/16
This week in the news, social workers face a crisis, a video giant promotes social justice, and the history of on-field statements is explored.
from The New Social Worker Online — the professional social work careers magazine http://ift.tt/2deHPGR
from The New Social Worker Online — the professional social work careers magazine http://ift.tt/2deHPGR
Friday, September 23, 2016
A remarkable rose cut retrospective.
Some weeks ago, I was chatting with the lovely Nicole from Lang Antiques (as I often do) and she said had something good to show me. Something rose cut and remarkable.
If you’ve paid attention to any of my posts on Lang Antiques’ pieces ever, you know that something noteworthy from them is always, always worth paying attention to.
Are you familiar with rose cut diamonds, my darlings? They are most commonly found in antique pieces, as it’s traditionally an older diamond cut, but I’ve been seeing a resurgence in new rose cut pieces lately in contemporary and I’m totally into it. It’s a gentle, romantic cut that shimmers with an endless luminescence, a soft contrast to the cold fire of the meticulously engineered modern round brilliant cuts.
Well, the fabulous Lang Antiques has recently come into possession of a most remarkable collection. It was the property of a curious individual identified only as “an intrepid traveler with a passion for rare and wonderful rose cut diamond jewelry.” And oh my goodness, did this person have good taste.
From rings to brooches to bracelets (and even some hair bling) this wonderful mystery person amassed rose cut diamonds of every shape and size. Can you think of anything more satisfying than having an interest this specific – rose cut diamonds, mostly antique – and also having the funds and time to pursue it?
I think that my own tastes are too eclectic to ever concentrate my buying power in a niche this specific, but I’m sure that if I had enough money in my jewelry buying budget I could come up with some pretty fabulous mini-collections. Something to daydream about!
I’ve known about this rose-cut goodness for a while, but I couldn’t figure out how to write about it…I’ve decided that just presenting you with an overview of alllllllll of the beauty is the best way to go. Without further ado:
Click to view slideshow.Please peruse the slideshow for an overview of what the collection has to offer, or just click straight over to Lang Antiques to see all the rose cut deliciousness for yourself.
You’ll notice there’s also a bonus tiara in there – a real Victorian era stunner. I don’t know who this rose cut collecting world traveler was, but they were a jewelry lover after my own heart.
The post A remarkable rose cut retrospective. appeared first on Diamonds in the Library.
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Marine Conservation for Kids
Divers generally have a great appreciation for the marine world and its inhabitants, and it’s our responsibility to ensure that those who enter that environment do so with appropriate respect, just as we respect each other’s homes when we visit. After all, we are guests in the marine environment — and uninvited guests, at that. As diving parents, we know that marine conservation for kids becomes even more important. We can teach our children about the marine environment and how to protect it long before they’re old enough to dive.
Marine conservation for kids
Unfortunately, one of the first, and most important lessons, that children learn is that people are the biggest problem when it comes to protecting our marine world. From litter and pesticides washing into the seas, to drilling for oil that leaks into the oceans, to introduction of non-native species, we have been abysmal stewards of our oceans. While all of these seem like huge problems, which a child will likely feel helpless to affect, it’s appropriate to start small and teach them what they can do. Make sure they dispose of trash properly. Model good behavior by drinking from reusable water bottles, and limit your family’s fish consumption, if you eat seafood at all. Little things can make a big difference over time. As children become old enough to dive, there are many more ways for them to support marine conservation.
We are in someone else’s home
I have always taken the approach to the marine environment that I am in those creatures’ living rooms. And I have arrived uninvited. So, when we teach our children about marine conservation, we relate it to going to a friend’s house. Kids are expected to be on their best behavior on a visit, to use their manners and clean up after themselves. The same holds true underwater.
When diving or snorkeling, children should be polite to the sea creatures, use their best manners, and look for opportunities to leave the environment in as good or better shape than they found it. This means that we observe the animals and the coral, but we keep our hands to ourselves. We should not disturb the animals or try to get them to move so we can get a better view or picture. Finally, when we see trash, we pick it up, unless trying to collect it could damage coral or animal life even more.
Be aware of our surroundings
I remember watching a woman on a dive trip who wanted to get a picture of anything the divemaster showed us. She focused only on where her camera was and where the object of her photo was. At one point she lunged in to get the picture, spread her entire body over a fan coral, and then laid down on it. It was horrifying to watch. Some of the divers in the group began to physically move this woman off of and away from things — my husband picked up her fin tips at one point because she was kicking some of the coral formations as she adjusted to get the photo she wanted.
We have told our children this story to help them understand the need to be aware of their surroundings, their bodies and their equipment. We wouldn’t necessarily want children to physically confront another diver who may be harming marine life, so it’s wise to help your children think through how to manage the situation if they see divers behaving badly. Children can take a proactive role by letting you or the divemaster know, in private, that one of the divers needs some coaching on reef etiquette. Children will feel more invested in marine health themselves if they’re encouraged to take control of a bad situation and affect change.
Food webs and food chains
Children study food webs and food chains in school right around the same time they can start diving. Use this newfound knowledge as a teaching tool on how these systems work in the marine environment. From hearing parrotfish munching on coral to seeing big fish feeding on krill, learning about the marine food chain is a great way to demonstrate the importance of even the smallest organism.
As we rely on our children to become the new guardians of our planet, we must educate them early and often about how they can help us reverse course on the damage that we’ve already done, particularly to the marine environment. The earlier they learn, the more ingrained good habits will become, and the higher the likelihood that they can help educate their peers. Marine conservation for kids means not only educating children today, but ensuring the survival of our oceans tomorrow.
By guest author Christine Brinkley
The post Marine Conservation for Kids appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.
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Real World Clinical Blog: Social Work Ethics in the Real World
Over time, I have found tremendous comfort in the NASW Code of Ethics. I have also come to some additional conclusions about how to practice ethically, borne out of work with a highly diverse caseload across multiple practice settings.
from The New Social Worker Online — the professional social work careers magazine http://ift.tt/2d5nn9W
from The New Social Worker Online — the professional social work careers magazine http://ift.tt/2d5nn9W
Thursday, September 22, 2016
MovingSocialWork.org Site Serves as Hub on Practice Mobility and License Portability for Social Workers
ASWB has launched a new website to disseminate information about practice mobility and license portability for social workers, and to collect social workers' stories about this issue.
from The New Social Worker Online — the professional social work careers magazine http://ift.tt/2d0g6Vq
from The New Social Worker Online — the professional social work careers magazine http://ift.tt/2d0g6Vq
Top Nine Dive Travel Regrets
As divers, our adventurous spirits often spur travel to exotic dive spots. But things can sometimes go wrong, from problems on the dive boat to poor planning on our part. Avoid these top nine dive travel regrets (of which I have personal experience) and you’ll be much more likely to make every dive a good dive on your next trip.
1. Being left at sea
My best friend and I booked a boat dive with a trusted shop, and headed out in calm seas. Things quickly went south after the boat left us in stormy open water 15 miles from shore for 1-1/2 hours. The anchor line broke while the temporary captain was asleep at the helm. Subsequently he drifted away from our group of 10, along with two divemasters, as a hurricane blew in early. The captain hadn’t marked our location and woke up many miles away. He tried to find us, but couldn’t hear our whistles or see our safety sausages in crashing 6-foot waves. Scared of the consequences, the captain waited too long to contact the dive shop for help. Although he did contact the dive shop and we were rescued, this story could have turned out much differently
Although being left at sea is unlikely, it is nonetheless possible. You may also become separated from your group due to strong currents. In any case, buy a Nautilus Lifeline or Personal Locator Beacon. Or get both, since neither works in every situation.
2. Not doing your research
Before a liveaboard trip in the Maldives, I researched the boat, the flight, the country and the dive shop organizing the trip. Unfortunately, I didn’t research the dive conditions in the area, which included ripping currents as well as down currents. Consequently, when a whirlpool sucked me downward during a safety stop, I was clueless and had to quickly figure out what to do while low on air deep underwater.
This would have been far easier to handle if I had been prepared. Do your research on what to expect underwater before you splash in, from a(vailable medical treatment) to z(oography).
3. Trusting your air to another person
I’ve always gone diving with respected shops. I’ve serviced my gear regularly and tested my air before every dive via a few breaths through my regulator. Imagine my shock when my service guy told me he believed I had been diving with bad air. He saw a massive amount of black soot in my regulator and hose. He explained that he had seen a number of shops with poor compressor maintenance, as well as ones that used maxi pads in lieu of the more expensive air filters.
Don’t trust your precious air to another person. Contaminated gas may not always have an unusual smell or taste, a clear warning that something is off. Buy a combo carbon-monoxide and oxygen analyzer and use it religiously on each tank.
4. Returning to the same location
I loved Barbados on my first visit. So when I had a four-day weekend coming up, another trip to the island made sense. I didn’t need to do any research and just knew the trip would be wonderful. It was a nice trip, but nowhere near as fantastic as the initial visit, simply because it wasn’t a new, exciting location.
Although some will disagree with me, I think returning to the same dive destination over and over is a mistake. Returning somewhere you love is easy, but with so many other incredible dive destinations for you to discover, why limit yourself?
5. Participating in feeding dives
All of my shark-, ray-, grouper- and eel-feeding dives thrilled me. Who wouldn’t want to get a kiss from a stingray as shown in my photo? It wasn’t until my dolphin dive that I became uneasy. The operation billed the dolphins as “semi-wild.” Supposedly, the animals could leave for open ocean if they liked. When the dive was blown out, the shop allowed us to swim with the dolphins in their overnight enclosure.
The pen seemed small to me, but it was the tricks the dolphins performed for food that made me begin to question whether this was ethical. A few years later, I read an article on the horrors of dolphin captivity, citing a former trainer. When I realized she had been the head trainer for the “semi-wild” dolphins I visited, I was sickened. I channeled my revulsion and anger into research on all the different types of dives where food is offered.
Although swimming with captive or semi-captive dolphins is different than feeding wild sharks on dives, I also regret participating in these types of experiences. You’ll meet divers on both sides of the feeding-dive controversy. I used to be a proponent, believing that these dives made people more aware of and interested in marine life. Now, I avoid dives where a trainer offers food. I’ve become convinced that these dives put divers and/or marine life at risk. There are so many dive spots in the world to see cool marine life. I still dive with swirling sharks, pods of dolphins, rays, groupers and eels. The difference now is that none are captive or frenzied by free food, and I have no ethical dilemmas.
6. Remaining with a bad dive shop
I loved the Bahamian dive shop I took my friend to for her Open Water certification dives. At least until they tried to force my newly certified pal to dive very deep on an advanced dive, and then mocked me when I questioned them. I should have found another dive shop for the remainder of the trip, but I didn’t and I still regret it years later.
If you are unhappy with your dive shop or feel they are putting you at risk, change shops — simple as that. Forget about the hassle, the cost and loyalty. Your life and happiness are more important.
7. Blowing every dive for photos
I waited a long time to take my camera underwater. Wanting to perfect my skills first, my 100th dive was my magical entry to underwater photography. I adored it as much as I did on land. Going through my photos after the trip, though, I realized I had spent every single day trying to take the perfect shot and didn’t enjoy the dives as much.
Take some photos to remember the trip. But unless you’re a professional photographer, don’t spend every dive trying to capture a photo you can easily find online. Unplug and just enjoy the dive.
8. Not wearing insect repellent 100 percent of the time
Ever wonder what it’s like to live in another country? I found out when I got a bad case of dengue fever. I had to remain in the Philippines for six weeks being treated by the Culion Sanitarium Hospital, known for its historical leper colony.
Wear bug spray, all the time — day and night, even if there are few mosquitoes. Mosquitoes bit me only five times, but it only takes once. Trust me, you don’t want to get dengue (or chikungunya, Zika or malaria).
9. Considering separate travel insurance nonessential
A tale of two trips: one to the Philippines where I got dengue fever and another to the Solomon Islands, where my liveaboard broke down. Both dive trips had unforeseen circumstances, but I only had flight and dive insurance during the former trip. On the latter, I also had separate travel insurance. Guess which vacation ended with a fat check from the insurance company, not only covering the entire pre-paid trip, but also ensuring that my continued stay in the area and any extra costs were covered?
Separate travel insurance is expensive, but completely worth it, so don’t skimp up front.
By guest author Beth McCrea
The post Top Nine Dive Travel Regrets appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.
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Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Darkly romantic jewels in Sotheby’s September 22nd sale.
When I first started Diamonds in the Library (more than four years ago – because I forgot to acknowledge DitL’s birthday this year!) I did a lot of auction posts: I would spend hours going through current and past auctions on Sotheby’s, Christies’ and Bonhams’ websites, saving and sharing the photos of my favorites. But I’d never been to any of these places: they felt removed from me, too venerated to imagine touching with my own hands.
A couple of weeks ago, Sotheby’s reached to me about the preview for their upcoming September 22nd Important Jewels sale. “We have a preview coming up!” they told me; “We’d love for you to come!”
Whaaat? Come to Sotheby’s? Touch the jewelry? Obviously yes.
I took the train up to NYC on Saturday morning and headed straight to the preview. The Sotheby’s building is tall and bright, with high ceilings and large windows, a breath of fresh air after getting lost inside Penn Station (which I always do, no matter how many times I’m there). I emerged onto the 6th floor and was greeted by an autumnal display: colorful foliage artfully strewn on the floor while a hidden lens projected swirling fall leaves onto a wide white wall.
I had vague intentions of playing it cool, pretending I visit Sotheby’s every day, but then the very first piece I saw was a Lalique ring (which I will soon show you in great detail) and I freaked out and then was graciously allowed to take it out of the case and take it away to a conference room to stare at it from every angle for 20 minutes. Staying chill around incredible jewelry has never been my strong suit.
The entire sale is perfect for early fall: the room felt full of a kind of magic, with luminous cabochon gemstones, deep sapphires and glowing citrines. The selection, coupled with the chill I’ve been feeling in the morning air recently, really drove home the fact that the seasons are about to change.
Let’s look at a few of my favorite pieces:
Lot 151: 18 Karat Gold, Molded Glass and Enamel Ring, René Lalique, France, circa 1900.
Designed as a greenish blue glass face of Medusa, with blue and green enamel sales applied to the snake, gross weight approximately 10 dwts, size 8, signed Lalique, with French maker’s mark; circa 1900.
I can’t describe to you how exciting it was to handle this ring in person. Just look at the enamel the way it fades seamlessly from blue to green to blue along the side of the snake. That and the perfect contours of Medusa’s face – and the way the glass catches the light – are my favorite elements of this piece. It’s a treasure, and I hope it goes to someone who will appreciate it properly.
Lot 145: Gold, Hardstone and Colored Diamond ‘De la Mort et de La Vie’ Necklace, Codognato.
Designed as an ivy vine decorated with seven carved skulls composed of hardstones including amethyst, agate, bloodstone and carnelian, suspended by multiple gold strands, with additional ivy leaves on the clasp, set with rose-cut diamonds of brown hue, gross weight approximately 84 dwts, length 15 inches, unsigned; circa 1955. With signed box.
This necklace is surprisingly joyful for a piece with that many skulls. It really brings home the “live each day as if it’s your last, but that’s not a bad thing” message of memento mori jewelry.
Lot 57: Platinum, Sapphire and Diamond Bracelet, Black Starr & Frost.
The highly flexible line bracelet designed as a serpent, centering a pear-shaped sapphire measuring approximately 11.3 by 7.2 by 4.5 mm, accented by French-cut sapphires and two cabochon sapphire eyes, completed by round, old European and single-cut diamonds weighing approximately 3.50 carats, length 7 1/8 inches, partially signed & F., numbered 5387; circa 1925.
You already know have a thing for snakes and a thing for Art Deco bracelets…when they’re combined in a piece this good, there’s no way I can resist it. I held this snake and petted its sapphire head gently before returning it to its black velvet cushion.
Lot 216: Silver, Gold, Diamond and Enamel Cruciform Reliquary-Pendant.
Centered by six Dutch rose-cut diamonds, accented by smaller rose and table-cut diamonds, the reverse applied with polychrome enamel floral motifs against a white enamel background and completed by a concealed compartment, the lid counter-enameled in pale blue; circa 1660. Suspended from a patinated white gold chain weighing approximately 53 dwts, length 32 inches, signed Bulgari.
Hang on, here’s a closer look:
Breathtaking.
That compartment in the center is where you’d put your bones of a saint or fragments of the true cross or whatever relic you were looking to preserve: because this isn’t just a pretty pendant, it’s a reliquary. Meant to house the sacred in beauty.
It’s on a silver Bulgari chain, which is a nice chain, but the chain pales in comparison to what it’s suspending.
As much as I loved the Lalique and wanted to add the snake bracelet to my personal collection…this was my favorite piece of the sale. Crosses aren’t my favorite motif, but this thing is so incredible I couldn’t mind the shape. I’ve always had a weird fascination with reliquaries and to handle a piece like this – 400 years old and in such incomparable condition – was an experience I won’t soon forget.
Lot 146: Gold, Rock Crystal and Colored Diamond ‘Pierrot’ Necklace, Codognato.
Centering three rock crystal reverse intaglios depicting skeletons, within a flexible bib composed of ivy leaves, accented by four gold skulls, decorated by rose-cut diamonds of brown hue weighing approximately 4.30 carats, gross weight approximately 121 dwts, internal circumference 18 inches, signed Codognato; after 1940. With signed box.
This piece is somewhat similar to the previous skull necklace – it’s by the same maker – but here you see both skulls and complete skeletons, almost camouflaged in a bed of golden ivy.
Lot 191: Platinum, Moonstone, Lapis Lazuli and Diamond Necklace, Tiffany & Co., Designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany.
The drop-style necklace of slightly graduated design, composed of variously-shaped moonstone cabochons, each decorated with lapis lazuli segments, further set with round, old European and single-cut diamonds weighing approximately 2.90 carats, length 16 inches, signed Tiffany & Co.; circa 1915.
Here’s a detail shot of the necklace above – those moonstones glow in person like nobody’s business. The lapis really brings out the blue flash.
In the close-up, the necklace was photographed alongside another Tiffany & Co piece – a sapphire and diamond ring. Here’s its info:
Lot 190: Platinum, Gold, Sapphire and Diamond Ring, Tiffany & Co.
Centering an oval-shaped sapphire measuring approximately 7.8 by 6.7 by 4.7 mm, within an openwork mounting of scrollwork design, set with old European and single-cut diamonds weighing approximately 1.15 carats, size 5½, signed Tiffany & Co.; circa 1905.
Check out my Instagram today for a look at what I played with when I visited! For more of the lots from tomorrow’s Important Jewels sale, please visit the online catalog here.
All images and info are c/o Sotheby’s. Thanks to Sotheby’s for having me to visit, and most especially to Catharine Becket for showing me around so patiently (and for letting me take the Lalique to better lighting).
The post Darkly romantic jewels in Sotheby’s September 22nd sale. appeared first on Diamonds in the Library.
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