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Fighting Privatization, Hellenic Petroleum Workers Bar Investors
By TNH Staff August 28, 2018
Hellenic Petroleum Facilities. (Photo: Eurokinissi, file)
Workers at Hellenic Petroleum, one of Greece’s top public companies, physically prevented potential investors from entering two sites, protesting government plans to privatize the company as part of plans to push the sale of state enterprises.
Prime Minister and Radical Left SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras, who said he would halt the privatizations, instead has accelerated them on orders of the country’s international creditors, drawing fire from workers.
A union spokesman said the petroleum company workers didn’t want potential investors on the sites and that they planned strikes in retaliation at Tsipras’ plans to break his vows and allow the sell-offs.
The government wants to sell a controlling 50.1 percent in Hellenic, which is jointly held by the state and Paneuropean Oil and Industrial Holdings. The top contenders for the takeover are Anglo-Swiss Glencore Energy and Switzerland’s Vitol Holding.
Glencore officials were scheduled to visit Hellenic’s refineries in Aspropyrgos and Elefsina, about 12 miles outside Athens, on Aug. 27 but when they got there, they were barred and workers walked off the job for four hours to picket their presence.
“Workers didn’t let them in because they want to cancel Hellenic Petroleum’s fire-sale,”, Panagiotis Ofthalmides, the head of their labour union representing about 2,000 workers, told Reuters, using Tsipras’ own phrase when he denounced previous governments for wanting to sell state assets on the cheap.
Hellenic is strategically important for the country’s national interests and should remain under state control, Ofthalmides said.
Glencore was due to visit Hellenic’s third refinery in Thessaloniki on Aug. 28, while its competitor, Vitol, is expected in Athens next week but Ofthalmides said workers will not allow them to enter those sites either.
The government wants to finish the sale by the middle of next year as part of plans to pick up the pace of lagging privatizations which have brought in only about 5 billion euros ($5.83 billion) since 2010, only 10 percent of what the country’s international lenders expected would be raised.
Creditors Watching, Mitsotakis Tells BBC He’ll Bring Tax Cuts
Troika Watching, Greece’s New Finance Chief Says Tax Cuts Priority
Mitsotakis’ First Showdown Coming With Troika
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United Kingdom - English Change
E75 motorway lighting upgrade - Belgrade
More than 1,300 street lights have been replaced with energy efficient ones on this busy motorway linking the Nikola Tesla Airport to the Lasta bus station in the city centre
AMPERA OWLET Control Solutions
Roads and highways Tunnels
In 2017, the city of Belgrade upgraded the lighting on the E75 motorway linking Nikola Tesla Airport to Lasta bus station in the city centre to increase safety, cost-effectiveness and environmental benefits.
The existing Onyx luminaires with high-pressure sodium lamps (400W) lighting the motorway were diffusing an orange hue, making it difficult to see the real colours at night. They have been replaced by Ampera Maxi luminaires mounted on the same posts at a height of 13.5m with a spacing interval of 62m.
With an installed power of 274W, they provide the required lighting levels for class M1 with a better quality of light, enabling the city to reduce energy costs by 38%. They also require no routine maintenance, with no need for cyclic lamp changes, which means less disruption for drivers and further savings for the city.
Equally important, these new modern LED fittings direct the light exactly where it is needed with excellent uniformity. They emit a crisper, white light ensuring excellent visibility, a better contrast and high visual comfort, helping to reduce traffic accidents, leading to safer roads.
The luminaires are managed by the newly installed Owlet Nightshift control system. This system enables the city to monitor and control the lighting network to manipulate operational burn hours, dim lighting at times of lower traffic flow, monitor faults and track energy consumption. This can be done on a unit-by-unit basis or globally.
The GL2 Compact was mounted in the ceilings of the underpasses along this section of the motorway, again increasing the quality of light for improved safety with less operating costs.
A total of 1,306 luminaires were replaced along this 18km long section of the motorway.
The local authorities are delighted with the new lighting solution which not only makes the E75 perceptively brighter at night, but delivers significant energy savings and a reduced carbon footprint.
Print this page Download the photos
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Team measures puncture performance of viper fangs
IMAGE: This is an electron micrograph of the fang of Bothrops atrox, the common lancehead, a pit viper.
Micrograph by Stephanie Crofts; specimen (c)Field Museum of Natural History FMNH51658
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- A team that studies how biological structures such as cactus spines and mantis shrimp appendages puncture living tissue has turned its attention to viper fangs. Specifically, the scientists wanted to know, what physical characteristics contribute to fangs' sharpness and ability to puncture?
They report their findings in the Royal Society journal Biology Letters.
Like most venomous snakes, vipers have fangs that function primarily as hypodermic needles, said University of Illinois postdoctoral researcher Stephanie Crofts, who conducted the analysis of viper fangs with U. of I. animal biology professor Philip Anderson. But vipers - a group that includes rattlesnakes, asps and puff adders - tend to have hinged jaws that fold the fangs up into their mouths for storage.
Viper fangs are smooth and efficient, Anderson said.
"They typically don't have to hold on very long," he said. "They sink their fangs in and out, and they're done."
The researchers wanted to know which characteristics of the fangs made them good at puncturing.
"The question was: How do we measure sharpness?" Crofts said. "Intuitively, we think we know what is sharp and what isn't, but in biology, we have to measure specific morphological traits."
The Field Museum in Chicago lent the researchers fangs from a variety of species. The team used 28 viper fangs for its tests.
For each fang, the researchers measured the angle of the tip (was it wide or narrow?), how rounded the tip is, and its surface area. They mounted each fang to a machine that can apply and measure the force required to puncture something - in this case, cubes of ballistics gel of uniform size and density.
Mechanical engineers on the team also manufactured a series of metal punches with varying tip angles, degrees of bluntness and surface areas, and the team also tested those using the same methods.
"With the punches, we could very tightly control the different parameters," Crofts said. "It was a way of isolating those different metrics."
The tests revealed that the angle of a fang's tip contributed the most to sharpness. Even a narrow fang with a rounded tip tended to perform better than a wider fang that was intact - not rounded or dulled - at its end.
"The narrowness of the tip angle is what's really important," Crofts said. "I found that a little surprising, because most measures of sharpness focus on the roundedness of the tip. That does come into play, but it's secondary to that overall angle."
"This study tells us what aspect of shape to measure when we want to measure sharpness," Anderson said. "Whether we're looking at biological systems or other systems, the tip angle appears to be the primary factor driving sharpness."
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Shock And Gore: The Films Of Herschell Gordon Lewis
Catching up with the life’s work of Herschell Gordon Lewis
By Jonathan Hatfull 30-11-16 70,742
Arrow Video
1,175 mins
If you like this, try...
John Waters’ bad-taste classic is still absolutely wonderful, god damn it.
Herschell Gordon Lewis, the Godfather of Gore, passed away this year, and fans of his work will want to snap up this very handsome collection of his work from Arrow Video.
There are some pristine restorations, commentaries, featurettes, interviews with his contemporaries and acolytes and a fantastic documentary directed by splatter-horror favourite Frank Henenlotter that spans Lewis’ origins in softcore smut to his venerated position as the originator of the slasher movie and a trailblazer for independent filmmakers.
The box set packs in 14 movies, from Blood Feast to The Gore Gore Girls. You’ll find his best-known movies like 2000 Maniacs and The Wizard Of Gore, and curios like Something Weird, non-genre exploitation like Scum Of The Earth, and the ones that are difficult to discuss without grimacing, like The Gruesome Twosome. With the exception of his early nudie pictures and the two films he made in the Noughties, it’s basically all here.
As is pointed out in Henenlotter’s The Godfather Of Gore, talking about artistic merit in Lewis movies is missing the point. Lewis made films to make money, with gruesome shocks and titillation by using every game cast member and piece of sheep’s carcass at his disposal. This is not to dismiss his sly wit, and later films like boast some disorientating dream-like sequences, but it’s all in service of the schlock. There are exceptions, but don’t expect good acting, great writing or exceptional filmmaking.
If you’re a fan of HGL, you need this box set. The brick-red blood, grinding guts and popped eyeballs have never looked better. If you’re new to his work then we’d suggest trying one first before shelling out on such a lavish collection.
Tags: Shock And Gore: The Films OF Herschell Gordon Lewis
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Editorial – The Scottish Banner Says….
April 10, 2019 March 1, 2019 by Editor
Gracing our front cover: Highland Inspiration-Claire Marie wearing Lorna Gillies designs. Photo: Darja Bilyk.
March 2019 (Vol. 42, Number 09)
The Banner Says…
Celtic Connections
This month many of our Celtic cousins will celebrate their varied identities with Wales celebrating St David’s Day and the Welsh culture on March 1st, Saint Piran’s Day is celebrated on 5th March as the national day of Cornwall and the widely known Irish Saint Patrick will be celebrated across the world on March 17th.
What do these celebrations have to do with Scots, who have their own day in November with St Andrew’s Day? Perhaps more than we realise, as Celts the link is deep and strong amongst us.
Both Scotland and Wales have two amazing, and mythical, national animals. The Welsh dragon is known the world over and proudly is shown on their flag, while Scots have the lesser known but just as unique unicorn which appears on Scotland’s Royal Coat of Arms. Scots hero Sir William Wallace may also have Welsh back ground as Wallace is said to translate to Welshman.
Who doesn’t love a wee dance? A twmpath is Wales’ own form of a ceilidh – the traditional Gaelic social gathering involving folk music and dance originating in Scotland and Ireland. The twmpath includes the familiar trad music instruments such as the accordion and fiddle.
Like Scotland Wales has its own language which they are working hard to preserve, and Welsh may have originated by early Welsh settlers to Scotland, who went on to develop Old Welsh.
Also preserving their own language heritage are the Cornish. The language is spoken by hundreds of people in Cornwall who are working to revive and promote the Cornish language, identity and culture.
Though at opposite ends of the country, Scotland and Cornwall are ‘linked’ by a rite of passage journey for many. The well-trodden 874 miles/1,407km journey from Land’s End to John o’Groats, the most south-westerly point of Cornwall to the north-eastern tip of mainland Scotland, has inspired many to travel the length of Britain by car, bike and even on foot.
Recently Cornwall was also given minority status – the same protections as the Welsh, Scottish and Irish – under European rules.
At the closest point Scotland and the North Antrim Coast are just 12miles/19 km apart, and the migration of people between the two countries has been going on for centuries.
Today a visitor to both Scotland and Ireland will pick up numerous Celtic similarities between these two great nations. One would be the use of the Gaelic language in street signs, spoken word and music. Whilst the Irish Gaelic and Scots Gaelic languages are distinct, they remain part of the same dialect and individual words and phrases remain close enough for each to understand the other.
Both are great lands to try a dram as each blend their own ‘juice of the barley’, whether it is spelt whiskey or whisky. The aptly names ‘water of life’ flows as uisce beatha (Irish Gaelic) or uisge beatha (Scots Gaelic) and both nations produce world class products and are important to the local economy both as exports and for inbound tourism. Regardless of which you prefer both the Scots and Irish will raise a glass with the traditional sláinte, or cheers.
Both nations as well have seen their nationals spread across the world. The Irish and Scottish Diaspora today celebrate their land of ancestry with millions of people claiming ancestry to one, and often both.
Scotland never seems to go out of fashion and that can also be said for the great fashion the nation produces. Tartan and tweed are so linked to Scotland and represent quality, history and fashion. This month Highland designer Lorna Gillies speaks to us about how she is using ancient cloth in a progressive way.
The ancient practice of medieval combat takes place at many Scottish and Celtic festivals around the world today. Scotland now has its very first female knight who has spent a great deal of time and effort learning the sport carrying literally the weight of armour and the nation on her shoulders.
Munro bagging is a past time that is uniquely Scottish. A Munro bagger is somebody who makes it their mission to conquer all of Scotland’s mountains which have an elevation of greater than 3000 feet (914 metres). There are 282 mountain ranges that classify as a Munro, so those who take up this challenge certainly deserve recognition. This month marks the 100th anniversary of the death of Sir Hugh Munro who started the craze and his name literally lives today in Scotland’s majestic mountains.
Special bond
It is great Scots have a strong bond with many nations around the world, especially where Scots settled. However, amongst the Celtic nations, Scotland certainly has a special bond with links between it and many neighbouring nations. There are of course seven Celtic nations and this bond runs across all of them.
Though we are clearly Scots in our heritage, I know my own family can trace back to the ‘Cathedral Town’ of Letterkenny in County Donegal, Ireland. Millions of Scots will also have connections and bloodlines with various Celtic nations, interwoven in their family history.
Celts share many cultural, historical and social identities, and whilst different to Scotland, those nations are without a doubt very much our Celtic cousins.
Do you share a connection with another Celtic nation? Share your story with us by email, post, social media or at www.scottishbanner.com/contact-us
Categories EditorialLeave a comment
Sean Cairney – Editor
© The Scottish Banner 2019
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UCL Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering
Groups, centres and sections
Parnassus is an interdisciplinary research project investigating the effects of climate change, particularly flooding and wind-driven rain, on cultural heritage, and the protective adaptation needed
Parnassus - Protecting cultural heritage from flood and driven rain.
Please note, certain links on this page direct to external sites.
Parnassus is implemented under 'The Science and Heritage Programme', and funded by the AHRC (Arts & Humanities Research Council) and EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council). The Academic Project Partners involved in the project are:
University College London, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering
University of Bristol, Department of Civil Engineering
University of Bristol, School of Geographical Sciences
University of Southampton, School of Humanities
Key questions for the aims of Parnassus are:
What are the main damaging environmental effects on cultural heritage?
How can the causes of damage or material change to cultural heritage be better understood?
When is material change acceptable and damage unacceptable?
What adaptation measures can be taken?
Prof Dina D'Ayala, Principal Investigator
Dr. Yasemin Didem Aktas, Lecturer in Applied Materials and Structures for MEng Engineering and Architectural Design
Understand and quantify impacts of flooding and driving rain due to climate change on the structural integrity and material properties of historic buildings and archaeological sites
Evaluate resilience and adaptation measures able to counteract and prevent adverse effects
Disseminate findings to conservation practitioners via guidance documents and seminars
Development of a methodology that can robustly simulate the effect of WDR and flooding from the territorial scale to the individual building
Correlation of exposure, building typology and damage effects through the collection of field survey, local base knowledge and historical records
Quantification of extreme WDR and flooding scenarios using uncertainty modelling applied to available meteorological data
Development of use of laser scanning to provide data visualization, computational fluid dynamics and finite element models for improved interpretation process
Definition of damage criteria in masonry due to the effects of freeze-thaw action
Introduction of a test standard for weather tightness of structural walls
Drawing up specifications for a reliable monitoring system for assessment of effects of weathering actions on decay
Characterisation of resilience and adaptation techniques
Evaluation of efficiency and effectiveness of specific techniques
The Parnassus project is case-based and depending on factors such as flooding hazard, diversity of age, materials, construction techniques, significance, and historical documentation of the heritage buildings and archaeological remains, these areas have been chosen as case studies:
Arlington Court and Carriage Museum
The monitoring studies that started in Arlington Stables in April, 2012 included the measurements of rain water, wind speed and direction, as well as indoors, outdoors and in-wall temperature and relative humidity values.
The report summarizing the work carried out in the stables block and carriage museum so far can be found here.
Blickling Hall
The monitoring studies that started in Blickling Hall in Norfolk, Norwich in August, 2012 included the measurements of rain water, wind speed and direction, as well as indoors, outdoors and in-wall temperature and relative humidity values.
The report summarizing the work carried out so far can be found here.
Bodiam Castle
Bodiam Castle is in consideration for temperature and relative humidity monitoring.
Cottown, Perthshire: cob walls
Cob Houses are in consideration for temperature and relative humidity monitoring.
Deerhurst: archaeological sites
The buildings investigated in Deerhurst are:
St. Mary's Church
Odda's Chapel
The Minstrels
Tewkesbury: scheduled area near the Abbey
In Tewkesbury area, after site characterization and building typology analysis (street survey) for the site, feedback from site users and detailed building characterization have been performed on the following buildings:
Tewkesbury Abbey
64 Barton Street
11 Abbey Terrace
Abbey Barn
Tewkesbury Abbey Mill
1 Mill Bank
The Boat House (Old Chandlery)
Deerhurst (see above) is regarded as an extension of the Tewkesbury area.
Winchester Cathedral and Winchester College buildings: scheduled area
In the Winchester area, after site characterisation and building typology analysis (street survey) for the site, feedback from site users and detailed building characterization have been performed on the following buildings:
Winchester College
Winchester Abbey Mill
Winchester City Mill
16a Colebrooke St
61 Kingsgate
86 Water Lane
York: Barker Tower
Barker Tower is being monitored by using 6 standalone sensors.
The Guildhall is in consideration for investigation.
In order to achieve the main aims of Parnassus, tasks for the implementation of the project are organised in work packages. The Project Structure illustrates the interaction and the flow of Work Packages. The project Work Plan shows the implementation of work packages within the three years' time frame.
Work Package 1: Management and Work Plan
Parnassus brings together engineering, geography, archaeology and conservation and relies on the collaboration of three academic institutions, four commercial partners, five national institutional partners and three international organisations.
The PI Prof. Dina D'Ayala, from University College London, is coordinator of the project. Coordination occurs via two tiers of meetings:
Academic partners meetings (APM), attended by university staff and relevant commercial partners
Steering committee meetings (SCM), open to all partners
Click to download the Parnassus Work Plan Gantt Chart:
workplan_parnassus_gantt_chart.pdf
Work Package 2: Understanding the sites
Task 2.1 Survey-questionnaire
After a preliminary study to define buildings typology and recent and past level of hazard and damage, the initial data is collected through questionnaire-led survey of Local Authority and Building Preservation Trust Officers. Questions cover history, specific pathologies, and interventions.
Task 2.2 Typological and material classification and vulnerability rating
Based on Task 2.1 classification of buildings and preliminary correlation between exposure, typologies and damage effects is performed. This will be used to rank the areas in terms of hazard, vulnerability and exposure, informing choice of which hydraulic models will be developed, and which buildings will be laser-scan surveyed and monitored.
Task 2.3. Historic significance of previous climate change
Climate has varied significantly in the historic past becaming colder and wetter in 14th and 15th century England, with effects on changes in building technique and conservation. Houses became more 'permanent', and needed less maintenance. The University of Southampton, School of Humanities will conduct a review of secondary literature on the relationship between buildings and climate change, developing hypotheses regarding the long-term correlation of climate and building technique.
Task 2.4 Flood and driving rain scenarios
Frequency-magnitude relationships defining flood and wind-driven rain (WDR) scenarios is developed using extreme event statistical analyses of sea level rising, river flow and meteorological data. Using data available through National Water Archive and British Atmospheric Data Centre (NERC) extreme weather and river flow scenarios with uncertainty will be produced. Probabilistic magnitude of extreme events based on climate projections (UKCIP09) will be derived and this will be output and future impacts modelling.
Task 2.5 Monitoring system design
The novel monitoring system is designed as unobtrusive, wireless and with remote logging. It comprises of wind sensors, rain gauges, pressure gauges, temperature and relative humidity sensors, and water level sensors.
Work Package 3: Data acquisition and interpretation
Task 3.2 Coring at sites
At sites selected in Task 2.2, change in conditions through time will be investigated by extraction and analysis of sediment undisturbed cores. This provides:
A lithological and stratigraphic model of the catchments surrounding the sites
Analysis of particle size, geochemical and loss on ignition
A model of landform stability througn combined analysis of cores and topographic data
Task 3.3 Testing material changes to extreme weather cycles
Test wallettes will be built. Specimens will replicate historic cob, rubble and dressed stonework fabrics, following results of Task 2.2. Environmental chamber is used for freeze-thaw (F-T) cycling at the BLADE laboratory at the University of Bristol. Guidelines for material testing to allow for climate change will be established.
Task 3.4 Impact of wind-driven rain
Sets of walls will be built to replicate historic fabrics with and without timber framing and tested at BRE Watford wind-driven rain test facilities. Presentation of results will define specific parameters of damage, leading to the drafting of a new standard test for historic buildings.
Task 3.5 Laser scanning
An integrated laser scanning approach will be used employing LiDAR, Leica ScanStation and Konica Minolta 910 to record buildings and sites three-dimensionally, to maximum resolution of 0.05mm. The approach will enable small but structurally significant shifts in the buildings to be identified.Outputs are:
documentation of built remains for conservation purposes
data of structural changes: sag, warping and racking
documentation of lab samples of T3.3 and T3.4
generation of 3D shapes to represent position, shape and volume of buildings in water flow and rain path at different resolution levels for T4.2 and T4.3
For each case study a computerised model will visualise structural modifications in the past, during the monitoring phase, and future, including impact of adaptations.
Work Package 4: Models development & validation
Task 4.1 Buildings’ Modelling
An integrated laser scanning approach will be used employing LiDAR, Leica ScanStation and Konica Minolta 910 to record buildings and sites three-dimensionally, to maximum resolution of 0.05mm.
Task 4.2 Hydraulic Modelling of Floods
Flooding at each site is simulated using advanced 1D/2D models of river flow using output from T4.1. This produces estimates of dynamically changing water level and flow velocity at the native resolution of terrain data for various return period extreme events. Models are calibrated and validated against observations of historic floods, then used in prediction.
Task 4.3 Structural Integrity Modelling
Effects of scouring, flash flood, wall saturation, ponding, and drainage failure are simulated. This task develops novel realistic modelling based on accurate building geometry, Task 4.1, material data, Task 3.3, structural parameters, Task 3.4, and environmental loading data, Task 4.2, to output damage scenarios caused by driving rain and/or flooding. After validation based on monitoring, results allow:
predicting severity of damage according to material type, environmental phenomena and soil-structure interaction
establishing material/structure fragility curves for environmental impact factors
defining and validating historic significance-based adaptation measures
Work Package 5: Adaptation measures development & validation
Task 5.1 Developing and validating adaptation measures in physical context
Current guidelines for adaptation measures against WDR and flooding are not historic building specific. Alternatives to a waterproof zone made of concrete around the building foundation (tanking) for flooding and specific grouting and repointing mixtures for WDR are investigated. Adaptation measures are validated on structural, significance–reduction, insurance premium and implementation criteria.
Task 5.2 Validating adaptation measures in historic contexts
Selected adaptation measures will be visualised on the buildings modelled in T4.1 and validated in their historic context. Data collected in T2.2 and T2.3 will be used to quantify effectiveness of current proposed techniques against documented historic ones.
Work Package 6: Generalisation of results
The “extrema” methodology followed from case studies choice, to materials characterization, to climate change effects’ forecast, will allow generalising results through extrapolation and interpolation of data sets. Materials are selected considering:
typical cases (reference type)
extreme cases (realistic limits)
marginal cases (deviation)
Due to the approach, findings will be easily generalised to buildings of similar material and construction typologies with different exposures and variation in fabric and construction. Research methodology and tests guidelines will be generally applicable to the conservation sector.
Work Package 7: Dissemination
Aktas, Y.D., D'Ayala, D., Blades, N. & Calnan, C. (2017) An assessment of moisture induced damage in Blickling Hall in Norfolk, England, via environmental monitoring, Heritage Science, doi: 10.1186/s40494-017-0119-4
D'Ayala, D. & Aktas, Y.D. (2016) Moisture dynamics in the masonry fabric of historic buildings subjected to wind-driven rain and flooding. Building and Environment, 104, 208-220
Aktas, Y. D., D'Ayala, D., Erkal, A., & Stephenson, V. (2015). Environmental performance assessment using monitoring and DVS testing. ICE Engineering History and Heritage, 168(1), 3-16
Parkin, S. J., Adderley, W. P., Kennedy, C. J., Aktas, Y. D., D'Ayala, D. & Erkal, A. (2015). Climate threats to the earth-built heritage of Scotland. ICE Engineering History and Heritage, 168(1), 17-30
Stephenson, V., & D'Ayala, D. (2014). A new approach to flood vulnerability assessment for historic buildings in England. Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences, 14, 1035-1048
Erkal, A., D’Ayala, D. & Stephenson, V. 2013. Evaluation of Environmental Impact on Historic Stone Masonry through On-site Monitoring Appraisal. Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology 46 (4), 449-458
Erkal, A. & D’Ayala, D. (2014) Laboratory Testing of Non-standard Original Historic Building Materials and Related Implications for Conservation. Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, 48, 15-28.
Smith, A.; Bates, P.; Freer, J. & Wetterhall, F. (2013) Investigating the Application of Climate Models in Flood Projection across the U.K., Hydrological Processes, DOI: 10.1002/hyp.9815.
Erkal, A., D’Ayala, D. & Sequeira, L. (2012) Assessment of wind-driven rain impact, related surface erosion and surface strength reduction of historic building materials, Building and Environment, 57, 336–348
Stephenson, V., Aktas, Y.D. & D'Ayala, D. (2016) Assessment of flood and wind driven rain impact on mechanical properties of historic brick masonry, International RILEM Conference on Materials, Systems and Structures in Civil Engineering MSSCE 2016, Lyngby, Denmark
D'Ayala, D, Copeland, P., Aktas, Y.D., Earl, G., Erkal, A, Miles, J., Richley, E., Stephenson, V. & Strutt, K. 2013. The Parnassus Project: Archaeology and Engineering Collaboration for 3D Data Collection and Analysis. Proceedings of Computer Applications and Quantitative Methods in Archaeology (CAA) Conference 2013, 25-28 March 2013, Perth, WA
D’Ayala, D. & Erkal, A. "The Role of Environmental Monitoring in Conservation of Cultural Heritage", WCCE-ECCE-TCCE Joint Conference 2 on “Seismic Protection of Cultural Heritage.
Stephenson, V. J.(2016). Vulnerability of historic buildings to environmental actions: an empirical methodology (Doctoral dissertation), UCL (University College London)
Zhou, J. (2013) Experimental Study On Water Ingress/Egress Properties And Freeze-Thaw Degradation Of Hartham Park Bath Stone Under Vertical Pre-Compression (MSc dissertation), University of Bristol
Seminars and invited talks
Prof Dina D'Ayala spoke at the Resilient York Conference on 4 November 2016. The event was organised by York Civic Trust, York Conservation Alumni Association and the Department of Archaeology at York University and brought together researchers, practitioners and policy-makers to discuss risk of flooding, or more generally global warming, on historic building envelopes.
Dr Yasemin D Aktas spoke at the UK Collaboratorium for Research in Infrastructure and Cities Workshop organised by the Institute for Resilient Infrastructures, University of Leeds on 30 March 2016.
Dr Yasemin D Aktas gave a seminar on Protecting Cultural Heritage from Flood and Driven Rain at the International Workshop Future Cities: Science to Action for Building Resilience of Urban Communities to Climate Induced Physical Hazards on 24 June 2015.
Dr Yasemin D Aktas spoke at the UCL Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction Building Resilience Forum in November 2013.
Prof. Dina D'Ayala gave a seminar on Effect of Climate Change on our Structural Heritage on 15 February 2011 at the Countess of Huntington's Chapel, The Vineyards, Bath, BA1 5NA. The seminar was organised by ICE (Institution of Civil Engineers) and the first seminar for the presentation of the project PARNASSUS.
The Parnassus project relies on the collaboration of the following:
Research academic partners
Academic Project Partners involved in the project are:
The UCL Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering (CEGE) engages in research where integration between the disciplines is likely to be most valuable. All academic staff work within one of the Department's research centres:
Accessibility Research Group (ARG)
Advanced & Innovative Materials (AIM)
Centre for Resource Efficiency & the Environment (CREE)
Centre for Transport Studies (CTS)
CRUCIBLE Centre for Health & Wellbeing
EPICentre
ExCiteS
Healthy Infrastructure Research Centre (HIRC)
Pedestrian Accessibility and Movement Environment Laboratory (PAMELA)
Photogrammetry, 3D Imaging and Metrology
Quantitative & Applied Spatial Economic Research Laboratory (QASER)
Satellite Geodesy and Navigation Group (SGNL)
Centre for Urban Sustainability and Resilience (USAR)
In Parnassus Project, the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering is responsible for project management, on-site and lab testing to define damage thresholds, probabilistic modelling of impact of flood and wind-driven rain and derivation of fragility curves, and developing and validating adaptation measures in structural context.
Civil Engineering is one of six departments in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Bristol, and is one of the top civil engineering departments in the country, with a research activity rating of 5*, denoting “research of international and national excellence”. The Department consistently appears at or near the top of national surveys and league tables, and focuses on first-class undergraduate teaching and top quality research.
For Parnassus Project, Bristol's Department of Civil Engineering is responsible for material characterization, effect of freeze-thaw on residual strength of masonry composites, definition of water penetration mechanism and correlation to damage criteria, to be conducted in BLADE – Bristol Lab for Advanced Dynamics Engineering.
BLADE was realised through an £18 million JIF investment within Bristol University’s Faculty of Engineering. Opened in 2004, the lab is equipped with state-of-the-art servo-hydraulic actuators in the range 8 tonnes to 600 tonnes capacity for static through to high-frequency loads, high-speed logging of large banks of data and high volume environmental chambers for humidity and thermal testing of materials in the range -150°C to +150°C. These facilities are eminently suited to the presently proposed work on freeze-thaw cycling with simultaneous vertical compressive load application of large-scale specimens of historic building materials. In-house laboratory technical staff regularly attend training courses to enable safe and efficient use of the increasing inventory of advanced testing equipment. In the 2008 research assessment exercise, 25% of the research in the Department of Civil Engineering was rated as world leading and 55% as internationally excellent, rendering this the third most successful Department at Bristol University.
The School of Geographical Sciences is currently a 6* Department having been continuously top ranked by the UK funding council HEFCE’s Research Assessment Exercise. The School's research is focused on a number of themes which take due cognisance of UK Research Council priority areas, industrial and other stakeholder interests. The research interests of the Hydrology Group focus on the modelling of hydrologic and hydraulic problems using advanced numerical methods. They particularly specialize in modelling river flooding, slope geotechnics and subsurface hydrology and predominately use software developed in-house. The Bristol Research Initiative for the Dynamic Global Environment (BRIDGE) group aims to improve the understanding of natural climate and environmental variability and to use this knowledge to predict future changes more accurately and assess its impact on all aspects of human society.
In relation to Parnassus, the School of Geographical Sciences is responsible for flood and driving rain probability analysis and scenarios, hydraulic modelling to convert extreme flow values into water depths, and velocities around buildings.
Southampton is one of the leading centres in Europe for the study of archaeology, with world class research and teaching ranging from human origins to the modern world, and with field projects across the globe. All academics are experts in their fields and their interests can be grouped within four themes, although these themes are interdependent and fostered by a collaborative atmosphere. The themes are:
Classical and historical archaeology
Maritime archaeology
Social prehistory (including human origins and later prehistory)
Theory, representation and cultural politics
The Faculty of Humanities has a thriving environment for historic buildings work, including the Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Culture which has buildings history and archaeology as one of its core interests. The Faculty is also home to the Archaeological Computing Research Group, which has excellent laboratory facilities and is well-equipped for Parnassus project research, including laser scanning and digital photogrammetric facilities, power and hand augers, and software plus hardware for producing and processing complex three dimensional datasets.
Southampton has been consistently awarded a grade 5 (excellent) in the Government's Research Assessment Exercise since 1992. For the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise, Archaeology at Southampton achieved a national ranking of 5th, one of thirteen disciplines in the University to gain an overall top ten place. It was awarded a maximum 24/24 in 2002 for the quality of the student experience by the Quality Assurance Agency. In 2012, it came top of all Archaeology departments in the country in the National Student Survey.
The archaeologists from the University of Southampton are responsible for understanding historical and archaeological significance of the Parnassus sites with reference to previous climate change, laser scanning and modelling significant buildings at sites, coring at archaeological sites, and validating adaptation measures in historic context. They have ongoing field projects at Bodiam and in Winchester that are producing directly relevant data.
Commercial Partners involved in the project are:
Eatec Engineering Analysis
Ecclesiastical Insurance
Gifford and Partners, Engineering
ARC Architects
Eatec is an independent UK company which specializes in the provision of analysis, assessment and testing services to clients who are engaged in the development of new products, resolution of engineering problems, or undertaking research. Eatec Ltd will provide specialist consultancy support for the Parnassus project as Eatec is becoming more involved in the monitoring of historic and sensitive structures. Their input is in the area of measurements of the environmental parameters affecting the integrity of buildings, including and involving:
the selection of sensors, including any special purpose transducers to be constructed for the project
the data acquisition system and its controlling computer
techniques for remote monitoring of the recorded data
signal processing to extract relevant information from the measured signals
Ecclesiastical Insurance is a specialist insurance and financial services company offering honest advice, deep expertise and caring protection. The company specialises in charity insurance, education insurance, heritage insurance, care insurance, faith insurance, wedding insurance and Anglican church insurance alongside a range of other insurance and financial services products.
In relation to the Parnassus project, Ecclesiastical Insurance will provide data relevant to valuation and insurance premiums as relating to damage/repair following major damaging events in heritage buildings to be used for cost/benefit analysis and validation of alternative adaptation measures.
With almost 60 years of proactive consulting in over 30 different countries, Gifford has extensive experience in understanding the global nuances of procurement, planning, design, engineering and delivery, in energy, environment, property and transport. Gifford has undertaken many projects where the potential of flood damage to both existing and redevelopment sites could have significant physical and financial implications. They are able to assess flood risk from a wide range of potential mechanisms such as fluvial, tidal, ground water, infrastructure failure and pluvial events. Their assesment can mitigate flood risk by adapting the existing situation by means of managing the way in which flood waters reach and pass across a site. They are contributing to the Parnassus project in adaptation measures development and validation.
Arc Architects are an award-winning practice specializing in new ecological architecture, research and conservation of historic buildings. Their approach to design is inspired by vernacular traditions and the potential for modern architecture to create beautiful, well-lit spaces. They have been involved in numerous research projects focusing on construction materials, including two for UK Technology Strategy Board, two for Historic Scotland, and one for the Scottish Government. They bring a combined understanding of the needs of those involved in conservation practice on the ground and of the capabilities of the research community.
ARC's role in Parnassus is to guide the project as a member of the Steering Group and to act as liaison on the Scottish survey and monitoring sites. Arc also contributes to the project in the identification of flood damage to clay materials.
National institutional partners
National Institutional Partners involved in the project are:
Building Research Establishment (BRE), Scotland
Historic Environment Scotland
National Trust for Scotland
Established in 1949, BRE Scotland now helps clients successfully meet the challenges they face in delivering a better built environment. BRE supports industry to achieve good thermal performance in buildings through publications, consultancy and research, providing services to clients seeking advice on building design and regulatory requirements.
National Trust, is a conservation organisation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Trust does not operate in Scotland, where there is an independent National Trust for Scotland.
National Trust strongly supports Parnassus as climate change is the most significant long term threat to the nation’s natural and historic environment, and one of the National Trust’s greatest challenges. The impacts of climate change in the UK are already having tremendous implications for the inspirational and beautiful properties and landscapes the National Trust cares for on behalf of the nation. The Trust is learning how to manage these impacts.
Historic Scotland
Historic Scotland is an executive agency of the Scottish Government, charged with safeguarding the nation’s historic environment and promoting its understanding and enjoyment on behalf of Scottish Ministers. At Historic Scotland, the Conservation Group informs and sustains the conservation, repair and maintenance of the built environment.
The National Trust for Scotland is the conservation charity that protects and promotes Scotland's natural and cultural heritage for present and future generations to enjoy. The National Trust for Scotland’s portfolio of 129 properties includes some of the finest elements of Scotland`s architectural heritage.
English Heritage is the Government's statutory adviser on the historic environment. Officially known as the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England, it is an executive Non-Departmental Public Body sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
English Heritage exists to make sure the best of the past is kept to enrich our lives today and in the future. It strives to protect England's historic buildings, monuments, parks, gardens, battlefields and wreck sites, by highlighting their special interest in a national context. It identifies an asset or site as having significance within the historic environment before any planning stage that may decide its future.
The National Heritage Protection Plan (NHPP) sets out a new framework which will enable English Heritage (EH) and partners in the sector to ensure that our historic environment is appropriately and effectively protected.
International organisations involved in the project are:
ICOMOS ISCARSAH
ICOMOS ISCEAH
The International Council on Monuments and Sites is an association of professionals that currently brings together approximately 9500 members throughout the world.
The International Scientific Committee on the Analysis and Restoration of Structures of Architectural Heritage (ISCARSAH) was founded by ICOMOS in 1996 as a forum and network for engineers involved in the restoration and care of building heritage. Based on the findings of Parnassus research project, ISCARSAH may consider the results for inclusion in the body of ISCARSAH Guidelines that are presently under development.
The International Scientific Committee on Earthen Architectural Heritage (ISCEAH) aims to carry out scientific inquiries, specialized studies, and to share information thereby contributing to the development of better practice and methods for the protection and conservation of the world’s earthen architectural, archaeological and cultural landscape heritage. ISCEAH encourages the participation and colloboration of people who play an important role in shaping, maintaining and conserving both the material and traditional knowledge (intangible heritage) of the earthen architectural, archaeological and cultural landscape heritage.
UNESCO works to create the conditions for dialogue among civilizations, cultures and peoples, based upon respect for commonly shared values. It is through this dialogue that the world can achieve global visions of sustainable development encompassing observance of human rights, mutual respect and the alleviation of poverty, all of which are at the heart of UNESCO’S mission and activities.
UCL Department of Civil, Environmental & Geomatic Engineering
As part of the Parnassus project the development of a novel laboratory test procedure has been pursued, which looks to expose historic buildings to simulated wind-driven rain and flood conditions. The test will expose full-scale wall constructions to the climate conditions, in order to monitor and measure the structural and material effects on the stability and condition of a wall element. To date, a series of solid brick masonry, and timber-frame with masonry infill, wall specimens have been constructed using reclaimed historic building materials and air lime. On completion of curing these are scheduled for testing in Spring 2012. In addition, a programme of testing to define the characteristics of the reclaimed materials, such as porosity and strength has been carried out. Materials have also been sourced for the characterization programme from the historic buildings where monitoring has been undertaken, to complement the data collected using the on-site instrumentation.
Currently, four buildings are being monitored: Blickling Hall in Norfolk, Norwich, Arlington Court in Arlington, Old School Building in Cottown, Scotland, Odda’s Chapel in Deerhurst and Barker Tower in York. The monitoring system is designed to measure Temperature and Relative Humidity of the walls both internally and externally, on their surface and their interior to build a complete profile to correlate Wind-driven Rain load with walls moisture content and depth of penetration, and the content of moisture in the lower levels of the walls with rising damp due to water table level oscillations. Rainfall, wind speed and wind direction, ambient pressure and water level in the nearby watercourse are also being measured outside the buildings to understand the relevance of each parameter. Another building which is being considered for monitoring using the designed monitoring system is Guildhall in York. The modelling of the Abbey Mill and 1 Mill Bank in Tewkesbury is in progress and Numerical modelling will start soon.
Several Hartham Park Bath Stone samples have been tested at the University of Bristol, to determine the stone’s water absorption characteristics. The test results have been presented as upper bound, lower bound and average curves along with associated power law expressions for the water ingress rates over time. A useful observation from this work has been that curve fitting through data points obtained by application of the Newton-Raphson method to determine approximate water ingress rates from the raw test data leads to power law relationships which are similar to those obtained via the time square root approach defined in EN 1925. Photographs were used to record the time-changing height of water, evident from the change of colour of the Hartham Park Bath Stone. Retests were performed to explore potential effects of redistribution / ejection of salts etc within / from the stone due to the first cycle of water ingress and egress, with no palpable effect. These determined water ingress properties will be used to inform on immersion strategy during the imminent Freeze-Thaw (FT) testing of Hartham Park Bath Stone. A main feature of the FT testing will be application of vertical compression (to reflect load-bearing in reality) to the stone samples throughout the freezing, thawing and immersion phases. A 100 tonne axial capacity machine will apply the compression through steel platens to the samples during the freezing and thawing phases in an environmental chamber. To permit retention of the compression during immersion, a special stainless steel prestressing rig has been designed and fabricated at the University of Bristol. Instrumentation including strain gauges and thermocouples will be used to quantify changes to the mechanical integrity of the stone samples throughout the FT regime to conclusion.
A full modelling cascade is now in place consisting of regional climate models, rainfall-run-off models and a 2D flood inundation model. Further analysis of the application of climate models in future flood risk projection has revealed the inadequacies of many current methods. Alternative techniques of future flow generation have been explored and tested, identifying the most suitable application of climate models in future flood projection. The climate model ensembles' includes future projections of temperature and precipitation for the 1960-2099 period. With rainfall runoff models and flood inundation models in place, projected changes to rainfall and temperature can be used to simulate future flooding. The HBV-light rainfall run-off model has been implemented for both the Severn at Saxons lode, and Avon at Evesham with the models being calibrated to 1970-2008 observations. With runoff models in place first projections of future flow scenarios have been carried out for the 2070-2099 period. Further improvement of the 2D flood inundation model of Tewkesbury and Deerhurst has also been carried out. In addition to simulating the 2007 flood event, the December 2000 event has also been simulated. This will be used to produce design flood hydrographs for differing exceedance probability events i.e 1:100 1:50, under future climate conditions.
In collaboration with Penny, Matthew has been leading the survey work at Bodiam Castle and landscape. Bodiam, in south-east England, is one the most famous castles in Europe; it was built in the 1380s by Sir Edward Dallingrygge, at the same time as the surrounding landscape was transformed. Bodiam is particularly significant for the Parnassus project as it was deliberately placed and designed to sit in water -- the artificial moat that surrounds it laps up against the walls. Matthew is preparing papers on the lived experience of the castle and drawing together secondary material on the long-term climatic and environmental history of the region.
Matthew is also engaging with the wider understanding of climate change, definitions of environment, and society. He is writing (with Penny) a joint paper on "Early Modern Housing and the Little Ice Age" at the AHRC-funded Environment and Identity Conference being hosted by English Heritage in July 2011.
Penny Copeland has recently been researching the historic responses to the worsening weather conditions experienced during the Little Ice Age as demonstrated by changes in building techniques. A joint paper is being given with Professor Matthew Johnson on “Early Modern Housing and the Little Ice Age” at the AHRC funded Environment and Identity Conference being hosted by English Heritage in July 2011.
In particular, she has been looking at attitudes to flooding expressed but the decision to build on flood plains or close to water. As part of this research, Penny has been surveying Bodiam Castle, East Sussex with students on the survey course at the University of Southampton. Bodiam Castle dates to around 1385, and therefore within the Little Ice Age, and is surrounded by an artificially created moat. The goal of the survey is to look at floor levels in relation to the surrounding water levels and living arrangements within the castle.
In addition to survey work at Bodiam, Penny has also been researching the history of the case study buildings chosen for possible monitoring and availability of core information in the local area.
Parnassus project resources and weblinks
Integrated Flood Risk Analysis and Management Methodologies - FLOODsite is an EC 6th Framework Programme Integrated Project, undertaking research of over €14M value through 37 partner organisations and over 250 individual researchers.
Centre for Built Environment Research - (CBER) is one of the three research centres in School of Planning, Architecture and Civil Engineering (SPACE) at Queen's University, Belfast. It integrates Structures and Materials Research Team (SMART) from Civil Engineering and the Architecture Research Team (ART), carrying out research on temperature and moisture changes in building materials.
School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford - One of the specific themes in their research is building stone decay and conservation. Prof. Heather Viles' research involves studies at the interface of geomorphology with ecology, engineering geology, environmental chemistry and materials conservation.
UK Groundwater Forum - Groundwater is not only a source of drinking water for millions of people in the UK but also supports our rivers and wetlands and the plants and wildlife that exist in and around them. However, groundwater is under threat from our increasing water needs, pollution and climate change.
BuildingConservation.com includes over 1,500 companies and organisations covering every aspect of the conservation, restoration and repair of the historic built environment.
Effects of Urban Development on Floods by U.S. Geological Survey- Information about streamflow and how it is affected by land use can help communities reduce their current and future vulnerability to floods.
Planning and Building Standards Advice on Flooding - A case study in Wakefield: Flood prevention scheme and environmental enhancements.
Case Study - Adapting Historic Environments to Moisture Related Climate Change by Centre for Sustainable Heritage (CSH).
Climate change compendium: Flooding and Drainage by The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) - UK's leading planning body for spatial, sustainable, integrative and inclusive planning.
Historic Environment Local Management - latest training information
UCL Centre for Sustainable Heritage (CSH) - The centre works on sustainable heritage and heritage science.
B/560 and CEN/TC 346 - Two standards regarding the "Conservation of tangible cultural heritage" that are being prepared with the contribution of Parnassus Project.
Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering
Prof Dina D'Ayala
d.d'ayala@ucl.ac.uk
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Legacies of British Slave-ownership
Commercial Legacies
Commercial Firms
Cultural Legacies
Historical Legacies
Imperial Legacies
Physical Legacies
Political Legacies
Exeter 2015 workshop papers
At the Exeter workshop on the 14 November 2015, the contributions included the following. (Click on the links to download the papers):
Gillian Allen talked about ‘Three enslaved girls: Joan, Jane and Caroline’ who were living on a Jamaican cattle farm in the early nineteenth century. Lucy MacKeith spoke on ‘Unravelling Devon involvement in Slave-Ownership’. Joanna Traynor gave a paper on ‘The Slave codes and Devon men: a significant contribution’. Peter Wingfield-Digby prepared papers on ‘My family connections with slavery and anti-slavery’ and ‘Which Phillpotts was the Slave-owner?’.
An exhibition on Devon’s connections to slavery formed part of the workshop. See our exhibitions page to download pdfs of the exhibition panels. Peter Wingfield-Digby also produced material to accompany a poster exhibition held as part of the workshop and some notes on monuments in Exeter Cathedral which had a direct link to slave-ownership.
Apart from the intrinsic interest of this research we hope that these contributions will stimulate others to undertake the kinds of local historical work which these papers represent.
Notes on the speakers:
Lucy MacKeith
As a volunteer with VSO on leaving school I taught the nineteenth- and twentieth-century history of West Africa at Mayflower School in Nigeria. My students challenged me and probably gave me the best history lessons of my life.
Like most members of the Exeter LBS group I studied sociology and then went on to teach – English to speakers of other languages, at the first London Free School and as Museum Education Officer at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM) in Exeter for over a decade. There I organised the 1989 conference to celebrate the bicentenary of the publication of Olaudah Equiano’s Narrative and first discovered links between Devonians and Slave-ownership in the Caribbean.
I worked with the redisplay of the World Cultures Galleries at RAMM; as a trainer in Equalities with the Devon Racial Equality Council and as a Humanist Celebrant for weddings, namings and funerals.
I keep returning to the complexities of the history of Africans in British history, especially in local Devon history.
Joanna Traynor
I left school to work, first of all, as a trainee nurse. I studied psychology and spent many years in the ICT industry. In 1997, my first novel was published and I was bemused to be applauded as a ‘black’ writer rather a British writer. My interest and concerns about race, racism, separatism etc. was fuelled. As 2007 approached, I was keen to create some multimedia assets for schools in Devon, to help them learn about Devon’s involvement in the Transatlantic Slave Trade. To refute the argument ‘Devon didn’t have that much involvement’, I researched some of the connections for myself and embarked on deeper study into the Baring banking family. As a result I won a Winston Churchill Fellowship funding my travel to the American South to complete my research to support the writing of a historical novel about the UK’s involvement in the American Civil War. As part of my work, I have joined with others in Exeter to discover and discuss the wider context of the impact of the Transatlantic Slave Trade and specifically the West Country contributions that formed the roots of racism and powered the engine of exploitation which in turn financed the British Empire.
Peter Wingfield-Digby
After graduating from Exeter University in sociology and statistics, Peter spent most of his working life abroad, as a statistical adviser to governments in Africa, Asia and the Pacific. He is now retired and living in Exeter. Amongst his activities, he is an official guide at the Cathedral. As part of this current project on Devon’s link to slave-ownership, he has been keen to discover whether the family of Henry Phillpotts – the famous Bishop of Exeter in the mid-19th century – had any links with slave ownership.
The LBS Centre
LBS Centre Overview
The Database
Database updates: an important notice
Advisory Panels
Search Guidance Notes
Estates Search Guidance Notes
LBS Newsletters
LBS Blogs
LBS Project Book
LBS Workshops 2015
Share Academy: Local Roots / Global Routes
Slaveowners in Fitzrovia and on the Portman estate
Jamaican Family Search
Slave Medallions
Researching Slave-owners
9th Oct 1760 - 1801
Visit the people of interest section
Documents of Interest
'Driver, cold morning'
One of over 300 drawings of landscapes and enslaved people in Jamaica by William Berryman, 1808-1815.
Visit the document of interest section
© Copyright Legacies of British Slave-ownership - UCL Department of History 2019
Website design & build
UCL History Dept
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Amy Allison: The Lucid Culture Interview
on June 18, 2009 September 27, 2017 By UMrecs admin
Check out today’s delightfully in-depth interview with Amy Allison from the excellent NYC kulturbloggen Lucid Culture:
Continue reading “Amy Allison: The Lucid Culture Interview”
Chris Warren featured on W.A.T.T. Podcast
on March 9, 2009 September 27, 2017 By UMrecs admin
Chris Warren has been featured in the latest episode of What’s All This Then?, a podcast devoted to “innovative, exceptional and bizarre Toronto Artists” with host Ben Mueller-Heaslip of the Parkdale Revolutionary Orchestra.
Chris reflects on fifteen years of performing and recording music and his new album “Night For Day” in this in-depth interview.
Subscribe to W.A.T.T. on iTunes or stream from their site.
(Night For Day also received a great review in this month’s Exclaim)
Bunnies and Flowers
on November 15, 2007 September 27, 2017 By UMrecs admin
No, really.
Interview with Bryk in today’s Daily Tar Heel.
Bryk is chuffed to be opening for T-Dot local heroes The Golden Dogs at Local 506 next Monday Nov. 19th.
In Kevin Bacon terms: Bryk played in The American Flag with Paul Aucoin, who produced the Golden Dogs new CD “Big Eye Little Eye”, which was released in Canada by True North Records (label home of former Bryk drummer Howie Beck) and in the US by local NC label Yep Roc. Dave and Jessica from The Dogs sing backups on The Bicycles “The Good The Bad and the Cuddly”, which was produced by… Bryk.
Bryk on Definitely Not The Opera!
on September 12, 2007 September 27, 2017 By UMrecs admin
Dan Bryk will be appearing on CBC Radio One’s Definitely Not The Opera this Saturday Sept 15th.
Bryk will be interviewed by host Sook-Yin Lee, and has been asked to perform an acoustic version of Discount Store.
DNTO airs Saturday afternoons across Canada at 1:00 p.m. (1:30 in Newfoundland) on CBC Radio One.
You can also catch the show on Sirius Satellite Radio channel 137 – Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.
And if you’re in Chicago or Seattle, you can catch the show on public radio: WBEZ in Chicago Sunday at midnight, and on KXOT in Seattle Saturday at 9:00 a.m.
UPDATE: We managed to record the interview from WBEZ, and we’ve archived it here.
Bryk on CBC, Lovers Leap Reviews
on August 30, 2007 September 27, 2017 By UMrecs admin
Bryk’s interview with Shelagh Rogers will actually be on the air the morning of Labour Day Monday, Sept. 3rd, not Friday 31st as previously noted here.
Bryk has a nice little article in this week’s Toronto Eye Weekly.
Review of Discount Store (and a stream) in last week’s Indy
A Discount Store review, this one from the Daily Tar Heel’s Diversions Blog. (Dan will be playing the Diversions Party at Local 506 with Schooner and Red Collar September 29th.)
Corey and Dan on the Radio this week…
Some more cool radio interviews this week:
Dan and Corey will be live on Toronto’s Commercial Alternative Powerhouse 102.1 The Edge (us old timers still call it CFNY) this Friday around 6:15 PM to talk about their alleged careers and their “big Toronto show” at C’est What? (also this Friday, starting around 10 PM, with Noyan Hilmi of Five Blank Pages representing for the 905).
This is been a serious life-long dream of Bryk’s, as they will chat with Toronto indie music icon Dave Bookman, and have promised not to swear as much as they do on their records. CFNY has a live stream for you out-of-towners.
Dan will also be the interview guest of Shelagh Rogers(!) on CBC Radio One’s Sounds Like Canada this Friday morning at 10 AM EST. Tune in across Canada on CBC Radio One, or listen on the internets.
Through the elfin magic of ISDN (we prefer to think it’s “the pixies”), Dan sat down at WUNC’s studios in Chapel Hill and had a nice chat with Shelagh, who’s in Vancouver. How cool is that?
on July 5, 2007 September 27, 2017 By UMrecs admin
Dan Bryk is one of the subjects profiled in a Fourth of July-themed article in the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill Independent Weekly. Writes Grayson Currin:
“Hereduring this most paramount of American holidayswe profile two local musicians whose recent addition to the Triangle has added new questions, sounds and ideas, and another, whose progressive bent on an old form proves that molds are meant to be re-imagined…”
Continue reading “Happy Independence Day!”
Dan Bryk interview in GloNo
on March 15, 2007 September 27, 2017 By UMrecs admin
There’s a sweet new Dan Bryk review and article over at Chicago rawkzine Glorious Noise today, marking the return of the “Bryk by Bryk” pun in at least one article per bi-annum.
The article reviews Bryk’s recent NYC set, and discusses his immigration and “career” travails, the outlook for Urban Myth, and since we haven’t formally announced it here yet… Bryk’s brand new green card. (i.e.; there’s gonna be some b-r-y-k in the u-s-a…)
To sweeten the deal, there’s The Next Best Thing, an exclusive love-letter from the forthcoming Pop Psychology. Does Bryk finally bring the rock? You decide.
Lee on WFMU
Lee Feldman marks his return to the venerable studio of New Joisey’s mighty freeform station WFMU this coming Monday.
Lee live on WFMU (91.1 FM)
Irene Trudel’s show
Monday, March 19th
Interwebcast live at www.wfmu.org
WFMU’s website says: Evoking platitudes from reviewers such as, “Harry Nilsson meets Fats Waller,” and “Randy Newman by way of Lou Reed and Paul Simon,” Lee Feldman is a very entertaining singer, pianist, and songwriter. His third album, “I’ve Forgotten Everything” is, according to Stereophile Magazine, “unlike anything else in contemporary pop.” Lee is also the creator of STARBOY, an animated musical about a 2-dimensional superhero who lives with his uncle, a Mathematician. Lee brings his trio to WFMU.
Hell, if we were to write a press release, it would probably go something like that!
(FYI, Dan Bryk’s recent WFMU appearance (on Pseu Braun’s show) has been archived for your listening plaisir here).
Lee Feldman on WNYC’s Soundcheck
on January 2, 2007 September 27, 2017 By UMrecs admin
Critically acclaimed singer/songwriter/spambot Lee Feldman and his trio are going to be the special musical guest on WNYC’s Soundcheck this Thursday, January 4th, at some point between 2 and 5 PM.
Listen in the NYC area at FM 93.9 or AM 820, elsewhere you’ll have to resort to the interweb.
Update: The show has now been archived for your post-facto enjoyment.
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France’s Burkini Ban Is Illegal According To Their Own High Court
By : Ben Hayward On : 27 Aug 2016 09:53
France’s highest administrative court has ruled that a town’s controversial ban on burkinis must be suspended.
The Council of State’s ruling specifically concerns the ban in the town of Villeneuve-Loubet, however the binding decision will set a legal precedent for the other areas that have imposed bans, reports SkyNews.
But not everyone is happy with the decision with the mayors of several towns – including Nice, the scene of last months’s horrific attack which left 86 people dead – insisting they will flout the court in defiance of the ruling.
The bans drew increased attention after images emerged of Muslim women being ordered to remove body-concealing garments – not burkinis – on beaches.
One woman – who gave her name as Siam – told SkyNews she was horrified when police ordered her to remove her headscarf while she was on the beach in Cannes.
She claims she was given a verbal warning when she refused to remove the garment.
This woman was at a beach in France when the police came & forced her to remove her burkini.
No difference than ISIS pic.twitter.com/LuPHfbYSZd
— Yasmine (@cinephileyas) August 24, 2016
Lawyers representing two human rights groups and a Muslim collective challenged the legality of the ban, stating it ignores basic freedoms and also that mayors don’t have the authority to tell women what they can and can’t wear.
The Council of State ruled:
The emotion and concerns arising from the terrorist attacks, notably the one perpetrated in Nice on 14 July, cannot suffice to justify in law the contested prohibition measure.
The court also stated that the burkini ban cannot be justified by ‘proven risks of disruptions to public order nor, moreover, on reasons of hygiene or decency’.
Ashley Csanady: Back off the burkini, the state has no place in the wardrobes of a nation https://t.co/F8gwiZPlEK pic.twitter.com/hJexWQ1zrN
— National Post (@nationalpost) August 19, 2016
The ruling agreed that the ban represents an ‘illegal infringement on basic freedoms such as freedom to come and go, freedom of conscience and personal freedom’.
However, at least one mayor has said they will ignore the judgement and keep the ban in place.
Ange-Pierre Vivoni, mayor of Sisco, Corsica, told BFM-TV:
Here the tension is very, very, very strong and I won’t withdraw it.
It really doesn’t sound like this debate is done with just yet.
Ben Hayward
French Court Overturns Controversial Burkini Ban
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2017 Algebra and Number Theory
A program that focuses on the expression of quantities and their relationships by means of symbols, vectors, matrices, and equations, and the properties of integers. Includes instruction in algebraic structures, quadratic and automorphic forms, combinatorics, linear algebra, and algebraic geometry.
2017 Algebra and Number Theory in Other Cities:
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Math Teacher (Part Time) - Liberty Partnerships Program
St. John's established in 1870, has three New York City campuses; a graduate center in Hauppauge, NY; international locations in Rome, Italy; Limerick, Ireland; and Paris, France; and study abroad locations around the world. The Princeton Review and other top rankings consistently recognize...
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Alice Contract Attorneys & Lawyers
Alice Attorneys
Steven Stark
For over 30 years, Steven Stark has offered counsel to non-profit organizations and private companies. He has a passion for helping small businesses in particular since he himself started several businesses of his own in New York and Florida. He understands the importance of small businesses having a reliable attorney to advise them about legal matters from their inception.
17 repeat hires | 42 yrs experience | Licensed in FL, NY | verified
"Steve was knowledgeable, responsive, and a pleasure to work with. He spent nearly an hour answering my questions in the free consultation..."
William Todd Ver Weire
William has had plenty experience, in fact, over two decades worth, in dealing with both individuals and large companies. Having studied at the University of Arkansas School of Law in Fayetteville, he is experienced in legal work for various categories - including contracting and business, employment law, corporate governance, personal injury, and complex commercial and consumer issues. Todd takes the time to get to know each of his clients; showing an interest in their goals.
24 yrs experience | Licensed in AR, TX |
Gerrit Schulze
The former Attorney working for Heard & Smith, LLP, Gerrit Schulze is known to be a strong and motivated leader. He currently works as an Attorney at Shumway Van handling any matters dealing with Administrative Litigation and Civil Litigation - specifically business practices, formations, ventures and controversies. Gerrit has received two separate prestigious leadership awards and he graduated from St. Mary's University School of Law as a Doctor of Law in 2013.
3 yrs experience | Licensed in TX |
Darryl Pruett
Although he generally focuses on real estate and construction disputes, Darryl Pruett has also represented plaintiffs and defendants in employment and general business disputes. He has extensive experience in vendor contracts, clinical trial agreements, and bioanalytical agreements. In his community, Mr. Pruett has served as director and vice president of the Oak Hill Association of Neighborhoods.
25 yrs experience | Licensed in TX |
Brian Hall
Brian A. Hall is a member of Traverse Legal, PLC and the managing partner of its Austin, Texas office. He has represented enterprise Internet and technology companies, star... read more
12 yrs experience | Licensed in MI, TX | verified
"Before Brian, we would regularly have to pay attorneys to learn our business, research legal issues for the first time and provide advice..."
Forrest Gordon
Forrest Gordon has 10 years of experience as a corporate attorney. He provides both in-house and contract-based legal services. Forrest practices law in Texas and obtained his law degree from the University of Houston Law Center. Forrest also has experience in dealing with real estate, commercial contracts and other corporate legal issues. He recently became a managing partner at Gordon Lusky LLP, but was previously the senior legal counsel at Trican Well Service for four years.
13 yrs experience | Licensed in TX | verified
"Did exactly what I needed and went above and beyond."
David Johnson is a business counsel with over 22 years’ experience. He practices law in Texas and received his law degree from the Valparaiso University Law School. He has extensive experience with commercial contracts, business operations and taxation. David started to practice law as a private attorney in 2015, but gained experience while working as a legal counsel at the Interphase Corporation between 2007 and 2015.
"Great Experience! Highly Recommend"
Cindy Bennett Smith
Cindy Bennett Smith is an attorney at law who has been serving corporate clients for the past 16 years. She has been licensed to practice law in Texas and holds a Juris Doctorate degree in law, which she received from the South Texas College of Law. Cindy is experienced in dealing with labor and employment law. She is also capable of reviewing, negotiating and drafting commercial contracts. Cindy founded her own legal firm in September 2011.
"I had multiple contracts for my company that needed to be reworked. Cindy did a very thorough job with them. She also explained several t..."
Conor Teevan
Top-tier talent shouldn’t have to come with a top-tier fee. This is why Conor Teevan combines his top-tier expertise (Yale undergrad, Stanford Law) with affordability. Conor has represented Silicon Valley startups, real estate investors, artists creating companies, and even a child author in need of a book deal. Conor himself started a real estate company with holdings in five states.
2 repeat hires | 14 yrs experience | Licensed in CA | verified
"Without any doubt, the best attorney"
Sue Dunbar
Go with Sue Dunbar if you want a big law firm experience with a small law firm cost. Sue's experience working at Robins Kaplan LLP and serving as special counsel to Senator Joseph Dunn has landed her big-name clients like BestBuy, Time Warner Cable, and Yahoo!. Currently, Ms. Dunbar specializes in knowledge about confidentiality and privacy laws regarding sensitive trade secrets.
"Sue stepped in and took care of our contract needs at a moment's notice. She's a good listener and authoritative communicator. And she wo..."
Thomas Bark
Thomas Bark is a Partner at Jones Bay working with startups, but he can also handle legal matters for large companies. Previously, he has worked for two top international law firms for some 25 years - some of his experience includes working abroad.. His practice extends to corporate law and commercial contracts, with a particular emphasis in VC finance, M&A, lending, employment, joint ventures and technology issues. He attended The University of Virginia School of Law.
107 repeat hires | 28 yrs experience | Licensed in NY | verified
"Very clear in his services, and he has a step-by-step process that helps a lot. Courteous and professional."
Seth Wiener
As an experienced trial lawyer and litigator, Seth Wiener has resolved numerous federal and state litigations. His cases have included everything from family law to bankruptcy to fraud and more. Before Seth formed his own firm, the Law Office of Seth W. Wiener, he worked for several prominent law offices where he gained a great deal of experience.
"Extremely reliable, speedy communicator and can often provide alternative ideas in complex legal matters."
Ramsey Taylor
Ramsey Taylor is a business attorney with over 21 years’ experience. He has exceptional experience in dealing with international business law, but also assists local companies within the United States with their legal matters. Ramsey is licensed to practice law in New York and the District of Columbia. He obtained his Juris Doctor degree from the New York University. In March 2017, Ramsey founded his own legal firm, Taylor Legal, where he now acts as the owner and principal attorney.
5 repeat hires | 22 yrs experience | Licensed in DC, NY | verified
"Ramsey responds rapidly & is quite thorough."
Grant Maynard
Grant represents high-growth companies in all aspects of formation, financing, and intellectual property issues. He has previously done general corporate, intellectual, and real estate work at Nebraska's oldest law firm before transitioning to a more virtual lifestyle. As an entrepreneur himself, he understands the need to balance legal and business interests.
9 repeat hires | 7 yrs experience | Licensed in NE | verified
"Grant did an excellent job and were pleasantly surprised to see he engaged with our brand beyond the scope of the required work. Thanks!"
Diana Palchik, Esq.
Diana Palchik is a Texas-based attorney. She primarily specializes in providing legal services to business clients, with a focus on trademark law and commercial agreements. Diana has extensive experience drafting and negotiating software licenses, professional services agreements, and other commercial transactions and has worked for a number of large corporate clients. She has more than 17 years of experience and has a solo practice.
22 repeat hires | 18 yrs experience | Licensed in TX | verified
"Diana was very responsive and service oriented. I had a great experience working with her."
Scott Stram
As a member of both the New York and New Jersey Bars, Scott Stram is an accomplished lawyer with experience in a range of legal and business areas. This includes corporate law, data security, compliance, real estate, and intellectual property. Before founding Stram Law, Scott was a compliance officer for a company that performed property audits, a director of a security consulting practice, and an operations officer for Viacom and CBS.
42 repeat hires | 12 yrs experience | Licensed in NY | verified
"Easy to work with...great advice!"
Mary Hodges
Employment is a big part of any business, and Mary Hodges understands that many business owners may not know the legal details of the hiring or termination process. She works with business owners with a variety of needs: from working with independent contractors, to developing and implementing employment policies, non-disclosure agreements, and more. Ms. Hodges can also help with business formation, contracts, and operations.
4 repeat hires | 9 yrs experience | Licensed in IL, MO | verified
"Great, as always!"
Neil Park
Neil Park is well-equipped in Private Practice - with over 7 years of experience acting as outside General Counsel for many of his business clients. For the past two years, Neil has been working as Counsel for an Intellectual Property boutique. His practice areas include Intellectual Property Counseling, Trademark Prosecution, Licensing, Trade Secret Management and Strategy, Business Transactions, Corporate Law and Regulatory Compliance. He attended Loyola Law School.
"Awesome. Easy to work with."
Seth Heyman
Seth Heyman takes the saying, "the devil is in the details" to heart. As a corporate law attorney, he knows that being thorough and detail-oriented is extremely important in transactions and in every agreement. Mr. Heyman has over 20 years of experience with entity formation, advertising law, contracts, regulatory law, international law, and Internet law. He provides practical and cost-effective legal solutions.
"Seth is always responsive and helpful. Recommend."
Bradley Rothschild
Creativity is key for Bradley Rothschild, a real estate, business, intellectual property, and entertainment attorney. When clients need an attorney who will think outside the box for them - Mr. Rothschild is the right person for the job. He focuses on not only solving problems, but also on serving the whole client and preventing problems.
16 repeat hires | 12 yrs experience | Licensed in NJ, NY | verified
"He provided a lot of information in a short period of time, just what I needed to feel confident in using the mark we bought last year."
Geoffrey Amend
Geoffrey Amend has over 21 years of experience as a business attorney. He is licensed to practice law in Kansas. Geoffrey has represented numerous corporate clients, including JungleBee, MomoCentral and APIMATIC. He started his own legal firm in 2013 and was the general counsel at Chelsea Partner before starting his own firm. Geoffrey graduated with a J.D. in law from the Washburn University School of Law in 1995.
74 repeat hires | 24 yrs experience | Licensed in KS | verified
"Geoffrey is very easy to work with and has helped us form the LLC pretty fast. Highly recommend!"
Liz Oliner
If you want someone who has gone through the trademark process over and over again, look no further than Liz Oliner. She has filed over 300 trademarks in the last year alone and has practically got the process down to a science. Small businesses and entrepreneurs frequently come to Ms. Oliner for their trademark and brand protection needs.
133 repeat hires | 8 yrs experience | Licensed in CA, DC, NY | verified
"Direct, helpful and professional as always. Many thanks, Liz."
Lauren Roberts, Esq.
Lauren Roberts was the Senior Associate working for the Law Offices of Bovino & Associates. She is now a Corporate Attorney with plenty experience - handling Corporate Transactions, Intellectual Property, Business Matters and Legal Research. She is well-equipped in conducting of extensive due diligence reviews. Roberts attended the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2008 and graduated with her J.D. three years later. Just prior to that, she graduated cum laude from the New York University.
16 repeat hires | 8 yrs experience | Licensed in CA, CO | verified
"Excellent communication and very reliable."
Helen Quinn
Helen has extensive experience in structuring, negotiating, and managing corporate transactions. In her previous role as a senior corporate securities attorney for Wilson Sonsini, she provided corporate counsel in connection with over seventy merger and acquisition transactions, over fifty venture capital finance transactions, and several initial public offerings.
2 repeat hires | 21 yrs experience | Licensed in CA, TX | verified
"Helen is a great knowledgeable attorney. Highly recommended!"
Eric Kirkland
Eric Kirkland is a business attorney with a strong entrepreneurial background. He has 26 years of experience. Eric focuses on contracts, intellectual property, strategic partnerships, software licensing and other general business-related legal matters. He is the managing attorney of Kirkland Law and was previously the founder and CEO of Just Cellular Inc. Eric graduated with a Doctor of Law from the Pepperdine School of Law.
"Great reactivity and professionalism as always! Again, I warmly recommand Eric."
Lisa Thorsen
Licensed in California and Texas, Lisa Thorsen focuses on corporate contracts and transactions, trusts and estates, real estate, and startups. She previously worked as an associate attorney at Circuit, McKellogg, Kinney & Ross, LLP for six and a half years and spent the past 3 years in private practice as a solo practitioner. Ms. Thorsen has 8+ years of experience practicing law as a licensed attorney.
11 yrs experience | Licensed in CA, TX | verified
"Super reactive to our urgent needs , Did a thorough job developing an asset purchase agreement , with a clean process . Worked through N..."
Lois (Nuo Jia) Li
Lois Li is a commercial attorney with extensive experience in business law. She primarily focuses on assisting startup and small businesses. Lois served as an in-house and outside counsel in the past. She has a license to practice law in two countries, including the United States and Canada. Lois is able to assist clients in Chinese and English. She completed a degree in law at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. Lois is currently an attorney at Alpine Law PLLC.
40 repeat hires | 5 yrs experience | Licensed in MI | verified
"Lois explained options extremely well and was terrific with any follow up."
Glenn Manishin
Glenn Manishin is the managing partner at Paradigmshift Law LLP and founded the law firm in 2015. The focus of his law firm lies within Internet technology and business law. Attorney Manishin has a mission in place to help clients and companies find creative and efficient ways for their business models to navigate through legal and regulatory barriers. Attorney Manishin has worked with top companies including Sports Fans Coalition, Inc., Consumer Federation of America, and more.
12 repeat hires | 37 yrs experience | Licensed in CA, DC, VA | verified
"Working with Glenn was great. He has deep expertise, delivers on time, is strategic, quickly adapts to my priorities, and is overall fun ..."
Mario Naim
Mario's firm focuses on serving growth companies throughout the venture capital life cycle from startups to public companies. The firm provides services related to business law, specifically corporate, securities, business combinations and commercial transactions. He has also helped foreign clients in the acquisitions of businesses in the U.S., Canada, Europe, the Middle East, and South America.
"Mario was fantastic. He had great suggestions and took the time to learn about our situation. His response time was frankly, amazing."
Ben Habegger
Ben Habegger is a business attorney with more than 18 years of experience. He is licensed to practice law in Indiana and holds a Juris Doctor degree in law, which he obtained from the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. Ben specializes in a wide range of corporate legal practice areas, including commercial contracts, labor and employment law, and business formation. He has been an attorney at Outsourced General Counsel since November 2017.
17 repeat hires | 20 yrs experience | Licensed in IN | verified
"Top Notch, Professional and knows his stuff. Highly recommend"
Paul Spitz
With an MBA in marketing from Indiana University, Paul Spitz offers business experience and legal expertise to companies ranging from startups to midsize organizations. He specializes in the areas of technology, marketing, e-commerce, and digital media. Unlike attorneys at large law firms, Mr. Spitz is able to provide affordable services in counseling, representation, and negotiation.
20 repeat hires | 29 yrs experience | Licensed in CA, OH | verified
"Needed help incorporating a company in Delaware as a foreigner. Paul was incredibly efficient with the work and also advised us on import..."
Jeff Greenblatt provides small to mid-size technology companies with effective legal counsel, but his clients will tell you that he responds as if he is your personal in-house counsel. Perhaps this is because of his experience as a general counsel for a variety of businesses. Mr. Greenblatt handles contracts and transactions, intellectual property issues, employment matters, and compliance and risk management.
15 repeat hires | 32 yrs experience | Licensed in CO, OR | verified
"Great job, thanks for all the support and thought put into our operating and grant agreements"
Jenny Villier
Jenny graduated from Notre Dame Law School and has a bachelor's degree in finance and accounting from the University of Dayton. Jenny was a member of the Notre Dame Law Review. Jenny is also a CPA (inactive). Jenny's practice areas include business and tax law, with a particular emphasis on small business and startup legal issues. Jenny regularly writes in the areas of business law, tax law, estate planning and employment law. Her articles have been published in the ABA Business Tax Quarterly, the ABA Private Equity and Venture Capital Committee Newsletter, and the WealthCounsel Quarterly.
15 yrs experience | Licensed in CO, IL | verified
"She was very nice and easy to work with. Very quick response time and helpful in answering questions."
Joseph Waala
Joseph Waala is an Attorney, who has been licensed for 17 years. In the year 1999, he was an Associate with Baker & Hostetler. After that, he spent time working for Law Firms such as King & Spalding, LLP and Phillips Lytle, LLP. His focus areas include energy and utilities, oil and gas, contracts and agreements, as well as commercial real estate matters. Joseph attended The Georgetown University Law Center and graduated with his J.D. almost two decades ago.
12 repeat hires | 20 yrs experience | Licensed in DC, NY, OH, PA | verified
"Joe has been an awesome partner for us throughout the lifecycle of our company. He helped us get off the ground and navigate the legal wa..."
Erin Brewer
Erin’s practice areas include business law and complex commercial contracts. Erin enjoys working with companies of all sizes and enjoys being able to help individuals and s... read more
7 repeat hires | 10 yrs experience | Licensed in IL | verified
"Erin is the best. Seller's lawyer was very impressed with her agreements. She is very responsive and gets documents back timely. I high..."
David Yamaguchi
Startups and small businesses sometimes need someone who can deal with complex transactions on an international playing field. David Yamaguchi specializes in content hosting issues and intellectual property. He concentrates his practice in the United States, Asia, India, and Europe. Whether you are a business giant or a startup, Mr. Yamaguchi can provide legal advice that fits your needs.
"Went out on a limb to educate me on my law questions without knowing if I would go with him. He seems to enjoy educating his clients on ..."
Kaiser Wahab
Complex corporate transactions in technology, media, and securities require a knowledgeable and experienced attorney. Kaiser Wahab brings those qualifications with him when he is counseling clients on corporate structuring, investor agreements, and equity incentive plans. Whether you are a Fortune 500 company or a start-up, Mr. Wahab has your complex business needs covered.
20 yrs experience | Licensed in CT, NY | verified
"Easy to work with and provided great insights!"
Matt Googe
Matt is a registered patent attorney whose practice includes trademark application preparation and prosecution, copyrights, and related litigation. He has worked with diverse sectors including aerospace technology and medical devices. Since 2013 Matt has worked with Robinson Law IP, a firm that has been managing patent and trademark portfolios in over 50 countries.
11 repeat hires | 9 yrs experience | Licensed in TN, Patent Bar | verified
"A pleasure to work with."
Stacy Smith
Stacy Smith is your go-to for your business and real estate needs. She can help with business sales and purchases, entity formation, contracts, and more. Whether your business needs help with vendor agreements or financing, Ms. Smith can help. She can also deal with things like zoning and separating or combining lots. She brings her 25 years of experience to every legal issue.
"Exceptional service and expertise."
Philip Heller
A corporate and commercial transactions counsel, Philip Heller has represented leading digital media, entertainment, and technology companies, including Warner Bros, Hulu, and American Express. He is particularly knowledgeable about SaaS, software licensing, partnerships, and private equity funds. Mr. Heller specializes in negotiations and drafting complex agreements and privacy policies.
"Philip is always dependable and fast. The work gets done properly every time."
Thomas Love
Holder of seven patents, Thomas Love has a work history spanning from a partnership in a major firm (specializing in international corporate finance) to working at a number of startups, including in software, global supply chain, and online education. Today, Mr. Love represents clients worldwide and has provided his services to non-profits in theater, women’s empowerment, medical education, and more.
4 repeat hires | 35 yrs experience | Licensed in CT | verified
"Mr. Love helped me get to that level I needed to get to. He was very informative. I have enjoyed his assistance."
Jonathan Savar
In addition to being a skilled business lawyer, Jonathan Savar is highly experienced in investment banking. He handles strategic transactions, financings, and contracts for individuals, startups, and middle-market companies. Mr. Savar offers every one of his clients individualized attention to provide efficient, cost-effective services.
7 repeat hires | 23 yrs experience | Licensed in NY | verified
"Great working with Jonathan. He was professional, efficient, and delivered exactly what I needed. Definitely will be working with him in ..."
John Fallone
John Fallone thinks big and gets it done. As an early-stage company attorney, John is also a co-founder of SendHub, the cloud-based phone system making it easier for today’s businesses to communicate with customers and employees. A self-identified geek of processes and efficiency, John plans to get an MBA from Duke’s Fuqua School of Business
5 yrs experience | Licensed in CA, NC | verified
"John was great to work with! I highly recommend him to others."
Mary Obidinski
Business owners often shudder at the idea of having to pay general counsel for legal advice. With Mary Obidinski, you know that you are getting straightforward, honest legal options that will not break the bank. Ms. Obidinski is worth every cent from her experience as general counsel for a large private corporation and work with small businesses and starts ups.
4 repeat hires | 9 yrs experience | Licensed in CA | verified
"Great service and quick response time!"
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Why use UpCounsel to hire a Alice Contract Attorney?
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The Alice contract attorneys & lawyers on UpCounsel are dedicated to helping businesses save time, money, and peace of mind with contract drafting and review, negotiations, litigation support, discovery, commercial business transactions, and more.
Our independent contract attorneys are available on-demand to provide contract legal services for businesses or to support your in-house general counsel to help lighten the load for transactional matters or litigation support.
Although the work of the Alice contract attorneys found on UpCounsel often varies they are highly experienced in legal contract activities such as commercial contract negotiations, document review in response to document subpoenas, request for production of documents, legal research, draft legal briefs, along with providing a full range of other contract legal services to businesses of any size.
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Guadagni, Toledo roll over VMI 66-3 in season opener
TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — Mitchell Guadagni passed for 265 yards and three touchdowns in leading defending Mid-American Conference champion Toledo to a 66-3 victory over VMI on Saturday night in a season opener.
Guadagni, taking over for Toledo’s all-time passing leader, Logan Woodside, was 11-of-16 passing, completing touchdown passes to Jon’Vea Johnson (57 yards), Cody Thompson (38 yards) and Diontae Johnson (48 yards). Thompson also blocked a punt and recovered the ball in the end zone for the game’s first points.
Bryant Koback and Shakif Seymour ran for two touchdowns each and Nevone McCrimmon one.
The Rockets scored 21 points in each of the first three quarters. They finished with 603 yards offense, including 390 passing spread among three quarterbacks.
The FCS Keydets, 0-11 last season, managed 208 yards, only 57 rushing, and lost a fumble and had passes intercepted by defenders Ka’dal Hollman and Tycen Anderson.
More AP college football: https://apnews.com/tag/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25
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JALANDHAR PLUS INDEX
Shoppers flock season-end sales
Anil Jerath
Season-end sales have brought smiles on faces of Phagwara residents. With every fourth showroom in the city offering discounts, residents are flocking to shopping complex to make the most of the summer sales with the will-shop-till-I drop attitude.
After all, expensive brands could be yours for half the price. Says Manju Chawla, a housewife, spotted coming out of a showroom in Bansanwala Bazar with some bags. “My budget does not allow me to buy brand things on a regular basis. So, I wait for the end of season sales. That way my domestic budget too remains stable.”
Is the off-season stuff of use in the coming season? “It might not be useful now, but definitely I won’t need to buy the same things at full cost next summer. I call it smart shopping,” says Sanjana, a cyber café owner. Jawinder, a travel agency executive near Cinema Road, feels that products like jeans, shoes, shirts are not bound by seasonal limitations.
“I buy such garments at half the price during the sale and wear them throughout the year. I don’t think one should think twice before splurging wisely at the end of season sales,” she says.
City-based retailers have witnessed increase in sales, as their members under the loyalty clubs are providing the much-needed thrust to their business.
Vinay Gulati, owner of a readymade garments shop on the Katehra Chowk, informs, “It acts as a bonus for those who are into heavy shopping. We do give privilege cards to such customers.
This trend of owning privilege cards or being members of such clubs is picking up in the city. In our total sales, the contribution of customers is 10 per cent.”
Vinay feels additional benefits like gift vouchers, special cards on birthdays and anniversaries, along with offers designed especially for the members, attract customers to come back to the retail outlets.
Such added advantages form part of strategy that aims at attracting more and more customers and make them brand loyal.
“The scheme has been helpful in increasing business as our trading has gone up by 30 per cent, says Ramesh from New Era, where privilege club offers discounts, guest sales, gifts on special days, invitation for various activities and value additions at various lifestyle outlets. Those who shop for more than Rs 2,500 enjoy these benefits.
Nancy Pahuja, a government employee, disagrees. “The sale mania burns a big hole in the pocket. Besides, old styles and sometimes bad stuff is up for sale, which is why I stay away from sales.”
No shopkeeper puts up a sale at a loss. Surinder Bhatia, owner, Bhatia Cloth House, agrees. “We have to clear stocks.
Next year will bring new products and we have to cut down prices to such a level that neither we suffer loss nor earn a huge profit.”
Free ticket offer by Ebony
Ebony has launched an offer, “Free return air ticket”, for its customers. Under the scheme, every person, who shops for a minimum value of Rs 5,000, will be entitled to a free return air ticket to the destination of his choice.
The offer that gives the customer a choice of 15 destinations of his choice is valid till October 24.
Lecture held
The CT Institute of Management and Information Technology has organized a guest lecture on marketing management.
In his address to MBA students, Mr Bernie Ryder from the University of East, UK, explained strategies for international business and skills required for a marketing executive.
He insisted on understanding the real concept of marketing that satisfy the needs of a buyer.
Sports meet
A weeklong sports meet, organised by the St Soldier Education Society, concluded at Master Rajkumar Auditorium here on October 14.
Arjuna awardee (basketball) Sajjan Singh, who was the chief guest, gave away prizes to winner of athletics, basketball, kho-kho, volleyball and badminton.
Vet meeting
A general body meeting of the Association of Elite Veterinary Officers (retd) was held in Amritsar on Sunday under the chairmanship of Dr Sawinder Singh, a former Director, Animal Husbandry.
Delegates from various districts, including Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Nawanshahr, Ludhiana, Kapurthala, Bathinda and Patiala participated.
The delegates were informed that the association had taken up the case of pre-96 retiree officers with the government for the grant of pay scale of Rs 14,300 to Rs 18,600 for the post held last.
The case for the grant of selection grade to 47 officers had also been taken up with the government.
The association demanded the release of arrears of selection grade and ban of the use of diclofenac on the pattern of Haryana.
Cable operators look to counter DTH players
Neeraj Bagga
Cable operators are in no mood to give up their share in face of stiff competition from big players armed with sophisticated DTH technology. They want to compete with them in quality and rates. For this, they are preparing to turn to digital system from the analogous to counter claims of DTH players.
Mr Sarbjit Singh, MD, Hathway Sukh Amrit Cable and Data Com Private Ltd, said his Win Cable had switched over to the digital system in Jalandhar at a cost of Rs 6 crore. They offer 101 channels and three video games. The customers would not have to shell out extra rent for all these facilities. This system would next be introduced at Ludhiana and Chandigarh and turn of the holy city would after some months, he added.
The decision to upgrade technology was taken as about 78,000 DTH sets were sold in Punjab in September only.
Currently, Dish TV, Tata Sky and DD Direct are offering DTH in the local market. Cheapest of them is DD Direct, charging about Rs 2,100 for a set and presenting apart from its 19 channels, a package of free-to-air channels. Zee TV group supported Dish TV is offering two packages after charging one time advance ranging from Rs 2,600 to Rs 3,200. Rs 200 monthly rental would fetch 82 channels whereas Rs 375 would provide 160 channels.
Tata Sky, a joint venture of Tata Sons Limited and the British Sky Broadcasting group, is offering about 99 channels, including Zee, Star and Sony after initial payment of nearly Rs 4,550 and a monthly rental of Rs 200. Mr Rakesh Gupta said significant features were available which no cable operator could provide, including facility to watch Live cricket match from four different angles. Besides, one can listen to commentary from any of the seven languages being offered made it a product with a difference.
However, local cable operators feel that they have an edge in other segments of the business as well. They charge monthly rental ranging from Rs 100 to Rs 300, depending upon the customers as civil line residential pay more and slum dwellers pay less.
Mr Ganesh Poddar, a cable operator here, feel that new films and local news are telecast on the local cable, which would not be available on the DTH service. For enjoying a new film, a DTH viewer has to pay extra money. Besides, for rectifying any anomaly in service a viewer has to pay for the visit of technicians of the company whereas cable operators are providing this service without any charge.
World postal week celebrations
As part of the World Postal Week celebrations the Department of Posts celebrated the philately day by way of conducting a painting competition on the theme of ‘Festivals India’ and philatelic quiz for school students. Sapna Dhiman of DAV bagged the first position in the painting competition followed by Hamrmeet Kaur from Government Model Senior Secondary School and Alisha Sandhu of DAV at the second and third place respectively.
The philatelic quiz contest winner was DAV school team of Ajachi Chakraborth and Akash Bansal and the second prize went to Guru Nanak Public School team comprising Anup Tuli and Karmandeep S Jawanda and DAV school team of Yatharth Sharma and Abhishek Sharma won the third prize. — TNS
Lack of awareness main cause of hearing loss
Lack of awareness about hearing disorders and available treatment is the main cause for a large number of patients leading miserable life without hearing.
Dr Karunesh Gupta, ENT specialist, is of the view that rapid development in the past few decades has enabled ENT surgeons to improve the quality of life of patients with such disorders.
His study points out that nearly one third of patients attending the ENT outdoor have varying levels of deafness. A number of factors have contributed to the rise of deafness.
A major cause amongst young people is exposure to loud sounds while listening to music using iPOds and MP3 players, disco and car music.
Apart from this, long standing exposure to loud industrial and traffic noises also contributes to the malady.
Irrational use of medicines, especially antibiotics in addition to aspirin and quinines, both by qualified and un-qualified practitioners also leads to ear toxicity, inducing deafness.
A rise in longevity in the country and consequential increase in number of
elderly people in our society demands special attention towards hearing needs of senior citizens, a factor hitherto ignored.
Dr Anil K. Monga informs that studies in school children in India mention that up to 6 per cent have ear discharge, a condition ignored by parents as inconsequential.
However this silent condition can lead to permanent hearing loss later in life. Ear discharge is also a common ailment amongst people belonging to the lower economic strata.
Hearing loss produced by such condition can be prevented and cured by timely intervention. Advanced surgery techniques can help reduce the number of such cases.
Technological advancements have helped ENT surgeons restore hearing to near normal. Introduction of cochlear implant, capable of making a child born deaf hear speech and sounds of the nature, has revolutionised ENT surgery in India.
Over 1000 cochlear implants had been performed in the country, he added. Initiatives taken by the government and professional association of ENT surgeons have helped bring down cost of this procedure.
It is high time to make laymen aware of these developments. He felt that ENT fraternity and media could be vital players in spreading awareness about prevention of deafness and mitigate suffering of these patients.
Punjab Agro to bring 4200 acres under hyola
P K Jaiswar
The Punjab Agro would bring 4200 acres of land in Amritsar district for cultivation of hyola under the contract farming system to help farmers come out of the wheat-paddy circle.
Mr Baljit Singh, Additional Deputy Commissioner, in a meeting organised to create awareness about crop diversification, said the state government was trying to enable farmers to face financial constraints by adopting crop diversification and come out of the wheat-paddy circle which was harming the state. He said the farmers were being encouraged to grow other crops, including sunflower, basmati and cereal crops.
The Additional Deputy Commissioner said Punjab Agro was committed to purchasing the crops sowed by the farmers on their advice. He said last year Punjab Agro purchased 2,000 quintals of hyola at Rs 1,715 per quintal.
Mr J. S. Ghuman, District Manager, Punjab Agro, said hyola could be sowed from October 7 to 10 while it is harvested from March 15. He said farmers interested in sowing hyola could purchase the seed from Punjab Agro office or other centres and get their name registered with the office so that their crop could be procured by them.
Industry enthused by PM’s offer
The business community here was buoyed by the mere announcement by the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, at Ludhiana that a Special Economic Package for the border districts of Punjab was under consideration.
The Chairman of the Punjab Regional Council of PHD Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Mr R.S Sachdeva, said the entire industry was awaiting the government’s initiative to give concession at par with the states like Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal.
He said the industry in the border region was on the verge of closure.
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POP CULT
Indie, Pop, Rock - Sunshine, QLD
Gotta Keep Lovin'
Uploaded 10 Aug 15
Sunday Mourning
Join the Cult
Heinrich, Heinrich & Voller
Reed/Cale, Chilton , Blake/Mcginley/Love, Lynne
Tempesst, Edward R.
www.popcult.band
They’re from a shitty coastal suburbia you’ve probably heard of, but know only that your grandparents would happily flush your inheritance down the toilet to die there.
In less than 12 months together, Pop Cult released 3 singles garnering generous radio play, favour with press internationally and at home and have won Triple J's Unearthed competition. Pop Cult toured the east-coast of Australia with Stonefield, Pop Cult played hometown festivals Big Pineapple, MMVAF, Originals and have tackled supports with international buzz bands Bleached and Guantanamo Baywatch.
The latter half of 2016 sees the release of Pop Cult's new single 'Sunday Mourning' and self-produced debut EP via We Are Golden. "The writing/production process is all very fast and impulsive. Somewhere between bedroom-demos and studio recordings, we're writing as I'm producing and tracking as I'm mixing- a bunch of the final vocal and guitar tracks are from the original writing sessions. We want to write music that's immediate and accessible, so the process has to have as few obstacles in the way as possible," Heinrich describes the recording of Pop Cult's EP ‘Cult Classics’.
Cementing Pop Cult's rise through 2016 they’ve been shortlisted for Triple J’s Hottest 100 and 4ZZZ’s Hot 100, with Pop Cult's self-produced video for ‘Sunday Mourning’ being selected as feature clip on RAGE.
"Pop Cult are well worth your time" - Matt Wilkinson, NME Magazine
"Just as Primal Scream did in the early '90s, they're feeding off the same Rolling Stones' vibes with that rhythm and chorus. Still a winning formula for me." Richard Kingsmill, Triple J
"Loving the deadpan Dandy Warhols-esque hooks amongst the irrepressibly upbeat music. Can't. Stop. Stomping. Along." - Dom Alessio, Triple J
"My God I seriously love this song, you guys rock!" - Agnes Demarco (Mac's Mum)
The optimistic edges of Wonderwall meets Who-era harmonies on the latest single from Brisbane indie outfit Pop Cult...built around the flexibly hedonistic tagline: "do what feels wrong, until it feels right", that's undoubtedly destined to find itself firmly lodged in the humming mainframe of your brain for weeks. - Rolling Stone
Sunshine, QLD
Sunshine Coast 4-piece Pop Cult are the winners of our Big Pineapple Music Festival competition and will be taking their stomping feel-good rock'n'roll to the festival stage this Saturday, May 28.
The name hints at our influences; a bunch of classic pop writers (ELO, Fleetwood Mac, T-rex, David Byrne) in combination with great, yet under-recognised 'cult' acts (The Velvet Underground, Big Star, The West Coast Experimental Pop Art Band, Teenage Fanclub, Television) with some assorted Madchester and Britpop for good measure.
Father John Misty's various social media accounts provide unending amounts of inspiration in reminding us to develop a unique and personal voice in order to cut through the noise. He's the musical equivalent of Donald Trump - controversial, completely exaggerated and ridiculous but part of you always wonders whether it's genuine or contrived. Either way, having something to say is the point.
You’re the winner of our Big Pineapple competition. What can punters at Big Pineapple expect from the Pop Cult live show?
Plentiful 'Kool-aid', sing-a-long choruses and we're working on a special cover- think 90's one hit wonders, speed-dealer sunnies and 'Karen, I love you!'.
My girlfriend once said, 'Don't give up your day job'.
Shannon Noll - What About Me
Khe Sanh over-and-over-and-over-and-over-and-over-and-over-and-over.
Paul Kelly - Before Too Long
What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?
We're about to head out to see Client Liaison at our local - Sol Bar. We'll keep you posted on how the night unfolds, but we're big fans...
(later that night)
...This just in: choreography for days, Michael Jackson cover, who knew Tom Tilley could slap a bass?
Tell us about the bands or people in the Sunshine Coast music community that inspire you.
There are a number of super-talented emerging artists from the Sunshine Coast (Ayla, Battleships, Tempesst, Sahara Beck, Pilgrims etc.), but there are a bunch of unsung heroes (Brian, Dimmi and Alex at Sol Bar, Mark Pico, James Birrel) who've completely reinvigorated the coast into a hub for original live music, they've all given us a serious leg up.
What are your plans for 2016?
We're releasing another single shortly, an EP in the next couple of months and a tour with Unearthed alumni Stonefield!
Unearthed in 2016
Pop Cult are playing the Piney!
Woah, take me back to the 90's when The Verve were absolutely killin' it. Loving the psych vibes and catchy lyrics from these guys! Very cool.
Zan Rowe
This is so sunshiney and delightful and yes, a bit Corgan and a bit The La's but also a whole lotta YOU. Nice one.
Max Quinn
I've always liked this band a lot, but I'm fully sucked in by this one. Heard it on Kingsmill's show on Sunday as I was pulling into my street, and had to sit in the car til it finished.
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Father punched shark repeatedly to save daughter in North Carolina attack
The June 2 incident was one of two shark attacks in North Carolina so far this month
Jun. 14, 2019 12:10 p.m.
Atlantic Beach, North Carolina (James Willamor/Flickr)
The father of a 17-year-old girl who was recently attacked by a shark off the North Carolina coast has shared the dramatic story of how he rescued his daughter by punching the shark repeatedly until it let go.
ALSO READ: New Brunswick couple followed by great white shark
At a press conference Friday, Charlie Winter said he grabbed his daughter Paige and ran for shore while the shark chased them.
Doctors said the teenager’s left leg and two fingers on her left hand were amputated after what was likely a bull shark attack. Despite this, doctors said she’s in good spirits and should fully recover within six to twelve months.
The June 2 incident was one of two shark attacks in North Carolina so far this month. A 19-year-old surfer said he was bitten on his foot last weekend.
Uniform refresh includes heritage jersey for Vancouver Canucks’ 50th season
Canada Post proposes raising stamp prices by two cents next year
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Readying for WSAVA Congress
The four-day event offers continuing education (CE) sessions delivered by more than 100 speakers
Veterinary professionals from around the globe are gearing up for the upcoming World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) Congress in Toronto, Ont.
Held in conjunction with the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), the conference takes place July 16 to 19 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and offers multispecies continuing education (CE) sessions, delivered by more than 100 national and international speakers. Veterinary Practice News Canada is a media sponsor of the event.
Zoetis presentations
On July 17, Zoetis offers a series of presentations by speakers Duncan Lascelles, BSc, BVSC, PhD, MRCVS, CertVA, DSAS(ST), Diplomate ECVS, and Margaret E. Gruen, DVM, MVPH, DACVB. Specifically, Dr. Lascelles will highlight a new approach that targets nerve growth factor (NGF) in the pain pathway to enable long-lasting OA pain relief.
“Anti-NGF therapy will undoubtedly play a large role in OA pain management, and it’s important for us to share insights with the veterinary community, especially when dogs and cats cannot speak for themselves,” says Joyce Login, DVM, of Zoetis. “Our data builds on more than 30 years of research and commitment to companion animal pain management. We look forward to presenting at the 2019 WSAVA conference and afterward making materials available through our new interactive website.”
WSAVA’s PWG discussions
Congress also will include a panel session discussing the implications of research undertaken by WSAVA’s Professional Wellness Group (PWG). Hosted by PWG committee co-chair Nienke Endenburg, PhD, ‘Shaping the Future: Wellness in the Veterinary Profession,’ takes place July 17 and features an international panel of industry experts, including:
Marie Holowaychuk, DVM, DACVECC, a Canadian board-certified small-animal emergency and critical care specialist;
Jen Brandt, PhD, director of member well-being and diversity initiatives with the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA);
Derick Chibeu, BVM, co-chair of the PWG and honorary secretary of the Kenya Small and Companion Animal Veterinary Association (KESCAVA);
Vicki Lim, a New Zealand-based veterinarian and founder of the Riptide Project; and
Elwin van Oldenborgh, president-elect of the International Veterinary Students’ Association (IVSA).
You May Also Like OAVT recognized with national award
“Veterinarians care for our animal companions, but the question is: who is caring for them?” Dr. Endenburg says. “As a global community, we wanted to gain a clear understanding of the challenges to their wellbeing faced by our members around the world and to find out both what they have in common and where their experience differs.
“The results of our research provide a unique global view of this important issue and we look forward to discussing these with our expert colleagues and exploring practical solutions that respect the regional, economic, and cultural differences of our membership. It will be an important first step toward bringing about positive change and enhancing the wellbeing of veterinarians globally.”
CVMA events
Opening day activities include the CVMA Global Summit, an annual forum wherein Canadian and international veterinary leaders address key issues in animal medicine. This year’s summit, ‘The Gold Standard of Animal Welfare–Positive and Negative Impact on Animals and Veterinarians,’ will feature sessions from Susan Hazel, BSc, PhD; David Fraser, PhD; and Heather J. Bacon, BSc, BVSc, CertZooMed, MRCVS. (For more, click here.)
Also on the agenda is the CVMA National Issues Forum, in which association members express their views on a topic of national interest within the veterinary community. Dr. Bacon will be speaking at this event as well, along with Jan Robinson, registrar and CEO of the College of Veterinarians of Ontario (CVO), and Lori M. Teller, DVM, DABVP (canine/feline), CVJ. (For more, click here.)
Congress attendees also will have access to more than 360 CE sessions on topics such as companion animal, dentistry, dermatology, exotics, reproduction, behavior, integrative medicine, cytology, ophthalmology, accessible veterinary care, and social media. (For a complete schedule, click here.)
Drop by Veterinary Practice News Canada’s booth (#72) to pick up a copy of the latest issue or to sign up for a free subscription.
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Home Videos Sacred Games Season 2 Official Trailer Review
Sacred Games Season 2 Official Trailer Review
Netflix original Indian TV show Sacred Games is back for another season on the streaming service, and while season 1 ended on a high, we’re a sure Sacred Games season 2 will be even better; and now, finally, have a Sacred Games Season 2 Official Trailer. The trailer for Sacred Games 2 is full of things that you’d only expect to see in Sacred Games bloodshed, bullets, murder, and a whole lot of cursing. Moreover, this time around the show is leaving the city of Mumbai and has been extensively shot in Kenya, Cape Town, and Johannesburg.
The Sacred Games Season 2 Official Trailer kicks off with Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s character of Ganesh Gaitonde coming back, and Saif Ali Khan as Sartaj Singh trying to find clues about Gaitonde’s plans and the coming danger that Gaitonde warned him about before his apparent death. We also get a glimpse of a number of new faces that are joining in the cast for this season, New characters Kalki Koechlin, Pankaj Tripathi, and Ranvir Shorey also appear in the trailer but for now, it appears that the main story will be told via Gaitonde’s perspective and Sartaj’s investigation.
Pankaj Tripathi, who plays the role of Guruji in the show, also said “As an actor, I can’t talk in detail about the show. I’ve been asked not to. But yes, I can definitely say that the scale of the show is huge this time. writing is fantastic and the show will be very interesting.”
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Security, Technology
April 24, 2014 By Len Lewis
Retailers battle for data security but who’s winning the war?
Let’s ask the question everyone’s thinking but no one says out loud. Is real data security just a myth? An urban legend? A fairy tale that parents tell children at bedtime that ends with… happily ever after”?
Given the massive data breaches that are causing a lot of sleepless nights for retailers like Target, Neiman Marcus, Michaels and even Marriott Hotels, it’s getting easier to believe in Cinderella than in cybersecurity.
The nightmarish theft at Target that compromised information on more than 70 million customers, could cost the chain upwards of $1 billion in fees for litigation, replacement of stolen cards, fines from payment card companies, and merchandise losses, security experts say. But this may be the tip of a very large iceberg.
The Leaky App
Cybercriminals are not only getting into store systems, but also consumers’ mobile devices through “leaky” apps that spew out a wealth of personal information, according to investigations by British Intelligence and the National Security Agency. In fact, Malware, targeting mobile devices, is one of the fastest-growing cottage industries, increasing over 600% in 2013 alone.
Overall, retailing is in an arms race with a sophisticated, mobile and highly-motivated criminal element that may be shielded by the countries — or corrupt officials — in which they operate.
How many of us have even heard of Aleksei Alexseyevitch Belan, one of his 10 aliases? He is a Latvian-born Russian citizen, an expert computer engineer and software programmer, who could be in Russia, Greece, Latvia or the Maldives. He may or may not wear eyeglasses and his hair is either brown, red or blonde. He allegedly got into the networks of three major e-commerce companies in California and Nevada, stealing encrypted data from millions of accounts.
How about a Pakistani national named Farhan Arshad for international telecommunications hacking, or Salvadoran Carlos Perez-Melara who ran a nifty little website that offered customers a way to catch a cheating lover, then installed spyware on their computers to steal identities and personal information.
Bugs for Sale
They are all part of a new global pandemic, a cybercrime underground where professionals and amateurs trade and sell bugs and viruses like baseball cards. There are actually Russian credit card online forums devoted to information sharing by hackers. We may never know who hacked Target, but you can bet these people do. And thanks to them, the black market for stolen data increased twentyfold after the Target breach, according to Easy Solutions, a company that tracks fraud.
One source jokingly suggested sending SEAL teams or mercenaries into Eastern Europe and Russia to deal with these people up close and personal. But that would be wrong — wouldn’t it?
The unfortunate truth is that everyone is vulnerable. Even the venerable Coca-Cola Company, whose penchant for secrecy and security is legendary, had personal information on 70,000 employees compromised because data on laptops stolen by a former employee hadn’t been encrypted as required by company policy.
And how embarrassing is it that in January 2014, hackers accessed financial information on companies that were bidding for contracts from the Department of Homeland Security?
The list goes on. Over the past year, 621 data breaches have been confirmed and 24% occurred in retail environments and restaurants, according to the 2013 Data Breach Investigations Report by Verizon. Even worse, it took months for most of them to be discovered.
About 52% of these breaches were done by hacking, but 76% involved attacks against networks, and 40% were traced to Malware. In a sign of the times, Verizon also found that 29% involved social tactics like phishing.
Paying Ransom
One new tool of choice against consumers is “ransomware.” Criminals break into consumers’ computers, encrypting all data and essentially locking people out of their own systems until a ransom is paid via a prepaid cash card.
Not every incident is quite as sophisticated. A new scam uncovered by the FBI attacks small businesses. While one thief goes in a store to purchase goods with a stolen credit or debit card, another climbs on the roof and uses tin foil to jam satellite signals from the retailer’s credit card companies. Shockingly low-tech, but it works.
Aside from criminals, the ones benefitting most from these activities are insurance companies like AIG which has seen a 30% increase in cyber insurance policies. This is a new growth industry since only about 31% of US companies have cyber insurance, according to Experian. However, these are custom policies and because insurance companies don’t have any historical data on risks, premiums are through the stratosphere.
The worst thing companies can do is waste time playing the blame game. Target is now claiming that the theft resulted from electronic credentials that were stolen from vendors. One has to wonder if this could be a setback to the already tenuous collaborative planning and information sharing between retailers and manufacturers.
Throwing fuel on the fire, the US Secret Service, which is leading the Target investigation, said the malware used in the incident was known to security experts for over a year. Moreover, some in security believe that previous incidents against smaller retailers were tests and the successful attack on Target will embolden criminals to up the ante.
Recently, the National Retail Federation sent a letter to the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) laying the blame for data breaches at Target and Neiman Marcus on the financial services industry. ICBA returned fire, telling the organization that retailers need to get their own house in order by adopting new security solutions.
Public/Private Partnership
With this in mind, the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), has launched a Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Initiative in an effort to bring the public and private sectors together. It is centered on three major elements:
Strengthening overall cyber- security through the formation of a retail leaders council, development of a federal data breach notification system, and federal legislation to promote information sharing mechanisms.
Improving payments security by eliminating mag stripe technology and promoting pin and chip-based smartcards.
Addressing consumer privacy with different shopping options and describing in detail how retail data is being used and protected.
This is a nice wish list although the latter could throw a fly in the ointment since, by its very nature; information on cyber- security measures shouldn’t really be made public.
Not to be outdone, Attorney General Eric Holder said the Justice Department has launched its own 120-day probe into the Target theft and how to fight cybertheft, a move which no doubt struck fear into the hearts of the international criminal community — after they stopped laughing.
With all due respect, history has taught us that law enforcement is good at busting down doors after the fact. But preventive measures must come from the industry and its trading partners.
Planning for the Worst
As such, the best defense for both companies and consumers, according to security experts, is to simply assume you are being breached 24/7. Suggestions include:
Global, vendor-driven “bug bounty” programs which reward researchers for reporting and coordinating the patching of flaws.
An international vulnerability purchase program (IVPP), under which major software vendors would purchase all of the known vulnerabilities at prices well above what even the black market is willing to pay.
Instituting basic security procedures for routinely-collected data like email and mailing addresses, names and phone numbers.
Changing encryption algorithms to protect payment information from “brute force attacks” or what’s commonly described as high-speed guessing on computers.
Warning customers immediately after a suspected data breach and make sure they’re aware of the possibility of fraudulent emails asking for more personal data.
Eliminating unnecessary data from computer systems.
Collecting and sharing incident data with law enforcement, other retailers, and supply chain partners in order to detect problems faster.
Adopting custom solutions. There is no such thing as a one-size-fits all security system.
Controlling or limiting access by system administrators and other personnel.
Adopting multi-layered security procedures so employees don’t accidentally compromise the data.
Author and visionary H.G Wells once said that if we don’t end war, war will end us.
Consumers, E-Commerce, Global, Target, Technology
You Have 7 Minutes To Create Value For Your Shopper
Made Up in the USA
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Fend for the Risen - A Short Story by Olivia Yoakum
Posted by Brianna Boone
on 17 June 2019
Fend for the Risen
A Short Story by Olivia Yoakum, Class of 2021
“How did it feel?”
“How did what feel, Martha?” Grandma Shira asked.
“The grass, the ground…?” Martha inquired quietly.
“You know no one’s supposed to talk abou-,”
“Look it doesn’t matter and you’re my grandmother, we are supposed to be close right? You're supposed to help me with problems in life and I'm supposed to hug you tight and intently listen?”
“I suppose,” Shira said with hesitation lingering in her voice, “ You want to know the truth?”
Martha nodded her head so slowly that she felt as if she wasn’t prepared or even supposed to hear the answer, but curiosity yearned inside of her.
Grandma Shira sighed heavily and placed Martha’s hand softly on her left palm and encased it tightly with her right. Not knowing what to expect, Martha, being the most timid child there has ever been, only slightly, held her breath.“It was marvelous,” This alone was a better answer than Martha could have hoped for and she smiled widely, the first time in weeks.
Shira continued to enthuse Martha,”The ground was as hard as this floor right here but there was something different about it,” Grandma Shira narrowed her eyes and shifted them towards the window not as if she was trying to remember the feeling but more fathoming as to how to properly represent it in words.
“When standing on the ground you felt as if a plants’ roots had sprouted from the skin off the bottom of your feet,” Grandma Shira closed her eyes, trying to experience it again. Martha observed this, and did the same. “The sun would warm the ground and a heated, soothing feeling would radiate through your limbs, warming your entire body from top to bottom.” Grandma Shira opened her eyes and saw Martha, deeply enthralled with a slight smile, and her eyes closed. Within a few seconds Martha opened them back up.
“How’s that for an answer?” Grandma Shira smiled, patting Martha’s hand and carefully placing it back on her lap.
“Perfect.” Martha respond, looking deeply pleased and fully contented.
“Ready for your nap? You have had quite a weekend.”
“Yep.” Martha enthusiastically replied, but still she longed for more. She knew that this was the only place she could get the answers she wanted.
She laid in bed for what felt like hours before she could convince her body to allow her to sleep. For she was too focused on everything that had happened in these past few days but more importantly, how she had no clue what was going to happen next.
“You know your dads are smart for doing this,” Dave shouted to the back of the chopper, breaking the deafening silence that had been entertained by Martha’s lack of social skills since the moment they went into the air. Martha was holding so tightly to her straps that secured her into her seat, was also too concerned about the overall safety of her little brother to really respond or even acknowledge Dave’s comment.
So he attempted to gain her attention once more: “The risen in New York have it good, you’ll see. They weren’t completely submerged like other coasts. They have lots of sunlight and tall buildings keeping them away from harm and ensuring the weather is always nice and sunny!” Dave slightly chuckled and turned around quickly to Martha and Paul-y, “How ya’ guys doing’ back there?”Martha, staring out of the window into the beautiful blue sky, felt transported momentarily but when she saw Dave’s face smiling back at her she quickly realized she would have to snap back into reality.
“We’re good. Thank you, Dave.” She politely said back with a forced, upbeat flare in her voice and an ever-so-slight smile. “Aren’t we Pauly?” Martha looked to her younger brother to encourage at least a slight hint of manners and etiquette he has been able to obtain from their fathers, but Pauly replied with a mere, “Mm-hm,” barely looking up from his toy dogs wearing dresses and fireman hats.
Dave turned back to face the windshield and elated happily, “Alrighty then! We are almost there anyways!”
After what seemed like the longest 20 hours of her life, even though she slept for ten and read for two, Martha and her brother had finally reached New York City. Dave safely lands the chopper on top of a random government landing pad and predictably, Matha finds, Dave lands the plane while audibly saying aloud “Thunk!” and a loud chuckle. He amuses himself, Martha thought.
Dave then twists around to them and, suddenly becoming serious, says,”Now remember: you guys are not supposed to be here.” Pauly and Martha looked at him and though they had been prepared by their dads for the occasion, they were still slightly on edge. “I know that your dads have explained this to you but I want to reiterate the reason why you are here and what to do,” Dave paused and in that moment seemed very put-together.” The water in San Francisco has become too chemicalized and hazardous for children and though all the other kids have been sent to the child refugee camps in Kansas, I couldn't let my best friend’s kids go to that place.” he smiled widely and Martha smiled minutely back. “Now look, New York has the technology to fix their water but ultimately SF does not so my proposition to your dad's’ was to send you to your grandparents. The only way I was able to do this was through my job with government transportation so when they ask you why you are here, with me, in a government building, you say…?”
Martha felt she should respond because God knows Pauly will know how to react, “We’re your kids…?” Martha felt like this was a long shot.
“Yep, Martha, very good.” Dave reached out for a high five but Martha didn't want to give him the satisfaction. Dave drew his hand back ”Okay so I know you guys have met your Papa’s parents in SF but these are your Dad’s parents and they are different but... very sweet people.”
“Wait,” Martha hesitated. Dave looked at her ready for her inquiry,”Why shouldn’t we be here again? Like how is us being here wrong? I mean doesn’t the government have enough-”
“They do.” Dave interrupted, “They have enough resources they just don’t want other people using them because they could easily overuse them and then where would we be?” Martha looked confused and noticing this, Dave continued, “We have eliminated every use of gasoline in our country. Which you guys know is what caused the Risen Line in the first place…” They both nodded. “Well, by doing this we don’t have the privilege of making new planes that are electric because the making of them would emit even more gases and cause the Risen Line to go up even higher. So these planes are only supposed to be used for government emergency purposes, but…” he continued. “I’ve always been a rule breaker.” He said with a wide smile. Martha felt comforted hearing the whole truth on more time.
“You guys ready?”, he asked eagerly.
Both Martha and Pauly had given their entire attention to Dave but still, they were unsure what to expect. Martha mustered up all the fake confidence she possibly could, and gave Dave a reassuring nod.
“Okay then, let’s go.” said Dave. He gave his wide smile once more, giving Martha just a little bit more hope that everything will turn out fine.
Dave, Pauly and Martha entered a large military warehouse, memorabilia hung from the walls and framed photos of various planes and vehicles sat below them. They passed by countless military with Martha, clinging to Dave’s arm. He hastily guided them through the crowds. Everyone they saw smiled politely, most likely because they truly believed Martha and Pauly were his kids, but Martha found it nice regardless, during such a stressful day to see such happy and welcoming people. They then were about to quickly cross paths with an older man, when Dave suddenly stopped.
“Commander.” Dave directed towards the man.
“Sergeant Jeffords. Who’s kids are these?” he inquired, with a pleasant smile.
“My own, sargent.” Dave said, clearly and convincingly.
“They seem wonderful.” His smile grew from ear to ear. He waved at Pauly but Pauly, being in Dave’s arms, embarrassingly turned away and buried his head deep into Dave’s shoulder. The sargent seemed unphased.”Well I have some business to attend to, “ he sighed. “Have a wonderful evening.”
“Thank you, Commander.” Dave relaxed considerably as the Commander made his way back into the depths of the crowd.
They reached the dock at the end of the warehouse and Martha set her eyes on New York City, for the very first time. She felt as if all the stories were correct, they hadn’t renovated the bodegas and storefronts below the rise line but they did have glorious, tall building that seemed as though they could touch the sky. It was sleek and glass, for the most part. Firescapes attached themselves to the outside of the building, she didn’t have the will to believe they were real until now! She could peer into windows and buildings and saw people shuffling around at work, some were home and relaxing. It felt magical. She leaned over to see if she could see down to the streets, but no luck. At least I tried, she thought to herself.
“Come on, Martha!” Dave’s arm reached out for her to get onto the electric boat. SHe jumped on and as they traveled down the streets of New York, floating smoothly and they quickly zoomed past building after building. Martha felt amazed until Pauly got upset when Dave finally gave up on driving the boat as well as holding Pauly.
“Martha Aaa.” Pauly whined.
“Okay, okay. Come here.” Martha said, reluctantly. Pauly jumped onto her lap. Now it will be a while till we get there so feel free to nap.” Dave said caringly.
“Okay.” said Martha. She could tell by the color of the sky that the sun was going to set within the hour.
Martha awoke with a tap from Dave on her shoulder, Pauly was asleep in her arms.
“We’re here. You guys ready to meet your grandparents?” Dave said excitedly.
Martha and Pauly, still half-asleep, nodded and slowly rose to their feet. They stepped onto the dock in front of the apartment and Dave proceeded to knock on the door. He lifted Pauly into his arms and Martha stood close next to him.
The door opened quickly and Martha’s grandparents appeared.
Grandma Shira was of average height with curly gray hair and a kind smile. Her eyes had deep wrinkles on the sides and she wore a lovely blue blouse with black flared pants.
“Hi kids!” She smiled and hugged Martha immediately then, just after, pulled Pauly from Dave’s arms.
“You two look so tired!” Grandpa Moshe observed, just as Martha let out a deep yawn. He was very tall with short white hair and high-set cheekbones.
“They are! They’ve had a long couple days,” Dave agreed. “Oh here’s their stuff,” he said as he quickly grabbed the kids’ bags.
“Sleep tight kids, it’s been fun.” Dave said as he waved and walked to the dock.
“Thank you.” Martha said, loud enough for him to hear, turn around and smile, but quiet enough as to not draw attention to herself.
After Martha’s conversation with her grandmother she slept for what felt like days. She woke before everyone else and spent her time looking out the living room window just admiring the beautiful views- one’s she get nowhere else.
She wondered what life was like before the rise. She wondered what the ground feel like beneath her feet. She wanted to feel that warmth. She wanted to feel grounded. For once in her life she wanted to be absolutely sure of something, she wanted to know what life should’ve been like.
She looked out over the “streets” of New York and she just knew, this wasn’t what life is supposed to be like. COnstantly struggling for resources,inhibited freedom, and isolation. The world is torn apart and as a child she knew she was intuitive from the very smart. She knew that by the way the adults acted, she had come into this world at a most detrimental, and life-changing era.
Martha was surely just so curious as to what the meaning of life was, how people become so different, and other philosophical topics one begins to question at the age of ten. However, though people t her age aren’t supposed to talk about it and are supposed to focus on the future ahead, Martha couldn’t help but look back and wonder, “Why. Why are we like this? Why now?”
She rested her arms on the top of the couch and watching the waves rise and fall, she laid her head softly on her arms and imagined a life with warmth beneath her feet.
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Home My Story Sikkim – a hub of emerging artistes but crippling artistry
Representational Image: OMAS
Sikkim – a hub of emerging artistes but crippling artistry
With a population of just six lakhs, Sikkim may be the least populous state in India. However, this tiny Himalayan state can boast about varied talents which ironically when comes to acknowledgment needs to struggle.
Nitesh Pradhan
With their willingness to push the creative boundaries while preserving and promoting the culture of a place, artistes are a mirror to and of the society.
However, the struggles that artistes undergo isn’t unknown to any. In this scenario, Sikkim too has its own ‘unfair’ share of tale to tell.
“The departmental bureaucratic red tape ensures that artistes run from pillar to post without redressal for years,”
While countable number of local artistes have been earning their bread and butter through their talent, for the uncountable, it’s restricted to occasional creative output fuelled by a personal desire to do something.
“I did try to make and release songs in Sikkim but somewhere it boils down in the market,” says singer, Anisha Lama.
For the pool of talents the “small” market they say is becoming deterrent in respect to revenue growth.
Artistes like Tshering Leezum Bhutia, Girish & the Chronicles, Crystal and the Witches and Mingma D. Lepcha have been on the national stage getting acclaimed from experts and public. But dormancy within the Sikkimese society in general and the government in terms of recognising them is what bothers the artistes. The increasing marginalisation of artistes and depletion in the volume of creative output is what concerns them.
Another major issue is the lack of payment.
Amir Gurung who works as a director, photographer and camera person claims that he has a long list of people who are still to pay him his dues for his works which he did when asked by public and private agencies.
It seems like the society respects art but doesn’t view the profession artiste with the same gravitas as a doctor or an engineer.
Basics like a bound contract which is generally signed between two parties is absent in Sikkim where creative work is usually done on trust and belief.
“The trust is usually not reposed as when the payment time comes they simply dissapear,” adds Amir.
Also in the government sector, many artistes have complained of not receiving payment for work(s) done years ago.
An artiste not willing to be disclosed stated that a certain department has not paid him and other artistes their remuneration for past two years.
“The departmental bureaucratic red tape ensures that artistes run from pillar to post without redressal for years,” he states.
Organisation of Musicians and Artists of Sikkim (OMAS), started in 2013 deserves appreciation for highlighting issues faced by artistes here. They have also organised rallies and programs demanding their rightful space in the Sikkimese society. However, the movement has started showing signs of stagnation with internal issues creating a vacuum in the organisation.
Nevertheless, creative pursuits by youth have resulted in some extraordinary talent blazing through the consciousness of the people.
Tribal Rain is one such band from the state which has a following not just in Sikkim but across the Nepali speaking regions. But due to the tragic death of its lead vocalist, Rahul Rai, it’s seems like the band has taken a backseat and not much information is available on the current scenario of the band.
Another artiste, Ugen Namgyal Bhutia popularly known as UNB who started off as a rap artist and has a degree in sound engineering is now looking for better prospects outside the Himalayan state. He is one among the many talents who has joined the ‘shifting- their-work-base’ band wagon from Sikkim to other metropolis.
It’s a sad state of affairs that the local artistes are deprived of both valuation and evaluation in their own homeland.
The artistes hope that someday things would change and along with other developments, their ship of artistry too makes a headway against the heavy seas.
VIANitesh R Pradhan
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SoFIA Now Serves Palm Beach County
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (October 17, 2018) – The South Florida Institute on Aging (SoFIA) is training Palm Beach seniors in how to use technology as the non-profit that has been serving Broward County seniors for more than 50 years delivers services within the county for the first time.
“It will take a regional approach to undertake the social research, advocate for the public policy and provide the programing that will help South Florida’s seniors thrive in a rapidly changing world,” said SoFIA President and CEO Peter Kaldes, Esq. “We are pleased to offer the award-winning Senior Planet program that trains seniors to use technology to improve and enhance their social and civic engagement as our first services to Palm Beach County seniors.”
SoFIA is the exclusive South Florida provider of the courses created by Older Adults Technology Services of New York (OATS). Two classes of Palm Beach seniors are meeting twice a week now through December 12 to take Computer Basics for Older Adults. Skills gained from the course include sending and receiving email to connect with family and friends; doing effective online searches to have access to health, housing, benefits and life-long learning resources; navigating websites and online portals to participate in services, questionnaires, prescription ordering and online applications; using google maps to view and plan transportation routes and using YouTube to explore learning tutorials, entertainment and interests.
The two classes are fully enrolled and will be held at Abbey Delray Community and City of Boynton Beach Senior Center.
SoFIA’s expansion into Palm Beach is made possible through a grant from the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) Foundation marking the first time the Foundation has supported services in Florida. The CTA Foundation is a public, national foundation with the mission to link seniors and people with disabilities with technologies to enhance their lives.
“As part of its largest grant class ever, CTA Foundation is supporting OATS in the development of additional content and best practices for the Senior Planet platform as well as SoFiA’s introduction of the program into Palm Beach,” said Stephen Ewell, executive director, CTA Foundation. “SoFIA has made a tremendous impact on the lives of seniors and we are pleased to support expanding its service area with this program of real-world solutions to digital literacy and social isolation.”
A non-profit think and act tank, SoFIA creates planning and development strategies to deliver socio-economic support programs for South Florida seniors that can also serve as a model for other communities with aging populations.
Launched in Broward County in June, Senior Planet was offered in fully-enrolled sessions in Fort Lauderdale, Tamarac, Deerfield and Hollywood including classes dedicated to veterans.
The introduction of Senior Planet by SoFIA is sponsored by The Jim Moran Foundation, Consumer Technology Association Foundation, Citrix and Erwin M. Vasquez, M.D. and Elaine Vasquez Family Foundation Fund in honor of Doctors Natalie A. and Oscar Nadeau of the Community Foundation of Broward with additional support from Comcast and Wells Fargo.
To register for future classes call 954.484.7177 ext. 7 or email seniorplanet@thesofia.org. Visit www.theSoFIA.org for more information.
South Florida Institute on Aging (SoFIA)
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James Comey warns no one ‘sensible’ in Donald Trump’s inner circle to stop his ‘impulsive behaviour’ in BBC Newsnight interview
In an interview with Emily Maitlis broadcast this evening the former FBI director also claimed the President's actions were an 'attack on the rule of law and the truth'
By Jon Lockett
Updated: 19 Apr 2018, 23:38
EX-FBI director James Comey has claimed those in Donald Trump's inner circle can't control the outspoken President.
In an interview with Newsnight's Emily Maitlis, broadcast this evening, Comey said even Trump's closest aides are unable to stop his "impulsive behaviour".
Comey said many Americans had become 'numb' to Trump's actionsCredit: bbc
Comey was asked if he "could sleep easy at night" knowing the President was surrounded by "sensible and reasonable" people.
He said: "I wake up some mornings and read the President is demanding the jailing of private citizens, occasionally me, and so that's one of the reasons I am confident there are not adequate people around him to stop impulsive behaviour.
"We have actually become numb to it in the United States. Our President calling for the imprisonment of private citizens. That is not okay, that is not normal. It is not acceptable."
When asked if he disliked the President he said: "Not as a person. I actually feel sorry for him as a person. I dislike his actions especially the attack on the rule of law and the truth."
Newsnight's Emily Maitlis asked Comey if he lined TrumpCredit: bbc
Maitlis then asked Comey if he was still in charge of the FBI would there be information he would not share with Trump over fears it would leak out and put national security at risk.
He replied: "You would have to think about it in a way you wouldn't have with other Presidents."
Comey was also asked whether or not he played a pivotal role in the result of the Presidential election for his role in the Hillary Clinton email probe and defended his decision to go public with his findings.
He replied: "I hope not, It was certainly an important role, a prominent role whether it made a difference...I hope not."
Comey admitted he did, reluctantly, get dragged into the world of politics but insisted the FBI was still a non political organisation.
Trump and Comey at first had a solid working relationshipCredit: AP:Associated Press
He said: "I believe we (the FBI) were stuck in the middle of an amazing 500 year of flood and political venom in the United States. Waves of partisan anger washed over us. It is definitely not a political organisation."
He was also grilled by the BBC reporter on why he didn't speak out about the alleged links between the Trump campaign and Russia before the election.
Comey said: "Unlike the Clinton investigation, which was already public, we were in the very early stages of counter intelligence investigations of a very small group of Americans - not Donald Trump - to try to figure out if there is a connection between these people and the Russia effort."
He said he also understands why Hillary Clinton blames him for her election loss and urged the Democrat to read his new book to understand why he did what he did.
Maitlis then asked Comey why he didn't tell the then President elect about all the lurid details contained in the so-called 'steel document'.
She said: "One part of the dossier contains salacious allegations that he ordered prostitutes in a Moscow hotel to urinate on each other as he watched in a bed the Obamas had once slept in. You held back from telling him that line, why?"
Comey accused Trump of 'staining' people with his liesCredit: AP:Associated Press
He replied: "Cos it's hard enough to talk to the President elect and use the words prostitutes and Moscow hotel in the same sentence. My goal was do as little as needed to let him know that this was out there."
Comey was then challenged on why he never stood up to Trump when the President constantly demanded his undying loyalty.
He said despite the pressure mounting on him he had no plans to quit his job confirming he found out he was sacked on TV.
He also said he hopes that Trump has no plans to fire special counsel Robert Mueller - so he can get to the bottom of the Russia claims.
Comey then went on to double-down on his claims that the President is not always truthful.
"The way in which he acts especially his corrosive effect on norms, truth telling being the most important of them has that staining effect on institutions and people that are close to him," said Comey.
"He has a habit of, and even people close to him will agree with this I think, of telling lies - sometimes big, sometimes casual - and then insisting the people around him repeat them and believe them and that stains any individual."
He ended the interview by saying he wants Trump to succeed - especially in his dealings with North Korea - but fears he will still damage America's core values.
The Republican President has also attacked "slippery" Comey for telling "many lies" and claimed he is responsible for sensitive information being leaked.
Comey was sacked last May amid the FBI's probing of possible connections between Trump's 2016 presidential campaign and Russia's meddling in the American elections.
Russia has denied interfering in the election and Trump has denied any collusion or improper activity.
Comey admitted he was nervous about talking about the 'golden shower' rumours Credit: AP:Associated Press
US President Donald Trump says he didn't tape ex-FBI boss James Comey
Comey is now a crucial witness for Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into whether Trump has tried to obstruct the Russia probe.
His tell-all book, "Higher Loyalty," which is due out on Tuesday, claims the President wanted to prove to the First Lady that he hadn’t paid Russian hookers to urinate on a hotel bed.
The claims prompted Trump to hurl a new set of insults at Comey .
The President wrote in one of five Twitter posts: "Slippery James Comey, a man who always ends up badly and out of whack (he is not smart!), will go down as the WORST FBI Director in history, by far!"
In earlier interviews, Comey defended his decision to publicly disclose the FBI's re-opening of its investigation into Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's handling of email when she was secretary of state.
Fired FBI boss James Comey explains why public should believe him and not Trump
He said the Clinton probe was already public whereas the FBI's examination of possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia was in its early stages.
It did not become publicly known until after the 2016 presidential election.
In extracts from the book, already published, Comey writes that Trump, in a private meeting, pressed the then-FBI director for his loyalty.
Comey told ABC News that the title of the book came from a "bizarre conversation" he had with Trump at the White House in January 2017 shortly after his inauguration.
He said: "He asked for my loyalty personally as the FBI director. My loyalty's supposed to be to the American people and to the institution."
The FBI has long tried to operate as an independent law enforcement agency.
Donald Trump reacts to Comey evidence 'Some of the things that he said just weren't true'
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Peter Jackson to Turkish Court: Pictures Are Smeagol, Not Gollum
Man faces two years in prison for juxtaposing image of movie character with country’s President
Joe Otterson | December 2, 2015 @ 5:28 PM Last Updated: December 3, 2015 @ 10:47 AM
New Line Cinema/Twitter
Peter Jackson is rejecting a Turkish court’s attempt to determine whether or not Gollum from the “Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” franchises is good or bad, as the pictures in question (below) depict Smeagol.
In a joint statement to TheWrap with screenwriters Fran Walsh and Phillippa Boyens, who worked with Jackson on both franchises, the director stated:
“If the images below are in fact the ones forming the basis of this Turkish lawsuit, we can state categorically: None of them feature the character known as Gollum. All of them are images of the character called Smeagol.”
Also Read: Turkish Court to Decide if 'Lord of The Rings
The proclamation was made because a Turkish man named Bilgin Ciftci faces up to two years in prison after he allegedly juxtaposed a picture of the J.R.R. Tolkien character with a picture of Turkey’s President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
“Smeagol is a joyful, sweet character. Smeagol does not lie, deceive, or attempt to manipulate others. He is not evil, conniving, or malicious — these personality traits belong to Gollum, who should never be confused with Smeagol,” the statement from Jackson, Walsh and Boyens continued.
“Smeagol would never dream of wielding power over those weaker than himself,” it concludes. “He is not a bully. In fact he’s very loveable. This is why audiences all over the world have warmed to his character.”
Also Read: 'The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies' Extended Edition Earns R-Rating
Ciftci’s lawyer Hicran Danisman told the Associated Press on Wednesday that she was forced to argue that Gollum is not a bad character after her initial freedom of expression defense fell flat.
According to Danisman, the argument prompted the judge in the case to rule that a panel of psychologists and film experts should provide a detailed assessment of the character.
Insulting the president is a crime punishable by a prison sentence in Turkey, with more than 200 people investigated for “insulting the head of state” between August 2014 and March 2015.
Andy Serkis played Gollum/Smeagol in both franchises, but declined to comment on the situation.
A medical doctor’s job is terminated by the state for sharing this picture #BilginCiftci#AKP@RT_Erdoganpic.twitter.com/C7E87t1KQ7
– A.Kadir Yildirim (@akyildirim) October 15, 2015
Orlando Bloom, Evangeline Lilly Prepare for Battle in 7 New 'Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug' Character Posters (Photos)
Evangeline Lilly as Tauriel
Orlando Bloom as Legolas
Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins
Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield
Ian McKellen as Gandalf the Grey
Lee Pace as Thranduil
Luke Evans as Bard the Bowman
Peter Jackson’s sequel to “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” introduces Tauriel (Evangeline Lilly) — a female warrior elf not in J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel — and brings back “Lord of the Rings” fan favorite Legolas (Orlando Bloom) to join Hobbit Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) and Dwarf King Thorin on their journey to reclaim Lonely Mountain from dragon Smaug
‘The Hobbit’ Actor Manu Bennett Arrested for Allegedly Punching Man at Texas Comic Con
By Tim Kenneally | September 14, 2015 @ 1:05 PM
‘Hobbit’ Finale Debuts With Record $49 Million in China
By Todd Cunningham | January 25, 2015 @ 11:16 AM
Kicking ‘Hobbit’ Habit Will Change Holidays for Warner Bros. and Moviegoers
By Todd Cunningham | January 5, 2015 @ 1:30 PM
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TOUGH, SMALL COMPACT SUV
By Jonathan Crouch
Suzuki Jimny (1998-2018)
Models Covered
3dr SUV – hardtop/soft top (Petrol – 1.3 86PS)
Small and tough, the Suzuki Jimny is an ultra-compact 4x4 with genuine character. The MK3 model we look at here feels crude in terms of ride, handling and refinement but it’s hard to grumble at the prices being asked. Although running costs are quite high, the Jimny is still just about the cheapest viable off-roader from the 1998-2018 era on the market.
The Jimny story dates back to the late Sixties and a product called the HopeStar OM360 manufactured by the Hope Motor Company, essentially a kind of scaled-down World War II Willys Jeep. Suzuki bought the rights to make this little 4x4, updated it and re-launched it in April 1970 badged as its ‘LJ’ series. Eleven years later, with a quarter of a million worldwide sales on the board, the company replaced that car with a model you’re more likely to remember, the ‘SJ’ Series, which in the Eighties gained unwanted notoriety for its alarming tendency to tip over when cornering at speed. Nevertheless, nearly 1.7 million SJs had been sold by 1998, the year this MK3 model was launched.
This third generation design was the first in the model line to be generally known in our market by the Jimny name and was a far more civilised thing than its predecessors – or at least it seemed that way at launch. As the years passed though, the Jimny looked more and more at odds with the kind of cultured little runabout that customers increasingly expected a small SUV to be. It was, after all, uncompromisingly rugged and a loyal band of buyers made it clear to Suzuki that they wanted it to stay that way. It sold until an all-new MK4 model was launched in late 2018.
At first glance, the Jimny looks to be designed more for the mud than the metropolis. Flared wheel arches, bulky side panels, roof rails and that spare wheel on the tailgate give it a purposeful look intended to reflect a 'rugged personality'. Underneath all that, however, it's all surprisingly car-like. Instead of the 'garden shed' aerodynamics favoured by most off roaders, the slippery body has a drag coefficient comparable with that of a normal family hatchback.
The cabin, though dominated by grey plastic, is equally user-friendly, with a neat, simple layout that will confuse no one capable of operating a payphone. For a small car, the driving position is excellent, accommodating for anyone up to a six-footer, with plenty of head and legroom.
We came across quite a few satisfied buyers in our Jimny ownership survey, but some owners had problems too. Leaks on early soft-tops are a bit of a problem, not just because they’re quite old now and the seals have probably perished but because the clips could snap. A replacement roof could cost as much as £500, plus fitting. Rust could be an issue with old Jimnys that regularly go off road. Mud that hasn’t been cleaned off can trap moisture, which then leads to corrosion. As for the 1.3-litre engine, well in its earlier form, it used a timing belt that needs to be replaced every 70,000 miles, so look for evidence of this in the service history. Watch out for coolant leaks on older examples from either perished hoses or the radiator. If your Jimny has worn suspension components, wheel bearing issues, tired CV (constant velocity) joints or simply poor wheel balancing, then on your test drive, you’ll feel plenty of wobble in the steering wheel above 50mph.
Check that the 4WD system engages properly. The vacuum lines that go to the front wheel hubs could have perished, so it’s wise to get the system inspected. There have been five recalls for the Jimny. The first was for a bolt that works itself loose on the gear selector of Jimnys made between 1 April 1998 and 31 October 1999.The second was in 2010 for an issue with the power steering pulley that may fail, reducing power steering assistance. Examples built between 9 May 2012 and 24 March 2014 potentially had a problem with the lateral suspension rods to the front and rear axle becoming loose. This can lead to excessive vibration in the steering wheel. A small number of models produced between 15 December 2014 and 16 January 2015 had a problem with the stability control unit that could potentially delay the operation of the braking system in an emergency situation.
The brake booster of Suzuki Jimnys constructed between 18 January 2014 and 30 July 2014 may not have been up to specification and requires the driver to exert greater effort on the brake pedal in order for the brakes to work. Otherwise, there shouldn’t be too much to worry about. Look out for the usual scratched alloy wheels and signs of child damage in the back. And favour cars that have a properly stamped-up service history.
In town, that high seating position and excellent all-round visibility make it great for nipping in and out of traffic. The 1.3-litre all-aluminium 16v engine is in its element here too. On the open road, however, it can sound a little stretched due to the fact that most of its 85 braked horses are not available until you get the engine singing right up at 6,000rpm. Handling around twisty tarmac is not as accomplished as the sharpest superminis, but it’s quite good enough to satisfy most. Besides, there's always the bonus, denied to conventional road users, that when the fancy takes you, the muddy stuff beckons. Four-wheel drive is selectable via Suzuki's 'Drive Select' system, a surprisingly painless operation that can be accomplished whilst on the move.
Over reasonably rough terrain, the little Suzuki inspires confidence, thanks to its tough ladder frame chassis, a standard design feature that many small off-roaders lack and which renders many virtually useless for real off-road work. You'll have to accept, however, that the Jimny won't ultimately have the wherewithal to reach the places that larger off roaders can. One drawback of all this off roading prowess is that it necessitates a harder, more jiggly ride. Again, it's not something that will bother you too much on short journeys, where the light steering, progressive brakes and smooth gear change make the little Suzuki easy to live with.
Suzuki’s Jimny could be viewed as one of the most interesting budget small car choices on the market or as a bargain basement off-road tool. It will appeal to buyers of both persuasions because despite being more than a little rough around the edges, the little Suzuki has character and real ability, which is rare in cars costing twice as much. In short, if you really value off roading ability, the Jimny's well worth considering as something a little different.
New Astra gets a power boost
Road test: Kia e-Nero
QUALITY ST WITH NEW BODY STYLE
COMPACT MPV WITH STYLE
MOTORING: All-new Peugeot SUV gives the power to choose
Jaguar Land Rover to build electric cars as demand grows
THE GO ANYWHERE MODEL 3
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The art of pottery in Mallorca
Although pottery and ceramics are a world still to be discovered by many visitors that come to Mallorca, pottery has been linked to the tradition and craftsmanship of the island since ancient times. Products made with clay are still a faithful representation of the gastronomy, culture, and life of Mallorca among locals.
Origin and history of the clay tradition
Marratxí, located north of Palma, rises proudly as the land of mud, and this centuries-old tradition handed down from generation to generation remains alive. Pòrtol is the nucleus where most of the pottery workshops of the island are concentrated, pottery which continues to be manufactured in an artisan way with unique pieces of ceramics being produced here.
Portol had a great tradition of pottery dating back to the late 17th century when there was evidence of several pottery workshops (olleries in Catalan). The end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th were the most splendid. By then, the town had more than twenty potteries. However, in the 1960s the number decreased to the current nine from Pòrtol and two from Sa Cabaneta. The red land found in Pòrtol attracted the potters, who settled there. The soil is ideal for making for pots and other utensils that have made Pòrtol the only place in Mallorca where this type of ceramic is produced for the kitchen.
Pottery artisan hard at work | Photo by Mallorca Urban Adventures
To make a piece, the pottery artisan (oller in Catalan) places a ball of clay on top of a lathe, giving it the desired shape with the aid of a trowel. Once it is finished, it is removed with the help of a wire. Handles are added depending on the piece, and then the piece is left to dry. When dry, it gets varnished and then a final firing in the oven before being left to cool.
Thanks to this beautiful craft handed down from parents to children in Mallorca, we can still enjoy our own local pottery today, from table décor to cooking vessels.
Types of pottery products in Mallorca
Even instruments are made from clay in Mallorca | Photo by Mallorca Urban Adventures
Greixoneres: The greixonera is a round, low, and wide pot used to cook food in the fire or in the oven. They are still used to cook many traditional Mallorcan dishes today.
Siurell:The siurell is a small clay figurine on a pedestal to which a whistle is attached, which gives the toy-instrument its name.
Instruments: Although it seems incredible, with clay you can also create instruments. For example, la ximbomba consists of a cylinder made from clay, typically used in Christmas celebrations. While the ocarina has a great tradition on the island of Mallorca with the first reference of this instrument dating back to 1879.
Other items: There are an endless variety of products made with mud: tiles, teapots, bottles, dishes for olives, tortilla-flippers, piggy banks, thimbles, plates, glasses, platters, and decorations.
Where to learn more about Mallorcan pottery
Rows of Mallorcan pottery | Photo by Mallorca Urban Adventures
In Marratxí, Terra de Fang (Land of Clay), provides a space dedicated to mallorcan culture, identity, and tradition. Since the Neolithic times, ceramics have been part of the evolution of the people, and its appearance was a revolutionary change in the improvement of the quality of life of our ancestors.
The Museu del Fang showcases the wealth of techniques, forms, and functions that cultures have given to ceramic pieces throughout history. The museum initially focuses its interest on the traditional pottery of Mallorca, and specifically on the clay pottery of Marratxí. Currently, some of these pieces are in disuse, have disappeared, or are in danger of disappearing. For this reason, it is important to show and preserve them.
Learn more about Mallorcan pottery and other traditional handicrafts on our Made in Mallorca shopping tour.
About Mallorcan Pottery1 mallorca5 Palma1 Palma Travel1 pottery2 Shopping Tour1 spain10
How to make Puerto Rican rice and beans
The best ethnic restaurants in Moscow
Izaskun Cortés Vilches
Tour Leader @ Mallorca Urban Adventures. Izaskun was born in Mallorca, more specifically, in Esporles, a little and traditional town not far from the main city. As a child, she learnt by her godfather, main baker of her town, how to make traditional pastries and chocolates and to understand the arduous process each piece carries. As an adult, she studied tourism at the University of the Balearic Islands and specialised in sustainable tourism in order to improve the picture that Mallorca is giving to the rest of the world and teach visitors how to take care of the island, her beloved home. Nowadays, she still loves trying new flavours, different products and distinct places. As a foodie, she's not scared of being a critic and demanding (in a good way, of course), always looking for the perfect flavour and the best experience.
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Review: 2015 Chrysler 200 and Its 5 Star Safety Rating
Posted by Jill Homiak, editor | Feb 4, 2015 | 4
When it comes to car buying, transparency isn't always on our side. While we know there are cars made in the USA, many of the components aren't, and some of the cars are made here, but the parent company isn't American owned.
On the hunt for a new or preowned vehicle? Don't miss USA Love List‘s Made in USA Cars: A Guide to Buying an American Made Car, SUV or Truck!
Step inside and read more about the 2015 Chrysler 200 and it's 5 star safety rating.
American Made Components of the 2015 Chrysler 200
For my review on the 2015 Chrysler 200, I wanted to share a bit of information about where some of the car's components are made. The Chrysler 200 is assembled in Sterling Heights, Michigan. The following components of the automobile are also American made.
2.4-liter engine: Dundee, Michigan
3.6-liter engine: Trenton, Michigan
Transmission: The nine-speed transmission that’s mated to the 2.4-liter engine is made in Kokomo, Iowa. The nine-speed transmission that is mated to the 3.6-liter engine is made in Gray Court, South Carolina.
American Jobs Created by Chrysler
Not only is the Chrysler 200 a great example of an American-built car, Chrysler has dedicated numerous jobs for auto production here in the states.
Since June 2009, FCA US LLC (formerly Chrysler Group LLC) has announced investments of more than $5.6 billion and added more than 22,000 new job, including almost 15,000 hourly jobs. That is a massive economic impact.
The company headquartered is in Auburn Hills, Michigan, and they employ 54,231 people in the United States, including those who work at the 23 manufacturing facilities in the United States.
2015 Chrysler 200 Reviewed
Now onto some more specific driving information. Chrysler's fleet company provided the 2015 Chrysler 200 for my driving pleasure for a week. It's really nice because you get to experience the car over a bit of time to see how, and what, you like most about the vehicle. While I had the car, someone hit the vehicle from behind. I was dead stopped a red light, and BOOM, a Suburu Outback slammed into us. It felt like she hit us at about 10 miles an hour; it wasn't as if she miscalculated the distance between our cars and just tapped us. There was absolutely no vehicle damage, which to me, was pretty amazing. The rear bumper is designed in a way that there's a part that protrudes from the bumper, so when the car was hit, the protrusion was hit and the bumper was protected. It's a bit hard to describe, but that's the only thing that make sense in terms of the fact that there was no vehicle damage. After that experience, I really trusted the car! It's no wonder the 2015 Chrysler 200 Named a 2014 Top Safety Pick Plus by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
While I never wanted to get into an accident, I'm glad I was in the 2015 Chrysler 200 when it happened!
PreviousA 1.5 lb Slab of Chocolate Caramel Truffle Fudge from The Chocolate Nation
NextEasy Kitchen Composting with the American Made CompoKeeper
Jill Homiak, editor
Lifestyle and Fashion Editor, USA Love List. Follow me on Twitter for all things fashion, made in the USA.
Made in the USA Review: Fantastic Anti-Plastic Dishes and Beach Toys by Zoë b Organic
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Whole30 Challenge Tips & 95 Made in USA Foods For Your Whole30 Grocery List
I would SO love to have a new car like this!!!
ellen beck on February 7, 2015 at 6:43 pm
It is a beautiful vehicle. I am not in the markt for a new car we always buy used- BUT we also always by American made vehicles!
prince charles on October 10, 2016 at 9:44 am
kokomo is not in Iowa. try Indiana.
Sarah Wagner on October 10, 2016 at 10:59 pm
Noted! Thank you!
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Trump’s “Gun-Adept” Fever Dream Is Sabotaging the Parkland Debate
Tina Nguyen
The Far Right
“Kooky,” “Idiotic”: The Far Right Seethes Over Trump’s Second Amendment Flip-Flop
“I MADE HIM”: Trump Loses His Mind in Batshit Fox Interview
Trump: Fed Chief Could Be an Unpaid Intern Before the Week Is Out
Trump Stops Caring, Starts Calling for Executions
This is what it looks like when the West Wing loses control of Trump.
By T.J. Kirkpatrick/Bloomberg/Getty Images.
There has never been a sharp distinction between the public and private faces of Donald Trump, who described Atlanta as “crime-infested” online and called African countries “shitholes” behind closed doors. Both sides are about the same, when he is away from the teleprompter and going off script. There is only so much filter that can be removed when there’s hardly any filter to start with. Still, it was somewhat shocking to see Trump talking openly Thursday about something he has so far kept private: imposing the death penalty for people caught dealing drugs. “Some countries have a very, very tough penalty—the ultimate penalty,” Trump said wistfully at a White House summit on the opioid crisis. “And, by the way, they have much less of a problem.”
We’ve seen this one coming: In April, Trump called President Rodrigo Duterte to praise his bloody crackdown on drugs in the Philippines, which has reportedly killed as many as 12,000 people. “I just wanted to congratulate you because I am hearing of the unbelievable job on the drug problem,” he said, referring to Duterte’s extrajudicial, state-sanctioned murder program. “Many countries have the problem, we have a problem, but what a great job you are doing and I just wanted to call and tell you that.” The idea apparently stuck with Trump: Last week, Axios reported that Trump has continued privately raising the possibility of executing drug dealers, as Singapore does. “He says that a lot,” one source recalled. “He says, ‘When I ask the prime minister of Singapore do they have a drug problem [the prime minister replies,] ‘No. Death penalty.’”
Senior adviser Kellyanne Conway essentially confirmed the report when she clarified that Trump was merely referring to bringing capital murder charges against high-volume dealers of drugs like fentanyl, which, she pointed out, “are so lethal in such small doses.” On Thursday, Trump brought the idea out into the open, suggesting that the United States adopt “the ultimate penalty” for drug dealers.
The president’s comments fit a pattern of authoritarian rhetoric, from calling Democrats “treasonous” for not applauding his State of the Union address to pressuring the Department of Justice to prosecute his political opponents. But they also suggest a looser, less controlled Trump as the president has grown increasingly frustrated with the shackles his chief of staff, John Kelly, has imposed on him. The chains began to break last month, as Kelly’s authority was rocked by allegations of domestic abuse involving his second-in-command, Rob Porter. The scandal created a domino effect in the White House that fueled tensions between Kelly and Jared Kushner over Kushner’s security clearance and was a factor in the resignation of Hope Hicks, one of Trump’s closest confidants.
The silly season has, in turn, fed a bumper crop of crazy coming out of the Oval. Trump is reportedly considering firing National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster, whom he also resents, and on Thursday bucked the advice of his National Economic Adviser Gary Cohn and announced tariffs on steel and aluminum, causing the stock markets to plunge. For months, Trump’s senior staff had slow-walked his enthusiasm for a trade war. This week, he decided he would act unilaterally. “Trade wars are good, and easy to win,” Trump tweeted Friday morning, as the Dow Jones dropped another 350 points. This is what it looks like when the president stops being nice and starts getting real.
New Poll Confirms Trump Could Get Clobbered in Florida
Eric Lutz
Will Trump Bully Jerome Powell Into Blowing Up the Economy?
William D. Cohan
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YouTube Slowly Turning to ProTube | Village Voice
YouTube Slowly Turning to ProTube
by Roy Edroso
There will always be room for kitties fighting puppies and such like, but YouTube is getting closer to becoming an outlet for professional content. It was recently announced that “Sesame Street” is licensing its shows to YouTube and other online providers — which will probably increase vigilance against mash-ups. MGM films will be YouTubed in their entirety, and YouTube is rolling out its own original programming. Meanwhile the megapopular service, in response to legal action, has been steadily cracking down on unlicensed material. Well, at least the portal will remain open for hard-hitting journalism.
Looking back on the publication that endowed America with a B.S. detector
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Apex bodies hail
2:09 AM / Posted by Unknown
CCpur, Sep 28: Four apex tribal bodies – Zomi Council, Kuki Inpi, Churachandpur, Hmar Inpui and Mizo Peoples Convention – today hailed the historic decision reached by the armed groups under KNO and UPF to pursue a common political goal even as it appealed to all sections of the people to maintain calm and desist from fanning the already volatile situation but to work unitedly in a peaceful manner to achieve ‘our’ goal.
The apex bodies which met at the MPC office here discussed and deliberated on the emerging situation in the hill areas of Manipur, particularly in Churachandpur district and adopted at least 6 crucial resolutions.
They expressed deep appreciation to the understanding reached between Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the United Peoples’ Front (UPF) on September 26, 2015 to pursue a common political agenda for a shared common future.
It may be noted here that the two umbrella organisations had on Saturday agreed that they would call for a separate State for the tribals in Manipur. The decision was supposed to be formally announced jointly before the press by both the groups later that day; however arson on one of the top leader’s house before the press meet sobataged the plan.
Nevertheless, the President of ZRO Thanglianpau and the President of KNO PS Haokip while paying their tributes to the nine martyrs at the hospital morgue that day told the grieving crowd there about their historic decision.
An appeal for calm, peace and tranquillity besides a call for desisting from spreading false rumours that can flare up tensions and to avoid singling out particular persons or communities was another decision the apex bodies adopted. They also advised all sections of the people to be discerning in the use of social media.
Source: Sangai Express
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Pilar Orti
What We Can Learn from "Team of Teams"
I couldn't imagine that a book about the US Military would be such a joy to read. But during my virtual coffees with Lisette Sutherland, she kept recommending the book every time we spoke about the need for transparency in organisations and the dangers of security concerns creating a culture of mistrust which prevents people from collaborating, innovating and keeping up with change.
Team of Teams does not just have many important things to say about the way managers treat people in old-fashioned organisations. It also shows how management as a practice and organisational structures need revising constantly - what works now might not work in .... (I don't know, you fill in the blanks, I can't keep up with the speed of change).
As an example, the command and control structure that served General Motors so well in one era, destroyed it in the next one as its own brands competed against one another.
An Unexpected Insight into Modern Management
Whereas we think of having access to mountains of information as allowing us to work better together and to trust each other more, General Stanley McChrystal illustrates how we can run the risk of making people more dependent on managers, rather than less - which is what we all aim for, isn't it? (Sorry, ego....)
The many channels of communication through which we can continuously share information make it easier for people to constantly seek approval from managers. We are in danger of making our processes more bureaucratic rather than less, as our points of approval increase without us even noticing.
On top of this, managers get information more regularly than they used to and so can feel more inclined to intervene in a team member's process.
The lesson here: we aware, be very aware.
(Read more on the dangers of over-sharing in one of my most shared articles to date: The Dangers of Working Out Loud.)
Flatter, Nimbler, Better
Team of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World advocates for flatter organisations, for places where "juniors" can have a voice, where people understand the context in which they're operating and so, can make decisions on their own, even if they affect others.
I've always said that virtual teams can provide this environment - it's not the only suitable set up, of course, but going virtual provides us with a great excuse for revisitng the way in which we work.
However, "remote" and "virtual", while presenting opportunities to peel off unhelfpul management behaviours, can also present themselves as wonderful excuses of why management doesn't work. If you regularly read about the future of work, you will have come across statements like, "Remote leadership doesn't work" or"We can't innovate because there are no opportunities for serendipity."
In reply to the first statement: Your "remote" is not broken, it's your leadership style that needs fixing.
Second statement: In the same way as office spaces have been re-designed to increase the opportunities for chance encounters, you need to adapt your remote workspace and team processes to enable creativity and great teamwork.
So Where do Managers Fit In?
Dropping command-and-control and not being the ones with all the answers make us question our relevance. Even the more collaborative of managers are wondering (anxiously wondering) what their role might be in this flatter, more autonomous world of work. I like how the author of Team of Teams puts it:
It's less about moving chess pieces on the board and more about creating an ecosystem where the flora in the garden can grow.
(I love that the first metaphor is black and white and has straight lines and defined borders, while the second is colourful and all over the place!)
What McChrystal set out to do was not easy and it has resulted in practices that some people would abhor, such as the daily video conference involving people in over 70 locations. Meetings where he'll address juniors by their first name, to make them feel at ease. "The rules of any meeting are established more by precedent and demonstrated by behaviour than written guidance." (A reminder for all of us in charge that behaviour goes much further than a well written piece on company values...)
Trusting people to make decisions is not easy and can often leave us feeling like we'll eventually become dispensable. The way forwards seems to be to
"Fuse a radical sharing of information with extreme decentralization of decision-making authority."
Think of the rewards.
More nimble teams, more "engagement" (yes, sorry, it's really difficult to keep people on board - "engagement programmes" and rewards can only go so far) and more opportunities for people to solve all sorts of problems by themselves. You might not feel as important as a manager and you will see people come up with solutions better than those you can come up yourself. But you won't be out of a job because creating this kind of environment is incredibly difficult to achieve.
And this is not just best practice for virtual teams. It's what we should strive for in all kinds of work.
Ready to create an environment where your behaviour doesn't get in the way of team member's motivation? Join us for this Coffee Break Webinar: Leadership and Motivation in Virtual Teams.
Disclaimer: All links to this book are Amazon affiliate links.
Newer Post"Going Remote" is a Change Programme
Older PostDon't Leave Your Collaboration to Chance
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APPLE WATCH FEATURE
Revisiting the Apple Watch: Giving Cupertino a second chance
A few months, and a few updates down the line, do we have a watchOS convert?
Friday February 26, 2016
A couple of weeks after the Apple Watch went on sale in April 2015 - and our executive editor James Stables had published his review - I wrote a post on How the Apple Watch let me down.
It wasn't that I didn't like the Apple Watch. It was that it wasn't the slick, complete Cupertino experience I was hoping for. I wanted a benchmark setting smartwatch. But I felt Apple delivered a device that was full of holes.
On the whole, the team liked the Apple Watch. Not loved. But, if you read a transcript of an exchange we had before publishing our final score, you'll notice that I was probably the most negative of Wareable's editors with regards to Apple's debut smartwatch.
Smartwatch shortages: Android Wear MWC no show is a good thing
However, given that Apple has since rolled out watchOS 2 and added some pretty big features to the mix, I thought that it was only fair that I revisit the Apple Watch to see if any of my concerns had been addressed.
I'm an Android Wearer, day to day, but for the past month or so I've had Apple's tech timepiece slapped on my wrist. Have I noticed an improvement on my original gripes from just after the launch? Read on to find out..
"I want to be able to go running sans-smartphone and have my run accurately tracked by GPS..."
We all know that this is still a big no-no. WatchOS 2 didn't bring a magic key with it to unlock secret new hardware inside the watch. We're going to have to wait for the Apple Watch 2 before we see GPS inside a watchOS 2 smartwatch.
And that's a real shame because Android Wear is absolutely brimming with GPS-enabled smartwatches. There was one already on sale when the Apple Watch arrived and, almost a year later... there are now two.
Oh, wait. Actually, maybe GPS in smartwatches isn't want everyone wants after all.
And, with the likes of the Garmin Forerunner 630 and the Polar M4oo bringing smartwatch-esque notifications to dedicated running watches, maybe that's the way forward. Not every smartwatch user is a runner. I am, but that's fine. I accept that now.
However, I'd like the choice from Apple. Like the 2016 Moto 360 range, I'm hoping for an Apple Watch sport edition to arrive at some point. With sport meaning more than a rubber strap next time round.
After all, while we still rate the Apple Watch's health and fitness tracking as average at best (even after the watchOS 2 tweaks), the fact that all the major players - Endomondo, MyFitnessPal, Strava and so on - can tap into the platform is definitely exciting.
"On that run I'd also like to be able to listen to my tunes, whether that be offline Spotify synced tracks or stored MP3s, direct to my Bluetooth headset..."
This is possible. Well, the MP3 part, at least. And while Spotify isn't yet on board, the Apple Watch can now sync offline playlists following the launch of Apple Music. This is good.
Then again, as detailed in our in-depth guide on getting music on your Apple Watch, "it is one of the most opaque processes ever created."
It really is painstakingly awkward to do when it really shouldn't be. Even the ancient Adidas miCoach running watch handles MP3s with a simple drag and drop.
Come on Cupertino, you can do much, much better.
"After my run I want to pop into Starbucks and get a coffee and pay using my untethered watch..."
Yes, yes and yes. Apple Pay on the Apple Watch is the single greatest thing to ever happen to me.
But while that's a touch exaggerated, I am still genuinely excited about how brilliant it is, and how easy it is to use, weeks after first loading my Visa card onto my Watch.
Not my first choice Visa card though - my main bank doesn't play nicely with Apple Pay yet. Although I'll give Apple the benefit of the doubt here and assume it's my bank refusing to play ball due to its own contactless payment system being in competition.
That quibble aside, Apple Pay is a major plus point. Not only have I been buying stuff and blowing minds at as many places as possible – even receiving this 'compliment' from an excited Italian barista: "Oh look at Mr Superman with his magic watch!" – I've also got used to using my Apple Watch as my Oyster card on the tube. Super.
"I want to scroll through my emails and Facebook messages and reply to a couple while drinking my coffee. After all, I'm online through the free Wi-Fi and my Apple ID is all synced up..."
This is hit and miss still. Whereas Android Wear lets you do a heck of a lot while not tethered to your phone but connected to a trusted Wi-Fi network, the Apple Watch's options are severely limited.
Sure, iMessages pop through, and you can even take calls if your network supports Wi-Fi calling but there are no third-party app notifications on offer at all.
And, just like the Android Wear Wi-Fi mode, things only happen on networks your smartphone knows already.
I'm hoping that the Samsung Gear S2, boasting the world's first programable eSIM, paves the way for much more tether-free action from both Google and Apple in the near future. Apple is part of the GSMA alliance to make remote SIM provisioning standard, so it could happen.
"I want to unlock my front door using my Apple Watch and my smart NFC lock and I want Nest to have cooled down the flat because it knows I'm all sweaty after my run..."
This is sort of possible. Although this particular concern was very specific, I think I was more aiming at the lack of genuine apps for the Apple Watch in my original moan.
WatchOS 2 arrived with native apps and, while the numbers are impressive, there's still no killer third-party apps for the Watch. What is does have are a lot of useful additions that make the glance feature of the Watch much more useful.
This specific case in point - there are an array of smart lock apps which work even when an iPhone isn't connected, and apps like Kontrol allow smart thermostat adjustment. I'm not sure if there's a specific app that combines the two (let me know in the comments if there is), but the tools are definitely now in place for a developer to create one.
"Apple didn't really address the fundamental smartwatch problem; why do you need one when your phone can already do everything it offers..."
No one has though, right? The more time I spend with the Apple Watch (and the more time I spend with Android Wear too), the more I realise this might not matter.
Smartwatches are becoming their own 'thing' gradually and, already, with one major software update the Apple Watch has evolved from a slick looking, but not all that useful, device on my wrist; to a slick looking, but pretty useful, device on my wrist.
And I'm basing that purely on Apple Pay and some of the additional Wi-Fi features watchOS 2 brought with it.
It's a small step, I know, but it's a pretty significant one. Smartwatches won't kill the smartphone (that's the job of hearables, you'll see) but they will become extremely useful entities in their own right. Step by step, little by little.
And while many of my original gripes about the Apple Watch remain, I look back nine months and realise my expectations have changed somewhat. It's not that I now expect less from a smartwatch, it's that I now have a different outlook of what I want from one.
And while I'm still firmly in the Android Wear camp, I realise that I was being stricter with Apple than I was with the likes of Sony, Motorola and LG. I was punishing Apple for not being exceptional straight out of the box while at the same time giving Google's platform room to breathe in an embryonic industry.
So, while I'm still not as much of an Apple Watch fan as some members of Team Wareable, the improvements in the last few months have made me really excited about what comes next.
And I'll miss Apple Pay like mad when I slip my Moto 360 back on.
TAGGEDApple WatchSmartwatches
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COUNTY NEWS VIDEO: Two die in bungalow blaze
Published: 13:49 Saturday 06 February 2016
Two people have died after a blaze at a bungalow this morning (Saturday February 6).
A Sussex Police spokesperson said: “Police are aware of a serious fire at a property in Chidham, near Chichester.
The scene in Chidham where two people have died in a bungalow fire
“It has been confirmed there have been two fatalities.
“An investigation is under way as to how the fire started, which at this stage is unexplained.”
The home was ‘well alight’ when firefighters attended the incident in Maybush Drive at 8.45am, a spokesperson for West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said.
The spokesperson added: “Two casualties were located by search crews wearing breathing apparatus. Sadly both were confirmed deceased at the scene.
“A fire investigation is now underway to try and establish the cause.
“Our thoughts and condolences go to the family and friends of the casualties and everyone involved in this tragedy.”
Crews from Chichester, Emsworth and Havant were called, along with police officers and paramedics.
Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.
Two people died after a bungalow fire in Chidham
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Police have launched a murder probe following the fire
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West Way Score Again with Partnership with Oldham Athletic
With the football season well underway and off to a kicking start, West Way score again with a partnership with Oldham Athletic.
As the biggest Nissan dealer in the UK, West Way are to support the team for the remainder of the 2017/18 season which sees The Latics players and those associated with the club eligible for exclusive discounts from the local West Way Dealership – Oldham.
Darren Wilkinson, Dealer Principal, Oldham said "West Way are delighted to be partnering with Oldham Athletic and providing a Nissan Juke for the Club. We're excited about the Club's future and we're looking forward to a long and successful association with The Latics."
[caption id="attachment_4927" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Darren Wilkinson (right) is handing over a Juke N-Connecta Auto to Oldham Athletic Commercial Executive, Billy Quarmby as part of a new partnership with the League One side.[/caption] Oldham will be hosting Nissan vehicles for this weekend's big local derby with Blackburn Rovers and West Way have an array of other publicity round the ground including programme advertising, logos on pitch side boards and videos on concourse TVs. During selected home match-days, Nissan models including the all new Micra and new Qashqai will be on display at the ground, where we hope to be a part of a long successful journey throughout the season. If any Oldham Athletic players or supporters are interested in learning more about the great offers at West Way Nissan, check them out by clicking here..
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If you missed it, you can catch up on this recording of the event.
Thursday 10 December 2015, 6.15pm-7.15pm at The Wheeler Centre
Steve Albini
Major record labels are in deep strife. One person shedding no tears is Steve Albini. ‘There won’t ever be a mass-market record industry again, and that’s fine with me,’ he’s said. ‘The industry didn’t operate for the benefit of the musicians or the audience, the only classes of people I care about.’
Albini has seen the machinations of the industry up close and from multiple vantage points: a veteran producer, audio engineer and musician, he’s worked with huge international acts including PJ Harvey, Nirvana and Pixies. Despite recording with some of the biggest names in the business, Albini has continued, throughout his career, to collaborate with countless obscure, experimental bands. He’s estimated to have worked on more than 1500 records.
On the eve of Meredith Music Festival – where he’s playing with his band, Shellac – Albini will reflect on his storied career, his thoughts on the current state of music and predictions for the future, with broadcaster and music programmer Woody McDonald.
Steve Albini is a recording engineer and member of the rock band Shellac of North America. He has worked on several thousand records, for well-known bands (Pixies, Nirvana, Breeders, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant) and working bands for whom music means everything. He lives in Chicago, where he owns Electrical Audio, a recording studio that opened in 1997. He is deadly serious about everything. He is married, likes to cook and has three cats and a bicycle.
Woody McDonald
Woody McDonald is a Melbourne based music curator, booker & DJ. Currently music director at Meredith & Golden Plains festivals, his background has included numerous music orientated projects including over 13 years as a 3RRR announcer.
More about this venue, including large map, parking, public transport and accessibility.
176 Little Lonsdale Street
More to say? Talk it out with the Wheeler Centre community.
All messages as part of this discussion and any opinions, advice, statements, or other information contained in any messages or transmitted by any third party are the responsibility of the author of that message and not the Wheeler Centre.
Thurston Moore in Conversation / Music
With Thurston Moore and Jacinta Parsons
Shelling Out: Bastian Obermayer and the Panama Papers / History, politics & current affairs
With Nassim Khadem, Neil Chenoweth, Bastian Obermayer and 1 other
Sex Machines: Robots and Human Intimacy / Technology
With Kate Devlin and Vanessa Toholka
Wheeler Kids
Web and Mobile Design Workshop in Warrnambool / Visual art & design
With Sher Rill Ng
Our Little Inventor: Illustration Workshop in Melbourne / Children’s books
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Japanese Rock Group's LittleBigPlanet Music Video
Author: Earnest Cavalli. Earnest Cavalli Culture
Time of Publication: 10:33 am. 10:33 am
Japanese Rock Group’s LittleBigPlanet Music Video
No doubt Japanese rock group Beat Crusaders were compensated generously when Sony used their song "Phantom Planet" to promote LittleBigPlanet on Japanese television, but how can mere money compare to being given permission to use the game in a music video?
The video, seen at right, slaps cardboard, artistic interpretations of each band member’s face on the body of the game’s precocious Sack Folk. We’re then exposed to the traditional "band members doing wacky things" video cliche, only large chunks of the clip occur either in LittleBigPlanet or in a real world setting infused with LBP’s characters and obstacles.
This is exactly the sort of thing I was hoping to see when I first saw LBP’s undeniable bohemian slant — and now I’m wondering who to blame that we don’t see similar offerings from a group who could create something truly bizarre with the technology. Kwoon, for instance.
Hey, You’ve Got LittleBigPlanet In My Japanese Pop Music Video [Kotaku]
Game|Life Video: The Making of LittleBigPlanet
Sony Killing Questionable LittleBigPlanet Levels, Without Warning …
First Impressions: LittleBigPlanet’s Ever-Expanding World of …
Skip Comments. Skip to: Footer. View comments
Kayla LaCour
Women Engineers On the Rampant Sexism of Silicon Valley
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Kim Kardashian West sues former guard over Paris robbery
Posted: Oct 6, 2018 / 11:12 PM UTC / Updated: Oct 6, 2018 / 11:12 PM UTC
WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — Reality TV star Kim Kardashian West is suing a former security guard over an incident in Paris in which she was bound and robbed of jewelry that was worth millions of dollars.
The News Journal reported Friday that West and an insurance company filed the suit in New Castle County Superior Court in Wilmington, Delaware. It alleges negligence and misconduct and demands $6.1 million.
Court documents name Pascal Duvier and his company Protect Security Inc. as the defendants.
The lawsuit states that armed men stormed West’s Paris hotel room in 2016. Insurer AIG Property Casualty Co. paid out $6.1 million to cover the losses.
The lawsuit claims that Duvier failed to address several security breaches at the hotel, including a missing or broken lock on the hotel’s courtyard gate.
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Photographs Through Time
Masson Mills
12th December 2017 by
Masson by George Robertson, for Derby China (Derby Museum and Art Gallery)
Masson pre-1910
Masson wheel pre 1910
Sir Richard Arkwright’s Masson Mills were established in 1783 and in continuous use until 1991. Today you can experience the sights, sounds and smells of a bygone age when you visit the working textile museum.
In December 2001, the Derwent Valley Mills in Derbyshire was inscribed on the World Heritage List. This international designation confirms the outstanding importance of the area as the birthplace of the factory system where in the 18th Century water power was successfully harnessed for textile production.
Find out more information about the history of Masson Mills here.
You can also find out what else there is to see and do at Masson Mills here.
Scarthin Rock & Rock House, Cromford
View from Scarthin Rock
You need to climb about fifty steps and you will have a good view of the Mill Yard on your left hand side. The five storey building was Richard Arkwright’s third mill on this site, dated 1785. It now houses the Visitor Centre and Cromford Creative. To the right of this mill is Arkwright’s 1771 mill, the world’s first successful water powered cotton spinning mill. You can hear the sound of water still passing through the site. The visible three storey buildings were warehouses.
Rock House in 1924
Rock House from Scarthin Rock around 1980
Above the warehouses you can see Rock House on the hillside. This is where Arkwright lived until his death in 1792.
[Read more…] about Scarthin Rock & Rock House, Cromford
Willersley Castle
Willersley Castle and River Derwent
Willersley shortly after completion
From the top of Scarthin Rock on your right hand side you can see Willersley Castle. This was to have been Arkwright’s new home. It was begun in 1786, but burnt down in 1791, before being finished. Arkwright died in 1792 and was thus never able to move into this new home. Willersley Castle is now a hotel and welcomes visitors to the area.
Find out more information about the history of Cromford Mills here.
You can also find out what else there is to see and do in Cromford here.
Fishing Lodge, Cromford
Fishing lodge
On Mill Lane towards Willersley Castle you can see the bridge over the River Derwent and the Fishing Lodge.
The Fishing Lodge is inscribed “Piscatoribus sacrum” meaning “Sacred to Fishermen”.
Cromford Marketplace
The Greyhound
On the Market Place you can see the Greyhound Hotel, built by Richard Arkwright in 1778 to accommodate his friends and business colleagues. To the right of the Greyhound is a row of six single storey shops built in 1782.
Behind the Hotel is the Greyhound Pond where Arkwright stored water to power his mills.
Arkwright Stores, Cromford
Arkwright Stores, 2nd Oct 1974
From the Market Place walk up Cromford Hill. On the left are The Arkwright Stores, which has always been a double bow-fronted building.
Further along there is a row of houses slightly set back, called Victoria Terrace, built by Sir Richard’s son, also called Richard. Note the unusual cast iron windows.
On the right at the junction with Alabaster Lane is the oldest house in Cromford reputably with a Tudor ceiling painting inside.
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Grand Rapids hospital baby boom: ‘It’s in the water’
by: Emily Linnert
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — There’s a baby boom happening in Grand Rapids in a place that’s already known to see a lot of babies.
More than 30 women who work at Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital’s labor and delivery unit have given or will give birth between September of last year and September of this year.
“I think we’re at 32 and obviously, people are still coming out and saying that they’re having babies,” said nurse Megan Huizinga.
They say it takes a village to raise a child and they’re making their own village at the Grand Rapids hospital.
“It’s in the water. It was just kind of funny how everything started. One week someone would say ‘oh I’m expecting’ and then the next week, another person,” said nurse Kaleigh Herin.
Therese Alt, manager of labor and delivery at the Butterworth campus, says she doesn’t remember a time when there have been so many employees in one unit expecting.
“They’re getting our birth volumes up. We really like that,” Alt said.
An Associated Press article published in March told the story of nine pregnant labor and delivery nurses in Maine along with 11 emergency nurses. That inspired the West Michigan women to share their story.
“One of our staff members felt really passionate about bringing this to light. There was a group of nurses from Maine, and we felt like we could beat that because we like to be the best here,” Alt said while laughing.
Alt says they’ll continue to be fully staffed to help all their patients and make sure each employee gets their full maternity leave.
“I think we know more than anybody how important that maternal and infant bond is,” Alt said.
More Grand Rapids Stories
Boys & Girls Club connects kids, cops amid tense summer
by Susan Samples / Jul 15, 2019
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — J’vaun Hayes is scared.
“I don’t want to get shot,” Hayes, 17, said, referring to the uptick in violence this summer in Grand Rapids. “Kids are shooting each other over I don’t even know what. It’s just like everyone hates each other and I don’t know why.”
GRPD investigating break-in at Rylee’s Ace Hardware
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Grand Rapids police are investigating a break-in at Rylee’s Ace Hardware.
Sgt. Dan Adams confirmed the break-in at the store at 1234 Michigan Street NE near Fuller Avenue Monday morning. It’s unclear what, if anything, was taken.
Police: Man, 18, shot and wounded in Grand Rapids
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A young man was shot and wounded in Grand Rapids Sunday evening.
It happened around 8:30 p.m. on Watkins Street SE east of Union Avenue in the Madison Area neighborhood.
Ionia County / 5 mins ago
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https://www.wsj.com/articles/moviepass-owner-names-interim-finance-chief-11553213607
MoviePass Owner Names Interim Finance Chief
Robert Damon succeeds Stuart Benson, who resigned earlier this month after the company disclosed errors in its reported revenue
MoviePass owner Helios & Matheson named Robert Damon its interim chief financial officer. Photo: Darron Cummings/Associated Press
Tatyana Shumsky
March 21, 2019 8:13 pm ET
MoviePass owner Helios & Matheson Analytics Inc. named Robert Damon its interim chief financial officer following the resignation of its previous CFO, which came after Helios said it would restate its financial results.
Mr. Damon, a certified public accountant and who has been consulting for the company since January 2018, will serve as interim CFO of Helios, as well as MoviePass Inc., MoviePass Films LLC and MoviePass Ventures LLC, starting Friday, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing.
Before launching his consulting company in 2016, Mr. Damon served as chief accounting officer of SFX Entertainment Inc., a position he held from 2013.
He succeeds Stuart Benson, who on March 13 informed Helios that he would resign to accept another job. The move came a day after Helios told investors it had made revenue recognition errors that led to overstated revenue and understated losses in the quarter that ended last September.
The company earlier this week restated its quarterly results. Helios said its net loss for that period was $138.5 million, or 22 cents a share, instead of $129.6 million, or 20 cents a share, as the company first reported. Revenue totaled $74.7 million, less than the $81.3 million originally reported.
Representatives for Helios didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Helios has been delisted from the Nasdaq for failing to comply with the exchange’s minimum share-price rules and now trades over the counter as a penny stock. MoviePass, a theater-subscription service, has lost customers and now faces heightened competition.
—Micah Maidenberg contributed to this article.
Write to Tatyana Shumsky at tatyana.shumsky@wsj.com
CFO Insights and Analysis from Deloitte
Global Economic Brief: Why U.S. Dollar Dominance Could Be At Risk
Deloitte’s Chief Global Economist Ira Kalish looks at how factors ranging from U.S. sanctions on the sale of Iranian oil to steps by China encouraging international trade in renminbi could undermine the U.S. dollar’s global dominance, and what that could mean for the U.S. economy. He also discusses the latest on the likelihood of rate cuts and on U.S. trade conflicts with China and Europe.
Please note: The Wall Street Journal News Department was not involved in the creation of the content above.
More from Deloitte
Show Conversation Hide Conversation
MoviePass owner names Robert Damon as interim finance chief
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It turns out parenthood is worse than divorce, unemployment — even the death of a partner
By Ariana Eunjung Cha
Ariana Eunjung Cha
Life has its ups and downs, but parenthood is supposed to be among the most joyous. At least that's what the movies and Target ads tell us.
In reality, it turns out that having a child can have a pretty strong negative impact on a person's happiness, according to a new study published in the journal Demography. In fact, on average, the effect of a new baby on a person's life in the first year is devastatingly bad — worse than divorce, worse than unemployment and worse even than the death of a partner.
Researchers Rachel Margolis and Mikko Myrskylä followed 2,016 Germans who were childless at the time the study began until at least two years after the birth of their first child. Respondents were asked to rate their happiness from 0 (completely dissatisfied) to 10 (completely satisfied) in response to the question, "How satisfied are you with your life, all things considered?"
[Maternal exposure to anti-depressant SSRIs linked to autism in children]
"Although this measure does not capture respondents' overall experience of having a child, it is preferable to direct questions about childbearing because it is considered taboo for new parents to say negative things about a new child," they wrote.
The study's goal was to try to gain insights into a longstanding contradiction in fertility in many developed countries between how many children people say they want and how many they actually have. In Germany, most couples say in surveys that they want two children. Yet the birthrate in the country has remained stubbornly low — 1.5 children per woman — for 40 years.
Margolis, a sociology researcher at the University of Western Ontario, and Myrskylä, director of the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, found that most couples in their study started out pretty happy when they set out to have their first child. In the year prior to the birth, their life satisfaction ticked up even more, perhaps due to the pregnancy and anticipation of the baby.
[Anti-vax mom changes her tune as all 7 of her children come down with whooping cough]
It was only after birth that the parents' experiences diverged.
About 30 percent remained at about the same state of happiness or better once they had the baby, according to self-reported measures of well-being. The rest said their happiness decreased during the first and second year after the birth.
Of those new mothers and fathers whose happiness went down, 37 percent (742) reported a one-unit drop, 19 percent (383) a two-unit drop and 17 percent (341) a three-unit drop.
[How parents create narcissistic children]
On average, new parenthood led to a 1.4 unit drop in happiness. That's considered very severe.
To put things in perspective, previous studies have quantified the impact of other major life events on the same happiness scale in this way: divorce, the equivalent of a 0.6 "happiness unit" drop; unemployment, a one-unit drop; and the death of a partner a one-unit drop.
(www.alamy.com )
The consequence of the negative experiences was that many of the parents stopped having children after their first.
The data showed the larger the loss in well-being, the lower the likelihood of a second baby. The effect was especially strong in mothers and fathers who are older than age 30 and with higher education.
Surprisingly, gender was not a factor.
[95 percent of parents think their overweight children are ‘just right’]
"Fertility is a choice for most people in the developed world … [I]f the transition to parenthood is very difficult or more difficult than expected, then people may choose to remain at parity," the researchers wrote.
Margolis and Myrskyla wrote that challenges of new parents that impacted their decision to have another fell into three categories. The first two had to do with health. Mothers reported physical pain and nausea conflicted with their desire to work. Fathers expressed concern about the medical issues of their partner. Second, complications during the birth also appeared to shape their decision to not "go through it again."
The third category was the most significant and was about "the continuous and intense nature of childrearing." Parents reported exhaustion due to trouble breast-feeding, sleep deprivation, depression, domestic isolation and relationship breakdown.
The findings are likely to be eye-opening for some policymakers who are concerned about low fertility rates in their countries and suggest that governments should consider giving additional support to new parents.
[Cutting sugar from kids’ diets can change overall health in just 10 days]
As for after the first year, how a child impact's a parent's happiness is anybody's guess. The German survey is annual so we may know more soon.
Beware the rule-following co-worker, Harvard study warns
How you talk to your baby now could impact social skills later
Anonymous medical journal essay: 'Heavy overtones' of sexual assault in operating rooms
Up to 90 percent of cancers are due to lifestyle choices, not 'bad luck'
Recess: It’s important. Does your child get enough of it?
Ariana Eunjung Cha Ariana Eunjung Cha is a national reporter. She has previously served as The Post's bureau chief in Shanghai and San Francisco, and as a correspondent in Baghdad. Follow
Leaf Page Test - Mon Jul 15 07:06:01 EDT 2019
‘Well, that was a weird moment’ and other signs of dementia family members should watch for
‘Doomsday preppers’ kept a low profile in rural Florida. Then two women escaped.
Activist who spotlighted African American history found dead in trunk of car, police say
Opinion The Democrats are fighting each other when they should be fighting Trump
Opinion Lori Lightfoot: Why Chicago police will not assist ICE in its raids
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I watched a populist leader rise in my country. That’s why I’m genuinely worried for America.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. (Thierry Charlier/Agence France-Presse via Getty Images)
By Miklos Haraszti
Miklos Haraszti is a Hungarian author and director of research on human rights at the Center for European Neighborhood Studies of Central European University.
Hungary, my country, has in the past half-decade morphed from an exemplary post-Cold War democracy into a populist autocracy. Here are a few eerie parallels that have made it easy for Hungarians to put Donald Trump on their political map: Prime Minister Viktor Orban has depicted migrants as rapists, job-stealers, terrorists and “poison” for the nation, and built a vast fence along Hungary’s southern border. The popularity of his nativist agitation has allowed him to easily debunk as unpatriotic or partisan any resistance to his self-styled “illiberal democracy,” which he said he modeled after “successful states” such as Russia and Turkey.
No wonder Orban feted Trump’s victory as ending the era of “liberal non-democracy,” “the dictatorship of political correctness” and “democracy export.” The two consummated their political kinship in a recent phone conversation; Orban is invited to Washington, where, they agreed, both had been treated as “black sheep.”
[After a seismic year, America and Britain must move forward together]
When friends encouraged me to share my views on the U.S. election, they may have looked for heartening insights from a member of the European generation that managed a successful transition from Communist autocracy to liberal constitutionalism. Alas, right now I find it hard to squeeze hope from our past experiences, because halting elected post-truthers in countries split by partisan fighting is much more difficult than achieving freedom where it is desired by virtually everyone.
(McKenna Ewen,Whitney Shefte,Dalton Bennett/The Washington Post)
But based on our current humiliating condition, I may observe what governing style to expect from the incoming populist in chief and what fallacies should be avoided in countering his ravages.
A first vital lesson from my Hungarian experience: Do not be distracted by a delusion of impending normalization. Do not ascribe a rectifying force to statutes, logic, necessities or fiascoes. Remember the frequently reset and always failed illusions attached to an eventual normalization of Vladimir Putin, Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Orban.
Call me a typical Hungarian pessimist, but I think hope can be damaging when dealing with populists. For instance, hoping that unprincipled populism is unable to govern. Hoping that Trumpism is self-deceiving, or self-revealing, or self-defeating. Hoping to find out if the president-elect will have a line or a core, or if he is driven by beliefs or by interests. Or there’s the Kremlinology-type hope that Trump’s party, swept to out-and-out power by his charms, could turn against him. Or hope extracted, oddly, from the very fact that he often disavows his previous commitments.
Populists govern by swapping issues, as opposed to resolving them. Purposeful randomness, constant ambush, relentless slaloming and red herrings dropped all around are the new normal. Their favorite means of communication is provoking conflict. They do not mind being hated. Their two basic postures of “defending” and “triumphing” are impossible to perform without picking enemies.
I was terrified to learn that pundits in the United States have started to elaborate on possible benefits of Trump’s stances toward Russia and China. Few developments are more frightening than the populist edition of George Orwell’s dystopia. The world is now dominated by three gigantic powers, Oceania, Eurasia and Eastasia, a.k.a. the United States, Russia and China, and all three are governed by promises of making their realms “great again.”
Please do not forget that populists can turn into peaceniks or imperialists at any moment, depending on what they think could yield good spin that boosts their support. Remember how Putin and Erdogan had switched, within months this year, from warring to fraternity. Or how Orban in opposition had blasted any compromises with Russia, only to become Putin’s best friend upon his election.
I have plenty of gloomy don’t-dos, but few proven trump cards. There is perhaps one mighty exception, the issue of corruption, which the polite American media like to describe as “conflicts of interest.”
[Illiberal democracy comes to Poland]
It is the public’s moral indignation over nepotism that has proved to be the nemesis of illiberal regimes. Personal and family greed, cronyism, thievery combined with hypocrisy are in the genes of illiberal autocracy; and in many countries betrayed expectations of a selfless strongman have led to a civic awakening.
It probably helps to be as watchful as possible on corruption, to assist investigative journalism at any price, and to defend the institutions that enforce transparency and justice. And it also helps to have leaders in the opposition who are not only impeccably clean in pecuniary matters, but also impress as such.
The world is looking at the United States now in a way that we never thought would be possible: fretting that the “deals” of its new president will make the world’s first democracy more similar to that of the others. I wish we onlookers could help the Americans in making the most out of their hard-to-change Constitution. We still are thankful for what they gave to the world, and we will be a bit envious if they can stop the fast-spreading plague of national populism.
The Post’s View: Trump and Putin share a frightening worldview
Jackson Diehl: The foreign leaders who are rooting for Trump
Katrina vanden Heuvel: Trump’s team of faux populists and real crony capitalists
The Post’s View: A Hungarian newspaper embarrasses the government. Days later, it is shut down.
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PowerPost
‘Shipwreck’: GOP grows fearful about losing Senate as candidates struggle, Trump support tumbles
“Arizona, Nevada, Tennessee, Montana, North Dakota, Missouri, Indiana, West Virginia and Florida. All of them too close to call,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said. (Cliff Owen/AP)
Sean Sullivan
Reporter covering national politics
Republicans have grown increasingly worried about losing control of the Senate, as President Trump’s approval rating tumbles and Democrats gain steam in key battleground races.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Tuesday sounded some of the most doubtful notes of Trump’s presidency that Republicans will keep the upper chamber of Congress, telling reporters, “I hope when the smoke clears, we’ll still have a majority.”
His comments came as Republican strategists and officials fretted over a fresh round of private polling on the Senate races, while public polls registered further erosion in Americans’ approval of Trump. “Shipwreck” was how one leading strategist described the situation, adding an expletive to underscore the severity of the party’s problems.
One of the most unexpected fights is in reliably GOP Texas, where Sen. Ted Cruz is trying to fend off Democratic Rep. Beto O’Rourke. Republicans are so fearful about losing the seat that they are diverting resources to Texas, a sore point in the White House after the animosity between Cruz and Trump in the 2016 Republican presidential primary.
[Who’s running where and why, in your inbox | Sign up for The Trailer]
Beyond Texas, Sen. Joe Donnelly, once seen as perhaps the most vulnerable Democratic incumbent, has opened up a slight edge over Republican businessman Mike Braun in Indiana, while hopes for picking off Sen. Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.) in a state Trump won by 43 percentage points have faded along with GOP confidence in state Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, the Republican nominee.
The developments signaled the most serious peril yet for Republicans’ 51-49 majority. Losing the Senate was once an unthinkable prospect as the GOP looked to gain seats in the midterms, and with the party’s grip on the House in serious jeopardy, the chamber had been seen as the last line of defense.
At the start of Trump’s tenure, some Republicans envisioned enough wins to secure a filibuster-proof majority of 60 seats, confident they could oust many of the 10 Democrats running in states Trump won in 2016. Even a few weeks ago, Republicans were talking more assuredly about flipping seats.
But less than two months till the Nov. 6 election, Republicans barely mention Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania — states Trump won — as opportunities to knock out a Democrat, while McConnell reiterated that nine seats, plus Texas, were at stake.
“Arizona, Nevada, Tennessee, Montana, North Dakota, Missouri, Indiana, West Virginia and Florida. All of them too close to call, and every one of them like a knife fight in an alley; I mean, just a brawl in every one of those places,” McConnell told reporters in Louisville.
Republicans could still emerge with an increase in their numbers if GOP candidates eventually prevail in many of these close races, with Democrats seriously concerned about Florida, where Republican Gov. Rick Scott is running about even against Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson.
The dire warnings also could serve as a wake-up call to GOP donors for the final eight weeks of the campaign.
But for the GOP, simply retaining its majority — which was whittled by a seat after a stunning upset in the Alabama special election last year — has looked like a more challenging goal by the day, as controversy swirls around Trump, the public loses confidence in the president and GOP candidates are slow to gain traction.
A Washington Post-ABC News national poll conducted in late August found just 38 percent of voters approved of the job that Trump was doing, compared with 60 percent who disapproved. His approval rating in April was 44 percent.
These difficulties have come into sharp focus in Texas, where Cruz is fighting for political survival against O’Rourke, a rising liberal star who is raising record-setting sums of cash and attracting large crowds across a ruby-red state. At the end of June, O’Rourke had close to $14 million cash on hand to Cruz’s $9 million, according to Federal Election Commission reports.
The tough realities of Texas have prompted an unexpected alliance between Cruz and the Republicans he spent years waging a vendetta against as a senator and as a candidate for president — including Trump and McConnell.
The sudden cooperation underscores how much the GOP fears losing Texas. The shock waves are being felt well beyond the state, as its several expensive media markets could force the party to spend money there that it will have to subtract from GOP hopefuls in other battlegrounds.
“Other campaigns are going to be shorted due to the lackluster nature of the campaign,” said one White House official, speaking of the Cruz operation.
McConnell recently assured Cruz in a private conversation that resources would be there for him, according to people familiar with the talk. Trump is planning to campaign for Cruz in Texas next month.
The Senate Leadership Fund, a super PAC helmed by a former top McConnell aide, has recently taken a close look at Texas, conducting polling and summarizing its findings in a memo, according to Chris Pack, a spokesman for the group.
The organization also announced a seven-figure advertising campaign in five other states on Tuesday. The ads mostly target Democratic candidates.
A Cruz-McConnell partnership would have been unimaginable when Cruz called McConnell a liar on the Senate floor in July 2015 over strategy on legislation. A Cruz-Trump alliance would have seemed equally implausible after Cruz labeled Trump a “pathological liar” and declined to endorse him at the Republican National Convention.
Beyond Trump and McConnell, Cruz angered other Republicans with his unsuccessful effort to strip funds from the Affordable Care Act in 2013, which forced a 16-day partial government shutdown, and his support for outside groups that financed primary challengers to GOP senators.
“They are working together for political expediency,” said Rick Tyler, a former Cruz spokesman. “These people don’t like each other.”
Cruz spoke about his plight at a luncheon for Republican senators earlier this summer, according to people familiar with his remarks. One GOP senator said Cruz sought to convince them that he was facing a“real race,” citing polls and noting that O’Rourke was amassing cash.
Like others interviewed for this story, the senator spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe private conversations.
In Texas on Tuesday, Cruz told reporters he was eager to debate O’Rourke five times. “Typically, sitting officeholders don’t suggest that many debates. They don’t want to do any debates. But the reason I proposed that is, I think we owe it to the voters of Texas.”
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tex.), whom Cruz declined to endorse in his 2014 primary, is hosting a fundraiser for Cruz in Washington next month.
Public polls have shown Cruz leading O’Rourke by single digits. David McIntosh, the president of the Club for Growth, an anti-tax group that has long championed Cruz, said donors he has spoken with have been caught off-guard by the tightness of the contest.
“I think, particularly in Texas, it’s like: ‘Oh yeah, I didn’t think it would be a big race. Yes, we need to win it. I’ll help you do that.’ And the same around the country,” McIntosh said.
Speaking to reporters in Louisville on Tuesday, McConnell called the race “competitive” but said he expected Cruz to prevail. One advantage for any Republican in the state is the ability of voters to simply cast a straight-party-ticket ballot.
Despite Trump’s poll numbers, GOP strategists still consider the president their most effective weapon in the fight to keep control of the Senate. They say his trips to red states with marquee contests, like Montana, North Dakota, Missouri and Indiana, have provided boosts for their candidates.
The Senate Leadership Fund’s new Indiana ad begins with footage of Trump praising Braun and Braun pledging to fight for the president.
Whether the bursts of momentum will last is another question party leaders are grappling with as they eye the final two months before the November elections. A steady stream of explosive stories about dissent within Trump’s administration and special counsel Robert S. Mueller III’s investigation hover over the fall stretch.
Republican strategists are closely watching suburban areas, where they fear that anger with Trump could spark a backlash against GOP candidates. The suburbs loom larger over the battle for the House, with many rural states set to decide Senate contests. But Senate strategists are still mindful of the challenges they may pose.
One bright spot for the GOP has been the nomination of Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. Republican leaders are confident they will confirm him this month, giving Trump and his party a landmark achievement just before voting begins.
Until then, they will have to weather a political storm that has increasingly stoked private GOP comparisons to 2006, a banner election year for the Democrats. Amid that perceived danger, every competitive Senate race is becoming more critical.
Scott Clement and Seung Min Kim contributed to this report.
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Casella, GreenerU Partner to Promote Recycling at Colleges
Allan Gerlat | Apr 19, 2012
Casella Waste Systems Inc. and GreenerU Inc., which promotes environmental programs at colleges, have formed a recycling and waste reduction partnership.
The Rutland, Vt.-based Casella said in a news release that the two companies will offer resource renewal and conservation solutions to reduce utility and operating costs for universities as well as lower the schools' greenhouse gas emissions.
Under the partnership agreement, Casella has made an investment into the Waltham, Mass.-based GreenerU's Series A round of financing.
"We look forward to collaborating with GreenerU as a leader in working with colleges and universities on sustainability and energy solutions," said John Casella, chairman and CEO of the waste and recycling company. "We are impressed by GreenerU's rapid expansion in New England and their vision for the future of the company. We believe that our partnership with GreenerU will prove beneficial to both existing and new college clients within our Northeast marketplace."
TAGS: Business Generators
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The Eye of the Hurricane [ Fred Weasley ]
72.1K Reads 2.2K Votes 32 Part Story
By hxfflepuff15 Ongoing - Updated Nov 02, 2017
"Everything is fine when you're standing in the eye of the hurricane."
Maya Phillips was not ordinary.
Not only was it her troubling past that set the girl apart, but her heritage as well.
Maya learns at a young age that she is, in fact, a half-blood, a demigod. A daughter of Poseidon to be exact.
But if being a child of the Big Three wasn't enough, her mother was a witch, and it seemed to run in the family.
Maya sets off to Hogwarts, a place of wonder and new possibilities. Along the way, she meets the infamous Weasley twins, Fred and George. They soon become fast friends, and for one twin, possibly more.
But, Maya's time at the school of magic isn't all what it seems. From hiding her identity, to the insane events that seems to occur only when Harry Potter is around, Hogwarts is not always what it's jacked up to be.
Highest Rank: #237 in Fanfiction
Disclaimer: I don't own anything except Maya, any other characters I created, and their plot lines. It all belongs to the brilliant minds of J. K. Rowling and Rick Riordan.
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I Hate You (Fred Weasley Story)
By i-hate-you-fanfic
*IN EDITING*
Belle Black has lived with a muggle family since before she could remember. She didn't even know about magic and her family of wizards and witches. But on the eve of her eleventh birthday, she got a letter saying she was invited to learn magic at Hogwarts of Witchcraft ad Wizardry. She was ecstatic to be learning about her real family. The first moment on the train, she was sitting alone in a room, when two twin boys joined her, chatting up a storm. She quickly becomes friends with them, seeing as she had so much in common with them. What happens when they get to Hogwarts and things start happening?
And I Can't Change: A Fred Weasley Fanfic
By Solikerez
65.6K 2.4K 1.1K
Life is good until you realize that it isn't. That was my life. I went to one of the best wizarding schools out there, I had high marks, and I was doing well. Life was good, but I didn't do anything. I woke. I learned, I ate. I slept. Life was just one long drawn out continuous cycle. Not one day had come when something happened to me. The Boy Who Lived came to Hogwarts. The Sorcerer's Stone was destroyed. The Chamber of Secrets was found. But it was like I was watching from in front of a screen, a separate being from a different dimension. I was just Dextra Callister. The student you might occasionally chat to in Potions class, or the girl you were partnered with in Herbology. I wasn't a friend. I wasn't important. I was a shade of a person.
And each year, I waited for someone to notice that I was there and I was a person and I needed to feel wanted too. But every year came and passed, as did everything else in my life. The only constants were my family, and time I got to spend with them seemed to be getting increasingly short. And just when it seemed like I would always be a shadow lost in the background, Fred and George Weasley came hurtling into my life.
From Two Different Worlds *Fred Weasley Love...
By xxWrenxx
624K 23.6K 4.8K
Maddie was 15 when she first attended Hogwarts. She would have been at Hogwarts her first year, but The Ministry of Magic couldn't locate where she had been living. The family that adopted her went to Amerirca, to try to escape the Ministry, but alas, magic brought her home. When she arrived at The Burrow, she was greeted by Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Fred and George. As they all grew closer, Maddie fell head over heels for Fred, who of course liked her back. But one day in the library, she discovers a book about her history. She's shocked to find dark family secrets that were meant to be kept a mystery.
When she arrives at Hogwarts, she discovers that not only her magic was different, but so was her real family. Her father was killed tragically, but her mother was still alive. She wants to meet her mom, but discovers that she works for You-Know-Who. Terrified, she goes to Dumbledore, who reveals more secrets about her hidden past.
As she continues her life at Hogwarts, she contiuously has to avoid death, trouble, and danger, which all seem to be chasing after her.
Mischief Managed and Love Achieved *A Fred W...
By suraneem
Athena Lily Potter is Harry's older sister by two years. She was safe to grow up in the Wizard World because it was only her brother who had defeated Voldemort.
She has been reunited with her brother. You could probably guess that. But this story focuses on her. And a certain red-headed twin.
Athena HATES Fred with a passion, while Fred loves her more than she can imagine.
You couldn't blame her because
they aren't alike at all. Or so she thinks.
After learning about her parents love story, she fears it may happen with Fred and her.
But then again... Would it really be that bad?
A side story is included about Elizabeth Dave. A love angle that includes Liz, Cedric Diggory and Draco Malfoy. Liz didn't even know that she was a witch, let alone the fact that she would be desired by both these boys. And used as bait by Voldemort.
RIGHTS TO J.K ROWLING FOR HARRY POTTER. I ONLY OWN MY OWN CHARACTERS LIKE ATHENA AND ELIZABETH, THIS IS JUST A FANFIC.
Peculiar Witch • Fred Weasley •
By Lonelytrash16
Lillian Potter was the twin of Harry Potter and daughter to Lily and James Potter
Sadly when both perished to the hands of Voldemort, Miss Peregrine came to claim the child and live in her loop.
But what happens when she receives a letter and goes to Hogwarts as well?
How will she go through these 7 years?
And what happens when she falls for a certain red headed twin?
KEEPER ➣ GEORGE WEASLEY [EDITING]
By padalxcki
❝ "It's stunning isn't it?"
A warm stare grazed her cheek, Mallie averted her shining eyes from the view and onto the boy standing beside her.
"It is." ❞
✧✦✧✦
A BOY, A GIRL AND THE STORY THAT IS BORN AROUND THEM.
[george weasley x oc]
-all rights go to JK Rowling.
[↝] = edited chapters
Flustered ❉ Fred Weasley (REWRITING!)
By void-fangirl
❝ ouh please Weasley, I'm not even remotely attracted to you❞
❝oh the lies you tell me Martin, honestly I'm quite hurt. I really did think our relationship meant more to you❞
❝too bad it doesn't❞
❝stop lying to yourself love, you and I both know you can't resist me-❞
❝what makes you think that❞
❝hmm I dunno - because you're always flustered when you're around me. But then again who isn't❞
{Fifth year}
{I don't own literally any of the characters in my book , all of it belong to the creators such as J.K Rowling and Jeff Davis}
Demigods & Wizards||| Sirius Black Love Sto...
By legend_slytherin
When Emma Jane Knight goes to Hogwarts, its not easy for her... Being a child of Poseidon and a wizard always risked her life but she learnt to cope with it. Moving to Hogwarts from Ilvermorny... Thats not easy as well. Leaving the wonderful state of Mississippi? Not something she wanted.
Colors • Fred Weasley
By siriusblackisdead
"she sees
thinks in greys
but loves in c o l o r"
what answers can you give to the girl who questions everything?
The Lost Twin (Fred Weasley)
By blackveilslytherin
Cassiopeia is just your average witch at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and wizardry. Well, besides being the adopted daughter of the notorious death eater Bellatrix Lestrange. Her fourth year at Hogwarts is filled with more surprises then she would have liked. What happens when she finds out who her birth parents are, and that she has a twin brother, who's also at Hogwarts? Not to mention she's head over heals for none other then Fred Weasley. Will Fred and Cassiopeia end up together or will she have to move on?
*I don't own any of the Characters in this story, besides Cassiopeia, Alexandre, Binky, and Kileigh."
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European gas actor involved in the life of its territory
REMIT Publications
Transport publications
Storage publications
Connection publications
Institutional publications
Financials Informations
Projects transport
Storage projects
Legislation and regulations
Technical instructions
Before any work
Research & Innovation Strategy
The R&I at Teréga
Home Who we are Our commitments Sustainable development Green building design
Public service obligations
Atmospheric emissions
Green building design
Polluted land management
Storage monitoring
Preserving biodiversity
Our local integration
Continuity of service
Ensuring effective internal energy management
• Energy efficiency
Although originally included as part of its environmental programme, Teréga wanted to make energy efficiency an objective in its own right. This issue concerns a specific management system created according to the ISO 50001 frame of reference, and has been certified since 2014.
The management system aims in particular to optimise energy consumption and costs in a sustainable, efficient manner.
The actions put in place by Teréga to limit greenhouse gas emissions (particle emissions, venting, etc.) significantly contribute to bringing energy use under control in our activities. The improvement objectives developed as part of this optimisation also involve taking into account energy criteria in the design and purchase of equipment. In this way, energy considerations are included from the design phase in projects, with research done to find the best available techniques in terms of energy efficiency.
All of these actions contribute to modernising Teréga's production facilities, and enable the company to provide the same business activity while optimising its energy consumption.
• For sustainable construction
In recent years, when constructing new buildings, Teréga has adapted a forward-looking, ecological and sustainable approach.
Teréga’s aims
In the construction of its buildings, Teréga has set itself a number of requirements to satisfy:
worksites which respect the environment and neighbours;
successful integration into the countryside;
plus de confort et moins de consommation d’énergie ;
Using renewable energies (installation of photovoltaic panels)
the choice of high-quality materials.
The NF mark for tertiary sector buildings, awarded to several of Teréga’s recent projects, – the HQE® (high environmental quality) process – demonstrates that the certified work has been planned, designed and completed in accordance with the requirements of the certification. The HQE process, which relies on an operation management system (SMO), involves meeting fourteen targets aimed at creating a healthy and comfortable internal environment for users, limits on the building’s impact on the environment (waste, carbon emissions etc.) and the reduction of energy and water requirements.
Work completed by Teréga
2008 : New buildings constructed at Le Houga (32) outside the Lussagnet storage centre, they are the first buildings in the Midi-Pyrénées to receive HQE® (High Environmental Quality) NF certification for “tertiary sector buildings”.
2011 : The new premises in the town of Cugnaux (31), built to accommodate the teams in the Toulouse region, are HQE® and BBC (Low Consumption) certified, and meet the criteria for a positive energy building. Once more, they are the first buildings of this kind in the Midi-Pyrénées region.
2015 : Our new head office, an environmentally-friendly building
Teréga's head office aims to be an exemplary environmental model, as the outcome of a HQE® (high environmental quality) process.
An ambitious energy efficiency goal has been set: 60% below the RT2012 requirement (2012 thermal regulations).
We made some significant choices, right from the design stage:
• A ring-shaped building to optimise the ratio of the façades per square meter of floor space built (<0.60), thus limiting surface-related heat loss to the exterior.
• Extensive glazed façades to allow for maximum natural light and the expected levels of comfort at work.
• Bioclimatic solar protection adapted to the exposure of each office. The slats of the blinds are positioned according to a very precise calculation for bioclimatic optimisation, to prevent over-heating from the summer sun while allowing passive sunshine to enter in winter. As such, the rotation of the slats varies depending on which way the room faces, forming, around the ring of the building, inside and outside, a gradual slant giving a sense Movement suspended on a breath of air.
• a visible concrete structure for thermal inertia.
• 400m² of photovoltaic panels.
In addition, the project includes the recovery of rain water in a 50m3 tank, used to supply the toilets and urinals with raw water.
The construction of the head office forms part of the overall energy efficiency improvement programme developed by Teréga.
The HQE system requires that three of the fourteen targets should receive a “high performance” rating, meeting the highest criteria in that area.
The targets upon which Teréga focused, and which receive the “high performance” rating for the two buildings are:
low-impact building site: in accordance with its policy across all sites (pipe-laying in particular), Teréga made sure that waste management was optimised, that the consumption of resources was limited, and that there was no pollution. The assessment after eleven months of building work (24,000 hours) was very positive, with zero accidents and zero pollution;
energy management: as an energy transporter, Teréga is exemplary in this field and demonstrates its attention to the good management of resources. Restriction of the building’s energy needs was assured in the first place by optimal insulation. Its efficiency has been demonstrated by the excellent results of air-tightness tests (50% of recommended threshold). The installation of photovoltaic panels (900 m² at Le Houga, 300 m² at Cugnaux and 400 m² at Pau Volta) allows electricity to be generated, offsetting some of the consumption;
operating waste management: by applying the working methods in place across all its sites (more than 80% of waste from Transport activities recycled in 2010), Teréga guarantees high performance in this field.
Télécharger la brochure sur la construction de notre nouveau siège social Volta
Map of installations
List of Teréga territories operating in the 15 departments of the South West
ENERGY IS OUR FUTURE, LET'S NOT WASTE IT!Copyright ©2018 TEREGA. SitemapGlossaryLegal noticeCredits
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RIP Irv Teibel, creator of “Environments” LPs
Irv Teibel passed away on Oct. 28 in Austin, TX. He was 72, and died of cancer that was diagnosed only a couple weeks before his death. Irv first opened my ears to our living soundscapes in around 1972, when as a teenager I purchased two of his Environments LPs. He released this series under the banner of Syntonic Research Inc. between 1970 and 1979. The series ignited a worldwide interest in field recordings and was an initial entry into the world of carefully recorded natural sounds for both listeners and later recordists. Irv’s family has created a page on the Caring Bridge website that explains the circumstances of his final years, as well as providing a space for folks to leave remembrances.
The Environments series (see detailed Wikipedia entry) featured a simple, classic format, with side-long tracks that allowed deep experiences of one particular soundscape. The most popular titles included The Ultimate Thunderstorm (recorded from a balcony in the city!) and the The Psychologically Ultimate Seashore (in which he manipulated recordings from the beach to more closely imitate the auditory experience of being there). These, while not unlike later relaxation-oriented productions, were more primarily respected due to their immersive, high fidelity sonic standards. The series also explored some themes that were more experimental, often pairing one side of natural soundscape with a flip side of featuring themes such as a Central Park “Be-in”, electronic bell sounds, and a chorus chanting “om.” (Perhaps these did not sell so well, as the series was limited to natural soundscapes during its final few releases.)
Irv’s work was a precursor to much of what EarthEar and modern environmental sound artists have done, combining state of the art field recording with careful and sensitive studio composition. There’s no doubting that the Environments series, which garnered widespread press coverage and appreciation, was the foundation for all later efforts to create and market compelling field recordings to the general public. For many of us who have continued to care about the health of acoustic habitats and who revel in the complexity and diversity of natural soundscapes, Irv’s work was an aesthetic entry point that affirmed our own passions for listening and honoring the natural world’s rich voice.
Thanks, Irv. We were listening!
Irv Teibel, 1938-2010
2 Responses to “RIP Irv Teibel, creator of “Environments” LPs”
Nura Seggerman Says:
I owned Dawn and Dusk in the Okefenokee. I listened to this for years–perhaps I was biased because I grew up near this swamp and then moved to NYC so it was a taste of home as I never knew it. Still there is nothing like this recording anywhere that I know of. I owned it on LP then cassette but I would love to buy it in CD format. Do you think this series will be issued in CD? This recording is so much nicer than a short taste or something with music added. What happened to Mr. Teibel’s recordings after his death? I suppose I should just say, Thank you Irv–I listened and really loved this recording. I even choreographed a dance to it. Thanks.
aeinews Says:
It looks like only three of the old LPs were ever put out on CD, two of which are nature:
http://www.amazon.com/Environments-Dawn-Hope-English-Meadow/dp/B000002ILD/ref=pd_sim_sbs_m_1
http://www.amazon.com/Environments-1-Psychologically-Ultimate-Seashore/dp/B000002ILB/ref=pd_sim_sbs_m_1
Others are on used cassettes, still available; search Amazon or Google or eBay
I don’t think his children are doing anything with the material, from what I gathered when I emailed with one of them after his death.
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Earning Consumer Trust in Food Production
Carrie Muehling June 4, 2018
The Canadian Centre for Food Integrity exists to help the food system earn the trust of consumers. Its U.S. counterpart has been working towards the same thing since 2007.
“To really earn trust, it has to start by doing the right thing – having trusted assurance systems – and then communicating. And you can’t do one pillar on its own without the other,” said Crystal McKay, president of the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity. “So, I think where we need to get to in this to really move the bar on trust is showing our hearts first and facts second. The connecting with shared values. If we think about something like environment, for example, or animal welfare, no one cares more about that than farmers. But the public hasn’t heard that yet.”
McKay said 93 percent of the population in Canada and the United States knows little to nothing about farming, and it’s difficult to get public attention or engagement until there is a problem. Although agriculture is a technical industry, farmers and other food stakeholders cannot educate their way to public trust. McKay said the food industry needs to collaborate from farmer to processor to retailer and connect with the emotional side of the consumer first, then following with science and factual information. She said the time has never been better to have a conversation about food and agriculture, but noted it needs to start with listening.
McKay said it’s a mindset shift to consider the food business no matter what part of the supply chain one is in. She called it a whole food system business challenge that requires working together, as public trust should be viewed as a base for growth and innovation.
Listen here for Chuck’s interview with Crystal: Interview with Crystal McKay, Canadian Center for Food Integrity
ONE 18: The Alltech Ideas Conference Photo Album
Alltech, Audio, Food
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Tag: 徐汇新茶身材好
With the rapid develo上海千花网女神会所tificial intelligen
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According to a joi上海千花网女神会所ed by the resea
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Xi called the Shanghai Cooperation Organization a su
Posted on 2019年6月7日 by weimiaow
ccessful example of the commitment of China and Russia to forging a new type of international relations and a good platform for such efforts. China will work with Russia and other SCO member states to enhance unity, mutual trust a nd cooperation in various areas so that the organization will add more stability and positive…
During the team’s 40-day intensive training in Nepal, the
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intercepts Russian bombers, fighter jets off the coast of Alaska
Russian Tu-95MS strategic missile- carrying bombers made an observa tion flight along the western coast of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands and were shado wed by F-22 fighter jets of the US Air Force at some sections of their flight, according to Russia’s Tass News Agency. “Four Tu-95MS strategic missile carriers of the Aerospace Force performed…
Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang urged the US gover
government on Tuesday to consider the costs it would bear through raising tariffs. He reiterated that China will never capitulate under any external pressure and hopes the US meets China halfway. The US has no need to “worry about” China’s affairs, Geng said at a daily news conference. The country has made progress i improving…
Trade agreements can affect the types of goods being
traded and they can redirect trade toward one country, away from others. They cannot directly affect any country’s worldwide current account balance. A count ry that saves less than it invests will have to borrow foreign funds to import foreign goods to make up that difference. There are two ways to reduce the US trade…
The National Health Commission issued draft regulatio
ns in February for the clinical application of new biomedical technologies, stipulating that clini cal research that involves human trials, including gene editing, stem cells, organ transplants be tween species and assisted reproductive technologies, must secure the approval of the commission in advance. Under the draft, which is yet to be adopted, violators may face…
Chris Rowley, a visiting professor from Oxford Unive
rsity’s Kellogg College in England, called opening to more foreign investment a very important development. “Of course this will expose both inward investors and indigenous organiza tions to some stark differences in management and doing business between them, which in tu rn requires more globally effective leaders who are less ethnocentric and more culturally aware,”…
Viewpoint Adding gene-editing in draft civil lawnceptual art
On Saturday, a new item was added to China’s draft civil law, which put s all medical and scientific research related to human genes and embryos under stricter re gulation. Two experts shared their views with China Daily’s Zhang Zhouxiang: One major change this time is that embryos are clearly included in the draft regulation.…
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« The mansion that inspired the one in 'Gone With the Wind' is now for sale | Main | Fed chairman says he wouldn't leave even if Trump tried to fire him »
Marriott ‘reaped hundreds of millions of dollars’ through ‘drip pricing’ scheme, lawsuit says
tupungato/iStock(WASHINGTON) -- Washington D.C. is suing Marriott for alleged "price deception" in its practice of charging "resort fees" that aren't disclosed to customers upfront when they are booking their rooms.
D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine filed a lawsuit against the world's largest hotel chain on Tuesday for allegedly reaping "hundreds of millions of dollars" using an unlawful practice called “drip pricing” -- in which fees are added to an advertised price.
"This is a straight-forward price deception case," Racine's office said in the lawsuit. "For at least the last decade, Marriott has used an unlawful trade practice called 'drip pricing' in advertising its hotel rooms whereby Marriott initially hides a portion of a hotel room’s daily rate from consumers."
Marriott, which owns 30 hotel brands including Sheraton, W, Aloft, Renaissance, Westin and Courtyard, calls this "hidden portion" of the room rate a “resort fee,” “amenity fee” and a “destination fee,” according to the lawsuit.
"One key effect of this price deception is that consumers shopping for a hotel room on either Marriott’s website, or an online travel agency site ('OTA') like Priceline or Expedia, are misled into believing a Marriott hotel room is cheaper than it actually is," the lawsuit says.
Racine's office alleges that Marriott acted deceptively in its wording about resort fees, adding them to the "taxes and fees" portions of hotel bills, which suggest they may be collected by a government or municipality rather than the hotel company. The attorney general also alleges that resort fees were not included in "total prices" on booking websites and online travel agency sites, and that the company used smaller and lighter-colored fonts for identifying the fees on its site, according to the lawsuit.
Legal action was taken against Marriott “following an investigation by the Attorneys General in all 50 states and the District of Columbia regarding the pricing practices of the hotel industry,” according to the lawsuit.
Marriott declined to comment specifically on the allegations.
“We don’t comment on pending litigation, but we look forward to continuing our discussions with other state AGs,” a Marriott spokesperson told ABC News.
Globally, Marriott owns, manages or franchises at least 189 hotels that charge resort fees ranging from $9 to $95 per day, according to the lawsuit.
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Hello Dear Reader...
This educational site is a project of the Acceleration Studies Foundation (ASF). It is written by technology foresight scholar and systems theorist John M. Smart. It is intended for technology scholars, strategists, futurists, and the general public, to improve our understanding and management of accelerating change. Accelerating change is topic with a long intellectual history, but little formal study. To this end, ASF promotes the academically-neglected topics of technology foresight, acceleration studies, and evolutionary development theory, subjects we consider key to understanding the technological singularity hypothesis. We also host acceleration-aware futurist discussion groups in several cities around the world, list degree programs where students may investigate accelerating change to some extent, maintain a small publications archive, and a few responses for critics who think accelerating change is either a human illusion or cannot continue beyond our current era. This site was primarily written in 1999-2003. It was the first website, to my knowledge, to consider accelerating change from a universal and evolutionary developmental perspective. I hope you find it useful in your foresight, strategy, and critical thinking about the issues and implications of accelerating change.
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Feedback: johnsmart{at}accelerating{dot}org
Ten Areas of Technological Change, John Smart, 2012. A read ahead in technological change, for senior leaders and middle managers. A short list of useful books in ten key leadership skills, and a brief overview of my current thoughts on what could, will, and should happen (possible, probable, and preferable futures) in ten key technology domains over the next ten to twenty years, and further reading in each domain. I’ve tried to state my key biases and assumptions where relevant.
The Race to Inner Space - Global Future 2045 (Video, 18 min; Slides, 16), Feb 2012. An introduction to the evolutionary developmental model of universal change, and the ways that our accelerating civilization is racing to "Inner Space," to the world of thought and simulation (virtual inner space) and of nanotechnology (physical inner space) and the some of the ways this is creating a smaller, faster, smarter, wealthier, more resilient future for all of us.
The Transcension Hypothesis, in Acta Astronautica, John Smart, 2011. An update of my earlier article, Answering the Fermi Paradox, 2002, exploring the implications of continual STEM compression (increasing density and efficiency of use of Space, Time, Energy, and Matter) in universal complexity development. A model for the long-term future of universal accelerating change, with many implications for technical-economic progress and public policy, if true.
How the Television Will Be Revolutionized: The Future of Open Internet TV, John Smart, 2010. See Video, 20 min, TEDx Del Mar, June 2010. Also a 4-page article in The Futurist, Nov-Dec 2010, and a whitepaper, exploring the critical role open media standards and activist consumers can play in democratizing and empowering society with this technology platform, and the major political and economic challenges and opportunities ahead. The next ten years will be an exciting time for open standards web media, and will bring continued creative destruction to big media sectors.
Our Immersive Future - Immersive Technology Summit 2010 (Video, 18 min). Thoughts on the ten year future of the videophone, wearable AR, wearable lifelogs, iTV, Caves, GameTables, Memeshows, and ways to use immersive tech to improve socialization, intimacy, collaboration, civics, education, addiction management, and decisionmaking. For technologists and the general public. See also the deck of 18 slides for this presentation.
Evo Devo Universe - BIL 2009 (Video, 23 mins). A presentation on evolutionary and developmental features of our universe, and implications for foresight and management of technology. Want more? Evo Devo Universe? Part 1 (Video, 55 min). Evo Devo Universe? Part 2 (52 min), Bay Area Future Salon, April 2009. (Slides).
Evo Devo Universe? A Framework for Speculations on Cosmic Culture (PDF), John Smart, 2008. In: Cosmos and Culture: Cultural Evolution in a Cosmic Context, NASA Press, 2009. (V7.0 Apr 2010). A 48-page overview of three increasingly specific and powerful ways of understanding predictability and unpredictability in the universe, and the meaning and implications of accelerating change for human culture: the Informational Physical Universe (IPU) hypothesis, the Evo Devo Universe (EDU) hypothesis, and the Developmental Singularity (DS) hypothesis. Pressed for time? Skim the last 27 pages (pages 26-53), starting with Processes of Universal Development. Are these valid systems models or mere speculation? Time will tell.
"Foresight Development at UAT," John Smart, 2007. (Course Overview. Course Wiki). A core undergraduate course in Foresight Development (global, organizational, and personal), developed and taught first at the innovative University of Advancing Technology, Phoenix, AZ. Acceleration-awareness for the university student.
"A.I., "Inner Space," and Accelerating Change," John Smart, 2007 (18 min). (Transcript). An informal interview, discussing incremental AI, the conversational interface, digital twins, inner space, and other quite important yet oft-overlooked trends in technological evolutionary development. Courtesy of SIAI and Future Current.
"Systems Theories of Accelerating Change," John Smart, 2006 (20 min). (Video. Audio. Slides. Transcript). A formal presentation at the inaugural Singularity Summit 2006. Considering accelerating change from universal, biological, human cultural, and technological perspectives, and introducing a few well known and a few unorthodox ideas in acceleration mechanics. Courtesy of SIAI and Future Current.
"Driving Toward an Electric Future: Natural Gas, PHEV's, and Nanobattery Advances," John Smart, 2006. A discussion of trends pushing us toward Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle networks in coming years. The new nanobatteries promise to make electric car recharging almost as fast as gas tank filling at commercial recharge stations, and tomorrow's power grids more decentralized than today's gas stations, supporting greater city densities.
How to Be a Tech Futurist, John Smart, 2005 (PowerPoint, 132 slides, 7MB). Presented at World Future Society 2005, Chicago, IL (July), and at Tech Forum 2005 at the University of Advancing Technology in Phoenix, AZ (June). Some considerations for predicting, managing, and creating the future in a world of accelerating change.
Review of "A Possible Declining Trend for Worldwide Innovation," Johnathan Heubner, TF&SC 2005, John Smart, 2005. Huebner's paper proposes that human-observed innovation has been globally saturating since the industrial revolution. In the context of other papers on innovation saturation also referenced here, his study may indicate a need for us to learn how to see and measure innovation from a technological, not just a human perspective in coming years.
Understanding our accelerating progression to the technological singularity (an era of human-surpassing digital intelligence),
Planning for, investing in, and managing its balanced development,
Improving human interdependence and ethics as we approach the transition.
Reported for the educated nonspecialist audience.
Would you like to engage in useful critical discusions of accelerating change?
See ASF's Future Salon Network.
Would you like to join a community critically discussing Evolutionary Development Theory?
See ASF's international scholarly research community:
Evo Devo Universe
This site is an affiliate of:
Site Outline (Blue topics are on this homepage. Green topics are on separate pages).
Brief Note to the Reader
What is the Singularity?
Just Who is an Acceleration Watcher?
Why Increasingly Autonomous Technological Evolutionary Development Will Lead to the Tech Singularity
Understanding Accelerating Change is Profitable
Why Understanding Accelerating Change Will Improve Balance and Accelerate CompassionA Humanist Perspective
Why Anthropic Cosmology Does Not Require a Designer, and Teleology is Not a Theology The Theory of Universal Evolutionary Development
Brief Homework for the Reader
The Acceleration Clock Countdown to Emergence
Further Reading/Exploring
Quotes from Some Important Acceleration Watchers
What's Next: Future Projects
Who is a Futurist?
The Developmental Spiral: An Unexplained Physical Phenomenon
Brief History of Intellectual Discussion of Accelerating Change
Understanding STEM, STEM+I, and STEM Compression in Universal Change
The Conversational Interface: Our Next Great Leap Forward
Acceleration and Punctuated Equilibrium in Technology Development
No Apparent Limits: Addressing Common Arguments Against Continuous Computational Acceleration
Social Response to the Technological Singularity Hypothesis
A Taxonomy of Singularities: Comparing the Literature on Systems of Accelerating Change
A Chain of Singularities: The Evolutionary Development of Hierarchical Substrates (EDHS)
The Cosmic Watermark Hypothesis: Wigner's Ladder
The Watcher (Intrigued Skeptic) Behind This Site
Singularity Timing Predictions, Discussion Groups, and Introductory Links
Limits to Biology: Performance Limitations on Natural and Engineered Biological Systems
More on the Pre-Singularity Economic Environment
The Future of Professional Futurists:
Evolutionary Developmental Foresight and Accelerating Change
Singularitarians and Singularity Belief The ASF Position
Convergent Evolution (Convergent Development)
Degree Programs for Acceleration Studies and Evolutionary Development Theory
Some Potential 'Laws' of Complex Systems
Contrary to Popular Belief: Exploring Popular Myths in American Social Life
Self-Organizing and Self-Replicating Paths to Autonomous Intelligence (A.I.): An Overview
Other Notable Computational Acceleration (and Selected Artificial Intelligence) Critiques
Old Interviews
Interview with John Smart, 2003
(Speculist.com, 40 pages)
Future Fiction for Teens
Future Heroes 2035: My Friends & I
Future Heroes 2035: The Big Picture
Developmental Futures
Underground Automated Highway Systems for High-Density Cities: A 2030-2060 Scenario
Chemical Brain Preservation: Why Inexpensively Preserving Our Brains At Death May Be Beneficial for Ourselves and Society, and How You Can Help
Evo Devo Theory
Intro to the Developmental Singularity Hypothesis (DSH): An Evolutionary Developmental Model for Continuously Accelerating Universal Change
Readings on the Developmental Singularity Hypothesis (DSH)
The Transcension Hypothesis, J. Smart, Acta Astronautica, 2011
Slides and Publications
See Accelerating.org/slides for open access presentations.
If you are taking the time to read this website you are one of a small and fortunate group of humans today who question what our universal, biological, and technological history of accelerating change may mean for the future and larger purpose of humanity.
It takes educational privilege, curiosity, insight, courage, and mental freedom to engage in this investigation. Almost all of today's religous, philosophical, political, and even our scientific texts are curiously silent on the existence and implications of our record of ever faster emergence of physical-computational systems in universal history. Given our current knowledge of the laws of physics and chemistry, and our record of accelerating performance gains in miniaturizing electronic systems, it presently appears that this accelerating trend will continue as far as we can see into our extraordinary future.
Accelerating computation, communication, and nanotechnologies have today become the most dynamic systems in modern society. Faced with the daunting prospect of further acceleration in their capacity, most people presently either deny the possibility, or ignore the phenomenon entirely. We believe that the evidence is strongly against the first response, and that the second response is unwise.
The philosopher-technologist Archimedes said: "give me a lever and a place to stand upon and I will move the world." It is clear that the lever we have been given for this phase of human existence is accelerating technological change, and the types of world-moving we wish to do are in our hands. Let us choose wisely.
Learning about accelerating change from a broad and multidisciplinary perspective is a major purpose of this website. We seek to accumulate some of the most incisive thoughts on these topics from a range of careful future thinkers, and to provide a number of synthetic interpretations, including one, the developmental singularity hypothesis, originally formulated by myself, the site's primary author, John M. Smart.
If you are willing to look beyond our natural human-centric, ego-centric biases and consider humanity's larger, universal role in the process of creating local accelerating change, you may find the picture that emerges is deeply satisfying, and the insights you can gain in terms of how to interact with today's technologies are immensely practical and relevant to your daily life. Outreach, education, research, and selective advocacy of communities and technologies of accelerating change is a major purpose of our affiliated nonprofit organization, the Acceleration Studies Foundation. I encourage you to visit that website, attend our occasional conferences, join our listserves, and add your voice to the community.
While the genesis of these ideas began in written form over a century ago (see our Brief History of Intellectual Discussion of Accelerating Change) even today few people presently investigate, or critique universal and global trends in accelerating change broadly, carefully, or systematically. Those who do so commonly call themselves futurists, transhumanists, and systems theorists. Marcel Proust has said "the real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes." If you are seeking others seriously striving to perceive our accelerating world 'with new eyes,' and to share those insights with others, welcome to our small community.
Thank you for taking the time to carefully consider these fascinating, speculative, and at times disturbing ideas. I hope you'll consider our websites and community efforts worthy of your continuing support. If you have comments, find errors, have people or resources to recommend, or have any other feedback to share, please send a brief message to johnsmart{at}accelerating{dot}org
What is the Technological Singularity?
Earth's electronic systems have been self-organizing, in a symbiotic relationship with human society, at rates approaching the speed of light since Michael Faraday's time. Grossly, this generalized rate of evolutionary development is at least seven million times faster than the speed of thought in biological systems (the speed of an action potential and synaptic diffusion in a human brain).
In an utterly surprising state of affairs, every new computing system over the last century of technological development has managed to be consistently more miniaturized, more resource efficient (per standard computation, however defined), more human autonomous (in the replication of its complexity, again however defined) and more biologically-inspired (having features of evolutionary development or organization increasingly similar to our own) than the last. Physicists presently see no near-term limit to accelerating computational capacity and efficiency trends, other than the Planck-scale limit of fundamental universal structure itself.
As a result, the continued acceleration of local technological intelligence is very likely to be the central driver and determinant of the modern era. Hesitantly at first, and quickly now, these increasingly fast and microscopic physical extensions of our humanity may soon learn (encode, predict, and understand) both the physical and abstract nature of all the slow and macroscopic systems in our local environmentour biological selves included.
Some 20 to 140 years from nowdepending on which evolutionary theorist, systems theorist, computer scientist, technology studies scholar, or futurist you happen to agree withthe ever-increasing rate of technological change in our local environment is expected to undergo a permanent and irreversible developmental phase change, or technological "singularity," becoming either:
A. fully autonomous in its self-development,
B. human-surpassing in its mental complexity, or
C. effectively instantaneous in self-improvement (from our fixed-speed biological perspective),
or if only one of these at first, soon after all of the above. It has been postulated by some that local environmental events after this point must also be "future-incomprehensible" to existing humanity, though we disagree.
In this fascinating process, technology and biology are becoming ever more seamlessly interconnected and interdependent. As Brian Arthur of the Santa Fe Institute describes, technology is becoming organic, and nature is becoming technologic. Even our minds and intentions, in a process that William Bainbridge of the National Science Foundation calls "personality capture," are becoming incrementally encoded into our increasingly intelligent technological infrastructure, so that it may better anticipate our needs, and serve us with increasing responsiveness and effectiveness with each passing year. While the human animal is scarcely different with each new generation, our "houses" become exponentially smarter, as well as increasingly natural extensions of ourselves.
Ultimately, as few discussing these issues currently realize, "What is the singularity?" may not be the most important question to ask, from the human perspective. As we develop increasingly powerful types of human-surpassing technological intelligence in coming decades, and as each successive generation becomes more seamlessly integrated with human actors, actively engaged in solving key human problems, it will become appropriate to ask not what, but "Who is the singularity?"
Relatively soon in time, in a profound yet surprisingly subtle phase transition for planetary intelligence, "it" will be "us."
Acceleration Studies Foundation
Our affiliated nonprofit organization, the Acceleration Studies Foundation (ASF), is dedicated to analysis, informed speculation, and promoting agendas for action in understanding and managing accelerating change. We are an independent community of scholars, professionals and lay futurists systematically exploring science, technology, business, global, political, social, and personal dialogs in accelerating change. Please join us in considering, critiquing, and prioritizing what may be the single most important issue of the human era.
The Prediction Wall
With increasing anxiety, many of our best thinkers have seen a looming "Prediction Wall" emerge in recent decades. There is a growing inability of human minds to credibly imagine our onrushing future, a future that must apparently include greater-than-human technological sophistication and intelligence. At the same time, we now admit to living in a present populated by growing numbers of increasingly interconnected technological systems that no one human being understands. The Millenial generation assumes the normality of living in a world of complex, rapidly improving, and yet amazingly stable technological systems, erected like vast beehives or termite mounds, systems maintained and incrementally improved by large swarms of partially-aware human beings, each of which has only a very limited conceptualization of the full potentialities and inherent developmental trajectory of the new technological environment that is emerging.
Business leaders face the prediction wall acutely in technologically-dependent fields (and what enterprise isn't technologically-dependent these days?), where the ten-year business plans of the 1950's have been replaced with ten-week (quarterly) plans of the 2000's, and where planning beyond two years in some fields can be unwise speculation. But perhaps most astonishingly, we are coming to realize that even our traditional seers, the authors of speculative fiction, have failed us in recent decades. In "Science Fiction Without the Future," 2001, Judith Berman notes that the vast majority of recent efforts in this genre have abandoned both foresighted technological critique and any realistic attempt to portray the hyperaccelerated technological world of fifty years hence. It's as if many of our best minds are giving up and turning to nostalgia as they see the wall of their own conceptualizing limitations rising before them.
The Prediction Crystal Ball
Yet at the same time as the prediction wall has emerged in most areas of the future, prediction in certain special domains (the "crystal ball") is now easier than ever. As technology roadmapping expert Richard Albright notes in "What can past technology forecasts tell us about the future?" (Tech. Forecasting & Social Change, Jan 2002) a broad collection of capacity growth curves of information and communications technologies have been predictable (81% over 40 years, in this estimate) since at least the birth of digital computing in the 1940's.
Furthermore, as Rolf Landauer and others have found (C. H. Bennett and R. Landauer, "The Fundamental Physical Limits of Computation", Scientific American, 48-56, July, 1985), there appears to be no forseeable limit to these capacity growth curves. This strongly suggests we inhabit a special universe that supports accelerating computational efficiencies and energy densities as far down as we can see. While there must eventually be a physical limit to computational efficiency, it may exist only at the Planck scale of space and time. As a result, predictable rates of technological acceleration will be both the dominant planetary phenomenon and the most dependable aspect of our future environment, one that any serious foresight strategist should incorporate into their models and policy considerations. More on this may be found in The Future of Professional Futurism and in particular technology forecasting, roadmapping, strategic planning, and futures studies.
An Essential Singularity
To some, exponential growth in technological change appears to be an unstoppable force, driven by stunning and continuous advances in computer and communications industries. Technology, in other words, appears to be rapidly pushing us toward, in John Von Neumann's (late 1940's or early 1950's) phrase, "some essential singularity," a coming phase transition in the nature and power of local computation, beyond which, like a mathematical or gravitational singularity, several aspects of the future must be permanently obscured from our biological vantage point.
Several individuals deserve credit for early and extensive championing of the idea of continually accelerating computation, and for considering information technology's future effects on society. Please see our Brief History of Intellectual Discussion of Accelerating Change for more on this on this long and distinguished dialog.
Arguably the most important 20th century pioneer and advocate of these ideas has been the roboticist Hans Moravec. Moravec began writing about accelerating computer power extensively in the 1970's, including a famous piece published in February 1979 in Analog: Science Fiction and Fact, entitled "Today's Computers, Intelligent Machines, and Our Future." The final section of this essay "considers the implications of the emergence of intelligent machines, and concludes that they are the final step in a revolution in the nature of life. Classical evolution based on DNA, random mutations and natural selection may be completely replaced by the much faster process of intelligence mediated cultural and technological evolution." Considering the future of computer-human coevolution, Moravec concludes we are rapidly headed for a "post-biological form" for all local, living intelligence: "In the long run the sheer physical inability of humans to keep up with these rapidly evolving progeny of our minds will ensure that the ratio of people to machines approaches zero, and that a direct descendant of our culture, but not our genes, inherits the universe."
Many today would consider this proposal unsound, and several social theorists have predicted that the breathtaking acceleration of change that we have seen in modern human civilization cannot continue indefinitely. Arguing in this favor is the apparent "stair step" dyamics of technological change, often involving long periods of apparent stasis or regression (as in the fall of the Roman Empire). Yet when viewed from the macroscopic perspective of the network of global actors, the more one sees the intrinsic smoothness of accelerating technological change, as we discuss in Acceleration and Punctuated Equilibrium in Technological Development.
The Astonishing Lack of Limits To Computational Growth
A number of arguments for approaching limits to incessant exponential growth in local computation have periodically been proposed. Four are particularly worth careful consideration: miniaturization limits, resource limits, design limits, and demand limits. We consider each of these in No Apparent Limits: Addressing Common Arguments Against Continuous Computational Acceleration. In our analysis, each surprisingly fails to make a credible case that technological change might slow down in coming decades.
Social Response to the Singularity Hypothesis
If technological acceleration continues, what kind of social and political response can we expect to the singularity hypothesis in coming decades? How will powerful human interest groups react to the idea of increasingly autonomous technological change? That is a difficult and fascinating question, and we have made some early conjectures in that regard. Take a look at Social Backlash to the Singularity Hypothesis, and see if you agree. You might also enjoy Contrary to Popular Belief, some counterarguments to popular beliefs about social and technological trends in modern culture.
Those few scholars who currently study the record of continuously accelerating computation and who seriously expect the emergence of an autonomous intelligence (AI) within the foreseeable future, call this event "the (technological) singularity" for several reasons. This phrase, as introduced by Vernor Vinge in 1981, borrows from the traditional body of work on mathematical and cosmological singularities, a point in space or time at which one's existing models of reality are no longer valid. One place we observe this is within a black hole, where even the equations of relativity break down from our perspective within the system, generating only infinities.
As we explore the technological singularity concept from a widely multidisciplinary, systems theory perspective, we should attempt to interrelate, if possible, known physical processes that appear to have similar accelerating dynamics. An early effort in this regard can be found in A Taxonomy of Singularities: Comparing the Literature on Systems of Accelerating Change.
A Chain of Singularities: The Evolutionary Development of Hierarchial Substrates (EDHS)
As one carefully considers the universal record of accelerating change, one comes to suspect that the process is developmental, in the same way that biological systems engage in both evolutionary and developmental change. Simply put, the developmental features of the universe we inhabit seem very likely be organized for convergence, over time, on ever-increasing rates of environmental learning in a special subset of physical systems. This learning appears to be expressed in hierarchically emergent "computational substrates," physical information processing platforms which encode a record of their search of local phase space, and which use that record as a stable base upon which to build even more powerful computational systems.
In a direct analogy with biological development, some characteristics of these hierarchical emergences appear to be part of a statistically determined process of universal development. If indeed the process is developmental, many of the "envelope boundaries" of the accelerations would be prespecified in the special initial conditions of the "seed" (Big Bang), that created our universe. We discuss this fascinating topic further in A Chain of Singularities: The Evolutionary Development of Hierarchical Substrates (EDHS). For other developmentally related perspectives, you may also consider the speculative Some 'Laws' of Complex Systems in an evolutionary developmental universe.
Just Who is a Acceleration Watcher?
Modern futurists can be usefully divided into four camps with regard to acceleration awareness. There are the Unexposed (those who have not yet encountered this fundamental meme), the Ignorers/Deniers (those who have been exposed but either ignore or deny its relevance), the Watchers (those who suspect the topic has real future relevance, but are committed only to seeking more scientific data and insight on this phenomenon) and "Believers" (those whose response is an absolute and often uncritical acceptance, based primarily on faith).
As the name Acceleration Watch implies, our goal in coming years is to do our own small part to stimulate a number of technologists, academics, independent scholars, and lay futurists to move from unexposed, ignoring, or denying into watching, critiquing, and modelling the fascinating phenomenon of accelerating and increasingly autonomous computational change.
At the same time, we do not seek to push any in our community into belief in the technological singularity hypothesis, as there is nowhere near enough good science yet available on the subject to justify that option. Nevertheless, we can all do our small part to help stimulate the development of theory and evidence that will eventually allow such a formal science to emerge.
An "Acceleration Watcher" is therefore neither absolutely convincednor uncritically happythat the technological singularity is going to happen, but believes the phenomenon of accelerating change deserves immediate and careful scientific investigation.
Rather than professing belief or disbelief in the topic of the technological singularity, it makes more sense for those who presently investigate this phenomenon to consider themselves instead as observers, analysts, students, researchersor critics of singularity-exhibiting processes in all their forms.
Those who study accelerating change understand that there are better and worse paths toward human-machine futures, and they don't want to be caught off guard by the wide-ranging social effects of ever-more-powerful changes in computation. Even if they anticipate that the singularity speculation may be correct, they know that human beings do not easily model exponential change.
As Arthur C. Clarke, Francis Crick, Ray Kurzweil and others have proposed, human cognitive (and perhaps, perceptual) systems appear to be built to make quasi-linear models, at least on a first quantitative approximation, whereas the computational elements and systems of our local environment exhibit exponential emergences and other natural non-linearities. So it is that humanity only unevenlyand often unrealisticallyincorporates exponential expectations within its psychology, as we now wisely do in our projections for next year's computer products, and much less wisely, for example, in our expectations for the short-term performance of our technology investments.
Humans may be wired to directly perceive reality in a nonlinear manner, as some cognitive scientists have proposed. Humans are nonlinear physical systems, so their computational architecture must, on some level, be nonlinear itself. Nevertheless, it is true that exponential systems, before they reach their "blowup" phase of growth, always appear to be linear systems, and thus human beings, as slow modelers of fast systems, are continually taken by surprise in the ferocity of their emergence.
As one famous example, recall the chessboard metaphor, involving 64 doublings of rice grains, with only one grain placed on the first square. This system appears quite tame until just a bit past the middle of the board, when it suddenly produces an entirely unexpected and overwhelming effect, bankrupting the King, and blanketing the entire surface of the Earth in a sea of rice several inches thick. Kurzweil calls this runaway effect "entering the second half" of the board. So it will apparently soon be with local computation.
Therefore, as we continually refine our models of the future we will need to work together closely to help each other understand the forces at work, and to make better personal and societal decisions as we manage the coming transition, in the most moral and human-friendly manner possible.
Technology, tools, and computation are apparently not neutral phenomena. First, we have long realized that technology amplifies human tendencies, both for better and worse, depending on the tool and context. Therefore where, when, and how a technology is introduced becomes a powerful social and personal choice. Furthermore, we are finally beginning to understand that computation, through a succession of technologies and tools, is apparently rigged, by universal developmental architecture, to create local complexity at an ever-accelerating pace. This new complexity in turn brings its own self-balancing, integrative, and convergent properties to the local environment, emergent properties that are still in the early stages of scientific description. See our introductory page on convergent evolution(ary development) for a better understanding of convergent universal developmental processes.
Finally, in what may be a hidden law of development, we may be approaching limits to the local knowledge that can be gained about the universe with our existing and finite computational tools. This very interesting and controversial topic, sometimes called ergodicity or "computational closure", argues that not only physical structure but our maps of physical reality undergo massive unifying convergence the more complex they become. As Phil Nelson has said, perhaps we might we relabel "the Singularity as" "the Unity." The latter name may better convey its personal, social, cultural, and spiritual dimensions in the decades ahead.
If the general public were able to understand that our approaching technological singularity is simultaneously creating a highly convergent mental framework from which to understand the universe, a simple name change from singularity to unity would evoke interest and joining, rather than fear and resistance, especially from the religious. Yet being able to make the claim that progressive computational closure and unity are presently occurring, while it seems intuitively obvious to me from an anecdotal perspective, is no easy task at this early stage of our understanding. I look forward to significantly more scientific investigation of such issues as the universal limits of computation, computational closure, and the unifying nature of convergent models of reality in coming years.
Whether we like it or not, the winds of change will continue to rush at us ever faster every month for the rest of our lives. Due to inherent universal processes related to the nature of growth in complexity, computation, and information, twentieth and especially twenty first century citizens must increasingly combat "Future Shock" (Alvin Toffler, 1970), the disruption that comes when our information processing and adaptive systems are not complex enough to allow us to find equilibrium in an environment of increasingly rapid technological and informational change. Accelerating change is an apparently natural universal process. Understanding the evolutionary and developmental processes generating it can provide critical balance and perspective as we navigate the storms ahead.
For introductory information on communities discussing these issues, as well as a range of early, prescientific predictions for when the technological singularity will occur, see our overview of Singularity Timing Predictions, Discussion Groups, and Introductory Links.
Increasing technological autonomy, however we choose to measure it, is one key assumption behind the singularity hypothesis. Were it to be proven incorrect in coming years, singularity models would have to be fundamentally revised. However, data to date give every indication that autonomy is dramatically increasing every year. Writers on the singularity topic now suggest that progressively more human-independent computer evolution must eventually transition to a "runaway positive feedback loop" in high-level machine computation, from our perspective.
We are well on the way down the autonomy path within the computer hardware domain. Since the 1950's, every new generation of computer chip (integrated circuit) has been designed to a greater and greater degree not by human beings but by computer software. In other words, an ever-decreasing fraction of human (vs. machine) effort is involved in the hardware design process every year, to produce any fixed amount of computer complexity, however we choose to define that complexity.
In fact, the late 1970's was the last time entirely human designed (non-software aided) chips were routinely attempted. The 1980's saw the rise of powerful chip design software, the 1990's the emergence of electronic design automation (EDA) software, and recently, evolvable hardware approaches have produced a few specialized chips that are "grown" entirely in silico, without any human intervention whatsoever, beyond initial configuration of the design space. Such systems discover useful algorithms that are often incomprehensible to human designers. Self-replicating robots, while also still quite primitive, have recently passed the proof-of-concept stage, and are now benefiting from powerful advances in simulation and rapid prototyping technologies.
It is now well known that software follows a slower complexity/ performance doubling rate than the hardware substrate. Commonly cited measures are six years, vs. 18 months, for a doubling in price performance, a figure that must vary widely with algorithm, development approach, and software class. But even here, we have seen surprising autonomy advances in recent years. In an accelerating emergence since the 1980's, we have seen several new sciences of emergent, evolutionary, and "biologically-inspired" computation, such as artificial life, genetic algorithms, evolutionary programming, neural nets, parallel distributed processing, and connectionist modeling. These new computer sciences, though still limited, have created a range of useful commercial applications, from pattern recognition networks in astronomy that seek out supernovas, to credit card fraud-detection algorithms which substantially outperform classical programs. These industries, while still underdeveloped and of limited scalability, now employ tens of thousands of programmers in a new, primarily "bottom up (self-guiding), and only secondarily top down (human coded) approach to software design.
Perhaps even more importantly, biologically-inspired approaches have demonstrated that they can increase their own adaptive complexity in real-world environments entirely independent of human aid, when given adequate hardware evolutionary space. And it is clear that the hardware space, or "digital soil" for growing these new systems will become exponentially cheaper and more plentiful in coming decades.
Both Ray Kurzweil (The Age of Spiritual Machines) and Hans Moravec (Robot) have recently proposed that perhaps even as early as 2020 to 2030 we will have sufficient hardware complexity, as well as sufficient insights from cognitive neuroscience (reverse engineering salient neural structure of the mammalian brain), to create silicon evolutionary spaces that will develop higher-level intelligence.
But in what may be the most interesting and profound observation, there is now good evidence that technological systems enjoy a multi-millionfold increase in their speeds of replication, variation, operation (interaction/selection), and evolutionary development by comparison to their biological progenitors. Many of these speedup factors appear to range between 1-30 million for higher order processes, with a proposed "average" of 10 million (electrochemical vs. electronic communication speeds).
Therefore, if it is true that accelerating autonomy is an intrinsic feature of any learning system, as some systems theorists have proposed, and if it is also true that today's technological systems are learning on average ten million times faster than the genetic systems which preceded them, and thousands of times faster than the human beings who catalyze them, then we can expect substantial increases in machine autonomy in coming years. This speed differential has been measured by a number of different approaches, and it is not yet clear which is the most important learning metric. Commonly used genetic-technologic comparisons are data input rates, output rates, communication speed, computation speed at the logic gate and in the entire system, memory storage and erasure speed, and cognitive architectural replication speed, among others.
If this multi-millionfold learning differential truly exists, and if today's most complex computers are roughly as intelligent as differentiated cells or simple insects, each of which emerged between 400-600 million years ago, this implies that the evolutionary computational systems of coming decades may be engaged in rediscovering the entire metazoan evolutionary developmental learning curve within a period of perhaps 40-60 years. That idea alone is breathtaking to contemplate.
Even the evolutionary developmental history which allowed australopithecus to advance very quickly, in evolutionary timescales, through homo habilis and homo erectus to modern homo sapiens, over a span of 8-10 million years, represents less than one year in hyperaccelerated technologic evolutionary developmental time. We thus begin to suspect, incredibly, that even this type of high-level "discovered complexity" will be recapitulated within the coming machine substrate in one very interesting year of future development only a few decades from the present date (2041? 2061?).
So it is that many sober and skeptical thinkers now find it plausible that the semi-intelligent systems of the 21st century, as they become truly self-improving and evolutionary, will rapidly reinvent within the technologic substrate at first all of the lower functions of autonomy and intelligence, and in one final brief burst, even the higher functions of the human species. Thus even such functions as high-level language, self-awareness, rational-emotive insight, ethics, and consciousness, complex and carefully-tuned processes that we consider the essence of higher humanity, are likely to become fully accessible to tomorrow's technologic systems. What happens after this occurs must be even more dramatic, as you can well imagine. For a bit more on this apparently inevitable process, see Self-Organizing and Self-Replicating Paths to Autonomous Intelligence (A.I.): An Overview.
Top-down interventionist programs in biological systems, as with genetic engineering and biotechnology, always lack technology's bottom-up, self-organizing capability. For this and other reasons, it is now becoming clear that infotech and nanotech, far more than biotech, will be the primary pathways for the future of accelerating local intelligence. The fundamental difference between these two paradigms is not yet apparent to some biotech-centric futurists. For more on this interesting issue, see Limits to Biology: Performance Limitations on Natural and Engineered Biological Systems .
In the period prior to the (technological) singularity, certain human endeavors will experience sustained and unrelenting exponential productivity increases. Studies demonstrate that your long-term (10+ year) capital investment in those areas will substantially outperform all other market sectors.
Maintaining a good understanding of the motive forces causing exponential growth in computation and productivity, and ways to measure business productivity using theories of information, computation, and complexity, should significantly improve your business foresight. Furthermore, identifying the developmentally important (inevitable) new technologies and well-run companies at the center of the transformation will powerfully affect the performance of your organization and your investment assets. Combining this knowledge with a sound and diversified long-term technology investment strategy can stabilize your financial future in a world of accelerating change. More on the Pre-Singularity Economic Environment.
These are practical benefits that pay off immediately, rather than in 2020, 2140, or 2240. The choices we face today are always the most relevant issues of our daily lives. All the rest of the apparent structure of the universe is ultimately context to allow us to make better computational choices, economic, political, personal, moral, logical, emotional, and spiritual choices, in the present moment.
If you'd like more on the way that even one's spiritual choice may turn out to be a form of computation, consider the following brief speculative piece.
Why Understanding Accelerating Change Will Improve Balance and Accelerate Compassion A Humanist Perspective
Any balance achieved is always a dynamic balancebiologists know this concept as homeostasis. In order to achieve dynamic balance in the midst of accelerating change, we must aggressively seek to understand the exponential forces at work in our local environment. One of the great benefits of living in an envirionment where our technology is speeding up and complexifying all around us is that increasing numbers of us can now afford to slow down and simplify our lives in the human space, to attack fundamental social, political and humanitarian injustices worldwide, and to achieve a deeper, better balance between our increasingly "organic" technological environment and our intrinsic human biology and evolutionary psychology.
The rapidly changing requirements of the ecologist's worthy call for "environmental sustainability" are just one clear example of this new opportunity. Modern global sustainability literature (i.e., Hawken and Lovins, Natural Capitalism) now incorporates a steadily deeper understanding of technology as a primary tool to achieve greener futures. Likewise, "product takeback legislation"(PDF), pioneered in several European countries, is another example of sustainability leadership. Such legislation requires manufacturers to be increasingly responsible for recycling and rebuilding the products they produce.
Thus the more intelligent, autonomous, and capable our technology intrinsically becomes, the more we discover that we can economically and politically afford to keep 'raising the standards' that regulate its interface with the human environment, with surprisingly little economic cost. In the process, we minimize the dangers and downsides, hide impacts and irritations from human view, and develop technological immune systems, or balancing and accountability technologies that are capable of deep world modelling and fine gradations of response. We can learn to use our technologies to reinforce the primary values of our social and cultural environment.
So when we talk about our "environment," we need to realize that we cannot in that analysis ignore our accelerating technological environment, a very important component of the modern natural world. Though it pales next to scale and spectacle of the celestial, geological, and biological worlds, our accelerating technology has its own undeniable beauty, awe, and wonder, and is without a doubt the most continually surprising natural emergent phenomenon of the present day. We say "natural" because it seems the height of our species' arrogance to assume that we are capable of creating anything truly "artificial," in other words, anything that is not in broad terms, an expected product of natural universal processes. We may create imbalances, pollution, dehumanizing first-generation solutions, and other negative externalities by our lack of social foresight and poor choice of path, but such are our natural mistakes, and as such they may be naturally corrected. Technology and its algorithms are simply the most recently developed natural universal substrate.
In the process, we should realize that our technologies, when inadequately assessed or poorly implemented, can cause as many problems as they create, especially in early developmental iterations. Technological catastrophes also abound, though perhaps for deep universal reasons that we will consider at another time, they have historically always been sharply self-limiting in their destructive effect. At the same time, many deleterious effects may be quite subtle, such as those that unconsciously contribute to what Richard Rhodes (Visions of Technology) calls "structural violence"products, policies, and infrastructure which, by their inherent design, contribute to division and discrimination more than inclusion, enfranchisement, and access. Primitive automobiles that indirectly contribute to the death of 1.3 million human beings in auto fatalities annually, yet are necessary for economic life, cities without public transportation and computer programs, or products which are unusable by non-technological elites are a few examples of such violence, and there are many others. As we seek to develop ever stronger forms of local balance within our natural environment of accelerating change, we will need to intelligently incorporate the best new technological ideas within our humanistic framework, in order to both preserve and improve our selected values and ideals.
Yet amid all the dangers and concerns, some of our most astute observers of technology have noted that an "accelerating compassion" is also emerging. Our political, legal, economic, and social systems are seeking an increasingly global rather than local balance, as we develop ever more integrated and democratizing networks of communications, facilitating progressively more pluralistic oversight, more egalitarian law, and more internationalized trade. Certainly there are short-term setbacks, as are presently occurring in intellectual property law after the internet emergence, and in civil liberties after physical catastrophes such as 9/11.
But these excesses rebalance themselves, apparently as a function of the learning capacity of our social, political, economic, and technological systems, systems that improve dramatically every year as we approach an apparent technological singularity. This convergence on a ubiquitous, self-balancing, and ever more intelligent web of information and technology is leading us to a place where all human actors are increasingly recognized as important and are being increasingly helped to become self-actualized contributors to the human enterprise. At the same time, our increasing social complexity is moving us toward a world where other living organisms are treated with the care and respect we give to those humans and animals closest to us.
Many socially-aware futurists, such as David Brin, have suggested that culturally appropriate technological development ("uplifting") of those individuals and social systems with less education, infrastructure, and economic resources than ours is becoming a widely prevalent phenomenon. Such uplifting of those less fortunate than us is now coming within the scope and interest of enlightened small groups such as our planet's 100,000+ nongovernmental organizations (NGO's), whose emergence and networking is a recent phenomenon. Uplifting is also beginning to accelerate within the ranks of the individual mega-millionaire altruists, an even more recent emergence. Perhaps especially relevannt is the philanthropy being initiated by those whose net worth is directly due to the recent acceleration of technological systems.
Among the sins of technology as presently deployed have been the creation of counterinnovative and destabilizing income and asset disparities. A few thousand of today's wealthiest individuals possess a net worth equivalent to the bottom three billion of our planet's inhabitants. Yet the injustice of some of these imbalances is finally precipitating a situation where a handful of companies, or even single technology- and wealth-aided individuals (e.g., George Soros' economic development efforts with closed societies) are increasingly motivated to solve complex social problems, in communities or across continents, for the 'return' of social and environmental rather than economic gain.
At the same time, we are collectively learning to measure (now) and progressively close (in coming decades) the educational and resources divide between the greatest and the poorest among us. This process is a direct recapitulation of the way we first learned to recognize (1800's) and later control the problem of runaway population growth. As those who have carefully studied this issue know, the third derivative of world population went negative for the planet as a whole circa 1970, and even for such regional holdouts as India and Africa in the 1990's. The world population is now projected to to hit a maximum of 9 to 11 billion circa 2050, and to decline substantially from that point forward.
Unbenownst to many, a "technological contraceptive" effect is presently rapidly emerging in every developed nation on Earth. Population sizes are presently declining in every technologically developed country that is not growing through immigration. I believe this is occurring for deep reasons involving our older reproductive drives being superseded by our evolutionarily newer, more powerful drives for learning and self-actualization. Computation always accelerates, wherever it can.
Like self-stabilizing population control, our self-stabilizing planetary record of nuclear and biological arms control is similarly encouraging, and even more time compressed. Here, the arms' proliferations occurred in the 1950's and 1960's, the realization of wasteful excess arrived in the 1970's, and the control efforts and substantial reductions began in earnest in the 1980's and continue powerfully to this day. At the present time, our first world intelligence and immunity network finally appears to be on the verge of mandating a new anti-WMD proliferation policy for all global governments. Let's hope it happens more quickly than the skeptics expect. We can also expect and demand that the current imbalance of our international informational divide will itself transition to a broad egalitarianism of access to the planetary information grid in coming decades. This will echo past processes of technological diffusion (vaccines, agriculture, basic infrastructure) but now with even greater time compression in a new, self-balancing process.
Such major philanthropists as Walter Annenberg, Arnold and Mabel Beckman, Eli Broad, Joan Kroc, Bill and Melinda Gates, George Soros, John Templeton and Ted Turner, and philanthropists such as Mark Andreessen, Larry Ellison, Dean Kamen, Ray Kurzweil, John and Catherine MacArthur, Michael Milken, Gordon Moore, Catherine Muther, and many others have distinguished themselves as humanitarians and humanists that promote research and technology to deeply improve human welfare. Their tradition is a long and noble one, mirroring the efforts of Johannes Gutenberg, Louis Pasteur, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Edison, Margaret Sanger, Jonas Salk, and many other inventor-visionaries who demonstrated a deep and accelerating compassion in the employment of their own best technologies of the day. Such individuals are all implicitly transhumanist in the way they embrace appropriate science and technology as the greatest levers of human progress.
Transhumanists, in our definition of the term, are any who seek to chart an accelerating, dynamically balanced and ever more compassionate path as they explore an inevitable course of technologically improving and extending our natural human abilities. Increasingly, we will extend those abilities in ways that must progressively change us into something much more than our present biological selves. Critically considering these topics, while strongly retaining your common sense, global compassion, and humanist ethical intuition, can be of great benefit to developing personal and social foresight for our accelerating future.
Why Anthropic Cosmology (A Universe Apparently Tuned for Life and Intelligence) Does Not Require a Designer, and Teleology (a Theory of Universal Destiny) is Not a Theology The Theory of Universal Evolutionary Development
In recent decades, science has uncovered an impressive and ever-growing list of elements of universal structure that strongly favor the emergence of life (and perhaps also, of intelligence). This deep and valuable concept, the anthropic principle, exists at the interface between cosmology and theology, and is aiding the growing rapprochement we are observing between science and spirituality. In its most interesting developmental variant, this principle proposes that the fundamental parameters of our universe have somehow become "tuned" for both the emergence of life and the ever-accelerating emergence of increasingly local forms of computational complexity.
In considering this proposal, it is important to realize that such evidence, if true, does not require or suggest the existence of an embodied, omniscient, or omnipotent supernatural universal designer (God, Cosmic Engineer). As an alternative and conceptually far more parsimonious explanation, our universe seems much more likely to have been self-organized via fully natural evolutionary and developmental processes, to have such special structure, over many successive cycles in the multiverse, in the same fashion that replicating complex adaptive systems in other substrates, such as biology, appear to be similarly tuned to maintain their own internal complexity and replication capacity.
In other words, we may live in "evolutionary developmental (evo devo) universe." Fortunately, there is an emerging systems theory of universal evolutionary development that may provide powerful insights into this issue. In the biological domain, living organisms have required many successive cycles to develop their own special initial parameters, which are carefully tuned for emergent form and function within the lifecycle of any particular organism. Likewise, if we consider the universe as a developmental process, we can propose that a number of natural phenomena, such as the emergence of life, biological intelligence, or electronic consciousness (the technological singularity), may also be highly predictable future developmental events. We can even testably propose that certain emergences are a "destiny" that the universe must locally (or multi-locally) arrive at, failing developmental catastrophe. Such predictions are not at all equivalent to a theology (a religious faith), though some would attempt this connection.
The words "teleology" (structural or functional purpose to a system) and "destiny" or "predestination" (predictable future aspects of a system) make some scientists cringe, for important historical reasons. Let's briefly review some of those reasons now, and consider the way new theories of self-organization and evolutionary development may allow us to step beyond historical and social prejudices and arrive at a clearer understanding of universal dynamics..
First, scholars who consider anthropic issues must take pains to distinguish themselves from practitioners in the Intelligent Design (ID) community, who also consider anthropic evidence but often attempt to use it in unscientific ways. There are a few notable ID scholars engaging in original anthropic research, but unfortunately, the ID community has significantly tied its scholarly research agenda to an activist Christian political agenda that, among other objectives, seeks to have ID writings taught as science in U.S. educational institutions. A small portion of ID scholarship is legitimate philosophy of science, and deserves treatment as such (not science, but philosophy) in the university. But a much larger portion is simply Christian apologetics and hidden creationism, or philosophy of religion and religious studies, not even philosophy of science, which itself is not science. Given ID's sordid history, the mainstream anthropic cosmology must continue to carefully separate itself from ID in all its forms. At the same time, any serious developmentalist scholars within the ID community would do well to distance themselves from the ID community if they seek serious consideration of their insights, and citation of their work, by the global scientific community.
There are also notable anthropic theorists, such as Michael Denton (Nature's Destiny, 1998), who don’t self-identify within the ID community, yet take positions consistent with that community. Denton does interesting work in anthropic molecular biology, and acknowledges the universal record of accelerating complexity development, yet mysteriously argues this acceleration must somehow stop with the human form, which he hypothesizes as the developmental purpose, or telos, of the universe. That position seems untenable to acceleration scholars, as we already have seen machine intelligence leap past human capabilities in narrow areas, and there is increasing evidence that their marginal learning rate is at least a millionfold faster than that of humankind (Cosmic Evolution, Chaisson 2001). Fortunately, time and change will allow us to verify or falsify this hypothesis.
Second, a number of scholars have shied away from confronting anthropic evidence as a result of attempts to dismiss it as anthropic bias, using what we may call the random observer self-sampling assumption (RSSA). But if universal developmental processes exist, they must create nonrandom developmentally special reference frames, which means that all RSSA models presently used to critique anthropic evidence must themselves be incorrect, as there is a more fundamental framework (universal development) that they are not accounting for. Evidence is mounting that intelligence in any evolutionary developmental system (an organism or a universe) is not a random observer, but one that has been tuned to have an observational position that is increasingly privileged as development proceeds (for such functions as developmentally guided adaptation to the environment, replication, and progression through the life cycle).
Third, there has long been a misconception that the idea of predestination of a complex system must somehow oppose the idea of a perceived "free will" within that system. In actuality however, these are nonexclusive concepts. The development of an organism serves as a proof of concept that systems are able to self-construct from special, tuned, and iteratively self-designed initial conditions that extensively utilize unpredictable evolutionary chaos (strange attractors) in the process of creating a long chain of statistically predetermined developmental events (attractors). These two parallel perspectives on physical process allow us to understand how human and other complex adaptive systems can simultaneously contain two apparently contradictory qualities. Those qualities are both an irreducible evolutionary "freedom" (essential pseudorandomness of one's own thought and behavior to self-observation) as well as an inherent developmental "predictability" (statistically predictable psychological and behavioral trajectory, based on physical contraints of the interacting systems).
Fourth, destiny-averse scientists may have come to their perspective because they have focused on the well-known, well-studied findings of the randomness of evolutionary processes, but have completely overlooked the potential applicability of the deterministic phenomenon of biological development. It is clear, for example, given a permissive environment, that a fertilized human egg is "destined," 13 years later, to become a fully developed adult organism with very specific features, and the ability to pass on its own mature sperm or egg in an iterative evolutionary developmental cycle. It is also clear that such eggs or "seeds" must pass through a whole series of time and structure-specific future events in their unfolding.
What is not known to a surprising number of scientists and systems theorists even today is that all known developmental processes incorporate countless random, chaotic phases of adaptive 'evolutionary' selection within their unfolding developmental plan. Discovering the way that chaos is used in self-organizing developmental systems will clearly be one of the keys to the puzzle of growing autonomous adaptive technological systems on silicon substrates in coming years. If you are interested in building biologically inspired computers and are looking for a grand theoretical and experimental challenge, there may not be a better one than understanding developmental biology at the present time. The predominant adaptive evolutionary randomness seen at low levels (molecular, genetic, cellular, signalling systems, etc.) is productive, is constrained by, and informs the future expression of the overarching developmental program.
The paradigm and process of evolutionary development (evo devo) thus incorporates evolution, but in a manner that does not disrupt the larger program of developmental emergence. So it is with any developmental system that a special subset of future eventsa small but very significant minoritywill be highly "statistically predestined." Perhaps the most important modern proponent of this perspective was the scientist and theologian Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, who coined the elegant, profound, and still-little-used term, "cosmic embryogenesis," (four Google hits in 2003, ten in 2004, 93 in 2008) to propose that universal cosmology is apparently developmentally programmed to proceed through a series of inevitable emergent stages of information processing while also searching out a large number of locally unique evolutionary paths in the process. Teilhard's stages, describing a universal developmental progression from geosphere, to biosphere, to noosphere, remain intuitive and relevant today. Yet like models of human consciousness itself, developmentalist models of universal change are still weak and recently emergent in the scientific community.
A nice website for bibliographic updates to Teilhard's developmentalist paradigm is Arthur Fabel's Naturalgenesis.net, an "Annotated Anthology Sourcebook for the Worldwide Discovery of a Creative Organic Universe." This collection of annotated reference material suffers only from the perception, also echoed by Thomas Berry, Brian Swimme and other ecological thinkers, that humanity and our institutions are entering some kind of "crisis" that will require us to "radically reorganize" our conception of the universe. In fact, it is looking increasingly likely that most humans and our institutions may never learn the developmentalist paradigm consciously, yet the transition to a postbiological substrate appears to be going quite well globally, perpetuated in numerous unconscious and partially conscious ways. The quality of the transition, however, is the major open question we face. Whether we humans are able to engineer a progressively cleaner, safer, and more just and empowering world for ourselves in the inevitable transition ahead, or whether we will continue to degrade our environment, crap in our own nests, impoverish our culture, disempower and diseducate our own youth and citizenry, and be dragged kicking and wailing and self-obsessing into the technological singularity era seems to be our primary ethical and political choice.
I would propose that our universe exhibits all the features of an evolutionary developmental system as it unfolds within the multiverse. Developmental systems such as biological organisms use the learning they acquire during their lifespan to reorganize (carefully tune, across multiple iterations) their initial developmental parameters less randomly in subsequent cycles. Thus, keeping learning (adaptation) central to our discussion will help us understand the evolutionary value of assigning individual responsibility wherever possible in what also appears to be, not in its evolutionary but in its developmental features, a statistically deterministic universe.
It is also worth noting that even though we may find evidence everywhere for intelligent (e.g., anthropic) universal design and apparent developmental destiny, such as the technological singularity, any speculations we may have regarding an intelligent designer remain in the realm of our own personal theology. If we live in an evolutionary developmental universe, any intelligence which may have been involved in the production of our carefully 'tuned' universe must be limited, mortal, and ignorant in profound ways, as with all physically embodied intelligence. Such intelligence would not be Gods, but simply ancestors, and not "designers" but creatures with very limited influence on the developmental architecture of our universe, an architecture far older than any emergent universal intelligence, and which has self-organized to extensively constrain that intelligence, as we see in all biological systems.
None of this is to denigrate theology, as unprovable belief has a necessary and unique place in the intelligence of all finite creatures and is a computational choice that must be faced by all who contemplate the reasons behind the splendid universal order that we observe. Scientific Naturalism, Agnosticism, Humanism, Atheism, Animism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judeo-Christianity, or any of the other myriad perspectives we may consider, even Nihilism, are all personal theological choices, based on faith (even an assessment of the incompleteness of data is still a faith) and ultimately defensible only to ourselves - though we may have strong reasons for our personal belief preferences, and even seek to convince others of them using nonscientific means.
Some authors (see Kurzweil, Age of Spiritual Machines, 1999) equate spirituality with the evolutionary processes of consciousness, thus attempting to capture it within a potentially scientific framework. But theology and spirituality involve not only the paths we choose to take to live better, more "spiritual" lives, but also include beliefs about "metaphysics", presently and potentially permanently unknowable structures of reality. Some transcendentalist philosophers define the conception of God as an extrapolation of the utilitarian and scientific concept of infinitydefined as an "unending process" in mathematics. If we accept this definition, we can conclude that theology will remain with us and our electronic successors indefinitely, as a productive and personal counterpart to scientific investigation.
Religion and science are two clearly separable domains. The first is based on a personally chosen faith in particulars of universal process and outcome, and the second also includes untested belief, but with a mandate to minimize axiomatic belief wherever possible. Hopefully this helps clarify that speculations on the nature of the singularity, in all its forms, are well within the domain of critical and scientific investigation, and remain separate and apart from our personal theologies, whatever they may be.
At present Ray Kurzweil's, The Age of Spiritual Machines, 1999, is perhaps the best book to concisely introduce yourself to mechanisms and implications of the coming technological singularity.
To buy this book at Amazon (approx. $12 paperback).
Once you've read Spiritual Machines, you may wish to explore Ray's 60 page precis, "The Law of Accelerating Returns," at his informative site on the future, KurzweilAI. This precis is an outline of The Singularity is Near, 2005, his most recent book with additional insights in acceleration studies.
If you'd like a more cosmic, philosophical, and teleological take on the meaning and direction of Earth's accelerating evolutionary development, I recommend Teilhard de Chardin, either the briefer Man's Place in Nature, 1956/2000 or the more difficult The Human Phenomenon (mistranslated as 'The Phenomenon of Man'), 1955/99. Teilhard is challenging to read at times, but his understanding of the emergent importance of consciousness, ethics, emotion, love, and the "psychical" properties of matter, in balance with the simpler, more scientifically tractable physical emergences, has rarely been equalled. It will take some time before science provides us with a 'calculus of civilization', a 'mathematics of morality,' and an 'information theory of love, consciousness, and wholeness', but I believe such science must one day emerge, as these concepts seem clearly fundamental to information, computation, intelligence, and consciousness increase in universal evolutionary development. Arthur Fabel's edited collection, Teilhard in the 21st Century, 2003, is also highly recommended.
We could give you more homework, but then we wouldnt be doing our job, which is to educate you on acceleration studies and evolutionary development theory in the most high-yield, time-efficient manner possible.
My current guesstimate for Generally Human-Surpassing A.I. is 2060 (± 20 years).
For an overview of prominent singularity timing predictions, see Singularity Timing Predictions, Discussion Groups, and Introductory Links. In the current and speculative literature on this topic, a rough average date of 2040 A.D., with a primary range between 2020 and 2060, encompasses the majority of existing predictions on the arrival of autonomous intelligence (A.I.).
My own personal investigations, which are as much a guess as anyone else's at this point, suggest that 2060, with rough ± 20 year standard deviation for 68% confidence (singularity somewhere between 2040 and 2080), and ± 40 year standard deviation for 95% confidence (singularity somewhere between 2020 and 2100), is a more realistic estimate.
If this guess is correct, be sure to enjoy and cherish what some of our most careful observers expect to be the last fifty two (or 12, or 92, depending on your intuition) years left in the Simply Human Era.
We should be highly suspicious to find that these date ranges are in a timeframe so self-servingly and conveniently close to our own lifespans. Yet there are a number of useful early quantitative estimates that support the 2040 to 2080 timeframe. My own guess of 2060 is later than most, as I think even technically-informed futurists tend to be too optimistic, underestimating the difficulty of technical challenges. For one example of an often neglected challenge to A.I. acceleration, the increasingly critical requirement of adding machine ethics to our increasingly powerful robotic and automated systems, and of testing that ethical achitecture to minimize risk to human beings, may easily add another twenty years of work before we are willing to produce machines smart enough to reliably and safely direct their own self improvement. See Ron Arkin's Governing Lethal Behavior, 2006, for some current work in this area.
One thing seems certain: this current prediction will be revised up or down toward greater accuracy as the fields of Acceleration Studies and Evolutionary Development Theory emerge in coming years, and as better acceleration metrics (technometrics, informetrics) and models come into use. Promoting the development of these academic disciplines is one of the goals of our ASF community.
The Acceleration Clock is intended as an optimistic complement and hopefully, eventual successor to the infamous (and still valuable) Doomsday Clock of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. You would do well to keep one eye on the clock!
Further Exploring
If you can spare the timeperhaps the key question for all of us in this accelerated ageyou might enjoy Vernor Vinges brief (8 page) and illuminating essay "The Coming Technological Singularity," (1993) which began the rapid spread of discussion of these concepts in recent years.
Consider also Damien Brodericks very informative and accessible The Spike, 1998[2000] (home page), which has the distinction of being the first generalist book published on the topic of the singularity. Particularly recommended is his addendum to the second edition, available online as "Tearing Toward the Spike." (2000).
Ray's The Singularity is Near, 2005, is a more recent work on this still understudied topic. Another informative brief piece is Francis Heylighen's Socio-Technological Singularity, part of the impressive Principia Cybernetica Web project.
My own forthcoming work builds on the insights of Vinge, Broderick, Kurzweil, and Heylighen, to suggest universal developmental mechanisms for accelerating change, and specifically how these mechanisms appear to be rapidly leading us toward a particular universal endpoint.
This developmental singularity hypothesis is a speculative extension of work by Lee Smolin, Edward Harrison, James Gardner, Bela Balazs, and other physicist-cosmologists and complexity theorists in recent decades. This book is an expansion of my thesis essay, "White Hole Destiny?" originally presented at the May and September 2000 Foresight conferences in Palo Alto, CA, and the formalization of ideas I first developed as a middle school student in 1972.
For a brief, accessible background paper to the developmental singularity hypothesis, you might wish to read Bela Balazs' "The Role of Life in the Cosmological Replication Cycle," 2001. James Gardner's Biocosm, 2003, is also an excellent book-length exploration of the same idea.
While Vinge, Broderick, Kurzweil, Gardner and I all agree on the imminence of the singularity and importance of physical mechanisms, we each suggest different post-singularity futures, with my developmental singularity model predicting perhaps the most specific kind of future yet proposed. Whether the model will be validated or falsified by future research of course remains to be determined.
KurzweilAI.net, Edge.org, Foresight.org, Extropy.org, Transhumanism.org, and Principia Cybernetica, are all web communities that have extensively discussed accelerating technological change and the technological singularity from multidisciplinary perspectives. A visit to any of these sites can be quite informative.
Other important futures organizations, like the Long Now Foundation (Long Bets, The Clock of the Long Now, 2000), seek to help people develop longer range and global perspectives, while still paying attention to growing technological intelligence. There are also a growing number of "singularitarians" who profess a conditional belief in the concept of the technological singularity, and who propose that striving to create as rapid and safe a singularity as possible should be primary goals. Singularity University and the Singularity Institute are leading examples of such organizations. If you are investigating singularitarian literature, you may appreciate our position statement on Singularitarians and Singularity Belief.
If you can engage in further reading to get a broader and deeper understanding of the cultural, technological, and universal computational events that are leading us to the singularity, here are a few more illuminating works to consider. Some are accompanied by online references. Books are linked to often insightful Amazon reviews.
Nonzero: The Logic of Human Destiny, Robert Wright, 1999. Emergent collective ethics.
Reviews, excerpts and other articles.
Just Six Numbers, Martin Rees, 2001
Credible update of evidence for universal fine tuning for the emergence of local computational complexity.
Biocosm, James Gardner, 2003
Important new interpretation of anthropic cosmology insights.
The Pursuit of Destiny: A History of Prediction, Paul Halpern, 2000
The Bit and the Pendulum: The New Physics of Information, Tom Siegfried, 2000
The Pattern on the Stone: The Simple Ideas that Make Computers Work, Daniel Hillis, 1999
The Pentagon's New Map, Thomas Barnett, 2004
Article Version (Barnett's Site). Global immune systems.
The Universal Computer, Martin Davis, 2000
The Global Brain: The Evolution of the Mass Mind from the Big Bang to the 21st Century, Howard Bloom, 2000
Knowing Machines, Donald MacKenzie, 1998
The Emergence of Everything, Harold Morowitz, 2002
Emergence, Steven Johnson, 2002
Linked: The New Science of Networks, Albert Barabasi, 2002
Out of Control: The New Biology of Machines, Social Systems, and the Economic World, Kevin Kelly, 1994
This book is also online.
Beyond Humanity: Cyberevolution and Future Minds, Gregory Paul and Earl Cox, 1996
Sample chapter and reviews.
After Thought: The Computer Challenge to Human Intelligence, James Bailey, 1996
Review1 | Review2 | Review3
The Third Culture: Beyond the Scientific Revolution, John Brockman, 1996
Visions of Technology: A Century of Vital Debate..., Richard Rhodes, 2000
Review. Unabridged audio version ($13 rent, $20 buy) also available as ten 90 min. cassettes. Great for commute or exercise.
Semi-Technical Reading
Science is still some years away from a theory of emergent computation (a superset of physics, information theory, and complexity), that will outline and clarify what we are now observingan apparently inevitable universal developmental progression to local runaway complexity. Nevertheless, significant insights can be gained from selective reading of semi-technical and technical literature.
Piero Scaruffi has done a short overview (Self-Organization and the Science of Emergence) of some historical theorists of the physics of emergence. Many of these theories are incomplete and contradictory, but such must be the nature of new syntheses at the leading edge. If you are interested in exploring further, I'd particularly recommend knowing about the following pioneers, in rough preference order: Eric Chaisson (and his theory of free energy rate density flux, or Phi), Ilya Prigogine (and his theory of dissipative structures), Stan Salthe (and his macrodevelopmental theory of hierarchy emergence), Lee Smolin (and his theory of cosmologic natural selection), Ian Stewart and Jack Cohen (and their theories of emergence), John Holland (and his compex adaptive systems and emergence theory), Stephanie Forrest (and her theory of emergent computation), Stuart Kauffman (and his theory of self-organization), Per Bak (and his theory of self-organized criticality), Erich Jantsch (and his theory of self-organization), Murray Gell-Mann (and his theory of emergence), Hermann Haken (and his theory of synergetics), Harold Odum (and his theory of energy flux), Manfred Eigen (and his theory of the hypercycle), Rene Thom (and his theory of phase transition singularities), Rod Swenson (and his variant of ecological psychology), David Harel (and his overview of the theory of computation), Francisco Varela (and his theory of autonomous systems) Ervin Laszlo and Ludwig Von Bertalanffy (and their general systems theories).
Other insightful reads are listed below. Resources marked with are particularly helpful for understanding accelerating local change/computation as a statistically inevitable, convergent, universal process of evolutionary development. Those with are more technical or challenging in nature. Skim them as you are inclined.
Cosmic Evolution: The Rise of Complexity in Nature, Eric Chaisson, 2001
Review | Cosmic Evolution Website (Tufts)
The Life of the Cosmos, Lee Smolin, 1997
Review and Useful Links
The Evolutionary Trajectory: The Growth of Information in the History and Future of the Earth, Richard Coren, 1998
Review - brief registration necessary
Exploring Complexity: An Introduction, Gregoire Nicolis and Ilya Prigogine, 1989
Hidden Unity in Nature's Laws, John Tayler, 2001
The Self-Made Tapestry, Philip Ball, 1999
Small Worlds, Duncan Watts, 1999
The Computational Beauty of Nature, Gary Flake, 1998
Algorithmics: The Spirit of Computing, David Harel, 1992
Emergence: From Chaos to Order, John Holland, 1998
For a popular overview of John and his perspectives on Artificial Life see Omni Magazine Archives
Hidden Order: How Adaptation Builds Complexity, John Holland, 1995
Summary | Review
The Intelligent Universe, Fred Hoyle, 1983
Origination of Organismal Form: Beyond the Gene in Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Gerd Müller and Stuart Newman (Eds), 2003
Development and Evolution, Stanley Salthe, 1993
Chance in Biology, Mark Denny and Steven Gaines, 2002
Emergent Computation , Stephanie Forrest (Ed)., 1989
Review (email request) | Citations
Maximum Power: The Ideas of H.T. Odum, Charles Hall, 1995
Other insightful books are listed on the Developmental Singularity page.
Quotes from Some Acceleration Watchers
"Within thirty years, we will have the technological means to create superhuman intelligence. Shortly after, the human era will be ended."
Vernor Vinge, 1993
From The Coming Technological Singularity
"Many physicists are attempting to derive a Grand Unified Theory (GUT) out of the universe... This effort may be incomplete in that particles may merely be a reflection of the information-processing foundations of the universe (but it is certainly not a waste of time because this research may help us figure out how the information-processing system works). In the end, we may not be able to completely understand the universe, if it is ever possible to do so, until it is examined as a self-evolving and organizing information-processing machine, one that produces intelligent minds to examine itself with. In this view, a theory of consciousness may be consolidated with a theory of physics into a Grand Information Theory (GIT)."
Gregory Paul & Earl Cox, 1994
"Natural selection is important, but it has not labored alone... self-organization is the root source of order. The order of the biological world, I have come to believe, is not merely tinkered, but arises naturally and spontaneously because of these principles of self-organization laws of complexity that we are just beginning to uncover and understand... How do we use the information gleaned about the parts to build up a theory of the whole? The deep difficulty here lies in the fact that the complex whole may exhibit properties that are not readily explained by understanding the parts. The complex whole, in a completely nonmystical sense, can often exhibit collective properties, "emergent" features that are lawful in their own right."
Stuart Kauffman, 1995
"Technology is advancing exponentially or faster. This means that the bulk of the change in knowledge and capacity needed to precipitate the singularity will occur within the last year [or two] before the event. [Translation: most of us wont see it coming.]"
Dan Clemmensen, 1996
"We are brothers and sisters of our machines. Minds and tools have been sharpened against each other ever since a scavengers stone fractured cleanly and the first cutting edge was held in a hunters hand... All known systems that exhibit intelligent behavior rely on the communication of information... all our [computer] networking protocols... are simply a way of allowing hundreds of millions of individual processors to tune selectively to each others signals, free of interference, as they wish."
George Dyson, 1997
"The [biological] evolution we have experienced for 10 billion years is reaching a state beyond which it cannot proceed without a fundamental and radical change of direction, form, mechanism, and nature. [Due primarily to our recent ability to generate meaningful information much more readily than our biological forms can process it]."
Richard Coren, 1998
"Computers doubled in speed every three years at the beginning of the twentieth century, every two years in the 1950s and 1960s, and are now doubling in speed every twelve months. This trend will continue, with computers achieving the memory capacity and computing speed of the human brain by around the year 2020. ...the fate of the universe is a decision yet to be made, one which we [or perhaps more accurately, our electronic successors] will intelligently consider when the time is right."
Ray Kurzweil, 1999
The singularity idea is as broad-ranging as it is fundamental, encompassing so many dimensions of the human condition: scientific, social, political, economic, humanitarian, philosophical, and spiritual, to name just a few.
I'm presently engaged in a general readership book on this topic, considering accelerating change within the emerging paradigm of universal evolutionary development, and exploring scientific, technological, social, political, economic, and philosophical implications of continuous accelerating change, and collective ethical issues as we approach an apparently inevitable emergent A.I.
What is needed in this still-nascent field of study is a definitive specialist text, some kind of Acceleration Studies and Evolutionary Development Theory: A New Synthesis, similar to E.O. Wilson's excellent Sociobiology textbook, which in one stroke defined the discipline that is today called evolutionary psychology. There are promising acceleration-relevant academic fields, such as ecological psychology, which use nonlinear science in a synthetic manner. But there are none yet which attempt to confront and understand the central importance and interrelationships of evolutionary developmental phase transitions in driving the accelerating emergence of complexity and computation in the cosmos. .
In the nearer term, our nonprofit, the Acceleration Studies Foundation, is involved in the development of the Evo Devo Universe global scholarly research community, which explores and critiques evolutionary and developmental models of the universe which attempt to make sense of accelerating change. The EDU community maintains a listserve and runs an annual conference that interested complexity and acceleration scholars may wish to participate in.
ASF also produces an occasional conference for general audiences, Accelerating Change at Stanford University, featuring presentations, debates, and discussions that explore issues in accelerating change. If youd like to help further develop either the ASF or the EDU communities, please email me, we'd love to work with you.
We live in a very special time. Half the humans who have ever been alive are here on this planet right now, nurturing a transition that seems to be of universal importance, a transition we appear to be developmentally destined to experience. We are executing a larger universal purpose that our science hasn't yet clearly figured out, yet we know it has something to do with transforming ourselves into something more humane, loving, intelligent, interdependent, and immune from nature's worst adversities than we are today.
Please take care of yourselves and your loved ones and stay optimistic yet pragmatic. The universe appears to be unfolding mostly as it should, and I think its pretty special that we are here to witness the biggest changes that any humans will ever see.
It truly is a wonderful time to be alive!
John Smart
[Feedback: johnsmart{at}accelerating.org]
Accelerating change is apparently inevitable. The future is an untold story of emergent events, some of which seem to be inherent in the developmental structure of the universe.
Let's discover them, together.
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Seniors Home
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The Jackas
Fixtures/Results/Ladders
1966 E Grade
AJAX 19.14.128 defeated Old Ivanhoe Grammarians 8.9.57
Goals: Goldfarb 4, Perelberg 3, Goldberg 3, Jurberg 3, Shostak 2, Janover, Jolson, Freeman, Shulman
Best: Goldberg, Duzenman, Merkel, Jolson, Freeman, Goldfarb, Jurberg, Fein, Perelberg
B: David Fein Alan Synman Alan Silver
HB: Joe Goldwasser Ron Merkel David Grundmann
C: Barry Levy Stan Duzenman Barrie Jurberg
HF: George Mehl Henry Jolson Adam Shostak
F: Michael Shulman Phillip Goldfarb John Goldberg
R: Hiram Janover(C) Jack Freeman(VC) Harry Perelberg
RES: Raymond Lewis Zvi Shulsinger
COACH: Lionel Rosenberg
AJAX 15.18.108 defeated Elsternwick 13.19.97
Goals: Bluzer 4, Fayman 2, Smorgon 2, M.Ritterman 2, Gurfinkel 2, Schulberg, D.Freeman, Bialek
Best: Bluzer, Herzfeld, M.Ritterman, Schulberg, Perelberg, Lemish
B: Mark Greenberg David Segal Norm Eizenberg
HB: Phillip Aarons Phillip Rozen Mark Feldy
C: Maurice Herzfeld Michael Ritterman(C) Les Burger
HF: Michael Gurfinkel Ian Fayman Harry Perelberg
F: David Freeman Barry Smorgon Michael Bialek
R: Mark Schulberg(VC) John Lemish Henry Bluzer
RES: Abe Friede Maurice Rubenstein
COACH : Daryl Cohen
1979 B Grade
AJAX 13.14.92 defeated Marcellin 11.20.86
Goals: Kalmus 3, Basser 3, Kaye 2, Schulberg, M.Ritterman, H.Ritterman, Rozen, Lisner
Best: Kalmus, Bromberg, Schulberg, Zemski, M.Ritterman, H.Ritterman
B: Steven Marks Michael Rosner Ian Fayman
HB: Richard Marks Mordecai Bromberg Michael Zemski
C: Trevor Korn Michael Ritterman(C) Henry Bluzer
HF: Phillip Rozen Mark Schulberg Mark Feldy
F: Jeffrey Jankie Russell Basser Robert Kaye
R: Raymond Lisner Henry Ritterman(VC) Mark Kalmus
I/C: David Segal Barry Markoff
COACH: Sid Myers
1999 D Grade
AJAX 22.19.151 defeated Bulleen-Templestowe 17.14.116
Goals: M.Halphen 5,A.Freund 4,M.Rajch 4,B.Davis 3, A.Rosen 3,B.Goldberg,P.Goldberg,M.Weisler
Best: M.Halphen, P.Goldberg, M.Rajch, B.Goldberg, L.Levine, D.Gelbart
B: Matt Dudakov Yaron.Rapoport Ash Krongold
HB: Charlie.Cohen Andrew .Kalinski Michael Weisler
C: Brett.Duzenman Martin Halphen(C) Jason Wrobel
HF: Andrew Freund Brad Davis David Marks
F: Michael Rajch Ant Rosen Brian Goldberg
R: Les Levin David Gelbart Phil Goldberg
I/C: Danny Gunn Jonathan Segal Paul Walvish
Coach : Rick Marks
2011 Premier C Grade
AJAX 19.11.125 defeated Werribee 7.9.51
Goals: J.Lew 6, D.Fayman 5, W.Steinberg 2, J.Seidl, G.Blieden, E.Routman, N.Marks, A.Lewski, A.Caplan
Best: G.Blieden, R.Winograd, J.White, M.Jankie, J.Lew, E.Routman
VAFA Michael Ritterman Medalist ( Umpires Best on Ground ) E. Routman
B: Josh Sacks Geoff Measey Danny Weislitzer
HB: Corey Jankie Jason Israelsohn Rubin Winograd
C: Eugene Routman Warren Steinberg Nick Marks
HF: Ben Kalmus Jason Seidl Daniel Freed
F: Jake Lew David Fayman Ari Lewski
R: Jarrod White Gary Blieden (C) Marcus Jankie
I/C: Jason Ritterman Josh Ludski Adam Spencer-Laitt Adam Caplan
Coach: Bernie Sheehy
AJAX 8.7.55 defeated State Savings Bank 4.8.32
Goals: Janover 3, Stillman, Gold, Gurfinkel, P.Grossberg, Duzenman
Best: Janover, Fein, Katz, Rochman, Stuk, Webb, Gurfinkel, Coppel
B: R Lewis A Robin D Fein
HB: J Rochman P Roberts A Stillman
C: P Grossberg S Duzenman G Tauber
HF: M Gurfinkel J Hoppe L Stuk
F: J Rotstein G Mehl B Jurberg
R: H Janover (C) M Coppel L Katz
Reserves: S Gold L Webb
Coach : Hiram Janover
AJAX 14.8.92 defeated Whitefriars 9.6.60
Goals: A.Levy 3, D.Kalb 2, A.Mordech 2, J.Rath 2, M.Zurbo, A.Carew
Best: J.Lewis, M.Zurbo , L.Goldberg, S.Roth, G.Samuel, A.Cukierman
B: Charlie Cohen Andrew Cukierman Sonney Roth
HB: Jeremy Snow Yaron Rapoport Grant Samuel
C: Adam Carew J.Lewis Jonathan Segal
HF: Jesse Rath Greg Rozenberg Yoni Shein
F: Anthony Mordech Andrew Levy David Kalb
R: Matt Zurbo Leigh Goldberg (C) Adam Bock
I/C: Bryan Zielinski Josh Sharp Neil Israelsohn Michael Nathan
Coach: Andrew Shenker
AJAX 9.10.64 defeated Thomastown 8.8.56
B: Mark Jelinek Danny Weislitzer Andrew Cukierman
HB: Neil Israelsohn Sonney Roth(C) Grant Samuel
C: Mark Segal Adam Bock Dale Smorgon
HF: Adam Carew Adrian Redlich Dean Sheezel
F: Joel Bassist Anthony Mordech David Kalb
R: Mark Blashki Stewart Boon Dean Mohr
I/C: Ben Lewski Yoni Shein Jeremy Snow Andrew Halphen
AJAX 12.14.86 defeated Monash Blues 8.7.55
Goals: A.Bloom 3, M.Dudakov 2, D.Goldenfein 2, A.Cooper, A.Cukierman, J.Lewis, A.Zemski
Best: A.Goldman, J.Lewis, M.Dudakov, A.Zemski, I.Same, J.Sharp
B: L.Goldman A.Silver A.Spicer
HB: I.Same D.Onus M.Dudakov
C: S.Boon S.Gutman J.Sharp
HF: A.Zemski A.Lewis M.Konsky
F: D.Norich A.Cooper A.Cukierman
R: A.Goldman D.Goldenfein J.Lewis
I/C: R.Rotemberg A.Bloom A.Godlewicz N.Tsivlin
Coach : Barry Simon
AJAX 10.16.76 defeated Ormond 8.8.56
Goals: A.Kalb 3, L.Peters 2, S.Chester, B.Nissen, T.Freed, A.Lewin, A.Trytell
Best: N.Harel, A.Kalb, A.Trytell, N.Gold, J.Samuel, T.Freed
VAFA Medalist - Matt Nissen
B: Ben Klein Nick Gold Ronen Heine
HB: Brett Joffe Jesse Kochen Joshua Givoni (C)
C: Adam Trytell Nadav Harel Jake Sharp
HF: Sam Chester Adrian Lewin Ash Kalb
F: Brad Nissen Luke Peters Tim Freed
R: Josh Dorevitch Josh Gottlieb(C) Adam Sacks
I/C: Matt Nissen Stuart Fayman Brad Caplan Jason Samuel
Coach : Darren Seidl
2001 Section 3
AJAX 9.15.69 defeated Old Mentonians 9.14.68
Goals: A.Cooper 5, E.Wollner 2, D.van Aken , D.Hershan, D.Miller
Best: Z.Lewski, D.van Aken, E.Janover,A.Cooper, P.Glezer, Goldman
B: Leigh Goldman Jarryd Kagan Josh Pask
HB: Gary Blieden Elliot Goldstone Adam Butt
C: Simon Gutman Elliot Janover Gideon Gelbart
HF: Joseph Feldman David Hershan Danny van Aken
F: Asher Cooper Elliot Wollner Daniel Miller
R: Ariel Lewin Paul Glezer Jason Lewis
I/C: Ashley Goldman Zak Lewski Josh Givoni Elliot Rath
Coach: Mark Zuker
Road to A Grade
Road to A Grade - Barry Markoff
The AJAX Football Club is thrilled that Barry Markoff ,the author of
Road To A Grade , has allowed us to view his book on our website.
The book gives the history of the club from inception to 1980 when
the club played in the VAFA "A Section" for the very first time.
We would urge supporters to read this great book and again
thank Barry for permitting us to place it on our website.
Please click on links below to read the "Road to A Grade".
Origin of the Club
‘Jealousy by the North of the supposed elite South was the main reason for the formation of these annual North of the Yarra versus
South of the Yarra matches’
- Reuben Sackville one of Ajax Football Club’s first patrons
In the early 1930s most of Melbourne’s Jewish community lived in Carlton and Fitzroy. Many people had moved to St Kilda and Caulfield
by the mid ‘30s. As a result great rivalry grew between the two factions. This rivalry led to people from both sides of the Yarra organising
an annual football match to be played between the two Jewish “sections”.
North was much rougher and tougher in the early games and usually beat its smaller opponents. The later games saw South
starting to win its fair share of matches. There were a lot of injuries in the early games because many of the players had not trained
hard enough, but the matches were taken seriously on the day. In the later years, players from both the North and the South would train
for many weeks on Sunday mornings in preparation for “the big event”.
Crowds of up to 500 attended these matches, which were usually played in Eltham, Greensborough, Princes Park or at the Ross Gregory
Oval in Albert Park.
Melbourne – Friday September 5th 1947
NORTH SOUTH FOOTBALL MATCH
Over 200 people attended the match at Greensborough and witnessed a hard fast game, played under ideal conditions. Early in the match it seemed that North would win easily, but South staged a brilliant comeback in the final term to get within a point of their opponents. However North fought back to win comfortably
Melbourne - Friday August 8th 1952
SOUTH’S DASHING VICTORY - POST-WAR HOODOO SMASHED
By Ben Sternfeld
In a keenly fought, rugged match SOUTH scored their first postwar victory, when they defeated NORTH by 15 points in the annual
North v. South (of the Yarra) Australian Rules game played before an enthusiastic crowd at Warrandyte last Sunday.
The first mention of an Ajax Football Club being formed occurred at the Annual General Meeting (A.G.M.) of the Ajax Roof
Organisation on March 28, 1955. Daryl Cohen, an Australian Rules enthusiast, proposed that a team be formed from Jewish
members of the community to compete in the Victorian Amateur Football Association (V.A.F.A.). After much discussion, Ajax
President Basil Isaacs proposed that a meeting of those interested in forming a club should be held during practices for the
North versus South match. But there was not a great of concern shown and nothing substantial was done until the following year.
It was decided at the 1956 Ajax A.G.M. that a meeting of all people interested would be called a few weeks before the
North-South match, and that every attempt would be made to enter a team in the V.A.F.A. the next season.
With the Ajax Football Club’s official application came a letter from the Ajax body saying it would support the new club. With Ajax’s
acceptance into the V.A.F.A. the most important thing for the club was for it to find a home ground. With the help of St Kilda
parliamentarian Baaron Snider, the club was able to get the Peanut Farm oval in Blessington Street St Kilda.
The club colours were to be the same as St Kilda in the Victorian Football League (V.F.L.) but would not include the
Saints’ emblem. Ajax Football Club president Dave Smith got a set of guernseys through Reuben Sackville, St Kilda president (1946-55).
The stage was now set for the start of Ajax’s climb to the top of the V.A.F.A.
Melbourne, Friday, July 13th 1956
Football club seeks ground
Newly elected officials of the AJAX Football Club are seeking a ground for the 1957 season…. An AJAX team is to be entered in E Grade of the Vic. Amateur Football Assn., competition next season.
The first annual general meeting of the Ajax Football Club was held at Phillip Lasky Hall, 97 Alma Road, St Kilda, on January 30, 1957.
Peter Charlestone was appointed coach in early March 1957. Lionel Rosenberg was elected Captain, and Daryl Cohen his deputy.
AJAX’s first match in the V.A.F.A. took place on May 3, 1957 at its home ground in Blessington Street known as the “Peanut Farm”,
because peanuts were originally grown there. Ajax won by 31 points (11.20-86 to 8.7-55) against Insurance Social Club
Association (I.S.C.A.).
The highlight of the (1957) home and away season, was the AJAX win over the previously undefeated Port Melbourne in
Round 17. AJAX’s great rivalry with Port Melbourne started in 1957. Despite the fact that there was usually trouble on the
field (with the players), as well as off the field (with the spectators), the clubs had a great respect for each other.
In the first game against Port., in Round 8, AJAX Captain, Lionel Rosenberg went into the Port rooms after the game to say
a few words, and not being too sure what to say after such a torrid game, calmly said: “Well you f…ed us, but where’s the beer.”
The second semi-final gave AJAX its biggest moment of the year when it gained promotion to D Grade by defeating
Port Melbourne. But lost to Port Melbourne by nine points in the final in blustery and wet conditions.
At trophy night Peretz Kalman, a great centre half back, won the club’s Best and Fairest. Kalman was also equal top vote
getter in the E-Grade Best and Fairest, but lost on a countback. One of the guests at presentation night was the secretary
of the V.A.F.A. Jack Fullerton. In his speech he said that the club had done credit to itself by playing the game the way it
should be played. His final remark created the most “interest”: saying that the most important thing was for us all to
be good Christians, which was well received by a 95% Jewish audience.
And so ended AJAX’s very successful initiation into the Amateurs.
By 1959 the Club had played in two losing Grand Finals. In 1959, even after having been undefeated and winning 19
straight games, AJAX lost to Footscray Tech., in the grand final. AJAX has defeated Footscray tech., by four points in
Round 10 after being four goals down with five minutes to go. In this match, the Ajax timekeeper, Ron Rogers was
involved in a fight with his Footscray Tech., counterpart. With AJAX two points down and 30 seconds to go the Footscray
Tech., timekeeper said he was going to ring the siren. Rogers told him that he wasn’t going to, and so the struggle
started. Thirty seconds later, Rogers allowed his fellow timekeeper to ring the siren with the scoreboard showing AJAX
four points in front.
AJAX found itself in “C” Grade in 1960 and was now fielding a Reserves team, which played curtain raisers to the
senior matches. Despite the club struggling in the early 1960’s to maintain it’s momentum, it had 51 players on its senior list.
1961 saw the launch of the club song, which was originally typewritten on toilette paper, and was arranged by
Ron Goldberg, the club comic. The was song was subsequently condensed to its present form and is sung to the tune Hava Nagila:
We’re the boys from Ajax Football Club,
We fight for victory,
Losers we’ll never be, as we fight for the flag,
AJAX , AJAX
Up the ladder we’ll go higher,
Every forward is a flyer,
Every backman is a trier,
AJAX football club is here.
Easy!
The Dark Years - 1962 to 1963
In 1962 the club moved from its home ground at Blessington Street Oval to Oval No.14 Albert Park. The many player
vacancies through retirements and injuries took its toll on the club in that year.
Ajax won only one game of the last fifteen in the season, and for the first time in its history was relegated to D Grade
after finishing last.
The Reserves had a similar season to the Seniors. After winning four of their fist five games and looking like a
real premiership threat, the Reserves suddenly dropped form and recorded only one victory in the last 13 rounds.
One of the seasons big disappointments occurred against Caulfield Grammarians Reserves. For the first time the
club came close to forfeiting a match. However, it was saved this embarrassment when five committeemen took the
field. Two of these were Clem Epstein and John Brustman.
The retirement of so many brilliant footballers in such a short space of time made it virtually impossible for the club to succeed.’
John Brustman – Committeeman 1962-63
Ajax did not fair any better in 1963, and found itself facing relegation, which became a reality after losing to Elsternwick by 14 points. Ajax would be back in E Grade in 1964.
The Promising Years
1964 saw a rejuvenated Ajax Football Club. It seemed that the club was about to start a new era, as players
were enthusiastic about playing football for the first time in years. The Ajax Committee decided to enter a
third team in the V.A.F.A. under 20 competition. The newly formed Ajax Third XVIII (Juniors) side faired
poorly to begin with as a direct result of the high standard of the division.
The achievements of these years were very much a result of the establishment of a junior side, as well as the
gaining of a number of talented recruits.
Harold Davis, President 1964 - 67
It was in the 1964 season that Ajax had a player reported – Joe Flinkier. He was reported for unduly rough play
for fending off a player with an open hand to the face. At the tribunal, Joe produced a photograph from the
previous V.F.L. round which showed Ron Barassi (Melbourne) in exactly the same situation. Flinkier was found
not guilty by the tribunal.
As the 1965 season progressed, it was obvious that the 1964 Juniors were starting to show the reward of experience,
and Ajax Seniors finished in third place after losing only four home games.
The First Premiership
Season 1966 was to be one to remember. Ajax Football Club won its first premiership when the senior team scored
a runaway 71-point win over Old Ivanhoe Grammarians on September 10. This was a culmination of a highly
successful year, where the benefit of the formulation of the Under 19s in 1964 has started to show. In pre-season
practice matches and training sessions many of the Under 19s were exerting pressure on the regular players. The
enthusiasm of these lads and the masterly manner of coach Lionel Rosenberg, had the players in peak condition at
the start if the season. Stan Duzenman dominated the centre in that premiership year, and was awarded the
Harold Sackville Trophy as well as club’s Best and Fairest award.
On the social side, the club had never been stronger. The annual barbeque hosted 800 people, and the end-of-season
trip turned out to be a function that should never be missed. The success of the club continued as club representatives
Hiram Janover and John Brustman won the interclub drinking challenge by beating the Carey representatives.
Reserves finished fifth on the ladder, and the Juniors finished sixth after losing several closely contested games.
The 1967 season did not go as well as expected. After being on top of the ladder for the first six games of the year,
the side finished fourth, a disappointing result considering the talent of the team. Ajax’s rise to C Grade may have
been prevented by two losses to lowly sides, Brunswick and Fairfield, which stopped the club getting the double chance.
During the year Ajax had the great honour of playing in the amateur match of the day against Hampton Rovers,
(the eventual premiers) at Elsternwick Park: the first time this had happened in the clubs 11-year history.
Reserves had a disappointing season, after starting the year brilliantly. The Juniors provided areal highlight for the club,
making the finals for the first time.
The Disappointing Years - 1968 to 1969
1968 saw changes in the club leaders prompted by illness, and business and study commitments. Ajax seniors
won three out of the first five games to place them near the top of the ladder, but they won only one out of the
next nine games, which brought the club close to relegation. The one pleasing aspect of the year was the way
the team fought for victory when facing relegation. In Round 15, Ajax turned on a brilliant display to defeat premiership
favourite Parkside 9.9-63 to 7.13-55. And in Round 17, Ajax, needing a win to secure themselves in D Grade, defeated
Fairfield 16.7-103 to10.12-72.
The Juniors and Reserves proved to be the club highlight of the year, and both teams played off in the grand
finals. Reserves started the season magnificently winning the first six games, but inconsistency saw them finish
fourth after the home and away games. The Juniors only lost one of the first eight games, but were brought down
to earth when whitewashed by Old Paradians 16.13-109 to 0.6-6. The youngsters regained confidence despite the drubbing,
and made it to the grand final, where they were thrashed again the undefeated Old Paradians.
1969 was a bad year for the Ajax Football club. The Seniors finished last, which saw the team relegated back to E Grade
and the Juniors went through the season without winning a game. The Seniors suffered from player depletion and rarely
saw the appearance of their most outstanding players because of injury and alternative commitments. The Reserves
made the four, which was the highlight of the club. Reserves lost to Old Trinity after missing two easy goals in the semi-final.
Melbourne, August 1st 1969
Knockers by Hans Licht
Knock-knock, you can hear them at work, KNOCK-KNOCK, they’re digging and sniping. Woodpeckers? Yes the human variety. This time they’re knocking AJAX footballers for their lack of success in the current VAFA D section season.
In the meantime, a closer look at AJAX senior XVIII shows high team spirit, devoted officials, youthful (future) talent and a number of close results which could have gone the other way.
The Middle of the Road Years - 1970 to 1974
1970 saw changes both on and off the field. This included both coaching and club committee changes, and 1970 proved to be a poor year for the club. For the first time in its history, the Seniors failed to make the four in E Grade. Things looked both promising, with the debut of new and exciting players, and not so promising where players were again missed – some players deciding to play with clubs in higher grades. As a result the club won only eight games for the season and finished seventh. Despite the mediocre season, the club did show some patches of brilliance. In Round 18 Ajax defeated State Savings Bank (fifth). The result seemed to have no significance at the time, as State Savings Bank could not make the four, and Ajax could not go any lower than ninth (in a 12 team competition) and could not be relegated. It was announced that in February of 1971, a new section, F Section, would be added to the competition, and the four bottom teams in E Grade in 1970 would be relegated. The win against State Savings Bank meant that Ajax would not be relegated to F Grade in 1971. The Reserves also had a disappointing 1970 season, despite the potential of the side, and the Juniors, although fielding a side every week, received some humiliating defeats.
1971 saw Ajax finishing sixth, but this was amongst much activity within the club. For the first time in the club’s history, it got a permanent home and wonderful facilities for its players with the establishment of the Gary Smorgon Memorial Pavilion. The acquisition of the pavilion had been one of the main aims of every committee since the foundation of the club in 1957. The Seniors showed some improvement during the year, and if not for a mid season slump, would have made the four. The year saw the promotion of a number of junior players into Ajax Seniors. As a result, the Junior side suffered, but the spirit of the team was never dented because of the type of characters in the side.
The Reserves won the flag in 1971 by defeating the other three finalists from fourth position, providing the year’s highlight for the club.
Seasons 1972 and 1973 were frustrating years for the Ajax Amateur Football Club. The committee had hoped for a marked improvement in the club’s performance in 1972 because 1971 finished on such a high note. But the club limped home with some mediocre performances. After starting well at the beginning of 1972, a mid-season slump hit which saw Ajax in the relegation zone. The team was crippled with injury, and suspensions, while other players had chosen to retire. Courage and determination saw the Seniors finish fifth in the home and away season.
The Reserves were “moral premiers” having to forfeit the grand final because of Rosh Hashanah (The Jewish New Year). The V.A.F.A. Executive and the E Grade clubs (except for Marcellin) rejected a request from the Ajax committee to defer the game should it fall on the same date. Reserves had already won the second semi-final by more than 10 goals, despite having such a strong side around finals time, they were short of players at times during the year. In Round 14, committeeman John Brustman again took the field to make up the numbers, which proved to be the match-winning move.
1973 saw the Seniors start the year like world beaters and looking like premiership material by Round 5, but finished the season like lambs in fifth position again. The most disappointing aspect of the side was its inconsistency. To be able to beat the two grand finalists by nearly twenty goals, showed how much talent was in the side, but to lose to the bottom team twice showed there was something lacking in the players’ attitudes.
Reserves had a disappointing year and struggled to field a side for most of the season. A victory that meant so much to Ajax Reserves was the defeating of Old Ivanhoe, which won the 1972 Reserves grand final because of Ajax having to forfeit the game. Having been robbed of the flag, the players were keyed up like never before. The Captain Tom Lefkovic was reported for striking and Rod Morley for abusive language. The umpire who reported Morley was his personal lawyer, Ernest Woolf, who for once, could not defend his client. Morley did not need Ernest’s help, as he was able to convinced the tribunal of his innocence himself.
The Juniors had their best year for many seasons.
1974 saw Ajax Seniors remain in fifth position on the ladder by the end of the home and away season, albeit with an improved side. The Reserves, while starting the season with five straight losses, suddenly hit form to record four wins in the next five matches.
The Juniors proved to be a big disappointment, and did not win a game until Round 15. There was also conflict between the Junior and Senior sides. This occurred because several Junior players were promoted to the Senior side, this resulted in low Junior team morale.
The Golden Years
‘With an enthusiastic approach both the players and administration developed a discipline that was the forerunner to the success on the field.’
Daryl Cohen
Coach 1975-1977
Vice-President 1978
After the improvement shown by the club in 1974, both at player and committee level, everybody was hoping that the many changes that took place would lead to success, which in fact they did.
Changes occurred in the office of President, with Ron Rogers taking over from David Burstein, Ben Sternfeld became Chairman and Daryl Cohen made a comeback as Senior Coach. On paper the team looked weaker than the previous year, having suffered further depletion through player retirement. However, vast improvement in the Juniors more than compensated for the loss in regular players. Exceptional support shown by former Captains in Tom Lefkovic and Barrie Jurberg, and grim determination shown by players focused on getting selected for the Senior team, proved to be the making of the side. One such player was Julien Wiener, who missed the Senior Grand Final because of a knee injury, but was able to play in the Reserves preliminary grand final. Wiener was knocked out by the Elsternwick full back before the ball was bounced. This same “gentleman” was disqualified for life from the Amateurs for first hitting John Brustman, Ajax Club Secretary, while a spectator at the Senior grand final the previous week, and then hitting Wiener. Round 1 saw Ajax come home to a 10 goal victory, and with only another 3 losses in the ensuing seventeen games, Ajax proved that they were the outstanding side in E Grade.
A Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) grand final conflict was nullified with the V.A.F.A. Executive and the Amateurs agreeing to postpone the game for a week, should Ajax make the final – which they did. Ajax won the flag on September 13th, 1975 by defeating Elsternwick, and in so doing succeeded in going up to D Grade.
Ajax Reserves also had an outstanding year, and for the first time in several years gave the Seniors great depth
1975 unfortunately saw the abandonment of the Ajax Junior side established in 1974.
In 1976 it seemed that Ajax was in for a good season. Its practice match form against A Grade Coburg and B Grade Old Scotch, showed that Ajax would have been worthy of a higher grade. The year started with incredible success, the Seniors notched up 13 straight victories. Added to the previous year’s six successive wins, the side equaled the club record of 19 successive wins established in 1959.
Ajax lost the second semi final by one point, but made it to the grand final which, even though proving disastrous, saw Ajax seniors advance to C Grade. Apart from being well beaten on the scoreboard, many of the Ajax players were badly injured. The most serious of these being a broken arm suffered by Phil Rozen, and a broken sternum by Mark Feldpicer. Mike Bialek succeeded in kicking 67 goals for the season.
The Reserves had a great season, remaining on to or close to the top for most of the season, which kept the pressure up on the Senior players.
1977 looked like being very bleak for Ajax. Attendances dropped remarkably during the pre-season. Those “in the know” said that C Grade would test Ajax, and that the side would be found wanting when the big men were needed. Relegation to D Grade seemed to be foremost in people’s minds. Optimism increased, however, with the onset of the practice matches, which included a 10 goal win over A Grade Coburg. But this optimism was soon brought back to reality with a nine goal loss to Parkside in the opening round. Fortunately Ajax went from strength to strength as the season progressed, helped by the improvement in form of the ruckmen Jeff Jankie and Jim Kessel. A club record was achieved in that year, when Ajax defeated Melbourne High School Old Boys (MHSOB) 28.25-193 to 9.9-63. Seniors did not manage to advance to B Grade, but the season proved to be more successful than anyone had envisaged. To be successful in the home and away series proved to everybody that Ajax Seniors were ready to establish themselves as a force in the Amateurs league. The disappointment at losing the final to Parkside was instrumental in inspiring the players start gym and attend weightlifting courses to ensure the same thing would not happen again in 1978.
Reserves had a frustrating season, when at times they looked like world beaters, and then at other times would lose to sides that should not have come within 5 or 6 goals.
1978 has proven to be the most important year in the club’s history. It was clearly understood that failure to gain promotion to B Grade for the 1979 season would set the club back significantly. Ajax lost many players from the 1977 side, and also lost the inspiring and successful leadership of coach Daryl Cohen. The Ajax Senior coaching position was filled by Syd Myers, who had a more professional and much harder line of approach. The loss to Old Brighton Grammarians in the opening round did little to instill confidence, but the drubbing of Old Ivanhoe Grammarians by 20 goals in the next round made up for lost ground. Ajax only lost one other match between rounds 2 and 15. Ajax found themselves at the top of the ladder at the end of the home and away games.
Melbourne, September 15th 1978
FINALS JITERS AGAIN
John Brustman
Team form deteriorated during the finals, but Ajax managed to defeat St Kilda by one point in the semi final, and secured the promotion to B Grade. The semi final game proved costly however, with the team suffering injuries that included a broken jaw as well as the suspension of a player whose fist became accidentally entangled with an opposition player’s jaw.
Reserves once again had a disappointing year, despite starting the year positively.
While 1978 was an important year historically, 1979 to date, was the greatest year in the history of the Ajax Amateur Football Club. Ajax seniors won the B Grade premiership flag. The victory was the culmination of a tremendous amount of work put in by all concerned, which involved not only players and coaches, but also the committee, headed by President, Daryl Cohen.
The beginning of the season looked bleak because of the impact of injury and player’s work commitments. This impact was mitigated by the inclusion of players making a comeback after injury, as well as the re-instatement of Michael Zemski, former league and Association player, as an amateur half way through the season. While the season started out promisingly, it was not without its problems, which included the end of a 30 match-winning streak with a loss to Parkside on the home ground – the first loss to Parkside in four years. After losing only one of the next 16 matches, Ajax succeeded in getting to the top of the ladder, won the grand final by defeating Marcellin 13.14-92 to 11.20-86, and was promoted to A Grade.
Coach Syd Myers was appointed in 1977 and had the responsibility of getting Ajax seniors to A Grade as soon as possible. The club took only three years get there – a truly remarkable achievement.
Reserves had another disappointing year, and won only three of their home and away matches, and finished bottom of the ladder.
The Eighties
The 1980's saw the extreme highs at the Ajax Football Club as well as the real lows. The Jackers started the decade in A Grade and finished it in E Grade - what a transformation!!! For the first time in the Club's History Ajax played in a very strong A Grade competition from 1980 - 1982 and at times in 1981 and 82 were in the four only to fall away at the end of the season. The decade was also disappointing in that the senior side only participated in one finals match - a loss to Banyule in the first semi final in 1986 by four points.
Many of the players who had worked so hard to take Ajax from E Grade to A Grade in the second half of the 1970's were still around but in several cases were starting to age. Losing several stars from the 1979 Premiership Team was going to be a massive blow to the club. Mordy Bromberg returned back to the VFL (now AFL), Russell Basser,(Retired to concentrate on his Olympic aspirations and represented Australia at the Olympics in Water Polo whilst Mark Kalmus's year ended in a practice match against Old Scotch when he ruptured his knee and missed the whole year. Other losses were the brilliant Henry Bluzer who was seriously injured in a car crash and despite playing 10 games for the year couldn't perform at his usual brilliant normal high standard because of the battering his body had taken in the car crash. Another star David Segal also had a very injury prone year and after playing 19 games in 1979 was limited to a mere 3 games in 1980. One bonus was that former VFL star Mike Zemski played a full year compared to only a handful of games the previous year.
A new coach Phil Davis was appointed to replace the highly successful Sid Myers who had been appointed to coach A Grade side University Blues. All players had prepared to play B Grade but on the Thursday Night leading up to the opening round were told that Ajax were back in A Grade and Uni Blues were relegated to B Grade for playing an ineligible player (Karvelis their star) throughout 1980 and had therefore lost all their points. One player who was ecstatic at the news was Mark Kalmus who thought his aspirations of playing A Grade may have passed him by due to his serious knee injury the previous year. However, the news allowed him to achieve his ultimate goal of playing in A Grade. Other bonuses included the debut of Peter De Winter who put in several outstanding performances, David Segal who played a full year as a hard working goal kicking star and Julien wiener whose brilliant kicking from the backline set up many goals in the forward line, The brilliant coaching of Phil Davis was a major reason as to why Ajax threatened the four for all the year and performed well above everybody's expectations. Phil's ability to get the best out of the likes of Volleyballer Leonard Kipen was a credit to his coaching ability. A 6th place in A grade is the highest place Ajax has ever finished in its 50 Year plus history.
Phil Davis was living in Ballarat and decided that the trek to Ajax was a bit too difficult so Ajax appointed their third coach in three years - Graeme Weinert. After achieving reasonable success in the first half of the year the committee decided to sack him and appoint Mike Zemski who had limited success with one victory coming from the last 9 games.
Phil Davis, after returning from his studies in America took on the challenge of trying to get back to A Grade after being relegated back to C Grade. The highlight of the year was the defeating of Old Trinity who had previously won 23 games in a row. This helped set the Jackers up for a run at the Finals as well as a potential promotion back to B Grade. However, this was not to be as Banyule hit the lead with a couple of minutes to go (and retained it) in the First Semi Final. This was to be the Ajax Senior Team's only finals performance throughout the 1980's.
The Nineties
AJAX was playing in B grade. Ernie Cherny was President and Mark Sarau was senior coach,with Wayne Holdsworth as Reserves coach.Half way through season the Jackas seniors were on the bottom, but AJAX under 19s were on top.The U19s played in its 3rd consecutive grand final but unfortunately AJAX lost. AJAX seniors finished bottom and were relegated.Senior Best and Fairest was Daniel Pat.
Ernie Cherny remained President for 1995 in C Grade with Mark Sarau as senior coach and Sol Skurnik as Reserves coach.After 8 rounds both teams were top of the ladder,each having lost only 1 game.But then trouble struck.AJAX seniors finished outside the 4 on percentage with 11 wins.The ressies finished 2nd.AJAX smashed Monash in the 2nd semi but lost the grand final.The best and fairest was won by Greg Rozenberg.
Ernie Cherny was reappointed again as President with new senior coach Rodd Morgan and reseves coach being Anthony Bursztyn.Half way through the season both seniors and reserves were 7 wins and 2 losses, and both in the four.The under 19s were struggling, having only won 2 games.Both teams finished the season playing finals.The seniors were knocked in the first semi but the reserves won by 1 point. AJAX reserves went on to play in the grand final but lost to Marcellin.Leading goal kicker for C grade was Andrew Kalinski (85goals) The best and fairest was Phillip Goldberg.
Mark Feldy was appointed President in 1997.Phil Aarons was senior coach and Brian Zielinski the Reserves Coach.Henry Ritterman was the under 19s coach.AJAX FC needs a strong under 19 team to ensure future success.This under 19 team proved the highlight of the season and set up the successful club performances and results over the next few years.The under 19 team reached the preliminary final.The tragedy of the bridge collapse at the Maccabiah Games in Israel where some of the AJAX players were competing, will be a terrible memorial for that year.The best and fairest winner was Martin Haphen.
The 1998 season began as a rebuilding one following a disappointing 1997.Mark Feldy remained as President and Rick Marks was appointed senior coach and Andrw Shenker as reserves coach .Rick and Andrew combined to bring a new increased level of professionalism,ensuring onfield performances improved during the season.This would ensure continuous improvement over the next few years.The senior team finished the home and away season 3rd and won its first final,but at the cost of several serious injuries,losing the preliminary final.The reserves however finished the season on top and won the D Grade Reserve Prtemiership-the club's first flag since 1979.Henry Ritterman again coached the under 19s.The best and fairest was won jointly by Martin Halphen and Andrew Freund.
1999 was a remarkable year and probably the most successful in the Club’s history winning 2 flags. The seniors defeated Bulleen Templestowe while the reserves defeated Thomastown. Under the presidency of Jeffrey Jankie, the senior team coached by Rick Marks claimed its first title since 1979. The reserves coached by Andrew Shenker on the other hand went back to back claiming the flag in 1998. There were many highlights during the year. Ant Rosen against Kew broke the club record with 16 goals and 2 weeks later against Yarra Valley kicked 18. His tally at the conclusion of the season was another club record topping the charts in D grade with 115 goals. Captained brilliantly by Martin Halphen who not only won the club best & fairest but was also adjudged the best player of the finals series. Phil Goldberg was another standout and was an inspiration to the team. The team leadership group comprised Marty and Phil together with Andrew Kalinski, Ant Rosen and David Gelbart. Les Levin and Brian Goldberg excelled in the tough contests. Joel Basist won the competition goal kicking in the reserves bagging 65 goals. Dean Mohr and Danny Weislitzer tied for the reserves best and fairest. Dean was also named the best player of the finals. Bruce Josem coached the Under 19 that was captained by Jake Sharp. Brent Lukav won the best & fairest in the team that finished just outside the four.
At the conclusion of the previous season all 3 coach’s needed to be replaced. The senior spot was handled by former Carlton great Wayne Harmes. Club stalwart and 1999 premiership player David Marks took the reins for the reserves while Mark Zuker was in charge of the Under 19 group. Jeffrey Jankie was again at the helm. Due to the Olympic Games the break between the conclusion of last season and the commencement of season 2000 was shorter the team struggled with consistency but managed to finish 3rd on the ladder. In the last round of the season in a match that had no bearing on the final four Hampton Rovers at home inflicted a heavy defeat, but one week later AJAX comprehensively reversed the result. Had AJAX won the final round they would have finished 2nd on the ladder. In the preliminary final AJAX led Therry at half time but played poorly and lost. Gab Dukes was outstanding and won the club trophies for best & fairest and the AJN as well as the coach’s trophy. Joel Basist again won the competition goal scorer with 41 goals. Jason Feldman won the best & fairest. The team just missed the finals by one game. Two draws during the season were costly. Saul Newstadt won the best & fairest in the Under 19 in a season where many new players were tried in team finishing a creditable 7th.
Mark Sarau was appointed coach at the conclusion of the 2000 season. A pre-season camp at Torquay was a highlight. Brad Davis was selected in the VAFA representative C-D side and Jason Ritterman the Under 19 side. Overall the senior results were disappointing resulting in the team being relegated. Jeremy Dukes played only 9 games for the season but so good was his form that he won the club best & fairest from Martin Halphen and Michael Weisler. 48 players represented the side that won only one game in the first half of the season and when the season was all but over won the last three for a season total of five. The reserves fared a little better under David Marks winning seven matches. Amir Lefkovic won the best & fairest. The most successful team was the Under 19 who won the first premiership for the club. During the season the team only lost twice to Mentone (the minor premiers). At season end they had a whopping percentage of nearly 300. In the second semi-final AJAX won the right to play in the grand final by defeating Mentone by 3 points. The teams met again in the grand final and in a nail biting finish AJAX won by the barest of margins. Elliot Janover was the best & fairest from Jason Lewis and Gary Blieden.
Phil Davis returned to coach again in 2002 having previously coached in1981 and 1986. Barry Simon took over as reserves coach while Gary Blusztein was in charge of the Under 19. Jeffrey Jankie continued his presidency for his fourth term. Emphasis was placed on doing things properly. Players were involved in a gym program to “toughen up” and a number of business style breakfast lectures were conducted. On the field over 100 players represented the club. Forty two players tasted senior football including 16 for the first time. The seniors won eight games for the season including victories over 3 of the finalists. Gab Dukes after being overseas the previous year returned and followed his brother in winning the club best & fairest. Mark Segal was second and Jonathan Berger third. The reserves were unfortunate to lose one of their final rounds by the barest of margins which may have given them 2nd position however victories in both the 1st semi-final and preliminary final took them to the grand final where they lost agonizingly by one point. 62 players represented the team with Ben Erlich playing all 21 games. Sol Newstadt was adjudged best & fairest defeating Adam Zemski. The Under 19 also made the grand final but was soundly defeated by Monash Blues. Ben Goldbloom was best & fairest defeating Leigh Fetter.
2003 promised a lot and was one of the best for many years. 136 players represented AJAX including 74 that played Club 18. Jeffrey Jankie continued as President and all 3 coaches from last season were reappointed. Tim O’Shaughnessy was recruited to the Club as Director of Coaching of both the senior and junior clubs. There were many season highlights but the massive victory at Optus Oval over fellow finalist University Blacks and Julian Kirzner notching his 100th goal was hard to top. Monash Blues were the stand out team of the year and soundly defeated AJAX in both the 2nd semi-final and grand final after AJAX had defeated Old Mentonians in the preliminary final. Kirzner broke the club record with 118 goals; Nick Gold was best & fairest from Kirzner and Jona Segal. Monash were also the bench mark in the reserves however AJAX were their masters in both the 2nd semi-final and grand final. Adam Zemski was best & fairest defeating Ash Goldman and Daniel Goldenfein. Josh Pask captained the Under 19. The side finished with 9 wins and Josh Givoni won the best & fairest from David Codron and Ben Rose. The Club 18 fought hard for 5 wins for the season.
The full coaching panel of Phil Davis and Tim O’Shaughnessy, Barry Simon and Gary Blusztein were reappointed as well as Jeffrey Jankie who presided over the club again in 2004. During the year the team played at Punt Road, Sportscover and Sandringham. The seniors won just enough games to avoid relegation. One of those victories was over rivals Monash Blues mid-season by 5 points. Nick Gold repeated his best & fairest from Gary Blieden and Julian Kirzner the latter two were also selected in the VAFA team of the year. Kirzner won the competition goal kicking as well with 89 goals. Mark Blashki, Nick Gold, Julian Kirzner, Ben Klein and Grant Samuel played all games. The reserves had an excellent season finishing third with 11 wins. In the 1st semi-final AJAX prevailed in double extra time to defeat Old Camberwell. In the preliminary final AJAX continued their dominance over Monash but lost to Hampton Rovers in the Grand final. Darren Gerber and Adam Sacks played in all games. Brett Duzenman won the best & fairest from Darren Seidl. The Under 19 struggled in the latter half of the year. Earlier winning 5 from the first 8 matches was promising. The emergence of Evgeni Routman best & fairest was hopefully a glimpse of the future.
At the commencement of 2005 Phil Davis was forced to relinquish his role of senior coach however Tim O’Shaughnessy was able to fill the breach perfectly. The Jankie reign continued as did Barry Simon as reserve coach. Michael Konsky took over as coach of the Under 19. Again without a home ground AJAX played all home games at Sportscover except one which although held at the Gary Smorgon oval was nearly postponed because of the state of the ground. A horror start by the seniors with 5 losses was worrying but they then became the glamour team winning the next eight. Injuries and the Maccabi games played havoc and the team limped to only another 2 wins. The reserves and Under 19 both struggled winning only 5 and 3 games respectively. The winners of the best & fairest were Ari Lewski from Jonathon Berger and Jason Israelsohn in the seniors, Matt Dudakov from Adam Zemski and Darren Seidl in the reserves and David Blusztein from Josh Sacks and Ben Hershan in the Under 19. Lewski and Israelsohn were named in the State team as was Josh Sacks in the Under 19 representative team. Lewski, Mark Segal and Julian Kirzner were named in the C grade team of the year while Kirzner again was the leading goal kicker in C grade.
Amir Perzuck became President to start the 2006 season. Tim O’Shaughnessy continued as senior coach, Matt Dudakov took over the reserves position and Michael Konsky handled the Under 19 again. A poor start to the season saw the seniors lose 3 out of the first 5 games but with only 2 more losses the club finished 2nd on the ladder 3 games clear of 3rd position. St Bedes undefeated going into the 2nd semi-final were hot favourites but were stunned by AJAX and lost by one goal 116-110 in a brilliant match. St Bedes tackled the Jackas in the Grand Final in a stunning match in the match of the century. After holding good lead early AJAX surrendered the lead a number of times to eventually fail by the narrowest of margins 138-137. Corey Jankie and Jared Raleigh played in all senior games. Yaron Rapoport kicked 55 goals, Aaron Bloom 44 and Anthony Rosen 32. The reserves after a promising start failed to produce in the latter half of the season, finished with 8 wins in 7th position. The Under 19 could only manage 3 wins and finished 9th. Ari Lewski went back to back winning the best & fairest from Jared Raleigh and Jason Ritterman. The reserves winner was Ash Goldman from Adam Sacks and Adam Zemski. Lewski, Ritterman and Jason Israelsohn were State representatives as were Corey Jankie and Ben Hershan in the Under 19 team. Lewski, Ritterman, Jason Israelsohn and Darren Sutton were named in the C Grade team of the year.
For the 3rd time in their history AJAX were to play in B grade for season 2007. At the commencement of the season the club celebrated its 50th year with a glittering affair at Crown. Amir Perzuck was presided over the club again. Tim O’Shaughnessy was unable to continue as coach as he had taken up a position at the Australian Istitute of Sport. Stuart Powell was appointed senior coach with Matt Dudakov again in the chair for the reserves and Jesse Feldy the Under 19. While losing a grand final by one point was devastating, losing the final match against Old Melburnians by 2 points in a relegation battle was bitter pill to swallow. Both opening games were both lost by 5 points but the next 2 games with strong victories promised a lot. In the rematch against St Bedes at Sportscover AJAX eradicated the loss of the grand final with a 16 goal drubbing. In round 17 AJAX had the opportunity to leap ahead of Old Melburnians but lost a thriller to cellar dweller MHSOB. At the conclusion of the year AJAX fell one game short. Had AJAX won they would have probably finished 5th an amazing statistic. Ari Lewski made it three on the trot, winning from Marcus Jankie and Jason Ritterman. Adrian Lewin was best in the reserves from Brad Nissen with Rubin Winograd was best in the Under 19 from Michael Herscu and Josh Dorevitch. Ben Kalmus represented the VAFA in the Under 19 team while Jason Ritterman was named in the B grade team of the year. The reserves only won 3 matches during the year finished 9th. The Under 19 in losing their last game dropped from the four finishing 5th.
Brian Goldberg became President for the first time in 2008. Stuart Powell continued as senior coach. Gary Blusztein and Ian Fayman handled the reserves and Under 19. The records show that AJAX was statistically the team to beat with strong wins over all other finalists in the last few rounds. In particular the victory over home team Oakleigh was incredible following a horrific injury to star Jason Seidl. The victory by 75 points had all talking premierships and a return to B grade. In the final round of the season only a matter of percentage separated the finalists. Added to that Mazenod still had an opportunity to take a place in the finals but they had to defeat AJAX and depend on another result to fall their way. Neither occurred but unfortunately despite likely to finish 2nd AJAX lost that position to Ormond who overwhelmed MHSOB in the final stanza. Still AJAX took the field against Oakleigh in the 1st semi-final chock full of confidence, however the spark seemed to disappear and Oakleigh won by 24 points. The reserves also had a reasonable year finishing 4th and after winning the 1st semi-final against Mazenod by 33 points lost the preliminary final to Oakleigh by 19 points. The Under 19 were clearly the second best team in the competition behind Monash Blues, but disappointingly lost both finals to Monash by 18 points after leading at the start of the last quarter by 22 points and then to De La Salle by 25 points. Gary Blieden won the best & fairest from Jeremy Dukes and Ari Lewski. Jesse Osowicki finished ahead of Ryan Kagan in the reserves while David Selzer was adjudged best in the Under 19. Jason Ritterman won the competition best & fairest in C grade and was named together with Gary Blieden and Evgeni Routman in the C Grade team of the Year.
A new era commenced in 2009 when Bernie Sheehy was appointed senior coach. Many changes were seen at the club, changes that certainly set up the future. Winning 7 of the first 9 matches saw AJAX as one of the contenders however injuries and player travel arrangements had a huge effect and only 2 more wins came in the second half of the season, the side finishing 6th. David fayman was the club’s leading goal kicker with 58 goals. The reserves under coach Gary Blusztein struggled and won only 6 games to finish 7th. The Under 19 under Darren Seidl had at the conclusion of the home and away season the Under 19 occupied 2nd position but as in the previous year lost both finals. Gary Blieden again won the senior best & fairest from Mark Segal and Rubin Winograd. Rodney Grof was the reserves best from Sam Bruce and Ben Rotstein. Matthew Kaye and Matthew Nissen tied for the Under 19 best from Josh Ludski and Noah Rischin. David fayman and Gary Blieden were named in the C Grade team of the year.
Brian Goldberg was President for his third year , Bernie Sheehy took the helm in 2010 and was a little unfortunate in not having the team play off. There were 3 outstanding sides including AJAX and strong wins against the other two Caulfield Grammarians and Beaumaris promised a lot. Winning the first 5 games then losing by 2 points against home team Beaumaris, followed another victory then a loss to Caulfield by 16 points before another 4 wins was halted by a drubbing in the Mazenod mud. The next 4 games were won prior to the first semi-final against Old Camberwell who had claimed their position with a good win against Caulfield the flag favourite. This danger game was quickly dispelled as AJAX were never troubled winning by 11 goals. The preliminary final was a nail biting affair in dreadful conditions with water all over the Sandringham ground. Beaumaris asserted their supremacy early in the game. It was catch up football from then on with AJAX missing several chances to steal the game failing by 4 points allowing the opposition only one goal after the first quarter. Maybe it was a case of the better side losing. Sadly Beaumaris gained a spot in the grand final, promotion and after losing the 2nd semi-final won the premiership. The reserves lost 2 vital games in round 16 and 17 which put them out of contention for the finals. The team finished 5th 4 games and 50% ahead of 6th. For the third successive year the Under 19 made the final four but was bundled out in the 1st semi-final. During the year a massive 175 point victory over Old Haileybury was a highlight. Warren Steinberg won his first best & fairest narrowly over Evgeni Routman and Ari Lewski. David Fayman was the C Grade leading goal kicker and he together with Steinberg, Jarrod White and Danny Weislitzer were named in the C Grade team of the year. Luke Peters took out the reserves award from Jesse Osowicki and Ben Rotstein. Matthew Kaye repeated his success of last year from Brad Caplan and Nadav Harel.
2011 will possibly go down as one of the most successful in the club’s history. Ian Fayman was elected the new President and Bernie Sheehy was the senior coach. Darren Seidl stepped up to be reserves coach while Adam Slade-Jacobson handled the Under 19 team as well as Barry Simon for the newly formed Club 18. One hundred and forty five players represented the club. Financially the club were in strong position with sponsors hopefully getting plenty of exposure. A state of the art electronic scoreboard was launched at the opening game of the season. The “Richard Pratt Scoreboard” set the tone for a first class season. After 3 wins the side had stamped their authority on the season. Round 4 pitted against early flag favourites Werribee showed that the team was “the real thing” winning by 26 points with 16 more scoring shots. Continued success followed until a slip up against Rupertswood. Seven more victories before Rupertswood again defeated AJAX. In a grand final preview Werribee won by 22 points. In the final round AJAX won again honing skills for the finals. In perfect conditions at Northcote, Werribee disposed of AJAX by 47 points in the 2nd semi-final. A worrying week ahead prior to the preliminary final against Old Camberwell was quickly dispelled with a brilliant display winning by nearly 20 goals. Hot favourites Werribee didn’t expect the onslaught in the grand final. In a superlative display AJAX won by 74 points capturing the first C grade premiership with Evgeni Routman winning the Michael Ritterman medal for best on the ground. David Fayman was the competition leading goal kicker again with 94 goals and together with Jake Lew 83 goals formed a potent forward line. Warren Steinberg was a runaway winner of the best & fairest over Fayman and Rubin Winograd. Fayman, Lew and Josh Ludski were named in the C grade team of the year with Steinberg named captain. Fayman was also selected in the representative team. The reserves only lost 2 games for the year. In the first match against Werribee a goal after the siren deprived the side a victory. Complacency against lowly MHSOB was costly but maybe the loss the team needed. Eight more victories followed culminating in a premiership against Ormond by 20 points. Matt Nissen was named best in the grand final while the award winners were Adam Trytell, Josh Givoni and Nadav Harel. Jarryd Ludski not only won the club best & fairest but also the VAFA under 19 award. Runner up was Noah Rischin with Richie Simon third. For most of the season the team were not strong enough in the high grade and finished 7th. The Warriors had a reasonable season finishing 3rd. There were 67 players that participated with Dean Levitan and David Wlosczowski playing all matches.
2012 will be remembered as the year, in which many players travelled overseas yet AJAX stayed in B Grade finishing 7th with several honourable losses. Ian Fayman remained as President and Bernie Sheehy agreed to coach the seniors again, with Darren Seidl took control of the ressies.
The objective in 2012 after promotion in 2011 was to consolidate in B Grade and win about as many as we would lose. AJAX achieved that goal with 7 wins and 11 losses. The highlight win was the first game V Old Brighton which AJAX won by 8 points,but losing Jason Seidl with a season-ending shoulder injury. Against Oakleigh later in the season AJAX kicked 17.1 to beat Oakleigh to ensure AJAX stayed in B grade and sent its opponents to C grade.Oakleigh and Old Ivanhoe were relegated.The 2 outstanding opponents were University Blacks and Beaumaris.
AJAX played a Community Day game at Princes Park-home of the AJAX junior club in Caulfield against Beaumaris in the final game of the year, losing by only 8 points in front of a huge vocal loyal crowd.The low point of the season was terminating the under 19s due to a lack of numbers, but before that it did have a fantastic win against Old Geelong at Como Park with only 18 players. The reserves had a memorable game beating Old Haileybury without any premiership player from the previous year, but several under 19s were required to make up numbers.
Warren Steinberg won his third consecutive B & F beating Eugene Routman by a single vote.Eugene did not play the final game due to travel. David Fayman won his third consecutive competition leading goal kicker with 60 goals.Both David and Eugene made the B grade team of the year. Jarryd Ludski won the best player for the ressies. Best First Year player was Jason Tendler, with Most Improved being Adam Caplan.Marcus Jankie won the Most Courageous player. Bernie Sheehy resigned as coach after the final game having had 4 great years at the helm. 4 new Life Members were inducted for long term loyal services to the AJAX FC.
The 2013 year was a huge success for the AJAX FC. We achieved the goal of finishing in B Grade again- higher than in 2012 and finally was able to convince ex-AFL player Ezra Poyas to play for us. A new group of coaches were appointed led by Leigh (Macca) McQuillen. The Under 19 team played off in the Grand Final at Sandringham -in front of a huge crowd and extra time had to be played to determine the result. Unfortunately AJAX lost.
The AJAX players played with vigor and intensity all year. Our loyal supporters were proud to watch the AJAX efforts on field. The highlight game for some was the “away” game V Old Haileybury, at Princes Park-South Caulfield. Other supporters felt the St Kevin's victory at Albert Park was better.
Another great effort was when the reserves won against Old Haileybury without one AJAX player from the previous finals Premiership sides of 2011.
The seniors finished 5th 1 game and % out of the four, having lost 5 games by a TOTAL of 20 points.What could have been! The club tried to help some orthodox players play competitive footy by requesting opposing clubs play on Saturday. 3 clubs agreed. We could not sustain a 3rds team due to only 3 teams agreeing to Sunday games. The lowest point of the season was terminating the 3rds due to a lack of numbers. Best and Fairest winner was Josh Ludski with David (Mailman) Fayman securing his 4th consecutive Coleman Medal for leading goal kicker in the Division. He kicked 9 goals in the final game to overtake the 2 previous leaders.
The 2014 season was another successful season on & off the field. The rooms were renovated, a gym installed and 154 players represented the Club across our four teams, including 34 in the Seniors, with a number of young guns given their opportunity. A highlight was the two home and away victories against Old Carey, one of the Grand Final sides. Ronnie Lewis was elected President, our Seniors consolidated in B Grade finishing 5th for a second year running, our Reserves, Thirds & U19s all had competitive seasons, Warren Steinberg won his 4th Club Best & Fairest and David Fayman capped off another great year up forward with his 5th "Coleman", whilst notching up 500 career goals for the Club. A number of players took part in several community based initiatives throughout the year and Jake Lew, Josh Ludski & Warren Steinberg also did the Club proud by representing the VAFA representative teams. Club champion, 200 game player & former captain, Gary Blieden announced his retirement at seasons end. Leigh McQuillen moved on as Senior Coach, also at seasons end with his role taken up by Marty Pask.
Henry "Hank" Ritterman
Henry. I. Ritterman, known to all as, Hank, started playing with Ajax in 1965 and has been passionate about the club ever since. He was vice captain of the under 19’s and part of the senior team’s famous Ritterman, Ritterman, Ritterman centre-line in the late 60’s.
He was a successful player (1967-69, 71, 75), a committee man (1979-80), dedicated coach of the juniors (1989 - 95, 97), mentor to many players especially his sons, former player Bronson and current player Anton, and of course a vocal spectator.
Henry relished coaching and ultimately coached the under- 14 team to premiership victory after an undefeated season (1994).
In the days before he passed away (2010), Henry spoke proudly of his love of football, the Ajax Football Club and the victory of 'his' U14 team as highlights in his life’s journey.
Syd Shenker
Syd Shenker served on the AJAX Senior committee from 1977 – 1979, and was part of the committee that saw the club progress to A Grade. Having also served on the AJAX Junior committee for many years, he was always involved in the football pursuits of sons, Jeff and Andrew. Both boys went on to play for the Senior football club. His four grand-sons also continue the Shenker legacy with both the Senior and Junior football clubs.
Syd passed away in 2011 after a year-long battle with cancer, and will be remembered for his contributions to both the Ajax Senior and Junior football clubs.
Abe Isaacs
He was made a life member of both the senior and junior football clubs for his long and dedicated service to both.
In 1972 he was instrumental in starting the junior section and was its first president.
He went on to serve in this position and as a member of the senior committee for approximately 10 years.
He was also awarded life membership of the J.S.F.A. for his services to that organization.(this was the first league we competed in).
RT @hashbrowne: Nice bounceback win @ajax_footy. 1-1 after back to back road games on the other side of the river. Happy with that.
by AJAX Football Club
Seeking a team to VS us in a Practice Match this weekend. @VAFA_HQ @footyefl @EDFLfooty @SouthernFNL Can host on Sunday (March 17). 🙏🏽
Club Database Add/Update
© Copyright Ajax Football Club. All Rights Reserved.
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A Private War – unravelling the private and public contradictions at the heart of war correspondent Marie Colvin
Later this week sees the seventh anniversary of the death of the legendary Sunday Times journalist Marie Colvin, killed when her impromptu media base in Homs, Syria was shelled on 22 February 2012.
Lindsey Hilsum’s terrifyingly honest biography In Extremis: The Life of War Correspondent Marie Colvin kept me awake into the wee small hours over Christmas reading about the seemingly fearless yet troubled journalist. I can’t recommend this book enough.
Photographer Paul Conroy was with Colvin on her final assignment, and had worked with her for many years. He delivered the annual Amnesty Lecture at Belfast Festival in 2014. His appearance, promoting his book Under the Wire, was so popular that it sold out and he somewhat traumatically repeated his talk immediately afterwards to meet demand.
The Marie Colvin from those books is brought to life in the film A Private War, detailing her style of journalism and peeking between the sheets of her private life.
The film picks up in Sri Lanka where Colvin lost the sight in her left eye. It wasn’t an excuse to stop travelling and reporting. With a near reckless bravery, she ran into situations while others withdrew or stayed away: she was compelled – probably addicted – to war reporting. Caring for vulnerable people caught up in conflict more than the reasons for the conflict, she often highlighting the plight of women and children as a way of connecting western audiences with the horrific situations she encountered, giving voice to the voiceless.
Colvin was a charismatic figure that instilled loyalty (“we have to go” she tells colleagues), was dogged, temperamental, ignored advice, unreliable, was hard to manage, was bad about ‘phoning home’ to the Sunday Times foreign desk and continually challenged by technology (she jinxed laptops and once ran up a five figure satphone bill). She wore the finest underwear in the field, about her only luxury other than cheap cigarettes. She interviewed PLO chairman Yasser Arafat and Libya’s Colonel Gaddafi on multiple occasions, asking tough questions but staying in relationship.
Rosamund Pike brings the central character to life, unravelling the private and public contradictions of a woman who was both wracked with anxiety yet fearless under pressure, an alcoholic yet could be sober when reporting, sensual yet able to work and sleep in primitive conditions. With tousled hair tied back and wearing the trademark eyepatch, Pike’s Colvin is lean and upright.
Jamie Dornan plays photographer Paul Conroy, the main witness to Colvin’s final moments. He captures the somewhat blasé attitude I saw in Conroy when he was in Belfast, and the Scouse accent mostly stays intact.
The Sunday Times foreign editor Sean Ryan is played by Tom Hollander, capturing the tension between wanting his ‘prize pig’ to deploy overseas to bring in the stories and wanting her to stay alive. Though at times, Hollander seems smug and derivative of some of his other high profile roles.
Colvin told stories about the human cost of conflict, “finding truth” while “writing the rough draft of history” and injecting her own feelings and emotions into pieces that could otherwise have been merely factually shocking reports about terrible atrocities. But her writing didn’t acknowledge the panic attacks, sadness at being childless, multiple partners and fear of aging and dying.
As well as being a tribute to Colvin’s unique attitude and style, A Private War reminds audiences about the appalling situations that she reported from, bringing forgotten and continuing horrors back to public attention. She might have liked that, even if the rest of the film might have embarrassed her.
The strength and clarity of her words in live audio interviews with TV broadcasters around the world was likely to have intensified the targeting of her shelter and ultimately cost her her life. While Paul Conroy escaped with injuries, another photographer Rémi Ochlik was also killed in the raid.
Director Matthew Heineman crams a lot in to the 110 minutes to give a good flavour of the character and the conflicts. The quotes from Colvin’s articles and snippets from an interview about her style of reporting give a sense of the character driven to be reckless in order to make a difference.
Each new reporting trip is captioned with the time ‘before Homs’, building up the sense of forbearing. Yet the journey through the tunnel to Homs is rushed and underwhelming – much better described in the books – with effort instead put into the later hair-raising journey by road ‘dodging’ bullets and rockets to reach the media centre. But the ending is strong, rising up from a singular incident to survey the devastation that the city of Homs suffered.
The lights came on far too soon in the Lisburn Omniplex, diminishing the intensity of Annie Lennox’s song that plays over the closing credits and images of some of Colvin’s reportage in the Sunday Times.
A Private War is only showing in a handful of Omniplex Cinemas (including Lisburn and Dundonald).
Posted by Alan in Belfast (Alan Meban) at 11:43 am Labels: film, filmreview, review
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Projects . Demos
This page shows productions I was involved in that are related to the demo scene. The projects were initiated by Christian Rösch, who has been involved in the demo scene for quite some time and invited me to join him in working on these particular productions.
Liquidiced - 64k PC Intro released at Evoke 2010
More high-end computer graphics in 64k kilobytes, this production was released at the Evoke demo party 2010 in Köln, and ranked 3rd in the 64k Intro Compo. Again, this was a collaboration, so more credits go to Christian Rösch (Code, GFX), Mark (Code), xTr1m (Code, Music), rip (GFX) and LPChip (Music).
Best viewed in HD, click the title and switch to full screen on Vimeo.
Download real-time demo: Liquidiced - 64k PC Intro
This demo directly builds on the technologies developed for imagine, novel features include particle fluids, volumetric ocean rendering, glistening ice and snow shaders, non-procedurally-generated sub-division meshes, partial HDR rendering as well as cube-map-based lighting and reflections.´
Most of the content is again generated procedurally, apart from a few meshes that were modelled by hand, stored at a low resolution and re-generated at load time using sub-division. We're also using a few pre-generated textures this time, which moved part of the texturing code out of the shaders executed each frame, allowing for better texturing quality using fewer sampling instructions at run time. Most texturing still relies on perlin noise.
For environment mapping and image-based lighting, we're pre-rendering the cave into an HDR cube map at load time, generating a lower-resolution hemispherically Lambert-integrated version of the environment to be used as diffuse light source by objects inside the cave.
The terrain is also pre-generated at load time, using marching cubes to generate a triangulated mesh version of a procedural ISO surface function.
The ocean's surface is rendered using a planar reflection map only, refraction is directly computed from the scene rendered to the color render target by perturbing the parts of the render target lying underneath the surface. Most of the ocean's shader code deals with the underwater experience, which is rendered in two screen-space passes, simulating both volumetric absorption and scattering, as well as computing four layers of scattering rays and projecting caustics onto the geometry lying below the surface.
The objects' ice cover and melting fluids are rendered using particles (spawned on the meshes' faces) that are liquified by first rendering them to their own lower-resolution G-Buffer, the blurring of which results in a meta-ball like effect. The particles are then composited into the final scene using the blurred position and normal data for caustics and shading.
Once again, I compiled two articles from the tech involved, one dealing with the rendering of glistening ice/snow, the other dealing with two simple ways of optimizing the marching cubes algorithm.
Imagine - 48k PC Intro released at Breakpoint 2010
High-end real-time computer graphics in 48 kilobytes, exclusively released at this year's Breakpoint Demo Party in Bingen and ranked 1st in the 64k Intro Compo. As this was a collaboration, huge credits go to Christian Rösch (Code), Mark (Code) and Turri (Music).
Download real-time demo: Imagine - 48k PC Intro
Download unpacked version: Imagine - PC Intro (for those experiencing malware warnings using the packed one)
Everything in this demo is generated procedurally. Texturing is done in the pixel shaders in real-time, allowing for nicely animated textures such as the moving and dissolving clouds as well as the rainbow plasma on house walls that can be seen throughout the demo. Nearly all of the texturing shaders make use of perlin noise in some way or other, using a 32x32x32 random volume texture as pseudo random value source. The houses and terrain are pre-generated on the CPU, particles, ribbons, block trees and rainbows are also animated on the CPU, using dynamic vertex and index buffers.
The demo features parallel-split shadow mapping, with shadow masks being generated both time- and space-efficiently in an inferred fashion, soft shadows and SSAO, both using a 12-sample pseudo-randomly rotated poisson disc for jittered texture look-up, glow and god ray effects, and a depth of field effect as outlined by Scheuermann in this paper, enhanced by both depth-sensitive blur and bilateral upsampling.
As this is a DirectX 9 demo, special measures had to be taken to fix various multi-sampling artifacts related to inferred rendering techniques and depth-based post-processing effects, which I have collected into this article.
RAR - Devmania Invitation Demo released at Evoke 2009
RAR is a real-time invitation demo based on breezEngine technology that was released at the Evoke demo party 2009 in Köln, where it was ranked 4th of 8 in the PC Demo competition.
Download real-time demo: RAR - Devmania Invitation 2009 [18 MB]
Watch ambience capture: RAR presented live at Evoke 2009 on YouTube
This demo, too, is the result of a close cooperation with Christian Rösch, who came up with the idea of using the breezEngine to create PC Demos and who was the creative mind behind all but one scene in this demo.
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PLAYABLE CITIES
Braga UNESCO Media Arts
Initial Submission
Author’s Kit
Camera-ready Submission (Confy)
Camera-ready submission – Playable Cities Workshop
Call for Demos
Call for Papers- General Info
CALL for FULL PAPERS
CALL for WORK IN PROGRESS
Picture credit: Ron Powell
Anthony (aka Tony) L. Brooks
Aalborg University, Denmark
Title: When computers can dream…Artist perspective on Smart Digital Future(s)
Dr. Anthony Brooks is Associate Professor at Aalborg University, Denmark where he is director/founder of the ‘SensoramaLab” (Virtual Reality, HCI and Playful Learning Complex) and a founding team-member of the Medialogy education wherein he is now a section leader, lecturer, coordinator, supervisor, and study board member. Originating from Wales, born into a family with disabled members, at an early age he invented ‘alternative solutions’ for adaptive accessibility and ‘control”. In the 1980s he created bespoke instruments and volumetric invisible sensing systems for unencumbered gesture-control of digital media to stimulate meaningful causal interactions that could be tailored to individuals, their needs, preferences and desires alongside the outcome goals of facilitators, therapists, educators etc. A goal was to create adaptable playful, enjoyable, and fun creative experiences for end-users that optimised motivation in participation to increase compliance and adherance to transdisciplinary intervention programmes e.g. in rehabilitation, healthcare wellbeing, quality of life, learning/education, play, entertainment, recreation, and more: Societal impact was targeted. He was the first artist in residence at the Centre for Advanced Visualisation and Interactivity (CAVI) at Aarhus University, Denmark at the end of 1990s originated the ZOOM model (Zone of Optimized Motivation) for in-action intervention and on-action analysis and assessment /refinement. He has approximately 200 publications. His research is responsible for – sizable externally funded national and international (European) projects, a serious-games industry start-up company, and a family of patents resulting from the evolved method and prototypes, e.g. US6893407 “Communication Method and Apparatus”. He is acknowledged as a third culture thinker and “world pioneer in digital media and its use with the disabled community”. He is an active keynote speaker at international events and has presented globally. He is an ambassador for accessibility and is Danish representative for UNESCO’s International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP) Technical committee (WG14) on “Entertainment Computing” – specifically under work groups WG14.7 “Art and Entertainment”; WG14.8 “Serious Games”, and WG 14.9 “Game Accessibility”. He works with the European Commission as EU expert examiner.
This SDF plenary keynote briefly introduces the speaker’s research and development that was considered pioneering at a time when adaptive non-invasive sensor systems mapped to digital multimedia as real-time biofeedback to stimulate human responses through gameplay and creative expression were used rarely in the fields addressed. ‘Afferent-Efferent neural feedback loop closure’ via tailored design of Virtual Interactive Space through the applied system was catalyst. The talk relates how many scoffed at the early-bespoke work without witnessing this human-centered ‘Virtual Reality’ application in e.g. rehabilitation, education, and other experiential and ‘training’ contexts. Yet, sponsorship by IBM followed the speaker’s presentation to the company’s Scandinavian Vice Director alongside the head of Corporate Social Responsibility, who subsequently arranged a personal viewing by Vice President, IBM International Foundation at Corporate Headquarters, Armonk, New York, given by the speaker. As a result, global showcase events over many years included IBM linked cultural, scientific, and business events held as a part of e.g. the Olympics/Paralympics, European City of Culture, and more via IBM global. These showcases around the world highlighted the trans-disciplinary concept and societal impact through such applied use of digital technologies targeting human well-being. Video examples of showcases will supplement the talk.
The second part of the talk will introduce parallel analogies to contemporary innovations that question what Smart Digital Future(s) are ahead – the good, the bad, and the ugly!
Anton Nijholt
Human Media Interaction
University of Twente, Netherlands
Anton Nijholt has interest in human-computer interaction, playability, entertainment computing, humor research and brain-computer interfacing. He is author of hundreds of research papers in these areas and wrote and edited several books. He has been program chair or general chair of many international conferences and workshops devoted to affective computing, virtual agents, computer animation, faces & gestures, computational humor, entertainment computing, playable cities, and brain-computer interfaces. Nijholt is chief-editor of the specialty section Human-media Interaction of Frontiers in Psychology and he is series editor of the Springer Book Series on Gaming Media and Social Effects. Recent edited books are “Brain-Computer Interfaces Handbook: Technological and Theoretical Advances” (CRC Press, Taylor & Francis) and “Playable Cities: The City as a Digital Playground” (Springer).
Playable Cities:
Digital technology can make cities smart. City managements can make use of information that can be extracted from databases in which data is collected about energy consumption, traffic behavior, waste management, human behavior in public environments and opinions of the general public, for example as they can be collected from social media. But can this digital technology and the data collected from it help to make living in a city more enjoyable? How can digital technology and information provided by digital technology make cities playful, allow citizens to engage in playful and entertaining activities that help to enjoy their daily and sometimes boring activities such as commuting, working, career and social obligations, housekeeping? In this talk we investigate how sensors and actuators in an urban environment can be introduced and used to design playful applications. We discuss how ideas about playable cities have developed and pay attention to the criticism of the concept of playable cities that has emerged in recent years.
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Programma Operativo 2007-2013
Fondo Europeo di Sviluppo Regionale (FESR)
© 2018 ArtsIT | EAI
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How series can Save You Time, Stress, and Money.
November 3, 2018 | Leave a comment | Home
Important: You need to only upload photos which you've established oneself or that you're expressly authorised or certified to add. By clicking "Publish", you will be confirming that the graphic totally complies with TV.com’s Phrases of Use and which you have all rights to the picture or have authorization to upload it. Please read through the following just before uploading Don't upload nearly anything which you do not personal or are absolutely certified to add.
Risk of inadequate development in youthful young children in lower-money and middle-cash flow countries: an estimation and Investigation at the global, regional, and place amount
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Established ninety seven a long time following a nuclear war has destroyed civilization, when a spaceship housing humanity's lone survivors sends a hundred juvenile delinquents again to Earth in hopes of possibly re-populating the World.
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The 12 pubs of Christmas Pub Crawl
by dsf
12 pubs of Christmas
Saturday 4th January 2003
Conceived of at least 3 weeks before Christmas 2002, this crawl was one of our better ideas, we thought. The idea was, simply enough, to visit pubs containing the numbers 12 down to 1 in their names, in descending order, as close to twelfth night as we could. It was essentially a specialised version of our previously-considered 'numbers' crawl. The protagonists were going to be myself and Anne (as always) plus Techno and Phil.
And so it was that in the week leading up to the 4th we all set about our research, trying desperately to find suitably named pubs. Techno had actually come up with a preliminary plan/route some time before, but it was somewhat impractical; for a start, it involved a trip out to Basingstoke somewhere around 6pm. Instead we figured that London simply _must_ be able to provide us with the requisite pubs to complete this crawl.
Oh how wrong we were.
Anyway - along came Saturday 4th. Techno had spent the previous night in Milton Keynes and Phil was off the beer; as it happens I was also having a dry week but that didn't stop me from crawling.
The lack of urgency brought about by the independence granted to Anne & I by the aforementioned absences made for a slack start;
The camera worked!
rather than our normal 11am start we didn't get to the first pub until 1139. This pub was the Twelve Pins in Finsbury Park, close to the tube station and doubtless a haunt of several hundred Arsenal fans when they're playing at home. As it happens they were playing at home that day, but the hordes had yet to show up (thankfully this also applied to the Oxford United fans) so we stood comfortably at the bar with our halves, and made a swift exit.
Jumping on the tube back to Vauxhall we waited about 20 damn minutes for a train, in a biting cold wind, for Putney and our first non-numbered pub of the day. During planning we had completely and utterly failed to find any pubs in the whole of London with the
The Pied Piper, as was
number 11 in their name; we tried looking for eleventh and XI too, to no avail. Now, we'd decided previously that should numbers be unavailable our next best bet was to look for the things mentioned in the 12 Days Of Christmas song, so this pub was the Pied Piper (formally the Rat & Parrot) in Putney. It was creepily quiet inside, potentially because from the outside it looked shut. Thankfully this made getting served and finding a seat easier than beating Al Gore in a spelling contest. Not that we sat for long; trying to make up for lost time we pegged it back into town for the next pub.
Idiosyncratic. Some would say 'shit'
And again, no number. There is a pub in Spitalfields called the Ten Bells, but we didn't want to chance it not being open on a Saturday. So, referring to the song again, we needed a Lord. The Lord Burleigh on Vauxhall Bridge Road near Victoria Station, to be precise. Home to some frankly dreadful gents toilets but a friendly small pub with a ridiculously cheap lunch menu, we'd been to this place a few times before and it seemingly never fails to be full of 'characters'; our first visit had been notable for the 6 or 7 old fellas sat towards the back of the place watching snooker on the small television and talking loudly about it.
Before you ask, no, the pub for 9 didn't have the number in its name either. I told you we were wrong in thinking this would be easy. The only pub we'd found that came close, but would still have been a horrendous case of cheating, is a place called the Thirty Nine Steps in Hackney. Anne & I don't know Hackney, but what we did
Ladies, women, birds, whatever.
know was that there was an armed siege taking place somewhere over that way at the time. Being partial to avoiding such things, we needed a Lady. But then, the pubs containing the word Lady were either too far away or potentially closed. But we had backup; I'm a Londoner, we're crawling in London - that makes the Bird In Hand a credible alternative in our book. That said had we known what the area was like - heavily residential and quiet, near Kensington Olympia station - we maybe would have thought twice about going there either. Thankfully we didn't, and it was open; it also gave us the opportunity to watch a bit of Man Utds FA Cup game while in the company of a 4-man card school in a table by the window. Then, back to Olympia and on to our next pub.
Returning to some semblance of true validity, the Eight Bells in Putney usefully contains the word/number Eight in its Name. Sadly it wasn't a new pub for BITE, but at least this meant we knew what to expect - a nice friendly and relatively quiet pub (even on match days, now that Fulham have been screwed by Al Fayed). What we hadn't counted on, though, was the blinding sunlight coming at us from all angles as we sat at the nearest spare table. Nevertheless this didn't dampen our enjoyment of our little time here, although the kid with his family on the table next to us nearly did by telling the least funny joke in history; I suspect he hadn't quite grasped the concept of the knock knock joke yet - or at least, the particular knock knock joke he seemed to be trying to tell:
Comic geniuses need not attend
"Knock knock"
"Who's there?"
"Doctor"
"Haha! Doctor _who_?"
"Doctor doctor come quickly!"
I'm sure he'll learn, in time.
The next pub was in nearby Fulham, which made it easy to get to. In truth, it would have been even easier had I not made us get off the bus at least 3 stops too early because I thought we were somewhere we weren't. The Seven Stars, on the North End Road, was a mixed blessing; on the one hand, it contained the number/word Seven (making it part of our first back-to-back successes), but on the other its a grim shithole next to a horrifying housing estate and somewhere that, upon our first visit a couple of months previous I had sworn never to go back to. Nevertheless we perservered, perched by the bar watching the FA Cup goals roll in on Sky while listening to a guy in the other part of
The Seven Stars.
No photo. This pub is so bad
it broke our camera. Although
we have a nice-ish photo
of the pavement opposite
the bar berate the barman for being from Carlisle, thereby making him a "bloody northerner who 'as to come dahn to London and bloody large it", something that apparently all folks from the north insist on doing, according to this sage - a man who also appeared to know way more than was comfortable about guns.
I have again sworn never to go back to the Seven Stars.
On a roll now, we walked up to West Kensington in order to get the tube to Acton Town and our hat-trick, the Six Bells. There was chaos on the underground meaning, as luck would have it, everyone else was getting off at Acton Town too in order to complete their journeys by bus. Bucking the trend by being seemingly the only people for whom Acton was the destination, we walked into the town centre and found the pub easily. Drinks were purchased and we again positioned ourselves where we could watch the scores come in. A mostly nondescript pub, Anne & I brought the average age down by about 40 years and I apparently took on a
No photo. It was getting dark and
our camera was (still is) busted.
It wasn't very pretty
rather more mediteranean look than normal, being referred to twice as "Greek fella" as I excused myself past the pool players on the way to and from the loo.
The next pub was to be West Five, also in Acton, kind of, but the opposite side of Acton Town station and thereby warranting a bus ride. Being unsure of exactly how far towards the pub the bus would take us, we got off just before a large crossroads we thought the bus would turn left at; it went straight on, which is where we were heading. Unperturbed we set off walking. And walking. And walking and walking and walking. This pub was a hell of a lot further than it looked on the map, and it was utterly freezing, but perseverence won and we eventually happened across the pub.
It was shut. The time was around 1730, and West Five doesn't open until 1900. Chips were purchased and a bus was boarded; failing to think of any more valid alternatives we were forced to improvise
Back-up plan central
by heading once again back to Putney Bridge and having a drink in the Golden Lion (5 Gold Rings 'n all that ... ). Yet again an old pub (done on the animals crawl of Summer 2001!) I have nothing to say about our time here, but Anne would like to make it known that she thinks whoever decided that a good place to put the big screen is right next to the ladies toilet, so that women over 2ft tall can't go for a piss without getting in the way of people watching the game, deserves a good kicking.
And so, to our '4' pub. In Leyton there exists a pub called the Four Finch's, a pub named by an egotistical family man with the surname Finch - there being 4 members of his family when he bought the place. The main problem is that Leyton is bloody miles away, so we'd already decided not to go there. Instead, we were going to the George IV pub near the Aldwych; a tube round to Temple and a 5 minute walk later and we were there. The George IV is near a theatre and so in prime position to remain open on a Saturday, however they have neglected to seize this opportunity leaving us foiled and more than a little pissed off. We know of no other Fours.
It was at this point that a terrible pun I'd made some weeks previously came into play; further up Southampton Row is a pub called the Ivy House, and with a little (*cough*) poetic licence I had suggested that it would count for Four - 'Ivy' being 'IV' being 4 in Roman numerals. Exhausted and thirsty, we agreed that it was as good as we were going to get, and headed up there.
The Ivy House was shut. Bollocks.
Desperate times called for ever more desperate measures. Searching through our minds for pubs visited previously that could in any way, no matter how tenuously, be used as a Four pub we came upon an answer - the song refers to Four Calling Birds - a Cock is a bird, and near Oxford Circus is a pub called The Cock. We headed there, praying that it would be open, and, thank fuck, it was. And crowded too! We had to stay stood at the bar, and my non-partaking of alcohol was tested to the limit not least by our recent disheartening episodes, but by the fact that
In the absence of a genuine
photo of the pub, here's Charles
Koppel. Most definitely a cock.
the Cock is a Sam Smiths pub and as such serves Ayingerbrau Weissbier, a truly wondrous drink. Nevertheless I stayed soft as we watched Spurs get humiliated (hehehe) by Southampton on the TV.
After the Cock came a long walk parallel with Oxford Street towards the Three Tuns. We had thought, right up until we came to enter the new pubs from the crawl the following day, that this was a new one, as it certainly was for Anne & I, but as it turns out Techno & Phil had been there previously. Nevertheless at the time we enjoyed it a lot - it has a very 'real' pub feel about it, like a regulars pub you'd find in
Not as new as we thought
a village or small town, certainly not something you expect to find in the middle of the West End in the car park of John Lewis.
So now we were down to our last two, the first being, naturally, the Two. In particular, the Two Brewers, visited previously just a couple of weeks before during the ETIB crawl. A fairly standard West End pub, slightly cramped and more often than not crowded, the main distinction this boozer has is being very close to the delightful venue that is Stringfellows. Ahem.
And so to One. We could, of course, have gone the really obvious route of going to any old All Bar One, but the main problem with that is that they're SHITE and we hate them. However, in a fit of extreme fortuity we'd found the Pear Tree in Barons Court and so we headed thataway on the tube. Coming out of the station we turned a corner and were pleasantly surprised at the area; we'd hoped it was going to be nice anyway
Lapdances available just opposite
due to the proximity of Hammersmith and also Queens tennis club. However, the further we walked, the feeling got a bit worse, and the closer towards a pretty nasty looking housing estate we got. Thankfully the pub wasn't actually in the estate and, even better, it was dead friendly. Not to mention plain dead - there was one
No photo, but it wasn't pretty.
And neither was the barman.
barman, and 3 people playing pool. The barman was a skinny tall bloke covered in tatoos who refused to serve me coke ("If you want a coke, go to Cafe Rouge") and the fella at the pool table was as interested in the darts on TV (just like us) as his game. He also put some tunes on the jukebox and left a couple of credits it in for us to use, but we didn't take up the offer; after our pints (after all, it was the end of the crawl) we upped and left, back to Barons Court station and with a bit of a dilemma on our hands.
It was only about 9pm. We'd finished. What on earth could we do?
Just outside West Brompton station there are 4 pubs; one towards Earls Court (the Tournament) and 3 towards Fulham, which we'd noticed on a previous night out but not been in. Well, here was our opportunity. Except one of them was shut, and the first of the other two looked to be on a par with the Royal Oak in Stockwell, or even the Prince Arthur in Lee.
Utterly terrible boozers
Thankfully the third and final one was not only open, but welcoming. Called the Prince of Wales, it is a large pub with seats out front and at the time a lot of people inside but not too crowded that we couldn't grab a seat. So, we grabbed a seat and settled down for the remaining 80 minutes or so of the evening.
Somewhat implausibly, Techno and his missus joined us at about 2255 having spent the day doing various odd things; travelling from Milton Keynes to London, buying pianos and transporting them several miles on public transport, attending live jazz in Pimlico. Nevertheless they met us just in the nick of time to get a drink before last orders and, err, necked them quickly as we got booted out when it shut.
One final note - in the course of 13 pubs I had had just 2 pints of lager. I had privately thought I'd crack by about the 4th pub; maybe I'm not such an alcoholic after all :-)
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Lions drop weekend set against PSUAC West
Penn State Beaver
Penn State Hazleton (0-2, 0-2) 37 28 65
Penn State Beaver (2-0, 2-0) 40 42 82
Penn State Fayette
Penn State Fayette (1-0, 1-0) 35 46 81
Pts: Andy Kwaitkowski - 16
Reb: Scott Shamany - 7
Ast: Nick Nowak - 7
Pts: John Foster - 32
Reb: Andrew Brady - 15
Ast: Keon Butler - 7
Reb: Brandon Mohammed - 13
Pts: Tavian Mozie - 30
Reb: 3 Players (#01, #04, #14) - 7
Ast: London Hoxie - 5
Hazleton, Pa. - The home stretch of the regular season kicked off with a weekend slate of road games for the Nittany Lions, squaring off with Penn State Beaver and Fayette. Unfortunately the Lions would be met with a pair of red hot shooting teams peaking at the right moment. Hazleton would fall in both games, dropping Friday night's contest with Beaver by the score of 82-65 and falling victim to a late flurry by Fayette on Saturday, 81-77.
Friday, February 8: Penn State Hazleton 65, Penn State Beaver 82 - Final
Monaca, Pa. - The Nittany Lions ran into a buzzsaw on Friday night and despite holding their own for much of the game, the Lions failed to keep pace with the sharp shooting squad from Penn State Beaver. Hazleton got a boost from freshman Scott Shamany (Hazleton, Pa.) in the first half of Friday night's game, scoring 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting from the field and keeping the Lions within three points of Beaver at the midway point. Trailing, 37-40, Hazleton would get within one point of the home team following a triple by junior Andy Kwaitkowski (Gaithersburg, Md.) but would get no closer as Beaver would close out the game on a 16-4 run. Beaver shot a remarkable 61.5 percent from the field in the second half including 57.1 percent from beyond the arc to surge past Hazleton in the second half and pull off the double-figure win.
Three Nittany Lions topped double-figures on Friday including Shamany, Kwaitkowski and sophomore Brandon Mohammed (Albrightsville, Pa.). Shamany was limited in the second half, seeing just four minutes of action to finish the game with 15 points, seven rebounds and three blocked shots. Kwaitkowski owned a team-high 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field with a pair of triples on the night while Mohammed totaled 12 points and five rebounds.
Saturday, February 9: Penn State Hazleton 77, Penn State Fayette 81 - Final
Uniontown, Pa. - Unlike Friday night's game, Hazleton would lead in this one for more than 16 minutes in the second half. Hazleton dominated the early portions of the final period behind a nine point effort by freshman Jordan Graham (Montgomery Village, Md.). Graham would score the first four points of the half and continue to help the Lions build separation, knocking in a triple with 11:38 to play to extend Hazleton's lead to eight points. Following a Fayette bucket, Andy Kwaitkowski would connect on back to back triples, pushing the Lions advantage to double figures, part of an 8-0 run capped by sophomore Brandon Mohammed.
Mohammed's lay in with 9:55 remaining gave Hazleton a 60-44 cushion but with plenty of time left, Fayette would begin to heat up. The home squad would strike for nine trifectas down the stretch to shock Hazleton and take their first lead since the first half. Seven of Fayette's nine makes from beyond the arc came off the red hot fingers of Tavian Mozie, who totaled 23 points in the half. With the Lions trailing 77-75 with less than 30 seconds to play, Mozie would put the nail in the coffin, draining his final triple to put the game out reach and finish the day with a game high 30 points.
It was a great effort from Hazleton but ultimately the Lions were outdone by the long distance attack of Fayette who knocked in 17 triples, accounting for 63 percent of their point total. Leading the way for Hazleton was Kwaitkowski who finished the day with six threes of his own and a team high 27 points. Brandon Mohammed added a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds while the spark from Graham netted 14 points for Hazleton.
Next up: It all comes down to the final week of the regular season and despite the pair of losses over the weekend, Hazleton remains in control of their playoff destiny. The Lions will look to secure one of the final remaining spots in the postseason festivities beginning with Monday's home contest with Penn State Brandywine, slated for 8:00 p.m. in the Dr. Thomas M. Caccese Gymnasium.
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Big-box retailers are an easy … target, when it comes to the window-dressing that’s often done on sustainability. “We’ve heard a lot of that … that word,” said our guide on a dazzling tour of Target’s corporate headquarters on Nicolett Mall in Minneapolis, where some 5,000 planners and others have descended for the annual American Planning Association. We were in the company’s 60-person architecture and engineering division, which if it stood alone would be the fourth largest such firm in Minnesota, after strolling through the Café Target and the art-adorned Great Hall, where pairs of employees talked earnestly on simple fabric furniture. What of the green innovations? The ubiquitous green roof, of course, skylights, recycling plastic hangers, tote bags to replace those bright white bullseye-dotted plastic bags, minimizing and decking parking, and plantings (Japanese maples, red of course, and “perennials with a neat appearance that align with Target’s brand image,” according to guidelines). Our guides were subdued about the greenest thing Target can do, which is to build or rehab in urban locations – the Minneapolis store is a nice example, with its slightly Dutch-feeling shopping-cart escalators, very well used when I was there. Depends on the cost of land, the market analysis, and whether it’s part of a development project, they said: “It has to be practical.” One factor is the delivery and handling of products in cities – from more compact loading docks to the need to move goods to multiple floors – which can raise labor costs. Over the nearly 200 projects in the works, most were conventional big buildings with big parking fields (though I did spot a nice roundabout drawn in to replace an intersection in one set of plans). The claim is that more building rehab is being done; no word on ending the practice of tear-downs after 10 years. Through a program of overhauling libraries and in other ways, Target proclaims interest in building communities. Truly harnessing its branding power could broadcast a message of green amid all that red.
posted by Anthony Flint at 3:35 PM 0 comments
Buckminster Rem
Rem Koolhaas was at Harvard tonight, and did not disappoint. He was the keynote for the Ecological Urbanism conference at the Graduate School of Design, a role he confided he first thought was some kind of "cruel joke." He suggested that green sensibilities began at least with Vitruvius, and continued with Ian McHarg and Buckminster Fuller, in a co-existence of culture and nature, and the ventilating walls and other features of "tropical architecture" he learned about as a young man. He was scornful of the "apocalypitc streak" of those predicting environmental calamity, citing the Club of Rome's "Limits of Growth." Showing a collage of contemporary skylines including Dubai, London and his own CCTV building in Beijing, he acknowledged that "that's out," in terms shortcomings in green performance. But he said "our responses are not that deep, equating responsibility with literal greening" -- green roofs, lining walls with grass -- and pilloried Renzo Piano's California Academy of Sciences building in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. Piano's defense of the grassy-knolled creation was either "outrageously innocent or deeply calculation, and probably both," he said. In a house-of-mirrors moment came when he criticized Nicolai Ouroussoff's praise of the building. A more effective approach that goes beyond "good intentions and branding," he said, was the Nordzee wind power project in The Netherlands, in combination with the harnessing of tidal and solar power southward across Europe. That was the kind of marriage of "politics and engineering" that Buckminster Fuller was getting at some 40 years ago, Koolhaas said. Fair enough. I regard Koolhaas much the way that Jane Jacobs appreciated Louis Kahn or Mies van der Rohe; the Kunsthall and Seattle Library are certainly compelling. His take on the green mandate and architecture's response was nothing if not provocative.
posted by Anthony Flint at 10:25 PM 0 comments
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Residential Electricity Pricing in California: We ...
Residential Electricity Pricing in California: We Need an Overhaul, not a Tune-Up
« What do Uber and Airbnb Have in Common with Clean Energy?
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By Jamie Fine / Bio / Published: June 11, 2015
This post has been updated since its original publication on June 11th, 2015.
Here at Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), we love win-win solutions. This is why we’re big fans of time-of-use (TOU) electricity pricing (a type of time variant electricity pricing). As I’ve written before, TOU pricing better reflects the true cost of electricity, which fluctuates throughout the day. What’s more, it brings with it significant benefits for the environment, electric reliability, and people’s wallets. By empowering customers to better control their energy bills and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, everyone wins with TOU pricing.
Thankfully, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) included TOU pricing as one of the key elements in their plan to reform residential electricity rates. But how and what Californians pay for electricity – the best way to structure rates – is currently up for debate at the CPUC.
The CPUC issued its proposed decision on restructuring California’s residential rates and moving customers to TOU rates in the new structure, which EDF strongly supports as an evolutionary leap forward. Subsequently, Commissioner Mike Florio issued an alternate proposed decision that nudges the current tiered rate system forward with a time-variation “adder.” Unfortunately, Florio’s alternate proposal amounts to more of a tune-up than the substantial overhaul required to prepare for a future grid that runs on carbon-free renewables, like wind and solar, and also powers our cars, trucks, trains, and boats.
EDF and other stakeholders – including utilities – prefer the original proposed decision because it more strongly assures that TOU rates will be used to their full potential. Yet, the alternate proposal has many merits too, and will similarly usher in TOU. The CPUC will vote on which version to adopt later this month with the opportunity to issue changes based on either proposal.
Proposed decision vs. alternate proposed decision
The good news is, both the proposed decision and the alternate proposed decision direct California’s three investor owned utilities – Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E), and Southern California Edison (SoCal Ed) – to develop TOU rates for widespread use, including transitioning some customers to TOU pricing automatically (a good thing, according to research on opt-in versus opt-out programs). If EDF’s recommendations are embraced, this will include technology enablement for those who need the most assistance in adjusting to time-variant pricing.
There are, however, a few substantial differences between the two proposed decisions:
1) Language about TOU: The proposed decision orders transitioning customers to TOU rates starting in 2019 after several years of pilot studies. In contrast, the alternate proposed decision more softly requires utilities “establish a goal” of defaulting customers to TOU. This difference may seem too small to matter but these directives are for the utilities to interpret, so the CPUC must be clear that TOU is to be the default.
2) Number of tiers: The original proposed decision consolidates and simplifies the current four tiered rate structure into a baseline allocation of energy at a set price according to regional energy burden (i.e., how much electricity an average home needs for basic services such as lighting and cooling) with a TOU electricity price. In other words, it creates essentially two-tiers where the upper (TOU tier) may vary with time of day.
The alternate proposed decision recasts the current four-tiered rate structure into essentially three tiers: a baseline tier and higher usage surcharge, but allows price to vary with time. In the tiered rate system, the price per unit of electricity increases as a customer uses energy during the month. Higher users pay more per unit of energy than low users when their usage exceeds a prescribed level. The high-use surcharge of the alternate proposed decision is essentially a third tier, but it will be communicated to customers as a line-item surcharge. Similarly, the baseline rate (first tier) will be reflected as a line-item rebate. Reflecting the tiered pricing through line-items on the bill is a good approach to preserving the price differences associated with time-variation. That is, if the tiers and time-variant price components were combined, it could be a confusing message to market.Tiered rates mix up the message about shifting energy use to align temporally with when it’s cheapest, including times when there is an abundance of renewable energy available – one of the biggest benefits of TOU. Instead, a TOU rate without the tiers will be easier for customers to understand – and respond to – by avoiding energy use during the time of the day when it’s most expensive.
Again, these differences might not seem important, but we must be deliberate in helping customers to manage their bills by planning the daily timing of their energy use. For programs like TOU to work, folks need to easily understand how the pricing works and how they can save money.
3) Consideration of greenhouse gas emissions: Both the original and alternate proposed decisions suggest that the CPUC does not have enough information to tell whether or not TOU rates can reduce overall household energy use. EDF strongly supports requiring the investor owned utilities develop peer-reviewed evaluations of the emissions-reduction potential for TOU. In addition, a menu of dynamic tariff options (e.g., tariffs that vary hourly or subhourly based on real-time wholesale energy prices) that integrate utility-scale renewables and reward distributed energy resources (e.g., energy efficiency, rooftop solar, and energy storage) are also recommended. EDF is eager to be a helpful partner in scoping and executing the studies.
4) Fixed charge vs. minimum bill: The original proposed decision would allow for the eventual adoption of a fixed charge, while the alternate would implement a minimum bill charge. Both are aimed at making sure each customer pays for at least some portion of their fair share to use and maintain the central electric grid on which we all rely.
However, a fixed charge is just that: fixed onto each bill and is anticipated to be larger than a minimum bill charge. A minimum bill, however, sets a floor for how much a customer can pay on their monthly bill. This minimum bill keeps intact incentives for clean distributed energy resources like rooftop solar, while the fixed charge can diminish savings from these upgrades and extend the payback period. On this topic, EDF, consumer advocates and other environmental groups favor the alternative proposal for a minimum bill instead of fixed charges.
EDF’s recommendation
Taking these differences into consideration, EDF supports the adoption of the original proposed decision – with one caveat: we agree with the alternate proposed decision’s adoption of a minimum bill instead of a fixed charge.
Further, for this to be successful, these aspects need to be incorporated into the final decision with directive for utilities to develop and be accountable for strong education, outreach, marketing and enablement. This is particularly important for low-income customers enrolled in utility programs like the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program, which provides low-income customers with a 30-35 percent discount on their electricity and gas bills.
We all know making big changes to residential electricity rates is difficult. We also know it’s vital for California to realize a clean energy future if we are to avoid the damaging effects of climate change (like the historic drought we’re currently experiencing). So, why not take this opportunity to develop truly innovative electricity pricing that delivers a win-win for all Californians and sets a standard for the rest of the nation?
Electricity Pricing: The Times, they Might be A-Changing
California’s disadvantaged communities could benefit from time-of-use electricity prices, but it won’t happen automatically.
Southern California Edison attempts to delay renewable-friendly electricity rates
This entry was posted in California, Clean Energy, Electricity Pricing, Renewable Energy, Time of Use. Bookmark the permalink. Both comments and trackbacks are currently closed.
Posted June 12, 2015 at 11:41 am | Permalink
I work in the Power industry (6th lowest price power rate company in the US) and I own a small 1.2 mw hydro site. Something that TOU Pricing does not reflect is it affects smaller uses more since demand is caused by high energy users (business/Industry/manufacturing, schools, hospitals) which they normally get a discount for using more and being a steady income stream and promotes power producers to shift to meet only peak demand for better profits. So before my refrig is always on before TOU is cost the same 24/7, now it costs 28% more during the day and 3% less at night. Overall my bill went up 25% from before with no improvements or savings. I see business, schools, hospitals, manufacturing all being affected since their costs will now go up. This will also change the real & true costs when battery storage comes into play. Why sell my solar power when it costs me more and I can use the power later on during peak.
As a clean power producer I see my income also change with lower rates with NO OFF SET Costs for NG for off peak (.03 kwh) and not as high during peak rates (.05 kwh) where before my base was (.06 kwh) with an offset cost based on NG costs of (.03 kwh). Off set costs are what I am saving otherwise the cost of using their NG (O&M, fuel costs & air pollution costs – which is not added to their costs really). The same is for solar producers they will be paid (.04 kwh) while their surplus power is sold next door for (.18 to .38 kwh) hence lowering the power companies need to buy power from the outside the district while still charging a monthly facility fee to cover infrastructure costs which is partial paid for in development fees (sub division is built & the line & transformers are paid by the developer along with additional fees for hooking up to the grid to offset the upgrade costs needed to service that area (ie sub station, transmission lines).
What the power companies should be doing is building more solar farms to offset their peak demands and use NG as critical peak needs. While promoting more hydro both big & small which has been shrinking. I had to buy an abandon site & it took me 6 yrs for relicensing while costing 30X what the repairs would have been. The site was shut down due to poor management (divorce) selling out the power contract and leaving before the lawyers took everything. the grant process also changed from helping during the phases (studies/EIR 1 to 4 yrs, permitting 1 to 6 yrs, buying the land, construction, hook up costs, final changes/upgrades) to a rebate paid at the back end like a rebate which varies 0% to 40% if lucky which all small site owners can not afford to do. Why solar is so much more attractive 30% rebate that year and permitting is a month.
James Fine
Thank you for your detailed comment, Mark. You offer compelling findings, yet it’s difficult for me to respond directly without a deeper understanding of your analyses. I would be happy to delve deeper if you would like to provide more specifics.
One of your findings seems erroneous and deserves closer inspection: you indicate a rise in your refrigeration costs with switching to a time-of-use (TOU) rate. There will be no increase in total utility revenue when the rate structure is changed. Utilities are not allowed to increase their revenue unless their costs rise. This is because the revenue is predetermined by the regulators and is only reviewed and changed on three-year cycles. When done right, TOU rates will avoid costs, and thus reduce the revenue that utilities collect from ratepayers. Utility costs decrease with TOU rates because customers will move some of their peak energy demand to off-peak times, reducing the need to use expensive “peaker” power plants and to buy wholesale electricity at peak prices.
As Senior Economist, Jamie Fine works to reduce the impacts of energy systems used to power buildings, transport and service people, and produce and move goods.
Follow Jamie on Twitter »
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Getting a Better Handle on Lost and Unaccounted fo...
Getting a Better Handle on Lost and Unaccounted for Gas
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By Simi George / Bio / Published: August 4, 2016
Natural gas is a major source of electricity in the United States. Roughly one-third of the 33 trillion cubic feet of gas produced each year is used to power our homes and businesses. And it’s the gas delivery and transmission industry that ensures these services are delivered nationwide.
Most of us don’t think about this industry often, or the gas for that matter, unless it’s unavailable when we need it, or it costs more than usual. But it’s important to pay attention. That’s because not all of the gas flowing through our pipelines actually reaches its intended destination – a problem that is further complicated by a poorly defined and complex method for tracking this paid-for but unused gas.
An indicator of gas system efficiency, accounting for lost gas (known by insiders as “lost and unaccounted for gas”, “unaccounted for gas”, LAUF or its many other acronyms) is how distribution companies manage the overall flow and supply of gas through their systems. Essentially, it is a ratemaking tool for calculating the difference between the volume of gas purchased by operators and the volume of gas delivered to customers that includes leakage, venting, theft, meter errors, temperature and pressure changes and other factors.
Complicated, to say the least, the reporting and accounting of this lost gas gets even more complex with the countless, disparate methodologies industry uses to calculate it. Without a common metric, there’s no way to compare performance across operators and improve the efficiency of the nation’s gas delivery system.
Need for Transparent Accounting
Last week, however, EDF and other stakeholders came together to address this issue. Together we approached the North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB) – a leading non-profit organization that develops standards for the gas and electric industries – to develop a uniform way to calculate LAUF. Better accounting of the gas passing through our pipeline system can help identify solutions to reduce unnecessary leakage and stabilize inefficiencies in the system.
Industry observers have also pointed out the benefits. A uniform calculation method will allow ratepayer advocates and public utilities commissions to compare results across utilities, track trends over time, assess the leakage component of LAUF relative to other categories, and analyze options for addressing the key drivers. In 2013, the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission became a leader in this area by adopting a definition and formula for LAUF to eliminate reporting inconsistencies and better understand losses from Pennsylvania’s pipelines. But Pennsylvania is an exception. That’s why a model standard developed through NAESB’s consensus based process would be a giant step forward.
Action at the Federal Level Will Catapult Change
The SAFE PIPES Act signed into law by President Obama in June requires the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to submit a report to Congress examining disparate LAUF standards nationwide, reasons for the discrepancies, and recommendations for harmonizing and improving the accuracy of reporting. This law says that if the PHMSA Administrator determines these recommendations would improve reporting, measurement, and safety, the agency is required to implement regulations within a year.
That makes this joint initiative to standardize LAUF calculation especially important and timely. If successful, the process will lead to a model standard that may be adopted by federal and state regulatory entities, and can be tailored to meet local or regional needs.
Jumpstarting an important process
By filing our request with NAESB, the stakeholder group, comprised of the California Public Utilities Commission, Tennessee Valley Authority, Citizens Utility Board Illinois, the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, and EDF, has helped initiate NAESB’s standards development process. If NAESB pushes ahead, internal agency deliberations on the matter will begin followed by an industry comment period.
Importantly, NAESB follows an open process, in which any interested party may participate and no single interest group can dominate. And while NAESB standards need the support of governmental entities to become binding, more than a thousand NAESB standards have been adopted by various regulators, reflecting its stature and credibility in the world of gas market design and standards development.
The SAFE PIPES Act has created the impetus to consider improvements in the tracking and reporting of lost and unused gas from our pipeline systems, and is a big step in the right direction. A model calculation method developed through the NAESB process will allow the gas industry to go even further.
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Adrian Flynn
What about cities such as “Payson, Arizona” where they use {PIPED PROPANE} to all homes and business in the town?
I think leaking PROPANE would be worse than Natural gas as it is heavier than air and pools in any depression there for making an Explosion inevitable.
Manager, Natural Gas Distribution Regulation
Simi manages a range of initiatives aimed at the reduction of methane emissions from natural gas distribution systems in the U.S. through engagement with utilities, regulatory entities and other stakeholders.
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Don Nelson’s tired record chase: Three more wins, zero more purpose
Posted on April 1, 2010 by Tim Kawakami
Let’s say, just for fun, that you’re a multi-billionaire who just bought the Warriors.
You realize there are some troubling issues with attitude, payroll balance and talent deficiencies, but you also know you have some young players who have the chance to be quite good.
And you absolutely realize that you have an incredibly passionate fan base that is just dying to get excited about the Warriors again.
Now you’ve got to decide who should coach this group and earn back credibility with the Bay Area populace.
That’s sort of important, you know… it’s not something that should be decided because of intra-office political warfare or to justify failed PR efforts.
So important that, when you’re presented with one particular candidate, you realize he hits just about everything you ABSOLUTELY DON’T WANT/CAN’T HAVE in a Warriors coach…
-About to turn 70, on his last gasp, staying just for the money, and the players know it;
-Would’ve been fired a year ago if not for his political manuevering;
-Has alienated Monta Ellis, Anthony Randolph, Andris Biedrins and maybe a few more fairly important players;
-Runs a no-defense system that exaggerates individual scoring totals and exacerbates every lazy quality in his players, and yes, I’m talking about you, Corey Maggette;
-Has lost the faith of loyal Warriors fans;
-In no way will be the coach beyond next season, unless he can trick another team president/owner, so he’s a lame-duck no matter what;
-Has a habit of tricking owners/presidents into long-term deals, getting rid of the middle-managers who hired him in the first place, and then doing everything possible to bail out of the situation, as long as he’s paid every penny.
Basically, if you were free to choose a coach for the Warriors from scratch, it’s pretty clear that Don Nelson would be the last guy you’d ever pick.
Which is my long way of getting into the point: ALL OF THOSE THINGS are 100 times more important than Nelson’s quest to pass Lenny Wilkens’ NBA all-time victories total.
The record does not matter. None of it matters. I realize smart fans want to analyze every aspect of it, as it pertains to Nelson’s tenure… but it doesn’t matter.
Doesn’t matter emotionally (have you heard one person say: Gee, I’ve just gotta be there when Nelson breaks the record, what a moment!), doesn’t matter historically (Jerry Sloan will blow past the number soon enough–and it’s not like Wilkens is considered a coaching legend, anyway), and surely doesn’t affect Nelson’s view of his stay here.
He’s owed $6M next year and Nelson’s going to make sure he’s paid that money, no matter what. He’s not quitting or taking a buy-out for a dollar less than he’s owed.
By the way, Nelson needs three more victories in the Warriors’ final eight games–and it’s gettable, given the soft schedule–to break the record. Whoo hoo.
I realize that some fans are anxiously following the countdown, believing that the only way Nelson quits or gets fired this off-season is if he already has the record.
But I repeat what I’ve said for a long time: With or without the record, Nelson isn’t quitting. He earned that $6M next year by tricking Rowell–not too difficult to do, I realize.
In fact, the record-chase is a perfect manifestation of the Nelson problem: His best attribute is his knack for figuring out ways to keep things entertaining and shuffling new players in every month who can score 20 points on random nights, win or lose.
Marco Belinelli turns into Anthony Morrow turns into Reggie Williams. Yippee.
(Isn’t it weird that the coach who has stuck around this long has done so by burning through so many different players/GMs/situations? Maybe that’s actually the secret: Nelson is always looking for the next group of players to prove he deserves more money/another job, so he can’t ever settle on the group he has.)
But the Warriors need stability and core defensive principles, not a carnival act.
And, though I suspected Chris Cohan and Robert Rowell were considering firing Nelson a few months ago in order to potentially drum up ticket sales for next year (if they could hire a semi-exciting new coach), the public sales process now precludes such a big financial move, in my opinion.
So with the sale discussions expected to last far into summer, well past the normal time when you’d make a coaching change, I’d look for Larry Ellison or whoever ends up with the team to be forced into a late-summer/early-fall firing of Nelson.
There’s a precedent: Nelson replaced Mike Montgomery on Aug. 30, 2006, and that didn’t turn out too bad in the short-term (immediate playoff run, which, alas, was the only one in the Cohan era or the Nelson 2.0 era or the Mullin era or the Baron Davis era or even the Pietrus era).
If you’re serious about winning back credibility, you just can’t have Don Nelson as the Warriors coach next season, and if that means you have to make a late hire (or go with Keith Smart for a year and see what he can do), that’s what it means.
Whether or not Nelson has the all-time wins mark, whether he’s tied, or whether he remains three wins short, Nelson is precisely the guy you need far away from all decisions.
He won’t mind. He’ll have his $6M coming–he can buy two more houses in Maui with that and get to trying to trick somebody else into hiring him.
* I realize I’ve said much of this before. My apologies. Please rip away.
* Lowell C’s view of the matter, as always a good read.
* SI’s Chris Ballard with a more elegiac take on Nelson’s record stalking.
The QB chart: Going up and down with McNabb, Russell, Smith, Carr
Reviewing my April 2009 Draft Rankings: Curry, Thabeet, DeRozan
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"I can speak Esperanto like a native." ― Spike Milligan
"Democracies are indeed slow to make war, but once embarked upon a martial venture are equally slow to make peace and reluctant to make a tolerable, rather than a vindictive, peace." ― Reinhold Niebuhr
"I don’t have a problem believing in God and Jesus. But in Genesis one has to wonder about these sentences that just go on and end without finishing. The thought is unfinished. Where did Adam go? What is he doing? Hello? There has to be some pages missing." ― Bill Cosby
"Man’s true nature being lost, everything becomes his nature; as, his true good being lost, everything becomes his good." ― Blaise Pascal
"It is a fine thing to establish one’s own religion in one’s heart, not to be dependent on tradition and second-hand ideals. Life will seem to you, later, not a lesser, but a greater thing." ― David Herbert Lawrence
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Meet Unger Medizintechinik GmBH & Co - Beekley's 2017 Global Partner of the Year
By Amy Bosco, M.S. Global Business Development, Senior Manager
Pictured Above: Uta Unger, Managing Director of Unger Medizintechinik GmBH & Co
Beekley Medical and Unger Medizintechnik GmBH & Co. have been working together for over a decade. Our Global Partner in Germany, Unger carries Beekley Medical's entire catalog, with a strong focus on Radiation Oncology,
Unger experienced 17% growth in 2017, promoting Beekley Medical products at several regional shows throughout 2017 and we were pleased to support them in their efforts. .
I recently asked Detlef Salewski, Dr.-Ing, and Unger Medizintechinik's President & CEO, about what it is like working with Beekley Medical as a global partner.
He told me, “Beekley Medical’s products range is well thought-out, user-friendly, practical, beautiful, and it's a pleasure working with it, which makes it very good for both users and patients.
Whether it's for calming down patients, and therefore making patient cooperation easier, especially anxious patients, products such as Elequil or the colorful Bella Blankets are easy to use and apply and make it easier to carry out examinations on/with the patient.
Guidelines, for interventions, are a true innovation for this examination technique. In contrast to the interventions techniques often found in practice, with do-it-yourself catheter pieces from angiography, these self-adhesive grids in various sizes are a comfortable and reconstructible alternative.
All of Beekley's offerings contribute to simplifying examinations and therapeutic interventions in radiation oncology and diagnosis and supporting medical personnel in dealing with often seriously ill patients. All the strips and other materials are skin-friendly medical products and best of all, easy to use.
In our opinion, there are no dangerous competitors to Beekley, even if a competitor offers lower prices.
What I really like, is Beekley's inventiveness. They always think up new things which are suitable for specific areas of application, which, for example, improve storage, accuracy, or enable better image evaluation.”
You can hear the passion Detlef has for Beekley products - that passion along with hard work with a solid commitment to improving the patient’s experience is one of the many reasons that Unger Medizintechnik GmBH & Co.has been named Beekley Medical’s Partner of the Year for 2017.
To learn more about becoming a Global Partner, visit www.beekley.com/globalsales or email international@beekley.com.
Meet MEDITEST: Beekley's 2016 Global Partner of the Year
Presidential Recognition for Excellence in Exporting
Beekley Medical's Global Partner of the Year Award
Beekley Medical Expands into Kenya
Amy Bosco, M.S.
Global Business Development, Senior Manager
Responsible for the business development of our global distribution through strong partnerships that are aligned with our mission of providing world class patient care. Committed to expanding our global outreach with time saving and clinically vetted innovations in both radiology and oncology.
Meet Amy Bosco - Making Footprints Across the...
As an organization, Beekley Corporation has been recognized by outside companies for our culture, our benefits, and our people by earning nods as a Best Place to Work and Top Workplace in Connecticut. But until 2018, Beekley had never been recognized...
Meet MEDITEST: Beekley's 2016 Global Partner...
Thibault Tailleur, Sales and Technical Manager of MEDITEST, formally accepted the esteemed Beekley Medical Global Partner of the Year Award at the 2017 European Society of Radiotherapy and Oncology Conference (ESTRO) in Vienna, Austria. The...
Meet Queenee: A Passion for Patient Care...
Here at Beekley we have many multi-faceted, truly talented and passionate associates. We know about their contributions to Beekley Medical, but we want to share their stories with you too. Today we’re spotlighting Queenee Alcedo, Senior Account...
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The 'Key Race' and Havre Disgrace
POSTED Apr 11, 2012 By Derek Simon
Many moons ago, in his master work “Betting Thoroughbreds,” Steve Davidowitz coined the term “Key Race” to describe a race that featured an inordinate number of next-out winners. According to Davidowitz, these winners are generally not coincidental.
“Either [the Key Race] was superior to the designated class or else it contained an unusually fit group of horses. In either case, that’s important information,” the author wrote.
Apparently the Daily Racing Form agreed, as that esteemed publication soon began italicizing the names of next-out winners in its result charts and past performances.
Yet, by its very nature, the Key Race Method suffers from one very large and significant drawback: typically, by the time an event can confidently be deemed a Key Race it has lost its value as a predictive tool. After all, what good is it to discover a particularly strong race after half a dozen horses have already won their next start? Not only that, but given how infrequently horses compete today, it can take several weeks or even months to determine whether a past contest qualifies as a Key Race.
Hence, I decided to come up with a method of assessing Key Races that doesn’t require validation after the fact. Like Davidowitz’s initial technique, however, I wanted to keep it simple, so that even novice horseplayers could judge the merits of a particular race with just a modicum of time and effort.
A) Using the result chart from a horse’s last race, find the median finishing position for all the entrants in their prior race. This information can be found in the leftmost column following the (abbreviated) track name. For example, by examining the chart below, one will discover that On Lockdown finished fifth in his last race, which was run at Oaklawn Park (OP) on March 15, 2012.
Note: For those who don’t have kids in school, the median is simply the middle value of an ordered array of numbers. If the array is even, it is the average of the two values closest to the middle.
B) Divide the number of entrants, or the field size, by the figure obtained above to get the Key Race Rating.
That’s all there is to it; the higher the rating, the better the race was for the class. Notice I said “for the class.” Keep in mind that these Key Race Ratings need to be viewed in light of the overall level of the race. A high rating in a $15,000 claiming event does not make a horse a contender against a rival that earned a much lower figure in a Grade I affair — it’s just common sense. However, in races featuring horses that last raced against similar competition, the ratings can be invaluable. To illustrate this, let’s take a look at the two most dominant female performers of the new millennium — Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta:
Now, before I discuss these brilliant racehorses, let me start by saying that the following is not an endorsement for — or an indictment against — one or the other. Both horses were great in their own way. This is simply a demonstration of my Key Race Rating method in action, using two horses that even the most casual of racing fans are sure to recognize.
So, with that out of the way, the first thing I did was compute the Key Race Ratings for each of Rachel Alexandra’s and Zenyatta’s Grade I starts in 2009 (again, the idea is to compare apples to apples).
Not surprisingly, it turns out that Zenyatta faced her biggest challenge in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (12.0 KRR), while Rachel received her staunchest test in the Haskell Invitational (7.0 KRR). Of course, some might argue that the Woodward, which featured older males, was a tougher race than the Haskell, which was restricted to three-year-olds, but I beg to differ. Whether viewed before or after the race, the 2009 Woodward simply did not stack up to previous editions of that storied race.
Outside of Rachel Alexandra herself, only Cool Coal Man ever won another race. Subtracting those two horses from the equation, the other six Woodward entrants were winless in a combined 21 subsequent starts. Even worse, they hit the board (finished third or better) just five times.
And Rachel was the one that many claimed was “done in” by the Woodward… go figure.
Anyway, based on the whole of their campaigns, the data indicates that Rachel Alexandra faced stiffer competition (4.3 median KRR) than did Zenyatta (2.9 median KKR) and that was borne out by the number of next-out winners their individual races produced.
Zenyatta’s four Grade I starts saw only three follow-up winners (an average of 0.8 per start), whereas Rachel’s five Grade I forays witnessed six follow-up winners (1.2 per start). More importantly, a bet on each of Rachel Alexandra’s vanquished rivals in their next start would have produced a return on investment (ROI) of 1.3 percent; Zenyatta’s defeated foes produced a -38.4 percent ROI.
Hopefully, this comparison highlights the merit of assessing the strength of a race before, rather than after, it has been run. Handicappers that use my Key Race Rating method will not only find unusually strong fields at a particular class level, but also incredibly weak ones.
These class-within-a-class distinctions will surely add to one’s understanding of the game… not to mention one’s bottom line.
Something Amiss with Havre De Grace?
All the weeping and gnashing of teeth over weight assignments from the connections of Havre De Grace has made me wonder: is something amiss with the defending Horse of the Year?
The circumstantial evidence suggests there may, in fact, be a problem — and that the griping over weights is simply a smokescreen, a convenient excuse not to run.
As I pointed out on my podcast, Havre De Grace’s late speed rations (LSRs) started going south in last year’s Woodward Stakes, when she faced males for the first time. After recording LSRs ranging from 0 to -2 from May 10, 2010 until July 16, 2011 (the date of the Delaware Handicap, when the weight complaints first started), the daughter of Saint Liam hasn’t earned an LSR greater than -4 since.
What’s more, from the time Larry Jones took over her training in 2011 until just prior to the Woodward, Havre De Grace recorded 18 workouts — nine of which were “bullets” (the fastest work of the day at the distance). Since the Woodward, Havre De Grace has worked out 12 times, earning just two bullets.
Free Handicapping Reports
04/14/12 Hawthorne Win Factor Report
04/14/12 Oaklawn Park Win Factor Report
04/14/12 Oaklawn Park Pace Profile Report (selected races)
brisnet
online wagering
Rachel Alexandra
TwinSpires Blog
What would be the next handicapping step after determining the key race rating? Would you compare a horses previous key race rating to the race you are handicapping to, perhaps, find that a horse is facing a more or less difficult field?
Derek Simon said...
Yes, that's one thing you can do. I also think the KRRs can be used to downgrade or upgrade performances.
For example, although Union Rags certainly looked impressive winning the Fountain of Youth, that race only received a 1.8 KRR, whereas the Florida Derby had a 3.2 KRR.
Incidentally, the greatest value I have seen with the Key Race Ratings is in a negative context — stakes races rated under 3.0 should definitely be viewed with skepticism (I'm guessing similar thresholds can be found for non-stakes races).
On a related note, I would not pay too much attention to large gaps in races rated greater than 3.0 given that field size plays such a large part in the rating.
Certainly not arguing Havre de Grace's fitness or ability; I am not in a position to know anything about her but as a fan, she seems to not be as "bright" or "eager" as she was.
And, Mr. Pope seems to be a contentious figure around the track. The few times I've been to Oaklawn this year, there were mumbles and grumbles from various and sundry. I have no personal opinion on that, either; and I'm not going to say what I've heard through the (notorious) grapevine because I don't know what is and isn't true. All I know is the mumbles and grumbles weren't positive. So... Do with that what you will.
And the one opinion I will commit to: I think it's a real shame that Havre de Grace didn't go to Oaklawn for the Apple Blossom. I was looking forward to seeing her and taking her picture. She is a beautiful animal and I am a fan of hers.
Derek, love your work...can u please do bodemeister Lsr's for Arkansas win, on next weeks podcast or blog. Been betting him all day today at $21 fixed odds, I figure he'll go off at $6-8'ish, so damn nice overlay. (Am in australia, our lazy Internet bookies don't work Sunday's hence don't update their odds!! It's heaven!!). I know no unraced at 2yold always bombs, but Everything about him stacks up to me, and the price I'm getting is just madness! SB.
I'll tell you right now: it was a -5, which is very good for a dirt route. He also earned a -8 ESR.
Bodemeister's problem, as you obviously already know, is his lack of experience. Having Baffert in his corner certainly doesn't hurt his chances though.
D Simon...3weeks ahead of the game!! Nice spot...u did know something was up with HDG. SB
This is an awesome tool. Thanks!
I started to use this tool for NYRA races about 3 months ag, and it is fabukos!! can`t tell you how many winners it has pointed me to.
I have been keeping charts for thirty years and have been frustrated by key races that stoped at 2 winners or produced multiple winners before you had an offical key race. Many thanks for this invluble tool.
Harvey the Horse
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08 Jun Dining Out: Tradition, with a Twist
Posted at 18:54h in Dining Out, Summer 2016 | Written by Seabring Davis | Photography by Lynn Donaldson 0 Comments
Chef Travis Stimpson grew up cooking with his mother and grandmother on their family’s cattle ranch near Lodge Grass, Montana. Back then, dinner was pot roast and potatoes.
“Where I grew up, you basically had three different options for a job off the ranch: There was the gas station, the grocery store, or the cafe,” Stimpson says frankly. “I was interested in cooking, so I worked at the Trading Post Cafe in Crow for eight years.” From there he went on to gain his culinary training in the trenches of Billings’ most notable eateries, including Walker’s Grill, Grains of Montana, Cafe Italia, and Lilac.
Today Stimpson heads up his own restaurant, Local Kitchen & Bar, in Billings, where he reimagines some of those timeless ranch meals with clever twists of flavors and ingredients. You might find foie gras or a vegetarian roulade, but the triple-cooked fries come with a side of house-made ranch dressing and the New York steak was created with Stimpson’s third-generation rancher father in mind.
On trend with the gastropub style, Local Kitchen offers an upscale approach to comfort food standards in a casual environment. That means gourmet food in an unpretentious setting. Serving dinner six nights a week and brunch on weekends, the restaurant opened quietly last September in an unlikely location. Situated on Billings’ suburban west end in the Country Manor Plaza next to a couple of casinos with a Town Pump on the corner, Local Kitchen is an unexpected beacon of originality in an otherwise homogenous field of sprawl. It’s small (just 36 seats). It’s unique and delicious (every menu item is made from scratch). Its menu changes regularly (every two weeks).
“There’s a big, open field across the street from us,” Stimpson notes, “but this end of town is developing its own face.”
That’s partly due to Stimpson’s efforts. Though Local Kitchen is off the beaten path, customers are seeking out his food (a dinner reservation is a must) and that’s contributing to the identity of Billings’ west side. While Stimpson is dedicated to using ingredients from Montana farms and ranches (all the beef on the menu is purchased from his family ranch), the name Local is as much a philosophy as it is a reference to the food. Local Kitchen’s roots run deep, in that Stimpson and his partners, John and Megan Heenan, give back to the Billings community on several levels. All employees are fully paid to put in 10 hours of volunteer work per year for the local nonprofit of their choice. Also, once a month Stimpson selects a local charity to receive a donation of 100 percent of the restaurant’s daily proceeds.
Local Kitchen features all Montana- brewed beers, a small but curated wine list, and a staff that is well educated about everything the restaurant offers. Brad Banks captains the wait staff, and service is the highest priority. “We don’t ever want to get so big that a customer gets lost in the din,” says Stimpson.
Local Kitchen serves up a menu filled with hearty homages to the early experiences on the home range, but with a contemporary twist. “I know how to feed Montanans,” says Stimpson. While Stimpson pushes the taste buds of his local customer base (a hominy cake accompanies the roasted chicken) and pulls on the cravings for traditional dishes (poutine comes with a poached egg), he also keeps his food approachable. The pizzas have a smoky flavor that comes from the wood-fired oven (fueled with firewood harvested from the Stimpson Ranch), you’ll always find a burger on the menu, the lamb shank is a staple, and there is always a friendly face to greet you when you walk through the door. If you are a regular, the chances are they’ll call you by name.
Chef/owner Travis Stimpson, who grew up on a ranch near Lodge Grass, Montana, sources all of the beef on the menu from his family’s ranch.
Line lead Adam Stewart, left, and sous chef Christian Dinkel, have worked with Stimpson in some of Billings’ best kitchens.
The dining room is always energized after 5 p.m. All of the restaurant’s artwork is by Stimpson’s 20-year-old cousin Chance Robinson. These are acrylic paintings on canvas
Brad Banks, General Manager, holds the lamb shank.
Local Kitchen is slightly off the beaten path, in Billings’ growing suburban west side.
The space was designed by Brian Johnson of Collaborative Design Architects, and local artisans were used for the woodwork, steel welding, and other signature touches.
The bison hash is a prime example of Local Kitchen’s comfort food with a sophisticated twist.
Crab cakes with garden arugula in citrus vinaigrette with spicy remoulade.
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Tell Your Councillor: You Support Downtown Re-Imagined
Kevin Montgomery
Downtown Streetscaping
The Region of Peel, in coordination with the City of Brampton’s future streetscaping program, is beginning a multi-year project that will replace aging infrastructure, replace and reline existing sanitary sewers, as well install new water mains and sanitary sewers.
This project provides an opportunity to create a vibrant urban centre in downtown Brampton. The City of Brampton is working towards creating an aesthetically beautiful streetscape around the historic Four Corners. From Mill Street South to Chapel Street on Queen street and Nelson Street East and Wellington Street on Main Street, an environmental assessment is underway to define and create a street that will bring together pedestrians, cyclists and motorists in a safe and sustainable way. From the addition of cycle lanes to landscaping between street and sidewalk to capitalize on pedestrian walkability and enhance amenities, the public realm in downtown Brampton is set to undergo an exciting transformation.
Brampton residents: Please find your councillor and let them know that you support the Downtown Brampton streetscaping project.
An important part of this project is the introduction of separated cycle tracks, creating a safe space for people to bring bicycles downtown, which BikeBrampton has posted on before.
City of Brampton | Roads & Traffic | Downtown Streetscape
Main and Queen | Downtown Streetscape
Early feedback on the project has been very supportive. 63% of the PIC No. 1 feedback supports removing on-street parking!
Brampton staff have analyzed traffic flows and parking requirements in the downtown over the next two decades. Main and Queen Streets will handle the anticipated traffic volumes as a result of this configuration. Staff have also identified drop-off zones and available area parking as a convenient alternative to the current on-street parking. This suggests that spending money to continue supporting on-street parking, particularly when it’s clear that there is enough garage parking to cover the removal, and little public interest in keeping it, is not a sound investment.
However, some concerns have been expressed about the removal of on-street parking and supporting bike lanes. We thought that this would be a good opportunity to share some information about how cycling benefits the local economy, sharing insights from North America, and around the world.
Cycling Production Is Increasing Around The World,
Car Production And Interest Is Decreasing
Whereas some car manufacturers have needed a helping hand from higher levels of government, bicycle production around the world has surpassed automobile production. Closer to home, a very important demographic shift is occurring: Drivers licenses are not seen as being important. This phenomenon is not limited to Canada. It’s happening across North America.
Fewer young Canadians are getting their driver’s licence
For today’s youth, cars no longer represent freedom
Fewer people are getting driver’s licenses: report
Demand for driver’s licences decreasing among B.C.’s young people
Cycling Patrons Spend More Money
“They may buy less per visit. But over the course of a month, bikers out-consumed drivers at bars, restaurants and convenience stores.”
Communities which have implemented similar beautification efforts within their urban centres have experienced an increased vibrancy along these streets, with more pedestrian and cyclist traffic that supports larger and more consistent retail sales for the majority of area business owners.
Several studies, including a study from Toronto, now show a pattern of cyclists and pedestrians end up spending more each month than drivers. One of the ways to potentially cut this gap and boost spending size is to support the use of cargo bikes.
Why Local Businesses Shouldn’t Worry About Eliminating On-Street Parking
Cycling Creates Spinoff Business
As was the case with the automobile industry, investing in cycling as a transportation solution creates jobs and spinoff business. Like cars, bicycles periodically need repair. This creates an opportunity for businesses to maintain and repair bicycles. Custom bicycle designs have become successful in cities like Detroit and Portland. Copenhagen is the home of the Larry vs. Harry Bullitt.
“DHL Express has already replaced up to 60% of inner-city vehicle routes in some European countries with cargo bicycles, and we expect that the City Hub and Cubicycle will both help us to accelerate this approach in other markets over the next 3-5 years”
The availability of cargo bikes has started to change how business is done in a very important sector: Logistics. Brampton is close to Pearson Airport, and has a significant CN intermodal yard. Companies like DHL are utilizing electric assist cargo bikes to replace trucks for inner city delivery. They offer many advantages, including being able to make up to two times as many stops per hour than a delivery vehicle. The total cost of ownership over their lifetime is less than half of a van. UPS has launched a similar initiative in Portland. Going back to potential local business benefits: “The electric bike was also designed and built in Portland by Truck Trikes”.
The bicycle, now celebrating it’s 200th year, is making a comeback. Our modern-day paved roads started with people demanding better places to cycle. History is repeating itself around the world, and Brampton has an opportunity to be an important leader in this change.
Again, please find your councillor and let them know that you support the Downtown Brampton streetscaping project.
Categories: Action Requests, Bicycle Friendly Business Program, Brampton Cycling, Cycling Benefits - Economics
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Uncovering a Hidden Protein “Tail” that Puts the Brakes on Cell Signaling
Researchers have found a previously-unknown mechanism that puts the brakes on an important cell signaling process.
Unveiling the Viral Ecology of Earth
Joshua Weitz is one of three researchers calling for a better understanding of viral ecology.
Bacterial Conversations in Cystic Fibrosis
For the first time, scientists determine the reach of quorum sensing in an infection.
The Biology Major at Georgia Tech is a Perfect Fit for Prehealth Students
You can meet all prehealth requirements and earn a Biomedical Science certificate in only 122 credit hours
Get the details.
Seaweed and sea slugs rely on toxic bacteria to defend against predators
Samantha Mascuch and Julia Kubanek unravel the connections between slug, seaweed, and microbe.
In the Comparative Neuromechanics Lab
I volunteered for a study that will observe and measure movements during walking.
Regarding climate change, biologists warn: Don’t forget the microbes
Georgia Tech’s Frank Stewart joins global call for more research on the impact on microbes.
Nature, Governance, and Sustainability in Costa Rica - An Interdisciplinary Experience
Study-abroad students explored and learned at every turn
Summer Data Science Bootcamp
One-week bootcamp introduces data management and visualization, data modeling, deep learning, and scientific programming in Python.
The Elusive End of the Periodic Table: Why Chase It?
Frontiers in Science Lecture celebrating the periodic table, with Monica Halka, Georgia Tech Honors Program
Turning Sour, Bloated, and Out of Breath: Ocean Chemistry Under Global Warming
Frontiers in Science Lecture celebrating the periodic table, with Taka Ito, School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
The Geopolitics of the Rare and Not-So-Rare Elements
Frontiers in Science Lecture celebrating the periodic table, with Margaret Kosal, Sam Nunn School of International Affairs
CSSB
Recognized by most experts in the field as the future of biology, Systems Biology seeks to understand how complex living systems interact with each other so that we can diagnose and treat disorders such as cancer.
At Georgia Tech we have organized a diverse group of ecologists, chemists, sensory biologists, engineers, and quantitative modelers, to focus on chemical cues that many organisms use for to make basic survival decisions.
CBID
CBID is an interdisciplinary center for research and development of design solutions that occur in biological processes.
The Center for Integrative Genomics at Georgia Tech is a virtual affiliation of researchers interested in the application of genome-wide research strategies to diverse biological themes.
Gradiate
The mission of the ICRC is to facilitate integration of the diversity of technological, computational, scientific and medical expertise at Georgia Tech and partner institutions in a coordinated effort to develop improved cancer diagnostics and therapeutics.
NanoMAD
Our mission is to develop new technologies for detecting, monitoring and controlling self-assembled macromolecular complexes at various levels, including their pathogenic consequences, biological roles and evolutionary origins.
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Weekend Box Office – RIO Breaks 2011’s Box Office Losing Streak with $40 Million Debut
by Nicole Pedersen April 17, 2011
Woo-hoo. Folks, it looks like 2011 has indeed soared to its first big weekend win in months on the wings of Fox’s Rio. The 3D animated toon rose from the ashes of a lower than expected Friday figure to earn …
Friday Box Office – RIO Flies to Number One with $10.2 Million; SCREAM 4 Second with $8.3…
Remember how box office watchers were counting on this weekend to become 2011’s very first big winner? A frame whose combined grosses would finally top 2010’s? With two high profile releases – Rio and Scream 4 – that seemed a …
Weekend Box Office – HOP Holds at Number One with $21.7 Million
Four new releases hit theatres this weekend, including one that was marketed to within an inch of its life. Still, year-to-year grosses will be down once again by almost 10% and it was a holdover that took the number one …
Friday Box Office – Russell Brand in HOP Beats Russell Brand in ARTHUR
by Nicole Pedersen April 9, 2011
It looks like a good news/bad news kind of morning for Russell Brand. The good news is that his voice-only role in last weekend’s number one film Hop will give Brand a second weekend on top of the US box …
Now Showing: April 8th, 2011 – ARTHUR, HANNA, SOUL SURFER, YOUR HIGHNESS and More
by Dave Trumbore April 7, 2011
Last weekend featured the live-action/animated comedy Hop as 2011’s highest grossing debut so far. Will Russell Brand strike gold two weeks in a row when his remake of Arthur hits the screens this weekend? Perhaps a new contender will take …
Carrie Underwood Interview SOUL SURFER
by Christina Radish April 7, 2011
In the real-life drama Soul Surfer, inspired by teen surfer Bethany Hamilton, who lost her arm in a shark attack, country superstar Carrie Underwood makes her feature acting debut as Sara Hill, the youth group leader who helped Bethany realize …
AnnaSophia Robb Exclusive Interview SOUL SURFER
The inspiring drama Soul Surfer tells the true story of teen surfer Bethany Hamilton (AnnaSophia Robb), who lost her arm in a shark attack and courageously overcame all odds to become a champion again. What could have been a devastating …
SOUL SURFER Trailer Starring AnnaSophia Robb, Dennis Quaid, and Helen Hunt
by Jason Barr March 11, 2011
A trailer for veteran television director Sean McNamara’s (personal favorite Even Stevens) Soul Surfer has landed online. Starring AnnaSophia Robb (Bridge to Terabithia), Dennis Quaid, and Helen Hunt, the sports drama tells the true story of teen surfer Bethany Hamilton …
First Look at SOUL SURFER Starring Dennis Quaid, Helen Hunt, AnnaSophia Robb, and Carrie Underwood
Sony Pictures has released the first image from the upcoming sports drama Soul Surfer. The film tells “the true story of competitive teen surfer Bethany Hamilton, who lost her arm in a shark attack and courageously overcame all odds to …
Country Music Star Carrie Underwood to Make Feature Film Debut with SOUL SURFER
by Matt Goldberg February 3, 2010
Past American Idol winner and current best-selling country singer Carrie Underwood is set to make the jump to movies by co-starring in the indie drama Soul Surfer, the story of teen surfing champ/shark attack survivor Bethany Hamilton. According to Variety, …
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Distinguished Advisor in Philanthropy Award
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Habitat homeowner, Ruth and one of her daughters.
“The run is done, we don’t have to run anymore.”
This is the first thing Ruth said when we asked her how it felt to have been selected as the future homeowner for a home in Pioneer Valley Habitat’s development on Glendale Road in Northampton, Massachusetts. What being a future Habitat homeowner means for Ruth is that she’ll spend a year or so building her own home, and then assuming an affordable mortgage to pay for it.
Ruth emigrated to the US from Honduras with her American husband and two daughters in 2014. When her domestic life was upended, she encountered unexpected hardship and instability. Ruth found herself adrift with her children, far from her family and support system. She and her family spent months moving through a series of shelters and temporary living situations in the Boston area.
There were few opportunities for Ruth’s family in Boston. Ruth and her daughters relocated to Western Massachusetts where they found a shelter apartment. Ruth secured regular work in the food service industry and began to take college classes, studying mathematics. “Math is a way to find answers—you can always find answers,” Ruth says. For Ruth, finding the answers she needs to forge a life of stability and self-reliance for herself and her children is the hallmark of this remarkable and resilient young woman.
Ruth’s future home arrived on a flatbed truck in two pieces, built in a factory in Vermont. Her home, and a second home for another family next to it, represent Pioneer Valley Habitat’s first foray into modular homebuilding, a new effort supported by an Innovation Grant from the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts (CFWM). Ruth is helping Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity pilot a novel approach to constructing affordable houses to discover if it’s a model suitable for further adaptation within Habitat’s volunteer-driven construction arena.
Habitat homeowner Denis and his mom working on his home site.
Across town, future homeowner Denis is also helping to pilot an innovation in affordable homebuilding: Pioneer Valley Habitat’s first truly “small home” building project! Denis is working alongside dozens of community volunteers to build his 650-square-foot house. During the pre-construction phase, CFWM funding supported research and conversations with stakeholders, including future homeowners with low incomes, to create a blueprint for building a “just big enough” house.
The goal was to “right-size” a housing opportunity for someone earning minimum wage, or slightly more—someone who is otherwise priced out of the local home buying market. The results of a year’s worth of research and development are now coming to fruition with the construction of Denis’ home. Like Ruth, Denis embraces a future characterized by self-sufficiency. “I want to get out in the world on my own,” he says, “Learn new things, start a new chapter in the book, see how life can be. It’s a great feeling, to get a home and start building it from bottom to top.”
Volunteers working on a Denis’s small home in Northampton.
Through inquiry, innovation and experimentation, Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity, along with our partner families and supporters, are expanding opportunities for affordable homeownership in this region. Together we are building strength, stability and self-reliance with our families, in our neighborhoods, for our communities.
Amy Landry is the Director of Resource Development at Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity. Since 1989, Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity has built affordable homes with low income families in Hampshire and Franklin Counties. A CFWM Innovation Grant awardee, which encourages nonprofits to develop and execute novel ideas, Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity is working to make homeownership possible for families in our community. Learn more about Ruth, Denis and Habitat homeownership, here: www.youtube.com/watch. Photos courtesy of Erin Long Photography, and Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity.
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September 24/06 7:34 am - Escape Velocity Grand Prix of Cyclocross
Posted by Editoress on 09/24/06
Escape Velocity Grand Prix of Cyclocross Sunday September 24th, Vancouver, BC
Report Courtesy Tobin Copley
Rob Britton storms the Escape Velocity Grand Prix of Cyclocross
EV pleased with turn-out for European-style cyclocross in the heart of Vancouver
With over 120 racers, dozens of volunteers and spectators, Escape Velocity is pleased with our club's first effort at hosting a Cyclocross race in Vancouver," said Gordon Ross, President Team Escape Velocity. "Our club members look forward to hosting the 2nd Grand Prix of Cyclocross in 2007.
The rider turn-out was great, and everyone thought the course was fantastic. EV is certain to see this event grow in coming years," said Sandy Harrison, Cycling BC Commissaire (event official).
The 2006 Grand Prix of Cyclocross hosted by Escape Velocity is part of the 2006 Giant Bicycles BC Cross Cup. The club's decision to enter the foray of cyclocross races is based on the club's commitment to give back to the BC's cycling community. With the addition of this race to the club's race event calendar, EV now hosts races from March through September each year.
Escape Velocity would like to acknowledge West Point Grey Academy and the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation for their support by providing such an ideal location for the event.
Founded in August 1989, Team Escape Velocity is a Vancouver, BC based cycling club committed to promoting and developing the sport of cycling in Canada. With over 120 members ranging from novice Category 5 riders to Canadian National Team members and North American champions, we pride ourselves in our community involvement, race organization, youth development, and leadership activities.
For more information on EV go to www.escapevelocity.bc.ca
Women's A
1st: Kelly Jones (Sugoi)
2nd: Lisa Ludwig (Oak Bay Cycles)
3rd: Sarah Stewart (Wedgewood)
Women's C:
1st: Melanie Vaughan (WCMBC
2nd: Sarah McMillan (Independent)
3rd: Sara Porter (Independent)
Men's A
1st: Rob Britton (Gigabike - Lazyboy)
2nd: Andrew Kyle (Independent)
3rd: Stefan Widmer (Sugoi / Giant)
Men's B
1st: Andrew Brown (Delvay Taylors)
2nd: Steven Murray (SORCA)
3rd: Nels Guloien (Sugoi / Giant)
Men's C
1st: Oliver Whalley (Krank Dirtware)
2nd: David Markham (Independent)
3rd: Sebastian Sleep (On the Edge)
Return to Canadian Cyclist homepage | Back to Top
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Publisher description for Dragon kiss / by E.D. Baker.
Bibliographic record and links to related information available from the Library of Congress catalog
Information from electronic data provided by the publisher. May be incomplete or contain other coding.
Audun is a teenage ice dragon in love...with a human princess. Can he become human and win Millie's heart?
Audun is on a quest to find Princess Millie, and to become human in order to win her heart. But The Dragon King has set out a number of tasks Audun must perform before he is permitted to even try to woo Millie...and each one is filled with E. D. Baker's signature adventure and hilarity as this dragon-turned-human-turned dragon and back again battles sea witches and warlocks both familiar to readers of the series, and altogether new. A fantastic stand-alone fairy tale that brings new life to this wonderful series.
Library of Congress subject headings for this publication:
Fairy tales.
Dragons -- Fiction.
Love -- Fiction.
Courtship -- Fiction.
Human-animal relationships -- Fiction.
Humorous stories.
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Gambhir believes India are a pacer short at the World Cup
ICC CWC19 May 18, 2019 by admin
Former India opening batsman Gautam Gambhir believes India are a pacer short at the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 in England and Wales.
India have a three-pronged pace attack for the tournament, featuring Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami, while all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Vijay Shankar offer supporting options. However, with the three frontline pacemen likely to feature in the XI, India lack a back-up option should injury strike one of the three.
“I feel Indian team lacks one more quality fast bowler,” Gambhir said. “Bumrah, Shami and Bhuvi need more support. You may argue that India has two fast bowling all-rounders in Hardik and Vijay Shankar, but I am not convinced.”
Gambhir, however, endorsed Bumrah, saying he will be India’s X-factor in the tournament. Bumrah is the top-ranked bowler in the MRF Tyres ICC ODI Bowler Rankings and is lethal, both as a containing and a wicket-taking option. Bumrah is also potent in the closing stages of the innings, where he is exceedingly hard to put away. Those attributes were visible during the recently-concluded IPL final, where Bumrah gave away just eight runs in his last two overs, including five in the penultimate over of a nail-biting chase.
“The wickets are going to be very flat and it’s going to be hot,” Gambhir said. “So how Jasprit Bumrah bowls will decide where India reaches, because it’s going to be a high-scoring World Cup.”
But as an attack overall, Gambhir picked Australia’s as the most potent in the tournament. “They have the most well-rounded bowling attack in the tournament,” he said. “With Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, David Warner and Steve Smith coming back, they’re probably the side to beat. In any ICC tournament, if you beat Australia, you’re right up there because they know how to play big matches.”
Gambhir also praised the present World Cup format, saying that it eliminates the luck factor. “This will be a well-contested tournament as all the teams play each other,” he said. “This format will give us the real world champion, and I think ICC should stick to this format for all future World Cups.”
Tags: ICC Cricket World Cup
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Business News›Markets›Expert View›After tariff relief, our Mundra losses would come down by 50%: Praveer Sinha, Tata Power
After tariff relief, our Mundra losses would come down by 50%: Praveer Sinha, Tata Power
Hopefully for nearly 50% of this year, this benefit will accrue to the company, says Sinha
ET Now|
Updated: Dec 06, 2018, 02.08 PM IST
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Our losses which presently are about Rs 1,600-1,700 crore in Mundra will come down by 50%. Then we will take some measures of optimising our financing cost and other operational parameters. Our eventual loss will be in the range of Rs 500-600 crore, Praveer Sinha, CEO & MD, Tata Power, tells ET Now.
Edited excerpts:
Finally, it looks like tariff hike is under way for Mundra Power companies. Tell us a little bit about the entire process. What is the next step for actual tariff hike going to be?
The Supreme Court directive gave eight weeks’ time to all the beneficiary states to modify the PPA and reach out to CERC so that the approval can be in place. That process has started. As a lead procurer, Gujarat has gone and issued the government orders and has also directed the discom there, Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd (GUVNL) to complete the amended PPA. Based on that, the orders copy has also been given to the other four beneficiary states which are also in the process of getting government orders issued for modifying the PPA.
We expect that the whole process to be completed in the eight weeks time that has been given by the honourable Supreme Court and thereafter, the amended PPAs will give the relief that has been proposed in the government orders.
If our numbers are correct, you will still have a loss of about 50-60 paise per unit. Is that right? The bottomline is losses will come down, but you will still be losing money.
You are absolutely right that there would still be a delta loss. But it depends on what is the cost of coal. If the HBA is $90, then the loss would be something like 35 to 40 paisa. That is the number that we are looking at and this is a relief in terms of the under recovery being reduced. Earlier, if the under recovery was about 80 to 90 paisa depending on the cost of coal, which now could come down by nearly 50%.
That is on the under recoveries front. How much of that would get recovered by you initiating a tariff hike which is expected at Mundra?
As I mentioned to you, we will recover 40 paisa from the tariff hike. In terms of the impact on the tariff in the states, considering the pooled cost of power, when it gets socialised, in a state like Gujarat it would be maximum 1-1.5 paisa. In other states also, it is in that range. Overall, 1 paisa would be the increase in tariff over there.
How would that translate into overall profitability?
Our losses which presently are about Rs 1,600-1,700 crore in Mundra will come down by 50% and then we will of course take some more measures in terms of optimising our financing cost and other operational parameters. We expect that our eventual loss will be in the range of about Rs 500 to 600 crore.
I am assuming that this number would stand true for the next financial year and in this financial year, nothing would change because you only have like a quarter left now?
The effective date of the amendment has been put as 15th October 2018. So, hopefully for nearly 50% of this year, we will have this benefit that will accrue to the company.
The general view which we are getting from fund managers, analysts and the investing fraternity is that Hindustan mein bijili ki shortage hai (there is shortage of electricity in India) . Is that true?Are power prices likely to move higher and is there going to be a shortage of power?
There are three reasons why this has happened. The first reason is that the coal supply has not kept pace with the demand of power plants. In last six months, most of the power plants have not been getting adequate quantity of coal and they have stocks for only for about two to three days.
Do you sense that there is a supply side pressure coming in with coal shortage or is it a demand side scaledown which is putting power companies such as yourself in a bit of a spot?
Both sides. There is a supply side of coal which is a constraint and they are not able to adequately address the requirements of power plants.
Second is demand has also gone up primarily because the summer has been a little long this year. Secondly, because of the Saubhagya and other schemes of government to connect all the houses in the villages, the demand of power has gone up.
Also as the elections are coming, there is a huge pressure on the state discoms to ensure adequate supply of electricity in all the states including rural areas. Due to all these reasons there is a shortage and the short-term market has gone up in the last six months.
After two years, what could be the big change for Tata Power? Will more contribution be coming from new areas of business or will it be pure growth in power demand and your new acquisitions that will start filtering in?
In the last two years, we have not added much capacity. We have virtually stagnated at whatever level of generation that we had been doing. But now we are working on adding capacity mainly in the renewable space. We have in the last six months won 500 megawatt of utility scale solar. We are going aggressively on the rooftop solar and we have plans to reach out to nearly 100 cities in the next two years.
We have already gone into four cities and by the end of this financial year we will be in 18 cities. Similarly, we are coming up with a whole range of new products, be it electric vehicle charging facilities or home automation. A huge amount of growth is coming and these are all retail side growth that is coming in.
Apart from this, through our resurgent platform, we have taken over the Prayagraj plant and that is a capacity addition. We don’t only have a stake in it, but we will be also operating the plant.
We are consolidating and a lot of non-core assets are now being sold off. We will have enough money to plan the growth that we are planning for ourselves in the power sector.
When would be the PPAs be reworked and when do you expect states’ approval to come in?
I am expecting that all this should get completed by the end of December.
Does the CERC approval mean that PPAs across other states can be reworked as well? Does it open up the opportunity of nationwide price hikes?
The high power committee and the direction from the Supreme Court is specifically for imported coal-based plants which were set up in Gujarat and others have to go through the process of getting necessary approvals and justification for any increase.
There was a genuine reason in this and that is what the high power committee felt about it, especially the attractiveness of the power cost from all these plants. They have to looked for merit in each case rather than saying that this will be done for everyone on a generic basis.
In yesterday’s policy, RBI talked about how NBFCs do not need a special liquidity window. It seems funding situation is not as dire as it was being made out to be. What is your outlook for the power sector in the coming year?
As far as the funding is concerned, good projects and promoters always get funding and we have not seen any credit squeeze as far as Tata Power is concerned. Whatever growth plans we have been sharing with our lenders and banks, they have been very supportive of it. Generally, in power sector, because of the challenges that many of those plants had in terms of either not having the PPA or not having the coal supply arrangement, it has been more of an operational challenge.
Since those plants are already set up, there is no reason why they should not be able to produce power and supply it to the users in the country.
Tata Power
Praveer Sinha
Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam
marketnews
Mundra unit losses may halve on tariff revision: Praveer Sinha, MD & CEO, Tata Power
We are divesting non-core assets and drawing up 10-year road map: Praveer Sinha, Tata Power
Financial skills helped Tata discom stay afloat in Delhi: Praveer Sinha, CEO, TPDDL
We are bottoming out in terms of growth: S Krishna Kumar, Sundaram AMC
We believe in building brands when growth is down: Sumit Malhotra, Bajaj Consumer
I would go for midcaps & smallcaps rather than largecaps in India: Krishna Memani, Invesco
Niche midcap IT companies could perform better than largecaps: Deven Choksey
Hemang Jani on 4 spaces to hide in a slowing market
It would not be surprising if India takes a little breather: Bill Maldonado, HSBC Global AMC
Sudip Bandyopadhyay on what to buy in financials & pharma space
Liquidity will improve gradually as we enter August: Rajesh Kothari, AlfAccurate Advisors
India’s bond market seeing more foreign inflows: Mitul Kotecha, TD Securities
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The Church of Scotland's day-to-day policy making and practical decision making at local, national and international level are organised into five main councils and a number of associated committees and departments.
Church and Society - Engaging in the national, political and social issues affecting Scotland and the world today
Ministries Council - Supporting a variety of ministries for the Church, from the first stirring of a 'call' through to retirement
Mission and Discipleship - Promoting an overall focus for mission and developing resources for congregations
Social Care (known as CrossReach) - Offering services in Christ's name and specialist resources to further the caring work of the Church to people in need. CrossReach also has its own website at www.crossreach.org.uk
World Mission - Working internationally to share the gospel, support theological education and encourage holistic ministry
Assembly Business - Organising the annual General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
Church Art and Architecture - Provides advice on renovations and alterations to Church buildings
Ecumenical Relations Committee - Encouraging local, national and international work with other denominations
Forces Chaplains Committee - Supporting our ministers and those dedicated to the spiritual well-being of the women and men of the Armed Forces
Legal Questions Committee - Advising the General Assembly on questions of Church and constitutional law
Nomination Committee - Bringing before the General Assembly the names of those to serve on councils and committees
Registration of Ministries Committee - Deals with applications related to the Registration of Ministry
Theological Forum - Resourcing, expressing and challenging the theology that informs the life and work of the Church
Communications - Liaises with the media and responsible for design services and the website
Central Properties - Provides a professional property, facilities and health and safety service
Law - Acting in legal matters for the organisation and all of its courts, councils, and committees
IT - Provides computer facilities to councils and departments within the Church Offices at 121 George Street in Edinburgh
Human Resources - Managing recruitment, employment conditions and learning and continuing development
Facilities Management - Responsible for the day-to-day running of the Church Offices at 121 George Street in Edinburgh
Safeguarding Service - Aiming to prevent harm or abuse where possible and ensuring that the Church makes a timely and appropriate response when harm or abuse is witnessed, suspected or reported
General Trustees - Holding properties and investments for the Church
Housing and Loan Fund - Helping ministers, their widows, widowers, separated or divorced spouses with housing needs in retirement
Stewardship and Finance - Promoting and encouraging Christian stewardship by providing programmes and training for congregations
Church of Scotland Trust - Holding properties outwith Scotland and acting as trustee in third party trusts
Investors Trust - Offering Church groups a medium for the investment of their funds
Pension Trustees - Responsible for the investment of all the Church pension schemes
The Guild - Scotland's largest voluntary Christian group, supporting Scottish and international projects
Appointment to councils and committees
The Nomination Committee identifies individuals with the necessary skills and experience who are then recommended for appointment by the General Assembly. Information on the process and what is expected from members is included on the Nomination Committee's page.
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NCAAMNCAAM
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Pac-12 commish calls for end to one-and-done
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Kyle BonaguraESPN Staff Writer
Covers the Pac-12.
Joined ESPN in 2014.
Attended Washington State University.
Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott is the latest to call for an end to the NBA rule preventing high school basketball players from entering the NBA draft.
"[College basketball is] not meant to be a way station to the pros," Scott told the Arizona Republic, referring to the current one-and-done system in which NCAA stars often leave for the NBA after their freshman season.
"Major League Baseball gets it right," Scott said. "They create a fork in the road. You can go to the draft out of high school. But if you go to college, [the pros] can re-evaluate you again in three years."
In the wake of arrests made in September as part of a federal investigation of corruption in college basketball, the Pac-12 created a task force to study the issues and create policy-change recommendations for the NCAA. That group is expected to finalized its recommendations and present to the NCAA in April.
Among those on the 12-member task force are Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers, longtime college and NBA coach Mike Montgomery, and former college basketball players, coaches and administrators.
Other conference commissioners, including the Big Ten's Jim Delany, the ACC's John Swofford and the Big East's Val Ackerman, have previously advocated plans that get rid of the one-and-done rule.
"There's some low-hanging fruit such as the one-and-done," Swofford said at ACC basketball media day in October. "I say low-hanging fruit. It is and it isn't. From my perspective, it is in the sense that would be something that would immediately help, and if college athletics could do that, I don't think there's any question we would do that. The challenge is getting the NBA and the players' union to play ball with us on that."
Detroit Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy recently criticized the one-and-done system and the backlash against high school players wanting to bypass college.
"People that were against [players] coming out [of high school] made a lot of excuses, but I think a lot of it was racist. I've never heard anybody go up in arms about [minor league baseball or hockey]," Van Gundy told reporters on Sunday. "They are not making big money, and they're white kids primarily and nobody has a problem.
"But all of a sudden you've got a black kid that wants to come out of high school and make millions. That's a bad decision, but bypassing college to go play for $800 a month in minor league baseball? That's a fine decision? What the hell is going on?"
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First title unlocked, Karman Kaur Thandi sets sights on bigger dreams
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Jonathan SelvarajESPN
Even as she closed in on winning her maiden ITF singles title -- the Prudential Hong Kong Women's circuit 25K -- on Sunday, an unpleasant thought crossed Karman Kaur Thandi's mind. She had come close to opening her account on the professional circuit a few times before - having played four finals ever since her debut as a 16-year-old in 2015. She had lost in the decider on two of those occasions. More recently, at the USD 25,000 ITF tournament in Hua Hin, Thailand at the start of the month, she had frittered away a one-set lead in the semi-finals.
"Of course you are trying to think you have to play each point on its own merit but you can't help but remember what stage you are in. I was in a final and I really wanted to win," she says. "I had been maybe a bit cautious in the past where I shouldn't have been. I would lose and then make reasons for why I lost afterwards. I didn't want to feel that way anymore."
Karman Kaur Thandi: India's newest tennis sensation
Girl on the high road: Ankita Raina closes in on Grand Slam dream
And so Thandi -- India's second highest-ranked women's singles player, currently at World no. 261 -- played in the way her mentor, multiple Grand Slam winner Mahesh Bhupathi, had advised her a day before the final.
"Just believe in yourself," Bhupathi had told her over a phone call.
Thandi went for her shots, not giving her opponent -- World Number 185 Jia-Jing Lu -- any quarter, before wrapping up a 6-1, 6-2 victory at the Victoria Park Tennis Stadium. That win followed much in the manner of the 20-year-old from New Delhi's performances all week. Neither did Thandi drop a single set over five matches, nor did she commit a single double fault. It was as complete a performance as had been possible.
"My serve was coming out well and my forehands were hitting the spot," she says.
While pleased with how she played, the win, Karman says was a significant one since it was her first. "It was important to get this title out of the way. Winning is a good feeling. I need to keep going with this now," she says.
She's had her fair share of experiences, not all positive in the year so far. Just a week back, she had lost in the first round at a tournament in Singapore, one of four occasions where she had faltered at the initial hurdle of a competition this season.
"The first six months have been tough but it's been a good learning experience. I've learned from the matches I lost. I've played a few of Federation Cup ties too (including a 3-6, 2-6 loss to World no. 53 Zarina Diyas of Kazakhstan and a 2-6, 2-6 loss to World no. 80 Wang Yafan of China). What I've learned from playing top 100 players is that it isn't just about playing a match with intensity, you have to play each point the same way," she says.
While the 6-foot-tall player has always had a powerful serve and ground strokes, she has found her spot in attacking a lot more now. "I'm just going for my shots a lot more now," she says. "The areas I have improved the most have been in my second serve and ground serves. In Hong Kong, I was using them as my primary weapons." Another key improvement for her has been in the fact that she has managed to stay focused and mentally strong in crucial points. "You have to stay mentally strong for the weapons to work," she explains.
Having got her first win out of the way, Thandi is now setting her sights on bigger targets. She has another couple of ITF tournaments in China next month, while the Asian Games in August are coming up fast too. "The Asian Games will be huge tournament for me. It will be important to see just where I am, and how I do will also have an effect on the funding I get from the government (Thandi is a part of the Target Olympic Podium Scheme)," she says.
The Games are only just one of her goals though. With India women's no. 1 Ankita Raina competing in the qualifying rounds for the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, Thandi is hoping to put a step further. "My short term goals are to crack the top 200 in the world rankings. But by next year, I hope I will be in the main draws of the Grand Slams," she says.
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Desecration of White Heritage is essentially due to Jewish-Tribal factors than Demographic Changes or Ideological Fervor
Some say Confederate and other White Monuments are being removed or desecrated across America because of demographic changes: As the US becomes less white, white monuments are targeted by non-whites. To an extent, maybe.
But consider the following examples that call into question the correlation between demographic change and iconoclasm.
Mao’s revolutionary army united China and kicked out all foreigners in the name of regaining national autonomy. So, under Mao, China was once again China for Chinese. And yet, these very Chinese went about destroying so much of their own national art, texts, architecture, monuments, and treasures. The Cultural Revolution was maybe the biggest orgy of cultural destruction in the 20th century. It was about Chinese culture destroyed by the Chinese.
Also, consider the Anglo-American remembrance of Indian Cultures. American Indians were killed off by disease or guns and pushed westward, finally into dreary Reservations. And yet, Anglo-Americans went about building monuments to these vanquished peoples when the dust settled. These were memorials to Indians erected by white folks who replaced them. So, even as demography favored white settlers over Indian savages, white folks honored the memory of Indians by erecting monuments, naming towns after Indians, and etc.
So, it’s not just about demographics but a state of mind that determines whether cultural markers are erected, preserved, or desecrated.
Anglo-Americans could be ruthless warriors, but they also had a culture of magnanimity, recognition and respect for worthy foes. David Yeagley expounded on this aspect of the White Man. It is possibly rooted in the honor code of the warrior and the Christian virtues of grace and forgiveness(or repentance).
But such mindset seems to be missing among most non-white groups. Too many Jews feel contempt for gentile cultures and want them utterly defiled and desecrated. Blacks only respect ugabuga gangsta thuggery of ‘muh power’ and have no regard for values and culture beyond ‘muh dic*’, ‘muh booty’, ‘muh bling’, and ‘muh badassness’. Muslims can be simple-minded iconoclasts(even though, to their credit, they didn’t destroy all the pagan and infidel heritage in arts and achievements… that is, until the US let loose the hounds of ISIS on secular Arab regimes). And Asians are yellow dog teachers pets who can easily be led into Red Guard mode.
As for whites... they are now deracinated cucks. The lack of fiery resistance on the part of whites(even in the Deep South) to the toppling of Southern Monuments is downright shocking. Such craven cowardice or, worse, total apathy and indifference to the eradication of their own heritage and remembrance of past heroism and tragedy is pathetic indeed.
But then, the globalized ‘muh burger and fries’ culture of the new US has severed the historical and ancestral roots of most Americans. Non-white mass invaders attack whiteness, but they too are severed from their own identities, roots, and heritages. Both whites and non-whites are merging into vapid deracination where most people mainly identify with pop culture. Their only culture is videogames and Negro-dominated sports and rap music.
Granted, most non-whites don't come to America with hatred for whites. That hatred is implanted by Jewish media and academia that saturate entertainment and education with images of Evil Whitey as scapegoat for all problems though, to be sure, non-whites can be villains too as long as they are not Jews, blacks, or homos.
The main anti-white animus is the product of Jewish control of media. In that sense, the main reason for the recent spate of anti-white desecrations are neither primarily demographic or ideological. After all, most blacks in the South didn’t much care about Confederate flags or monuments until recently. The symbols and monuments became an issue with increasing Jewish and ‘neo-carpet-beggar’ takeover of the South. It has accompanied the rise of ‘new conservatives’ such as Nikki Haley who take their cues from Jews. Also, the new Southern White elites are either financial stooges of Jews or were educated in Jewish-dominated elite schools. As such, they lack the soul and spine to call out on the Culture War against the South that is being Afro-ized and ‘Immigrantized’.
A place can change demographically but still let the monuments be. Or if a radical ideology takes hold, it seeks to wipe out everything that is deemed falsely idolatrous. The current Culture War we are seeing in the US isn’t primarily due to demographic or ideological factors. Most Mass Invaders(aka non-white immigrants) who come to the US don’t come with anti-white hatred, nor do they have any wish to knock down statues. Rather, their kids are taught to hate whites and white symbols in schools. They are taught by teachers whose worldview has been shaped by trickle-down anti-white hatred of Jewish elites.
Also, we know the core animating factor isn’t ideological because the targets are usually limited to whatever Jews don’t like. After all, if the New Values are about ‘anti-racism’, why are Emma Lazarus and Immigration celebrated when More Immigration meant more 'racist' ‘genocide’ against American Indians? Also, why don’t Jews fess up to the fact that their immigration patterns have always been White Preferist or White Favorist? In other words, even as Jews bitch about ‘genocide’ and ‘slavery’, they always trailed and followed whites who led the way in creating new civilizations and opportunities, at times even through genocide and slavery. But notice that Jews get ‘passover’ treatment from the ideological fervor despite the fact that Jews played a prominent role in financing Western expansion, slave trade, and imperialism.
True ideology doesn’t work that way as it calls for consistency. Under Bolshevik communism, both Christianity and Judaism were suppressed. And in ideological Red China, even Chinese ‘reactionaries’ came under attack. No one was spared because he was a fellow Chinese.
In contrast, the Culture War in the US always exempts Jews-as-targets. So, even though 'racist' Apartheid South Africa was targeted for sanctions, Israel was allowed to do as it pleases despite its greater violence against Arabs and development of nuclear weapons(which it even shared with Apartheid South Africa). Even though Joe McCarthy was reviled by Jews for violation of Constitutional Rights, Jews play loose with the law to shut down and effectively censor anyone they don’t like, e.g. Alt Right at Charlottesville and on the internet.
And even as so many Confederate monuments have been removed or destroyed, the ones of Benjamin Judah remain untouched because they are of a Jewish man. So, even though demographic changes and ideological fervor play a part in the desecration of white history, they are not the main impetus behind the violence.
It is Jewish tribal manipulation of hatred in order to administer lashings on white identity and consciousness so that white pride and prestige will be broken to the point where whites feel they have choice but to just surrender to the supremacist will of Jews. To be sure, the most effective way of breaking white will and unity(most crucially of white men and white women) is Jungle Fever and ACOWW(or Afro-Colonization of White Wombs), but it also helps to smash Southern symbols of White Resistance against the Biological Slavery under Blacks. After all, even though whites did force blacks into social slavery and used racial discrimination, the Confederacy and Jim Crow were also acts of white resistance against the Thug-Advantage of stronger, tougher, and more aggressive blacks. In other words, black-and-white relations were never simply black-and-white but held many grey areas.
Labels: American Indians, Benjamin Judah, Confederate Monuments, Culture War, Deep South, demographic changes, ideology, Jews, Status
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Opinion ›
Columns ›
Students should keep activism local
Photo Credit: Zoe Fu | Daily Texan Staff
Published on November 7, 2017 at 9:20 pm Last update on November 7, 2017 at 9:20 pm
By Ryan Young
My fellow columnist Elizabeth Braaten wrote several weeks ago that as college students, we’re good at making a scene about issues we care about. We’re passionate and interested in social justice, and we’re not afraid to voice our opinions on social media. Unfortunately, we usually stop there — we’re “slacktivists.” Why? Maybe because it feels futile to try to save the entire country.
In the age of Trump and fake news, it’s easy to get riled up about the latest national dumpster fire — be it football and the national anthem, gun control, bathroom bills or UNESCO — as the endless Facebook battles and Daily Texan columns attest to, with all due respect to my colleagues. But folks, let’s face it: Our complaints are drops in the bucket. There are more than 320 million Americans, and we’re governed by a labyrinthine federal government.
Are tweets and Capitol protests going to convince Congress to repeal that legislation or the president to do a 180 on foreign policy? Probably not. But you can make a difference by turning toward your local community — your city, Austin.
In many ways, city politics have a bigger impact on our lives than national politics. Think of the services you depend on everyday: police protection, the library system, public parks and roads and bridges. Do you ever think about the people responsible for designing, administering and running those systems? I can tell you they don’t work for President Donald Trump.
Unlike the behemoth that is the federal government, the city of Austin is beholden to us. It’s responsive to our day-to-day concerns. City planning isn’t top-down, but bottom-up. Elected officials and administrators regularly talk to residents to understand their needs and desires — that’s how they get the information they need to make decisions that govern the services we use every day.
When we get off social media and talk to our city council members, we get real progress, such as the proposed renaming of Austin’s Robert E. Lee Road.
And right now, the city is asking for our help. Know of any spots in West Campus that are a little too dark for comfort? The city wants to hear about them. You can help them out by responding to their lighting survey, which will guide future improvements, such as more streetlights and safer pedestrian crosswalks.
You can also make your voice heard by taking the city’s Corridor Mobility Program survey. Remember that billion-dollar mobility bond we voted on last year? The city is just now beginning the public input process that will determine how all that money will be spent. If you’ve ever been nearly run over crossing the street or riding a bicycle, speak up and let the city know that students need safer routes to class. Think more bike lanes, wider sidewalks and safer pedestrian crossings on big streets like the Drag.
You might be wondering why you should bother if these projects are years away for a community you’ll probably have no stake in. But by becoming more informed and engaged citizens today, we can be ready to enact change wherever we may live tomorrow. What starts here changes the world, but we don’t have to change the whole world at once.
Young is a computer science senior from Bakersfield, California. He is a senior columnist. Follow him on Twitter @OldRyanYoung.
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Friday TV/Media Notes
Here are some TV and media notes for Friday. The Sprint Cup and Camping World Truck Series head to Martinsville this weekend. That can mean only one thing, hot dogs.
It's still two dollars for the pink dogs Martinsville Speedway has been serving up for years. Crews keep running totals on a board above the concession stand. Hot dog pride is on the line.
First off, Friday is a big day for our friends at ESPN. After several failed attempts at figuring out what ESPN2 was supposed to be, the "cloning" of ESPN finally did the trick. Now, the network that launched in October of 1993 will celebrate April Fools Day in style.
When the clock slips past midnight, ESPN2 will officially pass the 100 million home mark for distribution in the US. That is a big number. NASCAR's other cable partners include TNT with 102 and SPEED with 82 million.
The success for ESPN was to craft ESPN2 as just another cable outlet for live event programming. Both the Nationwide Series and the daily NASCAR Now program certainly will benefit from those new numbers. While the morning shows on ESPN2 have found some traction, it is the fact that ESPN can now use either of two networks to reach over 100 million homes that is the big deal.
Over at SPEED, new EVP Patti Wheeler is happy to boast about a new live event. The network is going to carry Denny Hamlin's Short Track Challenge on April 28 from Richmond International Raceway.
"SPEED jumped at the chance to broadcast the Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown live because not only does some of the best racing of the year usually come out of Richmond, this event will showcase NASCAR stars out of their comfort zone a bit,” said Wheeler in a media release. “The Showdown promises to be fun for all involved, will benefit a great cause and should get everyone pumped up for Friday’s Nationwide Series race.”
Hamlin's charity event benefiting his foundation used to be held at Southside Speedway, a Richmond area favorite. Unfortunately, owner and promoter Sue Clements recently suffered a stroke. The racing season has been postponed until she recovers. The good news for Southside Speedway is that it was NASCAR sanctioned in December and the staff continue to be hopeful of holding some NASCAR regional events later this season.
On Friday the NASCAR on FOX team of Mike Joy, Darrell Waltrip and Larry McReynolds will call the Sprint Cup Series on-track sessions for SPEED. Meanwhile Rick Allen, Phil Parsons and Michael Waltrip will handle the Camping World Truck Series action.
At 7PM Hamlin and crew chief Mike Ford will appear on SPEED's Trackside. Steve Byrnes hosts with Darrell Waltrip and Jeff Hammond as the expert panel.
We welcome your comments on these topics as well as the Friday coverage from Martinsville on SPEED. To add your opinion, just click on the comments button below. This is a family-friendly website, please keep that in mind when posting. Thank you for taking the time to stop by The Daly Planet.
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Moshe like the sun, Yehoshua like the moon -- oy lanu!
The gemara (Baba Basra 75b) writes that Yehoshua was a pale comparison to Moshe – “Pnei Moshe k’pnei chamah u’pnei Yehoshua k’pnei levana.” Moshe was like the sun, Yehoshua like the moon. The gemara continues that when the Elders saw this they bemoaned, “Oy lanu m’oso busha,” Woe to us from such embarrassment. Why were the Elders in particular affected by this difference between Moshe and Yehoshua? Would not all of the people feel the loss of Moshe Rabeinu's leadership?
The Mishna (Rosh haShana 2:10) tells us that the names of the members of Moshe’s beis din are deliberately omitted from the Torah so that if a person feels that the judges of his era are incompetent, not worth listening to, we can always argue that they are no worse than the anonymous members of Moshe’s court – there is no way to prove otherwise. The Divrei Shaul quotes the Ketzos haChoshen as explaining that this is why the Elders in particular were so shocked when they saw the discrepancy between Moshe and Yehoshua. The Elders realized that the dramatic difference between Moshe and Yehoshua indicated a trend of continuing precipitous decline in leadership over time. And yet, theoretically, some future judge, obviously on an even lower level, could be compared to one of them!
The Ksav Sofer offers another beautiful explanation. Yehoshua was the leader of a new generation, a generation that did not see Yetziyas Mitzrayim first hand and who did not witness Moshe Rabeinu in his prime. That generation saw that Yehoshua was not on the level of Moshe, but they assumed this was to be expected given Yehoshua’s relative younger age and lack of experience. However, the Elders had seen Moshe when he was the same age as Yehoshua;, they had seen Moshe when he was also new to leadership. They knew that it was not age or experience alone that could account for the difference between Moshe and Yehoshua, and therefore it was these Elders who felt the full brunt of the decline.
Labels: Pinchas
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You are here: Home >> English News & Features >> City-Delhi
Rents to remain stable in 2017
DNDEL8091 | 8/12/2017 | Author : Surabhi Arora | WC :418 | Business & Economy
Trend Tracker: Demand for Grade A office space in NCR should remain firm driven mainly by banking and finance and public sector undertakings
DNA PROPERTY
We expect demand to revive in coming quarters as international financial institutions and companies which need to remain in close proximity to embassies should remain active in the CBD. We expect rents for Grade A buildings to inch up in coming quarters in the CBD and Aero City while average rents are likely to remain stable.
Demand for Grade A office space should remain firm driven mainly by banking and finance and public sector undertakings.
In 2017, only 0.3 million sq ft is likely to be added to Grade A inventory. Nonetheless, the city is gearing up for redevelopment of seven colonies with about 3 million sq ft (0.28 million sq m) of planned commercial supply by 2020.
set to decrease by the end of 2017 due to restricted new supply in CBD and SBD.
Likely to increase by 2 to 3% over the year in the CBD and south-east areas in grade A buildings due to restricted new supply.
Likely to remain stable in the CBD, while the SBD location in south Delhi may see upward pressure on prices due to the recent e-auction of a commercial tower that fetched more than CBD capital values.
In Q2 2017, new corporate leasing activity remained stable with gross absorption standing at only about 0.42 million sq ft (39,000 sq m), up by 27% Q-o-Q. Connaught Place accounted for a 23% share of total leasing followed by off-CBD locations with 18% and Aero City with 30%. Other locations such as Jasola, Saket, Nehru place and Okhla contributed about 29% of total absorption. The average deal size has continued to decline, and stood at 14,500 sq ft (1,350 sq m) in Q2 2017 versus 18,550 sq ft (1,700 sq m) in Q1 2017.
In contrast to previous quarter, Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) and Information technology and information technology enabled services (IT-ITeS) sector derived the demand in Q2 2017 with 24% and 23% share respectively.
In line with our expectation, Grade A buildings in the CBD and Aerocity continued to attract tenants due to their preference for Grade A quality office space in prime locations. Due to limited availability of Grade A office space, rents have increased 3-6% Q-o-Q in these areas. As the supply pipeline is likely to remain narrow in both locations, we expect further upward pressure of 2 to 3% on rents over the year. However, rents are likely to stablise in long term.
Surabhi Arora
Senior Associate Director, Colliers International India
Copyright restricted. Under license from www.dnasyndication.com
Associated Content with this story:
Shahid Balwa
Uday Dharmadhikari
Ashok Menon
Suresh Haware
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Stewart Burkitt
Federation holds grave concerns that the Baird Government is planning to privatise education in NSW gaols.
Federation representatives met senior management of Corrective Services (CSNSW) on March 10 to discuss the progress of the Education Review submission current being prepared by consultants KPMG. Assistant Commissioner Dr Anne Marie Martin reported that the response to the final submission to the NSW Government Expenditure Review Committee could be announced as early as April.
CSTA representatives were informed that the submission involves a “hybrid model with some existing staff and some external providers”.
Current provision consists of education staff permanently employed by CSNSW with vocational education provided by TAFE.
Privatisation of public education provision will be a disaster for successful rehabilitation of NSW prisoners. Privatisation runs counter to the stated aim of reducing recidivism outlined in the CSNSW state plan.
Our community has high expectations that inmates will have access to high-quality education delivered by highly-qualified and experienced public education teachers in this uniquely complex and volatile environment.
At the current time, public education is even more critical given the dramatic rise in the level of prisoners being incarcerated in NSW. Senior managers informed Federation representatives that prison numbers are expected to reach 13,000 by December, the highest ever recorded number.
This current trend in prisoner numbers is expected to continue to rise, and this will require even more provision, rather than less, of public education. This pressure on the CSNSW system is leading to a “warehousing” approach, with all the inherent dangers of tension and potential violence within the gaols.
Research has continually demonstrated that prisoners who engage in adult education while incarcerated have a 10–15 per cent less risk of returning to gaol.
The role of education, including the operation of prison libraries, contributes to the good order of each gaol. This results in a safer environment for all workers and prisoners. It is essential that every gaol in NSW has the capacity to offer public education to every prisoner. Any level of privatisation will inevitably have an impact on the ability to provide education across each gaol in NSW.
Federation will continue to campaign to stop the privatisation of public education in NSW gaols.
The Education Beats Crime campaign has commenced with briefing state members of parliament and other community and union organisations. All Federation members are encouraged to support this important campaign.
Stewart Burkitt is President of the CSTA and Rob Long is a Post School Organiser.
Click here for pdf of article
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Energy Innovation
Petropolitics
Oil and the Economy
< Back to Petropolitics
Iran’s Sanction-Busting Playbook is Weak
Guest Post by Matthew M. Reed | @matthewmreed
Matthew Reed is Vice President of Foreign Reports, Inc. and a non-resident fellow at New America and the Payne Institute at the Colorado School of Mines.
Ahead of harsh oil sanctions being re-imposed this November, Iranian officials are dusting off their old sanctions-busting playbook. “We will use every trick in the book and carry out any method to sell our oil so that our production does not fall,” Iran’s deputy oil minister for international affairs, Amirhossein Zamaninia, told Platts on May 7—the day before President Trump quit the nuclear deal.
From 2012 through 2015, the U.S. and EU enforced overlapping and painful sanctions that slashed Iran’s exports by about one million barrels a day (b/d). This time around, the Europeans oppose U.S. sanctions, but the Trump administration is convinced it can impose the “toughest sanctions in history” without the EU’s help.
Tehran has options but none are very good.
The goal is to “get imports [of Iranian oil] as close to zero as possible by November 4th,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said last month. “Zero” he repeated for emphasis. At this point the U.S. seems reluctant to offer exceptions that would allow importers to cut back on Iranian oil more gradually. This administration is also more inclined than its predecessor to count light condensates as crude exports. If they do, then some 2.5 million b/d could be sanctioned.
What can Iran do to thwart sanctions? What did it do last time? Tehran has options but none are very good. Together they may only delay an inevitable and steep decline in exports.
Boost prices with threats: The easiest way for Iran to resist sanctions is to buoy prices by issuing threats. That’s what Iran did in 2012, when officials threatened to shut the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 18 million barrels of oil pass every day. This year Iran’s leaders began issuing similar threats in July. President Hassan Rouhani went a step further when he threatened vital oil chokepoints beyond the Persian Gulf. “We have many other options. It is not [just] the Strait of Hormuz. There are many other straits, but you [Americans] are aware of only one of them,” he told an audience in Tehran on July 23.
Rouhani was referring to the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, where the Red Sea meets the Gulf of Aden, and where Iran supplies Houthi militants with the weapons they’ve used to attack oil tankers this year. Any price impact may be modest or temporary but the threats contribute to a heightened sense of geopolitical risk. Efficacy aside, this option is virtually cost-free. (For more on renewed threats to Mideast oil chokepoints, see my recent paper for the Payne Institute.)
Offer discounts and special deals: Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh first hinted at the possibility of future discounts in April. “Iran will take all the necessary measures to keep its oil market share because of the political atmosphere and the American president’s decision on the deal,” he told state TV. At the time, Zanganeh said it was “possible to make changes in our prices,” and that’s what Iran has done this summer. Iran’s official selling prices for Europe and India look increasingly attractive compared to similar grades. Besides discounts, customers have been offered cut-rate freight and an extra 30 days credit, according to trade press accounts. Yet discounts will not solve the sanctions problem. A few buyers might take additional, displaced barrels but only if their exposure is limited to begin with.
Arrange and disguise more oil shipments: As insurance becomes harder to acquire and tankers shun Iranian ports, Iran can be expected to haul more of its own oil; the National Iranian Tanker Company will also assume more risk. Ahead of the first tranche of U.S. sanctions being imposed on August 7, major Chinese buyers have turned to NITC for all deliveries, and NITC is reportedly covering the costs of shipping and insurance. State-backed firms may have a different risk threshold than purely private enterprises so it remains to be seen whether Iran can attract other customers with similar terms. Given its banking constraints, Iran’s inability to provide sufficient insurance is a major stumbling block.
Smuggling commercial volumes is extremely difficult if not impossible.
Iran can also be expected to disguise oil sales by re-flagging and re-naming tankers, employing front companies, and turning off GPS transponders, like it did in 2012. However confusing, none of those tricks did much to save Iran’s exports before. The U.S. Treasury can be expected to regularly expose ships and fronts—like it did last time—and Washington will lean hard on countries to strip flags from those tankers that really belong to Iran. The fact is: it’s impossible to hide million- or two-million-barrel cargoes on the high seas when the U.S. is looking hard for them. Smuggling commercial volumes is extremely difficult if not impossible.
Accept local currency and expand barter deals: With Iran unable to trade in dollars and European banks afraid of crossing the U.S. Treasury, Iran will have trouble turning oil into dollars and (probably) euros. The only other option is for Iran to accept payment in the local currency of their customer. This is what U.S. sanctions were designed to do in the first place: trap Iran’s oil revenues and force Tehran to enter barter deals with trade partners, only accepting humanitarian goods such as food and medicine.
Iran’s sanction-busting playbook is weak. Using it also presents real risks to the officials involved.
One option available to Iran is to expand these barter deals by choice—enabling trade for other goods or services or possibly financing investments in customer countries. India and China would be natural candidates for these schemes but so would Russia, if the zombie oil-for-goods deal ever comes to life. Even so, Iran will have a hard time turning steadily rising accounts into imports and investments. The currencies trapped in those accounts could also lose value.
Iran’s sanction-busting playbook is weak. Using it also presents real risks to the officials involved. In an effort to save the economy, Iran’s leaders are blaming “corrupt” officials and businessmen for the country’s ills, rather than sanctions. To that end the Supreme Leader recently endorsed the formation of a new revolutionary court which is to prosecute the corrupt quickly and harshly—with limited appeals and possible executions. Any official pursuing secretive oil deals or offering discounts in this political climate should be afraid of being accused of corruption. Failure might mean the loss of one’s post but success could also be used against officials if they fall out of favor with influential hard-liners.
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Issues in Focus
Safety Standards for Crude-By-Rail Shipments
A series of accidents in North America in recent years have raised concerns regarding rail shipments of crude oil. Fatal accidents in Lynchburg, Virginia, Lac-Megantic, Quebec, Fayette County, West Virginia, and (most recently) Culbertson, Montana have prompted public outcry and regulatory scrutiny.
2014 saw an all-time record of 144 oil train incidents in the U.S.—up from just one in 2009—causing a total of more than $7 million in damage.
The spate of crude-by-rail accidents has emerged from the confluence of three factors. First is the massive increase in oil movements by rail, which has increased more than three-fold since 2010. Second is the inadequate safety features of DOT-111 cars, particularly those constructed prior to 2011, which account for roughly 70 percent of tank cars on U.S. railroads. Third is the high volatility of oil produced from the Bakken and other shale formations, which makes this crude more prone towards combustion.
Of these three, rail car safety standards is the factor over which regulators can exert the most control. After months of regulatory review, on May 1, 2015, the White House and the Department of Transportation unveiled the new safety standards. The announcement also coincided with new tank car standards in Canada—a critical move, since many crude by rail shipments cross the U.S.-Canadian border. In the words DOT, the new rule:
Unveils a new, enhanced tank car standard and an aggressive, risk-based retrofitting schedule for older tank cars carrying crude oil and ethanol;
Requires a new braking standard for certain trains that will offer a superior level of safety by potentially reducing the severity of an accident, and the “pile-up effect”;
Designates new operational protocols for trains transporting large volumes of flammable liquids, such as routing requirements, speed restrictions, and information for local government agencies; and
Provides new sampling and testing requirements to improve classification of energy products placed into transport.
The newly prescribed tank car, the DOT-117, has 9/16 inch tank shell, 11 gauge jacket, 1/2 inch full-height head shield, thermal protection, and improved pressure relief valves and bottom outlet valves. Additionally, thousands of older tank cars will require retrofitting by as early as 2018.
Since the rule was announced, Republicans in Congress sought to roll back the provision calling for an advanced breaking system, following concerns from the rail industry that such an upgrade would be unnecessary and could cost billions of dollars. The advanced braking systems are required to be in place by 2021.
Democrats in Congress have argued that the new rules are insufficient to mitigate the danger. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) both issued statements arguing that the rules were insufficient and the timelines for safety improvements were too long.
The current industry standard car, the CPC-1232, came into usage in October 2011. These cars have half inch thick shells (marginally thicker than the DOT-111 7/16 inch shells) and advanced valves that are more resilient in the event of an accident. However, these newer cars were involved in the derailments and explosions in Virginia and West Virginia within the past year, raising questions about the validity of replacing only the DOT-111s manufactured before 2011.
Before the rule was finalized, early reports indicated that the rule submitted to the White House by the Department of Transportation has proposed a two-stage phase-out of the current fleet of railcars, focusing first on the pre-2011 cars, then the current standard CPC-1232 cars. In the final rule, DOT mandated a more aggressive timeline for retrofitting the CPC-1232 cars, imposing a deadline of April 1, 2020 for non-jacketed cars.
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DataSpotlight
The recent oil production boom in the United States, while astounding, has created a misleading narrative that the United States is no longer dependent on oil imports. Reports of surging domestic production, calls for relaxation of the crude oil export ban, labels of “Saudi America,” and the recent collapse in oil prices have created a perception that the United States has more oil than it knows what to do with.
This view is misguided. While some forecasts project that the United States could become a self-sufficient oil producer within the next decade, this remains a distant prospect. According to the April 2015 Short Term Energy Outlook, total U.S. crude oil production averaged an estimated 9.3 million barrels per day in March, while total oil demand in the country is over 19 million barrels per day.
This graphic helps illustrate the regional variations in crude oil supply and demand. North America, Europe, and Asia all run significant production deficits, with the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Former Soviet Union are global engines of crude oil supply.
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Bangladesh forces kill four suspected Islamist militants
AFP | October 08, 2016 16:30 MYT
A file photo of Bangladeshi security personnel cordoning off the area after a group of gunmen attacked a restaurant popular with foreigners in a diplomatic zone of Dhaka on July 1, 2016. - AFP
DHAKA: Bangladeshi forces killed four suspected Islamist extremists during raids near Dhaka Saturday, security officials said, the latest clashes in the country's ongoing crackdown on militants.
Police have conducted a series of raids on suspected militant hideouts since extremists stormed a posh Dhaka cafe in July and slaughtered 22 mostly foreign hostages.
The elite Rapid Action Battalion launched two separate operations Saturday after being tipped off about the presence of Islamist extremists in a building in Gazipur, just outside Dhaka, and a three-storey structure in the northern district of Tangail.
"Two extremists were shot dead during a gunfight with the RAB in Gazipur. Weapons and explosives have been recovered," RAB spokesman Mufti Mahmud Khan told AFP.
Two more suspected extremists were killed after RAB forces raided another building in Tangail, local RAB chief Mohiuddin Faruqe told AFP.
"They fired at our officers suddenly as we raided their hideout. We fired back and two extremists were shot dead," he said, adding that two RAB officers were also injured during the raid.
The RAB did not elaborate on the operations and there was no immediate comment about what group the gunmen were affiliated with.
Private television broadcaster Jamuna TV said the RAB launched the raid in Gazipur after receiving intelligence that the "Dhaka coordinator" of the banned Islamist extremist group Jamayetul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) was at the hideout.
It remained unclear whether the extremist leader was among the dead.
The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the July 1 attack on the upscale cafe in Dhaka, posting pictures of the attackers holding IS flags online.
However, Bangladesh officials have rejected the claims, saying the JMB led by a Canadian citizen of Bangladesh origin, Tamim Chowdhury, was responsible for the massacre.
In August police shot Chowdhury dead along with two of his associates after they stormed an extremist hideout in Narayanganj city near Dhaka.
Since the cafe carnage, Bangladeshi security forces have killed at least 32 suspected Islamist militants, including a US citizen of Bangladesh descent.
Long dormant after their top leaders were executed in March 2007, the JMB has recently regrouped with young, university-educated extremists taking the helm.
Bangladesh has been reeling from a deadly wave of attacks in the last three years, including on foreigners, rights activists and members of the country's religious minorities.
Tag: dhaka cafe attack, bangladesh cafe attack
Bangladesh in mourning after hostage bloodbath
20 foreigners killed by Bangladesh hostage-takers: army
Dhaka attack a clarion call for world to unite against terrorism - Najib
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Ceritalah ASEAN - 'Made In Vietnam': The new global buzzword
Karim Raslan, Astro Awani | August 02, 2018 05:58 MYT
A near-empty road in Hoi's rural village of Binh Lan Ward in Quang Nam. The place seems humble even today: one-lane roads and single-story shophouses surrounded by hills overlooking unending swathes of forests. Mai Duong / Ceritalah
FORGET “Made in China” – there’s a new global buzzword and it’s: “Made in Vietnam”.
Indeed, the once war-torn nation is fast-positioning itself as a key manufacturing hub. One in 10 smartphones in the world today – you may be reading this article from one – are produced in Vietnam.
In 2017, Samsung products alone accounted for a quarter of the country’s USD227 billion exports, in which steel and furniture also strongly feature.
But the Vietnamese are also adding value in a surprising way and this is especially apparent in Danang.
Nguyen Ba Hoi produces neither smartphones nor steel for export. Instead, he’s focusing on developing his country into a centre for innovation.
He’s spending his time in Danang’s modern and sleek makerspaces – co-ops where creative individuals can invent and test out new products – that are quickly popping up all over the region.
“University students come here to learn about thermal equation or build a musical instrument in 2 hours. We’re also developing a device to help patients who have suffered a stroke – for now, it’s just a prototype.”
Married and a father of two, Hoi shows me around the Maker Innovation Space (Maker Space, for short) – located on University of Danang’s campus – one of two facilities he has established since 2015. It’s filled with 3D printers; laser cutters and all sorts of modern gadgets tech junkies could only dream of.
But he hasn’t always had it easy.
“Both my parents were primary school teachers and part-time farmers. They raised livestock like pigs…their income was super low.”
Nguyen Ba Hoi was born in the rural village of Binh Lan Ward in Vietnam’s central Quang Nam province, with a population of more than 1.4 million. The place seems humble even today: one-lane roads and single-story shophouses surrounded by hills overlooking unending swathes of forests.
“I was born in a very poor area…I came here to Danang to study and worked really hard, so I could support my parents. I weighed 38kg and slept four hours a day in order to learn English…I wanted to go overseas to further my studies.”
After obtaining a degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Danang, Hoi attended Thailand’s Asian Institute of Technology where he pursued a master’s in Microelectronics. He then moved to Munich, where he helped develop a black box system for Mercedes Benz.
Now an alumnus of Washington, D.C.’s Catholic University of America with a PhD in Biomedical Engineering, the ambitious 39-year-old is happy to be back home.
“When I hear about the latest technology, it’s always someone from Germany or the UK who’s invented it. So why not someone from Vietnam this time? This is what places like Maker Space can do: give Vietnam’s young people a chance to make a name for themselves.”
Vietnam’s third-largest city of just over 1 million people, Danang is poised to play host to more entrepreneurial and technology-centric initiatives like Hoi’s, pushing to develop technology and innovation sectors domestically.
The country’s largest information technology company, FPT Corporation is looking to transform the coastal metropolis into a “smart city” by 2020, investing USD658,000 on pilot projects such as real-time management of traffic signals and an electronic patient recording system in hospitals.
Innovation even permeates city management: as part of its push to become a “green city” by 2025, Danang has already eliminated 12,000 tons of carbon emissions by introducing hybrid cars and solar-powered water heaters.
While many of the region’s economies are slowing down – especially in light of the US-China trade war – Vietnam’s GDP expanded by a whopping 7.38% in the first quarter of 2018.
Despite Donald Trump’s hostility to global trade, more than 60 American companies from Microsoft to IBM converged on Danang earlier this year to look for opportunities in the Central Key Economic Zone, comprised of seven provinces.
Yet, with only 9% of the workforce holding university-level qualifications, Vietnam may face a barrier to expanding its industrial capability beyond manufacturing.
But Hoi remains optimistic about the future.
Sitting with his parents – who are now happily retired from farming – he quips, “I love this philosophy we have at Maker Space: when you come here, you can innovate and fail very fast. But then you try again and then you succeed. Before we succeed, we must fail a lot.”
On the wall of Maker Space a sign simply reads: “Build the future”.
If Vietnam can upskill its workforce, cut red tape and create more Hoi’s – Vietnam’s future will no doubt be an inspiring and impactful one for both its people and the rest of the region.
*Follow Karim Raslan on Twitter @fromKMR / Instagram @fromkmr
** The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of Astro AWANI.
Tag: Vietnam, Danang, Ceritalah ASEAN, Karim Raslan, Nguyen Ba Hoi, gadget, manufacturing, Made in Vietnam
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EXP Podcast #127: Games in the Gallery
Last week, the Smithsonian American Art Museum announced the games that will be included in its upcoming exhibit <i>The Art of Video Games</i>. After the curators selected 240 nominees, people voted for which games would be included in the exhibit. The list is full of influential games, so we thought it would be fun to go through the selections and discuss some of the highlights. You can follow along with us by downloading the PDF document listing the winners and runners up from the American Art Museum's website. It's a big list, but not nearly big enough to fit everyone's most beloved games, so feel free to share your choices in the comments!
- Which of your favorites made the list? What were some notable omissions?
- What patterns do see across across the time periods and the various formats?
- While visual art is relatively easy to convey visually, it is can be more difficult to convey design philosophies. How are games best presented in a public format?
- "The Art of Video Games," an exhibition at the Smithsonian American Art Museum
Direct download: EXP_Podcast_127_smithsonian.mp3
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Top Secret: License to Spy Opens
http://exploration.org/exhibits/topsecret/
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Uncover the truth
National Traveling Exhibit opens Saturday, Jan. 19
Slink through the shadows of mystery! Search exotic locales around the world to gather intelligence on a group of suspects, and build a case to determine the likely culprit. Control hidden cameras, sight-see with spy satellites, peer through the dark with night vision, crack codes, navigate a laser maze and much more!
Top Secret: License to Spy is created by SciTech, produced by Imagine Exhibitions.
Kansas Kids Connect Opening Weekend
New Permanent Exhibit Opening Weekend Saturday, Sept. 12 and Sunday, Sept. 13 Young children will discover the world around them and find out how country and city living are more alike than we may think. Exhibit highlights - Plant a garden. - Fix a tractor. - Climb through layers of earth to see how wheat grows. - Go to a farmers market. - Crank water to fill a cloud and watch it rain. - Create a town. - Nestle inside a giant meadowlark nest. - And more! Plus many more experiences that spark interest – even in the youngest of learners – in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)! Included with general museum admission, free for members.
Design Zone - National Traveling Exhibit
Design Zone National Traveling Exhibit Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015 - Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016 Examine how architects, engineers, video game developers, music producers, roller coaster designers and more use math and science to create their crafts. Develop a video game. Design a roller coaster. Lay down a music track, draw 2-D or 3-D art. Light up the crowd for a dance party. And more! Produced and toured by the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. This exhibit was made possible by a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant. Included in general museum admission, free for members.
Design Zone Members' Night
Membership has its privileges! Discover how architects, engineers, video game developers, music producers and more use math and science to create their crafts in this interactive and hands-on exhibit.
Exhibit highlights
Create a video game.
Design a roller coaster.
Lay down a music track as a DJ.
Draw your own 2-D and 3-D art.
Light up the crowd for a dance party.
Race your friends to the end of the bike course.
Save 20% in the Explore Store.
Enjoy the Live Science Show Sweet Tooth.
Valid photo ID required. This is a special event exclusively for members. Regular admission and free passes do not apply. Must show valid membership card or photo ID.
Bridging Art and Science
Humans in Space Youth Art Competition Opens Saturday, Jan. 16 Observe youth masterpieces based on their vision for the future of human space flight. The competition invites young people from 10 to 18 years of age to submit visual, literary, musical and video artwork expressing their vision. Their submissions are judged by an international panel including artists, scientists, teachers, engineers, astronauts and others. The winning artwork is woven into displays and performances designed to relay the youth artists’ messages to other young people and adults around the world. Included in general museum admission, free for members.
Blue Man Group ― Making Waves
Saturday, Jan. 23 - Sunday, May 1
See, feel and create using science just like the Blue Man Group! Play a Theremin organ. Construct instruments with PVC tubes and compose your own song. Use the human body as a drum. Make patterns with vibrations. Blue Man Group ― Making Waves was produced by Boston Children’s Museum in collaboration with Blue Man Productions and JBL,® a registered trademark of Harman International. All underlying materials, including all artwork and the use of Blue Man Group characters are used with permission of Blue Man Productions.
Dinosaurs in Motion National Traveling Exhibit
Opens Saturday, May 28, 2016
Unlike any other dinosaur exhibit you’ve seen here, control 14 magnificent, fully interactive, recycled metal dinosaur sculptures with exposed mechanics, inspired by actual fossils. Along the way, you’ll go on an apprentice’s journey to learn about art, science and innovation that ends in a journeyman’s workshop. Details coming soon. Included with general museum admission. Free for members.
Prehistoric Creatures of the Ancient Ocean Opens Saturday, June 18 Kansas was once underwater – imagine the creatures that lived there! In these paintings by artist Dan Varner, these creatures come to life. Encounter sharks, bony fish, swimming reptiles and more. These art pieces were also featured in the book, Oceans of Kansas by paleontologist Mike Everhart, now available in the Explore Store. Included in general museum admission, free for members.
The Aquifer
Located in Exploring Our Only Home Opens Saturday, Aug. 27 Examine the inner workings of this natural water source that runs deep below the ground across the state. Measure personal water use and find steps to conserve. Investigate the link between technology and water. Find out what influences the amount of water found in aquifers. Made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Included in general museum admission, free for members.
DINOSAURS IN MOTION Closing Weekend
Saturday, Sept. 3 - Monday, Sept. 5 Travel back in time and dare to encounter the national traveling exhibit DINOSAURS IN MOTION. Plus, soar the prehistoric skies with the Boeing Dome Theater film Flying Monsters. Included in general museum admission, free for members.
Eat Well, Play Well National Traveling Exhibit
Learn healthy living tips and tricks in fun and interesting ways with this hands-on bilingual (Spanish/English) exhibit. Exhibit Highlights
Move to the music and mimic your favorite animal.
Visit a mini grocery store and buy ingredients for a balanced meal.
Pedal a hand cycle and find out how long it takes to burn calories.
Fuel and "race" a car using a variety of breakfast foods.
EAT WELL, PLAY WELL was produced and is toured by the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. This exhibit was made possible by a Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) grant from the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Sponsored by The Shaw Family Foundation. Included in general museum admission, free for members.
Human Plus: Real Lives + Real Engineering National Traveling Exhibit
Saturday, Oct. 1 - Monday, Jan. 2 Discover compelling stories of those who design and use technologies to help themselves and others achieve their goals – from everyday routines to lifelong dreams. Exhibit Highlights
Ride a mono-ski in a simulated ski race.
Scratch and fade music like a DJ with the wheels of a wheelchair.
Design unique solutions to engineering challenges.
Type messages, edit photos and watch videos using a hands-free Camera Mouse.
HUMAN PLUS was created by the New York Hall of Science in partnership with the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry and the Quality of Life Technology Center with funding from the National Science Foundation. Sponsored by The Shaw Family Foundation. Included in general museum admission, free for members.
Genome: Unlocking Life's Code National Traveling Exhibit
Saturday, Oct. 1 - Monday, Jan. 2 Unravel the mystery behind the complete set of instructions needed for every living thing on Earth. Discover what the genome is, its scale, structure and how it plays a role in modern life. Exhibit Highlights
Encounter 3-D models of a human genome.
Complete puzzles to test your DNA sequencing skills.
View real-life stories of patients and clinicians solving medical mysteries.
Examine the genomes of five different species and identify what they reveal.
Genome: Unlocking Life's Code was developed and produced by the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History and the National Institutes for Health's National Human Genome Research Institute in association with Science North. Sponsored by The Shaw Family Foundation. Included in general museum admission, free for members.
KIM Holiday Show
Saturday, Nov. 26 - Saturday, Dec. 31 Soak up the sights and sounds of the holiday season as this popular exhibit is decked out for a 1950s holiday, complete with a Christmas parade and nostalgic music. Included in general museum admission, free for members.
Voyage to Vietnam: Celebrating the Tet Festival
National Traveling Exhibit Saturday, Jan. 28 - Sunday, April 23 Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, dress and food of Vietnamese culture and traditions. Try your hand at the popular game Bau cua ca cop. Dance with a lion mask. Pose for an interactive family photo. Program your own fireworks show. Voyage to Vietnam: Celebrating the Tet Festival was created by Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose, and is part of the Freeman Foundation Asian Culture Exhibit Series, funded by the Freeman Foundation and administered by Association of Children’s Museums. Included in general museum admission, free for members.
Discover the Ice Age - National Traveling Exhibit
National Traveling Exhibit Saturday, Feb. 4 - Sunday, April 30 Travel back in time to a frigid world where woolly mammoths, dire wolves, saber-toothed cats, massive bears and cave people roam. Encounter how these animals and humans adapt to this world through life-sized animatronics. Touch real fossils from this time period. Examine cave drawings found throughout Europe. Discover the Ice Age is produced by Imagine Exhibitions.
TinkerTech Spring Edventures
TinkerTech Spring Edventures: Games Galore! Grades 5 - 9 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday, March 20 - Friday, March 24 Design your own game using coding skills, Raspberry Pi’s, Bloxels™ and more. Prices Member: $125 Nonmember: $140 Before Care (7:30 - 9 a.m.): $5 After Care (4 - 6 p.m.): $5
Explore Kansas Opening Day
Explore Kansas Opening Day Opens Saturday, April 22 Enjoy special activities celebrating new elements in the Explore Kansas exhibit gallery. Details to come. Opening Day 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Hall of Heroes - National Traveling Exhibit
Saturday, May 20, 2017 - Sunday, Jan. 1, 2018 Unleash your superpowers and test your skills of gadgets and more. Investigate movie props, costumes, memorabilia and rare artifacts, including a full-scale "half" replica of the 1960s Batmobile. Hall of Heroes is produced by Stage Nine Exhibitions.
Design Build Fly Opens
Rescue - Member preview night
Exploration Place members will get an exclusive first look at the new national traveling exhibit, Rescue from 6 - 8 p.m. Test your skills as you investigate technologies used by emergency crews on land, in the sea and the air. Plus:
Save 20% in the Explore Store
Get an up-close view of LifeTeam's medical helicopter.
Locally Sponsored by
The Shaw Family Foundation
Dr. R. Larry Beamer and Dr. Deborah Haynes
Dr. Gerald and Doris Nelson
Hotel at WaterWalk
Produced by This is a special event exclusively for members. Regular admission and free passes do not apply. Must show valid membership card or photo ID.
Rescue: Opening Day
The Science of Saving Lives
Opens Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018 Test your skills as you investigate technologies used by emergency crews on land, in the sea and the air. Lift off in a helicopter simulator, escape a burning building, locate a missing person, perform a daring water rescue on a jet-ski, plus much more! Included in general museum admission, free for members. Produced by
Rescue - Closing weekend
Test your skills as you investigate technologies used by emergency crews on land, in the sea and the air. Lift off in a helicopter simulator, escape a burning building, locate a missing person, perform a daring water rescue on a jet-ski, plus much more! Included in general museum admission, free for members. Locally Sponsored by
Planet Shark: Predator or Prey
Experience full-scale shark models cast from real specimens - including a great white shark! Find out about real-world shark attacks and how to avoid them, as well new shark observation methods. Look for more information coming soon! Included in general museum admission, free for members. Planet Shark: Predator or Prey is produced by Grande Exhibitions
Planet Shark: Predator or Prey | Closing Weekend
It's your last chance to sink your teeth into this amazing ‘out of water’ shark experience. Come face-to-face with a great white shark, learn the true impact of the shark fin trade and gain a whole new level of respect for the ocean’s oldest and most effective predator. In this one-of-a-kind exhibit you will:
Catch a close-up view of full-scale shark models cast from real specimens.
Travel back in time 370 million years with rare fossils, plus real shark jaws and teeth.
Uncover authentic artifacts.
Get hooked on shocking stories of human/shark encounters.
Tread the waters of shark anatomy, biology, hunting strategies and sensory systems.
Swim through information about satellite tagging programs and conservation efforts.
Plus much more!
Planet Shark: Predator or Prey has been created by Grande Exhibitions.
Toytopia | Opening Weekend
Play all day long in a world of big toys and big fun! Shake things up with the world’s largest Etch-A-Sketch, tour a life-size doll house, build a fort, and set the high score in the retro video arcade, plus much more! Toytopia is produced by Stage Nine Exhibitions.
Toytopia | Exhibit Closing
Top Secret: License to Spy Closes
National Traveling Exhibit opens Saturday, Jan. 19 Slink through the shadows of mystery! Search exotic locales around the world to gather intelligence on a group of suspects, and build a case to determine the likely culprit. Control hidden cameras, sight-see with spy satellites, peer through the dark with night vision, crack codes, navigate a laser maze and much more! Top Secret: License to Spy is created by SciTech, produced by Imagine Exhibitions.
The Science of Ripley's Believe It or Not!® - CLOSES
Drive your curiosity into the unknown through remarkable realms and scientific discoveries. Come face-to-face with some of the world's largest organisms. And watch out for some of the smallest invaders! Shed light on the unexplained. Conquer challenges, study specimens, and examine real artifacts. Plus:
Crawl through a life-size model of the gigantic prehistoric snake, Titanoboa.
Measure up against the world's tallest man, Robert Wadlow.
Pinpoint sculptures so small they fit in the eye of a needle.
Slice through the secrets of sword swallowing.
Bend your senses with an array of illusions.
The Science of Ripley's Believe It or Not!® is produced by Science North, in partnership with Ripley Entertainment Inc.
Wild Weather, National Traveling Exhibit - OPENS
Immerse yourself in extreme weather conditions. Fly through a hurricane, swirl along a tornadoes’ path, track turbulent cloud formations, map lightning strikes, and stand in the midst of a raging winter storm! Plus, go behind-the-scenes with meteorologists, simmer in sizzling heatwaves, chill out in plummeting temperatures and much more. Included in general museum admission, free for members. Wild Weather is produced by Science North.
Kansas in Miniature - Holiday Show BEGINS
Kansas in Miniature Holiday Show Saturday, Nov. 30 - Tuesday, Dec. 31 Soak up the sights and sounds of the holiday season as this popular exhibit is decked out for a 1950s holiday, complete with a Christmas parade and nostalgic music.
Kansas in Miniature - Holiday Show ENDS
Wild Weather, National Traveling Exhibit - CLOSES
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12 Fun Truths You Did Not Know About Naomi Watts
1. After moving to America, Watts appeared in films, including Tank Girl .
2. The following year she enjoyed box-office success with The Ring , the remake of a successful Japanese horror film.
3. Since then, Watts has portrayed Valerie Plame Wilson in the biographical drama Fair Game .
4. For her leading role as Maria Bennett in the disaster film The Impossible , she received second nominations for the Academy Award and Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Actress and a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress.
5. Dans 2006, she became a goodwill ambassador for Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, which helps to raise awareness of AIDS-related issues.
6. She has participated in several fundraisers for the cause, and she is presented as an inaugural member of AIDS Red Ribbon Awards.
7. Two years later, in August 1976, he was found dead in a flat in Notting Hill, of an apparent heroin overdose.
8. During this time, Watts attended a Welsh language school, Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni, where she carried out her studies. She later said of her time in Wales: “We took Welsh lessons in a school in the middle of nowhere while everyone else was taking English.
9. Wherever we moved, I would adapt and pick up the regional accent.
10. Anyway, there was quite a lot of sadness in my childhood, but no lack of love.”
11. Watts obtained her first role in the 1986 drama film, For Love Alone, based on the novel of the same name by Christina Stead, and produced by Margaret Fink.
12. In Australia, Watts attended Mosman High School and North Sydney Girls High School.
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14 Definitive Truths About Mischa Barton
17 Superb Secrets Revealed About Olivia Wilde
15 Honest Truths Revealed About January Jones
14 Remarkable Secrets On Liv Tyler
16 Honest Secrets About Eminem
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14 Actual Truths About Jamie Lynn Spears
19 Shocking Truths About Elisha Cuthbert
23 Best Facts About Snoop Dogg
4 Spectacular Secrets Of Cintia Dicker
16 Fantastic Facts Revealed About Ralph Fiennes
12 Fantastic Facts Of Miranda Kerr
10 Adorable Facts Revealed About Liam Hemsworth
12 Awesome Truths You Did Not Know About James Franco
14 Powerful Secrets On Kate Moss
19 Definitive Secrets On Roman Reigns
Droit d'auteur © FanWorld.Co
Construit avec amour par des robots via 8celerate.com
(Toutes les photos sont la propriété de leurs propriétaires respectifs. No ownership are claimed by fanworld.co)
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DHYS Frequently Asked Questions
When is registration?
Spring Season: Typically in November/December/January
Spring Senior League: Typically in February/March
Summer Sandlot League: Typically in April/May
Fall Season: Typically in June/July/August
Join our E-Mail List! Don't miss out on REGISTRATIONS or important announcements!
Note that player caps are in place and many of our leagues are likely to be over-subscribed. Please be sure to register during the registration period so as to be eligible for full consideration for being placed on a team. Registering "first" does not guarantee a player slot. If there are more players registered for a particular age group than our participation limits allow, we will use a series of factors (such as player history at DHYS, volunteer history, and participation) to determine the participation roster for the season.
What does the registration fee include?
Your child’s registration fee includes the following items:
Uniform (Rookie through AAA: shirt/jersey, hat, socks and belt; Major and Senior Leagues: shirt/jersey and hat)
End of Season Trophy (Rookie through AAA Leagues)
Team score books and pitch counters
Catching gear which is stored in the green boxes in each dugout
Field equipment, first aid kits and general maintenance items
All field lighting and utility bills are paid by player registration fees
Your child’s registration fee does NOT include:
Additional uniform items such as baseball pants and cleats (note metal cleats are not allowed in any league except for 13-14U Senior)
Batting helmets—facemask is required for Rookie through AAA League players
Baseball bat or glove
Protective cup (required for all male catchers)
Lettering on the jersey
Snacks, typically provided by parents on a rotating basis, on younger (5U to 8U) teams
Pictures, if you choose to have them taken
Team party or coaches’ gifts
What is the refund policy after registration?
Please see our Refund Policy Page.
What league will my child play in?
Placement in a league is determined primarily by the age of your child and secondarily by the results of the Skills Evaluations.
Our registration system selects the appropriate age group for your child during the registration process.
If you have questions or concerns regarding into which league your child should be placed, please contact the League Director.
When do practices and games start?
For Rookie through Major Leagues:
Practices for the Spring season begin in mid to late February, with preseason Grapefruit League games starting in early March. During Grapefruit Season, teams will practice twice per week and play in a game once per week (usually on Saturdays). The regular season begins after DeKalb County Spring Break. The Spring season extends through the end of the school year in May, and typically concludes with a playoff (A League and older) to end the season before Memorial Day. During the regular spring season, teams will participate in one weekly practice and two games, one on Saturday and another during the week. In the upper leagues, some Sunday games in the Spring may be necessary. The Grapefruit Season typically includes 3 preseason games, and the regular season includes 10 games. The post season tournament may be single elimination or modified double elimination depending on weather and other factors. In the event of adverse weather, games may be rescheduled as needed throughout the season. There is no guarantee that all scheduled games will be played, however, we will make every attempt to make up rain-outs. Acts of God may warrant that games be permanently removed from the season calendar.
Practices for Fall Season begin in mid to late August, with games starting in early September (not over Labor Day weekend). In the Fall, most games will be scheduled on Sundays, except where league size requires overflow games to be held on Saturdays. While the majority of games are scheduled on Sundays, please note that it is very likely that most age groups will have one to two Saturday games per team. In the event of adverse weather, games may be rescheduled for weeknights or on Saturdays throughout the season.
Game schedules are created by the league at the beginning of each season. Every attempt is made to ensure that the schedule is balanced for all teams. As part of the schedule, a home team and a visitor’s team will be assigned for each game. Both teams have certain obligations before, during and after each game, which are listed below. Please help your team manager and coaches with field preparation.
For Senior League:
The schedule for the Fall Season is the same as the younger leagues and is described above.
For the Spring Senior Season games and practices begin after DeKalb County Spring Break. There is no Grapefruit Season for Senior to allow the completion of the Middle School League. There is one practice (usually on Sunday) and two games (Saturday and one weeknight) each week. The season ends with a tournament.
Home Team Obligations:
Occupies first base dugout.
Manager supplies two game balls.
Responsible for making sure the field is in good playing condition prior to the game.* Includes dragging the infield and setting foul lines and batter’s boxes.
Manager will select official scorekeeper for the game.
Scorebook will be official record of the game.
Turn off lights and scoreboards
Clean up of home dugout and stands.
Visiting Team Obligations:
Occupies third base dugout.
Operation of the field scoreboard.
Putting away equipment (scoreboard brain, rakes, shovels, field markers) after the game.
Covering home plate and pitcher’s mound following each game.
Clean up of visitor’s dugout and stands.
*Please note that in the event that field conditions are such (inclement weather) that more than basic field preparations are necessary to make the field playable, BOTH teams are responsible for field preparation.
How do I know if my child’s game is rained out?
At DHYS, we operate with the mindset: Play all games until officially canceled/postponed. Any observed lightning is cause for immediate removal of participates to dugouts (away from poles and fences).
Before the game starts the home team manager can cancel the game due to rain, usually in consultation with the visiting manager. After the game begins the umpires decide if the game needs to be suspended due to rain. In the event of severe weather League Directors or the Board may close a field for one or more days.
If the decision has been made to cancel or postpone a game, your child’s manager, coach or team parent should contact you via email. In addition, once the game has been officially canceled or postponed in our online system, you should receive an automatic email. You can also sign up to receive text message alerts from our system (during registration). If you ever have any doubt whether or not the game is canceled, please contact your team manager.
Can my child play up/ down into another league?
In past years DHYS was able to accommodate play up/down requests fairly routinely. However, as most of our leagues are filling to capacity, these requests have become very difficult to honor. When leagues are full, a play up request can often only be granted by forcing another player to play down. For this reason, DHYS has decided to minimize the amount of players playing up and down. However, some requests may be granted for safety reasons or to help fill coach slots. In addition, as Major (11U/12U) is our most over-subscribed league we will often have a significant number of players who play down to AAA (9U/10U) and a few players who play up to Senior (13U/14U/15U).
Does DHYS need volunteers?
YES! DHYS is a 100% volunteer operated organization. No one within our organization is paid for their time, energy or efforts. Each one of us does what we can to help provide a quality baseball experience for your child. When one registers their child for a season of DHYS baseball, one is agreeing to donate three hours of their time to DHYS. The most common ways to fulfill this obligation is by assisting during field day. In addition, assistance is needed with managing and coaching teams, prepping the fields for games, acting as team parent, score keeper, score board operator and more.
Team Managers, Coaches and Assistant Coaches—work together to teach the children the fundamentals of baseball on an age and skill appropriate level.
Field Prep—prepares the field by dragging and lining the field prior to the start of the game.
Team Parent—acts as liaison between the league, the manager and the families on the team. Coordinates such things as getting the names on the jerseys, snack schedule, end of season gathering, etc.
Pitch Counter—maintains pitch counts and forwards them onto manager following each game.
Score Keeper—Keeps scorebook during each game.
Score Board Operator—Works the scoreboard during the game
Field Day Worker—Work during field day, performing tasks to clean up and get the fields in shape for the season.
What are my duties as Team Parent?
The team parent will coordinate the after game snack schedule, the end of season team party, and putting the names on the back of jerseys. In addition, the team parent will help fill any concessions stand slots assigned to the team. Please visit the Team Parent Resources page here.
What bats are legal to use at DHYS?
Please refer to the Rules page from the DHYS homepage or by clicking here.
Does DHYS offer scholarships?
DHYS offers a limited number of scholarships for players with financial need. To apply please send an email to the .
What is the difference between Senior League and Middle School League?
DHYS hosts a Middle School League during February, March and the beginning of April. The participating teams are affiliated with local Middle Schools (e.g. Druid Hills, Henderson, Tucker, Inman, and Renfroe) with 1 or 2 teams associated with DHYS (usually designated as the "In-Park" team(s)). All team rosters are chosen by competitive tryouts and are subject to player cuts. A player is eligible to play for the Middle School they attend. The DHYS In-Park team(s) is available for players who attend a school without a team or don’t make their Middle School team. Tryouts for the DHYS team are usually in January and will be posted on the website.
Spring Senior League is a recreational league open to all players with games beginning after Spring Break in April.
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Random Comic Add To Favorites Distorted Reality is proudly hosted by Smack Jeeves Webcomic Hosting.
Kaoru is in the middle of a dangerous battle between himself and a murderous clan of Mermaids. He meets two strangers while trailing an enemy spy. Soon these two strangers find themselves pulled into the depth of battle along side Kaoru. There is only one problem... The battle is all in Kaoru's head. Last year around Nov-Dec I had to do a 32 page story for a class of mine. I was going to post it way back when I made it but since I only had 32 pages to do the comic idea in I feel like a lot of it is really squished together. So I wanted to redo/fix/add some of it. Course now it's Sept and I haven't done anything to it....not that that's really surprising....So I've decide to just colour them and put them up. There are a few things I'll have to add fix throughout but aside from that I'm not going to bother changing anything. Just be warned that the quality won't be that great...lol I'm going to try and post once a day. We'll see how it goes. :D
------ Jump To ------ #1 - Cover #2 - Kaoru #3 - Page 1 #4 - Page 2 #5 - Page 3 #6 - Page 4 #7 - Page 5 #8 - Page 6 #9 - Page 7 #10 - Page 8 #11 - Page 9 #12 - Page 10 #13 - Page 11 #14 - Page 12 #15 - Page 13 #16 - Page 14 #17 - Page 15 #18 - Page 16 #19 - Page 17 #20 - Page 18 #21 - Page 19 #22 - Thanks! #23 - Page 20 #24 - Page 21 #25 - Page 22 #26 - Page 23 #27 - Page 24 #28 - Page 25 #29 - Page 26 #30 - Page 27 #31 - Page 28 #32 - Page 29 #33 - Page 30
Reply Xezili, September 21st, 2011, 5:56 pm
Reply YaoiPhunk, September 21st, 2011, 6:05 pm
is he stoopid lol
Reply Manga-Ka, September 22nd, 2011, 12:36 am
lol, who is he calling? x'D
I don't think that person like it when he calls him x'D
Reply Shest, September 22nd, 2011, 6:45 pm
@Manga-Ka: lol He's calling the person whom he believes to be his boss. Though, it's really just a random person how has no idea who he is or why he keeps calling.
Reply Manga-Ka, September 23rd, 2011, 1:37 am
@Shest: lol x'D
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Crossrail (Elizabeth Line) opening delayed
Crossrail (Elizabeth Line) opening delayed Aug 31, 2018 9:22:35 GMT silenthunter likes this
Post by Red Dragon on Aug 31, 2018 9:22:35 GMT
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-45367990
London’s new Crossrail underground line will not open until autumn 2019 - nine months after its scheduled launch
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version.
Last Edit: Apr 10, 2019 20:08:00 GMT by superteacher: Title amended to reflect content
Crossrail (Elizabeth Line) opening delayed Aug 31, 2018 9:28:22 GMT
Post by gals on Aug 31, 2018 9:28:22 GMT
Not surprising I don't think but disappointing...another summer of the central line!
Plus, what is this going to do to TfL's finances if it subsequently delays the western opening?! They were really banking of the money from the Lizline.
rincew1nd
Junior Under-wizzard of quiz
Crossrail (Elizabeth Line) opening delayed Aug 31, 2018 9:29:52 GMT via mobile
Post by rincew1nd on Aug 31, 2018 9:29:52 GMT
Click/Tap here if above embedded tweet fails to display.
Last Edit: Aug 31, 2018 10:29:22 GMT by rincew1nd: Links added
bearbin
Crossrail (Elizabeth Line) opening delayed Aug 31, 2018 9:31:38 GMT Chris M likes this
Post by bearbin on Aug 31, 2018 9:31:38 GMT
Aug 31, 2018 9:29:52 GMT rincew1nd said:
This is supposed to be an embedded tweet but isn't showing up for some reason:
twitter.com/BBCTomEdwards/status/1035452654946865153 .
Last Edit: Aug 31, 2018 9:33:36 GMT by bearbin
Chris W
Hater of lying and racist misogynists #thelastleg
Post by Chris W on Aug 31, 2018 9:32:04 GMT
The full text of the press release reads:
Elizabeth line services through central London to start in 2019
• Central section between Paddington and Abbey Wood will open in autumn 2019
• Further time required to ensure a safe and reliable railway for customers from day one of passenger service
The Elizabeth line, which will redefine transport in London with quicker, easier and more accessible journeys, will open through central London in autumn 2019, Crossrail Limited announced today. The revised schedule is needed to complete the final infrastructure and extensive testing required to ensure the Elizabeth line opens as a safe and reliable railway.
The hugely complex ten-year project, delivered by Crossrail Limited, brings together multiple infrastructure contracts, new trains and three different signalling systems. The Elizabeth line will add 10 per cent to central London’s rail capacity, and the project will boost the economy by an estimated £42bn.
Crossrail Limited has been working hard to maintain the programme and sufficient testing time is required to introduce the next phase of the railway – the central section between Paddington and Abbey Wood – in a way that can be guaranteed to be safe and reliable.
The original programme for testing has been compressed by more time being needed by contractors to complete fit-out activity in the central tunnels and the development of railway systems software. Testing has started but further time is required to complete the full range of integrated tests.
The focus remains on opening the full Elizabeth line, from Reading and Heathrow in the west to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east, as soon after the central tunnels open as possible.
Simon Wright, Crossrail Chief Executive said: “The Elizabeth line is one of the most complex and challenging infrastructure projects ever undertaken in the UK and is now in its final stages. We have made huge progress with the delivery of this incredible project but we need further time to complete the testing of the new railway. We are working around the clock with our supply chain and Transport for London to complete and commission the Elizabeth line.”
The new Elizabeth line trains are already operating between Shenfield and Liverpool Street (mainline station) and between Paddington (mainline station) and Hayes & Harlington, in readiness for the full opening. The trains are also being tested in the Heathrow tunnels. Construction activity is drawing to a close including the completion of the remaining architectural fit-out in the new central section stations.
When the central section of the Elizabeth line opens in autumn 2019, the railway will initially operate as three separate services as planned:
• Paddington (Elizabeth line station) to Abbey Wood via central London
• Paddington (mainline station) to Heathrow (Terminals 2, 3 and 4)
• Liverpool Street (mainline station) to Shenfield
The new railway, jointly sponsored by the Department for Transport and Transport for London with support from London’s business community, will connect stations such as Paddington to Canary Wharf in only 17 minutes, transforming how Londoners and visitors move across the capital.
The Elizabeth line will bring an extra 1.5 million people to within 45 minutes of central London and more than 200 million passengers are expected to use it every year.
Last Edit: Aug 31, 2018 9:34:28 GMT by Chris W
At school they taught me how to be, so pure in thought and word and deed, they didn't quite succeed
Pet Shop Boys - It's a sin (1987)
District Dave's London Underground Site Webmaster
silenthunter
Crossrail (Elizabeth Line) opening delayed Aug 31, 2018 10:26:56 GMT
Post by silenthunter on Aug 31, 2018 10:26:56 GMT
Didn't a substation blow up a few months back?
Post by ad1992 on Aug 31, 2018 10:31:47 GMT
And once again yet another big rail project is delayed, considering the amount of Premature PR this does not surprise me.
aslefshrugged
Crossrail (Elizabeth Line) opening delayed Aug 31, 2018 10:41:56 GMT rapidtransitman and silenthunter like this
Post by aslefshrugged on Aug 31, 2018 10:41:56 GMT
Aug 31, 2018 10:26:56 GMT silenthunter said:
Two voltage transformers "failed" at Pudding Mill Lane Substation on 11 November 2017 but that wasn't expected to delay opening in December this year.
www.infrastructure-intelligence.com/article/feb-2018/crossrail-open-time-despite-electrical-testing-“explosion”
Crossrail (Elizabeth Line) opening delayed Aug 31, 2018 12:07:05 GMT via mobile
Post by trt on Aug 31, 2018 12:07:05 GMT
And just out is the CIBSE journal article on Crissrail lighting. Interesting reading if you are into lights.
www.cibsejournal.com/case-studies/lighting-design-in-the-crossrail-stations/
But editors note: Crossrail runs east to west and west to east! Or one could say it runs East/West.
superteacher
Post by superteacher on Aug 31, 2018 12:36:02 GMT
So will the rebranding of the existing services to Elizabeth Line also be delayed?
Severe Delays are occurring to my thought patterns due to overworking and long hours!
John Tuthill
Post by John Tuthill on Aug 31, 2018 12:50:49 GMT
Aug 31, 2018 12:36:02 GMT superteacher said:
By the time it's finished it will be the 'Charles Line'
According to the BBC web page they are dealing with 'Three different signalling systems' Please don't tell me they've just discovered this?
How much is the 'Project Manager' or not getting paid? Progress meetings-target dates are these terms not used these days!
Crossrail (Elizabeth Line) opening delayed Aug 31, 2018 12:52:11 GMT Chris M, Ben, and 1 more like this
I suppose its not the Elizabeth Line until its joined up. Shame we can't ditch that too, another piece of nonsense bequeathed to us by Boris.
Sir Terry Morgan was chairman of Crossrail from 2009 until July when he was appointed by Grayling as chairman at HS2. Andrew Wolstenholme was Crossrail chief executive from 2011 until March when he joined BAE Systems. Did they jump because they knew what was coming?
Last Edit: Aug 31, 2018 12:58:03 GMT by aslefshrugged
snoggle
Post by snoggle on Aug 31, 2018 13:08:43 GMT
Aug 31, 2018 12:52:11 GMT aslefshrugged said:
Terry Morgan is shown as still being Crossrail Chairman. I believe the HS2 role is additional.
The Lizzie Line branding does not kick in until the core tunnel service commences. Therefore it's delayed until Autumn 2019.
Crossrail (Elizabeth Line) opening delayed Aug 31, 2018 13:27:32 GMT Chris M, rapidtransitman, and 3 more like this
Aug 31, 2018 12:50:49 GMT John Tuthill said:
Anyone with a pair of eyes and some knowledge of what is needed to get a brand new railway service into service would know that this day was coming. I have been saying the final phase of completion, installation, commissioning, integration, handover, training and regulatory sign off was the most difficult bit of the project for well over 18 months. I'm no project manager but I've been client of enough projects and been involved in major projects to know this.
Clearly things have been wrong for about 18-24 months but I expect there was a genuine belief that if sufficient money was thrown at the project that things could come right. However construction delays at three or four sites have been evident for a long while as has the radio silence in press releases etc. That was enough of a clue for me. Once the handover to the operators was delayed and then the testing phase was compressed it was inevitable the opening wouldn't happen. There was just too much to do and I could never see the TfL operations director for Crossrail (whose name escapes me) agreeing to take the hit of taking on a partly finished railway and then have the service fall to bits. No one on the project will have been unaware of the signalling integration issues - it was why the original project timescale was extended to Dec 2019. Remember the original plan was to open the whole lot this December!
It is understandable that people are fed up / disappointed / cross / whatever BUT at least we have a decision now rather than 48 hours before a new timetable starts. The biggest issue for Crossrail will be to stop people going "phew, more time" rather than "keep going, keep going". There is still a lot to do and a bad winter could cause further problems. For me it is the knock on consequences which are the biggest issue - rescheduling the Liv St platform reconstruction works, pushing back the 7 car to 9 car extension process and possibly having to do it faster, being able to cope with the national rail timetable consequences for the planned May and Dec 2019 changes which are now pushed back to undefined dates. There are also all the impacts on the bus network for TfL to unravel and schedule plus the financial consequences. It's a bit of a mess and it's a shame but it's certainly not a surprise.
侵略! S系, でゲソ! The Tube comes from the bottom of London!
Post by Antje on Aug 31, 2018 13:42:24 GMT
Sadly, I will likely not make it to Autumn 2019. It is likely that I will be in the Republic of Ireland, or… well, we’ll see where my deteriorating health will take me…
Last Edit: Aug 31, 2018 22:05:35 GMT by Antje
"Take any train: when is the "any" train coming?"
The signalling issues are known already; there's 'traditional' TPWS on the GE Electric Lines, ATP on the GWR section and the Heathrow branch has ETCS, which is also going on the central core. I may be wrong on that, so please correct me.
Antje: I'm really sorry to hear that.
roybadami
Crossrail (Elizabeth Line) opening delayed Aug 31, 2018 15:12:06 GMT via mobile silenthunter likes this
Post by roybadami on Aug 31, 2018 15:12:06 GMT
There's no ATP(GW) used. The three systems are traditional signalling (AWS/TPWS), ETCS, and Trainguard MT (to provide moving block signaling in the core.
Well, two out of three ain't bad...
Crossrail (Elizabeth Line) opening delayed Aug 31, 2018 15:32:58 GMT su31, castlebar, and 2 more like this
Some workers on the project have called it the "Hokey Cokey" Line, no sooner have they put something in they have to take it back out again.
Crossrail (Elizabeth Line) opening delayed Sept 2, 2018 7:04:14 GMT
Post by abe on Sept 2, 2018 7:04:14 GMT
Aug 31, 2018 12:07:05 GMT trt said:
OT for this thread, but an interesting statement in the linked article about lighting:
The primary light source for the escalator tunnels is a large luminaire set into the escalator deck – the flat, angled plane between escalators – to provide the vertical illuminance. The uplighters’ main task is to shine sufficient light on the faces of those using the escalators for facial-recognition security cameras to work.
I haven’t seen mention of this type of system on Crossrail before...
Underground Heritage
Crossrail (Elizabeth Line) opening delayed Sept 2, 2018 8:20:32 GMT via mobile
Post by rincew1nd on Sept 2, 2018 8:20:32 GMT
Aug 31, 2018 15:12:06 GMT roybadami said:
This discussion has also been happening on Twitter:
Click/tap here if embedded tweet fails to display.
Crossrail (Elizabeth Line) opening delayed Sept 2, 2018 8:29:01 GMT superteacher likes this
Post by countryman on Sept 2, 2018 8:29:01 GMT
It's a shame but no surprise that it is late. Let's hope that it doesn't turn out to be such a farce and national embarrassment that Berlin's Brandenburg airport has become for Germany!!
Last Edit: Sept 2, 2018 8:29:22 GMT by countryman
Crossrail (Elizabeth Line) opening delayed Sept 2, 2018 12:00:18 GMT
Post by ad1992 on Sept 2, 2018 12:00:18 GMT
Sept 2, 2018 7:04:14 GMT abe said:
Because in this day and age everyone is a terrorist or criminal.
Crossrail (Elizabeth Line) opening delayed Sept 2, 2018 13:19:06 GMT via mobile Chris M likes this
Post by rincew1nd on Sept 2, 2018 13:19:06 GMT
Sept 2, 2018 8:20:32 GMT rincew1nd said:
The Chief Inspector of Railways at ORR confirms no ATP:
Crossrail (Elizabeth Line) opening delayed Sept 6, 2018 12:41:36 GMT via mobile rapidtransitman and silenthunter like this
Confirmation that the root cause of the delays are the substations that went bang.
futurix
Post by futurix on Sept 6, 2018 13:24:37 GMT
Or just a convenient point of blame?
I'm rather disappointed with this delay, as I won't be living in London or UK by then :-(
Post by superteacher on Sept 6, 2018 13:27:59 GMT
Sept 6, 2018 13:24:37 GMT futurix said:
It does make sense though.
I believe that the core signalling is also a reason,
Post by class411 on Sept 6, 2018 14:14:59 GMT
Even if they are custom devices it seems a long time to source new ones.
They are not the most complicated of components.
Crossrail (Elizabeth Line) opening delayed Sept 6, 2018 15:42:33 GMT via mobile class411 likes this
Sept 6, 2018 13:27:59 GMT superteacher said:
The article explains that the substation problems delayed the start of testing, which means they haven't got rid of the signalling gremlins. If it hadn't gone pop, testing would have started earlier and the signalling issues should have been solved by now.
Forum Quizmaster
Always happy to receive quiz ideas and pictures by email or PM
Post by Chris M on Sept 6, 2018 16:47:12 GMT
I wonder if someone's insurers are going to be taking a hit regarding that "pop"?
The essential things in life are seen not with the eyes, but with the heart.
--Antoine de St. Exupery
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Flame Damnation > Forum > General Category > General Forum (Moderator: caskur) > Travel
Pages: 1 2 [3] 4 Go Down
Author Topic: Travel (Read 964 times)
Re: Travel
yes, yes....that is where I would love to be right now....
on an island doing NOTHING except watch the seagulls and breathe the salt air and be waited on, hand and foot...LOL
Where is this location members?
Any takers?
That is very cramped livng there. That has to be Malta.
Malta is known for its world heritage sites,most prominently the Megalithic Temples which are the oldest free-standing structures on Earth.
The oldest structures man built were made with lentils. That is the flat stone balancing across pillars. You wouldn't survive an earthquake living in one of those. One earthquake and you'd be squashed like a pancake.
Quote from: ~`caskur`~ on March 27, 2009, 10:50:15 am
It is Malta.
Malta in reality is a lot dirtier though. It also has a lot of poverty.
Demeters Daughter
Aaah; all these island pics are making me long for summer. Long Island has some of the best beaches in the world, especially the North and South Forks!
The singer Chris Isaacs comes to Australia at least twice a year. He has said on two occasions that he used to brag about Californian beaches and how great they were, until he saw Australia’s beaches….now when he goes home he says he shuts his mouth and says nothing… .He is a gorgeous man, that guy is. Great singer, fantastic sense of humour, good looking…down to earth….we love him in Oz.
But alas, a couple of weeks ago, there was sea tragedy in Queensland. A ship against the crews wishes, sailed towards a cyclone [hurricane] and lost its oil from being battered by the seas so for a stretch of beach in Queensland, there is one hell of a clean-up….I think they’ve gotten on top of it now though cuz it isn’t in the news lately.
Mangroves are very important places for the sea life as many species start their life at the mangroves.
I was watching a documentary last night on the mangroves. They are very important trees that grow on the edge of swamp land and where all the food grows for other larger creatures....and there were these funny looking mud crabs called Fiddler Crabs with one giant claw apiece fighting each other over mating with the female. It is hard to imagine crabs mating.....they looked ridiculous too....it was funny.....btw, the crabs didn't rip each other claws off either....it was more for show than anything.....I just think one of the crabs was gay and was looking for a mating...LOL
But the funniest looking creature in the Australian mangroves has just got to be the mudskipper…..I’m trying to score a picture of them face on….LOL….here is one from Wikipedia….I can see where artists get their inspiration from for science fiction movies.
this youtube is a bit too dark as it was shot by an amateur no doubt...lol...mudskippers are fish that can also hop across land.
This one is better...
Mudskipper
South Island gets its own Lonely Planet
www.Stuff.co.nz | Monday, 02 March 2009
DEDICATED GUIDE: Travel bible Lonely Planet is releasing a
guide to New Zealand's South Island, catering for travellers
who spend a lot of time there. — Photo: Lonely Planet.
Travel guide Lonely Planet will publish a dedicated guidebook to New Zealand’s South Island.
“This is something that our readers have been crying out for, and we’re pretty excited to be finally bringing it to them,” said Errol Hunt, author and Lonely Planet’s Australia-Pacific commissioning editor.
“It’s aimed at travellers who spend their entire time in New Zealand on the South Island, so removes the need for them to buy the heavier full-country guide,” Errol said.
320,000 Australians, 61,000 Britons and 43,000 Americans all fly directly to New Zealand’s South Island each year.
• The guide will be available in April.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/1750870/South-Island-gets-its-own-Lonely-Planet
Capital start for a smart guide to the other island
By CAMERON WILLIAMSON - The Dominion Post | Tuesday, 31 March 2009
The most surprising thing, on opening Lonely Planet's good-looking new guide to the South Island of New Zealand, is a beefy chapter on Wellington.
This morning, admiring the harbour and the hills, I and my fellow capital-dwellers were convinced we were in the North Island. Reassuringly, Lonely Planet agrees. “But it's such a major travel hub and point of entry for the South Island, we thought it was important to include it,” they say. And showing admirable balance, Stewart Island at the other end of the long, underpopulated land mass the tourists love, is included in rich detail also.
While no guidebook can hope to be right up-to-date, capital visitors looking for caffeine at the “grungy bunker” Espressaholic, or Maori- fusion food at Kai in The City, or hoping to catch a film at Rialto cinema, will find the businesses no longer exist.
And if they dwell too long on this chapter, with its comprehensive coverage of the Kapiti Coast and the Wairarapa, they might just miss the ferry.
Once across Cook Strait the guide, written for the more than 450,000 British, Australian and American travellers who visit the South Island each year, is exhaustive in its coverage of every stop on the main tourist trails, and clever about its advice for those who want to get off it: “Truly wild places are rare in today's world, but the South Island delivers them in droves: fiords, sounds, glaciers, cloud-topping mountain ranges, remote islands, raggedy peninsulas and wide river plains.”
“You might meet other travellers seeking the same solitude, but there's plenty of wilderness to go round.”
With a history chapter supplied by James Belich and a nice summary of the Captain Cook legend by Tony Horwitz, it's no wonder visiting travellers are well informed, although editors make the common mistake of pluralising our PM's name. But the book supplements its savvy and up-to-date travel information and advice with solid information on culture and environmental awareness — warning of the danger (and repercussions) of unthinkingly contributing to the spread of “rock snot” or didymo that threatens to choke our rivers and kill our delicate freshwater fishery.
All told, it leaves a reader with an unequivocal appreciation of New Zealand's core value: “There are few wild places on this not-so-lonely planet as pristine, diverse and staggeringly good-looking.”
• New Zealand's South Island, Lonely Planet, paperback — $36.95.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/features/travel/2303098/Capital-start-for-a-smart-guide-to-the-other-island
http://shop.lonelyplanet.com/Primary/BestsellingTravelGuides/PRD_PRD_3511/New+Zealands+South+Island+Travel+Guide.jsp
Outlawed
No one wants to go to New Zealand.
They only have sheep and fields to look at.
My family said New Zealand was beautiful and going by the big screen views of the landscape in The Lord of the Rings, I would say it was too.
I'd love to go to NZ! It looks so storybook-ISH.
Sometimes the landscape is the best entertainment of all.
Ok recently, I took a short trip to Busselton. That is only a 3 trip by car down the south coast of my state.
Busselton boasts the longest jetty in the Southern Hemisphere and is under repair so you cannot walk its length for the time being however this is the spot and it’s a pretty spot…..
http://www.busseltonjetty.com.au/
THE BUSSELTON JETTY IS CURRENTLY UNDERGOING A FULL RESTORATION PROJECT TO RESTORE IT BACK TO 'AS NEW' CONDITION. ACCESS TO THE INTERPRETIVE CENTRE AND THE FIRST 200M OF THE JETTY IS STILL PERMITTED. VISITORS ARE ENCOURAGED TO COME TO THE INTERPRETIVE CENTRE AND SEE OUR SECTION DEDICATED TO THE RESTORATION PROCESS COMPLETE WITH IMAGES, ENGINEERING PLANS AND A TIMELINE AS THE PROJECT UNFOLDS.
The 140-year-old Busselton Jetty, measured at 1841 metres, is the longest wooden jetty (pier) in the southern hemisphere and today is one of Australia's most unique eco-tourism sites.
Just two and a half hours drive south of Perth, the seaside resort town of Busselton is situated at the northern gateway to the Margaret River Wine Region. The Busselton Jetty attracts over 400,000 visitors a year and is the most popular tourist attraction in the South West region. It is an ideal starting point for any visit to the South West Capes.
The Busselton Jetty Underwater Observatory, with more than 300 individual marine species, is host to an awe inspiring "forest" of vividly-coloured tropical and sub-tropical corals, sponges, fish and invertebrates. It is described as Australia's greatest artificial reef.
Each year during autumn and winter, the Leeuwin Current brings a narrow band of warm water down the Western Australian coastline. This warm southerly current is responsible for the incredibly diverse array of tropical and sub-tropical species in Geographe Bay including coral growth at a latitude of 33 degrees south. The west coasts of other southern hemisphere continents such as Africa and South America have no coral growth below 5 degrees south.
Calamity gives birth to one of a handful of dolphins to give birth in captivity..
cool stuff...
Coffs Harbour..
http://video.google.com.au/videosearch?hl=en&as_epq=&as_oq=&as_eq=&num=10&lr=&as_filetype=&as_sitesearch=&as_qdr=all&as_rights=&as_occt=any&cr=&as_nlo=&as_nhi=&safe=images&q=dolphin+calamity&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=IEcYS7TrFo3o7APR7MnRDw&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CA4QqwQwAA#hl=en&as_epq=&as_oq=&as_eq=&num=10&lr=&as_filetype=&as_sitesearch=&as_qdr=all&as_rights=&as_occt=any&cr=&as_nlo=&as_nhi=&safe=images&q=dolphin+calamity&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=IEcYS7TrFo3o7APR7MnRDw&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CA4QqwQwAA&qvid=dolphin+calamity&vid=-7858396001677589760
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The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum > Announcements and Obituaries > Haudh-en-Ndengin
Intelligence of Orcs
There have been a couple of things that have aroused my interest in this topic. One is that there seem to have been a lot of topics about orcs lately. The other is that I was talking to someone the other day and they said something to the extent of "If you rated orcs' intelligence it would be in the negative." But as I thought about this I realized it probably isn't true. For example, listening to, er... reading over Shagrat and Gorbag's conversation, they seem to have definite mental capabilities - not what I would call stupid. Another example is Merry and Pippin's captors. Those Uruks, especially Ugluk and Grishnakh, show some signs of "smartness". In fact some of the things that orcs do are downright cunning.
What do you think? Where do orcs land on an intelligence scale? Go ahead - if you disagree with me, say something.
Alatariel
Location: The Cliffs of Insanity
I agree that orcs and uruk-hai possess cunning and intelligence. I think that the idea that orcs are basically mindless fighting machines comes more from non-Tolkien related books, as well as RPGs like D&D which have a very low maximum inetelligence for orcs. I don't see why orcs would possess a lesser intelligence than other sentient creatures in ME, and Tolkien did not seem to rate his creatures on scales of "more intelligent vs. less intelligent." Perhaps orcs may seem to be more stupid than, say, humans or elves, because they are more easily controlled by forces like Sauron. I would attribute this to a lesser willpower, not a lesser intelligence. Just a thought. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]
You mean you'll put down your rock and I'll put down my sword and we'll try to kill each other like civilized people?
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Phervasaion
Location: The wilderness of Middle-Earth
But, then again Orcs always fight to much amongst themselves which doesnt show much intelligence. Also, i heard somewhere that Orcs were insuperior at fighting hand to hand compared to Elves and men. The orcs do have some intellingent conversations but alot of them result in them fighting with each other.
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Altariel
Location: Angband (a small region in northern BC)
Perhaps the fact that orcs fight so much among themselves is demonstrative not of a lack of intelligence, but of a lack of tolerance? I'd imagine that, um, Orcish society probably teaches them to have a "me first" kind of attitude.
I don't believe that Orcs are any less intelligent than any other beings in Middle-Earth... but their circumstances probably don't allow for a whole lot of independent thought. As someone said, it was mentioned that their hand-to-hand combat abilities are inferior... once again, it's probably something they learn... Sauron and Morgoth both seemed to prefer the "let's overwhelm them with numbers" tactic, so single combat maybe didn't become necessary very often...?
Except in that unfortunate incidence where poor old Fingolfin went up against Morgoth... ai.
"Candy: tastes like chicken, if chicken was a candy."
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Native intelligence doesn't necessarily preclude nastiness and infighting - just look at the graves of Academe if you want to see that demonstrated [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]. The Orcs are odd cases, anyway; they've certainly got brains, and cunning, and can speak a language (albeit the Black Speech, but still, it's a language). So I'd say their intelligence level is pretty decent, though I'm not sure I'd compare it to the Elves - we never see an example of an Orc who has anything remotely resembling Galadriel's abilities, for example.
I think the answer isn't that the Orcs are unintelligent, but that they're almost completely unable to control their own most basic instincts. I don't mean this in an off-colour way, but rather that their desires to kill, to dominate everyone else and each other, to live entirely in the short-term, are so strong in them that they have to work actively to keep them down. The leaders are the ones who manage to beat down this impulse, at least for a time, and so strategize their way upwards. Ugluk, for example, doesn't give into the temptation that 98% of his subordinates have, which is to lay into Merry and Pippin right now and despoil them - *despite* the fact that they know perfectly well what bad consequences there would be from Saruman for doing this. Grishnakh, of course, does give in. But the impression I get from the Orcs is that the vast majority of them are unable to think twenty minutes ahead. They fight because they enjoy it, they dominate because they enjoy it, and they use all their intelligence in developing these two skills.
Whether it's realistic for an entire race to share these characteristics and survive more than a few generations is another question, and that's not the issue here. It seems that when Melkor tortured the Elves, he seems to have concentrated on turning them into creatures who delighted in killing and domination. Good for his purposes, of course, but it also brought some unexpected drawbacks, like all that infighting. Just my $0.02.
Tar-Alcarin
Location: Numenore
They, i am only guessing here, that they are much like Lennie in "Of Mice and Men." Kind of stupid and slow witted. But then again, The Uruk-hai seem to know who they are. Countless Cries of "We are the Fighting Uruk-hai" durng helms deep support this theory. But orcs in general are slow witted and not the brightest bulb in the bunch. That would be the elves.
Miniature Rohirrim armor: $500. Amount of fuel it took pippin to light the beacons: $20. Seeing your two favourite hobbits get wasted and drunk: priceless
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I'd say the Orcs are slow-witted because they were bred for only one purpose: to kill. They don't really need anything else to serve this purpose for their masters. Therefore, I think the "intelligence" displayed by the Orcs in Cirith Ungol was simply a display of their singlemindedness.
doug*platypus
Delver in the Deep
Location: Aotearoa
Actually, if you compare the conversations at the Green Dragon to the conversations between orc captains, I think I have to conclude that Orcs are of much the same intelligence as hobbits. That, of course, does not include the Four Travellers, Bilbo or Farmer Maggot.
I think that Orcs left to their own devices and given the same opportunities as other races may have had some chance at a decent civilisation. Their carving and painting may not have been up to scratch, but as graffiti artists they were second to none. Unfortunately, Sauron or Morgoth never really lavished the care and attention on them that better masters would have. I guess I see them a little bit as the underprivileged street kids of Middle-Earth, who turn to gangs, robbery and murder, but not because they are inherently evil. I have a lot more pity for Orcs than the average reader does.
But while the average orc may have been a match for the average hobbit in Trivial Pursuit, I think that the leaders of the Orc race were far inferior to the leaders of the other races. Tolkien frequently shows us exemplary elves, men, ents and dwarves. But we never once see a truly exceptional orc. Grishnákh is the shrewdest orc we come across, but he's not really all that super-intelligent when it comes down to it. Maybe the truly smart ones get killed off as a matter of course. Orcs don't seem to be the kind of people who really value intelligence. Our own society is quite different; as Homer Simpson once said:
and the weak and nerdy are admired for their computer-programming ability!
But Gwindor answered: 'The doom lies in yourself, not in your name'.
Visit doug*platypus's homepage!
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Noxomanus
I think they were quite smart and capable of complex conversations and actions,but were completely brainwashed and trained only for war. They easily fought among each other because they were probably been convinced of the inferiority of their own existence and that anyone opposing you could be killed.
Nothing is evil in the beginning,even Sauron wasn't
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In their world, intelligence wasn't valued as much as strength was. Thus, the strong ones would survive more than the smart ones. That's not to say that strength is everything, but at some point, even the smartest person in the world couldn't stand up against the strongest person in the world.
Annalaliath
Location: Albuquerque
I think that the Orcs were intelligent enough. I mean haven’t you all seen the quote that pops up above once in a while, about Ocs counting.
Just because you are evil and kill things for fun does not mean that you are an idiot. Some may have been but I think that they were smart in their own twisted way. I mean Hitler was a genius and his men were not all stupid. Some of them were geniuses too.
I think that we as a world have come to the conclusion that if something is evil and kills for fun, then it is generally stupid. I think that is a misconception. This leads to stupid mistakes on our parts and we pay for it with our lives. So I think that the Orcs have intelligence. As my mother is saying that lack of intelligence precludes evil. They had a society and they made weapons and armor so therefore they are not stupid. Orcs were evil from birth, as twisted creations of Iluvitar.
The Orcs knew who was who, had names and had a language. They also knew what was going on and were able to organize attacks on middle earth.
Bloody Stumps!!!
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Teleri
Location: U.S.A., though I'd prefer the Shire
Orcs are definitely not stupid, but it is true that we never meet an orc Gandalf or Galadriel. I think the orcs have a different kind of cunning that is more suited to their purpose. And we must not forget the reasoning skills of some of the captains.
Also, I can think of at least one place where I was thinking along the same lines as one of them. Remember Gorbag's little "You'd best put your thinking cap on, if you have one." speach? Did anyone else read that, and think "Oh finally Sam's gotten some recognition." Up until then even wise people like Faramir have treated Sam as inferior.
"Do not speak before your master, who's wit is greater than yours." I think Gorbag got a better introduction than Faramir.
"But after coming all that way I don't want to give up yet. It's not like me, somehow, if you understand."
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willkill4food
Location: Salem, OR
But you have to consider the fact that I doubt neither Morgoth or Sauron spent much resources on the education of Orcs, probably not much more than handing out cards with picture of men, elves, hobbits, and dwarves with a giant "KILL" written over the picture...
Also when you look at the 4 orcs that seem to posses inteligence in lotr, Gorbag, Shagrat, Ugluk, and Grishnakh. All have one thing in common, they are all high ranking leaders. Possible Sauron notices inteligence in his servants and promotes based on the most capable?
-willkill
Gil-galad was an Elven-king. Of him the harpers sadly sing...
Visit willkill4food's homepage!
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I doubt neither Morgoth or Sauron spent much resources on the education of Orcs
Just because someone is uneducated does not mean he is unintelligent.
it is true that we never meet an orc Gandalf or Galadriel
Yes, but Gandalf and Galadriel have both been on ME for thousands of years. Given the same lifespan, an orc could probably reach the same level of wisdom. Then again, this is picking out two of the most wise people in all of ME and then measuring an entire culture against them. This would be like taking Socrates and Aristotle and comparing them to uneducated people in a third world country. It is not a fair judgement.
Intelligence is a relative characteristic. Some may see Orcs as intelligent because they are capable of speaking, understanding, remembering, and others. Probably compared to other foul races, they are. But if they are compared to the Elves or Wizards, they certainly aren't. But I am amazed at how cunning they can be in terms of war and fighting, though I am not exactly one for their violence.
Did they really lose all of their Elven characteristics as a result of Morgoth's mutilation?
<font size=1 color=339966>[ 6:32 AM December 27, 2003: Message edited by: Lhunardawen ]
Reyna Evergreen
Haunting Spirit
Location: Mirkwood, Canada
In a movie I saw, probably Star Wars or the like, one of the character states:
The ability to speak does not make you intelligent
Is it safe to say that a cunning orc is not necessarily an intelligent one? Acting for one's own advantage may seem cunning, but in the long run, it may not be the most intelligent thing to do. The orcs who wanted to eat Merry and Pippin were idiots, enough said, although the one who decided to capture them for himself- and pardon my memory and lack of names- was considered cunning and perhaps intelligent. Wasn't he killed in the end, anyway?
It's true that there is some speck of brains among the orcs, but not enough to actually plan something deft and subtle. Their act is more chop, hack, kill and eat. There might be the oddball, or a mutation, every few generations who would be able to push himself to better things, but he's always the exception.
Orcs are brainless, tools for the greater mind's schemes.
Or I could just be totally missing the point here.
"Utúlie 'n aurë! Aiya Eldalië ar Atanatári, utúlie 'n aurë!"
The day has come! Behold, people of the Eldar and Fathers of Men, day has come!
Visit Reyna Evergreen's homepage!
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I'm inclined to agree with you there, Reyna.
Orcs just didn't NEED intelligence, the way that Elves or Men needed it. They could easily survive for a normal Orc lifespan, without a lot of intelligence. Men or Elves, on the other hand, needed to be smart to live as long as they did, especially in the Third Age.
If we regard THE HOBBIT as part of canon - and JRR did go back and re-write to make sure it was - the orcs/goblins did seem to have their own cities and rulers less than a century before the events of LOTR, so they must have been able to co-operate enough to keep those going. It was also stated that they were very good at technology of the loud bang variety and making things from iron. Now, Tolkien didn't approve of technology, so this wasn't meant as a compliment, but the fact remains that if you can make - and presumably design - things technological, you aren't dumb! The orcs of Goblintown in THE HOBBIT weren't being ordered around by the likes of Saruman or Sauron at that time.
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This would be like taking Socrates and Aristotle and comparing them to uneducated people in a third world country. It is not a fair judgement.
Amen to that.(not aman Finwe [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] )
Orcs probably would have semi-bright bulbs in the bunch. Shagrat and Gorgab seemed pretty smart in the books, except the elvish warrior thing with sam. But orcs dont need to be smart to survive, thy ust need to kill, eat, and die to make suaron happy. Melkor probably made them intentionally not smart so that they could never question his authority.
That being said, was there ever an Orc Rebelion?
If an orc was born with a mind with the potential to become like gandalf or galadriel, it would not matter, because he would not be allowed to become someone that powerful. For sauron, it might even seem better to kill the most intelligent orcs, so that they do not ralize that they are not benifiting from obeying him. Or he simply crushes their spirit and then promotes them, so that they become the leaders and use what intelligence they have.
Orcs have the potential to become powerful, like elves, but they never will because of their culture.
But cunning is what you need to have a good army. Take a look at the Two Towers chapter, "the Uruk-hai" - do you really think that if Ugluk or Grishnahk had acted like the Northern Orks, that they would have survived for as long as they did?
I think that the Uruks were the exception to that rule. They were smart, not as smart as our heros granted, but smart notheless. They do seem to know who they are, and why they have to bring Merry and pippen back to orthanc. They know that saruman thinks they have a "Powedrful Elvish Weapon" that and they dont have to speak in the black speach. But orcs are just stupid, sure there might be a bright bukb in the bunch but they will most likely die anyways.
There is always going to be that occasional "bright bulb" amid the crowd of "dim bulbs." In Orcish society, there were many more "dim bulbs," than in Human or Elf society, ergo, there were fewer "bright bulbs."
Alimarwen
But if you consider the fact the the very first orcs were mutilated and tourtured Elves, and the fact the tourture often breaks the minds of the victims, then add in the fact that while the later orcs were not tourtured (aside from day to day orcish life) but retained the broken appearance of their forebearers, isn't it possible that they also received the psycological effects of the tourture? That would ensure that their desire to kill things, especially Elves, continued into all the generations, and would stop an especially bright orc from starting an uprising.
"isn't it possible that they also received the psycological effects of the tourture?"
I know it's horrible, but that made me laugh a bit. I could just see Snaga in a psychiatrist's office: "Post Tramitic Stress? May the Black Pits take you!"
Well Tolkien says that Orks are filled with hate, and unless occupied with some kind of enemy (Gondor, Elves, etc) they'd kill each other.
Which is why it is very good for them that they have tons of enimies.
If orcs are tortured elves, then maybe they have the intellect of an elf, but lack the emotion and understanding to use it, so they are left with exceptional logic skills when they are able to overcome more primitive urges (must...eat...the halfling!).
In my opinion, orcs are smart when their not stupid. And if that made sense, it was smart too.
By the Third Age, I don't think that the Orcs were even capable of a high level of intelligence, except for a few. Think about it. Generations of broken minds were breeding for hundreds of years. Could you really expect to have a brilliant kid when you and the rest of your ancestors had been mentally, emotionally, and physically tortured, and your mind broken?
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Temperature – Humidity Index (THI) within the Oltenia Plain between 2000 and 2009
Alina Vlăduţ1,*
Abstract: Temperature-humidity index, also known as thermal comfort index, represents an extremely used index in mass-media nowadays; it renders an apparent temperature, namely the temperature felt by human body that cools slower at higher values of the relative humidity due to the reduction of the evaporation rate. THI is calculated on the base of several formulas, which corroborate air temperature and relative humidity, the critical threshold being 80. By analysing the statistical date supplied by the Regional Meteorological Center Craiova, it comes out that the years with the highest number of days with THI values above 80 are 2000, 2001, and 2007 for the entire studied territory, when, during summer, the region was affected by numerous heat waves, which led to the frequent exceeding of the 40°C value. The most affected area is located in the central-southern and eastern parts of the Oltenia Plain – 51 days with THI > 80 at Caracal in 2000, 47 days with THI > 80 at Bechet in 2001, and 41 days with THI > 80 at Băileşti in 2007. Regarding the monthly distribution, the most problematic months are, of course, July and August, when it is favoured the penetration of certain extremely hot air masses from northern Africa, as well as thermal convection. During the analysed decade, the highest monthly number of days with values above the threshold was registered at Caracal in August 2000 – 23, at Bechet in August 2001 – 25, and at Băileşti in July 2007 – 20. On the whole, in the 10 analysed years, we remark Băileşti – 76 days in July and 90 in August, Bechet – 84 days in July and 83 in August, and Calafat – 77, respectively 70 days. Increased values of THI mainly affect children and elderly people or those suffering of different diseases. At values lower than 70 of the THI, most of the people feel comfortable, at values comprised between 75 and 80, about half of the population feels thermal discomfort, while at values above 80, even if the discomfort sensation is not obvious, it is recommended to take adequate protection measures.
Keywords: Oltenia Plain, temperature-humidity index (THI), comfort, discomfort, critical threshold
Full article 10.5775/fg.2067-4635.2011.033.iDates: Received: 15-12-2010 Accepted: 20-02-2011 Printed: 30-06-2011 Online: 03-07-2011
1 Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Geography, University of Craiova, 13 Al. I. Cuza, Craiova, Romania
Corresponding author:
* vladut_alina2005@yahoo.com
Copyright: © 2011 Forum geografic. All rights reserved.Acknowledgements: This work was supported by the strategic grant POSDRU/89/1.5/S/61968, Project ID61968 (2009), co-financed by the European Social Fund within the Sectorial Operational Program Human Resources Development 2007 – 2013.
agriculture assessment Banat Bucegi Mountains Bucharest Bulgaria Craiova cultural tourism Danube deindustrialization demographic decline Digital Terrain Model (DTM) drought emigration evaluation flash flood geomorphology geomorphometry geomorphosite GIS human pressure Hungary hydrographic basin landscape land use morphometry Oltenia Plain pollution precipitation regional development remote sensing Romania rural-urban fringe rural area rural tourism segmentation Serbia soil degradation Southern Carpathians sustainability sustainable development tourism urban periphery urban sprawl urban transport
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illWill
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illWill replied to dlbalr's topic in Habs & Hockey Talk
You say that as if losing Niemi is a bad thing. Shaw will be missed and he had a monster season, but he was always in and out of the lineup anyway. And why is it going to be a long season because the Coyotes spent more cap money? Last year wasn't fun for you? I think a lot of people underestimate how young the roster is up front and the room for growth that exists with not only them, but the rookies looking to crack the lineup. I think this is a pretty well balanced and deep team once all is said and done. Add a top 4 LD and I wouldn't have any complaints about them.
Signing Armia 2yr $2.6/yr
illWill replied to DON's topic in Habs & Hockey Talk
Armia was one of my favorite Habs last season. He might be one of the best I've seen at takeaways
Permanent Trade Proposal Thread
I must be in the minority of people that want to keep Drouin, I think he is a big piece of our core moving forward. He is on a relatively cheap contract for what he currently produces combined with his potential. Plus I just enjoy watching him play
Andrew Shaw traded to Chicago
My god some of the stuff I read on here makes me question the state of humanity
Is Aho worth 2 firsts, 1 second and 1 third round pick, AND taking up 9-10 million in cap space? Honest question. That's a heavy price to pay no matter which way you look at it. Remember the majority of us didn't want to spend that on Duchene and that is without losing the draft picks. Most of the reasoning being that we want to be able to afford our own players when their contract is up. Why is Aho so special we should sell the farm for him? This offer sheet by Bergevin is conservative in both AAV and draft pick compensation, but flexes the power of the Canadiens money. If this works it will be a brilliant move, if it doesn't, no harm done.
It is a great trade this year for the Leafs, but Barrie is UFA next year, as well as Jake Muzzin. Whereas Kadri has 3 years left on a great contract, that's why he has so much value. Colorado has their top two centers MacKinnon and Kadri locked up for about 11 million per year over that time, that is more impressive than the Leafs filling a hole for a season. I doubt anyone here would have liked to trade Gallagher for example, for a LD with an expiring contract.
Here's a question: if Carolina decides not to match, can they announce that to make the offer sheet official, or do we have to wait for the 7 days to expire?
Please tell us what you would do if you were Bergevin
Oh and just to reiterate, Aho SIGNED this offer sheet, meaning he likes the contract. Him and the Canes were not able to reach an agreement before this. But Bergevin should have given the player MORE than he wanted.
What the hell are you guys talking about? You're complaining about an offer sheet? Don't want a chance at signing an elite 21 year old on a steal of a contract? Hate that he tried? Did he kidnap your dog? Must be something I don't understand
Good to have you back!
You never addressed what I said about the term. Carolina was try to get an 8 year deal, and by doing so it pushes the AAV up. Montreal offered a 5 year deal, meaning that Aho would be a UFA at the end of the deal, and then be able to cash in again. Might want to wipe the spit up off your shirt. Like the out of the box but hate how we don't know if it worked yet? Let's start flinging feces everywhere! 1. If we get Aho and assuming the season goes well, odds are next to zero that we have to worry about winning/losing the lottery. 2. Aho would be an UFA after 5 years, not 3 3. Everything I seen today with rival GMs commenting about the offer sheet indicates they understand it is within the rules and fair game
Welcome back, we haven't heard from you since the Habs had a great season. I see you still think Bergevin is a moron despite the majority thinking otherwise, but I'll play along. Bergevin clearly stated that they weighed all of the options and considered offering more AAV. The main issue here is not only the 21 million lump sum in year 1, but also the 5 year term. Carolina wanted an 8 year term buying up some UFA years, so the AAV would increase along with that. Or Bergevin is a moron and you know better, whatever.
Live view of Bergevin walking into the press conference
They would have to add an additional first round pick if it is over 8.5 m per year
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Vote Leave: Election Offences
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the recent report of the Electoral Commission into the activities of Vote Leave, whether the Government has plans to set up a judge-led public inquiry to investigate the alleged fraud committed by Vote Leave during the EU referendum 2016.
Glasgow South
Stewart Malcolm McDonald
<p>There are no plans to establish a public inquiry. The independent Electoral Commission is responsible for ensuring that elections and referendums are run effectively and in accordance with the law. It regulates the spending of, and donations and loans, to political parties and other campaigners.</p><p> </p><p>It is not acceptable for any organisation to breach electoral procedures – and it is regrettable that fines have been levied on multiple groups on both sides of the referendum campaigns. Pro-Remain groups outspent pro-Leave groups by £4 million in the referendum campaign.</p><p> </p><p>With 17.4 million votes to leave the European Union, more people voted for Brexit than have ever voted for anything else in the United Kingdom. Almost three quarters of the electorate took part in the referendum. The result was a bigger popular vote than won by any government in history. The will of the British people must be respected and delivered. The public delivered a clear verdict and that is what the Government is implementing.</p>
Biography information for Stewart Malcolm McDonald
Wales Office: Disclosure of Information
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many non-disclosure agreements his Department has entered into with departmental staff in each of the last five years.
Dr Matthew Offord
<p>None.</p>
Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the readiness and capacity of local authorities to perform their duties relating to the 2019 European Parliament elections.
Weaver Vale
Mike Amesbury
<p>It remains the Government’s intention to leave the EU with a deal and not participate in European Parliamentary elections.</p><p> </p><p>Returning Officers, who are statutorily independent, work with their local authority to ensure the necessary support and resource are made available to them to deliver elections, including through following guidance issued by the Electoral Commission.</p><p> </p><p><strong><br> </strong></p><p> </p>
Biography information for Mike Amesbury
Cabinet Office: Brexit
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department has deprioritised any Statutory Instruments in relation to the UK leaving the EU; and if he will publish the criteria his Department uses to deprioritise those Instruments.
Walsall South
Valerie Vaz
<p>Cabinet Office did not deprioritise any SIs and they were all laid in time for Exit Day.</p>
Biography information for Valerie Vaz
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that local authorities are sending out postal ballots for the elections to the European Parliament to eligible UK voters in EU countries in sufficient time for (a) voters to return the postal ballots and (b) for those ballots to be counted.
<p>It remains the Government’s intention to leave the EU with a deal and not participate in European Parliamentary elections.</p><p>In preparation for the delivery of elections, Returning Officers, who are statutorily independent, will work to deliver the polls, including through following guidance issued by the Electoral Commission.</p><p>The Electoral Commission’s guidance advises Returning Officers to prioritise postal ballot packs that are to be sent overseas in order to allow as much time as possible for the ballot pack to reach the elector and to be completed and returned. The Government has agreed to fund International Business Response Licences for the return of postal votes from overseas and has met with Royal Mail and British Forces Post Office to ensure there is effective planning in place for the dispatch and return of postal votes from overseas including those for service voters based overseas.</p>
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps his Department is taking to facilitate the registration of EU citizens to vote in the European parliamentary elections scheduled for 23 May 2019.
<p>It remains the Government’s intention to leave the EU with a deal before the 23 May, so we do not need to participate in European Parliamentary elections.</p><p>Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) maintain their own register for the area for which they are responsible. EROs should write to EU citizens informing them of their right to vote and request they confirm whether or not they wish to vote at a European parliamentary election in the UK or in their home country.</p><p>Moreover, the Government has made registering to vote easier for all citizens, including those from the EU, with an online application taking as little as 5 minutes. The Individual Electoral Registration digital service has been a huge success, facilitating over 38 million applications; with over 75% of these being made online since its introduction in 2014.</p>
Department for Work and Pensions: Sick Leave
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the number of work days lost due to absence and absenteeism as a result of (a) stress, (b) anxiety and (c) depression in each of the last 10 years.
PQ246463.pdf
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what information his Department holds on the number EU citizens eligible to vote in forthcoming European Elections in (a) the UK, (b) London and (c) in the London Borough of Haringey.
<p>The Cabinet Office does not hold this information centrally.</p><p> </p><p>Each Electoral Registration Officer maintains a register for their own local area. Some headline registration statistics by area are collated and published annually by the Office for National Statistics, however, this does not include a breakdown of the numbers of EU citizens registering to vote. The total number of UK local government electors – which includes EU citizens – in the year to December 2018 was 47.8 million.</p><p> </p><p>The latest bulletin is available at <a href="http://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/elections/electoralregistration" target="_blank">www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/elections/electoralregistration</a>.</p>
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his department holds information on the number of EU citizens who are registered to vote in the upcoming European Parliament elections in (a) the UK, (b) London and (c) the London Borough of Haringey.
If he will make an assessment of the implications for his policies of the Electoral Commission’s decision that a new investigation into the Vote Leave campaign would not be in the public interest.
Ealing Central and Acton
Dr Rupa Huq
<p><strong>The Electoral Commission is an independent regulator, accountable to Parliament, not the Government. The Government is, rightly, not involved in decisions over what the Electoral Commission investigates. We remain committed to upholding the integrity of our democratic processes.</strong></p>
Biography information for Dr Rupa Huq
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Cybercrime: Departmental Coordination
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, which Minister or official is responsible for ensuring cross-governmental compliance with the Minimum Cyber Security Standard.
<p>I am accountable to Parliament for the National Cyber Security Strategy and the accompanying investment programme. I am also the lead Minister for the cyber resilience of the government sector.</p><p>The Government Chief Security Officer (GCSO) leads the Government Security Function, which seeks to build the capacity and capabilities of security professionals across UK government departments, covering physical, human and information security.</p><p>The GCSO is also Director General of the Government Security Group within the Cabinet Office, which is responsible for the oversight, coordination and delivery of protective security capabilities within all central government departments, their agencies and arms-length bodies.</p><p>The responsibility for security, including risk management and policy implementation, sits with the Accounting Officer and the executive board of each department.</p>
Whitehall History Publishing
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether Whitehall History Publishing still exists; if so, (1) what is its role, and (2) how is it managed and by whom; and if not, who is responsible for the publication of material it previously produced.
Lord Rodgers of Quarry Bank
<p>The Whitehall History Publishing, comprised of several historical branches of government departments and led by the Cabinet Office, produces material on historical matters and themes to meet individual departmental requirements. The next publication is due out in autumn 2019.</p>
Biography information for Lord Rodgers of Quarry Bank
History: Publications
To ask Her Majesty's Government when they last reviewed the possible resumption of producing official histories.
<p>The Government’s official history series is intended to provide authoritative histories in their own right.</p><p>Two volumes of Criminal Justice history were published earlier this year. The next publication is due out in autumn 2019.</p>
Writers: Self-employed
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people are self-employed as writers.
Combined PQ274510 and PQ274511.pdf
Writers: Income
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate the Government has made of the number of people who rely partially on income from writing.
GovTech Fund
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 4 July 2019 to Question 271623 on the GovTech Fund, whether (a) business cases and (b) budgets were produced for each of the 11 challenges prior to their advertisement.
<p>The complete selection criteria required for all GovTech Catalyst challenges can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-submit-a-govtech-catalyst-challenge#criteria</p>
Hertsmere
Oliver Dowden
Biography information for Oliver Dowden
Early Years Ministerial Group On Family Support
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what progress the Government is making on implementing the recommendations of the cross-Whitehall Inter-Ministerial Group on Early Years Family Support.
<p>I pay tribute to my Right Honourable Friend’s role in establishing and chairing the Early Years Family Support Ministerial Group which has been considering how the Government can improve the coordination and cost-effectiveness of early years (conception to age two) family support and identify gaps in available provision. The group has made recommendations to relevant Secretaries of State which they are now considering.</p>
Cabinet Office: Public Appointments
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 21 May 2019 to Question 255390 on Cabinet Office: Public Appointments, what relationship the Chief Data Officer will have with the cross-government Data Advisory Board.
<p>A Chief Data Officer would lead on government's use of data, working closely with the Data Advisory Board which provides strategic oversight for the collection and use of data held by government departments</p>
Civil Service: Pension Funds
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what his policy is on adopting environmental, social, and governance criteria in relation to civil service pension funds.
Seema Malhotra
<p>‘The Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme and Civil Servants and Others Pension Scheme’ is an unfunded scheme and therefore does not have any investments.</p>
Biography information for Seema Malhotra
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what changes were introduced in postal and proxy voting procedures for the 2019 European Parliamentary Elections compared to previous (a) European or (b) General Elections.
<p>No changes were put in place for proxy voting for the 2019 European Parliamentary elections.</p><p>For postal voting, it was identified that using the International Business Response Licence process could assist the return of postal votes from overseas. This was used at the 2019 European Parliamentary elections, as it had been in national polls since 2016, but not at the previous European Parliamentary elections in 2014.</p><p> </p>
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Autism: Suicide
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people with autism have died by suicide in each year since 2010.
Liverpool, Wavertree
Luciana Berger
PQ238634 (1) (1).pdf
Biography information for Luciana Berger
Rendition and Torture: Inquiries
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 21 November 2018 to Question 191312 on Rendition and Torture: Inquiries, when he plans to announce whether to launch an independent judge-led inquiry into UK involvement in torture and rendition.
Mr Andrew Mitchell
<p>Further to the Prime Minister’s Written Statement of 22 November 2018 (HCWS1100), the Government continues to give serious consideration to the examination of detainee issues and whether any more lessons can be learned and, if so, how. This includes the question of whether or not there should be a further judge-led inquiry.</p>
Biography information for Mr Andrew Mitchell
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Government still plans to bring forward the 2018 Boundary Commission proposals to Parliament.
<p>We are preparing a draft Order in Council that will give effect to the recommendations contained in the final reports of the four Boundary Commissions.</p><p>The draft Order in Council will be subject to a debate and a vote in both Houses in the usual way.</p>
Government Departments: Advertising
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 2 April 2019 to Question 238278, what the figures are for Government spending in the last six months on (a) newspaper and magazine and (b) radio adverts on the potential effects of the UK leaving the EU.
Sir Greg Knight
<p>To date the Cabinet Office have used a range of paid-for and no-cost channels to direct citizens and businesses to a dedicated area on <a href="http://gov.uk/" target="_blank">GOV.UK</a> at Gov.uk/euexit.</p><p> </p><p>The Cabinet Office has undertaken to publish information relating to ongoing expenditure on the public information campaign as part of the department’s regular data transparency releases.</p><p> </p><p>In conjunction, Cabinet Office will disclose full costs regarding future advertising as part of these data sets in due course.</p>
Biography information for Sir Greg Knight
Local Government: Elections
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to assess the likely level of personation that could occur at polling stations in the May 2019 local elections; and whether they will obtain from Electoral Registration Officers for those elections the number of tendered ballot papers issued in each local authority area.
Lord Rennard
<p>The Electoral Commission collate information on allegations of electoral fraud, including personation, at elections and in due course will publish a report covering all polls held in 2019.</p><p>The Government has no plans to ask Electoral Registration Officers to provide information on the number of tendered ballot papers issued in each local authority. Whilst details of tendered ballot papers issued are recorded at each polling station, numbers are not totalled and there is no requirement to record this number.</p>
Biography information for Lord Rennard
Electoral Register
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many electors were removed from the electoral registers of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in each year since the EU referendum in 2016; and what percentage of the register this represents.
Lord Hughes of Woodside
<p>Information on annual deletions from and additions to the electoral registers by nation is not held centrally by the Government. Each Electoral Registration Officer maintains their own register for the area for which they are responsible. Headline registration statistics are collated and published annually by the Office for National Statistics.</p>
Biography information for Lord Hughes of Woodside
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many electors have been added to the electoral register of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland since 2016; and what percentage this represents in each case.
Public Sector: Ombudsman
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 27 March 2019 to Question 234661 on the draft Public Services Ombudsman Bill, what criteria the Government plans to use to determine whether the Housing Ombudsman Service will be brought within the scope of the Public Service Ombudsman.
Poplar and Limehouse
<p>The Government has not yet established the criteria that would be used to make such a<br>determination. Any decision to introduce the necessary secondary legislation would need to take into<br>account feedback received during pre-legislative scrutiny and the passage of the Bill. In addition the<br>Government published its response to Strengthening Consumer Redress in the Housing Market<br>consultation on 24 January 2019 which set out proposals to establish a new Housing Complaints<br>Resolution Service to provide a single point of access to redress across all housing tenures.</p>
Biography information for Jim Fitzpatrick
Firearms: Crime
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate his Department has made of the number of offences involving a firearm in the last 12 months.
<p>The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply</p>
PQ239258 (1).pdf
Civil Servants: Conditions of Employment
To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have received about parity of conditions between employees of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence.
Lord Goodlad
<p>The Cabinet Office has not assessed or received any representations on the parity of conditions between employees of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Further to my response to the Noble Lord Goodlad on the 21 March (HL14735), the Government can confirm that terms and conditions for civil servants below the Senior Civil Service have been to a great extent, and within certain central parameters, in particular those set out in the Civil Service Management Code, formally ‘delegated’ to departments. Accordingly, inter-departmental differences in relation to terms and conditions exist.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The Diplomatic Service is a separate Civil Service from the main (UK) Civil Service and is managed by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.</p><p> </p>
Biography information for Lord Goodlad
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Prisons: Staff
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the total number of days of detached duty worked was in each prison where performance was found to be of serious concern in the Annual Prison Performance Ratings 2017-18 in (a) the last six months of 2017 and (b) the last six months of 2018.
Leeds East
Richard Burgon
<p>National Detached Duty is one of the sensible and proportionate measures we take to ensure we run safe and decent regimes in prisons and respond appropriately to any operational issues that arise. The deployment of staff between prisons on National Detached Duty is a regular and normal part of prison resourcing; the number of Prison Officers deployed on National Detached Duty varies from one week to the next in order to reflect operational circumstances.</p><p> </p><p>The attached table shows the number of staff deployed through National Detached Duty to the prisons rated as being of serious concern in the Annual Prison Performance Ratings 2017-18 for the last six months of 2017 and 2018. Figures are not included for HMP Peterborough as privately managed prisons are not supported with National Detached Duty. It should be noted that the figures represent the number of staff in place during the week commencing the date shown, it is not known how many days per week that staff would have been deployed. It is only possible to obtain data for days worked at disproportionate cost.</p>
South Swindon
Biography information for Robert Buckland
PQ 273819 DD in sites of serious concern (6mths 20176 months 2018).xlsx
PQ 273819 DD in sites of serious concern
Biography information for Richard Burgon
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Written Questions
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when he plans to respond to Question 268565 on buildings: insulation, tabled by the hon Member for Croydon North on 24 June 2019.
Mr Steve Reed
<p>We will respond to the hon Member's question within 7 working days.</p>
Biography information for Mr Steve Reed
Office for Environmental Protection: Northern Ireland
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he will take to ensure Office of Environmental Protection staff have adequate knowledge and experience of Northern Ireland’s legislation and practices.
Belfast East
Gavin Robinson
<p>Environmental policy is largely a devolved matter. Northern Ireland officials requested to make options available to ensure that environmental governance in Northern Ireland can be safeguarded after the UK’s departure from the EU. We are working in conjunction with officials in DAERA to ensure the forthcoming Environment Bill enables the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) to provide effective oversight of the environment in Northern Ireland should the Executive in Northern Ireland agree to it.</p><p> </p><p>Executive officials’ agreement to extension of the Bill is on the basis of a default position that decisions on implementation will be left for returning Ministers and subject to the requisite Assembly scrutiny procedures.</p><p> </p><p>If a Northern Ireland executive decides to use the OEP in the future, it will then be for the OEP to work with the Executive to address any issues specific to the needs of Northern Ireland.</p><p> </p>
Biography information for Gavin Robinson
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Office of Environmental Protection will have a physical presence in Northern Ireland should it have jurisdiction there.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that the Office of Environmental Protection will take account of Northern Ireland’s specific environmental requirements should its jurisdiction apply there.
Trade Agreements: Mercosur
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to secure a free trade agreement with the Mercosur trade bloc; and whether any such agreement would include measures to support sustainable growth.
<p>We welcome the news of political conclusion between the EU and Mercosur on a Free Trade Agreement. As a global champion of trade, the UK has been a strong advocate for these negotiations. The UK has longstanding positive bilateral relationships with individual Mercosur countries and we look forward to deepening our trading ties as we leave the EU. We will be working with our Mercosur partners to develop our future trade relationship in due course.</p><p> </p><p>The EU-Mercosur agreement contains a number of ambitious provisions on promoting sustainable development. As we leave the EU, and in line with our international obligations, the Government will continue to ensure a high level of protection of the environment and employees in new trade agreements.</p>
Viscount Younger of Leckie
Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
Convictions: Dental Services
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people have been convicted for illegally administering teeth whitening processes in the past three years.
<p>The number of people convicted for offences under s41 of the Dentistry Act 1984 (“Unregistered person carrying on the business of dentistry”) over the last 3 years was 2; 1 in each of 2016 and 2017. It is not possible to identify whether these offences were specific to teeth whitening in centrally held data on court proceedings.</p>
Prisons: Education
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the effect of one-year contracts on the (a) quality and (b) oversight of education in prisons.
<p>It remains our intention to undertake a full future assessment of the impact of our prison education reforms in due course. This will include the particular impact of the Prison Education Framework and prison education Dynamic Purchasing System.</p><p> </p><p>The Education and Employment Strategy, published in May 2018, set out ambitious plans to give prison governors power and control over the education arrangements in their establishments. The Prison Education Framework and prison education Dynamic Purchasing System are key elements of that reform, enabling a governor to determine what their curriculum is, how it is delivered and who delivers it.</p><p> </p><p>These arrangements will ensure a tailored and consistent approach to delivery as well as attracting and enabling smaller local suppliers and third sector organisation to participate in delivering a varied and responsive mix of provision to prisoners.</p>
Medway Secure Training Centre
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, on what date he plans to close Medway secure training centre to prepare for its reopening as a secure school.
Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck
<p>Earlier this month we were delighted to announce that Oasis, which runs 52 Academies with 30,000 students across England, have been selected to operate the first secure school in Medway. They have been appointed to preopening, and we will now work with Oasis to develop the operating model for the secure school, and subject to progress, will then agree the arrangements to operate the secure school next year.</p><p> </p><p>We are investing c. £5m investment to repurpose the existing site, which will include extensive refurbishment of classrooms and residential areas. The provider will be awarded an annual budget of c. £9m to operate it. Both capital and revenue costs will be funded by MOJ.</p><p> </p><p>Medway Secure Training Centre will close in early 2020 so that it can be re-purposed to allow the first secure school to open.</p>
Edward Argar
Biography information for Edward Argar
Biography information for Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck
Secure Schools: Medway
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how much (a) capital and (b) revenue funding will be allocated to Oasis Charitable Trust to operate Medway secure school for the next academic year, which Government budget line that funding will come from; and what the duration of the contract will be.
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