text:
We Chat With Greg Hall of Virtue Cider
The name Greg Hall is well known in the world of craft beer—Hall was an early advocate of beer pairings and the man behind the world class beers at Goose Island Beer Co. Greg's newest obsession is cider, and the first pints from his Virtue Cider venture are now on tap in Chicago. We caught up with Greg to talk all things cider.
These are clearly busy times over at Virtue! Can you tell us a little about the brand and how you got interested in cider?
I first got interested in cider while working at the Goose Island Brewpub in the early 90s. We had Woodchuck on tap, it was our only guest draft at the time. Then in 2000, six of us from Goose went to England to visit breweries: Young's, Fuller's, Marston's, Sam Smith, Black Sheep and a few more. Whilst we were up in York, we happened upon a pub called the Maltings. They were having a bit of a cider fest with many casks from around the country tapped. I loved the wide range—fruity, sweet, tart, sour, heavy tannin—every cider was different. I fell in love with cider on that trip.
We're familiar with you through Goose Island and the award winning beer that you produced while there. Has the transition from the beer word to the cider one been difficult? What are some of the differences you see between the cider community and the beer one?
It reminds me of the early days of craft beer, back in the late 80s when craft just started out. Many drinkers thought there were only four kinds of beer back then, light beer, dark beer, import beer, and beer. That's where we are with cider today, there's sweet cider or hard cider. But there is so much more variety to explore—different apples, yeast, barrels, blending. Today, most beer drinkers could easily name 20 to 50 styles; we have a lot of catching up to do.
What kind of research went into making your first cider?
I spent about seven weeks in the UK and France over the summer, starting with the Royal Bath and West Show in Somerset (I'm on my way back to Bath and West right now) and finishing up with two weeks in Normandy working at Dupont. I must have visited 40 to 50 cider makers. In the fall, we bought a small press and did about 180 test batches, trying two dozen apples and almost as many yeast strains. We blended our favorites to make the base for RedStreak.
Your first cider, Redstreak, just hit the market in Chicago. Can you tell us a bit about it? What exactly is an "English style draft cider" and how does it differ from the other American ciders that our readers may be used to drinking such as those from Farnum Hill or Tieton Ciders?
Traditional English ciders tend to be more dry than others, with more tannin and complexity from native yeast. We made three different ciders, each with a unique set of apples and yeast, and blended them together to make RedStreak. We aged a bit in barrels too, for a little more tannin. I would definitely say that Steve Wood from Farnum Hill is the king of English style cider in the USA. He has been at it for 30 years or so and grows most of his own apples. He is super authentic and a great leader in the industry. We hope we can make cider that good someday.
While working at Goose Island, your barrel aging and Belgian-inspired beer programs introduced the American palate to some of the more nuanced flavors of craft beer and, more importantly, craft beer and food pairings. Are you planning anything similar with Virtue cider?
Yes, absolutely. Almost all small cider producers in the UK and France have ciders that spend time in wood and most ferment with wild yeast. It's an area I've had a good amount of experience with, although most Americans haven't been exposed to those traditional ciders. Both the barrel and the fermentation can add so much complexity to cider. We plan to make a range of cider that can carry you though all courses in a meal from tart to tannic, farmy to boozy and sweet. I had a 12 course meal with Etienne Dupont in Normandy, with a different local cider paired with each course. Cider really complements food, never overpowering the dish. There is a very bright future in pairing cider with food.
Michigan (where Virtue cider is produced) has a well established cider history. Was that something you took into consideration with Virtue? Also, Can you fill us in on the cider landscape in Chicago right now?
The state flower of Michigan is the apple blossom—there are over 30 cider producers and 1000 apple growers. It has a chance to be the Portland or the Napa of cider. Many great Michigan ciders, like Vander Mill and JK Scrumpy, find their way to Chicago, but most bars don't have a cider on tap yet, there is a lot of opportunity.
Crispin used Chicago as an early test market, and of course now MillerCoors is in Chicago so we are seeing cider pop up more places, even in the Cell where the White Sox play. Prima is making nice German style cider in the suburbs, they are starting to show up around town. We've had a great reception so far with RedStreak, about 50 accounts in our first month. Everyone is excited about cider in Chicago.
With Sam Adam releasing Angry Orchard, Tenth and Blake (MillerCoors) purchasing Crispin Cider, and InBev introducing their Michelob Ultra Light Cider, it seems that everyone wants to get into the cider game this year. Is cider the next big thing, or is it the next Zima?
How long did the big guys take to figure out craft beer wasn't going away, 20 years? That they see the growth opportunity in cider speaks volumes. Zima was a made up drink, with no history. Cider has a long and glorious history, people understand it, I'm not sure anyone understood Zima. Drinking fresh pressed "sweet cider" in the autumn is a well-established tradition. Craft cider is at the intersection of craft beer and the local farm to table food movement, it's just getting started, but cider is here to stay.
You have some new varieties in the works, Lapinette and The Mitten. Can you tell us a bit about these ciders and how they differ from Redstreak?
Lapinette is aging right now in French oak, it will be more tart and funky than RedStreak, more like a brut from Normandy. As for The Mitten, it's going to be a blend of 2011 cider aged in bourbon barrels with fresh 2012 cider and fresh pressed apple juice. It's an American Craft brewer's take on a Pommeau from Normandy, it will be our winter cider.
What other American ciders are you excited about right now? What should we be drinking?
There are so many great ciders around the country, but most are quite small and local. West Country, Eden and Farnum Hill in the NE; Tandem from Michigan, Wandering Aengus and EZ Orchards from the NW; Foggy Ridge from Virginia- those are some of my favorites. But there are many more local ones, try a cider from your own region. Soon there will be a cider maker in every market, just like craft beer. The biggest difference is your cider maker will source the apples locally too—most craft brewers can't find local malt and hops.
Drinking Redstreak
The first thing you'll notice about Redstreak is, well, just how unassuming it is. When served at refrigeration temperature, you almost miss everything that is going on. It's dry, but not bone-dry, with a tartness upfront and lingering tannins. The flavor drop-off is quick, which leaves you wanting more. Letting the cider warm up solves this by rounding out the palate with complex apple notes and hints of citrus. The nose hits of caramel but not in a sticky-sweet way.
While Redstreak is not as complex as some of the farmhouse ciders we've tried, it is incredibly approachable, filling a void in the American cider landscape between the sweeter six-pack ciders and the complex farmhouse varieties. If I lived in Chicago, this could easily become my new everyday cider and one I would use often to introduce the possibilities cider offers.


text:
Country and language selection
Please select your country and your preferred language.
Country selection
Language selection
For your settings to be saved, you must allow cookies.
Thank you, we have received your enquiry and will contact you as requested.
In case you do not get redirected automatically, please click here.
To personalize and improve your website experience this site uses cookies. By using ppb-infolounge.com, you agree to our cookie policy

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Here is my 2 cents worth on the plans-
(1) Make most Bush tax cuts of 2001 and 2003 permanent. OK so far. The whole idea of "sunsetting" is stupid, as is making tax changes temporary with the need to extend each or every other year.
(2) Raise the Estate Tax personal exemption from $1 million to $5 million. While not a fan of the Estate Tax I am hesitant to do away with it altogether because of a fear of losing the "stepped-up basis" in inherited property. So I am OK with this as well. I would also make the Gift Tax exemption (unified credit) equal to the Estate Tax exemption.
(3) Eliminate the dreaded Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) altogether. Yes! Yes! Yes! A resounding OK – two thumbs up for this proposal. The AMT must be destroyed!
(4) An alternative two-rate income tax code that claims would simplify the system. Taxpayers would choose which code to use. Here is where we start to differ. I have discussed this proposal in the past. Why make it an option – make the simplified system the official tax system.
(5) Raise the limits on tax rates, which would shift taxpayers from the 28% rate to 15%. I suppose it sounds good on the surface.
(6) Reduce the corporate tax rate and close corporate tax loopholes. You can't do one without the other – so I am OK with this. For my money the best way to reduce corporate taxes is to create a "Dividends Paid" deduction for corporations.
(1) Keep the Bush tax cuts for all but those earning more than $250,000. What makes Obama think that a couple earning $250,000 is wealthy. Perhaps in Kansas the couple is filthy rich – but not so in New York or New Jersey. Why should we punish those who earn more by having them pay a disproportionately higher share of taxes while we continue to increase the number of tax "non-payers"?
(2) More tax cuts for the middle class resulting in about $1000 per family. The concept is OK – but it depends on the details.
(3) Seniors making less than $50,000 would be exempt from tax. Creating more tax "non-payers". Why not just do away with the tax on Social Security benefits for those age 65 or older.
(4) Increase the capital gains tax rates to between 20 and 28%. No! No! No!
(5) Simplification of the tax code. Yes! Yes! Yes! However, Democratic candidate plans have called for more complicated credits and deductions.
Perhaps the only thing that George W did right in his 8 years in office was create the commission to review and make recommendations for substantially simplifying the Tax Code. But when it did not recommend exactly what he wanted he turned his attention elsewhere. This process needs to be reinstated.
What do you think?


text:
Wayward Sisters was supposed to be a sure bet after its backdoor pilot on Supernatural garnered generally positive reviews. However, The CW threw fans a major curveball earlier this week when the network announced that it had passed on the potential spinoff -- which sparked a fan petition to save the series -- saying that it wasn't where The CW wanted it to be creatively.
But just because the CW isn't moving forward with the spin-off, that doesn't mean it's the end of the road for Jody Mills (Kim Rhodes) and the rest our beloved all-woman demon-wrecking crew. Especially since they already have such a rich history in the Supernatural world.
"Wayward Sisters was special in that the characters that were spun off were for the most part characters that we had gotten to know and love over the course of several years on the show," Supernatural's Misha Collins told TV Guide during The CW's Upfronts red carpet event. "I think that that spin-off had a lot more emotional impact for the fans."
Why The CW Isn't Moving Forward with Wayward Sisters
With such a passionate fan base behind them and a rich history under their belt, there's no doubt you'll see the badass sisters again, and according to Collins, they just may resurface sooner rather than later. "All those characters are alive and well and strong and teed up to have other opportunities potentially on another show but certainly on Supernatural. And I know that the producers are already talking about ways to integrate them into the coming season," he added.
Let's hope this comes to fruition soon because after seeing the major forces Castiel (Collins), Jack (Alexander Calvert) and the Winchesters (Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki) are up against, they could use the extra help.
(Full disclosure: TV Guide is owned by CBS, one of the CW's parent companies.)Jared Padalecki, Misha Collins, Supernatural" data-image-credit="Dean Buscher/The CW" data-image-alt-text="Jared Padalecki, Misha Collins, Supernatural" data-image-credit-url="" data-image-target-url="" data-image-title="Jared Padalecki, Misha Collins, Supernatural" data-image-filename="171102-supernaturalcastiel-news.jpg" data-image-date-created="2017/11/02" data-image-crop="" data-image-crop-gravity="" data-image-aspect-ratio="" data-image-height="1380" data-image-width="2070" data-image-do-not-crop="" data-image-do-not-resize="" data-image-watermark="" data-lightbox="">
Other Links From TVGuide.com SupernaturalWayward SistersMisha CollinsKim Rhodes


text: Sudden Deafness Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), also known as sudden deafness, is defined as the onset of unexplained one-sided SNHL in less than 72 hours. It strikes an estimated 5-20/100,000 persons per year. This is approximately the same incidence as Meniere's syndrome (15 per 100,000), and nearly as common as Bell's Palsy (20-30 per 100,000). This incidence of SSNHL is likely to be an underestimate as many who recover quickly will never seek medical attention. The average age of affected individuals is around 50 years but both younger and older people can develop this condition. There is equal sex distribution. Vestibular symptoms of dizziness, vertigo, or imbalance are present in about half of patients. Research indicates a worse hearing prognosis with presence of vestibular dysfunction and/or with advancing age. All reports describing treatments indicated that earlier initiation of treatment was associated with better hearing outcome. Many patients, especially those with milder hearing loss, can experience some degree of spontaneous improvement, though rarely to normal. This condition is a true ear emergency since the chance of hearing recovery decreases with delay in treatment. There is a window of two to four weeks to get treated. If four weeks passes before treatment is started, there is little chance of any benefit. If treatment is started within the first two weeks after SSNHL onset, about 80 percent of patients show some improvement and some will even recover to normal. Not all cases of sudden deafness are idiopathic. More than 50 different causes of sudden deafness have been described. "Idiopathic SSNHL" is the assigned diagnosis when no clear cause is known. Although many mechanisms have been proposed, the most popular theories to explain these cases invoke viral infection, inflammation or immune system problem, or impaired circulation. In fact, all of these mechanisms probably do occur. However, evidence supporting these theories is circumstantial. SSNHL is almost exclusively unilateral (one-sided) disease. Rare cases of bilateral sudden deafness are most often seen as a psychiatric "functional" hearing loss, or as a neurological event arising from malignant tumor growing along the dura lining the skull or from infection or inflammation of the brain or brain covering. Transient or temporary bilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss may be seen from sudden drop in spinal fluid pressure during spinal tap. Approximately 99 percent of cases of typical unilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss are idiopathic. The remaining 1 percent are predominantly due to "retrocochlear" disease, such as vestibular schwannoma (a.k.a. acoustic neuroma; a type of benign tumor), demyelinating disease (multiple sclerosis), or stroke. SSNHL falls within a spectrum of idiopathic acute auditory and vestibular dysfunction. At one extreme is sudden onset of pure vertigo with no auditory symptoms. This is known as vestibular neuritis and is widely attributed to be a peripheral viral inflammation of the balance nerves. At the middle of the spectrum is the combined sudden loss of both hearing and balance known as labyrinthitis. The vertigo of such cases almost always resolves over some span of weeks to months (probably due to central compensation), but the hearing rarely recovers. Labyrinthitis is also believed to be viral. However, instead of viral damage to the vestibular nerve or its ganglion cells seen in vestibular neuritis, labyrinthitis is believed due to a process affecting the fluid spaces of the inner ear and thus involving both auditory and vestibular systems. The distinction of vestibular neuritis from labyrinthitis is based on hearing involvement – vestibular neuritis patients have normal hearing and labyrinthitis patients have sudden deafness along with their vertigo. Interestingly, the neurology literature tends to lump these conditions together as "neurolabyrinthitis." At the auditory extreme of the spectrum is idiopathic SSNHL, sudden deafness with brief, mild, and transient vestibular symptoms, if any. The critical diagnostic issue in SSNHL is determination that the hearing loss is indeed sensorineural. Sudden hearing loss is an extremely common symptom. It typically presents as a feeling of ear fullness. Anyone who has had wax impaction, water in the ear, ear congestion with a head cold or allergy, or Eustachian tube obstruction during airplane descent knows the sensation. What all these common causes of ear fullness share is that they produce conductive hearing loss. If an acute audiogram (hearing test) was performed in any of these cases, the bone-conducted hearing thresholds, which indicate sensitivity of the hearing nerves, would be normal but the air-conducted thresholds might be elevated. Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss produces an identical sensation of aural fullness but the audiogram shows a marked elevation in bone-conducted hearing thresholds (that is, a loss of nerve sensitivity). Perhaps the greatest clinical problem in SSNHL is delay in diagnosis. Since the symptom of ear fullness is such a common and familiar one, most patients attribute it to wax impaction or congestion from upper respiratory illness or allergies. They may wait for days or weeks before seeking medical evaluation, and are then often treated symptomatically for a time before eventual referral to an otolaryngologist. Unfortunately, the window of opportunity for SSNHL treatment is no more than four weeks from onset of symptoms so a delay in diagnosis usually equates to a permanent hearing loss. Diagnosis The most common chief complaint in SSNHL is aural fullness, followed by complaints of hearing loss and tinnitus. Aural fullness is a common and non-specific symptom. Many patients do not immediately associate it with hearing loss. Common non-otologic causes include temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, general upper airway congestion from viral upper respiratory illness or environmental allergies, and musculoskeletal dysfunction of the upper neck, e.g. from degenerative joint disease, muscle strain and spasm, whiplash, cervical disc disease, or other acute or chronic neck injury. The first step in diagnosis is to determine if a patient's complaint of aural fullness is due to hearing loss. Hearing loss assessment is accomplished differently if it is conducted by telephone interview (e.g. by a clinic nurse) or if it is a face-to-face assessment. By phone, the simplest method is to ask the patient if their hearing is reduced. The patient can move the phone from ear to ear to check for hearing asymmetry. Alternatively they can be asked to crinkle a few hairs next to the ear on each side to see if there is a difference. If the hearing is determined to be asymmetric, the next critical determination is whether the loss is conductive or sensorineural. Acute conductive hearing loss is generally not an emergency, but acute SNHL absolutely is. A simple test can often make this distinction. The patient who reports acute unilateral hearing loss is instructed to hum out loud and is then asked which side hears the voice better. Conductive hearing loss will lateralize sound (seem louder) to the blocked ear, while a sensorineural loss will lateralize sound to the good ear. Thus, one can remember that "hearing the humming in the bad ear is good and hearing it in the good ear is bad." In a face-to-face interview, hearing can also be assessed with whispered speech testing by very softly whispering simple words or numbers in each ear and asking the patient to repeat them out loud. In all cases of suspected hearing loss examination by an Otolaryngologist is essential. They will inspect the ear canals and ear drums. If necessary, the ears will be cleaned to gain full view of the ear drums. It goes without saying, that if this cannot be accomplished by the Primary Care or Emergency Ward staff, Otolaryngology consultation is mandatory. Only about half of idiopathic SSNHL patients have vestibular symptoms. It is appropriate for your doctor to perform a focused neurological and balance examination to seek any indication of central or vestibular system dysfunction. Audiometry (hearing testing). A complete audiogram is mandatory in all patients suspected of hearing loss or asymmetry and is strongly encouraged in any patient with new onset of ear symptoms or discomfort of any kind. A complete audiogram includes measurement of auditory thresholds for bone-conducted and air-conducted pure tones from 250 to 8000 Hz in both ears, and speech audiometry that measures the Word Recognition Score by having patients repeat single syllable words from standardized list when they are delivered to the patient via headphones at a comfortably loud listening level. Hearing threshold and speech audiometry assess the loudness and the clarity of hearing, respectively, and are analogous to the volume control and the tuner on a radio. In patients who have poor Word Recognition Scores the sound is like a radio station with poor reception – increasing the loudness does not improve the sound quality. SSNHL can affect loudness, clarity, or both. It can affect all frequencies (pitches) of hearing equally or it can affect just the high or low frequencies. The severity can be highly variable. The worse the hearing loss, the poorer the prognosis for recovery and, therefore, the greater the urgency to get on treatment. Brain MRI. Since acute neurological problems such as tumor, stroke, or demyelination (MS) can cause sudden deafness, a gadolinium-enhanced MRI of the ear, skull, and brain is mandatory to rule-out these serious conditions. In patients who cannot have brain MRI alternatives include CT scanning and/or Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR; a.k.a. Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response, BAER or Brainstem Evoked Response, BSER) audiomtery. These are less sensitive than MRI but may still be useful. In patients who are able to have MRI, CT scan is inadequate to appropriately assess SSNHL patients. Since only 1 percent of SSNHL cases are due to these other neurological conditions, treatment should be started immediately even if there is a delay in obtaining appropriate imaging studies. Medical Treatment Standard treatment for SSNHL is a tapering course of oral corticosteroids (prednisone or methylprednisolone). Since research performed at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in 1980 for demonstrated the effectiveness of this treatment, it has been widely used. Treatment of SSNHL consists of a short burst of oral prednisone or methylprednisolone, followed by a taper over several days. Duration of therapy varies from site to site around the United States, but a typical treatment would be prednisone 60 mg/day for 14 days, followed by a five-day taper (50 mg, 40 mg, 30 mg, 20, mg, 10 mg). This oral treatment regimen was designed to strike a balance between giving enough prednisone to achieve benefit but without producing an unacceptably high level of side effects. In the last 15 years there has been increasing interest in giving the steroid treatment by direct injection through the ear drum. The hope was that the injection treatment would achieve higher drug concentration in the ear while minimizing steroid exposure to rest of the body. A recent large multicenter clinical trial showed conclusively that oral and intratympanic injection treatments are equally effective. Patients should discuss with their treating Otolaryngologist the pros and cons of using each (or both) of these treatments. Response to steroid treatment follows a variable time course, but is generally better early in the course of therapy. Some patients exhibit a very rapid and substantial recovery of hearing within the first 48 - 72 hours. Others have no response for the first week or two of steroids and then continue to make improvement after the steroid taper is completed. The sooner a response is seen, the better the overall prognosis. Patients who get all the way to the end of their course of steroid treatment with no demonstrable benefit have a poor prognosis for further hearing recovery. However, many patients who begin to improve while on steroids may continue to do so for weeks or months thereafter. Approximately 80 percent of recovery is seen by the end of the two-week treatment, and a little more improvement may be seen in the following weeks. Patients who initiate oral steroid treatment more than four weeks after onset of their SSNHL have virtually no chance of oral steroid benefit. A number of other treatments have been proposed for SSNHL. These include antiviral drugs, drugs to reduce blood clotting or increase circulation, hyperbaric oxygen treatments, or inhalation of gases to increase circulation. While there are theoretical reasons to consider each of these treatments, none of them has stood the test of time nor been shown to be more effective than oral steroids. Since there is only a two to four week window of opportunity for treating SSNHL, it is essential to initiate therapy as soon as possible, even if a complete diagnostic work-up has not been completed. Ideally, an audiogram should be performed before starting treatment, but if it is performed within 24 - 48 hours, this an acceptable alternative. One should never postpone treatment for days or weeks to await results of imaging studies. Furthermore, spontaneous recovery or good response to treatment does not eliminate the need for imaging. Demyelinating disease can have a fluctuating course or transient response to steroids and it is not uncommon to observe acute enlargement of an acoustic neuroma tumor, perhaps from hemorrhage, that results in sudden sensorineural hearing loss that improves (with or without treatment) over a span of days or weeks. After completion of treatment, SSNHL patients should have continued audiometric monitoring for one year. Retesting hearing at two months, six months, and 12 months after onset of SSNHL provides an opportunity to document the stability of any hearing recovery and to track the progress of adjunctive symptoms of tinnitus and aural fullness. It is especially important to monitor for signs of relapse in the affected ear or development of hearing loss in the opposite ear, both of which are unanticipated and would indicate need for re-evaluation. There are three standard recommendations made to all monaural (i.e. only one "good" ear) patients: (1) Lifelong prohibition against scuba diving. There is a high incidence of ear injuries in recreational diving and the SSNHL patient has only one ear that should not be put at risk. It is even questionable whether an SSNHL patient who makes a full recovery should resume diving, since we do not know if the SSNHL creates permanent vulnerability in the affected ear. (2) Hearing conservation equipment in noise. Acoustic trauma is a risk we all face from loud music, power tools, yard equipment, etc. The patient who has only one good ear must be especially vigilant. Noise injury is not confined to construction workers and military combatants. There are plenty of weddings and social events where the DJ plays the music loud enough to harm hearing. Earplugs or earmuffs designed for noise protection are inexpensive, widely available, and very effective when used properly. (3) Otolaryngology evaluation within 24 hours for any new ear symptoms in the good ear. SSNHL does not appear to raise the risk of hearing loss or other problems in the opposite ear. However, since the opposite ear is the patient's only normal ear, one must have a very low threshold for seeking assessment and care of any problem that arises. Prognosis Prompt SSNHL treatment with a tapering course of oral steroids is associated with hearing improvement in approximately 80 percent of patients. Virtually all published series have noted better outcome with earlier steroid treatment than in those whose treatment is delayed. SSNHL patients who regain hearing from corticosteroid treatment may find that the affected ear declines with age at a slightly faster rate than the unaffected side. An inner that has been damaged by any mechanism can eventually develop further degeneration and instability. This can manifest as fluctuating and progressive SNHL and/or episodic vertigo (Meniere's syndrome) in about 3-5 percent of SSNHL patients. There are no reports suggesting risk of SSNHL in the second ear to be any greater than the risk to the first ear in an unaffected individual (1:5000 population/yr). Patients who fail to recover symmetric hearing lose their ability to localize where sounds are coming from. This loss of sound localization is permanent. Also, those with persistent hearing asymmetry are at a disadvantage in adverse listening situations, such as high ambient noise, multiple talkers, foreign accent speakers, or rooms with poor acoustics. Hearing aids are of very limited use in rehabilitation of one-sided deafness if the opposite ear is normal. If the opposite ear is not normal, hearing aids on one or both ears may be beneficial. Nearly all patients with SSNHL experience intense ear fullness or pressure and loud tinnitus with onset of their hearing loss. If they have partial hearing in the affected ear, sounds may seem harsh and distorted – like from a "blown" loudspeaker. These symptoms tend to abate gradually regardless of hearing outcome. By 6-12 months after SSNHL onset most patients find the tinnitus and fullness to be at a tolerable and less intrusive level most of the time. Summary and Recommendations Idiopathic SSNHL is a true otologic emergency. In patients with unilateral sudden hearing loss, there is a short window of opportunity of perhaps two-four weeks to initiate appropriate therapy. If treatment is delayed, prognosis is much worse and in most cases the hearing loss is irreversible. When a patient presents with unilateral ear blockage they must be evaluated for possible SSNHL. The critical first step is to determine if there is really a hearing loss. This can be accomplished even over the telephone by simply asking the patient to move the phone from ear to ear or by making a soft sound, such as crinkling hairs, on each side for a comparison. If there is reduced hearing on the symptomatic side, the second step is to determine if it is conductive or sensorineural hearing loss. The definitive test is an audiogram. An effective (but not infallible) screening test is to have the patient hum aloud and note where they hear the sound, in the "good ear" or the "bad (i.e. blocked) ear." The sound will localize toward a conductive loss and away from a sensorineural loss, so remember that "hearing the hum in the bad ear is good and hearing it in the good ear is bad." At this point in the assessment an actual careful history and physical examination of the ears and a focused neurological and balance examination is mandatory. If there is any suspicion of hearing loss or hearing asymmetry, then a complete audiogram is also indicated. If they audiogram confirms a unilateral SNHL, then MRI imaging with gadolinium is needed to rule-out neurological problems, such as demyelinating disease, tumor, or stroke. As soon as SSNHL has been identified, treatment should be started. Treatment should not be delayed while awaiting imaging studies, which can take days or weeks to schedule. Current standard treatment consists of a two-week burst and taper of oral prednisone, starting at 60 mg/day, or equivalent doses of methylprednisolone. Intratympanic steroid injections are equally, but not more, effective than oral treatment. There is some early evidence suggesting a benefit of combined oral and injection treatment, but it is too soon to know for certain if this is really more effective than single modality treatment. 24-Hour Emergency Room Mass Eye and Ear has a 24 hour emergency room to treat disorders in our specialties. Contact Us Today! 617-523-7900


text:
Fyeboy Ft. Beanie Sigel - Mr. Block (Cameos: Lil Wayne, 2Chainz, Birdman) [Fire Boy Records Submitted]
@DaytonaFyeboy - instagram & twitter
sponsored by FYE Energy Drink
download FYEBOY app
music available on itunes
Booking Contact:
Prince (708)589-7985
Please click the "Report" button below if the video on this page is not working properly.
Comments will only be displayed by verified emails. No Spamming or Racism.


text:
Traveling makes up a good part of any decent campaign, be it walking along a country road, riding across fields on horseback, or even winging through the air with a cadre of griffin mounted sky knights. Another part of this are encounters along the road that are not anchored to advancing the story, or thwarting the PCs. Some random encounters are just that, random.
This scroll is for the purpose of collecting such small encounters that might be run across by a group of low to mid level PCs who are either walking, or mounted.
So without further adieu, I present Where the Road May Take You…
1. The Tinker Goblin
2. The Wandering Horse
3. The Crossroad's Gallows
4. The Naked Man
5. The Broken Road
6. A Toll is a Toll
7. Demeu Ghost-Hands
8. The Feud
9. The Cadaver
10.The Wandering Carnival
11.The Guardian Templars
12.Newly Baked Bread
13.The Omen
14.The Encroaching Forest
15.The other wandering carnival…
16.The Vigilantes
17.The Transport
20.The Dining Hall
21.The Departure
22.Yet another camp…
23.The five horsemen of Misplacing
24.Not much of an invitation
25.It is their road as well
28.The follower
29.D**n the weather!
30.The Empty Graves
32.The Swarm
33.Getting Away
34.Slowed Down
35.The Sea
36.The Lost Road
37.Old Man Stuck on a Roof
38.A Hole in The Ground
Additional Ideas (38)
A comical sight, this goblin walks along the road though much slower than the PCs, so he is easy enough to catch. He is small and greasy like the rest of his kind with nervous hands and a creased face. Unlike the rest of his kind, he has learned that it is better to befriend humans than try to attack them. As such he is now a traveling tinker and doer of menial and disgusting jobs.
Of course he harangues the PCs to look at some of his goods, such as feathers for fletching arrows, empty bottles to hold potions, or an assortment of pieces of rope. nothing valuable, but something that could be useful later on, given the right circumstances.
If nothing else, he will enquire if he can follow the PCs until they reach the next town, for safety.
The PCs encounter a horse trotting towards them, it has a saddle and bridle, but no rider to be seen, though a careful eye can tell that the horse has been badly spooked. The PCs can keep the horse and valuable gear for themselves, which should be a tempting option for starting level characters, or they can see about a potential owner in the next town.
Of course the owner will be able to recognize his mount from brandings or other markings, as well as some sort of identification in the saddle itself. If they keep the animal and gear, they could be in trouble for horse theft, but if they return the animal and gear, they could receive a modest reward for doing the right thing.
In a rural area, the PCs encounter a gallows, well built of iron and stout timbers complete with several bodies swinging from the nooses. This is a backwards area and doesnt have a proper church or temple, so criminals are hung several miles from any habitations so that if they rise as undead they will not be able to find their way back to visit wickedness upon the locals who hanged them. A variation could have bodies hanging in iron cages, left to perish from hunger, thirst, or exposure.
An extension could be a crossroads zombie that he broken its noose and is wandering up the road. An alternate path could be a potentially important NPC or valuable henchman to be to be released from one of these crossroads cages.
Bereft of all clothing yet still maintaining a semblance of dignity, the naked man walks purposely along the road. In the previous town he lost his shirt, quite literally, to a group of unscrupulous thieves who cheated him at cards. If spoken to he will speak, but is perfectly fine to ignore the PCs. He wont join the party, but promises to speak well of them if they would lend him a pair of trousers and perhaps a crust of bread.
(...and expecting things to be too much like the movies.)
The road has been badly washed out but a recent storm and has not been repaired yet. Mounted PCs will have to dismount and lead their horses across the rough, and potentially dangerous terrain. PCs on foot will have to cross this area of broken earth and mud with some care, lest they loose a boot to the sloppy mess.
The local lord charges a toll on merchants and travelers, and the Pcs encounter one of the collection areas/boths/workers. This toll is to see to the maintenance of the road, and its policing, as good, or as bad as it may be. Well equiped and armored PCs are going to be given a higher toll than the farmer hauling firewood to sell in the market. Refusing to pay the toll and using the road is tantamount to theft from the lord, and is treated accordingly.
As the PCs make their way along a lonely stretch of moor-road, not far from town, they notice a campfire on a hillock. Ascending the hill to investigate, they see a plain looking man, sitting dangerously close to the fire. Nearing the man, who pays no attention to the PCs, they can see, to their astonishment that the man is holdng his hands in the actual fire, letting the flames lick his hands. He shows no emotion, and if the PCs keep looking, they will notice that the man's hands are not burning, and he shows no signs of pain or even discomfort. This is Demeu Ghosthands. He is suffering from amnesia, and if spoken to, explains that his hands are merely illusions. He cannot feel anything, as they can be plainly seen, but everything passes thru them, as if through air. The depressed, even suicidal bard, who was once kown as an expert Zither player, has no memory of how his hands became this way. So he sits, hoping sensation and feeling return to his ghostly appendages.
A few miles outside of a farming village, the PCs see the road blocked by a small crowd. At the center of the crowd are two old men, farmers by the look of them, furiously shouting at each other. If the PCs inquire, someone in the crowd will explain that it's Old Man Cheras and Papa Ghel, the patriarchs of two large farming families that go back generations. A feud between the families also goes back a ways. Most have forgotten it, but when Old Man Cheras saw a Ghel shepherd treading on his land, he went berserk. Now the two elderly gentlemen are close to duking it out in the center of the main highway. Perhaps the PCs could negotiate peace between them--or side with one and end the feud by force. Or they could just move around them.
It seems the PC's just barely missed some action! Lying in the grass to the side of this quiet road is a freshly slain corpse - The murder must have happened only minutes ago. The blood which had poured from a hastily slit neck is still fresh - it hasn't even dried up and the body is still very warm. There are no sign of tracks from the murderer, and the dense woodlands which the road runs next to could hide anyone without difficulty. Closer inspection of the corpse and his backpack will find that there is no money - either he never carried any or it was stolen - but there is a fine collection of smallgoods, from expensive clothing to golden rings on his finger, to a silver letter-opener. The PC's could take these items, but if they plan to tell the local militia at the next town, they may want to hide their new gear. For the next ten minutes after finding the corpse, any rustling in the bushes by friendly forest animals might be subject to the waving of weapons and the close study of where the sound came from.
A small caravan of four gaudily decorated house-wagons travel in the opposite direction of the PCs. As they come closer the PCs can see that men are hastily putting on white make-up and women are pulling down their blouses, creating more cleavage. All of a sudden the PCs are approached by beautiful, but tired looking women offering to foretell their future (they can actually do it too, to a lesser degree) and painted men juggling daggers and tumbling around. Small children howl and run in circles around the PCs. Of course they expect money for this and make all sorts of offers to the PCs.
The following can be purchased:
-The clowns claim to be able to throw daggers or axes and be able to hit an orange at the head of the PC (or, laughing when he politely declines, they will do it to an eight year old girl instead).
-The clowns will rope walk between two trees for a fee.
-The clowns will perform slapstick comedy for a fee.
-Two of the women claim to be clairvoyants and will foretell the immediate future of the PCs (excellent to foreshadow an upcoming plot)
-All the young adult women and men will sleep with the PCs for money, but will not make the initiative.
-The elder male will sell foodstuffs, general merchandise (blankets, rope, wine skins, etc...) as well as, after some goading and persuading, thieves equipment such as pick locks, lock acid and cracker powder.
-The children will pick pocket the PCs relentlessly and will not quit until the elder female says "Shooo-shooo" (then they will run away and approach her in private, handing over the stolen goods)
Ahead heavily armoured warriors walk in line, guarding an immense carriage pulled by eight oxen. The carriage is lacquered white, with a hint of gold to its shine. The carriage is not especially tall but is rather long and wide. The warriors are clad in chain mail with breastplates and flat topped T-visor helmets. The warriors are draped in white cloaks with insignias of crossed golden swords on their back, and on the right side the front.
These are the chosen of the high patriarch, elite among their kind and they guard a dark and sinister relic known as Umankh-Athal, which they have just retrieved from the clutches of a recently slain elder spirit known by some as Khurmunalt. The relic, which is a great warhammer, has been locked inside a Templar Transport especially prepared by the council of elders and protected by layer upon layer of divine magics. It will be safe as long as it is kept within.
The Templars will be gruff and suspicious, paranoid until they reach the relative safety of High Haven which is quite some days away still. They will not share food with PCs nor will they offer support in combat. Should the PCs aid the Templars against potential foes, they will give them a modest reward and gruffily tell that they should be on their way.
The road passes a small farmstead from which the inviting smell of baked bread emanates. The sound of children playing can be heard from the barn and in the fields the serfs are working. Should the PCs look for the bread they will find it cooling down on the sill of an open window. Inside a young woman is singing as she is preparing yet another bread for the oven.
As the PCs pass through a small village, 3 ravens wheel in the sky. Not only that, but Rudnus Kumalhain, the great farmer, falls down from his mansion roof as he is fixing the tiling. Soon the villagers discover that the PCs must be "the source of their bad luck" and that they are "in lead with the ravens, well known harbingers of evil". No doubt one of the PCs has the evil eye, "using it to inflict misfortune upon honest folk".
As the villagers mill in from the fields a small posse forms and if the PCs decide to stay, they might well try to hang the one with the "evil eye". If the PCs leave, they might get some eggs and rocks thrown after them, but that is all.
The PCs have travelled long and far and now a giant forest is on both sides of the road that they walk. The farther they go, the narrower the road becomes and by nightfall there is nothing left, but a narrow path and the branches whip the PCs in the face as they struggle forwards. Strange thing is that no more wanderers are met and for all purposes it seems the PCs are the only people left in this world.
Suggested Alternative Reasons:
A) Natural growth: The road has been reclaimed by nature and everyone else have been using another route for over a year. The way will take them where they want to go, but now that the patrols no longer venture here, the woodland road is once again troubled by sinister beings
B) The Realm of Limberlost is nearby!
C) The trees encroaching on the road are Autumndale Trees...
D) Dark Treants are herding the forest onto the road, putting all travellers in dire peril. When the PCs sleep, roots will drag them down into the soil or they will be crushed under the weight of an enormous tree. "Bloodcurdle Vines" will strangle the PCs, sending small root-tendrils down into their blood vessels to savour every last droplet of blood. The greater oaks will lift the PCs from the ground only to release them from great heights. If only they had some fire...
The reason the Dark Treants are attacking is because they have been agitated by the presence of the warlock Apsaloht, the outlaw practicing his dark arts on the trees of the forest. Since they can't touch Apsaloht, they sure try to harm his kin (humanoids).
The PC's see a large caravan of more then a dozen large wagons. Some are laden with cages occupied by odd creatures. Many diverse and odd people travel either on or beside the horse-drawn wagons.
This is The Carnival of Forgotten Souls.
A band of armed and mounted men approaches the party and bids them stand. Local yeomen and landowners, they are searching for a fugitive that has eluded local justice; they are veeeeery suspicious at encountering a group of armed strangers at such a time. They will brusquely order the PCs about, demanding that they submit to a search, give up their horses so that the searchers can use them to replace their fatigued mounts, and generally throw their weight around.
There is probably no sign of the fugitive that they seek, but if they are put on the right track, they are likely to dispatch their victim with rough local justice and no semblance of a fair trial.
A rather large armed group slowly walks the road. Unless you get to see what they transport, you could think it is a caravan with expensive goods, or the soldiers escort someone important. But this is a prisoner transport, on the way to mines, criminals on their way for punishment.
The soldiers may be willing to talk, the captain will have a few questions on you and the road, but they will keep distance, and part soon.
On route from Geli to Nekrass the characters meet a peasant boy on the road. He's wandering in the direction from which they've just come. If this seems a little bit incongruous, they may wish to ask him a few questions. He's perfectly willing to talk: he's called Lamish and he's run away because he knows he is the heir to the throne of Geli and his parents didn't believe him. How far is his home? About five weeks walk from here. How much has he eaten? Nothing. Has he drunk? Only from the filthy roadside ditches. In short, it's a wonder he is still alive. And yet he seems perfectly healthy.
Is he a thief, waiting for travellers to trick? Is he lying because there's something more sinister under all of this? Is he telling the truth? And anyway, what should the characters do? Do you take him to Geli? Do you try to find his parents? Or leave him to make his own way?
In Azur, the streets are crowded, and the PCs' poor grasp of Azuran makes it hard for them to find out why. Still, they shoulder their way through the crowds, trying to get to the house of the renowned wizard they seek, when suddenly they realise they are standing very much alone. The crowds have ceased their talking and their gazes are fixed on the PCs. The imperiously clothed man standing before them smiles and speaks in Azuran: "Ah! Volunteers! And so eager too!"
The heroes find the crumbling, overgrown ruins of what appears to be some sort of grand dining hall in the forest. Deciding that it is a good place to camp, the set up a fire in the center. However, they are woken in the night to see skeletons waltzing in the moonlight to organ music that emanates from the open air. The skeletons touch nobody, dancing around them all night.
You meet a large number of villagers, walking and weeping beside the coffin of an old bearded man (or adapt to your funeral customs). If asked properly, you learn about an old wizard, a wise man that long helped the tiny village to grow and prosper. Even after death he shows his favour: he gave most of his possesions to the poorer members of the community. All the villagers show him now respect this way. Why do you ask, are you adventurers? (As a last wish, he left a tiny case for the first group of adventurers that crosses the village).
A good camping-place with something extra: a gallows with a hangman, reduced mostly to bones and a few rags. It marrily hovers in the wind. Any manipulation will make it fall apart. An excellent camping place, except for the midnight hours, when ghosts of those executed haunt here. Some wail for their crimes, some re-live their execution over and over, some want to have a talk, and still some others want to scare the Living for fun.
Five men are herding some fifteen horses down the road. They won't be very talkative, but are willing to sell a horse, or more horses if the heroes are interested, for a good price even. They are horse thieves, already sought by regional militiamen. Anyone with a stolen horse (all are marked) may get into trouble. (If found guilty, horse thieves face prison or even a hanging execution.) Similar thefts have happened only a month before, and a reward is offered.
A revolt or attack happens against a strong city/kingdom. All the losers of the battle that can be captured are brutally crucified along the roads that enter the kingdom to show their strength and as a demonstration of what happens to their enemies. ... a long road, decorated with hundreds of dying crucified soldiers... You see them bleeding, you hear them screaming and whispering for help. Do you really want to enter this reportedly peaceful kingdom?
Diseased people, (leprosy or any other such fear inducing disease) when traveling, will often times wear a cloak that entirely covers their body and ring a bell as they travel, used as a warning for any others to stay away. Could be used for a disguise or safe passage. ... you meet strangely cloaked people, sometimes ringing a bell. "Please give us something to eat, mighty heroes!" This is time to show how good they are.
Herbalist in the group mistakes one plant for another and mistakenly poisons the group. Not to death, but pretty darn ill with recurring symptoms until the cause and cure are realized. (Local people may be able to help rather easily. "You ate Dragon's Rot you fool, looks and smells just like mint except it has these small thistles on the root. Only grow in the Hornwood Forest, that must be where ya got them. Eat this and you will feel better in 4 hours."
PCs camp for the night in a dry pine forest. Fire skill of the person that made it is usually pretty good, but during the first watch the unexpected happens: a spark lights the surrounding woods and a brush fire quickly starts. Be quick or it could turn into a disaster that could affect the entire region.
Young kid from last town has been following the PCs and doing a rather good job at it. PCs weren't expecting to be followed so weren't worried and the boy/girl was careful. Notice the follower a couple days out of town, kid ran out of food and started getting careless. Followed the 'mighty adventurers' to see if he could join them. Father is a wealthy merchant. Bring him home, bring him with, send him off? What do you do with an unwelcomed guest.
Rain slowly builds, thunder and lightning continue to roll in. Road muddies, horse/wagon getting stuck in the mud. Thunder strikes coinciding with a deep hole a horse just walked in, horse panics, breaks its leg (maybe just sprain?). Horse is decompacitated and the rain just went from pouring to an all out monsoon. Shelter needs to be found, horse needs to be taken care of, covered in mud, add the posibility of items being lost to the confusion with the wind and dealing with spooked animals.
The road passes the tumbled ruins of a village, destroyed and abandoned in regional troubles over a hundred years ago. All that remains are bare foundation stones and the occasional crumbling chimney.
As they pass the crumbling shell of the village's temple, the characters can see that the overgrown churchyard has signs of digging. Many of the ancient, forgotten graves have been dug up recently. Further investigation suggests that grave robbers have been systematically looting those graves that have the most impressive (and thus, expensive) tombstones.
A little way up the narrow valley, before they reach the woods, the PCs notice the squat, tumbledown buildings by the riverside. They are hardly big enough for a human to stand in, and the complex cogs and shafts that occupy the central cavity of one of the buildings are perplexing. What were these buildings? And how safe are they to explore?
Alternatively a desolate place is the perfect setting for a derelict chapel or croft. There needn't be any actual physical encounter involved, but it adds atmosphere to a place to see its dead history. For instance, in the Outer Hebrides there are whole deserted villages which were razed to the ground by the English during the Clearances. Such stories give a setting authenticity and character.
The PCs traveling along the road/path/trail begin to hear a low droning sound. As they approach they find their path obstructed by hundred of thousands of droning insects. Locusts swarm though the air, feasting on the grass and plants. Passage will be slowed, but the insects pose no threat to the party, aside from being crunchy and disgusting underfoot, climbing into pouches and eating exposed food goods.
They come across a band of refugees. Could have been thrown out of their town by a tyrant taking of their land, bought out by somebody unexpectedly, fleeing a battle they know is coming their way. Could be proof of what they are searching for, hints and tips of what is to come, or just to broaden the reality of the world.
A few shepherds bringing their sheep down the road to a town where they will be sheared. Effectively block the road making riding or moving through them difficult to impossible until they are all passed.
Could just find all the tracks on the road and may not know what it is.
An entire meadow was flooded here. Looks like a lake, could cover part of the road, and you have to deal with locals that have a flat bottomed boat to get across it.
Similar to the Broken Road, the track simply vanishes, and continues a few miles on.
If it isn't nasty enough, it could be in worse conditions - at night or in deep fog, when you need to keep your direction to not get lost.
The PCs come across a tall smokehouse with a ladder laying broken across a rocky out cropping next to it. On the roof of the barn is an old man sitting slumped beneath a large straw hat. He calls for the PCs to "please help a foolish great grand father get down. He was patching the roof to his smokehouse when his ladder slipped and broke against the rocks. He lives alone in the forest, and has been stuck up there for almost a day.
The man is extremely old and would have trouble with any climbing device other than a ladder, and even that isn't easy for him. His ladder is broken beyond convential repair. If the PCs get him down he will reward them with some hams from his smokehouse. If they ask him if he needs anything else (or even if they don't he will mention that he lost his bucket down his well, and has been living off rain water since. Plus, "it was a very nice bucket that his late brother made 9 years ago." If the PCs help him with bucket he will mention that one of his pigs got across the river and won't come back. Assuming they help him with that he will continue to mention little problems he has.
A tree feel across his grain field and he hasn't been able to move it.
The wind blew some of his washing up in tree.
The bottom hinge on his pantry door is loose and it is in "a real dark corner" in the cellar, and he can't see well enough to mend it.
He is supposed to take a couple of hams to a nearby temple as an offering, but his hand cart has "gone n walked off somewhere" and he could really use a hand.
He has trouble finding the nearby temple.
If the PC don't eventually call it quits the sweet old man will eventually grow tired and grumpy and leave the PC without so much as a goodbye or a thank you.
A Hole in the Ground
The PCs come across a deep black hole in the ground. The whole is about a meter in diameter and if the PCs have a rope or understand the gravity constant and the speed of sound they can measure that it is about 107.23 meters from the holes opening to the bottom. The whole stinks of death and burnt flesh.
The whole is the entrance to a beautiful cave full of crystals and interesting
I wager most PCs will be completely baffled by this.
Suggested Submissions
- Tales of the Road Plots By: Wulfhere
- Where the Road May Take You Plots By: Scrasamax


text:
As the name implies, transom mount transducers are installed on the boat's transom, directly in the water and typically sticking a little below the hull. Transom mounts are composed of plastic and tend to be less expensive than other transducers.
Transom mount transducers are recommended for planing hulls of less than 27 feet (8 meters), such as personal watercraft and powerboats with outboard, inboard-outboard and jet drives. They are not recommended for large or twin screw inboard boats because aerated water from the propeller reduces performance. They are also not recommended for operation at very high speeds.
Transom mounts adjust to transom angles from 3° – 16°. For angles greater than 16°, a tapered plastic, wood or metal shim will be needed. However, the transducer should be adjusted so it is angled slightly forward when the boat is in the water.
In-hull (a.k.a. shoot-through) transducers are epoxied directly to the inside of the hull. These are only used in fiberglass hulls. In-hulls will not work with wooden, aluminum, or steel hulls, or in foam sandwich/hulls that have air pockets. Any wood, metal, or foam reinforcement must be removed from the inside of the hull.
With an in-hull transducer, the signal is transmitted and received through the hull of the boat. As a result, there is considerable loss of sonar performance.
In other words, you won't be able to read as deep or detect fish as well with an in-hull transducer as with one that's transom mounted or thru-hull mounted.
Fiberglass hulls are often reinforced in places for added strength. These cored areas contain balsa wood or structural foam, which are poor sound conductors. The transducer will need to be located where the fiberglass is solid and there are no air bubbles trapped in the fiberglass resin. You'll also want to make sure that there is no coring, flotation material, or dead air space sandwiched between the inside skin and the outer skin of the hull.
Through-hull transducers are mounted through a hole drilled in the bottom of the boat and protrude directly into the water. This type of transducer generally provides the best performance.
Through-hulls are recommended for displacement hulls and boats with straight-shaft inboard engines. You'll also need a fairing block that allows the transducer to be mounted properly. Through-hull transducers must be installed with a fairing to ensure proper alignment and a secure fit.
Through-hull transducers must be positioned in front of the propeller, rudder, keel or anything else that may create turbulence. They must be mounted in a position that is always underwater and angled straight down.
Tilted Element transducers are mounted through a hole drilled in the bottom of the boat and protrude directly into the water. Tilted Element transducers offer performance similar to through-hulls.
Tilted Element transducers are mounted flush against the hull. Unlike traditional Through-Hull transducers, Tilted Elements do not need a fairing block. The element inside the transducer acts as a leveling agent, working with the deadrise (angle) of your hull to ensure the transducer's beam is directed straight down.
These transducers will generally come in two configurations based on your hull type, a 12º and 20º version. Select a 12º tilt when the deadrise of your hull falls in the 8º to 15º range. Select the 20º tilt if your hull's deadrise is in the 16º to 24º range.
When installing a Tilted Element transducer make sure to position it in front of the propeller, rudder, keel or anything else that may create turbulence. They also must be mounted in a position that is always underwater and angled within the appropriate deadrise range.


text:
Grommet Detail Cotton Gabardine Trench Coat
All orders will be fulfilled by Burberry Limited and shipped from the UK. When you place your order, you accept Burberry's Terms and Conditions and confirm that you have read our Privacy Policy.
Size Guide
Use the Size Guide to choose the best fit for your measurements.
In this window, you can find out the shipping and returns options for the selected item.
In this window, you can contact customer service for further assistance.
- A classic cotton-gabardine trench coat reimagined with oversized grommets and lined in Vintage check.
- Coat length: 115cm/45.3in. This is based on a size UK 8 as proportions change slightly according to size.
- Model's height: 175cm/5ft 9in
- Outer: 100% cotton
- Vintage check lining: 100% cotton
- Sleeve lining: 100% viscose
- Buckles: leather
- Double-breasted press-stud grommet closure
- Button-through welt pockets
- Signature details: epaulettes, hook-and-eye collar closure, gun flap, belted cuffs, D-ring belt, check undercollar, storm shield
- Engraved Burberry lettering on the bottom grommet
- Specialist dry clean
- Imported
Item 80061511


text:
Portfolio transformation propels robust M&A activity
Our Global Capital Confidence Barometer shows one-third of RHC companies to review their portfolios more frequently than they did three years ago.
Portfolio transformation propels robust M&A activity
Digital transformation: opening new growth channels
Is the next evolution of big data, big judgement?
Megatrends are shaping the industry's future
Courting Millennials
The attractiveness of world-class business districts
Cybersecurity: key findings for real estate sector
The attractiveness of world-class business districts
Hospitality Sector Roundtables
Real Estate, Hospitality & Construction
Building your business future
Today's real estate, hospitality and construction companies must adopt new approaches to address regulatory requirements and financial risks – while meeting the challenges of expanding globally and achieving sustainable growth.
Our Real Estate, Hospitality & Construction practice has the ability to mobilize a team of seasoned professionals to address complex and demanding challenges and provide seamless service on a global basis. We can help move you forward. Are you ready to break ground? In working with you, we draw on our industry knowledge and insight to help you strategically position yourself – wherever you are in the world. Let us help you better understand some of the key challenges facing the industry, including:
- Real estate IPOs
With fewer financing options available, companies increasingly are looking to IPOs to raise equity, using the proceeds to refinance portfolios, make new investments or to provide owners and investors with the opportunity to liquidate their holdings.
The IPO value journey
We can help you evaluate your options and assist you throughout the entire process, including working through the challenging accounting and tax issues. Although the IPO event itself generally lasts 90 to 120 days, the IPO value journey begins at least a year or two before the IPO and continues well beyond it.
Even when the financial climate is not ideal for fund raising, it could be a good time to begin planning for an IPO, while you wait for markets to settle.
The IPO journey is not easy, but with the right people and careful planning, real estate companies can navigate the long road from private to public ownership.
Related materials:
- Regulatory and technical accounting changes
Major regulatory and technical accounting changes are occurring in the US, Europe and other geographies, which has created a challenging environment for real estate, hospitality and construction organizations. These include the Dodd-Frank Act, the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD) and proposed accounting changes for leases and revenue recognition from the Financial Accounting Standards Board and International Accounting Standards Board.
We are committed to helping our clients understand how to approach these changes. We advise funds on SEC examinations and help them assess, design and implement compliance programs. Effectively navigating the sophisticated marketing regime required by the AIFMD will be a key challenge and could lead to a competitive advantage for alternative investment groups. Considering the potential implications of leasing and revenue recognition early on is important, because what organizations do today in preparation can have a significant effect on their business tomorrow.
Related materials:
- Green buildings
The world is turning green, and as the benefits of going green become clearer and more affordable, tenant and investor demands for sustainable buildings are increasing. Construction and engineering companies around the world are building more and more environmentally friendly buildings, and existing buildings are being upgraded to meet these standards as well. Green buildings can also have a demonstrable impact on the corporate bottom line.
Our global team can advise you on:
- The cost and benefit analysis of energy applications
- Achieving specific green building certification standards, such as the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system, which has been introduced around the globe
- Tax credits and incentives available – at the federal, state and local level in countries around the world – to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, which could possibly outweigh the cost of certification standards
- Cost reductions, operational efficiencies and other rewards that can have a direct impact on a company's performance and results
Related materials:
- Real estate private equity
The recession, financial crisis and pullbacks in the credit market have all impacted real estate private equity funds over the past several years. Given the challenging environment that still remains, it is more important than ever to understand the trends affecting the sector so you can respond effectively.
Key trends include:
- Distressed deal opportunities will continue, and convergence of the bid-ask spread will foster greater deal volumes.
- Due to regulatory and financial reporting changes, the fund operating models will change over the medium to long term.
- Overall, fund terms have not come back to where they were pre-crash, and many real estate fund managers have had to make investor concessions.
- Investors are now more focused on scrutinizing the real estate fund platforms where they are placing capital. More information will be needed to meet investors' reporting requirements.
Related materials:
Contact us
Connect with us
Stay connected with us through social media, email alerts or webcasts. Or download our EY Insights app for mobile devices.
Unlocking hidden value in real estate with REITs
EY leaders share their insights with Real Estate Forum on preparing companies for the REIT route for non-core real estate.
Follow us on Twitter
Connect with us and stay up to date on our reports, studies, events and more by following @EY_RealEstate.


text:
ATV's - The Villages, FL (2)
News from The Village Spectator
- U.S. 441 Reconstruction Project
- Flu-Fighting Facts
- Gov. Scott: Florida Awarded More Than $50 Million to Fight National Opioid Crisis
- School Deserts
- Junior's Smokehouse Processing Plant Recalls Beef Jerky Products due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
- The State of Florida Has Taken Action on Red Tide:
- Gov. Scott: Nearly $2.2 Million Investment to Expand Mote Marine Laboratory Ozone Systems, Clay Testing Combatting Red Tide
- False Information about FAIRtax
- Gov. Scott Reappoints Two to Department of Elderly Affairs Advisory Council
- Gov. Scott Appoints Two to Commission on Ethics


text:
Matthew Troy
East Bladen High Class of 2001
Memories of Matthew Troy
Are you Matthew Troy?
This page means someone is someone is looking for you. Register for free to let other alumni contact you and more:
- Let others find you
- Contact old friends
- Share photos and memories with other registered alumni
Looking for Matthew Troy?
This is a placeholder page for Matthew Troy, which means this person is not currently on this site. We do suggest using the tools below to find Matthew Troy.
About placeholder profiles
You are visiting the placeholder page for Matthew Troy. This page is here because someone used our placeholder utility to look for Matthew Troy. We created this page automatically in hopes Matthew Troy would find it. If you are not Matthew Troy, but are an alumni of East Bladen High School, register on this site for free now.


text:
Lipofectamine LTX® Reagent is a proprietary, animal-origin free formulation for the transfection of DNA into eukaryotic cells with low cytotoxicity. This reference provides a recommended procedure to transfect plasmid DNA into HEK 293, human embryonic kidney cells (ATCC No. CRL-1573) using Lipofectamine LTX® Reagent.
Important Guidelines for Transfection
Follow these important guidelines when transfecting DNA into HeLa S3 cells using Lipofectamine® LTX Reagent:
- The addition of 100 U/ml Penicillin/100 μg/ml Streptomycin (Catalog No. 15140-122) to media during transfection does not result in cell death for HeLa S3 cells. If you wish to use other higher concentrations or other antibiotics during transfection, test your conditions thoroughly.
- Maintain the same seeding conditions between experiments. Use low-passage cells; make sure that cells are healthy and greater than 90% viable before transfection.
- Transfection can be performed both in the presence or absence of serum. Test serum-free media for compatibility with Lipofectamine® LTX Reagent.
- We recommend Opti-MEM® I Reduced Serum Medium (Cat. No. 31985-062) to dilute the DNA and
- Lipofectamine® LTX Reagent before complexing.
- Visit www.lifetechnologies.com/transfection or contact Technical Service for other specialized transfection protocols (including cell-type specific advice on use of PLUS™ Reagent and antibiotics, and a protocol for vector-based RNAi).
- Lipofectamine® LTX Reagent performs well with vector-based RNAi experiments. For siRNA and Stealth™ RNAi transfections, we recommend Lipofectamine® RNAiMAX (Cat. No. 13778-075). Go to www.lifetechnologies.com/RNAi or contact Technical Service for more information.
Materials Needed
Have the following reagents on hand before beginning:
- HeLa S3 cells maintained in DMEM supplemented with L-glutamine (Cat. No. 11965-084), 0.1 mM MEM Non-Essential Amino Acids Solution (Cat. No. 11140-050), and 10% Fetal Bovine Serum (Cat. No. 26140-079). Grow cells at 37°C with 5% CO2.
- Plasmid DNA of interest (100 ng/μl or higher)
- Lipofectamine® LTX Reagent (store at +4°C until use)
- Opti-MEM® I Reduced Serum Medium
- Appropriate tissue culture plates and supplies
- The day before transfection, trypsinize and count the cells. Plate 4 x 104 cells per well in 0.5 ml of complete growth medium. Cell density should be 50~80% confluent on the day of transfection.
- For each well of cells to be transfected, dilute 0.25 μg of DNA into 100 μl of Opti-MEM® I Reduced Serum Medium without serum.
- For each well of cells, dilute 0.5-1.25 μl of Lipofectamine® LTX into the above diluted DNA solution, mix gently and incubate for 25 minutes at room temperature to form DNA-Lipofectamine® LTX complexes.
- Remove growth medium from cells and replace with 0.5 ml of complete growth medium. Add 100 μl of the DNA-Lipofectamine® LTX complexes directly to each well containing cells and mix gently by rocking the plate back and forth.
- Complexes do not have to be removed following transfection. Incubate the cells at 37°C in a CO2 incubator for 18-24 hours post-transfection before assaying for transgene expression.
To transfect HeLa S3 cells in different tissue culture formats, vary the amounts of Lipofectamine® LTX Reagent, DNA, cells, medium and PLUS™ Reagent used in proportion to the relative surface area, as shown in the table (amounts given on a per well basis).
|Culture vessel
| Surface
area per
|Volume plating medium
|Cells per well
| Volume
LTX Reagent
|0.3 cm2
|100 μl
|8 x 103
|20 μl
|50 ng
|0.1 - 0.25 μl
|1 cm2
|200 μl
|2 x 104
|40 μl
|100 ng
|0.2 - 0.5 μl
|2 cm2
|500 μl
|4 x 104
|100 μl
|250 ng
|0.5 - 1.25 μl
|4 cm2
|1 ml
|8 x 104
|200 μl
|500 ng
|1.0 - 2.5 μl
|10 cm2
|2 ml
|2 x 105
|500 μl
|1.25 μg
|2.5 - 6.25 μl


text:
It looks like your browser is out of date.
To use all features of KLM.com safely, we recommend that you update your browser, or that you choose a different one. Continuing with this version may result in parts of the website not being displayed properly, if at all. Also, the security of your personal information is better safeguarded with an updated browser.
The Walk of Fame is the best known and most visited stretch of the Hollywood Boulevard. For more than 2 kilometres, both sides of the street are dotted with iconic pink stars with a golden lining. Thousands of celebrities have already been immortalized this way and new stars are added every month.
Created in 1958, the Walk of Fame was the brainchild of E. M. Stuart, the Vice President of Hollywood's Chamber of Commerce. Stuart created the Walk of Fame to pay tribute to the glory and glamour of Hollywood. The Walk begins at the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and La Brea and runs all the way to Gower Street. Both sides of the boulevard are decorated with stars. Vine Street, a side street off Hollywood Boulevard, is also dotted with stars. To see all the stars, get ready for a 5.5-km walk.


text:
Lightning sparks Grampians bushfires
FIREFIGHTERS are battling 12 fires in the Grampians National Park due to lightning strikes over the past 24 hours.
Most of the fires are small and do not pose threats to communities, according to the Horsham CFA incident control.
Hamilton-based Country Fire Authority region five duty officer Bruce Farquharson said there had been a number of fires caused by lightning strikes in and around the Grampians, Edenhope, Harrow and Glenthompson.
He said fire calls started late yesterday afternoon with a fire at Glenthompson.
"That was one of the early ones. It was in open country and covered about 70 hectares near Glenthompson," he said.
"There are still a number of fires in the Grampians, some are on the edge of the Grampains covering both public and private land.
"We are putting quite a deal of resources into the fire at Clutterbucks Road, Mirranatwa. We have about a dozen tankers and ground crews working on that fire and there will be fire bombing aircraft, bulldozers and graders in action."
Mr Farquharson said at last count the Mirranatwa fire had burnt about 180 hectares and the CFA was working in conjunction with the Department of Sustainability and Environment officers to fight the blaze.
"There are numerous fire ongoing and we're co-ordinating our efforts with DSE. They have quite a few fires going on in the Little Desert area as well," he said.
"A fire at the Woolsthorpe-Hexham Road was sparked about 3.30am by a lightning strike. It was a fairly small grass fire. I'm not aware of any fire not started by lightning strikes. The fire at Clutterbucks Road is the one we are concerned about. It's not small, it needs plenty of attention and has the potential to spread."
Mr Farquharson said firefighters were facing favourable conditions to work this morning.
"One thing not in our favour is the terrain, some of it's very tough. We would also expect the wind to pick up this afternoon. Yesterday light local winds were effects by downdrafts from thunderstorms which caused the winds to radiate out," he said.
A log truck also caught fire about 4.30pm yesterday along the Beeac-Colac Road. CFA units attended, the road was block and it took about 90 minutes to bring the situation under control.
Discuss "Lightning sparks Grampians bushfires"
Please note: All comments made or shown here are bound by the Online Discussion Terms & Conditions.


text:
Sgt. Frog - Season 3 [Complete] (DVD)
Title: Sgt. Frog - Season 3 [Complete]
Volume: DVD
Running time: 600
Distributor: FUNimation Entertainment
Release date: 2012-11-13
Suggested retail price: $49.98
Age rating: 13+
Keroro is Sergeant Frog - the leader of a platoon of warriors sent to conquer planet Earth. But when the amphibious invaders discovered how much humans enjoy dissecting their comrades, the troops were scattered, the mission was aborted, and Keroro was abandoned. Now, this once proud soldier spends more time wielding a vacuum than he does the weapons of war. It's a far cry from the glory of battle, but hey, at least he's got his own room. And though the invasion may have slowed to a hop, Sergeant Frog still occasionally yearns to overcome his karaoke addiction and reassemble his troops. Watch out world, the frogs are taking over.
(added on 2012-08-23, modified on 2012-08-23)
- Encyclopedia information about Sgt. Frog (TV)


text:
(Brain Tumor; Glioma)
Astrocytoma is type of cancerous brain tumor. This type of tumor begins from small, star-shaped cells in the brain called astrocytes. Astrocytes are one of several types of supporting cells in the brain. These types of cells are called glial cells. An astrocytoma is a type of the larger group of brain tumors called gliomas.
Astrocytoma may occur anywhere in the brain, but particularly the cerebrum in adults and the optic nerves in children.
Brain Tumor
Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.
The exact cause is unknown. Some possible causes of brain tumors include:
- Heredity
- Certain occupations
- Environmental factors
- Viruses
Risk Factors
Risk Factors
The exact risk factors for astrocytomas have not been identified. Some studies suggest the following risk factors may increase your chance of this tumor:
- Genetic disorders, including neurofibromatosis and tuberous sclerosis
Occupational exposure to:
- Radiation
- Chemicals
- Oil refining
- Rubber manufacturing
The first symptoms of any brain tumor can be caused as the tumor grows. The growth can increase pressure in the brain. Symptoms may include:
- Headaches
- Visual changes
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Personality changes
- Problems with memory, thinking, and concentration
- Problems with walking
Symptoms will vary depending on the location of the tumor. For example:
- Frontal lobe—Gradual changes in mood and personality, loss of muscle function on one side of the body
- Temporal lobe—Problems with coordination, speech, and memory
- Parietal lobe—Problems with sensation, writing, or fine motor skills
- Cerebellum—Problems with coordination and balance
- Occipital lobe—Problems with vision, visual hallucinations
You will be asked about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done.
Your doctor may need to look at pictures of your brain. This can be done through:
You may also have biopsy/resection to remove a sample of brain tissue to test it for cancer cells.
A specialist will determine the grade of the tumor. Astrocytomas are graded from I to IV. These grades indicate the outlook and rate of tumor growth.
- Grades I and II—These low-grade astrocytomas grow slowly. They generally stay in an area of the brain. They are more commonly found in younger patients. Grade II astrocytomas can spread.
- Grades III and IV—These high-grade tumors grow rapidly. They can spread throughout the brain and spinal cord. Aggressive treatment is needed. This is the most common type found in adults. Grade III tumors are called anaplastic astrocytoma. Grade IV tumors are called glioblastoma multiforme or GBM.
Treatment is based on the location, size, and grade of the tumor. Treatment may include:
Surgery involves the removal of as much of the tumor as possible. High grade tumors are treated with surgery. Surgery is followed by radiation or chemotherapy to help prevent further spreading.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy involves the use of radiation to kill cancer cells or shrink the tumor. Radiation may be:
- External radiation therapy—Radiation aimed at the tumor from a source outside the body
- Internal radiation therapy, which is also called brachytherapy—Radioactive materials placed into the body near the cancer cells
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. It may be given in many forms, including pill, injection, and a tube called a catheter. The drugs enter the bloodstream. They travel through the body destroying mostly cancer cells. Some healthy cells are also destroyed.
There are no prevention guidelines since the exact cause of astrocytoma is not known.
American Cancer Society http://www.cancer.org
Canadian Cancer Society http://www.cancer.ca
Accessed June 11, 2015.
General information about adult brain tumors. National Cancer Institute website. Available at:
Updated June 5, 2015. Accessed June 11, 2015.
Last Updated: 5/28/2014


text:
This recent epidemic of thyroid problems appears to be due to a decline in dietary iodine. In 1940, our typical American diet contained 500-800 micrograms of iodine. By 1995, that amount had dropped down to 135 micrograms. But insufficient iodine intake isn't the only reason for low iodine. Thyroid problems are also caused by two other factors: exposure to substances that interfere with iodine levels, and an increased exposure to harmful radioactive iodine.
But don't think that all iodine is the same. It's not. There are two forms: iodine 127 (safe, natural dietary iodine) and iodine 131 (a harmful radioactive by-product of nuclear energy). Your body absorbs and retains any kind of iodine, depositing most of it in your thyroid gland or breasts. If you're deficient in the safe form of iodine, you'll absorb more radioactive iodine 131. But if you have enough dietary iodine, you won't absorb as much of the radioactive kind. The good iodine blocks the harmful type. Seaweed provides the dietary iodine you need for better thyroid function, and protects you from the harmful effects of radioactive iodine.
All of us have been exposed to radioactive iodine. Since 1945, radioactive material has been released into the air from nuclear testing and nuclear power plants all over the world. The ordinary day-to-day operations of these nuclear plants put harmful radioactive iodine into our atmosphere. Since we can't avoid it, we need to block its absorption. This exposure to iodine 131 is very possibly the origin of the increased amount of thyroid disorders we're seeing today. The regular consumption of seaweed may restore your thyroid function.
But iodine insufficiency goes far beyond its effects on the thyroid gland. Some of the iodine in your body is concentrated in breast tissues. When radioactive iodine breaks down in your breasts, it can contribute to breast cancer. Dietary iodine blocks the absorption of this harmful iodine. Researchers are finding that women with extremely low iodine concentrations are at a higher risk for breast cancer. Conversely, getting sufficient iodine seems to protect against this disease.
There's a strong association between low dietary iodine and an increased risk for breast, endometrial, and ovarian cancer. Low iodine can increase the production of estrogens, and your lifetime exposure to estrogens increases your risk for all of these cancers.
Interfering with Iodine
Anything that contains chlorine, fluoride, and bromine, like water, whether it's used internally or externally, interferes with iodine molecules and causes your body to excrete the iodine it needs so badly. Chlorine is present in most city water supplies. Unless you de-chlorinate your water, you are being exposed to thyroid-lowering gases whenever you bathe, shower, or have a drink of water. You can quickly and easily remove chlorine in your shower with a number of products, such as the Rainshow'r showerhead and the bath with the Rainshow'r Crystal Ball. (800-728-2288).
If you have a hot tub, you probably use chlorine or bromine to keep it free from bacteria. Both affect your iodine levels. Bromine is also found in some pesticides – another reason to eat organic food whenever possible – as well as dough conditioners (bread products).
Aspirin, blood thinners, and steroids all increase iodine excretion and can result in iodine deficiency thyroid problems. If you're taking any of these medications, ask your doctor to evaluate you for low thyroid function (hypothyroidism).
Adding seaweed:
Seaweed is a food. This means you can eat as much as your body wants. Dr. Ryan Drum, a medical herbalist with a specialty in seaweeds, uses a variety of kinds to increase the body's stores of iodine. For an underactive thyroid, he uses 5-10 grams of mixed brown and red seaweeds daily.
Brown seaweeds – higher in iodine – include all kelps, Fucus (said to be the best for underactive thyroids), Hijiki, and Sargassum. Red seaweeds include dulse, nori, Irish moss, and Gracillaria. Nori, used to make sushi, is easy to find in all Oriental markets and many health food stores. Some is toasted and packaged in small packets. It's delicious, but not particularly high in iodine. Most forms of kelp have 500-1500 ppm (parts per million) of iodine; nori has 15 ppm. Toasting doesn't affect seaweed's iodine content, so eat it in whatever form you like best, but don't depend only on nori to boost your iodine levels.
You can add powdered seaweed to your food; toast small pieces of seaweed for a tasty snack; or add larger pieces of a variety of seaweed to soups, grains, or vegetables.
Where to find seaweed
All types of seaweed are edible, but not all of them taste good and not all are safe to eat. Some come from polluted waters. Get them from reliable sources – directly from people who harvest them from the cleanest available waters, or from your local health food store.
Try various types of seaweed, either as a snack or added to foods during or after cooking. Toast some in the oven or in a dry frying pan to see if you prefer that taste. Seaweed should be an enjoyable addition to your diet, not an unpleasant experience. If you simply don't like its taste, you can get it powdered, in capsules.
James Jungwirth at Naturespirit Herbs in Oregon, has clean, good quality seaweeds, including capsules of powdered Fucus (best for the thyroid), as well as capsules of five powdered green and red seaweeds (for an overall nutritional approach). For more information: P.O. Box 150, Williams, OR 97544; 541-846-7995.
Ocean Harvest Sea Vegetable Company (P.O. Box 1719, Mendocino, CA 95460; 707-937-0637, e-mail: email@example.com) sells a variety of seaweeds in one-ounce packages. This is an inexpensive way to see which varieties you like. They also have a recipe booklet to help you integrate the different seaweeds into your diet.
Seaweed is a gift from the sea. It's also a gift to your thyroid and breasts.
Drum, Ryan, PhD. "Botanicals for thyroid function and dysfunction," Medicines From the Earth: Official proceedings, 3-5, June 2000.


text:
An Israeli naval raid on a flotilla bent on breaking its blockade of the Gaza Strip with a cargo of humanitarian supplies is sparking an international diplomatic crisis for the Jewish state after at least 10 activists were killed and dozens wounded in clashes with soldiers.
The Gaza flotilla raid prompted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to cancel a visit to the White House, while Israeli diplomats were summoned to foreign ministries across Europe.
Turkey, a departure point for the flotilla, has recalled its ambassador to Tel Aviv for consultations and called for the convening of the United Nations Security Council to discuss the incident.
Israel, meanwhile, is bracing for the negative fallout.
"It will have a huge impact," says Alon Liel, a former Israeli diplomat. Mr. Liel said the incident could undermine peace talks with the Palestinians and lead to a freeze in relations with Turkey. "It's a red light to the Israeli government that, if now you didn't understand, you are in the wrong direction.''
Israel on the defensive
Israel's right-wing government has been on the defensive on several fronts since taking office in early 2009.
It has been under pressure from the US to rein in settlement expansion to promote fledgling peace talks with the Palestinian Authority, and the United Nations's Goldstone panel has accused the Israeli army of carrying out war crimes against Gaza civilians in a three-week offensive to snuff out Hamas rocket fire.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak called on world leaders to exercise restraint in their response to the incident.
"The entire flotilla is a political and media provocation by anti-Israeli activists," said Defense Minister Ehud Barak at a press conference in Tel Aviv. "They have absolutely nothing to do with humanitarian aid."
The Gaza blockade
Israeli officials said that when the flotilla ignored calls from its naval forces to respect its closure of Gaza's territorial waters, soldiers boarded the ships from helicopters and from naval sea craft. The army said commandos encountered unexpectedly violent resistance from activists armed with knives, metal clubs, and live weapons on the Marmara, a ship with 600 activists.
There was no immediate response from the activists after the Israeli military jammed communications at the beginning of the operation around 4 a.m. After Israel's army evacuated the injured to Israeli hospitals, the ships were forced to sail to the port of Ashdod, where officials were waiting to deport the activists.
The six-ship flotilla – the biggest attempt to bust the Gaza blockade in nearly two years of attempts – is sharpening public criticism of Israel over its three-year blockade of the coastal territory of 1.5 million Palestinians.
Israel has justified the blockade as necessary to prevent a weapons build up and argued that there's no humanitarian crisis in Gaza, while critics argue it amounts to using collective punishment to pressure Hamas.
Violation of international law?
Hamas, which has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007, condemned Israel's storming of the flotilla – which took place in international waters – as a violation of international law and called on the United Nations Security Council to discuss the incident.
The Islamic militant organization, which the US, Israel, and the European Union consider a terrorist group, would get a political boost if international support for Israel's blockade eroded. Palestinian Authority negotiator Saeb Erekat was unavailable for comment.
A spokesman for the White House expressed regret at the loss of life and said that it was reviewing the incident.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy condemned "the disproportionate use of force" against the flotilla, the Associated Press reported. "All light must be shed on the circumstances of this tragedy, which underlines the urgency of resuming peace talks," he said in a statement.
- Israel blames Gaza flotilla deaths on activists
- Gaza aid flotilla: Why Israel expects to lose the PR war
- Israel news coverage


text:
Your browser does not support iframes.
Betty Ruth Garza and William (Bill) Jerkins became engaged Nov. 26.
The bride-elect attended Lowndes High School in Valdosta, Ga. She is retired.
Jessica Lynn Mikell became the bride of Henry Laurance Porter on Grand Cayman Island at five-thirty in the afternoon Nov. 14 with Dr. Desmond Whittaker officiating.
The bride is the daughter of Gregory and Patti Mikell of Morriston.
Chelsea Allyse Traylor of Williston and Luke Edward Wendlandt of Carrollton, Ga. were joined together in marriage on Sept. 27.
The bride is the daughter of Greg and Pam Traylor of Williston. The groom is the son of Jerold Wendlandt of Carrollton, Ga. and Darla Cross of Panama City.
The couple resides in Gainesville.
Mr. and Ms. Damon Sandlin of Williston announce the engagement of their daughter, Victoria Hope, to Andrew J. Masseo, son of Marisol Masseo of Williston and the late Mr. Andrew S. Masseo.
Ms. Sandlin graduated from Williston High School and will graduate from the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Florida in December.
Mr. Masseo graduated from Williston High School and is currently stationed at Fort Stewart, Ga. serving in the United States Army.
The Christmas Eve wedding will be held in Williston.
The engagement of Adrienne Victoria Moody to Allen Martin Beasley is announced by her parents, Mrs. Owen Baynard, and Mr. and Mrs. Horace A. Moody of Destin.
She is the granddaughter of Mrs. Pansy Robinson of Bronson.
The bride-elect is a 1999 graduate of Chiefland High School.
She is a graduate of Santa Fe College with associate degrees in arts and science. She is employed by Edmiston and Edmiston PA in St. Augustine.
The future groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Bruce A. Beasley of Ethel, La.
Mr. and Mrs. James G. Dean celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary Aug. 28.
The couple was married in Ft. Lauderdale Aug. 28, 1944 after James, a member of the U. S. Marine Corps, returned from the South Pacific, where he participated in the invasions of Guadalcanal and New Guinea.
After the end of WWII, the couple resided in Miami until 1959, when they moved to Williston. He spent his early years in Levy County and the return brought them closer to family.
Susie Alvarez became the bride of Dennis Strow Saturday, March 22 at Grand Oaks Resort in Weirsdale.
Bill Risner of Canon, Ga. and Carolyn Ten Broeck of Williston announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Virginia Allison Risner of Royston, Ga. to Jeremy Loyd Owens of Elberton, Ga., son of the late Jerry and Diane Owens of Elberton.
Chetley and Nellie Breeden announce the birth of their daughter, Rosalie Rae Breeden born Dec. 26, 2013 at 9:01 p.m. and weighed 4 lb., 14 oz.
Maternal grandparents are Jimmy and Martha Gladwell of Williston. Paternal grandparents are Jim and Leisa Breeden of Williston.
Maternal great-grandparents include George and Mildred Adams of Williston, Billie Gladwell of Starke and Bill Cauley of Jacksonville. Paternal great-grandmother is Louise Breeden of Williston.
Clara Beth Buchyn, daughter of Phillip Gordon and Mallory Beth Buchyn of Williston, was born Dec. 24, 2013 at the Birth and Wellness Center of Gainesville.
Copyright © 2019
The Williston Pioneer is your source for local news, sports, events, and information in Levy County and Williston, Fl, and the surrounding area.


text:
i have recently purchased an antque kukri and whilst the weapon itself is fine (albeit with a little rust which i can deal with) the scabard is cracked and even split in places.
the scabard consisists of wood with a leather covering however i am not sure if it is wood or a result of exposed leather deteriorating over time and resembling wood....
does anybody have any ideas on how to restore this piece? i have no experiance with working with leather and am unable to afford the cost of hiring an expert so its gonna have to be a DIY job!
all suggestions much apreciated
antique restorations
Sword related DIY and Projects discussion
Moderators: Big Lazy, Moderators
Post Reply
2 posts • Page 1 of 1
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Thu May 01, 2008 1:14 pm
Re: antique restorations
You have email.
Best of luck.
Best of luck.
Post Reply
2 posts • Page 1 of 1