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Cheddar 5 Year Extra Sharp White Half Loaf
Weight: 2.50lbs
Wisconsin is leading in Cheddar production, which makes it no surprise that aged Cheddar is one of our most popular cheeses. Cheddar is usually known for its trademark yellow color, as the cheese is colored with annatto (a natural dye). This Wisconsin Cheddar does not contain color additives and has been aged for 5 Years, giving it an incredible sharp flavor with just the right amount of bite! As cheddar ages it loses its smooth, firm texture and becomes more granular and crumbly, making it perfect for sandwiches, casseroles and Mac N Cheese. Cubed it becomes an amazing addition to any gourmet cheese plate.
Cheese Profile
- young
- medium
- aged
- old
- soft
- medium
- hard
- brittle
- mild
- medium
- strong
- pungent
Pairing Recommendations
- Malbec
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Zinfandel
- Chardonnay
- Merlot
- Pale Ale
- Pilsner
- Stout
- Porter
Other Cheese Pairings
Salami, Savory Crackers, Nuts, Crusty Artisan Bread, Dried Fruit
Product Reviews (2)
By teri hamilton
The five-year cheddar is good but are used to be a seven-year white cheddar which was fantastic. Wish that was back again.
Five years sharp cheddar cheese loaf
By Mike Nolan
The 2 1/2 pound block of white five-year cheddar cheese was excellent. I was happy to share it with friends.
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Small to Medium PA System for Hire (with operator if needed)
Experienced professional offering a small to medium sized PA for hire with basic lights. The system sounds clear and clean for Public Speakers, DJ, Musicians – solo, duo or full band ($250 within 100km my home base of Hamilton, NSW) I can operate throughout the event. $10 additional charge for every 10km over 100km radius. Weddings or functions requiring earlier setup time than 3.5hrs before pack down at venue – add $200)
From a simple battery powered and portable mobile speaker and microphone (ie. outdoor wedding ceremony) up to the below listed PA system for a full band.
1. 3 x Vocal microphones leads and stands as well as Kick drum and snare drum/overhead if needed.
2. 12 Channel Mixing Desk with effects and ipod input etc
3. 1 x dual 12″ KSub woofer (QSC) and 2 x 10″ mid range speakers (QSC)
4. 2 x foldback wedges (small EAR and a QSC CP8 powered wedge)
5. 2 x LED stage light and 1 x LED Sound activated moving light.


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We universally recommend getting your flu shot during pregnancy/postpartum period. Preservative-free vaccine is available and safe. Unless you have specific allergies to the ingredients found in the vaccine or have had a major adverse reaction to it in the past, it is much riskier to get the flu in pregnancy than to get vaccinated. Please ask your doctor for more information.
In addition, to prevent whooping cough (pertussis), it is recommended that everyone who will be around the baby get a Tdap vaccine. The new moms usually get it postpartum while in the hospital.
If your job requires other vaccinations, please check with us. Also, it is safe to get your PPD testing during pregnancy.


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Not for me
This was recommended by a salesman but it wasn't for me. It's good but it's not bad either.
Total Price:Add to Cart
Please choose options for all selected products
This was recommended by a salesman but it wasn't for me. It's good but it's not bad either.
Farmers Market EJuice - Kool Mango Orange: Quench your thirst with Farmers Market Kool Mango Orange. Handpicked fruits for the perfect flavor, Kool Mango Orange delivers a refreshing fruity blend with a menthol finish.
100ml Bottle - 60VG/40PG
1x 100ml Bottle of Farmers Market EJuice - Kool Mango Orange
Warning: This product may contain nicotine and should not be used by minors. Nicotine is a chemical known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. This product is not recommended for pregnant women or people with cardiovascular issues. Always ensure that any E-Juice is kept out of reach from children and pets.


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Mardana Kamzori ka Ilaj
Mardana Kamzori ka Ilaj
About Ahsan Ul Haq
Hey, Welcome to blog Homeopathiclology.
I'm Ahsan Ul Haq, a professional-blogger, Homeopathic Doctor and software Engineer from Pakistan.
I started Homeopathicology as a passion and now it's empowering by many readers globally and helping them.
Here at Homeopathicology, I write about the homeopathic information. That will be helpful to everyone over the world.


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- Home
- Departments
- Highway
- Leaf and Yard Debris Collection
Leaf and Yard Debris Collection
❄🌨 Snow Is On The Ground 🌨❄
*Town Highway crews will continue leaf and yard debris collection efforts as long as conditions allow.*
The dates and areas depicted in the maps below are projections and are subject to revision as conditions change.
Leaf and Yard debris collection efforts will generally occur in the sequence depicted in the interactive map below.
Use the maps below for up to date information on when to anticipate leaf and yard debris collection in your neighborhood.
You can use the address locator bar () or zooming feature () of the interactive map to find your street.
*Truck icon indicates approximate stopping location of crews.*
|Leaves and bulk yard debris will be collected in Areas 24-25 on Monday, January 20th, 2020. Bulk yard debris will be collected in Areas 25-2 on Tuesday, January 21st, 2020.
|Containerized yard debris will be collected in Areas 8-10 on Monday, January 20th, 2020. Containerized leaf and yard debris will be collected in Areas 11-13 on Tuesday, January 21st, 2020.
To help us remove your leaves as quickly as possible, please:
- Do not place any yard debris piles, leaf piles or containers onto the roadway, shoulders or gutters as it creates a safety hazard for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists and is also a violation of NYS Highway and NYS Vehicle & Traffic Law.
- Separate all small quantities of sticks, brush, yard clippings and other yard debris into reusable containers or paper bags – not plastic bags. Containers must weigh no more than 50 lbs. This allows recycling of all materials and helps avoid damage to our leaf vacuum or injury to our crew members. Small loose piles will not be collected.
- Grass clippings will not be collected. The Town of Brighton has a grass-recycling program that encourages residents to either compost their clippings or simply leave them on the lawn. Brighton residents may drop off grass clippings for composting at the Highway Department, which is located on 1941 Elmwood Ave.
- Don't pile leaves around fire hydrants or other obstructions. Covering hydrants can prevent firefighters from finding them when every second counts. Hidden hydrants and obstructions are also dangerous for those picking up the leaves and bulk yard debris as they may be struck, causing injury to crew members or damage to equipment.
- We do not collect stumps, rocks, stones, metal, lumber, plastics, glass, fencing or waste materials. PLEASE NO SOD.
- Do not mix household refuse with yard debris.
It's Not Too Late to Save your Leaves!
As the leaves continue to fall, many of us will use our time and/or money to rid our lawns of them. Keeping our leaves nearby is a simpler, more environmentally-friendly solution, as leaves contain nutrients that are good for the soil.
Here are some ways to make the most of your leaves:
- Mulch your leaves in place: Shred your leaves with a lawn mower and leave them on your lawn. It's faster and easier than raking or leaf blowing and adds nutrients to the soil.
- Add shredded leaves as mulch to your garden and landscape:Shredded leaves can be used as a mulch to kelp prevent weeds and keep moisture in the soil. In addition, the leaves will slowly release nutrients into the soil.
- Insulate your compost bin for the winter: Place leaves around and on top of your compost bin. This will insulate your bin and allow the material to continue to breakdown. In the spring you will have fresh compost without waiting for your pile to thaw out, and the leaves can be added to your spring compost pile.
- Compost your leaves: Leaves are a great source of browns, materials rich in carbon, that are needed to balance greens in your compost pile like food scraps and grass clippings. Compost can be used as a mulch or mixed into the garden soil. One of the biggest challenges to composting food scraps at home is the release of water into your compost bin as the food breaks down. One of the best ways to fix this is to add leaves every time you add food scraps (Hint: shredded leaves absorb water better than whole leaves).Collect and store leaves in the fall, then use them throughout the coming year. Compost provides nutrients, improves soil structure, absorbs and holds in moisture, and adds beneficial microorganisms.
Visit DEC's website for more information on backyard composting


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Robert Boyden
Construction Manager
Meet Robert Boyden, Construction Manager
Robert (RJ) Boyden oversees the construction of all solar energy projects at Advanced Green Technologies.
Mr. Boyden has more than twelve years of experience providing design-build, estimating and construction management solutions for commercial, industrial and government renewable energy projects. In 2010, his "Time and Motion" Studies were utilized exclusively by the Estimating Software company: Accu-Bid to complete the 11mW FPL Space Coast Next Generation Solar Center project under budget and ahead of schedule.
Grand Canyon University, AZ – Master of Psychology


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A passion project by Photographer Adrienne D. Williams, MS.RPRSNTD, is a four-day photo exhibition that seeks to bring attention to the overwhelming misrepresentation of women of color in media, and the underrepresentation of skater girls of color.
Williams states – "Growing up as a young black woman in the white suburbs of Metro Detroit, I always wanted to skate, but didn't know how to articulate why I felt out of place or unwelcome at the time. I took a step back, and instead participated in the culture by working in skate shops and photographing skaters. The purpose of MS.RPRSNTD, is to inspire young women to overcome that fear, ignore that little voice of doubt and do WHATEVER it is they want to do. Whether that's ride a skate- board, build a plane, be a Supreme Court Justice or a stay at home mom. This is why I've created images of beautiful and empowered women of color and I'm showcasing fearless girls who are out there skating every day."
The exhibit – featuring skateboard decks adorned with portraits of women from Black, Hispanic, Asian and Middle Eastern decent, alongside phototographs of some of LA's most promising skater girls – will take place at Space 15 Twenty, Urban Outfitter's LA concept store, September 7th – 10th, 2017.
Daily activities include a Kick Push Workshop with Jazzmen Chavez, Adrianne Sloboh & Ruby York; A panel on September 9th hosted by Abby Allen and panelists being Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Ashlee Marie Preston, Candace Reels, Maricel Sison & Shawanna Davis and various open gallery hours.
A portion of proceeds from art and apparel sales will benefit Inner-City Arts, a non-profit organization dedicated to engaging young people in the creative process in order to shape a society of creative, confi- dent and collaborative individuals.
All events will take place at Space 15 Twenty, 1520 N Cahuenga Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028.
For more information and event tickets visit www.msrprsntd.com.
Ely Anne Vedar
Fashion & Lifestyle Editor
While California feels like it's always been her home, Hawaii, San Francisco, Las Vegas and the Philippines are just a few places Ely Anne has lived thus cultivating her lifelong appetite for finding, trying and sharing new adventures, especially through food and wellness activities. She loves how food can always bring people together – anywhere, any time – and that's what fuels her passion for public relations and marketing. Ely finds it invigorating to have a hand in seeing brands thrive in their community by using her PR, marketing and event production skills.


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Brief profile
Lufthansa Group is a leading European airline group
The Lufthansa Group is an aviation group with operations worldwide. With 135,534 employees, the Lufthansa Group generated revenue of EUR 35,844m in the financial year 2018.
The Lufthansa Group is composed of the segments Network Airlines, Eurowings and Aviation Services. Aviation Services comprises the segments Logistics, MRO, Catering and Additional Businesses and Group Functions. The latter also include Lufthansa AirPlus, Lufthansa Aviation Training and the IT companies. All segments occupy a leading position in their respective markets.
Network Airlines
The Network Airlines segment comprises Lufthansa German Airlines, SWISS and Austrian Airlines. With their multi-hub strategy, the Network Airlines offer their passengers a premium product and a comprehensive route network combined with the highest level of travel flexibility.
The Eurowings segment comprises the airlines Eurowings, Germanwings, Eurowings Europe and Brussels Airlines. The equity investment in SunExpress is also part of this segment.
Lufthansa Cargo is the logistics specialist within the Lufthansa Group. The freighter fleet consisted of five Boeing 777F and twelve Boeing MD-11F aircraft as of the end of the financial year. Lufthansa Cargo markets capacities on its own freighters and chartered cargo aircraft, along with belly capacities on passenger aircraft operated by Lufthansa German Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, SunExpress and on Eurowings long-haul flights.
Lufthansa Technik is the world's leading independent provider of maintenance, repair and overhaul services (MRO) for civilian commercial aircraft. Lufthansa Technik AG serves more than 850 customers worldwide, including OEMs, aircraft leasing companies and operators of VIP jets, as well as airlines.
The LSG group offers a complete portfolio of products and services related to in-flight service. It has strong independent expert brands. LSG Sky Chefs provides catering for airlines and rail operators as well as lounge management. It is present at 205 airports around the world for more than 300 airlines and a growing number of European rail operators.


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Betterfeed is a 100% organic blend of fresh Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed that is milled and dried in our GMP+ certified production plant. Our unique production process ensures that a high level of valuable components within Ascophyllum nodosum (vitamins, minerals and complex sugars) are recovered in order to deliver a high quality feed ingredient for animals.
Better Feeds Cats and Dogs Helps!!
- Reduces plaque and tartar build up on your pets teeth
- Pets have Shinier Softer Coats
- Helps dry and itchy skin
- Helps Improve temperament
- Strengthens Immunity
- Helps digestion, improves absorption of nutrients.
- Weight problems reduced
- Better Feeds Seaweed Diet supplement is a fine powder so it can be easily added your pet's food.
Cats: 2- 3 g per day which is a half a teaspoon.
Dogs: 4-5g per day /10kg dog's weight.


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Anti-Anging Expert, Dr. Dov Rand, Finds Interesting Treatment for Aging
Dr. Dov Rand is an experienced medical practitioner who specializes in treatments for aging and erectile dysfunction. He utilizes an integrated approach to treating patients who suffer from these and other problems related to aging. The focus on regenerative medicine is a differentiating factor that sets Dr. Rand apart from many other practitioners in this field. He is committed to providing patients with the most innovative treatments that have passed the rigorous peer-review process. Patients who are living with debilitating symptoms related to aging can now find relief in innovative therapies that have been reviewed and approved by various regulating bodies to ensure quality. Aging can cause a variety of symptoms, but there are also contributing factors that make the symptoms more debilitating than they should be, so Dr. Rand developed specific protocols and therapies to deal with these underlying issues.
Dr. Dov Rand, Anti-Aging Expert
The physical therapy offered at the clinic is specifically designed for the aging body, and he uses gentle, effective techniques to restore muscle tone and balance the body's frame within the gravitational field. The result is stunning to many patients who are used to expending energy maintaining a posture that is fighting the effects of gravity. The result is fatigue, but this problem can be significantly reduced through postural realignment exercises through the physical therapy programs at the center.
There are many symptoms that accompany the normal aging process. However, the contributing factors that are present in the daily habits of the patient can exacerbate these symptoms. Part of the anti-aging treatment program includes adjustments for diet and exercise. In addition, the hormone therapies offer patients a strong basis of support for the other forms of therapy and lifestyle changes that they can adopt in order to minimize the detrimental effects of aging. Some of the most common symptoms of aging include memory loss, weight gain, libido problems, anxiety, depression and other mood disorders.
Dr. Dov Rand, Erectile Dysfunction Therapies
Anti-aging therapies can also be beneficial for patients who are suffering symptoms from other medical conditions. He provides a compassionate alternative to more invasive treatments, and patients are always provided with the educational materials they need to make informed decisions. Men who are dealing with erectile dysfunction are frequently unaware of the latest therapies that are available to help them lead a normal, healthy life. As the body ages, the changes in the hormone levels can lead to this disorder; however, previous generations did not have access to effective hormone therapies that can deal with this condition at the root level. In the same way that Dr. Rand developed hormone therapy for menopausal women, he has also contributed a substantial amount of research into developing effective hormonal therapies for erectile dysfunction.
Dr. Rand, Patient Education
Patient education plays a critical role in managing the effects of aging, which may also include erectile dysfunction and inflammatory conditions. These symptoms can reduce the patient's ability to lead a full and productive lifestyle. Patient education is often missing from the therapeutic protocols offered at traditional medical facilities. This is why Dr. Rand offers patients opportunities to learn about the conditions that affect their lives on a daily basis. As a public lecturer, he also provides this information to audiences who can listen to interviews that address the most important aspects of anti-aging care. This includes the difference between functional and traditional medical approaches to care, for example (LinkedIn).
Dr. Rand also offers information on innovative treatments for other serious conditions like traumatic brain injury, excessive weight gain, and menopause. All of these conditions can be exacerbated by the natural aging process, so it is highly recommended that the patient take proactive measures to treat their conditions as early as possible. Once the aging process begins to amplify preexisting conditions, the symptoms can quickly become extreme and potentially debilitating. Although there are treatments available at this stage, it is best to begin the anti-aging therapeutic treatments as early as possible. Prevention is the best course of action, and early detection is the next best option. Dr. Rand recommends making an appointment for a general checkup for patients who are concerned about the combination of aging with a preexisting condition.
Patient Reviews and Feedback
Patient testimonials reveal a more personal glimpse into the therapeutic aspect of Dr. Rand's anti-aging treatments. The emphasis on compassionate care is especially important to patients who are suffering from terminal illnesses or serious medical conditions that cause chronic pain. His ability to diagnose and treat people suffering from the effects of aging and injury is mentioned frequently by patients. The real effects of this on daily life are substantial. Patients often experience an improvement in cognitive functions, and this translates into their daily lives.
Symptoms that were once debilitating can now be successfully managed and maintained. The result is a patient who is more in control over their condition and can exercise agency in their daily life. For patients with children, this change can mean the difference between having an active role in the lives of their children or not, and Dr. Rand understands that there is a lot on the line for patients who are also parents. He works hard to ensure that these patients can fulfill their responsibilities.
Dr. Dov Rand, West Orange New Jersey Bioidentical Hormone Specialist
Dr. Rand is the founder of Healthy Aging Medical Centers. This facility is located in the West Orange area of New Jersey. The emphasis on anti-aging therapies comes from his extensive work in the field, and he brings a large body of knowledge to this practice. He maintains an extensive outreach program to the public, which includes information on customized hormone treatments for various conditions related to aging. This includes menopause, erectile dysfunction, weight gain and a range of specific symptoms. Dr. Rand completed his residency at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and he performed his internship at the St. Barnabas Medical Center. He is certified and licensed to practice medicine in the state of New Jersey, and he maintains affiliation with the Chilton Medical Center in Pompton Plains, New Jersey.


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T-shirt Company Mill Card Swatches
Posted on | December 23, 2017 | No Comments
By popular demand/request, we have added available Company Mill Card Swatches. Try to be a little careful as the shirt colors may be a bit different on your monitor or device. As always, you are welcome to come and see us to take a look at the colors in our showroom. And even try them on for size and feel. We will be adding more swatches as they become available!


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Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), a mosquito-borne alphavirus, has traditionally circulated in Africa and Asia, causing human febrile illness accompanied by severe, chronic joint pain. In Africa, epidemic emergence of CHIKV involves the transition from an enzootic, sylvatic cycle involving arboreal mosquito vectors and nonhuman primates, into an urban cycle where peridomestic mosquitoes transmit among humans. In Asia, however, CHIKV appears to circulate only in the endemic, urban cycle. Recently, CHIKV emerged into the Indian Ocean and the Indian subcontinent to cause major epidemics. To examine patterns of CHIKV evolution and the origins of these outbreaks, as well as to examine whether evolutionary rates that vary between enzootic and epidemic transmission, we sequenced the genomes of 40 CHIKV strains and performed a phylogenetic analysis representing the most comprehensive study of its kind to date. We inferred that extant CHIKV strains evolved from an ancestor that existed within the last 500 years and that some geographic overlap exists between two main enzootic lineages previously thought to be geographically separated within Africa. We estimated that CHIKV was introduced from Africa into Asia 70 to 90 years ago. The recent Indian Ocean and Indian subcontinent epidemics appear to have emerged independently from the mainland of East Africa. This finding underscores the importance of surveillance to rapidly detect and control African outbreaks before exportation can occur. Significantly higher rates of nucleotide substitution appear to occur during urban than during enzootic transmission. These results suggest fundamental differences in transmission modes and/or dynamics in these two transmission cycles.
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV; Togaviridae: Alphavirus) is an arbovirus (arthropod-borne virus) vectored by Aedes mosquitoes to humans in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and Asia (Fig. 1; reviewed in references 26 and 46). CHIKV has a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA genome of ∼12 kb and causes chikungunya fever (CHIK), a febrile illness associated with severe arthralgia and rash (2, 15, 31, 35); the name is derived from a Bantu language word describing the severe arthritic signs (32), which can persist for years. Thus, CHIK has enormous economic costs in addition to its public health impact (9). Because the signs and symptoms of CHIK overlap with those of dengue and because CHIKV is transmitted sympatrically in urban areas by the same mosquito vectors, it is grossly underreported in the absence of laboratory diagnostics (10, 37).
CHIKV was first isolated during a 1953 outbreak in present-day Tanzania by Ross (48, 49). Since then, outbreaks have been documented in Africa and Asia, including the Indian subcontinent (Fig. 1) (1, 4). In 2005, CHIKV emerged from East Africa to cause an explosive urban epidemic in popular tourist island destinations in the Indian Ocean (Fig. 1; reviewed in reference 31). In late 2005, CHIKV spread into the Indian subcontinent, where millions of people have been affected (5). However, the geographic source of spread into India, from the mainland of Africa or from the Indian Ocean Islands, has not been delineated. India had seen large epidemics of CHIK in the past (reviewed in reference 30), but CHIKV apparently disappeared during the 1970s (5). Since 2006, CHIKV has been imported into Europe and the western hemisphere (including the United States) via many viremic travelers, and an epidemic was initiated in Italy by a traveler from India (4, 11, 47). The dramatic spread since 1980 of dengue viruses (DENV) throughout tropical America, via the same vectors, portends the severity of the public health problem if CHIKV becomes established in the western hemisphere.
The first phylogenetic analysis of CHIKV (45) identified three geographically associated genotypes: the West African (WAf), East/Central/South African (ECSA), and Asian genotypes. More recent analyses indicate that the recent Indian Ocean and Indian strains form a monophyletic group within the ECSA lineage (5, 12, 14, 27, 40, 51, 52). However, most CHIKV phylogenetic studies (1, 14, 28, 29, 38, 40, 41, 47, 52) have utilized only partial sequences from the envelope glycoprotein E1 gene, preventing a robust assessment of some of the relationships among strains and of their evolutionary dynamics.
The CHIKV strains represented in different geographic lineages apparently circulate in different ecological cycles. In Asia, CHIKV appears to circulate primarily in an urban transmission cycle involving the peridomestic mosquitoes Aedes aegypti and A. albopictus, as well as humans (25, 45). Asian epidemics typically infect thousands-to-millions of people over the course of several years (46). In contrast, African CHIKV circulates primarily in a sylvatic/enzootic cycle, transmitted by arboreal primatophilic Aedes mosquitoes (e.g., A. furcifer and A. africanus) and probably relies on nonhuman primates as reservoir hosts (reviewed in reference 16). Epidemics in rural Africa usually occur on a much smaller scale than in Asia, likely a result of the lower human population densities, and possibly more stable herd immunity. Although the assignments of "urban" and "sylvatic/enzootic" are based on the most common mode of transmission, CHIKV strains of African origin are capable of urban transmission by A. aegypti and A. albopictus, as evidenced by outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (41), Nigeria (36), Kenya (27), and Gabon (42). The ecological differences between the sylvatic/enzootic (henceforth called enzootic) and urban/endemic/epidemic transmission cycles (henceforth called epidemic) such as seasonality of vector larval habitats, vertebrate host abundance and herd immunity, and vector host preferences, prompted us to hypothesize that the evolutionary dynamics of CHIKV may differ between the two transmission cycles. To test this hypothesis, to provide more robust estimates of the evolutionary relationships among the CHIKV strains including the sources of the recent epidemics, and to elucidate the temporal and spatial history of CHIKV evolution, we performed an extensive, genome-scale phylogenetic analysis, utilizing complete open reading frame (ORF) sequences of a large collection of 80 isolates with broad temporal, spatial, and host coverage.
Virus samples.CHIKV strains listed in Table S1 in the supplemental material were either obtained from the World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses at the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, or from the Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Senegal. Viruses were passaged in C6/36 A. albopictus cells, concentrated with polyethylene glycol (7% [wt/vol]) and NaCl (2.3% [wt/vol]), and RNA was extracted by using either TRIzol (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA) or the QIAamp viral RNA minikit (Qiagen, Valencia, CA) according to the manufacturers' protocols.
RT-PCR and sequencing.Eight or nine overlapping PCR amplicons were generated from viral RNA using the Titan One Tube reverse transcription-PCR system (Roche, Mannheim, Germany) according to the manufacturer's protocol. The amplicons were subsequently gel purified and sequenced by using a BigDye Terminator v3.1 cycle sequencing kit (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA). Sequencing was performed in an ABI Prism model 3100 genetic analyzer (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA), and the sequences were edited and assembled in Sequencher v4.9 (Gene Codes, Ann Arbor, MI), and deposited in the GenBank database (see Table S1 in the supplemental material). Primer sequences and specific PCR and sequencing protocols are available from the authors.
Phylogenetic analyses.Newly generated CHIKV genomic sequences, as well as those available from the GenBank library (excluding vaccine and cloning vector strains), along with that of o'nyong-nyong virus (ONNV; strains Gulu, Igbo Ora, and SG650, used as an outgroup) were aligned by using MUSCLE (20) and manually adjusted in Se-Al (available at http://tree.bio.ed.ac.uk/software/seal/) according to amino acid sequence alignments to preserve codon homology. Due to the ambiguous alignments in the 3′ untranslated region (3′UTRs) and rapid evolution in the other UTR, only open reading frames (ORFs) were adopted in further analysis. This led to an alignment of 11,319 nucleotides, containing 80 CHIKV strains and 3 ONNV isolates. To search for any potential recombination event in CHIKV that could affect the phylogenetic structure, genomic sequences were screened exhaustively and triplet-by-triplet in RDP version 3.41 (34) and using a suite of different recombination detection methods using RDP (33), Chimaera (43), MaxChi (57), 3Seq (8), and GENECONV (39). Recombination with significantly positive hits was not found in our data set, including in the high passage isolates.
Phylogenetic trees were inferred by using both the maximum-likelihood (ML) method in the PAUP* v4.0b package (58) and the Metropolis-coupled Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMCMC) method in MrBayes v3.1.2 (24). MODELTEST (44) was used to select the best-fit model for the ML analyses. MrBayes analyses used the GTR+I+Γ4 model; in addition, the nucleotide data were partitioned by three codon positions, and substitution parameters were allowed to vary across partitions. The analysis used three hot chains and one cold chain and ran for 10 million generations with 25% burnin; the "sump" command and Tracer v1.4.1 (http://tree.bio.ed.ac.uk/software/tracer/) were used to ensure samples were taken after likelihoods had stabilized.
To examine the possible advantage of using complete genome sequences in the phylogenetic study, we also inferred an ML tree based on the E1 gene and compared it to the ML phylogeny of complete ORF. To determine whether these trees differ significantly in topology, we used the Shimodaira-Hasegawa (SH) test implemented in PAUP.
Rates of nucleotide substitution and ttMRCA.We used the Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method available in BEAST v1.5.3 (18) to estimate evolutionary rates and times to the most recent common ancestors (tMRCA) for CHIKV overall and for each of the individual clades, namely, WAf, ECSA, Asian, and the recent epidemic group. To avoid artifacts due to laboratory adaptation, high-passage strains (Ross and S27) were excluded from this analysis, as well as those without clear sample year information (see Table S1 in the supplemental material). The strains Angola/M2022/1962, India/MH4/2000, and India/ALSA-1/1986 were also omitted because of the potential that they were the result of contamination or high passage, as suggested by either a suspicious terminal branch length or phylogenetic position (see Fig. S1 and S2 in the supplemental material). However, strains with low passage histories (<10) were used in analysis because previous studies with alphaviruses have shown that these small numbers of passages introduce few mutations (13, 62) and should therefore have little or no effect on coalescent studies. All strains were dated according to the year and month (if known) of their collection; strains with only a known collection year were assigned the median-year value for July. Due to the short time scale of the recent Indian Ocean basin epidemic group, only sequences with a known sample month were included in evolutionary rate and tMRCA estimations. This led to a total data set of 80 genomic CHIKV sequences, including 21 Asian, 11 WAf, 9 ECSA, and 39 recent epidemic strains. BEAST analysis was performed for the combined data set and for individual clades, based on a relaxed molecular clock (uncorrelated lognormal) and the SRD06 nucleotide substitution model that has been suggested to be superior to other models when used with ORFs in RNA viral genomes (54). All analyses also used a Bayesian skyline coalescent tree prior (19), which imposes the fewest demographic assumptions, and because estimating demographic history was not an aim of the present study. In each case, MCMC chains were run for a sufficient time to achieve convergence (accessed using the Tracer program; http://tree.bio.ed.ac.uk/software/tracer). Statistical uncertainty in parameter estimates is reflected as the 95% highest probability density (HPD) values. The maximum clade credibility tree across all of the plausible trees generated by BEAST was then computed by using the TreeAnnotator program available in BEAST package, with the first 10% of trees removed as burn-in. To assess the reliability of our substitution rate and tMRCA estimates and to determine the extent of the temporal structure of the sequence data, we also performed a regression analysis of tree root-to-tip genetic distance against sampling dates using the program Path-O-Gen (http://tree.bio.ed.ac.uk/software/pathogen/) (17) for each lineage based on the corresponding phylogeny excised from the ML tree of 80 CHIKV strains.
Selection pressures.To investigate the nature of selection pressures that may act on CHIKV, we estimated the average numbers of nonsynonymous (dN) and synonymous (dS) nucleotide substitutions per site (dN/dS ratio) for each clade using the "one-ratio" model from the CODEML program available within the PAML package (63), using the subtrees of the total ML tree indicated above. In addition, the selection pressures on external and internal branches of each ML phylogeny were estimated separately using the "two-ratio" model available in CODEML. Similarly, the numbers and locations of positively and negatively selected sites were estimated by using the internal fixed effects likelihood method available in the HYPHY package (42a).
Genetic diversity of CHIKV.Forty CHIKV genomes were sequenced and aligned with those available in GenBank. Excluding the 5′ and 3′ 20 nucleotides (nt) that were not sequenced, the genome length varied among and within geographic lineages, with those in the ECSA lineage being shorter (11,557 to 11,789 nt) than the WAf (11,843 to 11,881 nt) and Asian (11,777 to 11,999 nt) strains. Nucleotide differences were found in all genes, and the most variable genome regions included the 5′ and 3′ UTRs, as well as the 26S junction region. The ORFs were highly conserved, with occasional indels observed in high-passage strains. The highly divergent UTRs made accurate alignments impossible, and the UTRs were therefore excluded from the phylogenetic analyses. We found poly(A) insertions in the 3′UTRs of two ECSA strains (Fig. 2) in addition to the Ross strain (5). The insertion in the Senegal bat strain, which is located in the ECSA group, is in a different location from the other two, suggesting their independent generation.
Origin and divergence of geographically related clades.Similar to previous findings (47), our phylogenetic trees (shown in Fig. 2 and see Fig. S1 and S2 in the supplemental material) all included three distinct CHIKV clades, namely, ECSA, West Africa, and Asian, with the recent Indian Ocean basin outbreak forming a monophyletic lineage descendant from the ECSA clade. The divergence of each distinct lineage reflected, to some extent, the path of global transmission and occasional outbreaks. According to our estimate, the currently circulating CHIKV strains have an ancestor that existed within the last 500 years, with 95% HPD values of the most recent common ancestor (MRCA) ranging from 169 to 436 years ago. Interestingly, despite their close geographic distance, the two African lineages did not cluster together, indicating limited genetic exchange between the two lineages in Africa. The only exception was a 1963 bat isolate from Senegal, which grouped in the ECSA clade. This finding is the first to suggest that the main West African and ECSA lineages may overlap spatially in the enzootic cycle, at least on occasion.
The divergence of the ECSA and Asian lineages occurred within the last 150 years (95% HPD: 1879 to 1927 AD), with the Asia group splitting into two clades: an Indian lineage, which likely went extinct (5, 30), and a Southeast Asian lineage, which is probably still circulating. The Southeast Asian lineage suggests a remarkable spatial and temporal pattern, spreading from Thailand to Indonesia, and then to the Philippines, and more recently to Malaysia (Fig. 2). This temporal branching pattern was similar to patterns observed in some DENV phylogenies (23) and in other alphaviruses such as eastern equine encephalitis virus in North America (6).
Similarly, the recent Indian Ocean basin outbreak that began in 2004 apparently originated from the ECSA group as shown in Fig. 2, with the MRCA dating back to about 2002 (95% HPD: December 2001 to December 2003). Two distinct lineages were identified for the Indian Ocean and Indian subcontinent strains (as well as strains exported from these regions). The Indian subcontinent clade was rooted by a mainland Kenya 2004 strain, while the Indian Ocean clade also contains a 2004 Kenyan strain (Lamu Island), indicating independent emergences from East Africa into the Indian Ocean and the Indian subcontinent.
The ECSA clade has been sampled in a broad geographic range since the first identification of CHIKV in 1953, with the MRCA of available isolates dating to from 1924 to 1943 (95% HPDs). In contrast to the clear pattern of geographic spread exhibited by the Asian lineage and the recent Indian Ocean epidemic clades, there was no clear geographic pattern of ECSA lineage spread. Due to the limited sample size, it is not clear in what mode and to what extent this lineage has been circulating in eastern, central, and southern Africa.
Interestingly, a mosquito isolate, MH4 from 2000, which was collected in India, fell within the ECSA clade (see Fig. S1 and S2 in the supplemental material), suggesting a CHIKV introduction from Africa into India at least 5 years before the 2005 epidemic. However, the high (99.4%) nucleotide identity between Uganda/Ag4155/1982 and India/MH4/2000 was inconsistent with their nearly 20-year difference in collection dates, given our estimates of CHIKV nucleotide substitution rates (Table 1). Given the overall strong temporal pattern shown in the phylogenetic trees, we suspect that India/MH4/2000 might be the result of contamination.
Evolutionary patterns among CHIKV lineages.The evolutionary rates estimated by using the Bayesian MCMC method for the complete CHIKV data set and individual lineages are summarized in Table 1. The overall nucleotide substitution rate was estimated as 4.33 × 10−4 nucleotide substitutions per site per year (subs/nt/year). However, the rates estimated for each lineage exhibited considerable variation, with those for the epidemic lineages significantly higher than those estimated for the enzootic lineages. In particular, the Asian lineage exhibited a significantly higher substitution rate (i.e., nonoverlapping HPD values) (4.16 × 10−4 subs/nt/yr; 95% HPD: 3.26 to 5.02 × 10−4 subs/nt/year) than the WAf (2.39 × 10−4 subs/nt/year; 95% HPD: 1.98 to 2.84 × 10−4 subs/nt/year) and ECSA lineages (2.30 × 10−4 subs/nt/year; 95% HPD: 1.37 to 3.24 × 10−4 subs/nt/year). The Indian Ocean epidemic lineage yielded an even higher rate estimate (8.46 × 10−4 subs/nt/year; 95% HPD: 5.81 × 10−4 to 1.09 × 10−3 subs/nt/year). This widespread rate variation was confirmed by using root-to-tip linear regression, with all lineages showing strong clocklike behavior (as reflected in the correlation coefficient values; see Fig. S3 in the supplemental material).
It is possible, however, that the intensive sampling of sequences within a short time span from the recent epidemic may have included many transient deleterious mutations (i.e., sequence polymorphisms) that would later be purged by purifying selection and therefore not persist over longer time periods. This, in turn, would artificially increase the substitution rate for the Indian Ocean lineage. To test this hypothesis, we measured selection pressures among the four major CHIKV lineages. This analysis revealed a significantly higher overall dN/dS value in the Indian Ocean epidemic lineage (0.285) compared to the others (0.066 to 0.125), which is compatible with the presence of transient, mildly deleterious mutations in the former group. A similar hypothesis was proposed to explain the higher dN/dS values for swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus during the recent epidemic, compared to related swine influenza virus sequences (56). In further support of this hypothesis, the Indian Ocean epidemic sequences also exhibited an elevated number of nonsynonymous changes on external branches of the tree, reflected in a ratio of internal/external dN/dS values of 0.97, compared to the lower values observed in other groups (0.53 to 0.63; Table 2). In theory, transient deleterious mutations are more likely to fall in the external branches of trees (because they are short-lived), leading to a higher dN/dS value than seen for internal branches. Although dN/dS ratios have limited utility in identifying positively selected codons if unique, adaptive mutations occur, three positively selected codons were also observed in the epidemic lineage, comprising two codons in the capsid protein gene (codons 23 and 27) and one in the E1 envelope glycoprotein gene (codon 226); the latter plays a crucial role in CHIKV adaptation to A. albopictus (59, 61). However, these adaptive mutations can only partially explain the elevated dN/dS value in this lineage, since only 16 negatively selected codons were observed in the epidemic lineage, whereas many more (i.e., 64 to 96) were observed in other groups. Therefore, the elevated evolutionary rate in the Indian Ocean epidemic lineage is most likely due to the presence of transient deleterious mutations not seen in the other lineages. Finally, it was noteworthy that dN/dS was also elevated in the Asian group compared to the ECSA and WAf lineages (Table 2). This may indicate different selection pressures acting on the epidemic versus enzootic transmission cycles.
Comparison of complete genomic and partial E1 sequences in phylogenetic reconstructions.Importantly, the ML tree based on E1 gene sequences revealed a topology different from that based on the complete ORFs, especially for the ECSA lineage, which did not form a monophyletic group in the former data set (see Fig. S3 in the supplemental material). A significant difference between the E gene and complete ORF tree topologies was also apparent in the SH test (P < 0.001). Since the complete ORFs tree is clearly more accurate, possessing more variable and phylogenetic informative sites, this analysis shows that the E gene alone is inadequate to fully resolve the phylogenetic history of CHIKV.
CHIKV origins.CHIKV has likely been circulating in Africa and Asia for hundreds of years or even longer. A suspected CHIK epidemic was reported in 1779 (10), and focal epidemics have been documented occasionally throughout the second half of the 20th century. Recently, large-scale outbreaks successively swept through eastern Africa, the western Indian Ocean islands, India, and southeastern Asia and also reached Australia and Europe. These epidemics demonstrate the threat of this reemerging arbovirus and indicate the need to better understand its evolutionary history and patterns and, particularly, whether lineages differ in transmission cycles and ecological conditions, which could affect emergence potential.
Previous studies suggested a likely African origin of CHIKV (45), where the virus circulates in an enzootic cycle between forest-dwelling Aedes species mosquitoes and nonhuman primates. However, due to the deep divergence of the WAf and ECSA lineages and the wide distribution in both East and West Africa of the closest relative, ONNV, it is unclear in which part of Africa CHIKV first evolved and, more intriguingly, what causes the nearly complete transmission barrier that separates evolution in the two geographic regions. This question deserves further study given that (i) there are no obvious geographical barriers or ecological differences and (ii) the two regions share the similar enzootic vector fauna and potential primate reservoirs and (iii) given the occasional but apparently nonpersistent mixing observed in the present study (the presence in Senegal of the ECSA clade, isolated from bats).
Epidemic origins.Interestingly, the Asian lineage dating to ca. 1952 exhibits similar patterns of spread to the recent Indian Ocean outbreak lineage, with successive epidemics detected along an eastward path. This similarity suggests that the current Asian lineage may have also originated from an intercontinental transmission. Indeed, the tMRCA of the old Asian lineage (95% HPD: 1948 to 1956) almost immediately predates the Thailand outbreak of 1958, the first confirmed CHIK epidemic in Asia. However, our current samples do not reveal exactly where the progenitor of the 1953 Asian outbreak occurred, although it was probably an ECSA strain that diverged from the currently circulating and sampled ECSA strains in the beginning of the last century (95% HPD: 1879 to 1927).
The repeated CHIKV outbreaks that have occurred in India and Southeast Asia are particularly noteworthy. In addition to epidemics corresponding to the Asian and Indian Ocean lineages, CHIKV outbreaks probably have occurred in Asia for more than 200 years (10). These outbreaks were characterized by rapid progression, affecting hundreds to millions of people, and were followed by long, silent interepidemic periods. Interestingly, CHIKV apparently did not persist in these areas, with the new outbreaks usually caused by introduction of imported strains, probably on sailing ships. The permanent Asian establishment of CHIKV during the 1950s may be attributed to the increased human urbanization and expansion of A. aegypti populations after World War II (21). The succession of CHIKV outbreaks in India and Southeast Asia is likely related to the decline of herd immunity in human populations, as shown by the long epidemic interval (e.g., 33 years since the last Indian circulation). In contrast, CHIK in Africa is endemic/enzootic, associated with limited, sporadic outbreaks (46), probably due to the lower densities of human populations and their relative isolation in many cases, as well as more stable herd immunity from periodic enzootic spillover.
Variation in evolutionary patterns.We hypothesized that the difference in vectors and amplification hosts between the epidemic and enzootic transmission cycles may influence CHIKV evolutionary rates, which was supported by our data. Although a previous analysis of evolutionary rates in DENV-2 virus, which also has ancestral enzootic and derived epidemic lineages, did not reveal faster evolution in the latter cycle, the number of enzootic DENV strains analyzed in this case was very small, with resultant broad 95% HPD values (60).
A variety of factors could contribute to the variation in evolutionary rate that we observed for CHIKV, involving differences in intrinsic factors, such as the rates of mutation and replication, or extrinsic factors, such as the strength of natural selection or population transmission rates. Because there is no evidence for differences in either mutation or replication rates among CHIKV lineages, we propose that the differences in evolutionary rate between the enzootic and epidemic lineages are more likely due to the different transmission rates (as discussed below), which affect the total amount of replication per unit time, and/or differences in selection pressure.
The replication of alphaviruses in mosquitoes depends initially on ambient temperature (reviewed in reference 22) and is eventually modulated by poorly understood mosquito factors, including RNA interference (50). The resulting RNA replication shutdown presumably leads to virtual genetic stasis despite the continued ability of infected vectors to transmit. Therefore, the transmission rate directly influences the amount of viral replication and consequently the numbers of mutations produced during the transmission cycle. The differing dN/dS values we estimated among epidemic versus enzootic CHIKV lineages, which may reflect differences in mildly deleterious mutations sampled intensively during the recent CHIKV epidemics, could partially explain the higher evolutionary rate of this 2004 to 2008 epidemic lineage. However, different transmission patterns between the epidemic and enzootic cycles may be critical in regulating evolutionary rates in the two cycles (as illustrated in Fig. 3). In the relatively stable epidemic cycle, CHIKV is transmitted among humans via abundant peridomestic mosquitoes, A. aegypti and A. albopictus, which colonize artificial and natural water containers in suburban and rural areas (53). In contrast, transmission in the enzootic cycle differs dramatically between wet and dry seasons, with fluctuations in vector densities associated with rainfall. During the dry season, due to the low vector population sizes, horizontal transmission of CHIKV is probably maintained at a low level, whereas transovarial transmission may play a role in CHIKV maintenance, as shown for other arboviruses (7). In addition, lower vertebrate host availability in the enzootic cycle, where primate populations are less dense than are humans in most urban habitats, may also lead to a lower transmission rate. Moreover, greater herd immunity of reservoir hosts in the enzootic cycle could also reduce transmission efficiency.
It is also possible that the lower evolutionary rates in enzootic lineages reflect stronger purifying selection, as suggested by the lower dN/dS values in the enzootic compared to the epidemic lineages (Table 2), which may in turn be related to the more diverse hosts and vectors used in the enzootic transmission cycle. Enzootic CHIKV probably circulates in several different nonhuman primates, and possibly in bats or other mammals, and is probably transmitted by several different Aedes mosquitoes in the Celia subgenus (shown in Fig. 2) (16). These diverse hosts and vectors may constrain the evolution and adaptation of enzootic CHIKV compared to the epidemic lineages that rely only on humans and 2 closely related Aedes (Stegomyia) vectors. Another possibility is that epidemic transmission involves more CHIKV population bottlenecks if humans generate lower viremia than nonhuman primates, leading to smaller numbers of virions establishing infection of the vector. However, if A. aegypti and/or A. albopictus are less susceptible than enzootic vectors, smaller numbers of virions may infect the midgut. Similar effects could occur if different amounts of virus are transmitted in the saliva of epidemic versus enzootic vectors. These bottlenecks could accelerate rates of sequence change by allowing the fixation of slightly deleterious mutations and reducing the effectiveness of positive selection. Clearly, experimental infections are needed to test this hypothesis. Theoretically, immune selection could also be involved in rates of positive selection, but alphaviruses generally induce life-long immunity (55); CHIKV reinfection is therefore probably not common.
In conclusion, different patterns of CHIKV evolution in the enzootic versus epidemic transmission cycles probably reflect important differences in their ecology. Understanding these differences may be critical in preventing and controlling future CHIK outbreaks.
We thank Robert Tesh and Hilda Guzman for providing CHIKV isolates. We also thank Tommy Lam for useful comments and assistance on data analysis.
S.M.V. was supported by the NIH training grant T32 AI007536. K.A.T. was supported by a James W. McLaughlin predoctoral fellowship award. P.D.M. and A.C.B. were supported by the Pacific Southwest Regional Center for Excellence U54 AI065359. SH was supported by NIH AI R21 AI073389. This study was funded by a grant to S.C.W. through the Western Regional Center of Excellence for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases (U54 AI057156) and by NIH grants AI082202 and AI069145.
The funding sources had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
- Received 2 August 2009.
- Accepted 29 March 2010.
- ↵*Corresponding author. Mailing address: University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX 77555-0609. Phone: (409) 747-0758. Fax: (409) 747-2429. E-mail: sweaver{at}utmb.edu
↵† S.M.V. and R.C. contributed equally to this study.
↵§ Present address: Department of Biology, Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio, TX 78207.
↵¶ Present address: Xiphophorus Genetic Stock Center, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666.
↵‖ Present address: Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO 80521.
↵▿ Published ahead of print on 21 April 2010.
↵‡ Supplemental material for this article may be found at http://jvi.asm.org/.
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- American Society for Microbiology


text:
[Soho] is all things to all men, catering comprehensively for those needs which money can buy. You see it as you wish. An agreeable place to dine; a cosmopolitan village tucked away behind Piccadilly with its own mysterious village life, one of the best shopping centres for food in London, the nastiest and most sordid nursery of crime in Europe. Even the travel journalists, obsessed by its ambiguities, can't make up their minds.
― P.D. James, Unnatural Causes
The dismal quarter of Soho seen under these changing glimpses, with its muddy ways, and slatternly passengers, and its lamps, which had never been extinguished or had been kindled afresh to combat this mournful re-invasion of darkness, seemed, in the lawyer's eyes, like a district of some city in a nightmare. (The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde)
― Robert Louis Stevenson
We are far from liking London well enough till we like its defects: the dense darkness of much of its winter, the soot on the chimney-pots and everywhere else, the early lamplight, the brown blur of the houses, the splashing of hansoms in Oxford Street or the Strand on December afternoons.There is still something that recalls to me the enchantment of children—the anticipation of Christmas, the delight of a holiday walk—in the way the shop-fronts shine into the fog. It makes each of them seem a little world of light and warmth, and I can still waste time in looking at them with dirty Bloomsbury on one side and dirtier Soho on the other.
– Henry James
The poverty from which I have suffered could be diagnosed as 'Soho' poverty. It comes from having the airs and graces of a genius and no talent.
– Quentin Crisp


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There are many businesses claiming to combine craft tradition with a modern approach, but as far as the family bakery of the Glaabs is concerned, these two qualities are neither mutually exclusive nor just empty words. Since master baker Anton Glaab founded his own bakery in the Bavarian city of Schwandorf (between Nuremberg and Munich) in 1949, the small craft business has been run by one and the same family – that is to say, for almost seven decades. During all those years, the Glaabs have jointly taken it one step at a time. They have always managed to interpret their traditional trade in a modern fashion and have kept evolving with great diligence and even more creativity. . Evolving into the future as a close-knit family.
In the case of the Glaabs, this works as follows: Christian Glaab is in charge of the bakehouse, his wife Marion runs the kitchen, their son Benedikt takes care of the marketing activities and Benedikt's wife Daniela manages the office. "Four minds, four opinions", says Christian, the father and owner. "This is not always easy but it has certainly helped us progress." Then he says with a smile: "Most of the time it is really lovely to have the privilege of working together as a family." And the Glaabs also number their bakers, confectioners, sales assistants and trainees among this family. Their team comprises a total of eleven people.
Anyone stopping by the Schwandorf bakehouse bistro oroffice will be struck by the strong sense of family and team spirit to be found there – as well as traditional craftsmanshipin combination with a modern business concept: Delicious breakfast creations are just as much part of their repertoire as the daily lunch specials. As early as 2012, the Glaabs also launched an online shop named "bread box" which sends bread, pastries, coffee beans and the like by mail directly to the customer.. And this offer is well received, even abroad for the bakers from Schwandorf ship their delicacies anywhere in the world. In 2014, the family business even received the Future Award of the district of Schwandorf for its "bread box".
We get to see the result of our work immediately and receive direct feedback from our customers when they sample our pastries and obviously enjoy them.
"Erlebe Brot" ("experience bread") – such is the motto of Glaab's organic bakery. The Bavarians have made this experience available on the internet, too. Besides, the bakers from the Upper Palatinate are very active in the social media. However, the Glaabs still prefer direct personal contact with their customers to all other forms of communication. "After all, this is what distinguishes our craft", says master baker Christian. "We get to see the result of our work immediately and receive direct feedback from our customers when they sample our pastries and obviously enjoy them."
Just what is it that makes this family bakery so special? "What sets us apart is that we have been awarded a ,Naturland' as well as an 'Ökoqualität Bayern' certification", says the 47-year-old owner. In other words: Whenthe bakers at Glaab's work the dough, they dispense with chemically, synthetically or genetically modified ingredients. And colourants, preservatives, flavour enhancers, pre- or ready mixes are taboo for the Glaabs anyway. By implication, this means that whatever the family bakers from Schwandorf put in their bread, comes from nature – and from the region. Christian Glaab calls this "baking in a modern and natural way".
Another factor which contributes to the sustainability of their baking philosophy is respect for the tradition of the baking craft. This includes family recipes steadily improved over the years, coupled with numerous craft secrets. Christian Glaab jealously guards these secrets and passes them on to his apprentices only. Another thing that the master baker says is visibly proud of: "Most of our employees are qualified specialists and we can safely say that we continue to employ most of them once they have successfully completed their training." For their merits, the family bakery has been granted the Honorary Award for the State of Bavaria – for the fourth time in a row.
In any case, business for the people from Schwandorf is doing very well. During a two-year renovation period, they enlarged the former bakery and turned it into a small café. In this way, the family bakery has been able to face up to a development that Christian Glaab and many others consider "deplorable": the fact that more and more traditional bakeries go out of business because of the fierce competion from discount stores and convenience bakery products. Of course, it is up to the consumer whether he prefers cheap supermarket rolls to the freshly baked bread from an artisan bakery, Glaab clarifies, but then he goes on to say: "The difference is easy to explain. It lies in the excellent quality and individuality of the baked goods that only craft bakeries can provide. We do our utmost to supply the same high quality each and every day and – by means of taste and aroma – make customers understand the difference between freshly-baked artisan products and industrial products from a baking factory."
But how do you remain successful exercising a traditional craft as a family business? Master baker Glaab believes that the quality of the bakery products alone is no longer sufficient. "You need endurance and the willingness to work hard for your convictions." Without a viable concept and skilful marketing, even a bakery is hardly competitive today. "You have to consider what your bakery stands for", explains Glaab who even as a young boy used to sneak into his granddad Anton's bakehouse. He began his apprenticeship in 1987 and took over the bakery from his grandfather in 1993. , The Glaabs have invested their business with its own identity: Their bakery stands for tradition, regional origin and cosmopolitanism – and above all for close family ties.


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The following navigation utilizes arrow, enter, escape, and space bar key commands. Left and right arrows move through
main tier links and expand / close menus in sub tiers. Up and Down arrows will open main tier menus and toggle through
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The AWEA Offshore Compliance Recommended Practices (RP) (2012) – AWEA OCRP 2012, developed in 2012, is an AWEA large turbine compliance guideline for offshore wind energy. This RP is intended to provide guidance on recommended practices for design, deployment, and operations of offshore wind turbines in the U.S.


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John T. Anderson
42 Foliage Lane
Hapdorn 5A03F
8 Eleventhmonth 17829
Dear Ken,
The clock on the dashboard informs me that it is nearly five o'clock in the morning. That means that I have been driving for an hour and a half; it's almost time for me to pull over to the side of the road and wake Panu. It's almost his time to drive.
Panu was right. It is much quicker driving by night, and its even more pleasant, besides. Once we got out of the metropolitan Hapdorn area where the light from the city dims the sky, the stars became very bright. Over there, on my left is the constellation of the falling scepter, falling below the celestial equator where it will become visible only to people who live in the Northern Hemisphere. I rolled down my window for some fresh air, reached my right hand out the window, and waved symbolically at it. I was waving good-bye to you and everyone else on Earth, who will not be visible from here until Spring, when the Falling Scepter returns.
I rolled my window up again. The air is much colder than in Hapdorn city. I turned up the car heater. The interprovincial highway snaked its way gracefully through the mountains and valleys of Hapdorn province as we sped through the night towards the southeast. It's a divided highway, two lanes on each side. Now and then a Hapdorn-bound car or a truck whizzes by in the right lanes.
I glanced back into the back seat where Panu lay. Impossible as it seems for someone so tall, he's managed to make himself comfortable in my back seat!
I am not quite sure how Panu persuaded me to do this. Despite the exhilarating night air, I still have massive misgivings about it even now. Panu is going to visit his parents and his sister, who all still live in the tiny mountain village where he grew up, and I'm going along.
A pleasantly rhythmic thup, thup, thup, thup came from the right front tire. I suddenly became aware that I was driving on the blue reflectors that mark the boundary between the two lanes on our side. In a little while, I'd be driving in the passing lane! I wrenched the car back into the left lane. Well, I sighed, at least it isn't much further.
There was a stirring in the back. "What was that?" came Panu's voice.
"Nothing," I said, "I was driving on the markers, that's all."
"Are you sleepy? Do you want me to drive?" he asked.
"No, that's okay. It's not much further to the border," I reassured him. "You go back to sleep."
"Okay," he agreed. He changed positions and fell right back to sleep.
I really was sleepy, but what can you expect at this hour of the day? It isn't anything serious. We drove on and on in the night. We didn't see any other cars for quite some time; just trucks. Before long, I found myself compulsively yawning, but my ability to drive wasn't impaired.
Finally, the sign. "Welcome to Herlup Province," it proudly announced. There was a small visitor welcome station just beyond the provincial border, but it was closed. It didn't matter. We didn't need any tourist brochures; we just needed a place to stretch our legs and change drivers!
I pulled onto the off-ramp and slowed down as I entered the parking lot. The headlights played over the welcome center as I maneuvered the car into a parking spot and turned the engine off.
"Panu!" I called, "Time to wake up! We're in Herlup Province now!"
"So soon?" he asked sleepily, rising to a sitting position. "Where are the rest rooms?" Then, finally achieving full wakefulness, he said, "Now that's a dumb question! You've never been here, and I have!"
We got out of the car, strolled around for a few moments admiring the nighttime sky. After we had attended to all the necessities, we got back into the car: this time, Panu was at the wheel, and I curled up with a blanket in the back seat.
Panu slowly backed up the car and headed towards the interprovincial highway. "Try and get some sleep John!" Panu advised me, glancing back in the rear-view mirror.
"I don't think I can actually sleep back here," I remarked.
"Well then, just relax your eyes while I drive," he said.
"Okay," I agreed with a yawn, "I'll try that."
I stared at the ceiling of the car. I haven't done this since I was a child, and my father drove us all to Cleveland to visit Aunt Sally, I thought. The lights and shadows on the ceiling moved in circles for every street light we passed. The air was cool, and the vibration was hypnotic.
I remembered a conversation class I gave last week. We were practicing answering the door, and we had a door set up in the classroom. I stood with Borla, and another student knocked on the door.
"I think that a unknown person petitions ingress," Borla announced. There were politely suppressed snickers from some of the other students.
"No, Borla," I said as gently as I could, "You mean to say, 'I think someone is at the door'."
Borla was confused. Then he turned into Melissa, lecturing me: "You should go with Panu, John. This is a very kind thing he is doing for you. He knows you have no family in Thorgelfayne, or on the whole planet of Homeland, for that matter."
I told Melissa she was right. Harshan gave me a hug and told me that someone was petitioning ingress at the door.
I could hear the engine and feel the vibration as we drove along. I thought of a bus in Pittsburgh, long ago. Bad luck made me have an automobile accident, so I had to ride this bus. That bad luck was better than the best good luck I've ever had! I saw the little black man who talking to the teddy bear. He reaches out and shakes my hand, "My name is Bobo!" he says.
"I am really an alien," he says, standing vulnerably in front of the UFO club, "I am from Homeland, fifth planet of Tau Ceti." Emily covered her mouth as she giggled again, and I glared at her as strongly as I could, in the hopes that she would somehow feel my disapproval.
There they are! How exciting! The Snodgrass University Men's Choir in concert, singing the national anthem. I could hardly breath through the lump in my throat, and tears streamed down my cheeks.
Oh, Thorgelfayne! My native land,
with lovely mountain vistas grand;
I love the Lakeshore's glistning strand
For all your people are my friends
Suddenly, the sun was in my eyes. The car had turned several times. We were going very slow! When I awoke, it was dawn. The air seemed thinner and sharper.
"Wake up, John!" Panu shook my shoulder to ensure my wakefulness.
"Are we there already?" I asked with my pasty mouth. "We were supposed to change drivers again." I sat up and began to fold the blanket and look for my shoes.
"Yes," he affirmed, "But you were relaxing your eyes so effectively that I didn't want to disturb you."
I heard a muffled giggle. It was then that I became aware of five black faces looking in at me through the car windows!


text:
Former UFC light heavyweight, Brandon Vera speaks out for the first time on Thiago Silva testing positive for performance enhancing drugs following their UFC 125 fight, adding he wants a rematch once he's career is back on track.
Vera, speaking via Heavy.com, said:
"I have no idea what's going on. He could've tested positive for marijuana. I honestly don't think that's a performance enhancing drug. If he does test positive for some kind of strength enhancing substance, it would make me feel a little bit better about myself."
"I roll with Phil Davis. I roll with Travis Browne. I roll with Junior dos Santos. I roll with the Nogueira brothers. When I'm in the half guard underneath somebody and I have their leg, and my other leg's half-cocked up on their arm pit, I can rock people back and forth. I can rock you and either stand back up or get the sweep.
"I remember when I was underneath him and I was pushing him back and forth. I was thinking, 'What the hell? Why is this guy so damn strong?' And I remember thinking during the fight, 'Yo, I gotta start lifting weights again.' He was one of, if not the strongest dudes I ever rolled with in my life. Strong bastard."
"There's stuff I want to say about you, Thiago. You know, I'm glad you were happy winning the way you were. It's cool, man. It's cool. If this thing comes back and you did do whatever you did and I make it back to the UFC, on your welcoming back party, I want to make sure I'm the one you get to fight.
"And I promise if you take me down, I'm going to get back up. Then I'm going to punish you on the feet just like I did while we were fighting, until you took me down. Then you gave it to me, but you won't take me down next fight. So I'm glad you got to showboat. I'm glad you got to win, kind of. But I'm gonna see you again soon, bud."


text:
Alabama Defenders
Defenders of The Constitution
Recent Updates
Legislative Update - February 27
Alabama Conservative News - Feb, 2006
Pro-Life News, January, 2006
Alabama Conservative News - January 2006
Alabama Conservative News - Dec 05
November 22, 2005
October 25, 2005
October 12, 2005
for 2005
Exodus from Public Schools to Christian Schools
Exodus Mandate
Hate Crime Legislation is in danger of passing soon
Recommended Conservative Birmingham Candidates
Alabama Eminent Domain
Martin Luther King and Abortion
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for 2005
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Alabama Legislative OverviewJudge Roy Moore Book
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for 2005
More Resources
Subject: Bush, please save Terri's Life
TAKE ACTION: PLEASE call Governor Jeb
Bush's office NOW at 850-488-4441 (or fax him at 850-487-0801), asking him
to exercise the executive powers he ALREADY HAS, and take custody of Terri
Schiavo to save her from being starved to death. You can also e-mail him
President George Bush could send U.S.
Marshalls in and save Terri. He could send them in the pretense that
Congress has requested that she come to testify before Congress.
Send them a message, sign the petition
from the Clergy Council to Governor Jeb Bush and to President George Bush
to take executive action to save Terri Schiavo.
Gov. Jeb Bush Must Step
Forward, Terri's Advocates Say
Gov. Jeb Bush is being compared to
Pontius Pilate as he comes under intensive pressure from religious and
pro-life groups to do whatever it takes to save Terri Schiavo's life. The
group said Bush must ask himself, "Is one helpless woman's life worth my
political career?'
A message
from Tom Benz, Alabama Clergy Council
It is my opinion that our rights come
from God. Certainly the family is sovereign. But, the purpose and duty of
government is to protect our God-given rights. When, in the course of
human events, the sin of fallen man takes that man to the place that he is
breaching the sovereign rights of his wife, i.e., to starve her to death,
particularly after he has defaulted on the marriage covenant to the extent
of establishing a second wife and family, I believe that it is the right
and the duty of government to step in to protect the sacred life of the
disabled wife. I see this in the same light as protecting a woman from a
husband who is obviously murdering her.
The problem inherent in issues such as
these is where do we draw the line - at which point are the breaches of
the wife's inalienable rights egregious enough that government must do its
job of protecting those rights. Our government has pushed the line too far
and has eroded the sovereignty of the family in education, child abuse,
etc. In the Schiavo case, the wife is being intentional starved to death.
I believe this is clearly the duty of government - Jeb Bush and George
Bush included. In fact, I believe that they must answer to God for their
complicity in the impending death of Mrs. Schiavo.
We must move and move quickly. Please
sign the petition
For more information on Alabama Clergy
Let us pray that the
legacy of Pontius Pilate will not prove to be Gov. Bush's.
Good Friday's Dilema
To the Honorable Governor Jeb Bush
My Dear Brother in the Lord,
I cannot but help feel sympathy for the
situation that you are in. I know that you have had a tough decision set
before you. I would like to call to your remembrance as a Christian
brother on this Good Friday, that today commemorates that day 2001 years
ago, when our Lord and Savior was condemned to death by the Supreme Court
of the Hebrew Republic. We know from history and the scriptures themselves
that the court did not have the power to carry out the sentence of Death
because they were a conquered people by the Romans. But one man had the
earthly authority to deliver Jesus, or to join in his condemnation. We
are told that he resisted. He pleaded with the courts and the masses. He
appealed to King Herod to intervene. But ultimately he was the man who
had to make the decision. My dear brother, I urge you not to give in to
the voice of murderers. This is not a time to wash your hands and do
nothing. God has put you into your position for such a time as this. No
man of authority wants the legacy of Pilate. Exercise your power of
interposition, and stop the murder of this innocent woman. The prayers of
multitudes are with you. Sincerely your brother in Christ,
Matthew K. Sheffer
Pr 24:11 � If thou forbear to deliver
them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; 12
If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not He that pondereth the
heart consider it? and He that keepeth thy soul, doth not He know it? and
shall not He render to every man according to his works?
>To: Mr. Jeb Bush, Governor of Florida
>Fr: Steve Lefemine, pro-life missionary
> dir., Columbia Christians for Life
> Columbia, SC
>Re: PLEASE RESCUE TERRI !!!
> Proverbs 24:10-12
1) Why isn't a criminal investigation
being opened by the Sheriff of Pinellas County, or the State Attorney
General of Florida into the allegations by the hospice nurse, Carla Iyer,
of Michael Schiavo's alleged attempt to murder Terri by insulin injection
allegations which you are aware of !! Why aren't you and the Florida
Attorney General acting on this ? !
2) Why hasn't Michael Schiavo been
charged with criminal adultery under Florida's state misdemeanor adultery
law, with the prima facie evidence of his co-habitation with another
woman, and fathering two children by this immoral, 10-year relationship ?
3) Why are not the two points above:
1) and 2), sufficient cause to remove Michael Schiavo as the "legal
guardian" of Terri, and place Terri under the protective custody of the
state ? Doesn't the adultery charge alone indicate an obvious "conflict
of interest" for Michael Schiavo ? And Terri is being sentenced to death
on the hearsay evidence of one man, this criminal adulterer, who it is
alleged also attempted to kill Terri with an insulin injection ??
This whole matter is part of your
life's legacy, Jeb Bush: don't allow your legacy to be that of Pontius
Pilate (Matthew 27:24).
Friday, March 25, 2005
Steve Lefemine, pro-life missionary
dir., Columbia Christians for Life
PO Box 50358
Columbia, SC 29250
(803) 765-0916
Life Chain, a Pro-Life Witness in your community. Join over 1,000
cities and communities with a pro-life witeness that "Abortion Kills
Children ", but Jesus heals and forgives. For more informtion visit


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text: One of the things me and corpse have in common is that we're bang into self improvement. We always feel we're not doing enough. Tortured in fact. We have a book club where we read proper poetry together and we're just deciding what the next one is going to be. You can join in too.


text:
by Chris Jarvis
The Midlands have been for many years a breeding ground for the very best talents on the UK ska scene. In the 1980s, it was the pioneering sounds of Coventry's two-tone bands – The Specials and The Selecter that led the way. Nowadays, Birmingham has a lively and burgeoning scene of acts that are fusing traditional reggae and dub music with the energy and raw anger of punk and hip-hop. Building on the reggae vibes of Brummie legends such as Steel Pulse and UB40, Lobster and their peers have built a sound and a scene that brings together the many traditions of these musical legacies. Throughout this, they have maintained a focus on politics and conscious lyricism. Because of this, we decided to talk with Lobster's frontman Spud about his and the band's outlook and the implications this has for their music as part of our series Music That Matters.
Keen to discover the framework that underpins his politics and therefore the political aspects to his music, I ask Spud how he would define his political outlook: "I'm very left leaning and libertarian in my outlook. I guess I'm a socialist who is sceptical of the state and has a strong preference for local organisation and devolution."
Not content without contextualising those claims, he goes on: "Jeremy Corbyn as Prime Minister would be infinitely better than Cameron, but I don't have much hope for that under the First Past the Post system and with the heavy right-wing bias in most of the media. Even if he wins the next election, I think he'll find it incredibly difficult to actually instigate much in the way of real change."
Much of Lobster's music, such as Not Defending Me, This Ain't a Riot and Grip's Getting Tighter have explicit political content. Given this, and the quite clear political outlook Spud describes above, I ask what role he sees his own politics playing in the music the band produces:
"We aren't a specifically anarchist band, nor a specifically vegan one or anything like that. Amongst our six members there will be political differences and perhaps some of us are a bit more engaged with it than others. That said, all the lyrics are written by either myself or Joe, and politically we are both very similar. There's definitely a cohesion in the things that write about that has come about pretty naturally.
"Personally, I just can't write a song that doesn't have any meaning to me. I can't write about girls I pine after with catchy hooks. I don't think I set out with a particular agenda when I write, but I like to write about the world as I see it as much as I can. We have songs that address certain issues, such as fascism, the environment and capitalism, and I'd like to think the principles behind our music are fairly apparent, without us seeming like we're preaching to anyone or forcing our views upon anyone.
I don't think I set out with a particular agenda when I write, but I like to write about the world as I see it as much as I can.
"I've been at shows where the band have stopped to give a big lecture about how racism is bad, which is cool, racism is disgusting. But you'd like to think most, if not all, the people in the room already hold the same anti-racist view anyway. It can seem quite hollow when you're in a room full of white people, as well. For all the posturing, ethnic minorities and women are still definitely under-represented in the punk scene, which is a real shame."
Spud goes on to add a layer of nuance behind the obvious political nature of their music and the specific issues he mentions their songs have previously covered; tapping into what he deems to be the inherently and implicitly political underpinnings of the music scene Lobster are a part of.
"We are a DIY band, which is a political stance in itself as far as I am concerned. We have never had anyone book a show for us, or help to promote us or anything like that. It has far-reaching implications on the way that we carry ourselves in the world and the ways in which we try to conduct ourselves."
In light of the 'preaching to the converted' problem Spud alludes to above – that so often the problem with small, tight nit, and political scenes have an inherent problem of becoming an echo chamber, where the views and perspectives expressed by bands are already shared by their audiences and fans – I'm interested to discover whether he believes that political music can be a tool for politicisation and a wider method of achieving progressive change. Like so many of the musicians I have interviewed as part of this series, it is clear that his view is that music can in many ways be more effective at politicisation than perhaps politicians, the media or traditional political arguments can be.
"I think music is perhaps the most emotive and effective means of that is available to us, particularly when it comes to sparking an interest in the young. The majority of them are more likely to absorb a message and start to think a bit more critically if they are influenced by a particular type of music than if you just throw early 20th century communist and anarchist literature at them.
"Music has always reflected other things that are going on in society; there's always been a link between musical movements, political movements and campaigns for social change. Any future step towards progressive political change will no doubt be accompanied by an era of music that people will spend decades writing about, as has been done with folk, rock 'n' roll, punk, hardcore, reggae, 2-tone and hip-hop.
Music has always reflected other things that are going on in society; there's always been a link between musical movements, political movements and campaigns for social change.
"All of the best youth movements have had a certain political edge to them – communicating an energy that exists amongst the young and disaffected that is so often ignored by the mainstream media. As long as kids are still listening to music, whatever the genre, and thinking "yeah, these guys are saying the things that I've been feeling", and then having a whole other world opened up to them via that route, then music will continue to be a tool of politicisation. There is no doubt in my mind that music and politics are inherently linked, and I really can't see that ever changing."
Tellingly, Spud signs off this response by borrowing and paraphrasing the sentiment of Gil Scott Heron: "The revolution won't be televised, but I'm sure it'll have a cracking soundtrack!"
Having argued that music can indeed be that tool of politicisation, has it had that effect on Spud? Did his politics come from the music that he grew up on, or was it something else? The answer is frank and clear:
"While I'm a bit older now, and my music tastes have mellowed out a fair bit over the past few years, I'm still always going to be a punk kid at heart. Despite being self-critical of my own political inactivity just now, I'm unsure whether I'd have any real interest in radical politics at all had it not been for the music I grew up on.
"It starts with the realisation that racism, sexism, homophobia, and all those other nasty prejudices are abhorrent and wrong. Those are views I've held for so long that I just can't understand how anyone could think any differently. Although they haven't necessarily come from music, they were definitely reinforced and solidified by it.
"DIY culture teaches you a lot about localised self-organisation and the capacity of humans to control their own lives and surroundings. I find it all very inspirational really. It's something that I latched onto as a 14 year old and it still means as much to me now as it did then. I'm studying a politics degree, and I'm almost certain that I wouldn't be doing that if it hadn't been for punk music and the effect it had on my life. Likewise, I know I wouldn't have read even half of the books that I have if it hadn't been for the profound effect music had on me in my formative years.
"Punk and hardcore music might sound angry and aggressive; and at its essence a lot of the time it is, but the way it allows for you to articulate and express all that disaffected angst is a really beautiful thing. There's so much more to it than cider, speed, diets and haircuts – and I'm sure a lot of people will tell you that they've learnt more about the world from music and at shows than they ever did at school or college."
DIY culture teaches you a lot about localised self-organisation and the capacity of humans to control their own lives and surroundings
Recognising that there is a direct link between the world of culture and the world of politics for Spud and that the two are intimately intertwined, is one thing, but the second step in my mind for musicians and artists who have running through them a radical outlook, is to take action on the issues that they write and sing about. Has music directly pushed them into political activity or not?
"The sad truth is that I'm not involved in as much as I should be, but I do my best to support and take part in a number of causes. The hot topic at the moment is definitely the refugee crisis in Europe, and there are a number of people in Birmingham doing some really great work to help out. We performed at a fundraiser event for a group who were visiting the Calais jungle a few months back, and being asked to play at events like that is always very satisfying. Alongside the raw anger and energy, punk really seduced me as a teenager because of its proactive and positive outlook. I love that feeling that the music can change the world for the better, and so performing at events such as that taps into a really big part of why I wanted to even play music in the first place.
"I support the Palestine Solidarity Campaign as much as I can, and I think public opinion on the Israel/Palestine issue is definitely changing – due in large part to the massive effort of activists over a number of years.
"On a more local level, I try to do what I can to help the homeless here. The effects of austerity are plain to see for anyone who has observed the massive growth in the homeless population in Birmingham over the last few years. Particularly with the demonisation of the homeless in the media and political rhetoric, it's very important that we continue to show support to those who are most vulnerable in society. Despite some of the vitriol you do hear spouted; it appears that most Brummies are at least somewhat sympathetic to the plight of the homeless in the city. A well-known homeless man named Danny Hackett died recently, and there was a massive outpouring of support for his family, and his funeral costs have been crowdfunded. It's really heart-warming to see, but I'm sure there is more that just about everyone could do to help these people in life, and not just after they've died.
Alongside the raw anger and energy, punk really seduced me as a teenager because of its proactive and positive outlook.
"As I said though, I'm not really as politically active as I should be. I have a four-year old son, who I spend half my weekend with, and the rest of my free time generally goes towards music. Excuses, excuses! There is definitely more that I could and should be doing."
After all the talk about the politics, we move into discussing the music scene today and the bands he sees as effectively mixing radical perspectives and musical outputs. Lobster aren't isolated in their approach, and so influence other artists, as well as taking direction from them too.
"There are loads of punk bands who mix politics and principles with music really well, you don't have to look far in the scene for them. I'm a really big fan of QELD, an anarchist hip-hop duo from Bristol. I find their wordplay really interesting, thought-provoking and humorous in pretty much equal measure. They aren't just shouting clichés about hating the police and Margaret Thatcher, they make a lot of references to literature by thinkers such as Marx and Kropotkin, as well as revolutionary events from history. I'd recommend them to anyone who likes political music."
To finish off, I delve into their plans for the future: "We launched our own club night called Lobster Shack back in November last year, and the next instalment is happening on March 19th at the Hare and Hounds in Kings Heath, Birmingham. It is set to be a pretty significant event for us, as our keyboard player lost his younger brother towards the end of 2015, he was diabetic and so all proceeds from the event will be getting donated to Diabetes UK.
"We're also extremely fortunate to have been asked to open for The Beat and Dreadzone at The Rainbow in Birmingham, that gig is happening on April 23rd and will be very big for us. Further to that, we're sorting out a few fun things and festival appearances for this summer.
"We are very slowly working towards a full length album, but personal circumstances slowed down our progress a bit at the end of 2015. We have a few tracks recorded and most of the album material written, but getting the recording side of things sorted and finalised has been a bit slower than we would have hoped. We released a couple of tracks as the "Blotto'd" EP last spring. I'd imagine we will be put out a few more tracks in the same way this year, and hopefully the whole album can be finished by the end of 2016, but we will have to see on that one."
Lobster are one of those bands that are so important to have as part of the scene, bringing to the table the very best traditions of their predecessors that have shaped them – the radicalism, the raw energy and the anchoring for a better world, while also pulling together a modern and exciting new sound. Their politics only makes them stronger, and gives them the drive to keep doing what they do.
But ultimately they are a product of where they are born. Like the city that forged them, they are steeped in the blending of cultures, busy and fast paced, maintaining the very best of long and strong traditions, while constantly renewing and reinventing.