Midget Village :: essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Midget Village   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One Saturday night, I left the house to go to a friend’s house, and the last words that came out of my parent’s mouth was to be careful. That statement went in one ear and out the other. People never think that anything would ever happen to them because they take their safety for granted. I told them that I am always careful and I’ll be home soon, so I left.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I started up my car and fished around in my back seat for my CD case so I wouldn’t be bored for the twenty-minute ride to my destination. I was driving my Ford Probe that I had just bought two weeks ago. I was feeling like a million dollars in my new car, even though it was a used, it was new to me. I was driving the speed limit and sometimes I was driving slower than it was because I wanted people to see me in it. Since I was doing that, the ride was taking more time than I expected and I knew my friends were waiting for me. Singing to my favorite CD in the car got me a bit thirsty, so I stopped at the seven-eleven to buy a slurpee.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I parked the car and went in. I greeted the people working at the cash register and went into the back of the store and proceeded to get my slurpee. I happened to glance over my shoulder and I saw that the people working in the store were following me around the store as if I was going to steal something. This got me frustrated and mad because that is racial profiling and I don’t like to be judged by the color of my skin. I confronted the employee and asked him flat out, why he was following me around. He told me that people like me come in there all the time and steal. I asked him what he meant by â€Å"people like me?† He didn’t respond, and I got even more frustrated. I put the slurpee in his hands and walked out of the store. I will not buy things from a store that has those kinds of views about minority races. I could have acted like I was one of those people who he was talking about by cussing at him and making a scene, but I just left a nd held everything in.

Night World : Spellbinder Chapter 16

Thea started to let go of Eric. She could still try to save him. But he wouldn't let go. And her own instincts told her to hold on to him. They stood up together, holding each other, facing the Inner Circle as a unit. â€Å"Well,† Mother Cybele said, blinking rapidly. â€Å"Aradia brought us here thinking you might need help. But you've taken care of things yourselves. We saw the end, very impressive.† â€Å"I saw it, too,† Aradia said. Her face was turned toward Thea, the faintest trace of a smile on her lips. â€Å"You did a good job, Thea Harman. You're a true Hearth-Woman.† â€Å"Yes, and where did that last invocation come from?† Gran said, shifting her weight to the cane Rhys gave her. â€Å"I've never in my life heard of anybody calling on their own power as a daughter of Hellewise.† She said it in a grumbling way, but Thea had the strange feeling that she was almost pleased. Thea faced them all. Maiden, Mother, and Crone of the Inner Circle. She was still holding Eric. â€Å"I don't know where it came from,† she said, and was glad to hear that her voice wasn't shaking too badly. â€Å"It just†¦ came.† â€Å"And what about you? What's your name, young man?† Gran said. â€Å"Eric Ross.† Thea was proud of the way he said it, quiet and respectful, but not cowed. Gran looked from him to Thea. And back again. â€Å"You're in this with my granddaughter?† â€Å"He doesn't know anything. ,. .† Thea began, but of course that was hopeless. And ridiculous. â€Å"I know I love Thea,† Eric said, cutting her off. â€Å"And she loves me. And if there's some rule that says we can't be together, it's a stupid rule.† He sounded terribly brave and terribly young. Thea felt a wave of dizziness. Her fingers tightened on his until both their hands were shaking from the pressure. She realized for the first time that her right hand was fairly seriously burned. â€Å"Please let him go, Grandma,† she whispered. And then, as Gran stood silent, â€Å"Please†¦ I won't ever see him again and he won't ever tell. All he's done is try to help me, try to save lives. Please don't punish him for what's my fault.† Warmth pooled in her eyes and spilled over. â€Å"He tried to uphold the law,† Aradia said. â€Å"At least, I think so.† Thea wasn't sure she'd heard right. Gran didn't seem to be, either. She said, â€Å"How's that?† â€Å"Hellewise said it's forbidden for witches to kill humans, didn't she?† Aradia asked, her face serene. â€Å"Well, that spirit was a witch who'd already killed a human-and who wanted to kill more. And he helped send her back. He helped Thea undo the forbidden spell, and he helped prevent witch law from being broken again.† Rhys muttered, â€Å"Neatly put,† but Thea couldn't tell whether that meant he agreed or not. Gran shuffled a step forward, looking at Eric. â€Å"And just what did you do to help, young man?† â€Å"I don't know if I did help,† Eric said in his quiet, straightforward way. â€Å"Mainly I just tried to keep her from killing me-â€Å" â€Å"When did you light the fires?† Thea asked in an undertone, still clutching his hands. He glanced at her. One side of his mouth quirked slightly. â€Å"Nine o'clock,† he said. â€Å"Even though I wasn't there.† Thea's voice was just slightly louder now. â€Å"And you knew Suzanne would come and try to get you, and you didn't have any magic to fight her. So why did you do it?† He looked at her, then at Gran. Then at her. â€Å"You know why. Because otherwise she'd have gone over to the party.† â€Å"And killed more people.† Thea looked at Gran. Gran was staring at Eric, her dark old eyes very keen. â€Å"So you saved lives.† â€Å"I don't know,† Eric said again, maddeningly honest. â€Å"But I didn't want to take the chance.† â€Å"He saved my life, too,† Thea said. â€Å"Suzanne tried to kill me. And I could never have gotten through the spell to send her back if he hadn't kept her distracted.† â€Å"That's nice, but I'm not sure it's enough,† Old Bob said, running a hand over his stubbly chin. His weathered face was quizzical. â€Å"There's nothing that says upholding one law makes up for breaking another. Especially Night World law. We could get in a mess of trouble fooling with that.† Gran and Mother Cybele looked at each other. Then Gran turned to Old Bob. â€Å"I changed your diapers-don't tell me you know more about Night World law,† she snapped. â€Å"I'm not about to let a bunch of bloodthirsty vampires dictate to me.† She looked at the others. â€Å"We need to take this somewhere private. Let's go back to my place.† Somewhere private. Hope kept racing giddily through Thea as the jeep bounced and rattled home. Eric was driving, and Thea was in the backseat, so they couldn't talk. Aunt Ursula was in the front beside Eric. Gran's fighting for me. And Aradia, and maybe even Mother Cybele. They don't want me to die. I don't think they even want Eric to die. But reality kept trying to push the hope away. What can they do? They can't condone a witch and a human being together. They can't risk war with the rest of the Night World, not even to save me. There's no solution. The little caravan pulled up the back alley behind Gran's store. And then Thea was in the workshop again, in the circle of chairs. Creon and Belfana had been waiting. So had Blaise and Dani, who were both sitting down. â€Å"Are you okay?† Dani began, standing–and then she shut up. She was looking at Eric, her dark, velvety eyes huge. A human in the Circle. â€Å"We put Suzanne back,† Thea said simply. She took Eric's hand again. The Inner Circle re-formed around the two of them, witch and human, standing centered. â€Å"We have a situation,† Gran said. And she explained even though most of them already understood the problem. She did it thoroughly, looking at each of the Circle members in turn. Aradia and Mother Cybele sat on either side of her, occasionally putting in a thoughtful remark. Thea figured it out in a few minutes. Gran was recruiting each of them, appealing to them-and showing that the Mother and Maiden both agreed with her. She was working them all over to her side. â€Å"And the end result is, we've got these two,† she said at last. â€Å"And we have to decide what to do with them. This is a decision for the Inner Circle, for the daughters and sons of Hellewise. Not for the Night World Council,† she added, looking at Old Bob. He ran a hand through rough gray hair and muttered, â€Å"The Council might not see it just that way,† But he smiled. â€Å"There was a time,† Gran said, â€Å"when witches and humans got along better than they do now. I'm sure anybody who's gone far enough back with their family tree knows that.† Eric looked at Thea, who shook her head and looked at Blaise. â€Å"She means,† Mother Cybele put in, â€Å"that we used to take human husbands, a long time ago. To make up for the fact that there have never been enough witch men. That was back in the days when there was still the third Circle, Circle Daybreak. The one that tried to teach magic to humans.† â€Å"Until humans started burning us,† Belfana said, her freckled face grave under its coil of deep red hair. â€Å"Well, this one isn't likely to burn anybody,† Aunt Ursula said acidly. At that moment, Thea loved her. â€Å"Nobody is arguing that the laws should be changed,† Mother Cybele said, putting her plump fingers together. â€Å"We can't go back to those days, and we all know the danger from humans now. The question is, is there any way to make an exception in this one case?† â€Å"I don't see how,† Rhys said slowly. â€Å"Not without all of us ending up accused of treason.† â€Å"It'll be the Night Wars all over again,† Nana Bur-uku added. â€Å"Each race of Night People against the others.† â€Å"I don't wish them harm,† Creon said from his wheelchair, his cracked voice barely audible. â€Å"But they can't live in our world, and they can't live in the human world.† And that, Thea thought, sums it up perfectly. There is no place for us. Not while one of us is witch and the other is human†¦. The idea came in a single flash, like the lightning from the balefire. So simple. And yet so terrifying. It might work†¦. But if it did, could I stand it? Would you give up everything? Everything-including Gran and Blaise. Dani and Lawai'a and Cousin Celestyn. Uncle Galen, Aunt Ger-deth. Aunt Ursula†¦ Selene and Vivienne, everybody at Circle Twilight. The smell of herbs, lavender mixed with rose petals. The kiss of cool stones in her palm. Every chant, every invocation†¦ all the spells she'd learned. The feel of magic flowing through her fingertips. Even the memory of Hellewise†¦ Hellewise in her white shift, in the dark forest†¦ Would you give up everything†¦ for peace? For Eric? This time the inner voice was her own. She found herself looking at Eric and knowing she already had her answer. He was so good, so dear. Tender but intense. Smart and brave and honest and insightful†¦ and loving. He loves me. He was willing to die for me. He'd give up everything. Eric was watching her, his gray-flecked eyes concerned. He could tell that something was going on with her. Thea smiled at him. And was so proud to see that even now, surrounded by people who must seem like figures from some horrible legend to him, he could give her a wry half-smile back. â€Å"I have an idea,† she said to Gran and the Inner Circle. â€Å"The Cup of Lethe.† There was a silence. People looked at each other. Gran was startled. â€Å"Not just for him,† Thea said. â€Å"For me.† Long breaths quietly drawn in the silence. Gran shut her eyes. â€Å"If I drank enough, I'd forget everything,† Thea forged on, talking to all the grave faces. â€Å"Everything about the Night World. I wouldn't be a witch anymore, because I wouldn't remember who I am.† â€Å"You'd become a lost witch,† Aradia said. Her lovely face was calm, not appalled. â€Å"Like the psychics who don't know their heritage. And lost witches can live with humans.† â€Å"And neither of us would remember about the Night World,† Thea said. â€Å"So how could we be breaking any laws?† â€Å"The law would be satisfied,† Aradia said. Eric's hand tightened on Thea's. â€Å"But-â€Å" She looked at him. â€Å"It's the only way for us to be together.† He shut his mouth. This silence was very long. Then Blaise, who had been standing with crossed arms, watching, said, â€Å"She told me they were soulmates.† For an instant, Thea thought she was saying it spitefully, to harm. But Gran was turning in surprise. â€Å"Soulmates. That's a notion I haven't heard in a while.† â€Å"An archaic myth,† Rhys said, shifting in his lab coat. â€Å"Maybe not,† Mother Cybele said softly. â€Å"Maybe the old powers are waking up again. Maybe they're trying to tell us something.† Gran looked down at the floor. When she looked back at Thea, there were tears in her fierce dark eyes. And for the first time since Thea had known her, those eyes looked truly old. â€Å"If we did let you do this,† she said, â€Å"if we let you renounce your heritage and walk away from us†¦ where would you go?† It was Eric who answered. â€Å"With me,† he said simply. â€Å"My mom and my sister already love her. And my mom knows she's an orphan. If I tell her Thea can't stay here anymore-well, she'd take her in, no questions.† â€Å"I see,† Gran said. Eric hadn't mentioned that his mom already thought Thea was living in an unstable home with an unbalanced old lady, but Thea had the feeling Gran knew. Another pause, as Gran looked around the Circle. Finally, she nodded and let out a breath. â€Å"I think the girl's given us a way out,† she said. â€Å"Does anybody disagree?† No one spoke. Most of the faces were pitying. They think it's a fate worse than death, Thea realized. Blaise said suddenly, â€Å"I'll get the Cup.† She clashed through the bead curtain. Good. It's good to get it over with, Thea thought. Her heart was pounding wildly. She and Eric were holding hands so tightly that her burned fingers stung. â€Å"It won't hurt,† she whispered to him. â€Å"We'll be sort of confused†¦ but it should come back to us†¦ except anything about magic.† â€Å"You can transfer into zoology,† he said. â€Å"And go to Davis.† He was smiling, but his eyes were full. Dani stepped forward. â€Å"Can I†¦ I'd just like to say good-bye.† She got through that much steadily. Then she choked and threw herself into Thea's arms. Thea hugged back. â€Å"I'm sorry I got you in trouble,† she whispered. â€Å"You didn't-you told them it wasn't my fault. They're not going to do anything to me. But it's going to be so lonely at school without you†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Dani stepped away, shaking her head, trying not to cry. â€Å"Blessed be.† Blaise was back, little bells ringing. She had a pewter chalice in one hand and a bottle in the other. Just seeing the bottle sent a shiver through Thea. The glass was so dark with age she couldn't tell what color it had been originally, and so misshapen it was hard to know if it was meant to be round or square. There was wax over the cork and all sorts of seals and ribbons. Gran broke through the seals, pulled off the ribbons. She tried to twist the cork out of the wax, but Blaise had to help. Then she tipped the bottle above the cup Blaise held. Brownish liquid ran out. Gran poured until the cup was half full. â€Å"When you drink this,† Gran said to Thea, â€Å"you'll forget me. You won't know anyone here. But we won't forget you.† She spoke formally, an announcement before the Circle. â€Å"Thea Sophia Harman, let the record show that you are a true daughter of Hellewise.† She shuffled forward and kissed Thea's cheek. Thea hugged her, feeling the fragile old body for the last time. â€Å"Good-bye, Gran. I love you.† Then Blaise came, offering the cup in both hands. She looked wild and beautiful, her hair a cataract of black tumbling around her, her hands pale around the chalice. â€Å"Good-bye,† Thea said, and took it from her. Blaise smiled. Now, Thea told herself. Don't hesitate. Don't think about it. She lifted the cup to her lips and drank. And choked slightly on the first swallow. It was- it tasted like†¦ Her eyes went to Blaise's. Which were large and gray and luminous. They looked at her steadily. So steadily that it was a warning. Thea kept drinking. Tea. Watered-down iced tea. That was what the Cup of Lethe tasted like. That bottle was sealed-she didn't have time- there was wax on the cork†¦ Thea's mind was churning. But she had enough sense to do one thing-she drank a lot of whatever was in the cup, so there wouldn't be any left over for the Circle to examine when Eric was done. And she kept her face blank as Blaise took the chalice from her and gave it to Eric. Eric drank, looked slightly surprised, and kept drinking. â€Å"Finish it allll,† Blaise said. Her eyes were still on Thea's. And that was when Thea knew for sure. You did it before, when you were first talking about giving human boys the Cup of Lethe after spilling their blood at the Homecoming dance. You poured it out and stashed it somewhere and put in tea and redid all those seals-of course you could reproduce them with molds. And now†¦ and now†¦ As Blaise took the chalice back from Eric, it hit Thea in a wave that almost made her hysterical. This is never going to work. They're never going to believe it. But†¦ Thea took Eric's hand and sank her nails into his palm. She didn't dare say a word to him, didn't dare even look at him. But she was thinking, don't speak, don't do anything, just follow my lead. She made her face as blank as a wax doll. Eric was just standing there. He didn't know what to expect, but he obviously felt Thea's nails. And he proved how smart he was by not speaking. â€Å"We stand adjourned,† Gran said tersely. â€Å"Blaise, take them out while they're still confused. They should be able to get home on their own.† She turned away without looking at Thea. â€Å"No problem,† Blaise said. Aradia said, â€Å"I'll go with you.†

A Balanced Score Card

The most important thing to having a successful business is to have the most up to date information. If you have all the information at your fingertips it can help you to make the best possible decisions. What kind of information is available and how do we sort through it and use this information? In the hospitality industry the amount of information received everyday is overwhelming, and it isn’t possible for staff to be able to sort through it and organize it properly. In the hospitality industry the information technologies are the tools that the staff uses to sort and manage the information and the balanced score card is just one such tool. The Balanced Score Card is a very useful tool for managers because it organizes information from different departments to create a picture of the hotels operations and the success of those operations. The Balanced Score Card is a tool that is used by business professionals, the information that this found on this card is useful to the managers for a variety of reasons. However the primary use is to monitor the organizations progress towards it vision and its mission. The information is like a snapshot of the health of the business. This tool allows manager to identify areas that need improvement, ones that are doing well and what might be future opportunities. (Nyheim &McFadden, 2007) In the balanced score card the data that is used is collected by many different departments. One of the main types of information found on the balanced score card is financial information. Some other information that can also be found on the card includes such things as information on employees, the turnover rate, and also promotions. There is also equipment functionality and learning and growth of the company that is found on the card. One last thing that is present on the card is customer information and it may include such things as customer satisfaction; 3 returning customers, and the overall experiences and suggestions made by the customers. With all the information collected from many departments in the hotel this is used to create the finished product which is known as a balanced score card. There is a vast amount of information that is collected by departments using a PMS or RMS that deals with customers such departments includes housekeeping, front desk and the food and beverage department. There are some other departments that collect data such as accounting, marketing, and sales. All the information that is collected from these departments is used to create the balanced score card, and this information is used to show strengths and weakness within the hotel. The different departments can then focus on their area of information that pertains to them; this allows emphasis to be focused where it is needed to make the changes necessary to get the departments where they need to be with goals, missions and visions for the future of the hotel. One important thing that the balanced score card can do is determine room rates for different times of the year and different days of the week. These initial rates of a room are computed by using wage cost per room, annual operating profit per room, and the cost of maintenance on each room, then by comparing the score card from prior years management can tell where occupancy is higher or lower and be able to adjust for that with the room rates. If the hotel has a slow time then marketing and sales can create special packages or rates to get people to fill the rooms. It is better to rent the room at a lower rate than to fill the room instead of leaving rates the same and the room stay empty, because if it’s empty there is no profit. Within the hotel industry the food and beverage department uses a form of RMS, it contains three components to compile data for their department, a point of sales system, inventory and 4 menu management, and also reservation and table management. The information is then taken and is used to create the balanced score card along with information from other departments. There are many ways the food and everage department can use this information, such as staffing needs, and also the efficiency of the current staff. It can also help to access the relationship between the food and beverage department and its vendors and then changes can be made if necessary. Managers can use the information to make sure that the department is meeting their budget and its goals for the hotel. There is also customer experiences that are collected on the balanced score card, and this information can help managers improve to better fit the needs of customers. The information on the card can also show the managers the busy time of year and the slow time which helps in ordering inventory, when specials need to be ran and when the department may need to hire more staff. The balanced score card information is very helpful for managers to be able to know when to hire for different departments. Because of the hotels off seasons in spring and fall, the hotel may need less employees for one department and still need the same amount in another department so by looking at the balanced score card it is easier to determine. It can be used by managers for staffing, such as extra weekend staff during the busy season, or a holiday weekend and this information is all found on the balanced score card. There are some other examples of information that can be found such as to much staff in one department, unnecessary overtime, if a full time employee is receiving hours due to the off season, and even if a staff can be promoted or moved to a different department. The success of any hotel is dependent on its staff and the information provided by the balanced score card is valuable in learning this information. 5 When management looks at the balanced score card they have many choices they should consider. Some of these choices might include profit and employee satisfaction within the company. It is very important as far as profit because a company needs profits to stay open, and as far as employees it is important because to do a job to the best of their ability it helps to have happy employees. The profit is one of the information that is shown on the balanced score card, accounting can look at this and know if marketing and sales need to make adjustment in rates of rooms, or other areas. One way to increase profits through marketing would be making changes to rooms, what kind of amenities are offered and doing promotions or discounts to help bring the profits up. The satisfaction of employees and their environment the input of employees are also included in the balanced score card. This will help management to adjust the environment to help with the employees so they are happy and more willing to perform well on their job and that is an important key in customer service. The Balanced Score Card is a very important tool for the use of management to make changes and improve areas or departments when needed. The information or data that is found on a balanced score card has so many valuable uses for all departments of the hotel and is so important in all areas from staffing to making up profits. It is by far one of the most useful tools in the hospitality industry today. References Technology Strategies- Nyheim,P.D.,F.M.,& Connolly,D.J. (2007) http://www.prenhall.com/nyheim Technology Strategies for the Hospitality Industry http://www.hospitalityguild.com/books.technology_strategies_for_the_h.htm A Balanced Score Card The most important thing to having a successful business is to have the most up to date information. If you have all the information at your fingertips it can help you to make the best possible decisions. What kind of information is available and how do we sort through it and use this information? In the hospitality industry the amount of information received everyday is overwhelming, and it isn’t possible for staff to be able to sort through it and organize it properly. In the hospitality industry the information technologies are the tools that the staff uses to sort and manage the information and the balanced score card is just one such tool. The Balanced Score Card is a very useful tool for managers because it organizes information from different departments to create a picture of the hotels operations and the success of those operations. The Balanced Score Card is a tool that is used by business professionals, the information that this found on this card is useful to the managers for a variety of reasons. However the primary use is to monitor the organizations progress towards it vision and its mission. The information is like a snapshot of the health of the business. This tool allows manager to identify areas that need improvement, ones that are doing well and what might be future opportunities. (Nyheim &McFadden, 2007) In the balanced score card the data that is used is collected by many different departments. One of the main types of information found on the balanced score card is financial information. Some other information that can also be found on the card includes such things as information on employees, the turnover rate, and also promotions. There is also equipment functionality and learning and growth of the company that is found on the card. One last thing that is present on the card is customer information and it may include such things as customer satisfaction; 3 returning customers, and the overall experiences and suggestions made by the customers. With all the information collected from many departments in the hotel this is used to create the finished product which is known as a balanced score card. There is a vast amount of information that is collected by departments using a PMS or RMS that deals with customers such departments includes housekeeping, front desk and the food and beverage department. There are some other departments that collect data such as accounting, marketing, and sales. All the information that is collected from these departments is used to create the balanced score card, and this information is used to show strengths and weakness within the hotel. The different departments can then focus on their area of information that pertains to them; this allows emphasis to be focused where it is needed to make the changes necessary to get the departments where they need to be with goals, missions and visions for the future of the hotel. One important thing that the balanced score card can do is determine room rates for different times of the year and different days of the week. These initial rates of a room are computed by using wage cost per room, annual operating profit per room, and the cost of maintenance on each room, then by comparing the score card from prior years management can tell where occupancy is higher or lower and be able to adjust for that with the room rates. If the hotel has a slow time then marketing and sales can create special packages or rates to get people to fill the rooms. It is better to rent the room at a lower rate than to fill the room instead of leaving rates the same and the room stay empty, because if it’s empty there is no profit. Within the hotel industry the food and beverage department uses a form of RMS, it contains three components to compile data for their department, a point of sales system, inventory and 4 menu management, and also reservation and table management. The information is then taken and is used to create the balanced score card along with information from other departments. There are many ways the food and everage department can use this information, such as staffing needs, and also the efficiency of the current staff. It can also help to access the relationship between the food and beverage department and its vendors and then changes can be made if necessary. Managers can use the information to make sure that the department is meeting their budget and its goals for the hotel. There is also customer experiences that are collected on the balanced score card, and this information can help managers improve to better fit the needs of customers. The information on the card can also show the managers the busy time of year and the slow time which helps in ordering inventory, when specials need to be ran and when the department may need to hire more staff. The balanced score card information is very helpful for managers to be able to know when to hire for different departments. Because of the hotels off seasons in spring and fall, the hotel may need less employees for one department and still need the same amount in another department so by looking at the balanced score card it is easier to determine. It can be used by managers for staffing, such as extra weekend staff during the busy season, or a holiday weekend and this information is all found on the balanced score card. There are some other examples of information that can be found such as to much staff in one department, unnecessary overtime, if a full time employee is receiving hours due to the off season, and even if a staff can be promoted or moved to a different department. The success of any hotel is dependent on its staff and the information provided by the balanced score card is valuable in learning this information. 5 When management looks at the balanced score card they have many choices they should consider. Some of these choices might include profit and employee satisfaction within the company. It is very important as far as profit because a company needs profits to stay open, and as far as employees it is important because to do a job to the best of their ability it helps to have happy employees. The profit is one of the information that is shown on the balanced score card, accounting can look at this and know if marketing and sales need to make adjustment in rates of rooms, or other areas. One way to increase profits through marketing would be making changes to rooms, what kind of amenities are offered and doing promotions or discounts to help bring the profits up. The satisfaction of employees and their environment the input of employees are also included in the balanced score card. This will help management to adjust the environment to help with the employees so they are happy and more willing to perform well on their job and that is an important key in customer service. The Balanced Score Card is a very important tool for the use of management to make changes and improve areas or departments when needed. The information or data that is found on a balanced score card has so many valuable uses for all departments of the hotel and is so important in all areas from staffing to making up profits. It is by far one of the most useful tools in the hospitality industry today. References Technology Strategies- Nyheim,P.D.,F.M.,& Connolly,D.J. (2007) http://www.prenhall.com/nyheim Technology Strategies for the Hospitality Industry http://www.hospitalityguild.com/books.technology_strategies_for_the_h.htm

Global Warming Research Paper

Global Warming: Its effects on the Economy by Vincent Colletti Professor Shakely English Composition II July 1, 2008 Outline THESIS: From the findings of experts on Global Warming and Climatology, it can be concluded that Global Warming has a direct effect on our current global economy and the instability of the future. Introduction I. Background A. The study of Environmental Economics B. Economic issues and relations to past and future global warming estimates II. The effects on GDP A. Increase of natural disasters B. Impact on agriculture C.Rise in health care cost 1. Heat waves 2. Spread of disease D. Further subjugation those who have a lower standard of living 1. Displacement III. Opposing arguments A. Efforts to prevent global warming are to costly B. Low Winter mortality rate C. Possible Profit lies in the Arctic IV. What is being done to counteract climate change’s affects and plans for the future A. Kyoto Protocol 1. Acceptance/Refusal 2. Funds created B. â€Å"Green Collar† Jobs and Alternative Energy Sources 1. Wind/Water Power 2. Fuel efficient automobiles 3. Carbon CaptureConclusion Global Warming: It’s affects on the economy In considering climate change policies, the fundamental trade-off principal that society faces is between, consumption today and consumption in the nearing future. It is a question of economics; the return on this environmental investment is lower damages and thus higher consumption in the future. Now is the time that nations must decide whether or not they will make investments in understanding the economics of the environment and act accordingly to slow the climate change over the coming centuries.According to the National Bureau of Environmental Research (NBER) environmental economics is defined as â€Å"†¦ studies of the economic effects of national or local environmental policies around the world, including effects on pollution, research and development, physical investment, labor supply, econom ic efficiency, and the distribution of real income. † It is the desirable option to have policies that are economically efficient so that the environmental objectives can be achieved in a least cost approach, but then the question arises how long should we wait until an optimal climate-change policy is fabricated? pic] This chart explains the forecasted increase in Earth’s average surface temperature according to a series of climate change situations. It is, of course, impossible to predict with certainty what permanent economic effect global warming will have, but many economists and scientists agree the past and present effects can serve as a guide as to what can be expected. From the findings of experts on Global Warming and Climatology, it can be concluded that Global Warming has a direct effect on our current global economy and the instability of the future.Although scientists generally agree on the probable rise in the average global temperature over the next cent ury foretelling the change in a specific region is more complex. Due to the fact that the forecast models used in determining global warming’s affects are just that, models, they cannot be taken as fact and are subject to change. According to the Stern Review, a report created by the former Chief Economist of the World Bank Nicholas Stern, â€Å"the cost of climate change could be equivalent to a permanent loss of around 0-3% in global world output† (Stern ix).This would take humans into unknown territory which is the essential factor in the Stern Review which develops the basis that climate change will affect everyone, not just those whose greenhouse gas emissions are elevated. The report conveys the costs of extreme weather conditions could decrease the â€Å"†¦world Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by . 5-1% per annum†¦ † (Stern viii) before the middle of the century. In regards to the models Stern used in his report, the USA could expect a double of an nual natural disaster costs due to the increase in hurricane wind speed attributable to the rise of sea temperature.This should serve as Americas warning considering one of the most costly hurricanes, Hurricane Katrina, hit our shores in 2005. As Al Gore, former Vice President and long time Environmentalist, points out in his book An Inconvenient Truth, â€Å"Hurricane Katrina caused approximately $60 billion in insured losses† (Gore 102). A further impact on the world economy would concentrate in the UK who will be heavily affected by the melting of glaciers, whose â€Å"annual flood losses alone could increase from 0. % of GDP today to 0. 2-0. 4% of GDP once the increase in global average temperatures reaches 3 or 4 degrees Celsius† (Stern viii). Along with the devastation that will follow the increase in natural disasters, global warming will soon prove to be a burden on our agricultural market as well. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the â⠂¬Å"changing climate could cause soils to become drier and drier, and crop failures could become more widespread. † What burdens will this place on the global economy?It will affect the poorest countries first, mostly due to the fact that the majority of these â€Å"poor† countries have a high dependency on agriculture as a means of living and trade. Another affect on our agriculture will be the disruption in our food supply according to author and Boston Globe editor Ross Gelbspan, â€Å"global warming could result in insect related crop damage. † With the information presented pertaining to the rising level in carbon dioxide it should be inferred that although plant growth accelerates in areas with elevated carbon dioxide concentration and to some would seem like an opportunity to initiate in mass harvesting and ncrease yields but it should be considered that many scientist along with Gelbspan predict, â€Å"these initial increases will soon flatten, and a lon g-term diet of concentrated carbon dioxide will weaken plants,† (Gelbspan 37) resulting in a less full-bodied, nutritious product. The fall in farm industry will ultimately pilot the increase of illness, death, and poverty, especially in third world countries. As briefly mentioned before, global warming will not only have an affect on our economy but also our health care system.Naturally the rise of global temperature can be dangerous for humans because of the extreme weather conditions that are bodies are not accustomed to. A study by the EPA shows that an increase in â€Å"†¦the concentration of ozone at ground level due to higher air temperatures†¦Ã¢â‚¬  may lead to severe complications â€Å"for people with asthma and other lung related diseases. † Logically higher air temperatures could seriously impact those who live in southern areas of the world.The EPA estimates that in Atlanta, for example, even a warming of about two degrees(F) would increase heat -related deaths from currently 78 people annually to anywhere from 96 to 247 people per year, which if translated into a global scene it would be a travesty. The Stern Review points out a shocking yet â€Å"scared straight† statistic for some, it expressed that the heat wave in Europe of 2003 killed 35,000 people and is estimates show that if temperatures increase 2 or 3 degrees(C) this number can come close to doubling.Also the EPA has speculated that global warming will promote insect life in farther northern areas that were once unable to facilitate growth. In terms of providing medicine for the various diseases carried by the insects such as Malaria, Dengue fever, Nile virus, and Yellow fever, it worries me if government or medical help will be able to offer aid to enough people considering it’s hard enough to get an adequate amount of Flu vaccinations in a single season; imagine an extension of warm seasons with infected insects spreading and establishing themselv es in â€Å"unknown territories,† this could be the next modern epidemic.In the Heat Is On, a striking fact the author uses to convey a similar point of that of above is â€Å"A side effect to global warming are insect attacks. A study shows that Alaskan forests have suffered from severe outbreaks of bark beetles, which have devastated several million acres of forest† (Gelbspan 141). With an increase in severe weather conditions, spread of disease, decline inhabitable land, and sea levels raising many people will be forced to flee their homes. In a 60 Minutes special one of the worlds leading authorities on climate control, Bob Corell, told the world that â€Å"98 percent of the world’s mountain glaciers are melting. This is a startling fact considering the impact that will have on coastal cities around the world. Corell proceeded to explain that sea levels around the world will increase three feet within 100 years. Melting glaciers will inevitably increase flo od risk and water supplies around the world. Thus approximately â€Å"one-sixth of the world’s population† (Stern vi) will be threatened with drinkable water shortages and displacement. Being unable to produce food or purchase necessities, it is estimated that â€Å"tens to hundreds of millions of people, with warming of 3 or 4 degrees(C) will have to relocate† (Stern vi).Although it is often thought just those in Africa, Asia, and small islands will be affected it should be known that large cities such as New York, Tokyo, London, and Cairo all possess an equal risk. An estimate put forth by the Stern Report states that â€Å"†¦by the middle of the century, 200 million people may become permanently displaced†¦Ã¢â‚¬  all of which can be attributed to rising sea levels, strong floods, and soil and water salinization. Increases in extreme weather patterns â€Å"could reduce global gross domestic product by up to 1%†¦ A two to three degrees Celsius , up to 10% of global output could be lost†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Stern Review).Nations worldwide must see the broader economic and security factors of global warming. â€Å"The melting Artic is the proverbial canary in the coalmine of planetary health and a harbinger of how the warming planet will profoundly affect U. S. national security† (Borgerson 9). With an economy in distress such as the United States, investing in energy efficiency should seem like the logical step forward in the nation’s history but lobbyists and those who oppose, with their isolationist instinct, look to seek a profit and mask the environment’s downward spiraling transformation.It is time we â€Å"†¦get on with the important work of mitigation and adaptation by managing the consequences of the great melt† (Borgerson 9) however this proves to be harder than environmentalists expected. Opposition to â€Å"green energy† has currently caused much debate, with slandering advertis ements from both extremes of the spectrum. One combatant idea stems from the â€Å"respected economic analysts GlobalInsight, their estimations, in 2002, concluded that meeting the Kyoto target would reduce Germany’s GDP by 5. 2%, Spains by 5. 0%, the U. K. ’s by 4. %, and the Netherlands by 3. 8%† (Horner 259). These speculated values stressed the idea that cleaning the environment was just not worth the lost incurred with following the protocol. Another suggestion opponents of environmental cleanup is â€Å"Spain and Britain would lose a million jobs, while Germany would lose nearly 2 million jobs, thanks in part to 40% increase in electricity and heating cost† (Horner 259), an proposal that has proved to be false, although they have seen a loss in GDP many analysts believe it is due to rising fuel costs.Since the estimations of those who consider global warming too large of a problem to deal with, surfaced to be a fallacy, a new concept was pushed into the media, thus influencing the public in their favor. â€Å"Between 2004 and 2005, the Artic lost 14 percent of itsperennial ice—the dense, thick ice that is the main obstacle to shipping. In the last 23 years, 41 percent of this hard, multiyear ice has vanished. † (Borgerson 2).To many this may seem like a grim glance into the future, but for commercial industries and government this is an opportunity to exploit our land. The artic region located near Alaska would be a prime spot for accessing gas reserves. President Bush has proposed that a three way treaty between the United States, Russia, and Canada should be created and refineries put in place. It would seem as if â€Å"big business† is blind to what must occur in order for them to have their chance at producing fuel from the gas reserves.This plan is supported by the fact that it will lessen the dependency on foreign oil. Climate change will have an un-proportionate positive to negative effect ration ex cept for idealists in the market looking to turn a profit. The Stern Report addressed argument that global warming will have a constructive role in the future for instance; places such as Russia and Canada will be beneficiaries of a 2 or 3 degrees (C) in the sense that climate change will lessen winter’s harshness eventually leading to lower winter mortality, and heating costs.It is also believed that the surge of warmer climates may also increase tourism to once barren artic tundra regions. An efficient response to global climate change will depend on the actions of an internationally collaborative effort. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has realized this and formatted a treaty entitled the Kyoto Protocol. This protocol sets forth for almost every industrialized nation, except the United States and Kazakhstan, a guideline as to how much greenhouse gas they may emit within a year.It proposes that countries with higher emissions of greenhouse gases be held responsible and require them to pay for more energy efficient activities in less developed countries, thus managing not so much limiting, the amount of harmful gases released and funding countries in need of further energy efficient program development. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, â€Å"over 50 nations representing 55 percent of industrialized nations’ emissions have agreed to ratify the protocol. † To many economists this places the United States in the middle of the â€Å"war on global warming† and sees the U.S. soon being forced to participate or face global environmental isolation. â€Å"Every country will need to adapt to climate change†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Walker 163) although it will be much easier for some than others. Countries who barely produce enough GDP will find it harder to allocate funds to environmentally safe practices rather than an industrialized nation whose profits soar and money is easily set aside to research and development of â€Å"green† methods. â€Å"Already 3 global funds are aimed at aiding the least developed countries to adapt† (Walker 163).As of April 2006, the Least Developed Country Fund has collected a sum of $89 million in actual funds. While the Special Climate Change Fund has received $45 million towards alternative manners of conduct and the estimated by the World Bank state the Clean Development Mechanism will have obtained close to $500 million by the year 2012 (Walker 163). It is ostensibly and economically understandable why so many countries fear the reduction of emissions the cost of mitigation, the loss of jobs, the public will become discontent with government.However a transition to renewable energy would create millions of jobs globally and facilitate less fortunate nation’s raise of living standards without negatively compromising economic conditions of established countries. The transition from a high to a low greenhouse gas polluting ec onomy will promote competitiveness and opportunity growth. For instance, Britain, within the next twelve years, has a targeted 20% increase in energy efficiency, 10% of vehicle traffic being powered by bio-fuels, and 15% of energy derived from renewable sources (Black).Currently Sweden obtains about 5% of its electrical energy from water, this is called tidal power. Tidal power creates energy from the sea water that moves landwards, the current drives turbines which in effect generate energy. Another way to counteract global warming is the use of wind. Wind power is produced by use of wind mills, often clustered together on a wind farm, the force of the wind converts natural energy into a useful form such as electricity. Wind energy is easily harnessed, renewable, and is responsible for about 1% of world wide electricity use (Black). The importance of change is illustrated by the fact that world economic energy efficiency is presently improving at only half the rate of world economi c growth† (U. S. Department of Energy). Another option to offset or maybe even neutralize the affects of global warming lies in the ideas set forth by an economic analyst Cliff May. May believes an â€Å"open standards† fuel law should be sanctioned that would require all new cars sold in the U. S. be Flexible Fuel Vehicles. Flexible fuel cars are automobiles that run not just on gasoline but a variety of alcohol and ethanol based fuels.This would force consumers to buy these new cars that burn fuels cleaner than gasoline. One way of creating a demand for theses flex fuel cars would be to offer tax breaks as incentives for both the producer and consumer. An advantage that comes from alternative fuel such as ethanol is it is made from corn, sugar cane, sweet potatoes, and just about any starchy crop. Along with crops as possible â€Å"green† fuel sources, biomass for instance grass, crop residue, fallen leaves, weeds, and trash, all can serve a higher purpose and consequently are in abundance in the U. S. Before long, billions of dollars that we are now sending over seas could be going into the pockets of Americas—farmers, auto workers, alternative fuel producers and investors† (May 8A). Not only would alternative fuels create an economic stimulus, far greater than the checks sent out by President Bush, but it would help restore the environment. .By adding to our consumption of an emerging market, alternative fueled automobiles, investing in companies that produce these fleets of vehicles, and taking away from government spending which follows the formula in calculating GDP, the U. S. ould be ranked number one. Additionally, a solution for increasing unemployment rates would finally be achieved. Also, being one the largest manufacturers of flexible fuel automobiles will enable international trade to increase significantly along with national income. There are limitless ideas as to what can rejuvenate the economy but few have hop e of standing up to an idea this enveloping. It is worth keeping in mind that our past can serve as an example of how mankind reacted too late when faced with â€Å"threats like acid rain, deforestation, asbestos, CFCs, declining fisheries, BSE† (Black).Simply, climate change will cause damage, in the sense that in what is done for our own benefit will cause harm to those in the future. Global warming can not be predicted with complete accuracy but enough can be inferred from the information and effects already available. â€Å"Mitigation- taking strong action to reduce emissions- must be viewed as an investment† (Stern i). Economists may see the fight against global warming as a cost incurred at this moment in order to avoid the repercussions of what the future may bring. And the less mitigation we do now, the greater complexity of ongoing adaptation will be.The production and dispersing of low carbon or â€Å"green† technologies is critical in moving the world into a more sustainable condition. â€Å"There is no reason economic development and environmental stewardship cannot go hand in hand† (Borgerson 8).

Maria Montessoris work Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Maria Montessoris work - Essay Example Her methods are so popular that they are in use today in nearly every industrialized nation. In 1896 Maria Montessori became the first Italian woman to become a Doctor of Medicine. She then worked at a psychiatric clinic with mentally handicapped children. She became interested in ways to improve the mental capabilities and performance of these children. Her methods were so promising that she was then named the head of an entire school for mentally handicapped children in Rome. She was so successful using her own special equipment that her children were able to learn so much that they were able to pass tests created for 'normal' children. In 1906 she was "promoted to working with disorderly children in a very poor section of Rome. With her same new equipment, she produced the same results as she had with the mentally handicapped children. Here she noticed that when the children chose and worked with the equipment themselves, they were extremely focused on the task. Out of this grew the Montessori Method, which stresses giving the child freedom in his own educational process (Botsford, 1993). One of the main tenets of Maria Montessori's educational reform was the idea that the child operates in far different ways than the adult. Thus, research into the development of the child was paramount in developing and justifying her programs. She concluded that the child's mind develops differently at different ages. She calls the age of birth to six years as that of the Absorbent Mind. From birth to age three the child simply absorbs his environment unconsciously and begins constructing his conscious mind from there (Botsford, 1993). From age three to age six, the child begins to construct his personality, which Montessori claims, depends upon an "environment in which he or she can act and learn freely, without adult intervention" (Botsford, 1993, p.3). Further, Montessori describes several periods of the child's growth that become sensitive periods during which the "child is capable of extraordinary leaps in learning of different skills and bodies of knowledge. It is essential that the child should be able to maximise his or her potential during these sensitive periods, in order to develop as a full human being" (Botsford, 1993, p.3). In order to do this effectively, Montessori began to research child psychology and psychoanalysis. Because most child psychology researchers of the time stressed observation as a key element in learning about the distinct nature of the child, she began observing children as they played and learned. One book was particularly influential in nurturing Montessori's theories; it was Donald Hebb's 1949 "The Organization of Behavior. This book concluded that the richness of the early environment significantly aided in developing skills in adult problem solving (Lilliard, 1972). Also instrumental in Montessori's research was Freidrich Froebel, a scientist who advanced the idea that every child had the potential to use his environment as a means of developing emotions and of learning (Lilliard, 1972). Froebel urged educators to dismiss the idea of educating young children formall and instead allow them to play and develop holistically. Dissatisfaction with current pressures to introduce chil dren to formal learning at an early age has led to a growth of interest in the ideas of Froebel and of other pioneers who wanted to preserve childhood as a time for play and holistic development (Froebel, 2006). Thus, the curriculum at a

Deductions from income including medical expense, state and local Essay

Deductions from income including medical expense, state and local taxes, interest, charitable deductions, personal and business - Essay Example Deductions of interest upon tax are categorized into six: Home mortgage (publication 936), Business or trade, Investment (publication 550), Passive activity, Personal and Student loan interests For interest to be deductible upon one’s return of tax, it is determined by how money was borrowed and how such money was utilized. Form 1040’s schedule A upon the tax return shows the kinds of interest one can deduct on the return regarding investment interest, points and home mortgage interest. This is with regards to the Internal Revenue Service. (wwwebtax.com, 2011) Section of the IRS code that the IRS will use to support its position of disallowing the deduction Section 506 of the House Bill talks about revaluation of gifts and the same House Bill extends its special rule for such gifts as provided by Chapter 14 of gifts in entirety. (rpifs.com, 2011) Starting august 1997, subsequent to Taxpayer Relief Act’s implementation, revaluation of gifts was considered as follo ws with regards to tax return. After 1997 August, IRS is no longer in a position to revalue gifts and this is following the expiry of the statute of the limitations duration. For this provision to apply, though, the gift’s value must be finally determined. ... Also the fair market value has to be determined, unless the regulations have not made it a requirement to state the market value of the whole entity if the interest value in that entity is reached without utilizing the entity’s net asset value. An explanation of how the fair market value was reached has to be included, the relation ship existing between the recipient and the donor and lastly, the description of the taxpayer’s position he/she is taking contrary to the regulation of the treasury or a ruling of revenue. (Mitchell, 2008 p6-10) Support that Donald will need to defend his position that the interest is investment related and should be deductable for tax purposes Mitchell gives an example, where the recipient of a gift may challenge a decision reached by IRS. According to the example given by Mitchell, a lady by the name Smith, Grace gave out a gift six years prior to her demise and which was valued at 1,000,000USD ( Assuming that Smith was supposed to pay the IRS a rate of tax on gift of 55%). The statute that governs this gift passed this without carrying out an audit of the return of gift. The IRS went through the return by Smith and decided on the correct value, though. This led to a scenario where the estate was supposed to have a credit for the taxes on the gift that were previously payable of an amount of 825,000USD instead of 550,000USD gift tax that was actually paid upon filing of the return. This would result to an estate tax increasing since such revaluation pushes that estate to an upper bracket of tax. In a case where the estate was in the top-most tax bracket, such a revaluation would not have any impact, though. In case the IRS gives a final notice with regards to the redetermination in accordance

The advantages and disadvantages of coursework as a means of Essay

The advantages and disadvantages of coursework as a means of assessment - Essay Example Assigning coursework helps teacher in analyzing each student’s strengths and weaknesses. Some students are good at speaking while others are good at writing. Course works also save time of both student and teachers. Teachers cannot be with students all day long, but assigning course works helps teachers in assessing each individual student’s capabilities. As I see, invention of internet is the main problem of coursework. No longer children portray their own viewpoint in regards to their assigned tasks and cut and paste the ideas, facts and figures of others. Before the advent of internet, assigning coursework to students used to be very successful as it helped them in illustrating their own creativity in their coursework, but nowadays, course works are more inclined towards plagiarizing. At times, even the student doesn’t know what he has written in assignments. As a matter of determining how much information a student has attained from a coursework, in my opinion, is a useless tool. The focus is more on presenting the assignment instead of learning something out of it. In actual, there’s little learning taking place in coursework scenarios and the tendency of peers to copy each other’s assignment is higher. Due to the reason of copy paste phenomena, universities, schools and colleges are now more concerned in investing in plagiarism detecting software so that anything which is lifted from the internet can be detected. Coursework has always been the most beneficial and effective tool to enhance the capabilities of students, but the advent of internet is making it ineffective. It is necessary for teachers to design and allot the coursework in a way that there are lesser chances of plagiarizing and higher chances boosting student’s skills. Perhaps, by the little modifications it will be feasible to restore the effectiveness in