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A few islands near the northern tip of the antarctic peninsular lose snow cover - while the rest remain white - why?. In the 2001 image it looks as if sea ice is still surrounding the greenish island. It does not look as if the loss of Larsen B ice shelf has changed anything. Snow beginning to re-appear in the 2019-02-12 pic. Images cut from arctic.io
... "Like Shackleton before us, who described the graveyard of Endurance as 'the worst portion of the worst sea in the world,' our well laid plans were overcome by the rapidly moving ice and what Shackleton called 'the evil conditions of the Weddell Sea,'"
Not quite new (the fossils, that is!):-https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-47806440
Temperatures may currently be lower than in the Pliocene, but that's only because there is a lag in the system
The negative feedbacks from SAL and elastic uplift for WAIS are significant, but not unique to the area. Because our model runs are global, the same analysis can be shown for the entire continent in fig. S4, showing negative feedbacks in areas of strong retreat, such as the tributary ice streams of the Ronne and Ross ice shelves (S6 and S5). However, the impact in WAIS is particularly significant because of the existing retrograde slope of the bedrock and the presence of a prominent bedrock trough upstream of TG, which triggers marine ice-sheet instability (24) and results in significant ice thickness change rates upon ungrounding. In addition, strong ice/ocean interactions are captured for this area in our melt rate parameterization under the TG ice shelf (11). The melt rates computed for this area are much larger (reaching highest values of 60-80 m at the grounding line) than for other areas in Antarctica (35). The rate at which TG loses mass to the oceans starting year 2250 is strong enough as to generate changes in surface velocity of 3 km/yr inland (figs. S11 and S12), resulting in dynamic changes in surface elevation of up to 45 m/yr by 2500 (figs. S13 and S14). The changes in ice load are responsible for generating elastic uplift on the order of 3-5 cm/yr by year 2100-2300, increasing to more than 20 cm/yr at the onset of TG's dynamic retreat, culminating at 45 cm/yr around year 2500 (figs. S15 and S16). This uplift rate generates large differences in the vertical position of the bedrock along TG flowlines (see flowline profile in Fig. 4) on the order of tens of meters. The uplift rates have been independently validated (fig. S17) using a benchmark experiment (36).
Thank you for the explanation. This makes sense!
Maybe this can help clarify things. Most of the effect is later in the simulation - this ain't gonna save us. (And of course these gravitation and uplift feedbacks are not new, they are just better quantified in this paper).QuoteAgree this will not save us and this article is a better quantification of already known factors related to isostatic rebound
Agree this will not save us and this article is a better quantification of already known factors related to isostatic rebound
... Such resolution bounds are incompatible with capturing the complex geometry of WAIS ice streams that are vulnerable to rapid retreat. For example, Pine Island Glacier (PIG) is 20-30 km wide at the grounding line, with complex grounding-line geometry that can only be resolved spatially at the 1-2 km level (10). In addition, a resolution of 25-100 km is inherently too coarse to capture short wavelength elastic uplift generated by fast grounding-line retreat and associated mass loss. As shown in Fig. 1, elastic uplift generated by a 2 km grounding-line retreat, modeled as loss of 100 m thick ice from a disk of 2 km radius, can reach 52 mm near the grounding line (centroid of the equivalent disk). At coarser resolutions (say, 16 km) the same model generates uplift one order magnitude lower. This implies that uplift generated in simulations such as (5, 6, 20) might underestimate how much uplift is generated during ungrounding of active areas of Antarctica such as TG or PIG, where highly complex grounding line geometries and associated retreat are observed over short time scales on the order of years. Some models such as (22) have attained resolutions down to 6 km, however in such cases GLD has not been considered interactively but prescribed offline, which precluded extensive negative feedback from manifesting themselves during the simulations. Our goal here is to carry out a sensitivity study of sea-level and ice-flow related processes by incorporating kilometer scale resolutions and global processes that involve solid-Earth dynamics. The ice-flow model robustly captures grounding line dynamics at high resolution (1 km) and over very short time scales (2 week"
The visualization is great but I have some questions:At what cross-section was the data measured? At the grounding line?Is PIG really that wide? I thought it was 40km.And some of the heights seem strange. Petermann, NG and even PIG could float with these heights.
A troubling spike in emissions of a globally banned chemical that damages the Earth's protective ozone layer has been traced to two provinces in eastern China, according to a study published Wednesday that has alarmed scientists who monitor the planet's atmosphere.The study, published in the journal Nature, comes one year after another report revealed that air samples had shown a startling excess of a type of chlorofluorocarbon known as trichlorofluoromethane, or CFC-11, since 2012.This manufactured chemical, once widely used to blow polyurethane into a rigid insulating foam, leaks into the air and destroys ozone molecules in the upper atmosphere. The ozone layer is critical to life, limiting the amount of harmful ultraviolet solar radiation that reaches the planet's surface. CFC-11 is also a potent greenhouse gas, with roughly 4,750 times the heat-trapping potential of carbon dioxide.
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Nintendo platforms have often, whether rightly or wrongly, been criticized for hosting very little besides first-party software. If the latest numbers from a Next Generation analysis are any indication, though, that's really not a bad thing—at least from a business perspective.
Analyzing what has been dubbed the "exclusivity war," Next Gen's Matt Matthews has compiled data demonstrating that Nintendo is winning the battle of the exclusives. Based on data compiled from the launch of the Wii and the PlayStation 3 through to the end of 2007 of the 100 best-selling games, the Wii boasted 12 exclusive games, the PS3 five, and the Xbox 360 three.
Sales of exclusive software, which include the likes of Super Mario Galaxy, Uncharted, and Halo 3, reached $18.8 million for the Wii, $11.5 million for the Xbox 360, and $3.5 million for the PS3. Of the 100 top-selling games in the time period, Nintendo laid claim to 27 titles across both the Wii and the DS, while Sony and Microsoft were eclipsed with a mere nine and three, respectively.
There's little question that Nintendo has some strong, brand-built aces up its sleeve. While Microsoft managed to get great mileage out of its few exclusives, and Sony had perhaps the most diverse line-up of marquee software, Nintendo stands nearly unrivaled in the exclusive space. And as much as some may argue that the more mature, fully-featured titles hit other consoles, Nintendo sales remain largely unaffected. The masses have spoken.

subset: commoncrawl


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CINCINNATI -- The Reds signed Jonathan Broxton to a three-year, $21 million contract on Wednesday, giving the NL Central champions a potential closer and a chance to reconfigure their starting rotation.
Broxton came to the Reds last July in a trade with Kansas City and was part of their push toward the playoffs. He filled in as the closer when Aroldis Chapman came down with a tired shoulder and had four saves in six chances overall with a 2.82 ERA, impressing the Reds.
Now they have the option of turning Chapman into a starter, which was the plan last season until closer Ryan Madson tore up his pitching elbow.
The Reds have told Chapman to prepare for next season as a starter, although they haven't committed to Broxton as the closer.
"Nothing's in stone right now," assistant general manager Bob Miller said. "We told (Chapman) before he left to prepare because that's the hardest part -- starter. When we talked to Jonathan we said he was going to be at the back end of the bullpen. What happens depends on spring training and how things play out in the offseason."
Broxton's deal pays him a $4 million base salary in 2013, $7 million in 2014 and $9 million in 2015. There's a club option for another year at $9 million with a $1 million buyout. He also got a limited no-trade provision. Broxton gets to pick 10 teams each year that would be acceptable in a trade. If he's dealt, the club option becomes a mutual option and the buyout increases by $1 million.
Broxton wanted a multiyear deal so he could settle in one place. He didn't insist on assurances he'd be a closer.
"I went into the offseason with an open mind," Broxton said on a conference call. "I've got experience in both roles. Even if Chapman doesn't work out as a starter, he can come back in and fill in as the closer. I'll be happy to throw the eighth (inning). It doesn't matter to you. You saw what he did last year."
It's Cincinnati's second big decision of the offseason. The Reds also brought back manager Dusty Baker on a two-year deal. Cincinnati also would like to upgrade its leadoff spot in the batting order.
The 28-year-old Broxton missed most of the 2011 season with the Dodgers because of a bone spur in his elbow that required surgery. He agreed to a $4 million, one-year deal with Kansas City last season, starting as a setup man for closer Joakim Soria. He assumed the closing role in March, when Soria had to have reconstructive elbow surgery.
Broxton had 23 saves in 27 chances for Kansas City. He was surprised when the Reds traded for him, looking to upgrade their setup situation as they closed in on the playoffs.
Broxton's agent, B.B. Abbott, talked to several teams about a multiyear deal before deciding to stick with the Reds, who expect to be a contender. Cincinnati has won the division two of the last three years, losing in the first round of the playoffs both times.
The Reds signed Madson as their closer a year ago, giving him a one-year contract for $8.5 million. There was a mutual option for 2013 at $11 million with a $2.5 million buyout. Madson blew out his elbow during spring training and chose to become a free agent under his buyout.
The Reds expressed an interest in keeping Madson while he continues his comeback from reconstructive elbow surgery, however, he signed a one-year deal Wednesday with the Angels.
The Reds planned to use Chapman as a starter last season, seeing how his 100 mph fastball fared in his more accustomed role. When Madson got hurt along with Cincinnati's two setup relievers during spring training, the Reds moved Chapman to the bullpen and Baker eased him into the closing role.
Chapman saved 27 consecutive chances and was 38 of 43 overall in save opportunities with a 1.55 ERA in 68 appearances.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.


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As CMB enters its centennial in 2014, we are celebrating and highlighting 100 years of philanthropy through a series of activities, events, and projects. These projects include three new volumes on the histories of health, medicine, and philanthropy in China and Asia, published by Indiana University Press.
In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the China Medical Board, CMB has created an interactive centennial timeline which shares scholarly research on the history of Asian health and medicine over the last 100 years. The timeline highlights the roles of the China Medical Board and its parent organization, the Rockefeller Foundation, and the impact they have had in China and Asia.


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The Department of Justice, USA, has filed a complaint for permanent injunction on behalf of the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) against Scenic View Dairy of Hamilton, Michigan, the company's president as well as three managers – they are alleged to have sold dairy cows containing illegal drug residues – antibiotics – in edible tissues for human consumption.
The complaint also alleges that despite several warnings, the defendants sold dairy cows that had been treated with drugs contrary to the drugs' FDA-approved labeling and without a valid veterinary prescription to authorize their use – the cows were sold for slaughter.
The complaint was filed on August 31st, 2010, in the US District Court for the Western District of Michigan.
The violations are alleged to have occurred from 2002 to 2010 at three of Scenic View Dairy's farms, at Fennville, Freeport, and Gowen, Michichan. The complaint names company president D. Geerlings, Fennville farm manager Mark A. Lucas, Freeport farm manager Michael J. Van Dam, and Gowen farm manager Jeremy A. Portell.
The FDA informs that it had notified the defendants regarding its findings at least eight times. The USDA (Department of Agriculture) had sent over 11 letters about the illegal tissue residues. Despite these warnings, the complaint states that the defendants continued violating the law regardless.
Part of the complaint is based upon illegal neomycin, penicillin, and sulfadimethoxine – types of antibiotics – drug residues that the USDA detected in the edible tissue of dairy cows that said defendants had offered for sale for human consumption.
Selling animals for human consumption that have illegal levels of antibiotic drugs can increase the risk of the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria; people with drug allergies may also have reactions.
According to FDA regulations, animals for human consumption have to be off the drugs for a specified period before they are slaughtered.
Scenic View Dairy gets its cows mainly from New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and Vermont and sells to slaughterhouses in other states, including Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Source: FDA
Written by Christian Nordqvist


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20 Things I Think I Think About the Senior Bowl
MOBILE, Ala. — After spending a few days with most of the NFL world at the Senior Bowl, here are a few thoughts as the offseason gets started:
1. We'll see what ultimately happens in the draft, but the prevailing opinion among scouts and executives was that this is the weakest crop of first-round talent at the Senior Bowl ever. The benchmark is 2012, when Quinton Coples was the first of eight first-round selections to participate in the Senior Bowl, taken by the Jets 16th overall. It would be a surprise to see any player out of this group taken that high, and there's probably just a small group of possible first-round prospects: QB Derek Carr (Fresno State), DE Dee Ford (Auburn) and DT Aaron Donald (Pittsburgh). One personnel executive saw just three in the conversation: Notre Dame OT Zack Martin, Ohio State OT Jack Mewhort and Minnesota DE Ra'Shede Hageman. The reason for the dropoff? Under the new CBA, which bars a contract renegotiation until after a player's third year, more and more underclassmen (a record 98 this year) have the idea to start the free agency clock as soon as possible to get to the big money in their second contract. The more underclassmen that declare, the more watered down the senior class—nevermind the standouts that skip the game entirely (we'll have more on this tomorrow).
2. The most impressive player in person was Pittsburgh DT Aaron Donald. He measured in at 6-1 and 288 pounds—short and light typically for NFL interior linemen—but the production is undeniable. He absolutely dominated one-on-one drills, and did it with a blend of power and speed. There are obvious comparisons to Bengals All-Pro DT Geno Atkins, who similarly dominated the Senior Bowl in 2010 at 6-1½ and 293 pounds. He wasn't drafted until the fourth round, which was an obvious mistake in hindsight. We'll have more on Donald soon.
Aaron Donald (Scott W. Grau/Icon SMI)
3. Every NFL executive raves about the depth of the receiver position in this draft, so expect teams to load up often at the position. There are all different types of receivers to be had, as you could see from the Senior Bowl. From BYU's Cody Hoffman (6-4, 218) to Wyoming's Robert Herron (5-9, 193) it's kind of pick your flavor at the receiver position, which has undeniably been enhanced over the years with the rise in the passing game on the college level.
4. While the Browns' head coaching situation was talked about in negative terms, I kind of cast that aside because the feeling I got is most people don't know team president Joe Banner and general manager Mike Lombardi that well. Both kind of stick to their past associates, and aren't really the most personable guys. I don't view that as a positive or negative. Both are smart and have a track record for being associated with success. Everyone knows what the deal is in Cleveland: the structure is already set, so the direction is clear.
5. That stands in stark contrast to the Dolphins' general manager search. Not even the candidates have a clear idea what the structure is going to be, especially what executive vice president Dawn Aponte's role is and what the extent of her power will be. Until that happens, no one has any idea what kind of job that is.
6. I fell in love with Clemson T/G Brandon Thomas when he handled South Carolina DE Jadeveon Clowney largely one-on-one this season. That continued this week. His smart, savvy and tough play reminds me a bit of future Hall of Fame guard Brian Waters. Thomas just knows how to play.
7. Speaking of Clowney, it was a very smart move on his part to come to Mobile this week and meet face-to-face with NFL teams. They have a lot of questions for him, and it at least shows he's not afraid of answering them.
8. At 6-7, 331 pounds and with quick feet, Miami OT Seantrel Henderson has always looked the part of a franchise left tackle, but he's never put it altogether. NFL teams have their doubts whether he ever will, but it's hard to overlook the natural talent.
9. Virginia Tech QB Logan Thomas can really spin the ball. Yeah, he's been wildly inconsistent in his career, but he's the perfect guy for a team to develop down the road.
10. Wisconsin WR Jared Abbrederis (6-1, 189) was very productive in college and seems to be popular among the draftniks, but I have a hard time seeing him at the NFL level as anything better than a No. 3 receiver.
G.M. Andrews/AP
11. Carr was, by far, the best quarterback prospect in Mobile. Not sure if he's a franchise quarterback, but his compact delivery and background both under center and in the shotgun make him intriguing.
12. Nebraska CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste (6-3, 220) should certainly be helped by the recent rage about bigger NFL defensive backs (Seahawks) but he's got a long way to go with his footwork. He looked similar to Patriots bust Ras-I Dowling.
13. Clemson QB Tajh Boyd would be a perfect developmental player for a team like the Eagles, who will probably need to keep a stable of passers in that offense. He's a great athlete and has a good arm. Accuracy will always be the thing he needs to overcome, and that's tough.
14. It's too bad Oklahoma CB Aaron Colvin tore his ACL this week, because he was definitely standing out for his man coverage ability. Looked like a first-rounder.
15. Looking for a WR who has a natural ability to high point the ball in the air? Take a look at Alabama's Kevin Norwood.
16. Absolutely love Wisconsin RB James White. He's just 5-9 and 206, but he's built thickly in the lower body and has great balance. He reminded me a lot of Bucs RB Doug Martin (5-9, 215).
17. Keep an eye on Washington State safety Deone Bucannon. He's built like a physical safety and plays with a nasty edge.
18. Lotta buzz about Wisconsin LB Chris Borland being the next Zach Thomas (Dolphins) as an undersized linebacker. I just don't think Borland has the playing speed that made Thomas great, but Borland does always seem to be around the ball.
19. Any teams looking for a top-flight receivers coach should be calling former Packers and Cowboys assistant Jimmy Robinson. He was in Mobile looking for a chance to get back into the game after a year off for personal reasons. Robinson was instrumental in the development of Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, James Jones and Dez Bryant. The new Browns offensive coordinator should be calling Robinson after his success with Bryant.
20. Senior Bowl executive director Phil Savage, the former Browns general manager and longtime personnel executive with the Ravens, has done an excellent job bringing the event to another level. It's now a first-class event, and scouts raved about how subtle changes made it much easier for them to do their jobs.


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Joe Hanson, creator of the fantastic science tumblr It's Okay to be Smart, has a new YouTube science show by the very same name. He's teamed up with PBS to make it happen, and it sounds like they've got big things in store.
Via his Hanson's tumblr:
I can't tell you how excited I am to be doing this, or that I get to work with PBS. I grew up with PBS and their programming is a large part of what made me realize the value of combining education with creativity. I feel like me and Big Bird are basically co-workers now. We'll be posting a new episode every other week on our YouTube page, and I'll still be maintaining this blog like always. You'll even get added bonus material to go along with each episode and expand your knowledge that much more.
Up top is the first episode, "Life By The Numbers." Give it a whirl — we think you'll enjoy.


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Happy Friday and Happy Weekend! I hope you have a great one whatever you do.
The highlights for me will be watching the season four finale of "House of Cards", this week's "How To Get Away With Murder" and "Madam Secretary", and the return of "The Walking Dead"! And, I hope to work in seeing "La La Land"!
Thank you for checking out my thoughts. As always, if you disagree with me, do it diplomatically and be concise. 🙂
Lady Gaga is an amazing performer. I've seen her in concert three times and I'd go see her again another three times.
I guess I can count her "Super Bowl LI" halftime show as my fourth Gaga show. Like tens of millions across the world, I was blown away!
While Gaga is earning rave reviews for her energy, her vocals, her performance, and her costumes, you know there are going to be haters.
Some say she wasn't "political" enough. Yes, she could have been more blatant about it. However, if you stop and think about it, she did two things that were political and brave.
She opened with "God Bless America" and then segued into "This Land Is Your Land", which Woody Guthrie wrote in 1940 as a contradiction to Kate Smith's late-1930s patriotic "America" song, which he thought was unrealistic.
Some versions of "This Land" also include Guthrie's original lyrics:
Gaga, in front of the football crowd and the millions watching — even in red states — brazenly sang of equality for all during "Born This Way".
She didn't hold back with the lyrics "don't be a drag, just be a queen", she sang about being "gay, straight, or bi, lesbian, transgender", and that no matter what your race, you were born this way and born to be brave!
That's a first for the Super Bowl halftime spectacle! Take that!
It's estimated that 113.7 million people watched "Super Bowl LI", but the audience spiked during Lady Gaga's halftime show, which generated a 50.0 rating, which means that one out of every two televisions on at the time were tuned into the game!
After the performance, some (the insecure) took to social media and started fat-shaming her. Seriously?
This isn't the first time people took aim at Gaga over her weight, which is even sadder considering she's recovering from an eating disorder.
That was about four years ago. I wrote about it at the time and even talked about my own battle, Karen Carpenter's, and others.
Here's the link (it'll open in a new window):
Edward Snowden is a hero to some and a traitor to others. After exposing the American government for spying on the lives of Americans (and people across the entire world), he's now exiled in Russia.
Director Oliver Stone's movie about Snowden, with the always charming Joseph Gordon-Levitt as the whistle blower, came and went in 2016.
Watching the trailer, it was Gordon-Levitt's voice that was hard for me to grasp. However, it was less distracting in the 2-hour-plus movie. But, once I heard the actor's voice and the real Snowden's voice, I'm more baffled than ever about the voice portrayal.
While Gordon-Levitt is compelling as Snowden, the real stars of the movie are Shailene Woodley as his girlfriend Lindsay Mills and the computer special effects and the music score.
It's frightening to know just how much information governments collect on citizens every time we're online or use our cell phone.
Even before Snowden, this movie, or Russian or Chinese computer hackers, it doesn't take a conspiracy theorist to know that the most private of our correspondences are not private at all.
Overall, the movie was too long and it seemed like a dramatization of a Wikipedia page on Edward Snowden and the National Security Agency.
But, if you really didn't get bogged down in the real-life Snowden that played out in the news, it's worth your time.
While we're political opposites, I'd still love to have dinner with former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and her husband, Todd. (Now, this dinner would have to take place at a restaurant — not Chick-fil-A or Cracker Barrel — because I wouldn't want to feast on moose or reindeer, although Alaskan salmon would be great!)
Recently, I finally got around to reading her 2009 book, "Going Rogue" and watching the movie "Game Change" about the 2008 presidential election with Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner Julianne Moore as Palin.
I enjoyed learning more about Palin and the events that shaped her life and her views. I admire her love and commitment to her family.
With that being said, at that dinner with Palin, I'd ask her about a reoccurring theme in the book for clarification.
Early on (page 45), Palin writes that she has "respect for equality" and later on (page 395), she says she's "tired of divisions". She also says, "too many of us have felt ignored and become disillusioned."
I find these comments ironic because she is/comes across as very divisive. Also, when she talks about respecting equality, who is that for? Clearly, it's not for the LGBT community.
Trust me, when she talks about feeling ignored, I'd have to ask her again how can she say that without thinking about the LGBT community with discrimination laws and the fight for marriage equality. Her version of equality and my version are different. Mine includes ALL AMERICANS!
This brings me to another point that Palin makes. She says it doesn't matter where you grew up, who you are, your gender, race, or religion "if you love this country and will defend our Constitution, then you're an American".
It's clear from the book that she loved Ronald Reagan as much as I love Jimmy Carter, who she detests.
My final dinner discussion point would be that Palin stressed that our 52 American diplomats and citizens held hostage for 444 days in Iran (November 1979-January 1981) were released minutes after President Reagan was inaugurated.
She writes, "The enemies of freedom took notice".
Future enemies might have taken notice, but what Palin failed to clarify is that those 52 hostages were ALREADY on that plane to freedom while Jimmy Carter was still president. The plane was held on the tarmac until Reagan was officially sworn in as one last swipe at Carter's presidency.
Long before #45's administration coined the phrase "alternative facts", Palin is/was on board with them, too.
If you could have dinner with anyone, who would it be?
Of course, I'd love to dine with Hillary Clinton and President Bill Clinton and President Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter.
But, after reading legendary gossip columnist Liz Smith's 2005 book, "Dishing: Great Dish – And Dishes – From America's Most Beloved Gossip Columnist", I now desperately want to attend a dinner party hosted by Barbara Walters at her Fifth Avenue apartment!
Smith says, "Whether or not she has the position of society's grand dame, Barbara certainly knows how to host New York's most interesting dinner parties."
Smith adds that Walters doesn't hesitate to have her guest mingle outside of their "circles", sing songs, make speeches, give a toast, or write poems. It sounds incredible!
Walters starts her lavish parties with "excellent caviar, toast, the works." She calls that the easy part.
This is followed by "The Children's Menu" — "small delicious hamburgers, tiny baby hot dogs on delicate buns… a miniature ramekin of macaroni and cheese, french fried potatoes, incredible little dishes of coleslaw, and large servings after of ice cream and sauces. All of this served with incredible wines followed by coffee and big glasses of what most host and hostess forget — ice water."
The entertaining book also shares interesting recipes, including the fun Elvis-inspired "fluffernutter".
Smith also tells funny stories about the secret food lives of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, "mountain oysters", and she shares this great quote from Larry Gelbart, the creator of "M*A*S*H", "Champagne is only ginger ale that knows somebody!"
Country music icon and one of my idols, Reba McEntire, just released her first Christian/Gospel album, "Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope".
It's expected to debut at #1 on the Country and Christian album charts and in the Top Ten on the "Billboard 200", which charts all genres of music.
Her new single, "Back To God", has already topped the Christian sales chart, but the song is getting more press with some outlets claiming that it's pro-Donald Trump.
If you know anything about Reba, regardless of her political affiliation, she does not preach about it. Yes, she's friends with former President George H.W. Bush and his wife Barbara Bush and she's donated money to both Democrats and Republicans.
But, "Back To God", is not singing the praises of #45. The song was originally on Randy Houser's debut album in 2008, so it was released during George W. Bush's presidency!
The bottom line is that the song talks about how society seems broken. Regardless of your party affiliation, you have to admit that we, as Americans and the human race, are in a bad place now and the lack of respect for our fellow man only adds to the sad state of affairs.
So, sing it Reba and preach on!
I'll have my review on the new Reba album soon. Also, I highly recommend, "Remnants" by LeAnn Rimes. It's spectacular and I'll have my full thoughts on that one, too.
With all the craziness in the world, make it the best in your little part of it!


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Legacy Healthcare Services
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National Team Type:Member National Team - Company Name:Legacy Healthcare ServicesCompany URL:https://www.legacyinc.com/
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Why We Walk: Legacy Healthcare Services, Inc. is a therapy provider committed exclusively to the care of the senior aged population. Every day we see firsthand the effects that Alzheimer's has on the residents we serve, their care givers and their families. We walk to bring awareness to the life and the light that endures within those effected by Alzheimer's. We walk to fund groundbreaking research, provide education, and improve the quality of life for individuals living with dementia, and their families. Thank you for helping us to reach our goal to raise $50,000.


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I don't cry.
Or rather: I never used to cry. Until my daughter got engaged.
When Yael announced that she was getting married, that she'd found the man with whom she wanted to spend her life and build a family, my wife and I were naturally thrilled.
But no sooner had I absorbed the wonderful joy of this news than something else crept up from behind, circled in front and slammed me in the stomach.
I didn't know where this pain was coming from but it sure packed a mean punch.
Was this pain I was feeling? Or love? Could it be sadness? For some reason, there was a tinge of mourning. Where was this coming from? I didn't know but it sure packed a mean punch.
Now generally speaking, I'm not an emotional guy. I pride myself in taking the level-headed approach to life.
Yet for three days straight, I could hardly sleep. I found myself sobbing myself to an uneasy sleep, then waking in the middle of the night and wandering the house with nothing to comfort me until I opened up Yael's photo album and sobbed over her pictures until they got soggy.
I couldn't quite place this unexpected and seemingly irrational reaction but it felt sad and sweet all at the same time. And really deep.
I felt that in some way I was losing my daughter. I was losing my gorgeous little baby (overnight, she reverted to being about one year old again). Memories I hadn't remembered in years flooded through me in Technicolor detail, with heart-wrenching violin accompaniment: Yael smiling in her crib after her nap, Yael in the puddles after a rain overshadowed by a huge umbrella, Yael holding our hands on a path in a forest, Yael riding in her stroller, Yael stuffing her face with popcorn, Yael lighting Chanukah candles, and thousands of nights saying the Shema together and kissing her to sleep while singing her personalized Yael-songs.
It was all so over-the-top mushy it was approaching the ridiculous. But what did that matter? My mind was no longer in control ― my emotions had taken over the reigns and were dancing gleefully through me at breakneck speed and intensity.
And I felt it wasn't just my daughter I was losing. The whole fabric of my family was about to change. My beautiful, precious family, all with their own beds under one cozy roof, was going to be shattered, ended, never to return – EVER.
And thrown into the mix was the feeling of my own life moving on. This wonderful stage that had lasted for 20 years was now radically altering. But I don't want it to end!!
Then I got better. For a while. The excitement and energy of wedding arrangements took over and I was chugging away in my usual action-mode, coping in the traditional manner with this happy time of our lives.
Then suddenly the day of the wedding was around the corner and the waves of emotion returned in full force, swells that surged and ebbed without warning. I began to fear the wedding ― the chuppah was liable to become an embarrassing tsunami if I didn't get a grip of myself.
(Don't get me wrong. My son-in-law is a wonderful young man and none of this had anything to do with him.)
I spoke to friends who had married off their daughters and I discovered a secret phenomenon. I was not alone. I had uncovered the father-marrying-off-his-first-kid-and-she's-a-girl syndrome. Why had no one warned me of this before?
This seems unique to fathers. On some subterranean level we sense the tectonic movements taking place in the relationship; my daughter's orbit is shifting to another man.
My case was not all that extreme. One friend said he could hardly speak to his son-in-law for a month.
My case was not all that extreme. One friend confided that from the night before his daughter's wedding until the end of the week of Sheva Brachot celebrations, he didn't stop crying. Another said he could hardly speak to his son-in-law for a month. Another described bawling his eyes out uncontrollably at the bedekin (veiling) ceremony.
But they also consoled me with some reassuring news. They discovered that they didn't really lose their daughter and eventually things got wonderful again, albeit in a whole new way: a new son in the family, grandchildren (with God's help) in the future, and a whole new phase of life and pleasures.
On the day of Yael's wedding, obsessed by images of me collapsing under the chuppah and spoiling her joy, I barged into my rabbi's office to seek wise counsel. His response was sharp.
"Ephraim, what are children for?" he asked me, moving right past my sentimentality and getting straight to the point.
"Um, mmm, umm…." I babbled, my brain a soggy puddle. Reaching, I vaguely recalled some distant reason for having children.
"Children aren't entrusted to us by God to enjoy their cuteness," he sliced through me. "They are to teach us about our relationship with our Creator. Our love for our children is the easiest lesson we have to teach us how much the Almighty loves us. That's why He designed these relationships: To educate us how to get close to Him. And just like His greatest pleasure is to see us reach our potential, to reach personal greatness and to become independent, similarly we as parents guide our children to their own independent happiness and fulfillment."
My blurry, bloodshot eyes began to re-focus.
"Our greatest pleasure as parents is to see our kids reach their potential. We want them to have their own families and they need to do so in order to reach their own personal destiny. Her independence is your pleasure. That's why you brought her into this world."
His wisdom strengthened me. I made it through the day in one piece. But, just before the chuppah, when I started to give Yael the traditional blessing, I lost it. There was simply far too much emotion to fit into the words and it flowed over the two of us.
As she circled her husband-to-be seven times, the past 20 years of joy and warmth and love all merged together into one overwhelming sensation. It felt like we'd been rocketed into the heavens where we basked in the presence of the Almighty Himself as He showered the young couple with His love and affectionately tied their souls together for eternity.
And I wasn't too bad under the chuppah. I did have a very good cry. It was sweet and sad, and full of love and hope and memories and dreams. And most of all, happiness in seeing my darling Yael take this leap into her future and knowing my wife and I had done something very right.


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Pollock out for third game with groin injury
SAN DIEGO -- Right up until he started running Saturday afternoon, D-backs outfielder A.J. Pollock thought he would be in that night's starting lineup.
Instead Pollock was out of the lineup for the third straight game with a groin injury.
"We thought he was pretty close," D-backs manager Kirk Gibson said. "I asked him after the game [Friday] if he thought he'd be ready to go, he thought he would and then he came out and ran today and he's just not where he needs to be."
Pollock first felt tightness in the groin last Tuesday when he rounded third base in the sixth inning. He stayed in the game and wound up delivering the game-tying homer in the eighth inning.
"It's just like that last gear you try to get to, it's kind of grabbing," Pollock said. "I'm probably at about 80 running. I went out there and tested it with all the trainers and stuff. They kind of wanted me to take another day. I was ready to go. I told them, 'If you guys are OK with me going 80, maybe 85 percent, then I'd like to play.' It's frustrating. It's the worst not being able to play."
Pollock missed the team's four-game series with the Cubs last month with a strained neck and he was not happy to once again be unable to play.
"Hopefully I can get over this and not have to deal with anything ever again this year," he said." It's not a big deal. It really isn't. But in my head right now it kind of [stinks] not being able to be out there."


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Travelers, adventurers, and thrill-seekers alike, you might want to check this out.
This is a sponsored post.
For people who love to explore the world, it's hard to find a travel organizer that is strong enough to endure the rough roads while providing optimum protection to your belongings at the same time. Well, I was sent of these pouches for me to provide my honest feedback.
How it all began
Chris Elfering founded BOND Travel Gear in order to address the travelers' need for a reliable kit. After leaving the military, he then pursued traveling around the world. This means that he has witnessed how tough the world can be. He had made this as an inspiration to come up with handy travel pouches that can withstand extreme conditions.
DASH Dopp Kit
Its fabric is made up of 1000D ballistic nylon. It is the same stuff used in military uniforms. This guarantees that the materials used are very tough and damage-resistant. It is water-resistant too!
Aside from the fabric, double-stitched YKK autolock zippers and stress points guarantee security on your stuff inside. You don't need to worry about any accidental opening of the pouch once you have closed it. To top it all off, every purchased pouch is backed by a lifetime warranty!
With dimensions of 4.7 in (12cm) x 8.9 in (22.5 cm) x 2.8 in (7 cm), it can hold your travel essentials while being portable enough to carry around.
Personally, I'd like to stuff my toiletries and skin care products in this pouch because of the breathable mesh it has. Also, no space is wasted as you can slip your tools through the stretchable loops. I also like how it opens like a book. I can see everything right away in one look. It saves time and hassle looking for your items. Plus, it includes a Carabiner. The next time you wanted to take a swim, you can just hang it in a safe place!
ESCAPADE Small Gear Pouch
Just like the DASH Dopp Kit, it is made of 1000D ballistic nylon. The YKK autolock zippers and stress points are double-stitched. What made it different from the other pouch is that its elastics are silicone-backed ("No slip"), so your items inside won't be all over the place.
Its dimensions are 7 in (18 cm) x 8.7 in (22 cm) x 1.2 in (3 cm) so it is ideal as your flight "survival kit". You can store your passport, your phone and its accessories, as well as your plane tickets. And yes, this is also backed by their lifetime guarantee!
☑Lifetime Warranty
DASH Dopp Kit: $44
ESCAPADE Small Gear Pouch: $39
Because all of you have been lovely, you can purchase the DASH Dopp Kit and the ESCAPADE Small Gear Pouch through their website at a 15% discount. Just use the code STARGAZER15 upon checking out: https://bondtravelgear.com/
You can follow BOND Travel Gear on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bondtravelgear/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bondtravelgear/
I will surely be using them every day because I won't be worrying that they will get ruined by all the stresses I cast on them. If it happens that they give up, I can pull out the lifetime warranty card! What do you think of that? Comment down below.


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Musical Diplomacy in the Middle East
Daniel Barenboim uses his music to cross all political and religious boundaries, e.g. by initiating the Israeli-Palestinian music workshop "West-Eastern Divan". Petra Tabeling provides an overview of Barenboim's many highly promising projects.
There are no two ways about it: Daniel Barenboim is a very, very busy artist. The 62-year-old star composer, who was born in Argentina and grew up in Israel, is the leader of not one, but two orchestras: he is both General Music Director of the Deutsche Staatsoper in Berlin and Director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Married with children, Barenboim has also written several books and articles and is always on tour.
He is not only a brilliant pianist, but also speaks seven languages, including Hebrew. On top of all this, Barenboim is a tireless advocate of cultural dialogue between Palestinians and Israelis in the Middle East.
More than music
Together with his recently-deceased friend, the Palestinian writer and literary scientist Edward Said, Barenboim founded the Israeli-Palestinian music workshop "West-Eastern Divan" in the late 1990s. The project, which was named after Goethe's eponymous collection of poems, is more than just a music initiative: the primary aim was to show that Arabs and Israelis can live and work together peacefully.
The initiative fosters young talent by providing scholarships and organising an annual workshop lasting several weeks in Andalusia. This workshop is not only about music lessons, it is also about providing an opportunity for discussions in which the various viewpoints of the Arab-Israeli conflict can be exchanged.
At the end of the workshop, the musicians go on tour with their orchestra to show how different cultures can work together. They do not just play in the world's major cities. The Andalusian, Israeli, and Arab musicians have also played in the occupied Palestinian territories. The orchestra also played its first concert in an Arab country in August 2003 when it performed in the Moroccan capital Rabat.
Involvement on behalf of the Middle East
For this unusual peace project, Barenboim and Said were presented with the prestigious Prince of Asturia Award for International Relations in 2002. Sadly, Edward Said passed away last year. Nevertheless, Barenboim is continuing his work on his friend's behalf.
Since Said's death he has created an even greater platform for his music dialogue work: in the summer of 2004, the conductor joined forces with the regional government of Andalusia to set up the Barenboim-Said Foundation, a foundation that seeks to support projects that foster talented young musicians from Israel and the Arab world other than the aforementioned "West-Eastern Divan".
It is no coincidence that the foundation is based in the Spanish city of Seville. Most of the funding for the project comes from the Andalusian regional government, which hopes the project will help promote peace between the cultures. After all, Christians, Jews, and Muslims have been living peacefully side by side in Andalusia for many years now.
The foundation has set itself a large number of goals for fostering young musical talent. Among other things, it hopes to found an academy for orchestral studies that will complement the studies of Andalusian music students. It also hopes to set up an audio-visual library containing not only the works of Daniel Barenboim and Edward Said, but also works and compositions by other authors and composers who have dedicated their lives to promoting peace and raising humanitarian awareness.
Fighting violence with classical music
The foundation will also fund various music projects in the Middle East, and in the Palestinian autonomous territories in particular. The aim for all these projects is to teach dialogue, understanding, and respect. A five-year plan for building up an infrastructure for music lessons is also in the pipeline.
In organisations like the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music, with which the foundation co-operates in the autonomous territories, professional musicians teach children and young people from the refugee camps. The goal is to extend this program so that children in Jenin, Nablus, Al-Khalil (Hebron) and Gaza have access to music lessons.
Five musicians from Berlin are already teaching in these projects and the foundation is currently scouring Germany for other qualified music teachers and teachers with a knowledge of Arabic.
In addition to a youth orchestra, the Barenboim-Said Foundation also founded the first musical kindergarten in Ramallah. The kindergarten was named after Edward Said. According to Barenboim, music lessons play a more important role in this kindergarten than anywhere else in the world because every hour-long music lesson for a child or young person means one hour less violence in their lives. Most of the children come from the refugee camps AmAri and Qadura. In addition to regular classes, the five-year-olds also take classes in music, art, and theatre.
In this way, Barenboim gives young musicians opportunities they would not otherwise have been given. Barenboim himself was lucky: his talent was discovered at an early age by the famous conductor and composer Wilhelm Furtwängler.
Multiple literary and musical award winners
When asked why he gives his time to music projects in particular, Barenboim is always quick to answer that everyone should become active in the area to which they are most suited. "Music is my way and as a musician, I am fighting against two things: noisy music and silence!"
Barenboim regularly receives awards for his exemplary work for peace. He was recently presented with the Paul Hindemith Award for Art and Humanity. Barenboim not only raises his baton to conduct orchestras, he sometimes uses these awards to rap politicians on the knuckles.
In May 2004, for example, he caused outrage in the parliament in Jerusalem when he used a ceremony marking the presentation of the Wolf Award to criticise Israel's policy of occupying the autonomous territories. After the death of Yassir Arafat, the Israeli conductor called on Europe to get more heavily involved in the conflict in the Middle East. "If Europe does not bring peace to the Middle East now, the Middle East will bring violence to Europe," he recently wrote in an article in the German daily newspaper Die Welt.
Petra Tabeling
© Qantara.de 2004
Translation from German: Aingeal Flanagan


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ASU Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This collection includes most of the ASU Theses and Dissertations from 2011 to present. ASU Theses and Dissertations are available in downloadable PDF format; however, a small percentage of items are under embargo. Information about the dissertations/theses includes degree information, committee members, an abstract, supporting data or media.
In addition to the electronic theses found in the ASU Digital Repository, ASU Theses and Dissertations can be found in the ASU Library Catalog.
Dissertations and Theses granted by Arizona State University are archived and made available through a joint effort of the ASU Graduate College and the ASU Libraries. For more information or questions about this collection contact or visit the Digital Repository ETD Library Guide or contact the ASU Graduate College at email@example.com.
- Stoner, Lynn
- Vandermeer, Phil
- Arizona State University
- 1 Rosales, Francisco A
- 1 Walker, Scott Archie
- 1 English
- 1 Public
- Agriculture
- Salt River Valley
- Labor relations
- History
- 1 Arizona
- 1 Mexicans
- 1 agriculture
- more
- 1 cotton
- Reverse Fountain Cytoplasmic Streaming in Rhizopus Oryzae
- Diné Research Practices and Protocols: An Intersectional Paradigm Incorporating Indigenous Feminism, Critical Indigenous Research Methodologies and Diné Knowledge Systems
- Developing an Augmented Reality Solution for Mapping Underground Infrastructure
- Characterization of 2D Human Ankle Stiffness during Postural Balance and Walking for Robot-aided Ankle Rehabilitation
- Using Molecular, Cellular and Bioengineering Approaches Towards Understanding Muscle Stem Cell Biology
The Phoenix area had no sizable Mexican presence before the U.S. took over the territory. Some assumed that the region was founded completely by whites from the outset. Whites and Mexicans actually held nearly equal populations throughout the first two decades of settlement. Though they did not hold equal status, their cohabitation was largely characterized by mutual interdependence and respect. Transforming the Salt River Valley's desert terrain into a regional agricultural hub depended on the Sonorans' preindustrial skills. As the town modernized, a new class of resident sought large scale projects to integrate Phoenix into the U.S. economy. Two pivotal …
- Contributors
- Walker, Scott Archie, Rosales, Francisco A, Vandermeer, Phil, et al.
- Created Date
- 2012


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17 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
Habakkuk 3 (Old Testament)
Encouragement I received from Joni Erickson Tada today
Your spiritual life must not hinge on your commitment to Christ. That only sets you up for defeat. Rather, glory in his commitment to you. Daily come to him in spiritual want and leanness. Acknowledge moment by moment that he is the one whose arms are underneath you as you rise to the mountaintop, and he is the one who preserves you as you descend the other side.* * *


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Contact us with your news. Email email@example.com, or email@example.com or call the GTN News team on 01733 775700GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards 2107are sponsored by:and raise money for the Greenfingers Charity to build magical gardens at Childrens Hospices across the UK.See GTN's photo tours of 30+ garden centres this Christmas including Bents, Barton Grange, Brookside, Castle Gardens, Planters, Scotsdales, Silverbirch, Ruxley Manor and Whitehall using this link
GTN March 2018 Issue OUT SOON! To view a digital version click here


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You'll find power guzzlers in both likely and unlikely places around your home. But by making some fairly painless changes, you can see big savings.
It's not easy being Green. But what if you could get paid for your efforts?
There are several ways to help deal with spikes in energy prices, but the main one is simple: Get used to it.
There is a great way to save money when you make a purchase, but it has nothing to do with store sales or having a coupon.
We hardly talk about collapse here. Wise Bread is all about living large, while collapse mitigation is usually about living small. But that doesn't mean that there aren't things
The oven is not the most energy-efficient way to prepare your food. 19 tips to help you maximize your oven's energy-efficiency, as well as to cut your cooking costs.
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Colt Ford's next album, Declaration of Independence, is set to hit stores August 7, and it features some of his very good friends and great artists. Most importantly, though, the album is all about the music. The lead single "Back" (which features Jake Owen) tells a story many listeners will relate to, and in the process you get to know the man behind the song in a very intimate way.
In an exclusive interview with Steve Grunwald of Detroit station WYCD, Colt talks about the album, the collaborators, and the song "Back."
"It's just so personal for me," he says of "Back." "Really, that song is my life right there in front of you. Everything in that story is real."
It's so personal, in fact, that when the music video directors talked about hiring actors, Colt adamantly said no. "No, man, this is my life, I can't put an actor in that that's gonna play my mom." So what you will see in the touching video below is Colt Ford's family–his wife, his kids, his dad and mom–and the grave he is standing over is that of his closest childhood friend.
Watch the video for "Back":
When artists from different labels come together on a song, what many listeners may not realize is how difficult it can be to make that happen. As Colt explains, there are many people and politics involved.
"If it was just the artists, it would be pretty easy," he says. He speaks respectfully of Jake recording this song with him, saying how Jake had to come in and fight for him. "He [Jake] came in and said, 'I love this song, this is a hit song, it means something to me and I want to be a part of it.'" Seeing how passionate Jake was about recording it, the label supported his decision.
Colt Ford 'Declaration of Independence' Among those also featured on the album are Jason Aldean, Kix Brooks, Darius Rucker, Laura Bell Bundy and Montgomery Gentry.
The close friendship that Colt speaks of with Jason Aldean is the reason we have songs like "Dirt Road Anthem" (written by Colt Ford and Brantley Gilbert) and the upcoming "Drivin' Around Song," which he says is kind of like a "Dirt Road Anthem" part two.
Though Ford admits he could never afford to pay Jason to come in the studio and record with him, "he (Jason) is humble…gave up his time to go into the studio and record this for me." Jason is a "music guy, first and foremost–the song has to mean something to him."
Colt is thankful to have friends like Jason who believe in him and believe in the songs. After all, "it's not about us – we'll go away as artists and new ones will come in, but the songs are what live on." As artists, he believes that it's all about the music and creating emotion, and giving the fans something they can relate to. "Everybody has their own story they can relate to, that makes you want to go back to that simpler time."
Declaration of Independence Track List:
1. "Answer To No One" (feat. JJ Lawhorn)
2. "Drivin' Around Song" (feat. Jason Aldean)
3. "All In" (feat. Kix Brooks)
4. "Ain't Out of the Woods Yet" (feat. Montgomery Gentry)
5. "Lucky" (feat. Jonathan Singleton)
6. "Back" (feat. Jake Owen)
7. "Dancin' While Intoxicated (DWI)" (feat. LoCash Cowboys & Redneck Social Club)
8. "It's All" (feat. Jeffrey Steele)
9. "Hugh Damn Right" (feat. Laura Bell Bundy)
10. "Room at the Bar" (feat. Corey Smith)
11. "All of My Tomorrows" (feat. Russell Dickerson)
12. "Happy In Hell" (feat. Wayne Morris)
13. "50/50"
14. "Way Too Early" (feat. Darius Rucker)
15. "Angels & Demons" (feat. Lamar Williams Jr.)
Pre-order Declaration of Independence on iTunes. You can also hear a preview of Declaration of Independence on AOL.
– Nanci Haskin / 99.5 WYCD Detroit


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While the Thunder ponder what might have been in San Antonio last night if they hadn't committed four offensive fouls in the fourth quarter, or if they'd defended Manu Ginobili with something sturdier than hard glares, they can regroup to the flattering sounds of OKC's favorite local psychedelic rockers, the Flaming Lips. The band stripped the "wives and children" lyrics out of "Race for the Prize (Sacrifice of the New Scientists)" and replaced them with something Wayne Coyne apparently penned between a trip to the Circle K and shooting videos of rolly pollies. Behold:
Oklahoma City was once in a decline
Home of the workin' man
But he was losing
But heard off in the distance
Came a roar out of the sky
Thunder came thunderin'
So determined
Theirs is to win
We win with them
They'll keep fighting
For Oklahoma
And then a bunch of "Thunder up!" chants, which would totally work as arena fluffer during a TV timeout. There may be a Lips-friendly venue out in America already, where "The W.A.N.D." shakes the pillars and "She Don't Use Jelly" quakes the floors, but the assumption here is that they're still largely underused as a jock-jam band. Perhaps the Thunder will take the hint and change that. Because as loud as the earnest, lumpy, lower-bowl Okies at your typical Thunder game get, they have nothing on the army of delirious furries and dehydrated art school dropouts that caterwaul for the likes of "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots" and one of the most enrapturing "Bohemian Rhapsody" covers this side of an Albertan drunk tank. Do the right thing when this series comes back home, Oklahoma. Thunder Up.


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IF we spend as much money as we can
THEN K and D Market will invest 22% of all revenue into energy efficiency upgrades
29 Mar 2008
K and D Market
3177 16th St
San Francisco, CA 94103, USA
This was the first ever Carrotmob campaign! I went to 23 liquor stores in San Francisco's Mission District to see which business would make the strongest commitment to environmental sustainability. There were two motivations behind this campaign. First, concern about climate change, and a desire to see more businesses do energy efficiency retrofits. Second, a desire to experiment with a new model for advocacy and prove the Carrotmob concept. After reaching out to 23 businesses I found 5 who were willing to compete for the carrot. Each business bid what percent of the campaign's revenue they would be willing to reinvest in energy efficiency measures, as identified by an energy audit (which was facilitated by the SF Energy Watch program). Once we had our winner, hundreds of people came out to spend money, and the Carrotmob movement was born! See more about this campaign here: http://vimeo.com/925729
We raised enough money for K&D Market to completely retrofit their lighting system, switching from inefficient T12 lamps to more efficient T8 lamps. This covered the cost of light fixtures, ballasts, lamps, wire, connectors, labor, and the hazardous waste disposal fee. This created energy demand savings of approximately .887 kW. We also partially caused the installation of new gaskets in the refrigerators. We also collected 366 pounds of food which was donated to the San Francisco Food Bank.
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The fastest and easiest way to join Carrotmob is by connecting with your Facebook account. You will also be able see what your friends are doing on Carrotmob and quickly share some of your activities with your network. To learn more about how this works, read this. If you are curious about the permissions we're requesting of your Facebook account, read this. Clicking this button will NOT post anything to your Facebook wall.


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A Folk Set Apart: Rarities, B-Sides & Space Junk, Etc., is an alternate retelling of the last decade in the life of extraordinary songwriter Cass McCombs.
Comprising songs from 2003-2014, the album showcases McCombs' thematic and emotional diversity. A black mirror to his catalog, there are varying moments of reflection, madness, and dark humor. Also of politics - "Bradley Manning," which debuted on Democracy Now, is a modern folk ballad of the convicted Army whistleblower, and directly quotes Manning's own Facebook posts. McCombs has a unique ability to stitch together ancient techniques with our current primitive mind.
For all their differences, this collection of songs reveals the artist as navigator of avoidance. They have been unearthed from the so-called underground - culled from the various limited, rare sources from which they were initially released on different independent labels on both sides of the pond, now compiled by Domino. For the past decade, most of these have been next to impossible to find, and for the first time are now readily available. Many were first unveiled as split 7"s, only sold at shows, whose artist pairings are as diverse as McCombs' own musical tendencies: e.g. Meat Puppets ("Evangeline", "Night of the World"), Michael Hurley ("Three Men Sitting On A Hollow Log") and White Magic ("If You Loved Me Before").
McCombs is a perennial favorite of many acclaimed musicians - as evidenced by the broad range of guests who appear on the tracks: Mike Gordon (Phish) co-wrote and lent his unmistakable vocal to the bizarre experiment, "Texas"; PREfection-era drummer, Tim Dewit aka Dutch E. Germ (Gang Gang Dance) on "A.Y.D."; drummer Joe Russo (Furthur) on "Evangeline" and "Night Of The World"; Chris Cohen (Deerhoof) plays guitar on "Poet's Day" and "An Other"; Tim Cedar (from noise/punk band Ligament) drums on "Twins"; among many other anti-heroes from the musical underground, proving community defies classification.
Parallel universes obviously exist, but where are they before we experience them? The occult world stalks us until the final coup-de-gras. But McCombs is not a mystic but a brutal realist, exposing himself warts and all, in the punk tradition.
These songs will both satiate and perplex those already familiar with McCombs, while compelling and rewarding new listeners, pointing a way towards his back catalog. It's a glimpse behind the studio curtain at one of the greatest songwriters of the 21st Century. True trash esoterica.
- Cass McCombs To Release A Folk Set Apart: Rarities, B-Sides & Space Junk, Out December 11th
- Cass McCombs shares 'Unearthed' video
- Cass McCombs Announces New Single 'Big Wheel' – January 27th
- Cass McCombs 'Big Wheel and Others' streaming on Guardian Music and new tour dates
- Cass McCombs 'Big Wheel and Others'; listen to 'There Can Be Only One'
- Cass McCombs Presents New Video, New Single and Tour Dates
- Cass McCombs Announce New Single & 'Humour Risk' + 'WIT'S END' Double Pack
- Cass McCombs' 'Humour Risk' to be Released this Monday
You'll also like (Smog) and Juana Molina.


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Construction industry launches new code of practice
Construction industry launches new code of practice
Work on the code began after TfL's research into cycling fatalities in the capital revealed that 4 out of 10 deaths involved HGVs in 2010 and a staggering 12 out of 16 deaths involved HGVs in 2011.
The code is being launched just weeks after 3 cyclists and 3 pedestrians were killed within 9 days on London's roads in collisions with HGVs. Of the 14 cyclist fatalities so far this year in London, 9 have involved HGVs.
20 operators and contractors have already pledged to sign up to the 'standard for construction logistics', which is an amalgamation of the toughest elements of existing standards used by organisations like Crossrail and the Mineral Products Association.
The standard contains 16 requirements, each aimed at reducing the risk of collisions between large construction vehicles and vulnerable road users. Supplementary to the requirements are several non-mandatory recommendations.
The standard is relevant only to operators and contractors in the construction industry, thus other logistic sectors are being encouraged to define their own standards.
CTC believes the code's adoption is a positive development but warns that it needs to be much more comprehensive if cyclist and pedestrian deaths are to be avoided. Here we outline the recommendations that need to be more robust.
Collision reporting – Fleet operators are required to report all collisions resulting in injury and damage to vehicles and property to their client or contracting entity. There is no mention of a need to report to the local authority, Traffic Commissioner or Health and Safety Executive. There is also no mention of the contractor's responsibility to report these incidents to the authorities.
Traffic routing – Fleet operators are required to ensure all specified routes are adhered to by communicating routes and access requirements to drivers. There is no specific mention of the need for local authorities or other stakeholders to be consulted during route planning. There is also no requirement to consult with local authorities or other stakeholders when planning and controlling on-site traffic. Additionally, there is no mention about the need for fleet operators to liaise with local authorities or other stakeholders when making alterations to previously agreed routes.
Blind-spot minimisation – Fleet operators are required to ensure that all vehicles over 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight have their blind-spots completely eliminated or minimised as far as is practical and possible. However, there is no explanation of who is responsible for deciding what is practical and possible. It is disappointing that there is no requirement for low-height cabs, which give drivers much greater visibility and are already available on the market.
Training and Development – Fleet operators are required to ensure all drivers undergo approved progressive training especially covering the safety of vulnerable road users. Completion of cycle hazard awareness training is given as a recommendation rather than a requirement. It is regrettable that cycle hazard awareness training is not mandatory, and furthermore, that drivers are not required to complete cycle training. CTC wants all drivers of large vehicles to undergo mandatory cycle training.
The code may marginally reduce the risk of crashes, but vehicles from which drivers can't see other road users are fundamentally unsafe in urban areas, must be heavily restricted until the industry is forced to adopt safer designs with lower cab heights and greater visibility.
Read CTC's briefing on goods vehicles for more information about how lorry danger can be reduced.


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PD.com: "a rather irritating form of hermetic terrorism".
This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.
SEMAJ! STOP posting so much.
I'm fine. He had a long, healthy life, and went out in his sleep. If you have to choose your exit, it wasn't a bad one.
Fred-Really- you had peeps choosing what you were going to wear at age 18?
No disrespect-(cause I dig you) but What The Fuck, couldn't you make your own decisions and sustain yourself at age EIGHTEEN????
I pegged you as a self sustained being.
(were you forced into this arrangement?)


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The Price
I remember back in the early 2000's after our youngest son, Ben, decided to join the Marine Corps. This was before 9-11. This was before the term 'cannon fodder' started getting used again as we ramped up to another war. It seemed a certainty to some that after 9-11 Ben would have a change of heart (he was doing lots of PT with his recruiter but was still in the zone where he could have chosen to drop out). Instead it seemed to solidify his resolve. Friends and acquaintances would ask in conversation, "How could a liberal kind of guy like you sanction a son going into the military?" The answer was pretty short and to the point- he was doing something that gave his life meaning. He was involving himself in something greater than himself. Later on it was "But the war is so wrong." Well, maybe, probably, but one doesn't get to choose their battles when joining the military, especially the Marine Corps. It's a different contract. Many of us in the civilian world, certainly those of us in illustration, have the option to turn down assignments we don't wish to do. We'll take them if we need to pay bills but ultimately we have that luxury of choice.
I have posted before about my work in the USAF Art Program, through the Society of Illustrators, drawing, and even painting, service men and women in training for urban warfare, Combat Control operations and Pararescue team exercises. I've been fortunate enough, through the auspices of the Troops First Foundation, to travel to Iraq and Afghanistan drawing our men and women of the armed forces, far away from home and loved ones, in harm's way, in hostile lands and have met extraordinary people with a sense of purpose and conviction that is humbling.
Purpose and conviction, however, take a truly profound test when the ultimate price is paid in the call of duty. The test and burden, in those circumstances fall to the friends and loved ones of the fallen. I doubt few of us have passed through this life so far unaware or untouched by a tragic loss of life in the service of one's country. The grief is there and it is hard.
But the mind boggling miracles of modern medical care, of the rapid rescue and treatment of the critically wounded, has delivered many from what even a few years back would have been almost certain death. The test in this growing community of severely wounded is the reclaiming of their lives and sense of contribution to society as they make that long, at times physically and mentally painful, slog through the rehabilitation process. One could assume, and not without good reason, just by the sheer enormity of the challenge that lies ahead for these wounded warriors, that the saving of their lives has been a mixed blessing. I must admit, that ambivalence existed in me.
For a few months now I have been involved in a documentation process started by Michael D. Fay, a combat artist and former Marine of over twenty years, of drawing and painting these wounded warriors. It's called the Joe Bonham Project, named after the tragic character in Dalton Trumbo's "Johnny Got His Gun", who is stripped of all his limbs and face, the result of an artillery blast, but retains his mind. By eventually tapping his head in Morse code he communicates that he wishes his reality to be known to the outside world. That wish is denied by the hospital staff. It is an anti-war novel, set during World War I. It is a tragedy. But that idea of rejecting that notion of being hidden away from public attention is what drives the Bonham project. It has gotten the attention of the Smithsonian and the artwork will eventually be part of the historical record of 2 wars, the longest in American history, where the price paid by these warriors has for the most part been a struggle limited to immediate family and friends. The Society of Illustrators has also gotten on board with members wanting to be part of that documentation.
The ambivalence that I mentioned earlier has taken some hard punches to the head the more time is spent listening to the stories of these warriors while drawing them. Most of my subjects have been Marines, as the Marine Corps seems the most open to telling these stories of valor and sacrifice, and their Marines have demonstrated remarkable lack of restraint in sharing their experiences in a matter-of-fact tone that has at times been unnerving, to say the least. No self pity. No "Why me?". The only concerns expressed were regarding choices made that impacted their fellow Marines, for those left behind outside the wire, and a not uncommon sense of responsibility for not being with their comrades. All this while hooked up to tubes, IVs, catheters, and colostomy bags. Sit with these individuals for an hour- no, a half hour- and you'll find yourself becoming increasingly ashamed of every minor ache and pain you complain about during the course of a normal, essentially comfortable, day. That phrase about 'putting things in perspective' though probably a cliché, is so true. Is the road for these recovering warriors an easy one with a made-for-TV happy ending? No, it will be filled with hurdles both internal and external. But the will to remain in the existential fight makes disappearing quietly into some forgotten darkness not an option.
It's not just the fault of a culture more interested in 'reality TV' than reality. It has been the governmental policy in the course of the past decade to keep these battlefields far from the public mind. Shopping was equated in some perverse way to patriotism and sustaining the 'American' way of life and 'freedom'. The rules about showing video of caskets returning home have just recently been relaxed. A "Warrior Class", the result of the ending of a draft and the creation of a volunteer army, quickly evolved out of the tradition of 'citizen soldier'. In short time these individuals became, in a way, a separate entity from the main of society. Their experiences and struggles became less a community concern and more something limited to immediate families.
Ironically, and surveys have confirmed this, the one institution in this country that receives near unanimous respect and admiration is our armed forces. Forget about Congress and the Presidency. Forget about sports stars- overpaid, whiny, and just one step away from jail. Forget about the obsession with celebrities- they're just disposable fodder to be replaced by the next train wreck waiting in the wings. The members of our armed forces have largely maintained a degree of duty and purpose that so many in our contemporary culture of instant gratification seem to lack.
These drawings are but the beginning of an endeavor to document the sacrifice of our wounded warriors. As we enjoy the barbeques and festivities this Memorial Day let us keep in mind the price paid by a small- no, minute- percentage of our citizenry, who have chosen to serve to protect our country and, as a possible consequence of that choice, pay a price none of us in the civilian world would even wish to contemplate. "Thank you" is the least we can say.


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For a long time regular medication has trusted that our hereditary qualities are the essential driver of our physical wellbeing. In the 1990s, in any case, logical research found that our feelings play no less than an equivalent or potentially even a more prominent part in deciding if we will be looked with sicknesses like coronary illness, malignancy, diabetes, fibromyalgia, corpulence, liquor addiction, breaks or ceaseless torment.
How Unresolved Emotions Affect Your Health
Outstanding amongst other research ponders accessible including the impact of feelings on physical wellbeing is the ACE examination, which was directed by the Federal Centers for Disease Control, where analysts contemplated individuals who had an "antagonistic youth encounter" before the age of 18. "Unfriendly youth encounters" included repetitive physical, passionate, or sexual mishandle; experiencing childhood in a broken family where somebody was clinically discouraged, alcoholic, rationally sick or self-destructive; or in a circumstance where the guardians were isolated, separated, or detracted from the kid somehow.
Analysts found that "antagonistic youth encounters" were significantly more typical than what has been perceived or recognized previously. What was much all the more stunning was the logical proof of the connection between's these encounters and grown-up physical wellbeing. It wound up clear that the general population who visit specialists workplaces all the time have regularly encountered these sincerely excruciating 'unfavorable youth encounters."
In the event that you are one of the numerous individuals who experienced childhood in a useless family and encountered a portion of these "unfavorable youth encounters," you most likely grew up trusting that these encounters were typical. You additionally took in your methods for adapting to your negative encounters from the part displaying of your useless parental figures. On the off chance that you haven't had the chance to determine those early encounters through psychotherapy or through some sort of solid care group, you have most likely accidentally proceeded with the useless examples that you learned. Time and again this outcomes in working out your intense subject matters through poor physical wellbeing.
It's Never Too Late to Change!
A large number of individuals like you visit medicinal workplaces consistently, seeking after help from their current physical side effect. The issue is that when you don't manage the underlying foundations of the side effect, the enthusiastic torment will basically rise in another route after some time. The uplifting news I bring to the table you today is that it's never past the point where it is possible to change the unfortunate examples you've made! Regardless of what your age, your race, or your financial circumstance, there is dependably an approach to recuperate the past and make sound life designs. You just must be devoted and willing to take every necessary step it takes to turn your life around.
In spite of the fact that brain science is as yet another science, we have adapted such a great amount in the course of recent years that can help you drastically change those old, unfortunate examples. The essential aptitudes for working in a sound ways don't require advanced education or long lasting investigation. With a brief period and practice, you can figure out how to distinguish your feelings and resolve them in sound ways. Communicating your feelings in positive ways enormously enhances your confidence and self-assurance and also your physical wellbeing and prosperity.
Building A Healthy Support System for Positive Change
You can likewise learn aptitudes for setting up solid associations with individuals who comprehend and bolster what you are experiencing. Building a sound emotionally supportive network of companions who cherish you unequivocally will keep you persuaded on your mending way when your own assurance starts to falter. By essentially using these basic, powerful apparatuses, you can significantly change your observations, your experience, and your way to deal with life, which eventually enhances both your passionate and physical wellbeing.
Simply recall that regardless of what has transpired, it's never past the point where it is possible to turn your life around! You can completely take in the abilities for passionate and physical wellbeing. It just steps forward every day. The initial step is essentially finding inside your self the readiness to change. From readiness, you will figure out how to start your energizing excursion to passionate and physical wellbeing!


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About 100,000 people bought health insurance in Obamacare's first month
Slightly more than 100,000 Americans bought private health insurance during the first month of Obamacare, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.
Secretary Kathleen Sebelius released the initial enrollment numbers, which go from Oct. 1 through Nov. 2, in a call with reporters on Wednesday afternoon.
Of the 106,185 who bought insurance, just 26,794 people did so using the federal website, HealthCare.gov, while 79,391 people signed up through state marketplaces.
That's out of 1.5 million people who have applied for health insurance since Oct. 1; of those 846,184 applications are completed.
In addition, 396,261 people have been added to Medicaid under the law, which allowed states to expand the program if they wished.
The six states reporting the highest enrollment numbers all run their own exchanges: California, New York, Washington, Kentucky, Connecticut and Colorado. With 35,364 enrolled, California accounts for one-third of the total who have bought private insurance.
The administration had originally predicted 500,000 people would have bought private insurance the law's first month. But the troubled launch of federal website, which allows consumers to shop for private health insurance, has severely limited people's access.
It's not clear if the website's troubles are the only reason for low enrollment numbers.
Sebelius said that though the numbers were low, they show widespread interest across the country in the private insurance options and Medicaid expansion under the law.
"The marketplace is working and people are enrolling," she said.
She also argued that many users will wait until later in the enrollment period to sign up for insurance. The deadline to purchase health insurance is March 31.
"We have every reason to expect more people to enroll," she said.
Read the administration's full report on enrollment so far.


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Redlands Connection is a concoction of sports memories emanating from a city that once numbered less than 20,000 people. From the Super Bowl to the World Series, from the World Cup to golf's U.S. Open, plus NCAA Final Four connections, Tour de France cycling, major tennis, NBA and a little NHL, aquatics and quite a bit more, the sparkling little city that sits around halfway between Los Angeles and Palm Springs on Interstate 10 has its share of sports connections. – Obrey Brown
"And here comes the Captain!"
Captain Bodgit was on the move. It was the 123rd running of the Kentucky Derby. Fabled Churchill Downs was the site. Some 141,000 patrons had assembled, presumably with bets on the outcome. The May 3, 1997 NBC telecast was live throughout the world.
This year's Derby will be tomorrow, May 5.
Redlands horseman William Buster, who dabbled in horse racing, wasn't unlike every other race track participant in 1997. A Kentucky Derby triumph was always in the back of his mind, much in the manner that an actor dreams of Academy Award glory, or a scientist dreams of a Nobel Prize.
Captain Bodgit belonged to Buster – well, partially.
Such a prospect of winning the Derby for the highly profitable area contractor seemed improbable. Not only does it take dedication – translation, big bucks plus incredible connections – to pull it off, but it takes the kind of racing luck to get that kind of thoroughbred ready for the first Saturday in May.
By no means does Buster take a bow for his place in the sport. His interest derived from his father, a far more interested horseman.
He'll use a variety of phrases – "lucky … fortunate … it's a crapshoot … you lose more than you win" – to describe his own place in racing.
As for Buster, he wound up as part of the Team Valor International syndicate, owning one of 32 shares in a pair of Kentucky Derby horses. The first of those was Captain Bodgit, a 1994 foal that was offered around to various horsemen like Buster.
Barry Irwin, a renowned horse investor who brought people together for the purpose of winning the big one, had offered a piece to Buster. He took it. Maybe, it was five percent.
Captain Bodgit, under jockey Alex Solis, finished second to Silver Charm. The Captain might've won. He'd won the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park. Two weeks before the Kentucky Derby, he scored another win at the prestigious Wood Memorial at Aqueduct (N.Y.).
This was a true blue blood thoroughbred. He'd won five straight at tracks like Pimlico (Md.) and Delaware Park, Gulfstream Park (Fla.) and Aqueduct. By the time Captain Bodgit showed up at Churchill Downs, he'd won 7-of-10 with three third place runs.
He went to post as the 3-to-1 Derby favorite. Captain Bodgit drifted up from far back of the field. Freestone was the early leader. Silver Charm, second choice at 5-to-2, was always near the front of the pack. The Captain, though, had entered the stretch with a full head of steam.
When NBC race-caller Dave Johnson saw The Captain coming with a flash, he fired up a worldwide television audience.
His signature phrase … "and down the stretch they come" had been preceded just moments earlier with this phrase, "and here comes The Captain."
It seemed like Captain Bodgit had enough firepower to overcome Silver Charm.
Sitting dead in The Captain's tracks was Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert's colt, who would not be denied. Silver Charm won by a head.
Or did he?
That famous Churchill Downs home stretch, which had seen plenty of neck-and-neck Derby duels – Affirmed over Alydar in 1978, Swaps over Nashua in 1955, the 1989 classic win by Sunday Silence who nosed out Easy Goer – came down to another thrilling conclusion.
Silver Charm, with Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens in the saddle, was seen drifting to the right. No question that it seemed to slow up The Captain's hard-charging, stretch-running stride to the finish of that grueling 1 ¼-miles.
There should've been an inquiry.
Captain Bodgit had 32 owners in its Team Valor syndicate. Watching the race. It was the 18th straight year the favorite had lost the Derby. The question had to be asked: Was The Captain's pathway to the finish compromised when Silver Charm drifted?
A side view revealed a questionable outcome. A head-on view, however, revealed no contact.
"An inquiry," said Buster, who had lost his wife, Benita Marie, remarried and moved to neighboring Yucaipa-based Oak Glen, "cost him the Derby. (Captain Bodgit) was going by (Silver Charm) when that thing happened."
There was, in fact, no inquiry. Solis did not file an inquiry claim. Stevens said he didn't feel contact. In reality, The Captain might've been drifting in more than Silver Charm was drifting out.
Buster questioned the outcome. From his vantage point, he saw contact between Silver Charm and his colt. Derby history has only recorded one "foul," which occurred in 1984, but didn't alter the outcome of the winner's horse.
Derby history wouldn't be set in 1997.
In the Preakness two weeks later, Captain Bodgit ran third – trailing Free House (third in the Derby) and the eventual winner, Silver Charm – two heads separated the trio at the Preakness finish at Pimlico.
The Captain, with earnings just over $1 million, never raced again after losing.
Silver Charm, for his part, was left with the difficult 1 ½-mile Belmont Stakes to win the Triple Crown. Maybe it was that open-ended question mark at the Derby, that karma, that kept Silver Charm from beating lightly regarded Touch Gold in the third leg.
For Buster, however, he had one Derby hope remaining in 2000.
The Deputy, an Irish foal, went to post as the favorite, having won the Hill Rise Handicap, Santa Anita Derby, running second in the San Felipe – all at Santa Anita. At Churchill Downs on Derby Day, though, The Deputy failed to fire, finishing 14th.
A few years later, Buster seemed much calmer about both outcomes.
"It's just another horse race," he said of the Derby. "It has a lot more publicity, a lot more tradition. But it is just a horse race. You go through the same anxieties with any horse race.
"I've been through it now twice; the mystique is not as great."
Said Buster: "At least I can say, 'been there, done that.' "


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Skydiving daredevil Felix Baumgartner is more than halfway toward his goal of setting a world record for the highest jump.
Baumgartner lifted off Thursday for a test jump from Roswell, N.M., aboard a 100-foot helium balloon. He rode inside a pressurized capsule to 71,581 feet — 13.6 miles — and then jumped. He parachuted to a safe landing, according to project spokeswoman Trish Medalen.
He's aiming for nearly 23 miles this summer. The record is 19.5 miles.
"The view is amazing, way better than I thought," Baumgartner said after the practice jump, in remarks provided by his representatives.
Thursday's rehearsal was a test of his capsule, full-pressure suit, parachutes and other systems. A mini Mission Control — fashioned after NASA's — monitored his flight.
Baumgartner reached speeds of up to 364.4 mph Thursday and was in free fall for three minutes and 43 seconds, before pulling his parachute cords, Medalen said. The entire jump lasted eight minutes and eight seconds. She stressed that the numbers are still unofficial.
With Thursday's successful test, Baumgartner is believed to be only the third person ever to jump from such a high altitude and free fall to a safe landing, and the first in a half-century.
"I'm now a member of a pretty small club," he said.
When the 42-year-old Austrian known as "Fearless Felix" leaps from 120,000 feet in a few months, he expects to break the sound barrier as he falls through the stratosphere at supersonic speed. There's virtually no atmosphere that far up, making it extremely hostile to humans, thus the need for a pressure suit and oxygen supply.
The record for the highest free fall is held by Joe Kittinger, a retired Air Force officer from Florida. He jumped from 102,800 feet — 19.5 miles — in 1960.
Baumgartner is out to beat that record. He plans one more dry run — jumping from 90,000 feet — before attempting the full 120,000 feet. The launch window opens in July and extends until the beginning of October.
For comparison, commercial jets generally cruise at over 30,000 feet.
Baumgartner has jumped 2,500 times from planes and helicopters, as well as some of the highest landmarks and skyscrapers on the planet — the Christ the Redeemer statue overlooking Rio de Janeiro, the Millau Viaduct in southern France, the 101-story Taipei 101 in Taiwan.
He's also plunged deep into the Earth, leaping face-first into a pitch-dark cave in Croatia.
Baumgartner considers that 620-foot-deep cave jump his most dangerous feat so far, soon to be outdone by his stratospheric plunge. His mission takes its name, Red Bull Stratos, from the stratosphere as well as the energy drink-maker sponsor.
"I like to challenge myself," Baumgartner told The Associated Press in a recent interview, "and this is the ultimate skydive. I think there's nothing bigger than that."
He's caught NASA's attention, even though space officially begins much higher at an even 100 kilometers, 328,084 feet or 62 miles.
Kittinger is now 83 and one of Baumgartner's chief advisers. A former NASA flight director directs the medical team: Dr. Jonathan Clark, whose astronaut wife, Laurel, was killed aboard space shuttle Columbia in 2003. The accident led Clark to become an expert in spacecraft emergency escape.
Kittinger and Clark were among those taking part in Thursday's dress rehearsal.


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- Loss of Smell More Common in COVID-19 Than Thought
- Psoriasis Meds Don't Raise Risk of Severe COVID-19: Study
- Diet Drinks Don't Do Your Heart Any Favors
- Lockdowns Can Widen Kids' Waistlines – Here's How to Curb That
- Trial of Antibody Drug for COVID-19 Stopped for Lack of Effectivenes
- Health Highlights: Oct. 27, 2020
- Kidney Trouble Greatly Raises Odds for Fatal COVID-19
- MRIs Might Be Safe for Patients With Implanted Heart Devices
- More Evidence Masks Slow COVID's Spread
- Dangerous COVID-19 Syndrome First Seen in Kids Also Strikes Adults
Gene Linked to Breast Cancer Might Boost Heart Health
SUNDAY, Nov. 15 (HealthDay News) — The over-activity of a gene known to boost a woman's risk for breast cancer may have a good side, making arteries healthier, a new study suggests.
The study, performed in mice, also found that when this gene, called BRCA1, is turned off, it promotes an inflammation that can lead to atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries.
Although there has been no previous observation of increased cardiovascular death specifically in the large number of people who carry the BRCA1 mutation, there has been a surprising suggestion of higher non-cancer death in this population, noted study senior author Dr. Subodh Verma, who was to present the results Sunday at the annual meeting of the American Heart Association in Orlando, Fla.
The finding will "probably unleash a whole flurry of studies probing the databases and probing the populations that carry the BRCA mutations with respect to propensity for cardiovascular disease," said Verma, a cardiac surgeon at St. Michael's Hospital and associate professor of surgery at the University of Toronto in Ontario, Canada. "We were surprised at how [the gene] is a gatekeeper of not just cardiac survival but also vascular function in atherosclerosis."
Mutated forms of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes can each raise a woman's odds for breast and ovarian cancer risk at a younger age. When working right, the genes are tumor-suppressor genes and are key players in repairing DNA. When the genes are mutated, however, they can't repair DNA and unrepaired flaws can start a chain of events that ultimately leads to cancer.
"Things like tumor-suppression genes in this case may [also] have multiple effects that either promote, or, if they're abnormal, delay or limit the damage to arteries. That's what these researchers are hypothesizing," said Dr. Russell Luepker, an American Heart Association spokesman and Mayo professor at the School of Public Health of the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. "They surmise from their research that the breast cancer-suppressor gene may very well be playing a role in controlling these lesions [inflammation] and if you don't have a normal BRCA gene, you may have more difficulty suppressing these lesions."
"If you have some abnormality in this gene, if you don't have a normal gene structure, then you're not able to suppress the formation of tumor cells," he added. "Some people have argued that atherosclerosis lesions in the arteries are really a cancer-like lesion because the tissue is abnormal and things organize and form in ways that in some ways are a bit like cancer."
The normal version of the BRCA1 gene can put a cap on cell inflammation as it relates to breast cancer.
But the question has been whether these anti-inflammatory properties extend to other parts of the body.
If plaque build-up in arteries from atherosclerosis get bad enough, bits of plaque can break off and block the vessel. If blood supply to the heart is cut off, it can result in a heart attack.
In this new study, an overactivated BRCA1 gene in lab mice produced a chemical that spurred the formation of new blood vessel proliferation. More and newer blood vessels mean better blood supply to areas of the body without good circulation, the researchers pointed out.
There was also less inflammation in these mice, compared to those with a lower-functioning BRCA1 gene, and fewer atherosclerotic lesions.
While confirmation in humans remains a long way off, the findings suggest that people with mutations in the BRCA1 gene may be predisposed to heart disease, experts said.
More information
There's more on atherosclerosis at the American Heart Association.
Source: HealthDay


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You found your partner for life, are happily married, and looked great walking down the aisle. Fast forward to your first anniversary and you realize you let yourself go. You are more loved and more secure than ever yet feel unattractive to your spouse. Why do women and men gain weight after marriage? What are the dangers and effects of gaining weight during the first years of marriage? What healthy habits can you incorporate into your routine that can prevent those extra pounds?
In this episode Ellen Goldman, founder EnerGcoaching, will motivate and empower you and your partner to work as a team to stay fit for a successful married life. Ellen, a Professional Wellness Coach with over twenty years experience in the health, wellness and fitness industry, offers practical advice to help you conquer your challenges and live a happy, healthy, energetic and satisfying lifestyle.
Ellen Goldman's EnerGcoaching website
Get Ellen's free audio to Mastering the Inner Game of Weight Loss here
More healthy lifestyle tips here


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Alaska Tour & Travel
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To a great extent, the safety, order and freedom of our democratic society depends on our criminal justice professionals. These are the men and women who spend the majority of their time providing a variety of services to their communities. The complexity of today's diverse communities demands more than ever that criminal justice professionals are broadly educated and highly trained.
Mission Statement
GRCC's Criminal Justice program is dedicated to providing the best possible education for students preparing for challenging careers in law enforcement, corrections, juvenile services and other criminal justice fields. We do this by offering knowledge, education and guidance in the history and philosophy of criminal justice; the organization, management and operation of modern criminal justice agencies; the social, psychological, and cultural aspects of society; and the laws impacting criminal justice functions.