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CHARLES DARWINS LEGACY - 200 years on
Just over 200 years ago in 1809, Charles Darwin was born. Fifty years later, in 1859, he published The Origin of the Species. It was book that contained ideas which provoked both hostility and great interest throughout the world. Darwin's theories questioned many received truths which went to the heart of society's beliefs about religion, society and biology. It even affected the way they thought of their own bodies, and perhaps even their souls.
Darwin's theory established the initial idea, but it has since been added to in ways that Darwin himself could never have dreamed of. We now know about genes and how they replicate, and how DNA produces the codes of our existence. It is very difficult to imagine how or what we would think today about how we got here without Darwin's ideas. So, with so much having changed since Darwin was around, and with his theories having become orthodoxy, have we still anything to learn from Darwin? It seems that we do. His work continues to have influence today, in both scientific and other fields.
Technological Evolution
Darwin's theory can be applied to anything which changes and develops. And that is pretty much anything. While its most obvious applications are to science and the development of societies, it can be used to help us understand other things too. For example, there is Darwinian literary criticism, which seeks to apply Darwin's ideas to the interpretation of literature. They hold that because the mind develops and adapts biologically, and literature is developed from the mind, it reflects our adaptations. So, the issues and problems presented in literature reflect those face by us (and our minds) in society.
Darwin's theories can be found just about everywhere today, and can be both a way of generating new ideas, and a highly useful analytical tool. His theories are so powerful that that they could not be ignored when they were published, and continue to be compelling today.
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Each and every seed is a miracle of biological engineering. Weighing anywhere from 1/35000000 (one 35 millionth) of an ounce for an orchid seed, and up to as much as 18 kg for the enormous Coco de Mer seed, all living seeds contain the complete genetic blue print of its parents which they can use to replicate themselves to a similar design.
I suppose that strictly speaking, a seed is a small embryonic plant enclosed within its seed coat, together with a repository of stored food in the form of carbohydrates. The seed itself is the product of the ripened ovule of gymnosperm and angiosperm plants which occurs after fertilization and some growth within the mother plant. The formation of the seed completes the process of reproduction in seed bearing plants (started with the development of flowers and pollination), with the embryo developed from the zygote and the seed coat from the integuments of the ovule.
1. An embryo
2. A supply of energy and nutrients for the embryo
3. A seed coat.
The embryo is the immature plant from which a new plant will grow provided that suitable conditions are available. The embryo will produce a single leaf (known as the cotyledon) in monocotyledons, or two leaves in almost all dicotyledons. Gymnosperms will produce two or more leaves.
The radicle is the name for the embryonic root, while the plumule is the name for the embryonic shoot. The embryonic stem above the point of attachment of the cotyledon or cotyledons is the epicotyl. The embryonic stem below the point of attachment is the hypocotyl.
Along with the embyo, and found within the seed coat, is a store of nutrients and carbohydrates. for the seedling that will grow from the embryo. The form of the stored nutrition varies depending on the kind of plant. In angiosperms, the stored food begins as a tissue called the endosperm, which is derived from the parent plant via double fertilization. The usually triploid endosperm is rich in oil or starch and protein.
In addition to the three basic seed parts, some seeds have an appendage on the seed coat such an aril (as in yew and nutmeg) or an elaiosome (as in Corydalis) or hairs (as in cotton). There may also be a scar on the seed coat, called the hilum; it is where the seed was attached to the ovary wall by the funiculus.
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DINOSAUR: Did Pterosaurs hang upside down?
I am not a paleontologist or even a biologist. I do have a science degree, but it is in an entirely unrelated subject. However there is something about how pterosaurs have been portrayed in the media that has bugged me for years. Ever since their cinematic characterisation in Jurassic Park 3 and subsequent 'natural history' depiction in the landmark BBC series 'Walking with Dinosaurs', there has been a widespread belief by the scientific community that when Pterosaurs are not expending valuable energy flying around, they spent their lives using a horribly ungainly quadrupedal system of walking in order to get around.
On the whole, this is fine - but I have a question. While I will accept that walking around like a decrepit old man on crutches will give you effective mobility, surely this slow, cumbersome method will make you incredibly vulnerable to attack by predators? And while I'll accept that they can fly off when danger arises, don't forget that the pterosaur family accounted for the largest creatures ever to fly.
Consider the mute swan and the great bustard. These are two of the heaviest flying birds in the world today - approximately 25kg for an adult male, and both of these birds require substantial run-ups to launch themselves into flight.
The largest pterosaur so far discovered is the Quetzalcoatlus. With a 30ft wingspan and weighing in at 200lbs, the scientific community is split in its opinion of whether it flew or instead led an entirely terrestrial existence. In answer to this question, David Attenborough's recent 3D documentary on this subject takes the view that it flew, and puts forth a theory of dynamic thrust motion by the pterosaur in order to provide lift at the initial flight phase in order to provide a spring board for flight.
Be that as it may, there were plenty of pterosaur species that fit between the heaviest weight of todays flying birds and the gigantic Quetzalcoatlus. However, the likelihood of these animals being able to run fast enough using their 'quadrapedal system of walking' to achieve the critical speed for achieving powered flight is extremely low. However, if you look at the nearest contemporary flying creature that uses a quadrupedal system of walking - the bat - there is another answer to how large pterosaurs managed to obtain the initial thrust required to achieve powered flight. They amble over to the nearest tree and climb up as far as they deem necessary before jumping off! That way, gravity provides the initial acceleration necessary to instigate flight.
Of course, climbing trees with large flappy wings and tiney finger clawss is extremely hard work. It is also time consuming and leaves you at a considerable risk of being predated. However, bats have an answer to this problem and that is to avoid landing on the grown and stay back in the tree when you are not flying.
To conclude, I just need to say that this was all off the top of my head with no real research involved whatsoever. So I fully expect that my views on this subject will be shot down by someone who knows what they are talking about. If not, let it be known that this was my idea first, it was original, and the date of this published article will confirm that I came to this conclusion before anyone else unless proved otherwise. Any comments you wish to make can be make below.
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Inside every seed is a miracle of biological engineering. Weighing anywhere from 1/35000000 (one 35 millionth) of an ounce for an orchid seed, and up to as much as 18 kg for the enormous Coco de Mer seed, all living seeds contain the complete genetic blueprint of its parents which they can use to replicate themselves to a similar design.
They are protected by a specialised seed coat – or testa - which allows the seed to germinate at the most optimum time of the year – it can also help to keep the seed viable for hundreds, and in rare cases, thousands of years! Furthermore, they contain enough energy to allow the seed to anchor itself into the ground using a juvenile root system as well as to produce its first true leaves. This will then set the seedling on the road to photosynthesis and a life of taking full advantage of free energy from the sun. This in turn will allow it to continue growing, and mature to a point where it will produce seed of its own.
Without seeds the vast majority of the world's plant species would simply die out. Shortly after, life on earth will begin to follow. Without plants there would be no food to eat or timber for use as tools and shelter, so understanding how to grow plants from seeds is paramount to human existence.
Whenever you are trying to grow plants from seed there is always a delay from sowing the seed until the time it germinates. This is because certain environmental factors are required to trigger the germination process - usually, a combination of light, warmth and moisture. Depending on the seed, this can range from a few days right up until a few years. The reason behind this delay is something called seed dormancy and is all to do with the complex design of seed coats.
So, just what is seed dormancy?
While all seeds have been created with the double purpose of first protecting the embryo within, and then enabling the juvenile seedling to emerge at the most opportune time for optimum growth, the way that some plant species achieve this is akin to a Chinese puzzle box.
Without the required periods of dry, cold, wet or heat the protective seed coat will not allow the embryonic seed within to break out into life. However, some seeds will still refuse to germinate! This is what is known as seed dormancy and - simply put - seed dormancy can be defined as the failure of mature, intact seeds to germinate under favourable conditions.
So secure is this method of protection offered by some seeds that without the correct environmental responses they can remain dormant for hundreds of years. In fact, ancient magnolia seed retrieved from a Japanese tomb have been germinated after a period of some 2000 years!
While some seeds are extremely easy to germinate, others are clearly not and if somebody wished to bypass the enforced dormancy that many seed coats offer a certain amount of work is needed. Below is a list of common techniques used in bypassing the dormancy process.
Some seeds, e.g. Sweet peas, Ipomoea etc. have hard seed coats which prevent moisture being absorbed by the seed. All that is needed is for the outer surface to be scratched or abraded to allow water to pass through.
This can be achieved by chipping the seed with a sharp knife at a part furthest away from the 'eye', by rubbing lightly with emery paper or, with very small seed, pricking carefully once with a needle etc.
In some packet seed instructions you will find a reference to 'pre-chilling'. This is a pre-treatment of the seed which often helps to speed up the germination of otherwise slow to germinate seeds. However, even after pre-chilling some seeds can stubbornly refuse to germinate until a year or more has passed, so never be too hasty in discarding a seed container.
Pre-chilling was traditionally done by standing the pots outside in a cold frame during the winter. It is often quicker to adopt the following technique using a domestic refrigerator and this is of particular value if you obtain your seed outside the winter months.
To pre-chill seeds, first sow the seed on moistened seed compost, seal the seed container inside a polythene bag and leave at 60-65F (15-18C) for 3 days then place in a refrigerator for the recommended period. For convenience large seeds can be mixed with 2-3 times their volume of damp seed compost, placed direct into a polythene bag which is sealed and placed in the refrigerator. However, there must always be sufficient air inside the bag and the compost should NEVER become either too dry or over wet. After pre-chilling these seeds can then be spread with the compost on top of a seed container and firmed down.
The seeds must be moist whilst being pre-chilled, but it will harm them if they are actually in water. During the period in the refrigerator, examine the seeds once a week and remove all the seeds into the specified warm conditions if any of them start to germinate.
Light also seems to be beneficial after pre-chilling, so pre-chilled seeds should have only the lightest covering of compost, if any is required, and the seed trays or pots, should be in the light and not covered in paper.
Soaking is beneficial in two ways; it can soften a hard seed coat and also leach out any chemical inhibitors in the seed which may prevent germination. Anything from 1-3 hours in water which starts off hand hot is usually sufficient.
If soaking for longer the water should be changed daily. Seeds of some species swell up when they are soaked.
If some seeds of a batch do swell within 24 hours they should be planted immediately and the remainder pricked gently with a pin and returned to soak. As each seed swells it should be removed and sown before it has time to dry out.
Double dormancy
Some seeds have a combination of dormancies and each one has to be broken in turn and in the right sequence before germination can take place.
For example some Lilies, Tree paeonies, Daphne etc. need a warm period during which the root develops followed by a cold period to break dormancy of the shoots, before the seedling actually emerges.
Some seeds need a cold period followed by a warm period and then another cold period before they will germinate.
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In the animal world, a fully-grown African elephant, or Loxodonta Africana to give it its scientific name, is like the double decker bus – it's the biggest living land mammal and dwarfs almost any other creature. Both male and female elephants have tusks – and like human beings – they're either right or left tusked which means one tusk gets worn down quicker than the other. Tusks are also particular to the elephant – varying in shape, size and angle so that researchers can use them to identify what elephant they came from – in a way, kind of similar to our fingerprints.
An elephants ' diet is pretty varied although it is purely vegetarian, and every single day they need to eat around 5% of their body mass. Things they eat include leaves, twigs, fruit, seedpods and grass. Aside from food, they also need to take in a whopping 30-50 gallons of water. Elephants drink water by using their trunks to siphon off water from a pool, for instance, and then pouring it into their mouths.
Elephants are social creatures and prefer the company of other elephants to living solo. They tend to live in small family units with an older male elephant at the helm and younger related elephants further down the pecking order.
Different family units can co-exist together in one particular area and get along fine. Like humans, elephants will happily greet each other when they come into contact at places like watering holes. Often, older male elephants will visit different family units to see if there are female elephants who are at the right stage to mate with.
Elephants are very caring creatures and female elephants look after their babies for many years. This ensures that their offspring learns skills like drinking water and so on. Baby elephants drink their mother's milk until its tusks are around five to six inches long. At this point they start to cause a problem for the mother so she gradually weans her offspring and they go onto solid foods.
Calves – younger elephants – can fall prey to other animals such as lions, crocodiles and other carnivorous animals.
Elephants make deep growling noises to communicate with each other – and they're often so low that they can't be heard by the human ear. However, other elephants are able to hear them up to five or six miles away.
If an elephant is in distress or senses danger close by, it may emit a loud blast. This almost deafening call will cause the other elephants in the group to form a protective barricade around younger elephants in order to keep them safe from potential harm.
Interesting Elephant Facts
• Elephants like to touch each other – they use their trunks to stroke and caress each other and two elephants can often be seen entwining their trunks together
• Elephants are highly intelligent creatures, hence the saying 'an elephant never forgets'
• Elephants have a complex social structure and demonstrate interesting and advanced methods of communication
• A fully-grown African elephant's trunk is around two meters long
• An elephant can drink around two gallons of water in one go!
• When elephants wade in deep water they use their trunks as snorkels
• The classic elephant trumpeting sound is a warning sound an elephant makes if it senses danger
• Like human babies that suck their thumb or a dummy, a baby elephant will often suck its trunk.
• An elephant has the longest pregnancy of all animals – a female elephant carries its baby in the womb for a whopping 22 months.
• Elephants can live to around 70 years old
• An African elephant can weigh more than six tons
I hope that you enjoyed learning about elephants, as well as the elephant pictures, indian elephant, facts about elephants, elephant photos and elephant images and elephant movie.
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I will always remember the mince pies that my Nana used to make. Dusted with icing, each and every one of the were filled to the brim with succulent mincemeat. The trouble is that they were always surrounded by an awful, dry and misshapen pastry case - absolutely horrible! So I only ate them when I was really hungry. The trouble is that as a child I was always hungry.
Luckily, this is a recipe that ticks all the boxes, and maybe a bit too well because when you get a mince pie that tastes just right I have a habit of chucking far to many down my petite, yet very manly gob.
So here it is, my recipe for traditional, Christmas, English mince pies.
Mince Pie Ingredients
1¼ lb (560 g) mincemeat
12 oz (350 g) plain flour
3 oz (75 g) lard
3 oz (75 g) butter
pinch of salt
and as a light topping:
a little milk
icing sugar
Pre-heat the oven to gas mark 6, 400°F (200°C).
How to Make Mince Pies
To make up the pastry, sift the flour and salt into a mixing bowl and rub both the lard and butter into it until the mixture resembles fine crumbs. Then add just enough cold water to form your mix into a dough. You will know when it is ready as the dough will contain all of the mix leaving the bowl clean - your pastry is now ready.
Leave the pastry to rest in a polythene bag in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes, then roll half of it out as thinly as possible and cut it into two dozen 3 inch (7.5 cm) rounds. To get the most out of your pastry do forget to gather up the scraps and re-rolling. Then do the same with the other half of the pastry, this time using the 2½ inch (6 cm) cutter.
Now dampen the edges of the smaller rounds of pastry with water and press them lightly into position to form lids, sealing the edges. Brush each one with milk and make three snips in the tops with a pair of scissors. Bake near the top of the oven for 25-30 minutes until light golden brown. Cool on a wire tray and sprinkle with icing sugar. When cool, store in an airtight container.
Once cool, your Christmas mince pies are ready to serve with cream, custard or on their own.
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Growing roses from seed is not the quickest way to propagate roses but it can be the most rewarding. It is also the best way to hybridise roses in order to create brand new varieties. Of course there will be disappointments as some of your seed won't germinate at all, and annoyingly you will always lose a certain percentage of seedlings to damping off disease.
Unfortunately, once you get your seedlings to a size where they will bloom you will need to prepare yourself for yet more disappointment. Why? Because some of your creations will be as ugly as sin, while others will be just plain boring! However the point of all your work will become as clear as a lead crystal goblet as one of your rose seedlings may turned out to be something quite special!
When do you harvest rose hips?
You can open the rose hips as soon as they have been collected or you can store in a fridge for up to four weeks before opening. To open, slice the rose hips in half with a knife, then remove the seeds. the pulp and outer shell can be thrown away
Growing Roses from seed
Once your rose seed has been collected, soak them overnight. Then in the morning, discard any seeds that are floating as these will produce either weak seedlings or not germinate at all. Strain the seeds of and then - wait for it - place into a blender with some more fresh water. Turn the blender on to LOW and whizz for a few seconds in order to remove most of what is left of the pulp. You may lose a few seeds here but you can always skip this step - especially if you are short of seed.
From this point, professional rose grows tend to chill their seeds from between six to ten weeks before planting as this will encourage germination. If you leave them in any longer, is has been known for rose seeds to germinate in the fridge!
The most popular method of refrigeration to place your clean, seeds on to a piece of good quality, damp paper towel. Fold the paper towel over a couple of times and then place into a sealable plastic bag. This can now be left in the salad compartment of your fridge.
When and how to plant rose seeds
Rose seeds collected as late as November - and possibly as late as December and January in warmer climates - can be planted as soon as they are retrieved. However, if they have been chilled then they can be sown in early spring. If there is a risk of frost then this will need to be done under protection.
Allow the soil to drain off then move the pots/tray into a warm and sunny position. Place a clear cover - such as a sheet of glass or perspex - over the the pot or the pots/tray and place in a cool yet sunny position. If there is no risk of frosts then the containers can be placed outside into a cold frame.
Keep the soil moist and after six weeks or so your rose seeds should begin to germinate. As soon as you seed the seedlings emerge, remove their clear cover. If the seedlings are in a cold frame then the lid can be left open during the day - don't forget to shut it at night. The seedlings will continue to sprout while the weather is cool but growth can be arrested if the young plants get to warm!
Once the rose seedlings are a few inches tall then can be potted on either into 3/4 inch pots, or if you are feeling brave then can be planted directly into a prepared bed outside. From there it will take just three years to reach maturity.
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ATHENS: The Temple of Zeus
The erection of this enormous temple was begun by Peisistratos - grandson of the tyrant Deucalion - in 515 BC on the site of an earlier temple. However, the design and construction of the Temple of Zues is credited to the architect Libon, with carved metopes and triglyph friezes, topped by pediments filled with sculptures in the Severe Style.
It was also one of the largest Temples of the ancient world, comprising of 20 columns on the sides and three rows of columns at the end. Overall it measured 110 meters long and 44 meters wide
The Temple of Zeus also housed the renowned statue of Zeus, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Chryselephantine statue was approximately 13 m (43 ft) high and was made by the sculptor Phidias in his workshop on the site at Olympia. He took about twelve years to complete it.
On his head was a sculpted wreath of olive sprays. In his right hand he held a figure of Nike, the goddess of victory, also made from ivory and gold, and in his left hand, a scepter made with many kinds of metal, with an eagle perched on the top. His sandals were made of gold and so was his robe. His garments were carved with animals and with lilies. The throne was decorated with gold, precious stones, ebony, and ivory. In its day, this statue was the most famous artistic work in the whole of Greece!
The main structure of the building was of a local limestone that was unattractive and of poor quality, and so it was coated with a thin layer of stucco to give it an appearance of marble. All the sculptural decoration on the temple was made of Parian marble, and the roof tiles were of the same Pentelic marble used to build the Parthenon at Athens.
In 426 CE, Theodosius II ordered the destruction of the sanctuary, and earthquakes in 522 and 551 devastated the ruins and left the Temple of Zeus partially buried. The site of the ancient sanctuary, long forgotten under landslips and flood siltation, was identified in 1766. In 1829 a French team partially excavated the Temple of Zeus, taking several fragments of the pediments to the Musée du Louvre. Systematic excavation began in 1875, under the direction the German Archaeological Institute, and has continued, with some interruptions, to the present time.
Of the original 104 columns only 16 managed to survive intact. That was until 1852 when a terrible storm toppled one over where it has remained on this increadible site till this day. Luckily, early engravings exist which show all 16 columns still in place.
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ATHENS: The Caryatids
Looming in quiet splendour over modern Athens is the awe inspiring Acropolis. Best known for housing the iconic Parthenon, it is also home to another mysterious and beautiful temple called the Erechtheum. The Erechtheun was completed in 406 BC, reputedly on the spot where Athena and Poseidon battled for control over Athens. The structure actually unites two separate temples. First the east porch which once sheltered an olive wood statue of Athena, while the second is the west porch which held a statue of Poseidon. Of course, the most famous feature of the Erechtheun is the south porch which is held up by six columns in the shape of voluptuous, drapery-clad maidons.
These beautifully carved stone maidons are collectively known as the Caryatids, possibly named after the woman of Caryae, who were famed for their beauty and served as Athenien slaves. It was probably for this reason alone that inspired the Ottoman commanders to convert the Erechtheum temple into a hareem during their occupation!
Although the six Caryatids are of the same height, build, and similarly attired and coiffed, they are in fact are not the same. Their faces, stance, draping, and hair have all been carved uniquely. The three on the left stand on their right knee, while the three on the right stand on their left knee.
And if you were wondering why they have such large 'French plaits', it is because their bulky, intricately arranged hairstyles serve the crucial purpose of providing static support to their necks. Otherwise this section of the statue be the thinnest and therefore structurally weak.
Unfortunately, the six Caryatids the you see on the south porch today are only copies, but the originals still exist. Five are being restored while on display at the new Acropolis Museum, while the sixth was removed by Lord Elgin in the early 19th century and is currently housed in the British Museum in London.
The Acropolis housed Caryatids currently stand on a special balcony that allows visitors to view them from all sides. The pedestal for the Caryatid that was removed to London remains empty.
The Romans also copied the Erechtheion caryatids, installing copies in the Forum of Augustus and the Pantheon in Rome, and at Hadrian's Villa at Tivoli.
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You should consult the respective privacy policies of these third-party ad servers for more detailed information on their practices as well as for instructions about how to opt-out of certain practices. www.gardenofeaden.blogspot.com's privacy policy does not apply to, and we cannot control the activities of, such other advertisers or web sites.
If you wish to disable cookies, you may do so through your individual browser options. More detailed information about cookie management with specific web browsers can be found at the browsers' respective websites.
If you require any more information or have any questions about our privacy policy, please feel free to contact us by email at firstname.lastname@example.com.
At www.gardenofeaden.blogspot.com, the privacy of our visitors is of extreme importance to us. This privacy policy document outlines the types of personal information is received and collected by www.gardenofeaden.blogspot.com and how it is used.
Log Files
Like many other Web sites, www.gardenofeaden.blogspot.com makes use of log files. The information inside the log files includes internet protocol ( IP ) addresses, type of browser, Internet Service Provider ( ISP ), date/time stamp, referring/exit pages, and number of clicks to analyze trends, administer the site, track user's movement around the site, and gather demographic information. IP addresses, and other such information are not linked to any information that is personally identifiable.
Cookies and Web Beacons
www.gardenofeaden.blogspot.com does use cookies to store information about visitors preferences, record user-specific information on which pages the user access or visit, customize Web page content based on visitors browser type or other information that the visitor sends via their browser.
DoubleClick DART Cookie
.:: Google, as a third party vendor, uses cookies to serve ads on www.gardenofeaden.blogspot.com.
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Some of our advertising partners may use cookies and web beacons on our site. Our advertising partners include ....
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If you wish to disable cookies, you may do so through your individual browser options. More detailed information about cookie management with specific web browsers can be found at the browsers' respective websites.
Labels: privacy policy
ATHENS: Tower of the Winds
Situated within the crumbling walls of Athens ancient Roman Agora is the sumptuous eight sided Tower of the Winds. Built around 50 BC by Syrian astronomer Andronikos Kyrrhestas, this stunning feature was created to combine the functions of a sundial, wehther vane and water clock. In the process Kyrrhestas managed to design a building ulike any other in the ancient world.
The tower comprises of a conical roof, a cylindrical annex on the south side and two propyla.
There would have originally been an bronze weather vane on the roof, but this has not survived the ravages of time.
However, the personifications of the winds which it would have indicated are still carved in relief at the top of each of the eight sides.
Their names are inscribed beneath the cornice:
The rays of the sundials are carved on each of the sides, beneath the scenes of the winds.
Inside the tower are the remains of the waterclock - no longer working - which was operated by spring waters running down from the Acropolis.
Now it stands as a masterpiece of ancient architecture.
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Alibi Bar and Lounge
215 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114Map
Liberty Hotel
+1 857 241 1144
email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Neighborhood: Beacon Hill
Located in the Liberty Hotel, which was formerly known as Charles Street Jail, Alibi Bar is one of the more popular hangouts in Boston. The decor is simple, featuring exposed brick walls that give it a rustic look, comfortable leather couches lining the walls and rich wood tables with tea lights for ambiance. The outside patio area is complete with comfortable sofas and chairs perfect for enjoying those warm Boston evenings. The bar bites on the menu include pizzas, skewers, angus burgers and more which go very well with the wine list, cocktails and more on offer. Alibi is open for private hire, call ahead to book the space. Reservations can be made online.
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- Nearest Train: Charles/MGH Station
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subset: commoncrawl


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Pity the hard-up hard of hearing. For decades, bargainhunting deaf car buyers have paid for sound-deadening from which they'll never benefit. But now, catering to the aurally impaired minority, comes the Mokka, a Skoda Yeti rival that offers as much of an assault on the ears as it does on the English language. Vauxhall hasn't wasted a penny on pesky sound insulation here. Crank the Mokka up to 70mph on an averagely surfaced motorway, and sign language becomes necessary for in-cabin communication. Road noise, wind noise, engine noise, the Mokka's got the full house.
Its appalling, crashy ride is partly to blame. Even on fair German tarmac, the Mokka clatters like a cutlery drawer in a washing machine, sending every road crease and crack clanging straight up through the seats. We shudder to think how it'll fare on Britain's distraught roads. The Mokka's roaring 1.7-litre turbodiesel (the only black-pump offering) contributes plenty of decibels too, droning through the stodgy cabin with the grim insistence of an adenoidal pub bore. Better to opt for the top-spec 1.4-litre turbo petrol, but bear in mind it's available solely with four-wheel drive - an electromagnetic system that throws torque to the rear axle only when required - whereas the diesel and entrylevel 1.6-litre petrol can also be had in front-drive flavour.
You could hush the Mokka a little by speccing it on small wheels - our test car rode on 18s - but that won't do much for its already divisive appearance. There's no shortage of styling here, but, to Top Gear's eyes, it resembles an overinflated Suzuki SX4 bolstered with the plastic cladding from a Rover Streetwise. For those with fully functioning ears (and eyes), the Mokka can only really be recommended for its neat packaging. Splitting Nissan's Juke and Qashqai for length, it pushes the latter close for interior space: despite a modest footprint and coupe-style roofline, there's plenty of legand headroom in the back. And, naturally, plenty of noise.
Sadly, the Mokka isn't even suitable for our over-tall, hard-of-hearing, parsimonious family. Because, despite feeling cheaply built, it isn't cheap. Prices start at £16,995 for the 1.6 petrol (avoid), rising to more than £20k if you want the 4WD 1.4-litre turbo. If you want something GM-built, odd and crossover-ish, we'd hold out for the Chevrolet Trax, essentially the same car (albeit with Chevy's own chassis tuning) and hopefully with a cheaper price tag. Better still, look towards the Yeti, which pulls off the quirky mini-SUV thing with far greater aplomb and quality. Without the need for ear defenders.
Sam Philip
The Numbers:
1686cc, 4cyl, 4WD, 138bhp, 221lb ft, 62.8mpg, 120g/km CO2, 0-62mph in 10.0secs, 116mph, 1354kg
The Verdict:
Noisy, unrefined, average to drive and too expensive. A nasty blip in Vauxhall's recent upsurge.


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Gemma Redux
Gemma Redux - Amalia Bracelet
- Color:
- lapis
Please select an available size.
Please select a size.
Share This Item: Email
Description: Steel double strand bracelet with lapis howlite beads
- 7 inches long with 1 inch extension chain
- 1 inch wide
- Lobster clasp closure
Material: Stainless steel and lapis howlite
Brand: Gemma Redux
Origin: United States


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|Advertise On UGHH
101 Apparel: Life Is Art Is LifeGrayCrewneck Sweatshirt
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Product Details
SummaryLife is Art is Life is a design inspired by the ethos that you should live out your passions whatever those may be. Art is the modus operandi at 101 Apparel and since many of our customers are in creative related fields, whether that be music, art, design, film, photography, fashion, architecture, writing, or simply making what you do an artform this shirt is in line with that mindset. With a unique future-primitive font and abstract placement of text and coloring, this shirt is a fully layered piece that will appeal to creatives of all stripes.
-100% cotton raglan crew fleece.
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text:
Tips for a Green Fall
The days are getting cooler and shorter. You've got brightly colored leaves everywhere, and soon they're going to be littering your lawn. Autumn has its own special green concerns, and here are some tips to help keep your fall green. Don't burn your leaves – When leaves are burned, the smoke contains particulates that can lodge in your lungs and the lungs of other people. The pollution that's emitted by burning leaves can add to [...]
Use Less Air Conditioning This Summer
We all know that using your air conditioner less during the summer means lower bills, using less energy, and being green. But we're in the middle of a heat wave and your air conditioner seems to run all the time, no matter what the setting is. How in the world can you cool your home without maxing out your energy use? A few simple tricks can help you lower your energy use this summer. Some [...]
Why you Should Go Green Now
Every single thing we do has an impact on our planet, either good or bad. You, as an individual, have power over your choices. Put simply, that means you can control the impact you make. As globalization makes the world smaller, your choices affect people around the world. Why should you care? I'll give you an example. Did you know that about a fourth of the medications we take come from plants in the Amazon? [...]


text:
Smoking and Heart Disease Center - Overland Park, KS
WebMD Physician Directory
Overland Park, Kansas
Smoking and Heart Disease
Smoking and Heart Disease Introduction
Most people associate cigarette smoking with breathing problems and lung cancer. But did you know that smoking is also a major cause of heart disease for men and women?
About 20% of al...
Other Related Smoking and Heart Disease Articles
Emergency Contact for Overland Park
Nearby Overland Park Hospitals *
Shawnee Mission Medical Ctr Inc
Specialty Hospital Mid-America
Children's Mercy Hospital South
Mid America Rehabilitation Hosp
Doctors Hospital
Heartland Spine & Specialty Hos
Overland Park Regional Med Ctr
Kansas City Orthopaedic Inst
Saint Joseph Medical Center
Menorah Medical Center
Kindred Hospital
Research Med Ctr Brookside Camp
Saint Luke's South Hospital
University Of Kansas Hospital
Rainbow Mental Health Facility
Saint Luke's Hospital
Research Medical Center
Research Psychiatric Center
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Childrens Mercy Hospital
Truman Medical Ctr- Hosp Hill
Center For Behavioral Medicine
VA Medical Center
Crittenton Children's Center
Two Rivers Behavior Health Syst
Select Specialty Hospital
Providence Medical Center
Olathe Medical Center
North Kansas City Hospital
Belton Regional Medical Center
Truman Medical Center-Lakewood
Saint Luke's East-Lee's Summit
Kindred Hospital Northland
Centerpoint Medical Center
Saint Luke's Northland Hospital
Meadowbrook Rehabilitation Hosp
Lee's Summit Medical Center
Lansing Correctional Facility
St Marys Medical Center
Dwight Eisenhower VA Med Cntr
Liberty Hospital
Saint John Hospital
Cushing Memorial Hospital
Cass Regional Medical Center
Miami County Medical Center
Lawrence Memorial Hospital
Saint Luke's Northland Hospital
Excelsior Springs Hospital
*Provider Directory Terms of Use:
The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval.


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PORTLAND -- A local minister is calling on his congregation to forgive a thief after the suspect stole thousands of dollars worth of equipment.
Jeffrey Wilson pleaded no contest to two counts of burglary on Monday and was sentenced to three years in prison. He was also ordered to pay back more than $17,000 in restitution to his victims and to stay at least 150 feet away from the churches when he's released from prison.
Wilson stole thousands of dollars worth of equipment from Central Christian Church in February and March, despite being a frequent shopper at the church's food bank.
I am convinced Mr. Wilson needs something from the church that goes beyond a food bank, said Senior Minister David Brink. He needs healing for his spirit.
After his arrest, Wilson was released from Multnomah Co. Jail, despite having an extensive criminal history. He was later captured in April and re-booked into the jail, where he has been ever since.
Though we were hurt by what he did, we accept him as a fellow human being, Brink added. We hope that his punishment helps him rehabilitate into a law-abiding citizen.
Background: Tips lead to Portland church burglary suspect


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Army to transform through apps
Service CIO Lt. Gen. Jeff Sorenson details how the Army will judge and award $30,000 in prize money to soldiers and civilian employees under the Apps for the Army program. Up to 100 contestants can submit apps in one of eight categories. The Army will announce the winners in August.
Tags: Technology , Jeff Sorenson , DISA , Peter Corbett , Apple , Google , BlackBerry , Apps for Army , race , Forge.mil , innovation , Web 2.0
Army putting up $30,000 prizes for apps
Service CIO Jeff Sorenson says Apps for the Army contest will begin March 1. The first 100 individuals or teams will compete for the monetary awards for developing software that improves capabilities or addresses new challenges.
Tags: Technology , Jeff Sorenson , DISA , Apps for the Army , Software development contest , Forge.mil , race , Cloud computing
Army to test enterprise e-mail for all of DoD
Lt. Gen. Sorenson says the service will issue a RFP in the coming weeks. Then the Army will follow with a solicitation for its data center consolidation effort, called APCs. Sorenson says it will launch Apps for the Army in the coming weeks as well.
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Work on Army BRAC project proceeds, despite local concerns
Work continues throughout the Washington area as the Pentagon builds new facilities connected with BRAC, the Base Realignment and Closure Commission. One of the most controversial projects deals with an Army office complex now being built in the city of Alexandria, Va.
Tags: management , BRAC , Alexandria , National Capital Planning Commission , Max Cacas , traffic
Army makes case to keep FCS funding
Termination fees could impact budget of future modernization efforts. New strategy to detail incremental approach; Boeing still to do some work.
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Army takes lessons learned from medical data
MC4 system lets services analyze how to better protect soldiers, deploy medical staff to improve battlefield care. Army expects wider use of system of systems across DoD.
Tags: P&B , Technology , Lt. Col. William Geesey , MC4 , Health IT , electronic health records
Army to test new personnel system at Aberdeen lab
Federal Register notice details how the program will work. Service's approach similar to other science and technology lab demonstration projects.
Tags: management , pay and benefits , DoD , NFFE , Federal Registers , Personnel demonstration program
Army may do away with car decals offering entry to bases
The Army says it could soon do away with the car decals that allow people through the security checkpoint when they drive on base.
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DoD turns off Boeing Army Radio program
The Pentagon says the program costs too much to keep it going.
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Army readies new network standards
The Army plans to release technical standards for its IT systems next year, in a process that leaders say will give greater predictability to industry. For the Army, the benefit will be an enterprise network that lets it quickly integrate new technologies as they come to market.
Tags: DoD , ausa 2011 , Technology , Network Integration Evaluation , Jennifer Napper , charles flynn , John Morrison , Susan Lawrence , William Phillips , Acquisition , Fort Bliss , Jared Serbu , rapid acquisition process


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March 16, 2012
A week ago I got an e-mail telling me about another call that I had missed because I don't really have a physical presence in the offices of The Sedalia Democrat.
The guys behind Dustbin Film, which is the independent production company behind the documentary ōOMF! The Story of the Ozark Music Festivalö wanted to speak with me.
Maybe they wanted me to sit in a chair in front of a camera and act like I had valuable insight into an event that took place 15 years before I was born. Maybe they wanted to use my image or my presence at one of their events to get the word out.
As it turns out, they were just looking for some old fashioned publicity. I like supporting Sedalia projects so I was happy to give it to them.
Lujin was born and raised here in Sedalia and despite his technical status as the director of the documentary he is quick to mention that there are two other people who are just as important to the production: his wife, Sharon Autry Lujin and Phillip Woodward.
This is the group behind OMF! And Dustbin Film, a company they started solely for the purpose of producing the documentary. ōWe called it ōDustbinö because we felt that we were reclaiming these stories from the dustbin of history,ö said Lujin.
He defended the modern relevance of his film by mentioning its historical importance: ōThis is the single most interesting thing to happen to Sedalia,ö said Lujin, ōOther cities would kill for a story this rich.ö
Now I'm not so sure about that but it the Ozark Music Festival was certainly unique and is certainly ripe for documentation.
But that documentation proved to be quite an undertaking for the Dustbin crew.
ōWe started this in a fury,ö he admitted. ōWe didn't realize what we had our hands on.ö
There are few events that have shaped the mythology of this place we call Sedalia like our infamous music festival. Everything happened there and nothing happened there. Some people might have died and some of them might have come back to life.
ōThere are a lot of myths,ö he said, later going on to call the event a ōmyth-making machine.ö
Sometimes a documentary or a column just doesn't pan out because there just isn't enough there but our intrepid documentarians were happy with the stories that they were digging up:
ōThere are more revelations each day,ö said Lujin.
I wrote a column a few weeks ago in which I supposed that Sedalia should have another music festival on a grand scale and I figured that Lujin might be able to use some of the insight he had gained Āabout the original event to opine about a follow up.
His response wasn't as optimistic as I might have hoped:
ōI don't think anyone could do it,ö he said. ōYou can't recreate it any more than you could recreate Woodstock.ö
People have tried to do that over and over again and some people even have the Woodstock '94 Pepsi cans to prove it but it's true that none of them really managed to recapture the magic of the first one.
But it was never my intent to suppose a recreation ¢ just a similar event with a similar scale.
ōRock culture isn't like it used to be,ö he insisted.
But the conversation soon turned to the upcoming documentary fundraiser at the Liberty Center. The doors open at 6:00 PM on Saturday, March 31st and the 15 minute trailer starts at 7:00. Admission is $5 and will go towards completion of the project. There will be wine, live music and hors d'oeuvres.
ōEverything we're showing has never been seen,ö he said, ōIt's mostly original Ozark Music Festival footage.ö
But the dustbin crew doesn't just want your financial support ¢ they're also looking for more content for the film.
ōWe're still looking for footage and conducting interviews,ö he said. ōWe'll listen to anybody.ö
Anyone who is interested in telling their OMF stories or sharing their footage can contact the Dustbin crew at email@example.com.
ōThe response we're getting is significant,ö he said, ōThis wasn't just a music festival ¢ it was a lifestyle.ö


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We're already beginning the work to make the Fourth Annual Wine Around the Square the best yet.
Mark your calendar for Saturday, September 19, 2015 to enjoy another great year of wine, premium liquors, beer, cigars, great food, live music and lots of fun visiting all of the downtown Murfreesboro businesses and shops.
It's going to another great night for the entire middle Tennessee community!


text:
Used Volkswagen GTI Reviews
Autobytel has reviews that will walk you around a car, give you a peek under the hood and get you behind the wheel with an industry expert. Browse by category or get into a specific brand to see how well a car does when put to the test.
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Kelley Blue Book ® - 2003 Volkswagen GTI OverviewVehicle Overview from Kelley Blue Book
Body More Rocket than Car The term "pocket rocket" was originally coined to describe the VW GTI. When...
Kelley Blue Book ® - 2002 Volkswagen GTI OverviewVehicle Overview from Kelley Blue Book
Body The Pocket Rocket Heard Around the World Once upon a time, there was a land filled...


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Democrats in Stamford put on a united front Monday as Governor Dannel Malloy ceremoniously endorsed candidate David Martin for mayor.
Malloy, a former 12-year mayor of Stamford, had endorsed his personal friend William Tong in the Democratic primary.
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Find a home without the hassle! Pointe at Sugarloaf Apartments in Lawrenceville, Georgia offer stylish one, two, three and four bedroom apartment homes including garden and townhome-style floor plans that are perfect for relaxing or entertaining. Interior features include open kitchens with breakfast bars, full-size washer/dryer connections, berber-style carpet and walk-in closets. This Lawrenceville apartment rental community boasts an array of amenities such as swimming pool with relaxing sundeck, Wi-Fi Cafe with complimentary self-service coffee bar and 24/7 cardio- fitness studio. Further conveniences include 24/7 online rent pay service, 24-hour emergency maintenance and planned resident activities. * Pointe at Sugarloaf is conveniently located in a small town setting within the heart of Gwinnett County, just northeast of Atlanta with easy access to Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth and Interstates 85 and 285. Reserve your apartment today and discover the many benefits of calling Pointe ...(show more)
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text: The boss is a #@$! By: Mecklenburg Times staff reports July 12, 2011 Despising one's boss is a universal feeling. But how many people have actually worked for a, well, jerk? A new survey says it has the answer. According to the Robert Half International study released this month, 46 percent of respondents said they have worked for an unreasonable manager. Michael Fletcher, Charlotte regional vice president of the Menlo Park, Calif.-based ... Subscribe Login Email Address: Password: Already a paid subscriber but not registered for online access yet? For instructions on how to get premium web access, click here.Forgot your password? Share this:EmailPrintFacebookLinkedInTwitterGoogle +1Like this:Like Loading... 8:49 am Tue, July 12, 2011 Mecklenburg Times: News for Mecklenburg, Union and Iredell counties Mecklenburg Times staff reports