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It's Day 6 of my 'Blowing the Dust Off' series of blogs. Today the lovely Jane Jackson is reminding us about her excellent novel, Eye of the Wind.
Grab a cuppa and enjoy…
Thanks so much for inviting me onto your blog, Jenny. Your brief was that guests should choose one of their books published at least two years ago. I have chosen 'Eye of the Wind.' I'm passionate about the characters, story and background in every book I've written, but this one is a special favourite. Why? Because Melissa and Gabriel have no choice but to keep secrets, from their families and each other. As the attraction between them grows, this creates enormous tension which is tough for them, but makes a gripping story.
As a professional writer for over four decades with thirty-two books published, I've learned a lot about my craft. A strong plot is important. But for me character comes first. The characters drive the story and if they don't grab and hold your interest, you're not likely to read on. There are so many new books published every week all begging for your attention.
One thing I learned to do (and passed on to my students when I was teaching the craft of novel writing) was give main character/s something to hide, something to protect, and something to overcome. This gave them greater depth, made them more real, while adding tension and conflict to the story. Something else I learned as a people-watcher –not nosiness but vital research – is that the reason someone gives for choosing a particular course of action might seem reasonable and logical. But that's never the full story. Look deeper and you'll see that there's more behind it, a pay-off that gives them something they want and feel they don't have.
e.g. Jo buys a lottery ticket every week and tells her family all the things she would do for them if she won. Taken at face value Jo's reason for doing the lottery is so she can be generous. But her underlying motive is to control her family by making them grateful to her. And this is because she feels unappreciated, taken for granted. I'm not suggesting that every time you meet someone you should second-guess their actions and behaviour, but occasionally looking a bit deeper can give you some terrific ideas for aspects of character.
Writers are often asked where they get their ideas from, what inspires them. Mine come from where I live – a creek-side village close to the third largest natural harbour in the world. Cornwall is an island within an island and has a long and varied history. When copper mining was at its height, tiny Gwennap parish was the wealthiest area in the world. The Packet Service based in Falmouth carried mail all over the globe and brought back bullion from British-owned sugar, coffee and tobacco plantations. News of victory against the French at Trafalgar, and the death of Admiral Lord Nelson, was carried ashore at Fish Strand Quay in Falmouth by Lt Lapenotiere, who hired a post chaise to take him to London. The first trials of nitro-glycerine, invented by Alfred Nobel, took place at Falmouth docks. William Bickford, a leather currier living in Truro, invented the first safety fuse for use in Cornish mines and quarries. These backgrounds, and more, have featured in my books.
I hope you enjoy this excerpt from 'Eye of the Wind.'
Her gaze was clear and candid, and a tiny frown puckered her forehead. 'You sound different.'
He smiled briefly. 'Not used to talking.'
'No, I don't mean your voice: I mean your mode of speech.'
He bent his head, clenching his teeth as tension cramped his gut. In France, speaking only Breton, his disguise a matter of life and death, it had been easy to remain in character. But here in his home county and with her… Looking up he shrugged. 'You're right, miss. I used to work closely with the master and I wanted to better myself. Picked up his way of talking. No offence intended.'
'No, no, I didn't mean – it was not a criticism, Gabriel, merely an observation. But one I should not have made.' Embarrassment had smothered her suspicion.
Torn between relief at avoiding potential danger and anger at his carelessness, he deliberately steered the conversation away from the past. 'May I wish you well for tomorrow?'
She drew a deep breath then blurted, 'I'll be glad when it's over.'
'No need to be nervous. You know what you're doing.'
'I hope so.' It was heartfelt, anxious. After a moment she admitted, 'My uncles don't share your confidence.'
'You know why, don't you?' He saw concern cloud her face. 'You are attempting something men believe can – should – only be done by another man.' One corner of his mouth lifted in brief irony. 'This is a severe threat to their dignity.'
She was silent then tossed her head. 'If their dignity is so fragile it must rest on very shaky foundations.'
'It does,' he confided. 'And that is a secret all men would prefer to remain hidden.'
'Her eyes widened. 'Really? No, you are not serious.'
'Indeed I am.'
Seeing his rueful smile, she gasped and blushed, covering her mouth with her fingertips. 'You should not say such things.'
'Perhaps. But there will be occasions when you find that knowledge helpful.'
Watching her visible struggle as she recollected herself and withdrew from his unexpected and startling candour he realized that, despite being out in society, she had not acquired the usual veneer of arch sophistication he would have expected in a young woman of her background. And found himself fiercely glad.
She cleared her throat. 'About – about the wood…'
It was a deliberate if reluctant retreat from an intimacy he should have resisted. Gabriel knew he must let her go. He turned away and set the basket on the ground. 'Why don't you take a day or two to think about it, miss?'
'But what you said – about the other trees being more valuable. Would they really raise a lot of money quickly?'
Watching her blush deepen and her lashes flutter down as she realized how much her question revealed, Gabriel wondered just how desperate a financial crisis her father had left her to deal with. Picking up the last stone he began tying it onto a corner of the canvas, careful not to look at her.
'They would, miss. And with proper management these woods will still be generating income a hundred years from now.'
'Truly?' She sounded stunned. 'Thank you, Gabriel. Thank you very much.'
His hands grew still as he watched her walk quickly away up the path, her long stride peculiarly graceful, self-consciousness forgotten now she had so many more important matters to occupy her.
That evening after washing himself and his filthy shirt, he shaved carefully. With no mirror he had to work by touch alone. It took a long time, and he did not dare go too close to the wound on his throat. But the honey had done its work and healing had begun. Smearing a fresh cloth with the sweet-smelling salve he bound up his throat once more. Passing a hand over his almost-smooth jaw when he had finished, he smiled. No doubt Berryman would shudder at his efforts. But not only did he feel cleaner than he had for months, he also felt ridiculously proud.
When the men assembled at midday, the overnight rain was just a memory. The sun shone from a sky the colour of cornflowers dotted with thistledown clouds. Word that Francis Tregonning was dead and his wife ill had spread like flames in a gale. All were anxious about the yard and their jobs.
Melissa rode into the yard on Samson. Wearing her black habit and a small beaver hat with narrow rolled brim over her upswept hair, she was very pale but appeared calm as she dismounted. Standing near the back, his arms folded, Gabriel watched her fasten the rein to an iron ring, her fingers trembling. Remaining here was sheer madness. If he cared now in just this short time…Was he not in enough peril?
'Eye of the Wind' by Jane Jackson. Accent Press 2013. £1.99.
Kindle link: http://amzn.to/2qiGcOw
Paperback available from third party sellers.
Reviews: 'A first-class historical novel … coupled with a gripping story-line.' Western Morning News.
'Satisfying on many levels, well-written and pleasurable to read.' Historical Novels Review.
Author bio: Jane Jackson's first book was published in 1976. She wrote fourteen romances for Harlequin, ten romantic historical novels, and will soon complete the eighth of her Polvellan Cornish Mysteries writing as Rachel Ennis. She has been shortlisted for five major awards.
She taught the craft of novel writing for twenty years and was delighted and privileged to see eleven former students become professional novelists. Happily married to a Cornishman, with children and grandchildren, she has lived in Cornwall all her life finding inspiration for her books in the county's scenery, history and people. Her hobbies are reading, coastal walks, baking, vintage vehicle rallies – and reading.
Twitter: @JJacksonAuthor
Thanks every so much Jane. Great blog!
Come back tomorrow to discover which book Alison Rose is blowing the dust off.
Happy reading,
Jenny xxx
It's Day 5 of my Blowing the Dust Off series. Today we are in the company of the fabulous Rachel Brimble. She is taking a peck at her Victorian romance, The Temptation of Laura.
Go grab a cuppa, sit down, and enjoy…
The Temptation of Laura…
Despite the title of my second Victorian romance, The Temptation of Laura is not so much about the temptation of Laura herself, but the temptations life throws at her, the hero and many of the secondary characters. Temptation is all around us and more often than not, that temptation could be perceived as opportunity. It's fear that holds us back from surrendering or resisting.
The book is set against the backdrop of Bath's theatre world during the late 19th century. There were many changes happening, socially, economically and sexually during this time. The first whispers of the women's revolution had begun to circulate…not that many men noticed until around 1903 when The Women's Social and Political Union was founded.
The leaders and supporters of the group began to cause a stir––marching and petitioning for their right to vote. This is marked as a hugely significant and rightly respected time for women at the time. Men had no choice but to sit up and take notice when so many women banded together and refused to be ignored.
This leads me to the question of temptation…I love exploring this theme and all the imaginings it conjures. Each of us is faced with temptations (or decisions) every day and I, for one, am hugely guilty of making the easy, expected, even socially acceptable decision. My books tend to be about the women who do the exact opposite. What better way to earn a living than to create a woman you admire and want to see succeed in her chosen vocation, romance or spiritually satisfying path?
Laura's story began in book one of my Victorian series with eKensington when she appeared as a secondary character in The Seduction of Emily. It wasn't long before I knew she deserved a richer, more in-depth story of her own. As a prostitute struggling for a better life…a dreamer who longs to be onstage, I sensed Laura would be a joy to write and spend some time with over the course of 85,000 words. She didn't let me down J
Hope I've 'tempted' you to read the book!
Here's the blurb & buy links:
Laura Robinson has always been dazzled by the glamour of the stage. But perhaps acting and selling one's favors are not so different—for Laura must feign pleasure with the men she beds to survive. Now, with her only friend at death's door and a ruthless pimp at her heels, escaping her occupation seems impossible. Hoping to attract a gentleman, she attends the theater. Yet the man Laura captivates is no customer, but a rising star and playwright…
Adam Lacey has been driven to distraction since the moment he saw Laura. She is his ideal leading lady come to irresistible life—and so much more. Certain they can make the perfect team on and off stage, he is determined to win her heart—and discover her story. But that is precisely what Laura fears. And she has no idea that Adam harbors shameful secrets of his own. Will the truth free them to love—or destroy all their dreams…?
Rachel lives with her husband and two teenage daughters in a small town near Bath in the UK. After having several novels published by small US presses, she secured agent representation in 2011. Since 2013, she has had seven books published by Harlequin Superromance (Templeton Cove Stories) and an eight coming in Feb 2018. She also has four Victorian romances with eKensington/Lyrical Press.
Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and Romance Writers of America, and was selected to mentor the Superromance finalist of So You Think You Can Write 2014 contest. When she isn't writing, you'll find Rachel with her head in a book or walking the beautiful English countryside with her family. Her dream place to live is Bourton-on-the-Water in South West England.
She likes nothing more than connecting and chatting with her readers and fellow romance writers. Rachel would love to hear from you!
Facebook Street Team – Rachel's Readers
Amazon Author Page:
Many thanks Rachel, fabulous stuff.
Don't forget to come back tomorrow to see what Jane Jackson is tempting us with.
Happy reading,
Jenny xx
It's Day 4 of my 'Blowing the Dust Off' series of blogs. Today Kirsten McKenzie is taking time out from preparing for an archaeological adventure to tell us all about the fabulous novel, Fifteen Postcards.
Grab a cuppa and enjoy…
Travel Back in Time
Today I make the long journey from Auckland to Newcastle upon Tyne. Three different plane changes and one train trip will see me to my hotel in the centre of the city, where I suspect I shall then sleep for several hours. Why the long journey? I'm heading back to volunteer at an archaeological dig at Vindolanda, all in the name of research.
When I sat down to write my first novel, I didn't plot or plan. I had no glorious ending in sight, I had merely made a sweeping statement to my family that I would write a novel when my youngest daughter started school, and so I did. I started with this paragraph:
"In a cramped little street, in a dusty corner of London, stands a set of two-storey brick facade shops. An architectural relic from last century, miraculously untouched by the bulldozers of modern developers. A greengrocer, a boutique, a gentlemen's tailor, the ubiquitous Chinese dumpling shop, and The Old Curiosity Shop, an antique shop named after the Charles Dickens classic of the same name. The sort of shop passers-by would wonder if anyone ever went in or, indeed, whether they actually ever sold anything."
That paragraph turned in 'Fifteen Postcards', a historical time slip novel traversing three continents and two centuries. It took me eighteen months to write, and even then it ended on a cliffhanger as the story grew too large for just one book.
A couple of months after 'Fifteen Postcards' was published by Accent Press, I turned up at Vindolanda for my first experience of volunteering on an archaeological site. And I fell in love. Every shovel full of dirt felt like a treasure hunt, but the sort of hunt where you all celebrate finding shards of pottery or slivers of glass. The most exciting article I found was a chair leg, beautifully preserved in the unique environment at Vindolanda.
It was that experience which dictated the direction the sequel to 'Fifteen Postcards' would then take. 'The Last Letter' was written in twelve months, and may include some references to digging up Roman statues….I'm not going to spoil the plot here!
Accent Press published 'The Last Letter' which again had an ending which nicely morphs into another sequel. So now my first novel 'Fifteen Postcards' has turned into a trilogy. It did that without me even realising, but time slip fiction does that to you. There are so many interesting threads of history you can weave into a storyline that you just don't want to leave anything out.
My next book wasn't the sequel to 'The Last Letter'. Those characters needed to have a bit of time out, to sit around and stew in colonial New Zealand, or Victorian England, or underneath the rule of the Raj in India. While those characters were resting, I wrote 'Painted' a bloodless horror about an art appraiser and a houseful of malevolent portraits. Again, the antique dealer side of me couldn't resist pulling in all the antique references.
'Painted' took eight months to write, so I'm getting faster which is a good thing! Now that's out of my system I can revisit the wonderful characters from 'Fifteen Postcards' and 'The Last Letter' and maybe I'll fling them into Roman Britain or modern day America? Who knows! But when I step onto the first plane today, I know that I will have my laptop with me, and two glorious weeks of free evenings to write in the most beautiful of locations, with very little responsibilities. And I'm imagining wonderful words will flow.
Author Bio
For many years Kirsten McKenzie worked in her family's antique store, where she went from being allowed to sell the 50c postcards to selling $5,000 Worcester vases and seventeenth century silverware, providing a unique insight into the world of antiques which touches every aspect of her writing. Her time slip novels have been called Antiques Roadshow gone viral, and The Time Travellers Wife meets The Far Pavilions.
Her horror novel Painted was released in June 2017.
Now a full time author, she lives in New Zealand with her husband, daughters, and her SPCA rescue cat, and can be found procrastinating on Twitter.
Social Media Links
Facebook: www.facebook.com/kirstenmckenzieauthor
Twitter: www.twitter.com/kiwimrsmac
Instagram: www.instagram.com/kiwimrsmac
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/kiwimrsmac
Book Links:
UK Amazon: www.amazon.co.uk/Fifteen-Postcards-Travel-Solve-Mystery-ebook/dp/B00XXZIO0C
US Amazon: www.amazon.com/Fifteen-Postcards-Travel-Mystery-Curiosity-ebook/dp/B00XXZIO0C
Many thanks Kirsten. What a great blog. I hope your excavation time is fantastic- not at all jealous…honest…
Come back tomorrow to hear what the lovely Rachel Brimble has to share with us.
Happy reading,
Jenny xx
It's Day 3 of my 'Blowing the Dust Off' series of blogs. Today I'm welcoming fellow Accent author, Marie Laval, to my place to talk about her French romance, A Spell in Provence.
Grab a cuppa and enjoy…
People often wonder how writers find ideas for their novels. Although I can find inspiration from many different places – a song, a painting, a poem, or even a road map! – I can pinpoint the exact moment when I got the idea for my contemporary romantic suspense A SPELL IN PROVENCE. A few years ago I visited the lovely town of Cassis during a family holiday in Provence. We had an impromptu picnic lunch of baguette, ham and cheese on a village square and sat next to an old stone fountain with an inscription in Latin…and that was it!
Fountains have a special place in the novel, but they are, and always were, very important in Provence. According to an old Provençal saying 'Eici, l'aigo es d'or', which translates by 'Here, water is gold' – and no wonder when you think how hot it can get in the summer and how parched the earth can be. Anyone who read the wonderful 'Jean de Florette' and 'Manon des Sources' by Marcel Pagnol, or saw the films, can remember the struggles and hardship the characters faced and their anguish of the characters when the water supply ran dry.
A SPELL IN PROVENCE is set near Bonnieux in the Lubéron region of Provence, one of the many hill-top villages dotting the countryside. My heroine leaves England and buys Bellefontaine, a 'bastide' (an old farmhouse) she renovates and plans to open as a guesthouse….until eerie things happen and jeopardise her dream. The hero of the story, Fabien Coste, is heir to an old aristocratic family and has turned his ancestral manor house into a luxury hotel. Once again, the manor house is based on a real place – the castle in Lourmarin – but I have of course changed a few details.
Another important setting in the story is the ancient village of 'Bories', which are stone huts dating back from the Iron Age, and which were still used as shelter by shepherds until a few years ago. You can also find isolated bories scattered in the landscape when you travel through Provence.
Provence is not only a beautiful place, it also has a fascinating history – in particular ancient history – which is pivotal to my novel's story line. Before the Greeks, and later the Romans settled there, the Salyens were the largest Gallic tribe. By the 6th century BC, their main centre was Entremont, which is located on a plateau above what is now Aix-en-Provence.
There were other important centres, such as nearby Glanum. This settlement was dedicated to the Celtic god Glanis, and built around a spring known for its healing powers. The Salyens had the strange – some might say gruesome – custom of displaying the severed heads of enemies at the city gate. They left no writing but many statues of gods and warriors, some of them holding severed heads.
When researching and writing A SPELL IN PROVENCE, I loved surrounding myself with photos of hill-top villages, of old fountains and of lavender and sunflower fields. I grew up in Lyon and spent many holidays in the South of France as a child. Writing the novel brought back fond memories of playing in the sunshine, breathing in scents of herbs and flowers, and listening to the woody song of the cicadas.
A SPELL IN PROVENCE is published by Áccent Press and is available from http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00RVQO8RM
With few roots in England and having just lost her job, Amy Carter decides to give up on home and start a new life in France, spending her redundancy package turning an overgrown Provençal farmhouse, Bellefontaine, into a successful hotel. Though she has big plans for her new home, none of them involves falling in love – least of all with Fabien Coste, the handsome but arrogant owner of a nearby château. As romance blossoms, eerie and strange happenings in Bellefontaine hint at a dark mystery of the Provençal countryside which dates back many centuries and holds an entanglement between the ladies of Bellefontaine and the ducs de Coste at its centre. As Amy works to unravel the mystery, she begins to wonder if it may not just be her heart at risk, but her life too.
A SPELL IN PROVENCE is published by Áccent Press and is available from http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00RVQO8RM
Shivering in the cold breeze despite her shawl, Amy joined the guests lining up to be greeted by Fabien, who in true lord of the manor style, stood tall and imposing at the top of the steps, with torches burning on either side of him.
He might wear a black dining suit and a crisp white shirt instead of a suit of armour, but there was something untamed, fundamentally uncivilized and proprietary about the way he surveyed the crowd – as if he truly owned everything and everyone, like Frédéric had said, and Amy was seized by an irresistible, irrational and overwhelming urge to flee. She didn't want to speak to Fabien Coste, didn't want to put up with his arrogant ways. He could keep his fancy chateau, his contacts and glamorous guests, she didn't need him. She would walk home. It wasn't that far.
She was about to step aside when he looked down and their gaze met. Shadows danced on his face. The torches hissed in the breeze, their flames shooting high in the air and reflecting in his green eyes, giving them a deep, dangerous glow. For the space of a heartbeat, the noise of conversations around her became distant and fuzzy, and all she could see was him.
He walked down, took her hand and lifted it to his lips. Even though his mouth barely touched her skin, a flash of heat reverberated through her body.
'Mademoiselle Carter – Amy, you're here at last.'
It was the first time he'd spoken her first name. He made it sound French, sensual and incredibly romantic. Aimée. Beloved.
'Shall I escort you inside and introduce you to a few people?'
Panic made her heart flutter and turned her brain to mush.
'Well, it's just that …'
He arched a dark eyebrow, looked down, and smiled as if he knew exactly what she was feeling.
'You're here now. You might as well make the most of it.'
Author Bio:
Originally from Lyon in France, Marie studied History and Law at university there before moving to Lancashire in England where she worked in a variety of jobs, from PA in a busy university department to teacher of French in schools and colleges. Writing, however, was always her passion, and she spends what little free time she has dreaming and making up stories. She writes both contemporary and historical romance. ANGEL HEART, THE LION'S EMBRACE, the DANCING FOR THE DEVIL Trilogy are published by Áccent Press, as is her contemporary romantic suspense novel A SPELL IN PROVENCE. She also writes short stories for the World Romance Writers – Letterbox Love Stories and Escape to Africa – and has just signed a publishing contract with Choc Lit for another contemporary suspense novel to be published in 2018.
You can find Marie here http://marielaval.blogspot.co.uk/
and https://www.facebook.com/marielavalauthor?fref=ts
and https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6538479.Marie_Laval
Many thanks Marie. I've always wanted to visit Provence- I am inspired to head that way sooner rather than later.
Don't forget to come back tomorrow to read what Kirsten McKenzie has to offer us.
Happy reading,
Jenny x
It's Day 2 of my Blowing the Dust Off series. Today we are in the company of Nell Peters (she of the end of the month blogging epics). She is taking a peak at her first crime novel By Any Other Name.
Go grab a cuppa, sit down, and enjoy…
Hi Jenny – is it the end of the month already? Oh no, different gig – I'm here to waffle on about one of my backlist masterpieces! Silly me …
It was on (Friday) 25th April 2014, that I received an email from Greg Rees, then an editor at Accent, telling me he'd finished the complete MS of By Any Other Name and wanted to publish it – as he read through, he'd been flabbergasted not once, but twice apparently. Go me! The offer came as a huge surprise, since when he'd liked the original three chapter submission and asked for the rest, I'd rather dismissed the possibility of things going any further – I expected to receive yet another 'not right for our list at this time' or 'I just don't love it enough' type rejection. I've had enough of those to metaphorically paper a medium-sized room, although funnily enough, none for that particular book, as I'd only just finished writing it. When I say 'just finished writing' I mean the final two thirds of a crime novel started so long ago I can't actually put a date on it – except that it was just after Queen Victoria died.
The first third of BAON had to be rewritten too from memory, after #3 son managed to crash my PC spectacularly and send all my files spiralling into cyber space, without hope of retrieval – and I had no back-up, nada! Rookie mistake … I dipped into the rewrite now and again over the years, in between writing other stuff, and eventually got to the bit where everything had disappeared in a puff of ether. Then I had to actually start thinking how the plot would evolve and finish the thing – it actually took on a whole different outline to my original mental blueprint.
However, that Friday the excitement and anticipation of publication had to take a back seat very quickly, because the following day was GD Isla-Rose's first birthday – and she was having a big party, for which I'd promised to make a pink princess fairy castle cake, plus oodles of buffet food. I mentioned the cake making to Greg and he very helpfully sent a link to an M&S creation that would have been perfect, except for the seven day waiting period. Damn! So, into the kitchen toddled the least domesticated female since Lizzie Borden's stepmother served up that putrefied mutton …
Isla is #4 son's (now) older daughter and he rocked up to, erm, help with the cake. By the time we'd finished many hours later, all book publication thoughts had left the building and the kitchen had suffered a snow blizzard, covered in flour and icing sugar (as were we!) But we were reasonably pleased/relieved at the result. Happy to report that of the too many people packed into their tiny house, nobody died of food poisoning from the party fodder and a good time was had by all.
The next week, my contract arrived, but before I could sign it (against the advice of the Society of Authors, I might add) my father was taken ill in Twickenham and I had to speed off to his bedside, via long distance trains and a tube strike. Dad was fine, of course – he's a life-long hypochondriac, but even they become genuinely ill sometimes, and at eighty-nine it was a bit risky to ignore his protestations. I eventually managed to extract myself from his sick bay and return to my lap top in Norfolk to begin the process of whipping the MS into pristine shape for November release.
When the big day arrived, it was something of an anti-climax. There had been no pre-order, ARCs, trumpet or whistle blowing prior to the launch and apart from me posting on social media, the day passed unheralded with me gawping at the lap top. I joined some FB groups to get myself 'out there' – from one day to the next I went from being a no-group bod to belonging to four, and rising.
Once your book finally hits the cyber shelves, even as a very unsatisfactory print on demand, reviews are eagerly awaited and after a couple of weeks or so, one landed on Amazon for BAON – a 1*! At that time Accent used to put new releases on a freebie offer for a limited time to encourage sales and 'Patsy' (her name is ingrained in my memory forever!), I noticed, made a habit of grabbing any freebie going and rubbishing it, after reading just a few pages. If you have a healthy clutch of reviews, you can weather a low rating, but when it's the first it takes ages to up your average, which is frankly depressing.
By Any Other Name is a genre-crossing crime novel and admittedly a bit Marmite. There are similarities to I Let You Go in that the plot stands on its head at about two thirds of the way through – it's difficult to say much more, so why not read the blurb:
A summer job to die for – and people do.
Emily Kelly can't believe her luck when she is employed as temporary companion to Sir Gerald Ffinche and falls in love with his son, Richard.
However, it's obvious their happiness isn't shared by all, when one tragedy is quickly followed by another; and as the body count mounts, subtle clues are left to incriminate Emily and destroy her relationship.
Police involved seem incapable of exposing the real culprit; perhaps a family member, one of the household staff, or someone else close to the Ffinches?
No one is above suspicion, and no one is safe until a psychopath is unmasked – or thereafter.
With a shoal of red herrings and a plot that turns quickly from almost-cosy to taut psychological thriller, this is an enthralling, chilling read that will appeal to those who relish the unpredictability of Clare Mackintosh.
Chapter One
As Emily rushed around, scooping up all the stuff she needed to take to work, an advertisement in the local free paper caught her attention:
'Footloose and Versatile Female, Aged under 35 years.
Must be free July and August. Telephone in complete confidence …'
Not much to go on, but what could possibly be worse than painting red crescent smiles on toy clowns' faces day in, day out, until September, she asked herself. Exactly. She ripped out the bottom half of the page, folded it roughly and shoved it in her bag, before heading out the door at speed.
She'd recently finished the first year of a degree course in Psychology, passing all assignments with flying colours and notching up the requisite number of credits to enable her to continue – much to her tutors' blatant amazement, her attendance record having won no awards. But without visible (or invisible) means of support, Emily had to take a holiday job in a local toy factory just to survive until the next loan cheque arrived on the doormat. Though the work was mind-numbingly awful, it was all she could get; she hadn't been there long and for the third time in as many days, was about to miss the last bus that would deliver her to her paint pot on time.
She forgot all about the ad until lunchtime, when she was sitting eating crisps with Doreen and some of the other women who worked in the paint section.
'What do you think about this, Dor?' she asked, waving the scrap of paper under her nose.
Doreen adjusted her half-moon glasses and scrutinised the print. 'Well, if I was ten years younger…'
'And the rest!' scoffed Peroxide Pam, who was reading over Doreen's shoulder, gnashing her Wrigley's for all to see and hear.
Doreen pursed her lips, ignoring Pam, 'As I was saying, if I was ten years younger, Em, I'd apply for it meself – what have you got to lose?'
The arrival of Mr Spinks, their line supervisor, put an end to any further debate.
'Come, come now ladies. Idle chatter won't get the baby bathed – not in a month of Sundays.' Spinks was a short, round man – a regular sleaze ball, who vastly overestimated his levels of charisma and importance. 'The lunch break is finished – now back to your work stations, quick as you can.' He clapped raw sausage fingers together, the effort of movement making his chins wobble.
She took a moment to suck the last traces of nicotine from her roll-up and stubbed it out on the handy 'No Smoking' sign provided – which meant the others left without her and she found herself alone in the locker room, with Spinks blocking the exit. Damn!
'Well, if it isn't Miss Smarty Pants…' he was getting a little too close for comfort, 'I don't know why you think you are so much cleverer than the rest of us – just because you managed to cheat your way into university, that doesn't make you any better than me…' His damp breath was making her hair frizz and she wanted to get away from his horrible disrobing gaze.
Thank goodness, Doreen's antennae were on top form. She reappeared at the end of the dingy corridor, 'There you are, Em. I wondered where you'd got to – mustn't waste company time, now must we?' She smiled ingratiatingly at Spinks, who jumped back from Emily as though she had broken out in seeping plague boils.
He scowled, 'Very good, Mrs Mason, that's the Dunkirk spirit. Carry on, now.'
She started to follow Doreen, changed her mind and spun around to face him once more, 'Actually, Mr Spinks, I'm working here during the vacs to earn money – that's why everyone works here isn't it, to earn money? I don't think of myself as any better or any worse than anyone else – including you.' She felt Doreen's sharp tug at her elbow, 'And the name is Kelly, Emily Kelly – not Smarty Pants. She left last week, I believe.' Then she allowed herself to be dragged away.
Spinks stalked off in the opposite direction, gargantuan buttocks flubbing together and one arm held awkwardly behind his back, like Prince Charles. 'Rome wasn't built in a day, you know,' he called over his shoulder.
'Wazzock,' hissed Doreen, not too loudly, 'don't you take no notice of him, Em, Mrs Spinks is probably keeping him on tight rations in the bedroom department.' She inclined her head and winked a blue-shadowed crêpe eyelid.
'I'm amazed there is a Mrs Spinks.' Emily suffered a gruesome mind's eye flash of him in the nude – even his spare tyres had spare tyres – which sent shivers up and down her neurological pathways.
'Oh yeah, right under the thumb he is,' Doreen was one of those people who seemed to know everything about everybody.
'Does she have a Seeing Eye Dog and a white stick?'
Doreen shrugged, 'Never met the woman in person, but I saw them out shopping on a Saturday once. She's one of them scrawny, mean-looking women – probably a terrible nag. And Spinks never brings her along to the Christmas parties.'
'Lucky escape for her, I imagine?' Emily scoffed.
She looked genuinely shocked, 'You must be joking! It's the social event of the year round here.' Emily made a mental note never to sink that low. 'Okay, Miss Smarty Pants – time we was getting back to our work of national importance.'
Back at the production line, plastic clowns were standing all in a row, waiting for her to make them look happy and appealing and well worth their outrageous price tag. Doreen hitched up her weighty boobs with equally weighty forearms and waddled off to her seat, her lumpy backside straining to be free of the tight brown overall. As always, she was anxious to catch the beginning of The Archers – which was the highlight of her day.
Not being a fan of radio drama, Emily loaded her paintbrush with crimson gloop and settled down to switch off from life in the sweatshop and daydream her way through to clocking-off time. Johnny Depp featured regularly in her fantasy world and that afternoon, she was guest of honour at his sumptuous mansion, high in the Hollywood Hills. Dearest Johnny couldn't do enough for her, waiting on her hand and foot as she soaked up the Californian sun at the side of his turquoise infinity pool, sipping vintage champagne through a sparkly straw.
Her imagination took a detour to that interesting advertisement and the possible scenarios it might throw up. Was it possible a terminally ill Adonis was searching for someone like her to sooth his fevered brow, during his final, tragic weeks? As a reward for her unstinting care, he would bequeath to her all his money, plus a controlling share portfolio in a selection of designer dress and shoe shops. Or could it be an eccentric zillionaire sought a beautiful, lithe young woman (such as Emily, obviously) to work an hour a day on his very own Caribbean Island? Naturally, her allotted tasks wouldn't be too taxing – perhaps grooming the Guinea pig twice a week, arranging vases of exotic flowers to his satisfaction, pouring just the right amount of expensive, scented bath oil into his hot tub; that sort of thing.
If you'd like to read more, here's the international link.
Nell Peters
Thanks Nell – fabulous blog as ever.
Don't forget to come back tomorrow to see which book Marie Laval is going to share with us.
Happy reading,
Jenny x
It's Day 1 of my 'Blowing the Dust Off' series of blogs. Over the next ten days, I'll be hosting 10 different authors; each will tell us a little about one of their novels. Unlike my usual guests posts, they won't be promoting a new work of fiction, but giving us a timely reminder of some of the treasures they have produced in the past.
Today the lovely Laura Wilkinson is kicking off the series for us by reminding us about her excellent novel, Public Battles, Private Wars.
Grab a cuppa and enjoy…
Thanks so much for inviting me to be the inaugural guest of your new series: Blowing the Dust Off, Jenny. What an honour and what a great idea for a series.
Today, I'm going to talk about Public Battles, Private Wars, my 'miners' strike' novel. I use quotation marks because although there was a lot of focus on the strike around publication back in 2014 (it was the 30 year anniversary of the dispute), in truth the conflict forms the backdrop – it's primarily a story about love and friendship – of both the toxic variety and the genuine, wonderful kind. It's worth pointing out here that the novel is just 99p for Kindle at the moment – as is Redemption Song, for a limited time.
Like a lot of writers I'm neither a fully-paid-up member of the planner nor pantster clubs; I fall somewhere in between.
I begin any story with a clear(ish) vision of the story arc, with a beginning and a sense of where I'd like my characters to end up. Research is done on the hoof, as and when I feel the need. Lazy? Maybe. But it works for me and research can become a distraction, something which gets in the way of writing. A master of displacement activity, I had to remind myself of this constantly while working on Public Battles, Private Wars, for there is stacks of information on the subject.
The novel is set against the backdrop of the 1984/85 Miners' Strike and there is a wealth of writing on the subject, though surprisingly little fiction (I found only three novels back in 2012 when I began writing) and genuine poverty when it comes to fictional representations of women's role in the struggle.
The origins of this novel lie in a photograph I came across on the internet while researching another story idea set in the 80s – a story that has since gone on to become my latest novel – Skin Deep. It was an image of a group of women marching down a suburban street; women who looked powerful, in control, purposeful; not hapless victims of a political struggle to smash the unions led by a woman in Westminster.
I am old enough to recall this landmark strike in modern history and as a former steel worker's daughter I have some understanding of strife and hardship as a result of strike and redundancy (Thatcher crushed the steel industry before turning on coal), but I'm not from a mining community, I wasn't a political animal as a girl, though my mother and sister were. If I was to do the story, and the real women of the conflict, justice, I needed to do some research.
Because I find images inspirational, I began by looking at photographs from the era and the women's groups that sprang up to rally round the miners. Images of women, young and old, huddled over industrial sized cookers, preparing meals for pickets and hungry children. Women in town halls cheering on the likes of Tony Benn (RIP), Arthur Scargill and Bruce Kent. Women marching next to their men, shoulder to shoulder on the picket lines. Women shielding their faces from oncoming policemen on horseback. Shocking images.
Then I began to read, to gather the facts. I read lots of books, articles, diaries and accounts. I spoke to people – experts and those who lived through it – about the profound effects that long, hard year had on their lives. It was a terrible time, no mistaking. There was extreme hardship and, ultimately, defeat. But, out of those desperate times came some good. Quite a lot for many women, as it happens.
Alongside specific fact gathering about the strike, I imbued myself with a sense of the period – fashion, music, popular books, TV shows, the mores of the time. I looked at clips on YouTube and watched films like Billy Eliot and This is England. My central character likes to bake cakes. I am a domestic disaster, with a particular talent for spoiling even the most straightforward of dishes. I read up on baking and even tried some recipes – with laughable results.
There is another strand in Public Battles, Private Wars, that required research, and I have to be careful how much I say because of spoilers, but my leading man is a former soldier who served during the Falklands War. Ignorant in the extreme about military matters, I needed to look into this too if this particular plot strand was to feel authentic and my character be three dimensional. Again, I read articles and reports online, and I spoke with a number of particularly lovely officers at the MOD. Special mention has to go to a former soldier, John Marham, who now works for a military charity who gave up a morning to meet with me and talk about his experiences of army life. He was generous with his knowledge and personal stories, talking me through everything from training to the sound a magazine makes when loaded into the gun barrel.
Now, I can't recall how much time I spent researching. Probably not as long as I've made it sound. I was greedy for the information – it was fascinating – and so I devoured it quickly. The novel took a year to write – the same timescale as the strike – and once I had all this information rammed into my brain, I had to forget most of it. For here's the thing: in fiction, you must wear your research lightly. It must never feel didactic, it must never get in the way of the story or the characters, and this felt especially important to me given that there is a wealth of non-fiction. If people want facts there are gazillions of sources. If you want to live the life vicarious of a downtrodden young women who finds the best of herself during strange and difficult times then this novel might be for you.
Yorkshire 1983.
Miner's wife Mandy is stuck in a rut. Her future looks set and she wants more. But Mandy can't do anything other than bake and raise her four children. Husband Rob is a good looking drinker, content to spend his days in the small town where they live.
When a childhood friend – beautiful, clever Ruth – and her Falklands war hero husband, Dan, return to town, their homecoming is shrouded in mystery. Mandy looks to Ruth for inspiration, but Ruth isn't all she appears.
Conflict with the Coal Board turns into war and the men come out on strike. The community and its way of life is threatened. Mandy abandons dreams of liberation from the kitchen sink and joins a support group. As the strike rumbles on, relationships are pushed to the brink, and Mandy finds out who her true friends are.
A story of love, betrayal, and cakes, Public Battles, Private Wars follows one woman's journey of discovery and a community fighting for survival.
National Museum of Wales Book of the Month – June 2014
'Vivid and engaging. A touching, well-written novel' Welsh Books Council Reader Report
'The Full Monty for women' BBC presenter Jeni Barnett
'I absolutely loved it' Bookaholic Holly – in Top Ten books of 2014 for Bookaholic Confessions. Read the full review here.
'A compelling story with some great characters. Public Battlers, Private Wars is a story that looks at friendships, community, love and jealousy.' Random Things Through my Letterbox. Full review here.
'A novel with a big heart' Pen & Paper. Full review here.
Promotional Film about the novel
About Laura
Liverpool born, Laura is a taff at heart. She's published four novels and many short stories. Some have made the shortlists of major competitions. Her novel, Public Battles, Private Wars, was a National Museum of Wales book of the month; Redemption Song was a Kindle top twenty. The Family Line is a family drama set in the near future, looking at identity and parenting. 'It will haunt your dreams.' Books at Broadway. Her latest, is Skin Deep: 'A superb read.' Northern Soul magazine. Alongside writing, she works as an editor and runs workshops on the art of fiction. www.laura-wilkinson.co.uk Twitter @ScorpioScribble Facebook: Laura Wilkinson Author Instagram: laura_wilkinsonwriter Pinterest: laura1765 Goodreads: Laura_ Wilkinson
Many thanks for starting the series in such excellent style Laura.
Come back tomorrow to find out what crime writer Nell Peters is digging out of her archive.
Happy reading,
Jenny x


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Chap D – Hollywood
Chap D drops his new single Hollywood from his next tape Blues. Chap D pontificates about his status, Chaps lets the people know that he deserves their reverence. No word yet on when the tape will be out but you can be sure to listen to it here.

subset: commoncrawl


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Usana is a Utah-based MLM company that makes skin care products, nutritional supplements, and other products that are geared towards health and wellness. The products are manufactured at the West Valley City facility and sold in twenty different global markets. Usana associates sell the products through an MLM distribution network. Usana is the 20th largest MLM company in the world. They provide several products and sponsorships to various athletic organizations. Their athletic partnerships include the WTA tour, where $1 is donated towards a charitable organization every time a point is scored. Also, Usana has a notable agreement with United Concerts towards a concert and music naming rights agreement.
The Good
- Distributors set retail price
- Leadership bonuses available
- Gluten and soy protein free product
There were several things that we liked about Usana's business model. First of all, customers didn't necessarily have to go through a dealer to get Usana products, though great deals were often mentioned in reviews for customers that used Usana associates. Here are some of the products that we found on Usana's website:
- Chocolate Whey Nutrimeal meal replacement shake, $32.95: Gluten and soy protein free for special diets, 8 grams of dietary fiber, 15 g of whey protein, and GMO-Free.
- Gentle Daily Cleanser, $17.60: Soap-free, hydrating, and no-added chemical preservatives.
- HealthPak, $129.96: Antioxidant protection and increased calcium.
While Usana's products were on the pricier side, we felt like Usana did a good job of designing products that achieved verifiable results and met FDA labeling guidelines. Preferred clientele can also get access to these products at wholesale prices.
We also liked the compensation available for dealers through Usana. Here are some of the compensation options available that we liked:
- Retail Sales: Usana let's associates set the retail price. The preferred price is at wholesale prices, but associates are able to set their retail price at 10 percent over the preferred price. This allows associates to set their own profit margin.
- Weekly Commissions: Associates can get 20 percent of sales volume through their group sales network. Any extra group volume (over 5,000 points) carries over to the the next week, ensuring a stream of income if you are in a Usana distribution network.
- Other Incentives: Recruiting other distributors also guarantees you a small chunk of change through new distributor sales. There are also leadership bonuses and other revenue opportunities available.
The Bad
- Legal issues
- Large debt ratio
- Some products are expensive
In 2007, there was a lawsuit filed by a former employee. In a 500-page report leaked to the FBI and other government organizations, it was alleged that the Usana distribution network is a giant pyramid scheme. It was also discovered in 2007 that several Usana executives had made false statements on their résumés. This discovery has brought the credibility of Usana into question in the last several years. We found a Forbes report that substantiated these claims. Here are some of the salient points from Forbes that call into questions Usana's legitimacy as an MLM company:
- $20 to $50 for a starter kit from Usana (advertised as being only $30 on their website) making it hard to achieve entry into the market.
- The report alleges that Usana's entry for new recruits is difficult: if Usana had 26 levels of its MLM model in place, it would exceed the number of households in the United States.
- Usana has been in a tremendous amount of debt; under the Forbes report analysis its debt ratio was 3.6 to 1.
We also have a problem, consistent in the industry, that Usana treats its distributors as end users. Even though Usana makes its products available to distributors at "preferred prices," it is difficult for new distributors to make a profit.
Expensive Products
We have some concerns in regards the high prices of Usana products. The HealthPak listed above is $129.96. Assuming the "preferred price" is ten percent less, $116.97, distributors who purchase their own stock have to sell around $1000 worth of product in order to make up the profit of purchasing one item.
The Bottom Line
Things seemed to have simmered down since the Usana's lawsuit in 2007. We would recommend them for prospective distributors based on the following:
- The efficacy of their tests completed through ConsumerLabs.com.
- The compensation packages that are available to distributors.
- The relatively low cost (in comparison to the rest of the industry) to become a dealer.
- Resources and product knowledge available for items listed on their website.
- The quality of products on their website.
Some things to consider when becoming a Usana distributor:
- According to Forbes, there are many dealers in a somewhat saturated marketplace.
- The ten percent recommended retail price might not be enough profit overhead to guarantee a sustainable living selling Usana products.
- One Glassdoor review suggested that there might not be enough resources available for new Usana dealers to get sales leads or compete viably in the marketplace.


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Just over a week ago, Dark Universe gave you the lowdown on the upcoming TV series Judge Dredd: Mega City One, which was some pretty exciting news to hear.
Well, we have even more awesome stuff to reveal to you today. Judge Dredd: Mega City One executive producer Jason Kingsley is trying to get Karl Urban to return and play the role of Dredd once again.
Executive producer Jason Kingsley talks about Karl Urban as Dredd:
"The great thing about Karl is, he's actually a big fan of the comic book, and he's a really nice guy, and I know him well enough to speak to him personally. We have had many conversations prior to this about all sorts of different things. He's also a very busy full-time professional actor. So, we are going to have some long and complicated conversations, I would imagine, and we'll see where we go. It's too early to tell yet. But if we can use him, and he is available to us, then I think that would be absolutely brilliant."
Karl Urban expresses his love for Dredd:
"I turned on to Dredd when I was about 16, working in a pizza parlor in Wellington. The manager sort of switched me on to it. It was kind of ironic at the time because most teenagers do sort of rebel against everything to do with authority, and the law, and all that sort of stuff. I really gravitated towards this ultra-brutal representative of the law. I just loved it."
As soon as we hear more on Judge Dredd: Mega City One, you can expect it to appear right here.


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White Wilderness
Movie Description
Winner of the Academy Award for Best Documentary, the 1958 Walt Disney Production White Wilderness is the fifth installment in Disney's True-Life Adventure series. Over three years in the making, the film documents the migratory life cycles of various North Country animals, including walrus, musk oxen, reindeer, caribou and polar bears.
White Wilderness also takes the viewer underwater to reveal never-before scenes of Beluga whales and seals displaying incredible acrobatic "ballets." Another fascinating feature is the almost hypnotic sequence that follows the annual "death march" of a colony of lemmings as they mysteriously dive headlong over cliffs into the frigid ocean below.
The film builds to a thrilling finale as viewers find themselves in the middle of an attack by a pack of timber wolves upon a thundering herd of migrating caribou.
White Wilderness is pleasingly picturesque: Not a small feat considering the remote, barren landscape of the Canadian and Alaskan surroundings.
Related Content


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Event Archive - Mistress Jen's Buzz CD Release Party: Mistress Jen, Rodney Decroo & The Killers, Mike Webster Band
Tue. April 27th 2004 @ Railway Club (No Minors)
Presented by: Rumbletone Productions
Rising independent keyboardist/ singer/ songwriter, Mistress Jen, finally unleashes her long-anticipated new album, Buzz, upon a salivating world as part of Folk You.
ReviewsNo articles have been linked to this profile
Mistress Jen (gutter-lounge rock)
Mistress Jen writes dirt-lounge music with sometimes filthy and mostly funny lyrics. Her live performances, both solo and with band, are energized and sprinkled with kitschy show-biz smarm. Check out website link above for bio, info, press, photos, mp3s, and more. more info[Upload Show Photos] // [Add Video] // [Add Review] // [Upload Poster]


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Booking your session is easy peasy!
In order to get a confirmed booking, you've got to do three things!
- Call or send me a message via the "Contact" link above to discuss date availability for your session.
- Once we've decided on a date, I will email you a link to pay your reservation fee.
- I will also send you another link so you can fill out and sign the portrait agreement.


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For press inquiries please contact Beckie Ann at
firstname.lastname@example.com or 478-405-5251
August 2010 Art by Beckie Ann received a wonderful product review in Chic Style Modern!
Art by Beckie Ann featured in Dec 2008 Pregnancy and Newborn Magazine.
Art by Beckie Ann now featured on Baby Room Makeovers
Owner, Artist Beckie Ann Harwood first illustrated Book is available at Amazon
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Veterinary Outreach to Vilachery
Last Friday 29th July a team from Projects Abroad visited the small town of Vilachery to conduct our regular veterinary outreach trips to local villages around Madurai. This village is just a few miles from the famous local rock temple close to the Projects Abroad office. There were eight volunteers along with five staff members as well as a team of local vets.
Word got round quickly of the arrival of the team with locals appearing with over 150 animals in the two hours. There were sheep, cows and goats. It created quite a situation with animals covering the main road and disrupting the local traffic. The local drivers had no hesitation in hitting their horns to get passed the assembled throng of animals, volunteers and staff.
The main work going on was innoculating the animals against disease as well as some artificial insemination. Two stars of the show were the handsomely decorated, ornately sheared Rams painted with pink paint. It turned out these are used in local ram fights organised nearby. After a couple of hours of busy work a welcome cup of local coffee was taken from the local "Starbucks".
The next outreach will take place on Friday 13th August.


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Supplement: MilliporeSigma Sees Opportunity in Continuous Processing
From the GEN Sounds of Science Podcast
Why CAR-T Therapies Don't Work for Everyone Yet
Selecting the Best Type of T Cells for CAR-T May be Key to the Overall Efficacy of the Therapies
Cell-Centered: Scientists Embrace Cell-Replacement Therapy for Type 1 Diabetes
Forming Beta Cells from Stem Cells
GEN Roundup: Multiplex Immunoassays Bring the Array, Not the Disarray
Get Multiplex Immunoassay Advice from GEN's Expert Panel
Avaxia Taps Courtagen for Technology to Evaluate Oral Antibody for Radiation Damage
Courtagen Life Sciences inked a deal with Avaxia Biologics to develop an assay that can streamline the development of an oral antibody therapy to mitigate the gastrointestinal damage that follows radiation exposure, which could occur after a nuclear incident. Courtagen's Avantra® Q400 protein biomarker platform will be used to evaluate Avaxia's treatment in animal models and, ultimately, in patients.
"The unmatched sensitivity, accuracy, and ease of use of Courtagen's Avantra Q400 protein biomarker technology combined with Avaxia's novel oral anti-TNF therapy will enable Avaxia to quickly stratify and monitor various therapeutic interventions that will eventually lead to the creation of a treatment for gastrointestinal damage," says Brendan McKernan, president of Courtagen.
Courtagen's Avantra Q400 Biomarker Workstation and QPDx® BioChip are point-of-care tools. The protein diagnostics technology integrates automatic sample processing, reagent handling, biomarker detection, and analysis.
Avaxia's program to develop a treatment agent for GI acute radiation syndrome is supported by a contract from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) valued at $2.9 million over two years starting August 2011. The polyclonal anti-TNF antibody is being designed as a dried powder sachet that is stable at room temperature and is reconstituted immediately before use, where dosing begins as soon as is practicable after radiation exposure.
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We received a call 16 months ago that forever changed our lives. We were asked to adopt a baby boy with down syndrome - Noah.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and along with a diagnosis of breast cancer comes some very strong psychological reactions. These affect the patient as well as family members. The initial reaction to a diagnosis of breast cancer can vary from individual to individual depending on coping styles, age of the patient, pre and post-operative expectations, and psychological functioning. Many patients experience reactions of anxiety, grief, hopelessness and helplessness.
The proliferation of the synthetic hallucinognes contuines. Although there has been recent legislation and initiative to limit availability of synthetic drugs, they continue to be seen in southeastern Michigan. There are reports, some confirmed, some not, of domestic violence associated with these substances. Spice is marketed under a number of different names including; K-2, Black Mamba, Red X Dawn, and Blaze. These drugs have been outlawed throughout the country and Michigan is following suit.
The Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry recently published a survey of 10,000 adolescents. The study found nearly one in five children meet criteria for a psychiatric disorder. Many times these disorders persist across their lifespan. The most common conditions were anxiety and behavioral disorders, closely followed by mood disorders. Nearly 11.4% had substance use disorders.
Did you know that the Rochester Center for Behavioral Medicine is an active clinical research site? Which begs the question…just what IS clinical research? Many potential participants may write it off due to a lack of understanding, which is unfortunate because clinical research is a valuable treatment offering and provides close attention and cutting edge care to those in need. Our medical director and primary investigator, Joel L. Young, M.D., is in charge of all medical care. Our staff of 4 clinical coordinators work closely with all study participants from the beginning to the end of the trial.
For many families, and certainly many students, the summer represents a time of relaxation and recharging your batteries. Indeed it should be. Still, summer is a perfect opportunity to work with your doctor to improve your child's ADHD medicine. This is the time to optimize the dose, perhaps try new medications, or terminate medications. These changes might not be undertaken during the school year due to potential interference with academic performance or school behavior. Personally, I dislike starting or changing medications in late August or September because it interferes with the first weeks of school. July and August are great months to do this work.


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|Lamb with hummus and tabouli platter
Photography by Andrew Young
The Hummus Recipes Kitchen (The home of Hummus Recipes & Delicious Middle Eastern Recipes) invites you to try Lamb with hummus and tabouli platter Recipe. Enjoy the Middle Eastern Cuisine and learn how to make Lamb with hummus and tabouli platter.
1/4 cup olive oil
850g boned lamb shoulder
1 medium brown onion, chopped
1 litre beef stock
3 cups fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped
2 green onions, thinly sliced
2 large vine-ripened tomatoes, seeded, finely chopped
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted
375g tub hummus
12 pita breads
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large, heavy-based, flameproof casserole dish over medium-high heat. Add lamb. Cook, turning, for 10 minutes or until browned all over. Add onion, stock and 2 cups cold water. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low. Simmer, covered, for 1 hour and 20 minutes or until lamb is tender. Transfer lamb to a large plate. Discard cooking liquid. Set aside to cool for 15 minutes. Using 2 forks, coarsely shred lamb.
Meanwhile, combine parsley, onion, tomato, lemon juice and remaining oil in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Add pine nuts. Toss to combine.
Spoon hummus and tabouli into bowls. Arrange lamb and pita breads on a platter. Serve with hummus and tabouli.
Energy 3553kJ
Fat saturated 7.90g
Fat Total 34.50g
Carbohydrate Total 78.90g
Dietary Fibre 6.50g
Protein 51.90g
Cholesterol 113.00mg
Sodium 2068mg
Super Food Ideas - December 2011 , Page 47
Recipe by Kirrily La Rosa
More recipes from the hummus blog:
Lamb, feta and lentil fattoush
Green Fatoush
Curried Couscous Salad with Dried Sweet Cranberries
Moroccan carrot salad
Moroccan butternut squash couscous salad
Grilled aubergine and tomato salad
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[Due to the increasing size of the archives, each topic page now contains only the prior 365 days of content. Access to older stories is now solely through the Monthly Archive pages or the site search function.]
GLBRC research review concludes cellulosic biofuels can benefit the environment if managed correctly
June 30, 2017
Cellulosic biofuels could provide an environmentally sustainable way of meeting energy needs—but with a few important caveats, according to a new review of research by a team from the US Department of Energy-funded Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC). Their paper is published in the journal Science.
Although not yet a market force, cellulosic biofuels are routinely factored into future climate mitigation scenarios because of their potential to both displace petroleum use and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Those benefits, however, are complicated by the need for vast amounts of land to produce cellulosic biofuels on a large scale.
UPS commits to aggressive goals for more alternative vehicles, fuel and renewable power by 2025
June 27, 2017
UPS announced new sustainability goals to add more alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles to its fleet while increasing its reliance on renewable energy sources. The goals, available in the company's 2016 Corporate Sustainability Report, support UPS' commitment to reduce its absolute greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from global ground operations 12% by 2025, a goal developed using a methodology approved by the Science Based Targets initiative.
UPS has a goal that 25% of the electricity it consumes will come from renewable energy sources by 2025—a significant increase from the 0.2% in 2016. In addition, by 2020 UPS plans that one in four new vehicles purchased annually will be an alternative fuel or advanced technology vehicle, up from 16% in 2016. The company also set a new goal that by 2025, 40% of all ground fuel will be from sources other than conventional gasoline and diesel, an increase from 19.6% in 2016.
GAC Motor targeting 1M unit sales by 2020, 20% new energy vehicles; entering US market by 2019; transition to electric "may be quite long"
June 19, 2017
GAC Motor was one of the few automakers, and the only Chinese auto brand, to take the main stage at last week's Michelin Movin'On 2017 global sustainable mobility summit in Montreal. During his talk, Yu Jun, president of GAC Motor, said that his rapidly growing company is targeting sales of 1 million units annually by 2020, with 20% of those being new energy vehicles.
Yu said that GAC plans to introduce seven new energy vehicle models—including both electric and hybrid plug-in designs—to the market this year. GAC has already established its first North America R&D Center in Silicon Valley, and plans to to enter the US market no later than 2019.
UBC engineers use fiber from recycled tires to develop more resilient concrete
June 16, 2017
University of British Columbia (UBC) engineers have used polymeric scrap tire fibers (STF) to develop a more resilient type of concrete that could be used for concrete structures such as buildings, roads, dams and bridges, while reducing landfill waste.
The researchers experimented with different proportions of STF and other materials used in concrete—cement, sand and water—before finding the optimal mix, which includes 0.35% tire fibers, according to researcher Obinna Onuaguluchi, a postdoctoral fellow in civil engineering at UBC. A paper on the work is published in the journal Materials and Structures.
Michelin Vision concept wheel/tire: airless, connected, rechargeable, organic
June 14, 2017
At Movin'On 2017, Michelin presented its new Vision concept tire. The concept tire—which combines the functions of wheel and tire—is airless, connected, rechargeable, customizable and organic, is both a wheel and a tire. Michelin Group Executive Vice President of Research and Development Terry Gettys said that the VISION concept is achievable as it represents the convergence of innovations already being explored by the Group's R&D teams.
The Vision tire combines 4 innovations: an organic tire, developed from bio-sourced, biodegradable materials; a rechargeable tire printed in 3D, according to the level of wear and mobility needs; an airless tire enabled by its alveolar interior architecture; and a connected tire.
Volkswagen brand intends to almost halve environmental impact of production by 2025 vs. 2010 baseline
May 25, 2017
The Volkswagen brand has set itself new, ambitious targets for reducing the environmental impact of production. By 2025, vehicles and components are to be produced in a way which is 45% more environmentally compatible than in 2010, the reference year for the current Think Blue. Factory. environmental program. (Earlier post.)
To date, Think Blue. Factory. has received more than 30 awards—including the National Energy Globe as the best project in Germany, the GreenTec Award for energy efficiency and water-saving measures in production and the Sustainovation Award. As of the end of 2016, Volkswagen had achieved an average reduction of 29.2% in environmental impact: energy -23.5%; CO2 - 28.6%; waste -58.6%; water -27.5%; and solvent emissions -7.6%.
Optimizing Fume Control for Robotic Welding
May 05, 2017
By Craig Widtfeldt, RoboVent
The automotive industry has made tremendous progress towards greener, more sustainable manufacturing processes. But how green are robotic welding cells?
Robotic welding, by its nature, produces large volumes of toxic fumes that are dangerous to both human health and the environment. Manufacturers engaged in robotic welding of automotive parts must have an effective air quality system in place to meet OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) regulations. If these systems are not well designed, manufacturers may be wasting energy and putting their plant out of environmental compliance. Here are five steps to make the air quality systems more energy efficient and sustainable.
GM earns EPA ENERGY STAR Award for Environmental Leadership; energy use per vehicle in manufacturing down 10% YoY
April 12, 2017
General Motors earned a 2017 EPA ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year — Sustained Excellence award for continued leadership in protecting the environment through superior energy efficiency. GM's commitment to reducing energy intensity saved $73 million in energy costs last year and avoided 388,000 metric tons of carbon emissions, equivalent to the electricity use of 57,000 US homes.
In the US, GM reduced energy use at its manufacturing facilities by 10% on a per-vehicle basis in 2016 compared to the previous year. Additional achievements include:
For Greener Manufacturing, Think IAQ
April 03, 2017
by Craig Widtfeldt, RoboVent
The next generation of cars will be cleaner and greener than ever—but a lot of the manufacturing processes that go into them are still pretty dirty. From the frame to the muffler, automotive manufacturing still involves welding, cutting, grinding and machining. These processes can create problems for indoor air quality (IAQ) and hurt your sustainability metrics.
The Problem with Particulates. Welding, cutting, grinding and machining all create particulates with varying levels of toxicity. These particulates have serious health impacts if not controlled in the factory environment. If they are vented to the outdoors, there are also environmental issues to consider. Controlling toxic particulates from manufacturing processes is one of the most important things auto manufacturers can do to improve their sustainability and protect their workers.
GWU team demonstrates one-pot process for optimized synthesis of controlled CNTs from CO2; coupling cement and C2CNT
March 27, 2017
Researchers at George Washington University led by Dr. Stuart Licht (earlier post) have developed a new process that transforms CO2 into a controlled selection of nanotubes (CNTs) via molten electrolysis; they call the process C2CNT (CO2 into carbon nanotubes). This synthesis consumes only CO2 and electricity, and is constrained only by the cost of electricity.
Controlling the electrolysis parameters opens up a wide portfolio of CNT morphologies, including hollow or solid, thick- or thin-walled and doped CNTs. Molten carbonate electrosynthesized boron-doped CNTs exhibit high electrical conductivity. The process is described in a paper published in the Journal of CO2 Utilization. In a second paper in that journal, the team reports on the uses of C2CNT to retrofit cement plants. Per ton CO2 avoided, the C2CNT cement plant consumes $50 electricity, emits no CO2, and produces $100 cement and ∼$60,000 of CNTs.
WHO attributes more than 1 in 4 deaths annually of children under 5 years to unhealthy environment
March 06, 2017
In 2015, 5.9 million children under age five died. The major causes of child deaths globally are pneumonia, prematurity, intrapartum-related complications, neonatal sepsis, congenital anomalies, diarrhea, injuries and malaria. Most of these diseases and conditions are at least partially caused by the environment, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports.
WHO estimated in 2012 that 26% of childhood deaths and 25% of the total disease burden in children under five could be prevented through the reduction of environmental risks such as air pollution, unsafe water, sanitation and inadequate hygiene or chemicals.
DOE to award up to $1.2M to project converting wastewater solids to biogas and liquid fuels; hydrothermal processing
February 11, 2017
Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) announced a pilot hydrothermal wastewater processing project has been selected by the US Department of Energy (DOE) to receive up to $1.2 million in federal funding. SoCalGas is part of a consortium conducting the pilot, which will be required to share the cost at a minimum of 50% in order to receive federal funds. The consortium is being led by the Water Environment & Reuse Foundation (WERF).
The project will use Genifuel hydrothermal processing technology (HTP) to convert wastewater solids into renewable natural gas as well as liquid fuels. DOE funding is expected to pay for about half of the design and planning of a pilot plant to produce these renewable fuels at a municipal wastewater treatment facility near Oakland, California. SoCalGas will help oversee the project's design and assist in obtaining state and federal regulatory approvals and incentives.
Honda establishes Marine Science Foundation
February 08, 2017
Inspired by the Japanese concept of sato-umi—the convergence of land and sea where human and marine life can harmoniously coexist—Honda has established the Honda Marine Science Foundation, a new initiative to address marine ecosystem restoration and the impact of humans and climate change on oceans and intertidal areas. Committed to marine conservation, the foundation will support science-based programs that improve and preserve coastal areas for future generations. Its first initiative is the Southern California Native Oyster Restoration Project.
The Southern California Native Oyster Restoration Project is being conducted in partnership with the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) Bren School of Environmental Science & Management. The goals of the project include pioneering research to educate the public about the benefits of restoring native oysters for shoreline stabilization.
Researchers call for integration of materials sustainability into battery research; the need for in situ monitoring
January 18, 2017
In a review paper in the journal Nature Materials, Jean-Marie Tarascon (Professor at College de France and Director of RS2E, French Network on Electrochemical Energy Storage) and Clare Gray (Professor at the University of Cambridge), call for integrating the sustainability of battery materials into the R&D efforts to improve rechargeable batteries. The pair argue for the selection of chemistries that have a minimum footprint in nature and that are more readily recycled or integrated into a full circular economy.
Concerns over sustainability as well as cost directs that battery lifetimes must be greatly improved, and second-life applications considered during the development phase. As part of this, Gray and Tarascon suggest, the state of health of batteries must be monitored continuously during operation to minimize their degradation. This requirement, in turn, pushed the boundaries of operando techniques to monitor increasingly complex processes.
Toyota to collaborate in research for the creation of H2-based society in the United Arab Emirates
January 17, 2017
Toyota Motor Corporation has agreed to collaborate with Masdar, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Air Liquide, and Toyota distributor Al-Futtaim Motors in a joint research program to explore the potential of hydrogen energy use in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the creation of a sustainable, low-carbon society. As part of the program, Toyota will begin driving and refueling demonstration tests of the Mirai fuel cell vehicle (FCV) in the UAE from May 2017.
The agreement was announced at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), which was held at the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi. The program partners will jointly research on key issues involving the establishment of a hydrogen-based society, including hydrogen production, logistics, scalability, and business feasibility. The research is expected to take place in part at Masdar Institute, an Abu Dhabi-based independent graduate research university, which has been part of the discussions on the scope of hydrogen research.
U of Birmingham scientists launch project to tackle global clean cold challenge
January 16, 2017
Scientists from the University of Birmingham launched a major research project to investigate how "clean cold" could help to achieve almost all of the United Nations' (UN) global Sustainable Development Goals. The 17 Global Goals include abolishing poverty and hunger; providing good healthcare and education; raising peoples' quality of life; and cleaning up the environment, while promoting economic growth.
Clean cooling technologies, which can support environmentally sustainable cold chains, include Dearman's zero-emission transport refrigeration system (earlier post); solar-driven cooling for pack-houses; and even small transportable ammonia-water absorption refrigeration which can be used to transport medicine.
Coal-tar-based pavement sealant a major source of PAH contamination in Milwaukee streams
December 29, 2016
Runoff from pavement with coal-tar-based sealant is the primary source of toxic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to streambed sediments in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, according to a US Geological Survey and Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District open-access study published in the journal Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry.
Pavement sealant is a black, shiny liquid sprayed or painted on asphalt parking lots, driveways and playgrounds to improve appearance and protect the underlying asphalt. Pavement sealants that contain coal tar, a known human carcinogen, have extremely high levels of PAHs. Some PAHs are toxic to fish and other aquatic life and several are probable human carcinogens.
Saint Jean Carbon building a high performance lithium-ion battery with recycled/upcycled material
November 25, 2016
Saint Jean Carbon Inc., a carbon science company engaged in the design and build of energy storage carbon materials, and a battery manufacturing partner will build a high-powered full-scale lithium-ion battery with recycled/upcycled material from an electric car power pack and upcycled anode material from Saint Jean Carbon.
Saint John said that this project—a first—is intended to provide results showing that the battery materials can be re-used over and over again, greatly reducing the demand for continued mining and helping the environment significantly. The project will take a three-stage approach:
Harvard study finds human health risks from Canadian hydroelectric projects
November 10, 2016
In a new study, Harvard University researchers found more than 90% of potential new Canadian hydroelectric projects are likely to increase concentrations of the neurotoxin methylmercury (MeHg) in food webs near indigenous communities. The research is published in the ACS journal Environmental Science & Technology.
The research forecasts potential human health impacts of hydroelectric projects and identifies areas where mitigation efforts, such as removing the top layer of soil before flooding, would be most helpful. The works uses factors such as soil carbon and reservoir design to forecast methylmercury increases for 22 hydroelectric reservoirs under consideration or construction in Canada.
Roskill forecasts demand for neodymium for magnets to result in supply deficit; substitutions by 2021
November 08, 2016
In its new rare earths market report with forecasts out to 2026, Roskill, a leader in international metals and minerals research, observes that the permanent magnet and catalyst sectors will continue to provide the largest markets for rare earths in the next ten years to 2026. Catalysts will continue to drive growth in the light rare earth elements lanthanum and cerium, while permanent magnets will lead growth in neodymium, praseodymium and dysprosium.
However, Roskill also projects that, driven by rapidly increasing demand for neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets (used in traction motors among other applications), neodymium will fall into deficit in 2016, although demand will initially be met by the drawdown of stocks. Roskill forecasts that the deficit will increase to 2021, making continued growth of NdFeB magnets unsustainable, despite efforts by rare earth producers to increase neodymium supply.
Aqua Metals produces first AquaRefined lead at first AquaRefinery; tests 99.99% pure
November 01, 2016
Aqua Metals has produced the first AquaRefined lead at its AquaRefinery in McCarran, Nevada. AquaRefining is a water-based, room-temperature process that is the only clean lead recycling method for lead-acid batteries (LAB). (Earlier post.)
Through its own on-site assay, Aqua Metals has verified that the lead produced in the AquaRefining module is more than 99.99% pure. The company will send its initial production samples to several US battery manufacturing companies—which collectively represent more than 50% of US battery production—to allow them to conduct their own assays.
Inaugural meeting of Volkswagen Sustainability Council; Group makes €20M available for projects
October 25, 2016
Recently appointed by The Volkswagen Group's Sustainability Council, recently appointed and comprising nine members from several nations—including Margo Oge, former director of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Transportation Air Quality—set the agenda for its work at its inaugural meeting on Monday. The Council elected Georg Kell, Founding Director UN Global Compact, as its chair. The first areas of focus in 2017 for the body will be the challenges of global CO2 emissions and the corresponding regulations post-2025, plus the company's transformation process.
The Volkswagen Group is proactively making €20 million (US$21.75 million) available for the first two years for the proposal and funding of projects.
New Audi paintshop at Ingolstadt; heating energy & water per car down by 20%, CO2 by 30%, VOCs by 90%; bell-bell
September 22, 2016
Audi has put a new topcoat paint shop into operation at its plant in Ingolstadt. The new paint shop incorporates technologies such as air recirculation, dry separation and exhaust air cleaning that enable a significant reduction in the use of resources. Heating energy and water consumption per car are reduced by 20%. Air recirculation also helps to reduce CO₂‑emissions per painted car by 30%, while the cleaning of exhaust air reduces emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by 90%.
The new topcoat point line‑in the north of the plant site also introduces state‑of‑the‑art painting technology at Audi: paint‑application equipment with robot technology and electrostatic high‑speed rotation spray guns carry out the "bell‑bell" painting process fully automatically.
Cooper Tire and BRDI consortium partners report significant progress on grant to develop guayule polymer for tires
September 20, 2016
At its recent annual meeting in Albany, Calif., the public-private consortium behind the Biomass Research and Development Initiative (BRDI) grant, "Securing the Future of Natural Rubber—an American Tire and Bioenergy Platform from Guayule," reported several key advancements emerging from the group's work over the past year.
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, working as the lead agency in the grant, announced that its scientists have reached a key milestone toward the goal of producing, by mid-2017, a concept tire in which all of the natural and synthetic rubber is replaced by guayule-based polymers. Guayule is a shrub that is grown primarily in the southwestern United States and contains rubber that can be processed for use in tires. (Earlier post.)
GM commits to 100% renewable energy by 2050
September 15, 2016
General Motors plans to generate or source all electrical power for its 350 operations in 59 countries with 100% renewable energy—such as wind, sun and landfill gas—by 2050.
This new renewable energy goal, along with the pursuit of electrified vehicles and efficient manufacturing, is part of the company's overall approach to strengthening its business, improving communities and addressing climate change. GM is also joining RE100, a global collaborative initiative of businesses committed to 100 percent renewable electricity, working to increase demand for clean power.
LanzaTech produces 1,500 gallons of alcohol-to-jet fuel from waste gases for Virgin Atlantic
September 14, 2016
In a milestone for the low-carbon fuel project, LanzaTech has produced 1,500 gallons of jet fuel from waste industrial gases from steel mills via a fermentation process for Virgin Atlantic. Virgin Atlantic and LanzaTech have been working together on the project since 2011. HSBC joined the partnership in 2014.
The "Lanzanol" was produced in China at the RSB (Roundtable of Sustainable Biomaterials) certified Shougang demonstration facility. The innovative alcohol-to-jet (ATJ) process was developed in collaboration with Pacific Northwest National Lab (PNNL) with support from the US Department of Energy (DOE) and with the help of funding from HSBC.
New approach for synthetic rubber for degradable tires: converting cyclopentene to polypentenamers
August 22, 2016
A team from the Texas A&M University campus in Qatar (TAMU-Qatar) and Caltech has developed a new way to make synthetic rubber; once this material is discarded, it can be easily degraded back to its chemical building blocks and reused in new tires and other products. The researchers will present their work today at the 252nd National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS) in Philadelphia.
According to the Rubber Manufacturers Association, nearly 270 million tires were discarded in the US in 2013—more than one tire per adult living in the country. Many of the non-degradable scrap tires get stockpiled in landfills. More than half go on to become tire-derived fuel—shredded scrap tires that get mixed with coal and other materials to help power cement kilns, pulp and paper mills and other plants. But environmentalists are concerned that the emissions from this practice could be adding harmful pollutants to the air.
Aqua Metals opens first AquaRefining center for low-pollution lead-acid battery recycling
August 08, 2016
Aqua Metals, Inc. recently held an open house at its first AquaRefinery at the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center (TRIC) in McCarran, Nevada. The company says that its proprietary AquaRefining is first environmentally friendly process to recycle lead-acid batteries (LABs).
The AquaRefining technology extracts lead from LABs with a room temperature, closed-loop, water-based process that results in significant reductions of hazardous waste and direct human contact with the lead itself. The process produces lead that is as pure as—or purer than—mined lead, requiring no secondary processing.
Ford's new Dagenham Diesel EcoBlue engine production line reduces energy and water use by more than 50%
August 04, 2016
The new Ford EcoBlue diesel engine production line at Dagenham Engine Plant will reduce water and energy consumption by more than 50%. Dagenham Engine Plant is Ford's largest diesel engine production facility globally, and produced the first EcoBlue diesel engine (earlier post) in April this year. Water usage per engine will be among the lowest at any Ford manufacturing facility worldwide, delivering an anticipated annual saving of 17.5 million liters of water compared with 2011—enough to fill seven Olympic-size swimming pools.
The reduction in the volume of coolant pumped around the facility also helps to significantly reduce energy usage. Three smaller coolant systems require around 70% less energy, and contribute to reducing energy use per engine from 188 kWh in 2011 to 92 kWh in 2016—the energy saved is roughly enough to power an average house for a week.
UPS hits target of 1 billion alternative-fueled miles one year early
August 02, 2016
UPS has achieved its goal of driving 1 billion miles in its alternative fuel and advanced technology fleet one year earlier than planned, and marked more than 10 years of learning from its "Rolling Laboratory" of now more than 7,200 alternative fuel vehicles.
UPS' long-term commitment to sustainability is transforming commercial transportation and logistics, spurring growth in the clean fuels market and enabling critical engineering advances. The company's wider sustainability progress is detailed in the newly released 14th annual Sustainability Report.
California releases Sustainable Freight Action Plan to transform freight system; 25% more efficient by 2030
July 30, 2016
In response to an Executive Order issued last year by California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., state agency leaders on Friday released the California Sustainable Freight Action Plan, a comprehensive document that serves as a blueprint for transforming the state's multi-billion dollar freight transport system into one that is environmentally cleaner, more efficient, and more economically competitive than it is today.
The revised document is similar to the draft version issued in May 2016, but reflects new input provided by industry, labor, regional and local government, and community and environmental group stakeholders, who submitted more than 85 comments on the draft plan.
Ford, Jose Cuervo team up to make car parts with bioplastic reinforced with blue agave fibers
July 20, 2016
Ford Motor Company is teaming up with Jose Cuervo to explore the use of the tequila producer's blue agave plant fiber byproduct to develop more sustainable bioplastics to employ in Ford vehicles.
Ford and Jose Cuervo are testing the agave-fiber-reinforced bioplastic for use in vehicle interior and exterior components such as wiring harnesses, HVAC units and storage bins. Initial assessments suggest the material holds great promise due to its durability and aesthetic qualities. Success in developing a sustainable composite could reduce vehicle weight and lower energy consumption, while paring the use of petrochemicals and the impact of vehicle production on the environment.
Volkswagen brand says it has met 2018 Think Blue. Factory. environmental targets; environmental compatibility of car production improved by 25%
July 09, 2016
The Volkswagen brand announced that it has reached the self-defined sustainability target for production set out in Think Blue. Factory. for 2018. (Earlier post.) At the brand's production facilities throughout the world, vehicles and components are now manufactured in a way which is 25% more environmentally compatible than five years ago.
Taking the average of the five agreed environmental indicators for the Volkswagen brand, environmental impact has been reduced by 25.3%, with energy consumption down by 24.7%; CO2 emissions by 29.1%, waste production by as much as 46.5%; water consumption by 18.2%; and solvent emissions by 8.2% between 2010 and the end of 2015. These figures are determined per vehicle or component produced.