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Stand Ye in Holy Places
Yours is the honor and blessing of being students at a wonderful institution directly affiliated with a highly interesting and distinct Church, the restored Church of Jesus Christ. The graduates and faculty of this college have accomplished remarkable things. Karl G. Maeser was your first principal in 1886-87, and James E. Talmage presided here for four years. Most of you are members of the Church with which the college is affiliated. The men, for the most part, also hold the holy priesthood of God. Those attending who are not members have committed themselves to live the high and distinctive standards of this college. This is a great blessing and benefit, but at the same time gives you the challenge of being a distinctive people with a great birthright.
Recently another distinctive group of people, the Jews, analyzed what they believe today and discussed their challenges in today's secular America. I believe our challenges are somewhat similar to those of the Jews and at the same time vastly different. I will draw occasionally from the 47 essays written by American Jewish leaders in America about what they believe today. These essays are published in the August 1996 issue of Commentary. For the most part, however, I will concentrate on the challenges and opportunities awaiting you in this unique hour of the earth's existence. You stand in the Saturday evening of the earth's present status. More about that later, but what does living in this unique era of the world's history mean to you and me? Does your generation have a long-term future? If so, what is our counsel for you?
If I were your age, seeking training and education and just beginning my career, I would try always to remember and keep in the back of my mind the Lord's admonition to STAND IN HOLY PLACES AND NOT BE MOVED FROM THEM. I don't know the day or hour the Son of Man will appear, but I believe it is coming soon. I also believe we will receive warnings and signs ahead of that day and when the hour seems very near, I would try to heed the admonition "to gather together, and stand in holy places." (D&C 101:22) I would try to keep the frame of mind that the Lord is coming quickly, as he has said so many times, and "stand...in holy places, and not be moved, until the day of the Lord come." (D&C 87:8)
Today I propose to stimulate your thoughts about these things and share counsel from my perspective. In doing so I have the advantage of raising questions I anticipate might occur to you and responding briefly to them. Let me try a few to show you what we believe about the days ahead and your part in them.
Question One: Isn't invoking the second coming of Christ a scare tactic, and an old and tired one at that? Doesn't that just use the discredited tactic of motivating through fear?
Yes, that is one way of looking at it, but it is a method the Lord uses over and over in dealing with humankind. For instance in Section 64 of the Doctrine and Covenants he calls the period starting then, 1831, until the coming of the Son of Man "today." (D&C 64:25) Then he motivates us by promising "he that is tithed shall not be burned at his coming." (vs. 23)
The Lord has used a similar motivational tool with the Jews for millennia. The coming of the Messiah has motivated believing Jews throughout their history. This belief still forms enough of the fabric of their beliefs or folklore that Jewish leaders in Commentary were asked specifically to state their beliefs on the Jewish Messiah. Himmelfarb, one of the Jewish essayists, warned Jews that when the Messiah comes they "must examine his credentials," having suffered the arrival of many false messiahs. Many modern Jewish leaders no longer believe in a personal Messiah who will come and save the Jews, but rather believe in a messianic or golden age of great progress to come in the future.
Latter-day Saints, in contrast, believe Christ is the Messiah, that he came to earth once as a baby born to Mary in Bethlehem, and that he will come again as promised. In a revelation given 165 years ago, the Lord told this dispensation that his coming would be soon (D&C 87:8) and in the Meridian of Time, Peter said he would come again during the "times of restitution of all things." There is value to Latter-day Saints in so living that if he came tonight we would be found in holy places. Holy places include any places where we are living righteously, prepared to see his face, and accept him. Holy places include any place where we are associating with righteous and wholesome people or where we are sharing the gospel and our love with those who need it. It would especially include our sincere presence in a temple room performing sacred ordinances, worshiping in a sacrament meeting, or at home with our families or friends doing righteous things.
Our presence in a bar room or in a movie house watching an x-rated movie would hardly qualify as being in a holy place. Caught in an immoral or unclean situation, for example viewing pornographic or suggestive pictures and books, would clearly find us in a precarious and dangerous situation, akin to the predicament the Savior describe the five foolish virgins as being in–without oil for their lamps when the bridegroom arrived.
Question Two: Doesn't this put negative pressure on us? Couldn't you motivate us better with positive reinforcement such as trusting us and sharing your testimony of the Savior's love?
My answer to question one might have put some tension and pressure on some of us. Its purpose was to motivate us to keep in the right way. Although I don't apologize for it I see your point. I could have started with the less dramatic but positive aspects of the Lord's motivating principles. He is a God of love. It is true that he rules with justice and cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance, but he is also merciful. His arm is stretched out to save us. All men and women to whom we may go for counsel and assistance in time of need are susceptible, in one degree or another, to sin and self-centeredness since they are mortal. People may fail us, but he is perfect and will never fail us. His purposes fail not. Neither are there any that can stay his hand.
When I have been in serious trouble about anything during my life and when it seems I am destined for some awful or horrible fate, the Lord has ever been there for me. I know he will likewise never fail you. In Gethsemane and on the cross he suffered "pains and afflictions, and temptations of every kind." (Alma 7:11) He did this for us, taking on himself our sins and even our sicknesses if we would repent. (See Alma 7:12-13) He died that we might not have to fear the long-term consequences of death, and he gave us a great plan of salvation that would assure us of triumph over all our enemies and thus qualify for eternal life and everlasting joy. Some have called this the plan of happiness. That is an apt label. All of our infirmities and all of our enemies will melt before his great love and atoning sacrifice. He is our advocate with the just Father in Heaven. What more could any of us ask!
And all he asks is that we humble ourselves, overcome the hardness of our hearts and our pride, and seek his help. He will point the way for us to gain faith, repent of our sins, and get onto that strait and narrow path. When we have found the way, we need to continue and endure to the end.
Question Three: Living so close to the end of time–perhaps in the Saturday night of time–we sometimes wonder if we have a future. Are we destined to be a generation without a normal and stable existence?
I will not sugar-coat my answer. Many of you will face difficult times and situations. But, so what? All ages about which I know anything, with the possible exception of the centuries immediately following Jesus's visit to America, have been filled with trials and challenges. My father and mother, for example, raised their children in a withering and desperate time of economic chaos and downturn. I was born in 1931, my sister in 1929. Dad lost the building he had used for his business. He continued his labors as an automobile mechanic on a vacant lot. He never thought of stopping. He had a wife and five children to house and feed. Then World War II came just as he was gaining economic success. The war made it impossible to get new automobiles or even parts for the agency he had acquired. These circumstances caused him to close his business and move to California to find employment. Through all of those trials we never went without food and clothing. We always felt secure and blessed. That move proved to be a great help to him financially, even as he assisted in the war effort.
Many died in that great worldwide struggle. Many others were preserved to carry on. The priesthood of God operated on both sides of the battle lines. I missed fighting in that war and then barely missed the Korean conflict. I arrived in Korea as a soldier just after the war, but was there to meet the first Latter-day Saint missionaries ever to serve in Korea. We helped them keep the work of establishing the Church moving. LDS soldiers had begun to share the gospel during the desperate war years. Now we have some 60,000 members and a temple in Korea.
Others got caught in the Vietnam conflict. During that conflict LDS soldiers sowed the seeds of the gospel in South Vietnam. One day that country will reap greater benefits of the restored gospel. I accompanied the first humanitarian missionaries into Hanoi just after New Years in 1993. "So amidst the conflict, whether great or small, do not be discouraged, God is over all."
I suggest you consider taking the attitude–I will live the gospel and not fear any future conditions that may come. I will trust the Lord and glory in assisting in difficult situations and trials. Let them come! I love the spirit of the great prophet Isaiah in chapter 40.
Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing.
Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of his understanding.
He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." (Isaiah 40:15, 28-31)
We needn't fear or faint. I promise you that your generation will live to see marvelous things. You can count on the Lord's protection if you need it. If necessary the Lord will intervene in your behalf.
Has he not promised that "the righteous shall not perish; for the time surely must come that all they who fight against Zion shall be cut off." (1 Nephi 22:19) "Wherefore the righteous need not fear; for thus saith the prophet, they shall be saved, even if it so be as by fire." (vs. 17)
Question Four: Is our generation deteriorating as compared with yours? What do you observe in conditions faced by our generation?
I do see rising use of drugs and alcohol in your generation. I see more heterosexual and homosexual immorality and more sexual abuse such as rape, child abuse, sexual perversions, and abuse of women in both of our generations. I resonated to the rebuke President Hinckley issued at General Conference in October to men who abuse their wives and children. I see the results of our generation's family failures leading to many of the conditions and aberrations mentioned as associated with your generation.
But I have also toured scores of missions and have met our youth all over the world. I see greater numbers of committed young people than ever before, better educated, better prepared, and more Christ-centered. In testimony meeting after testimony meeting I have asked young people what they are most grateful for in their lives. An astonishing and encouraging number of them say that they are most grateful for the Savior.
In a general way I believe in the Saturday warrior concept popularized in the LDS musical. The youth of the Church today, taken as a whole, are distinct, chosen, and special. They, including some of you, may well play a role testing and requiring that specialness in the days and years ahead. I believe also that the gulf between good and evil is widening. Many people, however, who have lived in harm's way during their youth have found the plan of life and the Savior to help pull them through.
A friend stayed with us during the last General Conference. It was her first such opportunity to attend such a conference in person. I asked her what impressed her. Aside from the fact that she thought almost every speaker had spoken directly to her own family problems and concerns, she was amazed at the number of wholesome and good-looking young people who crowded Temple Square and waited in line with the hope of finding a seat.
These great young people come from all of the corners of the earth. When the latest group of missionaries from the isolated nation of Mongolia enter the MTC this year, Mongolia will have 27 missionaries serving from that land including such missions as Salt Lake Temple Square, Utah South, Russia, and Alaska to name a few. All of this has happened since September of 1992 when a former president of this institution and his wife, Kenneth and Donna Beesley, opened the work in Mongolia for the first time in Church history. A year later other missionary couples entered Cambodia for the first time. Hundreds of young people, thirsting for the gospel, have joined the Church there.
Truly yours is a chosen generation and a royal priesthood. The work you will accomplish in the years ahead will amaze us all. Your generation's young people have greater potential by far than those of our generation. We have tried and will continue to do our part. But soon we will have to leave it to you, including the national deficit, governmental mess, and all else, as our fathers and mothers left for us to confront. Population is exploding as we lead up to the winding up scenes of the earth's present existence. Soon India will reach a billion as China already has. Our first full mission in the great country of India, a modest beginning effort, was only established in January 1993. You, the Saturday night children are coming into influence fast. We have great confidence in you and your future.
Question Five: From the perspective of a General Authority who has been engaged world-wide in the work, what advice and direction do you have for us?
You probably feel that we have worn you out by sharing advice throughout your years, but we dare not do for you what others have done for us.
Our central advice is to stand in holy places and do not move from them. Do you notice how President Hinckley has staked out his ground publicly, despite the risks? He has not apologized for our stand on any righteous or moral principle. You can, if you will, take your cue from him and do the same. Holy places and only holy places should be your habitat. Avoid pollutions such as drugs, immorality including homosexual actions, pornography, fraudulent or questionable business schemes, dishonesty in any form, and the seductive practice of intellectualizing the gospel, forgetting that the gospel is the way to live and not a game of amusement. Don't get involved in activities that in any way compromise the gospel, the Church, or that belittle the prophets. Stand on holy righteous ground, but do so humbly and without self-righteousness, arrogance, or intolerance of any kind.
Next, prepare yourselves educationally for the future. Gain the knowledge and skills necessary to compete in the world, such as computer literacy, the will to work hard, and a broad understanding of the world sufficient to give you an overview by which you can make good decisions. Your education at the LDS Business College is a wonderful start for you. Don't think defensively. For example, don't think that the troubles of the last days that loom ahead will render you useless or irrelevant and thus give up on your future. The Lord and the world will need capable and skillful people with creativity and a good work ethic.
Third, wherever you are, share the gospel with friends and less active and committed members. Let your gospel light so shine before men that they will see your good works. Avoid the evil and designing wiles of men who would lead you into tobacco, alcohol, drugs, and get-rich schemes. Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord. And be distinct and different in a gospel way by avoiding the secularism so pervasive today as people pursue self-centered hedonism. As one of the Jewish writers, Mr. Lapin, observed, "if a nation's trend-setters are hedonistic, the people will be depraved. If the trend-setters are only decent, the people will be hedonistic. For the people to be decent, the trend-setters must be holy." Shouldn't we stand in holy places and strive to be distinct and holy as a people? The Savior said, "Lay not up for yourself treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt..." (Matthew 6:19)
Our Jewish friends, at least many of them, are very concerned that the Jews are becoming a non-distinct part of secular-godless America, rather than playing their historical role as a distinct religious minority exercising a disproportionate moral influence on those around them. Great numbers of them are intermarrying outside of Judaism and raising their families in materialistic and prideful ways. Fewer and fewer truly study and know their Torah and the distinctive ways that have helped them survive for thousands of years despite all manner of persecution and genocide. This sense of community has greatly declined. What about our sense of community? Are we fostering for you what we had in our day? Do we really know our scriptures? Are we prayerful in our marriage and family decisions? Are our goals righteous and not based on materialistic desires? What good is it to merely survive and become a part of the me-centered generation. The manifestations of such lives include men and women living together without even a marriage ceremony and commitment. Too many of our generation are dedicated to themselves as if they, not God, were the center of the universe. One Jewish leader complained about Jewish youth. Said he, even if they decide to marry, they often set aside the sacred and beautiful ceremonies of their religion, writing their own marriage ceremonies on the theory that their ideas are superior to ceremonies having the force and authority of God's commandments and tested through their long religious history. Are we so self-centered that we are anxious to substitute our ideas for God's doctrines?
The lesson we can learn from this example is to remain the Lord's people, descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Most of us learn through our patriarchal blessings that we are descended from or adopted into the tribes of Ephraim or Manasseh, the two sons of Joseph. We need to be distinctive, moral, God-fearing and God-knowing people. Our young people need to be honest, hard-working, practicing Latter-day Saints. We owe that duty to ourselves. We have a wonderful legacy in the gospel that others, including our families and pioneer forefathers, have sacrificed their lives to vouchsafe for us. Our Heavenly Father is counting on us to live honorably and decently.
Most of you are on the right track in these things. Keep trusting in God and living the gospel. If you are not on the right track, you know it and need to decide right now to repent.
Question Six: The final question I ask on your behalf is what do we have to be thankful for during this Thanksgiving season?
This is easy to answer. Paul answered by saying, "In every thing give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (1 Thessalonians 5:18) And in our day the Lord counseled us to do all things "with a glad heart and a cheerful countenance." (D&C 59:15) Remember Corrie Ten Boom who with her sister did her best to practice that thanksgiving principle during her years in the Nazi concentration camp, even giving thanks for the fleas that made life so miserable, but kept the guards away from their bunk bed where they hid their scriptures.
Be thankful that you are the lawful successors to and heirs of the promises given to Israel. Remember that Jacob conferred the birthright on "Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him who was separate from his brethren." (Genesis 49:26) No matter which tribe of Israel you are attached to for your heritage and blessings, give thanks for those who went before. Many noble people sacrificed to bring us the great heritage we enjoy.
Be thankful for God our Father, for Jesus the Christ, and for the Holy Ghost. They will lead you to the highways of truth and salvation. As Psalms 100 urges, "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise. Be thankful unto him, and bless his name." (Psalms 100:4)
Be thankful for the Book of Mormon through which we learn of our birthright and which warns and prepares us for the trials in the winding up scenes of life. It also, as we noted earlier, promises protection from the terrors of the last days. And it is true, a second witness for the divinity of the gospel and the mission of the Savior.
Be thankful for the Jews. They preserved the Bible for themselves and us. They also miraculously kept themselves as a distinct people from ancient times, thus preserving their special religious vales and knowledge of God.
Be thankful you live in the last days. No other age is as exciting. All other ages looked with awe at ours. You are in a period the Lord referred to as "today." Find motivation to so live that you will help prepare the world for the coming of Christ, because that is the great duty of those who live in the era designated as "today."
Be thankful for knowledge and skills so inexpensively and readily available to you. Read, practice, know, and keep up.
Be thankful for our great prophet Joseph Smith, the instrument in the Lord's hands in restoring all of the authority, keys, and knowledge necessary in the restoration of all things. And be thankful for President Gordon B. Hinckley, a living Prophet.
"Oh give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth forever." (Psalms 136:26)
Count your blessings; Name them one by one.
Count your blessings; See what God hath done.
Count your blessings; Name them one by one.
Count your many blessings; See what God hath done.
Yes, you may face trials and tribulations associated with the coming of the Lord, who will reign personally on the earth and usher in a thousand years of rest for the earth and peace for those who live during those blessed years. Thrill to the prospect of living in this time. Be thankful that you are a part of this generation and are Saturday night children. Live today. Be faithful. Focus on what you can contribute and retain your distinctiveness.
On Wednesday after General Conference, President Hinckley invited all General Authorities and their wives for a farewell sacrament meeting before those present dispersed to provide leadership throughout the world. He asked us to:
Keep the doctrine pure;
Enjoy our callings, no matter how hard;
And to eat it up!
We say to you:
Go and do likewise.
Today. And while you are finding your destiny and roles in life, STAND IN HOLY PLACES, AND BE NOT MOVED FROM THEM.


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From being schooled in a game of GO to busting out 15th-century portraiture, it seems the machines are besting us at every turn or is it simply a matter of perspective? Join Marco, Andrew, and DJ as they discuss the rise of computer intelligence and the stakes therein.
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Successful Promote Pollinators webinar connects 350 professionals
On Wednesday May 20th – World Bee Day – almost 350 policy makers, scientists, NGO's, entrepreneurs and students from across the world participated in the Promote Pollinators webinar. The participants discussed how we can develop effective policy grounded in scientific insights to protect pollinators and their habitats. The webinar was the first online event hosted by Promote Pollinators. Secretary Martijn Thijssen: "We had planned a physical meeting which unfortunately had to be cancelled. We then had to find other ways to interact with our members and other interested parties. The webinar's focus on sharing knowledge and experience aligned perfectly with our core business."
Great line-up of renowned speakers
The line-up was impressive: top speakers from various disciplines discussed the central topic from a scientific or policy point of view. There was plenty of room for interaction. Participants could not only ask questions and discuss their dilemmas with the presenters, they could also share their own know-how with other attendees.
Different disciplines, different perspectives
Caridad Canales, Agro-Biodiversity and Inland Waters Officer, kicked off the webinar on behalf of the CBD. In her presentation, Caridad talked about the development of biodiversity policy at the global level. Up next was Professor Jane Stout, who provided a national perspective by sharing the lessons she learned from implementing the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan. Lorna Cole, agricultural ecologist at Scotland's Rural College, told the attendees about the evaluation of protective measures in agricultural landscapes. Subsequently, Professor Arjen de Groot of Wageningen University, explained how this can be organised and shared the key success factors for pollinator protection initiatives. Koos Biesmeijer, scientific director of Naturalis Biodiversity Centre, inspired viewers with examples of regional collaborations for sustainable land use. Finally, on behalf of the European Commission, Vujadin Kovacevic explained how we can monitor the results of our efforts.
Working together to protect pollinators and their habitat
Secretary Martijn Thijssen believes the webinar is a perfect example of how technology unites us and allows us to communicate and work together: "The shutdown doesn't make us shutdown! The current situation forces us to consider taking paths which existed before, but which we didn't dare take. When Promote Pollinators was founded, we already planned to host online meetings. But thus far it had never happened. Now we're doing it, and it turns out we can reach a much larger audience than with our physical meetings. It is heartwarming to see that so many people across the world are working to protect pollinators and their habitats. I can see an unprecedented growth in the number of people getting involved in biodiversity and sustainability. Together we are starting a movement towards a more sustainable planet. The future is ours!"
Watch the webinar
Did you miss the webinar? You can watch it here. Or download the pdf file containing the presentations.
Want to know more? Don't hesitate to contact the Promote Pollinators secretariat:
Elise de Groot (HVR) – email@example.com
Martijn Thijssen (ORG-ID): email@example.com


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Chris Pratt talks about the time he almost got to play…Chris Pratt (but lost out to Joseph Gordon-Levitt!)
We love hearing funny casting stories. Luckily, Chris Pratt has a good one for us. (All of Chris Pratt's stories are good, so that shouldn't be much of a surprise.)
Way before Pratt booked Parks & Recreation, also known as his breakout role, he auditioned for a film called The Lookout. The film, which came out in 2007, focused around a boy who had his life change dramatically after a serious accident. Once a star athlete, he now finds himself as a janitor at a bank, who accidentally finds himself in the midst of a heist. The name of that character? Chris Pratt.
So, yes. Technically, Chris Pratt was going to audition for the role of Chris Pratt.
Unfortunately, something got in the way — something cool, but a little strange. An event came up that would have allowed him to fish for a world-record-holding largemouth bass in Mexico, and Pratt couldn't resist the opportunity to go. He decided to postpone the audition, with fingers crossed that it'd work itself out.
"I thought for sure it was me, that I was gonna get it. I was gonna walk in and go, 'My name is Chris Pratt.'… [They'd say], 'And you look like you have had a brain injury, so…'" Pratt said as a joke to Yahoo Movies.
No such luck. By the next week, the part was filled. And to make matters worse, the bass wasn't caught. (At least, that's an assumption — if he broke a record, that probably would have been announced.)
Luckily, he still fishes.
… And, the part went to the more-than-qualified Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who nailed it.
…And, it's obvious that Pratt's career hasn't suffered one bit. Pratt just wrapped up filming Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, and is set to jump right back into character for Avengers: Infinity War.
So, now we know for sure. If we ever need an additional Chris Pratt, Joseph Gordon-Levitt is probably the guy we want to call.


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This is the real thing - the original and ancient recipe for Horchata from Chufa (Tiger Nut). Horchata made from chufa nut tastes completely different than Mexican Horchata made from rice. Don't confuse the two because they have nothing in common.
Pronounced [CHOO-fuh], the tiny, tuberous roots of a Middle-Eastern plant of the sedge family, chufa "nuts" have their origin in ancient Egypt. Chufa was one of the first domesticated crops and in fact, was found in vases in the tombs of the ancient Egyptian pharos. The chufa nut was widely used in Egypt and Sudan. The Arabs introduced the plant to Spain during the time of the Moorish kings (700 B.C. a 1200 A.D.). The eastern Spanish province of Valencia was the best for growing chufa.
The nut is good for your health, with high levels of iron and potassium. It does not contain sodium and is valued for its minerals and vitamins.
Perhaps you would like to know where the name "Horchata" came from.
Well, there's an old story about a girl in a little town that offered some of the drink to the visiting King of Catalunya and Aragon. After enjoying the drink, the king asked, "Que es aixo?" (What is this?). The girl answered, "Es leche de chufa" (It's chufa milk - which was its original name), to which the King replied, "Aixo no es llet, aixo es OR, XATA!" (This is not milk, this is GOLD, CUTIE). The word "Xata" in Catalan - which the King spoke - is an affectionate nickname for a child.
The fame spread throughout the country and the name of the drink started to be known in Spanish as Orchata. Later, the H was added to the beginning.
Horchata remains a very popular and refreshing summer drink in the region of Valencia.
1 kg chufas
1 kg Sugar
5 liters of Water
1 Cinamon stick
This recipe came out perfect for me.
I can't give you much information on obtaining Chufa. It can be bought in Spain at little candy shops that sell nuts (frutos secos). I've even found it at Corte Inglés in bags. Chufa is grown in the Valencia area exclusively for Horchata.
I'm told that chufa is grown in the Southern United States and can be purchased through Farmer Co-Ops as seed. It is grown as a feed crop for cattle.
For more information on Horchata de Chufa, visit the webpage at: http://www.encis.es/chufa/horch.html
If you'd like to buy a liter of great tasting Horchata de Chufa imported from Valencia, there's a mail-order company in California that sells it. The name of the store is La Espańola, Inc. Their number is (310) 539-0455. A liter of real Horchata will cost you less than $5.
Real Food Recipes from Spain - http://www.xmission.com/~dderhak/recipes.html


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What are the engine specs and features of the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas?
Engine specs and features of the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas
Owning a midsize SUV means lots of space, comfort, power, and features. But not many vehicles will give you that. The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas, however, offers a spacious interior with comfortable seats, a power-packed engine with excellent performance, and the latest tech that is infused in every feature. Continue to read this blog by the Bemer Motor Cars dealership in Houston, TX, if you want to know more about the engine specs and features of the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas.
Read here: Is there a collision center near Houston, TX?
Performance, specs, and features of the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas
The first thing to know about the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas is that it is available in SE, SE with Technology, SEL, SEL R-Line, and SEL Premium R-Line trim levels. The SUV comes with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine offering 235 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft of torque. You can pair the SE with Technology or SEL trim models with an available 3.6-liter V6 engine that gives out 276 horsepower and 266 lb.-ft of torque.
The exterior design of the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas is attractive and looks great from every angle. The interior is equipped with everything that you may need while going for a long drive with loved ones or on the run to the grocery store. There is a 6.5-inch touchscreen and a digital instrument cluster on the dashboard for controlling various features and getting notifications when necessary. The power-adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, and V-Tex leatherette seating surfaces offer sophistication and comfort. The presence of various driver-assistance features in the vehicle ensures your protection on the road.
Read here: Where Can I Shop for Used Audi Vehicles in Houston, TX?
Learn more about the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas in Houston, TX
If you want to learn more about the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas, you must contact our team at the Bemer Motor Cars dealership in Houston, TX. Please feel free to visit us if you are interested in purchasing a well-maintained used vehicle.


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NUR-SULTAN – Almaty city authorities have examined the city's buildings to create a risk map to let people know which residential buildings can and should be renovated or redesigned to minimise earthquake consequences. The map will be released in 2020.
"We plan to release a risk map next year, which will clearly define what impact an earthquake could have. We have already carried out the certification of all city structures and we conducted certification of all apartment houses in Almaty built between 2001 and 2010. The newer ones are not subject to certification yet," said Almaty Urban Planning and Urbanism Department head Almaskhan Akhmedzhanov at a Nov. 12 briefing.
Almaty is located in a seismically active zone. According to the seismic micro-zone map the city is generating, the mountainous part of Almaty Region lies in the 10-point risk zone and the city centre is also in a high-risk zone. In case of a nine-point earthquake, more than half of Almaty's buildings could be destroyed, the experts note. Nearly 85 percent of Almaty's buildings date from the second half of the last century, according to Almaty Akimat (city administration) data. Some of them are considered vulnerable to earthquake damage.
"We have a lot of old houses from the early 1970s that were built during the Soviet period of mass housing construction. These buildings have already confirmed their seismic resistance. But of particular concern are the brick buildings of the 308 series, which do not meet the current regulation requirements and should be reconstructed. These constructions will represent much greater danger than recently built ones in the case of a major earthquake," Akhmedzhanov noted.
Another issue to be addressed, and one raised frequently by Almaty residents, is the high building density of the city and the difficulty of evacuating if there is a disaster.
"We are controlling the process. Construction underway now is to replace dilapidated housing. To date, our goal is to reduce the density and height of buildings. One more significant problem we have already tackled is illegal building in parks and squares. Now, the appropriate law bans building there," the official added.


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For my penultimate post as a Special Collections Graduate Assistant, I am revisiting the topic of the research paper I wrote for a History class my very first semester. In the entrance to Chapman Hall there is a large plaque that caught my eye. I mentioned it both to my professor and to Marc, who told me that there were a few photos and papers about Milo in our department.
Milo had been a student at Spencer Academy and transferred to Henry Kendall College with William Robert King, the new president. He was a member of the school's first quartet, along with Ben McCurtain, Eugene Gilmore, and Sam Matthews.
Here's a photo of the Quartette, as they called themselves, pictured with an unnamed woman.
In addition to the Quartette, Milo played on the football team as well.
These photos were both taken in the fall of 1897, the last season that Milo played.
On May 12, 1898, one hundred and twenty-three years ago yesterday (!), Milo and Eugene Gilmore were among the two hundred men from Muskogee, Indian Territory, who enlisted in Theodore Roosevelt's Rough Riders regiment. They trained in Texas, where Milo wrote a few letters to Alice Robertson.
Milo and Eugene arrived in Cuba at the end of June. They fought the Spanish in a battle at Last Guasimas and then the infamous Battle of San Juan Hill, where Milo was killed by shrapnel. Eugene wrote letters to his father, Alice Robertson, and a neighbor named Thomas Owen, telling them that Milo died.
In a letter to his father dated July 26th, Eugene wrote that "Milo had been keeping near me all during the fight and was killed by a shrapnel" and he wrote an undated letter to Tomas Owen where he said that Milo had been killed almost instantly but that he didn't know it at the time. He said that Milo had been buried on San Juan Hill, but his remains were eventually exhumed and moved to Arlington National Cemetery; on her first trip to Washington D.C. newly elected Congresswoman Alice Robertson made a visit to Arlington and found his grave, #15,519.
These photos and letters are practically all that remains of Milo Hendrix, but learning about him taught me so much about Henry Kendall College, TU, the Spanish American War, and the Special Collections department. During these two years I've spent in Special Collections, I've seen so many amazing books, photographs, and objects and I still barely scratched the surface of the untold mysteries we have here!
Although our time here has come to a close, Kelsey and I have put together one last exhibit of some of the fantastic books that are part of Special Collections. We are open to TU students, faculty, and staff by appointment only, plus we can provide digital scans of images for non-affiliates. Email email@example.com for information.


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- A British icon, the red painted phone booth is a symbol of England and English pride. A perfect gift for the homesick!
- Reviews
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Flabellinopsis iodinea, the Spanish Shawl, lives on the West Coast from Northern California down to Baja California, as well as the Galapagos islands. This flamboyant aeolid nudibranch can 'swim' by twisting and turning its body in the water. It feeds on the polyps of the coral-like hydroid Eudendrium ramosum, which colors the nudibranch's rhinophores (which look like antenna) a bright red.
- These high quality, beautiful giclées are printed on 9oz cotton duck canvas primed to accommodate the industry's finest archival inks.
- The standard for museums and galleries around the world, giclee is a printing process where millions of ink droplets are "sprayed" onto a high-quality paper. The smooth transitions of color gradients make giclee prints appear much more realistic to the original than other prints.
- Handmade by Julia Beery, a science illustrator with an affinity for mushrooms, bats, and all kinds of plants. She is in awe of the world we live in, and explores the strangeness of this world through drawing. She grew up in Berkeley, California, and currently lives in Oakland.
A note on copyrights: If you purchase a print, this does not confer copyrights to the owner. To reach out about usage of these images or to commission work, please contact us at email@example.com so we can get you in touch with Julia.
Since we both love Nudibranchs and their ocean home, my orders are shipped to you using plastic-free, recycle-able materials from Edmonds, WA. Please reuse the materials you get or recycle them! Thank you :)


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I have honestly wanted to speak up about this for years.
You can watch my video about this topic here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCwbZN7k8nc
This highly poignant blog post by my friend Ivan Trevino inspired me to speak up. Thank you, Ivan: https://ivandrums.com/2021/03/22/thoughts-on-classical-music-racism-activism
To donate to the movement supporting the victims of the Atlanta tragedy and others who are affected by racially motivated attacks: https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/stop-aapi-hate
I want to start by expressing my deepest condolences to the 8 victims who lost their lives and their loved ones in the recent racially motivated mass shooting in Atlanta, and I'd also like to extend my condolences to those who have suffered in the multiple hate crimes towards not just AAPI people, but also those who identify as BIPOC around the world.
The fact that it takes an act of blatant terrorism like this to finally bring this obvious racial discrimination to the forefront of discussion is absolutely crazy.
Yet somehow (and I'm sure others can agree with me on this), I'm not surprised at all.
'There is no racial and ethnic bias in the percussion community'
I saw a recent comment like this in a Facebook group about marimba from a white person on a post about uplifting and showing support to AAPI (Asian American/Pacific Islander) voices:
Sure, it's the internet and people are entitled to their opinion.
But it truly frustrates me when people, white or not, insist that there is 'no racial and ethnic bias' in the percussion community.
And, as you can see in the reactions above, people actually agree with them.
That's like saying 'there is no homelessness because I've never been homeless, and I've never seen a homeless person in my experience', or 'I don't sexually assault, and I've never witnessed sexual assault, therefore it's not a thing'.
Just because you don't see or perpetuate a problem doesn't mean you get to announce its lack of existence.
And, in a post that is supposed to be about uplifting AAPI voices, they're more interested in defending a white person who not only was never under attack in the first place, but already gets plenty of recognition as a famous marimba professor. Why?
Anyway, to subvert this kind of blanket statement, I thought it might be worthwhile to share some of my own experiences as a person of Asian background growing up and working in a predominantly-white percussion community.
To those of you who are BIPOC, I hope this will help you to know that I'm on your side too. And if you are not BIPOC, I hope this will serve as a reminder that these biases do exist.
It's not what you think – I promise
Before someone starts grandstanding and says that I'm part of 'cancel culture/being woke/playing the race card', I want to be clear about three things.
Firstly, I'm not interested in cancelling anyone or seeing anyone lose their livelihood over mistakes or insensitive comments, or even anyone who feels responsible for the experiences I list below. As someone who has made mistakes themselves and is a YouTube content creator, I'm aware of the difference between spreading awareness and fixing things, as opposed to cancelling and fixing nothing.
In fact, I'm even taking the liberty of not mentioning or showing names in this post (even if its public information), so no one needs to attack anyone.
Secondly, I definitely don't represent all BIPOC, and I am speaking for myself when I discuss my own experiences. But I'm hopeful that as someone who is more publicly visible due to my work on YouTube, it might be reassuring for those affected to know that someone who is more well-known is standing with them.
And finally, I am not asking to be treated in a better way than white people, or to be given handouts because of how I look. I have run my studio and YouTube channel for the past few years without ever mentioning my race or ethnicity in my videos to 'gain an advantage'. I earned my Master degree here in Australia and undertook years of work and performing experience exactly the same way my white colleagues have done.
The issue is, with systemic racism, we often have to work much harder than our white colleagues to achieve the same result.
Now that that's clear, let's talk about how this all started.
Early experiences (non-musical)
Growing up in Australia as someone of Asian appearance, I got the usual cavalcade of commentary about my appearance. Some of them would be more casual stereotypes/model minority type phrases, like these:
'You're Australian…but where are you really from?'
'Your last name is Tan! Then you must be related to this other person with the surname Tan'
'But you can't tell if you're Chinese or Japanese, it looks the same to me'
'Happy birthday! Hope you get to eat lots of dumplings'
To more overtly offensive remarks like:
'Oh ching chong ling long, that's what your language sounds like'
'So, let me guess, are your people coming to this recital?'
'You Chinese people have it so good'
'Your eyes are so small, how do you even see out of that?'
'F…..g chinks should just keep to themselves and go back to China'
And I would just brush them off usually, or if it really upset me, I'd run and hide. I couldn't say anything about it, because they'd say it was just a joke, and insist they were not racist.
Then came more serious incidents.
When I was still in primary school, I remember seeing swastikas painted on Chinese restaurants near where I lived with words like 'gooks will die' and 'Jews out', and the groups responsible for these attacks firebombed three Chinese restaurants in Perth, in a clear attack against Asians and Jewish people. If you think I'm overexaggerating, you can read the news.
I also remember our family getting sent death threats from the perpetrator. During that time, I was afraid of going to school for fear of getting beaten up or even killed. I thought there was no chance I'd even make it to high school.
Yet instead of condemning that person and being outraged, the media focused on the fact that despite being part of a neo-nazi group, he was a Vietnam war veteran and that he should be given leniency for his war history.
Sound familiar? It's one of many experiences I'll remember for the rest of my life.
Representation matters – my indirect experiences in the music world
Ok, now let's return to the title of this post.
As I've slowly grown my identity as a percussionist, marimba soloist, composer and content creator in an Australian percussion world, it's been tricky navigating and overcoming the hurdles that appear in white-favoured systems. And again, I always felt like if I spoke up about my concerns, I'd be branded as 'using the race card', or 'trying to get a free ride'.
For example, pretty much all Australian percussion events (be it small concerts, festivals, eisteddfods or workshop days) heavily favour white faculties, artists and music. Nationwide, every Australian percussion department's faculty line-up is white or majority white.
I've never officially been recognised as a member of percussion faculty (even after actually teaching at places and having a staff card), despite me having similar or better qualifications and international performing/teaching experience to those who are recognised as percussion faculty there.
I remember there was a 'diversity' music and arts research symposium organised by a white professor (with no diversity-related academic qualifications or research to their name), where the entire lineup and key artists were a majority of older straight white females and males, most of which came from privileged backgrounds. You really can't make this stuff up.
It was given priority funding and had full backing, while our marimba festival (which had far greater reach, a lineup of diverse artists and participants from around the world and was aimed at nurturing young people without having to use the term 'diversity') received a small token amount of funding and was told to schedule around the symposium.
Why do they get treated better than me?
In addition to the institutional biases listed above, many of the experiences I am more incensed about come from just doing my job.
In some instances, even before I get to do my job.
I can't even count the amount of times I've lost an opportunity or position to a white colleague who may be good at their job, but is clearly less qualified and/or has less experience than me. I remember I spoke up about this once, and someone told me that my white colleague was simply 'more charismatic' than me.
This happens too whenever I play alongside white colleagues in chamber ensembles, whether it's for events or concert performances. I'm always ignored or given the bare minimum, while my white colleagues are lavished with praise and feature in magazine reviews, interviews, photos and awards.
I vividly remember playing with a well-known chamber quartet in an equal role during their concert (all four members were white). I'd prepared the music and setup plans very thoroughly, I came on time to all rehearsals and played the performance more or less as expected. One of the quartet members' setups wasn't even ready during the dress rehearsal. Despite this, the predominantly white audience would always go up to the quartet after the performance and praise all of them wildly, while either ignoring me or giving me a silent nod.
Australian? You aren't one of us
I always find it hilarious when anyone hosts a concert of 'Australian percussion music' in universities or concert halls of Australia, and the result is always an all-white lineup of composers that are either Western art music minimalism 'based on Indigenous culture' or some contemporary new music work 'challenging the ideas of sound'.
Here's some facts - notice how percussion composers like myself and my friend Robert Oetomo (of Indonesian descent but is Australian) have statistically more popular works for percussion than most of these white 'Australian percussion composers', are purchased more regularly than these white composers' works and are featured on repertoire lists worldwide - yet we are never referred to as 'Australian composers', our music is never considered 'Australian music' and we never appear in Australian examination repertoire lists.
Many of the white percussion professionals in our community distance themselves from people like Robert and me, saying what I do with YouTube and my studio is not a 'real percussion job'. Those people would comment on my earlier posts in percussion groups saying things like 'you are trying too hard', 'I didn't realise this was the Adam Tan overshares group' and 'do you really think anyone cares?'.
Yet, when their white colleagues were unable to get a 'real percussion job' and turned to small-scale side hustles like yoga, singing or personal training, they'd be widely applauded and praised by everyone as shining examples of 'Australian percussionists', and they would even get invited back regularly to do concerts and masterclasses with the university ensembles as guest artists.
And now, those same white percussionists are the same people to message me asking them for help getting an instrument, or if I know anything about where to get a discount.
I guess we just don't 'look the part'.
It doesn't have to be difficult
So that's just a small collection of my experiences growing up.
I'm definitely aware that others may have it even worse than me and I know I have privilege too outside of being a POC. I'm grateful to have a loving family and great friends who have supported me throughout all of these struggles.
I hope what I've shared with you today will help dispel the myth perpetuated above of 'there is no bias in the percussion world'.
If after reading this, your first thought is 'wow, he's using the race card'/'way to victimise yourself', then we will have to disagree today.
But if you're looking to be part of what can be positive change for everyone, then start small. Support your BIPOC colleagues in their activities and pursuits, shop at businesses and brands that are run by BIPOC, donate to BIPOC charities and victims of race hate. Play music written by BIPOC composers.
If you're white, it should be clear that this post is definitely not an attack on white people. Many of the white people I know are loving, caring people who have made efforts to be fair and just towards me in professional and personal life, and I'm grateful for them. But if there's ever a time where a white person's mistakes are pointed out, hold them accountable and make an effort. It means a lot to see those who recognise their privilege stand alongside us.
Embrace the idea of intersectionality and understand that everyone comes into this world with different privileges and levels of access, and it's important to acknowledge these differences and work on them so we can grow together as a community.
We just want a fair go, that's all.
Some additional reading if you're interested in learning more:


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When a relationship ends, people often find comfort in closure. However, we can harbor feelings of anger, pain, and sadness instead of peacefully coming to terms with what has happened. Sometimes, you're able to negotiate that closure with your partner. Other times, you don't get that chance, and have to find closure within your heart and mind. Here are helpful tips to guide you through both of these tough situations:
Finding closure with a partner
Communicate honestly: To make any change, you'll have to be honest with your partner and tell them, face-to-face, exactly how you feel and why you think things are not working. Remind each other of the positive parts of your relationship.
Don't place blame: Be careful to express your emotions in a way that you're not blaming one another for pain in the relationship. Keep your conversation focused and calm. If not, you could regret something you said down the road.
Search for "mutual benefit": Dr. Jeremy Nicholson, a social and personality psychologist, says, "Even in a breakup, relationships are still a social exchange, and there is still the possibility of mutual benefit. Therefore, at the end of a relationship, it is still important to focus on where you can meet both your needs and those of your partner."
Finding closure within yourself*
Grieve: Ending a relationship is a loss. You need time to be sad and feel the pain before you move on. Dr. Abigail Brenner, a psychiatrist, says "Prolonged or incomplete grief may contribute to making poor choices in the future. The ability to trust, to be honest, and to be yourself is essential for a new, healthier relationship or situation to present itself to you."
Acknowledge and accept what's happened: Have a conversation with yourself–ask what you are holding on to, and why? Is this pain consuming you and preventing you from accomplishing what you want in life? What do you think will happen if you move on and let go? These are the kinds of questions that clear our minds and motivate us to find something better down the road.
Make a game plan: Write down what's most important for you to do right now. Staying organized in this visual way will help as you pave your path into the future. Dr. Brenner suggests, "Shift the emphasis to what you need, what makes you happy. Don't worry about pleasing others."
*Some of these steps need to happen even if you are finding closure with your partner


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Imagine this sign next to your bowl of goodies or hanging out on your mantle amid the cobwebs and spiders. With the Trick or Treat Wood sign, you will add a pop of drama to your Halloween decor.
- Measurements: 7" x 7" x 1.5"
- Easily hang or will stand alone


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Even though HC Vardar have won their last three matches against FC Midtjylland, the home team seek confidence in their strong performances at home this season, while Vardar playmaker Andrea Lekic sees patient attacking play as a key to success for her team. • Vardar have won their three latest encounters with FC Midtjylland • Midtjylland have qualified for the Women´s EHF FINAL4 once before, while Vardar have been all three times so far. • Neither team have ever won the Women´s EHF Champions League. • Midtjylland have won five out of six home matches in the Champions League this season. Women's EHF Champions League Quarter-final, first leg FC Midtjylland (DEN) vs HC Vardar (MKD) Sunday, 9 April 17:00 hrs local time, live on ehfTV.com The results between the two teams speak in the favour of Vardar before the first leg of the quarter-final in Ikast Sunday. The Macedonian side have won the last three matches against FC Midtjylland more or less clearly.
The two teams met in the match for the third place at the very first Women's EHF FINAL4 in Budapest in 2014. On that occasion, Vardar won 34:31, while the Macedonian wins were considerably clearer, as the two clubs met in the group matches of the Champions League last season. Back then, Vardar won 33:24 at home and 25:15 away.
However, Midtjylland find confidence in another statistic: Their fine home statistic in the Champions League this season, where they have won five out of six home matches. Larvik are the only team who have been able to win in Ikast, while teams such as Gyöir Audi ETO KC, CSM Bucuresti and Rostov-Don have all been defeated in the IBF Arena. "We have not got the best possible statistic against Vardar, but we put faith in our fine performances at home this season. "Vardar are a great team, but so were Györ and CSM "This makes us confident that at home we can found the sensation it would be to eliminate Vardar," Midtjylland coach Kristian Kristensen tells ehfCL.com. "For the moment, we focus entirely on our home match Sunday. "We only hope we can perform so well that we are not swept completely off the board before we travel to Skopje for the return match," he adds.
Patient attack and fast defensive runs needed "You could say that we are favourites, but I still expect a tough first match anyway," Vardar playmaker Andrea Lekic tells ehfCL.com. "Midtjylland have been very strong at home this season.They have a lot of individually highly skilled players, and they are a team who like to run a lot. "If we are going to be successful in that game, we will need to play very patiently on our attack, and furthermore, we need our defensive runs to be very fast in order to stop their fast breaks. "I will not say in advance, what would be a good result for us in the first match, but of course, a win is always a good result!" adds Andrea Lekic.


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County board of elections still making sure every vote counts and every voter is right
NEWTON-Every four years, Jo Ann Williams hears the stories; some the same, some different. But Williams, who has served nearly 25 years with the Sussex County Board of Elections, has come to know that all the stories she has heard have the same endings. People just want to vote. This year, Williams probably listened to the stories more intently than during elections past. Her office in Newton, like those around the country, was being challenged to implement national election reforms to upgrade voting machines and improve procedures. One of the requirements of the "Help America Vote Act of 2001" called for each state to upgrade voting machines and allow voters to cast provisional ballots if their names did not appear on the voter registration lists in their local voting districts. "There are a lot of liars," said Williams, an administrator with the board of elections. "No matter what, you hear a lot of different stories. People are so desperate to vote. There are a lot of voters who come out once every four years. They all had to vote in this election." In Sussex County, at least 73 percent of all registered voters placed ballots in the November presidential election, with 64 percent supporting Republican George Bush and 34 percent favoring Democrat John Kerry. This year, Williams said about 100 of the close to 65,500 Sussex County residents who turned out to vote took advantage of the new election reforms by casting provisional ballots. She said about 20 of those ballots were cast in Sparta. Typically, voters must vote where they live or cast an absentee ballot if there is a doubt in their eligibility because of residency or citizenship status. The voting reform bill allowed voters to cast provisional ballots when their eligibility was challenged at their local polling places because their names did not appear on the registration lists for any number of reasons including a change of residence. "People put things off when they move," said Williams. "They don't think of the Board of Elections to change their addresses." Voters had up until 3 p.m., at the Sussex County Clerk's Office the day before the general election, to obtain an absentee ballot. Those who did not and still wanted to vote had to make their cases with Williams and the County Board of Elections to obtain provisional ballots. "It's a lot of work," said Williams. "Everyone had to be checked so they didn't vote twice. We had to reject some." Williams said that although the election has concluded, the work of her office has not. She and her colleagues are busy sorting provisional ballots, updating addresses and compiling voter histories to be made available for mailing purposes throughout the year. And then there's the referendum in Andover, she said, and on, and on, and on. "It never ends," she said.


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Adult cartoons are an odd genre because they've got a childlike look while using being not-at-all child friendly. This can make it hard to get into them at first – it just seems unnatural. Some of the over-the-top abstract, sci-fi, and anatomy-defying moments can be a bit overwhelming if you're not used to that.
So if you're one of those people who doesn't think you'll ever enjoy watching adult cartoons, I get it! When all my friends were into them, and tried to get me to watch, I fought it – there was no way they were going to get me to watch Family Guy or Rick & Morty.
But when I was introduced to some of the… less weird adult animated shows, I had to admit they were pretty funny. This list has some of the best introduction shows for people who don't think they could ever like adult cartoons. I can guarantee at least one of these is sure to turn the adult-animated-show-hater into a fan!
Animated Adult Shows for People Who Swear They'll Never Enjoy Animated Adult Shows
1. Bob's Burgers
This was personally the first adult animated series that got me hooked. As far as adult cartoons go, it's one of the tamer ones. There's no in-your-face abstractness that constantly reminds you you're watching a cartoon. It's just a normal family running a normal burger joint. Except they find themselves in comedic situations every episode.
You've got Bob, the sarcastic family man who just wants his restaurant to succeed; Linda, the boisterous and loving (not to mention wine-loving) mom; Tina, the awkward butt-obsessed teenager; Gene, the middle-child and king of witty one-liners; and Louise, the youngest kid, whose mischievousness is constantly getting her into trouble.
Plus, this show has got some of the best side characters: Teddy, Mr. Fishoeder, Gale, Mr. Frond, etc.
If you don't think you like animated shows, but you're looking to test the waters, Bob's Burgers is absolutely the show to do it with.
Want to watch Bob's Burgers? There's a drinking game for that.
2. Futurama
Futurama may have the best story of any TV series – and we're not just talking about animated shows. It's got the perfect smattering of characters – a man who finds himself 1000 years in the future, his elderly mad-scientist descendant, a cantankerous drunk robot, a doctor lobster, a one-eyed space captain, and more.
It's almost impossible to describe how funny this show is. Futurama is chock-full of clever jokes and well-aimed references. What's really unique about Futurama is that the show ran for 10 seasons over 14 years, and yet it never jumped the shark. The last seasons are just as good as the first seasons.
Want to watch Futurama? There's a drinking game for that.
3. King of the Hill
This show is about as "normal" as you get – none of the crazy elements you sometimes see in adult animated shows. You've got a small-town family and their small-town problems, like trying to bake the best frito pie, not letting neighbors know their son is competing in a husky boys modeling show, and convincing people of the merits of propane (because butane is the bastard gas, of course).
If you can get over the sort of odd way the characters are drawn (and the fact that Bobby is 100% Pajama Sam) you might enjoy binging this animated family comedy.
Want to watch King of the Hill? There's a drinking game for that.
4. Close Enough
This is another new show that debuted in the summer of 2020. It was created by JG Quintel, the creator of another animated program, Regular Show.
Close Enough centers around a married couple and their kid, as well as their divorced roommates. It's got some weird elements (stripper clowns, talking animals, and murderous education robots, to name a few), but under all that it's a pretty relatable family just trying to navigate parenting and finances and cope with the sudden realization that they're "old" (aka in their 30s).
Want to watch Close Enough? There's a drinking game for that.


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A sudden fire that broke out last night around 10:27 p.m. at the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando (Website) on Conroy Road resulted in the tragic death of a number of shelter animals.
A fire that is believed to have started in the front of the building, kept rescue crews away from rescuing roughly 20-30 cats that were trapped near the source. Rescue workers were able to remove all of the dogs from the back of the building before the fire spread.
All of the rescued animals will be relocated to the Pet Alliance's Sanford location though roughly half of them are currently being housed in foster families.
The Pet Alliance made news last week when it was announced that the organization would be temporarily closing its clinic services at the Conroy Road location by September 17. The decision was made when the director of the Alliance, Steve Bardy, was faced with having to hire a new veterinarian, which is apparently very difficult at the moment as the nation is experiencing a veterinarian shortage.
The Alliance was still providing shelter services and pet adoptions from this location.
You can donate to the Pet Alliance by clicking HERE. They are also accepting donations of towels and wet cat food.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.


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The Building Renovation
The sensitive restoration of Dorich House commenced in 1994, following the appointment of the architects David Brown and Partners. When completed two years later, an article in the Surrey County Magazine in October 1996 concluded "The restoration aimed to recreate the atmosphere of the calm and focused lives of Dora and Richard's heyday in the first 'modern era' of our century, before the intrusive noises of the electronic age shattered the peace".
Architect Sally Brown, who worked on the project, recalled the enormous amount of research that took place in preparation in order to respond to the brief of minimum intervention and a renovation "completely in sympathy with the original building". Documentation from the National Monuments Records Centre in Swindon (now the Historic England Archive) including photographs, press cuttings and information about the original materials and finishes of Dorich House aided this research.
A team of consultants was chosen to work alongside David Brown and Partners and their first task was to carry out a series of investigative works to evaluate the condition of the building and determine the remedial actions required to restore and convert it for University use. Reviewing the refurbishment of Dorich House in The Architects' Journal in September 1996, Andrew Mead described how the building would "serve various educational purposes for the university while showing, to their advantage, the artworks that Gordine both made and collected."
Once the initial investigative works had been carried out, including a thorough and accurate assessment of the entire plot, a full set of plans, elevations, sections and detail drawings were produced by the architects. These documented the house alterations and the works involved in modifying the landscaping. In a recent interview, Sally Brown recalled some of the key considerations in the refurbishment of the house.
A major part of the restoration was "to make the building watertight". There was serious water ingress on the top floor in the apartment and in the first floor modelling studio. On the top floor terrace and sleeping area "the roofing had to be completely lifted because the whole thing was leaking like a sieve". The roof was stripped to slab level, re-insulated and re-asphalted. "But in putting the new paving down and the new roofing it was designed so that it looked like the original quarry tile paving on the top terrace".
Another extensive part of the restoration project was the replacement of the windows, which had rusted to such a degree that this was the only course of action. The window subcontractor, Clement Brothers, still produced the original metal sections used at Dorich House and, in addition, had developed a method for double-glazing and weather stripping which was adopted throughout. As Brown explained, an added complication was the fact that the "big windows in the main studio and under studio… had to have new structural steelwork".
Brickwork and Exterior Finishes
The house, built with cavity walls for the most part, solid in places, required small areas of the unusual brickwork to be replaced, most obviously beneath the two large lunettes on the north elevation. Sally Brown explained that Gordine "used bricks that were in current use in the 1930's for making railway cuttings and railway embankments… very industrial semi-engineering bricks which are quite hard… and we needed to have something to match. There was this tiny brickworks in Wales that was still making them. And we were able to source enough to do what remedial brickwork was needed on the outside to match what was there".
Externally, Brown explained the difficulty in sourcing suitable materials and finishes, noting of the unusual pink drainpipes and pink render on the roof terrace – "that's how they were originally… we had to take off the original pink render around the top and find a substitute for it. And it did come up slightly brighter than the original. But we had to find products that would more or less completely copy what was there".
Internal Alterations and Building Regulations
In order to convert Dorich House for University use, a number of internal alterations were required to bring it up to modern standards. A formal Change of Use under Planning and Building Regulations had to be obtained. In addition, as the building was Grade II listed, any alterations required Listed Building Consent. On the first floor, the suite of rooms that had comprised Gordine's modelling studio and gallery had to be separated with new fire doors.
The required separation of the floors was achieved by the provision of a new partition at the head of the stairs from first to second floor, with an inward opening door to the top floor apartment. Sally Brown recalled that the flat had to have its own separate escape method and that "By great good fortune there was a tiny space off the kitchen in the flat, which housed originally a dumb waiter which went from that level down to the boiler room at the back and out into the garden which she [Dora Gordine] used for shopping and such things… so we were able to get a spiral staircase there…that was extremely fortunate because otherwise we would have had to put a ghastly construction on the back with a staircase attached".
On the first floor, Brown explained "We had to introduce the big double doors that go into the main studio and into the gallery". Prior to this, there had only been a curtain separating the gallery and nothing but an open arch into the modelling studio. Brown recalled the sourcing of the bronze door handles for these new fire doors, which "seemed to be absolutely right for the doors we'd designed". Not custom made, but unusual and in the spirit of the 1930's house design.
On the ground floor, alterations to the space included the conversion of the garage into an internal store and an externally accessed meter area by the insertion of a new wall. Ground floor toilets were incorporated, together with two office spaces, one in Richard Hare's former study and the other in the maid's former bedroom. The plaster studio was, as Brown explained, "brought back to how it had been" and included the restoration of the original manual sculpture hoist to bring it back into use.
In Gordine's time, wrought iron gates were added to the staircase for security. These were removed when the building was renovated and were incorporated into the new hardwood doors at the entrance to the house.
Interior Finishes, Decorations and Services
The original hardwood jarrah flooring which flowed from the entrance right up through to the top floor apartment was largely in reasonable condition, apart from the floor in the modelling studio, which Brown recalled was severely water damaged. Fortunately, they were able to lift the timber and source wood to patch and repair, bringing the floors back into good condition.
The hard wearing terracotta quarry tile in the plaster studio was in good condition and required minimal work to restore.
Internally, Brown recalled the paint colours when she first arrived on site, "I recollect they had to do with the filming that was done there. They painted the entire thing this macabre greyish purple colour". Fortunately though, Brown continued, "We found in old documentation, a list of the original colours that were specified. And so we were able to almost throughout the building, bring back the colours Dora originally had. And in the case of the studios, the texture that was on the walls, which was as near as possible to the original, which we did by using masonry paint…even the yellow up in the kitchen was as originally specified".
Another unusual feature of the building was the heating. Brown remembers "huge hot water pipes embedded in the corners between the floors and the walls" which had to be removed and replaced with small pipes "and radiators that looked as period as possible".
Fixtures and Fittings and Furnishings
Careful attention was given to the lighting. New spotlights were added to the modelling studio, apartment and the offices, but fittings designed by Gordine were restored, including the unusual light fittings made from rice workers' hats in the plaster and modelling studios. To the disbelief of the contractors, Brown explained that they "spent quite a lot of money having some of the best of them [rice workers hats] put in the plaster studio and modelling studio. We put aluminium supports in them to make them usable and modern day and suspend them properly".
Fortunately, many of the building's unique details required minimal work to restore. The original fireplaces, the moon doors in the top floor apartment and the stair balustrade details were not in need of major refurbishment and with careful attention were returned to their original appearance.
Furnishing Additions
Towards the end of the project, the architects were commissioned to furnish the apartment in a style that complemented the 1930s. Rugs were commissioned from Jason Collingwood and a new sofa and armchairs purchased for the living room. A new dining table and buffet were designed by Sally Brown to be used by University staff and visitors and to sit alongside smaller items of original furniture from the house.
In 1998, the success of the refurbishment was recognised with a prestigious Civic Trust commendation. The scheme marks exceptional architectural and environmental projects around the UK and the citation described the building as "making a valuable contribution to the quality and appearance of the environment". The commendation was also a tribute to the hard work and dedication of the project team.
Looking back at the awful condition of Dorich House when she and David were first invited to renovate it, and at what they and all those involved had achieved, Sally Brown concluded "It was an astonishing project to be involved in, really lucky. Yes – you see through the mess!"
David Brown and Partners kindly donated their architectural plans and records of the renovation of Dorich House to the museum's archive. As part of this strand of the project, with training from our project archivist Nancy Lyons, our volunteers have photographed and catalogued the architectural plans. Staff at Kingston School of Art's state-of-the-art photography facilities supported them to develop their skills in digitising the large format plans and records. These plans are now available for Kingston University staff and students to access as a learning resource and provide a valuable record of the works undertaken.
Published as part of the project The Squatter Years: Recovering Dorich House Museum's Recent Past, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, February 2021.


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A Response to "It's Not Your Meat": Dr. John Fischer
In the interest of complete disclosure, and for the sake of transparency, I have to admit at the very outset of this response paper that I am deeply troubled about Paul Saal's paper. I have a serious difficulty with it and with its argument, and because of this I am uncertain as to how to respond and what I can say. I am in a real quandary over this. I have carefully read through my friend's paper, and I have been asked to present a paper in response to what he has written. What can one say honestly in a situation such as this? Here is my predicament: I find myself in agreement with what he has presented; I am unsure what I can add to it. However, I did accept this responsibility so I have searched intently and intensively to find something about which to quibble a bit while reviewing this articulate paper. I hope I have succeeded.
Furthermore, I need to admit to a personal bias. I really like animals; I am likely to pet any that cross my path. My wife Patrice often points out to others that I will go up to a strange dog on the street, pet it, and allow it to "kiss" me. As far as I am concerned, petting zoos are not just for kids; they are for me. This is consistent with my motto: "growing old is inevitable; growing up is optional."
I also have a problem with quite how to refer to my friend Paul Saal. If I refer to him as Paul, someone may well think I am referencing the Apostle. On the other hand, if I call him Rabbi Saal, I encounter the same difficulty. So for the sake of clarity in this paper, he will be Paul, and the author of Scripture I will call Rav Shaul. Now that I have dealt with the problems inherent in my paper, I will proceed with my response.
Having very recently conducted a memorial service, I am very much attuned to Paul reminding us that kindness to animals is inherently an essential part of one of the pillars of gemilut hasadim (acts of genuine kindness). The truly great acts of genuine kindness are those in which the recipient cannot possibly reward the participant. This clearly applies to the care and protection of animals. We live in a time in which greed, acquiring and accumulating all kinds of "stuff," extravagant consumption and rampant consumerism, and satisfying ourselves appear to be among the paramount objectives of modern (or post-modern) life. Kindness to animals can provide very little by way of tangible reward in this kind of context. On the other hand, I am not sure I would describe Messianic Judaism in the same way Paul does, as existing in a "self-induced coma of individual and communal narcissism." Winds of both individual and communal narcissism do waft through our movement more regularly than many of us might wish. However, Paul's description, though properly passionate, seems a bit too excessive.
Paul also rightly reminds us of the point of several pertinent Scripture texts. Deuteronomy 25:4 (not muzzling the ox used in harvesting grain) and its use in 1 Corinthians 9:7-9 are among the biblical passages that prominently leap into many of our minds. While Rav Shaul clearly points out God's concern for his servants, he does just as clearly build his argument for this on God's care for animals (kal va'homer) as Paul points out. In light of this hermeneutical connection, our concern for the "animal kingdom" may well then be quite indicative of how we tend to care for the human family. It is a perspective well worth keeping in mind. Deuteronomy 22:6 provides us additional insight on animals from God's perspective. He instructs us to chase away the mother bird when removing her eggs from the nest. This implies that God regards the maternal "feelings" of the mother bird (as per Maimonides, Wesley, Telushkin, and Paul). To this we may aptly add the words of Yeshua: "Look at the birds in the air… . [Y]our heavenly Father feeds them." (See Matt 6:26, leading into another kal va'homer argument regarding God's greater care for us). Then, of course, God expresses his care for animals in his rebuke to Jonah: "Ninevah has…many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?" (Jonah 4:11) Strikingly, this is how the book concludes. God also cares about cattle. In fact, God cares so much for cattle – and for his other creatures – that he instructed us to make sure that they get to observe Shabbat as we observe Shabbat
(Ex 23:12), a rather radical idea.
Furthermore, thank you Paul, for citing the words of the Catholic Church catechism:
Animals are God's creatures. He surrounds them with providential care. By their mere existence they bless him and give him glory. Thus men owe them kindness. …The Creator, however, entrusted animals to the stewardship of those he created in his image. Hence it is legitimate to use animals for food or clothing. They may be domesticated to help man in his work and leisure. Medical and scientific experimentation on animals, if it remains within reasonable limits, is a morally acceptable practice since it contributes to caring for or saving human lives… . It is contrary to human dignity to cause animals to suffer or die needlessly.
The guidelines found in the Encyclopedia of Jewish Medical Ethics, which Paul rightly includes are also right on point regarding how humans should treat animals. Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch provides some additional insight to this discussion as he succinctly articulates the Jewish perspective on our relationship to animals:
Here you are faced with God's teaching, which obliges you not only to refrain from inflicting unnecessary pain on any animal, but to help and, when you can, to lessen the pain whenever you see an animal suffering, even through no fault of yours.1
One might also recall that the great Judah HaNasi endured kidney stones and other painful ailments due to his insensitivity to the "feelings" of a calf which was about to be slaughtered. He was later healed when he demonstrated kindness to animals (Baba Metzia 85a).
Given God's concern for animals, Paul raises a relevant question. Why do we hear so relatively little publicly from believers in Yeshua about this subject? Why the apathy and, in frequent cases, hostility? And to this I might add, why the avid interest in – and overly passionate defense of – hunting for the sake of pure sport among these same circles? Here, I concur with his assessment. Real concern for animals might just require some self-limitation, self-discipline, and self-sacrifice. The antagonism towards a genuine caring approach and response may well be part of an almost knee-jerk reaction to feared government encroachment on individual rights and its perceived impingement of unfettered choices. A concerted program taking into account so-called animal "rights" may smack of a suggestion of limits on "our precious freedoms." A society too often stamped by self-gratification would suspect and resent such "restrictions." I suspect that these same impulses may well be in play in the rather frequent theological reactions to Torah and tradition as "legalism."
Also to be appreciated is Paul's response to those who would flippantly raise the issue that the relief of human misery always trumps any money spent on animal care. Judaism has clear and concrete guidelines – such as those referenced above – that inform the prioritizing and balancing of the values of relief of human misery and concern for animals. They also guard against the "commercial distortion" of these very values. Additionally, he deftly exposes the soft underbelly of the foundation of Peter Singer's (and similar others such as PETA's) thinking and its undue emphasis on the inviolability of animal rights. The human is not just another animal; there are clear differences between the two. Therefore, the eating of meat cannot blithely be equated with genocide. Paul rightly observes that a better approach to concern for animals would emphasize human responsibility to act kindly rather than stress animal rights.
Unfortunately, political lines and religious boundaries have imposed themselves on this discussion, as Paul notes. Kindness to animals should not be a combatant in – nor should it be a casualty of – the so-called battle for faith or the culture wars. To assume that what is good for animals is bad for humans – or bad for this country – betrays a false dichotomy. And, one might just suspect that commercial interests have tried to help frame the discussion in ways more sympathetic to themselves.
In his discussion of the sacrifice system and its relationship to animal welfare, Paul points out both the similarities and differences between the practices of ancient Israel and those of the surrounding cultures. In doing so, he effectively stresses how profoundly and uniquely the character of God and the nature of the covenant relationship shape Israel's understanding of, and participation in, the sacrifices. And, as Paul so nicely put it:
The community of faith put incredible energy and attentiveness into these offerings as material gestures, which defined the importance of God for the life of the community. The various sacrificial practices prescribed for Israel were vehicles designed to celebrate, affirm, enhance, or repair the defining relationship between them and God.
Furthermore, the very specific nature of the sacrificial guidelines proved more limiting and more humane when compared with the practices of their neighbors, as he argues. Moreover, since an animal can be offered as a ransom for a human, clearly the animal's life is to be highly valued. It is much more valuable than mere property. The sacrifice system intended that Israel be "brought face to face with the horror of animal death," the extreme cost of atonement. This could not effectively take place if the life of the animal was not of great value. The issue of borrowing and/or sharing of practices among neighboring cultures can be quite complex. G.E. Wright's, The Old Testament Against Its Environment and J.H. Walton's, Ancient Israelite Literature in Its Cultural Context clarify the uniqueness of Israel's practices in contrast to those of surrounding nations.
The brief discussion of human sacrifice in the Bible, from my perspective, was not essential to the argument. I also found it – and the references cited – a bit distracting. (I did commit to a bit of quibbling.) In the Jeremiah 19:5 text the practice is clearly condemned. Disapproval of the actions of Jephthah appears to be implied in Judges 11:29-40. The language of Micah 6:6-8 related to human sacrifice comes across as purely rhetorical, a poetic literary device not intended to imply the appropriateness of human sacrifice in any way. And, 2 Kings 3:26-27 is a reference to Moabite, not Israelite, practice. The topic seems irrelevant here.
I admit to being troubled by the statement that "Romans and Hebrews both seem to agree that Yeshua as a sacrifice to God has replaced the 'well worn' system of the Hebrew Scriptures, replete with animal sacrifices." In light of the continued apostolic sacrifices found in Acts, the texts in Romans and Hebrews can be understood differently: Yeshua's sacrifice builds on, and comes within, the framework of the sacrifice system, thereby effecting ultimate atonement. Regardless, Paul's statement remains intact and on target: "Without taking seriously the efficacious material gesture, as well as the pure brutality of animal sacrifices, the Apostolic Witness claims simply do not work." And this is predicated on the importance of animal life. In light of this, I fully sympathize with Paul's uncertainty about whether eating meat in proximity to celebrating Hazikaron "makes poignant or banal the sacrificial work of Yeshua."
I thoroughly appreciated Paul connecting Yeshua's statement to the thief (Luke 23:43) to both the rabbinic concept of Gan Eden and the functioning of the Mishkan. Yeshua sacrificed himself to repair the "relational disharmony" effected by our actions. This severed relationship with God impacted not only us but the entirety of creation as well, as Scripture (and Paul) notes. So Yeshua's repairing of the disharmony repairs not only our relationship with God but potentially the created order as well, as Paul's citation of Isaiah 11:6-7 reminds us. The time will come when "the wolf will dwell with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the kid… ." Rav Shaul also looks forward to this time when all of creation eagerly longs for, when "creation itself will be liberated from its bondage and brought into glorious freedom… ." (Rom 8:19ff.)
Paul effectively interconnected the two divine assignments to humans (Gen 1:28 and 2:15). We do "image God" both as kings and as servants. This shapes our understanding of our God-given tasks. Shaped by this perspective, "dominion" does not license unrestricted freedom nor allow for exploitation and misuse of animals. God serves as our model here. As he cares for animal well-being, so should we. As he "serves" creation as its compassionate and generous ruler, so should we, especially in light of our ultimate paradigm, Yeshua, "who came to serve, not to be served." (Mark 10:45). Paul rightly concludes: "It would appear from the narratives of Genesis 1-2 and from the messianic expectation of Isaiah 11, that animals were originally [and even ultimately] intended for a more intimate relationship with humanity than a mere food source." And we might well add: or for our entertainment and use.
Many have cited Yeshua's instruction to love our enemies (Matt 5:43) as an example of the radical nature and newness of his teaching. As a result I appreciated Paul referencing Exodus 23:5 as a prior example of loving our enemies. We show love to our enemy by caring for his/her lost or hurt animals. The lost and hurt animal is important to God and to our enemy. Our concern demonstrates God's concern to our enemy and may well win him/her to God. As Paul reminded us: "The rabbinic tradition for keeping Torah can surprisingly [or perhaps not so surprisingly] help facilitate living out the moral vision of the Besorah as well, if the two are understood in a comprehensive narrative scheme where the latter does not abrogate the former."
I can think of no better way to conclude my response than by quoting Paul's conclusion.
Still, any efforts we can make to place limitations upon ourselves can only prove to be helpful, not only in decreasing the suffering of the animal population, but also by training us to be better stewards of the Earth's resources which are not ours but Adonai's.
(Lev 25:23)
After all, this was the first assignment God gave us.
1 Cited in "Frequently Asked Questions About Judaism and Animal Issues,"http://jewishveg.com/schwartz/faq_animals.html. This is a very good summary of information pertinent to this and related issues. Other helpful sites are: http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/animals.html; and http://www.jewfaq.org/animals.html


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The author, Monisha Rajesh announces her plans to circumnavigate the globe in eighty train journeys with her fiancé, Jem. Her carefully planned journey takes her over 72,000 kilometers and some of the highlights include her journey on the Qinghai railway in Tibet and the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. She visits countries like Russia, Mongolia, North Korea and many others.
As with most journeys' mayhem ensures, friendships are made and they come across many travellers along the way to swap stories with. They also see some amazing views.
The book is funny, clever, explores different places and cultures. I think if she had included a map that chronicled her journey it would have made the book extra special. I also think more details of the routes would have been useful to readers.
Rajesh says it best "A strip of red sky lay against a sliver of silver lake as though fire danced on the water. I wanted to capture the moment and keep it alive, touching my head to the glass to bring it closer. Until now I had taken the train for granted, dismissing it as just another long-distance service to endure. But I saw now that this train carved up the earth, shining a light into its darkest corners. It unlocked the land and threw open the skies, revealing forests tall and fearful, the night gold and bright."
I enjoyed reading this book and for all train enthusiasts out there, this book is a great way to travel around the world.


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Safety and Security Partnerships
Safety and Security Partnerships
State law authorizes the placement of local law enforcement or security personnel on school campuses through MOUs or partnership agreements.
3 V.I.C. § 262 Bureau of School Security
(a) There is established within the Department, Police Division, a Bureau of School Security, in the District of St. Thomas/St. John and in the District of St. Croix. The Bureau shall be headed by a Commander, who shall be a ranking police officer.
(b) The Commander shall perform such functions as may be prescribed by the Chief of Police. The Commander shall have the power and it shall be the duty of the Commander to implement, administer, supervise, and coordinate all programs and policies to ensure adequate protection of all public school buildings, property, students, personnel, and equipment. The Commander shall perform all duties in cooperation with the Commissioner of the Department of Education and shall establish a liaison within the Department of Education to carry out the provisions of this section.
(c) The Commander shall report on the preparation of the annual budget and on detailed information on the future needs and past accomplishments of the Bureau of School Security. Such report shall be submitted to the Commissioners of Education and Police, with a joint report forwarded to the Governor by the Commissioners, not later than February 1 of each year. The Commissioner of Police shall, in consultation with the Commissioner of Education and in the manner prescribed by law, promulgate rules and regulations for the proper administration of the Bureau of School Security.
(d) The Commander shall provide twenty-four hour security services for each public high school and each public junior high school in the Territory. The Commander shall provide such other appropriate security measures for the various other schools, property, personnel, and equipment in consultation with the Commissioner of Education.
(e) The Commissioner of Police, in consultation with the Department of Education, may utilize security guard services of private companies to supplement the Bureau of School Security.


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Detecting Opioids with the new FLIR G510 Portable GC-MS
24th August 2017
Clandestine drug labs are not a new problem for responders, but they are growing in number and present potentially dangerous crime scenes. One of the fastest growing opioid threats is fentanyl, which not only poses significant danger to responders, but also to the wider community.
Fentanyl is most commonly distributed as powder, pill, or patch. A person can overdose by simply touching or inhaling a small amount. Indeed, if fentanyl is suspected, the US Drug Enforcement Agency already recommends that law enforcement officers do not field test drugs, but should immediately engage Hazardous Materials Incident Reponse Teams.
To that point, FLIR have developed an application note that discusses how portable gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GC-MS) equipment like the Griffin G510 can help hazardous materials (HAZMAT) response teams quickly perform on-scene identification of narcotics. This application note specifically demonstrates detection of:
Diacetylmorphine - the most common chemical name for heroin
Fentanyl - commonly cut with heroin
Pyridine - a solvent used in the production of fentanyl
For further information about the G510 and its applications, please contact James Tomlinson at Southern Scientific on 01273 497600 or 07423 474907.