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Since the Christmas baking season seems like it is moving into full swing, I thought that this would be a good opportunity to transcribe another recipe from Fannie O'Dell's 1880s cookbook. You can find the history of this little book as well as some of the other recipes I have posted at this link. As always, if you try one of these recipes, please let me know how it turns out. Since the recipes do not include baking instructions and do have interesting if vague ingredients like "flavour" these recipes are not for the faint of heart. I am assuming that "flavour" was something pleasant in a cake like vanilla or cinnamon rather than onions or garlic.
Mountain Cake
2 cups sugar
1 cup butter
1 cup milk
3 1/2 cups flour
4 eggs
2 teaspoon tartar
1 teaspoon soda
As for today's image, I figured that I should be topical and include a mountain of some kind. This map is Samuel de Champlain's original chart of the Annapolis Basin. The illustration shows both the ranges known as the North and South Mountains which run on either side of the Annapolis Valley.
All for now,


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43 ½ isn't exactly what you'd expect. Indeed, towards the end of the bloodbath on Wednesday night, an ensemble member looked out at the sold-out house and speculated that they had been "look... Read more
Who wants to be a hero? Who has what it takes? Will the younger generation of demi-gods and wannabes fill the god-sized shoes of their flabby forefathers, or will Hades take over once and fo... Read more
S.N. Behrman's Biography, currently enjoying an infrequent revival at The American Century Theater, is a depression-era meditation on love, art, and all the intersections of the two. So go s... Read more
In the age of economical theatre—think: two men and a couch—Restoration Comedy is hardly the genre of the hour. Its large casts, elaborate costumes, multiple locations, and purposefully dat... Read more
Centerstage is up and running with the second half of their Raisin Cycle, Beneatha's Place, Playwright and Artistic Director Kwame Kwei-Armah's impressive complement and response to their co... Read more
As people, as a nation, what are we to do with our dark history of violence and oppression? Is it the key to our progress and redemption, or are we doomed to keep repeating the same mistakes... Read more
Before I begin, I should say that it is almost impossible to describe the success of this production without revealing its major theatrical conceit. Those of you who are unfamiliar with the... Read more
Faction of Fools, DC's Commedia dell'Arte company, is back this spring with The Lady Becomes Him, a wild adaptation and expansion of a three-page, 17th century text called Donna Zanni. Using... Read more
Shakespeare purists, and perhaps audiences in general, might balk at the idea of a silent Tempest—a seemingly oxymoronic approach to such a lyrical and poetic text. Synetic Theater will draw... Read more
It's a familiar scene to any modern audience—a man, a woman, a motel room. Indeed, at first glance, The Mountaintop, now playing at Center Stage, mimics countless other dramas that have com... Read more
The pervading expectation on Christmas Eve in An Irish Carol seems to be that the following day will be nothing more than a worse hangover than usual. Now in its second year, the Keegan Thea... Read more
Paul Morella's one-man adaptation of A Christmas Carol is a timely feat of storytelling; a marriage of Dickens' original text and modern theatrical magic, the show invites the audience into... Read more
It's hard not to be seduced by Les Liaisons Dangereuses. Sexy, vicious, witty—this revival of Christopher Hampton's classical adaptation triumphs with quiet ferocity. Under the direction of... Read more
CenterStage's revival of Bus Stop by William Inge is a heartfelt and charming tribute to a simpler time—the 1950's American Midwest—that maybe wasn't so simple after all. Written in 1955, th... Read more

subset: commoncrawl


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VIP Lounge
Concierge Lounge Floor Plan
Nestle in a plush chair and relax as your thoughts are carried away by the relaxing vista of the verdant Rosen Shingle Creek Golf Club and the crystal blue pools from our exclusive VIP lounge. Natural light streams in from the large windows revealing a cozy retreat bathed in rich decor. Visitors of Orlando staying at Rosen Shingle Creek with exclusive VIP lounge access are served continental breakfast buffet and evening hor d'oeuvres in the lounge. Sneak away later in the night to enjoy the dessert buffet. Coffee, teas and cold drinks are available all day. Menus for in-hotel restaurants are available on the concierge lounge iPad. Concierge agents will book your reservations. For $50 extra a night, you can add exclusive access to the VIP lounge to your stay. In addition to the comfort of this lodge-like retreat, guests also enjoy complimentary self-parking and access to the fitness center.


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President also announces plan to expand participation opportunities through intramurals
Garden City Community College will proceed with a plan to discontinue the intercollegiate soccer program for men, and expand intramural opportunities in soccer for the benefit of local and area students who want to participate in the sport.
Dr. Herbert Swender, president, announced the decision this afternoon.
"We have put a lot of time into reviewing the continuation of men's soccer, both before and after last week's meeting of the GCCC Board of Trustees," Swender said. "I appreciate and respect the input from every perspective that has come from students and the community, and I believe this is the right course of action for Garden City Community College."
A proposal to conclude the intercollegiate soccer program for men drew a crowd, primarily of college and high school students, to the May 11 meeting of the GCCC Board of Trustees. However, Dr. Bill Clifford, board chairman, explained at the end of the discussion that the trustees wouldn't be voting on the plan. Under the policy governance system used by the board, Clifford noted, the president has the authority to initiate or discontinue programs, as long as he considers their cost-effectiveness and overall value. After the meeting, Swender said he would make an official decision and announcement this week.
"Our main reasons for reaching this conclusion involve the need to be frugal with the finite resources that are available to us, as well as the goal of creating a wider avenue for soccer participation by local and area students," Swender said.
"I see this not just as a way to hold down our costs in athletics, but also as a way to elevate local opportunities for involvement in soccer," the president said. "There is a lot of passion for soccer at the community level throughout Garden City, and this just dovetails with that, because we are committing to expanding our intramural sports opportunities this fall, with a strong emphasis on soccer.
GCCC first operated an intercollegiate soccer program in 1990-1993, and launched the present program in 2005, with the goal of involving players from Garden City and Southwest Kansas. However, local and area participation has been limited. Out of 24 players on the team at the beginning of the 2010 season, just three came from Southwest Kansas. In 2005 when the current program began, seven Garden City High School graduates played on the men's team, and since that time the annual number has ranged from zero to a maximum of three. Game attendance has been sparse too.
"The men's soccer team has achieved some outstanding results on the field," Swender said, "but with participation at that level, I cannot honestly call it a program that serves a local population."
"With a strong intramural program, we can offer extensive opportunities for involvement in soccer by local and regional players," Swender said, "and it won't come with the restrictions for 2012 that we'll see in NJCAA intercollegiate competition." This will be a soccer playing opportunity that caters to Southwest Kansas students."
In terms of reducing athletic expenditures, the president said he and his cabinet considered recommendations from the GCCC Athletic Department. The soccer program costs approximately $60,000 per year, including a full-time coaching salary, plus travel expenses.
Ending the program will save not only those costs, but also reduce athletic insurance expenses, ease the demand on the training room and athletic training support, simplify facility scheduling, and scale back on dollars used for team recruitment.
He added that the change was considered only after the resignation of Men's Soccer Coach Steve Gorton, who left GCCC to accept a Division I coaching position out of state.
Plans call for the continuation of intercollegiate soccer for women, as well as the other athletic endeavors GCCC operates, including basketball, cross country, track, rodeo, softball and volleyball for women; as well as basketball, cross country, track, rodeo, baseball and football for men.
Steve Quackenbush
©2016 Seward County Broadcasting Company, Inc.
1410 N. Western Ave. Liberal, KS 67901


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U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
Federal Highway Administration Research and Technology
Coordinating, Developing, and Delivering Highway Transportation Innovations
|This report is an archived publication and may contain dated technical, contact, and link information
Publication Number: FHWA-HRT-05-063
Date: May 2007
Evaluation of LS-DYNA Concrete Material Model 159
PDF Version (6.84 MB)
PDF files can be viewed with the Acrobat® Reader®
Chapter 10. Summary and Recommendations
Developer Comments
A material model for concrete was developed and implemented into the ls-dyna finite element code. Also implemented was a suite of default material properties as a function of concrete compressive strength and maximum aggregate size. The model and default properties were evaluated for use in roadside safety applications through correlations with test data. Some of the test data-including those related to drop tower and bogie vehicle impact into reinforced concrete beams-as generated specifically for this effort. Some of the test data was generated prior to this effort but made available for this study, including pendulum impact into bridge rails and quasi-static loading of a safety-shaped barrier.
Analyses of these tests indicate that in most cases, damage modes and deflection histories were accurately simulated using default material properties. In a few cases, alternative properties were suggested to simulate additional damage. The properties that seemed to be most critical are the fracture energies (Gft in tension, Gfs in shear, Gfc in compression), the rate effect on fracture energy (repow), and the maximum principal strain at which erosion occurs (ERODE). In general, the developer recommends using default properties of Gfs = Gft with Gfc = 100 Gft with repow = 1. The fracture energy in tension was obtained from values listed in the CEB. If more shear or compression based damage is desired, then use of Gfs = ½ Gft or Gfc = 50 Gf are reasonable reductions. If more overall damage is desired, then repow = 0.5 is a reasonable reduction. Reductions below these values are not recommended.
Erode is a control parameter. If a value is not specified (ERODE = 0.0), then erosion will not occur. The recommendation is to specify erosion between 5 and 10 percent maximum principal strain (1.05 £ ERODE £ 1.10). By taking this step, severe damage is able to accumulate and be maintained before erosion occurs. In numerous calculations, erosion set to 5 and 10 percent strain gave similar results. Erosion at 1 percent strain was evaluated but typically simulates a structural response that is more flexible than at 5 to 10 percent strain and may be more flexible than measured. Once an element erodes, then a 25- to 38-mm (1- to 1.5-inch) gap forms (the dimension of the element eroded). This type of gap is much larger than a hairline crack. Thus, it is reasonable to delay erosion for lightly cracked structures, particularly if the structures are cycling between tension and compression (opening and closing cracks).
During the computational review of the concrete material model, the user recommended the following changes:
User Comments
Numerical analyses were conducted using the newly developed LS-DYNA concrete material model. The analyses showed very good potential for useful application of the model in analyses of steel-reinforced concrete roadside safety structures. The T4 bridge rail study is a good example of this potential. The analyses of the T4 bridge rail alternatives provided a good benchmark for evaluating the strengths, sensitivity, and usability of the new concrete material model. Use of the pendulum tests provided more controlled impact conditions and eliminated many variables associated with the comparison of simulation to full-scale vehicle crash tests. Two specimens were tested for each design variation, providing some information regarding system variability. Furthermore, the two design variations demonstrated different levels of damage to the concrete parapet, which provided an opportunity to assess the sensitivity of the concrete model to small design changes under similar loading conditions.
After adjusting the fracture energies to 80 percent of their preliminary baseline values, good overall correlation was achieved between the T4 bridge rail simulations and pendulum test data for both design alternatives investigated. The simulation matches reasonably well with respect to the damage profile, concrete fracture (i.e., element erosion in simulation), peak impact force, and acceleration-time history of the pendulum impactor.
After calibrating the fracture energies, the simulation of the T4 bridge rail system with three-bolt anchorage and 254-mm- (10-inch-) wide parapet captured the punching shear failure of the concrete underneath the steel base plate and post. As in the pendulum tests, the concrete failure radiated out from the anchor bolts across the top surface of the concrete parapet and extended down the back side of the parapet wall. When the same material properties were used in a subsequent simulation of the T4 bridge rail with four-bolt anchorage and 317.5-mm- (12.5-inch-) wide parapet, the results again correlated with the test data. No concrete fracture was observed, and the damage fringes matched the pattern of hairline cracks observed in one of the test specimens.
The user recommended that the default fracture energies be adjusted to levels found to provide damage correlation between simulations and tests. The developer followed this recommendation, which is available in subsequent releases of LS-DYNA 971. Results of the parametric analyses also indicate that element erosion should be used in conjunction with a maximum principal strain failure criterion (i.e., the ERODE parameter should be set greater than 1.0). The current default setting (ERODE = 1.1) accomplishes this recommendation.
The model is stable and has a reasonable time step. Some problems were identified with the energy balance associated with use of the concrete material model. As damage accumulates in the concrete structures, an artificial or nonphysical increase in internal energy appears to causes the total energy of the system to increase dramatically. This glitch was reported to the developer, and a fix was implemented in subsequent releases of LS-DYNA 971.
Some reporting problems related to the long input format of the concrete material model were also identified. The parameter listing generated by the output routines does not correspond to the written documentation of the model. Details of this problem were reported to the developer, and corrections were made in subsequent releases of LS-DYNA 971.
The short input format is recommended for a first cut analysis and to generate the long input format values. However, the user is encouraged to perform experiments to determine values that best fit his or her concrete data.
All analyses reported herein were conducted using a single processor on a Linux platform because releases for other hardware and multiple processors were not available or were unstable. However, a few analyses were conducted using different platforms and multiple processors as some of the beta binaries became available during the course of the project. The analyses conducted on different platforms showed some differences in the number of eroding elements in the simulations involving concrete fracture. However, the differences are not considered to be significant or indicative of a flaw in the material model. Moreover, the eroding pattern was the same across all calculations for a given case. Note that erosion takes place when the damage value associated with a particular element exceeds a prescribed threshold (if desired by the user). The numerical analysis has established that different hardware platforms, roundoff errors, and number of processors have an influence on results consistency. This influence was observed in other research efforts where a sudden collapse, element erosion, and any other discontinuity phenomenon were numerically analyzed. Therefore, the researchers believe that these differences for the cases studied are not attributed to the material model but rather to other factors.
Although the results of the evaluation of the concrete material model are encouraging, resource limitations precluded a more indepth evaluation of the model. Further study is recommended to more fully quantify the applications and limitations of the material model. The investigation of the New Jersey safety-shape bridge rail is incomplete due to lack of time and resources. Further investigation of the quasi-static load tests would be helpful. Additionally, an analysis of the pickup truck impact into this barrier and/or a portable concrete barrier is recommended.
Keywords: Concrete, LS-DYNA, Material model, Reinforced beam, New Jersey barrier, Bridge rail, Pendulum, Bogie vehicle
TRT Terms: Concrete--Mathematical models--Handbooks, manuals, etc, Finite element method
Updated: 03/08/2016


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College Hockey:Minnesota State wins again, topples Nebraska-Omaha on the road
OMAHA, Neb. — Mike Hastings is an Omaha hockey icon, but in his first game as a head coach against one of the city's teams, he tried to keep things as normal as possible.
Lately, 'normal' for his Minnesota State team has equated to winning, and MSU did just that again Friday night. In beating No. 13 Nebraska-Omaha 6-3 on UNO's own slab of ice at CenturyLink Center, MSU picked up its seventh win in a row.
Ranked 20th in the country, the WCHA's purple Mavericks boosted their overall record to 10-5-2 and their league record to 8-5-0. No. 13 UNO, the league's red Mavericks, dropped to 10-6-1 (6-4-1 WCHA).
Hastings had spent the past three seasons under UNO head coach Dean Blais and previously served for 14 years as the head coach of the USHL's Omaha Lancers junior team.
This weekend's series is strictly about business, though, and Hastings said as such after the game.
"We came out to try and win a hockey game," Hastings said. "It's been nice to come back and see some friends, but ultimately, when we got to the rink, it was about winning the hockey game and that's what we focused on."
UNO started brightest, though, and the hosts didn't waste a whole lot of time before opening the scoring in the game's first minute. Junior co-captain Matt White put his team up 1-0 on the red Mavericks' first shot, wristing a shot past MSU goaltender Stephon Williams low glove-side at the near post 53 seconds into the tilt.
MSU restored parity 12:11 into the first period with the first of two goals on the night from junior forward Johnny McInnis. Latching onto a nice centering pass by linemate Chase Grant from behind the goal line, McInnis beat UNO goalkeeper John Faulkner from close range for a power-play marker.
The visitors then jumped ahead 3:08 into the second period on an even-strength goal from freshman winger Dylan Margonari. Seconds after an MSU power play ended, Faulkner stopped an initial shot from MSU's Zach Lehrke, but the rebound fell to Margonari at the far post and Faulkner couldn't get across in time.
UNO then picked up a power-play goal of its own at 8:26 to cancel out Margonari's tally. Zahn Raubenheimer lit the lamp for his seventh goal of the season with a shot that crept in at the right-hand post.
MSU retook the lead soon after that, though, with JP Lafontaine scoring a power-play goal – the visitors' second such goal of the night – at 10:03 on what was nearly a carbon copy of Margonari's tally earlier in the period.
Faulkner was again too slow getting from post to post and when a feed from Matt Leitner came out to the far side of the crease, Lafontaine had enough time to bury his third goal of the year.
Faulkner's night in the UNO net ended 83 seconds later when McInnis scored again at 11:26 of the same period. McInnis's eighth goal of the season came when he barreled down the slot, slammed on the brakes just in front of Faulkner and scored from the top of the crease.
UNO's backup goalie, freshman Anthony Stolarz, didn't manage a whole lot better, letting in both of MSU's only two shots of the third period.
Nebraska-Omaha forward Ryan Walters scored at 12:04 of the second period to cut the visitors' lead to 4-3, but nothing went the host's way thereafter. MSU forward Bryce Gervais scored on a shorthanded breakaway 1:40 into the final frame and John Jutzi topped the scoring off with exactly two minutes left to play.
Apart from holding MSU to just that pair of shots on Stolarz's net in the third period, not a whole lot else worked for UNO in the final 20 minutes of the game. Pulling Stolarz with more than six minutes left to play while on a power play didn't work, nor did fielding five defensemen at one point.
However, it was the second period where MSU really – some might say finally, considering it had been an even game through the first 20 minutes – took hold of the night's matchup.
UNO is normally a strong second-period team. However, Hastings, who helped shape the red Mavericks' game before taking over in Mankato, Minn., for now-UNO assistant Troy Jutting, was pleased Friday to see his new charges neutralize his old ones.
Williams was especially good despite conceding three goals. The newcomer stopped 25 other shots and made a handful of highlight-reel saves.
"Their team speed is really hard to deal with and if you look at them over the season so far, their second period has been their most dangerous," Hastings said. "They've scored a lot of goals in the second period and they made a push [tonight], but I thought Willy was good and made a couple [saves] that he shouldn't have."
Blais was understandably less-than-pleased with UNO's performance.
"It's a game of 60 minutes and we had a sporadic performance," Blais said. "We didn't have a great team game. Half our team was a little off and that's too many, especially against a team that's won six in a row and is playing with confidence."
The following is a self-policing forum for discussing views on this story. Comments that are derogatory, make personal attacks, are abusive, or contain profanity or racism will be removed at our discretion. USCHO.com is not responsible for comments posted by users. Please report any inappropriate or offensive comments by clicking the "Flag" link next to that comment in order to alert the moderator.
Please also keep "woofing," taunting, and otherwise unsportsmanlike behavior to a minimum. Your posts will more than likely be deleted, and worse yet, you reflect badly on yourself, your favorite team and your conference.


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Other company policies include using the absolute freshest ingredients, including locally grown eggs; and a scientifically controlled drying process, which they describe as the "secret of a good noodle."
Wide noodles are ½" wide, and extra wide noodles are 1" wide.
Try these 2 great recipes using our homemade egg noodles!
Note: These two old-time recipes were submitted by Evelyn P., a Lehman's customer from Missouri. Enjoy!
Noodle PuddingServes 9
7 1/2 cups uncooked wide egg noodles1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, softened6 T. butter, softened1/2 c. sugar3 eggs1 c. milk1 c. apricot nectar
Topping:1 c. cornflake crumbs1/2 c. sugar6 T. butter, melted1/2 t. ground cinnamon
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. On stove top, cook noodles according to package instructions. Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter and sugar. Beat in eggs. Gradually stir in milk and apricot nectar.
Drain noodles and return to the pan. Add cream cheese mixture and toss to coat. Transfer to a 9"x13" baking dish.
In a small bowl, combine the topping ingredients and sprinkle over noodles.
Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 20-30 minutes or until a thermometer reads 160. Serve warm.
Cheesy Noodle CasseroleServes 6-8
16 oz egg noodles, cooked1 (16 oz) carton cottage cheese1 (10 3/4 oz) can condensed cheddar cheese soup1 c. half and half1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese1 c. shredded cheddar cheese2 T. butter1/2 c. shredded Parmesan cheese3/4 c. crushed salad croutons or panko bread crumbssalt and pepper
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Combine noodles and cottage cheese in a 9"x13" pan and set aside. In a separate pan, heat the next 5 ingredients (soup, half and half, cream cheese, cheddar cheese and butter). Season to taste with salt and pepper. Pour this mixture over noodle/cottage cheese mixture and stir gently to combine. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese and crushed croutons on top. Bake, uncovered, at 375 until top is golden (about 12-15 min). Noodles should be bubbly.
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603 Tasting Notes
This tea is a bit different than I was expecting! I thought that it would have strong notes of butter, but it's much more vegetal and floral. It's not a bad tea, but I prefer my oolongs to be a little bit more on the milky, sweet, peachy side of things. I just don't think that this offers all that much in terms of flavor.
I taste leaves, some flowers, minerals and salt water. I think this would be a nice tea to drink if you're just starting out with oolongs. It's simple, fresh and rather light. I don't think I would buy any more in the future, though.
This tea smells so good! I'm picking up on a syrupy sort of sweetness, some dark berries and sweet potato. I love it when teas have a really delicious scent, it makes it that much more exciting to drink!
Sipping… mmm, this is just as I thought it would taste. Sweet potato, black pepper and honey. It almost reminds me of water crackers with pepper. It is on the verge of being perhaps a little bit too peppery for me, but it's not enough to scare me away. There are times when I pick up on a more creamy note, but it fades quickly and leaves behind that sharp, spicy taste. I still think this is very enjoyable and would drink this again. Thank you Tao Tea Leaf!
I'm really excited to be trying this tea. Fall brings out all of the best flavors of the year – pumpkin, maple, apple, the sweeter and darker ones that are meant to comfort and warm. Even though it's still summer, I'm really ready for fall now.
The scent of this tea is definitely of maple and cinnamon, it reminds me a little bit of those flavored oatmeal packets. It doesn't bring to mind pancakes for me, but more of a pure maple and spice blend instead. It definitely has fall written all over it!
Sipping… the first part of the sip is definitely a strong cinnamon. It's not like cinnamon candies, but is more of a natural, warm cinnamon. The maple comes out towards the end of the sip and gives off a nice sugary sweetness. A tiny bit of the actual tea in this blend is faintly present in the form of some astringency, but otherwise it's not terribly noticeable for me. It might even be a little bit on the weak and watery side. The maple doesn't stick around long enough for me to enjoy it and I'm left with a bit too much cinnamon.
The cinnamon and maple combination is lovely, but I would have liked a better or stronger tea base to make it more interesting and a stronger maple flavor. I can see this tea being a big hit with those who love maple and especially cinnamon, but I don't think I like this enough to purchase more.
The dry blend smells exactly like caramel corn or maybe like the buttered popcorn jellybeans (one of my least favorites). For some reason, I wasn't expecting it to be so accurate! Once it's been steeped, it smells like brown sugar, cinnamon and popcorn.
Sipping… this blend starts off with a rather bland fruity base — quite similar to Forever Nuts. The rest of the sip is rather uneventful until the end when I get a lovely caramel corn flavor – faint popcorn with a strong and gooey caramel.
While this is a very creative blend and the flavor is as close to caramel corn as you can get, it's a little too artificial for me. I also wish that it had a different base mixture because I really am thinking about Forever Nuts throughout this cup. Forever Nuts isn't a bad tea, but it's not really what I want with my caramel corn.
I was a little hesitant to try this tea because of the supposed smoke in the description, but it seems to be positively reviewed so I will give it a try! Sipping… I'm glad that there isn't a bunch of smoke here. It's earthy, smooth and tastes a bit like caramel and milk without any heavy sweetness. This is another tea that I would like to be stronger. The flavors are all nice, but are quite faint. It's difficult to enjoy the more delicious elements because the earthiness sort of takes over for me.
The first thing I notice about this tea is that it smells like others I've had before. That's not a bad thing, it just smells familiar, like I've had it before…. fruity and like sweet bread? The start of the sip tastes like raisins in honey and finishes with a touch of holiday spices. There is a shadow of molasses in the background, but not nearly as much as in the Honey Black. Following sips give me notes of baking chocolate and very light flowers, bordering on the soapy side of things.
This is a lovely cup with lots of different flavors going on at once. I think this one is a great choice, but I personally like the Honey Black a bit more. Thank you so much, Green Terrace Teas for a sample.
I'm excited to try this tea since it seems to be quite loved. The leaves are a beautiful mix of gold and black. There were quite a few broken and tiny pieces in my spoon so I'm hoping that it doesn't get too bitter on me!
Sipping… oh, how lovely! It's smooth, thick and rich. I taste the faintest flavor of sweet potato, but it's wrapped up in a soft fruity note. This tea is very soft for me and I would like a bit more oomph, but it's so sweet and enjoyable that I'm blaming my desire for a stronger cup on my mood right now.
I've been happy to have this option in my cupboard for when I grow tired of rooibos or honeybush in the evening. I've still been wanting to find that vanilla frosting or cake flavor that others are lucky to find, but to me.. it just still tastes like the eggnog tea with a marshmallow leaf base. I think I'd always like to keep this around, but it doesn't taste much like birthday cake to me.
maybe in addition to sugar, try some cream, that might add a frosting like taste. I would also add sprinkles just for the funzies of it.
Cameron B. – the first time I had this tea it reminded me quite a bit of Sleepytime tea. I can definitely see where you get the chamomile association!
Cheri and Lynxiebrat – I haven't had this cup with sugar. I drink my tea plain 98% of the time.. but I will try it with a touch of sugar to see if it brings out any more of that birthday cake flavor! Thanks!
This is such a unique tea! I don't think I've tried anything like it before. The first thing I notice is how rich and dark it is. With just one sip, I notice thick and heavy notes of molasses. I'm reminded instantly of a gingerbread cake – soft, sweet and so distinct. This tea would be absolutely perfect for an evening cup during the holiday season. It really does bring to mind gooey, sticky, dripping molasses. Other cups I've had bring to mind a dark honey with stone fruits. I personally have to be in the mood for a tea like this as it's so deeply specific, but it is very much a beauty. Many thanks to Green Terrace Teas for a sample. This has been a real treat to try!
I may have to order some of this one. All of the reviews I keep seeing on my Dash tell me how amazing it is.
i like li shan more than the honey black, though both are really nice. the honey black is just much "lighter" and i am a fan of bold black teas!
Cheri – If you're going to place an order with Green Terrace Teas, I highly recommend this one! At least a sample's worth to give it a try. :)
Sil – I have that one as well and will be trying it next! I'm a fan of both light and bold black teas so it will be neat to see the difference.
The dry leaf smells floral and sweet. There is also something spicy that reminds me vaguely of clove and cinnamon. Once water has been added, I detect that starchy scent that some Yunnans have. The spice is still very present, but I have a feeling that it will lighten up a little as the cup cools.
Sipping… wow, there are some really strong leather and tobacco notes here. It's very savory, but also has mild notes of sweet potato and milk. This is a decent cup of tea with different layers, but I think it's a bit too sharp for me. I'm not crazy about the leather/tobacco and pepper combination. Creamier sweet potato and honey flavors would really turn this tea around, but they're so faint that the tea remains peppery and brisk.
I'm happy to have tried this tea, but I am not all that impressed with this particular Yunnan.


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Gardening Articles: Health :: Health
Kale, the Power Vegetable (page 4 of 5)
by Frank Morton
When, Where, and How to Plant
In western Oregon, we sow seed in the last half of July. Gardeners in colder climates should sow earlier, and those in milder areas a little later. It's better to grow kale slowly through the warm periods, so it will be hardy into the post-frost season, when the flavor is best. Space plants 14 inches apart in all directions, or 12 inches apart in rows 2 feet apart. Most kales will grow into whatever space is provided, having larger leaves and thicker shoots as more room is available. Plants mature in 50 to 80 days.
Soil, water, nutrients. Growing requirements are about the same as those for cabbage: fertile soil, neutral pH, plenty of calcium, and water as needed. Excess nitrogen will cause sappy, frost-sensitive tissues.
Saving your own seed. By letting kales progress beyond the leafy stage, you get to try the delicious broccoli-like flowering shoots. They're so numerous and persistent, you'll always have plenty that go beyond the bud stage. These flowering buds make excellent edible blossoms to garnish salads and soups, and you'll find blossoms abuzz with bees and beelike syrphid flies. The earliest seed is ready by July, when the pods begin to turn dry and brown.
Pests and diseases. Botrytis (head rot) and black rot are the only diseases we find in our location, though kale may contract other diseases that affect the Brassica genus in your area. Botrytis causes leaves and the growing point to break down during wet, cold weather. Black rot causes spotting on leaves before the plant is mature. Both diseases are seed-borne and spread by spores on the wind or in the soil.
Cabbage aphids can be troublesome to drought- or heat-stressed plants at the end of summer. In our garden, syrphid fly larvae are major aphid predators on autumn kale. If these or ladybird beetles aren't doing the job, spray insecticidal soap, or blast the aphids away with a spray (high pressure, low volume) from the hose.
You may see greenish or yellow-green syrphid fly larvae among the aphids, chomping a hole right through the colony. In time these larvae will mature into hover fly or bee fly adults. Syrphid adults are very keen on kale flowers, where they drink nectar, mate, and eat the pollen that's required for egg laying. You see their white, rice-shaped 1/16-inch-long eggs attached to aphid-infested leaves, where the larvae will emerge and begin to dine.
If you find brassy-colored aphid "mummies," this is a sign that tiny parasitic wasps are aiding your efforts, and more of these beneficial wasps will soon hatch out of the parasitized aphids. Leave the mummies in place.


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Guidelines for Students on Educational Visits
1. General Points
As students, you will be ambassadors for your course, your College and, if going abroad, the country. Therefore you must aim to be a credit to the College, keep to the highest standards of behaviour and cooperate to ensure the success of the visit. An important point to remember is that what may be acceptable to you may not be considered acceptable by others. A College visit is for educational purposes and the standards of behaviour required of participating students will be those set out below by the College in Section 3.
2. Before the Visit
As students, you should:
- ensure that any medical information supplied by you at the start of the year is up to date. (Note all medical information will be kept confidential to the staff leading the visit.);
- for visits abroad, please ensure you have a valid passport (and visa for holders of foreign national passports). A European Health Insurance Card is also strongly recommended for visits to Europe;
- read, understand and agree to all guidelines, both general and specific, relating to the particular visit;
- ensure that you attend briefing meetings and obtain all the necessary information, forms, letters and other documentation;
- ensure that such information and letters are read by yourself and your parents or guardians and that consent forms are signed and returned to the College by the agreed date;
- take responsibility to check any areas of concern or potential concern;
- undertake all the necessary preparation work relating to the visit, e.g. the related research, course assignments/project work;
- be aware of the dress and equipment requirements for the visit and itinerary. Do check with the visit organisers if you are in any doubt about what is acceptable;
- ensure that you can get to the scheduled departure point in good time for the planned departure. The trip may have to leave without you;
- provide the trip organiser with a copy of your insurance information, if you have been asked to take out your own insurance for the trip (or if you prefer to do so).
3. During the Visit
3.1 Travelling
As students of the College, your behaviour while travelling must be acceptable. In particular, there must be:
- respect shown at all times to the party leaders;
- respect and consideration shown to other travellers and their property, e.g. no loud noise or litter;
- no consumption or purchase of alcohol while travelling;
- no smoking on coaches or in the College minibus;
- keep all essential medication on your person or in your hand luggage.
3.2 On Location
While on location, you must behave responsibly and show respect to party leaders, other citizens/guests and the Police. The College disciplinary procedures apply at all times throughout the visit. Consequently, students under 18 may not consume alcohol and ALL students should not consume illegal substances at any time. Failure to observe this rule may lead to the student being sent home (at the parent/guardian's expense) and subjected to formal disciplinary proceedings.
For those over 18, alcohol consumption may only be permitted in appropriate social contexts, in the evening on residential visits e.g. a glass of wine with a meal. In particular, students over 18 may not:
- purchase or consume alcohol on journeys;
- consume alcohol prior to any physical activity, e.g. swimming, climbing, etc., as accidents could occur;
- purchase alcohol for students under the age of 18.
However, any student over 18 whose inappropriate behaviour indicates an excessive consumption of alcohol, will be considered to have committed an act of misconduct and may be sent home.
The following are also not permitted:
- smoking, except in an appropriate social context in the evening;
- smoking and drinking alcohol in sleeping accommodation, i.e. hotel room;
- the sharing of rooms by students of different genders;
- loud noise or misbehaviour of any kind in residential accommodation;
- damage to property or vandalism of any kind. Charges for breakages will be deducted from a deposit paid prior to the trip. If this does not cover the cost, additional charges may be made.
Students over 18 are required to observe the same rules as other students on the visit and show respect and follow instructions of staff.
4. General Safety and Security
Students must take care not to put themselves at risk, particularly:
- listen carefully to instructions/planned changes to itinerary which may occur on the day;
- do not go off alone when on residential visits, at home or abroad, and preferably stay in groups of three or four when allowed time unsupervised by a member of staff;
- when abroad, resist any temptation to get into heated discussions or arguments with groups of local inhabitants;
- always obtain prior permission from the party leader(s) of exactly where you are going and agree a return time, which must be earlier than 12.00 midnight. You must sign in on return and must not leave the premises again;
- you will not be allowed to hire cars, motorbikes or scooters.
5. After the Visit
You will be required to:
- attend a debriefing meeting;
- contribute to a report on the visit;
- complete all related follow-up assignments, course or project work by the agreed deadline.
6. Failure to Adhere to Guidelines
Any misbehaviour, breaking of agreed rules, or failure to keep to the guidelines as set out above may result in:
- you being returned home immediately at your own or your parents' expense;
- formal disciplinary action being taken, which may include expulsion from the course and College.
However, we are confident that you will, like the vast majority of those taking part in educational visits over the last few years, behave impeccably. We hope that you have an enjoyable and successful trip.


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Blueberry Pancakes!
Looking to impress your fam one morning? Do it with these quick, easy, and delish pancakes!
What you need:
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 2 tbsp baking powder
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1 cup soy milk or almond milk
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- Fresh blueberries, to taste
Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, blueberries, and salt in a large bowl until well mixed.
Mix in the soy milk and oil and beat together until batter is smooth.
Drop 1/4 cup of batter at a time onto a hot oiled griddle, or well greased frying pan over medium high heat. When bubbles appear on the surface of the pancake, approximately 3 minutes, flip, and cook the other side for another 2 minutes.
Stay loud!


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New summoning details have been revealed in regards to "Super Smash Bros 4" for Wii U and 3DS. According to a report from Badger Herald on April 17, Nintendo revealed that the Master Ball will be added to the list of items for the crossover fighting title. The publisher previously confirmed the return of the Poke Ball as well.
The Master Ball is used to summon rare and legendary pocket monsters, including Xerneas from "Pokemon X" and "Pokemon Y," when picked up and thrown to the ground. The other potential creatures that could be called upon include Arceus, Darkrai, Deoxys, Dialga, Entei, Giratina, Keldeo, Kyurem, Kyogre, Latias, Latios, Lugia, Meloetta, Mew, Palkia, Suicune and Victini. The item can be differentiated by its purple coloring as well as the "M" logo.
The Poke Ball will be used in "Super Smash Bros 4" for Wii U and 3DS to summon the more common creatures. Among the returning cast of pocket monsters that appeared in previous "Super Smash Bros" games includes Bellossom, Electrode, Gardevoir, Goldeen, Meowth, Metagross, Snorlax, Staryu and Togepi. Furthermore, the development teams also added the following newcomers from the "Pokemon X and "Pokemon Y" video games: Chespin, Dedenne, Fennekin, Gogoat, Inkay, Spewpa and Swirlix. The four other new creatures are Eevee, Oshawott, Snivy and Zoroark.
In the previous games in the series, Nintendo give players the option of turning off the Poke Ball drops when playing custom battles. The same feature should be made available in "Super Smash Bros 4" for Wii U and 3DS. You can compare the Master Ball and Poke Ball items in the screen from the official Facebook page of the series with the photo added near the top of this article. "Super Smash Bros 4" for Wii U will be released during the winter while "Super Smash Bros 4" for 3DS is due to be launching during the summer.
Suggested Links
- Zero Suit Samus, 'Super Smash Bros 4' Wii U and 3DS score system detailed
- 'Super Smash Bros. 4' Wii U and 3DS director talks Greninja's unique abilities
- 'Super Smash Bros 4' Wii U and 3DS roster adds two playable female characters
- 'Super Smash Bros 4' Wii U and 3DS roster adds new 'Pokemon X and Y' characters
- 'Super Smash Bros 4' Wii U and 3DS boss details, Ridley hints and more posted


text: Jul 31, 2013 21:56 Creative Louisiana meeting Friday Creative Louisiana meeting Friday Advocate staff report July 23, 2013; 6:46 p.m. Comments Creative Louisiana, a monthly gathering for creative types, will meet Friday at Magpie Cafe at 3205 Perkins Road in Baton Rouge. The featured speaker will be Alex V. Cook, an author, journalist, critic and teacher, who will talk about living the creative life. The event starts at 8:30 a.m. for coffee and networking, followed by a 9 a.m. lecture, then group discussion. For more information about Creative Louisiana, visit creativelouisiana.com. Get The Advocate in your inbox Subscribe


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- Ontogeny, Anatomy, Metabolism and Physiology of the Thyroid
- Chapter 2 Thyroid Hormone Synthesis and Secretion
- Thyroid Hormone Serum Transport Proteins: Structure, Properties, Genes and Transcriptional regulation
- Cellular Uptake of Thyroid Hormones
- Metabolism of Thyroid Hormone
- Cellular Action of Thyroid Hormone
- Physiology of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary Thyroidal System
- Effects of the Environment, Chemicals and Drugs on Thyroid Function
- The Non-Thyroidal Illness Syndrome
- Assay of Thyroid Hormones and Related Substances
- Clinical Strategies in the Testing of Thyroid Function
- Ultrasonography of the Thyroid
- Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy of the Thyroid Gland
- Evaluation of Thyroid Function in Health and Disease
- Autoimmunity to the Thyroid Gland
- Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
- Adult Hypothyroidism
- Graves' Disease and the Manifestations of Thyrotoxicosis
- Diagnosis and Treatment of Graves' Disease
- Chapter 12 Graves' Disease: Complications
- Thyrotoxicosis of other Etiologies
- Thyrotropin-Secreting Pituitary Adenomas
- Thyroid Regulation and Dysfunction in the Pregnant Patient
- Thyroid Hormones in Brain Development and Function
- Disorders of the Thyroid Gland in Infancy, Childhood and Adolescence
- TSH Receptor Mutations and Diseases
- Genetic Defects in Thyroid Hormone Supply
- Abnormal Thyroid Hormone Transport
- Impaired Sensitivity to Thyroid Hormone: Defects of Transport, Metabolism and Action
- Multinodular Goiter
- Thyroid Nodules
- Thyroid Cancer
- Acute and Subacute, and Riedel's Thyroiditis
- Chapter 20 The Iodine Deficiency Disorders
- Chapter 21 Surgery of the Thyroid


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Chances are it's too late for me to be a Swede. And that's a pity, because from what I'm seeing, Sweden is a nearly perfect place to live. more
Of course it was awesome, because everything is awesome, because awesome is the go-to word when you're a 13-year-old who is, well, awesome. Last week, my granddaughter and I and her iPhone . . . more
This spring, for the first time, my husband and I were houseguests. Up until now, our policy has been no sleepovers. If we visit friends, we prefer to have our own sleeping space in a nearby B&B or motel. more
I hope people judge me by my friends. There isn't a clinker among them. Everyone brings something to the table. more
You may think this doesn't have relevance for you, but you're wrong, my friend. You may be 40 years old, running 7-minute miles and sprinting up the corporate ladder, but believe me, you need to focus on your old age — now. more
A shocking front-page story in last Friday's New York Times caught my eye. Its title was, "Experts Find Flaws in Trump Plan for Wall." That seemed the understatement of the year. more
5/26/16 | 6 comments
Dylan's mom and Daniel's dad write to me often. In truth, I dread reading their emails; their words darken the day. But how wrenching it must be to write those words. These parents are leaders of the Sandy Hook Promise Foundation . . . more
5/19/16 | 3 comments
The poet Dante Alighieri famously said, "The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in periods of moral crisis, maintain their neutrality." Five months ago, when many of us realized that Donald Trump's nomination was an awful possibility, I evoked this quotation . . . more
5/12/16 | 17 comments
We all have our individual tipping points. Call it the moment when you start screaming at the TV. I began to crack around the edges last week . . . more
5/5/16 | 1 comment
Every 3-year-old knows you can jump online and Google anything from where to buy a tasty new pacifier to how to cram for a top-tier preschool's entrance exam. If you need to know it . . . more


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What are the arguments against using manuscripts from the Cairo Geniza? Are there any Seforim / articles that discuss this debate?
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There was an article in Tradition journal which discussed some of the arguments for and against using manuscripts in Halakha (which is what I'm assuming the questioner is looking for). It is linked here, but I'll summarize some of the main sources that would be relevant to dealing with this question (
While the position of the Mishkenos Yaakov is followed by the Aruch Hashulchan (O.C. 345:17), the Teshuvos Beis Efraim (O.C. 26-27) argues based on the aforementioned Urim VeTumim. Shulchan Aruch Harav, in his siddur, says that one should be strict regarding the sale of chametz because of new manuscripts of the Rishonim that have come to light that wouldn't have been considered by the earlier Achronim. Also on the side of using manuscripts we have R. Yaakov Ettlinger, (Shu"t Binyan Zion 69), who bases a ruling upon a newly discovered version of a Geonic teshuva. This also appears to be the opinion of the Mishna Berurah, as he approvingly cites the newly published Rabbeinu Chananel on Shabbos and uses it to argue upon the version cited by the Ran (Siman 340, Biur Halacha 'bein beyad'). It should be noted, however, that in almost all of the above cases, manuscript evidence was used to rule strictly, not leniently.
The Chazon Ish (Letters vol. III no. 48) says that because the Shulchan Aruch was not actually based solely on the majority rule between the Rambam, Rif, and Rosh (despite its author's introduction), we can't use manuscripts to argue on the Shulchan Aruch, which was accepted anyway. Furthermore, he implies (Eiruvin 67:12) that we shouldn't rely on the newly published Rabbeinu Chananel because, as it hasn't been in use for centuries could therefore contain serious typographical errors. (This observation is also noted by the Seridei Eish in several places as well). In Letters of the Chazon Ish (vol. I no. 32) he also seems angry that someone should try to answer a question in the Gemara based on textual variations, and in vol. 3. letter 2, he clarifies that this is because the accepted version of the Gemara is due to divine providence.
Similarly, R. Moshe Feinstein would dismiss newly discovered writings that ran contrary to his opinion (see Iggeros Moshe E.H. vol. 1 63:6, Y.D. II:7 and Y.D. III:14, plus more).
A further issue is where a manuscript was discovered from an author who isn't known to us as a talmid chacham. R. Ben Zion Uziel writes (Choshen Mishpat, Tinyana 6:2) that we follow Rishonim because of their personal greatness, not the era in which they happened to have lived, and so just because a work is old doesn't make it reliable.
Aside from one or two extra sources, all of this came from the article linked above: Moshe Bliech, "The Role of Manuscripts in Halakhic Decision Making: Hazon Ish, his Predecessors and Contemporaries", Tradition 27:2 (Winter 1993)
There is a similar question relating to the writings of Rabbi Menachem Meiri and would seem to be equally applicable to the question of the Cairo Geniza: Quoting wikipedia:
I just ran across some additional sources regarding this issue in a comment on the Rationalist Judaism blog ( quoting ):


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When I was 5, I saw a wall of wool, colors arranged in spectral order and it was all over. Mom taught me to knit soon thereafter. Both my parents were artists so they taught me all I could hold. When it comes to yarn in any form I simply cannot resist. Since then I've shown my knitted wearable art, written two books on knitting/spinnig and teach spinning on the national level.
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Project Objective: To design a performing arts high school for a site in Chicago. This assignment was done with a partner, and led to a different design process than the one I had developed over the previous year.
Like the cruise terminal, in this project, I gave great focus to the user interface of the building. I took this opportunity to re-imagne the possibilities of high school architecture. Many problems exist with the plans of older high schools, such as bottlenecked hallways, lack of lighting, boring circulation, lack of open meeting places, etc. To fix these problems we created a building with no hallways. People circulate to different areas within the building through programmed spaces. Essentially leaving the plan completely open and only designing partitions for classrooms that needed sound & visual isolation. We coined the term 'Living Space' to describe the open areas of the building that people circulate through. The living space incorporates various programs such as classrooms, studios, dining, discussion areas, peformance area, gallery spaces, and un-programmed spaces.
Aside from design practice this project was greatly beneficial in learning tools such as AutoCad, and Illustrator.


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The many faces of Jewish Mexico
By Vivienne Stanton Original Print Publication: April, 2009
A word used again and again by both Jews and non-Jews to describe the Jewish community in Mexico to me as I researched this story was cerrada--closed. "Wealthy" was another. "They live in Polanco," one taxi driver told me knowingly, speaking of the swanky Mexico City neighborhood where Orthodox Jews in black hats share park space with manicured Mexican mommies and synagogues share blocks with high-rise hotels and Hummer dealerships. "They help each other out," was another lay opinion. As with most stereotypes, I found elements of truth in all of the above. What I wanted to know was whether Jews have integrated into Mexican culture, or are just another group who happen to live here. More explicitly, what makes Mexican Jews different from Jews anywhere else in the world?
Image:Gunther Saghún
Monica Unikel's tours uncover the Jewish history of Mexico City's Centro Histórico.
Related Multimedia
Mexico's 40,000-strong Jewish community is unique and varied, and made up of several communities, each with distinct flavors and traditions. They were also incredibly welcoming to me. As an Australian Jew living in the Distrito Federal, I was invited to eat cholent (a traditional slow-cooked stew served on Sabbath) at a Kiddush after a Saturday synagogue service; to join in several Shabbat dinners (which I regretfully had to turn down); and even attend a Jewish women's cooking class, a frenzied extravaganza in a Polanco synagogue where 300 religious women, most in long skirts and wigs, sat before a giant stage for a multimedia class on how to concoct kosher delights such as "Extraordinary Rice" and home-made challot, traditional plaited bread loaves. I'm not sure how much this welcome was because I was Jewish, and therefore accepted into the tribe, or was a Jewish adaptation of the Mexican standard "mi casa es tu casa." If the latter, it was one of many mexicanisms that the Jewish community has adopted, ranging from mariachis at weddings to gefilte fish a la Veracruzana.
"If you compare Mexico to any other place where Jews live it's a little paradise," says Jessica Kreimerman Lew over tea and banana bread at CasaLuna, an interfaith community center with a plant-filled courtyard, wind chimes, and a welcome sign on the door in Hebrew and Spanish. A self-described "insider/outsider" to the Jewish community, Kreimerman is a tall, slim woman with flowing, light brown hair and intense green eyes. "They came with the idea that anybody who works can do well, and they did very well, and they had the religious freedom many could only have dreamed of in the countries they came from." Before I leave, she wraps a piece of banana bread in a napkin for me to take home, just like my Jewish aunt would do.


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WHAT YOU NEED: GENERAL: Sewing machine Needles, Thread, Pins FOR WHEAT BAG: Wheat for filling 2/3 m Calico - this is great as it breathes! Lavender Oil FOR COVERS: Scraps of different cotton/felt: coloured, spotted, striped, floral (small print not massive) Buttons Fabric pens Different Coloured Embroidery Thread Embroidery Needles Dakron for stuffing ears, beaks, trunks WHAT TO DO TO MAKE YOUR WHEAT BAG: Fold your calico in half and cut out the basic shape that you would like your wheat bag/animal to be (you can make this whatever size you like). For Kanoa's owl wheatbag she used a basic rectangular shape. Because your calico was folded, you should have two of the exact same shapes cut out! Keeping the two pieces you have cut out together, sew the calico pieces together by stitching around three of the edges. Note: Double-stitching is always great for added strength! (you will need to sew the fourth edge once the wheat has been put in). You should now have a calico pocket. Turn this inside out so that the edges are on the inside, for a neater look. Fill your calico pocket about 2/3 full with wheat and add a drop or two of lavendar oil to make it smell great! Once you have filled your bag with wheat, sew up the fourth side to close it off. TO MAKE YOUR WHEATBAG COVER This is the part where you can get creative and do whatever you like, but you need to start with the basic cover to slip over your wheat bag. You will need to make your basic cover to be like a pillow slip that is the same size and shape as your wheat bag inner – so at the back the fabric will overlap over the hole where you slip in your wheat bag like this: Once you have sewn your basic cover, you can use pieces of felt and other fabric to decorate your wheatie bag cover like an animal or however you'd like it to look. You can also use embroidery thread to add in extra detail. You can use whatever you like for decorations but remember that you should take the wheatbag out of the cover before you heat it. TIP: You can put wheat bags into the freezer to use as a cool pack for sports injuries or you can pop it into the microwave with a cup of water and heat it up for chilly nights or to soothe sore muscles. WHY PUT A CUP OF WATER IN THE MICROWAVE TOO? The cup of water stops the wheat inside the wheat bag from getting too dry and burning you, so if you're heating up your wheat bag in the microwave make sure you put a cup of water in with it!!!
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Tyson's 28 Points Push PCC Past MACU
ELIZABETH CITY—Mike Tyson came up big for Pitt Community College Monday night, finishing with 28 points, 17 rebounds and three blocked shots to lead the Bulldogs past Mid-Atlantic Christian University, 96-81.
The victory was Pitt's seventh straight, making the Bulldogs 7-1 overall this season as they head into an 11-day break for final exams. PCC's next match will take place Dec. 15, when the Bulldogs welcome Region X Conference-foe Guilford Tech to the Charles Coburn Center for a 3 p.m. tipoff.
Against the Mustangs on Monday, PCC and MACU traded baskets for the first five minutes of the second half, which began with the teams tied at 44-all. But with 15 minutes remaining and Pitt trailing 56-55, the Bulldogs orchestrated a 24-8 run to pull away for good.
PCC's largest lead of the game was 22 points, and the Mustangs never got any closer than 15 points in the contest's final 10 minutes.
Six players finished in double figures scoring for Pitt. In addition to Tyson, Dee Robinson scored 15 points to go along with 10 assists and a pair of steals. James Nolen added 14 points and nine boards, and JaQuan Blount tallied 12 points, 10 assists and five steals.


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Hello again all. I had an idea to make my writings, rants and blabs more interactive. I'm calling it Dog Park Moments and it is based on what I see when I go to the local dog parks with my dog. Currently, I visit 2 different dog parks in my area that will go unnamed and I plan on visiting as many new ones as I can. I do so twice a week and there is never a shortage of moments we can all breakdown, analyze n learn from. Plus some of you will now get the same joy I do out of making fun of the modern dog owner in the convenience of your own homes, and don't worry... this is in addition to my regular articles so you won't be spared my searing wit and insurmountable genius. (Also because the editor wants me to do more than 1 article every two months. I say pay me more, but, whatever...) So here's how this works... Every month or so I'm going to tell you what I saw at a local park or on the street or wherever, and you comment on (argue) what you think is right or what should be done based on what our laws are, or dog behavior, or just what you think is right when it comes to good dog handling. I will respond with what I think and/or who I thought had some of the better ideas/comments in my next DPM segment. Here goes our first try: There were approximately 10 dogs in the main fenced area of the park. Everything was calm. Dogs were socializing, humans were chatting- no issues. A middle aged woman enters the park with 2 mongrel dogs (mixed breed dogs of more than 2 breeds. I.E.- a shepherd/husky mix bred to a retriever/terrier mix). Both looked to be roughly 20lbs and Italian greyhound was definitely the most prominent breed they resembled. The woman had also claimed that that was what they were crossed with and both were about a year and a few months old. As some dogs do, they entered the park quite nervously. As their handler (owner, "mom" or whatever you wanna call her) walked to the middle of the main area, they followed, and about 4 - 5 members of the established group pursued them sniffing and investigating these new little dogs. They were not the smallest dogs in the area. There was a shih tzu in the area as well that had been there for at least 15 minutes already. One of the new dogs handled the stress of being investigated like a champ. He hung by mom and played it cool. Eventually, the inspections were over and he was left alone to do whatever he may. The other responded in true Italian greyhound fashion and ran! He was feeling so stressed by the poking, sniffing and probing that he did the only thing a greyhound brain would tell his body to do and he went from zero to sixty in mere seconds. When this happened, 3 of the other dogs gave chase. Not an odd behavior for a dog, but one of the 3 was about a 70-80lbs. shepherd mix. All the dogs, including this little greyhound mix, were playing, but for those of you who remember my previous dog park article and my pit bull article, they were not all playing the same game. This shepherd was trying to catch that greyhound like it was a runaway rabbit. After about 5 minutes of watching this and not one of the other dog owners doing anything about it, 2 people said they were going to go tell this woman she should move her dogs to the separate small dog area of the park. I saw a heated argument coming and headed them off at the pass so everything stayed civil, and no one would say anything wrong or stupid or would make me nauseous and angry (Yes, damn it...I did it for my own sanity). When one angry owner told her that her dogs could get hurt and she should be in the small dog area, the woman replied "I can't. They aren't good with small dogs". She explained they were too rough with the other small dogs and doesn't want them to hurt others. I will state that at no time did any dog show any signs of open aggression, however, the shepherd mix was looking to grab the greyhound by the neck when he tried to catch him. Luckily, he missed every time. I'll tell you what I think and what I explained to all parties involved next time. For now, make this interesting and leave a comment below. Also, look out for my next column due out in about 2 weeks- Modern Dog Training. It's about where the industry is right now. There is a brief interview and I explain why dog trainers should be ashamed of themselves.
A new segment: Dog Park Moments
Use your key for the next article


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Hey everyone! Merry Christmas, even if it is a day late! I'm really busy with last minute moving details, but I wanted to write a blog post anyway to see how everyone was doing. What did y'all get for Christmas? I got a few odds and ends, but the big thing I wanted was […]Read More
Tag Archives: western riding
Wranglin' Wednesdays – Not Awesome, Possum
Whoa, readers! These last few days have been a whirlwind of packing, room dust, and more packing. Moving is hard! Enough complaining, though, because this week's subject is pretty important, at least to me. EPM. Kind of run-of-the-mill, yeah? Gimme' a chance to explain how it's not. Horses getting sick can be scary, because […]Read More
Wranglin' Wednesdays – Go Against The Grain!
How's it going, audience? Good? Good. Me, I'm sitting here on my living room couch, procrastinating on packing my room up until the last minute, as usual. As I sat, I thought of something: hey, wouldn't my blog readers like to read about how to catch a difficult horse in the pasture? I don't […]Read More
Wranglin' Wednesdays – Sack Your Horse!
Oh no, it's that time again! Time for Katie to tell y'all some ridiculous fact, or rant about why you should, or shouldn't, do that whatever it is with your horse. What I wanna' discuss this week is sacking out your horse. Maybe not so ridiculous after all? Sacking out, in essence, is desensitizing a […]Read More
Wranglin' Wednesdays – Sour Horses
Hey readers! Hope you're having a good week, filled with plenty of horsey goodness. Today, I want to talk about why the terms "buddy sour" or "herd sour" are ridiculous words coined by the traditional equestrian world. If you're particularly attached to those phrases, now might be a good time not to be. For those […]Read More
Wranglin' Wednesdays – So, Your Horse Abuses You
We interrupt your productive work week to bring you this post about: disrespectful/dangerous horses. First things first, I'm Katie, and your Wednesdays will now be filled with me yammering about horses! As one of my favorite cowboys (hint: John Lyons) once said, "If a horse bites you, you got two seconds to kill it". (Don't […]Read More


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The Flight of Gemma Hardy by Margot Livesey
Release date: 2012 / 480 pages
Synopsis(from Amazon): Taken from her native Iceland to Scotland in the early 1950s when her widower father drowns at sea, young Gemma Hardy comes to live with her kindly uncle and his family. But his death leaves Gemma under the care of her resentful aunt, and she suddenly finds herself an unwelcome guest. Surviving oppressive years at a strict private school, Gemma ultimately finds a job as an au pair to the eight-year-old niece of Mr. Sinclair on the Orkney Islands—and here, at the mysterious and remote Blackbird Hall, Gemma's greatest trial begins…
Review: When I heard a "revisioning" of Jane Eyre was out, I was trepidacious. I first read Bronte's classic for pleasure as an adolescent, then on assignment (multiple times) as an undergraduate and for my Master's program, and eventually taught it to Advanced Placement Literature students. I can safely state that I am more familiar with Jane Eyre than with any other novel — and I somehow loved it a little bit more each time I read or taught it. So, I was afraid any reinterpretation would be woefully deficient and I would be forced to charge any contemporary author who attempted this with hubris.
However, I loved Gemma Hardy! This novel is not only a testament to Bronte's original genius — exemplifying that her original narrative transcends time, culture, country and taste — but Livesey has also created a wonderfully original heroine in Gemma who is able to stand on her own two plucky feet. Livesey was wise to choose the time period of the 1950's and add Iceland to the heroine's search for identity — these two changes are different enough to allow the reader to enjoy the story for its own merits and not merely compare the two tales.
But there are enough parallels to allow happy reminiscing of Jane Eyre, too — and Livesey keeps the qualities we love about Jane alive in Gemma — her intelligence and spirit. So I happily, surprisingly, wholeheartedly recommend this novel. It would be a joy for a book club to discuss in tandem with Jane Eyre, but would stand alone as a great read on its own merits, too.
Interested in winning a free copy? Leave me a comment below and I'll choose a winner soon!
Here are the other stops on the tour, too:
Tuesday, June 26th: The Lost Entwife
Wednesday, June 27th: Peeking Between the Pages
Thursday, June 28th: The Feminist Texican [Reads]
Friday, June 29th: Book Reviews, Fiction Reflections, ' More!
Monday, July 2nd: Twisting the Lens
Tuesday, July 3rd: Walking With Nora
Wednesday, July 4th: Bibliosue
Thursday, July 5th: Bibliophiliac
Monday, July 9th: Life in the Thumb
Tuesday, July 10th: Book Club Classics!
Wednesday, July 11th: Laura's Reviews
Thursday, July 12th: Broken Teepee
Tuesday, July 17th: The 3 R's: Reading, 'Riting, and Randomness
Wednesday, July 18th: My Bookshelf
Thursday, July 19th: Lit and Life


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Sick of the vampire craze yet? I certainly hope not, because despite the recent onslaught of vampire themed movies and television shows, there's a whole lot more coming our way – and I don't mean the next installment of the Twilight series.
As mentioned earlier, the new Sam Worthington project Dracula Year Zero is currently in the works. It will apparently be a retelling of the famous vampire story and has a rumored budget of 100 million dollars.
Then there's Vlad, an upcoming film by Summit Entertainment that will examine the early years of Vlad the Impaler (the original inspiration for Bram Stoker's Dracula). The film has been in the works for a while now, but news is now coming from The Hollywood Reporter that film scribe Scott Kosar (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake, The Machinist, The Crazies) has been brought in to work on the script (originally written by actor Charlie Hunnam).
The movie is said to be an "action-oriented look at Dracula, or Vlad the Impaler, as a young prince." Since Vlad the Impaler was a pretty nasty guy (as the name implies), it could be a pretty good answer for vampire fans who aren't quite satisfied with the Twilight movies.
Vlad is being produced by Brad Pitt's Blan B, and currently has music video director Anthony Mandler on board to direct.


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Pretty cool right? BlackBerry Messenger is getting more social than ever. What more could you want then being able to share your PIN with all your Facebook friends? Follow the instructions below to post your PIN on your Facebook profile.
Enter your BlackBerry PIN to generate your unique barcode your friends can scan to chat with you instantly. It's easy to do and you can show it off it in three fun ways:
1. Show it off on your Facebook profile pic
2. Feature it on your Facebook profile page
3. Share it on your BlackBerry screen
Make one now: http://apps.facebook.com/bb_barcodegenerator
-by Mac Jadalhack


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Charles E Butler
Main Address:
George Bryan Golf Academy
1080 Mount Vernon Church Rd
Chapin, SC 29036-8599
(803) 781-2063
1080 Mount Vernon Church Rd
Chapin, SC 29036-8599
(803) 781-2063
Charles Butler is a PGA Professional in Chapin, SC. The PGA of America comprises 27,000 men and women professionals with one singular goal in mind - to make the game of golf more enjoyable for you.
Services Offered:
- Instruction
Professional has not entered award information.
Home » Golf Courses » South Carolina » Irmo » Charles E Butler
PGA of America Championships
Harbor Shores
Benton Harbor, Mich.
Sahalee Country Club
Sammamish, Wash.
Baltusrol Golf Club
Springfield, N.J.
Hazeltine National Golf Club
Chaska, Minn.


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Requests for Reprints: Warren Sherman, MD, Division of Cardiology, Mount Sinai Hospital, One Gustave Levy Place, New York, NY 10029.
Current Author Addresses: Drs. Sherman, Hershman, Cohen, Ambrose, and Gorlin: Division of Cardiology, Mount Sinai Hospital, One Gustave Place, New York, NY 10029.
Dr. Lazzam: Toronto General Hospital, Eaton Building, 200 Elizabeth Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G ZC4.
©1989 American College of PhysiciansAmerican College of Physicians
Study Objective: To determine the clinical variables affecting outcome after balloon aortic valvuloplasty.
Design: Longitudinal follow-up of consecutive case series.
Patients: Consecutive sample of 36 patients with severe calcific aortic stenosis, and without active infection or left ventricular mural thrombus.
Interventions: Percutaneous transluminal dilatation of the aortic valve until the peak gradient was reduced by 50% or a maximal balloon size was used. Hemodynamic measurements taken before and after dilatation.
Measurements and Main Results: Thirty-three patients had a successful dilatation. Eighty-nine percent (95% confidence interval [CI], 74% to 97%) improved symptomatically at 2 weeks, but by 26 weeks only 56% (CI, 35% to 76%) remained improved (P = 0.0078). Mortality rates were high at 8 (9%) and 26 (28%) weeks. Predictors of adverse events included left ventricular ejection fraction (P = 0.04, r = 0.46), pulmonary artery systolic pressure (P = 0.048, r = 0.65), pulmonary vascular resistance (P = 0.008, r = 0.69), and right ventricular end-diastolic pressure (P = 0.009, r = 0.43) at 8 weeks and all these factors except left ventricular ejection fraction at 26 weeks. These clinical outcomes were unrelated to other cardiac or pulmonary diseases.
Conclusions: Symptomatic improvement is only temporary in many patients undergoing balloon aortic valvuloplasty, and the mortality rate in the mid-term follow-up period is high. Valve surgery remains the treatment of choice for aortic stenosis in the adult.
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Why are we there?
- Armed conflict
- Endemic/epidemic disease
- Health care exclusion
South Sudan: Latest MSF Updates
- South Sudan: Report Details UN's Failures in Protecting Civilians in Malakal
- MSF Internal Review of the February 2016 Attack on the Malakal Protection of Civilians Site and the Post-Event Situation
- The Patients Who Climb Trees: Treating Pediatric Injuries
- South Sudan: Protecting Children from Preventable Diseases
- South Sudan: Treating Children Suffering from Malnutrition in Aweil
- Snakebite: A Neglected Public Health Emergency
- Sydney Morning Herald: South Sudan Hospital Run by Refugees
Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has worked in the region that today constitutes the Republic of South Sudan since 1983. Today, we employ more than 3,000 South Sudanese staff and 330 international staff to respond to a wide range of medical emergencies and provide free and high quality health care to people in need in 17 project locations across seven of South Sudan's 10 states and the Abyei Special Administrative Area.
MSF is particularly concerned about the precarious health situation inside UN Protection of Civilians (PoC) camps in Bentiu and Malakal, where tens of thousands of new residents have arrived in recent months. In both the PoCs, humanitarian resources are under strain and MSF teams are treating spikes in disease, including malaria, diarrhea, respiratory tract infections, and malnutrition.
2015 activities by the numbers
(January 1–February 29, 2016)
- 110,822 outpatient consultations, of which 44,727 were for children under five years old
- 31,901 patients treated for malaria
- 6,729 patients provided hospital care, of which 2,768 were children under five years old
- 2,148 surgical operations and 622 war-wounded treated
- 1,628 babies delivered
MSF Operations in Response to the Medical Needs in South Sudan
MSF condemns the outrageous violence in the Malakal Protection of Civilians (PoC) site on February 17 and 18, which claimed the lives of 19 people, including two MSF staff. The violence left humanitarian facilities destroyed and thousands of civilian shelters burned to the ground. The population of 47,000 who were sheltering in the camp at the time of the attack had already suffered through two years of conflict and displacement and were living in inhumane and overcrowded conditions. With large sections of the camp now destroyed, protection of civilians and a sustained humanitarian effort is required to provide basic life-saving services to the affected population. MSF strongly condemns the attack, which is yet another instance of brutality in a conflict marked by utter lack of respect for the lives and dignity of civilians. At the same time, MSF calls on all armed actors to respect the provision of medical assistance to vulnerable populations in the wake of the unacceptable looting and ransacking of its medical center in Pibor. Thousands of residents fled to the bush to escape the violence with no access to assistance. In this moment of immense medical need, MSF has launched an urgent response, but its capacity to respond to medical needs in Pibor, Lekuangole, and Gumuruk has been severely diminished as a result of this unacceptable looting.
MSF Condemns Outrageous Attack in UN Protection Site in Malakal
Two MSF staff were among 19 people killed during brazen and unacceptable violence in the PoC site in Malakal on February 17 and 18. At least one of the two MSF staff died while attempting to assist the wounded. In total, MSF treated 108 people injured in the fighting, 46 of whom suffered from gunshot wounds. MSF has received further reports that other people who tried to put out fires or help the wounded were targeted and shot. Large sections of the camp were destroyed, including medical and humanitarian services, as well as thousands of civilian shelters. MSF had warned previously that living conditions in the camp had already been overcrowded and jeopardized the health of the population due to poor hygiene, sanitation, and access to water. This was of particular concern as the 47,000 people seeking protection in the camp were already extremely vulnerable, having endured two years of displacement, conflict, violence against civilians, and destruction of their properties and livelihoods. Now, the population confronts yet another, far more severe humanitarian crisis.
In the wake of the destruction in the PoC, thousands of people are living in dire conditions, in sections of the camp not designed for human habitation and without adequate access to hygiene, sanitation, or shelter. The MSF hospital provides the bulk of the secondary health care available to the population. Teams are already seeing increased numbers of patients admitted for respiratory tract infections and diarrhea, illnesses which are associated with poor living conditions. A further 5,000 displaced people are now living in Malakal town, where MSF has begun to provide mobile clinics to provide basic primary health care to the population. Protection of the population, which continues to fear for its security, must be assured and the humanitarian response in the immediate aftermath of this tragedy must be sustained to improve the conditions of the population and prevent outbreaks of disease.
MSF Launches Urgent Medical Response in Pibor
After being forced to evacuate from the MSF compound amid heavy fighting in Pibor from February 23 to 25, MSF has resumed minimal medical operations in its looted facility in response to urgent medical needs. Amid intense fighting, the MSF team was forced to evacuate to the UN base due to the imminent possibility of being caught in the crossfire between armed groups. In the immediate aftermath, the medical team supported treatment of 36 wounded patients, including one six-year-old child suffering from a gunshot wound who died because it was impossible to provide the intensive care treatment needed. The team established a medical clinic and temporary hospitalization ward in the UN base, where 2,000 people are seeking shelter in substandard conditions, and almost two thirds of MSF's patients are children under five years old suffering from malaria, respiratory tract infections, or diarrhea.
In Pibor town, the MSF medical center was thoroughly looted in the wake of the fighting. Medical equipment, fuel, patients' beds, life-saving medicines, and therapeutic food used for treating malnourished children have all been stolen. MSF recently relocated back from the UN base to the MSF compound, where medical teams have resumed limited medical services. Thousands of people fled to the bush amid the recent fighting, where they have no access to medical assistance. MSF completed an assessment mission to Verthet, where teams treated three patients and encountered significant unmet health needs. However, the unacceptable looting of MSF's medical center has greatly reduced its capacity to respond to present needs or to sustain its programs in Pibor, Lekuangole, and Gumuruk at the level and scale that was previously provided. MSF strongly condemns this unacceptable attack on the provision of medical assistance. The situation on the ground remains tense and MSF demands that all armed actors respect the provision of health care.
Responding to Urgent Needs in Leer and Mayendit Counties
MSF is providing urgent medical assistance to vulnerable, conflict-affected populations in Leer and Mayendit counties with clinics in Leer Hospital and Thonyor as well as mobile medical and nutritional clinics. The population is this region has been heavily affected by conflict, including long-term displacement, destruction of shelters, and livelihoods. With the return of other humanitarian actors in 2016, MSF is beginning to finally see the number of children admitted in its therapeutic feeding programs decreasing. However, the population remains highly food insecure and dependent on humanitarian assistance for survival. A sustained humanitarian presence is urgently needed to prevent deterioration in the health of this extremely vulnerable population.
Other urgent medical needs MSF is addressing in the region are high levels of acute watery diarrhea, skin and eye infections, and respiratory tract infections; all of which are associated with the deplorable conditions in which people have been living while fleeing from conflict. The rainy season will begin in the coming months, along with accompanying annual outbreaks in life-threatening disease, which will increase the medical needs. MSF has been looted three times in Leer since conflict began. As a result of repeated lootings, MSF's capacity to provide medical assistance is greatly reduced from the scope and quality of services it was able to provide before the conflict began.
To escape the violence in Juba, tens of thousands of people sought refuge in UN compounds, where Protection of Civilians (PoC) sites were designated. MSF set up medical facilities in the Tomping and Juba House PoC sites, but spoke out about the deplorable living conditions there, and in other PoC sites in the country, throughout the year. With the gradual stabilization of medical needs, and as other organizations increased their activities, MSF's medical projects in the Juba PoC sites were handed over to the International Medical Corps, South Sudan Red Cross, and Health Link South Sudan in August.
Unity State
The rapidly worsening security situation in January forced the evacuation of international staff from Bentiu. In April MSF was forced to stop providing TB and HIV care in the hospital because of increased violence. The town's residents fled to the nearby UN compound, where the population swelled from 6,000 people to more than 22,000 in a matter of days.
By the end of the year, the number had increased to 40,000. At the PoC site, MSF maintained a 24-hour emergency room and provided more than 10,000 outpatient consultations, treated nearly 1,000 children for severe malnutrition, and performed 300 emergency surgical interventions, 83 percent of which were conflict-related—mostly gunshot wounds. Tens of thousands of children were vaccinated against measles inside and outside the PoC. MSF ran mobile clinics and set up both a general and an antenatal clinic for people outside the site. Another team maintained a program of comprehensive medical services for some 70,000 Sudanese refugees at Yida camp, and undertook a pneumococcal vaccination campaign—the first ever in a refugee setting. Some 10,000 children under the age of two were vaccinated. MSF also has various decentralized clinics and malaria points throughout the PoC.
In Leer, the international MSF team was evacuated in January due to increased insecurity. Shortly afterwards, 240 South Sudanese MSF hospital staff were forced to escape into the bush with their families and some of the most severely injured patients. By mid-April, the local population had begun to return to the town and in May medical activities resumed. By this time malnutrition in the area had reached crisis levels, and during May and June MSF treated more patients for malnutrition than in all of 2013. Along with the therapeutic feeding program, MSF also provides primary health care for the violence-affected, displaced population through mobile clinics.
South Sudan | A Hospital Destroyed, A Community Devastated
Jonglei State
Some 70,000 people fled the town of Bor as a result of violence and the state hospital was ransacked. In April, an MSF team helped the health ministry repair the hospital and resume basic medical activities. MSF now provides support in the emergency room, pharmacy, pediatric inpatient department, and with vaccinations. A team also treated people wounded during an attack at Bor airport. MSF had long supported Lankien Hospital, and in 2014 began emergency surgery to treat the increasing number of war wounded. Of the 910 major surgical interventions performed at the hospital, 76 percent were violence-related. There was also a massive outbreak of kala azar (visceral leishmaniasis) and more than 6,000 patients were treated.
Insecurity in Pibor in 2013 caused MSF to withdraw from a fixed health center and operate instead through mobile clinics. By July 2014, the situation had stabilized and MSF resumed activities in Pibor town, including basic health consultations, inpatient services, and maternity care. Teams also offered health care in nearby Gumuruk, Lekwongole, and Old Fangak, areas regularly affected by the war. In February 2016, MSF was forced to leave the compound in Pibor due to heavy fighting and shelter in the UN base on the other side of town. The MSF compound was then looted, and medical supplies, therapeutic food, and even patients beds were stolen. Anything that was not taken, including drugs and medical documents, was strewn around the compound. MSF continues to treat patients, particularly young children suffering from malaria and other infections, at the UN compound.
Upper Nile State
In a pre-existing project at Nasir Hospital, a monthly average of 4,100 consultations were carried out until heavy fighting broke out nearby. The town's population fled and the hospital was evacuated in May. MSF staff visiting in June found the hospital completely looted and the town deserted. They had no way of knowing the whereabouts or the health status of those who had fled.
Due to mounting insecurity, MSF had to stop working in the Malakal Public Hospital in April and rapidly opened a clinic in the PoC where 20,000 people were sheltering. In Melut, teams provided medical care to those people displaced by violence, which included treating them for kala azar and TB. As the health situation in the refugee camps stabilized over the year, MSF reduced its number of outpatient clinics.
Lakes State
MSF provided basic and specialist health care, including vaccinations, in Minkamman camp, Awerial.
Around 95,000 displaced people live in the camp, and more have settled in the surrounding areas. Teams carried out more than 52,000 outpatient consultations and 2,700 mental health consultations and also launched vaccination campaigns against measles, polio, cholera, and meningitis.
Following a measles outbreak in Cueibet county in late March, MSF provided support to the health ministry and organized a vaccination campaign against measles and polio which reached 32,700 children under five.
Northern Bahr El Ghazal State
In Pamat, close to the border with Sudan, MSF continued to offer basic and specialist medical care to people displaced by conflict. Staff distributed relief items and provided health consultations to new arrivals in December. Since 2008, MSF has supported Aweil Civil Hospital, with around-the-clock pediatric and maternity services, including high-risk and emergency obstetric care—more than 7,100 women were admitted to the maternity ward and over 1,500 complicated deliveries were assisted during the year. In addition, MSF treated more than 30,000 people for malaria in 2014—three times as many as the previous year.
MSF has also supported Yambio State Hospital in Western Equatoria state since 2008, with specialist pediatric and antenatal care, surgery, and treatment for HIV. There are more than 3,000 patients in the treatment program. In Warrap state, MSF runs a small hospital in Gogrial town providing basic and specialist care, including an operating theater for emergency surgery.
MSF continued to work in Agok, 25 miles south of Abyei, an area contested by Sudan and South Sudan. In the only hospital providing specialist services in the region, teams offered inpatient care, emergency surgery, maternity services, and an inpatient therapeutic feeding center. Early in the year a triage area and emergency room were also opened. Over 1,550 deliveries were assisted and 6,600 people were admitted to the hospital. In February, the mobile clinics run by MSF ceased due to security concerns, and in March outpatient services were handed over to the NGO GOAL.
Cholera Emergency Response
On May 15, the health ministry declared a cholera outbreak in Juba. MSF opened and ran five cholera treatment centers and three oral rehydration points, and provided technical assistance at Juba Teaching Hospital. MSF also responded to small outbreaks in Torit, Eastern Equatoria state, and in Malakal and Wau Shilluk, Upper Nile state.
This is an excerpt from MSF's 2014 International Activity Report:
Throughout 2014, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) responded to emergency medical needs arising from conflict while striving to maintain its pre-existing, essential health care programs in South Sudan.
When fighting broke out in the capital Juba at the end of 2013 and rapidly spread throughout the country, MSF started dispatching medical supplies and staff to critically affected locations. The number of projects had soon increased from 13 to more than 20 across nine states. Many people fled their homes and thousands hid in the bush. An estimated 1.5 million people remained internally displaced by the end of 2014.
Since the beginning of the crisis in South Sudan, MSF has called on all parties to respect the integrity of medical facilities, and to allow aid organizations to access affected communities. In January 2014, there was heavy fighting in the town of Leer, southern Unity state, and the MSF-supported hospital was looted and set alight. The provision of outpatient and inpatient care for children and adults, surgery, maternity services, treatment for HIV and tuberculosis (TB), and intensive care was interrupted for several months.
Medical care has come under attack time and again in South Sudan, with patients shot in their beds, wards burned to the ground, and medical equipment stolen. Hundreds of thousands of people have been denied lifesaving assistance because of these acts. MSF staff witnessed the gruesome aftermath of armed attacks and clashes in Malakal in Upper Nile state, when they discovered patients murdered inside the town's teaching hospital. After fighting in Bentiu in April, people who had been seeking shelter inside the hospital were killed on the grounds.
At the end of 2014, MSF had 3,996 staff in South Sudan. MSF has been working in the area that is now South Sudan since 1983.