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Unless otherwise noted, information contained in each edition of the Kansas School Naturalist reflects the knowledge of the subject as of the original date of publication.
Volume 45, Number 2 - December 1998
Feral Pigeons
by Richard F. Johnston
Published by Emporia State University
Prepared and Issued by The Division of Biological Sciences
Editor: JOHN RICHARD SCHROCK
Editorial Committee: DAVID EDDS, TOM EDDY, GAYLEN NEUFELD
Editors Emeritus: ROBERT BOLES, ROBERT F. CLARKE
Mailing: ROGER FERGUSON
Circulation (this issue): 9,000
Press Run: 15,000
Compilation: JOHN DECKER
Printed by ESU Printing Services
Online edition by: TERRI WEAST
The Kansas School Naturalist is sent free of charge and upon request to teachers, school administrators, public and school librarians, youth leaders, conservationists, and others interested in natural history and nature education. In-print back issues are sent free as long as supply lasts. Out-of-print back issues are sent for one dollar photocopy and postage/handling charge per issue. A back issue is sent free upon request. The Kansas School Naturalist is sent by third class mail to all U.S. zipcodes, first class to Mexico and Canada, and surface mail overseas. Overseas subscribers who wish to receive it by airmail should remit US $5.00 per year (four issues) airmail and handling. The Kansas School Naturalist is edited and published by Emporia State University. Editor: John Richard Schrock, Division of Biological Sciences.
Third class postage paid at Emporia, Kansas. Address all correspondence to Kansas School Naturalist, Division of Biological Sciences, Box 4050, Emporia State University, Emporia, KS 66801-5087. Opinions and perspectives expressed are those of the author(s) and/or editor and do not reflect the official position or endorsement of ESU.
Publication and distribution of this issue was made possible in part by contributions from readers like you.
Kansas School Naturalist is listed in Wildlife Review/Fisheries Review. The "Springtail" issue is now available in Spanish and the "Tardigrade" issue is available in Chinese [photocopied] for $1 each. The text of this issue and of other KSNs issues) is available at http://www.emporia.edu/ksn/.
Richard F. Johnston is Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Emeritus at The University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047-2906. His professional area of study is the ecology of birds with a focus on English sparrows and feral pigeons. Bob Gress and Mike Blair, along with Richard Johnston and John Richard Schrock, provided the photographs for this issue. Robert Clarke, editor emeritus of the KSN, provided the line illustration.
Feral Pigeons
by Richard F. Johnston
Rock doves are also called street pigeons, barnyard pigeons, or feral pigeons, and are known by the scientific name Columba livia. They arrived in North America with European settlers in the 17th-century. They came as domestic birds, caged and maintained for their use at the kitchen table. Individuals periodically escaped confinement, and although most escapes could not survive in the wild, some did. Their descendants today are called feral ("wild") pigeons, and they are among the most familiar of birds in Kansas, North America, or indeed the world. Ferals have a complicated ancestry that includes not only domestic pigeons but the wild ancestors of domestics as well. The natural history of today's feral pigeons involves an enormous range of biology stemming from this ancient and complex genealogy. This account examines the various aspects of feral pigeon biology.
Old World rock doves were domesticated at least 5,000 years ago. This makes them the first bird species to have been so treated by humans; even the jungle fowl has a shorter history. Rock doves were brought into captivity initially for culinary and religious purposes, but artificial selection by humans soon produced variants that could be employed in other ways. For instance, by 3,000 years ago pigeons were being bred not only for the table but for delivering messages and for racing. The basis of selective breeding was genetic variation resulting from mutations concerning size, shape, color, behavior, physiology, and just about any other characteristic that can be imagined. Rock doves thus became domestic pigeons, and since then their care and breeding have been a focus of human attention.
What is not generally recognized, however, is that when domestic pigeons escaped from captivity they formed a new, free-living biological entity, the feral pigeon. Such birds are often called "domestic pigeons" but they are not domestics; neither are they wild rock doves. Ferals are distinctly different, with their own characteristics that set them apart from their domestic and wild ancestors. We still call them Columba livia, but they are special pigeons.
Feral pigeon colonies possibly could have been formed as early as 5,000 years ago. Most such enclaves are younger, however, and some are very recent. The first feral colonies in North America developed only 400 years ago, after European settlers brought domestic pigeons with them to Nova Scotia in 1606. A later introduction in 1796 brought pigeons to the Hawaiian Islands, and countless others have allowed feral populations to develop in most places in the world. Some populations are evidently distinct - for example, 80% of the birds in Honolulu, Hawaii, are in white plumage - but all can be shown to be in some degree different from both their wild and domestic ancestors. Some of those differences are examined here.
Figure 1. Blue-bar or wild plumage. Photo by Richard Johnston.
One conspicuous characteristic of feral pigeons is that they have many more plumage colors and patterns than rock doves, and many fewer than domestics. Wild rock doves have one plumage, the so-called blue-bar plumage (Figure 1). This consists of a pale gray back and wing coverts, two black bars across the trailing edge of the secondary converts, a white rump, gray tail with black subterminal bar, pale gray belly, and a darker head and neck that also has iridescent blues, greens, yellows, and reds. Females are slightly less iridescent than males.
Figure 2. Checker plumage. Photo by Richard Johnston
Domestic and feral pigeons may also wear the blue bar plumage, but most are in some other feather coat. A common alternative plumage is checker (Figure 2), which is similar to blue bar but features a graded series of few to many black spots, "checks," on the wing coverts. Also common is theT-pattern plumage (Figure 4), in which the wing coverts are almost entirely dark, with small, pale t-shaped flecks; the remainder of the plumage is also darker, except for the white rump. Bars, checkers and T's may also be in ash red plumage (cover and Figure 3), in which the blue is replaced by a pale red, so that we speak of blue bar or red bar, blue checker or red checker, and so on. Additionally, all of the above varieties sometimes appear with a gray rump.
The darkest plumages are also called spread, in which black pigment is spread all over all feathers. Checker, T and spread individuals are commonly referred to as "melanics," that is, birds that are darker than blue bar pigeons.
White plumages, not true albinos, are common among domestics and uncommon in ferals, although many birds show a few or even several white feathers in an otherwise normal blue or red plumage or any other pattern. Additionally, breeders have established a large number of other colors that breed true - milky, indigo, almond and smoky are examples.
|Figure 4. T-pattern plumage.
Photo by Richard Johnston
Figure 5. Spread plumage.
Photo by Richard Johnston
Wild rock doves are almost wholly blue bar in color and pattern; therefore, plumage variation in domestics must have been the result of human preservation of plumage mutants by selective breeding. The range of patterns and colors in free-living ferals, however, is considerably reduced over that in domestics. Such reduction is independent of human selective breeding, and suggests that natural selection has reasserted itself. Consistent with such a suggestion, some of the colors and patterns of domestics come with survival advantages or reproductive penalties and are accordingly either favored or culled from pigeons living in the wild. This should be expected because ferals live under demanding wild conditions.
The most regular consequence of life in the wild is that unusual plumage color and pattern combinations are removed by predators. Many of these, such as house cats, Cooper's hawks, peregrine falcons, or goshawks organize their hunting on the basis of recognizing odd individuals. Successful hunting begins with focusing on one individual, which allows a single bird to be chased from a flock of dozens. One result is that 95% or more of the birds in feral groups will be in blue bar, blue checker, blue T, or spread plumages, with a few o father other possible plumages irregularly represented in the remaining birds.
The proportion of a pigeon population that is in melanic plumage varies geographically: northerly localities have high melanic frequencies, which decline smoothly to the south. For 21 Eurasian localities between latitudes 41 to 62 degrees north, the percent of melanic birds in sample populations shows a correlation coefficient of r = 0.75 with latitude, which means the relationship is not a result of chance sampling.
The common plumage colors and patterns occur at stable frequencies in most feral populations. In Kansas, these proportions are maintained by the way in which choices of mates occur. Mate choice is a serious decision in feral pigeons, perhaps because pigeons remain paired for life. We find that pigeons employ at least seven different characteristics in judging other individuals as possible lifetime partners. The birds use age, previous breeding experience, relative dominance status, body size, feather condition, plumage color, and plumage pattern when looking at possible partners. Some of these characteristics overlap - body size and dominance status are examples - so that the birds often use redundant information. Additionally, most of the characters, even feather color and pattern, can be related to performance in reproduction. This emphasized how important mate choice is for birds that rarely divorce one another.
Females are usually the most discriminating of the sexes, and it is they who choose mates based on their plumages. Males apparently look more for large size or previous experience. As a group, mates of males have plumages in direct proportion to their availability in the population at large - this means that males do not select certain plumages over others. Females, however, pay attention to plumages and tend to choose males different from themselves. Researchers find fewer pairs in which both individuals are alike, and more that are unlike, than would be expected if the birds formed pairs at random. The only way in which unlikes in plumage can disproportionately pair with each other is by deliberate nonrandom, or disassortive, mate choices. This is an unusual pattern to find in nature, where positive assortative mating [or preferring a similar mate], such as is found in humans, is more common.
Aside from selective mating, special advantages are associated with some pigeon colors and patterns. These advantages are held only by ferals. As shown in an exhaustive review of the literature by my colleague Marian Janiga, the advantages are superior reproduction and lengthened lifespan, depending on the environment. Perhaps as a consequence, under essentially wild conditions, ferals are far superior in survival or reproduction to domestic stocks, and at certain European study sites, also to wild rock doves. Ferals may be considered "superdoves."
One of the most important advantages associated with plumage variation in ferals is increased reproductive output. This is a complex relationship and depends on environmental conditions. In suburban or rural environments, blue bar individuals produce more offspring per pair than the melanics. Conversely, in central city environments, melanics outproduce blue bar birds. Blue bar individuals usually occur in small breeding and feeding aggregations, melanics in large ones. Blue bar birds commute greater distances to outlying districts for daily feeding than melanics. Very few inner city pigeons are blue bars, but they are much more common at city margins. Some big cities show a smooth gradient of increase in frequency of blue bar birds from the inner core to the suburbs (Figure 6).
Figure 6. Map of Moscow showing variations in a feral pigeon plumage.
Reprinted with permission of Oxford University Press.
Such gradients in plumage distribution are apparently due to gradients in reproductive characterisitcs. In Britain it has been shown that melanic males have larger testes and more spermatozoa in their tubules than blue bar males. And large melanic females in Kansas wait less time between clutches and thus have a high annual reproductive, exceeding that of blue bar females of any size. Melanic birds of both sexes have a much longer period of annual sexual activity than pigeons in other plumages, and they are responsible for most of the wintertime reproduction of ferals. Melanic squabs, or "baby" birds, have superior early development - they hatch from larger eggs and have more rapid growth than blue bar squabs. We also know that blue bar males are especially successful in defending their breeding sites from intrusion and disturbance by other pigeons. Both sexes of blue bars are more attentive at nests and provide better parental care than birds in other plumages.
Advantages and disadvantages are thus distributed irregularly among the plumages, but sort out in such a way that melanic pigeons do well in cities and blue bar pigeons do well in the suburbs and on farms. The differences are to some extent tied to differences in population densities between inner urban and suburban sites. Even so, why the superior parental care of blue bar birds is not an advantage under high density is an unsolved mystery. However, mate choice of females will maintain a wide range of colors and patterns regardless of location.
Since random mate choice would select for similar neighbors, nonrandom mate choice in pigeons causes outcrossing. Among other things, it tends to maintain a diverse set of plumages. Perhaps as a result, feral pigeon populations show reasonably stable plumage variation. This disassortative mate choice would effectively maintain plumage variation whether or not escapes from captivity brought a variety of colors and patterns into a population. If for any reason the frequency of one form should decline, its value in mate choice would increase, resulting in frequency-dependent selection. This generates slowly fluctuating frequencies of forms in populations, creating a balance in variation through time.
Outbreeding or outcrossing resulting from disassortative mating generates what has been called hybrid vigor or "heterosis." The term "hybrid vigor" was in use by animal breeders as long ago as the 18th-century. Outbreeding causing multilocus heterosis [a variety of genes at many chromosomal locations] is known as a source of vigorous domestic stock having rapid embryonic growth with development generally free from structural defects. There is no reason to suppose feral populations are dissimilar in any fundamental way; they too should benefit from this genetic variation.
A simple test for multilocus heterosis results from the prediction that character variability will be low in genetically variable (heterozygous) versus more nearly invariable (homozygous) individuals from a population. In a study at the University of Kansas, sixty-four North American feral pigeons examined at 49 enzyme loci were separated into groups of high and low heterozygosity and the lengths of eight appendicular skeletal elements were taken for analysis. Bones proved to be larger in the birds with high genetic heterozygosity and, most importantly, all eight elements of these birds were significantly less variable than those from the group of low genetic heterozygosity. A permissible conclusion is that the developmental pathways of the heterozygous birds were better buffered against outside environmental influences, thus avoiding possible induced developmental problems, such as left-right asymmetry.
A dramatic example of the effect of single-locus (one gene) heterozygosity or reproductive and survival fitness is drawn from J. Felinger's work on pigeon transferrins. Transferrins are bacteriostatic and fungistatic proteins important in vertebrate immune systems. Young pigeons, while in the egg and for more than a week after hatching, are incapable of producing their own transferrins. But transferrins of their mothers are provided in egg yolk and egg albumin. Sixty-six percent of the eggs of transferrin heterozygous mothers hatched, while mothers of one transferrin homozygote hatched 52 percent, and of the other 48 percent, showing a highly significant reproductive advantage for heterozygous females. Thus, prospects for survival of squabs and reproduction by adult females were obviously affected by genetic variability.
Figure 7. Pair of pigeons. Photo by Bob Gress
Feral pigeon populations have year-long breeding seasons in most localities. Individual pairs maintain nests, lay eggs and rear young for from six to ten months each year, taking time off in or near winter. Because individuals are not of synchrony with each other, some nesting occurs in populations every month of the year, even in localities at high latitudes.
Wild rock doves have a relatively long breeding season, but it is clearly set off from a period of inactivity during which the annual molt occurs. When rock doves were first held in captivity, environmental pressures dictating a limited breeding season were to some extent relaxed. At the same time, the most vigorous birds were selected for their high reproductive output. Those that remained active for the longest periods would have been the most valuable. Consequently, captive populations gradually would have assumed a breeding season longer than that of their wild relatives. For such reasons, pigeons assumed a position of importance in early human religions, and became sacred to fertility figures such as Aphrodite and Astarte.
The yearlong season of ferals overlaps with the molt schedule and reflects both the innate capabilities of wild rock doves and the modifications wrought by human selective breeding in domestic pigeons. Relaxation of natural selection and assumption of characteristics thought to be desirable by humans is a pattern found in a number of aspects of pigeon biology (such as plumage color and pattern) as well as in other species (such as house cats) that have become feral after having been domesticated.
Figure 8. Western feedlots attract pigeons that line up shoulder-to-shoulder on overhead lines,
awaiting grain feed. Photo by Richard Schrock.
Clutch size in feral pigeons is two eggs, which is unchanged from that of rock doves. Parents continuously incubate eggs for about 18 days, females from late afternoon to mid-morning, males from mid-morning to late afternoon. Hatching rate is variable, from 44 percent to 95 percent, averaging perhaps 70 percent.
Squabs initially are fed "crop milk," a cheese-like substance secreted by crops of both sexes, high in proteins and fats, on which the young birds grow rapidly. A crop is a food storage area in the throat of birds. Parents begin feeding a few seeds with the milk at about day 4, and by day 8 or 10, the squabs are almost wholly on seeds. Squabs are ready to leave the nest at day 30, and most are gone by day 35. Parents will have produced another pair of eggs at perhaps day 20, overlapping the first squabs with their second clutch of eggs - "clutch overlap." Males assume the greater share of feeding the squabs at this time. Squabs gradually become responsible for their own maintenance beyond day 30. About 55 percent of all eggs result in fledged young, ranging from 24 percent to 79 percent in different populations over different years.
Figure 9. In times of scarcity, the later second hatching may die,
leaving enough food for its older sibling to survive. Illustration by Robert Clarke.
Since pigeons spend around fifty days caring for eggs and squabs, each young bird represents a major investment of time and energy. What should pigeons do if food shortages occur when they are breeding? Should they continue to feed both young, and risk both being underfed? Or should they concentrate on feeding just one of them? The answer is that feeding one is better biology. However, pigeons do not do this consciously and it is not a matter of simple choice, as the following discussion will show.
The two eggs of pigeons are laid about 40 hours apart. The first egg is partly incubated before the second appears, and it hatches about 24 hours earlier than the second. First eggs tend to be male, second eggs female. Thus, just after hatching, a pair of squabs usually consists of a day-old male and a recently-hatched female. Males are larger than females at hatching, and they have been fed for a whole day prior to the female's having hatched, so the size difference is pronounced.
Second hatchlings therefore need to compete with an older, more capable sibling for food and parental care. But second hatchlings have a faster rate of growth, and if food is abundant they can make up much of the size difference at around day 15. If food is scarce, the first squab is always fed more than the second, and the latter often dies. The surviving squab is fledged at a greater than average body weight, at the usual age of 30 days.
Pigeon reproduction thus includes this automatic brood reduction mechanism. It enables parents to rear at least one squab if food scarcity makes it difficult to rear two. Indeed, such brood reduction enables parents to raise one squab when trying to raise two would lead to death for both squabs. This is a remarkable adaptation for efficient reproduction.
The first hatchling does not have to be a male for this automatic mechanism to be brought into play. Brood reduction in pigeons would function even if the first egg were female. It would not function quite as efficiently because the size disparities of the sexes would, at least sometimes, inactivate the mechanism. Having the first egg male is a kind of insurance that the brood reduction strategy will work, and that probabilities of loss of both squabs will be reduced.
In birds the chance that the first egg will be male is ordinarily 50 percent, which makes great sense since the way in which eggs are made results in half of them being male and half female. But in pigeons, the first egg is male 70 percent of the time. No positively effective way for dictating sex of eggs is known, so that a certain mystery attends how pigeons manage such control 70 percent of the time. It is a mystery that should attract attention of students of biology.
Pigeons are considered to be highly social creatures that live in colonies. However this is not wholly accurate because many pigeons live in partial isolation from others. In a Kansas town that has feral pigeons, you almost always will be able to find birds nesting in a colony, that is, their nests will be built close to one another. At the same time, many pairs will nest away from the colony and apart from other individuals nesting alone.
Pigeons therefore are not required by their nature to nest in colonies or for that matter to nest singly. Pairs of pigeons readily adjust to the social variables of colonial life or to living alone, which means that they are reasonably complex birds in their social behavior. When pigeons nest colonially inside city limits, they do so because humans have provided a suitable environment. The most important element is safe nesting sites. If such sites are distributed singly and unpredictably around town, the birds find and use them. But aggregations of sites that are secure from predators such as house cats or crows, and that can be defended against intruder pigeons, are usually more desirable to the birds.
Food that is locally available around a breeding colony, while welcome if it exists, is not as important as nest sites to the formation of a colony. This is because pigeons are able to commute daily from city centers to outlying districts for feeding. Commuter pigeons usually gather into flocks, numbering from perhaps a dozen to thousands of birds, and follow established routes to and from feeding sites. Wintertime commuting to feeding sites begins in early morning, is followed by feeding and loafing, by feeding again, and then by return to the roosting sites before dusk. Summer schedules are less synchronized, owing to breeding activities that include nest exchanges by pairs in mid-morning and late afternoon. Return flights tend to have more birds in them than those going to the feeding grounds in the morning.
When we think about the 5,000 or more years over which people and pigeons have coexisted, we might well expect that both groups have experienced problems living with one another. People consistently complain that feral pigeons are problematic to human interests - they eat foodstuffs of consequence, they are untidy in nesting habits, and they are potential sources of zoonotic infections. There is no question that it is ferals that people view with alarm, for the domestic stocks are tractable and user-friendly, and wild rock doves are uncommon enough that they are ignored.
Humans are responsible for creating domestic pigeons, and by extension also for the existence of feral populations. Humans have an obligation to treat all these pigeons in a humane manner. This is easy to do for domestic birds, but can be a problem when ferals are involved.
Ferals do what they do just as they please, and human interests are sometimes very far from theirs. They frequently build nests where we do not want them. This leads to littering of our buildings and monuments with nesting material and dung. When these materials accumulate, they can block rain drainage systems and cause water damage to building walls and ceilings. Stonework and metalwork, whether commemorative or decorative, can be eroded by errant nesting and excretory materials. In some parts of the world feral pigeons are serious agricultural pests, accounting for appreciable loss of growing and stored grain. And we know of a great range of infectious microorganisms that live on or around pigeons, and which are capable of infecting humans. However, the perception of risk is greater than the true risk.
Political pressure from humans who are affected by unrestrained pigeons is sometimes important, leading to attempts to control the numbers of pigeons in cities and farmsteads. The range of control measures used is considerable and expensive.
City officials who are requested to reduce pigeon populations are often in a no win situation. When they use humane control methods, it costs a small fortune, and if a public official is in charge, the taxpayers complain. If an official of an agribusiness is involved, the stockholders complain. If chemicals or firearms - which are perceived as inhumane - are used to kill pigeons, the public generally is outraged. In the long run, everyone is likely to be disturbed.
The most effective way to control pigeon populations is to first remove foodstuffs from where pigeons can find them and then block off potential nesting sites from use by pigeons. Such a program is very easy to describe, and is unbelievably difficult to practice. The problem is that people are careless about how they themselves affect the ecology and behavior or pigeons. Grain frequently is not handled properly, and much is spilled and left to rot - or to feed pigeons. Moreover, our domestic and public architecture invites pigeons to build their nests really close to people. The "pigeon problem" is therefore a people problem - "we have seen the enemy and it is us." We have to obtain public cooperation to modify pigeon populations and it is costly to implement and control, with or without cooperation.
People in many cities have decided to let well enough alone and peacefully coexist with pigeons. This is an excellent procedure, and it reflects the good aspects of having pigeons live close to us. These birds are some of the big winners in the lottery of life; they are real survivors and know how to live in a world dominated by humans. Pigeons are also elegant creatures of style and grace aloft, and are otherwise beautiful to watch. Our world is brightened by them.
Johnston, R.F. and M. Janiga. 1995. Feral Pigeons. Oxford University Press, New York. This book is the source for everything included in this Kansas School Naturalist. Full citation to original sources is available in this book's bibliography.
Figure 10. Statue of diana bespeckled with pigeon droppings; Old Town Square, Warsaw, Poland.
Photo by Richard Johnston.
|The Kansas School Naturalist
|Department of Biology
|College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
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Victorious Apache Urara (Mode Change):
* (This card is put into your mana zone tapped.)
* When you put this creature into the battle zone, or when this creature is destroyed, choose a card in your opponent's hand without looking, and your opponent reveals that card. Put a Hunter psychic creature with cost 8 or less that shares a civilization with the revealed card into the battle zone from your hyperspatial zone.
(At the start of the game, separate your psychic creatures from your deck and put them into the hyperspatial zone. If a psychic creature would leave the battle zone, return it to the hyperspatial zone instead.)
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148Apps —AFTO for iPad Review


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Reliques of Old London, 89. Click on image to enlarge it. Text and formatting by George P. Landow. [You may use this image without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the Boston Public Library and the Internet Archive and (2) link your document to this URL in a web document or cite it in a print one.]. T. R. Way. Signed and dated 1899. Lithograph. Source:
Commentary by H. B. Wheatley from Reliques of Old London
NOT many years ago, before railways made them accessible, Brockley and New Cross were very rural places, and fields were common in their neighbourhood. Now the number of houses is dsuly increasing, and little or nothing of the country remains.
One of the last relics of past times, the wayside inn in the Brockley Road, was cleared away two years ago. Tradition says that an inn has stood on the site of the Brockley Jack for nigh on four centuries, but tradition does not help us to any trustworthy information respecting its history, and the sign could hardly have been given to it before the seventeenth or the eighteenth century.
Anecdotes of highwaymen are more common on the north side of the river than on the south, but there were a considerable number of these gentry in the south. The open country and protecting woods were favourable to their attacks upon property, particularly as coaches and carriages on the great southern road were very numerous.
Brockley Jack is said to have been the name of one of these highwaymen, but whether this be so or not, there is little doubt that the old inn was frequented by gentlemen of the road. There was a particular staircase so constructed that it could be removed at night, and thus cut off access to the upper storey, in the case of criminals being secreted there.
The inn was a long low house with a bay window looking on to the front garden, built and added to at different times. In the garden were rows of seats and tables beneath old trees, and a large but almost branchless stump carried the signboard. [89]
Way, T. R., and H. B. Wheatley. Reliques of Old London upon the Banks of the Thames and in the Subburbs South of the River. London: George Bell and Sons, 1909. [title page] Internet Archive version of a copy in the Boston Public Library. Web. 22 April 2012.
23 April 2012


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This Telegraph article has the Cocktail Lovers listing their 10 favorite cocktail bars in London by occasion, energy level, and ambiance. Amongst the illustrious few? The Zetter Townhouse, for "English Eccentricity". Naturally, Old Boy, naturally…
30 September 2012
Dave Arnold, one of Drink Factory's favorite enfants-terribles of the food science, (and now cocktail science) world, breaks down EVERYTHING he has learned about cocktail science in the past year. Dave Arnold is the man behind the excellent bar, Booker and Dax, in NYC.
24 September 2012
Microbiologist Gastronomist
A very interesting New York Times profile of Rachel Dutton, a Harvard microbiologist who has become the leading resource for chefs and food scientists to get even more involved in their food, down to the micro-organic level. Ms. Dutton's work with microorganisms has been used by the likes of David Chang and Harold McGee to further their own projects and research. Her career all started with her fascination with examining the colonies of bacteria that live on hundreds of different types of rinds of cheese.
Flavour of the Week
The flavour of the week is Manuka Honey. Manuka honey is a honey derived from the Manuka plant, otherwise known as Leptospermum scoparium (manuka myrtle, New Zealand teatree, broom teatree, or just tea tree or Leptospermum). The manuka is a shrub or small tree native to New Zealand and southeast Australia.
Manuka plant itself has an astringent medicinal quality to its leaves and bark, and when distilled into a hydrosol can be quite pungent. This savory, earthy, medicinal quality translates to a robust, spicy, faintly funky flavoured honey. Manuka honey is also normally creamier in texture than most honeys. Manuka honey is widely used throughout New Zealand, though is not generally known off that continent.
In New Zealand it serves not only as a flavouring agent but is also purported to have many medicinal qualities, among those a strong efficacy as an antiseptic. Manuka honey is graded by its "activity levels", meaning how active and how many enzymes there are in the honey at the time of its bottling. Those enzymes purportedly are what provide the health benefits of the honey itself.
Though the health benefits of the substance are intriguing enough to seek it out, the flavour itself is the real star. Riding a fine line between menthol and barnyard, sweet and savory, Manuka honey has got to be one of the more interesting sweeteners one can find. And perhaps it's good for you, too!
Manuka honey is best when it is not heated, which makes it an interesting choice to use as a sweetening agent in a cocktail.
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"The Millers" (KRQE-13 7:30pm) Not a spin-off of We're the Millers, but another generically titled sitcom from the network that already gave us "Mom" this season.
"Welcome to the Family" (KOB-4 7:30pm) A Caucasian teenager gets pregnant by her Latino boyfriend. They decide to get married. Oh, the wackiness that ensues when her family meets his family. I hope there will be jokes about tacos.
"The Originals" (KWBQ-19 8pm) This spin-off of "The Vampire Diaries" finds vampires and werewolves (who are, of course, having sex with one another) battling over the city of New Orleans.
"Sean Saves the World" (KOB-4 8pm) Sean Hayes ("Will & Grace") is a divorced, gay father trying to raise a 14-year-old daughter.
"Hot Package" (Cartoon Network 10:45pm) An extremely weird, borderline incomprehensible live-action show on Adult Swim? What are the odds? This oddball offering is supposed to look like a cheap, Canadian knockoff of "Entertainment Tonight."
House of Versace (Lifetime 6pm) Gina Gershon is frighteningly authentic ("frightening" being the operative word) as fashion icon/plastic surgery nightmare Donatella Versace.
Contest (Cartoon Network 7pm) A bullied teen and his tormentor become friends after being forced to work together in a cooking contest in CN's latest, message-oriented, live-action feature.
"The Simpsons" (KASA-2 7pm) Filmmaker Guillermo del Toro (Pan's Labyrinth, Hellboy, Pacific Rim) contributes the pre-credit "couch gag" to this year's "Treehouse of Horror XXIV" episode.
"Witches of East End" (Lifetime 8pm) Nope, not a TV version of The Witches of Eastwick. The networks tried that in 1992 and 2002. This one's loosely based on Melissa de la Cruz' book series about a clan of sexy witches in Long Island.
"Mighty Med" (Disney XD 6:30pm) Teenage best friends Kaz and Oliver land the sweetest after-school jobs in the universe—working at a secret hospital for superheroes.
"Dream School" (Sundance 11pm) Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver and rap star 50 Cent bring troubled kids together to learn in the ultimate educational setting. Teachers include filmmaker Oliver Stone, journalist Soledad O'Brien, musician Swizz Beatz, astronaut Dr. Mae Jemison, actor David Arquette, conservationist Jeff Corwin, financial guru Suze Orman and civil rights activist Jesse Jackson. Now if we can just replicate this in every school in America.
"Criss Angel BeLIEve" (Spike 9pm) Silly Las Vegas goth Criss Angel gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the illusions in his Cirque du Soleil magic show.
"The Tomorrow People" (KWBQ-19 8pm) It takes a special kind of nerd to remember the 1970s BBC children's series about super-powered adolescents. Now it's been revived by The CW as a brattier version of The X-Men.
"American Horror Story: Coven" (FX 11pm) We've had ghosts and space aliens so far. The third season of FX's constantly morphing horror series does witches.
"Big Tips Texas" (MTV 8pm) Redneck Heaven is a north Texas "breastaurant" (their word, not mine) famous for its bikini-clad waitresses and their, um, "big tips." Now, scantily clad servers like Amber, Kristyn and Typhani (their spellings, not mine) have their own docureality series. Dare to dream, young women of America.


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Soundz AVL
Serving the Lisle, IL Area
Based in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago, Soundz AVL has been serving the area with superior Audio, Video and Lighting for every type of event .Our inventory consists of a variety of video projectors, screens, LED/LCD display monitors as well as LED uplighting, intelligent moving lights, state-o
Fast Response
Crate Audio Visual
Serving the Lisle, IL Area
Finally, turnkey and affordable audio visual solutions. Established in 2016, Crate AV was designed to save you money on audio visual rental equipment for corporate meetings, social events, and more. With our Pro Services division, Crate AV can come to your venue and execute your event. While our
Event Head Productions LLC
24 miles from Lisle, IL
•INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY •BIG AND SMALL DETAILS •SPECIALIZED EVENTS •CUSTOMIZED DESIGNS •EXECUTION FLAWLESSLY •CUSTOMER SERVICE •STATE OF THE ART GEAR With that comes Event Head Productions a special event centered and client focussed audio visual event production company. We take great pride
35 miles from Lisle, IL
SoundTronix has been providing the finest professional quality audio and visual systems since 1966 at the best prices in Indiana and Chicago Land area.Whether you need audio & video for your corporate event, a complete sound system installed or speakers, microphones, lights, generators or mixing c
Five Star Audio Visual
8.9 miles from Lisle, IL
VidTech audio video technologies
Lisle, IL
Vidtech audio/video technologies has all the equipment that you need to make your event a success. Specializing in mobile video production, VidTech is capable of providing you with broadcast quality camera coverage, projectors and screens for image magnification, and pre/post production editing to
Creative Soundz Inc - Aurora
9.1 miles from Lisle, IL
Full service production company providing bookings of live entertainment to special events. In addition to our entertainment division, we also own and supply audio visual equipment to include sound, lighting, video and staging rentals, delivered and operated by our staff.
Abcom Computer Rental Inc
14 miles from Lisle, IL
ABCOMRENTS offers full service, Computer rental and Laptop rental to major conference centers and Hotels in the Chicago area. As a re-seller, integrator and rental provider of technology solutions, ABCOMRENTS provide unsurpassed service and superior support to the Rental & Staging Industry on a nat
Automated Lighting Design
16 miles from Lisle, IL
ALD is a leading company in the professional lighting & sound production industry, ALD has become renowned for our unique lighting & sound designs. Our creative team has led the way to nationally recognized events. We can help you in any way from weddings, corporate, association and other social eve
Aria Technology Solutions LLC
22 miles from Lisle, IL
Aria Technology Rentals is a nationally recognized provider of LED Wall, Digital Signage, Computer & Tablet Rentals to businesses and trade show clients. Our clients range from fortune 500 companies to medium and small businesses. Aria AV is a dedicated team of professionals with a passion to provid
North Shore Productions, Inc.
23 miles from Lisle, IL
North Shore Productions will deliver the finest pro-audio equipment to your event or meeting in the Greater Chicago Area. We specialize in high power, high resolution sound systems for events both large and small. Expertise includes: iPod Wedding / iPod DJ Service, Public Address and Sound Reinfor
Sound Works Productions, Inc.
24 miles from Lisle, IL
Sound Works Productions, Inc., is a full service event production solutions provider. Audio, lighting, video systems for events of all sizes from corporate to concerts, indoor or outdoor. Call today for an event technology partner on your event!
Premier Technologies
24 miles from Lisle, IL
NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED production AV vendor for Conferences, Pharma Meetings & Tradeshows. Voted "Best In Class". Around the clock service with GLOBAL locations. 25 yrs servicing Fortune 100's to 1,000's. Special Government Pricing & TARP projects
Sound, Production & Lighting LLC
25 miles from Lisle, IL
Since 2010, Sound, Production & Lighting (SPL) has grown and developed into a full-service production company with experience in live events and permanent system installations for venues and clients of all sizes. Our goal is to always provide a level of support that allows you to focus on the detai
Resounding Voice
51 miles from Lisle, IL
Resounding Voice is your one-stop source for convention, conference and event recording and audio visual (A/V) production and support. We handle everything from single day symposiums to week-long events with hundreds of sessions and thousands of attendees.
JMH Audio
21 miles from Lisle, IL
PA System rentals and Audio Engineering services.
Tanttrix Inc
Addison, IL
We are a full service professional audiovisual company. We specialize in weddings,corporate events,fashion shows, concerts and festivals. Please inquire about our $1000 all inclusive uplighting package.
Audio Visual Productions Inc.
Bridgeview, IL
AVP is a full service Audio Visual rental and staging company located in the Chicago Suburbs. AVP supplies audio, video and lighting equipment to our clientele nationwide. Give us a call and let us assist in making your event a memorable one.
Gandy Method Inc.
Joliet, IL
Sound, Lighting and Video for events. Rentals, expert design and operation for important events. Call us to help you make your event a success!
Lake Shore Audio Visual, Inc. - Chicago
Chicago, IL
LSAV is a nationally recognized, full-service audiovisual production company with offices in Chicago, Washington DC, Las Vegas, and Orlando. We are a leader in audiovisual staging, specializing in corporate communications, special events, and conventions. LSAV is dedicated to providing our cli
Sound Investment
Chicago, IL
Sound Investment provides turn key production solutions across the vast range of special events- from media launches for highly visible brands to corporate meetings/events to concerts and national tours. Our design team works closely with clients to provide innovative and creative integration of sh
Chicago, IL
Rentfusion is an industry leader in providing computer and audiovisual rental solutions to corporate America. For over a decade, major Corporations across the country have relied on us to bridge their short- term rental requirements for Tradeshows, Conventions, Meetings, Road Shows, Seminars, Traini
Chicagoland Cinema
Chicago, IL
Chicago Outdoor Movie Screen Rental Chicagoland Cinema is the premier outdoor movie screen rental company serving Chicago and Northwest Indiana. We provide the ultimate outdoor movie theater experience along with our superior customer service. Let Chicagoland Cinema, the outdoor inflatable movie ex
The Carlin Company - Chicago
Chicago, IL
The Carlin Company is an International full service Event Management, Creative, Audio/Visual, Video Segments, Production Company, based in the Washington, DC area for organizations, which does annual meetings, conferences, trade shows, charities, and special events. Our core initiatives include: •
Rent Rite
Elk Grove Village, IL
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Ed's Rental
Algonquin, IL
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From MeritBadgeDotOrg
Scouts BSA, Venturers, Special Needs, Scout Spirit, and What is "Active?"
Program resources are offered for Cub Scouting, Scouts BSA, Venturing, and Sea Scouting.
| The official source for the information shown in this article or section is:
Guide To Advancement, 2011 Edition (BSA Supply SKU #N/A)
What is Advancement?
|Advancement is the process by which youth members of the Boy Scouts of America progress from rank to rank in the Scouting program. Advancement is simply a means to an end, not an end in itself. Everything done to advance and earn these ranks should be designed to help the young person have an exciting and meaningful experience.
|Education and fun are functions of the Scouting movement, and they must be the basis of the advancement program.
|— Advancement Policies #33088, p. 3
Advancement Principles
|Council and district advancement committees implement procedures that help achieve the following advancement principles.
|Personal growth is the prime consideration in the advancement program. Scouting skills—what a young person knows how to do—are important, but they are not the most important aspect of advancement. Scouting's concern is the total growth of youth. This growth may be measured by how youth live the Scouting ideals, and how they do their part in their daily lives.
|Learning by doing. A Cub Scout, Boy Scout, or Venturer may read about fire building or good citizenship. He/she may hear it discussed, and watch others in action, but he/she has not learned first aid until he/she has done it.
|Each youth progresses at his or her own rate. Advancement is not a competition among individual young people, but is an expression of their interest and participation in the program. Youth must be encouraged to advance steadily and set their own goals with guidance from their parents, guardians, or leaders.
|A badge is recognition of what a young person is able to do, not merely a reward for what he or she has done. The badge is proof of certain abilities, and is not just a reward for the completion of a task.
|Advancement encourages Scouting ideals. Scouting teaches a young person how to care for himself/herself and help others. Advancement should reflect the desire to live the Cub Scout, Boy Scout, or Venturing Oath in his/her daily life.
|— Advancement Policies #33088, p. 3
Advancement in the Four Scouting Program Phases
|— Advancement Policies #33088, p. 4
Cub Scouting
|— Advancement Policies #33088, p. 4
Boy Scouting
|— Advancement Policies #33088, p. 4
Varsity Scouting
|— Advancement Policies #33088, p. 4
{{quote-source|A male Venturer who has achieved the First Class rank as a Boy Scout in a [[troop or as a Varsity Scout in a team may continue working toward the Eagle Scout rank as a Venturer until his 18th birthday. There is no alternate Venturing advancement route to qualify for the Eagle Scout rank.
The Venturing Bronze, Gold, Silver, Ranger, Quest, TRUST, and Quartermaster awards may be earned by all Venturers who meet certain requirements. Details on Venturing advancement can be found in the Venturing/Ranger Handbook, Venturing Leader Manual, Quest Handbook, TRUST Handbook, and Sea Exploring Manual.|Advancement Policies #33088, p. 4}}


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Canon USA
Canon Consumer
Shop Direct at Canon
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Album Life
Light Fastness
Improved Print Quality
In order to maximize the superb printing ability of the "FINE" print head, Canon continues to develop ink and paper specifically for PIXMA printers to enhance their performance.
In 2005, ChromaLife100, a system that improves the beauty and permanence of printed images, with the combination of genuine Canon dye inks, FINE print head, and photo paper, was developed.
Then in 2008, a further advance has been achieved with the introduction of new genuine Canon dye inks* and photo paper**.
The new system, ChromaLife100+, provides longer-lasting and more beautiful vivid photo prints.
* ChromaLife100+ compatible inks include : PGI-220BK, PG-210, CLI-221 and CL-211
** ChromaLife100+ compatible photo papers include : PT-101, PR-201 and PP-201
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Wells Fargo cuts 700 jobs from mortgage unit
February 27, 2014
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Wells Fargo & Co. is cutting 700 jobs from its home lending business as mortgage refinancing slows down.
Most lenders have said they saw fewer refinancings once interest rates began to rise midway through last year. Wells Fargo spokesman Tom Goyda says the number of new mortgages is continuing to drop during the first quarter of this year, although not as fast as it dropped last year.
The workers who will lose their jobs were notified on Wednesday. Goyda says that some may be able to find other jobs within the San Francisco-based company. Wells Fargo & Co. has about 52,000 workers in its mortgage business.
On Tuesday JPMorgan Chase & Co. said it will cut 6,000 jobs from its mortgage unit this year.
All contents © copyright 2019 The Associated Press.All rights reserved.


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DISCONTINUED Port Authority® Ladies EZCotton Pique 3/4-Sleeve Polo. L801"
$ 27.98
The EZCotton Pique Polo has an anti-curl collar and resists pilling, fading, wrinkling and shrinking with ease. |
- 6.5-ounce, 100% cotton
- Gently contoured silhouette
- Double-needle stitching throughout
- Piping detail inside neckband
- Flat knit collar
- 4-button placket
- Pearl white buttons, dyed-to-match buttons on Black, Brown and Navy
- Open hem sleeves
- Side vents


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- Who We Are
- What's ON
- The Waterfront
- Learning
- Support Us
What's On Calendar
May 1–6, 2012
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Pantheon, the new work by Kids on TV, explores inspiring, strange and obscure figures of resistance and sexual revolution.
Event run: May 5, 2012
Sunday, May 6, 2012
3:00pm 5:00pm
Inspired by the project Dissenting Histories: 25 Years of The Power Plant, participants of this workshop will explore materials from the gallerys large archive and make their own creative archive in the form of a time capsule.
Event run: May 6, 2012
For details inquire at the Info Desk or call 416-973-4000.


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The Cantar by GLI Sunshade Mesh 95 Safety Cover is renowned for its strength, durability and ease of installation. It's the easy-to-install, no maintenance cover that gives the pool owner total peace of mind during the off-season.
If you open early in the spring, don't have large amounts of leaves and debris in your yard, or you don't fully winterize your pool but need the security of a safety cover - this is the cover for you!
The Cantar by GLI Sunshade Mesh 95 Safety Cover meets or exceeds ASTM standards - it secures your pool from children, pets and stray animals.
Key Features:
* Note: Stock Safety Covers are for use on Inground Pools that match the dimensions / criteria above ONLY. Using one of our Stock Safety Covers with another shape and/or size of pool not listed here will void your warranty. Pool Supplies Canada is not liable for Stock Safety Covers purchased for pools that do not meet these requirements.
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cambio CarSharing. A car when you need one.
Welcome to cambio Bonn
We are here for you!
Opening hours: Mo till Fr 10-17h
Induction-meetings and opening hours of our sales offices you have here.
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CarSharing and public transport.
Tram, bus or car? cambio offers frequent public transport users special tariffs and entry conditions.


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fr Page HelpSimpliWiki
Welcome to SimpliWiki To use it, just try things, it is robust. However, if you get lost, reading SimpliWikiDoc may help. If you really get lost, ask your Localcurator. If that's not an option, please contact the designers of SimpliWiki at firstname.lastname@example.com, because something needs to be improved to make things here really simple to use for everybody. Thanks! simpliwiki.com --- notify: SimpliWikiDoc. Localcurator. CategoryHelp. DisplayModes


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Monday, 26 March 2012
I love a trim... In the world of decorating, it's one of the most exciting ways to add oomph and excitement to everything from a cushion, a throw, a lampshade... And visiting a trim store... well what could be more exciting than that... In Australia we're lacking in the trim department don't you find... Although stores such as Spotlight and Lincraft have come a long way in the supply of interesting and beautiful trims, it's still difficult to source the exotic and one of a kind at home... Recently, when hubby was in London I had him traipsing the streets in search of some gorgeous trims... You see, I had a photo shoot on the way and was desperate to get my hands on some trims to use as props... He did well, and managed to secure a tiny bag full of deliciously coloured trims and I was so grateful as they added such a beautiful edge to the photographs... Can you imagine my glee then, when the gorgeous Holly Becker steered me in the direction of M&J Trimming in NYC... Would you believe, in all the times I've been to NYC, I've never visited this gorgeous store... Trim stores are akin to candy stores for me... And I've just spent the better part of two hours scouring the walls for beautiful things... Of course, like candy stores, one can get a little overwhelmed by the choice - the range is huge! But I did come away with a few very special pieces which I'm planning to infuse into a new colour scheme that I have planned for the farmhouse... Well, when I say new colour scheme, I might be stretching things a little far... Note the blues and greens dear friends... I just can't get away from them... So, it's not really a new colour scheme, more a new texture theme... A little rougher and more earthy - with the noted blues and greens as accents... So after two hours - this is what I managed to secure... I can see some gorgeous cushions trimmed in these, can't you? From this pic, you'd never think that it taken me so long to make my choices! Such a piddly array!!! And so, I think I may have to dip my toe back in, before I leave! Just once more! For the fun of it all...
4 comments:
- Scandi Coast Home Australia said...
I am sooooo glad you aren't changing colour schemes. I LoVe the Peacock greens & teal blues etc...... I will enjoy seeing the result. Don't make us wait too long......pretty please.
Tania Maree xx
- 26 March 2012 at 6:48 am
- Caz said...
Shannon I too love a trim and last year I had a trip of a life time in NY and M&J. OMG I stood in awe looking up further than my eyes could even focus on the divine trims, the choices are amazing and yes a little daunting and I wish I could have focused better and got a whole lot more.
- 26 March 2012 at 10:02 am
- Shannon Fricke said...
Ah Caz, you are a kindred trim spirit... x
- 26 March 2012 at 10:50 am
- Shannon Fricke said...
Tania Maree,
Yes, no matter how hard I try I can;t get past my greens... I am in love...
- 26 March 2012 at 10:51 am
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


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Daytona Motor Company Ltd
- Telephone:
- 0141 2374800 | 07375 097412
- Unit 7 646 SOUTH STREET, GLASGOW, LANARKSHIRE, G14 0TR
Key factsPrint summary
Well presented Ford Mondeo 2.0 Diesel finished in silver metallic with contrasting cloth interior. This car drives very well with no issues or lights on dash. Usual Ford refinements including rear parking assist. Car comes with a full years Mot and two keys. Should you require any further information or to arrange a view or test drive please do not hesitate to contact us. , 6 months warranty, 12 months MOT, Service history, Clean bodywork, Interior - Clean Condition, Tyre condition Good, Metallic Silver, 3 owners, open Monday- Saturday 10am to 5:30pm Sunday viewing by prior arrangement, £2,995
This car comes with
Park Assist, Metallic Paint, Air Conditioning - Dual-Zone Electronic Automatic Temperature Control (DEATC), Cruise Control, Voice Control System, 16in - Alloy Wheels with Locking Wheel Nuts, Alloy Wheels - 17in Y-Spoke, Bluetooth, Electrically - Operated Front and Rear Windows, Human Machine Interface (HMI) with cluster Display, Quickclear Heated Windshield, Stereo CD/Radio, Thatcham Category 1 Alarm
- 201808289905196
- 2010
- 60
- £2,995
- 300
- 136,000
- Cars
- VeJGgh4sEBQ=
Vehicle summary
|Body style
|Engine size
|1997 cc
|Fuel type
|Number of doors
|Number of seats
|Gearbox type
|CO2 emissions
|139 g/km
|Insurance group
|Standard manufacturer's warranty (miles)
|60000 miles
|Standard manufacturer's warranty (years)
|3 years
|Standard paintwork guarantee
|No details available
Performance & economy
|Fuel consumption (urban)
|44.1 mpg
|Fuel consumption (extra urban)
|61.4 mpg
|Fuel consumption (combined)
|53.3 mpg
|0 - 60 mph
|9.2 seconds
|Top speed
|130 mph
|Engine power
|138 bhp
|Engine torque
|236.03 lbs/ft
|1500 mm
|Height inclusive of roof rails
|No details available
|4778 mm
|2850 mm
|1886 mm
|Width including mirrors
|No details available
|Fuel tank capacity
|No details available
|Minimum kerb weight
|1559 kg
|Interior features
|Exterior features
|Human Machine Interface (HMI) with cluster Display
|Alloy Wheels - 17in Y-Spoke
|Short Overhead Console with Sunglass Storage, Illuminated Glovebox
|Body Coloured Bumpers
|Mini Spare Wheel
|Leather - Trimmed Gearshift Knob
|Rear Wiper - Tailgate, Intermittent with Electric Wash and Auto Reverse Wipe
|Air Conditioning - Dual-Zone Electronic Automatic Temperature Control (DEATC)
|16in - Alloy Wheels with Locking Wheel Nuts
|Cruise Control
|Electrically - Operated/Heated Door Mirrors with Integrated Side Indicators
|Drivers Manual Lumbar Support Adjustment
|Quickclear Heated Windshield
|2 Cup Holders
|Drivers 2-Way Power Height Adjust
|Centre Console - Storage Box
|Heated Rear Window
|Illumination of Driver and Passenger Sunvisor Mirrors
|Voice Control System
|Leather Trimmed Steering Wheel
|Upholstery Cloth
|Electrically - Operated Front and Rear Windows
|Stereo CD/Radio
|Eight Speakers
|Rake and Reach Adjustable Steering Column
|Drivers Airbag
|Third Brake Light
|Front Passengers Airbag
|Power Child Locks
|Front 3-Point Seat Belts with Pre-Tensioners and Retractors
|Power - Assisted Steering
|Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)
|Front and Rear Head Restraints
|Immobiliser - Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS)
|Traction Assist
|Centre Rear Seat Belt
|Front Fog Lights
|Electronic Brake - Force Distribution (EBD)
|Driver and Front Passenger Side Airbags, Front Side Impact - Drivers and Front Passengers Airbag, Front and Rear Side Curtain Airbags Deployed from The Headlining
|Drivers Knee Bolster Airbag
|Remote Control Central Locking
|Thatcham Category 1 Alarm
|Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS), Emergency Brake Assist
Please note
This includes MPG figures which are calculated under European Standards, in test conditions, and will vary under normal driving conditions. The information displayed above describes the typical specification of the most recent model of this vehicle. It is not the exact specification for the actual vehicle being offered for sale which may vary. Specifications for older models may also vary. Please contact us prior to purchase to confirm the exact specification of this vehicle.
Thank you for contacting us!
We will aim to get back to you as soon as possible.
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Blessings Unlimited....
Join Us and Be Compassionate!
Join Us and Be Compassionate!
Blessings Unlimited has recently partnered with Compassion International and their Child Survival Program to make a difference in the lives of women and their children in the Dominican Republic.
The Blessings Unlimited goal is to create Project Centers around the world, beginning with CSP 25 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Partnering with local churches, this program helps empower mothers to give their children a fighting chance for healthy development with the supplies and training provided through your donations.
Blessings Unlimited is very excited to be a partner with Compassion's Child Survival Program. The Child Survival Program is a proven way to help babies and moms in poverty survive through life-giving relationships with trained specialists who provide both physical and spiritual care. Please join us in our efforts to rescue babies and moms.
For only $20 a month you can help sponsor a project center designed to rescue, nurture, and teach young children. This center cares for an average of 47 babies and moms each year. They receive medical and nutritional assistance, ongoing health care, literacy and economic training, food & supplements, parental education, social support, and loving support of a local church.
Join me and others across our nation and help empower mothers to give their children a fighting chance for healthy development.
When you make this decision and enter through my personal link you will also receive a free Compassion International T-shirt with your sponsorship.
Find your voice and learn how you can make a difference today! Together, in Jesus' name, we can break the cycle of poverty.
Please feel free to also contact me if you would like to host a fundraiser this month for Compassion International. This can be done in your home, via catalog, or online. Just click on my link and let me know how you would like to be involved. Wishing you a blessed weekend!
* In addition, any purchase you make of the following items, a portion of proceeds will go to help support Compassion International! Just click on item you would like.
....for other sizes just click here.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.


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CEOs have clearly turned to innovation in order to address the organisational changes necessary to grow in the future.
Fostering innovation was one of the top three strategic priorities for their organisations; however, less than a quarter (23 percent) of CEOs say that innovation is at the top of their personal agenda.
Three quarters (77 percent) said it was important to specifically include innovation in their business strategy, with clear targets and objectives. Yet, they also feel their organisation has work to do in embedding innovation into their everyday operations.
Only 38 percent said their organisation was highly capable in terms of fostering a culture of innovation and only 28 percent said innovation was prioritised at a strategic level within their organisation and embedded in everything they do.
"The role of 'Change Agent' is now a requirement and a core skill of the modern CEO," says Klaus Becker, Chairman, KPMG in Germany. "What was once a craft skill of a select group of CEOs is now a core competency. What we are seeing in the marketplace is that most CEOs are undertaking some form of significant change or transformation within their organisation. The impact of these changes to an organisation's business model is requiring the CEO's time, experience and leadership."
High growth companies were more apt to put themselves in the strategic category (45 percent), whereas companies expecting growth of under 10 percent, put themselves in the accelerated category (33 percent).
Request for proposal


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I'm in the process of transferring poco to my new Win 7 computer.
First try went a bit haywire because of Administator rights. I then Re-installed Poco.
Second try I elected to place poco data in a different location (drive F in my situation). Everything seems to work except for :-
(i) When I hit the contacts button nothing shows up. The address books seemed to have transferred across ok but nothing shows up in contacts. The address books are in the data files on "F drive".
(ii) if I click on 'New' the window comes up ok but it won't allow me to type anything in the subject line - the cursor is not there. I can change the subject line for replying or forwarding emails
Look foward to solving this one - thanks


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'Save the Spruces' Group Dominates Conservation Meeting
Some 150 people attended what was billed as an informational meeting on maintaining conserved land but 'Saving the Spruces' dominated the talk.
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Spruces Mobile Home Park residents who do not want to relocate turned out in force Wednesday night at a meeting organized by conservationists looking to save the property being eyed for that relocation.
The newly formed Friends of Williamstown Conservation Lands called the meeting in the ballroom of the Orchards to discuss ways to stop a plan to remove the 30-acre Lowry property from conservation and use it to build affordable housing.
The conservation group founded by former selectman Kenneth Swiatek found some friends in a group of very vocal, angry Spruces residents who expressed frustration with the town's plan to apply for FEMA grant money to buy the storm-damaged mobile home park and build housing on the conserved land off Stratton Road.
"We want to remain in the Spruces," resident Linda Bell said before a meeting of about 150 attendees from both camps. "[Town Manager Peter] Fohlin promised we would stay there after the flood. And now we're being thrown out."
The flood in question is last year's Tropical Storm Irene, which destroyed 153 homes in the park, adding to an existing deficit of affordable housing in the town.
Sixty-seven homes remain occupied at the Spruces, and on Tuesday, a group of 10 of those residents came together to form the Save the Spruces committee, according to that group's spokesman, Peter Russell, who attended Wednesday's meeting.
Although Swiatek opened the meeting with general discussions about the benefits of conserved land and the process for taking land out of conservation, as soon as the conversation turned to the specifics of the town's plan to buy the Spruces (and put its 114 acres in conservation), the park's residents dominated the conversation.
"We're human beings," Russell said during the meeting. "I live in the Spruces. I don't want my home taken away. I want you people to come together and help us save the Spruces."
Another resident from Russell's group told the meeting that many of the Spruces residents had spent their own money to fix their homes after the flood, and they feel that promises have been broken by the town.
"We were assured by the same Mr. Fohlin and the same Morgan Management that they would keep the park open," the Rev. Sue Stewart said, referring to the owner of the mobile home park, which has a purchase agreement with the town contingent on the federal grant money. "That's why you're hearing anger."
Neither Fohlin nor any members of the Board of Selectmen attended Wednesday's meeting. Members of at least two town committees were in attendance, and both Sarah Gardner, who serves on the Conservation Commission, and Beth Phelps, who chairs the Agricultural Commission, encouraged Spruces residents angered by the plan to attend relevant town committee meetings, including those of the Selectmen, which meets the second and fourth Monday of each month at 7 p.m.
"If you're interested in conservation land, go to the Conservation Commission, if you're interested in agricultural land, go to the Ag Commission, if you're interested in affordable housing, go to the Affordable Housing Committee," Gardner said. "I feel like a written statement from the residents would be helpful."
Created as a retirement community, the Spruces contained much of the town's affordable housing until Irene struck. The park, most of which lies in a floodplain, had been plagued by water even before the tropical storm hit.
Fohlin and members of the Selectmen met privately with Spruces residents before announcing the plan to swap the conserved land and build new affordable housing at a Nov. 13 Selectmen's meeting. At the public meeting later that evening, Fohlin characterized the meeting with the residents as emotional but declined to speculate about what was in their heads.
On Wednesday, Russell said the residents were respectful at the meeting and are now ready to make their objections public.
Bell agreed.
"We were so shocked we couldn't ask questions," she said of the Nov. 13 meeting. "now we're fighting back. We are asking questions."
Russell said Fohlin has told residents he will meet with them again in December.
The town manager was defended at the meeting by Robin Lenz, the former director of Higher Ground, the interfaith non-profit that was formed in the aftermath of Irene largely to address the needs of Spruces residents displaced by the storm.
"My experience the last 13 months is that the town has it's heart in the right place," Lenz said. "The town could have walked away. It could have said, 'We don't have to find houses for folks. We could let floods happen routinely.' My understanding is that Morgan Management cannot operate [the park].
"That Peter Fohlin has been working, in my opinion, night and day to find options for residents of the Spruces speaks volumes about his character."
Lenz did later say she agreed wholeheartedly with the sentiment that the town should be looking first to develop "brownfields" like the former town garage site, the former Photech mill and the Cable Mills complex on Water Street before acting to take land out of conservation.
Swiatek said the Lowry property has unique beauty and provides habitat for wildlife as well as opportunities for recreation. The Friends of Williamstown Conservation Lands plans weekly hikes on the property each Sunday in December, he said.
"If you're going to propose affordable housing, don't put it on conserved land," he said. "Why? Because it's conserved land.
"I think conservation is an important thing and shouldn't be taken lightly. Open space is pretty rare."
Tags: affordable housing, conserved land, Irene, Spruces,


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On a balmy midsummer evening at Griffith Park, a game of TV cops and mobsters is afoot.
Guns are holstered, trench coats are cinched and bruises are being smudged onto actors. And then, in mock dramatic fashion, Frank Darabont steps out of the shadows on the set of his 1940s L.A. noir drama "Mob City" and lights a cigarette.
"Time to play," said the 54-year-old writer and executive producer of the upcoming series, which premieres Dec. 4 on TNT. "We want people to dig this show."


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I know we have a decent number of Astros' minor-leaguers who read the blog from time to time, and also follow on Twitter, so on the eve of minor-league Opening Day it's time we reprise our Bounty for the 2013 season (Video and/or anecdotal proof is necessary to collect).
1. Any Astros player - minor- or major-league - who, upon hitting a home run, throws their bat at the press box and yells, "ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?!" will receive $50.
2. Furthermore, if the crows chants "SPANIARD! SPANIARD! SPANIARD!" after #1 is completed, said player will receive another $50 and a box of Wheat Thins.
3. If any pitcher strikes out a batter and yells from the mound, "Smells like somebody died" (via Tombstone), he will receive $50.
4. If any Astros organizational pitcher takes a picture holding an Astros County Proof of Citizenship and submits it via email or Twitter, he shall receive a gift.
5. If you are simply a loyal reader of Astros County, take a photo holding the Proof of Citizenship and send it in, we'll post it on Astros County.


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text:
Burke unveils final Murray-Darling plan
Environment Minister Tony Burke has signed into law a final Murray-Darling Basin Plan aimed at restoring the long-term health of the river system.
The multi-billion-dollar plan involves boosting environmental flows by 2,750 gigalitres, with the potential to increase that by 450 gigalitres through water infrastructure improvements.
"We are dealing with the largest environmental asset on the continent and our most important production asset," Mr Burke said in a speech in Canberra.
"Many different constituencies have different arguments as to why the river is important and why their interests are important."
He says the plan is about a century overdue but "hopefully just in time" to save the river system.
The 641-page final plan delivers on the Murray-Darling Basin Authority's draft recommendations, which Mr Burke says will mean a reduced reliance on water buybacks and an extra focus on infrastructure investments to improve water use efficiency.
"It means buyback will be at a much slower pace to what has ever been seen in the past, and in some jurisdictions and catchments, they have probably already fulfilled the targets required for buyback," he said.
"So the big tender buyback rounds that we've seen in the past are now a thing of the past."
State governments along the river system will be responsible for coming up with ideas to return 650 gigalitres to the environment, with the final 450 gigalitres to be found in removing capacity restrictions.
"Within the first 12 months of the plan, there will be a constraints removal strategy that is put in place which will identify what all these constraints are," he said.
Farmers say while the plan is "far from perfect", they are glad the Government has taken on board many of the suggestions put forward for improving the strategy.
The head of the National Farmers Federation, Jock Laurie, says 90 per cent of the 2,750 gigalitre target has already been recovered or committed to, meaning there will only be a small amount of water needing to be purchased out of the system.
But he expects there will still be a degree of concern in some basin communities today.
"They feel very much like they've been isolated and then left alone and, to a certain extent, been picked on by the rest of the Australian community to deliver an outcome for the Australian community but at the expense of those individual communities and individual people," Mr Laurie told reporters in Canberra.
"So there will still be a tremendous amount of angst - I've got no doubt about that."
Mr Burke says he does not expect there will be much need for significant regional compensation payments under the plan, because most of the water targets will be achieved through infrastructure improvements.
The Opposition's Murray-Darling spokesman, Simon Birmingham, says the release of a final plan is a welcome step towards ending 120 years of debate over how to manage the river system.
"I don't expect the arguments to end over night," he told ABC News.
"The ultimate test will be - is this a really good step forward?
"It may not be perfect, but does this get a step forward in the right direction in a way that delivers for the environment."
Senator Birmingham says the Coalition still needs to work through the detail of the plan, but it has indicated it is unlikely to move a parliamentary motion to disallow the document.
The Greens have been quick to criticise the plan, arguing it does not return enough water to the environment to save the river system.
"Today is the day that the Federal Government has done what they always do, and that is work with the Coalition to give what the big irrigators want for the river system and to deny the environment what it needs," Greens leader Christine Milne said.
South Australian Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young says the plan will end up killing the river system and put Adelaide's drinking water at risk.
Jonathan La Nauze from the Australian Conservation Foundation says the plan has been heavily compromised because of the influence of upstream states.
He says the science shows the overall target should be much higher than the 3,200 gigalitres set by the basin plan.
"The plan signed by the Minister will deliver only 57 per cent of ecological targets for the Murray-Darling basin," Mr La Nauze said.
"Now those targets are not just a numbers game, those are breeding opportunities for native fish, breeding opportunities for frogs, breeding opportunities for birds.
"And they are things like ensuring that the salinity in the lower lakes and the rivers that people drink from are at acceptable levels."
The National Irrigators Council has expressed continuing concerns aspects of the plan and remains committed to the idea of legislated caps on how much water can be recovered through buybacks.
"The Government has admitted that there is a downside to communities through buybacks," council chief executive Tom Chesson said.
"We note that (Opposition Leader) Tony Abbott down at Griffith... made a commitment that he would not support a bad basin plan.
"What we'd like to see the Coalition do today is support a better basin plan, and that means putting a cap on buybacks and ensuring that... all water recovered is done in a way that has a neutral or positive benefit for rural communities."
NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell says he is willing to legislate a 3 per cent cap on water licence buybacks in his state if the Federal Government does not do it.
Victorian Water Minister Peter Walsh says there remains a number of unresolved issues that need to be finalised before he can support the plan.
"Victoria needs absolute clarity on the issues of apportionment between the basin states and the sequencing and timing of the Murray-Darling basin plan roll-out," he said.
South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill has enthusiastically backed the final plan, saying: "This is a great victory for the health of the river."
Topics: rivers, environment, water-management, water-supply, water, federal-government, rural, irrigation, nsw, australia, qld, sa, vic, renmark-5341, bendigo-3550, horsham-3400, mildura-3500, shepparton-3630, wodonga-3690
First posted


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Jupiter Mapping Traces Changes in Comet P/Shoemaker-Levy 9 Impact Sites
This series of color-composite maps of Jupiter, assembled from images taken with NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, allows astronomers to trace changes in the dark impact sites that resulted from the July 1994 impact of comet P/Shoemaker-Levy 9 with the giant planet. Through computer image processing, researchers "peel" the atmosphere of Jupiter off its globe and spread it flat into a map. These cylindrical projections show the entire atmosphere of Jupiter in one map. The HST's images show clearly that dark material produced in the comet explosion has continued to spread in Jupiter's atmosphere. However, the "band" of dark material is still clumpy, which suggests that the major impact sites are still localized and, so, can still be identified.
Jupiter Mapping Traces Changes in Comet P/Shoemaker-Levy 9 Impact Sites
H. Hammel, MIT and NASA


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As a courtesy, before sending the police, the municipal court sends notification letters to people for whom judges have issued bench warrants. Bench warrants are court orders to the police to arrest someone and place them in custody until the court reconvenes. Municipal court warrants are issued for one's failure to appear in court at a scheduled court date as promised in writing, or for their failure to pay a fine by a designated date as promised, or for their failure to comply with other orders of the court. The judge issuing the warrant will set a dollar amount of bail. People must post a bond in the amount of the bail to secure their release from custody. In addition to the bail amount set by the judge, a $20 warrant service fee is imposed by court order on each warrant issued.
There are probably outstanding arrest warrants for those who have missed their court appearance dates. Bail amounts and other information may be obtained by calling the court at (719) 385-6153 or e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com.
To resolve a warrant, one should appear before a clerk in Room 108 of the municipal court building at 224 East Kiowa Street during normal business hours (8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.), Monday through Friday. If they are less than age 18, their parent or legal guardian must accompany them. If the bail amount on the warrant has been set at two hundred dollars ($200) or less, release may be secured by simply arranging for a new court appearance date.
However, if bail has been set in an amount greater than two hundred dollars ($200) a bond must be posted to secure release from custody. This bond may be posted in different ways: 1) by posting the full amount in cash, either by the defendant or by another person (which is either applied against any future fine imposed by the court or returned in full if all subsequent court appearances and obligations are met), or 2) through the services of a commercial surety bail bonding agency. In this method, the bondsman secures the release of a person from custody and pledges to assure their future appearance before the court. In return, a non-refundable premium is paid to the bail bondsman. The contract between an individual and their bail bondsman is a private matter and not subject to the control of the court. A list of licensed bail bonding agents is printed in the telephone directory.
Outstanding Judgment Warrant (OJW)
Colorado law requires this court to notify the Motor Vehicle Division of the Department of Revenue (DMV) when a bench warrant is issued for one's failure to appear or comply with conditions of a traffic ticket (or any type of offense if the person is less than 18 years of age). In this instance, DMV will revoke a Colorado drivers license. Also, the law imposes a $30.00 fee in addition to any other warrant fees and costs that might apply. If the person is licensed to drive by another state, the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles will initiate license revocation proceedings in that state.


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Come winter, the ice forms almost imperceptibly on the lake near our home. After the first few cold nights, a bit of skim ice may be noticed by the observant passerby. Gradually, ever so gradually, the ice thickens as the …Read More
Larry McCall
Dr. Larry E. McCall is pastor of Christ's Covenant Church in Winona Lake, Indiana. He is also chairman of the board of To Every Tribe Ministries, and author of Loving Your Wife as Christ Loves the Church.


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Thursday, March 12, 2009
Cats and reading material
"Story time for kitty" is up for grabs on ebay.
22 comments:
this painting is just fabulous.
n the name of the book"puus n boots" reminded me of that movie'shanghai knights'.
its always a pleasure to check ur blog for these beautiful n colouful paintings that u do in ur signature style.
its not like that i dont like the intense or complex kinda oil paintings or abstract art but i just find ur artwork as the best.
keep up the good work.
- March 12, 2009 at 1:50 AM
n yes i totally agree with you.
n its not just cats but even dogs have the same habit.
my chinki used to sit on my books everytym i used to do my homework or poke her nose while i was going through the newspaper.
many a times she spilled the water while i was painting ...........n all this just coz she wanted to b the center of attention.
i miss those days.
- March 12, 2009 at 2:00 AM
- City.Girl.Em said...
That, Tascha, is frickin' adorable. I know just what you mean...Fletcher is always in the middle of anything book related.
- March 12, 2009 at 2:05 AM
- Pilli Pilli said...
That is absolutely true! Our Maia does that too! And so does my Parents cat, Chanel! (Only Chanel, WILL NOT let you turn the page, without causing drama... let me just say that there has already been quite some blood shed over the newspaper...)
Anyhow, Kitties would make such good Library-ladies!
Best wishes, and before I forget: That painting is ever so sweet!
PilliPilli Handmade
- March 12, 2009 at 3:02 AM
- Debra said...
Just Cats? My three dorkie yorkies have a thing about blankets. Lay one across yourself and to them it's an open invitaion to come lay down for a nap. Of course it can be, your coat, towel you are trying to fold and put away, or the best, when you just make a bed.
- March 12, 2009 at 4:05 AM
- Gis said...
Yesss!! When i have to study Ultri comes and lays exactly in my reading material... but this works also for ANYTHING that has the same shape and i leave over the table, the bed, etc. xD
BTW I GOT YOUR GIFTTTTTTTTTTT XD it's the prettiest mirror and card ever xD Thank youuuuuuuuu
- March 12, 2009 at 6:07 AM
- Laurie said...
That strikes a chord. Imagine what it was like when I had eight cats clamouring for attention. Putting claws through the page of a newspaper I was reading, strolling across the keyboard of my laptop and sending unfinished emails on my behalf! Not sure what the solution is, because the cats must come first!
Best wishes
- March 12, 2009 at 8:14 AM
- Carolyn said...
Ohhh I LOVE this painting!! Her hair style is just adorable!! Great job, great job!!
- March 12, 2009 at 9:06 AM
- *~Niki~* said...
That is adorable, I love it Tascha! xxx
- March 12, 2009 at 9:28 AM
She's adorable. My favorite!
- March 12, 2009 at 9:30 AM
- snippetgirl said...
Ha! That is SO true. All of my kitties do that too. They never cease to entertain with their quirky behavior. One of mine has decided to steal my paintbrushes and colored pencils one by one. It cracks me up!
- March 12, 2009 at 9:42 AM
- andrea said...
Such a cute painting:)
- March 12, 2009 at 10:21 AM
- Jill said...
Oh I think ALL cat owners can relate to that-ha! I just finished my coffee & newspaper at the kitchen table with my kitty Zoolou sprawled out on it. She sprang up when she saw a squirrel outside the window then my other cat Markie came to take her place. It's pretty much a daily routine. And why do they always seem to lie smack in the middle of the article you're trying to read? Happy coffee & cat hair day! ~ Jill
- March 12, 2009 at 10:22 AM
- Amy Sullivan said...
~ My kitty is the same~
~They are soaking up the knowledge~
as they sleep~ Silly things~
- March 12, 2009 at 12:01 PM
- Flor Larios Art said...
Beautiful as always..love the vibrant colors of your paintings the combination of orange with pink looks awesome!
- March 12, 2009 at 12:10 PM
- The Vintage Sister Studio said...
Very cute and so , so true! My cat loves to rub her mouth on the spine of the book while I TRY to read.
Enjoy your day Tascha!!
- March 12, 2009 at 12:22 PM
- glorv1 said...
I love the painting and the color combinations. Thx for sharing.
- March 12, 2009 at 3:51 PM
- Walk in the Woods said...
Yes, they do all seem to love a good story! Sweet painting - as always!
- March 12, 2009 at 4:52 PM
- Vickie said...
I like the more modern, grown up looking girl. I love the use of color and pattern in this one. It's a happy scene.
- March 12, 2009 at 6:27 PM
- julie king said...
for a bit of funny on a boring evening, put a brown paper grocery sack on the floor. eventually one or both of the cats will come to investigate. let the fun begin. i once had a cat who would literally attack a roll of paper towels set out on the floor. more fun than a barrel of monkeys.
your newest cat piece is wonderful and makes me miss having cats!
- March 12, 2009 at 7:23 PM
- Dida said...
oh this is a beautiful painting...luv the colors...and there is this love flowing thru the painting....u can really feel the affection between the two...
- March 20, 2009 at 7:56 AM
This is the first time I have visited your blog. Beautiful work! My sister Allison recommended your site. I wonder if she has ever written to you. She and her husband have a blog with spectacular photography and insightful writing. We are all cat lovers as well, and there are some photos of their cats. It's firstname.lastname@example.com. God bless you. Hugs back to you.
- March 24, 2009 at 9:09 PM


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What some are calling a surprise move, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has granted a request by Valley Meat Company in Roswell, N.M., to convert its former cattle processing facility into a horse slaughterhouse, just hours after a U.S. House Appropriations Committee voted to withhold funding for horse meat inspections, adding fuel to an already controversial issue.
The USDA was named in a lawsuit filed by Valley Meat Company owner Rick de la Santos last year over what he termed intentional delays and a lack of action by the federal agency over a request for inspection of the converted cattle processing facility, which would have cleared the way for the plant's reopening. But the U.S. Justice Department moved Friday to dismiss the case, leading the meat company's legal counsel, Blair Dunn, to say he would do everything possible to keep the lawsuit active until issues like legal fees could be resolved.
While horse meat consumption in the U.S. is prohibited, the plant's owner says he intends to export the processed meat to countries like Mexico and Russia where it is legal. But the ongoing issue of whether horses are livestock or companion animals has sparked a nationwide debate that has divided even equine support organizations and horse owners.
Leading the opposition are the Humane Society of the United States and Front Range Equine Rescue, two of the major groups that argue horses are pets and should not be inhumanely slaughtered as food animals.
If you are enjoying reading this article, please check out Southwest Farm Press Daily and receive the latest news right to your inbox.
But groups on the other side of the issue argue that when Congress failed to provide funding for horse meat inspections in 2006, it created an environment for inhumane treatment of horses which are often marshaled into overcrowded tractor trailers for shipment over long distances to Mexico and Canada for slaughter, resulting in animal deaths in transit and slaughter practices that are largely unregulated and even cruel.
The drought added to horse industry problems
In addition, proponents to horse slaughter contend the Congressional ban on inspections came when a serious drought in North America was just becoming acute, which in turn decimated forage supplies and drove up the cost of feed, forcing horse owners to either sell their animals at auction or to abandon them, and in many cases left to die. So many horses hitting the auction block at the same time forced prices down considerably and opened the doors to mass transit of animals to slaughterhouses across international borders.
Since 2006, an estimated 140,000 or more horses are shipped annually, and that number has been rising each year since then.
USDA defends last Friday's decision to grant the conversion of the New Mexico plant to a horse slaughter facility, arguing it is legally obligated to take action on Valley Meat Company's request for plant inspection to conform to the law.
"Since Congress has not yet acted to ban horse slaughter inspections, the department is legally required to issue a grant of inspection to the company," a USDA spokeswoman said on Friday.
In an effort to block the federal agency from granting the request for inspection at the Roswell plant, an attorney for the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) filed a petition with USDA arguing horse meat was not safe to consume by humans because of the types and amount of drugs regularly administered to equine.
But USDA denied the petition, arguing the science is available and already utilized to detect over 130 pesticides and veterinary drugs in all types of meat, including horse meat, forcing opponents to the legalization of horse slaughterhouses to threaten additional lawsuits to stop the issue from going forward.
While both Senate and House Appropriations Committees failed to approve funding for horse meat inspections for the 2014 fiscal year, Congress would need to reinstate the ban in the coming weeks by voting to deny budgetary support of inspections if they want the issue to die, but so far no date has been set to consider agriculture appropriations.
In the interim, Valley Meat Company becomes the first horse slaughterhouse to receive USDA inspection approval, paving the way for re-opening the facility in the near future. In addition, the federal agency says it may soon address other requests for horse slaughterhouse inspections—one from Rains Natural Meats in Missouri and the other from Responsible Transportation in Iowa.
USDA is expected to approve those requests unless Congress makes a final decision on the issue.
Earlier this year the Obama administration's budget proposal eliminated funding for inspections of horse slaughterhouse facilities, but skeptics say it is uncertain whether an agriculture appropriations bill will even be considered this year.
Related stories:
House Appropriations nixes horse slaughter issue, approves USDA fundin…
USDA inspects New Mexico slaughterhouse, clears path for reopening
Environmental permit is delaying horse slaughterhouse opening