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By the mid-'80s and the release of North America on the European Moers label (later re-released by Cuneiform with live bonus tracks), the bandmembers included guitarists Fred Frith and Mark Howell along with drummer Pippin Barnett. Barnett was a founding member of the Orthotonics and later performed with Cora in the Swiss group Nimal; Cora was also a founding member of Skeleton Crew with Frith and played with many downtown artists of the era, including Eugene Chadbourne and John Zorn. Maverick keyboardist Wayne Horvitz played on Curlew's third album, Live in Berlin, a release that also saw the arrival of guitarist Davey Williams, who -- along with Barnett (and of course Cartwright) -- would remain a mainstay of the band for a number of years.
Curlew's first album of the 1990s (a studio recording released by Cuneiform) was Bee, and marked the first appearance of bassist (and vocalist on a fine rendition of Cream's As You Said) Ann Rupel, who also played in the group No Safety. One of Curlew's more experimental releases, the 1993 A Beautiful Western Saddle, featured singer Amy Denio and lyrics by poet Paul Haines. By 1996's Paradise, drummer Barnett had been replaced by Samm Bennett, also a member of Third Person, a trio that included Cora. Bennett was also leader of the N.Y.C. jazz-rock band Chunk. In addition, Paradise featured Chris Cochrane, another member of No Safety, on second guitar. By 1998's Fabulous Drop, Bennett was gone from the drummer's chair, replaced by Kenny Wollesen, one of the most prolific drummers in New York creative jazz.
By the new millennium, most vestiges of the downtown scene had moved from the geographic center of Lower Manhattan, with punky CBGB and the late-arriving avant jazz-centered Tonic soon to disappear and the Knitting Factory long having hitched its wagon to more mainstream rock (the Stone remaining one of the few venues consistently serving up adventurous creative fare on the Lower East Side). While Brooklyn (where a lot of "downtowners" lived anyway) in many ways took over as the locus for what might have been termed downtown music in earlier decades, by then George Cartwright had moved to -- somewhat surprisingly -- the Twin Cities of Minnesota, while still fully immersed in avant jazz and keeping the Curlew story alive and ongoing.
The ironically titled Meet the Curlews (released in 2002, again on Cuneiform) featured Cartwright and Williams with a band whose members lived in places that would make the prospect of weekly rehearsals exceedingly difficult: drummer Bruce Golden (who Cartwright says is his "oldest [and] longest...musical pal") is a lifelong Mississippean, keyboardist Chris Parker lives in Memphis, and bassist Fred Chalenor (Wayne Horvitz, Hughscore) is from Seattle. In 2003 this lineup, with Minnesota guitarist Dean Granros replacing Davey Williams, appeared on Mercury, the eighth Curlew album to be released by Cuneiform. Regarding Williams, Cartwright vowed "he'll be back," suggesting the possibility of a two-guitar lineup with both Williams and Granros at some point in the future. The diverse energy of Curlew's various bandmembers has kept the group continually on the creative cutting edge throughout its history, and any particular version of the band is filled with surprises and dynamic musical interactions. ~ Bill Tilland & Dave Lynch, Rovi


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Barely a month has passed since we welcomed our latest guest illustrator, Chuck Anderson, and now it's already time to say goodbye. We definitely enjoyed having Chuck join us for a while and hope you did as well.
Here are some of the posts Chuck illustrated during his time with Gizmodo:
- The Secret Histories of Those @#$%ing Computer Symbols
- The Best (Phone) Sex of Your Life
- Vocab Lesson: Thermocouples
- The Faucet Gets Smart
- Obsession: Video Pinball
- The Secret Scam of Cheap Earbuds
- Vocab Lesson: Vapor-Metalized Plastic
- Canned Beer Is The Future of Good Beer
- The Mystery of Steve Jobs' Plateless Benz
- Wait-Who the Hell is Mark Hurd?
If you want to keep up with Chuck beyond his stint at Gizmodo be sure to check out his site, No Pattern, or follow him on Twitter. If you want to know more about the charitable projects he supports, take a look at Word Made Flesh, Invisible Children, charity:water and To Write Love On Her Arms.

subset: commoncrawl


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Chet Flippo loved to tell the story of his first glimpse of Rolling Stone. He was in the Navy, and he and his buddies were sitting on the fantail of a destroyer, smoking pot and marveling that finally there was a magazine covering everything they were interested in. About a year later, he got his first RS assignment: Janis Joplin's high school reunion in Port Arthur, Texas.
Fast forward to a decade later. Native Texan Chet and a staff mostly transplanted from San Francisco were ensconced in the magazine's New York offices on Fifth Avenue. By virtue of his seniority, Chet was dean of the music writers, an absurdly talented bunch that included Dave Marsh, James Henke, Charles M. Young, Timothy White, Kurt Loder and Paul Nelson. Almost from the start, Chet was the magazine's country music advocate, but like his peers, his versatility took him in many directions.
He did Rolling Stone Interviews with Chet Atkins and John Denver, but he also did one with Tom Wolfe, and profiled the peripatetic, chain-smoking New York Post police beat writer Steve Dunleavy. He wrote about filmmaker George Romero, and managed to wangle a bit part as a zombie in Dawn of the Dead. He was savvy about the music business, and produced thoughtful articles on Clive Davis' resurgence as the head of Arista Records, as well as Seymour Stein's new wave/punk label Sire Records, which produced albums by Talking Heads, the Dead Boys and Richard Hell and the Voidoids. He visited the Mexican set of Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, interviewing the unlikely trio of Kris Kristofferson, Bob Dylan and Sam Peckinpah. He tirelessly chronicled the ongoing adventures of the Rolling Stones from 1975 to 1980, and the articles did not always please them.
I was Chet's primary editor for most of the decade, and we also became friends by phone, since he was in Austin and later, New York, while I was still in San Francisco. And then came the day in 1975, when I sent Chet the galleys of his RS Interview with squeaky-clean John Denver. The phone rang.
Chet: "Why did you take out the word 'fuck?'"
Me: "I didn't. There were hardly any expletives. It's John Denver!"
Chet: "He said it! Check the transcripts."
I went to the fact-checkers and got a copy of the transcripts. They were the rawest transcripts I had ever seen. Chet didn't draw Xs through paragraphs or cut line by line. He took what looked like a Number One pencil, soft leaded, and obliterated entire pages with a series of whorls that looked like two-dimensional tumbleweed. I spent about an hour poring over the pages, going cross-eyed, when I suddenly spotted a tiny "fuck" peeking through a tornado of whirls. When I determined that it had actually come from Denver's mouth, we decided where to place it, satisfied that we'd show the world a G-rated folk singer could swear like a sailor on shore leave.
When I moved to New York City the following year, Chet and his wonderful wife Martha Hume eased my transition from SF to Manhattan with friendship and hospitality. The annual Kentucky Derby party at their East Side apartment was a favorite event. Chet would mix serious mint juleps, and Martha, wearing an outrageous Derby Day hat, would serve her amazing fried chicken.
In those days Rolling Stone was still housed in a rabbit's warren of offices on East 56th Street. Chet and I adopted Wilde's, an Irish bar downstairs, as our after-work watering hole. He also introduced me to The Bottom Line, the city's prime music venue of the day. I became an enthusiastic regular.
Reading tributes to Chet over the past couple of days, via the Internet, Facebook or e-mails, I discovered a side I wasn't aware of: He was a fine teacher and editor, as well as a writer. Early in their careers, accomplished journalists such as Maryanne Vollers, Mitch Glazer and Mikal Gilmore were inspired by Chet's wisdom, and yes, his grace. New York Daily News music critic Jim Farber put it succinctly: "I met Chet as a nervous 17 year old, who had just written his first piece for Rolling Stone. He was kindly and generous with his advice. Chet Flippo provided an object lesson on how to write about music fairly, vividly, and with love."


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Question: "What is an alabaster box?"Recommended Resource:
The Bible speaks of an alabaster box in the two incidents involving women, one of whom was Mary of Bethany, who brought ointment in the box to anoint Jesus. The Greek word translated "alabaster box" in the KJV, as well as "flask," "jar" and "vial" in other translations, is alabastron, which can also mean "perfume vase."
The fact that both women carried an alabaster box of ointment with which to anoint Jesus as He was eating a meal has given rise to a certain amount of confusion about these two separate incidents involving two different women. Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9, and John 12:1-8 all speak of the same event involving Mary of Bethany, sister of Martha and Lazarus, at the home of Simon the leper, probably a leper who had been healed by Jesus and had become one of His followers. This event occurred in Bethany just days before the crucifixion, which is why Mary came to anoint Jesus for the event to come. "She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial" (Mark 14:8). Mary is never referred to as a sinner in any of the accounts of her. Nor does it say she was weeping.
On the other hand, Luke 7:36-50 speaks of the house of Simon the Pharisee rather than the house of Simon the leper. This event occurred about a year before the crucifixion in the area around Galilee (Luke 7:1, 11). The woman here was forgiven of many sins, but her name is not given. While Mary of Bethany possessed insight as to the upcoming death of Christ, the woman of Luke had no such insight; she exhibited just loving worship of the One who forgave her of her sins. There certainly are many similarities in these incidents that have caused some confusion, one of which is the presence of an alabaster box.
Alabaster was a stone commonly found in Israel. It was a hard stone resembling white marble and is referred to as one of the precious stones used in the decoration of Solomon's Temple (1 Chronicles 29:2). In Song of Songs, the beloved man is described as having legs like "alabaster columns" (ESV) or "pillars of marble" (NIV, KJV). So the container the two women used to carry the perfumed oil was made of a white, marble-like substance. Ointment, oils and perfumes used to be put in vessels made of alabaster, which kept them pure and unspoiled. The boxes were often sealed or made fast with wax, to prevent the perfume from escaping. When Mary broke open her alabaster box, "the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume" (John 12:3). Alabaster was a strong enough substance to keep the oil or perfume completely contained until the time of its use.
What is an alabaster box?
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P.O. Box 12068, State Capitol
Austin, Texas 78711
Tel. (512) 463-0112
October 18, 2012
AUSTIN — Texas State Senator Jane Nelson received one of the inaugural Bell Helicopter Legislative Leadership Awards from Bell Helicopter on Tuesday. The award is a tribute to elected officials who have supported the aerospace and defense industry and fostered economic growth in Texas and the United States.
"As a businesswoman in the aviation industry, I am honored to receive this award," said Senator Nelson. "In addition to providing jobs and economic opportunities in our region, Bell Helicopter has played an important role in our national defense. As the daughter of a World War II veteran, I am grateful for Bell Helicopter's efforts to keep Americans safe."
Senator Nelson represents District 12, encompassing parts of Denton and Tarrant counties. She was elected to the Senate after serving two terms on the State Board of Education. Senator Nelson was the first Republican woman to chair a major Senate committee and serves as Chairman of the Senate Health and Human Services and as a member of the Senate Finance Committee. Next session, she will be the highest ranking Republican in the Senate.
"Senator Nelson is a champion for the aerospace and defense industry," said Robert Hastings, Senior Vice President for Bell Helicopter. "We recognize her commitment to the service of others and appreciate Senator Nelson's tireless efforts to make Texas a place that thrives economically, strengthens us socially and preserves the qualities of life that make this such a great place to live and work."


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THSCC Rallycross Points #1 & #2
Tarheel Sports Car Club
Registration closed March 15, 2020 10:30 AM on March 15, 2020 10:30 AM EDT Registration ends March 15, 2020 10:30 AM on March 15, 2020 10:30 AM EDT Registration opens February 6, 2020 12:01 PM on February 6, 2020 12:01 PM EST Registration runs from February 6, 2020 12:01 PM to March 15, 2020 10:30 AM
The THSCC March Rallycross season kickoff for 2020 is at the Wilson County Fairgrounds located in Wilson, NC. Gates open at 8:00 AM for setup, course walking, tech inspection and visiting. The drivers meeting is at 9:30 AM with the first car off as soon as everyone is in place.
This site is large, flat and smooth with a good mix of gravel, sand and grass. The nearest restaurant is across the street so picnicking is optional. If you have questions or are interested in helping setup the course, please contact us.
Google maps shows the Fairgrounds accurately. The entrance to the rallycross site is the gate at the far left as you face the site.
- Day 1: $40
- Day 2: $40
- Both Days: $70 - Save $10
Note: You may register at the event for an additional $5 fee.
We encourage you to prepay online through the secure MotorsportReg website. Payment is deferred and accounts will not be charged until registration closes, so if you register and find out that you can't make it please cancel your registration prior to registration closing and you will not get charged. If you prefer to register at the event, you will be charged the increased day-of registration fee.
If you would like to redeem an event voucher (i.e. Season Passes or Event Passes) please register normally online and then email the registrar firstname.lastname@example.com and your registration will be modified accordingly.
Event Schedule - Both Days
|Gates Open
|Tech Inspection
|Registration Check-In
|Drivers' Meeting
|First Car Off


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International payments expert takes up CEO role at GFG Group
Auckland, New Zealand. 21 February 2013. Electronic payments solutions and services
company GFG Group has appointed Andreas Kazamias to the position of Chief
Executive Officer, based in Auckland.
In this global role, Kazamias takes responsibility for the strategic leadership of GFG Group, guiding implementation of the company plan and operational performance of all the GFG Group companies.
GFG Group Chairman Ralph Green says the new appointment is highly strategic as the company looks to accelerate growth for its electronic payments products and services, particularly in developing countries across Africa, Asia and South America.
Originally from Australia, Andreas Kazamias is currently Chief Information Officer for online foreign exchange trading group Easy Forex, based at the company's headquarters in Cyprus. Easy Forex has clients in over 160 countries, with offices in the UK and Poland, and a separately licensed company in Australia. The CIO role is a global position. Kazamias takes up the CEO role at GFG Group on 11 March 2013.
Andreas Kazamias has spent nearly thirty years in senior or leadership roles in the financial services industry at companies in Australia, across Europe and in the UK, including First Data, FBME, ACI, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Pulse International, St George Bank, National Bank of Greece, Hellenic Bank, JCC Payment Systems, and Cashcard.
Kazamias has a long association with GFG Group, beginning when he selected GFG Group's card system while CEO of FBME in Cyprus.
"Andreas took over a basic card centre at FBME and established a successful new card and e-Commerce acquiring company – from concept, to project management of every dimension, through to full operation," Ralph Green says. "As a customer, Andreas demanded the best from everyone but particularly himself. He's not afraid to push payments product boundaries, while remaining pragmatic about business and customer needs and compliance requirements. We're delighted he's accepted the CEO role at GFG Group."
Kazamias says GFG Group's electronic payments solutions, spanning cards and mobile alongside its leading edge software testing tools, have great potential for further development and provide a strong platform for growth – particularly in developing countries where GFG Group's speed of implementation combined with bank-grade security give the company a strong competitive edge.
"In regions such as Latin America, that are just starting to make the switch to chip card technology, GFG Group's PCI compliant systems have an advantage," Kazamias says. "I also see major opportunities in expanding GFG Group's footprint through third-party sales and support channels."
"My key responsibility is to provide high-level strategic leadership to GFG Group but also, critically, what I'd like to achieve cannot be done by me alone – I see this very much as a team effort at all levels," Kazamias says.
About GFG Group
GFG Group is a leading global provider of innovative consumer electronic payments solutions and services to banks, mobile network operators (MNOs) and third party processors. More than 90 organisations in over 30 countries, including three of the world's top 20 MNOs, use GFG Group solutions for cards management, mobile payments and banking, and testing. GFG Group's proven card payment solution CadencieTM , mobile payment solution SimfonieTM, and testing tools and applications – FINsim, Gateway and PINselect – use bank-grade security and enable customers to launch products on open platforms – faster and with less operational cost. The combination of greater speed to market and lower operational costs delivered by GFG Group solutions gives customers a measurably faster return on investment. GFG Group's core research and development team is based in Auckland, New Zealand, with sales, consulting and support staff operating from offices in Melbourne, Australia; Manila in the Philippines; and Dubai, UAE. For more information, visit www.gfg-group.com
Released by Sayle Noble & Associates on behalf of GFG Group Limited. For more information please contact Natalie Moerdyk on +649 307 8450 or email email@example.com.


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With young core, '13 could be just the start for Braves
Group hopes to lean on postseason experience to take next step
ATLANTA -- As he reflected on this season during the flight from Chicago to Atlanta on Sept. 22, Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez thought about what had transpired a few hours earlier at Wrigley Field.
Before spraying champagne while celebrating their first division title since 2005, the Braves had beaten the Cubs in yet another game that showcased their youth. Twenty-two-year-old Julio Teheran delivered six strong innings that were backed by the power supplied by a pair of 24-year-old National League Most Valuable Player Award candidates, Freddie Freeman and Andrelton Simmons. And in usual fashion, the final three outs were recorded by Craig Kimbrel, who at 25 has already established himself as the game's top closer.
"That's having good scouting, a good farm system and pretty good player development," Gonzalez said. "I don't know how many teams could say they have a core of players that are this young."
As the Braves prepare to participate in the postseason for the third time in the past four years, there is plenty of reason for them to be excited about their current opportunity and those that await them over the next few years.
If Dan Uggla starts at second base during the playoffs, he would be the only position player in Atlanta's lineup who has already celebrated his 30th birthday. The top three positions in the lineup will be filled by Jason Heyward, Freeman and Justin Upton, who stands as the elder statesman of this trio at 26 years old.
The top three pitchers in Atlanta's postseason rotation will be Kris Medlen, 27; Mike Minor, 25; and Teheran. Three of the club's primary relievers -- Luis Avilan, Alex Wood and Jordan Walden -- are like Kimbrel in that they are 25 or younger.
"We're all still learning, but we're doing the job still," Simmons said. "We're only going to get better. We've just got to keep everybody healthy, and we'll be fine."
Despite their youth, the Braves will enter October hoping to benefit from what they learned during their two previous postseason trips. Brian McCann, Heyward and Kimbrel are the only active members of this year's club who participated in the 2010 NL Division Series loss to the Giants.
Minus Chipper Jones and Michael Bourn, the lineup Gonzalez constructs in this year's NLDS will look quite similar to the one that he used in last year's one-game NL Wild Card Game loss to the Cardinals. Two key newcomers are Justin Upton and Chris Johnson. Upton compiled more than 40 plate appearances in the 11 playoff games he played for Arizona before being traded to Atlanta in January.
Through his discussions with NFL Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells, Patriots coach Bill Belichick and other coaches from around the professional sports world, Gonzalez has come to understand why postseason experience is often considered to be so valuable.
"I've spoken to a lot of guys in a lot of different sports," Gonzalez said. "The more you are there, the more you want it."
There will be plenty of incentive for the Braves, who realize this could be McCann's final opportunity to experience playoff baseball in his native Atlanta before hitting the free-agent market this offseason. They will also be motivated to continue showing the resilience that has carried them throughout this season.
When Eric O'Flaherty and Jonny Venters underwent season-ending elbow surgeries a few days apart in the middle of May, there was certainly reason for concern. But without their top two projected setup men, the Braves still managed to lead the Majors in bullpen ERA throughout this season.
Potential doom once again struck when Tim Hudson suffered a season-ending right leg fracture on July 24. At the time, the Braves were in the midst of an 85-game stretch in which they went 43-42. But two days after losing the veteran leader of its starting rotation, Atlanta began a 14-game winning streak that essentially erased any drama surrounding the NL East race.
"It was a group effort," Heyward said. "Somebody stepped in every time. Every time somebody went down, somebody stepped in. There's something to be said about that, because sometimes that never happens."
When Heyward's jaw was fractured by a Jon Niese fastball on Aug. 21, there was not much concern about the possibility of the Braves losing their commanding division lead. But without the dynamic outfielder who had sparked the lineup after moving to the leadoff spot three weeks earlier, there was certainly reason to doubt how dangerous this club might be once the postseason arrived.
Fortunately for the Braves, this is no longer a concern. Heyward returned to the lineup on Sept. 20 and has since provided every indication that he is ready to once again serve as a difference maker. Along with producing encouraging plate appearances, he has continued to play the outfield in aggressive manner, as witnessed with the diving catch he made in shallow center field just a few days after his return in a loss to the Brewers.
"We had the injury bug with a lot of our key guys," Freeman said. "For us to overcome this and get everybody back and healthy going into the playoffs is pretty cool."


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NFC championship, SF at Atlanta
First look: NFC Championship Game
San Francisco 49ers (12-4-1) at Atlanta Falcons (14-3), Sunday, Noon, Fox
How the 49ers got here
San Francisco is the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs and after a first-round bye handled Green Bay at home on Saturday, 45-31. That after leading just 24-21 at halftime. That gives the 49ers two straight wins which, oddly enough, matches their season high. They'll need to break the trend of two wins and then a loss (or tie) Sunday to make it back to the Super Bowl.
How the Falcons got here
Atlanta is the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs and after a first-round bye beat Seattle on a late field goal, 30-28, on Sunday. The Falcons won their first eight games to start the season and have now won 6 of their last 8.
Early storyline for the 49ers
After throwing an early interception that was returned for a touchdown against Green Bay, Colin Kaepernick had a huge game, with 263 passing yards. He also broke the NFL record for rushing yards in a game by a quarterback with 181. At this point no one is questioning 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh's decision to keep starting Kaepernick even after Alex Smith returned from injury. That doesn't mean there's no pressure on Kaepernick. San Francisco made it to the NFC championship game last year and won't be satisfied with anything less than a Super Bowl appearance. If Kaepernick fails to lead them there on Sunday, Harbaugh's decision will go back under the microscope.
Early storyline for the Falcons
It has been well documented that, despite great regular-season success, Falcons fifth-year quarterback Matt Ryan had yet to win a playoff game before Sunday. That prompted questions of whether the former No. 1 overall draft pick out of Boston College was clutch enough to lead his team to a Super Bowl. He had some big passes at the end of the Seattle win, but that will only temporarily calm his detractors. He can silence them permanently by beating the 49ers on Sunday.
Three 49ers players to watch
Frank Gore, RB – While Atlanta has a high-powered offense, its defense is very average. The 49ers can control the clock by owning the ground with Kaepernick and Gore. The running back had 1,214 rushing yards this season and added 119 more against Green Bay.
Aldon Smith, LB – The second-year player out of Missouri is in that other world category. He had 19.5 sacks in the regular season. He also had 66 tackles, including three forced fumbles and an interception. He is always a threat to get to the quarterback.
Patrick Willis, LB – While Smith mainly causes havoc in the opponent's backfield, Willis does it all over the place. He, too, can get to the quarterback at times – he had a sack against Green Bay. But he is also good in pass coverage and gets all over the field to make tackles. He had 120 tackles in the regular season and seven against Green Bay.
Three Falcons to watch
Roddy White, WR – Fully recovered from a knee injury that slowed him down a little at the end of the regular season, White is the Falcons top receiver with 92 catches for 1,351 yards and seven touchdowns. He added 5 catches for 76 yards against Seattle.
Julio Jones, WR – Call him the team's second receiver if you like, but Jones is as dangerous as any receiver in the NFL. He had 79 catches for 1,198 yards and 10 touchdowns in the regular season and added 6 catches for 59 yards against Seattle.
Tony Gonzalez, TE – In his 16th NFL season, Gonzalez had arguably his best year. He caught 93 passes for 930 yards and 8 touchdowns. He had 6 catches for 51 yards and a touchdown against Seattle.
The early prognosis
It's easy to see that, despite Atlanta having home-field advantage, the 49ers have a good chance to win this game. Just look at how easily the 49ers handled Green Bay and how Atlanta just squeaked by Seattle. However, the best evidence that San Francisco might pull off the minor upset is that it has a better team, including a fantastic defense. On offense, the 49ers are better running the ball but can throw when needed. Atlanta, on the other hand, is very one dimensional. The Falcons have arguably the best passing attack in the NFL, but a stagnant running game and average defense. Look for the 49ers to win on the road.


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NOTE TO READERS: The Vancouver Sun has decided not to display Richard Branson's kitesurfing photograph.
VICTORIA - Premier Christy Clark lashed out at British billionaire Richard Branson Tuesday for a blog post where he suggested Clark should take off her clothes and kite surf on his back.
"I didn't think it was very respectful," Clark told reporters in Victoria Tuesday.
"Lots of young women I hope want to run for politics," she added.
"I think when you meet with the CEO of a billion dollar company who wants to do business with your province, you can get a little bit more respectful treatment than that."
Branson was in Vancouver last week to mark the launch of his Virgin Atlantic Airlines non-stop service between Vancouver and London Heathrow Airport.
While in town, he held a media event at Vancouver International Airport alongside Clark and other VIPs.
Branson posted a blog item after his departure, where he said Clark had "accepted my invite to come for a kitesurf ride on my back."
Branson included the picture of a naked woman on his back while he kite surfed in shorts and a long-sleeved shirt, adding he'd "forgot to tell [Clark] about the dress code."
While Clark was mostly serious in her response Tuesday, she also took a parting jab at the rogue billionaire.
"Somebody said to me as a joke that if that's his best pick-up line then maybe there's a reason he called his company Virgin," she said.


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Cyclospora infection hits Iowa
45 cases reported in 15 counties, health officials say
Iowa is battling a growing health problem with dozens of confirmed cases all over the state.
Health officials said 15 of Iowa's 99 counties reported 45 cases of cyclospora infection. Linn County in eastern Iowa has the most by far with 21 cases.
Health experts said cyclospora is a parasite that causes severe intestinal illness. It hitches a ride on fruits and vegetables, which are normally good for the body, and then hijacks the body, ruining more than just the victim's appetite.
"Diarrhea, flatulence, anorexia, vomiting -- it's not a pleasant experience," said Ruth Litchfield, nutrition specialist at the Iowa State University Extension.
The illness can last up to two months, experts said. To avoid it, one has to seriously watch what to eat.
"Whether you're purchasing your fruits and vegetables from a grocery store, or from the farmer's market, knowing where it came from is a difficult aspect to know, so thoroughly washing it and cleaning it before you're consuming it is the primary way to prevent infection from the cyclospora," said Litchfield.
Litchfield said it's not about fancy soaps or produce cleaners, and running the produce under water for a few seconds will not cut it.
"The first thing is washing your hands for 20 seconds. (Wash with) warm, soapy water before and after handling produce," said Litchfield.
After cutting away any bruised or damaged parts, rub the produce down underwater.
"Always wash it even if you're going to peel the produce, because you can actually contaminate your utensil, and then cross-contaminate or take it somewhere else," said Litchfield.
Dry the produce thoroughly to remove any remaining bacteria, Litchfield said.
"It is not difficult to thoroughly wash, and we should not be paranoid. We are not to the point of saying, 'Do not consume fresh fruits and vegetables,'" said Litchfield.
Health experts said cyclospora can also be transmitted through water.


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Conveniently located between Green Bay and Appleton, these lots are sure to please you. Some lots are wooded or back up to tree lines, some are located on cul de sacs, and some will allow an abundance of natural light to shine through the windows of your new home. Restrictive covenants apply.
Features Land
|Lot Size:
|Approx Acres: 0.34
|School District: Wrightstown Community
|High School:
|Middle School:
|Elementary School:
|Taxes: $400
|Tax Year: 2018
|Body of Water:
|Lot Description:
|Subdivision: Breckenridge Estates
|Municipality: Town of Wrightstown


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Create an Account - Increase your productivity, customize your experience, and engage in information you care about.
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September 5, 2019, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM @ 356 Main Road
The Morris County Nutrition Project provides hot nutritious meals, education, and personal interaction through three components: Congregate Meals, Home Delivered Meals, and Weekend Meals. To sign up please call (973) 285-6856. Bingo is played at 10:45AM & lunch is served at 12:00PM.


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july, 2016
16jul17julRED BULL AIR RACE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPHamilton
Event Details
Event Details
Created in 2003, officially a world championship in 2005, the Red Bull Air Race has held over 65 races and is watched by millions of fans. The Red Bull Air Race World Championship features the world's best race pilots in a pure motor-sport competition that combines speed, precision and skill. Using the fastest, most agile, lightweight racing planes, pilots hit speeds of 370 km/h while enduring forces of up to 10G as they navigate a low-level slalom track marked by 25-meter-high, air-filled pylons. In 2014, the Challenger Cup was introduced, giving new pilots the chance to develop their low altitude flying skills. But one thing remains the same; The Red Bull Air Race World Championship is the most ultimate motorsports competition in the sky.
Hamilton and Nicolas Ivanoff share a deep-rooted passion for flying. The brand has been timing the skies since 1919, when the pioneering pilots of the era put their trust in the precision of its watches and navigation instruments. In addition to keeping the first American airmail service on track, Hamilton became the official watch of TWA, Eastern, United and Northwest in the 1930s. Adventure joined accuracy as these instruments demonstrated their unrivaled expertise partnering the first American coast to coast air services which took commercial flying into the modern age.
16 (Saturday) 12:00 am - 17 (Sunday) 12:00 am


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by connecting Michigan's bio-industry one member at a time
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by creating opportunities that develop people & build organizations


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- Home >
- Residential >
- Whole House >
- SkyAir Inverter Ducted
SkyAir Inverter Ducted
A traditional central-air system made better with Daikin Constant Comfort inverter technology.
The Daikin Inverter Ducted line is a cost-effective alternative to traditional gas furnace/AC systems. The Inverter Ducted can be used in place of your old furnace, utilizing existing ductwork, or in new construction where individual zone control is not required. You get the comfort and energy savings advantages of Daikin's Constant Comfort inverter technology, using a modern heat pump system to heat and cool.
Superior heating capacity in low-ambient conditions.
Older, traditional residential heat pump systems may require backup electric heating whenever the outside temperature is below 45°F. Daikin Inverter Ducted systems provide comfortable heating down to 0°F, with up to 100% capacity available as low as 14°F. They can also operate in cooling mode from 23°F to 115°F. In most climates, this makes installation easier since no supplemental electric heater needs to be installed.
Daikin Inverter Ducted systems are also energy efficient:
- Available in ranges from 18,000 to 42,000 Btu/h
- Vertical (Upflow) or Horizontal configurations
- Up to SEER 20.0, EER 14.5 and HSPF 12.0
- Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) Tier II rated (42 MBH Tier I rated)
Superior comfort and high energy efficiency
Inverter technology maintains the desired temperature by varying the speed of the compressor. Since the system runs longer in comparison to standard on/off systems in most environments, filtered air is nearly always flowing. This can eliminate large temperature swings and can help reduce humidity. A big benefit of Daikin Constant Comfort inverter technology is that almost continuous operation reduces the system's energy consumption, just as a car is more efficient traveling on a highway than in stop-and-go traffic. Inverter compressors reduce power consumption as much as 30% compared to conventional fixed-speed equivalents.
Superior heating capacity in low-ambient conditions
Click to Enlarge Image
Traditional residential heat pump systems may require backup electric heating whenever the outside temperature is below 45°F. Daikin Inverter Ducted systems provide comfortable heating down to 0°F, with up to 100% capacity available as low as 14°F.
Electric heater options are available for applications where the heating design conditions are below 0°F, the customer requires emergency back up for piece of mind or the heating capacity requires a boost for those extreme cold design days. To optimize the heating performance, installation cost and operation cost of Daikin Inverter Ducted systems, two different methods may be selected:
Method 1 - Booster Heater
Method 2 - Electric Heater Only (Lockout)
Click on brochure for more information.
Worry-free Operation
A conventional system's hard starts generate heat and stress that can damage its vital components. A Daikin Inverter Ducted system starts softly, doesn't run in stop-start fashion and seldom needs to run at full speed. Its advanced compressor also has fewer parts to wear out. Daikin air-source heat pumps heat well even in low-ambient conditions, so there is no need to use and store fossil fuels.
Having no burner inside the house results in
- Less maintenance
- No risk of fire or gases from spilled fuel
- No risk of injury from carbon monoxide emissions
Hear the Difference
Daikin Inverter Ducted systems have sound reducing features such as compressor sound attenuators, but they're also quieter than conventional systems because they have fewer moving parts and rarely run at full speed. Utilizing inverter technology to maintain comfort settings, Daikin systems most often operate at low speeds with outdoor sound levels in the mid to high 50s dB(A).
Comfort and Control
The wired remote controller (BRC1E72) is provided as an accessory, and can be replaced with other control solutions. The wall mounted controller features a backlit LCD display as well as intuitive menus with displays available in English, French, or Spanish languages. Other functions include setpoint range limit, independent occupied and unoccupied (setback) heating and cooling setpoints, auto‐changeover with cooling and heating setpoints, and advanced scheduling functions (7‐Day).
Click Image to Enlarge
ScheduleA scheduling feature enhances flexibility by allowing three selectable weekly schedule pattern options: 7-Day, 5+2 (Weekday + Weekend) and 5+1+1 (Weekday+Saturday+Sunday). The schedule supports up to 5 On/Off operations per day and has the ability to set new individual occupied or setback cooling and/or heating setpoints per operation.
Auto-changeoverThe Navigation Remote Controller features auto-changeover. Auto-changeover mode allows the optimal room temperature to be maintained without the user having to change the mode. It automatically switches the indoor unit's mode (heat or cool) according to both the room temperature and temperature setpoints. When in the heating mode, changeover to cooling mode shall occur at cooling setpoint + 1°F (0.5°C). When in the cooling mode, changeover to heating mode shall occur at heating setpoint – 1°F (0.5°C)
For more information click here.
Easy to Install
A Daikin Inverter Ducted outdoor unit is usually takes up less than half the space of an outdoor unit on a conventional system. It's easy to handle, and less obtrusive outside the home.
Click Image to Enlarge
- Reduced installation time with integrated electronic expansion valve and printed circuit boards
- Volt-free float switch integration option
- Corrosion-resistant coating on outdoor unit heat exchanger
- Indoor fan coil unit with up flow or horizontal right configurations
- Heating and Cooling Fan Auto mode can be configured separately
- Dual-voltage 208-230V/1/60 Hz power supply
- Optional electric resistance heat
- Gravity-fed drain connection


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Funnny Man Actor Will Ferrel 42 years old and his very pregnant wife Viveca Paulin took their two sons, Magnus, 5 ½, and Mattias, 2 ½, out for a stroll and to breakfast in Chelsea Market this the couple are expecting there third child in January.
Posted by Alisa on Sunday, November 29, 2009 / Labels: Colin Farrell family / Comments: (0)
Spotted!!! Colin Farrell and his gorgeous baby mama Alicja Bachleda-Curus at the Los Angeles Airport on (Novemeber 28)Alicja gave birth to their first child together on October 7. They named their son, Henry Tadeusz Farrell. Collin is also a father to a son James Farrell with ex girlfreind model Kim Bordenave.
Movie Mates
Posted by Alisa / Labels: Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale / Comments: (0)
Pastry Pretty
Posted by Alisa / Labels: Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise / Comments: (0)


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Key legislator: U.S. needs mandatory public reporting of medical errors
and Cathleen Crowley
Mandatory national reporting of medical errors should be a top priority in Congress, said Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Seattle, a key subcommittee chairman who helped write the current healthcare reform legislation.
"Dead by Mistake," a Hearst Newspapers investigation of medical errors published last week, brought to light an issue that is "right there at the top of the list" of problems that should be solved, McDermott said.
The Hearst investigation showed that even though nearly 200,000 people die each year from medical errors and infections in hospitals throughout the country.
Car accidents, airplane incidents and workplace injuries are regularly accounted for, but there is no national system for tracking deaths from medical care.
Around the country, state legislators and other officials reacted to the series by seeking reforms.
- In New York, the chairman of the State Assembly Committee on Health, Richard Gottfried, D- New York City, called for hiring more hospital inspectors to assure that hospitals accurately report adverse events.
- In Connecticut, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, along with the chair of the state Senate's health committee, called for overhauling the state's reporting rules to make data on errors more transparent to consumers.
- In Washington, Democratic State Sen. Karen Keiser, chair of the Senate health committee, incensed by the under-reporting of medical errors in the state, said she and a Republican colleague will sponsor legislation to put more teeth into the reporting bill "making clear that the reporting must be mandatory."


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5 Jersey towns spending $50M on boardwalks
- Most officials want the boardwalks repaired, replaced in time for tourists
- Many are hoping for FEMA help; residents also will pay for bonds
- In one town, beach lovers can buy a board in the new boardwalk
BELMAR, N.J. — At least five Jersey Shore resort towns hit hard in superstorm Sandy plan to spend more than $50 million to rebuild their boardwalk areas with a goal of being ready for beach season.
To bring back its 1.3 miles of boardwalk, Belmar, N.J., officials approved $20 million in bonds earlier this week.
Meanwhile, Asbury Park, N.J., officials said that city expects to spend nearly $12 million.
In Seaside Heights, N.J., home to an iconic wooden roller coaster destroyed in the storm, council members at their meeting Wednesday night plan to look at the costs associated with rebuilding its 16 blocks of boardwalk. Original estimates were almost $13 million.
Point Pleasant Beach, N.J., is expecting restoration of its almost milelong boardwalk to cost about $2 million. And officials in Long Branch, N.J., who want their walkway rebuilt by Memorial Day, have approved $5 million so far in emergency money because of the storm.
The Jersey Shore is known for about 20 boardwalks lining the Atlantic coast from Keansburg in the north to Cape May in the south. Superstorm Sandy reduced several of them to splinters.
"The boardwalk is an integral part of the identity of the town. We've had one every year since 1875," Belmar Mayor Matthew Doherty said.
"This year will be no different," he said, adding that the boardwalk should be back in place by Memorial Day weekend.
Belmar approved the bonds at a Monday night meeting that one resident described as "standing room only."
"All they wanted to talk about was the boardwalk. They're concentrated on getting that fixed," said JoAnn Ali, a lifelong Belmar resident.
Doherty said the borough is being aggressive about resurrecting the boardwalk because losing tourists would hurt many small businesses that depend on healthy summer revenues to survive.
"If we don't have tourists, property taxes will skyrocket and the businesses will suffer," Doherty said. Cleanup costs associated with the storm will account for $3 million with the remaining $17 million earmarked for the borough's new boardwalks.
Belmar officials anticipate the Federal Emergency Management Agency will pay for 75 percent — if not more — of the cost of boardwalk repairs, Doherty said. The remaining 25 percent will be paid over 20 years out of the borough's beach utility fund.
To keep up with the payments, Belmar beachgoers can expect an increase in beach badge fees for next summer.
"The beach will still remain a very affordable price for middle-class families to come," said Doherty, adding that he was first in line to buy seasonal beach badges for his family of four when they went on sale Monday.
Another way the borough is raising money: Beach lovers can buy a board on the new boardwalk. Individual boards cost $25 to $5,000.
Belmar's new boardwalk plans call for 3,100 25-foot-long pilings that will be pounded into the sand, composite decking and hurricane straps.
"The old boardwalk was built during the '70s, '80s and '90s," Doherty said. "This one will be built to current codes."
Meanwhile, Asbury Park manager Terence Reidy said that city will receive more than $1 million from FEMA for debris cleanup and expects to spend nearly $12 million on rebuilding.
Recovery costs include repairing damage to the boardwalk, sewage plant and fire house, as well as paying for emergency personnel who worked overtime after the storm, Reidy said.
The city submitted a $1.8 million preliminary request to FEMA for clearing debris in hard-hit sections, Reidy said. Officials anticipate FEMA will roll out more money and insurance providers will make reimbursements as construction begins.
Asbury Park approved an emergency appropriation of $7.1 million that will be allocated over five years.
Reidy and other officials have promised Asbury Park's boardwalk will be ready by summer 2013. A few boardwalk businesses already have reopened their doors.
Contributing: Kristi Funderburk, Asbury Park (N.J.) Press


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About this paper
Smart community practices and data analytics are increasingly used by local governments worldwide – and help them become more efficient and effective at delivering services across multiple disciplines and sectors. Local governments have access to huge amounts of high quality demographic, environmental and economic data from the public and private sectors. They also generate data through stakeholder engagement, staff and technology.
This SAS-sponsored report finds that local governments can use existing staff, technology, data and resources to achieve compelling results, including cost savings, enhanced community relations, economic development, interdepartmental collaboration, and improvements in public safety and health.
About SAS
SAS is the leader in analytics. Through innovative software and services, SAS empowers and inspires customers around the world to transform data into intelligence. SAS gives you THE POWER TO KNOW®.
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Guangzhou PinJun Electronic Co., Ltd was established in 2003.At the beginning, we are a professional manufacturer for phone accessories,and now we become a professional 3C digital products integrated services company,we have 2 factories,all of them located in Panyu,Guangzhou,our main products:phone cases,phone holders,wireless chargers,power bank,USB cable,bluetooth speaker.
|Product name
Gameboy OEM phone case anti-slip phone cover for iPhone XS Max
Made by import TPU material and high quality PC
Protect your phone from fall. non-slip,scratches,dual protection,
Customized designs are welcome. Custom logos can be printed.
Other colors can be designated by PMS number.
Factory directly cheap and reasonable price.
Opp bags,colorful box,or customized packaging.
Delivery time
3-7 Days.
By DHL/UPS/FEDEX/EMS/TNT Express or by sea.
Our MISSION is:
To satisfy and exceed the needs of our customers, providing our products and services with only the best quality,
adjusted to their needs and preferences.
Copyright © 2020 Guangzhou PinJing Electronics Co., Ltd. | All Rights Reserved


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Scores of highland Indians gathered outside a bullfighting ring on the outskirts of Peru's capital over the weekend to celebrate a festival tied to their Andean hometown of Huanuco.
The Yawar Toro center on Lima's outskirts is the site of native celebrations held year-round by indigenous people who have moved to Lima from the country's highlands. Different groups use the center to organize bullfights and concerts, mark the feast days of patron saints and hold other celebrations popular in their native communities.
In addition to three bullfights held Sunday, natives of Huanuco also celebrated their roots with music, dance and food.


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Ah, HIMSS. The frenetic pace. The ridiculously long exhibit hall. The aching feet. The Google Glass-ers. As I write this, day three for me is in full swing and I've finally managed to find some time to reflect on what I've seen, which includes a ridiculously long taxi queue at the airport, more pedicabs than I can count, beautiful weather and lots of familiar faces, which is what makes HIMSS so much fun. I've heard lots of buzzwords and sales talk, and seen only about an eighth of the exhibit hall, barely scratching the surface of what's out there on the show floor.
Several common themes stand out based on the sessions and events I've been to, and the passions of those I've encountered. Whether it's vendor breakfasts, social networking functions, exhibit elevator pitches or educational sessions, interoperability and engagement are still the buzzwords to beat. This particular HIMSS has given me a different perspective on each, and offered new insight into what's happening with the Blue Button Connector. I'll cover each of these in HIMSS Highlights posts over the next several weeks, starting with interoperability.
The industry seems far more realistic this year regarding interoperability – downright frustrated by the slow pace at which such a lofty goal is proceeding. Industry experts Brian Ahier and Shahid Shah perhaps expressed it best during a lively panel discussion at the Surescripts booth:
Putting vendors' feet to the fire will certainly initiate a quick and painful reaction, but probably not a sustainable one. True momentum will occur only when providers get singed a bit, too. Panelist comments at a Dell / Intel breakfast on analytics for accountable care brought this into sharper focus for me. The fact that too many disparate EMRs (and thus too many vendors poised to cause inertia) are making it hard for analytics to successfully be adopted and utilized at an enterprise level, highlights a bigger problem related to hindsight and strategy.
From my perspective – that of an industry observer and commentator – it seems many providers felt compelled to purchase EMRs because the federal government offered them money to do so, and hopefully just as many were optimistic about the role technology would play in positively affecting patient outcomes. Vendors saw a great business opportunity and moved quickly to develop systems that met Meaningful Use criteria (not necessarily going for best-fit as related to workflow needs and usability). Neither group truly knew what they were in store for, especially regarding longer term plans for health information exchange.
Providers now find themselves wanting to move forward with health information exchange and greater interoperability, but slowed down by the very IT systems they were so insistent on purchasing just a few years ago. Vendors (some more than others) are hesitant to crack open their products to allow data to truly flow from one system to another, and who can blame them? The EMR market, in particular, is poised to shrink, which begs the question, who will survive? What companies will be around at HIMSS 15 and 16? Those who keep their systems siloed, like Epic? Or those who are trying to break down the silos, such as Common Well Alliance members like athenahealth and Greenway?
It makes me wonder if providers wouldn't have been better served with just had a handful of EMRs to choose from around the time of HITECH, all guaranteed to evolve as needed and play nicely with each other in the interest of health information exchange. Too many options have caused too many barriers. That's not just my opinion, by the way. I'm willing to bet that a sizeable chunk of the 37,537 HIMSS 14 attendees would agree with me.
Do you disagree? Are providers (and patients) better served by more IT options than less? Let me know your thoughts, and impressions of interoperability advancement at HIMSS, in the comments below.


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Sembcorp Industries has signed a conditional agreement to acquire 45% stake in NCC Power Projects, which is currently building a 1,320-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Andhra Pradesh for Rs 848 crores.business Updated: Feb 03, 2014, 10:51 IST
Sembcorp Industries (Sembcorp), a Singapore-based energy, water and marine group, has signed a conditional agreement to acquire 45% stake in NCC Power Projects, which is currently building a 1,320-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Andhra Pradesh for Rs 848 crores.
NCCPP is jointly owned by Gayatri Energy Ventures (GEVPL) and NCC Infrastructure Holdings (NCCIHL), a subsidiary of Indian conglomerate, NCC Limited (NCCL). Gayatri is Sembcorp's project partner for another power plant in Nellore district of AP, according to a press release issued by the Singaporean company.
Once the deal is through, Sembcorp will hold 45% of NCCPP, while the remaining 55% will be held by NCCIHL.
NCCPP's upcoming plant is located on a site adjacent to Thermal Powertech Corporation India (TPCIL), Sembcorp's first power plant investment in India.
"The proximity of the two plants will enable Sembcorp to benefit from substantial synergies. The two plants will utilise the same infrastructure, such as that for coal importation and logistics. They will also be run by the same Sembcorp management team in Nellore," the release said.
At present, the NCCPP project is about 30% completed and it is expected to come on-stream in early 2016.
Financing for the project has also been secured, with 75% of the project cost funded through long-term limited recourse rupee-denominated project finance loans and the remainder funded by shareholders' equity.
The project will be fuelled by both domestic and imported coal. It has already received a Letter of Allocation for its domestic coal supply from Coal India.
Sembcorp Group President and CEO Tang Kin Fei said, "With our first power project in India progressing well and on track for completion this year, we are now pleased to embark on our second power plant investment there. This acquisition will provide the opportunity for Sembcorp to increase our foothold in India's power market, where we see opportunities for our business to grow significantly in the years to come." The transaction is subject to the fulfilment of conditions, including approvals from the relevant authorities and the lenders.
Additional conditional agreements would also be entered into giving Sembcorp the right and obligation to take an incremental 20% stake in NCCPP and an incremental 16% stake in TPCIL respectively, subject to and upon the respective projects having obtained requisite formal approvals by relevant authorities in India.


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Sunday, 20 September 2015
Zushi the sequel
Today I went back to Zushi. Look how good that weather is!
The weather had been a bit iffy so I was thinking I wouldn't get a chance to return. For me Zushi is one of my zen places where I remember some of my happiest and not so happy times in Japan. It also reminds me of my favourite beaches I love in Australia like Burleigh Heads and Cape Hillsborough.
Like last time there were mostly windsurfers. Strangely enough some foreigners were having a beach BBQ playing loud music and drinking alcohol. I read they had banned all of the above which made me think that Zushi was going to lose everything that was fun about it. Seeing this put a smile on my face.
This was around the same time of year that I got massively stung by jellyfish, so I was more than wary of the same thing happening again. I had my cans of chu-hi but I wasn't going to run in head first again.
I did get a few stings from what we call sea lice in Australia. It made me feel uncomfortable for the rest of the week, but I'm glad I had a second chance to come here.
Posted by Jimmy In Japan at 11:59 pm
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All News Releases By Date
State of Vermont Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants and Operators Recognized for Excellence
Release Date: 01/23/2012
Contact Information: David Deegan, 617-918-1017
(Boston—January 23, 2012) The State of Vermont Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants and Operators were recently selected by EPA for a 2011 Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Excellence Award. The EPA Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Excellence Award was established to recognize and honor the employees of publicly owned wastewater treatment plants for their commitment to improving water quality with outstanding plant operations and maintenance. More often than not, and particularly with the smaller facilities, conscientious operators and staff continue to perform exceptionally with limited resources.
Hurricane Irene inflicted widespread damage to public infrastructure this past August. Flood waters inundated and overwhelmed many wastewater treatment facilities and collection systems. The personnel of these municipal wastewater treatment plants did a remarkable job to protect their facilities and to help restore most of the essential infrastructure as soon as possible to minimize adverse water quality impacts and to protect public health.
The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (VTDEC) was instrumental in this group nomination. According to Jeff Fehrs, an inspector and engineer with the VTDEC, "Vermont operators, along with other municipal staff who assisted, did a herculean job of repairing their wastewater treatment plants and collection systems, as well as restoring treatment after Hurricane Irene which caused extensive flooding and damage primarily in the central and southern parts of the state. The operators are some of the unsung heroes of Hurricane Irene. I have heard multiple stories of operators working 36 plus hours straight, not knowing what day it is anymore, and sleeping in their vehicles. Through their dedication, resourcefulness, and hard work, they were able to provide at least primary treatment (if not secondary treatment) within a day and managed to bandaged their collection systems within a couple of days in most cases. It is my hope that they somehow receive the recognition they deserve."
"The professionals operating these wastewater treatment plants, as well as the municipalities and the state environmental agencies that support them, are essential to keeping our environment healthy by protecting water quality. They are devoted, often underappreciated, and demonstrate a high level of commitment under extreme situations. I am proud to give them the credit they deserve," said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA's New England Office.
The Green Mountain Water Environment Association (GMWEA) will accept this award on behalf of many of its members on January 25th at the annual New England Water Environment Association Conference in Boston. In addition, this award will be re-presented at the upcoming GMWEA Annual Spring Conference this May in Killington.
For more information: https://www.epa.gov/ne/topics/water/wwater.html and
# # #
Learn More about the Latest EPA News & Events in New England (https://www.epa.gov/region1/newsevents/index.html)
Follow EPA New England on Twitter (http://twitter.com/epanewengland)
Search this collection of releases | or search all news releases
View selected historical press releases from 1970 to 1998 in the EPA History website.


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What are migraine headaches?
This throbbing type of headache is marked by the fact that symptoms other than pain occur with the headache. Nausea and vomiting, lightheadedness, sensitivity to light (photophobia), and other visual disturbances are common migraine symptoms.
Migraines are also unique in that they have distinct phases. Not all people have each phase, however. The phases of a migraine headache may include:
Premonition phase. A change in mood or behavior that may occur hours or days before the headache.
Aura phase. A group of visual, sensory, or motor symptoms that come right before the headache. Examples include hallucinations, numbness, changes in speech, and muscle weakness.
Headache phase. Period during the actual headache. Throbbing pain occurs on one or both sides of the head. Sensitivity to light and motion is common, as are depression, fatigue, and anxiety.
Headache resolution phase. Pain lessens during this phase, but may be replaced with fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. Some people feel refreshed after an attack, while others do not.
What are the most common types of migraines?
Migraine classification helps to guide treatment. The categories below help to narrow down the classification process.
Migraine without aura. This more common type of migraine does not include an aura phase (symptoms that come just before the headache).
Migraine with aura. Fewer migraine sufferers have this type of migraine, which is preceded by aura symptoms, such as a flashing light or zigzag lines. These symptoms usually appear within 30 minutes before an attack.
How are migraines diagnosed?
Migraine headaches are diagnosed primarily based on reported symptoms, but a thorough medical exam, which may include other tests or procedures, may be used to rule out underlying diseases or conditions.
Tracking and sharing information about your headache with your doctor helps with the process of making an accurate diagnosis. Consider writing down the following information to take to your medical appointment:
Time of day when your headaches occur
Specific location of your headaches
How your headaches feel
How long your headaches last
Any changes in behavior or personality
Effect of changes in position or activities on the headache
Effect of headaches on sleep patterns
Information about stress in your life
Information about any head trauma
Diagnostic tests that may be used to confirm a migraine diagnosis include computerized tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imagining (MRI), and spinal tap (lumbar puncture). These tests help to rule out other problems, such as tumors, infection, or blood vessel irregularities that may cause migraine-like symptoms.
What is the treatment for migraines?
Specific treatment for headaches will be determined by your doctor based on:
Your age, overall health, and medical history
Type of migraine
Severity and frequency of the migraine
Your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
Your opinion or preference
The ultimate goal of treatment is to stop migraines from occurring. Adequate management depends on the knowing the type of headache and may include:
Avoiding known triggers, such as certain foods and beverages, lack of sleep, and fasting
Changing eating habits
Resting in a quiet, dark environment
Medicines, as recommended by your doctor
Stress management
You may need to take certain medicines to treat your migraines. These include:
Abortive medicines. These are medicines prescribed by your doctor. They act on specific receptors in both the brain and the blood vessels in the head, stopping a headache once it is in progress.
Rescue medicines. These are pain relief medicines available over the counter to diminish or stop the headache.
Preventive medicines. These are medicines prescribed by your doctor that you take every day to stop severe migraine headaches.
Some headaches may need medical attention right away. This may include a hospital stay, diagnostic testing, or even surgery. Treatment is based on the condition that is causing the headache. Full recovery depends on the type of headache and other health problems you may have.


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For "The Mindy Project," Kaling does it all—writing, producing and starring as the title character, Dr. Mindy Lahiri. This fictional Mindy is a practicing OB/GYN. Pushing 30, our heroine has more or less modeled her life around every movie Julia Roberts ever starred in. This has led to a certain romantic confusion. Life, you see, isn't anything like a Hollywood movie. Dr. Mindy keeps waiting for a "meet cute" with the perfect man—what she gets are married guys, utter screw-ups and the occasional booty call. It's a familiar trope: The career woman who's got it all together except for her personal life. The one-up here is that our heroine has bought entirely into the romantic fairy tale Hollywood has sold her. She's a rom-com junkie who's hung out so many times on the roof of the Empire State Building waiting for Mr. Right, she's now banned.
So when another ruined relationship ends in drunken foolishness, utter embarrassment and an arrest, Mindy decides it's time to change her life: No more drinking to excess, no more self-esteem issues, no more mooning around for Prince Charming. It's a life plan she intends to stick to ... perhaps after one more booty call from her hospital's resident sex addict doctor.
From the get-go, "The Mindy Project" has a fine, distinctive voice. You can really see Kaling's personality shining through. There's a lot of pie-eyed romantic hopefulness. There are also a lot of nasty jokes about Katherine Heigl movies. The mix is kinda perfect. Kaling adds plenty of self-deprecating humor—worrying about her neurotic tendencies, her impossible romantic ideals and her increasing body mass index. It's a little like HBO's "Girls," but without all the embarrassing nudity. Finally, like the salt on the rim of the Margarita glass, Kaling adds a touch of the surreal—as when her character drunkenly plunges a stolen bicycle into a swimming pool and then proceeds to have an argument with a Barbie doll floating at the bottom of the pool. Funny, unexpected stuff.
So far, the supporting cast has yet to jell fully. Mostly, it feels like cameos from Kaling's TV pals (Ed Helms from "The Office," Bill Hader from "SNL"). Hopefully the ensemble will come together, affording Kaling more comic possibilities beyond just her character's neuroses. Her mother is a real-life gynecologist, and I have confidence Kaling will put a realistic spin on this workplace setting. Despite a few early jitters, "The Mindy Project" is one of the most promising sitcoms of the new season, delivering some genuine laughs and a distinct comic style.


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Beauty: Rachel
Senior: Peter
Rachel has found herself a new career as a burglar and for her first job she has decided to pick an easy goal: Peters safe. That IS easy as she knows that he keeps the key in his fridge. But then Peter arrives home earlier than expected...
Watch The Full Story....
Hot Teenage Babes Pleasing Older Men Their Cock!
Come Watch All Our Beauties And Seniors!
Watch All The Young/Old Couples!
18 U.S.C. Section 2257 Compliance Notice - http://www.imco.nl/2257/


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The Lord's Supper: Open or Closed?
In baptist circles there are three positions regarding who are the proper communicants to receiver the Lord's Supper: closed, close, and open communion. These positions are not addressing the spiritual readiness of the individual (see yesterday's post), but are focusing on the stewardship of church authority and "fencing the table." Fencing the table is the means by which we protect people from partaking of the Lord's Supper in an "unworthy manner" (1 Cor. 11:27, 28).
Should Christian Writers Try to Be Popular?
This is a really good (and necessary!) conversation:
Kindle deals for Christian readers
B&H's Perspectives series is on sale for $2.99 each:
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- Perspectives on the Ending of Mark
- Perspectives on Your Child's Education
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What can I do for Christians in Iraq?
Philip Nation:
Like many believers around the world, I am horrified at the persecution of Christians in Iraq. It is a sobering moment to realize that the type of persecution I've read about so many times in the Book of Acts is happening in our day. Even our Lord Jesus spoke of the reality and the blessing that He will give to those who suffer for the faith.… As I've pondered it all, here are five things that we can do about the persecution of the church in Iraq.
3 reasons many leaders receive too much credit—and blame
Eric Geiger:
Most leaders receive too much credit for the good things that take place during their tenure and too much blame for the bad. If the results are good, typically a leader, even if he or she attempts to deflect the accolades, receives credit for his or her stellar leadership. And if the results are bad, a typical leader receives the blame and carries the burden and pain of "not delivering." There are at least three reasons many leaders receive too much credit and shoulder too much blame.
Is doubt really okay?
Owen Strachan:
…we need to distinguish between two states: temporary confusion and existential doubt. The Bible clearly has a category for the role of temporary confusion in the life of the believer. Think of David's mournful lament in Psalm 13:1– "How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?" David is going through the fire, and he feels it; in fact, he feels in the moment like he has been abandoned.


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| 10.6°C Belfast
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard believes he is getting back to his best form after a mixed start to the season.
The England captain has played every minute of all 21 Barclays Premier League matches this season, scoring four times. In recent weeks, in particular against Fulham and Sunderland, the 32-year-old has excelled and he thinks now people are starting to see the Gerrard of old.
"I've had mixed experiences this season," he said. "I've passed some unbelievable landmarks for club and country, getting to the 600-games mark and winning my 100th cap for England. But with the slow start we made and being where we have in the league it's been a bit mixed for me."
He added: "There's my form as well. I've played well in some games but I've been disappointed with myself in others and I'm not happy with my goal tally at the moment. People's opinions, perceptions and the way they judge you changes when you get a goal.
"I think my performances are getting closer to where I want them to be so if I can add goals to those performances then maybe people will start saying the old Steven Gerrard is back."
Having enjoyed his best spell at the club playing in an advanced role behind the striker, Gerrard is operating from deeper in Brendan Rodgers' team as the likes of Jonjo Shelvey and Jordan Henderson have been given the chance further upfield.
He admits a slightly-more reserved role has been born out of necessity rather than design this season but that has started to change recently as performances have picked up.
"I don't think the manager's asked me to do anything different in terms of the way he wants to me to perform," he told Liverpool FC magazine. "But because of certain injuries, situations that have happened to the team and formations that we've played, I've naturally played a little bit deeper.
"I've maybe gone into protection mode rather than playing the old Steven Gerrard way with the shackles off and going for the jugular. When you're one of the experienced players in the team, the team's more important than yourself and maybe I've sacrificed myself in certain games and tried to protect by playing deeper and be a controller with Joe (Allen).
"But now that Lucas is back he gives me the licence to get forward a lot more so hopefully I can add some goals to my performances. I've got the buzz that the team's improving and it's going to get better. I'm confident that come the end of the season I will be satisfied with myself and the team because I do believe we can finish the season really strong."


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Dinner Tonight: Asparagus Crab Soup (Sup Mang Tay Cua) Recipe
Your source for quick recipe every single week day.
It's been a month or so since the best asparagus stalks were around, but there are still some stragglers at the market just waiting to tempt you. Here's an apt way to say good-bye to asparagus season.
This recipe from Sunday Nite Dinner is kind of a Vietnamese egg drop soup, with crab meat and asparagus that give the soup some freshness and a little sweetness, and just enough fish sauce and charred onion to give it some funk. (Although if you're like me, you'll have a hard time not reaching for some fierce hot sauce to really perk it up.) There's enough cornstarch to bring everything together, but not enough to make each bite taste gloppy and heavy. It's a fine summer soup, and perfect as a light meal.
- Yield:serves 4
- Active time: 30 minutes
- Total time:30 minutes
- Rated:
- 8 cups chicken stock, divided
- 1 medium onion, halved
- 1 teaspoon fish sauce
- 1/3 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Salt
- 2 1/2 pounds asparagus, ends trimmed, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 pound crab meat
- 2 tablespoons corn starch
- 2 large eggs, barely beaten together in a medium-sized bowl
- 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
Turn on the broiler. Cover a sheet pan with aluminum foil, and place the onion halves on, cut side up. Place pan underneath the broiler, and cook the onions until blackened and fragrant. Flip the onion halves, and blacken on the other side. Turn off the heat.
Pour 1/2 cup of the chicken stock into a medium-sized bowl. Pour the remaining 7 1/2 cups of stock into a large pot, along with the blackened onions. Bring to a boil of medium-high heat. Add fish sauce, black pepper, a pinch of salt, and asparagus. Cook until asparagus is tender, four to five minutes.
Stir the cornstarch into the 1/2 cup of chicken stock. Turn heat to medium, and in a slow steady stream, whisk this slurry into the pot. Add the crab. Let the mixture thicken for a minute, stirring occasionally. Slowly stir the eggs into the pot, and cook until they set, about one minute.
Season soup with salt to taste, and then ladle into four bowls. Garnish each with cilantro, and a little more freshly ground pepper.
All products linked here have been independently selected by our editors. We may earn a commission on purchases, as described in our affiliate policy.


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1215 South Walnut Ave.Demopolis, AL 36732 map
Access to Care: 1-800-239-2901
Anxiety DisordersBipolar DisorderSuicideAddictions: Alcohol and Substance AbusePain Management
One of the most controversial books in its time, it is also one of the most detailed analyses of how drug manufacturers gain FDA approval. In making such an analysis, the Breggins also indict the drug manufacturers and the whole drug approval process as inherently flawed, biased, and inadequate for protecting Americans from potentially-harmful new medications.
Some parts of this book are too detailed and can be boring to some readers (professionals especially, who may already have the necessary education and background to skip the sections about how the brain works). But the large majority of the book is neither boring nor easy to put down, as the Breggins detail how Eli Lilly conducted its drug approval studies, analyse the resulting data themselves, and illustrate how Prozac, the popular antidepressant, did only barely better than a sugar pill (or placebo) in some of the studies used for FDA approval.
A reply to another popular Prozac book (Listening to Prozac by Peter Kramer), this book can sometimes go too far in drawing conclusions which the data neither support nor suggest. I would suggest it as a must-read though, if you are taking Prozac or a similar SSRI for the treatment of depression, and especially if you have already read Listening to Prozac. In the context of the other book, it presents "the other side," and in-between, I'd suggest, you will find a middle ground... Yes, there are problems with our current drug approval system, but it still remains one of the more conservative and best such systems in the world. Available in both paperback and hardcover.
If you're taking Prozac or any other of the newer antidepressant medications today, you should read this book.
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Kansas City Blend
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Bright, solid, smooth — you can't go wrong with Kansas City Blend. Named after the city we call home, it was one of our very first blends. In 1994, we spent about six months refining and perfecting this coffee, with a goal to create a blend that is approachable for the broadest spectrum of tastes and preferences, but also interesting enough to impress the most discriminating coffee connoisseurs.
We put in a lot of hard work to achieve this very ambitious goal. We believe we've succeeded with our Kansas City Blend. After all these years, it remains our number one coffee today.


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While Rovio's already revealed the next galactic entry in their super-successful Angry Birds franchise, there's still room for them to grow as a business. Right now, the Finnish company's a one-property entity and even if that property is as ubiquitous and popular as Angry Birds, they're still at risk if bird-flinging is all they do. If Angry Birds proves to be a fad, then Rovio's own house will come crumbling down.
But a recent news post at All Things D reports that the company's possibly looking to acquire or publish games created by other developers. CEO Mikael Hed gets quoted as saying:
"That's another one of the areas we are starting to be ready for -– acquisitions... It would be very easy for us to just go shopping," he said. "To get lasting benefit is the hard part."
Hed also mentions another non-Angry Birds game in development, too. It's going to be a combination of all of these efforts—buying smaller, promising developers, pushing out content that they themselves didn't create and diversifying the games that they do produce—that will provide the roadmap to Rovio's future. They're going to have to do more than just Birds at some point, especially if they want to become a publicly traded company in the future.
Rovio's CEO on Growing His Flock and Whether to Fly Solo [All Things D, via Gamasutra]


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Concert tipster: Why tix were as low as $19
Less than a week before the Charlottesville U2 show, the event hadn't sold out, and the prices appeared to be dropping. Some $30 tickets were offered for $19, the $95 tickets for as little as $71, and the $250s appeared as low as $130. And with just six days before Charlottesville's own U2 concert, the head of the world's biggest ticket reseller was advising would-be concert-goers to hold off a little longer.
"Wait out the weekend, and see where ticket prices fall," said Joellen Ferrer, the communications director for StubHub, the eBay-owned service that links ticket buyers and sellers.
As of Friday, September 25, StubHub members were advertising nearly 1,800 tickets for the October 1 show at Scott Stadium. If the venue holds 60,000, that's about three percent of all seats.
"That's actually quite a high amount," says Ferrer, and that's why she was predicting a further price drop, as ticket holders have shown a willingness to discount in order to avoid getting stuck with already paid-for tickets.
Overall, U2 's "360º Tour" appears quite the profit center–- and not just for StubHub (though it's their #1 ever). The 24 European U2 shows grossed nearly $188 million, which is more than the Rolling Stones raked in during the North American portion of their record-breaking 2005 tour when U2 took the #2 spot.
This year, according to Pollstar editor Gary Bongiovanni, since Madonna seems to have finished her tour, U2 holds a strong chance of standing atop the rankings–- even without selling out Charlottesville.
"That's probably not a surprise in this economy and in a town like Charlottesville," says Bongiovanni.
Concert venue manager Larry Wilson says he's pleased with the ticket sales. And with the in-the-round format of the U2 event meaning no blocked-off sections and lots of floor capacity, he might be looking at a record-breaking audience at Scott Stadium, even without selling every ticket.
As for would-be concert-goers, the next few days may be the time to get a bargain on a once-in-a-lifetime event, and StubHub's spokesperson says any ticket bought by Tuesday should be deliverable in time via Fedex.
"It's basic supply and demand," says Ferrer. "This close to the show with high inventory, sellers have to price their tickets more competitively, so that makes a more vibrant marketplace in the favor of fans."
By Monday morning, three days before show date, the number of tickets available on StubHub had fallen 1o just over 1,500, thanks apparently to brisk weekend sales.
"We saw a noticeable spike in sales beginning Friday, presumably after the story ran," says StubHub's Ferrer. "Sales have been strong since, and are moving quite briskly today."
By Monday afternoon, the number available has fallen to around 600, as– according to the "refresh" button on a reporter's internet browser– tickets were selling at the rate of about 20 per hour toward the absolute deadline of 4pm Tuesday for hard tickets and 3pm Thursday for "eTickets."
–last updated 3:04pm Monday, September 28
–orig headline: Buy U2 tix Monday or Tuesday
16 comments
ML, no Mr. Bono . Did you look at pic 3 of the slideshow --now you'll realize why they need 120 trucks.
Just read the NY Times article Sue linked to. Was hoping that the Times' style of referring to everybody as Mr., Mrs., and Ms would result in the construction of "Mr. The Edge," but alas it was not to be.
Blah blah, ballsack, blah blah. Seriously old farts, get off the internet. You have nothing interesting to say.
Well said MO, and what a fascinating contribution on your part! Thank god you came to the rescue and raised the level of discourse. You are certainly a credit to your age group, and my how competent at spelling you are.
That's the thing: much like the stage they're bringing, they don't need 120 trucks.
It would be less galling if they weren't outspoken environmentalists. What I'm seeing here is the thousand and twenty sixth case of "Do as I say, not as I do." Instead they're "paying for carbon offsets."
Forgive me if I'm wrong here, but the last time I checked money doesn't clean up the carbon put out by 120 semis and who knows how many private jets. Go ahead and tour that way; that doesn't bug me. But stop with the smarmy "we care" crap. It's impossible not to see through.
What the heck do they need 120 trucks for? I mean, its Scott's stadium, and we can certainly put a stage up, with a simple backdrop, and listen to the music. I doubt an Opera company needs 120 semis to haul its sets and all the orchestra materials as well.
Maybe not --think I'll get my ticket now
Any money you spend going to that show says 120 trucks needed to transport the stage is ok. That's not very green.
I suggest waiting until Oct. 1st and just showing up --bound to be some very cheap tickets. Don't think UVA kids are big U2 fans, and the over 40 crowd is either earning less or busy with kids or work.
Beware - they are not blocking off sections, but there ARE obstructed-view seats in line with the four "legs" of the massive stage. Check the seating chart and be sure not to buy anything that puts one of those legs between you and the stage.
Who cares about carbon offsets? I posed this far more important question on another page:
Will they be selling beer in Scott Stadium as they now do in JPJ?
So the "tipster" is a stubhub spokesman? Silly.
October 6, 2009
The concert was 5 days ago. I went to it.
So what did you all think about it?!
I'm interested to know. :)
I agree. If they weigh each piece of the spider stage, and load each truck to the maximum weight allowed on the public roadways, they should be able to manage with 110 trucks. :)
Personally I'd rather see Muse than U2.


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Capacitive touch sensors can be used, for example, as a start and stop button on machines, as enable switches and for opening and closing gates. Compared to mechanical switches the sensors operate without wear. Dynamic touch sensors detect an approaching human hand and suppress interference such as water, layers of ice or foreign bodies to a large extent. However, a gloved hand will still trigger them. Static touch sensors detect hands and objects even through glass for as long as the sensing face is covered which provides, for example, protection against vandalism. With the latching operating principle it is possible to switch the sensor on by touching briefly and to switch it off again by touching briefly again. The housing with protection rating IP 69K is resistant to oils and also impact and scratch resistant. Powerful LEDs as optical feedback signal that the sensor has been activated. The green LEDs can be controlled separately and, for example, be used to indicate the status of plant and machinery.
The sensor can be installed in all housings with a Ø 22.5 mm hole.


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Working with a continuous record of Arctic climate reaching back 3.6 million years, researchers have documented a period when the region was significantly warmer and wetter than it is today and when the atmosphere's inventory of carbon dioxide was comparable to today's levels.
The period the team has analyzed covers the first 1.4 million years of the record, when the region's climate shifted from warm and wet to conditions that signaled the start of ice ages.
This period is of interest in part because the warmth persisted despite periodic shifts in Earth's orbit that reduced the intensity of sunlight reaching the region.
Temperatures were high enough – about 14 degrees warmer than today in the warmest month of the summer – to suggest that the climate system is more sensitive to small changes in greenhouse-gas concentrations than the sensitivity estimates included in some climate models.
If that's the case, as other paleoclimate studies have indicated, the models may be underestimating the amount of warming likely to result from increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations, the scientists say.
The period also is of interest because it holds clues about the factors that drove climate from prolonged warmth into a cycle of ice ages – factors that will help researchers understand the role natural variability plays in the region's climate and where climatic "tipping points" may lie.
The work "identifies for the first time a long, continuous story of that history from the Arctic and what I call the Arctic borderlands," says Julie Brigham-Grette, a geologist at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst who focuses on the Arctic's ancient climate, referring to adjacent regions. Dr. Brigham-Grette is the lead author of a formal report of the results, which are being published in Friday's issue of the journal Science.
The research was conducted by a team of 16 scientists from Russia, the US, Germany and Sweden.
The evidence is captured in a 1,034-foot core sample the team drew from the bottom of Lake El'gygytgyn, known informally as Lake E. It formed 3.6 billion years ago after a meteor punched a crater in Russia's northeastern Arctic. The crater filled to form a lake 7 miles across and some 560 feet deep. The area around the lake managed to remain ice free during the ebb and flow of continental ice sheets during the Pleistocene ice ages, allowing sediment layers – and the pollen and other climate indicators they contain – to build up uninterrupted for the last 3.56 million years.
The team published initial results from the Lake E core last year, focusing on the Pleistocene. This latest effort focuses on the climate from the earlier, mid Pliocene through the onset of the glacial cycles.
"There are sites all over the Arctic that have little pieces of information" about the climate at different dates during this time, Brigham-Grette says of other places where teams have taken sediment samples from lakes and ponds. "All these little pieces of information tell us that the Arctic had tremendous forest cover in the past."
Between 3.56 and 3.4 million years ago, the region would have looked quite exotic compared with today's Arctic, she says. Pollen and other indicators point to a region cloaked in Douglas fir and hemlock all the way to the shores of the Arctic Ocean, which the team posits was ice free in the summer.
Today, "you've got to go pretty far south and west in Russia to get those kinds of forest types," she says. The vegetation and other indicators speak to summer temperatures in the Middle Pliocene at the site that reached the high 50s to low 60s Fahrenheit, roughly 14 degrees warmer than today. The region saw precipitation amounts of perhaps 23 inches a year, compared with 15 inches today.
The warmth and moisture, along with the vegetation present, are consistent with atmospheric CO2 levels of about 400 parts per million, a level the atmosphere is nudging today – a result of the buildup of CO2 from burning fossil fuels.
Indeed, modeling studies the team performed shows that it takes the warming effect of that much CO2 to sustain the forests over thousands of years through warm and cold phases of Earth's orbit around the sun.
"Our data is supporting the notion that carbon dioxide in the Pliocene must have been similar to what it is today," she says.
In effect, a Pliocene-like climate may be the Arctic's future as well as it's past.
Between 3.26 million and 2.2 million years ago, the transition to the ice ages began. The climate was still warm, but this time span included cool excursions that approach those of recent glacial periods, the team says. The forest began to change its composition as tundra and other cold-weather plants took over. This gave the surface a lighter hue, reflecting more sunlight into space than the darker firs did. This tended to reinforce cooling.
The task now is to move from making observations about the changes to teasing out in some detail the factors driving them, Brigham-Grette says.
With such a long climate record from Lake E, researchers are in a better position to compare notes with colleagues studying climate change at the bottom of the world over the same period. Sediment records taken from the sea floor below the Ross Ice Shelf, for instance, reach back some 14 million years.
The record in Antarctica shows that at several times during the period Brigham-Grette's team covers in its latest results, the entire West Antarctic Ice Sheet vanished and reappeared several times.
"We've got these extremely warm situations in the Arctic and we can see some parallels in the ice-sheet sizes in Antarctica," she says. "What were the forcing mechanisms that drove that warmth and what's the connection between the Arctic and Antarctica?"
The answers could yield valuable insights into how the Earth system works and how it might respond to today's warming trend.


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(Recipe Collection)
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Steph2003's Chicken & Dumplings
I LOVE chicken & dumplings so when I found this I added my own spin to it and lowered the fat and calories. This is the best chicken and dumplings I've ever had which is amazing since I'm never satisfied with my cooking! You can have a full cup of this hearty comfort food for only 284 calories and 3.8 grams of fat! The sodium could be reduced if homemade biscuits are used instead of the canned biscuits, but if sodium isn't a problem this is a very fast and easy way to make chicken & dumplings!Submitted by STEPH2003
Carbs: 42.5g | Fat: 3.2g | Fiber: 1.6g | Protein: 18.9g | Calories: 284.2
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Written by Matt Hickman
Now that Memorial Day has come and gone, summer — the season of back porch grilling, front porch lounging, purchasing obscenely large tubs of mayonnaise-based salads, and getting into a heated spat with your neighbor over issues of landscaping — is, for all intents and purposes, upon us. Let's focus on that last point, the one about landscaping disputes, shall we?
Ever since Martha Stewart notoriously duked it out with her erstwhile East Hampton neighbor Harry Macklowe over misplaced shrubbery, fighting with your neighbor over lawn maintenance has evolved into a late spring/summertime tradition that ordinarily fizzles over after a bit of compromise. However, such disputes can turn violent, malicious, and in the case of Bay Area business magnate/billionaire Larry Ellison, very obnoxious.
Ellison, best known as the fifth richest man in the world and co-founder and CEO of software company Oracle, initiated what the Wall Street Journal calls a "full-blown spectacle" over a cluster of trees that he believes are partially obstructing the views of the San Francisco Bay enjoyed through the floor-to-ceiling windows in a Pacific Heights home that he purchased in 1988 for $3.9 million. (The WSJ article also has photos of the view from Ellison's manse.) The offending trees, three redwoods and an 80-year-old acacia, are growing in the $6.9-million backyard of Bernard and Jane Von Bothmer who moved into a manse downhill from Ellison's residence in 2004.
The "tree problem" started not long after the Von Bothmers moved into their home and decided to let the trees grow naturally without regular trimming as they enjoyed the privacy that the towering green canopy behind their home provided. Upslope in his 10,742-square-foot home used primarily for "entertaining," Ellison was not too pleased. After several years of back and forth bickering and allegations of "tree-passing," Ellison and the Von Bothmers were to go before state Superior Court in San Francisco on June 6. Representing Ellison: Barri Bonapart, an arbor-oriented attorney who specializes in "tree and neighbor law." According to Bonapart's website, Treelaw.com, her firm offers "practical solutions for an impractical world."
But as new details emerge, it looks like Ellison and the Von Bothmers won't be heading to court after all: over the holiday weekend, the lawsuit was settled out of court and the Von Bothmers have agreed to cut the three redwoods and landmark-worthy acacia that have been causing Ellison so much grief. Paging Julia Butterfly Hill ...
Read all the pulpy juicy particulars of the Ellison vs. Von Bothmer case — basically a Lifetime Original Movie meets Court TV special with a dash of the National Geographic Channel thrown in — here and let me know what you think. How have you settled landscaping disputes with neighbors? Any San Francisco residents out there have strong opinions on this much-publicized case and on the city's "Tree Dispute Resolution Ordinance?"
In my humble opinion, Ellison sounds like nothing more than a schoolyard bully — an extremely powerful, multi-billionaire schoolyard bully who is used to getting what he wants ... including unobstructed San Francisco views.
Via [WSJ]
Matt Hickman blogs for the Mother Nature Network.
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Free Scran Personal Licence for Teachers
Scottish Local Authority teachers, in primary, secondary and special schools, can have free at home access to Scran by completing the Application Form below. An acceptance email is normally sent within an hour. In some cases, this process may be manual and take a few days.
You may fully use Scran to prepare teaching materials for your school. Our training section prepares you. Our copyright section gives you the simple rules.