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Saw this on facebook, thought it was pretty cool. Her blog is linked. Only read a few entries so far, but am enjoyinghttp://dogblog.ruffwear.net/2014/01/08/grizby-and-bethany-complete-a-thru-hike-of-the-continental-divide-trail/edited to make more linky.
Edited by squark on 01/08/2014 16:37:00 MST.
I'm really curious as to how she was able to get around the regulations about dogs in the national parks. They're illegal on all trails. Yet she clearly has her dog on several of Glacier's major passes and trails.
Perhaps it's the oft-employed "the rules don't apply to me and my dog" approach?
" "the rules don't apply to me and my dog" approach?""For which reason Allah, in His infinite wisdom, created grizzlies, particularly sows with cubs.
If you look at the red pack the dog is wearing, looks like there is a service dog patch on the pack. (Can't tell 100%..but fairly certain)http://www.workingservicedog.com/Service_dog_vest_Therapy_dog.aspx?gclid=CO3y5NH377sCFa9cMgodhTIAEgWithout going too far down the rabbit hole, I'll just say it is easy to get a service dog patch. This information is often shared on various long distance hiking resource lists, forums and Face Book lists.http://www.freemypaws.com/?gclid=CO39s-n377sCFawRMwodZl4AMwhttps://www.usservicedogregistry.org/shop.phpThe NPS recognizes this certification for various reasons that, again, I won't hazard to guess/state as that could start a flame war. :) I will say most agencies tread lightly when it comes to possible ADA conflicts.Check out the ADA website: http://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm"When it is not obvious what service an animal provides, only limited inquiries are allowed. Staff may ask two questions: (1) is the dog a service animal required because of a disability, and (2) what work or task has the dog been trained to perform. Staff cannot ask about the person's disability, require medical documentation, require a special identification card or training documentation for the dog, or ask that the dog demonstrate its ability to perform the work or task."
Edited by PaulMags on 01/08/2014 18:58:44 MST.
Tom,Maybe you don't want to ask those questions...Bethany and Grizby
Edited by greg23 on 01/08/2014 19:28:36 MST.
"Maybe you don't want to ask those questions..."OUCH! Where's that sow, now that I need her? No, not the sow in the picture.
It's most likely the "I bought a Service Dog patch on Ebay because the rules don't apply to me and my dog" approach.
I can't see thru-hiking such a long trail being very healthy for a dog, especially if made to wear a pack. I imagine the hike aged him several years.
If Grizby is a service dog, then I gladly withdraw my complaint.EDIT: Yikes! The comments on Ruffwear's site are quickly getting nasty.
Edited by GlacierRambler on 01/08/2014 23:01:01 MST.
The dog may be a service dog by paper.... ------------------------------READ BETWEEN. :)--------------------------------
Edited by PaulMags on 01/08/2014 23:22:15 MST.
I agree that this looks suspicious but there are service dogs out there for epileptics (seizure dogs) and other disorders which may not be visible to the eye. I agree with the comments that this isn't one of those issues that NPS would likely get too aggressive with. It's a losing battle and if you're wrong, the horrible PR fallout would likely end someone's career.Edit to add: Belgian Malinois are amazing police dogs. If you get a chance, do a search on YouTube. There are some awesome videos of these dogs jumping over cars and other amazing feats.
Edited by IDBLOOM on 01/09/2014 11:43:30 MST.
>"Yikes! The comments on Ruffwear's site are quickly getting nasty."Maybe, like me, they're tired of all the abuses of the "service dog" concept. Just 20 years ago, if someone tried to take a lapdog into a restaurant or grocery store, they would have been told to leave. Now little yappy dogs are in stores all the time, sometimes peeing in the aisles. And airlines have been such wimps about distinguishing actually trained service dogs from "I clicked my heels and declared my pet to be an emotional-support animal" that it is a rare domestic flight that doesn't have at least one pet outside of a carrier and with a lot less training and control than my family's pet dog. (it doesn't help that checking them as baggage costs $100 or more, vet certification, early arrival, and weather constraints, while "service" animals breeze on through at no cost).Medical privacy, blah, blah, blah, is great and all, but in other cases when society makes accommodations for an actual medical condition, you DON'T self-certify and you DO have to disclose. Handicap parking, carrying oxygen tanks onto a airplane, needing corrective lenses to drive, etc.And then there are all the reasons dogs aren't allowed in the backcountry - killing and harassing wildlife, defecation, worrying other hikers. To which EVERY owner says, "oh, but my dog doesn't do that." And what's a Belgian Malinois? I totally get that chocolates and lace doilies are a nicer heritage than gassing 6 million Jews, but still, a German Shepard by any other name. . . .
"And what's a Belgian Malinois? I totally get that chocolates and lace doilies are a nicer heritage than gassing 6 million Jews, but still, a German Shepard by any other name. . . ."Just spit coffee on my keyboard. Wonderful.
From the link Paul posted to www.freemypaws.com where they sell ID cards for $99 to $199 (deluxe kit with vest):Q: I have to fly this week, do you offer expedited shipping?A. Yes we do, please select "expedited shipping" during the checkout process and a fee will be assessed before final checkout which delivers your Free My Paws ID Kit in as little as 2 business days!
Looks like there was another Malinois named Nuna on the trail also but I haven't read far enough into her blog to find out what his/her story is. I skimmed through the blog and looked at her Blogger profile. I didn't see her mention why Grizby is a service dog but she is a dog trainer. It could be legit as easily as BS. Sounds like this is an on your honor system and if she wants to keep those details private, that's her prerogative.Either way it looked like a wonderful adventure and I look forward to reading through her blog later this evening.
A friend reminded me, Trauma and his dog Yoni hiked the calendar triple crown (plus Key West to Gaspe' !) in 2006.Not sure if Yoni was in the national parks or not the whole way.So the claim above may or may not be correct in any case. :)
"Sounds like this is an on your honor system..." Yep."... and if she wants to keep those details private, that's her prerogative." Provided they are legit according to ADA.
"Provided they are legit according to ADA."Agreed.
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Veronica Mars: I Know What You'll Do Next Summer
(S03E18) I love that although they've done away with the larger mysteries, it's nice that the writers put a little shout out here and there to us longtime fans. Sure they're not mystery related, but at least it's not all boy-girl relationship related.
Speaking of which, I thought I was OK with the whole Pizonica thing until the opening scene of this episode, with the two of them playing, what, armsies? Elbow-sies? It was just ... not right.
I have to admit that, at first, I was annoyed that the writers had to throw in a meaningful message into this episode, but they worked it into the story quite well in the end. We saw a bigger side to Wallace while seeing where the summer will be taking him. I'm sure he'll be coming back a changed man.
Random thought: What in the hell is this whole "CWhat's Hot" crap? For once I was actually praying for a real commercial to appear. Please lord don't let this be a sign of what's to come on this network.
The writers did an excellent job of finding the right match for Mac. Max has just the right amount of things wrong with him. He's not perfect and he'll need some work to stay with Mac long-term, but that's what makes him interesting.
For once I have to say good for Dick ... Casablancas, that is. The big surprise of the episode was the return of Dick's dad, which was that little shout-out I was talking about earlier. Dick stood up brilliantly to his swindling father, and in the end decides it's best not to hold a complete grudge by spending some final moments with his soon-to-be-incarcerated dad.
Another thing brought up in this episode was the mention of Kendall Casabancas's missing body. I've thought all along that she's not dead, and now I wonder if she'll suddenly make a reappearance.
Veronica's going to Langley Quantico for the summer, which paves the way nicely toward the possible retooling of the show mentioned previously. We'll know for sure on Thursday if VM makes the cut and, hopefully, what changes they'll make, if any. And did I mention yet how sick I am of seeing Piz's mopey face over Veronica's shoulder?
Next week's a big show. We learn the winner of the Sheriff election and could possibly be watching the series ... no, I won't say it. But I'll let you know Thursday morning, so check back then!
Quote of the episode:
Veronica: "A girl, a teenager and a private detective; I'm a triple threat. Barely fits on my business card."
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PA Tuition Account Program -- This program offers a way to purchase tomorrow's tuition today.
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Customer Lifecycle Management (CLM) - What Is It, and How Important Is It to Your Small Business?: Fast Approach
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Date Added: Aug 2005
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Customer Lifecycle Management, or CLM, is often misunderstood to be the same principle idea as Customer Relationship Management, or CRM. Customer Lifecycle Management, however, has a key difference from CRM - the added factor of time. A fast approach & very brief definition of CLM is simply the measurement of the CRM program's success over time - providing a person to have CLM metrics from before and after the CRM implementation. Approaching CLM must be done slowly, as there are a lot of different facets to consider when trying placing the term into its full perspective. This paper explores some key factors that tie CLM and CRM together - and others which set them apart.


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Monachus monachushttp://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T13653A43702988.en
|Scientific Name:
|Monachus monachus
|Species Authority:
|(Hermann, 1779)
|Regional Assessments:
Common Name(s):
Phoca monachus Hermann, 1779
|Taxonomic Source(s):
|Scheel D.M., Slater G.J., Kolokotronis S-O., Potter C.W., Rotstein D.S., Tsangaras K., Greenwood, A.D. and Helgen, K.M. 2014. Biogeography and taxonomy of extinct and endangered monk seals illuminated by ancient DNA and skull morphology. ZooKeys 409: 1-33.
|Taxonomic Notes:
|Differences in skull morphology between Mediterranean Monk Seals from the Atlantic and the western Mediterranean, including differences in the occurrence of dental aberrations, have been suggested based on a limited sample size (van Bree 1979). Examination of 24 DNA microsatellite loci in eastern Mediterranean and western Sahara (Atlantic) Monk Seals showed that the first group had 14 unique alleles and the second had 18; highly significant differences in allele frequencies between the two subpopulations were found for 14 out of 17 loci (Pastor et al. 2007). All this suggests substantial genetic differentiation between subpopulations, but to date no separation of this species has been suggested taxonomically.
|Red List Category & Criteria:
|Critically Endangered A2abc; C2a(i) ver 3.1
|Year Published:
|Date Assessed:
|Aguilar, A. & Lowry, L. (IUCN SSC Pinniped Specialist Group)
|Kovacs, K.M. & Lowry, L.
Due to its very small, fragmented population structure and declining numbers, the Mediterranean Monk Seal should remain classified as Critically Endangered (CR).
IUCN Evaluation of the Mediterranean Monk Seal, Monachus monachus
Prepared by the Pinniped Specialist Group
A. Population reduction Declines measured over the longer of 10 years or 3 generations
Al. Population reduction observed, estimated, inferred, or suspected in the past where the causes of the reduction are clearly reversible AND understood AND have ceased, based on and specifying any of the following:
(a) direct observation
(b) an index of abundance appropriate to the taxon
(c) a decline in area of occupancy (AOO), extent of occurrence (EOO) and/or habitat quality
(d) actual or potential levels of exploitation
(e) effects of introduced taxa, hybridization, pathogens, pollutants, competitors or parasites.
A population decline has been observed. The causes of population reduction are not reversible, nor well understood, nor have they ceased (see below).
A2. Population reduction observed, estimated, inferred, or suspected in the past where the causes of reduction may not have ceased OR may not be understood OR may not be reversible, based on (a) to (e) under A1.
In the Mediterranean Monk Seal, sexual maturity is attained in both sexes at an age of about 4 years and longevity is at least 20 years, but there is no information on age structure for any of the subpopulations. As a result, mean generation time cannot be calculated but probably exceeds 10 years.
The current worldwide population is about 350-450 individuals; information on past population numbers is not available, but it is inferred that only twenty years ago they were at least the double of present numbers. According to mark-recapture estimates based on photo identification, the subpopulation at Cabo Blanco, originally the most abundant and the only site that still seems to preserve a colony structure, declined in 1996 from about 317 individuals to 130 as a consequence of exposure to a phytoplanktonic toxin. Several small, fragmented subpopulations have disappeared in the last decade and overall numbers are in the decline except in two well protected areas (Sporades and Desertas Islands), which together shelter together less than 10% of the remaining individuals. Overall abundance trends in the Mediterranean are not available, but mortality caused by adverse fishing interaction continues to be alarmingly high in Greece and Turkey, the main stronghold for the species in this sea. Thus, the species qualifies for Critically Endangered.
B. Geographic range in the form of either B1 (extent of occurrence) AND/OR B2 (area of occupancy)
B1. Extent of occurrence (EOO): CR < 100 km²; EN < 5,000 km²; VU < 20,000 km²
The EOO of Mediterranean Monk Seals is > 20,000 km².
B2. Area of occupancy (AOO): CR < 10 km²; EN < 500 km²; VU < 2,000 km²
The AOO is difficult to measure given the existence of small, fragmented subpopulations occupying small ranges, but it is probably < 2,000 km².
AND at least 2 of the following:
(a) Severely fragmented, OR number of locations: CR = 1; EN < 5; VU < 10
(b) Continuing decline in any of: (i) extent of occurrence; (ii) area of occupancy; (iii) area, extent and/or quality of habitat; (iv) number of locations or subpopulations; (v) number of mature individuals.
(c) Extreme fluctuations in any of: (i) extent of occurrence; (ii) area of occupancy; (iii) number of locations or subpopulations; (iv) number of mature individuals.
C. Small population size and decline
Number of mature individuals: CR < 250; EN < 2,500; VU < 10,000
The number of mature individuals is almost certainly < 250.
AND either C1 or C2:
C1. An estimated continuing decline of at least: CR = 25% in 3 years or 1 generation; EN = 20% in 5 years or 2 generations; VU = 10% in 10 years or 3 generations (up to a max. of 100 years in future)
The main subpopulation (that at Cabo Blanco) declined abruptly in 1996 to about one third its original number. Most others subpopulations continue a progressive decline, but the magnitude of these declines are unknown. Thus the Mediterranean Monk Seal qualifies for Critically Endangered under this criterion.
C2. A continuing decline
Overall numbers continue to decline as a consequence of high mortality rates caused by adverse fishing interactions in Greece and Turkey. Thus the Mediterranean Monk Seal qualifies for Critically Endangered under this criterion.
AND (a) and/or (b):
(a i) Number of mature individuals in each subpopulation: CR < 50; EN < 250; VU < 1,000
All subpopulations, except those of Cabo Blanco and Greece-Turkey are composed of < 50 mature individuals.
(a ii) % individuals in one subpopulation: CR = 90-100%; EN = 95-100%; VU = 100%
(b) Extreme fluctuations in the number of mature individuals.
D. Very small or restricted population
Number of mature individuals: CR < 50; EN < 250; VU < 1,000 AND/OR restricted area of occupancy typically: AOO < 20 km² or number of locations < 5.
The number of mature individuals is almost certainly < 250.
E. Quantitative analysis
Indicating the probability of extinction in the wild to be: Indicating the probability of extinction in the wild to be: CR > 50% in 10 years or 3 generations (100 years max.); EN > 20% in 20 years or 5 generations (100 years max.); VU > 10% in 100 years
No quantitative analysis is available indicating probability of extinction for this species. Therefore criterion E is not used in this assessment. (see Erratum below)
Listing recommendation - The Mediterranean Monk Seal was historically reduced to negligible population numbers as a consequence of persecution by fishermen and sealing. This produced a severe bottleneck that significantly reduced genetic variability. In the last half century, numbers have continued to decline mostly as a consequence of human invasion of habitat and adverse fishing interaction. The population is heavily fragmented and many small subpopulations have become extinct in the last two decades. In the two main extant subpopulations (Greece-Turkey and Cabo Blanco), the number of mature individuals is certainly lower than 250 and, except in the latter, the original colony social structure has been lost. Reproductive rates are abnormally low in both areas, potentially as a result of inbreeding. This is preventing demographic recovery. Conservation efforts have been mostly been "only on paper" and adverse fishing interactions continue to produce alarmingly high mortality in the eastern Mediterranean. The only reserve areas that have served to stabilize population numbers or to produce some degree of recovery in the last 20 years are those of the northern Sporades and the Desertas, but these areas together only shelter less than 10% of the total population of the species. Mediterranean Monk Seals qualify for listing as Critically Endangered (CR).
The original version of this assessment (published in 2008) included the following text in the justification, under Criterion E:
"Predictive models indicate that probability of extinction in the wild is probably >50% in 10 years or 3 generations (100 years max.) Thus the Mediterranean Monk Seal qualifies for Critically Endangered under this criterion."
The exact source of the statement above has not been confirmed and the predictive models have not been available for IUCN to check that these support the use of criterion E. Therefore IUCN cannot confirm that criterion E has been applied appropriately and this criterion has now been removed from this assessment.
|Previously published Red List assessments:
|Range Description:
|Mediterranean Monk Seals were once widely and continuously distributed in the Mediterranean, Black and adjacent seas, and in the North Atlantic waters from Morocco to Cap Blanc, including the Canary Islands, Madeira Islands and the Azores (Aguilar 1999). A few individuals, possibly vagrants, have been recorded in Senegal, the Gambia and the Cape Verde Islands in the south end of the distribution range, as well as in Portugal and Atlantic France in the northern end (Ronald and Healey 1982, Israels 1992, Aguilar 1999).
Today the distribution is widespread, but fragmented into an unknown but probably relatively large number of very small breeding subpopulations. In the Mediterranean, the stronghold for the species is on islands in the Ionian and Aegean Seas, and along the coasts of Greece and western Turkey. The two surviving colonies in the south-eastern North Atlantic are at Cabo Blanco (also known as Cap Blanc or Ras Nouadhibou) on the border of Mauritania and Western Sahara, and the small colony at the Desertas Islands in the Madeira Islands group (Aguilar 1999, Gilmartin and Forcada 2002). Many locations where seals are infrequently or regularly seen, or were seen in the recent or historic past, are reported in the literature and catalogued in reviews and status updates, see Sergeant et al. (1978), Israels (1992) and UNEP/MAP (2005).
|Countries occurrence:
Native:Algeria; Greece; Mauritania; Portugal (Azores - Regionally Extinct, Madeira - Regionally Extinct, Portugal (mainland) - Regionally Extinct); Turkey; Western Sahara
Possibly extinct:Croatia; Libya; Montenegro; Romania; Spain (Baleares, Canary Is. - Native, Spain (mainland) - Regionally Extinct); Tunisia
Regionally extinct:Albania; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Bulgaria; Cyprus; Egypt; France (Corsica, France (mainland)); Georgia; Israel; Italy (Italy (mainland), Sardegna, Sicilia); Lebanon; Malta; Morocco; Russian Federation; Slovenia; Syrian Arab Republic; Ukraine
|FAO Marine Fishing Areas:
Atlantic – eastern central; Mediterranean and Black Sea
|Range Map:
|Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.
|The Mediterranean Monk Seal is the most endangered pinniped species in the world, with an estimated total population size of 350-450 animals, with 250-300 in the eastern Mediterranean within the largest subpopulation, of which about 150-200 are in Greece and about 100 in Turkey (Güçlüsoy 2004). Approximately 130 seals currently inhabit the Cabo Blanco area (Western Sahara-Mauritania); in the early 1990s this subpopulation was estimated at about 317 seals but a mass mortality event in 1996 reduced numbers to nearly a third (Forcada et al. 1999, Aguilar 1999). Approximately 20-23 inhabit the Desertas Island, Madeira (Pires and Neves 2001, UNEP/MAP 2005). The subpopulation at Cabo Blanco is the only large extant aggregation of the species and is unique in that it still preserves the structure of a colony (Aguilar 1999); the other subpopulations are composed of loose groups of extremely reduced size (usually less than five individuals). A recent review of Monk Seal occurrences reported from 1999-2005 suggests that at all other locations and countries about 14 additional seals can be accounted for (10 of the 14 in Algeria, plus an unspecified number of vagrants (UNEP/MAP 2005)).
|Current Population Trend:
|Additional data:
|Habitat and Ecology:
|Mediterranean Monk Seals are medium-sized phocids that reach 2.3-2.8 m in length (Gilmartin and Forcada 2002). Based on a large number of seals examined after a mass mortality at Cabo Blanco, average adult lengths were estimated at 2.42 m in females and 2.6 m in males. Pups up to 3 months of age averaged 1.08 m with a range of 0.74-1.38 m (Samaranch and Gonzalez 2000). In the Mediterranean, a study on a limited sample size produced somewhat larger lengths for adult females (2.65 m) than for adult males (2.41 m); newborn pups averaged about 99 cm (Boulva 1979). Adults weigh from 240-300 kg, and newborns 15-26 kg (Boulva 1979, Gilmartin and Forcada 2002), with records of a male reaching 400 kg and a pregnant female reaching 302 kg (Sergeant et al. 1978).
In islands or mainland areas devoid of terrestrial predators, Mediterranean Monk Seals once hauled out on open beaches; it is unclear whether they ever used locations along the northern African coast, where large predators, like lions or hyenas, occurred. Today, they use caves with sea entrances for hauling out and pupping throughout their range, although adults, particularly males, may also sporadically haulout on open beaches (Gilmartin and Forcada 2002). Sea caves used by seals almost always have submerged entrances to avoid entrance by terrestrial predators, but the use of particular caves probably changes periodically if their structure is altered as a consequence of variations in the shape of the inside beach or of rock slides , as has been seen to occur at Cabo Blanco (González et al. 1997). Maximum counts at one cave in the Cabo Blanco colony had up to 89 seals hauled out at one time, and never less than five animals present (Gonzalez et al. 1997). In a study that covered 250 km of coastline inhabited by Monk Seals in the Cilician Basin region of southern Turkey, 282 caves were searched. Of these, 39 showed evidence of monk seals, including three that were used for pupping and 16 that were actively being used at the time of the survey. Use of these caves increased in October coincident with the autumn pupping season in Turkey (Gucu et al. 2004). The maximum number of seals from this small Turkish subpopulation found in a cave in at one time was 3 (Gucu et al. 2004). The numbers in caves are highest at low and rising tides.
Pups are born all year-round, but in the Cap Blanc colony most are born from summer to early winter, with a small peak of births in October; 84% of the births took place in only two caves separated by 1.1 km (Gazo et al. 1999, Pastor and Aguilar 2003). In Turkey's Cilician Basin, 11 newborns observed, 10 of which were born between August and November, and another six documented births in Turkey fall in this same time period. While pups may be born throughout the year, this definition may mask more restricted birthing periods on a smaller geographic scale.
Mediterranean Monk Seal pups moult an average 64 days after birth in the case of females and an average 82 days in the case of males; the moult occurs partly in the water and takes an average of 15 days to be completed (Badosa et al. 2006). Pups begin to catch fish toward the end of their nursing period (Pastor and Aguilar 2003). Pups are weaned when they are around 4 months old, with up to 5 months reported (Pastor and Aguilar 2003, Aguilar et al. 2007). Fostering and milk stealing are common patterns. At the Cabo Blanco colony, in 26.6% of the suckling episodes observed in mother-pup pairs of known identity, pups suckled from females other than their mothers. Some females nursed more than one pup, at least occasionally, and in some cases a pup was fostered long-term by an alien female (Aguilar et al. 2007). Pups enter the water and begin diving during their first week and from that point onwards spend 55-74% of their time at sea. Three pups tagged with time depth recorders spent more time at sea and diving at night than during the day; most dives were to the bottom for relatively long periods, probably indicating foraging. The mean depth of dive was 11.6 m and its mean length was 149 seconds (Gazo et al. 2006).
Females caring for pups will go off to feed for up to 17 hours, with an average time of 9 hours (Gazo and Aguilar 2005). Female Mediterranean Monk Seals probably become sexually mature at three to four years of age. One female at Cabo Blanco became pregnant at 2.5 years and gave birth at 3.7 years, the youngest age known for this species (Gazo et al. 2000b). In males, the process of developing the mature pelage pattern of bulls is gradual; it involves at least two annual moults and can be completed by the age of 4 years (Badosa et al. 2006). Females can give birth in successive years. Although birthing is not seasonal, individual females have been documented to give birth close to the same time in successive years, within a 15 day span (Pastor and Aguilar 2003). The annual reproductive rate in Mediterranean Monk Seals is extremely low at 0.25-0.43 pups to each sexually mature female, both in the Cabo Blanco colony and the Turkey coast (Gazo et al. 1999, Gucu et al. 2004).
Pup survival is low; just under 50% survive their first two months to the onset of their moult, and most mortalities occurred in the first two weeks. Survival of pups born from September to January is 29%. This very low survival rate is associated with mortality caused by severe storms, and high swells and tides, but impoverished genetic variability and inbreeding may also be involved. Pups born during the rest of the year had a survival rate of 71% (Gazo, et al. 2000a). Few pups are successfully weaned in the winter. Adult females moult an average of 134 days after parturition, and sometimes begin the moult prior weaning their pup (Pastor and Aguilar 2003).
Little is known about adult diving. The maximum depth and duration of diving for one lactating female was 78 m and 15 minutes, respectively (Gazo and Aguilar 2005). Neves (1998) observed two types of diving in shallow near shore waters, which were thought to be associated with spot feeding and transit feeding. When spot feeding, seals dove as though headed into a current for 8-12 minutes, surfaced at about the same location, and usually repeated this pattern for approximately three hours. Transit feeding dives lasted 5-7 minutes, during which the seal moved continuously along a shoreline apparently foraging.
Mediterranean Monk Seals take a wide variety of prey primarily from shallow water habitats (Sergeant et al. 1978, Kenyon 1981). In the eastern Mediterranean, they have been reported to take fish such as Striped Red Mullet (Mullus surmuletus), Seabream (Dentex spp.), Bogue (Boops boops), Flathead Mullet (Mugil cephalus), octopus (Octopus spp.) (Sergeant et al. 1978), and even Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta) (Margaritoulis et al. 1996). Examination of two seals from the Aegean Sea yielded five species of prey; by weight, 94% of the contents were cephalopods including Musky Octopus (Eledone moschata) and Globose Octopus (Bathypolypus sponsalis) (Salman et at., 2001). In the Atlantic, at the Desertas Islands off Madeira, visual observations of Monk Seals with prey at the surface included seals eating Golden-grey Mullet (Liza aurata), Parrot Fish (Sparisoma cretense), Barred Hogfish (Bodianus scrofa), Salema (Sarpa salpa), Cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) and crabs (Pachygrapsus spp.). Other prey reported includes eels (Anguilla spp.), limpets (Patella spp.) and rays (Raja spp.) (Neves, 1998).
|Terrestrial; Marine
|Major Threat(s):
The Mediterranean Monk Seal is one of the most endangered species of mammals (IUCN, 1996), and was ranked as a marine mammal species in imminent peril of extinction in a recent analysis (Vanblaricom et al. 2001).
Mediterranean Monk Seals have a long history of interaction with humans that includes exploitation for subsistence needs, commercial harvest and persecution as a competitor for fisheries resources or because it produced damage to fishing gear. Once abundant, monk seals were written about and illustrated in the literature and depictions of classical antiquity. Along the coast of northwest Africa, they became the target of a commercial harvest for skins and oil by the Portuguese as early as the 15th century (Israels 1992).
Reasons for the recent population decline leading to the species status as critically endangered include increased human pressure displacing seals from their habitat, destruction of caves used for hauling out and breeding, continued mortality due to fisheries by-catch, deliberate aggression by fishermen to eliminate a competitor, even in countries and areas where the species is legally protected, disease, pollution and impoverished genetic diversity (Aguilar 1999).
Interactions with fisheries are of great conservation concern, particularly for the subpopulation in the eastern Mediterranean, where seals are killed through net entanglement and deliberately killings by fishermen. They could also suffer from depletion of fish stocks in this area as well as being harassed by anti-seal methods designed to protect aquaculture facilities. Illegal dynamite fishing might also kill seals (Güçlüsoy 2004, 2004). Monk Seals have been entangled in a wide variety of fishing gear including set-nets, trawl nets and long-lines. They seem most vulnerable to set-nets placed on the bottom and can also become entangled in abandoned and discarded nets (Tudela 2004). The deaths of 130 seals over a 10-year period ending in 1999 pointed out the significance of deliberate killing as a source of mortality (Tudela 2004). Deliberate killing of monk seals by humans was responsible for 1/3 of all mortalities of 79 stranded animals in Greece and is considered the single most important source of mortality for this species (Androukaki et al. 1999). Adverse fishing interaction is not a source of concern for the Atlantic subpopulations (Aguilar 1999).
Analyses of 42 DNA microsatellite loci have show that, as a consequence of a severe bottleneck, all subpopulations have suffered a dramatic decrease in genetic variability over the last few centuries. Indeed, the genetic diversity of Mediterranean Monk Seals is amongst the lowest found in pinnipeds; it is comparable to Hawaiian monk seals and northern elephant seals. The potential consequences of mating between closely-related individuals include congenital defects leading to stillborn pups and a decreased reproductive rate, both of which have been documented in the Cabo Blanco colony. As a consequence, extremely low genetic variability and inbreeding have been pointed out as the main cause for the non-recovery of subpopulations that are not subject to significant human pressure, such as that in Cabo Blanco (Pastor et al. 2004, 2007). Additionally, low fitness and increased susceptibility to disease may be an effect of genetic erosion that can compromise a population and lead to extinction. The mass mortality event of 1997 may have decreased the genetic diversity in the Cabo Blanco seals by 12% (UNEP 2005), and reduced the subpopulation's genetic diversity to a point where it cannot reproduce fast enough to overcome random events that effect survival (Forcada et al. 1999). Unless this factor is taken into account, usual conservation measures may prove ineffective.
Morbillivirus was isolated from Mediterranean Monk Seals after the mass mortality at Cabo Blanco in 1997. The virus most closely resembled dolphin morbillivirus (DMV) that was previously implicated in the 1991 mass mortality of striped dolphins in the Mediterranean Sea (Osterhaus et al. 1992, Van de Bildt et al. 1999). Canine distemper virus is present in stray dogs in Aegean Turkey at a level of approximately 9% in the population and this might be a source for future infections of Monk Seals through contacts in harbours and along shorelines (Gencay et al. 2004). However, although this virus was already circulating in Monk Seals prior to the mass mortality, there is some doubt as to whether it was responsible for the deaths that occurred. Indeed, the active virus was found in pups that went into a rehabilitation centre because their mothers had died, and none of them showed clinical signs and all survived the event without specific treatment. Dinoflagellate-produced saxitoxins were found in tissues from animals that died during the die-off and the suddenness of death of the animals and the general clinical symptoms suggest that the cause of death was from the toxins rather than a morbillivirus epidemic (Hernández et al. 1998). Toxic algal blooms (red tides) are favoured by oceanographic conditions near Cabo Blanco and were reported from nearby Morocco the south-eastern North Atlantic during a 25-year period leading up to the mass mortality. Toxic algal blooms are unpredictable and following the catastrophic loss of monk seals in 1997 must be considered a serious threat to the species (Reyero et al. 2000, UNEP 2005).
Contaminant burdens have always been suspected to be a threat to the Mediterranean Monk Seal and thus monitoring pollutants has been considered a high priority (Boulva 1979, Reijnders et al. 1993). However, information is only available on organochlorine pollutants, which were analyzed in the blubber of individuals collected during the 1990s from the Cabo Blanco and the Greek subpopulations. Residue levels were found to be very low in the former subpopulation and moderate to high in the latter (Borrell et al. 1997, 2007); the toxicological implications of these residues at the population level are unknown.
Mediterranean Monk Seals are at an unknown but suspected high level of risk from oil tanker and other ship accidents, spills and groundings. Animals could be oiled or coated in fuels and lubricants, exposed to other toxic or environment-altering chemicals or products and experience disturbance at haulouts or coastal feeding areas. Mauritania began oil extraction in offshore fields located about 400 km south of Cabo Blanco in 2006. This leads to increased tanker traffic in the area, and a greater chance for accidents, disturbance and collisions near important habitat. Three accidents or spills have occurred near monk seal habitat in the recent past, including a supertanker that spilled oil off of Morocco in 1989 (Israels 1992), an oil spill in the Madeira Islands in 1994 (UNEP 2005), and the grounding of a bulk carrier near Cabo Blanco in 2003 (UNEP 2005). None of these spills or accidents had any known impacts on monk seals, but they underscore the threat of significant impacts from a major maritime accident near an important monk seal site (UNEP 2005).
Human disturbance has also been identified as a primary factor in the decline in numbers of Monk Seals through displacement of animals from habitat. Traditionally, this was the consequence of expanding human populations and coastal development, but since the 1970s "eco-tourism", with organized or spontaneous tours of people seeking out monk seals to view at the few remaining locations, has grown to become one of the most significant hazards faced by monk seals in the eastern Mediterranean (Johnson and Lavigne 1999). Besides disturbance, tourist activities increase the risk of vessel accidents, spills, transmission of disease, and the discharge of pollutants and waste near the seals.
Additional risks to Mediterranean Monk Seals come from political instability and wars in some parts of their range, the challenge of implementing effective conservation for a species in a complex multi-national environment, weak enforcement of agreements and international laws, collapse of occupied pupping caves and reduction of the carrying capacity of the environment as a consequence of fishing overexploitation (Aguilar 1999).
|Conservation Actions:
The Mediterranean Monk Seal is legally protected throughout its range. Two protected areas have been established specifically for monk seals in the Desertas Islands in the Madeira Archipelago and the Northern Sporades Islands National Marine Park in Greece. There are plans to set up additional nature reserves to protect more habitat for monk seals in the region.
Throughout the range of the species, widespread action has been taken to sensitize the local human population towards monk seal conservation, to restrict fishing gear and relocate the most adverse fishing practices, to develop monitoring programs and intervention protocols and to increase on-site capability to rehabilitate sick and injured individuals, particularly pups. Numerous agreements, conventions, and treaties are in force to protect monk seals internationally, and many workshops and conferences have brought together scientist and managers to discuss monk seal conservation issues and problems. Israels (1992) summarizes 30 years of this conservation history, and provides details on accomplishments and failures to meet objectives. Currently, there is in force a UNEP/Mediterranean Action Plan (issued first in 1978 and revised in 1988) for the conservation and management of monk seals in the Mediterranean and a CMS plan for the recovery of the monk seal in the eastern Atlantic (issued in 2005). The species is listed on CITES Appendix I.
However, all of the above actions have been insufficient to change the overall declining trend of this species. Most conservation initiatives occur only on paper and do not translate into real and effective conservation action in the field. As a consequence, most of the small subpopulations that survived three decades ago, when conservation of the species was already identified as being a priority are now extinct (Aguilar 1999). Today, human encroachment of haulout habitat, adverse interactions with fisheries and impoverished genetic variability are the main threats affecting the species. Unless there is urgent ion action, the extinction risk of the species is high (van Blaricom et al. 2001).
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Badosa, E., Pastor, T., Gazo, M. and Aguilar, A. 2006. Moult in the Mediterranean monk seal from Cap Blanc, western Sahara. African Zoology 41(2): 183-192.
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Borrell, A., Aguilar, A. and Pastor, T. 1997. Organochlorine pollutant levels in Mediterranean monk seals from the western Mediterranean and the Sahara coast. Marine Pollution Bulletin 34(7): 505-510.
Borrell, A., Cantos, G., Aguilar, A., Androukaki, E. and Dendrinos, P. 2007. Concentrations and patterns of organochlorine pesticides and PCBs in Mediterranean monk seals (Monachus monachus) from Western Sahara and Greece. Science of the Total Environment 381(1-3): 316-325.
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Gazo, M. and Aguilar, A. 2005. Maternal attendance and diving behavior of a lactating Mediterranean monk seal. Marine Mammal Science 21(2): 340-345.
Gazo, M., Aparicio, F., Cedenilla, M.A., Layna, J.F. and Gonzalez, L.M. 2000. Pup survival in the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) colony at Cabo Blanco Peninsula (Western Sahara-Mauritania). Marine Mammal Science 16(1): 158-168.
Gazo, M., Gonzalez, L. M. and Grau, E. 2000b. Age at first parturition in a Mediterranean monk seals monitored long-term. Marine Mammal Science 16(1): 257-260.
Gazo, M., Layna, J.F., Aparicio, F., Cedenilla, M.A., González, L.M. and Aguilar, A. 1999. Pupping season, perinatal sex ratio and natality rates of the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) from the Cabo Blanco colony. Journal of Zoology 249: 393-401.
Gazo, M., Lydersen, C. and Aguilar, A. 2006. Diving behaviour of Mediterranean monk seal pups during lactation and post weaning. Marine Ecology Progress series 308: 303-309.
Gencay, A., Oncel, T., Karaoglu, T., Sancak, A. A., Demir, A. B. and Ozkul, A. 2004. Antibody prevalence to canine distemper virus (CDV) in stray dogs in Turkey. Revue Med. Vet. 155: 432-434.
Gilmartin, W.G. and Forcada, J. 2002. Monk seals Monachus monachus, M. tropicalis, and M. schauinslandi. In: W.F. Perrin, B. Wursig and J.G.M. Thewissen (eds), Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals, pp. 756-759. Academic Press, San Diego, California, USA.
González, L.M. Aguilar, A., Lopez-Jurado, L.F. and Grau, E. 1997. Status and Distribution of the Mediterranean Monk Seal Monachus monachus on the Cabo Blanco Peninsula (Western Sahara-Mauritania) in 1993-1994. Biological Conservation 80(3): 225-233.
Güçlüsoy, H. and Savas, Y. 2003. Interaction between monk seals Monachus monachus (Hermann, 1779) and marine fish farms in the Turkish Aegean and the management of the problem. Aquaculture Research 34: 777-783.
Güçlüsoy, H., Kiraç, C.O., Veryeri, N.O. and Savas, Y. 2004. Status of the Mediterranean monk seal, Monachus monachus (Hermann, 1779) in the coastal waters of Turkey. E. U. Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 21(3-4): 201-210.
Gücü, A.C., Gücü, G. and Orek, H. 2004. Habitat use and preliminary demographic evaluation of the critically endangered Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) in the Cilician Basin (Eastern Mediterranean). Biological conservation 116(3): 417-431.
Hernández, M., Robinson, I., Aguilar, A., González, L.M., López-Jurado, L.F., Reyero, M.I., Cacho, E., Franco, J., López-Rodas, V. and Costas, E. 1998. Did algal toxins cause monk seal mortality? Nature 393: 28-29.
Israëls, L.D.E. 1992. Thirty years of Mediterranean monk seal protection, a review. Mededelingen 28: 1-65.
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Johnson, W.M. and Lavigne, D.M. 1999a. Mass tourism and the Mediterranean monk seal. The role of mass tourism in the decline and possible future extinction of Europe's most endangered marine mammal, Monachus monachus. 2(2): 31-60.
Kenyon, K.W. 1981. Monk seals - Monachus Fleming, 1822. In: S.H. Ridgway and R. Harrison (eds), Handbook of marine mammals, pp. 195-220. Academic Press, London, UK.
Margaritoulis, D., Karavellas, D. and Irvine, C. 1996. Predation of adult loggerheads by Mediterranean monk seals. In: J. A. Keinath, D. E. Barnard, J. A. Musick and B. A. Bell (eds), Proceedings of the Fifteenth Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation, pp. 193-196. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SEFSC-387.
Neves, H.C. 1998. Preliminary findings on the feeding behaviour and general ecology strategy of the Mediterranean monk seal Monachus monachus (Pinnipedia: Monachinae) on the Desertas Islands. Boletim do Museum Municipal do Funchal Suppl. No. 5: 263-271.
Osterhaus, A.D.M.E., Visser, I.K.G., de Swart, R.L., van Bressem, M.F., van de Bildt, M.W.G., Orvell, C., Barrett, T. and Raga, J.A. 1992. Morbillivirus threat to Mediterranean monk seals? Veterinary Records 130(7): 141-142.
Panou, A., Jacobs, J. and Panos, D. 1993. The endangered Mediterranean monk seal Monachus monachus in the Ionian Sea, Greece. Biological Conservation 64: 129-140.
Pastor, T. and Aguilar, A. 2003. Reproductive cycle of the female Mediterranean monk seal in the western Sahara. Marine Mammal Science 19(2): 318-330.
Pastor, T., Garza, J.C., Aguilar, A., Tounta, E. and Androukaki, E. 2007. Genetic diversity and differentiation between the two remaining populations of the critically endangered Mediterranean monk seal. Animal Conservation 10(4): 461-469.
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Reyero, M., Cacho, E., Martinez, A., Vázquez, J., Marina, A., Fraga, S. and Franco, J. M. 2000. Evidence of saxitoxin derivates as causative agents in the 1997 mass-mortality of Mediterranean monk seals in the Cape Blanc Peninsula. Natural Toxins 8: 1-5.
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Tudela, S. 2004. Ecosystem effects of fishing in the Mediterranean: an analysis of the major threats of fishing gear and practices to biodiversity and marine habitats. Studies and Reviews. FAO, Rome, Italy.
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United Nations Environment Programme. 2005. Evaluation of the Mediterranean monk seal status. United Nations Environment Programme Mediterranean Action Plan. Regional Activity Center for Specially Protected Areas (RAC/SPA)., Tunis, Tunisia.
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|Aguilar, A. & Lowry, L. (IUCN SSC Pinniped Specialist Group). 2013. Monachus monachus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013: e.T13653A43702988. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T13653A43702988.en . Downloaded on 07 October 2015.
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TruAmerica Multifamily Purchases Third M
By Alex Girda, Associate Editor
TruAmerica Multifamily recently closed on the purchase of a multifamily complex in the Seattle suburb of Renton in a deal worth $28.7 million. The L.A.-based real estate investment firm further expanded its metro Seattle portfolio with the purchase of Montclair Heights, which followed the completion of two other residential acquisitions in the market over the past six months.
TruAmerica's other buys included the December 2013 purchase of the Arcadia Luxury Townhomes in Federal Way and the Westhaven Apartments in Seattle, acquired this past March. The buyer acquired the property in partnership with LEM Capital L.P. and financed it with a five-year rehab bridge loan from OneWest Bank.
Montclair Heights is a 174-unit residential asset totaling more than 200,000 rentable square feet located. The complex offers two- and three-bedroom units, with an average unit size of around 1,153 square feet. Montclair Heights occupies a 16-acre plot of land that offers park-like landscaping and a resident amenity package that includes a pool, a common clubhouse, a fitness facility and a spa. The community is located in Seattle's metropolitan area, minutes away from job centers such as the Central Business District Bellevue and the Boeing Renton Plant. Transportation is also easily accessible, with the I-405 and Highway 169 nearby, as well as the Sea-Tac International Airport.
The new owner has already planned a number of improvements for the property that aim to add contemporary finishes to the interiors and exteriors and modernized amenities in the common areas. Noah Hochman, director of acquisitions at TruAmerica Multifamily, voiced the company's confidence in the metro Seattle residential market, noting that the buyer is "pleased to complete our third property acquisition in the region, following our purchases of Arcadia Luxury Townhomes and Westhaven Apartments."
Image courtesy of apartmentguide.comTags: acquisition, Acquisitions/Dispositions, Brokers, Conventional - Market Rate, economy, Finance/Investment, Financiers, Investors, LEM Capital, Local, Managers, Montclair Heights, National, Owners, Professional, property management, Regional, Renton, Residential, Seattle Lead Story, Seattle multifamily market, TruAmerica Multifamily


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Wheel Fun Rentals at Irvine Park Bike and Paddle Boat RentalsBy
* Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post. We just really really like Irvine Park and Wheel Fun Rentals at Irvine Park
I love this time of year. I love spending time outdoors and enjoying the warm sun. It's no secret that we love Irvine Park and the Irvine Park Railroad and love to head there on a late afternoon and enjoy an early dinner or late lunch under the shade.
On one of our last visits earlier this year, we rented one of the surrey bikes from Wheel Fun Rentals and had a blast enjoying the grounds and watching all of the peacocks roam the grounds. Wheel Fun Rentals have different style of bikes available to rent including the double surrey we rented, single surreys, deuce coops, tandem bikes, beach cruisers, and more. addle boats are also available for rent. Wheel Fun Rentals at Irvine Park is adjacent to the historic old boathouse next to the lake. Here is a link for discount coupons for both paddle boat rentals and a deuce coupe rental
It's Giveaway time! We are giving away two prize packs..All you have to do is leave a comment letting us know about your favorite summer activity.
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· 1 Wheel Fun Rentals at Irvine Park deuce coupe bike rental
· 4 Irvine Park Railroad train tickets
Prize Package #2
· 1 Wheel Fun Rentals at Irvine Park paddle boat rental
· 4 Irvine Park Railroad train tickets
Giveaway ends on July 19th at 11:59pm. Winner will be selected at random. Good Luck!
Going to Aliso Viejo beach
Looking forward to taking my family to Irvine park!!!
Family and bike riding, does it get better than that? Thank you for posting this giveaway!
We love getting out of the house to explore museums, parks or any bookstore.
We love swimming. And going to free movies in the park!
The fun is endless! Hitting the pool, a day at the beach, anything that will keep us entertained and taking advantage of long summer days.
Our favorite summer activity is: travel 😉
Hanging out at the pool
Since we just recently moved to a house with a pool, our favorite activity this summer has been family swim time. We also go to the beach every Wednesday.
I'd love to win the paddleboat package!
We would love to win a package to the Irvine Park- we have never been there, and it sounds like a really fun place to take the kids. Thanks,Debbie
My fave summer activities are: beach camping, swimming at the pool, bbqs, and hanging out at the beach. The OC Fair is also a summer tradition along with other cheap or better yet, free family activities!
We've never been here. It looks fun.
We love to bbq and swim and just explore southern California as much as possible during the summer.
We love just having lazy days in the summer, no schedules and spur of the moment decisions!
Swimming of course. My 4 year old just learned to swim on his own so we can all swim together now. Love it!!
I would say swimming because my kids love it!
Swimming with the kids in the backyard and ice cream!
Our favorite summer activity is water! we love to visiti Southern California waterparks and beaches and go swimming with friends and family.
going to park.
BBq's and swimming.
Going to Crystal Cove State Beach.
Favorite summer activity – anything with water, swimming, splash pads, water balloons, sprinklers …….
Movies in the park as my little one can run and have fun too
We love camping!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love taking my grandson to the beach or swimming pool!
We love the beach.
love to hang out with my family at home
Hitting the beach is our favorite summer activity!
I love concerts in the park.
my favorite summer activity is hanging out at the beach with my family and friends
Our favorite summer activity is to swim in the pool or at the beach.


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If you've seen our latest TV ads (which we're incredibly excited about!), you may be familiar with one of the businesses featured – Fraser Doherty. At the age of 16, Fraser started his own business,
, making homemade jam from his grandmother's secret recipe. But, as he explains, the recipe was just the start – persuading supermarkets to stock his product was a lot more challenging. Have a listen to Fraser talk about how he grew his business – it might inspire you to start your own!
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ColaLife visit MOO HQ
In December, we were lucky enough to have a visit from our UK MOO Award winners, Simon and Jane Berry from
. They gave us a mind-blowing presentation, complete with a demo of their product, and despite some transportation hiccups, were able to join us for our traditional Friday lunch (complete with cake – obviously!) It was absolutely fantastic to meet people who manage to combine a working business model with a product that does some tangible good in the world. In fact, that's probably why their presentation was an hour long – we asked questions for 40 minutes!
Read about ColaLife's visit to MOO HQ
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Sen. Mitch McConnell has a simple choice: reform government surveillance or see it expire.
Report An examination of the Islamophobia network's efforts to spread misinformation and propaganda about Islam and American Muslims in the United States.
The new Congress is trying to erect more barriers to thwart President Obama's desire to close Guantanamo before the end of his term.
Ken Gude writes on Apple's new iPhone encryption.
Issue Brief This issue brief outlines potential sources of authority for lawful military actions and recommendations for a new congressional authorization directed at the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham.
Ken Gude writes on the renewed push to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay.
A closer look reveals achievable steps to close the prison in 11 months.
President Obama should immediately suspend the bulk collection of Americans' telephone records.
The Obama administration should support bipartisan amendments to the Electronic Communications Privacy Act.
Issue Brief During an unprecedented austerity push, Congress wastes billions of dollars on the unnecessary prison.
Ken Gude explains why the detainee provisions in the bill heading for President Obama's signature are flawed but do not establish military detention in the United States.
Anwar al-Awlaki's lawful killing removes a genuine threat to the United States, but it brings Yemen no closer to peace and stability, writes Ken Gude.
Single-minded effort to counter AQAP will only allow conditions to deteriorate further, enabling AQAP gains, write Ken Gude and Ken Sofer.
Current tensions between Egypt and Israel don't call for reinstating Egypt's emergency laws, particularly as the country plots its path toward civilian rule, writes Ken Gude.
An op-ed by Sens. Joe Lieberman and Kelly Ayotte gets it wrong again on the best way to prosecute terrorists, writes Ken Gude.


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Our Chefs
Our first chef was local cook Morag Keith who retired a few years ago but still lives locally. In 2013 the kitchen was redesigned under the direction of Roy Brett to create a state of the art kitchen. Roy and Head Chef Jamie Nicolson have recruited a team keen to develop the menu using key ingredients that have kept customers coming back year after year.More Info


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In 'Iron Man 2,' Scarlett Johansson didn't get a whole lot to do, but her main action scene as S.H.I.E.L.D. operative Natasha Romanoff, aka Black Widow, was one of the superhero sequel's highlights. The actress is already set to reprise the role in some capacity for the 'Avengers' movie, out in 2012, and now word comes from Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige that Black Widow will eventually receive her own solo film down the road. "We've already started discussions with Scarlett about the idea, he revealed during a press conference about the DVD release of 'Iron Man 2,' "but 'The Avengers' comes first."
That's great news for fans of the character and of female superheroes in general, as it should likely be on par with other Marvel movies and therefore reverse the track seen with 'Catwoman,' 'Elektra,' 'Aeon Flux,' etc. One thing this does raise, too, is whether or not every 'Avengers' character will get a solo outing. Obviously Jeremy Renner (who is incredible in 'The Town,' by the way) deserves an isolated Hawkeye installment. The character, who will make his first appearance in 'The Avengers,' could also sensibly show up in 'Black Widow,' especially if it is true as claimed that Renner and Johansson will be romantically involved in the ensemble, collective piece.
Feige made no mention of what the Black Widow film would be like, though, only that they've "begun putting together concepts." It would probably be an origin story, like most of the other 'Avengers'-related franchises (including the upcoming 'Captain America: The First Avenger' and 'Thor'). We don't really get much info on her in 'Iron Man 2,' and many moviegoers are likely curious how the character ended up in S.H.I.E.L.D. and then working undercover for Tony Stark. Especially that background in lingerie modeling alluded to.
What would you like to see in a Black Widow movie?
[via ScreenCrave]
CATEGORIES Movies, Cinematical


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Artist in Contemporary Art Jewellery, Painting, Illustration and Sculpture. Works in recycling techniques, deconstructing and reconstructing new forms and collages in both 2d and 3d. Educated in painting and classic techniques, graphic design and contemporary art jewellery. Further info and prices on request. Contact: email@example.com +46 704912548
Prenumerera på: Inlägg (Atom)


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- Infowars - http://www.infowars.com -
$50 million bounty for Osama Bin Laden should go to 9/11 victims, New York pols say
Posted By MarleighJones On May 9, 2011 @ 9:45 am In Old Infowars Posts Style,September 11 | Comments Disabled
Eriin Durking and Alison Gendar
NY Daily News
May 9, 2011
The $50 million bounty on Osama bin Laden's head should go to victims' of his murderous plot, federal lawmakers said Sunday.
Two New York Congressmen said they would draft legislation to give any unclaimed reward money to organizations that aid 9/11 first responders, families and survivors.
Fresh food that lasts from eFoods Direct (Ad)
"If the bounty isn't paid, Osama bin Laden's victims should get it," said Rep. Anthony Weiner (D – Queens and Brooklyn).
Article printed from Infowars: http://www.infowars.com
URL to article: http://www.infowars.com/50-million-bounty-for-osama-bin-laden-should-go-to-911-victims-new-york-pols-say/
Click here to print.
Copyright © 2015 Infowars. All rights reserved.


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February 2, 2013 in City
Photo: Patriotism on display
Dan Pelle Buy this photoFor which it stands: Ruth Rowe, of Spokane, pauses on her way home from shopping Friday to reflect on the meaning of the eagle flag on her motorized wheelchair. "It gives me strength," she said. "I'm proud of my country."


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Narrow your search
Your phone can professional photos and great quality movies with the right equipment. Here's everything you'll need to take advantage of your phone's camera.
The SVS Prime Satellite 5.1 System is a force to be reckoned with, thanks in large part to its potent subwoofer, and sounds tremendous with movies.
Drones may not seem so unusual nowadays, but they're still generally illegal for US companies to use. The Federal Aviation Administration just opened the door a significant crack, though.
Filmmakers have a new set of challenges when it comes to 360-degree video. Here's how the industry is tackling those problems.
The director of video game remakes like "House of the Dead," "Alone in the Dark" and "Postal" goes postal on "you all" for not Kickstarting his latest project. And the rant's definitely NSFW.
Iron Man, Captain America and the team are back for an adventure that's nearly too big for the cinema screen.
The "Glass Creative Collective" encourages film students to experiment with wearable cinematography starting this fall.
Now available for iPhone, this nifty app is like a drag-and-drop movie-maker, perfect for storyboarding your next film project or just goofing around.
Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos wants to ship goods using unmanned aircraft. Some are skeptical, others nervous, but drones already are improving the way we live.
Imagine the profile pictures you could snap with a wearable camera that's also drone. CNET's Sumi Das has more on Nixie, a device that wowed judges at Intel's "Make It Wearable" contest.


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In Lawless, Shia LaBeouf, Tom Hardy, and Jason Clarke play the Bondurant Brothers, three bootleggers who find that law enforcement officials want a cut off their action. They join a storied film history of characters willing to run afoul of the law in order to help good citizens get all kinds of sh*tty. Thus, we salute the Bondurants as well as these other famous screen bootleggers.
Wendell Scott, a taxi cab driver in post-World War II, learns his craft for car racing by transporting illegal moonshine in the backwoods of Virginia. Before long, he becomes a veteran driver who wins his battles with the law and on the track.
Before Al Pacino played a role that earned him a framed position on every rapper's wall, the same role was actually played by Paul Muni in 1932. Al Capone was the inspiration for Muni's Tony Camonte, who rose through the ranks of the Chicago mob after success with killing off his speakeasy rivals. However, the film is a little bland compared to the remake. Mountains of cocaine just make everything better.
Robert De Niro's portrayal of Al Capone is likely the most memorable on-screen bootlegger, thanks to scenes like this:
Actually, I'm going to have to take that back and give that distinction to Albert Finney as Leo O'Bannon. I think you'll agree:
Just because you're a Master Sergeant in the US Army doesn't mean you can't have a little fun. Or a lot of fun. That's exactly what Sgt. Bilko does, all beneath the nose of his unsuspecting Colonel and a Major from the Inspector-General's Office. Bilko and his underlings in the motor pool successfully run a secret casino, bar, and also profit from renting out military vehicles. It takes a sharp mind to keep that many balls in the air and avoid being shipped to Greenland.
Long before he was a pornography magnate, Larry Flynt still had to pay the bills. Hey, an ten-year old needs some walking around money. So, he got an early start by selling moonshine along with his brother, Jimmy. It wasn't long until he entered the strip club business which would eventually lead to becoming a hero to many a teenage boy with the founding and publication of Hustler magazine.
This film was inspired by the true story of Buford Pusser. A small logging town has been caught in the grip of corruption when casino-owner and drug dealer Jay Hamilton is allowed to run wild. Until The Rock returns to town armed with a two-by-four. It might lack the sophistication and precision of an automatic weapon, but it gets results dammit.
Consider posting a comment.


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When you sit in the 2010 Toyota Prius, you notice all those little things that provide the "Prius experience" – the shift lever, information screen, center-mounted instrument panel – are all present, but they're slightly different and noticeably improved. The time it takes to adapt to the revised interior is emblematic of the new Prius experience. It's the same oddly shaped hybrid that almost two million buyers love, but it gets better mileage, looks sharper and is packing more technological whiz-bangery than any vehicle this simple to drive has the right to.
We recently tested the 2010 Prius at its North American launch through the vineyard-covered fields and hills surrounding Napa, California. Through it all, the hybrid, officially rated at 50 mpg, performed well and delivered better-than-expected fuel economy. In fact, when we pushed the car's eco prowess by using the EV mode as much as possible and employing a few other tricks, we blew that EPA estimate out of the water by almost 15 mpg. And we weren't alone.


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Top representatives of Iran, P5+1 hold talks in Turkey
Wed Sep 19, 2012 4:4AM
"While it was not a formal negotiating round, it was a useful and constructive meeting," said Ashton's spokesman Michael Mann.Ashton will meet with the foreign ministers of the P5+1 group - Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States plus Germany - on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York next week "in order to assess the situation and to discuss the way forward," her office said after the Tuesday talks. Ashton and Jalili last met in Moscow in June. At the heart of the Moscow negotiations was Iran's nuclear energy program, with Tehran standing firm on its inalienable right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes. The Moscow talks were followed by a day-long meeting between the deputies to Jalili and Ashton, Ali Baqeri and Helga Schmid, held in Istanbul on July 24. Iran argues that as a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and a member of the IAEA, it is entitled to develop and acquire nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. MHB/AR/PKH/HJL


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Enrollment Services Registration Hold: TOEFL Required
Enrollment Services Registration Hold: TOEFL Required
Why the hold is on your account
o The TOEFL exam is used to evaluate the English Proficiency of individuals who speak English as a second language. The primary purpose of the Institutional TOEFL exam is to measure English proficiency for admission to college-level courses at TCC. A TOEFL Hold means that the student did not graduate high school from an English speaking country and therefore must demonstrate English proficiency.
Please note that the Institutional TOEFL is only good at the institution where it is taken. It cannot be sent to another college at a later date.
What the hold is blocking or preventing
o The TOEFL Hold will prevent a student from registering for classes.
How to get the hold removed from your account
o The student will need to contact the TCC Testing Center to get registered to take the TOEFL exam. Below is a link to the Testing Center TOEFL information.


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Revel in the comfort of a AAA 4-Diamond hotel whose sleek, modern decor blends with historic art deco touches for $129 per night -- a savings of 45% compared with current rates.
Guests can get this deal at the Loews Hotel Philadelphia daily June 30 - Sept. 8, including Fourth of July and Labor Day. Stays also include complimentary Wi-Fi.
For $15 more per night, upgrade to an oversized corner room.
This National Historic Landmark hotel occupies the PSFS Building -- home of the nation's oldest savings bank and considered the country's first modern skyscraper.
Visit City Hall or sample local food vendors at Reading Terminal, both one block away. Destinations like Independence Hall -- where the Declaration of Independence was signed -- and the Liberty Bell are within a 15-minute walk.
Amenities include a 15,000-square-foot spa, a two-lane heated lap pool and state-of-the-art fitness and wellness center.
This deal is not available on: July 13, 19-20, 22-27; Aug. 6-8, 18-22, 29-31.
Travelzoo Tip: Experience the artistic side of Philly and join painting parties at local bars for $25.
Please go to your email and confirm your subscription.


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Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Highlights of Toulon vs Clermont, including Rougerie fight & Smith yellow
One of the more controversial and action packed Top 14 games of the weekend was the clash between Clermont Auvergne and Toulon which the hosts won 25-19. The match hit the headlines this week following an outburst from Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal.
Toulon had led at the break following a first half try from Benjamin Lapeyre and three penalties and a conversion from Jonny Wilkinson. The game was tight and the tension spilt over shortly before halftime as Morgan Parra somehow got himself involved in yet another scuffle.
Yellow cards for Jean-Charles Orioli and Aurelien Rougerie followed before Parra added five penalties of his own, one coming while David Smith was controversially in the sinbin.
It looked as though Smith had attempted to make an effort to catch, or at least parry, the ball, but referee Christophe Berdos has no hesitation in showing him the way to the sinbin. That incensed Toulon president Boudjellal and sparked his comments this week, which have resulted in him drawing the attention of the Ligue Nationale de Rugby.
"I had my first refereeing sodomy in the (2010) semi-final against Clermont. I've just had my second tonight. It appeared to hurt the first time but it was just as bad this time," Boudjellal said.
"We will review the images not on Youtube but on YouPorn. Clermont are a great team. They did not need it," he added. LNR president Pierre-Yves Revol confirmed that they will be taking action:
"I personally find these metaphors vulgar and detrimental to all, and primarily detrimental to rugby. If he wants to start a debate on referring, there are other ways and other places to do it."
When Smith was back on the field, Rougerie scored a try that was converted by Parra, who added another penalty to stretch their lead. Toulon pounded the line late in the game with their star players featuring strongly, but couldn't breach the resolute Clermont defence.
As for Boudjellal, he has said he will stand by his comments. "What hurts is when a person does not acknowledge their errors. I will withdraw my remarks the day that referees apologise," he said.
Below are highlights of the game, including the Smith yellow, and then the scuffle in a seperate video. It's a playlist so simply skip to the second video if you'd prefer to only watch the fight.
Posted by Rugbydump at 7:10 pm | View Comments (33)
Posted in Big Hits & Dirty Play
Viewing 33 comments
stroudos January 10, 2012 9:23 pm
Have to say also that I sympathise with him on the sinbin decision. It's always a tricky one though isn't it? To me it looked absolutely like Smith was trying a perfectly legitimate interception catch - just because he was unable to execute does that make it a yellow card offence?
I notice this is the game Moddeur referred to the other day also - on the Toulon try, I really don't think it matters if a Clermont player touched the ball or not, the advantage is with the defending team: if they choose not to play it they get the scrum, but if they want to go ahead and play that's their prerogative, isn't it?
By the way, far too much chat to the referee here for my liking - should send Big Nige down there to put them back in line.
Final point - amazing defence/counter-rucking by Clermont from 80' on. Toulon went absolutely nowhere, every single attack they were literally swamped by yellow shirts - some of it looked borderline legal, but wonderful commitment.
FP January 10, 2012 9:33 pm
D-Matt January 10, 2012 9:51 pm
Great video. But I don't agree with Stroudous. As soon as the ball don't pass the 10 meters, either the opposite team catch it and the game goes on, or you play it and that's a scrum.
Since Rougerie touch it, that has to be a scrum. No advantage possible, that's the rule.
moddeur January 11, 2012 1:16 am
On the IRB website, rule 13.6: "If the ball does not reach the opponent's 10-metre line but is first played by an opponent, play continues".
ps: the Rougerie try should not be allowed either, there is a major screen by Rougerie himself on Armitage which makes it possible for Malzieu to break the line
stroudos January 11, 2012 10:58 am
Jimothy January 11, 2012 8:56 pm
It does not appear to offer advantage as an option so the try should not have stood.
poccio January 11, 2012 12:59 pm
stroudos January 12, 2012 4:15 pm
D-Matt January 10, 2012 9:52 pm
It's 13.6 and 13.7
stroudos January 11, 2012 10:55 am
(By the way, another link for those who don't speak French: http://www.irblaws.com/EN/laws/4/13/121/during-the-match/kick-off-and-restart-kicks/kickoff-of-under-10-metres-and-not-played-by-an-opponent/#clause_121)
D-Matt January 11, 2012 1:30 pm
"If the ball does not reach the opponent's 10-metre line it's a scrum UNLESS it is first played by an opponent".
If we allow an other advantage here when a player of the attacking team catch it and then loose it, that would mean allowing a second advantage and it would probably get a little bit confusing and complicated for the referee.
At least that's my opinion.
BarryT January 10, 2012 10:14 pm
poccio January 11, 2012 1:02 pm
Pretzel January 10, 2012 10:29 pm
As for the comments by the Toulon President, I disagree his poetic language makes it more acceptable. I like the idea that referees are generally not commented on by the teams or the players. I only have to read anything to do with football to feel sick, especially with tools like alex ferguson (the knight...LOL) who distastefully comment on referees. I have said it previously that one thing I like about rugby is how when players or managers are asked about something controversial on the pitch they generally say "well from where I was it didn't look like XYZ, but referee ZYX obviously saw something I didn't, we will review the incident later on" i.e. put their doubts across but in a manner which doesnt come back to bite them in the ass later on (if they are proved WRONG!)
stroudos January 11, 2012 11:00 am
Pretzel January 10, 2012 10:30 pm
RedYeti January 10, 2012 10:51 pm
Felix January 11, 2012 12:06 am
themull January 11, 2012 12:23 am
Erik January 11, 2012 11:01 am
BuzzKillington January 12, 2012 10:50 am
Defending teams should be entitled to defend their line by going for an intercept, otherwise you're taking away incentive for attacking play. People going for intercepts creates gaps for the attacking team anyway, and any team worth their salt would crucify a team that just wanted to rush up for intercepts for the sake of it. That wouldn't happen
Sankeor January 12, 2012 1:39 pm
"You can make all the "attempts" to catch the ball you want but if we start allowing players to just charge out of the line whenever possible, as the opponent is putting the pressure, to knock passes down, then it'll lead to guys just pretending to catch balls they really have no hope of catching [...]"
Excuse me but when a player touch the ball, even with one hand only, he's pretty damn close to the interception.
If he was offside I wouldn't say anything, but why penalising a player who makes that effort ? Intercepting, or just touching the ball being passed, is not sthg anybody could do, it requires a powerful acceleration, timing, and is also very risky for the defending team.
This kind of penalties/cards for "knocking the ball" are really obsolete and not in line at all with the spirit of the game, imo. And I don't know anybody stupid enough to go and knock the ball willingly, whereas when you can do that you can often catch it aswell.
Pretzel January 13, 2012 3:11 pm
Guest January 11, 2012 4:49 am
Euro refs are far too quick to reach for a card.
Colombes January 11, 2012 12:11 pm
i don't agree with boudjellal "sodomy" vision of the match. The yellow card was maybe a bit harsh, but clermont were far superior, end of the story. despite their try after an usual skrela falcon kick, they didn't do enough to snatch it
concerning the scuffle, rougerie wanted to revenge about that late tackle on the cheeky parra. agree with comments above, rugby players should speak less
Fettsack January 11, 2012 2:32 pm
Toulon's president shouldn't be so involved, everybody knows who he is in Toulon and some even think he's the coach. His behaviour on Tv is just stupid.
On the fight, Orioli was taking on Parra and Rougerie came to help, without actually fighting so to me only Orioli should have been sin binned. But both refs say they did not see exactly what happened : in this case their judgement to send both off is a good decision.
Canadian content January 12, 2012 12:05 am
How is Armitage looking this year? I have always liked him, but wondered if he can play out wide as a support player.
Personally, I didn't mind the scrum to a ruck, I want to see the ball played and not constant penalties. This may be contrary to the rules, but I think if there is no infraction, play on. But it should did look like Clermont was driving the opponent up there.
jumping04 January 12, 2012 1:16 am
Sankeor January 12, 2012 5:27 am
You've watched the last world cup and have discovered Rougerie, certainly because of the "eye-gouge" on McCaw (and btw given his attitude during and after the game, and Rougerie behaviour background, I would clearly say it was accidental and McCaw heavily milked it...) am I right ? With a bit of 'luck' you're also maybe a fair reader of the NewZealand Herald.
And now what ? You're comparing Ashton and Rougerie ??
Your comments are killing me. Ashton might be a bitch but Rougerie is a fair player only focused on the game, like most of Clermont players apart from Cudmore.
NB: I've seen the game, Rougerie was just pulling Oriolli out of the fight to free Parra, when Oriolli jumped on him and attacked him. The sinbin is unfair, Rougerie did not throw a single fist.
stroudos January 12, 2012 4:30 pm
I don't know what possessed Rougerie to poke around in Offside Rich's eye in the world cup final - seems highly out of character for him - maybe just the sheer pressure of the occasion got to him. Sankeor - it's unequivocal that he quite deliberately made contact with Offside Rich's eye and no, McCaw did not milk it at all - quite the opposite, in fact he didn't even seem to want to mention it. (Maybe he was still feeling guilty for cynically taking out France's flyhalf!).
Sankeor January 13, 2012 1:10 am
I'm just frustrated that people watch the french squad once (world cup), and then make themselves a wrong opinion of the french squad, french Top14, and all french players !
That was so not representative of french rugby, except the final, and not really what the french federation expected to promote.
Instead of that we had all the nz medias, and more important, all the world betting against us, and admittedly, we did nothing wrong (only poor games).


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Once again, Jakki Degg releases a spanktastic calendar. Akon said it right, "Damn girl! You's a sexy b*tch!"
Related links:
This Brazilian is a world famous supermodel who's appeared in S.I.'s swimsuit issue the last three years. Will she make the cover? Time will only tell.
Denisse is a Mexican actress that loves to show off her goods. Who can blame her? Enjoy!
It's hard to believe the last time we posted a gallery of Keeley was over 2 years ago. This gallery should make up for the lost time!
Being the ex-girlfriend of a former Roller Stone and appearing on Big Brother are the two main reasons this hottie is now famous.
Laure is one hot Belgian babe. We hear she's really good at making waffles. And whoopy!
Sites We Like
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Esther Chandler
These quick and easy cowls are a great way of using up single skeins of yarn. Mixing up yarn weights and textures really adds to the look of this little project. Great for a quick gift for men, women, and teenagers.
3x 50g skeins of yarn, aroud dk weight (but you can use a mix of weights if you like)
Size 9mm hook (approximate - size up or down if you used thicker yarn as appropriate)
Approximately 7.5 inches wide and as long as you like!
Not critical for this project
Hold 3 strands of yarn together.
You can find this pattern along with many more at Make My Day Creative:
© 2015 F+W All rights reserved.Use of this site signifies your agreement to the Terms and Privacy Policy, updated March 2007


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Sponsored Links
Donald and Daisy In Love
So sweet and so in love! These printable greeting cards feature the two emblematic ducks from the Mickey Mouse cartoons-Donald and Daisy! These free printable cards are fantastic for St. Valentine's day, but they are also great cards for anniversaries or for just a reminder to someone you care about how you feel. This card features not only the two ducks, but also plenty of hearts and pink lettering to make this card something very romantic. Show your love for your special someone by sending this cute card. If your loved one adores Donald and Daisy, this card is certain to make them smile. Print now and fill this with your words of love.
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Money for Nothing
It's a deceptive title — but in part that's marketing. Seth Godin, master marketer, sums up the best way to drive traffic to your website (or store, or organization, etc.).
Three words: be useful, unique and updated.
Yep, that's about it. If you can be useful to others (offer value), be unique (by positioning and branding, and being memorable and distinctive), keep showing up, and be current, you've got it made.
It's also a good recipe for life.
This free PDF sermon is short, breezy and right on.
No one cares if your lens is good. They care if it's great. Irresistible. The one and only best spot online. Not in your opinion of course, but in their opinion.


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Office Productivity
Less downtime means a higher bottom line.
Many small and medium businesses underutilise the technology investments they've already made, simply because they're unaware of how to fully leverage their technology to make it work better for their business.
Evolve IT shows you how to make better use of what you've already got, and how to take advantage of the benefits of integrating new technology. We're in business to save you time and money, while increasing your productivity and growth.
Evolve IT adds value to your business by:
- Saving time: By automating mundane office procedures to allowing access to information from anywhere, anytime
- Saving money: By reducing travel costs via Web conferencing and saving on software licensing.
- Increasing productivity: By expanding the available information so your staff can make the right decisions, and helping them accomplish routine tasks faster—so they can spend more time on things that boost your bottom line.


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Firefighters Knock Down Fire At Dakota Co. Gun Range
July 31, 2012 10:25 PM
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Multiple fire departments battled a fire Tuesday night at a Dakota County business, authorities said.
Dakota County Dispatch said a fire call went out shortly after 7:30 p.m. for a fire on the 14000 block of Ewing Avenue South.
It took firefighters from multiple departments about an hour to knock down the flames.
The fire started in a gun range. The cause of the fire is not known.


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Beauty News: Bath & Body Works and LeSportsac Teams Up
If you happen to be a fan of both Bath and Body Works plus LeSportsac get on board for a cool collaboration between the two.
This Winter, for a limited time, LeSprotsac have teamed up with Bath and Body Works to offer it's ionic collection of bags with Bath & Body Works PocketBac Hand Sanitizer Gel inside.
Bath and Body Works Pocketbacs are the perfect portable size of their hand sanitizer gel which has powerful bacteria killing ingredients to keep hands clean without the use of water, anywhere, anytime.
From November 16 to December 24th you can get a LeSportsac bag and a free Bath and Body Works Pocketbac plus a bounceback card good toward your next BBW purchase.
I could be a total goof but I love this. LeSportsac are a fav of mine as I tend to like carrying around my entire life in a bag. It's a rather fun combination of two great items.
You can purchase online to get your free Pocketbac or in store.
11/16/09 12:47 Paopao:
ooohh!!! How cute! I adore pocketbacs, I got a 10 pack via ebay and my parents will bring me more from NYC!
11/16/09 15:56 Paopao:
I've already had it… there's nowhere to hide when you work with small children!
I want it. I want the bag now. I hope I can find a big traveling bag from this collection. LeSportsac bags are massive love to me..right next to TokiDoki bags. <3
11/16/09 20:04 Mandy:
That's such a cute bag! I love the Lesportac bag style, but sometimes the pics/graphics is a bit too much for me. This one is great though. Maybe I should go and get one 😀 Is there a minimum purchase necessary?
11/17/09 15:06 Mish:
Hi, I can't seem to find this anywhere. Where exactly do I look for it?