Fakir Musafar (www.bodyplay.com) offers group training in traditional scarification techniques, and has recently added some modern (cautery) techniques as well.

Chemical scarification is the use of chemical agents to damage the skin and induce scarring. Most people agree that the results achieved using this technique are not that different from those achieved using other, far simpler, safer, and more predicable methods. As such, little research has been done into this method.

Instead of using base or acidic chemicals to burn down into the skin, and instead of rubbing chemicals into cuts, some people actually inject questionable chemicals under the skin. In some cases, these blister up and form a permanent scar, resembling the inoculation marks of the past.

Abrasive scarification is scarring achieved using friction to remove enough layers of skin to create scarring. Abrasive scarification is generally used to create subtle unraised scars, but it can be used to create almost every type and texture of scar.

Certain activities -- be it BMX racing and other extreme sports, or be it fighting or punching out windows -- tend to lead to scars because of the injuries they bring. Many view these scars as desirable, and not only seek them out by putting themselves in harm's way, and by rubbing irritants into any wounds to induce them to scar.

Almost every (but not EVERY) scarification artist working in the Western world is also a body piercer. The easiest way to find scarification artists local to you is an Internet search, coupled with visiting the better piercing and tattoo studios in your area.

I can't stop you from doing this, but the best way to get a low quality scar is to do it yourself. Self scarification, while common, is not recommended.

Most artists are self trained, but this is not the most responsible option, especially nowadays. The best way to become a scarification artist is by apprenticing under an experienced practitioner. As far as how to achieve that, get to know one on a personal level and take it from there. In addition, it is important that young people reading this realise that under no circumstances should scarification be considered as a "career" -- the commercial market is just not large enough.

The basic categories are branding (scarification through burns, either from heat, or from lasers or electrocautery devices), cuttings (fine scarification using a thin blade, sometimes coloured using tattoo ink, sometimes including the removal of patches of skin), and various other less common means including the use of chemicals and other non-traditional means.

By far the largest risk is the aesthetic one. Branding, cutting, and scarification are far from precise arts, and because the call for scarification is much smaller than that for piercing or tattooing, most artists are simply not that experienced. In addition, even experienced artists have trouble getting consistent results because there are so many variables in the healing process.

Tattooing works by reciprocating needles passing repeatedly through the surface of the skin. If a tattoo artists is too "heavy handed" (that is, tattooing too deep, or needlessly spending too much time in a given area, grinding it up), the tattoo will heal with some degree of scarring. This can be done on purpose as well.

There are many temples, museums, parks and so on that you can visit. In addition, the closest beach to the school is only 10 mins by bus or bicycle, so from late Spring to early Autumn, you can relax at the beach. A high-speed boat can take you to South Korea in only 3 and a half hours, perfect for a weekend vacation from study! Fukuoka also has many bars and night clubs. The cheapest night clubs cost only 1000 yen. You'll meet many Japanese people there! Have fun!

There is no financial assistance available in Wales for nursery vouchers. Wales has a different funding strategy to that in England. Nursery Education is provided in five x half day session in schools within the County Borough. There are places available, within the maintained sector, for all children of nursery school age.

In Wales Primary School Performance tables are not published for individual schools. You will need to contact the school directly for this information.

In the event of the need to close school or have a delayed opening a Honeywell Alert will be sent out. If you need to register for Honeywell or update your contact information, please call Mrs. Veverka in the main office. All school closings are also reported to AM Radio: 1310 WJLK, FM Radio: 94.3 WJLK , and reported on www.cancellations.com.

The school calendar is posted on our District Home Web page at (www.browardschools.com). See BCPS Calendar. The Year Round School Calendar is also posted here.